Two Marple railway stations honoured at Awards Evening
Two Marple railway stations have been honoured at the recent Cheshire Best Kept Stations Awards Evening. Rose Hill station won the Best Staffed Station Award and Marple was Highly Commended for the Art Project Award.
Five minutes up the Line, Romiley won the Transport for Greater Manchester Award.
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 “Cheshire Best Kept Station Award”, the first time the top award has gone to this station.
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.
Craig Harrop, Malcolm Allan, Mark Barker
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.”
Marple Station was Highly Commended for the Art Project Award for the amazing artwork on the station.
Craig Harrop, Malcolm Allan, Mark Barker
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”
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.
Craig Harrop, Mark Angelucci (Transport for Greater Manchester), Jan Farrell, Angie Clark, Janice Crossfield, Mike Hanson, Alf Clark, Neil Farrell, Mark Barker
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.”
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.”
For further information please visit www.bestkeptstations.org.uk
