Community spirit shines as Weardale Railway marks S&DR200 with award-winning station project with College support
The Weardale Railway has celebrated the bicentenary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR200) in true community style – with a collaborative project that has brought together charities, students, volunteers, and local organisations, winning Gold at this year’s Northumbria in Bloom awards.
Four striking planters in the shape of iconic locomotives now take pride of place at Stanhope Railway Station, each representing a piece of rail history – from Locomotion No. 1 to the modern Hitachi Lumo.
The project was coordinated by Nigel Bryson of Cultivate 4 Life, with support from Story Train’s Sam Slatcher, who secured funding from Durham County Council’s Weardale Area Action Partnership. Students from Bishop Auckland College’s joinery department brought the designs to life, with Teescraft transporting the planters, Weardale Railway engineers installing them, and volunteers planting them up in time for judging.
The initiative formed part of the Northumbria in Bloom competition, itself part of the national Britain in Bloom campaign, which encourages communities to improve their local environment through gardening, sustainability and creativity. This was the railway’s first time entering the ‘Bus, Metro and Railway Stations’ category, which recognises community efforts in greening and maintaining transport hubs.
Weardale Railway accepting Northumbria in Bloom award (L-R: June Wilson, WR Volunteer, Mark Porter, Vice President of the RHS & Chairman of Britain in Bloom, Ken Wilson, WR Volunteer, and Claire Gibbons, General Manager of WR).
After six months of preparation by staff and volunteers, Stanhope Station was awarded Gold and named ‘Best in Class’ by judges on 17 September.
Nigel Bryson said: “This project shows what can be achieved when the community comes together. From funding to building, installing, and planting, everyone played their part – and the award is a wonderful recognition of that teamwork.”
Claire Gibbons, General Manager at Weardale Railway, added: “It’s been fantastic to collaborate with so many partners to mark such an important milestone in railway history. So many different groups have come together to deliver it on time – it just proves that great things can happen when you work together. The planters look superb and highlight the power of community spirit – we’re proud that Stanhope Station has been recognised with this award.”
Neil Ovington, C&J Lecturer at Bishop Auckland College, said: “It’s been a pleasure supporting Weardale Railway through this hands-on project, it has given the students a link to the local community and a sense of pride seeing their hard work displayed at Stanhope Station. Making the planters gave the students the opportunity to see their practical skills being used to make a positive difference locally.”
Cultivate 4 Life is a charity based at Woodhouse Close Allotments, which aims to support the young people and adults of Bishop Auckland and surrounding areas by providing practical support for those facing physical, financial, or emotional barriers to garden upkeep; helping to sustain tenancies and improve the appearance of local estates.
Weardale Railway – an 18-mile heritage line connecting the historic market towns of Bishop Auckland, Wolsingham and Stanhope – was saved from administration in 2020 by The Auckland Project, which has since invested heavily in repairs, infrastructure to help regenerate the new experiences – from the return of heritage services to themed journeys including afternoon tea trains, wine and cheese trains and the popular Santa Express.
The planters are just one part of Weardale Railway’s wider commitment to the S&DR200 celebrations, the 200th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, which includes planting 200 bulbs at each station and 200 native trees and shrubs along the route.
