It has been a wet start for the gardeners and grounds team at the station this year, but already wallflowers have been planted, bulbs are coming up, compost boxes mended and there has been lots of clearing of last year’s growth and weeding.

One of the problems for the station is the steep banks which need managing and control to prevent them being overtaken by nettles and brambles which inhibit wild flowers and a variety of plants. The banks are regularly strimmed and the grass cut to maintain a natural but controlled environment for plants.

The shrub border by the patio has been cleared of weeds, planted with some Wallflowers and Forget-me-nots and covered with a mulch of wood chippings kindly donated by neighbours to the station. This adds to the ambience of the patio where visitors can sit and take refreshments at events.

Some of the northern boundary has been cleared and the next task is to complete the line so that hedge plants can be planted.

A start has been made as part of ‘Plant a Tree for the Queen’s Jubilee’ and some of the team can be seen in the photo with the newly planted hedging and the hand made compost box.

Zaida Haworth says: “We are planting indigenous plants for the Queen’s Jubilee like Hawthorn, Hornbeam, Field Maple and Wayfaring trees because we aim to make the station’s planted environment as natural to the countryside as possible. This hedging lines the natural meadow area which we have been managing as a mixed plant meadow for some years.

“Apart from planting flowers and plants to attract insects, this year John Falconer has made an absolutely splendid insect hotel which has been situated on one of our cottage garden style flower borders.”

Gardens and Grounds Co-ordinator, Gail Coleshill, has been managing the overall appearance and growth of the environmental side of the station with the help of a small team, which has to work hard to keep the station in the condition which earned them ‘Outstanding’ in last year’s ‘Its Your Neighbourhood’ awards and would be very pleased to welcome new volunteers. Please see the website or visit the station on a Tuesday or weekend to find out how to volunteer.

The first train running event will be on April 2nd, followed by Hot Cross Buns and Easter Rabbits the weekend of April 17th.