South East Manchester Community Rail

Station Connections Art Exhibition at Crewe Heritage Centre – 28th and 29th May 2022

An exhibition showcasing the work of Community Rail Partnerships is set to go on display at Crewe Heritage Centre next week as part of ‘Community Rail Week’.

The exhibition of ‘Station Connections’ art by Eamonn Murphy, has been commissioned by the Crewe to Manchester and South East Manchester Community Rail Partnerships and will be on display at Crewe Heritage Centre on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29 from 10am to 4.30pm.

The Community Rail Partnerships work across five railway lines to connect communities and railways to promote sustainable transport options.

The artworks were produced to capture the spirit of these local communities and feature well known buildings and landmarks that speak of communities past or present and the people that make up that community.

The artwork is created in a style that evokes travel in times past when travel was an adventure, and we hope it captures visitors’ imaginations to explore by railway for new experiences and adventures.

Alongside the art exhibition, Goostrey Artist, Debbie Goldsmith, will be delivering drop-in family workshops each afternoon where visitors will be invited to contribute to a large-scale interactive floor-based map using drawing and collage to explore their journey to the Heritage Centre.

Visitors will be able to buy tickets on the day to access Crewe Heritage Centre which includes entry to art exhibition, and those who arrive by rail will be able to receive a 2 for 1 ticket offer when showing a valid ticket for the day of attendance.

Crewe Heritage Centre is less that one mile from Crewe Railway Station.

Further ticket and travel advice can be found on and information about the artworks and Community Rail Partnerships can be found at www.stationconnections.co.uk

This event is one of many taking place during the Community Rail Week. Community Rail Week, organised by Community Rail Network and sponsored by Rail Delivery Group, runs from 23-29 May, and will involve hundreds of community rail partnerships and volunteer groups inviting people to ‘give the train a try’.

Community events and activities are planned nationwide – all the way from Edinburgh to Cornwall – raising awareness about local railways, encouraging more widespread use of rail (combined with buses, walking and cycling), building travel confidence among those who are less familiar, and encouraging the switch from car to train for a healthier, more sustainable future.

Sarah Morgan and John Kenny, South East Manchester and Crewe to Manchester Community Rail Partnership Officers, said: “Community Rail Week, and its call to action of ‘give the train a try’, is all about connecting our local communities with their railways and encouraging and enabling more people to travel sustainably by train.

“Community rail has an inspiring track record of doing just that: promoting travel confidence and increasing access to opportunity, while bringing people together, giving communities a voice, and putting railways and stations at the heart of community life.

“We want to help people who feel less confident with train travel to give it a go, and get across the positive difference it makes switching even the occasional journey from car to public transport, for our planet, healthy living, and local communities.”

Save the date! Run, Bike or Zumba at StockSport 2022

Stockport Council and partners invite you to celebrate the power of moving and sport in their biggest event yet, StockSport 2022, Sunday June 26, from 9am.

Save the date! Run, Bike or Zumba at StockSport 2022

Following on from last year’s Stockport Enduro, Cycling Festival and 5K running race the town centre will once again come alive with road racing and fun activities for all the family. This year’s event has built on the success of the Enduro and has transformed into an even greater activity based event.Organised by local veteran Event Management company Crazy Legs Events and first out of the starting blocks will be The Running Festival. Choose from a first mile, 5k or 10k running race, starting and finishing in the vibrant St Peters Square. This event will suit runners of all abilities and you will be spurred on by local musicians and the buzz of supporters around a course that extends to Vernon Park and beyond. Come with a team from work, for a new PB or your first timed race and leave with a sense of achievement, a medal and an atmosphere to remember.

Cycling enthusiasts can look forward to races for all categories throughout the day with prizes for each. There will be a come and try it race for those who just want to have a go round the circuit and get a taste of what it’s like to race. A spectacular British Cycling town centre Criterium race, a first for Greater Manchester in a century will be an exciting finale. A must for spectators and competitors alike, top level cyclists will take on the challenging figure of eight circuit through the town centre.

There will be many more free cycling activities available with BMX stunt displays from Fusion Extreme, dedicated children’s circuits, and various bikes to try out, such as e-bikes and adapted bikes.

The event village is back and is more animated than ever. Partners Trek Wilmslow giving away goodies galore, Life Leisure with spin challenges, ABL and their Smoothie Bike as well as a children’s Town Centre trail, with fun things to spot and facts to find in the town centre. New for this year, StockSport will host a space to try a wide range of fun and family friendly fitness classes from local providers for free. All who take part will be entered into a prize draw to win a special prize.

Councillor Elise Wilson, Leader of Stockport Council said: “This event is about much more than health and fitness. It is about all ages coming together as a community. Making friends. Having a laugh. Feeling part of a town that shares your ambition for it to be a world class place in which to spend time and have fun. So I hope as many people as possible attend and showcase what Stockport really is all about: it’s fantastic community.”

Ted Gordon, Manager of Trek Bicycle Store Wilmslow and sponsor of the Criterium races said: “At Trek, our main goal is to get more people riding bikes. We are excited to be part of this fantastic event in Stockport which will grow the cycling community. Town Centre races are always full of excitement and we can’t wait to be involved and help create the best experience possible.”

In the run up to the event, on the Saturday June 25, Cheshire Cycling Clubs friendly and knowledgeable volunteers will be hosting led-bike rides on a scenic ride from the town centre out into the rural areas of the borough. The Club will host a variety of different rides of varying distance to suit all abilities, with the aim of encouraging as many people as possible to get on their bikes.

Events on the Sunday:
Running Festival: 9am to 11am
Event village: 11am to 4pm
The Criterion cycle races: 4pm to 10pm

For more information about what is happening on the day visit the StockSport website.

Book your place on the run.

Check out the promo video on YouTube.

New Facebook Group for Northern Station Adopters

Northern have set up a community page for all their station adoption groups to join. It is a space to chat, share ideas and tips with other groups, and is a forum to help new groups get started.

Click Here if you would like to join the New Facebook group.

Limited timetable for Sundays due to RMT industrial action

In previous correspondence (21 January 2022), I outlined that the RMT union had announced its train conductor members employed at TransPennine Express would take strike action on four consecutive Sundays: 13, 20 and 27 February and 06 March. There is also some associated withdrawal of co-operation in relation to overtime and revenue collection from 14 February onwards.

Click here to read the full statement

CrossCountry Stakeholder Survey 2022

It is a crucial year for the railways, and for CrossCountry. This is not just due to the pandemic but as a result of the findings of the Williams-Shapps Review, which highlighted the urgent need for us to become a more customer-centric and accessible industry.

[Read more…]

This site has been re-designed using funding from the Designated Community Rail Development Fund – thank you to DfT,
Network Rail and the Association of Community Rail Partnerships for their support.