Next time I’m there it just won’t be the same.

The AMT stall is no longer there, the smiling and happy staff lost forever. I liked AMT and not just for the quality of the service. AMT had the contract to supply fourteen London railway stations and only used Fairtrade coffee. Closing these stalls means the company will sell 20,000 fewer cups of Fairtrade coffee each day. That’s a loss of £7,000 in investment for the growers communities, as well as the stability which comes with Fairtrade contracts and minimum prices. It’s a real shame that Caffé Nero, who will take over these locations, don’t automatically offer Fairtrade coffee. How London will reach it’s target of being a Fairtrade City by 2008 with decisions like this is a little hard to see. If you feel strongly then Email Barbara Barnes, the Head of Customer Service at Network Rail at Barbara.Barnes@networkrail.co.uk

Opposite the AMT stall was the entrance to Eurostar. Early in the morning I’d stop and watch people heading down the escalator and onto trains that went to Paris and beyond. I missed out on the era of those classic trains like The Golden Arrow and The Bournemouth Belle and always hoped to travel on the Eurostar. Now, alas, with it’s movement to St. Pancras I doubt I will. With the additional time and trouble to cross London on the Underground Bournemouth airport looks a quicker and more convenient option.

So, sadly, there will be two empty spaces in J.R. Scott’s station and I can no longer watch the arrivals and depatures at the now empty Waterloo International terminus but for me it’s still a magical gateway to an amazing city.

Waterloo - knowing my fate is to be with you.