Cheshire Best Kept Stations

John Hulme

Platform 2 for the Bug Train at Handforth …..

The Friends of Handforth Station are pleased to announce the arrival of the Bug Train on Platform 2 ….

This traditional steam locomotive with its two carriages is not going to any destination; it is instead built of wood and intended to be a home for all sorts of insects and other invertebrates for the next few years.

The Bug Train was built by young members of the FoHS (with help from their parents), and installed in early July. Three separate families produced the train, and its installation observed strict Social Distancing guidelines.

The Bug Train represents a non-specific steam “shunter” locomotive of the 1910s, with two open carriages.

Following the design principle of a Bug Hotel, it is stuffed with brushwood, twigs, leaves, some bamboo and a couple of old bricks. This material is designed to shelter creepy-crawlies during their autumn and winter hibernations; installing it in high summer gives it time to become part of the natural landscape and easily accessible.

Hugh Everett, Secretary of FoHS, commented:
“The Bug Train is part of two commitments of our group: to support nature and the environment, and to provide a welcoming and friendly environment for users of the station (human and non-human !). It complements our Hedgehog Hotel next door.”

He added, “We’re proud that we managed to assemble it in three separate places in Handforth, under lockdown conditions, and then install it once we were allowed back onto the station platforms.”

The FoHS Bug Train has not yet formally been named.

It can be seen behind the fence next to the Stockport-bound platform at Handforth Station

North Staffs Community Rail Partnership AGM ….

A virtual North Staffs Community Rail Partnership AGM will be held on Thursday 9th July at 5pm ….

The North Staffs Community Rail Partnership works with partners from local councils, community groups, businesses, tourism venues and train operators in the communities served by railway stations between Crewe and Derby, plus Penkridge and Stone.

If you wish to join this meeting, powered by Microsoft Teams, please contact the Rail Partnership at northstaffscrp@stoke.gov.uk

Further details can be found at https://twitter.com/NorthStaffsCRP/status/1275457076936847360

 

Chris Dale

It is with great regret that Cheshire Best Kept Stations (CBKS) announces the passing of Chris Dale, our Secretary and a key member of the group.

He died unexpectedly and suddenly on June 22nd 2020 at a very active 72.

Chris had a lifelong love of railways and public transport.

In later life he used his encyclopaedic knowledge to help passengers through his membership of the Rail Users Consultative Committee and leadership of East Cheshire Rail Users Group, TravelWatch NorthWest and the Crewe 2 Manchester Community Rail Partnership.

The rail industry saw him as a key stakeholder in representing  passengers’ point of view.

He was often in front of the TV cameras being interviewed on important rail issues for the North West.

He did much similar work for the bus industry.

Chris handled a lot of administrative work for CBKS and organised our judging procedure for five years.

We have lost a hard-working, genial friend and colleague, and a knowledgeable, but sometimes critical, supporter of the railways and the passengers and communities that they served.

The funeral was at Macclesfield Crematorium on Tuesday 7th July 2020.

InTouch Newsletter June 2020

 

Note nominations for the 2020 Cheshire Best Kept Stations Awards is now closed and our team is now judging the entrants.

There have been many superb entries and we thank you for telling us about your station projects you are most proud of.

I hope that you are all safe and well.

These are strange and difficult times and many of you may feel anxious about going out at all, while others may be raring to go back onto their stations as soon as they are given permission.

It is of course important to adhere to train operator and Government guidance.

The Community Rail Network (formerly ACoRP) has recently updated its guidance on working on stations. I recommend reading this which you can do by clicking on this link:
https://communityrail.org.uk/coronavirus-guidance-2/

Cheshire Best Kept Stations Awards 2020
We are determined to keep on encouraging and supporting your work on stations whenever this becomes possible, and to recognise and honour your achievements both now and in the past.

Your work is so important for your communities, the rail industry and your own wellbeing.

To continue encouraging you we are pleased to announce that we will be presenting the 2020 Cheshire Best Kept Station Awards this year but will be changing the way we judge and present the Awards.

We want you to tell us about one project / piece of work that you have completed (or maybe are still doing) that you are most proud of.

This does not have to be in the last year, it can be at any time in the past.

You can submit this information just in an email, or no more than a single side of A4. One or more photos would also be very helpful.

Please let us have this information by Friday 31st July by emailing:
intouch@bestkeptstations.org.uk

Station Group News
Many thanks to those of you that have been keeping in touch with us to let us know what you have been doing recently.  You can see some of these stories here:
https://www.bestkeptstations.org.uk/news/

Please keep your stories coming in; these will encourage others with what can be done.

We want to hear about what you have been able to do at or around your stations, in your communities and how you are keeping in touch with each other.

If this pandemic has shown anything, it is the strength and generosity that exists in our communities of which you are all part.

Send your stories to:
intouch@bestkeptstations.org.uk

We will continue to keep you informed about our plans as the progresses and look forward to hearing from you.

Keep safe, with Best Wishes,

Mark Barker
Chair
Cheshire Best Kept Stations

PS  Do send us your news and photos to intouch@bestkeptstations.org.uk so we can keep other groups in touch of your station projects.

Northern are now accepting requests to work on stations ….

In recognition of the easing of some lockdown restrictions, Northern is willing to assess requests to resume adoption activity at stations on a case by case basis. …

Northern write …

“We appreciate many will be keen to get back to stations but must balance that with the requirements faced by our station management teams
in implementing social distancing measures to protect the safety of our customers and our colleagues.

If members of your group would be interested in resuming some activity you must seek written approval from your local Regional Community and Sustainability Manager before undertaking any activity.”

Click here for further details