Tarka Valley Railway has been voted as a winner of our Well Built Community Fund and now has £1,000 to spend on building materials at our Bideford branch.

The charity received the most votes following a public poll where it was up against Exeter Phoenix and the Launceston Youth Partnership. 

The heritage railway is based in Torrington and aims to educate the local community and visitors about transport in the area, as well as preserve and maintain the Tarka Valley Railway line through the Torridge Valley. It is currently working with engineering students from Petroc College, who have previously gained experience of working on real-life projects by spending time at Appledore Shipyard. Since the shipyard closed, students have been helping Tarka Valley Railway renovate a carriage.

The charity will be using the £1,000 donation to purchase essential tools for the students and volunteers to use, as well as buying materials to help it continue its work maintaining the track. 

Alan Jones from Tarka Valley Railway commented: "As a charity that relies on donations and grants, we're thrilled to have been voted as the winners of the Well Built Community Fund. The tools we've purchased will not only assist the Petroc students in putting theory into practice, but also help our volunteers complete essential maintenance. Thank you to RGB Building Supplies for the donation, and to everyone who voted for us.

"We welcome visitors to come down and learn more about the railway and the work we're doing, and we have volunteers on site every Thursday and each weekend throughout the summer."

Violet McKenzie-Pegg, Branch Manager at RGB Bideford, added: "Well done to Tarka Valley Railway; I was delighted to visit and learn more about how the donation will be of use. I wish them every success with the project and look forward to returning to see the transformation."

Further information about Tarka Valley Railway can be found by visiting its Facebook page.

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