| Friendship Cafe - trip from Chippenham to Weston-super-mare Posted by grahame at 06:56, 7th September 2026 |     |
The Melksham News reports Melksham's Shine Friendship Cafe took the train to Weston-super-mare in August - "For many it was their first trip on a train, and it is hoped it will give them the confidence to make more journeys in the future."
https://melkshamnews.com/day-trip-to-the-seaside-for-friendship-cafe/
Delighted at this introduction of people to rail:
The group joined a service at Chippenham for the hour-long journey to Weston-super-Mare. As well as taking in the scenery as they headed west, they also took part in a general knowledge quiz based on facts about the coastal town.
But I wonder how they got to Chippenham Station. The group pictured indicates some mobility issues, and Chippenham Station is far from straightforward from the station forecourt to the platform for those who have difficulties with stairs. Apart from Sundays and early mornings, the bus from Melksham does not serve Chippenham Station.
I confess that whilst I am delighted with the Melksham group being introduced to the train, I do wonder if it could have been done at their local (Melksham) station. We have flat access to the platform and we have trains that don't need assistance booked ahead, and which puts them on the platform at Chippenham with a change to the train west that does NOT involve stairs, lifts, barriers, and finding transport to get them to that station from Melksham.
