Mortlake and Richmond stations 180th birthday celebration

On 29 July, Mortlake Station and Richmond Station celebrated their 180th anniversary in glorious sunshine with a wonderful celebration, bringing together local organisations, VIPs, commuters and railway colleagues.

The afternoon featured a fantastic performance of train themed songs and ‘Happy Birthday’ from the fantastic choir at FiSH Neighbourhood Care, alongside a fascinating display of historic photographs showing how the station has changed over the years.

Arlene Coutts Director of FiSH Neighbourhood Care said "Our FiSH Good Afternoon Choir and members thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. It was a wonderfully organised event, and everyone felt so welcomed. We were delighted to be part of such a special day and to share it with the wider community."

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Matthew Wherry, gave a short speech , and local councillors, guests and representatives from South Western Railway and the wider rail industry also attended the celebration.

The occasion also marked the official unveiling of the beautiful new mural on the station footbridge, created by pupils from Thomson House School, showcasing their interpretations of the local area.

A very special moment of the afternoon was when Tim Catchpole from the Mortlake and East Sheen Society presented Daniel Opoku, Mortlake Station’s much-loved Ticket Office Team Leader, with an award recognising his many years of dedicated service to the Mortlake and East Sheen community.

Guests enjoyed delicious, Mortlake and train themed cupcakes from AM Sugar Craft, alongside traditional cucumber sandwiches (ingredients very kindly donated by Tesco Sheen Lane) tea, served in gorgeous bone China cups loaned by FiSH and soft drinks served by the East Sheen Village team.

Adrienne and Jackie from East Sheen Business & Retail Association/East Sheen Village said ‘It was a wonderful afternoon celebrating not only 180 years of Mortlake Station, but also the history, and the people who continue to make it such a special part of our local area. We are delighted that the display of photos will be left up in Classic Chrome for a little longer’

The Deputy Mayor and VIPs then boarded the train to Richmond Station where they were greeted by Pucinnos, Richmond Station who provided delicious tea, coffee and pastries while everyone listened to a performance from the Decibelles.

Mike Lamport from Railway 200 said "I’m delighted to see this art installation at Richmond Station. It showcases Cyril Power’s work at a grand scale and he would have been thrilled that travellers, commuters and tourists are viewing it.

"He always wanted his art to be accessible and affordable to everyone, not just the art world elite. This installation, reflects & reinforces his democratic attitude towards art.”

Tom Desmond Director of Network Rail said ‘“Celebrating one station reaching a landmark birthday would be remarkable in itself, but marking the milestone for two stations on the very same day made for a truly memorable occasion.'

Bringing together customers, colleagues and local organisations, the celebrations stretched from Mortlake to Richmond, while new artworks unveiled at both stations will help create an even more welcoming and vibrant experience for visitors for years to come."