Poet/Spoken Word Artist, Bucks Council

This is a project led by Buckinghamshire Council, with funding https://www.gwr.com/about-gwr/what-you-can-expect/community/community-investment - from GWR's Customer and Community Improvement Fund, that will engage with community partners and groups linked with social needs, to celebrate the heritage and promote the use of the Marlow / Bourne End railway line. This will be achieved through highlighting a walking route and establishing a recognised rail and foot trail, promoting recreational walking and train travel while supporting health and well-being.

At the heart of the project is the heritage of the branch line between Bourne End and Marlow inextricably linked to Marlow's development and affectionately known as the "Marlow Donkey." The arrival of the railway had a huge impact on the local area, particularly the development of Marlow, shaping it to what it is today.

There are plans for wider improvements to upgrade the line, both rail station forecourts and wider connectivity to the stations as well as good opportunity for onward travel, particularly into London using the relatively new Elizabeth Line connecting at Maidenhead.

The trail will launch as part of Railway 200 celebrations, with a celebratory event at a station in the school summer holiday. The station will be decorated to create a heritage feel, with bunting, tea and cakes along with traditional style entertainment. There will be guided train journeys with talks by local historians and Simply Walks volunteers will be on hand to guide walkers wanting to experience the walking trail. There will also be small exhibitions at the Marlow Museum and local libraries, profiling the impact of the GWR railway on both settlements.