Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Community Rail Network @communityrail.bsky.social · 14h

Partnership announcement 🎉

We have partnered with Grand Central Rail to support their Station Ambassador programme. This exciting collaboration is all about creating new opportunities in Bradford whilst bringing GCR closer to the #CommunityRail movement.

Station Ambassadors - Our Community | Grand Central Rail

No booking fees

www.grandcentralrail.com

Reposted by Community Rail Network

Scenic Rail Britain @scenicrailbritain.bsky.social · 2d

It's #InternationalWalkToSchoolMonth 🚸

With our #CommunityRail friends, we encourage more people to consider how they can switch everyday journeys from the car to greener, healthier options.

Will you be embracing #ActiveTravel for your next school run? 💚

Photo showing a group of people about to board a Northern train at Bradford Forster Square Station.

2 3

Reposted by Community Rail Network

Friends of Settle-Carlisle Line @foscl.bsky.social · 19h

This Saturday we'll be walking 11 miles from Horton to Settle visiting the beautiful limestone country through the enchanting landscape of Crummackdale.

Leaving Horton at 10:30

For more details click here foscl.org.uk/guided-walks

1 3

Reposted by Community Rail Network

Flight Free UK @flightfreeuk.bsky.social · 18h

We are coming to Glasgow! Join us on 30th October for our event 'Travel, flying and the climate crisis'. Travel inspiration and helpful facts from climate scientists, flight-free travellers and behaviour change experts. Book now: www.tickettailor.com/events/fligh...

Picture shows someone sitting on a rock looking at the sea. Text says, Flight Free UK presents Travel, flying and the climate crisis (Glasgow), a community event about how we can reimagine travel, and why we must. 30th October 7-8.45pm. Townhead Village Hall, 60 St Mungo Avenue, G4 0PL

7 9

Reposted by Community Rail Network

Living Streets @livingstreets.bsky.social · 1d

We're proud to support #Walktober with @gojauntly.bsky.social which encourages people to walk a mile a day during the month of October 👟 🍂

Whether a walk to school or a simple stroll in the park, a daily walk helps to boost your mood and wellbeing.

Join the challenge 👉 http://bit.ly/4mytd2d

A POV image of a person's boots in a field scattered with autumnal leaves.

1 6 9

Community Rail Network @communityrail.bsky.social · 18h

Could you help play a role in shaping the future direction of our organisation, and #CommunityRail more broadly? 💭

Then we have just the opportunity for you ⬇️

We are currently inviting applications for directors to join our board - find out more 📝

AGM and board elections - Community Rail Network

Learn more about our Annual General Meetings and how you can apply to join our board to play your role in shaping the future direction of community rail.

communityrail.org.uk

1 1

Community Rail Network @communityrail.bsky.social · 23h

The deadline of 16 October is approaching 📢

The Transport Select Committee is seeking evidence for its inquiry into joined-up journeys, looking at how Government can mould transport networks around the everyday journeys that people need and want to make ⬇️

Joined-up journeys: achieving and measuring transport integration - Committees - UK Parliament

The Transport Committee is looking at how Government can mould transport services, networks and options around the journeys that people need and want to make in their daily lives. We want to find out…

committees.parliament.uk

2 2

Community Rail Network @communityrail.bsky.social · 1d

That's a wrap on our 2025 #CommunityRail Conference, folks!👏

Huge thank you to the Department for Transport, our members, partners and fantastic guest speakers for engaging and contributing to this super event - we hope you found it inspiring and thought-provoking.

Safe travels home, everyone 💚

Photo showing a full conference room full of delegates.

4

Community Rail Network @communityrail.bsky.social · 1d

There's been some fascinating discussion, exploring:

🫂 improving accessibility for disabled people
💟 creating safe spaces for women and girls
🚉 promoting active travel alongside rail
🌈 creating vibrant community spaces and enterprises

#CommunityRail

Photo courtesy of Paul Bigland showing the 4 guest speakers on stage during the panel discussion - Jo Field (Women in Transport), Sean Ray (Community Transport Association), John Donaghy (SLC) and Nuala O'Sullivan (Mima).

3

Community Rail Network @communityrail.bsky.social · 1d

We're onto the final session: 'when you focus on place, you do everything differently'🚉

Our panel of speakers from Women in Transport, SLC, Mima & Community Transport Association invites members to explore placemaking & share ideas for how #CommunityRail can create positive, people-centred change.

Photo courtesy of Paul Bigland showing Sean Ray (Community Transport Association), John Donaghy (SLC) and Nuala O'Sullivan (Mima) on stage at the Conference during the panel discussion. John (in the middle) is holding the microphone and speaking.

1 3

Community Rail Network @communityrail.bsky.social · 1d

Wow, what a fantastic selection of Open Platform topics our members came up with.

The sessions this morning covered accessibility, the changing political landscape, diversification of funding and engaging schools on rail careers - to name just a few! #CommunityRail

2

Community Rail Network @communityrail.bsky.social · 1d

Now it's time for the exciting part.. Session 2, Open Platform 🗣️

This member-driven format offers the opportunity for our members to shape the workshops by pitching #CommunityRail topics they feel would benefit from a collaborative conversation with their peers.

Photo courtesy of Paul Bigland showing the backs of a small group of people, looking at a big board of colourful post-it notes, denoting the different open platform sessions on offer at the Community Rail Conference.

1 2

Reposted by Community Rail Network

East Suffolk Lines @eastsuffolklines.co.uk · 1d

We're here in #Nottingham for the annual @communityrail.bsky.social conference. 120 people have turned out from across Britain to share ideas about making the railway network more accessible, station adoption, rejuvenating redundant railway buildings, and boosting tourism by promoting rail travel.

2 5

Community Rail Network @communityrail.bsky.social · 1d

Good morning - our Conference is underway! 👏

Our chief executive Jools Townsend and the Department for Transport's Rebecca Hall have introduced Session 1, developments in policy & practice, which will explore how rail reform & devolution is redefining the context in which #CommunityRail operates.

Photo courtesy of Paul Bigland showing Jools Townsend, chief executive of Community Rail Network, on stage in front of the event poster giving her welcoming address at this year's Conference.

1 4

Community Rail Network @communityrail.bsky.social · 2d

What a fab sight - Nottingham's Crowne Plaza is bustling with our #CommunityRail Conference delegates 🤝

Our members and partners have been welcomed by Jeremy Whitaker, chair of the board, and are busy networking and catching up ahead of a busy day tomorrow! 👥

4

Community Rail Network @communityrail.bsky.social · 2d

JOB OPPORTUNITY 📢

We are seeking a dynamic, experienced programme coordinator to lead our Travelling with Confidence grant, engaging and empowering disabled people, promoting independent mobility, using rail and connecting modes.

Learn more and apply ➡️ communityrail.org.uk/about-us/job...

3 3

Community Rail Network @communityrail.bsky.social · 2d

One of our favourite events of the year is here... Conference! 🎉

Today and tomorrow we will be in Nottingham, delivering our #CommunityRail Conference in conjunction with the Department for Transport 🚄

Members and partners, we hope you're ready to connect, collaborate, learn and share 👥

Photo courtesy of Paul Bigland from the 2023 Community Rail Conference, showing Jools Townsend, chief executive of Community Rail Network, giving a presentation to a busy room of community rail partnership officers and chairs, as well as rail industry partners.

1 2

Community Rail Network @communityrail.bsky.social · 3d

Did you know?

Cambrian Railway Partnership has awarded £7k to community organisations along the line to support #Railway200 projects celebrating heritage, creativity and sustainable travel - AND Round 2 of the funding is now open!

All the details here 👇

Cambrian Railway Partnership Railway 200 scheme awards £7k to community projects - Community Rail Network

The Cambrian Railway Partnership has awarded almost £7,000 to community organisations along the Cambrian Line as part of its Railway 200 Community Grant Fund,

communityrail.org.uk

1

Community Rail Network @communityrail.bsky.social · 4d

This #WorldAnimalDay, we're highlighting how #CommunityRail works to ensure railways and stations are great places for animals.

From bird boxes and bug hotels to newt crossings and dog-friendly journeys, our members deliver innovative projects that support wildlife to thrive🐞🪺

Photo courtesy of Boston Station Adopters showing a large, dark green bug hotel at the station - called 'Bug-ingham Palace'!

Photo courtesy of Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company showing three members of the CRP at Appleby Station with red squirrel nesting and feeding boxes.

Photo courtesy of Community Rail Lancashire showing a group of school children creating wildflower bombs during a biodiversity activity.

Photo courtesy of Esk Valley Railway Development Company showing two women at Danby Station with a Labrador on the platform.

1

Community Rail Network @communityrail.bsky.social · 4d

We always appreciate seeing the results of projects supported by our Small Grants Fund 🙌

Just like these fantastic planters at Bletchley Station 🌺

Has your #CommunityRail group received funding from us? ❔

We'd love to see the results! 📸

Photo showing a black rectangular planter at Bletchley Station, filled with vibrant green and pink flowers.

1 2

Community Rail Network @communityrail.bsky.social · 5d

🤩 @yorkshirecoastcrp.bsky.social has featured on BBC York!

Scarborough made rail history this week after 239 people sat shoulder-to-shoulder on the town’s world-famous station bench to mark #Railway200, thanks to support from TransPennine Express & Scarborough 6th Form www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

'World's longest station bench' seats record crowd in Scarborough

The bench at Scarborough railway station is the length of about 12 double-decker buses.

www.bbc.co.uk

4

Community Rail Network @communityrail.bsky.social · 5d

Get involved! 🤝

Our Tracks & Trails campaign launches on Monday 13 October and will highlight walking, wheeling and cycling routes from stations 🚵

Find further details, as well as a toolkit of digital resources, here ↪️ #CommunityRail

Tracks & Trails - toolkit for members - Community Rail Network

Community Rail Awards 2025 now open for Entries! Click here to read more.

communityrail.org.uk

2

Reposted by Community Rail Network

RailAdvent @railadvent.bsky.social · 5d

Scarborough’s town crier, David Birdsall, added some flourish to the event as he announced the final total of people seated on the bench. https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2025/10/scarborough-station-celebrates-railway-200.html #CommunityRailPartnership #railway_200

Scarborough Station Celebrates Railway 200

Scarborough’s famous bench made it into the Railway 200 celebrations this week.

www.railadvent.co.uk

1 4

Reposted by Community Rail Network

Scenic Rail Britain @scenicrailbritain.bsky.social · 5d

Did you know that it’s #ScotlandClimateWeek?

Scotland is home to some spectacularly stunning scenery - which, when you travel by train, you can enjoy right from your seat 🛤️

We've got everything you need to get inspired for your next #DaysOutByRail ⬇️

Scotland - Scenic Rail Britain

Experience Scotland by train, home to epic natural landscapes, vibrant cities and rich cultural heritage.

scenicrailbritain.com

1 5

Reposted by Community Rail Network

East Suffolk Lines @eastsuffolklines.co.uk · 5d

Our next FREE Guided Walk is Saturday 8 November: #Trimley station circular via lovely Orwell & Trimley marshes. 7 miles, 3 to 3.5 hours. Starts 10.35am. No need to book - Just show up - Dogs welcome!

eastsuffolklines.co.uk/guided-walks

#walkswithmydog #walkswithdogs
@communityrail.bsky.social

1 3