Information Board at Worthy Down Halt
From left to right, Wilf Simcox, Charlotte Smith, Bruce Graham, Jonathan Smith, Gail AlexanderWorthys Conservation Volunteers (WCV) celebrated 10 years of work on the disused Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway (DNSR) line with the installation of a new interpretation board.Members dug deep into the chalky embankment beside the bridge on Worthy Down Lane to install the board which illustrates some of the history, its wildlife and the work of the conservation volunteers.Funded in part by Hampshire County Council and compiled by members of WCV with information provided by Worthys' Local History Group (WLHG), the board is located at the base of the ramp near the railway bridge, not far from the halt.
The unveiling was performed by Winchester's Deputy Mayor, Cllr David McLean, with Tony Dowland from WLHG, Abby Sullivan from Hampshire County Council, and Cllr Jackie Porter representing The Watercress Way also in attendance.The board had been made possible by a grant from Hampshire County Council who also printed and manufactured it.
Co-ordinator of WCV, Bruce Graham said, "I think this really will be a fabulous addition to the site and a great way to celebrate the culmination of all our hard work over the years in creating a much better station environment - protecting the historic legacy, as a habitat for wildflowers insects, and birds, and for the users of the path.A special note of thanks to Gail (Alexander) for her patience and tenacity in getting it this far."
In a remarkable coincidence, Tony Dowland mentioned that 64 years previously to the day, he had in fact travelled up this very railway line on his way to enlist in the military. He had fond memories of the steam trains that used to ply the line.Tony said "As to my experiences 64 years ago (20.11.52) they were largely passive and dictated by HM Government of the day. I had been called up for National Service and was 'invited' to join the Royal Army Pay Corps at Devizes. Clutching my 3rd class railway warrant I boarded a morning train - pulled by a 2251 class GWR O-6-0 (!) - and made my way northward to Newbury from whence I caught another GWR train to Devizes.There my life changed during the 10 weeks' infantry and technical training. It snowed most of the time!I remember well going to Winchester (Chesil) and there were few people about on that winter's day. I knew the line travelled having been watching trains there since 1945/6. Once I used it - against advice - to go the long way round to Exeter (St David's) and on another occasion to go to Paddington. Such was the guile of a railway enthusiast who wanted to see as much as he could of other systems and locomotives.I knew the booking clerk at Chesil - Arthur Welstood - who advised that I should go the recommended route but I persisted.Anyway, all that is possibly of no interest to people nowadays but the DNSR holds a special place in my memory."The afternoon was topped off by a celebratory glass of champagne and cakes.
Charlotte Smith / Bruce Graham