Stone’s dedicated station volunteers have been recognised at the prestigious Community Rail Awards 2025, receiving a Silver ‘It’s Your Station’ certificate for their efforts in enhancing the station environment.
A well-earned silver for North Staffordshire
The North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership (NSCRP) was awarded Silver ‘It’s Your Station’ certificates for four stations: Stone, Kidsgrove, Uttoxeter, and Peartree. The awards, organised by the Community Rail Network, celebrate volunteers who care for station gardens, displays, notices, and the overall environment.
Each entry is assessed across four key areas:
- Community involvement
- Gardening efforts
- Art and heritage contributions
- Environmental and sustainability initiatives
In addition to this, NSCRP secured second place in the ‘Capturing the Essence of Community Rail’ photo competition for their project ‘Our Railway Themed Poems Are In These Booklets.’ This initiative, delivered at Crewe Station with Avanti West Coast, highlighted the role of creative projects in community engagement.
Recognising the volunteers behind the success
David Dowbenko, Chair of the North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership, praised the volunteers for their dedication.
“I’m so pleased to be able to accept these well-deserved awards on behalf of all our hard-working station adopters and volunteers across our region.
They are the real unsung heroes who achieve so much and form an invaluable link between our local communities and their railway stations.”
Stone Station’s commitment to a welcoming environment
Stone Station volunteers work throughout the year to make the station a more welcoming and visually appealing space for passengers. Their work includes:
- Tending 19 planters with seasonal floral displays
- Maintaining Station Approach to keep it accessible and inviting
- Installing two large planters filled with pollinator-friendly plants, chosen by the local community at a public event
- Collaborating with Stone Town Council and other partners to install a history panel featuring the station’s past
- Organising two community days supported by local charities and railway partners
Their work is supported by the North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership and London Northwestern Railway, demonstrating a strong community spirit and a commitment to enhancing the local rail travel experience.
Get involved with community rail
The North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership brings together train operators, local councils, and volunteers to improve station environments and strengthen the connection between railways and communities. The partnership also works with schools and community groups on projects that make stations more welcoming and help tackle barriers to rail travel, including travel training initiatives.
For more details or to find out how to take part, visit the North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership website or follow them on social media – https://www.facebook.com/northstaffscommunityrail
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