The Poacher Line Community Rail Partnership (CRP) joined colleagues from East Midlands Railway (EMR) in a Service of Remembrance at Nottingham station yesterday, 11th November. The service was held at the War Memorial, located on the station concourse, and was officiated by Father Jamie Franklin from St. George in the Meadows church.

In the run up to Armistice Day, the CRP worked with the Veterans Charity on their Routes of Remembrance campaign to Keep Remembrance Moving and arranged a Virtual Wreath Relay from all their stations. Starting in Skegness, every day a different story was published at each station en-route to Nottingham, where they honoured the fallen in a moving Service of Remembrance. The CRP have been raising funds for this vital charity which assists veterans and East Midlands Railway set up a JustGiving page for donations. You can still donate here

The CRP was joined by its chairman, Peter Roberts MBE, who laid a wreath on behalf of the Poacher Line, along with several other wreaths which had been received on behalf of communities along the their line. These included Skegness Rotary, Royal Air Force College Cranwell, St Georges Academy Combined Cadet Force Sleaford, Rainbow Stars Charity, Boston in Bloom, Boston College, St Andrews school Heckington and St Thomas Cranmer school in Aslockton.

Several of the stations along the Poacher Line held wonderful displays in tribute to those fallen heroes.

Jo Andrews, Community Rail Officer for the Poacher Line said “We were honoured to have been invited to participate in the Routes of Remembrance commemorations this year. It is important that those who sacrificed their lives to secure ours are never forgotten.

As a veteran myself this is something very close to my heart and we were delighted to be able to raise vital funds for this amazing charity. We had a fantastic response from our local communities and I hope our Virtual Wreath Relay was enjoyed by all. Thank you to Father Franklin for a very moving Service of Remembrance and to East Midlands Railway and all those involved for making this happen, Lest We Forget.”

Kaye Robinson, Community Ambassador for EMR commented further “It was an honour to work with The Veterans Charity, The Poacher Line Community Rail Partnership and our station adopters across the East Midlands to support Routes of Remembrance.

“We had an overwhelming response from our local communities who wanted to mark the occasion, Routes of Remembrance is an incredible way of helping our communities ensure our fallen heroes are remembered.”