Godalming and Farncombe stations get a new champion

A new Community Rail Partnership that seeks to link local stations with the communities they serve has won Government accreditation for its work.

The Surrey Hills to South Downs Community Rail Partnership is overseen by new recruit Lucy Lomax, who has been working largely via Zoom through lockdown to start engaging with people along the line.

The partnership serves stations along the Haslemere to Farncombe section of the route.

Accreditation requires the not-for-profit partnership to demonstrate good organisation, tangible achievements from the last 12 months, clear and transparent governance, and a clear, financed plan for the forthcoming year.

In the past year, the CRP has produced 'Rail to Ramble' leaflets promoting routes accessible from stations and worked with SWR to provide a volunteer hub at Haslemere as well as promoting safe use of the railway to children at St Bart's Primary School in Haslemere.

The CRPs were originally set up to encourage people to use their local railway services, especially during off-peak times.

Lucy said: "I think that this time has been great, as through Zoom I have met so many new people in a short space of time. I have felt the time has been productive.

"That said, I am really looking forward to exploring the new area by train and visiting all the wonderful new places along the part of the line I am now involved in when the time is right."

Haslemere county councillor Nikki Barton, who chairs the CRP's steering group said: "We are really pleased to have achieved accreditation. It took a lot of work by those involved, however it really does demonstrate how well set up and run we are – giving further confidence to our existing partners, including the South Downs National Park, Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Watts Gallery and local authorities, as well as potential new ones.

"This also means we can apply into additional funding streams, which will further help to deliver our aspirations for the five stations along the line."