West Somerset Railway General Discussion

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now #130

Washford 1934 / 2017

Looking east through the station on a quiet day with the Goods Shed closed up.

Another shot that illustrates how Dunster could look.

1934


2017

 

Idyllic scenes, both. This one emphasises very well with its changes of detail, the subtle shift in identity from GWR to S&DJ. When did Washford lose its goods shed?

 

How about St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, on Orkney. I've never been, but I understand the cathedral dominates the place.

 

But probably typical. A few years ago I worked in an office in Stourbridge. I was amazed how many folk knew little or nothing of the SVR only a few miles away from their residence.

 

Much like Wales' newest City. St Asaph in North Wales! Had a quick Google before posting, it's the UKs second smallest city after St Davids with 2000 more residents!

 

I have been and St Magnus is a fairly large impressive building. Other buildings in Kirkwall are,or were when I visited a good 15 years ago, are on a human scale reminicent of the 50s. For anyone visiting you must see the Italian Chappel andfor the tipler visit Highland Park Distillery

 

Correct. It's leased by the WRSA.

 

At the risk of being a scroat....

St Asaph cathedral may well be the smallest medieval cathedral in the U.K. If having a cathedral implies City status. far from newest, St Asaph is at the forefront. The diocese was founded I think by Kentigern in the 6th century ( the times of Dyfrid, St David etc.), one of the earliest British historians was Bishop (Geoffrey of Monmouth), The building itself is mainly 13th century. Sorry to continue the drift but ...

Michael Rowe

ps here in Porlock our parish church is dedicated to St.Dubricius ( the posh Latin 12th Century translation of Dyfrid. In Herefordshire I think he was accorded fame in Norman French ie Devereux.) I am always surprised the WSR does not make more of Porlock and Porlock Weir as a potential destination from Minehead station. There is still a bus service Monday through Saturday.

Regarding Dyfrid. There is a remnant of an early Celtic cross in Porlock Church (6th or 7th Century) . I have a romantic notion of Dyfrid rowing across from the monastery at Llantwit Major, planting his staff in the ground, which was followed by a stone Cross, then a timber church, then stone and then in the 13th century the present church. A wonderful sense of continuity, I definitely think marketing wise we should be extolling Exmoor and its villages.

The GWR made much of its bus service from Minehead to Lynmouth.

Michael Rowe

 

I've just wasted 20 minutes of my life reading the 3 pages of dross which has appeared on this thread since I last visited.

Stef.

 

I vaguely recall Geoffrey may have been Bishop of St Asaph in name only; I don't think there's any evidence he ever actually visited, although of course the historical records are sketchy.

 

Good of you to add to it.

 

One man's dross could well be another's passion.

Please play nicely !

A bit of help and encouragement is far more useful

Jeff

 

Amen.

 

Some things to do with the sleepers at Dunster................

 

Yes, the WSR could do with building some bridges

 

A tad cattie, meow.

 

A few weeks ago we had visitors from Kidderminster, when asked what was at Kidderminster the one thing they didn't mention was the SVR!

 

Couple of comments.
Would you have a picnic on a table made of sleepers knowing what gets deposited?
I assume that the sleepers are well bolted together rather than being loose stacked. I would not 1/4 tonne of concrete falling on my legs.
As they are they may be ok but if the Little Darlings have been active then they may be disturbed.
Lastly if using them as a roadway or a bridge remove the bolts as that will be a trip hazard. There appear to be some in the photos standing proud of the surface.

 

All open-air tables are regularly covered in bird-crap. All you need is a napkin.