Hello everyone. We hope this bulletin finds you well.
Rail reform news
The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill completed its parliamentary stages last week. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh MP said: “This landmark Bill is the first major step towards publicly owned Great British Railways, which will put passengers first and drive up standards.” The Secretary of State also appeared before the Transport Select Committee on 13 November, where she discussed the formation of Great British Railways, the importance of regional Mayors, and the scale of the programme of transformation. Watch the session.
Meanwhile, we’re pleased to be having some constructive discussions with the Great British Railways Transition Team, to advise on the strong and growing role community rail can play into the future.
Charitable status proposal
We are continuing to develop our proposal to register Community Rail Network as a charity, including getting expert legal advice. This important change will be put to members at our AGM on 28 January. We’re excited about the benefits it can bring in terms of our standing and our ability to access funding, but, to remind you, it won’t cause any changes to the support we provide to members, or affect members’ set-up and governance arrangements as independent organisations and groups. Find out more.
News on Jools’ cover
As we reported recently, Jools will be taking parental leave in the new year, starting 13 January, likely until the end of August. We have been working to arrange cover for Jools’ role, and we’re delighted to announce we have recruited Bill Freeman into the interim CEO role. Many of you will know Bill from his time as chief executive of the Community Transport Association, when he worked closely with Jools and the team, including being a judge for the Community Rail Awards and presenting at our conference. He’s also held senior positions at the National Association for Voluntary & Community Action (NAVCA), Unions 21 and the British Youth Council, so he brings a wealth of exceptionally relevant experience, leading membership organisations, empowering communities, and engaging with transport policy-makers. Jools is booking in plenty of handover time with Bill, and we’re all really excited about him coming on board and leading the organisation through what continues to be a critical time for community rail.
Members’ survey results
A big thank you to everyone who responded to this year’s members’ survey. We have carefully analysed the results to help inform our planning for next year and beyond. Read more here.
Learning and sharing for station adopters
Station adoption members are invited to our online session on Thursday 19 December, 2-3.30pm, to network with fellow volunteers and share best practice on how to effectively engage your local communities with station projects. Book here.
Railway 200
Earlier this week we shared a toolkit to help members with Railway 200 promotions. Access the toolkit here and speak to the comms & policy team if you’d like support for your activities.
Send your stories to news@communityrail.org.uk and see our guidance on submitting stories.
Your next bulletin is on 11 December. Keep up-to-date in between on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky and X.
Best wishes,
Jeremy and Jools
- Corporate partner spotlight: Siemens Mobility launches social value report
- DfT publishes guidance to make school runs happier, healthier and greener
- Living Streets outlines economic case for investment in walkable communities
- Get local young people thinking about the future of rail with LNER competition
- Several train operator community funds now open for applications
- Bishop Line CRP takes schoolchildren on rail adventure to Hopetown Darlington
- ‘Bark! The Herald Angels Sing’: Friends of Buxton Station host charity carol concert
- Conwy Valley residents embark on ‘journey to wellbeing’ with rail trails
- ‘Illuminated Sheep’ showcases the wonders of train travel across Tyne Valley
- Oxfordshire families supported to access nature through Rails to Trails programme
- CRP empowers inner-city young people to explore the West Highlands by rail
- Cambrian Railway Partnership seeking development officer
- Additional officer sought for expanding Worcestershire CRP
- Heart of Wales Line CRP searching for dynamic new Chairperson
- Community Rail Lancashire seeking dedicated SEND Officer
Poet S C Morgan said: “The waiting room at Rye Station is a really important building. It is one of the first things people see when they come to Rye by train. It’s so good to involve the local creative community and it is really fun to have something different in the station.”
Judith Cleghorn, vice chair of BRCP, said: “The panel is a real community project: over 2,000 people have inserted a stitch or two, including Her Majesty Queen Camilla! We have stitched in schools, community centres, on trains and at railway stations – we’ve met people from all over the world during our efforts and have enjoyed every minute.”
