[dropcap type =”circle’]C[/dropcap]ommuters travelling through Bicester North station would have noticed a hive of activity in the garden on the London-bound platform.
Thanks to the launch of Chiltern Railways’ latest Station Friends Group, the activity was the first-ever working party of the Friends of Bicester North Station community group which has convened to give the station’s garden a makeover. The group have come together to support Chiltern in its aim to make journeys better now and in the long term.
Despite icy temperatures and even a flurry of snow, 21 volunteers turned up to dig out weeds and prepare the garden for future planting. Eventually the 388-sqm space will be replanted with a garden that will provide year-round colour, a path and possibly even seating so that Chiltern Railways’ customers can enjoy the area while waiting for their train.
Alan Riley, Customer Services Director at Chiltern Railways, said:
“I am hugely appreciative to the Friends of Bicester North Station and other Station Friends Groups for the work they do to maintain the gardens at stations along our route. While the work at Bicester North has just begun, the area already looks much smarter and will no doubt be a place that the community can take pride in when it is complete.”
Bea Foster of Friends of Bicester North Station, said:
“It was so much fun to take on a new project and be part of the birth of a new group. Already we can see a difference and it has been fantastic to work with such a great bunch of people. I look forward to more sessions and seeing Bicester North station looking splendid and cared for.”
The Friends of Bicester North are being supported with advice and materials from Bicester’s Wyvale Garden Centre and Burleys landscape gardeners.
If you’re interested in creating a Station Friends Group at your local station, contact adoptastation@chilternrailways.co.uk.