As part of Community Rail Network’s Community Rail Week, Southeast Communities Rail Partnership (SCRP) and Friends of Ore Station held a volunteer day on Monday 20th May, at Ore Station.

Volunteers from both GTR/Southern and Network Rail, had the opportunity to help at the very beginning of a new community garden at the station. Work on new beds on the platform will extend soon to a larger area of land which has been donated by Orbit Housing; this has taken many dedicated volunteer hours led by local resident and gardener Suzanne Horgan who founded the Friends of Ore Station group.

It was great to have Jason, GTR Head of Environment and Sustainability, together with colleagues Claudia and Eloise, who are now going to help with signage to protect new wildflower planting at this station.

A secret and fragrant ingredient was added to the new beds before planting: duck poo, from the ducks Suzanne keeps in her back garden

SCRP Marshlink line officer Sara and Suzanne provided homemade cake and drinks;  the event was fun and rewarding with the sun shining all day!

Kevin Boorman, chair of the Marshlink CRP line, said : – “It was brilliant to see volunteers (including managers!) from GTR, Network Rail and SCRP literally working together to prepare the ground for the community garden at Ore station.

“It demonstrates how community rail works in partnership with local communities, promoting this year’s Community Rail Week theme of ‘More than a Railway’.

Tracy Jarvis, GTR’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager added:

 “It was fantastic to get involved in the action as part of this year’s Community Rail Week, showcasing that rail is #morethanarailway. Thousands of volunteers spend time creating wonderful projects like this throughout the year and we are most grateful to all involved. We recognise the hard work and planning that goes into helping make our stations vibrant places to visit and can’t thank you enough”.

The volunteers in the photo:  from GTR: Tracy Jarvis, Patrick Ladbury, Rob Whitehead, Jason Brooker, Claudia Mak, Eloise Rowan, Steve Jackson; and from Network Rail: Steve Gausden and Katie Collins; together with Sara Grisewood and Suzanne Horgan. Thanks to Andy Pope SCRP for the photo.

a group of volunteers in hi-vis jackets at a Railway Station garden