We were delighted to welcome Alex Hynes Managing Director of Northern Rail as he visited Dinting and Glossop stations yesterday afternoon, 27th October. We were fortunate in that the sun shone on a splendid autumn afternoon! Alex was fulfilling a promise made to view the ceramic murals created by members of Project Earth in 2014 in conjunction with Glossop based artist Adrian Holt. Alex was accompanied on his visit by Matthew Worman Northern's Client and Stakeholder Manager and Theo McLauchlan Glossop Line Manager. Sheila, Helen and Anthony from Project Earth explained how the murals had been created and the inspirations behind their designs. Alex showed a keen interest in the geographical features of Dinting and its surrounds. Members of FOGS were also on hand to act as guides. Alex also spent some time talking to Janet station booking officer who takes a keen pride in her station and who supports the work we do there. After having a look at the newly installed customer information screens the party travelled on to Glossop by train.
Here Alex was shown the embankment garden in its autumn glory! Neil explained how the safety licence from Network Rail worked. Photos were then taken of Alex in various locations including in front of the Awards' Board where Alex's image according to Paul Salveson looks as if it has a halo!! Alex saw the joke!! We then showed Alex the latest display of art work in the waiting room featuring Helen Melhuish's lovely paintings/drawings celebrating Glossop's iconic buildings. Everyone was impressed as Helen explained her designs. These can be viewed and purchased at www.shinycraftwork.co.uk
We then retired to Twig Station cafe - now open in the afternoons as well as the mornings - where owner Mike Ball welcomed the party. He then had good chat with Alex.
Neil then appeared, Aladdin style with one prototype vintage lamp with LED filaments. This is a project FOGS is working on with Theo with a view to replacing the indoor station lights. Alex was able to offer extremely useful advice about the business case for this project.
On leaving Alex decided to go for a cab ride in one of our popular 323 trains. It was, as you can imagine, a very surprised driver of the 15.53 to Piccadilly
who found his MD asking if he could join him!! Have you got your pass he quipped as Alex got in waving his goodbyes!!
Alex was also delighted to be given some of Bunty Gibson's famous rocky road cake as a thank you gift. He had remembered this from his last visit!!
We would like to thank Dinting and Glossop station staff for their help with this visit and ISS. Also to Paul from Brigg for joining us on the day! And to Andrew Walker from the High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership for joining us at Glossop. We much appreciate his support. And of course our thanks to Theo who gave up half term holiday time for this visit.
Here Alex was shown the embankment garden in its autumn glory! Neil explained how the safety licence from Network Rail worked. Photos were then taken of Alex in various locations including in front of the Awards' Board where Alex's image according to Paul Salveson looks as if it has a halo!! Alex saw the joke!! We then showed Alex the latest display of art work in the waiting room featuring Helen Melhuish's lovely paintings/drawings celebrating Glossop's iconic buildings. Everyone was impressed as Helen explained her designs. These can be viewed and purchased at www.shinycraftwork.co.uk
We then retired to Twig Station cafe - now open in the afternoons as well as the mornings - where owner Mike Ball welcomed the party. He then had good chat with Alex.
Neil then appeared, Aladdin style with one prototype vintage lamp with LED filaments. This is a project FOGS is working on with Theo with a view to replacing the indoor station lights. Alex was able to offer extremely useful advice about the business case for this project.
On leaving Alex decided to go for a cab ride in one of our popular 323 trains. It was, as you can imagine, a very surprised driver of the 15.53 to Piccadilly
who found his MD asking if he could join him!! Have you got your pass he quipped as Alex got in waving his goodbyes!!
Alex was also delighted to be given some of Bunty Gibson's famous rocky road cake as a thank you gift. He had remembered this from his last visit!!
We would like to thank Dinting and Glossop station staff for their help with this visit and ISS. Also to Paul from Brigg for joining us on the day! And to Andrew Walker from the High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership for joining us at Glossop. We much appreciate his support. And of course our thanks to Theo who gave up half term holiday time for this visit.
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