A station user group called Friends of Hope Station Group (FoHSG) was formed in February 2018 by members of the Rotary Club of Hope Valley, making Hope station the final link in the user group network on Hope Valley line. Whilst founded and supported by Rotary Club of Hope Valley, membership is open to all and participation is actively encouraged.
The group’s aims are both to improve the station facilities and enhance the role of the local Hope Valley Line within the Hope and other local communities. Plans are still at a formative stage, but future activities of FoHSG are likely to include :
The limits of what can be done at railway stations are determined by the Train Operating Company and Network Rail, but station user groups like FoHSG, of which there are many throughout the country, decide collectively, and in conjunction with the local community, the most appropriate developments for the station concerned. Regrettably, increasing train frequency, line speeds and service quality are essentially beyond the remit of groups like FoHSG.
At the inaugural meeting on 5th February 2018, FoHSG adopted a formal constitution based on that recommended by the Hope Valley Rail Users Group, a copy of which can be found here.
Minutes of the inaugural meeting on 5th February 2018 can be found here.
At the inaugural meeting on 5th February 2018, the following officers were elected :
| Chair | Trevor Ironmonger | chair@friendsofhopestation.org.uk |
| Treasurer | Philip Wood | treasurer@friendsofhopestation.org.uk |
| Secretary | Gillian Wood | secretary@friendsofhopestation.org.uk |
Membership is open to anyone in the Community interested in taking part in or supporting the works of the organisation. There are no membership fees and anyone wishing to participate is encouraged to contact the Secretary.
The first AGM of the Friends of Hope Station Group will take place on Friday 15th March 2019 at 7:30 pm in Hope Sports Club Pavilion. Click here for full details. Everyone is welcome to attend.