Exmouth schoolchildren take a trip on the Avocet Line

Pupils from Marpool Primary School in Exmouth took a free train trip on the Avocet Line which links Exmouth and Exeter, to visit the Royal Albert Memorial Museum on 30th November 2016. The trip was organised by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership under their “Train trips for schoolchildren” initiative.  This aims to introduce more children to rail travel and is run in conjunction with Great Western Railway, who provided free travel for the children and teachers. 

At the museum, which is very close to Exeter Central station, the children from classes Silver Birch and Bonsai visited an exhibition of paintings of South West seascapes by Kurt Jackson. The children will create a large canvas in the style of Kurt Jackson back at school and exhibit it to parents.

Miss Wake, a year 5 teacher at Marpool Primary School said: “Going by train was extremely easy for us as the Museum is a 5 minute walk from Exeter Central station. The children had a wonderful trip to Exeter on the train and they really enjoyed the exhibition of Kurt Jackson paintings which were inspired by famous landscape artist J.M.W. Turner. It was an extremely enjoyable and worthwhile experience.”

Celia Minoughan, Project Officer from the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, said: “We were delighted at the children’s enthusiasm for travelling by train. Some of them hadn’t been on the train before. A great day out!”
Great Western Railway Mid Devon Station Manager Melanie Harvey said: "This scheme is a great way to encourage local children to use our railway safely and confidently.”