Press release -
Old railway station benches given new lease of life at Sussex charity site
The country’s largest train operator has given its old railway station benches a new lease of life at a care home for former newspaper industry workers.
Benches removed as part of Southern’s programme of continuous station improvements have found a new home at Old Ben in Seaford.
The wooden benches – which sport Southern’s green colour - were restored and taken to the sheltered accommodation estate on Tuesday, June 17 where its residents will be able to enjoy a rest and soak up the sun, just in time for summer.
Angela Farrant, housing manager at Old Ben Homes, said: “As a charity offering Sheltered Housing our priority is always keeping our properties well maintained and safe to enable our residents to live a long and happy life.
“This means having spare monies to purchase benches to put around our beautiful site is not always possible.
“Being able to socialise in the communal grounds is so important for our resident’s health and wellbeing which in turn helps them maintain an independent and healthy lifestyle.
“Our residents at Seaford regularly enjoy socialising in our grounds as a community so having these newly donated benches from Govia Thameslink Railway is very much welcome by all.
“Old Ben Homes staff, trustees and residents send their sincere thanks.”
The charity’s origins trace back to the early 19th century, where it was established by a group connected with the sale and distribution of newspapers – with Charles Dickens even serving as the organisation’s president in the 1850s.
It continues to provide sheltered homes for those who used to work in the retailing, wholesaling and distribution of the news trade.
Rovin Vaz, facilities manager at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “I’m really pleased that our station benches have found a new home in Seaford. I hope the residents and staff at Old Ben enjoy them.”
“We will continue to develop our relationship with communities and are committed to deliver more projects in the future.”
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Govia Thameslink Railway
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) operates Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express services as follows:
- Thameslink – cross-London services between Bedford/Peterborough/Cambridge and Brighton/Horsham/East Grinstead, and between Luton/St Albans and Sutton/Wimbledon/Rainham; plus services between London and Sevenoaks
- Great Northern – services between London and Welwyn, Hertford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King’s Lynn
- Southern – services between London and the Sussex coast (Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne, Bognor Regis, Hastings) and parts of Surrey, Kent and Hampshire (Ashford International, Southampton, Portsmouth)
- Gatwick Express – fast, non-stop direct services between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria
www.southernrailway.com, www.thameslinkrailway.com, www.gatwickexpress.com, www.greatnorthernrail.com
