From The Chair

Following the cancellation of the 2020 Annual General Meeting and monthly Committee meetings last year, as notified in the previous edition of RVR News, (130) an on-line Zoom AGM was organized and took place on 27 March this year.

As also advised in her “From the Chair” report in the same edition, RVR Chairman Marjorie Birch gave notice of her retirement at the AGM from the position after 9 years. Marje has now retired from all these positions and, at its most recent on-line meeting, ELCCoRP (East Lancashire and Clitheroe lines Community Rail Partnership) showed a thank-you video with contributions, not only from the Community Rail community, but also from schools, Local Authorities and the rail industry. This was a truly well-deserved tribute to her hard work in promoting and developing the voluntary aspect of the role of local railways in the community. However it is not goodbye, as Marje remains active as a Committee Member and Vice-Chair, and is still much involved in our voluntary work.

Two of the initial aims of RVR were

• reintroducing and supporting a regular passenger service to Clitheroe

• restoring through passenger services to Hellifield and into Yorkshire

Although the first of these was achieved back in the 90s the second seemed a distant dream but with the recent “Restoring Your Railway” initiative a Strategic Outline Business Case has been submitted to HM Government and we hope for a positive outcome and progress to the next stage.

Thanks to all Members who have continued to contribute in these restrictive and difficult times of the pandemic.

​

Peter Eastham