Protecting The Environment
The 2023 State of Nature report indicates that, on current trends, one in six of all species in the UK is facing extinction, which in turn threatens our own well-being. Yet at the same time, the report provides evidence that targetted conservation can reverse the decline. With a host of members that specifically focus on protecting and enhancing the environment for the animals, wildlife and nature, our projects strive to aid this reversal.
“We have many more projects on our plate, however, the station will always have a special place in our hearts, given it was the birthplace of the Green Team and our efforts to re-green” Claude Paradis
“The team have an ability to bounce back from adversity each time, and make it always better than it was before, and this is what makes them great. They are brightened my working environment immensely not just in what they have done but in who they all are as a Team, and I cannot sing their praises highly enough.” Laura Carroll
Arundel Train Station
Stepping off the train and into nature...
January - March 2023: Local enthusiasts embarked on the mission to improve Arundel train station. Greening Arundel was formed and the recruitment began for The Green Team Volunteers.
April - September 2023: The Green Team devoted more than 500 volunteer hours to the project. Stubbs Copse Woodyard donated and delivered soil conditioner along with golden woodchips for the underpass. Another local business, Arundel Arboretum donated shrubs. Arundel Town Council provided a grant, which enabled the team to buy pollinator-friendly, native hedgerow plants for both of the 120 metre beds. Aldingbourne Trust was engaged to provide climate-sensitive weekly watering. In July, assistance came from students who spent their Community Day supporting Greening Arundel projects.
November 2023: Environment Agency’s Tidal Walls Project spent a team-building day at the station making a start on the forecourt area.
February 2024: Accumulated rubbish and biomass was cleared from behind the fence along the station path by Spruce Gardening and Tree Care. A biodegradable membrane was laid with wood chips once again provided by Stubbs Copse Woodyard.
March 2024: Network Rail arranged for a team from SNC Forestry Limited to carefully remove diseased and dangerous branches and trees. They also pruned for tree health and to allow more light, donating us the resulting woodchips and small logs.
April 2024 - June 2024: The forecourt transformation got underway. With over 350 plants propagated at our allotment (propagated from 65 donated by the RHS at the end of the Hampton Court Garden Festival 2023), the next step was to transport them to the forecourt and get them planted, using tools kindly donated by West Sussex County Council. A lovely picnic table was funded for by Govia Thameslink Railway and assembled by station staff. The table sits in the central woodchip area, which is nestled amongst the newly placed plants.
July 2024 - August 2024: 'No mow' signs and bug hotels have been installed along the pathway. A new planter with attached signage funded by Visit Arundel and additional signage provided by Arundel Agenda 21 has been placed near the platform exit to encourage people to use the pathway under the bridge. Frances Knight loaned a landscape painting of the Arun Valley for the Waiting Room at this station, thus launching Greening Arundel’s Nature in Art: Art in Nature initiative.
September 2024 - November 2024: A series of sunflower mosaics and paintings created by talented
volunteers with the help of local primary school children was installed along the entrance to the station path. Each panel has been sponsored by a local business organisation. The new display – known as the Sunflower Parade – was launched in November. With thanks to funding from the Royal Horticultural Society and Govia Thameslink Railway, solar lights were installed along the Station pathway to improve the public safety and encourage more use of the path under the bridge. Maintenance of the lights is being funded through sponsorship from local businesses and organisations.
February - May 2025: With funding from the Community Rail Network (CRN), an additional four solar lights were installed along the station path. CRN funding also enabled woodland and hedgerow signs to be positioned in the forecourt and on the path respectively, alongside slate tile plaques encouraging passers-by to Help Nature Recover, Plant 4 Pollinators etc. Hundreds of additional plants, shrubs and small trees were moved from Jubilee Gardens to the forecourt and a hoverfly lagoon was provided by the South Downs National Park. A stunning bespoke bench sculpted by local chainsaw artist, Simon Groves was installed in the forecourt. It depicts the South Downs, Wetland Centre, Castle and Arun River complete with mullets. It was funded by donations from Arun District Council, Network Rail, Arundel Town Council, Lyminster and Crossbush Parish Council, the Roseland Group and the Norfolk Estate.
June 2025: A new painting by local artist Sarah Semplay was installed in the Waiting Room replacing the original loan by Frances Knight. The Arundel Railway painting is complemented by a new SDNP display inspired by the Nature in Art initiative. A bug castle now nestles among bushes at the forecourt. A second sculpted bench by Simon Groves takes pride of place at the front of the station in honour of Railway 200 – the bicentennial celebration of the launch of passenger rail travel. To mark the occasion, a Green Welcome to Arundel event took place during Great Big Green Week. It brought together rail authorities, municipal government representatives, local employers, the Norfolk Estate and Green Team volunteers to celebrate not only Railway 200, but also the recent transformation of Arundel station. New banners, designed by Rob Hunter, were installed for the occasion.
July - November 2025: The Green Team's efforts were recognised by a Gold Stations in Bloom Award. Through the Hedges for Habitat (H4H) initiative, the 120m hedge along the station path was laid by Phil Hart, while a Dead Hedge was created by Tim and Michael Ward using the hedge clippings. The Green Team assisted with both. Funding was provided by the Norfolk Estate, South Downs National Park and Community Rail Network.
December 2025 - March 2026: Three young teenagers came together under the guidance of Mary Peach to design and paint an oceanic scene on the top of the picnic table in the station forecourt. Arundel’s Guides then took on painting each of the four seats with a seasonal design.
Arundel Station Gateway Project
"...recent work by Greening Arundel to revitalise the station's gateway to the town, which now has a community garden, clearer signage and wayfinding, and has brought together volunteers from across the local area. In this extended conversation, Carole and Katrina tell us about the impact of the project beyond the station forecourt, across the town, across generations and across a range of stakeholders. Over 700 dedicated hours have gone into a new mural, removing weeds, planting and gardening."
Southern Rail Youtube Channel Sept 2024
Arundel Station Gateway Project
"...recent work by Greening Arundel to revitalise the station's gateway to the town, which now has a community garden, clearer signage and wayfinding, and has brought together volunteers from across the local area. In this extended conversation, Carole and Katrina tell us about the impact of the project beyond the station forecourt, across the town, across generations and across a range of stakeholders. Over 700 dedicated hours have gone into a new mural, removing weeds, planting and gardening."
Southern Rail Youtube Channel Sept 2024
Pollinator Garden
Brainchild of the Bee Project, the Pollinator Garden was designed by the Castle’s Head Gardener, Martin Duncan and planted by his team. Since then it has been tended on a weekly basis by members of the Green Team. In 2024, a wildflower strip was added and a large bug hotel installed. Locals and visitors alike enjoy this tranquil spot. Thanks to Arun District Council, a bee bench was installed in spring 2025, much to the delight of local and visiting children.
Jubilee Gardens
Following ADC’s approval of a new prairie-style planting design by Fiona Keating, Tivoli contractors worked together with Green Team volunteers to remove all the existing plants (which were transferred to the station), add soil conditioner and plant according to the new design. Green Team volunteers then took on the task of tending and watering the beds. A chestnut paling fence was erected to protect the beds. Green Team volunteers have been watering regularly ever since. In July 2025, Arundel received a Green Flag award for the gardens. This was renewed in July 2026.
Upcycled Trough Planters
18 TROUGHS
Former cattle troughs which had been in use when Arundel was a market town were donated by The Norfolk Estate. After being sanded
and planted with herbs and (mostly edible) flowers, they have become upcycled planters positioned around town (Mill Road and High Street). Volunteers from the Environment Agency helped prepare the troughs, while Balfour Beatty took care of installation on behalf of WSCC. ADC and Greenwood Plants provided soil and plants. Local people are encouraged to use the herbs and edible flowers. Local insects are welcomed with bug hotels made by The Aldingbourne Trust woodwork team.
COMMUNITY WATERING
has been successful. Neighbouring organisations and residents, volunteer their time to ensure troughs are kept well watered.
“I joined the Green Team to be involved in its exciting plans for our community. I take pride in our Pollinators Garden and the troughs the team have placed around town,” Jody Stevens
Quayside & Memorial Beds
Designed to be long lasting, diverse, wildlife friendly and beautiful. Seen by local people and visitors alike, they are centre stage as you stroll through Arundel town. These plants have many admirers and have been improved to be multipurpose. These beds help to enhance the overall experience of the town, whilst also providing herbs, wildlife habitats and bio-diversity.
FUNDED BY ARUNDEL DISTRICT COUNCIL
WATERING BY THE COMMUNITY
FROM BEDDING PLANTS TO PERENNIALS
LONGEVITY-FOCUSED DESIGN
Healing Garden
“The idea for creating a ‘Healing Garden’ at Arundel Surgery originated with a visit to the Chelsea Physic Garden - a magical place which showcases the medicinal properties of plants that have
supported human health and healing for millennia. Based on research by Green Team members, with a background in herbal medicine and the practice of foraging, several herbs were selected for
their multiple uses across the body’s various systems and their value in supporting women’s reproductive health. The selected herbs are: sage, thyme, lemon balm, yarrow, calendula, valerian, chamomile and mugwort.
Three former cattle troughs were placed in triangle formation opposite the surgery and used as planters. The troughs were put in place and soil donated by Arun District Council. Herbs were donated by Greenwood Plants. Residents of the Mustchin Foundation property nearby are taking care of tending and watering the Healing Garden. An interpretation board was designed by local artist, Garry Mount. It includes a series of paintings of the herbs, alongside drawings of human body illustrating their healing properties related to various bodily systems.
“This is absolutely beautiful - the
illustrations of the plants are so pretty and the text and links to the body are really informative.” Gabby Harrison, Practice Manager
Roundabouts & Verges
In 2024, National Highways reached an agreement with Arundel Town Council (ATC) to take over ground-care management of the roundabouts and verges. ATC asked Greening Arundel to plan and oversee the work. Based on a 2024 ecology report, a new ground-care management regime has been put in place that involves two full cuts in February/March and August/September with trims in April and June. Arisings are removed.
With funding from the South Downs Sustainable Communities Fund, Yellow Rattle seeds were sown on the Causeway roundabout and verge to encourage wildflower meadow growth. Ten Purging Buckthorn were planted on the Causeway roundabout to replace trees damaged by National Highway contractors.
Thanks to the Trees for the Downs initiative, 10 disease resistant Elm Trees were planted along the hedge at the Causeway roundabout by representatives of the South Downs National Park. They are being tended by the Green Team with the aid of water bags. Two further ecology assessments in 2025 confirmed an increase in
biodiversity, but also recommended the planting of a series of wildflower plugs, which was done in March 2026.
Ford Road Cemetery
Similarly, Arun District Council asked Arundel Town Council to take on partial responsibility for ground-care management at Ford Road cemetery, an established haven for hedgehogs. As a result a new ground-care regime has been put in place and a new contractor appointed. A Friends of Ford Road
Cemetery Group has been revived to oversee the new management plan. The cemetery received a Green Flag Award in July 2025. This was renewed in July 2026.
B-BOB
Bring Back Our Birds
A project to help reverse the declining bird populations in Arundel. Formerly a town of many birds, especially the visiting House Martins, Swfts and Swallows. The silence in the skies is striking. To counteract this and to help support these birds, B-BOB idea took flight in town.
A scoping exercise was conducted by Paul Stevens and the results were presented at Fauna Taproom in October 2023. A plan was then put in place to encourage local residents to get involved and install bird boxes on their homes.
In 2024, over 66 nests were installed in 38 locations in 3 clusters, including at Arundel Town Hall. A House Martin Tower was erected in Community Orchard with a speaker that tweets to welcome the birds home. In May, two training days on bird spotting, identification and reporting were also held.
In 2025, the number of installed nests rose to over 100. A follow-up event was held again at Fauna Taproom in February 2025, at which reports were delivered not only on the B-BOB initiative in Arundel, but also the White Stork project at Knepp.
In 2026, a second HM Tower made by Paul Stevens was installed near the river. Surveys revealed that there had been a huge (close to 10-fold) increase in House Martin numbers since 2023. Swallows have returned to the train station and to the Fauna Taproom. Swift numbers are harder to gauge, but there appear to be many more screaming swift parties flying in and around Arundel.
Funds for this project were provided by RHS, South Downs Sustainable Communities Fund, Sussex Ornithological Society, Arundel Town Council and Fauna Brewery. Close to £2000 was raised through local donations.
“the [House Martin] tower will be a beacon, a landmark, a visible symbol of what Greening Arundel is achieving for the improvement of the town's environment and bio-diversity,” Nell Paton
Hedgehog Haven
A project to help increase the hedgehog population in the local area and educate people on how to assist with helping our spikey friends.
A Hedgehog Haven event was held in January 2024 at The Arundel Museum, which attracted 50 attendees with speakers including Alex Foster from Brent Lodge Wildlife Trust and local vet, Lisa Daniels.
The Hedgehog Club was launched by Arundel Agenda 21 in March 2024. This club meets on a regular basis to share, educate and encourage people to make their gardens more hedghog friendly.
