Chilworth Chicken - memorial felled by accident during rail repairs

[whole diary]

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Saturday 29th February marks the 128th anniversary to the day of a tragic accident near Chilworth on the North Downs line which led to the death of Guard Henry Wicks.  An unusual memorial to him was created and survives to this day – the Chilworth Chicken.  More details are at:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/stories/people-and-the-railway-jessies-seat

On Saturday there is a commemorative private rail excursion from Reading stopping for a few minutes at the site.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Network Rail has taken responsibility for removing the Chilworth Chicken Memorial while working on the North Downs Line

A historical topiary has been removed during rail repairs after being "mistaken for a shrub".

Network Rail has apologised for felling the topiary between Chilworth and Gomshall, in Surrey, which stood as a tribute to railway guard Henry Wicks who died in a crash near the site in 1892.

A spokesperson said removing the memorial was a "genuine mistake" for which the rail operator takes "full responsibility".

"We're incredibly sorry for the accidental removal of the Chilworth Chicken Memorial during recent work on the North Downs Line," they said.


Jessie's Seat, also known as the Chilworth Chicken, was a tribute to railway guard Henry Wicks

The line, which runs between Guildford and Reigate, had been closed to allow four level crossings and 16 signals to be upgraded. It reopened on Saturday.

The topiary was removed "for safety reasons, as it was blocking signs that remind train drivers to sound their horn near crossings", the spokesperson added.

Network Rail says it is working on plans to replant the memorial in a "safer, more visible" location and will also look to install a plaque.

"We understand how much this means to the community and are committed to putting things right," the spokesperson added.

[stuving]

There was, (yes, again!), a previous item posted on this, but using its nickname of the Chilworth Chicken.

There was also a discussion about its future in railforumsUK a couple of years ago that ended with someone predicting that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) would have to cut it down. The issue here is that current rules about lineside working don't allow anyone (and certainly not volunteers) to get close enough do the trimming it needs from time to time. It would need to be done with a line block - hard to justify for this unless late at night. So it might need to be moved (or more likely a new one made/grown and planted in a safe location).

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thank you, yet again, stuving: posts now merged here. CfN.

[Oxonhutch]

I remember seeing this after a guard on the train pointed it out to a colleague travelling on the cushions.