Summer newsletter

Summertime is here let’s get out and have some fun

Focus on the Arun Valley Line The Arun Valley line runs from Gatwick Airport to Littlehampton,

Bognor Regis and Chichester. It offers a wide variety of attractions

from one of the busiest airports in the world to beautiful countryside.

There are three South Downs National Park gateway stations,

two living museums, nature reserves, canals, historic houses and

gardens. The Line is steeped in history from the Roman times

onwards. Wherever your interests lie you will find something you enjoy.

Recently Arundel Museum hosted a community mosaic making event, to

produce a commemorative mosaic for the 150th Anniversary of Arundel

station. The mosaic was completed with help from residents and visitors to

Arundel. Designed by Bob Dorkings, a Southern train driver, it has been

installed in the booking hall of Arundel station.

On Sunday 19th April in partnership with Martin Alderton from Arundel

Historic Tours we held ’Canal Day’ which started with a 4 mile walk along a stretch of the old Portsmouth and Arundel Canal from Ford station, we followed the canal to Barnham station. Then the group caught a train to Chichester where we took a ride on a stretch of the canal that has recently been restored by the Chichester Ship Canal Trust. The weather was perfect, a great day out for all involved.

There is a new art installation at Chichester station, created by the students of Bourne Community College. The project was a collaboration between the students of the College and Sustrans to promote the students active hobbies.such as cycling and skateboarding.

Other news: There was a recent dramatic rescue at Chichester Station—a mother duck and her ducklings

had to be helped to safety by Southern staff when she took a wrong turn on the platform.

June 2015

Community Rail in the City

Sussex Community Rail Partnership along with many other CRPs from across the land descended on London’s

mainline stations on 20 May to promote Community Rail to the public. Sussex CRP’s pitch was at Blackfriars

Station, with arguably the best views of London. We were joined by some of our partners, The South Downs

National Park, Hastings 1066, Brighton & Hove Buses, our two Heritage Railways Spa Valley and the Bluebell Line

and lots of willing volunteers who generously gave up their time to help run the two stands. The Association of

Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) came along and donated some re-usable shopping bags and travel card

wallets which worked as a great ice-breaker to engage with the passing passengers. Hastings 1066 provided

locally produced apple and pear juice, and later in the day sparkling wine was served courtesy of the South Downs

National Park. Other central London stations attended by CRP’s were: London Waterloo (Three Rivers, East

Hants, Isle of Wight and Lymington - Brockenhurst CRPs) London Paddington (Devon and Cornwall RP), London

Kings Cross (Poacher Line and Community Rail Humber) and London Liverpool Street (Essex and South Suffolk

and Community Rail Norfolk CRPs).

Marshlink Line A new garden dedicated to the author and artist John Ryan, creator of the character Captain Pugwash has opened at Rye station. John lived in Rye and based his stories around the cobbled streets of the town.

A piece of unloved, overgrown land was handed over to the project organiser, Kevin Barry, the Community Development Officer for the Marshlink Line, by Southern. Volunteers from Network Rail gave up their time on a chilly November day to clear the patch which enabled the Friary Gardeners, who work with young adults with learning difficulties, to plant the area with trees and flowers. Southern then donated a bench and a small patio area was added which is to become a performance space for the Creative School and Rye Studio to use to entertain passengers and visitors.

A dedication ceremony was held and attended by John’s wife Priscilla, his daughter Isabel and the Mayor of Rye.

A lovely project made possible by the community working together with help from Network Rail and Southern.

Seaford to Brighton Line The new cycle hub at Lewes station was officially opened on 4 June by pupils from the bike club at Priory School, Lewes. The school has been working with Sustrans to encourage the students to travel to school sustainably and was delighted that they had been asked to mark the official opening. The hub includes 104 new secure parking spaces and a bike maintenance area, increasing cycle parking at the station to over 200 spaces. These improved facilities will help encourage even more people to combine cycling with taking the train and make cycling a more attractive option for people in East Sussex.

Lewes station provides excellent access to the South Downs National Park and many other tourist locations in East Sussex. Ten more East Sussex station are in line for cycle improvements; Rye, Bexhill, Hampden Park, Polegate, Glynde, Newhaven Town, Bishopstone, Seaford, Uckfield and Crowborough. Southern and East Sussex County Council are also working with the Seaford to Brighton line of the Sussex Community Rail Partnership and the South Downs National Park to reconnect the community to its railway, encourage rail travel and to contribute to reduced emission targets. The projects, supported by the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, have included organised cycle events from stations within the National Park such as Lewes.

Tonbridge to Redhill & Reigate Line Southern have made available a very generous grant to kick off the station partnership at Redhill station. The local

branch of the YMCA ,with support from some other local voluntary groups are taking on the task of working with

Redhill station staff to improve the station environment and bring a bit of life, colour and enjoyment to the station.

The Sencio Leisure centre at Edenbridge has opened its new cycle hub facilities in the centre of Edenbridge.

Planning a cycling route? Passing through Edenbridge on your ride? Why not stop at the Centre for a break or

refreshments with its secure cycle parking. Edenbridge and the surrounding countryside is an ideal location for a

cycle ride, country lanes, beautiful views, the town is served by two stations so very easy to get to.

Don’t fancy cycling? Why not check out the range of very popular

Edenbridge walks. Ten circular walks, all starting and finishing in the

Edenbridge area. Taking in some of the most beautiful countryside,

visitor attractions, refreshment stops that Edenbridge has to offer.

Provided by the local Town Council these leaflets are available from

various locations around the town including Edenbridge Town station or

you can download them from www.edenvalleykent.org

Uckfield and East Grinstead Line The annual Uckfield Child safety event will be taking place on June 18, organised by

the Town Council this lively event will be attended by over 300 local primary school

children. Sussex CRP, Southern, Network Rail, Sussex Police, Fire & Rescue,

Highways Agency and many more agencies attend this great day, full of fun but also

getting the message to the children to keep themselves safe.

ACORP have provided us with a grant for a project at Edenbridge Town station.

During the summer break a local artist in partnership with the young people who

attend the House Project at the Eden Centre are

going to work on an art project for the station’s

underpass.

Over the weekend of 3,4,5 July Spa Valley Railway at Eridge station are holding

an anniversary event of the closure of the line. On the Friday night a history

talk with cheese and wine will take place , this will also give us the opportunity

to unveil the new platform artwork which has kindly been provided by the

proprietor of Saltmarshes Art Supplies of Tunbridge Wells.

VOLUNTEERING WITH SUSSEX COMMUNITY RAIL PARTNERSHIP

Volunteers come in many guises

and from all walks of life. Ours are

no exception, we have volunteers

from major attractions such as the

Lingfield Park Racecourse, station

pubs such as the Little Brown Jug at

Penshurst, Town and Parish Coun-

cillors, retired people, school chil-

dren and their teachers, secondary

schools and colleges, businesses

local to our stations, Network Rail

and Southern Railway employees,

very busy people with busy lives,

even the Mayor of Uckfield gets

stuck in and looks after the gardens

at his local station. We welcome

everyone whether it be for a one off

project or they may wish become an

official Station Partner for a longer

term project, which means that

Southern Railway will help to sup-

port them and their project.

If you want to know more about our

volunteer lead projects or would like

to volunteer yourself please contact

us Sharon@sussexcrp.org