Kent Eye Magazine (February-March 2020)

Kent Eye

magazine February/March 2020

COMMUNITY CULTURE & COMMERCE

All aboard for Kent Big Weekend Meet KCC Leader Roger Gough

KENT EYE

Inside Kent Eye

Go to The O2

February/March 2020

5

“Catch You Later” A tribute to Rex Cooper: journalist, editor and a truly good man

Eye on Business Trevor Sturgess presents a view of Kent’s business scene

Business Eye

by coach

From frozen food to fudge, innovation to apprenticeships it’s all going on in Kent!

Community Eye Find out what’s going on in your local community

6 9 13

14

Roger Gough Kent Eye’s editor catches up with KCC leader to find out what makes him tick and what the future holds for Kent

18

Cover Story: Kent Big Weekend Be a Kent tourist and find out how to bag tickets to this annual celebration

Half term fun at Leeds Castle and Penshurst Place, and a new school for Benenden

Pat Crawford looks at how to garden your way to a greener future

21 24

HOME TO THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR MUSIC, SPORT, COMEDY AND ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS Buy onboard the Stagecoach express or prebook online at

£

6

Sports Eye The Juddians juggernaut profiling Tonbridge Juddians Rugby Club

From comedy to Latin dancing - check out our top entertainment picks from across Kent!

Entertainment Eye Your comprehensive entertainment listings guide for February and March

26 29 31 32

Published by Kent Eye Limited.

Kent Space, Wotton Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 6LN Editor: Charlie Vavasour Business Editor: Trevor Sturgess Consulting editor: Rex Cooper Features: Sananur Meric Guy Sales: Sarah Leigh Origination: Ali Scrivens For details on regular or future features, please email editor@kenteye.co.uk For advertising enquiries call Sarah Leigh: 0117 946 6848 or email advertising@kenteye.co.uk Visit: www.kenteye.co.uk

Canterbury | Chatham | London

TICKETS AVA I L A B L E F R O M

Exploring Haysden Country Park and Barden Lake, Tonbridge

What’s On in Kent?

Education Eye

Environment Eye

Out and About

@KentEyeMag

HOP ON THE

18

M2

© Copyright 2020 The views of the advertisers and contributors are not necessarily those of Kent Eye Ltd. No part of this magazine can be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without the publisher’s written consent.

All rights reserved.

31

Plus a £1 online booking fee

21

29

www.kenteye.co.uk 3

REX COOPER

“Catch You Later”

Harley Street Fertility Clinic

Remembering one of a kind

… is at your doorstep!

Don’t miss this golden opportunity to see some of the world’s leading experts on fertility.

If you are interested in a fertility check-up, IVF, IUI or egg donation please contact us.

Visit www.hsfc.org.uk or call 020 7436 6838

Have your say on the new Have your say on the new HAWKHURST COMMUNITY CENTRE HAWKHURST COMMUNITY CENTRE Have your say on the new Public Exhibition and Presentation HAWKHURST COMMUNITY CENTRE Public Exhibition and Presentation

British Royal Legion, Hawkhurst

Stalwart journalist Rex Cooper, a respected member of Kent’s media scene for 25 years, has died.

followed until, in 1996, he became editor of Kent Profile magazine, the publication for which he wished to be remembered.

Drop in between 7pm - 9pm

As Editor of Kent Profile magazine and Consulting Editor to this first edition of Kent Eye, he was committed to the highest standards of journalism.

Although Rex lived in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, he visited Kent frequently. We would often bump into each other at the Kent County Show and media events.

Rex had been battling a brain tumour diagnosed late last year. He passed away in St Peter & St James Hospice, near Lewes, East Sussex, on 15 January. He leaves wife Sally, three sons Marc, Matthew and Nic, daughter Juliet and 10 grandchildren.

He could be demanding, valuing professional and ethical behaviour, frustrated by late payers, late advertising copy, broken promises and missed deadlines. Not for nothing was he often called “quite a character.”

BritishExhibition Royal Legion, Public and Hawkhurst Presentation

* Tuesday 25th*February 2020 Drop in between 7pm - 9pm Tuesday 25th*February 2020

Tuesday 25thLegion, February 2020 British Royal Hawkhurst

Consultation closes on 1st March 2020

Drop in between 7pm - 9pm Consultation closes on 1st March 2020 Displays and response forms at Hawkhurst

Consultation closes on 1st March 2020and Library, Hawkhurst Parish Council Office Displays and response forms at Hawkhurst online at Hawkhurst Parish Council website.

Displays and response forms at Hawkhurst Library, Hawkhurst Parish Council Office and Library, Hawkhurst Parish Council Office and We’d like to hear your views. online at Hawkhurst Parish Council website. online at Hawkhurst Parish Council website.

Harley Street Fertility Clinic is regulated and licensed by the HFEA (centre number 0333)

www.hawkhurst-pc.gov.uk We’dlike like hear your views. parish.clerk@hawkhurst-pc.gov.uk We’d toto hear your views. www.hawkhurst-pc.gov.uk 01580 752058 www.hawkhurst-pc.gov.uk parish.clerk@hawkhurst-pc.gov.uk parish.clerk@hawkhurst-pc.gov.uk 01580 752058 01580 752058

SILCOCKS FARM

The place to be for life in the country!

NEW IN

SHOP-BUTCHERS-CAFÉ GRANGE ROAD-ST MICHAELS-TENTERDEN-KENT TN30 6TL

YOUR LOCAL REAL FARMSHOP

THE BEST of QUALITY

FROM OUR FARM to YOUR PLATE Traditional Hereford Beef ® - Romney & Dorset Lamb - Gloucester Old Spot Pork

We are thrilled to be stocking Molly & Grace products which are responsibly sourced, eco-friendly and nourishing for the skin.

Bacon - Sausages - Burgers - Pies

A Full Range of Local Vegetables and Provisions All our Meat comes from Animals Born & Bred on our Farm

ENJOY OUR CAFE & TERRACE

Everythings is hand made in Tunbridge Wells.

TEA-COFFEE-CREAM TEASBREAKFASTS-LUNCHES FREE

Open 8.30-5.30 weekdays, 9-5 on Saturdays and 10-4 on Sundays. Free parking

Swattenden Lane | Cranbrook | TN17 3PS

01580 713189 www.charityfarmcountrystore.co.uk

4

Trevor Sturgess, former business editor of the KM Media Group, knew Rex as a media colleague for many years and, after Rex invited him to contribute a business column to Kent Profile magazine, as his editor. He looks back on a rich media life.

PARKING

From our Dairy: Milk-Cream-Clotted Cream -Ice Creams-*Delicious Cheeses* Fully licensed

Info: 01580 763351 Email: silcocksfarm-organics.co.uk Web: www.silcocksfarm-organics.co.uk

www.kenteye.co.uk

Although his official age was 82, he always appeared younger, with a boyish energy for following a story and enthusiasm for the journalistic craft.

Rex, who would sign off his email message to me “Catch You Later,” grew up in Peterborough. After National Service in the RAF and a journalism course at the Regent Street Polytechnic in London, Rex returned to his roots in 1958 to work on the Peterborough Advertiser and, the following year, the Wisbech Advertiser.

It was his training on these titles that taught him the tools of journalism and what he deemed “proper” standards - asking the right questions, checking the facts and presenting them in an easy, interesting and accurate style. Rex developed his career and skills by working on weekly, daily and evening newspapers in Bristol and the Thames Valley.

But he was widely admired for these “old-fashioned” values. He was delighted with a comment from Siobhan Stirling, who wrote to Rex following publication of an article about her 50 Challenges campaign to mark her 50th birthday. “I just wanted to say a big thank you to you for the lovely article on 50 Challenges. You are the only person to have rewritten it – I really love the personal angle you have given it. It is very special.”

He could have retired years ago but, like many ageing journalists, and often to the disapproval of partners, could never contemplate giving up the inky trade. He was so proud of Kent Profile, delighted to hear it commended as “a magazine for grown-ups.”

But he had recognised it was time to hand it on to a good home that would safeguard its values while developing a more powerful online presence. He believed he had found it in Charlie Vavasour and Quantum PR.

In the early 1970s, he moved into industrial journalism, working for Reed International, Burmah Oil and BET (British Electric Traction), a large conglomerate spanning travel companies in Africa and the Initial towel business across the UK, mainland Europe and the United States.

To his deep disappointment, the right to use the magazine’s name passed into new ownership but he endorsed the name Kent Eye, contributing to this first issue, even from his hospital and hospice beds. He only managed one issue but his legacy will remain in Kent Eye’s DNA.

During this time, Rex managed and edited monthly staff newspapers, some of which were translated into German, French, Dutch and Spanish. Several won British Association of Industrial Editors awards for Rex and his team. He loved travel and often undertook overseas assignments.

Rex had a rich hinterland. He loved travel, cricket, music and drama, and was an accomplished director of amateur dramatics, alongside Sally who enjoyed acting.

A spell in marketing and public relations

Rex was an old-style journo willing to work long hours to build contacts, get out of the office, establish facts, check sources, cherished accuracy, good grammar and correct spelling.

He could drive me nuts – but we became a good team Sarah Bartholomew was Kent Profile’s designer and a good friend “Rex was a remarkable individual who quite literally refused to get old! He and I worked together for 20 years. In the beginning he was a client, in the end he was a close friend. In the early years he was exacting, critical and impatient and quite frankly drove me nuts!

“But as the years progressed, we became a good team and my respect and regard for him grew immeasurably and I learned so many lessons during that time. We were never short of things to talk about and we were able to support each other through some pretty tough times – in 20 years we never missed a single issue – a point of pride for the both of us.

I miss his sharp wit, our (almost daily) chats and most of all, his friendship – he truly was ‘one of a kind’.

Rex lightened the dark moments Pat Crawford contributed articles on gardening and the land-based sector for many years.

“I had the privilege and the pleasure of knowing Rex for almost 20 years. His wide journalistic experience was apparent in his editorship of Kent Profile, a magazine that has made important contributions, most especially in relation to the county’s business and professional sectors.

“Rex was a man of the utmost integrity who was scrupulously honest and whose trustworthiness was beyond question. He was also fun and had a tongue-in-cheek sense of humour with the ability to lighten dark moments. Rex was, in every sense, a truly good man. He loved life and was loved and respected by all around him.”

My kind of journalism Rex wrote down his thoughts on Kent Profile and journalism shortly before his death “We were not trying to change the world or tell our readers how to lead their lives, but found that our target audience of readers aged 35 years and over got used to content that included advice in various areas, county-wide news, features and business stories in which local newspapers are not interested and don’t use. Journalism to me means having an audience, and telling readers what I thought they would be interested in. After 60 years in the business, I like to think I know! Above all, be accurate, be interesting, never assume, use good grammar – and no spelling mistakes.

One inaccuracy or spelling mistake in a story can destroy credibility.”

He leaves a legacy of nearly 150 editions of Kent Profile, one edition of Kent Eye – and his distinctive indelible mark on Kent journalism and all with whom he came into contact.

www.kenteye.co.uk 5

BUSINESS EYE

Eye on Business Trevor Sturgess

In its first five years, Canterbury Business Improvement District (BID) has promoted and enhanced the City’s economic landscape. It has sponsored events that boost visitor numbers and lobbies on issue important to local businesses.

Let’s still do business - Kent’s post-Brexit message to European neighbours No Big Ben bongs, but it’s over. We’re out of the European Union.

Well perhaps not quite - we’re still sort of in it, at least until 31 December.

What is certain is that by virtue of geography, Kent remains the gateway to and from mainland Europe and the EU. We are on their doorstep, with numerous intertwined relationships at business, transport, local authority and individual level.

These shouldn’t cease because we’re out. So let’s hear it for the Straits Committee (SC), signed in Arras, France, in early February.

Mike Whiting, Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, announced the plan at the third annual Kent Business Summit in Canterbury.

It doesn’t sound very exciting but at its heart is Cllr Whiting’s pledge to “work more closely with our European neighbours” - the Dutch

Where have all the soft skills gone?

It’s hard to define “soft skills” but we know them when we see them. It’s a sign of the times that Kent Business Summit devoted a session to the topic.

It was worrying to hear a restaurant owner bemoan the lack of soft skills in her young recruits. “I want them to hold their head up and make eye contact,” she said, claiming they lacked confidence and many were on medication for stress.

“There’s a massive problem in the education system and how we bring people into the workplace,” she added.

What’s going on here? Is this about “snowflakes” and an inability to adapt to the adult world of work?

One factor cited is an unwillingness to

province of Zeeland, West Flanders in Belgium, and Northern France. The SC covers economic development, climate change, green growth and young people.

“In particular we will support the development of smart borders to keep our businesses trading and to build our local economies still further,” Cllr Whiting said. He promised “free-flowing trade and the best deal for Kent and Medway businesses and exporters.”

The Canterbury Society has undertaken a similar role for the wider community in its first 10 years.

p Going Straits to Europe: Cllr Mike Whiting at the Kent business Summit in Canterbury © Ady Kerry

Let’s hope it works out and that it overcomes any potentially subtle changes in attitude from our neighbours once the UK has finally left the EU. Above all, the new partnership must offer not only friendship but also practical outcomes for business on both sides of the Channel.

take Saturday jobs or paper rounds.

But it’s not young people’s fault when supermarkets flood checkouts with self-service machines and newspaper deliveries decline.

Some blame parents, others the education system. But the main target is social media and “celebrity influencers.”

An obsession with mobile phones, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the like are turning young people inward, side-lining soft skills and potentially triggering mental issues.

Employers have ranked soft skills in order of importance - communication, self-motivation, leadership, responsibility, teamwork, problem solving, decisiveness, ability to work under pressure and time

management, flexibility, negotiation and conflict resolution.

Some businesses hold training sessions in these qualities. Kent Business School is even doing the same for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

We must not tar all young people with the same brush. Many have wonderful social skills. Good parenting, teaching and schools make a difference. Business mentors can play their part.

The social media genie is out of the bottle and it’s hard to see it going back, despite calls for operators to curb distressing content and pay more tax – which it must.

If we cannot overcome the soft skills challenge, Kent businesses will struggle to perform at optimum levels.

Will business invest after Brexit?

Everyone is working harder and longer but it makes little difference to productivity.

Economics is dubbed the “dismal science,” and Phil Eckersley, the Bank of England’s agent for the South East and East Anglia, fulfilled the tag with a gloomy message to Kent Business Summit.

He said productivity had increased by 25% between 1998 and 2008 yet dipped to a modest 5% rise over the past 10 years. “What have we all been doing?” he asked. “We’re all working harder but we’re also standing still.” t Phil Eckersley © Ady Kerry

6

Glass ceiling smashed by first female Lord-Lieutenant of “beautiful county”

Clive’s BID backs Jan’s Canterbury joy

One reason could be down to businesses holding onto capital reserves because of Brexit uncertainty. Maybe certainty will unleash a wave of investment.

But perhaps not if businesses believe the economy has slowed to such an extent that they see little point in investing. “It’s quite finely poised at the moment,” Mr Eckersley said.

He outlined the UK’s economic downturn since the EU referendum in 2016, the “flatlining” of business investment, and the failure of exports to respond to the weaker pound. Car sales, consumer durables, retail sales were all down. “We’re just not spending and that’s unusual,” he said. After the talk, I felt rather flatlined myself.

www.kenteye.co.uk

Both organisations teamed up with others at the Society’s 10th anniversary celebration in the spacious Westgate Hall, a testament to community action that rescued it from the wrecking ball.

BID chair Clive Relf, tax partner at Kreston Reeves, said: “We support the BID because it means that our business is located in a city dedicated to making Canterbury a better place for customers and clients, shoppers and staff, residents, students and visitors.”

Jan Pahl CBE, society founder and chair, was presented with a Civic Champion Award for her services to the city. She was hailed for achieving so much because she was unafraid to “speak truth to authority.”

Backing Canterbury business - BID chair Clive Relf u

t Backing Canterbury - society founding chair Jan Pahl CBE

p Viscount De L’Isle, Lord-Lieutenant of Kent

p Lady Colgrain, the next Lord-Lieutenant of Kent

News that Kent’s next Lord-Lieutenant is to be Lady Colgrain has received a warm welcome from those wishing to see the first woman in the role. Not of course for political correctness but the qualities he or she brings to the prestigious job of representing Her Majesty the Queen.

Annabel Colgrain – known as Bella – brings many. She has charm, is a partner in the family farm near Sevenoaks, has worked extensively in the charity sector, and started her career in publishing. Support for the Armed Services, young people and business are also on a Lord-Lieutenant’s to-do list.

Lady Colgrain takes over from Lord De L’Isle on 21 April, coincidentally the Queen’s 94th birthday. Lady Colgrain said he had made an enormously valuable contribution to this county, including his encouragement of volunteering. “I look forward to continuing this initiative and to developing the work of the Lieutenancy in fostering a strong and stable community in this beautiful county of Kent.”

Dry January and Veganuary could herald land-based changes for Kent Dry January and Veganuary are worthy health and environmental campaigns but have implications for the Garden of England’s meat and dairy farmers, butchers, pubs and brewers.

– has teamed up with partners to research these concerns to better understand how they can be addressed.

beneficiaries is not the only type of support needed.

We are finding that anxiety and stress have just as devastating an effect.”

At a fundraising event, trustee Sue Lister, head of agriculture and rural affairs at Kent law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore, Kent owes so much to our For millions, the change is not just for January. The trend towards vegan, vegetarian said the charity had stepped up funding to farming and horticultural and less alcohol consumption could re-write local farmers: “The substantial increase in communities for food, financial support over the last two years farming and brewing agendas. attractive landscape, jobs indicates that more and more farmers are and economy. We should A vegan diet is driving demand for plantfinding it tough. help them in tough and p Helping based foods. Yet few are grown in Kent or changing times. farmers: RABI “The RABI recognises that providing the wider UK and many are imported. www.rabi.org.uk trustee Sue Lister financial and practical support to It could mean Kent growers shifting production if our soil and climate are Miaow to the shaming of Cats conducive to these new crop varieties.

The Cats movie failed to bring box office cheer to Kent cinemas and will struggle What is clear is that eating and drinking trends, worldwide to recoup its production and marketing costs. I was in a minority in rather coupled with low returns, climate change, liking a film mauled by a salvo of feline clichés. flooding and other challenges, are triggering The critics similarly panned The Greatest Showman yet it became a blockbuster. The wellbeing issues among farming families.

Cats’ production team, including its creator Andrew Lloyd Webber (executive producer), will hope for a change in fortunes, or longer-term, a cult “Dead Cats The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Bounce.” But I suspect they won’t be purring any time soon.

Institution (RABI) – 160 years old in 2020

www.kenteye.co.uk 7

BUSINESS EYE

Boost for Innovation Centre Maidstone Borough Council’s planned Innovation Centre has been awarded £5.7m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014-20.

It is scheduled to be open for business in summer 2021 and will be based at the Kent Medical Campus – a site identified in the Maidstone Borough Local Plan as an opportunity to capitalise on the development of the area to attract high value, knowledge intensive employment and business as a boost to the local economy.

The ERDF helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regeneration.

The new centre will be a mixed-use med-tech-based development providing flexible office space, facilities and business support for small and medium-sized enterprises working in the life science, healthcare and med-tech sectors. The centre will act as a visible, engaging and vibrant business destination at the heart of the Kent Medical Campus and North Kent Enterprise Zone situated beside Junction 7 of the M20.

Providing 30,000 square feet of usable workspace, the new centre is expected to support around 270 jobs, generating £120m of additionality to the economy over the next decade reinforcing the message that Maidstone is the Business Capital of Kent.

Sweet spot Acclaimed local artisan fudge retailer, Fudge Kitchen, will travel to Cologne, Germany in February to exhibit at the ISM show.

A PROGRAMME OF SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES WITH THE AMBITION AND CAPACITY TO GROW Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce is being funded to deliver the Scale Up programme, a high growth coaching scheme for a select number of businesses.

This programme has already been running for several years in Kent and proven fantastically successful for many of the businesses involved.

Join the 2020 Scale Up programme and benefit from outstanding bespoke support for growth.

If you are a business with a turnover of at least £500,000, five or more employees and are interested to learn more about this very successful programme, please call 01233 503838 to book your place at our next Scale Up Breakfast Briefing session.

www.scaleupkent.co.uk

Fudge Kitchen will use the opportunity to celebrate British creativity and innovation, launching new London and Union Flag themed ranges of gift fudges and caramels, all handmade at its production facility in Aylesham.

The world’s leading trade fair for confectionery and snacks, ISM is the place to launch new innovations and products into the global travel, tourism and hospitality market.

Sîan Holt, Fudge Kitchen’s MD, said: “2020 will be Fudge Kitchen’s sixth ISM. Over the years, it has given us quality leads for UK and international buyers that have significantly helped growth, and has developed our distribution networks across Europe and as far as Canada.”

Docker, the artisan sourdough bakery at Folkestone Harbour, is supporting the Winter Shelter appeal from the Rainbow Centre this year. The pledge of 10 loaves of quality sourdough bread is being donated each week between December and February. “Everyone deserves good bread and this is a way we can make a difference. A quality sourdough made with great ingredients can be a meal in itself. The winter shelter provides emergency accommodation to vulnerable members of our community over the coldest months of the year as well as providing hot meals,” says Pete Nelson, co-founder of Docker.

“If you would like to support our pledge please do donate on our Just Giving page and all proceeds will go towards increasing the quantity of donations offered.” The bakery is open to visit from Tuesday to Saturday – it is located with the other shipping containers by the entrance to Folkestone Harbour Arm.

Part of the project to deliver the centre has included the design and delivery of the MedTech Innovation Programme, a business incubation and acceleration programme supporting entrepreneurs and innovators in the early stages of business development and growth. The business support programme is eligible to businesses across the South East Enterprise Partnership area and is funded

by SELEP. Once constructed the business support programme will be run from the Innovation Centre.

The project is part of The North Kent Enterprise Zone which includes Innovation Park Medway, and sites within Ebbsfleet Garden City.

field fare enjoys record breaking year Kentish premium frozen food brand, field fare, based on a working farm in Edenbridge, is celebrating a record year in 2019.

When MD Karen Deans took up the reins in 2002, field fare was supplying just 80 stockists, mainly farm shops and garden centres. Today it supplies more that 400 across the UK, including sixteen in Kent and a growing number of zero-waste shops.

The company notched up a record-breaking year, with 2019 alone adding a record 43 new customers to the field fare freezer family.

Since taking over, Karen has grown the range to over 150 products, including, in 2015, launching and developing a range of an entirely new, luxury ready meal and desserts range, which she supplies alongside a parallel loose serve fruit, veg, baked, pastry and fish product range.

While field fare’s packaging-free Scoop & Serve range was trailblazing 40 years ago when it was first introduced, the company continues to build on that sustainability legacy. field fare supplies degradable, branded bags for customers to scoop produce into, but they are now encouraging their stockists to implement a bring your own reusable container campaign, enabling customers to simply weigh their empty, reusable pots, fill, re-weigh and pay for the difference between the two.

www.kenteye.co.uk 9

BUSINESS EYE

Furley Page launches two fixed fee Employment Law support services Leading south east law firm Furley Page has launched two new dedicated fixed fee employment law support services to businesses and organisations.

Provided by specialists from the firm’s highly regarded Employment Law team, the products - ‘Employment Gold’ and ‘Employment Platinum’ - will provide costcertainty for employers when dealing with employment issues and planning for the future.

Employment Gold is a comprehensive service which will suit all organisations and cover all

typical employment needs, including advice from a designated Employment Law specialist, preparation of documents relating to grievance, disciplinary and capability procedures, Employment Data Protection support and Insurance-backed Employment Tribunal defence costs.

Meanwhile, Employment Platinum includes additional ‘bolt-ons’ to tailor the support package, such as health and safety audits and insurance against breach of restrictive covenants, as well as an agreed number of half or full day training sessions on topics including treatment of others, disciplinary investigations; and disciplinary and performance management.

In addition, all Employment Gold and Employment Platinum clients will receive preferential rates for a range of complementary services

including collective redundancies, TUPE advice, tailored training sessions, advice about employment status, business immigration support and defending or pursuing appeals against Employment Tribunal judgements.

Employment law specialist Tessa Robinson (pictured left) manages the fixed fee employment law scheme. She said: “The two products provide some great benefits at a very affordable rate. The service is tailored to the employment needs of specific organisations, while the fixed fee model provides certainty to businesses when planning costs.

“Annual membership will also save businesses time when seeking advice on employment law issues, as they will have a dedicated employment law specialist to support them.”

Apprenticeship centre for east Kent focussed on skills gap in construction and engineering moves a step closer A new apprenticeship centre for east Kent, focused on construction and engineering, has moved a step closer with the submission of detailed plans by leading south east mixed-use developer, Quinn Estates.

The long awaited 3,100 sq. ft facility will be located on the southern side of the A28 off Island Road, Hersden and is now the subject of an application for reserved matters recently submitted to Canterbury City Council.

Funding boost from Kent execs A cheque for almost £6,000 was presented to the charity Breast Cancer Kent at the annual meeting and black-tie dinner of the Kent Executive Club.

On the second anniversary of the contract with ferry operator Jetstream Tours, Kent County Council and Thurrock Council say 150,000 journeys a year are being made, a 40% increase since the start of the contract.

There has been a history of a ferry between Gravesend and Tilbury dating

back to the 13th Century and since 2012 the service has also been able to operate from a new pontoon off the Town Pier in Gravesend.

KCC Cabinet Member for Transport Michael Payne said: “It is great to see the service so well used and credit must go to the successful relationship we’ve formed with Jetstream who bring high levels of service and enthusiasm to the partnership.

Mrs Chalmers told members and guests about the work of the charity and how their very generous donation would help in the coming year.

“I’m delighted that Kent and Thurrock residents value the service so much.”

 L to R: David Forge, Helen Teare, Ritchie Chalmers and Stephen King, chairman of KEC

For six months until the end of June the dance company will open its ‘Pop Up Space’, providing a studio for guests to participate in the work of internationally acclaimed and Ashford based, Jasmin Vardimon Company. The partnership forms part of McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford’s efforts to elevate the guest shopping and cultural experiences within the centre, which complements Jasmin Vardimon Company’s work to further expand its engagement with the local community.

Jasmin Vardimon Educational Company is a charity dedicated to creating opportunities towards accessing and advancing dance training through a varied and inspiring programme. The Pop Up

Space will allow for both McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford and Jasmin Vardimon to engage more closely with the Ashford community, allowing for local schools, organisations and individuals to build further life skills through creative practices.

The space will be running masterclasses, workshops and will look to work closely with local arts organisations. The hope is to be able to provide a well-rounded creative space through exhibitions, workshops, talks, and screenings.

Peter Corr, Centre Manager of McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford, comments: “Offering more than just a shopping experience has become an integral part of McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford. It is very important to us to give back to the community with unique experiences. We are delighted to be partnering with Jasmin Vardimon Company to introduce our guests to a new form of creativeness.”

A selection of classes will run on a ‘pay as you feel’ basis, the programme will offer a fun and creative approach towards improving health and wellbeing for all ages and abilities.

Workshops are bookable online via the Jasmin Vardimon website www.jasminvardimon.com/popupspace

10 www.kenteye.co.uk

Kent Executive Club was established with the aim of promoting and fostering contacts between businessmen and women throughout Kent. For details of how to join, visit www.kec-club.org.uk

SCALE UP: A flagship of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce

Jasmin Vardimon opens at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford.

Contemporary dance-theatre company, Jasmin Vardimon has opened at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford.

The club, which held the event at the Royal Wells Hotel, Tunbridge Wells, holds a Golf Day each September in support of a local charity. The 2019 tournament was held at the Nevill Golf Club, Tunbridge Wells and attracted more than 100 players, raising £5,710.22 including proceeds from a charity auction and dinner.

Accepting the cheque on behalf of the charity were Mrs Ritchie Chalmers, Consultant Breast and Oncoplastic Surgeon and Trust Lead Cancer Clinician with the Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, and fundraising co-ordinator Helen Teare.

Gravesend to Tilbury Ferry riding the wave A record number of journeys were made on the Gravesend to Tilbury Ferry last year.

Quinn Estates was granted outline planning consent in July 2017 for its Hoplands Park development, working closely with the community on a scheme that will also include 250 homes and a new business park, creating 400 new jobs.

For the last forty years, Kent Invicta Chamber has delivered business support programmes across Kent and Medway to help thousands of businesses start and grow.

Scale Up is a programme of support for businesses in Kent that have the ambition and capacity to grow and is delivered by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce in partnership with business coaching experts.

The programme provides access to free business growth tools and techniques to SCALE UP STATISTICS: (first 16 businesses on the programme):

l 28% AVERAGE GROWTH IN TURNOVER l £20,000 GRANT FUNDING SECURED l 48 NEW JOBS CREATED l £1.5 M INVESTMENT IN NEW PLANT AND MACHINERY

support and keep track of different KPIs for progress on strategic growth; participants will have access to exclusive networking with like-minded businesses, updates on all the latest government funding schemes, access to industry experts, support and advice from key council personnel and a platform to promote and market the success of their business.

Currently part-funded by Kent County Council and Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Scale Up has a proven track record of developing economic prosperity across the county by helping local businesses to grow. Businesses must have a turnover of at least £500,000 and five or more employees to participate.

Contact Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce on 01233 503838 to find out more about the programme or register your interest. www.scaleupkent.co.uk

TESTIMONIALS “Getting a structure in place to focus on the long-term direction of the business to ensure that we have a consistent pipeline of potential new clients was essential to deliver sustainable, manageable growth.”

“Scale Up has been a fantastic catalyst for us to find new ways to be more efficient and it has really spurred us on to consider our direction of travel. We have seen a clear increase in turnover since we started the programme.”

“Scale Up has been hugely beneficial to our business. A key advantage is that it’s very flexible and tailored, so whatever you’re looking to achieve, the team will find the way to extract the best outcomes.”

www.kenteye.co.uk 11

BUSINESS EYE

Big Sleep Out raises funds for homelessness charities Hardy souls who took part in mhs homes’ Big Sleep Out event in January raised an impressive £10,400 for two local charities by spending a cold, damp night in the organisation’s Chatham car park.

More than 60 people donned thick jumpers and brought sleeping bags to the event, spending eight hours sheltering under cardboard and tarpaulin to experience being homeless and generate awareness of the issue, which affects 280,000 people in England and 22,850 in the south east, according to charity Shelter.

Sponsorship cash raised by the volunteers, including The Worshipful Mayor of Medway, Cllr Habib Tejan, was split between two Kent-based homelessness charities, Porchlight and One Big Family – Helping the Homeless. Cllr Tejan only intended to support the first few hours of the fundraiser, but ended up staying for the whole event.

“This is the second time I’ve joined mhs homes for their Big Sleep Out,” said Christeena Stubbs. “The event is so important to raise awareness of the homeless crisis. Spending the night in near zero degrees with nothing but a cardboard box gave me a small glimpse into the poor conditions and difficulties that homeless people face on a daily basis. It really does make you feel vulnerable.”

SAGA proclaims 2020 the year of adventure for older travellers Kent-based Saga has proclaimed 2020 as the ultimate Year of Adventure.

In the year that the company will launch its much-anticipated boutique cruise ship, aptly christened Spirit of Adventure, Saga is providing an ever-extending range of exciting options for the UK’s more mature generation as adventure becomes an everyday reality.

COMMUNITY EYE

Community Eye Grant for cookery school

Syrian resettlement programme up for award

Chequers Kitchen Cookery School in Deal has been awarded a grant by the National Lottery Community Fund, ensuring it can continue to deliver courses for disadvantaged local residents.

Ashford Borough CouncIl’s proud record of welcoming more vulnerable families from war-torn Syria than any other district in Kent and indeed, across the south east outside of London, has been recognised in a national awards scheme. Ashford’s work in offering the hand of friendship to 135 desperate refugees displaced by Syria’s long and bloody civil war has led to it being shortlisted in the prestigious annual LGC Awards 2020. Ashford’s Syrian resettlement programme entry has been nominated in the Diversity and Inclusion category. Sharon Williams, Ashford Borough Council’s head of housing, said: “Our Syrian families have inspired so many people within our borough – they have even inspired an art project. Their resilience and humility are moving and our determination to help normalise their lives has brought communities together for the better. Ashford will never be the same again.” The winners of the LGC Awards will be announced on 18 March.

The National Lottery Community Fund awards grants to organisations in the UK which focus on improving their communities. The £101,000 of funding over three years, given to Chequers Kitchen Cookery School, will enable it to deliver 34 healthy cooking courses, each five to eight weeks long, for east Kent residents who want to learn to cook from scratch with fresh ingredients and on a budget, so they can access a healthier diet.

Highlights of Saga’s 2020 holidays include a husky sled ride in search of the Northern Lights; staying in a Mongolian ger camp; travelling on the trans-Siberian railway, visiting wildlife conservation projects in Borneo and trekking through the rainforest; getting close and personal with Mount Etna in Sicily; or taking a cruise through the fjords. Visit www.travel.saga.co.uk for more details.

Chequers Kitchen has designed a number of courses specifically for young people, including “looked-after” children, who are preparing for independence and family sessions for fostered children. Other courses are tailored for older people who are at risk of being isolated, or those affected by mental health conditions. The classes are free to attend.

Stephanie Hayman, director, Chequers Kitchen Cookery School, said: “Nothing brings people together quite like cooking and eating and these funds will ensure we can deliver enjoyable cooking sessions for disadvantaged children and adults, show them how to cook and eat healthily on a low budget and hopefully, make a big difference to their lives.”

To find out about the classes contact Chequers Kitchen Cookery School 01304 362288 or info@chequers.kitchen

Council’s £2 million loan

KIMS Hospital acquires Sevenoaks Medical Centre KIMS Hospital, the largest independent hospital in Kent, has acquired Sevenoaks Medical Centre on London Road, Sevenoaks as part of its commitment to providing local people with fast access to safe, outstanding and affordable healthcare close to where they live.

Commenting on the acquisition, KIMS Hospital CEO, Simon James said, “I am delighted that Sevenoaks Medical Centre, along with the great team who work there, are now part of KIMS Hospital.

“For people who live in Sevenoaks and the surrounding areas, this means they can choose to see a consultant and be

diagnosed close to where they live. The centre is very accessible, opposite Sevenoaks railway station and with easy access from the A21, M20 and M25.

“If patients need further specialist treatment or surgery, there is a direct and straightforward clinical pathway into KIMS Hospital in Maidstone.

“This gives patients in West Kent the choice of accessing healthcare within the county as an alternative to having to travel into London.”

Simon James, KIMS Hospital CEO u

12 www.kenteye.co.uk

Gravesham Borough Council has agreed a £2 million loan to enable a local charity supporting former armed forces personnel to go ahead with a major redevelopment of its site.

The Elizabeth Huggins Cottages charity in Gravesend houses local ex-service personnel, many of whom are disabled, in 13 bungalows at Cross Lane West.

The bungalows were built in 1923 and, while they were refurbished in 1984, they are becoming increasingly costly to maintain.

Planning permission exists for the demolition of the bungalows and the redevelopment of the site to provide 40 new units made up of cottages, houses and apartments.

At the December meeting of the full Council, Gravesham Borough Council agreed to loan the charity £2 million to

enable the first phase of the development to go ahead.

Welcoming the loan, Tony Pritchard, Chairman of the Trustees of the charity and a Gravesham councillor, said: “The Huggins Cottages were built around the time that our soldiers were coming home from the first world war and in need of somewhere to live.

“It is to that end that the Borough Council has stepped forward to help in getting this started by contributing the funding for the first phase.

“With this on the way, we look forward to creating a great new complex which will continue to serve our ex-service personnel in time of need.”

“That purpose and tradition has continued for around 100 years, and all in Gravesham should be so proud of that consideration and service for our ex-servicemen and women.

Cllr John Burden, Leader of Gravesham Borough Council, said: “This authority is a proud supporter of our armed forces community, having signed the Armed Forces Covenant and been awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award.

“However, the cottages are now far beyond their reasonable expected age, and are in desperate need of redeveloping, and so about five years ago the trust was granted planning permission to create a new complex of units, all for our ex-armed services.

“Having satisfied ourselves that necessary conditions and securities are in place to protect the loan, we are delighted to be able to support this invaluable local charity and help it make a start on a development that will support our local former service personnel for many years to come.”

www.kenteye.co.uk 13

ROGER GOUGH

Roger Gough, Leader of KCC Kent County Council (KCC) has only its second new leader in the past 22 years as Roger Gough takes the reins following Lord Sandy Bruce Lockhart (19972005) and Paul Carter (2005-2019). Kent Eye talked to the man leading the county about his objectives, the challenges and opportunities and why he thinks Kent is a special place.

County Councils perform a key role as the link between Westminster and the regions and it’s a relationship that is extremely significant: “KCC works with a range of politicians and the relationship with our Kent MPs is extremely important. We need to make them aware of issues and inform and support each other.

Roger Gough took over as leader of KCC last October when Paul Carter stood down after 14 years.

“I stood to be Leader of KCC as I have a clear view and knowledge about what the county can be. I’ve always had a strong sense of Kent as a place. Kent is not just another administrative unit, but a distinct place with its own very strong identity and very specific challenges. Over my years as a County Councillor I’ve served in a wide range of posts across the county council and felt well placed to address the issues that Kent faces.”

“KCC enjoys a close working relationship with the national government in Westminster, which has very little to do with party politics. The relationship is never easy, but one of the benefits of the widespread preparations for Brexit is that we had to work very closely with various government departments and a very tight relationship came out of it. Kent’s status as a port of entry, especially regarding asylum-seeking children, leads to an on-going close relationship with whoever is immigration minister, but these relationships are very helpful.”

Roger’s two predecessors as Leader served for eight and 14 years respectively. “Both Sandy and Paul were very long-serving and had a huge impact on the county. In terms of my leadership, I just hope to serve long enough to make a mark and make a difference.

“Kent has many opportunities to thrive but also faces challenges.

In this, the county’s relationship with London is absolutely critical. Key issues such as rapid housing growth and the placing of vulnerable young people are often issues exported from London. The flip side is the great opportunity that being close to London gives Kent. The west of the county has always had close ties to London with quick and easy access, and HS1 enabled other parts of Kent to become closer to London. This enables the whole county to interact with London and benefit economically, which provides a great opportunity.

Contingency planning has been a priority at County Hall over the past few years, but now KCC is looking forward and has recently launched a consultation on its draft five-year plan, listing seven key outcomes as priorities. “The draft five-year plan is our flagship strategy and we want residents to tell us what their priorities are for the areas they live in. The plan shapes what we will do, what we will prioritise spending money on and how we will work together with our partners over the next five years. We’d like to hear residents’ views on how well the seven draft outcomes reflect what is important to their quality of life and how well the draft objectives will help us to deliver each of these outcomes.”

Roger was born and grew up in Blackheath and now lives in the Darent Valley Division, which he was first elected to represent in May 2005.  Roger Gough

Holland to discuss a range of issues that will continue to impact on all our areas, such as coastal issues, and these working relationships will continue.”

“I am very fortunate to represent a very beautiful area, and I used to visit places like Otford and Shoreham as a child. It’s an area of great historic and artistic interest and I feel incredibly privileged to represent it.

 The KCC Cabinet

“Kent overall has so many distinctive features. The coastline is an absolute jewel for the county and there are so many towns with tremendous character. For example, Dover is often underrated, but the views coming into the town are simply fantastic. It’s also a great joy to see how Margate has changed over recent years and the view over the beach to the Turner Contemporary is stunning.

We are very lucky to have so much diversity of places in Kent, with different areas having a completely different feel. The Romney Marsh is an extraordinary distinct environment in contrast to the equally distinct former mining areas and this is the joy of Kent.”

Outside of his busy role at County Hall, Roger’s focus turns to family, his menagerie of animals and his friends. “I’m very fortunate to have held on to lots of close friends over many years, and from all different walks of life. Keeping in close contact with family and friends is extremely important. I’m also a great reader and always have a book ‘on the go’, usually novels or history books. I’m currently reading Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada, which was a Christmas present from a friend.”

KCC’s consultation into its draft five-year plan closes on 17 February 2020 and can be accessed through www.kent.gov.uk.

 “Dover is often underrated, but the views are simply fantastic”

“Kent still has a wide range of prosperity and deprivation, which is a major challenge. Fundamentally Kent is still a rural county and KCC is aiming to re-emphasise the rural feel of the county and promote its many rural success stories, such as the very strong expansion of the wine industry in recent years. “ Kent has been at the forefront of the political turmoil over Brexit, with very real issues such as Operation Brock impacting residents on a daily basis. But Roger sees a bright future and opportunities that Kent can capitalise upon. “I am optimistic about Kent’s prospects post-Brexit, although it remains a very interesting question regarding what comes out of the negotiations. But there will certainly be scope to make our relationship with London even more of an asset.

“The single market and the opening of the Channel Tunnel came at roughly the same time and both had major, positive impacts on Kent. Obviously, the Channel Tunnel business will continue, but we don’t yet know the details of the trading relationship we will have with Europe. However, what is key is that Kent retains its relationships with other parts of Europe and KCC is putting great emphasis on maintaining our bi-lateral relationships. For example, we have recently welcomed representatives from the French departments, West Flanders in Belgium and Zeeland in

14

15

COMMUNITY EYE

Sittingbourne's Steam Railway Four Days of Steam 10-13 April

Jack the Station Cat 24/25 May

Steam & Beer 4/5 July

Edward Bear’s Picnic 30/31 August

£1m street lighting upgrade by Ashford Borough Council (ABC)

REMEMBERING THE FEW; HONOURING THE MANY

Cllr Paul Clokie, ABC portfolio holder for corporate property, said: “Ashford is the first district to commit to investing in upgrading the street lights we own before handing them over to KCC. It represents a good deal for local taxpayers.”

12/13

26/27 Sept

www.sklr.net info@sklr.net 01795 424899 www.facebook.com/SandKLR Twitter: @SandKLR Sat. Nav. use: ME10 2XD Reg. Charity No. 1057079

Still looking good at 50!

Visit a living legacy, dedicated to the men and women who lived and served there, whose resilience made Biggin Hill Churchill’s ‘strongest link’. www.bhmm.org.uk FCS 132x90 Kent Profile Ad 05.19.qxp_FCS 132x90 Kent Profile Ad 05.19 08/0

FURNITURE CRAFT SCHOOL Ashford's music and arts venue 50p family film screenings / lee hurst's local comedy club / megson / turin brakes / andy parsons / roald dahl and the imagination seekers / t total with chris difford / a pilgrim's way - songs of chaucer's canterbury tales / dad's army radio show / revels comedy club / an evening with christopher biggins / coda: a tribute to led zeppelin / arthur's dream boat / fate the juggler / rich hall's hoedown deluxe

www.revelationashford.co.uk

While Kent County Council owns and maintains around 90% of street lights across the county, each district council also owns a small number of lights.

ABC has around 1,200 street lights and it will spend the money on upgrading these to modern, energy-efficient LED units before handing them over to KCC for future management and maintenance.

Wild West Weekend

Gala Weekend

Work is expected to start soon on upgrading street lighting across the Ashford borough, in an investment likely to cost up to £1 million.

Full Time and Short Courses in Fine Furniture Making

What do the film ‘The Railway Children’, The Severn Valley Railway, singer Mariah Carey and the Gravesend Railway Enthusiasts Society have in common? They all become 50 years of age in 2020.

Formed in 1970, the Gravesend Railway Enthusiasts Society remains a society for people with an interest in railways, in particular, although many also share enthusiasm for other forms of transport such as buses, trams, planes and shipping. During 2020, there will be several special events including an open day at: Emmanuel Baptist Church Hall, Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1BB on Saturday 6 June (10.00 – 16.00).

T: 01892 891 555 www.furniturecraftschool.co.uk S COTNEY C ASTLE E STATE

Choirs, quartets, schools and signing groups of every description are invited to showcase their musical talents for the Big Community Sing later in the year.

The extremely popular event takes place at the Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks on Monday 4 May 2020 from 7pm and money raised from the night goes to support local mental health services. All ages, genres and abilities are welcomed at this inclusive, community event.

The deadline for applying to take part is Friday 28 February and groups can apply in three ways. Visit www.sevenoaks.gov. uk/thebigsing to apply online, email communities@sevenoaks. gov.uk or call 01732 227000. Successful applicants will be notified by Monday 9 March.

Sevenoaks District Council Chairman, Cllr John EdwardsWinser says: “We’re delighted to be holding the Big Community Sing at the Stag Theatre again. It’s a great opportunity for a diverse range of singing groups to perform in front of hundreds of people whilst raising money for mental health charities.”

Cllr Edwards-Winser adds “Singing as part of a group is a great way to get involved in the local community and improve health and wellbeing.”

Tickets to watch the Big Community Sing cost £5 and go on sale from 9 March from the Stag Box Office.

Visit www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk or call 01732 450175.

New members are always welcome. For more details visit: www.gres.org.uk

15th annual Marmalade Awards launched The World’s Original Marmalade Awards are now open for 2020, and organisers are encouraging entrants to get their jars in to make this the biggest year yet.

With over 40 countries taking part each year and two sister Festivals in Australia and Japan, both the competition and festival have become global events.

Small group sizes City & Guilds Qualification Set in the beautiful Scotney Castle Estate Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced students welcome

Hit the right note at the Big Community Sing 2020

The international flavour of the competition has also been recognised in the categories which, following its success in 2019, sees the return of the ‘Thursday Cottage Commonwealth Competition’. This contest is open to anyone from the member

states and can include local ingredients and flavours. This contest will be judged live at the Marmalade Festival, on 14 March.

Competitors are encouraged to send their entries to Dalemain Mansion in Cumbria, on or before 7 February. There are competitions for small-scale Artisan producers who sell their marmalades commercially, and for homemade cooks and those who make marmalade for fun – or, indeed, have never made it before!

Jane Hasell-McCosh, founder of the Marmalade Awards, says: “It is so wonderful to see people creating a shared tradition, by creating this quintessentially British preserve using fruits and ingredients from all around the world. Seeing them arrive at my home in the Lake District to be judged by the Cumbrian WI is truly magical. I am so looking forward to receiving entries from countries that have never entered before, as well as from all across the UK.” The competition is sponsored by Fortnum & Mason, and the winner will have the chance to see their marmalade commercially produced and sold in their famous Piccadilly store. In 2019 there were approximately 3,000 entries, and it is hoped that there will be even more in 2020.

For more information about the World’s Original Marmalade Awards & Festival, visit: www.dalemain.com/marmalade-awards/

16 www.kenteye.co.uk

www.kenteye.co.uk 17

COVER STORY

Kent Eye Feature: Kent Big Weekend 2020 4 - 5 April 2020 The 14th annual KENT BIG WEEKEND is on its way, with a deluge of Kent attractions preparing to open their doors for free to thousands of lucky Kent residents on 4-5 April 2020. This celebration of tourism, run by the team at Visit Kent, is aimed entirely at Kent residents, inviting them to celebrate the best attractions and activities that Kent has to offer.

That’s right, for one weekend only, Kent residents will have the chance to enjoy a memorable day out in their home county, discovering and rediscovering a whole host of amazing things to see and do right on their doorstep.

Residents can get their hands on tickets by pre-registering for tickets now, and entering the ballot when it opens on Thursday 20 February at www.kentbigweekend.co.uk. When the ballot closes on Monday 16 March, hundreds of pairs of free tickets will then be dished out to the lucky winners.

Some of the county’s biggest attractions have already signed up to this year’s event giving residents plenty to choose from - with a select number of pairs of tickets or family tickets available for each attraction. Experiences on offer this year range from trips to captivating castles and glorious gardens, through to close-up animal encounters and delicious brewery and vineyard tours and tastings.  Explore Walmer Castle

Discover the Shell Grotto in Margate 

 Ship ahoy! Visit the Historic Dockyard Chatham

Some of the fantastic attractions already confirmed to take part in Kent’s Big Weekend for 2020 include Dover Castle, The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, Simpson’s English Wine Estate, Solley’s Ice Cream Parlour, Eagle Heights Wildlife Park, Biggin Hill Memorial Museum, Margate Shell Grotto, Old Dairy Brewery, Walmer Castle & Gardens and many, many more!

Tourism is certainly big business for the county of Kent. Outside of London, the Garden of England is the third most popular visitor destination in the UK welcoming in excess of 65 million domestic and international tourists a year. More and more international visitors make a beeline for the UK each year and Kent remains a star attraction, while domestic visitors are drawn to the beautiful Kent coast and countryside for great value yet high-quality staycations. Since launching in 2002, the county’s destination management organisation Visit Kent and its network of public and private sector partners have made it their mission to both promote Kent as a top destination and ensure the visitor economy grows.

 Bag tickets to the Biggin Hill Memorial Museum

 Step inside Simpsons Winery, Barham Canterbury

the biggest Big Weekend yet, with so many of our partners signed up to be involved – it really is a wonderful opportunity for discovering and rediscovering a whole host of superb attractions and activities – with the added bonus of everything being so close to home.”

 Step back in time at Dover Castle

Since launching the Kent Big Weekend 14 years ago, it has become one of Visit Kent’s most successful tourism campaigns, with its original sole objective remaining the same all these year’s later; to ‘reward’ Kent residents for supporting the local economy and to inspire them to recommend the county’s attractions to visiting friends and relatives.

In 2019, thousands of tickets were donated by 138 attractions and venues, and a record breaking 296,000 bids applications were made to the ballot online.

So what are you waiting for? Head to www.kentbigweekend.co.uk and start planning your Kent Big Weekend now. And, for more information and inspiration about things to do in Kent, go to www.visitkent.co.uk.

 Be captivated by Walmer Castle

Chief executive of Visit Kent, Deirdre Wells OBE said: “Tourism is an incredibly important part of Kent’s economy and whilst we strive to attract new visitors to our county from London, the rest of the UK and abroad, we must never forget that our own residents are our greatest ambassadors who support our industry week in, week out. This is essentially why we created the Kent Big Weekend 14 years ago – to give residents a free day out to say thank you, and to create positivity and enthusiasm for their wonderful home county.”

“It is also about delivering the message to residents that there is so much to see and do right here on their doorstep. 2020 looks set to be

18 www.kenteye.co.uk

www.kenteye.co.uk 19

EDUCATION EYE

£5.5m Benenden school opened Nursery at King’s Register Now for September 2020

The Benenden Church of England Primary School has been officially opened and marks the completion of a project delivered by the combined efforts of Kent County Council (KCC), Kier Construction and Clague Architects.

Eight years in its design, planning and funding, the new school has replaced the cramped and draughty buildings previously used by the teachers and will accommodate 205 pupils.

Safe, stimulating learning environment Specialist teachers for Music and German • Excellent standard of care A carefully planned curriculum which allows individuals to flourish The World’s Oldest Cathedral Choir School Situated in the heart of Historic Rochester Before & After School Care available First rate independent education for boys and girls aged 3-18

The £5.5m primary school was delivered by the Schools Funding Agency, as part of the Priority Schools Building Programme.

The new one-form entry school replaces the previous main building dating back to 1604 and King James I, in the centre of Benenden village. The building has a biodiverse, wildflower green roof to reduce the ecological and visual impact of the development and enhance its environmental performance.

and stop the loss of valuable teaching time. Our design gives the school hall the appearance of a Kentish Barn to ensure the building sits well within the natural environment and its landscape.”

 Opening of Benenden Primary School L-R - Rev David Commander; headteacher Lindsay Roberts; Rt Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover

The new school was opened by the Bishop of Dover, the Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, in her first official engagement since being consecrated. She was joined by headteacher Lindsay Roberts and the project team, including partner Stuart Bonnage from Clague Architects.

01634 888590 • admissions@kings-rochester.co.uk • www.kings-rochester.co.uk

He said: “It is fantastic to see our design come to fruition and bring together the disparate accommodation into one building

Kent College choristers reach finals Both the senior chamber choir ‘Sedecim’ and the Kent College Choristers have been selected for the finals of the Barnardos Youth Choral Competition. In what is a major achievement for both choirs, they will now represent the school at a national level at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Monday 9 March.

OPEN MORNING Thursday 5th March, 2020 9.15 -11.00

Become an explorer at Leeds Castle this half term Become a first-class junior explorer in the grounds of Leeds Castle this half term, from 15-23 February.

Start your adventure through the Princess Alexandra Gardens before conquering the Maze and completing a quiz in the birds of prey area. On your way through the grounds see if you can also solve mystery riddles written on the giant puzzle boards!

Creating a culture of high expectations A leading independent co-educational day and boarding school offering high academic standards, excellent pastoral care and a wide extra-curricular programme within a supportive Christian environment.

Perry Street, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6LR T: 020 8467 0256

www.farringtons.org.uk

Co-education: Juniors 3–11, Seniors 11–16, Sixth Form 16-18

Farr Sch Open 2019-20_132x184.indd 1

22/01/2020 16:54

20 www.kenteye.co.uk

“The loveliest Castle in the world” has a jam packed programme of events, activities and attractions for everyone to enjoy in 2020. Admission tickets grant free repeat visits to Leeds Castle for a year and include some fantastic family friendly events including Motors by the Moat, The Golden Joust in celebration of the anniversary of the Field of Cloth of Gold, Festival of Flowers and Christmas at Leeds Castle.

There is plenty to do at Leeds Castle from exploring the beautiful spring gardens to watching breath-taking falconry displays, discovering the world’s largest dog collar collection and getting lost in the Maze. Visitors can also enjoy the Knights’ Stronghold Playground and Adventure Golf, newly opened in 2019.

www.kenteye.co.uk

Admission tickets to Leeds Castle provide free repeat visits from the date of purchase (excluding promotional offers and group/ education tickets), meaning you can also enjoy many of the Castle’s most popular events at no extra cost. Book online for advance discounts at: www.leeds-castle.com

EDUCATION EYE

Penshurst Place announces new programme and activities for 2020

Discover the joy of learning

St Anthony’s School in Thanet has been awarded the Kent School Award for Resilience and Emotional Wellbeing. The Award, developed by HeadStart Kent and funded by The National Lottery, recognises and celebrates everything schools do to support young people’s emotional wellbeing through a whole school approach.

Penshurst Place will be opening its doors to visitors at weekends from 15 February this year, throughout half term week and then weekends only until 28 March after which the estate will be open daily, with an engaging programme of events and activities already lined up across the year.

Co-educational

Day & Boarding - full & flexi options

StEdsCanterbury

3-18 years

www.stedmunds.org.uk admission@stedmunds.org.uk 01227 475601

Over half term, young adventurers will be able to test their skills in the ‘Amazing Inventions’ trail, which will be open daily throughout the half term week (15-23 February), from 10.30am until dusk.

Children will be challenged to find hidden inventions in the gardens, matching them to the technology they inspired in today’s world. Examples could include matching wheels to a bicycle and the abacus to a computer, with interesting facts about the origins and evolution of these inventions provided along the way.

The ‘Roasts & Rambles’ series of talks and dining experiences concludes in February, with the final theme focused on romance at Penshurst Place (16 February). These exclusive events offer an opportunity to enjoy a guided tour and a delicious carvery lunch in the Garden Restaurant at a time of year when the house is usually closed to the public.

Registered charity number 306016.

d Farm Blacklan

‘A great place to grow’ for children aged 2 to 11 years

Open Morning · Saturday 29 February 2020 Doors open 9.30am - last tours leave around 11.30am

Scholarships available for September 2020 call 01233 812337 / email admissions@springgroveschool.co.uk

www.springgroveschool.co.uk · Wye, near Ashford, Kent

ussnetrxe S , m r a F d BlacklaOnutdoor activity ce

During the weekend of 21-22 March, the absorbing Armada experience returns to Penshurst Place, complete with costumed actors. Visitors will have an opportunity to travel back to the 16th Century where they can meet and hear from Queen Elizabeth I and her household as they prepare for the Spanish Armada.

To view the full schedule of events for 2020, visit the Penshurst Place website at www.penshurstplace.com/whats-on/events-and-activities.

Tiddlywinks, a new tradition at King’s Rochester King’s Rochester has sat in the shadow of Rochester Cathedral and Castle for over 1400 years.

Bring your family and friends for a day of fun and adventure at Blackland Farm.

Throughout that time, many traditions have been established and have become integral to daily school life. Each year, pupils compete in a range of competitions to win points for the House Cup, in activities like swimming, rugby, general knowledge and singing all bring out the fierce competitor inside but none so much as Tiddlywinks.

We’ve exciting activities for all ages and abilities including canoeing, archery, zip wire and many more.

Book your birthday party with us too!

School Award for Resilience and Emotional Wellbeing

Contact u s and book today!

01342 810493 blackland@girlguiding.org.uk girlguidingactivitycentres.org.uk/blackland

22 www.kenteye.co.uk

Launched in 2020 by Mr Morgan, Headmaster of the Prep and Mr Carroll, Teacher of Classics, this new test of skill, physics, patience and teamwork really raised the bar for the players, from both the Preparatory School, Senior School and Sixth Form.

Achieving the Award is a way of endorsing the standard of work that has been carried out in schools to meet the guidance provided by the Public Health England report ‘Promoting children and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing – a whole school and college approach’.

By using the Resilience Toolkit and online resources, schools have assessed their approach to emotional wellbeing and resilience in their settings and have identified and actioned change to include the whole school community. They have then reviewed the impact that has been made as a result of their whole school activity.

St Anthony’s, in Margate, is the fourth school to achieve the award after Homewood School in Tenterden, Westlands School in Sittingbourne and St John’s Catholic Comprehensive School in Gravesend, which all received their awards last year.

Mrs Abi Cranson, assistant head teacher at St Anthony’s, said: “We are so happy to receive this award. St Anthony’s staff and pupils work really hard supporting each other and making the school a safe and happy place to be. HeadStart has had a huge impact on St Anthony’s and supported us on our journey to be a resilient school. Staff, pupils, parents and families have all benefited from training, events and activities that support good wellbeing and improve mental health.”

Head teacher Robert Page and assistant head teacher Abi Cranson receive the award from Lesley Game (right) chairman of KCC’s Children’s, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee 

The sounds of squidgers and the sight of flying winks filled the hallways as players, most completely new to the sport, raced down the corridor, cheered on by their classmates. Simply passing the line wasn’t good enough as the challenge of getting the wink into the pot, caused chaos with those lagging behind eagerly catching up and closing in on their opponents.

The scores, as is tradition, will be announced during the end of term assembly in March.

Mr Carroll said: “It was really great to see our pupils engage and enjoy a sport as traditional as Tiddlywinks, some had never heard of it before playing today and I’m sure others will be purchasing their own kits to practice at home.”

After such a successful launch, keen interest in the sport has swept through School, with pupils requesting rematches and for it to be offered as an after-School club. It appears Tiddlywinks is set to stay at King’s.

23

ENVIRONMENT EYE

Garden your way to a greener future Pat Crawford Thinking ahead, we have no finite knowledge of how Brexit will affect food imports in regard to availability, quality and prices. Neither can we be certain what legislation the government will introduce regarding environmental standards that will, at the very least, comply with the current structure imposed by the EU. At the same time the world’s attention has been drawn to disasters that climatologists tell us are related to climate change, the worst being the shocking bushfires in Australia.

On a much more positive note, gardeners can take actions that have the potential to alleviate future problems. Now is exactly the right time of year to make a start!

Once gardeners have experienced the benefits of plot-to-plate, there is rarely any going back, hence the popularity of grow-your-own has increased exponentially for at least the last decade.

Seasoned kitchen gardeners choose fruit and vegetable options based on commonsense: they grow produce the family enjoys eating – and they avoid gluts by sowing in small batches throughout the season.

A lot of modern gardens are very small, but a wide range of salad leaves and vegetables do really well in growbags and pots, including:

l broad, runner and french beans l potatoes l peas l salad onions and salad leaves l tomatoes l herbs

Top tip...

Avoid planting in very small containers as these would dry out quickly - and it is generally best to use a proprietary compost as it will be fortified with important nutrients and is sterile – try to benefit the environment by selecting a peat-free compost.

Try trees Trees help to offset the effects of CO2 – one of the worst greenhouse gases – by absorbing it and expelling oxygen into the atmosphere. Why not increase fruit production while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions? Apples and pears may be the obvious choices, but wide ranges of fruit trees can be grown in the garden and there is something to suit all tastes and locations. Some varieties have been developed specifically to grow in containers, others do exceptionally well grown against a wall, fence or other support as espaliers, cordons or fans.

Biodiversity in your garden Way back ‘the environment’ was largely something we took for granted but during the last few years concerns have multiplied. Late last year The Ecologist, commenting on the latest ‘State of Nature’ report, said that the study indicates that more than two-fifths of UK species including animals, birds and butterflies have seen significant declines in recent decades. Gardeners can help to maintain, and even restore, biodiversity by: l Installing a feeding station for birds and topping it up every day. The RSPB – Royal Society for the Protection of Birds - provides invaluable information and advice: www.rspb.org.uk l Installing water stations in various parts of the garden to benefit birds and small mammals. Keep containers clean and filled with fresh water. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) urges gardeners to go a step further by

installing a pond: even an old washingup bowl or sink can do a good job if handled properly. Obtain information and advice from the WWT: www.wwt.org.uk l Planting perennials that attract butterflies. Seek information and advice from Kent Wildlife Trust www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

Championing the greatest pollinators Bees are among the world’s most important pollinators, but their numbers have been in decline for many years. Why not consider becoming a beekeeper and adding honey to ‘home-produced’? The Kent Bee-keepers’ Association has twelve branches, all of which offer diverse programmes, demonstrations and lectures: www.kbka.org.uk How wonderful to realise that, with a little thought and a few adjustments, gardeners can make changes that – collectively – will produce multiple benefits that help to make our world a better place.

Climate change Climate change has climbed higher and higher on the global agenda as our planet suffers devastating ‘weather’ related events. The latest – and one of the worst thus far – the bush fires in Australia that, at the time of writing, are still not fully under control. Although not directly caused by a single extreme weather event, the combination of exceptionally high temperatures and exceptionally dry weather has caused major tragedies involving people and wildlife.

Here in the UK, various parts of the country – including the south-east – have suffered flooding this winter that affected business and residential communities.

Stories hit the headlines for a few days but even now many people continue to suffer the consequences. While it is possible to make strategies to deal with regular weather-related occurrences it is very difficult to plan how to deal with extreme weather events which, by their very nature, afford little warning.

We tend to consider climate change in

24 www.kenteye.co.uk

isolation whereas it cannot be separated from food security and environmental degradation.

A major part of the environment is the countryside, which is fundamental to the British psyche, yet it is not always understood that it is primarily a workplace for our farmers and growers. Every one of us can play a part in backing them (their standards are among the very best in the world) by actively seeking British-grown and reared food. That way we help to preserve the nature of the landscape, aid the nation’s food security, benefit the economy and help to nurture that sense of unity that will be even more important in the coming months.

THE RURAL FOCUS GROUP. Chaired and sponsored by Pat Crawford, other sponsors include David Bartholomew Photography, Karen Cresswell of King’s Hill Marketing Consultancy and Professor Chris Atkinson. Membership includes representatives of the National Farmers’ Union, Country Landowners’ Association, Action for Communities in Rural Kent, Produced in Kent, Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, The English Apple Man, Kent Farmers’ Market Association, Friends of the Earth, Kent Gleaning Network, Kent County Agricultural Society, University of Greenwich, Hadlow

Rural Community School, Kent Wildlife Trust, Kent Young Farmers, Men of Kent and Kentish Men, Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, East Malling Research and Kent Tree and Pond Wardens.

Collectively these groups make vast contributions that benefit the Kent way of life. Any rural-related group or body is invited to apply for membership (no fees involved).

For further information about the group, please contact Pat Crawford: patjournalist@waitrose.com

State-of-the-art solar installation the largest in Kent Kent’s largest solar energy system to take advantage of state-of-the-art technology has been unveiled at Berry Gardens’ new head office, packhouse and cold storage facility at Redwall Lane, Linton, near Maidstone.

The 993.85 kW array, developed by Edward Energy and delivered by BeBa Energy UK, benefits from the latest developments in solar, making it the largest optimised system in the county and one of the largest of its kind in the UK. While most solar PV installations group rooftop panels into ‘strings’ of up to 24, a combination of smart hardware and software used at Berry Gardens allows the

panels to operate independently. This ensures that one dirty or below-par panel does not affect the performance of the rest of the string.

Calculations carried out by Edward Energy director Shaun Beattie, one of the UK’s leading commercial rooftop solar developers, show that this should give the 3,614-panel system a 6.6% increase in performance. It will generate enough power to run 237 four-bedroomed homes for a year.

“We decided to install an optimised system at Berry Gardens because there are plans to install a modern building monitoring system at the site that will allow the company to make use of the additional data,” said Shaun.

“The installation is also futureproofed because, as energy storage comes online in the next few years, Berry Gardens will have the right level of historical data to allow it to make efficient

use of new battery technology.”

The solar project follows a smaller, 80 kW solar PV system developed for Berry Gardens by Shaun in 2014 and will make a huge difference to the growers’ co-operative’s carbon footprint, taking an estimated 292,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere in a year.

“The fruit industry knows how important it is to be environmentally aware, cut carbon emissions, reduce costs and achieve energy security,” said Shaun.

“Solar PV is ideally suited to fruit growers as their peak energy demand is in the summer, when the system produces the greatest amount of free electricity. Solar installations also make commercial sense, with the payback period on this scheme less than six-and-a-half years.”

Shaun added: “Planners are also keen to see that applications are sustainable. The solar PV element was a real consideration in the decision to approve this new building.

“It’s also interesting that Berry Gardens is a long-term tenant on the Redwall Lane site, which challenges the perception that it can be difficult for tenants to go down the solar route.”

www.kenteye.co.uk 25

OUT AND ABOUT

Out and About

Tonbridge Bypass A21

Haysden Country Park, Tonbridge

Route Roads Rivers Railway Landmarks Parks/Green Space

Enjoy a stunning walk around Haysden Country Park in Tonbridge. This walk incorporates woodland paths, open countryside, the river Medway towpath and the beautiful Haysden Water and Barsden Lake. Perfect for an early spring excursion and with a welcoming café at the finish.

Barden Lake

Key facts

River Medway

START/FINISH: Haysden Country Park car park, TN11 9BB. Access to main car park is from Lower Haysden Lane. It is a Pay and Display car park with a minimum fee of £1.20 for 4 hours.

9

7 8 3

TIME: 1.5 hours

Cafe In the Park

Haysden Water

DISTANCE: 3.5 miles (5.5km) approximately TYPE OF WALK: This walk is mainly flat with two short inclines. The route encompasses mud paths and gravel paths so is not wheelchair accessible.

The walk is dog friendly.

6

The route 

The bridle route. 

2

L ow

Lower Haysden

er Hay sden L ane

Haysden Water.

6. Pass through a gate and after 20 metres turn right, signposted to Country Park. Go over a bridge and then pick up Haysden Water again on your right, with the River Medway on your left. Continue on the path around the water.

4. When you get to the road turn right and go underneath the road bridge and pick up the walking path.

Start your walk at the car park.

Lo

ane nL de s y a rH we

Start Car Park

5

2. Turn right and follow the lane for 200 metres when it veers to the right.

After 50 metres leave the lane to join the bridle route.

3. Continue to follow the bridle route and at the end of the straight turn left onto a gravel path.



1

Haysden Country Park

4

1. Starting at the Haysden Country Park car park, walk back out of the car park to Lower Haysden Lane.

10

Footpath along the river. u

9. Go over the ‘Friendship Bridge’ over the Medway, then turn right following the river on your right. Follow the path for around 1 km, then turn right over ‘Lucifer Bridge’. Follow the path over Routea mini footbridge then veer to the right to pick the path on your right.

Roads Rivers Railway Field after Haysden Water  Landmarks Parks/Green Space

5. Follow the path up a short incline and then take the cycle path on the right.

Veer to the right then walk over a stream and continue to follow the path with Haysden Water on your right.

10. Cross over the Barden Bridge and follow the path to the left around Barden Lake. Go past the bird feeding area and take the path to the left, go under the railway bridge to arrive back at the Café and car park.  The River Medway.

7. Just before the road bridge the path splits – take the left-hand side and walk under the bridge. Go up a short incline.

8. At the end of the field go through the gate and follow path to the left, avoiding the bridge on the right.

Walk under the railway bridge and after 30 metres turn right, signposted Barden Lake.

26 www.kenteye.co.uk

Haysden Country Park covers an area of about 65 hectares (160 acres) and includes a range of habitats such as river, grassland, freshwater lakes, marshland and woodland. The site is designated as a Local Nature Reserve and in part a Site of Nature Conservation Interest.

In the past the site had been used for sand and gravel extraction, which was processed and distributed from Haysden Water. These works altered the landscape of the area and created Barden and Haysden Lakes. Once the gravel workings were completed in 1988, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council created the park.

www.kenteye.co.uk 27

COMMUNITY EYE

Agricultural charity steps up Kent County Agricultural Society (KCAS) will facilitate the continued running of Biddenden Tractorfest, with the event set to continue at the original Woolpack Corner site on the weekend of 15-16 August.

Following talks with the society it was agreed that the latter could take on Biddenden Tractorfest, aiming to continue the event in keeping with the idea of how it was originally set up with existing volunteers still forming much of the organising committee.

The KCAS already runs four agricultural events throughout the year including their showcase event, the county show, as well as the Heritage Transport Show.

Julian Barnes, vice chairman of the KCAS, owner of Biddenden Vineyards and resident of the village said: “When I heard that chairman Sue Boon and all the volunteers felt they could no longer continue to organise Biddenden Tractorfest along its current lines, I knew that we needed to find a way for this important event in Biddenden village to continue.

“The aims of the volunteers that set up the event are very much in line with the charitable objectives of the Kent County Agricultural Society, so it made sense for the two to discuss the opportunities available.”

Boon and her committee have endorsed this move which they feel will offer visitors to the much-loved event an opportunity to enjoy it for years to come.

Stand applications for Biddenden Tractorfest are open now, with tickets going on sale early in the New Year. More information and updates may be found at www.tractorfest.co.uk

£1m homeless initiative by Ashford Borough Council (ABC) taking shape An innovative project that’s set to benefit homeless households and save local taxpayers money is taking shape in Ashford, with the work expected to be completed this spring.

ABC bought the large disused home in Beaver Road for £430,000 and is investing around £500,000 to convert it into eight homes, capable of accommodating up to 25 people. An extensive refurbishment programme is underway to add facilities like a communal kitchen, dining room and laundry room.

Christchurch Lodge, as the building has been renamed, follows the same blueprint adopted by the council when it created Christchurch House, a rundown property bought at auction for £278,000 in 2013. It was transformed into good quality shortstay accommodation and was so successful that the money saved on placing homeless people in costly B&Bs meant that Christchurch House payed for itself in four years.

Cllr Bill Barrett, portfolio holder for housing, said tackling homelessness was a huge priority for the authority. He said both the prevention of homelessness and using the council’s own stock to house homeless people, rather than using costly B&Bs, made financial sense.

“Following the blueprint of Christchurch House represents a win-win strategy. For five years it has offered households a better solution than the upheaval of living out of a B&B. We are proud of the proactive approach we take to delivering new housing projects.”

Kent-based Jenner Contractors is carrying out the Christchurch Lodge conversion and a feature of the project is the commitment to using high-quality products and materials to ensure maximum build quality, environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.

Courtyard garden at Maidstone Hospital gets a makeover with a little help from the League of Friends A tranquil garden at Maidstone Hospital is now open to patients during daylight hours, seven days a week after undergoing a makeover.

Maidstone Hospital League of Friends came up with the idea and secured funding partners for the £16,000 transformation project which was carried out by Vu Garden Design & Landscaping.

Old benches, ivy, flower beds, a magnolia tree and stonework which had been damaged by the tree’s roots, were removed in order to create the garden which is now accessible to everyone.

It now boasts a new seating area, stepping stones around raised flower beds which contain sensory plants, new benches and bins plus a water feature.

David Highton, Chairman of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust’s, officially opened the garden along with Gareth Owen, Chairman of Maidstone Hospital League of Friends.

Funding for the project came from Bovis Homes Group, Croudace Homes Ltd, The Whitehead Monckton Charitable Foundation, Kent County Council’s Combined Member Grant Scheme and also Gallagher Aggregates who donated materials to the project.

the space which can now be used from dusk to dawn.”

Mr Highton said: “We are extremely grateful to Maidstone Hospital League of Friends for coming up with the idea and to all the partner agencies that helped fund the makeover.

“This is just one of many projects that we are doing to help improve the patient experience no matter how long their stay is.”

Mr Owen said: “I am absolutely delighted that Maidstone Hospital League of Friends was able to help breathe new life into the courtyard. It was starting to look tired and worn and was in desperate need of some TLC. “I hope patients and visitors alike enjoy

28 www.kenteye.co.uk www.kenteye.co.uk

SPORTS EYE

Tonbridge Juddians Rugby Club backs up ambition with results Following an amazing first half of the season Tonbridge Juddians Rugby Club sits on top of National League 2 and pushing to promotion to League 1 at the end of the season. How did a small local club become one of the top 40 teams in England and how far can the club go?

Kent is fast becoming a hot bed of rugby union. Despite not having a team in the top two professional leagues (premiership and championship) Kent boasts three teams in National League 1 (Blackheath, Old Elthamians and Canterbury) and a (relative) newcomer pushing to join them next season in Tonbridge Juddians (TJs).

Head Coach Peter Dankert is in his 11th season at TJs and joined when the club was one relegation away from the lowest tier of English rugby.

Fast forward to 2020 and TJs have achieved four promotions and went on a record-breaking run of winning 53 games in a row. The team only

lost four games last season and has only lost three times this season, a run of form that puts them at the top of their league.

“It’s been an incredibly successful period for the club and the success is very much down to the ambition of the committee, our fantastic volunteers, the quality of our coaching team and, most importantly, the players themselves. We have recently been joined on the coaching team by Scott Baldwin, who was Wales hooker at the 2015 World Cup, and it shows how far we have come to be able to attract that calibre of coach.”

TJs was formed in 1999 by a merger between Tonbridge RFC and Old Juddians RFC, but the new club, based at The Slade in Tonbridge, struggled until 2008 when the committee set out the club’s vision and goal. Peter continued: “The goal was to reach National 1, and we are now on the verge of achieving that goal.”

A key part of TJ’s success comes from its Academy for U16-U18, run by Gareth Withers. “The link between the Academy and the seniors is critical. The Academy has been going for six years and in that time has won two National Cups and become the only club in England to win both U18 and U17 cups. We are very proud of the fact that all six of the academy captains have gone on to play in the 1st XV and that is a key factor in our success.

“We are also helped by geography and being close to London as many of our

players work in London and travel down to training by train.

“However, the support we get is 100% part of our success. We have a very loyal group of hardy supporters called the ‘Ultras’, who follow us across the country, and it makes a huge difference to have vocal support when visiting distant places such as Redruth in Cornwall. At home we attract an average of 250 people to games, and for local derbies that can swell to 900.

“Supporters come to watch top quality rugby. Our emphasis is on playing an exciting brand of rugby with try scoring the core objective. We want to encourage rugby supporters from across Kent to come down to home games and enjoy a warm welcome from a friendly club while watching some potential England stars of the future on the field.”

Dankert, who grew up and played rugby in Sydney, qualified as a coach on the same day as England’s Eddie Jones. “I knew Eddie well over there, and I think we have both brought a little bit of the Aussie style of play over here, especially with an emphasis on playing a fast game.

“I really appreciate the position I am in and love coaching at the club, but a club like TJs is all about the sponsors, the volunteers and the players, young and old, male and female – it’s the people that make a great club.“ Find out more about TJs at: www.tjrfc.co.uk

www.kenteye.co.uk 29

ENTERTAINMENT EYE Kent Eye advert:Kent Eye advert copy 1 17/01/2020 10:22 Page 1

Watch top quality rugby in the heart of Kent Bring the whole family to watch live rugby on your doorstep and support Tonbridge Juddians in their promotion push.

TJ’s next home games are: Sat 15 February - Old Albanians Sat 7 March - Clifton Sat 28 March - Barnes Adult tickets £12 / OAPs £10 / Under 18s free.

Full details available at www.tjrfc.co.uk TJs relies on its generous sponsors to survive. This season’s headline sponsor is RidgeCrest Cleaning, a dynamic and reliable soft services company, operating cleaning contracts for schools and colleges throughout the South East, London and the Midlands.

Other main sponsors are: Tonbridge Old Fire Station, Bond Davidson, Square Mile, Sanlam, DC Access Systems, Warners Solicitors and PJ Electrical.

What’s going on in Kent?

Where to go and what to see in February and March 2020 has already got off to an impressive start with an entertainment diary jampacked with a variety of shows to suit all tastes, from music to comedy to dance – and everything in between. Our comprehensive guide gives you the full lowdown on what’s on throughout the county and our pick of the best not-to-be-missed shows on in February and March. Enjoy!

If it’s a night out complete with belly laughs that you’re after, then you’re in for a treat with the Mouth of the South  Rob Beckett AKA Rob Beckett.

Host of BBC One’s All Together Now and team captain on Channel 4’s 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Beckett is back with a bang and on tour with Wallop! – a brand new stand up show running in venues across the county. Get set for a high energy performance and gags galore from this award-winning comic.

After their hotly anticipated third album Foolish Loving Spaces was released last month, indie pop band Blossoms is taking the album on the road and will be appearing at the Margate Winter Gardens for their one and only performance in Kent as part of this tour.

Blossoms 

You and features recent hit single Your Girlfriend.

Speaking about the inspiration for the album, the band explains: “The album is a pure celebration of love in all of its splendid and baffling guises, toying with the so-called sins of lust and forbidden infatuation. It’s inspired by a summer spent listening to ‘Stop Making Sense’, ‘The Joshua Tree’ & ‘Screamadelica’.”

Special guests on the tour will be The Magic Gang, with FEVER scheduled to open the Margate Winter Gardens performance – see listings for more information.

Strictly season may be over, but that’s no reason for the dancing to stop as we welcome two of the show’s stars to Kent as they perform a Latin extravaganza.

30 www.kenteye.co.uk

One of the UK’s best comics, Brand is the star and writer of several television hits as well as the author of highly-acclaimed best-selling books.

At her best live on stage, the A Work in Progress tour promises to offer audiences some of Brand’s trademark razor-sharp wit served with a dollop of hilarity.

Strictly Come Dancing favourites Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez are sure to set pulses racing with their brand new show, FIREDANCE. Pairing up professionally for the first time, the show promises a spectacular night of entertainment featuring showstopping dances and seductive choreography. So, it’s time to dust off those sequins and shine for a night at FIREDANCE with dates released across the county.

One of Britain’s first-class entertainers is coming to Kent and doing what he does best... entertaining!

Comedian, singer, actor, presenter and impressionist, the utterly fabulous Rob Brydon brings his Songs & Stories performance to the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone and promises an evening of toe-tapping tunes and sidesplitting laugher.

Brydon will be joined by a sensational live band in what promises to be an unforgettable evening of storytelling and song. Expect everything from Sondheim to Rodgers and Hammerstein, Paul Simon to Tom Waits.

The new album is a follow up to the band’s 2018, top 5 album Cool Like

Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez 

Matt Richardson 

And the laughs continue as this season we’re spoilt for choice with comedy. Fresh from an acclaimed season at the Edinburgh Festival, the multi awardwinning comedian Matt Richardson brings his brand new energetic stand up tour to Maidstone in March at the Hazlitt Theatre. Complete with support act, Richardson’s Imposter tour tells the story of his adventures in TV and showbiz, and how he feels like he doesn’t belong there – or even in the world of adulthood.  Jo Brand

Join comedy stalwart Jo Brand as she tries out some of her new material on Kent audiences, along with her special guest, Andy Robinson.

www.kenteye.co.uk 31

ENTERTAINMENT EYE

Entertainment

28 29

MARCH

February/March 2020 Sarah Thorne Theatre, Broadstairs Tel - 01843 863701 FEBRUARY 21-23 Bedroom Farce (Hilderstone Players) 29 Three Men in a Boat (not to mention the dog)

MARCH 1 Thanet Drama Festival Drama Adjudication Day 7 Ode to a Lounge Lizard 8 Don Giovanni by Mozart (Merry Opera) 14 Budapest Café Orchestra 15 Rula Lenska: From Dzików to Willesden Green 21 Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope 27 Thanet Festival Awards Night 28 A Celebration of Speech and Drama Performances 29 Stepling

CHURCHILL THEATRE, Bromley Tel - 020 3285 6000 FEBRUARY 31Jan-1 Feb

Heard it Through the Punchline 29 Jan-2 Feb

Billionaire Boy 5 An Evening of Marvin Gaye 6 llegal Eagles 7 Dance to the Music 7 The Close Up Show 8 Fascinating Aida 9 Glenn Miller Orchestra 9 Little Star 13 T. Rextasy 14 Craft & Cocktails 14 Milton Jones in Milton: Impossible

CHURCHILL THEATRE, Bromley: Milton Jones in Milton: Impossible – 14 February

15 Dom Joly’s Holiday Snaps 15-16 Peppa Pig 20-22 Friendsical 21 The Adventures of Bo Peep 22 Dad’s Army Radio Show 23 Jack Dee: Off the Telly 24 Bring Your Own Baby Comedy 26-29 Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em 26 Afternoon Tea & Tour 27 Open Mic Musicals 29 Comedy Round Mine

MARCH 2 The Carpenters 3 Tony Stockwell 4 One Night in Dublin 5 Barry Steele and Friends: The Roy Orbison Story 6 Jim Davidson – Last Man Standing 7 Jane Austen and the Cheltonians 7 Joe Brown 11-14 Saturday Night Fever 14 Craft & Cocktails 14 Madama Butterfly 16 FIREDANCE - Karen Hauer & Gorka Marquez 17-21 Dial M for Murder 17 Afternoon Tea & Tour 21 A Series of Public Apologies 22 Josh Widdecombe: Bit Much...

24 Rumours of Fleetwood Mac 2020 25 The ELO Experience 26 80s Revival Dinner 26 Foster & Allen 26 Open Mic Musicals 27 Lost in Music 28 Round the Horne 29 Giovanni Pernice: This is Me

GULBENKIAN THEATRE, Canterbury Tel – 01227 769075 FEBRUARY 1 Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids 1 The Metropolitan Opera: Porgy & Bess (Live) 1 Shappi Khorsandi: Skittish Warrior – Confessions of a Club Comic 2 Aquarela 2 Daliso Chaponda: Blah Blah Blacklist 5 codeHarbour 6 Honey Boy 6 Helst 6 Speakeasy: Dan Simpson & Neelam Saredia-Brayley 6-7 FREE educational screening of Big Hero 7 Can I Help You? 8 The George Michael Legacy Featuring Wayne Dilks 9 Tim Edey (support Rudy Warman) 11 Feb-30 May Songbirds Series (Festival) 11 Feb-14 May Global Sounds Series with

Music for Change (Festival) 11 Kefaya and Elaha Soroor: Songs of our Mothers 12 Hattie Webb 12 Culture Declares Emergency Family Day

Boogie Wonderland The Duke Tour, Genesis

15 Sam Lee: “Old Wow” Tour 2020 18-19 Fairport Convention 19 Kinky Boots – The Musical (recorded) 20 NT Live: Cyrano de Bergerac (live) 21-22 Half Life 23 Canterbury Music Club: Ensemble Mirage 26 ROH: The Cellist / Dances at a Gathering 27-29 University of Kent Players: Dangerous Corner by J.B. Priestley 28 The Jazz Sessions (Festival) 28 The Jazz Sessions: Camilla George 29 Tom Brace: Brace of Spades 29 The Metropolitan Opera: Agrippina

MARCH 1 EOS: In Search of Chopin 1-2 NT Connections: The Marxist in Heaven 1 Jen Brister: Under Privilege 3 Meet Me a Tree 4 Self Esteem 5 Speakeasy: Maggie Akintayo & Gecko 6 SystemsLAB: Mixed Bill 7 This Girl Can Family Day 7 Bonhomme 7 Wira Malayah 10 Andreya Triana 11 Lowkey with DecoloniseUoK: Voices of (Un)belonging 14 The Metropolitan Opera: Der Fliegende Holländer (Live) 13-14 MTS: Evita 15 Canterbury Music Club: Yendo Saxophone Quartet 15 Sofie Hagen: The Bumswing 17 T.S. Eliot and Friends 18 ROH: Fidelio (recorded) 18 Olcay Bayir: Dream for Anatolia 22 Geoff Norcott: Taking Liberties 24 In Body 26 Edge 2020 27 The Tina Turner Experience Show 28 FibFest 2020 28 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour 30 Nitin Sawhney: Music & Me

THE MARLOWE THEATRE, Canterbury Tel – 01227 787787 FEBRUARY Until 6 As You Like It Until 8 Measure for Measure 4-6 The Taming Of The Shrew 6-8 The Political History of Smack and Crack (Marlowe Studio) 11-12 The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra Of Siberia’s Swan Lake 11-14 The Noise Next Door: In Charge (Marlowe Studio) 13 The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra Of Siberia’s Sleeping Beauty 14 The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra Of Siberia’s Coppélia 15 The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra Of Siberia’s The Nutcracker

16 Philharmonia Orchestra: Sunshine And Melody 24-29 Rhys James: Snitch (Marlowe Studio) 24-29 We Will Rock You 26 Jessica Fostekew: Hench (Marlowe Studio)

MARCH 3-7 Ghost Stories 8 Philharmonia Orchestra: Musical Pictures 10-14 Cabaret 11-14 Ask Me Anything (Marlowe Studio) 15 Kiri Pritchard-McLean: Empathy Pains (Marlowe Studio) 20-21 Acosta Danza: Evolution 21 Lou Sanders: Say Hello To Your New Step-Mummy (The Studio) 23-28 Everybody’s Talking About Jamie 24 Tom Rosenthal: Manhood (Marlowe Studio) 26-28 Dead Good (Marlowe Studio) 29 Rhys James: Snitch (Marlowe Studio) 31-4 Apr A Monster Calls

BROOK THEATRE, Chatham Tel – 01634 338338

LEAS CLIFF HALL, Folkestone: Ben Fogle - Tales from the Wilderness – 12 March 9 Medway Music Association Instrumental Festival 10-13 Medway Music Association Choral Festival (KS1) 14 Rob Beckett: Wallop 17-18 Little Shop of Horrors 21 The Bowie Collective 24 Bootleg Beatles in Concert 26 FIREDANCE - Karen Hauer & Gorka Marquez 27 Circus Of Horrors 25th Anniversary Tour

QUEEN’S HALL THEATRE, Cranbrook Tel – 01580 711856 FEBRUARY 5-7 Cranbrook School presents Blood Brothers

MARCH 7 26

Lee Hurst – The Local Comedy Club String Fever

ORCHARD THEATRE, Dartford Tel – 01322 220000 FEBRUARY BROOK THEATRE Chatham: Woodland Tales with Grandad – 15 March

FEBRUARY 8 Kent Youth Jazz Orchestra with Derek Nash 14 Cabaret of Curiosities 19-22 Peter Pan

MARCH 8 MaKe U.Dance 2020 15 Woodland Tales with Grandad 20 Foster & Allen: Timeless Memories Tour 26 Dad’s Army Radio Show 28 Feast of Fiddles

CENTRAL THEATRE, Chatham Tel – 01634 338338 FEBRUARY 6 Ed Byrne: If I’m Honest...

14 Boyzlife Tour 2020 (with support) 26 An Evening of Snooker Greats starring Steve Davis & Dennis Taylor 29 City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra: Season 2019-2020

MARCH 6 The Best of That’ll Be The Day! 7 Jack Dee: Off the Telly

32 www.kenteye.co.uk www.kenteye.co.uk

27 Jan-1 Feb Dial M for Murder 4 Soul Legends 5 Madama Butterfly 6-8 Moscow City Ballet – Sleeping Beauty 9 Superslam Wrestling 9 Legend – The Music of Bob Marley 10 Tea & Tour 10 Sing-A-Long Dirty Dancing 11 Kojo Anim – The Taxi Tour 12 The Adult Panto: Peter Panties 13 Dance to the Music 14 Valentine’s Tropicana 15 Tango Fire 16 The Boys Are Back 5ive / A1 / Damage / 911 20-22 Lady Chatterley’s Lover 23 Sun Records 24 Sounds of the 70s Live with Johnnie Walker 25 Boyzlife 26 Buddy Holly and The Cricketers 27 Gag House Comedy

MARCH 1 Vintage Cabaret 1 The Fureys 2-7 The Simon and Garfunkel Story 8 Come What May: A Tribute to Moulin Rouge

9 Bring Your Own Baby 9 Tea & Tour 9 Andy Ford: Live, Daft and Lovely 10 Joe Brown 11 Ab Fab Comedy Show Dinner 12 Magic of Motown 13 Radio Ga Ga 14 80s Live 16 Rumours of Fleetwood Mac 17-18 Rob Beckett 19 Chicago Blues Brothers 2-20 Menopause the Musical 21 FIREDANCE - Karen Hauer & Gorka Marquez 27-4 April

Derren Brown

THE MICK JAGGER CENTRE, Dartford Tel – 01322 291100 FEBRUARY 1 CODA - A Tribute to Led Zeppelin with QUADROPHONIA - A Tribute to The Who 8 The George Michael Story

MARCH 6 Lee Hurst Comedy Club 7 Take a Little Trip Back with Los Endos

ASTOR THEATRE, Deal Tel – 01304 370220 FEBRUARY 1 Country Superstars 2 La Boheme Royal Opera House Live 3 Fisherman’s Friends (film) 6 Present Laughter – NTLive – Encore 7 Some Kinda Wonderful 8 Mari Wilson – Ready, Steady Girls 9 All My Life’s Buried Here 10 Cold War (Deal Film Club) 13 Matthew Bourne’s Romeo & Juliet Encore Screening 14 Putting on the Ritz Tea Dance 14 Nat King Cole Story – King for a Day 15 Soultown USA 16 Sunday Classics 17 If Beale Street Could Talk (film) 18 Brace of Spades 20 The Astor Palm Court Orchestra 20 Gary Delaney 2020 21 Million Dollar Men 22 The Carpenters Experience 24 Pain & Glory 27 The History Project

1 Dancers at a Gathering – The Royal Opera House Live 2 A Matter of Life and Death (film) 5 Open Mic at the Astor 6 Don Giovanni 7 Commitments & Blues Brothers 9 Film Noir (Deal Film Club) 12 Peter Williams in Black and White 13 A Murderous Night at the Oscars 14 Sounds of Simon 16 NT Live: Cyrano de Bergerac (live) 19 The Astor Palm Court Orchestra 19 The History Project (March) 20 Magic Mystery 21 The American Four Tops 22 Fidelio – The Royal Opera House Live 23 Sorry We Missed You (film) 26 Belinda O’Hooley - Inversions 27 Coldplace 28 Crocodile Rock 29 Flo Smith: Now & Then 30 Skin (film)

FOLKESTONE JAZZ CLUB AT THE TOWER THEATRE Tel - 07388 127229 or email folkestonejazz@gmail.com FEBRUARY 6 13 20 27

Nat Steele Quintet Mick Foster / Karen Sharp Quintet Sara Dowling Quintet Pete Cater ~ Ministry of Jazz

MARCH 5 12 17 26

Alan Barnes Quartet The Pete Long Quartet Enrico Tomasso / Jo Fooks Quintet Julian Marc Stringle Dream band

LEAS CLIFF HALL, Folkestone Tel – 0844 871 3015 FEBRUARY 6 Jimmy Carr – Terribly Funny 7 The Illegal Eagles 8 David Baddiel – Trolls not the Dolls 13 Circus of Horrors 15 Rhod Gilbert – The Book of John 23 Joe Brown in Concert, 60th Anniversary Tour b 28 Rib Ticklers Comedy Club 28 80s Live (tribute) 29 Boot Led Zeppelin

MARCH 1 The Carpenters Story 3 Frank Turner 4 Rumours of Fleetwood Mac 2020 7 The Kilfenora Ceili Band in Concert 11 Rob Brydon – Songs and Stories 12 Ben Fogle - Tales from the Wilderness 13 Bowie Experience 14 The Rocket Man - A Tribute to Sir Elton John 15 Jim Davidson – Last Man Standing 19 Let The Music Play 21 Folkestone Choral Present The Armed Man 22 Paul Carrack 2020 Tour 23 Great Big Dance Off South East Heat 26 The Boys Are Back 5ive / A1 / Damage / 911 27 Rib Ticklers Comedy Club 28 Believe – The Cher Songbook

TOWER THEATRE, Folkestone Tel – 01303 223925 FEBRUARY 1 Lee Hurst 9 High School Musical JR - PQA Canterbury 9 High School Musical JR - PQA Ashford 15 Patti Boulaye’s “Aretha & Me”

MARCH 7 The Sorcerer By Gilbert and Sullivan 13 Comedy Mash presents... Angela Barnes 18-21 The Vicar of Dibley 27 An Evening with 4 Poofs and a Piano

The Woodville, Gravesend Tel – 01474 337 500 FEBRUARY 4 Live screening: Kinky Boots the Musical 5 NTLive Encore: Present Laughter 7 Simon Evans – The Work of the Devil 7 Open Mic Night 9 Jim Davidson, Last Man Standing 14 The Magic of the Beatles 15 A Tribute to Ariana Grande and JoJo Siwa 15 Jackson Live in Concert Starring the sensational CJ 16 Mama G’s Story Time Roadshow 2.0 19 All Star Wrestling 21 Cardboard Carnival & Puppet making Workshop 22 Country Superstars 27 Lunchtime Concert with Nicky Catterwell 27 Comedy Club 28 Luther

MARCH 1 Hancock and Co 7 Ladykiller 12 The Noise Next Door 13 Witch Hunt 15 Last of the Summer Wine with Julian Dutton 18 Kaleidoscope 20 Sing-a-Long Dirty Dancing (15) 26 Lunchtime Concert with Bela Hartmann

KING’S HALL, Herne Bay Tel – 0333 666 4466 FEBRUARY 14 Valentine’s Black & White Ball with Taking Care of Vegas 20 Total Pop Party!

22 Abba Fever 28 Thank you, Ella!

29 Bye Bye Baby – A Tribute to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

MARCH 6 Boogie Wonderland!

13 Lee Hurst’s Local Comedy Club 20 An evening with John Illsley of Dire Straits 21 The Skatonics 27 Martin Kemp – Back to the 80s DJ Set 28 The Dreamboys

HAZLITT THEATRE, Maidstone Tel – 01622 758611 FEBRUARY 1 6 7

The Neil Diamond Story Jo Brand – Work in Progress Don Giovanni

www.kenteye.co.uk 33

8 Roy Chubby Brown 12 Pippin 16 Geoff Norcott – Taking Liberties 16 Jimeoin 20 Three Billy Goats Gruff 21 Joel Dommett – Unapologetic (If that’s Okay?)

22 Matt Richardson – Imposter 22 100% Simon Brooklin 23 Be Bop A Lula 28 Kaleidoscope 28 Opera Boys 29 Rock For Heroes

MARCH 1 Mark Steel: Every Little Things Gonna Be Alright 3 Ben Hart: Wonder 4 Jeeves and Wooster 5 Psychic Sally: 10 Years & Counting 6 California Dreamin’ 7 The Little Mix Experience 7 The Second Best Bed 7 The Rolling Stones Story 8 There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly 13 Wanted 13 Country Superstars 14 Lou Sanders: Say Hello to your new Step Mummy 21 Kent Hall Reunion in memory of Clair Stead 23 Sister Act 28 Steve Williams and Steve Hall 29 An Evening with Sir Geoff Hurst

PIZZA EXPRESS LIVE, Maidstone Tel – 020 7439 4962 FEBRUARY 1 Julie Felix 2 Simply Dan play Steely Dan 8 Bella and the Bourbon Boys featuring Amy Cat Walton 13 The Drawtones 14-15 Gareth Gates 15 The Brit Funk Association 20-22 Shakatak 27 Goosebumps 28 Guy Chambers - ‘Go Gentle Into The Light’ 29 Jahméne Live

MARCH 6 7 13 14 15 20 28

Parry Ray ‘Out Of The Shadows’ Dr Feelgood Blue Harlem Jason Allen and the Sway Band Chris Corcoran Band Imaani ‘Eclectic Acoustic Soul’ The Girls From Oz

MARGATE WINTER GARDENS Tel – 01843 292795 FEBRUARY 7 Jim Davidson – Last Man Standing Tour 8 The King Is Back 21-23 Play Expo Margate 28 Lost in Music – One Night at the Disco

MARCH 6 An Evening with Harry Redknapp 7 Wannabe 8 Blossoms 14 Sounds of Springsteen 15 The Boys are Back!

20 Rob Beckett – Wallop

28 Sounds of the ‘60s Live with Tony Blackburn 29 Circus of Horrors 25th Anniversary Tour

THEATRE ROYAL, Margate Tel – 01843 292795 FEBRUARY 2 The Wizard of Oz 6-8 Chicago 14 Jimeoin – Ramble On 15 The Simon and Garfunkel Story 20-22 The Wizard from Auss 23 Jo Brand – Work in Progress 28 John Shuttleworth’s Back

Sinden Theatre, Tenterden

Tel – 01580 763 826 FEBRUARY 28

EM FORSTER THEATRE, Tonbridge

Tel – 01732 304241 FEBRUARY 1-2

Room on the Broom

14

Tonbridge Comedy Nights

21-22 Footsteps 2020 Vision 27 Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting with Noel Janis-Norton

MARCH 5-7 Jekyll & Hyde The Musical 12 Kerry Godliman – Bosh 13 Dad’s Army Radio Show 14 Morgan & West – Unbelievable Science 15 Francis Rossi – I Talk Too Much 21 Pete Firman & The Amazing TBC 24 Giselle 26 Guys & Dolls 27 Harpy 28 Showaddywaddy 29 Mr Men & Little Miss Stage Show

Lone Star Comedy Club

28

Grease Singalong Film Night

TOM THUMB THEATRE, Margate Tel – 01843 221 791 FEBRUARY 12 28

Jazz at the Tom Thumb Time Show (Rob Auton)

MARCH 18 Catherine Bohart: Lemon 21 John Kearns: Double Take and Fade Away

EM FORSTER THEATRE, Tonbridge: Jeeves and Wooster – 2-3 March

STAG THEATRE, Sevenoaks Tel – 01732 450175 FEBRUARY

2-3

1 One Night in Dublin 2 Chance to Dance Winter 2020 3 Sinderella 5 Taste of Classics: Sevenoaks Symphony Orchestra 6 The Old Silk Road to Afghanistan with John Pilkington 7 The George Michael Legacy Featuring Wayne Dilks 9 Kinky Boots the Musical 13 The Story of Guitar Heroes 20 NT Live: Cyrano de Bergerac (live) 21 Carlton Kirby in Conversation 21 dS:uK 22 Silver Steps 26 Outside the Box – Sara Pascoe 27 St Mark Live! – The Gospel According to Mark 28 Ultimate Classic Rock

MARCH 5 A Balkan Adventure with John Pilkington 6 Steve Knightley 7 Dance-Worxs – Divas 7 Discover Local Heroes – Wine and Gin Tasting 8 Sevenoaks Young Musician of the Year Award 2020 12 Vienna Festival Ballet – The Sleeping Beauty 13 Jive Talkin’ 13 The Close-Up Show – In The Bar 15 Barber’s Adagio for Strings and Copland’s Rodeo

MARCH Jeeves & Wooster

15 There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly 20

Tonbridge Comedy Nights

28

Ballet Central

TONBRIDGE CASTLE

Tel – 01732 770929 FEBRUARY 12

Talk and Tour at Tonbridge Castle

ASSEMBLY HALL, Tunbridge Wells

Tel – 01892 530613 FEBRUARY 1

TEDx Talks

2

RTWSO: Opera Gala

5

Milton Jones

6

The King is Back

8

We Love Little Mix

8

Think Floyd

8

German Cornejo’s Tango Fire

25

Jimmy Carr

27

Thank You For The Music

28

ELO Again

29 Believe

MARCH 1

RTWSO: Martin James Bartlett

6

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

7

Havana Nights

TRINITY THEATRE, Tunbridge Wells Tel – 01892 678 678 FEBRUARY Until 9 Feb

Static (4 Colour Environs) 1 The Marie White Show 2 Puss in Boots 2 Le Mans ‘66 (film) 4 Knives Out (film) 5 The Report (film) 6 Eduardo Niebla in Concert 7 Trinity Comedy Club 9 Kinky Boots: The Musical (recording) 9 & 11 Little Women (film) 10 Senior Cinema: Funny Face 11-22 1.5 Degrees exhibition 13 Life Drawing Class 13 Cats (film) 14 Count Arthur Strong: Is There Anybody Out There?

15 Adam Hills: Work in Progress 16 Sleeping Beauty 17 Stop Motion Animation workshop (youth theatre) 18 Shaun the Sheep: Farmageddon (film) 18 Frozen II (film) 18-19 1917 (film) 20 NT Live: Cyrano de Bergerac 21 - 22 High School Musical 2 on Stage 25 Feb – 7 March

A Brush with Reality (gallery) 25-29 Deathtrap

Henning Wehn

17

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac

20

The Take That Experience

28

Noble Jacks in Concert

WWW.ALEXANDRAWHITEJEWELLERY.CO.UK ALEX@ALEXANDRAWHITEJEWELLERY.CO.UK 07765 580746

MARCH 7 Alex Edelman: Just For Us 10-22 In focus... (gallery) 12 The Navy Lark 12 Life Drawing Class 13 Gary Delaney: Gagster’s Paradise 14 No Jacket Required: The Phil Collins Tribute 17 ROH Live: Fidelio 19 In the Picture 20 Bleak House 21 Trinity Comedy Club 22 GEMS Concert and Prize Giving 23 Senior Cinema: The Way We Were 24 March-5 April

LIGHT in Watercolours (gallery) 24 Guys and Dolls 26 Beatlemania: Shake It Up Baby Tour 28-29 Firefly Dance School

Project1:Layout 1 23/01/2020 14:28 Page 1

WISH YOU WERE HERE?

PLAYHOUSE THEATRE, Whitstable Tel –01227 272042 FEBRUARY 1 Firebrand Music presents Steve Knightly 7 Lollypops & Moptops 8 The ELO Encounter 15 Who Are You UK - Tommy & Greatest Hits 21 The Alter Eagles 22 Belle Family Go to the Circus 28 Dance Whitstable Choreographics 29 Neil Duncan - Elvis Concert

12 Boyzlife 13

" & 9 " / % 3 " 8 ) * 5 &

4 * 7 & 3 + & 8 & & 3 :

30 Aida

34 www.kenteye.co.uk

Presenting two stunning holiday apartments in Kalkan, Turkey Olympos 6 & Olympos 11 Breathtaking views across the bay Fully equipped - your home from home Now booking for summer 2020 and beyond! @Olympos6and11Aparts

Villa Balducci Umbria Beautiful villa to rent in Italy situated in the countryside only a 5 minute drive to the centre of Citta di Castello. Sleeps 8 (possibly 10). Three double bedrooms en suite (2 with balconies), one single with bunk beds and pool house with bathroom. Lots of comfortable outside spaces in which to relax.

Child friendly.

Cost: £3,000 per week info@villabalducci.com Tel: 08081185729

www.kenteye.co.uk 35 PaintinginItalyWT215.indd 1 12/12/2019

10:47

Weddings

at Tonbridge School

A unique and beautiful venue for your wedding

Call to book a guided tour Tonbridge School Tonbridge . Kent . TN9 1JP www.tonbridge-events.co.uk . events@tonbridge-school.org 01732 304268