Cheshire Best Kept Stations

John Hulme

‘Unsung heroes’ praised as green project breathe life back into railway station

Volunteers at Greenbank railway station have earned mayoral praise for their work in bringing to life a platform garden.

Cllr Kevin Rimmer, Northwich town mayor, paid a visit to Greenbank on Monday to thank the Friends of Greenbank Station for their continuing work – notably the greenery at the side of the Chester-bound tracks.

Mark Goulborn, Nigel Nutt and FOGS’s Graham Hallett visit the station every Monday, when they set about cleaning and tidying the station and planting up the planters and garden area.

Read more of this story at the Northwich Guardian ….

Sally Buttifant MBE

Sally at the ACoRP Awards in 2015

Sally Buttifant, the former rail officer for the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership and until recently a member of the Cheshire Best Kept Station team, has been honoured with an MBE (Member of Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2019.

This honour recognises the achievements and services of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom.

For nearly 10 years, Sally was community rail officer for the Mid Cheshire Line which connects Chester to Manchester via Northwich, Knutsford, Altrincham and Stockport.

Sally was recognised for her services to the railway and community in Cheshire.

Mark Barker, Chair of Cheshire Best Kept Stations, said:

“The Best Kept Stations team send Sally their warmest congratulations on this marvellous achievement.

” We are so delighted that Sally’s work for community rail in Cheshire has been recognised.

“She has achieved much, and inspired many with her hard work over almost 10 years. ”

Click here to read more from the Northwich Guardian

Cheshire Best Kept Stations 2019 Awards

Cheshire Best Kept Stations have launched their 2019 Awards and encourage all Station Adoption Groups and Community Groups working at stations in the former County of Cheshire to get involved. Some wonderful work is being done at our local stations and we want to honour the best. Our judges are now out and about across the county looking to see what you are doing.

We are also giving you the opportunity to tell us about your work by opening nominations for four categories of Awards as follows:

  • Art Projects Award
  • Community Award
  • Campaign & Communications Award
  • Youth Challenge Award

Entries must be received by 30th September 2019.

Click here for more information about the Awards and how to enter.

We would love to receive news and photos of your activities, there must be many stories to tell!

Email us at nominations@bestkeptstations.org.uk

We hope you have an enjoyable spring and summer working on your stations!

Railway Children Donation

CBKS Chair Mark Barker presents Lindsay Gardner of the Railway Children with a cheque for £175

The funds were raised at the recent Cheshire Best Kept Stations 2018 Awards Evening held at the Grange Theatre in Northwich in February.

Railway Children is a Sandbach based charity that works to help street children in India, Africa and the UK.

A similar donation is being made to the Northwich branch of The Samaritans.

Mark said:

“As well as showcasing the work of volunteer groups on our Cheshire railways stations, Cheshire Best Kept Stations are pleased to make this donation to support these amazing charities who are very dependent on voluntary donations.”