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:
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.

It is planned to complete the interior of the station building and landscape the site over the autumn/spring period and hold a “grand opening” in April. During this period, work will also be carried out to construct the new TPO apparatus exchange at Yarwell.

As there are no services at Yarwell, we will be applying for a grant to assist with the cost of making the building self-sufficient with green energy installations.

Visitors Moorings at Wansford Station:
The construction of the visitors' moorings has been delayed this year by the lengthy periods of “strong stream” on the river, but the Environment Agency intend to start work in mid-September. This facility will provide space for passing boats to visit NVR and the 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. Watch this space for further details.

Boathouse:
This Thames-style boathouse would be sited at the edge of the Wansford picnic area and used to house the boat. There would be a viewing gallery so that the boat could be seen when not in use and could form part of the educational visits to the railway.

Platform at Yarwell:
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 a platform at Yarwell, people would be able to 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 Nassington and Yarwell only a short distance away. The newly established nature reserve at Old Sulehay is also within walking distance.

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.

Included in the plan is a small building on the platform and alteration of trackwork.

Updates on this part of the project are 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 £35,000, but with grants and “in kind” work carried out by the 79 Railway Squadron and NVR volunteers this figure is probably in excess of £160,000.

We are still collecting old mobile telephones, used ink cartridges, 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