‘We are looking forward to a bright future’

The Ludborough-based heritage railway will received £25,000 in funding, while Magna Vitae will be handed almost quarter-of-a-million pounds to help them deal with the long term financial challenges resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

Victoria Atkins, MP for Louth and Horncastle, visited The Lincolnshire Wolds Railway on Sunday, where she met managing director Frank Street, and chairman of the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway Society Leyland Penn.

Ms Atkins said: “I am delighted by the announcement of this funding for Lincolnshire Wolds Railway.

“It was a pleasure to visit on Sunday to celebrate and discuss with Mr Street and Mr Penn how it will be used to support this vital local attraction.

“I enjoyed learning more about the history of the railway in the area, and had the pleasure of experiencing being on board one of their many steam trains. 

“The attraction makes for a great family day out, where all ages can enjoy the trains and visitor facilities, such as the Steaming Kettle Buffet. 

“I encourage everyone to visit the railway, where you can take a ride on one of the excellent steam engines yourself.” 

More than £67 million was shared out among 433 successful applicants from across England to help cultural sites operate and recover, and this package of support is the first round of funding from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund announced earlier this week.  

Following the MP’s visit at the weekend, managing director Frank Street explained the predicament that the heritage railway had been in earlier this year.

Mr Street told the Leader: “In March, in company with all similar businesses, the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway had to close due to Covid-19.

“As this was only a few weeks before the commencement of our 2020 running season it put all our events into disarray, with no indication from the Government as to when they would be likely to return to something resembling normality.

“This was especially concerning as almost two years had been spent by a small group of volunteers in planning for a commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the closure of the East Lincolnshire Railway Line in 1970.

“As time went on, and it became clear that the virus was going to be with us for a long period, it was reluctantly accepted that these events were not going to happen and so they were cancelled.”

Mr Steel continued: “We then looked at how we were going to survive without any meaningful income so all non essential spending was stopped, the railway was effectively put into a state of limbo.

“When the Small Business Grant became available we successfully applied for £10,000 of funding from East Lindsey District Council which enabled us to pay for the essentials, insurance, utility bills, etc.

“I would like to say how grateful we are for the grant as it enabled us to start planning for a limited resumption of events.

“Due to reduction in income caused by Government restrictions on how we could operate due to the virus, it soon became clear that although the grant provided a breathing space it would not be sufficient to enable us to survive long term.

“Then the announcement was made that there would be funds available for the heritage sector to enable their operations to continue until next year.

“We applied and were granted £25,000 which has secured the future of the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway and has ensured that our train will continue to delight and educate the public for the foreseeable future, and for this we are very grateful.”

Mr Steel added: “On Sunday, Victoria Atkins MP visited us to see for herself what difference the grant has made and to express her support to the only preserved standard gauge railway in Lincolnshire.

“Along with her family she had a ride on the steam train and a tour of the loco shed, carriage shed and signal box expressing surprise and delight at what an entirely volunteer run enterprise had achieved over many years.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Victoria for her support and encouragement in these difficult times and also to express my gratitude to all the volunteers who had not only burnt the midnight oil preparing and submitting the grant application, but have worked so hard both maintaining and operating the railway within the Covid-19 guidelines.”

Meanwhile, the Magna Vitae Trust, which provides cultural, leisure and health facilities across East Lindsey, was awarded £249,500 through the Culture Recovery Fund to ensure they have a sustainable future.

Mark Humphreys, Magna Vitae’s Chief Executive, said: “Over the last five years, Magna Vitae has built a strong portfolio of leisure and cultural activities focusing on health and wellbeing within local communities helping people to live a great life.

“The Cultural Recovery Fund grant will help us to continue to deliver and develop our future aspirations as a charitable trust.

“We can now move forward with our plans to be a diverse and impactful organisation shaping the provision of culture in our area for a bright future.”