Partnership gets ready for celebrations on Saturday July 12

Lymington-Brockenhurst railway line celebrates 150 years!

The Lymington to Brockenhurst railway line will be celebrating its first 150 years on Saturday July 12 – and everyone is invited!

July 12 will also mark the formal launch of the new Lymington-Brockenhurst Community Rail Partnership. Along with other members of the partnership, New Forest District Council has helped organise the celebrations as part of the partnership’s work to encourage people to travel on the line.

Leader of the council Cllr Mel Kendal said: “As the community leader, the New Forest District Council is delighted to be supporting this remarkable anniversary and exciting event

“We have worked closely with the Lymington-Brockenhurst Community Rail Partnership and we all want to make sure that this day commemorates the launch of the partnership in style.”

A host of entertainments are being planned for Brockenhurst and Lymington Town stations between 2pm and 5pm, including a bouncy castle, Punch and Judy shows, stilt walkers, face painters, Morris dancers, balloon modellers and even a magician. Tea and cakes will be available from Careys Manor Hotel at Brockenhurst Station, and Stanwell House will be serving cream teas at Lymington. The New Forest Horsedrawn Omnibus company will also be offering trips around Brockenhurst on one of their open topped omnibuses drawn by their Suffolk Punch horses Rupert and Opie.

Local schools are also joining in the celebrations with pupils drawing pictures of the railway from the past and present. The drawings will be judged and two schools will each scoop £200 of art vouchers and each winning pupil will receive an art kit.

And to encourage local people to use the line, South West Trains will be selling tickets for return trips that afternoon between Lymington and Brockenhurst for just 20p to reflect the 1s 6d first class fare when the line opened. The proceeds of the commemorative 20p tickets will go towards funding future events organised by the Lymington-Brockenhurst Community Rail Partnership.

Those trying the train that afternoon will also have an opportunity to buy some raffle tickets for a Golden Ticket competition offering a host of stunning prizes including a spa day, dinner for two and family tickets for local attractions.