Community Rail Awards. Wednesday 5th October 2022 Manchester Convention Centre
Entry for section 7, Tourism & Leisure Award
Title: Yorkshire Wolds Coast Historical Railway Map Trail, Friends of Hunmanby Railway Station
Summary
In the Edwardian era, over 110 years ago, the North Eastern Railway erected at least two dozen tile maps across its network. Amazingly half still exist, two being on the Scarborough to Hull railway line at Beverley and Scarborough. During the pandemic, two more North Eastern Railway Tile Maps were installed at stations on the line, Hunmanby and Bridlington. This full colour leaflet was produced in March 2022 as a thank you to all who made these beautiful maps possible.
The leaflet is an uplifting story of generosity and community spirit aiming to inspire visits to the local line. With plenty of illustrations it makes seeking out history and geography interesting. All the locations described are free to view and promote the involvement of station staff and local communities who have enhanced their stations. It was produced as the country emerged into the ‘new normal’ following the pandemic, and it aimed to promote short days out and highlight items of railway history that are often overlooked. The leaflet was delivered to 150 premises within walking distance of stations on the Yorkshire Wolds Coast line: local shops, hair salons, public houses, and schools.
Concept & Aims
With the launch of Hunmanby’s new North Eastern Railway Tile Map in August 2021, Friends of Hunmanby Railway Station wanted a suitable way to say ‘thank you’ to all who made it possible. The leaflet would be a story of two projects on the Yorkshire Wolds Coast Railway Line, the first the brand new Hunmanby tile map in August 2021, the second a restored tile map at Bridlington in January 2022, the latter with a fascinating story of almost-loss and recovery. The leaflet would be expanded into creating a linear trail of railway artefacts. The design aimed to inspire all ages, especially those with young families, adding interest and excitement for passengers waiting at a station to join a train for a happy day out to the seaside. The trail was launched in March 2022 as part of the celebrations for the 175th anniversary of the opening of the railway line between Hull and Scarborough. This historic event certainly deserves celebrating, because the coming of the railway created the Victorian seaside resorts of Bridlington, Filey and Scarborough.
Photo Above: Outside cover of the Yorkshire Wolds Coast Historical Railway Map Trail
What Happened
Designing the leaflet was a great way to involve a variety of people; producing the artwork and photographs, and keeping the wording informative but concise so that there was enough room for nineteen graphics. The two pen and ink sketches were added to help inspire younger people about the artwork and geography in these maps, and were welcomed by local schools when the leaflets were taken into the community. 3,000 leaflets were produced by local family printers Richardson and sons of Hull. 20 copies of the leaflet were personally delivered to a wide range of shops and community premises, including schools and further education establishments, health centres and public houses. Without exception all were happy to put the leaflets on display. Thanks to the personal delivery and with the economy just starting to open up, everyone saw this as a great opportunity to promote the local railway line and make the historic features in the leaflet a positive talking point with their customers. It encouraged everyone to take a pride in the local history of their station.
Photo above: Inside cover of the Yorkshire Wolds Coast Historical Railway Map Trail
Results
The Yorkshire Wolds Coast Historic Railway Map Trail leaflet was a victim of its own success. It proved so popular that copies ran out within a couple of weeks. The timing was arranged as the railway network in the north started promoting travel by train with the ‘do your own thing’ campaign. In early Spring, many people were still cautious about using public transport. The Historic Railway Map Trail leaflet was targeted at communities close to stations on the Yorkshire Wolds Coast line especially between Hull and Driffield, where people may well be tempted on a short trip out to the coast by train. In May a funding application was submitted to Yorkshire Coast BID (Business Improvement District), and this has been successful. £764 will fund a larger print run, again A4 in full colour with an improved format, which will be distributed by volunteers across the region to art galleries, historic buildings, leisure centres, museums, redeveloped heritage buildings housing family run businesses. All places where this historic leaflet trail will be of interest and help to generate visitors to the Yorkshire Coast, especially by train.
Caption: Press Coverage from the unveiling of the North Eastern Railway Tile Map at Hunmanby station
Testimonials
'Bridlington Regeneration Partnership is delighted to support The Yorkshire Wolds Coast Historical Railway Map Trail which features the outstanding contribution that Bridlington Railway Station and its dedicated staff make to creating an unrivalled and welcoming arrival point into the town for visitors and residents returning home.'
Nigel Atkinson, Head of Bridlington Renaissance
‘The Yorkshire Wolds Coast Historical Railway Map Trail highlights the vast number of exciting places open to explore in our area. The Scarborough Civic Society are pleased to be included in this excellent project and the Friends of Hunmanby Railway Station are to be congratulated on taking this initiative.
Good luck.’
Adrian Perry, Scarborough Civic Society
‘This new historical railway map really boosts our tourism information and showcases the amazing variety of things to do and places to see around the beautiful Yorkshire Coast. Hunmanby is a great location for exploring the region in a sustainable way and arriving at Hunmanby and seeing the dedicated work of the friends of Hunmanby Station gives you the welcome every visitor deserves.’
Janet Deacon, Head of Tourism and Culture, Scarborough Borough Council
‘The proposed UNESCO Global Geopark for East Yorkshire project is only to pleased to support this venture as it encapsulates many of the criteria required for the final application. The Geopark encourages projects such as the Community Rail Trail as it covers such areas as tourism, sustainable growth and development and above all Health and Wellbeing for all participants.’
Richard Myerscough. Towards a Geopark for East Yorkshire.
‘We are proud to be able to support this project, that has been developed by the Friends of Hunmanby Railway Station. The development of the Yorkshire Wolds Coast Historical Railway Map is a fantastic asset, shining the light on the amazing places that can be explored throughout the area. We wish them all the luck in having their hard work highlighted, from all at the Yorkshire Coast Business Improvement District.’
Kerry Carruthers CEO Yorkshire Coast BID
‘The railway was essential to the growth of the town as a resort and is still an important route connecting Bridlington to the Yorkshire Coast. We support every effort to encourage the public to explore and enjoy our heritage, especially the lesser-known area behind the seafront such as the Wolds. We congratulate all involved in a clear and innovative leaflet introducing people to the coast and beyond.’
Maureen Bell, Hon Secretary, Bridlington Civic Society