Giant sunflower mosaic blossoms at March Station thanks to community rail partnership with charity

The eye-catching artwork is now proudly displayed in the station's ticket hall for all to see, following an official unveiling.

Students and staff from FACET join Hereward Community Rail Partnership representatives, Greater Anglia representatives and the Chairman of Fenland District Council, Cllr Brenda Barber, at the official unveiling of the FACET sunflower mosaic at March Station.

Students and staff from March-based FACET, an education centre for adults with learning disabilities, joined Hereward CRP and Greater Anglia representatives and the new Chairman of Fenland District Council, Cllr Brenda Barber, for the unveiling on Tuesday 10 June.

The artwork began life in 2019, when the charity decided to turn one of the student's 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.

The colourful sunflower mosaic created by students at FACET

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.

Alan Neville, Stakeholder, Community and Customer Engagement Manager at Greater Anglia, and Chairman of Fenland District Council, Cllr Brenda Barber, unveil the FACET sunflower mosaic in March Station's ticket hall.

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 which 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 that 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're 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.

For more information on the CRP, visit: Hereward Community Rail Partnership

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June 2025