Funding from the CrossCountry Community Engagement Fund to the Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership (DVLCRP) is supporting a long-term community aspiration to open up the Grade II listed Whistlestop building at Matlock Bath station.
The Whistlestop, which has been closed for 11 years, is set to become a vibrant and exciting visitor centre and café for the community and customers. Our funding of £16,250 is being used to improve access and provide disabled toilet facilities to ensure the new building can be enjoyed by everyone.
The ambitious project, which includes replacing part of the building's roof, is being delivered in partnership with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, which has a long term lease on the building, and Network Rail. The initiative has also received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP).
Alastair Morley, Project Officer for DVLCRP, said: “Our aim was to revitalise the Grade II listed building to provide a much-needed year round gateway for visitors to the town. It will become a space for the public to enjoy, where volunteers and groups of all ages can learn new skills and celebrate the heritage of the building, the railway and the surrounding area.”
Partners are working towards the full reopening of the Whistlestop in February 2019 with a special celebration event planned for the spring.
Ellen Fineran, Head of Commercial Development at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: “A massive thanks to our lovely funders. We are so honoured to be the custodians of this beautiful, historic building and to be bringing it back to life in this way is just wonderful. A big, big thank you to them all for making it possible!”
