This couple spent two decades making their local railway station bloom, and now it’s been nominated for an award

For 20 years, Sheila and Sandy Davidson have been turning Hindley railway station in Wigan into a colourful garden filled with flowers, trees and shrubs. What began with a few bulbs has grown into a community project supported by volunteers, local businesses and residents. Now, the couple hope their hard work will help the station win a national award in the annual World Cup of Stations competition. The inputs are taken from a report by The BBC.

How did the couple start the railway station garden?

Sheila Davidson, 80, and her husband Sandy, 84, began planting at Hindley station almost two decades ago. Their first efforts were modest, but the garden gradually grew with help from people living in the area.


"We just came down almost 20 years ago and decided to plant a few bulbs on the Manchester-bound platform," said Sheila, who is the lead volunteer with the Friends of Hindley Station.

"Everybody in the area is wonderful, they all support us and we get so much help from people on social media who donate things for the garden."

The couple have planted a wide variety of flowers and shrubs, including fuchsia, hydrangeas, pansies, Himalayan nutmeg, sunflowers and roses. Some of the plants have matured over the years, giving the station a well-established garden.

The volunteers also grow vegetables, including onions, in raised beds on the platforms.

Sheila said being nominated for the competition was already a proud moment for the community.

"It's putting Hindley on the map, so to even get in the World Cup of stations is such an honour, but we really would like to win."

What makes Hindley station's garden special?

The garden is about more than flowers. It also reflects Hindley's history and brings people together. The station has a disused platform and two large railway embankments, giving volunteers space to develop the garden. The group has also collected garden sculptures, including one depicting a former coal mine near Ladies Lane.

The Ladies Lane colliery opened in the 1850s, with coal transported using wagons on the Lancashire & Yorkshire railway line. It employed hundreds of miners before closing in 1910.

The station garden now provides a way to remember that past while making the railway surroundings more welcoming.

A community effort built over two decades

Sheila and Sandy are supported by a small team of volunteers, along with local businesses whose employees give their time for free. Sandy, who has lived in the area since 1964, plays his part by collecting donated plants.

"Basically, I follow my wife's simple instructions and I drive across the area to collect plants from people who donate!

"Very often, as the trains are approaching, the drivers will sound their horn and wave because we've got to know them over the years."

The couple have been married for 59 years. Their work has also extended beyond gardening. The Friends of Hindley Station work with Thrive Community Interest Company to help people with additional needs build confidence in travelling by train and tackle social isolation.

Hindley station opened in 1848. Sits between Bolton and Wigan. Hindley station offers services across northern England. Year around 250,000 passengers used Hindley station. The railway line has recently been electrified, and work is under way to install two passenger lifts and a new pedestrian footbridge.

The annual World Cup of Stations competition is organised by the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operating companies. Passengers vote for the winner. Ashington station in Northumberland won last year after passenger services returned in 2024 following a 60-year absence. For Sheila and Sandy, the nomination is recognition of 20 years of effort and the people who have helped their garden grow.