Weardale Railway Trust Awarded Highest Civic Honour by DCC

The highest civic honour in County Durham has been awarded to the volunteers of the Weardale Railway Trust by Durham County Council.

As the Weardale Railway Trust celebrates 30 years of operation since it was formed from the original Weardale Railway Preservation Society in 1995, the Chairman's Medal was presented to members of the Trust at their Annual General Meeting on the 26th April, which was held at the Railway Institute in Shildon.

The 'Stute', as it is known locally, is sited on what was originally the Railway Mechanics Institute; built by the Stockton & Darlington Railway and dated from 1833. The current building was built by the North Eastern Railway and dates from 1911.

The award was presented by the outgoing Chair of Durham County Council, Joan Nicholson, in recognition of how the volunteers of the Trust have helped to promote and restore a 16 mile section of the heritage line between Bishop Auckland and Stanhope for passenger and freight use.

Chairman of the Weardale Railway Trust, Tony Slack, explained:

"Earlier in April we received notification that the Chair of Durham County Council, Mrs Joan Nicholson, would like to present the Weardale Railway Trust with the Chairman's medal for voluntary service to County Durham.

"The Chairman's medal is the highest civic honour that Durham County Council may bestow. It is presented to individuals, groups and organisations throughout the county to recognise significant achievement and outstanding effort in all walks of life.

"Councillor Nicholson kindly agreed to attend our AGM where the medal presentation took place. Councillor Nicholson was accompanied by her Consort Robert, alongside Councillor Patricia Jopling and her husband Gavin. Councillor Jopling was a member of the panel when the decision was made to make the award to the Trust. The Chair was honoured and privileged to receive the award on behalf of the Trust, which is a fitting tribute to our members' achievements over the last 30 years."

As well as helping to operate the trains, the Trust worked alongside Weardale Railway Limited to build a new platform at Kingfisher Halt, close to the Weardale Way long distance footpath. By introducing this as a regular timetabled stop, it has offered members of the public the opportunity to combine a trip on the railway with a walk in the Weardale countryside.