This Railway 200 celebratory event included a history talk on the opening of the Royal Naval Cordite Factory, celebration cake, refreshments and unveiling of Blue Plaque to mark the opening of the Station. There was also a presentation of prizes to winners of the poster competition for pupils of Sandford St Martin’s Primary School by Dorset Council Chair Cllr Stella Jones MBE. For those feeling energetic a Cordite Way Guided Tour was on offer as part of our desire to see more active travel connected with our railways.

Opposite the station entrance is the vast area of the Royal Navy cordite factory. Mostly decommissioned in 1945 it is still possible to view the ghostly remains of its many buildings (on private land) through substantial boundary fencing. Sandford Heath National Nature Reserve is a wildlife haven a 5-minute walk away from the station. Some remnants of the Royal Navy cordite factory defences can be found within the nature reserve. Hidden behind a modern industrial estate, discover the sandy shores of Poole Harbour. Follow the old route of the military railway in its first phase of development to create the Cordite Way. Passing between the water and nature reserves, trace the old ruins down to the trains that still pass today. With views to Poole, Brownsea Island and Arne, end at Admiralty Point, where plans are in motion to replace the bridge and begin Phase 2.

This event was supported by Purbeck Community Rail Partnership, South Western Railway, Dorset Council, Wareham St Martin Parish Council, Sandford St Martin’s Primary School, Poole Harbour Trails, Sandford Heritage Group, Swanage Railway Trust and Community Rail Network