Volunteers who maintain the Swanage Railway’s award-winning heritage station at Harman’s Cross in Purbeck are donating surplus off-cuts of wood to a community group for use in its carpentry classes.
The Shed was built at Durlston Country Park in Swanage as part of its National Lottery funded Pleasure Grounds project, as an accessible centre for the local community enabling people of all ages and abilities to socialise, learn new skills and volunteer.
The Shed at Durlston Country Park is set in a clearing in the wood
“Very worthwhile, positive and practical cause”
The idea of a collaboration between the two Swanage organisations came about when the volunteers at Harmans Cross station had to clear out a timber store and didn’t want to just throw away or burn the off-cuts of wood that they found.
Fortunately Swanage Railway’s volunteer manager at Harmans Cross station Bob Bunyar, mentioned this to his wife, who came up with a good idea. Bob, who lives with his wife Suzanne, in Swanage said:
“Throughout the year, we work hard to maintain the wooden heritage buildings at Harman’s Cross, as well as wooden fencing, so there are always off-cuts of wood that previously would have been burnt.
“We are delighted that our off-cuts of wood are not wasted and are instead being donated to The Shed at Durlston Country Park to help with its community carpentry classes and activities which is a very worthwhile, positive and practical cause.
“It’s very pleasing to know that we are able to help another voluntary group in the Isle of Purbeck after the suggestion to donate our surplus off-cuts of wood from my wife Suzanne when I told her we had to clear out a timber store at Harmans Cross station.”
Woodworking projects are undertaken at The Shed
And The Sheddies then sell the results at local market stalls and in the shop at Durlston Castle
The Sheddies
At The Shed, the volunteers know as The Sheddies make bird feeders, bug houses, key tags and other wooden gifts, that are then sold in the Durlston Castle shop and at various fairs, including the Swanage Christmas Market in December.
Some of the volunteers at Harmans Cross station are also involved with The Shed at Durlston, including Terry and Judy Tovey, whose son enjoys putting his woodworking skills to good use.
Terry and Judy’s son also occasionally helps his parents with maintaining the gardens at Harmans Cross station which regularly draw admiring praise from train passengers.
Judy Tovey keeping things trim and tidy at Harmans Cross Station
Harmans Cross station volunteers are pleased to see their wood off-cuts reused for a good cause
“Difficult times for many people and organisations”
Chair of Swanage Railway Trust Frank Roberts said:
“As a resident of Swanage for 40 years, I have always endeavoured to support the wider community in the Isle of Purbeck so I am delighted that this new initiative has proved to be of mutual benefit to our dedicated volunteers at Harmans Cross station and at Durlston.
“These are difficult times for many people and organisations, so the Swanage Railway will continue to support recycling moves to help other local groups,”
Chair of Swanage Railway Trust Frank Roberts supporting recycling
Plenty of greenery at Harmans Cross station
Award winning gardens
Many assume that Harmans Cross station has been in existence since the Wareham to Corfe Castle and Swanage branch line was built in the 1880s, but it only came into existence in the late 1980s when Swanage Railway relaid the tracks through Harman’s Cross.
Over the last 30 years, the station has been developed and is now a credit to all the hard work of the volunteers.
Bob Bunyar explained:
“Maintaining Harmans Cross station is like the Forth Bridge in Scotland, there is always painting and maintenance work to do. It’s a continual effort by our dedicated and good humoured team of volunteers to keep the station looking good and we always start our day with a cup of tea!
“The station gardens are also a big asset and last year we were awarded a Silver Gilt in the Community Rail Gardens Competition which covers railway stations in the south west of England – from Cornwall through to Hampshire – and we were also awarded a Royal Horticultural Society award for the management of our gardens.
“We have projects to do now the main peak heritage train operating season is over and new signage is being made for the station booking office, waiting room and platform numbers. A recent job was the renovation of our station lights where the metal work had rusted on five lamp heads and needed replacing.”
Award winning gardens at Harmans Cross station
Harmans Cross station was built from scratch by volunteers begining in the 1980s, not the 1880s!
Further information
- The Harmans Cross station team always welcomes new volunteers and meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 am until 2 pm. Anyone interested is welcome to visit the station on those days to have a look and enjoy a chat.
- More about Swanage Railway
- More about The Shed at Durlston Country Park
