2020 in Review

Lynda Cowan looks back at 2020 for the All Aboarders.

What a year it has been.

Despite the setbacks, gardening continued at the station within the restrictions and with just one lengthy break between March and July so passengers and staff were still able to enjoy our efforts.

Our AGM in February was well attended. We now have 10 members on the committee.  As Coronavirus struck almost immediately afterwards the Committee members agreed to continue in their roles.

We were delighted that the gardens continued to flourish for some time. It was wonderful that Kath, an NHS essential worker and commuter, kept us updated by taking lovely photographs through the spring and early summer and posting them on our All Aboarders Facebook Page.

When gardening resumed within Covid-19 rules in July we had to replace the plants in most of our troughs. The team responded wonderfully and soon the gardens were back to their former glory.

In July our new Station Manager, Karen Sherwin arrived. Her commitment and support has been greatly appreciated.  Since she arrived many improvements have been made – adding lighting to our shed, installing our Bug City and Heritage Posters and leaflet racks in the Waiting Rooms.

Once again we were able take play our part in the Plant Rescue Scheme with dahlias, senecio angel wings and salvias from Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council who also kindly supplied winter and spring bedding from their surplus.

Thank you to all our sponsors and supporters – and especially, during the current year, to GTR for their continued funding, to all the staff at WGC Station, to County Councillors Barbara Gibson and Nigel Quentin for  Locality Grants,  to Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council for their surplus bedding plants, to Prestige Barn for the gift of Bug City and to WGC Rotary Club members for joining us in gardening sessions.

Finally thanks to all our gardening volunteers, 24 in total now, who gave over 285 hours during the year to keep our station gardens looking so amazing.  New gardeners are always welcome!

Much more was planned for 2020 particularly as we aimed to celebrate the Centenary of Welwyn Garden City but are looking forward to catching up in 2021.