Directors of Real Life Options discovered one of the North East's best kept secrets following attendance at a recent board meeting in the region. Along with a number of people we support who suggested the nights entertainment; they were escorted in to the depths of the glorious Northumbrian countryside by the nightly Curry Train, which has been running from Newcastle to Corbridge Station since 1990.
This unique experience, gives the combined pleasure of a 20 mile rail journey through super scenery plus an outstanding meal in the Valley Indian restaurant which was the former railway station,
‘The advantage of this expedition is that it combines two of most popular activities for many of our service users in to one in an organised and structured evening, limiting the need for additional resources and staff' explained a team member.
Besides the selection of Puri's, Poppadom's and Pasanda's that were ordered and the copious glasses of ‘coke' required to cool the spicy palates; the evening's highlight was undoubtedly Finance Director Peter Reeve's recital of ‘Ernie the fastest milkman in the West' in his Norfolk accent.
Tony Pearson, newly appointed Director of Human Resources was present at the event and was made to feel very welcome by all. Tony commented ‘to meet both people we support and team members through an informal night out was a great introduction to RLO. The train journey and meal provided an ideal opportunity to chat to people in a relaxed way whilst also enjoying fantastic food'.
With the evening drawing to a close and the train waiting outside on the platform to take everyone back to Newcastle, everyone was left thinking ‘its Curry but not as we know it'.
The photograph on the left shows the 'Raj' escorting the passengers on the train to the restaurant.
