Almost Autumnal

Whilst out for a cycle we were reminded

that it hasn't been the best of summer's!

We noticed that the acorns are fattening fast

the colours are changing

this feels like the bridging moment 

between Summer and Autumn.

  The sky is often bleached out by cloud cover,

 there are strange contrasts to be seen

seed heads and rust

 

lush greenery damp underfoot, interwoven in complex patterns.

There aren't many sloes but plenty of elder berries ripening, it's hard to tell whether things are coming on early or late! The Woodland Trust has an interesting feature about the weather and it's effect on fruiting this year.

There are still small bright patches of colour to delight the eye. 

It hasn't only been the weather that has been unpredictable, due to unforeseen circumstances it wasn't possible to stage an August Photography walk but there will be a return to Cottesbrooke walk. Details to follow soon, get your walking boots and cameras ready, the Sphinx awaits you!

A Walk Along the Line

We were curious to know more about the NLR and Gordon Titmuss the Chairman & General Manager was on hand to give us some more information. You can find out more about travelling, visiting or volunteering on the NLR Website and read all the latest news on the Pitsford - Rail Blog. You can also follow them on Twitter

Designed and built by George R Stevenson, the Northampton to Market Harborough line was opened in 1859. It had eight stations, Northampton, Pitsford & Brampton, Spratton, Brixworth, Lamport, Kelmarsh, Clipston and Market Harborough and two tunnels; Kelmarsh at 322 yards long and Oxendon at 462 yards long on the down line (to Market Harborough) and the other bore at 453 yards long on the up line (to Northampton). 

Maureen and Charlie in the Waiting Room

The line had a staggered history, particularly in its final years. It was first closed to passenger traffic on 4^th January 1960 but was reopened to through traffic on the 6^th January 1969. It was closed again on 1^st May 1969 and reopened on 10th July 1972. The passenger service was finally withdrawn on 26^th August 1973. The complete history up to the present day can be found here 

Link to Map of the Line

Gordon giving us a tour of the Ticket Office 

Mr Bright - Stationmaster at Pitsford during the 1930s

Link to clearer image of Brixworth Station 

Link to history of the Line

Link to 1964 photograph of Pitsford Station Northamptonshire by Charlie Verrall

From John Evans Photostream

Link to Pitsford and Brampton Station 1965

Link to Pitsford and Brampton Station 1965

Pitsford Ironstone Quarries 1966

Pitsford Ironstone Quarries 1966

Link to Pitsford Quarries

Link to Pitsford Quarries

There are many tantalising photographs of bygone stations that were already in ruins in the '60's, how many still remain? You can see glimpses of the sturdy Victorian Station building in the three stations in Northampton, the station that remains today is so dull and depressing. There are very few traces left along the Valley Way, making the work done by the members and volunteers of the NLR extra special.  There will be a host of Autumn and Winter events at the station which will give people the opportunity to buy an ticket and hop on board!

If You Would Like Tickets To Attend Departures Read On!

Departures

A Reading By Kathy Page

Friday March 2nd

6.30 - 9.00pm at the Water Tower 

Benefield Road, Brigstock, Kettering NN14 3JA

As part of her contribution to Back To Books project
On the Right Track author Kathy Page will talk about
the story as a journey, read  a selection of her short fiction
and  also introduce her latest book, In the Flesh,

a collection of  personal essays about the human body
and our oddly complex relationship with it.

The event is free and on a by ticket only entry
- to secure a ticket please click here

Back To Books would like to thank 

Rosalind Stoddart, FRSA Independent Cultural Engineer 

for making the wonderful space at the Water Tower available

for Kathy's return visit

Kathy will be bringing copies of In The Flesh and her
wonderful collection of short fiction As In Music.
Click the here if you would like to order your  signed
copy of either / both books.



Kathy Page’s seven novels include
The Story of My Face (long-listed for the Orange Prize)
Alphabet (a Governor General’s Award finalist),
and The Find (short-listed for ReLit award).

She also writes short fiction and memoir.
Born in London, she lives with her family
on Salt Spring Island, near Vancouver. 

www.kathypage.info

For more information about forthcoming events at The Water Tower

visit The Water Tower


  

KATHY PAGE'S RESIDENCY HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BY CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS

                                 

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $154 million to bring the arts to Canadians throughout the country.

Nous remercions le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien. L’an dernier, le Conseil  a investi 154 millions de dollars pour mettre de l’art dans la vie des Canadiennes et des Canadiens de tout le pays.