2004 Sponsored Walk
report by David Mee, Walk Co-ordinator

Sunday 13th June dawned bright and sunny with just a light breeze to take the edge off the heat - a perfect day for a walk in the countryside to raise funds for your favourite railway!

In the early years of the railways development the GWR ran a sponsored walk on a more or less annual basis. These walks were organised by Bernard Dudfield and Steve Long, and over the years generated a great deal of funding for the railway, as well as featuring many parts of the railway now happily incorporated into the restored running line. As the GWR grew volunteer time and effort was taken up by the operation of the railway and the annual walk was abandoned. For 2004, the GWRL were looking for new ways to generate funds to complete the Cheltenham extension works at Race Course Station and elsewhere on the line and the idea of resurrecting the walk came to the fore. To cut a long story short, months of planning came to fruition on 13th June when 191 walkers took part in this years event.

The route of the walk was to be mainly along the 5 mile section between Toddington and Broadway and return. Half a mile north of Toddington the railway crosses a valley at Stanway on an impressive 15 arch viaduct which has recently received some attention and is ready for the track to be re-laid. From here the line runs north on a low embankment to Stanton were it enters a cutting, diving below the Stanton and main Broadway roads which cross above on bridges. The line is then on a shallow embankment again as it approaches the site of Laverton Halt and the only obstruction on the line - a missing bridge currently perching high up on the embankment. This was removed many years ago to allow access to Wormington, but will be reinstated soon. The line then continues north to Broadway on a shallow embankment, passing the old Goods Shed at Broadway before crossing the main road on a bridge and entering the site of Broadway Station, still marked by the trees planted by the GWR. When I walked the route to check it for obstructions I was surprised at how clear it was from Toddington to Laverton and how overgrown it was from Laverton to Broadway! However, there was a clear path all the way.

The walkers congregated by the Bay Platform at Toddington. Rupert Maclean acted as Master of Ceremonies and provided a PA system and welcoming music at Toddington. Once all the walkers had registered Ian Windscheffel, chairman of the GWRL, welcomed everyone and led the countdown to the start of the walk. The walkers then proceeded up the entrance drive and across the Stow road to access the path along the top of Toddington cutting to the trackbed at Stanway. The massed departure of nearly 200 walkers was a most impressive sight, although they had started to spread out by the time they reached the viaduct. The Fire Department provided stewards for the walk as well as First Aid cover and a much appreciated ‘cold drink’ wagon at Laverton. At Broadway Caroline Maclean and the On Train Catering crew provided light refreshments for the half way break.

Back at Toddington Rupert awaited the returning walkers, all of whom were offered vouchers for a free train ride in the afternoon. First back was young Adam Leeming from Huntley in a splendid time of 2 hours and 26 minutes, quickly followed by our ultra fit Engineering Director Ivor Dixon, just one minute behind. It must be mentioned however that GWSR Plc chairman Bob Stark departed one hour early at 9am with the offer of a donation to the department whose representative passed him first during the walk. In the event our speedy Plc chairman was back in 2 hours and 15 minutes, well ahead of everyone and the donation went to the general funds. Walkers continued to return over the next few hours, with the last two arriving back just after 3pm. I am glad to report that there were very few problems, with only a few people suffering from sore feet and blisters or the effects of the sun. By the end of the day we had collected over two thousand pounds, but I am hopeful that this will increase substantially as sponsor money is sent in. Look out for the final figure in a future edition of the Cornishman magazine.

We ran a competition to guess the average time of the first twenty walkers to complete the ten miles. The average time was 2 hours, 41 minutes and 45 seconds. The winner was Mr John Brooks of Nuneaton who wins a £20 voucher for the Gift Shop.

A big thank you to all who helped to organise the event, or took part on the day. In particular I must extend my gratitude to Brian Mason for his invaluable help in processing applications to take part in the walk; Rupert and Caroline Maclean for their support and help on the day. Bernard Dudfield, the Jacksons, Michael and Anne Graham and Denise Johnson. Also to the Fire Department for their invaluable support.

So what about the future? People are already asking me if there will be another walk next year. I do hope so, next time in support of the extension north towards Broadway. At present we are looking at options for the early autumn of 2005, or possibly 2006. Look out for information in forthcoming issues of the Cornishman as plans are finalised.

Finally, it is not too late to boost funds for the 2004 Sponsored walk. If you want to make a donation, please send a cheque payable to GWRL to:

2004 Sponsored Walk,
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway,
The Railway Station,
Toddington, GL54 5DT.

Acknowledgements will only be sent if you include a stamped, self addressed envelope.