Great Value Train Travel
The top customer service long-distance operator Hull Trains has partnered with the popular Hull Truck Theatre to inspire the next generation of theatre stars with a magical day out.
25 pupils from Barwic Parade Community Primary School in Selby were given their own ‘creative carriage’ as they travelled to Hull to watch this year’s production of Oliver Twist at the theatre. Selby is one of the picturesque stops on the Hull Trains route, which links Hull and East Yorkshire with other destinations such as Doncaster, Grantham and London King’s Cross.
During the journey, the Hull Truck Theatre creative learning team led an interactive workshop and offered pupils a taste of the theatrical world through vocal warm-ups, acting exercises and drama-based activities. The sessions sparked creativity and confidence, leaving a lasting impact on the children.
Louise Mendham, Service Delivery Director at Hull Trains, said: “Partnering with Hull Truck Theatre for a sixth year allows us to celebrate local talent and create unforgettable experiences for young people too. Rail travel is one of the most sustainable ways to get around, and initiatives like this show how we can combine greener journeys with cultural enrichment for our region.”
Janthi Mills-Ward, Executive Director and Joint CEO at Hull Truck Theatre, said: “It was a joy to work with Hull Trains on bringing Barwic Parade Community Primary School to the theatre to enjoy a festive performance. For some children, this was their first experience of live theatre, and we hope the visit will be the inspiration for a lifelong love of the arts.
“We’re also delighted to be running our green travel incentive for the third year running, where audiences who travel to and from the theatre to see Oliver Twist, via rail, will be able to show their ticket on-site to purchase an ice-cream for just £1.”
Keir Mather, Constituency Member of Parliament for Selby added: "Once again, Hull Trains have shown their formidable commitment to the communities they serve, helping to give 25 young people from my town a unique experience at the Hull Truck Theatre. Whether it's supporting the winners of my annual Christmas card competition to head down to London and meet the Speaker, or working with brilliant Selby charities like the Big Communi-Tea, I'm always impressed not just by Hull Trains' brilliant work in our community, but also by the willingness of their hardworking staff to go the extra mile, making these wonderful experiences even more special. I'd like to thank everyone at Hull Trains, Hull Truck Theatre and Barwic Parade School who helped to make this possible, and I look forward to supporting them to keep up their work as we enter 2026."
Nathan Vickers, Year 4 Teacher at Barwic Parade Community Primary School, said: "The whole day provided our children with experiences they may not otherwise have had - for some, it was their first ever train journey and their first visit to the theatre. A huge thank you to both Hull Truck Theatre and Hull Trains for providing our children and staff with such a memorable, enriching and worthwhile experience. It is a day our pupils will never forget."
The year’s production of Oliver Twist at the Hull Truck Theatre sees the classic adapted by Deborah McAndrew and directed by Mark Babych. It features beloved carols, folk tunes, and original music woven into the narrative, creating an emotive soundtrack for this family classic. A dynamic cast of eight actors, supported by 19 young performers from Hull Truck’s Youth Theatre and local arts groups, brings Dickens’ timeless story to life.
This initiative reflects Hull Trains’ ongoing commitment to giving back to the community, supporting local arts and creating opportunities for all young people to engage with culture. Selby has been named as an Arts Council England Priority Place, meaning that it requires extra support for local creatives.
Hull Trains was named the highest scoring long distance operator in the brand new Rail Customer Experience Survey released this month. The operator, which is this year celebrating 25 years of dedicated service, scored an impressive 91.6% overall satisfaction rating - higher than any other long-distance operator.
25 pupils from Barwic Parade Community Primary School in Selby were given their own ‘creative carriage’ as they travelled to Hull to watch this year’s production of Oliver Twist at the theatre. Selby is one of the picturesque stops on the Hull Trains route, which links Hull and East Yorkshire with other destinations such as Doncaster, Grantham and London King’s Cross.
During the journey, the Hull Truck Theatre creative learning team led an interactive workshop and offered pupils a taste of the theatrical world through vocal warm-ups, acting exercises and drama-based activities. The sessions sparked creativity and confidence, leaving a lasting impact on the children.
Louise Mendham, Service Delivery Director at Hull Trains, said: “Partnering with Hull Truck Theatre for a sixth year allows us to celebrate local talent and create unforgettable experiences for young people too. Rail travel is one of the most sustainable ways to get around, and initiatives like this show how we can combine greener journeys with cultural enrichment for our region.”
Janthi Mills-Ward, Executive Director and Joint CEO at Hull Truck Theatre, said: “It was a joy to work with Hull Trains on bringing Barwic Parade Community Primary School to the theatre to enjoy a festive performance. For some children, this was their first experience of live theatre, and we hope the visit will be the inspiration for a lifelong love of the arts.
“We’re also delighted to be running our green travel incentive for the third year running, where audiences who travel to and from the theatre to see Oliver Twist, via rail, will be able to show their ticket on-site to purchase an ice-cream for just £1.”
Keir Mather, Constituency Member of Parliament for Selby added: "Once again, Hull Trains have shown their formidable commitment to the communities they serve, helping to give 25 young people from my town a unique experience at the Hull Truck Theatre. Whether it's supporting the winners of my annual Christmas card competition to head down to London and meet the Speaker, or working with brilliant Selby charities like the Big Communi-Tea, I'm always impressed not just by Hull Trains' brilliant work in our community, but also by the willingness of their hardworking staff to go the extra mile, making these wonderful experiences even more special. I'd like to thank everyone at Hull Trains, Hull Truck Theatre and Barwic Parade School who helped to make this possible, and I look forward to supporting them to keep up their work as we enter 2026."
Nathan Vickers, Year 4 Teacher at Barwic Parade Community Primary School, said: "The whole day provided our children with experiences they may not otherwise have had - for some, it was their first ever train journey and their first visit to the theatre. A huge thank you to both Hull Truck Theatre and Hull Trains for providing our children and staff with such a memorable, enriching and worthwhile experience. It is a day our pupils will never forget."
The year’s production of Oliver Twist at the Hull Truck Theatre sees the classic adapted by Deborah McAndrew and directed by Mark Babych. It features beloved carols, folk tunes, and original music woven into the narrative, creating an emotive soundtrack for this family classic. A dynamic cast of eight actors, supported by 19 young performers from Hull Truck’s Youth Theatre and local arts groups, brings Dickens’ timeless story to life.
This initiative reflects Hull Trains’ ongoing commitment to giving back to the community, supporting local arts and creating opportunities for all young people to engage with culture. Selby has been named as an Arts Council England Priority Place, meaning that it requires extra support for local creatives.
Hull Trains was named the highest scoring long distance operator in the brand new Rail Customer Experience Survey released this month. The operator, which is this year celebrating 25 years of dedicated service, scored an impressive 91.6% overall satisfaction rating - higher than any other long-distance operator.
