‘Make do and Mend’ 1940s Craft Activity Days

Starting this Bank Holiday Monday, 29 May 2023, why not take the train back in time and join a free ‘Make do and Mend’ day with 1940s crafts and activities at Finghall Lane Station! Each station on the Wensleydale Railway is themed to a different decade. As part of the railway’s journey through the 20th Century, Finghall Lane station is due to be set in the early 1940s. In keeping with the war-time theme, it will be holding ‘Make Do and Mend’ free craft activities on Monday 29 May, Saturday 24 June and Wednesday 26 July.

Take the train from Leeming Bar, Bedale or Leyburn to Finghall Lane Station and join the land girls, while turning your hand to some unusual crafts and repairs that would have been commonplace 80 years ago. The craft activities are free to train ticket holders. Alternatively, if Finghall Lane is your local station, please just make a donation. There will be a number of activities suitable for all, so come along and try your hand at some crafts with a 1940’s flavour!

Finghall Lane Station is a wonderful preserved example of a small rural station and it was featured in the ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ and ‘The Yorkshire Vet’ television series, based on the popular James Herriot books. The station is a request stop so please inform the guard that you wish to get off. On your return, signal the driver as the train approaches the platform.

Book your train tickets and download a copy of the railway’s running days and train times here: https://wensleydale-railway.co.uk/running-days-2023/

“Our heritage team continues developing new and interesting ways to share our railway’s rich history with visitors. This activity not only transports you back to a simpler time, it also offers a wonderful opportunity to visit and explore this tranquil rural station.”

Nick Keegan, Fundraising and Marketing Manager, Wensleydale Railway