A Suffolk rail station that dates back to 1898 is still going strong 125 years later and a host of dignitaries gathered to celebrate the big anniversary at the weekend.
Felixstowe mayor Seamus Bennett and Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey were on hand for the special birthday, when Mr Bennett welcomed a group of Brownies arriving from Derby Road, Ipswich on a special 'Seaside Bucket and Spade' train.
READ MORE: Felixstowe station in Suffolk to celebrate 125th birthday
The dignitaries then took a tour of a public exhibition about the history of the station in the original 1898 town station building before going on to join the celebrations at the Orwell Hotel, close to the station.
The station was opened by Great Eastern Railway on July 1, 1898, and the original Grade-II listed station building is still standing, housing the Great Eastern Square shopping centre, while the current station is further along Great Eastern Square.
A range of organisations, including Felixstowe Travel Watch, the Felixstowe Society, the Orwell Hotel, East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership and Greater Anglia joined together to organise events to mark the anniversary.
READ MORE: Felixstowe news
Richard Holland, chair of Felixstowe Travel Watch, said: “We were formed in 1972 to campaign for the retention of the passenger service as there was a real threat of closure at that time, even though it had survived the widespread axing of branch lines following the Beeching Report in 1963.
“Thankfully, the line has survived with a secure future for visitors and commuters. Together with the Felixstowe Society, Felixstowe Travel Watch is pleased to participate in celebrating the 125th anniversary of the historic Felixstowe Town station.”
The station building was designed by J Wilson and the Great Eastern Railway's architect, W N Ashbee.
READ MORE: Suffolk news
The Felixstowe Society led a campaign in 1983 to have the building listed and saved from demolition.
The Orwell Hotel opened the same day as the station in 1898 and is believed to be the oldest business in the town still operating from its original building.
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