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Welcome to our web pages hosted by Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council.

We are a small group of volunteers, not all of us railway enthusiasts by any means, who are keen to improve the environment at Chapel Station. For those reading this from distant parts, the station is in an isolated position about a mile from the Town Centre, which brings its own problems, but also opportunities. We hope to achieve our aims partly by doing some of the things that perhaps used to be done by Station Staff, such as creating and tending gardens, constructing planters, painting of small items, general tidying up. This work is done in conjunction with the contractors employed by the stations operators Northern Rail, and Network Rail as Landlords. We also assist with publicity distribution, and maintain three notice boards around the town. We also need to look at our own fund raising and other publicity, so there is plenty of scope for a variety of skills.

We hold meetings bi monthly, at a local pub where we enjoy a meal and discussion, and have monthly formal working parties at the station, usually on the second Saturday afternoon. Contact details are supplied on another page, and we warmly welcome anyone to come along to our meetings and working party days to see what we do.

We also appreciate that there people who cannot commit to any work, but who would like to keep in touch with what is going on, and we have an email circulation list for our minutes and other information. Please do let either myself or our Secretary know your email address to be included in this.

As you will see from my report to our first Annual General Meeting, we are members of ACoRP, and attend the local Community Rail Partnership Meetings, from which much useful information is gained.

Please do get in touch, we look forward to hearing from you.

John H Brook, Chairman

Friends of Chapel Station

Constitution

1. The group shall be called "Friends of Chapel Station"

2. The aims of the group are:

v To promote practical environmental enhancement works especially by volunteers for the benefit of the community and train passengers.

v To publicise and raise awareness of the benefits of “green transport plans”, the train and attractions of the station area and its environs to increase station “footfall” and visitor numbers.

v To encourage community involvement and ownership, particularly by young people and schools in conservation, environment and associated education artworks, poetry, competition, etc. at the station and its environs.

v To encourage local businesses to improve their own properties and in sponsoring environmental enhancements at the station area.

v To campaign for improved infrastructure facilities and services.

v To work in Partnership with ALL stakeholders to achieve these aims.

3 To fulfil these aims the group will: -

a) Undertake practical environmental, conservation, recycling works and other activities as they see fit.

b) Encourage partnerships with other like-minded groups to undertake such works.

c) Raise money/funding when necessary including by means of awards, grants and sponsorship for carrying out the aims of the group.

d) Publicise their activities and achievements.

4. The area is generally the environs of Chapel Station and the adjacent areas.

5. The organisation shall apply for membership of The Association of Community Rail Partnerships.

6. Membership shall be open to anyone interested in taking part in, or supporting, the works of the organisation.

7. The organisation shall hold three meetings including an AGM each year to discuss its policy and administration. All members shall be entitled to attend and the meetings shall be fully advertised, especially at Chapel Station.

8. A committee ( and sub committees as required) shall be appointed to conduct the administration of the organisation. The committee (which will include a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer) will be in charge of the day to day running of the organisation, but will be answerable to meetings of members.

9. Accounts shall be kept by the treasurer, submitted to an independent inspection and approved at a Members meeting.

10. The organisation shall obtain any necessary insurance (when not provided by the Train Operating Company), for volunteers on its projects, and for injuries for third persons, and damage to property.

11. If it should become necessary or advisable for the group to close then a general meeting will be held of all the members giving at least three weeks notice of the reason for the meeting. If it is agreed that the group shall terminate then all outstanding debts and liabilities will be settled. Any remaining assets will be donated to Chapel Parish Council.

12. This Constitution shall only be altered by consent of a majority of the members of the organisation, and was

Signed:

………………………………………………Position……………………

UPDATE JULY 2010.

What a difference a few months makes! In February we had what appeared to be a long list of items that were waiting to be done, either by us or others. It’s very pleasing to report that much has since happened.

From our own list, the 6 hanging basket posts are now erected and waiting supply of baskets by Northern Rail. The delay was caused by Network Rail doing major repair work on the fence during May, no point in trying to fix posts to a fence under repair! We will shortly be arranging a date for the unveiling of a plaque at the Station commemorating the late Tony Bingham, Mayor of the High Peak, whose fund provided considerable financial help, along with two local firms. This will be unveiled by his Widow, and we hope this will be a memorable event.

We have largely completed the construction of the plant and pick herb garden, with just some further planting to take place at a suitable time. Maintenance of the existing planters and borders continues, and planning is well advanced on the construction and erection of two large ’Running In’ boards at the end of each platform, clearly stating ‘Chapel-en-le-Frith’ with the likely words ‘Capital of The Peak’ underneath. Fund raising for this project is already underway.

Work by others has included the complete re roofing of the Station Building. This has transformed what was looking a very run down and neglected feature into a potential attraction, we hope that suitable use and tenancy can be arranged soon so that it can then be kept up to a high standard. The fencing has already been mentioned, the rectification work has certainly improved stability. Last, but not least, the Signalbox received a full external makeover, and now looks superb, even better due to its Southern Region colours of green and cream!! We are hoping that the red painted waiting shelter on the upside can be painted blue to match the new one on the downside, and with a bit of paint to the lamp posts we will have a really attractive and smart station.

We have plenty on the to do list, but the obvious improvements made by us, Northern Rail and Network Rail are very pleasing.

John H Brook, Chairman.

CHAIRMANS REPORT TO 2^nd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. 29^TH MARCH 2010

First of all, a warm welcome to our meeting tonight.

This year has been, in my view, a year of consolidation, building on the very successful initial year. Many of the items mentioned a year ago have either been successfully concluded, or are now well underway. We’ve made good progress on the Car Park flower border and planters on the platforms, both of which have met with very favourable comments. Its very pleasing to report that a good start has been made on re creating the garden border on the downside platform, the provision of hanging basket posts is almost complete, to the point where we should soon be able to erect all six, and most of the plants already in situ appear to have survived the exceptionally cold and long winter.

We recently managed a stall at the New Mills and District Model Railway exhibition at Chapel School, which raised our profile and met with a lot of interest. We have started a recruitment campaign, particularly for working party assistance, and it was good to see three teenagers at the March working party ready and willing to assist. Our new logo, designed by Don Coffey, is being used wherever possible, and creates a much more positive view of our group.

Our current plans include the provision and erection of a plaque commemorating the valued financial assistance from the Late Mayors Fund, H.D. Sharman, and Ferodo Ltd towards the cost of the hanging basket posts, the continuation of work behind the downside platform, and the projected provision and erection of two’ Running In’ boards, one stating ‘Chapel-en-le-Frith South’, and the other ‘Capital of the Peak’, one behind each platform. Grant aid, probably from the CRP, will be requested for this. In the longer term, the ‘Engine’ project is still on the cards, and a recent enquiry concerning the possibility of the land behind the downside platform being used for a small Nature Reserve will be followed up. We have the possibility of improving the border at the rear of the Car Park, together with tree pruning there, and with maintenance to our existing work being required, the limit on what we can do is constrained mainly by available manpower.

Our team of volunteers have given me great support, and although we might be small in number, the talents on offer are considerable, and are very much appreciated. Thank you all very much.

John H Brook

Chairman. March 2010.

Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 24 May 2010

Attendance: Keith Walker (chair), Don Coffey, Guy Martin, Ian Barley , Ashleigh Phillip, Sean, Derek O’Brien (minutes)

Apologies : John Brook, Bill Barratt, Peter Helps

Keith welcomed everyone to the meeting and extended a particular welcome to Ashleigh and Sean who were attending their first meeting. The group expressed appreciation for the work they have done on Working Party days and delight to see them at the meeting.

Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes were accepted as an accurate record of the meeting.

Matters arising

Keith confirmed that the documents retrieved from the Station Building have been returned from Derby. Peter Helps is going through them at present.

Approved signatories for the Bank Account

The meeting agreed that Derek O’Brien be approved as a signatory in place of Bill Barratt who has indicated that he is happy to relinquish this responsibility. The approved signatories will be John Brook (Chair), Keith Walker (Treasurer/Secretary), Don Coffey and Derek O’Brien. John Brook to action new bank mandate.

Working Party

Next Working Party Saturday 12 June. Don to assist transport wheelbarrow.

Priorities for the afternoon: re-erect hanging basket posts, move top soil to Platform 2 bed, Change planters to Summer display (Mary to co-ordinate)

Keith to ask Chapel DIY if they would be wiling to move soil to Platform 2 side of track prior to the working party.

Maintenance

Further tree clearing will take place once Sheila Chester has approved the Method Statement submitted by John.

Keith to follow up provision of hanging baskets. Once the post are in place we will be ready for the baskets. These need to be in place so that we can organise the official ceremony and Mrs Bingham needs to know the date.

Don circulated some photographs of a feature at Hindley Station. It was felt that this might give us a way forward in terms of the ‘engine project’. Keith to make contact with the Friends of Hindley Station.

The meeting felt that it is important that we make progress in terms of erecting the running in board on Platform 2 as this will help to delineate the cultivated area we are trying to create.

2013

Keith will be attending the next CRP meeting on 29 June when it is hoped a decision will be made about the date for the celebration. Northern have agreed in principle to running special trains to mark the 150^th anniversary of the extension of the line from Whaley Bridge to Buxton.

AOB

It was noted that the Friends of Buxton Station have run a series of recruitment adverts on High Peak Radio.

Sean asked if it would be possible to have a display (perhaps one of the cabinets or an A3 sheet) to give a brief history of the station and details about the incident in 1957. The meeting agreed this was a good idea.

Thanks to all those people who regularly do litter picking at the station and on station approach.

Next Meeting

Monday 26 July 7.00 pm Crown and Mitre.

The meeting thanked Keith for chairing the meeting.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING AND AGM

MONDAY 29^th March 2010

Present: John Brook (Chair), Ian Barley, Keith Walker, Don Coffey (minutes) Cllr Guy Martin, Derek O’Brien

Apologies: Bryan McGee, Bill Barratt, Mary Townsend, Mark Eastwood (Station Manager), Peter Helps.

(1) Minutes and Matters Arising

The minutes of the meeting held on 25^th January 2010 were approved and signed.

(2) Election of Officers

John Brook was re-elected as Chairman
Keith walker was re-elected as Secretary and Treasurer

The Chairman and Secretary/Treasurer Annual Reports were presented to the meeting by John and Keith.

The committee would like to record their appreciation of the efforts made by John and Keith during another successful year.

(3) Annual Accounts

The accounts for the year ended 28/02/10, having been signed off by the Independent Examiner, were accepted and agreed by the meeting. Grateful thanks to Keith for his work, and assistance from Don with spreadsheet.

(4) Working Parties

Achievements – 2009/10

· Large number of daffodils planted on station approach and down platform border

· Platform planters added and stocked

· Approval and construction of hanging basket posts

· Car park and station borders tidied and stocked

· Approach lighting ownership identified and faults rectified

· Gravelled area near station gate complete

Landlord Station Enhancements 2009/10

· CCTV

· Station help points

· Hearing aid loop facilities

· New long line PA

· New down platform shelter and lighting

· Renovation of station building

Aspirations for 2010/11

· “Running in boards” –

o Chapel-en-le-Frith – Capital of the Peak (down platform)

o Chapel-en-le-Frith – South (up platform)

Possible fence at the back of the down platform

Archway to proposed nature garden

Completion of “plant and pick” herb garden

(5) Station Adopter

· Station building repairs well underway

· Down platform help point now working

· Northern contractor Telent is working on LLPA

· New fence – still outstanding

· Station approach walls falling into disrepair again

· Trip hazards (hump in platform) created by poor installation of hearing aid loop facilities

· Network Rail tree clearance still outstanding

· New asset plan requested

(6) Commemorative Plaque

· A design for the plaque was passed around and agreed. It was decided that it should not be drilled and attached with adhesive like the “John Axon” plaque. The design will be passed to Mark Eastwood to confirm the sign requirements and pantone colours

(7) 150 year celebration 2013

The next meeting of the CRP Working Group chaired by Jean Wharmby will need to determine a date for the celebration before DC can progress with Sheldon Hicks (Northern Operations Director). It seems that so far the event will be funded jointly by CRP/DCC and during meetings; Northern will be represented by Mark Barker.
Reminder! It was the view of the meeting that there would be value in representatives of the various Friends’ Groups meeting from time to time to share ideas.

(8) Engine Project

Bill Barrett is still working on this. Nothing to report at this stage.

(9) CRP

The Manchester Hub was reviewed at the last meeting

(10) AOB

· Enquiries to be made for the conversion of the raised wheelchair area and the bus turning space to be converted into additional parking.

· It was agreed that incidental expenses incurred from FOCS business should be recoverable from funds.

(11) Next Meeting

MONDAY 24^th May 2010 at the Crown and Mitre (7.00 pm).

JB to invite Mark Eastwood to attend.



Latest photos of the Station Building and Herb Garden July 2010


Before	After

OUR LATEST PHOTOS TAKEN LATE APRIL