Altrincham and Hale played host to a special moment in the nationwide Railway 200 celebrations this week, when walkers carried a commemorative baton as part of a six-day relay along the Mid Cheshire Line – and we were delighted to be involved.
The relay walk, organised by the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership, is one of many events markings 200 years since the world’s first passenger railway opened in 1825.
On Wednesday 24th September the baton travelled through Navigation Road into Altrincham before continuing on to Hale, Ashley, Mobberley and Knutsford stations. The baton will progress on Thursday, Friday and Saturday all the way to Chester.
The Mayor of Trafford (Councillor Jane Brophy), Conner Rand MP, Altrincham Court Leet, rail enthusiasts and business leaders including Murray Patt, the founder of Hale-based accountancy firm Alexander Knight & Co, joined in the celebrations.
Our friends at Altrincham Today covered the story extensively on social media, reaching thousands of local residents.
The local handover of the baton was particularly meaningful for Alexander Knight & Co because we sponsor Hale station and we are proud to support local community initiatives.
Murray Patt, founder of Alexander Knight & Co, said:
“We are delighted to support Railway 200 and to be part of such an important celebration of our region’s railway heritage. The railway has connected communities, businesses and people for two centuries, and we’re proud to play a role in supporting the future of this vital network.
“Watching the baton being carried through Altrincham and on the doorstep of our local station at Hale, was a great reminder of how rail continues to bring people together.”
Railway 200 is a year-long, partnership-led campaign celebrating the bicentenary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. It aims to showcase how rail has connected communities, supported economic growth and transformed daily life over two centuries, while also inspiring a new generation to explore careers in rail, engineering and transport.
THANK YOU TO THE ORGANISERS AND TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK PART IN THE CELEBRATIONS.
