Photo taken on 22 January 2008. Frodsham station won the Vale Royal Council Award. Helsby station won the Cheshire Best Kept Gardens award. From L to R are Janet Briggs, Pam Shingler, Frank Thomas, Cllr Doug Shingler (Mayor of Vale Royal), Philip Briggs, Felicity Goodey, John Hobbs, Will Ellams, Pauline Jenkinson.
Two Vale Royal Borough railway stations won awards at the recent (22nd Jan 2008) Awards Evening at the Salt Museum, Northwich.
The Awards were given by former BBC journalist and presenter Ms Felicity Goodey who is also the Chair of the Group steering Cheshire’s Year of Gardens who were lead sponsors of the event.
Felicity Goodey on giving the awards said:
"Our stations are often the first impression visitors have of us. It takes huge energy, drive and commitment to make so many stations such a pleasure to see. The volunteers who are responsible deserve our heartfelt gratitude. They are playing a key role in our campaign to put Cheshire, with its Gardens, on the international tourist map. "
Helsby railway station won the Best Kept Gardens Award and Frodsham won the Vale Royal Borough Council Award. Both stations are tended by volunteers of the North Cheshire Rail Users Group.
John Hulme, organiser of Cheshire Best Kept Stations, said:
"Cheshire’s Year of Gardens has given our communities a unique opportunity of focussing on their stations. We are expecting over 300,000 extra visitors in Cheshire this year visiting our gardens and many will arrive at our railway stations. First impressions count and it is important that our stations are at their best"
Commenting on the wins at Frodsham and Helsby, John said:
Our judges visit the station at least three times a year. They commended the volunteers of the North Cheshire Railway Group who carry out work on the stations in all weathers and in all seasons. They are our "unsung heroes in the community" and deserve the public’s thanks."
Notes
John Hulme, organiser of Cheshire Best Kept Stations can be contacted at
jh@johnhulme.com