Suffolk and Cumbrian rail stations over 300 miles apart officially twinned

Above: Teachers and schoolchildren from Brampton C of E Primary with the mural at Brampton rail station. Credit: East Suffolk Lines CRP

Schoolchildren at Brampton primary school, Suffolk, have helped to twin their local rail station with another Brampton station over 300 miles away in Cumbria.

The twinning was celebrated with the unveiling of a new mural at the Suffolk station painted by the children.

The link between the two Brampton stations was facilitated by the East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership, who work to promote Greater Anglia’s branch lines between Ipswich, Lowestoft and Felixstowe, and the Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership.

The Tyne Valley partnership worked with students from Lanercost primary school in Cumbria who also created a mural at their Brampton station.

Postcards have been created from both murals which the pupils have sent to each other to officially twin the two stations.

Steve Jeal, Head of School at Brampton C of E Primary, said, “Our children were extremely excited to receive their postcards and connect with children from another part of the country. We are very pleased that our mural also been made into a postcard so our children can reply.

“It has been a pleasure to work with both Tyne Valley and East Suffolk Lines community rail partnerships. The project has given the children a purpose and audience for their art work.

“We hope our mural will be enjoyed by passengers that pass through Brampton train station for many years to come.”

Aaron Taffera, Chair of the East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership, said, “We were delighted to facilitate the link between the two primary schools and delighted with the new art work which enhances this lovely station even further.”

Alan Neville, Greater Anglia’s Community and Customer Engagement Manager, said, “We’re delighted that the station has officially been twinned with Brampton in Cumbria. Both are lovely examples of rural stations at the heart of their communities and are ideal for tourists looking to discover new hidden gems too, with the opportunity to leave the car behind and explore by rail.”