200 schoolchildren SHALL go to the ball (by train!) – with the help of Great Northern

Dreams came true for some 200 Hertfordshire schoolchildren when Great Northern helped them see Christmas panto Cinderella.

The youngsters from St John’s School in Digswell took Great Northern’s very own ‘pumpkin coach’ - for commuters a regular train carriage! - to Welwyn Garden City from their local station Welwyn North to see Cinderella at Campus West.

For many of the children, aged between 3 and 11, this was their first time travelling by train. It was the first time pupils at the primary school had taken the train on a school trip.

Great Northern prepared them for their big day on the rails with a tailored safety session about the dos and don’ts when travelling.

On the day, the group was supported by Great Northern staff on the platform and on the journey to ensure everything went by smoothly.

The exciting journey took the children over the Welwyn Viaduct, where the youngsters got a chance to see their school from the viaduct they look up at every day.

Ross Evans, Great Northern’s School Engagement Manager who ran the rail safety session (pictured above), said: “This was one of the larger school safety talks we’ve held for schoolchildren, and they were all very attentive and asked plenty of questions.

“With us celebrating the 200^th anniversary of the modern railway this year, it was fitting to have 200 of them in the room and on the train with us.

“These young people could be the next generation of railway workers who contribute to another 200 years of moving the country by train.”

Headteacher Arnold Worton-Geer said: “The trip to the theatre was a huge success and got the students very excited before we even got there.

“The train is a really convenient, and much more environmentally friendly, way of travelling and I’m sure we’ll be on it again soon.”

ENDS