Published on: Monday, 11 November 2019
Last updated: Monday, 11 November 2019
Volunteers are planting almost 1,000 wild daffodil and crocus bulbs at Thetford rail station to create a bright carpet of blooms in the Spring.
The Friends of Thetford station were given the bulbs by Thetford Town Council to help prepare for Anglia In Bloom 2020.
The daffodils and crocuses – which provide early food for bumblebees – will complement other conservation planting and projects on the station, including the replanting of wildlife-friendly hedging and the installation of 10 bird boxes which saw two nests of sparrows fledge earlier this year.
Since 2015 the group has planted thousands of flowers and shrubs, many of which have been donated by the community and local businesses, created a wildlife garden and installed an information board, transforming a once neglected site into a much-loved community asset and haven for birds and insects.
They are part of train operator Greater Anglia’s Station Adoption initiative which sees sees local people across the network get involved with their local stations to come up with ideas and projects that benefit their communities.
It also provides small grants for projects and improvements.
Greater Anglia’s Customer and Community Engagement Manager, Alan Neville, said, “The transformation of the station under the care of The Friends is nothing short of remarkable.
“The stunning floral displays over each season have bought the neglected areas of land at the station back to life as a real wildlife haven and also delight people as they pass through the station, creating a very warm welcome to the town.”
The Friends of Thetford Station were highly commended as the Best Adopter Group at Greater Anglia’s recent Station Adoption Awards.