Greater Anglia Brundall Station volunteer receives grant

Thomas Adams has dedicated more than 20 years as a station adopter for Greater Anglia at Brundall Gardens and Brundall Station, on the Wherry Line, east of Norwich.

Tom Adams, the Greater Anglia Station Adopter for Brundall Station (Image: Sonya Duncan)

His 11-year-old son, Isaac, has helped him bring the garden at the station back to life after being "left in disrepair for years".

Left, railscape contractor, Jan, with Mr Adams and his son (Image: Submitted)

And now, after asking the parish council in April if they would fund the site, he has secured a £200 grant.

Mr Adams, who volunteers as part of a group, said: "It's the first time we have ever received a grant from the parish council.

"I began volunteering at Brundall Gardens, my local station, in 2005. I then transferred over to the larger station.

Brundall Station (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Tom Adams has transformed the site (Image: Sonya Duncan)

"Every station along the Wherry Line has a station adopter appointed by Greater Anglia.

"We are always short of money, there is no budget for the station. Greater Anglia supports us with vouchers and the Community Rail Partnership, based in Lowestoft, has helped over the years."

Mr Adams said his son has been helping at the site since he was four years old, adding: "I want to keep that going for as long as I can.

"I have been working with the primary school adjacent to the railway for five years. 

The Brundall Primary School children (Image: Submitted)

"I volunteer with them to teach the children how to do gardening. They absolutely love it.

"I also work closely with the Men's Shed - they have helped build birdboxes for the garden."

Mr Adams also works as an invigilator for the Inspiration Trust, Norwich schools network.