Church & Oswaldtwistle to Accrington and Beyond – By Train, Foot & Bicycle
On 4th December, 2024 RotaKids pupils from Oswaldtwistle St Andrew’s CE Primary beamed into Church and Oswaldtwistle station for the unveiling of their artwork featuring the access directly off the station platform onto the Hyndburn Greenway – featured at Accrington station too.
Pupils from St. Andrew’s CE Primary School look for their work – photo © Simon Clarke
By showcasing the route between the stations, it’s hoped to raise the profile of this greenspace to locals as well as encouraging rail users to visit the station to explore the greenway.
Mr Martin, Year 5 Teacher of St Andrew’s CE Primary and Project School Lead said: “The children have been rewarded with activities that they would not normally have been able to do. Working within our local community, children at St Andrew’s, have been able to thrive when understanding the greenspaces of their local area and beyond. Children have helped make a real difference in their local area taking pride in improving the landscape.”
“Their artwork was celebrated with guests including a warm welcome from the Worshipful Mayor of Hyndburn, Councillor, Mike Booth and a congratulatory speech given by the Vice-Chair of the County Council, County Councillor, Alf Clempson. Members of the local Rotary Club who are also Northern Railway’s Friends of the Station were delighted with the pupil’s contribution to improve the station.”
Pupils and invited guests pose for a group photo – photo © Simon Clarke
Northern’s Community and Sustainability Manager Martin Keating said: “I would like to thank all the partners who have contributed towards this exciting project. This helps promote sustainable transport & healthy living as well as engaging directly with the next generation of rail users”.
“Year 5 pupils had worked with local professional artist, Gosha Gibek to create the beautiful artwork featuring the Hyndburn Greenway and beyond. Sonja Bottomer, the Open Spaces Learning Officer at Prospects Foundation walked the pupils along the route to highlight the flora and fauna of the greenway and the pupils suggested activities along with Sonja’s are available to download.”
Alf Clempson Vice-Chair of the County Council, inspects the pupils artwork – photo © Simon Clarke
Mike Cliffe, Rail Development Officer at Lancashire County Council and Chair of the East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership said: “We’re delighted to see the fantastic original artwork of the St Andrews CE Primary School children who have worked so well with Artist Gosha Gibek. I must also extend thanks to the project funders and all those who have worked behind the scenes to come together and bring this project to life.”
The school was presented with vinyl copies of the artwork to display in the playground – photo © Simon Clarke
After the pupils and guests had viewed the artwork in-situ, it was back to the school for the speeches and guests were delighted to view displays of the original artwork and talk to the pupils about the project over a brew, served beautifully by the pupils. The school were presented with banners of the artwork from the The Rotary Club and each pupil received a celebratory badge featuring their artwork.
