AS COMMUTERS on the Mid Cheshire Line travel into work this week their journeys will be brightened up by platform art from the My Cheshire children’s art contest winners.

This includes Cuddington, Greenbank, Northwich, Lostock Gralam, Plumley, Knutsford and Mobberley railway stations.

The competition was a joint initiative between the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership and acclaimed Chester artist Nick Thompson, with sponsorship from Marketing Cheshire.

Northwich Guardian:

Grace Nicolson’s Chester Zoo, first in the age 8 to 11 category

A total of 90 primary school pupils entered the competition, and part of the prize was to see their paintings displayed in poster cases on the Line which connects Chester to Manchester via Northwich, Knutsford and Altrincham.

The paintings include Iris Morley from Davenham, Kaitlin Marshall from Barnton and Olivia Tickell from Hartford.

John Hulme, a director of the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership, said: “In these uncertain times, as commuters travel into work and students travel to school, this platform art will brighten passengers journeys up as they wait for their trains and pass through other local stations.

“It is amazing that the poster-art was drawn by young primary school children during lockdown. They have such marvellous talent.

“As you travel on the Line look out for the youngster’s butterflies, Gruffalo at Delamere Forest, the Brio Leisure in Northwich and the incredible lion at Chester Zoo.”

Nicky Thompson said: “I have been out on the Mid Cheshire Line looking at this platform art gallery and I am so proud of our primary school winner’s artwork.

“The competition was developed with the rail partnership as a home-schooling resource during the early days of the pandemic but has achieved much more than this.

“I am sure the artwork will provide inspiration for those students travelling to school by train and much enjoyment for those on their daily commute.”

Caps

Iris Morley’s Butterflies, first in the age 4 to 7 category

Grace Nicolson’s Chester Zoo, first in the age 8 to 11 category