Community Rail News: Member photos of the fortnight (Oct-Dec 2026) - Community Rail Network

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Community Rail News: Member photos of the fortnight (Oct-Dec 2026)

October 13, 2026

14 October 2026

Community rail celebrations were in full swing at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on Wednesday 7 October, as South Western Railway brought together its network of community rail partnerships and station adoption groups for the annual Community Rail Conference and Awards ceremony. Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, provided the welcoming address to more than 100 attendees, followed by a business update from managing director Lawrence Bowman highlighting the vital role that station partnerships play in connecting the railways with the communities it serves. Community Rail Network chief executive Bill Freeman was also in attendance, and presented awards to some truly worthy winners, recognising the passion, commitment and creativity that makes community rail so special.

Paula Aldridge, community rail manager for South Western Railway, said: “There was so much to celebrate. Delegates heard about the fantastic range of projects happening right now across our network – showcasing the difference that community rail partnerships, volunteers and local organisations are making every day. Most importantly, the day was a brilliant reminder of what can be achieved when the railway and its communities work together.

“A room full of passionate people, great stories and shared ideas – and everyone heading home ready to make the next year of community rail even better – if that is at all possible!”

Soon-to-be Community Rail Network members, the Friends of Swanwick Station, are delighted to have completed a summer of partnership working with local Beaver Scouts groups. The first group visited the station in July, embarking on a short ‘try the train’ trip to Netley and back. As well as learning and railway and platform safety, the group talked about Swanwick Station’s fascinating connection with the local strawberry industry, and the important role the railway once played in transporting strawberries from the area.

For the second group’s visit in September, plans had to change at the last minute due to disruption on the railway. Meg from the ticket office stepped in to show the young people how to purchase tickets, and, with the support of the driver and guard of a stranded train at the station, the children were able to use the train as a makeshift classroom, learning about railway safety and navigating trains in a different way, and providing a memorable afternoon for the group without having to leave the station.

Monika Pendleton, Friends of Swanwick Station volunteer, said: “This work has been such a lovely example of how station volunteering can extend beyond looking after the physical station to create genuine engagement with the local community, particularly younger generations.

“We are incredibly proud of what our little volunteer team is beginning to achieve at Swanwick Station and these two visits, together with the support from Ian Edwards of the Friends of Fareham and Porchester stations, and the wonderful response from South Western Railway staff, have certainly been among the highlights for us.

“Working together created a real sense of connection, friendship and belonging, which ultimately contributed to the wellbeing of everyone involved.”

South Wessex CRP has celebrated 170 years of Yeovil Pen Mill Station by commissioning students from Bucklers Mead Academy to produce 16 pieces of artwork depicting the history of Yeovil. On Wednesday 30 September, the students, along with representatives from Great Western Railway, attended the station to see their hard work take pride of place on the wall of Platform 1. The artistic creations make reference to different aspects of local history and landmarks, including Montacute House, Nine Springs Country Park, ‘Jack the Treacle Eater’ (one of the Barwick follies) and two homages to the once-thriving glove factories in the area.

Yeovil Pen Mill Station is currently the only station on the main line from Frome to Weymouth which does not have a station adoption group. If you’d be interested in getting involved, please contact South Wessex CRP officer Chantelle Bacon on chantelle.bacon@southwessexcrp.or.uk.

Southeast Communities Rail Partnership was delighted to welcome local residents to St Margarets Station on Saturday 3 October for a special 150th birthday street party celebration. Guests included volunteers with the Friends of St Margarets Station; Nancy Baldwin, Mayor of Richmond; Lawrence Bowman, managing director of South Western Railway; and Lord Hendy, Minister of State for Rail – who brought one of his fantastic Routemaster buses! The celebratory event saw live music from The Elastic Band; children’s games in the ground of Amyand Park Chapel; an exhibition on local history; a new mural and gallery of children’s artwork; and a showcase of planting in the station garden, for which the Friends of St Margarets Station recently received a London in Bloom ‘Celebration Stations’ award.

Sidonie Forrest-Brown, chair of the Hounslow Richmond CRP (part of SCRP), said: “What made the day so special was the huge support and enthusiasm of everyone involved. I really would like to thank everyone who contributed to making the event such a success, especially Rachel Morrison, Anna Stearman and Angela Ivey.”