Hello everyone. As always, we hope this bulletin finds you well. It is hard to believe that this edition is the penultimate one of 2022. It continues to be a challenging time for those working with the railways, especially with the news last week around industrial action and cancellations. We continue to liaise closely with government and industry colleagues to ensure community rail voices and insights are heard and utilised. In light of the current climate, we have decided to cancel our proposed January campaign and will be looking at our promotional plans going forward.
Share your winter photos
We’re looking for scenic winter photos – snowy, moody, dark, or winter sunshine – featuring stations or trains across Britain, or people on trains and stations, for our Scenic Rail Britain winter campaign. The photos will feature in a blog on our Scenic Rail Britain site and on social media from 21 December. Share your wintery photographs with us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram using #ScenicRailWinter along with a photo credit or send by email to news@communityrail.org.uk.
Travel audio guides for your lines
You may remember earlier this year we worked with start-up tech business, Window Seater, as they launched a series of audio travel guides together with CRPs on the GWR network (see details). Now it’s your chance to get involved! If you’re interested in developing an audio guide for your line, funding may be available through our Community Rail Development Fund. For information contact Alice.
Webinar reminder: Connecting & empowering diverse communities
This online session, Tues 6 Dec 10am-12pm, will explore how we can most effectively connect with and empower groups across our diverse communities, stepping outside our comfort zones. A community engagement specialist will share practical insights and tips, while community rail case studies will provide inspiration. See the agenda and book your place.
Online networking for station friends
This dedicated online session for adopters, on Weds 14 Dec 10am-12.30pm on Zoom, will make use of break-out rooms so you can talk in smaller groups with fellow adopters. You’ll get the chance to find out what others are up to, discuss successes and plans. For member groups only. Book your place here.
Developing our support for station friends
We are delighted to welcome Neil Cartmell on board: he’ll be working in our Support & Development team on a temporary basis, particularly to help us enhance support for station groups. Neil has a strong interest in community engagement from previous work as a BBC journalist and coordinator. He is keen to understand more about groups’ priorities, and how we can better support these, and will be contacting groups by phone to chat about this. Neil will be working on a part-time, freelance basis, linking closely with the rest of the Support & Development team.
- Northern launches £250k scheme to make train travel more accessible
- Rail companies and community rail get behind campaign to end violence against women and girls
- Festive fun planned across the community rail network
- Cambrian Railway Partnership secures funding for interpretation wall at Dyfi Wildlife Centre
- Hard work of volunteers continues at Corbridge Station
- Friends of Glossop Station dedicate memorial plaque to Paul Abell
- Mural brightens up platform at Swale Halt Station
- Platform support exciting cinema and railway experience for schoolchildren
- Geography students welcomed back to Workington Station by Community Rail Cumbria
