A restored station building in West Yorkshire has received a prestigious National Railway Heritage Awards blue plaque thanks to a partnership between Network Rail and the station’s award winning friends group.
A visitation of nine VIPs from the National Railway Heritage Awards, led by chair Theo Steel, arrived from around the country to Mytholmroyd Station for the presentation on 2 Spetmber 2021, celebrating the restoration and recovery of a derelict Grade II Listed example of Victorian railway architecture,
The deleagtion was welcomed by Cllr Rob Freeth – Mayor of Hebden Royd Town Council, Chris Harris – Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Craig Whittaker – MP Calder Valley and Geoff Mitchell – chair of the building’s charity.
The blue plaque had been awarded to Network Rail’s Commercial Division, fronted by Tony Rivero and Chris Dawson, back in December 2019, presented by HRH the Princess Royal to Network Rail’s representatives. Due to pandemic restrictions, the unveiling ceremony had been put on hold.
It was a notably relaxed and enjoyable event for all fifty people present to enjoy, with many expressions of thanks to all for those who made it happen. The visitors are looking forward to a return visit when the building is finally completed.
As one person expressed in an email: “I still have warm feelings from my foray north. What a good day!”
Grateful thanks from Mytholmroyd Station Partnership were given to a terrific group of members who always rise to the occasion whatever the task; The Shoulder of Mutton for use of their facilities, Jo’s Kitchen for the provision of a veritable feast, Andy Savage MBE – Director General of the Railway Heritage Trust – Fr John Gott for his kind words, Network Rail, Northern Trains and, Hebden Royd Town Council and the Community Foundation for Calderdale.
The Mytholmroyd Station Building project is at an exciting point in the conversion from a derelict shell into a vibrant community hub. So far, there has been interest from local artists, ceramics group, accommodation for ‘Hot Desks’ and therapy sessions – not to mention the possibility of a Reading Café for local residents to meet and maybe plan their next rail trip with the Mytholmroyd Meanderers.
