A new herb garden has been installed at Wivenhoe Railway Station thanks to a collaboration between Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership (CRP) and the station adopters.

Wooden planters filled with a variety of herbs have been installed in the garden at the entrance to the station. Once the herb garden has become established, people will be able to help themselves to fresh herbs or simply enjoy their scent as they wait for trains.

The project was funded by the Essex and South Suffolk CRP and the planters were installed by Greater Anglia’s volunteer station adopters, Catherine Alexander and Rebecca Cowdry, who have been working to enhance the station for the benefit of the community.

New signage and posters have also been installed to explain what has been planted and the uses for herbs through history, from medicinal to culinary.

Jayne Sumner, Rail Engagement Manager at the Essex and South Suffolk CRP, said: “We’re very grateful to Catherine and Rebecca who have been working really hard to transform the station garden. We hope that people will enjoy the new herb garden and seeing the garden as it develops this year.”

Greater Anglia’s Customer and Community Engagement Manager, Alan Neville, said: “The herb garden is a wonderful addition to the station garden, which is being transformed into attractive area for passengers and the community to enjoy. We’re very grateful to everyone involved in helping to make Wivenhoe station more sustainable and welcoming.”

You can keep up to date with future news, projects and events from Essex and South Suffolk CRP via their website.