It’s been a long wait, and taken a bit of planning, but eventually, after over 5 months of working from home – Rowena, the Sussex Coast Line Officer was able to visit station gardening projects and meet up again with station partners, who have kept things vibrant during the long, hot lockdown period.
First stop was Lancing, where Andy, Wendy and Keith from Keep Lancing Lovely met Rowena off the train. They showed her the garden with the ‘pallet trees’ decorated for summer with butterflies and flowers and also the tribute to this year’s VJ Day commemoration, both in the garden and in the ticket office. It all looked so beautiful and cared for, and part of the station has also undergone a transformation, with platform lengthening by Network Rail contractors.
Next, to West Worthing, where Barbara from the Friends of Angmering Station was waiting. On being taken to the area where the Friends have been working, Rowena was amazed at the amount of clearing, weeding and planting which has happened, by this small and newly formed group, over the summer.
The final stop was at Angmering, where two of the Friends of Angmering Station, Deirdre and Lyn met Rowena in the bookings hall. Here, an artwork display, designed by local schoolchildren has been put up. The theme is ‘Reduce plastic pollution’ with banners strung up, emphasing this message. The pupils had also made beautiful coloured ‘goblets’ from plastic destined for landfill and Rowena asked if pictures could be provided to show the construction process, to inspire others.
It was a wonderful trip out on the Sussex Coast Line, and Rowena gave each of the station partner groups a Rosemary plant on behalf of SCRP as a thank you for sticking with their projects through the recent difficult times.
