Friends of Barnstaple Railway Station group officially formed

Barnstaple Railway Station is set for a bright future with the official formation of a new community group, Friends of Barnstaple Railway Station, aimed at building on its recent successes in sustainability and beautification efforts. 

The volunteers, who have worked tirelessly to improve the station’s appearance and environmental impact, received a Gold award and the Judges' Special Award in this year's Stations in Bloom competition, recognising their exceptional work in recycling and horticulture.

The new group, led by Tim Steer, aims to build on years of volunteer work that has helped beautify and promote sustainability at Barnstaple Railway Station. 

He said: “Our railway station volunteers have been winning awards for Barnstaple for three years. The time has come to be a formally constitutionalised group. It gives me great joy to announce that Friends Of Barnstaple Railway Station is our official group name and that the award-winning work will continue. Sustainable transport is in harmony with sustainable planting at Barnstaple, we love our station and this work is all thanks to the permissions and training from train operator Great Western Railway and rail infrastructure managers Network Rail. The Exeter to Barnstaple - North Devon line is constantly breaking records on passenger usage and it edges ever closer to 1 million users per annum! Our station is a gateway to North Devon and Torridge. It is your first and last impression, so we want to make it a sight for you to remember."

Local officials have commended the volunteers’ contributions, with Councillor Joanna Orange, Deputy Mayor of Barnstaple, congratulating them on their recent accomplishments:

"I want to say a big congratulations to the station volunteers and the amazing work they have done for us all here at our Railway Station. It's a brilliant achievement to have had your work recognised at this year's Stations in Bloom awards – and not just a Gold certified award but the Judges’ Special Award and trophy too! It's a really important and worthwhile initiative, so it's great to see Barnstaple setting a strong example for our region and really showing that these sorts of sustainable, community-driven projects can make a real difference. I also want to make a special mention to the new ‘Friends of Barnstaple Railway Station’ group and the new annual volunteer membership scheme. What a great initiative and opportunity for even more people to get involved! Here's to many more awards and thank you again for all your efforts and dedication.”

Councillor Rhys Jones, representing Barnstaple’s Long Bridge ward, voiced his gratitude during a recent celebration for the volunteers: “I had the privilege of attending the 'Thank You' event this morning at Barnstaple Rail Station with Councillor Jo Orange, Deputy Mayor, to congratulate all the volunteers of Friends of Barnstaple Railway Station for being awarded gold for their huge efforts in making Barnstaple Railway Station look beautiful all year round with their flower bed displays and also the recycling award. I think I can speak on behalf of all of Barnstaple when I say THANK YOU!!!!!! for your continued efforts and long may they continue.”

The new Friends of Barnstaple Railway Station group will offer an annual membership scheme, welcoming more locals to join and help maintain the station as a welcoming and scenic entrance to North Devon.