A series of free-to-attend winter warmer sessions are set to be held at a town's rail station.
The Parcels Office Exhibition Space at Lowestoft railway station is to host the sessions with people invited to come along and chat over free tea and coffee and enjoy an afternoon talk on various subjects from a line-up of guest speakers.
Warm-Up Wednesdays will take place each week on Wednesdays between 11am and 3pm until the end of March.
A warm space is being offered for locals to meet socially and enjoy refreshments along with a chance to hear from guest speakers discussing various subjects including the town’s history, transport, local industry and community projects.
The sessions, hosted by the Lowestoft Central Project and the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership are a variation on the Warm Space initiatives offered across the area that were introduced to help people combat the cost of living.
Martin Halliday, development officer at Community Rail Norfolk, parent organisation of the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership, said: "With the cost of heating homes increasing significantly, we wanted to provide an opportunity for the public to enjoy a few hours in the warmth of our restored parcels office with the chance to chat over a free tea or coffee and hear from guest speakers each week giving an afternoon talk on a variety of topics."
The first Warm-Up Wednesday session starts at 11am next Wednesday, January 18 with guest speaker, Alan Neville, Community and Customer Engagement Manager at rail operator Greater Anglia.
Having spent a lifetime in the rail industry, he will discuss his varied career and how he manages the railway's extensive volunteer station adoption scheme, followed by an opportunity for questions.
Mr Neville said: "I’m delighted to be taking part in such a worthwhile initiative, the Parcels Office is a great community space and I hope members of the public will take the opportunity to come along and enjoy some social interaction in a warm, friendly environment."
Warm-Up Wednesday sessions are open to all aged over 18 and those attending can choose to call in for a short while or stay for the whole day.
Further details are available from the Lowestoft railway station Community Rail Shop and Tourist Information Office, open Monday to Saturday 10am to 3pm and 10am to 1pm on Thursdays.
- A network of Warm Rooms is also available across East Suffolk to provide a safe, welcoming space for anyone struggling with heating costs during the colder winter months.
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