Dolau station wins UK community award

A Mid Wales railway station known locally as a gardeners'paradise has received a UK award.

Dolau Station has been judged to have the UK's Best StationGarden by the Association of Community Rail Partnerships(ACoRP).

Lovingly cared for by the Dolau Station Action Group for thelast 23 years, the station's garden boasts an array of flowersincluding roses, geraniums, begonias, irises and gladioli. Earlierthis month (September 2006) the station was officially 'adopted' bythe group under the Arriva Trains Wales 'Adopt a Station'scheme.

Farmer, Mike Reynolds, from Dolau collected the award on behalfof the station adopters on Friday (22 September 2006) alongsideArriva sStation manager Shelley Hall. Speaking at the awards Mikesaid:

It's absolutely wonderful to receive a UK award for thework that local people have put in to improve DolauStation.

Everyone involved in the group – which includestwo other farmers, a solicitor, a journalist, two office clerks anda highway supervisor – really enjoys caring for the station'sgardens. Even after 23 years, the group's enthusiasm is as strongas ever.

Dolau station is no stranger to winning awards and the group'sdevotion to their station has been recognised by over 30 awards. InJune 2002, Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip made a specialvisit to Dolau during their Golden Jubilee Tour of the UK . Acommemorative plaque was unveiled on the platform and the Queen wasprovided with a tour of the station.

The affection for the station is shown by the comments made inthe station's visitors' book on display in the waiting shelter.These comments include: “a delightful surprise”(D Bowen, Cheltenham), “a great pleasure beinghere” (J Kruel, Bad Rappenau, Germany ) and“wonderful” (R Murray, Australia).

The marketing strategy to promote the Heart of Wales railwayline, and stations including Dolau, to local people and visitorsfrom across the UK received the ACoRP Marketing Community RailAward for the Heart of Wales Line Forum.

On winning the awards the Heart of Wales Line teams have beencongratulated by Arriva Trains Wales and have also received specialrecognition from Andrew Davies, the Welsh Assembly Governmentminister responsible for transport in Wales.

Andrew Davies, Welsh Assembly Government minister forenterprise, innovation and networks, said:

These awards are marvellous news for the Dolau stationadopters and everyone working to promote the Heart of WalesLine. Encouraging people to use public transport regularly isan important part of our transport policy and projects like thiscan only help to promote both Dolau Station and the beautiful Heartof Wales Line – a line that I myself enjoy travelling verymuch.

Arriva's success under its Adopt a Station scheme,here and at other stations across Wales and the borders, is atribute to their commitment to involving communities in their localrailway.

Geraint Morgan, community affairs manager for Arriva TrainsWales, said:

We are really delighted that the efforts of communityrail officers and station adopters to promote the beauty of theHeart of Wales Line have been recognised like this.

The community spirit and determination shown by localpeople to ensure that the line and its stations provide a welcominggateway for rail passengers is something that we are extremelyproud of.

Over two-thirds of Arriva Trains Wales' 190 unstaffed stationshave been adopted by local volunteers.

Station adopters carry out regular spot checks relating to thetidiness and cleanliness of the station, in addition to thosealready undertaken by Arriva Trains Wales. Any issues that may needaddressing are then passed on to the local station manager. Inreturn, adopters are offered travel vouchers for use on the ArrivaTrains Wales network.

More information about the Adopt a Station scheme is availableby calling Arriva Trains Wales' customer relations team on 08456061 660 or by visitingwww.arrivatrainswales.co.uk.

Wales won three ACoRP awards at the ceremony held in Darlingtonon Friday (22 September 2006). Dolwyddelan Station on the ConwyValley Line in North Wales was named Most Enhanced CommunityStation in addition to the two awards for the Heart of WalesLine.

Notes to editors

• More information about the Association of Community RailPartnerships is available atwww.acorp.uk.com.