Midsomer Norton

Had a great visit to Midsomer Norton on Sunday (I'll post some pictures if anyone is interested). Staff on hand were excellent and it's a testament to their hard work and love for the old S&D that they've come so far so quickly. One thing that did bother me was that no-one attempted to collar me to be a volunteer...I would have through a spritely young semi-local lad like myself would have been prime volunteer meat, especially as my fiancé suggested it on the way home.

So, on that front, I am considering giving up my precious time to help at MN, but can any advise me on what their short and medium term plans are?

Thanks

 

To go as far as possible however there is the problem of the filled in Chilcompton cutting one way and a missing bridge the other also the road has been raised Nothing that a euro millions win would not solve.

 

Slightly different to my visit the other week then.

A group of us called in on a Sunday afternoon on the way back from a visit to Swanage and the Gartell light railway. First thing was parking, the 2 car parks were full, so ended up parking in the entrance, not a terrible thing having a full car park on a Sunday afternoon. But after being at the site for an hour or so there was only us, and another couple there. Plenty of volunteers around though. So a both carparks filled with railway staffs cars, and no room for visiting public. Not ideal.

We went straight to the buffet car for a brew and some dinner, as it was about 13.30 ish. We walk in to find a very sparse selection of stock availible! A box of crisps at the back with 2 packets left, a couple of cans in the fridge. Then the lad behind the counter slaps down 2 of your bog standard supermarket 49p cakes on the counter! There is 8 of us visiting, so as we'd arrived in 2 cars we split up into 2 groups for ordering the tea. The first crowd have 3 pots of tea and 1 coffee. 3 pots of tea with cups saucers and milk jugs are put on a tray, very nice. Next the coffee. The fancy looking coffee maching gives up at this point so out comes the jar of nescafe instant, and 2 rather large teaspoons are promptly thrown into a mug with hot water! They walk off and sit outside, now our time to order. 4 pots of tea are asked for, same as before. 4 mugs of tea are thrown onto a tray in front of us. No milk is offered so we have to ask for this. Onto the counter is placed a plastic 4 pinter from the supermarket, no offer of a milk jug as previous so we ask for this. The lad has a look around and eventually digs one out. He next basically waves it in front of us then places it on the shelf behind him. Off we go outside to consume the tea (not much coffee was consumed!) and ponder what actually just happened.

We have a wander around the museum, pill box and station site. All very nicely set up, nicely painted and neat. After an hour or so we head for home. Hungry!

First impressions count i think, so hopefully others have had better first impressions that the 8 of us did.

 

Car parking is definitely an issue, and if they install a viable running line is going to be even more of one. Didn't partake of the buffet car, but in my experience this is always the overlooked element of the line. Perhaps I could sort it out!?

 

Its such a shame that the S&D is not a prime candidate for a heritage line,doubled track,and lovely scenery too and then there is the tourist aspect.Well done Spud UK for becoming a valued volunteer, although I cannot become one cause of the distance, then it would be one line I would love to see reopened again,and nothing is impossible as cuttings can be opened up and bridges put in too.

 

Wonder how many have thought about dropping in whilst passing by and ended driving past due to nowhere to park.

 

You can park on the other side of the road from the station, albeit it is roadside parking not a car park.

 

Looking at the aerial view, it does seem hard to find a place to fit a car park in. There is a similar problem at Bitton, where at special events people are generally encouraged to park at the chocolate factory and a vintage bus shuttle is in use between there and the station.

 

Absolutely Corbs, parking is a major issue and not much they can do about it! They do a similar vintage bussing system

 

A lot of exciting news coming out of MSN this week. Their sentinel as steamed for the first time, a Jinty has arrived on loan and they've got a lot going on for the S&D 50th Anniversary.

Has there been any more future planning, relating to heading to Chilcompton or the Silver Street Road bridge?

 

Can the Mods split off this last positive comment from a thread of old moans that may not reflect the current situation.