Thank you Ron! Glad you enjoyed it. I note from Phillip's comments below that there is much more to explore on this line further up towards Hay-on-Wye, so a possible follow up video beckons! Take care too, Paul
Hello Paul. Yes it is always fun to step back in time and remember where we've been. How landscapes have changed and and how we have changed. Very interesting walk. I really enjoyed it. It made me think about the special places in my life from long ago that I must get back to.Thank you.👍
Thank you Daryl! Yes, as others have said in the comments, there is more to discover here, in a westward direction towards Hay-on-Wye. Thanks so much! Paul
Thank you for a fascinating and very informative video of a railway with military connections. Very enjoyable. As one of the comments below mentions, Westmoor Flag was built for the owner of the Foxley estate, which became a military camp in WW2 - perhaps giving the 'Flag', additional significance.
Thanks Malcolm! Yes, I had never heard of this private station before and there is virtually nothing about it on the internet. Unfortunately the book about the history of this fascinating line is long out of print too. However from others comments it does look worthwhile exploring the section west of here towards Hay - something I may well do. Thanks so much 👍 Cheers, Paul.
What a superb adventure, on my home patch, too. Roman walls and your 'signpost' shot at 1:19. The hedge behind the post conceals a long length of the Magnis town wall, about three courses in height. Westmoor was a 'flag station' built for the convenience of the Davenports, owners of Foxley estate on whose land it stands (and still does). A flag had to be shown if the train was required to stop. The building is unchanged and was still occupied in 2017 (my last visit). At 18:20 you showed the access to the trackbed, followed by a view across a field. You remarked that there was no sign of the railway, but if you cross that field keeping the hedge on your right you come to an unspoiled trackbed that takes you to Moorhampton ( and past the Flag station ). There is a lot of railway evidence beyond there all the way to Hay and beyond and some of the trackbed is accessible. The station at Kinnersley is almost complete and there is a large goods shed at Eardisley, converted to housing. Eardisley station building is now at Welshpool on the narrow gauge railway there. The Time Team dig of 2005 was centred on NT's The Weir garden, very close to Magnis. There are walls there and a bridge abutment to a possible river crossing. Sorry about the lack of railway evidence - 3 of the mileposts from that line are in my back garden.
Ah, that's brilliant Phillip! Thanks for filling in the gaps with your local knowledge. It is not a railway line with which I am that familiar. You have peaked an interest for me to do a futher video heading out towards Hay. Shame there is strictly no access to Westmoor Flag, though I did see a photo of it taken by someone who knows the owner, on Facebook after I had edited this. Kinnersley Station sounds interesting too. I saw that The Weir Garden is open now throughout the winter at weekends, so I may pop in there next time. Thanks so much for a brilliant comment! Cheers, Paul
We visited the Time Team Dig at The Weir Garden. It was part of the Big Roman Dig which was a 3 day live event. They were trying to determine whether there was a ford or a bridge crossing of the Wye. Dr Ray, the lead archaeologist, decided it was a bridge with a high and low road. I believe the road went from Chester to Caerwent/Caerleon.
What a wonderful walk of discoveries, of lost railways, roman roads & rediscoveries of personal history. Thanks for great photos old & new, of bridges, maps & a Hornby model.
Thank you Faith! Yes, there was a fair bit in this one. In the comments below my wonderful subscribers have added additional information about the mysterious Westmoor Flag Private Station. Much of interest in such a small area. Glad you enjoyed the wander too! Cheers, Paul 👍🙂
Hello Paul - greetings from Poland A very interesting video. Beautifully photographed with your ususal excellent commentary. Superb history especially as it concerned you in person. What's left of the railway we explored isn't unexpected. At least those bridges will be a testament to those incredible Victorian builders, who with only picks shovels and wheelbarrows, drove the line across this wonderful Herefordshire countryside.
Thank you Michael! Yes, the bridges look really solid, which is good, and, as you say it is a testiment to the hard working Victorians. After I edited the video, I found out that the private station that I mentioned (Westmoor Flag) has been restored, and the platforms and neighbouring bridge have all been restored - it is all private though and there are no photos of it. Glad you enjoyed the video. I have lots of Lost Railway Walks planned for the new year - there may be one more this year! Take care, Paul
Yes, we had both on our playtime exercise on the course. The Hooligans even threw a grenade into one of the old (thankfully sealed!) buildings surrounding the aforementioned railway platform. The Rock Apes were there on a temporary placement, after being on exercise on the Brecons. Cheers, Paul.
I joined the RAF as a Boy Entrant in 1962 and did my 18 months training as a Clk Progress there. I recall seeing the trains go by whilst playing sport on the camp. Up until Christmas 1962 Boy Entrants, about 500 of us, were marched to Credenhill Railway station when going home on block leave where several trains awaited to take us to Hereford Station and onwards. Later in my career I returned there as an trade Instructor in 1983. At thst time I don't recall any sidings on or near the camp that were used for GST Training exercises. The exercise training area was At Morton on Lugg which was an RAOC depot which had railway sidings and wagons that were used for exercises both by the RAF GST courses and also the SAS. I now live in Credenhill and I can tell you that Stirling Lines is still within the bounds of RAF Hereford. A field to the east has been procured by the MOD and is currently used by contractors doing development work on the camp. The large green hangars that you saw were there int RAF days but they were completely reclad by the Army. The Roman road that you were on ran from Worcester to Magnis which is now roughly the route of the A4103. I hope this is of some use to you, Cheers.
Thank you - that's a great comment, and thanks so much for the additional information. My first thought was that it was at the former ordnance site at Moreton-on-Lugg, but I visited the site prior to filming at Credenhill (now an industrial estate) and I saw the railway tracks there - there is also a small private railway there now, but none of it was remotely like what I remembered at all, and it isn't within an easy walking distance from RAF Hereford itself. I do know that it was only a shortish walk from the barracks that I showed in the video - probably no more than 15 to 20 minutes, and it may well have been outside of the RAF Hereford perimeter, but I can't be sure. That is really useful information. Thanks for the clarification too about the hangars - they look so different with the new cladding. Armed (!) with this and other information that I have received, I do hope to return to this location to explore further along the former railway route towards Brecon. I'd also like to see/film the private railway in action at Moreton-on-Lugg too, but I don't think this will be possible. However, there are some clips of it in action on RUclips, as well as the Tarmac quarry trains. Thanks so much for some great recollections of your memories of being a boy entrant in the RAF. Cheers! Paul
2.2k ..Hi Paul hope alls well with you , yet another enjoyable but informative vid that shows off more out of the way parts of this glorious country and this time with reflections of your past ..... for me personally I loved it ahd look forward to more of the same !!! A bit more info on the canal you mentioned would be great .... even if only a short . Thank you for the time and effort you so obviously put in to your content ..... its appreciated by many im sure
Thank you Mei! Glad you enjoyed this one. I have lots more Lost Railway Walks in the planning stage, as well as more Canal Series on the Wilts & Berks, and back on the Leominster & the Somerset Coal Canals, and the Cotswold Canals of course. Yes, I downloaded all my notes, but did not look into that canal that was built near Hay - it is out of my area (I try not to travel too far for cost and practical reasons) so it was not one I am able to cover in person, unfortunately. I had the same thought though, when I spoke about it, as I had not heard of it before. I had no mobile signal in that area so was unable to find anymore out about it. Thanks so much for watching and for commenting too - it is very much appreciated. Cheers, Paul
Hi Paul, great intro, a very clever bit of editting👌👌. I thought for a moment Berwick on Tweed might be another case but the border is just north, the local football team do play in the Scottish leagues though. Even the Vatican has its own station!! What a great memory you have for all those details, it's a rare skill. Perfectly narrated the whole time. I think in the end you were able to identify where you were back in 1986, I hope so. From what you say it has changed an awful lot. Some nice bridges on display including one providing cover for a picnic table. Great place for lunch, surprised you didn't find one of the Ron's there or maybe Trev😅😅. This walk really did have it all, canals, railways, bridges, Roman roads, quarries, lakes and a great personal story. I came across a very short clip of lynton funicular railway this week I was looking for a clip of The Royal Scott at Butlins on some very old VHS , just need to find a way to get into onto MP4, no sign of the Scott yet!! Great video well done!!
Thank you David! Yes, I can't seem to see another one and Bing doesn't understand my question! I was hoping to get a closer view of the bridge by the social club, but it was closed and there was no one around to ask. That's a shame no sign of the Royal Scot at Butlins on video. I found this postcard though, but it looks a tad odd!: live.staticflickr.com/1655/26328111155_0e72f6e6b6_z.jpg It was at Butlins Skegness. Glad you enjoyed the video - I have plenty more 'Lost Railway Walks' videos planned. Take care, Paul
@@westcountrywanderingsThanks for the link!! It does look a little odd its as if the family were pasted in front of the engine!! I havent given up hope of finding the clip of Royal Scott on the VHS it just takes a while to wizzle through!! I also came across a clip of a flight from Portsmouth airport, I have a nice little story brewing on this one!!
Thank you Michael! If you like my 'Lost Railway Walks' videos, you may like to know that I filmed another one yesterday in the Forest of Dean - coming soon! Cheers, Paul.
I did my GST1 there in 1984, although I did trade training and 2 other courses at Hereford. Our GST1 was supposedly at Moreton on Lugg but could have been anywhere after the trauma of it.
Thank you! It was strange being back in this area after all that time - 40 years! I recognised some of it but with it being Stirling Lines now much has changed . Cheers, Paul
Another really enjoyable video. I had to watch it twice because there was so much information! But your narration is so measured & precise- if it were me there would be a lot of ermings and aarhings! It is so good to listen to. I think you were satisfied that you had found the site of your guard duties with all that cruel sleep deprivation! I think the SAS are experts in that sort of thing so I gather that the RAF were influenced by their methods. I must admit I wonder what they are up to with those large cranes at the Stirling Lines site. And it was interesting to find the small Roman town & the Roman road too. A bonus when we were just looking at the old railway route! Thanks Paul!
Thank you Diana! Thanks for your kind words regarding my narration. Often, I write a script first, and then learn my lines. I just can't ad lib, or do stuff 'off the cuff'. I think that there will be a part two from this area! Thanks so much! Paul
Hi Paul, does this help with time team. This programme went out in 2008. Three county sites and a Hereford museum will appear on Time Team this Monday evening (May 19). The Channel 4 programme has been uncovering the secrets of iron age hillforts in the UK, for a special edition titled Swords, Skulls and Strongholds. The compilers literally had a field day in Herefordshire, which has more hill forts than any other county. Archaeologists made superb finds at Croft Ambrey and Sutton Walls, uncovering early iron tools and a grinder. Time Team presenter, Phil Harding, and Judy Stevenson, of Herefordshire’s museum service, will discuss the items during the episode at 9pm. The producers came to Herefordshire last September to coincide with excavations at Credenhill Park Wood, site of one of the largest hillforts in the country. The dig, overseen by Peter Dorling, of Herefordshire Archaeology, revealed new evidence on the Iron Age occupation of the site, and confirmed that occupation continued under Roman Rule.
Thank you! Yes, I see that Sir David Stirling was born in Stirling district too. I wonder if the 'Lines' part of Stirling Lines comes from the 17th Century and the Line Infantry (as in 'regiments of the line')? Thanks for watching and commenting. Regards, Paul
Hi Paul, a very good watch, you can't beat a treasure hunt looking for your past. Enjoyed it very much. Take care. Ron
Thank you Ron!
Glad you enjoyed it. I note from Phillip's comments below that there is much more to explore on this line further up towards Hay-on-Wye, so a possible follow up video beckons!
Take care too,
Paul
Hello Paul. Yes it is always fun to step back in time and remember where we've been. How landscapes have changed and and how we have changed. Very interesting walk. I really enjoyed it. It made me think about the special places in my life from long ago that I must get back to.Thank you.👍
Thank you Daryl!
Yes, as others have said in the comments, there is more to discover here, in a westward direction towards Hay-on-Wye.
Thanks so much!
Paul
Thank you for a fascinating and very informative video of a railway with military connections. Very enjoyable. As one of the comments below mentions, Westmoor Flag was built for the owner of the Foxley estate, which became a military camp in WW2 - perhaps giving the 'Flag', additional significance.
Thanks Malcolm!
Yes, I had never heard of this private station before and there is virtually nothing about it on the internet.
Unfortunately the book about the history of this fascinating line is long out of print too.
However from others comments it does look worthwhile exploring the section west of here towards Hay - something I may well do. Thanks so much 👍 Cheers, Paul.
What a superb adventure, on my home patch, too. Roman walls and your 'signpost' shot at 1:19. The hedge behind the post conceals a long length of the Magnis town wall, about three courses in height. Westmoor was a 'flag station' built for the convenience of the Davenports, owners of Foxley estate on whose land it stands (and still does). A flag had to be shown if the train was required to stop. The building is unchanged and was still occupied in 2017 (my last visit).
At 18:20 you showed the access to the trackbed, followed by a view across a field. You remarked that there was no sign of the railway, but if you cross that field keeping the hedge on your right you come to an unspoiled trackbed that takes you to Moorhampton ( and past the Flag station ). There is a lot of railway evidence beyond there all the way to Hay and beyond and some of the trackbed is accessible. The station at Kinnersley is almost complete and there is a large goods shed at Eardisley, converted to housing. Eardisley station building is now at Welshpool on the narrow gauge railway there.
The Time Team dig of 2005 was centred on NT's The Weir garden, very close to Magnis. There are walls there and a bridge abutment to a possible river crossing. Sorry about the lack of railway evidence - 3 of the mileposts from that line are in my back garden.
Ah, that's brilliant Phillip!
Thanks for filling in the gaps with your local knowledge. It is not a railway line with which I am that familiar. You have peaked an interest for me to do a futher video heading out towards Hay.
Shame there is strictly no access to Westmoor Flag, though I did see a photo of it taken by someone who knows the owner, on Facebook after I had edited this.
Kinnersley Station sounds interesting too.
I saw that The Weir Garden is open now throughout the winter at weekends, so I may pop in there next time.
Thanks so much for a brilliant comment!
Cheers,
Paul
We visited the Time Team Dig at The Weir Garden. It was part of the Big Roman Dig which was a 3 day live event. They were trying to determine whether there was a ford or a bridge crossing of the Wye. Dr Ray, the lead archaeologist, decided it was a bridge with a high and low road. I believe the road went from Chester to Caerwent/Caerleon.
@@lesleygrain2120 thank you so much for that additional information - much appreciated 👍 Cheers, Paul
What a wonderful walk of discoveries, of lost railways, roman roads & rediscoveries of personal history. Thanks for great photos old & new, of bridges, maps & a Hornby model.
Thank you Faith!
Yes, there was a fair bit in this one.
In the comments below my wonderful subscribers have added additional information about the mysterious Westmoor Flag Private Station.
Much of interest in such a small area.
Glad you enjoyed the wander too!
Cheers,
Paul 👍🙂
Hello Paul - greetings from Poland
A very interesting video. Beautifully photographed with your ususal excellent commentary.
Superb history especially as it concerned you in person. What's left of the railway we explored isn't unexpected. At least those bridges will be a testament to those incredible Victorian builders, who with only picks shovels and wheelbarrows, drove the line across this wonderful Herefordshire countryside.
Thank you Michael!
Yes, the bridges look really solid, which is good, and, as you say it is a testiment to the hard working Victorians.
After I edited the video, I found out that the private station that I mentioned (Westmoor Flag) has been restored, and the platforms and neighbouring bridge have all been restored - it is all private though and there are no photos of it.
Glad you enjoyed the video.
I have lots of Lost Railway Walks planned for the new year - there may be one more this year!
Take care,
Paul
hi Paul another nice video ,and hope you having a good week 👌👌
Thanks Roy!
Hope you are having a good week too.
I hope to catch up with some of your videos as well.
Cheers,
Paul
I remember The Hooligans coming to Credenhill to play Diplomat Protection with us. Didn't know The Rock Apes were there too...
Yes, we had both on our playtime exercise on the course. The Hooligans even threw a grenade into one of the old (thankfully sealed!) buildings surrounding the aforementioned railway platform. The Rock Apes were there on a temporary placement, after being on exercise on the Brecons.
Cheers,
Paul.
Cheers for posting enjoyed this ATB Lee over in longlevens
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed this explore. Paul
I joined the RAF as a Boy Entrant in 1962 and did my 18 months training as a Clk Progress there. I recall seeing the trains go by whilst playing sport on the camp. Up until Christmas 1962 Boy Entrants, about 500 of us, were marched to Credenhill Railway station when going home on block leave where several trains awaited to take us to Hereford Station and onwards. Later in my career I returned there as an trade Instructor in 1983. At thst time I don't recall any sidings on or near the camp that were used for GST Training exercises. The exercise training area was At Morton on Lugg which was an RAOC depot which had railway sidings and wagons that were used for exercises both by the RAF GST courses and also the SAS. I now live in Credenhill and I can tell you that Stirling Lines is still within the bounds of RAF Hereford. A field to the east has been procured by the MOD and is currently used by contractors doing development work on the camp. The large green hangars that you saw were there int RAF days but they were completely reclad by the Army. The Roman road that you were on ran from Worcester to Magnis which is now roughly the route of the A4103. I hope this is of some use to you, Cheers.
Thank you - that's a great comment, and thanks so much for the additional information.
My first thought was that it was at the former ordnance site at Moreton-on-Lugg, but I visited the site prior to filming at Credenhill (now an industrial estate) and I saw the railway tracks there - there is also a small private railway there now, but none of it was remotely like what I remembered at all, and it isn't within an easy walking distance from RAF Hereford itself.
I do know that it was only a shortish walk from the barracks that I showed in the video - probably no more than 15 to 20 minutes, and it may well have been outside of the RAF Hereford perimeter, but I can't be sure.
That is really useful information.
Thanks for the clarification too about the hangars - they look so different with the new cladding.
Armed (!) with this and other information that I have received, I do hope to return to this location to explore further along the former railway route towards Brecon.
I'd also like to see/film the private railway in action at Moreton-on-Lugg too, but I don't think this will be possible. However, there are some clips of it in action on RUclips, as well as the Tarmac quarry trains.
Thanks so much for some great recollections of your memories of being a boy entrant in the RAF.
Cheers!
Paul
2.2k ..Hi Paul hope alls well with you , yet another enjoyable but informative vid that shows off more out of the way parts of this glorious country and this time with reflections of your past ..... for me personally I loved it ahd look forward to more of the same !!! A bit more info on the canal you mentioned would be great .... even if only a short . Thank you for the time and effort you so obviously put in to your content ..... its appreciated by many im sure
Thank you Mei!
Glad you enjoyed this one.
I have lots more Lost Railway Walks in the planning stage, as well as more Canal Series on the Wilts & Berks, and back on the Leominster & the Somerset Coal Canals, and the Cotswold Canals of course.
Yes, I downloaded all my notes, but did not look into that canal that was built near Hay - it is out of my area (I try not to travel too far for cost and practical reasons) so it was not one I am able to cover in person, unfortunately. I had the same thought though, when I spoke about it, as I had not heard of it before. I had no mobile signal in that area so was unable to find anymore out about it.
Thanks so much for watching and for commenting too - it is very much appreciated.
Cheers,
Paul
Hi Paul. facinating walk around your old haunts. caroline
Thank you Caroline.
Hard for me to believe this all happened forty years ago now!
Cheers,
Paul
I was just back from Alberta from my exchange agricultural visit for 1984. caroline
Hi Paul, great intro, a very clever bit of editting👌👌.
I thought for a moment Berwick on Tweed might be another case but the border is just north, the local football team do play in the Scottish leagues though. Even the Vatican has its own station!!
What a great memory you have for all those details, it's a rare skill. Perfectly narrated the whole time.
I think in the end you were able to identify where you were back in 1986, I hope so. From what you say it has changed an awful lot.
Some nice bridges on display including one providing cover for a picnic table. Great place for lunch, surprised you didn't find one of the Ron's there or maybe Trev😅😅. This walk really did have it all, canals, railways, bridges, Roman roads, quarries, lakes and a great personal story.
I came across a very short clip of lynton funicular railway this week I was looking for a clip of The Royal Scott at Butlins on some very old VHS , just need to find a way to get into onto MP4, no sign of the Scott yet!!
Great video well done!!
Thank you David!
Yes, I can't seem to see another one and Bing doesn't understand my question!
I was hoping to get a closer view of the bridge by the social club, but it was closed and there was no one around to ask.
That's a shame no sign of the Royal Scot at Butlins on video. I found this postcard though, but it looks a tad odd!: live.staticflickr.com/1655/26328111155_0e72f6e6b6_z.jpg
It was at Butlins Skegness.
Glad you enjoyed the video - I have plenty more 'Lost Railway Walks' videos planned.
Take care,
Paul
@@westcountrywanderingsThanks for the link!! It does look a little odd its as if the family were pasted in front of the engine!!
I havent given up hope of finding the clip of Royal Scott on the VHS it just takes a while to wizzle through!! I also came across a clip of a flight from Portsmouth airport, I have a nice little story brewing on this one!!
@@davidberlanny3308 yes, I thought the same! Hope you find the clip David.
Thanks for sharing
Have a good time
Thank you for watching and commenting 👍 Cheers, Paul
Another interesting video, Paul thankyou for that .
Thank you Michael!
If you like my 'Lost Railway Walks' videos, you may like to know that I filmed another one yesterday in the Forest of Dean - coming soon!
Cheers, Paul.
I did my GST1 there in 1984, although I did trade training and 2 other courses at Hereford. Our GST1 was supposedly at Moreton on Lugg but could have been anywhere after the trauma of it.
Thank you!
It was strange being back in this area after all that time - 40 years!
I recognised some of it but with it being Stirling Lines now much has changed .
Cheers,
Paul
Another really enjoyable video. I had to watch it twice because there was so much information! But your narration is so measured & precise- if it were me there would be a lot of ermings and aarhings! It is so good to listen to.
I think you were satisfied that you had found the site of your guard duties with all that cruel sleep deprivation! I think the SAS are experts in that sort of thing so I gather that the RAF were influenced by their methods.
I must admit I wonder what they are up to with those large cranes at the Stirling Lines site.
And it was interesting to find the small Roman town & the Roman road too. A bonus when we were just looking at the old railway route!
Thanks Paul!
Thank you Diana!
Thanks for your kind words regarding my narration.
Often, I write a script first, and then learn my lines. I just can't ad lib, or do stuff 'off the cuff'.
I think that there will be a part two from this area!
Thanks so much!
Paul
Thanks Paul! Well it never comes across as scripted- that surprised me! It always sounds off the cuff & very natural!!
Hi Paul, does this help with time team. This programme went out in 2008.
Three county sites and a Hereford museum will appear on Time Team this Monday evening (May 19).
The Channel 4 programme has been uncovering the secrets of iron age hillforts in the UK, for a special edition titled Swords, Skulls and Strongholds.
The compilers literally had a field day in Herefordshire, which has more hill forts than any other county.
Archaeologists made superb finds at Croft Ambrey and Sutton Walls, uncovering early iron tools and a grinder.
Time Team presenter, Phil Harding, and Judy Stevenson, of Herefordshire’s museum service, will discuss the items during the episode at 9pm.
The producers came to Herefordshire last September to coincide with excavations at Credenhill Park Wood, site of one of the largest hillforts in the country.
The dig, overseen by Peter Dorling, of Herefordshire Archaeology, revealed new evidence on the Iron Age occupation of the site, and confirmed that occupation continued under Roman Rule.
Ah, thank you! That's very helpful.
Cheers,
Paul.
Stirling Lines, named after the founder of the Special Air Service - David Stirling
Thank you!
Yes, I see that Sir David Stirling was born in Stirling district too.
I wonder if the 'Lines' part of Stirling Lines comes from the 17th Century and the Line Infantry (as in 'regiments of the line')?
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Regards,
Paul
@@westcountrywanderings I think Lines comes from the way the Army would camp in regimental lines (of tents)..
@@wilco148 Ah, brilliant! Thank you!
I was at ,RAF Hereford around the same sort of time as you ,Paul . Maybe you knew my instructor on , S and STS. Corporal Steve Madden ?
Thank you!
I seem to remember that name, but I was only there for two weeks and it was a long time ago!
So many changes since then.
Take care,
Paul 🙂👍