 Reconnecting to Robertsbridge |
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Kent & East Sussex RailwayNewsletter - July 2025 |
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| Welcome to the latest news from our Railway |
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| Reconnecting With the Community in Robertsbridge | | On Saturday 21st June, teams from Rother Valley Railway (Ltd and Supporter’s Association) stood side by side with the Kent & East Sussex Railway as we proudly shared our ambition to reconnect.
The event was organised by Robertsbridge Parish Council to celebrate 800 years since the granting of its Charter. It included stalls from other local community groups and businesses, and a packed schedule of entertainment.
Many thanks to all the RVR and K&ESR people who supported the event. We jointly collected over 100 names of people who want to hear more from one or both organisations, and those interested in volunteering.
We hope this will become an annual event and look forward to strengthening the ties between both ends of our Railway.
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| It was with much regret that we accepted the resignation of John Cobbett as our Company Secretary. John, your contributions are recognised and appreciated, and as we part (at least officially), please accept our enormous gratitude. |
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 Mark Jenner FCIS FCGI, K&ESR's new Company Secretary | | Please Welcome Our New Company Secretary
We welcome Mark Jenner FCIS FCGI to the vacant position of Company Secretary, Mark has a long career as Company Secretary to FTSE 250 companies in property, biotech, retail and banking.
He has an interest in all railways and is half-way through visiting all heritage lines in the UK - and is a member of a number of them. He has an extensive continental model railway; is a trustee of AIMREC; and has a pre-grouping coach body in his garden (as you do).
Please join us in welcoming Mark who is delighted to join the K&ESR team. |
| Changes to our Catering Team
| As we prepare ourselves for the eagerly anticipated launch of our Rother Valley Limited dining service, there are changes to announce in our Catering Team.
Having first worked at K&ESR 25 years ago as a youngster helping Meg in the kitchen, and after successfully running his own catering business, we’re pleased to share that Sean Webb now has the role of Catering Manager.
Sean will take the lead as Manager and Chef of the Rother Valley Limited service, an alternative on-train dining experience to our silver-service Wealden Pullman. Delicious, plated breakfasts and lunches will be served, as well as cream teas and ploughmans. Congratulations, Sean.
To enable Sean to focus on ‘on-train’ catering, we’re delighted to welcome Miranda Foulkes as Catering Supervisor. Miranda will take the lead on our ‘at-station’ catering, stock control, and on-train supplies. Miranda joins us with over 25 years of experience in the catering industry as Sous Chef, Commis Chef and Head Chef in pubs and restaurants, and after running a successful Community Café in Hastings. Miranda lives in Tenterden with her Jack Russell, Harvey, and enjoys painting and crafting in her spare time. Welcome Miranda.
We have also recruited three new casual Catering Assistants to support our dining and refreshment facilities – Sam, Lilly and Amy. |  Miranda Foulkes, Catering Supervisor, and Sean Webb, Catering Manager |
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|  Lin Bridger offering Pullman Service with a smile | Pullman Jackets – Can You Help? | We pride ourselves on the authentic uniform worn by Attendants on our Wealden Pullman. It’s one of the ways we distinguish the difference between dinner on a train vs a heritage, silver-service Pullman dining experience, and it's an essential element to ensure we continue to be very highly rated by the Pullman Society, who regularly support our endeavours. As you most likely know, a team of around six Pullman Attendants, a Pullman Conductor and a Bar Steward are required for each lunch and dinner service. The issue we’re facing currently – as well as our regular appeal for volunteers – is that we’re running out of Pullman Attendant jackets!
Jacket Amnesty
Do you have a Pullman jacket hidden in the back of your wardrobe? No late-return fees will be applied, and the receipt of any missing, lost or forgotten jackets will be met most warmly…please could you have a look? We’ll be happy to send someone to collect if that helps. Please email newsletter@kesr.org.uk if you have a jacket you can return.
Finding a New Supply
The jackets we wear were acquired from a variety of sources over the years. Despite many being of considerable age, they’re generally in good condition - but are designed for very slender figures that not many of us today can boast!
Despite our best efforts, we haven’t managed to find anyone to make us more – the last used manufacturer is sadly no longer trading. The need is not that big - about 20 jackets in the right sizes would help immensely. Some of our volunteers are saying they'd be prepared to buy their own - but we need someone to buy them from!
Are you a secret sewer or do you know anyone who might be able to help us? We'd consider pulling together a volunteer team if we could find pattern-making knowledge and suitable sewing skills! Anyone up for a Great K&ESR Sewing Bee?
Please email newsletter@kesr.org.uk if you know anyone who could help..
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| | Voluntary Civil Engineer The Railway is looking for a suitably qualified Civil Engineer to perform periodic inspections and provide professional advice on our civil engineering assets; embankments, bridges, culverts etc.
These tasks require occasional attendance at the railway to perform the inspections and periodic availability by phone/online to provide advice to Trustees/Managers as required.
Are you, or do you know a Chartered Civil or Structures Engineer, ideally with rail or road experience, who is prepared to consider undertaking this role in a voluntary capacity? Suitable insurance is maintained by the company.
If you can help, please contact our Safety Director, Neil Sime at nsime@kesr.org.uk
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 The GM's Tie-o-Meter | A Vital New Piece of Safety Equipment?
The GM’s Tie-o-Meter
As reported by the Fashion & Fabric Subcommittee of Carriage & Wagon
It began, as all good ideas do at K&ESR, over a mug of strong tea, a half-eaten biscuit, and a lively debate about whether today’s tie was “Floral Elegance” or just “Sunglasses Please.”
For those unfamiliar with the sartorial habits of our General Manager, allow us to explain. While most of us are busy hunting for odd socks and the least-oily overalls, our GM arrives each day impeccably attired—shirt ironed, jacket sharp, and always, always wearing a tie. But not just any tie. No, Robin’s tie wardrobe spans the full spectrum from dignified boardroom greys to dazzling kaleidoscopic explosions that require a PG rating and a suitable solar filter.
C&W volunteers, being the observant, technically gifted, and slightly mischievous bunch that they are, decided this daily style statement should not go unrecorded. Hence, the invention of the GM’s Tie-o-Meter—a rotating card featuring a small spinning necktie pointer and five scientifically calibrated fashion categories:
- Tasteful Rainbow – Bold, but not classified as a distraction hazard
- Dull – Possibly a decoy. GM may be sneaking off to a high-level meeting. Or a funeral.
- Funeral – Plain black. Usually followed by polite concern from volunteers.
- Floral Abundance – As if his neck were hosting a Chelsea Flower Show.
- Sunglasses Please – Warning: Tie may cause temporary blindness in direct sunlight.
Each morning, the C&W team gathers at a safe distance to observe the GM’s arrival and update the Tie-o-Meter accordingly. It is now proudly mounted on the mess room wall next to the curry rota and the sacred tin of emergency bourbons.
To date, “Floral Abundance” leads with 23 recorded occurrences, though “Sunglasses Please” is catching up fast thanks to a recent orange number with turquoise paisley that was visible from Bodiam. We’ve yet to see “Christmas Catastrophe” or “Political Statement,” but we’re braced for both.
The GM, for his part, has taken it in good humour. He claims the Tie-o-Meter is “an important morale-boosting device” and has begun selecting his ties with strategic intent. We suspect a future tie might include a hologram.
In the meantime, we invite passengers, volunteers, and staff to drop by C&W and try a spin. No prizes—just eternal glory if you guess tomorrow’s category.
After all, at K&ESR we may run on steam, but it’s style that keeps us on track.
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| | | Kent & East Sussex RailwayTenterden Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HEwww.kesr.org.ukRegistered charity 262481 | | | | |
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