We’re disappointed to see logs have been intentionally thrown into our pond on Sunday & Monday. It’s not just unsightly — it damages the pond’s fragile ecosystem & harms wildlife. Please help us protect this special space by respecting the gardens & reporting vandalism

We hope you’re enjoying the summer months. Here is a date for your diary in September: Join us on Tuesday 9th September at The Bothy from 7pm for our latest informative open evening.

Tickets are selling fast for The Private World of Spike Milligan on Saturday 30 August. With personal stories and recollections, this is an intimate small group experience with his daughters Jane and Silé. Book here tickettailor.com/events/stephen…

Architectural photographer Nina Carrington has recently visited Coventry Station to record completed work which we have supported with grants working in partnership with Avanti West Coast and @NetworkRail NW&C Region to restore tiling, install new skylights & new signage.

Our Garden Teddy Bear Hunt on Monday 1 September offers a last bit of fun before back to school for little ones. £5 per map/child with a teddy bear pen to take home and a chance to win tickets to Winter Lights! Book here tickettailor.com/events/stephen…

Well done BBC Lincolnshire for changing the photo you're using to promote this story from one of The Mermaid before its restoration to one of it after restoration - much better! bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Do listen to this interview about the great work completed at Cleethorpes, and Visit if you can!

Another fantastic day with @wherrylines & the railway200 Inspiration exhibition train at Greater Anglia #Lowestoft station. Come along Thursday- lots to see & do in addition to the train! Secure your FREE tickets here: railway200.merlintickets.co.uk/product/EVENT0… No need to book for the other events

We recently supported Oswestry Station Building Trust with restoration works to the Pl 2 building at Gobowen. We're now pleased to award a further grant to them of £23,200 to support restoration works to the Pl1 building & heritage style fencing.

Yesterday we unveiled the 2024 Railway Heritage Awd for the best project on a closed line, sponsored by National Highways. The winner was the stunning conversion of Newtyle goods shed, 1840s vintage and closed in 1963, to residential accommodation.

Terrific terracotta. The grandest survivor of Leicester’s stations is Midland Rly London Road, now East Midlands Railway (EMR). Charles Trubshaw’s 1895 baroque facade has handmade signage to porte cochère & tiled booking hall. Note Wyvern emblems of Midland Rly & cherubs sit by locomotives!

As an Railway Heritage Awd Trustee, I attended the unveiling of the winner’s plaque at Newtyle near Dundee. It’s a project that everyone in the rail industry should take note of - how to turn old railway structures into efficient new homes that people are proud to live in.

This was once a goods shed, constructed in the 1840s and now turned into 6 three-bedroomed houses by local builders Roy Sidlaw and his son Roy Junior. They have done a brilliant job and some of the residents generously showed us round their homes.

Pretty floral colour near our pond.

Great project delivered by SWR Help to restore the derelict Grade II listed station house at #EwellWestStation into a residential dwelling to let. A great reuse of a historic space to bring revenue into the industry. Well done - we were delighted to help with grant funding.

Thanks very much to Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line (FoSCL) for inviting me to the GB Railfreight Heidelberg Materials UK train naming at once more rail-connected Horton Quarry which launches the 150th anniversary year of the S&C. We stopped off at Horton Station on way back to see the cafe we supported with a grant.

Do help them celebrate - it’s a wonderful railway!

Team outing for us yesterday - we visited the much talked about Station Bistro at #Wymondham What a great example it is of a repurposed railway building. Restored in 1989 and receiving a Railway Heritage Awd at the time, it is still going strong as a restaurant with great rail memorabilia.

We also looked at the possibility of finding a new use for the grade II listed derelict SB at #WymondhamStation let’s hope we can make it happen!!

There are a few spaces remaining for this coming Saturday's The Private World of Spike Milligan - a unique chance to look into Spike's life, work and mind through his unseen archive, led by his daughters Jane & Silé. Book here tickettailor.com/events/stephen…