Wymondham rail station adopters aim to recreate "attractive and welcoming" atmosphere
The rail station has been 'adopted' by two local volunteers
It's hoped Wymondham rail station's new adopters will help it return to its former glory.
29-year-old Brendan Gray, who is the new owner of the Station Bistro, remembers the bistro and station when former restaurateur, David Turner, won acclaim for the floral arrangements and railway memorabilia.
Fellow volunteer, John Harwood, will join him in recreating an "attractive and welcoming" atmosphere for passengers and visitors as part of Greater Anglia's Station Adoption scheme.
The scheme involves people improving their local railway stations for the benefit of communities alongside the rail operator.
Work often includes caring for and enhancing gardens and floral displays to benefit local wildlife and make stations more presentable, as well as alerting Greater Anglia to any issues.
Brendan said: "I took over the Station Bistro in March last year and decided to adopt Wymondham station because I would like to see it restored to its former glory when David Turner used to look after the station.
"I feel this is an important role as the station is the first thing many visitors to Wymondham see, when arriving by train, and so it is important to make a good first impression.
"I would like Wymondham station to be somewhere that everyone in the town is proud of."
63-year-old John, who is retired and an active member of the Mid Norfolk Railway, he said: "My interest in railways goes back to 1968 when school holidays were spent at Wymondham Station, observing the variety of trains which existed then and catching the train to Norwich to watch the football at Carrow Road. It is this historical interest plus remembering how the station looked under a previous tenure that has made me decide to be part of the Station Adoption initiative.
"I’m an enthusiastic gardener so I am looking forward to creating some flower displays in tubs and window boxes and supporting local wildlife with some nest boxes, insect hotels and wildflowers too."
Greater Anglia's Customer and Community Engagement Manager added: "I’m delighted to welcome Brendan and John to the Station Adoption initiative and look forward to hearing their ideas for brightening up the station and making it a welcoming environment ready for when the current pandemic restrictions can be lifted."