ABC WednesdayS is for Spring Gardens

Spring Gardens is at the heart of the Victorian business centre of Manchester.

For a closer view of the top of the buildings see sithenah.

For more S posts visit ABC Wednesday.

Shadow Shot Sunday:United Nations Tree

These shadows are mostly belonging to a tree planted in the Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Park at St Brelade by Sir Robert Le Masurier D.S.C. Bailiff of Jersey on 24th October 1970 to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Founding of the United Nations.

You can see the whole tree on my Jersey 2010 website where you'll find a selection of the best 55 photographs taken on our recent visit.

See more Shadow Shot Sunday posts at Hey Harriet.

ABC Wednesday R is for Reddish South Station

Originally Reddish South station consisted of two island platforms with four tracks. One of these track beds has been sold off, while another has been filled in. The second island is now inaccessible as there are no longer steps down to it. According to the 2007/8 National rail figures, Reddish South had only 47 entries and exits in a 12 month period, making it the UK's least used railway station.


Reddish South together with Denton railway station on the Stockport to Stalybridge line are famous for having one train a week (the "Denton flyer") in one direction only. This means they are technically still open.

Most maps of the Greater Manchester Rail Network do not include Reddish South and Denton.


The "Denton flyer" is what is known as a "Parliamentary ghost", a train that operates a Parliamentary service - that is to say a token service to a given station, thus maintaining a legal fiction that either the station in question is in fact open, whereas in reality the train operating company in question has almost completely abandoned the station. These services run at all only because rail transport is heavily regulated in the United Kingdom and it is therefore considerably cheaper for a train operating company to run a parliamentary service than it is to go through the full legal process of applying for a station or line to be permanently closed.


Network Rail, in their Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) for the North West, were proposing closure of Reddish South and Denton stations and withdrawal of the remaining passenger service. The line itself would remain open for freight and diverted passenger workings. However, a new open-access operator called Grand Union had proposed using the line for services between London and Bradford via the West Coast Main Line, using Guide Bridge station as a stop. This proposal has since been dropped.

Friends of Reddish South Station have been running a campaign to bring more passenger trains onto this line since 2008. The object of the campaign is to secure a frequent service running between Stockport and Manchester Victoria.

For more R posts visit ABC Wednesday.

Shadow Shot Sunday:St Brelade's Bay Promenade

These shadows were cast alongside the promenade at St Brelade's Bay, Jersey.

You can now find the best 55 photographs from our recent trip to Jersey on Jersey 2010.

For more shadow shots visit Hey Harriet.

Weekend Reflections:Recollection at Gorey

This is part of an ornamental fountain designed by Cyril Warren in 1976. A symbolic keel recalls the 19th century shipyards of Gorey on the East Coast of Jersey.

Engraved on the sides of the keel are the names of 16 of the largest ships built at Gorey when ship construction was a thriving industry in the area during the 18th century. The idea of the fountain is to recall those days. The keel is laid on bricks possibly as old as Gorey's shipbuilding industry. They were taken from the old prison at Newgate Street. More information can be found on the website of the Société Jersiaise.

You can now find the best 55 photographs from our recent trip to Jersey on Jersey 2010.

For more weekend reflections visit Newtown Area Photo.

ABC Wednesday Q is for Queen Inn, Ashton under Lyne

I first noticed the Queen Inn at Ashton under Lyne earlier this year. I noted that it was "Under New Management" and it looked in good order.


I was especially impressed by this plaster-work portrait of the Queen. I don't know the technical term for it.


Some weeks ago I was again in Ashton and was sad to see it boarded and shuttered up. I've discovered it was listed as being a gay-friendly bar. I trust that wasn't the reason for its closure. It is up for sale at £120,000 + VAT.

For more Q posts visit ABC Wednesday.

ABC Wednesday P is for Piglets

On our way down to Noirmont Point we passed a pig farm.

I don't know what the breed is but I'm assured they make delicious sausages.


For more P posts visit ABC Wednesday.