Train-themed play sessions and birthday parties in Kent with Trainmaster

A company, which runs train-themed play sessions, events and private parties for children, is pulling into the county for the first time this month.

Trainmaster has been entirely built around children's love of trains.

The company was first started in Hampshire in 2018 by mum-of-three Chloe Cotton who wanted to give her train-obsessed boys somewhere sizeable to lay out their treasured train tracks and play.

During maternity leave with her third son in February 2018, the teacher set about hiring a hall and inviting friends to join her for a play session, bringing with her train tracks, ride on trains and refreshments for families.

The event was an unexpected huge success, she said, and her 'accidental business' Trainmaster was born.

She said: "I first sold it as a play session. I realistically thought it would be my kids and me in a hall. But we had inquires after inquiries. During nap times I would be replying."

Since then word of mouth and via social media has seen Trainmaster move into Berkshire, Wiltshire, Oxford, Sussex and now Kent - recruiting local mums in each area to run events on Chloe's behalf. Many of the parents, she says, are on maternity leave or at home with young children and are on the lookout for an income that can work around their families.

Following numerous requests Chloe has now decided to launch Trainmaster in Kent, with mum-of-two and primary school teacher Laura Wood, running sessions in the county.

Trainmaster Kent's first play sessions will be in Tunbridge Wells on Sunday, October 6 in Sunnyside Hall, followed by events in Gilingham on October 13 at Wigmore Scout Hall.

Tickets are £7 with discounts available for siblings and multiples. All sessions are fully inclusive and suitable for all ages.

Further sessions in both towns are scheduled for November and tickets are also on sale for a Christmas party in each location - in which children will come away with a personalised train bauble.

Chloe, who sources and collects second-hand train tracks and toys where she can, says herself and Laura have already received numerous inquiries about birthday parties in Kent - in which they will provide special invitations, a personalised helium balloon and bring the train tracks, ride-ons, fancy dress and crafts, with families needing to hire the hall and provide party food and party bags.

There are also big plans to regularly move around the county once initial sessions in Gillingham and Tunbridge Wells are up and running.

Chloe added: "We will try lots of different locations - hopefully every six weeks in a different Kent location."

Families can purchase tickets for events, or stay-up-to-date with other schedules sessions by following Trainmaster Kent's facebook page or alternatively visit the website www.kent.trainmaster.co.uk

• For more suggestions of things to do in Kent with the children please click here.