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THE TYNE VALLEY COMMUNITY RAIL PARTNERSHIP

The Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership (TVCRP) was founded in 2004 and is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee.

We work in close partnership with train operating companies including:

We also work with Network Rail and their input and assistance with many projects is vital to their success. Haltwhistle Station buildings project and Heritage Open Days are examples of the diversity of our work with Network Rail.

Pillars of the Community Rail Development StrategyWe are a member of Community Rail Network and were the first community rail partnership in Northern’s franchise area to be awarded accreditation by the Department of Transport in 2019.   Successful re-accreditation has been awarded following annual reviews of our work, policies and processes by the DfT and Community Rail Network, to ensure that we fulfill the role set out by the DFT and that we are:

Our Partnership Board and advisory group benefits from representation from Transport North East, Hadrian’s Wall Partnership, Northumberland County Council, Cumberland Council and Tyne Valley Rail Users Group as well as train operating companies, Northern TrainsCrossCountryTransPennine Express, LNER and Avanti West Coast

We also have regular contact with local Parish Councils and Councillors, links with local businesses, tourism organisations and other public transport providers. Please contact the Company Secretary if you are interested in being involved.

THE WORK WE DO

Each year we review our strategies, creating a comprehensive action plan focussing on the DfT strategy taking into account feedb ack from our communities.

You can learn more about some of the ongoing and past projects throughout this site or by following us on our social media pages.

DIRECTORS

Directors of the Company are volunteers who contribute their experience, knowledge and time to making the Partnership and its projects a valuable asset to the area and the rail industry.  

The TVCRP Officer is an employee of the Company, who undertakes a multi-functional role with the support of the Directors, volunteers and other rail industry personnel.

MALCOLM CHAINEY, DIRECTOR AND CHAIR

Malcolm Chainey Chairman

Malcolm has lived in the North East since 1987.  For 25 years, he was a commuter on the Tyne Valley Railway and chaired the Tyne Valley Rail Users’ Group between 2000 and 2016.  

A founder director of the Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership, Malcolm has undertaken the role of Chair since 2015. His current area of responsibility is the Bringing Communities Together and Supporting Diversity and Inclusion pillar of the Community Rail Strategy. He represents the wider North East Region on Northern’s Community Rail Executive Group.

 

  

COLIN MOORE, LEGAL & CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DIRECTOR

Colin MooreColin joined the Board in 2016. He is retired Head of Risk Management for a large multinational group. Post retirement he has chaired a number of Trustee Companies and undertaken consulting roles.

From April 2017 Colin took responsibility for the Partnership’s Finance, Legal & Corporate Governance portfolio and has undertaken a pivotal role in developing the structure and strategies of the Partnership, including a comprehensive Directors' handbook, which includes safeguarding and other policies.. Colin relinquished the role of Finance Director in 2022.

Colin is a regular user of services from Bardon Mill and Haltwhistle. He is involved in Station Adoption at Bardon Mill. He is also a past Chairman and continuing member of Tyne Valley Rail User Group.

 

 
 

JULIE GIBBON, COMPANY SECRETARY AND PROJECTS DIRECTOR

Julie GibbonJulie is the Company Secretary and Director responsible for projects. Julie also looks after bookings for the old Booking Hall at Haltwhistle station should you wish to use it for meetings, presentations or courses.

Julie is a retired teacher and now a busy volunteer.. Her other volunteer roles include being: Chairman and Trustee of the Haltwhistle Partnership; Trail volunteer for Hadrian's Wall National Trail; Secretary of the Tyne Valley Rail Users' Group (TVRUG) and Secretary of the Campaign to Open Gilsland Station (COGS). Her hobbies include all things crafty, walking her dog, sailing and stand-up paddleboarding

In 2019, Julie received national recognition for her work with the partnership and in the community at the Community Rail Awards for her efforts when she was presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award.

 

ANNE RIDLEY, MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS & EVENTS DIRECTOR

Anne RidleyAnne Ridley joined the Board in January 2019 as Marketing Director, following almost 19 years working for the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company in a number of roles.  Her extensive knowledge of the rail industry and tourism are an asset in her role. Later in 2019 her portfolio was extended to include Communications and Events, a natural extension to her marketing remit. 

Living in the Eden Valley, Anne is able to provide a focus on travel from the North West of England.  She is not a person to “let the grass grow”, when not engaged with TVCRP tasks, Anne can be found helping on the family sheep farm.

 
 
 

PHILIP CLARK, DIRECTOR

Philip ClarkPhilip has been a board member since 2008. Before retirement, he had been a relief signalman for 34 years and, Over the years, he has undertaken a wide range of community-orientated activities, including former member of the Special Constabulary, local councillor, school governor and Vice Chair of Hexham Partnership. For 34 years he was a relief signalman, bringing his knowledge of the local community and rail industry to the Board.

 
 
 
 
 

DAVID WILLIAMS, DIRECTOR

David WilliamsDavid’s interest in railways dates back to his early years travelling to college from Bridlington to Hull. Following a career in agricultural supply, he joined British Rail as a signalman on the Tyne Valley Railway, working in signal boxes from Blaydon to Brampton. During this time, he served as a Parish Councillor in Stocksfield for 16 years.  David’s initial role with the Partnership was that of Finance Officer undertaken for four years until April 2017. He was then appointed a Director.  

 
 
 
 

PATRICK RICE, DIRECTOR, CHAIR OF TVRUG

Patrick RicePatrick is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, a Chartered Institute of Housing Member, and a Member of the Institute of Community Safety as well as the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management. It is, nevertheless, Patrick's strong passion for “all things rail and trains” that saw him first become Chair of the Tyne Valley Rail Users' Group (TVRUG) in November 2018 and then in join the TVCRP Board in January 2019.  

His key role is to provide the stakeholder link in representing the views of the users of the line, through lobbying and campaigning, so as to secure the best possible service, frequency, stations and facilities for the Tyne Valley Railway.

An ex-Unitary Councillor, a Director of Haven Tyneside Ltd - a local Specialist Supported Housing Provider, and a serving and experienced Neighbourhood Protection Officer with Durham County Council, Patrick has valuable insight and knowledge of Local Authorities and Communities, and is able to work closely with the various Council stakeholders.

ALLAN WHITE, DIRECTOR FOR INFRASTRUCTURE

Allan White

Allan White joined the Board in 2020 as Director for Infrastructure. He is a retired architect and has a skill set which will be invaluable as we look to develop our portfolio of properties. He has a lot of experience in health and safety and will help TVCRP develop risk assessments for the increasing portfolio of activities. Allan is an accomplished artist so we may see the occasional drawing of a train once life returns to normal again after the Coronavirus crisis is over.

Allan said, “I am delighted to join the board of TVCRP and hope that I can contribute to an already successful community enterprise in the coming years”.

 

JOSEPH CODLING, YOUNG PERSONS ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR

Joseph CodlingJoseph’s passion for rail dates back to his childhood peering over railway bridges and travelling between Newcastle, Durham and York.  Although his experiences as a passenger have usually been positive, Joseph is aware that there is still room for improvement.

Joseph was appointed Young People’s Engagement Director in 2020.  His aim to involve more young people in our community work and encourage them to enjoy the Tyne Valley Railway through our education programme.

In addition to his role as a Director, Joseph is a resident of Gateshead Borough and he nearest station is Blaydon.  He is the volunteer Station Adopter at Blaydon, maintaining flowers, noticeboards and artwork. A former student at Newcastle University,he now works for Network Rail.

 

PETER SLOAN, FINANCE DIRECTOR 

Peter joined the Board in 2021. He is a retired Accountant, who previously worked for a large local architectural practice. 

GARETH EVANS, DIRECTOR

GarethEvansAfter a short break, Gareth re-joined the board as our Interfaces Director in 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 PETER MYERS, DIRECTOR  

Having retired from a long career in the rail industry, Pete became a Director in 2022.  His knowledge of all things rail will make a positive contribution to the Partnership.

FIONA FORSYTHE, TVCRP COMMUNITY RAIL OFFICER

Fiona Forsythe

Fiona is a chartered librarian whose first job was at the Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank in Dumbarton – a site with its own railway! Following a career in academic libraries, she worked freelance and had the privilege to work with a number of inspiring communities from the WW2 Aycliffe Angels, to development work for visually impaired library users. She also worked with many schools through the Arts Council programme, Creative Partnerships, and returned to her museum roots by writing audience development plans for English Heritage.

Growing up in a non-car owning railway family in Glasgow, instilled Fiona’s commitment to effective public transport.

Fiona has had a long association with the Tyne Valley Railway having been the station adopter for Prudhoe since 2000. She was appointed as the CRP’s Officer in February 2015 and has been instrumental in developing the wide range of projects and work in the community.

 

Strong links are maintained with key rail, tourism and education personnel, businesses and attractions throughout the area as well as Community Rail Network, the membership body representing community rail partnerships and station adoption groups throughout the country.  The Partnership are also members of Carlisle Ambassadors and the North East Chamber of Commerce.

There are times when people are engaged to fulfil roles in relation to our projects. More details can be found on our projects pages.

 

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are an integral part of the Community Rail Partnership, providing an insight into local tourism and hospitality and education with others providing a more practical roles as volunteer Press Release editor and Volunteer Photographer. Learn more here