Nantwich care company steps in to help fund miniature railway development in town
By Ryan Parker
22nd May 2024 | Local News
Local home care company based in Nantwich, SureCare Central Cheshire, stepped in to help fund a Nantwich Miniature Railway Group (NMRG) development to extend the track.
SureCare, who sponsors NMRG, saw it was looking to raise money through crowd funding to expand the steam train track owned and run by Nantwich Methodist Church, currently to an area of land leased to the NMRG by Morrisons at the back of the church.
The Methodist Church 'Drop 'n Shop' children's club with Friends of the Nantwich Signal Box run a free to ride steam train in Hospital Street Nantwich, beside the Methodist Church, every Saturday morning and raise money for children's charities by collecting donations.
They have been operating since 2009 and raise around £1,000 per year for several children's charities including the Railway Children, over £19,000 so far.
With planning permission in place to extend the track at the rear of the church along Grocott's Row, the NMRG needed the funds to pay for the hire of a digger and operator to install the sleepers for the new track.
This is where SureCare stepped in to provide the balance of their funding and alongside all the other contributors, allowing the project to take place.
Company director and joint owner, Tina Jones, told Nub News: "There is something magical about steam trains and it's great that this group provides rides to children for free.
"With the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many people it's great to have an activity that doesn't cost anything.
"With the track extension it makes the journey on the train a lot more fun, we know as we've been on the train, courtesy of train driver Paul Durant."
Sleepers for the new section of track were made by students at University Training College (UTC) on West Street, Crewe.
Eddie George, Friends of Nantwich Signal Box, said: "We are very grateful to everyone in the community who have supported this venture and especially to SureCare whose generous support has enabled us to complete the first phase of this extension.
"The track looks great and with the planting completed in conjunction with Nantwich in Bloom the area has been opened up and looks really attractive.
"It's been a great community project and we are grateful for the support of all of those involved, including Deb Lindop from Cheshire East who shared our Crowd Funding plea, which SureCare then kindly picked up on."
If you wish to enjoy the steam train rides you can meet the amazing team of volunteers every Saturday at the Methodist Church.
It includes a coach that can be adapted to carry wheelchairs and runs from 10am to midday whatever the weather and the Drop 'n Shop model railway layout is available also for children of all ages to operate (play with).
Cheshire East Council community development officer, Deb Lindop, said: "I am proud Cheshire East Council was a contributor to this project, because it has enabled the miniature steam train at Nantwich Methodist Church to become disabled friendly, and how wonderful is that.
"I also know it's true that receiving sponsorship from local community minded domiciliary care provider SureCare was equally a boost.
"It's great to see thoughtful social value contributions from businesses reaching out like this and making a difference."
READ MORE: Venue celebrates Nantwich's salt-making history in town square.
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