Following an invitation from the Rotary Club of Maidstone, we set up a promotional stall in the gardens of the Archbishop’s Palace at the Maidstone River Festival.

We had leaflets for Railcards, Accessible Travel Services, walking and cycling maps of Kent towns, a wide range of walks from the stations on our lines, colouring-in sheets, stickers and tote bags.

We were joined by Southeastern’s Matt Fraser and volunteer Dominic Noades to talk all things rail, and Chris Anthony, a volunteer Ambassador for the North Downs Way National Trail to promote our Medway Valley Rail Trails, and sustainable tourism by rail throughout the Kent Downs.

We were able to give advice on how to use Railcards to make travel more affordable, and the idea of exploring new areas of Kent sustainably by rail was well received.

Particular thanks go to volunteers Chris Anthony and Dominic Noades for their support on the stall, and to Clive English, volunteer Chair of our Kent Downs Line, for sharing details of our work with other councillors attending the event.

As in past years we transported our kit between our base at Maidstone West and the site sustainably.

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