21.11.09

We are cat-sitting again this weekend and our most direct route is up the tram lines.
They have some form of heritage status and as such are protected.

Sadly many dog walkers see the tram lines for another more perfunctory reason - to relieve their dogs.......

The first trams came into our village on June 24th 1904 and the local children came out of school early to be allowed a free ride, an extract from the school's register read  'Buns and coffee will be given on their return'.

On June 3rd 1928 - only 24 years later, the last tram ran into the village.

The lines remained idle until the rails were lifted around 1942 for the war effort. Ironically, most of the iron lifted in Britain was dumped into the sea as it was found to be unusable. A small stretch of rails remains and the old tram terminus is now used for the local bus service turning circle.

Our village has a lot of hidden history, but many people sadly just pass it by without even seeing never mind knowing anything about it.

Winter flowering cherry - an unexpected find on our walk.

At the end of season, when most flowers have faded, this one appears and the sense of promise is overwhelming.