About Us
Meet the Steering Group
We all come from different backgrounds and have a variety of experiences. We are all passionate about working towards a more inclusive, tolerant and diverse community rail family.
Marion Atkinson
Chair
I am the chair of the steering group and currently work as a Rail Support Officer for Merseytravel and have been part of the rail team for fifteen years, although I’ve worked in Merseytravel for over twenty-five years in various roles. I am chair of West Lancashire CRP, chair of Borderlands CRP and vice chair of Community Rail Network.
It was a privilege to be elected as Chair of WiCR in 2016. My passion is equality and fairness. I truly believe we have made some real positive changes in the community rail family and I look forward to continuing to be part of a positive future of inclusiveness and tolerance in the rail industry.
Jayne McLoughlin
Support Officer
My name is Jayne McLoughlin and I am the newest member of the team. I have 17 years rail experience with background in station Supervising, Station, Support and Marketing and Communications. I have been employed as a Support Officer, my post has been funded through London Northwestern Railway’s Customer & Communities Improvement Fund and is hosted and supported by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, I will help to build on and grow the movement through digital, project and administration support and will also help continue to work in creating an inclusive and diverse community rail environment.
Penny Greenwood
Steering Group Member
I’ve been a member of Friends of Glossop Station since its formation fifteen years ago, and for many years have been a station representative at the quarterly meetings of High Peak and Hope Valley CRP, where I now present a regular update on WiCR activities and achievements.
Much of my professional life was concerned with helping women deal with challenging areas of their lives. After my degree in social science I trained as a nurse at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, then worked as a nurse and counsellor at several women’s health clinics. After further training in counselling, I specialised in treating women particularly young women, many of whom sought help with problems encountered in the workplace. As a result I am deeply committed to WiCR’s aims to encourage and promote gender balance ,inclusivity and diversity across the rail industry
Lucja
Majewski-Kent
Steering Group Member
I am one of two Regional Development Manager’s for TransPennine Express. I have worked at TransPennine Express for three and a half years now, having spent almost nineteen years working for DB Cargo and what was previously known as English Welsh & Scottish Railway in various roles including Account Management and Chief of Staff.
I am delighted to have the responsibility within TransPennine Express for Community Rail Partnerships and have met some wonderful people who work tirelessly to make improvements in and around their communities. I am a strong believer in diversity and equality and am proud to sit on the Diversity Council within TransPennine Express.
Ben Walsh
“I am Ben Walsh and I have been extremely interested in railway transport, all my life.
I have been involved with the Hereward Community Rail Partnership, since Summer 2016, where I heard of the concept of ‘Women in Community Rail’.
The first meeting that I attended, was a meeting in November/December 2016, in London, where I had a cup of ‘Equalitea’, where we were discussing how all people could be treated/addressed as one, not on the grounds of discrimination or ethnicity.
Since then I have attended various ‘WiCR’ events, including one in Chelmsford, and I would like to bring my personality skills, at least, to ‘WiCR’, as I think I would be able to fit into an assertive environment, would understand the needs of everyone, be contributing happiness and laughter, and above all, be standing up for fairness, equality, dignity and enjoyment of the railways!”
Dawn Bigland
Steering Group Member
I’m the treasurer for the Women in Community Rail steering group. For the past 15 years I’ve worked as Administration Manager for Community Rail Network, formerly ACoRP.
I feel honoured to be part of WiCR which I joined when the group was formed in 2016. Much has been accomplished in a short time which is setting the scene for our future challenges and achievements. I enjoy HIIT training, meditation, walking and travelling.
Vicky
Cropper-Clarke
Steering Group Member
I am head of Stakeholder and Community at London Northwestern Railway. I am responsible for developing and nurturing relationship with key stakeholders and the wider community within the London Northwestern Railway network.
I am also a key point of contact and influence with local authorities, community and user groups – ensuring that I work with them to develop strategies and projects which will have a positive impact on the communities we service, as well as driving advocacy, customer satisfaction and brand awareness. Before joining London Northwestern Railway in 2018 I had worked at Northern Rail and Great Western Railway.
Karen
Bennett
Steering Group Member
I look after social media for Women in Community Rail. I currently work as a Community Rail Education Development Officer for Community Rail Lancashire and have been part of the team since September 2018. Previously, I taught across the Primary School phase in Bradford and held the responsibility of being a subject leader for Maths, English and Music.
In my current role, I teach children about rail safety and encourage more young people to pursue careers in the railway industry. I live with my young son, Laurie, our cat Toffee and our dog Walter. In my spare time I enjoy travelling, exploring the great outdoors and learning to play the piano.
Richard
Lysons
Steering Group Member
I have been a member of the WiCR Steering Group since June 2019. I am Chair of Friends of Littleborough Stations and an active rail campaigner. I was the researcher for Discover Amazing Women by Rail, a highly successful collaboration between various community rail groups including WiCR. Phase 2 of this project is now underway.
My hero is anti-apartheid campaigner, Bishop Trevor Huddleston. Community rail – and rail campaigning – can only benefit from real inclusivity and diversity. It is important that men as well as women support Women in Community Rail.
Sheila Davidson
Steering Group Member
I am Membership Secretary of the Women in Community Rail Steering Group. I worked as a company administrator before retiring almost 14 years ago. A serial volunteer, I am Secretary to the Friends of Hindley Station and Hindley Community Christmas Group and in the past have been a Guide Guider, Commissioner and President (Wigan East).
I was a School Governor/Director of a Multi Academy Trust for 32 years. Within our Community I work with Thrive/Skils CiC who have a small allotment at our station, supporting their young adults with life skills. I am also a voluntary archivist at Wigan Central Archive with a specialism in Genealogy.
Julia Singleton-Tasker
I am the secretary for WiCR South and the Heart of England CRP Officer, covering 36 stations in Warwickshire and Coventry. I come from a non-rail background, having previously had careers as a primary school teacher, a personal trainer and a full-time mum and is always looking for new ways in which the railways can support the communities they serve.
Outside of Community Rail, I enjoy reading, cycling, martial arts and have discovered a new-found love for pottering around the garden.
Edna Woname
I’m the Partnership Officer for the Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership and current Chair, Women in Community Rail South. I’ve been in Community Rail for the last four years and prior to that worked in my other passion, Travel and Tourism for over 20 years.
I’m so glad and proud that just a conversation round a table, has resulted in Women in Community Rail expanding and making it accessible to all – most importantly that we can continue the work in inclusion, diversity and equality in the rail industry and our communities. It’s great to be in the company of like-minded women and men, and I’m sure together we can make a difference and grow.
Katherine Cox
I am Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for GTR. I’ve worked in rail for nearly a decade. I’m very passionate about realising the positive impact that rail can have on the communities it serves beyond providing a means of transport.
Working with our community rail partners and volunteers amazes me every day with the passion and dedication shown by all involved.
Jayne Sumner
I have been involved in community rail for over 15 years, first in volunteering for events that Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership held, going on to now managing The Essex and South Suffolk CRP, a CRP with six lines and a team of four very passionate officers. I have always volunteered; school PTA, Beavers, Cycle training within schools to name but a few!
My passion is fairness for all, showing empathy and compassion which would make a much nicer world. Really excited to get involved in the WICR bringing my empathy and compassion skills to the group. I can’t wait to make a difference.
Val Male
I am vice chair of WiCR South and the Principal Rail Officer for Hertfordshire County Council. Part of my role is to support and line manage the CRP officers on the Abbey Line and the New River Line. In my previous role with the County Council I managed the HCC Safe and Sustainable Journeys to schools team and before that was a School Travel Plan adviser so the promotion of sustainable and active travel modes is something I care about and have experience in.
I started my career as a peripatetic music teacher and music is still a great interest, particularly choral singing. I am also a keen gardener so am always keen get involved with the planting projects at our stations.
