Friday December 20th 2024
Left to right: Julie Mair, Becky Stewart, BBC's Judith Ralston who presented the award and Rebecca McCosh.
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson
Newtongrange train station has undergone a transformation this year, and it’s not just local commuters that have praised the makeover. The Newtongrange Guerrilla Gardeners, responsible for the eco takeover, have now been recognised and rewarded at a national level, as they scooped the Community Project of the Year title at the ScotRail in the Community Awards.
From the moment passengers alight from the train, visitors to the Midlothian village are greeted by a wide variety of butterfly and bee friendly plants and flowers in planters and beds around the platform, car park and surrounding areas. It’s all down to the hard work of the Newtongrange Guerrilla Gardeners who for the past year have been litter-picking, digging, weeding, planting, watering, sowing and growing.
According to volunteer Rebecca McCosh, taking over Newtongrange train station as part of ScotRail’s Adopt a Station initiative wasn’t just about the physical transformation of the station, it was also about transforming people’s attitudes.
“Neighbours who have never spoken before have come together and new friendships have been forged. Some have learned new skills, some have grown in confidence and some have enjoyed a real boost to their mental health by connecting with nature. Others have benefited from the feelgood factor that comes from giving back to your local community, and many have been inspired and empowered by the fact they can make a real difference to their local area and to the environment” she said.
Today, Newtongrange train station is a shining example of what happens when locals take pride in their community. Their key strength is their diversity – the Newtongrange Guerrilla Gardeners consist of volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Commuters, home workers, retired pensioners and young school children work together to water the flowers and maintain the area. And it was this intergenerational collaboration that stood out to the judges. Not only did it earn them the crown for Community Project of the Year, they also took home the silver award in the Station of the Year category.
“We’re delighted to take home these awards – it’s testament to the hard work that all the volunteers have put in this year” said volunteer Becky Stewart. And their hard work won’t stop there. “We’re excited to add yet more colour and interest to the station in spring 2025” added volunteer Julie Mair. So commuters keep your eyes peeled!
The Newtongrange Guerrilla Gardeners is a voluntary group established in 2021. Volunteers were united by a vision of brightening up the Midlothian village, making it a greener and more welcoming place for all. Their aim is to provide an opportunity for locals to work together to transform public spaces and boost the well-being of all villagers. Today, the Newtongrange Guerrilla Gardeners maintain a number of areas around the village, including a thriving community garden which provides fresh produce to residents free of charge, provides valuable educational opportunities for local children, and plays host to a calendar of inclusive community events.
For further information, follow the Newtongrange Guerrilla Gardeners on Facebook.
Tweet Share on Facebook
