Giant sunflower mosaic blossoms at March Station thanks to town-based charity FACET
Eye-catching artwork is being displayed in a train station’s ticket hall following an official unveiling.
A stunning sunflower mosaic crafted by students from March-based charity FACET has found a new home at March Station, thanks to the Hereward Community Rail Partnership (CRP) and Greater Anglia, who gathered along with the chair of Fenland District Council, Cllr Brenda Barber, for the unveiling last Tuesday.
The artwork began life in 2019, when the charity, which provides an education centre for adults with learning disabilities, decided to turn one of the students’ sunflower drawings into a creative, upcycling project.
The students cut individual tiles from disused wooden pallets and then hand-painted them in small groups during lockdown, before the mosaic was later assembled.
Originally intended for use as a table in the charity’s sensory garden, students and staff were keen to rehome their colourful creation so it could be enjoyed more widely.
The idea to bring it to March Station blossomed when the Hereward CRP visited FACET’s centre last Christmas and learned the piece was looking for a permanent display site.
Given March Station’s strong tradition of sunflower growing, the station became the perfect place to showcase the artwork, and the Hereward CRP worked with station owners, Greater Anglia, to make it happen.
Speaking at the unveiling, Cllr Barber said: “What a fantastic job these students have done with this artwork – it’s brilliant.
“It’s a very powerful piece that showcases the students’ talents and reflects the Hereward Community Rail Partnership’s dedication to celebrating local creativity while making stations welcoming community spaces.”
Kris Harrold, general manager at FACET, said: “FACET is so proud to be teaming up with the Hereward Community Rail Partnership and Greater Anglia for this project.
“To have something so prominently on display right at the hub of our local community is a real honour.
“The artwork the FACET students have produced is such a testament to the skills and passion everyone who attends FACET displays every day, and is really quite symbolic that even in the hardest of times, something so beautiful can shine through.
“I know that everyone who contributed towards such a fantastic piece is full of immense pride today.
“The bonds FACET has with the local community and indeed our efforts towards sustainability and the environment really are truly capsulated so well within such a bright and vibrant piece of art.
“Thank you to all who have contributed to allowing it to hang so proudly where it can be enjoyed by so many.”
Alan Neville, stakeholder, community and customer engagement manager at Greater Anglia, added: “The mosaic is absolutely stunning and is now providing an attractive welcome to passengers as they pass through the ticket hall.
“We are delighted to support this community initiative and are very grateful to the Hereward CRP and FACET for bringing the project together.”
The Hereward CRP, managed by Fenland District Council, champions the railway line through the Fens, enhancing stations along the Peterborough to Ely route, including Whittlesey, March and Manea.
