RAPIDLY approaching is a milestone in our history that up to now has not enjoyed the benefit of an awareness campaign at a level its significance deserves.
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You could be forgiven for not knowing about it but on October 18 it will be 150 years since the arrival of passenger train services to the then brand new Bowenfels station.
Heritage listed Bowenfels is the oldest railway station west of the Blue Mountains and was Lithgow's first station.
In 1869 Bowenfels was the end of the western line with rail passengers transferring there to stage coaches to continue their journey westward - a 19th century version of today's Lithgow interchange.
Celebrations are being planned for Saturday October 19 but with surprisingly little promotion up to now you possibly wouldn't know.
Bowenfels had another claim to local fame; it was there that the Queen and Prince Phillip alighted from their train during the Royal Visit in 1954. Sixteen years later and another Royal Tour there was an attempt to derail the VIP train just short of the station.
The station closed in 1975 and sadly since then it and the adjoining residence have not enjoyed the level of preservation we could have hoped for.
(Wallerawang station will reach its anniversary in March next year).
The Pub Choir
WE may well be seeing the emergence of a happy new addition to Lithgow's social life. At The Gaudry (aka The Lithgow) last week was the launch of Pub Choir - a first for Lithgow. It's following the format of a movement becoming hugely popular across the world (look up ' hoir, Choir, Choir'' on U Tube) where people of various levels of vocal talent, and even no talent at all, come together to sing their little hearts out, led by a hoir master' and some basic music. All good fun and if last week's response (from a mainly mature age crowd) was an indication then we're in for some happy times.
Time travellers
IS it time to start planning ahead for extra spare time? Daylight Saving is again bearing down on us and from October 6 to April one you'll have that extra hour of daylight to fiddle about (unless you're a farmer who doesn't have the luxury of living by the clock).
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