Huge congratulations to Talking Tree, our amazing station adopters at Staines on the Windsor to Reading line, who won Best Biodiversity Project at the SWR Community Rail Awards 2026 in Portsmouth on 7th October! Well deserved for all the hours of hard work and dedication that has transformed a neglected space into a thriving community garden.
The judges commented ‘The group have invested significant effort into protecting and restoring nature and biodiversity at this station. When they first took on the site, it was a biodiversity desert — regularly strimmed, with very little wildlife. One of their aims is to increase nature on site by planting native pollinator‑friendly species and creating habitats for insects and other wildlife. To educate and engage the local community in protecting biodiversity, they run regular seed swap events, harvest festivals, and family fun days.’
Thank you to all the volunteers who give their time come rain or shine.
