Our inaugural Picnic Games has been a huge success, with our iconic steam locomotive Barber inspiring fans both young and old to pay us a visit and bask in the warm weather that we ordered especially for the weekend. Our fabulous live music gave life to the platform, with brilliant local musicians playing for us over the weekend.
Many visitors spent their whole day with us, nourishing both their body with extensive offerings from our Buffer Stop Café; and their soul, playing croquet in the marquee, and pitting their wits in a game of giant dominoes, noughts and crosses, and skittles.
After a beautiful scenic train ride, taking in all of the glory that the South Tyne Valley countryside has to offer, and an enthusiastic exploration round our station on our treasure hunt, parents and grandparents were able to sit and relax with a well-deserved beverage, while the little (and some big) ones enjoyed our craft retreat. Our Picnic Games quiz added a sense of Mastermind to the event, with 'games' being a loose specialist subject, and inspiring some friendly debate on the answers.
Our Discovery Centre was a cool haven from the bustle of the platform, with informative displays on the commemoration of the closure of the line, and the permanent display of the 'rise, fall, and rise again' of the railway.
We hope we have inspired some lawn game athletes of the future, and look forward to welcoming visitors for our 2017 Picnic Games.