This week saw Accrington’s Station Adoption group, Stations of Welcome, visit sunny Silverdale to learn about woodland conservation. Sam Ansell from The Coppice Co-op met the group at Silverdale Station and walked the women to the woodland where they learned about the work of the Coppice Co-op and discussed the opportunity to do a series of woodland engagement sessions later in the year.

Stations of Welcome is a group of South Asian heritage, Muslim women who came together post the Covid pandemic to support each other and improve their mental and physical health. They would meet at Accrington Station and then became interested in looking after the station’s planters and garden. They have helped with many community rail projects over the last two years and gained confidence when travelling by train.

The Woodland Engagement project in Silverdale aims to encourage groups of people to visit woodland areas who may not usually visit. Linking up with Community Rail Lancashire and with Helen Bingley, the High Sheriff of Lancashire and the Abaseen Foundation, the project will enable Stations of Welcome to become informed about woodland conservation so that they can enjoy these surroundings safely.

During their visit the group tried their hand at sawing and splitting wood as well as some willow weaving. It took many of them back to their time in Pakistan when they enjoyed the carefree period of childhood when they would watch their mothers and grandmothers cook outdoors and live in a way that helped to conserve the environment. They had a wonderful day and are looking forward to more sessions later in the year.