Nantwich Railway Station has been honoured at the Cheshire Best Kept Stations Annual Awards Evening being named the Best Unstaffed Station in Cheshire.
Romiley railway station claimed the coveted overall Best Kept Station Award, the first time the top honour has gone to the station. Nantwich won this accolade last year.
A record attendance of 200 people watched nineteen stations from across the former county of
Cheshire ‘score’ at Crewe Alexandra Hybrid Lounge, where the Cheshire Best Kept Stations Annual Awards were presented on Thursday 5 February.
The presentations took place before twelve Borough and Town Mayors, with the awards presented by transport journalist and rail industry commentator Tony Miles.
Both the mayors of Nantwich and Cheshire East were in attendance.
On presenting the awards, Tony Miles reflected:
“While working for Northern to update its image bank of stations, I was especially struck by those where the community, alongside staff, had clearly made a real difference.
There were flower beds, restored waiting rooms filled with pictures and historical artefacts, better
information, and notices from the groups involved inviting others to come and join them.
A great many of those examples were in Cheshire.
The dedication shown by volunteers across these stations in Cheshire is simply amazing.”
On announcing the awards, Mark Barker, chair of Cheshire Best Kept Stations, said:
“Tonight is a celebration of you and your work as station volunteers. The care, commitment and pride
you show make a tremendous difference, not only to the stations themselves but to the communities they serve.
Stations are part of our daily lives. They are where journeys begin and end – the routine trips to work or the shops, a day out, a night out, or the important departures for holidays and university. They are where loved ones are welcomed home or waved on their way. They are gateways to our communities
and to our lives.
What you do touches many people, including yourselves, because working together on something worthwhile, constructive and shared brings real benefits to physical and mental wellbeing, to self-
esteem and to confidence. The pride you take in your station shines out into the community and is felt by everyone who passes through.”
Nantwich Station won the Northern Best Unstaffed Station Award
Gwych garddio wedi am nifer o flynyddoedd yn dal y llygad yma, sy'n ein barnu yn gryno crynhoi fel 'Parhaus garddwriaethol fuddugoliaeth’. But there is more to the station. The installation of modern waiting shelters gave the Three Counties Connected Community Rail Partnership (CRP) the opportunity to use them for an art display. Working with the children of the nearby Primary Academy, designs were produced
based on the town’s rich architectural heritage and on the theme of ‘floral town’ to link with the station’s magnificent gardens. Thanks to the teamwork of CRP, school and Nantwich In Bloom volunteers, the station is a splendid gateway that the town can be truly proud of.
Gina Haigh, from Nantwich in Bloom, said:
“We were absolutely delighted to be awarded the Northern Best Unstaffed Station Award. It came as a complete surprise and means we have completed a fabulous year on the station on a high.”
Josie Rayworth, Community Rail Officer for the 3 Counties Connected Community Rail
Partnership, said:
“The Nantwich station volunteers are a real inspiration. Their dedication and passion for creating a welcoming, vibrant station for passengers and the community is outstanding. They go far beyond planting, taking time to engage with passengers and delivering creative seasonal projects, including working with local schools. This award is thoroughly deserved.”
