Kent Community Rail Partnership Autumn 2017

Medway Valley Line

newsAmbulance Train at Queenborough Station

Captive Audience learn about Ambulance Closing Ceremony at Sheerness War Memorial trains in the Forum Sittingbourne Ambulance train In our most ambitious event At Queenborough station a re-enactment of the wounded embarking onto the to date, a special High Ambulance Train took place with re-enactors and hundreds of passengers, including Speed Javelin train and Mayor of Queenborough Mick Constable. several commemorative The train departed for Sittingbourne under the watchful eye of Linda Brinklow, Chair events in Swale attracted of SwaleRail Community Rail Partnership, big crowds on Sunday 20 who had masterminded the events in Queenborough. played a lament to complete a memorable and moving day. November 2016. The train was greeted at Sittingbourne by the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent WW1 Richard Emmett, Chair of the Historic They braved the weather, including Storm Research Group of Sittingbourne (HRGS), Angus to remember the ambulance trains re-enactors and the Swale Marching Band. Passengers, equipped with their Permit joint organisers, said: “It was an incredible and unsung volunteer heroes and an day, and was exceptionally well attended often-forgotten service of the Great War. Book and complimentary DVD then marched to The Forum Shopping Centre to watch despite the atrocious weather conditions. The trains carried wounded servicemen to It raised the community’s awareness of hospitals across the UK, as far as Scotland. ‘Hell to Hospital”, a presentation explaining the casualty evacuation process. the role played by hospital trains in the The first public Javelin on SwaleRail was movement of injured personnel locally.” Local shoppers and visitors in The Forum branded with giant poppies, red crosses shopping centre were greeted by stalls, Sue Murray, Chair of Kent CRP, commented: and nameplates of ships which had docked with exhibits from Sittingbourne Heritage “What an extraordinary day November 20 at Queenborough with the wounded. Museum, “The Tommies of Mons” Living turned out to be. The day also demonstrated Although Storm Angus tried to disrupt the History Group and rescue dog, Sikh veterans, the strong community links that exist on day, Southeastern and Network Rail staff Sittingbourne War Memorials Project, The Sheppey and Sittingbourne with twenty managed to clear the lines just in time for Old Forge Wartime House in Sittingbourne groups and societies taking part. A day to the train to run. with WW1 cooking advice, “make do and remember for many years to come.” The event was launched at Queenborough mend” and a Royal British Legion stand. Funding and support came from ACoRP Parish Church with specially written poems, The train then returned to Sheerness for (Association of Community Rail Partnerships), readings and music to commemorate the reminiscences at Sheerness War Memorial. Swale Borough Council and Sheppey First World War, piped in by bagpiper Alan Peter MacDonald explained the history Matters. Generous donations were shared Barber. This was attended by Cllr. Lesley of Sheerness memorial, and Father Kevin between Help The Heroes, Royal British Ingham, Mayor of Swale who also watched Jacobs said a few words of remembrance. Legion and the community Groups involved. the “All Tide Landing” with the crowds, a Wreaths were laid, led by HM Deputy Lord Search for “Ambulance Train SwaleRail dramatic and powerful re-enactment of Lieutenant Paul Auston Esq., who took the Sittingbourne” video on YouTube. landing the wounded from sea. salute on behalf of the Queen. The bagpiper

Medway Valley Line and SwaleRail Take a bow, Mike FitzGerald Mike FitzGerald, who bowed out as Chair of the Partnership in 2016, had to take another bow in Stockport in September when he won first prize in the Outstanding Volunteer Contribution category and the first ever “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the national Community Rail Awards. Mike was honoured by ACoRP (Association of Community Rail Partnerships), in a ceremony attended by the Rail Minister, Paul Maynard. Overall, five of our six applications were nominated in this high profile annual event. Sue Murray, our new Chair said: “Thanks to his energy, enthusiasm and expertise Mike has led the Partnership through a decade of success and built strong foundations for the long-term future of the Partnership and the SwaleRail and Medway Valley Lines which we promote. I am delighted that he has achieved national recognition for his extraordinary contribution to Community Rail in Kent.” Mike himself commented: “I was absolutely thrilled, surprised, honoured and privileged and would like to share this award with all the Officers and Volunteer Members of the Kent Community Rail Partnership Steering Group and Line Groups who have all been a vital part of the success we have achieved over the last decade or so. I have stepped down but I know the Partnership, with its’ new Chair, Sue Murray, will go forward with vigour and ambition and so ensure the continued growth and development of Community Rail across Kent. Community Rail is made up of people from all walks of life volunteering freely of their time. They are like one ‘huge’ family of friends stretched across the country and they are the people who have delivered this vision and who will continue to make a difference to lives of communities and their environments. They all deserve an award.”

Shortly before going to press, we learned that Mike has been awarded an LATE MBE by the Queen for his services to the Community around Maidstone, and particularly for his excellent work for homeless people in the Borough. NEWS... Thoroughly well deserved! A view from the Chair What a fantastic 18 months I have enjoyed as Chairman of Kent CRP following on from an impressive Mike Fitzgerald who received a well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award at the September ACORP Awards evening and, perhaps an even greater accolade for his work with a homeless charity, that of an MBE by HM The Queen in her recent Birthday Honours. Sue Murray, Chair, Kent CRP

Both Medway Valley Line and SwaleRail There have also been “events” – at Yalding We are a highly successful organisation and continue to thrive with increased passenger we encouraged families to come by train and a very real concern of mine is that of funding. use. We are actively promoting local walk to an old apple orchard to celebrate Due to cutbacks in local authority budgets we communities to adopt stations along the Halloween where, amongst other things, are beginning to lead a rather hand to mouth two lines because where a station adoption we had apple bobbing and pressing apples life. Guy and Sarah are adept at sourcing takes place, vandalism tends to decrease. for juice. In November SwaleRail promoted grants from various organisations, County and Our schools programme has been highly WWI re-enactment of an Ambulance Borough Councillors, Parish Councils and so on. successful in educating children how to Train depicting how wounded soldiers and It is not all doom and gloom, but we do need to travel safely by train when they transfer sailors were landed at Sheerness and have an awareness that lack of funding could from primary to secondary school and also Queenborough for transfer by train to all have an impact on what we are able to do. from secondary school to college. parts of the UK. Storm Angus made for a very Which leads me onto bidding for the new South windy and chilly day but the sight of a Javelin There have been pop-up hubs in town East rail franchise. We know that there are train on SwaleRail tracks more than made centres, railway stations including a four bidders and over the past 18 months we up for the weather. December saw parts of Farmers’ Market at Ebbsfleet and a have canvassed widely on what the users of Maidstone West Station being transferred Community Rail in the City day at St Pancras Medway Valley Line and SwaleRail would like by ‘Team Elf’ (a mix of Southeastern staff Station – a first in both instances! We have included in the winning bid. This ‘wish list’ is a and Kent CRP) into Santa’s Grotto with well also been working with developers of new practical and measured request and so we over 100 children visiting Santa and enjoying residential areas promoting the use of the look forward to our meetings with individual making some Christmas crafts. train, bus or walking. bidders to put our requests on a formal footing.

Where is your sleigh - Santa arrives at Maidstone West When Santa came to Maidstone West Santa made a surprise visit to Maidstone West Station last December to greet Southeastern passengers. Passengers were treated to carols from St Michaels School choir while they waited to visit Santa’s wonderful grotto and also made decorations for the station’s Christmas tree, donated by The Potted Garden. All money raised on the day was donated to The Railway Children, helping Team Elf - Santa and his little helpers in his Grotto at Maidstone West vulnerable children living on the streets.

Matthew Fraser, Station Manager at Maidstone West said: “We meet so many people passing through our station, so it’s great when we’re able to surprise our passengers with something a little different, particularly whilst raising money for a great cause.”

Sue Murray said: “What a fantastic day we gave to the many children who visited Santa Claus. The combined talents of SouthEastern and Kent CRP went into making the day the success it undoubtedly was and the happy faces and chatter of the children proved that it was worth all the effort put in.”

Medway Valley Line and SwaleRail Sarah Deakin An excellent School report The fun began back in March 2016, when I won the Abellio School’s own station noticeboard. Go Pupil Power! Many pupils Challenge and a pot of funding to begin a new project also joined the fun bug hunt (BioBlitz) held on land next to providing travel training workshops for Year 6 pupils on platform 2 in partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust. their transition/induction days at Secondary school. The project was piloted at Holmesdale School in July 2016, with Snodland Garden pupils all 130 transitioning pupils designing their own travel plan to secondary school. It was so successful that in September 2016 show their raised bed a second bus was needed to transport the pupils to school! Following on from the success of this pilot, I have expanded my work to include a further 4 schools this summer – Weald of Kent Grammar School, Aylesford Sports College, Mascalls Academy & Maidstone Girls Grammar School. In addition to the workshops I have attended transition parents’ evenings and discovered the huge distances that some pupils are travelling to school; with 8 pupils from London travelling to Maidstone! I also developed a new Travel to School Guide which I am proud to say is completely dyslexia friendly and has been distributed to over 1000 pupils. Following a successful bid to the Access Fund, I can now extend this work to more schools over the next 3 years. Snodland Station refurbishment was launched with a spring bulb planting spree with the help of pupils from Holmesdale I wrote an abstract for the Public Health England Conference School and the local community. Art pupils from Holmesdale which was accepted and now this work can spread nationwide. School designed and made four new mosaics for the station The Smarter Journeys programme continued its 3rd year with as part of the 160 years celebrations of Snodland station 5 schools completing with 205 Superheroes and 13 Heroes, – all part of their BTEC Art qualification. The pupils were including Woodlands Primary School in Tonbridge. KCC invited inspired by railway artists including Phillip Hawkins and the Woodlands and Weald of Kent Grammar to participate in pieces were launched on Friday 7 July 2017 by KCC Councillor the new Tonbridge Station forecourt consultation and were Michael Payne. The “Snodland Express” train, developed by impressed by the pupils’ thoughtful and insightful comments. Holmesdale School for the Snodland Carnival in July 2016, was also named by pupils from 3 different schools, who chose Both Wateringbury and Aylesford Schools secured grant the name ‘Snodland Express’ as part of an inter-schools money from Kent County Council for new cycle shelters as a competition, won by Snodland Primary, Woodlands Primary result of their previous year’s work. This included regional wins and Bower Grove, Maidstone. at The Big Pedal cycle to school competition and the Big Street Survey. A massive congratulations to them. Last October Bradfields Academy & KCRP were nominated for a Community Rail Award: “Including Diverse Groups” for our joint work on a project with students from the school with mild, moderate and more complex learning disabilities, embarking on student-led train travel training. In July 2017 five pupils took their very first unassisted train journey from Chatham to Strood Station, a massive achievement. Bradfields Academy supported another initiative: to make the railway safer by promoting the British Transport Police (BTP) Text number: 61016. Susan Fernandez, teacher from Bradfields, proposed a competition to design a poster for use at our stations. Four posters were chosen from 109 entries and Wateringbury School will be installed soon. pupils on train Wider recognition was gained by winning Cycle Champion at the National Cycle Rail Awards 2016 and being nominated for Halling Primary continues its great work at Halling Station a Pride of Medway Award. and helped launch new platform shelters on our Champion Action Day 2016, part of the schools station improvements All in all – a hugely successful year for schools work and a big project. Eighteen of twenty-one suggestions for improvement thanks to the hard work of the KCRP team, the school teachers have now been implemented including pupils artwork on the and pupils involved. Tonbridge Family Cycle Ride by Katie James

The bike ride from Tonbridge Station to Penshurst Place and back was an adventure for us James’ – Laura and Megan (age 8) were excited, Sue (my mum) was apprehensive, Thomas (age 3 and my passenger) was ‘navigating’ and I was doing as I was told – we rolled down the hill to East Farleigh Station and met with another 3 adventurers.

The guard wasn’t too grumpy with the 7 bicycles we had between us and the short (and excellent value) journey to join the ride began. Once we arrived at Tonbridge, Sarah greeted us with such a warm smile and we were all surprised that Mike, the mechanic and ride leader checked all of the bikes out before we set off. Perfect weather and company prevailed as we meandered I would say we managed the whole day with no moaning but along the cycle route, passing others and enjoying the varied there was one person who not only mentioned the aches and surfaces and scenery – there were some gentle hills and some pains caused by the saddle at every opportunity but also not so gentle hills but the encouragement from Sarah and Mike managed to put her shorts on an ants nest when changing in kept even the littlest riders smiling and relishing the challenge. to something a little more comfortable half way around… Good I had a commentary from Thomas the whole way and every bit on you mum for making us giggle! of wildlife was pointed out to me (or anyone else who was close Anyway, thank you to Sarah for her relentless patience, Matt enough). Arriving at Penshurst Place was a slight relief –as was for all of the local information about events and Mike for the short downhill stretch where we reached our top speed of keeping the eager ones at the front smiling as well as fixing the 18.2 mph (the rest was a more manageable 4-7mph) up-side-down handle bars! We are looking forward to our next A cup of tea, some incredible cake and a short while later we cycle and train adventure! braved the ride back which flew by – the diversity in the group was a joy, everyone talking together as we rode and helped each other out if needed. But what a sense of satisfaction as we reached the station and knowing that not only had we completed a 12 mile cycle but that we wouldn’t have even considered doing it unless Kent CRP had sent the poster out on email to the primary schools.

Medway Valley Line and SwaleRail Sheerness Station welcomes visitors to Sheppey

A wonderful new and huge “The Isle of Sheppey” sign now greets visitors arriving at Sheerness station. Thanks to the initiative of Heather Thomas-Pugh, working in collaboration with Sarah Deakin of the CRP and Justin Aggett, Project & Arts Manager of Sheppey Matters, this collaborative project has produced a colourful and fascinating welcome sign full of information and perspectives about Sheppey. The sign was created by a dozen 16-24 year olds who were not in education, employment or training or had some form of disability. The detail is incredible and uses a range of imaginative materials, including pencil sharpenings! A large group attended the formal opening by local MP, Gordon Henderson in March. Gordon Henderson, MP opening the The Isle of Sheppey artwork

Amazing Creativity and detail

Snodland Walk and Station re-opening A number of events have celebrated the refurbishment and re-opening of the booking hall at Snodland station. Sue Murray commented: “What a wonderful 160th birthday present for the Medway Valley Line. The re-opening of the station and this fantastic refurbishment brings further improvements and easier access to the people of Snodland and the surrounding area, following the introduction of High- Speed services last year.” Following the cutting (and tasting!) of the birthday cake, the party set off on the “Farms and Downs” walk, one of the thirteen Medway Valley RailTrail walks, taking in the stunning views of the Medway Gap on the Downs west of Snodland, guided by walk leader Dave Wetton and local expert Jerry Hayes. All the walks are shown on sign boards at stations and can be downloaded from the Kent Community Rail Partnership website: www.kentcrp.org.uk Southeastern held a formal opening ceremony at the station on the 14 October, attended by local MP Tracey Crouch who joined others in planting bulbs in the station frontage. The planting had been organised by the Partnership. In parallel, the Partnership has been working with Holmesdale College in Snodland on two other enhancements to the station, mosaics to grace the platform side station walls and the installation of the Snodland Express model at the entrance to the station. Both of these were formally opened at Snodland 160 years a ceremony in July 2017. South East Rail Franchise Other news… The franchise for the South East region is due for renewal in December 2018 Welcome to the latest member of the Kent (postponed from June 2018). CRP team. “Vic”, our The Partnership submitted a formal response including a “wishlist” new soft toy white horse of changes which we would like to see. In order to ensure that we and mascot will be used represented views of local rail users, two public meetings were in schools and other held and the response was reviewed and approved by our Line events, including the and Steering Groups. We have also held a number of meetings Teddy Bear’s picnic at with members of the DfT Franchise team and the bidders. Whatman Park. Vic is short for In’Vic’Ta! He Here are the areas covered in our proposals: is already proving a hit a) Service Frequency and Connections with schoolchildren. b) Ticketing arrangements All stations on the lines now have new touchscreen ticket machines, c) Support for Community Rail allowing everyone to buy tickets (with a credit/debit card). d) Station Infrastructure e) Passenger Information New Website launched in June. This now reflects our branding, is f) Access for all simpler to use and importantly is much easier for us to modify and g) Rolling Stock update ourselves, saving time and the costs of paying external h) Engineering Works – Timing and Management developers. The site is also much quicker as we have moved the hosting to a better infrastructure. Many thanks to our volunteer, A copy of our response document can be downloaded from our Kevin Neale, for building the website, and to Linda Bell for preparing website: www.kentcrp.org.uk much of the content. We will be providing regular updates as the Franchise process progresses. ACoRP have launched a new website: www.ScenicRailBritain.com which aims to attract UK and overseas visitors to Community Rail The Minister for Transport has mentioned that he wants to see lines throughout the country. improvements in collaboration between Network Rail and the Train Operating Companies through the creation of a “joint management Guy Schofield is leaving the Partnership for twelve months as team” in each franchise area in order to improve efficiency of he completes a secondment role with Sustrans as NCN Project services. This new franchise will be one of the first where this joint Director to lead the review of the National Cycle Network. We wish approach will be implemented, so it will be interesting to see how Guy all the best in his new role. Interviews for his replacement are the joint team looks and its effectiveness in practice. taking place as we go to print. Community Rail in the City – Selling our wares! Every year Community Rail Partnerships We were honoured to be visited by senior are encouraged to join in this nationwide members of ACoRP who complimented us event to promote their work to the many on being the first CRP to be given access thousands of rail users who travel through to St Pancras. This followed the very mainline stations in our major cities. successful “Pop-Up Farmers Market” held in conjunction with Kent Farmers Markets Following the success of last year’s event Associations at Ebbsfleet International in in the City of Rochester to celebrate the March. This event was used as a dummy newly opened station, we returned to run for St Pancras and will become a more London this year with our first event at regular occurrence, both at Ebbsfleet St Pancras International Station in order and other stations, due to its popularity to promote Kent and the Partnership to with stallholders, station staff and most potential visitors. We had a lot of interest, importantly the many UK and oversees and had many detailed discussions with travellers who visited. people ranging from foreign students, to new Kent residents, parents visiting their Thanks to all the volunteers who helped children studying in Canterbury as well as us man the stands and replenish the many commuters who were not aware of Smoothie Bike. the delights of SwaleRail and the Medway These events are key to delivering our Valley Lines. Goodie bags packed with objectives of encouraging growth in rail useful information about Kent and local rail services and promoting economic activity. services were handed out.

Medway Valley Line and SwaleRail AN EVENTFUL YEAR Spooky Fun Day Maidstone Runners apple pressing Arriving at Wateringbury

Spooky Fun Day fancy dress competition prize winners

Promoting the Junction Arts World Autism Awareness Day initiative at Wateringbury Fair Cake Sale – Maidstone West Looking forward An exciting programme of events and monthly Pop-Up Hubs has been drawn up by Officers and Line Groups Members to grow and widen the work of the Partnership in the coming months. EVENTS OF October 27 December 16 Halloween Train Santa at the West Station More details soon. Visit Santa in his Grotto at Maidstone West Station. 2017 November 19 Medway Valley Walk From Strood Always check for the latest event More details soon. information on our website www.kentcrp.org.uk or our Facebook page.

Website www.kentcrp.org.uk or via our Keep up-to-date! Facebook page Kent Community Rail Partnership There’s no excuse for not keeping up with our news Twitter @kentcrp1

Project Officer Contact us Therese Hammond Kent Community Rail Partnership [email protected] Chairman Sue Murray

c/o The Station Manager Maidstone West Station Community Rail Project Support Officer Station Approach Engagement Officer Linda Bell 07920 088441 The Broadway Sarah Deakin 07920 184060 [email protected] MAIDSTONE [email protected] Kent, ME16 8RJ

The Kent Community Rail Partnership is hosted by the registered charity, Sustrans. The Kent Community Rail Partnership gratefully acknowledges financial support received from Southeastern Railway towards the production of this newsletter. By working together we aim to encourage greater use of the Medway Valley and SwaleRail lines by local people and visitors and to improve station environments and facilities on offer.