Arundel station hosted a Christmas party for some of the volunteers who do so much to make the station bright and cheery throughout the year. Members of Greening Arundel, along with clients from the Aldingbourne Trust, joined with station staff, the station manager, and the SCRP Arun Valley Line Officer to share mince pies and hot drinks.
The Aldingbourne Trust is a centre for adults with learning difficulties. For some years now, GTR has supported clients to plant and water at about 30 stations across the network. Arundel is always one of the most picturesque as the station has hanging baskets as well as platform planters.
Greening Arundel was set up under the umbrella of Arundel Town Council. They work to enhance the entire town, and encourage green and sustainable ways to live, work and thrive. The connection with the station was made last December, when the Arun Valley Line Officer met members of the newly set up Greening Arundel initiative. Since then, over 500 hours of volunteer gardening has been undertaken at Arundel station, and a water butt installed to help with rain water harvesting. Furthermore, Greening Arundel has commissioned the Aldingbourne Trust team to assist with other projects outside their GTR contract, bringing extra income to the Aldingbourne Trust.
So, it was quite fitting to get together, at Arundel station, to wish each other a Merry Christmas, and to agree that next year the future looks bright, busy – and Green!
