Hi Jane,
You wouldn't know me but I use to be a visitor to your wonderful
village many years ago. A friend of my husband's once owned a small holiday
cottage in the village of Batcombe and we often use to visit Cranmore as my
son loved to look at the steam engines and we use to call into the local pub
- I think it was called the Strode Arms. We made friends with the owners
of the pub and would always call in when we stayed in Batcombe and they
always remembered us and made us very welcome.
I have photos somewhere of us standing on the platform in front of the
Brighton Bell" and the "Rocket" steam engines, and also some of the pub and
the pond opposite. I also remember that the signal box had been turned into
an art gallery and paintings of the artist David Shepherd were on display.
On one of our stays in July 1981 it was my son's birthday which happened to
be the same day as Charles and Diana's wedding and the whole village was
celebrating, my son mentioned to the publican that it was his birthday and
within minutes they had arranged for him to be taken onto one of the steam
trains and he was allowed to help drive the train, he was gone for a long
time but we had no need to worry as they took great care of him and on his
return they treated us to a special meal to celebrate his birthday.
We moved away from the UK over ten years ago now and sadly my husband passed
away in 2002, But seeing your website has brought back so many happy
memories for me and I just wanted to thank you for that.
Kindest Regards
Margaret