News

Dec 5

It's the 'Jewel in the Crown' - Henley in Arden is Highly Commended in National Railway Heritage Awards 2024

Friends of the Shakespeare Line celebrate a national award for transforming Henley in Arden station into a thriving community hub.

Aug 31

Railway Afternoon Tea Thank You for Volunteers

The Trustees of Friends of the Shakespeare Line organised a thank-you event on Sunday, 1 September, to honour over 70 station volunteers

May 28

Paint & Steam Power at Stratford Upon Avon

At Stratford upon Avon, the renowned painter John Austin, held a captivating exhibition of his works at the community hub room...

May 27

People Power and Community Stations: Small Heath Station's long-awaited lift installation moves closer thanks to local community-led efforts

Small Heath Station's long-awaited lift installation moves closer thanks to local community-led efforts

Feb 22

New lease of life for Henley-in-Arden station as Network Rail’s chair Lord Peter Hendy opens new community space

Feb 22

The First Railway-Based City & Guilds NVQ Vocational Qualification Developed and Launched by Woodrush Academy

With funding from West Midlands Trains and support from Friends of the Shakespeare Line, Woodrush Academy have developed and launched the fi

Apr 25, 2023

Community Rail Hero Recognised with Coronation Champion Award

Fraser Pithie, Chair of the Friends of the Shakespeare Line is one of the five hundred recipients of Coronation Champion Award

Apr 2, 2023

Friends of the Shakespeare Line - Easter 2023 Update

The update sets out details of several things going on along the Shakespeare Line - Birmingham to Stratford upon Avon

Dec 5, 2022

Midlands Volunteers Praised for their Innovation with more to come...

Lord Digby Jones of Birmingham has praised Midlands-based volunteers for their community work.

Jun 22, 2022

'Midsummer Night’s Dream' - a transformation at Birmingham Moor Street Station

Moor Street Station had a floral and arts makeover by volunteers from neighbouring stations along the Shakespeare Line...

May 15, 2022

Jubilee Jubilations at Stratford-upon-Avon

Volunteers at Stratford-upon-Avon railway station were jubilant on Friday as they worked on their planned red, white, and blue plant display

May 15, 2022

Bard’s line volunteers bring Jubilee Colours to Birmingham’s New Street Station

Community volunteers helped transform the main planters at New Street station with patriotic colours for the Queens Platinum Jubilee.

May 15, 2022

Pandemic to Platinum

How railways and communities in the West Midlands are delivering social value together...

Feb 8, 2022

Memorial Unveiled to Wilmcote Solicitor

The unveiling of a plaque in memory of Anabel's and Roz’s late father, Douglas King, who lived at Wilmcote until he died in 2008. Mr King

Oct 24, 2021

The energy and the goodwill of the railway volunteers is a joy to behold

The Friends of the Shakespeare Line Annual Report sets out the scale and range of activities, from over 10,000 volunteers...

Sep 8, 2021

Voluntary Group’s Hail Build Back Success

It's been a great success, and it means next year will be even better; that's the view from two voluntary organisations that worked together

Aug 1, 2021

Thanks to over 70 volunteers as transformation “has only just started...”

Over seventy volunteers from stations along the railway line between Stratford upon Avon and Birmingham have been given a special thank you.

Jul 12, 2021

4 Minutes By Train To The Future Via The Past

Unveiling of new artwork at one of Birmingham's inner-city railway stations designed to celebrate the heritage of the station

Jul 1, 2021

Transport Museum Wythall

Transport Museum Wythall is taking advantage of the excellent West Midlands Trains service on The Shakespeare Line.

Jul 1, 2021

A Very Noble Cause...

Lord Jones visited Henley-in-Arden station to see the work that has already been done by volunteers to improve the station's environment.