A Station Adopter is all manner of things from someone who just wants to look after the station garden, someone who wants to improve the station environment by producing artwork on the platforms or do something else - like our station adopters at Wivenhoe who produce a monthly leaflet for passengers with local peoples poems.
If you don't have the time or want to commit to adopting a station, you could volunteer to support our adopters by watering plants once a month or joining in with line events, such as the Bucket and Spade train and our Sea Shanty Train.
Our station adopters are really active in looking after the station environment, with new gardens at Great Bentley, Harwich, Weeley, Battlesbridge and Bures. We have also installed new art at Braintree Freeport and Frinton.
If you only have an hour a week or longer to spare then you can make a real difference to your station environment. We also like to hear from artists who may want to help contribute to the their local station or line. If you want more information on how you can get involved please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on 07557081543
Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership hold many events in the calendar year, with the aim to encourage more people to use the train. Our popular events include the annual Santa train held on the Crouch Valley Line, Wickford to Southminster which is full of fun for the children and parents. Highlights include meeting Father Christmas and Rudolph letting the train take the strain as they walk through the carriages and giving out presents.
The Halloween train on the Manningtree to Harwich Mayflower line is a spooky but fun experience with cobweb carriages and lots of activities to do on the train journey such as competitions, activity packs, games, tattoo’s and ghostly tales.
The Sea Shanty is our newest annual event, first ran in 2013 and has grown since, with more trains being ran year on year. Whilst travelling on the Mayflower line to Harwich you will be joined by a sea shanty crew who will entertain you with songs of the sea, travelling in a highly decorated train and lots of fancy dressed people in sea fare!
We are proud that so many people get to enjoy our events - below are some photos from various events we've held.