MONEY ! MONEY ! MONEY !

Money makes the world go round. I am not a songwriter or an economist so I do not know if this can be factually proven, but as an Engineer I know that no major Civil Engineering project can be successful without money to pay for good quality materials and pay the wages of experienced and skilled contractors staff to build a soundly constructed project.

Carnforth Station restoration is a large and difficult task. This is not the occasion to record or apportion blame for 30 years of neglect and absence of any maintenance or expenditure. I have to report that now I have inspected every foot of cellars, ground floor rooms and first floor accommodation, internally conditions are even worse than outward appearance would suggest.

Fortunately the main structure, of good local sandstone, is sound and we have contractors capable of stripping out and replacing all defective timber, re-roofing and provision of new services, plastering etc.

I am pleased to report that RailTrack have now appointed their Contractor for work on platforms, roof awnings, subways and ramps. Irvine Taylor, on behalf of Carnforth Station Trust are preparing their designs and contract documents for competitive tendering. It is hoped the RailTrack contract work, (which is dependant upon the railway track possession and isolation of overhead electrification wires) will start early autumn, followed shortly by our own work on the station buildings.

Railtrack have sufficient money for their work. Friends of Carnforth Station and the Carnforth Station Trust still have a shortfall. We have sufficient money promised from external funding agencies to complete the East (up-side buildings,) and the structural work on the main island platform. But we need more money to complete all the internal work on these central buildings and also provide a first class Heritage / Visitor centre which is needed to make the station complete and financially viable in the long term.

Over weekend 24/25 June we have raised some useful money from the Cross Bay Walk (see page 4 for report) and the Morecambe Model Rail exhibition. Money is still coming in from both events so this is an ideal opportunity for you ( YES YOU !) to get out your purse, wallet or cheque book to boost our income from these events. Either by sponsorship for Geraldine Smith, Ken Broadhurst or myself, who were among our members who completed this magnificent walking and paddling traverse of Morecambe Bay. And do not forget your VAFAD - Voluntary apology For absence Donation for the Morecambe Great Fish and Chip weekend. These next few months are absolutely vital for our fund raising efforts.

Can you suggest and organise a fund raising event for FOCS?