Hello everyone. The famous phrase “two weeks is a long time in politics” has certainly been true since the last newsletter. What unusual times we live in! The sun is at least shining: we hope you are managing in the heat!
Leisure webinar
We recently hosted our second Leisure Travel webinar, which looked at how to engage different audiences to take leisure journeys by train using a range of different methods. If you were unable to attend, we have a recording of the session, which can be accessed here.
Days Out campaign
As you are aware, we had hoped to launch our summer Days Out campaign on 22 July. However, given the further industrial action we have decided to postpone until the Autumn. If you do need any support over the summer months with leisure promotion then please do not hesitate to email Alice Mannion, who will be only too happy to support. We will keep you informed as our plans develop for the Autumn.
Applying for small grants reminder
Our training & development coordinator Alex Peel is running an online training session on applying for small grants on 19 July, 10:30-12:00. The session will go through practical tips on applying to different funders and where to get further support. This session is for members only. Register here.
Consultations: susainable rail & GBR
RSSB’s Sustainable Rail Strategy consultation closes this Friday, so please respond: it’s a short, simple questionnaire, and will inform the whole industry’s approach to sustainability over 30 years.
We are this week planning to issue a short online survey to all members, asking for your views ahead of drafting our response to the government’s consultation on the legislation for Great British Railways. There will be just a few multiple-choice questions, plus the chance to add comments. Or, feel free to speak to your main support & development team contact if you prefer. We’ll use this input to shape our response and will share this with you ahead of the 4 August deadline, in case you want to refer to it if you’re submitting your own response. You can find out more about the consultation here.
A change to our calendar
From the financial year 2023-2024 (so starting 1 April next year), we are going to be swapping around our Community Rail Awards and Conference. This will mean that next year, the Conference will be in October/November 2023, while the Awards will be around Feb/March 2024. This is to enable us to align the Awards with rail industry business planning and funding cycles, given its dependence on sponsorship. We will provide much more detail and plenty of advance warning as soon as we’ve worked out our schedule, but wanted to give everyone a heads-up as early as possible.
Entertainers wanted
Do you or any of your community rail colleagues have any street entertainer type skills, such as magic, music, juggling, caricatures, miming, face painting? If so, our events team are keen to chat to you. Please contact events@communityrail.org.uk.
If you have any news stories, please email our communications team on news@communityrail.org.uk
Your next bulletin is on 27 July. Keep up-to-date in between on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Best wishes
Richard & Jools
- Women in Community Rail to hold celebration and networking event
- British Transport Police launch Railway Guardian app encouraging bystanders to report sexual harassment on the railway
- Living Streets host week of action for Cut The Clutter campaign
- In memory of Peter Mayne (1950-2022)
- New community space for Havant Station as local CIC moves in
- Dartmoor Line wins national Rail Innovation award
- Mid Cheshire CRP launch summer photography competition
- New artwork brightens up Basingstoke station
- Community Rail Education Network announce launch of rail safety book
- Free water for passengers using South Woodham Ferrers station
- Settle-Carlisle Railway launch Summer of Fun campaign
- Heart of Wales Line celebrate 5th anniversary of walking trail
