Handforth Station, which has long prided itself on its international flavour – from its collection of station signs from abroad to its twinning with Malahide Station in Ireland, ha unveiled its latest installation.
To mark the summer solstice, a Swedish Midsummer Pole – a variation on the British maypole - now stands proudly in the Rotary Garden next to the Manchester-bound platform.
Handforth's very own florally decorated pole is the brainchild of Friends of Handforth Station's Jenny Barnes and Linda Bergbom.
The midsommarstången is found at the centre of Swedish celebrations of the solstice and its origins are said to either be from Norse mythology - in which is represents an axis linking to the underworld or as a pagan-style symbol of fertility.
Jenny Barnes of FoHS said "Our family has had a lot of fun celebrating our friends' traditions from around the world. Recently we celebrated midsummer, Swedish style (Linda is from Sweden, originally). The event was a lot of fun and the pole was a real eye catching treat. So, we thought we'd put the pole in the station garden in time for the solstice in order to spread the joy and the story."
