There was triple success for the Friends of Bishopstone Station at the Railfuture Awards.
FoBS chair Barbara Mine was named as joint winner of the Gold Award for Campaigner of the Year. The station group was commended for Best Social Media and given a joint commendation for Best Website.
The awards ceremony was held at the Senate House of the University of London on Saturday (15 July). Barbara and FoBS member Graham Moore attended the event to represent the station on the Sussex Downs Line.
Barbara said: “We were absolutely delighted to be given these awards by Railfuture. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the incredible and fantastic team at the Friends of Bishopstone Station.”
Railfuture judges made these comments about the individual categories:
Campaigner
“Barbara has been the driving force of FoBS, has networked superbly, seen the community hub opened by the Lord Lieutenant of (East) Sussex, developed a sustainable financial model for the CIC, and been rewarded as a 1 in 500 ‘Coronation Champion’ – a role model for any rail-related community project.”
Best Social Media
“Professional use of technology, including a WhatsApp group, primarily devoted to promoting use of the highly successful community hub in restored non-rail operational parts of the station building.”
Best Website
“FoBS website (is) very professional, focused on the station as a thriving community hub using re-purposed parts of the unique Art Deco listed building.”
:: The awards were presented by Railfuture’s honorary president Christian Wolmar.
Railfuture is an independent organisation campaigning for a bigger better railway. It is a voluntary group representing rail users.
:: Picture: FoBs chair Barbara Mine and FoBS member Graham Moore with their certificates at the University of London. Credit: Sussex Downs Line Officer Paul Bromley.
