Volunteers from UK Power Networks Services spent a day helping to make improvements to the Kent and East Sussex Railway (KESR).

As part of a scheme that gives those working for UK Power Networks Services two days of paid volunteering leave a year, the team spruced up the former stationmaster’s cottage at Northiam.

This involved replacing rotten wood, repainting weathered exterior walls, and putting in gutters.

The volunteers also cleaned train windows, so that future visitors to the line will be able to enjoy the Kent and Sussex countryside views fully.

The railway has stated that it is keen to have more volunteers help out.

It is also currently working on restoring a steam locomotive and on extending the line to Robertsbridge.

The window cleaning has made a massive difference, giving passengers a clearer view out of the carriages. I could see the station name reflected in the glass, that’s how good it was.

They also worked on one of our historic railway worker cottages, which is an original station building from long ago. They painted it, put in guttering and replaced timber. It’s another job that we’ve wanted to do for a while.

We always want more volunteers to help with our work. We get so much done with lots of people, but we don’t have enough volunteers, so help like this is always appreciated.

Brian Richards, KESR infrastructure manager