Friends of Chapel station

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

QUARTERLY UPDATE NOVEMBER 2011.

I very much regret that the Summer update never appeared, due entirely to my poor time management in that time flew by and the year has passed by much more quickly than I realised. To think that Christmas is only a few weeks away!!

We've had another very successful season, thanks to all the hard work put in by our very willing team. Highlights are the construction and erection by Don -with a lot of help from Guy, of two of the planned four running in boards. We hope the other two- on the downside, will be up by mid spring 2012. That will partly depend on the weather- the two currently up on the upside are secured to the fence, the downside is straight into ground and then concreted in place, which obviously requires more effort and decent weather conditions. The response to this project has been extremely positive, and we are very grateful to those who have given grants and sponsorship.

The garden maintenance has continued, very few plants seem to have been affected by the very severe winter, but as can be seen by the new photos, we have not been able to fully tidy up for the forthcoming winter as the mild weather means the plants are still active.

We have also made a big difference to the view from the platforms and car park by clearing away a lot of undergrowth and whippy smaller trees. Not only has it had the desired effect, the loss of canopy has resulted in far better ground cover which- whilst we will have to keep on top of it, looks a lot better than previously.

Our work in 2012 will continue with some more undergrowth clearance, the two running in boards, and creation of the last timber sleeper planter on the downside which will be set off by a running in board above it. The work this year means that next year we can concentrate our efforts on the downside, as the upside is in effect complete.

We meet as usual for our December working party, but not in January, so our 2012 season at the station starts on Saturday February 11^th 2012. Our bi monthly meetings at the Crown and Mitre, Chinley continue as normal- please see our web pages for any changes that might occasionally have to be made.

John H Brook, Chairman, Nov 17^th 2011.

FRIENDS OF CHAPEL STATION

CHAIRMANS REPORT TO 3^rd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

This last year has seen a considerable improvement in the visibility of the group.

Firstly at the station, the work undertaken on the downside platform, re creating the border between the crossing and waiting shelter has meant that people on the train have seen evidence of our activity. The completion of the hanging basket posts and the supply of baskets by Northern Rail, have also been very visible, and have much improved the look of the station. The clearing of trees and vegetation on the banking behind the car park, together with the planting of donated further daffodil bulbs there has vastly improved the approach to the station, and much improved the light distribution on that stretch and in the car park.

Secondly our visibility has been increased by the ceremonial unveiling of the plaque at the station last Summer, our presence at the annual New Mills and District Railway Modellers show at Chapel High School, the recent arrangement to temporarily use the window of the Town End Post Office for a display, and in general by very positive feedback from station users and others of our work.

This has been made possible only by the continued commitment by many in our group to not only attend the bi monthly meetings and the monthly working parties, but also to undertake tasks at home and at the station at other times. I am very grateful for this continuing support, and for those who cannot- for various reasons, attend the organised activities, but who we know are actively interested in our work.

We look forward this coming year to the provision and erection of ‘running in’ boards, which is our main project, and we are grateful for grants from the Parish Council, Federal Mogul, and donations from others for this. We also will proceed with the construction of a fourth timber planter on the downside platform. Other projects are in mind for future years, and the maintenance of what we have done so far will ensure that we are kept well occupied on a variety of activities to improve the look and feel of the station.

John Brook

Chairman

March 2011

Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 21^st November 2011

Attendance: John Brook (Chair and Minutes), Keith Walker, Guy Martin, Ian Barley, Derek O’Brien

Apologies : , Bryan McGee, Graeme Parsons, Mary Townsend, Bill Barratt.

Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as an accurate record. There were no matters arising that would not be mentioned under today's agenda.

Running in Boards/Bench Seat

The meeting expressed thanks and appreciation to Don, who has been ably assisted by Guy, for the work they have done so far in respect of the Boards. The second one, with wording as agreed previously has now been erected, and is making a major visual impact for station users. This work largely completes current plans for the upside platform.

Network Rail PW at Chinley have been asked to dig the six holes required for the downside boards, Mike Franklin has verbally given his blessing for this action. Middle post of the two boards will be secured to the planters for added security. Provision of a bench seat will be examined in detail next year.

Maintenance/Working Parties

Continuing positive comments about our work. When a short notice extra team planted the bulbs donated by Ian and Bill in the verge of the approach road on a weekday morning, the response from passers by was much appreciated. Next Working party is 3^rd December as normal date is Santa Special. (See below). Weather permitting, further vegetation clearance and final preparations for winter. NO working party in January. (Post Meeting; Sleepers for final planter on downside now arrived and secured waiting construction)

Litter bins now being emptied fortnightly- resulting in Station adopter and others having to 'tidy up' in second week. Not thought acceptable for us to do this as a regular feature- obviously happy to assist if a particular need arises. (Matter mentioned at subsequent CRP meeting). As gritting done by litter teams does this suggest a less frequent gritting programme? Also query any special arrangements re gritting in view of temporary tunnel site office off station approach road.

Help point on downside still OOU. Random announcements re security, closing of doors, and no smoking, being made when no train expected for 30 minutes or more. Train announcements also random. John to email Mark Barker re concerns- (Done).

Shop Window.

John apologised for lack of proper display recently- used at Station for steam special and difficulty getting it back. Thanks to Keith for his help, now back up and looking far more presentable.

Chapel Vision.

Keith reported on current transport group activities. Re opening of Chapel Central one of the major proposals, being worked on as a basic initial idea by Network Rail, report expected by the end of the year. It also formed part of a 'wish list' some time ago by the CRP and Mike Rose, Project Officer is being included in Chapel Visions discussions. CRP had also circulated the ORR Initial Industry Plan for the next Control Period, with responses required, to which Chapel Vision had suggested adding this.

Santa Special

Saturday 10^th December, 12.53 from Piccadilly. John will circulate details of our responsibilities in an email. We would like at least 6 people to decorate the train and act as stewards. (Email since circulated)

Dates for next year.

MEETINGS;- Mondays 30^th Jan. 26^th Mar. 28^th May (Not BH in 2012). 30^th July. 24^th Sept. 19^th Nov (To avoid clash with possible Christmas Tree lighting in Chapel). All at Crown and Mitre at 7.00.

WORKING PARTIES;- Saturdays at 1.00 at the Station. 11^th Feb. 10^th Mar. 14^th April. 12^th May, 9^th June. 14^th July. 11^th Aug. 8^th Sept. 13^th Oct. 10^th Nov. 8^th Dec.

AOB

Guy has kindly updated the web pages with new photographs etc.

Keith attended recent ACoRP meeting at Cardiff, which he found most useful, spoilt by verbal abuse from another Friends group representative towards the Network Rail representative.

Next Meeting

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON

MONDAY 30^th JANUARY 2012 AT THE CROWN AND MITRE AT 7.00.

Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 26^th September 2011

Attendance: John Brook (chair), Keith Walker, Guy Martin, Ian Barley , Bill Barrett, Don Coffey Derek O’Brien (minutes)

Apologies : , Bryan McGee, Graeme Parsons, Gary Dobbin, David Waite

Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as an accurate record. Unfortunately we did not gain one of the ACORP awards. John and Keith are inviting Dawn Wolrich to meet them at the station.

John expressed disappointment at the poor response from Northern to his request for material to display in the shop window. Derek mentioned that Mick Brown is working with Pete Myers at present working on to promote good customer service. Perhaps he could help?

Running in Boards

The meeting expressed thanks and appreciation to Don, who has been ably assisted by Guy,for the work they have done so far in respect of the Boards. The one already erected has received positive publicity.

There was a wide-ranging discussion about the suitability of commercial sponsorship as planned on the next Board. In discussion sponsorship was identified as a reality of the world we live in. The Parish Council has sponsored the two which will bear the citation ‘Capital of the Peak’’ Federal Mogal has sponsored the two which will say ‘Home of Ferodo’ Guy proposed that we go ahead with the citations as originally proposed. Derek seconded the proposal. Five members voted in favour and 1 abstained.

Bench/seat

There was a discussion about the feasibility of erecting a bench/seat either at the Box end of Platform 2 or on the edge of the car park looking towards the town. It was agreed that if a bench was erected it would need to be well secured. The meeting agreed the idea in principle noting that we would need to explore Public Liability issues. Perhaps we could seek sponsorship or donations.

WorkingParties

John reported that the regular working parties are proving worthwhile. There have been appreciative remarks about the impact we are having. We still require sleepers to create the final planter (Platform 2). Ian indicated that he has been informed that there will be a supply available soon when work takes place in the tunnel (Midland line). The next working party will concentrate on clearing scrub to enable the erection of the next running in Board.

There has been a rumour that the frequency of empting the litter bins on the platforms may be reduced. We will keep an eye on this.

Station signage

The meeting discussed a survey Derek has been asked to complete about suitability of signage to the station. It was agreed that it would be beneficial if a sign could be erected to point pedestrians along Rowton Grange Road. It would also be useful if signage for motorists coming into Chapel from the A6 pointed towards the station

Station Building

Bill Barrett reported that there may be interest from a group/trust with a view to using the building for art development activities such as work with Chapel Band. Bob Mulholland is the person who has spoken to Bill. He is apparently going through Mark Barker.

Santa Special

Keith reported that it is going ahead on 10^th December (ties in with Christmas Fair at Buxton). We are responsible for decorating the train. Hopefully we will be able to start this work as the train goes down from Buxton. Ian Barley agreed to liaise with Dove Holes school. There has been a request from Northern for a prompt presentation of receipts for essential expenditure. There has been a delay in organising the tickets for unavoidable reasons.

BT Police liaison meeting

Keith gave feedback from a recent meeting. Staffing will be stretched in coming months as one constable and one PCSO are going to be on maternity leave. In respect of recurring issues relating to cows wandering the station approach BT police will look at the situation with a view to eradicating the problem

High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership

Keith reported that there had been a lengthy discussion about the Buxton line service review at the last meeting. Everyone is keen to see increased frequency the debate seems to be about stopping patterns. There was no indication of a likely timescale

AOB

Bill Barrett has kindly offered to donate more daffodil bulbs for the station approach.

Next Meeting

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON

MONDAY 21^st NOVEMBER 2011.

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 25TH JULY 2011.

AT CROWN AND MITRE.

PRESENT. Bill Barratt, Guy Martin, Keith Walker, John Brook (Chair and Minutes).

1) APOLOGIES. Derek O'Brien, Grahame Parsons.

2) MINUTES/ MATTERS ARISING. Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. John confirmed that entry had been submitted for the ACoRP awards. It was hoped that with a change of emphasis in the content, that we would stand a better chance of being considered.

3) RUNNING IN BOARDS. John confirmed that the grant from Federal Mogul had been received with grateful thanks, and that a grant from the Parish Council could be approved shortly. If positive, this should largely complete the funding required for all for boards. (POST MEETING-The Parish Council agreed to a grant of £150). It was decided that it then be inappropriate to request further donations for this project from other private individuals who had offered assistance, and that the sub wording would be as purchased, 2 'Capital of the Peak' and 2 'Home of Ferodo'. It is hoped to be able to erect the prototype shortly, after which the rest will follow in due course.

4) MAINTENANCE/WORKING PARTIES. It was reported that cows were still getting out onto the access road through defective fencing. (Post Meeting- found out that Ian Barley whilst on holiday in Anglesey had been phoned by the Police requesting he come and get them rounded up. Request declined!). John expressed his gratitude for the work done in his absence, and regretted he would not be able to attend the August working party date.

5) SHOP WINDOW DISPLAY. John would replace the display now we had finished using it elsewhere, but requested that we find other posters/display material to replace the schools paintings. John/Keith to contact David Waite to request a few suitable Northern Rail posters.

6) MEMORIAL PARK 90TH CELEBRATION/CHAPEL CARNIVAL. Very grateful thanks to Northern for supplying free tickets as a prize, which was won by Paul Carrington (from Chapel DIY) wife. We should get a cheque for £25 from the Carnival for manning the gate.

7 ) VOLUNTARY WORK VEOLIS/DCC. John advised the group that information had been received from a) Veolis who are contractors to DCC/HPBC to advise they have arrangements for supporting their staff who undertake voluntary work in the community. and also b) DCC Rehabilitation service who are looking for projects to be used. It is unlikely that we would qualify for b) as the work is effectively on private rather than public property, but we could look at Veolis when/if we have something possibly suitable.

8) BTP PACT MEETING. Keith attended the recent meeting in Manchester. The lease of the Station Building is currently still under negotiation, but parties are hopeful of a successful outcome. Details are still confidential. The Buxton line does not suffer from much in the way of crime compared to the Glossop line, and there is therefore little else to report.

9) SANTA SPECIAL. Keith introduced the report from Friends of Buxton regarding lessons learnt from last years Santa Special. In general the meeting agreed with the suggestions made for a better experience this year, but had concerns about a) Item 6. Schools decorating the train. Good idea in principle but would need careful management and control by CRB checked personnel. b) Item 9. Date. Whilst understanding concerns about Sat 16^th Clashing with Santa in Spring Gardens, this date has already been published. Also, for a number of Friends of Chapel, a Sunday just before Christmas would clash with already committed Church events. This obviously would not stop the Friends group supporting the event, it would however reduce considerably the number of people available to assist. It is also possible Engineering work could have an adverse impact on a Sunday. c) Requests for Northern. 6 Car unit suggestion is not practical, as apart from Piccadilly, Levenshulme, Heaton Chapel, Stockport, Hazel Grove and Buxton, platforms on the branch can only accept 4 cars. Selective door opening is not permitted as far as is known. Whilst the unit containing Santa was quite full, by the time the train had reached Buxton, there was plenty of space in the rest. The meeting resolved that we would be happy to assist with staffing and decorating the train and platform, but Friends of Buxton to note constraints on volunteer numbers if event is on a Sunday.

10) A.O.B. a) A Safety Poster supplied by Mike Franklin will be displayed in our Poster Case at the Station. b) Bill Barratt confirmed a hole is developing in the access road due to defective cover to drainage sough. This has been reported both to Northern, and Network Rail- not sure whose responsibility as its an old problem. c) For info. The new building adjacent to the Midland Line by the bridge is a toilet/shower block for a small caravan site, granted planning permission some years ago. Not sure how they are going to connect to any mains supplies or sewerage services. d) Chapel Vision. Keith advised that proposed bus service to Station is a non starter, and that any re-opening of Chapel Central Station will be in effect a DFT/Government decision. Anyone who would like to offer their services to Chapel Vision Transport Group is asked to contact either Keith or Guy. e) Guy raised the issue of use of Email addresses on Circulation lists etc, and whether there were any data protection issues. Whilst John and Keith both have identical circulation lists for FOCS members/interested parties which are used for distribution of minutes/information etc, and these may also include railway industry stakeholders and others in the industry whom we obviously need to advise/notify/keep in touch with, it was not felt that a) there was any likelyhood that these email addresses would be sold/passed on/obtained by others wishing to take advantage of this information, and b) there was no possibility of anyone obtaining further information sufficient to identify names and addresses etc. It was felt that to fully cover ourselves we should ensure that a) current email addressees are contacted to ensure they are aware of the very limited use to which their address is put, and in future this should be included in any handouts before they are signed and returned for email address inclusion.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING. MONDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER 7.00 AT CROWN AND MITRE.


Station looking towards Buxton	Station looking towards Manchester

Bulb Planting	Car Park Border

The second 'Running In' Board	The Herb Garden

The Car Park with some of the trees removed to improve the view over Chapel-en-le-Frith



Progress is now underway on the first of the four "Running In" Boards. Two of these will be erected on each platform side in due course.


Before Planting	After Planting