The Ashover Light Railway Society

Lots seems to be going on this month!

The AGM of the ALRS is scheduled for May 11th with a 1.00p.m. start at Ashover Parish Hall (S45 0BA).  All members are encouraged to attend to hear about the progress of our exciting plans for a re-instatement of the Ashover Light Railway. We also welcome the Col Stephens Society who are holding their AGM in Ashover, prior to undertaking a bus tour of the sites along the course of the ALR. (As many of you will know, Col Stephens was involved in the planning and construction of the ALR in an advisory capacity. It is alleged that his advice was sometimes ignored!) More about the Col Stephens Society can be found by clicking here.

Meanwhile, in Clay Cross Library, we have a month long display about the railway, open to all.  This year’s display features a number of “new” photographs that have never previously been widely available and which do not feature in any of the three books published about the Ashover Light Railway.

The ALRS sales stand has been out and about, featuring presence at Bakewell, Peterborough and Ashover so far this year. The next appearance will be at the AGM of the Colonel Stephens Society, followed by our own AGM.

The ALRS tote was drawn at the beginning of March, and the results detailed below.

1st prize - £42.75 DV of Chesterfield

2nd prize - £25.65 VW of Nottingham

3rd prize - £17.10 CB of West Sussex

Congratulations to all the above. Application forms to enter the ALRS tote can be found on the Membership page of this website (although non members can subscribe)

The merchandise/sales pages of the website have been completely re-written to reflect the range of ALRS merchandise currently available from ourselves. (ALRS sales can also be found on Ebay)

The “How can I help” page now features a report from one of our workshop volunteer members, illustrating that no special skills are required to volunteer (apart from time and enthusiasm of course).  Scroll down to the foot of the “How can I help” page to see the report.

The ALRS headboard is in use again

As detailed elsewhere in this website; immediately after the railway was closed, the locomotives, most of the wagons and the trackwork were sold for scrap. A short section of track and a few wagons remained at Fallgate to service the quarry there, and until a few years ago there was a set of points visible at the entrance to Butts quarry in Ashover.

However, the ALRS committee recently became aware of the existence of another stretch of track, comprising a set of points. This was completely unexpected, and the reason why it was not removed by the scrap dealer is unclear. The survival of this stretch of track was probably because of its position in a difficult location, on private land, well away from public rights of way.

However, with the full co-operation of the land owner a working party of ALRS volunteers has recently rescued these points and moved them to a secure location prior to display in a projected museum. The work involved with the removal did include the “pruning” of a number of saplings that have grown up on the track bed since the closure of the railway, but the rails themselves were remarkably well preserved… surface rust and some pitting but otherwise complete after all these years!

Further photos can be found via the gallery page.

Following on from the success of our two previous members’ days out (*), we have arranged a visit to the Amerton Railway for
Saturday November 10th.
Details and a booking form (in PDF format) can be found by clicking HERE

(*) visit 1 was to Leighton Buzzard and 2 was to the Talyllyn

There have been a few minor changes to the ALRS tote administration, and these are reflected in the revised tote application form, downloadable from the membership page. Although not obligatory, you should use the new forms from now on.

September winners were:

RB Chesterfield £44.25

MB Sheffield £28.55

JH Clay Cross £17.70

Congratulations to all the above.

On the Monday Bank Holiday (June 4th) the ALRS will feature in an exhibition at the Ashover Parish Hall, celebrating the queen’s jubilee.

Open from 4pm until 6 pm.

On Thursday June 7th, at 7.00pm there will be a pictorial presentation about the Ashover Light Railway at the Rectory Rooms, Church Lane, Morton (DE55 6GU).

The presentation will be given by Richard Booth, Chairman of the ALRS.  Society merchandise will be available for purchase.

Everbody is most welcome, and refreshments will be provided.

Clay Cross library exhibition:- April 30th to June 1st inclusive (see below for details)

ALRS AGM:- May 5th (see below for details)

Talk on Cromford & High Peak railway hosted by NEDIAS.  Monday May 14th at 7:30, Brampton Church Centre, Chatsworth Rd S40 3AW. (more details www.nedias.co.uk)

Ashover Village Hall:- The ALRS will feature in the exhibition associated with the queen’s diamond jubilee.

Illustrated presentation about the ALR will feature at Morton on June 7th (more details to follow)

The annual general meeting of the Society will take place on Saturday May 5th 2012 at Ashover Parish Hall, Milken Lane, Ashover S45 0BA with a start time of 12:45.

All ALRS members are encouraged to attend. Non members also welcome, but obviously you cannot vote.