Hi, I am
Higson (Higgy to my pals).
In May 2023, we and some of our other Hug pals, had a lovely holiday at Raithwaite Hall. Uncle Gerry then booked to return later in the year. However at the time of our visit the hotel had new owners, and they embarked on a major refurbishment programme. This took longer than planned to complete. With other commitments, it was only now that Uncle Gerry was able come and stay. The hotel is now known as Saltmoore. Meaning between the sea and the moors.
We arrived on Monday and settled into our lovely spacious room 307. There were comfy chairs that we and our other pals commandeered. Uncle Gerry had the bed to stretch out on.
Yesterday our intrepid walking group STAG (Shaun, Tetley, Grizzly, Allen, Eric & Southey went on an adventure to the valley of Rosedale.
(click the link to find out more).
Today it was Railway Club Bears' trip on the North
Yorkshire Moors Railway, of which I am proud to have been a member of since 1995.
While Uncle Gerry had
breakfast in the Brasserie, ours was served in the room, making
sure that we were well fortified, as it promised to be a long day.
It was to be a Big Kid, as far as Uncle Gerry was concerned, and Bears outing.
Making sure to be ready I said, "have you all got your membership cards."
"Yes" replied Dale, "we are all prepared."
Calling goodbye to our other pals, Fred said, "have a good time. Take care."
"We will", replied Dunstan excitedly.
Just a short drive into Whitby, the station being just a short walk from the car park. I presented my membership card that enabled us to travel half price.
George said, "it is tradition that we have our picture taken here at Whitby, before setting of. There are some seats on the other platform."
l-r Dunstan, Chuffer, Higson, Scooter, Leander, Dale, Summer & George
"Look", called out Leander, "the train is arriving. We had better get round ready to board."
Higgy said, "it's 5428 Eric Treacy that is hauling the carriages. LMS Class 5, referred to as 'Black Five'. It was built in 1937 and operated for 30 years on LMS and BR. It hauled the last steam worked London bound express from Bradford to Leeds on 1st October 1967 and was withdrawn a week later when steam traction was abandoned in the Leeds area, and indeed throughout the North East region. It was preserved in 1967 and named Eric Treacy after the former Bishop of Wakefield, an eminent railway photographer."
"Thanks for the information pal", replied Summer.
Scampering aboard Dad got a seat and we settled ourselves on the table with our respective membership cards.
Apart from George and Leander on the right, my pals and I are members of different Heritage Railways. So from the left
Dale -Wensleydale Railway
Dunstan - Aln Valley Railway
Chuffer - Embsay Railway
Higson - North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Scooter - Bluebell Railway
Summer - East Lancashire Railway
The train set off on time and after a while the guard came to check the tickets. Seeing us he said, "goodness me, have you all got tickets."
The line initially runs by the River Esk, and at one point crosses over.
This section of track that is Network Rail. As we approached Grosmont, Chuffer said, "that's the Northern Rail platform for the line to Middlesborough."
We trundled ahead into Grosmont NYMR station.
There was a little wait here. Dad investigating told us. "Eric Treacy has been taken off."
"Ahh", I replied. "It must just be operating between Grosmont and Whitby."
Dad went on, "we are being steam hauled for the rest of the trip to Pickering, but also banked by a diesel locomotive."
I said, "that will be so that in areas where there is an increased risk of lineside fire, the steam loco can rest and the diesel drive the train."
Not long after the whistle blew and off we went, through the countryside. "Aww, look at those young cows", called out Dale
After stopping at Goathland we rode on towards Newton Dale.
"Can you get a picture of the engine?", asked George.
"I'll try lad. Just sometimes on a curve the vegetation obscures it." Then a little later "got it."
Newton Dale Halt is a request stop, and for the first time when we have been travelling, the train indeed stopped to let a lady and gentleman alight. They were walkers, off to follow the footpaths in the dale.
Finally we arrived at Pickering. There were hoards of school children waiting to board. One of the volunteer station staff grimaced at Dad, "saying you've got to love them."
We wandered along the platform to see the diesel engine that had banked the train.
"31466, in the livery of the English Welsh and Scottish Railway", commented Scooter.
At the front was 44806. I said, "LMS Class 5 'Black Five'. Designed by Sir William Stanier and built in Derby, entering service July 1944. It was withdrawn in October 1968 at Lostock Hall shed. In preservation for a while she carried the name 'Magpie', the childrens' magazine programme of the same name arranging to have a locomotive named in competition with BBC's 'Blue Peter'. Arriving here from the Llangollen Railway in 2013, after extensive work at Grosmont she returned to service in summer 2016."
I was trying to see if I could sit on the engine somewhere, when the gentleman talking to the driver saw me. He took hold and then sat me by the cab window. "Thank you very much."
"That was super pal", cheered Dunstan. who had had his picture taken on the footplate at the Aln Valley Railway.
"Time for some lunch", announced Dad, heading for the cafe. He had a ham and cheese pannini, tea and delicious piece of carrot cake. We had brought a picnic which we were allowed to eat in the cafe.
"There's time to kill, so let's have a walk round Pickering", suggested Summer.
Set into the wall of the station building is this post box dating from the reign of Queen Victoria. "Little Eric will be pleased to see the picture", commented Chuffer.
Dad wandered aimlessly, coming to a bridge over the Pickering Beck. "That will make a nice picture", said Leander.
Strolling by the beck, Uncle Gerry decided to sit a while. We settled to chatting.
Off again, George pointed, "what's that sculpture on the bridge parapet?"
George read out, "this is the Pike and the Ring. Legend has it that Pickering was founded by King Peredurus of York in 270 BC. The King, it is said, lost a ring in a nearby river. King Peredurus accused a young girl of stealing the ring, but the ring was rediscovered by the King's cook, in the stomach of a pike. Seeking the girl in order to apologise, Peredurus fell in love and married her, naming the place 'Pike Ring' (pic hring in Old English), which, says the legend developed over time into 'Pickering'."
"There's still more time before the train departs, shall we go and see the church?", I suggested.
"Oh yes please", replied Dale.
Like many churches there are trees in the churchyard making getting a picture difficult. "Need to take two", said Dad. "We'll go round the back first."
"Then along the path you can take the tower and porch", said Scooter.
You will notice the gentleman on the steps. He approached Uncle Gerry asking about photography that he was interested in too. They chatted about this Uncle Gerry telling him about our website and the stories that drive this. He liked the idea of the stories.
Inside we got a leaflet about the church, and Dale gave us a brief history. "This is St Peter and St Paul Parish Church of Pickering. Originally there was as Saxon church on the site. This was rebuilt by the Normans in the 11th century. The tower dates from the 13th century. It carries Grade I listing."
He went on, "the north aisle was added in the mid 12th century and the south aisle about fifty years later. The Chancel was rebuilt in the 14th century."
We looked about at the wonderful wall paintings. "Wow they are amazing", breathed Chuffer. "Can you get some pictures, Dad."
A lady who was greeting visitors told us, "they date from the 15th century, and were covered up during the Reformation. Rediscovered in 1851 they were almost immediately covered over again because the vicar did not like them. However during extensive refurbishment in the 1870s that were restored. Currently we have a bid in for Lottery Funding to stabilise and restore the paintings. This will bring out the colours making them ever more impressive."
"There's the font", pointed Leander. "It looks to be very old."
Dale replied, "yes very old. Believed to be Saxon. It was damaged in 1644 during the Civil War."
Our visit over we headed back to the station, just in time for the arrival of our train.
We got settled those of us who had not looked out of the window on the journey down, getting to do so now. Leaving on time our first stop was Levisham station.
Then onwards through beautiful Newton Dale...
...to Goathland, where I announced, "we are alighting here, and then later get the last train to Whitby."
We weren't hungry, but Dad wanted a snack, so we sat out in the cafe. Dad said "the scone was delicious." It was washed down with a mug of tea.
Outside again, Dunstan said, "take a picture of the buildings on the other platform. So nice to see how well the station is looked after. Quite lovingly."
We crossed over. Summer called out, "those flowers make a pretty display."
I said, "it would be nice to have our picture taken on that bench."
However it was rather breezy and having no back we just fell over. George said, "you and Scooter are the founder members of the Hug Railway Society. So Dad just take them."
Scooter said, "I was adopted on 11th June 1983, making me one of the early members of the Hug. I have been a member of the Bluebell Railway in East Sussex since 1992."
I said, "it was 2nd June 1985 that I was adopted, and am too and early member of the Hug. I was a gift from Uncle Gerry to my Dad. That same year he joined me as a member of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. We have be special pals from that time."
"That we are", replied Scooter. "You are my BFF."
Returning to the opposite platform to await the train, Uncle Gerry got into conversation with two gentlemen from Stockport. It was a nice chat and there were some laughs. None more so then when the lady who was the Station Foreman, told us that the train would be a little late.
Uncle Gerry replied, "if it had been Northern Rail it would have been cancelled."
She liked that as did the gentlemen.
Boarding the train I shared seats with a couple from Birmingham, Owen and Jo, who were staying in Whitby. We sat out and got introduced and Uncle Gerry explained about his collecting and the fact that the Hug numbers 600. Two American ladies sitting opposite were surprised and they took pictures. The conversation never flagged for Uncle Gerry with Owen and Jo. They talked about holidays and about Morecambe where we live. They were thinking of going to Northumberland. My Dad and Uncle Gerry went many many times, so he encouraged them to visit.
Alighting goodbyes were said, Uncle Gerry pausing to take this shot of Eric Treacy that was to haul the final service of the day to Pickering.
Exiting the station we looked up to East Cliff, dominated by the stark Abbey ruins...
...and the Parish Church.
Leander commented, "our pals Byron and Ruswarp will be up there tomorrow via the 199 steps."
Thanks Higgy for a super day", said Chuffer.
"You are welcome pal. So glad you enjoyed it."
"We all have", enthused Summer.
"Special thanks to Uncle Gerry for taking us", I said. "You are the best."
So, rather tired teddy bears, we returned to Saltmoore to tell our pals about our day.
Scooter said, "we ended our day with pictures of Whitby that will link nicely with your day tomorrow, Byron."
"It might not happen, as the weather forecast is for heavy rain", he replied despondently.
Allen piped up. "We are well acquainted with the vagaries of the weather. There have been days when the forecast was rubbish the night before, but completely different in the morning. We'll just have to keep our paws crossed."
"Let's hope that will be the case tomorrow", said Ruswarp.
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