Published on: Thursday, 11 January 2024
Last updated: Thursday, 11 January 2024
A Greater Anglia staff member, who has been described as a ‘huge asset’ to the village station she works at, has been given an award at a national rail ceremony.
Angela Milton, who has worked at Shelford station near Cambridge for 14 years and has been on the railway for 28 years, received a ‘highly commended’ award in the station staff category of the RailStaff Awards , with judges picking from entries from all over the country.
Angela Milton. (Credit: Greater Anglia)
The nominations noted that she has an ‘encyclopaedic knowledge of the railway timetable’, is ‘unfailingly helpful’, and ‘provides an exceptional service to every customer that walks through the door’. Angela was also commended for turning Shelford station into a community hub.
Angela has created a small library, hung a mirror in the waiting area by the ticket office, and regularly offers fresh fruit to give customers a little morning pick-me-up.
Angela Milton said:
“I am so pleased to have received the ‘highly commended’ award - I am very proud and this is the icing on the cake of my career.
“I am the only permanently rostered member of staff at Shelford, so it is very much my station. I love helping people and enjoy decorating the station for special events such as Christmas, Halloween, and Wimbledon.
“I often find myself being a listening ear for customers too, in between my normal duties of selling tickets and making that sure everything is OK at the station. I think Shelford really is a home from home.”
Angela outside Shelford station's ticket office entrance. (Credit: Greater Anglia)
Angela’s can-do attitude and kind-hearted spirit is a lifeline to many in the village.
When COVID-19 struck, she was often found happily talking to the elderly population in the local area. Angela has also supported animal owners when their dogs and cats have gone missing close to the railway line, even checking nearby areas by train after her shift finished.
She also keeps the village updated on disruption and information via their local Facebook group.
Angela poses with her certificate. (Credit: Greater Anglia)
Angela first joined the railway in 1996, working in a number of roles in both the ticket office and head office across the south of England before moving to what is now Greater Anglia in 2000 and has worked at a variety of locations including March, Ely, Cambridge, and Whittlesford Parkway before coming to her beloved Shelford in 2009.