THE FIRST BIG CLEAR UP AUGUST 2001

If it's big and green chop it. This was Syd Howlett's simple instruction  as I arrived at Shillingstone Station mid-morning on Sunday 19th August, spade and garden fork in hand, to help with the Trust’s first general tidy-up of the site.

Despite the heavy showers, a sizeable group had already been hard at work clearing around the main buildings and along both platforms, under the general supervision of North Dorset District Council’s Countryside Ranger. One determined team was at work on extensive undergrowth at the south end of the ‘up’ platform, so some of us began attacking brambles and ivy along the ‘down’ platform face, the surface of this platform having been cleared for much of its length. The brambles were well established, their root bulbs submerged in the ballast, and it was essential to dig out these bulbs and cut their roots in order to prevent them sprouting again. it looked to be a similar story along the ‘down’ platform boundary fence, now largely cleared of its mantle of undergrowth. Indeed the original wooden name board could be temporarily re-mounted on its posts for probably the first time in 35 years, allowing a photo-call of some of the volunteer workforce! Another nice touch was the re-hanging (also temporary) of one of the original enamel totem nameplates under the upside canopy.

As the day progressed, a huge mound of cut growth rose up between the platforms where the tracks used to be - and a number of walkers, on seeing all the activity, expressed agreement with the station once again becoming an object of local pride.

When I had to leave, shortly before 3pm, it was easy to see that the enthusiastic workforce had already made a huge impression on the site with both platforms substantially cleared and their surfaces and brickwork appearing to be in remarkably sound condition.

Should anyone be uncertain about lending a hand next time a working party is organised, I can thoroughly recommend an enjoyable few hours in good company, with the satisfaction which comes from helping to preserve part of our local heritage.

Steve Harvey. The above letter came from one of our members following the clearance day at the station, organised between ourselves and The Dorset Countryside Ranger. The purpose of the day was to clear back the excessive undergrowth to enable North Dorset District Council to attempt to get the station buildings, platforms and grain store listed. Unfortunately, English Heritage didn’t think the site had enough historical merit and the application was turned down.

This first appeared in the Shillingstone Station project Newsletter No. 2 - Autumn 2001.

All Photos © Roger Sansom