Banbury, UK – 16 June 2025– The much-anticipated Banbury Beings project is now live at Banbury Train Station, showcasing the creative talents of our local community. Funded by the Chiltern Railways Community Investment Fund and delivered by Banbury BID, this project aims to celebrate the spirit of Banbury by highlighting the contributions of various community groups.
In collaboration with 12 different groups, the Banbury Beings project has generated a series of vibrant videos and artworks, creatively expressed and illustrated by talented artists David Thomas and Vicki Fong of ThomFong. Each of these community groups is prominently displayed at the entrance of Banbury Train Station through striking banners, each featuring a unique QR code that brings the artwork to life. Railway customers can scan these codes to learn more about the incredible work and impact of each group.
This is the latest in a series of projects to improve the customer experience and bring a sense of community to Banbury station. Recently completed projects include a new café and seating area, external re-paint and new customer toilets at the station.
Jasmine Gilhooly, Strategist for Banbury BID, expressed her excitement about the project: “The Banbury Beings project is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the diverse talents and stories of our community. We are thrilled to provide a platform for these groups to share their creativity and passion with everyone who arrives at our train station. We encourage our locals and visitors to engage with the artwork and discover more about the meaningful contributions each group is making in Banbury.”
The Banbury Beings project is set to remain live for at least a year, with plans to host a photo opportunity in the coming weeks to celebrate the collaboration with all involved. Banbury BID encourages you to find the hidden hearts in each artwork and interact with the banners.
Zach Bailey, Regional Growth Manager at Chiltern Railways added, “We are proud to support the Banbury Beings project to celebrate local groups that deliver social value activity in Banbury. This project builds on our recent station improvement projects and ‘People of Banbury’ displays, to deliver a brighter and more engaging station for our customers.”
You can watch the community videos here:
For more information about the Banbury Beings project and its participating community groups, please contact [email protected].