GOOSTREY volunteers are feeling triumphant after an appeal to get working water at the train station has finally paid off.

Friends of Goostrey Station contacted the Guardian in October after paying £1,000 to United Utilities and waiting six months to have the water reconnected.

The water was cut off 20 years ago when the station became unmanned, but the group have been negotiating for two years to reconnect the water so that the plants can be maintained and small business can eventually open at the old ticket office.

Following the newspaper appeal, the voluntary group said there was a ‘flurry of phone calls’ and a road closure was organised for Sunday, November 23 to resupply the station.

A spokesperson for FOGS said: “This raised the morale of the 30 strong band of volunteers. Now they can use the lockable tap to fill watering cans and hopefully the shrubs and flowering plants on the Manchester bank and on the platforms will flourish.

“Treasurer, Mike Jarvis, was surprised and delighted that FOGS also received a refund of a large percentage of the fee paid in recognition of the considerable delay in completing the work.”

FOGS working parties meet on the second Sunday of each month between 10am and 1pm. All Goostrey residents and members of the community are invited to join.

For more information contact Cyril Caulkin on 01477 533492 or email cyril.caulkin@gmail.com