Published on: Tuesday, 7 March 2023
Last updated: Tuesday, 7 March 2023
The Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership and train operator, Greater Anglia teamed up with the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service to provide a free day out for families in Essex.
The special train, which ran on 15 February 2023, travelled from Walton-on-the-Naze to Colchester Town with 50 adults and children on board.
Entertainment was provided on board by a magician, funded by the Path to Prosperity Project, goodie bags were given out and the group enjoyed refreshments and crafts at Community 360’s One Colchester Community Hub on arrival in Colchester.
The Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership (ESSCRP) aims to encourage and promote the use of six rail branch lines in Essex, by supporting local projects developed in partnership with community groups, businesses and Greater Anglia and encouraging sustainable active travel for all.
Jayne Sumner, Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership’s Rail Engagement Manager, said, “We were really happy to work with the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service to facilitate a day out for families in Essex to help improve social inclusion in our community and promote the ease and value of rail travel for a fun family day out.”
Vicky Beales, Community Engagement Worker for the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service, said, “It was great to work in partnership with the Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership to be able to provide a fun family day out. This day out allowed families to travel to a different area of the county and explore the free museums and facilities on offer.”
Alan Neville, Greater Anglia’s Customer and Community Engagement Manager, said, “We were pleased to support this event which has delivered benefits to disadvantaged families on our network.
“We’re very grateful to the Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership for the great work they are doing to promote social inclusion and sustainable travel, a key way that the railway in East Anglia can deliver social value back to the communities we serve.”
Last year, the Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership (CRP) received the award for ‘Outstanding contribution to Community Rail’ at the Community Rail Awards for the huge range of activities that they run across six Essex rail branch lines which have benefit communities in the county.