Volunteers who help keep a historic railway station pristine have been celebrated at a national award ceremony.
Bishopstone station volunteers were praised at the Community Rail awards for their dedication to building a community space within the station.
Barbara Mine, who has led the Community Rail Partnership at Bishopstone since 2017, scooped the Outstanding Volunteer Contribution award alongside her colleagues and they came second in the most enhanced railway spaces category for their conversion of the old parcel room into a community hub.
The team worked with rail operators and trade organisations to raise funds and restore the art deco station building which dates from 1938. The hub opened in November 2022.
Barbara said: “I’m absolutely delighted and overwhelmed with the award. It’s a team effort and we all get involved. Everyone has been amazing.
“There’s so much more that needs to be done within our station community including the station building itself."
The hub offers activity, kitchen and storage areas and is used by community groups for a wide range of events - including regular yoga classes.
The Community Rail Awards were held at Swansea Arena on Monday, March 18. More than 430 guests included senior rail and transport leaders and community rail officers and volunteers.
The event recognised projects supporting diversity, accessibility and inclusion, sustainable travel and tourism, youth and schools engagement, community-led station improvements, empowered communities and influencing positive change.
Tim Barkley, chairman of the Southeast Communities Rail Partnership said: “We are delighted that our projects proved to be winners with the wider Community Rail Network.
"Well done to all the people involved in these excellent schemes, in particular the dedicated volunteers who work at the stations to make them a welcoming space.
“All the staff and directors at Southeast CRP congratulate everyone involved in the winning projects. It is pleasing that our collaborative approach with our partners has been recognised.”
Read more: Multimillion-pound restoration work begins at historic fort
Lewes constituency MP Maria Caulfield also praised Barbara's dedication.
She said: "Barbara has been instrumental in bringing the old station back to life and turning it into a valuable and inclusive space for the community.
"Through her tireless efforts and that of the whole Friends of Bishopstone, this once redundant station has become an important meeting place for the community as a whole."
Govia Thameslink Railway, which runs Southern services to Bishopstone, said the community group's work can even help the local economy.
Corporate social responsibility manager Tracy Jarvis said: "“This is a fantastic achievement, and we thank Barbara Mine and the Friends of Bishopstone Station for their work in bringing this idea to fruition.
"Community is at the heart of everything we do, and our dedicated community rail partners help us connect with local people, boost tourism and make local economies thrive.
"Projects like Bishopstone show what can happen when partners work together for the benefit of the wider community.”
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