TWO Northwich rail stations have been named among the county's 'best kept'.

Early this month, Cheshire Best Kept Stations celebrated its 21st year handing out awards to 15 stations across the county.

Among the winners during the March 12 event at The Grange Theatre in Hartford, were Greenbank Station and Delamere Station. The overall winner was Alderley Edge Station.

Presenting the awards was Professor Paul Salveson MBE, a leading figure in the community rail movement, who said: "Cheshire Best Kept Stations is something very special.

"I am amazed it has been going for so long, a wonderful achievement. Very often station awards just focus on the gardens – and Cheshire has some superb examples.

"But its great to see support for both station staff and volunteers at stations big and small.

"Covid could so easily have killed off so many community projects, but Cheshire Best Kept Stations has emerged with renewed vigour and in so doing helped to strengthen station friends groups."

Northwich Guardian: Becky Styles (Northern), Graham Hallett (Friends of Greenbank - FoG), Mark Barker (Cheshire Best Kept Stations), Andros Kokas and Russell Davies (both FoG), Paul Salveson MBE, Nigel Nutt (FoG)Becky Styles (Northern), Graham Hallett (Friends of Greenbank - FoG), Mark Barker (Cheshire Best Kept Stations), Andros Kokas and Russell Davies (both FoG), Paul Salveson MBE, Nigel Nutt (FoG) (Image: Ian Hulme)

Greenbank Station won the 'Best Unstaffed Station Award' thanks to the small, but dedicated, group of volunteers with special needs which keeps the station in tip-top appearance with planters, a memorial garden and a mural commemorating those fallen in war.

Graham Hallett, of Friends of Greenbank Station, said: "This win was a wonderful surprise and reflects the persistent hard work of our volunteers."

Delamere Station won the Cheshire West & Chester Award. Its award listing read: "This is a picture-postcard country station that is cared for by students with learning difficulties from the nearby Petty Pool college. It has a lovely cafe that is popular with the many walkers enjoying the surrounding forest."

Northwich Guardian: Delamere Station volunteers alongside Cheshire Best Kept Stations chairman Mark Barker (second from left) and Paul Salveson MBE (second from right)Delamere Station volunteers alongside Cheshire Best Kept Stations chairman Mark Barker (second from left) and Paul Salveson MBE (second from right) (Image: Ian Hulme)

Announcing the awards, Mark Barker, chairman of Cheshire Best Kept Stations said: "What volunteers do is amazing; the passion, commitment, ingenuity, resourcefulness and sheer hard work has improved your stations for passengers, the community, the railway and for yourselves.

"Team working,  meaningful activities, using your skills, and  exercise. So you can be certain of this; whether or not you pick up an award tonight - You really are all winners. Please keep on doing what you are doing!"

A commemorative booklet was published to celebrate 21 years of achievements of Station Friends Groups.