Work in Progress: 6th November

Bonfires galore!

The seasonal 'Bonfire Night' always provides an excuse for bonfires. The evening of November 5th saw an L&B social event with a Bonfire and Firework display at Rowley Moor Farm.

The massive bonfire of recently cut-down branches and wood from the clearance work parties was disposed of together with a display of donated fireworks. Some 40 L&B volunteers and families attended, also enjoying soup, sausages and cake provided by catering manager Judy Williams and her assistants.

The next day at Woody Bay with no trains running and no visitors, there was no excuse but to have another bonfire.

1. In the car park a bonfire was lit to dispose of the pile of branches cut during the A39 hedge laying programme.

2. Several trees along the hedge line were trimmed and tidied up. The original railway turntable is stored here on the bank above the car park.

3. Later the bonfire had burnt off all the piles of cut down branches.

4. This is the view looking back from the car park across the overflow car park field to the completed trimmed hedge line by the A39.

This hedge-laying programme has now opened up significant views of the railway as motorists drive along the A39 and are 'encouraged' to call in and help to boost visitor numbers next year.

After lunch volunteers worked on a variety of projects, such as the MoD Box Van, repainting diesel HEDDON HALL, and electrical work within the marquee. One gang returned to Rowley Moor Farm to continue with more bonfires and tidying after the recent tree clearance work.

Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson