Mini Timetables – 11 Dec 2006 – 19 May 2007. A print run of 10,000 copies was distributed during early December for use of local passengers. The timetable includes onward connections to Liverpool via Chester, and London via Birmingham. Through and connecting services are also shown to Birmingham, Cardiff and Holyhead. It is important to be aware of the journey opportunities most valuable to passengers in this area but space restrictions have limited the introduction of Manchester services so far. If, however, we achieve a Monday-Saturday timetable in the future, we can rework the layout to of the timetable to accommodate more destinations. For SCRUA members receiving this S-DN by hand or by post, a copy of the timetable is enclosed. Ed.

Website. Work is underway to revamp the partnership’s current website. Discussions with the web designers have taken place and new information fed through to them. The new look site should be up and running in the New Year. To view go to: www.chester2shrewsburyrail.co.uk

Gobowen. Following a successful appeal for ‘Friends’ to help at Gobowen station I am pleased to say that we had a good response and all those who volunteered will be contacted in the New Year. Following discussions with staff at the Derwen College, Gobowen, we will also be joined by Horticultural students who will assist with the planting and maintenance of the new planters which will be installed in the next few months. The contract for the planters has been given to the Enterprise Department at Derwen College who will be constructing them upon their return after Christmas and the New Year break.

Book Shop: A second hand book shop has been set up at Gobowen station booking office. Many thanks to those who have donated books which are sold to passengers at a cost of 50p each. All proceeds are to be used for the work of the ‘Friends of Gobowen Station’ and to date over £30 has been raised. If you have bought a book and would like to re-donate it, please hand it in to the booking office staff. We welcome books for donation, but do ask that they are of good quality, modern and suitable for reading on the train journey!

Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust. The Brunel lecture took place in County Hall, Shrewsbury on 1 November when Dr Barrie Trinder described the life and work of the great engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The event was sponsored by this Partnership together with Shropshire County Council, Cambrian Line Partnership and the Heart of Wales Partnership. SCRUA joined in with a display of rail information and promotion of the Association. So successful are these annual lectures that it is expected to be repeated next year with a talk on Thomas Telford. Mansell Williams also organised an exhibition of Railway paintings at his premises in Shrewsbury during November.

The line study being carried out by consultants Scott Wilson Railways is nearing completion. In September they delivered a presentation to the Liaison Committee of the Chester-Shrewsbury Rail Partnership which updated stakeholders on the work carried out and some of the recommendations. However, it was apparent that with a little further work more evidence on the potential justification for new stations would be beneficial. They undertook this work immediately and will be providing the draft final presentation to the committee on 15 January 2007. All stakeholders will be informed of their recommendations.

 Thanks. Finally, a thank you. I have been fortunate to have been employed as Community Rail Officer for this line for over seven years. Looking back we have come a long way and rail travel along the Chester- Shrewsbury line has been transformed. The hourly, direct services are proving very popular so a big thank you to the passengers who have recognised that we have a real asset on our doorstep which we need to use. Thanks too to the booking office staff at both Gobowen and Wrexham General who go out of their way to assist whatever the request.

With the death of David Lloyd from Gobowen booking office I lost not only a valued colleague but a true friend, always ready to help promote the line and eager to see it develop. David had the ‘Community Rail’ spirit years before it was officially invented. I should also like to thank the Rail Users’ Association and the station Friends who have supported all my plans and made the Partnership that much stronger. We start 2007 with many exciting possibilities and I look forward very much to working with you all.

Sheila Dee

Community Rail Officer, Chester-Shrewsbury Rail Partnership.