Market Rasen station adopters shortlisted for national community rail award

The nominations recognise a range of initiatives delivered with community rail partnerships, station adopters and local organisations, showcasing the positive social, educational and environmental impact of community rail.

Market Rasen Station Adoption Group has been shortlisted for a gold award in the Its Your Station category.

Martin Barnard, Secretary/Treasurer at MRSAG, said: “We have entered this year on the strength of having been looking after the station for over 20 years now.”

Over the years the adopters arranged a series of group visits to introduce primary school children to a working station and receive health & safety briefings from EMR. They held open days to showcase the improvements involving community groups.

The group also successfully located relatives of the crew lost in the fatal crash of an RAF Valiant in a nearby field in 1964 and organised a 50th anniversary memorial service at the station attended by the relatives, local and RAF dignitaries. A memorial plaque and planter was installed and continues to attract visitors.

Since the opening of the Adult Care Centre in the renovated station building a strong bond has developed between adopters and participants helping them with gardening projects and artwork.

Since the early days the primary focus has been to provide colourful floral displays, volunteers received grant money to purchase wall baskets and larger platform planters, which were later added to from fund raising providing an extensive flower display all year round. Additional garden areas were also created including the establishment of the Triangle Garden at the bottom of the station approach road.

The planters are made of long lasting recyclable polymer so avoiding the need for regular replacements.

In 2008, some large scale artworks were created by one of the talented adopters, painted onto the old shuttering concealing broken windows and later on boards fixed to the platform walls. Local artists, schools and community groups all produced pieces for display to brighten up the environment for passengers.

Later, an original wooden painted town sign was renovated and installed.

The group have been instrumental in the restoration of the beloved Victorian Waiting Room, this now houses plaques and artwork. The derelict station building has been renovated with Lottery funding and one of the adopters became the Heritage Officer for this project. It has display panels showcasing the history from 1848 and the adopter also gives heritage talks to interested groups to raise funds.

A major endeavour of the early volunteers was to try and provide a healthy and safe environment for all visitors and continue to undertake daily patrols at the station to maintain high standards.

The welcoming environment means a number of townsfolk go to the station, not for a train, but to enjoy the ambience.

A number of other station adopter projects in the Midlands have also been nominated for awards.

The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony in Derby on March 19.

Kaye Robinson, Community Engagement Manager at East Midlands Railway, said: "It has been another great year for community rail, and we are delighted to see so many of the projects that EMR and its partners have carried out shortlisted for these awards.

"The dedication and passion of our volunteers shines through in these nominations, and we are keeping our fingers crossed that some pick up awards next year – which we are proud to be supporting."