Leighton Buzzard volunteers win Stations In Bloom award

Leighton Buzzard volunteers have been given an award for their beautiful floral displays at the town's train station.

Off the Rails LB were "really pleased" to receive a certificate and goody bags from London Northwestern Railway (LNWR) in recognition of their hard work.

Left to right: Cara Higgs, community strategy manager at LNWR with volunteers Val Cooper, Cathy Goodyear, Diane Liness, Carole Perham, and Gordon Perham

placeholder image — Left to right: Cara Higgs, community strategy manager at LNWR with volunteers Val Cooper, Cathy Goodyear, Diane Liness, Carole Perham, and Gordon Perham

The dedicated team of five usually meets every Tuesday and received a special visit on June 2 from the LNWR's community strategy manager, Cara Higgs.

"It's lovely, so nice," said Diane Liness, chair of Off the Rails LB. "We showed Cara around the station – the planters on the platform and in the waiting room.

"As well as replenishing the planters through the seasons, we have worked hard to transform the Pocket Park and started a project to rejuvenate the Silver Birch Circle as a wildflower area."

Off the Rails LB was created in 2022 by Central Bedfordshire Councillor Victoria Harvey, with Diane taking to the helm in 2023.

Thanks to help from Leighton-Linslade Town Council and LNWR, the group were able to acquire some planters and have been "filling them up ever since."

Diane said: "It's getting that thanks from people – the manager, the commuters come up to us all the time and thank us. It really, really makes a difference.

"It's quite a cheery place. Something to look at. Something to talk about."

If you think you could spare some time and help Off the Rails LB, please email: [email protected]

Diane concluded: "I would like to thank our brilliant volunteers; I think team work has been the key. We didn't really know each other before we joined in 2022, but we have become a really committed team."