Two stations on the Arun Valley Line have been awarded certificates in a new category, for the South and South East In Bloom (SSEiB) competition: ‘Celebration Stations’.
Following a rigorous judging process, with judges visiting more than 50 stations in the South and South East, certificates were presented to attendees at a celebration event at RHS Wisley, by Paula Aldridge, Community Rail Manager at South Western Railway, who sponsored this new category.
Bognor Regis received a silver rating, for the wonderful planters on the concourse, tiered floral displays on the platforms, and the hanging baskets both inside and outside the station building.
Arundel received a gold rating, for the attractive hanging baskets all along the platforms, and the newly enhanced pathway through the underpass to the main road, also the installation of two hand crafted benches, one situated outside the station, and the other by the taxi office, close to the picnic area and rewilded area.
Both stations benefitted from the expertise and enthusiasm of volunteers; Bognor Regis have the In Bloom Town Force Team, supported by the Town Council and Arundel have the Green Team and the Aldingbourne Trust, whose work here and at other stations is funded by GTR.
Paula said: We were delighted to sponsor the Celebrations Stations category this year, further recognising all the hard work the volunteers do at stations.”.
Arun Valley Line SCRP Community Development Officer for the Arun Valley Line, Rowena Tyler was delighted with the result saying: ‘We encouraged the volunteers to enter this new category as their wonderful displays on station platforms and the surrounding areas really add to the enjoyment of visitors to the stations. To have two awards on the Arun Valley Line in this, the first year, is cause for a celebration indeed. I’d like to thank Derek Beer, the judge who visited as he spent an entire day with us, travelling along the line and hearing about the work of the CRP.”
