East Grinstead’s Southern Sheeting helps Bluebell railway station get ready for Santa

Staff from the supplier of specialist building materials, which is based in the town, have painted the surrounding picket fence green and cream.

The Bluebell Railway is famous for its steam locomotives and every December its Santa trains take families on a two-hour ride.

Children have the chance to meet Santa and get a present, while adults can enjoy a glass of punch.

Southern Sheeting’s managing director Tony Hobbs said: “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.”

He added: “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.”

The fence painting is not the only initiative that the company has undertaken this year. Every Christmas, Southern Sheeting offers a free turkey to all its staff. This year, seven employees gave theirs to Crawley Open House and in aid of Ukrainian refugees.

At East Park Riding for the Disabled (RDA) in Lingfield, the company awarded prizes and certificates to students from St Stephen’s School, South Godstone, at National RDA Championship and painted a viewing gallery of the indoor riding arena.

Southern Sheeting also helped rangers clear invasive plant species from Ashdown Forest and disassembled and rebuilt an exterior fence for Sunnyside Preschool in East Grinstead. They relocated the preschool’s mud kitchen and musical equipment to the new area too.

At Garden Army, a community interest farm in West Hoathly that supports people with health and wellbeing needs, Southern Sheeting built a fence for a new boar.

Last month, Southern Sheeting renewed its sponsorship of Ardingly Football Club for the second year running. This included a £1,000 donation, which the club used to fund a defibrillator last year and signing-on fees for new players.

The company has also sponsored East Grinstead football club for more than a decade.

Visit www.southernsheeting.co.uk or www.bluebell-railway.com/whats-on/santa-specials.