Great Western Coffee Shop

ACoRP awards in Derby ... good luck to anyone who's group is shortlisted (and may it be a well contested battle in the Outstanding Individual Volunteer section where TransWilts are represented by Peter Blackburn, without whom I doubt we'd have a train or station here in Melksham at all)

Thank you East Midlands Trains for laying on a Community Rail networking event during the day. It's fantastically useful to meet CRPs from around the nation and borrow their ideas - make the trip doubly worthwhile

Congratulations to Severnside, Devon and Cornwall, and Three Rivers Community Rail Partnerships on their awards at the ACoRP event last night - an especial congratulation to Devon and Cornwall with their multiple firsts.   Congratulations too to Purbeck CRP for they first in the "Innovation in Community Rail" category for the restoration of services between Wareham and Swanage, and to our friend Phil Dominey (now with SWR  ;) )for winning the "Essence of Community Rail" photo competition.

This was the first year that entries were submitted electronically rather than by post, and I understand that overall entry numbers rose significantly; the change to electronic was overdue and clearly welcomed.   We were told that the quality of entry was very high - congratulations too to everyone who made last night's shortlists; if you're one of them reading this - you're a winner too, making a significant impact in your own area that's made waves so big that you too are recognised nationally.

Peter Blackburn woz robbed.....:-(

Thank you, Chris.   The quiet and effective backroom, support and frontline volunteer work he's done - without him there would have been no services left at Melksham - don't necessarily show up on the national stage to be visible to far-flung judges.  But Peter is always there / with / supporting.

To come in the shortlist is indeed darned good though!

Many thanks, Graham.  I agree that the switch to electronic submission of entries was overdue and we certainly welcomed it.  Record number of entries this year and a record number of attendees at the Awards' evening - over 430 I heard, when, not so long ago, over 300 was seen as good.

It was a good evening.  I will admit to having woken up with something of a headache the morning after such awards in the past however I can't remember going to bed with one.  The loud music and flashing lights which heralded the announcement of third, second and first place for each award rather dampened my enjoyment, but then perhaps I am getting old!!

However congratulations to all those recognised - especially the double first for the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership.

Bobm, I agree with your comments about the loud music & lighting. An unnecessary import; what next? rolling credits?

Blatant plagiarism.  ::) ;D


Is there a post-event 'feedback' facility, where you can both submit those constructive comments?  :-\