Brownies get first class rail safety message

A Brownies group from Bangor will receive a unique rail safetytalk and get a chance to travel on a train with British TransportPolice (BTP), who will be on hand to explain the perils of therailways.

Community safety coordinator, Bill Rogerson, is working closelywith Brownie Guider Jackie Percival and Arriva Trains Wales toorganise this special event, which will help the group obtain theirsafety badges.

Today (Wednesday 4 October) at 6pm at the Healthy Living Centre,Maesgeirchen, Bangor the Brownies will be given a presentation andbe shown a video. Next week (Wednesday 11 October) the Brownieswill be accompanying BTP and at first hand be explained the dangersof the railway environment as they travel from Bangor toHolyhead.

The educational opportunity has been supported by Arriva TrainsWales who will be dishing out goody bags during the journey.

Local Brownie guider, Jackie Percival, said:

It is very important to us to raise awareness to youngpeople about how dangerous it is playing alongside the railwayline. The Brownies can also help spread the message to their familyand friends.

They are excited about meeting with BTP, especiallytravelling on a train from Bangor to Holyhead. We are all lookingforward to it.

Ex police sergeant Bill Rogerson from BTP in Wales is familiarwith the Bangor area. For over 30 years he helped patrol therailways and keep them safe across Mid and North Wales. During thelast 12 months in his new role as a community safety coordinator,Bill has been liaising with schools and groups like the Brownies toeducate about the hazards of the train infrastructure.

He said:

As the main Holyhead to Chester railway line runsthrough Maesgeirchen it is very important that the local childrenare taught all about the dangers of the railway, particularly astrains run at high speeds on this stretch of line.

I welcome any opportunity to talk about the dangers ofthe railway to any groups and I am particularly pleased that thelocal Brownie group has taken the initiative to invite BritishTransport Police for such a talk, which will assist them inobtaining their safety badge and learning all about the dangers ofthe railway.

I am very grateful to Arriva Trains Wales for theirkind sponsorship of goody bags and for a travel pass for theBrownies to travel to Holyhead and return. It is a uniqueopportunity to emphasize the safety message. The children willappreciate how fast a train travels and other dangers associatedwith the railway which can be pointed out to them firsthand.

Speaking at Bangor Station, Gwyn Hughes, for Arriva TrainsWales, said:

We're delighted to be supporting the Brownies' traintrip between Bangor and Holyhead for the second year running. It'sa good opportunity for the group to learn the important rail safetymessage, earn their safety badge and enjoy a day out. We lookforward to welcoming the group on board.

British Transport Police can be contacted on Freephone 0800405040.

Notes to editors

• For further information and interviews please contact DaljinderMattu, Media and Marketing, BTP Wales and Western on 0121 6542076.
• If you require a translated version of this media release,please contact the number above.
• If you would like to contact Brownie Guide Jackie Percivalplease ring 01248 372101.