The Friends of Goostrey Station are delighted that they’ve been shortlisted in 3 categories in the national Community Rail Awards 2022.

Chief executive Jools Townsend said ‘this year there were over 230 submissions and the standard of entries was high’. The winners  of all 10 categories will be announced on 5 October at an Awards Ceremony in Manchester, an event jointly sponsored by Northern and Transport for Greater Manchester.

The photo entered by FoGS was one of ten which reached the final of the competition to find the photo that best captures the essence of Community Rail.  ‘Volunteer pride’ shows FOGS members celebrating their 7th win in the Cheshire Best Kept Station Competition.

The winner of the Community Rail Award will be decided by a public vote.

Chair of FoGS, Dave Roberts said ‘We’d be grateful if members of the public would consider voting. It’s very straightforward via this link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CRA22 or go to the Community Rail website.’ Voting closes at 10pm on 30 August.  

The second shortlisting was for Most Enhanced Railway Spaces. Our entry described the renovation of the Victorian wooden building and its transformation into Goostrey Art Studio, a creative hub led by professional artist Debbie Goldsmith.

The mapping of wildlife at Goostrey station was the focus of our entry for the category called Influencing Positive Change and Sustainability. FoGS member Craig Sidebotham uses a Geographical Information System to record species and locations. We are proud to share our successes and challenges with others in England and in the Azores. Community Rail has used this innovation as a case study to inspire others during a webinar and in a national report.  In an extension of the main project, Isocrone maps are being created which show distances and times in order to support greener travel. Stoke on Trent council has sought advice from FoGS about this initiative.

Click here for details of this project.

The Community Rail Awards recognise the important work carried out by employees and volunteers who work across Britain’s rail network to make stations welcoming spaces for passengers. Alongside this, many of those involved carry out vital community engagement work with schools, colleges and other local groups to help educate the passengers of the future.  This is critical to ensuring that our railways are an inclusive, sustainable, healthy way to travel.

Meanwhile, members of FoGS are regularly watering the tubs of colourful flowering plants on the platforms.  Our working parties continue on the second Sunday of each month between 10am and 1pm and extra helpers are always welcome. For more information about FoGS, please look at our website or speak to our chair Dave Roberts on 07494 976779