Local volunteers who tend to the gardens on Thames Ditton Station have celebrated their 10-year anniversary with a special community event.
To mark the milestone, volunteers from Thames Ditton in Bloom, a sub-section of the Thames Ditton Foundation, brought the community together on Sunday 17 May to unveil a permanent art installation in the passenger shelter on Platform 2.
The art installation traces the evolution of the garden from its founding in 2016 by local resident Tricia W. Bland, coinciding with the Queen’s 90th birthday.
The artwork, supported by South Western Railway and Surrey County Council, features specially commissioned paintings and illustrations by four talented local artists who have been closely associated with the Thames Ditton in Bloom community garden throughout the decade – Lisa Tolley, Andrea Cunningham, Charlotte Bramley and Val Rowe.
The artwork is designed to capture the evolution of the local area and community garden over the last ten years, celebrating the work of the Thames Ditton in Bloom community gardeners who tirelessly volunteer their time, expertise and enthusiasm. The 37 panels are framed by colourful handmade bunting made from donated fabric courtesy of the Thames Ditton Boomerang Bags community sewing group.
See a close-up video of the display here.
The station garden has grown from small beginnings ten years ago, to now featuring 19 railing and floor standing planters made by the Thames Ditton Men in Sheds, as well as 16 wheelbarrows donated by local residents which are filled with seasonal flowers all year round. Three Bee Friendly Trust planters also adorn the station garden, alongside bug hotels, a bat box, and a wildflower meadow area brimming with pollinator-friendly habitats providing sanctuary for bees, butterflies, insects and other wildlife.
The garden has won many awards, including being Level 4 ‘Thriving’ at the Britain in Bloom S&SE Awards, Highly Commended Outstanding Volunteers plus Highly Commended Best Project Involving Young People by South Western Railway, as well as receiving Bee Friendly Status by the Bee Friendly Trust.
For the 10th anniversary celebrations, as well as unveiling the artwork, the Thames Ditton in Bloom volunteer gardening team were joined by many other locals of all ages to plant out the wooden planters and wheelbarrows with a dazzling array of colourful flowers.
Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from the Thames Ditton Foundation via their website.
Learn more about South Western Railway’s work in the community here.
