Members of the 1066 and Marshlink lines have held a joint AGM to review activity and plan future events.
Station partners, community volunteers and local authority representatives gathered at Hastings Central Hall for the meeting on Tuesday 10 March.
James Abbott was re-elected as chair and Yolanda Laybourne as vice-chair of the 1066 line covering stations from Hastings to Tonbridge.
For the Marshlink (Hastings to Ashford International route), Kevin Boorman was re-elected as chair and Sarah Broadbent as vice-chair.
Kevin said: “It was a really successful meeting, and great to bring the two line groups together. Serving a common area of Hastings and its north east hinterland, it made it easier for members of both to attend one meeting instead of two.
“Equally importantly, it brought the line groups together, and there are already signs of joint working between the lines. That is what community rail is all about: working with the community to make train travel better.”
James added: “It was great to hold a joint meeting between the 1066 line and Marshlink CRPs, with us both having a large stake in the success of 1066 Country.
“We are looking forward to celebrating the Year of the Normans in 2027, and in the run-up to that we have exciting plans for rail-based tourism, marking the arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry in the British Museum in September. And before then we have our own celebrations to mark 40 years since electrification of the Tonbridge to Hastings 1066 line.”
S C Morgan from Rye Harbour Writers gave a presentation on the Station Poems and Write on Track competition as well as the extension of the group’s work to Robertsbridge.
:: Image: 1066 and Marshlink line chairs and vice-chairs (left to right): James Abbott, Yolanda Laybourne, Sarah Broadbent and Kevin Boorman © Paul Bromley for SCRP 2026
