Ian’s in the frame for rail award

Sep 10 2009 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

A VOLUNTEER with an Uddingston environment group has got through to the final of a community rail award for his work on the village station.

Ian Wilson (65) has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Volunteer Contribution category of the Community Rail Awards.

He leads a group of Uddingston Pride volunteers who look after flowerbeds, hanging baskets and two basket trees at the village’s railway station.

Their work is carried out under the umbrella of ScotRail’s Adopt A Station scheme, which aims to put stations at the heart of communities.

Ian, a retired engineer with North Ayrshire Council, is married to Uddingston Pride chairman Liz Wilson.

The model railway in their garden inspired him to add colour to Uddingston railway station.

His entry in the Community Rail Awards was put forward by Uddingston Pride, whose vice-chairman Alex Stephen said: “Ian’s commitment to Uddingston Pride has been exceptional - especially in relation to the railway station.

“With the backing of ScotRail, it has been transformed due to his unstinting effort and dedication.”

John Yellowlees, ScotRail’s external relations manager, said: “We are thrilled at this recognition of our Adopt a Station scheme.

“Ian and his team at Uddingston Pride work tirelessly to create and tend the floral displays which make Uddingston one of the prettiest stations in Scotland.”

Winners of the fifth annual Community Rail Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Carlisle on September 25.