We went to Cheddleton today, a little village in the Staffordshire moorlands near to Leek. Cheddleton Station is part of a preserved railway called the Churnet Valley line. It runs from Leek brook junction, through Cheddleton and on through various tiny stations to Froghall.

The railway society run several special days throughout the year and this weekend was world war 2 themed. A singer was singing old 30s and 40s songs. She was dressed in a uniform with badges saying ENSA on them which was the group that used to entertain the troops .

I had forgotten my phone so ended  up doing some drawings on a sheet of A4 paper folded into quarters. I only had an old black felt pen with me  but that helped with the shading. I was able to draw one of the trains standing in the station (about 10 minute sketch) and one if the singer (15 minute sketch) . As I drew the pictures I joked that I might have been arrested as a possible spy during the war. After all who would want to draw train and railway details ? It is odd how paranoid the world seems to be these days and how simple activities can make you think about things. I wish I had taken some photos to show the reality of the place, with the trains and the classic cars that were there. There was also a large gun like a howitzer being carried on one of the trains.

We went for lunch at the School house tea rooms at Cheddleton and had a lovely meal. It was a good afternoon out.