Ellesmere Port Volunteers Recognised for Their Station Improvements
Friends of Ellesmere Port Station are celebrating a Gold Award at the Merseyrail in Bloom Awards 2026.
The award honours their work to make Ellesmere Port Station greener, brighter and more welcoming. Seven volunteers attended the ceremony at Liverpool’s Royal Liver Building. There, they represented the whole Friends group.
Although the result took everyone by surprise, the Gold Award reflects months of hard work and teamwork.
What the Merseyrail in Bloom Awards Celebrate
The Merseyrail in Bloom and Station Partnerships Awards celebrate volunteer groups across the network.
Since its launch in 2024, Merseyrail in Bloom has recognised gardening, art, heritage and care for the environment. It also values the ways volunteers bring stations and local people together.
Groups can receive Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum awards. Importantly, the awards are about more than flower displays. They celebrate people who give their time to their community.
For Ellesmere Port, Gold shows what local people can achieve when they work together.
Volunteers Make a Difference at Ellesmere Port Station
The award follows a busy period for Friends of Ellesmere Port Station.
For example, around 20 volunteers joined a station improvement day in June 2026. They worked alongside Merseyrail, Network Rail and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Together, they repaired and painted planters, added flowers and cleared overgrown areas. As a result, the station became a more pleasant place for passengers and visitors.
Since then, the group has continued to care for the planting and support further improvements. Meanwhile, new members have joined the Friends group and brought fresh energy to its work.
Kenny and Carole Spain have also helped care for the station for more than 20 years. The Gold Award celebrates their efforts as well as those of newer volunteers.
An Award for the Whole Team
Only seven volunteers could attend the ceremony. However, everyone who helped the group shares in its success.
Chris Kinsella, Community Rail Development Officer at North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership, was delighted by the surprise. She thanked every volunteer for their hard work and said she was incredibly proud of the team.
In particular, she was pleased to see their dedication recognised.
Volunteers contribute in many ways, from caring for plants to organising improvement days. Support from Merseyrail and other partners has also helped the group make progress.
We thank everyone who has played a part.
Looking Ahead with Pride
Gold is a proud moment, but the work does not stop here. The Friends group hopes to welcome more people and keep improving the station.
In addition, its success reflects our Stations in Their Place theme. This theme is about creating stations that feel safe, welcoming and part of local life.
Above all, the award brings our vision, Everyone Proud of Our Railways, to life.
Congratulations to every volunteer who helped make this happen.
Get Involved with Friends of Ellesmere Port Station
Would you like to help at your local railway station?
You can get involved in gardening, station improvements and community activities. You don’t need railway experience, and even a few hours can make a difference.
Find out more about Friends of Ellesmere Port Station and how to get involved.
