The Leek & Manifold Valley Light Railway

Presented by Phil Robinson

Wednesday October 2nd at 7.30 (doors open 7pm) Warslow Village Hall, SK17 0JL

Opened in 1904, the Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway did much of what it was intended to do, allowing local people easier access to and from the nearby market town of Leek.  It was to be a little longer before the main line branch being constructed by the North Staffordshire Railway was opened between Leekbrook to Waterhouses to access the quarries at Cauldon Low. This opened in June 1905 and immediately improved passenger communication between Leek and Waterhouses, replacing a temporary bus journey of 2 hours with a railway journey of 40 minutes.

Unfortunately for the new railway, it opened at a time when private motoring and road haulage were becoming increasingly common, and sadly it succumbed to commercial pressures, closing in 1934. Following track lifting the trackbed was donated to Staffordshire County Council who converted it for use as a footpath, allowing visitors to continue to enjoy the tranquil surroundings of the Manifold Valley formerly traversed by the railway.

Doors will open at 7pm to give you time to have a drink, a cake and a chat! No need to book – just turn up. Entrance is just £4 including refreshments.