The Leeds-Morecambe Community Rail Partnership (The Bentham Line) at Bentham Station Building during which Gerald Townson, Chairman, presented a very positive annual report to its members.

The Leeds-Morecambe Community Rail Partnership (The Bentham Line) at Bentham Station Building during which Gerald Townson, Chairman, presented a very positive annual report to its members.

He reflected on the partnership’s engagements with new stakeholders, which included the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co., and the ongoing work with schools along the route to promote rail safety and share the history of the Bentham Line.

The ‘Rail and Sail’ project at Heysham Port was a highlight of the year, as it brought together a large number of organisations, alongside local children from St. Peter’s Church of England Primary School. The artworks produced as part of the project were fantastic.

Northern’s Year-in-Industry students again this year and developed the thoughtful ‘Destination Wellbeing’ community project, based on their experiences during the pandemic, to encourage use of the railway to raise personal wellbeing.

At the AGM, the following appointments were made for 2022 – 23:
Gerald was re-elected a Chairman, Rod Tickner as Vice Chair, Secretary and Press Officer and Hugh Turner as Treasurer. These three together with David Bousfield, Richard Rollins, Pete Myers, Graham North, Richard Watts, Mike Cliffe and Simon Clarke will make up the Board of Directors for 2023/24.

The Bentham Line Annual Report 2022/23 can be seen here, and the accompanying slideshow here.