Flowerpot characters set to bloom along the Settle Carlisle Railway this summer

Colourful and quirky flowerpot characters will be popping up at stations along the iconic Settle Carlisle Railway this summer, as part of the 150th anniversary of passenger services along the internationally famous line.

From Saturday 11 July, passengers travelling along the scenic 72-mile railway will be able to spot a host of creative displays at stations along the route, bringing the spirit of this much-loved community festival onto the railway.

The project has been made possible thanks to funding from Northern Trains and Avanti West Coast, with the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company and the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line (FoSCL) working together to deliver the station displays.

The station displays have been inspired by and celebrate the annual flowerpot festivals held in Settle and Appleby. This year the Settle Flowerpot Festival marks it’s 13th anniversary and in Appleby the focus this year is on the railway station with characters displaying fashions from across the past 150 years.

The project has brought together railway volunteers, local groups and creative communities, including the volunteer station adopters whose skills and enthusiasm have helped bring some of the characters to life.

Workshops were held in Settle for the volunteers, hosted by Settle Flowerpot Festival organisers Steve Amphlett and Richard Handscombe, and the Appleby Crafty Ladies joined forces with the Settle team to create displays that celebrate 150 years of the line.

Richard Handscombe of Settle Flowerpot Festival said:
“This is the 13th Settle Flowerpot Festival, when the town fills with quirky and colourful displays made entirely from recycled flowerpots. Apart from old favourites, we will be introducing many brand new characters, including Roman soldiers, Vikings, a Town Crier, Long John Silver, and many more. “

Steve Amphlett of Settle Flowerpot Festival added:
“We are especially excited to have assisted volunteers from the Settle Carlisle Railway in creating their own displays for several stations along the line. The festival runs from 11th July to the 6th September.”

Shirley Simpson of Appleby Crafty Ladies said:
“We have enjoyed creating the characters for Appleby Station to take us through 150 years of fashion – and we’ve also got Thomas the Tank Engine and friends as well.

“We are grateful to Northern and Avanti for providing the funding that has helped us create our display. We hope everyone who visits the station will enjoy meeting characters from the roaring 20s, evacuees through to the new millennium.”

Joanna Buckley, Community Manager at Avanti West Coast, said:
“Stations are gateways to the communities they serve, welcoming those arriving by rail and showcasing the character of the local area – like the flowerpot festival. We’re pleased to support the Settle and Carlisle Railway’s involvement in this unique event, which will brighten stations along this iconic route and make journeys even more memorable this summer.”

Karen Morley-Chesworth, Community Rail Officer for the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company, said:
“Flowerpots are a fantastic way to celebrate the creativity and community spirit that exists along the Settle Carlisle Railway. We are delighted to be working with FoSCL, volunteers and local groups to bring these wonderful characters to stations along the route.

“The project has brought together for the first time those who have worked on the Settle and Appleby flowerpot festivals, bringing communities together.”

Allison Cosgrove, Chair of the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line, said:
“We are delighted to be joining in with such an iconic local community festival like the Settle Flowerpots event. The railway line is a connector of communities and we want to be part of those communities as well.”

Passengers are encouraged to look out for the flowerpot characters during their journey, visit stations along the line, take a day out on the train to see the displays in Settle and Appleby and share their discoveries on social media using the hashtags #SettleFlowerpotFestival and #SettleCarlisleRailway.