Local community groups, the Leeds-Morecambe Community Rail Partnership (LMCRP) and the Friends of Bentham Station (FOBS) have recently received the good news that all of their five entries had been short listed in four categories for the National Community Rail Awards 2024.
New Winter Timetable from Sunday 10th of December 2023.
Huw Merriman MP, Minister of State for Rail, visited the Bentham Line to meet the people and organisations from the Community Rail side of the rail industry.
Gerald Townson, Chairman presented a very positive annual report to the meeting covering the diverse and extensive activities of the Partnership.
A special event was held at Heysham Port on Wednesday 28th June when representatives of the Bentham Line (the Leeds-Morecambe Community Rail Partnership), the rail industry, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster City Council, and staff and Year 5 pupils from St Peter’s Church of England Primary School, Heysham, met together with Alice Rice, Terminal Manager for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, and the Mayor of Lancaster City, Cllr Roger Dennison.
As Covid-19 restrictions are being gradually relaxed the number of services on the Bentham Line will increase from 16th May 2021.
At the final meeting of the Craven District Council 30 individuals and organisations from the Craven District were honoured with Legacy Awards, amongst them was the long-serving chairman of the Bentham Line, Gerald Townson. This marked the end of an era, as the District Council was subsumed within a new North Yorkshire Council.
Whilst the trains are quieter, enjoy a scenic winter journey along the Bentham Line.
On 24th August 2022 Northern Trains and the Leeds-Morecambe Community Rail Partnership (CRP) supported the Refugee Action Group based in Bradford by offering a trip for families along the scenic Bentham Line to the seaside at Morecambe.
The original children’s story has proved extremely popular over the past year. Hundreds of copies have been given out for free on the line's services by booking office staff at stations on the route and at numerous Community Rail events, including visits to local primary schools.
