It has been over a year since many of us have travelled our regular journeys by train. For some people working from home has its benefits such as no commuting, but for others, the chance for reflection and ‘me time’ which you experience while travelling by train is something they’re keen to experience again.

If you enjoy the social aspect of travelling in a carriage listening to other voices and hearing snippets of their day, then chances are you’ll love OUR LINE. It’s an app based play which you listen to on your smart phone, and tells the story of Nora, her family and life in communities along the Bishop Line in modern day and back to the birth of railways.

OUR LINE, created by artist Hannah Bruce, and starring Darlington based actress Jade Byrne, was first created to be listened to by passengers on the Bishop Line. Listeners met at Darlington Station, put headphones on and listened to the story relating to the scenery out of the train windows as they travelled all the way to Bishop Auckland. After great success in 2018, the show has now been made available to listen to from home or wherever you happen to be.

Felicity Machnicki, Officer for the Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership said:

“For me, Our Line is a starting point for people to talk again. Whether that’s about what they recognise in the story, or it’s a song that sparked a memory, or that it made them think of a family member. I am looking forward to a feeling of connection on the Bishop Line again. When our passengers can come on to the trains for all journeys, whether they are heading to the shops with friends, nervously going to a job interview, taking a sightseeing trip or just because they love looking out of the window and daydreaming. I look forward to hearing passengers talking about Our Line or their experiences of Lockdown, it’s the sounds of chatter of all ages that I look forward to hearing again.”

The show is inspired by the fond memories and family legends collected from local people. In summer 2017, a team from Hannah Bruce & Co and the show’s commissioners, Luxi, spent time travelling the route and chatting to local people about their lives and family memories, and those brilliant stories went into the creation of a script. Hannah and her collaborators mixed it into an audio story timed to start on Darlington Station, then accompany audience members onto the train and finish neatly as they pull into Bishop Auckland at the end of the line.

As 2020 evolved we realised that a new approach would be needed and that the opportunity to use the same app based system could bring the 35 minute show to audiences in their own homes; and instead of tying the show times to exactly the times of the train schedule, this time people can experience Our Line whenever and wherever they like.

Marie Addison, Community and Sustainability Manager for Northern, said:

“We are proud to continue supporting such a fantastic initiative which gives people anywhere in the world the chance to experience, virtually, all that the Bishop Line has to offer. With the current restrictions because of coronavirus Our Line is a great way to enjoy the railway from the comfort of your own home.”

It’s really easy, anyone can register for a ticket and get the instructions to download the app by visiting the Our Line page at www.jabberwockymarket.org.uk, you just need a smartphone or tablet and headphones. It’s free of charge thanks to funding from Arts Council England and support from The Bishop Line, Northern, University of York and other companies.

After the show there is a short survey as we’d love to know what you think and we know from last time that most people have a lot they want to chat about afterwards. Audiences are encouraged to share thoughts using the #OurLine on twitter and Instagram, and the Jabberwocky Market facebook page.

Caroline Pearce, Director of Luxi and Producer of Jabberwocky Market pop-up theatre events, said:

“Years ago I came across a project in New York City called the A Train Plays, in which a group of actors and theatre creatives boarded the Subway to make and perform a brand new play by the time the train returned to the start of its circular route. I found the idea inspiring and often think about how the feeling of being on a train can be like being an audience, how the changing view out of the window can change your mood and affect what you’re doing or seeing and it makes me think of different ways that theatre can be made for, and told in, the confines of a train carriage.

 After the success of the pilot we’ve been committed to creating more like that; since that’s not currently possible it’s been great to work together and find alternative ways to share stories with our communities and exciting to imagine how an online version could be loved all around the world.”

 Hannah Bruce, lead artist said:

“I particularly enjoyed meeting people along the Bishop Line who have such wonderful stories to tell about the past and present. Sound is a fantastic tool for triggering the imagination, and I feel as though Our Line almost allows me to meet past generations, who still influence the lives and landscape of people living along The Bishop Line today. For me, this is a story about how different generations imagine each other, and we can vividly imagine the landscapes through the train window.”

Listings

Dates:             Our Line is live online now

Times:             whenever you like

Location:       wherever you have access to a smart device and headphones (you need to be online to download the app but don’t need to be online to listen to the show)

Tickets:           free to listen – visit the Luxi website

It is with regret that I inform you of the death of the Partnership’s President, Douglas Hamilton.

Doug, as he was known to many of us, passed away on Sunday 15th November. He had been unwell for a couple of weeks by all accounts, though lucid and coping, but went into a rapid and unexpected decline.

For those of you who did not know Doug well, I have gleaned a few insights into his varied life. Doug started as a Civil Engineer in the rail industry following his father who was a station master at a number of stations. Following this, he joined Durham County Council Road Construction Unit and led on many national projects including the M62 motorway.  In 1974 he became head of the Public Passenger Transport Unit dealing with both Bus and Rail. He was instrumental in taking a regional approach to rail and he led on this unified approach.

Doug was instrumental in setting up the Friends of the Heritage Line, which was a precursor to Community Rail. When Community rail was formed this then transferred into the Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership. Doug stayed in Durham after his retirement for many years and eventually moved to Cheshire to be closer to his daughter, Rachel.

Doug’s knowledge of rail was immense and extremely helpful to the Partnership and we shall miss him.

Stuart Woods, our Secretary, who was a personal friend of Doug will attend the funeral to represent the North East rail community.

During the pandemic the partnership gave out free ‘friendly’ face coverings to passengers. They aimed to help increase passenger confidence when the government advised that people may use public transport where walking or cycling is not possible.

As the world started to open up again, and many of the population had been vaccinated, the number of people travelling by train along the Bishop Line began to increase, the partnership asked passengers to be mindful of fellow travellers.

During the past year passengers classed as key or essential workers have continued to use the train and have grown comfortable doing so, however passengers who have been shielding, homeworking or just not needed to travel, may find it daunting returning to train travel. This is where the partnership is asked for the help of its passengers to make everyone’s journey as friendly and comfortable as possible.

Through 2020 and 2021, and to coincide with World Mental Heath Day 2020 we ran a campaign to promote the benefits of smiling which we named Pass on a smile.

Pass on a Smile achieved 2nd Place for most effective communications campaign in the 2022 Community Rail Awards.

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Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership is making face coverings available free of charge to rail passengers who need them helping passengers travel safely this summer.

The UK made masks have been produced to distribute to Bishop Line passengers to help them travel safely. They aim to help increase passenger confidence since the government has advised that people may use public transport where walking or cycling is not possible.

Face coverings are now a requirement when travelling on public transport and will be mandatory when visiting shops and supermarkets from tomorrow (24^th July).

Robert Whitehouse, Chair of the Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership commented “The Bishop Line is a vital transport link connecting communities between Darlington and Bishop Auckland. Many passengers using the train do so for shopping and leisure journeys, both of which have seen a huge drop in passenger numbers due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Now that the government has made public transport available to more people for journeys where walking or cycling is not possible, we want to help our community to feel safe when travelling by train. Insights from the latest Transport Focus Covid-19 Travel Survey – week 11, tell us that currently two thirds (65%) of people surveyed in the UK agree that face coverings will improve feelings of safety.”

He added “We also recognize the thought of wearing a mask can be a little daunting, it can also make it more difficult to connect with fellow passengers so we added the Bishop Line smile to bring a bit of happiness into our passengers day.’

The masks are available from Bishop Auckland Station while stocks last and will be given out thanks to the support of Bishop Trains staff.

They are available in a variety of sizes, free of charge and the sizes are as follows:

Small (older child): 160 x 75mm | 140mm

Medium: 160 x 75mm | 150mm

Large: 160 x 85mm | 190mm

Extra Large: 160 x 85mm | 210mm

The masks selected are made here in the UK from a soft polyester material with elastic straps, whilst this product is not suitable for medical use, it is great for adding extra protection from the spread of germs. Complete with an internal pouch suitable for adding your own carbon filter (filter not provided). This mask is machine washable at 60 degrees, ensuring that it can be cleaned and worn time and time again.

WASHABLE AT 60°.

MADE IN THE UK!

CONTAINS POCKET FOR FILTER.

There are many statistics associated with the Covid-19 national lockdown. One that worried many is this; In the first month of lockdown, trespassing on Britain’s railways increased by 25%.

Incidents were reported in our areas involving young people, one as young as 6 years old. New data reveals that when the national lockdown was first lifted in July 2020 there was a shocking 138% increase in trespass incidents along the East Coast route.

During lockdown the Community Rail Education Network, which is is a collective of community rail partnerships from across the UK took on the challenge to tackle trespassing. The network worked with the rail industry to run a national competition to reduce the high number of trespassing reports on the railway.  This award-winning competition launched during lockdown in 2020, and returns in 2022 for its third year.

The Backtrack Competition has gained huge support across the industry. The competition was also supported by community rail partnerships and many industry stakeholders which was fantastic. In 2022 our aim is to spread the Backtrack message further.

This year there are even more young people trespassing on our railways. Especially those doing so for likes and shares on social media. It’s dangerous and can cause death or serious injury. So this year we are asking young people to create a simple, but powerful, message to make others aware of the dangers of trespassing and to encourage them to stop.  The competition will be shared in schools, youth groups and online.

We’ve made it even simpler to enter this year, we’re asking entrants to do 2 things:

No 1. Film themselves explaining why they pledge to not trespass on the railway.

No.2 Design a small graphic sharing 1 rail safety message which can be shared on social media.

Then upload their entry on to the competition website where there are  tips for creating an entry, railway facts and information about prizes.

Plus share their entries on social media to help spread the word!

To find out more about the competition this year and to find out how to enter visit the Backtrack website.

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Darlington Station is not formally adopted yet, but we are interested in finding an organisation or business who is keen to adopt this LNER managed station. If you are keen to get involved please get in touch.

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Newton Aycliffe station is not currently adopted, but we are interested in finding an organisation or business who is keen to adopt this Northern managed station. If you are keen to get involved please get in touch.

In 2018 students at Greenfield Academy, former adopters of Newton Aycliffe station, completed an art project called ‘Bring the Funny’ which aimed to promote wellbeing in the local community by raising the spirits of rail users. The students worked closely with artist and designer Nicola Golightly along with writer and director Laura Degnan to complete eight amusing poster boards which hung along the length of the station. They also constructed a fantastic interactive light box with a motion detector which was fitted inside the station’s shelters and triggered by passers-by. Comedian and artist Ruth Johnson also got involved to help the students record jokes which triggered when the light box illuminated. Those who took part in the project were all members of Youth Cree, a group designed to promote positive wellbeing, and all worked together as a team to complete this amazing project for their community.

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North Road station is adopted by Bishop Trains who have also adopted Bishop Auckland station and operate the booking office there. The youth team do a great job of maintaining the planters at North Road Station.

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We’re delighted that Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and UTC South Durham have agreed to be station adopters for Heighington station. We are currently working with the students and staff on exciting plans for the station and will update you soon.

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Shildon station was adopted by New Shildon Residents Association, who work with local organisations to bring life and fun to the station.

They worked hard to maintain the beautiful planters which were painted by children from Timothy Hackworth School. And over the past few years they have worked with Greenfield Arts in Newton Aycliffe to create the art installations.

‘Shildon in Motion’ brings together Shildon’s past and celebrated its future through vibrant bold graphics.

and ‘We are here’ used creativity and imagination to find visual ways to celebrate and share the love of the railway in Shildon. You can find out more about this project on the project site.

We’re currently looking for a new adopter for Shildon so if you are interested please get in touch.

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