Hello everyone, and happy new year! We hope you had an enjoyable and relaxing festive break.
Community rail funding
We continue to liaise closely with DfT and our industry funders on the community rail funding position for 2024-25. During January, negotiations take place between train operators and DfT over their draft annual business plans. We therefore hope towards the end of the month to have further clarity over the schedule for budgets being confirmed and CRPs getting news of their core funding amounts.
Our support & development team also remain pleased to advise any members looking to fundraise from different sources. Read some recent examples of innovative fundraising mixes being used in community rail.
Team changes
Dan Coles has made the difficult decision to move on from his role of director of member support and development at the end of January, to take up a post with Transport for Greater Manchester, and we wish him the very best for the future.
We’re delighted to say we have already filled the post, with Rob Hattersley joining the team from Monday 22 January, allowing some time for handover with Dan. Rob brings a wealth of expertise in engaging and empowering communities, including most recently as chief executive of a regional safety charity, and was previously a deputy headteacher. Rob told us: “I am excited to be joining when the value of rail in sustaining vibrant local communities, adapting to climate change, and developing sustainable local and regional economies is being increasingly recognised.” We’re sure you’ll join us in extending him a warm welcome.
Photography competition
The Community Rail Awards 2024 photography competition, sponsored by Porterbrook, is open for voting now. Please help choose the photo that best showcases ‘the essence of community rail’ here by 10pm on 29 January.
Community Rail Awards 2025 sponsorship
While we’re all very much looking forward to the 2024 Community Rail Awards on 18 March in Swansea, with headline sponsors Transport for Wales and GWR, we’re also already looking ahead to 2025 and seeking support. Our headline sponsors are especially crucial to delivering a wonderful celebration of the inspiring activities and people that make up the community rail movement. Find out more about the opportunities here.
If you have any news stories, please email our communications team on news@communityrail.org.uk. See here for guidance on submitting stories.
Your next bulletin is on 24 January. Keep up-to-date in between on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.
Best wishes,
Jeremy and Jools
- Apply for Grow Wild funding to connect urban communities with the natural world
- Active travel and healthy neighbourhoods: join Living Streets’ UK Walking Summit
- How community rail can support Eversholt Rail to decarbonise Britain’s railways
- Friends group enhance Honiton Station with community art and town map
- Severnside CRP chair awarded MBE in New Year Honours list
- Families enjoy festive train trips to Essex and Suffolk Christmas fayres
- Double celebrations at Buxted Station for history project and GTR Star
- Platform Rail card game paves the way for a sustainable transport takeover
- New vice chair appointed for Sussex Downs Line CRP
- Tyne Valley CRP spreads Christmas cheer with Santa Express
- North Staffordshire CRP marks important local history anniversary
