First two stations adopted by community groups on Great Northern railway

Great Northern is pleased to announce the adoption of its first two stations by local community groups who will plant up and maintain flowers at Hitchin and Enfield Chase.

Hitchin has been taken on by the Hitchin Rotary Club, who will work with Great Northern to introduce new flowers and colour to the station.

At the same time, Enfield Chase has been adopted by The Enfield Society, who will continue to maintain the impressive flower displays at the station.

Peter Hull, of Hitchin Rotary Club, said:

"The Rotary Club of Hitchin Priory is delighted to enter into a station partnership agreement with Hitchin Railway Station to provide hanging baskets at the entrance to the station and planters and hanging baskets at appropriate points on the two platforms. This will give colour and pleasure to passengers and all concerned. The baskets and planters will be put in place in late May, 2016."

Dave Cockle, of The Enfield Society said:

"It can be fun volunteering to help to make our stations greener with some planting. It shows the station is cared for and is often the first impression a visitor gets of an area. The results make a real difference in being appreciated by many people."

Great Northern's Community Investment and Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Andy Harrowell, said:

"We are committed to putting our stations at the heart of the communities which they serve. Station partnerships are a true reflection of this commitment as we work together with local groups to enhance a station in a way tailored to the local area. We welcome the adoption of Hitchin and Enfield Chase and look forward to working together with these groups over the years to come."

Great Northern is part of Govia Thameslink Railway which is keen to expand the successful station adoption scheme that has operated for some years already on one of its other routes, Southern. Crofton Park, on the Catford Loop of the south Thameslink route has recently been adopted elsewhere onthe network and more schemes are in the pipeline. For more detail about station partnerships email andrew.harrowell@gtrailway.com