Hunmanby Platform No.2 (Down) towards Scarborough
This was the first area taken on by Hunmanby in Bloom in Spring 2006. The railway station was tidy and functional, but had potential to be more of a 'gateway to the village'.
An early problem was the remains of the old signal box, which had been buried under just a thin layer of soil. This involved removing a large about of bricks, likely to have been made at the old brick works in the village. The clay pit, now forming the fishing lake, next to the station
Spring 2007, a few daffodils brighten up the entrance. A start has been made
Another shot from Spring 2007, the old 'retro' waiting shelter on the adjoining up platform towards Bridlington and Hull. Of note in the changing railway scene, is the old British Rail double arrow sign and '1st' generation 'bus shelter'
At the entrance to the Scarborough platform, the soil is very poor. This is because it is built on the remains of the old signal box and waiting room. (See link to the old photographs of Hunmanby Railway Station)
When gardening it is easier to work with rather against nature. If your soil is poor, there are plenty of plants that will still thrive in low nutrient, dry conditions, and full sun.
The 'beach bed' has been planted up to create a seaside feature, it was the first to be developed. As these photographs show on a rather bleak day in March in 2008!
The membrane has been laid, and the gardening club from Hunmanby school assisted by Hunmanby in Bloom are starting to move several tons of gravel to create the beach effect.
Tea Break, thanks to Karen & David, owners of the Station House in 2008.
Job done. Hunmanby Railway Station's first flower bed, since the late 1970's
The young people from Hunmanby School who were involved in the project, and are now grown up, but 12 years on the hard work is still there being enjoyed by both local people and visitors. Now in 2020, the Beach Bed provides a contrast to the more 'cottage garden' long borders and formal flower tubs and baskets.
Spring 2008 saw the turf removed, a membrane put down and many tons of gravel laid to create a low maintenance dramatic entrance to the Scarborough platform. This area had formerly been the signal box and old waiting room. The soil was poor. A heritage turnip cutter was purchased and painted. Linking the station with its principal reason for being constructed. Freight traffic, the former good warehouses can be seen in the photo.
The gravel area was to create a 'beach effect' Hunmanby Gap beach is 2 miles away. A beautiful location, who needs the Med, when you can enjoy a coffee with a panoramic view at the Hunmanby Gap Café! It is on the route of the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle trail, just like the village.
In 2019 three Giant Vipers Bugloss (Echium Pininana) were planted in the long border, sheltered by the old Goods Shed. These plants, native of the Canary Islands, flower in their second year. Thanks to Mr & Mrs Donovan, who kindly passed on some young plants 6 years ago, they like the thin, sun baked soil at the station. In the wild they grow up to 6 foot tall.
The amazing array of dark blue flowers, very rich in nectar and pollen and great for bees, butterflies, moths, and other pollinators. Flowers start to open in May, with full blooms in June.
The ones at Hunmanby Railway Station can grow over 12 foot tall! The above photograph was taken April 2020. They were a great feature over the summer of 2020
Sadly a poor winter in 2020/21 prevented flowering in 2021.
The following year was mild on the East Coast, followed by a heatwave and glorious summer, so there was a great display in 2022.
This winter saw ice and snow for three weeks, and very low temperatures in Hunmanby, so no flowering Giant Vipers Bugloss this summer.
The plants which flowered and set seed in Summer 2022, are now growing, if there is a mild winter, Echium Pininana may well be flowering again in the Summer of 2024
Updated 7.4.2023