Friends of Goostrey Station are rightly proud of their achievements and it’s exciting when others approach us for help. The latest request came from a station adoption group in Lancashire.
Eight years ago, a group of volunteers adopted Silverdale station on the Furness Line, the railway that connects Barrow-in-Furness to Lancaster. Recently several Friends of Silverdale Station travelled by train (of course!) to Goostrey, seeking advice. Their members already tidy the platforms and plant flowerbeds, but now they are keen to restore the Victorian waiting room for community use.
Our visitors were amazed at how much FoGS had achieved since 2012 – from displays of art and railway memorabilia and mapping changes in biodiversity to the rejuvenation of the station building as Goostrey Art Studio. They left with plenty of advice, and high hopes for the future of their group.
Life continues to be busy for professional artist Debbie Goldsmith. During half term, she led a workshop at Crewe Heritage Centre. This was part of Operation Autumn, a series of family friendly arts and crafts events organised by Crewe Town Council. The Council commissioned Debbie to create a huge lantern which would feature at the Christmas Lights switch-on on 25th November.
In preparation, she built a frame at Goostrey Art Studio. On the day, over 60 visitors helped transform it into an owl surrounded by stars. There was lots of positive feedback. One person said ‘Never done this before but I thoroughly enjoyed it’. Another added, ‘I’m gripped – must try this at home’.
In November, Debbie had a selection of her own pantings and rugs on display at the Art Fringe Festival in Manchester. Over the course of four days, the Comme Ca Art Gallery at Hope Mill in Ancoats became a hub for artists working in different disciplines. Visitors were able to talk to the artists about their work and could commission an exclusive, bespoke piece.
Friends of Goostrey Station are thrilled that Debbie is making such good use of her studio in the restored station building.
