THE restoration of Oswestry railway station has taken a big leap forward following an appeal.
The 'Sponsor-A-Brick' appeal, which was launched in June, is calling on people to buy as many bricks as they can to help bring the station platform back to its former glory.
So far over £2,000 has been raised and after passing a County Conservation Officers examination in July, work started on the platform a fortnight ago.
The work is being carried out with the help of experienced bricklayers from Pickstocks and workers from the Future Jobs Fund, who were placed in the positions by Imagematch.
Nigel Davies, chairman of Cambrian Counties Railways and leader of the project, said: "We are covering a 52-metre stretch in front of the station at the moment, but eventually it will take 13 coaches, like it did when it was originally opened in 1860."
Sponsor-a-brick.
The group expect the project to use around 9,000 bricks, which have all been reclaimed from local yards and date back to around the 1870s. For this reason, anyone who sponsors a brick cannot have their name put on it, but each brick will be given a number and sponsors will receive a map of where their brick has been laid.
Building firm Pickstock Homes of Oswestry has loaned several bricklayers to help out with the project and Mr Davies added that he was very grateful to the company for their involvement.
But although the team behind the project are concentrating on what can be done in the short term, they do have an exciting long-term plan.
Great arena.
"A steam train is currently being renovated at the Oswestry Transport Museum, so when all the hard work is done it will be great to see steam coming from the station for the first time in over 50 years," Mr Davies said.
There are also hopes that a community service can be created, with trains running from Gobowen to Llanyblodwel, but Mr Davies has another idea for the site.
"When the station is finished it will become a great arena and it would be fantastic if the space could be used for concerts and events."
But he added: "We have a long way to go before any of that will happen."
If you would like to get involved, go to the Cambrian Railways website at:
www.cambrianrailways.com and click on the 'Sponsor-A-Brick' link.