Thornton Abbey and the Two Olde Worlde Signs
by Stephen Gay
Near the Humber Bank in a quiet North Lincolnshire location
Sixteen miles from Cleethorpes stands a lonely and isolated station
The grand titled Thornton Abbey is its name
And I've just arrived on a Barton-on-Humber bound train
Amongst twisting roads and footpaths this is a rural peaceful place
Where years ago nearby monks said prayers and their grace
The magnificent gatehouse of the abbey is across the causeway
Access is only a short walk through the fields from the railway
With seven miles to go the service is ready to leave me alone
I am now a solitary looking figure soon ready to roam
On the move again full of rhythm and beat
Faces through windows passengers at their seat
Complete with views of the Humber Bridge the train rolls on
Across low lying meadows it disappears away going going gone
On walking down the platform while looking down the lines
I couldn't help but notice two splendid looking signs
Recently refurbished cried a man out down the lane
Who is approaching the station - will he be catching the next train
Impressive and splendid replicas I later did find out
Preserving our local heritage that's what it's all about
So in future when you travel across the Lincolnshire lines
When passing Thornton Abbey look for the two olde worlde signs
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On a beautifully sunny day yesterday, two new signs were unveiled at Thornton Abbey railway station. The lettering on the signs, formally known as running-in boards, have been carefully restored from the original signs (rare survivors from the London and North Eastern Railway which ran between 1923 and 1948). Previously falling to pieces and in danger of being lost forever local firm Castaway have done a magnificent job in putting the boards back to their best.
The Friends of the Barton Line (a local group of volunteers who strive to raise the profile and press for improvements of the Barton-Cleethorpes line) and The South Humber Collection (a major award-winning Heritage Tourism initiative) have been instrumental in saving the boards. Anthony Berridge, Secretary of the Friends of the Barton Line, said "The boards greet people when they first step off the train to visit the Abbey and add a wonderful sense of timelessness to this historic area."
Councillor Keith Vickers and Anthony Berridge get ready to unveil the first board, on the side that runs towards Barton.
The station was opened in 1848 and once consisted of substantial buildings, a goods siding and two signal boxes. It's hard to imagine such a scene as the station is now so quiet, but these refurbished signs act as a reminder of what was once. Curiously, in Victorian days the platforms were built much longer than those of the other stations along the line. It is thought that this was to accommodate the many thousands of people who came from all over the north of England to great Temperance rallies at Thornton Abbey in the 1850s.
Media interest was strong with newspapers and TV crews in attendance. Here a Camera Man from ITV asks the crowd to clap for cutaways.
The train timely pulls in to take some revellers away and so that the people with cameras could get their footage of an actual train.
Anthony and John Wade from Castaway get ready to unveil the second board.
Simple, elegant and best of all, restored from the original sign.
These extra long platforms were in good use during World War II, when the station was used by USAF servicemen at the nearby Goxhill airfield. Locals like to think that Clark Gable could have used the station during his wartime service with the USAF in Lincolnshire.
Amy, taking a rest by the newly unveiled sign.
After all the media frenzy, Anthony had a moment for some light reading
How fantastic that these running-in boards have been saved. They have reminded me that I should use the train service more as it is so good for the local area and for our history.
For more information about The Friends of the Barton Line visit: www.bartonrail.org.uk
Excellent coverage, Rhian. Thank you very much.
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