Local villages tidy up awards

Five Mayors, the Chairman of Cheshire County Council, the High Sheriff of Cheshire and 80 invited guests last Thursday (23rd January 2007) congratulated both Plumley and Mobberley as award winners in the Cheshire Best Kept Station Competition 2006.

At the Annual Award Evening, held at the Salt Museum, Northwich, Mobberley took the award for the Tidiest Cheshire Station and Plumley received a special Community Awards for its involvement in the Competition over the last four years.

John Hulme, organiser of the event and retired Chairman of the JPD Group who are based at Plumley Station said “This year the judges had a difficult job in deciding on the winners. Once again we could see vast improvements on our Cheshire Stations and it is the volunteer groups we have to thank. They are our unsung heroes in the community”

Paul Salveson, Head of Regional and Community Strategies for Northern Rail, who were the lead sponsors of the event, said “This Cheshire Competition is unique to the railways. But what makes it a real winner is the enthusiasm of the people of Cheshire. I applaud all those that are involved at our stations even if they have not won an award”.

In 2007 local communities are being urged to get more involved at their local stations in preparation for Cheshire’s Year of Gardens ’08 which will celebrate Cheshire’s Gardens of Distinction. Whilst the Civic Society is actively involved at Knutsford Railway Station, Mr Hulme is looking for further support, especially with the RHS Flower Show being hosted at Tatton Park.

Chris Brown, Chief Executive of Visit Chester and Cheshire (our local Tourism Board), who attended the event said “With our attention focussed on ‘Cheshire’s Year of Gardens ‘08’ being a Garden Gateway to the Liverpool Capital of Culture 08, we will be working closely with local communities throughout 2007 to improve our stations and the gateways into Cheshire. We see local volunteer groups as a key part of this project and welcome more groups on more stations”.

Sybil Crossman, Chairlady of Plumley, Toft and Bexton Parish Council who attended the evening with Anne Panagakis, who voluntarily works on their station gardens, said “She was thrilled that Plumley had won an award and very proud for the village.”

At Mobberley, the Village Society, who tend the station as volunteers, were delighted with the Tidiest Station Award. John Oates, Chairman of MCRUA, who lives in the village, said “This award proves how a community group can make a positive impact at our stations. I also congratulate the other stations that have won awards”.

Helsby took the top award at the event and other winners included Cuddington, Northwich, Frodsham, Stockport and Handforth.

The evening also said goodbye to John Kitchen, Mid Cheshire’s first Community Rail Partnership Officer. John, who is leaving the area to take up the position of Rail Officer with Cumbria County Council, was given a special award for the vast improvement he has partnered on the Mid-Cheshire Line. Accepting the award John said “He would treasure the award but it really belongs to those who helped me achieve my objectives and 90% of those were in the room that evening”.

The evening also launched, “The Cheshire Day Ranger” a rail ticket that allows travel throughout Cheshire including Liverpool, Manchester and Stoke”.

Mark Barker from Northern Rail said “We are working closely with Visit Chester and Cheshire to make this a unique way of seeing the County and we expect many visitors to leave their car at home and take a look at the Cheshire countryside from the train”.

Matt Wheeler, Curator of the Salt Museum, which hosted the Awards Evening, said “I have never seen the museum galleries so full. The Mid-Cheshire Railways Exhibition, we are now running, with its continual cinema show and exhibits, is bringing back a lot of nostalgic moments.