Wooden columns

Image: © Neil Owen Taken: 24 Jun 2021

The old Mangotsfield station closed in the 1960s; over the next two decades the tracks were converted into a cycle path by Sustrans. As homage to the station (which is now just a shell) the organisation planted trees where iron columns used to hold up an elaborate canopy. See Image] for a closer look at the window decorations. As an abandoned station, Mangotsfield has more of a ghostly look these days. Quite apropriate, considering the story that this place tells: Most people will remember the actor Arnold Ridley as the dozy Private Godfrey in the TV series Dad's Army. He had trained to be an actor but his career was ruined after being injured in WWI. In fact, Ridley became a successful playwright and he penned 'The Ghost Train' in 1923, which had a long run in London's theatres. While en route he stopped here one dark night and waited for his connection. Due to the close proximity of a number of lines here, trains often passed close by but were not always visible from certain platforms, creating an eerie sensation that Ridley used for the play.

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0