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Issue 2 2012


///FREIGHT BREAK Stirring things up in Suffolk


As you may have read elsewhere in FBJ, port of Felixstowe boss David Gledhill is not averse to stirring up a bit of local controversy. At the ground-breaking ceremony for the port’s new rail terminal in March he suggested that some lightly- used local passenger services on the branch line from Ipswich be substituted by express buses to free up more paths for his freight trains on the heavily-used single track line. Not one to miss a photo-


opportunity, no sooner was the ceremony over than I scurried down to Felixstowe station to


photograph one of these ill- frequented services. The railcar pulled in and around dozen passengers got off; not quite down to the ‘three or four’ level that the Felixstowe boss suggested was normal on some services, but perhaps this was one of the busier ones. The guard, not unnaturally wanted to know why I was taking pictures – obviously I don’t look like a train spotter, or at least didn’t on that particular occasion. (It was a Class 153 single car DMU, if you really want to know.) I must say that when I told him about the controversy his train


service was causing he got quite agitated and it was only the imminent departure of the 12.28 back to Ipswich that saved me from getting embroiled in what looked like having all the makings of a heated argument. I had a feeling that he thought I was in some way responsible for the passengers to freight plan. He shouted something as the


train departed that I couldn’t hear it above the racket of the diesel engines, but I don’t think it was very complimentary to the Felixstowe port management. I think Mr Gledhill might have to do some bridge-building there.


Kinga gets on her bike


Woodland Group boss Kinga Garner is getting on her bike to raise money for Transaid, the international development charity. The 45-year-old Manchester Airport-based general manager has signed up for the 2012 Transaid Cycle Madagascar event, which takes place in June. She will be cycling 500km


across remote villages, paddy fields and tropical fruit plantations in the remote north east of the island. The mum-of-one, from Ashton-


under-Lyne, will also have the opportunity to visit Transaid’s project in Madagascar, focused on improving access


to basic, Going round in circles


Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company is running a sightseeing trip around the M25. No, you didn’t misread that. It seems an unlikely choice for a


day out. Even the coach firm’s own marketing spiel can’t work up much enthusiasm. “The M25 has been named the least entertaining and most boring road in Britain over the years. BBC Radio 4 listeners voted it the most hated place in Britain in


2002, while in 2008 Caterham Cars claimed it was the country’s worst driving road,” it says. Even so, the trip on London’s


orbital motorway has been so popular that extra dates have been scheduled. Would-be tourists are urged to book early to avoid disappointment. For their £15 ticket, they will get to


see the delights of Heathrow Airport, the Dartford Crossing and the ever-


popular South Mimms services. Scheduled time for the trip is four hours – an average of just under 30mph, which does include the leg to and from Brighton, and sounds a tad optimistic for around 180 miles in normal traffic conditions. And, just to add to the


excitement, says B&H, “We’re keeping it as a surprise whether we’ll travel clockwise or anti- clockwise...”


quality health care for woman and children from rural communities.


With just four months to go,


Kinga has embarked on a healthy eating programme and a gruelling training regime incorporating running, swimming, spin classes and on- and off-road cycling. Kinga said: “Working in logistics,


I’m used to moving from A to B, but not usually by bike. It’s fair to say this is the biggest challenge of my life, but I am looking forward to the experience and hope to raise lots of money for this fantastic cause.” Kinga has committed to raising


£3,300 by April 5 and has already raised more than £1,000. Funds raised from Cycle will benefit


Madagascar the


charity’s Professional Driver Training Project, which aims to


To sponsor her, visit: www.justgiving.com/kinga-garner


Heroes help heroes


No, there hasn’t been a mass outbreak of freemasonry in Yorkshire. Potter Group Logistics chairman Derrick Potter and directors Matthew Lamb, Stuart Taylor, Jim Thomson and Ken Watson are taking part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on Saturday, 31 March, to raise money for Help for Heroes. The challenge covers 24 miles


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including three peaks of the Pennine range - Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingelborough; a total climb of around 7,000 ft. Participants should complete the test in less than 12 hours which, considering their combined age is 270 years, could be quite a test for the Potter team. Leading the walking team is


managing director, Matthew Lamb, who comments: “As a Yorkshire based company, we decided what better way to raise money this year than by walking the stunning Three Peaks that we are lucky enough to


have on our doorstep. It’s going to be a testing day but we’re looking forward to the challenge, and hopefully some fine weather.” Ripon, home to Potter Group


Logistics has its head office, has a long connection with the Army and is at present home to 21 Regiment of the Royal Engineers, while 9


Regiment Army Air Corps is based close by at Dishforth. Yorkshire also now has the largest British Army garrison at Catterick. Anyone wishing to support the


plucky team of directors can make a donation to Help for Heroes by visiting www.virginmoneygiving. com/team/executiveescapade


Yorkshire: Land of strange rituals and large peaks


improve driving safety standards in sub-Saharan Africa.


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