Ashmolean Museum, Broadway, hosts new Great Western Railway Exhibition

The exhibition, running until May 2023 illustrates, perfectly, the connection between Broadway and its own railway station, which opened in 1904, and closed in 1960.

The Station was demolished and the railway line taken up, only to be completely rebuilt by the remarkable work by the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.

The new station is the gateway to the town, the heritage trains now bring passengers in their thousands, to enjoy the bustling beauty of Broadway.

The exhibition continues until May, at Tudor House, 65 High Street Broadway, WR12 7DP.

Open, weekly, Saturday to Thursday 10am - 4.30pm.

Photos ©Jack Boskett

The new Dobbies store is the first phase of a major development, brought together by Robert Hitchins which also includes the forthcoming Cotswolds Designer Outlet, expected to open in 2024, and over 1300 homes being built to the south.

The whole development is in a prime location by Junction 9 of the M5 and is close to Ashchurch for Tewkesbury Railway Station.

Spanning 70,000 square feet, the new store houses one of Dobbies’ biggest garden centres, and has created around 100 jobs for local and neighbouring communities.

It is expected to serve more than 750,000 customers each year –underlining the company’s ongoing growth across the UK.

The launch comes just in time for Christmas, with the new store featuring Dobbies’ full seasonal product range.

The purpose-built store features heating and lighting generated by efficient low carbon energy technologies, while rainwater harvesting has been incorporat- ed for plant irrigation.

All timber used in the fit-out has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

The Tewkesbury store features Dobbies’ range of plants, houseplants, gardening products, seasonal items, pet range, cookshop, home décor, gifts and toys, as well as a Walter Smith butcher and Waitrose products in the foodhall.

The store also features a soft play area for children and a 10,000 sq ft restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.

Graeme Jenkins, CEO at Dobbies Garden Centres, said: “As our biggest store in the South West, the opening of Dobbies’ Tewkesbury is an important and exciting milestone.

“We also look forward to building on our work in the local community, having already started supporting Ashchurch Primary School with a new vision for their garden.”

A programme of festive events will take place at the new Dobbies’ store during the run up to Christmas.