17 railway stations in the former county of Cheshire have scooped awards at the 21st Cheshire Best Kept Stations awards evening.
Held on Thursday 6 February, the awards were presented before a record-breaking 180 guests at Crewe Alexandra Football Club by Craig Harrop, Northern’s regional director west and central.
Goostrey Station won the Community Rail Network Award for Community Engagement, and Nantwich Station won the coveted overall Cheshire Best Kept Station Award, the first time the top award has gone to this station. Prestbury Station won the first Photographic Award, run in conjunction with Cheshire Life magazine and decided by public vote, and Bebington and Styal stations won awards for the very first time in the 22 years of Cheshire Best Kept Stations.
Christina Burgess of the Friends of Goostrey Station said: “Friends of Goostrey Station were delighted to have their achievements recognised by two Cheshire Best Kept Station awards this year. Since our group 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.”
Paul Webster, regions support manager at Community Rail Network, 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.”
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. We have seen some truly excellent work from volunteers and staff at stations right across Cheshire. You should be proud of your work, and you are all winners, whether or not you pick up an award tonight.”
