DEDICATED volunteers and staff at Holmes Chapel, Goostrey and Chelford stations have been rewarded with gongs at this year’s Cheshire Best Kept Station Awards.

The awards, held in Hartford on Tuesday, January 10, saw sixteen stations across the county recognised for their efforts.

Chelford Station was awarded the ‘best kept gardens’ award, for being transformed by ‘well cared for gardens and planters’ while Goostrey won the ‘Network Rail Award’ for arts projects thanks to a collaboration between Friends of Goostrey Station and Goostrey Primary School to transform a shelter into an art exhibition.

Andy Gildon, from Chelford station’s volunteer group, said: “We were really pleased to get the award this year it’s the 10th that we have won since we were founded in 2007, which is fantastic.

“This is a big thing for the village, the station is extremely important to us. It’s the first place visitors see when they come to Chelford, so it’s important we keep it looking good.

“We’ve always had great support from people in Chelford, but we are always looking for new volunteers to get involved.”

Holmes Chapel station, which won ‘best staffed station’, was commended for having ‘very well cared for planted areas’ and a ‘very tidy’ station. Judges were also impressed with the booking office

Graham Blake, who works at Holmes Chapel Station, said “I am thrilled that we are considered to be the best in Cheshire but have to also thank the volunteers who spend time at Holmes Chapel Station maintaining its high standard. Geoffrey Males, Mandy Ross and Tony are the main volunteers”

Knutsford was also ‘highly commended’ in the Queens 90th Birthday award thanks to station staff member Cheryl Thorne and her partner John, who hosted an afternoon tea event for passengers.