Platforms for Change with Sittingbourne Cubs
Give the Train a Try Travel Training Experience, 23rd September.
Platforms for Change is a nation wide initiative connecting local Scout Groups with Community Rail and learning to travel safely when using the rail network.
On the evening of Monday 23rd September, the 4th Milton Regis Cub Pack visited Sittingbourne train station to learn about rail safety and have an adventure travelling to Faversham and back. Led by Antonia Boorman (Head Scout Leader), twenty-two cubs, along with six Scout Leaders, arrived at Sittingbourne station at 5.30pm.
The travel training was led collaboratively by Linda Brinklow (Chair of Swale Rail Line), Vicky Wright (Kent CRP Project Officer) and John Ponter (Southeastern). The Cubs learnt about the train station, where to buy tickets, important safety rules when on the platform, and that it takes the length of 20 football pitches for a train to brake to a stand still!
As a group, we boarded the train and the Cubs enjoyed starting their voyage, watching the scenery go by, passing through Teynham Station and on to Faversham. Playing a quick Train Quiz led by Linda in the underpass at Faversham, we headed up to Platform 2 to find our train home. As an additional highlight and lucky timing, we were able to see in live-action the train carriages join together as John guided us through the process.
Jumping on the train to return to Sittingbourne, we were able to watch the beautiful sunset as we journeyed home, and each Cub was given a goodie bag of treats from Southeastern as they left.
All in all it was a fantastic evening.
Thanks go to Linda and John for sharing their knowledge and support, and to all the Scout Leaders for looking after their teams of Cubs.
Tidying the Planters at Sittingbourne Station, 30th October
The 4th Milton Regis Cub Pack are now planning to become Station Adopters for Sittingbourne, beginning with tidying up the existing platform planters. These were installed by students from Sheppey College in 2021 and after the heat of Summer they were looking in need of some tender loving care.
As the Swale Rail line was closed for engineering works at Kingsferry bridge during the half-term school holidays, Vicky Wright, Project Officer for the Swale Rail Line arranged for the Cub leaders to meet with Matt Fraser to complete their safety briefing for the adoption of Sittingbourne station.
In true “be prepared” spirit they arrived with some of their Cub Scouts and a host of new flowers, plants and bulbs. With Matt’s safety briefing completed, Vicky quizzed the Cubs about the rail safety lessons they had learned the month before. Everyone knew to stay behind the yellow lines on the platforms and to always keep off the tracks.
The Cubs worked hard to remove litter, dig out the unwanted grass and weeds, and then refresh the planters with a mix of flowers and bulbs. Vicky made sure that the organic materials were saved for composting.
The Cubs work was rewarded with appreciative “toots” from the train drivers, bringing smiles all round.
Our new station adopters will be back in December to check on progress, it’s so nice to have their help brightening the platforms.
Our thanks go to the Southeastern team at Sittingbourne station for making us welcome.
