Buggleskelly Today… The year of 1937 began the birth of Buggleskelly, the mythical Irish railway station set on a stretch of disused line near Basingstoke in Hampshire England. The setting was for the film Oh, Mr. Porter starring Will Hay, Moore Marriot, and Graham Moffat… The film was to become a classic!
A tumbledown railway station, representing Buggleskelly was built at an old halt, and even during filming the line was being taken up by The Basingstoke and Alton Railway Company. The film itself is one of the funniest of British comedies in the Music Hall tradition of the 1930′s. The location of the run-down mythical Buggleskelly station was very overgrown when we visited there with our cameras in 1996, but it was still possible to make out where the booking office, rail lines, and signal box had once stood.
Shot taken looking from the gate crossing and signal box position.
Will hay event birmingham. I am holding a Will Hay double bill in december at the Electric Cinema in birmingham in aid of MNDA, there will be a few twists to the event… You are welcome to come along if you wish and tickets are free.
I would like to use some of your images of the old railway line used in the filming of Oh Mr Porter, would that be possible?
thanks steve
Hi Steve, Please feel free to use any of the images and good luck with the event in December, best wishes Patrick
Dear Mr Callaghan,
Have just read about how you offered the free use of some images of the Buggleskelly line to Steve.
Will hay was my grandfather and my husband and I have attended the 4 Will Hay days,
in aid of the MNDA and it has been lovely learn so much about him as I was young when he died. So thank you again for helping raise money giving so much pleasure to
all his fans. 1500 belong to the Appreciation Society after all these years. I do hope you will be able to male it this year.
Sincerely,
Virginia
Thank you Virginia for your very kind and thoughtful words.
Is the site still there?
Hello John,
I think very little of it would remain today. At the time we were there, many years back now, Robert and I were warned off by a local resident, that we thought had her eye on the redevelopment of some of this ground. However, we did get some shots.
Sorry mate, I only wish it was still there!
Buggleskelly was in fact the site of the old Cliddesden station just outside Basingstoke. The railway cottages are still there. Also a commemorative bench in nearby village hall garden
Nice one Doug, thanks