GCR’s community members appeal

FRIENDS of the Great Central Main Line, the membership club which supports the Great Central Railway is now looking for community members to sign up.

There are nearly 5,000 members of Friends across the UK. Until now the club has only been open to individuals and families. Now businesses, groups and clubs from the county and beyond are being invited to become ‘Community Members’

Dr David Rae from the Friends of the Great Central Main Line said: “Community membership is an exciting way for groups to get involved with the Great Central.

“They will receive discounted group travel and our full colour magazine ‘Main Line’ to keep up to date with what’s happening, and other benefits for community organisations.

“The Great Central Railway is the first to offer community membership and we think it’s an important way of bringing more people together to share, support and preserve our heritage.”

Members of Friends are the volunteers who keep the heritage trains on track and raise money to support its operations and development.

Any organisation can become a community member, including businesses, schools and colleges, local authorities, special interest clubs and other voluntary groups. Benefits for community members include:

• Colour printed plaque

to promote your connection with the railway

• Invitation to annual

community membership social event: find out about the GCR plans for the year ahead.

• Discounts for group travel and annual discount travel vouchers access to promotion and sponsorship opportunities.

• Offer ‘volunteering

experience’ events to employees/ students/ members.

• Four copies per year of

the award-winning magazine Main Line.

There will be a special Community Membership briefing event on Wednesday, October 23, between 4.30pm and 5.30pm at Quorn and Woodhouse station. (LE12 8AG).

Representatives of organisations are invited to find out about the Great Central Railway, the ‘Friends’, and their future plans.