When I was a child my parents took me to stay near Arley in a hut in a field just by the river. I never went on the trains there but we did walk along the railway line (on the sleepers ) towards Hampton Lode. I remember going to the pub in Arley and the beer was served in the hallway by 2 ladies. We just sat in a side room. If you wanted to cross the river there was a chain ferry to take you over to the other side. We would pick blackberries and damsons in the hedgerows. The hut had gas mantels and oil lamps. I think there were about half a dozen structures in the field . I suppose they were fishermen's retreats from the towns.
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Severn valley railway.
- Thread starter ASTONITE
- Start date
Not as far as I know. As you correctly say, the ferry was run for years by an old woman (it may have been two). They retired and it was taken over by a youngish chap who ran it seemingly successfully for a couple of years.
There was a flood, quite common on the Severn, and hes ferry was washed away and damaged. The remains were still visible about a quarter of a mile downstream.
He built a new ferry, and this was operating for a few years, but it seems he did not continue with the venture. I last saw the ferry drawn up on the bank. I understand that the owner of the River and Rail pub sorted out the ferry operation for a while on weekends, but he retired and sold the pub a few years ago. I know nothing of the new owners or their intentions relating to the ferry.
I was told it had not run since 2017. Sad really as there had been a ferry for about 400 years.
I have found the Official Hampton Ferry website. It confirmes that it has perminantly closed as of 2016.
I remember many years ago, i took my kids on the Severn Valley Railway, and we stopped off at Hampton Loade. It was midweek, and we walked down to the ferry. It was moored up, and there was a sign saying " TO CROSS THE RIVER, PLEASE RING THE BELL". This was a bell with a bit of rope on the end of the clanger. Sure enough, within a minute the old lady came down and ferried us acrass the river, clay pipe on the go naturally. A good friend who fished around there with his Dad told me that she had two sons, who both lost their lives due to the Severn flooding. How true this is, i dont know, but i had no reason to doubt him. Does anyone have any thoughts on this ?
I know the Severn quite well and will say it is one of the most dangerous rivers in the UK. I do know that in the 60’s a young ferry operator was drowned in a flood at Hampton Load and am also aware of several other incidents. A young lad I knew lost his life fishing near Hampton Load and I have had my moments canoeing in the Severn too.
I was fortunate enough to interview one of the very last rivermen on the Severn, absolutely fascinating guy. I spent hours with him.
I was fortunate enough to interview one of the very last rivermen on the Severn, absolutely fascinating guy. I spent hours with him.
superdad3
master brummie
This photo reminded me that this isn't the original signal box at Arley. The original GWR box was dismantled and some of it used at Bridgenorth. When the SVR reached Arley the disused signal box at Yorton (Shropshire) was moved to Arley and restored. And what a brilliant job they made of it - even if it was a LNWR box - it looks as if it has always been there!
This is a picture in Jan 1975 with the Yorton signal box being rebuilt in the background.
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Richard Dye
master brummie
All of these photos are excellent!
adap2it
master brummie
Found more pictures...there was something going on at the station involving unidentified dignitaries, anyone know who they are?
Dave A
Dave A
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adap2it
master brummie
Wow! I'm looking into the date...
Dave A
adap2it
master brummie
It would be Oct 2006...
Dave A
pjmburns
master brummie
Could it be this
Duke of Gloucester marks Severn Valley Railway's 150th year
A royal ceremony is held to celebrate the 150th year of a Shropshire to Worcestershire heritage railway line.
www.bbc.co.uk
pjmburns
master brummie
Why?
adap2it
master brummie
Why not?
Dave A
adap2it
master brummie
Until Covid struck, my wife & I would visit the UK every other year on even numbers. Oct 2006 we went to Birmingham and subsequently indulged in my love of steam and spending a day on the SVR. I have the file photo numbers too prove that it was early Oct 2006 and later that month ,visited Evora, Portugal. I was also fortunate to see the Queen, who was visiting Crawley, where I was staying with my brother.
Dave A
adap2it
master brummie
Good question...zooming in on the plaque, it appears to say John Garth Building. There was a new roof installed at the Kidderminster station a few days before this ceremony. Not sure if there is any connection.
Dave A
The third wing of the new Kidderminster Station building, now occupied by the Valley Suite, was named The John Garth Building when it was opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester on 18 October 2006. {From https://www.svrwiki.com/John_Garth}
