Lead Us Not Into Dent Station

In 2006, back in my time as FoSCL chairman Dent station, on the Settle-Carlisle Line and England's highest, came on the market.  It would  have been super if FoSCL or better still the S&C Trust could have bought it but that was out of the question at that time.  The Trust already owned Horton in Ribblesdale, Ribblehead and Kirkby Stephen stations and with FoSCL's help the station masters house at Ribblehead too.  Quite a property portfolio and a lot of property to maintain.  The station masters house at Ribblehead had exhausted everybody's present and likely future resources.

Dent station because of its stunningly beautiful situation and high location was though in need of serious restoration and investment, besides its purchase price.  In the event it was bought by railway enthusiast, and property developer Robin Hughes.  Most crucially he was a FoSCL member too.  Probably the most iconic of the S&C's 'small' country stations Dent had been saved.

Robin, though resident in Surrey, set about the six-figure restoration of the far-flung Dent station.  The story of that restoration is told in great detail in his book 'Ticket To Dent' (Book Law Publications ISBN 978-1-909625-72-3)

Its restoration won several awards and it has since become a holiday let giving delight to thousands of lucky occupants.

Meanwhile business boomed for Robin Hughes, most notably a £30m retirement housing development in Windsor so Dent became a responsibility too far.  It was therefore on the market again.  Twice it seemed to have been sold but deals had fallen through at the very last minute.   Solicitors doing due diligence on their clients' properties have to tread a fine line between vendors and purchasers best interests.  In one case the water supply (direct from a moorland stream called Monkey Beck) was questioned so a £12,000 borehole had to be sunk.  In the other, liability for repairing the roadway and car park was at issue.  Robin managed to get e-mailed assurance from Network Rail's Regional Director no less, that the liability was NR's.  That was not good enough for the buyer's solicitor and the deal fell through.  Coincidentally (?) the road and car park have just been rebuilt magnificently - by NR:

(I would have included a picture of the borehole but it would have been er, boring - but I am looking into it)

Then came COVID and the property market, like everything else took a knock.  As things eased, the station came back on the market by which time FoSCL was actually in a position to buy it outright, thanks to generous legacies from former members, most notably that of Dr John Disney. and continuing donations from members.

So, FoSCL could buy it - but should it?  Through this summer that question was asked, challenged and answered.  FoSCL, if willing, was Robin Hughes' preferred buyer.  His beloved station with all its heritage and significance, new roof, borehole, car park and 14 years of devotion could not fall into better hands than FoSCL's.

Well Friday 4th September 2020 saw the deal completed and keys handed over at Dent station, now owned by FoSCL - or to be precise the Midland Railway Company Limited on FoSCL's behalf.  

 Oh, and that view.  Below is not Dentdale but it shows the cast of the new James Herriott TV series posing near Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales.  Dentdale is even better . . . .