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.

Delamere Railway Station has probably more branches around it than most railway stations – after all it is in the heart of Delamere Forest !!

Unfortunately Covid-19 has suspended volunteer working at our stations in Cheshire but here is a glimpse of some of the work by the Petty Pool Trust – whose College and Outdoor Centre is just down the road from the station in Sandiway.

The Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership would like to thank all those from Petty Pool for making Delamere Railway Station a lovely place to visit.

This project was funded by the Northern Stations Fund through the Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association.

If you have photos and a story that would brighten our lives up as we traverse Covid-19, please contact the Cheshire Best Kept Station team .

I hope that you and your fellow group members are all well and keeping safe during these difficult times.

Activities have stopped as we all follow Government advice to keep safe and protect the NHS.

Looking after ourselves has got to be our main priority.

As we look to the future, we invite you to check out our website for the latest news of our Cheshire Stations.

We also welcome good news stories about your efforts even if they are reflecting on the past.

These should be sent to intouch@bestkeptstations.org.uk or simply reply to this email.

And remember a picture paints a thousand words!

We particularly bring your attention to:

–  Advice and guidance from Community Rail Network (formerly ACoRP) on keeping in touch and planning whilst we are in lock-down with Covid-19.

–  Our Cheshire Best Kept Stations Annual Report

It will come as no surprise to you that we are postponing our Annual General Meeting until post Covid-19 but you can read our Annual Report now.

–  The MyCheshire Children’s Arts Awards.

This is a Mid Cheshire CRP initiative aimed at Cheshire primary school children who can join a competition to paint their own railway station poster.

The winners will see their paintings adorn 15 poster cases on Mid Cheshire Line.

Take a look at some of the entries so far.

And … by special arrangement the competition is extended to “old Cheshire” so includes all Cheshire Best Kept Station entrants!

It has been a joy to recognise and celebrate the hard work, enthusiasm, creativity and community spirit in Cheshire last year.

This year is going to be a different year for Cheshire Best Kept Stations but our Best Kept Stations team are here to:

• rekindle all the energy we can for Cheshire’s station projects
• give help and to promote our station achievements both past and present
• help keep in touch with Cheshire’s station projects even whilst we are in lock-down

Finally please remember that Cheshire is the only county to have its own Best Kept Station Competition.

Yes, in Cheshire we are simply the Best !!

Mark Barker
Chair
Cheshire Best Kept Stations

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