New mural unveiled at Ashurst railway station by Friends of Ashurst New Forest Station

A NEW mural has been unveiled at Ashurst railway station by Scouts, Guides and pupils.

The Friends of Ashurst New Forest Station hosted an event to celebrate the 200th anniversary of passenger train travel, during which the artwork was shown off.

Cross Country Rail made a “considerable donation” towards the mural, painted by New Forest artist Simon Chadwick.

The event was attended by representatives from the national park authority, Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council and South Western Railway.

At the opening ceremony, music was provided by the Lymington Town Band and there were food and drink stalls.

The station was adopted by the Ashurst and Colbury Community Group which, together with New Forest Community Rail Partnership, has made improvements at the site. This has included installing three large planets and introducing recycling bins on the platforms.

They are also clearing a disused siding in which they hope to relay the track and obtain a carriage which will provide local historical information about the site.

Ashurst, then known as Lyndhurst Road Station, was one of only a few which had sidings running from each side of the platforms.