PETER Blackburn, chair of the Melksham Rail User Group, has been shortlisted for the ‘Outstanding Volunteer Contribution’ at the ACORP (Association of Community Rail Partnerships) national awards.
Community Rail Officer, Graham Ellis explains why Peter was nominated for the award. “Twenty years ago, Melksham’s train service consisted of a daily commuter run up to Swindon and an evening return. That was a pretty poor service for a town of some 18,000 people, and in response the Melksham Rail Development Group (MRDG) was set up. When the number of passengers using the service dropped to 3,000 per annum, many gave up on the service that became the first to be cancelled. But then entered Peter Blackburn who joined MRDG, where he quickly rose to the chair.
“Early in Peter’s tenure, the ‘Santa Train’ was instigated – an annual outing for the town to Swindon (or wherever we make a sensible return trip) and the town became aware once again that it was railway connected. Today 3,000 passenger journeys per annum have risen to 60,000 – a 20 fold increase. And it’s anticipated that growth will continue.
“Partnership is what Community Rail is about and Peter is a superb chair of MRDG (and now TransWilts President), pulling the best out of everyone in his quiet and encouraging management and yet at the same time being there at the coal face where there are people to talk to on stands, passengers to count and survey on the trains, or drinks to pour for the parents of children excited as they visit Santa.
“Volunteer recognition traditionally comes to the volunteer who’s visible rain or shine on the platform, or constantly on the local radio. We have those too at TransWilts. But this year I commended to the judges a quiet man and manager, with who’s faith and tenacity we probably wouldn’t have passenger trains at all at Melksham any longer.”
Dan Okey, Regional Development Manager for Great Western Railway who operate Melksham’s train service said “We would like to congratulate Peter on being shortlisted for the ‘Outstanding Volunteer Contribution’ ACORP award and wish him luck for the awards. It is very fitting that Peter be shortlisted, given his enthusiasm and energy in the TransWilts project from the very beginning and his efforts in helping to get the project started. Funded initially by Wiltshire Council and facilitated through a partnership between GWR, Wiltshire Council and the TransWilts CRP, the Swindon – Westbury service has grown remarkably since its introduction in 2013 and has been the fastest growing community rail line in the country for the last few years. GWR is dedicated to the communities we service.”
Peter will find out if he has won the award at a gala dinner in Derby in early October.