TYNEDALESMAN
MAGAZINE OF THE SOUTH TYNEDALE RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY
NUMBER 149��������SPRING 2007CHAIRMAN�S JOTTINGS AND
COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT PAGE
Chairman�s Jottings
By Richard GrahamWhilst doing research for non-railway purposes, I discovered recently that archaeologists think that there was in Kirkhaugh Parish, a major Stone Circle, known as the Holymire Stone Circle, and something referred to as a Mortuary Enclosure. Not as dramatic as Stonehenge or as extensive as Avebury, but potentially of great importance.
It is known that there are prehistoric Barrows on the opposite side of the valley, in which were found various artefacts when they were excavated in the 1930s. Why do I mention this?
Well when the railway was built in 1852, it went straight through the middle of the site, as it hadn�t been identified as anything special. Next time you travel down the line, look again at the scatter of stones in the fields on either side of the embankment, just north of Gilderdale Viaduct, and remember that there were people here thousands of years ago, even before the building of the well known Whitley Castle Roman Fort, which is also visible from the Railway.
These days, we record every mortal thing so meticulously, if only because of the litigious society we inhabit. I wonder if, in two or three thousand years time, people will be interested in what we are doing now; or if, because it�s so well recorded, nobody bothers.
The next recordable fact is going to be northward progress. We are gradually accumulating materials to continue towards Slaggyford, and at the end of May 2007, a start will be made on the section to Lintley. In my opinion, the scenery improves as we progress north - maybe it�s just familiarity that breeds contempt.
Join us. Spread the Word!
Commercial Department
By Ivan WardI write this report 16 days into the operating season. The cleaning and painting that was necessary for the start of the season was completed on time, just, and the shop and buffet were re-stocked.
Since the start of the season the weather has generally been good, and the Easter Egg Hunt (our first Easter event for a number of years) was very successful.
As some of you are aware, we do not have the full-time services of John Wilks this year. He has accepted an appointment as Project Manager with the team that is refurbishing and developing Darlington Railway Centre and Museum, but he will be with us for Bank Holidays, Special Events and Sundays. We wish him well in the venture. To fill the void we welcome Karen Blackburn and Ann Richardson and I trust their time with us will be happy and pleasant.
We have two new volunteers for the buffet team - Penny Potter and Gary Hall, whom we welcome aboard. Unfortunately we have temporarily lost the services of Dorothy Wheeler who has not been wellof late. Get well soon, Dorothy, we miss you.
There is really not a lot of excitement being Head of the Commercial Department, except that just recently we received a sample box of cakes and biscuits for us to try, with a view to selling them in the buffet. Some volunteers, during their lunch break, were invited to eat something from the box and comment. The products were all judged to be very good, and now we have the task of deciding which items would sell well. I wonder if we could get another box of samples!
The next special event is the Teddy Bears� Picnic on 23rd and 24th June. As usual, help is needed. No special skills are required, just friendliness and common sense.
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For more information about the South Tynedale Railway, please contact:-
THE SOUTH TYNEDALE RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY,
Registered Office Address:-
The Railway Station, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3JB.
Telephone 01434 381696.
Talking timetable - Telephone 01434 382828.
Registered Charity No. 514939.
Limited by Guarantee: Company Registration No. 1850832 (England).E-mail enquiries - please click on links below:
South Tynedale Railway information - Send e-mail to South Tynedale Railway
STRPS membership information only - Send e-mail to Kathy Aveyard
Tynedalesman information only - Send e-mail to Tynedalesman compilersMission Statement for the South Tynedale Railway:-
�To provide satisfaction for our customers and volunteers
by operating a friendly, safe and efficient narrow-gauge railway.�
� South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society, June 2007.