ONE of the most amazing transformations of a run-down station building into an asset which can be shared by its local community was unveiled formally on February 22.
It was back in 1994 that British Rail – having failed in attempts to close line between Birmingham Moor Street and Stratford-upon-Avon – closed the booking office and station facilities at Henley-in-Arden as part of cutbacks on the route.
Boarded up and unoccupied, the 1908-built GWR station soon became a magnet for local youths. In time, and with no maintenance, the building fabric began to deteriorate.
The re-signalling of the line in 2010 meant the end of any official presence in the station’s signalbox which was demolished and consequently led to an increase in anti-social activities.
In 2020, the Shakespeare Line Rail Users Group (SLRUG) went to the local community along the line, seeking and recruiting volunteers to adopt the 18 stations along the 25 mile route. SLRUG now has around 90 volunteers and has formed a voluntary trust to look after and support them.
Known as Friends of the Shakespeare Line (FOSL), with SLRUG they have worked closely with local companies to supply materials, plants and shrubs to enhance the stations on the line.
Alongside FOSL to make representations to the
