The sun shone brightly on the “Glorious Twelfth” when we pleased to host a visit by Dumfries Adoptive Railway Gardeners to Blaydon and Haltwhistle. Last year, DARG hosted a visit by members of station adoption groups from the Tyne Valley Railway to see the impressive gardens and the Heritage Centre at Dumfries Station.
DARG travelled from Dumfries to Carlisle, along the Tyne Valley Railway to Blaydon to see the work of Friends of Blaydon Station. DARG members were interested to see the murals celebrating the traditional “The Blaydon Races” song and the newly installed replica ceramic tiled route map of 1900 North Eastern Railway. They also saw the railway themed bench to reflect Blaydon's history as a railway town and its setting alongside the Tyne riverside path.
The hour devoted to the Blaydon visit quickly passed and everyone boarded the train to Haltwhistle for lunch in the delightful Water Tower Cafe, opened in 2024.
It is hoped that more visits can be arranged and our Director, Colin Moore, said “ A very successful day for station group networking at an international level, England and Scotland”.
Friends of Blaydon Station said “It was so pleasing and an honour to have had the opportunity to co-host the DARG visit to the Tyne Valley. We are keen to ensure Blaydon station is recognised as one of the many Tyne Valley stations that have contributed to both local and regional industrial and railway history. We trust our efforts from tending colourful flower beds to devising wall murals create a safe and appealing atmosphere for all rail users and of course the people of Blaydon and surrounding villages.”
Frank Jones, Lead Volunteer, DARG said “A big thank you from Dumfries Adoptive Railway Gardeners (DARG) and station staff who had a wonderful day hosted by Tyne Valley CRP volunteers at Blaydon and Haltwhistle stations, including a lovely lunch in the sunshine at Haltwhistle. It was good to see at first hand the results of the volunteers’ hard work . This gives us encouragement and new ideas in our own efforts at Dumfries”.
Events such as these where volunteer groups are able to meet, share knowledge and ideas illustrates that all station adoption groups have a common goal of improving their stations.