Category: Photography

Just photos – no particular theme

The weighbridge

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Railways..., Shropshire hillsLeave a comment

A visit to the museum of the Bishop’s Castle Railway Society.

The Bishop’s Castle Railway was a failure. The line that opened (unofficially) in 1865 and (officially) in 1866 was only half of the originally planned through route. By the end of 1866 it was in the hands of the receivers, who tried unsuccessfully to sell it while continuing to run services. Remarkably, they did so until 1935, by which time it was utterly decrepit. Within two years the line had been lifted and its rolling stock had all gone for scrap metal.

Today, much of the trackbed remains, as do a couple of the stations, but at Bishop’s Castle all that exists is the weighbridge building. Only a few years ago it was derelict and in danger of being lost forever, but it has been lovingly restored and is now the home of the BCRS museum, a collection of small exhibits and – star attraction – one of the nameplates of the BCR’s locomotive Carlisle. The building also serves as a café (home-made cakes!), while in the yard is the body of a former BR banana van, full of very reasonably priced second-hand railway books.

Bishop’s Castle Railway Society

The long way to Jackfield

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

It seems we need to visit an art and craft fair in Jackfield village hall. It’s a fine dry afternoon (but still very cold) – we’ll walk, and we’ll go the long way, down Pound Lane and along the old railway track to  the Coalport bridge. There, we’ll cross the river and wander along past the old china works, before recrossing and heading for Jackfield. We leave the village hall several pounds (£) lighter, but we can’t carry everything we like the look of. I expect we’ll need to return tomorrow…

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To Ratlinghope

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

Friday 25 November: Just over ten miles – an easy and pleasant day’s walk. Starting from Carding Mill Valley, we head for the Batch Valley, up to Jinlye, past Jonathan’s Rock and over to Betchcott Hill. Here, the weather forecast catches us out. Despite ‘sunny day’ symbols, and ‘<5%’ chance of rain, the clouds gather and an unexpectedly-heavy shower sweeps across. It’s enough to cause my companion to struggle into his waterproof overtrousers; inevitably by the time we’re moving again the rain is nearly past. We follow the path down Golden Valley (it wasn’t!) to the pleasant (if rather damp underfoot) path above Darnford Brook.

There’s nowhere dry to sit down for lunch – or is there? These knobbly (and very uncomfortable!) tree roots near Ratlinghope will do. Soon we’re heading uphill again, at first on the beech-lined road, then over Wild Moor to the Long Mynd ridge. That little froggy pool is full again! Lastly, down Mott’s Road (can we cross the brook without getting wet feet? Yes! We’ve made it!) to return to the Carding Mill Valley – where the cafe has just closed…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=343230&Y=296185&A=Y&Z=120