Hope station recently benefitted from new fencing along the platforms and Friend of Hope station, Gill Wood, wanted to make use of these long expanses of fencing with colourful artwork to make the station a more pleasant place to be.

Gill wanted to involve the local community in developing the artwork and so decided to ask Hope Valley College’s art department if they could help. Annette Nicklin, art teacher at the college, was only too happy to get involved, and set up an art competition, encouraging students of all ages to enter.

“The artworks will not only enhance the station but will also highlight the local area to passengers passing through on the trains, encouraging them to stop at Hope and visit the local area by train” says Helen Wright, Community Rail Partnership Officer.

The next step is for us to select the winning entries which will then be turned into panels, for installation at the station. The lucky winners will receive free rail tickets to travel with their family on Northern trains for a day, as well as the prestige of seeing their own artwork on display at Hope station for years to come!