Working Together To Brighten Up Newtown Railway Station

On a sunny and warm morning, I (Deb) set off from the PAVO offices along the river, taking in the quiet scenery on my way to Newtown railway station. It was lovely to see so many people out enjoying the beautiful walk along the River Severn.

Arriving at the station, I could see right away that there was a lot going on. Ezma and her team of dedicated volunteers were already busy helping to get things organised to start transforming the station into an inviting hub as part of the Transport for Wales Station Adopters initiative.

I joined colleagues from Transport for Wales: Mel Lawton – Community Rail Strategy Lead, Gail Jones – Stakeholder Manager (Mid and North Wales), Sian Jones – Community Rail Ambassador, Rhys Roberts – Community Engagement Officer. Transport for Wales

look after the Station Adopters, not just on the Cambrian Line but on all lines in Wales and borders.

Being relatively still new to the role as Development Officer for the Cambrian Railway Partnership it’s interesting learn about everyone’s role and what they bring to the communities along the line. Sian talked about her ‘Confidence to Travel’ work and before long Rhys had signed me up to help with a Bike Safety event at Barmouth railway station in August.

Getting to Work

After some quick introductions, we moved on to the main tasks. The day quickly shifted from introductions to action. Ezma ensured that every volunteer filled out a form, and soon after, Mel walked us through exactly what was expected as Station Adopters. Safety talks, high-vis jackets, gloves, and small hand tools were quickly distributed.

We then moved on to the fun part - setting up the planters. Ten slimline, self-watering black plastic planters arrived, ready to be filled with a careful combination of peat-free compost, tree bark, and gravel. Mel and Ezma discussed the best spots: two at the front of the building, four on platform 1, and four on platform 2. I even got the honour of commanding the electric trunk, feeling like a mini-foreperson as we wheeled round all the necessary materials.

With everything in place, we began planting. The promise of a cup of tea, a slice of homemade cake, and sausage rolls added a delightful incentive. Before long, the planters were all set up, and passengers began to notice and comment on the improvements. The station started to feel more welcoming.

This adoption day was more than just a morning of work, it showed how people coming together can make shared spaces feel cared for and valued. The experience left me motivated to get involved in more projects like this. Every bit of effort, even something small, helps build a stronger sense of connection.

It was a good reminder that ‘many hands makes light work’ and a real difference.