Railway Mission News Issue 2 2018 by Railway Mission

Support on lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey Issue 2 2018

Railway Mission Chaplains named BTP Community Volunteer Team of the Year

Inside 3 4 8 Support on life’s journey

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From the top MOM’s the word… A life on the track, recognised in the Queen’s honours Chaplains win BTP award Your donation takes us further… Conversation Café Chaplains’ prayer requests and news Bomber Command memorial Putting the oomph into media production Paul and Humphrey retire

railwaymission.org

Railway Mission Rugby Railway Station Rugby • CV21 3LA oﬃce@railwaymission.org

07718 971919 Railway Mission is a registered charity in England and Wales (1128024) and in Scotland (SC045897). A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (06519565).

Cover: Photo kindly donated by S Thomas of Network Rail Air Operations of a GBRf freight train over the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Building a Legacy by Leaving a Legacy Legacies are never an easy subject to talk about, because they represent the inevitability of death. Recently, to help sustain and develop the work of Railway Mission amongst railway people we were remembered in a will. This gift has helped me realise that when we focus our obedience in a specific way we can all leave a legacy of glory. Reading Jesus’ prayer for the restoration of His glory in John 17, we read, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you” (Jn. 17:1). Significantly, Jesus did not seek glory for Himself, but to glorify the Father. But why should the Father glorify the Son? Because as He said, “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began” (Jn. 17:4-5). Jesus glorified the Father by obeying Him, yet He did more than just obey; He focused His obedience as He declared when He stated, “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world.” (Jn. 17:6).

The legacy of our Lord’s obedience was His disciples continuing the work of the preaching the Good News; that was a legacy of glory for Him because that obedience qualified Him to have His glory restored. Now that’s a legacy worth living for and today that legacy continues on the railway through the work of the chaplaincy. Not a building or an institution, but living men and women who carry on His mission for His glory.

from the top

As a chaplain I cannot do this by myself, but I can focus my obedience so the presence of the Holy Spirit impacts others and they choose to live for Him. There is no glory for me as a chaplain, but there is great glory for Him because only He can do this through me. Jesus is still revealing the Father and we can leave a legacy of glory as we influence others to live for Him. It is not our glory, but His glory reflected through your chaplains; it is not our legacy, but His legacy continuing through railway chaplaincy.

Liam Johnston is the Executive Director of Railway Mission

MOM’s the word… We’re in the Network Rail trackside office at Tring, and I’m speaking to Phil Baines, a MOM based at Watford Junction. What is a MOM? Well that’s interesting because the title doesn’t quite give it away. We’re mobile, operations, and, because we deal with the police, we’re called managers. So police, when they come to a serious incident, will always only speak to the manager. So we’ve been given that title, Mobile Operations Managers, and we are there to prevent disruption, and ‘turn mountains into molehills’, as far as saving time when incidents occur.

What kind of tasks, then, do you perform? We’ve got quite a varied amount of work. We have audited checks that we carry out in the quieter times, but then, when Rugby Control ring and say they need us to go to a set of points that have failed; or the overhead wires come down; a train is stranded, or there’s a hospital situation on the train; and also when people choose to end their life in dramatic form, then we are sent straight out to anything that prevents the passage of fare-paying passengers or freight trains getting 4

to their destination on time. We’re there to be servants to the railway industry.

So if somebody does go onto the tracks to end their life, is it traumatic in any way for Mobile Operation Managers? It can be very dramatic, and you never know how you’re going to react when you get to the site. But you then secure the site for safety and then start a recovery operation as quickly as you can, liaising with the emergency services and getting a full and complete picture.

How long does it take, then, for the line to be operational again? Is there a time phase on that? They have an unwritten rule that they like things done within a certain time scale, but each situation presents very different problems, and they’ve got to establish what has happened, why it’s happened, and it’s not foul play before they can release the line back to us and get the person taken away.

It can be quite a pressured and sensitive situation, then. You’ve got to be able to respond diplomatically, but with force and

strength and understanding from the point of view that you’ve got thousands of passengers building up, trains getting are in the wrong place, staff are in the wrong place to do the return bit of the journey, and it’s becoming quite a bottleneck.

Who runs the lines when something like this takes place? The lines have a Gold Control, but once the RIO gets on site, which is a MOM given a designated task, then becomes, although he’s MOM, he then puts on another suit of armour, so to speak, and becomes a RIO, a Rail Incident Officer. At that point a Rail Incident Officer will say what will and what will not happen. Everybody has to listen to that.

You’re a Christian. Yes.

How important is your faith to your work life? Everything that takes place, as I believe, is organised by God, so it’s important that I speak with God in the morning, speak with Him throughout the day, speak with Him at the end of the day, because He is far superior to me, and I do believe that He’s definitely there, by faith. 5

Have you had any experiences that would indicate God’s help in your role? God has kept me safe for over forty years on the railway; in different situations. I’ve walked across tracks the understanding that the line was clear only to have a train pass me by, afterwards, in a very short time. I’ve also stopped a man from walking out. I just said, ‘Hang on!’

Was this an intervention that saved a life? It would have happened. It was impossible not to have happened. And there’s many more that I can’t now recall that have happened, but for forty years He’s kept me safe.

How can MOMs benefit from chaplaincy support? I think it’s important that there’s somebody there, and there’s somebody there all the while. Not a stranger coming up to you when there’s a special crisis on, but somebody you can turn to, who’s also somebody you can confide in, and trust in, and have the confidence in them that it will not go further. You can talk to them confidentially, and that is most important, and it’s appreciated, because without that you’ve got secular systems that will do a certain thing, but they won’t have that Christian aspect to lead you to God.

The support we receive down the local line, and have over the years, has always been attentive when major incidents have occurred. Is there any way that chaplains can support MOMs in a better way, or do you have any advice to give to chaplains? No. The support we receive down the local line, and have over the years, has always been attentive when major incidents have occurred. Possibly if a magazine was sent down the line occasionally, that might be of interest, because we’re on our own for many hours and while people might initially say “I’m not reading that”, they will on a quieter moment start to look through things. That’s been proven over the years.

We find we have a good rapport with MOMs who wouldn’t consider themselves Christian because they value the support that’s given - that somebody’s there. Yes. I’d endorse that.

Thank you very much for your time.

RM Supporters Support Railway Mission chaplains through your giving... ...Find out how on page 13 7

A life on track, recognised in the Queen’s Honours Cliff Perry, a long-standing Railway Mission trustee, has been awarded an MBE for services to the railway industry. He explained: “This thrilling and completely unexpected honour is the icing on the very satisfying cake of my railway career. I am firmly convinced that no one on the railway achieves anything much on their own, but I have worked in some great teams and with some amazing people. I also count it a privilege to have been part of some key industry milestones, the introduction of HSTs in 1976, engineering and organisational change in the ‘80s, and privatisation in the ‘90s. I know that this honour comes through a nomination process that relies entirely on peer recognition which makes it doubly valuable particularly when it was supported by the Railway Mission, reflecting not just

a charitable activity, but one that reflects my lifelong faith in Christ. And finally, there are those who have provided unstinting support at home. Any achievement of mine has relied on it; I thank my wife, daughter and extended family for their help and interest.” Cliff adds that “I had been impressed by her Majesty’s Christmas message as to how her life inspiration was Christ’s love for us. Meeting her I was not fully confident in my conversation, the occasion got to me a little, but what I tried to do was assure her that the same inspiration, His unconditional and redemptive love, is behind our Mission, and everything our chaplains do.” This will be Cliff’s final year as a trustee of the Mission as he steps down into a well-deserved retirement and we want to express our appreciation for all the work he has done for the Lord in both the Railway Mission and his railway career.

Chaplains win BTP award Railway Mission Chaplains were declared "BTP Community Volunteers of the Year" at the recent Make The Difference Awards for the support they gave during last year's terror attacks. Their excellent work supporting colleagues in the most testing of circumstances has won them praise throughout the railway industry, and beyond. But the assistance they provide in the event of a major incident is just one aspect of their work. For more than 100 years, the Railway Mission (a registered charity) has supported passengers, railway staff and the BTP family with the curveballs work and home life throw our way. Fresh from receiving the Make The Difference Award we spoke to Liam Johnson, Executive Director of Railway Mission and a senior railway and BTP chaplain. He talked to us about what prompted him to become a chaplain and the difference he feels he and his team make, as well as dispelling a few myths about the role. "Since my late teens I have felt called into what one would term pastoral ministry, although chaplaincy was never part of my thinking as I only really considered church-based ministry," Liam said. "While I had worked in retail

The British Transport Police Federation interviewed Railway Mission Executive Director Liam Johnston following the award of the BTP Community Volunteers of the Year to the chaplaincy team Here we reproduce their report from btpolfed.org.uk â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;An insight into the crucial work of the railway chaplainsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

management for many years my focus was always on the well-being of both my staff and customers; I suppose in many ways I was acting as a chaplain even then." In 1996, Liam and his wife decided it was time to enter full-time education and study for a BA Hons Degree and a Diploma in Christian Ministry. He completed his studies in 2000 and was accepted to work as Railway Mission Chaplain in the West Midlands. But what does a Railway Chaplain do?

The role of a chaplain "For the general public travelling on the railways, the chaplain is there as a help; someone to talk to in passing about their issues and problems, someone with whom they can leave their cares and worries," Liam explained. "We

also give support to those affected by railway fatalities. Working with BTP's Fatality Investigation Team at Baker Street (B-FIT) and the Suicide Prevention Mental Health team (SPMH) In Birmingham, as well as other BTP stations, the chaplains are asked to support bereaved families as well as witnesses."

be no need for a chaplaincy service to the police. However, chaplaincy is not there to replace the support mechanisms but to supplement them - we fill the gap between the support processes, engaging with individuals and responding to need as required."

At the time of talking with us, Liam was aware that chaplains had been requested to support three families in the previous week alone, including one where the youngest witness to a fatality was just 10 years old. Liam feels the support he and his team provide families and individuals helps BTP officers to deliver their service: "If we are supporting bereaved families and traumatised witnesses, they are less likely to be looking for that support from the police officers who are conducting the investigation into the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of an individual."

Support for BTP officers and staff As well as this indirect assistance, the chaplains offer services directly to BTP officers and staff. We asked Liam how chaplaincy fits in to the overall welfare and wellbeing support structure. He said: "The welfare provision has improved tremendously over the years since I became a Railway Mission Chaplain. The introduction of TRiM and the Employee Support Networks has been a tremendous step forward. Indeed, there are some who think with the introduction of such support mechanisms there would

From the left, Chaplains Christopher Henley, Angela Harwood, Liam Johnston, John Robinson and Andrew Hall, who represented RM chaplains at the award ceremony

Liam describes chaplaincy as a proactive and reactive support service that can act as a signpost to other services such as the GP, NHS or TRiM (Trauma Risk Management), or as a foundation helping to build resilience into the lives of individuals. The support is confidential, impartial and independent, and is available to officers and staff and their families. Regardless of faith, a person's position in the organisation, their own background or lifestyle, the Railway and BTP chaplains are there to support everyone in times of difficulty. "Difficulties are not just what officers and staff experience at work, but it may also be issues around home life with relationships, bereavement, financial or family worries," Liam explained. "For a manager or supervisor to say to a member of staff 'leave your problems

at home' fails to take into account the individual as a whole human being. Our problems and anxieties become part of who we are and affect every aspect of our lives including our work. Therefore, as chaplains we bring that stability to individuals through our pastoral support which gives them the resilience and ability to operate as effective members of BTP."

The impact of chaplaincy Liam believes the difference chaplains make is as varied as the situations in which they find themselves, and it's certainly about being more than just 'a listening ear': "Railway chaplaincy is somewhat different to other forms of chaplaincy," he said. "Yes, chaplains are there to listen, but the chaplaincy service we provide to the rail industry has three distinct components: prevent, detect, and respond. "As chaplains we are helping to 'prevent' individuals from experiencing mental health issues, issues of depression, PTSD and anxiety and for that reason our chaplains are out and about meeting railway staff and police officers. Building relationships with individuals helps us to 'detect' when something may not be right; this might be through body language, or the words or actions of an individual. "As the chaplaincy is a trusted part of the wider railway family, we have the opportunity to 'respond' and gently explore what might be the underlying

issues that have caused a change of behaviour."

Who cares for the carers? As police officers we know only too well the impact of trauma, so given the distress chaplains are exposed to, who looks after their welfare? Liam explained: "Dealing with trauma, even in a secondhand sense, can cause emotional turmoil so it's important we have a mechanism for being able to cope with events, both personally and corporately. It is easy to understand major incidents such as terrorist attacks as being traumatic, but every day there are traumatic incidents on the railway that our chaplains respond to so it's important that we care for the carers." The first line of care is peer to peer support; chaplains regularly meet to share their thoughts and experiences with one another. Two of the trustees on the board of the Railway Mission have years of pastoral and counselling experience between them and they are called upon to offer counsel and advice when needed. There have also been a couple of occasions in the past after a major incident when a chaplain has been put through independent counselling through BTP. Liam Johnson is supported by two line managers, Andrew Hall based in Birmingham and Stephen Rowe in London. There are currently 22 chaplains across the network and interviews have been held to increase that number.

Your donation takes us further… How your gift can make a difference £10 funds a chaplain’s 20-minute support meeting with a distressed member of rail staff, a BTP officer or a member of the travelling public. £50 buys a chaplain some of the essential safety clothing needed to support people involved in the scene of a rail incident or emergency. £100 funds a series of chaplain’s visits to a sick

or injured rail worker, or to the grieving family of someone who has died on the railways. £500 provides an area’s rail staff, BTP officers and members of the travelling public with support for a fortnight.

Six ways to help us support rail staff 1. Cheque or Postal Order

You can make a one-off or regular cheque or Postal Order donation by simply sending your gift to : Railway Mission, Rugby Railway Station, Rugby, CV21 3LA.

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If you’re a UK taxpayer, we can claim an extra 25% of your donation from HMRC, as long as you meet their conditions and complete, sign and return a Gift Aid form to us.

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Go to our website at www.railwaymission.org and click onto the Donate page, where you can give via the Donation Manager website, or try other options…

To include us in your Will, our charity name is Railway Mission, our charity number in England and Wales is: 1128024., and our charity number in Scotland is SC045897.

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Railway Mission is a registered charity in England and Wales (1128024) and in Scotland (SC045897). A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (06519565).

Conversation Café “It became very apparent quickly, that I would be dealing with fatalities and suicides,” said Ruth McBean, chaplain based in Edinburgh. “On my first day, sitting with Nicola Goncalves (former chaplain in Scotland), she received information that a young girl had taken her own life at Whitecraigs station, so from day one, I have been supporting staff involved and aware of such tragedies” Nicola worked closely with Mark Henderson from Network Rail and Corinna Wensel from ScotRail as well as Breathing Space, Choose Life and BTP, on suicide prevention, which was clearly a top priority for them all; as a result, with Nicola’s help Corinna

coordinated the first “conversation cafe” to Aberdeen from Edinburgh in 2015. This has become an annual event for the ScotRail Alliance helping raise awareness of mental health issues by offering support to customers on trains. A chance meeting between Graham, chaplain for Glasgow, and Scottish Government Minister for Mental Health Maureen Watt led to the minister joining a Conversation Café morning on 18 April with representatives from ScotRail, Railway Mission chaplains, BTP, NHS 24 Breathing Space and the Samaritans, amongst other organisations, engaging and meeting with customers on trains.

Conversation Café is an excellent and innovative way to engage with people and discuss positive mental health, suicide prevention, and the support available to anyone experiencing emotional or mental health problems… The team behind Conversation Cafés travel around Scotland’s rail network in small groups, engaging passengers in conversations about mental health issues and signposting them or their friends and family to someone they can talk to, in utter confidence, when they are feeling down. ScotRail Alliance Safety Validation Manager Iluska Sandor said “The importance of discussing and raising awareness of mental health issues cannot be understated. The ScotRail Alliance’s Conversation Cafés are about encouraging people to seek help if they need it, and these sessions would not be possible

without the support of groups like our Railway Mission Chaplains, the NHS, and the Samaritans.”

Alex Hynes, Scotrail MD, and Ruth McBean

Maureen Watt (pictured opposite page, front, centre) said “The Conversation Café is an excellent and innovative way to engage with people and discuss positive mental health, suicide prevention, and the support available to anyone experiencing emotional or mental health problems. The ScotRail Alliance project is a strong example of organisations working in partnership to support these aims and improve the mental well-being of people in Scotland.”

Chaplainsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; prayer requests and news Thoughts for prayer from the chaplains around the network. Dylis George

London Underground

et me thank God for the opportunity, as I continue to support staff members of the London Underground and the British Transport Police. Please continue to support me in prayer as I seek the right access which is so needed to support Senior Management staff members. In the second quarter of this year we had the opportunity to meet with our London Underground Director of Operations and we thank God for a productive meeting that enabled us to present our chaplaincy services provided to the network. We earnestly look forward to the opening of new doors for chaplaincy opportunities in the network. I have also had the privilege to support many of our administrative staff members who have been based in stations for a good number of years. As

part of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Fit for the Futureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; plan, there would be a significant change to how they work. Please remember all those who are involved in putting together the new mode of operation that they would successfully meet their deadline and that there will be a smooth transition for all the administrative staff members into their new hub setting or into their respective assignment.

Michele Ashton East Anglia

od has trown me out of my comfort zone on several occasions. Whilst travelling into London I received a call from a member of staff needing support for a vulnerable adult who was having suicidal thoughts. Over the following three hours I escorted him home and offered him reassurance and guidance. I was overwhelmed to receive a reward from MTR Crossrail. The same day I followed up with a man who was in a desperate situation, wanting to leave his wife and three young children.

Chaplainsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; prayer requests and news Life for him was not a good place. He was a broken-hearted man. He was so pleased I had gone to see him. He was in a bad way. I'm delighted that he is still with his family, but my support continues. With the timetable disruptions in my area many staff are recieving daily abuse from customers with several staff being near breaking point. Please pray that I will have the right words and reflect God in all I say and do. A few members of staff have expressed an interest in finding out more about the New Testaments I have given out at Cambridge station. Room availability and shift patterns are making meeting together a challenge. I value your prayers for this situation.

Helen Bartlett North East

ignificant changes! Many changes for Train operators. Much prayer is needed. Significant encounters! Meeting three women involved in ground breaking work sharing significant stories which mesh beautifully with our chaplaincy work. Ministry as a verb, action! I believe thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what chaplaincy is - ACTION! From the moment I start work at the station (maybe before!), my ministry has begun! One of the three women, herself a chaplain, encouraged me saying she has watched me at work at the station: being there, watching for opportunities, speaking with staff or travellers. A quiet presence! With God beside me!

Stephen Rowe

London & South Area Manager

ive thanks that in London we've had some very positive meetings with directors of Arriva Rail London, who run the Overground, and TfL, who run the Underground. Their appreciation of the support work of chaplains and willingness to include us as part of their chain of care was articulated. For our part, we are keen to continue developing the relationship. In March, Network Rail featured chaplaincy in their monthly magazine, where we received front page coverage, which has lifted our profile nationally. In June, BTP asked us to spend time supporting officers on the anniversary of the London Bridge attacks, which we made a priority. We were thanked for making ourselves available to officers who go the extra mile to guard the community. Thank God weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been able to fill three vacancies in a single interview for new chaplains, plus one from a previous interview, making four, with three to be based in the south, all starting in August.

Dereck Grant

Scotland North

ow, quite a lot has happened over the last few months since our last prayer letter. I even manged to get caught out with the Beast from the East! Yet, even during those few days of heavy snow there were opportunities to help and support people. At the same time, there

Chaplains’ prayer requests and news have been many opportunities to support railway staff who are struggling with various problems in life. To hear someone say, ‘I feel much better when I chat to you...’ really makes railway chaplaincy so rewarding because as a chaplain I can see we are making a difference in people’s lives.

John Robinson

London South East

aving worked hard this year to build relationships with Network Rail staff, I have been supporting a couple where the husband has severe alcohol dependency issues. After working with the Occupational Health team and the independent physician used by the rail company, I helped to persuade the employer to consider bearing the cost of a rehabilitation clinic. The staff member has just left the clinic, after five weeks of intensive treatment and is now set to undergo psychotherapy, as an outpatient. I ask for your prayers that the person concerned will accept the ongoing support and resist the enormous, lifelong, temptation to start drinking alcohol again. I also ask for prayer that the marriage doesn't crumble, and that God will strengthen the relationship and bring the couple to a knowledge of His love.

Dan Godwin

London Underground

rom my first day as a chaplain I was told it would take three years to find my feet on the railway. June 1 marked that point to the day. There has been an incredible amount of change within the London Underground over this period from the completion of 'Fit for the Future', major incidents at Parsons Green, London Bridge and stations surrounding Grenfell. Staff have shown great resilience through continued change, often involving reskilling, retraining, or even finding new roles altogether. The nature of TfL has changed from a small team mentality to a thriving fluid network. Whilst this brings benefits, change can also be stressful. From the cleaners right through to management London Underground is being transformed. This quarter I pray that we will be there for all who need us, whenever they need us.

Steve Cosslett South West

arlier this year I was invited to sit on a newly formed suicide prevention team, looking at safety and security for the railway across the West of England. It’s a multidisciplinary team with police, Network Rail, train operating companies and people from the charitable sector. Please pray for one of our major focal points at the moment; a school on our patch which has had some incidents over the past weeks. Due to some other

Chaplainsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; prayer requests and news historical events BTP and Network Rail educators have all tried to engage with the school, yet problems continue. The team have asked me to head up some community engagement to see if we can find other solutions to the worrying trend that is developing - I would like to ask that you please add your prayers to this important work. Thank you

Alan Thorpe Bristol

rail man who took early retirement last year through ill health, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. His wife contacted me as he had asked to see me. I have always had a very good rapport with him and he often jokes about religion. In those circumstances there were opportunities to talk at a more serious level even though it is not always easy to speak privately in a hospital ward. Thank God that 11th hour conversions do still happen. He passed away a couple of weeks ago and I was invited to take the funeral.

Christopher Henley London South West

s a Network Rail chaplain, I am privileged to meet and support the Mobile Operations Manager's (MOM) and Local Operations Managers (LOM) and see first-hand the vital work they do in supporting their various teams.

This has also brought me into contact with the signallers and opportunity to give them support. It is often the signaller who takes the first call from the driver; particularly when there has been a fatality. I have been well received by teams working in the Panel Signal Box and those in the Lever Frame Signal Box. I pray that as l visit all those on the railway that they may glimpse in me something of the glory of God and the love of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May that be the prayer of those on our railway too.

Graham Whitehead Scotland West

cotRail Alliance staff have been under a lot of pressure lately, delivering an improving service in today's climate. This has led to extra workload, and they continue to work incredibly hard, delivering excellent service in the circumstances, but are receiving severe criticism in the media and from the travelling public as in so many other areas of the country. Please pray that they would not be discouraged, and that senior management can lead the Alliance through towards the railway everyone wants. BTP D Division in Scotland is facing further uncertainty as the merger with Police Scotland has been deferred, but the Scottish Government is determined to go ahead with it. Chief Superintendent John McBride has decided to retire this summer; we wish him well and pray

Chaplains’ prayer requests and news that he will have a long and productive retirement.

Ruth McBean Scotland East

lease pray for Chief Superintendent, John McBride, as he has decided to retire. Pray for staff who have been affected by fatalities, for signallers as they work long shifts and work on their own, and for all the many staff who are at the depots. Also pray for the Conversation Cafés which are commencing - for a positive impact as we engage with passengers promoting good mental health. Give thanks for opportunities to connect and raise awareness of the mission, with ‘Edinburgh Churches together’, ‘Business Matters’, Work Place chaplaincy and the Interfaith Director. Thank God for the opportunity for Jim and I to exhibit a stand at the 'Keswick in Kilmarnock' weekend event, with over 1500 people in attendance.

Hannah Tuck Wales

t's been an exciting few months as I have settled into the role and met so many wonderful people. The main news is the new franchise for Wales and Borders has been awarded to KeolisAmey. As well as the usual challenges faced during a franchise change there is also the added uncertainty of the Metro scheme. Prayer

is vital over the next months and years as decisions are made. We now have a regular Bible study in Network Rail, Cardiff, which will hopefully grow. I had an opportunity to go to a multifaith event to meet with chaplains of other faiths and network with them. I went to a workshop about making space to support people of other faiths in a single faith setting and it gave me an opportunity to visit Berwyn prison with the lead chaplain there. He has a different approach to multi-in faith chaplaincy and he wanted me to see how each chaplain supports those of different faiths.

Andrew Hall

West Midlands and Chiltern

or me it has been a very busy few months. There has been the obvious continual round of visiting locations and meeting people, but this has been augmented by many other things: Paul Holloway has retired, so we have had to make changes in the North West, with Richard now covering Merseyside and North Wales and a recruitment need for greater Manchester. British Transport Police invited us to support officers in Manchester for the anniversary of the Arena bomb. The new BTP firearms unit is now established in Birmingham and we pray for them in this increasingly important role. We have recently held interviews for the GWR area which had a very successful outcome. Please pray for

Chaplains’ prayer requests and news

those who will be starting with us as new chaplains in the near future, and for those who approach retirement. We often talk about change on the railway but we are experiencing change in the Mission. May the Lord continue to increase our numbers and the quality of what we do.

Mentioned in dispatches… A note from driver ‘K’ on meeting with a chaplain ‘As a train driver, I was contacted recently by Michele Ashton one of the railway chaplains. Michele contacted me due to the fact I had been involved in a railway suicide, although not directly because I was a relieving driver who was driving the train involved. Although I was not affected by the incident I have a father who is terminally ill with cancer. I was able to meet up and discuss with Michele my feelings surrounding my poor father’s predicament and I asked Michele if she could do a prayer for my father. She suggested we did one together, although I don’t class myself as religious, I do believe this truly helped me and I felt sent positive thoughts to my father and those that are caring for him. ‘I also very much enjoyed meeting Michele, I have to date 26 years railway service and I’d never met or been contacted by a railway chaplain before; I think she is a true asset to your team. Kind regards, K (Train Driver)’

Remembering those who serve in the railways 22 May was the anniversary of the Manchester terrorist attack but there was another anniversary - that of the Quintinshill rail disaster in 1915, when more than 200 people died. In 2012, marking this day, British Transport Pensioners Federation (BTPF) dedicated a memorial to all railway people who have served and given their life in service of their country. Each year there is a short service of commemoration at the National Memorial Arboretum, which, this year, was led by Railway Mission Chaplain Ralph Coleman (pictured above, inset). Prayers were also said for the victims of the terrorists incident of 2017 and for the victims of Grenfell Tower.

Bomber Command memorial Service to the railway industry and to the war effort was not just limited to front line warfare. In Lincolnshire the railway network was important for the Transport and supply of goods and services to the RAF and bomber command. As well as a number of railway personnel that volunteered to serve in the RAF others remained on the Homefront to insure that the war effort could continue.

It was for these the members of staff at Lincoln railway station (pictured below left) raised the money to purchase a memorial that was dedicated at the National Bomber Command Memorial Centre in Lincoln on 10 June. A short service of dedication was conducted by the Railway Mission Chaplain Ralph Coleman. Ralph said "it is important that we remember all those who served in the war effort not just those in the military but also the railway personal that did so much in wartime and in peace"

Ralph Coleman is our chaplain based in the East Midlands operating out of Derby and Leicester

Lincoln Rail Station (picture: Betty Longbottom, Creative Commons)

Paul and Humphrey Retire

Putting the oomph into media production This magazine was mostly produced on a brand new Macbook Pro partially funded by Allchurches Trust Limited, Ecclesiastical Insurers. Now our media products, such as the RM News, Calendar, Booklets and Brochures can be put together whilst designer Steve Rowe travels.

As many of you will know, Humphrey Gillott (above) retired from being a full time chaplain some time ago, but continued on a voluntary basis. Now he has finally hung up his ‘high vis’ for good, as he retires from the chaplaincy.

Steve says, “All chaplains have terrific laptops which are great for documents and forms, but media items such as the Calendar and RM News require something with a bit more power to drive the software we use in the production of our publications. “I had been praying for a machine that has the oomph to make our magazines and calendars happen on the move after my old Macbook Pro of ten years gave up the ghost, so this is really a great answer. Many thanks to Allchurches Trust Limited for their generous donation, and to our Marketing department for making it possible.” Support on life’s journey

Paul Holloway has also taken a step into retirement as he spends more time with the church and family. Paul has been a wonderful ambassador for the Railway Mission Chaplaincy in Merseyrail and we wish both of them every blessing for the future.

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“They helped me through the hard times.” Support on life’s journey www.railwaymission.org

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