Friends of Glossop Station - Blog

Christmas arrives at Glossop Station

25/11/2024

CHRISTMAS has arrived a little earlier than in previous years - along with the trains - at Glossop Station!
So far the station is graced with a most attractive Christmas tree kindly and generously donated by Glossop Garden Centre which, after only two days, has already drawn many compliments. Alongside the LED lights local children's hand-made decorations created from past festive art work sessions at the station have been included. A Christmas star kindly provided by Linda Newman, founder of FOGS, will be placed at the top of the tree this weekend.
Also in place nine festive Christmas flower arrangements in the window boxes created by Pat, Chris and Jean from Glossop Gardeners. Over the next week or so we will add Christmas wreaths and garlands to complete the displays.
Our thanks to Theo McLauchlan, our line manager at Northern, for permission to put up up these decorations. To John and Pete for a lot of hard work getting the tree in place and erecting the compound.. And to Mike at TWIG for his support.
We hope you enjoy these Christmas decorations when you visit the station.

New artist Helen Gerrard on display

25/11/2024

FoGS extends a warm welcome to High Peak based artist Helen Gerrard whose work is now on display in the Waiting Room Art Gallery at Glossop Station.
Helen's work is widely known in the area and we are delighted she has decided to present some of her work at the station. Helen's pieces are colourful imaginative recreations of some of Glossop's best known buildings such as Partington Theatre. All feature an animal too! As one viewer said today," They are fun!" Do come and have a look. The pictures can be viewed daily from early morning to early evening.
All the pictures can be bought. To contact Helen email [email protected]
Examples of Helen's work can also be found at Glossop Craft Centre or click here to visit here Facebook page
Our thanks as always to John Kimpton for his help and expertise in setting up these displays with the artists. If you are interested in having a display at the station please contact John on 01457 859128

Embankment Garden Autumn session

28/10/2024

WITH THE CLOCKS going back our volunteers had a final session of the current season's gardening on the Embankment Garden. Work on the garden opposite the platform took place from 7am to 9am and involved much weeding!
With more planting of primulas and bulbs in readiness for Spring we hope you notice and enjoy the improvements.
A big thank you to Network Rail Track and Protection Unit for organising these sessions especially to Andy Griffin, Paul Schofield and Ian, our Supervisor, at Glossop. Your ongoing support is much appreciated!
Additionally, we are currently in the process of renewing and refreshing the hanging baskets under the canopy on the platform. If you spot a couple missing they are just receiving some much needed tlc!

Georgia's verse is in the frame

15/10/2024

IT WAS a great privilege to be able to present Georgia Hutchings with her prize this morning for winning our RSPCA Poetry Platform competition.
Our third quarter display celebrated 200 years of the work of the RSPCA and featured Georgia's winning entry as part of the display. Paul Marsh, editor and designer of FoGS Poetry Platform, presented Georgia with a framed copy of her poem alongside an acknowledgement of her win and photograph of the display.
Georgia, who loves creative writing and commented that she writes daily, was thrilled to be our winner and have her entry acknowledged and published on the platform display.
Our thanks to all who entered and congratulations again to Georgia for her winning entry.
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The current display features something a little different - and certainly more challenging! - marking 100 years of the first published crossword in a daily newspaper. Along with a selection of poems the display also features a crossword to be solved. Copies of the crossword itself are available from the station staff or by clicking here to dowload a PDF copy. Answers will be available by sending your contact details to [email protected].
Please note: the solution will only be issued towards the end of the display period in December.

THE NEXT POETRY PLATFORM will be a very special display to start the new year in January. Our first quarter display will focus on poems and pictures from local schools who will be invited to submit competition entries from their pupils. Watch out for more details which will be available soon and have your entry ready!

2025 will be a very special year celebrating 'Railway 200' being the 200th anniversary of the modern railway. Alongside various national and local events, FoGS Poetry Platform will also be marking the occasion with special displays and writing competitions. More details will be announced from January and throughout the year.

A Very Puzzling Poetry Display!

29/9/2024

IT'S A PUZZLE to sort out the last Poetry Platform display of this year has just been launched with some difficult clues for traveller journeying through the station to sort out alongside our selection of poems.
Celebrating 100 years of the first published crossword in a UK daily newspaper there is an actual crossword on the display with links to the poetry alongside.
Arthur Wynne, a journalist originally from Liverpool, created the first original "FUN's Word-Cross Puzzle" while working in America in 1913. A mistyped typographical error subsequently changed it to the now recognised ‘crossword’ puzzle we now know and love. The first UK crossword was published in the Daily Express in December 1924. The rapid increase in popularity saw crosswords being taken up by other newspapers, including the Daily Telegraph (1925), the Manchester Guardian (1929) and The Times from 1930.
For our display it is a, largely, poetry and literary crossword for you to consider with poems and extracts alongside relating to the attached clues. Enjoy the challenge!
If you would like a copy of the answers please send your contact details to [email protected].
Please note: the solution will not be sent out immediately but towards the end of the display period in December.

Lots of bumblebees sighted on Hadfield Safari!

16/8/2024

A WARM, SUNNY afternoon helped participants in the Bumblebee safari, organised by the Friends groups of Hadfield and Glossop Stations, see lots of bumblebees!
Conscious that numbers of bees appear fewer after our cold and wet spring it was reassuring to see bees in action on the flowers in the planters at Hadfield Station and in the wild area at Bankswood Park. As if on cue a Peacock Butterfly also landed on the platform! Joy from Hadfield Station welcomed everyone and showed everyone around including the planters, gardens, children's mosaic art work and the Heritage Information Board. She also explained her plans to restore the former station garden. Caterpillars were spotted on the nasturtiums in the planters - again a rare sight. Joy is leaving them as part of nature's cycle.
En route to the Park everyone stopped to observe and chat. In the Park the group gathered at one point to read out aloud in turn 20 facts about Bumblebees prepared by Neil Williams from Glossop Station. This resulted in lots of shared information about bumblebees and a few smiles! After about 45 minutes the group slowly made its way back to Hadfield station. There Joy and Neil gave each person a copy of the newly published High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership's Bumblebee Safari walks booklet (sponsored by Cross Country Trains) covering family friendly walks from stations on the Buxton, Hope Valley and Glossop lines - part of the ongoing Buzzing Stations project.
Joy and Neil would like to thank Becky Styles, Community and Sustainability Manager at Northern, for her support of this event and permission to meet on Hadfield Station. Thanks also to Paul Marsh for his poster which made us all smile and his efforts to promote this event on local social media. Lastly thanks to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust whose inspiration gave us the confidence to run these safaris.

Bumblebee Safari Hadfield Station Friday 16th August

5/8/2024

THIS SUMMER'S BUMBLEBEE SAFARI will take place at Hadfield Station Friday 16th August at 1.45pm. Organised by Friends of Glossop and Hadfield Stations with the support of Northern and the High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership, the family friendly event aims to raise awareness of bumblebees with a little fun too!
Starting our safari by looking at the tubs and gardens at Hadfield station and how they attract bees before taking a gentle stroll to nearby Bankswood Park looking out in the park for bees and the flowers they are attracted to. Stopping en route for a little do you know session before making our way back to Hadfield station. The event is scheduled to last around an hour and fifteen minutes. No bees will be caught nor harmed - we just observe.
The event is FREE - just turn up at Hadfield station from 1.30pm onwards. Connecting train from Glossop leaves at 1.35pm arriving Hadfield 1.40pm. Members of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust are most welcome to join us and we are grateful to the BCT for inspiring us to hold this event. If rain affects the planned walk we will move for an hour instead to the nearby Hadfield Hall for some indoor bumblebee activities.
The event has been fully risk and safety assessed.
Do come along and join us - last year's event was very well supported. We look forward to welcoming you at Hadfield Station!

Welcome to Gwen and Amy - new artists at the station

1/8/2024

WE EXTEND A WARM WELCOME to Gwen and Amy Osbaldeston a mother and daughter partnership as our new showcase artists in the Waiting Room Art Gallery with an exhibition entitled 'THREAD AND CLAY'.
Amy was born in Glossop and has worked in and around the Peak District. Machine embroidery has been Amy's passion and she enjoys applying these skills to the beautiful landscapes of the area in her work. In 2023 she won the textiles prize at the Hadfield Art Show.
Gwen is originally from Northumberland but moved to North West England. Here she became captivated by the landscapes of the High Peak. Having taught fine Art and Textiles as her career Gwen now enjoys painting local landscapes.
Both Amy and Gwen enjoy exhibiting their work at local craft fairs and in galleries. They also run art courses for young adults in Glossop.
We are sure that their work, which includes views of local beauty spots such Moorfield, Seven Falls Tintwistle, Bray Clough and Shire Hill, will prove popular with locals and visitors.
Their work may be purchased and Amy and Gwen can be contacted on [email protected]

Retirement for Babs at Hattersley

19/7/2024

Today at Theo McLauchlan's Northern Area Manager's office at Guide Bridge a group gathered to say thank you to Babs Allen Chair of Friends of Hattersley Station as she retires from the post.
Babs has been in post for 12 years and her indefatigable energy has brought about significant changes to Hattersley Station and its environs. Babs was from the outset determined to create an attractive station garden on land outside the station. Slowly but surely this aim was achieved through hard work and patience. Babs sought assistance from every source - councillors, Northern, Network Rail, TfGM....... always inviting visitors to see on site what her plans were. Three years ago a new station building was opened at Hattersley and Babs' work now enhances this building.
Babs has been a staunch supporter of shared community events on the line particularly the Teddy Bears Picnic. Babs' contributions were huge and included a bouncy castle, home cooked food and tombola!
Neil Williams, from Friends of Glossop Station, gave a short speech highlighting Babs' achievements. Particular mention was made of the Heritage Board ( the content and photos created by Babs ) which reflects the social history of Hattersley. Neil presented Babs with a specially designed thank you card created by Paul Marsh which featured an original front cover of the new station building at Hattersley along with a montage of photos relating to Babs' work at Hattersley. Becky Styles, Northern's Community and Sustainability Manager, presented Babs with flowers too. Also present giving their thanks were Sarah Morgan and John Kenny Rail Partnership Officers for the South East Manchester Community Rail Partnership.
It is hoped the work of Friends of Hattersley will continue via the community work team at the Hub in Hattersley guided by Sarah and John.

Poetry Platform celebrates 200 years of RSPCA

30/6/2024

TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO, a group of people met in a London coffee shop, determined to change animals’ lives for the better. That goal has been the beating heart of the RSPCA ever since.
In acknowledging this special anniversary FoGS has published its latest Poetry Platform display with a selection of animal-themed poems and verses by Robbie Burns, William Makepeace Thackery, Edward Lear, Thomas Hardy and others.
Of special note is a new poem written by Georgia Florence Hutchings from Glossop especially for the display and chosen as the winning entry of FoGS Poetry Platform competition. A beautifully written poem which elicits the love and hope epitomised by the bee visiting our countryside and stations.
Take a moment as you pass through the station to appreciate Georgia's poem and the other works included on the new display.
Congratulations to Georgia and thanks to those who entered our poetry competition. We will announce the subject of the next quarter's display soon and it could be you featuring your poem in October.