Hello everyone. We hope you are all keeping well as we enter our busy autumn period.
Awards
You have until 5pm on Monday 30 September to submit your entries to the 2025 Community Rail Awards. Click here to access the resources you need to complete your submission, including the entry booklet, previous winners and details of the remaining drop-in support sessions.
Members’ survey
Our annual members’ survey opens next week. We’re keen to hear the views and ideas of all members, to shape our work and help us to respond to the needs of the growing community rail movement. This year’s survey is particularly important, as responses will inform our member support and development strategy for 2025-29.
We warmly encourage you to respond, which should take no more than 15-20 minutes. Once again, there are different versions of the survey for CRPs and station groups, although many of the same questions appear in both. If you’ve not received a link by the end of Friday 27 September or have any queries, please contact Rob Lowson.
Team changes
We’re delighted to welcome Tiffany Allen as our new fundraising and partnerships lead. Tiffany brings with her extensive experience in fundraising and will help us to support income growth and diversification, and resilience, across the community rail movement. Tiffany is keen to hit the ground running, so do extend her a warm welcome.
We’re also sad to be saying goodbye to Martin Clarke, who will be leaving us in mid-October. Martin has shown fantastic commitment to community rail over the years, and we’re sure you’ll join us in wishing him the very best for his next chapter.
Dementia Adventure
We’ve been in discussions with Dementia Adventure, a charity providing supported activities for people living with dementia and their carers. They are keen to develop local partnerships with community rail and expand beyond using minibuses, by developing rail confidence. If your CRP or station group might be interested in running a simple pilot – most likely a day trip – please get in touch initially with Rob Hattersley.
Working with local bus companies
Members are invited to our online session on Thursday 24 October, 12-1pm, to hear insights from TOC representatives and guest speaker Roger French on how your CRP or station group can work with the bus industry to bolster integrated transport links. Book your place.
Send your stories to news@communityrail.org.uk and see our guidance on submitting stories.
Your next bulletin is on 2 October. Keep up-to-date in between on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and X.
Best wishes,
Jeremy and Jools
- Good Journey highlights green travel rewards on offer this World Car Free Day
- Buses Bill set to put power back in the hands of local leaders and communities
- Confederation of Passenger Transport report shows economic impact of buses
- Sustrans sets out ways to improve cycling accessibility for people on lower incomes
- Intersection of climate and social justice explored in ACEVO Climate Week podcast
- 2k Grassroots Grants for groups making a positive difference in their communities
- New Ranger tickets promote days out by rail in Essex and South Suffolk
- Community artwork brings a glimpse of the vibrant rainforest to Marple Station
- Yorkshire Coast CRP’s ‘try the train’ trip opens up opportunities for children
- Free admission to Sheringham Museum for rail passengers during 1940s Weekend
- Conwy Valley & North Wales Coast CRP offers free wellbeing walks from stations
- Refugee families supported to explore Yorkshire Dales by train
Community rail partnership vacancies
Learning development officer (Platform)
Interim chair (Bishop Line CRP)
Senior transport officer (Derwent Valley Line CRP)
Neil Williams of the Friends of Glossop Station said: “Babs’ indefatigable energy has brought about significant changes to Hattersley Station and its environs. She has been a driving force for improvements at the station, including a new station building, attractive garden and heritage boards, as well as a staunch supporter of shared community events along the line – ensuring that visitors are always welcomed to our stations with an array of activities, food and fun.”
