South Wessex Community Rail Partnership (CRP) has engaged local schoolchildren with an art project to commemorate 140 years of Upwey Station.

With support from South Western Railway and Great Western Railway, the partnership commissioned pupils from the nearby St Nicholas and St Laurence Primary School to create images celebrating all things railways, trains and Upwey.

On Thursday 9 July, the reception, Year 1 and Year 6 classes assembled with their teachers at Upwey Station to witness the unveiling of their artwork on the platform waiting shelters.

Barry Tempest, one of the CRP’s directors, welcomed guests from the school as well as Councillor David Harris, Mayor of Weymouth, representatives from Weymouth Town Council and Dorset County Council, and stakeholders of the South Wessex CRP.

The Mayor cut a ribbon onto the platform before the pupils, class by class, were escorted to look at their work.

To thank the school, and as a permanent memento of the artwork and the occasion, a certificate and a collage of the artwork was presented to the deputy headteacher by Andrew Ardley, regional development manager (West) at South Western Railway.

Jon Morgan, chair of South Wessex CRP, said: “South Wessex CRP is delighted to be celebrating the opening of Upwey Station at this site 140 years ago and thank the pupils of the school for contributing to some fabulous artwork.

“Upwey Station provides a vital connection for the local community and is set to become a more important link as the local community expands.”

“Upwey Station formerly had a very active Friends Group and at the present time it is hoped that this can be reformed. If you are interested in volunteering at this station, please do get in touch with us for further information.”

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