work part 31st December

Our last work party of the year, and thankfully this morning’s heavy rain soon cleared through to leave a bright and breezy day. The first job was to take down the Christmas decorations from around the booking office fireplace. Then the team carried on with the usual jobs such as tidying the embankment and flower beds, cutting back buddleia and clearing moss and fallen leaves from the flight of steps. We thought that the tiny timber shelter on the ‘up’ platform would be useful as a place where donated plants could be left, so next year we plan to revamp it a bit and add some shelves. Meanwhile, the inside was given a quick coat of yellow paint to brighten it up.

Finally, the volunteers of the Spetisbury Station Project wish you all a Happy New Year. If you came up to the station in 2023, then we hope you enjoyed your visit. If you haven’t visited us before, then we look forward to seeing you in 2024!

Christmas at the Station

On Sunday 17th December we held our popular Christmas get-together at the station, and this year’s was the best yet! We were able to offer hot drinks including the ever-popular mulled wine, hot dogs and other festive treats as well as some home-made goodies. We had brought up a gas cooker but the demand for hot drinks was so great Frances, who lives nearby, made several dashes back home to heat more water! Our stall selling donated railway items was also popular, with special thanks to the people who kindly donated items. This year, for the first time, everyone was kept entertained by members of the BLANDFORD UKULELE GROUP with their Christmas tunes and songs – thanks guys! We were especially pleased to welcome Dean Cockwell’s family, Dean was founder and Project Manager at the Spetisbury Station Project until he sadly passed away earlier this year. Mention must also be made to Dilys and the eight members of her cycling group who visited us from Stourpaine. Dilys is the ride leader who organised the ride under the Government-funded BIG BIKE REVIVAL winter intervention scheme, and who obtained this funding to help adults learn or improve their cycling skills to gain confidence to use the bike as a mode of transport as well as for improved health. Great to see you all!