Members of Alderley Edge Station Volunteer Group have certainly had a mixed week.
Firstly they are delighted when a new defibrillator with 24/7 access has been installed on the Manchester bound platform at the station.
Group Chair, Kelvin Briggs said " This has been something we have been pressing Northern Trains Ltd to install for some time. To now see the cabinet installed is brilliant."
However, on the down side there has been some vandalism at the station which has been reported to both Cheshire Police and British Transport Police.
Kelvin said "We have had a sad two nights of vandalism at the station with the destruction of one of our artworks, defaced beyond repair with what appears to be a knife.
"Planters were upturned and glass panels broken in a shelter. So we needed a morale boost and this is great for the village community. Whilst there are numerous defibrillators in the village, I'm not aware of any with 24/ 7 public access."
On a much more positive note, Alderley Edge Station Volunteer Group won a "Highly Commended" award at the "Cheshire Best Kept Stations Awards' event on Friday, 1st April, for some of the artworks which they have installed to brighten up the station.
Kelvin added "We won't be beaten by the vandals and are working with the Police to identify the culprits. We are raising funds to replace the artwork as soon as possible and started a 'Just Giving" appeal to raise £500. If anyone would like to support us, please go online to donate.
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/alderleyedgestationvolunteergroup
Comments
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There are a few issues here.
Is there any or enough CCTV in place, by the sounds of it no?
And if there is CCTV, is it good enough for identification of vandals?
Because if it cannot be used then it will happen again I am sorry to say.
Lastly, if idiots like this do eventually get caught, they only get a slapped wrist by the powers to be instead of a substantial fine or worse.
Hopefully the Parish Councils annual investment in CCTV (circa £4000) 4K will show possible people movements of interest at the London Rd Junction with Heyes Lane
Northern Trains Ltd are also reviewing Tuesday and Wednesday night CCTV footage.
I was particularly disturbed to see the knife slits in to the artwork. Yes, knives are about our streets and community. Not surprised, but it hits home when you see the destruction .
If anyone can help us raise some more funds for the replacement that would be amazing.
We have now raised £590. Thank you to the kind, thoughtful and generous people who have contributed .
We have also had fantastic support from ‘The Sign Bridge’ company , the board manufacturer and installer as well as the artist Eamonn Murphy that has softened the cost to us.
With these fantastic gestures we will not only now have a replacement work but also an extra exciting new piece to make the station a more welcoming place.
If you are able to help us with a donation to help us reach £700, we should end up cost neutral for our volunteer group and have the two new boards erected Thursday afternoon.