Saturday 21st February 2009. With the alarm clocks set for 7am no Saturday lay in for us as often the case on these Saturday ventures. Cup of tea, cereals and a bacon sandwich to give us a start for the day. Then drive the car to Kirk Sandall station for the 08.39 hrs train for Sheffield. So what were our plans for today? On Thursday I gave a slideshow for The Thurnscoe History Group. This group used to meet in the Thurnscoe Methodist Church but due to the threat of demolition had moved to the Rainbow centre opposite the church. I was told that a new group had been formed called "The Hope Centre" to save the church as a venue for meetings and concerts. Every Saturday morning from 9 am the church hall is open for a 50p sale.  They serve a good cup of tea and coffee plus toasted tea cakes. So with this knowledge and studying the South Yorkshire timetable booklet the journey got under way.   

Early morning view of the walkway down onto the station at Kirk Sandall as the 08.22 hrs train from Doncaster passes through on its way to Hull. Some people say why not use Stainforth/Hatfield station with us living in Hatfield only about a mile away, as compared with Kirk Sandall which is about 4 miles away. We could use the 84 bus to get to the station and we have done this, but as there are no proper car parking facilities or CCTV cameras (that we know of) looking onto the parking area at the Stainforth/Hatfield you probably return later in the day to find no car there. Things are going to change soon I am told. Once on board the 8.39 it was then was a chance to relax for the next half hour or so before arriving at Swinton at 09.16 hrs. With 15 minutes to spare it was time to have a look around the new Bus and Rail Interchange at the Swinton station, a good chance to use the toilets too. 

We arrived at Thurnscoe Station at 09.46 am, making our way to the "The Hope Centre" (formerly the Thurnscoe Methodist Church) facing a still rather chill wind blowing off the Pennines. We passed the Rainbow Centre where on the Thursday I had given the slide show. Now at first we thought our member Keith was already there as we approached the former Methodist Chapel. Sorry Keith I can never remember your car registration but the front bumper was slightly different to yours.   

Arriving at the Hope Centre entrance we were greeted by the bargains to be had from their outside displays. In one of the blue boxes by the doors to the entrance I found a base for a table lamp for 20p, first sale! An introduction by ourselves to their volunteers when we purchased a most welcomed mug of tea and toasted tea cake. We were told that at lunch time they served hot meals including very nice baked potatoes all at reasonable prices. We took our rucksacks off our backs and sat and relaxed at one of the tables. We then had a look around at the many hundreds of items on offer. Pat picked up several items including a very colourful scarf. Myself I settled for the lamp and a book about the Secret War of World War II by Karen Farrington. We were then given a guided tour by Steve Ellis of the church, including the main area that room I must admit we was astounded by what we were to see as we turned the corner into the main body of the church .   

Vandals had struck the church roof, but somebody else had removed the heating boiler without permission. Fearing that we were to enter a dark and decaying room we were confronted by this wonderful organ made by Nelson & Co of Durham. Unfortunately I believe when the boiler was stolen the basement was flooded with 4 foot of water damaging some of the organs equipment. There are plans to repair the organ which I am sure is worth saving like the rest of the building.   

Above is a copy of a framed drawing of the church as it originally was, which is hanging on the wall, as are two banners to remind us of the days of the former Methodist Chapel. If you would like to make a donation to help save the church so that it can be used as a Community Centre or to help save the organ then please contact the "Hope Centre" Sandra Ellis on 01709 891384. The Thurnscoe Harmonic Male Voice Choir are holding a concert on Saturday 21st March 2009 at the nearby Goldthorpe Parish Church. Click here for more details.
Friday Coffee Morning at the Hope centre 9 am - 11.30 am with Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Toast, Toasted Tea Cakes, Bacon Sandwiches.
Saturday Sale Day Many Items From 50p All different kinds of second - hand goods, glassware, china, ornaments, clothes, books videos, furniture, household wares, kitchen utensils and much more. Teas and Coffees etc are served. Any unwanted items such as the above will be very much appreciated.   
It was time to bid a farewell to Sandra her husband and the other volunteers who had made us so welcome. We are hoping to return to revisit them soon and also have a closer look at a railway signal box not too far down from Thurnscoe station towards Sheffield, which I understand is soon to be demolished.

The once former station house is now reused by the SHCA (Station House Community Association) . Whist a train disappears from view on its way to Sheffield, it is time for us to bid a farewell to Thurnscoe and head to Wakefield on the 11.46 hrs train arriving at 12.08 at Wakefield Westgate station.   

Having walked a short distance from the Wakefield Kirkgate railway station we approached the Wakefield Theatre Royal and Opera House. A theatre with much history as we found out when we went to see a production by Dr. David Wilmore "A Night of Gilbert and Sullivan"  At least this is a building has panes of glass in the canopy, you will shortly see we were to find a rather more derelict canopy.  Time to have a walk through the towns main shopping area to the Chapel on the Bridge, walking past the towns closed Woolworths.

Passing through the main shopping precinct and pedestrian area that opened up in front of Wakefield Cathedral . At the junction of Kirkgate there is the former Woolworths, I wonder how many photographers are out and about obtaining their last views of Woolworths shop fronts? Note the two fluorescent  lights still on. Now onto the famous Chantry Chapel on Wakefield Bridge.

Over the years I have past Wakefield Bridge and Chantry Chapel, many times, especially on journeys to Bradford before the opening of the M62. This is one of four in Britain another being not too many miles away at Rotherham. Now it was chance for us both to see this one much closer than from the newer road bridge. By now we must have walked about a mile or more, time to think about returning to Wakefield Westgate, but not before a detour to the Wakefield Kirkgate railway station. This had caught our eye as we walked to the Chapel. What we were to come across was something we just did not expect. Perhaps the dereliction of the pub near to the station should have given us a vital clue. 

Bus Stop suspended, booking office closed, not sure about the clock, canopy without glass, areas closed off and a very derelict set of station buildings, what a contrast to Wakefield Westgate. We just could not believe what we were seeing or smelling!

A view of the up Platform to Leeds and Castleford. There is still some shelter on the remaining canopy, whilst passengers for Sheffield have nothing more than a bus type shelter to protect them from the elements. What has happened to what once looked like such a very impressive important station? Next stop sometime in the near future unless the demolition team get there first is Moorthorpe Station here is a sneak preview of yet another derelict station to have a look at. We noticed this as our train journeyed between Thurnscoe and Wakefield. 

To our surprise our travel passes would take us to Meadowhall Interchange from Wakefield Kirkgate, so for us again we were now travelling on tracks that we have not so far used. That is far as Barnsley where you join up with the Huddersfield line. Now a familiar routine to us as we arrived at Meadowhall is to change to Platform 2 for Doncaster then change at Doncaster for the final part of our journey back to Kirk Sandall.  This tour which had seen us use a total of six different trains. Our car was safe and sound at Kirk Sandall and we were back home for 15.30 hrs (3.30 pm Bob and Pats time).