Strawfords Day Centre hosted a Culture Day on 25th July, inviting adults with special needs or accessibility issues to meet up with each other. Stands were set up across the centre, with cooking displays, music, craft and tombola stalls.
Sussex Police had a stand, and so did Community Rail. Our stand was run by Rowena Tyler, SCRP Line Officer for the Arun Valley Line, Andrew Chillingsworth, GTR Community Engagement, and Nick Turner, Network Rail Community Safety. With a quiz to test visitors’ knowledge on staying safe and respecting the railway, leaflets and giveaways such as badges, pens and ticket wallets, over 70 people visited the stand throughout the day. A winner drawn out of the bag by Fas Shamoom, Strawford’s Day Opportunity Coordinator, was given a goodie bag, which included all the giveaways plus a few more.
The Community Rail stand also promoted GTR’s new ‘train selfie frame’. People could have a photo taken, which made them seem to be driving a train.
The local county councillor, Amanda Jupp asked questions about level crossing down times, and offered to help link Network Rail in with schools in the area.
Everyone agreed it was a worthwhile event, the first of its kind to be held at Strawfords Day Centre.
