Largesse in bloom

Monday 3 August 2009

A former Largs-based group which ‘adopted’ the town’s railway has distributed its remaining funds to ScotRail - to ensure its work continues.

Largs in Bloom donated more than £1300 to the train operator for improvements at Largs station.

The money has gone towards a new hexagonal planter on the station concourse which welcomes more than 200,000 incoming passengers a year.

The new floral display joins its twin which ScotRail funded last year.

Under ScotRail’s Adopt a Station scheme, Largs in Bloom volunteers improved the station’s appearance by looking after another large planter behind the bufferstops and by providing other floral displays.

Jim Inglis, of Largs in Bloom, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with ScotRail through the Adopt a Station scheme – so it seemed appropriate to donate our remaining funds to ensure the station benefits one last time.”

He added: “We were pleased to be involved with the scheme from the start as it showed the appreciation of Largs people to those at ScotRail who helped in having the station rebuilt.”

John Yellowlees, ScotRail’s external relations manager, added: "The rebuilt Largs Station houses the town's Tourist Information Centre.

“Thanks to the generosity of Largs in Bloom, tourists and locals alike are assured of an ever brighter floral welcome."

ScotRail’s Adopt a Station scheme has gone from strength to strength since launched in September 2005. Some 78 stations now benefit from floral displays maintained by volunteers.  Other initiatives include spectacular murals, coffee shops, a second hand bookshop, a toy library, community meeting rooms and a model railway club room.

Media enquiries:
John Yellowlees, ScotRail Communications: 0141 335 4787 / john.yellowlees@firstgroup.com
www.scotrail.co.uk