Last Monday, 24th April, the Chairman of the West Lancashire Light Railway Trust, Michael Spall, attended a reception for Local Charity Champions at 10 Downing Street that was hosted by the Minister of Charities, the Rt. Hon. Stuart Andrew MP.

The invitation to this prestigious event was to recognise the heritage and community work volunteers had undertaken at the heritage narrow gauge steam railway in Hesketh Bank, Lancashire. The volunteers had also recently taken part in a Volunteer Training Day at the railway.

The most recent event that the railway ran was on Sunday, 30th April, when it held a “Friendly Engines” day, when two steam locomotives and heritage diesel locomotives were in operation.

This will be followed by a Coronation Special on the following Sunday, 7th May, to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III, a Teddy Bears Day on Sunday, 21st May, a Summer Strawberries and Steam event on Sunday, 18th June, and a special Volunteers Days on Sunday, 1st July.

The railway is open every day until the end of October, and tickets can be booked online at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/westlancashirelightrailwaytrust/618470/.

Chairman Michael Spall said, “it has been a real honour to represent the West Lancashire Light Railway Trust and its volunteers alongside other outstanding charities and their leaders at this event.

“It was particularly pleasing to hear the Minister for Charities and the Government recognises the fantastic work and commitment given by the many charities and their volunteers.

“My personal thanks to Katherine Fletcher MP for South Ribble for arranging the invitation, being a wonderful host and keen supporter of our trust and its work. I now know a little more about what’s behind that famous door”.