Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

Ah!! 'H&E'. The memories of an adolescent schoolboy reaching up to the top shelf in the papershop on the way home from school...and hoping the shop-keeper wasn't looking.

 

'Come on, boys. this isn't a library'. 'No, miss, you don't get books like this in a library'.

 

Could we get back onto topic? This thread has turned into a stale gentleman's club and it'd be great if it ended before the casual misogyny arrives

 

Hear, hear!

 

Appears the issue @ Chelfham is the unapproved removal of the modern extension to the station building.

 

Understandable then.

 

If that's true then I was wrong in my estimation that it was a vandalism issue or a dispute, but I was right that it wasn't as bad as people assumed it to be, definitely a storm in a teacup! The question is was it closed to people pending an inspection from a structural engineer to declare it safe or did the council catch wind of an unauthorised demolition and put in a cease order?

 

Permission from the Council wouldn't have been necessary although they possibly should have been notified. As was referred to as a safety issue it is more likely that the Railway Board are concerned that the full CDM Regulations process and mandatory risk assessments hadn't been complied with. Many property owners and builders fail to follow those procedures properly but with so many eyes on the L&B they will want to make sure everything is done correctly.

 

Latest issue of Steam Railway, states that a grant from LEADER 5 Rural Development fund of £60,000 to help repair/rebuild Bridges 54 & 55, has been given. Works expected to start in January.

Things are starting to happen...

 

Just noticed these pictures, from a brief East Group update, which is tucked away in a rather unnoticeable corner of the website:
1)- great to see that Van 23 is receiving some attention at last-



Progress on Carriage No.5-


And finally, new antimacassars for 1st class. These really do look lovely, and just add a finishing touch to the ambience. (Incidentally, these are fitted to No. 17 at Woody Bay)

 

From the Winter Working Weekend. Scrub clearance and fencing along the Dean Steep- Barbrook section, showing, even on a dull November afternoon, the stunning views which will be had from here:


The approach to Lynton was, and will be, like the closing bars of a great symphony.

More at:
.https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/story/winter-working-weekend-23-november-photos

 

Two Armies:

 

Does van No.23 have it's original bogies? I've never been sure if it was found with them on or have they found some replacements?

 

I count more than two. And a few leggies too.

(Awaits stern rebuke ala "This is a serious RAILWAY forum. We can't be doing with such frippery as HUMOUR here. Can we get back ON TOPIC..."

 

Ho-ho!!

 

I've no problem with humour, but I can't say I spotted any ...?

 

1933 GALA​

I hope Tony Nicholson won't mind, but for the benefit of non-members, I've taken the liberty of reproducing an exquisite photo from the latest Trust magazine.
Taken in 1933 by J Hussey, whilst he and his family were staying at Killington Farm, it shows Lyn and Lew blasting up towards Woody Bay, with Heddon's Mouth in the background. Mr Hussey's wife and son look on as the train passes, in a scene remarkably similar to last year's gala,
the principal difference is in the foreground, with Barley stooks standing where the sheep now graze. It's remarkable how recently that the Exmoor Uplands were still being used for arable farming.

 

One for @flaman to judge methinks but it looks rather like oats to me, and possibly what I might expect on Exmoor.

The man who had the allotment next to mine many years ago grew near Corris, before WW2 the farm he worked on grew wheat which they stored unthreshed - straw & all. In winter it then went through a chaff cutter for cattle feed, possibly whats happening here?

 

Oooh, there's a nice word! I've never heard it used outside Sussex and Hampshire; does it go as far as Devon as well?

Tom

 

Is there another name for them? (not a southerner)