In July 1884 a report in the London newspaper The Standard stated that ‘…the Midland Railway Company have decided to offer premiums for the best kept station gardens throughout their system’.
Like many other railway companies, the Cheshire Lines eventually followed suit, with the judging of its station gardens being undertaken by the Manager, usually in late July, August, or the beginning of September.
‘FLOWER GARDENS AT RAILWAY STATIONS
For many years past, with a view of creating a spirit of emulation amongst the station masters on the Cheshire Lines in cultivating flower gardens on the platforms, the directors have given money prizes to the various station masters for the best kept garden. Yesterday was fixed for the annual inspection, when Mr. David Meldrum, the manager of the Cheshire Lines, visited all the stations eligible for the competition, and it is pleasing to observe that the result of the inspection has been that eight prizes have been awarded to the following stations in the order shown. – 1, Flixton; 2, Woodvale; 3, Glazebrook; 4, Birkdale; 5, Ashley; 6, Mobberley; 7, Aintree; 8, Barrow-for-Tarvin.’
The Liverpool Evening Express, 2nd of August 1901.
Barrow-for-Tarvin station gardens, early 1900’s. The station master (standing on the platform), the signalman, and two porters, are shown here amidst their splendid garden, although none of them look too happy about it, perhaps disappointed at not having won first prize! The picture gives a clear illustration of just how high the standards were. This is probably the original garden layout; some of the circular flower beds were later changed to lozenge shaped, and the platform flower border to a simpler narrow design, as seen in the 1929 picture. The tall, oil lit platform lamps are a standard CLC pattern of the time and could be seen on most Cheshire Lines stations. T.Booth collection.
Barrow-for-Tarvin station gardens 1929. The fame of Barrow’s station garden had, it seems, spread far and wide. This photograph, unusually looking in the opposite direction towards the main buildings and Station Bridge, appeared in the New Zealand Railways staff magazine for 1929. By this date the splendid CLC cast iron lamp standards seen in the previous Edwardian pictures had, like almost all the other Cheshire lines stations, been replaced with post or wall mounted lamp cases, here at Barrow still oil lit of course. T. Booth collection.
In 1930 the then reigning ‘Railway Queen’,16 year old Miss Molly Brown, paid an ‘official’ visit to Barrow station gardens. Miss Brown, whose father was an engine fitter on the LMS at Preston, was visiting Liverpool and Chester as part of her ‘official duties’. It seems to have been customary for Railway Queens to visit nearby award-winning station gardens, to receive a presentation of some sort or make a speech, and together with the opportunity of a press photograph, this was good publicity for the railways. Consequently Molly took time out of her visit to see the station gardens at Barrow on Tuesday the 26th of August 1930, just three weeks after Barrow was awarded 1st prize. This is thought to be the first visit by a ‘Railway Queen’ to the Mid-Cheshire line. Having secured 1st prize just two weeks previously, the station garden was looking its best in the sunshine.
On the 30th of August 1930 The Chester Chronicle reported on Miss Browns visit; ‘When Miss Brown stepped from the 12.30 from the Northgate Station her eye was dazzled by the sparkle of a thousand blooms and the shining green of the lawns which stretched up to the signal-box and beyond. Miss Brown, who was accompanied by a chaperone, was received by the stationmaster (Mr S Speakman) and members of the station staff. Olive Clarke, the small daughter of Signalman Clarke, gave the Queen a bouquet of red carnations and maidenhair fern, and said “Your Majesty is welcome to our station.” Miss Brown glanced round at the blooms and murmured: “It’s lovely, isn’t it?” An understatement if ever there was one!
Barrow-for-Tarvin station closed on the 30th of May 1953. The main station buildings are now derelict, and the Chester bound platform, the former site of the station gardens, removed.
Whitegate station gardens 1913. This photo was taken during the station garden inspection – the manager and his assistants can be seen standing on the manicured cutting side. Their special train, consisting of the Manager’s saloon coach, visited all the stations that had entered the competition. Their train can be seen standing just beyond the platform end opposite the signal box. Surprisingly, despite the impressive display (this original 1913 photo has been ‘coloured’ recently and the plant colours are therefore speculative) Whitegate seems to have never secured 1st place. T. Booth collection.
Ashley for Rostherne station c1910. With the station name written in flowers, and numerous elevated flower tubs, Ashley station staff are justifiably proud of their efforts. Despite this, although frequently being well placed in the annual garden competition, Ashley does not seem to have secured a 1st prize in Cheshire Lines days. The station master (probably Robert Hankinson) and two porters are on the platform, while a solitary platelayer is on the track standing against the platform wall. Unlike signalmen and station staff, platelayers being at the bottom of the railway grades were not issued with any sort of uniform or protective clothing (wet weather gear, overalls, boots etc.) whatsoever, and had to provide their own. Manchester Locomotive Society.
Ashley station gardens, 4th of August 1962. With the station now under the control of the Manchester Division of British Railways, Ashley station staff have a garden to be proud of with their stunning 1st prize winning display. In 1963 they lost out to Stretford station, but the following year the station went on to win again. This was probably one of the last great station gardens on the Mid-Cheshire line. Although a ‘best kept station award’ continued, the station garden competition ended in 1966, the last winner being Knutsford, with Ashley placed 2nd, and Mobberley was ‘commended’. Bill Buckley (collection of Ted Buckley).
The award winning gardens at Lostock station seen here in 1929. The station master, Mr Arthur Buckley, had been here since 1924, having previously been station master at Barrow-for-Tarvin and where he had won several awards for the station gardens. Ironically, Lostock station garden was pushed into second place the following year (1930) by his former station.
Knutsford station gardens c.1935. As mentioned previously, the reigning Railway Queen would often visit prize winning gardens, and in 1932 the then ‘Queen’, 14 year old Miss Partria Clark of Sheerness, continued the tradition, and her presence graced another soon to be award winning Cheshire Lines station garden – Knutsford. She was guest of honour at the annual Knutsford Royal May Day and, arriving by train from Manchester, was escorted on to the station gardens and greeted by the station master Mr. H. G. Howell (who was responsible for establishing the station gardens here in 1929). Here she was introduced to various local officials, before being driven into the town centre to take part in the Royal May Day procession and Royal May Queen crowning ceremony.
Knutsford station gardens was awarded its first ‘First prize’ later the same year (1932), and continued to do so up to, and after WW2. Set out on two levels, with glorious flower beds, manicured lawns, trellis work, a rose garden and crazy paving pathways, which waiting passengers were encouraged to visit, its little wonder that other CLC stations were unable to compete with Knutsford.
In January 1948, Edward Wrathall was appointed station master at Northwich. He was to be Northwich’s last station master, retiring in 1965. He was a keen gardener and, with help from some of the station staff, they quickly set to work transforming the Middlewich Road embankment on the station approach into a terraced garden complete with rockery walls. Winning a First prize in the Liverpool Division station garden competition in 1949, the station won many more prizes up until the late 1960’s, including ‘Special prizes’ for the outstanding displays and overall station appearance and presentation.
Northwich station approach c1950. As well as the rockery terracing, flower borders had been planted round the fencing on the edge of the goods yard. The station cab stand canopy had, by this time ‘NORTHWICH STATION’ painted along its valancing which could be seen some way down station road, an idea of the new station master perhaps? T. Booth collection.
Northwich station gardens c1950. Standing on the splendid terraced garden on the Northwich station approach is, on the left Ticket Collector H. Bailey, and on the right Guard H. McFall. They were both credited as being behind the planning of the garden. In the distance a coal merchant’s lorry emerging from the goods yard has stopped, and a lady is speaking to the driver. In the days when coal was still king was she perhaps ordering some extra supplies? T. Booth collection.
Northwich station, October 1955. Liverpool district operating superintendent Mr. C. R. Bennett presents the station master Mr. Edward Wrathall with the station garden competition shield, after having been awarded First prize. Behind C.R. Bennett is Guard Hugh McFall, and standing next to Mr. Wrathall is platform foreman Tommy Woodier, but does anyone know the names of the other three? T. Booth collection.
Hartford & Greenbank station gardens, May 1955. Station Master Mr David Atherton looks on as the Greenbank station staff tends their award winning garden. The lady porter is Mrs Linda Poole, and on the grass is porter Derek Dutton. David Atherton was from Northwich and started on the CLC at Winsford & Over station in 1916. He came to Greenbank station in 1941, and was appointed station master here in 1950. In 1960 he was appointed station master for Cuddington and Delamere. BR London Midland Region staff magazine.
Hartford & Greenbank station, 1954. Porter Derek Dutton proudly holding the station garden award shield. T. Booth collection.
