Vale of Berkeley Railway

23/08/2026

A huge thank you to Marcus Howarth of Industrial Air Power for his very generous donation of an Ingersoll Rand Air Compressor. It will be a much appreciated and very useful tool to further our progress as we continue to build our capabilities and our progress. Another step forward for the Vale of Berkeley Railway!

21/08/2026

Now there’s an idea!!!!

20/08/2026

We’ve recovered from our amazing Return to Sharpness weekend now and our Events team are wondering ‘what’s next’?

We already have ideas for the autumn and winter but would love a few more people to help us plan them.

Please get in touch if you enjoyed our first branch line weekend and want to help us take it to the next stage.

We are on a roll now!!

20/08/2026

🍎🍏 **CIDER FESTIVAL AT THE DOCKERS!** 🍏🍎

Get ready for a fantastic day at **Sharpness Sports & Social Club** on:

📅 **Saturday 29th August**
⏰ **Doors open from 12pm**
🎟️ **FREE ENTRY!**

We’re bringing you a proper cider-filled day with a **range of ciders from dry to sweet** — but there might be a few surprises along the way… 👀🍎

🍺 **OUTDOOR BAR**
Enjoy a drink outside, soak up the atmosphere and make the most of the summer! ☀️🍻

🎶 **LIVE MUSIC**
🎸 **4pm — Down to Georgia**
🎤 **8pm — Joan’s Velvet Jacket**

🍎 Ciders to suit all tastes
🍻 Outdoor bar
🎶 Live music
❤️ Great company
🎉 And plenty of fun!

Whether you’re a cider connoisseur or just fancy trying something different, come along and **discover your favourite — from dry to sweet!** 🍏🍎

**FREE ENTRY — EVERYONE WELCOME!** ⚓❤️

📍 **Sharpness Sports & Social Club — The Dockers**

**Great ciders • Great music • Great company**

🍎 **We’ll see you at the Cider Festival!** 🍻🎶⚓

17/08/2026

Have your Ruston at the ready, because Frank and Henry will tell you how to start it!

ValveGear is the YouTube channel of the Severnside Locomotive Company, who own and are restoring Andrew Barclay No.2157 at Oldminster Sidings, the home of the Vale of Berkeley Railway. Give them a look and support them if you can.

Thanks to Henry for filming and Frank for starring in this video:

Henry and resident volunteer Frank show you the preparation involve...

11/08/2026

If you didn't quite manage to hear the history narration during your Return to Sharpness journey, simply wish to reminisce or weren't actually on the train, there's good news.

Nip over to our website at www.vobr.org.uk and check our our latest blog 'Relive Return to Sharpness' where you can download the script to enjoy at your leisure.

Photo credit: Thomas Woollard

09/08/2026

Excellent video by Paul Woollard of our Return to Sharpness is now live on our YouTube channel. Take a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHACbyIFdUY

06/08/2026

⚓🎶 **This Weekend at Sharpness Sports & Social Club** 🎶⚓

We are incredibly proud to welcome **The Vindicatrix Boys** to the club this weekend for what promises to be a fantastic evening of music, memories and friendship on Saturday night.

This weekend is especially significant, as it marks **60 years since the gates of the T.S. Vindicatrix closed for the final time in December 1966**, bringing to an end an important chapter in Sharpness' maritime history. During its years of operation, more than **70,000 boys** passed through the training establishment before beginning careers in the Merchant Navy.

The legacy of the Vindicatrix lives on through the friendships, stories and memories shared by those who trained here, and we're honoured to celebrate that heritage by welcoming **The Vindicatrix Boys** to Sharpness.

Whether you're a former Vindi Boy, have family connections to the training ship, or simply enjoy a great afternoon of live music in good company, we'd love to see you.

⚓ Join us as we celebrate an incredible piece of Sharpness history.
🍻 Great company.
🎶 Great music.
❤️ Great memories.

Kitchen opening hours this weekend

🍟 Thursday evening 6pm-8pm
🍳 Friday breakfast 10am-11.30am
🍲 Friday supper 5.30-8.30pm
🍗 Saturday lunch 12-3pm
🐟 Saturday night takeaway …….. 5.30-8.30pm

Cold snacks available and pies during the weekend

🍗 Don’t forget to book your
🥩 Sunday lunch served 12-3pm

**Everyone is welcome at Sharpness Sports & Social Club.** We look forward to seeing you all there!

04/08/2026

Henry and Sam, two members of the team restoring the Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST 'Munitionette' at Oldminster Sidings, travelled on one of the Return to Sharpness Saturday 1st August services. Here's their video from the day.

Sam and Henry go to the Vale of Berkeley Railway 'RETURN TO SHARPNE...