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Last Updated: Tuesday, 26 September 2006, 15:32 GMT 16:32 UK
Village rail station scoops award
Olwen and David Williams
Olwen and David Williams collected the award on behalf of the village
A rural train station in the county of Conwy has won a major award for its gardens and picnic area.

Dolwyddelan station was named the UK's most enhanced community station after the hard work of two local groups.

The Community Rail Partnership judges commended local people for working together on the Conwy Valley Line.

Welsh Enterprise Minister Andrew Davies said the scheme to get people to adopt local railway stations was important as public transport use is encouraged.

The station was adopted by Dolwyddelan Yn Ein Blodau (in flowers) and Cylch yr Ifanc (young people's circle).

"It absolutely wonderful to receive a UK award for the work that local people have put in to improve the station," said David Williams, who with his wife Olwen collected the award on behalf of the station adoption teams.

The groups at Dolwyddelan have really gone the extra mile to help improve their station
Gerald Jones, station manager

"For us there's no better prize than seeing the station gardens appreciated and the picnic area used.

"We often return to the station to find the picnic benches moved around so that families and large groups can sit together and share a meal.

"It always brings a smile to our faces to think that the station garden has been enjoyed in this way."

Dolwyddelan station adoption
Dolwyddelan station was officially adopted in May 2006

Mr Davies said: "Projects like this can only help to promote the station and the beautiful Conwy Valley Line," he said.

Gerald Jones, Dolwyddelan's station manager for Arriva Trains Wales, said he was delighted at the result.

The adopt-a-station scheme usually asks local people to act as an extra pair of eyes and ears at the stations and to let the company know of any problems, he said.

"The groups at Dolwyddelan have really gone the extra mile to help improve their station for local people and visitors and we are grateful to them for their hard work and commitment," he added.

In August the Conwy Valley celebrated the 100th adoption of an Arriva Trains Wales station at Betws-y-Coed.

More than two-thirds of the company's 190 unstaffed stations have been adopted by local volunteers - eight on the Conwy Valley Line.


SEE ALSO
Station 'adoptions' hit 100 mark
31 Jul 06 |  North West Wales

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