It’s that time of the year where many community groups are tending to the borders, beds and gardens to make a difference – a difference to transform any area large or small into a delight to gaze at, using the natural beauty of plants.
Like many of the garden presentations across the country, the Friends of St. Annes Stations working with the St Annes in Bloom team have prepared and presented the grounds of their station for the RHS Britain in Bloom national gardening competition.
Tony Ford, Chair of the Friends of St Annes stations, and Chair of the South Fylde Line CRP
Local volunteers at the station, guided by Tony Ford, attend every week to do what they can and bed those pretty seasonal plants. Taking good care of the station and grounds, not just for trying to win a competition but to brighten up one of the gateways in to the town.
Margaret explaining her choice of planting for this year.
One of the main players at the station is Margret, she’s very much in command choosing what type of flowers would work best on the grounds. Margret explains; “some plants are chosen with dry periods in mind, others for the colour.” Plants like dwarf Buddleia to Gazania are some of the variety making a show this year. A lot of thought and preparation is key to get the best out of a grey space.
St Annes-on-the-Sea is nestled just a few miles south of Blackpool, a popular, pleasant and most picturesque Victorian family sea resort boasting golden beaches and a friendly, passionate community that surrounds it.
As with the other community groups along the line they take the towns appearance and display very serious.
Last year the station just a mile or two further south won the Britain in Bloom Best Kept station, so can St Annes-on-the-Sea railway station take that title and impress the Judges.
Ann RHS judge with volunteers from St. Annes in Bloom and the station friends group.
One station adoption group, of no doubt many, who take a loving approach to turning what would essentially be a grey space into a colourful vista.
Have a look at the excellent video below created by vlogger Gordon Head to see the station in all its glory!
If you are interested in doing whatever you can in your railway community, download this essential guide https://communityrail.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Acorp-Station-Adoption-Booklet-050719.pdf or visit the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) website to see what other information is available https://communityrail.org.uk/resources-ideas/resources-for-station-groups/