Stroud Special tourist train team is off to capital

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From Stroud Life:

The Stroud Special tourist train scheme to bring visitors to the town is to be relaunched on Monday.

Representatives from the town's chamber of trade, community groups and tourist attractions will be gathering at London's Paddington Station to give it a new kick start.

The project has the backing of train operator First Great Western, which will be offering incentives for daytrippers travelling by train to Stroud.

"Independent traders in Stroud will be offering special deals to people travelling with the Stroud Special ticket," said Carole Garfield, chairman of Stroud and District Chamber of Trade. "We will encourage people to get involved in our festivals and visitor attractions."

The team going to London will include representatives from the Five Valleys Festival, the Museum in the Park and Painswick's Rococo Gardens.

Wearing Stroud Special sweatshirts, courtesy of Bateman's sport shop, the delegation hopes to make its mark on Paddington's main concourse.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Gloucestershire Citizen:

Laying platform to make town special

A group of business people from around Stroud took over the main concourse at London's Paddington Station last week to promote the town and its attractions.

First Great Western has launched the Stroud Special train ticket to encourage visitors to sample all that is on offer, from the area's artisan shops to attractions such as the Rococo Gardens in Painswick.

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BEAR NECESSITIES: Carole Garfield with some of the traders promoting Stroud at Paddington

The Stroud Special initiative is a collaborative effort between Stroud Chamber of Commerce & Trade, local traders, festivals, Stroud District Council and First Great Western.

Representatives from attractions as diverse as the Farmers Market and Art Couture, Painswick went to Paddington wearing Stroud is Special T-shirts.

"Stroud and the surrounding valleys are vibrant, interesting and full of exciting things just waiting to be discovered," said Carole Garfield, chairperson of Stroud Chamber of Commerce and Trade. The town has captured the heart and imagination of many people, and it was once described by the London Standard as 'Notting Hill with wellies'.

"First Great Western is impressed with the community spirit behind Stroud Special and has given us this wonderful opportunity to promote our area to people passing through Paddington station."

Mark Hopwood, managing director of First Great Western, said: "As part of our commitment to support local communities, First Great Western is delighted to be working with the Stroud Chamber of Commerce to extend the Stroud Special ticket. It is a great initiative which I hope will boost visitor numbers to Stroud and encourage more people to travel by rail."

When people purchase a Stroud Special train ticket they will find special offers in every independent local Stroud shop.

Community transport links have also been enhanced so that people can pre-book lifts outside the town centre.

[eightf48544]

So how much is the Stroud Special ticket, where is it valid from on what trains etc.

Might use it go on a day trip if it's cheap enough and without too many restrictions. Like not valid from London/Reading until after 09:30, or restrictions on trains back form Stroud.

Basically a cheap anytime return, any route, but valid only on the day.

[eightf48544]

Found somewhere it's ^32 and restricted trains one out one back.

Found I can do return for ^16  (without railcard) admittedley with Advanced tickets but an earlier train out and a possible choice of trains back.