Saturday 10th December
From 11am @ Broadbottom Train Station

The Christmas celebration will be held on Saturday 10th December.

Father Christmas will arrive on the 1139am train.

There will be carols led by the Mottram Evangelical Church singers from 11am, with drinks, food and activities for the children.

There is a wide range of views about Network Rail cutting down many of the trees around the car park. We were as surprised as anyone else when this was done, but this is part of a larger program by Network Rail to reduce the leaves on the line and improve the safety of the trains. Whatever your views, you must admit that the station is a much more open and airier place. We are looking with some expert adviceto develop proposals to replant and would welcome your views.

The main station building has been covered with scaffolding for several months, and progress seems to be very slow, following the theft of some lead.

The AGM was held on 8 August. Stephen Cornish was re-elected as Chairman and Jonathon Fewster as Secretary. Rose Kendrick continues as Treasurer with Rose Joyce, Alison Fewster, Ian & Kate Triffitt, Sean Parker Perry and Jonny Reynolds as committee members.

The Summer Event was planned for Saturday 6th August. Unfortunately, torrential rain on the morning and continuing bad weather left the committee no option but to cancel the event on the day. This was a shame, because a lot of hard work had gone into the preparations, and it was also to have been the first event at which the WI were to have provided catering.

The local walks booklet championed by Rose Joyce has come to fruition. Demand for these booklets has been high and we look forward to seeing copies being used.

The ‘book exchange’ in the booking hall, run by Alan, has been a popular innovation. Although not actually developed by FoBS, it is typical of the small and friendly type of initiative that helps to make a local station more a part of the community.

The ‘safety tours’ have continued. Rose Joyce and Rose Kendrick have been the driving force behind these events, in which the rail users of the future are shown around the station. They are taught about the importance of safety on the station and on the railway in general, and then sent on their way clutching a bag of goodies provided by Northern Rail. The support from Northern Rail has been absolutely superb, with managers from the company taking the time and trouble to come to the
station to speak to the children each time.

If you have any comments or suggestions please email fobs@jonal.co.uk