Scouts from Woodbridge in Suffolk have helped to bring new life to the platform at Melton Station, with activities which will also see the children earn their ‘Platforms for Change’ badge.
The East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership (CRP), which works with Greater Anglia to keep the rail branch lines between Ipswich and Felixstowe/Lowestoft and their communities thriving, is working with Scout and Cubs’ groups in the county as part of Community Rail Network’s ‘Platforms for Change’ initiative.
Platforms for Change empowers and engages Scout groups with community rail activity at stations, including art and gardening. The groups of young people are also given a rail safety talk in preparation for a trip on a train to help build travel confidence and awareness.
On Tuesday 17September, 24 Cub Scouts aged six and seven gathered at the station and took just 22 minutes to paint the four large planter boxes before heading as a group to the local play area for some fun and games, after which they headed back to Woodbridge.
A week later, 24 Squirrels aged four and five also visited Melton Station where they planted flowers and natural grasses in the already painted planter boxes. Pollinators were also planted to attract wildlife, along with herbs for local residents to pick.
Thalia Woodgate, East Suffolk Lines CRP officer, said: “Melton Station had become slightly overgrown, and I am really proud that passengers will now by welcomed by four beautiful plant boxes thanks to the hard work of the 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts.
“We are delighted to be involved with the Platforms for Change initiative, helping young people to build travel confidence, learn new skills and help to improve their community facilities.”
Alan Neville, Greater Anglia’s Customer and Community Engagement Manager, said: “This is a wonderful initiative, and we are very grateful to the East Suffolk Lines CRP for the great work they are doing to put railways at the heart of the communities they serve and create a sense of pride in young people for their local railway station.”
Find out more about the Platforms for Change initiative and how you can get involved here.
Find out more about Greater Anglia’s work in the community here.
Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from the East Suffolk Lines CRP via their website.
