On Friday, 7th August at midday, the launch of the Bluebell Railway's
50th Anniversary Appeal takes place at Horsted Keynes Station, West
Sussex,
RH17 7BB.
Following the Ceremony, Dame Vera Lynn DBE will release 50 balloons to
celebrate the first 50 years of the Bluebell Railway Preservation
Society which
was formed in 1959, a year before the Railway opened to the public.
The target for the Appeal is some £3.5 million. The money being
primarily for the Railway to complete the extension to East Grinstead
but funds are also needed to repair and restore the Railway's unique
collection of locomotives and rolling stock.
Other guests who will be attending this event include TV presenter
Nicholas Owen, Cllr Margaret Baker, Mayor of Haywards Heath, Cllr
Amanda Dean Mayor of Lewes, and the former General Manager of British
Rail Southern, Gordon Pettit OBE. Also attending will be one of the
Vice-patrons of the appeal Baroness Cumberlege CBE.
The Appeal is also supported by celebrities such as Michael Palin CBE,
Joe Brown MBE and David Suchet OBE. The Mayor of East Grinstead, Cllr
Lee Marmara is also a
Vice-patron
A Bluebell spokesperson said "It is hoped people will support this
Appeal. The Bluebell is important not only for its position as the
first and one of
the most prestigious Heritage Railways, but for the benefits it brings
to Sussex and in particular East Grinstead in terms of tourism".