Dave Tomlin has kindly sent me the following report on Saturday’s efforts at CRS.
Dear Bill
Holidays, RIAT and family commitments reduced numbers signed on this Saturday. As all the keen snappers were amongst them, no pictorial evidence is available to illustrate the efforts of DaveG, DaveT, Mick, Ben, Mary, Mike, Maurice, John and Steve. Dave Miles popped in to discuss revised signage for the park and ride service and ideas for next year’s war (weekend) and as ever loco department were servicing the water treatment plant under the water tower.
DaveG put the first undercoat on the first section of paling fence, Mick and Ben were working on a draught screen for the shop counter, and Maurice was hedge trimming. DaveT nursed the new hedge saplings (which are looking a bit distressed after all the recent hot temperatures), and John sorted the gardener’s glory hole and salvaged usable timber from the bonfire before DaveT lights it up on Monday. Steve put the Billy Goat round, then managed to manoeuvre our 4-wheel truck into the new wooden “barrow” shed and finally used the brush cutter on the platform 1 embankment. Mary tidied the top garden and flower tubs and finally Mike swept up and, most importantly, made the tea!
A kind donor has just presented the Friends with about 150 railway books, the pride and joy of her late husband. They will keep DaveT busy for some weeks getting them ready for sale online or on our fundraising stall in the ticket hall. A further visit has been arranged to collect other railwayana and we are all most grateful for this impressive donation.
Scaffolding is shortly to be erected around the road facing sides of the ticket office building to enable essential repairs and painting of the roof and walls. The Friends will assist B&S with this work as much as we are able, to ensure prompt removal of the scaffolding to minimise hire costs.
DaveT
Thanks Dave……