Stations battle it out to be pride of the North East and the region’s champion in the World Cup of Stations

Four train stations across the North East have been nominated in this year’s World Cup of Stations, supported by the Rail Delivery Group and the Community Rail Network. 

This year’s competition takes place during Community Rail Week (22-26 May) to showcase community rail and the benefits railways bring to residents, the environment and the local economy.  

The four stations in the North East that have been nominated are all managed by Northern are:  

• Manors station, Tyne and Wear has been nominated as various groups meet here, including the Poetry and Pie Men's Club, Chit Chat Ladies Cafe, SVP Walking Group, Textile Programme and Knit and Natter Club. 
• MetroCentre (Gateshead), Tyne and Wear has been nominated as Newcastle College Rail Academy students have set up bird boxes and bug hotels to attract wildlife, and hope to design planters in the station in the near future. 
• Haltwhistle station, Northumberland has been nominated as volunteers have taken on the boarded-up waiting rooms to create four new studio spaces and two new waiting rooms for passengers. 
• Shildon station, County Durham has been nominated as the world's first railway town, volunteers have been involved in the 'Shildon in Motion' project that looks back at the innovative aspects of the past and celebrates the ongoing creativity in the town. 

Over 100 nominations were whittled down to 48 by TV presenter Tim Dunn in the competition they now face each other in a series of mini-battles to be crowned World Cup of Stations champion 2023.

Each of the nominees are from one of 11 regions, with four bonus stations selected by Tim Dunn. People can vote for their favourite North East station on Tuesday 23 May via #WorldCupofStations raildeliverygroup.com/WorldCupOfStations or @RailDeliveryGrp

Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “Day in, day out stations up and down the country are proving to be at the very heart of the communities and this year during Community Rail Week, we want to shine a light on the very best stations in England, Scotland and Wales which includes Manors, Metrocentre Gateshead, Haltwhistle and Shildon."

“All of the stations are making a positive impact on their local community, whether that’s supporting local businesses, being used for a social space or making the local environment better by being more sustainable, whatever they’re doing to make a difference, we want to celebrate.” 

Tim Dunn, TV presenter and shortlist judge, said: “I had the tricky task of selecting the shortlist of 48 stations - tricky, because it represents the work of 48 groups of chuffing ace volunteers.  

“The time, energy and love each group gives is because of a love of our shared railway and their communities too. It might seem bonkers, but this competition showcases the hard work of hundreds countrywide, then amplifies and celebrates all in community rail. Remember: like a football World Cup, the winners each day need more and more support - in every battle, it's the one with the most votes who wins!” 

Jools Townsend, chief executive of Community Rail Network, said: “Community Rail partnerships and thousands of ‘station friends’ volunteers the length and breadth of Britain are mobilising en masse, engaging local people and partners to raise awareness about sustainable travel by rail, and get people enthused about its many benefits.” 
 
Over 1,200 stations across Britain are supported by station adoption groups, made up entirely of volunteers, that help to make stations welcoming and safe, bring people together and add value to their communities. Often the work of these groups extends beyond basic upkeep, incorporating community gardening and food growing, local arts projects, and workshops and visits with children and young people. 

We received more than 100 nominations for stations to feature in this year's competition, recognising the efforts of so many across the country in the following categories:  

• Creating social spaces – stations rejuvenated by local adoption groups who are creating spaces for the local community   
• Supporting local business – adoption groups using station spaces to host and celebrate local businesses  
• Education stations – educational spaces and workshops arranged by adoption groups held in their station   
• Tourism stations – adoption groups using their station to promote local attractions 
• Sustainable stations – environmental efforts by local community groups to improve their station’s green credentials