Dominic Noades joined Kent CRP in November 2022, shortly after his eighteenth birthday. His application stated, “I have a passion for railways. When I saw Kent CRP online, I knew it would be perfect for me, and that I’d like to contribute my time to one of my passions.”

Time has proven those words true: Dominic has become a fabulous volunteer and relentless advocate for Kent CRP. Over the past twelve months, he has given his support to over a dozen separate events, including assisting at promotional stalls, updating newsletters in our community station noticeboards, joining our guided walks team, and station gardening. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of all things rail which he shares with joy, matched by his eagerness and enthusiasm to support and promote our events and activities.

Dominic shares our content on his personal social media, and tags Kent CRP frequently during his travels as a rail enthusiast. He takes exceptional pictures of trains, stations, bridges, viaducts and the glorious Kent countryside, and researches rail tours that will travel along our lines. Dominic shares all of this with us, helping us to showcase places to visit on days out by rail, promote sustainable and healthy rail travel, and encourage tourists to visit our communities.

Dominic’s talents don’t stop there. He contributes to our line group meetings and suggests improvements to our website, as well as developing his culinary and customer service skills by assisting at the Signal Box Café at Hollingbourne Station.

Dominic is autistic and acknowledges that some situations can be hard for him to manage. Everyone at Kent CRP has felt honoured to support Dominic to follow his passions and grow as a person. Despite being initially quite nervous when engaging with the public at our events, Dominic has now developed the confidence and self-assurance to share his passion and the joy of community rail with a diverse range of people.

If you were to snap Dominic in two, like a stick of rock, you would find ‘community rail advocate’ written all the way through – he truly embodies the spirit of community rail.

Sandy Burn has been the beating heart of Westerfield Station for years.

Sandy is well known as the cheerful face popping up from behind the flowerbeds, come rain or come shine. Her boundless enthusiasm and love of biodiversity have transformed the station into a haven for people and wildlife alike, winning multiple awards along the way.

Never short of ideas, Sandy has sprinkled joy and creativity across the station, bringing the community together with memorable events. From buzzing ‘Bee Fetes’ celebrating pollinators, to the ever popular ‘Paint a Decoration’ Christmas tradition, her efforts have ensured that Westerfield is not just a station, but a gathering place filled with colour, laughter and pride.

Her generosity of spirit knows no bounds. Sandy has welcomed and supported a wide range of groups over the years, from Scouts and Cubs to refugee families and neurodiverse communities, ensuring everyone feels included, valued and part of something special. Through these collaborations, she has helped bridge the gap between the railway and the community, turning the station into a true shared space.

Perhaps her proudest moment was when Westerfield featured on BBC Gardeners’ World, thanks to her tireless dedication. The programme introduced a whole new audience to community rail and sparked a wave of visitors. Gardening groups from across the country came to see her work, photographers crouched to capture bees at their flowers, and even neighbours popped by to pick herbs for their dinner. It was a moment that showcased Sandy’s vision at its very best – demonstrating how one small station could inspire people far and wide.

Now moving on to pastures new, Sandy leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. Though she will be sorely missed, the flowers she planted, the community spirit she nurtured, and the friendships she built will continue to thrive, cared for by the adopters she has inspired.

Sandy is a shining example of what a community rail volunteer can bring to our stations: passion, creativity, inclusivity and joy. Westerfield has been lucky to have her, and her contribution will continue to ripple out across the East Suffolk Lines and beyond.

David Gibson has been a dedicated station adopter for nearly four years, serving Witham, Cressing, and Braintree Freeport stations along the Flitch Line. Alongside his wife Rita, David has transformed these stations through meticulous care and innovative schemes.

Maintaining these extensive platforms and planters is no small feat, especially during hot summers. David has employed creative and sustainable solutions to overcome challenges, such as transporting water between stations and partnering with the local shopping centre to access water bowsers.

Beyond his own stations, David actively supports other adopters, particularly the three new volunteers who joined his local stations this year. He offers guidance on best practices while encouraging them to bring their own ideas to life. His collaborative spirit is evident in his willingness to assist with wider projects, such as installing artwork and taking part in community outreach events during Community Rail Week.

David’s contributions extend far beyond routine maintenance. In celebration of Railway 200, he conceived and developed a children’s book exploring the history of the railway. He personally approached three local primary schools and delivered engaging sessions to brief pupils on railway history and guide them in creating the book’s illustrations. These efforts have significantly enriched public engagement with railway heritage, and the book has received significant press coverage across the country.

David’s dedication to community rail is further evidenced by his recent decision to apply to become the next independent chair of the Essex & South Suffolk CRP. David’s proactive approach and strategic insight will see him get even more involved at a pivotal time for the CRP, with Greater Anglia’s renationalisation in October 2025, Essex County Council’s Mayoral elections in 2026, and anticipated local government reorganisation the following year.

David Gibson’s creativity, leadership and unwavering dedication exemplify the highest standards of volunteerism, making him a truly outstanding nominee for this award.