Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership (CRP) have partnered with Mini Map-Makers and Thameslink to launch a new, interactive trail to promote the train line from Bedford to St Albans, and encourage children to learn about their surroundings.
After an introdction to the project and photo call outside St Albans City, the CRP invited families to visit the restored St Albans South Signal Box Museum, to take part in a day of mapping and craft activities run by Mini Map-Makers, helping children learn about map reading and cartography.
The trail provides children and families with an activity booklet with things to look for and collect at all eight stations; from Bedford to St Albans. With symbols to search for, such as letters, numbers, shapes and signs – the fun trail is suitable for all children over theage of five. Symbol Spot encourages families to learn more about the local area by travelling by train to each station, where children can collect a total of eight plaque rubbings for their booklets. Each plaque has been uniquely designed to reflect the history and culture of each area. Children that collect all the plaque rubbings in the Symbol Spot trail will receive a certificate and special coin.
Adults and families can ask for a Symbol Spot pack at Thameslink stations between Bedford and St Albans City, when purchasing child train tickets.
