Meetings are held on a Monday evening commencing at 7.30pm mainly in Murroes Church Hall but sometimes in Auchterhouse village hall and all are welcome to attend them.
Office Bearers:
Chair: Pierre Bonard Tel: 01307 477959
Secretary: Bill Smith Tel: 01382 350326
Treasurer: Graeme Reoch Tel: 01382 380571
Please contact Bill Smith (Tel 350326) if you require further details.
More information at:
www.sidlawchurches.com/?cat=groups&subcat=2
Annual Stewards Day
The Regnal Circle held their annual stewards day on Sunday 7th June with a trip to The Bo'Ness Steam Railway. It was held on Sunday (with David's permission) to steer clear of the many agricultural shows that are on at that time of year.
We left after the early service in three cars, collecting the last of the passengers by11.30am. We arrived at Bo'Ness just before 1.00pm where we were joined for a snack lunch in the station restaurant by three members of the Greenock Regnal Circle. One of their members, in his 90's, was a retired railway engineer who had repaired steam engines most of his working life. He had many stories to tell and was a great guide and source of information to the rest of us who didn't know very much about the subject.
After lunch we boarded the train for the journey to Birkhill where five hardy souls decided to visit the Clay mine.
The mine is accessed by a long stair of 137, repeat 137, steps with no lift. It did seem there were a lot more of them on the way back up. However the effort was well worth it as the tour was very interesting and informative as to the conditions under which the miners had to work and the tools they used. The mine ceased working in the 80's and a large amount of the workings are flooded but those remaining are well worth a visit.
The remainder of the group, after a short break, re-boarded the train for the return journey to Bo'Ness where they visited the transport museum. The museum contains a large and varied amount of rolling stock, from engines, goods wagons and even an old carriage from the London to Glasgow over-night mail train. There are also other static displays of railway history and workings. Some of the engines allowed access to the footplate which was very interesting. An hour and a half passed without notice We all met up again at the station just after 4.30 and proceeded to a local hotel where a meal had been booked for 5.00pm The weather on the day was a bit cool and windy but it was dry and sunny.
The general opinion was that we had had a very successful day.
We left a still very sunny Bo'Ness just after seven, getting everyone home safely by about 8.30pm.
For further information
please contact Bill Smith (350326)
