South Tottenham station garden in national award shortlist

A community garden at South Tottenham Overground station has been recognised in the Rail Delivery Group's World Cup of Stations competition. The station is the only one in north London to be included in the shortlist of 20 stations nationwide.

The Rail Delivery Group organises the competition to highlight stations that foster connections within their communities. The garden at South Tottenham was initiated by station assistants Ray McDonagh and Azaz Khan, who transformed an unused area into a green space.

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This garden has since become a hub for various community groups. Children visit to learn about plants, and pupils with special educational needs use the sensory garden for outdoor learning. Residents from Priscilla Wakefield House, including those with dementia, also spend time there weekly between May and September.

The space also hosts community events and serves as a meeting point for neighbours. Azaz Khan described the garden's impact, stating, "I grew that flower for a boy I'd met for a few minutes. When his teacher told us why he wanted it, we both got emotional, and we still do. That's when I understood the garden is about much more than gardening."

Ray McDonagh added that the garden belongs to the community, with the real reward being "watching children learn, friendships grow and neighbours get to know each other. This shortlisting belongs to everyone who has helped make South Tottenham the place it is."

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David Statham, managing director at First Rail London, which operates London Overground, commented on the station's community integration. "South Tottenham London Overground station shows the difference a railway station can make when it becomes part of its community," he said. "Thanks to the dedication of our station assistants, Ray and Azaz, this once-overlooked space now helps bring together local schoolchildren, older residents and people living with dementia. We're so incredibly proud to see their work recognised through the World Cup of Stations. If you've ever passed the garden or had a conversation with Ray or Azaz, we hope you'll vote for it when voting opens on 12 October."

The public will decide the winner of the World Cup of Stations through online voting. Voting is open from 12 October to 18 October and can be done via the Rail Delivery Group website, raildeliverygroup.com.