BENTHAM Station was recently the scene of not one but two anniversaries.

More than 30 people came together for the13th anniversary of Friends of Bentham Station (FOBS) and the eighth anniversary of their twinning with another station group from Mytholmroyd in the Calder Valley.

Since the twinning the two groups have been supportive of each others work to raise the profile of community rail.

As well as a social occasion, it was also an opportunity to share best practice and a wealth of ideas and developments were exchanged between members.

Gerald Townson, for FOBS and also chairman of the Bentham Line - the Leeds-Morecambe Community Rail Partnership, said, “This is now an established idea capable being picked up by other groups throughput the country.

"It helps the development of new station initiatives and re-invigorating tourism particularly across the former West Riding, by twinning stations which have thriving support groups. Mytholmroyd Station Partnership and FOBS are very active in their own right making their respective stations a community focus."

The twinning of the two station adoption groups was a first in the whole country at the time and the spirit of co-operation allows cross fertilisation of ideas, helping develop a network of community groups which actively promote their localities.

Not just about the train services, it also promotes railway stations as a focal point and gateway for their communities allowing the areas to be opened up for leisure opportunities as well as business use.

Mytholmroyd, an industrial town in the Calder valley, has more than 60 trains a day compared to the two a day at Bentham, but by sharing aspirations and achievements, and providing mutual support it is hoped that both will achieve more.