Artist Debbie Goldsmith has been busy leading workshops in Crewe and Manchester.

At the end of October, Debbie ran two sessions at Crewe library.  Fifty people made star lanterns which will be used in the community parade on 5th December. On that day the town centre will come alive with festive activities for all ages, including a makers’ market, live music, Christmas crazy golf and the chance to meet real reindeer.  Peter Robinson from Crewe town council was enthusiastic. He said ‘It was good to see how much the children and parents enjoyed making the lanterns’.

On 1st November Debbie was working at Crewe Heritage Centre, helping visitors to create fun and spooky Hallowe’en masks and bunting. This was part of a programme of family friendly activities during half term. The Centre was decorated for the season and there was a range of workshops, from Detective Science to Designing a Comic Strip.

In preparation for Remembrance Day, Debbie worked with community artist Fiona Forster at a free event in Debdale Park, Gorton. The event was supported by Manchester Parks and thirty people were able to make poppy plaques.

Debbie is vice-chair of Friends of Goostrey Station and her studio is in the restored building at Goostrey Station.  Drawing inspiration from the natural world, she explores the use of colour and texture in her paintings and rug-making. She also actively collaborates with schools, galleries and organisations such as Mid-Cheshire Hospitals and Community Rail Network. Her workshops emphasise creativity and community engagement.

Kim Burrows writes ….

The RHS Britain in Bloom present the Friends of Reddish South Station with ‘Railway Station of the Year’ Award

The ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ awards are part of the larger Britain In Bloom annual awards which celebrates the smaller projects in each region of Britain. There are over 700 participant groups in the North West of England alone, and the presentations take place over 3 days.

The work done by volunteers in every corner of the country is astonishing and lights up the most unexpected areas of urban areas as well as enhancing Hospices, Railway Stations and Civic spaces.

This is the fourth time the Friends of Reddish South Station have entered and have been lucky to receive an ‘Outstanding’ level 5 each time.

This year however, we had one of the RHS Britain in Bloom discretionary awards presented to us by Judge David Bielawski for the Best Station of the Year for NW England.

We were absolutely delighted the receive the award – special thanks should go to the architect of our garden, Noel Henry, as well as the work done by the committee and Friends over the last 15 years.

The picture shows Noel, David Bielawski and Chairman Tom Grundy.