Today we planted some of the donations that had been left in our plant swap hut. Thanks especially to Antony and Nicholas from Setchfields Models in Poole’s Lower High Street for these plants. We also finished off the new information board at the site of the old signal box, which gives visitors a look at how the signal box looked and worked. And we were also pleased to welcome Adrian, who is a new station volunteer.
Spring was definitely in the air, with the station looking great in the warm sunshine thanks to all of the colourful plants and flowers. But did you know that every plant has been donated either by our green-fingered volunteers or members of the public? So we now have a dedicated Plant Swap in the slightly wonky green and yellow hut on one of the platforms. Please feel free to leave any plants or cuttings there for us to use around the station, or swap for something there that takes your fancy.
Apart from the usual gardening jobs, the paint brushes were out putting a fresh coat of paint of some sign boards, ready for our new signs.
We have just taken delivery of a dozen bespoke signs, printed on metal, which will be going up around the station over the coming weeks. This A3 size information panel will be placed at the site of the signal box. In time we hope to provide other information panels around the station for the benefit of visitors.
Apart from the usual work of cutting the grass, tending the flower beds and making the new fence, today we also made a start repairing the timber structures on site. The small platform waiting shelter had its roof refelted as rain was getting in. Once everything has dried out after all the rain we’ve had lately, the shelter will be repainted to make it a little more welcoming. Repairs were also made to our shed, which will get a fresh coat of paint in due course. In fact we aim to repaint all of the timber benches and picnic tables in time for the summer
The promised heavy rain hit us about midday, but we still managed a couple of hours work. As the bird nesting season will soon be upon us, today was our final go at cutting back bushes until September. We also planted a hydrangea kindly donated, along with a big sack of dahlia tubers, by Antony and Nicholas of Setchfields Models of Poole. We are always grateful to receive plants or seeds for the station, and our plant swap shelter is nearly ready. We also started to prepare the timber structures which will all receive a fresh coat of paint this year – as soon as they dry out after all this wet weather!
It’s always good when a new railway artefact relating to Spetisbury comes to light. This small brass plate (only about 6 inches long) came from the former signal box at Blandford, and would have been screwed to the shelf containing the block instrument apparatus for Spetisbury. A similar plate would probably have been displayed in Bailey Gate signal box, the signalmen in both boxes required to open the line section to Spetisbury. For a better explanation of how the signalling actually worked, see our signal box page. It’s a bit of a mystery why the right hand screw hole has been covered with a small brass plate inscribed with the word BOX, but it’s possible that in later years this plate was simply used as a key fob for Spetisbury signal box. We are grateful to Nigel McBay for supplying this photo and details about the plate, also to Chris Osment for further information relating to signalling matters. Nigel also tells us that in the 1940s the Blandford shunter ‘Ginger’ Ridout used to travel to Spetisbury to inspect the signal box.
Spring was definitely in the air at Spetisbury station today, with lots of colourful flowers now starting to make an appearance. Work carried on with the picket fence around the station building foundations, and this will look good when finished and painted. Repairs were also made to the children’s play train on the ‘down’ platform. The usual gardening work such as weeding and clearance of unwanted overgrowth was also undertaken. There is always plenty to do so if you have any spare time, why not consider joining us as a volunteer?
Our first work party of 2024, in cold but dry and bright weather. We discovered that the disc of our replica disc & crossbar signal had broken off, we suspect the recent stormy weather was to blame as the wooden disc had previously shown signs of decay. We hope to replace this in due course. Better news was that the Dorset Council rangers have cut back the buddleia which was overhanging the Trailway near the station bridge, and was a hazard to cyclists and horse-riders. Work carried out today included clearing of leaves from the wildlife pond, maintenance of several of the flower borders and clearing of the embankment behind the ‘up’ platform. Work also continued on the picket fence protecting the building foundations, and our new plant swap shelter. A priority for this year is to repaint the benches, picnic tables and the waiting shelter. Finally, a date for your diary is Sunday 14th July when we will be holding a Tea Party at the Station event. More details to follow!
Have a look at these two reproductions of publicity produced by the Dorset Central Railway for the opening of their new line from Wimborne to Blandford. Notice anything different? Well, the first one gives an opening date of 1st October 1860, whilst the second gives 1st November 1860! The line had actually been completed during the September, and the DCR hoped to open it to traffic on the first day of October. However, the Southern Times reported “A little delay has been occasioned in the opening of the first section of this railway from Wimborne to Blandford, in consequence of the Government Inspector required a large sized turntable to be laid down at the Wimborne end of the line.” Following a further inspection by the Board of Trade (when the required turntable at Wimborne had presumably been provided), the line was finally able to be officially opened to traffic on 1st November. Click here to read more about the railway’s history.
Spetisbury station website 