Involving Young People Sponsored by Network Rail

1st Place Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership and the University of Plymouth for the Vinspired Project

The Vinspired project is a collaboration between Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership and the University of Plymouth with assistance from First Great Western. The project was initiated by a student at the university who wanted to get involved with the long-running rural stations project, but had a range of physical disabilities. Using a small-scale garden project at Plymouth station as a starting point the project has now grown to involve 40 students with disabilities, provided adapted tools and recruited and trained ‘buddies’ to assist these students in their volunteering.

2nd Place Severnside Community Rail Partnership and First Great Western for the Severnside Schools Community Station Programme

The Severnside Schools Community Stations programme has involved young people from 17 schools and has recently been extended to involve youth groups. It has engaged the young people in the development of artwork and environmental improvements at 16 stations in the Greater Bristol area. This has led to a transformation in the appearance of the stations and has resulted in a reduction in graffiti, vandalism and crime and led to a significant improvement of perceived personal safety for passengers. The programme has helped curriculum delivery, rail safety education and encouraged a sense of personal achievement in the school children involved.

3rd Place Marjorie Birch and Brian Haworth for the Meet Me at the Station Project

Meet me at the Station was an art project with a difference. Based on a train journey to Clitheroe and using the medium of Plasticine, children from a variety of local schools created models of themselves (Mini Me’s) A DVD showing a train travelling along the line collecting the Mini Me  models was also made, enhanced with a soundtrack of the children's poetry. The  project was aimed at key stage two pupils and sparked lots of enthusiasm and creativity. The project also got children and parents onto the train, many for the first time - new customers in the making.

Highly Commended PC Keith Jarrett/Ashley Bennett for BTP Youth Advisory Board

Shortlisted - National Express East Anglia and Paston College North Walsham  for their ‘take the train to collage’ partnership

Shortlisted - Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership for Garston Community Art Project

Shortlisted - North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership for their Young People's Community Project, Kidsgrove Station

Community Art Schemes Sponsored by Grand Central

1st Place Severnside Community Rail Partnership for Redland and Clifton Down stations community art projects

As part of the ongoing community involvement on the Severn Beach line a number of community art projects have been undertaken. One such project includes Redland and Clifton Down stations. The Redland station artwork involved Fairfield High School designing and creating artwork in a Trompe L’oeil style with a modern-day touch. Redland Green Secondary School tackled a bigger project at Clifton Down Station. As well as improving the environment and ambiance, the aim was to create a link between the station and nearby Bristol Zoo, encouraging more visitors to use the train to access this attraction.

2nd Place Josie Warner and the 9.03 project team for Hythe Station Artwork

Hythe station is part of Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership and serves the rapidly expanding University of Essex, recently built residential accommodation and a new business community. The station has benefited from a major redevelopment but it was felt the station could be made more welcoming to passengers. Project 9:03 Connecting People To Places, working with the local community, have delivered a stunning art project that is genuinely eye-catching and beautiful for residents and visitors alike.

3rd Place Duncan McLaren Swansea Metropolitan University for the Swansea Station Community Art project

Arriva Trains Wales has worked with the students of Swansea Metropolitan University to deliver a public art scheme which is on display at Swansea railway station, South Wales.
The aim of the project was to improve the appearance of platform 4 and give regular passengers and visitors to the city a positive impression when arriving by train.
Sixteen pieces of work were completed by eight students under the direction of course tutor Duncan McLaren.  The theme of the project was “Destinations”, with the artwork reflecting scenic and iconic locations that can be visited by train from Swansea.

Higley Commended - Brian Haworth and Alistair Nicholson for the Great Wall of Daisyfield.

Shortlisted - Year 9, Caldew College, Dalston for Murals at Dalston Station

Shortlisted - Kent Community Rail Partnership and Holmesdale Technology Collage Snodland for the Snodland Station artwork

Shortlisted - Abbey Line C R P for Garston Community Art Project

Shortlisted - University College Falmouth and Emma Thomas for the welcome to Penryn artwork

Local Transport Integration Sponsored by Lancashire County Council

1st Place Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership and the Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project for Morwellham Quay Bus Link

The Morwellham Quay Bus link filled a gap in the transport provision to this UNESCO World Heritage Site for the school summer holidays of 2009.  A poor road network and no regular buses meant that all visitors had to arrive by car. Working with the Tamar Valley Mining Heritage project, grant funding was sought to provide a bus to link in with key trains at Gunnislake to get visitors to and from the site. Over a period of six weeks 309 people used the bus service with over 50% of those surveyed having never travelled there before, and 100% saying they would use the bus link again.

2nd Place South West Trains & partners for Real Time Information at off station locations

South West Trains has worked with partners in raising the awareness of genuine alternatives to the car. Towards this aim, real time train information screens have been installed in the passenger terminal at Southampton Airport and more recently at ferry departure points on the Isle of Wight, showing train running information for the mainland. The project has raised rail access awareness at these locations and developed public confidence in using multimodal integrated transport. South West Trains is the first train operator the UK to develop this initiative.

3rd place South West Trains and Brompton Bikes for the Brompton Bike Hire Scheme

South West Trains wanted to encourage more cycling to and from its stations but cannot carry full sized bikes in the rush hour. The solution is the South West Trains Brompton bike hire scheme which gives passengers the opportunity to hire a Brompton folding bike for less than two pounds a week. Servicing and cleaning is included and is undertaken by staff at London Waterloo. The scheme has been so successful it is proposed to double the number of bikes at Waterloo and open up a second base at Richmond station.

Shortlisted - Southern Railway and West Sussex County Council for the Arun Valley Cycle Racks Project

Best Station Garden or Floral Display Sponsored by National Express

1st Place Friends of Poulton-le-Fylde Station for Poulton-le-Fylde Station garden

For the last six years the Friends of Poulton station have been producing fantastic floral displays. Seventeen volunteers in total look after the beds, hanging baskets and lawn. In the judges view the display at Poulton has a real 'wow' factor, the use of the available shapes and colour complement the improvement work at the station carried out by Northern and Network Rail extremely well. A great winner for 2010.

2nd Place  Cupar in Bloom for the Eat as you go – an edible planter

Cupar in Bloom adopted Cupar station in 2008.  As an extension of the work on the platform they introduced two large planters at the station entrance. These were allocated to the recently formed allotment group and planted up with a vast array of vegetables, in part to promote their campaign for more allotment space. The judges loved this idea, a great use of large planters and a novel way to promote healthy eating.

3rd Place Freccles for Eccles Station Garden

When Freccles started in 2005, the current garden area was a wilderness of weeds and rubble and improving the appearance of this was high on their agenda. So far they have created a sandstone rockery, a 200metre level garden, a bio diverse natural woodland and tubs and raised planters on the Manchester bound platform. In five years of collaborative working with local and national partners, volunteers have cleared established, planted and maintained these areas - the woodland remains a work in progress. The judges were very impressed with the progress made at Eccles - a great example of an inner city station made to look superb by the hard work of a dedicated group.

Highly Commended North Berwick in Bloom for North Berwick Station Garden.

Shortlisted - Hutton Cranswick in Bloom for Hutton Cranswick Station Garden

Shortlisted - Stonehaven Horizon Project/Deeside Timberframe Ltd for Stonehaven Station Garden

Best Station or Train Retail Outlet Sponsored by First TransPennine Express

1st Place Wrexham & Shropshire Railways on train buffet

Imagine – catching the train and being welcomed by wonderful staff who meet and greet passengers as they board and depart the service. 
Smartly dressed and proud of the service and products that they serve.
Imagine you’re on your rush hour train and sitting back with a decent cup of coffee and one of the legendary breakfast baps.
No you’re not dreaming – you’re on the Wrexham and Shropshire London service!
And to that the judges only have to add - Vanessa and Gary – who were the on board team on the day we travelled, delivered exactly that service. Superb!

2nd Place Seeta Rajani for the Hackbridge Veg Van

Something unusual has arrived at Hackbridge Station in Greater London. Local environmental charity Bio-regional has converted an old milk float into a mobile fruit and veg stall called the Veg Van. The charity wanted to set it up at an accessible community hub and where better than Hackbridge station. Always keen to meet community needs and offer passengers great local amenities, Southern established a station partnership with Bioregional so that the Veg Van could become a regular part of station life serving locally sourced produce to passengers and local residents.

3rd Place Carnforth Refreshment Room

Carnforth station refreshment room, adjacent to the renowned visitor centre is evocative of the 1940s. It is closely modelled on the set from David Lean's classic film Brief Encounter. Andrew and Helen Coates always wanted to run an old-fashioned tearoom and at Carnforth they set out to do just that. The key element is to give great customer service and offer only the finest leaf teas and freshly ground coffees. Couple this with bread, cakes and scones baked on the premises and frequent 1940s jazz lunches and evenings and you have a great place to break your journey.

Shortlisted - Kirsty Waterhouse - Brighouse Station Café

Shortlisted - Kevin Loftus Bean and Gone refreshments Hazel Grove Station

Station Development Sponsored by Railway Heritage Trust and Network Rail

1st Place Station Development Award is Gary Seed/Richard Watts for Ormskirk Station’s Regeneration

The major refurbishment of Ormskirk station was completed in 2009. This project was led by the West of Lancashire Community Rail Partnership in conjunction with Lancashire County Council and saw the transformation of this grade 2 listed building. The station had become very rundown and through grants from a variety of bodies, the exterior of the building was carefully refurbished to return it to its former glory, while the interior was completely gutted to enable modern passenger and staff facilities to be provided.

2nd Place Southeastern, Network Rail, Kent Community Rail Partnership for Refurbishment of Maidstone West

Built in 1844 Maidstone West has seen better times but thanks to Southeastern and Network Rail it has now been transformed.  Passengers now using the station benefit from new canopies, refurbished toilets and booking hall including sanding down the floors as well as a re-paint of the whole station.
All of the work was undertaken sympathetically to restore the original features of the station.  Once the work was completed art from the local college, organised by Kent Community Rail Partnership was installed helping cement the position of Maidstone West at the heart of the local community.

3rd Place Uckfield Station Development

Highly commended Severnside Community Rail Partnership for Eastside Roots Garden Centre at Stapleton Road Station, Bristol

2nd Place The reality of volunteering Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership

3rd Place Hang on to your Teddies! - Chris Strogen, Friends of Glossop Station

The Local Station Environment Award Sponsored by Devon County Council & Network Rail

This award has been split into projects on community rail lines and network wide.

On Community Rail Lines the winners were -

1st Place Eastside Roots Garden Centre at Stapleton Road
A little over four years ago Stapleton Road station had high crime figures a derelict and unwelcoming feel and was a station that saw passengers deliberately arrived with only a few seconds to spare before their train.
The development of the community garden centre by Eastside roots has transformed the station environment. It is now a hive of activity offering the sale of plants, seeds and gardening tools and is also a place of education and social gatherings. The increase in activity has encouraged a dramatic fall in crime figures and gives the station a wonderful environment to welcome visitors to the Easton area of Bristol.

2nd Place Gordon Wilson and Marjorie Birch for Clitheroe Station
Clitheroe station and its market town is the gateway to the Ribble Valley and the Forest of Boland, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Station has been adopted by Ribble Valley Rail's friends of stations group and each year Gordon Wilson lays out a superb show of flowers on the platforms. Recent additions have been flower planters made from recycled plastic produced locally by a social enterprise company. The annual displays certainly do make visitors feel welcome and this is enhanced by welcome boards designed by local children.

3rd Place Severnside Community Rail Partnership and the Patchway Station Friends group for the Patchway Station Project
The Patchway project has surpassed its original aims, it has transformed the appearance of the station, reduce vandalism and graffiti and helped significantly improve the perception of personal safety of passengers.
The stations development has been based upon the recycling rubbish that had been fly-tipped at the station by the local community and also the rail industry over many decades.
The result has been spectacular with an increased in ridership of 50% a considerable investment from the local authority to improve services at the station and the station itself being awarded secure station status.

On non community rail lines

1st Place North Berwick in Bloom for North Berwick Station Project
The geography of North Berwick in an exposed coastal situation requires the station adopters to be fully aware of the environmental factors and climatic conditions at all times. They have learned to cope with occasional flooding caused by strong winds and the planting in the car park and the station tubs is a balance between hardy plants that can survive and retaining some colour for the benefit of customers and indeed wildlife. Some wildlife has because a problem, seagulls just love foraging in waste bins. This has been solved with installation of new seagull proof bins leaving the platform tidy, pleasing customers and thwarting the gulls.

2nd Place Kenley Station Team/City of London for Riddlesdown Common Project
Getting people to explore their surroundings is always a challenge but at Kenley Station a unique partnership with the City of London has come up with the way of bringing nature to the station with a bit size taste of things to come. The station now serves as a  gateway to, and advert for nearby Riddlesdown Common after an army of volunteers turned an area of unattractive wasteland on the platform into a picture size version of the common - encouraging residents and visitors to get out and experience the nature on their doorstep

Best Marketing Publication Sponsored by First Great Western

1st Place Devon & Cornwall Community Rail Partnership and the Exe Rail Partnership for ‘Days out by train’ leaflets

These colourful ‘Days out by Train leaflets’ were produced by Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership on behalf of the Exe Rail Partnership last summer, to promote days out by train from key South Devon towns and cities. Five different leaflets were produced, each giving five day trip ideas with example train times and fares information in a very easy to read style. The leaflets proved very popular and helped increase the number of off-peak Day Returns sold to Barnstaple last summer by nearly a third.

2nd Place Wrexham & Shropshire Railway for the Short Breaks in Shropshire leaflets
In early 2009 Wrexham & Shropshire Railways forged a partnership with council tourism offices and independent hotels in Shropshire and Borderlands to create a scheme to actively promote inbound tourism from London and the south. A hugely successful initiative, the short breaks leaflet has raised the profile of the area as a tourist destination, brought additional revenue to Wrexham & Shropshire, the hotels and other attractions, thereby benefiting the wider rural economy.

3rd Place Cambrian Railways Partnership for the Cambrian Beaches leaflet
The bargains and beaches on the Cambrian Railways publication promotes the use of local train services to access a wide range of attractions and beaches in the area offering a traditional fun filled family day out! The Cambrian Rail Partnership in developing the initiative secure discounts at the participating attractions for those who travel to them by train thus further promoting the attractiveness and incentivising travel on the Cambrian rail network which is increasingly seen as an attraction in its own right

Shortlisted - Bittern and Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnerships and Norfolk County Council for the Rambles books and audio walks as MP3 files

Shortlisted - Sussex Community Rail Partnership and Southern Railway for the Station Adoption promotion material

Shortlisted - Oxfordshire County Council for Heyford and Tackley Mini timetable

Shortlisted - Kent Community Rail Partnership for the local Station Information Leaflets

Best Community Rail Event Sponsored by Go-Ahead

1st Place Oxfordshire County Council/First Great Western for Bicester Link Launch
The Bicester Link launch event was to mark a joint-venture between Oxford County Council and First Great Western who had significantly enhanced the train service on the Oxford, Islip, Bicester Town line. The event ran for three days and included unlimited train travel, a presentation and speeches by local dignitaries, on train entertainment including a band and  children's entertainment. All this was backed up with significant marketing activity including radio adverts, door-to-door leaflet drops and the  unveiling of new route branding for the line.

2nd Place Friends of Walkden Station for Walkden Station Gala
In May 2010 the friends of Walkden Station held a station gala to celebrate and publicise the return of a Sunday train service to the station after 41 years. In unprecedented scenes at a small suburban station near Manchester, hundreds of visitors joined the friends and more than two dozen other schools, volunteers groups, local businesses and civic representatives for a true community celebration.  The gala attracted media coverage in the local press and the BBC, feature on many websites including front page of the Campaign for Better Transport site and the  friends website and blog experienced record visitor numbers in the week of the celebrations.

3rd Place West Runton W I for West Runton Station Tea Party
West Runton railway station is situated on a Bittern line between Cromer and Sheringham and has been lovingly cared for by the ladies of the West Runton WI for the last 20 years. The focus of their very successful approach has long been the annual West Runton station tea party which has generated rail travel, involved the community, deterred vandalism, helped to markedly improve the station's environment and achieve positive press coverage. It has been a wonderful advert for community rail. It is a classic example of how a targeted well-run community event to make a positive, genuine and lasting impact on the community rail line for which it was arranged.

Shortlisted - Southern Railway for Billingshurst School Sponsored Walk trains

Shortlisted - Chester - Shrewsbury Community Rail Partnership and Wrexham & Shropshire Railway for the Marylebone Travel Fair

Shortlisted - Marston Vale C R P for Marston Vale Line Santa Specials

Department for Transport ‘Passengers  Matter’ Award

3rd Place South West Trains & partners for Real Time Information at off -station locations
South West Trains has worked with partners in raising the awareness of genuine alternatives to the car. Towards this aim, real time train information screens have been installed in the passenger terminal at Southampton Airport and more recently at ferry departure points on the Isle of Wight, showing train running information for the mainland. The project has raised rail access awareness at these locations and developed public confidence in using multimodal integrated transport. South West trains are the first train operator in the UK to develop this initiative.

Shortlisted - Severnside Community Rail Partnership for Severn Beach Line Development Plan

Shortlisted - Wrexham & Shropshire Railway for the Wrexham - London Service

Best Station Adoption Group Sponsored by Northern Rail

1st Place riends of Wemyss Bay Station
There is more to adopting a station than putting plants in pots.  However from such small beginnings the Friends of Wemyss Bay Station were formed In March 2009 they found there was considerable public interest in the formation of a support group for this splendid Edwardian station. With help from ScotRail they took over some empty accommodation to use as a bookshop and gallery.  They now have 250 members and are an established presence on the station. They have published their first book and persuaded Network Rail that it would be a good thing to renovate the station.
Their next projects are to restore the traditional fireplaces in their rooms, extend the shelving to house the growing selection of second hand books and develop the wasteland around the station to establish a community garden complete with raised beds to grow vegetables.

2nd Place Liz Shoebridge and Sarah Ross of Adopt a Station based at The Aldingbourne Trust
The Aldingborne Trust is a charity that supports adults with learning difficulties moving into leading independent lives.  The Trust plant and maintain floral displays, such as window boxes and hanging baskets at 22 Southern stations. Pulborough station was the first, which was adopted four years ago.  The adoption scheme has made a huge difference visually at the stations and has given a huge amount of pleasure to passengers. It has provided opportunities for the volunteer gardeners to become actively involved in the community and they have gained independence and taken pride in the results that they have achieved.

3rd Place Old Roan Station Volunteers - Old Roan Residents' Association
Old Roan Residents' Association was the first adoption scheme on the Merseyrail and Merseytravel network.  It continues to grow from strength to strength. They are involved in other areas of the community, working with the local primary school for example. Come rain, hail, snow or shine the volunteers visit the Old Roan Station every week to keep it in tip top condition. They are a shining example, not only to the other stations on Merseyrail but to stations across the country.

Shortlisted - Maghull Station Volunteers

Shortlisted - Stonehaven Horizon Project/Deeside Timberframes Ltd

Shortlisted - Friends of Walkden Station

Outstanding Volunteer Contribution  Sponsored by First Great Western

1st Place Ben Williams - Wrexham & Shropshire Railways
Ben went to Wrexham and Shropshire railways on work experience and basically never left! His help has been invaluable in setting up a brand new train service and getting the word out about it to the wider community. His intersts in all things railway has benefited the team at Wrexham & Shropshire greatly. A keen railway photographer, Ben's ultimate aim is to become a train driver.

2nd Place Sheena Inglis - Friends of Wemyss Bay Station
Wemyss Bay station's second-hand bookshop is run by volunteer Sheila Inglis, a founder member of the friends of Wemyss Bay Station. She started the shop in one room with borrowed tables, shelves and garden chairs. One year later the shop occupies two rooms, stocks a wide range of books, CDs, DVDs and travel information. The bookshop is the heart of all the friends’ activities and their main point of contact with the public. Sheena has succeeded in recruiting twenty other volunteers to help staff the shop, the provision of upmarket biscuits may have something to do with this!  and she even has a waiting list if you are thinking of applying.

3rd Place Una Norman - Essex & South Suffolk Commmunity  Rail Partnership
It isn't just one event that makes an outstanding volunteer. It is years and years of commitment to a concept the volunteer considers important.  Una has not slowed down over the years, she continues to attend every line promotion group meeting, gardens at the station, turns up for the Essex and South Suffolk Rail Partnership events; and  in addition to that in 2009 set up a innovative project to involve pre-school children in the adopt a station group at Burnham on Crouch.

Shortlisted - Christine Ashford - The Friends of Chirk Station

Shortlisted - Mike Bishop - Friends of Handforth Station

Outstanding Railway Staff Contribution Sponsored by Network Rail

1st Place Simon Cullen Southern
Simon Cullen is Southern Railways East Coastway manager. From Ice rinks to Santa to fashion shows to art exhibitions, Simon is there promoting the railway and supporting the communities that Southern serve. He has been nominated by the Sussex Community Rail Partnership for his efforts in supporting the community rail partnership and his unbridled enthusiasm. Simon has made an outstanding contribution to community rail in Sussex since he has been in post - a very worthy winner for 2010.

2nd Place Barry Jones Southern
Barry Jones has worked for Southern Railway for the last five years where he has held a number of challenging station management positions. For the last two years Barry has been station manager in the Streatham Hill area of South London. Barry has developed strong relationships with passengers and local stakeholders and brings his stations firmly into the community. The urban setting of Barry’s stations means they are typically very busy so it’s hard to make a connection with lots of passengers. However, Barry responded to this using an innovative way to keep in contact, by setting up online forums on popular local websites. He has built a spectacular rapport with his passengers, receiving several proposals of marriage each week, as well as putting over the Southern message!

3rd Place Pete Webb/Steve McQuoid First Grerat Western
Pete Webb and Steve McQuoid are responsible for cleaning, graffiti removal, repairs, painting and waste removal at over twenty First Great Western stations. They go way beyond these basic duties with commitment, creative energy and pride in their stations. They have assisted local supporters by creating ‘local HQ’s to store gardening equipment, providing zero cost support for voluntary initiatives including recycling at stations and finding cheap and creative solutions to water supply problems. All done with constant good humour and non-stop hard work, they are real local heroes to Heart of Wessex Community Rail Partnership members.

Shortlisted - Carol Iddon – Northern Rail

Shortlisted Gary Briscoe - Merseyrail

Community Rail - Special Recognition Award

John Yellowlees First ScotRail

John Yellowlees is the External Relations Manager for First ScotRail. He is the main point of contact for all station adopters on the patch and has been instrumental in the development of all of them. From Stonehaven to Mallag, Neilstone to Arbroath John is there offering encouragement and help. Without him we doubt that Station adoption would have development so fast in Scotland.

Mike Franklin of Network Rail

Mike Franklin is the Community Rail Executive at Network Rail. Mike amongst other things was charged with setting up and operating the Network Rail Community Scheme, whereby volunteer groups can have access to non operational areas for community purposes. That project sounds straight forward, but in fact needed tenacity, skill, persuasion, and persistence in equal measure to get the project accepted as standard Network Rail policy nationwide.

The Overall Winner sponsored by Association of Train Operating Companies
The overall winner’s award is presented to the group, CRP, individual or train operating company - or any combination -  that in the judges’ view has contributed the most to community rail development in the past 12 months.

First Great Western and its three CRP partners

Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership

Severnside Community Rail Partnership

Heart of Wessex Community Rail Partnership

L – R  Keith Walton, Severnside; Mark Hopwood MD First Great Western; Sarah Collins, Severnside; Chris Austin OBE ACoRP; Rebecca Catterall,  Devon and Cornwall; Richard Burningham Devon and Cornwall and Julian Crow, First Great Western
Picture:- Paul Bigland

For information on how to enter the Community Rail Awards 2011 please contact Hazel@acorp.uk.com