MMM Kent Magazine April 2014 issue by Rasa Dregva

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April 2014

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Welcome

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W O O D SD E SI G N E RC L OTHING

HERE can be few words which mean so many different things to so many different people as 'festival'. Whether it is a gathering to celebrate literature, art, food, drink, horse racing, fashion, cars or music, few can resist its charms. And I'm among them. There is something wonderful about the prospect of a festival celebrating a strand of our culture of the arts and as we start approaching the summer, there's already plenty to start working into your diary – all drenched with hopes of warm sunshine! Inside this month's issue we take a look at James Blunt-a singer/songwriter who seems to split opinion right down the middle. The re-born Hop Farm Music Festival at Paddock Wood this summer gives us all the chance to see him up close and personal - well, at least as personal as in a field with thousands of others can be. It's shaping up to be a great event. A very different type of festival has grown up around the science-fiction world – and who better to celebrate than Time Lord Doctor Who? Inside, we take a look at his love affair with the county. Elsewhere, we look at the remarkable career of Melinda Messenger, the Page 3 model turned TV presenter. She's certainly been on a journey of discovery. As ever, I hope you enjoy this month's edition of mmm. See you next month! Rasa

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mmm MMM Media Ltd GHL House 1st Floor 12-14 Albion Place Maidstone Kent ME14 5DZ Tel: 01622 299035 sales@mmm-media.com www.mmm-media.com Publisher Rasa Dregva Editor Tom White Travel Editor Tricia Lester Design Matthew Jones Karen Oliver

43 11 - James blunt James blunt bounces back 20 - melinda messenger marvelling at melinda messenger 25 - beauty House of Fraser offers beauty tips for spring

Sales Dawn Long Accounts Kerry Head Further contribution Christine Furlonger Robin Brooks

30 - doctor wHo doctor who’s love affair with Kent 35 - travel top places to snowboard, plus read about what bermuda has to offer 43 - easter events get eggcited this easter

All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher. © MMM Media Ltd 2014

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55 - robin brooKs Historian and author talks about the iguanodon in maidstone 58 - artHur price today’s designs become tomorrow’s classics. 63 - Home and gardens statistics show a spot of gardening could cheer you up, 66 - property idyllic family house cherry tree oast

70 - motors the new citroËn c1 model 75 - business Find out the latest business news in Kent

48 - Food check out our lastest three course meal easy to prepare and cook at home

79 - events great family fun ideas in Kent

50 - History the battle to save canterbury cathedral

82 - st george celebrate st george’s day

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James Blunt

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mUSIC HERO

James Blunt has made a name for himself around the world with his music and support of good causes. He has written four studio albums and has recieved five grammy nominations. Also serving the British Army for six years.

t one stage it looked as though James Blunt was going to be a victim of his own success. The singer-songwriter, who turned 40 in February, was enjoying a stardom experienced by few others as his global hit, You’re Beautiful, soared to the top of charts around the world. Yet it was a song loved and loathed in equal measure for Blunt. It swiftly became a millstone around his neck. And he admits it is only recently he’s come to terms with what it did to his career – almost ten years after it climbed

to the top of the charts. It did, however, ensure his finely crafted Back to Bedlam album delivered him fame and riches beyond compare. Speaking ahead of a performance at the revamped Hop Farm Festival last summer, he explained: “Back to Bedlam was a very innocent album and one I put together without the glare of the music industry or an audience for that matter. Perhaps that was part of its charm. “I knew You’re Beautiful would work well on the radio, but I must admit, it’s not even my favourite song on the album – nor the most meaningful. a

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“I was just an independent artist, not a pop star, and all of a sudden I was being called a pop star, which was actually quite a difficult transition to make. “I went on world tours and the band evolved, so I was writing songs which would work well in arenas.” Not only did You’re Beautiful reach number one in the UK in 2005 – sitting top of the tree for some six weeks – but after sweeping across the continent, it climbed to the top of the Billboard charts in the US. In doing so, he became the first British artist since 1997 – and Elton John’s Candle in the Wind tribute to Princess Diana – to do so. Yet despite a backlash from many parts of the public and media, Blunt is now back in a comfortable place. He may forever be remembered for You’re Beautiful, but his latest work proves he is no flash in the pan. His latest album, Moon Landing, sent the single Bonfire Heart to number one in a host of markets across Europe and there seems no letup in the appetite to see him perform. “That song took me on an amazing journey.

“But there comes a time when you want to write music for yourself, not what you think people want to hear. “Now I’m writing for me again and I think it’s actually making more people tune in. I think the songs on Moon Landing are more honest, more genuine. And I think people appreciate that.” Nor is he a stranger to Kent. In 2006, he headlined to a huge crowd at Leeds Castle, and two years later he played an intimate show in front of just 150 people as part of a promotion with radio station Heart, in Chilham Village Hall. In July, he will perform at the Hop Farm Festival in Paddock Wood. It would seem his transformation to respected artist is almost complete. He’s even becoming known for having a personality, which is both self-deprecating and amusing – as seen by his recent embracing of Twitter where he took on some of the negative comments about him head-on. When someone asked why James Blunt’s singing sounds like “his willy is being stood on” the singer quipped back: “Damn thing’s always getting caught under my feet.”

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By Thesupermat -http://creativecommon.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) via Wikimedia

Fact file Name: James Hillier Blount Age: 40 (February 22, 1974) Born: Tidworth, Wiltshire, England Occupation: Musician/Songwriter Service: British Army Years Service: 1997-2002 Rank: Captain Studio Albums: Back to Bedlam (2004) All the Lost Souls (2007) Some Kind of Trouble (2010) Moon Landing (2013)

Latest Singles: Bonfire Heart (2013) Head to Heart (2013)

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Rasa Dregva, mmm Magazine Publisher meets James Blunt

In short, he’s actually becoming a personality it’s safe to like again. He explained: “Twitter’s been good fun. “I wasn’t bothered about what people were saying about me, but it did make me laugh and I enjoyed engaging with the trolls. I think it finally gave people the chance to see I wasn’t quite this ego character they thought I was.” Blunt is not your normal singer-songwriter however. His military career has been well documented – he served alongside Prince Harry and the two remain friends – and he comes from a privileged background. Having attended Harrow School – where he was bitten by the music bug – he had been born in Wiltshire in 1974. His father was a colonel in the British Army Air Corps and a military helicopter pilot. It was an Army bursary which saw the young James attend Harrow. a

“Our soldiers do an amazing, selfless job of trying to bring peace and stability to someone else’s country, and the British public have been their champions every step of the way”.

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He would go on to get an Army-sponsored place the Heroes, for which he is also a patron. University of Bristol. Adds Blunt: “Our soldiers do an amazing, selfless job Emerging from education, he served for four years in of trying to bring peace and stability to someone else’s the Army, undergoing training at Sandhurst before being country, and the British public have been their champions commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Life Guards, every step of the way. a unit of the Household Cavalry. “You can never underestimate how much that means to He would rise to the rank of captain. the men and women on the frontline, and to the injured During his Army career he served in Kosovo as part soldiers on their return.” of the NATO forces. He was also a His big music break came after he talented skier, becoming champion of sent a tape to the manager of Elton the Royal Armoured Corps. Soaring to number one in John – Todd Interland, who liked what Shortly after standing guard as the heard and arranged a meeting. It was the charts during 2004 Your he Queen Mother lay in state in London in a desire to pursue a music career which 2002, he left the Army in October of that prompted Blunt to leave the Army. Beautiful remains James year after six years’ service. The rest, as they say, is history. Signed Blunt’s best single But it remains close to his heart. to EMI, it began a music career which “For over a decade, our politicians has seen him shift millions of copies and sent our soldiers into wars that some of made him a household name. us, for good reason, struggled to entirely believe in,” And after years of a somewhat playboy existence, he is he explains. settled in his home life too. “But despite that, the public recognised that we voted For the last two years he has been romantically linked in those politicians, and so if they can’t live up to their with Sofia Wellesley, 30, and the two are engaged. responsibilities to look after our injured soldiers, we will.” It seems that, finally, everything is coming together for As a consequence, he is an active supporter for Help for James Blunt. mmm

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Model of success

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Melinda Messenger

From rising to fame during the late 90s, Melinda has experienced the highs and lows during her career as a model and TV presenter, now 40 she explains how her career unfolded.

elinda Messenger has come a long way in her career. Just 17 years ago she was making headlines for a risque advertising campaign for a local double

glazing company. Under the slogan ‘class behind glass’ the young model, wearing nothing but skimpy underwear, was featured on a host of posters which quickly became something of a collector’s item. No sooner did they appear around Gloucester’s bus shelters, then the local lads were pinching them – so

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enamoured were they with the model featured. By the time the Advertising Standards Authority had banned the campaign for showing a little too much flesh and not quite enough double-glazing, the local media began to sit-up and take notice. The story quickly spread to the national papers, and Melinda Messenger’s life was about to change forever. And little wonder. Miss Messenger – who on the advice of her agent had seen her breasts enlarged to a 34DD cup – was a combination of coy ‘girl next door’ and confident businesswoman. The Daily Star hailed her the next big thing and were a

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quick to start offering her topless photo shoots. It was all a far cry from the careers she had previously carved out for herself in Swindon – first as an air stewardess and then an office manager at a local marketing company, managing some 50 staff. But by 1997, when she was 26, her star was on the rise as she began to develop a host of admirers. Poached by the Sun newspaper she became the face of Page 3 and the new breed of so-called ‘lads’ mags’ which were taking the high street by storm. Not that her decision to go into glamour modelling appealed to everyone. Her mother was so put out, the two had a falling out which would only see them reconciled when she became pregnant with her first child some three years later. Signed by modelling agent Yvonne Paul – who had earlier steered Samantha Fox to fame in the 1980’s – her career took off. Posing for artistes including Vivienne Westwood, she continued working for the Sun, until readers voted to ban models with breast implants. In 1998, she wed long term love Wayne Roberts in Bali. The two had been together since their teens. However, their relationship would flounder in 2008, before they reunited for a brief while. It wouldn’t last long, however, and in 2012 they split for the final time. After having three children the couple admitted to growing apart. Only recently has she admitted starting to see someone new. She revealed: “You have these ideas that relationships should last forever and in an ideal world, wouldn’t that be lovely? But the reality is that they last for as long as they’re meant to last. Wayne and I had 18 years together and I think we were very lucky. “Our break-up was more about growing apart. Now we have a good friendship. He’s totally supportive and involved with the children. It’s working fine.” Moving away from the glamour modelling, which had made her, Melinda ventured into the world of television. Roles in Eurotrash, Channel 5 show Melinda’s Big Night In and Celebrity Big Brother followed. However, she faced challenges after the birth of her children – in particular a bout of depression.

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Melinda has become successful through both modelling and TV presenting

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“I can remember someone saying to me, ‘What have you got depressed about? You’ve got a good career and plenty of money.’ But depression doesn’t check your bank balance before it hits you”

She explained: “I can remember someone saying to me, ‘What have you got to be depressed about? You’ve got a good career and plenty of money.’ But depression doesn’t check your bank balance before it hits you. “I don’t know what the root of my depression is, but at its worst there is no way of lifting my mood or of feeling any joy, and I cry endlessly. You are in such pain that you really don’t want to live.” Certainly the birth of first child Morgan was dramatic. Having collapsed with the potentially fatal pre-eclampsia, she had to undergo an emergency caesarian. Second child Flynn was born in 2002 and Evie in 2003 and although the births were more straight forward, she suffered from post-natal depression. She is not the first in her family to be dogged by depression. Although her parents divorced when she was just five, her father suffered from the illness. Melinda explains: “Your childhood shapes who you become and, of course, there are positives and negatives to that. “There were difficult times when I was growing up, but I believe I’ve gained from those and realised that life’s not always easy, not always straightforward. “I had post-natal depression after having Flynn and then suffered with it much more severely after Evie. “Like most people, I’d always suffered from low moods on occasion, but they took a turn for the worse after that.” Not that her fans would have known.

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She returned to screens on Channel 5, presenting Cowboy Builders and Cowboy Traders alongside Dominic Littlewood. Among the show’s many exploits, was revealing the agony of one couple after a wedding dress company in Ashford went bust leaving them out of pocket and, more to the point, facing their wedding day without the bride’s outfit. Today she’s starting dating again – although is keeping her relationship low-key and out of the headlines. And it seems she is finally content with where she is in life. “My depression was like a beautiful gift inside a thorny box. Getting into the box tore me to shreds but inside was a gift that I would never give up - it helped me to find myself and discover what is real and what isn’t. “I feel very frustrated when people are made to feel somehow less than everyone else if they suffer mental illness. I think there are amazing opportunities for growth and transformation during those processes, even though at the time they can be extremely painful and difficult. “For me, turning 40 felt like an amazing milestone. Selfknowledge, wisdom and experience enriches you as you get older. Beauty is about more than youth. “Once I’m away from the camera, glamour isn’t on my radar. I don’t care what I look like at home. I just pull on whatever clothes come to hand and don’t even bother with make-up. Appearance isn’t important - it’s what’s inside that counts.” mmm

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5 Colour Palette (in 954 Pink Pompadour): This is a professional sculpting eyeshadow palette, perfect for your day to night creations. Universal Brow Styler: This eyebrow kit has a universal base colour to suit everyone, and a ﬁne tipped pencil with a brush which makes it easy to use and to perfect and blend. Dior are now offering a 40 minute complimentary makeover using the latest revolution in Dior technology – the shade analyser. This will enable us to ﬁnd your perfect foundation shade in seconds! After your complimentary makeover you will receive a sample of your perfect foundation shade to take home and try. To book call 01622 697700 ext 7752.

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Spring to life Start the month with a Spring in your step, reviewing the new season’s fashion

4 1 - Cropped Sweater £28, Shirt £35, Jacquard Skirt £30, Chain Bag £20, Belt £16, Next. 2 - Helene Berman Leopard and Lace Scarf, £79, House of Fraser. 3 - Pandora Bracelet, Pandora. 4 - Blue Doctors Darreline Bag, £69, Dune. 5 - Floral Print Tea Dress, £39, M&Co. 6 - On Top Yellow Stripe, £65, Office. 7 - Floral Dress, £170, House of Fraser. 8 - Pure Cashmere Slouchy Sweater, £180, Jaeger. 9 - Story Bracelet, £238, Cornell’s. 10 - Pastel Yellow Bag and Purse, Ted Baker.

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APRIL BLUES

Take a look at our top ten trend’s for you this Spring

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1 - Sweater £22, Sunglasses £13, Chinos £25, Pumps £28, Next. 2 - Vintage Chino, £65, Crew Clothing. 3 - Stylus Matte Black Ballpoint Pen, £30, Cornell’s. 4 - White Dial Avenger, £170, Rotary. 5 - Two Tone Rose Gold, £149, Rotary. 6 - Vivienne Westwood Black Leather Bag, £458, House of Fraser. 7 - Blue Jacket, River Island. 8 - Kilwai Waistcoat, Ted Baker. 9 - Suede Shoe, £42, Next. 10 - Corsivo, House of Fraser.

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Have you seen tHe tardis?

Having been on TV for 50 years, Doctor Who has captivated millions of people around the world. Now with a new Doctor, we look at how Kent has affected the TV show itself.

hen the 50th anniversary edition of Doctor Who was shown by the BBC in November, it pulled in one of the biggest audiences of the year. Some 12.8 million viewers tuned in – with thousands of others heading to cinemas around the country to watch the special show in 3D. They were rewarded with a programme which not only revealed an extra Doctor – the so-called War Doctor portrayed by John Hurt – but a very special return to the show by Tom Baker.

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The deep-voiced actor – for a generation of viewers during the 1970s and 80s, the Time Lord – remains perhaps the most popular of all the character’s many incarnations. But while his role as The Curator sent sci-fi fans into raptures, it was just the latest link between the popular show and the county of Kent. Because Tom Baker has, for many years, called the county his home. Not that Doctor Who is his only contribution to popular culture. His voice over for Little Britain was an essential part of its success, while he also enjoyed starring roles in the likes of

The Lives and Loves of a She Devil and the remake of classic show Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased). He lived, for many years, in Boughton Malherbe, near Lenham – regularly being spotted using the train from nearby Headcorn to London. Outside his home used to be a head-stone he had bought in advance of his death. Stacked outside his home it simply said ‘Tom Baker 1931-’. After selling the property – to co-star in Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased), the comedian Vic Reeves – he moved to France. But he returned to live in Tunbridge Wells. a

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‘Uniquely designed for you’

We are Sawmills Bespoke Furniture Limited a Kent based manufacturer and retailer of bespoke wooden furniture. We specialise in designing and manufacturing contemporary and traditional custom made furniture of diﬀerent styles and periods. For more information or a free consultation, please do not hesitate to contact us or alternatively, pop in to our showroom at Bethersden, Ashford, Kent.

01233 822276 www.sawmillsbespokefurniture.co.uk

Units 4 & 5 Colt Works Pluckley Road Bethersden Ashford Kent TN25 3DD

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In fact, the west Kent town has a rather rich history with the show. Not only did fellow Doctor Colin Baker made a special guest appearance at a Doctor Who convention in recent years, but the town plays host to Louise Jameson. The popular actress is perhaps best known for roles in the likes of EastEnders and Bergerac, but her big break was as Leela – companion to Tom Baker’s Doctor in 1977. Speaking at the time of last year’s anniversary show, she explained how only recently the full implication of her role in the show became apparent. “I don’t think I really got what a legacy - what an iconic programme - it is, and how privileged I am to be part of it. “I’m rather moved by now, in a way that I didn’t think was possible. You know, I feel very sentimental about it, very loving towards it, very grateful for it. “I’m hugely fond of Tom Baker now but we didn’t get on back in the day at all. “In fact, the reason I left the show

was that it was an uncomfortable situation at work. “But now, we work together all the time.” Down the road in Marden is where the very first Doctor, William Hartnell lived, and indeed died. He was 67 when he passed away following heart failure. The nearby area is certainly no stranger to the strange sound of the Tardis either. During the 1970s, Doctors Jon Pertwee, Patrick Troughton, William Hartnell and Sylvestor McCoy all filmed scenes in the county. Among the locations were the quarry which is now the Bluewater shopping complex, Kingsnorth on Hoo, Chislehurst Caves, Dungeness, Wrotham, Botany Bay and the former Lillesden School in Hawkhurst. Meanwhile, in Faversham, lived Terry Nation, the man who penned a number of episodes of the show but also, most notably, created the Daleks. And that’s not all.

“I don’t think I really got what a legacy - what and iconic programme - it is, and how privileged I am to be part of it”

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Picture courtesy of BBC Doctor Who

The county can even lay claim to the author of the very first show. Anthony Coburn wrote An Unearthly Child which introduced us to the time traveller. He lived in Herne Bay. All of which should whet the appetite for the upcoming season of Doctor Who – and one which, is greatly anticipated by every fan of the TV show. Peter Capaldi – best known as foul-mouthed Malcolm Tucker in hit political comedy, the Thick of It – steps into the Doctor’s shoes after replacing the out-going Matt Smith. And with rumours his arch foe the Master is set for a return too, the spell cast over the world by the Doctor shows no sign of being broken yet. Just don’t be surprised if you spot him in our part of the world again soon. mmm

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Doctor Who is the BBC’s most popular show of all time here in the UK

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mmm travel

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n Check out the top places to snowboard n Discover the beauty, history and mystique that is Bermuda

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

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TOP PLACES TO LEARN SNOWBOARDING From France amd Austria to Bulgaria, discover the top destinations to learn snowboarding.

ALPE D’HUEZ, FRANCE Set high in the Grandes Rousses Mountains, Alpe d’Huez has been nicknamed ‘L’Ile au Soleil’ - the Island in the Sun - and boasts the ﬁfth largest ski area in France, linking the villages of Vaujany, Oz, Villard-Reculas and Auris-en-Oisans, to provide its visitors with well over 200km of piste to explore. Not just great for skiing and snowboarding, the resort offers a wealth of amenities including a superb sports centre and the use of a large outdoor pool and skating rink, both free with full area lift passes. Beginners: newcomers to snowboarding are well catered for with a free lift and the option of buying a locally limited access daily ski pass (around €10 for 11 lifts) which covers gentle green runs.

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Progress can be quickly made under the expert guidance of the local ski school (a full lift pass is necessary for those in ski school). Après Ski Full of action with lots of live music. Try the Crowded House Bar in the Hermitage for a British atmosphere, Smithy’s Tavern, and the Underground Bar in the Hotel Chamois. For a more French ambience try Zoo Bar or L’Etalon. Activities • Sports Centre with tennis and squash courts • archery • gym • indoor golf • handball, basketball, volleyball and indoor-football • outdoor swimming pool, free with full weekly lift-pass • parapenting • ski-dooing • ice-skating rink free with full weekly Visalp lift-pass • ice driving • night skiing • sledging slope.

Eating out There are more than 40 restaurants, all categories • pizzas from €6.80 • fondues from around €14 • three course menus from €17 to €30 • Les Épiciers in the resort centre for an excellent à la carte menu. Genepi and La Pomme de Pin for French cuisine, Smithy’s for Tex Mex and Le Roi Ladre for pizzas. BANSKO, BULGARIA Located at the foot of the beautiful Pirin Mountains, Bansko is a traditional Bulgarian town that has recently developed into a superb ski centre. This rapidly expanding resort has a mixture of old world charm, some fantastic modern hotels and breathtaking views, making it an excellent choice for your ski holiday.

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A superb ski school will ensure you are well looked after if you book tuition or one of our fantastic ski pack offers. With 65 km of marked ski runs and some great off-piste, all abilities of skiers are well catered for. Offering Alpine quality at Bulgarian prices, it is little wonder that Bansko has become a firm favourite with visitors. Beginners: first-time snowboarders will find Bankso has plenty to offer. From the excellent tuition by some of Bulgaria’s best English speaking instructors, to the numerous well-groomed runs, Bansko is the ideal place to learn to snowboard. Après Ski Bansko offers some of the best Après Ski in Bulgaria. You will find a good selection of restaurants for dining out, serving local and international cuisine. There are numerous bars playing a mixture of live and recorded music late into the night.

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Activities Ice skating • swimming pool • bowling • snow sports including snow shoe walking • cross country skiing • skidooing • fishing/Ice fishing. Eating out Almost 100 restaurants or “Mehanas” offering a variety of Bulgarian and international cuisine • pizzas from £2.50 • three course meal from around £6 • coffee and tea from 50p • bottle of beer from 80p. OBERGURGL, AUSTRIA Situated in the spectacular Ötz Valley, Obergurgl is Austria’s highest parish, resulting in an excellent snow record and a very long ski season. The village remains largely unspoilt, there’s no through traffic and the attractive centre has a charming ambience with a selection of traditional après ski bars and beer kellers. The skiing and lifts start directly from the

village, with skiing back at the end of the day to virtually all the hotels we feature. Head for the spectacular ‘Top Mountain Star’ restaurant at 3082m for some breathtaking views. Beginners are well catered for with the Mahdstuhl nursery slopes just below Obergurgl village. Sixteen beginners’ slopes are covered on the lift pass, some rising to almost 3,000m with spectacular sights. Après Ski Krump’n Stadl, Josl Keller • Nederhütte Activities • Ice skating and curling • night skiing (every Tuesday) • ski away days Eating out Traditional three course dinner from approximately €25. For local and international food try: Pic Nic, Wiesenthal, Romantika, Belmonte, David’s Hut. For further information please contact Baldwins Travel on: 01622 762141.

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DISCOVER YOUR BERMUDA 22 miles of paradise, take a look at the best places to stay and visit.

ermuda is 181 little islands with the seven largest connected by bridges and causeways that form the ‘Island of Bermuda’ covering an area of just 22 miles long and two miles wide. Glorious pink sand beaches, glistening turquoise waters, lush green foliage, manicured lawns and quaint pastel-coloured cottages are the hallmarks of this tiny speck of land, in the North Atlantic Ocean, 1,000 miles north of the Caribbean, 600 miles off the east coast of the United States and reached in just over seven hours from London

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Gatwick, with daily non-stop direct ﬂights with British Airways. Bermuda has a fascinating history as Britain’s oldest colony dating back to 1615, so step back in time and ‘Discover Your Bermuda’! St George The historical town of St George, located on the ‘East End’ of the island and former capital of Bermuda until 1815 was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 as this is where Bermuda began! Visit the World Heritage Centre and ﬁnd out why St George’s has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Statue of Sir

George Somers who led the ﬁrst settlers in 1609 colonizing Bermuda for Britain; view the full size replica of the Deliverance, one of two ships built to carry the survivors of Sir George Somers shipwrecked Sea Venture onto Virginia in 1610. Visit the Town Hall and then onto State House, one of the oldest standing stone structures in the western hemisphere and believed to have been built by Governor Nathaniel Butler in 1620. Bermuda, the land Sir George Somers loved, is where he died so visit Somers’ Garden, named in his memory. It is in or around Somers Garden that Sir George Somers farmed in 1609-1610 and indeed 

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where his nephew, Matthew, buried his uncle’s heart whilst taking the body back to Sir George Somers home town of Lyme Regis, as an assurance that he could prove his uncle was dead and today, Lyme Regis is symbolically twinned with St George’s. Visit Stewart Hall, preserved for it’s architectural and historic importance. It is one of the largest and most elegant early 18th century houses in St George’s and has views of the Old Rectory, one of the oldest houses in Bermuda and built around 1699. Visit St Peter’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church in continuous use outside of the British Isles. Visit Smith’s Garden, a public garden opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne in 1999. Visit Tuckers House Museum, where behind the simple exterior of the early 18th century merchant’s house, is an architecturally elegant interior dating back to the late 18th century and when the house was occupied by Henry Tucker, President of the Governor’s Council (1775-1807) Visit the Bermuda National Trust Museum, built by Governor Samuel Day c.1700, on government land using slaves and materials. When his administration ended he claimed it for his own and a long court case began. Visit Carters House, the oldest house on St David’s Island, surviving more than three centuries, largely in it’s original state and the gardens contain many native trees, plants and shrubbery. Royal Naval Dockyard Travel to the ‘West End’ to the Royal Naval Dockyard, built in 1814 to become the largest British naval facility outside of the United Kingdom. As you visit the Royal Naval Dockyard today, the sweep of history is all around you in the ﬁne stone old buildings, wharves and fortiﬁcations and you step back in time to the era of the British Empire, when Britannia ruled the waves.

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Visit the National Museum of Bermuda, located within Bermuda’s largest fort, The Keep; this museum is home to the most extensive collection of maritime and other artefacts. Towering above The Keep is Commissioners House, dating from 1823 and considered to be Bermuda’s most important official building, as it was the first house to ever be built with a prefabricated cast and wrought iron structural framework. The award winning restoration project is a must see in itself and outside on the verandas, enjoy panoramic views of the Dockyard and Bermuda! City of Hamilton Visit the City of Hamilton, capital of Bermuda since 1815. Visit Queen Elizabeth Park, a beautiful city park and named in the honour of the Queen’s diamond jubilee. Visit the Bermuda Historical Society Museum and step back in time. View the museum’s collection that encompasses 400 years of Bermuda history. Visit Perot Post Office named after W.B Perot, Bermuda’s first postmaster in 1821. W.B Perot started producing Bermuda’s first stamps in 1848, with some now in Her

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Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Royal Stamp Collection. Visit City Hall designed by Bermudian architect Wil Onions, a champion of Bermuda’s unique architecture. Visit the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity built of Bermuda limestone and some imported stone from Scotland and France. The pulpit and lectern are replicas of those in St Giles, Edinburgh, Scotland and are considered outstanding examples of church sculpture. Visit the Queen Victoria Park just behind the City Hall, refurbished for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in the 1880’s. The bandstand in pride of place was brought from Dundee, Scotland and has recently been back there for care restoration work. Bermuda, a self-governing British Overseas Dependent Territory so visit Sessions House where some of the spirited debates between Government and Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, ‘umpired’ by the Speaker in his full wig and ﬂowing black robes take place. Visit the Cabinet Building and Senate Chambers where Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister MacMillan, President Kennedy, President Bush and

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, to name a few, have met in the past. Visit the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. The mission of the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, is to advance the understanding, appreciation and knowledge of the ocean and to encourage the protection and preservation of the marine environment. There are more than 400 shipwreck sites surrounding the waters of Bermuda, so the Shipwreck Gallery showcases many of the items collected by Teddy Tucker, a legend in Bermuda underwater treasure collection. Enjoy one of the world’s most impressive shell collections, you can also ﬁnd out more about the mysteries surrounding the Bermuda Triangle. Visit the Botanical Gardens covering 36 pristine acres and from formal gardens, orchids and cacti, a collection of plants of economic importance and native endemic woodland to the rolling lawns of Camden – the Premier’s ofﬁcial residence. For further details contact Baldwins Travel 01622 762141.

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Wrights Warehouse Est. 1926

•

White Goods

Electrical Appliances

Gas Appliances

•

At Wrights we have over 80 years’ experience, amazing prices and excellent, helpful and caring staff

We will beat any internet price

11 Waterloo Street, Maidstone, Kent ME15 7UG | Tel: 01622 690246 Open: Monday to Saturday, 9.00am-5.30pm | www.wrightswarehouse.co.uk

*Participating retailers only. Selected models only (graded/seconds/replacement/imperfect products & trade/contract Dealer Logo sales excluded). One claim per model number per customer only. Online/postal claims only, including copy purchase receipts, must be received by 17.05.14. Cashback paid as bank transfer (online claims only) or cheque. Full T&Cs available on www.bosch-home.co.uk/cashback

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eggscuse for chocolate With easter on the horizon, we make sure you have all your chocolate and eggs in one basket.

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1 - The Half and Half Ostrich Egg, £75, Hotel Chocolat. 2 - Milk Chocolate Easter Egg, M&S. 3 - Heavenly Hazelnut Egg, £20, Lindt. 4 - Luxury Fudge Collection, M&S. 5 - Rocky Road to Caramel Easter Egg, £28, Hotel Chocolat. 6 - The Easter Sleekster Selection, £24, Hotel Chocolat. 7 - The Facet Luxury Dark Chocolate Easter Egg, £20, Hotel Chocolat. 8 - Giant Gold Bunny, £36, Lindt. 9 - Goose Eggs, £13, Hotel Chocolat. 10 - 30 Chocolate Eggs, M&S.

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Get EGGCITED

this Easter...

Good for chocolate-lovers... Easter egg trails at National Trust properties – Kent and the rest of the UK (18 – 21 April) Choose from one of the 250 National Trust properties hosting the annual Cadbury Easter Egg Trail and explore their beautiful natural surroundings while on the hunt for chocolate. Will you be egg-hunting in the grounds of Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks, the fairytale Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst or the historic Sissinghurst Castle, Sissinghurst. Wherever you visit, you’re assured of a chocolatey treat at the end of the trail. Visit www.eastereggtrail.co.uk for further details. Kew Gardens celebrates Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (5 – 21 April) In celebration of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s 50th anniversary this year, and working in partnership with the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre (located in Buckinghamshire, just over an hour from central London), visitors can enjoy themed arts and crafts workshops at Kew Gardens, based around the Chocolate Factory rooms featured in the book. Create your own Willy Wonka-inspired chocolate bar or everlasting gobstoppers and hair toffee in the Inventing Room, or you can join Willy Wonka and his head Oompa-Loompa for songs and music, before going nuts with drawing in the Nut Room – just beware of the mischievous squirrels. Find out more at www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/whats-on/easter

Good for quirky experiences Biddenden Vineyards, (Easter Sunday from 11am to 4pm) The Easter bunny hunt will get children exploring the nooks and crannies of the vineyard as they chase clues for their chocolate reward. Adults can enter a competition to win a bottle of Biddenden Cider. Free entry. More details can be found by calling 01580 291726 or visit www.biddendenvineyards.com.

Good for culture Canterbury Tales (Good Friday to Easter Monday from 10am to 5pm) Children can re-enact the Nun’s Priest’s Tale over Easter and put themselves in with a chance of winning a family ticket to one of Kent’s other top attractions. In Chaucer’s fable, a proud rooster named Chauntecleer outsmarts Russell the sly old fox and escapes doom when the fox traps him. Young visitors will be tasked with ﬁnding Chauntecleer’s eggs around the attraction, each has a letter on them which spell out an Easter-related word when put together. Children who unjumble the letters will get a chocolate egg and be entered into a draw for tickets to Kent Life. Adults £7.95, concessions £6.95, children £5.90. Contact 01227 784600 or www.canterburytales.org.uk for more details. Leeds Castle (Good Friday to Easter Monday) Children can follow a trail through the grounds to collect an Easter egg from the Bunny Burrow. Children with a valid trail card will receive free pumpkin seeds, pots and earth to grow the seeds. The Leeds Castle gardeners will be on hand to give tips and advice on how to grow enormous pumpkins as part of this year’s competition, Beat the Leeds Castle Gardeners. Children can then return with their pumpkins at autumn half term and the biggest pumpkin will win a prize of a family ticket to November’s Firework Spectacular at the castle. Prices are adults £18.50, seniors and visitors with disabilities £16, children £11, under fours free. Tickets valid for a year. Children’s trail cards £2.50. Call 01622 765400 or www.leeds-castle.com for more information.

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Good for nature lovers Meet the new ducklings at WWT London Wetland Centre, London (5 – 21 April) Get the cameras ready to take photos of cute ducklings waddling after their mothers at London’s wetlands reserve this Easter. As well as ducklingthemed games for the kids, there are Easter art sessions where children can create their own duckling-themed craft. Spring is a great time to visit WWT London Wetland Centre as new life is bursting out all around and plants and ﬂowers are coming into bloom. Discover the babies, bugs and buds springing to life on the reserve’s New Life Trail. Visit www.wwt.org.uk/ wetland-centres

Bewl Water, Bertie Beavers ‘Eggcelent’ Easter Fun (Friday 18th - Monday 21st April - Starting from 10am) Join Bertie the Beaver and Friends in his Easter Adventure at Bewl Water Country Park. Lots of fun for all the family. Special Attraction - Come stroke the animals Chickens, Mini Donkey, Piggies, Lambs and Goat and her kid. Also Easter Scavenger Hunt, Make and Take and Colouring Tent, meet the animals - lambs, goat and kid, chickens, miniature donkey and pigs, kids entertainment and games with the Bewl Water entertainment team. Kids ﬁshing, model boats, various inﬂatables, hydroballs, paddle boats and mini golf. Enjoy a meal in the Waterside Restaurant or grab a snack from the kiosk. Admission £4 per person Children aged 4 and under go FREE. Visit www.bewlwater.co.uk for full details.

More Easter events in Kent... 18 April, Planet Thanet Easter Beer Festival 2014 Winter Gardens, Fort Crescent, Margate, Kent, CT9 1HX. 18 April, Easter Trail National Trust Smallhythe Place, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 7NG. 18-21 April, Easter Carrier Pigeon Egg Trail Penshurst Place, Tonbridge, TN11 8DG. Take part in our ‘Easter Carrier Pigeon Egg Trail’ and reveal the hidden message. Plus create your own carrier pigeon or soldier bonnet. With three showings of storytelling on Easter Sunday 20th and Monday 21st from 2pm. 18-21 April, Spring into Easter! Kent Life Heritage Farm Park Maidstone. Bottle–feed the new lambs, hop on a tractor, paint a pot in the art studio and have a cuddle with other furry farmyard friends.

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18-21 April, Easter Egg Hunt Maidstone Museum Join us throughout the holidays for our fun family Easter Egg Hunt! Search around the Museum to ﬁnd the eggs and receive a prize Easter badge to colour in when you ﬁnish! £1 per family. 19 April, Easter Trail In The Courtyards And Park National Trust: Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0RP. 20 April, Easter funfair, Fort Amherst, Chatham, ME4 4UB. 20 April, Easter lunch Mercure Great Danes Hotel, Maidstone. Three course carvery lunch plus live entertainment and an ‘egg-citing’ Easter egg hunt for the children. 20 April, Berlin Philharmonic Easter Concert: Live Vue, Thanet, CT10 2BF.

20 April, Easter Bunny Hunt in the Gardens Belmont House and Gardens, Belmont Park, Throwley Faversham ME13 0HH. 20 April, Easter Sunday Open Day, The Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway The Warren, Swanton Street, ME9 8AT. 20 April, Romney Bear Hunt Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, New Romney Station, 2 Littlestone Road, New Romney TN28 8PL. We are going on a ‘Romney Bear’ hunt! Where can he be? He is hiding somewhere on the railway. Follow the clues to ﬁnd our own special railway bear. There will be an Easter egg for each child (under 15yrs) that enters.

Note: All event details are correct to the best of our knowledge at time of publication please check with individual venues for full details prior to visit.

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A Unique Experience At West Malling Special food in exceptional surroundings

Open: Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Lunch 12 - 2.30pm 12 - 2.30pm 12 - 2.30pm 12 - 2.30pm 12 - 2.30pm

Dinner 5.30 - 10.30pm 5.30 - 10.30pm 5.30 - 10.30pm 5.30 - 11pm 5.30 - 11.30pm

Reservations being taken for Easter Sunday

Open on Easter Sunday from 12 - 2.30pm and 5.30 - 10pm

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

The Vineyard restaurant offers an extensive selection of exquisite seafood, French and Italian A la cuisine the ideal venue for family gatherings, special celebrations or casual dining

Don’t forget to book for Easter Weekend! • Air-conditioning • Ample parking

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Traditional Sunday Lunch until 6pm 3 courses £19.95 adults £12.95 Children under 12 A la carte menu always available

The Vineyard Restaurant A20 London Road Wrotham Heath TN15 7RU

T: 01732 882330 E: dine@thevineyardrestaurant.co.uk thevineyardrestaurant.co.uk

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Fine Dining

MINESTRONE SOUP WITH FARRO

1/2 cup farro (or use tiny pasta if you like) 4 - 5 cups chicken broth 1 15-ounce can cannellini beans 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced 1 cup packed spinach, chopped Method In a large heavy pot, add the olive oil, onion, celery, leek, carrots and cabbage. Cook for about 15 minutes over medium low heat, stirring the vegetables until slightly soft. Add the rest of the ingredients except

Ingredients 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2/3 cup diced onion 1/2 cup diced celery 1 cup sliced leek, white and light green parts only 1 1/2 cup sliced carrots 1 cup chopped red cabbage 2 garlic cloves, grated 1 cup chopped green beans 1 cup chopped zucchini 2/3 cup sliced sweet bell pepper 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley 1 28-ounce can whole San Marzano tomatoes

LASAGNE ALLA NORMA (EGGPLANT LASAGNE) Ingredients For the roasted eggplant: 2 large eggplants cut into barely one inch cubes 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1 teaspoon black pepper 2 teaspoons sea salt For the sauce: 1/2 cup finely diced onion 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Sea salt 4 cloves garlic finely minced or grated 1 heaping tablespoon capers packed in salt, chopped coarsely 2 28-ounce cans of tomato puree or sauce 1 teaspoon red hot chili flakes 2 teaspoons dried oregano For the lasagne: 2 boxes of Barilla no boil lasagne noodles (or whatever lasagne noodles you like) 8 ounces Ricotta Salata cheese 1/2 cup julienned fresh basil leaves 1 cup shredded mozzarella 1 teaspoon oregano Method Preheat oven to 400 degrees. (use convection if you have it). Line two rimmed baking sheets with foil and spray with pam (cooking spray). Place the eggplant ingredients in a large bowl and toss everything together well. Place

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half of the eggplant on each baking pan. Roast the eggplant for about 25 minutes, rotating pans if you do not have a convection oven. Remove from oven and set aside. In a medium saute pan, add the olive oil, onion and salt and cook over low heat until the onion is soft, about five minutes. Add the garlic and capers and cook one minute more. Increase heat just a little and add the canned tomatoes, chili flakes and oregano. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. In a 13 x 9 baking pan, place about 3/4 cup of the sauce in the bottom of the pan and spread it out to cover the entire bottom. Boil the lasagne noodles if you are not using the no-boil kind. If you are using the Barilla noodles, place six noodles in one layer, covering the whole pan. Add about a cup of sauce and spread on the noodles, making sure they are all covered in sauce. Place a fourth of the eggplant on the tomato sauce, a fourth of the ricotta salata and a few of the basil leaves for one layer. Repeat three times more. For the last layer, place

6 noodles on top and cover with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with the mozzarella and oregano. Cover tightly with non-stick foil or use regular foil, spraying the underside with cooking spray. Bake for about 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for about 15 minutes before slicing to serve.

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at Home

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the spinach and only adding four cups of broth (if using tiny pasta, add the pasta during the last 10 or 15 minutes of cooking). Cover and cook at a gentle simmer for about 45 minutes. Taste and check for seasoning, adding more sea salt if desired. Add the spinach and cook for 10 minutes. Check seasoning again. If too thick, add more chicken broth. This soup is even better if you can make it in the morning, let it cool and refrigerate and then rewarm just before serving.

STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE PARFAITS

Ingredients 1 pound of strawberries 2 tablespoons sugar, divided 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs 2 tablespoons melted butter 12 ounces of cream cheese, Room temperature 1/2 cup sour cream 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted 2 teaspoons Amaretto 1 cup heavy cream Mint springs, for garnish

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Method Slice the strawberries into a bowl and sprinkle with one tablespoon of sugar. Toss and set aside. Mix the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter and one tablespoon of sugar. Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sour cream, confectioners’ sugar and Amaretto and beat until combined. In another bowl, whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Fold into the cream cheese mixture.

Assemble Parfaits Place about a tablespoon of the graham cracker ‘crust’ in the bottom of your glasses. Layer some of the cheesecake filling in the glasses, then some of the strawberry topping and sprinkle some more of the graham cracker on top. (Amounts will vary according to how many parfaits you are making, so just adjust accordingly). Repeat layers and top with mint. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

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LIVING HISTORY IN CANTERBURY The famous landmark that is Canterbury Cathedral is cloathed in history, giving everyone who enters a warm welcome. mmm takes a look at its illustrious history and why it is important to many in Kent.

egardless of which direction you approach Canterbury from, one landmark looms up from within it’s ancient walls like no other. Not only is the cathedral the seat of the Church of England and positively drenched in political, religious and social history, but it remains a place of pilgrimage for travellers from around the world. They are drawn to it’s tall, rich stained glass windows; it’s tall stone towers, spires and turrets; and of course all that lies within one of the UK’s best known and best loved buildings.Yet despite it’s stature on the world stage it remains a vibrant centre of the community for those in the Canterbury district. Local schools have the privilege of staging events and carol concerts within; students collecting degrees from the University of Kent, do so from within on special presentation days and despite the admission price for visitors, those using the cathedral as their local place of worship, get to enter the historic building free. It has even hosted the memorial services for the likes of popular comedian, Dave Lee and the England and Kent cricketer, Mike Denness. Even the Archbishop of Canterbury – Justin Welby – can often be found in and around the diocese, meeting those for whom the cathedral is the focal point of their faith. What’s more, as the glue which binds the magniﬁcent city of Canterbury, it is an essential ingredient to the local economy – the key-stone for a tourism industry, which injects millions into east Kent and supports hundreds of jobs. Buildings in the surrounding grounds provide hospitality and hotel

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accommodation for visitors and conference delegates, while the cathedral has even played host to music concerts and theatre productions. Although the cathedral has embraced the opportunities presented by the modern era, it continues to face some tough tests rooted in it’s very history. It continues, for example, to appeal for millions of pounds to help it’s restoration work. Perhaps surprisingly, the cathedral receives no state funding and only occasional grants from English Heritage. Nor is it funded by the Church of England.It is, therefore, largely self-funded. But with each and every day

carrying a price-tag of around £10,000 just to meet running costs, it faces a struggle of survival. Hence the reason it has looked to develop the land around the cathedral – the precincts. Money from the conference centre, adjoining shop and property which rents space, are all essential to keeping the cathedral ticking over. As Dr Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop, said: “Countless generations have played their part in creating and preserving this magniﬁcent building; now it is time for us to do our bit.” Adds a spokesman for the cathedral: “Canterbury Cathedral is one of the nation’s greatest heritage buildings but

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Canterbury Cathedral is one of the UK’s greatest monuments to Christianity. receives no direct funding from Government or the Church of England. “We are dependent on the generosity of individuals, charitable trusts and other partners to help the cathedral meet the costs of major restoration works and continue to inspire millions of visitors and pilgrims each year with it’s 1,400 year old story.”

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As a consequence, the cathedral has established a separate charitable trust to assist it’s fund raising efforts – Canterbury Cathedral Trust. Up and running since 1974 it is essential to it’s success. Archbishop Justin Welby is just one of many active supporters. He explained: “At my enthronement

in March 2013, I was privileged to witness the dedication and diligence of the hundreds of staff and volunteers at the cathedral, as they prepared and assisted with the service. “I realise now that the cathedral itself is the inspiration for such devotion from it’s community, and how much poorer our lives would be without such a place. a I also had the

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Credit to Canterbury Cathedral for images

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opportunity in the days following the service to reflect on the magnificence of the building itself. “The history of the Christian faith in Britain and it’s impact on the political landscape, is manifested in the cathedral‘s architecture, stained glass and archival collections. “Hearing the cathedral alive with the sounds of worship, choral music and the hubbub of human interaction, symbolises the central role of the cathedral for the world. “We must ensure that Canterbury remains a destination for all people, for centuries to come. The work of the Canterbury Cathedral Trust is vital in ensuring just this - that the cathedral’s story is told to future

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generations, and that the endeavours of our ancestors in building this glorious place were not in vain. “By reflecting on our own personal connections with Canterbury, we can understand the impact this place has had, and continues to have, on so very many lives.” Writing in the trust’s annual report for 2013, Richard Oldfield, the trustee and chairman of the development committee painted a picture of what had been a year of contrasting fortunes. He explained: “Since April 2012, the trust has received £1.1m in donations, and a further £1.4m pledged in support of future work. “It has allowed the trust to pass on £2.1m to the cathedral during 2013. “These funds enabled a series of

vital conservation projects to go ahead, including works to the cathedral’s eastern end, Corona chapel, archive roof and Great South Window. “The cathedral’s commitment to training young people continued, with 12 apprentices employed last year in a variety of trades and crafts. “In May 2013, we received disappointing news from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). “The dean and chapter have since received strong encouragement to reapply to the HLF - which they did in November.” That grant could have been worth £10.5m – a hugely significant sum in terms of the cathedral’s ambitions. For now, though, it remains possibly the jewel in the county’s cultural crown. mmm

3/21/2014 2:59:43 PM

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INTRIGUING

UNIQUE

DURABLE Wooden outdoor retreats to suit all occasions

• S moking shelters, BBQ, patio, jacuzzi and poolside areas • Solid oak tables, benches and chairs • Built from timber sourced only from sustainable FSC approved forests • Planning permission not required • Minimum disruption and built in a day!

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

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3/22/2014 10:22:36 AM

Prehistoric

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Maidstone

Robin Brooks finds out about the discovered Iguanodon dating back to 1882 and how they are connected to Maidstone.

closer look at the civic coat of arms for Maidstone will reveal that it is emblazoned with a print of an Iguanodon. Whilst the coats of other towns will incorporate more mundane creatures associated with their area, it was the prehistoric plant-eating, bird-hipped ornithopod that placed Maidstone firmly in the zoological history books. The study of prehistoric animals has fascinated man since time began and never more so than at the beginning of the eighteenth century. In particular the life styles of these giant creatures had an immediate impact on one Professor Gideon Mantell, an eccentric man who became totally engrossed in his fossils to the neglect of all else. His first contact with the creature that we now know as the Iguanodon came when he was travelling by stagecoach from London to Lewes in Sussex in the spring of 1822. Accompanied by his wife, he was attending a conference on the very subject of prehistoric life. Whilst the horses pulling the stagecoach were being rested at Cuckfield, Mrs. Mantell wandered off into some bushes beside the road. After several minutes she came across some large teeth lying between several rocks and picking them up, returned to show her husband. Upon examination, Dr Mantell found that they were unlike anything that he had seen before. Full of curiosity, he showed them to his colleagues when they reached Lewes. They could not shed any further light upon the teeth and, on his return to London, he sent them to the world’s greatest expert of

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the time to find out what animal they had come from. It was suggested they were the teeth of the rhinoceros but Dr Mantell felt that it was something far larger and far more exciting. Visiting a friend at the Royal College of Surgeons in London, he came upon some similar teeth belonging to a small American lizard known as the Iguana. Recognising the similarity between these specimens and his own, he realised that these teeth were indeed gigantic versions belonging to the giant plant-eating reptile. He named it ‘Iguanodon – Iguana tooth’. With the realisation that he had discovered the teeth of a creature which no one had even seen a drawing of, Dr Mantell returned to the area in Sussex in an attempt to find fossilized remains of the creature. He had already realised that it was a plant-eater for the teeth had shown a great deal of wear. Having discovered them in Sussex, Mantell was convinced that if he continued looking in that area, he would eventually find further remains. He had in fact reached Brighton in his search when word reached him of a very important discovery at Maidstone in Kent. It was in 1834 during the excavation of a quarry in the Queen’s Road area of the town that a partial skeleton of an Iguanodon was found. It came to light during a normal blasting operation in the quarry owned by Mr W H Bensted who resided in a large house on the edge of his business in Queen’s Road. When the dust from the explosion had settled, a quantity of substance, resembling petrified wood, was observed in some of the stone.a

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Upon closer inspection it turned out to be a fossil bone belonging to an animal of tremendous size. Mr Bensted himself came to observe the bone and realising that he had something of great interest, began to collect various other pieces of bone that had been scattered in the blast. He was able to piece the bones together and, in order to pursue his extraordinary find, he erected a covering over the area and began to chip away the stone, following the outline of the fossils. When this was done he realised that he had a partial skeleton of a huge animal which had been buried in the bowels of the earth and probably in the earliest ages of its existence. The collection consisted of the hind limbs and feet, some parts of the forelimbs, some vertebrae and rib fragments together with a part of a tooth. News of this wonderful find quickly spread far and wide and it was reported widely in all the country’s newspapers. Many people came to Queen’s Road to see the collection but no one could really tell him from what animal they came. So describing the fossils as best he could, Bensted wrote to Mantell inviting him to Maidstone in the hope that he could identify the bones. Accordingly, Mantell arrived after arranging to stay at the Mitre, a public house in Maidstone. He arrived on 4th June 1834 and, after refreshment, he called at the house of Mr Bensted before going on to the quarry to see the fossils. In Dr Mantell’s own words:-‘They are from the lower extremities of the creature and being such a magnificent group, I have no doubt they are of an Iguanaodon. With such excitement I confess I went to bed very late’. As a collector it was obvious that he wanted to own the fossils and after several days’ stay in Maidstone with further visits to the quarry, he offered Mr Bensted £10. This was refused as he had already been offered £20 but was looking at the princely sum of £25! Eventually Dr Mantell agreed the price and some days later after his return to his own house, the bones arrived. For many years after his acquisition of the Maidstone fossils, Mantell became a regular and famous speaker on the Iguanodon yet no one as yet really knew just what the creature looked like. Restorations were made from the fossil bones and were put on display at the 1851 exhibition in London. It did not however resemble in any, shape or form, the Iguanodon as we know it today. In fact it was not until 1878 that information came to hand as to what it did look like. In that year, coal miners in Belgium suddenly found themselves digging through fossil bones instead of coal. They had by chance cut their way into a pit or ravine into which a herd of iguanodon had fallen millions of years before. They found 31 skeletons all complete. This proved once and for all how the creature looked in life. With two legs it was about five metres high and about

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eleven metres long weighing up to four or five tons. It had powerful back legs and a massive tail that helped it to balance when reaching up to eat foliage from trees. On its front legs it had small hooves proving that it sometimes walked on all fours and, as Mantell had suggested, it was indeed a plant-eating animal. Sadly Mantell never lived to see what his Iguanodon really looked like, for after his wife and children left him in 1839, he spent his last years very much alone. Again in 1841 tragedy struck when he suffered a very severe injury to his spine in a carriage accident, something from which he never fully recovered. He was awarded the honours of the Royal Society in 1849 for all his work and died peacefully one year later.In order to help his financial position in his later troubled years, he had finally and reluctantly decided to sell his museum, including the bones of the Maidstone Iguanodon, to the British Museum. He had hoped for £5,000 but finally settled for £4,000 and his collection went to its new home – where it can be seen today under the banner ‘The Mantell Collection’. The modern epilogue to the story of this amazing discovery is that in 1946, the leaders of Maidstone Borough Council applied to the College of Arms to have their famous Iguanodon incorporated in the civic coat of arms. The request was granted and attested in the citation of 1949:- ‘I, the said Garter Principal King of Arms, do by these presents further grant and assign to the Borough of Maidstone the Supporters following, that is to say: on the dexter side an Iguanodon proper Collared Gules suspended therefrom by a chain or a scroll of Parchment’ Thus I think it can be safely said that the county town of Kent, Maidstone, is the only town in the country to have such an unusual civic coat of arms. By ROBIN J BROOKS

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For over 100 years Arthur Price has been making the ﬁnest quality cutlery and gifts. For four generations our family name has stood for the very best in design innovation and skilled craftsmanship. So we feel at home, designing for your home. Arthur Price combines traditional family values with all that is great in British design, and like any modern family, we embrace cutting edge ideas from our partners in contemporary style. Discover the timeless beauty of the very latest collections from the UK’s leading cutlery and gifts manufacturer at quality retailers such as House of Fraser, Maidstone. And be part of our family.

Today’s designs become tomorrow’s classics. It’s tradition at Arthur Price... Arthur Price – The story so far 1902 - 2014 In the latter part of the 19th century, Arthur Price spent 20 years working for flatware companies in the Birmingham area before setting up for his own business. During this time he mastered every skill required and slowly accumulated second hand machinery to start his own enterprise. A dedicated, ambitious man, he made his own tools and dies at home once he’d finished his 12 hour factory shifts. The Price family’s front room became Arthur’s workshop. The company registration number 75016 is still in place and it remains in the family ownership to this day. The very first factory was at Gem Street in the Aston area of Birmingham. He employed 12 people including his eldest daughter, Maud, who was Company Secretary from 1905 until the outbreak of the Great War. The factory had no electricity and used a small gas engine to cast the nickel silver ingots used for making the cutlery. Competition was stiff with 20 other flatware companies operating in Birmingham, however Arthur’s business acumen and hard work paid off and he was soon able to acquire a series of larger premises to house his new equipment. By 1911, the business was prospering with all the products produced being exported overseas. In 1912 Arthur Price produced cutlery for the Titanic. They were the first company to make spoons and forks of chromium plate, the forerunner of Stainless Steel; Arthur Price has always been committed to innovation. Arthur died in 1936 at the age of 70, leaving the company in the hands of his two sons, Arthur and Frederick. The onset of war resulted in a huge drop in demand for cutlery and silverware. To make matters worse Arthur died in 1942 at the age of 50 from cancer, leaving Frederick to cope on his own. Midway through the war, Frederick managed to gain a contract with the ministry of aircraft production. This contract saved the company as not only had demand dropped to an all time low, the ministry of labour were threatening to close the factory in order to release what was left of the workforce. Just as, at the turn of the century Birmingham was the home of spoon and fork making, Sheffield was home to knife and blade manufacturing in the UK. The two trades used different

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materials and processes and it wasn’t until after WWII that the two elements came together. In the immediate post war years, demand for cutlery outstripped supply. Cutlers could sacriﬁce quality and sell anything. Frederick insisted on returning to the pre-war standards of producing only the ﬁnest quality product. This policy paid off, making the company the largest manufacturer of Stainless Steel cutlery in the country by the 1950s. John Price, Frederick’s son, succeeded as chief executive in 1947 and began to highlight the company’s expertise as quality English craftsmen. The brand Arthur Price of England was introduced in 1964 to reinforce the UK manufacturing base. True recognition was achieved in 1976, when they were commissioned to design and produce the cutlery for British Airways Concorde. In 1977, the company was granted the Royal Warrant by appointment to Her Majesty the Queen in recognition for being a supplier to Her Majesty’s household. This was followed 11 years later with the granting of a second Royal Warrant to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Simon Price, son of John, took the reins in 1994, a year that also saw the take over of its major UK competitor George Butler. The company was by now offering both traditional and contemporary ranges of cutlery, tableware and gifts at a variety of price points. The move into contemporary design took another leap forward in 2000, when it linked up with interior designer Laurence Llewelyn–Bowen. The relationship continues to this day and now includes a range of mugs in addition to three fabulous cutlery designs. In 2005/6 there was a change of

...Because your good taste in ﬁne dining elegance and luxury gifts is our passion.

nager, tional Accounts Ma or, Martin Bell Na sions and vis es Ad nc Co les n Sa ma ms od Go Willia ser Maidstone, Tim Left to right - Sarah Manager, Fra nt of me e us lop ve Ho r De and re Manage mes Price Design Ja Jayne Jones Sto O, CE ce Pri tor, Simon Operational Direc Sales Advisor. and Natalie Smith

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emphasis and new face to the company, which was rebranded Arthur Price to reflect the increasing level of modern stylish product being supplied. The Arthur Price of England brand was retained to highlight those products that are still manufactured in Sheffield and Birmingham. 2008, saw the introduction of an entry-level brand, Arthur Price Kitchen which includes cutlery sets, accessories and ceramic pieces. Collaboration with renowned cookery and lifestyle writer Sophie Conran followed in 2010. The Rivelin design has been an out and out success with a diverse selection of accessories adding to the collectability. The creation of children’s cutlery based on the Gruffalo was introduced in 2012. James Price, son of Simon, joined the company in November 2012 to become the 5th generation Price to be involved. The Arthur Price of England brand remains a very important and substantial part of the company’s portfolio today. Cutlery is still manufactured in Sheffield and silverware in Birmingham. This beautiful product graces some of the finest tables around the world: The Savoy Hotel, P&O cruise ships, The QEII, Emirates first class, Air India, The 7* St Regis Hotel in Abu Dhabi, are just a few examples. The brand is also available through its departments in top high street stores such as House of Fraser Maidstone.

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Imagine a conservatory you can use comfortably all year round

IS YOUR CONSERVATORY . . . v Too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter? v Roof leaking or noisy when it rains? v Being used as a storage area, not a living area? DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN ‘REFURBISH YOUR CONSERVATORY’ TO HELP CREATE AN ENERGY EFFICIENT LIVING SPACE? Fairdeal Windows Ltd are Kent’s only approved installer of ‘Refurbish My Conservatory’ specialist and exclusive products This is one of the most cost effective ways to revive your tired old conservatory We can offer the following three options Replace the roof only Replace the roof, windows and doors Replace the entire conservatory

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

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‘‘A family run business now in our 42nd year of supplying quality bathrooms, showers and fireplaces to the trade and public. We have completed the refurbishment of our extensive showrooms at Third Avenue, Chatham, with the addition of a new department dedicated to special needs in the bathroom. We have 100’s of new products arriving every week.’’ Morris & Turner Bathroom & Fireplace Warehouse Ltd Third Avenue, Chatham, Open: Mon-Fri: 8:30 - 5pm Sat: 9:15 - 5pm Kent ME5 0AD Telephone: 01634 813813 Dockside Chatham First floor next to escalator Open: Mon-Wed & Sat 10 - 6pm Thur & Fri 10 - 7pm Sun 11 - 5pm Telephone: 01634 891524

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• Carpets, Vinyls • Blinds • Amtico and Kardean Specialist • Bespoke flooring and underfloor heating Specialist • Solid and Engineered Wood and Laminate Flooring

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Call now for a free estimate or expert advice on all aspects of flooring • FREEPHONE 0800 032 8967 • FREEPHONE 0800 032 8966 • LANDLINE 01732 870900 14-16 High Street, West Malling, 45-57 High Street, Swanley Web • www.k2flooring.co.uk

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Medway Blinds & Curtains • Curtains, Blinds, Shutters & Awnings • Domestic & Commercial • Free Quotes Quality Never Compromised Price Never Beaten Unit 1 Enterprise Centre, Revenge Road, Lordswood Ind Est, Chatham ME5 8UD

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Tel - 01634 720411

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

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

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

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Spring into shape

Statistics show a spot of gardening could cheer you up, says the RHS

new survey from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has shown that Brits truly are a nation of gardeners with, 77% saying they garden and 82% saying it makes them feel happier. The results also revealed some surprising facts about people’s career choices with a whopping 70% saying that given the choice, they would prefer to spend their working day in a garden with just 9% opting for an office and 21% undecided. Guy Barter, RHS chief advisor, says: “With these stats showing that most people feel happy gardening, the RHS would love to encourage more people to try getting outside… there’s lots you can do to start getting your plot in shape for spring like digging up beds and lugging about pots, all of which are also great for releasing endorphins – and cheaper than the gym! If gardening makes them

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happier, what better time than now to help cheer them up. RHS chief advisor Guy Barter suggest a few gardening jobs to get you, and your garden, into shape. Flex those muscles moving your plants: Spring is a good time to start moving any plants in pots you’ve been keeping in the greenhouse, back outdoors and into the sun – at least during the daytime – to get them used to colder temperatures again. Say goodbye to the dumbbells and give yourself a workout heaving your pot about instead, just remember to bend at the knees not the waist. Work up a sweat digging: Digging is probably the best way to get a work out in the garden. Prepare your ground for sowing by digging in bulky organic matter like manure or leaf mould. This will improve drainage and make sure your soil is packed with nutrients ready for sowing with all those healthy veggies. a

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Replace resistance training with mowing: Most lawns in spring won’t have grown enough to need machine mowing. Instead, get yourself a hand mower, keeping the settings high to avoid cutting the grass to short, and push it round the garden yourself. The faster you go, the more calories you’ll burn. Trimming the edges of your lawns is good for those who want to bend and stretch as well. Make a cold frame instead of curls: Train your brain and your muscles by making your own cold frame. It’s much cheaper than buying one new, you’ll need some lengths of wood and a bit of acrylic sheeting. Sawing the wood up to the right lengths yourself will give your biceps a good work out and ﬁguring out all the measurement will keep your brain sharp. Raking to the rhythm: Moss grows vigorously in the damp cool conditions of winter and can leave your pathways slippery and your lawn overgrown. Forget the aerobics, get your headphones on and rake to the rhythm – it’s a great way to replace your aerobics class. Mix it up by turning your compost: Alternating between different kinds of exercise is great for the ﬁtness as any advocate of circuit training will tell you. Digging out your compost bin, mixing up the organic matter and then shovelling it all back in again will make sure your compost rots evenly, as well as using lots of different muscle groups. RHS membership is for anyone with an interest in gardening. For more information call: 0845 130 4646, or visit www.rhs.org.uk/join. mmm

WHAT TO PLANT IN APRIL... • Plant gladioli and acidantheras, thin the roots of herbaceous perennials. Sow hardy annuals in situ and prick off those sown earlier

• Sow outdoor tomatoes, melon and courgettes if growing in a greenhouse • Start planting both bush and pole beans now that the soil and air are warmed up • Sow radish, lettuce, peas and beans and carrots • Corn, cucumber and herbs can be planted in April

• Prune newly planted bush fruits. If the weather is dry then water the newly planted fruits and spray against pests and diseases (do not spray if the trees are in full ﬂower). Use nets to protect ﬂowers on fruit trees from frost • Plant evergreen coniferous trees and shrubs, add mulch to roses and trim over lavender. Prune shrubs such as ribes and forsythias. Cut down hardy fuchsias to soil as new growth appears • Sow new lawn areas, but protect them from birds. Mow your lawn at medium height.

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1 - John Lewis Vichy Bistro Set £199, 2-seater Arbour Bench £250. 2 - John Lewis Thoughtful Gardener Gardening Gloves £10. 3 - Sainsburys Home Honest Gardener Wooden A Frame £70. 4 - Homebase Willow Garden Trug £12.99.

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Huge Choice - Massive Savings Visit us at our 6000sq.ft Showroom in Maidstone, we hold over 5000sq.m of flooring including carpet, vinyl flooring, laminates, and rugs or shop from the comfort of your own home, with our free expert measuring and advice service, we can bring a wide selection of samples and give you a no obligation quote on the spot.

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Cherry Tree Oast

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IdyllIc famIly house located In a rural county lane ot the outskIrts of harrIetsham Property - Cherry Tree Oast Address - Fairbourne Lane, Harrietsham, Kent Bedrooms - Four Bathrooms - Three: Two en-suite Price - £775,000 Situation Cherry Tree Oast is located along a rural country lane on the outskirts of the village of Harrietsham. The main village has a school, village hall, churches and doctors’ surgery, the nearby medieval village of Lenham offers both primary and secondary schools, doctors’ surgery, local inns and restaurants as well as a variety of shops. Harrietsham mainline station provides services to London Victoria. Summary - Cherry Tree Oast Cherry Tree Oast is a characterful family home which offers fabulous family accommodation set over two floors. Having been finished to a high standard throughout the property it retains period

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features including oak beams, ragstone walls and York flagstone flooring. The ground floor provides a light and airy entrance hall with double doors to a paved sun terrace and an oak staircase to the first floor. There are two well proportioned reception rooms in the roundels and a very large bespoke kitchen/breakfast/family room with further doors to the garden. The first floor provides a spacious landing with a full height window, four double bedrooms with two en-suites and a family bathroom. The property is approached via shared private access drive where there are a cluster of converted farm buildings from which double gates lead to the gravelled parking area and front entrance door. The garden is mainly laid to lawn with shrubs interspersed throughout. There is a large paved sun terrace with ample space. For more details: visit www.madeleine-rose.com or call 01622 844455.

3/24/2014 9:49:33 AM

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JB Garage Doors & Gate Systems

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Motors

The NEW

CITROËN C1

The new Citroën C1 will be priced from £8,245 to £11,935 when it goes ‘on sale’ in the UK in July • Available in three trim levels – Touch, Feel & Flair • Airscape versions available in Feel & Flair trim • Powered by two efficient petrol engines – VTi 68 & VTi 82 New Citroën C1 will go ‘on sale’ in the UK in July. The New C1 city car offers three well-specified trim levels – Touch, Feel & Flair – with the new Airscape versions specified in Feel and Flair trim. a

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Available with three and five doors, the New C1 range starts at just £8,245 for the New C1 Touch VTi 68 manual 3-door, rising to £11,935 for the New C1 Airscape Flair VTi 68 ETG 5-door. There will be eight body colours to choose from, including four metallic options, along with three wheel designs and four interior upholstery finishes. The fabric roof will be available in three colours for the Airscape models (Black, Grey & Sunrise Red). The New C1 range is powered by two latest-generation petrol engines: a VTi 68, available with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed clutchless Efficient Tronic Gearbox (ETG), or as an e-VTi 68 Airdream 5-speed manual with Stop & Start technology. There is also the addition of Citroën’s latest 3-cylinder ‘PureTech’ VTi 82 engine with a 5-speed manual transmission. Generously equipped, the lead-in New Citroën C1 Touch

standard specification includes ABS, EBA, ESP, power steering, high frequency remote central locking, electric front windows, six airbags, an MP3 compatible audio system, a USB socket and LED daytime running lights. New Citroën C1 Feel adds air conditioning, DAB digital radio, 7” Touch Drive interface with Mirror Screen technology and steering mounted controls, along with body coloured door mirrors and door handles. New Citroën C1 Flair sports 15” ‘Planet’ alloy wheels and additional features including a speed limiter, rev counter, reversing camera, electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors, a leather steering wheel and dark tinted rear windows. Optional extras include automatic air conditioning, automatic headlights, keyless entry & start and styling details such as black leather upholstery and various interior colour packs.

WILMOTHS CITROËN With a history stretching back nearly a century, Citroën has a loyal customer base that holds the performance, style and value of each Citroën model in high esteem. Wilmoths Citroën is proud to represent the internationally acclaimed brand, providing motorists throughout Kent and Sussex with the full array of new cars, used vehicles and aftersales services. With dealerships in Ashford, Battle, Eastbourne, Folkestone, Maidstone, Uckfield and Crayford we take great pride in being the largest Citroën dealer in the Kent and Sussex region. At each of our locations, we offer the complete range of new cars from Citroën, incorporating everything from chic city models to versatile family vehicles. John Halliday, general sales manager from Wilmoths Maidstone said: “We can’t wait to get our hands on the new C1, because if it attracts the amount of interest that the DS3 has bought to the Citroen brand, it will only help introduce us to more new customers, whilst also giving something new and exciting for our existing ones to try!”

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Sutton Road, Maidstone, ME15 8RD Tel: 01622 528437 www.wilmothsmaidstone.citroen.co.uk

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APRIL

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Business

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LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS

EUROSTAR BOOSTED BY INCREASE IN PASSENGERS

Eurostar revealed it’s latest financial figures last month – confirming that for the first time in it’s history it had carried more than 10 million passengers in a single year. Under pinned by passenger volumes increasing 2% year-on-year to 10.1 million, sales revenue was up 7% to £857 million, reflecting strong growth in corporate and leisure sales. Strong performance delivered operating profit of £54 million – up 4% year-on-year. The company, which operates the high-speed passenger rail service between London’s St Pancras terminal and the Continent – taking in both Ebbsfleet and Ashford – will this November mark it’s 20th anniversary.

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Since it launched, it has now transported more than 140 million passengers. Eurostar’s chief executive Nicolas Petrovic said: “2013 has proved to be a record breaking year for Eurostar and we are pleased with the sustainable growth in both traveller numbers and sales revenues. “After a period of economic uncertainty, we are now starting to see more confidence in the business market in comparison with this time last year. When the overriding sentiment was still very cautious, there are more encouraging trends and in some sectors there is clearly a greater appetite to invest and look for business.”

3/24/2014 9:37:06 AM

LocaL Business news

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Government Grants cash to centre of medway project

A project to breathe new life into the centre of Medway and turn it into a vibrant sector for creative industries has received a government grant of nearly £600,000. The cash - £598,528 – comes from the treasury’s Coastal Communities Fund. It aims to support projects which create jobs and opportunities for apprentices. The money will go towards Medway

Council’s ‘Creative High Street’ project which will see what is known locally as the Lower High Street, running from Star Hill in Rochester to Sun Pier in Chatham, receive the cash to create 140 new jobs and 240 training places by establishing new work space plus exhibition and studio space to allow creative industries to flourish. Leader of Medway Council, Rodney Chambers, said: “This funding will

help deliver a programme of business support and training to support new and established businesses in the cultural and creative industries sector.” Another major project to benefit will be for a proposed sustainable energy visitor centre being developed on the site of former coal field, the Betteshanger Colliery, near Deal. Driven by Hadlow College, the project has received £2.5m.

£85m newnham coUrt shoppInG vILLaGe redeveLopment pLans Go Under the mIcroscope at pUBLIc meetInGs Nearly 70 Maidstone town centre retailers have debated the planned £85 million redevelopment of Newnham Court Shopping Village. Maidstone Town Centre Management organised two meetings on Wednesday 19 February, one during the morning and one in the evening, to outline their opposition to the plan by Land Securities and to give retailers the opportunity to air their views. A planning application has been submitted to transform the shopping village, which is home to Notcutts garden centre and a host of other retailers. At the heart of the scheme are a 6,980 sqm Debenhams, a 3,919 sqm Waitrose supermarket and an enlarged Notcutts. About 1,500 jobs will be created. Town Centre Manager Bill Moss said the development, near J7 of the M20, would harm trade in the town centre, was inappropriate for the location and would create traffic congestion. He said alternative sites in the town centre were available and named the Maidstone East Station site as their preferred location. A team from Land Securities attended both meetings to answer questions and there was a wide-ranging debate about the plans, with a mix of opinions expressed on all of the key issues. Chris Ward of Land Securities described the meetings as “worthwhile and highly productive” and said the developer was glad of the opportunity to explain the benefits of the scheme and to lay to rest a number of misunderstandings over key features of the redevelopment. He raised a major doubt about the suitability of the Maidstone East Station site, pointing out

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that the site had been available for development for at least 15 years and in that time had been considered – and rejected as unsuitable – by most of the major supermarket chains. Several retailers attending the meetings, expressed concerns about traffic congestion generated by the scheme. In response, Chris Ward said the £6m to be invested in highways improvements presents “a once in a lifetime opportunity” to fix the long-standing problems of traffic congestion at a major gateway to the county town. The planned improvements, which are supported by KCC Highways and the Highways Agency, have been drawn up after detailed research and planning, with computer-modelling used to project local traffic growth over the next ten years. The impact will be to significantly increase capacity, not just during the week but also at peak weekend shopping times. Addressing questions about the retail impact of an enlarged Newnham Court Shopping Village on town centre trade, Chris Ward insisted that town centre traders will not experience a reduction in business. “Projected growth figures mean that even with the proposed development, town centre trade in Maidstone will continue to grow in the next ten years. These figures have been independently produced and agreed with Maidstone Borough Council’s advisors,” he told the meetings. Other issues discussed in the meetings concerned the likely economic benefits of the scheme, car parking provision at the new site for shoppers and staff, car parking charges, the likely mix of national traders and local businesses and improved bus links to the town centre.

3/24/2014 9:37:25 AM

LOCAL Business neWs

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EXPORT CENTRE’S SHIPPING FIGURES REMAIN STEADY The South East’s reputation as the Export Centre of the UK shows no signs of slowing after the latest figures revealed we shipped out some £41.9billion worth of trade during 2013. The figures were released in March by HMRC and cover the October to December stretch of 2013 – thus allowing the final figures to complete last year’s overall picture. It revealed, the US has been the most lucrative market for local exporters for both the final quarter of 2013 as well as the whole year, with the South East exporting £5.9billion of goods and services to the country in 2013. This is followed by Germany at £4.2billion and the Netherlands at £3.3billion, which has overtaken France to become the South East’s third largest export partner. There have been some huge increases in exports from the South East to some of the emerging Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) economies. For example, exports to China from the region increased by 130 per cent from £0.69billion in 2009 to £1.59billion in

2013 and exports to Russia over the same period by 115 per cent - from £0.5billion to £1.08billion. Lewis Scott, regional director for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) South East said: “The region continues to have the highest total export value in the country, exporting a huge £41.9billion worth of trade throughout 2013 with the final quarter of 2013 accounting for £10.3billion of this figure.“I would like to see exports from the South East continue to soar and for businesses across the region to get the best out of overseas markets. Exporters can expect to become more competitive, more profitable and more efficient. “This is why we are having a special drive next month as we launch Export Week, a series of intensive workshops and seminars dedicated to helping you grow your business. “Lots of local companies are expected to attend events across the region in a bid to boost their market know-how and help them discover the opportunities that are out there in markets across the world.”

NEW £1.5M EVENT AND CONFERENCE HALL NEARS COMPLETION AT THE KENT EVENT CENTRE A new £1.5 million conference and events facility is due to open at the Kent Event Centre near Maidstone this spring, strengthening its position as the largest and most flexible venue in the region. The new single span building is already attracting business to the Detling site – the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce has chosen to use the space to host it’s annual Construction Expo in October 2014. Kent Event Centre manager Alison Wallington said: “This investment further enhances the already excellent range of facilities here and I’m delighted to have attracted this major regional exhibition for the construction and building sector. “The building is generating a lot of interest from prospective customers and I’m confident it will enable us to break into new markets in the years ahead.” The facility is 44 metres wide and 72 metres long and will seat up to 4,000

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people in theatre style. Construction started in October and the building should be ready to start hosting events from the end of April. It will be officially opened by the Kent County Agricultural Society at the Kent County Show in July. Alison said the investment, boosting choice and capacity for clients, was already paying dividends in attracting more bookings. “By improving facilities and maintaining a clear focus on customer service, we are looking forward to a very successful future. “We are hosting more than 60 public events this year plus conferences, training courses and meetings, and this investment underlines our status as the premier venue in the region.” News that the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce’s annual Construction Expo is heading to Detling is a real coup for the KEC. Chamber chief executive Jo James said: “The new building is a

perfect setting for our exhibition and I’m delighted to see that Kent has a facility of such a high quality and calibre. “We are so confident that this will be a huge success at the Kent Event Centre, that we are expanding the show to incorporate engineering and manufacturing sectors.” For more information visit www.kentconstructionexpo.co.uk Sponsors have been queuing up to name doorways in the new building and also to sponsor exclusive wall bricks. Ease of access by road and rail and the availability of hotels, make the Kent Event Centre a great choice for events. Facilities comprise the Clive Emson Conference Centre (1,700 sq m), the John Hendry Pavilion (1,750 sq m) and the Astor Pavilion (151 sq m). There are also six major meeting rooms. There is free parking on site for up to 10,000 vehicles.

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....connecting people with places

ease the stress commute for less Local stops near to your home and work place Pickups in Kings Hill and West Malling. Pickups also available from Maidstone, Medway and Sittingbourne.

SAVE! Up to ÂŁ1300 per year* commute to London with Chalkwell Coaches Please quote MMM03 when you book with us

For more information, visit commuteforless.co.uk or telephone 01795 423982

Based on cost comparison of Chalkwell Annual ticket to National Rail ticket to London

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Family guide to WHATS ON & WHEN

Peppa Pig celebrates 10 years of Muddy Puddles during visit to Kent Life eppa Pig is celebrating her 10th anniversary this year and will be returning to Kent Life Heritage Farm Park! Only this time she is bringing her little brother George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig with her to enjoy the sights, sounds and activities at Kent Life, near Maidstone.The children’s favourite, will be heading for Kent Life on Sunday 18 May and visitors to the award-winning attraction will have the opportunity to see Peppa and her family at intervals throughout the day. “What better way to see Peppa Pig and celebrate 10 years of muddy puddles?” says Kent Life’s Emily Hirons. “Peppa Pig is always hugely popular when she pays us a visit and we are very excited that she is joined

this time by her family!” Kent Life is also a real working farm, so there are plenty of animals to see during your visit, including pigs, sheep, ducks, goats and alpacas, all living in 28 acres of glorious countryside. Youngsters can get up close and personal with small

furry friends in Cuddle Corner, enjoy a tractor ride, cheer on their favourite in piglet racing and so much more.Visitors can also wander through period dressed historic buildings in the charming Vintage Village; explore the beautiful gardens, orchard and one of the last hand-picked hop gardens in the country; ramble along the wildlife discovery trail and see the last working coal-ﬁred oast house in Britain.Tickets are adults £9.25; children £7.25 (aged 3-15); concessions £8.25. Members and under-threes FREE. Kent Life is open from 10am to 5pm, last admission at 4pm.Kent Life is in Sandling, near Maidstone, just off junction 6 of the M20 or only an hour by train from London. For details visit www.kentlife.org.uk or call 01622 763936.

Bluebell Walk, Heart of Kent Hospice oin the Heart of Kent Hospice for its 27th Bluebell Walk – a six mile circular route through the heart of Kent’s beautiful countryside, when the bluebells should be at their best. A perfect day for all the family including ‘man’s best friend’. The entry fee of £10.00 per adult, £3.00 per child or £25.00 for a family of two adults and three children includes a ploughman’s lunch. You will be able to visit our cake, craft and fruit stalls and free parking is available. Please register in advance by visiting our website www.hokh.org or by e-mailing fundraising@hokh.co.uk or by phoning 01622 790195.

WHEN: SUNDAY 4TH MAY MEET: HARRIETSHAM VILLAGE HALL, ME17 4HN

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Childrens’ Festival at Dover Castle, 18-21 April oin Peterkin the Jester on a journey back in time where Roman gladiators need new recruits and medieval Knights and Princesses roam. Meet Victorian toymakers and tackle the WWII assault course, then sing a long as the musicians play wartime songs at Dover Castle’s Childrens’ Festival. 10am – 5pm. English Heritage member: Free Non member: £17.50 adult, £15.80 concession, £10.50 child, £45.50 family Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk for further details. Heritage Transport Show and South East Bus Festival, 5 April, Kent Event Centre, Detling, Maidstone he event in its fifth year, opens to the public at 10 am and will host a Farmers’ Market for the first time. Lucy Hegarty, event organiser said “the show has become very popular over the past few years with families who come along to see the vehicles, as well as taking a nostalgic ride on one of the vintage buses. The market will add a new element and allow visitors to taste and buy a wonderful selection of local Kentish produce and products”. The stalls will include, homemade sausage rolls and pasties, Kentish beer,

preserves, bread and cakes, pies, apple products, game and Kent Fine Foods award winning chutneys and jam. The event will also host 12 owners clubs including the Ford Anglia 10SE, Ford Capri, Jaguar Drivers Club and the Friends of Ferguson Heritage. The clubs will be joined by over 400 exhibitors and 70 buses. Kent Youth Trials Group will be taking part in displays throughout the day using the purpose built trails course at the showground and the South Coast Landrover club will be running the 4x4 experience track. Maidstone Model Engineering and Kent Area 16mm Group will also have displays. For more information please contact the Kent Showground on 01622 630975.

Somerset House, London - Event Diary

Threads of Life, 2 – 26 April, East Wing Galleries, n exhibition of rare, historic Japanese indigo fabrics, pieced and patched from the late eighteenth century to the early twentieth century. This April, Somerset House will host an exhibition on the Japanese textile tradition of boro. Boro: Threads of Life will showcase 40 historic boro pieces in a new light within Somerset House’s East Wing Galleries from a collection never before displayed and compiled over six years by antiquarians Gordon Reece and Philippe Boudin. The boro textiles exhibited will also be for sale, starting from £5,000.

Pick Me Up, 24 April – 5 May, Embankment Galleries, South Wing Now in its fifth year, the UK’s original contemporary graphic arts festival Pick Me Up showcases graphic art in all its forms. Aimed at being the antithesis of a traditional art fair, Pick Me Up is a fun and informal festival featuring quirky studio spaces in which to shop for affordable artwork from the great and good of graphic arts, and a daily, lively line-up of events which encourage both budding and bonafide artists of all ages to get involved. Pick Me Up 2014 promises to be bigger and better than ever with more late nights and an even wider range of illustration and design represented, from fashion and architecture to comic books and album covers.

Family guide to whats on & when Events - april 14.indd 2

2014 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition, 1 – 18 May The Sony World Photography Awards are one of the world’s leading photography competitions. The exhibition showcases the winning and shortlisted photographers from the 139,000 submissions from across all disciplines, from fine art to photojournalism to lifestyle. Summer Series with American Express®, 10 – 20 JULY 2014 July 10 Daughter, July 11 Kidaline, July 12 Agnes Obel, July 13 The Cat Empire, July 14 Kelis, July 15 Bastille, July 16 Franz Ferninand, July 17 Chvrches, July 18 Sam Smith, July 19 Clean Bandit BANDIT, July 20 Little Dragon Visit Somerset House’s website www.somersethouse.org.uk for further details on any of these events.

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Celebrate...

St George’s Day

23rd April

on his white stallion. St George dismounted and drew his sword, protecting himself with the sign of the cross. He fought the dragon on foot and managed to slay the beast and saved the princess. The people of Silene were exceptionally grateful and abandoned their pagan beliefs to convert to Christianity.

George and the Dragon, Dover Castle

Resource: www.stgeorgesday.com

The legend: The medieval legend of St George and the dragon is over a thousand years old. The tale goes that the dragon made it’s nest by the fresh water spring near the town of Silene in Libya. When people came to collect water, they inadvertently disturbed the dragon and so offered sheep as a distraction. After time, there were simply no sheep left to offer the dragon and so the people of Silene decided to chose a maiden from the town by drawing lots. When the results were read, it was revealed that the princess was to be the dragon’s next victim. Despite the Monarch’s protest, his daughter Cleolinda was offered to the dragon... However, at the moment of offering, a knight from the Crusades came riding by

Today, St George’s Day is seen as a day when people come together to celebrate our great nation and have fun!

St George’s Day

...in Kent

Red Rose Day Variety Show, 23 April Celebrating St George’s Day with the Mayor of Ramsgate. Tickets £6 and £5 The Kings Theatre Kings Place, King Street Ramsgate CT11 8NN. Tel: 07969 672674. English Festival 2014, 19 April, 11am to 5pm at Riverside Country Park. A perfect day out for all the family and a great way to celebrate St George’s Day. Animal lovers will be content in cuddle corner, or if it’s something more active you’re after, how about a donkey ride or watching the dog agility? Those more inclined to sit back and relax can lounge on the beach or listen to the live band and string quartet, or take a stroll around the farmers market in the village square. Free entry, visit www.visitmedway.org for full details of the festival.

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Maidstone Town Centre Celebrations, 23 April Traditional English activities including Morris dancing. Jubilee Square, Maidstone. www.visitmaidstone.com. The Green Man Pub, Hodsoll Street, Nr Wrotham, 23 April Three course English meal for £22.50 per head and live music from 8.30pm with JAVAJAM. Telephone 01732 823575.

village. Witness the skill at arms horse show as St George bravely does battle with the dastardly dragon. Plus great fun activities for kids. 10am – 5pm. English Heritage member: Free. Non member: £17.50 adult, £15.80 concession, £10.50 child, £45.50 family. Visit www.englishheritage.org.uk for further details.

The Five Bells, Orpington, 25th April St. George’s Day Banquet. A sumptuous meal to celebrate ‘Englishness’. Call 01689 821044 for details and bookings.

Real Ale & Cheese Festival, 26-27 April Over 25 real ales and cheeses available over the weekend. Live music both days. BBQ & refreshments. A great weekend to be enjoyed by everyone. The Chequers Inn, The Street, Laddingford. Telephone for further details 01622 871266.

George and the Dragon, 26 – 27 April Re-live the story of St George and the Dragon at Dover Castle. Soak up the sights, smells and sounds of a medieval

William Caxton Pub Quiz, 23 April Starts 8pm, The William Caxton, Tenterden. Pub quiz, £1 entry, hot food to purchase at ‘quiz’ rate. 01580 764417.

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mmm Magazine 27

April 2014