Bloomin' marvellous honour for Larbert Station 'adopters'

Bloomin' marvellous honour for Larbert Station 'adopters 

Thursday 12 February 2009 

A Larbert group has ‘adopted’ the town’s railway station.

Now the Vale of Carron Rotary Club’s work in adding colour to the station by introducing floral displays has led to an award from ScotRail.

The Rotary Club has brightened up the station with beautiful plants and flowers – including some from member Graham Scott’s very own plant nursery and garden centre.

The group has also started creating the Rotary International logo in boxwood and chippings at the station.

The voluntary work is under ScotRail’s Adopt a Station scheme, designed to encourage local involvement to put stations back at the heart of communities.

It was recognised with joint third place in the train operator’s awards scheme for station adopters. It was shared with Neilston Development Trust, which has adopted Neilston Station in East Renfrewshire.

The Best New Group Adopter certificate was presented to the Vale of Carron Rotary Club at a lunch in Glasgow.

Graham, who accepted the award on the club’s behalf, was delighted at being honoured.

He said: “All of the club’s members are so pleased to gain this award.

“We hope that the people at Larbert Station get as much pleasure out of being surrounded by colour all year round as we get out of being station ‘adopters.”

John Yellowlees, ScotRail’s external relations manager, added: “ScotRail’s Adopt a Station scheme is about putting stations at the heart of their communities.

“We are delighted that so many individuals and groups like the Vale of Carron Rotary Club are making a real difference to enhancing the overall appearance with colourful floral displays.”

Since launched in September 2005, the Adopt a Station scheme has gone from strength to strength - with 71 stations now benefitting from floral displays maintained by volunteers.  Other initiatives include spectacular murals, coffee shops, a charity bookshop, a toy library and community meeting rooms.

Media enquiries:
Carla Rinaldi, Communications Assistant: 0141 335 5156 / carla.rinaldi@firstgroup.com
Iain Wilson, Head of Media Relations: 0141 335 4565 / iain.wilson@firstgroup.com
Out of hours: 07738 141 198 / www.scotrail.co.uk