It was the 13th anniversary of Friends of Bentham Station (FOBS) being founded and the 8th anniversary of their twinning with another station group from Mytholmroyd in the Calder Valley. Since the twinning the two groups have been supportive of each others work to raise the profile of community rail in their respective locations.

As well as being a social occasion it also provided an opportunity to share best practise and  provided for a wealth of ideas and developments to be exchanged between the members of both groups.  Gerald Townson, for FOBS and also chairman of the Bentham Line (Leeds-Morecambe Community Rail Partnership) said, “This is now an established idea capable  being picked up by other groups throughput the country.”

It helps the development of new station initiatives and re-invigorating tourism particularly across the former West Riding, by twinning stations which have thriving support groups. Mytholmroyd Station Partnership (MSP) and FOBS are very active in their own right making their respective stations a community focus.

The twinning of two station adoption groups at that time was a first in the whole country and this spirit of co-operation allows cross fertilisation of ideas, helping  develop a network of community groups which actively promote their localities. It is not just about the train services, but promotes their railway stations as a focal point and gateway for their communities allowing the areas to be opened up for leisure opportunities as well as business use.

The happy throng at Bentham.

Celebrating the anniversaries with a cake.