Off-cuts of wood used by volunteers maintaining the railway station at Harman’s Cross on the Swanage Railway in Dorset have been donated to the Durlston Pleasure Grounds project in Swanage for use in its carpentry classes.

Durlston Pleasure Grounds project supports an accessible centre at Durlston Castle named ‘The Shed’ which provides facilities for people of all ages and abilities to socialise, learn new skills, and volunteer in the Durlston Country Park and its National Nature Reserve.

Funding for the project is provided by the National Lottery.

A regular user of ‘The Shed’ is the son of Harman’s Cross station volunteers Terry and Judy Tovey. He uses his woodworking skills to make items such as bird feeders, bug houses, key tags, and other wooden gifts in the Durlston Castle shop, and also helps his parents with maintaining the gardens at Harman’s Cross .

Harmon’s Cross station is the site of a memorial to the many generations of dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers.

In January 2023, volunteer Alan Greatbatch retired from 31 years service on the Swanage Railway which included time working Harman’s Cross signal box.

“Throughout the year, we work hard to maintain the wooden heritage buildings at Harman’s Cross, as well as wooden fencing, so there are always off-cuts of wood that previously would have been burnt.
“We are delighted that our off-cuts of wood are not wasted and are instead being donated to ‘The Shed’ at Durlston Country Park to help with its community carpentry classes and activities which is a very worthwhile, positive and practical cause.
“It’s very pleasing to know that we are able to help another voluntary group in the Isle of Purbeck after the suggestion to donate our surplus off-cuts of wood from my wife Suzanne when I told her we had to clear out a timber store at Harman’s Cross station.”

Bob Bunyar, volunteer manager at Harman’s Cross station