As part of the UK's national Volunteers Week, the Churnet Valley Railway has put together a plan for a day of unearthing part of our lost heritage. In 2011 the CVR began operating trains along the Cauldon Lowe branch, which had last seen a public service train in 1935 when the LMS withdrew such services and subsequently closed all the stations along this line.
In 2013 a group of volunteers set about unearthing part of the former station at Bradnop, culminating in the erection of a replica nameboard to provide a lineside feature for travellers to keep an eye out for. This same group of volunteers have spent a few days since ensuring the site doesn't become too overgrown once again, but the opportunity is now being taken to do a more extensive bit of clearance work.
With the first week of June coinciding with Volunteers Week, a public Community Day has been arranged on Saturday 6th June to try and get as many people as possible to help clear the former access path to the platform. A selection of trees have been felled over the winter, and so part of the task will be to burn the leftover brashwood. In addition to this the removal of 80 Years worth of vegetation is required in order to find out what actually remains of the former access path.
This event coincides with the 110th Anniversary of the line's first opening, with the section from Leek Brook Junction to Ipstones being opened on 5th June 1905. The remaining section to Waterhouses and Cauldon Lowe was to open on 1st July.
If you would like to join us with this exercise, then please get in touch via our Contact page.
This event is FREE to attend for all ages, though Under 18s will require the attendance of a parent or guardian.
Attendees will need to bring strong gloves and boots, plus some handtools to assist with vegetation removal as there will be limited supply on-the-day (suggested tools include bowsaws, loppers, rakes).
Please also bring your own food/drink, as there will be no onsite facilities available.
Access can be obtained from Ashenhurst Lane in Bradnop, the proposed start tie is 10am with a finish of approximately 4pm.