2 October 2013
As a trust port, Shoreham focuses on supporting their community by providing work for local people, sponsoring charities and community schemes and through running and supporting local projects, such as the Art Competition, launched at the end of 2012. Shoreham Port works in partnership with Southern Rail to enhance their local station, and since January this year the winning artwork from the competition has been on display at Southwick Station.
Not only has the artwork brightened up the walls of Southwick Station for all to enjoy, the success of the Community Art Project has now been recognised with an award at the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) Awards, held on Friday 27th September.
ACoRP is a federation of over 50 community rail partnerships and rail promotion groups. The organisation is focused on practical initiatives which add up to a better more sustainable local railway. Improved station facilities, better train services and improved integration with other forms of transport are central to the work of ACoRP and its members.
Sam Bryant, Community Rail Development Manager at Sussex Community Rail Partnership (a member of ACoRP) commented “Shoreham Port worked with Southern to create community art at the station, giving local people an opportunity to engage with both the Port and railway in an artistic way. Both the railway and the Port play key roles in the life of local people and in shaping the environment of Southwick. The resulting artwork is amazing and does a wonderful job at creating a nicer environment at the station. It is also a fun and interactive way of getting people involved with these two key locations within their community”.
The Port received 1st place for the Community Art Schemes Renewable and Smaller Art Projects Award and although staff were unable to attend the prize giving ceremony in person, the team at Shoreham were delighted to hear the news. Rodney Lunn, Chief Executive at Shoreham Port added “We are thrilled to have won the award and for the Community Art Project to be recognised on a national level. Once again we thank everyone who entered the competition and encourage our local community to take part in our next exciting project, the Port’s Poetry Competition.”
For more information on the Poetry Competition please visit www.shoreham-port.co.uk or call 01273 598100. The deadline for entries is Friday 13th December, all abilities welcome.
Sam Bryant (ACORP) receiving the award on behalf of Shoreham Port (courtesy of Paul Bigland)
Artwork at Southwick Station (courtesy of the Shoreham Herald)
