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Signal boxes’ future up for discussion
THE future of six historic signal boxes along the Medway Valley Line is to be decided by a posse of working parties. The Kent Community Rail Part- nership hosted a meeting of local, parish and community representa- tives from along the line to consider the future of the boxes, which are due to be de-commissioned in the next few years. Five of the six boxes – at Maid-
stone West, Aylesford, Snodland, Wateringbury and Cuxton – which date back to the age of steam,were recently grade 2 listed and are among 26 of the rarest and best pre- served in England. The station buildings at East Far-
leigh are listed, but the signal box itself is not. Martin Yallop, of the Association
of Community Rail Partnerships, spoke to the group, highlighting the main considerations and issues. Itwas agreed to undertake an in-
depth review of each of the boxes to agree recommendations and gather firm evidence for all part- ners and potential funders.
most cases, simply rot away. “They are part of our heritage
and our landscape and they need preserving by functioning in the community.” In the 1940s, there were as many
MaidstoneWest signal box They will then evaluate the op-
tions, reflecting local opinion. A lead person was appointed for
each of the groups but anyone who would like to be involved with their local group should contact Mike FitzGerald, chair of the Kent Community Rail Partnership on 01622 743270. Mr FitzGerald, who chaired the meeting, said he was encouraged by the positive approach and pas- sion expressed by those attending. He said: “What is important is
that the meeting agreed to look at uses for the individual boxes and produce a comprehensive review to ensure their future when de- commissioned. If boxes are just left empty or shuttered up they will, in
as 10,000 signal boxes, but now fewer than 500 are in use by Net- work Rail. The box at High Street, Snodland
was designed by the South Eastern Railway Company in the late 1870s and still has its original windows, access balcony and signalling in- struments. The Wateringbury box in Bow
Road opened in 1893 and is almost intact. It forms a group with the nearby station and goods shed, which are also listed. Three-storey Maidstone West in
The Broadway dates from 1889 and still has many of its original instru- ments, levers and bells, having been restored after WorldWar II. Aylesford’s signal box was built
to a new design for the South East- ern and Chatham Railway in the 1920s. Virtually unaltered, it is the last survivor of its kind.
News How to sign
with babies NEWmums and grandparents can get an introduction to baby signing at a book launch in Maidstone. Little Mouse Books, in Market Buildings, is hosting the launch, when author Kathy Carter will demonstrate the skill. Kathy, from Ditton, will unveil
her latest book in the Alfie's Magic Hat series, Fun at the Zoo and its colour-in counterpart during the two-hour meet-and-greet from 2- 4pm on Saturday, February 27. Fun at the Zoo is an original book
that encourages sign language for pre-school children. Kathy, who ismumto Sam, aged
two and a half, said: "I will be for- ever grateful to my sister-in-law, who introduced me to baby sign language. Signing is a greatway for families and carers to communicate with hearing children before speech. I knew that other parents would find this book useful, as there is nothing else like it on the market.” She added: “If you are consider-
ing signing with a baby or child do give it a go – it is a wonderful life- skill for parents and infants to learn. It is also invaluable to those children in need of speech devel- opment support.”
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