Celebrations took place at Brundall Gardens Station earlier this month to mark 100 years since the station opened.
The station, on the Norwich to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft ‘Wherry Lines’ rail route, opened on 1 August 1924, in response to the increasing number of tourists who were making their way to the lakes and waterways near the station. It’s the youngest station on the Wherry Lines.
Volunteer station adopters Greg Chandler and Gillian Lincoln have transformed the station with stunning floral displays and wildlife areas to help support local flora and fauna. They have won numerous awards for their efforts, including achieving Wildlife Friendly Accreditation in 2022.
On 3 August, Greg and Gillian were joined at the station by volunteers from across the Wherry Lines, as well as representatives from Greater Anglia, the parish council and the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership (CRP).
Originally developed as a tourist attraction, the gardens were created by Dr Michael Beverley, who landscaped the area with rare trees and shrubs – even purchasing a collection of exotic birds! After his death, local cinema magnate Frederick Cooper purchased and developed the gardens further, building a tearoom and dance pavilion alongside a landing stage and a riverside hotel. The gardens proved enormously popular and attracted visitors from Norwich as well as via the river and broads.
Known as the Switzerland of Norfolk, the gardens eventually closed to the public in the late 1930s and much of the area has since been redeveloped. However, some of the homes and structures created in the 1920s, along with the railway station, remain.
Martin Halliday, development officer at Community Rail Norfolk, said: “We were delighted to work with station adopters Greg Chandler and Gillian Lincoln to celebrate 100 years since the youngest station on the Wherry Lines, and one of the smallest, first opened.
“Many people are unaware of the illustrious history behind both the gardens and the station. Being such a beautiful, tranquil location, it seemed fitting that our celebration involved those that live and work in the vicinity today.”
Chris Mitchell, chair of the Wherry lines CRP, said: “It was a great honour to join with stakeholders from the Wherry Lines to celebrate 100 years since the station first opened and to discover more about both the station and the gardens for which it was first built to serve. Greg and Gillian work really hard to make the station such a welcoming gateway for rail passengers as well as a haven for wildlife.”
Alan Neville, Greater Anglia’s customer and community engagement manager, added: “Brundall Gardens has seen many changes over its 100-year history but, arguably, is now enjoying a real golden era, being served by new trains which have transformed punctuality levels for the line, and looking absolutely stunning thanks to the work of station adopters from the local community.
“You can really feel how important and loved this station is by the community it serves, and I would like to thank Greg, Gill and the Wherry Lines CRP for their vital contributions, for which we are extremely grateful.”
Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from the Wherry Lines CRP via their website.
Find out more about Greater Anglia’s work in the community here.
