Two decades ago, an unusual call-to-arms was made for people to “adopt” a railway station. 

Since then, Greater Anglia’s station adoption programme has welcomed more than 320 individuals who have taken 125 stations under their wing – including 108 in Norfolk and 43 in Suffolk. 

Jonathan Denby, head of corporate affairs, explained how the project’s success was a welcome surprise. 

Dereham Times: Thetford flowers and bimode train

He said: “When we launched the programme, during the Anglia Railways era, we hoped and believed it would make a positive difference, but we didn’t foresee just how successful it would become. 

“Travel across our network and you see fabulous planters garden and nature plots, populated with a wide variety of flora and fauna, supporting biodiversity and making stations more attractive to both customer an everyone else who uses or passes through them.” 

Dereham Times: Station adoption launch 24 June 2003

Now, as part of a celebration of those achievements of both current and past station adopters, Greater Anglia has produced a book to showcase their efforts.

Entitled 20 Years of Station Adoption in East Anglia, enough copies have been produced to be presented to station adopters and a group of key stakeholders.

Dereham Times: Lowestoft Coronation PlantersDereham Times: West Runton Wildlife Friendly accreditation April 2022

Dereham Times: Cantley station adopters

Dereham Times: Station adoption Acle signs and flowers jpg

Dereham Times: Thetford flowers and bimode train

Dereham Times: Attleborough received a Wildlife Friendly Station Accreditation in 2023