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The first model railway exhibition in Bishop`s Castle for over 30 years is taking place in The Public Hall, Station Street, Bishop`s Castle on Saturday 21st March 2020. This is an ideally situated venue, disabled friendly, with ample level parking adjacent to the hall, plus an additional public car park opposite. A refreshment area off the main hall will be serving savoury snacks and cakes as well as tea/coffee etc.
Layouts include:

Crowsnest Wharf – This model shows the line at Crowsnest station in 1926, where the line from Snailbeach mine joined the main railway to Pontesbury.

Barton Hall – This compact portable DCC operated layout was originally conceived to fit in a friend`s garden shed.

Bishop`s Castle Railway Montgomery Spur – An O gauge layout being built by the Newtown Model Railway Society depicting what might have been if the planned extension from Lydham Heath to Montgomery had actually been built.

Broome Station – First time at an exhibition for John James`s OO gauge model of Broome Station on the Heart of Wales line.

Marks End – An aptly named layout by Mark Wigley.

Three rail Hornby Dublo layout – Jack Parry`s  8ft x 4ft layout which will evoke memories of childhood with models from the 1950s and 1960s.                                                                            Plus other layouts to be confirmed.  

South Shropshire Engineering Ambassadors (SSEA) have been invited to attend with a stand promoting the kind of activities available to young people in the area.                                             This will be a family friendly exhibition with something to interest everyone.

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Friday 21st June 2019

Chairman John Rimmer was on BBC Radio Shropshire this morning talking to Jim Hawkins about towns that have a Station Road or Station Street but no longer have a station. You can hear it again at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07bryvq
John`s interview starts 49 minutes into the programme.

*BCRS will have a stand inside the village hall selling a large selection of railway books and unusual old railway documents. All at £2.00 each. All proceeds to the Weighbridge Restoration Project.

 

 

 

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Could you spare a few minutes to nominate the Bishop`s Castle Railway Weighbridge Project in the Ecclesiastical Movement for Good Awards. Your nomination could be the one that wins us £1,000.
£1,000 could make a real difference to work beginning this year on the Heritage building and making it stable and watertight before another Winter takes it`s toll.
The awards are designed to give eligible charities in the UK and Republic of Ireland the financial assistance they need to make a real difference. In total 500 charities stand to gain £1,000 and we`d love to be one of them. At present there are just enough funds available to repair the walls, open up the bricked up window and door openings and fit a new roof. If we did win, volunteers would be able to make and fit doors and windows to complete the first phase of renovation and make the building watertight.
It’s quick and easy to nominate us online. Nominations are open from Tuesday 23 April to Friday 17 May and you can vote at www.ecclesiastical.com/movement-for-good click “nominate now” and enter our details; Registered Charity No. is 1111918. Winners will be drawn at random and the more times we are nominated the more chance we have of being selected, so please spread the word to your family and friends, as long as it`s from a different email address every member of your household could nominate us.

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TICKETS NOW ON SALE For June 15th                                   LUDLOW MALE VOICE Choir in concert                                        at The THREE TUNS in BISHOP`S CASTLE

IDEAL FATHERS DAY GIFT ….. good music and real ale!

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THIS EASTER WEEKEND 20th/21st/22nd April

MARCH 15th 2019

THE BANANA VAN LEAVES BLODWELL QUARRY AT LLANSANTFFRAID AND ARRIVES AT THE WEIGHBRIDGE SITE

BANANA VAN
Earlier this month three members of the project team met with Ken Owen, the current van owner, in Llansantffraid to clear out the banana van in readiness for it to be transported to the weighbridge site. The site is almost ready to receive it, we are just waiting for Ransfords to clear a two and a half metre strip along the east side of the building for the van to be placed on the north eastern corner to enable all round access for repairs to begin.
It is hoped to have it on site in time for the planned Easter Open Days, though not repaired quite that soon!
A number was found on the chassis which will enable further research into the history of the van. For budding researchers the number is clearly 82 then could be 846, 546, 548 or 846?

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HERE`S HOW IT WORKS

Every time a member buys selected Co-op products and services 1% of the money they spend goes to a local cause in their community.
Any member in the UK can choose our cause by clicking on our unique URL https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/20910 which is linked to our cause profile page.                                       When a Co-op member logs into their membership account, they will only see causes within a 15 mile radius of their post code. Don`t let this put you off, wherever you live in the UK you can log into our unique URL and support Bishop`s Castle Weighbridge Project.

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Reached a milestone today. All you wonderful Coop shoppers have so far donated £100.85 to the Weighbridge Project. If you shop at the Coop and haven`t already signed up, it`s easy, just go online to coop.co.uk/membership and make us your cause.

Help volunteers save this heritage building.

PLEASE VISIT THE WEIGHBRIDGE PROJECT PAGE FOR ALL THE LATEST PROJECT NEWS

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2019

We have been sent a link to a cine film entitled “The Line that never Paid” Made by pupils of Form 5S County High School Bishops` Castle. The date is unknown but by the cars in the film it looks to be possibly early 1960`s. 

http://www.artsalive.co.uk/Archive/Line-That-Never-Paid.aspx

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LYDHAM HEATH
Lydham Heath has had several outings this year at local shows in Welshpool and Ludlow. It has created a lot of interest and we’ve been fortunate that members from Newtown Model Railway Society have operated it on our behalf. Showing a layout like this means that regular maintenance is required; Lydham Heath is no exception and some work is required both on the layout and the stock. Because of this, and because it was felt that local interest in it has been satisfied, it was decided to seek a new home for it. Lydham Heath has found a new home and its new owner Simon Dunkley plans to take it out and show it at new venues. Simon, chairman of the “S” Gauge Society, has helped operate it in the past and is looking forward to giving Lydham Heath a new lease of life. Simon has joined the BCRS too; he says he’s been meaning to for twenty years……. He’s offered us a return visit when the Weighbridge has been completed.
We are very grateful to David Finney and Craven Arms and District Model Railway Circle for looking after Lydham Heath on our behalf.

BOOKS
The Society has been given a large number of books, mostly railway or travel related including time tables from the fifties as well as the usual sort of general interest railway titles. There are a large number of pre-nationalisation guides produced by the big four companies including the well-known “Through the Window” produced by the GWR in 1924.
The quantity of books given to us (or about to be given – we haven’t had them all yet!) is more than we can reasonably expect to sell during our regular attendance at shows. Some of what we have may have some value so we’re seeking ideas about maximising this and also other ways of selling them. For instance, it has been suggested that we use eBay. So, is there anyone out there with the expertise required who might advise, or even take this on? Please get in touch if you can help.
John Rimmer : info@bcrailway.co.uk 01588 638998

Co-op Local Community Fund
The Weighbridge Project, Bishop`s Castle Railway has been chosen for the next round of the Co-op Local Community Fund. The funding round started on 28 October 2018. From this date, Co-op Members can choose our cause to give their 1% to when they spend on selected own-brand products and services.
How the fund works
Every time a co-op member shops at the Co-op, 1% of what they spend on Co-op branded products and services helps fund community projects. Members can shop at any Co-op Group stores across the UK to raise money for our cause.
Members can choose which causes to support by signing into their membership account, by calling the membership helpline on 0800 023 4708 or visit  https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/20910 .Our cause will be available for members to select until November 2019. If you have a Co-op near you please help by nominating The Weighbridge Project, Bishop`s Castle Railway as your chosen cause. Every 1% adds up!

AN APPEAL FOR A NEW TREASURER

Nick Downes our Membership Secretary has asked us to accept his resignation from the end of this
year. He and Sheila are moving away from Bishop’s Castle and he feels that this is a suitable time for him to relinquish this position. Nick has fulfilled this role superbly for a number of years; the system he operates runs very smoothly and effectively and whilst requiring a certain amount of input is not overly time consuming. Our present committee members have enough commitments – some have more than one job as it is – so we’re looking for help with maintaining this important aspect of the Society. Although it’s been the case in the past, it’s not necessary for the Membership Secretary to be a member of the committee or even to be resident locally. Technology means good communication. Nick is happy to help the new Secretary get to grips with things and the earlier someone can start the easier it will be. It’s an obviously fairly straightforward matter to becoming the new Membership Secretary and so if you could think about taking this on or would like to know a bit more about what the role involves, please contact John Rimmer Tel 01588 638998 email: info@bcrailway.co.uk

 

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Please support our Grand Christmas Raffle. Lots of really good prizes, generously donated by Preserved Railways, Local Businesses and Individuals. If you are unable to get to Bishop`s Castle we can post a book of five tickets to you. Contact Lin: socialmedia@bcrailway.co.uk

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27th September 2018

Good news! We have been given a grant of £500 towards the costs of a kitchen installation in the Weighbridge Building by Shropshire Community Council.

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BISHOP`S CASTLE MICHAELMAS FAIR

Saturday 22nd September
Mid morning till Late

If you are visiting Bishop`s Castle for the Michaelmas Fair, you will find BCRS in three places in the town this year. Following the closure of the museum in School Lane the BCRS artefacts are now on display in The House on Crutches Museum at the side of the Town Hall. There will also be display boards and sales in the Craft Fair in the Town Hall and the Weighbridge site will be open to the public with guided tours of the building and viewing of the mechanism inside the weighbridge pit.
For further information www.michaelmasfair.co.uk

National Heritage Day September 8th

Despite a rather dismal damp afternoon, there were a steady stream of visitors to the Weighbridge site to view the interior of the building and learn about it`s history. With the plates removed from the weighing pit, it was possible to view the mechanism attached to the steelyard within the building. This proved a popular attraction. Thank you for the generous donations received during the afternoon.

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On 20th August we were very pleased to receive an email from The Town Clerk of Bishop`s Castle Town Council to say that our application for a grant had been successful and that we had been awarded the full amount of £1,000. Members of the Weighbridge Project Team have been invited to attend the Civic Awards Ceremony in September to receive the grant.

6th AUGUST 2018

The Heritage Lottery application has finally been sent in. All we can do now is cross our fingers and wait. There will be an answer yes or no by December at the latest. Meanwhile we will continue to seek additional funding for all the interior furniture, display boards and kitchen equipment.

July 24th 2018

An appeal has just been launched to raise £10,000 towards the cost of repairing and regenerating the weighbridge building and surrounding area. Please see the attached Appeal Leaflet for further details and where to send donations, however small, it all adds up. Please share the leaflet with others to help us realise this project and save this heritage building for future generations.                                                                                       FUNDING APPEAL LEAFLET

PLEASE VISIT THE WEIGHBRIDGE PROJECT PAGE FOR ALL THE UP TO DATE PROJECT NEWS

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We now need help to operate the LYDHAM HEATH layout on August 18th at Ludlow Racecourse. If you can help, even for an hour or two please contact John Rimmer : info@bcrailway.co.uk

*LYDHAM HEATH LAYOUT*

Reached a milestone today. All you wonderful Coop shoppers have so far donated £100.85 to the Weighbridge Project. If you shop at the Coop and haven`t already signed up, it`s easy, just go online to coop.co.uk/membership and make us your cause.

We urgently need some help to run the Lydham Heath layout on Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th July at The Lost Railways of Shropshire Exhibition at Abbey Station, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. If you can help for a few hours on either of the days please contact John Rimmer : info@bcrailway.co.uk

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The new BCR displays in the House on Crutches Museum will be open to the public for the first time this Easter weekend. The museum is situated to the side of the Town Hall at the top of the hill in Bishop`s Castle and is open from Easter to October on Saturdays and Sundays 2pm -5pm

NOW AVAILABLE AGAIN

£11.50 including Post and Packing

Go to THE BOOKS AVAILABLE TO BUY PAGE to download an order form

BCRS AGM Postponed

Because of the current bad weather and the poor forecast for Friday, we have decided to postpone the AGM until Friday week, the 9th March. We will meet (weather permitting!) at the Methodist Hall, Bishop’s Castle at 7.30. I hope those who were planning to attend can make this new date. Any concerns or queries please contact john_rimmer@tiscali.co.uk.

FEBRUARY

We are very pleased to have been invited by THE SHREWSBURY RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST to participate in the “Lost Railways of Shropshire” exhibition at Abbey Station Visitor Centre, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th July 2018. More details will follow soon.

 

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As Easter approaches, the deadline for completing the Bishop’s Castle Railway display in the House on Crutches Museum looms ever nearer.

We’ve had a donation of some lime wash for our wall in the museum and David O’Neil and John Rimmer have given it two coats to brighten it up.
We have started to think about how we display the documents and the artefacts so that we can tell the story of the railway and what it meant to the communities it served.
As we get nearer Good Friday we will certainly appreciate some help in the museum to complete the display. If you might be able to assist please contact Lin (email:mail@ludfordpark.plus.com) or John (email:johnrimmer1716@gmail.com)
The House on Crutches Museum continues to look for stewards and anyone who might like to do this should contact John (email as above). There are always two stewards on duty, training is available and there is a maximum of three duties a year!

JANUARY 12th 2018

THE END OF AN ERA

The Museum is finally empty and the keys are handed in. As one door closes another door opens. In our case two doors! The BCR collection will be on display in the House on Crutches Museum in Bishop`s Castle when it opens for the 2018 season on Good Friday 30th March. It is also full steam ahead with The Weighbridge Project. A lot of work is being done behind the scenes during the winter months. Please check the Weighbridge Project page for regular updates.

 

THE FINAL DAYS OF MOVING OUT OF THE MUSEUM

The bad weather before Christmas meant that scheduled working parties had to be postponed. The new owners of the building have very kindly given us two weeks grace to vacate, so more working parties have been hastily arranged. On Thursday 4th January seven members turned up to help with the heavy items.

 

MOVING DAY FOR LYDHAM HEATH

     A NEW HOME FOR LYDHAM HEATH
One item which has exercised our minds (and those of some hardcore railway modellers on social media) is what to do with the Barry Norman model of Lydham Heath now that the museum has closed.
So it has been quite a relief to have an offer from Craven Arms and District Model Railway Circle to store it and generally keep an eye on it. It’s planned to bring it out at one or two Model Railway exhibitions so its running days are not yet over! Thanks are due to CADMRC and BCRS member David Finney for the offer and help in transporting it to Craven Arms.

 

A MESSAGE FROM JOHN RIMMER BCRS CHAIRMAN

The Museum has closed now after a final flourish at Michaelmas Fair and Bishop’s Castle History Day. We have started the process of clearing the building in preparation of creating a new exhibition in the House on Crutches Museum. When packing up items it is important to carefully record items that we have so that we can at least find them again! So, the process will begin slowly and accelerate once we know what we are doing. There have been a number of offers of help and we’ll be in touch to arrange working groups.

It’s important to say that there are no plans to dispose, either by gift or sale, of any items for the time being. In the case of Bishop’s Castle Railway items we would, of course, not consider disposal. Other items may well have a home in the weighbridge in the future.

AS ONE DOOR CLOSES ANOTHER DOOR OPENS

WATCH THIS SPACE………..

END OF AN ERA – The museum finally closed to the public on Saturday 7th October 2017

Fantastic Day in the museum during the Michaelmas Fair

Almost 250 people visited the museum on Saturday. It was busy from 10am until 7pm, many coming to see the model layout “Lydham Heath” running for the last time in it`s present location.  David O`Neill, Albyn Austin, Roger Dalton and John Rimmer did an excellent job operating the layout. At one point John Rimmer was heard to mutter “There are 30 people up there watching the layout, I hope the floor will hold the weight!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

9th September 2017

Despite the wet morning a good crowd turned up to see the weighbridge in it`s present condition,      interested locals, members and even a few holiday makers. All had a good look at the site, heard the history (as far as we know it) and the plans for the future. Comments were very encouraging.

See Bishop’s Castle’s Hidden Heritage

The Bishop’s Castle Railway’s old weighbridge lies hidden away but, for one day only, you can come and explore the building and find out more about it. Learn too, about the plans we have to restore it to its former glory and the new uses it may be put to.             

Saturday 9^th September 10.00am

Meet outside the Public Hall on Station Street, Bishop`s Castle, SY9 5AQ

This visit has been made possible by the kind permission of Charles Ransford & Son Ltd. Please do not attempt to enter the sawmill yard without a steward.                                                                                                   

For further details Contact John Rimmer 01588 638998

 

 Tuesday 29th August  The next working party day

Meeting at Ransford`s Reception at 10am. The aim this week is to finish clearing the small left hand room and to make a start on the right hand refrigeration room. Safety hats, safety glasses and dust masks will be provided, but it would be useful if you could bring the same as last week, shovels, brushes, wheelbarrows, rubble tubs, heavy duty loppers. Come for just an hour or two or bring some lunch and join the picnickers on the pallets.If you can make it you will be very welcome.

Thanks to everyone who turned up at the Weighbridge for the working party

Everyone worked very hard to clear almost 50 years worth of debris from the two left hand rooms, plus vegetation from the outside (& inside) walls. The skip was soon filled and another is being ordered. The clearing of the right hand room, which was used in the 1970`s as a refrigeration room, will no doubt fill another skip quite easily. The next working party date will be confirmed as soon as we have a date for the skip delivery.

 

Tuesday 22nd August – WORKING PARTY

To start the ball rolling we have booked a skip for 2 weeks from next Monday to start to clear the inside and outside of the building in readiness for the public visit on September 9th. There will be a working party on site next Tuesday 22nd August, we are meeting at Ransford`s reception in the main building, entrance from Love Lane, at 10 am. If you would like to join us, come for just an hour or two or stay longer, you would be made very welcome. It is an industrial site, sensible footwear and work gloves are essential. Some tools will be provided, but if you can bring secateurs, shovels, plastic rubble buckets, brooms etc. it will be a help. Dust masks will be provided. Details from Lin Dalton Tel: 01584 877852 email: mail@ludfordpark.plus.com

                     Weighbridge update

Tuesday 15th August

Over 60 people attended our drop in at Bishop’s Castle Town Hall where we were able to explain our proposals for the restoration of the weighbridge. There were a number of Society members but a good selection of local residents too. We had a lot of encouraging comments, ideas and information about the weighbridge. The next step is to prepare a preliminary enquiry to the Heritage Lottery Fund, take further advice and, if all goes well, put a proposal to the Railway Society’s committee for a full application for funding.

If you weren’t able to make the drop in, it would be good to hear your views and ideas (and offers of help perhaps!).

SAVING BISHOP`S CASTLE RAILWAY HERITAGE

The last original building on the site of the old Bishop`s Castle Railway Station. Hidden in a corner of an industrial site, the weighbridge, complete with machinery, needs some TLC.

Come and find out more about the exciting project to restore this building at our Drop-in at

   BISHOP`S CASTLE TOWN HALL

   TUESDAY 15^th AUGUST 4pm-8pm

The project team will be there to tell you all about the renovation plans, possible uses for the building and how the town might be involved. We’d like to hear your views and perhaps find ways you could help us achieve our aim.

For further details, please contact John Rimmer on 01588 638998

Bishop’s Castle Railway Society