Cheshire Best Kept Stations

John Hulme

Free Heritage Tours at Handforth Station ….

The Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) have been running several events this year to help commemorate Railway 200. This effort reaches its peak in September as the group presents its biggest contribution towards Railway 200 so far: free guided tours of the Station.

Handforth Station is well known throughout the area for its heritage, and the FoHS pride themselves on maintaining and preserving this. They have mounted heritage signs which have been designated as “nationally important” by the Science Museum Group. They have created and display video stories about local history. The station is well-known for the large number of “Handforth“ totems (platform signs) procured by the FoHS.

The FoHS have also received and display numerous awards, especially for their “Platform for Art” which includes sculptures, artistic stainless steel screens and welcoming arches over the steps to the platforms. In addition, the station features a ‘Rotary Club Garden’ and planters provided by 1st Handforth Scouts and Handforth District Guides.

Especially for Railway 200, poems are displayed in the community information boards, and there is an ever-changing exhibition in their “Art in a Box” gallery (created from two disused bicycle lockers !).

The tours this September are also a part of the UK-wide ‘Heritage Open Days 2025’ programme, and more can be seen on their website here: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

Each tour will last up to an hour, and will be led by a member of FoHS, ready to give an entertaining talk about the station and happy to discuss Handforth, its station and railways in general.

Dates and Start Times

Saturday 13 September:             1030 & 1400

Sunday 14 September:                1030 & 1400

Saturday 20 September:             1030 & 1400

Sunday 21 September:                1030 & 1400

Hugh Everett, Secretary of the FoHS, said “We’d love to welcome people to see and hear about what we’re doing for the station. I should advise you, however, that the tour involves going up and down 35 steps, and there are no toilet facilities at the station.”

 

Station volunteers commended by Rail Minister ….

Sarah Russell MP, Louise Willis FoGS member, on, community rail

News from the Friends of Goostrey Station ….

A few weeks ago FoGS secretary Louise Willis was delighted to represent our volunteers at a special parliamentary reception.   The invitation was the result of FoGS’ success in the national Community Rail Awards. This year we were shortlisted in 4 categories and received a platinum award for our work at Goostrey station plus a bronze award for our photo ‘Keeping Up Appearances’. The photo was included in a rolling presentation during the reception.

MP Sarah Russell also attended the reception. Sarah visited FoGS stall on Rose Day so she already knew much about FoGS’ achievements.

During the afternoon, Minister for Rail Lord Hendy spoke about the importance of Community Rail volunteers and employees across the country.  He was impressed that together we are promoting greener travel, fostering inclusion and transforming station buildings into community assets.

Why not find out more about FoGS and Community Rail during Goosfest?
Please drop into Goostrey Station between 10am and 1pm on Saturday 27 September.
This is part of Railway 200, a national celebration of the 200th anniversary of the start of the modern railway.
As well as looking inside the building which is now Debbie Goldsmith’s art studio, visitors will see historic photos and our plans for further improvements.
At noon, with the help of Goostrey Rose Queen 2025 Rosa Tomlinson and her attendants, FoGS plan to plant an apple tree and bury a time capsule containing items that reflect life in 21st century Goostrey.
Light refreshments will be available all morning.

 

Latest news from Friends of Goostrey Station ….

Our MP supports Friends of Goostrey Station …

What a lovely surprise!  FoGS members were delighted when our local MP Sarah Russell came to our stall during her visit to Goostrey Rose Day. With the two latest awards from Cheshire Best Kept Stations on show and a host of photos, she soon realised what a successful group we are.

A week later, Sarah met FoGS member Louise Willis at the Palace of Westminster and they were able to talk to MD of Northern Tricia Williams.  Guests at the parliamentary reception were addressed by Rail Minister Lord Hendy and by Helena Dollimore MP. Both talked about the benefits of enlisting volunteers to make railway stations part of the community.  It was poignant that the event was held on 7/7, the anniversary of the London bombings which obviously had particular significance for anyone involved in the transport sector. Earlier in the day, Lord Hendy had attended a service to commemorate the victims.

The invitation was the result of FoGS success in the Community Rail Awards last March. We scored top marks in the category It’s Your Station and received a platinum award. FoGS also won a bronze award for our photo captioned Keeping Up Appearances.  During the afternoon Louise was thrilled to see this photo in a rolling loop which showcased the work of Community Rail.

The reception was a celebration of the valuable work delivered all year round by Community Rail. It’s a growing movement with 75 rail partnerships and over a thousand volunteer groups. It’s uniquely placed to support a new era of rail that is focussed on passengers and local issues but it’s also aligned with social, environmental and economic objectives. Community Rail is helping to transform station buildings into community assets. It’s working to remove barriers to rail travel for marginalised groups. And it’s promoting integrated and sustainable transport.

Everyone will have an opportunity to find out more about FoGS and Community Rail during Goosfest.  Drop into Goostrey Station between 10 and 1 on Saturday 27 September. Go inside the restored station building, learn about our future plans and help us to bury a time capsule. This is part of a national celebration of the 200th anniversary of the start of the modern railway.