Category Archives: Railway interest

northernvicar October 2023

I started October with a Curator tour of the Wartime history of the English Heritge house at Belsay. The house was requisitioned at the start of WW2. The then owner, Stephen Middleton, kept a close eye on it, and there … Continue reading

Posted in Hadrian's Wall Walk, Personal, Railway interest | 2 Comments

northernvicar September 2023

We’re back in Northumberland, and the gardens at Belsay (English Heritage) are looking beautiful. I had a trip on the South Tynedale Railway and a hospital visit to Manchester via Liverpool. At Carlisle I was pleased to see 46115 “Scots … Continue reading

Posted in Cumbria, National Trust, Northumberland, Railway interest | 1 Comment

Leadgate, County Durham – St Ives

Sunday 17 September 2023, one of the Heritage Open Days. St Ives church, Leadgate, NZ130551, was buzzing. A talk was just starting, there were local history displays, some mining art, and a cup of tea available. Sadly there was no … Continue reading

Posted in Durham, Railway interest, World War 1 | Leave a comment

northernvicar August 2023

We started the month with a trip north over the Border to Melrose, and a visit to the Roman Museum at Trimontium – https://www.trimontium.co.uk/. It reminds us that the Romans did move north – by 79 AD they were pushing … Continue reading

Posted in National Trust, Northumberland, Personal, Railway interest, Roman, Scotland, Trams | Leave a comment

northernvicar July 2023

Our last month in Derbyshire, and we can still find new experiences. Kedleston was a favourite spot during lockdown, but my days of walking “The Long Walk” are over. On Monday 3 July I found they now have a Tramper … Continue reading

Posted in Northumberland, Personal, Railway interest, Roman | 1 Comment

northernvicar June 2023

The Ecclesbourne Railway have done a superb job with a disabled access coach – other railways, please take note. We had a visit on Sunday 4 June, and I got on the footplate at Shottle. We went to Hardwick Hall … Continue reading

Posted in Personal, Railway interest, Roman, Wales | Leave a comment

northernvicar May 2023

On May 1 May I woke about 0500, listened to the dawn chorus, and thought “I’ve retired!” Time to pack, but also to find some trains. The Severn Valley Railway on Saturday 6 May was a good way of avoiding … Continue reading

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northernvicar April 2023

As I come to take early retirement and move from Derbyshire back to Northumberland, there are railway lines in the Midlands that need doing. We start with Steeple Grange. The most magnificent tree in the Vicarage garden is a gorgeous … Continue reading

Posted in Personal, Railway interest | 1 Comment

Kirton in Lindsey, Lincolnshire – St Andrew’s

Last time we went to St Andrew’s church, Kirton in Lindsey, was when I was at Lincoln Theological College in about 1992 – I remember the kids having a lovely play at a flower festival. Sunday 14 May 2023 we … Continue reading

Posted in Lincolnshire, Railway interest | 1 Comment

northernvicar January to March 2023

Let’s start a new year with a couple of rides on the Great Central Railway. Then a few days in Cambridge. It was a pleasure to revisit both the Fitzwilliam Museum and the Scott Polar Reasearch Institute – places I … Continue reading

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