Sep 2022
A celebration took place on Freshford station to mark the recent completion of the repainting of the station by GWR. It also marked the time and energy the local community has devoted to the provision of a new deep blue enamel station sign in the original style. The sign had been beautifully made by David Gatrell of family-run engineers AJ Wells and Sons Ltd. David travelled from his company base in the Isle of Wight to be at the event. Also gathered at the station were Cllr Neil Butters, Bathavon South Ward, Alex Hills and Ann Jenner of GWR, Heather Cullimore and Faye Keane of Severnside Community Rail Partnership, John Adler of Freshford Parish Council, and local residents.
Guests were treated to a wonderful display of models of locomotives that would have passed the station including Freshford Manor and the Titfield Thunderbolt (Lion) that went through when the famous Ealing film was being made.
GWR Regional Station manager Alex Hills said “We are committed to working with our customers and with partners like Severnside Community Rail Partnership to make sure our stations are clean, friendly and welcoming. We are delighted that the new sign at Freshford both honours its heritage and improves the look and feel of the station. This is one part of a number of local improvements and I hope that it will mean we continue to see a rise in customers using Freshford for journeys to work, for leisure or to meet friends and family.”
Cllr Neil Butters said “We are indebted to GWR and Severnside Community Railway Partnership for their hard work and financial contribution to make Freshford an even more special station.”
Heather Cullimore, Manager of Severnside Community Rail Partnership said “The Freshford community care deeply about the appearance of their station, it’s special heritage and the role it plays in providing access to a sustainable transport network. This has been evident throughout the process of creating a new running-in sign and welcoming a re-paint of station. These improvements, along with the stunning garden – tended by local volunteers – make Freshford station an inviting place for regular commuters and infrequent visitors alike.”
