Somebody's Pinched the Ferry [1]

And the station as well.

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Blog-management matters:-

fbb was intending to follow up his recent blog on the decline

of Stagecoach service 53, Sheffield to Mansfield, with

an investigation into the effect of the forthcoming changes

on the fares for through journeys.

Sadly, slick on-line communication means that replies are

still awaited after two whole working days.

Once upon a time you could look it up yourself

in a fare table. Now, it's all so much easier on-line!!!!!

fbb is travelling to Sheffield today to address the prestigious (?)

Sheffield Transport Study Group (tomorrow evening).

A definite blogopportunity!

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Back to today's blog ...

This Arriva bus is trundling down the main road past Bedlington Station co-op.

If you don't believe it, then a just along the road is Bedlington Station Library. This station must be very important to have its own co-op and library ...

... for the time being. The library hit the local headlines recently because, due to the all-pervading financial crisis, it is likely to be closed. So there are protests.

Both these useful premises are situated at a community called Bedlington Station some two miles from Bedlington, although there hasn't been a station at Bedlington Station since 1964 when the "Blyth and Tyne" line closed for passenger services. There never was a station at Bedlington.

Similarly, near that famous francophile settlement, Hart Le Pool, (?) is Hart Station. The community, separate and distinct from plain "Hart", retains the name although the station closed in 1953.

But, conversely, below is the very much open station at Micheldever Station. Yes, you've got it; Micheldever station is at the village called Micheldever Station and not at the village called Micheldever; which, again,  is a couple of miles away. 

Which brings us to this quirky Scottish sign and the sad saga of the missing ferries.

Again there WAS a ferry there, but now no longer. Presumably to prevent determined tourist types from plunging into Loch Carron to swim across to Strome Castle ...

 

... when the errant boat fails to materialise, the canny Caledonians constructed this confusing sign.

All this circumlocution is prompted by a remark from Barry, fbb's timetabular colleague. Barry was discussing the recent blog-saga about Dagenham Dock (There were five such blogs; to start again at No 1, click here) and proffered this suggestion. "Why don't you write about the Rainham Ferry?" That's Rainham on the eastern fringes of the Metropolis, in greater Romford; NOT Rainham in Kent.

And, indeed, this 1930s map clearly shows a riverside settlement called "Rainham Ferry". [Rainham Village (?) is top right of this map extract.]

But Rainham Ferry has since been expunged from existence!

So what delectable delights could be discovered there in the past? Morris men disporting themselves on the village green outside the Three Crowns? Waterside picnics in the searing heat of the British Summer? Cross river excursions to the wooded uplands of Kent? Or simply "workpeople" wearily wending their way over the tranquil waters of the Thames?

Soon, we shall see ...

Next blog : due Wednesday October 5th