From the Friends of Handforth Station ….
There is light at the End of the Tunnel …..
Friends of Romiley Station keep in touch …..
To keep in touch the Friends of Romiley Station send out a regular newsletter ….
Friends of Reddish South keep in touch ….
The Friends of Reddish South Station have kept in touch with their latest Newsletter ….
Heritage Open Days celebrated at Handforth Station ….
To celebrate the national Heritage Open Days (6th to 15th September), the Friends of Handforth Station will be flying their historic British Railway flag ….
Latest News from Friends of Goostrey Station ….
This is one of the nicest stations I’ve visited ….
Mid Cheshire Line Volunteers triumph at RHS Tatton
The Mid Cheshire Line Station Volunteers triumph with a Silver Gilt Award in the Long Borders section at RHS Tatton Flower Show ….
Cheshire Best Kept Stations announce their 2024 Photographic Competition Award ….,
Cheshire Best Kept Stations are pleased to announce details of our new Photographic Competition for our 2024 Awards ….
News from the Friends of Goostrey Station …..
‘What a lovely day in our community!’ ‘A brilliant team effort!’ ….
The Friends of Handforth Station at Handforth’s D-Day Commemoration event ….
The Friends of Handforth Station took part in D-Day Commemorations on Saturday 1st June ….
Cheshire Best Kept Station Nominated Awards 2024 are announced …..
Cheshire Best Kept Stations has announced their Nominated Categories for the 2024 Awards ….
Survey: What do you think about the accessibility of Handforth Station ?
Transport for the North are running a survey on “How accessible is your railway station ?” …..
Cheshire Best Kept Stations celebrate 21 years of Awards in the May 2024 edition of Cheshire Life …
Dream tickets Awards honour our stations and the army of volunteers who make them first class heads up the story of our 21st Awards Evening in the May 2024 edition of Cheshire Life ….
Cheshire Best Kept Stations Celebrates 21 Years ….
On 21st March 2023, Cheshire Best Kept Stations celebrated 21 years of Station Awards in Cheshire ….
Commemorative lectern at Handforth’s historic “tank track” ….
Handforth Town Council and the Friends of Handforth Station have installed a commemorative lectern to recognise a significant piece of Handforth’s history ….
Friends of Goostrey Station ….
Have you seen the new wall hanging in Goostrey village hall? It celebrates King Charles 111’s coronation year. Friends of Goostrey Station are proud to have helped Jodrell Side WI in the production this unique work of art ….
Goostrey Art Studio has been on tour ….
Professional artist Debbie Goldsmith declared that November was ‘super busy’. She was preparing for two events at the end of the month, one in Crewe and the other in Bury ….
Please vote for our photo ….
Two Cheshire Stations need your vote in the 2024 Community Rail Awards ….
Cheshire stations are shortlisted in 2024 Community Rail Awards ….
We are pleased to report that a number of Cheshire stations have been shortlisted in the 2024 Community Rail Awards …..
News from the Friends of Goostrey Station ….
Here is the latest news from the Friends of Goostrey Station ….
FoHS donate Rail Safety books to local schools and to Handforth Library ….
In late August the Crewe to Manchester Community Rail Partnership kindly gave the Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) a number of copies of “Arlos Adventures There and Back”. ….
News from the Friends of Goostrey Station ….
Here is the latest News from the Friends of Goostrey Station ….
Northern Community Rail Report 2023
Northern have published their Community Rail Report for 2023 ….
Crewe Heritage Centre are looking for new trustees ….
Crewe Heritage Trust are looking for seven new trustees to help shape the Crewe Heritage Centre into a museum for the 21st century ….
Saving the Ticket Office at Handforth Station – Short Public Demonstration ….
The Friends of Handforth Station are organising a Demonstration of Public Support at the station, at 10am Saturday 12th August …..
Best Kept Station Awards are featured in Cheshire Life
The 2022 Best Kept Station Awards are featured in a six-page spread in July 2023’s edition of Cheshire Life ….
Cheshire Best Kept Station Awards 2023 …..
Nominations are invited for the following 2023 Nominated Categories by Friday 8th September …..
Open Gardens in Marple ….
The Friends of Rose Hill Station are taking part in the Open Gardens in Marple event which is raising funds for Cancer Research UK ….
Please vote for Goostrey in the The World Cup of Stations …..
The Friends of Goostrey Station have been shortlisted in the World Cup of Stations and they feature in a launch film for the event ….
Special Coronation Work Party at Handforth Station ….
Friends of Handforth Station celebrate the King’s Coronation …
Stockport Station receives a visit from the Mayor and Mayoress of Stockport ….
Stockport Railway Station is highly commended ….
Awards presented at Wirral Stations ….
Cheshire Best Kept Stations were pleased to visit the 2022 winning stations on the Wirral ….
Macclesfield Railway Station is highly commended ….
Cheshire Best Kept Stations and the Mayor of Cheshire East visit Macclesfield Station to present its 2022 commendation …..
Award is presented at Winsford Railway Station ….
Chair of Cheshire Best Kept Stations visits Winsford Railway Station ….
News from Goostrey Art Studio ….
Recently, Debbie Goldsmith has been leading creative workshops at Goostrey Scout Hut ….
News from Friends of Goostrey Station ….
This is the eighth award that FoGS has won in 10 years – a remarkable achievement ….
Barnies’ Bird Boxes at the Station ….
The Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) have continued their association with Barnies Community Hub in Crewe, by commissioning and installing some bird boxes made by the Barnies volunteers ….
Cheshire’s Best Kept Station 2022 ….
Altrincham Interchange were proud to be named Cheshire’s Best Kept Station 2022 ….
News from FOGS – solving a mystery ….
Baker’s Bridge – where’s that? Our volunteers have never heard local people refer to the road bridge near Goostrey Station as Baker’s Bridge. ….
News from Friends of Goostrey Station ….
The Friends of Goostrey Station are working in the community ….
Boundary Post at Goostrey Station …..
As well as improving the environment around Goostrey Station, members of FoGS are interested in the history of our local railway ….
News from Friends of Goostrey Station ….
We’re glad that we continue to make the station a pleasant place to visit and we’re extremely proud that our efforts have been recognised both locally and nationally ….
News from Goostrey Art Studio ….
Autumn 2022 has proved a busy but rewarding time for Debbie Goldsmith!
She was thrilled that her painting ‘Mostly Sunny’ won first prize in the Inch Arts Winter exhibition. The judge Tom Croft was Sky Portrait Artist of the Year in 2018. If you’d like to see Debbie’s work and the other entries, the exhibition continues at Inch Arts Gallery in Altrincham until 11 February 2023 ….
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols ….
The Friends of Reddish South Station are promoting A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols ….
Handforth Village Art Trail Winners …..
The Friends of Handforth Station organised an Art Trail in the village at the end of Summer ….
Friends of Handforth Station announce Sad Death ….
The Friends of Handforth Station were saddened to hear the news of the death of founder member Barry Burkhill last weekend …..
2022 Awards Evening date announced ….
Following feedback from the last Awards Evening we are moving the date back from our usual January date to a time when the evenings are lighter and the weather hopefully milder ….
Friends of Goostrey Station win a Special National Award
On 6th October, the Friends of Goostrey Station were presented with an award for their Outstanding Contribution to Community Rail …..
Congratulations to Friends of Goostrey Station ….
It was a good night for Cheshire at the Community Rail Awards in Manchester on Thursday 6th October 2022 …..
Friends of Goostrey Station are celebrating a hat trick ….
The Friends of Goostrey Station are delighted that they’ve been shortlisted in 3 categories in the national Community Rail Awards 2022 ….
Handforth Village Art Trail
The Friends of Handforth Station have now set up the local Community Rail Partnership’s Art Trail in the middle of Handforth ….
Goostrey Art Studio – The Platinum Plaque Project ….
Goostrey residents reflect on the last 70 years at the Goostrey Art Studio which is situate at Goostrey Station ….
Sandbach Waiting Room refurbishment …..
The Friends of Sandbach Station have sent some lovely pictures of their work on their Waiting Room refurbishment and new murals …..
Cheshire Best Kept Stations AGM ….
The Annual General Meeting of Cheshire Best Kept Stations will be held at Stockport Station conference room, located at the south end of platform 3, at 10.15 on Monday 11th July 2022 ….
Wilmslow Cubs visited Handforth Station to Learn its 180 Year History ….
During May the Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) created a display to commemorate the 180th anniversary of the Manchester to Sandbach railway line. This triggered a request from the 1st Wilmslow Cub Scouts to visit Handforth Station ….
Manchester’s Urban Poet to lead another “Ged’s Guided Walk ….
Ged Austin, known in Manchester as “The Urban Poet”, will be running another of his Guided Walks on Sunday 3rd July ….
A Newsletter from the Friends of Reddish South Station ….
The Friends of Reddish South Station publish their latest newsletter ….
Alderley Edge Station Volunteer Group celebrate Community Rail Week ….
To mark ‘Community Rail Week’ 2022, Alderley Edge Station Volunteer Group created some unique new planters for the station ….
Cheshire Best Kept Stations announce 2022 Awards
Our team of judges are getting ready to be out and about and will be visiting stations between June and August to admire your handiwork …..
The Friends of Handforth Station celebrate the 180th anniversary of the Manchester to Sandbach railway line ….
The Manchester to Birmingham Railway Company was founded in 1839 ….
Ged Austin, Manchester’s Urban Poet, comes back to Handforth …..
Ged Austin is an experienced guide who is inviting you to join him on a tour of “Handforth Past and Present” …..
Work Party at Handforth Station …..
The Friends of Handforth Station report on their April Work Party ….
News from the Goostrey Art Studio ….
When local artist Debbie Goldsmith heard the good news, she couldn’t stop grinning! Her application on behalf of the Friends of Goostrey Station had been successful ….
The winners of Cheshire Best Kept Stations 2021 ….
The winners of Cheshire Best Kept Stations 2021 were presented at the Annual Awards Evening at the Grange Theatre, Northwich on Friday 1st April ….
News from Friends of Goostrey Station …..
Recently, local artist Debbie Goldsmith was delighted to welcome a group of Rainbows from Holmes Chapel ….
The Friends of Goostrey Station have some exciting news to share ….
The Friends of Goostrey Station have some exciting news to share! They have received a significant grant to improve the interior of the restored Victorian station building which is now used by Goostrey Art Studio ….
Vibrant new Artworks at Alderley Edge ….
The Alderley Edge Station Volunteer Group have commissioned vibrant new artworks at the station unveiled by a local musical legend Peter Hook ….
New Date announced for Awards Evening – 1st April 2022 …..
A new date has been announced for the Cheshire Best Kept Station Awards Evening …..
First ever “Friends” group celebrates its 25th Birthday ….
The Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) celebrated the 25th Anniversary of their founding at a Gala Event in Handforth Youth Centre on Tuesday 30th November ….
25:25 Vision at the Friends of Handforth Station ….
The Friends of Handforth Station are about to celebrate their 25th Anniversary ….
Biggest burst of Poppies Handforth Station has ever seen ….
The Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) have received a swell of support from the community, to make this year’s Remembrance display at Handforth as bold as possible ….
Alderley Edge Station Volunteer Group have been busy setting up a book exchange ….
Esther McVey, the MP for the Tatton Constituency opened the new book exchange ….
Remembering Chris Dale
A commemorative bench has been installed at Macclesfield station to remember Chris Dale …..
Community Rail Week 2021
Community Rail Partnerships in Cheshire have joined a national campaign encouraging people to ‘Go Green by Train’ to help tackle climate emergency ….,
Beavers visit Goostrey Station
One evening in September, passengers at Goostrey railway station were surprised to see 30 Beavers in the car park …..
News from Friends of Alderley Station ….
The Station Volunteer Group brings people together to create pride in the station environment and the community ….
The Friends of Handforth Station Public Art Workshop …..
The Friends of Handforth Station will have a Public Art Workshop on Tuesday 5th October 2021 ….
Welcome to a Visual Arts Open Studio at Goostrey Station …..
Between 1 and 4pm on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd October, artist Debbie Goldsmith will host a Visual Arts Open Studio on platform 1 at Goostrey Station ….
The Friends of Handforth Station Commemorate Merchant Navy Day ….
Merchant Navy Day is an official country-wide public day of remembrance, to recognise the sacrifices made by merchant seafarers in two world wars and since ….
Meols Station on the Wirral make progress ….
The Friends of Hoylake & Meols in Bloom give an overview of their activities at Meols Station on the Wirral ….
News from Cheshire Best Kept Stations ….
Cheshire Best Kept Stations remind Friends Groups to nominate their stations for the 2021 Awards special categories ….
Another improvement at Goostrey Station ….
The latest improvement at Goostrey railway station is the installation of two display cabinets ….
Some boring news from the Friends of Handforth Station ….
Work at Handforth Station to prepare for their new lifts continues, and it is hoped that they will be in place by the end of next year ….
News from Friends of Goostrey Station
The Friends of Goostrey Station send the following news …
Avoseat on display at Handforth Station on 26th May ….
As the Design Stage progresses for the provision of lifts at Handforth Train Station, plans continue for making the station more inclusive in other areas ….
Handforth Station Quizzes …..
The Friends of Handforth are reminding us that their Spring Quizzes are still running and nobody has got all the right answers yet …..
A History of Handforth Station
Roger Small and Mike Bishop have created a visual History of Handforth Station ….
Friends of Goostrey Station go Global ….
The Friends of Goostrey Station are keen to improve the environment around Goostrey railway station ….
Successful Zoom meetings involving Handforth ….
The Friends of Handforth Station continue to work with many in the community as they plan design enhancements for the installation of lifts to the station’s platforms ….
The Friends of Handforth Station Spring Quizzes 2021
The Friends of Handforth Station are delighted that Northern Trains have given permission for them to run the FoHS Spring Quizzes this year ….
News from the Friends of Goostrey Station
We all need to hear and read good news and that’s especially true during a global pandemic ….
Handforth in British Sign Language ….
An innovative new sign has been put up at Handforth Station, thanks to a partnership with a sensory loss charity and the Friends of Handforth Station ….
Altrincham Interchange Platform Poetry ….
You can now enjoy Platform Poetry when you are awaiting the Mid Cheshire Line services at Altrincham Interchange ….
The Friends of Goostrey Station
The Friends of Goostrey Station send their latest News for January 2021 ….
Aquarium on display at Handforth Station ….
The children at the Wilmslow Academy have created a recycled underwater aquarium ….
News from Alderley Edge ….
The Alderley Edge Station Volunteer group has organised the two digitally created art montages on the wall of the Manchester bound Station platform ….
Watch and enjoy the 2020 Awards Evening ….
The Cheshire Best Kept Stations Virtual Awards Evening was launched on Tuesday 24th November at 7pm and can now be watched by dropping into our YouTube Channel ….
Journeys from Goostrey Station ….
The current restrictions mean that people are making fewer journeys by train ….
Biodiversity at Goostrey Station ….
Many people would not include the words biodiversity and railway in the same sentence ….
Service Enhancement at Rose Hill ….
The Friends of Rose Hill Station and Goyt Valley Rail Users’ Association have made a case for Restoring and Enhancing the Train Service between Manchester and Rose Hill via Hyde ….
Friends of Handforth AGM and Open Meeting ….
The Friends of Handforth Station’s Annual General Meeting and Open Meeting goes virtual ….
Community Rail Network Annual General Meeting ….
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 ….
News from the Alderley Edge Station Volunteer Group …..
The Alderley Edge Station Volunteer Group have teamed up with Network Rail and Alderley Edge in Bloom ….
Mid Cheshire CRP launches Gallery in the Gardens at Tatton Park …..
The Mid Cheshire CRP has launched a Gallery in the Gardens at Tatton Park comprising 12 platform posters featuring Cheshire’s Wonderful Wildlife which you can preview on an online video ….
Time Out Group flag flies at Handforth Station ….
The Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) were delighted to cement yet another partnership with a local community group ….
News from the Friends of Goostrey Station
Having climbed the mountain the Friends of Goostrey Station have another one to be tackled ….
New CRO Officer for the Mid Cheshire Line
The Mid Cheshire CRP is recruiting a new Community Rail Officer ….
Full Steam ahead for Artist at Sandbach Station …
An artist whose work hit the buffers during the lockdown is now back on track …..
Work Parties at Handforth Station Back on Track ….
The Friends of Handforth Station have re-started regular Work Parties under strict Covid-19 guidelines ….
Plants on the move at Altrincham Interchange ….
Plants are on the move at Altrincham Interchange courtesy of regular rail users Anne and Bev ….
Cheshire Best Kept Stations goes YouTube ….
Cheshire Best Kept Stations now has a YouTube channel ….
Nantwich is Blooming
Nantwich Railway Station continue to offer a blooming good show ….
Bake me a train Competition ….
The Friends of Romiley Station invite you to bake a train ….
Friends of Goostrey Station has been shortlisted for two awards ….
The Friends of Goostrey Station recently heard that their group of volunteers had been shortlisted for two Community Rail Awards ….
Renovated Running in Board at Handforth
The Friends of Handforth Station allow us a behinds the scene look at the renovation of their 1950’s Running-In-Board ….
Rail Walks from Romiley ….
The Friends of Romiley Station have compiled a 28 page booklet featuring walks from the station ….
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 ….
North Staffs Community Rail Partnership AGM ….
A virtual North Staffs Community Rail Partnership AGM will be held on Thursday 9th July at 5pm ….
Chris Dale
It is with great regret that Cheshire Best Kept Stations announces the passing of Chris Dale ….
InTouch Newsletter June 2020
Our InTouch message to Cheshire Best Kept Station friend groups and volunteers for June 2020 …
Northern are now accepting requests to work on stations ….
Northern is willing to assess requests to resume adoption activity at stations on a case by case basis ….
The Greener Handforth Project at their local station ….
The Friends of Handforth Station are still working hard to keep the station friendly and attractive ….
Station gardening is back on at Hoylake and Meols ….
Jan Forster from the Friends of Hoylake and Meols in Bloom reports ….
Friends of Handforth work with Time Out Group ….
The Friends of Handforth Station have partnered local group during lockdown ….
Reflections from the Friends of Rose Hill Railway Station
The Friends of Rose Hill Station reflect on the past and look forward to the future ….
My Cheshire Children’s Art Competition
The winners in the My Cheshire Children’s Art Competition have been announced ….
Knutsford is Blooming
Knutsford Railway Station is another Cheshire station that is starting to bloom ….
Handforth Station – A Platform for Art
The Friends of Handforth Station have issued an “Artists’ Brief” ….
Spring at a Branch Line Station …..
Delamere Railway Station has probably more branches around it than most stations ….
Spring has come at Handforth Station
The Friends of Handforth Station provides further news and a pictorial flip-book of their shrubs and spring bulbs ….
The Friends of Meols Station share their News
The Friends of Meols Station share their News before lock-down ….
InTouch Newsletter April 2020
Our InTouch message to Cheshire Best Kept Station friend groups and volunteers for April 2020 …
The Friends of Goostrey share their News
The Friends of Goostrey share their News with an extract from the May 2020 edition of the Goostrey Parish Magazine ….
The Donna Louise Hospice at Handforth Station
The Friends of Handforth Station have now teamed up with the Donna Louise Hospice for Children & Young People ….
My Cheshire Children’s Art Awards
The Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership are proud to announce their Childrens Art Competition …..
Annual Report 2019
Cheshire Best Kept Stations are pleased to present their Annual Report for 2019 ….
News from the Community Rail Network (formerly ACoRP)
The Community Rail Network gives advice on how community rail can stay active, productive and positive and continuing to make a difference to our communities, while looking to the future ….
Latest artwork at Handforth Station : Stories from the Homeless
Handforth Railway Station is currently exhibiting a unique and rare collection of personally handwritten poetry from the homeless community ….
News from ACoRP
ACoRP provide help and guidance whilst in lock-down with Covid-19 ….
Cheshire Best Kept Stations are supporting Cheshire based charities
The proceeds of a raffle held at the recent Annual Awards evening plus a further donation have been donated ….
A double celebration for FOGS members
The Friends of Goostrey Station members took time out of their regular monthly working party to celebrate two events ….
Greek Restaurant donates sign to Friends of Handforth Station
Handforth Station now boasts another place-name sign on its richly-decorated platforms – and this one is in Greek ……
What the Media Says
Cheshire Best Kept Stations are proud that our local and regional media take an interest in our Awards ….
Sally Buttifant MBE
Former Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership Officer, Sally Buttifant MBE, was recognised at Cheshire Best Kept Stations ….
Handforth Station commemorates Remembrance Day
1st Handforth Beavers, Cubs and Scouts have helped Handforth Station to commemorate Remembrance Day ….
A vintage Running In Board installed at Handforth Station
Handforth Station was the venue for the unveiling of a newly-installed 1950s era Running In Board ….
‘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 ….
Sally Buttifant MBE
Sally Buttifant has been honoured with an MBE for her services to the railway and community in Cheshire …..
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 …..
Railway Children Donation
Cheshire Best Kept Stations’ Chair Mark Barker presents Lindsay Gardner of the Railway Children with a cheque for £175 ….
Cheshire Best Kept Stations 2018
Cheshire’s Best Kept Stations Awards have been declared for 2018 ….
Merseyrail to be 2018 main sponsors
Cheshire Best Kept Stations is pleased to announce that Merseyrail will be its main sponsor for its 2018 Awards Evening ….
World War One Commemorations
Enjoy our slide show of how the centenary of the end of WW1 was commemorated at Cheshire’s stations …..
Handforth Station Gets an International Twin
Handforth Station twins with Malahide in Ireland ….
Sandbach Transport Festival
The Sandbach Transport Festival was a great example of collaboration ….
Railway Children Donation
Cheshire Best Kept Stations’ Chair Mark Barker presents Val Brignall of Railway Children with a cheque for £150 ….
2017 Awards Evening
Cheshire Best Kept Stations have announced the date of their 2017 Awards Evening ….
John Hobbs – a true gent
John Hobbs, who has been a working member of Cheshire Best Kept Stations is recognised ….
Annual General Meeting
The AGM of Cheshire Best Kept Stations was held on 28th April 2017 ….
2016 Awards Annual Evening
Sixteen Cheshire Stations have scooped awards ….