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We are delighted to have been shortlisted in 3 categories in the 2022 Community Rail Awards.
Involving Diverse Groups
In trying to find ways to mark the anniversary of the evacuation of children from Tyneside to rural communities along the Tyne Valley Railway, we wanted to bring together these communities today.
Our collaboration with Wallsend History Society, evacuees, Haltwhistle Film Project, Film Able and youth groups has resulted in a wonderful film entitled It Started with a Train Ride.
Evacuees, now in their 80’s and 90’s, recount their experiences of World War 2, their evacuation by train from industrial Newcastle to completely different lives in rural Haltwhistle.
Haltwhistle Film Project and Film Able, a film production company run by and for people with learning disabilities, have created the film, featuring evacuees and scouts, brownies, guides, rainbows, and the Young and Sweet youth group from the Haltwhistle area.
The project was supported by the North of Tyne Combined Authority and by donations from a crowdfunding appeal.
Arrangements are being made for a film premiere bringing together everyone involved. The film will then be used by Wallsend History Society and Tyne Valley CRP at events, during visits to schools and other venues. Look out for future TVCRP social media posts about where and when you will be able to watch the film.
Community Creative Projects & Station Arts
The newly refurbished waiting room on Platform 2 at Haltwhistle is the venue of this, and future exhibitions of Haltwhistle is Something Special, the second shortlisted entry.
As a joint initiative between TVCRP and the station adopters, Haltwhistle Partnership, HISS volunteers have developed ideas for a series of exhibitions to reflect the rich and varied history of the town, which will be informative and interesting to people visiting the station.
The first exhibition, Something to Bark About, featuring local dog breeds was unveiled in March 2022. Dog owners in Haltwhistle and surrounding parishes were invited to provide photos of their dogs and these were featured in a montage as part of the display. Dog owners were invited to attend the exhibition’s opening with each dog owner being presented with an A4 colour poster.
The next exhibition featuring 1900 years of history is currently being researched and local people are being asked to contibute with stories and ideas.
Most Enhanced Railway Spaces
Our third shortlisted entry is our biggest ever project, the transformation of the dilapidated station buildings in the Haltwhistle Waiting Rooms Re-development.
Part of the wooden buildings dating from 1907 on the two platforms had been boarded up since 1969. Whilst the remaining space was still in use as waiting rooms, neither offered a welcome or pleasant space.
Bringing the redundant buildings back to life has been a long-term project with many challenges but now the transformation is almost complete.
With ramped access to welcoming waiting areas on both platforms, sustainable LED lighting, pv panels on the roof, insulation in the lofts and so much attention to detail. Window blinds have been commissioned featuring old images of the station.
The newly created studios and offices will be available to rent,
The redevelopment is already benefitting the local community and its visitors who see a welcoming, cared for station
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You may have seen the current display in the newly refurbished platform 1 at Haltwhistle featuring dog breeds associated with the area and images of some of the current doggy residents in the Haltwhistle area.
We are now starting to work on the next exhibition for the waiting room which will feature 1900 years of local history. Our plan is that each poster focuses on a significant event or period in the history of one of the 11 parishes in the Haltwhistle area. We have offers of help for some of the parishes but would love to get some ideas and help for Bardon Mill, Melkridge, Plenmeller with Whitfield, Knaresdale with Kirkhaugh.
Do you live in one of these villages? Did your family have connections with these parishes? Do you have an interest in local history? Can you help us to research interesting events in history which we can feature in the next exhibition?
We’re asking for your ideas. 300 to 500 words of text to help us tell the story with three to five images on the chosen subject. It doesn’t have to be a polished piece, we can edit and check before we create the final design. Original art work and photos are preferred; we can help with scanning if required. Otherwise we will need to check quality and permissions for all images found online.
If you would live to get involved, please get in touch with our colleague This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (email using the link or tel 07935 259 416) to discuss an historical event you think may be suitable and how you can help. We hope to hold a meeting with all of volunteers to share ideas, discuss progress in late Aug/early Sept, followed by time to collate information and write drafts. then time for editing and design work before the "1900 years of local history" exhibition to be unveiled in December.
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Community Rail Partnerships, train companies and industry partners are again highlighting the dangers of trespass on the railway using the annual Backtrack competition.
The competition was launched on 5 May with the support of ScotRail at Glasgow's Queen Street Station.
We’re supporting this year’s Backtrack competition which aims to reduce trespassing on Britain’s railways. This year, the focus is on people who trespass on tracks for likes and shares on social media. It’s dangerous, people! @backtrack_comp. Here’s a video to explain. pic.twitter.com/xnvgn4Jccy
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) May 6, 2022
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The new timetable starts on Sunday 15 May 2022 so please check to see if there any changes to your journey times.
A printable timetable can also be downloaded here.
We recommend that you check for any changes to the timetable, disruption or engineering work before you start any journey. The National Rail journey planner provides information about services throughout the country..
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Our pop-up 'shop' at Hexham Railway Station is now available for businesses and organisations. It's a great space to showcase your attraction, business or charity.
Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information