VOLUNTEERS helping to maintain Chirk Railway Station have had a busy summer as they have been working towards another award.

The station, adopted by the Friends of Chirk Station (FoCS) group, was visited by the RHS Its Your Neighbourhood awards assessor who came to look at the station ahead of the Wales in Bloom awards held in south Wales on Friday, September 13.

FoCS member Christine Ashford is hoping the group have done enough to meet the criteria and achieve another outstanding recognition.

She said: “We have had a wonderful summer at Chirk Station and welcomed many visitors from overseas as well as members of our community.

“Floral displays and features have caught the imagination of rail passengers, on and off the trains, with plenty of great comments and lots of smiles.

“It was very rewarding to hear [the assessor’s] verbal comments, not only on the station grounds but also the group's involvement in other voluntary groups in Chirk.”

The FoCS volunteers are celebrating 15 years since their adoption of the station.

Christine added: “The year is not over yet, but we do wish to thank everyone who has helped us in this our 15th year of station adoption.

“New people have come forward in support including Sid Lloyd from Chirk who has helped us develop the area under the old bridge steps, along with building a new fence and repainting all of the picket fencing on Platform one.

“We also wish to thank Jim Heath, our local woodcarver and artist for gifting a lovely additional mural in Platform one shelter.

“Jim has been one of our greatest supporters, providing the station with some stunning woodcarvings and murals.

“We wish to say a very special thank you to our kind and generous volunteers, Angela, Neil, Len, Trudy and Paul.

“Their commitment has shown what can be achieved if everyone works together. Unfortunately, Margaret, our treasurer has spent the past few weeks in hospital due to a fall at home. We take this opportunity to wish Margaret well and thank her too for all the help she has given to the station adoption.”

The station volunteers have also received help from several Ysgol Dinas Bran students who spent two days working at the station as part of their Key Stage 4 community work.

“All four students, who live in Chirk, did an excellent job of sprucing up the station grounds,” Christine said.

“We very much enjoy their company and pleased that the school has helped us throughout the adoption.

“Thanks to Ciaran, Morgan, Yasmin and Carys, along with staff member, Rebecca, for all their help.”