Minibeast Trail on The Riviera Line
A community art project to encourage families to try The Riviera Line
As part of our EU Citizens’ Rail project, the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership created a “Minibeast Trail” on The Riviera Line (Exeter-Paignton) to encourage young families to try the train.
Dawlish’s Gatehouse Primary School and the Sure Start Dads’ Club in Teignmouth worked with local artist Melissa Muldoon to make the minibeasts – including butterflies, dragonflies, bees, ladybirds and snails – from recycled plastic. They were then installed on planters at Teignmouth, Dawlish, Newton Abbot, Torquay and Paignton stations.
An accompanying leaflet was produced, and promoted in local newspapers and on social media. This encouraged children to visit each station, find that station’s minibeast and give it a name. Once all five were found and named, the child could win a copy of a wildlife book by sending in their completed leaflet and train ticket.
The Minibeast Trail was recognised at a national level, winning 3rd prize in the Small Community Art Schemes category at the 2015 Community Rail Awards.
Read more about the project on the Citizens’ Rail website.