UITENHAGE•DESPATCH
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Lions on track ‘to serve’ HEILIE COMBRINCK
W
hen it comes to serving a community, the Uitenhage Lions Club - which consists of citizens offering their precious time to voluntarily raise funds and assist where there is need - are exceptional! In celebrating its 10th year of their successful Winter Jersey Campaign, which involves donating jerseys to identified scholars, the Club also want to assist in the restoration of the Old Railway Station Museum. Lion President Juan Hay said, “The purpose of the Winter Jersey Campaign is to aid children who are captured in the vicious circle of poverty, to attend school, to be educated and become literate. Thus assisting them with a better quality of life.” As most museums are captured in the circle of diminishing funds, the Lions appeals to the UD community for assistance to renovate and restore the Old Railway Station in Market Street for future generations, which include beneficiaries of the Winter Jersey Campaign. The Station was formally opened in 1875, linking Port Elizabeth to Uitenhage. For many years it was one of the main sources of
“There is an appeal to local businesses and the public to support this jewel box of Uitenhage.” DENIS MURPHY
employment in the area. The culde-sac station with its quaint little station building was known as “The Doll’s House”. According to Lion Denis Murphy who did extensive research regarding the station, it was closed in 1951 with all activities transferred to the station on the main line. The old Railway Station was declared a Heritage site in 1975 with the establishment of the Railway Station Museum in 1976.
Old Railway Station restoration “There are major refurbishment requirements including structural restoration. To this effect there is an appeal to local businesses and the public to support this jewel box of Uitenhage,” said Murphy. The Museum has two locomotives being a class 6br and 10br with some coaches which formed part of the steam era from 1876 to 1951. It also includes the Dolls House where the station master lived, his office, the luggage room, restaurant , the ticket office and the bar including a dining coach. “Through education of our past new challenges will not only serve to celebrate Uitenhage as the 5th oldest town in South Africa and with support would create new avenues of job creation for our community,” said District Governor Bokkie Oberholzer. School groups or any other groups have to book to visit the museum. )For information regarding the Old Railway Station or to book a visit, contact Balise Mvoko at 041 992 2063 or email uitenhagemuseum@intekom.co.za
=The Uitenhage Lions Club appeals to businesses and the public to assist with the restoration of the Old Railway Station. Seen above are Lions (from left) Denis Murphy and Pat Clohessy with scholars Mohamed Tiry (Innes Primary), Mariké Anker (Bergsig School), Chevonne Booysen (Sonop Primary), Dane Tiger (Winterberg Primary) and Luvuyo Mayi (front) from the Old Railway Museum. The sholars on the photo represent their respective schools and are not recepients of jerseys. PHOTO:HEILIE COMBRINCK
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