Further progress on site and other news....

Work on the signals installation has been temporarily postponed as the priority has been to repair and repaint the signal box itself, but will resume with a planned intensive programme from late January 2012. Meanwhile, the last remaining part of the site to be landscaped, between Visitor Centre and the canal, is being worked on to choke the weeds and provide a further attractive seating and outside display area. Here’s the latest....

· Front of the signal box rotten timber sections repaired and, following repaint, this side is completed.

· Side of the box (facing car park): extensive rotten timber to horizontal timber section will need professional view on remedial works needed; upper part of this side works continue.

· The remaining two sides are close to completion.

· Further improvements to the landscaping and the flowers and shrubs have drawn favourable comments over the summer – huge efforts from Clive, Rod and others.

· ‘New’ working distant signal (number 4): works completed and signal operational.

· Signals number 5 and ‘new’ number 13: lattice posts and fittings – works in progress.

· New compensator points mechanism operational as number 10.

· Mid-Hants Railway collected the meat wagon for restoration – we wish it a happy new life at the MHR!

· ‘Lean-to’ constructed by our young volunteers, Jamie and George, under the supervision of our Site Manager, Clive, in just 3 days – it provides a valuable dry working and storage space.

· Dick has revamped the photo displays.

· Gavin Brooker, our Deputy Site Manager, is elected onto the Friends’ Committee

· Gavin working on remote control of the simulator – to enable single handed demonstrations.

· Signal & Telecommunications (S&T) Working Party reconvenes under leadership of Mike Walshaw. The group met in July and October to progress the technical works, which is being taken forward in tandem with the outdoor signals installation – the group meets again in February 2012.

· General planning permission has been granted for the adjacent site re housing development; the Buildings Trust continues to liaise closely with the Friends and with Hampshire County Council with the interests of the historic signal box in mind.

· Romsey Arts Festival in July marked by weekend opening of the signal box; we also participated in the Heritage Open Days Event in September; record visitor numbers for 2011 (see latest edition of our newsletter The Signal).

· New revamped website! We hope you enjoy your visit but, even better, come down to the signal box and visit the real thing....!!