Press Release December 2016

The community interest company, Market Rasen Station Community Project Ltd are working hard to restore Market Rasen’s grade II listed derelict railway station building and bring it back to its former glory. This building heralded the arrival of the railway through our rural Lincolnshire town in 1848, part of the ‘railway mania’ as it became known. This company was called the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway.

This project has only been possible with the financial support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, a development grant of £71,700 has been used to strip and repair the roof to make it watertight for the first time in many years, provide hard hat tours and develop a plan for heritage activities and interpretation.

This is not the end of the story we hope, as we have a second round application with HLF for a grant of £465,800 that will support the total refurbishment of the interior to provide modern start up office spaces and community space in what was the booking hall and stationmaster’s office. This space is much needed in town, it will enable small groups to meet in a pleasant environment and will have many uses, from the local heritage group monthly meetings to hosting art exhibitions and many more opportunities. There will also be a permanent display of the heritage and history of the building from its opening in 1848 to its closure in 1966. Hazel Barnard, the heritage officer, is currently meeting with various people who had an involvement with the workings of the station in the late 20th century. Their stories along with previously known information will form the core of the displays.

While our second round application is being considered, the building will remain under wraps with hoardings surrounding it, these hoardings are being used as a temporary display space with paintings depicting train travel from students at De Aston School and CLIP, both based in town, and two notice boards to keep the travelling public up to date with the restoration works. We are doing all we can to minimise the disruption to members of the public and the award winning Market Rasen Station Adoption Group, a local voluntary group, continue to ensure that the platform areas are kept looking their absolute best.

Follow us on Twitter @MktRasenStation, our website http://www.marketrasenstation.com or contact Hazel via email at heritageofficercic@yahoo.com.