Published on: Monday, 14 October 2019
Last updated: Monday, 14 October 2019
A community organisation hopes it will be able to do even more to keep rural rail lines thriving, thanks to the appointment of a new Community Rail Officer.
Claire Kendall, a former train conductor, will focus on promoting the railway and working with the communities along the lines between Ipswich and Lowestoft and Felixstowe, for their mutual benefit.
Claire is an active champion of good causes and recently volunteered to help raise money for an outdoor gym in her local park and she also ‘adopted’ Needham Market railway station, helping to ensure it was well-cared for and met customers’ needs.
She holds a degree in Health and Social Care and was a train conductor for Greater Anglia before taking a career break to raise her family.
Claire says, “I’m excited to get started in the new role and meeting interested parties along the East Suffolk Lines to make the lines successful and sustainable, as they are very important links for the communities they serve.
“I’m hoping to bring the idea of using the local rail line to a wider audience and also work within the community – such as with schoolchildren to help educate them about the railway and safety - and would also like to hear from anyone else who has any ideas or suggestions about how the railway and community can work together.”
Claire can be contacted via Twitter @eastsuffolkline
The role is overseen by the Community Rail Partnership board which is comprised of and funded by Greater Anglia, Suffolk County Council, East Suffolk Council and Ipswich Borough Council.