Great British Bake Off contestant Ian Cumming brings some festive cheer to Shippea Hill - the UK’s quietest rail station
Great British Bake Off contestant Ian Cumming’s plan to throw the passenger statistics at the UK’s quietest railway station worked as more people used the station on Christmas Eve than the whole of last year. (PHOTO: Mike Rouse) - Credit: Archant
Great British Bake Off contestant Ian Cumming’s plan to throw the passenger statistics at the UK’s quietest railway station worked as more people used the station on Christmas Eve than the whole of last year.
Great British Bake Off contestant Ian Cumming’s plan to throw the passenger statistics at the UK’s quietest railway station worked as more people used the station on Christmas Eve than the whole of last year. (PHOTO: Mike Rouse) - Credit: Archant
Mr Cumming, who starred in the 2015 series of the hit TV show, encouraged people to come with him to Shippea Hill train station by baking mince pies - and it worked.
A total of 16 people boarded the 7am from Cambridge, the only one of the day, and arrived at the station at 7.25am. The station had only 12 entries and exits during 2015/16, according to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
Mr Cumming said: “I couldn’t decide what would be a success if it would be one person or 100 people but I think 16 was a good number and they had more people on that day then the whole of last year so yes it was successful.
“There was good mix of people with a couple of families and some very happy people at the station who were thrilled to see us.”
Great British Bake Off contestant Ian Cumming’s plan to throw the passenger statistics at the UK’s quietest railway station worked as more people used the station on Christmas Eve than the whole of last year. (PHOTO: Mike Rouse) - Credit: Archant
Those who woke up early for the day trip were treated to his homemade mince pies, 88 in total, so there was plenty for seconds.
Mr Cumming added: “The nicest thing was that there was a welcoming committee, around 10 people came to meet us and they made a welcome banner which was great.”
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The photos were taken by Mike Rouse who said: “It was a splendidly British occasion with a local welcoming party, almost doubled by those arriving on the train.”
