A record attendance of 180 people saw seventeen stations in the former county of Cheshire ‘score’ at Crewe Alexandra Football Club when Cheshire Best Kept Stations Annual Awards were held on Thursday 6th February.
The Awards were presented before ten Borough and Town Mayors by Mr Craig Harrop, Regional Director West & Central for Northern Railway.
Nantwich Station won the coveted overall winner’s “Best Kept Station Award”, the first time the top award has gone to this station.
Prestbury Station won the first Photographic Award. This was run in conjunction with Cheshire Life magazine and was decided on a public vote. It also won the Northern Sustainability Award; the first time a station has won two Awards in the same year.
The Mid Cheshire Line Station Volunteers won the John Hobbs award for Excellence, for their display of a Station Garden at RHS Tatton that won a Silver Gilt medal
Three stations; Bebington, Prestbury and Styal won awards for the very first time in the 22 years of Cheshire Best Kept Stations.
On presenting the awards, Craig Harrop said:
“It’s fantastic to be part of this celebration of volunteers and the local railway community, who through their incredible skills, passion and hard work, help to brighten up stations across the county. Our community partners are the heartbeat of the railway and we’re extremely proud to work closely with them to deliver such a wide-ranging positive impact across Cheshire and the North of England.”
On announcing the Awards, Mark Barker, Chair of Cheshire Best Kept Stations said:
“Tonight’s Awards Evening is a celebration for all the volunteers and community groups who do so much to brighten up our stations in Cheshire. You are all winners! – whether or not you pick up an award tonight. Tonight, at our new venue Crewe Alexandra Football Club, we are saying a big thank you to volunteers and for those who support and encourage you – the rail industry, civic leaders and local authorities. You deserve it. You should be proud of your work at so many of our Cheshire stations. We have seen some truly excellent work from volunteers and staff at stations right across Cheshire.”
Paul Webster, Community Rail Network’s Regions Support Manager, who also spoke at the event said:
“Each of Cheshire’s stations ably demonstrates how they are a gateway to their community, offering a colourful floral welcome for visitors arriving there or with artwork which leaves a long lasting pictorial memory that people getting on a train will take with them. They are stations which provide a pleasant vista for passengers travelling through them to also enjoy. Cheshire Best Kept Stations is a unique awards ceremony within community rail and one which Community Rail Network was delighted to attend and to be able to support.”
Nantwich won the top ‘Cheshire Best Kept Station Award’:
The superb gardening has for many years caught the eye here, which our judge succinctly summed up as ‘An ongoing horticultural triumph’. But there is more to the station. When the old concrete waiting shelters were demolished and replaced with glass and metal structures, the Three Counties Connected Community Rail Partnership saw the opportunity to use them for an art display. Working with the nearby Primary Academy, the children of years 5 and 6 prepared designs based on the town’s rich architectural heritage and on the theme of ‘floral town’ to link with the station’s gardens. Thanks to the teamwork of CRP, school and volunteers, the station is a splendid gateway that the town can be truly proud of.
Gina Haigh from Nantwich in Bloom said:
“Our team at Nantwich in Bloom are thrilled to have won the top award at Cheshire Best Kept Stations 2024. Our Nantwich Station Volunteers are an enthusiastic, innovative, hardworking team that I am fortunate enough to also call my friends. The Award is far more than we expected, and we will continue to do our best to ensure our station gardens and planters continue to ‘grow’”.
Delamere Station won the Cheshire West & Chester Award
This is a picture-postcard country station and visitor hotspot that is cared for by an adopter and students with learning difficulties from the nearby Petty Pool college. Furthermore, the Hartford based Mid-Cheshire Community Shed built the Steam Engine planter on the Manchester platform. It has a popular cafe that is much used by the many walkers enjoying the surrounding forest.
Jeni Bradshaw, Petty Pool in the Community Coordinator said:
“We want to thank everyone involved with this incredible opportunity for our young people. We are all so proud of their hard work and the impact this has on the local community.”
Alderley Edge Station won the Cheshire East Award
The Friends Group is hard working, ingenious and ambitious for its station, in order to transform its image. There is plenty of planting on forecourts and platforms, including an herb garden on a pallet, and upcycling a sandbox. High quality artwork shows the beautiful natural environment of the village, local maps and heritage, and the history of the Manchester-Crewe line. Plans are advancing to develop a redundant building as a community facility, and this is likely to become a reality in the coming year thanks to the groups persistence and professionalism that has gained the support of Northern and Network Rail This is clearly a station at the heart of its community.
Kelvin Briggs of Friends of Alderley Edge Station said:
“We are delighted to have received the Cheshire East Award for 2024 following on from the Cheshire Best Kept Station Award in 2023. It’s so pleasing the judges have again acknowledged our feature gardens, planters and artwork and deemed them worthy of award. We look forward to displaying some history boards relating to Rail 200 this year to help make our station a more welcoming and interesting place for rail passengers and visitors.”
Disley Station was Highly Commended in this category
Cllr. Jean Windsor of Disley Parish Council said:
“The Friends of Disley were delighted to receive the Highly Commended award at the very enjoyable awards presentation. We all take pride in and enjoy looking after our village in one way or another and the station is very much part of our village. We know that residents of the village appreciate our efforts so to receive an award from CBKS is the icing on the cake.”
Romiley Station won the Transport for Greater Manchester Award
This is a group that is thoroughly embedded in its community, working with local schools and businesses, supporting charities such as the community run Stockport Hydro, promoting walks from the station and publishing a monthly newsletter. And not of course forgetting the station where some ambitious gardening and landscaping projects have been delivered.
Angie Clark, Chair of Friends of Romiley Station said:
“The Friends of Romiley Station are delighted to have received the TfGM award at Cheshire Best Kept Stations. Our thanks go to everyone who contributes to this inspiring event.”
Hale Station was Highly Commended in this category
Jon Leigh from the Friends of Hale Station said:
“We were very pleased to receive the Highly Commended TfGM Award as a recognition of all the hard work and commitment by the Friends of Hale Station.”
Bebington Station won the Wirral Award
This station has been much improved with some lovely artwork in the subway depicting nature, local landmarks and heritage pictures of the station. There are plenty of well-maintained planters and artwork produced by Wirral Grammar School. A great effort by a volunteer organisation and first-time winners Love Bebington.
A spokesperson for Love Bebington said:
“We at Love Bebington feel very privileged to have been awarded the Wirral Award by Cheshire Best Kept Stations. The standard of work at other stations across Wirral, Cheshire and the wider North West was very high so we feel very so honoured to have received this award. It was inspiring to see the great work other groups are doing at other stations across our region. A huge thank you to Mark, John and the entire CBKS team for organising these awards. The awards night felt so special, and we had a lovely time. It’s great to be part of this wonderful community of community minded people.”
Glazebrook Station won the Halton & Warrington Award
This group continues to do great work, not only in keeping the station looking at its best with excellent planters and heritage displays, but also in engaging the community with an arts & crafts event on the station platform and in organising a D-Day celebration event, quizzes and Christmas Carols
Julie Eastty of Friends of Glazebrook Station said:
“The Friends of Glazebrook Station are very privileged and proud to have received the award for Halton and Warrington for the second consecutive year. It is recognition of the efforts of our hard-working volunteers who have achieved so much in just a couple of years.”
The Mid Cheshire Line Station Volunteers won the John Hobbs Award for Excellence
To display at RHS Tatton would be a major achievement for any professional horticulturist. You have to submit detailed plans showing how this delivers the theme. If you are accepted, then months of planning begin. Materials must be sourced and provided. Planting, often from seed must be carefully planned; timing is crucial so that everything is at its peak condition for that crucial week. Its a labour of love. And then the border must be put together in the run-up to the show, hoping that everything fits and is at its best. The border imagines a Station Garden on the Mid Cheshire Line and features rail track, a porter’s barrow, luggage and white picket fence to evoke a station, and the flowers were just outstanding. It certainly impressed the RHS judges, and a Silver-Gilt Medal was awarded. For a professional this would be a crowning achievement so how much more so for a group of Station Volunteers.
Harry Allen, the lead volunteer of RHS Tatton project said:
“We were thrilled to win the John Hobbs Award for Outstanding Achievement this year. Our Long Border at the Tatton Flower Show was a project that brought together the skills, enthusiasm and hard work from the station friends’ groups all along the Mid Cheshire Line. We started as a gang, worked as a team and won as an organisation!”
Stalybridge Station won the Chris Dale TravelWatch Award for Large Stations
An historic main line station that has seen major improvements to track and signalling matched by investment in modern passenger facilities, including a recently provided Changing Places toilet, that makes it a pleasure to use. However, its most well-known facility is the historic real ale Station Buffet that guarantees a good pint and cosy surroundings. This makes the station a destination in its own right.
John Hulme BEM, President and Founder of Cheshire Best Kept Stations said:
“I know Chris Dale, who this award is named after, would have been so pleased for Stalybridge to win this award. I have visited the station a number of times with Chris, once in the depth of winter, and I know how much he admired the hospitality of the staff and, of course, he used to enjoy visiting the Station Buffet. Well done Stalybridge.”
Vicky Cropper-Clarke, Stakeholder and Development Manager at TransPennine Express said:
“We’re delighted that Stalybridge Station has been recognised at this year’s Cheshire Best Kept Stations awards. Stalybridge is a really important station for TransPennine Express, especially with the installation of a brand new changing places toilet and the recent completion of the Transpennine Route Upgrade works. The station colleagues do an amazing job at looking after our passengers as well as keeping the station clean and tidy and I know that they will be absolutely delighted that their station has received this accolade.”
Rose Hill Station won the Northern Best Staffed Station Award
A warm welcome is in store or passengers at this station. The waiting room is a home from home, gardening activity is imaginative including an orchard and of course there are roses. The artwork on the wall facing the station building demonstrates the community involvement in this much loved station.
Rachel Singer Chair of Friends of Rose Hill Station said:
“The Friends of Rose Hill Station greatly appreciate the acknowledgement of our efforts by CBKS. We are particularly pleased that our award recognises the contribution of Northern’s Tony Tweedie to the friendliness and good upkeep of our station. Tony is part of our community and a huge factor in the community ‘feel’ of our station.”
Meols Station was Highly Commended in this category
Jan Foster Chair of Friends of Hoylake and Meols in Bloom said:
“The Friends of Hoylake and Meols in Bloom is once again thrilled to receive awards fir both Hoylake and Meols stations. Our teams work really hard all year to keep the stations looking wonderful for passengers. The staff are amazing and so supportive of our work
Mouldsworth Station won the Best Unstaffed Station Award
The volunteers here have worked hard to provide vibrant and colourful planters on both platforms. An original station seat has been lovingly restored. The original station building completes the picture of a charming country station.
Clair Hogg, Mouldsworth Station Lead volunteer said:
“The Mouldsworth Station volunteers are thrilled to receive the award of Best Unstaffed Station. We all find the role rewarding and love to get the local community involved in projects, especially the younger generation. We have exciting ideas planned for 2025!”
Alsager Station won the Merseyrail Best Kept Garden Award
Carefully tended and shaped shrubbery, neat beds and a profusion of wildflowers are in harmony with artwork and heritage displays give the station a well cared for impression. The flowerbeds even sport Christmas decorations over the festive period.
A spokesperson for the Station Adopters at Alsager said:
‘We are overjoyed to have been awarded the Best Kept Gardens award at Cheshire Best Kept Stations Awards. We meet most weeks to tend to our gardens which flank the long platforms. We sometimes work with a local primary school, and occasionally train companies come and help us too, but we are only a small group, and we would love to welcome more people to join us at the station gardening”.
Sam Burton Smith, the Community Ambassador at East Midland Trains said:
‘We are immensely proud of the Alsager group. Their hard work and dedication makes all the difference to the Station and provides a fantastic welcome to all those visiting Alsager. Come rain or shine, in all seasons, you’ll see them tending to the garden and watching the trains go by”.
Hoylake Station won the In Bloom Award
Attractive, well tended beds and planters give colour and interest all around the station. The expertise of the group is clearly apparent, and their work has spread to other stations on the line. A worthy winner.
Jan Foster Chair of Friends of Hoylake and Meols in Bloom said:
“The Friends of Hoylake and Meols in Bloom is once again thrilled to receive awards for both Hoylake and Meols stations. Our teams work really hard all year to keep the stations looking wonderful for passengers. The staff are amazing and so supportive of our work.”
Prestbury Station won the Northern Sustainability Award
The Group has significantly improved the quality of plant and wildlife, the overall environment and ecological sustainability. The station garden had been neglected for years, was overgrown and lacked structure and access. A rigorous approach to sustainable practices including wildflower planting, organic products and low maintenance has transformed the garden and other planters around the station.
Prestbury Station also won the Cheshire Life Photographic Award
Their image “The Revitalised Station Master’s Garden” was taken by Charlotte Radford.
Goostrey Station were Second in the Photographic Award with “Keeping Up Appearances” taken by Christina Burgess, Styal Station were Third with “New Welcome Board” taken by Sarah Ward
John Mills from the Friends of Prestbury Station (FoPS) said:
“All of our FoPS volunteers, including those not in the photo, contributed to the work on the restoration of the station garden during 2023-24, with sustainability as the guiding principle and we are delighted with our work being recognised with the Sustainability Award. We are also very happy for our award winning, talented photographer, Charlotte, who captured the colours and essence of the restored garden in her lovely photo which won the Cheshire Photographic Award.”
Goostrey Station won the Community Rail Network Award for Community Engagement
This group is well known and regarded in the community, participating in the annual Rose Day, village festival and Open Gardens. The latter was used to recruit gardeners. Working with the WI a large Coronation wall-hanging depicting the village was unveiled during the year. Art activities bring young people and other groups to work in the flourishing Art Studio at the station. Their website is a mine of information about sustainable travel. Cubs, Scouts, and Beavers help with the gardening and learn about rail safety. The group’s aim is that members work together to ensure that our community is proud of our station and in this they have succeeded well. They also came second in the Cheshire Life Photographic Award.
Christina Burgess of Friends of Goostrey Station (FoGS) said:
“Friends of Goostrey Station were delighted to have their achievements this year recognised by two CBKS awards. Since FoGS formed in 2012, our members have worked together to improve our village railway station. With the enthusiastic involvement of our local community including Cubs, Beavers, Rainbows, Primary School pupils and Duke of Edinburgh Award candidates, our station is now a valued part of Goostrey.”
Altrincham Interchange was Highly Commended in this category.
Ian Stuart from the Friends of Altrincham Interchange said:
“The Friends Group were very pleased to receive recognition for our community based efforts to enhance Altrincham Interchange encouraging everybody, especially the young and other community groups, to use public transport and to explore further afield by train”.
Wrenbury Station won the Art Project Award
The station, serving a small isolated rural community, was transformed into a vibrant public art space that reflects the unique spirit and identity of the village. The aim was to enhance the station’s visual appeal while fostering stronger community ties, in which it has certainly succeeded. Funded by the 3 Counties Connected Community Rail Partnership, the project was delivered through a collaboration between local artist Cathy Williams of Art Space, fifty students from the village Primary School, and the station adopters from Transport for Wales
Josie Rayworth, Community Rail Officer for 3 Counties Community Rail Partnership said:
“3 Counties Connected are absolutely thrilled that Wrenbury Station has won the Cheshire Best Kept Stations Art Project Award. This achievement is a testament to the wonderful collaboration between the station adopters David and Joy, Wrenbury Primary School pupils, and the incredibly talented local artist Cathy Williams. We are so proud to showcase what makes Wrenbury special through the eyes of the children, beautifully expressed in the vibrant art installations at Wrenbury Station.”
Marple Station was Highly Commended in this category
Peter Black from the Friends of Marple Station said:
“The Friends of Marple Station are delighted to be Highly Commended for our Art Projects. Over the last couple of years, the station has become a gallery both inside and out, with established artists, schools, and youth groups all featured. The Rainforest Mural created by Marple Youth Project is just the latest in a long line”
Styal Station won the Rising Star Award
When the Village Association adopted the station, activity on the station was energised. As well as volunteer working parties to tidy up and do some painting, rail safety training was organised at the station for classes at the village school featuring Arlo the Badger and his adventures. An eye-catching map mural was produced featuring local attractions leaving visitors in no doubt where they are. They also came third in the Cheshire Life Photographic Award.
Sarah Ward-Novak of Styal Village Association said:
“Having recently adopted Styal station, this was our first year at the awards. We were over the moon, that we won a couple of awards. It is lovely to know that the work the volunteers are doing is being recognised.”
Sally Ralston BEM, Head of Community and Engagement at Merseyrail said:
“We are incredibly proud of our station adoption groups and volunteers who give so much of their time and effort to make our stations wonderful places for the community and our customers. Their passion and commitment have once again been recognised, and these awards are a testament to their hard work.”