ENTHUSIASTIC volunteers are celebrating after being honoured at the 20th Cheshire Best Kept Stations Awards.
Handforth Station won the Cheshire East Award, Alderley Edge received the Rising Star Award, Goostrey was presented with Best Unstaffed Station Award and Wilmslow Station was highly commended in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award.
The awards were presented by Brian Barnsley, deputy chief executive of Community Rail Network, at a ceremony at The Grange Theatre in Hartford.
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Around 100 guests and local mayors were invited.
Mr. Barnsley said: “I am certain that Community Rail’s continuing strength lies with local communities getting involved.
“The Cheshire Best kept Stations Awards are a wonderful celebration of all the volunteers efforts.
“Congratulations to all the winners.”
Mark Barker, chairman of Cheshire Best Kept Stations said: ”The awards are a celebration and a thank you for all the volunteers and community groups who do so much to brighten up our stations in Cheshire.
“We can celebrate something to be truly proud of at so many of.
“We have seen some truly excellent work from volunteers and staff.”
Handforth Station won the Cheshire East Award.
Volunteers have decorated the station with art ranging from arches over the steps, flags, exhibits in a cycle locker and welcoming signs.
Name signs in various languages and styles have been restored.
Local heritage displays and gardens tended by the local Rotary Club shows off their awards.
Friends of Handforth Station president Mike Bishop said:”We were delighted to receive our second award, especially in the year when we lost Barry Burkhill, a committee member for over 25 years.
“Barry was renowned for bringing his trusted old loppers to our regular work parties, and is sadly missed.”
Alderley Edge Station won the Rising Star Award Volunteers have worked tirelessly to transform the image of the station. Innovative planting, including a herb garden in a pallet, upcycling a sandbox and high quality artwork showing the attractive natural environment of the village, and the history of the Manchester-Crewe line make this a station that the community cares for.
Kelvin Briggs of Alderley Edge Station Volunteer Group said:“ Receiving the Rising Star award means a lot.
“We have had great support from the Crewe to Manchester Community Rail Partnership who have encouraged our passion to make our station a more welcoming place for passengers and local residents.
“The award reflects our volunteers’ hardwork and creativity with inspiring artwork and themed garden projects.
“We are highly motivated to press on with exciting new infrastructure projects at the station.
Goostrey Station won the Best Unstaffed Station Award The renovated station building used as an art studio is the jewel in this crown.
The collection of artefacts, plaques, school art and effective planting makes this a pleasant station to use and one that the village can be proud of.
Christina Burgess of Friends of Goostrey Station said: “We are thrilled that their work at our village station has been rewarded again.
“We know that it’s important to promote sustainable travel by rail, so as well as a creative hub run by professional artist Debbie Goldsmith in the restored wooden building on platform one, we have displays of flowering plants, railway memorabilia and artwork by primary school pupils for passengers to enjoy.”
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