Fairlie Railway Station has certainly been a platform of opportunity for members of the Fairlie's green fingered brigade.

The Organic Growers group have spruced up the station with a variety of improvements including - the flowers and plants in barrels, edible herbs, the small wildflower circle by the new waiting shelter, hanging baskets and at the tunnel entrance.

The group have also been instrumental in getting benches installed at the far end of the station, and are very pleased to have received a £1000 grant from Kelburn Windfarm to install raised flower beds at the southern end of the platform.

Scotrail Community Liaison officer John Yellowlees expressed the appreciation of Scotrail, and talked about the uniqueness in the station being adopted by an organic garden, and that he would like to see this included in signage, as a promotion for the village.

Mr. Yellowlees also went to the shorefront, was very interested to learn that the Organic Growers was situated where the old railway to the station at the end of the pier had been, and that the old train shed had been on the site before the garden was established.

Thanks to a much appreciated grant from SSE Windfarm Hunterston via Fairlie Community Trust, the Organic Growers are also making improvements to the two picnic areas at the end of Pier Road which were very uncared for and in disrepair.

Work is ongoing, but one picnic area is now painted, barrels have been installed and filled with flowers and edible vegetables for the community, and some hanging baskets with flowers have been installed.

Work continues regularly in weeding the sites, which has been ongoing all winter. Many regular visitors to the picnic area comment on how pleased they are to see the work being done, and some even bring tools for weeding with them! Anyone wishing more information should contact Nancy 01475 568600.