Background:
NVR was first contacted back in 1999 by the Environment Agency who were working in partnership with local councils in a bid to attract people into the area, particularly in relation to the river. We were asked to offer suggestions and these subsequently became what is now the Yarwell Project.
During 2005 Atkins were commissioned to produce the Business Plan and this now forms the basis for funding bids. The total cost of the project which includes some river structure work is £1million.

The Project is made up of various "strands"

Yarwell Junction Station:
One of the aims of the Project is to attract walkers, cyclists and people without access to cars into the Nene Valley from Peterborough. In this respect, the A1 has always been a huge barrier. With the station at Yarwell, people can now join the train at any of the NVR stations, get off at Yarwell and be only a few minutes walk from the Nene Way and beautiful, unspoiled countryside, with the villages of Yarwell and Nassington only a short distance away. The recently established nature reserve at Old Sulehay is also within walking distance as is Prebendal Manor.

As well as attracting passengers heading away from Peterborough, boaters and caravanners will be able to join the train at Yarwell and travel into the Nene Park and Peterborough.

The platform at Yarwell was completed and the first passengers able to use it from 7th April 2007 – Easter Saturday. The building, which is based on a LNWR design, was handed over by the builders on Friday 7th September. NVR was fortunate in successfully applying for a grant towards this building from WREN who administer the landfill tax. We have also been successful in obtaining a grant from the Rockingham Forest Trust for interpretation boards for Yarwell.

During his visit to NVR in June, Prince Edward spent some time at Yarwell and was impressed with the amount of effort that had gone into fund-raising for this project.

The interior of the building was completed during the autumn/spring of 2007/2008 and the Grand Opening, performed by Sir William Proby of the neighbouring Elton Estate, took place on Friday 4th April 2008. Guests included representatives from all those who had helped to bring the project to fruition including members of 79 Railway Squadron and the Probation Service.

Much of the wood panelling and the fireplace in the building were kindly donated by the owner of the disused Streatham Station near Ely.

The Travelling Post Office (TPO) Group at NVR also installed an apparatus exchange at Yarwell which became operational in the same year and allows passengers to disembark at the station and view the exchange of mailbags before returning to Wansford.

As there are no services at Yarwell, it is intended to install atmospheric gas lighting in the station building and on the platform when sufficient funds have been raised.

Visitors Moorings at Wansford Station:
The construction of the visitors’ moorings was completed in time for the 2009 season and has seen many passing river craft stop and enjoy the railway. It also provides canoe portage which has also been used by individuals and groups of canoists travelling downstream to Peterborough. The facility will also provide a permanent mooring for the steamboat.

Steam Launch:
NVR was originally intending to raise the money for a steam launch with a design based on the boat used by Captain Vipan of Stibbington Hall in the early part of the 20th century. However, an individual has offered to run a steam boat service operation at NVR thereby negating the need for another large fund-raising project and bringing forward the day that will see the first steamboat trip leave Wansford moorings. It is hoped that the first trips will take place during 2010. Work is currently taking place on preparing the boat which will be converted to steam later on. Watch this space for further details.

Updates for the Yarwell project can be found here detailed here.

Steamboat mooring at the Haycock Hotel and Yarwell:
NVR, with the Environment Agency, are still actively pursuing this element of the Yarwell Project.

Fund-raising:
Fund-raising for the Yarwell Project continues. This is led by Bill Forman and Hannah Hackett who have raised more than £40,000, but with grants and “in kind” work carried out by the 79 Railway Squadron and NVR volunteers, alongside the construction of the mooring at Wansford, this figure is probably in excess of £230,000. We are still collecting old mobile telephones, foreign and old English currency or just plain old donations!

If you want to make a donation please contact Hannah Hackett at Wansford Office on 01780 784444.

Funds have also been raised by:

• A foreign coin collection - this is still continuing and any foreign coins can be left at the Wansford office. Bill Forman is also happy to collect them (within a 50 mile radius)
• An "old English" coin collection - the same applies as for the foreign coins
• Donations from NVR members.
• Bill Forman (NVR Membership Secretary) was sponsored to have his legs waxed in a local pub.
• Batteries and scrap metal from site sold to Scrap Yard.
• Bonus Ball
• Sale of sleepers
• Winter Blues evening with well-known blues musicians.

Naturally, we are more than happy to accept donations to the Yarwell Project.

For further information on the Yarwell Project please contact Hannah Hackett at Wansford Office on 01780 784444