Ally Pally friends rewarded for station efforts

Martin praised the "wonderful" efforts of the group who have transformed the station with plants and flowers leading to their reaching the finals of the "It's Your Station" category of the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) awards.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which runs Great Northern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Southern, nominated the Friends for the awards, which recognise the important but often unsung work carried out by community rail partnerships and station adoption groups who provide a welcome social contribution to their communities.

Station Manager Martin said: "It's wonderful to see the great work that the Friends do at our station. We have a lot of space, and the addition of colour across the platforms is so welcoming.

"Over the past year the group really has helped make the station greener and more welcoming to our passengers, while helping to further involve the community. Their energy and enthusiasm is on display by the bucket-load and I'm so pleased they have been recognised with this accolade. I cannot thank the group enough for all their efforts."

Just over a year ago, 28 planters were donated to the Friends by local residents to get the partnership off to a swinging start. The Friends then held a celebratory launch event that saw the local community turn out in great numbers to listen to live music on both platforms and enjoy delicious free food and drink donated by local eatery Our Cottage set out next to the group’s new herb garden. In December, the partnership held a Christmas party to delight passengers with their festive cheer, whilst also unveiling a new community notice board, paid for by GTR.

Not content to rest on their laurels, the Friends are now working with GTR to add art and new displays to the station’s overbridge. In partnership with Alexandra Palace, the group are developing a range of options to add new colour to the white-walled bridge. This work was started at the group's first birthday party, which included more refreshments and music, with those present taking time to paint stencilled images onto the bridge, adding colour, in preparation for the introduction of new displays.

The group’s efforts were additionally recognised towards the end of last year, when they received a Highly Commended in the Best Newcomer category at Haringey Community Expo and also gained recognition at Haringey In Bloom.

Michael Solomon Williams, group leader, who was presented with the certificate, said: "I'm really thrilled that we've been nominated for the ACoRP award. There have been many inspiring moments since we started.

"One of the most wonderful things is how much the station staff, GTR and apparently now the wider national rail community have embraced what we're doing. It's been a huge effort by everyone involved at Ally Pally, so this recognition is very welcome indeed. This will fill us with confidence and inspiration in the year to come. Thank you!"

GTR has 65 station partnerships across its network, with staff and volunteers working together to help each location further reflect its local community. Activities include gardening, tending planters and adding art.

At the ACoRP awards in 2016, Cricklewood's Town Team won the silver level of the "It's Your Station" category, in recognition of the work undertaken with the local Thameslink team to transform the entrance to that station.

The Friends of Ally Pally will find out if they have won the silver level of the award at an event in Derby on 5 October.

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