Ffrindiau Pwllheli Championing Biodiversity Advocacy

On a wet and windy day Melanie Lawton (Community Rail Strategy Lead, Transport for Wales) and I met at the last station on the Cambrian Line, Pwllheli, for a mug of tea and a chance to meet Ffrindiau Pwllheli. Buffers café was warm, bright and busy. James greeted us with homemade lavender bags made from lavender dried in their community garden — they smelled amazing. The group have received a Railway 200 Community Grant Fund from us to make recycled planters for the station. They were full of ideas and pride for their town and ready to share their inspiring community projects.

Once settled with mugs of tea, James and Steph introduced themselves and explained their mission: “We are a group of passionate community volunteers dedicated to biodiversity advocacy” James told us, describing their plan to create a nature conservation strategy for Pwllheli shaped by local people and partners. When I joked that Pwllheli was the end of the railway, James smiled and reminded me it could just as easily be the beginning depending on where you live.

One of their standout projects is the Pwllheli Wildlife Safari, a delightful combination of wildlife spotting and walking around the town. They highlight ‘The Big 5’ — herons, otters, sea holly, grasshopper, and the great scallop — and there are 16 animals in total to find across Pwllheli. The map they produced is not only useful but beautifully designed, guiding residents and visitors to the places where wildlife thrives.

Their Railway 200 Community Grant Fund will fund planters made from old wood salvaged from sea defences, a brilliant example of repurposing and local craftsmanship. We walked the station and platform with them to scout the best spots for the planters and to look at a broken mosaic that could be replaced. They are thoughtful about placement and proud of how the planters will complement the station’s character. They are applying to Transport for Wales to be Station Adopters for Pwllheli and Mel ran through the criteria with them.

What stood out most was their passion and deep connection to Pwllheli. They care for the town’s biodiversity and want to involve the whole community in protecting and enhancing local nature. Their approach — combining practical projects, beautiful design, and community engagement — makes their work both effective and inspiring.

We’re excited to continue working with Ffrindiau Pwllheli and to see their recycled planters brighten the station. Their projects already celebrate the town’s wildlife and spirit, and this next step will make the station a greener, more welcoming place for everyone. Keep an eye out for those recycled planters and the new mosaic when you next travel the Cambrian Line.