Our Chairman, Mark Barker, writes ….

Barely has the dust settled on the 2021 Awards than we are planning the 2022 Awards!

I hope your summer planting and other projects to brighten up your stations are in full swing. Our team of judges are getting ready to be out and about and will be visiting stations between June and August to admire your handiwork.

In addition to our judges’ work, we are inviting your nominations for a further five categories of Awards as described below:

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
How are you celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at your station? How are you involving the wider community (young and old)? Will there be a lasting legacy or a permanent fixture to commemorate the event? How are you publicising your activities? Remember to have plenty of photos, copies of invitations, posters, and press releases etc to support your nomination.

Community Engagement
How do you keep engaged with your members and the wider community? Has this changed since the lockdowns? Does promoting mental wellbeing amongst members and the community play a part in your activities? What are you doing now to expand your community engagement. Do you get involved or work with other groups, for example to celebrate anniversaries or the work of individuals, organisations, or events?

This nomination covers the period between 1st September 2021 and 31st August 2022 inclusive.

Art Projects
Tell us about an art project that you have delivered between 1st September 2021 and 31st August 2022.
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 travel by train? Also included in this category is projects and activities to promote walking and cycling to and from the station either for commuting or for leisure activities.

This nomination covers activities planned to take place between 1st September 2021 and 31st August 2022.

Sustainability
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.

This nomination is for activities between 1st September 2021 and 31st August 2022.

Entering your nomination
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 have now been extended to no later than 17.00 on Saturday 10th September by email to nominations@bestkeptstations.org.uk

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

Please contact us if you have any queries. Enjoy your work.

Best wishes

Mark Barker
Chairman
Cheshire Best Kept Stations