Help
Loading...
Towcester Railway Sign
| Author: Kathryn Hunter | Published: 15th October 2019 12:05 |
Pictured with the station sign is l-r John Evans from Towcester Mill Brewery, Sally Willett from Towcester Museum and Nigel Furniss from the SMJ SocietyTowcester Mill Brewery is now the proud new custodian of Towcester Railway Station's sign, following the agreement of a long-term loan by Towcester Museum to Towcester Mill.
The sign was officially 'unveiled' by Sally Willett, curator from Towcester Museum, and Nigel Furniss, from The Stratford Upon Avon + Midland Junction Railway (SMJ), on Friday 11 October 2019. They were accompanied by other representatives from the SMJ Society as well as Brian Giggins from the Towcester & District Local History Society.
Towcester Station, which used to be located on the site of what is now Tesco, had four of these 'running boards', two on each platform. And, thanks to the Towcester Museum & Visitor Centre, Towcester Mill Brewery was given the opportunity to look after the sign and display it for all to see. At nine foot long, you certainly can't miss it!
This 'running board' is pre-1906 so it would have been in use during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. It's amazing that the sign survived, considering it was used for many years as part of a roof for some local chicken hutches. Eventually it was salvaged, restored and finally donated for display.
Director of Towcester Mill Brewery, John Evans, said it was an honour to be given the opportunity to display a sign of such significant local historical interest, "We were absolutely delighted that Towcester Museum approached us about looking after this fabulous railway sign. We chose the Snug on the ground floor partly because there is a large enough wall to display it, but also because everyone who comes through the Tap Room can easily get a glimpse of it. It now makes the room look a little like a station waiting room, which means it's the perfect place for those interested to sit down next to it and chat about what Towcester was like when it had a railway station, something that so many local people can remember. It also ties in with one of our seasonal beers called Rubio, which is brewed in April to celebrate a horse that used to ferry guests from the railway station to what is now known as The Saracen's Head Hotel. It's like it's always been here. Thanks again to Towcester Museum for making this possible."
The sign is accompanied by an exhibition board which has also been loaned to the Mill by the Museum. Pop in and have a look!
Report this article as inappropriate
Comments
You need to log in before you can do that! It's only a quick registration process to join the AMA network and completely free.
Help