A unique cultural event brought poetry to the railway as a special train journey from Peterborough to Ely delighted passengers with live readings inspired by Railway 200, the Fens, and the surrounding landscape.
Organised by the Hereward Community Rail Partnership (CRP), the event was the first of its kind in the region, combining travel, history and the arts to create a memorable experience for both performers and guests.
Passengers enjoyed live poetry readings on board a Greater Anglia service as it travelled through Fenland. On arrival in Ely, the group received a warm welcome from the Mayor of Ely, followed by a guided walking tour hosted by Visit Ely, which concluded with further poetry readings by the riverside.
The evening continued at The Maltings in Ely, where attendees were treated to a buffet, refreshments and additional performances.
Poets from across Peterborough, Fenland and Ely took part, including Toby Wood, Peterborough’s first Poet Laureate, who compered the evening. Toby also curated a special souvenir booklet featuring photographs and poems inspired by a recent rail journey through the Fens. His contributions included a 200-word piece titled Railway 200 in 200 Words, alongside a series of evocative 20-word poems.
Highlights included a performance of the classic Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat, as well as newly commissioned works written especially for the event, such as Shippea Hill, Mind the Gap! and Fenland Runners.
Joanne Rose, Hereward Community Rail Partnership Officer, said:
“This was a truly fantastic and unique event – the first of its kind that we’ve organised. It brought together poetry, landscape, and rail travel in a beautiful way and created such a warm, community-focused atmosphere. We’ve had wonderful feedback from everyone involved.”
Alan Neville, Greater Anglia’s Customer and Community Engagement Manager, added:
“We are very grateful to the Hereward CRP for organising events like this that bring communities together and showcase the railway as a great way to travel. It is inspiring to see rail used in such a creative and engaging way.”
The Hereward Community Rail Partnership is managed by Fenland District Council in partnership with train operators, rail user groups, station adoption groups and local residents, who work together to support and promote the Hereward Line and its five stations: Peterborough, Whittlesea, March, Manea and Ely.
For more information, visit the Hereward Community Rail Partnership website at: https://herewardcrp.org/
Image credit: Greater Anglia
