An exciting plan to create a ‘secret garden’ at a Shropshire railway station has taken a big step forward.
The ‘Friends of Wellington Station’ group has just started work on the innovative project, which will be a haven for wildlife as well as providing a ‘green sanctuary for visitors and travellers.
“This is a big day for us as we have been planning this special garden for a long time,” said Councillor Julie Pierce, one of 20 volunteers who began clearing the 40-metre long area on platform three of the station this week.
The area to be cultivated was previously an abandoned swathe of land which had been neglected for several years, encouraging anti social behaviour.
“We have now started to shape the garden, which will include bee and bird-friendly wildflowers and plants, a bug hotel, butterfly feeding station and bat boxes, as well as seats and educational information about environmental issues and walking routes around Wellington.
“The WI has donated trees and hopefully other groups will get on board when they see the potential of the project which will create a new woodland space in an urban setting,” Julie added.
The voluntary Friends of Wellington Station group was launched two years ago and works with West Midlands Railway and Network Rail, who provided a team of volunteers to help clear the land.
Members have already planted a lavender terrace on one of the platforms and installed timber planters and a Victorian style flower and herb cart.
Fay Easton, head of stakeholder and community for West Midlands Railway, said: “This station work party is the first in a series of joint ‘action days’ planned with Network Rail.
“In a community venture partnership that provides win/win for us as the train operating company, the Friends of the Stations and Network Rail, we will be operating these events across the region throughout the year.
“In Wellington, the secret garden vision is finally coming to life after 18 months in the planning and we look forward to the launch of this innovative town centre nature reserve.”
The secret garden is being promoted by the new ‘Love Wellington’ campaign which was launched earlier this year to celebrate the positive aspects of life in the historic town.
An additional hourly train service between Wellington and Birmingham was recently announced to improve travel arrangements for commuters, visitors and tourists.
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