Inside This Issue: on Our Train Especially (More of That Later Too!)

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Volume 8 Issue 2

August 2016

We reported last year on the film- Locally, Dot & ing of the Channel 4 show, and it Dave are still get- was broadcast nationally on 15th ting recognition May. from people—it does mean there Dot & Dave did the group proud as are many people they met Paul Merton on the sta- who are interested tion then rode with him to our in trains, and par- sister station Denton talking to ticularly for us it him on the way. has generated more interest in We have had a lot of interest since the campaign al- then, particularly from Jamie in though sadly Dot America, who is going to ride the & Dave’s points next Folk Train (more of that later about FORSS were not broadcast in this issue); from a serving soldier the programme. who hails from Reddish; and brothers from the Orkney Islands who are doing a country-wide rail holiday and have booked tickets Inside this issue: on our train especially (more of that later too!). Campaign news 2 Dot and Dave have been pleased by the publicity for the station, but The Queen’s birth- 3 Dave has been somewhat be- day tea mused by the amount of recognition his bodywarmer has been RetroRail trip 4 getting!

All in all the series was a good one Stockport Station 5 and was favourably received by Fun Day the TV critics. We even got a para- graph in an edition in the Radio Flying Scotsman 6 Times, and mentioned in the na- comes to Reddish tional press, as well as coverage South (twice) in the Stockport Express. Snippets, news, 7 Above left, Paul Merton, Dot & Dave aboard the weekly train dates for your diary Above: saying goodbye at Denton; Dot & Dave both said that to meet and, how well does our station look from above? (pictures Paul Merton was a real pleasure. The philosophy bit 8 from ‘Paul Merton’s Secret Stations’, Brownbob Productions) Page 2 The Friends of Reddish South Station

Campaign News:

Pictured let to right back row: Alan Jones (FODS) Kim Burrows, Noel Henry (FORSS), Ann Nunnerley We were rather (FODS) Front row: Andrew Gwynne, disappointed to David Hoggarth, Amanda learn that none White of the shortlisted franchisees had mentioned our line in relation to a possible service.

From left: Alan Jones, Noel Henry, Robert Andrew Gwynne Fickling, TfGM, Owain Roberts, is trying to get TfGM, Dot Ashworth and Ray Pickering (FODS) us a meeting with Andy Burnham, the Labour Candidate for Mayor of Manchester, as The Friends Committee have FODS friend Ray with us who ranged with Liam Sumpter of soon as we know been active on the campaign used to work at Victoria Sta- Arriva (Dot chased out after who the others front since the last news tion so had good knowledge him following a meeting to are we’ll be letter. of the systems there. give him our details!). chasing them Andrew Gwynne MP ar- They did listen, but we were Andrew Gwynne is trying to too! ranged a meeting in May rather disappointed to learn get us a meeting with Andy with David Hoggarth, Head of that none of the shortlisted Burnham the Labour Candi- Rail North and Amanda franchisees had mentioned date for Mayor of Manches- White, Head of Rail at TfGM our line, in their tenders, in ter. with the FORSADs Campaign relation to a possible service. Group. As ever there was As soon as we know who the nothing definite that could We have since gone back to others are we’ll be chasing be said—mainly carry on lob- the councils for reassurance them too! that we still do have their bying; but from that came a meeting with rail strategy/ backing. Heatons & Reddish planners. In June. Area Committee have been particularly supportive. We were fortunate to have We now have a meeting ar- Volume 8 Issue 2 Page 3

Queen Elizabeth’s 90th Birthday

As a part of the Queen’s birthday events, a national ‘Station-to-Station’ celebra- Left: tion was launched where as some of our patriotic many stations as possible tea drinkers held parties and afternoon teas in her honour.

We held an afternoon tea, and of course, being in Reddish we can never count on the weather to hold up, and sure enough it poured with rain the whole day. We had 2 gazebos with a leaky gap between Right: the two until Friend Len Ged & Phil came to the rescue with a tarpaulin cover.

Also as usual the residents Also as usual the of Reddish didn’t let us residents of down and braved the Reddish braved weather to attend the party the weather to where Ged & Phil enter- attend the party tained us for the whole af- where Ged & ternoon. Councillors Dave Phil entertained Wilson, Walter Brett and us for the whole Tom Grundy came as did afternoon. Andrew Gwynne MP and Left: Andrew Stephen Forde our Commu- Gwynne, Stephen nity Rail organizer, to cele- Forde, Walter brate with us Brett, Len, Dave & Dot For the party we were very grateful to have funding from the Association of Community Rail Partner- ships (ACoRP) without whom the event could not have been possible.

-We celebrated another birthday—that of our Treas- urer Dot who turned 21 again a few days later. Right: tea was enjoyed under Thanks to everyone who cover turned out on such a dread- ful day - we think they felt it had been worth it! Friends Graham & Mary braving the downpour. Page 4 The Friends of Reddish South Station

RetroRail Trip to Canterbury

Now an annual treat, once again Reddish South was a scheduled stop on the RetroRail Tour from Leeds to Canterbury, also stop- ping at London and Margate.

We counted 37 people waiting for the train at Reddish South, Passengers the most so far and impressive Dave & Ged especially considering it is a above long day. Keith & Sue Above: below The journey as always is a major Where Thomas Beckett is said fun part of the day, but unfortu- to have been murdered nately one of the sidings visits Above left: The cathedral could not take place as we had lost time on a hold up earlier.

We arrived on time though — most of our group disembarked at Canterbury. The Cathedral is below: the burial place of the Edward, The tomb of the the Black Prince, Edward IV as Black Prince well as the place where Thomas Beckett was murdered.

It is a little unfortunate that the Above Everyone had a cathedral has had to become The new statues of the wonderful day rather commercial in order to Queen & the Duke of with the added meet the costs of the upkeep Edinburgh bonus of being but it is a lovely place with a able to walk (or fascinating history. Recent ad- stagger) home ditions are statues of the Queen due to the & Prince Phillip to celebrate a marvellous ale reign of 60 years. offers on the way home. Canterbury itself is a small town with beautiful gardens and a river flowing through There are punts that can be hired to travel down the river and you pay what Left: the oldest brewery in you think it is worth -which is Britain novel.!

Everyone had a wonderful day with the added bonus of being able to walk home (or stagger due to the marvellous ale offers on the way back).

There is a possibility of another Left: trip in September so watch the some of the board outside the station—and passengers back home Dot & Dave of course we will update you via the website and emails. again

Many, many thanks again to James and the crew for a wonderful day and making Reddish a scheduled stop. Volume 8 Issue 2 Page 5

We make sure we have information on our events at each fun day

We sold a lot of magnets (new addition Stockport Tiviot Dale, a new favourite) and also some of the generous donation of rail memorabilia from the Mills family. We were lucky to have Friend Graham Top left The DB Schenker class 60-001 loco Kelsey on hand Top right: Alan, Keith, Dot, Tom & Graham and the stand. The models were donated by with his the Mills family extensive Pictured above: Dave, Alan, Kim, Dot & Tom knowledge of all Pictured right: Graham with Niki Abnett, organizer of the Fun Day things railway.

Stockport Station Fun Day

The annual Fun Day was on Friend Graham on hand with Graham has the Flying 31st July this year. his extensive knowledge of Scotsman name plate and all things railway. was invited to be on the It was well attended and we show. We will let you know managed to attract interest We donated some of our when we get details of trans- Above—getting from the passengers and proceeds to the Station Char- mission. people who attended. ity. ready– we were right at the end Graham said he had a won- of Platform 3 so We sold a lot of magnets Dot & Dave were recognized derful weekend, but of people had to (new addition Stockport by quite a few people and it course wasn’t giving any- Tiviot Dale, a personal fa- was an interesting day. pass us to get to thing away about how it the loo! vourite) and also some of the went! generous donation of rail Incidentally Graham will be memorabilia from the Mills appearing on the Antiques family. Roadshow in a few weeks time when it has special on We were lucky to have Rail memorabilia. Page 6 The Friends of Reddish South Station

The Flying Scotsman pays a flying visit to Reddish South (one of the few trains to go out AND come back!)

On 7th June the Scotsman pictured going up the line just past Reddish South It was the worst kept secret in trainspotter circles!

On 14th June it returned– this time pictured at Reddish South Station. All 3 pictures courtesy Dot Ashworth

Spotted at Reddish South Station Flying Scotsman return journey– is this the best place to see the Flying Scotsman ever? Volume 8 Issue 2 Page 7 Snippets……….. Thanks to all participants in last season’s Fantasy Football league. Modesty forbids announcing the champions for last season but it was a very close run thing. Very well done also to Pete Holmes, David Le Poidevin, West Ham Mick, & Rob Wakefield. We know 2 matches have been played but its not too late to join– email forss1@ntlworld and Alan will give you the code to join the league. Its only for fun after all!

Jamie from America is riding the Folk Train with us at the end of this month after seeing ‘Paul Merton’s Secret Stations’. Come and join us!

On 16th September two brothers from the Orkneys are having an extensive rail tour of the British Isles and have incorporated the Stockport-Stalybridge train into their schedule and wish to meet us. Its nothing fancy –no folk train—but if anyone else would like to come along for the ride you are all welcome.

New local support:

DeTrafford Estates the people behind the new development on Houldsworth Street (former Elisabeth Mill) are very supportive of our campaign with a strong and positive statement:

‘One of the attractions of Elisabeth Gardens is the great connectivity it will afford with fast, regular services to Manchester Piccadilly from nearby Reddish North. Now, DeTrafford Estates is backing a campaign for a reinstated passenger service at Reddish South that will link Manchester Victoria to Stockport, creating ‘The East Manchester Corridor’.

We will be lending our full support to The Friends of Reddish South Station (FORSS), a group of volun- teers formed to improve the station, and actively lobby for a line they argue would enhance the pro- posed Northern Hub as the only service to allow trains to travel from the south of Manchester to the city’s Victoria Station.

With the prospect of an alternative efficient rail link for the Elisabeth Gardens community and the close proximity of the station, we’ll be right behind the campaign’

Many thanks to DeTrafford for their support—and to Dot & Dave for contacting them to inform them of the campaign.

Dates for your diary Friday 26th August departing at 9.26am from Reddish South Station The Friends of Reddish South Station & the Friends of Denton Station Secret Stations Summer Folk train

Friday 30th September on the station platform10am—12noon whatever the weather— Be part of Macmillan’s Biggest Coffee Morning in the World

Sunday 9th October West End Social Club Time TBC We have a stand promoting the station and our campaign with Friends of Denton

News as we get it on another RetroRail Tour – possibly Scotland we’ll keep you informed The philosophy bit:

The regular passenger service from Stockport to Manchester via Reddish South & Denton Stations was replaced in 1991 by a single weekly ‘Parliamentary’ train (one way only to Stalybridge).

The Friends of Reddish South Station was inaugurated in 2007. Our dual aims were to restore the station platform to something like its former prize-winning glory (see be- fore and after pictures ), and campaign for a full reinstatement of regular rail passenger services.

Alan Jones formed the Friends of Denton Station in 2010 (our sister station up the line) and together we campaign for the reintroduction of a regular passenger service from Stockport to Manchester Victoria; not only for the benefit of Denton & Reddish residents but to revolutionize connectivity between north, south & east Manchester in conjunction with the Ordsall Chord, (but at a fraction of the cost!), and, of course, ready now! ‘Our’ line remains the only one that runs into Manchester Victoria from the south of the city.

We are still meeting with TfGM and the new Northern franchise holders, Arriva as are our local councillors to lobby to reinstate services on the line

To raise awareness of our campaign we arrange very popular regular breakfast folk trains to Stalybridge and the lovely Caz and staff at the buffet bar open up early just for us! Retrorailtours make our station a scheduled stop (going AND coming back!) on their regular rail excursions whenever it is possible—and we always have a really good From top: 1991, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 time. Ged, Phil & Michael (Michael writes his own songs too) provide the entertain-

Meet the team: ment on the folk trains (and we usually can drag them on the excursions with the Friends of Reddish South Station: promise of a free pint) and we can be joined by guest artistes who usually hear we are

Chair: Tom Grundy on our way and join us.

Vice Chair: Martin Wystyrk We are fortunate to have the full support of Tameside & Stockport Councils, Heatons & Reddish Area Committee (who have been fantastic) the Manchester Chamber of Treasurer: Dot Ashworth Commerce, Stephen Forde, (Transport for Stockport Council) De Trafford Estates and Secretary/Newsletter: Kim Burrows our MP, Andrew Gwynne, without whose tireless efforts on our behalf we wouldn’t

Technical Committee Chair: Noel Henry have got this far.

Membership Secretary: Alan Burrows We work with Arts for Recovery in the Community (ARC) on community art projects and

Website Manager: Dave Ashworth have appreciated Jacqui & the team’s advice and support since 2011 and our first project. Website: Local businesses also support us such as Julian Wadden Estate Agents, and to put a friendsofreddishsouthstation.co.uk bit back in we have an annual coffee morning on the station platform to raise funds Contact secretary:[email protected] for Macmillan Cancer Care as part of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. Or phone 0161 292 8311 If you haven’t already—COME & JOIN US! For the princely sum of £2.50 you will be informed, entertained, educated and perhaps a bit nearer being able to jump on a train to Manchester from your local station.