GREEN-fingered volunteers at two picturesque railway stations in west Wiltshire have struck gold for their efforts to make them look more attractive.
The volunteers at Avoncliff Halt and at Bradford on Avon have both won Gold Station in Bloom Awards for helping to create welcoming spaces for rail users and visitors.
Dr Trevor Turpin, of The Friends of Avoncliff Halt, said: “We were surprised and delighted to be presented with a Gold Award for a station superbly maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers.
“We are pleased of course to have this recognition but it also raises the Station’s profile.
“When GWR are planning their timetables, we hope they will remember that the Station serves a wide community. It also ensures that maintenance and improvements are carried out by Network Rail.
“Having recently suffered some cuts to the timetable – the first for some 25 years – we would like to think that our work and the enthusiasm of the volunteers will result in improvements to the timetable in the near future.”
Faye Keane, Community Development Officer, Severnside Community Rail Partnership, said: “We are delighted to see the volunteers from Avoncliff Halt received a Gold award for their first entry into the Stations in Bloom.
“The group's hard work throughout the year has created a welcoming environment with plenty of gorgeous plants and curious displays such as the Borrow a Book Box in the repurposed telephone box.
“The posters displaying the history of the station and local points of interest give visitors a fascinating insight into the area and evidence that this is a much-loved spot.
Stuart Meek, chief operating officer of South Western Railway, presented Dr Turpin with the Gold award at Sherborne Station.
The Friends of Bradford on Avon Station also received a Gold Award for their efforts to tend the station flower beds, floral displays and a ‘secret’ community garden.
John Baxter, of the Friends of Bradford on Avon Station, said: “We were invited to put our station in for the awards and were surprised to win Gold.
“The judges were very impressed with the area we are converting to a community garden and how the station looked.”
During visits, judges are encouraged to take into consideration enhancements carried out at stations by volunteers and staff which go over and above the usual facilities offered by train operating companies.
The awards are supported by GWR, SWR and several community rail partnerships, including Severnside, and are sponsored by The Gardens Group.
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