Downs Light Railway ‘safe’ despite school merger, says trust chairman
ASSURANCES are being given that the award-winning Downs Light Railway – the world’s oldest private miniature railway – will survive following an announcement that the Herefordshire school where it has been based for 97 years is to merge with another and relocate.
The Downs Malvern, which is based near Colwall, and The Elms, which lies a mile away, will be brought together as a single preparatory school called Elmsdown. The new school will be located at The Elms site from September 2023, approximately one mile south of The Downs Malvern.
Owned by the Downs Light Railway Trust, the line was built by the children to 71/4in gauge from 1925 under the guidance of headmaster Geoffrey Hoyland for the principal purpose of education.
The line was regauged to 91/2in during the 1930s to allow for new locomotives to be used on the line. After Mr Hoyland fell ill and retired, the railway deteriorated until it became unsafe to use by the late 1960s.
During the 1970s, restoration work began by former pupils of the school, led by James Boyd. In 1983, the railway was handed over to the trust, which became responsible for its ownership, preservation and operation.
Award-winner
It is one of only two railways to be operated by children, and the only one by those aged from seven years old. It provides The Downs Malvern with regular extra-curricular activities, as well as activities for children from within the local area.
In 2019, it joined the Heritage Railway Association, whose president is Lord Richard Faulkner of Worcester – also the patron of the Downs Light Railway Trust. As reported in issue 280 of this magazine, it won the HRA Annual Awards (Small Groups) award for 2021 for its achievements with youth engagement.
The award recognised the work of trustees, staff, and volunteers in advancing education in railways and engineering for young people, promoting the railway industry, and collaborating with neighbouring heritage lines including the Perrygrove Railway.
Trustees obtained planning consent to build two new youth education buildings and to revise the central railway terminus, while an exclusive range of fire-retardant coveralls for young children to safely engage in railway activities was established with a UK clothing manufacturer. A Young Trustees Scheme to introduce young people to the management side of railways was also developed.
As reported last issue, the Most Innovative Fundraising Idea category at the 2022 HRA awards was won by teenage Downs Light Railway volunteers Thomas and Lucy Isherwood, who raised funds for the line during the pandemic and exceeded their initial £2000 goal to reach £50,000.
In a letter sent to trust beneficiaries, volunteers, donors and supporters on April 19, when the merger was announced, chairman Timothy Pennock said: “We recognise that this announcement will cause great concern.
‘Educational role’
“The Downs Malvern has engaged with the Downs Light Railway Trust from the earliest opportunity and wishes the Downs Light Railway to continue in an educational role with the new school.
“The disposition of The Downs Malvern site is yet to be determined. However, the Downs Light Railway will continue to engage, educate and involve our community throughout the grounds of The Downs Malvern site for the immediate future.
“We would like to reassure everyone that we are committed to delivering the objects of the Downs Light Railway Trust, reaffirmed by our recent incorporation with the Charity Commission. This includes delivering the aims and objectives of our Centenary Development Programme, which remain at the forefront of our development strategy.
“This announcement potentially offers additional dimensions to our programme, increasing the opportunities and benefits.
“The railway’s assets are owned by the Downs Light Railway Trust with a very specific educational remit, so there is no risk that they will be sold off or disposed of, regardless of the ultimate fate of The Downs site. We will know more in the coming months.
“Ultimately, we would like the railway to stay where it is. From a heritage railway perspective, we remain committed to engaging young people and finding ways to get them into the heritage and national rail networks.”