New Community Artwork at Caersws Railway Station

A couple of weeks ago, I boarded the train from Newtown on another gloriously sunny morning, bound for my first ever visit to Caersws railway station. I had travelled through it many times but never got on or off there. Arriving a little early, I found the platform clean and tidy and the grass freshly cut by Ben Kohler from Transport for Wales (TfW). We struck up a conversation about how welcoming the station felt and admired the first of two creative artworks designed by pupils of Ysgol Caersws C.P. School.

As Ben rolled away his mower, I settled on a bench opposite a quaint corrugated-roof shed. Shortly afterwards a man on an electric bike pedaled up, parked his bike and came over to chat to me. He was the Chairman of Caersws Community Council and we got into conversation about how lovely Caersws railway station was and that the artwork was funded by the Community Council. The two pieces of artwork showed the rich heritage of Caersws railway station. We also talked about the Caersws Roman Forts which are behind the station and that as soon as you exit the station you are on the famous Severn Way.

Soon after the platform started to fill up with David Crunkhorn, Station Manager,TfW; Councillor Malcolm Carroll; Kelly Pugh, TfW School Liaison Officer; Alison Barker, Network Rail Community Safety Manager. Their enthusiasm for this community project was plain to see.

Before long, the children and their teachers arrived, bubbling with excitement. They gathered around the finished paintings, beaming as they posed for photos beside their creations. Their pride and good behaviour made the morning feel truly special and I was glad that I had been invited.

So, lots of reasons to hop off the train at Caersws and explore the local area, of course using the brilliant map painted by the children of Ysgol Caersws C.P. School.

Would you like to play a part in Caersws railway station? We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteer station adopters to work with Transport for Wales to make the station even more a pleasure to visit.

Please drop me an email at deb.justice@pavo.org.uk or hello@thecambrianline.co.uk