It's time to celebrate the unsung heroes of our local community! Greater Anglia has recently shone a spotlight on the dedicated volunteers in Essex who have been working tirelessly to care for our local rail stations.
At the annual Station Adoption Awards, Greater Anglia formally recognised the remarkable achievements of its 330-strong team of volunteer station adopters over the past year. These individuals have shown great effort and dedication at all adopted stations, working in conjunction with Greater Anglia to enhance their local stations for the benefit of the community.
Among the winners was Kath Beck, the adopter at Chappel and Wakes Colne station, who received the Best Personal Contribution Award. Kath's work includes tending to planters on the platforms, collaborating with the local Men's Shed to install a train-shaped planter, and organising a weekend of celebrations for the 175th anniversary of the Marks Tey - Sudbury ‘Gainsborough Line’.
Chris Honeyman and Nathan Dodd, the adopters at Battlesbridge station, received the Best Innovative Contribution Award for their work in extending the station’s garden area, installing a water butt, and creating a wildflower meadow area. Their efforts were also recognised by the government’s Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), who named them ‘Bees’ Needs Champions’.
Adopter groups at Chelmsford and Southminster stations were jointly awarded the Most Improved Station category, while adopter groups at Weeley and Burnham-on-Crouch were jointly recognised for the Best Station Transformations.
Greater Anglia’s Station Adoption scheme allows individuals or groups to adopt their local railway station, contributing to its use and welfare for the benefit of their community. This voluntary scheme, introduced in 2003, aims to improve lines of communication between train operators and station users, and involves station adopters in keeping stations looking good.
In conclusion, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to these amazing station adopters for their invaluable contributions to our community. Their work is truly appreciated by all of us who use these stations. Let's continue to support their efforts in making our local stations welcoming and a real asset to our community.
Image: Greater Anglia
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