Winnie Woo the Wellbeing Piano helps to wow visitors to Worcestershire Parkway

The piano, the second to be installed by Great Western Railway’s Wellbeing Team following the successful introduction of Winnie at Reading last year, takes pride of place at the station.

John Roe, Railway Mission Chaplain for the South West of England, was first to tinkle the ivories before a steady stream of visitors and helped to ensure Winnie Woo was the star of the show.

Yesterday's community wellbeing day was organised by GWR Worcester Wellbeing Champions Helen Rees-Powell and Sandra Smith.

It was held in conjunction with Worcester’s Norton Juxta Primary School and featured, among others, West Mercia Police, British Transport Police, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, the Cotswold Line Promotion Group and Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership.

Helen said:

“Its been a wonderful day for all the family to come along and see the station. It’s all about being a part of the community and making people feel welcome, feel good and feel happy. We had 36 stalls selling local everything from Indian street food to doughnuts, retro sweets, slushies, ice cream coffee.

“We had singing and dancing from Norton Juxta Primary School and, of course, the unveiling of Winnie Woo our Wellbeing Piano. Music is so good for the soul and if Winnie Woo can help to put a smile on somebody’s face then it has to be worthwhile.”

GWR Wellbeing Manager, Lucy Shephard, added:

“It has been such a brilliant day and I would like to thank Helen and Sandra and all the other GWR colleagues who helped to bring everything together. We’ve had such strong support from the whole community and even the sunshine came out for us.”

Winnie Woo will be a permanent fixture at the station, providing musical cheer for anyone to play.