Celebrating Community Rail and Our Journey at the Community Rail Awards 2026
- LonGBoaT Wakefield
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
This year’s Community Rail Awards 2026 were a powerful reminder of just how much can be achieved when communities come together to shape their local railway; and we’re incredibly proud that LonGBoaT Wakefield was part of that celebration.
Held as a national showcase of community-led innovation, the awards, organised by the Community Rail Network (of which LonGBoaT Wakefield are a member) recognise the partnerships, creativity, and dedication that bring stations and railways to life across the railway.
A Night of Recognition and Celebration
Our Station Adoption Lead and Vice Chair, Chris, was invited to attend the awards by our friends at Community Rail Lancashire — and what a night it was.
We were honoured to be shortlisted in the Small Groups category for: Community Creative Projects & Station Arts (sponsored by Avanti West Coast).
As a fully volunteer-led organisation with no paid staff, being recognised on a national stage alongside so many inspiring projects is something we’re incredibly proud of. It reflects the passion, creativity, and commitment of everyone involved in transforming Wakefield Kirkgate into a more inclusive and welcoming space.
Celebrating Our Community Gallery
Our shortlisted project — the Community Gallery at Wakefield Kirkgate Station — was created to show how creativity can transform a railway space into a true community hub.
From the very beginning, the aim has been clear:
To provide a platform for local artists and community groups
To amplify voices often underrepresented, including LGBT+ people
To create a welcoming, colourful environment within the station
To connect people more deeply with their railway and local heritage
Over the past year, the gallery has hosted a diverse range of exhibitions and collaborations, including:
“Coal to Nature” by Empath CIC, showcasing powerful photography
“Tree of Life” with Wakefield Hospice, bringing stories of connection and resilience into a public space
A debut exhibition from local artist Briony “Biz” Hallas as part of Wakefield Art Walk
A detailed heritage installation by Wakefield Railway Modellers Society, connecting visitors to local industrial history
Each exhibition has helped make the station feel more welcoming, while creating opportunities for conversation, reflection, and pride.
For the LGBT+ community in particular, visibility in everyday public spaces like a railway station matters. It helps ensure people feel seen, represented, and included — not just in dedicated venues, but in the spaces we all share.
Congratulations to the Winners
We’d like to give a huge and heartfelt congratulations to this year’s Small Group winner:
🏆 ‘Railway 200 Artwork’ – Wokingham Learning Disability Partnership Board
This inspiring project transformed Wokingham railway station into a vibrant, collaborative artwork celebrating creativity, accessibility, and community. By working closely with people with learning disabilities, the project not only enhanced the station environment but also built confidence, skills, and meaningful connections for everyone involved.
It’s a fantastic example of how community rail can empower people and bring diverse voices into the spotlight — something we’re deeply passionate about at LonGBoaT Wakefield.
A Special Shout out to Community Rail Lancashire
A huge congratulations also goes to our hosts for the evening; Community Rail Lancashire, who had an incredible evening, taking home two awards:
Large Group Winner – Community Creative Projects & Station Arts for the Arts2Heal for the Clitheroe Line; a Picturesque Railway Jourrney
Influencing Positive Change & Sustainability with Lanchasire Archives for the English Queen Project
Their continued support, partnership, and friendship mean a great deal to us, and it was brilliant to see their work recognised on a national stage.
The Bigger Picture: Why Community Rail Matters
As highlighted by Jools Townsend, Chief Executive of the Community Rail Network, these awards are about more than just recognition — they celebrate how railways can act as a catalyst for connection, opportunity, and positive change.
Community rail initiatives across the UK are:
Building travel confidence
Promoting greener, more sustainable journeys
Transforming stations into welcoming community spaces
Championing inclusion and diversity
This is exactly where LonGBoaT Wakefield sits, using our station adoption work to ensure that Wakefield Kirkgate reflects the community it serves.
Looking Ahead
While we didn’t take home the trophy this time, being shortlisted has only strengthened our ambition.
We’ll continue to:
Grow and evolve the Community Gallery
Work with new partners and community groups
Create inclusive spaces that celebrate LGBT+ voices and wider community stories
Build on the momentum of what’s already been achieved
Community rail is about people, and we’re proud to play our part in shaping a railway that is open, inclusive, and rooted in its community.
Learn More
A Thankyou from LonGBoaT Wakefield
We’d like to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who continues to support this work. In particular, thank you to Karen Bennett at Community Rail Lancashire for the kind invitation and for the ongoing support you’ve shown to us as a charity.
Opportunities like this mean a great deal, helping us connect our local LGBT+ community with wider regional projects that celebrate inclusion, remembrance, and shared history.
Support like this makes it possible for us to keep creating visible, welcoming spaces where LGBT+ people feel seen, heard, and respected, not just in Wakefield, but as part of something much bigger.
Comments