It’s full steam ahead for a collaborative effort which aims to raise the profile of our area’s railway line.
The Robin Hood Line Community Rail Partnership (RHL CRP) has released its 2025 annual report, with Bolsover District Council acknowledging the RHL CRP’s contribution to community engagement, rail safety education, economic development, environmental improvements, active travel projects, station adoption activity, and partnership achievements during a recent meeting of the council’s Executive committee.
The line is rich in heritage with an abundance of nature, historical and leisure attractions within easy reach of the 13 stations, four of which - Shirebrook, Langwith-Whaley Thorns, Creswell and Whitwell – are in Bolsover district.
Justyna Majer, the district council’s Community Rail Partnership Officer, said: “2025 has been exceptional for the RHL CRP, defined by meaningful projects, strong community engagement and well-deserved recognition.
“From creative arts and safety education to confidence-building programmes and career inspiration, our work has continued to make a real difference to young people and families within our local communities.”
Highlights include the RHL CRP picking up first place in the ‘Involving Children and Young People’ category of the Community Rail Awards, for its ‘Fusion Learning’ initiative.
This project supported 12 students, previously at risk of dropping out of education/employment, to learn fabrication and welding in an authentic workshop environment. They created a 'mammoth' sculpture which now sits proudly at Creswell Station.
Partnership representatives also attended a parliamentary reception hosted by the Community Rail Network at Westminster to celebrate the impact of community rail.
The partnership has taken part in several community and sector events which brought people together, using the opportunity to highlight the importance of accessible, sustainable rail travel.
These included Bolsover Pride, a career day at Ashgate Croft School in Chesterfield and various community litter-picks, including the Great British Spring Clean, teaming up with Bolsover Community and Voluntary Service to give our stations a much-needed refresh.
Other events included participation in Remembrance Day services, including at Shirebrook Station, and World Book Day visits to schools to encourage youngsters to stay safe on platforms and trains.
The RHL CRP also helped to strengthen rail safety awareness across schools, delivering the Rail Safe Friendly programme, alongside Learn Live, engaging with around 2,000 young people from six schools.
The partnership also supported a Try a Train initiative, noting 31% of pupils had never travelled by train before, and helping to boost youngsters’ confidence in travelling by train.
Another key strand of RHL CRP’s work is the Community Trail project, widening access to rail travel by creating welcoming, accessible walking routes linked directly to the Robin Hood Line, such as the Bolsover Loop.
Other highlights included the Silent Stars project, which inspired young people through technical learning and culminated in a rail-based careers day, the You vs Train distraction project, which engaged young people through sport and physical activity while promoting essential rail safety messages, and a Creswell Station art project, involving Creswell Junior School.