An update from the project:
We’ve a few things coming up which I’d like to share with you:
The gallery and library are open as normal Friday, Saturday and Sunday
11.00 to 16.00 but we will be closed between Christmas and New Year,
with last day open being Sunday December 22nd. We will open again on
Friday January 3rd. Our current exhibition features several excellent
local artists – please pop round and have a look, there’s some great
stuff and much of it within most people’s pockets.
On Wednesday December 11th at 14.00 it’s the monthly ‘MIC’ (Mutual
Improvement Class) in the Library. The theme is ‘Railway Poetry by
Railway People’, including loco drivers and signalmen, railway navvies
and inspectors. Paul will read a few examples but feel free to bring
your own favourites. Please book in advance so we can manage numbers,
space is limited. Best to email me.
On Saturday December 14th we’ll be holding a Christmas Fair in both the
gallery and library, usual times 11.00 to 16.00 – mulled wine, mince
pies and cake! Lots of possible Christmas presents in the gallery and
sale of surplus railway books in the library.
We continue to welcome donations of good quality railway books and bound
magazines (and The Beach Hut Gallery will take your surplus art history
and books of local interest).
The first ‘MIC’ of the new year will be on Wednesday January 8th and
will be Philip Tuer, chair of the Cumbrian Railways Association,
introducing the CRA’s work. In mid-January we’re launching a new event
which we hope will become a regular feature – ‘Poetry on the Platform’ –
which will actually be in the cellar, under the platform, at Station
House. More details soon but let me know if you’re interested either
just to come along, or to read some of your own work. It will be an
evening event, from about 19.30 to 21.30.
Our appeal for ‘Friends of Beach Hut Gallery’ continues to bring in
much-needed income and support. If you’ve not already signed up, please
see attached form below. We have enticed several new volunteers
to help staff the gallery and library but need more – if you’re
interested, please get in touch. Just one day a month would help a lot.
The Station Library is about to launch its first publicatuion –
‘Northern Rail Heritage 1825 – 2025’. It is a general introduction to
the social history of railways in the North and will coincide with the
Railway 200 celebrations next year to mark the 200th anniversary of the
Stockton and Darlington Railway. We’re also hoping to publish a joint
promotional leaflet for the library and gallery which will be
distributed across the North-West. The library has applied to become a
community interest company and that should eb confirmed very shortly.
The gallery will continue as a co-operative.
We will shortly be launching an emergency appeal to help pay for the
cost of essential roof repairs to the gallery. We need to find nearly
£3000 but we’ve had a very kind offer from the Railway Heritage Trust to
cover half that cost.
If you see a large group of people around the library next Tuesday it’s
probably a group of design students from the University of Bolton who
are helping us with some creative ideas!
Click below to download the appeal form for ‘Friends of Beach Hut Gallery’