AT a meeting of the Connect Bude action group, chaired by Richard Wolfenden-Brown in the Falcon Hotel on Tuesday, May 21, much of the time was devoted to raising the profile of the campaign to connect Bude and Holsworthy to the railway network, writes Christine Williams.

A number of membership drive events are planned throughout the summer and, with a few amendments suggested, the draft of an attractive promotional leaflet about to be printed met with approval. Members were also asked to contribute more to the Connect Bude website.

Dr Michael Ireland of Okerail reported that the summer Sundays train service between Okehampton and Exeter had started on May 19 and been well supported. Each Sunday until September 8 four trains will run in each direction calling at Crediton, Exeter St Davids, Exeter Central and St James’ Park. The fare is £5.50 return. Dr Ireland had brought along timetable leaflets for distribution and full size poster timetables for which GWR had promised lockable frames for display in Bude and Holsworthy. He had also brought copies of an attractive GWR colouring book entitled ‘Iron Horses of the West’ which would be given free of charge to children travelling on the Okehampton to Exeter trains.

Dr Ireland suggested it was time to put together a survey to find out from the public what demand there was for a rail service in the Bude, Holsworthy and Halwill areas and to assess its feasibility. Michael Moore had brought along a copy of such a survey carried out in 2010 and it was agreed it could be modified and reused in 2019. Dr Ireland said a letter from the Department of Transport to Ben Bradshaw (MP for Exeter) had set out the current position on the opening of the Okehampton to Exeter line and will be sent to OkeRail. Forum members for their meeting on the June 6.  On June 7 he will be at the first meeting of the Devon Rail Forum at County Hall, Exeter when a progress report will be given.

Attention was drawn to MP for North Cornwall (Conservative) Scott Mann’s website with a photograph of him standing in front of a new inter-city express train and details about upgrading North Cornwall’s rail infrastructure to help boost the local economy. It concentrated on funding being made available for Bodmin general station and North Cornwall Railway Heritage Play Areas while promoting the heritage of Camelford station. There was disappointment that he made no mention of the Bude rail desert.

The next meeting of Connect Bude will be at the Falcon on Tuesday, July 16.