North Devon’s iconic Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway was given a fanfare topless-themed re-opening on Saturday morning.
The world-famous attraction got the wheels turning on a new season by inviting visitors to ride the water-powered funicular for free, in return for a donation to Royal Devon Hospitals Charity, formerly known as Over and Above.
A number of improvements have been made during the railway’s winter maintenance break, including work to expose and widen the docking pit to show more of the mechanics and workings that had previously been hidden to the public for more than 130 years.
It was officially opened by lobular breast cancer survivor Louise Butcher, who was selected as the railway’s Local Hero in recognition of her efforts to raise awareness, reduce the stigma of surgery scars and encourage body positivity in women.
Louise, who runs topless to help normalise the scars of her double mastectomy, ran from the Valley of Rocks followed by a cavalcade of ‘topless’ convertible cars before cutting the ribbon to open the railway with Lynton and Lynmouth Mayor Lewys Logan.
Ashley Clarke, general manager at the cliff railway, said: “Louise is an inspiration; she was a fantastic choice as our Local Hero to open the cliff railway for the new season.”
Marketing director Bob Shaddick added: “Louise is an amazing woman and is delivering an important message in such a brave and open way.
“We’re really proud to be able to support her and delighted to have been able to raise so much money for Royal Devon Hospitals Charity, which has been a great support to Louise both during and after her treatment.”
A total of £2,500 was raised on the day in support of the charity’s Fern Centre, the cancer and wellbeing centre at North Devon District Hospital, which has provided Louise and her family with free counselling and complementary therapies such as reiki.
“This amazing charity has supported me and my family throughout my journey,” said Louise, from Braunton.
“I felt so guilty that I had taken my family on the journey with me but the Fern Centre offers support for the whole family.
“It’s not just for the person with cancer, but for the people supporting that person.”
Kate Constable, community fundraiser for Royal Devon Hospitals Charity, said: “It’s wonderful to hear that Louise and her family have been able to find the support they need at the Fern Centre but they have only been able to do so thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of people in North Devon.
“We are hugely grateful for the kindness of the local community, which is helping us to push the limits of what’s possible with NHS funding. “Thank you so much to the cliff railway, Louise, and everyone who made a donation on the day in lieu of a railway ticket.”
