The platform at Melton railway station in Suffolk has been rejuvenated by the East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership working with scouts from Woodbridge in their quest for a new ‘Platforms for Change’ badge.

The East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership (CRP) is dedicated to keeping the branch lines between Ipswich and Felixstowe/Lowestoft and their communities thriving.

This latest initiative is working with Greater Anglia and scout and cub groups in the county as part of the Community Rail Network’s ‘Platforms for Change’ initiative.

On two evenings earlier this month, children from the 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts group visited Melton station near Ipswich to help brighten up the platform and attract wildlife by painting planter boxes and planting flowers.

Greater Anglia provided complimentary travel back to Woodbridge station for both groups of scouts, which for some, was the first time they had travelled on a train.

24 Cub Scouts aged 6 and 7 met at the station on the evening of Tuesday, 17th September, and in just 22 minutes they painted four large planter boxes.

Afterwards, they all enjoyed some fun and games at a local play area before returning to Woodbridge.

The following week, 24 Squirrels aged 4 and 5 also visited Melton station to plant flowers and natural grasses in the planter boxes that had been painted by the Cub Scouts the previous week.

They also planted pollinators designed to attract wildlife, and herbs that would be available for local residents to pick.

The family-run Katie’s Garden Plant Centre in Newbourne supplied all the plants for the project.
East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership welcomes donations so it can carry out similar projects in the future, and they can be sent to the East Suffolk Lines CRP officer [email protected].

“Melton station had become slightly overgrown, and I am really proud that passengers will now be welcomed by four beautiful plant boxes thanks to the hard work of the 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts.
“We are delighted to be involved with the Platforms for Change initiative, helping young people to build travel confidence, learn new skills, and help to improve their community facilities.”

Thalia Woodgate, East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership officer