East Midlands Railway and its partners have seen an array of its community-based projects shortlisted for the 2022 Community Railway Awards
The nominations include a project aimed at supporting young vulnerable people through engineering, an artwork campaign to promote Lincoln's history and the celebration which marked 175 years of the Castle Line are just three of the eight which have been shortlisted with the winners announced in October.
The Community Rail Awards recognise unsung heroes from across the country and the community railway world for their outstanding commitment and hard work. The projects which have been shortlisted were all funded via East Midland Railway's Community Fund.
One of the impressive projects was the ‘Romans to Railways' scheme which saw space used at Lincoln station in order to promote the city's history and heritage. Six pieces of artwork were created and are now on display next to platform 6 with the project seeing local artist Mel Langton work with Hospital School pupils, the National Citizen Service and Lincoln City Foundation in order to revamp an overgrown and neglected area. The incredible artwork created sees designs featuring Lincoln Castle, the cathedral, Newport Arch and Lincoln City Football Club, and one piece which shows the railway network alongside a further artwork which reflects the history of Lincoln being the birthplace of the tank.
The 17th anniversary of the Castle Line was also successful in being shortlisted and saw East Midlands Railway work alongside its community partners on the route with a range of events taking place both up and down the line as well as entertainment onboard trains and at stations with singer Jayne Darling and a team of re-enactors dancing for passengers. The station adopters also got into the spirit of celebration and decked out the stations in order for them to be ready for the special anniversary. The celebration also saw a new train planter installed at Burton Joyce which was named by local primary school pupils.
The ‘Turning Around Vulnerable Young Lives Through Engineering' project saw young people given the opportunity to learn engineering skills whilst making a brand new arch feature for Duffield station and was also shortlisted for this year's awards. The project saw East Midlands Railway team up with Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership in order to give young people the chance to enjoy a range of activities. Alongside learning welding and fabricating skills via Engineered Learning they also took part in team building exercises, a rail safety talk and a tour of Derby station. The young people also underwent a personal development and careers advice session which gave them a real insight into possible future industry opportunities. Following the project, eight of the young people achieved their Level 1 NCFR Award in Industry Specific Engineering Skills.
The shortlisted projects are as follows:
Involving children and young people:
- Engineered Learning, Derwent Valley Line CRP and East Midlands Railway – Turning Around Vulnerable Young Lives Through Engineering (Duffield station Archway project)
Community Creative Projects & Station Arts:
- Poacher Line CRP, East Midlands Railway & Network Rail – Netherfield Bridge Artwork
- North Notts and Lincs CRP, East Midlands Railway and The Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia – Romans to Railways
Small Projects Award:
- North Staffs CRP and Friends of Alsager Station – Alsager Station Adopt-A-Shelter
Best Community Engagement Project:
- Friends of Lowdham and Burton Joyce Stations – 175 years of the Castle Line
Tourism & Leisure Award:
- Derwent Valley Line CRP – Promoting post covid return to rail travel, walks and attractions
Most Enhanced Station:
- Poacher Line CRP – Sleaford Station Restoration
Station Friends & Adopters at the Heart of Communities:
- Ambergate Station Adopters – Ambergate Station Adopters During the pandemic
Donna Adams, Community Engagement Manager at East Midlands Railway, said: “We are delighted that these projects have been shortlisted and the hard work of everyone involved has been recognised.
“Community rail projects create strong social benefits and help people come together to make an economic difference to their communities, helping to improve gateways to towns and villages, while promoting civic pride.
“At East Midlands Railway we are a strong supporter of community rail and proud to be part of such worthwhile projects through our Community Fund.”
East Midland Railway's Community Fund finds ways to support communities and organisations along their routes. The fund aims to inspire projects, making a difference for those in need of it most.
For further information about East Midland Railway's Community Fund including how to apply, please visit:
https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/community-fund
If only more trains stopped at the Castle Line stations between Newark and Nottingham then more people would appreciate the efforts of the volunteers. It’s all very well creating pretty stations if only a few trains stop.