14th January 2021 · From Stone Blocks to Apps – The Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership

Presenter: Fiona Forsythe (TVCRP)

TVCRP’s Fiona Forsythe resumed Newcastle’s talks on Thursday 14th January presenting, “From Stone Blocks to Apps – The Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership,” to a 40+ countrywide audience via Zoom. Working with statutory bodies, regional businesses of all scales, rail stakeholders, tourism industries and the public, the TVCRP aims to promote, strengthen and protect the role of the Tyne Valley railway between Newcastle, Hexham and Carlisle for residents, tourists, employees and service providers. Their successes to date are numerous and include the preservation of the 1855-built booking hall at Haltwhistle, now used as a hub for regional educational and recreational activities for all ages, as well providing a showcase for the work of Thomas Edmondson of railway ticket fame, while the group’s Station Adopters at Blaydon recently won their MP’s Angel Award for an outstanding contribution to the local community during the pandemic. TVCRP is currently collecting memories and photographs about the wartime evacuation from Wallsend to the Haltwhistle area and welcomes contact from those involved so their experiences may be preserved for posterity. With outstanding links to the national network and the world’s first cross country railway as their focus, TVCRP looks forward to welcoming you to the area’s stunning scenery and 2000 years of history – the line parallels Hadrian’s Wall for most of its route – which, like Thursday’s talk, is something not to miss once circumstances allow!