With restrictions easing and better summer weather, our judges are already out and about visiting stations, and will be until mid-August. It is encouraging to see much good work carrying on.

Just a reminder that we are also inviting nominations for the following Award categories:

Community Engagement
How have Groups kept engaged with their members and the community during the lockdowns?

How did you keep in touch with each other and work to combat isolation and promote mental wellbeing? What use did you make of emails, phone calls, websites, zoom meetings etc? What activities or real meetings were you able to carry out during the late summer and autumn last year when restrictions eased for a time.

This nomination covers the period from March 2020 to March 2021 inclusive.

Art Projects
Tell us about an art project that you have delivered between 1st October 2019 and 31st July 2021.

How was the project chosen and what consultation within the community took place? Who was involved in the delivery of the project and how was the project funded? What was the impact of the art-work and how has it improved the station? Art projects can include poetry displays.

Promoting Rail
How are you reminding your community about the station and encouraging people to return to using the train?

This nomination covers activities planned to take place between 1st April and 31st August 2021.

Sustainability
There are two themes to this award that we are interested in:

What are you doing to improve the sustainability of your station activities? This covers the ability to resource your work, and the benefits to wildlife in and around the station. Possible features could include rainwater harvesting, composting, use of recycled materials, planting to encourage pollinators, choice of drought resistant and low maintenance plants, provision of bird boxes, bug hotels, research into wildlife etc.

The second theme is projects and activities to promote walking and cycling to and from the station either for commuting or for leisure activities.

This nomination is for activities between 1st October 2019 and 31st July 2021.  

All nominations should consist of up to two sides of A4 plus up to six images or other documents which can be submitted as separate files.  Nominations should be submitted no later than 17.00 on Saturday 14th August by email to nominations@bestkeptstations.org.uk

For any queries about nominations and awards, please contact us via this email address.

Nominations can be submitted by Friends Groups, Community Rail Partnerships, train companies, local authorities (including town and parish councils) or any other interested stakeholders.

We are looking forward to learning about the great things that you are doing on your stations and in your communities

Mark Barker
Chairman
Cheshire Best Kept Stations