No. 83 Winter 2020

Penistone Line Express

The Newsletter of the Penistone Line Partnership

Wishing all our readers a Happy New Year! 2019 was a great year for Penistone Line Partnership with lots going on!

In October the Dwell Time project was voted Best Community Art Scheme (Renewable and Smaller Projects) in the annual Community Rail Awards. This was fantastic recognition of a project which promotes positive mental well-being. Issue two of Dwell Time will be published in March; look out for the events!

Later this year (2020) we will be welcoming the Tour de Yorkshire to Huddersfield (30 April to 3 May). Once we are aware of the exact details, we will be sure to promote it on our website and through social media.

Currently work is being undertaken to extend some of the platforms on the Penistone Line. This will enable us to have some longer units servicing the Penistone Line. As part of this work, AmcoGiffen are funding some new art work for the line, along with helping fund the Dwell Time Christmas event.

In 2019 we promoted the Penistone Line at a number of different events, including Penistone Gala, Community Rail in the City, University of Huddersfield, Seats to Sacks launch, Northern Community Rail confer-ence and at a Preparing for Adulthood Event. An important part of our work is promoting the railway away from the railway! We have also been doing some research in preparation for a 2020 project which is working with people with hidden disabilities.

There are many reasons why people do not use the train, and we are hoping by working with community groups we will be able to iden-tify what the barriers are and work with the rail industry to address them and make it easier for some people to use the train. We will be working closely with the Kirklees DEEP group. DEEP stands for the Dementia Engagement and

Empowerment Project – it is the UK network of dementia voices. DEEP consists of around 100 groups of people with dementia – groups that want to change things. If you would like to get involved with any of our work please get in touch at penistoneline@gmail.com.

In the latter half of 2019 we have been able to employ Sarah Wells to assist Rowena. Sarah has been working with Penistone Line Partner-ship for a number of years, initially as a student and also as an artist. We hope that Sarah will remain with us to help progress some of the many projects we have planned for 2020.

Work has continued at some stations by local community groups and we are always keen to support more groups at stations. If you are involved in a local community group and would like to look after your local station to welcome people to your village please get in touch. Funding is available for projects.

School rail safety presentations will continue and are available to book all year round. We also hope to arrange a number of events on the train over the year; events will always be promoted through our website and social media.

We are entering into our 27th year of Guided Walks, which consistently prove popular; why not let someone else do the organ-ising and come along on a walk and discover parts of our local area that you may never have seen before?

We hope you see you on the train soon! Rowena

From Your Community Rail Officer

Rowena Chantler, Community Rail Officer, Penistone Line PartnershipTel 07912 753817. penistoneline@gmail.com

Cover picture: Joey’s Birthday (see ‘Christmas- time on the Penistone Line on page 8)

We were honoured to be invited to Community Rail Lancashire’s project launch of the ‘Seats to Sacks’ project. Bradford’s Muslim Women in Prison Project teamed up with Community Rail Lancashire and Northern to create story sacks for primary school children.

Muslim Women in Prison supports Muslim female ex-offenders across the UK who may have been ostracised by their fami-lies and communities upon their release. Story sacks are bags which contain chil-dren’s books as well as supporting materials, such as puppets, designed to enhance chil-dren’s reading experiences. Through Seats to Sacks, the women made story sacks out of old Northern train seat covers.

The launch event gave Penistone Line Partnership the opportunity to promote the Penistone Line and the Dwell Time project to

Seats to Sacks Projectparticipants, some of whom read out poems they had written.

Penistone Line Partnership now has several story sacks which contain the Thomas the Tank Engine Stay Safe with Thomas book and resources. Rowena has already used the story sacks with local school Beaumont Primary Academy and they currently have one on loan. These story sacks are particularly useful when working with Key Stage One children.

In 2020 Rowena will continue to visit primary schools and give Rail Safety presenta-tions, and will also be able to lend story sacks to schools. National Rail Safety Week is week commencing 22 June, and we hope to have plenty of schools booked in that week! Please email Rowena if you would like to book a visit at penistoneline@gmail.com

Rowena Chantler

Community rail officers from Northern England: Felicity Machinicki (Bishop Line), Catherine Huddleston (Bentham Line), Fiona Forsythe (Tyne Valley), Rowena Chantler and

Sarah Wells (PLP), Karen Bennett (Lancashire)

Introducing the TeamDwell Time was set up in 2017 as a collaboration of artists and curators, who are Alice Bradshaw, Vanessa Haley and Lenny Szrama, after the suicide of Alice and Vanessa’s close friend. Their late friend was a strong advocate for the arts raising awareness about mental wellbeing and he left a bequest that enabled Alice and Vanessa to create a project about the issues he faced. Whilst this is a personally important project for the Dwell Time team, they also appreciate the therapeutic role art and writing can provide, and sharing stories is at the heart of the project’s aim to reduce the stigma and isolation of poor mental health.

Alice and Vanessa have curated together since meeting in 2010 on projects such as Warehouse Weekend at Bates Mill (2010) Holmfirth Arts Festival (2011, 2012), Postscript for Hannah Festival (2013), Sound-stripes (2017-present), Button It (2018) and Dwell Time.

Alice has a background in contempo-rary art and is currently an artist, curator and writer based in Halifax. Vanessa has a background in film and media and currently works in photography, media, poetry and curatorial projects based in Huddersfield.

Alice and Vanessa met the third director of Dwell Time, Lenny Szrama, and the Penistone Line Partnership through Platform 1 in Huddersfield (Men’s Shed).

Lenny was a keen artist and writer prior to joining the army aged just 17. He later went on to develop his own mental health problems due to his service. After becoming

homeless in 2011 he rediscovered his love of art and poetry, writing and painting about his experiences and difficulties. Lenny has had poetry published, some of which is available online, and has exhibited art. He draws on his knowledge and experiences to support help and motivate others.

Left to right: Rowena Chantler, (PLP) with Lenny Szrama, Vanessa Haley and Alice Bradshaw

Aims of the ProjectThrough Dwell Time’s collaboration with the rail network and Penistone Line Partnership, they can take their project on journeys throughout the rail network and work in the public realm as one of their core objectives.

Dwell Time’s aim is to platform the voices and experiences of everybody who has some-thing to share about the subject of mental wellbeing. Their project is about connectivity which is something often lacking in society. Through their publication, workshops, events and art trails, their hope is that people will connect with the work and each other through small ways that have the potential to make a big impact.

Penistone Line Partnership awarded 1st place at Community Rail Awards 2019 in category Art Schemes Renewable & Smaller.

See the project at https://dwelltimepress.wordpress.com/

Saturday 4 January: Pennine VistasA walk via Thurstonland, Thunder Bridge and Upper Cumberworth to finish at Denby Dale.(opt outs possible)Start: 9.40am at HONLEYFinish: DENBY DALEDistance: 8 - 9 milesLeader: David Cook (07717-497684)Depart: Huddersfield 0912, Lincoln 0643, Shef-field 0835, Meadowhall 0841, Barnsley 0903 to HONLEY.

Saturday 18 January: T’anks For The MemorySome old, some not so old paths taken along this walk.(opt outs possible).Start: 9.15am at CHAPELTOWNFinish: ELSECARDistance: 9 miles.Leader: Joy RawlingsDepart: Huddersfield 0812, Barnsley 0900, Lincoln 0723, Worksop 0808, Sheffield 0903, Meadowhall 0909 to CHAPELTOWN.

Saturday 1 February: Walking In CirclesAssuming the leader has remembered to alight at the right station this time, we circumnavigate the northern suburbs on what might well be a muddy walk.(opt outs possible)Start: 9.05am at BARNSLEYFinish: BARNSLEYDistance: 10 miles.Leader: John Harker (07929-051978)Depart: Huddersfield 0812, Lincoln 0643, Work-sop 0728, Sheffield 0835, Meadowhall 0841 to BARNSLEY 0902.

Guided Walks - Winter 2020

Organised by the Penistone Line Partnership (PLP), these walks are promoted by the RAMBLERS’ ASSOCIATION to encourage use of the train service to visit some of South & West Yorkshire’s finest countryside. Walks also take place in North Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire & Lincolnshire. Join us for an enjoyable day out – all are welcome. Walks are free but fares apply. Bring along a flask and sandwiches. Suitable footwear and clothing are recom-mended. Walks are at an easy pace. Take care, walk safe, beware of traffic: walks are carefully planned but you are responsible for your own safety.

On our usual linear walks, which start at one station and finish at another, it is cheaper to buy a return ticket to the more distant station than to buy two single tickets

Further information from Stuart on tel: 01522- 534655 OR text: 07908- 450444

Saturday 15 February: We Might See ThomasA pleasant walk from Shepley, taking in the vil-lage of Kirkburton, passing Gryce House on the way to Roydhouse. We pass through Skelman-thorpe and Lower Cumberworth to head back to ShepleyStart: 9.35am at SHEPLEYFinish: SHEPLEYDistance: 8 miles.Leaders: Geoff & Dorothy Woolhouse (07580-390151)Depart: Huddersfield 0912, Lincoln 0643, Worksop 0728, Sheffield 0835, Meadowhall 0841, Barnsley 0903 to SHEPLEY.

Saturday 29 February: Honley, At LastNearly four months later than the leader intended, we start a walk here that will see us walk up Mag Dale to a waterfall, a reservoir and a wooded clough.Start: 9.40am at HONLEYFinish: BERRY BROWDistance: 10 milesLeader: John Harker (07929-051978)Depart: Huddersfield 0912, Lincoln 0643, Sheffield 0835, Meadowhall 0841, Barnsley 0903 to HONLEY.

Guided Walks - Winter 2020

Further information from Stuart on tel: 01522- 534655 OR text: 07908- 450444

Saturday 7 March: The Five Churches WalkThis walk links village churches in South Anston, Todwick, Wales, Harthill, Thorpe Salvin and part of the Cuckoo Way.(opt outs possible).Start: 9.20am at KIVETON PARKFinish: KIVETON BRIDGEDistance: 10 miles.Leader: Stuart Parker (07908-450444)Depart: Huddersfield 0712, Barnsley 0800, Meadowhall 0820, Sheffield 0853, Lincoln 0826, Worksop 0911 to KIVETON PARK.

Saturday 21 March: Spring Has SprungOn the second day of official Spring, we will no doubt encounter bad weather just to mock the change of seasons.Undeterred, we exit via Locke Park heading for Wentworth Castle, the Trans-Pennine Trail and the River Don.Start: 9.05am at BARNSLEYFinish: PENISTONEDistance: 10 miles.Leader: John Harker (07929-051978)Depart: Huddersfield 0812, Lincoln 0643, Sheffield 0835, Meadowhall 0841 to BARNSLEY.

Saturday 4 April : From Sheep Field To MarketA pleasant walk from country to town with good distance views.Start: 9.30am at SHEPLEYFinish: HUDDERSFIELDDistance: 9 - 10 miles.Leader: Judith ParkesDepart: Huddersfield 0912, Lincoln 0643, Sheffield 0835, Meadowhall 0841, Barnsley 0903 to SHEPLEY.

Saturday April 18th - Four Villages In The Dearne ValleyA circular walk taking in Denby Dale, Scissett, Clayton West and SkelmanthorpeStart: 9.40am at DENBY DALEFinish: DENBY DALEDistance: 9 milesLeader: Geoff Ryder (07837-915847)Depart: Huddersfield 0912, Lincoln 0643, Sheffield 0835, Meadowhall 0841, Barnsley 0903 to DENBY DALE.

Train services on the Penistone line

are operated by ARRIVA RAIL NORTH Ltd: www.northernrailway.co.ukNORTHERN RAIL enquiries tel: 0800 200 6060NATIONAL RAIL Enquiries tel: 03457 48 49 50 www.nationalrail.co.uk

Photo: Jane Horner

This year we started arranging and advertising our annual Santa Train early. We ran two enjoyable workshops to make our festive decorations for the Santa Train and Platform 2 waiting room, Huddersfield Railway Station. Members from the day care group at Ability Options, Honley, tied fabric to make wreaths, and helped assemble Christmas lights bunting. Thanks to Lynn Barber for inviting us to work with members of Ability Options; we can’t wait to arrange a train confidence day out soon with the group. Thanks also to Jo Liversidge and Nature’s Footprints Community Learning group, ‘Time for You’ who helped make and embellish Christmas wreaths.

Two future train sessions with Time for You are planned for Spring/Summer 2020. We want to include anyone who wishes to come along to our events or help us prepare.

We were approached by a lady with a nephew who has special needs and older than most of our Santa Train travellers; we were more than happy to include him. Santa’s Elves asked the children waiting on the platform to sing Happy Birthday to Joey, who shed happy tears as everyone hip hoorayed him.

Christmas - time on The Penistone LineWe had great feedback from families

who came on the Santa Train. Our team of volunteers worked their magic to bring joy and laughter to this fun event. Santa chats, presents, Christmas music, mince pies, sweets, give-a-ways and naughty elves. We can’t wait to invite Santa back again next year. We are meeting up with Alzheimer’s Research UK in January to hand over money raised for them on the Santa Train.

Our other annual Christmas event was the Carol Train which was so popular we are thinking of running it on two separate evenings next year with a limited number of advance tickets. Rowena and ladies from another choir led carols in one carriage while Gledholt Male Voice Choir sang first in one carriage, then the other, and also at the pub. Thank you to all who came along, and the staff at The Station Inn, Silkstone Common, who have probably never seen so many people in the pub and outside!

Neil Bentley (our Chairperson) and Sarah Wells decorated Platform 2 waiting room with paper lights bunting, a new Christmas tree and decorations funded by Branch Line Society and Penistone Line Partnership. Festive and cheerier now on a dark Winter’s night for all our passengers.

Sarah Wells

Other Ways to Train is a project between S2R Create Space and Penistone Line Partnership, for those who use trains and those who don’t, looking at ways we can improve our train experience, from entering a railway station to boarding a train. We will create posters that will be displayed on the platform with mindful activities and images, helping us to relax and feel calm as we wait for the train.

We c r e a t e d t h e Huddersfield Train Bug Hotel on the wildlife garden on platform 4 at Hudders-field Railway Station for both bugs and passengers to enjoy.

Other Ways to Train Project

During the project we visited local outdoor spaces in Brockholes, Mirfield, Dewsbury and Berry Brow as a way of improving our wellbeing. From our expe-riences we will create a map for other commuters to use

and encourage them to also to connect with nature.

Some of our experi-ences from the project will also be published in the 2nd Issue of the project.

Byron Jones

Bee Hotel at Huddersfield’s platform 4

‘Inspiring and exciting’ : ‘So peaceful’ ‘I haven’t been on trains like this for a long time’‘I like this, I’m going to come next week!’‘It’s quite relaxing isn’t it, watching the river’

Quotes from participants:

S2R Group members and Penistone Line Part-nership at Brockholes Station (above) and walk-ing along the bank of the River Holme (right).

Autumn 2019 saw a good start to our research into ways we might make The Penistone Line hidden disability friendly. Training is key - firstly for Penistone Line Partnership Members, train operating company staff working on The Penistone Line and volunteers. PLP members, stakeholders and our Dwell Time Project Group all completed their Dementia Friends training at Age UK Huddersfield.

Diary dates have been added to attend The Dementia Engagement and Empow-erment Project (DEEP) throughout 2020, which will strengthen our links with strategic partnership management and local coun-cils along the line. In January we are meeting with Ian Beesley who is part of a collective working on banners, currently exhibited at The People’s History Museum Manchester. He says “Banners are powerful symbols of self-reliance and tangible proof of existence and as such have proved to be a fantastic way of articulating many of the problems faced by people living with dementia.”

We will also be engaged in all SOPPA meetings (Supporting Older People in the Penistone Area) working closely with Age UK Barnsley, Men in Sheds Penistone, Integrated Health & Well-being Team and Penistone’s Principle Towns Initiative on accessibility.

Over the last six months we have met with community support groups who are keen to arrange travel training and rail confi-dence workshops with us and their members. Our training resources are being developed and we will shortly be able to deliver these on days out by rail to local support groups. We want people to know that whatever hidden disability you may have, we will try to make rail travel possible and a good experience for you. Please email us at penistoneline@gmail.

Hidden Disability Friendly Rail Travelcom if you would like to access our trains but may struggle, as an individual or a group, let’s see if we can help!

Knit & Natter TrainWe attended 2 plays by Az2b Theatre arranged by Kirklees Dementia Hub exploring the journey of dementia. During the events networking session we saw Twiddle Muffs!

Following on from our last enjoyable Knit & Natter Train as part of the Woven in Kirklees Festival 2019, we plan to run another train event this time to make Twiddle Muffs. We want to bring people together from our communities along the Penistone Line and help people living with dementia who often have restless hands.

A twiddle muff (see below oppo-site) provides a wonderful source of tactile, sensory stimulation and keeps the hands snug and warm at the same time. The muffs have attachments which keep hands busy such as textured ribbon, beads and fabrics. Buttons, zips, pockets and other tactile items could also be attached.

We would love people to donate spare wool and bric-a-brac which could be attached safely. We plan to donate finished twiddle muffs to people living with dementia along the Penistone Line through various support groups. More details of where you can donate items and get involved will be available soon.

We also want to invite people who can knit or crochet who are homebound and would be unable to attend the Knit & Natter train but can still be involved in this project. We will provide details of how you can obtain a pack from us that a neighbour or family member can drop in for you.

Sarah Wells

Every Friday 10am – 12noon ‘Singing in Honley – Singin’ in t’Valley!’ £7 per week no need to book. Beginners & singers welcome - no audition or music reading required as all songs are taught by ear. The Main Lounge - Roundway Sheltered HousingRoundway (off Stony Lane), Honley HD9 6DF.

Thursday 23 January: ‘Train Ticket Thoughts’Poetry and creations on the Penistone Line led by Dwell Time. Catch the 10:12 from Hudders-field - return to Sheffield. Limited spaces avail-able please book through Eventbrite (search Train Ticket Thoughts).

23 January to 1 February: ‘Peter Pan’Pantomime at Penistone Paramount. Family friendly event.

Saturday 25 January Northern Live – Do I Love You. Touring Northern Soul Band at Huddersfield Town Hall, 7.30pm: .

Friday 7 February: ‘A tribute to Lionel Ritchie’ at Penistone Paramount. Book in advance. www.penistoneparamount.co.uk

Events Along the Penistone LineMonday 17 February: ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ at Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield. Family friendly event.

Friday 28 February: ‘Zog’ Live on stage at Lawrence Batley Theatre, Hud-dersfield. Family friendly event.

13-15 March: ‘The Tiger who Came to Tea’ Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield. Family friendly event.

Sat/Sun 14/15 March: My First Day Out with ThomasKirklees Light Railway. Family Friendly; we rec-ommend you book ahead.

Saturday 15 March: An evening with Ian McMillanPenistone Paramount. Book in advance. www.penistoneparamount.co.uk

16 to 22 March: Penistone Arts Week. For further information www.facebook.com/penartsweek/

19-29 March: Huddersfield Literature Festival www.huddlitfest.org.uk

23rd March: Dwell Time issue 2 launch Full details to be announced soon. https://dwelltimepress.wordpress.com/

Saturday 30 March: Kate Fox’s Hyperlexic Cabaret and Q & A. Autism friendly event suitable for age 16+ at Small Seeds, New Street, Huddersfield, 6-7.30pm.

Music Trains 2020Last year we ran several music trains and are currently planning this year. Please keep an eye out for the dates which will be promoted through the website, social media and local media and noticeboards.

Why not get involved?The Penistone Line Partnership is a voluntary organisation which supports and promotes community involvement along the Huddersfield to Penistone and Sheffield railway and has a good time in the process! We welcome new members and encourage everyone to be involved somehow or other. Membership costs £8.00 (£5.00 if you’re a pensioner or unemployed). Family rate for two people or more at the same address £10.00 (£7.00 concessions). Corporate membership £25.00

Membership Application Form

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..........................................................................................................................................................................Return to Janet Goldsmith, Secretary PLP, 78 Ridings Fields, Brockholes, Holmfirth HD9 7BG Phone: 01484 660560 E-mail janet.goldsmith@btinternet.comPlease make cheques payable to ‘Penistone Line Partnership’

The PLP Guided Walking Group celebrating the 90th birthday of Eric Green, an active and valued member of the group.