The Community Rail Network (formerly ACoRP) will be holding this year’s AGM on Wednesday 11th November using Zoom.

Elections to the Board will also be held at the same time using online voting.

For the first time, nominated representatives of stations friends/adoption groups and community station members can attend the AGM and stand for and vote for the Board.

This was made possible thanks to campaigning by Mike Bishop of Friends of Handforth station.

Click here for further information on what to do if you wish to attend the AGM, or be nominated for the Board.

News from the Alderley Edge Station Volunteer Group …..

The Alderley Edge Station Volunteer Group working in partnership with Alderley Edge in Bloom Group hosted a group of Network Rail volunteers on Sunday 4th October.

The activities included litter picking and clearing undergrowth  on land adjacent to the platform that is usually out of bounds to the group.

A new wooden  toy train planter was installed on the walkway from the village to the station car park.

The Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership has launched 12 platform posters featuring Cheshire’s Wonderful Wildlife which runs from Saturday 3rd October to Sunday 15th November 2020 …..

Once again, the CRP has teamed up with acclaimed Chester artist Nicky Thompson.

Following a trail around Tatton’s Gardens you will be able to view these posters in this stunning setting.

You can now preview  by video the Gallery in the Gardens Exhibition before arranging your visit.

To accompany the Exhibition and available at staffed stations on the Mid Cheshire Line, there is a 24 page full colour booklet supported by text from the Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

Click here to view an online copy of the booklet.

Posters and postcards are available at the Tatton Gift Shop and and at the CRP’s Online Shop at the Crewe Heritage Centre.

Nicky Thompson said, “Although this series is essentially ‘platform art’ and will be displayed across the Mid Cheshire Line, I am really excited to see them in the stunning gardens at Tatton Park… I really can’t think of a more picture-perfect ‘gallery”.

There is also a great storyline of creative partnership working behind this exhibition of Cheshire’s Wonderful Wildlife, as John Hulme, a director of the Mid Cheshire Line Community Rail Partnership (CRP) explains:

“When we approached Nicky about 12 pieces of poster art for our railway line, which connects Chester with Manchester via Northwich, Knutsford and Altrincham, the CRP suggested extending this platform gallery to other Cheshire partners because that is what Community Rail is all about.

“Getting things done in the Community.

“So we approached Tatton Park, which is a brisk walk from our Mid Cheshire Line station at Knutsford and here we are partnering Tatton; the National Trust; Cheshire East Council who manage and finance the Park; and the Cheshire Wildlife Trust who helped with the words for our free 24 page full colour booklet. 

“And, in these uncertain times, connecting with nature and what mindfulness brings to positive mental health, it has got be a doctor’s prescription.”

The Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) were delighted to cement yet another partnership with a local community group, when they raised a new flag following a brief hand-over ceremony at the station ….

Time Out Group (TOG) is a registered charity based in Handforth that provides a range of activities and support for adults aged 18+ with learning disabilities. Their vision is that adults with learning disabilities are accepted as equals within their own communities and have the opportunity to take part in social and leisure activities without discrimination.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced TOG to temporarily close their Drop-In Centre (in The Paddock, Handforth) in March. To support and keep contact with their members, they launched a programme of outreach services from home. This included working on the design of TOG’s very first flag, in partnership with FoHS and working with a volunteer Graphic Designer on furlough from her job.

The raising of the TOG flag has coincided perfectly with the reopening of their Drop-In Centre. TOG are very excited to have opened their doors again, to return to providing direct support for local adults with learning disabilities.

Anne-Louise Back from TOG said: “Our members were delighted to work with FoHS during lockdown to design the flag, and we are proud to see it flying at the station. This kind of project helps us to tackle isolation in the community and to encourage independence for adults with learning disabilities through support, fun and friendship. If you would like to join the group or know someone that might be interested, please get in touch with us at admin@timeoutgroup.org.uk or call 01625 520652.”

Jenny Barnes, Arts Cordinator for FoHS, said “We are pleased with our partnership with TOG, and are happy to support TOG as they work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Their new flag is now flying alongside our brand-new Union Jack to bring some life and colour to the station.”

Some good news and some disappointment for the Friends of Goostrey Station ….

Christina Burgess from the Friends of Goostrey Station reports ….

Let’s start with the good news ….

Friends of Goostrey Station recently heard that our group of volunteers has been shortlisted for two Community Rail Awards – Most enhanced buildings & surroundings and It’s your station. While we wait for the winners to be announced at the award ceremony in December, we are delighted that our working parties have resumed.

We meet between 10am and 1pm on the second Sunday of each month. The enforced break during lockdown has shown what a difference our regular work has made to improve the environment of Goostrey Station.  When we’re sweeping or gardening, we observe social distancing, wear orange safety jackets and use our own tools.

Have you thought about becoming a Friend of Goostrey Station?   New members are always welcome to join us.  For more information, please look at our website friendsofgoostreystation.org.  You can contact Dave Roberts (chair) on sharpshooter1052@gmail.com or 544779; or Craig Sidebotham (vice chair) on 29craimar@talktalk.net or 07526 704218.

Plans to install a cycle rack on the car park are progressing. An award from the Eco Fund of the delivery company DPD will pay for a covered shelter to hold up to 10 cycles.  Northern are keen to promote sustainable travel and FOGS hope that they will organise the installation in the near future.

As pupils returned to Goostrey Community Primary School, deputy headteacher Becky Cowell mounted a new display in the shelter on the Crewe platform. It includes artwork about Peaceful Places and Learning and Achieving Together.  One passenger commented ‘Really enjoyed the positive messages and the beautiful pictures! Well done students and staff.’  On reading phrases such as ‘You are stronger than you think’ and Believe in yourself’ another traveller wrote ‘How lovely and creative. Just what the community needs during such trying times. This cheered me up – well done to all.’  FOGS members hope that rail authorities will soon respond positively to their request to repair the shelter.

And now for the disappointing news ….

This relates to how to ensure that the recently restored Victorian wooden station building is put to good use in our community.  A local resident  who works at Tate Liverpool envisages running an arts education facility there, but at present there are no toilets or kitchen facilities. Our small group of volunteers is reluctant to take on the legal and financial responsibilities of a lease.  However the Rail Heritage Trust have stated that they cannot see any reason for rail authorities to put management time into the building as the structure is neither listed nor in a conservation area.  Their executive director has identified successful community run station buildings in other places, stating that this shows what a determined community group can achieve.

He continues ‘You have been successful in persuading the industry to go far beyond where it normally would in restoring this building externally, but if you don’t take the lead in internally restoring it, I can’t see anyone doing it. Basically I see two options – a community group, yours or some other, leases the building and leads a restoration of its interior and its onwards use or the building will reopen as it is at present, as externally restored shell.’

So now FOGS has created an action list with clear priorities in order to make progress towards their vision.  Help from other members of our community would be very welcome.