A quiet corner of Trowbridge Station has been transformed into a vibrant celebration of pollinators, thanks to a collaboration between TransWilts Community Rail Partnership (CRP), the Bee Friendly Trust and Great Western Railway. 

Great Western Railway has been working to create bee-friendly spaces across the rail network with the Bee Friendly Trust, and TransWilts CRP, as the community rail partnership responsible for Trowbridge Station, joined forces with the project. Two self-watering planters have been installed at the station, each filled with pollen-rich plants chosen specifically to support local bee populations including lavender, rosemary and ceanothus. 

To complement the new greenery, Swindon-based artist Sarah Harris of Murals by Sarah, was commissioned to create a striking mural behind the planters. The bold, large-scale design incorporates intricate hand-painted details and captures both the beauty of nature and the calm, joyful act of gardening and nurturing habitats for bees. 

Sophie Martin, TransWilts CRP manager, said: “From a distance, the mural is striking, but if you pause and look more closely, there’s so much more to discover and reflect on; it beautifully mirrors the richness of nature.

“The mural and the planters are a great addition to the station, whether you’re travelling through on the train as well as looking for somewhere to spend the time whilst waiting.” 

Emma Morris, senior community impact manager at Great Western Railway, said: “Working closely with the communities that we serve is at the heart of what we do at Great Western Railway, and our longstanding partnership with the Bee Friendly trust is one that we value immensely.  

“We’re proud to be working with them and our friends at TransWilts CRP once again, at Trowbridge, to create this haven for both wildlife and our customers. We are eagerly awaiting the spring, when this delightful corner of the station will be a sea of colours and scents for all who visit the station to enjoy.”  

Emma Pritchard from the Bee Friendly Trust said: “Continuing our bee-friendly partnership with Great Western Railway, the Bee Friendly Trust has brightened up an overlooked part of Trowbridge Station. The mural, which depicts people tending a flower garden, highlights the joy and calm that can be had from creating vital habitats for bees, a vital pollinator.” 

Learn more about Great Western Railway’s work in the community here.

Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from TransWilts CRP via their website.