Hunmanby Railway Station, Platform One, looking North
Above, December 2017, the Friends of Hunmanby Railway station started work on creating a 160 foot long flower border. This involved pruning back an overgrown hedge. This was formed of hawthorn with some elderberry. The hawthorn had suffered due to the thin soil and a thick coat of ivy. This has improved visibility along the platform for both passengers and on train staff. One concern from rail passengers was how spooky the platform was when catching a train at night, especially in the winter months.
Above, Winter 2017/2018 a start is made cutting back the hedge, which consisted mostly of ivy.
Above, the new 160 foot long flower border has been created, with a clear view now down the platform, for on train staff and passengers. From the old waiting shelter it is much easier to see the approaching train. The soil has been improved with 100 free sacks of manure donated by Jan at the local stables. This was added because the soil was very free draining, low in nutrients, and plants would need all the help they could get due the large local rabbit population.
Around 1,000 bedding plants were donated by Reighton Nursery and planted for the Spring of 2018. Decking boards were kindly supplied free of charge by Orchard Farm Holiday Village along with transport of plants and supplies. The decking boards held back the soil so that in the dry summer of 2018, watering could take place. It also provided a neat edge to the long border
Above, summer 2020 planting in the long border on Platform 1 at Hunmanby Railway Station with a new Class 170 Turbo Star train
Hunmanby Railway Station, Platform One, looking South
Above, December 2017, taken just before Friends of Hunmanby Railway station started work on creating a 160 foot long flower border.
Above prior to starting work creating the long border there was a gap in the hedge blocked by metal sheeting and fencing.
Above, the posts are for the dead hedge to fill a gap in the hedge and provide a screen for the wire and sheet metal temporary fencing. The dead hedge will provide a wildlife habitat area.
Right: A view of the new long border, looking towards Bridlington. A rosemary bush that was too large for one of the flower tubs was split and planted in front of the new dead hedge. The dead hedge is formed of branches from the pruning back of the overgrown hedge, secured by the wooden posts. This created a wildlife habitat. The free draining and nutrient depleted soil was boosted by several bags of well-rotted horse manure form a local stable.
Above: A view of the new long border, looking towards Bridlington. Reighton Nursery kindly donated over a thousand primulas to give an instant flower display for the Spring of 2018
Above: In 2019 the long border was planting up for more sustainable perennial planting, while lacking the 'wow' factor, better for wildlife, require little watering and tend to bulk up and look after themselves.
Right, in 2020 the new long border with its perennial planting has matured giving colour for most of the year and interest in the winter months with the grasses
Updated 7.4.2023