Friends of Prestatyn Railway Station volunteer, Sherry Edwards, is retiring after volunteering at the station for over 20 years.
There has been a ‘friends’ group at Prestatyn station for many years and Sherry’s retirement comes as the group marks 11 years since its reformation in February 2013, following improved access at the station.
The award-winning Friends of Prestatyn Railway Station (FoPRS) have organised a series of projects for the station which has included the creation of signage and a life-size sculpture of a walker named ‘Rhodri the Rambler’ on a disused platform, as well as the planting of winter and summer plants.
Sherry has been involved in numerous projects during her 20-year stint as a volunteer, including enhancing the appearance of the station. Each year since 2017 FoPRS has achieved Level 5 Outstanding in Wales in Bloom’s ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ scheme, and over the years they’ve been lucky to foster excellent relationships with Denbighshire County Council, Prestatyn Town Council and Prestatyn Business Forum, as well as the staff at the booking office.
Sherry, the former secretary of FoPRS, is signing off officially at their upcoming AGM, she said: “Thank you so much for everyone’s help and support over the years. I’ve really enjoyed my time as secretary and made some great memories.
“We’ve been lucky in Prestatyn with an exceptional bunch of volunteers, but more than this is all the support and guidance we have received from Transport for Wales over the years, and the tremendous support from the team in the Booking Office.
“Network Rail have also been extremely supportive, which along with the help from Prestatyn Town Council, Denbighshire County Council and Prestatyn Business Forum, and of course local residents who appreciate the difference we have made to the environment, has made it a great joy and pleasure to work at the station.
“A town’s railway station is often the first glimpse that the travelling public have of a town, and we have always regarded the station as the town’s shop window – thank you for giving us the opportunity to be part of the Station Adopters Scheme – I am sure that it will go from strength to strength.”
The group is part of our Station Adoption Scheme which aims to help improve our links with local communities and customers living near unstaffed railway stations.
Our Community Rail team work closely with the volunteers of this scheme, Melanie Lawton Community Rail Strategy Lead added: “We’re proud of our Station Adoption Scheme and it’s been a great success since its launch.
“We want to keep our unstaffed stations clean and pleasant, so this scheme is designed to encourage regular feedback about the facilities available. This will help us ensure they meet the standards expected by our customers.
“It’s the volunteers that carry out this crucial work and who selflessly dedicate their time to support this scheme. Thank you to Sherry for her dedicated industrious involvement in the friends group, helping to create a blooming marvellous station for residents and visitors to enjoy.”
