Full steam ahead!

This could be my worst ever headline pun but today I have been meeting representatives from the Indian Ministry of Railways when they visited the wonderful hard-working volunteers at the Narrow Gauge Railway right here in town.

As they are looking at improving the heritage and tourism side of their world famous railway, they have come here to Leighton Buzzard to see our volunteers and experts.

As part of the day we took a journey on a steam train to Stonehenge Works on Vandyke Road where I found myself painting some spare track to identify it for use afterwards as well as posing for pictures and discussing the benefit of the railway to the town and the money it generates elsewhere when people come to visit it.

I was lucky enough to get to drive the steam engine too. That really is me driving! If I get an invite to work on the Indian railway I will let you know ;)

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Poland in September

September started off slowly. I helped at Andrew Selous' MP surgery on the Tuesday 4th at the library and attended a Town Centres Management Committee meeting on the 6th before a weekend camping in Chingford for my birthday on the 7th.

I went to visit the Mayor of Czernikow in Poland with Bicester Town Twinning Forum as they looked to take their 5 year friendship to an official twinning status. We visited many local attractions in the area and in Krakow. We also visited Auschwitz which was a very moving experience.

We all stayed with and were fed by local families. They will be coming to Bicester soon and will be hosted in return. Twinning is a great experience and we have an active forum in the town which you are welcome to join.

Other towns nearby may look to build friendships with Leighton Buzzard and Linslade too as well.












This is me in the first picture with the Chairman of the Bicester Town Twinning Forum and the second one is me (again!) with the local Mayor.