A new community garden has opened at Penrith railway station, with volunteers transforming green space on platform 2 into a picnic area featuring herbs including rosemary, sage and thyme.
The garden was officially opened by the Mayor of Penrith, Councillor Val Bowen. Penrith Community Gardeners delivered the project with support from local businesses and Avanti West Coast, which manages the Cumbrian station.
Station donation point funds improvements
The work was funded through donations raised at a station point where people can leave unwanted seeds, seedlings and plants. Those collecting items can make a small monetary donation to support the community group.
The initiative has raised more than £2,500 for Penrith Community Gardeners since it began four years ago. The group maintains the station’s planters and displays.
The revamped garden is intended to provide a calming space for passengers and local residents, with planting selected to offer different scents.
Councillor Bowen, who is also chair of Penrith Town Council, said the volunteers were creating “a colourful and welcoming first impression” for people arriving in the town.
Mark Green, Avanti West Coast station manager at Penrith, said the garden areas supported the operator’s commitment to engaging local people in the railway and helping communities “make a positive difference”.
Further planting planned
Penrith Community Gardeners is now working on a red deer-themed garden for platform 1, reflecting the animal’s links with the Lake District. The red deer is the largest deer species in the UK.
Joan Robinson of Penrith Community Gardeners said the group wanted to create a friendly, welcoming space for the hundreds of thousands of people it says use Penrith station each year, while encouraging people to grow their own produce.
The group plans to package collected seeds for distribution from its platform stall over the coming months.