Caersws CP School art unveiled at Cambrian line railway
A colourful, community-inspired art installation created by local schoolchildren which celebrates a Powys village's rich heritage and natural beauty has been unveiled at a railway station.
Caersws CP School pupils' artistic talent have gone on display along the platform at the village railway station which sits on the Cambrian line between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth.
Caersws Community Council, which funded the art project, said the panels were 'magnificent' ahead of the plaque and artwork unveiling on Tuesday morning (June 17) in front of pupils, school staff along with representatives from Transport for Wales and the council.
'These brilliant creations throw light on some of the things Caersws has to offer as well as something of the rich heritage of Caersws station,' said David Lowe, chair of Caersws Community Council,
'The school here has done us – and itself – proud with these really fine works'.
A map of Caersws along the railway station platform was created by pupils at Caersws CP School. (Image: Community Rail Cambrian Line) Caersws CP School pupils with, from left, Alison Barker (Network Rail community safety manager), Kelly Pugh (Transport for Wales school liaison officer), David Crunkhorn (station manager), Zoe Pritchard (teacher), Julie Evans (teacher) and Caersws Community Council chairman Cllr David Lowe (Image: Community Rail Cambrian Line) Caersws CP School headteacher Sarah Corbett, said: 'The children have made a large map of Caersws to help visitors enjoy the village which sits alongside the River Severn, and a work which celebrates John Ceiriog Hughes, one of our foremost Welsh language poets, famous for 'All Through the Night' and, for 20 years, stationmaster here at Caersws.'
Caersws Railway Station manager David Crunkhorn added: 'The local children's artworks are a delight; something really special which goes along with a recent cleaning and redecoration of the station.
'More than two dozen trains stop here every weekday and Saturday. In no time at all the children's work will be seen and enjoyed by many hundreds of rail users.
'This will encourage people to visit Caersws and enjoy the village and its beautiful surroundings – for instance, the moment you exit the station you are on the nationally famous Severn Way.'
Caersws railway station was first opened in January 1863. John Ceiriog Hughes, the well-known Welsh poet, lived in the station house as manager until his death in 1887. He is buried nearby in Llanwnog.
Hughes' former accommodation - the station master's house - was awarded its Grade II-listed status in 1991, and 22 years later the station was awarded first place in the 'Wales' Best Unstaffed Train Station' competition.
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