Friends Of Glossop Station

Andrew Bingham MP visited us today, for a whirlwind inspection of our newly renovated facilities, and to eat some cake.  Also present were Lee Wasnidge, Area Director and Theo McLauchlan, Glossop Line Mananger of Northern Rail, and Mike Rose from High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership and Becky Pennyfarthing from Derbyshire County Council

Neil Williams, Chairman of FoGS led the party of dignitaries on a tour of the refurbished waiting rooms, followed by a look at the banking.  Then back to the waiting rooms for cake and coffee, supplied by Bunty and Lesley.

There was a panic at the start of the morning when Bunty and Neil attempted to gain access to the old booking office and they found that the key barrel had slipped! Fortunately Bunty had prepared most of the coffee and food at home so she and Neil dashed back to Bunty's to collect some mugs! A swift return to the station allowed arrangements to continue as planned and Neil's pulse rate returned to normal!!

Andrew Bingham showed interest in all the work that had been done and complimented Northern Rail and Derbyshire County Council on their new facilities. He was quite incredulous that FOGS' recent work on the Embankment had meant 06.00 starts on Sunday mornings! He enjoyed looking at Simon's displays and particularly commented on the fact that the FOGS' montage had a smart apps link. He also revealed with a smile that he had been on the famous football special from Glossop to Wembley two years ago!

The visit also allowed useful discussions to take place between Mike Rose of HPHVCRP,Matthew Cox, Paul Marsh and Neil about the provision of tourist information in Glossop and more specifically at the station. Mike is going back to Matlock to look at the provision of a map that best suits the station.

Thanks are due to Bunty, Jacqueline and Lesley Nixon for providing the biscuits and flapjack! And for serving them! And also to Simon and John Kimpton for taking photos for FOGS on the day- overall a very successful visit!

Friday 2nd September was a big day for FOGS and Northern Rail.  At 9am, Bunty Gibson was preparing the cream cakes for the afternoon tea, assisted by Jacqueline Horne.  Neil Williams was sweeping and cleaning, and Theo McLauchlan (station manager) had rolled up his shirt sleeves to put the finishing touches to the new waiting rooms.

The displays created by Simon Denvers looked splendid.  The artwork by Tracy Cupitt transformed the second waiting room from bare walls into what is now the Station Gallery ("too posh for Glossop!" was one comment).  The mirror provided by FOGS and installed by John Kimpton reflected the bustle of the preparations.  A final flourish was dished up by Bunty, in the form of flowers in an LMS tender.

A sudden realisation that Eric Pass had secreted the urn for safe keeping resulted in a mad dash to find some kettles.

Lesley Nixon had hand made a blue curtain to unveil the marvellous plaque created by Simon Denvers.  "Locally designed and produced in Glossop" said Theo proudly.

Matthew Cox was honorary Victorian Station Master for the day, greeting the guests.

Tracy Cupitt was on hand to welcome visitors to the new gallery, showcasing her work.

As the opening hour approached, the VIPs trickled in.  The first of these was Councillor George Wharmby, Chairman of Derbyshire County Council, with his wife Jean.  Northern guests including Mark Barker, Paul Spencer, Pete Gerring and Dwayne Wells, now joined the party.  Steve Magner from TfGM, Dawn Wolrich and Paul Bigland from ACoRP, Mike Rose and Martin Smith from HPHVCRP were also in attendance.  Mingling was on the menu, with good humour aplenty.

Pete Gaskell found time to speak to Mike Franklin of Network Rail about the significant improvements to the embankment and how FOGS could secure longer term access to it.

Just after 2pm, Lee Wasnidge, Northern Rail Area Director arrived and the opening ceremony began with a welcome speech to everyone.  Especially welcome was Jimmy Melia, 89, a former signalman at Glossop.  This was followed by George Wharmby's speech and the official unveiling of the plaque to mark the opening of the new waiting rooms and ticket office.

Framed copies of the opening poster, designed by Paul Marsh, were given to Lee, George and Jimmy as mementoes.  To Neil's surprise, Jean gave him one too.

The invited guests then retired to the Station Gallery to enjoy the feast of cream and strawberries.  In all, 60 people enjoyed the food.

Mrs Gladys Baxter, 91, and her sister Lily, 99, sat transfixed by the historical display created by Simon, and answered many questions by interested guests.

After a couple of hours of happy banter, guests gradually dispersed.  FOGS received some very favourable comments about the displays and ceremony.  All in all, an historic day for Glossop.

We have received confirmation that the new booking office and waiting rooms will be officially opened at 2pm on Friday 2nd September.  Amongst those in attendance will be Lee Wasnidge, Area Director for Northern Rail. Opening the new facilities on the day will be Chairman of Derbyshire County Council, George Wharmby. Jimmy Melia 89 former signalman at Glossop Signalbox will also be a special guest.

As you probably know if you're a regular traveller through Glossop station, the new ticket office is not yet in use.  Unfortunately the old ticket office has also been withdrawn from use, meaning staff are having to sell tickets from portable machines.

The new ticket office is finished but an essential piece of equipment is still on order.  The latest update we have is it will all be ready to go by early September.

On the plus side, it means we got to take some pictures recently of the insides of the old ticket office.  If you've ever wondered what's behind the tiny wooden window, here you go...

A sneak peak inside the new ticket office.  Almost finished apart from the I.T. systems.

Part of the new waiting rooms.  Originally this was the "1st Class Room", complete with fireplace.  Later it was redesignated as one half of the "Gent's Room".

Nearly finished!  FoGS is pressing for heritage colours of red, green and cream to be used.

The new booking office will be in use from Monday 25th July.