At a GWR Railwayana auction, held last month in Pershore, a piece of railway memorabilia came back home.

The signal box name plate from Littleton & Badsey Station, formerly situated at Blackminster, was purchased on behalf of Littleton & Badsey Growers by Board Director Brian Barber. Brian said “I’m a real railway

enthusiast and a regular attendee of the GWR auctions, which are held three times a year at Pershore High School. When I opened the catalogue and saw the signal box sign, it seemed too good an opportunity to pass up.”

Littleton and Badsey Growers, better known today under their trading company name ‘BHGS Ltd’ based at Vale Park, Evesham, are one of the largest distributors of horticultural supplies in the country.  Brian added

“The plan is to display the sign in the reception area so that all customers visiting the premises will get to see it.”

Littleton and Badsey Growers were originally situated adjacent to the station in Blackminster and the company used the railway to transport fresh Vale of Evesham produce around the country.

The station was originally opened in 1885 and, because of the level-crossing, the signal box was continuously manned until its closure in September 1971. The station itself was closed in December 1965.

The auction attracted a large number of visitors from all over the country and from overseas. There was even a TV crew there to film the proceedings.  The reason being that one of the original nameplates from

the revered locomotive “Flying Scotsman” was one of the sought-after lots.  Needless to say there was a hushed expectation within the hall and brisk bidding ensued. The hammer finally went down at £64,500, a world record for a single item of railwayana.

From: Nigel Letherbarrow

Sent: 05 December 2018 09:59

To: MS-Worcester Editorial ; MS-Worcester Editorial

Subject: News item - Littleton & Badsey Growers Ltd

Good morning

We wondered if you might be interested in the attached item for publication.

We have attached the photo file separately.

Regards

Nigel

Nigel J Letherbarrow A.C.I.S.

Group Company Secretary & Financial Accountant

Littleton & Badsey Growers Limited

t: 01386 444100   f: 01386 444101

w:

www.bhgsltd.co.uk  

Registered Office: Vale Park, Evesham, Worcs WR11 1GP - Reg. No. 4222414

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