The aim was to ask residents of Shalford how they would like to see the empty ‘shed’ at Shalford Station used as a community asset. An online survey was created and an in-person engagement event at Shalford Village Hall to encourage discussion and ideas, over coffee and cake. It was also an opportunity to recruit members for a new Station Adoption group. Funding has been granted for this project and event by GWR and the survey and discussions will help feed into further funding applications for the building.
On the Saturday much cake was made and eaten by members of the Shalford Climate Action group and residents looked at ideas for the building and added their thoughts with post-it notes to a display outlining future ideas. The survey was successful too with 85 people taking part. Nearly 100 people and their dogs visited the event at the Village Hall. The results will feed into the next stage of the project: a survey and plans for future use of the empty building . More funding will be applied for in 2026.
There was also plenty of interest in improving the Station and in the Friends of Shalford Station group.
There were very good results for the survey and plenty of enthusiasm in the village for plans to develop the empty building at the station as a community hub and part of plans to improve the station and create an integrated travel hub with good signage to nearby bus routes, walking and cycle routes.
The next stage is to arrange a survey, with the funding from GWR, to see what is possible for the building. New funding will then be applied for early in 2026.
The new Friends of Shalford Station Group are also very enthusiastic to start making the station look better with gardening projects and possible mural ideas.
lockable bike storage, drinking water and bike repair, swap shop and community fridge, planters at the Station, E bikes, change chainlink to picket fence, removing bamboo and replacing with wildlife friendly plants, and many more ideas...