The Isle of Wight Community Rail Partnership (CRP) is delighted to announce that its creative project, Through the Window of My Train, has been Highly Commended in the Best Community Engagement Project category at the South Western Railway Awards 2026.
Seeing the Island Line through art and poetry
The project brought together Island residents and participants from the mainland to explore the Island Line railway through art, photography and poetry, encouraging creativity, building confidence and forging new friendships.
Inspired by the idea that “a train window is a moving picture frame,” participants were invited to experience their railway through their senses, capturing the sights, sounds, movement and changing landscape of the journey.
Workshops at Brading Station
Creative workshops at Brading Station, supported by talented local artists Hollie Jackson and Jo Kori, alongside poet Maggie Sawkins, encouraged participants to explore their creativity and discover new skills. These were followed by a special journey along the Island Line with local railway historian Jack Singleton, known as the Wight Wanderer, exploring the railway’s past and present.
A 68-page book and a Quay Arts exhibition
The resulting artwork, photography and poetry were brought together in a beautiful 68-page book, officially launched at Brading Station in October 2025. Participants were invited to read their poetry publicly, with many stepping outside their comfort zones to share their work.
The project continued with an exhibition at Quay Arts in Newport during May and June 2026, giving the wider community an opportunity to enjoy the creativity inspired by the railway.
New friendships and growing confidence
However, the project’s greatest achievements extended far beyond the book and exhibition. Participants gained confidence, discovered new talents and formed friendships that have continued long after the workshops ended, with some choosing to meet socially and travel together by train.
‘Something so much more’
Bobby Lock, Community Rail Manager, said,
“We are absolutely thrilled that Through the Window of My Train has been recognised by South Western Railway.
“What started as a creative journey along our beautiful Island Line became something so much more. We saw people discover talents they didn’t know they had, grow in confidence and, perhaps most importantly, make new friendships.
“I would particularly like to thank Hollie Jackson, Jo Kori and Maggie Sawkins, whose creativity, encouragement and enthusiasm helped make this project such a wonderful experience for everyone involved.
“The fact that some of our participants have continued meeting and travelling together by train is, for me, one of the project’s greatest successes.
“This recognition is a wonderful tribute to everyone who took part and helped bring the project to life. It demonstrates how our railway can connect communities in ways that go far beyond simply getting people from A to B.”
Funding and thanks
The project was supported by South Western Railway’s Social Development Fund and Community Rail Network’s Community Rail Development Fund.
The Isle of Wight Community Rail Partnership would like to thank all the participants, creative practitioners, volunteers and project partners who made the initiative possible.
News shared by Bobby on behalf of The Isle of Wight Community Rail Partnership. Ed
