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Lancashire school children prepare to visit Aachen

School pupils who welcomed Citizens’ Rail partners to Burnley during the summer are soon to make the return trip – embarking on an adventure to the German city of Aachen.

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The story so far
In July, the Year 5 class from Padiham Green CE Primary School greeted Citizens’ Rail partners from France, Germany and the Netherlands at Burnley Manchester Road station. They performed a play about the history of the area’s railway (complete with historical top hats and moustaches – see photos), followed by presentations about what they had learned about each of the partner regions. The children also created a wide range of railway-related artwork, which adorned the station’s new community room.

The partners were hugely impressed and touched by the effort and imagination that the children had clearly invested in learning about the culture, economy, food and history of each local area. The pupils in turn were excited to meet representatives from each of the countries they had been studying – providing a chance to find out more, and to try out their language skills. Uwe Müller from Stadt Aachen said:

“The children’s work and enthusiasm was really outstanding! I was very impressed by what they had learned and presented about Aachen. I hope that one day we might be able to arrange for the children to visit our cities in person.”

The next chapter
Now Uwe’s invitation has become reality. Next month, the class of 30 pupils and 8 adults will be travelling to and staying in Aachen. They will spend one day in a German school, working alongside similar aged children, forging new links and friendships. Exploring Aachen will be high on the itinerary in order that the children can visit the many places of interest previously researched at school in Padiham. A visit to the Netherlands is also planned – travelling by train from Aachen to Heerlen. Teacher Janet Ennis said:

“This exceptional transnational project is about expanding the learning horizons of the Year 5 pupils of Padiham Green CE Primary School, many of whom will be travelling abroad for the first time. The children are very proud to represent their school and also appreciate the task of becoming ambassadors for their town, county and country!”

To prepare for the trip, the children have been taking after school German lessons (see photos below), and their adventure has captured the interest of the town.

The Lancashire Telegraph newspaper recently paid a visit to the school to find out more, and Burnley Football Club invited the children to the stadium to collect a large selection of goodies. The class are now fully equipped with pencil cases and stationery, key rings, door plaques, back packs and beanie hats for the upcoming trip, and even have enough to present to their European school friends too.

The children have been busy raising funds through various events at school to contribute towards the visit. Additional funding for the trip is being provided by Citizens’ Rail, the DCRDF Fund, UK German Connection and Abellio.

[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Follow the children’s preparations for their trip on their fantastic blog.

2014/10/23
Joint meeting with UITP

Citizens’ Rail partners enjoyed a productive joint meeting with UITP’s Regional and Suburban Railways committee last week, held in the South West of England.

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UITP, also known as The International Association of Public Transport, champions sustainable urban mobility and is the only worldwide network to bring together all public transport stakeholders and all sustainable transport modes. It has 1,300 member companies from 92 countries. Its members include public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers, research institutes and the public transport supply and service industry.

The association’s Regional and Suburban Railways committee joined Citizens’ Rail partners for presentations, networking opportunities and rail trips over the course of two days, taking in locations including Plymouth, Calstock and Torquay. The joint meeting, hosted by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, was made possible thanks to Ian Ambrose at Network Rail, who is part of both the UITP committee and the Citizens’ Rail project.

Some photographs from the joint meeting:

The UITP contingent arrive on the scenic Tamar Valley Line for the first meeting in Calstock. This photo was taken from the balcony of the Calstock Arts Centre, our picturesque meeting venue (see further photo below):

At the Calstock Arts Centre, Paul Alzer from Parkstad Limburg presents some tulip bulbs to help brighten stations on The Riviera Line (Exeter-Paignton):

Mal McGreevy, chairman of the Regional and Suburban Railways committee and General Manager, Rail Services for Northern Ireland Railways, Translink (second from right), explores Calstock with Citizens’ Rail partners:

In Torquay, Kai Mohnen from Stadt Aachen presented the work happening in the German city as part of Citizens’ Rail:

Delegates each received an information pack / goodie bag:

2014/10/20
Joint meeting with UITP

Citizens’ Rail partners enjoyed a productive joint meeting with UITP’s Regional and Suburban Railways committee last week, held in the South West of England.

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

UITP, also known as The International Association of Public Transport, champions sustainable urban mobility and is the only worldwide network to bring together all public transport stakeholders and all sustainable transport modes. It has 1,300 member companies from 92 countries. Its members include public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers, research institutes and the public transport supply and service industry.

The association’s Regional and Suburban Railways committee joined Citizens’ Rail partners for presentations, networking opportunities and rail trips over the course of two days, taking in locations including Plymouth, Calstock and Torquay. The joint meeting, hosted by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, was made possible thanks to Ian Ambrose at Network Rail, who is part of both the UITP committee and the Citizens’ Rail project.

Some photographs from the joint meeting:

The UITP contingent arrive on the scenic Tamar Valley Line for the first meeting in Calstock. This photo was taken from the balcony of the Calstock Arts Centre, our picturesque meeting venue (see further photo below):

At the Calstock Arts Centre, Paul Alzer from Parkstad Limburg presents some tulip bulbs to help brighten stations on The Riviera Line (Exeter-Paignton):

Mal McGreevy, chairman of the Regional and Suburban Railways committee and General Manager, Rail Services for Northern Ireland Railways, Translink (second from right), explores Calstock with Citizens’ Rail partners:

In Torquay, Kai Mohnen from Stadt Aachen presented the work happening in the German city as part of Citizens’ Rail:

Delegates each received an information pack / goodie bag:

2014/10/20
Joint meeting with UITP

Citizens’ Rail partners enjoyed a productive joint meeting with UITP’s Regional and Suburban Railways committee last week, held in the South West of England.

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

UITP, also known as The International Association of Public Transport, champions sustainable urban mobility and is the only worldwide network to bring together all public transport stakeholders and all sustainable transport modes. It has 1,300 member companies from 92 countries. Its members include public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers, research institutes and the public transport supply and service industry.

The association’s Regional and Suburban Railways committee joined Citizens’ Rail partners for presentations, networking opportunities and rail trips over the course of two days, taking in locations including Plymouth, Calstock and Torquay. The joint meeting, hosted by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, was made possible thanks to Ian Ambrose at Network Rail, who is part of both the UITP committee and the Citizens’ Rail project.

Some photographs from the joint meeting:

The UITP contingent arrive on the scenic Tamar Valley Line for the first meeting in Calstock. This photo was taken from the balcony of the Calstock Arts Centre, our picturesque meeting venue (see further photo below):

At the Calstock Arts Centre, Paul Alzer from Parkstad Limburg presents some tulip bulbs to help brighten stations on The Riviera Line (Exeter-Paignton):

Mal McGreevy, chairman of the Regional and Suburban Railways committee and General Manager, Rail Services for Northern Ireland Railways, Translink (second from right), explores Calstock with Citizens’ Rail partners:

In Torquay, Kai Mohnen from Stadt Aachen presented the work happening in the German city as part of Citizens’ Rail:

Delegates each received an information pack / goodie bag:

2014/10/20
Joint meeting with UITP

Citizens’ Rail partners enjoyed a productive joint meeting with UITP’s Regional and Suburban Railways committee last week, held in the South West of England.

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

UITP, also known as The International Association of Public Transport, champions sustainable urban mobility and is the only worldwide network to bring together all public transport stakeholders and all sustainable transport modes. It has 1,300 member companies from 92 countries. Its members include public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers, research institutes and the public transport supply and service industry.

The association’s Regional and Suburban Railways committee joined Citizens’ Rail partners for presentations, networking opportunities and rail trips over the course of two days, taking in locations including Plymouth, Calstock and Torquay. The joint meeting, hosted by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, was made possible thanks to Ian Ambrose at Network Rail, who is part of both the UITP committee and the Citizens’ Rail project.

Some photographs from the joint meeting:

The UITP contingent arrive on the scenic Tamar Valley Line for the first meeting in Calstock. This photo was taken from the balcony of the Calstock Arts Centre, our picturesque meeting venue (see further photo below):

At the Calstock Arts Centre, Paul Alzer from Parkstad Limburg presents some tulip bulbs to help brighten stations on The Riviera Line (Exeter-Paignton):

Mal McGreevy, chairman of the Regional and Suburban Railways committee and General Manager, Rail Services for Northern Ireland Railways, Translink (second from right), explores Calstock with Citizens’ Rail partners:

In Torquay, Kai Mohnen from Stadt Aachen presented the work happening in the German city as part of Citizens’ Rail:

Delegates each received an information pack / goodie bag:

2014/10/20
Dawlish: a look back

Earlier this year, severe storms pounded Dawlish station in Devon, UK, and left the line in tatters (see photos). But alongside the herculean efforts of Network Rail and First Great Western, local volunteers played a real role in reviving their station.

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During the line’s closure, Citizens’ Rail worked to rejuvenate the previously dormant Friends of Dawlish Station volunteer group. Work days were arranged, and new members were recruited through an appeal in the local newspaper, placed by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership (Citizens’ Rail’s lead partner).

Working alongside TV gardener Toby Buckland, who lives locally, the volunteers proceeded to give the station a green makeover. The group planted cordylines, lavenders, pansies, violets, primroses and other species in 10 new planters installed on the platforms. In the run-up to the high profile re-opening of the line, the volunteers also decked out the station with bunting to celebrate the occasion.

Thanks to their hard work, the group became front page news in the local press, were featured on BBC regional TV news, and were interviewed on BBC Radio 4 and filmed by Channel 5. Members of the group were also invited to Downing Street and thanked by Prime Minister David Cameron.

In August, the Friends of Dawlish Station were again in the spotlight when they were personally thanked for their efforts by the UK’s Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin MP (below). The Secretary of State visited the station with First Great Western, Network Rail and local MP Anne Marie Morris to discuss the future safeguarding of the line and to meet the Friends group and see the fruits of their labour.

In October, the group’s achievements helped secure first prize in the Outstanding Teamwork category of the national Community Rail Awards.

The group is now self-sustaining and undertakes regular watering of the plants that now brighten the station. This creates a welcoming first impression for visitors to the town.

The success of the group has also been followed by the creation of a new Friends Of Teignmouth Station group at the next station along the line.

2014/10/08
Dawlish: a look back

Earlier this year, severe storms pounded Dawlish station in Devon, UK, and left the line in tatters (see photos). But alongside the herculean efforts of Network Rail and First Great Western, local volunteers played a real role in reviving their station.

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

During the line’s closure, Citizens’ Rail worked to rejuvenate the previously dormant Friends of Dawlish Station volunteer group. Work days were arranged, and new members were recruited through an appeal in the local newspaper, placed by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership (Citizens’ Rail’s lead partner).

Working alongside TV gardener Toby Buckland, who lives locally, the volunteers proceeded to give the station a green makeover. The group planted cordylines, lavenders, pansies, violets, primroses and other species in 10 new planters installed on the platforms. In the run-up to the high profile re-opening of the line, the volunteers also decked out the station with bunting to celebrate the occasion.

Thanks to their hard work, the group became front page news in the local press, were featured on BBC regional TV news, and were interviewed on BBC Radio 4 and filmed by Channel 5. Members of the group were also invited to Downing Street and thanked by Prime Minister David Cameron.

In August, the Friends of Dawlish Station were again in the spotlight when they were personally thanked for their efforts by the UK’s Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin MP (below). The Secretary of State visited the station with First Great Western, Network Rail and local MP Anne Marie Morris to discuss the future safeguarding of the line and to meet the Friends group and see the fruits of their labour.

In October, the group’s achievements helped secure first prize in the Outstanding Teamwork category of the national Community Rail Awards.

The group is now self-sustaining and undertakes regular watering of the plants that now brighten the station. This creates a welcoming first impression for visitors to the town.

The success of the group has also been followed by the creation of a new Friends Of Teignmouth Station group at the next station along the line.

2014/10/08
Citizens’ Rail projects win national awards

Three projects supported by Citizens’ Rail have been recognised at the UK’s Community Rail Awards.

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The award ceremony was held in Scarborough on Thursday 2nd October, and was organised by The Association of Community Rail Partnerships. Speakers included Baroness Kramer, Minister of State for Transport, and Paul Salveson, a leading light of the community rail sector in the UK.

Outstanding Teamwork

First prize in the Outstanding Teamwork category was awarded to partners involved in rebuilding Dawlish station after the devastating storm damage it sustained in February 2014. Pictured at the top of this article collecting the award are Citizens’ Rail Riviera Line Officer Celia Minoughan (second from left), Margaret Swift and Phil Bagshaw of the Friends of Dawlish Station (third from left and second from right), and First Great Western station manager Ian Mundy (third from right). The award was presented by Nick Donovan, Managing Director of First Transpennine Express (left) and Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Northern Rail (right).

[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Read about Citizens’ Rail’s involvement in reviving the station.

Innovation in Community Rail

In the Innovation category, first prize went to The Riviera Line website developed as part of Citizens’ Rail to encourage more people to take the train between Torbay and Exeter. The site is believed to be community rail’s first “responsive” website – resizing to suit PCs, tablets and smartphones. Its content is tailor-made to help non-users to overcome barriers to travel.

[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Visit the website.

Best Station Gardens and Large Floral Displays

To complete a hat trick of awards, third prize in the Best Station Gardens category was awarded to the transformation of Torquay Station garden by Robert Owen Communities and First Great Western. Working twice a week in all weathers, the station platforms have been transformed with planting on an English Riviera theme including reclamation of a large rockery. The project has not only improved the look and feel of Torquay station but has allowed the young people to gain confidence, social interaction and nationally recognised qualifications to help them into employment.

[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Read about Citizens’ Rail’s involvement in the project.

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Congratulations to Community Rail Lancashire

Congratulations also go to Citizens’ Rail partners Community Rail Lancashire, whose “Young persons’ passport to safe travel” project won the Involving Young People category. Our colleagues in Lancashire have an excellent track record in engaging children and young people in their railway.

Children from one of the schools they work with gave an outstanding presentation to EU partners at Burnley Manchester Road’s new station building in July. And soon as part of Citizens’ Rail, the same children will be taking a train journey to Aachen, our German partner city, in a fantastic example of transnational learning and collaboration. More news on this soon.

[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Read about the passport to safe travel scheme.

2014/10/07
Citizens’ Rail projects win national awards

Three projects supported by Citizens’ Rail have been recognised at the UK’s Community Rail Awards.

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

The award ceremony was held in Scarborough on Thursday 2nd October, and was organised by The Association of Community Rail Partnerships. Speakers included Baroness Kramer, Minister of State for Transport, and Paul Salveson, a leading light of the community rail sector in the UK.

Outstanding Teamwork

First prize in the Outstanding Teamwork category was awarded to partners involved in rebuilding Dawlish station after the devastating storm damage it sustained in February 2014. Pictured at the top of this article collecting the award are Citizens’ Rail Riviera Line Officer Celia Minoughan (second from left), Margaret Swift and Phil Bagshaw of the Friends of Dawlish Station (third from left and second from right), and First Great Western station manager Ian Mundy (third from right). The award was presented by Nick Donovan, Managing Director of First Transpennine Express (left) and Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Northern Rail (right).

[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Read about Citizens’ Rail’s involvement in reviving the station.

Innovation in Community Rail

In the Innovation category, first prize went to The Riviera Line website developed as part of Citizens’ Rail to encourage more people to take the train between Torbay and Exeter. The site is believed to be community rail’s first “responsive” website – resizing to suit PCs, tablets and smartphones. Its content is tailor-made to help non-users to overcome barriers to travel.

[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Visit the website.

Best Station Gardens and Large Floral Displays

To complete a hat trick of awards, third prize in the Best Station Gardens category was awarded to the transformation of Torquay Station garden by Robert Owen Communities and First Great Western. Working twice a week in all weathers, the station platforms have been transformed with planting on an English Riviera theme including reclamation of a large rockery. The project has not only improved the look and feel of Torquay station but has allowed the young people to gain confidence, social interaction and nationally recognised qualifications to help them into employment.

[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Read about Citizens’ Rail’s involvement in the project.

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

Congratulations to Community Rail Lancashire

Congratulations also go to Citizens’ Rail partners Community Rail Lancashire, whose “Young persons’ passport to safe travel” project won the Involving Young People category. Our colleagues in Lancashire have an excellent track record in engaging children and young people in their railway.

Children from one of the schools they work with gave an outstanding presentation to EU partners at Burnley Manchester Road’s new station building in July. And soon as part of Citizens’ Rail, the same children will be taking a train journey to Aachen, our German partner city, in a fantastic example of transnational learning and collaboration. More news on this soon.

[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Read about the passport to safe travel scheme.

2014/10/07
Citizens’ Rail projects win national awards

Three projects supported by Citizens’ Rail have been recognised at the UK’s Community Rail Awards.

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

The award ceremony was held in Scarborough on Thursday 2nd October, and was organised by The Association of Community Rail Partnerships. Speakers included Baroness Kramer, Minister of State for Transport, and Paul Salveson, a leading light of the community rail sector in the UK.

Outstanding Teamwork

First prize in the Outstanding Teamwork category was awarded to partners involved in rebuilding Dawlish station after the devastating storm damage it sustained in February 2014. Pictured at the top of this article collecting the award are Citizens’ Rail Riviera Line Officer Celia Minoughan (second from left), Margaret Swift and Phil Bagshaw of the Friends of Dawlish Station (third from left and second from right), and First Great Western station manager Ian Mundy (third from right). The award was presented by Nick Donovan, Managing Director of First Transpennine Express (left) and Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Northern Rail (right).

[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Read about Citizens’ Rail’s involvement in reviving the station.

Innovation in Community Rail

In the Innovation category, first prize went to The Riviera Line website developed as part of Citizens’ Rail to encourage more people to take the train between Torbay and Exeter. The site is believed to be community rail’s first “responsive” website – resizing to suit PCs, tablets and smartphones. Its content is tailor-made to help non-users to overcome barriers to travel.

[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Visit the website.

Best Station Gardens and Large Floral Displays

To complete a hat trick of awards, third prize in the Best Station Gardens category was awarded to the transformation of Torquay Station garden by Robert Owen Communities and First Great Western. Working twice a week in all weathers, the station platforms have been transformed with planting on an English Riviera theme including reclamation of a large rockery. The project has not only improved the look and feel of Torquay station but has allowed the young people to gain confidence, social interaction and nationally recognised qualifications to help them into employment.

[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Read about Citizens’ Rail’s involvement in the project.

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

Congratulations to Community Rail Lancashire

Congratulations also go to Citizens’ Rail partners Community Rail Lancashire, whose “Young persons’ passport to safe travel” project won the Involving Young People category. Our colleagues in Lancashire have an excellent track record in engaging children and young people in their railway.

Children from one of the schools they work with gave an outstanding presentation to EU partners at Burnley Manchester Road’s new station building in July. And soon as part of Citizens’ Rail, the same children will be taking a train journey to Aachen, our German partner city, in a fantastic example of transnational learning and collaboration. More news on this soon.

[icon size=”14px” color=”#D42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-chevron-sign-right” spacing=”0px” /] Read about the passport to safe travel scheme.

2014/10/07