Remembrance has always been an important part of PLP’s community work. Each year, a wreath is laid at the memorial at Penistone Station in honour of local railway workers who gave their lives in service.
Inspired by this tradition, and a poetry train event during Penistone Arts Week in 2026, Sarah Wells, PLP’s Community Rail Officer, saw an opportunity to bring together poetry, remembrance, veterans, and the Penistone Arts Week Proms & Poppies With Purpose events in a meaningful and lasting way through the creation of a keepsake poetry booklet. View the 12-page Proms edition here.
PLP has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Kirklees Rural Veterans through Northern’s Try the Train project, and those connections have continued to flourish. Inspired by East Midlands Railway’s annual Routes to Remembrance initiative, the partnership recognised an opportunity to combine remembrance, creative expression, and community engagement through poetry and storytelling.
The poetry booklet is the result of that journey. It has been developed through a rail trip from Shepley to Harrogate with members of Kirklees Rural Veterans, using poetry and creative writing to reflect on service, sacrifice, remembrance, and personal experiences. The booklet also showcases a selection of artwork created by members of Penistone Art Collective (PAC) for the Poppies With Purpose Event. This is a Penistone Arts Week fringe event launched by 100‑year‑old D‑Day veteran Arnold Walton.
Art can be purchased between 2nd – 14th November, displayed inside St John the Baptist Church Penistone, and aims to raise funds for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, and also supporting the restoration of St John’s 16th-century tower and clock. Follow this link!
PLP was delighted to share a 20-page remembrance poetry booklet with Kirklees Rural Veterans who participated in the project and helped bring it to life. They will hand out copies of their booklet on Sunday 8 November at All Hallows Church, Kirkburton starting 10.40 am. Funding support from Creative Minds and Northern Trains Ltd has made this work possible, enabling stories, memories, and reflections to be preserved and shared with a wider audience.
PLP will travel along the Penistone Line on the morning of 8 November, and hand out poetry booklets to passengers as a lasting tribute to those who have served and sacrificed.
We hope the poetry and stories encourage reflection, remembrance, and celebrate the enduring connections between railways, communities, and service.
You can view or download Kirklees Rural Veterans Poetry and Stories of reflection here.
