Special Events New Access to the Railway Timetable Tel: 01825 720825 SSC Logo

Bluebell Railway Preservation Society
Social Sub-Committee

Forthcoming events - Reports of past events - Who's Who on the SSC - Return to BRPS Members' Information

Forthcoming Members' Event:

Travel by train on part of the old S&D
The Gartell Light Railway

on Saturday 4 May 2013

John and Christine Gartell, their family and friends look forward to welcoming you to the narrow gauge Gartell Light Railway.

The executive coach departs:

Faygate (A264 bus stop) 7.15
Haywards Heath (Orchards) 7.35
Sheffield Park Station 7.50
East Grinstead Station 8.10
Godstone Green (main bus stop) 8.30
Redhill (Redstone Hill car park) 8.45
Reigate (London Road Bus Stop) 9.00

Return home by 10.00pm

The fare is £40.00, and is inclusive of:
Steam train travel, 2-course Lunch, Talk, Visit to the signalling system, and extra train rides.

Please choose lunch menu from:
    1. Fish, chips & peas
    2. Ham, egg & chips
    3. Veg. flan with salad & crusty bread
    4. Homemade lasagne with salad & crusty bread

Fresh Fruit Pavlova and cream
Tea or coffee

Bookings to Mr Chris Cooper, 7 Rickwood Park, Beare Green, Dorking RH5 4PP, tel 01306 713295 (eves only).
Cheques payable to BRPS Social Sub Committee - Please enclose SAE and state pick-up point and meal required.
Booking closes 14 days before travel.



Past events

"The Essex Excursion"

This visit to The Mangapps Railway took place on Saturday 29th September 2012

"The Broadsman Tour"

This visit to the Bure Valley Railway took place on Saturday 28th April 2012

The 'Severn Special'
A coach excursion to the Severn Valley Railway on Saturday 30 April 2011

The BRPS Social Sub Committee organised this visit for Bluebell Members and their friends, with a return trip on the SVR to Bridgnorth.

Pub Quiz
Sunday 30th May 2010

A Pub Quiz was held on Bank Holiday Sunday 30th May in the Bessemer Arms at Sheffield Park.

Visit to Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme
Fête de la Vapeur - Saturday 25th April 2009

Tony Sullivan, in conjunction with the TLRS Sussex Branch, arranged a coach trip to St. Valery sur Somme to visit the first day of the metre gauge 2009 steam festival.

HorstedFest 2009 and Volunteers Reunion
Sunday 24th May 2009

The event at Horsted Keynes station featured Live Music, Bar-B-Q and Bar, with a train from Sheffield Park.

The Battlefield Special

A visit was made to the, Shackerstone Line, Leicestershire, on Saturday 18th April 2009

An Evening with Clive Groome

A talk about some of his more amusing and interesting footplate experiences was held on
Saturday 21st February 2009 In the Bessemer Arms, Sheffield Park Station.
Clive also discussed and demonstrated with a model the inovation and advantages of the Bulleid chain-driven valve gear, and the practical problems for the loco crew (especially those not familiar with the engines) were also discussed.
A collection was held in aid of the Atlantic Project.

Steam Throughout Europe

A slide show by Bluebell Shed Master Ian Wright
Saturday 13th December 2008
A retiring collection was held in aid of the Shed Wall Fund.

Film Show - Sunday 27 April 2008

The Social Sub Committee presented an evening with Preserved Steam on Video (PSOV)
Green Godess

The Bluebell Marshlander - Saturday 26 April 2008

A special steam-hauled express on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway with Class A1/3 Pacific locomotives for a rare fast run to Hythe from New Romney (non-stop via the Dungeness loop), and return.

HorstedFest 2006

Sunday 28 May 2006

HorstedFest 2006 took place at Horsted Keynes station on Sunday 28th May. The platform between the buffet and the bookstall became the stage for the evening's entertainment, provided by local group 'Tumbling Dice' (Nicky and Paul) ....and some members of the railway! If Martin Reeves is reading this I have to say that this year's singer is more attractive....!

The backdrop for the evening was provided by the West Country and our thanks are due to David Foale and Roland Law for crewing the locomotive, as well as guard Ken and the signalmen.

The platform became an impromptu dance floor in between visits to the bar where Bluebell and Wadsworth 6X were on tap for the connoisseur. The barbecue was ably manned by several people during the evening, inevitably including Paul Auckland who appears to have neglected the tambourine this year.

During the evening a raffle was held with star prizes like a Tessa the Train picture book (have you finished it yet Scratchers?) and a 'Thomas' whistle, whilst some unlucky people won alcohol.

An enjoyable evening of music, dancing and socialising for all who attended. Thanks to the Social Sub-committee for organising it.

Thanks are also due to Ken Upton for providing this report.


"The Chiltern Gradient"

Sunday 21st May 2006

Chris Cooper organised a bus trip to Sir William McAlpine's Private Railway. Travel was by a vintage Southdown Leopard 37 seater tourer to Fawley Hill for a special visit to Bill McAlpine's private estate and extensive museum, and also a chance to travel on his railway with a 1 in 14 gradient.



Reports of previous years' events here

. The Social Sub Committee organises social events for all Bluebell members and their families - you do not have to be a working member to join in.


Who's Who:

Chairman & Trustee: Neil Glaskin
Secretary: Ruth Groome
Treasurer & Horsted Keynes Rep: John Woods
Coach Trip Organiser: Chris Cooper
Sheffield Park Rep: Tom Lovell
Catering Rep: Helen Lovell
Kingscote Rep: Vacant

If you need to contact the SSC this should be done initially via the representative at your local station, should this not be possible please write to the Secretary or Chairman c/o Sheffield Park

The SSC also supports other groups within the Bluebell Railway in publicising social events organised by and for BRPS members. If you are organising an event on the railway would you please let the SSC know. This will prevent us arranging a clashing event and enable us to maximise the enjoyment of the membership. We may be able to assist in advertising your event via this web page.

We are setting up a system whereby news of events will be sent to members by e-mail; further details of this will be available shortly.

We will endeavour to publicise events with plenty of notice. Publicity will also be provided through Bluebell News, Points & Crossings (for working members) and posters around the railway.

A number of events are currently being discussed, but if you have any ideas for events, please let us know in writing.

Thank you,
The Committee
splash

Return to the BRPS Members' Information page

To Bluebell Home Page, to the Timetable or to Special Events


Visitor Info. - Museum - Trust - Catering - Contacts - What's New - Projects - Locos - Carriages & Wagons - Signals - History - Other - Links - Search - FAQ
Why not become a BRPS Member?     -     Get more involved as a Volunteer

Valid HTML 4.0 Page updated 29 November 2012 by Richard Salmon

© Copyright, credits and disclaimer.