Goostrey Railway Station has won the Community Rail Network Award for Community Engagement and also came second place in the Cheshire Life Photographic Award at the Cheshire Best Kept Stations awards evening.

A record attendance of 180 people saw seventeen stations in the former county of Cheshire 'score' at Crewe Alexandra Football Club when Cheshire Best Kept Stations Annual awards.

The awards were presented before ten Borough and Town Mayors by Mr Craig Harrop, Regional Director West & Central for Northern Railway.

Right on track! (Photo: Cheshire Best Kept Station)

The judged commented that the Friends of Goostrey Station (FoGS) group is well known and regard-ed in the community, participating in the annual Rose Day, village festival and Open Gardens.

The latter was used to recruit gardeners. Working with the WI a large Coronation wall-hanging depicting the village was unveiled during the year.

They also noted: "Art activities bring young people and other groups to work in the flourishing Art Studio at the station.

"Their website is a mine of information about sustainable travel. Cubs, Scouts, and Beavers help with the gardening, and learn about rail safety.

"The group's aim is that members work together to ensure that our community is proud of our station and in this they have succeeded well."

Goostrey station was also runner-up in the Cheshire Life Photographic Award with "Keeping Up Appear-ances" taken by Christina Burgess.

Goostrey station was also runner-up in the Cheshire Life Photographic award. (Photo: Cheshire Best Kept Station)

Christina Burgess of Friends of Goostrey Station (FoGS) said: "Friends of Goostrey Station were delighted to have their achievements this year recognised by two CBKS awards.

"Since FoGS formed in 2012, our members have worked together to improve our village railway station. With the enthusiastic involvement of our local community including Cubs, Beavers, Rainbows, Primary School pupils and Duke of Edinburgh Award candidates, our station is now a valued part of Goostrey."

Nantwich Railway Station won the coveted overall winner's "Cheshire Best Kept Station Award", the first time the top award has gone to this station.

Presenting the awards, Craig Harrop said: "It's fantastic to be part of this celebration of volunteers and the local railway community, who through their incredible skills, passion and hard work, help to brighten up stations across the county. Our community partners are the heartbeat of the railway and we're extremely proud to work closely with them to deliver such a wide-ranging positive impact across Cheshire and the North of England."

Announcing the awards, Mark Barker, Chair of Cheshire Best Kept Stations said: "The awards evening is a celebration 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. We are say a big thank you to volunteers and for those who support and encourage you – the rail industry, civic leaders and local authorities. You deserve it.

"You should be proud of your work at so many of our Cheshire stations. We have seen some truly excellent work from volunteers and staff at stations right across Cheshire."

Paul Webster, Community Rail Network's Regions Support Manager, said: "Each of Cheshire's stations ably demonstrates how they are a gateway to their community, offering a colourful floral welcome for visitors arriving there or with artwork which leaves a long lasting pictorial memory that people getting on a train will take with them.

"They are stations which provide a pleasant vista for passengers travelling through them to also enjoy. Cheshire Best Kept Stations is a unique awards ceremony within community rail and one which Community Rail Network was delighted to attend and to be able to support."

Congratulations Goostrey - two well deserved awards!

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