MALVERN Civic Society has launched a public appeal to help raise just under £400,000 for the recreation of Great Malvern railway station’s clock tower.
Members of the Friends of Malvern’s Railway Group – which is part of the Civic Society – have drawn up initial costings of the major project and have now announced the appeal public to see if their dreams of making it happen can become reality.
According to the group, the picturesque Victoria design clock tower was part of the railway station until the 1950s before it was taken down on safety grounds and then destroyed.
The civic society want to improve the station’s appearance and see the creation of a new clock tower a priority to help benefit the town’s economy in the long term.
Estimated costs for the project so far total up to £384,000 of which £100,000 has already been offered.
It is hoped to recreate a copy of the original clock tower which was built in the 1870s.
Network Rail has undertaken a roof survey free of charge and London Midland, which operates a number of trains visiting the station, has offered to manage the construction of the project.
Peter Clement, chairman of the Friends of Malvern’s Railway group told the Observer, receiving the funding would provide a welcome boost to the town.
“The clock tower is a great piece of Malvern history and this project will make it even more interesting for more people to come to the town.
“And if more people come into the town then that means they spend money and will help that the economy. So there is a knock-on effect all the way through.
“I’m determined to make it possible though it could be a difficult task. If we can raise enough money then we can get going.
“The station is ranked in the top ten of the whole country according to English Heritage so we have a wonderful heritage which we don’t want to lose.”
The group has issued a list of components required for the project and the costs so potential donors have an idea on what they can contribute to.
Should funding be received, the group hope work can start by 2018 or possibly earlier. If it is decided not to go through with the project any funds donated will be refunded.
A donation form can be found on page 16 of this week’s Observer and on our website http://malvernobserver.co.uk to send to the group along with a cheque.
Forms are also available by visiting www.malverncivicsociety.org.uk/news_n.htm which also includes more information.
