Hunmanby Rail Ale Trail Could Inspire Other Projects

Hunmanby's Rail Ale trail could be used as a model for projects in other locations.

A new scheme to persuade people to get off the train at Hunmanby station and spend a few hours in the village could be replicated at other locations.

The scheme is trying to encourage rail users to see the village as a place to get off the train and spend some time by creating a route map to local pubs and restaurants.

Local Councillor Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff used some of her locality budget to help the trail get off the ground.

The Good Food & Real Ale Trail runs through the village, starting at the station. It combines a pleasant walk with the chance to sample delicious Yorkshire food and drink, the printed guide is available at the station, and at 130 bed & breakfasts and other key visitor venues at Bridlington and Scarborough.

With growing concern over climate change the leaflet promotes a more sustainable way to enjoy the attractions of a rural historic village. The message is

"come by train, enjoy the scenery, take a 2.5 mile lovely village walk (enhanced by the free Heritage and Flower Trail leaflets available at Hunmanby station,) partake of good food and drink, relax and take your time with 'slow tourism'."

The Trail leaflet is a real community project, developed by the Friends of Hunmanby Railway Station, and supported by local traders.

The artwork has been done by Margaret Crompton from Hunmanby Art Group; local author Jane Finnis has put the words together; and photographs were provided by Paul, a wheelchair user who is a keen local photographer.

The Hunmanby Good Food & Real Ale Trail is being launched for the 175th anniversary of the railway line between Hull & Scarborough.

The final section of line between Filey and Bridlington via Hunmanby and over the summit at Speeton opened in October 1847.

3,000 full colour leaflets have been funded through the local Scarborough Borough Councillors and their locality budget.

Rachel Osbourne from the Yorkshire Coast Community Rail Partnership thinks it's a great innovation.

Local MP, Kevin Hollinrake said:

'I'm thrilled to see new investment in promoting Hunmanby Station, with new trains, passenger improvements such as CCTV and new waiting shelters as well as real time information. The community involvement all along the line has been so encouraging and I've been pleased to be a supporter of the station for many years now, working to ensure more regular and convenient hourly trains from Filey and Hunmanby to Scarborough and Hull.

Hunmanby Station is truly a gateway to the community here in North Yorkshire, helping connectivity across the North and providing opportunities for employment, especially for younger people. I'd encourage constituents and anyone else visiting the area to take a trip along to see the handsome buildings designed by York architect, George Townsend Andrews, in the 1840's where most have survived and are in great condition."

Hunmanby Ward Councillor Paul Riley said:

"The volunteers at the Friends of Hunmanby Railway Station always do an excellent job of looking after the gateway to the village with its well-tended gardens and involving local children in displays of art and looking after the bug hotels. We now have our own North Eastern Railway tile map. This all creates a great first impression for our village. The leaflet on the Good Food and Real Ale Trail is a brilliant way of signalling the village is getting back to normal and advertising how much it has to offer with its friendly pubs, its distillery and its main street with a full range of family-owned shops. Many people come by rail, sometimes returning several times a year, using the village as the base for a holiday walking in the Yorkshire Wolds with days out to nearby towns by train."