Organisations and industries associated with Crewe in Cheshire are celebrated in an art installation that has been unveiled at the town’s railway station.
The installation is a community project supported by Avanti West Coast that connects young people with the railway and was created out of waste materials such as used bottle tops, toy parts, buttons, pens, beads, and tiles.
Located on platform 12 of the station, the artwork features the railway, Bentley Motors, renowned ice cream van manufacturer Whitby Morrison, and Mornflake Oats. At the same time, brightly coloured figures represent the town’s community.
Avanti West Coast supports the initiative through its Customer and Communities Investment Fund, which supports activities that address social needs.
The installation was created as part of a project by Central Cheshire Buddies Scheme, a charity that supports children and young people with disabilities and their siblings.
The children worked with local artist Sue Guildford of Junk Art who specialises in repurposing discarded materials.
With the title ‘Train Buddies’, the project is designed to give disabled children and young carers experiences linked to the railway they would not ordinarily have.
By the end of next March, three of the charity’s activity groups will have enjoyed 24 days out by train, including trips to Blackpool for the tower, the circus, and Sea Life.
Railway stations are becoming popular places to display community art, such as at South Bank station in the Tees Valley and at Malden Manor in southwest London.
”We’ve loved welcoming Sue and Cheshire Buddies to the station to give waste materials a new lease of life and are delighted with the results! The unique artwork provides a warm welcome to those travelling to and from the town by train and is a great celebration of Crewe.
Taryn Banks, Crewe station manager
