The Friends of Handforth Station continue to work with many in the community as they plan design enhancements for the installation of lifts to the station’s platforms. Throughout the pandemic they have been holding workshops and other meetings remotely … using Zoom …..

The most recent project was developed from Handforth Grange school’s Handforth gets Global initiative. Local artist Lorna Green was introduced by FoHS to the school, who appointed her to work with their pupils using video-conferencing (this time MS-Teams).

Jenny Barnes, the Chair of FoHS, said “FoHS have worked with local artists for many years, and this current initiative is part of our strategy to connect our network of artists with local schools. Our promotion of online activities like these alleviates some pressure on the timetable and gives everyone a bit of a different creative space.

“I’m glad to say that our Zoom meetings run very smoothly, with no arguments or shouting, and we may try out MS-Teams next time.

“Handforth Gets Global is a great theme and is giving us lots of opportunity to re-connect with the schools and be creative. We’d love to display the result of the school’s work at the station when COVID-19 regulations allow – in the meantime we will rely on our website gallery and social media sharing.”

Jessica  Dolby, Assistant Head at Handforth Grange, said “The children were very keen and produced many wonderfully creative globes. The workshops also allowed the children to show off their knowledge of different countries around the world.

“Any works that aren’t perishable will be kept for when the children return to school, which we now know will be very soon.”

Lorna added “I ran three workshops via MS-Teams which went very well. The children were fully engrossed and made some beautiful, imaginative and thought provoking works in both 3D and 2D using a wide variety of materials sourced from their homes.

“The children are well used to MS-Teams and I found I could see each child individually if the teacher highlighted them, which felt very much like normal one-to-one teaching.”

Friends of Handforth Station are now planning to discuss with other stations on the railway line, as well as their twin station Malahide in Ireland, about involvement in similar projects.