insideKENT Issue 12 - May/June 2012

insideKENT FREE

MAY/JUNE 2012

kent’s premier luxury lifestyle magazine

TAKE PART & GIVE BACK

Supporting local charities during Volunteers’ Week this June

FOOD & DRINK HEROES

Celebrating Kent’s finest at The Taste of Kent Awards

MAKE WAY FOR THE OLYMPIC TORCH

Line the streets as the torch makes its way through Kent

HOLIDAYING AT HOME

Our top picks for British Summer Holidays

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FROM HEARTBREAK HOTEL TO LOVE IN THE HOME COUNTIES

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR GARDEN THIS SPRING // SPOTLIGHT ON TENTERDEN // A ‘HEAVEN’LY TREATMENT AT ROOM 92 // DINNER AT THE FORGE BISTRO // DISCOVER KENT’S HIDDEN ATTRACTIONS // THE ULTIMATE FAMILY SHORT BREAK // THE MINI COOPER S ROADSTER // TOP GIFTS FOR FATHER’S DAY // DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS // KENT EVENTS AND MUCH MORE

Welcome to the 12th issue of insideKENT, and happy spring! One year ago, we were enjoying a beautiful early summer in Kent. As I look out the window, an early summer doesn’t seem to be on the cards this year; but with all the Olympic and Jubilee excitement coming up this summer, I hope the wonderful weather will arrive at the right time!

Undoubtably, one of the most exciting events of the year is London 2012. The Olympics will bring visitors to the UK from all over the world, and will be an incredibly important time for Kent to show off all that makes it unique. If you haven’t yet explored our county as much as you’d like, get some inspiration from our Days Out section with features on Kent’s hidden attractions (p96), a day of foraging (p88) and a country walk around Cranbrook (p90).

I’m particularly excited to feature the amazing Faversham-based art studio, White One Sugar (p84). Started by artist, photographer and illustrator Nigel Wallace, White One Sugar creates vintage-inspired ‘railway poster art’ of a variey of Kentish and British scenes, and also takes on commissions for businesses and individuals. We commissioned White One Sugar to create a bespoke picture of our country offices, and are so excited with the final artwork. Thank you Nigel!

If you haven’t secured tickets to the Olympics but still want to take part, don’t miss seeing the Olympic torch make its way through Kent from Tuesday 17th July - Friday 20th July. The torch will go through over 35 towns and villages and will spend the night in Dover and Maidstone with evening celebrations at both overnight locations.

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Speaking of celebrations, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is just around the corner; and with a 4-day weekend at the beginning of June to commemmorate Her Majesty’s 60-year-reign, you’re sure to find an event that tickles your fancy. Have a look at just a small selection of Jubilee events around Kent on page 129.

We’re also happy to announce our media partnership with Lounge on the Farm, taking place on Merton Farm, Canterbury 6th-8th July. We can’t wait to see Emeli Sandé, The Charlatans and The Wombats performing in the heart of our amazing county.

April showers bring May flowers (or so they say), so don’t miss out on the peak time to beautify your garden. Get some top tips in our Home + Garden section starting on page 26.

As always, a big thank you to all of our regular readers and subscribers, and to our Facebook and Twitter followers. Keep the emails, posts and tweets coming!

Whether or not you can cook, almost everyone appreciates good food.

This issue has an extended Food + Drink section with a 10-page feature on the ‘foodie Oscars’ of Kent, the Taste of Kent Awards. We’ve also had the pleasure of dining at some fantastic culinary gems during the past few months including The Forge Bistro in Canterbury (p74), Chives at Broome Park (p80) and the Marquis at Alkham (p79).

Donna Martin / Editor Don’t miss a beat. Follow insideKENT on Facebook & Twitter.

www.facebook.com/insidekent www.twitter.com/insidekent

insideKENT The Oast, Stone Green Farm Mersham, Nr Ashford, Kent TN25 7HE 01233 226240 insidekent@sidewaysmedia.co.uk www.insidekentmagazine.co.uk

Editor Donna Martin donna@sidewaysmedia.co.uk Publishing Director Adam Ready adam@sidewaysmedia.co.uk Design Manager Dave Leo Yogore Editorial Assistant Sarah-Jane Stenson Project Assistant Karl Fenna Fashion Editor Molly Neznanski Gil Finance Manager Charlotte Ready Account Managers Greg Bettles Paul Martin Terry Crawford Contributors Emma Batchelor, Luke Yates, Gemma Morpurgo, Emma Bates, View London, Explore Kent, Rachel Jones, Paul Nixon, Rachel Gold, Charlie O’Brien, Nigel Wallace, Russell Harper Photographers Luke Yates, Russell Harper Publisher

hello@sidewaysmedia.co.uk www.sidewaysmedia.co.uk

For all advertising enquiries, contact Adam Ready on 07824 882086 or adam@sidewaysmedia.co.uk

When you have finished with this magazine, please pass it on to a friend or recycle it.

© Copyright 2012. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers.

Neither the publisher nor any other person associated with the production and publication of this magazine make any guarantees, warranties or claims as to the accuracy, currency or truthfulness of any of the contents of this magazine. No part of this magazine may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without the publisher’s written consent. No responsibility is taken for unsolicited editorial, images or photographs published. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and the publisher takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. Publisher is not responsible for any variation in image colour due to printing processes.

Cover image © Chris Lopez/Photoshot

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NEWS

THE GREAT THE GREATBRITISH BRITISH HOME HOME SHOW SHOW HITS BLUEWATER HITS BLUEWATER THIS THIS SPRING SPRING

The Great British Home Show 2012 will celebrate all that is best in the British home with spectacular room layouts, new garden ideas and designs alongside the very latest home furnishings and décor.

For five days, The Great British Home Show 2012 at Glow, the new £62 million exhibition centre at Bluewater, will showcase all that is best about home improvement and enhancements.

Headline sponsor Anglian Home Improvements will show its beautiful orangeries alongside bespoke furnishings, luxury beds, gardens designed especially for the show and all of the fabrics and accessories that complement them.

The theme for the inaugural Great British Home Show is ‘reveal your hidden home’ as an

increasing number of people are choosing to stay put but enhance what they already have.

Aimed to coincide with the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, 31st May to 4th June, show visitors will be able to see the very best in furnishings and décor for every room in the home as well as some spectacular garden ideas with show gardens especially designed for the show.

In addition to the 200 exhibitors providing home improvements, home furnishings, accessories, furniture and décor at this boutique event, there will be gardening and design experts giving helpful talks and demonstrations each day.

They will include interior designers like Kelly Davies and Zoe Brewer along with property guru, writer and journalist Laura Henderson talking about adding value to your home.

KENT SCHOOL CHILDREN HAVE FOOD FOR THOUGHT IN RUN UP TO LONDON 2012 With the Olympics only around the corner, food and drink champions Produced in Kent have created an engaging initiative to get the children of Kent involved. Primary school children all across the county are being invited to enter the Create a Fruit & Veg Masterpiece Art Competition in the countdown to the London 2012 games. This Olympic vision has been achieved by the generous sponsorship of R J Kingsland & Son, abm catering and Hadlow College.

Julie Monkman, Produced in Kent’s manager, commented, “We can pass on the important message of eating locally grown and seasonal produce to the next generation via such a fun competition. Create a Fruit & Veg Masterpiece really does introduce young people to the wonders of the ‘Garden of England’ in an enjoyable and creative way and I would encourage all competition entrants to join the race and ‘go for gold’!”

Children are challenged to create a picture depicting London 2012 using only seasonal fruit and vegetables grown in Kent. Competitors need to take a photo of their masterpiece and email this to the judges at events@producedinkent.co.uk before the deadline of Monday 11th June.

Children can enter individually or in groups, with the best three entries in each category being fast tracked to a fabulous live final on Friday 29 June with celebrity foodscape artist and live final judge, Carl Warner.

Full entry details can be found on the Produced in Kent website: www.producedinkent.co.uk

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The Great British Bedrooms section will have beds by Hypnos, Relyon and Frank Hudson overseen by British Beds Worldwide, which has an enviable export record with beds made in this country that really do make dreams come true.

John Lewis will create a feature living room designed to inspire visitors, while Kent-based wine producer, Chapel Down, will be providing bar facilities as well as offering showgoers a chance to sample the best English wine, which has won awards across the world.

Tickets can be ordered in advance at www.gbhomeshow.co.uk/tickets Adults cost £8 weekday, £10 for the weekend, over 60s £6 and £8 respectively with under-15s free. Evening tickets £5 after 5pm.

FAMILY FUN AT GODINTON’S MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS Godinton House and Gardens is hosting its second annual May Day celebrations on 7th May, 114:30pm. Visitors can enjoy a day of traditional family fun in the splendid springtime gardens. Additionally, guests can take guided tours of the beautiful Jacobean house and medievel hall from 2pm onwards.

There will be a decorated Maypole with dancing, live music provided by the Whirling Skirmish band and performances by the East Kent Morris Men. Local craftsman, Alan Sage, will be giving basketry demonstrations and beekeeper Richard Baker will explain the art of beekeeping.

A variety of Kentish produce can be purchased throughout the day, from the stallholders of Challock farmers market and Biddenden vineyards.

Godmersham Game will be barbequing their renowned venison burgers and sausages and scrumptious homemade cakes will be available from the outside Cart Shed all day.

This is a day promising to offer the very best of Kent and is an ideal day out for the whole family.

NEWS

CHARLIE’S CHAT As always, it’s been a busy few weeks with celebrity interviews, charity events and award nominations all on the agenda.

Let’s start with the celebs. I recently had a great catch up with Olly Murs in London, ahead of his performance at the Sound Island Festival at Quex Park on 29th July. Despite his hectic schedule and literally just flying in from France, Olly still had plenty to say and even told me about his great great grandparents who had a show in a circus called the ‘Murs Spectacular’!

Still not sure if he was winding me up.

Either way, I can’t wait to see him perform live in the county – get all the ticket details at www.heart.co.uk/kent.

WHAT DO TRACEY EMIN, ADAM ARBEID, ALEXANDER KORZERROBINSON AND MARIA RIVANS HAVE IN COMMON? THEY’RE ALL EXHIBITING IN MARGATE’S HARBOUR IN JUNE 2012.

Following closure for flood defence work to be carried out, the Margate Harbour Arm gallery is re-opening in May and one of the first exhibitions will be Liberty Gallery’s from 6th June. Situated opposite Margate Old Town and next to the award-winning Turner Contemporary Gallery, Liberty Gallery will be showing work by a truly contemporary trio of artists.

Maria Rivans is a highly collectable collagist. Graduating from Brighton Art College in 1986 with a BA (Hons) in 3-Dimensional Design, she is best

It’s not just Olly who’s been spoiling us with his celebrity presence on the show recently. We were also lucky enough to be joined by a TV legend who has graced our screens for more than 60 years and has become a recognised icon in most households. Yes, I am talking about none other than SOOTY! Accompanied of course by the very mischievous Sweep (Sue couldn’t make it). The pair were in the county for The Sooty Show which appeared at the Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks over the Easter weekend.

Before the interview, lots of people asked me how it’s even possible to interview Sooty on the radio, but I’ve got to say it’s one of the best interviews I’ve done in my whole radio career! Who needs words when you have a magic wand, a water pistol, and of course Richard Cadell who’s in charge of the whole thing?!

And here’s a bit of exciting news to share with you – Heart Breakfast with James and Charlie has been nominated for a Sony award! They’re kind of like the Oscars of the radio world and a great excuse to dress up! We’re up for the ‘Best Use of Multi Media and Social Networking’ award. The ceremony is on 14th May in London, so fingers crossed. In the meantime, I think I’ve now got an even better excuse to chat on Twitter – because it’s ‘multi media’!

Before I go, just to mention that James and Charlie’s 2012 Challenge – to get a photograph with someone from each of the 205 nations represented at the Olympics – is still very much in progress. This is no mean feat. So if you can help, maybe you know someone from one of the countries on the list – get in touch! Tweet me or contact us at heart.co.uk.

Here’s to a long and sunny Kent summer, complete with hose pipe ban of course. Who knows what the weather will hold; next time I speak to you we could all be wrapped up in coats and gloves again!

Ciao for now.

Listen to Heart Breakfast with James and Charlie every weekday morning from 6am10am, or online at www.heart.co.uk You can also become a Facebook fan – www.facebook.com/heartkent and follow Charlie on twitter @charlie_radio

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known for her intricate, humorous and eye-popping surreal landscape, portrait and 3D collages. Maria exhibits widely across the UK as well as overseas including New York and Singapore. She was recently a finalist in the Aesthetica Creative Works competition. Alongside her original works will be a selection of limited edition original screen prints.

Alexander Korzer-Robinson creates exquisite book sculptures. By working through a book, page by page, cutting around some of the illustrations while removing others he creates incredible inner worlds bringing antiquarian books with no further purpose to life. The images seen in the finished sculpture are in their original place and a clear cover is inserted providing a window into his alternate worlds.

Adam Arbeid has originated a range of his own processes creating stunning contemporary fine art using ancient techniques.

His alluring and engaging works are created as Florentine marble frescoes – but added to the fresco marble and tradition pigments he uses crushed glass, fossils, granite and precious metals and various minerals.

Patsy Dixon from Liberty Gallery says, “I really believe for the best contemporary art experience this year, Margate in June is not to be missed.

We are really excited to be part of the great art experience to be had in the town.” www.liberty-gallery.com

BUSINESS

CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARDS

A TRULY MAGICAL NIGHT! KENT BUSINESSES JOINED TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE BUSINESS EXCELLENCE ON WEDNESDAY 28TH MARCH, AT THE PRESTIGIOUS CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL LODGE SET WITHIN THE PRECINCTS OF CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL. THE KENT INVICTA CHAMBERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; AWARDS EVENING TURNED OUT A MAGICAL EVENING, NOT ONLY FOR THE WINNERS, BUT FOR ALL THOSE WHO ATTENDED, WITH AN ENTERTAINING PERFORMANCE OF MAGIC AND ILLUSION FROM â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;MAGIC ON THE MENUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Now in their 7th year, the Awards have been a great catalyst to promote the excellence in business that is in abundance within Kent.

The Awards were in 5 categories with a record number of entries for all categories, making it difficult to select only three finalists for each.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Category Winners were: BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Sponsored by University of Kent Winner: RIFT Ltd Finalist: Chaucer Group Finalist: DDS (International) Ltd EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE Sponsored by Wonderful Creative Agency Winner: Canterbury Cathedral Lodge Finalist: The Woodley Coles LLP Finalist: Ashford International Hotel

ACHIEVEMENT IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS Sponsored by HSBC Winner: QuorumTechnologies Ltd Finalist: DDS (International) Ltd Finalist: Kemet International Ltd MOST PROMISING NEW BUSINESS Sponsored by: Lloyds TSB Winner: Think3e Finalist: Minimise Ltd Finalist: Geo-Mole Ltd ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Kent Innovation & Enterprise Winner: Lynn Janes of Quay Assessment Community Interest Company Finalist: Jan Post of RIFT Ltd Finalist: Wayne Hodgson of Red Eagle Ltd

Magic on the Menu

National Awards, and Kent Invicta are confident in their continuing success in these Awards. For the past two years the South East Business of the Year has come from Kent, with the Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2011 Most Promising New Business, Recruitment Genius, going on to win the BCC national Award.

Summing up at the end of the event, Chamber Chief Executive Jo James said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope everybody enjoyed themselves; I certainly did.

Not only with reference to the entertainment, but also with regard to the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Excellence in Businessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; represented by the Award winners and finalists â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and indeed all the entrants for the Awards. The quality and quantity of applications received this year just goes to show what an entrepreneurial county we work in.â&#x20AC;?

All the winners and finalists will now go forward to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC)

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BUSINESS

START-UPS: HOW TO AVOID STALLING ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS AS THE GOVERNMENT TRIES TO BOOST INVESTMENT IN BUSINESS START-UPS, WILKINS KENNEDY GIVES A BRIEF RUNDOWN OF THE MAIN CONSIDERATIONS FOR THOSE THINKING OF STARTING OUT ON THEIR OWN IN THE CURRENT CLIMATE, AND HOW THEY CAN HELP.

PLANNING FOR SUCCESS The possibility of starting your own business can present itself in many ways. It could be an unexpected opportunity, or the result of years of careful planning. Or, it could be a management buy-out, or a franchise. Whatever the reason, you will need significant personal commitment, motivation, and usually a significant financial investment, and your best defence in protecting that investment, and ensuring success, is to start with a well-developed business plan.

A good business plan sets a course for your business. It captures what you hope to achieve and how you intend to get there and will prove invaluable in helping you establish targets and focus on priorities.

The plan can also be a useful tool for motivating staff and instilling confidence in stakeholders by demonstrating leadership and vision. Most potential investors or funders will want to see a formal business plan before they consider investing in your business. This is not only for the purposes of prediction in the near-term, but also to demonstrate that you have thought about long-term resource planning, for example.

Wilkins Kennedy’s range and depth of expertise means that they can call on the right team of specialists to assist you in producing a suitable plan, whether raising finance, embracing growth or developing a strategy to survive difficulties.

STRUCTURING YOUR BUSINESS The way in which you structure the legal entity for your business will be determined by many factors, such as the degree of independence you want, the level of risk you are prepared to take, the tax implications of different structures and how management decisions are made.

You can choose to operate as a sole trader, a company, a partnership or limited liability partnership or a franchisee. Each has its benefits and drawbacks and should be carefully considered in the context of your longterm objectives.

Wilkins Kennedy has significant experience in advising on and setting up many organisations both in the UK and overseas. They also have specialists who are at hand to provide advice on taxation implications, VAT registration, registering with HM Revenue & Customs and registering with Companies House.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS No matter how talented you are at developing a product, delivering services, managing people or marketing your business, success depends on sound financial management, the touchstones for which are establishing a robust accounting system, basic bookkeeping, managing cash flow, budgeting and forecasting, preparing financial statements, credit policies and the importance of credit checks, planning for capital investments, keeping good records and applying for finance.

Wilkins Kennedy works with businesses of all sizes in these areas, and can provide whatever advice is needed.

TAXATION Tax costs can be effectively managed, and minimised, with careful planning.

Successful tax planning should aim to balance tax considerations, your organisation’s objectives and stakeholder interests.

Wilkins Kennedy’s highly-experienced team can work with you to develop tax strategies to help you mitigate corporate and personal tax, whilst ensuring compliance with the ever-changing regulatory framework.

EMPLOYEE ISSUES In today’s competitive markets, attracting and retaining the right staff is paramount. At the same time, an employer has to fight his way through a barrage of legislation and regulation, which can be a huge drain on management resources. The key areas you will need to consider are: No matter what sector you are in or how many staff you will employ, Wilkins Kennedy’s HR specialists have extensive commercial experience and can provide practical advice at all stages of growth, upon which you can call as needed.

MARKETING CONSIDERATIONS No matter how good your offering, marketing is vitally important to get sales. The key issues to address (and which need to be covered in your business plan) are industry trends, your total market size, who your target market is, who is your competition (local and national), what is your offering and how does it compare with the competition, what is your overall strategy for selling your products or services, establishing a pricing policy, what sort of after sales or customer service policy will you put in place and investing time in developing a formal marketing plan.

CHOOSING AN ADVISER The right adviser has the experience to help you through the challenges, and can grow with your company, providing continuity of advice. Probably the first adviser you need will be an accountant, and when selecting one, you should consider the following: • Size: will you require one-to-one contact, that a smaller firm may provide?

• Complexity: Do you just require a tax return and year-end statements, or also advice on tax and financial planning, employee benefits, etc?

• Vision: Can your accountant embrace your ambitions – can they also grow?

• Reputation: talk to your business contacts, search internet forums • Trust: On a personal basis, would you trust your accountant as a fellow director? Are you comfortable with them?

• Fees: Are their fees and billing processes clear?

Fore more information, please contact Paul Nixon on 01233 629255 or paul.nixon@wilkinskennedy.com.

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LOCALBUSINESS

insideKENT

INTERVIEWS Andrew Moody F R O M

Adventure Kidz How did your business begin?

Adventure Kidz started in October 2011. Having young children, I have seen the good, the bad and the indifferent of children's soft play centres – not just in this country but also abroad. This led me to come up with the concept for Adventure Kidz which is to focus on children of all age ranges. Adventure Kidz allows you to entertain your one-year-old child as well as your twelveyear-old, and even the parents can become involved.

What makes you stand out from your competition?

Adventure Kidz is the only centre in the UK with indoor high ropes. This is a big attraction as it becomes a family adventure rather than an attraction just for kids. Also our logos gives us our own identity – AK is our character and he is on all of our literature right around the centre and on all of our marketing; it’s a brand driven as a brand identity. This individuality is important to us as is having something different to offer the public.

What was the key decision in starting your business?

The right location was fundamental; it had to be in the right area and I believe the location I have now is ideal. With us being just five minutes off the M20, we can attract families from Bromley or as far down as Dover as we are ideally positioned. The benefit with the Quarry Wood

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Retail Park means mum's can look around the various stores or dads go and look for a new car on the Retail Park and then bring the kids in for a few hours to keep them occupied.

What is your biggest achievement since you have been open?

In December 2011, Adventure Kidz was awarded five stars by the Food & Health Agency in recognition of our hard work. We cook all branded food fresh on site using the highest quality food, by our resident chefs. I'm very proud of all 44 staff we employee for helping to make this award happen.

Tell us something about Adventure Kidz that we may not know?

Adventure Kidz is very popular with schools, social groups such as Beavers, Scouts and Special Need groups. Adventure Kidz is also very popular with companies looking at team building events, this again is a sign of our individuality being able to offer something even for adults.

Where do you see Adventure Kidz in five years’ time?

Hopefully we will add additional centres around the South East. We are a very forward-thinking company and we are always looking to develop new ideas. Naturally we will take it one step at a time but we are very ambitious.

Adventure Kidz Unit 2 Euroway Wood Close Quarry Wood Retail Park Aylesford ME20 7UB 01622 719898 info@adventurekidz.co.uk www.adventurekidz.co.uk

CHARITY

TAKE PART AND GIVE BACK

VOLUNTEERS ARE A VITAL ELEMENT TO THOUSANDS OF CHARITIES ACROSS THE NATION. THIS JUNE, TAKE PART AND GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY DURING VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK. IT’S THE PERFECT TIME TO GET INFORMED AND INSPIRED, LEND A HELPING HAND AND LEARN AND GROW FROM THE INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE. VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK TAKES PLACE FROM 1ST – 7TH JUNE 2012 AND CELEBRATES THE FANTASTIC CONTRIBUTION THAT MILLIONS OF VOLUNTEERS MAKE ACROSS THE UK. insideKENT HAS HIGHLIGHTED JUST A SMALL SELECTION OF THE FANTASTIC CHARITIES YOU CAN GET INVOLVED WITH BY DONATING YOUR TIME AND FUNDRAISING EFFORTS.

Demelza Hospice Care for Children

Demelza Hospice Care for Children provides respite care, short breaks, symptom control and end of life care for children and young people with life limited and life threatening conditions including those having treatment for cancer. Demelza has two hospices and a community team supporting children, young people and families in Kent, South East London and East Sussex.

Volunteers are a vital part of Demelza Hospice Care for Children and with so many different volunteering opportunities available there is bound to be something that suits you! There are a variety of volunteering roles within the hospices, shops and local communities, so if you have a little time to spare and would like to make a difference to your local children's hospice then they'd love to hear from you.

For more information and to check current volunteering vacancies, visit www.demelza.org.uk.

Foal Farm

Foal Farm Animal Rescue Centre is based in Biggin Hill, Kent. Its aim is to take in as many animals as it can properly care for, to restore them to health and happiness and, where possible, find them good new homes, or provide sanctuary for life.

The animals are kept on a 26-acre farm where they are neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and given any other medical assistance necessary. Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals are then placed in secure and loving homes. Horses, donkeys, cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks and geese spend their natural lives at Foal Farm.

No healthy animal is ever destroyed, and if no home can be found the animal becomes a resident for the rest of its life.

Foal Farm relies entirely on voluntary contributions, legacies and money made from fund raising events, so if you want to help raise money, or even help out at the farm, email Jenny at volunteering@foalfarm.org.uk or visit www.foalfarm.org.uk.

Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance

The Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust is a registered charity, which helps sick and injured people in South East England and surrounding areas by providing a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and Air Ambulance service.

Responding to 999 calls, these helicopters fly at speeds of up to 150mph and between them can reach any part of Kent, Surrey or Sussex in under 20 minutes flying. These highly skilled teams of specialist doctors and critical care paramedics effectively bring the equivalent of an A&E department to

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CHARITY the scene of an incident and can transport patients to the most appropriate specialist unit or nearest major hospital a lot faster than a land ambulance.

There is a range of ways you can get involved, from helping with collecting boxes, to helping out at events and assisting with the Air Ambulance Lottery.

Strode Park Foundation

Strode Park Foundation is an independent voluntary organisation and registered charity working to provide high quality services to meet the changing and individual needs of people with disabilities.

Strode Park Foundation is one of Kent’s largest charities for people with disabilities. The majority of its adult services are situated in 14 acres of beautiful grounds at Strode Park in the village of Herne, Kent (located between Canterbury and Herne Bay).

Strode Park Foundation officially merged with Canterbury charity, Kent Kids Miles of Smiles in April 2011 and its services now extend to children with disabilities located at a separate site on the Stodmarsh Road near Canterbury.

Visit www.kssairambulance.org.uk/Volunteers/BecomingVolunteer for further information.

The Strode Park Foundation promotes independence, well being and choice throughout it’s care services and enables children and adults to live life to their full potential.

Pilgrims Hospices

If you want to volunteer and help out with activities ranging from gardening to fundraiser events and working in the charity shops, visit www.strodepark.org.uk.

Pilgrims Hospices has been providing care and support free of charge to people with life-limiting illnesses, their families and carers for over two decades. Pilgrims has three hospices in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford; achieving founder Ann Robertson’s original aim of hospice care being available within 30 minutes drive of everyone in East Kent.

Catching Lives

Every Pilgrims Hospice benefits from the natural beauty and tranquillity of its surrounding grounds. The gardens are regularly tended by a devoted group of gardeners and include water features and dedicated wildlife areas (at Ashford) and are enjoyed daily by both patients and visitors.

If you want to get involved in providing first hand care as a nurse or doctor or working as part of the wider support team that the patients rely on, visit www.pilgrimshospices.org.

NSPCC

The NSPCC is the UK’s leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. In Kent, the charity runs a centre in Gillingham from which it provides services for vulnerable children including those in the care system and those suffering from sexual abuse.

The NSPCC really needs your help to keep these services running, and would like to hear from anyone who can spare time to help raise vital funds. There are lots of ways that you can get involved – from joining one of the local support groups to holding a coffee morning, or taking part in a sponsored event. Even if you can only spare an hour, the NSPCC would love to hear from you.

To find out more about how you can support the work of the NSPCC in Kent, contact the appeals office on 01293 651840, email southlondonandsoutheast@nspcc.org.uk or visit www.nspcc.org.uk.

Catching Lives is an independent charity with the aim to catch the lives of homeless vulnerably housed people in Canterbury who have, for many reasons, fallen through the gaps in society and feel they have nowhere else to turn. They provide them not only with help, but also with solutions.

Catching Lives relies on volunteers to carry out their work and make a difference and is helped by an extremely supportive group of volunteers, including students, retired people and even nuns, who help run the centre on a daily basis.

If you have time to help at the centre, whether for a few hours a week or even more, or would like more information, visit www.catchinglives.org.

S.M.E.I

The Scarlett MacKinnon Endowment Initiative (S.M.E.I.) has been set up to help children being treated at the children's ward at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, and their families and carers, by raising money to provide equipment, services and other items and facilities to the ward.

It also aims to promote and protect the physical and mental health of sufferers of severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (SMEI) and their families and carers.

The charity was set up by Kirsty MacKinnon, whose daughter, Scarlett, suffers from SMEI. SMEI, also called Dravet syndrome, is a severe form of epilepsy. It appears during the first year of life with frequent febrile seizures – fever-related seizures that, by definition, are rare beyond age 5. Later, other types of seizures typically arise, including myoclonus (involuntary muscle spasms).

Status epilepticus – a state of continuous seizure requiring emergency medical care – also may occur. Children with Dravet syndrome typically experience poor development of language and motor skills, hyperactivity, and difficulty relating to others.

For more information on how you can support the charity, visit www.smeicharity.co.uk.

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Kent Youth

Kent Youth was originally formed in 1936, and helps bring greater coordination and support to a wide range of youth groups and clubs. These range from volunteer run youth clubs, faith groups, uniformed organisations, drop-in centres, and youth cafes, to publicly funded youth centres and initiatives.

The charity supports the development of over 18,000 children and young people through 232 locally based organisations, groups and projects in every area of Kent and Medway. It also provides essential specialist infrastructure and support to 1,200 adult volunteers, 650 part-time paid staff and over 150 full-time youth workers.

Its work includes peer mentoring and peer education through its me2you programme, managed inclusion of young people with disabilities through its me2 programme, enabling 16-25 year olds to be effective volunteer community sports and dance leaders through its activeyouth programme, and developing life enriching opportunities for young people

The Bay Trust

The Bay Trust is an environmental educational charity based in East Kent.

Through the activities and initiatives based from The Pines Calyx, Pines Garden and Rippledow, they are committed to providing a wide range of opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to both experience and learn about practical sustainable living within a low carbon world.

Volunteering for The Bay Trust is about giving your time to do something useful in return for new skills practical knowledge and the satisfaction of time and effort well spent. It’s about contributing to your local community and the sharing of wider goals – living more sustainably and working towards a low carbon future.

The range of opportunities is huge. Whatever age and whatever skills and experience you have, there is something that you can do, from working on the land to give local biodiversity a helping hand or contributing to a community’s low carbon future.

For more information, visit www.baytrust.org.uk.

If you would like to find out more about how you can donate to Kent Youth, take part in its events or become a volunteer, email eve@kentyouth.org or visit www.kentyouth.org.

Race for Life

Cancer Research UK is urging women and girls from across the UK to gather their friends and family together and join the biggest fight against cancer this summer by taking part in Race for Life 2012 in partnership with Tesco. Whatever age or fitness level, women can walk, jog or run 5k at over 235 Race for Life events across the UK, including Maidstone, Herne Bay, Folkestone, Gillingham, Tunbridge Wells and many more across Kent.

Since it began in 1994, an incredible six million participants have taken part in Race for Life raising a massive £457 million to fund Cancer Research UK’s vital work.

For more information or to find a race near you, visit www.raceforlife.org.

For information on volunteering and more opportunities available, visit www.volunteering.org.uk. www.insidekentmagazine.co.uk

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PROPERTY

PROBLEM MEETING THE MORTGAGE?

Don’t sell, let!

ALAN STEWART

CAXTONS’ ALAN STEWART CONSIDERS WHETHER LETTING YOUR HOME AND RENTING A SMALLER PROPERTY IS A VIABLE OPTION.

Life is tough, very tough. Most of us have had some first hand experience of the economic squeeze during the past four years – and belt tightening has become an art form as well as a way of life. But what if you run out of cunning plans to keep the wolf from the front door? What if you can no longer meet your monthly financial commitments? What if you can’t pay the mortgage?

Alan Stewart BSc FRICS MCIArb, Director and Head of Residential Lettings & Management at Caxtons says think carefully before selling up. It may be better to consider letting your home – undoubtedly a very valuable asset – while you rent a smaller property for considerably less. This way you will retain your home and ease the pressure on what is probably a desperate situation.

If you think that becoming a ‘reluctant landlord’ is for you to allow time for the property market to recover and economic hard times to abate, then there are a number of issues to explore.

If you have a mortgage, it is sometimes possible to let your property without the complication of changing your mortgage and becoming a Buyto-Let landlord. As long as you obtain permission from your lender by way of a ‘Consent to Let’, then you will not breach your mortgage agreement.

What is more, you will usually remain on your existing mortgage arrangement and pay your current interest rate. Every lender is different though and some may impose additional charges so be sure you understand exactly what you are signing up to.

You should be aware that the money you receive in rent will be taxable, although the tax liability can be reduced by offsetting some expenses against the income. You will need to cover all repairs as they occur, keep up the mortgage payments if there is a period of vacancy between tenants and comply with safety regulations. Some regulations are easier to comply with in a modern house, as it will probably have smoke detectors already fitted. You will also require a certificate from a Gas Safe-registered engineer confirming that the gas appliances have all been checked and comply with legal requirements.

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If, after you have let your property, you later decide that you want to sell, then you may be subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). CGT can be complicated and quite worrying but you don’t have to pay CGT on a property you have lived in, which has been your main residence for tax purposes, if you sell it within three years of moving out. Even after those three years are up you may qualify for Letting Relief on up to £40,000 of the gain on top of your usual CGT Allowance of £10,600. These are complicated calculations so you will need to understand all the financial implications before you decide to let. And again, each case is different so it is important to seek professional advice.

You may be downcast and feel that it is all too much but don’t be put off! It’s safe to say that if you do your research carefully, downsize and perhaps even move to a less expensive area, you should gain enough financial ‘leg room’ to see out the recession and recover financially – even from negative equity if that is where you happen to be. In this tough economic climate you won’t be the only person suffering a bit of short term pain for long term gain; and what’s more you will still have equity in a property when it’s over.

And to make you feel even better, you could always talk to a reputable letting and property management agent such as Caxtons. Our staff are used to steering new and longstanding landlords through what sometimes seem to be the insurmountable hurdles of letting properties. They are dedicated to making life easier for clients both when they match tenants to homes and when they advise landlords of the legal and health and safety necessities associated with letting property.

For further advice or information email info.office@caxtons.com or contact one of the Caxtons Lettings and Management offices across Kent.

Caxtons, received Highly Commended at the recent Property Management Awards 2011-12, has been nominated Estates Gazette Most Active Regional Property Agent in Kent for the second year in succession, and is one of the largest independent property practices in the South East operating from offices across Kent.

HOME+GARDEN

A DAY OUT AT

Millbrook

AS THE WEATHER WARMS UP, WE ALL START TO THINK ABOUT THE GARDEN AGAIN. ON THE TOP OF THE LIST FOR MOST GARDEN LOVERS AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR IS A VISIT TO A GARDEN CENTRE TO GAIN INSPIRATION FOR THE GARDEN IN THE FORTHCOMING SEASON.

These days, garden centres are not just about plants, you can take the family for a great day out! Millbrook Garden Centre is an independent, family owned company with two sites, one at Crowborough, East Sussex (10 minutes from Tunbridge Wells) and one at Gravesend in Kent.

Millbrook also have their own plant nursery where they grow 1/3 of the plants sold at their garden centres as well as an award-winning design and landscape company to help you transform anything from a small courtyard to rambling acres.

There’s always something going on at Millbrook.

This year there is a new series of Lecture Lunches.

Starting at 11am and finishing at 2pm, these are seasonal information sessions on various topics such as roses, trees, lavender, flower arranging and grow your own. Designed to be fun and informative, they are great value at just £18 per person including all refreshments and lunch – booking is essential.

In addition to the Lecture Lunches, there is always plenty to see and do at Millbrook. At Gravesend there are lots of FREE activities such as wildlife tours and children’s ‘drop-in’ wildlife activity

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workshops during their Spring Birdwatch event 7th-13th May. Also that weekend, on Sunday 13th May at Gravesend you can visit the Weber Airstream BBQ Roadshow where you can come and see the experts from Weber cooking fantastic food in their purpose built wagon. Free samples and expert advice plus 10% off Weber BBQs and accessories (Gravesend only).

The activities continue in June. The weekend of 23rd and 24th June is Festival Weekend at Millbrook. At Gravesend there is the Rose Festival featuring advice from rose specialists and suppliers, a hog roast, stilt walkers, Morris dancers and more. At Crowborough there is a Garden Festival Weekend - incorporating the Tubwell Lane Open Gardens Event. A weekend of art, sculpture and entertainment.

So, there’s more to Millbrook than just a garden centre. Not only will you find a fantastic selection of quality plants, but you’ll also discover the other products to help your garden grow as well as a wide range of gorgeous gifts, furniture and barbeques. You can sign up for a Lecture Lunch, or join in our activities and don’t forget the

greencafé where there is something for everyone - from seasonal specials, tasty main courses, Sunday roasts, child friendly portions to indulgent deserts and homemade cakes. There is plenty of seating indoors, and when the weather is fine, you can eat al fresco.

MILLBROOK GARDEN CENTRES Crowborough Tubwell Lane, Jarvis Brook Crowborough East Sussex TN6 3RJ 01892 663 822 Gravesend Station Road, Southfleet Gravesend Kent DA13 9PA 01474 331135 www.millbrookgardencentre.co.uk

Whats on at Millbrook Millbrook’s new Lecture Lunches.

A series of seasonal information sessions on various topics including trees, grow your own, roses and lavender. Designed to be fun and informative these are great value at £18 per person including refreshments lunch. See website for topics and dates.

Hanging basket weekend 12-13th May FREE hanging basket demonstrations 10.30am and 2.30pm each day 10% Off all hanging baskets, basket plants and accessories

Gardening in the drought

Plus at Millbrook Gravesend only

Save water by making use of Water Magic water retaining gel £2.99 (rrp £4.99) and Moisture Control Compost £6.99 each or 2 for £12

Spring Birdwatch 7-13th May Lots of FREE wildlife activities Wildlife Tours 10.00am, 11.30am and 2.00pm. Children’s ‘drop-in’ wildlife activity workshop Weber BBQ Roadshow Sunday 13th May Come and see Weber’s expert chef cook up fantastic food in their purpose built wagon. Free samples, and 10% Off Weber BBQs and accessories

www.millbrookgardencentre.co.uk

We’ve got the products to help...

Get wise with water

Watering cans

Metal painted 1 gallon watering can £11.99 (rrp £14.99)

Water butt kit

Comprises a quality 100litre space sava butt, tap, stand, and rain diverter £54.99 (saving £14.00 if bought separately)

Millbrook Garden Centre Crowborough: Tubwell Lane, Jarvis Brook, Crowborough, East Sussex TN6 3RJ. Tel: 01892 663822 Gravesend: Station Road, Southfleet, Gravesend, Kent DA13 9PA. Tel: 01474 331135

HOME+GARDEN

garden grow-how G E T S

K E N T

G R O W I N G

The two Kent-based Dobbies Garden Worlds in Ashford and Gillingham, have launched a series of free gardening talks designed to give customers simple and inspiring garden advice to help get growing this spring.

Garden Grow-How talks are taking place every Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 2pm at Dobbies in Ashford and Gillingham and will cover a wide range of gardening topics, including everything from how to grow vegetables in a window box to planting the perfect hanging basket.

Each chat will be followed by a Gardener’s Question Time, where customers can ask Dobbies’ gurus about any of their gardening conundrums.

Oliver Locke, horticultural manager at Dobbies, Ashford said, “If you are a novice gardener or looking for some simple advice, then Garden Grow-How is a fantastic way of learning how quick, cheap and easy gardening can be.

From growing your own vegetables and herbs, to planting roses and caring for your lawn, our plant experts have the skills and inspiration to set you on your way to becoming a gardening expert!”

FEELING FRUITY When: Every weekend from 12th to 27th May between 11am and 2pm What: There is nothing like the taste of freshly picked fruit to create your own healthy, wholesome meals and snacks. You don’t need to have a large garden as many fruits can be grown in small containers, window boxes and indoors.

HANGING GARDENS When: Every weekend from 2nd to 17th June between 11am and 2pm What: Hanging baskets are one of the simplest ways to add a splash of colour to any outdoor area. Join Dobbies to find out how to create your own hanging garden, and experiment with vertical gardening.

Upcoming Garden Grow-How Sessions: THE 5-MINUTE PATIO VEG ON A LEDGE When: Every weekend from 21st April until 6th May between 11am and 2pm What: Short on garden space but want to grow your own? Join Dobbies’ plant experts to find out what fruit and veg you can grow on a windowsill.

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When: Every weekend from 23rd June to 1st July between 11am and 2pm What: Perfect for people who are short on time but want a great looking patio. Find out how vibrant colours can make all the difference to a patio or doorstep and take very little time to create.

Garden Grow-How takes place at: Dobbies Garden World Courtney Road Gillingham ME8 0FB 01634 224630 and Dobbies Garden World Rutherford Road Eureka Leisure Park Ashford TN25 6PA 01233 619360 Local times may vary so check instore for details. A complete list of upcoming talks can be found online at www.dobbies.com

GARDEN MINI-PROJECTS:

How to plant a hanging basket

HANGING BASKETS ARE ONE OF THE SIMPLEST WAYS TO ADD A SPLASH OF COLOUR TO ANY OUTDOOR AREA OF YOUR HOME. THEY’RE ELEGANT, EASY-TO-GROW AND THERE ARE LOTS OF LOVELY PLANTS THAT’LL KEEP YOUR BASKET BLOOMING ALL SUMMER LONG.

Hanging baskets are usually made from lightweight wire frames, plastic or natural fibres and they can be fixed to a wall or fence or suspended from the beams of a porch.

You will need: Pre-lined hanging basket Empty plant pot Compost Slow-release fertiliser Water-retaining gel Hanging-basket plants (allow seven for a 30cm basket) Watering can Do this: May-June Ideal location: A sunny wall Looks best: June-October

QUICK TO PLANT – IN 5 EASY STEPS 1. Choose your basket and rest it on a bucket while you plant to keep it steady.

2. Place a basket liner inside – use fabric or you could use moss or leaves.

3. Half-fill the basket with good-quality potting compost.

4. Plant a mix of flowering plants or a mass of one variety. If you’ve chosen a wire basket, gently push small plants from the outside through the sides of the basket, but take care not to damage the roots.

5. Top up with potting compost, add a central large plant, and then work outwards with smaller plants.

6. Water well and keep out of full sun for a week before hanging up.

Special touch: For greatest impact, choose a complementary colour scheme such as pretty pink and white flowers together, or use hot reds and vibrant purples.

STUNNING FLORALS FOR SUMMER BASKETS: • Fuchsias: non-stop, hassle-free blooms make them a firm favourite • Pansies: the variety of colours ensure a cheerful display • Sweet peas: highly-fragrant and delicate flowers which are easy to grow • Begonias: long stems with blousy and strongcoloured blooms • Geraniums: A hanging basket favourite

And for an even quicker solution, Dobbies offers a free container planting service. Their in-store garden experts will plant up exactly what you want them to – all you’ll need to do is water!

www.insidekentmagazine.co.uk

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HOME+GARDEN

MAKE ‘ROOM’ FOR A

garden transformation

Chameleon Garden Rooms offer a wide and bespoke range of fully insulated timber garden rooms that are extremely versatile and designed to your personal needs.

Manufactured in Kent by skilled local craftsmen, Chameleon uses the best quality materials for all their garden rooms.

The exceptional quality of the product shines through; from initial design to the interior decoration, Chameleon’s highly experienced team of staff take the utmost care when creating your picture perfect garden room.

CASE STUDY: This custom building was required for the client’s two children to have their own independent play room, with an additional separate room in which to keep the family’s bikes and garden equipment.

After an initial survey being completed and the quotation accepted, an installation date was scheduled and the production process at the factory began.

The installation date started with preparing the base ready for the building to be installed.

The building is 6m x 3m with Red Cedar timber cladding to the front; a set of 1.8m wide bi-folding doors complete with a small deck, and a long lasting EPDM roofing membrane seals the roof.

A partition with its own lockable door separated the playroom from the storage area; Chameleon even kept the cat happy by installing its own cap flap!

Before

After

The interior is fully insulated using breathing membranes, foil faced insulation boards, vapour barrier, dry lined and is completed with laminated flooring skirting and architraves. All the electrical cabling is hidden within the walls and ceiling area, and finally, the building is protected with its own alarm system.

CLIENT’S COMMENTS: “Sammy and I are absolutely thrilled with the finished room; it looks fabulous and exceeds our expectations. I have to say that you and your team have been excellent, your attention to detail and professional approach to the project has been rather a refreshing experience, if only all companies who we deal with were as conscientious and responsive as yours.

Please pass on our thanks to the team, and we very much look forward to enjoying the new addition to our home. I will of course be passing on your details to friends and colleagues who may also be interested in a similar structure. All we need to do now is persuade the cat to use the cat flap!”

Chameleon Garden Rooms 17 Laker Road Rochester Kent ME1 3QX 01634 200695 info@chameleongardenrooms.com www.chameleongardenrooms.com

OAK BEDSIDE CHEST ONLY £89!

What a tiddly widdly insy winsy price

The Big Yellow Building, St Peters Street, Maidstone.

0800 652 0102 www.lincolnfurniture.co.uk

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QUALITY & RELIABILITY Rooms have been successfully trading for over 34 years, supplying high quality products at very sensible prices. For your peace of mind, as members of the KBSA all their kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms have the advantage of being covered by the unique 6 year KBSA Consumer Care Plus insurance scheme, plus all deposits and interim payments are fully guaranteed. Rooms also provide a very efďŹ cient cost competitive replacement appliance service, either ďŹ tted or supply only.

49 Mottingham Road SE9 4QZ (020 8857 5699) www.roomskitchens.co.uk

HOME+GARDEN

The Perfect Patio ADVERTISEMENT PROOF the magazine

The patio is one of the areas in the garden that stands out and is gets used the Below a proof of most, your so adit’s toworth be putting in a little extra time and effort to make it as pretty and published in the May 2012 edition productive as possible. Oliver Locke, horticultural of The Index Magazine. manager at Dobbies Garden World, Ashford gives his top tips on creating the prettiest of patios.

May 2012 Issue 198

We trust this is as you wish your advertisement to appear – please let us Vibrant pots make all the difference to a patio or doorstep, adding colour know However, please if choose and interestiffornot. the entire summer. They’re easy tonote create, that and if you your plants carefully it won’t cost a fortune. no response is received by this office by

WEDNESDAY 18TH APRIL 12:00PM

Summer bedding plants also develop and flower quickly meaning they’re ideal for all the family to grow. If you’re new to gardening, pick plants like geraniums, petunias, verbena and busy Lizzies (if you’ve got a shady spot).

it will be taken that this advert is acceptable in every detail and will be published as seen, subject to our proof reading.

Select a design from our wide range and don’t be afraid to experiment with lots of bold, distinctive colours. Remember to bear in mind the size of your plants – you don’t want a tiny plant in a huge pot or a large plant in a pot that is too small.

DESIGN SERVICE

We now offer a complete design service for adverts, leaflets, posters, flyers and gift vouchers at reasonable hourly rates.

Please contact the production department for further details.

For more expert tips and advice made easy, pop in to visit the plant teams at Dobbies in Ashford or Gillingham.

Please remember to check your phone number, e-mail address, web address etc...

tel: 01892 517320 fax: 01892 547370 email: production@indexmagazine.co.uk PLEASE NOTE The content of the advertisement is the responsibility of the advertiser – the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies.

Positions in the magazine cannot be guaranteed except where special positions are agreed in writing and on payment of a Special Position Fee.

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FASHION

WOMEN’S FASHION

JUST ADD COLOUR FOR MAXIMUM FASHION WHEN THE DAYS GET LONGER AND THE TEMPERATURE RISES, JUST ADD COLOUR! SEARCHING FOR IDEAS? LOOK AROUND! COLOUR INSPIRATION CAN BE FOUND EVERYWHERE IN THIS SUNNY SEASON – EVEN IN A GLASS OF PIMM’S, FRESHLY CUT GRASS, AN ORANGE ICE LOLLY, OR A BRIGHT BLUE SKY. SO GET CREATIVE; MIX A LITTLE BIT OF SUNSHINE, A POP OF GEOMETRIC-PATTERNED FLAIR, AND A WHOLE LOT OF BOLDNESS FOR A LOOK THAT IS POSITIVELY ONE-OF-A-KIND!

Cerise Woven Bangle, Marks & Spencer Eyelet Link Bracelet £15, Marks & Spencer

J by Jasper Conran Bianca Premium Summer Hat £60, Debenhams

Asymmetric Swimsuit, bonprix

Biba Monogram Swimsuit £75, House of Fraser

Fontana Tunic £75, Monsoon

Pheonicia £50, Hush Puppies

Glimmer £85, Dune

SELESTE £55, Hush Puppies

www.insidekentmagazine.co.uk

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FASHION Gold Star Stud Earrings by Dinny Hall £60, Accessoriesdirect.com Leather Strand Cuff by Hagar Satat £65, Accessoriesdirect.com

Jagger £65, Dune

Sleeveless Cut Out Back Spotty Shirt Top in Cream £14.99, Pilot

Skinny Jeans £55, Paul’s Boutique

Red Herring Sunglasses £9.50, Debenhams Jojo £60, Dune

Kenneth Cola Halterneck Top, £42 and Brief, £30, House of Fraser “M” Initial Ring £4, Accessorize

Molye Playsuit, Ted Baker

Filippo £80, Bertie

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Vick Necklace £20, Monsoon

Accona Earring £10, Monsoon White and Gold Cuff

by Kate Benjamin £21, Accessoriesdirect.com

Woven Aztec Bangle £5.99, Internacionale

Black Crossover Playsuit £21, La Redoute

Shift Dress, bonprix

Louisa Dress £20, boohoo.com

Gena £100, Pied a Terre Orange Print Julian J Smith Wedges £55, River Island

Geena £45, Head Over Heels

Have fashion feedback? Connect with our Fashion Editor Molly Neznanski Gil on Twitter @lolachiffon www.insidekentmagazine.co.uk

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FASHION

MEN’S FASHION

HOW TO BE A LEADER, NOT A FOLLOWER

BY RACHEL GOLD www.jennyschwarz.com

LOOKING GOOD AND ON-TREND WITHOUT LOOKING AS THOUGH YOU ARE TRYING TOO HARD IS AN ART. ONE SUGGESTION I ALWAYS MAKE TO MY CLIENTS IS ‘CHOOSE YOUR BRANDS CAREFULLY.’ Obviously there are the regular high street brands that we all know, as we pass them everyday and see them advertised everywhere. Then you have your family run boutiques in the suburbs and smaller towns that carry an assortment of brands. These shops can be fantastic as you will normally find staff who are dedicated to their regular clientele. You’ll get to know them, they’ll get to know you, and you can easily pick things from brands that suit you most.

MY HIT LIST OF NEW ORIGINAL DESIGNERS

It’s nice to wear a well-kept secret brand if you are dating, as it gives you something else to talk about and it shows you are taking care of your image.

Having trawled through the halls and catwalks of London Fashion Week, spotting the latest and greatest, I started my own little search. Here are a few of the designers that I found and love.

www.markthomastaylor.com

www.markthomastaylor.com He has some beautiful colour check shirts. The fabric is very good quality and they’re perfect for spring and summer. What I like most about them is you will not bump into others wearing them; they look original, yet not outlandish, and great with a pair of jeans. He also has coordinating scarves which are a very value. www.jennyschwarz.com I particularly like her grey cotton t-shirt with pleated sleeve panel – a great colour and lovely cut. Her clothes are high fashion, so if you’re really into your fashion this is a wonderful brand for you. If you are a fashion newcomer, start with a few pieces and I am sure you will become very keen.

www.orschel-read.com Orschel designs some very interesting high-collared shirts with an unusual twist. His clothes are tailored in London and have that smart-clevertailored look.

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THE SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT PAIR OF JEANS BEGINS

Now that spring is here, you can dig your old jeans out and do a ruthless cull. One of the most common problems in men’s jeans is the width of the thigh. Try Diesel in a dark colour for a smarter look, or a lighter colour for a more casual look. Diesel tend to cut more Wrangler liberally across the thigh so you can wear them comfortably without looking like you are wearing a jean tent!

Superdry are a great brand; a little bit more on the casual side, but their cuts are good and very on trend.

And then there’s Wrangler. Who doesn’t know Wrangler, the tried and trusted brand?

I always think of American jeans as being the leader in the jeans arena.

The best way to discover your brand of jeans is to try on lots of different pairs. You’ll eventually find a brand that suits your shape best. Always try to sit down in them in the store – that way you’ll know they fit correctly.

One important thing to remember it is: better for them to be too long than too short!

Are you self-conscious about the way you dress and know you could look better, but have no clue where to start? If your wardrobe needs updating so you feel more confident and on trend, look no further. Rachel Gold, owner of Wardrobe Junkies, top London men’s personal stylist will help you achieve the look that will make you look and feel confident and well groomed.

info@wardrobejunkies.com 07766 838731 www.wardrobejunkies.com

A SPECIAL BOND AT BabyScanStudio SABIHA MITIC, FOUNDING OWNER OF BABYSCANSTUDIO ASHFORD LTD, MOVED TO KENT FROM BERLIN, GERMANY FIVE YEARS AGO. AS THE MOTHER OF TWO WONDERFUL DAUGHTERS, SHE HAS EXPERIENCED PREGNANCIES IN GERMANY AND IN THE UK, AND HAVE SEEN DIFFERENCES IN THE HEALTHCARE IN BOTH COUNTRIES.

In Germany you can have multiple scans which is not available here with healthy pregnancies. insideKENT spoke to Sabiha about how BabyScanStudio can offer additional support for pregnant women to build a stronger bond between unborn babies and parents.

How does the scan work?

Traditional scans are in 2D and in black and white. Using the latest technology, BabyScanStudio can offer a number of more detailed scans in 3D and 4D that are not available on the NHS and that show your baby in a way not previously possible. They use cutting edge ultrasound technology to bring pictures of your unborn baby to life from which the mother can see what the baby will look like.

How long will my session last?

Depending on the type of scan required, the sessions last from 20 to 45 minutes Will the scan tell me if my baby is a boy or a girl?

BabyScanStudio has a number of packages available which are designed to identify the sex of the unborn baby .

What is the difference between 3D and 4D? This is a frequently asked question! 3D scans show a still picture of your baby in 3D whereas a 4D scan shows your unborn baby in live 4D motion.

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Can I come in at anytime during my pregnancy?

It depends on the scan that is requested.

For example, an early pregnancy scan would normally be arranged around ten weeks but the best timing for a 3D or 4D scan is between 24 and 32 weeks. There is also a ‘babypeek’ package available after 36 weeks to confirm the baby’s position.

Why would you recommend BabyScan?

You can come one step closer to your unborn baby in a whole new way.

BabyScanStudio Ashford Ltd invites you to take part in the experience of a lifetime. We welcome you to bring your family and friends to share in this unforgettable moment.

For more details, visit www.babyscanstudio.com or contact Sabiha at sabi@babyscanstudio.com or 01233 502314

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H O ME I NTE RI O RS G A RD E N FE ATURE S D E SI G N & D I Y

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HEALTH+BEAUTY

blossom into spring words by Gemma Morpurgo photos by Luke Yates models: Claire Watola, Lonnie Beckley and Charlotte Austin

The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and spring has certainly arrived. So now is the time to pack away your heavy moisturisers, wintery scarves and instead embrace floral patterns and vibrant colours.

Spring should be a celebration, to say "adios" to the winter and “hello" to fresh warmer days. To achieve your spring look, follow my simple step-bystep guide for flawless blooming skin.

STEP 1: PREP It is vital that you prep your skin before applying makeup. My favourite product is MAC Prep and Prime skin. It’s a lightweight mousse formula that helps to disguise fine lines and open pores, which needs to be gently massaged into the skin.

STEP 2: FOUNDATION When applying foundation, I cannot recommend using a brush highly enough. When you use your fingers to apply foundation, you will find that during the course of the day, your foundation will begin to slide. The reason for this is that the natural oils from your hands mix with the foundation, and in a sense dilutes it. Consequently, you will not reap the full benefit of the product that a brush can perform. MAC Matchmaster Foundation is a great product for most skin types; it’s lightweight yet buildable, and perfect for those of you who may require a little more coverage.

shadow to adhere to the skin more freely and ensures ultimate colour payoff.

Prime the eyelids using a MAC Paint Pot. This product is available in an array of shades, to suit skin tone or to compliment the eyeshadows you want to apply.

With the eyelids prepped, apply eyeshadow using an eyeshadow brush and gently blend. To contour the eye shape and add definition, try a darker or contrasting colour along the socket line. To enhance the size and shape of the eye, why not apply a little of the darker socket line eyeshadow along the lower lash line? This will act as a gentle smokey effect eyeliner, and not as severe as a pencil liner.

NEVER forget mascara. The eyes are never complete until mascara is applied. I would recommend brown or black mascara. My advice is to keep it natural, especially if you have used vibrant colours on the eyes already. If you are prone to hay fever, then opt for waterproof mascara.

STEP 5: LIPS To round off this beautiful flawless look, why not apply a little MAC lip conditioner? This is available in a variety of colours, to quench and tint the lips beautifully.

STEP 3: BLUSHER The skin is never complete until you have applied your blusher. Blush seems to switch the cheeks on and injects life into the skin. To apply blusher: SMILE! Apply on to the apples of the cheeks and if required, sweep slightly towards the cheekbones. It is important to start with minimal product and build up as necessary.

STEP 4: EYES With the climate warming, it is essential that we prime the eyelids before the application of eyeshadow. Primers help to prevent creasing, enable the

To book your own beauty session with Gemma, contact her at gemma@gemmamorpurgo.co.uk or visit www.gemmamorpurgo.co.uk Follow Gemma on Twitter @gemmamorpurgo or Facebook at www.facebook.com/gemma.morpurgo

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HEALTH+BEAUTY

bee pampered at ROOM NINETY TWO FOR MANY OF US WHO WERE BORN AND BRED IN KENT, WHITSTABLE HAS ALWAYS HAD A CERTAIN CHARM, AND A CLOSE CONNECTION WITH SAILING, SEAFOOD AND SHINGLE BEACHES. IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, HOWEVER, WHITSTABLE HAS ALSO BECOME A POPULAR COASTAL DESTINATION FOR AFFLUENT PEOPLE FROM LONDON LOOKING TO ESCAPE THE BIG SMOKE. BY EMMA BATCHELOR

Debroah Meaden, Shaa Wasmund and Lynn Taylor at the 2011 Smarta 100 Awards

This rise in popularity and chic status has lead to an increase in boutique shops, restaurants and other artisanal events and activities, creating an exciting, cultural buzz to the town.

The holistic beauty salon at Room Ninety Two epitomises the very best of that buzz. It brings together a very exciting brand of organic skin care, Heaven by Deborah Mitchell, and a unique, chic setting that is as discreet as it is welcoming and calm. It is no wonder then that this is a favourite haunt of some well known faces.

Yet, when I was greeted by owner and renowned facialist, Lynn Taylor, I had the impression that all her clients were equally important to her.

Room Ninety Two also offers a variety of facials for both men and women, including CACI non surgical face-lift. After an initial consultation, where Lynn was keen to understand my expectations of my bespoke facial, I was intrigued to learn more about the Heaven range, currently favoured by high profile celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Dannii Minogue and Robbie Williams.

The Heaven skin care range is an all-natural organic range of skin and body products. Instead of adding more oil to the skin like most skincare products, Heaven products add more moisture which plumps out skin cells, making the complexion more lustrous and youthful.

Developed by Deborah Mitchell, who has over 25 years experience as a facialist, the Heaven products are designed to help people overcome skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne and blemished skin. Mitchell also has an impressive

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following, and can count both royalty like Kate Middleton and Camilla Parker Bowles, and well known celebrities as clients.

The range’s flagship product is the Bee Venom Mask, which is hailed as an effective and non-invasive alternative to Botox. The mask works by tricking the skin into thinking that it is under threat, prompting it to release collagen, ellastin and cortisone, which calm, smooth and tighten the skin.

Although the Heaven products are an important part of the facial, Lynn has a completely holistic approach to all her treatments, and she started with a little Reiki. Lynn then used the Cleanse & Tone Face Wash, which contains mandarin and is designed to heal scars, clarify freckles and skin pigmentation, as well as make the skin look younger and firmer. This was followed by the Hydro Cleansing Milk, which includes rosemary and French lavender to remove pollutants and calm and improve the skin’s texture. It also smelt divine. Next came the Orange Flower Cell Renewal toner, to brighten my skin by removing old cells and plumping up new ones.

Lynn then used the Skin Polish, which tingled slightly, before the main event; the Bee Venom Mask.

Lynn set to work massaging and sculpting my face into a more youthful version of itself, using unique manual lymphatic drainage techniques. It is these massage techniques that really give the immediate lift results. To help demonstrate how effective the mask is, Lynn kindly worked on one side of my face first, and then handed me a mirror so I could see the difference compared to the non-worked-on side.

I have to admit that I was impressed with the result. After only a few minutes, the right side of my face definitely seemed firmer and plumper, and the laughter lines around my eyes were less defined.

Lynn finished off my facial with some Age Defiance cream, which includes B vitamins and Hylorinic acid to help bring the Ph of the skin closer to that of a child.

The recommended treatment for the Bee Venom Mask to have optimal effect is three facials in the first month, and then a monthly top-up facial, but I was definitely impressed with the experience and effects of my facial.

The great thing about the products is that you can also continue the treatment at home, in between facials. Originally, the exclusive Heaven range was only available at Deborah Mitchell’s salons, but fortunately for us, Lynn is one of only two trained therapists and stockists of Heaven in Kent, so you can now buy the products at Rooms Ninety Two or via Lynn’s website – www.roomninetytwo.co.uk.

And with my very own pot of the special mask, as well as an assortment of other heavenly products, I know I am going to bee happy for a while!

Room Ninety-Two 92 Borstal Hill Whitstable CT5 4NU 01227 772 884 enquiries@roomninetytwo.co.uk www.roomninetytwo.co.uk

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HEALTH+BEAUTY

UTOPIA SPA A DAY OF LUXURY AT

DRIVING UP TO UTOPIA SPA AT ROWHILL GRANGE THROUGH THE AVENUE OF LEAFY TREES WITH WHITE PERIWINKLES AND DAFFODILS AT THEIR FEET WAS AN APPROPRIATE WELCOME TO THE STUNNING 19TH CENTURY BUILDING. THE VENUE WAS BUILT AS A SUMMERHOUSE IN 1870, BUT DON’T LET THAT FOOL YOU. THE VICTORIANS WEREN’T BIG ON SUBTLETY AND THIS ‘SUMMERHOUSE’ IS ABOUT AS BIG AND GRANDIOSE AS THEY COME. BY EMMA BATES

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I was absolutely bowled over by the spectacular Roman bathhouse interior of the spa, complete with Tuscan frescos and fallen stonework. Here stands a little piece of Italy right in the middle of Kent which has to be seen to be believed. The cleverly detailed wall paintings have you standing in the middle of a crumbling roman bath with ivy climbing the marble columns and the odd lizard sleeping lazily on the warm stonework.

The first feature we came to was the therapy pool that is surrounded by a fallen colonnade and from which can be found buttons to activate the various jets and bubbles in the pool. Despite the typeface on the wall, ‘Romani Quiden’ meaning ‘Italy indeed’, the showerheads on the far side of the 6-metre diameter pool are actually of Japanese design. These high-pressure jets of water are designed to deeply penetrate the muscles in the back and shoulders. The centre of the pool is home to another jet which is designed to massage the lower trunk, and at the edge of the pool, with an area made for perfect relaxation, are the air beds. This is a shallow shelf with small jets placed at regular intervals. These little jets produce the most beautiful gentle bubbles that invigorate you from head to toe.

Hidden under the portico next to the therapy pool is the spa pool. This is much like a Jacuzzi

and recommended as the last pool to visit because the temperature is much higher than the others.

Up now to the second floor which houses the main pool. This area and even the walk up past the stone balustrade is as magnificent as the first; the walls having been painted with stunning Tusan frescoes and more wonderfully evocative stone pillars and Italian statues. Another fantastic pool, complete with a telephone bar service bringing non-alcoholic drinks directly to your comfortable lounger.

After a heavenly morning basking in Romanesque relaxation, we headed up to lunch in RG’s Restaurant. Both courses were wonderfully prepared and presented. Dining at RG’s is a formal occasion and so I have to admit, dining in my robe was a little odd at first, but after a couple of subconscious minutes, other guests arrived in similar attire. I reconciled that life doesn’t get much better than being in a formal dining room in your dressing gown.

After lunch, we moved on to the most important part of the day: the massages. I was booked in for a 55-minute full body massage. Following some analysis of my preferences and wishes, this massage was heaven

It truly was a top-to-toe treatment that left me feeling wonderfully clean, fresh and a bit dreamy.

While I lay there luxuriating in the after glow of my treatment, my therapist wrote me a ‘prescription’ detailing all the products she’d used, how much they were for me to take home and the frequency I should use them. It would seem that a trip to Utopia Spa is meant to last longer than just the few hours that you are there.

Utopia Spa at Rowhill Grange has been named as one of the World’s top 50 Spas by The Mail on Sunday, has been awarded Elite Spa of the year in 2007 and 2008, and Best Hotel Spa of the Year in 2005. But despite the prestigious awards, amazing scenery, wonderful food, fantastic hospitality and total relaxation you would expect from an elite spa only open to the privileged few, Utopia Spa is still as welcoming as the summerhouse it started life as.

UTOPIA SPA AT ROWHILL GRANGE Wilmington DA2 7QH 01322 667433 admin@rowhillgrange.com www.rowhillgrange.com

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HEALTH+BEAUTY

SPARKLEM TEETH WHITENING

offers laser cosmetic teeth whitening in the comfort of your own home or in salons across Kent Sparklem utilises the very latest in power teeth whitening which leaves you with a smile to rival those of Hollywood stars. Their teeth whitening system is a safe and affordable way to brighten and improve your smile, is totally safe and is carried out by fully trained and insured professionals.

What happens during my session? A cheek retractor is placed into the mouth and a protective gel is applied to the gums. A whitening gel is then applied to the teeth and you’ll be placed under the laser LED light for fifteen minutes. You will then be asked to rinse your mouth and teeth and the procedure will be repeated a further two times for the best results. The whole process takes about 1 hour.

How does it work? The whitening gel breaks down into oxygen molecules. These molecules go into the tiny pores of the enamel and dentin, and break up the stains that block out the light. As the stains are broken into smaller and smaller pieces, more light passes through the teeth and makes them look lighter. Stains which have built-up over time, that are yellow to slightly brown produce the best results. Teeth that are dark brown to blue-grey are the most difficult to bleach because the stain is deeply embedded into the tooth structure.

Does teeth whitening really work? Yes, it is an extremely successful process. The surface of the teeth contains millions of microscopic pores, and over the years, organic compounds from food, fizzy drinks, tea, coffee or tobacco penetrate these pores

causing discoloration of the tooth enamel. The treatment removes years of teeth staining and discoloration.

Will laser teeth whitening damage the enamel of my teeth? Research shows there is no risk whatsoever to the enamel of the teeth after having a laser teeth whitening treatment.

Does laser teeth whitening work on veneers, crowns, bridges and fillings? The laser teeth whitening procedure will not whiten crowns, veneers, bridges or fillings, however they will be restored to their original colour.

Will it hurt? This is the question that concerns most people. The procedure is completely pain free with usually no sensitivity. Only 5% of clients find they have sensitive teeth.

How long does it last? Your healthier whiter teeth should stay noticeably whiter for 18-24 months after having laser teeth whitening treatment; however Sparklem offers a 15-minute top-up if needed. You can help maintain your whiteness with regular brushing, flossing and regular dental visits.

Full Treatment: £100 (home visits) £130 (salon visits) Top up: £60 Sparklem 01233 3331502 info@sparklem.co.uk www.sparklem.co.uk

www.thereefspa.com

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HEALTH+BEAUTY

Feeling Healthy and Reef-reshed

BY EMMA BATCHELOR

ONE OF THE LARGEST CITIES IN KENT, MAIDSTONE WAS ORIGINALLY A MEDIEVAL MARKET TOWN KNOWN FOR ITS PRINTING, TEXTILES AND BREWERIES. IT IS ALSO THE COUNTY TOWN OF KENT, WHERE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, INCLUDING THE LOCAL JUDICIAL SYSTEM, HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN BASED. IN THE MIDST OF THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE MODERN CITY, ON A QUIET PEDESTRIANISED ROAD JUST OFF THE MAIN HIGH STREET, IS A CALM AND WELCOMING RETREAT IN THE FORM OF THE REEF DAY SPA.

An independent, family-run business, The Reef has a sister spa in Sevenoaks. Managing Director, Clare Cockell, was shortlisted in 2010 for ‘Young Entrepreneur’, and it was recognised as one of the ‘most Desirable Salons’ in the UK and Ireland in 2009 and 2010, as well as chosen by Theo Paphitis as one of six businesses in his Small Business Sunday (#SBS) tweet recently. My expectations were naturally quite high.

Standing in the tanning booth being sprayed was quite a novel experience. The sweet smelling spray was not unpleasant, and reminded me of Coca Cola and fizzy drinks, although it was slightly chilly. Feeling a little tacky but a lot browner than when I had entered the room, I started to feel that internal glow which accompanies a natural tan, when your body just seems to look and feel better and more healthy.

When I arrived at The Reef, my stress from trying to navigate the busy one-way system and running a little late soon melted away with the warm welcome I received from the Reef team. After filling in the normal health questionnaire, I was whisked away to the pedicure throne area for a custom pedicure.

Slipping on the luxury dark brown dressing gown supplied by the spa, I returned to the pedicure throne for Danielle to paint my toes. I chose the plush pink nail colour; a bright, summery pink, for my toe nails, which I thought would complement my new skin colour.

The large comfortable chair had a pretty, coloured glass foot bath at the base, which my therapist, Danielle, filled with inviting warm water to soak my feet in, before she set to work on them. To my mind, there is nothing quite as relaxing or enjoyable as having your feet pampered and made beautiful (or as beautiful as feet get), and the time flew as Danielle expertly removed the rough edges around my heels and shaped my toenails to perfection.

As I was also having a full body spray tan, we didn’t paint my toes straight away, but waited to do that while my tan was setting.

Being a complete novice when it comes to fake tanning, I was looking forward to my Fake Bake session with a mixture of nervous excitement and slight trepidation. But I needn’t have worried, as I was in expert hands. I opted for the medium colour tan as I wanted to see the results and also have a fairly olive-skin complexion.

After my finger nails had dried, and several cups of tea had been consumed, I returned to the tanning room to put my clothes back on before leaving the sanctuary of the spa and heading back into the busy Maidstone throng.

Back home, I can completely understand why lots of people, including celebrities, are addicted to the Fake Bake tan, and the glow that it gives you on the inside as well as the outside. Even my husband was amazed at how natural looking my tan is. © www.bizior.com

After my toes were touch dry, I moved to the manicure station for an ‘on the move manicure’, which is essentially a nail shape and colour. Again I chose the plush pink, to match my toes.

The Reef spa uses Leighton Denny products for their nail treatments, which was a new brand to me. I was really impressed, however, with the range, which includes a crystal nail file that is as gentle as it is effective. Apparently the only nail file that can be used in a sawing motion across the top of your nail without damaging it, it is easy to see why it has won lots of awards.

In fact, it would be fair to say that my experience at The Reef met my high expectations and left me feeling in the (plush) pink!

I was similarly impressed with the Leighton Denny nail polish, which glided on smoothly and gave an even finish. The colour has also lasted really well since I left the spa, with no chips in sight even three days later – a first for me who has a young family, a busy schedule and a mountain of household chores!

The Reef Gabriels Hill Maidstone ME15 6JG 01622 753183 www.thereefspa.com

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© IAN WEST/PA ARCHIVE/PRESS ASSOCIATION IMAGES

COVERSTORY

ADELE PERFORMS DURING FILMING FOR THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW AT THE LONDON STUDIOS.

ADELE

FROM HEARTBREAK HOTEL TO LOVE IN THE HOME COUNTIES

WHEN LISTENING TO THE POWERFUL, EMOTIVE AND SOULFUL MUSIC OF ADELE, IT’S HARD TO IMAGINE THAT THIS RICH AND BEAUTIFUL VOICE BELONGS TO SOMEONE IN HER EARLY TWENTIES. IT IS EVEN HARDER TO BELIEVE THAT HER CRITICALLY AND COMMERCIALLY ACCLAIMED FIRST ALBUM, 19, IS SO CALLED BECAUSE THAT IS THE AGE SHE WAS WHEN SHE WROTE AND PERFORMED IT. AND WHEN YOU DELVE DEEPER, THE SURPRISES DON’T STOP THERE. BY EMMA BATCHELOR

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ADELE SINGING AT A PERFORMANCE IN HAMBURG, GERMANY. © MALTE CHRISTIANS/DPA/PRESS ASSOCIATION IMAGES

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins was born in May 1988 to a distinctly unmusical family in Tottenham, north London. With little or no musical guidance from her parents, she credits the Spice Girls as one of her biggest early musical influences. As a little girl, Adele would perform songs from their albums, as well as songs from singer Gabrielle, to friends and family at parties and gatherings.

At the age of nine, Adele and her mother moved to Brighton for a couple of years, before returning to London when she was 11, living initially in Brixton and then West Norwood in south London. The latter was the inspiration for her first song, Hometown Glory, which she wrote when she was 16.

Her move to south London coincided with her growing taste for more diverse music, as she started to listen to R&B artists like Destiny’s Child, Mary J Blige and Aaliyah, as well as rock artists like Pink. In fact, Adele says that attending one of Pink’s performances of the Missundaztood record at Brixton Academy when she was 13 or 14 was a defining moment in her life.

“I had never heard, being in the room, someone sing like that live,” she reminisces. “I remember sort of feeling like I was in a wind tunnel, her voice just hitting me. It was incredible!”

Although she initially went to a comprehensive school in London, where she said she hung out with the ‘R&B kids’, Adele felt less than impressed with the support she received for her music from the staff there. With characteristic bluntness, Adele describes her music teacher at the school as “a bit rubbish”, claiming that she tried to bribe Adele into learning the clarinet as a trade-off for being allowed to sing in the school choir.

As a consequence, Adele put aside her natural prejudice against stage schools and decided to join ranks with the likes of Jessie J and Leona Lewis at the Brit School for Performing Arts and Technology. Generally known simply as ‘the Brit School’, the school is often described as the English equivalent of Fame, a stage school depicted in a popular American film and TV series in the 1980s.

Adele is her usual candid self when she describes her decision to attend the Brit school.

“If I hear someone’s from stage school I’d think they were a dickhead, and I know it might make me sound like that. But it had free rehearsal rooms and free equipment and I was listening to music all day, every day for years. The music course was really wicked. There was no dancing or anything like that. No jazz hands.”

As well as nurturing her talent, the Brit School provided Adele with the opportunity to hang out with and befriend other like-minded and talented musicians and singers. One such singer was Shingai Shoniwa, who went on to form part of The Noisettes, and who helped influence Adele’s decision to write her own songs and not just perform cover versions of her favourite bands and artists.

It is perhaps this mishmash of musical influences that has led Adele to create her own unique sound that cuts across the traditional genres of soul, R&B, jazz and even country.

Coupled with her talent for writing insightful and poetic lyrics, Adele’s songs possess that rare quality of being able to be both hugely successful commercially, and also highly critically acclaimed by people across the music industry.

Her fan base is similarly uninhibited by musical

boundaries, and includes artists as diverse as Jools Holland, Beyoncé Knowles and J. J. Burnel from The Stranglers.

Part of her success may lie in her brutally honest approach to life, which may also be due, in some measure, to her youth. The straight talking Londoner seems to have little of the pretentiousness about her that many other singers display or even cultivate.

Adele’s broad London accent is in startling contrast to her deep, soulful singing voice, and she is refreshingly open and honest about the influences that she draws on to write and perform her songs.

“My debut album is about being between 18 and 19; about love. “Daydreamer” is about this boy I was in love with, like proper in love with. He was bi and I couldn’t deal with that. All the things I wanted from my boyfriend, he was never going to be.”

She also has the ability to distil her raw emotions, and especially her heartbreak, into a form of poetry that helps make her songs resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds.

The fragility of Adele’s songs appear at first glance to be in stark contrast to her timeless sense of style, but both her image and her voice denote a strength of character that leaves you in no doubt that Adele is a force to be reckoned with. And with the phenomenal success of her second album, 21, it is likely she will need that strength of character if she is to remain true to her down-to-earth roots.

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COVERSTORY ADELE POSES BACKSTAGE WITH HER SIX AWARDS AT THE 54TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS ON 12TH FEBRUARY 2012 IN LOS ANGELES. © MARK J. TERRILL/AP/ PRESS ASSOCIATION IMAGES

Despite the air of confidence that she exudes, you still get the impression that Adele hasn’t fully appreciated the enormity of her success (both here and in the US), and that, fundamentally, she is still the same person, albeit slightly more cautious and less candid than when she first hit our airwaves.

Underneath her groomed and glamorous exterior, you can still see the glimpses of the girl from north London who took a friend along to the meeting with executives from influential independent record label, XL Recordings, because she wasn’t sure they were real. The label approached Adele after a friend of hers had posted some of her demo songs on YouTube in 2006. Adele says that, at the time, she had only heard of Virgin Records.

But despite her apparent youth and naivety, Adele also seems to have a talent for attracting the right advice and support.

Choosing to sign to the XL recordings label proved a smart move, as she went on to release the album 19 to huge critical and commercial success in the UK and the US in 2008.

Her second album, 21, which was released three years later, at the end of last year, saw Adele earn six Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, equalling the record for most Grammy Awards won by a female artist in one night. She also received two Brit Awards and three American Music Awards, and the album has been certified 15 times platinum in the UK. It has also held the top position in the US album charts longer than any other album since 1985.

As if that were not enough, Adele has also been entered into the Guinness Book of World

Records as the first artist to sell more than 3 million copies of an album in a year in the UK. She also became the first living artist since the Beatles in 1964, to experience two top five hits in both the UK Official Singles Chart and the Official Albums Chart simultaneously.

The success of her music is also being mirrored in her rising status as a style icon. This too has won praise from fashion critics across the globe.

But, as you might expect, Adele doesn’t see herself as a natural red carpet walker.

“I hate the red carpet. I don’t feel insecure, I just feel like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to do this.’ I literally get a stomach cramp. At the VMA’s last year I felt really out of my comfort zone because there were so many superstars there. But that’s been the case from day one. I never feel like, ‘Oh, yeah, I should be here’.”

Her trademark classic style, accompanied with big hair and flawless make-up has evolved since her encounter with Vogue Magazine’s Anna Wintour, who gave the singer a style makeover for the 2009 Grammys. The result was a transformation from Adele’s staple of baggy jumpers and frumpy coats, to a chic mix of figureflattering, tailored pieces. Although she always wears black, she has certainly learnt what suits her body shape and always wears her clothes with confidence.

Her simple but striking style epitomises her approach to her career. Adele says that she has never felt the pressure to look a certain way or emulate many of her contemporaries, who portray a hyper-sexuality as an intrinsic part of their stage presence and performance. As she puts it, “I’m

not shocking, I just stand there and sing…I’m just writing love songs; I’m not trying to be anything.”

But her meteoric success has not come without some cost. At the end of 2011, Adele was forced to stop singing for a few months due to a burst polyp in her throat, and many feared that she wouldn’t be able to sing again.

Unsurprisingly in this day and age, she has also been on the receiving end of a lot of media attention, which has at times been exceedingly intrusive for someone who has described world fame as “not really my cup of tea.”

Fortunately, however, a successful throat operation, followed by a few months rest, including some weeks where Adele wasn’t even allowed to talk, has put Adele firmly back on track. She claims that her voice is smooth again, and, if her performance at the Brit Awards earlier this year is anything to go by, then she is definitely back to her former glory.

Her personal life is also in a good place, as she has found love in the form of 36-year-old Simon Konecki, a former city financier, who now runs the water charity Drop4Drop. Together, they have escaped the paparazzi in London, opting to move for a large mansion in leafy Surrey.

Although this new-found love has prompted Adele to claim that she won’t be writing any more songs about heartbreak, I can’t help but think that whatever her next album is about, I will be joining the queue to buy it as soon as it hits the market (or pre-ordering it from Amazon!).

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Union Jack Car Kit

The Union Jack Car Kit contains everything you need to keep you on the move, especially in an emergency. The kit comes in a decorative car shaped bag that has a union jack roof, and includes 100 amp jump leads, an emergency mobile phone charger with four common phone fittings, rubber gloves to keep your hands clean, an ice scraper, and an emergency breakout hammer with a flashlight and emergency beacon. Also included are a notepad and pen, just in case! www.monsterstuff.co.uk

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Paperweight

Celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee with our commemorative Bath Aqua Glass paperweight.

Handmade by the Bath Aqua Glassblowers, each one is unique and engraved with the official emblem for the Jubilee. The winning emblem design was chosen following a national competition for children aged between 6 and 14. It was drawn by 10 year old Katherine Dewar from Chester. Each paperweight comes boxed complete with a certificate of authenticity. http://tiny.cc/bathaqua

The Royal Stamp from Bombus

Long live the Queen. Hip Hip! Hooray! The artists at Bombus have spent years practising and perfecting the meticulous art of découpage and this Royal Stamp is a fine example of their notable artistry.

They use a medley of used British stamps, each one cheerfully representing the Queen throughout her reign. The gold is 24ct gold leaf, laser-cut into the iconic profile of the Queen we all know and love. Size 21x21cm with a natural oak frame. Bombus mixes vintage style with modern design to create individually hand-made gifts, accessories and art from their studio in Faversham, Kent. www.bombus.co.uk

‘Wills’ Designer Splashback

Forget dusting off your bunting and erecting the flagpoles, why not celebrate the Jubilee and the Olympics in style and bring the street party into your own home with the ‘Kate’ and ‘Wills’ designer splashbacks from Tons of Tiles.

Named after the lovebirds themselves, both Enki Kate and Enki Will bring a real sense of style to the kitchen during the celebrations. www.tonsoftiles.co.uk

London Globee

Globees are beautifully illustrated maps of key cities around the world presented on a globe. This 9” London Globee includes around 40 key landmarks such as the Olympic Stadium, Buckingham Palace and even the Queen’s Golden Carriage positioned along the Jubilee procession route. Comes complete with a fact-packed 16page booklet about the places depicted. www.globee.co.uk

Union Jack Teacup Stool

Out There Interiors, renowned for its wowfactor furniture introduces the Union Jack Teacup Stool in time for 2012’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. This wonderfully whimsical teacup stool is rotationally moulded in durable, frost and UV resistant plastic, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The bold Union Jack design ensures it is the perfect patriotic accessory for home and garden this summer. www.outthereinteriors.com

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RECIPE

BOCADDON FARM ROSE VEAL

with Watercress Purée, Braised Lettuce and a Fricassée of Broad Beans, Button Onions and Morel Mushrooms

Serves 4 Rose Veal Ingredients

• • • •

4 x 110g veal fillets 400gr veal sweetbreads 40g plum tomatoes 30ml sherry cream sauce (mousseron) (see below) • 25g watercress purée (see below) • 20g cooking stock for button onions • 12 button onions, peeled • Veal Jus • 30g broad beans, cooked in boiling water, refreshed in ice water and peeled • 40g mushroom Girolles • 40g mushroom Shiminji • 5g watercress • 5g garlic purée • 12 cloves of blanched garlic • 20g watercress For the sweetbreads: Soak the sweetbreads in running water for 24hrs to remove any excess blood adding a handful of salt every few hours. Blanch in boiling salted water for five minutes, then place into ice water.

Remove from the ice and peel, and then cut into four pieces.

Veal Jus • 1kg veal shin, diced (10 veal shins) • 1 litre chicken stock • 1 litre water • 1 large onion cut into rings • 1 whole garlic head, cut into half • 2 sprigs of thyme • 2 sprigs of marjoram Heat a roasting tray on top of the solid top and add the veal shin. Colour until golden brown, then add the onions and lightly colour, then add the garlic, thyme and marjoram. Add the water and then the chicken stock and water. Bring to the boil and skim off the scum and fat, reduce to a simmer and cook out for two hours. Strain through a colander then a fine sieve, skim off excess fat and reduce to required consistency.

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Watercress Purée • 60g shallots • 30g unsalted butter • 200g fresh watercress • 200g baby spinach • 150ml double cream • 30g fresh chervil • 16g garlic purée In a stainless steel saucepan, sweat the shallots in the butter, do not allow to colour.

Add the watercress, spinach and chervil and continue to sweat until cooked. Place into a blender with the garlic purée, bring the cream to the boil and then add to the blender. Blend the mixture until smooth and correct the seasoning.

Remove from the blender and place into a container, cool over ice.

Sherry Cream • 100g butter • 80g shallots sliced • 100g button mushrooms sliced • 200ml dry sherry • 200ml chicken stock • 200ml cream • 10 sprigs of thyme Take 50g butter and sweat the shallots (no colour) with the thyme, add the mushrooms and sweat until slippery in texture. Add the sherry and reduce by half. Now add the chicken stock and reduce by half. Add the cream and reduce by half, then whisk in the remaining 50g butter to the sauce.

Pass through a fine sieve and reserve for later use.

Add the mushrooms back into the sauce and bring the sauce to the boil. Leave to infuse, and then correct the seasoning and add a splash of dry sherry to taste if necessary.

Braised Lettuce • 4 heads of baby gem lettuce • 50g unsalted butter • 50g Spanish large onions • 25g fresh garlic • 1 bouquette garni • 150ml chicken stock

• 150ml cooking juices from the braised belly pork • 100g smoked bacon trimmings • 2g salt • 1 money bag Sweat down the onions in the butter with the salt, add all the remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer, cover with a cartouche and cook in the oven for 30 – 40 minutes or until the lettuce is soft, allow to cool in the liquor. Now remove from cooking liquor and drain well, cut in half.

Method Ask the butcher to remove the sinew from the veal fillet and season the fillet with salt and pepper.

In a thick-bottomed pan add a little of nonscented oil and a knob of unsalted butter, add the veal fillet, blanched garlic cloves and a sprig of thyme and slow roast, caramelising evenly until required cooking.

Remove fillets and leave to rest, place the roasted garlic on a try and keep warm. Remove the thyme from the pan, deglaze with veal jus and reduce, pass and add knob of butter. Cut a piece of braised baby gem in half and caramelise it cut side down.

In a separate pan make fricassée with the watercress and broad beans. Add a little butter in a pan and sweat the watercress down, now add the broad beans and finish with the garlic purée and a little chopped summer savoury.

Warm remaining ingredients, carve the meat and dress as required. Enjoy!

FOOD+DRINK

THE TASTE OF KENT AWARDS

CHAMPION 2012’S FOOD, DRINK AND FARMING HEROES ACROSS THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND The prestigious Taste of Kent Awards took place on Friday 2nd March 2012, recognising the food, drink and farming stars of the county for this year. The Kent ‘edible Oscars’ saw some exciting new businesses clinch awards for the first time, whilst other former winners returned to victory on the night. The east of the county proved to be most successful which delivered an amazing nine rising stars.

Amanda Cottrell, patron of Produced in Kent, and Julie Monkman, manager of Produced in Kent, toasting the Taste of Kent Awards 2012 Winners.

The awards, which are the brainchild of Produced in Kent, were hosted by BBC Radio Kent’s Saturday morning presenter Matthew Davies in the elegant, new surroundings of Oakwood House Hotel in Maidstone. With four new categories added to the eleven established awards, there was an extra special buzz around the gala awards evening.

Julie Monkman, Manager of Produced in Kent, said on the night, “Tonight we have been celebrating the county’s food, drink and farming heroes. It’s been wonderful to recognise not only the outstanding food and drink producers, the food retailers, farmers’ markets and best dining experiences in Kent, but for the first time to reward the farming community too.”

She added, “We recognise and applaud the incredible role they play as pro-active custodians of the Garden of England and it is little wonder that the two key reasons people visit Kent is for

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our outstanding food and views. Many of the winners here really are creating ‘edible views’ in our county and Produced in Kent congratulates them all.”

The first ever Produced in Kent Special Award was presented posthumously to Michael Barry OBE, which was received on the evening by his widow Jennie Bukht. Born Mirza Michael John Bukht, the popular chef and television personality regularly co-presented BBC2’s Food and Drink and wrote numerous cookery books.

He was picked out for the county’s Special Award for his exemplary work and contribution to the Kent food and drink industry.

The brand new Kent Food, Farming and Landscape Award went to Hole Park Estate in Rolvenden, Cranbrook for the Large Farm Category because of its “enterprising approach to estate management.” Produced in Kent member Ellie’s Dairy in Wychling, Faversham

secured the award for the Small Farm Category, praised for “their commitment, enthusiasm and a high standard of animal husbandry.” Debbie Vernon and David Shannon from Ellie’s Dairy commented, “We were absolutely thrilled to win this new award and are so proud that our small enterprise has been recognised. We have always strived to farm ethically and responsibly with the utmost respect for both our environment and the animals in our care.”

After a triumphant evening, the stunning flower arrangements were auctioned off in aid of Hospice in the Weald and the final amount raised was doubled by the generous pound-for-pound match funding by Barclays Bank. 2012 has provided a delightful plethora of winners for the Taste of Kent Awards and has continued its lasting legacy with the championing of the very best that Kent has to offer.

KENT LOCAL FOOD RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Canterbury proved to be a particular hot spot for entrepreneurial food and drink producers and retailers with first-time winner Mama Feelgoods picking up the Kent Local Food Retailer of the Year Award with the judges selecting the retail operation for its “friendly service and great product range.”

Mama Feelgoods boasts an array of Kentish fine foods, sourced from artisan producers, as well as a variety of shopping essentials. The friendly shop stocks local free range meat, fruit and vegetables, local wines, freshly baked bread and pastas, as well as Mediterranean delicacies.

To add to this fantastic selection, there is also a large cheese counter, an old fashioned sweetshop

and a cake craft store. The retailer offers a facility for made-to-order cakes, customised for any occasion.

The shop prides itself on its friendly staff who are always happy to advise their shoppers.

To add to the experience of the visit, customers can take a breather in the deli café, which uses all local produce in their homemade food, from freshly made cakes, light lunches or scrumptious afternoon tea. Another great feat of Mama Feelgoods is their Dinnerservice event catering which is also run on their premises. They provide high calibre and inspired catering for a number of occasions such as parties, weddings, BBQs and corporate events. Their food is prepared with

ingredients for the local area, which ensures top quality creations.

With an array of such outstanding goods and a passion for Kent produce, it’s no wonder that Mama Feelgoods obtained the prized award.

Maddie Allen, proprietor of the business, commented “Winning this award is fantastic recognition for me and my staff at Mama Feelgoods. We try to showcase the best of Kentish food products and it was great to see so many of our suppliers win awards too. This award will bring new customers in to see us.” www.mamafeelgoods.com

KENT MEAT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Godmersham Game of Godmersham, near Canterbury, won its second consecutive Taste of Kent Award in the Kent Meat Retailer of the Year category and was praised for its “great product knowledge and service.”

The business is entirely family run by Phil and Pam Miles who make it their mission to provide top quality game for their loyal customers. They rely heavily on the landscape of Kent, where the majority of their game is sourced. They secured this award for not only the high excellence of their meat, but also for their pride in the county.

Their range includes pheasant, partridge, mallard, teal, wigeon, pintail, shoveller, tufted and pochard. In addition, they sell wood pigeon, wild rabbit, hare and venison. Not stopping there, they also make their own homemade venison sausages and burgers.

Godmersham Game regularly attends local farmers’ markets to sell their successful products. These markets include Challock, Cliftonville, Whitstable and Canterbury Whitefriars. They also visit a number of markets in London and Essex, including Alexander Palace, Eltham, Wanstead Farmers’ Market and Brentwood Farmers’ Market. Customers can also purchase their goods from their farm in Canterbury by prior arrangement.

The limits of this busy and popular meat retailer do not end here. They attend many organised events such as game fairs and food and music festivals where they strike up the barbeque to offer their own wild venison burgers and sausages to the masses.

Consecutively for four years, Godmersham Game have been finalists in the Taste of Kent Awards and have won the title for two years successively.

Phil Miles commented on his victory, “I am delighted and surprised to win the award again for the second consecutive year, which is very unusual for a Taste of Kent Award. We have been shortlisted for the Kent Meat Retailer of the Year for five years now, and it is wonderful to be able to retain the trophy for a second year.”

Phil Miles at Godmersham Game

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FOOD+DRINK KENT RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

And the winner is…The Marquis at Alkham ! This restaurant, a culinary feat, picked up its first mark of excellence with the highly revered Kent Restaurant of the Year Award, granted due to its sheer “quality of the food.”

The restaurant is nestled within the Alkham Valley, and is closely proximate to Dover. The valley is an area that offers a panoramic spectacle of natural beauty, decorated with rolling countryside and local farmland, making the perfect vista from The Marquis dining room. The location exemplifies the glory of the Kent landscape, which is also simultaneously reflected on the diners’ plates.

Exceptionally gifted Head Chef, Charles Lakin, creates the menu using inspiration from the bounty of the seasons and locally sourced produce, which he crafts to devise imaginative and contemporary culinary masterpieces.

He incorporates global influences into his food, whilst maintaining that the food miles are kept low with freshly caught fish and locally produced meat.

Ben Walton, General Manager at The Marquis at Alkham, commented on the achievement, “It is fantastic to be recognised with such a great award. The local economy and suppliers are the cornerstone of our business and we are so lucky in east Kent to have such a range of suppliers – farmers, fishermen and foragers – to provide us with the quality produce we need.”

Much of the outstanding and bold gastronomic creations are owed to Head Chef, Charlie Lakin. Lakin grew up on a farm in North Yorkshire,

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which is where his love of hearty, rural food originated. His career began at an early age, whilst working in a local restaurant around his schooling, from where he went on to study catering at college, which firmly installed his passion for food. After qualifying, Lakin was appointed sous chef at The Star Inn at Harome under chef Andrew Pern. Together they became an award-winning team, modernising rural classics that led to them earning a Michelin star. Charlie Lakin’s blossoming career brought him from North Yorkshire to the south east coast of Kent where he landed his position at The Marquis. The highly skilled chef has received 2 AA Rosettes as well as a rising Michelin star in his first two years. With a track record such as Charlie Lakin’s, it is no wonder that The Marquis at Alkham has been such a great success.

The restaurant is stylish and chic, a place where every detail is accomplished. The menu triumphs Kent as a source of high-end food which is displayed with imaginative flair and exerts fresh, robust flavours. Signature dishes include Alkham Valley Rabbit to start and Braised Sladden Farm Dexter Beef as a main course.

The Marquis at Alkham is successful in its endeavours due to its conquering of all key areas: the impeccable service, the culinary delights and the extensive wine list to match. The wine, beer and all other beverages that they offer are of the highest standards and are delicately chosen to enhance the flavours of the customer’s meal. Wine tasting events are also available to attend at The Marquis for those that have already been enraptured by their experiences at the restaurant.

Ben Walton, General Manager, further commented, “We hope this award will raise awareness of our restaurant and, in turn, the suppliers we use to create the dining experience our customers enjoy.”

The Marquis at Alkham has reigned victorious with the Kent Restaurant of the Year award and have championed over the likes of previous winners, The Mulberry Tree and Elvey Farm. The restaurant quite simply epitomises pure class and it is this spirit that has propelled The Marquis into a league of its own. www.themarquisatalkham.co.uk

KENTISH FRUIT JUICE OF THE YEAR Core Fruit Products, of Canterbury, won the Kentish Fruit Juice of the Year with its Cox Bramley Apple Juice, in what proved to be the closest fought category. The judges praised the flavour of the juice for “good density of fruit” and its “perfumed, ‘appley’ and sweet finish”, combined with “nice packaging and strong Kent credentials.”

The business is a family run enterprise and they have been farming in Kent for many years. In 1980, they purchased Upper Mystole Park Farm, which is located in the Parish of Chartham, around five miles away from the heart of Canterbury.

The unique flavour of their apples is owed to the location of their farm. It is situated on the North Downs where their orchards sit on a chalk base, which they insist adds to the distinctive taste of their products. Core Fruit Products certainly know their apples, favouring their position of 300 feet above sea level which leaves them exposed to the elements and can create smaller fruit, yet they believe this intensifies the flavour of their juice.

The landscape of their orchards offers a broad range of fruits, from new varieties of apples to plums, blueberries and cherries. In the early stages of their fruit business, they had poor returns and quickly realised their need to diversify. Hence, Core Fruit Juice was born in 2000.

The venture began with the aid of a grant from the Rural Enterprise Scheme, which was funded by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. This enabled them to buy the necessary equipment for the new chapter and it was from this point that their business began to grow.

From this success, the brand decided to branch out into the cider market, creating Hard Core Cider. Core Fruit Products have clearly worked hard to grow the tastiest fruit, which in bottled form has become an awardwinning product.

John Brown, Managing Director of the business said, “We are proud and delighted to have won this award for the fifth time in a county so well known for its apple juices and would like to thank Produced in Kent for all its help and support over the years.” www.corejuice.co.uk

KENT DINING PUB OF THE YEAR Over on the east coast, The Pearson’s Arms by Richard Phillips in Whitstable picked up its first Kent Dining Pub of the Year Award since being taken over by celebrity chef Richard Phillips. The ITV Lorraine Show chef has “taken pub dining to another level” which has lead to him winning this esteemed award.

Richard Phillips responded to his win, "I'm absolutely delighted that our customers voted for us and it's a great testament to the whole Pearson’s team who have worked so hard to put the pub on the Kent map.”

The Pearson’s Arms by Richard Phillips is a culinary destination that boasts a distinctive character to suit a broad crowd. It has a traditional pub atmosphere, in a hub of a community, where it is ideal to take friends and relax in this comforting environment.

The pub maintains an ethos to support the local area and its produce. This attitude is reflected across both the food menu and the range of drinks. Their aim to produce local dishes sourced from suppliers that share this venue’s passion for food. The pub serves up hearty and wholesome cuisine with a five star edge. The restaurant itself embodies a spirit of relaxation and unhurried yet attentive service with décor that is proud to resonate with the seaside town’s proud heritage.

Richard commented, “The basis of our offering was to source as much local produce as possible and create some great dishes, but not to lose the pub atmosphere, and a lot of thought went into our beer and wine selection to compliment the food."

The Pearson’s Arms was destined for success with Richard Phillips behind it. The chef has had a glittering career, beginning in the infamous

Savoy Hotel in London and becoming Head Chef for Marco Pierre White at The Criterion, Mirabelle and Les Sayeurs. With such a dazzling track record, Richard Phillips even had his own Michelin starred restaurant by the age of 29.

Richard now has three flourishing restaurants, Thackeray's in Tunbridge Wells, Hengist in Aylesford and The Pearson’s Arms.

To add to the mix, he is also a recognised television personality, regularly appearing on popular shows such as Saturday Kitchen and Daily Cooks Challenge.

With a premise of using seasonal produce and being at the heart of a community, willing to embrace the historical value of its surroundings with full vigour, The Pearson’s Arms by Richard Phillips is a more than deserving winner of this award. www.pearsonsarmsbyrichardphillips.co.uk

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FOOD+DRINK BEST KENTISH BEER

Ramsgate Brewery, a previous winner for over three years, picked up Best Kentish Beer with its Gadds No 3 creation. The judges paid tribute to this “outstanding winner” which applauded Gadds’ No 3 for its “beautifully balanced and moreish flavour”, whilst the “contemporary branding and innovative marketing messages” were highly praised too.

Lois Gadd explains, “We started our brewery ten years ago and our first brew was Gadds’ No 3 pale ale made with local hops.” The brewery began its existence in the back of a Ramsgate pub in 2002. Here they worked hard for four years until they built up a sizeable customer base to break free and move forward. In 2006, they purchased a large shed and began their venture. They set out on a bold endeavour to brew fresh and tasty local ale and the rest is history.

The golden elixir of Gadds’ No 3 exemplifies the true taste of East Kent. The pale ale is simply brewed with pale malt and goldings hops which are grown on the close by Humphrey’s farm. The taste is fresh, hoppy and bitter.

Lois Gadd remarked, “Winning this award, the third time for No 3, has shown us the beer is appreciated by the people of Kent. We first won an award back in 2007 and since then we have seen the Taste of Kent Awards grow year on year and competition increasing. So to come out on top continues to be a real achievement that we are very proud of.” www.ramsgatebrewery.co.uk

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KENT ARTISAN FOOD PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

In the east of Kent, a relatively newcomer, Quex Foods, with its high profile launch of Kent Crisps last year, fought off stiff competition from two award-winning ice cream companies to pick up the Kent Artisan Food Producer of the Year award. The judges praised the “great products, great ethos, energy and enthusiasm and a passionate approach” that was helping the company reach all its goals.

Quex Foods is based within their premises at the Quex Park estate, a location with acres of land in the surroundings of Thanet. The area is populated with an abundance of trees and parkland, displaying vistas of Kent at its very best. The artisan food brand creates a range of local produce, including Extra Virgin Rapeseed Oil and Extra Virgin Sunflower Oil, both of which are grown, pressed and bottled at Quex Park estate.

Quex Foods are passionate about their food and ensure the highest quality by using home grown produce that they believe in. They have launched Kent Crisps, which are made from the finest Kent potatoes, which are also grown locally at Quex Park. The business thrives from the land of The Garden of England and has confidence in the warmer climates of Kent as an ideal environment to produce their products.

They use traditional methods to cook their crisps whilst being scrupulous in their seasoning to ensure a flavoursome result. The company are proud to say there are absolutely no artificial flavourings or colourings but only the finest ingredients that provide an impact of maximum taste and enjoyment.

Anthony Curwen of Quex Foods commented on their accomplishment, “To win this award means so much to all those involved at Quex. The love of our heritage, environment and farms comes from the whole team and is exhibited in our food products.”

Quex Foods importantly place emphasis on locally sourced and produced ingredients for their products, which is their ticket for quality and success. www.quexpark.co.uk

Oakwood House A Victorian mansion set in tree-lined gardens, Oakwood House is the ideal venue for any occasion and offers an unusual mix of the modern and traditional. A variety of private dining rooms are available together with stylish and contemporary bedrooms for those wishing to spend the night.

The conservatory style Courtyard Bar is open all week for lunch and dinner or just to enjoy drinks with friends in a beautiful setting. In the warmer months the garden and terrace is the perfect location to dine al fresco and afternoon teas can be enjoyed on the lawn Monday-Friday from 2pm to 6pm.

Upcoming Events Friday 25 May - Murder Mystery Evening An evening of murder and mystery - enjoy a 3-course meal whilst interrogating the suspects of a dastardly murder, but can you guess who dunnit?

Sunday 17 June - Father’s Day Lunch Celebrate Father’s Day with a 3-Course meal and garden games for the children. Tickets - £25.00 adults, £12.50 children.

Friday 13 July - Abba Magic ‘Mama Mia’ A fantastic tribute evening to Abba with a great 3-course meal. Tickets - £32.50 Visit our website or call us today for more information.

01622 620720 www.oakwoodhousehotel.co.uk info@oakwoodhousehotel.co.uk

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for your individuality Choose an accountant that is perfectly moulded to your individual surroundings

Ashford office: Stourside Place, Station Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 1PP

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FOOD+DRINK

KENT SEAFOOD RETAILER OF THE YEAR

In the west of Kent, Sankey’s of Tunbridge Wells picked up the Kent Seafood Retailer of the Year Award for the second consecutive year, for demonstrating “enthusiastic and knowledgeable service” resulting in a “genuine and cheerful experience.”

This popular Kentish fishmonger specialises in the freshest of seafood products that are sourced around the UK. The retailer prides itself on their professional staff who are fully equipped to aid customers with their expertise on their range, helping to prepare and provide advice on the largest range of fresh fish in the southeast.

One of the core aims of this business is sustainability. Sankey’s ensure that their produce is caught as responsibly as possible and this considerate ethos clearly reflects into the standards of their fish. They are immediately upfront about their philosophy, proud to shout about their ecological conscience, and this theme carries through from the supplier to the menu and finally permeating the customer’s plate with this quality-assured method.

Sankey’s is not only a fishmonger, but also a pub and a restaurant.

The Seafood Brasserie and Oyster Bar serves up the freshest wet fish and shellfish from around the British coast. A variety of underwater treats can be found on the menu – from Colchester oysters to Cornwall crabs and lobsters – but only the best catches from the southern coast are put on the menu for diners to experience a pure water-to-plate experience.

For a more informal approach, the pub environment is there to please the crowds with its homely vibe and infamous fish and chips. Better yet, Sankey’s offer a home delivery service, offering the allure of fresh fish at your doorstep.

Graeme Anderson of Sankey’s commented, “It is fantastic to win Kent Seafood Retailer of the Year for a second year running. It is a great reward for all our hard work.”

Sankey’s provides a service to suit all tastes, in a high quality and ethical manner, making the business more than worthy of this award. www.sankeys.co.uk

KENT BEST WINE AWARD

Seasoned Taste of Kent Awards winner, Biddenden Vineyards, won the Kent Best Wine Award for its Ortega 2010 creation – a second time champion. It was admired by all three judges for its “drinkability” as well as other praises that included its “flavoursome and full rounded” qualities, with a “well balanced orchard fruit character.”

Biddenden Vineyard is Kent’s oldest commercial vineyard, dating back to its establishment in 1969. The business was founded by the Barnes family, beginning with only one acre of land, which has since flourished into 22 acres with ten different varieties of grapes being grown. These grapes are predominantly German varieties including Ortega, Huxelrebe, Bacchus and Reichensteiner.

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The vineyards are just a short distance away from the quaint village of Biddenden and are situated on a gentle south-facing slope in a shallow, sheltered valley, which provides ideal conditions for vines. The diversity of their produce allows Biddenden Vineyards to create white, red, rosé and sparkling wines, as well as Kent ciders and freshly pressed apple juices.

Julian Barnes, Managing Director of Biddenden Vineyards commented, “In 43 years there is unlikely to have been a more challenging growing season than 2010, with its poor summer and heavy autumn rainfall. This produced a need to bring together all the knowledge and experience the vineyard has learnt from the past to produce an award-winning wine. To win this award in the present economic climate can only help the

company and its staff stand out within the county’s food and tourism offering.”

The vineyard is open throughout the year and visitors are welcome to take advantage of free admission and tasting. In late September, the grapes are harvested and guests can see the presses in operation in the winery.

Biddenden Vineyards have worked hard to create and maintain a trusted legacy for their family business. They rely on their land for the best quality produce, which is truly reflected in the flavours of their wines, spurring them on to win the Kent Best Wine award. www.biddendenvineyards.com

KENT FARMERS’ MARKET OF THE YEAR Shipbourne Farmers’ Market made it three years in a row as Kent Farmers’ Market of the Year and was praised for its “enthusiastic stallholders, enjoyable shopping experience and good value for money.”

This market has admirably secured this award for another year and its deserving nature is indubitable. In 2012, Shipbourne Farmers’ Market is a favoured shopping destination in Kent, however, this is not a modern enterprise. In fact, it dates back as far as 1285 when Edward I granted the village permission to hold a weekly market.

With the assistance of a grant from Rural Revival, a government initiative to encourage local employment and community, Shipbourne Market re-opened once again in 2003.

This popular farmers’ market is now open every Thursday from 9am until 11am. There are over 20 stalls, which attract in excess of 200 visitors. A broad range of products can be purchased, from locally produced food goods to artisanal items for the home. The market is an important asset to the village as a hub of community spirit. Many village shops faced a decline in recent times, resulting in closure, therefore this retail opportunity is essential to promote business for small local producers. The market is impressively run entirely by volunteers, with any surplus made by the market being donated to agricultural charities such as the Farm Crisis Network and Breadline Africa.

Bob Taylor, Market Manager, remarked on the village’s success, “We feel very proud to have won Kent Farmers’ Market of the Year again this year and thrilled to have won it three times now. This is of course all due to the variety of produce which are provided week in and week out, by our excellent stallholders.”

Shipbourne Farmers’ Market not only provides top quality products for their customers, but most significantly, they have rejuvenated community spirit in Kent and have installed the fundamentality of supporting our local traders.

New England Dream The Bay Restaurant

at The White Cliffs Hotel

Arrive at The Bay Restaurant in the heart of the delightful seaside village of St. Margaret’s-at-Cliffe and discover somewhere quite special. The handsome weather-boarded buildings of The White Cliffs Hotel in which The Bay Restaurant nestles may remind you of those found in coastal New England and on stepping through into the beautiful interior with it’s refreshing and quite unique décor you'll find this is indeed a place with a soul.

The Bay Restaurant sits in the hub of the buzzing hotel, the fresh coastal feel extending throughout the fantastically quirky bar into the cool restaurant and out back into the gorgeous sun-trap “beach garden” complete with pebble beach, wooden groynes and stripy deck chairs.

Experience the enjoyable dilemma of being challenged in terms of choice - what to order when you want it all?

A starter of home-made salt cod fish fingers in saffron batter with sorrel mayonnaise, sublime goat’s cheese fritters with a fig jampote to die for , pigeon breast with broad beans and black pig pancetta, or mussels steamed in Weston’s cider, thyme and cream. Mains of sea-bass with fennel, garlic and herb chips or Romney Marsh lamb with aubergine and red onion, minted yoghurt and grilled flatbread or free-range chicken breast with clams and chorizo in a tarragon sauce with new potatoes, Alkham Valley beef with summer truffle butter, woodland mushrooms and ‘real proper chips’.

Then for dessert how about blackcurrant mousse with (heavenly) liquorice ice cream or double chocolate brownie with Kentish cherry ripple ice cream or a lemon crème brulée with a fabulous raspberry sorbet, dressed with mint ?

In this simply yet elegantly styled space, with its wooden floors, stone walls, cheery staff and happy vibes. It’s easy to see why the place is buzzing, The Bay Restaurant is on to a winning formula!

The Bay Restaurant

at The White Cliffs Hotel Find on the High Street in St Margaret’s-At-Cliffe near Dover, Kent, CT15 6AT Featured in The Which Good Food Guide and AA Best Restaurants 2012 Open every day from 7am until 11pm for Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea and Dinner

Call reservations on 01304 852229

o r e m a i l m a i l @ t h e w h i t e c l i f f s . c o m www.thewhitecliffs.com

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FOOD+DRINK BEST KENT CIDER Appley Ever After, made by Big Tree Cider, based in Dartford in north Kent, was awarded the Best Kent Cider or Perry Award for the first time. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;robust and satisfying, natural tasteâ&#x20AC;? was said to offer a unique character and provide a great accompanying drink with the classic Ploughmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lunch.

Big Tree Cider began in 2008 with the apples of one solitary but huge Bramley apple tree found on the family businessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; land in Hartley. This tree was initially part of a bigger orchard that is over 100 years old and this became the source and beginning of this companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enterprise. Big Tree Cider are passionate about creating traditional cider that is both excellent quality and local.

In Autumn 2011, Big Tree Cider produced a vast 7,000 litres of pure Kent cider with the use of apples from Hartley, Meopham, Sole Street and East Malling. The brand still places its faith in its original Bramley apple but also now blend this along with other varieties such as Braeburn, Royal Gala, Jupiter, Cox and Kentish Pippin. This is a traditional family business that puts their heart and soul into the production from the picking of the fruit to the bottle.

The Kentish cider is popular with people in the surrounding area and beyond. Big Tree Cider plans to venture further into Kent to spread the goodness of their product, a goal that will definitely be achieved after winning this prestigious accolade.

Appley Ever After won the Taste of Kent award, however the business also produces other varieties. Fruit Beauty, as the name suggests, is a range of fruit flavoured ciders, including strawberry, raspberry and blackberry, blended with locally produced apples to create a drink that oozes the personality of summer. Other products from Big Tree Cider include Lisping Cowboy and Ginger.

Ray Claridge, Owner of Big Tree Cider responded to the award, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now that I have won this award I shall live Appley Ever After!â&#x20AC;? www.bigtreecider.co.uk

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KENT FOOD PRODUCT OF THE YEARRETAIL CATEGORY

2012 saw the income of two new awards, Kent Food Product of the Year, split into two categories, retail and foodservice. This was a selfnominating award won by Kentish Bluebell made by Kingscott Cheese in Staplehurst. The judges reached a unanimous decision when selecting the “outstanding and truly Kentish cheese” which scored highly on both taste and texture.

Kentish Bluebell is an unpasteurised blue cheese that is handmade by Steve and Karen Reynolds on their family dairy farm in Kent. Iden Manor Farm, in the heart of Kent and just outside of Staplehurst, has been a dairy farm for over 40 years.

To produce their award-winning cheese, the family business use only milk from their own farm-assured, closed herd of Holstein Friesian cows.

Kentish Bluebell couldn’t be more local as the milk travels a mere 20 metres from the milking parlour to the cheese dairy, which is used immediately to create the product. The cheese making follows a traditional method and it is matured for three months.

This family run business assign a true Kent identity to their product, as the pasture of the local land translates directly into the cheese itself. The cheese is a popular delicacy all over Kent, stocked in fine food shops and delicatessens, as well as being served in restaurants.

Steve and Karen Reynolds, owners of Kingscott Cheese said, “Kentish Bluebell is our newest cheese and winning its first award will help promote it to retailers and customers alike. We have been dairy farmers for 20 years, but only started cheese making two and a half years ago – so we are very delighted with this fantastic award.” www.kentishblue.co.uk

KENT FOOD PRODUCT OF THE YEARFOODSERVICE

Meanwhile another cheese, Canterbury Cobble, made by The Cheesemakers of Canterbury in Faversham, edged past a Kentish Bramley Apple Chutney and Raspberry Sorbet to win the Kent Food Producer of the Year – Foodservice category. The judges concluded that this “unique cheese with a great taste and texture should be on every restaurant cheeseboard.”

The Cheesemakers of Canterbury was started by Jane Bowyer, who has had more than 20 years’ experience in the dairy trade, processing milk, cream and butter. In 2006, Bowyer sold her business but still had the ambition to remain within the trade. At this point, she noticed an advertisement from a soon to be retired cheese making couple. Bowyer contacted the couple who then trained her and her team with the equipment, before this was brought back to Kent. Production began in May 2007 and the rest is history.

Bowyer had a vision to create locally produced naturally rinded unpasteurised cheeses and this aspiration has clearly been successfully achieved. The proprietor commented upon the award, “It’s been absolutely fantastic to win a Taste of Kent Award, especially the Kent Food Product of the Year – Foodservice class. It’s great to have a sense of satisfaction and to know there is such appreciation of our products.”

The business now holds a team of 12 people who have created a range of different cheeses. The Cheesemakers of Canterbury pride themselves on the versatility of their products, which can be enjoyed as a stand out piece or as an accompaniment to a meal. Bowyer added, “The Canterbury Cobble has taken three years to create and develop, which Teresa Bullock (one of our cheese makers) has taken on as her project and all credit to her.”

Canterbury Cobble stole the show for this award for its distinctive flavour and Kentish charm. www.cheesemakersofcanterbury.co.uk

For more info on the Taste of Kent Awards, visit www.tasteofkentawards.co.uk www.insidekentmagazine.co.uk

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FOOD+DRINK

THE FORGE BISTRO

THE ARRAY OF INTERNATIONAL CUISINE AVAILABLE IN THE UK HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF OUR GREATEST ATTRACTIONS. WE ARE BLESSED WITH A WONDERFUL MIX OF CULTURES WHO HAVE BLESSED US WITH THEIR OWN WONDERFUL OUTLOOK ON LIFE AND FOOD. CANTERBURY IS WELL KNOWN FOR ITS EXCELLENT RESTAURANTS, BISTRO-STYLE CAFÉ’S AND INTERNATIONAL CUISINE, SO IT TAKES A VERY SPECIAL CONCEPT TO SHINE OUT AMONGST THE CULINARY GEMS THAT ADORN THE MEDIEVAL STREETS. by Paul Martin

The Forge Bistro is nestled in Dover Street, Canterbury, behind the Odeon Cinema, and you can tell as soon as you see the entrance that the owners are passionate about the venue.

Every detail has been conceived with great care and consideration to produce a very sophisticated feel.

The interior is expertly decorated to epitomise cosy chic; balanced lighting washes over the luscious dark wood and helps create a wonderfully atmospheric area. The staff are very helpful and have an excellent knowledge of the menu. The aromas are intoxicating and the menu

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is a masterpiece in Mediterranean gastronome.

The beverage list too has been carefully considered to support the wonderful dishes and enhance the experience.

Before the food arrives you get the feeling that the Forge Bistro would be a great place for a romantic evening for two, or a party gathering.

The concept, like all Tapas-style venues, is around sharing and nibbling through conversation. It’s wonderful to see couples passing food across to each other to try, with a knowing ‘you’ll like this’ grin.

The cheery ambience and laid back dining create a fantastic atmosphere to get lost in food and conversation and each other. This is a place to share; share food, share thoughts and laughter.

Now let’s get to the food!

The menu makes the most of Mediterranean cuisine and if, like me, you enjoy picking on an array of wonderful foods, the Forge will seem like heaven. With nibbles and grazing platters ranging from polenta chips to chorizo in red wine, there really is something to cater for every palette, but please don’t be afraid to try foods out of your comfort zone; you will be pleasantly surprised.

The flavours and textures are amazing, from delicate citrus on the mini crab cakes to the subtle spices in the marinated chicken kebabs. The danger is once you start trying it is very difficult to stop, and with a menu this good, you may well be there all night, as we were!

If I were to make a recommendation, the Vegetarian Grazing Platter was wonderful, and the Mini Meat Mezze was a perfect selection of delectable morsels. It is all fantastic, so why not try it all?

The Forge is one of those places where time simply flies by, as it does when you are having fun, and so inevitably when it’s time to leave, there was an overall sense of sadness that the fun has to end. But take solace from a full belly, happy memories and the knowledge that you can return and do it all again!

THE FORGE BISTRO 61 Dover Street Canterbury CT1 3HD 01227 788022 info@forgebistro.co.uk

A Kaleidoscope OF COLOUR AS WE LEAVE THE GLOOMY DAYS OF WINTER BEHIND AND BRIGHTER WEATHER IS ON THE HORIZON, IT’S TIME TO REFLECT THE ESSENCE OF THE SEASONS ACROSS YOUR HOME. THESE VIBRANT AND USEFUL PRODUCTS FOR YOUR KITCHEN AIM TO SIMPLIFY HECTIC LIVES IN ONE STYLISH AND CONVENIENT SWEEP. La Cafetière Secret Garden 8-cup Cafetiere £31.95, www.lacafetiere.com

Bright Mini Colanders £4.99, www.tch.net Koziol Kasimir Cheese Grater £7.25, www.nellypepper.co.uk Kitchenaid Artisan Mixer Yellow Pepper £409, www.cotswoldtrading.com

NANNER Hand-Held Banana Slicer £8.99, www.boonuk.co.uk

Joseph Joseph Smasher Potato Masher £13, www.josephjoseph.com Riedel Amadeo Decanter £299.95, www.wineware.co.uk

Poachpod £4.99, Lakelands

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        

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   

     

     



 

      



                 

    

  

DELICIOUS DINING AT

Chapel Down Vineyard

The Swan is excited to announce the opening of its third restaurant located at the award-winning Chapel Down Vineyard, Tenterden. Due to open in May, the new restaurant boasts wonderful views of the vineyard and surrounding Kent countryside, serving a delicious British menu as well as homemade cakes, sharing boards and savouries all throughout the day. A hearty Sunday menu of brunch as well as a selection of roasts will add a family flavour to the end of the week.

Swan, Chapel Down Opening Times: Friday – Saturday 10am-11pm Sunday 11am -6pm (Brunch available until 3pm) Reservations will be open from 2nd May, please call 01580 761616 or email bookings@loveswan.co.uk or follow on Twitter @swanchapeldown.

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The chefs at the Swan, West Malling, have been busy plucking the tastiest of spring ingredients for their menus. The spring à la carte menu includes maple-smoked Loch Duart salmon, Salt Marsh lamb rump, South Down rabbit and Rye Bay scallops. What's more, the special Spring Menu offers two courses for £14.50, available Monday to Saturday between 12-7pm. It won't be long before guests can eat al fresco in the garden, but until then, the elegant first floor bar, lounge and private rooms are perfect for cocktails with friends, a celebratory dinner or meeting.

Contact the Swan, West Malling on 01732 521910, info@loveswan.co.uk or follow them on Twitter @swanwm.

The Swan, Shakespeare’s Globe is located on Bankside and just a few minutes’ walk from London Bridge, Blackfriars and The City. The popular bar and chop house is open all year round and has stunning views of the River Thames and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Two private event spaces host lavish award ceremonies, glamorous canapé receptions, indulgent gala dinners, inspiring meetings and beautiful weddings for 20 to 450 guests.

Contact the Swan, Shakespeare’s Globe on 020 7928 9444, reservations@loveswan.co.uk or follow them on Twitter @swanabout. www.loveswan.co.uk

FOOD+DRINK

VEGETARIAN FOOD AT ITS FINEST

AT THE Marquis

at Alkham

WITH NATIONAL VEGETARIAN WEEK (NVW) TAKING PLACE IN MAY (21ST-27TH), WE DECIDED TO SAMPLE THE HARVESTED AND FORAGED VEGETARIAN TASTER MENU AT THE MARQUIS AT ALKHAM. AND WE WERE NOT LEFT WANTING. BY EMMA BATCHELOR

For some people, vegetarian food is often regarded as somewhat second rate, or not quite as fulfilling or delicious as a dish with meat in it.

Although most restaurants these days tend to have at least one vegetarian option, I believe many chefs pay less attention to these dishes than they do their meat dishes. Variations on a mushroom risotto, roasted butternut squash or pasta with a napolitano sauce is often as far as a chef is prepared to go in providing vegetarian cuisine.

Fortunately, this is far from the case at the Marquis at Alkham, where the seven-course vegetarian taster menu is a veritable vegetarian banquet that would satisfy even confirmed meat eaters. Without a pasta or risotto dish in sight, chef Charlie Lakin has created an exquisite array of dishes using the finest local produce from farms, gardens and hedgerows, accompanied with a carefully selected range of wine and beer.

Using nature’s larder in this way means that the menu is constantly changing, depending on which vegetables and herbs are in season. When we dined, the intriguing and exotic-sounding ingredients included Jack of the Hedge (also known as garlic mustard leaf), Ramson, from the wild garlic family, and few flowered leek. Each course focused on a few key ingredients which were presented in an array of textures and colours that were almost as impressive to look at as they were to consume.

On arrival, we were greeted with some delicious canapés, including carrot panna cotta, and chocolate and blue cheese riceballs, which were accompanied by some sparkling English wine from Chapel Down. When we were all seated, we were then treated to a celery consommé with an apple salad and hazelnut pesto. This was followed by goat’s curd from Ellie’s Dairy in North Kent, which was served with beetroot and golden samphire (from the seaweed family).

The next dish was a ramson panna cotta with honey soused vegetables and homemade

breadsticks, followed by few flowered leek with a cheddar beignet (donut), cauliflower and black trompette (a dark mushroom, which grows locally).

The penultimate savoury dish was poached egg, which came from the restaurant owner’s farm, with ‘straw’ potatoes, homemade baked beans and bittercress, and was the only dish accompanied by a beer; an Indian Pale Ale (IPA) from Newnham brewery in Kent. We were then treated to a red onion tarte tatin with Jerusalem artichoke, sea radish and beech brown mushrooms, which I savoured with glass of Italian Chianti Classico 2006.

By then end of the tarte tatin, I had started to seriously wonder why more restaurants don’t make more effort with vegetarian food, when vegetable-based dishes could be as delicious and varied as these. It is certainly not hard to understand why the vegetarian taster menu at the Marquis is very popular.

Fortunately I had just enough room to squeeze in a dessert (or two), and the banana soufflé served with tonka bean ice cream and toffee sauce, was the proverbial icing on the cake. I was also lucky enough to sample the Original Bean Chocolate Marquise, which certainly satisfied the chocoholic in me!

Another unexpected delight of the evening was meeting head chef, Charlie Lakin, whose delicate food was in complete juxtaposition to his hearty Yorkshireman stature.

With typical Yorkshire candour, Lakin said, “If you are going to be a vegetarian then you want to eat vegetables, not something that tastes like meat.”

He also said that he has stopped making risottos for the vegetarian menu, but creates dishes around vegetables instead, drawing inspiration from a mixture of old school recipes and new techniques.

“Foraging ingredients gives a fantastic variety and twist to the food,” commented Lakin, who buys from a local forager, and also admits to foraging a bit himself.

As someone who enjoys most food – from mussels and cheese fondu to slow roasted duck, lamb shanks and everything in between – I am becoming increasingly aware that vegetarian food can be tasty, healthy and environmentally sustainable. And if an awareness campaign such as National Vegetarian Week is what is needed to help others discover the delights of vegetarian cuisine then I welcome it wholeheartedly!

The six-course vegetarian tasting menu, entitled ‘Harvested and Foraged’ is £45 per person. Cheese as an optional course is available at an additional charge of £9.00 per person. You can also opt to include 6 x 75ml glasses of Sommelier selected wines at £27.50 or 6 x 75ml glasses of Prestige & Vintage wines at £55.00.

The Marquis Alkham Valley Road Alkham, Dover CT15 7DF 01304 873410 info@themarquisatalkham.co.uk www.themarquisatalkham.co.uk

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FOOD+DRINK

INDULGENCE AT

Chives

CHIVES IS A NEW CULINARY DELIGHT TO BE ADDED TO THE KENT MAP. SET WITHIN THE STUNNING VERDANT LAWNS OF BROOME PARK GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB, CHIVES OFFERS INFALLIBLE SERVICE, INSPIRED AND FRESH DISHES, AND SENSATIONAL DESSERTS. by Sarah-Jane Stenson

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Nestled in the heart of the Kent countryside lies the Broome Park Golf and Country Club. Its luscious green lawns attract golfers from all around, however, Chives is a new culinary addition to the resort that is enticing foodies to sample their exquisite cuisine.

Its favourable position boasts both a home in the picturesque surroundings of the Kentish countryside, as well as being not far off the beaten track and easily accessible to nearby Canterbury.

As you enter the grounds, the winding road leads you to majestic entrance of a Grade I listed building, which is steeped in history and exemplifies the glory of 17th century Jacobean architecture. The entrance is grandiose with huge wooden doors that reveal the equally striking interior.

As my fellow diners and I entered this grand building, positive first impressions were cast based upon the lounge area which is elongated with high and intricately designed ceilings, filled with beautiful antique furniture. We were invited to fall into the magnificent sofas and armchairs to take in the scenery around us. We were placed in front of an impressive fireplace, ideal for a roaring fire in the winter, and soon to be adorned with flower arrangements for the summer.

From the moment we stepped through their doors, as guests, we were made to feel entirely at ease and cared for. The excellent standard of service began here. Chives initiated our experience by inviting us to consider their menu whilst we acquainted ourselves with the setting.

We were delighted with an aperitif to relax and pre-empt our meal. I selected a gin and tonic, Hendricks gin specifically, perfectly complimented with cucumber. We were now confronted with the difficult task of deciding upon our meal choices. The menu offers temptation for all varieties of palates, with ingredients that are

sourced from the local area and prepared from scratch. The menu achieves a delicate balance of traditional Kent served up with an infusion of modernity and imagination.

Pepper Bed, Balsamic and Jus Reduction, took the prize for the night. The lamb was melt-inthe-mouth tender, whilst Mediterranean flavours provided a new edge on an old classic.

Eventually we pushed ourselves towards a verdict as the tummy rumbles began in response to the waft of food pervading the room. I think it is always a mark of a good restaurant when the staff know their menu and its contents inside out. Any question was answered and we were concisely informed which wine would be appropriate to enhance the flavours of our meal.

My fellow dining companions and I were impressed up until this point, however, words cannot describe the phenomenal nature of the desserts, the undoubted pinnacle of our evening.

I opted for Individual Baked Alaska with Caramel Ice Cream Served with Butterscotch Sauce, an absolute culinary feat that stood tall on my dessert plate in architectural wonder.

Our order was taken and we were kindly given some tasty homemade garlic bread to fire up our taste buds. Shortly before our starters were served, we were led into the sumptuously decorated Jacobean restaurant. A glittering chandelier dominates the room, with candles providing ambience, overlooking the rolling countryside of this beautiful estate.

The Lemon Eton Mess with Lemon Sorbet and Caramel Shard proved to be a revitalising palate cleanser, harmonious in cooling flavours, which was ideal after a heavy meal. Better still, the pièce de résistance was the Taste of ‘Chives on the Green’, which claimed to be five ‘morsels’ on a plate. Morsels they were not. Chives assembled a culinary work of art on a large wide plate, resplendent in rich and indulgent temptations.

To start, I opted for Salad of Crisped Bacon, Brie, Sundried Tomatoes and Mixed Leaves with Horseradish Mayonnaise and a Poached Egg. The brie was utterly divine and creamy in taste, perfectly matched with the saltiness of the bacon and the egg to blend it all together. Another star of this course was the Wood Pigeon Breast Seared and Roasted on a Warm Julienne Salad of Cabbage, Leek, and Swede with Honey Soy Dressing. The pigeon was cooked to perfection and was excellently presented.

This course tantalised our taste buds as we greatly anticipated the next. The first highlight of the main course was the fish dish of the day. For this evening, Chives prepared Locally Sourced Hake on a Bed of Fresh Mussels and a Cream of Mussels Sauce. The dish was elegantly presented and utterly divine in taste. But my choice, Lamb Rump, Marinated in Olive Oil and Garlic with Cous Cous, Courgette and Red

Chives at Broome Park Golf and Country Club is a new gastronomic marvel to be firmly placed upon the Kent restaurant radar. Its setting provides notions of heritage and rural tradition whilst to offset this, the food embraces the influence of its surroundings but with an inspiring and contemporary twist.

Chives at Broome Park Broome Park Golf and Country Club Canterbury Road Barham CT4 6QX 01227 832637/644 www.chivescaterers.co.uk

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ARTS

russell harper PHOTOGRAPHY VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE FOR SEVENOAKS-BASED FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER RUSSELL HARPER. FROM THEATRE SHOWS TO FAMILY PORTRAITS SHOT ON LOCATION, RUSSELL IS HAPPY TO TURN HIS HAND – AND HIS CAMERA – TO MOST SUBJECTS.

"I began my freelance career in 2007 photographing corporate events and conferences" he says. "I still do that kind of work, but I now do lots of other things too, so I can honestly say that every job is different, and I enjoy them all!"

Russell's award-winning image is available in a limited edition of just 150 professionally printed 24x12 inch prints. insideKENT readers can receive an exclusive 20% discount off the normal price of £35 per print, plus free postage. E-mail Russell at mail@harperphotography.co.uk quoting insideKENT to order.

Companies large and small use Russell to photograph their events and to take photographs for their websites and brochures. He offers family portrait shoots in the studio, on location and at his clients' homes; and for social events, Russell and his team provide a complete photographic service, including printing photos on site for the guests to take away.

Much of Russell's business comes from recommendations, and from personal and corporate clients coming back to him time and time again.

"I recently did a portrait shoot for a four-year-old girl who I've photographed every year since she was born" he says.

When asked to pick his most memorable shoot, Russell has many to choose from. "It would probably be the PR shoot I did when Prince Andrew visited a factory in Sevenoaks. I was the only photographer allowed to cover his visit. Having said that, the day I spent photographing Aston Martins last month was pretty special!"

The highlight of Russell's year so far has been winning a coveted Gold Award from The Societies of Professional Imagemakers for his recent photograph of a snow-covered orchard near Sevenoaks. His was one of only 23 images awarded Gold out of 1,243 entries from photographers all over the world.

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Russell Harper Photography 07834 946612 / 01732 458189 www.harperphotography.co.uk

ARTS

MARGATE’S FINEST

TRACEY EMIN RETURNS TO KENT

'Sex 1 25-11-07 Sydney' Courtesy Tracey Emin / Tracey Emin studio

TRACEY EMIN RETURNS HOME TO MARGATE, THE INSPIRATION FOR MANY OF HER MOST FAMOUS WORKS OF ART AND THE MUSE FOR HER NEW EXHIBITION, ‘SHE LAY DOWN DEEP BENEATH THE SEA’ AT TURNER CONTEMPORARY.

The exhibition will explore the themes of love, sex and romanticism. It features new pieces that include drawings, monoprints, sculptures, tapestries, embroideries and neons, which will be installed throughout Turner Contemporary’s suite of first-floor galleries.

Emin was born in London in 1963 and grew up in the seaside town of Margate. She studied at Maidstone College of Art and the Royal College of Art, London. She has exhibited extensively internationally, including solo exhibitions ‘Love is What You Want’, Hayward Gallery, London (2011), and ‘Do Not Abandon Me’, Hauser & Wirth, London (with Louise Bourgeois) (2011).

Her upcoming exhibition’s central motifs are continued across a group of sketches and paintings of an erotic nature, and will be featured alongside artists JMW Turner and Auguste Rodin (Rodin’s iconic sculpture The Kiss is on show in the Sunley Gallery at Turner Contemporary). This section of the exhibition considers the artists in terms of their shared fascination with female sexuality and the varying means by which they explore the subject.

Tracey Emin has commented, "I still can't really believe that I'm showing in Margate. Even in my wildest dreams I could never believe there would be a gallery like Turner Contemporary there. So on one level I'm really chuffed and excited but on another I am as nervous as hell. The brilliant thing about Margate is it's one hour from London on the train so I'm hoping lots of people will come and visit not just my show but the beautiful sunsets and sandy beaches."

Victoria Pomery, Director of Turner Contemporary added, “We are thrilled to be working with Tracey on this exhibition of new work, which considers Tracey’s extensive oeuvre in a new light.”

Tracey Emin’s first exhibition in her hometown will open at Turner Contemporary on 26 May 2012. www.turnercontemporary.org

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ARTS

A FAMILY AFFAIR KENT ARTIST NIGEL WALLACE EXPLAINS HARKING BACK TO HIS ROOTS ON A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY, HIS INSPIRATION BEHIND WHITE ONE SUGAR AND HOW IT HAS GROWN TO BECOME A PART OF HIS FAMILY.

Nigel Wallace and dog Bramble

As an artist, it’s important to decide why you do what you do. I realised a long time ago that I received just as much buzz from selling my work as I did creating it. Seeing someone else appreciate what I have drawn inspires me to go on.

After years of selling my photographs throughout many shops in Kent, I decided it was a market that was becoming saturated. Every shop and coffee bar that had spare wall space was selling pictures by local photographers; I had to start thinking of something else. Knowing that art, like everything else, is subject to fashion, I started to look at trends of the past and considered what might be next. I started out life as an illustrator, albeit a technical one, thus I went back to my roots and began drawing on a computer again.

I remembered how popular posters were when I was younger and how I liked to browse the products found in Athena. For those of you that remember this art retail chain, Athena was famous for its unique posters. I began looking at recreating a modern day version of the old railway posters.

Armed with only three designs, in September 2010 I had my usual stall at the Faversham Hop Festival. I was amazed when I sold on the day and took orders for over 50 pictures. With that, the series started and I had to come up with a name.

Karen, my daughter, created the idea of 'White One Sugar'. It was a name she had in her head for a long time and didn't know what to do with

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it. She graciously, as daughters are, let me use the name for this series and so 'White One Sugar' was born. It is, of course, how she takes her coffee. This initiated her interest in creating artwork for the series and she has since drawn many of London and our most popular picture, The Old Neptune pub on Whitstable beach.

Neil, my son, was now showing interest. Having just married, similar to me, he let his wife go out and earn the real money while we sit around at home, drinking coffee and eating cake, or so our wives say. He took over all of the framing and other jobs needed to produce our artworks ready for sale. This left me free to draw and keep the website going. He has now started drawing for the series as well, with help from both Karen and I. Interestingly, when he finished drawing his Deal picture, it instantly started outselling mine. Kids!

At the moment we have concentrated on Kent but we are looking to go further afield. Having nearly drawn all the coastal towns from Whitstable to Hythe, we next want to continue through Rye, Hastings and onto Brighton and all the inland towns between them and us.

I love travelling around to all the galleries and other outlets to meet the people who sell our work. For me this is part of the enjoyment, talking with the people and finding out what their customers are interested in. Being the artist of the work, and not a rep selling other people’s creations, opens whole conversations that wouldn't otherwise exist. I am a bit of a ‘fair

weather salesman’ though, so the gallery owners never really know when I am going to turn up.

Recently Karen started a website called The Card Shed to sell all the greetings cards we produce from our pictures and photographs that I have sold in the past. We are also in the process of looking for other illustrators and designers to work with to produce artwork for White One Sugar and The Card Shed, expanding our range and style even further. We have just taken on a stall in Whitefriars Square, Canterbury and we hope to be there all throughout the summer.

Working with your children brings a whole new meaning to the business. We try to keep that friendly family atmosphere in everything we do, whether it is on our websites or in our dealings with other people. Customers often ring us with special requests or ideas for new pictures and we always try to oblige. We now take on commissions, which we all get involved with. We have drawn several private homes and a couple for local businesses.

I try to consider all the people I work with as friends and feel privileged that I can do something I love, as well as have a laugh at the same time.

Retirement? I don't think so!

For more info, visit www.whiteonesugar.co.uk www.thecardshed.com

TOWNSPOTLIGHT

The Jewel

IN THE WEALD

THE KENTISH TOWN OF TENTERDEN DECLARES ITSELF TO BE THE ‘JEWEL OF THE WEALD.’ THIS DESERVING NAME EXEMPLIFIES ITS SHEER BEAUTY AND PICTURESQUE SURROUNDINGS. THE TOWN OFFERS A DIVERSITY OF NEIGHBOURING DELIGHTS, IDEALLY PROXIMATE TO VIBRANT ASHFORD, THE STUNNING KENT COASTLINE AND GLORIOUS EAST SUSSEX.

BY SARAH-JANE STENSON

The origins of Tenterden are first officially dated back to a settlement in Saxon times. However, preceding this time when the Romans inhabited the land, much of Kent and East Sussex were dense forests. A Roman road from Thanet weaved its way through this area, likely to be Tenterden.

The name of the town is thought to be a derivate of Old English, ‘Tenet Waraden.’ This means den or clearing in the forest belonging to the men of Thanet, thus Tenterden was born.

Tenterden overlooks the valley of the River Rother. This rural river has had a tumultuous history and has had a huge impact on neighbouring towns in the area. Originally, due to its coastal access, Tenterden was a bustling centre for trade and shipbuilding. The trading port provided a key source of income and wealth for the town and quickly became the heart of the wool trade in the 13th century. The town’s advantageous locale with links to the sea secured a regular influx of business whereas other inland areas of Kent may not have been so fortunate.

At this period in time, Romney Marsh was fully submerged in water and ships were docked at Smallhythe. In 1449, Tenterden was granted its Royal Charter of Incorporation by King Henry VI, becoming what was called a ‘limb’ of Rye and part of the Confederation of Cinque Ports. This is essentially a group of coastal towns in Kent and Sussex, honoured for their positioning and utilised for military and trade purposes. Tenterden was an ideal candidate for this position due to its shipbuilding facilities, therefore a useful commodity to aid Rye in the fulfilment of their work for the Crown. This royal charter was established to maintain ships in the event that the Crown required their usage. Although, the Cinque Ports title came with alluring benefits. Inhabitants

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of the town were exempt from taxation, a self-government could be enforced and they represented at the coronation of the monarch. Returning back to modern day, the town still holds a mayor but regretfully, exemption from taxes is a thing of the past!

After much fortune, the great storms of 1287 devastated Tenterden’s trading port, as well as some of the other Cinque Ports. The impact of the storms was so destructive that the coastline was altered and consequently the livelihoods of many towns changed for good. Today, Tenterden is ten miles away from the coast, conveying the lasting wreckage that the storms left behind in their wake. The harbour in Hastings was vanquished and both Tenterden and New Romney became landlocked due to the silting up of the River Rother. New Romney used to sit at the mouth of the river but after the extreme weather conditions, it changed its course, now flowing into the sea near Rye. At this point in time, the days of Tenterden as a thriving port came to an end.

Tenterden is a town that can offer a wealth of heritage and this is reflected in the historical buildings throughout the area. Impeccable Elizabethan and Georgian fascias, Victorian townhouses and mathematical tiles make up the architecture of this town, serving as a visual representation of the past.

Tenterden was even home to the famous writer and printer, William Caxton.

In 1477, the gentleman printed the first ever English book and was said to have been born in this prestigious town.

Radiators dating from 1885 to 1950

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DAYSOUT

wild food

A DAY OF FORAGING

WORDS & PHOTOS BY EMMA BATES

IN AN AGE OF PLASTIC PACKAGING, PERFECT SIZES AND SHAPES, AND A SEEMINGLY CONTINUOUS SUPPLY OF SEASONAL VEGETABLES, ANY SHOPPER WOULD BE FORGIVEN FOR FORGETTING THAT ONCE UPON A TIME ALL OF OUR SUPERMARKET FAVOURITES BEGAN AS FORAGED AND WILD FOODS. BUT WITH ALL THIS CONVENIENCE COMES A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF LIMITATION AND A QUESTION FROM A NEWLY CONVERTED FORAGER THAT ASKS, “ARE WE MISSING OUT?”

Fergus Drennan explaining Hogweed Foraging at Reculver

Garlic Mustard

With a spring in my step and some threatening weather looming, I joined in with a local expert for a day of foraging. Fergus Drennan (or Fergus the Forager as he’s locally known) has been foraging for wild food since the age of three when he started searching for dandelions to feed his pet tortoise ‘Creep’. Since then Fergus has been researching, tasting and experimenting with wild foods that many of us would simply walk past without a second thought. Having run foraging courses for several years, Fergus has proudly re-introduced many old and forgotten techniques

to his eager students in the hope that we may learn to eat better, to not be so reliant on being ‘fed’ and to have a better understanding of our beautiful and abundant wild resources.

Our group of eight keen beginners met at 9am for a full 13 hours of foraging and eating. We began the day behind a housing estate in Canterbury. Although at first this was an unexpected location, we were led to a woodland river at the back of the estate and it was there that the point was made: foraging does not have

Our foraged lunch including brown rice salmon sushi rolls with lacto-fermented wild greens and charlock seeds

Wild spring salad with feta, slow-roast cherry tomatoes

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to be done in an ancient woodland nor in a vast heath; foraging can be done anywhere by anyone with the right knowledge and guidance.

Japanese knotweed

fried a selection of them for our starter (who knew that seaweed could taste of bacon?), we baked salmon in a shingle pit and we ate Japanese knotweed crumble following by a slug of sloe vodka. As days go, this was one of the better ones.

We continued to a few locations throughout the day (marshes, woods, cliff tops and beach) and at each were given advice on the best plants for eating and why. Most importantly, we were given warnings on what not to eat and why.

Fergus was passionate about his subject and this rubbed off on the group who were hanging on his every word before we were let loose with a pair of scissors and some rather fetching wicker baskets in which to carry our booty. We picked and tasted many plants that were familiar to me but none that I knew for sure were safe to eat. From cow parsley to wild garlic and from seaweeds to samphire, we picked and we sampled and we liked.

Foraging does indeed come with a few health warnings; there are many clumps of delicious looking pink sorrel that may have yesterday looked equally appealing to one of our canine friends as a territorial marking spot; some great eating comes from plants which are weeds to those not in the know and could have been sprayed with weed killer a few hours ago with no evident signs; not forgetting the potential to make some very easy and dangerous mistakes when it comes to choosing the right plants or fungi to eat. As fulfilling and potentially delicious as foraging is, it can be a dangerous business if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re unsure of your plant identification.

At noon we made our way to a cosy house in Herne were Fergus had prepared a sumptuous feast for us all. Many of the ingredients he used he had pre-gathered but had introduced us to on our walkabout, whereas some were from our efforts that morning. We proudly washed and prepared our leaves and stems and in no time at all were eating the fruits of our labour.

Fergus runs courses throughout the year and is an expert in his field. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re keen on learning more about the enormous world of foraging contact Fergus at fergus22@hotmail.com or visit www.wildmanwildfood.com

After a long afternoon of foraging after our lunch, our day ended with a campfire on the beach at Reculver. We collected seaweeds and deep-

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DAYSOUT

EXPLORE THE WONDERS OF THE WEALD AROUND

Cranbrook

Heralded as the capital of the Kentish Weald, Cranbrook has retained its village charm over the centuries. This circular 3 mile (4.8km) walk gives visitors the chance to uncover the delights of this charismatic Kentish village set in wonderful countryside surroundings.

Your expedition starts in the heart of Cranbrook, in close proximity to the White Horse Inn. The village is a welcoming hive of activity, with lots of facilities and a wide range of shops lining the narrow medieval streets.

Towering above the houses, the familiar face of the Union Mill looks down like a fairytale

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giant on the village. Union Mill dates from 1814 and is the largest working windmill in England, measuring 72 ft to the top of the cap. The mill is often open to the public and wind permitting, wheat is ground and visitors can purchase wholemeal flour in the shop.

Location: Cranbrook, TN17 3EX Distance: 3 miles (4.8km), allow 2 hours Step Count: approximately 6,000 OS Explorer Map: 136

The area around Cranbrook was originally heavily forested. It was part of the Anglo-Saxon Great Wood of Andredsweald. In those days, herds of domesticated pigs were driven every autumn from the north and south downs into woodland clearings or denes - open areas where grazing or pannage rites were granted by local leaders.

Many of the existing roads and woodland tracks we use today are ancient drovers’ roads, characterised by their steep sides created by generations of wear from feet and trotters. The pigs were fattened on fallen acorns and beech nuts, and over time the clearings grew large enough to become established human settlements. This explains the many examples of place names in the area ending in den, such as Benenden, Biddenden and Frittenden.

Cranbrook’s name post dates these other towns.

Its name means the brook of the crane, with the town growing up around the church in the 11th century.

Terrain: Field paths Gates: 10 Parking: Free parking is available on the High Street Refreshments & Facilities: There are shops, pubs and restaurants in Cranbrook

This is also an area associated with industry, from iron working - dating back to pre-Roman times and continuing until the 19th century - to the cloth-making and woollen industries that made Cranbrook prosperous in the 15th and 16th centuries. The town’s wealth produced the many surviving examples of fine timbered houses, as well as St. Dunstan’s Church, so large it became known as the Cathedral of the Weald.

Leaving the hustle and bustle of Cranbrook, you will follow the High Weald Landscape Trail for a short time. The trail runs from Horsham to Rye covering 90 miles, on average taking experienced walkers about 7 days to complete.

The word 'Weald' means wilderness or forest, but if you look closely at the local area you will notice it’s made up of a lot more than just woodland. Rolling hills, fields and heathland adorn the area with scattered farms and quiet lanes.

Continuing along the route, walkers may wish to take a short diversion to Sissinghurst

village which can provide a welcome break for weary travellers. An essential visit is Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, which is managed by the National Trust and open to the public. The garden was created in the 1930s by Vita Sackville-West, poet and writer, and her husband Harold Nicolson, author and diplomat. The gardens are designed as a series of rooms, each with a different character, colour, and theme, divided by high clipped hedges and pink brick walls. There are also woodland and lakeside areas surrounding the gardens, which can provide walkers with an ideal spot for a picnic. Or if you prefer to travel light when exploring the area, there is a restaurant and shop conveniently situated in the grounds.

For more walks and great days out in Kent visit www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent, call 08458 247 600, or follow @explorekent on Twitter. www.insidekentmagazine.co.uk

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Jongleurs Comedy Nights

g in y g m n si ade e e oc fr a at V th n wi sso le

Fri 27th April 2012 Fri 1st June 2012 Fri 29th June 2012 Prices: from ÂŁ10.80 per person Doors open 7:30pm, show 8:30pm, Disco 10:30pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; late!

Strictly over 18s only.

Edith May Barge & Dickens World Join us aboard a restored 86ft Thames Barge and enjoy sailing the River Medway, boarding from the Marina at Dickens World.

Tickets: ÂŁ23 adult, ÂŁ18 child, ÂŁ21 Concession â&#x20AC;&#x201C; prices include entry into Dickens World.

For dates and any further information please call 01634 890421.

Tom Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor & The Vintage Corporation Date: Saturday 2nd June 2012 A night of Top Class Comedy and Music from the 60s and 70s. Get ready to laugh your socks off, clap your hands and stamp your feet to the 60s and 70s beat!

Tickets: only ÂŁ14.75

La Boheme Opera Presented by the Mantissa Opera with The Virtual Reality Orchestra.

Saturday 16th June 2012 Tickets: ÂŁ39.50 including 3 course silver service dinner at 7:00pm. ÂŁ25.00 ticket only â&#x20AC;&#x201C; doors open at 8:00pm for 8:30pm start.

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0845 5191765 vocademy.co.uk

DAYSOUT

SUMMER FUN AT

SHEPHERD NEAME BREWERY

WITH SO MUCH TO CELEBRATE AND ENJOY THIS SUMMER, SHEPHERD NEAME’S TWO VENUES IN FAVERSHAM, THE VISITOR CENTRE AND THE OLD BREWERY STORE HAVE A FUN-PACKED SCHEDULE OF DAYS OUT AND EVENTS THIS SEASON.

The Old Brewery Store starts the entertainment on Saturday 5 May, with the eight-piece rock, funk and soul band DC Fontana, performing original songs from their latest album La Contessa.

On Friday 18 May, the Visitor Centre plays host to its popular Ale Samplers’ Supper where guests can enjoy an 80-minute brewery tour, followed by an in-depth tutored tasting and a two-course seasonal supper. Further Ale Samplers’ Suppers are also scheduled for the following Fridays: 15 June, 20 July and 17 August.

May is a big month in Faversham for transport enthusiasts. On Sunday 12 May, The Old Brewery Store is holding its first Model Railway Exhibition, with up to 20 layouts and trade stands. The following weekend, Saturday 19 May and Sunday 20 May, the Visitor Centre is open for Brewery Tours and Lunch (advance booking essential) during the Faversham Historic Transport Weekend, in which the town’s streets are filled with hundreds of classic and vintage cars and motorcycles. On Sunday 20 May, visitors can travel to Faversham from London in style on the Spitfire Steam Train or take an afternoon return trip from the town to Dover.

To help celebrate its recent Silver Award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme, the Visitor Centre is taking part in Green Tourism Week from Monday 21 May to Saturday 26 May. Take

a tour around Britain’s Oldest Brewery and learn about its sustainability and environmental initiatives.

A series of Beer and Food Evenings will be held over the summer. The first takes place on Friday 25 May at the Visitor Centre and the evening features a brewery tour and beer tasting and a four-course dinner matched with speciallyselected beers. Diners have the chance to savour seven distinct and flavoursome beers during the evening and the meal ends with a fun beer quiz.

Further Beer and Food Evenings are scheduled for the following Fridays: 29 June, 27 July and 24 August.

June sees the culmination of celebrations for HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and being Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame understands both the importance of tradition and how to party in style. To commemorate the Queen’s 60 years as Head of State, the ‘best looking swingers in town’, Goosebumps, are playing at The Old Brewery Store on Sunday 3 June.

experiences - both available through Shepherd Neame’s online shop.

The Old Brewery Store hosts something slightly different on Saturday 23 June – an evening with Cameo Opera. The Kent-based operatic group perform a variety of styles, including classical opera and show tunes and they will certainly bring the ‘wow’ factor to Faversham.

On Friday 7 July ABBA fans are in for a treat as Kent-based tribute-band Abalicious hit The Old Brewery Store stage. Be prepared to re-live the ‘70s with a number of ABBA classics, such as ‘Waterloo’, ‘Dancing Queen’ and ‘Mamma Mia’.

In addition to the special events, award-winning brewery tours run most days – advance booking is recommended. For further details or to make a booking for any of the Visitor Centre activities, please call 01795 542016 or visit www.shepherdneame.co.uk.

On Sunday 17 June, the Visitor Centre is providing the perfect treat for your dad on Fathers’ Day. Why not treat him to a brewery tour and tutored tasting followed by a traditional Sunday lunch or a sumptuous, homemade Brewers’ Tea? Gift ideas include a new range of hampers, or a Gift Certificate valid for a number of brewery

www.insidekentmagazine.co.uk

93

LINE THE STREETS...

The OLYMPIC FLAME is coming to KENT!

BY SARAH-JANE STENSON

LONDON 2012 IS ALMOST UPON US AND EVERY CORNER OF THE COUNTRY IS SET TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY. WITH AN 8,000 MILE ROUND TRIP AROUND THE UK AND 8,000 TORCHBEARERS, IT IS SAID THAT 95% OF THE POPULATION WILL BE ONLY TEN MILES AWAY FROM THE OLYMPIC TORCH. SOON IT WILL BE TIME FOR KENT TO HANG OUT THE BUNTING AND GET READY TO LINE THE STREETS TO CHEER ON THE TORCH AS IT MAKES ITS WAY TO LONDON FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY. The iconic torch will actually spend the longest amount of time in Kent than any other county, making its steady voyage through Kent around four days. Lit in Greece, the torch arrives in the UK on 18th May from where it will begin its 70-day trip starting at Land’s End. So, we know that the torch will soon be spreading waves of Olympic joy throughout the country, but what does it symbolise and what is the history that lies behind it?

The history of the torch is a blend of the old and the new. It is most recently a tradition of the modern Olympics, which reinstated the ritual of the torch in the 1936 summer games in Berlin. However, its roots lie in the Olympic games of Ancient Greece where a sacred flame burned on the altar of the goddess, Hera. The Ancient Greeks held ‘Lampadedromia’, which were torch relay races, where the winning team lit a sacred flame. At this time, fire was thought to be a divine element and

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this may have been a dedication to the titan Prometheus, who stole fire from Zeus to give to the mortals. The flame was lit in Olympia using the rays of the sun and a parabolic mirror.

The modern day Games follow a precise ritual of lighting the Olympic torch from the sun’s rays at the Temple of Hera in Olympia. There is a short relay around Greece before it is handed to the new host country. After arriving in the country, the flame’s torchbearers begin the torch’s final journey to light the cauldron at the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. The torch is a subtle nod to the ancient Games, symbolising the importance of tradition and spreading a message of unity and peace. The torch has been to the Great Barrier Reef, the summit of Mount Everest and even to Space.

ROUTE: The torch begins its journey through Kent on 17th July and there will be two overnight stays – the first in Dover and the second in Maidstone at Leeds Castle. The 8,000 torchbearers have each been chosen for a personal achievement or a contribution to the local community. One of these lucky people is Lana Foyle, a student from Ashford. Lana, who bravely underwent heart surgery two years ago, was unknowingly nominated by her mother. Lana commented, “I hope that by carrying the torch I can inspire other children with heart conditions.”

This will be a proud day for Kent and an honour to have this age-old tradition pass through our county. Find out when the torch will be in your area and get ready to support the London 2012 Games by visiting www.london2012.com/games/ olympic-torch-relay

Tuesday, 17th July Tunbridge Wells Wednesday, 18th July Hamstreet Ashford Hythe Sandgate Folkestone Samphire Hoe Dover (evening celebration)

Friday, 20th July Maidstone Gillingham Chatham Rochester Higham Gravesend Borough Green Seal Sevenoaks Riverhead

Thursday, 19th July Dover Deal Sholden Sandwich Great Stonar Cliffs End St Lawrence Ramsgate Broadstairs St Peters Cliftonville Margate Westgate-on-Sea Birchington Upstreet Sturry Canterbury Thanington Faversham Challock Harrietsham Maidstone (evening celebration)

www.insidekentmagazine.co.uk

95

DAYSOUT

D ISCOVER KENT’ S

Hidden Attractions

Canterbury Historic River Tours

W ildwood

FROM GETTING CLOSE TO NATURE, EXPERIENCING AN ADRENALIN-FILLED ENCOUNTER WITH MACHINERY, TAKING IN A LITTLE HISTORY AND EXPLORING THE COUNTY’S LINKS WITH THE SEA, THE EIGHT DAY LITTLE GEMS AND HIDDEN TREASURES TOUR HELPS YOU DISCOVER SOME OF THE SMALLER, QUIRKIER AND MORE SURPRISING ATTRACTIONS. Day One: Family Fun, Maritime Adventure, or a Day with Dickens FAMILY FUN

Shorne W oods Country Park

Morning: Take the kids to let off steam at Shorne Woods Country Park.

Afternoon: Move excitement levels up a gear at Buckmore Park Kart Circuit or take the controls at Diggerland, riding and driving real diggers and dumpers.

MARITIME ADVENTURE Morning: Visit Upnor Castle to discover how England’s warships were defended on the River Medway and at Chatham dockyard.

Afternoon: Escape onto the water with an atmospheric afternoon or evening cruise aboard Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle.

CHURCH CRAWLING WITH DICKENS AND PUGIN Morning: Begin your day with a tour of St James’ Church, Cooling, where you will find Pip’s grave and the haunting marsh vistas that inspired Charles Dickens. Look up Restoration House, aka Satis House (the home of Miss Havisham), in nearby Rochester and find out more about Dickens’ life, work and times in the Guildhall Museum.

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Afternoon: Drop into St Mary’s Church, Burham, which dates back to the 12th century, or head straight to St Catherine’s Church, Kingsdown, Edward Welby Pugin’s only complete Anglican church and a true gem of midVictorian taste.

Day Two: Hidden Houses and Gardens Morning: Visit Doddington Place Gardens, tour the woodland garden, Edwardian rock garden, formal sunken garden, lawns and avenues.

Afternoon: Belmont House and Gardens, where formal and informal planting marry into a harmonious blend. Treasures in the house include the country’s finest private collection of clocks and watches.

Day Three: Coast to Canterbury Morning: From mammoth tusks to Roman finds, seaside holidays and the Barnes Wallis Bouncing Bomb, details of them all can be found at Herne Bay Museum and Gallery, or spend the morning at nearby Whitstable Museum and Gallery.

Afternoon: Canterbury provides lots of tempting choices. Pick up a new Canterbury Audio Tour and explore at your own pace, or join Canterbury Historic River Tours for an unusual water-level view of the city’s buildings.

Canterbury Heritage Museum with Rupert Bear Museum combines millions of years of local history and the secret story of children’s favourites Rupert, Bagpuss and co. Canterbury Roman Museum is yet another must-discover, leading you underground to the remains of a Roman town house.

Goodnestone Park Gardens

Restoration House

Lullingstone Country Park

Day Four: Bronze Age to Victorian Heritage, or a Day on the Wild Side BRONZE AGE TO VICTORIAN HERITAGE Morning: Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre, then to St Peter’s Church, Sandwich, to look for clues to the vanished Norman church. You can even peer 3,550 years into the past at Dover Bronze Age Boat Gallery, Dover Museum, with the world’s oldest-known seagoing vessel.

Afternoon: Visit three further historic churches: St Clement’s, Knowlton; All Saints’, Waldershare, surprises with its Norman to Victorian heritage and striking memorials; St Mary’s, Capel le Ferne, conceals a unique medieval treasure.

Day Seven: History Alive Morning: Visit Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery or take to the waters’ at The Chalybeate Spring, which brought the town renown as a spa. Then relive the sights, sounds and drama of 13th century castle life at nearby Tonbridge Castle.

Chiddingstone Castle

DAY ON THE WILD SIDE Morning: Family safari at Wingham Wildlife Park or an adventure at Wildwood, where you can ‘hunt’ for wolf, beaver and more than 50 species of native wildlife in 40 acres of ancient forest.

Afternoon: Samphire Hoe coastal country park, created from digging the Channel Tunnel and now teeming with wildlife, wildflowers and activities.

Great escapes for the afternoon include the wildlife-rich valley, trees and lake oasis of Brockhill Country Park. Or step into 1,000 years of history at Westenhanger Castle and Medieval Barns.

Day Five: Garden Glories Morning: Fall under the spell of romantic, 14-acre Goodnestone Park Gardens, including the peaceful walled garden clad with roses, wisteria, clematis and jasmine. It’s easy to imagine Jane Austen being inspired when she visited the house and park.

Afternoon: Ten-acre Beech Court Gardens with its rare and interesting trees, among them the tallest eucryphia in Kent. Or while away the afternoon at Godinton House and Gardens, where successive generations have created a home with fine country house collections and 12 acres of formal and wild gardens.

Day Six: Captivating Local Colour Morning: The Rare Breeds Centre, Woodchurch, has farm animals to meet and pet and woodland discovery trails and a walk-through aviary.

Afternoon: Discover the rich history of Cranbrook and the Weald at Cranbrook Museum. Exhibits cover Roman iron making, boot making, hop picking, old kitchens and much more. Or see how flour was made in Victorian times at fully operational Willesborough Windmill. Check timetables and make the most of the Wealden countryside with a jaunt by heritage steam train along the Spa Valley Railway from Tunbridge Wells.

Afternoon: Finchcocks Musical Museum has more than 100 historical keyboard instruments. Chiddingstone Castle, by contrast, showcases Denys Eyre Bower’s stunning collections of Egyptian and Buddhist artefacts, Japanese armour and Jacobean paintings.

Day Eight: Along Kent’s Secret Valley Morning: Get the circulation flowing with a walk through acres of woodland and grassland around Lullingstone Country Park. The internationally important collection of ancient trees here includes veteran oak, ash, beech, hornbeam and sweet chestnut. Lullingstone Roman Villa opens a door on the wealthy lifestyle of its former inhabitants, while 15th-century Lullingstone Castle and the World Garden of Plants takes you on a unique walk around a giant horticultural map of the world. If you prefer feathers to flowers, drop in at Eagle Heights, where you can admire over 100 birds of prey and watch a falconry display.

Afternoon: Explore 16th-century Hall Place and Gardens complete with imposing Tudor Great Hall, or the wonderfully restored Palladian villa Danson House. Grab a lamp and walk the mysterious tunnels of Chislehurst Caves.

More details of the attractions featured on the Little Gems and Hidden Treasures Tour can be found at www.kentattractions.co.uk .

Visitors are advised to check on the attractions’ own websites for opening hours and admission charges.

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Open Mornings

3ATURDAY rd March and 12th May 2012 AM NOON #OME AND MEET -R *EREMY 7ALKER NEW 0RINCIPAL FROM 3EPTEMBER AT BOTH /PEN -ORNINGS

Exceeding Expectations

)NDEPENDENT EDUCATION FOR GIRLS AND BOYS AGED s "OARDING AVAILABLE FROM 4OP EXAM RESULTS FROM BROAD ABILITY INTAKE s 3MALL CLASSES s !WARD WINNING MUSIC 7IDE RANGE OF SPORTS AND EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

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ESCAPES

A Stunning Country Retreat IT’S NOT EVERY DAY I GET THE OFFER TO STAY IN A FOUR-STAR COUNTRY HOTEL AND DINE IN A ONE ROSETTE RESTAURANT, SO I WAS MORE THAN PLEASED TO BE PACKING A BAG FOR MYSELF AND MY PARTNER TO VISIT THE BULL HOTEL IN THE DELIGHTFUL VILLAGE OF WROTHAM. WHEN I ARRIVED THE HOTEL, THE OWNERS WERE BUZZING AS THE AA INSPECTION OF THE NEWLY REFURBISHED ROOMS HAD JUST WON THE ‘GOURMET BOLTHOLE’ ANOTHER PRESTIGIOUS STAR FOR THE ACCOMMODATION. by Claire Sullivan

The bespoke refurbishment has seen a radical overhaul and individual styling for the 11 guest rooms to give each one its own unique character – from boutique country chic, to traditional beamed rural retreat. We were lucky enough to be shown half a dozen of the rooms as a delighted Martin Deadman and Lygia Fontanella explained how the former 14th century inn had undergone something of a transformation from dated, seventiesclad rural ‘pub with rooms’, to a stunning 21st century country hotel and gourmet dining destination in the heart of Kent. The ‘before and after’ shots of the hotel merely amplified the fabulous metamorphosis.

Martin Deadman, who personally designed and oversaw the refurbishment of The Bull Hotel, described his happiest moments.

“During the major refurbishment we became committed to restoring the building’s original beauty and there have been several real highs during the refurbishment. Pulling up the dated floral seventies carpet was a great moment as was uncovering some beautiful ancient oak floors.

We were also really pleased to discover numerous heavily beamed walls and ceilings. The Georgian windows were painstakingly restored and it was very satisfying to uncover some lovely old fireplaces in the bedrooms, which had languished behind boards since the sixties.”

Each of the 11 bespoke interiors has been individually designed by Martin Deadman and he has proved to be something of a Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. Heritage paints have been matched with rich and lavish Laura Ashley

wallpaper and soft furnishings and the tranquil location of the former country inn, in the heart of historic Wrotham village, has been further enhanced with blackout blinds and sound proofing between the first and second floors.

The Bull Hotel has also catered for the family market by linking two of the guest rooms behind an interconnecting private corridor, which would be ideal for a family.

The en-suite bath and shower rooms took on a sleek, modern feel with travertine tiles, chrome touches, mirrors and white bathroom suites, whilst the cosy bedrooms offered every modern convenience a discerning guest would expect to see including flat screen TVs, freeview, coffee and tea making facilities and a bureau to work at – had I felt so inclined! There was also access to wifi in the hotel.

“There’s no doubt we have invested bullishly in The Bull Hotel,” Martin told me. “At a time when most people are pulling in their horns with the economy, we believe this unique treasure in the heart of Kent deserved to be returned to its former glory. The newly refurbished rooms combined with the highly respected restaurant, provide guests with a true taste of warm, Kentish hospitality and luxury comfort, but at prices that are utterly affordable during these tough economic times.”

The restaurant received its first coveted AA Rosette in 2011 for its culinary excellence and we enjoyed a stunning three-course meal before retiring to bed for the night. The combined culinary vision of the two head chefs, award-winning James Hawkes (previously from the Forte Hotels group), and David Evans, has seen The Bull Hotel’s restaurant evolve into one of Kent’s dining destinations and a ‘gourmet bolthole. Both Hawkes and Evans are clearly deeply committed to sourcing high-quality regional and seasonal ingredients, which has helped to support a vibrant group of local food producers and growers, as well as breweries and vineyards across Kent.

Situated midway between Maidstone,

Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells, The Bull Hotel looks set to benefit from the significant number of wedding parties that come to the historic village of Wrotham, whilst the beautifully refurbished country retreat is already proving a great destination for London clients visiting nearby Brands Hatch. The hotel is also expected to provide the perfect stop-off for the large number of walkers passing through Wrotham who visit the Pilgrims Way and North Downs each year.

The creativity and flair of the refurbishment has been reflected in the rebranding of The Bull Hotel.

Martin explained that the Kent-based design company responsible for coming up with the new logo even developed a brand new font for the project which incorporates the horns of the bull into the script. Delivered in a bullish red and black livery, the rebranding has been added to the outside of the hotel, the redesigned menus, web site and across the hotel’s marketing literature.

To capitalise on these markets, The Bull Hotel has designed a Gourmet Break (for two people) which we were lucky enough to sample.

The introductory summer 2012 offer starting from 1 May 2012 sees the luxury/yet value for money one-night break for two people starting from just £99 which I thought was incredible value for this little gem in the ‘Garden of England’.

Bull Lane Wrotham TN15 7RF 01732 789800 info@thebullhotel.com www.thebullhotel.com

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ESCAPES

Ashford’s Hidden Treasure

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WHY IS IT THAT WHEN I LOOK FOR SOMEWHERE DIFFERENT TO STAY OR TO HOLD AN EVENT, I AM NEVER SURPRISED TO FIND OTHER HIDDEN TREASURES IN OUR HISTORIC COUNTY? MOST RECENTLY I HAVE COME ACROSS THE BEAUTIFUL BOYS HALL MANOR IN ASHFORD. SET WITHIN ITS OWN GROUNDS OF THREE ACRES, THIS GRADE II LISTED PROPERTY IS DRAPED IN HISTORY AND WILL MAKE YOU WANT TO COME BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN.

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The Hall was originally built in 1616 by the De Bois family, having landed in England from France at the time of the Norman Conquest. Over time their name was Anglicised from De Bois to Boyce, then finally to Boys as we know it today.

Marcus and his team have now opened the doors to host exclusive private dining evenings on the first Thursday of every month with fabulous dishes freshly prepared by resident chef Ross Cummings, who believes that supporting local producers is an absolute must.

Just a few miles away in Sevington is a protected moat site where there once stood a roundel house called Sevington Moat. This was demolished in 1631 and the bricks and timber were brought to Boys Hall to extend the property, which was completed in 1632. Victorian additions were made in 1833.

On arrival, you don’t feel the typical hustle and bustle of a busy hotel lobby, you are greeted by friendly staff offering tea and coffee on the sofa around an open fire. Once relaxed, you can escape to one of the stunning eight bedrooms, all very unique and individually styled.

The Boys family lived here for many years and were, so history states, great farmers and landowners. They were also heavily involved in smuggling as most of the landed gentry were at that time. The Hall, though imposing today, must have been an incredible sight in the 1600s. Today it sits and reigns majestically as it has done so for the past 400 years. The Hall was extended in the 19th century including the addition of the Victorian stable block.

The 'Chantry' bedroom, with its hand-carved four-poster bed traditionally draped in rich materials is just stunning. Its wonderful views over the gardens and its lavish en-suite bathroom makes for a perfect wedding night or special occasion. And for someone who doesn’t sleep well away from home, I had the best night’s sleep before waking up to the sound of birds singing and the smell of a full English breakfast. What a great way to start the day!

Current owner Marcus Collings bought Boys Hall Manor in 2003 and after spending a great deal of time and money transforming the property it was opened for business in 2007. The Manor is now one of the most stunning venues in Kent.

All the rooms are different in size and character but I couldn’t help taking a liking to the ‘Loft’ room. It does what it says on the tin, being situated at the very top of the house. The room boasts beautiful dual aspect with windows looking out onto the rooftop and the back gardens, then from the original window in the en suite, overlooking the front lawn. A very light and airy room, very tastefully decorated in black and white, with a definite luxury feel.

If you are looking for beautiful accommodation in Kent for weddings, corporate events or just a relaxing weekend away then Boys Hall will more than fit the bill. Boys Hall boasts three elegant function rooms of different sizes to host small gatherings or up to 80 guests for a wedding breakfast.

The main feature that hits you as you walk through the old wooden door of the ‘Loft’ is the grand roll top bath, right there in the room (not in the en suite). There is a lovely mix of old-meets-new

and the refurbishment has been done very well. The bed was lovely and big for a comfortable night’s sleep.

All rooms are equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, bottled water and TV with a good selection of channels. Also hiding in the wardrobe were two bathrobes and slippers which was a nice touch, and something you don’t always expect to find. Overall it’s the perfect place for a romantic weekend away, or to host a special occasion such as your wedding.

Boys Hall Manor Boys Hall Road Willesborough Ashford TN24 0LA 01233 633772 enquiries@boyshall.co.uk www.boyshall.co.uk

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GETAWAYS

The Great British Summer Holiday

BY SARAH-JANE STENSON

The Nare Hotel

2012 IS A YEAR TO BE PROUD OF OUR COUNTRY. EMBRACE THE PATRIOTIC SPIRIT THIS YEAR BY BRINGING YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAY CLOSER TO HOME AND EXPLORE WHAT GREAT BRITAIN HAS TO OFFER. Devon Thurlestone Hotel

Dorset Harbour Heights

Devon is a gorgeous location on the south coast of England; the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the great British summer. Beautiful beaches mean an ideal place to bask in some rare rays of sunshine and plenty of opportunity to get active, whether that be taking leisurely walks across the pretty countryside or getting involved in the water. The Thurlestone is an award-winning luxury hotel set in a picturesque location of 19 acres of tropical gardens with a variety of facilities the whole family can take advantage of.

If you’re going to holiday in England, why not choose the best and most exclusive location? Sandbanks is renowned for being one of the most expensive places to live in the world. It is a small peninsula with golden sands and a great alternative to a holiday abroad. The boutique hotel, Harbour Heights, is an idyllic base to experience the best of the area. If the weather is in your favour, there is a south-facing terrace to soak up the sun or alternatively enjoy the views of Poole Harbour through the floorto-ceiling glass windows. Many of the Harbour Height’s rooms overlook Poole Harbour which is the largest natural harbour in the northern hemisphere.

Rooms are opulently furnished with stunning scenery to match.

The restaurants are set against the backdrop of the stunning bay where top quality cuisine and divine cream teas can be enjoyed. The hotel is conveniently located near Salcombe, which is perfect for a spot of sailing whilst there are plenty of quaint towns in South Devon, ready to be delighted in. The Thurlestone has a Danny the Dolphin Kids Club for families visiting the hotel, although there is plenty to do with the heated outdoor swimming pool, the beach and superb scenes of Dartmouth just around the corner.

Their two AA Rosette restaurant prioritises local and seasonal food and is one of the best around. There’s a fresh fish counter so you can select your fish of the day, caught at Poole Quay. For relaxation, visitors can enjoy the sweeping beaches of Sandbanks or detox in the spa at Harbour Heights’ sister hotel. For adventurers, tourists can explore Dorset’s Jurassic coastline and The New Forest, all within the vicinity.

www.thurlestone.co.uk www.harbourheights.com

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Cornwall The Nare

views, just ready to be admired. The hotel is luxuriously decorated with only the very best interiors. The décor is chic which promotes an air of absolute exclusivity and lavishness.

Depending on your budget, rooms vary in size, however rooms with a view are worth every penny. If this holiday is about extravagance, opt for the penthouse, complete with Jacuzzi. The high-class standards of this hotel are carried through to their restaurant, which serves an array of culinary delights overlooking the breathtaking scenery. For a more informal approach that doesn’t compromise on quality, the Grill Bar is the perfect environment to enjoy a drink alongside a spectacular vista.

The Quay Hotel provides an ideal base to explore Conwy Castle or is conveniently located near Snowdonia National Park. Visitors can enjoy the idyllic beaches of the North Wales Peninsula or after too much rest, there are water sports aplenty or charter a yacht from the hotel for a day of leisure. www.quayhotel.co.uk

Scotland Cameron House Cornwall is famous for its sandy beaches, Cornish cream teas and surfing, making it an ideal summer holiday destination. If you’re looking for a hotel with some quintessential Cornish charm, The Nare, based in National Trust land, is a fantastic choice. It is based in St Mawes on the Roseland Peninsula of Cornwall’s south coast and sits directly behind Carne beach. The picturesquely set hotel has been rated by the AA as the best hotel in Cornwall for 15 years; therefore if you’re looking to optimise your holiday, this is the place to stay.

It is a typical country house hotel with a luxurious twist, where both rooms and suites coupled with a sea view are available. Dine in either The Quarterdeck or The Dining Room, both of which serve à la carte cuisine, all sourced from the local area. There are two swimming pools, a tennis court, a gym, steam room and sauna, spa and the cherry on top is the outdoor hot tub that overlooks the bay. The hotel even has its own yacht, available for guests to explore the creek. This is an ideal location for relaxation on the beach or active walks along the coast. The hotel is close by to The Eden Project as well as St Ives. www.narehotel.co.uk

WALES The Quay Hotel For an ideal family holiday destination, full of activities for all and simply the best location, Loch Lomond is perfect. The area is arguably one of the best in Scotland or even the UK. You only have to look at a picture to be tempted to be there in person to take in the boundless scenery. De Vere Cameron House sits on the Loch and is both high calibre and family friendly. Traditional Scotland is fused with contemporary furnishings to create a luxurious stay grounded in heritage. The majesty of the exterior is reflected inside to create a flawless stay. Cosy family suites are available to make it a memorable experience for all.

The hotel offers the opportunity for the whole family to unwind. Mum can enjoy the tranquillity of the Carrick Spa, whilst Dad tees off from the banks of the Loch and the children can enjoy games with others at the kids club.

The only problem with this holiday is that there is too much to do. Guests can go on a Loch cruise, mountain-biking, fishing and with an abundance of local attractions, the choices really are endless.

The beauty of a holiday in Loch Lomond is that it is individual and it has something for everyone. The landscape is truly mesmerising and the accommodation is unprecedented.

Who needs the Bahamas when we have Wales?! Wales certainly isn’t all about sheep and rugby, as it boasts some of the best coastline that the UK has to offer. If you’re looking for a contemporary and stylish destination to relax, The Quay Hotel in North Wales ticks all of the boxes. Set on the tranquil Conwy Estuary, this hotel offers captivatingly stunning panoramic

www.devere-hotels.co.uk/hotel-lodges/locations/cameron-house

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FAMILY HOLIDAYS JUST GOT A LITTLE

easier

Parents can now log onto www.traveltotsuk.com and pre-order everything their baby will need whilst away from nappies to formula, sun cream to shampoo, pureed fruit to armbands. Travel Tots UK then pack and deliver so it’s waiting on arrival at the holiday destination.

With no luggage allowance for children under two, and average baggage allowances 2kg less than the weight of a full suitcase, it’s easy to get hit with excess baggage costs when travelling with children. Add to that the hassle of suitcases full of weaning pouches going missing, cartons of baby milk leaking over luggage or an essential item forgotten, and a relaxing family holiday suddenly becomes quite stressful.

Travel Tots UK deliver to private holiday homes, hotels, yachts and rented villas across the world, from the Canary Islands to Costa Rica, Nepal to New Zealand*. All packages are sent safely wrapped and are tracked at every stage of their journey.

The company offers a wide range of trusted brands including Aptamil, Cow & Gate, Hipp Organic, Heinz, Ella’s Kitchen and SMA – perfect

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for sensitive stomachs or children with allergies that rely on tried and tested products often unavailable in foreign supermarkets.

Travel Tots UK is the brainchild of a former private maternity nurse, Kimberely Berry. She says, "The health and happiness of a baby whilst away can make or break a family holiday. With the stress of trying to get everyone ready to leave, it’s easy to over pack or forget the baby milk. This service aims to provide parents with the guarantee that their baby’s key needs have been met before they even leave the house."

To find out more or to place an order, please log onto www.traveltotsuk.com.

*Travel Tots UK is unable to deliver to the USA, Mexico and Brazil.

GETAWAYS

THE ULTIMATE FAMILY SHORT BREAK

Center Parcs

Start with a leisurely cycle ride, throw in some fun-filled afternoons splashing in the pool, add a dash of horse riding and quad biking, then top it all off with delicious meals out and a deluxe massage, and what do you have? The ultimate family short break at Center Parcs, of course. BY DONNA MARTIN

I’m not one to be tricked by clever holiday TV adverts like the well-known Center Parcs commercial. You know the one – it paints a perfect picture of a weekend with the precise balance of relaxation and adventure, kids and parents getting along, spa treatments, good food, you know what I mean. I wasn’t falling for it.

But now that I’ve been, I can say for certain, the ads are real!

Set in 400 acres of woodland, Center Parcs Longleat Forest is truly any family’s perfect weekend escape. I know it sounds cliché, but it really does cater for everyone. Mums, dads, kids, grandparents, friends, couples, singles – even dogs will have a whale of a time at Center Parcs.

We arrived on a sunny Friday afternoon and were checked-in, directed to our villa and unpacked without a hitch. Our two-bedroom ‘Woodland Lodge’ incorporates the very latest in modern interior design with new furnishings, features and appliances. It was more-thanequipped with all the bells and whistles including a full kitchen (even a dishwasher!), bathroom and separate toilet, TV & DVD player, fireplace and our own private patio with BBQ area.

With over 200 activities to choose from, you would find it quite hard to run out of things to do at Center Parcs. Whether you’re an adventure junkie or fancy some R&R on your holiday, you will (and I mean will) find something you’ll love.

On our break, we chose to go bowling, try our hand at adventure golf, test our aim at archery, race for the prize on the surprisingly challenging treasure trail, and of course spend much of our time in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise or

just leisurely exploring the paths and woodland on our bikes.

Longleat Forest is quite hilly, so we were able to burn off all the extra calories we consumed over the weekend. The boardwalk from the main village down to the lake and Jardin des Sports is a wide winding path that’s great fun to whizz down, but a definite workout cycling (or walking) back up.

Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining. Center Parcs Longleat has eight restaurants including Strada and Café Rouge, two Starbucks, a supermarket for meals at home and a variety of take away options for lazy nights in. You can even pre-order a Welcome or Family Grocery Pack which includes essentials such as butter, croissants, eggs, bacon, bread and milk – all waiting for you in your kitchen on arrival.

Our favourite eatery was Huck’s American Bar & Grill, not only because it offers a menu bursting with naughty, yummy, diet-killing treats, but also because it has a special children’s buffet where kids can help themselves to their mostloved foods without the need to wait. And what’s more, when the kids are done (in our case before our meal was even served), the kids can go have a ball in the large indoor play area or on Huck’s collection of Apple Macs while parents enjoy a little alone time.

I was lucky enough to escape for a morning and visit Aqua Sana – the on-site luxurious spa nestled in a spectacular valley on the Longleat estate. The spa boasts a spectacular menu of indulgent treatments and relaxation options including a meditation room, sauna, steam room,

Japanese Zen garden and outdoor heated spa pool. I enjoyed the Decléor Ultimate Vitamin Glow facial after spending some time in each area of Aqua Sana. It was just what I needed to unwind and de-stress before heading off to another Center Parcs adventure.

By the way, for all you parents out there, Center Parcs offers a childcare service at the Time Out Clubhouse, where your little ones will be looked after and entertained while you enjoy some time at the spa, a meal out at your own pace (no food fights involved) or to just chill out.

Center Parcs was, like I said, just like their adverts. It was the anti-stress holiday (yes, there is such a thing), and it left our whole family feeling just plain happy with life and each other. We were planning a larger and longer family holiday to Spain this year, but after our weekend at Longleat Forest, we’ll be skipping Spain and visiting Center Parcs Elveden Forest this summer instead. It was just that good!

For more information or to book your own Center Parcs break, visit www.centerparcs.co.uk

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TRAVEL

Dubai

MAGNIFICENT SPLENDOUR IN

WORLD'S TALLEST BUILDING, THE BURJ KHALIFA

HILTON RAS AL KHAIMAH RESORT AND SPA

If you are looking for a year-round destination, guaranteed to offer sun, sandy beaches, ultimate luxury and culture, Dubai is your answer. Head to this UAE oasis to experience a five-star holiday like no other, in a location often deemed as the Las Vegas of the Middle East. Dubai is a place of architectural wonders, sensational shopping, glamorous nightlife, world-class restaurants and yet more. The sky really is the limit for Dubai.

For an extra special start to your holiday, splash out on Virginâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upper class flagship Clubhouse at Heathrow airport, full of stylish features and interiors, with service designed to make sure you feel exclusive and unique. It's the ultimate preflight experience and a perfect way to begin your exciting holiday in Dubai.

HILTON RAS AL KHAIMAH RESORT AND SPA

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be sure to make a grand entrance by descending the dramatic, sweeping staircase, illuminated by a sparkling chandelier adorned with Swarovski crystals. You will be greeted at the head of the stairs where you will be invited into a sumptuously decorated seating area. Leave your luggage and coats with the porter and have your shoes shined.

At the heart of the Clubhouse is the lively bar area. Your holiday starts here, so champagne is a good way to begin at this elegant cocktail bar.

The lounge area that surrounds the bar houses

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leather upholstered sofas with centre armrests that flip open to reveal power and data points for laptops. Whether your trip is for business or for pleasure, the Clubhouse will accommodate every type of guest.

After a comfortable six-hour flight, the stunning Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa is highly recommended, set in a verdant private bay on the northern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. It is distinctly Arabesque in style, the design is sumptuously magical with rich, earthy colours, romantically dimmed lanterns and exotic furnishings that overlooks the glittering Arabian sea. Indulge mind and body in the luxurious spa, which features a traditional Hamam (Turkish bath) and nine treatment rooms. There is also a fully equipped gym and plenty of water sports to keep you active.

HILTON RAS AL KHAIMAH RESORT AND SPA

VIRGIN CLUBHOUSE HEATHROW

You can experience cuisines from around the world across 13 bars and restaurants. All meals are buffet style and served in selected restaurants, hosting a range of foods from Japanese and Italian to Mexican and local Arabic cuisine. You won’t be disappointed with the quality and presentation.

The luxurious hotel has 324 sea-facing rooms, all decorated to the highest standards. You can expect to find air-conditioning, an LCD flat screen TV and many other convenient amenities. If you want the sea breeze at your window, deluxe sea view rooms are available on a higher floor with a balcony. There is room for the whole family at this hotel with family garden view and deluxe family sea view rooms that sleep a maximum of four adults or two adults and two children. If you want to enhance your experience, upgrades are available with exclusive benefits including reserved loungers at the beach or pool, or in-room DVD players and PlayStations.

You can't travel to Dubai without visiting the tallest building in the world. The Burj Khalifa is located in Downtown Dubai, standing at over half a mile tall and more than 160 storeys high; you have to see it to believe this majestic architectural marvel. The tower is also home to the beyond luxurious Armani hotel. This stylish hotel suits the sleek nature of the Burj Khalifa and can be enjoyed even if you are not lucky enough to stay there. There are three high-end restaurants (Mediterranean, Italian and Indian) and a lounge bar, a perfect meeting point for a light lunch overlooking the spectacular Dubai Fountain.

The delights of the tower do not end here. If you want to admire the stunning views of Dubai from a high viewing point, head to At.Mosphere, level 122 and just two levels below the observatory deck. At.Mosphere is the holder of a Guinness World Record for the highest restaurant above

ground level. Depending on your taste, you can choose from either an exquisite restaurant or laid-back lounge bar. This is a world-class destination, with a dramatically dazzling vista.

This impressive venue is guaranteed to be a highlight on your holiday. You can enjoy high tea at this stratospheric height or alternatively come on a Wednesday to attend their infamous ‘Ladies Night.’ Fortunately for women and unfortunately for men, Dubai has many ladies nights, boasting rather tempting complimentary drinks. Why not go to the best one of them all? The Burj Khalifa has a ladies night every Wednesday from 6pm9pm and women receive two complimentary glasses of champagne.

The entrance of the world’s tallest tower is located outside the Dubai Mall, which features the most expensive designer fashion stores, an ice rink and an aquarium. A recommendation for all is the Magnolia Bakery found within the mall. The New York bakery, famous for its red velvet cupcakes is simply divine. Just outside, and in front of the Burj Khalifa, are the world’s tallest performing fountains. They are set on the 30 acre Burj Khalifa Lake, and the water jets shoot as high as 500 ft which is equivalent to a 50 storey building. It is a truly phenomenal experience. The fountain display is in sync with classical, Arabian and world music and can be viewed every half an hour from 6pm-11pm.

Beware: this is a popular attraction therefore it gets extremely busy around this area.

If you want to leave behind the glamour of Dubai for a day and embrace some Arabian culture, a desert safari is a great way to do this. You are conveniently picked up from your hotel in a jeep and you head for the sandy dunes. First of all, if you’re an adrenalin junkie, you are taken on the thrilling experience of dune bashing. A pause is taken to watch the breathtaking desert sunset, before heading to a Bedouin-style campsite.

Here you can try camel riding, enjoy sheesha,

try on local dress such as the burqa and watch belly dancing. An Arabic buffet is served before returning back to the city.

Another must-see attraction is the Burj Al Arab, the iconic sail-shaped building. This is the world’s only seven-star hotel. Enjoy fantastic views of it from 360 Bar, which is in the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. In addition, Atlantis, The Palm Hotel is a brilliant day out for adults and children alike. The hotel has the world famous Aquaventure Water Park, as well as swimming with the dolphins and The Lost Chambers aquarium.

A huge part of the Dubai expat and tourist experience is going to brunch. They are available either during the day or at night and can be found within many of the top class hotels. You pay a set price that includes as many courses as you can handle and unlimited drinks. Prices can range from the cheap to the expensive, but it is an essential activity to round off a relaxing and indulgent holiday in Dubai.

If you are looking for a break any time of year, Dubai offers the balance of relaxation, five-star shopping facilities, the world’s tallest building and of course, fantastic sun and beaches.

www.virginholidays.co.uk

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MOTORS

BOND IN MOTION

CELEBRATING JAMES BOND’S ROARING SUCCESS SEVERAL ASTON MARTIN OWNERS EXPERIENCED A UNIQUE RIDE OUT THIS SPRING AT 7 HOTEL & DINER NEAR SEVENOAKS WITH SOME OF THE MOST FAMOUS CARS DRIVEN BY JAMES BOND. PHOTOS BY RUSSELL HARPER

The event was part of a year-long ‘Bond in Motion’ exhibition, which is largest of its kind, at Beaulieu Motor museum, in the New Forest.

the vintage 1962 Rolls Royce, pushed into a lake

by May Day and Zorin with Bond still inside, in A View to a Kill.

Fifty of the best loved and most iconic James Bond cars from the Bond films are on show during the 2012 exhibition, which celebrates the 50th year of the Bond franchise.

Other rare and exclusive exhibits include the ‘Burial-At-Sea Bed’ from You Only Live Twice, the Union Jack Parachute which villain Gustav Graves used when he landed on The Mall and the Surfboard with concealed weapons and ammunition, from Die Another Day. Also on display will be the Casino Royale Skyfleet S570 model, based on a Boeing 747, and original ‘Pig’ from The Living Daylights, used to smuggle Koskov across the border through the Siberian Pipe Line.

Headline cars include the DBS from Quantum of Solace, the 2002 Jaguar XKR with SFX weapons from Die Another Day, and the 1937 Phantom III Rolls Royce from Goldfinger.

Other vehicles on display include some that have never before been seen in public, such as the Ford Mustang Mach 1 from Diamonds Are Forever, villain Zukovsky’s Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II from The World Is Not Enough and

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MOTORS

Love At First Sight

THE MINI COOPER S

roadster

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY LUKE YATES

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REGULAR READERS OF insideKENT, AND ESPECIALLY THE MOTORS SECTION, WILL SURELY BY NOW HAVE RECOGNISED THAT I AM, WITH BOTH HANDS IN THE AIR (AND ALSO MY FEET IF NEED BE), A MASSIVE MINI FAN. FOR WHICH I MAKE NO APOLOGY WHATSOEVER, BECAUSE I HAPPEN TO BELIEVE IT TO BE ONE OF THE GREATEST CAR DESIGNS EVER AND ONE THAT EPITOMISES EVERYTHING I LOVE ABOUT CARS AND DRIVING. SO THERE.

I have owned a Mini/MINI of some description since the age of 19, when my first car was a VReg 1979 Mini Special (and no it wasn't new and no I'm not that old, thanks). It had a vinyl black roof that peeled off, a sunroof that doubled as an en-suite shower, and a strangely comforting smell of leaking petrol, damp carpets and WD40.

In short, it was a rust bucket with oodles of character and I utterly adored it. Right up until the point where the engine, quite literally, fell out on the way to work and I sold it to some unsuspecting teenager for three hundred quid.

Many years down the line, I fell in love equally with the new MINI, realising after some initial cynicism that the magic was definitely still there, even if the unreliability, dramatic engine catastrophes and copious rust were not. These days I drive a MINI Cooper Clubman which I love every bit as much as those Minis of yore, and as far as I am concerned, the MINI continues to be a fabulous car, with good looks, style and fun included with every model.

So having trawled through that intro, you can well understand that when MINI called me a couple of months ago to invite me to the launch of their latest offering, the Roadster, I didn't even bother checking my diary. I simply said, “Yes please,” and off I went.

I was of course, entirely right to do so. An evening of MINI fun was had by all, accompanied by the timeless rock sounds of Queen and some firstrate food and drink. The four-wheeled, soft top star of the show, unveiled amidst a Jean-MichelJarre-esque smoke and light show certainly did not disappoint either. It looked utterly stunning, and I knew then and there, that I had to have a drive in it.

With two seats less, and a much more aerodynamic design than its Cabriolet predecessor, the Roadster looks sleek and fast to say the least. The one I test-drove had an even more svelt look thanks to the magnificent John Cooper Works body kit it was wearing. A Mustang-like double stripe down the middle further infers its uber-performance, and at the back, an electric spoiler, which rises and falls according to your speed, enabling further aerodynamic wholesomeness to occur precisely when required (around 50mph to precise) not to mention making the Roadster look even more fantastic.

Oh, and you will be pleased to discover that MINI also included a button on the overhead console which allows you to play with the spoiler at the traffic lights, annoying the man in the relatively boring Kia behind you.

With gorgeous leather trim, all mod cons including an iPod dock (so you can see what's playing and control your music from the in-car sound system) and the usual MINI contours and curves, the Roadster looks as lovely inside as out, and is certainly very comfortable. It also has a very reasonable amount of boot space, which in a two-seater car is a rare, but welcome thing indeed.

I learnt that in Europe, it’s commonplace to have manual roofs on convertible cars. It seems that we Brits are the only ones lazy enough to insist on electric roofs that open and shut themselves.

Or maybe it's because we have the most unpredictable weather?

Either way, it mattered not; as my test car was a very early European model of the Roadster, so

I had the pleasure of trying out an old school manual roof for the first time ever. I have to say it worked excellently; a simple twist and pull on the handle and the roof slid back effortlessly, requiring a quick push at the back to lock it into place. Similarly, it was not a complex task to quickly and easily restore the roof when the sun went back behind the grey clouds.

Being a modestly-heighted sort of chap, I felt very safe behind the extra-slopey windscreen that MINI have designed for the Roadster (it has been lowered by 13 degrees), and with the roof off I didn't feel exposed to the elements, or bits of road that might get flicked up from other cars.

Even on the slightly chillier day that I chose to take out the Roadster, the excellent climate control system, which had shiny buttons and digital displays helping to make it far superior to the basic plastic dial-controlled one found in previous MINIs I have driven, made me feel a bit like I was luxuriating in a hot tub, with a nice warm body, and a cool head. And it's always good to keep a cool head when driving, especially in such a responsive car as the Roadster.

Yes indeed, be warned that this wee stallion of a car requires a little taming. Powered by a 184bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged engine (this goes up to a staggering 208bhp in the John Cooper Works), the Cooper S Roadster that I found myself driving certainly had a bit of fire in its belly to accompany its sporty good looks. This was ably demonstrated when on the first attempt at putting my foot down on the dual carriageway to overtake, I found myself wheel spinning and then enjoying a bit of good old MINI torque steer, both of which caught me by surprise, but made me grin all the more.

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MOTORS

MINI COOPER S ROADSTER PRICE AS TESTED: £26,477 TOP SPEED: 141MPH 0-62MPH: 7.0 SECONDS ECONOMY: COMBINED 47.1MPG ENGINE: 1.6-LITRE TURBOCHARGED CO2: 139G/KM POWER: 184BHP @ 5500RPM TORQUE: 240 (260) NM @ 1600-5000RPM GEARBOX: 6-SPEED MANUAL The Roadster accelerates beautifully, managing 0-62mph in around 7 seconds, and quickly building up speed with a most satisfying accompanying growl from the engine. And of course as with all Minis and MINIS, past, present and future, it corners, as the tried and tested cliché says, like it's on rails. With every new model that emerges, MINI refer to the ‘kart-like’ handling, but they are always justified in doing so, and with the Roadster it's as brilliant as ever. Though I wouldn't suggest going full-on go-kart, and using one foot for accelerator and the other for brake – that would be silly after all…

There is an optional electronic differential available (although this is provided as standard on the John Cooper Works), which helps the Roadster stick to its line and reduces the aforementioned torque steering (which seems a shame to me, it’s quite fun)! And the ride is firm, but very comfortable, aided as ever by the faithful MacPherson strus front and multi-link rear suspension used on MINIs. The thing I loved about my original Minis (and my current MINI) was that they were always fun to drive. A drive – any drive anywhere - made me feel happy. The Roadster experience easily rivalled these feelings of four-wheeled joy, and not just for me. I took my kids for a spin in it (one at a time, obviously) and they were in seventh heaven. It is a cool car that will appeal to all generations, will put a big grin on your face as you hurtle around the countryside, whilst not failing to turn heads as you cruise along the high street.

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As I said I loved the Mini as a classic in car design. What I love about the modern MINI brand is they refuse to stand still, they don't just rely on the pedigree of the original, but they continue to improve as they see fit, which I think is tremendously brave.

Even though some critics feel that this modern development of the MINI in some way is offensive to the original Issigonis creative, MINI believe that constant development and innovation is what will sell their cars to a fashionconscious and sophisticated modern market group. To this end there will be several new models coming in the near distant future, including a MINI van especially for business customers (sadly I was told I won't be able to slide around in the back like in my dad's 1970s blue Mini van – but it'll still be fantastic I'm sure).

In the meantime the Roadster is a living, breathing testament to everything the modern MINI stands for, and at the same time still gives a respectful tip of the hat to the original Issigonis creation. If all change were this good, I think people would stop being afraid of it!

Broad Oak Mini The Boulevard, Orbital Business Park Ashford, TN24 0GA 01233 504333 Broad Oak Mini Broad Oak Road Canterbury, CT2 7PX 01227 828899 www.kentmini.co.uk

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Ever been caught out with a flat battery on your mobile phone or other electronic gadget?

If so, the Freeloader Pico Solar Charger could be the perfect solution. Working like a portable solar-powered battery, this eco-friendly device stores power from the sun for up to 3 months, enabling you to charge up your electronic gadgets, anytime, anyplace, and gives you an extra 35 hours stand-by time on your mobile phone.

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If you are worried about the dirt lurking in your keyboard, then cyber clean could be goo-d for you! This putty-like slime absorbs all the muck and grime in the crevices of your keyboard, and its unique antibacterial formula neutralises up to 80% of all germs. It even changes colour to let you know when it's no longer usable and is 100% biodegradable.

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TOP GIFTS FOR FATHER’S DAY Dads are notoriously hard to buy for, but that doesn’t mean you have to give him another tie this year. Surprise him with one of insideKENT’s top gift picks for Father’s Day this 17th June.

Alien Anthology on Blu-ray It’s hard to see just where the Alien Anthology Blu-ray boxset could have been improved. The set includes two versions of each film (Alien, Aliens, Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection), two discs of bonus material, over 60 hours of extra features and over four hours of never before seen content. £17.49, www.amazon.co.uk

Spy Pen HD Video Camera A true James Bond-style gadget, this pen makes it possible for you to be a sleuth without anyone suspecting. If Bond had this gadget, we don’t think it’d be far from his grasp, sitting casually in his jacket pocket ready to whip out whenever the situation required it. £44.99, www.iwantoneofthose.com

VuPoint Photo Cube Smartphone Printer At only around 17cm square, the VuPoint Photo Cube Printer is significantly more compact than your average home printer, produces high-quality prints rival to your local print shop, and can print directly from your iPhone, iPad or Android device. £119.99, www.firebox.com

sWaP Mobile Phone Watch Owning a sWaP watch is like having a multimedia centre strapped to your wrist. Check your emails, surf the internet, listen to music, take pictures, watch or make a movie – all from this fantastic little gadget. £179.99, www.iwantoneofthose.com

play.com Gift Voucher Does your dad love all things films, music and video games? This year, get him something that’s bound to be a hit: a play.com gift voucher. Available in values between £5-£200, these gift vouchers are perfect for any dad, old or young.

Gift vouchers start at £5, www.play.com

Pickmaster Plectrum Punch Maker For all the guitar-playing daddies out there, the Pickmaster Plectrum Punch Maker is a great gadget for making your own plectrums out of any thin plastic you can find. An old ID card, a credit card, carton lids – your options are endless! £17.99, www.amazon.co.uk

Gerber® Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Kit Perfect for any outdoor enthusiast, this survival kit was built for hostile environments. Stick the Ultimate Kit in your backpack and hope you never have to use it! It has everything you need to survive in even the toughest spots including a Gerber® Miniature Multi-tool, waterproof bag, mini light, hand saw, survival blanket, waterproof matches, fishing kit and lots more. £46.99, www.uttingsoutdoors.co.uk

Virgin Experience Days For really picky dads, why not let him pick one of Virgin’s Experience Days?

He can choose from rally driving, a relaxing spa day, a flying lesson, bungee jump, paintballing, even diving with sharks!

Gift cards start at £25, www.virginexperiencedays.co.uk

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Sports Scholarship Opportunities

St Lawrence College offers outstanding sporting facilities set in extensive grounds ([FHSWLRQDO 1HZ 6SRUWV &HQWUH Â&#x2021; 5XJE\ 3LWFKHV Â&#x2021; )ORRGOLW $VWURWXUIV Â&#x2021; 7HQQLV &RXUWV Â&#x2021; &ULFNHW 3LWFKHV *UDVV $WKOHWLFV 7UDFN Â&#x2021; 6TXDVK &RXUWV Â&#x2021; 1HWEDOO &RXUWV Â&#x2021; +HDWHG ,QGRRU 6ZLPPLQJ 3RRO Â&#x2021; )LWQHVV &HQWUH 'DQFH 6WXGLR Â&#x2021; ,QGRRU &OLPELQJ :DOO Â&#x2021; )RRWEDOO 3LWFKHV Â&#x2021; %DVNHWEDOO &RXUW Â&#x2021; %DGPLQWRQ &RXUWV

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ENTERTAINMENT

The Hills are Alive…

The Sound Of Music has been on the telly just about every Easter bank holiday since I was born. To the point where I freely confess I had become so desensitised to it, that I couldn't really tell you the story, who is in it (apart from Julie Andrews, who I've always had a bit of a thing for) or how it ends (usually with me dozing off after dinner). WORDS AND PHOTOS BY LUKE YATES

That is, until I had the privilege of going to see the Community Theatre Project production of The Sound Of Music at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone during the Easter holidays.

children – the red team and the blue team – who must have found the repeat performances exhausting, but never showed any signs of suffering when on stage.

It’s notoriously tricky to get permission to put on such a well-known show, yet director Bob Osbourne and producer Neil Hunnisett managed to pull this off. Not only that, they additionally secured the use of a magnificent looking West End set (featuring that very familiar looking staircase), over 280 costumes and a superb 12piece orchestra.

From very early in the performance, it was aapparent that these two gentlemen have put their hearts, souls and guts into the show, such is the quality of every single detail, and the magnitude of energy exuded from all involved.

The quality of the show was breathtaking in every detail; from the opening choir of nuns, to the party at the von Trapp house, to the big wedding towards the end – everything was beautifully done, and exceptionally memorable. Just two of many highlights for me were Dianne Chandler's ‘prickly-neck’ solo of the inspirational “Climb Every Mountain”, and the lump in the throatinducing rendition of “Edelweiss” by Captain von Trapp aka Neil Hunnisett. And Joanna Lane as Maria was a fantastic bit of casting – her beautiful voice, her smiles and the joy emanating from her were almost as enthralling as watching Ms Andrews.

Led by the exceptionally gifted Joanna Lane, it was clear that every single member of the cast had worked tirelessly to be able to give such convincing and beautifully poignant performances.

Special credit needs to be given to the two amazing teams of children playing the von Trapp

Going to see The Sound Of Music was a perfect example of everything that Community Theatre does so brilliantly; it brought an old familiar story to life in a relevant, fresh and vibrant way, suitably educating and challenging the audience but not bashing them over the heads. And there is a very

serious side to The Sound Of Music, one I don't really think I fully appreciated before going to see the performance at the Leas.

In our modern politically correct age, it is not commonplace for the Nazis, or their emblem the Swastika to be seen or spoken about, such are their power to offend. Yet rather than be a wishywashy musical, The Sound Of Music tackles this unpleasant subject head-on, and perhaps leaves its audience a little bit more aware of the brevity of these dark times, which in my opinion can only be a good thing.

Like all good musicals, I left the Leas Cliff Hall smiling, humming the tunes. But I also found myself appreciating the power of the story and dwelling on some of the things I had seen and heard, in many ways challenged and inspired.

My wife and daughter similarly were enchanted by their afternoon out, as I am sure every person who went was too. The Community Theatre Project has done an amazing job, and I am looking forward to seeing what they will be doing next when they take on Annie!

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EVENTS

Military Wives Choir

Claire Rutter

The Leeds Castle OPEN AIR CLASSICAL CONCERT 14 July 2012

SITUATED IN A TIMELESS SETTING IN THE HEART OF THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND, BEAUTIFUL LEEDS CASTLE PROVIDES A DRAMATIC BACKDROP TO A SPECTACULAR AND ROMANTIC SUMMER'S EVENING CONCERT. This is more than a concert, with its diverse classical orchestral programme, interwoven with specially selected choral and solo pieces and the visual spectacle of military musicians, field guns, superb fireworks and iconic aircraft displays. This is an extraordinary signature event which is unique to Leeds Castle.

The inspiring outdoor programme welcomes back John Rigby as conductor and includes performances by leading tenor Wynne Evans, The Central Band of the Royal Air Force, Military Wives Choir and the Capital Voices, returning to perform songs from the iconic band, Queen, to entertain the audience. The dynamic conductor / orchestra partnership promises to provide an exceptional and diverse musical repertoire, accompanied by spectacles such as an air display by a nostalgic Spitfire.

Also appearing at this year’s Open Air Classical Concert is Claire Rutter, the highly respected soprano whose phenomenal performances of Lucrezia Borgia for English National Opera have sparked the latest in a long series of fabulous reviews in the international press. Born in South Shields, County Durham, UK, Claire studied at the

Guildhall School of Music and Drama and at the National Opera Studio sponsored by The Friends of English National Opera.

The Military Wives Choir was the product of the BBC Two reality show The Choir. On 25th December 2011, Gareth Malone and his Military Wives Choir were named the clear winners in the race to reach the Official Christmas Number 1, beating other contenders such as X Factor winners Little Mix, TOWIE, Stacey Solomon and Alex Day. Their song 'Wherever You Are' – a moving song composed by Royal Wedding composer Paul Mealor and consisting of lines from the wives' love letters to their serving husbands in Afghanistan – caught the hearts of the nation.

Tickets are on sale now at the price of £34 each for picnic style and only £44 each in the seated areas. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.heritageevents.co.uk.

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EVENTS

Lounge on the Farm MERTON FARM, CANTERBURY 6th – 8th July 2012 LOUNGE ON THE FARM WAS BORN IN 2006 OUT OF THE DESIRE TO BRING A UNIQUE SLANT TO THE UK SUMMER FESTIVAL MARKET, AND PROVIDE AN EVENT THAT PROMOTED KENT AND ITS MANY PERFORMERS, MUSICIANS, TRADERS AND CREATIVE TALENTS.

It has been going from strength to strength ever since, winning Best Line Up at the 2009 UK Festival Awards and the Sustainability Award in both 2008 and again in 2011 at the Greener Festival Awards. The gorgeous landscape of Merton Farm on which the festival is situated combines the very best elements for the ultimate British summertime.

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2012?

Lounge on the Farm prides itself on having a carefully selected array of food and drink options that go above and beyond the usual culinary offerings found at festivals.

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All food and drink on site is 100% locally sourced: the cows are raised all year on Merton Farm to become the superb burgers and steaks served on site and all the traditional ciders and ales served at the Meadows Bar are locally brewed. The award-winning food market is set to return, featuring staple Lounge classics such as Al’s Hog Roast, Easy Nuh Caribbean Cuisine, MUU sushi, plus the acclaimed Farmhouse Restaurant will once again be relocating from its Canterbury HQ over to Merton Farm especially for the occasion.

The much loved Meadows Area will once again be transformed into a magical wonderland of pop up stalls, pieces and features from local students and Kent creatives, and a new forest pathway between the Main Arena and The Meadows will be constructed. Exciting plans are already in place for large-scale art installations – more details of which to come.

Bigger for 2012, the Boutique on the Farm premiere camping area is set to include more pitches for Yurts, Bell Tents and Teepee’s, luxury toilets and showers, plus an appointed Boutique area manager to personally deal with all campers. Suppliers Sleeping Bells, Camping Under the Stars and Tommy’s Teepees will all be providing their beautiful structures to the farm – all of which will be located in a totally new space on the site that is closer to the main action.

Prices start at £395 for a 4 person Bell Tent.

Lounge on the Farm is also excited to announce new additions to the 2012 line-up, including legendary British 80s pop super group Dexys, who will be making only one other festival appearance this summer. The band will be playing new hits from their highly anticipated fourth studio album One Day I’m Going to Soar which is the first set for release on 4th June as well as old classics such as ‘Come On Eileen’.

Indie alt-pop duo Summer Camp will be coming down to the farm armed with tunes from their critically acclaimed debut album Welcome To Condale. Fellow Moshi Moshi signing Slow Club and London four-piece Theme Park have also been added to the bill. Mercury Prize nominee Ghostpoet will be bringing his eclectic sound to the farm along with electronic hip hop act Sam Sure & Giacomo and multi-instrument playing siblings Kitty, Daisy & Lewis.

C O M P L E T E

L I N E

Other new additions to the line-up include solo guitarist Beans On Toast, The Wildes, Rae Morris, Karima Francis, Fountains, Murray James, Kito, yOb, Syd Arthur, The Pantomime Villians, Greater Varsa, Vadoinmessico and Scott McFarnon.

These exciting new additions join previously announced headliners The Charlatans, Brits Critics Choice award winner Emeli Sande and pop rockers The Wombats.

Lounge on the Farm is also thrilled to announce the initial line up for the Playhouse Comedy Stage which includes Andrew Maxwell, Paul Ince, Phil Kay and Terry Alderton. More names to follow soon.

U P

Aluna George / Bastille / Beans On Toast / Caspa / Cave Painting / Charli XCX / Chic / Clean Bandit / Dani Groombridge David Rodigan / Dexys / Disclosure / Dismantle / Dub Pistols / Emeli Sandé / Escapist / Fake Blood / Fountains Gemini / Ghostpoet / Goldie / Greater Varsa / Herve / Jagga / Jake Bugg / Jaymo and Andy George / Jess Mills / Karima Francis Kito / Kitty, Daisy & Lewis / Man Like Me / Murray James / Mystery Jets / Niki and the Dove / Pale Seas Pantomime Villains / Peace / Rae Morris / Roni Size / Roots Manuva / Roska and Jamie George / Rudimental / Sam Sure & Giacomo Scott McFarnon / Scratch Perverts / Seye / Slow Club / Sound of Guns / Spector / Stay+ / Swiss Lips / Syd Arthur / The Charlatans The Good Natured / The Heatwave / The Jacobs / The Milk / The Other Tribe / The Wombats / The Wildes / Theme Park Toddla T / Troumaca / Vadoinmessico / Various Cruelties / yOB / Zinc

T I C K E T

I N F O

Full priced tickets are available at £115.

Boutique camping starts at £395 for 4 people.

www.loungeonthefarm.co.uk www.facebook.com/loungeonthefarm www.twitter.com/loungeonthefarm

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LONDON IN ASSOCIATION WITH

WHAT’S GOING ON IN LONDON Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Taste of London

18 May – 8 September

16 June – 19 June

The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is one of the highlights of the outdoor summer events calendar, with a programme packed full of alfresco plays. Now in its 80th season, the beautifully constructed auditorium has become © David Jensen a London landmark where you can unpack your hamper on the picnic lawn, buy a glass of wine or Pimm’s at the bar and settle down to watch the dramatic storytelling on stage.

The 2012 season starts with Ragtime The Musical, based on the novel

by American novelist E.L Doctorow. The musical is set at the turn of the 20th century in New York and follows the fortunes of three families separated by race, fate and money. Later on in the season, audiences can watch Shakespeare’s much loved comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream set to original music. Focusing on the events surrounding the wedding of Theseus, Duke of Athens, and Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, the play features a timeless mix of romance and magic perfectly suited to the theatre’s open air setting. http://tiny.cc/viewlondonregents

Regent’s Park plays host to four days of foodie heaven, as some of the world’s finest chefs and most prestigious restaurants head to London for an event that’s firmly established itself as a must for food fans in the South East. Visitors can expect to see Jason Atherton, Wolfgang Puck, Michel Roux Jr., Bruno Loubet, Francesco Mazzei and Dean Yasharian all taking part, as well as restaurants such as Meursault, L’etranger, Savoy Grill and Asia de Cuba showcasing just why they’re seen as some of the best in the business. Whether it’s cooking demonstrations, chef master classes, wine tasting sessions or getting the inside scoop on what’s hot in the restaurant world, Taste of London is on hand to help.

Tickets cost £24 for a standard tickets and go up to £60 for VIP passes. For more information and to book tickets please head to http://tiny.cc/viewlondontaste

Festivals 2012 Summer of 2012

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Bank holiday weekend 2 June – 5 June With an extra bank holiday creating a four day weekend, you can expect plenty of pageantry and all manner of celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

One of the highlights of the bank holiday weekend is sure to be the huge river pageant, which takes place along a seven and a half mile stretch of the Thames before ending in spectacular fashion at Tower Bridge. Thousands of spectators are expected to line the riverbank and cheer on the thousand or so vessels in the parade, which will be lead by the Queen herself.

Meanwhile, Hyde Park is hosting the Jubilee Family Festival, complete with Bollywood dancing, a Disney parade and much loved characters from children’s television. Over at the Royal Albert Hall you can take part in rousing sing alongs or see the likes of Russell Watson and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra on stage.

Other venues hosting Jubilee celebrations include Selfridges on Oxford Street, where you can buy something sparkly at the tiara pop up shop and enjoy crazy golf and afternoon tea on the roof. Meanwhile, art lovers can catch portraits of Elizabeth II by Andy Warhol and Lucian Freud amongst others at the National Portrait Gallery.

Ready for another summer of basking in the sunshine, supping on cider and stomping around fields to some of the best musical acts the world has to offer? Excellent. Once again there’s a multitude of cracking festivals taking place this summer, with venues all across the UK getting ready for long weekends of fun, frolics and very fine music. There are plenty in London, too, with SW4 perfect for clubbers, Lovebox for the cool kids, and Wireless or Hard Rock Calling spot on for anyone who wants to see big headline acts such as Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen or Paul Simon.

The rest of the UK is similarly charmed, with big hitters like Bob Dylan, New Order, Pearl Jam, Example, The Stone Roses and Florence and the Machine performing at festivals as far afield as The Isle of Wight and Kinrossshire, so there are plenty of places to head to regardless of where you may call home.

UK Festivals are taking place throughout the summer of 2012. For more information and to purchase tickets, please head to

http://tiny.cc/viewlondonjubilee http://tiny.cc/viewlondonfestivals

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KentEvents EVENTS

BROADSTAIRS MAY FAIR // 5-7 May

3 Days of May Fair celebrations at Kent's Best Beach and most picturesque old town. The event includes beach activities, family fun fair, games, attractions, crafts and curiosities. Nearby are Dickens House Museum, Lillyputt Mini Golf and live music at the bandstand every afternoon.

Open 10am till late every day.

Victoria Gardens and Promenade, Broadstairs

CHICAGO // 7-12 May

Based on real-life events back in the roaring 1920s, nightclub singer Roxie Hart (Ali Bastian Hollyoaks, The Bill) shoots her lover; and along with Cell Block rival, double-murderess Velma Kelly (Tupele Dorgu - Coronation Street), they fight to keep from death row with the help of prison Matron, Mama Morton (Bernie Nolan) and smooth talking lawyer, Billy Flynn (Stefan Booth - Eastenders).

Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, CHICAGO's sexy, sassy score includes All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle. With 6 Tony, 2 Olivier, 1 Grammy, 2 Bafta and 6 Academy Awards, CHICAGO truly is 'The sharpest, slickest show on the block' (The Times).

Ticket prices start at £18. For more info and showtimes, visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2LU

QUEX SPRING WEDDING SHOWCASE // 13 May

An opportunity to view the Quex wedding venue in an exclusive environment away from the bustle of a wedding fayre or show. Enjoy a glass of bubbly and sample a selection of the fine foods that are available on their Wedding Menu. Stroll through the beautifully manicured gardens and enjoy a guided tour of the newly refurbished Roberts Room and Grand Hall. You will also have the opportunity to meet with invited wedding service suppliers to discuss your wedding requirements, and of course, Quex’s very own wedding planners will be available to chat with you all day.

11am – 4pm. Free entry. For more information visit www.quexpark.co.uk or email wedding.enquiries@quexpark.co.uk Quex Park, Park Lane, Birchington CT7 0BH

SCIENCE MUSEUM LIVE ON TOUR // 14 & 15 May

Back by popular demand, the Science Museum returns with more spectacular science, dangerous demonstrations and extraordinary experiments in this fantastic live show designed to blow your mind and challenge your brain.

Fast, furious and frenetically fun, Science Museum Live on Tour! will propel you on an exploratory theatrical adventure into the wonderful world of science. Get set for a breathtaking ride that will entertain, inform and inspire!

Tickets: £12.50 Adults, £10 Children, Schools – 1 teacher free with every 10 pupils.

For more information visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2LU

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THE KING’S SINGERS // 15 May

One of the world’s most celebrated vocal groups, The King’s Singers regularly perform concerts across the globe.Championing the work of young and established composers, they remain consummate entertainers; a classact with a delightfully British wit.

From Gesualdo and György Ligeti to Michael Bublé, The King’s Singers are instantly recognisable for their spot-on intonation, their impeccable vocal blend, the flawless articulation of the text and incisive timing.

They will be performing their many new commissions and contemporary music in their repertoire: and a new work especially commissioned to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee!

Tuesday 15 May, 7.30pm. Tickets: £25, £20, £15, £10, £5. Premier seats: £30. www.marlowetheatre.com The Marlowe Theatre, The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS

BEER AND FOOD EVENING // 25 May

Enjoy a brewery tour, expert tuition on brewing and beer tasting and a four-course dinner matched with specially-selected beers. Diners have the chance to savour seven distinct and flavoursome beers during the evening and the meal ends with a fun beer quiz.

Tickets: £52.50. For more info or to book, visit www.shepherdneame.co.uk Shepherd Neame Brewery, 17 Court Street, Faversham ME13 7AX

CATHEDRAL OPEN GARDENS WEEKEND AT CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL // 26 & 27 May

Part of the National Gardens Scheme, this is a rare chance to see many private gardens in the Cathedral’s Precincts, and enjoy a lunch or tea in wonderful surroundings.

For more info, visit www.canterbury-cathedral.org or email visits@canterbury-cathedral.org.

Canterbury Cathedral, The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EH

SHE LAY DOWN DEEP BENEATH THE SEA // 26 May – 23 Sep

Tracey Emin's first major solo exhibition at Turner Contemporary is conceived specially for Margate, where Emin grew up and which has provided inspiration for many of her most famous art works.

The exhibition will explore the themes of love, sensuality and romanticism in Emin's oeuvre, featuring both new and existing works including drawings, monoprints, sculptures and neons.

Free entry. www.turnercontemporary.org Turner Contemporary, The Rendezvous, Margate CT9 1HG

THE PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA AT THE MARLOWE THEATRE // 26 May

One of the world's greatest orchestras launches its first season as Resident Orchestra at The Marlowe Theatre, with an exciting series of concerts bringing together extraordinary music and extraordinary artists. Berlioz: Overture, Béatrice et Bénédict / Bruch: Violin Concerto No.1/Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique. Vladimir Ashkenazy conducts Berlioz's orchestral tour-de-force Symphonie Fantastique and violinist Alina Pogostkina plays Bruch's much-loved concerto.

Saturday 26 May, 7.30pm. Tickets: £29.50, £24.50, £18.00, £11.00.

Premier seats: £34.00. www.marlowetheatre.com The Marlowe Theatre, The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS

BEER FESTIVAL 2012 AT CRABBLE CORN MILL // 1-3 June

Crabble Corn Mill is holding its 8th Annual Beer Festival over the three days of the Spring Bank Holiday. It promises to be a memorable occasion as they celebrate its bicentenary, and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year.

Ticket prices vary. For more info visit www.ccmt.org.uk.

Crabble Corn Mill, Lower Road, River, Dover CT17 0UY

Sunday 10th June 2012 – 11am-4pm. Free admission. For more information call 01580 291726 or visit www.biddendenvineyards.com.

Biddenden Vineyards, Gribble Bridge Lane, Biddenden TN27 8DF

FAVERSHAM FESTIVAL AT FAVERSHAM // 16-24 June

The Faversham Festival, which is being held for a second year, is a celebration of art, craft, drama, dance and music. The nine days of concerts, exhibitions, theatre and street performances offer something for everyone.

For further information, email favershamfestival@yahoo.co.uk or visit www.favershamfestival.org.uk.

Faversham Festival, Faversham ME13 7JX

FORESTRY COMMISSION LIVE MUSIC 2012 // 23 & 23 June

Friday 22 June – Plan B with support from Ng Saturday 23 June – Will Young with support from Jodie Marie Forestry Commission Live Music takes place in seven spectacular woodland locations across the country. Forestry Commission Live Music is an independent programme bringing music to new audiences without commercial branding or sponsorship. Money generated by Forestry Commission Live Music ticket sales is spent directly on the nation’s woodlands, benefiting everything from butterflies to mountain bikers.

For ticket availability and information call the Forestry Commission Box Office on 03000 680400 or visit www.forestry.gov.uk/music Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest, Nr Tunbridge Wells, Kent

REAL ALE FESTIVAL AT OLD BREWERY TAVERN // 2-5 June

Join the Old Brewery Tavern to celebrate their real ale festival. This event is running throughout the bank holiday weekend. Come and join the fun and try their selection of 10 different real ales.

For more info, visit www.michaelcaines.com or ring 01227 826682 Old Brewery Tavern, Stour Street, Canterbury CT1 2NR

THE TWITS AT KENT LIFE // 3 June

The second of the touring theatres to visit Kent Life in 2012. Illyria, a touring open air theatre, will be performing a fantastic adapted version of Roald Dahl’s The Twits. The performance will be fun for all the family, and will certainly include a few gruesome bits!

Tickets: £8.95 Adults, £7.75 Concessions, £6.50 Children, Under 3s FREE. www.kentlife.org.uk Kent Life, Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone ME14 3AU

DICKENS FESTIVAL // 8-10 June

The Dickens Festival's unique combination of music, dance, drama and street theatre has rightly earned it a place in the South East tourism calendar as one of the key events of the summer.

For detailed information, visit www.rochesterdickensfestival.org.uk.

TASTE THE BEST OF PRODUCED IN KENT // 10 June

A chance to meet, taste and buy direct from some of the county’s best producers of preserves, beers, cheeses, chutneys, game and more. In aid of the Kent Air Ambulance.

OPEN GARDEN AND ORGANIC FAIR IN AID OF DEMELZA HOSPICE CARE FOR CHILDREN // 27 May

Fairlight Hall in East Sussex is opening up its stunning gardens for an exclusive event in aid of Demelza Hospice Care for Children.

Highlights include a Walled Garden and Ampitheatre, Peony Border and Tropical Border. The gardens, which are rarely open to the public, are fully organic and Soil Association approved.

The Open Garden takes place at Fairlight Hall in Martineau Lane, Fairlight on Sunday May 27th from 10am to 4pm and also includes an organic fair with arange of stalls selling cakes, plants and refreshments.

Stall holders signed up so far include those selling jams and chutneys, vinegar and oils, antique collectables and pre loved recycled jewellery. Demelza is charging £20 for a stall. If you’re interested in booking one please contact Community Fundraiser Karen Warner on: karen.warner@demelza.org.uk Karen said: “We are privileged to be holding an Open Garden and Organic Fair in the stunning surrounds of Fairlight Hall. Please come along, enjoy the gardens and help support Demelza too.”

Demelza Hospice Care for Children supports over 700 life-limited children and their families across South East London, East Sussex, and Kent. The charity gets very little support from the Government so relies on the support of the local community to fund its vital services.

Tickets cost £4 in advance or £5 on the day. They are limited so book now by calling 01323 446460.

Find out more about Demelza at: www.demelza.org.uk, become a fan on facebook: www.facebook.com/demelzahospice or follow us on twitter @demelzahospice

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Book online at www.heritageevents.co.uk or call 0845 652 62 62

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Register your interest and download a fundraising pack today!

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Our Go Dotty campaign is 18th - 25th May, which is also national Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospice Week.

So we are asking you to do something to really bring the fun back into fundraising!

www.demelza.org.uk Tel: 01795 845288

Registered Charity Number 1039651

EVENTS

CELEBRATIONS & EVENTS FOLKESTONE JUBILEE AIRSHOW // 2 June

The Folkestone Jubilee Airshow will be a weekend spectacular including the Vulcan, Red Arrows (30 mins), Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (25 mins), Tigers 4 ship, Turbs (Tiger's Club Turbulent Display Team), Cap Solos, Wing Walkers, De Haviland Tiger Moth and possibly many more including a Tornado, Typhoon, Spirit of Kent Spitfire display and much more.

The airshow will take place on the Leas where there will be a whole range of other attractions and simulators. Bands will play on the bandstand before and after the show. It will take place on Saturday 2nd June from 1 - 5pm. www.folkestoneairshow.com

DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATION AT LEEDS CASTLE // 2 & 3 June

Rule Britannia! Celebrate all things British from the coronation year in 1953, at a former Royal palace! Enjoy the patriotic atmosphere all weekend with cream teas, 1950s cars and steam engines. Bring a picnic and watch the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant and flotilla at high water on Sunday afternoon, broadcast from London on a big screen. For younger visitors there will be patriotic crafts activities. www.leeds-castle.com Leeds Castle, Maidstone ME17 1PL

TUDOR JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS AT HEVER CASTLE & GARDENS // 2-5 June

Join in the merriment of a royal celebration when Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn celebrate Anne’s coronation in a weekend of Tudor revelry. Tudor music and jesters, have-a-go archery and demonstrations from a variety of craftsmen of the period including a jeweller to the crown. Children can come in costume and join the parade to win a prize for the best dressed prince and princess. www.hevercastle.co.uk Hever Castle & Gardens, Hever, Nr Edenbridge TN8 7NG

DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS AT THE BEAUTY OF BATH // 3 June

A fun-filled Diamond Jubilee Celebration to raise money for New Leaf Support: Growing a safer future!, which is a local charity that support victims of domestic violence. The event will have live bands, DJs, stalls, a beer

garden, BBQ, face painting, raffle, play area and hog roast. Bands include Loose Change, Dead Reckonin, Cellar 39 and Four Worlds Collide.

Sunday 3 June, 12pm. Free entry. www.beautyofbath.co.uk Beauty of Bath, College Road, Sittingbourne ME10 1LH

PARTY IN THE PARK, HYTHE // 4 June

Party in the Park will include a variety of bands, arena displays with the Southern Golden Retriever Display Team, The New Romney Cadets Marching Band, Jubilee Bonnet Parade, children’s fancy dress, donkey rides and a tennis display by the Hythe Tennis Club throughout the afternoon. Various food options, including two hog roasts, will be available together with a licensed bar.

Hythe is particularly proud to be appointed one of the 2012 communities throughout the land who will be lighting an official Beacon at the climax of the evening to link up with Her Majesty lighting the National Beacon in London.

Fore more information, email margaret.stewart@hythe-kent.com Oaklands, Stade Street, Hythe

JUBILEE BANK HOLIDAY SPECIAL AT KENT LIFE // 4 & 5 June

The Diamond Jubilee will be celebrated at Kent Life with a 1952 style retro street party. Come and join in the celebrations with a wide range of traditional fete activities and stalls for the whole family to enjoy. The Jubilee will be a great occasion and there is no better place to celebrate than at Kent Life.

4-5 June, 10am-7pm. Tickets: £8.95 Adults, £7.75 Concessions, £6.50 Children, Under 3s FREE. www.kentlife.org.uk Kent Life, Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone ME14 3AU

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS AT KENT AND EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY // 5 June

To celebrate H.M. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee in style Kent & East Sussex Railway are offering a limited number of seats for a unique opportunity to enjoy tea aboard their luxury dining train, The Wealden Pullman.

A High Tea will be silver-served during an hour and three-quarters steam train ride between Tenterden and Bodiam that departs from Tenterden station at 11.45am & 2.20pm. £27.50 per person. To book, please phone 01580 765155 or book online at www.kesr.org.uk/kesr-events-list Kent and East Sussex Railway, Tenterden Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden TN30 6HE

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