October 2026

Macmillan is a Wonderful Success

Our annual Macmillan Coffee Morning on Reddish South Station platform was a spectacular success this year thanks to all the very generous residents of Reddish and Stockport- and even further afield as we were visited by our Australian Friend Andy Cowley and son, James.

We did not have the full benefit of Friend Terry's year-round fundraising this year for the first time as, entering his 90th year he thought he might slow up a little! He still donated a huge amount from family and friends and we thank him very much indeed.

Despite having several community meetings on that day, our MP Navendu Mishra still managed to visit us briefly; he is a staunch supporter of our group and attends every event he possibly can.

Phil & Ged, two of our 3 excellent musicians (Penny is the 3rd) entertaining us on the way to Stratford.

L to R: Friends Keith, Noel, Dave, MP Nav Mishra, Friends Robert, Cyril, James, Alan, Tom and Dot

Stratford-upon-Avon trip with Retrorail Tours

Was another success in August this year. We had over 35 passengers from Reddish South who were entertained by music, prosecco, scones and quizzes.

The Stratford weather was much better this time (it poured solidly the last time we visited) and everyone had a very good, if long, day. Friend Andy joined us from his 6 month tour of English canalways on a sabbatical from his home in Australia.

Thanks go to James, Linda and all the volunteer staff at Retrorail Tours for another fab day out.

Above, the 125 excursion and below the replacement bus for our once -a week train! pictures Noel Henry

August 2026

Its been a quiet year so far for the Friends for reporting but we have been getting the station ready for the RHS inspection which took place on 15th July as well as a local schools project we are hoping to unveil on Macmillan Day.

In the meantime our on-the-spot reporter Noel has captured 2 pictures of station activity and inactivity - the excursion by the 125 group to Exeter and Paignton, stopping at Reddish South (what? Another one we hear you ask!) on 8th August and a replacement bus service for our once-a week-train stopping at Reddish South last Saturday - It's all go!!!

This gives us the opportunity to remind you that there are a very few seats left on the Retrorail Tours excursion on 22nd August to Stratford-upon-Avon- discounted fares for members.

We can promise music, food, prosecco, quizzes and lots of laughs as well as the attractions of Shakespere country.  Contact Kim at forss1@stardustviking.co.uk if you're interested - but be quick!!!

Fun & games
If you aren't a FoRSS member but would like to join the FoRSS fantasy football league you are welcome as well as our members.  Please contact Alan at forss1@stardustviking.co.uk if you are interested.

Pictured from Left: Friends Noel, Dave, Dot, Alan, Keith, Cllr Drennan, Nav and FoRSS Chair, Tom

Pictured from left: Mayoress Wendy Naden, Cllr Grace Baynham, Tony Miles, who presented the awards, Mayor of Stockport Cllr. Kerry Waters, Chair of CBKS Mark Barker, Friends Keith Chapman, Sue Chapman and Alan Burrows.

Nav Mishra, MP for Stockport, met with the friends in February in preparation for their meeting with Andy Burnham, Manchester Metro Mayor, and TfGM.

Nav, as ever, was very supportive and suggested several courses of action we might take, and will meet us again once we have seen Mr Burnham. He was accompanied by Cllr Jean Brennan from Droylsden so we were able to discuss our campaign from both the Stockport and Tameside viewpoint.

We will keep you posted !

The RHS awards in November 2025-

pictured L to R Dot, Jason, the Cloud gardener, who presented the award, Dave & Alan

Pictured L to R: Sarah, from Sykes cafe, Mayoress Wendy, Birthday Boy Terry, and Mayor Kerry

December 2025

Well, its the end of another eventful year - celebrating Rail 200 with our Band on the Platform event in July, winning Level 5 'Outstanding' in the RHS 'It's Your Neighbourhood' Awards and another successful Retro Railtour to Norwich and Great Yarmouth.

As a thank you to our wonderful intrepid fund-raiser, Terry Rourke, we arranged a surprise birthday and Thank you Party for him at the beginning December for his, incredibly 89th birthday! His portrait in the Attic is working extremely well!

Terry has been our star of the year, undoubtedly, and we cannot thank him enough for his year-round fundraising which accounted for two-thirds of our total for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Honourable mention goes Pete Holmes, Manger of Pete's Plonkers Fantasy Football Team, for winning a hattrick of Manager of the Season awards. Anyone out there wanting to join our league (we're small but perfectly formed) please email us at the usual address.

FoRSS Committee wish all viewers

A very Merry Christmas

and a peaceful & happy New Year

and a regular passenger service from Stockport to Manchester Victoria (and back!!!)

Presentation to Manager of the Year:

pictured L to R

FFL organiser Alan, Trainer Janet and manager Pete

October 2025

Best ever total for Macmillan - £660

It is the 13th time that the Friends have held the Macmillan ‘Biggest Coffee Morning in the World—and it must be lucky 13 as the £660 total is the best ever!

Much of the thanks go to super-fundraiser Terry Rourke, who was determined this year to beat his own record for Macmillan. He had already held small draws over the last few months, which raised £300—but not satisfied with that he was there again on the day and raised another £100.

Many thanks also to all of those who attended and gave very generously, as ever, some of you travelling across town to make the event.

We were delighted that Stockport Mayor, Cllr Kerry Waters and her Mayoress Mrs Wendy Naden were able to attend, plus Deputy Mayor, Cllr Gary Lawson.

Stockport MP Nav Mishra also made the time to be there.

It was a well attended event and thanks as usual to the Committee who set up the event and served cakes and drinks.



Some of the Friends raising a toast to Retrorail after a good day out

Friends Dot, Dave (who arrange our bookings) with James, head of Retrorail Tours

Group members Ged, Michael and Ryland

Some of our 'customers' on Macmillan Day

Major fund raiser Terry with his 'manager' Margaret

Retrorail annual excursion

Norwich & Great Yarmouth

Our excursion this year combined our usual good time with celebrating Rail 200. As part of the celebrations the train used Denton Station as a scheduled stop for the first time as well as Reddish South.

33 Friends boarded at Reddish South this year, plus ten others, and at Denton, 16 passengers joined the trip, bound for Norwich and Great Yarmouth on Saturday August 30th.

James, organiser of the tour with the help of mum and some volunteer enthusiasts had a very long day—we boarded at 6.45am and arrived back at 9.30pm. Their day began around 3am and did not finish until well after midnight!

We were joined with a five-piece Folk group this year, with both Ryland & Michael able to join us, and entertained us on the way out and back.

Friends Sue & Keith treated us to a quiz on the way out; the Friends invited our members to a glass of prosecco and flapjacks and shortbread on the journey back.

It is always a really good day and the travelling is always as much fun as the destination. Dave reports he already has 16 wanting to reserve a place for the excursion next year, which is a first!

Bacon butties were enjoyed and pie & black eyed peas are always popular. Also popular is the real ale served by trolley—the only trip to offer this delight!

Group members Phil, Penny, Ged & Michael