July 2013 - Crewkerne Town

FRIENDS OF CREWKERNE STATION
Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 th July 2013 at the Old Stagecoach Inn, Station
Road, Crewkerne, at 7.30 pm.
Present: Tony Reese, John Dirring, Norah Rayner, Annabella van Clute, Gail
Coleshill, Heather Sargeant, Henryk Ploszek, Mike Wheadon, Colin Robins, Diana
Crossman
Apologies: Joanna Spitteler, Jill Knights, Zena Morgan, John Dyke
Tony Reese in the chair
Minutes taken by John Dirring
Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 th April 2013
These are available on the website http://www.CrewkerneTown.org
There were no amendments. Acceptance was proposed by Gail Coleshill and
seconded by Henryk Ploszek.
Misterton Fete
Gail Coleshill reported that Diane Bradly has thanked us for attending the Fete, and
would be pleased to see us there next year. Thanks are due to Heather, and also to
Annabella, Tony, Jill and Brian. Some new members joined; and leaflets were
distributed. Income from the Fete amounted to some £50.
Waitrose funding
Our application to Waitrose was successful; the financial outcome of the in-store
token scheme in which we were able to participate is awaited.
Open Day on 20 th April
Tony Reese said that there was lots of interest shown by the passing public. Mrs B
was in attendance with catering, and would be happy to do it again. The raffle
organized by Heather Sargeant was a success, and the steam train ran through at the
due time.
Secretary’s report
Gail Coleshill reported on timetable availability, work on Platform 2, and the recent
History Group meeting. These matters have been minuted here under the respective
headings.
An invitation to attend one of our meetings or events has been sent to David Laws MP
and Norman Baker.
Platform sculpture
To gauge the level of interest, Misterton School has been contacted by Gail; and
Annabella van Clute will contact Wadham School and Maiden Beech Academy.
Grass cutting
Glen Hatherley has advised that the SWT Estates Department will continue to cut the
station approach bank. Robin Heyd-Smith has done some of Platform 1 beyond the
bridge, while Ken has done Platform 2 by the bridge.

Timetable availability
Tony Reese reiterated the need for pocket timetables to be available in local places
other than the station. Members are asked to canvas likely outlets – Tourist
Information Centres, Post Offices, libraries, village halls, pubs – which would be
expected by the public to have these available. Gail Coleshill suggested that the
newly-formed Friends of Crewkerne Library might be able to help. She has been able
to obtain a box of 750 for distribution. She thought that we needed to make a big
approach to SWT when they are making decisions about numbers to print for the next
timetable edition, and explain how rural areas at a distance from staffed stations need
to have a supply of printed timetables. Gail would also like to ask for a number of full
SWT timetable books: none are supplied west of Salisbury, although she understands
that Crewkerne Tourist Information have been sent one free copy.
Phil Dominey has had a display timetable reinstated on the platform (with our
thanks); but there has been no action as yet on the larger notice board question.
Heather Sargeant suggested that a similar timetable might be posted on a notice board
in town, as is done in Bridport. Gail will contact Simon Andrew about this.
Diane Crossman suggested that we might invest in notice boards of our own for
events.
Treasurer’s report
Jill Knights sent advice that the current account stood at £1,268.61 at the end of June,
plus £104.26 in petty cash.
History Group
Gail Coleshill reported that the History Group last met in June at the Old Stagecoach,
by courtesy of Paul & Helen Thomas; and considered the following:
Photos and information continue to be added to the present folder, which is easily
accessible and can be taken to events. John Dirring has offered to write it up, but
cannot start this until 2015 following completion of his PhD.
We would like to gather people’s memories of the station; and are looking to obtain
information for a press release in support of this. Talking to people at the Day Centre
lunches may be useful. Jill Knights has offered to contact Robert Salter, whose father
worked at the station; and Diana Crossman will contact Percy Alton, who also worked
there.
Mike Lucas, who is chairman of the West Dorset Transport Action Group and a
volunteer at the Gartell Railway, offered information and a book; Gail to follow up
We would like to obtain some information about the role the local railway during the
two world wars. Apparently Templecombe station was bombed as it was the junction
between the Southern and the Somerset & Dorset lines.
The work of John Cornelius as a railway photographer over more than half a century
was recognized by the meeting. He is steadily digitizing his work, occasionally
circularizing some images by email. He is amenable to their acknowledged use by
FOCS, and some have already been on display. Among other jobs on and off the
railway, he worked as a signaller at Athelney and Chard Junction.
Chris Borland will see if he can find anything in the Somerset Record Office or the
National Railway Museum relating to accidents or incidents. He also has access to the
1958 edition of the ABC Timetable. This was a publication which consisted of an
alphabetical listing of all stations in Great Britain, showing how to travel by rail to
each from London – routes, times, fares. Thus the entry for Crewkerne would show

the times of all trains leaving Waterloo and the arrival times (whether direct or by
changing) in Crewkerne; and the fares available (much simpler in 1958). The ABC
had been published since Victorian times, and was popular for people in London
looking for train information – given its limitations, it was much easier to use than
Bradshaw’s all-line timetable (of which some years, such as 1910 and 1922, were
reprinted by David & Charles around 1970).
Charles Gardner of Netherbury has an LSWR carriage in his garden which he has
restored. It was found at Exmouth Docks and acquired by an antique dealer in
Cullompton, from whom Charles bought it. It has no wheels; but the bodywork is
fully restored. He has invited us to `come to tea’ and take a look at it.
Colin Robins
Colin entertained us with reminiscences of his long railway career at Yeovil, Fratton
and other places as a driver. The Bibby Line incident at Crewkerne is the subject of a
chapter in his book You Can’t Take the Steam out of Me; he was an eye witness at the
scene as a young cleaner at Yeovil Town shed. He very generously offered copies of
his book for sale at our events. Annabella van Clute offered to take some into Phoenix
Books in Crewkerne, if they are interested.
Other History Group matters
Without moving too far away from Crewkerne and the immediate area, it has been felt
to be useful to have supporting material of a similar kind from other localities, thereby
providing context for the Crewkerne experience. Diana Crossman found some photos
in a shop in Swanage, for which she was able to get captions written. She also showed
a soft pencil sketch of Frome station around 1950. She has also written down her own
personal memories of rail travel between Martock and North Devon at the same
period.
Annabella van Clute mentioned a Crewkerne town history project with which she is
becoming involved.
Work on Platform 2
Gail Coleshill advised that a container is available, which John Coleshill will install
next to the existing water butt to give extra capacity in times of drought (the level
being low during the present dry weather). If a long enough hose can be found, water
can also be run from Ron Pattemore’s house.
Station approach road entrance
The contract for remodelling the junction with the main road started on 1 st July, to be
completed in eight weeks. It includes widening the main road (and the embankment)
to accommodate traffic turning right from the Misterton direction, splaying the
entrance itself, building two bus stops and shelters, and new street lighting.
Tony Reese has suggested to Phil Dominey of South West Trains that an Open Day
be held after the work is finished. Phil is developing a `travel pack’ to distribute to the
residents on the new estate. He sees us as an aid to the promotion of SWT, whereas
we see ourselves as a campaigning group.
`Ghost Train’
On Friday 19 th July, between 1700 and 1830, the rail unions TSSA and RMT are
bringing their `Ghost Train’ event to Crewkerne Station. This is touring the country
visiting similar stations to collect local views and opinions on what kind of station and

service is wanted by its users. SWT’s attitude to this venture is not known. Tony
Reese thinks that we should participate, as we will never succeed in Crewkerne except
as part of wider initiatives. Gail Coleshill has circulated the membership and also
contacted the Western Gazette. She also suggested raising a petition; but Tony urged
that we await the issue of the service specification for the next franchise in 2016-2017
before taking action of this kind.
Fund raising
Annabella van Clute suggested holding a jumble sale and clothes swap, possibly in
Henhayes. Tony Reese said that fundraising is not particularly a priority at the
moment; but there is a need to raise the public awareness of ourselves and the issues
at stake.
Next open event
The mood of the meeting was for it to be around Christmas time.
Somerset Transport Forum
Tony Reese said that we ought to have a presence at the next meeting in Taunton on
18 th July, to press for improvements in bus services; especially on Sundays and Bank
Holidays, which are regular working and trading days for many. Services on these
days have generally disappeared since 2010.
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 8.56 pm.
Date of next meeting
Wednesday 11 th September 2013 at 7.30 pm in the Old Stagecoach Inn, Station Road,
Crewkerne
It will be an open meeting, to which all are welcome.