On Friday 17th August Ian Bevan, Northern Rail's Managing Director, paid a visit to Glossop Station at 8.30 am. Escorted by Theo McLauchlan, Glossop Line Manager, Ian was given a full tour of the station - recent infrastructure improvements were pointed our as were enhancements made by FOGS. Ian also spent time talking to Dave and Keith, Northern staff on duty. Ian complimented the staff on a well cared for station with a" period feel." It was Ian's first visit to Glossop station and we were delighted by the outcome! The icing on the cake is that, following an earlier invitation by FOGS Ian has kindly agreed to switch on our Christmas Tree Lights at our Christmas event on December 8th. We thank Ian very much for agreeing to do this!!

On August 12th the next session in the embankment work took place. Blessed with a turn out including Eric, Pete, Neil, John LeG, John K and Chris different work took place, the main focus was to get rid of the unsightly mound of grass by the gate and further planting and weeding. The weather was kind as barrow after barrow of soil was shifted by Pete, John and Chris - no mound anymore! Further planting of larger perennial plants took place particularly near the wall - Eric also brought with him large clumps of marjoram fom Manor Park which was rehomed. Neil also brought with him slug pellets so that the annuals planted in Eric's rockery survived beyond one day! Eve joined us at around 8.00 and provided welcome cups of tea as well as joining in an impromptu photo session led by Chris! She also did a sterling job of cleaning inside the station when the rest of us were fully occupied outdoors! At the end of another successful session - thanks again to Russell! -new plants were laboriously watered using buckets. However later on in the afternoon an unexpected downpour did a much better job!!

ACoRP has recently released its 2012 shortlists for the annual Community Rail Awards. We were delighted that Glossop station has been shortlisted in the station development category nominated by Mark Barker. FOGS' Chairman Neil Williams has, to his surprise, been shortlisted in the outstanding volunteer contribution category nominated by Theo McLauchlan and Theo himself has been shortlisted in the outstanding Staff contribution section nominated by Rory Alkin of Friends of Heaton Chapel. To Babs Allen's delight Friends of Hattersley Station has been shortlisted in the Best Station Adoption Group. Hattersley has also received a further boost recently in being shortlisted for a Britain in Bloom award too! The ACoRP results will be announced at the Awards' Evening to be held in Swindon on Friday 28th September. FOGS wishes all participants well and appreciates the national attention these nominations bring to our stations and personnel.