Six Stockport stations recognised at ‘Best Kept Station’ awards

Woodsmoor, Reddish South, Stockport, Heaton Chapel, Rose Hill Marple and Romiley stations have all been honoured at the Cheshire Best Kept Stations Awards.

The event, held on March 16th at Northwich’s The Grange Theatre, was attended by Mayor of Stockport Cllr David Wilson and Mayoress Jeanette Slavinski.

Heaton Chapel Station won the TfGM Award for how its eyecatching artwork that speaks of the identity of communities local to the station to both those on the platform and on passing trains.

Reddish South Station won the John Hobbs Award, recognising the group of campaigners that have improved the condition of the station, and begun pushing for restoration of a Stockport to Manchester Victoria passenger service within the local community.

Stockport Station was Highly Commended in the Avanti Sustainability category for their School Engagement Programme to involve schools in World Bee Day.

Rose Hill Station won the Community Rail Network Award for Community Engagement for how the station’s friends group have re-engaged with the local community after the Covid-19 pandemic. Friends of Rose Hill Station Chair Rachel Singer said:

“Thank you so much for the award we received for our work with our local community, the school rail trip and, especially, the Santa event. I’m so pleased, on behalf of our group, to have this acknowledged because the event means a lot to so many local families and involves a lot of sheer hard work on the part of our volunteer group.”

Woodsmoor Station won the Art Project Award for work completed last summer after being put on hold by the Covid-19 pandemic. Artwork consists of a series of cutout trees made of recycled packing cases decorated by many artistic discs designed by students from three schools and local artists and photographers.

Romiley Station won the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award for the creation of a new garden dedicated to Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. The scheme brought back into use a steep sloping plot of derelict railway which is visible from the village centre and the wider community was involved in the design, construction and celebrations surrounding its opening.

Mark Barker, Chair of Cheshire Best Kept Stations said at the event:

“Tonight’s Awards Evening is a celebration and a thank you for all the volunteers and community groups who do so much to brighten up our stations in Cheshire. You are all winners! – whether or not you pick up an award tonight, this is a big thank you to you all; a party for volunteers and for those who support & encourage you; rail industry, civic leaders and local authorities.

“You deserve it. We can celebrate something to be truly proud of at so many of our Cheshire stations. We have seen some truly excellent work from volunteers and staff at stations right across Cheshire.”