With special Santa trains visiting the historic Bluebell railway station in East Grinstead, it isn’t just his elves that have been busy!
Volunteers from Southern Sheeting, supplier of specialist building materials to trade and domestic customers, which is based in the town, have been helping get the station ready for Santa’s arrival, painting the surrounding picket fence green and cream.
Part of the Bluebell Railway heritage line of the southeast and built in 1862, the station is famous for its steam locomotives. The Santa trains, which take families on a two-hour ride and are running through December, promise a magical experience for families.
Children get to meet Santa and receive a present, whilst adults can treat themselves to a glass of punch on the platform.
The fence painting formed part of Southern Sheeting’s ongoing commitment to give back to the communities in which it serves, but it isn’t the only initiative the company has undertaken this year! Others include:
Crawley Open House (homelessness charity):
Every Christmas, Southern Sheeting offers a free turkey to all its staff as a special gift. This year, seven employees gave theirs to Crawley Open House and in aid of Ukrainian refugees.
East Park Riding for the Disabled (RDA), Little Brook Equestrian Centre, Lingfield:
Awarded prizes and certificates to students from St Stephen’s School, South Godstone at National RDA Championship and painted viewing gallery of indoor riding arena.
Ashdown Forest, Wych Cross, East Sussex:
Helped rangers clear invasive plant species such as Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed, which can damage the local eco-system and must be kept under constant control.
Sunnyside Preschool, East Grinstead:
Disassembled and rebuilt exterior fence for this non-profit making local childcare charity, raising it to match the height of an existing decking, then relocating the preschool’s mud kitchen and musical equipment to the new area.
Garden Army, West Hoathly (community interest farm, set up to support people with health and wellbeing needs):
Built a new fence for the farm’s imminent arrival – a boar that has now joined an existing herd of pigs. Hopefully some piglets will be coming soon!
Last month, Southern Sheeting renewed its sponsorship of Ardingly Football Club for the second year running.
This included a £1,000 donation, which last year the club used to fund a defibrillator and signing-on fees for new players.
The company has also sponsored East Grinstead football club for more than a decade and gets season tickets for home matches. These are available to its staff free of charge.
Southern Sheeting’s Managing Director, Tony Hobbs, said: “Giving back to our local communities is very important, so every year we dedicate time, energy and resources into championing and supporting causes close to our hearts."
“This includes giving our staff time off to volunteer, physically pitch in and do something meaningful, as well as just donating – something we’re told they all enjoy doing. We were very happy to help paint the fences at Bluebell railway station and hope this helped complete the look for families enjoy the Santa experience.”
For more information, please visit www.southernsheeting.co.uk
