Archive for March 1, 2016

Yeovil to host Great Western Railway Community Rail Conference

Posted: March 1, 2016 in Whats happening in Yeovil
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Yeovil has caught the eye of Great Western Railway as the location for their annual Community Rail Conference in Yeovil next week (9 March).
The event is usually held in cities like London, Bristol or Exeter so it has been something of a coup to attract the event to Yeovil. 
Catherine Phillips, Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership Officer says: “The choice of Yeovil is largely down to the creativity and knowledge of South Somerset District Council’s (SSDC) Tourist Information Centre Operations Supervisor in showing Great Western Railway how an event for over a hundred delegates could be organised here in Yeovil. There is also a very noticeable “buzz” that is being created in Yeovil both by the Neighbourhood Development Team at SSDC and the Yeovil Town Team”.

The Heart of Wessex is the local rail line supported by a Community Rail Partnership and follows the picturesque route between Bristol and Weymouth with stops on the South Somerset stretch at Bruton, Castle Cary and Yeovil Pen Mill.

Great Western Railway hosts the conference each year to bring together everyone with an interest in the various community rail lines and activities.

Delegates will travel to Yeovil by rail on 9 March and will be welcomed for a familiarisation walk through Yeovil Country Park led by a Community Ranger. Refreshments will be provided at Ninesprings Café where there will also be a display of local railway memorabilia from SSDC’s Community Heritage Access Centre. 

 The conference the next day is to be held at the Fleet Air Arm Museum. Delegates will be given news and updates on Great Western Railway and the community rail partnerships.

 Councillor Jo Roundell Greene, Deputy Leader at South Somerset District Council and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development said: “We are pleased to welcome the conference to Yeovil. The Heart of Wessex rail line is a vital transport link for our local residents and businesses and is also an important part of the good network of rail and road links that make this area attractive to event organisers.

“SSDC is always striving to grow South Somerset’s economy and conferences can be an influential factor in this – introducing delegates to a place they may not have visited before, raising awareness that South Somerset is a good place to do business, and bringing income to local accommodation, shops and services.”