K&ESR Volunteer Matters March 2025

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‍Kent & East Sussex Railway

Volunteer Matters - March 2025

‍‍Welcome to the first of our Volunteer Appeals from across the Railway.

‍Volunteers - the Lifeblood of our Railway

‍In an organization so reliant on volunteer support, we literally could not run the Railway without you. There are always new appeals coming in for help across the K&ESR, and here are some of the ways in which you, or your family and friends could get involved!

Give as much or as little time as you wish - in an occassional role like dropping off leaflets to your local clubs and societies, or in an operational role like training to be a Guard or a Pullman Attendant. Whatever you're able to give, we are very grateful and look forward to giving you a warm welcome. 

Can You Help Promote K&ESR in Your Community?

Our 2025 promotional Posters and Leaflets are now available to be shared far and wide!

Could you help by spreading the word within your local community? Do you have a local Village Hall? Does your local shop or Post Office have a notice board? Are you a member of a community club or group? Or do you live near another local tourist attraction? 

Printed materials can be supplied as A4 posters, A3 posters, 1/3^rd size leaflets, business-card sized cards, or in digital (pdf) format for email that can be downloaded from our website.

We have a few willing volunteers already (thank you!) but we need more! Please contact enquiries@kesr.org.uk or drop into the Marketing and Events office. Even if you can only reach one or two venues, every little helps... 

‍Could You Help Produce The Tenterden Terrier?

Do you have desktop publishing or printing experience? Do you have an eye for design and good editorial detail? If so, would you be willing to help set up the pages of the Tenterden Terrier magazine?

We are looking for someone to step in to this role as our current layout and design volunteer is retiring in July 2025. This is a vital role, and the Editorial Team urgently needs someone to take on this work. The editorial side of the Terrier is conducted on a working-from-home basis, with colleagues collaborating via email. Although not essential, some experience of journalism or creative writing would be helpful.

For further details please email Nick Pallant, Editor, Tenterden Terrier at terrier@kesr.org.uk

Can You Share Your Experience
With the Retail Working Group?

As part of the suite of changes being introduced by our new chairman, Derrick Bilsby, Trustee Andy Papworth has been asked to set up and lead a working group to focus on Retail activities across the railway. The group’s remit will cover all our existing station shops and ticketing systems, online gift sales, the setting up of the new shop at Robertsbridge, and it will look to support the current activities of volunteers by exploring ways to build upon the great work they already do.

Research over the past 12 months has confirmed our belief that our shops attract a very diverse range of customers during an average year. From 5-year-olds with their grandparents, excited to spend their pocket money to summer coach trips of people who still remember the days of steam on British Railways. From diners on the Pullman to parents bringing their kids to a character event, our tiny shops are visited by a huge range of people all looking for very different things to remember their visit by. And that's before we've catered for our train enthusiast visitors!

However, from a retailing perspective, the layout and conditions of our premises are often built around the practicality of the space rather than being designed for “the customer experience”.

The aim of the Retail Working Group is to bring together a group of people with professional retail experience who represent the broad and diverse range of people who visit our shops and would be willing to explore ways in which we can get better at what we do.

Initially, we see the group meeting monthly for a couple of hours, either face to face or via Teams (depending upon the membership of the group). A small number of volunteers have already expressed an interest in being involved in the working group, and we are now looking for additional people to join. So, if this is an area in which you have experience and would like to become involved to support the railway (or would just like to find out more before committing) please contact Andy via email at apapworth@kesr.org.uk

Catering Supervisor - Do You Know Anyone Who Would Fit the Bill?

As we expand our on-train dining services, we’re on the look-out for an additional paid employee in our team to look after catering at Tenterden Station.

If you fit the bill, or you know someone who does, please get in touch! 

Ideal for someone with previous experience of working in a catering environment – café, pub or restaurant. Please contact the catering team by emailing catering@kesr.org.uk for further details, or apply online - Hospitality Supervisor - Kent & East Sussex Railway

‍Service Please!
Join us as a Pullman Attendant

‍

Many of you already wear multiple hats when you’re volunteering, but have you considered taking a turn on the Wealden Pullman? From serving food at tables, serving behind the bar, or washing up, there are a variety of roles needed for each lunch and dinner service we run.

‍If you've never done silver-service waiting before, don't worry! Full training is given and you'll start by doing light duties. From serving bread rolls, butter and mints, you'll gradually work your way up to more complex tasks - like soup! - to suit your pace and ability. 

Apply online

If you'd like to go ahead and join us, simply complete the form online!

Or, if you’d like to discuss in the first instance, please contact Meg at mgooch@kesr.org.uk for a chat. 

Thank you to everyone for your contributions – please remember, you can submit items for this and our regular newsletter by email at  newsletter@kesr.org.uk

‍Kent & East Sussex Railway

Tenterden Town Station, Station Road,

Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HE

www.kesr.org.uk

Registered charity 262481

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