Cheshire’s best kept railway stations announced

Cheshire Best Kept Stations, , has announced their best-kept stations for 2018.

CBKS organises the annual awards, where BR totem style awards are presented to the best stations in the area.

The awards are now in their 16th year and this year, Alsager railway station Cheshire’s Best Kept Station 2018.

The Evening was attended by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire and twelve mayors from boroughs, town and parishes across Cheshire

15 stations won awards and 6 stations were highly commended at this community event.

Whilst East Midlands Trains won the top award with only one station in  Cheshire, Northern won 14 accolades, Virgin three, Merseyrail two and Transport for Wales Rail one.

A special World War 1 Centenary Award went to Romiley station in Stockport. Northwich station was named the best station in Cheshire West and Handforth in Cheshire East.

Marple station won the Transport for Greater Manchester Award. Hoylake station won the Wirral Award for the second year running.

Padgate station won the Halton & Warrington Award, the first time this station has won an Award. Stockport station won the ACoRP Community Award.

Awards also went to Chelford, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Frodsham, Goostrey, Greenbank, Hattersley, Heaton Chapel,  Knutsford, Reddish South, Rose Hill, Sandbach, and Warrington Bank Quay railway stations.

Merseyrail were the 2018 lead sponsors of the Evening.

What did the officials say?

On presenting the awards, Professor Southall said:

“It has been a great pleasure for me to present these awards this evening and it has been an eye-opener to see how much volunteering there is on our railway stations in Cheshire.

“My thanks go to all those Friends Groups and rail staff that make our stations lovely gateways to our cities, towns and villages across the county.”

On announcing the Awards, Mark Barker, Chair of Cheshire Best Kept Stations said:

“Tonight’s Awards Evening is a celebration and a thank you for all the volunteers, community groups and rail staff who do so much to brighten up our stations in Cheshire.

“Alsager Station won the top ‘Cheshire Best Kept Station Award 2018’.

“The judges loved the fabulous flower displays on both platforms, which are quite long. As good as any that would be seen at Tatton Park and other “professional” flower shows.

“Photos of regular community involvement over the years, including celebrating 170 years since the station opened clinched the coveted top award.”

Andy Heath, managing director of Merseyrail, which is the lead sponsor of the awards, said:

“This is a wonderful event which says thank you to all those people who work tirelessly to ensure their local, train stations remain at the heart of their communities.

“Whether that is through creating beautiful gardens, painting stunning murals, opening a book exchange or many, many more creative ideas.

“We are always amazed and humbled by the myriad of ways that people find to transform their stations.”

Honorary Freeman Cllr Shirley Jones, Chairman of Alsager Town Council, said

“I am delighted that Alsager has once again be named Cheshire’s Best Kept Station. “My thanks go to all the volunteers, participants from local schools, railway staff and other organisations in the town for making this happen. “Alsager is very proud of its station.”

Claire Sandys, Community Rail Partnership Officer for the North Staffs Community Rail Partnership, said:

 “I am so proud of the Alsager volunteers’ achievement in winning Cheshire Best Kept Station Award again. 

“They work very hard to keep the station looking beautiful and put a lot of effort into extra activities with the community to celebrate the station’s 170th anniversary. 

“They have created a very attractive and welcoming gateway to the town.”

Donna Adams, Community Rail and Stakeholder Manager for East Midlands Trains, said:

“We are delighted that Alsager has won Cheshire’s Best Kept Station 2018, the station always looks immaculate and it is all down to the hard work of Alsager’s volunteers.

“A huge achievement for everyone involved, well done!”

“We are proud to be part of Cheshire’s Best Kept Stations and to have the chance to recognise the amazing dedication and hard work of volunteers across the county.”

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