Maidstone medway Magazine July issue

mmm Maidstone, Medway Magazine 18

mmm Maidstone, Medway Magazine Issue 18, July 2013 Complimentary

ON LOCATION Find out how Kent is playing a big role in modern cinema

NAOMI’S TRAVELS The star of ‘The Impossible’ has seen it all

ULTIMATE TRAVEL

Summer time is the holiday season after all

Win £250 to spend in Fremlin Walk

July 2013

n History n Food n Business n Entertainment n And much, much more

Marks & Spencers Spring Summer Collection 2013 www.marksandspencer.com

Roy Robson, Maidstone

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Welcome

It seems to have taken forever, but finally we've reached summer – thank goodness for that!

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Maidstone, Medway Magazine

We've had a very exciting month here at mmm, our competition with Hotel Chocolat proved hugely popular and we were inundated with entries. The lucky winner you can see pictured on this very page.

Now we're delighted to unveil our latest contest – giving you the chance to nab a £250 shopping spree in Maidstone's Fremlin Walk, complete with a personal shopping assistant...can you resist not taking part?

We're now in deepest summer sport season too – Wimbledon, the Henley Royal Regatta and Royal Ascot pulled in the crowds and the fashion, while, if you like your cricket, the Ashes stretches out before us.

Anyway, enjoy mmm this month and don't hesitate to get in touch with your feedback.

Rasa

Congratulations to Ms Paula Austen, who won May’s Hotel Chocolat Competition!

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mmm MMM Media Ltd White Cottage 13 Ashford Road Maidstone ME14 5DA Tel: 01622 299035 studio@mmm-media.com sales@mmm-media.com mmm-media.com Publisher Rasa Dregva Editor Tom White

Travel Editor Tricia Lester

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28 Summer Health

11 Naomi Watts

Find out how to keep healthy this summer, so you can enjoy the season to the max

The life and times of a Kent born star

18 Competition

35 Travel

Enter our competition to Win ÂŁ250 worth of fashion goodies by Fremlin Walk

Jet of to somewhere warm this summer, or visit the beauty that is the Northern Lights

19 Fashion

Get ready for summer this month and read our High Street style bible

46 Food

Creating delicious recipes are easy to do from home then you think, take a look at some of our recipes and see what you think.

Production Michael Pilcher

Design M S Rawley Oliver Theobald Sales Michael Rawley Accounts Kerry Head

Photography Gediminas Zilinskas

Further contribution Evelina Webster

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50 History

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A World War Two German bomber is found near the Kent coast

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55 Home

Some great tips and services for your home, whether it be interior or exterior improvements

70 Motors

This month take a look at the new BMW Z4 Roadster

74 Business

From local events and news, keep up to date with the residential entrepreneurs

79 Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie While the new hit film ‘World War Z’ was being filmed in Kent, a very famous couple came to town

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11 All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.

The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher. © MMM Media Ltd 2013

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The Tale of Naomi Watts Born in a sleepy Kent village, was raised in Australia and went on to dominate Hollywood in style.

When it comes to journeys to stardom, Naomi Watts’ rise through the ranks takes some beating.

In her 44 years, she was born and brought up in a sleepy Kent village, emigrated to Australia and then moved to the US where she would find fame in a string of blockbuster movies.

An Academy Award nomination earlier this year – for her emotional portrayal of a mother caught up in the Asian tsunami in ‘The Impossible’, following on a previous nomination for her role in the movie ‘21 Grams’– is unlikely to be the talented actress' last time on the Oscars' shortlist.

What's more, she will once again secure the headlines in September after her portrayal of Princess Diana hits the silver screen, some 16 years after the tragic accident. She hasn't put her family on hold for her career either – proud mother of two children, she is now one of Hollywood's best a

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known faces and increasingly, a stamp of quality on a film.

But then perhaps fame was always in her genes.

Born in Kent, she grew up in Shoreham, near Sevenoaks, until she was eight years old; her father already had experience of the limelight.

“My father worked as a sound engineer for Pink Floyd so there was a lot of that rock 'n' roll lifestyle; I hardly ever saw him”, explains Naomi.

Peter Watts' laugh features on two tracks by the group and the family – with Naomi in her mother's arms – are captured on a photograph as part of the Pink Floyd entourage in the autobiography of Nick Mason, the band's drummer.

He was an influential figure in the Floyd camp, creating the technology to allow the band's remarkable studio albums to work on the live stage.

Her father's lifestyle ultimately, however, proved incompatible with the lifestyle of a young family.

“My mother raised my brother Ben and me on her own because she split with my father when I was four,” Naomi explains.

“She had no money, so we lived with her parents and her sisters.

There are a lot of strong-willed matriarchs in my family. I'm the youngest woman and the shyest of them all.

“My mother had a series of bad boyfriends, and we moved around with them.

There was talk of my mother and father reuniting at one time, but he died when I was about nine and it freaked my mum out.

“I think she felt she couldn't bring us up alone and she passive-aggressively threatened my grandparents, saying she would send us to a foster home, so that they would take care of us, which they did.”

Her father had died at his flat in Notting Hill of a suspected heroin overdose. He was just 30.

Before this traumatic event in young Naomi's life she had found herself already infected by the intoxicating buzz of the stage.

Her mother, Myfanwy, had performed in a local amateur dramatics production of My Fair Lady in Shoreham. When little Naomi saw her mother portraying Eliza Doolittle she knew exactly what she wanted to be.

But her family life would keep her moving from place to place. After leaving Kent, she moved to stay with her grandparents in Wales It would have a profound impact on the young Naomi.

“Wherever we moved, I would adapt and pick up the regional accent. It's obviously significant now, my being an actress. Anyway, there was quite a lot of sadness in my childhood, but no lack of love. My mum is a very demonstrative, loving person, but she's had a really hard life.”

Myfanwy remarried when Naomi was just 10 – again to someone in the music industry, this time the singer in a band.

After a holiday in Australia, Myfanwy decided there were more opportunities for her and her family if they were to move – and so the family once again unrooted; this time to travel to the other side of the world.

But it was a significant move for them all. Myfanwy found work in the TV industry, working as a costume designer, while little Naomi started a new school and rediscovered her love of drama.

“My mother enrolled me into drama classes when I was about 14,” Naomi remembers, “I think it was just a way to shut me up.

I'd been going on about if for some time.” a

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Naomi swiftly started taking more advanced classes, and she became a regular at attending auditions.

It was while travelling back from one she started a friendship with another budding Australian actress – none other than Nicole Kidman.

After leaving school, and trying her hand at a number of regular jobs, she signed to a model agency at the age of 18.

After failing to establish herself, she finally landed an acting job and in 1986 appeared in her first film – For Love Alone.

The work then started flowing – with TV roles including a recurring part in Australian soap Home & Away.

After attending the premiere of her friend Nicole Kidman's ‘Dead Calm’ movie, she met the director who gave her a role in an upcoming movie and started to establish a reputation.

Eventually she would try her luck in Los Angeles – and attempt to make her big break through.

“When I came to America there was so much promise of good stuff and I thought, I've got it made here. I'm going to kick ass.

“Then I went back to Australia and did one or two more jobs. When I returned to Hollywood, all those people who'd been so encouraging before weren't interested.

“You take all their flattery seriously when you don't know any better. I basically had to start all over again. I get offered some things without auditioning today, but back then they wouldn't even fax me the pages of a script because it was too much of an inconvenience. It was humiliating.”

The next few years would prove difficult. The break through never seemed to come and only encouragement from Nicole Kidman convinced her to stay and not pack her bags and head back to Australia.

Finally, in 1999, after a string of roles in minor movies and TV shows, her a

life would change forever when legendary director David Lynch cast her in Mulholland Drive.

Lynch said of his decision: “I saw someone that I felt had a tremendous talent, and I saw someone who had a beautiful soul, an intelligence possibilities for a lot of different roles, so it was a beautiful full package.”

Critically acclaimed on its release in 2001, Naomi started picking up award nominations and ultimately the gongs themselves.

Since then she went to star in a host of movies including The Ring, King Kong, 21 Grams – which earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress – and The Impossible, which saw her once again in the running for an Oscar.

The days of struggle a long way behind her now, as she has her pick of the leading roles.

Unsurprisingly, given her looks, she has created headlines with her romances too. For nearly two years she dated Heath Ledger, the tragic actor who died shortly after his critically acclaimed portrayal of the Joker in Batman movie The Dark Knight.

But since 2005 she has been with Liev Schreiber – best known for his role in the Scream movies.

The couple had their first child – a boy called Alexander 'Sasha' Pete in July 2007 and their second, Samuel 'Sammy' Kai, a little over a year later.

The two have not ruled out having a third.

For now, though, Naomi can reflect on a remarkable life full of highs and lows – and one which suggests there are still plenty of highs still to come. mmm

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mmm fashion

n Prepare yourself for the summer holiday season with our guide to look great

n Whether it’s shorts or sunglasses, we ensure you are in the latest High Street fashion

To promote your business call 01622 299035 or e-mail sales@mmm-media.com

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Will you be mole watching this summer?

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With the onset of our long awaited summer we will be wearing a little less and many people will be taking note of the state of their skin. You might notice something different. Has that mole changed since last year? Do you remember when that red mark appeared?

Should we be worried about skin cancer?

Year by year, as we mature, changes occur to our skin and various lesions or blemishes may appear or change. The majority of these are harmless. However over 100,000¹ people in the UK will be diagnosed with a new skin cancer this year, including at least 12,000¹ with malignant melanoma, the most serious form of common skin cancer.

The incidence of malignant melanoma is increasing faster than any other cancer and is currently responsible for around 2,200¹ deaths per year in the UK. Most skin cancers are curable if caught early and hence the British Association or Dermatologists’ 2013 Be Sun Aware Campaign focuses on both prevention and early detection.

Be Sun Aware We now recognise that most skin cancers are caused by the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun which damages the DNA or genetic code in the skin cells. This may subsequently cause them to start proliferating uncontrollably often many years later. Dr Saul Halpern, consultant dermatologist at the Spire Alexandra Hospital advises “To reduce the risk of developing skin cancer, try to ensure that you stay in the shade as much as possible, particularly in the middle of the day, between 11am and 3pm. If it is sunny use a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30, keep your shirt on and wear a wide brimmed hat to protect the head and neck. Make sure that children don’t burn as their skin is more sensitive. Above all

be sensible; a little sun makes us generally feel better and keeps your bones strong by generating vitamin D. Don’t forget that sun exposure and use of sunbeds, together with smoking, are the main cause of wrinkles and ageing of the skin”. The British Association of Dermatologists in partnership with the Met Office has produced the World UV app which gives free daily UV forecasts for over 10,000 locations worldwide.

What to watch for The commonest type of skin cancer is the Basal Cell Carcinoma, which tends to be a slow growing pink or flesh coloured patch or lump which may keep breaking down and won’t heal. Squamous carcinomas are faster growing lumps, whilst most malignant melanomas are darkly coloured and look different to other moles on the body.

For melanoma there is a helpful ABCDE guide Asymmetry - The two halves may differ in shape or colour Border - The edges may be irregular or have notches Colour - The colouring may be uneven with mixtures of shades of black, brown or pink

Diameter - Most melanomas are bigger than other moles, at least 6mm in size.

Expert - If in doubt, check it out! See your GP and if necessary, ask to be referred to a dermatologist, the most expert person to diagnose skin cancer.

Spire Alexandra Hospital in Walderslade offers a comprehensive range of private hospital services to patients throughout the South East of England, particularly Medway and the surrounding areas.

All of our consultants are GMC registered and the level of expertise on hand offers you peace of mind and guarantees that every stage of your treatment will be handled with excellent clinical practice.

If you have any concerns and would like to make an appointment with one of our consultant dermatologists, simply call us on 01634 662866.

Our services are open to everyone – whether you are insured or not.

Patients can choose their consultant who will be with them every step of the way

For further information, please call 01634 662866 ‘The content of this article is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the professional medical advice of your doctor or other health care professional’ http://www.bad.org.uk/site/715/default.aspx

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Les Miserables at the Dockyard Chatham Dockyard has become the untold star of many motion pictures. When filming Les Miserables, the longest running musical of all time and now a very successful movie, the crew needed a truly special setting. But they aren’t the first of cinema’s finest to visit this historical location...

THERE have been few theatre shows which have made such a seamless transition to the big screen than Les Miserables.

A long-running hit West End show, and the world's longest running musical, itself based on a 19th century book by Victor Hugo. A blend of revolutionary France, one man's redemption and a love story, continues to intoxicate audiences.

So when Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper found himself at the helm of the production – fresh from his enormous success with the King's Speech – the pressure was on to deliver to a huge ready-made audience.

The question was could they match the sky-high expectation?

After its release in January it secured three Academy Awards and

grossed millions at the box office – and boosted that again in May when it was released on DVD and Blu-Ray. The critics may not have been unanimous in their praise – there were plenty of raised eye-brows over Russell Crowe's singing – but overall it won the seal of critical approval needed to ensure the audiences kept coming – just like a

the musical had done before it.

But what many will not be aware of is the huge role Medway played in the creation of the film.

It provided the single biggest on-location set as the film crew and the movie's biggest stars descended on the Historic Dockyard Chatham to take advantage of is historic backdrops.

It was transformed into the streets of Montreuil-sur-Mer while the Ropery became the police station of Russell Crowe – the relentless Inspector Javert.

Meanwhile Anne Hathaway

performed scenes at the Tarred Yawn Store which was used as the factory, while the Cockloft was the location of a tense fight at the hospital between the two main protagonists – Crowe and Hugh Jackman.

But it wasn't just the location which got a starring role.

Prior to the crew arriving, there were public auditions held to become an extra in the film with thousands turning up wanting to be part of the production.

In fact so many turned up for the open auditions – film producers

needed French peasants for the crowd scenes – many had to be turned away, while casting chiefs declared it the biggest turn-out they had ever seen for a movie.

Wayne Berko, from Universal Extras which co-ordinated the auditions said: “This was by far the largest number of people we have ever seen to turn up for an audition.

“We just couldn’t believe the sheer volume of people and we do apologise to all those that didn’t get in to see us.

“This agency has done some major castings for some huge films, but we a

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have never seen so many people like this.

“The people of Medway were so enthusiastic. At one point, we could hear them singing Les Mis songs in the queue. It was such a great atmosphere, but sadly we just could not get everyone in.”

Some were left for up to five hours in the cold as they queued.

But for those who did make it into the film, the waiting was all worthwhile.

Hannah Stokes said: “It was worth all the waiting. To be part of such a major production and to appear on the screen with such famous names was the chance of a lifetime.”

For the few who have never seen the movie or stage show, Les Miserables follows the fortunes of Jean Valjean who finds himself down on his luck before human kindness puts his life back on the rails.

Relentlessly pursued by prison guard Javert after serving time, the two become embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Valjean finds himself knitted into the life of Fantina and her daughter and ultimately caught up with the actions of French revolutionaries.

But, as ever with musicals, it is the songs which pack the biggest punch and carry the film.

Perhaps the film's most famous refrain is I Dreamed a Dream.

During filming, all the actors sang live. to The dockyard is far from a stranger the big screen, with it becoming an increasingly popular spot for location filming. It has appeared in the Golden Compass, featuring Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman, and both the Sherlock Holmes movies featuring Robert Downey Jnr and Jude Law. In addition it has been used by the Muppets and the popular BBC TV Call the Midwife and the corporation's 2007 adaptation of Oliver Twist. A fitting location as Charles Dickens used to frequently visit the dockyard in his youth as his father worked there. mmm

mmm travel

n Visit one of Mother Nature’s most breathtaking spectacles, the Northern Lights

n We guide you through the Greek Isles, one of the warmest places to be this summer Sponsored by

To promote your business call 01622 299035 or e-mail sales@mmm-media.com

Kirsty Keeling-Jones Branch Manager Baldwins Travel Agency Maidstone 01622 762141 When booking a holiday, here are a few tips to consider, from your Local Award Winning Travel Agency BEFORE you fly‌ Check in online or by mobile You can check in online 24 hours in advance of your flight on most airlines websites.

Boarding pass direct to your mobile Many airlines offer a free app where you can download your boarding pass directly to your smartphone. The mobile boarding pass can be used just like a paper ticket at security, in the lounges or when boarding the aircraft.

Download it from your app store.

Travel health advice Our team at Baldwins Travel (incorporating Sevenoaks Travel) can help with travel health advice or for details you can visit: www.masta-travel-health.com Currency Declaration Under EU Law, if you are carrying 10,000 Euros or more, or the equivalent in another currency, and travelling directly to or from a non-EU country, you must complete a cash declaration form at Customs (available at airports within the EU).

Baldwins Travel offers a foreign currency service in all 5 branches, and our rates are very competitive!

The Greek Isles Discover what is drawing our Carrier clients back to this Mediterranean classic. Ever since Byron carved his name on Cape Sounion’s Doric columns and Gerard Durrell was bewitched by the lush hillsides of Corfu, as a nation we have had an enduring love affair with Greece. Our passion may have waivered in recent years; however Greece is back on our shortlist for 2013. Rather than responding to mass market demands for beach bargains, Greece has done the opposite. Along with rural tourism, luxury hotels are on the increase, such as Amanzo’e, which opened on the Peloponnese last July.

Several museums are slated to open in 2013 and enogastronomic tourism is flourishing. a

Weather

Historical Discoveries

Island Hopping

Summers are hot and sunny, with temperatures soaring into the late 30s during July and August. Benefitting from coastal breezes, islands are several degrees cooler. Spring and autumn are popular times to visit, with typically eight hours sunshine a day and temperatures around 20C. Crete offers the longest beach season from mid-April until early November.

You are never far from reminders of Greece’s antique heritage. Ancient Athens, Agamemnon’s kingdom at Mycenae and the gymnasium of Olympia are ‘must sees’ on the mainland. On the islands you will find the birthplace of Apollo at Delos (near Mykonos) and Crete’s Minoan palace at Knossos. The smaller discoveries you make along the way are equally impressive – from the well-preserved Nestor’s Palace on the Costa Navarino to the Italianate palazzi of Nafplio on the Peloponnese.

Day trips from Athens are popular; a good choice is picturesque Hydra where donkeys follow cobbled streets down to the harbour. Volcanic Santorini with its blue-domed churches, the windmills of Venetian Mykonos and the Minoan palaces of Crete make the perfect three-centre trip.

Island bases are also good to explore from. Zakynthos is the perfect springboard to visit Kefalonia, setting for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. a

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Culinary Highlights

Greek cuisine is varied, boasting mountain cheeses, delicious pastries, abundant fish dishes and herb-roasted meats. A hot spot for this summer is Santorini which celebrates its Year of Gastronomy. Expect wine tastings and culinary demonstrations to savour its 40 grape varieties and local produce including capers, fava beans and white aubergines.

Where to Stay Family choices include Porto Zante on Zakythnos where villa living is combined with the services of a five star hotel and the all-suite and villa property of Domes of Elounda, Crete with its excellent beach club.

Couples may prefer the spectacular Mystique, built into Santorini’s cliff face, the seclusion of Amanzo’e whose pool suites blend into the Peloponnese countryside or the privacy of the infinity-edge pool suites at The Romanos, A Luxury Collection Resort. mmm

Adventure North and Witness Aurora Borealis

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You can see photographs of it; you can watch videos of it on the internet but until you’ve stood beneath and witnessed a display of the spectral Northern Lights, you can’t fully appreciate its allure. It’s at the top of people’s ‘bucket lists’ for good reason.

The lights are created when highly-charged solar particles mingle with the atoms and molecules in the Earth’s upper atmosphere causing reactions to take place and thus creating what we see as lights. The science is far less charming than the myths that the Viking’s, Inuit or Sámi people would use to explain the lights’ appearance.

As a natural phenomenon, and due to numerous secondary criteria, the lights can rarely be forecast accurately. It’s

recommended though that you travel to the Arctic Circle (somewhere between the 60th and 70th parallel) between October and March, find somewhere free of urban light pollution and then wait.

The lights aren’t seasonal. They’re up there all year round, but to see them you need the sky to be pitch black (hence the need to travel in the late Autumn to Winter months).

You’ll need the sky to be cloud free.

And even then, you’ll need to have a little bit of luck.

But luck will be on your side this winter because the Earth is currently experiencing something known as the solar maximum. This is the 12-year peak of the Sun’s solar cycle. Whilst the lights will still be up there in the coming years,

this winter’s lights are due to be the most spectacular.

So, if you’re looking to get far from artificial light, way above the Arctic Circle this winter, a voyage with Hurtigruten is just the ticket. Since 1893, Hurtigruten has called the Norwegian coast its home.

Nowadays, its 11-strong fleet ply this iconic coastline between Bergen in the south and Kirkenes way up next to the Russian border. Primarily in existence to serve as a transportation and freight link for Norway’s coastal communities, it seamlessly a

operates all of this whilst catering to the needs of holidaymakers from around the world.

And this is one of the truly charming aspects of a Hurtigruten voyage.

From Bergen to Kirkenes, you will stop 34 times in total, sometimes in ports and towns that are home to fewer than 1000 people. You will be getting closer to the scenery, culture and people of Norway than you could on any other Norway voyage.

Winter is an extra special time to explore this wonderful country.

Whilst it’s not dark ALL the time (as the myths suggest), the sun rarely breaks the horizon above the Arctic Circle. This creates some incredible hues on the mountain-sides and in the sky, something entirely different from the Northern Lights. On board, guests are encouraged to take part in its ‘Hunting The Light’ programme. This includes a series of lectures and presentations, as well as activities out on deck. The term “Hunting the Light” originates from one of the captains. He had observed guests out on deck chasing the most magical of all natural phenomena, the Northern Lights. “Hunting the Light” is a signature of Hurtigruten’s winter voyages, hunting and experiencing the many and beautiful types of light visible during the winter months.

As optional extras, Hurtigruten also offer guests a fantastic choice of winter shore excursions including husky sledging, snowmobiling and city tours. Just imagine snowmobiling at night through the virginal Norwegian landscape beneath the breath-taking Northern Lights!

Back on board, you will find locally-sourced Norwegian food in the ships’ restaurants, and yes, seafood makes regular appearances. Sailing up over the a

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a North Cape, you’ll experience the

North Cape buffet complete with succulent King Crab, lobster and langoustines. After your evening meal, you may wish to spend some time relaxing with your fellow passengers in the bar. Our ships are all fully stocked with local beers (especially from the world’s northern most brewer, the Mack Brewery), wines and spirits.

Those brave enough can guard themselves from the cold with a warming nip of Aquavit, Norway’s ‘water of life’. And don’t worry about missing the Lights by staying indoors. Should they make an appearance, a message will be played on the ship’s PA system to alert you. It’s best to keep your boots and coats on just in case!

So for a truly memorable holiday in search of the Northern Lights, a Hurtigruten voyage is certainly the answer. mmm Contact Baldwins Travel for further details on 01622 762141

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FOOD

Confit of salmon with asparagus and beetroot Ingredients For the salmon 4 x 100gr salmon fillet 25g salt 25g sugar 25g white peppercorns 500ml olive oil

Recipe by Eastwell Manor Ashford

Garnish 50g cooked asparagus spears 50g cooked baby beetroot 10g red radish, sliced 1 slice of peeled cucumber Several sprigs of dill 25ml lemon oil

Method Cure the salmon by placing the 4 fillets of salmon into a small bowl and mix with the salt and pepper; marinade for 15-20 minutes. Wash under running water.

To confit the salmon; heat the olive oil to 60 C, drop in the four pieces of salmon and cook for approximately 15 minutes at 40 C. o

o

Serve by arranging the cooked asparagus, cooked baby beetroot, cucumber and radish slice in the centre of the plates; place on the confit salmon pieces.

Drizzle the lemon oil around. Arrange a few sprigs of dill.

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Thai spiced fish cakes with sweet chilli and lime dressing

Recipe by The Hythe Bay Seafood Restaurant

Ingredients For the fish cakes 500g/1lb 2oz fish fillets: cod, Pollock and coley ½ red pepper, chopped 2 red chillies, chopped

Method Cut the fish into small pieces. Then mix with the rest of the ingredients and blend into a smooth paste in a food processor.

Chill in a refrigerator for at least 3 hours.

Shape the chilled paste into small burgers; carefully place the fish burgers into a preheated frying pan, in batches; the oil should reach halfway up the sides of the burgers. Fry until crisp and brown, turning once during cooking. Remove from the oil and place on kitchen paper.

Chilli dressing 3 fresh red chillies, deseeded 1 red pepper, finely chopped 10 tablespoons olive oil 3½ tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 small bunch fresh coriander, picked and finely chopped Sea salt Freshly ground black pepper Method Finely chop the flesh of the chillies. Put in a mixing bowl, add the red pepper oil, lime juice and coriander, and mix well.

Season to taste.

1 tbsp coriander 4 spring onions, chopped 1 cloves garlic, chopped 1 stalk lemongrass, chopped 1 tbsp fish sauce 1 tbsp light soy sauce

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FOOD mmm chosen recipes from your local restaurants

Pasta Frola

Recipe by Buenos Aires Maidstone

Pasta Frola is, like many classic Argentinean recipes, Italian in origin. In Italy, the short-bread like dough (pasta frolla) is used in a variety of cakes and cookies; in Argentina it refers specifically to a cake with this crust, filled with quince jam or quince paste Ingredients 1 cup flour 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda

Method Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Butter and flour your pan-this recipe makes enough for a small square or rectangular pan.

Mix together the flour, sugar, baking soda and baking powder. Cut the butter in, mixing between your fingers to incorporate the flour mixture and the butter.

Keep mixing until it's uniform and resembles coarse sand.

Add the egg and 2 tablespoons of the milk and mix together until you get a ball of dough that is uniform. It should not be too dry (crumbling apart) and should not be sticky.

Roll out the dough onto a floured surface. The dough should be about

half an inch think. Cut the dough and put it in to the pan. It should cover the bottom and go up on the sides only a little bit. Pat the dough down around the edges with the back of your fingers.

Take a few spoonfuls of quince jam and spread it over the dough in the pan. If using quince paste, you may need to add some warm water to soften the paste texture.

Roll out the dough scraps and cut into strips with a pastry cutter or knife.

Lay across the top of the jam and dough in a lattice (criss-cross) pattern.

Pop into the oven for a very short time-only about 20 minutes. It should be slightly browned on the top.

1/2 stick butter, softened 1 egg 2-3 tablespoons of milk quince paste or quince jam (or the jam of your choice)

Pad Thai

RESTAURANT

A Unique Experience At West Malling

T: 01732 870 000 www.pad-thai.co.uk manta@pad-thai.co.uk 15 HIGH STREET, WEST MALLING, KENT ME19 6QH

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Lifted from the Deep After 70 Years

O

N a bright yet chilly June evening, months of careful planning and weeks of frustration came to a tense conclusion.

Almost three miles off the Kent coast, close to the world's busiest shipping lane, a quite remarkable recovery was being completed.

When the giant crane mounted on the floating platform lifted its precious cargo clear of the water, it revealed the remains of a plane which had not felt the sun for more than 70 years.

It had been on the morning of August 26, 1940, that the plane – a Dornier 17 bomber – took off from an airfield in German occupied Belgium.

The Dornier had been designed as a speedy passenger plane, but as war broke out it was swiftly converted to form a key part of the German Luftwaffe.

On that day 73 years ago it was one of nine which set off with strategic targets in Kent in its sights – among them Manston in Thanet – then an RAF fighter base.

But as they came over land they were intercepted by RAF fighters.

The Dornier 17 recovered last month was hit by machine gun fire as it flew somewhere above Herne Bay. It limped on and attempted to cross the Channel and back to the relative safety of the Continent. a

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a But after attempting a controlled

landing close to the shallows of the Goodwin Sands, off the coast of Deal, it flipped over onto its back and sank.

Two of the four men crew would die – either through the injuries caused by the crash, or by drowning. Their bodies washed up on beaches in England and Holland. Both would be buried in war cemeteries.

But the two other crew – including the 24-year-old pilot, survived and were rescued by the British. They would see out the war in prisoner of war camps. Both survived the war, although attempts to track down their relatives have so far proved unfruitful.

The plane would sink beneath the waves and settle on the sandy sea bed, another victim of the Battle of Britain aerial battle which raged above the skies of Kent and formed such a vital part of the resistance against the might of the German

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forces gathering on mainland Europe.

Few, if any, however, could ever imagine that the story of that particular plane would continue to live on.

But when, decades later, shifting sands revealed its remains it had become what is believed to be the last example of its kind in the world.

When scans of the sea-bed were conducted, it clearly revealed the outline of the plane – remarkably still mostly intact.

And once that was established, the seeds of recovery were sown.

Enter the RAF Museum – established to tell the story of the Royal Air Force through the years and ensure generations to come were aware of its remarkable history and role in Britain's armed combat.

It has two public sites – one in Cosford, Shropshire in the West Midlands, where the Dornier 17 was taken days after being recovered.

As it was brought ashore and taken into Ramsgate harbour it was then escorted by road to Cosford, where it will spend years – possibly as many as five, being painstakingly restored and protected.

Ultimately, it will go on public display at its site in Colindale, north London – ironically a city it played a key role in attacking and destroying during the Second World War. Peter Dye is director general of the RAF Museum. He said: “This incredibly complex and delicate operation was made possible by a dedicated team of museum staff, partners and associates who gave their time, money or knowledge to help us achieve this goal.

“We would like to thank all those involved.

“Conserving the Dornier is a huge engineering challenge. Constructed of aluminium it is very sensitive to corrosion.

“Few aluminium artefacts have been successfully recovered from a

54 mmm

a the sea and so we are working with

Imperial College London to develop innovative new methods to prevent the corrosion which began as soon as the Dornier was lifted from the Channel.”

“We hope to raise £250,000 from individuals in order to help support this conservation and so save this hugely significant aircraft”.

It is estimated the recovery – which had been delayed on a number of occasions by winds off the coast making the sea choppy and likely to damage the plane if any recovery was attempted – ended up costing close to £600,000.

Certainly at one stage it was feared the project would simply run out of money and be forced to be called off.

Yet just as hopes were beginning to fade, the weather relented and it came to the surface.

Remarkably the plane came up mostly intact.

Some parts fell as it was lifted – all of which were recovered by divers.

The salvage operation ultimately proved a huge success – and should have generated sufficient interest to secure a future for a truly remarkable aircraft. mmm

mmm home

n We give you the complete guide to all areas of the home, whether it be bathroom or the living room n Two beautiful featured homes to inspire you in your search for a new property

To promote your business call 01622 299035 or e-mail sales@mmm-media.com

Summer Styles

56 mmm

Shabby Chic Bedroom, House of Fraser

Buddha lamp, £40 Next

Patchwork cushion, £25 Next

Colo ur £75 field Ru g, M Spe arks & ncer s

Grey Glitter towel, from £3.50 Debenhams

Classic Ceramic Mirror, £49.50 Marks & Spencers

Sandstone Bathroom Accessories, from £10 Dunnes Stores

Knot doorstop, £12 Next Vintage Station Wall Clock, £39.50 Marks & Spencers

Oak Chopping Board set, £40 Debenhams

Newark Table and Chairs, £1395 Furniture Village

Polka dot cake tins, £25 Debenhams

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The complete kitchen service... ...from a hinge to a complete makeover 100’s of Worktops | 1,000’s of Doors

door replacement | made to measure service | worktops appliances | sinks and taps | drawer replacement improved storage and access solutions door refurbishment service | instant hot water taps fitted The Kitchen Doctor’s bespoke service supplies and fits a comprehensive range of components to give your kitchen a new lease of life.

01689 850000 www.thekitchendoctor.com chris@thekitchendoctor.com Serving London and the South-East since 1984

BEDROOM DOORS made to measure in a variety of styles and colours

Chart House,Dencora Way, Ashford,Kent, TN23 4FH

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OPEN: Monday-Friday 8.30am-5.00pm, Saturday 8.30am-12.00 Noon

58 mmm

Tel - 01634 720411

- Looks great all season - No more muddy feet or paws - No Watering or feeding - High UV resistance - No more mowing - Children friendly - Pet friendly

Unit 8 Ballard Business Park Cuxton Road, Strood Kent, ME2 2NY www.artificiallawncentre.co.uk

Open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 9am-1pm

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www.morrisandturner.co.uk

info@morrisandturner.co.uk

‘‘A family run business now in our 42nd year of supplying quality bathrooms, showers and fireplaces to the trade and public.

We are now nearing completion of the complete refurbishment of our extensive showrooms at Third Avenue, Chatham, with the addition of a new department dedicated to special needs in the bathroom.

A new easy access is under construction and soon to be completed.’’

Morris & Turner Bathroom & Fireplace Warehouse Ltd Third Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME5 0AD Telephone: 01634 813813

Dockside Chatham First floor next to escalator Open: Mon-Wed & Sat 10-6pm Thur & Fri 10-7pm Sun 11-5pm Telephone: 01634 891524

L

Bespoke new home for downsizers at Mayfield Grange

YN and Paul Topley knew exactly what they were looking for when they decided to downsize from their family home – the couple wanted a home that offered lots of space, excellent views and an easy commute into London.

Lyn, 61, spent her time researching properties in the greater West and East Sussex area, looking for a home that felt comfortable and homely. Once their family home was on the market, Lyn’s search turned to frustration until she came across Mayfield Grang, near Mayfield village in East Sussex.

“We hadn’t really intended to visit Mayfield Grange, but with property you tend to go with your heart and that’s what we did. We drove into Mayfield Grange with high hopes and found it to be a serene setting

that instantly appealed to us,” comments Lyn. At the time, Lyn and Paul were interested in the conversion apartments in the historic Great Hall and were drawn to the unique character of the building and the homes inside. Although extremely impressed by the location and the specification of these conversion apartments, the couple still wanted a third bedroom, outdoor space and an open-plan living area, so they had a look around the other newbuild properties available on the site.

Mayfield Grange is best known for its unique historic buildings dating back to 1865. Approached along a sweeping drive, the site is home to a Grade II listed former boys’ college, the Great Hall, and a period Chapel with restored Gothic features

including intricate carved stone work, stunning stained glass windows and the original frescos.

These buildings lend the site a sense of grandeur befitting a luxurious country estate.

The development is made complete with a collection of newbuild houses and apartments designed to complement the Great Hall and the Chapel, creating a unique collection of homes, steeped in history yet perfect for 1st century living.

Lyn continues: “We looked around the new-build apartments in Priory Court and they felt like the perfect fit. And, when it came to securing our home we chose one on the first floor of the second block.

At the time, only the foundation had been laid

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layout we wanted. We had already seen the high quality of the completed buildings, so we were confident Weston Homes would give us a home we’d love.”

The lovely countryside setting of Mayfield Grange with green fields stretching out into the distance provides excellent views and from their three private balconies the couple enjoy looking out over the on-site cricket pitch and gardens.

South-facing with an open-plan layout and enough rooms to have one spare for their daughter when she visits, the couple love everything about their home.

Lyn comments: “What’s not to love about Mayfield Grange?

The site is well managed, well designed and peaceful. Our home is comfortable and exactly what we wanted since we were fortunate enough to be involved in the design of the layout.

Although we’re downsizers, we’ve even managed to move up in terms of specification because we now have more bathrooms than in our old home!”

and we bought the property off-plan. Some people may see this as risky, but for us it was a great opportunity to create a bespoke home with the exact

Lyn will soon start volunteering in the nearby Mayfield village at a local charity shop, while Paul commutes daily into central London, where he works as a patents attorney. “Paul’s daily journey from nearby Wadhurst station to London is an hour, which is definitely worth it considering it means we get to live in a place as lovely as Mayfield Grange. On weekends I enjoy going into the village that has everything we need for day-to-day life, while Paul joins his cycle club who’ve been riding together for almost 20 years,” adds Lyn. Mayfield Grange is located just four miles from Wadhurst station and three miles from Crowborough station, both of which allow travel to London within an hour. It is also excellently located for international travel with Gatwick Airport just 20 miles away. Road access provides easy connections to the M26, M20 and M25 via the A26 and A21.

Prices for currently available properties start from £325,000.

For more information, please contact the sales and marketing suite on 01435 874 837 or visit www.weston-homes.co.uk/ mayfieldgrange.

Summer Collection by Marks & Spencers

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Kitchens of distinction

by Guy Hamilton

Free no obligation home consultation and design Full installation service including building works Superior quality at surprisingly low prices

Warmlake Business Estate Maidstone Road, Sutton Valence ME17 3LQ www.hamiltonkitchens.co.uk Tel: 01622 844897

Call now for a free estimate or expert advice on all aspects of flooring. Now trading over 50 years 14-16 High Street, West Malling • FREEPHONE 0800 032 8967 45-57 High Street, Swanley • FREEPHONE 0800 032 8966 Web • k2flooring@live.co.uk Email • http://www.k2flooring.co.uk

Imagine a conservatory you can use comfortably all year round

A trading division of Kevin Karpets LTD. (EST. 1961)

IS YOUR CONSERVATORY . . . v Too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter? v Roof leaking or noisy when it rains? v Being used as a storage area, not a living area?

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN ‘REFURBISH YOUR CONSERVATORY’ TO HELP CREATE AN ENERGY EFFICIENT LIVING SPACE? Fairdeal Windows Ltd are Kent’s only approved installer of ‘Refurbish My Conservatory’ specialist and exclusive products This is one of the most cost effective ways to revive your tired old conservatory We can offer the following three options Replace the roof only Replace the roof, windows and doors Replace the entire conservatory

KENT’S ONLY INSTALLER OF

Unit K Orchard Business Centre 20/20 Industrial Estate Aylesford Kent ME16 0JZ www.fairdealwindows.co.uk 01622 683332

The cost-effective way to revive your tired conservatory

Customer Testimonial ‘We were delighted with the service and work carried out on our property recently. We would recommend your company to anyone wanting any of the services that go with double glazing and if in the future we require any further work we will of course contact your company. The fitters who replaced our conservatory roof were efficient, clean, tidy and very polite. We cannot praise them or the service your company provided too highly. Our conservatory has been transformed into a second sitting room, complete with comfortable furniture, it’s lovely to just sit and read, no longer a junk room. Thank you once again.’

Mr & Mrs Henley, Snodland, Kent

64 mmm

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66 mmm

The property that has EVERYTHING!

An outstanding Grade II listed detached converted period barn situated in a wonderful setting within grounds of approximately 4.25 acres

T

HE Spout is situated in a quite stunning rural setting on the outskirts of Leeds village with magnificent views out over the surrounding countryside. Bearsted is about two miles distance where there are local shopping village amenities together with a mainline station. The county town is about five miles distance, offering a wide range of shopping, educational and social facilities. There is convenient access to the M20 motorway at Junction 8, providing fast travel to London and the Kent coastline.

The property has been converted to an extremely high specification and provides approximately 7,000 sq. ft. of luxury living accommodation.

On the ground floor the house has a solid oak arched entrance door opening to a reception hall, billiard room and drawing room. There is a reception hall, billiard room, drawing a

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room, bar room, playroom, utility room, kitchen/breakfast room and a garden room.

On the first floor there is a reception landing with six bedrooms.

The property is approached from Caring Lane through double electric gates, which lead to a detached double garage and office.

Bordering the house is a

magnificent slate terrace edged with glass panels leading down to sweeping lawns to the south and east of the house. The lawns slope down to an attractive pond and are interspersed with a large variety of ornamental trees and shrubs. There are well stocked herbaceous beds and well screened boundaries. The gardens continue on to an area of

Offers in the region of £1,550,000 INVITED FOR THE FREEHOLD

paddock and an all-weather tennis court.

Viewing is strictly by arrangement with the Agent’s Head Office: Page & Wells 52/54 King Street Maidstone Kent, ME14 1DB Tel: 01622 756703

68 mmm

Intriguing, unique and durable wooden Outdoor Retreats to suit all occasions

• Built from timber sourced only from sustainable FSC approved forests

00

• Solid Oak Tables, Benches and Chairs

,8

• Smoking Shelters, BBQ, Patio, Jacuzzi and Poolside Areas

£3

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,8

,8

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Visit us at the County Show 12th-14th July

• Planning permission not required • Minimum disruption and built in a day!

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01622 756822 / 07946 135441 mail@therusticcompany.com www.therusticcompany.com

mmm 69

70 mmm

MOTORS

BMW

Updated Z4 Roadster BMW has unleashed an updated version of its BMW Z4 roadster, promising a healthy injection of state-of-the-art design and packed with a powerful punch.

There's new exterior features, detailed interior refinements, the new Design Pure Traction equipment package, the new entry-level sDrive18i model and the latest additions to the range of BMW ConnectedDrive.

All features BMW believe offer even greater appeal and individuality.

The new BMW Z4 takes to the stage 25 years after the legendary BMW Z1, which took its bow when

it was unveiled at the 1987 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt.

The latest model comes with a sweeping bonnet, long wheelbase, low beltline, while a low-slung rear end plays a more vivid and uncompromising part in shaping its appearance than is evident with any of its segment rivals.

The top end sDrive35is promises to take you from 0-62mph in a mere 4.8 seconds and has a limited top speed of 155mph.

Whether it can compete with the likes of the Porsche Boxster or Audi TT remains to be seen, but it certainly has an impressive pedigree.

What's more, it's yours for ÂŁ45,795.

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72 mmm

74 mmm

BUSINESS

Eurotunnel

Appeal against ruling EUROTUNNEL has launched its appeal against a ruling by the Competition Commission which demands My Ferry Link ceases its Dover-Calais route.

My Ferry Link uses boats leased

by Eurotunnel who purchased them from the ruins of SeaFrance which went bust at the end of 2011.

Following concerns raised by rival operators DFDS and P&O that My Ferry Link would stiffle competition on the cross-Channel route an investigation was

launched which resulted in last month's ruling that the service must cease.

However, the firm remained defiant, insisting it was “business as usual” as its legal team launched a challenge.

MyFerryLink UK managing director Robin Wilkins told customers that bookings are and the company’s ferries on the route will continue to operate as usual.

Mr Wilkins said: “I think the important message is that it’s business as usual. We are providing the highest rated service at the lowest cost on the Channel and increasing choice for

customers, who are putting their faith in us.

“Our competitors believe they have more chance of stopping us in the courts than in the marketplace. We offer the best service on the Channel and we believe we should let the customers decide.”

The Competition Commission ruling relates to the purchase of three ships and assets of SeaFrance by Eurotunnel.

Mr Wilkins said: “We believe that a solution to the ownership issue can be found in the coming months and that we will remain in the market, albeit with a different structure.”

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Have an idea for a new business?

Give your business idea the edge with our Thinking about starting a business and need some help and Ready for Business advice to ensure your business gets off to the best possible start? service, providing all the support and Whether you are looking for some honest feedback on your idea or help you need to specific advice on issues such as running a business from home, HMRC start a business compliance, legal issues, marketing, finance or business planning, we can help you.

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We deliver our services in Medway, Swale, Gravesham, and a number of other locations in Kent and the South East.

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76 mmm

BUSINESS

British Airways First Airbus A380

TWO of the most hotly anticipated passenger aircraft will become familiar sights over Kent this summer.

British Airways' first Airbus A380 – a double-decked plane powered by four Rolls Royce engine jets and the airline's Boeing 787 Dreamliner - will arrive at Manston Airport in Thanet for a period of training in preparation

for its launch into service later in the year.

Charles Buchanan, chief executive of Manston Airport, said: “We are thrilled that the UK's leading airline chose Manston as the place to carry out its 'entry into service' programme.

“Essentially, this means that training for both the pilots and cabin crew will be taking place over three weeks with the aircraft departing from here once or twice a day and also staying overnight.”

The A380 also has the lowest cost per seat and the lowest emissions per passenger of any large aircraft. Despite having almost 50 per cent more floor space and 60 per cent more headroom than the Boeing 747-400, it is 50 per cent quieter on take off.

Dave Thomas, British Airways' head of flight technical and training, added: “With one of the longest runways in the UK, Manston offers ideal facilities for our programme. We are looking

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Construction Expo 2013 Largest in the South East

BIG crowds are set for Construction Expo 2013 which takes place in Maidstone later this year.

The event focuses on the construction industry and will feature a line-up of top speakers tackling the major issues and developments impacting on the sector.

Last year's event saw more than 800 people attend with nearly 90 exhibitors taking part.

Organisers of the 2013 expo, which will take place at the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes on November 6, promise key national and local topics will be covered in the programme as well as an extensive networking opportunity.

Held over just one day those attending will include contractors, engineers, designers, surveyors, cost consultants, architects, suppliers and product manufacturers.

A spokesman explained: “Kent is the site for a number of major developments and is hosting the largest Construction Expo in the South East.

“New business opportunities are waiting with top industry speakers and a fantastic opportunity of keeping informed of future trends and developments.”

Organised by the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, details of the event can be found at www.kentconstructionexpo.co.uk.

forward to working with the staff who have been very helpful throughout the preparation period.”

British Airways has 12 A380s on order with flights due to start between London and Los Angeles in October.

Manston's CEO added: “This programme is the culmination of months of hard work and is the latest development in a very successful year for the airport. I am very proud that we will be playing our part in bringing such a fantastic aircraft into service.”

The testing will take some two months after Manston's fortunes took a major upturn with KLM starting a regular daily service to and from Schiphol, Amsterdam's international hub airport.

78 mmm

BUSINESS

Fremlin Walk

Win National Customer care award

Fremlin Walk was awarded the prestigious BCSE Top Ace Award for achieving customer excellence, at a glittering gala dinner in Manchester. Launched by BCSC in 2006, the ACE Awards celebrate dedication, commitment and innovation in customer care. This year, Olympian, Kriss Akabusi MBE presented the awards as part of the Shopping Centre Management Conference

Larkfield Roast Hosted by the stars

BBC TV Presenter Rob Smith is to host a brand new lunch in Larkfield.

The Larkfield Priory Hotel (Formerly Hamlets) has joined with the 144Club to bring to Tonbridge and Malling residents top famous musicians over roast lunch every month.

The musicians performing are of national and international standing.

Most of the featured artists work with many of the world’s top names.

So far, ahead of the official opening, the lunch has already featured Kylie Minogue’s and Jamie

at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel.

Fremlin Walk was the top-scoring shopping centre of the ACE 40,000 square meter centre size category, and also received the overall prestigious “TOP ACE Award” which is awarded to the top-scoring shopping centre from across all the various sized categories, including well known centres such as Westfield London, The Bullring in Birmingham and Brent Cross. In addition, Fremlin Walk’s customer liaison officer, Jock Shearer, won an individual

Cullum’s Trumpeter, plus BBC Big Band musicians, and even an actor-pianist from the Oscar Nominated Film ‘Mrs Henderson Presents’.

On Sunday the 7th July BBC’s Rob Smith with host the official opening. Music will feature full band including Jim Hastings, flute, sax and clarinet player to BBC’s Humphrey Lyttleton, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.

The award winning 144Club was invited to run performances in Larkfield by the management at the Priory Hotel having worked together before on a Festival.

The lunches will take place on the

ACE award for exceptional customer service. The winners were chosen following visits from three mystery shoppers and experts from the BCSC Customer Experience committee.

Fremlin Walk centre manager Lloyd Wright said, “To win these awards, demonstrates that not only do we have great facilities, but also that every member of our customer service team, including front and back of house staff, deliver a great customer experience. I am extremely proud of the team.”

first Sunday of each month at the Priory Hotel. For more information please visit www.144club.co.uk

With scenes from the new hit Blockbuster ‘World War Z’ filmed in Kent, we got to play host to the most famous couple in the world- Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie...

P

ICTURE the scene.

You are serving at a little village store deep in the Kent countryside when a woman and her children enter the store.

The children are well behaved, and like all youngsters, badger their mother for a treat – perhaps some sweets or a toy.

The mother is a striking looking woman – slim, brunette with deep pools for eyes. She looks a little like, well, one of the most famous women in the world.

But this is Littlebourne; a peaceful little hamlet a few miles

outside Canterbury. The sort of village where distinctive oast houses loom. Not Hollywood superstars.

Yet last November this is precisely what happened. The customer was Angelina Jolie and the youngsters the children of her and husband Brad Pitt.

It may sound all like a far-fetched tale, but is marginally less odd when you hear the couple were staying in the county while Brad was whisked to a deserted part of the former pharmaceutical giant Pfizer's sprawling site in Sandwich.

And there he shot scenes of battling against zombies in a postapocalyptic American landscape.

It is, however, all true.

The filming was part of the long, over-running, shoot for World War Z, the big budget, big screen version of a book written by Max Brooks – son of movie actor Mel Brooks and actress Anna Bancroft.

Brad plays United Nations employee Gerry Lane who finds himself travelling the world in a race against time to stop a zombie pandemic caused by a virus and which is toppling governments and threatening to destroy humanity. a

Some seven years in the making – Brad's production company secured the rights to make the film in 2007 after a bidding war with the company fronted by fellow actor Leonardo di Caprio – the movie was scheduled to be released last Christmas.

But script rewrites and the need to shoot extra scenes before the finished product was released, pushed it back some six months.

Cinema-goers loss was Kent's gain, however.

Brad and Angelina had hired a £3,000-a-week holiday cottage in Ickham, close to Littlebourne – a swanky converted barn which boasted such delights as a grand piano, 3D TV and all the luxury trimmings you would expect for such a price.

Katie Coleman is owner of the Duke William pub in Ickham.

She explained: “The couple stayed in the village, but their

security team stayed with us.

“We didn't see Brad as he was filming all week. However, Angelina went to Littlebourne to go to the local shop and post office. She sent cards to Father Christmas from her children there.”

An assistant at the post office, Fiona Lindsay, served the actress.

She explained: “It was so cute. All the children sent messages to Father Christmas and were absolutely beautifully behaved.

“They were all very polite. They were just a bunch of gorgeous, happy kids.

“She bought the kids magazines and toys and one packet of sweets each. The children were also polite and called her Mum. “They made a lot of noise at one point. There were two bodyguards outside and one inside. It was a surreal moment really.”

While in Kent, the couple are also believed to have made a trip to

Bekesbourne-based Howletts Wild Animal Park.

Fast forward a little over six months, and the film has finally been completed – coming in way over budget and seeing much of its pre-publicity dominated by concerns of the movie studios.

Certainly it hasn't all been smooth sailing. Initially, scenes for the film were to be shot in Tunbridge Wells.

But when a local newspaper published news that the film crew – included Brad – were set to shoot at the Morrisons supermarket site near the railway station, the production team were forced to shift to Scotland instead amid fears fans would disrupt their work.

The film finally hit the big screen at the end of June to a mixed critical reaction.

Many have pointed to the

finished product being a long way off Max Brooks' original book – written 10 years after the 'Zombie Wars' as a series of reports.

Others that it is merely a succession of expensive set pieces, with Brad's smouldering looks acting as the icing on a visual cake.

The reality, however, is that the film will no doubt do big business. Not only will it be among the main summer blockbusters, but Brad Pitt's appeal shows no sign of slowing any time soon.

World War Z will be forgiven by many – and enjoyed by even more.

Kent, meanwhile, will relish once again playing a part in a major motion picture. mmm

Summer at the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway 82 mmm

If you are looking for a unique and exciting day out this summer, why not visit the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway?

For over 85 years RH&DR has been welcoming thousands of visitors of all ages and nationalities to this world famous steam railway.

Board a train at any of six stations and explore a variety of different activities and land marks along the way.

The station at Dymchurch is just a 5 minute walk from the village shops and cafes

and, for that bracing stroll, the beach!

The station at New Romney is where you will find the newly refurbished Model Railway Exhibition, a superb play park, complete with picnic tables, and a shop stocked full of toys and gifts for visitors of all ages.

Only five miles away, and 35 minute by steam train from New Romney, is Dungeness Station. Why

not enjoy a plate of freshly cooked Fish & Chips from the Light Railway Café or sit in the garden overlooking the platform and watch the World Famous Miniature Trains wind their way across this unique landscape.

The “Kids Eat Free” voucher will help families to visit during the summer

holidays and enjoy the delights of this very special Heritage Railway. Just bring the voucher with you to receive one free child’s main meal for every one adult main meal purchased at either the Café at New Romney Station or at Dungeness Station.

The Famous all day, all stations RomneyRover ticket, at just £16ad, £14sc, £8ch (3-15yrs) & £43.50 for 2adults & up to 3 children is great value for money, especially as it includes free entrance to the Model Railway Exhibition.

www.rhdr.org.uk

mmm Maidstone, Medway Magazine 18

mmm Maidstone, Medway Magazine Issue 18, July 2013 Complimentary

ON LOCATION Find out how Kent is playing a big role in modern cinema

NAOMI’S TRAVELS The star of ‘The Impossible’ has seen it all

ULTIMATE TRAVEL

Summer time is the holiday season after all

Win £250 to spend in Fremlin Walk

July 2013

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