Eco-conscious pupils learn about recycling at Littlehampton train station

Thirty eco-conscious schoolchildren were invited to Littlehampton railway station to learn more about recycling after sending handwritten letters to the boss of Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR).

River Beach Primary School pupils Ela and Jamie both wrote to GTR’s Chief Executive Patrick Verwer, expressing concerns about the impact of plastic on the environment and wildlife. The Year 6 youngsters were keen to know how GTR manages recycling at its stations.

Following their correspondence, they were welcomed to Littlehampton station on Friday (12 July) by Mr Verwer, who praised them for showing a keen interest in the environment. Mr Verwer said: “Thank you to Ela and Jamie for writing to me following your lessons this summer on recycling and waste management. It’s really important that we learn about this in our schools so we can start to make a real difference early on. You wrote beautiful letters and I thought rather than write to you, we would invite you here to the station.”

Mr Verwer highlighted the environmental benefits of travelling by train. He also introduced the children to representatives from BIFFA, which manages GTR’s waste across its Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Great Northern routes, and the children were delighted to be able to sit inside one of Biffa’s 26-tonne waste lorries.

During their time at the station, GTR staff talked to the children about how to avoid single-use plastic and showed them how to make barbecue bricks out of old newspapers.

Year 6 Teacher Amy Goodwin said: “It’s amazing to have this day out that’s linked with their learning. They have been really excited to be coming to the station. The activities have been really hands-on for them.”

Assistant Head and Year 6 Teacher Lucinda Challis added: “They have been very excited to come to the station. They were quite excited to get a response from Patrick, and the staff were excited. It’s lovely to work with the local community, and the station is on our doorstep. To have the opportunity to come along, make paper bricks and sit in the Biffa truck is a real experience for them. They will remember the things that they have done here today.”

Pupil Ela, who wrote to Mr Verwer, said: “It’s been a really good visit. I have learnt a lot. It’s been very informative. I liked making the newspaper bricks.”

Jamie, who also penned a letter, added: “It’s been amazing. I liked getting on the truck.”

At the end of their special day out, the children were all given GTR branded, reusable water bottles.