15/10/2026
Shipston Bookfest Poetry Live! included four verses to celebrate Tramway200.
James Findon's work is entitled 'The Last Hurrah'
Silent now still,
once of proud working use,
with the black country coal,
limestone and produce.
Heavy work through the shire,
horse drawn as they tread,
no more of this toil,
nothing else to be said.
A branch line is built,
to carry people and freight,
Moreton to Shipston,
traverse the crossing gate.
Curves slowing the motion,
only four trains a day,
alight at each station,
turn the opposite way.
Old pictures of town,
young men off to war,
board the train as told,
voices heard no more.
On his velocipede,
down the line for inspection,
met a tragic end,
in the same direction.
Pre-war it was goods only,
then time for a last hurrah,
no more rolling stock,
everyone's going by car.
Sweat of the Navvies,
proud of what they had built,
the bridge now refilled,
with a strong sense of guilt,
The rail yard demolished,
Beeching's axe not to bring down,
new homes to be built,
in the old market town.
Gone the days of Iron and Steam,
of a slower pace and time,
we remember a bygone age,
the memories held in rhyme.
Standing on platform two,
remains of the line alongside,
If only we could travel it again,
tickets bought for the ride.
Imagination to run wild,
over Lemington lane,
and Stretton station,
to be there again,
Then the daughter's tales,
as she did narrate,
sparse wages to earn,
keeping the gate,
On to Longdon road,
cross the Roman way,
down to the yard,
we can but dream....of this day.
© James Findon 2026
