Spring Gala Blog: Epilogue
Epilogue
Whilst I was at the gala, I met and spoke to lots of people, friends old and new, but in particular I spoke to Martyn Budd, the L&B's General Manager (when he had a few moments rest from his other duties). A few years ago, Martyn launched a fundraising project to buy an auger attachment for use with the excavator, which was paid for by members' donations - mainly on-line. This has since proved a boon for erecting fence posts and such like - not something easily done by hand, especially on Exmoor! The remainder of that fund was transferred to the "General Manager's Equipment Fund", which Martyn has used since to purchase a number of S&T items and other equipment when they come available at short notice and there isn't time to set up a fundraising appeal.
With his recent purchases (such as a complete lever frame and several signalling rod rollers to be used at Blackmoor), the fund has become a little depleted, but Martyn is keen to obtain some very rare signalling equipment he has just discovered, that will be a boon for the expansion to Blackmoor.
If you have enjoyed this blog, perhaps you could show your appreciation by making a small donation to the GMEF by following THIS LINK. Just mention "GMEF and BLOG" in the comments field, and the money (plus Gift Aid, if your donation qualifies) will be put to very good use for the next phase in expanding the L&B.
Thanks to all in anticipation, and thanks too for your kind comments about the blog, Martyn
Dateline: April 2013 Event: L&B Webteam tele-conference.
Martyn: I'll be at the Gala in a couple of weeks - anything I can do to help?
Keith: We need some car-park stewards, can you do that for a couple of hours?
Martyn: Yes that's okay, I can do that.
Keith: Great thanks - and - er we've got wi-fi at Woody Bay - how about doing another blog like you did at Warley?
Martyn: Gulp - er yeah - okay...
So... Here I am!
Sunday, 12th May 17:15
The last service trains have gone, the last visitors have all but made their way home, and the Gala is all over, so everyone can go home tired but happy - except that many of them can't. From what I've heard, the gala has been a great success, despite the less than ideal weather conditions, but that is no accident. It has been a great, co-ordinated and long-term effort on the part of many dozens of people - railway staff, volunteers and management, as well as numerous suppliers, supporters and members of the public, both local and national (we even had one member arrive all the way from Australia just to be here!) All the extra preparations have to be taken down and put away for next time, the locos have to be shut down and prepared for tomorrow, the carriages have to go back into the shed, the shop and tea rooms have to be cleaned and restocked, and so much more besides. Even though officially closed tomorrow, there will be management meetings, and some VIP visitors, the work goes on, and on, and on...
Hope you've enjoyed my attempt at a blog. It's been fun, even if surprisingly time-consuming. so until next time, Cheerio for now!
Martyn
Sunday, 12th May 13:35
Having returned from Barbrook with the gas, it was time for another cuppa before taking a look at the Woody Bay Miniature Railway. I had intended waiting for the weather to dry and warm up, but neither looks likley now, so while it isn't raining TOO much, here goes:
This 7.25" gauge line has been under development for several years, and now extends from the road entrance, running parallel to the A39, past the station, stock shed, and water tower, ending above the cleared cutting behind the shed. Normally operated as "single engine in steam" there is as yet no signalling used although a post and bracket dollie have been installed recently. With two locos - LYN and RIVER PLYM- in service today, token operation was in place. I'm no railway expert, but to me, the token looked very much like a galvanised eye-bolt and nut!
Here is a photo record of my trip...
Sunday, 12th May 13:35
A major problem has just been resolved: The barbecue ran out of gas! I was just coming back to the station building to post images of the marquee I had taken, so, with nothing urgent to do, and eels available, I offered to drive to Barbrook for two replacement cylinders. I hope that will earn me a free burger later on!
Here are the photos I would have posted earlier...
Sunday, 12th May 11:35
The 11:30 has just left Woody Bay:
Sunday, 12th May 10:00
The final day of the L&B Spring Gala. The weather - not the best for the past few days - seems fairly benign - a slight breeze, and cloudy, but no rain to speak of. The first park and ride coach from Caffyns has arrived, and a few visitors even arrived on the 300 service bus, which stops right outside the station. BRONLLWYD is just about to leave with the first train of the day - Time for a cuppa, I think, then a wander around the station area...
Saturday, 11th May 16:45
Getting back from Chelfham, time for lunch, so to the barbecue tent. Very nice, Then for a quick look around the marquee - arriving there in time for the raffle (I didn't win :( then time for a quick look at the miniature line, then back to the tea-tent for a cuppa and a Devonshire cream scone mmmmm. All subjects for some pictures tomorrow perhaps. The weather seems to have mellowed somewhat - it is quite pleasant outside.
Here, for today, a few views of the marquees...
Saturday, 11th May 14:00
The L&BR's other station - at Chelfham - is also open today.The long-term project to restore the station building for reuse as a station building has begun, and visitors are welcome to see what has been done so far. Still a lot more to do, but at least the sun was shining when I got there (well, very nearly).
Saturday, 11th May 11:30
The 10:30 departs Woody Bay, 11 May 2013, despite the wet and windy weather, there is a steady stream of visitors - the Heritage carriages are at peak capacity.
By the station entrance, a marquee houses display and information stands ...
;
Saturday, 11th May 09:30
I've just arrived at Woody Bay, to an azure blue, cloudless sky, with the sun shining brightly in the firmament. The birds are singing, lambs are frolicking, T-shirts are the order of the day,..
Oh wait a minute, I got that slightly wrong, It's grey, wet and windy, as per norm, but there are plenty of people around, mainly dressed in waterproofs, fleeces, and wellies, but most are still smiling, preparing to meet today's visitors to the 2013 Spring Steam Gala here at Woody Bay station. The Locos are raising steam as I type. More later...
Friday, 10th May 22:00
The events of the day drew to a close after the 16:00 from Woody Bay. By all accounts, the stream of visitors was fairly steady - bearing in mind the weather wasn't the best, and many people were at work. Tomorrow, and Sunday are liable to be much busier, so today was perhaps just a trial run! The Moorlands Marquees weren't open today but will be in full swing from first thing tomorrow. I wondered over to see how preparations were going, bearing in mind the weather delays yesterday. No need to worry- all was covered and watertight (the marquee erectors hadn't left for their base in Exeter until 8:30 last night - soaked to the skin!) All was calm, with mainly just a few empty tables set up. There will be a different scene tomorrow...
Friday, 10th May 15:30
Yesterday I mentioned seeing Lilla flying along the M5 back home. Actually, next weekend Lilla will be one of the (static) exhibits at the Fawley Hill Steam and Vintage Transport Weekend ( see https://fawleyhill.co.uk/ for more details). The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway will also be represented at that event. Members of the Thames Valley Group and Surrey Group will be manning a display stand and sales table.
This promises to be a fantastic event so if you go there, do please introduce yourself to the people on the L&B stand. The more people we have gathered round our stand the more it will attract even more visitors to see what it is all about. You too can then tell these non-members all about ‘our railway’!
(Mike - that'll cost you a pint - at least! :)
Friday, 10th May 14:45
The 13:30 departs Woody Bay, 10 May 2013, only this time I was onboard - travelling in Coach 17, First Class Observation Compartment!
Friday, 10th May 12:45
The 12:30 departs Woody Bay, 10 May 2013:
Friday, 10th May 11:30
A few shots of the The first LYD-hauled Heritage Coach train leaving Woody Bay, 10 May 2013, 10:30
Friday, 10th May 10:30
Well today has dawned much brighter than yesterday - even the odd glimpse of sunshine! Woody Bay is a hive of activity, as I arrived at just after 9:00. There is still much preparation to be done - trains start running at 10:00,
Thursday, 9th May
I left home in Kent at 9am, in bright sunshine. I took the M20-M25-M3-A303-M5 route. By the time I passed Stonehenge, the weather was decidedly cooler, and grayer, and a bit damp. Into Somerset, and it was definitely wet, and windy. Just into Devon, on the M5, wetter and windier, I passed Lilla high-tailing it back to the warmer, sunnier climes of North Wales. By the time I got to Woody Bay, at about 1:30, the weather had definitely "set in".
Despite the wind and rain, the Thursday Gang, and a number of other volunteers were doing what they could to finish the preparations. By this time, it had been intended that the main marquee at Moorlands would be up, and gangs of volunteers would be inside, setting up and preparing. Not so. Mainly due to the wind, the frame was up, but the roof and walls were still on their trailer. A bunch of bedraggled but eager volunteers huddled on the platform, perhaps for warmth, while the professional marquee erectors did the best they could.
Despite being closed today, a few non-member stragglers did wander in - and even though the shop was closed, one was relieved of a sum of money, and went away with an L&B book and a couple of other items - and a broad smile on his face, so I hope he'll be back soon :) despite not actually doing any work, or even wearing my hi-vis, I did manage to beg a cup of tea (two in fact, as the first one was cold, so I got a new one out of the next brew! - Thanks Judy! :) So I thought I'd better earn it by taking a few photos: here are some of the least bad ones:
There were several locomotive movements today, all in preparation for the Gala, starting tomorrow...
There being little for me to do or see, apart from the rain, and being rather bedraggled, I decided to drive into Lynton to book into my B&B. I also decided that my waterproof jacket wasn't up to dealing with Woody Bay rain, so I'd try to get a new one. Lynton and Lynmouth is such a delightful place - I discovered that the father of the woman who served me in the outfitters was born in the house I'm staying at! Where else would that happen?
An hour or so later, I was back at Lynton, watching the locos being put away for the night, although there was still preparations to be completed...
Late in the day, with the rain lashing round them, the Marquee erectors, having finished the main marquee, were still working when most volunteers had gone.Late in the day, with the rain lashing round them, the Marquee erectors, having finished the main marquee, were still working when most volunteers had gone.
There was also an impressive array of static locos on display:
Later in the evening, I found that the woman who served my meal in a Lynton restaurant used to live in the Kent village I live in now! What are the chances of THAT? Like I said, Lynton and Lynmouth is a wonderful place!
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