Severnside Community Rail Partnership (CRP) fully embraced the festive spirit last month, linking community groups and schools with Christmas offerings on and around the local rail network.
Days Out by Train
The festive mood started with a ‘Days Out by Train’ trip for members of the Welcome Café in Weston-super-Mare to the famous Bath Christmas Market. The group enjoyed the bustling streets lined with wooden chalets selling gifts and tasty treats, as well as the street performers juggling fire sticks.
‘Days Out by Train’ visits are supported by GWR’s Community Investment Fund. The scheme offers rail familiarisation and confidence building trips to local destinations for registered community groups. Severnside CRP currently engage groups supporting refugees and asylum seekers, the d/Deaf community and the elderly isolated in the programme.
Family rail safety
Festivities continued at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in North Somerset, where a visit by rail was organised in partnership with Southwest charity 1625 Independent People. By travelling by rail from Stapleton Road to Nailsea and Backwell station, the group learned all about how to travel safely with young children. The trip offered an opportunity to meet other families and build new friendships, as well as enjoy a day out with the children.
Carols in the Carriage
After a two-year hiatus during Covid, the popular Carols in the Carriage returned with plenty of tinsel, Christmas jumpers and singing all the way between Avonmouth and Weston-super-Mare. To make the event extra special, staff from the Strawberry Line Café joined the train at Yatton Station to serve their delicious, freshly baked mince pies. The event brought many smiles to the other passengers and onboard staff, some of whom got into the festive spirit and joined in the singing as well. Many of the participants were grateful to have a chance to socialise on the trains again and look forward to more events taking place in 2023.
You can keep up to date with future events and projects from Severnside CRP via their website.
