Green-fingered volunteers win best kept station accolade (From Knutsford Guardian)

Green-fingered volunteers win best kept station accolade

12:40pm Sunday 29th January 2012 in News

CHELFORD’S station has been named the best kept in Cheshire.

The village’s hub won the Best Kept Gardens award in the Cheshire Best Kept Station competition at an awards ceremony which was held on January 17, at the Weaver Hall Museum on London Road, Northwich.

More than 90 guests attended the evening, including the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, the High Sheriff and six local Mayors.

Announcing the award for Chelford, John Hulme, organiser of Cheshire Best Kept Stations, said: “Many people refer to our competition as a station gardens competition, which tells us how important gardens are at our railway stations.

“When Chelford Station was first nominated in 2007, you would have never thought best gardens were within their remit.

“After five years, they have proved us wrong, and it’s all down to a handful of volunteers.

“They now have bedding plants galore, planters and a lawn at the front of the station”.

Village volunteers, Peter Hammond and Tony Icke from Chelford, said: “It has been a five-year challenge to get our gardens from absolutely nothing to their present condition – especially as we have no water source on the station.

“We would like to thank all those in the village who have supported the station volunteers, in particular Chelford Parish Council for providing continuous encouragement and financial support, and their chairman, Kath Gildon, for coming down to the station and regularly helping at work parties.”

Clr George Walton, deputy mayor of Cheshire East and a representative for Chelford, said: “The volunteers at Chelford station have made it an attractive place to travel from.

“The gardens are immaculate, and I thank them on behalf of Chelford Parish Council for all their work.

“Well done on this prestigious award.”