We are hosting a series of events in the former railway buildings at Haltwhistle during 2025 as part of the national Rail 200 events celebrating 200 years of railways.. 

Unfortunately, owing to personal commitments of our speaker, this event has been postponed. We will arrange a new date any publicise it as soon as we can.  We will contact people who have purchased tickets directly.

The first of the fireside chats, which will include a supper served in the Water Tower Cafe followed by the fireside chat in the Old Booking Hall, will be held on 21 February.  Start time 4pm.

Robert Forsythe will explore the the surprisingly intense connection of world-class poet and author W H Auden to the area.  Born on 21 February 1907, Auden had strong connections with the North from 1919 to 1973.

Auden was a lover of railways and the North Pennines, both providing inspiration of his work.  The Night Mail is well known to many as it describes the sights and sounds of the mail train as it travels north over Shap Fell and Beattock.  In his New Years letter 1940, Auden wrote:

    'Those limestone moors that stretch from Brough

    To Hexham and the Roman Wall

    There is my symbol of us all’

Robert is a specialist in all things Auden having first encountered him whilst a student at Durham.  

On the menu will be meatballs in a marinara sauce, followed by a sweet and tea or coffee.  Vegetarian and gluten free options will be available.

Tickets for the meal and talk cost £9.50 and are available from the Water Tower at Haltwhistle or online

Details of future events will be publicised soon