Friends of Wylde Green Train Station was formed by two neighbours Nikki and Dawn in October 2020. The group works closely with West Midlands Railways and Network Rail to make positive changes. The aim is to make Wylde Green Train Station a much loved space for all to enjoy, improve the biodiversity for plants and wildlife, engage with the community to make that happen, and most importantly encourage the public back onto the trains as a sustainable way to travel. Anyone who has visited or travelled through Wylde Green Station over recent months will be familiar with the @Annatomix Fox mural, Fatma Mohiuddin’s (young Poet Laureate 2020/22) poem that brought the Fox to life, the @craftybrum shutter mural, the vibrant green corridor, the endless showcasing of local art in the notice boards and the photo-boards on the platforms. Many of the plants are donated from neighbouring gardens and allotments and local artists give their artwork for free to display. The group also works with other local community groups, has presented to other groups, created two community pocket gardens, displayed art in a high street cafe, taken part in Sutton Heritage Week, and are proud members of Birmingham Outside Space Forum. As a group we aim to meet once a month at the Station for litter picking, planting, digging, tidying, and Adopters dip in and out to suit. We welcome new ideas and leads for how to further showcase our wonderful station.

The aims of the group are:

To promote train travel to and from the local area, to encourage sustainable travel and to help support the local economy

To help make Wylde Green Station a loved and respected community asset by encouraging community involvement and ownership

To make it a welcoming and safe place, and use it to promote the local area

To develop the Station’s green corridor to help support the local wildlife and biodiversity

The Adopters hosted two events. The Elderberries, an over 50 group, who meet weekly at Sutton Coldfield library, came along to enjoy the first Pollinator Talk and Insect Safari event in April 2024. Aaron Bhambra a local entomologist, gave a fascinating talk in the meeting room at Sutton Coldfield Train Station and then the Elderberries took the train to Wylde Green Train Station to find some lesser known insects.

In June the second event came together and once again Aaron Bhambra gave a talk and lead the safari. This time young people aged 18-25 attended from the Princes Trust. They enjoyed a free train ride on a brand new Class 730 train from and to Birmingham courtesy of WMR and met the Cross City Line Manager and her staff who kindly accompanied them.

This award helps community groups to develop their green spaces. RHS judges visit to assess how well groups have done achieving Community, Gardening and Sustainability targets, and provide advice on how to develop these areas further. FOWGTS take part in the scheme as well as our friends the Erdington Litter Busters just two stops along the line , and last year both groups picked up their awards together.