On Thursday 27th March came the news we had all been waiting for - the confirmed extension by the DfT to Northern Rail of their franchise to February 2016.
We CONGRATULATE Northern on this extension! We know how much work has gone into gaining this extension and how tense recent weeks have been for staff  - and volunteers - awaiting news!!
FOGS looks forward very much to continuing its work with Northern. Messages of congratulations have been sent by FOGS to Theo, Paul Spencer, Don Jary and to Alex Hynes - Northern's MD.

Also happening on Thursday 27th March was a meeting in Glossop, at the Municipal Buildings, of the High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership. Having not met since November there was plenty on the Agenda. Chaired by County Councillor Damien Greenhalgh along with Project Officer Mike Rose, 40 people from all parts of the High Peak and beyond discussed the implications of changes to the Buxton, Glossop and Hope Valley lines. With so many investment projects looming in and around Manchester there were many issues to consider. Lively debate, as always ensued: should services stop at all stations or skip stop to create faster end to end services? Rerouting services, due to possible tram train introduction, was also debated. Bamford reps reminded everyone that the 18.14 Sheffield to Manchester service still did not call at their station Mondays to Fridays!! Theo represented Northern and it was good he was there on the day the welcome news was received about Northern's successful extension bid! Representing FOGS at this meeting were Penny, Thierry and Neil.

 On Wednesday March 26th Neil represented FOGS at an ACoRP Station Adoption event at Birmingham. As always it was a pleasure to share problems and progress with fellow volunteers from different parts of the UK. Daphne is now the Chair of the much praised Leighton Buzzard group. We learned of Dorridge's recent success at turning a "shed" on the platform into a GWR style waiting room with appropriate furnishings! Their photos looked stunning. Definitely on the to visit list! We learned too of the progess of a relatively new group at Sowerby Bridge as well as hearing from our old friends at Handforth, chapel and New Mills
 It was good to meet up with Peter Hayward from Dronfield who updated us with a very informative leaflet as to how the group had coped with 5 recent weeks of buses replacing trains due to a landslide at Unstone near Chesterfield. The event was chaired with good humour and expertise by Brian Barnsley and Peter Roberts from ACoRP.

 Work is imminent to replace the two boarded up windows at Glossop Station. Thanks to a generous grant from The Railway Heritage Trust and support from Northern the contract to replace the windows with historically correct sash style windows has now been let. FOGS would like to thank Theo McLauchlan, our Northern Line Manager for his ongoing support of this project in recent weeks and Peter Reed of Northern. FOGS also very much appreciates the guidance given by Andy Savage and Malcolm Wood ofTHe Railway Heritage Trust.

 On Thursday 13th March Neil, representing FOGS, joined many guests at Huddersfield for the official opening of the new ACoRP HQ - a grade one listed Water Tower adjoining Huddersfield Station. It was a beautiful day and everyone was able to appreciate the quality of the restoration inside and out. Neil was able to catch up with railway friends from across the UK John Yellowlees from First ScotRail, Mike Franklin Network Rail..... and locally too Joy from Hadfield, Babs from Hattersley and Clyde. Roy and Phil from Heaton Chapel, Mike Bishop from Handforth. Speeches were made following a lunch at a nearby restaurant. Addresses were made by the Mayor of Kirklees, the architect of the building, Neil Buxton MD of ACoRP and then by ACoRP's founder, Paul Salveson. Paul gave an inspiring speech touching on how far Community Rail had developed since its inception. His pride in its growth shone through! Paul later unveiled one of the 3 plaques to mark the occasion. The organisation of the event reflected the skilled hands and experience of ACoRP's Dawn and Hazel. Everyone agreed it had been a splendid day and FOGS wishes ACoRP the very best in its new home!

 on Tuesday 4th March a delegation from TfGM visited Glossop for a meeting. Led by Karen Hornby, Head of Heavy Rail and Steve Magner, the group had a tour of the station with Penny and Neil at 11.00 lasting around 45 minutes. It was a lovely day and the flowers looked their best as the group viewed the work of FOGS and the investments in infrastructure that had been made. Penny and Neil appreciated he interest shown by the group and the compliments that were paid!

 Following an unusually mild winter Bunty and Chris Harris decided to change all the flower boxes to cheerful spring displays on Friday! Several hours of hard work have resulted in a very cheering atmosphere at the station! Neil then helped Bunty to create Spring displays in the baskets under the Canopy. These now overflow with daffodils and tulips!!
  The embankment Garden is a mass of colour too - the primulas are outstanding! Bulbs just coming into flower. Many many passengers are passing on their appreciation! Some took the time to chat with us as we did the work. One or two have offered to help which would be great! Eric also gave time to creating the new Art display. Bunty and Neil left the station early afternoon to hear questions they had asked in a January recording of the popular Radio 4 Programme, Gardeners' Question Time, being transmitted! They are still smiling!!

 On Thursday 6th March Neil took part in a workshop at the Manchester Convention Centre as part of the 4 day ICUH Manchester International Health Conference.THE conference had been organised by Glossop's own Dr Richard Fitton. It sought to address health issues such as rising obesity, diabetes as well as looking at what makes people heathy. Neil was invited to speak about the work FOGS within the community of Glossop along with David Jones, Editor of the Glossop Chronicle. It was a most interesting session! Neil would like to thank Chris Strogen for supplying excellent images of FOGS' many successful projects and events. Neil stressed the importance of collaborative working within a community and emphasised the relationships that had built up with the Rail Industry, local councils and users of the station. David spoke of the Glossop Chronicle's role in reporting events within Glossop. FOGS has much to thank David for!
  These presentations were followed by Steve and Neil from Sunderland FC who spoke inspiringly about the Programme of Light, the outreach programme employing 153 people in training, workshops, health campaigns, children's visits....... in an area still considerably affected by economic adversity. These programmes reach out to people in need of them. The commitment and dedication to this work was impressive. FOGS would like to wish the Stadium of Light continued success with these many and varied schemes! Two other fans of football, one for Sunderland and one for Manchester United spoke of the health benefits of being passionate supporters!
   FOGS thanks Richard for this platform to speak and to share community experiences. A full report and photos should appear in the Glossop Chronicle!

 

  Leaving Glossop and FOGS for a new post in Northumberland is our own Emma Young! Emma has been a hugely valued and respected member of FOGS who has found her own niche within the group. This has focused on the much acclaimed Poetry Platform.  OVER the last few years Emma has created some truly outstanding and meticulously presented poetry displays which have given a lot of pleasure to passengers using Glossop station. Themes have include the weather, animals, romantic poets and the current display inspired by the Olympic Games - Poems about The Industrial Revolution.
  Emma was a given a plant and a personalised FOGS' card at our last meeting, created by Paul Marsh who added a very special touch with a rhyme of his own inside!!
  We hope to continue to the poetry displays and work is in hand for a display to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.
  FOGS'wishes Emma everysucceess in her new job and happiness in her new home



  

 On Friday 28thn February Penny and Neil attended a do in Manchester to say farewell to Dwayne Wells of Northern who has left to take up a position with First Buses. FOGS would like to thank Dwayne for all his support and interest in the projects carried out at the station in particular the displays in the Waiting Rooms.We wish Dwayne well in his new job and hope he will keep in touch. Dwayne was given a personalisdeFOGS'card created by Paul marsh