Friends of Beeston Station (FOBS) entered the spirit of the Coronation with a commemorative Tea Party on Monday 8th May, the day of The Big Help Out.
Setting aside their volunteering work, the group enjoyed tea and cakes as they took shelter under the railway bridge due to the inclement weather!
“We have some amazing bakers amongst our volunteers and it’s always good to enjoy their skills,” said Trish Roberts-Thomson, the Chair of FOBS. “It was a wonderful afternoon tea and a credit to all our members.”
“Gardening is our usual task now and we do hope that many passengers have noticed our hanging baskets. They are not quite as abundant as we hoped but the weather has had a lot to do with that.”
FOBS’ most recent activity however has been the installation of an insect hotel in the Technology Drive car park, complete with a living roof! In the neglected areas around the edges of the car park, FOBS is trying to make the land more productive for bees, birds and insects. “The insect hotel, now named ‘Beeston Bug and Breakfast’, looks great and makes you smile when you’re in the car park.” Trish said.
FOBS is still waiting for a decision about the installation of lifts at the station. Trish continued: “We are waiting and hoping. We can’t overlook the fact that many people can’t use the station as it is inaccessible for a range of people, particularly those with limited mobility.”
FOBS is looking forward to the refurbishment of the glass canopy over the ticket office and the shelters on both platforms. Trish said: “The refurbishment of the glass canopy and the shelters would give an enormous boost to the station. It would be great for the community to have a thriving and attractive local station again.”
In the meantime, FOBS is concentrating on keeping the station and its surroundings clean with regular litter-picking, leaf sweeping and gardening.