A fresh look for Freshford

Story and pics Rob Coles.

A celebration took place on Freshford railway station to mark the completion of its repainting.  The event also marked the communities’ time and energy that had been devoted to the provision of a new deep-blue enamel station sign in the original style. 

Cllr Neil Butters beside that new station sign!

The sign had been beautifully made by David Gatrell of the family-run engineers, AJ Wells and Sons Ltd.  David had traveled from his company on the Isle of Wight to be at the event. 

A celebratory gathering

Gathered at the station were B&NES Cllr Neil Butters, who is the Liberal Democrat Advocate for Rail liaison. Alex Hills and Ann Jenner of GWR; Heather Cullimore and Faye Keane of Severnside Community Rail Partnership;  John Adler of Freshford Parish Council and many local residents.   

Rowland Birchby with his model of Freshford Manor, one of the class of locomotives that would have called at Freshford in the days of steam.

There was a display of models of locomotives that would have passed the station including 7813 Freshford Manor and the Titfield Thunderbolt (Lion) that went through when the famous Ealing film was being made.

Rowland Birchby with his display of models on Freshford station

Clr Neil Butters said “We are indebted to GWR and the Severnside Community Railway Partnership for their hard work and financial contribution to make Freshford an even more special station.”