Key attraction, West Lancashire Light Railway Trust, at Hesketh Bank has received a grant of £18,900 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen.
Run entirely by volunteers, the railway has operated for over 50 years and normally operates from April to November every Sunday and Bank Holiday, with a collection of historic steam locomotives, all over 100 years old.
Although the railway is still closed to the public in the roadmap, they have high hopes to reopen soon, welcoming back visitors old and new.
“This funding means a great deal to our Railway Trust. 2020 was a very difficult year for us with nearly all our scheduled operating days cancelled due to the Covid-19 emergency. Like many heritage operations, our income, used to keep us operating, was lost overnight. This funding will ensure that we can reopen and welcome back our many visitors and friends. It will also allow our wonderful volunteers to return to the railway, maintaining friendships and wellbeing, and provide something positive for our community. Our sincere thanks to the Cultural Recovery Fund for this well-timed funding.
Mike Spall – West Lancashire Light Railway Trust Chair
As restrictions ease we are all looking forward to visiting places of heritage and other visitor attractions. This vital funding has been beneficial in helping the UK’s heritage sector to rebuild and thrive, so we can all enjoy what the future brings.
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