From Benches to Big Ideas: Inside the 2025 Friends In-person Board Meeting

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a Friends Board meeting? Well, you’re in for a treat! Recently, the TPT team had the privilege of attending one of these meetings to present papers on the latest happenings in our office over the last quarter. The Friends meetings are normally held online, but they do an annual in-person meeting at John Lewis in Leeds, which we were invited to join. It was an exciting opportunity to share our progress and hear about the future developments of the Friends and the specific projects they’re looking to develop in person. There is always something nice about seeing people in real life, don’t you think?   

 As the meeting kicked off, the room buzzed with anticipation. The Friends Board members, a dedicated group of individuals passionate about our cause, were eager to discuss updates of the last quarter and hear our update too. During the first item we were able to give an update on route issues at Woodhead Tunnels car park which is involving both Peak District National Park and National Highways to look at alternative places people can park that don’t impede the A628.  

One of the highlights of our discussions was the update on our Take a Seat Campaign and the discussion around the Friends looking to support this initiative too. It was great to hear Board member David saying how many people they’d seen using the current benches that are in situ along the Trail and the conversations that have been started on the Trail whilst taking images for his own section. This is a project that is to be released in phases and we’d love to get as many people involved to map all the current benches on the route so we can identify gaps. The Friends Board members were particularly impressed with our plans to expand our reach and involve more community members in our projects.  

The discussion then shifted to looking at how we can all work together to ensure the future of the Friends of the TPT and other exciting projects on the horizon. The Board members shared their vision for the organisation, outlining ambitious plans to further our mission and make an even greater impact. It was inspiring to hear about the innovative ideas they have in mind, and we left the meeting feeling motivated and energised. 

As the meeting drew to an end the focus came to Les Webb, Secretary. Les is standing down as a Trustee in November which will leave a huge gap in the organisation. Les has been an integral part of the TPT and Friends for over two decades. His dedication and hard work have significantly contributed to the development and maintenance of the Trail. Les has been involved in numerous projects, from organising community events to leading initiatives aimed at improving the Trail’s infrastructure. His passion for the Trail and commitment to its success have made a lasting impact on the organisation and the community it serves, particularly with the project at Burn Airfield. The departure of Les  will undoubtedly leave a huge hole, but his legacy will continue to inspire and guide us in our future endeavours. 

The Friends are always looking for passionate individuals to join them on this incredible journey. If you’re interested in becoming a Friends Trustee or even just a Friend, we would love to hear from you. Your involvement can make a real difference, and together, we can achieve great things. 

So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with them today at friends@transpenninetrail.org.uk and become a part of something truly special. Let’s work together to create a brighter future for our community. 

Hannah Beaumont
Date: 12th September, 2025