Image caption, The community garden has been created beside both platforms at Hindley station in WiganByRichard SteadNorth WestA couple who have spent 20 years building a community garden at their local...
Image caption, The community garden has been created beside both platforms at Hindley station in Wigan By Richard Stead North West A couple who have spent 20 years building a community garden at their local railway station have said they hope it will be named as the Best in Britain. Hindley Station in Wigan has been nominated in an annual "World Cup" of stations competition run by train operating companies. Sheila and Sandy Davidson have been planting trees, flowers and shrubs alongside the platforms for two decades.
"We just came down almost 20 years ago and decided to plant a few bulbs on the Manchester-bound platform," said 80-year-old Sheila from the Friends of Hindley Station. "Everybody in the area is wonderful, they all support us and we get so much help from people on social media who donate things for the garden." Image caption, Sheila Davidson is the Friends of Hindley Station's lead volunteer Sheila added: "It's putting Hindley on the map, so to even get in the World Cup of stations is such an honour, but we really would like to win."
The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operating companies, organises the competition every year, with passengers voting for the winner. Ashington railway station in Northumberland won the award last year after passenger services returned to the town in 2024 following an absence of 60 years. Image caption, The platforms at Hindley Station have been turned into vibrant community gardens and allotments Hindley station opened in 1848 and is situated between Bolton and Wigan, with regular direct services across the north of England.