35mm: Takumar Trek Pt8

Another part to my “Takumar Trek” today! At the end of part 7 the path reached the outskirts of the newish town of West Moors. It’s one of those places that mostly grew into existence during the building boom of the 1960’s and 70’s. Before that it was a small village, and the train had a station and a goods yard. Above is a buffer at the end of one of those goods sidings (I think!). The track deposits the walker into Arnold Close, a modern collection of bungalows (below), this leads into Arnold Road, and then into Mary Lane, both once the track of the railway.

The main road that runs through West Moors is still called Station Road. Pretty much at that spot is a handy information board that explains what the layout once was. Opposite is “Gatekeepers Cottage” obviously a live in position, to close the gates to traffic crossing the track every time a train came along! That is still there, so too is the pub – the “Tap and Railway” just to the north of the location of the station.

Just before the track crossed the road was a footbridge over the track, this is long gone and no trace exists. If I had have moved back maybe 10-20 feet to make this photo, (and a few years in time) I would have been under it’s arch! The station platform was immediately over the street, the other side of the gates. This is now the site of Pullman court, below. The platform would have been just where the left hand side of the photo is, and the gates, when closed, pretty much where the small picket fence now runs. Gatekeepers cottage is on the right hand side.

The actual track path is now absorbed into peoples back gardens and so on, so naturally there is no walk. Taking the nearest road I walk on. This is Farm Road, where by strange coincidence, an old friend once lived. I made a photo for no particular reason than “old times sake” and the memory. Just over the wall you can see the eves of the shed (far left). I’ve spent many hours in there playing snooker (badly).

Soon back on the track bed, the path passes over the boundary of West Moors and enters into Ferndown. Soon running parallel to the Ferndown Forest Golf club. Below is a snap of the practice range made from the path. This emerges, right alongside the Forest Inn.

Just a stones throw away, is the Ferndown Police Station. This also happens to be the closest point to where I live. So from there it’s a short walk home.

Postscript: As these things often happen to me, the following day I learned that my old friend mentioned above had passed away that very day. We hadn’t seen each other in what must be 10 years – but I still look back with gratitude for those happy memories! Rest in peace Alan.

Chatter: Pentax Spotmatic SP, with the 50mm and mostly 35mm Takumar’s, on the old movie Ilford FP4 stock, I’m bulk loading my way through. Processed in Ilford ID11, 1+3.2, for 20 mins at 20°.