A century ago the North Eastern Railway ran the train services through Filey and Hunmanby. Twenty-five of their busier stations boasted beautiful tiled maps, depicting the network of the North Eastern Railway. Sadly, the vast majority have been lost, but nine survivors can be viewed at Beverley, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Morpeth, Saltburn, Scarborough, Tynemouth, York and Whitby. However, the active group, the Friends of Hunmanby Station, installed a replica tiled map at Hunmanby station earlier this week.

On Wednesday 18 August a ribbon was cut on the first 6 foot x 6 foot 4, North Eastern Railway Tile Map in over 100 years to be installed at a station on the national rail network. The ribbon was cut by Edna Bates, a Hunmanby resident, who was born in 1920, when the North Eastern Railway still operated trains. Edna was joined by neighbours and her friends from Hunmanby Methodist Church and St Catherine’s Hospice Shop, where Edna was still volunteering in her 100th year. In attendance also were John and Chris Edmonds who installed the tile map, and John and Monica Bridge who own the old station wall that faces the station platform.

Detail of one of the original maps that survives at Scarborough station

The North Eastern Railway Tile Map, was made at the original Victorian Works of Craven Dunnill Jackfield, part of the Ironbridge UNESCO world heritage site. The hand made tiles, were paid for by a kind person who wishes to remain anonymous. Hunmanby firm B. Edmond and Son installed the map, making no charge for their work or materials.

John Edmond said: “Our family has run a business from Hunmanby since 1967 and are gratefully for all the support we have received over many years from the community, myself and my brother Chris both used the railway to get to school in Scarborough every week day during the 1980’s, so we have a lot of fond memory’s.”

Hunmanby station will feature in the National Heritage Day on Saturday 11th September. A display of photographs of the station ‘then and now’ and a harvest giveaway will take place at the station. But the star of the show will be the newly installed map. Hunmanby railway station is a great community station and a ‘gateway to the village’ winning a first prize in the National Community Rail Awards in December 2020.

Recently at Filey station the cafe reopened as ‘Buffers‘, a great step forward for the station. It stands alongside the very useful taxi office. Filey Lions also look after the station garden and miniature train on the Muston Road side of the station. Perhaps the time is ripe for a tiled map to appear at Filey a la Hunmanby?

Newly opened Buffers Cafe with outdoor seating.