Plaques unveiled to commemorate 150th anniversary of Dronfield Train Station

Two commemorative plaques have been unveiled at Dronfield Train Station to mark 150 years since it opened.
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The rain did little to dampen the spirits of those who turned out to celebrate on Sunday, February 2, over a century to the day since the station was opened by the Midlands Railway to provide transport for industries in the area in 1870.

Among those in attendance were the Friends of Dronfield Station (FoDS), a voluntary community group who care for the station and devote their time to improving the rail services for those living in the town, as well as members of the public and Richard Isaac, community manager for Northern for the North East region.

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Friends of Dronfield Station celebrated the marking of the station being opened 150 years ago in 1870.Friends of Dronfield Station celebrated the marking of the station being opened 150 years ago in 1870.
Friends of Dronfield Station celebrated the marking of the station being opened 150 years ago in 1870.
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Shortly after celebrations commenced, the bells were rung at the nearby St John’s Parish Church before the Dronfield Genquip Band entertained crowds with performances of songs including Skimbleshanks, The Railway Cat, from the hit musical Cats.

There was a break in the music as the two specially commissioned brushed steel plaques were unveiled by North East Derbyshire MP, Lee Rowley, and Cllr Lilian Deighton, the town mayor.

Mr Rowley said: “This is a brilliant day for Dronfield, 150 years since the station was opened. The station is at the heart of the town and is very important for growth and for businesses for local residents and it’s brilliant what people like Friends of Dronfield Station have done over the past 10 years to make sure that the railway is looked after and the station looks as good as it does and it’s a brilliant day to celebrate.”

Dr Peter Hayward, Chair of FoDS, outlined the station's history and explained how following the privatization of the railways the service to Dronfield had declined but after a campaign led by FoDs an hourly service was introduced in 2010.

Friends of Dronfield Station celebrated the marking of the station being opened 150 years ago in 1870. Pictured reading up on the history of the station are Donna Holford and Brian Preece of Pic Steve EllisFriends of Dronfield Station celebrated the marking of the station being opened 150 years ago in 1870. Pictured reading up on the history of the station are Donna Holford and Brian Preece of Pic Steve Ellis
Friends of Dronfield Station celebrated the marking of the station being opened 150 years ago in 1870. Pictured reading up on the history of the station are Donna Holford and Brian Preece of Pic Steve Ellis
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He added: “Dronfield Station is on the up. We’ve got every hope that we’ll eventually have a longer day when we’ve got more services running.”

Celebrations continue at Dronfield Station on Sunday, July 19, with events including a vintage car display, a pop up bar, and a station to station walk.

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