Hedge End train station targeted by yobs pulling up flowers

Volunteers at Hedge End Train Station were devastated to discover their efforts ruined.

The green-fingered residents dedicated hours of their time to brightening up the station with flowers and signs – all of which have now been vandalised.

Sheree Whetren, station adopter for South Western Railway Community Rail, said there have been many spates of vandalism at the station.

The ruined sign at Hedge End Train Station (Image: Hedge End Train Station)

She said: “People have been pulling up plants, grabbing flowers and chucking soil all over the platform.

“They have broken the Bee Safe mural at the station that Berrywood Primary School made for our Be Safe Campaign.

“Our volunteer Nick who lives locally tends to the flowers most days and is so upset that this keeps happening.

“The plants have come out of his allotments and he is so sad that this has happened.

“We are a not for profit group and rely on donations.”

READ MORE: Opening of popular paddling pool delayed after being hit by vandals

She added: “The school partnered up with the station and they decorate the huge windows with messages and murals.

“And Eastleigh Men’s Shed provided the items that we needed, and this was funded by Community Rail.”

Prior to the attack, volunteers had hoped to enter their floral displays into Flowers in Bloom, a competition held by South Western Railway Community Rail.

Sheree said: “I was going to enter the station into the competition, which is in the autumn.

“Nick is amazing and continually goes out most days to look after the flowers and plants.

“He is very disheartened and sad that this could happen to our little community station.

“We won the Good Neighbourhood Awards UK 2021 for our little train station, so it’s very sad this is happening.

“The community will be sad to see the station like this.

“We will not let this stop us from making the station look lovely for all to see.”