On Tuesday 17th December the next two historic information boards for the Glossop Line were formally launched at Ashburys and Gorton Stations. Our guest was Paul Abell former editor of Today's Railways Magazine. Paul had created the content for both boards so it seemed very appropriate that Paul launch them! Paul was accompanied by his wife Shirley. The boards have been designed to a very high standard by Anne Michaelides of Naturesign design and match the generic THE GLOSSOP LINE format established for these boards. Steve Forde, Community Rail Officer for SEMCRP, helped organise the event as well as funding the boards. We are enormously grateful for Steve's ongoing support and patience. The next two boards for Fairfield and Hattersley have now been created and we hope to have these in situ in the near future. The contents for the other five stations are being created by Joy Hallsworth Friends of Hadfield Station and Neil Williams of FOGS in conjunction where appropriate with other friends groups.
Do go along and have a read of the latest boards and learn why Ashburys is called Ashburys!!
Our thanks to Paul for being our guest and to Lydia Hayes Asset Manager at Northern for her advice and permissions to site them.

MAY WE WISH EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR.

New metal seats have recently replaced the four red bench seats under the station canopy. Attractively finished in green and cream to match the heritage colours of the station they have been received favourably. We would like to thank Lydia Hayes Asset Manager at Northern for consulting over the designs and colours and Paul Childs at The Railway Heritage Trust and Gill Bayliss, Conservation Officer for High Peak Borough Council for their advice and support.

On Saturday over 70 children with their families visited Father Christmas in the Waiting Room at Glossop Station. Due to a good tailwind from Lapland Santa arrived ahead of schedule and more children were therefore able to see him. Each child was given a personal welcome, a free gift and an opportunity for photographs.
There was a nice jolly atmosphere on the station for the whole event and people's toes were tapping throughout to the seasonal live music provided by the folk group SPINDRIFT.
Also keeping children busy was the make a Christmas tree decoration stall hosted by Andrea and Barbara. One young man touched everyone when he said I want to make a tree decoration for a train driver to say thanks! He did and the train driver proudly displayed it in his cab! Martin and Mike from Glossop Model Railway Society drew a steady stream of admirers to their snow covered interactive layout!
At around 11.20 our guest Raj Chanadarana, Business Stakeholder Manager for Northern, switched on our Christmas tree lights. He then made a short speech thanking FOGS and station staff for their work to make the station look attractive. This was followed by an unexpected Christmas present to Neil Chair of FOGS! Becky Styles, Northern's Community and Sustainability Manager, gave Neil a destination roller blind from a 323 Train! This caused a lot of smiles as Becky explained it was being given to Neil to acknowledge his and FOGS' 3 year campaign to keep the 323s with Northern and on the Glossop Line. This has now happened along with the efforts of others in particular David Brown MD of Northern. Neil liked the gift a lot and thanked Becky for obtaining it! Two refurbished 323s are now in service and Becky had asked that one be in use on Saturday. 323 238 newly outfitted in its Northern livery made a splendid sight! Thanks Becky for these special touches!
Also attending from Northern, Pam Williams our local line Manager. It was good to see Pam and share recent refurbishment work that had taken place at the station.
We would like to thank our guests for their sense of fun and the time that they gave to us and to everyone who helped with decorations and on the day. FOGS' team spirit!! And the Gating Staff for patience and help.
We would also like to thank Glossop Garden Centre for donating a lovely tree to us. And to everyone who came to the event. Your ongoing support is much appreciated. Santa left at around 12.45 with a lot of other calls to make!!

 A reminder! Father Christmas will be at Glossop Station in the Waiting Room from 11.00 to 12.45 this Saturday - the 7th. Whatever the weather Santa will greet every child and family who come to see him. A small FREE gift for every child.
 So do come along!! Live music, a model railway and tree decoration making too! The station has been fully decorated by Friends of Glossop Station with a tree kindly donated by Glossop Garden Centre.
 TWIG cafe available for refreshments.
 Hope to see you there!