Green-fingered tube station staff scoop two awards in TfL competition

A tube station has won in the Best in Show and best Fruit and Vegetables categories of the Transport for London (TfL) annual staff gardening competition.

Staff at Morden Tube station in London Road, Morden have been growing fruit and vegetables on a disused platform for eight years.

From sour cherries, chilli peppers and apricots to limes, kale and gooseberries, staff share their produce with colleagues and customers. 

They have also created a wellness meeting space, sheltered by flowers, for staff meetings.

The TfL competition, In Bloom, sees green-fingered TfL staff dedicate their own free time each year to create gardens at stations, depots, and offices, often collaborating with residents in the area.

The theme for this year’s competition was Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Earth, in recognition of the increasing threats from climate change.

With 57 entries from across the TfL network, judged by more than 40 volunteers, the winners for 2023 were announced at an awards ceremony at City Hall.

Other stations celebrated at the ceremony include Hammersmith Service Control Centre for the Best Newcomer category.

In just a few months, a group of staff overhauled a disused area behind the station building to create their garden and a place for colleagues to gather, introducing staff who work different shifts and wouldn’t otherwise meet.

The competition started more than 100 years ago.

Mark Evers, TfL’s chief customer officer, said: “As a judge in our fiercely contested In Bloom competition, I am always so impressed by the fresh ideas, creativity and energy that staff and local people and businesses bring to these gardens, benefitting both staff and people travelling around the city.”

Pictured top: Anthony Samuel, customer service manager at Morden station, who looks after the garden (Picture: TfL)