Celebrations to mark the 150th anniversaries of Marple and New Mills Central stations begin on Wednesday 1st July with the unveiling of commemorative plaques in the morning. A whole host of events for the rest of the month then start to take place to mark these significant anniversaries. Contact New Mills Tourist Centre for more details - the centre will also host a special model display featuring the railways in New Mills. It is a most appealing Visitor Centre housed at the top of The Torrs just below the bus station and a five minute walk from Central station.
We wish our fellow Friends' groups at Marple and New Mills success with their events and we send our congratulations on the 150 milestones!!

We have had to remove one of the attractive ceramic Project Earth murals on display at Dinting station for repair work. Harsh winter temperatures and occasional heat have resulted in us having to renew the backing adhesive for the murals. We hope to have it back in place as soon as possible.
We would like to thank ACoRP for a recent generous donation towards the cost of the murals' perspex covers.

An attractive summer hanging basket has kindly been provided by High Peak Borough Council outside Glossop Station. FOGS would like to thank Councillor Jean Wharmby for her help in arranging this. New displays of summer flowers inside the station have also been provided by Bunty Gibson and Chris Harris. The platform tubs and Howard Street Garden have had extra summer annuals added to create more summer colour too. FOGS thanks local residents and users of the station for their kind donations towards these plants!

The Rainbow Trust raised £131.92 at our recent Teddy Bears Picnic event and Chrissy has sent a nice letter of thanks - on display at Glossop Station - for this donation. Considering that the event was not focused on raising money Bungle. Zippy and George did a good job for the Trust in attracting voluntary donations on the trains and at the stations!!

Despite a very wet start to the day - Saturday 13th June - over 80 teddies, children and adult family members travelled between Hadfield, Glossop and Hattersley stations to join in the fun of our 2015 Teddy Bears Picnic! Supported by the children's charity The Rainbow Trust, Bungle, Zippy and George travelled on the trains and visited the stations. Lots of high fiving took place!! John LeGrove's precision timetabling and care of our guests was in evidence throughout their stay! Penny ensured her travels took her to where the action was and, as always, she lent a helping hand!
At Hattersley under Babs' capable direction there was a bouncy castle (which dried out during the morning!!), games and a tombola in action along with free sweets. At Hadfield Joy kindly provided home made biscuits and drawing. Glossop offered a model railway layout (thanks Martin!), storytelling with Caroline England - this proved very popular and Caroline ran two sessions. Also kept very busy were Laura Bradbury and her daughter Thea, assisted by Jacqueline on craftmaking. The wooden teddy bears and rainbows were decorated in fine style by the children. Thanks to Simon Denvers for creating the laser cut wood shapes (contact Simon at www.mekkit.com) and to Andrea for organising the craftwork. Bunty and Barbara were kept busy tagging teddies and Paul Kiddy helped ensure the picnic food and train times were distributed to all our visitors. We thank Mike at Twig Cafe at the station (also now at Station Road Hadfield) for his generous donations of picnic food!
Chrissy and colleagues at The Rainbow Trust's very colourful and attractive stall were kept busy and we thank everyone who gave donations and bought items. This happened too on the trains as money was kindly given to Bungle, Zippy and George en route. Special thanks to Keira, Maeve and Matt for star quality role play!! Having The Rainbow Trust with us gives an extra dimension to the event. Many thanks Chrissy!!!
To David at Glossop Chronicle our thanks for an excellent promotional article and to the shops who displayed Paul Marsh's excellent poster! You did us proud again Paul!! To High Peak Radio and local schools and nurseries who gave support and to Pete for ensuring Twitter followers were kept up to speed!
And lastly to Theo and Northern Rail for arranging the free travel between the stations which makes this event so popular! So many first time train travellers who met happy guards making Teddy Bear announcements and to drivers who waved and tooted horns. Northern Rail at its best. Our sincere thanks!

We are delighted that Twig cafe based at Glossop Station ( and also with a newly opened "Branch" at Station Road Hadfield!) is to supply some picnic food free of charge for our young visitors to the Teddy Bears Picnic on Saturday 13th June. The event runs from 10.30 to 13.30 with events taking place at Glossop, Hadfield and Hattersley stations. Free travel is available for children, teddies and accompanying adults between the stations courtesy of Northern Rail and our local Line Manager Theo MacLauchlan.
  We thank Mike at Twig for his support!
  Whatever the weather do come along and join in the fun!