Attendees: Suzie McCheyne- Development Officer, Nigel Wunsch-Vice Chair, Arlene Dickson Samaritans
Apologies: Lynn Keir- Treasurer, Diane Whateley-Secretary, Eugenie Aroutcheff- Grow 73, Michelle Farmer- Cambuslang CC, Kirsty Gray NLC, Alex Bray cross country,. Cambuslang Rotary, Jim Bolton- Rutherglen CC, John Wilson- Scotrail, Caroline Thompson – Noble CRN, Willie Clark Rail holdings Scotland.
Updates
A. Hope in Hamilton update
- Still awaiting landlords’ consent in progress – site visit arranged for Nov with electrical contractor
- Meeting with MSP Christina McKelvie changed to November
B. Development Officer update
- Mini cop 26 for south Lanarkshire primary school supported through free travel by Scotrail to engage passengers from Rutherglen, Cambuslang and Blantyre. This went ahead on 11th,12th and 13th October – John Wilson and Suzie met the kids at Rutherglen and spread the news about greening CamGlen, community rail and rail safety.
- Autism steering groups have been completed and now write up/project planning for key themes of calm/quiet place, inclusive signage and travelling classrooms. Funding applications have been issued to Scotrail and cross country to progress (update Dec 2022 both applications now accepted and funds paid/contractors have been assigned).
- Rutherglen station as it is needs updating asap – Suzie met John Wilson at the station to record and highlight areas of need.
- Conversation Café with Railway Chaplain, united to prevent suicide and Glasgow City Mission, Community Rail Network and Samaritans took place on 12th Sept looking from Glasgow to Motherwell. Went really well with over 400 passengers spoken to.
- Attended Grow 73 relay for cop27 event in Overtoun Park. Amazing turnout and spoke to many about Community Rail and Rail74crp. Linked to local councillor for Hamilton area and other connections.
- Avanti funding of £9999 for young people ‘feel good’ travel- sustainable fashion initiative in Glasgow/South Lanarkshire using denim for recycling involving 340 children. Rail 74 to contribute this funding directly. This project will last from Oct 2022 into 2023. Met up at central station with Arkdefo & Dave Savage from CRL/Avanti to discuss options.
- Continued involvement in Greening CamGlen – chairing meeting in October. Great new resource of Dave to support greening groups with information, advice and to do jobs that help them thrive.
- Intergenerational project between rail74/6vt youth CRP applied for funding from Scotrail to proceed with chatty crafters from Eastfield cambuslang to show craft skills to the young people and in turn they will all create a tiktok to promote activities. (funding now secured and Edinburgh visit will take place on tues 13th Dec )
C. Partners Update
- Cambuslang gateway project from cambuslang community council
- Looking amazing all partners agreed / no anti-social behaviour
- Will create a calendar with pics around the area to raise funds
- Planters will get some summer bulbs
- Potentially another welcome to cambuslang sign to be replicated at the other entrance to the town
- Samaritans
- Brew Monday on 16th Jan 2023 8.00am – 2pm at central station Glasgow looking for volunteers to come along – contact Arlene.
- Link up to BTP to support Rail74 CRP/Derek Johnstone community education.
- Link to Hamilton Branch of Samaritans, Darren to talk through support links into various volunteering groups in the area e.g. Scouts, VASLAN etc.
AOB
As always we are looking for more volunteers/trustees to get involved in these projects – blurb below for sharing please. We would love any interested parties to get in touch.
Trustee info – https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/opp/board-trustee-20
We are looking for volunteers also to help with various parts of delivering these amazing projects – social media expertise, planning support, story writing, completing funding requests, visiting the stations, meeting other community rail partnerships over Scotland and engaging with our communities. You are entitled to free travel along the line whilst taking part in CRP duties and we are a fun group of people just trying to improve the bridge between the railways and the communities they serve. You do not need to be an expert in railways, you just need to want to make a difference and have fun doing it. Contact Suzie on suziemccheyne1@gmail.com if interested.
Next meeting: Tuesday 10th January @2pm zoom or hopefully David Livingstone centre.