A series of schemes to connect communities to their railways have won prestigious national awards.
The projects promoted by Southeast Communities Rail Partnership were recognised by Community Rail Network in their annual awards at a ceremony held in Swansea on Monday (18 March).
The list of awards is:
:: Barbara Mine, chair of Friends of Bishopstone Station, who won the Outstanding Volunteer Contribution award
:: Bishopstone community hub in second place in the Most Enhanced Railway Spaces category
:: Southeast CRP in second place for Community Rail Coronation Connections in the Most Effective Communications Campaign category
:: Shortlisting certificate for Friends of Angmering Station at Gold level in the It’s Your Station category
:: Shortlisting certificate for Friends of Bishopstone Station at Silver level in the It’s Your Station category
:: Shortlisting certificate for the Chichester commemorates Trevor Tupper bench and plaque for large and medium groups for Community Creative Projects and Station Arts
Tim Barkley, chair of Southeast Communities Rail Partnership Community Interest Company, said: “We are delighted that our projects proved to be winners with the wider Community Rail Network. Well done to all the people involved in these excellent schemes, in particular the dedicated volunteers who work at the stations to make them a welcoming space.
“All the staff and directors at Southeast CRP congratulate everyone involved in the winning projects. It is pleasing that our collaborative approach with our partners has been recognised.”
Jools Townsend, chief executive of Community Rail Network, said: “Our congratulations to Barbara Mine, the Friends of Bishopstone Station, Southeast CRP, the Friends of Angmering Station and to all our winners, and thanks to everyone who supports and champions community rail, helping the movement to go from strength to strength.”
More than 430 guests at the awards ceremony included senior rail and transport leaders and community rail officers and volunteers. The event recognised projects supporting diversity, accessibility and inclusion, sustainable travel and tourism, youth and schools engagement, community-led station improvements, empowered communities and influencing positive change.
Tracy Jarvis, corporate social responsibility manager for Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “This is a fantastic achievement, and we thank all the volunteers and station groups for their work in bringing these ideas to fruition. Community is at the heart of everything we do, and our dedicated community rail partners help us connect with local people, boost tourism and make local economies thrive. Projects like these show what can happen when partners work together for the benefit of the wider community.”
:: A video of the on-stage presentation to Barbara Mine is on the Southeast CRP YouTube channel here.
:: More photos from the awards can be seen here.
Photo caption (left to right): Paul Bromley (Sussex Downs Line Officer), Deirdre Carolin (Friends of Angmering Station), Rowena Tyler (Sussex Coast and Arun Valley Line Officer), Barbara Mine (chair, Friends of Bishopstone Station), Angie Harris (Friends of Bishopstone Station), Andrew Dandridge (Friends of Bishopstone Station)
