Published on: Monday, 22 June 2015
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Stunning floral displays are welcomingpassengers at Ipswich, Stowmarket and Diss rail stations this summer thanks toa partnership between local charity ActivLives and train operator AbellioGreater Anglia, with help from Ipswich-based horticultural company Thompson& Morgan.
Volunteers, work placements and younglearners from charity, ActivLives, have created 20 summer hanging baskets, filledwith Begonias supplied by Thompson & Morgan, which now take pride of placeat the three stations on the Norwich – London mainline.
Not only will the baskets brighten up thejourneys of everyone who passes through the stations, the project has alsoprovided local young people with valuable horticultural experience. Participantsfrom a number of organisations, including WS Training, Talent Match and Seetec,take part in training programmes at ActivLives’ two garden projects in Ipswich togain skills for work.
The team planted up the baskets with stafffrom Thompson and Morgan back in April. They have since tended the choiceBegonia blooms at the glasshouses in the walled garden at Chantry Park, bringingthem into peak condition for display at the rail stations.
ActivGardens Lead Horticulturist andTrainer Ric Staines said: “Our students have gained valuable skills relevant toworking in the horticultural industry. We were happy to work in partnershipwith Abellio Greater Anglia and Thompson & Morgan to bring this project tofruition and we hope rail passengers will enjoy the efforts we’ve made tobrighten up their journeys. As well as supplying plants, baskets, compost andfeed, Thompson & Morgan have also helped give our young horticulturists newexperience in the world of business.”
Alan Trett, Abellio Greater Anglia’s AreaCustomer Services Manager said: “We are delighted to be involved withActivLives, literally providing a platform for the young people involved toshowcase their newly gained experience. We are delighted with their efforts andI hope they feel very proud of their achievement, which is sure to brighten theday of the thousands of passengers who pass through these stations.”
Begonia ‘Apricot Shades Improved’, a firmfavourite with Thompson & Morgan’s mail order customers, were chosen forthe basket displays for their ability to cope with all that the British weathercan throw at them come rain or shine, with minimal need for maintenance. Thefirm has been supplying home gardeners with mail order plants and seeds from itsIpswich HQ since 1855. The stunning begonias have been a no.1 best seller forthe company since they were launched back in the 1990s.
Thompson & Morgan HorticulturalDirector, Paul Hansord said: “When it comes to hanging baskets ‘Apricot Shades’is always our first choice. We can’t think of a better summer performer. Plantedin incredicompost® and fed with incredbloom® at planting time, these basketswill looking stunning right through to autumn, with minimal care from stationstaff - spent flowers simply fall off to be replaced by fresh new blooms. Activlives has done a fine job of growing themon ready for display, they certainly have some future horticulturists in themaking.”