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To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Driver John Axon and Guard John Creamer who gave their lives in the line of duty 9th February 1957 at Chapel-en-le-Frith Station with Geoff Higginbottom and railway songs.
This train departs Manchester Piccadilly at 1137 calling at at Stockport, Davenport, Woodsmoor, Hazle Grove, Middlewood, Disley, New Mills Newtown, Furness Vale, Chapel-en-le-Frith (at 1220), Dove Holes and Buxton The music continues “The Railway”, Bridge Street, Buxton and the folk Train then
returns on the 1437 from Buxton, calling at all the same stops except Dove Holes and Middlewood, arriving in Manchester at 1527
There will be an unveiling of a plaque at Chapel-en-le-Frith station at the time of the accident
The unveiling will be open to the public at 11.00 with speeches, unveiling and a minutes silence
This will be followed by Buffet for invited representatives and guests only

All are welcome to join The Folk Train Special leaving Manchester Piccadilly at 1137 and Chapel-en-le-Frith Station at 1220

Celerating Ten years of the Folk Trains

Transport Partnership celebrates 10 years of the Folk Train

This autumn, the Edale Folk Train will be 10 years old. On Saturday October 7th, the Hope Valley and High Peak Transport Partnership is celebrating this milestone, and invite everyone to join them at the Edale Village Hall.

The Folk Train, where a band play on a normal scheduled train service, then in a local pub before taking the train back home, is now so popular that three run every month - to Edale from Sheffield, and from Manchester to both Hathersage and Glossop. However, it wasn't an original idea, but was borrowed from a neighbour.

Spencer Cooke, Project Officer for the Partnership, said "The Project Officer at the time heard about the events they started over on the Penistone Line. They put a Folk Band on a regular train, for no extra cost, to entertain the passengers, and thought it could work on the Hope Valley Line. We added the idea of stopping off in a pub for a few hours, got the Train Operator to agree and the rest is history. It's so popular we're thinking of starting one on the Buxton Line, to complete the set! We get a
lot of regulars on the trains who come just for the music, as well as the passengers who would be using the service anyway, who get a surprise folk session. They happen all over the country now, not just here and on the Penistone Line."

Spencer continued, "The whole thing couldn't happen without the hard work and support of Northern Rail and the venues who host the trains, the Rambler Inn at Edale, the Little John in Hathersage and the Glossop Labour Club. But most of all, the dedicated volunteers who do all the leg work booking the
bands and stewarding the trains, who really are the backbone of the Folk Train. Our ten years of success is a great demonstration of what is best about Community Rail, the partnership, the community and the train operator all working together to bring real benefit to the railway, it's users and
the wider community." The Edale celebration will include a special Folk Train leaving Manchester Piccadilly at 11:45am featuring The Weavils, and will be held in the Edale Village hall from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Spencer added, "There will be plenty to see and do, including a model railway stall, various displays and creative activities as well as tea, cakes and rolls. Plus, of course, a licensed bar and plenty of music. In fact, Northern Rail will be sending their 'NorthernTrax' mobile recording studio! This is a self contained unit, where children
can rehearse, learn about modern music making and recording techniques, and mix their own CD to take away with them afterwards. Who knows, we may be releasing a tenth anniversary album!"

1. The Hope Valley and High Peak Transport Partnership is a
consortium of Local Authorities, community organisations and transport operators dedicated to the development and improvement of transport services and facilities on the Hope Valley, Buxton and Glossop rail corridors.

2. The Folk Train will leave Manchester Piccadilly at 11:45am,
arriving at Edale at 12:30. The return trip will depart Edale at 14:47 and will arrive at Manchester Piccadilly at 15:30.

3. The Folk Train is a standard rail service, operated by
Northern Rail, and costs no more than the price of a normal rail ticket to travel on.

4. For more details contact Spencer Cooke on 01663 746377 or 0796 1517324. Website www.hvhptp.org.uk Email scooke@hvhptp.org.uk

NOTES FOR PICTURE DESKS

1. There will be ample opportunity for photographs during the
event, with most activity likely between 12:30 and 14:30 at Edale.

2. The special Folk Train will leave Manchester Piccadilly at
11:45am, arriving at Edale at 12:30. The return trip will depart Edale at 14:47 and will arrive at Manchester Piccadilly at 15:30, with arrivals and to the anticipated demand, photography on the train itself may be difficult.

3. Video media are asked to contact the partnership in advanceto facilitate filming.

Working together for the Peak District National Park
. a special environment
. a welcoming place at the heart of the nation
. vibrant communities and a thriving economy

Coming to a Railway near you - Community Rail Day Two

Launching of Friends Groups at Whaley Bridge Station and Glossop Station

This years Community Rail Day takes place on Saturday 20th May with activities and events taking place throughout the country.

Community Rail Day is all about rail passengers enjoying a great day out while celebrating Britain’s local railways and their social, economic and environmental importance.

The Hope Valley and High Peak Transport Partnership, one of whose aims it is to improve local rail services and stations, is arranging lots of events for you to enjoy, in and around the Peak District National Park."

The day starts early with a Station-to-Station Guided Walk from Chinley to Edale with connections from the Manchester 0945 train. Tap the Barrel, a local band playing Lancashire, Irish and Comedy folk, will play at Piccadilly Station from 1015 before the regular Folk Train to Hathersage leaves at 1145. A special Folk Train will leave at 1137 to Whaley Bridge where artworks can be viewed before Tom Levitt, MP will launch the Friends of Whaley Bridge Station. Live music will be played on both trains and at the Little John Inn, Hathersage and the Jodrell Arms, Whaley Bridge before more music on the later return.

A mini gala will take place at Glossop Station with tea and cakes provided by the WI from 1030, for children there will be an art workshop, art competition and miniature garden competition. The day will continue with a selection of musical entertainments whilst you can book (in advance) a horse and carriage ride and view the garden and station environment enhancements recently completed by the Friends of Glossop Station. Judging of competitions at 3pm.

Why not get involved with the Hope Valley and High Peak Transport Partnership and take an active role in supporting your local station.
Further details can be obtained from the Hope Valley and High Peak Transport Partnership.
www.hvhptp.org.uk ,Tel.01663 746377 or mail@hvhptp.org.uk

Notes:

'The Hope Valley & High Peak Transport Partnership” comprises representatives from Derbyshire County Council, Peak District National Park, the Rail industry, and especially local councils and communities.
It promotes public transport, aiming to get people moving in a sustainable way and reduce car use in the National Park.
ACoRP (Association of Community Rail Partnerships). -see www.acorp.uk.com -is a national federation of Community Rail Partners and is promoting Community Rail Day to increase the profile and use of community rail, to demonstrate progress and delivery of the community rail development strategy, highlight what has already been achieved, and to support local promotions in the run up to Spring Bank holiday and the summer season.
This years Community Rail Day takes place on Saturday 20th May with activities and events taking place throughout the country. For those events taking place in Northern Rail’s area see www.northernrail.org.

Hope Valley and High Peak Transport Partnership

Open Meeting

"Developing Community involvement in Transport"

A meeting to discuss railway station adoption and station Friends groups on the Hope Valley, Buxton and Glossop lines.

Wednesday 1st February 2006

18.30 - 21.00

New Mills Town Hall

With presentations from current station adopters and friends, and representatives from Northern Rail

All Welcome

For more information contact us on 01663 747036

Transport for those who would otherwise be excluded from attending can be arranged

Hayfield Country Show and Sheep Dog Trails

Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September

Come and see our stand at the show. Hope Valley and High Peak Transport Partnership have helped to provide a free bus running from the show ground to Glossop Station to link up with trains to and from Manchester - Avoid the traffic and come by public transport.

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Proposed Friends of Whaley Bridge Station

Friends of Whaley Bridge Station

Tom Levitt MP invites you to a
meeting to discuss opportunities for promoting improvements to station facilities

Open Public Meeting
Tuesday 20th September 2005
At The Mechanics Institute, Whaley Bridge
6 – 8pm

Hear what has been achieved elsewhere and tell us your suggestions for improvements at the station, the train service and links to the centre of Whaley Bridge

Hear latest news from Northern Rail and enter a Free draw for a family day out ticket onNorthern Rail Trains

Adopting Whaley Bridge Station by the community can add value to what is already there, and help make this vital part of the Whaley Bridge community more welcoming and attractive. Northern Rail, which manages Whaley Bridge Station, is very supportive of station adoption. One of its managers with responsibility for station adoption, Carl Longfield, said: ‘It’s good for local groups – scouts, a church group or community organisation – to help us do things at stations like gardening or keeping the place clean and tidy… this encourages local interest and helps the community see that there is a railway and someone is concerned for its well being. Having schools involved helps reduce graffiti and vandalism.’

Everyone gains: local people get a cleaner, safer and more welcoming station. The train company – and the environment – benefits from more people using the train.

Often it is the local station that lets down a community in ‘Tidy Town’, ‘Britain in Bloom’ and similar competitions. Here’s an opportunity to change that. Local artwork can be used to enhance the station, already a start has been made with the introduction of artistic grilles on the waiting shelter and artwork and woodcarvings at the front of the station created by the local group, Spectrum.

Agenda

1. Poster display (From 6pm)

2. Introduction by Tom Levitt MP (6.30pm)

3. Welcome – Cllr. Anne Winter, Whaley Bridge Town Council. Cllr. John Pritchard, High Peak Borough Council.

4. “Friends of Stations” – Mike Bishop, Project Officer, Hope Valley High Peak Transport Partnership

5. Rail Industry Support –
Jerry Swift, Community Rail, Network Rail
Drew Haley, Community Development, Northern Rail.
Alex Walker, Station Manager, Northern Rail

6. Open discussions, questions and answers

7. Proposal for a future meeting

8. Draw of Northern Rail Family Ticket

9. Coffee, tea and biscuits followed by informal discussion (7.30pm)

10. Close of Meeting (8pm)

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Manchester - Glossop -Snake Pass -Derwent Dams - Castleton Bus srevice 373

Enjoy some fantastic days out throughout the changing seasons by taking advantage of the many bus services that operate throughout the Peak District moorlands and beyond. The wild beuty of Bleaklow and Kinder Scout has long been a popular get away for ramblers from Manchester and nearby towns. On Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, throughout the year, bus 373 gives you access to this area of high moorland. After crossing the Snake Pass, the bus calls at the beautiful Derwent Dams and the xdelightful villae of Castleton - giving even more options for suberb walks.

PEAK PASS Day Rover Ticket - A superb value day ticket 'Peak Pass' is available for service 373. the ticket costs only £5.00 (half price for concessions) and covers the entire route from Manchester Piccadilly to Castleton.

Moors for the Future - Supporting Sustainable Transport.

Information
Contact Traveline on 0870 608 2 608 or visit the website at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/buses

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New Guides to Peak District Travel

Sheffield residents are being encouraged to visit the Peak District by bus this summer with the release of two new ‘Peak Connections’ guides.

‘Peak Connections on Bus 272’ gives visitors all the information they need for a great day out by bus to the Hope Valley, including Castleton – home of the famous limestone caverns – and Hathersage, with its outdoor swimming pool and ‘Jane Eyre’ connections. Train times are also included in the 272 guide, as passengers can travel one way by bus and the other way by train using the same ticket.

The new ‘Peak Connections on Bus 257’ guide features visitor information and bus times for the stunning Upper Derwent Valley, the renowned climbing area of Stanage Edge, and the attractive Peak District villages of Hathersage and Bamford.

A spokesperson for the Hope Valley and High Peak Transport Partnership, which produced the guides, said: “These new guides give people all the information they need for a great day out by bus to the Hope and Upper Derwent Valleys. The Peak District has one of the best public transport networks of all our National Parks, and the links from Sheffield are especially good.

“We would particularly recommend using bus 257 to go walking, as it is the only vehicle allowed to use the road north of Fairholmes in the Upper Derwent Valley on summer weekends, when it is closed to all other traffic.

The ‘Peak Connections’ guides are available from SYPTE Travel Centres, local libraries and the Visitor Information Point in the Winter Gardens.

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New Saturday Departure for Folk Train

The ever-popular Edale Rambler Folk Train will run from Manchester Piccadilly at 11.43am this Saturday, 10 January, and returns at 3.37pm.

Now in its 8th year, the Folk Train offers a unique brand of musical entertainment. Talented local musicians play on the train and everyone alights at the Peak District village of Edale for lunch, liquid refreshment, and more music at a nearby inn.

Saturday’s band is the Eunice Bobcats – better known as the Kings of the Cajun railroad – who are favourites on the Folk Train and always put on a good show.

The Saturday event is a new departure for the Edale Folk Train. A spokesperson for the Hope Valley & High Peak Transport Partnership, which organises the event, said:

“The Folk Train used to run on a Tuesday night, but it has become so popular that it was decided to run it on a quieter train. This will be for a trial period initially to see how it goes. We hope it will continue to attract regulars and new music fans alike”.

The Folk Trains are also supported by train operator, First North Western, and Derbyshire County Council. Folk Trains also run to Glossop on the fourth Thursday of the month.

For more information on the Edale and Glossop Folk Trains, contact the recorded Events Line on (0161) 242 6296 or visit www.hvhptp.org.uk

* * * Open Meeting on Public Transport in the High Peak * * *

High Peak residents are invited for a discussion of transport issues at a special meeting on 31 May 2003.

The Hope Valley and High Peak Transport Partnership is holding its annual Open Meeting from 9.30 am to 1.00 pm on Saturday 31 May at New Mills School.

The meeting will be chaired by Councillor Sir Martin Doughty, who will give his personal views on local public transport. Local residents will then have the chance to discuss the transport and access issues facing their own communities. A presentation about the Transport Partnership's work will also feature in the event.

The meeting is open to anyone who lives in the Hope Valley and High Peak, and transport can be arranged for anyone who would otherwise find it difficult to attend.

Anyone interested in attending should contact the Transport Partnership to reserve a place: you can call or fax them on (01663) 746377, write to them c/o Town Hall, New Mills, SK22 4AT, or email them at mail@hvhptp.org.uk

A spokesperson for the Partnership said: "We aim to develop improved bus and rail services in the High Peak and provide people with better information about them. This meeting will give local residents the chance to discuss the transport needs in their community, and this will help to inform the work we do".

Some of the Partnership's current initiatives include the popular 'Hope Valley Leisure Guide', station improvements and enhanced bus services.

Walks from the Buxton - Manchester Railway Line

A new series of guided walks from the Buxton – Manchester Railway Line starts on Saturday 11 January with a challenging hike from Whaley Bridge to Buxton.

The new walks all start at a railway station and are timed to meet trains from both Manchester and Buxton. Many of the walks can also be reached using local bus services.

The walks are a new venture by the Hope Valley & High Peak Transport Partnership, who also run a programme of walks and other events on the Hope Valley and Glossop railway lines. The events are funded through the Countryside Agency’s ‘Rural Transport Partnership’ scheme.

A spokesperson for the Partnership said “The walks aim to show how people can explore the beautiful Peak District countryside without the need for a car. In fact, by using trains and buses to do linear walks you are able to enjoy a much wider range of routes than if you are restricted to doing a circular walks from car parks”.

The walk on Saturday 11 January is 11 miles long and graded ‘strenuous’. It starts at 1015 at Whaley Bridge Station, and is designed to meet the 0937 train from Manchester and the 0938 train from Buxton. No specialist equipment is needed but is essential to wear strong footwear, appropriate clothing and bring a waterproof, packed lunch and a drink.

* * * Extra Saturday Trains for the Hope Valley Line * * *

Extra Saturday trains will run on the Hope Valley Line from 8 June onwards, giving improved access between Sheffield, Manchester and the Peak District.

Improved access to Peak District
The improvements will provide an hourly Saturday train service during the daytime, giving much-improved access for the many walkers, cyclists and other visitors who travel to the Peak District each weekend. Derbyshire residents will also benefit, with more choice of journeys into Sheffield and Manchester for shopping and days out.

Special deal
The improvements are being made thanks to a special deal between train operator, First North Western, and the Strategic Rail Authority. A spokesperson for the Hope Valley and High Peak Transport Partnership, which helped to negotiate the deal, said

"The Partnership has been campaigning for a more frequent service on the Hope Valley Line for some years, and we are delighted that the Saturday service has now been improved. The next challenge will be to gain similar improvements throughout the week, and we are actively pursuing ways in which this can be achieved".

The Hope Valley Line runs between Sheffield and Manchester, calling at Grindleford, Hathersage, Bamford, Hope and Edale in the Peak District National Park. The additional Saturday services will depart from Sheffield at 1315 and 1515, and from Manchester Piccadilly at 1143 and 1343.

Information
Contact National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/buses

Free Hope Valley Travel Area Guide
Alternatively, for a free copy of the 'Hope Valley Travel Area Guide', which features the train timetable contact the Hope Valley and High Peak Transport Partnership on (01663) 746377 or see our publications page.

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New Bus Service 200

* * * A new bus service linking Chapel-en-le-Frith with the Hope Valley * * *

From April, 2002 the new Monday to Friday 200 bus service provides the much-needed link between Chapel-en-le-Frith, Edale, Hope and Castleton. The service also links Chapel town centre with Chapel Station, which lies about a mile distant from the town centre.

A spokesperson for the Hope Valley & High Peak Transport Partnership, which helped to develop the service, said,

"The new 200 bus service will bring benefits to many people in the High Peak. For example, it will give residents of Castleton, Hope and Edale the opportunity to shop or visit friends in Chapel-en-le-Frith without the need for a car. It will also provide convenient links to and from Stockport and Hazel Grove by meeting trains at Chapel Station".

Free Tea & Coffee
As a special bonus, Safeway supermarket in Chapel-en-le-Frith are offering a free cup of tea or coffee to all passengers who present a valid 200 bus ticket in the store's restaurant.

Discount fares
Service 200 offers a range of discount fares in addition to normal single and day return tickets. Derbyshire Wayfarer tickets can be purchased on board for all-day travel on all public transport in Derbyshire. Greater Manchester Wayfarers are also available and can be used as a through ticket on the train to anywhere in Greater Manchester.
Passengers with a valid rail ticket to or from Hope, Edale or Chapel-en-le-Frith can buy an add-on ticket on the 200 service for only £1 - Single or Return. Holders of concessionary fares passes are also welcomed on the service and b_line2 card holders travel at half fare.

Funding
The 200 bus service is funded by the Countryside Agency's Rural Transport Partnership scheme and Derbyshire County Council. The service is operated by Bowers Coaches of Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Information
Contact Traveline on 0870 608 2 608 or visit the website at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/buses

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