Sudbury Railway Station Project
Sudbury in Bloom took on Sudbury Railway station as a project in 2006, through the Community Rail Partnership and train operator National Express East Anglia's Station Adopter Scheme.
Summer 2006 - Year 1
During 2006 we provided some plants for the concrete tubs and some other flowers and shrubs for the borders, we also provided some new planters for the fence near the entrance.
The biggest challenge in 2006 was the watering of the plants, there are no watering facilities at the station or within walking distance, and during this hot summer Darren Johnson and John Sayers were making several trips a day with water from home - in Darren's case using a trailer for his pedal bike!
Despite all the problems, and thanks to a large amount of work when the judges visited they awarded the station a Silver Gilt award, recognising that Community Effort played a large part of what went on.
Summer 2007 - Year 2
After the success of 2006, the station team were keen to go for it again in 2007.
The biggest problem to solve was going to be the water supply, the solution found for 2006 was not practical, therefore Sudbury in Bloom, via LAC Cleaning provided a 1000 litre water tank to be situated behind the waiting shelter. Water was supplied by Sudbury Fire Brigade, who continue to fill the tank as needed.
Large Troughs (similar to those around St Peter's Church) were provided, at a cost of approx £300, for the fence at the entrance at the station, these being idea as they contain a water tank at the bottom allowing them to be watered once a week, rather than twice a day!
More plants were provided for the beds along the back of the platform, however just before judging day a contractor from the railway paid a visit and undid all the hard work by spraying the plants with weed killer. A frantic Sunday morning working party just ahead of the judging ensure that all was put right and once again we were awarded a silver gilt award.
2008 - Year 3
Our third year at the station stared with a request to the train operator to do something about the hedge along the lenght of the platform - this had been left to become overgrown over the last 10 years or so, and we requested that they cut it down to the level of the fence behind.
One Sunday in January the work was done and most of the hedge was removed completly. We so far have been working to tidy up the remains of the hedge and remove, where possible, the roots of the hedge. A working party in March 2008 tidied up a lot of the mess left behind and since then work has gone on to put new plants and shrubs in the ground.
Sudbury in Bloom has also recently purchased two large black planters, at a cost of approx £700 which will be filled with colourful plants.
More updates will be added as the year progresses.
Summer 2006 - Year 1 During 2006 we provided some plants for the concrete tubs and some other flowers and shrubs for the borders, we also provided some new planters for the fence near the entrance.
The biggest challenge in 2006 was the watering of the plants, there are no watering facilities at the station or within walking distance, and during this hot summer Darren Johnson and John Sayers were making several trips a day with water from home - in Darren's case using a trailer for his pedal bike!
Despite all the problems, and thanks to a large amount of work when the judges visited they awarded the station a Silver Gilt award, recognising that Community Effort played a large part of what went on.
Summer 2007 - Year 2After the success of 2006, the station team were keen to go for it again in 2007.
The biggest problem to solve was going to be the water supply, the solution found for 2006 was not practical, therefore Sudbury in Bloom, via LAC Cleaning provided a 1000 litre water tank to be situated behind the waiting shelter. Water was supplied by Sudbury Fire Brigade, who continue to fill the tank as needed.
Large Troughs (similar to those around St Peter's Church) were provided, at a cost of approx £300, for the fence at the entrance at the station, these being idea as they contain a water tank at the bottom allowing them to be watered once a week, rather than twice a day!
More plants were provided for the beds along the back of the platform, however just before judging day a contractor from the railway paid a visit and undid all the hard work by spraying the plants with weed killer. A frantic Sunday morning working party just ahead of the judging ensure that all was put right and once again we were awarded a silver gilt award.
2008 - Year 3Our third year at the station stared with a request to the train operator to do something about the hedge along the lenght of the platform - this had been left to become overgrown over the last 10 years or so, and we requested that they cut it down to the level of the fence behind.
One Sunday in January the work was done and most of the hedge was removed completly. We so far have been working to tidy up the remains of the hedge and remove, where possible, the roots of the hedge. A working party in March 2008 tidied up a lot of the mess left behind and since then work has gone on to put new plants and shrubs in the ground.
Sudbury in Bloom has also recently purchased two large black planters, at a cost of approx £700 which will be filled with colourful plants.
More updates will be added as the year progresses.