​Horsham station full of festive cheer thanks to schoolchildren

Horsham schoolchildren have filled their local Southern station with Christmas cheer.

Youngsters from the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee School serenaded their families, station staff and rail users with carols yesterday morning [9 December].

The children, who have severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties or complex needs, also created numerous decorations for a giant Christmas tree next to the station’s ticket gates.

Class Teacher and Music Coordinator Rosie Huggett said: “The children were very excited to come along to the station to sing carols. It’s a great place for us to sing because of all the people coming through. We’re very grateful to Southern for hosting us.”

Grandfather John Milborrow, who proudly watched his granddaughter sing, said: “It’s a great idea to have the carol singing at the station; it creates such a lovely atmosphere. It’s a wonderful school.”

Rowena Tyler, Sussex Community Rail Partnership Line officer for the Arun Valley Line, has facilitated the school’s activities at the station. She said: “It’s marvellous to have the carols here. The tree was provided by the Aldingbourne Trust and Southern staff decorated it with decorations made by the schoolchildren. The staff at Horsham are so good and get so involved in community activities.”

Station Manager Sue Litterick added: “The singing has been so lovely. It’s brightened the day of people passing through the station. We have a wonderful rapport with the school and staff enjoy getting involved in the community activities.”

The jungle-themed piano was also decorated by Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee School, and it is played regularly by rail users.

Sussex Community Rail Partnership works to connect communities and the railway across Sussex, Kent and Surrey. For more information, visit https://www.sussexcrp.org/