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Dawlish station gets green revamp thanks to local volunteers and TV gardening expert

Dawlish station has received a green makeover prior to its re-opening thanks to TV gardener Toby Buckland and the Friends of Dawlish Station.

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Mr Buckland said: “As a Dawlish man born and bred I was horrified by the damage to the station but it wasn’t until I saw it for myself and spoke to the station manager that I realised that I could do something to help.

“It’s been great to be part of helping the station to bounce back greener than ever.”

Eight volunteers from the group planted cordylines, lavenders, pansies, violets, primroses and other species in 10 new planters installed on the platforms. The gardening day was organised as part of Citizens’ Rail, an EU project led by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership which aims to get more people involved at stations on the Riviera Line between Exeter and Torbay.

The plants were donated by Dawlish-based horticulturalist Mr Buckland from his nursery and plant centre at nearby Powderham Castle, which on 2nd and 3rd May hosts a major new garden festival with award-winning horticultural exhibitors, live music, food stalls and family entertainment. Staff from Network Rail’s “orange army” also helped with the planting day – shifting heavy bags of compost.

Val Mawhood of The Friends of Dawlish Station said: “It’s so good to see our station being brought back to life with new flower-filled planters in place. We are looking forward to a bright and cheerful year ahead and consigning last winter to history.”

First Great Western Dawlish Station Manager Ian Mundy said: “We are committed to supporting the communities we serve. This project shows how much can be achieved when the railway, volunteers and local businesses work together to improve the station environment for all. It’s a fantastic way to welcome passengers back to the railway.”

More information about the garden festival – including how to get there by train via Starcross station – can be found at www.tobygardenfest.co.uk or by calling 01626 891133.

Want to get involved?

The Friends of Dawlish Station are keen to recruit new members. More information is available from Celia Minoughan, Citizens’ Rail Riviera Line Officer at the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, on 01752 584777, at celia@citizensrail.org or on our Devon page.

Local partners in Citizens’ Rail – which is 50% funded by the EU’s Interreg IVB programme – include Devon County Council, Torbay Council, First Great Western, Plymouth University and the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership.

Photos courtesy of First Great Western.

2014/03/27
Dawlish station gets green revamp thanks to local volunteers and TV gardening expert

Dawlish station has received a green makeover prior to its re-opening thanks to TV gardener Toby Buckland and the Friends of Dawlish Station.

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

Mr Buckland said: “As a Dawlish man born and bred I was horrified by the damage to the station but it wasn’t until I saw it for myself and spoke to the station manager that I realised that I could do something to help.

“It’s been great to be part of helping the station to bounce back greener than ever.”

Eight volunteers from the group planted cordylines, lavenders, pansies, violets, primroses and other species in 10 new planters installed on the platforms. The gardening day was organised as part of Citizens’ Rail, an EU project led by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership which aims to get more people involved at stations on the Riviera Line between Exeter and Torbay.

The plants were donated by Dawlish-based horticulturalist Mr Buckland from his nursery and plant centre at nearby Powderham Castle, which on 2nd and 3rd May hosts a major new garden festival with award-winning horticultural exhibitors, live music, food stalls and family entertainment. Staff from Network Rail’s “orange army” also helped with the planting day – shifting heavy bags of compost.

Val Mawhood of The Friends of Dawlish Station said: “It’s so good to see our station being brought back to life with new flower-filled planters in place. We are looking forward to a bright and cheerful year ahead and consigning last winter to history.”

First Great Western Dawlish Station Manager Ian Mundy said: “We are committed to supporting the communities we serve. This project shows how much can be achieved when the railway, volunteers and local businesses work together to improve the station environment for all. It’s a fantastic way to welcome passengers back to the railway.”

More information about the garden festival – including how to get there by train via Starcross station – can be found at www.tobygardenfest.co.uk or by calling 01626 891133.

Want to get involved?

The Friends of Dawlish Station are keen to recruit new members. More information is available from Celia Minoughan, Citizens’ Rail Riviera Line Officer at the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, on 01752 584777, at celia@citizensrail.org or on our Devon page.

Local partners in Citizens’ Rail – which is 50% funded by the EU’s Interreg IVB programme – include Devon County Council, Torbay Council, First Great Western, Plymouth University and the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership.

Photos courtesy of First Great Western.

2014/03/27
Dutch tulips brighten up Torquay station

A leading community gardening group has continued its transformation of Torquay station on the Riviera Line, planting tulips supplied by Citizens’ Rail’s Dutch partner, Parkstad Limburg.

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The First Great Western Station Adoption project gives people with learning disabilities the opportunity to learn new skills and to work towards a nationally recognised qualification. The group’s weekly gardening work at Torquay station (showcased in the video below) has been shortlisted in the Best Social Enterprise and Community Impact category at the forthcoming 2014 Herald Express Business Awards. Learner David Maltby said of the project: “I love doing it, it’s so brilliant.”

The work on the station rockery has been supported by funding from Citizens’ Rail, the EU project to develop local and regional railways including the line between Torbay and Exeter.

Now the spirit of international cooperation has seen the group planting Dutch tulips donated on a recent visit by Paul Alzer from Citizens’ Rail’s Dutch partner Parkstad Limburg, a region near the southern border with Germany and Belgium.

Paul Alzer said: “Citizens’ Rail is about sharing ideas and putting people at the heart of their local and regional railways. It’s nice that our small Dutch tulip bulbs are growing in such a great initiative abroad.”

Celia Minoughan, Citizens’ Rail Riviera Line Officer for the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, said: “The group were delighted with the bulbs, and it was great to hear their plans to expand the project and bring more colour to all of Torbay’s stations in future.”

Nicky Church, ROC Personalisation Manager commented: “The people who we support have devoted their time, enthusiasm and sheer hard work into this project and are doing so with a view to gaining the necessary skills and experience to get a job.”

Local partners in Citizens’ Rail – which is 50% funded by the EU’s Interreg IVB programme – include Devon County Council, Torbay Council, First Great Western, Plymouth University and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership.

[icon size=”14px” color=”#d42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-circle-arrow-right” spacing=”0px” /] Find out more about ROC’s work across the UK to help as many people as possible who have learning or similar disabilities to be who they want to be. Visit the ROC website.

2014/03/11
Dutch tulips brighten up Torquay station

A leading community gardening group has continued its transformation of Torquay station on the Riviera Line, planting tulips supplied by Citizens’ Rail’s Dutch partner, Parkstad Limburg.

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

The First Great Western Station Adoption project gives people with learning disabilities the opportunity to learn new skills and to work towards a nationally recognised qualification. The group’s weekly gardening work at Torquay station (showcased in the video below) has been shortlisted in the Best Social Enterprise and Community Impact category at the forthcoming 2014 Herald Express Business Awards. Learner David Maltby said of the project: “I love doing it, it’s so brilliant.”

The work on the station rockery has been supported by funding from Citizens’ Rail, the EU project to develop local and regional railways including the line between Torbay and Exeter.

Now the spirit of international cooperation has seen the group planting Dutch tulips donated on a recent visit by Paul Alzer from Citizens’ Rail’s Dutch partner Parkstad Limburg, a region near the southern border with Germany and Belgium.

Paul Alzer said: “Citizens’ Rail is about sharing ideas and putting people at the heart of their local and regional railways. It’s nice that our small Dutch tulip bulbs are growing in such a great initiative abroad.”

Celia Minoughan, Citizens’ Rail Riviera Line Officer for the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, said: “The group were delighted with the bulbs, and it was great to hear their plans to expand the project and bring more colour to all of Torbay’s stations in future.”

Nicky Church, ROC Personalisation Manager commented: “The people who we support have devoted their time, enthusiasm and sheer hard work into this project and are doing so with a view to gaining the necessary skills and experience to get a job.”

Local partners in Citizens’ Rail – which is 50% funded by the EU’s Interreg IVB programme – include Devon County Council, Torbay Council, First Great Western, Plymouth University and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership.

[icon size=”14px” color=”#d42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-circle-arrow-right” spacing=”0px” /] Find out more about ROC’s work across the UK to help as many people as possible who have learning or similar disabilities to be who they want to be. Visit the ROC website.

2014/03/11
Dutch tulips brighten up Torquay station

A leading community gardening group has continued its transformation of Torquay station on the Riviera Line, planting tulips supplied by Citizens’ Rail’s Dutch partner, Parkstad Limburg.

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

The First Great Western Station Adoption project gives people with learning disabilities the opportunity to learn new skills and to work towards a nationally recognised qualification. The group’s weekly gardening work at Torquay station (showcased in the video below) has been shortlisted in the Best Social Enterprise and Community Impact category at the forthcoming 2014 Herald Express Business Awards. Learner David Maltby said of the project: “I love doing it, it’s so brilliant.”

The work on the station rockery has been supported by funding from Citizens’ Rail, the EU project to develop local and regional railways including the line between Torbay and Exeter.

Now the spirit of international cooperation has seen the group planting Dutch tulips donated on a recent visit by Paul Alzer from Citizens’ Rail’s Dutch partner Parkstad Limburg, a region near the southern border with Germany and Belgium.

Paul Alzer said: “Citizens’ Rail is about sharing ideas and putting people at the heart of their local and regional railways. It’s nice that our small Dutch tulip bulbs are growing in such a great initiative abroad.”

Celia Minoughan, Citizens’ Rail Riviera Line Officer for the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, said: “The group were delighted with the bulbs, and it was great to hear their plans to expand the project and bring more colour to all of Torbay’s stations in future.”

Nicky Church, ROC Personalisation Manager commented: “The people who we support have devoted their time, enthusiasm and sheer hard work into this project and are doing so with a view to gaining the necessary skills and experience to get a job.”

Local partners in Citizens’ Rail – which is 50% funded by the EU’s Interreg IVB programme – include Devon County Council, Torbay Council, First Great Western, Plymouth University and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership.

[icon size=”14px” color=”#d42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-circle-arrow-right” spacing=”0px” /] Find out more about ROC’s work across the UK to help as many people as possible who have learning or similar disabilities to be who they want to be. Visit the ROC website.

2014/03/11
Dutch tulips brighten up Torquay station

A leading community gardening group has continued its transformation of Torquay station on the Riviera Line, planting tulips supplied by Citizens’ Rail’s Dutch partner, Parkstad Limburg.

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

The First Great Western Station Adoption project gives people with learning disabilities the opportunity to learn new skills and to work towards a nationally recognised qualification. The group’s weekly gardening work at Torquay station (showcased in the video below) has been shortlisted in the Best Social Enterprise and Community Impact category at the forthcoming 2014 Herald Express Business Awards. Learner David Maltby said of the project: “I love doing it, it’s so brilliant.”

The work on the station rockery has been supported by funding from Citizens’ Rail, the EU project to develop local and regional railways including the line between Torbay and Exeter.

Now the spirit of international cooperation has seen the group planting Dutch tulips donated on a recent visit by Paul Alzer from Citizens’ Rail’s Dutch partner Parkstad Limburg, a region near the southern border with Germany and Belgium.

Paul Alzer said: “Citizens’ Rail is about sharing ideas and putting people at the heart of their local and regional railways. It’s nice that our small Dutch tulip bulbs are growing in such a great initiative abroad.”

Celia Minoughan, Citizens’ Rail Riviera Line Officer for the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, said: “The group were delighted with the bulbs, and it was great to hear their plans to expand the project and bring more colour to all of Torbay’s stations in future.”

Nicky Church, ROC Personalisation Manager commented: “The people who we support have devoted their time, enthusiasm and sheer hard work into this project and are doing so with a view to gaining the necessary skills and experience to get a job.”

Local partners in Citizens’ Rail – which is 50% funded by the EU’s Interreg IVB programme – include Devon County Council, Torbay Council, First Great Western, Plymouth University and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership.

[icon size=”14px” color=”#d42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-circle-arrow-right” spacing=”0px” /] Find out more about ROC’s work across the UK to help as many people as possible who have learning or similar disabilities to be who they want to be. Visit the ROC website.

2014/03/11
Garden Festival: getting there by train

Heading to Toby Buckland’s Garden Festival at Powderham Castle?
It’s easy to get there by train:

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Pocket timetables

Starcross is the nearest station to the Festival, and you can get their direct from Exeter, Dawlish, Paignton or Torquay. Here are some handy pocket timetables specifically for the Festival weekend:

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[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

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[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[col width=”one_third” last=”false” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[col width=”one_third” last=”true” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[icon size=”14px” color=”#d42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-circle-arrow-right” spacing=”0px” /] Or create your own timetable from wherever else you’re starting your journey.

Then take the 3-minute bus ride

From Starcross station, cross the road to the bus stop just to your left. Take a Stagecoach bus 2 or B, which leave at 03, 18, 23, 43 and 48 minutes past the hour, and get off at Powderham Castle.

Alternatively, it is a 30 minute walk to the Castle, turning right out of the railway station (keeping the river on your right) and staying on this road (the A379).

2014/03/06
Garden Festival: getting there by train

Heading to Toby Buckland’s Garden Festival at Powderham Castle?
It’s easy to get there by train:

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

Pocket timetables

Starcross is the nearest station to the Festival, and you can get their direct from Exeter, Dawlish, Paignton or Torquay. Here are some handy pocket timetables specifically for the Festival weekend:

[col width=”one_third” last=”false” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[col width=”one_third” last=”false” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[col width=”one_third” last=”true” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[col width=”one_third” last=”false” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[col width=”one_third” last=”false” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[col width=”one_third” last=”true” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[icon size=”14px” color=”#d42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-circle-arrow-right” spacing=”0px” /] Or create your own timetable from wherever else you’re starting your journey.

Then take the 3-minute bus ride

From Starcross station, cross the road to the bus stop just to your left. Take a Stagecoach bus 2 or B, which leave at 03, 18, 23, 43 and 48 minutes past the hour, and get off at Powderham Castle.

Alternatively, it is a 30 minute walk to the Castle, turning right out of the railway station (keeping the river on your right) and staying on this road (the A379).

2014/03/06
Garden Festival: getting there by train

Heading to Toby Buckland’s Garden Festival at Powderham Castle?
It’s easy to get there by train:

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

Pocket timetables

Starcross is the nearest station to the Festival, and you can get their direct from Exeter, Dawlish, Paignton or Torquay. Here are some handy pocket timetables specifically for the Festival weekend:

[col width=”one_third” last=”false” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[col width=”one_third” last=”false” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[col width=”one_third” last=”true” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[col width=”one_third” last=”false” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[col width=”one_third” last=”false” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[col width=”one_third” last=”true” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[icon size=”14px” color=”#d42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-circle-arrow-right” spacing=”0px” /] Or create your own timetable from wherever else you’re starting your journey.

Then take the 3-minute bus ride

From Starcross station, cross the road to the bus stop just to your left. Take a Stagecoach bus 2 or B, which leave at 03, 18, 23, 43 and 48 minutes past the hour, and get off at Powderham Castle.

Alternatively, it is a 30 minute walk to the Castle, turning right out of the railway station (keeping the river on your right) and staying on this road (the A379).

2014/03/06
Garden Festival: getting there by train

Heading to Toby Buckland’s Garden Festival at Powderham Castle?
It’s easy to get there by train:

[divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

Pocket timetables

Starcross is the nearest station to the Festival, and you can get their direct from Exeter, Dawlish, Paignton or Torquay. Here are some handy pocket timetables specifically for the Festival weekend:

[col width=”one_third” last=”false” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[col width=”one_third” last=”false” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[col width=”one_third” last=”true” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[col width=”one_third” last=”false” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[col width=”one_third” last=”false” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[col width=”one_third” last=”true” ]
[box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Download[/box][/col]

[icon size=”14px” color=”#d42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-circle-arrow-right” spacing=”0px” /] Or create your own timetable from wherever else you’re starting your journey.

Then take the 3-minute bus ride

From Starcross station, cross the road to the bus stop just to your left. Take a Stagecoach bus 2 or B, which leave at 03, 18, 23, 43 and 48 minutes past the hour, and get off at Powderham Castle.

Alternatively, it is a 30 minute walk to the Castle, turning right out of the railway station (keeping the river on your right) and staying on this road (the A379).

2014/03/06