A SMALL volunteer run charity railway has received funds which will help it reopen in 2021.

The Cholsey and Wallingford Railway is delighted it has been awarded £15,700 from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage.

No trains have run in 2020 and the charity is looking forward to show off their improved Wallingford Station with the new Victorian canopy from Maidenhead taking centre stage next year.

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Cholsey and Wallingford Railway chairman, Tony Stead Said: "This grant is a great endorsement of the railway and all our dedicated volunteers. It will not only cover our fixed costs for six months, but it will allow us to ensure that we can be Covid-safe when we are able to re-open. Not having to use our reserves to cover fixed costs allows us to invest in improvements to compliment the massive changes that are underway at Wallingford Station. We hope to be able to welcome everyone to a station with a greatly improved ambience reminiscent of train travel from the past, as soon as it is considered safe to do so."

MP David Johnston said: “I am delighted to see that the Cholsey and Wallingford railway has received a grant from the Government's Heritage Recovery Fund. I visited it only a few weeks ago and could both see why it is loved by those who know it well and see the potential is has for more people to benefit from it.”