Do you know how the village of Stanstead Abbots got its name? Anyone visiting St. Margarets station will be able to find out using the new history board which has been created by Stanstead Abbotts Local History Society and funded and made by the New River Line Community Rail Partnership.

The original history board has been on display in the village of Stanstead Abbots for a good number of years and includes several features including information regarding local historic features as well as a map of the local area including villages close to the station. Robin Jewett, who is a St. Margaret’s rail station volunteer adopter, spotted the board in the village and felt that this facility would also work brilliantly at the station. Thanks to Robin’s great thinking, a brand new additional board has now been produced by the New River Line Community Rail Partnership and is on display at the station ready for visitors to enjoy.

Katie Goldthorpe, New River Line Community Rail Officer, said: “We were delighted to help turn Robin’s suggestion into reality as it will provide some interesting information about the area to encourage people to explore and provide them with food for thought while they wait for trains.

“The area has such a rich and fascinating history and this is a great way to put people in touch with it the minute they arrive by train, providing inspiration about what to see and do.”

Alan Neville, Greater Anglia‘s Customer and Community Engagement Manager, said: “The board provides a great link between the rail station and the villages and is full of interesting information, which makes the station a great start to exploring the town.”

Working alongside Greater Anglia, Hertfordshire County Council and other local organisations, the New River Line Community Rail Partnership aims to support local branch lines to thrive in order to benefit local communities.