Hello everyone, we hope this newsletter finds you warm and well, and you are enjoying the run-up to the festive season. As this is our final edition of 2023, we would like to wish you all the best for the festive season and the new year.
Reflections on the year
Despite 2023 being a challenging year, we are so proud of all that our growing movement has achieved. It has been a busy year of events, activities, reports and meetings with decision makers and partners, shining a light on the invaluable work our members do and the role community rail plays in empowering communities and enabling inclusive, sustainable travel. As we enter 2024, which looks set to be an election year, we will continue to champion and support the work of our members, ensuring the voice of community rail is heard.
Community Rail Awards
We are delighted to announce the shortlisted entries for the 2024 Community Rail Awards. Read all the important details and see the full shortlist here. As ever the judges were overwhelmed by the range of work which goes on across the network and impacts you’re delivering. Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter. Make sure to book your place for the presentation evening on Monday 18 March 2024 in Swansea.
Community Rail Development Fund
We still have a small amount of money available for accredited CRPs in England and Wales to apply to the Community Rail Development Fund. The fund will be closing in early January, so please submit your applications. Projects must be completed by 31 March 2024. More details here.
CRP funding survey
Last week we emailed CRPs a short survey asking for input on funding and impact. Your responses are greatly appreciated in helping us to strengthen the case for preserving core funding, while helping CRPs bring in funding from wider sources. Submit one response per CRP by 5pm, Friday 15 December. Contact Rob with any questions.
Share your winter photos
We’re looking for scenic winter photos featuring stations, trains or people on trains and stations, to feature in our Scenic Rail Britain winter campaign, in a blog and on social media, from Thursday 21 December. Share your wintery photos with us via news@communityrail.org.uk, along with a photo credit and caption, by 5pm on Monday 18 December.
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 10 January. Keep up-to-date in between on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Best festive wishes,
Jeremy and Jools
- Community Rail Network and Skanska UK announce corporate partnership
- Join the Big Bike Revival to encourage everyday cycling and active travel
- Support grows for flourishing community rail movement in the Netherlands
- Christmas cheer as ‘Feel Good Field Trip’ initiative reaches 2,000 children
- Community Brain is ‘Baking Ideas’ in Tolworth Station’s community kitchen
- Worcestershire CRP installs ‘Stitch Train’ in Alvechurch Library
- Yorkshire Coast CRP spreads festive joy with Santa Special to Scarborough
- Friends of Goostrey Station share best practice with other station adopters
- Historic timeline exhibition unveiled at Gatwick Airport Station
- Platform Rail hosts a ‘Whiting Christmas’ in honour of former chair
- Friends of Dronfield Station celebrate local young artists
- A year of blooming success for Market Harborough volunteers
- Festive fun along the Settle to Carlisle Line
- Through here to Martin Mere: station artwork creates gateway to nature reserve
