8 April 2013

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FORMER Imberhorne teacher Mike Hopps has designed a series of retro-style posters extolling the wonders of steam rail travel, and featuring East Grinstead and local beauty spots including the Ashdown Forest and Sheffield Park.

The heritage rail posters are printed to order and five pounds goes to the Bluebell Railway for every poster sold.

Mike, who came up with the designs as a way to make use of his photographs, has now seen one used on the cover of The Railway Magazine, and several of the designs are also available on postcards, tea towels and book marks from the Bluebell’s shop at Sheffield Park.

“I don’t know if East Grinstead ever had its own travel poster in the old style,” said Mike, “but it has now and I would be delighted for the town to benefit from it as well as the railway.

“I started my teaching career at Imberhorne School in 1971, met my wife there and have fond memories of the six years I spent running the workshops at Windmill Lane. Little did I think at the time I would be back to East Grinstead every week in retirement working on the railway!”

* To order one of Mike’s stunning posters featuring the Bluebell throughout the seasons check out the website at http://www.heritagerailposters.co.uk.

A selection is also available from the tourism desk at the town library in West Street.