Double celebration as La’al Ratty’s pub toasts 50th too

The traditional ‘Ratty Arms’ pub, which is uniquely located on the platform of Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway at Ravenglass, is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this month – alongside long-serving volunteer and staff member Sid Edwards. 
The Ratty Arms was officially opened on the evening of Thursday, June 13, 1974 by the chief executive of the English Tourist Board, Pat Cook, who waved a green flag and blew a whistle to mark the occasion.
Sited just a few metres away from the iconic railway line – known affectionately as La’al Ratty – the new pub was aimed at both visitors and residents. 
The original buildings came under the ownership of the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Company after British Rail decided it had no further use for the site. 
The railway’s then general manager Douglas Ferreira had the idea of converting the buildings to a pub and the work started in 1973, a century after they were first built. 
Most of the work was done by the railway staff, including sawing down the tall trees used for the bar front and beams.

The Ratty Arms today, 50 years after its transformation into a pub (Image: Cumbria Tourism)

Fast forwarding to 2024, The Ratty Arms has recently undergone a refurbishment and is proving popular with a new generation of visitors – and their four-legged friends. 
The Ratty Arms’ 50th anniversary also coincides with a special anniversary for 71-year-old railway enthusiast Sid Edwards, who has been volunteering, and later working, at Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway throughout the past half century.

Volunteer Sid's 50th anniversary (Image: Cumbria Tourism)

In recent weeks, Sid has marked 50 years to the day since he first became involved with the railway as a teenager. 
During that time he has been employed as a booking clerk, controller and diesel driver, as well as being editor of the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Preservation Society’s magazine. 
He also has personal links with The Ratty Arms, having had his stag party there in 1994 and then later enjoying lunch at the pub as a newly-wed.

Today, you are most likely to find Sid as a volunteer stationmaster or looking after the visitors in the Ravenglass Railway Museum.
Volunteer liaison officer for the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Preservation Society (RERPS) Nick Johnson said: “The railway is very fortunate to have a fantastic team of volunteers who give freely of their time, undertaking many activities on and around the railway. 
“Our volunteers come from many backgrounds, travel from many locations and span many age groups but they all come together to help contribute to making the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway the #BestLittleRailwayInTheWorld. Congratulations on the anniversary Sid Edwards and thank you for your contribution across 50 years.”
If you are interested in volunteering at Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, email steam@ravenglass-railway.co.uk or visit www.rerps.co.uk for more details.