Great Western Coffee Shop

The Melksham Rail User Group is pleased to confirm that Santa Claus will once again be travelling by train from Melksham to Swindon and back - leaving Melksham Station at 14:50 on Sunday 9th December 2018, and arriving back there at 15:53.

This is a popular trip and places will be limited - full details in the Melksham News in early November, with tickets on sale there from the date of publication.

This year, Santa's planning to make a further trip too on that date - probably Westbury to Swindon and back, and as and when I hear details I'll add them here.

Santa is not welcome unless he brings better performance and reliability around the Swindon area  :D. In all seriousness, a good idea to keep passengers entertained.

Now in it’s 21st year!

Santa Claus will be travelling on the train from MELKSHAM Station at 14:45 on Sunday 9th December, arriving back about an hour later. Tickets will include a present from Santa for each child, train travel, and a minced pie and a drink for everyone. Adults - £10.00, Children £5.00 . Santa supports Melksham, with all supplies purchased locally and tickets on sale at the Melksham TIC from 8th November 2018.

The annual "Santa Trip" is organised by the Melksham Rail User Group (MRUG) formerly the Melksham Rail Development Group from the days before we had many users! Co-ordinator / Santa's local rep - Graham Ellis on 01225 708225 (also vice chair of MRUG).

All ready to go ... after a heart-stopping cancellation of the first round trip this morning, subsequent services have run and usually excellent sources tell me that all is in order.

The santa special was half of 2M11 and 2M12 complete with headboard on the outward direction.  Everyone enjoyed themselves including the girl who was scared of trains.  No doubt Grahame will add his bit later and I expect Bobm will post his photograph of it arriving at the north pole Swindon

Dear Paul, and Roger, Peter, Marianne, John, Horace, Sophie, Eddy, Lisa and Peter,

Many many thanks for you all your help today running the "Santa Trip".  Good time had by all; everyone left happy.  Also a big "Thank You" to the elf's wrapping party and those otherwise involve in the setup.  And - help with the job no-one wants - clearing up the train and Melksham station once everyone else has gone. You all know who you are.

I understand from the elves that the present labelling and sorting changes this year worked well.  The other change was that this was the first appearance of our Santa on a turbo.   Lesson to ensure we empty our festive food boxes quickly and then use them as a table.

Financially, we should have covered our costs and made a modest profit to go back into MRUG funds - the purpose of the trip is to promote the station and its use so I'm more than happy with that.   We actually trimmed back on the promotion this year (as we sold out quickly) so perhaps next year we should consider ... ah but that is 12 months away and a lot of water will flow under the bridge. By next December we may have a fully functioning volunteer hub and that will bring us new metrics.

The add on price of printing leaflets is small ... and I have a good supply of the Melksham Specific one, which is styled "winter and spring" - please do call me / pop by (from next Saturday - I am working in Canbridge this week) if you would like supplies. I also attach a draft diary for MRUG for 2019  (also at http://www.mrug.org.uk/mrug2019_b.pdf ) so you can put the dates of meetings, etc, in your diary.

Anyway - thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU.

The santa special was half of 2M11 and 2M12 complete with headboard on the outward direction.  Everyone enjoyed themselves including the girl who was scared of trains.  No doubt Grahame will add his bit later and I expect Bobm will post his photograph of it arriving at the north pole Swindon

Santa Train Success - 9 December 2018

A wonderful time was had by all on Sunday 9 December as Santa came to visit Melksham station. He even had time for a quick trip to Swindon and back and got to meet some wonderful people.

There was a fabulous turnout and everyone left very happy and full of Christmas spirit.
 
Thank you to the Melksham Rail Users Group for organising the event. It was a great success!
 
TransWilts is looking forward to holding future trips in 2019. Lots of fun ahead and exciting times to come connecting with our local communities. Watch this space :)