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LOCAL NEWS
Great Central Railway Salutes Valiant Volunteers Sixty six volunteers with more than forty years of service - a staggering two thousand six hundred years combined!
Directors. The evening culminated with the presentation of the long service awards to people who have loyally served the project.
The Great Central Railway has celebrated the volunteers who keep the award winning Leicestershire line alive and uncovered a staggering track record. Sixty six of them have each clocked up more than forty years of service. To put it another way, that's two thousand and six hundred years combined!
Chief Executive Andy Munro said, "As we started adding up the numbers, we couldn't believe how many people have been committed to the railway for so long. In total, sixty six people have been volunteers for forty years or more. Combined, that's an extraordinary two thousand six hundred years of service. It is the sort of record many companies can only dream of, so it was absolutely right that we salute their dedication. Along with all of our volunteers, it's their effort which continues to keep the Railway alive".
More than three hundred volunteers attended a dinner event at Leicester's King Power stadium. The aim was to celebrate all who give their time to the line and was personally supported by the
Garth The Dog Offers Award Winning Advice To New Owners An advice leaflet ‘written’ by Garth the dog has been highly commended by the RSPCA. The leaflet, which has been produced by Charnwood Borough Council, was Highly Commended at the RSPCA’s Community Animal Welfare Footprint (CAWF) awards in the Innovator category. The council also won gold at the CAWF awards for its work to look after stray dogs in the borough. The leaflet offers advice for new owners who adopt a dog from the council’s College Garth kennels in Hathern, Loughborough. The advice is written in plain English, from the point of view of Garth the
The original Great Central Railway finally closed in 1969. That year, a number of people met in the waiting room at Leicester Central station to discuss how a section of the line could be preserved as a home for large steam locomotives. At the dinner some of those founding fathers were present, meaning they are approaching half a century of service. They come from all walks of life and work right across the railway from restoration of priceless heritage to running the trains, all of which will be on show at the Railway’s Winter Gala this coming weekend 27-29th January. Andy continued "We have around seven hundred volunteers at the
GCR from all age groups and its great to see young people working alongside more experienced engineers and volunteers. People are passionate about volunteering and helping to shape the future. With major developments coming down the line in the years ahead, there is a real buzz of excitement in the air. It's a great time to get involved and experience the passionate team spirit." The Great Central is developing a heritage lottery funded museum at its southern terminus in conjunction with the National Railway Museum and Leicester City Council. It is also working to create and eighteen mile heritage railway across the East Midlands.
dog, who gives tips on tasks such as sleeping arrangements, walks and feeding time. Councillor David Hayes, Deputy Lead Member for Regulatory Services said: “It’s fantastic to have achieved not one, but two commendations from the RSPCA. “We work hard to ensure stray dogs are either reunited with their owners or re-homed. “It’s also important that we make sure that owners know how to look after their dog, particularly as many of our adopted dogs have had bad experiences with their former owners in the past. “Our leaflet gives people practical advice to make sure that you can have a happy and safe relationship with your dog.” Rachel Williams, Senior Parliamentary Advisor at the RSPCA said: “Garth's rehoming leaflet is a truly innovative
approach to helping both owner and animal have the best possible start in their new lives together.
in the CAWF awards is fantastic and something that all of the staff involved should be very proud of.”
“We've not seen a leaflet written in this friendly, accessible style anywhere else in the country, and it's proof that improving animal welfare doesn't have to be hugely complicated.
For more information about how the council looks after stray animals visit www.charnwood.gov. uk/animals_stray
“What the borough council achieved
To find out about more about the kennels, search College Garth Rescue Kennels on Facebook.