Could your local railway station win a gardening competition?

Train passengers in Surrey and east Hampshire, who think their local station is 'blooming' into life this Spring, are being asked to vote for it in a gardening competition.

South Western Railway, which operates across Berkshire, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Somerset, Surrey and Wiltshire - is sponsoring the 2025 edition of South & South East in Bloom and has introduced a special category, Celebration Stations.

South & South East in Bloom is one of 16 regions across the UK that make up the annual, nationwide gardening competition ‘Britain in Bloom’. The competition inspires community groups in towns, cities and villages to make positive changes to their local environment through horticultural, environmental and community action.

The new category will be open to railway stations across the south and south east of England, many of which have been adopted by community groups and volunteers who lovingly tend to their stations’ gardens and green spaces.

The deadline for submitting entries to South & South East in Bloom is March 31 and judging will take place between June and August 2025.

Peter Holman, Chair of South & South East in Bloom, and London in Bloom, said:

"South & South East in Bloom is thrilled to collaborate with South Western Railway to develop the Stations in Bloom initiative. This partnership opens up fantastic new opportunities for participating station adopters to engage with the regional and wider Britain in Bloom community.

“Together, we can shine a spotlight on the extraordinary dedication and creativity of the volunteers who are transforming our stations along the SWR routes into stunning green spaces. Let’s celebrate these incredible efforts and inspire even more communities to get involved."

Paula Aldridge, South Western Railway’s community rail manager, said:

“South & South East in Bloom is an opportunity to celebrate those who make a positive difference to their communities. We have hundreds of volunteers and station adopters who make a real difference and take real care of the green spaces around our stations.

“It’s wonderful to have a category just for the region’s stations, especially as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the modern railway. I love seeing our stations transformed into vibrant, welcoming spaces and we’re really looking forward to seeing nominations across the SWR network and beyond.”

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