175 Event Great Success
The celebrations for the 175th anniversary of Castleton (Blue Pits) Station was a great community event on Monday 15th September 2014.
The platform was decked out with banners and special balloons (courtesy of Forget Me Not Castleton) and the hard work of our station adopter and as always Cllr Billy Sheerin.
The arrival of the Mayor was greeted by a Scottish piper, Stuart Hay of RMBC, complete in dress uniform who entertained throughout with Scottish melodies.
The proceedings commenced with Northern Rail MD Alex Hynes welcoming the children and all the gathering on behalf of The Friends of Castleton Station.
The master of ceremony Cllr Billy Sheerin, dressed in Victorian garb complete with top hat, then introduced the choir from Castleton Primary School who gave 3 splendid renditions including Hey Diddle Diddle.
TfGM’s Roy Chapman then addressed the enthusiastic crowd and STORM’s chairman Richard Greenwood MBE gave the history of the railways in the Castleton area which all the school children enjoyed, joining in the applause.
The East Lancashire Railway was represented by Brian Davies who outlined the plans for a Castleton connection to bring steam and vintage deasil hauled trains back into Baggs Yard.
Arriving on the 13:40 train was a Victorian dressed Lady, Cllr Jean Hornby, who was assisted from the train by a very gallant ‘Titus’ Sheerin and escorted to the Mayor Councillor Carol Wardle to unveil the commemorative plaque.
The plaque reads:-
“This plaque is to commemorate the 175th Anniversary of Castleton Railway Station Councillor Carol Wardle 15th September 1839 15th September 2014”.
The Mayor rounded up the proceedings by presenting all the school children, Castleton Primary, St Gabriel’s, St Edwards and Matthew Moss (who have helped planting the floral displays) and the choir, with special fridge magnets bearing the inscription ‘Castleton Lancs’ on an historic maroon ‘totem’ (sponsored by Matterson Cranes Rochdale) as used in British Railways days.
Refreshments were served, curtesy of landlady Debbie and her girls, in the Blue Pits pub and a film show was much appreciated.
The Friends of Castleton Station and STORM thank all who attended to make this anniversary a truly memorable occasion.