MADAM – Every Christmas, I was taken up to Cashes Green Halt.

For a treat, I was given a ride on the engine to Chalford by the driver and fireman, who were Dai Pearce and Jeff Peglar.

On the ride up, I remember the rattling of the engine and the heat from the fire. For the return journey, we used to travel in the front coach. On arriving at Stroud, we were told to duck down so we were not seen.

On leaving Stroud, we stood up again to Cashes Green Halt.

The men’s reward for this was a packet of Senior Service cigarettes.

Those were the days.

Robert Jefferies

Stonehouse