Steam train networking event was success for Uckfield BNI
A business networking breakfast on board a Bluebell Railway steam train was hailed a great success yesterday.
The event, organised by Uckfield BNI, attracted more than 90 people who enjoyed silver service on the Golden Arrow Pullman dining train.
Chapter director Steve Bellamy, a mobile communications consultant, was delighted with the way it went. “Everybody I spoke to thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The sunny weather was a bonus,” he said.
On board the train were BNI members and guests. The aim was to get to know each other better and forge working relationships for the future.
Uckfield Mayor
Uckfield Mayor Cllr John Carvey arrived at 7am to join BNI networkers at their weekly meeting which was held at the Bluebell Railway’s Sheffield Park Station instead of their regular venue, the East Sussex National Golf Hotel and Spa.
There are 29 members and they include recent recruit, carpenter David Salvage, who said that when he joined three months ago he had just two days work lined up. He has reaped the benefits of referred business from other members and is now kept busy full-time.
Longest-standing member Alan Jackson, of Jackson Wealth Management, was also there. He has been committed to the chapter for 12 years.
Uckfield BNI members have measured £610,000 in referred business over the past six months and are on course to be the top chapter for referred business in the whole of Sussex.
The rail trip took the business passengers along the Bluebell Railway line from Sheffield Park to Kingscote and back again with stops en route at Horsted Keynes.
Two BNI members took up a BBC Radio Sussex quiz challenge while on board vying against each other to win on behalf of either East or West Sussex.
The contenders were David Byrne of David Haskoll insurance brokers, of Uckfield, and Mike Smith, of Keymer Double Glazing, at Burgess Hill. The winner for East Sussex was David Byrne.
Special treat
A special treat was a chance to step on to the Golden Arrow footplate and see the fire blazing in the locomotive.
BNI member Clive Soper showed colleagues around. He is a Bluebell Railway volunteer and can often be found stoking the fires on steam engines.
The Bluebell Railway, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, was able to do some fund-raising during the event. Travellers donated cash towards a fund which will help pay for an extension of the railway to the main line at East Grinstead.
Pictured above is Kirsty Edwards from Dawson Hart solicitors who took the opportunity of having a closer look at the Bluebell Railway's Golden Arrow locomotive during the networking event.
Lining up beside the locomotive are BNI members with Uckfield Mayor Cllr John Carvey. They are, from the left, David Byrne, Mike Smith, Steve Bellamy and Clive Soper. The engine driver is Russell Pearce.
Business people stretch their legs between stops as they enjoy an Uckfield BNI networking event at the Bluebell Railway.
Oneof Uckfield BNI's newest members David Salvage is pictured, left, with long-standing member Alan Jackson.
Above are more networkers on the Uckfield BNI Bluebell Railway trip.
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