FOLLOWING national news coverage of the return of regular passenger rail services to Okehampton, Connect Bude has experienced a surge in interest from across the UK with dozens of new members and supporters joining the group that is campaigning to reconnect Bude and Holsworthy to the national railway network.

Membership secretary Mike Moore was astonished by the sudden demand for Connect Bude membership which came from across the UK and even one person from Amsterdam. 

Representatives of the group were invited to the special opening on Wednesday, November 17, when the Minister of Transport, Grant Shappes officially opened the line which had been closed for 49 years. Connect Bude chair, Richard Wolfenden-Brown took the opportunity to speak to Mr Shappes and encouraged him to ‘level up’ all the way to Bude. 

Richard said: “With this reopening, the first to be funded by the Restoring Your Railways initiative, there will be communities across the country that will also want to ‘reverse Beeching’, level up, and achieve all the social, economic, environmental and community benefits that come from reconnecting cut-off communities by restoring rail lines.

“The fact that there were people sitting on the first train who had previously said ‘that won’t happen in my lifetime’ is a testament to the power of community endeavour to achieve the reopening,  which apparently came in under budget and ahead of schedule. 

“It was lovely to see Dr Michael Ireland, chair of Okerail, stepping onto the first train, after working so hard for so many years with colleagues to bring about this successful outcome. With the band playing, children waving flags and representatives of all the key partners all wearing broad smiles of sheer joy, it felt very much like an historic day, not only for Okehampton but particularly for Bude which now ceases to hold the dubious and often-quoted accolade of being the furthest town from a mainline railway station.”

Connect Bude committee member, Malcolm Mitchell, who designed the group’s humorous campaign leaflet, was thrilled to be part of the special day.

He enthused: “It was a real party atmosphere as soon as we arrived there — it reminded me of the old Victorian photos of celebrating the arrival of the railway for the first time such was the level of enthusiasm. 

“The enthusiasm was not simply confined to the general public either, the many GWR staff and campaigners who were present showed equal genuine fervour, even the Transport Minister seemed to tune into the passion displayed. GWR seemed to have thrown everything into this initial project opened under the Governments ‘Restoring Your Railway’ banner, and I sincerely hope that there will be many more to follow.

“The publicity and PR was exemplary, the posters and general signage was superb and as invited guests also received a goody bag which contained a number of collectable items including a splendid ‘first day ticket’ mounted in perspex. As the train pulled in there was cheering and much flag waving, a forties style close-harmony female trio burst into song and we were even treated to a fine buffet.

“On the train for a trip down the line to Bow, we were suitably impressed by the smoothness and speed of the new line, 70mph being quickly attained, with the journey back to Okehampton up the gradient being equally swift. I managed to travel on the line again a couple of days later during the first official day open to the public and found the enthusiasm undiminished I travelled all the way to Exeter this time and found the journey relaxing and speedy with the train very well patronised. All in all a splendid day and one that will live in the memory for many years to come.”

Encouraged by the success of the reopening to Okehampton, Connect Bude will continue to campaign for the line towards Bude to be reinstated. Meanwhile they will be working with Devon County Council and Cornwall Council to achieve a direct coach link integrated with the new rail services at Okehampton, in the same way that Tavistock has secured such a service to Okehampton. New members and supporters can join via the website www.connectbude.uk