Southeast Communities Rail Partnership

2020 Annual Review

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP connecting communities with places and opportunities SOUTHEAST COMMUNITIES RAIL PARTNERSHIP

Patrick Warner Chair of SAB Welcome to our review of 2020

Welcome to our look back at 2020. function well. This meant staff every six months to support and Like everybody else, we had a very learning new skills, coping with advise the SCRP. We have continued demanding and challenging year. new technology, and the SCRP with our successful Go-Learn and Tim Barkley But thanks to the commitment of facing unexpected IT costs (virtual Active Access for Growth projects Chair CIC our staff, partners and volunteers we meeting software) which we and have added value to both were able to continue to support our achieved whilst maintaining a projects by developing new ways of local communities. healthy financial position. delivering them. More detail is set into this important piece of work. It has certainly been another very Importantly the year saw further out in this review. A key area of work last year was busy and productive year and in this investment in the SCRP by several We were delighted that in June the development of days out guides review you will see fine examples of Train Operating Companies. A new the for each of our CRPs together projects and events which our staff Community Rail Line was launched reaccredited us for another year. with the preparation of a brand have been able to achieve whilst in the Autumn on the to This was an important milestone for new guide which was grappling with new ways of working Tonbridge route with the support the SCRP, and we wish to place on developed in partnership with and limited access to stations and of Southeastern Railway which has record our thanks to those partners colleagues from the other CRPs the rail network. been named the 1066 Line. The new who supported us through this covered by the Thameslink services. A major milestone was changing Community Rail Partnership (CRP) process. This confirmed the value This important area of work will our company name last summer held its first meeting in December and importance of our ‘golden enable us to be ready to promote to better reflect the geographical and we are pleased that the chair of thread’ from the SCRP business plan travel by public transport when we spread of the company. We remain the new Line, James Abbott, is now a to consultation with stakeholders are able to. SCRP CIC, but we are now Southeast volunteer director on the SCRP Board. and line groups to action plan We developed new ways of working Communities Rail Partnership We benefited from new support priorities. It remains an ongoing with our partners and stakeholders Community Interest Company. from Cross Country Trains and South learning and refining process for us to remain engaged with passengers. as we take account of feedback. By moving meetings online, finding Western Railway, strengthening our We have produced films showcasing new ways of maintaining close work on the . The Looking forwards the Board has the new 1066 Line CRP and how contact with local communities, SCRP is proud to now be working developed a new business plan which to travel safely on trains. Our films partners and key stakeholders, with five train operating companies. will guide our work for the next few have had over 600 views on social investing in technology and, a major These new partnerships have added years. The plan was developed in media. The films have been picked updating of our website we ensured strength to our stakeholder advisory consultation with our key partners up by mainstream media, shown at that the SCRP could continue to board which continued to meet and we are grateful for their input several events and shared with Line

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Groups. We are hoping for more to welcome the community back Working with Southern/GTR on the provision collaborations like this in 2021. on board. of the Passenger Benefit Fund project: We said goodbye to Kevin ‘Taff’ On behalf of the Stakeholder Barry, our officer, Advisory Board, the volunteer The £15m Passenger Benefit Fund (PBF) was established to provide during the year, with sincere thanks directors, and staff, we would like to “tangible improvements for passengers” across the GTR network. for all he has done, and welcomed take this opportunity to thank all our SCRP has worked with the Harry Sievewright to our family. community groups, volunteers, and PBF team during the extensive partners for their continued support. The major challenge we face in 2021 consultation period to ensure This support is key in helping us to is getting passengers back to using enhancements are appropriate for the rail and bus services. The SCRP continue to successfully deliver the local needs and some examples is ready to support a marketing wide range of projects and activities of our engagement with them are campaign once conditions are right to our communities. included in this review. Amberley shelter renovated and is now looking very nice. Rowena Tyler, Line Officer explains “Arun COMMUNITY RAIL PARTNERSHIP RE-ACCREDITATION Valley Line Group members, Amberley museum and South Amberley Station – In June Southeast Communities Rail Partnership was pleased to be Downs National Park Authority are accredited for the second year by the Department for Transport (DfT). working together to supply heritage Accreditation is formal recognition by the DfT that a community rail source material for artwork for the District Cycling Forum who were partnership (CRP) operates to a high standard and that its objectives shelter and the front of the station. able to advise on the requirements. It will be installed later this year.” and activities are supported by Government. Later, when land ownership Another example on the Arun needed to be established, planning Valley Line is at Littlehaven where Accreditation should provide assurance to others, including permission sought and on-going there was a scheme to ‘Refurbish potential funders and partners, that the CRP operates to high maintenance agreements secured and Expand the Cycle parking, standards of governance and financial propriety; adopts a (as the land it outside GTR’s lease) on Rusper Road adjacent to the collaborative approach; is worthy of trust by Horsham District Council who have entrance to Platform 1 (North side). others; and is a suitable entity for receiving public representation on the Arun Valley funds. It means government considers it a good The SCRP introduced the Passenger Line Group stepped in to ensure representative of the local community. Benefit team to the Horsham and things went smoothly.

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The installation of the new cycle The reinstatement of the old parking is anticipated this year. platform waiting room, following Paul Devereux, GTR Contract Project up funding opportunity from the Manager, Passenger Benefit Fund said: Railway Heritage Trust. Importantly there has been close engagement “It has been extremely rewarding with the Parish Council which working with SCRP Line Groups, resulted in extra funding and a whose members and Line Officers beautiful mural painted by a have brought local knowledge to local artist. help inform and enhance projects The local collaboration with the at stations.” PBF team also has resulted in the Artwork at Penshurst station Artwork donated by the Parish Council Sharon Gray, the Community use of heritage colour scheme and on display at Eridge station. Rail Line Officer for the Tonbridge, station partner Redhill & Reigate line and the providing access to their photo Uckfield & East Grinstead Lines archive for historic photo display has worked closely with the PBF and from the Railway Heritage team and this is exemplified by the Trust, original plans for the Another example of our close It has been a pleasure and very work at Eridge Station. Here the station buildings which have working with the PBF team is at useful working with Sharon and scheme includes: been reproduced for display. Penshurst station where Sharon the local community groups”. Gray’s detective work and community Another good example is the work knowledge resulted in engagement that Catherine Simmons, Line with a local art collective who Officer for the Seaford to Brighton have provided the most amazing line has undertaken at Glynde. collaborative art project to decorate Here Catherine worked with The the waiting shelter. Friends of Glynde Station run by Max Kenna GTR Contract Project Helen Sadler for around two years Manager said ”Sharon Gray’s supporting the station adoption and knowledge of the local station plans for creating wildlife gardens at communities and local contacts has the station. In the PBF consultation proved invaluable in helping improve Helen proposed various arts/history and shape several of the projects. projects which would be welcome.

Amberley shelter before and after

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After the local primary school ran Active Access for Growth Programme a competition for railway art, we chose the winners which were to be This is a project which the SCRP has A summary of the outcomes of created in metal work by Thomas carried out over the last four years this Independent Train Travel Gontar at the local forge (thought working with ESCC, Sustrans and Training (ITTT) 2017-20 to be the oldest running forge in Living Streets. The Active Access programme is set out below. the country!). Working together for Growth Programme encourages Key impacts with Paul Devereux and the PBF rail and sustainable transport use. • Participants felt more confident installation teams the artwork has As part of this programme SCRP to travel by train and would now been placed at the station and offered Independent Train Travel choose to do so in the future. looks fantastic, a lasting legacy. Training to young people to break • Awareness of barriers to travel down some of the barriers they may increased for railway staff. have experienced in travelling by Outputs train such as anxiety, inexperience and disability. The SCRP would like • A total of 207 young people participated in ITTT from 17 to highlight the amazing support organisations. we have had from Southern station managers and staff (particularly • 100% Key Partner satisfaction. Kate Richards, Andy Gardner and • The ITTT programme was promoted staff at Hampden Park, Lewes to 229 businesses, organisations and and ) who have always educational establishments. helped when we have been at Outcomes stations for Try a Train. And thanks • 87% of participants were satisfied for the support from Antony with the training. 98% felt they Merlyn and the accessibility team had learnt new skills and had in providing tickets for travel which met new people.

Forging ahead at Glynde! allowed so many young people to • 65% of participants felt more be able to travel in some cases for confident travelling by train with the first time by train. all agreeing that further repeated training would give Catherine Simmons – Project Lead more confidence.

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Go Learn Project Backtrack Anti-trespassing national competition

Since Go Learn’s inception in 2015 “Brilliant, having had this in person In early summer 2020, with the UK to talk about rail safety. Following over 26,300 children have attended before and now over Zoom due to in lockdown, many were concerned on from the competitions success a Safety in Action or Junior Citizen the current situation, it was amazing by a steep rise in railway trespass, the group have now decided to event and met our REOs who talked that the quality of the session did not particularly amongst 11- 18 year make it an annual competition. about rail safety; over 5,300 pupils change in anyway. I highly recommend olds. Community Rail Officers Jess Flower, from Lewes, East have had a classroom workshop with this. The children loved it!” from across the country, including Sussex, won the Best Storyboard our Education Officer; and over 1,200 Teacher - Georgian Gardens School, our Education Officer Maddy Mills, category with this storyboard above: pupils have taken part in a station Littlehampton who attended Community Rail Faune Steward, from Horsham, West visit and train ride. We have worked Lancashire’s Virtual Education Sussex, was a Runner Up in the Best with over 740 schools across Sussex. “Despite it being virtual, Maddy was Network heard the frightening Song category which was judged by Maddy Mills, our Education able to deliver the same relevant and statistic from of a 25% Cross Country Trains. Officer, spent the summer turning helpful information to the children increase in railway trespass in the Winner of the best song, Henry our current provision into mini as last year’s cohort received. Thank first month of lockdown and knew Plume said “Oh my goodness! workshops which can be delivered you for still allowing this workshop they could help spread the message Thanks so much. You guys are via Zoom straight into classrooms to go ahead. The children really of #StayOffTheTracks. amazing. You have made my whole across Sussex. Maddy has already benefit from it for both the outside They created the Backtrack year!” when finding out he had won run workshops with several world and in their SATs tests!” competition which ran from June to a Go Pro Hero 8 bundle. different schools, new and old, Teacher - Arunside School, Horsham. the end of September. It was aimed and the response has been very Maddy Mills – Education Officer at young people and there were six positive. Maddy said “these remote categories: make a film, write a song, workshops will never be quite the For further information: https://www. Henry Plume, winner of the best song same as me actually standing in southeastcrp.org/education/go-learn- produce a storyboard, or write a script, the classroom, but this is the next online-workshops-y6/ and enter either as an individual, or as best thing, and it means that our a class or youth group. current Year 6s will not miss out on This was not a competition where learning about how to stay safe and the winning entries would be neatly feel confident when travelling on our filed away! All the work from the railways.” Teachers comments have winners and runners up will be used included: by Community Rail Officers when they visit schools and youth groups

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Water Efficiency for Station Garden volunteers

Across the SCRP getting access Both station partners are looking to water at stations to maintain forward to a rainy season, followed gardens and plants has been quite by opportunities to enhance their a challenge, with gardening groups beautiful garden areas. And at at stations investigating rainwater the same time, they are helping harvesting possibilities, both as Southern Water’s Target 100 scheme a sustainable option and reduce which aims to people cut their water manual handling of heavy use to just 100 litres per person, per watering cans, sometimes across day, by 2040. the footbridge. Network Rail Senior Community In 2020, not one but two station Engagement Officer, Greg partners on the Sussex Coast were Thompson said ‘We were really delighted to receive free water pleased to partner up with butts, as a result of a successful Southeast Communities Rail collaboration between SCRP and Partnership, Southern Water and Southern Water. vitally the community led station At Angmering, the GTR facilities partner to provide this great team installed the water butt and resource to support the ancillary equipment, securing it community garden’. under the footbridge where it would GTR: Head of Environment Jason capture plenty of rainfall. Brooker added: This is more than At West Worthing, the land is owned just installing a water butt; it means by Network Rail, and leased to the we can recycle our rainwater and station partner. Once permissions ensure there is water available for No ifs, water butts at West Worthing had been obtained from Network the wonderful natural garden Rail, Southern Water contractors at Angmering. installed the water butt in Rowena Tyler - Line Officer November 2020.

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‘1066’ line (Tonbridge to Hastings)

In the Autumn of 2020, the SCRP began work with Southeastern Railway to form a new CRP Line from Hastings to Tonbridge. New Line Chair James Abbott and Line Officer Catherine Simmons were supported by local stakeholders at a small socially distanced launch event at The Bistro at Etchingham Station and the first online steering group of the 1066 Line and look forward to connecting local communities with the line in the future. Take a look at our new line film at https://youtu.be/K5NFri1k740

Catherine Simmons - Line Officer

Launching the 1066 line at Etchingham, with local MP and chair of the Transport Select Committee Huw Merriman

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Arun Valley Line

Visual electronic displays on was jointly funded by Horsham the Arun Valley Line District Council and from the EU Two installations which went ahead Rural Development Initiative Fund during 2020 were both the result managed by West Sussex County of close collaboration between the Council. The signage was supplied station partners, station staff and by Allsee Technologies Limited others, facilitated by the Line Officer, and installed by local Horsham Rowena Tyler. companies Case Electrical in conjunction with Screen Social. Pulborough Community Partnership negotiated the gift of a TV monitor The Billingshurst sign is one of twelve from a local electrical store, which across the south of the District. was installed by GTR facilities team, Clive Burley, Corporate Project along with a new power socket. Manager, Horsham District Council A 7-minute slideshow was created “The Council was aware that when by the Community Partnership, developing proposals on land owned and in September, as part of the by rail operators that there are a Heritage Open Weekend national number of permissions required. initiative, the display was unveiled Rowena Tyler, from the Southeast to a small group of invited guests, Communities Rail Partnership, Launching the kiosk at Billingshurst including West Sussex High Sheriff, proved invaluable in steering the Dr Tim Fooks and Southern Rail project through the various stages Managing Director, Angie Doll, which formed part of the overall with complimentary refreshments collaborative approach together provided by the station café, the with the local Billingshurst Coffee Cup. Community Partnership”. At Billingshurst, an electronic The e-kiosk is currently being community information ‘kiosk’ was used to spread the message installed outside the ticket office. on staying safe.

The interactive digital signage Rowena Tyler – Line Officer

16 17 SOUTHEAST COMMUNITIES RAIL PARTNERSHIP Southeast Communities Rail Partnership network

Reading Morden South Hackbridge Earley East Croydon Carshalton Wallington Waddon West Croydon Triangle St. Helier South Croydon Winnersh Sanderstead Riddlesdown Carshalton Beeches Uckfield to Oxted and Sutton Common Sutton Wokingham West Purley Oaks Upper Warlingham East Grinstead Line Sutton Belmont Crowthorne Coulsdon Purley Woldingham Woodmansterne Town Reedham Kenley Whyteleafe Sandhurst Cheam Banstead Oxted Blackwater Ewell East Whyteleafe to London Epsom Downs Chipstead Coulsdon South South drofhsA Farnborough North Epsom Hurst Green la n oita n ret nI Kingswood Merstham Caterham Tonbridge to Reigate Line North Camp Ashtead Redhill Tadworth Edenbridge Leigh Tonbridge teertS maH Ash Leatherhead Tattenham Corner Reigate Earlswood Nutfield Godstone Wanborough London Road EdenbridgePenshurst High Brooms erodelppA Guildford (Guildford) Horsley Bookham Town Salfords Tunbridge Wells eyR EŒingham Lingfield Hever Clandon Box Hill & Westhumble Horley Shalford Junction aeslehcniW Dorking Gatwick Airport Dormans Cowden Stonegate Gomshall Deepdene *maheloD Three Bridges East Grinstead Ashurst Etchingham Chilworth Dorking West Betchworth Robertsbridge North Downs Line Holmwood Hastings to skaO eerhT Eridge Battle Crawley Tonbridge Line Ockley Balcombe Crowhurst erOMarshlink Line Crowborough Warnham West St. Leonards Littlehaven Faygate* Ifield Haywards Heath Rail Line sgnitsaH Horsham Buxted Wivelsfield s d r a n o e L .t S  Christ’s Hospital Uckfield llihxeB Plumpton  Billingshurst Burgess Hill notgnilloC Arun Valley Line Pulborough Hassocks Cooksbridge* hcae B n e d o o C Amberley Sussex Coast Line PrestonPark ya B sn a m ro N Arundel b m o oceslu o M ednylG kciwreB etageloP *y a B y es n e v e P m a htse W & yesn eve P nodnoL remlaF seweL Bosham daoR Ford Worthing Brighton Hampden Park FishbourneChichester Barnham )nothgirB( Southease Eastbourne Bognor Regis Littlehampton Newhaven Town to France Newhaven Harbour Bishopstone Seaford to Brighton Line Seaford

SCRP Lines SOUTHEAST COMMUNITIES RAIL PARTNERSHIP

Marshlink Line Covid compliant site meeting at Three Oaks!

Although challenging, 2020 on the Their work as line officers has been Marshlink line has had some success. imperative, to help support the The SCRP has welcomed two new wide range of volunteers and local line officers, Harry Sievewright and community groups to improve the Catherine Simmons to help promote appearance of stations along the rail usage and to connect local line and their surrounding areas. communities with their railway. The mural at Three Oaks station “I am delighted to have joined the along the line has been a successful SCRP. I have previously worked with project which was started at the local communities and volunteers, beginning of the year and depicts with a focus of young people. the beautiful wildlife of the area. My main tasks are to promote 2021 promises to be an exciting year the railway in these tough times on the line with projects pending. to the community and uncover Watch this space! unused spaces at station and help Harry Sievewright and Catherine Simmons – regenerate them.” Line Officers - Harry Sievewright “I am very pleased to be able to work with Harry on the Marshlink. I have worked for the SCRP for several years now and have been helping to cover the line before his arrival. I’m really impressed at the passion and commitment of local station partners, and we hope to build on that as we encourage people back on the train as soon as we can.” - Catherine Simmons

L to r Kevin Boorman, Catherine Simmons, Harry Sievewright

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North Downs Line - Great Western Railway stations North Downs Line – South Western Railway stations

Farnborough North Station Garden, Group leader Mike Knott said A new partnership with SWR Andy Harrowell, Community Rail also known as ‘Reg’s Garden’, ‘it’s testament to the work of local covering Ash, Wanborough, Manager for SWR said “At South named after the old Station Master, people, supported by GWR, NR Wokingham, Winnersh, Winnersh Western Railway we are committed has been transformed. From March and SCRP, that we’ve been able to Triangle and Earley stations. Maddy to putting our stations and services to December 2020 the volunteers deliver so much under the difficult Mills Line Officer said “It’s not been at the heart of the communities they put in over 1000 hours of work, circumstances this year. We look easy to start a new community rail serve. As part of that we were really averaging over 85 per month forward to the time in 2021 when partnership during the pandemic as pleased to provide funding to three (including a total of only 64.5 March the garden can be formally it’s all about building relationships additional CRPs this year, taking to May). All the brambles have opened to visitors’ and that’s tricky when you cannot our total to 11 across the network. meet face-to-face, but thankfully Although starting a new role during gone, fences painted, planters built, David Daniels - Line Officer allotments laid out and bug hotels Teams and Zoom have come to my the middle of a pandemic was never opened for business! rescue! I’ve been able to ‘virtually’ going to be an easy task, Maddy meet potential station partners has been amazing in bringing and a wide range of organisations groups closer to the railway and who are interested in working with coordinating projects virtually. She us. I’ve even beamed into a group’s has almost 20 stakeholders coming coffee morning to explain who we to the first online get-together and are and how we can work together.” I’m looking forward to working with her, and new partners, during 2021 to benefit our passengers and local communities.”

Maddy Mills - Line Officer

Maddy beaming into CLASP’s coffee Reg’s Garden, Farnborough North, before and after morning to explain our work. As a result of this introduction CLASP adopted Wokingham Station 22 23 SOUTHEAST COMMUNITIES RAIL PARTNERSHIP

Seaford to Brighton Line - ‘Get Into Trains’ Programme

The SCRP were very pleased to work ‘I liked meeting the driver, it was with Culture Shift to create an arts good meeting in the station café and heritage project encouraging and being around other people adults with additional needs to when I was drinking my tea’ Neil, travel on the railway. Culture Shift participant; gaining confidence provides opportunities for adults ‘going somewhere different each with additional needs to express time- learning new things and themselves through the arts. The ‘Get getting to know different railway into Trains’ programme aimed to help staff’ Steve, support worker; participants to overcome barriers interacting with the community ‘It’s to choosing train travel, by gaining great doing this activity, it means confidence, meeting new people, and the local community can meet and learning about railway heritage. interact with each other- and accept Artist Anne Colvin and the then each other’ Rodrigo, support worker. Seaford to Brighton Line Officer The project, which was shortlisted Catherine Simmons planned the for the Community Rail Network focus for each station: Lewes- Every Awards was generously funded Ironworks; Seaford- WWII West Indian through Community Rail Network, soldier encampments; Eastbourne- Culture Shift, SCRP and Tesco Bags focus on sustainable travel. At each for Life and kindly supported by station staff became integral to staff at Southern. the programme, interacting and In the future we would love to answering questions about rail travel replicate the programme on other and safety from the participants. SCRP Lines. Participants learnt about local railway heritage ‘I liked looking Take a look at the ‘Get Into Trains’ film at the shapes and the Mr Every showcasing the project (Ironworks) story’ Tommy, https://youtu.be/tDTG3LKbd6M participant; meeting new people Catherine Simmons - Line Officer

‘Get into trains’ programme 24 25 SOUTHEAST COMMUNITIES RAIL PARTNERSHIP

Tonbridge, Redhill & Reigate line

Redhill station Sometimes the most amazing To celebrate the role played by projects appear as if from nowhere. Redhill station, its staff, Southern, Bruce Healey, a member of the with the assistance of SCRP, has Tonbridge, Redhill, Reigate line installed an informative history panel steering group contacted us to ask in pride of place on platform 3 at the if he could design a project based station. The timing of this installation on some of Redhill station’s recent was especially poignant as we history namely the story of the neared Remembrance Day. evacuation of Allied, British and “If you happen to be at Redhill Commonwealth troops from the station why not spare a few minutes beaches of Dunkirk. On arrival back to learn about this unknown story?” in the UK the displaced soldiers Sharon Gray - Development Officer had to be transported around the country to be returned to their base … This is where the railways stepped up, moving tens of thousands Unveiling the history panel at Redhill of men around the network in special trains run at short notice in unprecedented time.

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Uckfield & East Grinstead Lines

In February (before social distancing past station master also takes pride became the norm!) we held an of place in the station window. event at Edenbridge Town station The project was funded by a grant to mark a new partnership with from GTR. the Eden Valley museum. Local Alan Smart OBE Trustee and residents, volunteers and trustees member of the Executive from the museum, the Town Council, Committee of the museum said the Community Rail staff and volunteers, following: “Sharon I’d like to express ACoRP (now CRN) Southern staff, our gratitude to you personally, including our VIP guest Angie Doll, to Southern Managing Director Southern’s managing director came Angie Doll and to all the Sussex along to help us celebrate. Community Rail Partnership and This very active museum, located Southern colleagues who made in an historic building in the High this project possible. It has allowed Street had originally asked for their us to help express the pride and own dedicated notice board to importance we attach to our railway publicise events, walks and talks, we station and its central place in the were happy to oblige but wanted history of our town and surrounds - to do something bigger and better. thank you again and we very much In partnership with the museum look forward to the next stage in photographs from their collection Marking the partnership with Eden our partnership”. the event at Edenbridge Town and Valley museum, pre-Covid, at were worked into a display and now Angie Doll added :- Despite also one at Pulborough, and look Edenbridge town decorate the ticket hall. COVID-19, SCRP and all our station forward to attending even more in Faces and places from the past form partners have been working hard 2021. Looking ahead, the work of our the display including the staff from to ensure our stations and services community rail partners is vital to help the old Edenbridge (Top) station, are at the heart of the communities us deliver an even better experience proudly posing with their station they serve, something that was for our customers and encourage our dog. They are of particular interest even more important last year. I communities back to rail again. to us as an image of William Gray, a was delighted to be able to support Sharon Gray - Development Officer

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Community rail stalwart retires

The Marshlink community rail “I am now moving back to development officer, Kevin ‘Taff’ after many years away and hope to Barry, retired after almost six years become ordained in the Church of in the role. Wales in the near future.” Taff, based at Rye and responsible Taff was presented with a gift for developing community rail voucher and photo of a special train on the line between Ashford and at Rye by Kevin Boorman, the chair Taff showing his Hastings, had spent much of his of the Marshlink steering group, at true colours, and his retirement career in local newspapers in his last meeting in February. presentation (pre-Covid) before joining the Sussex Kevin said then: - “We will really Community Rail Partnership. He was miss Taff! He has achieved so also well known around Rye as the much in his time on the Marshlink, town sergeant, and also volunteered almost every station has been for the Rye Bay Coastguard. improved as a result of his efforts Taff said: - “I’ve really enjoyed my to work with the local community. time working on the Marshlink. I His gentle but persuasive manner feel that we’ve achieved a huge means that numerous projects have amount, and that is thanks to the been undertaken by many local huge support I’ve had from the volunteers, and he leaves a legacy community, who have worked so of fantastic support along the hard to transform their stations, and Marshlink line. their railway line. “We wish Taff well back at home in “There is more to be done, and Wales, and a long and successful I’m particularly keen that my retirement. Except that Taff won’t successor, and the railway in general, be retiring, he hopes to continue to focuses on making the railway fully serve as an ordained priest, which accessible; in this day and age it is shows the measure of the man: - vital that everyone feels comfortable he simply can’t stop helping travelling by train. his community.”

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TOTAL ADDED VALUE: £169,000

£107K Value of Volunteer Hours

£17k in Donations to Station Partners

£45k in Grants to Station Partners

73 Station Partners

10 Volunteer Directors

8 Staff

8 Community Rail Lines

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CONTACT DETAILS The Members of our Stakeholder Advisory Board

For more information on how you, your company or your voluntary group can be involved contact us via any of the following SCRP staff. Kent County Council We offer a range of opportunities to get involved with Community Rail. Surrey County Council You can volunteer your time to help with a specific project, join our line West Sussex County Council steering groups, share your skills or persuade your company to spend a day volunteering with us. County Council Brighton and Hove City Council

Southeast Communities Rail Partnership North Downs line and Education Officer Hastings Borough Council Lewes Station, Maddy Mills 07852 221274 Crawley Borough Council Station Road, [email protected] Lewes, Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus East Sussex, BN7 2UP Uckfield & East Grinstead lines and Railfuture www.southeastcrp.org Tonbridge Redhill Reigate line Twitter @SoutheastCRP Sharon Gray 07944 628933 London Gatwick Airport Instagram @southeastcrp [email protected] facebook.com/SCRPCIC South Downs National Park North Downs line Surrey Hills AONB SCRP CIC David Daniels 07939 036131 The Old Rectory, [email protected] Litlington, Polegate, 1066 and Marshlink Line East Sussex, BN26 9RB Catherine Simmons 07375 531987 Registered in No. 6731176 [email protected]

Development Manager: Fiona Morton Fundraising & Finance Officer: [email protected] 07891 556897 Trevor Field 07495 046462 [email protected] Sussex Coast line and Arun Valley line Rowena Tyler 07944 289269 [email protected]

Marshlink, Seaford-Brighton and Sussex Coast lines Harry Sievewright 07949 314233 [email protected]

34 35 Southeast Communities Rail Partnership, Lewes Station, Platform 5, Station Road, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2UP www.southeastcrp.org www.facebook.com/SCRPCIC www.instagram.com/southeastcrp twitter.com/SoutheastCRP

Produced by SCRP CIC – March 2021 Designed by Studioink.co.uk Photography by Martyn Gibbens (volunteer photographer) and others