Bishopstone Station rejuvenation project

Aim: Creating an environmentally friendly garden on the disused platform, featuring an oak pergola recreating the lost platform building

Friends of Bishopstone Station (Fobs) are restoring this unique Grade 2 listed Art Deco building and have created a vibrant community hub in the station building whilst also increasing biodiversity with the existing station gardens.

People Fobs are a group of local residents who value and cherish this fantastic station and are steadily revitalising the whole site. We came together seven years ago and after much hard work opened a highly valued, award-winning community hub in the restored station building where we deliver four community projects for residents of Bishopstone, Norton and environs. We are all volunteers, striving to improve the physical and social fabric of our local community.

Biodiversity We want to preserve and enhance the natural environment of the station further by creating a stunning environmentally friendly garden on the disused station platform. An oak pergola and fence in the garden will recreate the outline of the demolished waiting room and the structures which were there when the station was first built.

This dry biodiverse garden will be part of our effort to enhance a disused and neglected area with the aim of encouraging and even introducing pollinators with a wide range of planting with the advice of ecologists and horticulturalists. Insect and wildlife habitats will be enhanced and at the same time it should be a contribution towards our climate goals.

We are already growing herbs around the station for local residents to enjoy and share and have created a wildflower garden to encourage biodiversity while also helping to maintain the bee friendly corridor.

Money that we raise will go on the materials and construction of the durable oak pergola, fencing and dry garden.

The restored station building is already increasing passenger numbers at the station and the new garden will further enhance the experience of people who use and visit the station. The community hub has brought friendship, fun and support to the local community. The environmentally friendly garden will add to everyone's wellbeing and enjoyment of this special place.