The Thames Ditton in Bloom community garden on Thames Ditton Station celebrated ten years of cheering the journeys of travellers with the unveiling of a fabulous permanent art installation on Platform 2, framed by colourful handmade bunting made from donated fabric courtesy of the Thames Ditton Boomerang Bags community sewing group.
The art installation traces the evolution of the garden from its founding in 2016 by local resident Tricia Bland, which coincided with Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday. From small beginnings the garden has grown to feature 19 railing and floor standing planters made by the Thames Ditton Men in Sheds and 16 wheelbarrows, donated by local residents, on Platforms 1 and 2, which are now filled with seasonal flowers all year round.
The artwork – Tricia’s vision – is designed to capture the evolution of the community garden over the last decade and celebrate the work of the Thames Ditton in Bloom community gardeners, the unsung heroes of the project, who tirelessly volunteer their time, expertise and enthusiasm.
The new installation, supported by South Western Railway and Surrey County Council, with the planting receiving support from Elmbridge Borough Council, features specially commissioned paintings and illustrations by four hugely talented local artists who have been closely associated with the Thames Ditton in Bloom community garden throughout the decade. They are Lisa Tolley, Andrea Cunningham, Charlotte Bramley and Val Rowe. Their images capture its main elements and depict the inspirational people and pivotal events which have helped shape its creation and progress. Additional creative input came via The Set Up Design agency in the village.
In addition to the flower filled planters and wheelbarrows, the garden features three Bee Friendly Trust planters filled with insect loving plants, three bug hotels, a bat box, various exquisite insect artworks, a 100 metre long bed plus wildflower meadow area brimming with pollinator-friendly habitats providing foraging and shelter for insects.
For 2026, the wildflower meadow area has been enhanced with an array of bee friendly flowers. The long bed has also benefitted from additional planting of a variety of perennials and shrubs, many of which are home grown by Michael and Lisa Metcalfe, two of the Thames Ditton in Bloom gardeners who have worked so hard this year on the wildflower meadow on Platform 1 one, the long bed on Platform 2 and clearing the bee and bug garden.
