Published on: Wednesday, 29 June 2016
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Visitors to Great Yarmouth rail station will be greeted this summer by a stunning seaside themed art and horticultural installation created by the Foundation Learning Department of Great Yarmouth College.
Students from the college were at the station on Wednesday to put the finishing touches on their artwork before proudly showing it to the gathering public, railway staff and Great Yarmouth College principal.
Great Yarmouth has been working with Abellio Greater Anglia this year as part of the ‘station adopter’ scheme. For the train operator, this is a scheme which engages with the local community and gives local people input into how their station looks. For the college, the scheme has enabled them to fulfil a number of learning objectives for the students such as how to care for their environment and has offered some valuable work experience.
All students from the department have been involved in the activities at the station and had some input into the display which supports their life and living skills curriculum. Between them they’ve painted a beach hut, made a boat which displays plants and created some fabulous seaside themed artwork to complete the piece. They have also been involved in planting all the containers and hanging baskets which brighten up the station and create a lovely welcoming environment for people visiting Great Yarmouth.
Principal and CEO of Great Yarmouth College, Stuart Rimmer, was at the launch and said:
“Great Yarmouth College staff and students have all enjoyed taking part in this summer project and it has been very beneficial for the students’ life and work skills, giving individuals confidence, team working , communication skills and some independence. At Great Yarmouth College we passionately believe in helping our students to become good citizens, good neighbours and engage with their community and this project has enabled us to do that”
James Reeve, Area Customer Services Manager for Abellio Greater Anglia said:
“We have really enjoyed working with both the staff and students from Great Yarmouth College. They’ve done a fantastic job of brightening up the station and making it a more welcoming environment for people arriving off the train and to the town. Our station adopter scheme shares the same values as the college so this is a wonderful relationship and one we want to develop and continue for years to come.”
The summer project has been funded by Great Yarmouth College, Abellio Greater Anglia and the Wherry Line Community Rail Partnership. Tutor and mastermind of the display, Julie Irvine, is seeking sponsorship from local businesses going forward.
Julie said: “We’d really like to work with some local nurseries and garden centres to provide some plants for the containers going forward. If anyone would like to get involved please contact me on [email protected] .”