The Wednesday Gang at Ropley

The Gangsters - Photo: Brian Simmons (2nd from left)

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The Wednesday Gang

We are a very lighthearted group towards each other but serious in our commitment to maintaining and trying to improve the station site at Ropley. As our name implies we meet on Wednesdays and our work varies from clearing drains to landscaping. We do not mend engines but we do mend fences (and make new ones). Other tasks include painting, maintaining station equipment, hedge trimming, weeding and grass cutting - lots of this in the summer. We have also recently taken over the adjoining allotment, known as "the Stationmaster's garden". In addition to the jobs there is also plenty of time for jokes and leg pulling. Meal breaks are every fifteen minutes; altogether a very pleasant day.

We always need more help and if you would like to join us just turn up on a Wednesday - you can be assured of a very warm welcome.

From: Tony Jacks
Sent: 25 February 2008 19:17
Subject: An enjoyable day
I thought you might like a copy of this photograph that I took on 5th September 2007.
My son and I had an enjoyable day on the line. I thought that the scene typified the spirit of the line and took me back to the time when one man could rely on all his friends to give him a helping hand.
I had an enlightening chat about the man up the ladder and his skills with a brush and also the fact that one of the other members had just qualified as a brush handle.
Regards
Tony Jacks

5th December 2007: The Gang were driven from Ropley in the Bubblecar to their Christmas lunch at Alresford. Photo (5th December 2007): David Snow
14th February 2007: Some of the Wednesday Gang were on platform 2, taking mid-afternoon tea - Movie (1.7MB, 14th February 2007: Tony Wood)
	The Gang, Christmas 2005 Photo (Dec 2005): Peter Geldard
	New turf laid at Station House Photo (May 2005): Andy King

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From: Brian Simmons
Sent: 08 December 2004 19:20
Subject: Wednesday Gang Christmas Lunch
Ropley Site Care were at full strength (19) today for our Christmas lunch.
Regards
Brian Simmons

28th July 2004:

Wednesday Gang's latest tribute to Person in Charge Arthur Blake (89 years young) was unveiled at Ropley on 28th July 2004. The plaque features a picture of Arthur's head superimposed onto a view of his beloved picnic site. The wording reads:

Come and join our Gang

Ropley Site Care & Maintenance

"The Wednesday Gang"

Photo (28th July 2004): Brian Simmons

29 May 2003 07:30:30 +0100
Hi Tony
Arthur Blake celebrated his 88th. birthday on Wednesday 28th May 2003.
Regards
Brian Simmons

From: Martin Beckett
Subject: 'King' Arthur
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 10:47:41 +0100
Just want to add my belated congrats to Arthur Blake for his recent 88th birthday. If one person can be a living example of everything that is good about the Mid-Hants then surely that must be Arthur. He is a great man and a wonderful example to all of us. I first worked with Arthur quite a few years ago when he was our Station Master at Alton, then again in my TTI days when he was guarding, and many other times I've been grateful for his hospitality at Ropley. Arthur is a true gentleman and friend and I can't think of adequate words in which to thank him for all he has done for the Railway
Martin Beckett

Date: 11 December 2002
Subject: Wednesday Gang

Hi Tony
It's that time of year again.
Please find attached pic. of the Wednesday Gang's Christmas lunch at Bighton, taken today.
Regards & Season's Greetings
Brian Simmons

20th October 2002:
Fred White and Doug Moore with the barrow they have restored for Medstead & Four Marks station

Photo and report: Brian Simmons

BBQ

	Ropley station staff, Ropley site care, Wednesday Gang and guests barbeque on the picnic area of Ropley station, Saturday 29th June 2002 Photo and report: Brian Simmons
Subj: Picture for the Wednesday Gang page Date: 12/11/2001 07:49:51 GMT Standard Time Hi Tony Please find attached a picture that I should have sent you two weeks ago. Begonia non-stops at Ropley still flowering in late October. They gave such a good display that we are going to do a repeat next year, only in pink. The seed is already ordered. Brian Simmons
Arthur Blake with the Gangsters’ lunch on 27th June 2001 The Wednesday gang are almost self-sufficient – well not quite, but we are currently enjoying our own radishes at lunchtime. Soon we will be harvesting potatoes, carrots, broad and runner beans, onions and beetroot. These are all grown by us in the Station Master’s kitchen garden at Ropley. We contribute a small fee each month to cover the cost of seed and any surplus goes towards shrubs and plants for the station site Photo and report: Brian Simmons
Litter patrol Mo King and Tony Wyeth at Ropley. This is one of the less glamorous, but none-the-less essential jobs during our Thomas event. Three or four barrow loads are collected every day by Ropley Site Care volunteers Photo: Brian Simmons
28th March 2001: Adrian Knight amongst the daffodils at Ropley Photo: Brian Simmons
21st February 2001: Wednesday Gang volunteers Arthur, Tony and Mo repair fences at Ropley in preparation for the new season. Photo: Brian Simmons
Arthur Blake writes, 5th December 2000: Two years ago ... "This any good to you?". 'This' means a historic Woolwich one-piece casting of a locomotive wheel. "Yes, put it over there". Two weeks ago we had a tidy-up. We moved it from 'over there' to 'over here'. 'Here' means the cap of the original well. Surrounded by a new flowerbed, it was worth the sweat, we reckon. Photo (8th December 2000): Tony Wood

We look forward to working with you soon

End of another Wednesday

Photo (4th December 2002): Tony Wood

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