This year is flying by as we busily prepare a series of events for the centenary of the station, culminating in the All Aboarders Celebration Day on Saturday 3 October 2026.

Phase 1 has already been completed!

We kicked off the gardening year with a Special Makeover Day. Together with other volunteers and supporters, all our 17 troughs were repainted, compost was added to flat garden beds and our raised Pride Bed was replanted with perennials which will be easier to manage as our climate changes.

As we worked the first set of new artwork at the station was being put in place. Now the platform shelters have had vinyls applied showing lovely photographs of our station gardens. These were taken by All Aboarders and our supporters showcasing some favourite floral moments from the last few years.

On the north side of the pedestrian footbridge there is new artwork by Katie Hounsome in her signature travel poster style. They feaure destinations along our train line from Kings Cross in the south to Cambridge, and also feature scenes around WGC. How many have you visited so far?

On the south side is WGC related history including a timeline of the station. There are also photographs from HCC Local Studies and by Ken Wright. These include some of the iconic Shredded Wheat Factory which was also opened in 1926.

Also on the footbridge, local WGC artist Yves Sancier was commissioned by the All Aboarders to create art about the station and we are delighted with the results. He highlights views we will all be familiar with such as the station buildings, staircases and a peek through the pine trees.

Since the centenary day regular volunteer sessions have seen the troughs replenished with summer planting, including two special “100” troughs made using sedums. They can be found on platforms 2 and 3, can you spot them?

Do take a little extra time when you catch a train to look at all the amazing artwork and also if course our lovely gardens and plant troughs.

The team have also been busy around town outside of the train station.

With massive help from Hertfordshire County Council, artwork has been selected and installed in the town centre subway between John Lewis and the Hunters Bridge Carpark. The artwork includes contributions from Applecroft and Templewood school children; students from Oakland’s College; and photographs by Ken Wright, Robert Gill and Barry Goodey. There are further contributions from Hertfordshire County Council Archives, Katie Hounsome and Yves Sancier.

With the Phase 1 complete we are already planning more. In Phase 2 there will be more artwork installed on the pedestrian bridge and the subway. Watch this space!

Another exciting first for us was the WGC Train Book Trail. This took place over the Spring Half Term holiday. The trail involved matching 12 children’s train books displayed in shop windows with their location. We were delighted that 60 children took part in the trail. Book tokens have been given to the prize winners.

Still to come in Phase 2:

Ride on a Miniature Railway.
This is an opportunity for children (and adults!) to take a ride on a miniature railway. The railway will be in Howardsgate on Saturday 8 August as part of BID’s Dinomania – Family friendly “Big Dinosaur Day”

Railway Related Exhibition at The Howard Centre – from Saturday 26th September to Saturday 3rd October.

Station Centenary Celebration Day – Saturday 3 October 2026 will mark 100 years since the station was officially opened by Sir Neville Chamberlain. At WGC Railway Station and in The Howard Centre.

Big thanks to Lynda (AA), Colin (AA), Lindsey (HCC) and the many others involved in making this all a sucess so far!