Broads boat is new feature at Cantley station

A former Broads day boat, decked with winter pansies, was launched on to Cantley rail station thanks to a project by local residents and businesses in partnership with train operator Greater Anglia.

The station, on the Norwich to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Wherry Lines, has received a makeover thanks to the Friends of Cantley Station (known as FOCUS), led by Robert Beadle.

They have been working with train operator Greater Anglia to brighten up the station with flowers.

The boat, donated by the nearby Reedcutters Pub, has been transformed into a garden with help from British Sugar, whose staff helped to pull the disused boat out of the reeds and into the station car park, donated the topsoil for planting.

The team from FOCUS had to cut the boat into three pieces to get it on to the platform before reassembling it and planting it to make an attractive feature.

The new station garden was officially opened when members of FOCUS, parish councillors and representatives from Greater Anglia cut a cake on the station platform.

Greater Anglia’s partnerships manager Geraint Hughes said: “Well done to everyone involved in launching this boat. This has been a real community effort.”