Join the Super Spotters and come and join us for a family day out at St Albans South Signal Box to help launch the new Symbol Spot Activity for families travelling by train.

What can you spot out of the carriage window? Collect 'Symbol Spot' rubbings at each of our eight stations between Bedford and St Albans!

The Beds & Herts Line Symbol Spot Activity Project Launch will include special pre-booked mapping and craft activities run by Captain Alice from Mini Map Makers for groups of up to 10 children with a chance to learn about maps, make and decorate your own 3D card train model and maybe try your hand at plaiting (a local craft used to make straw hats in the past!)

The Workshop Sessions help children understand our amazing world through maps and cartography with Mini Map-Makers

• Activities are suited towards children aged 5 -15.
• Each session runs for 45 minutes
• Each child will be supplied with their own craft materials

Timings are as follows:

• Session 1 10:00
• Session 2 11:00
• Session 3 13:00
• Session 4 14:00

We're asking for a small donation of £2.00 per child to cover fees and materials. Please bring the correct change with you as we can only accept cash.

You can sign up on the day at the event if spaces are available

Each child participating in the workshops will be one of the first to receive the Beds & Herts Line Symbol Spot pack plus a special 'mappy' goody bag too!

We will also have a PRIZE DRAW after each workshop :

Win a St Albans £20 shopping voucher (courtesy of St Albans BID) or a family day out on a train (courtesy of Thameslink) - Book your workshop place today to be in with a chance of winning!

The St Albans South Signal Box and interactive displays will also be open during the event and the volunteers will be serving light refreshments during the sessions. We hope to be joined by rail safety teams from Network Rail and British Transport Police with the BTP Response Vehicle - so popular with the children (until 2pm subject to operational requirements)

SYMBOL SPOT is a fun activity for all the family on a day out by train!

Learn about the line and its surroundings from Bedford to St Albans in a fun, interactive way!

A map and stickers in the Symbol Spot Booklet guide you along the Line, with facts, figures and lots for children aged 5 and over to see and look for. Spotting a host of symbols along the line – letters/numbers/shapes/ map symbols/ signs and of course rail safety items!

Using their drawing skills children produce rubbings in their booklets of the station symbols, located at each station and at the St Albans Signal Box entrance. Look for the coloured posts outside the stations (white posts on platforms 1A and 4 at Bedford)

Adults can learn too! A ‘Strip Map’ of the railway line's route has been produced in the old-fashioned way showing it as a semi-geographic line – including questions or lookouts for you to prompt children to 'look out' during the journey.

Children who have collected rubbings from all the Symbol Spots receive a Completion Certificate and Coin!

All project materials have been sourced from local businesses. Symbol Spot uses 100% sustainably sourced materials.

The Symbol Spot packs will then be available when purchasing child train tickets at Thameslink stations between Bedford and St Albans City from Wednesday 27th October - perfect for half-term! There is no set end date so you have plenty of time!