July 2013 - Crewkerne Town

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