The Friends of Bitterne Station have scooped a gold award for their sustainable projects, from mosaic making to planting and murals.

 

 

The Stations in Bloom award, open for entry to a multitude of southern stations, was presented at a ceremony in Sherborne on October 17.

It had been preceded by a visit from the judges to assess the station and the diverse range of activities the group runs.

“The judges come round and they look at absolutely everything,” said station friend Rachel Hickman.

They won the award because sustainability was right at the top of the agenda in everything the group does around the station, she explained.

One project currently underway is creating a mosaic for the station building exterior wall, which will represent facets of the local area. Nature images, and landmarks such as Cobden Bridge, Bitterne Park Triangle and Chessel Bay, will be included.

Local people can get involved and take part on mosaic workshop days – announced on Facebook – which use donated crockery as the main ingredient.

“It’s all stuff that would go to waste,” said Rachel. “So it’s very much about recycling and not just getting stuff in landfill … and that’s the same around the station as well.”

The old bath tubs that have been revamped into colourful planters by the recycling bins, that brighten up an otherwise dull urban landscape, are also testament to the group’s sustainability agenda, while – as reported – the group is brightening up the local area with a mural trail featuring lively images of local wildlife in public spaces.

Bitterne Station’s former ticket office and booking hall itself is also slowly coming back to life: anticipated further renovations by the railway company include insulating the roof, installing windows, and addressing water supply issues, which will expand the possibilities for the building’s community use.

 Bitterne Station’s former ticket office and booking hall - the single storey section of the building