Friends of Squires Gate Railway Station – November 2024 to April 2025 – Team Update
Not much going on during November with darker nights upon us as we gradually move into the hibernation theme. We reinstated the Silent Soldiers on Platform 2 prior to Remembrance, with two new ones added as the others were showing their age, but not redundant because our principals are to repurpose where at all possible. We refurbished the older soldiers and added them to the rear of the fence. New boxes to hold the planters were added as the originals had started to split and would probably not have lasted through the Winter.
We added bulbs and more compost from Fylde’s Ashton Depot to the new ramp beds so they would put on a good show in Spring and we removed some dead plants from our raised beds.
During December we concentrated on the ramp beds on Platform 2, topping off with more compost and then planting daisies, wallflowers and polyanthus on top of the previously planted bulbs. The groundworks around the raised beds needed finishing off when the weather was kinder. Shirley and Michael installed our wooden Christmas Trees for the festive period with decorations to adorn them. We also replaced some of the spent plants on Platform 2 with the same winter bedding i.e. daisies, wallflowers and polyanthus to give it some colour over the period through to Spring and Paul got his chance to show his horticultural skills, no longer weedicus-muchicus as he normally calls them. Sand is becoming an issue on the station steps as it collects in the corners and can reduce the “step” area, it’s a day-by-day issue during windy weather, but both us and ISS deal with it as and when necessary.
Carol and Barrie replaced tired plants on Platform 1 with daisies, wallflowers and polyanthus to make them look presentable over the winter months.
During early January we had snow as I am sure you remember and then at the end of the month Storm Eowyn – we had removed our water system electronics prior to the storm so it didn’t end up on the airport. The fencing on Platform 1 took a hit and was badly damaged as you can see. Thankfully, only one shrub appeared to have been slightly damaged. These two images taken on 2nd January without snow and then on the 5th January after snow.
During February we cleared leaves and rubbish that had accumulated around the station after Storm Eowyn, leaves were put in black bags for composting and the rubbish was carted off to be suitably disposed.
Paul and Barrie met Andy Griffin and Ian Croucher from Network Rail to discuss the licence renewal for Platform 2 and also where the IBC was to go on Platform 1 so that arrangements could be made to move it next time Network Rail had overnight possession of the line.
Michael also emptied out the IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container) tanks at the back of Platform 2 which we do each year to clean them out ensuring we do not have any bacteria that could affect us and our plants.
Rinsing them out is extremely important and was something we agreed under our annual licence with Network Rail. You can see how green the water can become as it runs out through the outlet valve. We have now also inserted some silver spoons into our tanks, suspended on cord which helps to purify the water and kill bacteria and orgasms that might be lurking. We also put covers over them during Summer to block the UV. You can also see how well the ramp beds are doing as they burst into colour in the winter sunshine.
We do occasionally get some heavy rail machinery in the compound as you can see from the pictures attached. From the supplies they had on site it looked like they were doing some kind of ground drilling which required special sand and lots of water, but we are not sure where. They don’t impede our access.
During March Shirley worked on the bases of the ramp raised beds adding that extra finish by painting around their skirt edges which makes them now look outstanding with the plants so colourful.
Michael and Paul worked on reassembling the water tanks, very technical but it certainly does work for us, with more additions next month. I was being green fingered.
Paul, Barrie and Michael did a litter pick on Platform 1 as part of the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, much of which came from the local estate. Surprising where it all comes from, but if we don’t bag it up it will quite likely end up trackside because of the prevailing winds.
It is always sad when we seen rolling stock that has been defaced by graffiti, but we are grateful that Northern sees fit to run them for the benefit of rail users.
The raised beds on Platform 1 have been really stunning this month and have attracted positive comments from rail users, some of whom helped us to pick up small items of litter whilst waiting for a train.
In early April we had to go and do some watering, (the showers we normally get this month must have been on holiday), so strange at this time of year but the sun is always welcome! Paul was checking plants to see if the watering system was working.
We did some more litter picking on Platform 2 using the long reach grabber from St Anne’s which allows us to reach just below the edge of the redundant platform.
Paul and I reinstalled a poster case and poster on Platform 1 that was damaged during Storm Eowyn – our “Lend a Hand Poster” created by Gordon Head many years ago. The beds on Platform 2 were certainly showing their Spring colours
We now have the IBC located on Platform 1 by Network Rail it will eventually resolve our watering issue – no more dragging water containers down the steps to the platform raised beds. We just have to create a lean-to roof to assist with rainwater collection.
We are as always, grateful for the all the support given by our partners without which we could not do what we do for the benefit of rail users and the local communities around us. Thank you!
All photos taken by and remain © Barrie Russell & Paul Nettleton
Barrie Russell/Paul Nettleton April 2025