🌿 Case Study: Nature at Newton – Rail 74 Community Rail Partnership
📍 Location: Newton Station, South Lanarkshire
🛤️ Led by: Rail 74 Community Rail Partnership (CRP)
🤝 Partners: Friends of Newton Station Group, ScotRail, Herbal Homestead, local volunteers, and community groups
🎯 Focus Areas: Biodiversity, community engagement, health and wellbeing, place-making
🌱 Project Overview
Nature at Newton is a growing community initiative led by Rail 74 CRP to revitalise the greenspace surrounding Newton Railway Station. This multi-stranded project brings together local people, organisations, and volunteers to turn the station into a biodiverse and welcoming hub, supporting mental wellbeing, sustainable travel, and environmental education.
The initiative focuses on transforming underused space into a vibrant growing and learning environment that supports pollinators, community activity, and biodiversity – all in the heart of a commuter station.
📅 Newton Station Update – 11 April 2025
The Nature at Newton sessions are progressing well, with positive engagement and emerging community ownership:
- A local mum and daughter became new volunteers after attending a session.
- Millburn Nursery (Newton Brae) has completed an induction with Sandra and now plans weekly visits. They’ve adopted one raised bed for growing with the children.
- An after-school club from St Charles’ Primary School will resume sessions after the Easter break and adopt the second empty raised bed.
🌿 Project Highlights & Achievements
1. 🌳 Greenspace Development
- Full review of the station greenspace area completed, with an output report created.
- A new awareness-raising poster designed to share the project’s aims and highlight local biodiversity.
- Cleared and composted key areas in preparation for vegetable and medicinal planting.
- Next steps: Spring planting to commence as weather improves.
2. 📚 Educational Sessions & Community Engagement
A total of 3 structured workshops and 3 monthly volunteer gardening sessions have been delivered so far:
- Session 1: Bio-Blitz & Bird Feeding
- Participants: 25
- Activities: Local wildlife recording, bird feeder making, learning about bird species and habitats.
- Feedback: Strong community interest in biodiversity and local wildlife.
- Session 2: Planter Building & Windowsill Herb Gardens
- Participants: 35
- Activities: DIY planter construction, hands-on tool use, windowsill herb garden creation.
- Feedback: High enthusiasm for practical, skill-based learning and take-home items.
- Session 3: Hibernaculum Creation for Amphibians
- Participants: 17
- Activities: Tree thinning, wildflower turf installation, hibernaculum construction, Hapa Kome session. A bat box was installed and excess branches used to promote moisture retention and fungal health in planters.
- Feedback: Participants appreciated learning about conservation techniques and ecological design.
- Volunteer Gardening Drop-Ins
- Held monthly, consistently attracting 5 volunteers.
- Activities include composting, weeding, planting, and peer skill-sharing.
- Challenge: Volunteer numbers steady but small – increased local promotion and on-site signage now a key focus.
3. 📢 Promotion & Awareness
- New poster board ordered to inform locals of upcoming sessions and how to get involved.
- Posters designed and distributed at local schools, shops, nursery settings, and on-site.
- Project featured in the Daily Record, raising its profile.
- Targeted social media posts used to reach local groups and potential volunteers.
- Despite good engagement, awareness-building remains a priority for growth.
4. 🚶♀️ Sustainable Travel & Public Space Enhancement
- Sessions promote increased use of rail and walking through a stronger connection with station greenspace.
- Improved station environment fosters a sense of pride and community connection.
- Encourages passengers to see Newton Station as a place to pause, engage, and breathe.
5. 💡 Future Plans & Funding
- Exploring sponsorship and support from local businesses and train operating company community funds.
- Partnering with local colleges and education providers to expand learning opportunities.
- Upcoming activities:
- April–June: Medicinal plant workshop (botanical cream-making), vegetable planting, and a community outdoor lunch.
- Later in the year: 6 more sessions planned to continue learning, growing, and greening.
🛠️ Next Steps
- Increase advertising through banners, posters, and social channels.
- Finalise funding applications and sponsorship discussions.
- Continue partnerships with schools, nurseries, and local groups.
- Prepare infrastructure (raised beds, compost, tools) for spring–summer sessions.
💬 Community Voices
“We’ve enjoyed every session – it’s something different and good for the wee ones too.”
– Parent participant
“It feels good to be part of making the station better. I look forward to it every month.”
– Regular volunteer
🙌 Get Involved
Would you like to take part in Nature at Newton?
🌱 Volunteer | 🛠️ Run a workshop | 🧒 Bring your class or group
📩 Contact: Rail 74 CRP email – suziemccheyne1@gmail.com or use contact form
🌐 More info: @rail74crp or @friends of newton station on Facebook
