A new heritage museum and community facility has been officially opened at Borth railway station on the Cambrian Coast Line.
The £40,000 refurbishment was opened by Ceredigion MP Mark Williams with a commemorative plaque being unveiled and many of the picturesque coastal town’s residents taking the opportunity to look around the new facility.
Led by local residents George Romary and John Toler, the station was adopted in 2006 as part of the Arriva Trains Wales ‘Adopt a Station’ scheme.
The adoption scheme aims to offer community volunteers the opportunity to help monitor unstaffed stations and where possible, assist with the maintenance of facilities such as platform gardens in need of upkeep. To date, more than 160 stations have been adopted.
Two years later in 2008, with the support of more volunteers, the group expanded to become the ‘Borth Station Volunteers’ with around a dozen floating helpers pitching in with cleaning and gardening duties.
The group became focussed on renovating and using the three disused and derelict station waiting room and ticket office for community use.
Discussions followed between the group, Arriva Trains Wales and the station landlord Network Rail to understand the feasibility of taking forward such a large project.
Meanwhile, in 2008, the group started the successful art project, which attracted more than 30 people from across the village.
The project involved people of all ages, including unemployed volunteers, TV producers, engineers, nurses, street cleaners, artists and designers, teachers and school children.
These colourful murals, illustrating scenes from around Borth, can now be seen on the station and provide a welcome sight for regular passengers and visitors to the village.
Following nearly two years of discussions between the volunteers, the rail industry, local authority and potential funding partners, the refurbishment work started on 6 January 2011 amidst the coldest winter for 50 years.
Work undertaken by local tradesmen included refurbishing all the windows, doors, re-wiring, installing a water supply and painting – while preserving much of the original features of the old booking office.
Speaking at the opening MP Mark Williams said:
“The much improved facilities are a testament to the volunteers who have adopted the station, and their work has really made a difference. The whole community has got involved, and this has been an excellent project, which has left us with a real benefit for residents and visitors alike.”
In addition to being a heritage museum featuring donated railway memorabilia, the volunteers aim to use the facility to provide information to holidaymakers visiting Borth and the surrounding area.
Funding partners for the scheme included Borth Station Volunteers, Plwm, the Association of Community Rail Partnerships, Railway Heritage Trust and Borth Community Council.
