Passengers travelling through Pewsey Station will now be treated to a colourful celebration of railway history, thanks to the creativity of young artists from Pewsey Primary School.
To mark the 200th anniversary of the railways in Britain, Wiltshire’s Community Rail Partnership, TransWilts, challenged pupils to create artwork inspired by trains, travel and the rich heritage of the railway. Using a variety of media, and taking inspiration from steam engines to modern journeys, the children aged from 5 to 10 years, brought their imaginations to life.
A total of 20 pieces were selected to be displayed prominently along the station’s platforms, bringing together transport, local history, education and art. The pupils and their teachers were invited to a special launch event, where they were joined by representatives from TransWilts, GWR, Wiltshire Council, Pewsey Parish Council and The Arts Council. Their creativity can now be admired by travellers passing through Pewsey from their seats on the train, as well as close-up by those at the station.
Paddy Bradley, Chair of TransWilts, praised the children for their creativity and contribution to the local community. “The children’s artwork will be seen by thousands of people as they pass through the station, but more importantly these amazing pieces will be seen by their parents and friends and should be something that they are very proud of. We’re pleased to be able to celebrate Railway200, marking two centuries of the railways in the country, by coming together with our local community in Pewsey to create something that will hopefully bring a smile to train passengers for many years to come.”
Nicola Gilbert, Executive Headteacher at Pewsey Primary School, added: “It is so lovely to see the children’s artwork displayed at Pewsey Railway station for all the visitors passing through Pewsey to see. We were delighted to be part of this art project, the whole school enjoyed putting their art skills to good use to celebrate Railway200 with their vibrant pieces depicting the railway’s journey through time.”
GWR Senior Community Impact Manager, Emma Morris, said: “Great Western Railway is incredibly grateful to the pupils at Pewsey Primary School for creating this wonderful artwork for Pewsey station and to TransWilts for coming up with this inspirational initiative.
“It’s a wonderful welcome to all who use the station which not only creates a vibrant gateway to the village but also celebrates the heritage of the railway in its 200th year.
“These delightful pieces perfectly showcase the lasting impact the railway has had over two centuries — connecting people, creating jobs, and supporting the growth and prosperity of the communities we serve.”
For more information on TransWilts, visit www.transwilts.org.
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