Staff Mess Room
November 2008
Although technically this project started a couple of months prior to this date I was only able to capture the work in progress in November 2008.Since the railway began its new lease of life in preservation there has never been a designated staff refreshment/changing area with most members taking advantage of Alan Coe's extremely comfortable Stanier Coach.The office block next to the toilets at Shepherdswell was once used by a work training program but has remained in an untidy and unwelcoming state for years.The decision to renovate this building was not only to address this situation but to also to provide an administrative office and signing in facility for the EKR and to finally move out of the small portacabin on the platform in readiness for planned new developments here.
It goes without saying that Alan Coe has played a huge part in this renovation but he has been ably assisted by a whole raft of volunteers including Bob Field , Ron and Wilf and many others who I will include as soon as I gain full details.In the pictures below you will see the following :-
Top Left : Alan Coe applying a freshening coat of paint in what will be the new kitchen area - with a new suspended ceiling already in place
Top Right : The new office area being prepared for painting , flooring and furniture
Bottom : This will be the new seating and relaxing area for volunteers after no doubt many hours of great work at the railway
March 2009
Just 4 months later and the results are spectacular , the mess room has been completed, a new kitchen installed and all new office furniture in place.Compare the photos above to the photos below and I'm sure you will be amazed at the transformation.Now at last the EKR have an office to be proud of , the volunteers can make themselves a snack or cup of tea leaving the buffet staff free to concentrate on the railways number 1 priority - the visitors, and no doubt much good humoured banter will be passed in the seating area !!
Well done everyone
East Kent Railway
Registered Charity No. 1095790
Station Road, Shepherdswell, Dover, Kent, CT15 7PD
