This morning Pete and Neil on behalf of the group welcomed Ruth George MP for High Peak to the station for a pre - arranged tour. It was Ruth's first visit to the inside of the station! We were able to show her various projects with which we have been involved such as the vintage lantern style lights and recent display and information boards. Ruth showed an engaging and empathetic interest in our work as we toured the station. She took time to meet the gating staff and had a chat with Dave at the booking office about his work. The visit also allowed Pete and Neil to discuss current issues including the case for CCTV at Dinting station and the possible impact on the current timetable if planned changes take place to the type of trains currently providing the service on the Glossop Line. We have promised to supply further information to Ruth on this issue.
Neil also explained the work of WICR -Women in Community Rail - to Ruth  and its championing of more women in the rail industry. Penny, in FOGS, is a keen and active member of WICR and we are keen to promote its work and aims. Neil also praised the work of Andrew Walker and The High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership as being an excellent local working forum for the Buxton, Glossop and Hope Valley Lines.
Ruth was also interested in the commemorative display on the Lowestoft Evacuation and Neil explained the background to the story.
Before leaving the station Ruth took time to visit the warm and welcoming environment of TWIG cafe where she spoke to staff and admired the Christmas decorations.
We thank Ruth very much for finding the time in her busy schedule to visit us. Neil gave her, on leaving, a copy of the 2018 ACoRP Awards' booklet in which our recent awards are highlighted. Ruth had kindly commended us on gaining these. It was overall a most pleasant visit!

In dry and clear conditions our long planned Armistice event took place at Guide Bridge, Hattersley, Glossop and Hadfield stations. Organised and coordinated by the Friends groups at each of the four stations, the event drew much public support and goodwill. Linking each station's events were three soldiers in First World War uniforms who gave the event authenticity and gravitas.
At Guide Bridge much of the garden and adjoining fencing was bedecked in locally made knitted poppies. An olive tree was planted to commemorate Armistice. Andy and Barry's efforts, along with their team, got the event off to a flying start!
At Hattersley Babs had on display some of the many commemorative painted pebbles created by local schoolchildren. These will be cemented in during the near future along with a permanent art display.
At Glossop over 100 people listened to the period tunes played by students from Chetham's School of Music. The quality of the music was excellent deservedly receiving much applause. John LeGrove directed the students playing his own arrangements whichincluded stalwart favourites, Roses of Picardy and It's a Long Way to Tipperary. Our thanks to the students and John.
Thanks also to Mike, staff and customers at adjoining TWIG cafe for their forbearance when entering and leaving the cafe during this busy period.
Events culminated at Hadfield station where photos were taken on the platform before the guests assembled at the nearby Cenotaph. Four local children in locally produced themed tabards handed out commemorative leaflets. Joy addressed those gathered with appropriate thoughts on war and hopes for peace. This was followed by Paul and Neil reading three poems The Soldier; In Flanders Fields and For The Fallen. Neil invited everyone to join in the famous lines beginning They shall not grow old . . . we will remember them as a respectful conclusion to the event.
Light refreshments prepared by Joy and team were then taken in a warm and welcoming Hadfield Hall!
The Four Friends groups would like to thank the following: the three soldiers, Daniel, Chris and Dan for their patience and goodwill; Paul Marsh for his beautifully produced commemorative leaflets; Chethams School of Music - the students and Dave Chatterton and John LeGrove - for their evocative music; Simon Brooks, Glossop Line Manager for Northern whose permissions and arranging for free travel by train for participants were much appreciated, and our grateful thanks to Steve Forde at South East Community Rail Partnership for sponsorship of the event.
We were touched by the number of people turning up at the stations and for the staunch support given by  local press especially David and photographer colleagues from the Glossop Chronicle, Susan at the High Peak Review and Christina from SSAFA PR North West.

                      1918  -  WE WILL REMEMBER THEM  -  2018

 The Armistice event will take place as scheduled. There will be a limited train service operating on the Glossop Line on Saturday 3rd November. Trains leave Guide Bridge 8.38 9.38 10.08 and Hattersley at 8.47 9.47 10.20 to connect with events at Hattersley, Glossop and Hadfield. From Glossop 8.21  and Hadfield 8.13 to connect with the event at Guide Bridge and 9.21 and 9.13 respectively for the Hattersley event.

 Due to the limited train service it may not be possible to move the military personnel to each station's events but we will do our very best!

 Event at Guide Bridge around 9am. Please note there is an additional tree planting at 11am.
 Event at Hattersley around 9.30 am New commemorative art work
 Event at Glossop around 10.30 am Chethams Students play period tunes
 Event at Hadfield around 11.15 am Readings by Cenotaph at entrance to station
 Then light refreshments at Hadfield Hall to mark the end of the event.

 Everybody is warmly invited to join us as we strive to commemorate the role of railways during wartime.

We are proud to launch a very special Poetry Platform display commemorating Armistice. The display created and designed by Paul Marsh features three evocative poems: For the Fallen, In Flanders Fields and The Soldier and an image of a single poppy. Each poem captures the mood and feelings of men at war. Paul has also kindly created leaflets featuring these poems which he has donated for distribution. Copies can be obtained at the station.
The display is a prelude to our Armistice Commemoration event taking place on Saturday 3rd November. The Friends' groups at Guide Bridge, Hattersley, Glossop and Hadfield will each hold a small event to mark Armistice. Painted pebbles created by local schoolchildren will be laid at Hattersley and Hadfield and at Glossop students from Chethams School of Music will play period tunes. A warm welcome to anyone who wishes to join us. Timings will be confirmed and published nearer the date.

What a night it turned out to be for Glossop and FoGS at the ACoRP Awards ceremony in Glasgow on 4 October!
The Friends of Glossop Station was awarded the top prize in the "It's Your Station" category - the Gold of Gold and highest award in this UK-wide competition.
All the Community Rail volunteers are outstanding but there can be only one winner for the ACoRP "Outstanding Volunteer Contribution" and that was our very own Neil Williams, Chair of the Friends of Glossop Station.
More details and pictures on this story soon but, in the meantime, congratulations to Neil together with all the dedicated volunteers and supporters of FoGS. These awards are a reflection of the high regard and how much-loved our station is here in Glossop.

On their recent annual summer visit to Glossop we were proud to welcome a party of the former evacuees to the station. The visit was part of a three day stay organised by the indefatigable Chris Brooks, secretary of the Lowestoft Evacuation Committee, accompanied by his wife Janet.

At the station the evacuees caused an understandable stir of emotion amongst travellers when it was realised who they were. A poignant moment. The group also looked at the new display about the Lowestoft evacuation, created by Paul Marsh, in the Waiting Room. A duplicate of this is now installed at Lowestoft Station. Photographs were duly taken and we are very grateful to David Jones at The Glossop Chronicle for publishing a story and feature. Also thanks to High Peak Radio and Emma for interviewing Chris.
The evacuees visited friends and places special to them whilst here including trips to Bakewell and Castleton. A memorable meal took place one evening at Wren Nest Carvery where the evacuees burst into song with renditions of many well known World War Two songs! Their singing went down so well that management asked if they could return for Christmas!
On their final day Sheila Webster of Glossop, widow of a former evacuee, presented the evacuees with original LED bottle lamps as mementos of their visit. We look forward to seeing our Lowestoft friends again soon!

GREATER ANGLIA TRAINS are now exhibiting a copy of our evacuees display in the booking hall at Lowestoft station. It is a duplicate of the permanent display which can be seen in the Waiting Room at Glossop. Our thanks go to Martin Halliday,  Partnership Officer for East Suffolk Community Rail Partnership, for making it possible and organising the various permissions required for the display. 
It is anticipated there will be a formal launch at Lowestoft of the display in the near future further cementing the link between our two stations. In the meantime, a small group of former Lowestoft evacuees will be visiting Glossop for three days next week as part of their annual reunion.

IN OTHER NEWS, FoGS has been shortlisted in two categories for the annual ACoRP awards. The nominations are in the It's Your Station category and one for our own Chairman, Neil Williams, in the Outstanding Volunteer category. The results will be announced on October 4th at the awards evening in Glasgow. 

LOTS OF TEDDIES and families were on the move last Saturday on the rescheduled Teddy Bears Picnic organised by the Friends groups at Glossop, Hadfield, Guide Bridge and Hattersley.
The main picnic was at Hattersley where Babs had an array of attractions including West Indian food, a bouncy castle, an RLNI stall, well-being tests and a tombola. The Mayor of Tameside formally visited Babs, helpers and visitors at 10.30. At each of the stations there was a Welcome Table with soft toys and sweets.
To encourage visitors to move between the stations Northern had kindly provided free train travel for the duration of the event. This proved a very popular offer and we were delighted that several children made their first trips by train on the day!! A royal-themed hunt the teddy on the Teddy Bear Trail, cleverly designed by Paul Marsh, saw teddies and children on the move.
We would like to say a big thank you to Northern for this support and in particular to Vicky Cropper for all her help and assistance. The colouring sheets proved popular. Also a big thank you to the drivers and guards for joining in the fun. Many an announcement saying "This is a teddy bears special" was heard! We also appreciated the visit from Rebecca, Northern's Train Crew Manager, who visited all the stations talking to the children and families on the trains.
Each of the Friends groups and Northern staff received some great feedback and comments as well as donations at all stations. Thank you to everyone for your support - it was a lot of fun!