Today – 11th September 2018 – we launched our latest film as part of the 900 Voices Project, ‘Railworld – The Volunteers Story’ and what an occasion it was!

Railworld Wildlife Haven is an urban treasure trove run by volunteers situated between the railway lines and the River Nene. This fantastic project celebrates Peterborough’s railway heritage and offers a wonderful tranquil wildlife haven in the City Centre. For over three decades the project has evolved and grown from waste land to a thriving, beautiful and interesting destination.

I first visited Railworld in June this year and was determined to make a film about it to help Railworld tell their story and as a tool help promote and raise interest in their future plans. Our short film celebrates the role of volunteers in creating and supporting this fantastic community asset. PECT (Peterborough Environment City Trust) funded us to make the film as part of an Artists Commission we delivered for this years Green Festival and to contribute to the 900 Voices Project with Nenescape – celebrating the River Nene between Peterborough and Northampton.

   

The film was launched today in the Globe Hall at Railworld, to a packed audience of Railworld Volunteers and supporters, local dignitaries and the Queens Representative Cambridgeshire Lord Lieutenant Julie Spence. The Queens Award for Volunteering is a lifetime award, and Railworld are a deserving candidate for the honour.

   

In my introduction to the film I said that Peterborough needs to wave its Railworld flag high and proud. This project is not only an exemplar within the Cambridgeshire region but deserves national and international attention. Railworld has supporters from all over the world and that can only grow. In turn, this can help Peterborough become a notable City for its environmental activism, an exciting tourist destination and a great model for volunteering and private/business support.

If we are serious about tackling environmental issues and providing quality volunteering opportunities, then we really need to be looking at Railworld as an example of what can be achieved, against all odds, with good leadership and strong vision.

   

It was a real privilege to launch our film today at this very special event, and we take our hat off to all the people that have worked so hard to make this amazing place what it is.

To contribute your own story to the 900 Voices archive please visit http://900voicesofthenene.co.uk/