Community Rail Awards 2025 now open for Entries! Click here to read more.
This category recognises and rewards the hard-working people who maintain station gardens, displays, notices, and the station environment, on a voluntary basis across the network. There is no overall category winner here, with entries instead judged at four different banding levels, with the highest scoring entry in each band being recognised as outstanding at that level.
Entries in this category are assessed and points awarded over four sections: community, gardening, art & heritage and environment & sustainability. The total points achieved will equate to one of the four bands: bronze, silver, gold or platinum. Every entry that meets the basic requirements will receive at least a bronze certificate, but following the judges’ online assessments and video viewings, specific bandings will be allocated from the four listed above, and certificates awarded accordingly at the presentation evening. The highest scoring entry in each banding will also be presented with a trophy and certificate on stage. Shortlisted entries in this category will be informed of the level awarded in advance of the presentation evening, where all printed certificates will be available for collection.
Important note: there will be no in-person judging visits going forward. Instead, to fully showcase your work to the category judges, we strongly encourage you to create and submit a video of your station, along with your supporting images and other documents.
To strengthen your entry, make sure you consult the specific entry guidance in the ‘It’s Your Station entry toolkit’, compiled by the category judges themselves.
Station groups or community groups directly involved with looking after the nominated station.
Essential requirements: Entries must describe the work you have done or are doing to improve your station garden and environment. You must include before and after images (relevant to when the work started) with your entry, and other suitable evidence, clearly showing the station environment and how it has been improved.
'It's Your Station' is sponsored by Merseyrail.
Since they were established in 2009, the Friends of Buxton Station have worked tirelessly to establish their station as a welcoming, vibrant and accessible community hub.
Having achieved platinum level in this category in 2020, the volunteers have enjoyed another stellar few years, extending their already expansive range of community development and environmental work.
Such projects include:
It is undeniable that the Friends of Buxton Station go above and beyond in their dedication to their station and are passionate advocates for the benefits to be experienced by communities feeling connected to their local rail network. No activity, event or project is ever too big, challenging or off limits, and they are an inspiring example of a thriving community rail station.
*
When faced with a shortage of volunteers at Habrough Station towards the end of 2023, fellow volunteers from the Friends of the Barton Line stepped in to help, forging new links with the owner of Southerton’s Store, a local shop located opposite the station, who became the new adopters of the station.
The new volunteers weren’t daunted by the large, overgrown and uninviting areas when they took on the challenge – instead, they got to work, saw their plans starting to take shape, and even encouraged friends and family to come and join in, bringing the number of adopters up to six.
In the first few months since they came on board, the new adopters have worked hard to bring colour and cohesion to a previously neglected space. Their activities have developed from litter picking and clearing rubbish and weeds from the main green space, to making plans for art installations and the addition of bug hotels and bird boxes.
Where previously passengers arriving or passing through the village were greeted by untidy planters and an overgrown garden, they are now met by beautiful vibrant planting and an attractive, tidy station. The work has provided the opportunity for the whole community to share knowledge, skills and ideas, as well as increasing their confidence, physical activity and wellbeing.
*
Check out our 2024 bronze, silver, gold and platinum winners via our Hall of Fame.
Check out previous bronze, silver, gold and platinum winners of this category from 2017-2022.
The submission window for our 2026 Awards will be open from Monday 1 September - Tuesday 30 September 2025.
Check back then for the link to submit your entry!
Sign up for our fortnightly email bulletin to receive the latest news and updates from the world of community rail.
By signing up you agree with the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Our team works mainly from home in different locations. Visit the Our Team page to contact individual members of staff directly.
© Community Rail Network 2023. All rights reserved.
Design and development by Out of Place Studio