Volunteer Update

By Clive Higgs, Railway Volunteer

After covid restrictions eased, the volunteers worked hard outside, getting the gardens ready before the first trains on May 24th. ‘Socially distanced’, we became a bit anti-social, chatting by shouting to each other. The May nights were too frosty to plant geraniums, but there was a lot of weeding and deadheading of the daffodil and tulip flowers at all the stations. The weeding of the Aberystwyth car park garden plots was exciting. A family of lesser blackbacked gulls had set up a nest under a bush in the centre of the park. One of the parents fiercely stood on the roof of any nearby car and dived at anyone approaching the area. The volunteers weeded around there by crawling slowly behind the bush, horizontally hoeing the weeds while trying to look dignified. After May 24th, mystified customers arrived, but stood upright and were soon distracted by The Gull. This year the railway bought salvias, bidens, sanvitalias and geraniums from Greenacre Nursery at Ynyslas. The geranium flowers were very large, colourful and prolific - their best display ever. We planted at the platforms of Aberystwyth and Devil’s Bridge first as these were the only platforms used by the passengers this year. Wearing face masks, we timed the planting after a train had left. It was quite difficult to shout to each other in a clear and friendly way while wearing face masks, especially if discussing sanvitalias and salvias. Then the other stations. These were deserted so we added compost and planted without masks, enjoying the sunshine and the breeze. Maureen and John planted at Aberffrwd and maintained the garden, tubs and troughs there over the summer and autumn. At Nantyronen the 25 boxes of faded daffodil and tulip plants were removed for summer storage whilst the 25 boxes of geranium plants stored in the carriage shed at Capel Bangor were brought out into daylight. Many had not fared well over winter and were replaced by the thriving new plants. At Capel Bangor, geraniums were planted in the troughs and tubs with salvias also planted in some tubs and in the fire bucket. Bedding plants were planted in the garden next to the station. During the summer the covid restrictions eased and we took a lift in a booked train compartment to Rhiw Fron Halt. There, we enjoyed an intensive session weeding brambles, nettles and other floral trespassers at the most spectacular train stop. The train returned from Devil’s Bridge just as we finished.

The weather varied a lot over the summer and there were bouts of watering, weeding and deadheading during droughts and rain periods. There was one exposed corner of the garden at Capel Bangor where the bidens barely survived despite daily watering. It was the place longest exposed to the sun and most exposed to the warm wind. Everywhere else the plants thrived except next to the tables at Devil’s Bridge. Compost had been put onto the stony ground, but the roots of the large tree nearby had absorbed nearly all the moisture from the ground. We added water and dug in more plants, helped by chickens who had crossed the road to get to the other side! They feasted on worms and bugs escaping our trowels.

John finished coating the platform fence at Aberffrwd with a creosote substitute and Philip, Edwina and I did the same with the north platform fence at Capel Bangor. The flowers lasted late into November. After the last train, we removed the 25 boxes of geraniums from the Nantyronen troughs and replaced the 25 boxes of daffodil and tulip bulbs. All ready for Spring. A few outside geranium plants had survived the 2020 winter at Capel Bangor Station so this winter we covered the plants in the troughs there with fleece to protect them from frost. We’ll see if this works. Luckily very few people visit the station In the winter, the fleeces look a bit macabre. Seven oak half-barrels were bought to hold plants above the desiccated flower bed at Devil’s Bridge. One of the winter jobs will be ‘creosoting’ them ready for Spring planting. Hopefully the tree roots will not invade them. This year we enjoyed meeting up in sunshine in safety, relishing the fresh air and breeze. Such a contrast to the earlier lockdown.

Planting Along the Platforms

By Jenny Edwards, Railway Volunteer

As fairly new members of the railway volunteer group, I just wanted to share with newsletter readers some of our experiences so far. As older people with reduced mobility, we have been much impressed with the facilities now available on the railway which allow us to join in with the gardening and fettling activities on offer to us as garden volunteers. We hope that passengers enjoy the flower displays as much as we enjoy playing a part in creating and maintaining them. I‘ve included some pictures of the group in action over the past year and hope to continue enjoying these activities for years to come.

Our volunteers meet once a week, and through their efforts our stations always look at their best no matter what the weather. If you wish to join our amazing band of volunteers helping to maintain our stations then please get in touch via email: info@rheidolrailway.co.uk