The West Wiltshire Group of Ramblers is a friendly, diverse group of people who mostly live in the many towns and villages within a ten mile radius of Trowbridge, the County Town of Wiltshire. We are drawn together by our love of walking in the countryside with like-minded individuals. We are very fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the West Country, with the Cotswolds to our north, Salisbury Plain to our south, the Mendip Hills to our west and the Vale of Pewsey to our east all providing wonderful walking opportunities. Westbury White Horse can be seen from much of our area. If you fancy some fresh air, exercise and companionship on a walk then why not join us?

The volunteers keeping heritage railway on track


Angie Appleton said she loved volunteering in a booking office

"It doesn't seem like 10 years... It's been the best thing I ever did, quite frankly."

Angie Appleton is a clinical acupuncturist, but has also spent the last decade volunteering at Severn Valley Railway.

The ticket office worker is one of hundreds who keep SVR running along its 16-mile route between Bridgnorth, Shropshire, and Kidderminster in Worcestershire.

Without their efforts, it would again face the oblivion to which it was nearly consigned by British Rail in the 1960s.

Mrs Appleton, who played her part in marking 200 years of the modern railway in 2025, is proud to be involved, and said "you just see lots of happy faces" among visitors. "It's just quite a joyous place to be really."

"I have a clinic, a private clinic, which is in Bridgnorth on St Marys Street and when I volunteered on the railway, I actually wanted something that was completely different and didn't have a lot of responsibility. I didn't want, for example... many volunteer roles on the railway that are safety critical."

As she works full-time, she might do one or two days a month at weekends at the Bridgnorth booking office, while others might be a "travelling ticket inspector" or "maintain the gardens".

"How much or how little you want to do is really, really up to you," Mrs Appleton said. "I can't think of any age or job or person that wouldn't be a good fit for the railway if that's what they wanted to do. There's something on the line for everybody."


Teenage volunteer Charlie Delaney has a job with West Midlands Railway

Charlie Delaney, 19, was brought to SVR by his grandfather "when I was a lot younger" and "just grew the railway bug". He started on customer service on the Kidderminster platform when he was 14, before becoming a locomotive cleaner and helping with lighting up the locos, which was "very cold in the winter". The teenager was in the guards' department at 17 and "began my shunting training" - moving around coaches.

Asked why he thought rail was his thing, Mr Delaney replied: "You have that utter thrill of being able to watch that steam engine, that was completely dead when you came to it, you put that fire in it and it comes to life and you know that you did that. And the people around you as a team, you've all helped towards that and giving the passengers such a good day.... it's just an amazing feeling."

The line closed as part of the nation's rail infrastructure in 1963, but has been preserved as a heritage attraction since 1970.


Signalman Howard Bowling said every day the SVR needed between 20 and 100 volunteers to run the railway

Over in a signal box, Howard Bowling, a Network Rail employee who is also an SVR volunteer signalman and guard, spoke about how it now had about 1,600 volunteers because of "the sheer scale of the operation". On a given day, it needed between 20 and 100 "just to run the railway", he said, including drivers, guards, buffet stewards and platform staff. "But that doesn't take into any account the maintenance volunteers we have." Despite the huge numbers, the 31-year-old said it was "always looking for more volunteers" and pointed out the "huge range of skills that people can use here".


Bewdley is one of the locations on the 16-mile line between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster


Ryan Green has volunteered for more than 20 years

At the other end of the Bewdley platforms, there are loco cleaners and shed staff near a water column that is about 20ft off the ground.

Ryan Green, 34, is an engineer away from SVR, but has volunteered here for two decades. Highlighting the extensive training, he revealed it took him "15 years to become a driver".

"The social aspect of it's fantastic. You make some great friends working here, life-long friends. We [are] all in our mid-30s now, getting married and starting families and whatever and we're still all very close friends having started all those years ago."


Mr Bowling said people could use a "huge range of skills" at SVR

SVR attended a major festival for enthusiasts in August, The Greatest Gathering in Derby, when more than 140 locomotives and railway vehicles were on display, including famous ones such as the Flying Scotsman. Mr Bowling said the Midlands heritage railway was "a big part of that", the three-day event held as part of a year-long commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the world's first passenger railway journey. About 25 rail vehicles from SVR were there, including more than a dozen locomotives, he thought.

At the end of the year, volunteers are still being kept busy, with services available to the public until 4 January, then the railway would reopen ready for the February half-term, Mr Bowling said.


Richard Rodgers' work clearing out a drain is among the necessary tasks at the heritage attraction

As for Mr Delaney, he was a barman for four months before joining West Midlands Railway professionally full time in March, but the 19-year-old still volunteers at SVR and represents young people on its staffing committee. At the attraction "we've got people that work for councils... we've got vicars", he said. "You have people that work in cafes, restaurants, you have hospitality managers. All these sort of amazing roles that you wouldn't think would bring you to a railway and yet we all come to the same place."

Mrs Appleton, who started because her husband volunteered, pointed out the team spirit. "If we've got something like a steam railway gala running, they're early starts and late finishes, but you're with people who are doing the same and it's just... that camaraderie. We've all enjoying what we're doing."


SVR has steam and diesel trains in Shropshire and Worcestershire

a 97 per cent eclipse will take place at approx 18:10pm on the day,not sure if eclipse special trains will be provided.

Report of plans to widen the crossing appear in Somerset Live

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/somerset-level-crossing-could-widened-10720337

this photo shows the manual gates in operation and dates to between May 1967, the singling of the line and November 1967 when the AHB was introduced. The diagram for the 6 lever ground frame is part of my local collection.

Plans to widen level crossing for pedestrian link


Network Rail want to reroute a public right of way over Cathole Bridge Road level crossing

A level crossing could soon be widened to provide a new pedestrian link after 145 homes were approved nearby.

Network Rail plans to reroute a public right of way over Cathole Bridge Road level crossing near Crewkerne, Somerset. The change would include removing an unsignalised pedestrian route between the level crossing and Crewkerne tunnel, which underwent emergency repairs following a landslip in 2023.

It comes after the Planning Inspectorate granted an appeal by Tilia Homes to construct 145 homes at the nearby Maple Grove site on Lang Road.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Network Rail applied to Somerset Council for the change in July and are now staging a drop-in event to discuss their rationale on 28 January at the Henhayes Centre.

The crossing provides safe access between Crewkerne and Misterton, with the route running over the London Waterloo to Exeter St. David's line. One train runs each way per hour and is run by newly-nationalised South Western Railway.

The existing right of way runs south of Cathole Bridge Road, near to the Lang Road junction, before crossing the railway line. The route then continues south until it joins a local track, before rejoining Cathole Bridge Road to the east. If Network Rail's diversionary order is approved, the footpath will officially run along Cathole Bridge Road to the end of the track.

Cathole Bridge Road has no pavements, high hedges and regularly serves as a rat run for people seeking to reach Crewkerne railway station without navigating the one-system in the town centre.

Somerset Council has not indicated how soon it could make a ruling on Network Rail's application.

Please Note:  We only accept Cash for purchases in St Giles.  There are no facilities for Card Payments.

On church open days there is a wide range of Imber-related merchandise on sale, from local honey, fridge magnets, key-rings, post-cards, mugs and shopping bags. 

Please Note:  There are no bus services to Imber on normal Open Days or for any events.  Buses only run on Imberbus Day

My recollection of the 1970s is that (from South Wales), the only long-distance fares that carried a time restriction were those to Reading and London (and presumably stations between the two).
There were time restrictions on local fares, but generally the difference between cheap day return and ordinary day return was very modest - a nudge, not the punitive difference that applies between many peak/offpeak fares today.
 
<snip>

Waterloo: Valid on services arriving Waterloo 10:00 or later.

HS2 goal to be running by 2033 'cannot be met'


Earlier this year, HS2 CEO Mark Wild acknowledged that construction had been "harder than thought" and "needed a reset"

HS2 has confirmed that its aim to get trains running between Birmingham and London between 2029 and 2033 "cannot be achieved".

Birmingham's Curzon Street Station is currently taking shape in the heart of the city but the divisive high-speed railway project has been plagued by serious challenges.

Earlier this year, HS2 CEO Mark Wild acknowledged that construction had been "harder than thought" and "needed a reset" involving a review of the project's cost and schedule.

In an end of year update, HS2 insisted that significant progress had been made throughout 2025 with the project now at an "advanced stage of a comprehensive reset". However, it went on to say that Mr Wild had "provided advice" to the government confirming that the railway's 2029/2033 opening schedule could not be achieved. "HS2 Ltd has since been finalising a new range of credible cost and schedule estimates," a statement read.

In this latest update, Mr Wild said he made a commitment to address "the failures of the past and get HS2 on track".

"It's clear that we can only do so with a fundamental reset," he continued. "Over the last year we've been through the programme with a fine tooth comb and we're now very close to establishing a clear path forward. We've shown what can be done and I expect that to continue throughout 2026 and beyond as we deliver HS2 as safely and efficiently as possible and for the lowest reasonable cost."

A number of changes have been made already as part of the reset, including "toughening up" cost controls; strengthening the leadership team and reshaping HS2 into a "less bureaucratic organisation". It has also established a new construction schedule to prioritise completing the initial phase of the railway between Old Oak Common in London and Birmingham.

In its latest update, HS2 said it was at "peak production", with all 23 miles of deep-bore tunnels having now been excavated on the opening section of the railway between Old Oak Common and Birmingham Curzon Street.

"Figures show 70% of the project's vast earthworks programme has now been delivered," it continued. "Almost 300,000 tonnes of steel has been used – 69% of that required for the railway. HS2 is now focused on completing the complex civil engineering programme across the 140-mile route, ahead of the next vital stage when the track, signalling and communications systems are installed."

HS2 also said it has increased the number of staff in front-line construction roles to help "drive productivity" and that construction partners exceeded many targets set for them this year.

PLEASE NOTE
We have been made aware of other web sites posting the Open Days and Events for St Giles Church and getting dates and timings wrong.  We are the only ones who negotiate directly with the Ministry of Defence to arrange Open Days and other events.  The Dates shown here are the only ones that should be regarded as Definitive.
https://www.imberchurch.org.uk/

The train derailed while rounding a bend near the town of Nizanda, Oaxaca

At least 13 people died and almost 100 were injured after a train derailed in Mexico's south-western Oaxaca region, the Mexican navy said.

The train, which was travelling between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, was carrying 241 passengers and nine crew members.

A total of 98 were injured, of whom 36 were being treated in hospital, the navy said.

The train derailed as it rounded a bend near the town of Nizanda, officials said. Mexico's Attorney General confirmed an investigation was under way.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said five of those injured were in a serious condition. She said top level officials, including the Secretary of the Navy, were travelling to the site of the crash.

Photos from the site of the crash showed rescue workers helping passengers alight the train, which had fallen off the rail tracks and partly tilted over the side of a cliff.

The Interoceanic train, which connects the Pacific port of Salina Cruz with Coatzacoalcos on the Gulf Coast, had two locomotives and four passenger cars, the navy said. Mexico's navy operates the country's railway network.



The Governor of Oaxaca Salomón Jara Cruz expressed "deep regret" over the accident in a statement and said state authorities were coordinating with federal agencies to assist those affected.

The Interoceanic rail link was inaugurated two years ago to boost the region's economy, an initiative spearheaded by former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Designed to modernise the rail link across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, the Mexican government has sought to develop the area into a strategic trade corridor, expanding ports, railways and industrial infrastructure.

The train service is also part of a broader push to expand passenger and freight rail in southern Mexico and stimulate economic development in the region.

When I read the story, I didn't understand why so many of these off peak fares were before 9.30am. Most other fares in the UK before 9.30 (or is it 10am?) are treated as peak.

Have I interpreted that correctly? If so, the people of Reigate have previously been lucky to pay a lower fare at that time of day.

With Sunday ‘in the working week’ proposals still sitting with the DfT, a similar to last year enhancement has been given to staff for today and next Sunday.

A near normal service operating as a result today, and it was agreed in time to avoid any negative headlines which is an improvement on last year.

Pier remains closed and future of ferry unclear

The owner of a Grade II listed pier in Southampton Water says it will remain closed to the public for now despite essential electrical works being completed.

People in Hythe have raised concerns about what the closure means for the potential return of the ferry service.

The vice-chair of the parish council, Mark Clark, said it had not received responses to any letters to the ferry's parent company requesting answers about the return of the service or the reopening of the pier.

When contacted by the BBC, a spokesperson for the ferry company, which leases the pier from its owner, said: "Essential works to support the pier and ferry operations are progressing."

The ferry service between Hythe and Southampton has been suspended since August 2024 when damage was found underneath the landing pontoon at the pierhead.

The pier closed in the autumn of this year for electrical work, according to Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company, which is a subsidiary of Red Funnel but operates as a separate business.

Earlier this month, the takeover of Red Funnel by investment firm Njord partners was confirmed but no mention was made of the Hythe ferry in the statement about the new owners.

Vice-chair of the parish council Mark Clark said all attempts to contact Njord partners and Red Funnel had been ignored.

"We simply don't know anything about whether the Hythe Ferry was included in the takeover, and as the tenant of the pier, it's their responsibility to determine when it can reopen again - we've asked them and had no answer".

Njord Partners were approached for comment but directed the BBC to Red Funnel.

Red Funnel's PR company sent a statement confirming the Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company and the boat itself was part of the takeover.

A spokesperson said: "We're pleased to confirm that the owners of Hythe Pier recently completed critical electrical repairs.

"This is an important step forwards but there is still work to be done.

"The ferry is a historic and much-loved service, and we are working hard behind the scenes, together with local partners, to find the right solution and secure a sustainable future".

But some locals say they are losing faith that the ferry service will return.

Hannah Howley runs Howley Coffee from a mobile van at the entrance to the pier.

She said footfall, which fell when the ferry stopped, had dropped again now the pier had closed.

"People are feeling sad and just losing hope the ferry is ever coming back - it's been over a year," she said.

"The longer the pier stays closed, the longer the impact on the business too".

Councillor Clark said some who had bought memorial planks on the pier were upset they were unable to access them.

"People can't even go to the place they chose to remember their relative and it's hitting on an emotional basis - this pier is part of our community," he said.

Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company leases the pier from Hythe Pier Company, which gives it access to the pier, landing stage and buildings to operate the service.

The owner of Hythe Pier is parish councillor Ashleigh Mutimear-MacMillan who bought it in November 2024.

She has posted in a local Facebook group saying the pier was closed by the tenant - Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company - because of health and safety concerns and it was the company that made "decisions about access, operation and reopening".

She added that she was exploring the option of the pier business becoming a charity, "as the only income is rental income and the full annual income has been spent on the electrical works".

Work is set to start on a new transport hub for a village in January to make it more welcoming and easy to use.

Construction is due to be finished in March on the hub at Pill, near Bristol, and in North Somerset.

There will be new bus shelters put in place on Heywood Road and the precinct will get a larger one, with real-time travel information screens, with work including enhancements to the precinct, such as new paving and planting.

North Somerset Council said this was part of a wider project to improve transport in the area, including larger hubs in the towns and a new railway station in Pill.

It is due to be fully funded by the government through the Bus Service Improvement Plan.

There are several small hubs being created in North Somerset. There is already a new hub at Weston Hospital.

Councillor Hugh Malyan, cabinet member for highways and transport at North Somerset Council, said: "The new transport hub in Pill is about making everyday journeys better for local people.

"By improving waiting areas, accessibility and connections, we're helping residents feel more confident using public transport and creating a more welcoming space at the heart of the community."

The council has worked with Alliance Homes on plans to improve Pill's precinct, as the company owns it. Footways and a new crossing will go in too, as well as new bollards, which can drop-down on market days.

Incoming service arrived three minutes late and left four minutes behind time.

I drove a Falcon service on Boxing Day evening. 64 passengers across the round trip, suggesting there is some demand, as that evening round trip is normally one of the quieter round trips.