Beeching was innocent

Beeching was innocent

...and a plug for ADHS next meeting 21st Sept!

The infamous Dr Beeching wasn't responsible for the closure of the Nantwich – Market Drayton – Wellington railway line (Chatbox: 27 August). 

In his report: 'The Reshaping of British Railways', published in March 1963, all the intermediate stations between Nantwich and Wellington, including Audlem and Cox Bank Halt, are listed as 'under consideration for closure before the formulation of the report'. 

The last passenger train to call at Audlem ran on Saturday 7 September 1963, though the official closure date was 9 September.

The first passenger train over what was initially the Nantwich to Market Drayton Railway, calling at Audlem and Adderley, ran on 19 October 1863. 

To mark the 160th anniversary of the opening of the line, I'm giving a talk 'One hundred years of trains to Audlem: 1863-1963' at the Audlem History Society meeting on Thursday 21 September, at 7.30 pm, in the scout and guide hall in Cheshire Street. Come along and find out how the opening of the railway transformed our village; hear about the industrial quantities of damsons shipped out in the 19th century and learn who was shipping in barrels of beer, apart from the publicans! 

Visitors and new members are very welcome.