Local group adopts Uckfield station

Photo courtesy of Mr Ron Hill

Members of the Brighter Uckfield group recently came together with Southern, and Sussex Community Rail Partnership (SCRP), to celebrate the group formally becoming station partner for Uckfield and adopting the station.

The aim of the Uckfield station partnership is for the volunteers and Southern to work together to improve the station's environment so that everyone involved sees benefits. The group has already undertaken a wide range of planting in the green areas of the stations. Together with the local Rotary Club, they have already added a beautiful splash of colour to the station, including introducing herbs, which anyone can help themselves to.
There are also discussions on exploring the possibility of displaying an art exhibition produced by a local school.

Ian Smith, Chairman of the Brighter Uckfield group, said: "Our station is very much in the centre of town and this means that it is important it looks its very best at all times. The Brighter Uckfield group is pleased that its volunteers will be working closely with Southern Railway to ensure that the station's appearance does the town proud"

Donna Anderson, Southern’s Station Manager, added: "We have a number of station partnerships across the network and are really pleased that Brighter Uckfield have joined this group and adopted our station. The work they have done, along with the Rotary members, already is wonderful and we look forward to working further together with them in the future."

Sharon Gray, SCRP’s Community Rail Development Officer, who helped to facilitate the start of the partnership, said: “Uckfield is such a lovely town and the work of the volunteers has really helped to further brighten the station and improve the experience for passengers.”

Local photographer Ron Hill was on hand to record the event with the picture above. Pictured (left to right) are volunteers Neil Loxley, Stuart Woodham, Donna Anderson (Station Manager), Di Pryce (Station Sales Clerk), Pam Modoo, Andy Harrowell (Southern’s Community Investment and CSR Manager), Sharon Gray (SCRP’s Community Rail Development Officer), Dorothy Sparks, Cathy Sutherland, Keith Everett

To find out more about station partnerships, email Andrew.harrowell@gtrailway.com