insideKENT Magazine Issue 100 - August 2020 | Page 90

NEWS
STEAM TRAINS RETURN TO THE
KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY
A trial of the new Covid-protection
measures at the Kent & East Sussex
Railway, which saw dozens of railway
volunteers and members taking test
trips to make sure all the essential
Covid-10 protections were working,
proved a steaming success, leading
the way for the popular railway’s
summer reopening.
The railway’s general manager
Shaun Dewey explained: “The
season was due to start in April
2020, but the lockdown meant we
had no choice but to stay closed until
July. A great deal of planning and
work has gone into the reopening of
the Kent & East Sussex Railway, as
we want all our staff and customers
to both feel safe as well as be safe
when they travel with us. The trial
was an ideal test of the revised
procedures put in place; from online
advance booking, one way systems,
social distancing and cleaning
regimes which will all continue for
our services from our reopening
last month.”
Among those taking part in the trial
was Kevin Boorman, manager of
1066 Country Marketing who said:
“I was very impressed with all of the
special precautions that had been
taken to make the railway ‘Covid
compliant’, a lot of work had clearly
gone into this. It was great to see this
important visitor attraction open
again, supporting vital jobs both
directly and in the wider area. I do
hope that reopening the railway is
the success it deserves to be.”
Trains will now leave Tenterden
Town at 10:40 and 13:15 on
Saturdays and Sundays, with a return
journey taking approximately 1 hour
and 50 minutes.
Tables for a family of up to four in
the open-plan carriages will be
staggered to ensure social distancing,
whilst exclusive compartments for
family groups of up to eight people
are available in one of the railway’s
vintage carriages.
Face masks must be worn (these can
be bought at the station) and
bookings must be made online in
advance.
To book tickets and for additional
information about the railway visit
www.kesr.org.uk.
HEVER CASTLE AWARDED
WE’RE GOOD TO GO STANDARD
FOR COVID-19 REGULATIONS
Hever Castle has been awarded the
VisitEngland We’re Good to Go
industry standard, confirming it is
adhering to the Government’s
COVID-19 re-opening guidance.
We’re Good to Go status has been
awarded to Hever Castle & Gardens,
Hever Castle Venue &
Accommodation and Hever Castle
Golf & Wellbeing, with posters on
display throughout the Estate to
inform visitors.
VisitEngland, in partnership with
the other national tourist
organisations, launched the UKwide
industry standard and
consumer mark to provide a ‘ring of
confidence’ for tourism as sites across
the sector reopen.
To be awarded the mark businesses
have to demonstrate that they are
adhering to the respective
Government and public health
guidance, have carried out a
COVID-19 risk assessment and
checked that they have the required
processes in place.
Facilities open with additional
measures in place include; the Castle
& Gardens, outdoor plays areas,
Water Maze, golf courses, the luxury
5* bed and breakfast, and eateries
in both the gardens and the golf club.
Measures in place at Hever Castle
include pre-booked systems to restrict
visitor numbers, one way systems to
enable social distancing, additional
cleaning of facilities, the use of
Perspex shields, limiting capacities
in rooms and play areas, and a
cashless payment system (excluding
archery).
Hever Castle’s CEO Duncan Leslie
said: “We have been delighted to
welcome back visitors to Hever
Castle & Gardens. Staff have been
working tirelessly to put extra systems
in place to ensure visitors are able to
enjoy a lovely day out in the stunning grounds, a fabulous round of golf or a
luxury stay while feeling reassured that safety measures are rigorously adhered
to. So to have our compliance with these regulations recognised with an industry
standard is fantastic news.”
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