Discover Amazing Women by Rail is an exciting initiative to encourage people to explore the Calder Valley and Mid-Cheshire lines. An excellent – and free! – tourism booklet has been researched by historian (and HADRAG member) Richard Lysons, and edited by Alice Mannion of ACoRP, the Association of Community Rail Partnerships. The project brings together Mid-Cheshire Community Rail Partnership, Friends of Littleborough Station, Community Rail Lancashire, and Women in Community Rail, and aims to encourage people to explore the rail routes and find out more about inspirational women and their histories. The booklet has biographies, itineraries, tips on travel and, for delving further, a suggested reading list. Halifax’s pages feature Anne Lister of Shibden Hall, and the lesser known name of Laura Annie Willson, the engineer, house-builder and women’s rights campaigner. The booklets have been distributed through visitor information centres, libraries, museums and stations. See also website: www.amazingwomenbyrail.org.uk.
If you have stories about other amazing women along the Mid-Cheshire and Calder Valley lines the project would like to hear from you! —RL/jsw
Halifax and District Rail Action Group 