Summer 2016 FREE
Discover what’s new at The Historic Dockyard Chatham
SUMMER ACTIVITIES to keep the family amused
WIN
An annualticket family to Drusillas Theatre • Homes & Gardens • Cycle • Good Food • This offer is valid until Monday 31st October 2016. • Please clip this advert and bring it with you in order to obtain offer. • Only one advert is required per transaction, but each half-price child must be accompanied by one full paying adult. • A full paying adult is an adult paying the full individual daily entry price at the gate on the day of entry and does not include online tickets. • This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers including Tesco vouchers, online tickets, family tickets or any other free or discounted tickets. •Photocopies of this advert are not accepted. Contents LivingMid Kent
7 Covering the Mid Kent area Mid Kent Living is published every three months with a free circulation in Maidstone, Medway, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Malling, Ashford and Sittingbourne. It is available at selected pick-up points throughout the area including major supermarkets. Subscription copies are posted 12 (£8 annually). 30 The team Mid Kent Living is published by Mail Publications Ltd (which also publishes the 24 Downs Mail newspaper), Forge House, Bearsted Green Business Park, Bearsted, Maidstone, ME14 4DT. Tel: 01622 630330 email [email protected] 22 www.downsmail.co.uk
Interview Leisure & Tourism
7-9 Personality Profile - 24-25 Cycle - Explore Bedgebury David Hatcher, thinking 29 Theatre - Timeless classics outside the box Editor's Choice Lifestyle 27 Charity Profile - 11-18 A selection of hand-picked Supporting Kent based events and great days out charities around the county throughout the summer months 30-35 Good Food - Fine food from around the Leisure & Tourism county Chairman: Claire Procter 36-37 Mind, body & soul Editor: Simon Finlay 20 Kids - Publishing Manager: Jo-Anne Brown Ideas for days out to keep 38-41 Senior living Sales Manager: Bill Brett the kids amused 42-54 Property, homes & gardens Advertising Sales: 22-23 Tourist Profile - Tel 01622 630330 60-61 Motoring Famous ship goes on show at The Historic Dockyard Chatham 62 Competitions
Front page image - The Historic Dockyard, Chatham 4 Mid Kent Living Editor’s Letter
Summer has had a stuttering start, weather-wise, but that is often the case in Kent and it will soon be time for the school summer holidays to start. The six-week break is great for the kids, but not so much fun for parents if they both work and need to make child-care arrangements. Children usually need a rest after a long year at their desks and it is time for them to kick back and relax. I grew up in the Northern Ireland countryside where we had glorious 10-week summer holidays, which I spent fishing for trout on the Sixmilewater near Templepatrick in County Antrim. Come rain or shine, I’d be on the banks often walking for miles before making my way home – mostly uphill – on my bike. My dad would sometimes be sent out looking for me, finding a weary soul trudging up the hill near our home close to midnight. No one seemed too worry too much, or perhaps I simply did not notice. Looking back, they seem like carefree days and I suppose they were. Summer holidays are always the perfect way for families to Relationship at get reacquainted in a world where parents lead such busy lives. I hope there is plenty in this 64-page edition of Mid Kent breakingbrreeaking point? Living to give you ideas for outdoor pursuits, eating and drinking, days out or evenings of entertainment. The brreeakdown of anny rreelationship can be There really is a lot to see and do in this part of the county. very distrreessing. There are outdoor plays in National Trust gardens, indoor Whitehead Monckton family lawyers can help you opera at Leeds Castle and performances in Folkestone’s through this stressful and painful time. burgeoning Creative Quarter, to name but a few. We offffer sensitive, construuctive and cost effffective Up the road at Chatham’s Historic Dockyard, there is the legal advice. All our lawyersrs aarrree experexperiencedienced memmembersber multi-million pounds project to bring the age of the sail back to of Resolution, committed to a non-confrontational life with a display of HMS Namur’s 260-year-old timbers, a ship approach to rer esolving family fam problems. once thought lost to history but which was discovered two decades ago under the Wheelwright’s Shop on the site. An initial fixed cost meetingng for just £100 (inc VAVAATT) witwith It is an extraordinary story – not just how she was brought one of our lawyers can help you see your way forward back but how those served on board lived their lives. It is well and understand your legal position and options. worth a visit, I am told. Our offices are in the centrtrree of Canterburyy,, MaidstonMaidstonee We also have an interview and TeTenterden so, if you wwant to take that first step to with former police commander finding out your options simply visit our website at: David Hatcher who now devotes much of his time to the www.whitehead-monckton.co.ukwww.whitehead-monckton.co.uk ShelterBox charity which Canterbury 01227 643266 delivers aid directly into Maidstone 01622 698051 disaster zones. What an TenterdenTTeenterden 01580 767540 inspiration he is. So get inspired this summer! www.whitehead-monckton.co.ukwww.whitehead-monc.whitehead-monckton.co.uk WhiteheadWhitehead MoncktonMonckton LimitedLimited (no.(no. 008366029),8366029), rregisteredegistered iinn EnglandEngland & WWales.ales. RRegisteredegistered oofficeffice 7722 KKinging SStreet,treet, MMaidstone,aidstone, KKeKent,ent, MEME14www.whitehead-monckton.co.uk14 11BL.BL. AuthorisedAuthorised andand regulatedregulated byby thethe SolicitorsSolicitors RRegulationegulation Simon AAuthorityuthority uundernder nno.o. 6608279.08279. DM2016 Simon Finlay, Editor
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6 Mid Kent Living Personality profile
THINKING outside the box After a crime-busting career and television fame, David Hatcher could have opted for a quiet life, but things turned out very differently.
With its rousing theme tune, Kent chief inspector who was invited to Basically, I was used to speaking to Crimewatch UK hit the nation’s audition for the first programme in camera and nobody else was.” television screens more than 30 years 1984. He was joined on screen by Kent Crimewatch, nowadays without the UK ago, and much to the surprise of police colleague Helen Phelps, and went in its title, defied the initial misgivings sceptical BBC bosses, went on to on to become a regular presenter for 15 of BBC hierarchy and even some police become a national institution. years. officers. It helped to bring about At a time when phone-ins were still Along with the rest of the team, David convictions in several high-profile cases unusual, the live show reconstructed became a household name, but he saw including Jamie Bulger, Lin and Megan unsolved crimes and asked viewers to his TV work as an extension of his police Russell and assisted in the capture of call in with information to help put the duties which he continued to pursue in Michael Sams. culprits behind bars. the county. David, who lives in Maidstone, retired Its unique format turned celebrity And while the celebrities were paid from the force and the show in 1999, presenters including Nick Ross and Jill salaries to match their star status, David having held many command posts Dando into detectives and made real donated his fee for each show to a including the first area commander at policemen and women into stars. cerebral palsy care charity in Medway Medway and reached the rank of Chief and Victim Support. Among those was David Hatcher a Superintendent. He joined the Kent force after leaving But with a lifelong passion for fighting school and was a police frogman, firearms and public order officer, and crime, he decided not to retire and took after promotion to inspector, specialised on a new role with British Transport in police media relations. “I was in the Police as Area Commander for London press office for five years and I started and the South East of England. to make video appeals, he said. “I made There followed an eventful five years one about the murder of Mrs in which he played a commanding role Millward at Sheppey and in the aftermath of a number of major someone at the BBC saw it. As rail incidents. The toll began in just his a result, they rang me and second week in the job, with the said would I go for an audition. Paddington train disaster, in which 31
Mid Kent Living 7 Personality profile
people died, and in 2002, he dealt caught out,” he says. with the Potters Bar rail crash when Nowadays, he devotes most of his seven lives were lost. time to his volunteer work for two During this time, David was also charities, helping to provide family involved in preparations for dealing holidays for hospice children through with a terrorist attack, which were the Rotary organization, and as an rolled out after the London bombings ambassador and response team in July, 2005. “We did have training member for ShelterBox. for the bombings every year I was A keen member of Medway Rotary there, he said. “It had been well since 1990, David joined because the planned for and it did happen after I club uniquely ran a scheme called left.” Handicamp, providing holidays for While a seasoned broadcaster, disabled children. The idea inspired something he wasn’t prepared for was the development of holidays at a hilarious sequence on the Ali G show Disneyland Paris for families of Rotary Children’s “I thought I had experienced disaster and mass death after Hospice Holidays Zeebrugge and Paddington, but it pales into insignificance Founded seven years ago, the charity organises and funds magical trips to compared with what Mother Nature can do.’ Disneyland Paris for families of children who are cared for at the when David thought he was there to children from local hospices. The Demelza hospices at Sittingbourne warn about dangerous weapons. He visits are organized and led by David and Eltham and at Ellenor Hospice, was clearly gobsmacked when he was and fellow Rotarians and include north Kent. ambushed by the comic character parties and treats as well as a Six families – two from each venue – who asked where he could buy a sightseeing tour for parents with a are selected each year by the hospices selection of murderous blades. boat trip on the Seine. There’s also for the four-day holidays which provide “I was going to America the next day entertainment from “Dave The Clown” respite for parents and siblings as well and I went off thinking ‘I don’t know and “Alf the Orangutang. “I dress up as helping to create lifelong memories. what they’re going to do with that’.” as a clown and so does a colleague, The visits are supported by Medway He found out six months later, when and we do some magic tricks and silly and Sidcup Rotary as well as Sunlight the show was aired for the first time jokes for the kids,” says David, who Rotary, a breakfast club in Medway. as he was attending an anti-terrorism recently returned from this year’s Fundraising goes on throughout the conference. Much to his visit. year for the £20,000 needed for the embarrassment, the delegates, After the trip each family is given visit and main events include an annual including top police officers, doctors an album with photographs of all beer and cider festival and a Christmas and coroners, all sat down to watch it. their memorable moments during Santa fun run through the streets of the holiday. historic Rochester. Since finally hanging up his police Eight Rotarians, who pay towards uniform in 2004, David has built up It was also through Rotary that their own travel, accompany the his own business, Promise David became a ShelterBox volunteer. families, along with a nurse and care Development UK, specialising in Following the Asian tsunami in 2004, assistant from coaching and training people the Medway club raised £60,000 for each in leadership, media and the relief effort and David and other hospice. communications skills and members went to Sri Lanka to help So far, 49 emergency planning training. with the work. It was there that he life-limited “I now use the Ali G tape to first saw ShelterBox in action and children show people how not to get decided to get involved. and their families, who otherwise might not have been able to go on holiday, have benefited from this unique scheme. Medway Rotary Club is keen to recruit new members. To find out how to join Rotary or make a donation or help with fundraising, visit www.medwayrotary.org.uk
8 Mid Kent Living “At such times I ran the mantra through my head that “it’s better to do something than do nothing. It’s better to do something than do nothing”
“I realized that all my training and skills I had gained during my police career were what I needed as a response volunteer. I knew that this was something that would add fulfilment to my life. I have a lovely healthy family and enough to live on, so volunteering for ShelterBox was my chance to give something back.” Since completing his ShelterBox they lay in their temporary shelters response team training in 2009, David getting soaking wet. It was the most has helped deliver aid to disaster zones heart-wrenching sound I have ever all over the world, including the Haiti experienced or imagined. earthquake in 2010. “At such times I ran the mantra can make sure that we not only deliver “I thought that I had experienced through my head that ‘it’s better to do aid to communities as soon as possible, disaster after being involved in the something than do nothing. It’s better to but that we don’t have to leave Herald of Free Enterprise and do something than do nothing’ We were desperate families with nothing.” Paddington as well as numerous other never going to have enough kit or the David has also helped to bring aid in situations involving mass death, so I thought I knew what to expect. But it pales into insignificance compared with “At night you could hear the children crying as they lay in their what Mother Nature can do.” temporary shelters getting soaking wet. It was the most heart- “With hundreds of thousands dead wrenching sound I have ever experienced or imagined.” and injured, millions of people homeless and destruction as far as the eye could see, this was bigger than anything I had means to help everyone as quickly as the Philipines after typhoons in 2010 imagined. they needed it, but at least we could and 2013 and led a response team to “At times we’d been building tents all help those we did. It taught me to stay flooding and landslides in Nepal in 2014. day and thought we were making focused and realistic. He volunteers for two foreign aid progress, only to look up and see “Undoubtedly there were families we missions each year, claiming that wife thousands more families without couldn’t help because we simply didn’t Chris, with whom he has two sons and proper shelter. It was the start of the have enough kit to help everyone in five grandchildren, has set a limit on his rainy season and at need, which is why it is important that trips. He joked: “Any more than two a night you could hear we build up prepositioned stock of kit year, and she says it’s all over, and I’m the children crying as around the world. With our support we not risking that, even for ShelterBox.”
Founded in 2000, the project is part of pans, a stove, water filtration equipment and some basic tools, Rotary International and now employs 50 plus books and pencils for the children, and solar lights. people, mostly volunteers, from its base Each box costs £590 to fill and to ship. in Cornwall. The charity has helped 200 disaster zones in 90 countries It operates on a budget of less that £10million – and now has bases around the world in hubs such as Dubai a pittance when compared with some of the larger disaster and Panama, where boxes are kept ready to be airlifted to charities, such as Red Cross. disaster zones at a moment’s notice. A 40ft truck can The charity delivers aid to disaster zones around the world transport 224 boxes by road and sea. to people who have lost their homes. Each year, 27.5 million people lose their homes through floods, landslides, volcanoes The charity has recently introduced a Shelter Repair Kit, and other natural disasters – or conflict. More than 50 million which contains hammers, nails, spade, tarpaulin and a saw to people are currently displaced. enable people to repair their homes if they are still standing, It works on the basis of “respect” and those helped are but damaged by earthquake or some other disaster. referred to as beneficiaries, rather than victims. If you would like to help or for more details, visit The 50kg box contains a shelter, mosquito nets, pots and www.shelterbox.org
Mid Kent Living 9 New for 2016
FABULOUS DISCOVER KENT LIFE WITH LAND TRAIN! 28 ACRES TO EXPLORE FAMILY FARMYARD INDOOR PLAYBARN THE KENTISH GARDENS & THE VINTAGE VILLAGE
Summer Activities Six weeks of family fun! BRUNDLE'S BIG TOP ENTERTAINMENT 23RD JULY TO 4TH SEPTEMBER There is a fabulous range of live entertainment in our indoor Water zorbing Big Top throughout the Summer holidays – all at no extra charge! Tractor rides See TV's Nick Spellman "AnimalMan" Cuddle corner Meet Flip the Clown Animal feeding New arrivals from Kent Owl Academy Paint-a-Pot Animal antics from Claws and Jaws Visit the Vintage Village Traditional fun with Punch and Judy shows FEATURED EVENT For show dates & times, please visit www.kentlife.org.uk The BOOK ONLINE Gruffalo Sunday 31 July www.kentlife.org.uk
Kent Life, Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3AU. The Gruffalo will be appearing at intervals on the day. Just off Jct 6 of the M20. Tel: 01622 763936
10 Mid Kent Living Hand-picked events and great EDITOR’S Choice days out around the county.
Buy tickets and board the steam train from Sittingbourne Viaduct station and the journey to Kemsley Down (and the beer tent) takes around 15 minutes. (Note – there is no direct access at Kemsley Down) Full timetable downloadable FREE from the SKLR website. EVENT July 2 - 3 Broadstairs Summer Fair JULY Victoria Gardens and July 2 Promenade, Broadstairs Summer Festival Free family summer fair July 9 Maidstone Town Centre with children and adult games Leeds Castle Classical Concert Dancers, singers, baton and rides, crazy golf, crafts, Hosted by TV favourite Aled Jones and featuring an twirlers and bands will pack fun fair and more. uplifting orchestral programme from the Royal the streets of the county Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by John Rigby, this town for this day-long year’s concert features soloists Frances McCafferty and extravaganza of celebrations. Anthony Flaum with special guests The Definitive Rat Events will take place in Pack, the P&O Ferries Choir and the Kentones, winners of Jubilee Square and Brenchley this year’s Top Kent Choir. Gardens, as well as other venues around the town for the Medway River Cast with Jay Lewis, Skinny throughout the afternoon. Festival, with river displays Lister, and Kent’s own Coco and races running all day, and the Butterfields. along with food stalls, Overnight camping for die- exhibitions and live music. hard festival fans and July 3 affordable fun for all the Family Dog Show July 15 - 17 The Vicar’s Picnic family. Kent Life, Maidstone Weekend tickets are £45, Bring along man's best friend The Lees, Yalding £30 for 13 to 17-year-olds and to take part in this Family Fun Kent’s biggest little music £10 for six to 12-year-olds. Dog Show. Enter the classes festival on the banks of the www.vicarspicnic.co.uk Medway in Yalding. July 2 - 3 for £1 and win a rosette for your canine friend. Peruse Now in its fourth Steam and Beer Weekend year, headline acts Sittingbourne and the doggy-related stalls or have a go on the agility include Reef - Kemsley Light Railway course. fresh from A wide selection of real ales supporting and ciders from across the July 9 Coldplay at UK will be available at this Medway River Festival Wembley Stadium family-friendly event, with Chatham Waterfront and the Isle of live music on Saturday and Yachts and sailing vessels of Wight Festival - family fun on Sunday. every kind will join together John Power from
July 2 - 16 Faversham Open House This is your annual opportunity to access 30+ properties of historical and architectural interest that aren’t normally on show to the public. Organised by the Faversham Society, the Open House scheme enables community-minded owners to open their properties for a few days each summer for everyone to enjoy. Admission to all properties over the three Saturdays (2, 9 and 16 July) is by handbook, which includes historical and architectural notes and details the varying opening/ closing times. VISIT 30+ PROPERTIES The handbooks are on sale from the Visitor Information Centre, Preston Street, Faversham, or can be ordered by phone on 01795 OF GREAT 534542. INTEREST Adults: £8.50 for handbook. Groups: £8.50 for first member (includes handbook) £5 for any additional member
Mid Kent Living 11 July 23 Music for a Summer’s Evening Rochester Cathedral Presented by the Friends of Rochester Cathedral, this is a concert of Light and Classical music to suit all ages and tastes. Light refreshments during the interval are included in the ticket price. Adults : £10 (includes interval drink and light refreshment) Concessions : £8 from Friends of Rochester Cathedral
July 16 Suitable for all ages. theatre, music, poetry, World, by Roald Dahl Gates open from 1pm, and artists’ open houses, pop up Bedgebury National performance starts at exhibitions, parades, street Pinetum & Forest, 2.30pm. Tickets; adults theatre, films, talks and art Goudhurst £12.50, children (ages 2-15) workshops. Roald Dahl’s magnificent, £9.50 (including booking fee) Some events are free, funny and heart-warming and are available on site, by others attract a small fee - story, adapted by David calling 03000 680400 or look out for updates and at www.forestry.gov.uk/ times on the dedicated bedgebury Sheppey Promenade July 16 - 24 website An Arts July 17 Festival FREE Cherry Fair for EVENT Brogdale Collections, Sheppey Faversham Sheerness Celebrate over 400 varieties Wood, is perfectly suited to High Street of Cherry at Brogdale with the open-air theatre and is This year's theme is 'Flight' entertainment, live music, performed by Illyria within July 22 - 31 and performances include local producers and a display Bedgebury’s Walled Garden. of cherries like you have Whitstable Oyster never seen. Festival Headline music and comedy acts support this annual food festival favouring everything fresh from the sea – especially those allegedly- aphrodisiacal oysters! Ten days of entertainment pull in the crowds from all over Europe – no appetites will be left dissatisfied!
The Cherry Fair will be July 21 - 24 overflowing with juicy cherry Big Cat Sanctuary Open Days varieties picked straight from Smarden, Ashford the Brogdale orchards. The Big Cat Sanctuary opens its Take a free Orchard Tour doors to the general public once per with knowledgeable guides, July 23 year and offers a fantastic enjoy live music, craft and Create Festival, Victoria opportunity to get up close to these facepainting. Park, Ashford amazing big cats. Watch talks and The Create Music Festival is There are over 50 cats to see, from the World's smallest - demonstration, pig racing one of the South East's the Rusty Spotted Cat, to the World's most endangered - and live music. biggest free music festivals the Amur Leopard, with fewer than 35 left. Test yourself with the and returns to Victoria Park, There will be lots going on, including arts and crafts, longest cherry pip spit or the Ashford for its 21st birthday barbecue, lots of stalls to browse and more. Tickets are popular cherry pie eating celebrations. limited and must be pre-booked in advance . Adults : competition! Four stages of live music Thursday and Friday £12.50, Saturday and Sunday £15, Entry Price: Adults: £8, and food and drink available Free for under 5's Children: £4, Concessions: throughout the day. Fun for Visit www.whf.org.uk for details and bookings. £7, Family Ticket £20. all the family. 11.30-21.00.
12 Mid Kent Living Rochester Cathedral image: © simon kelsey; Cherries courtesy of Brogdale Collections; Oysters courtesy of Andy Lane Hand-picked events from the editor
July 23 - 24 Hazard, and along the Town Faversham Nautical Quay there will be Festival, information stalls, Faversham Creek exhibitions, the music stand, Residents and visitors can a barbecue and a beer tent. see the many beautiful, and On the Front Brents, there mainly traditional vessels will be stalls, a bouncy castle, that are moored in the upper ice creams and face painting. July 27 - 31 FREE regions of Faversham Creek July 31 during this, the fourth Art in the Garden EVENT Bearsted Classic Car Show Nautical Festival. Riverhill Himalayan Thames Sailing Barges, Gardens, Sevenoaks Bearsted Green Dutch Barges, tugs, smacks, Watch artists at work in the Enjoy a glass of fizz or cream tea served on vintage china gaffers and many other big gardens, admire their work in while admiring more than 200 vintage vehicles and classic and small boats will be an exhibition of 'Riverhill cars polished to perfection on the beautiful Bearsted Green ‘dressed’ making a colourful Paintings' and have a go – a must for all motor enthusiasts. 11am – 4pm. display. yourself at landscape FREE In the Sea painting with plenty of No additional charges after Theatre's production of FAMILY Cadets’ base, TS experts to advise. admission. Adults: £7.75, Beatrix Potter's charming FRIENDLY Children: £5.75, Concessions: tales; an enchanting £6.95 experience for young and old EVENT alike. AUGUST Picnics from 3.30pm, August 2 reading starts 4.30pm Once Upon a Time there Booking Essential. Adults: were Four Little Rabbits £12, Children: £7. Emmetts Garden Sevenoaks Meet Beatrix Potter as she tells the tale of naughty Peter and Benjamin in Mr McGregor's Garden. Bring a picnic and watch Quantum Do you want Beautiful White Teeth? Call your local cosmetic dental expert Dr Ben Mortazavi
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Emmetts Garden courtesy of Jerry Harpur Mid Kent Living 13 August 2 - 14 and view them through a East and West: an microscope. Every exhibition of ceramics participant will get a spotter and brush painting sheet to take home. £15 for a Trinity Arts Centre, group of up to five people Tunbridge Wells (max 2 adults per group/min 1 adult per group). Booking essential. www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk
FREE EVENT Artist Nick Winter gives his interpretation of the Western interest in invention, combined with an Eastern focus on tradition, process August 7 and practice. August 5 - 7 Bredgar and Study these unique hand- A New Day Festival Wormshill Light made pieces from artist Nick Mount Ephraim Gardens, Railway Open Winter, from ink on paper or Faversham Day in clay and glazed twice, fired Classic rock, prog rock, roots Enjoy a trip on a to a white heat, which sit on and blues will all be genuine steam train, spend some time browsing around the aesthetic boundary represented in this garden the engine shed, see a water pumping beam engine at between art and craft. festival, with headliners such work and visit the souvenir shop. Free entry, onsite parking as Jethro Tull’s Ian Visit the Railway Tea Shop listening to the Dutch street Demonstrations and talks Anderson, Wilko Johnson, organ playing outside or bring a picnic and sit by the by the artist on August 6, 7 Focus, The Stranglers, railside and enjoy the regular trains puffing by. First Train and 13, from 3pm. Curved Air and The 11am - Last Train 4.30pm. Blockheads. Adults £10, Children (4-15), £4, Family Ticket £25. August 12 Behind-the-scenes tour and afternoon tea at arrival for afternoon tea, Canterbury Cathedral then tour. All guests are Lodge welcome to stay and enjoy Evensong in the Cathedral at Enjoy a full afternoon tea in 5.30pm. £22.95 per person. the restaurant overlooking August 14 Heritage and Craft Fair August 2 & 18 Willesborough Windmill, Pond Dipping the courtyard garden before Ashford Tyland Barn, Maidstone experiencing a fascinating Stationary engines, vintage A one-hour pond dipping behind-the-scenes tour of vehicles, craft stalls, plus hot session, starting at 10am, to Canterbury Cathedral dogs, burgers, cream teas catch and identify the variety Archives and Library. and light refreshments in the of pond life living in the Choose from a 2.30pm Barn Cafe. Mill tours are ponds at Tyland Barn, then arrival for tour, then available at a small charge the chance to get up close afternoon tea or 2.45pm but entry to the fair is free.
August 13 & 14 Headcorn Combined Ops Kent's only Military Vehicle and Airshow - a unique event held at Headcorn Aerodrome, with a variety of vintage and modern aircraft displays, both on the ground and in the air. A family event which includes static military vehicles, living history re-enactment groups, arena events, military stalls and children's mini tanks and food stalls to make this a perfect day out. Enjoy tank rides, experience fly pasts and meet military personnel. Advance booking online is advisable. Tickets from £8.
14 Mid Kent Living Images: jethro tull's ian anderson courtesy of Martin Webb; Bredgar railway images © Bredgar railway Hand-picked events from the editor
August 13 – 14 Dover Castle Siege of 1216, Join the action 800-years on at Dover to discover what 13th-Century life at siege was really like. Roam among the gruesome history, gory stories, menacing characters and medieval music before witnessing the FAMILY drama of the siege in DAY action 10am-5pm. OUT
and special interest tractor Sample tasters line-up than in previous of what is to offer from the years, along with plenty of many ice cream vendors, classic cars and motorcycles. chocolatiers and sweet Dogs and other animals stalls. Learn how ice cream will be shown and put is made in our ice cream through their paces. Craft workshop, take part in the and catering stalls. A animal activities and visit modest entry charge and a our face painter. August 19 £25 per person. convivial day out for families Summer Supper For further information call and tractor enthusiasts. fundraiser for Hi-Kent Liz Clayton on 01622 691151 . Proceeds go towards local organisations and charities. Frankie’s Farmshop, August 20 - 21 Staplehurst Nurseries August 29 Biddenden Tractorfest Local deaf charity, Hi-Kent, Ice Cream Festival is hosting a charity supper & Country Fair Kent Life, Maidstone night as part of its 30th This year’s Biddenden Join in the festivities as anniversary celebrations. Tractorfest and country fair Kent Life hosts its 1st Ice Supper at 7.30pm, tickets has an even larger historic Cream Festival!
Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel Tonbridge Road , Pembury Tunbridge Wells , Kent TN2 4QL CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Murder Mystery BBQ - can you solve the crime? Only Fools & 3 Courses Saturday 16th July Saturday 27th August & 26th November* Enjoy a Murder Mystery with a difference! The knives (and forks) Marlene and Boycie are hosting a Gala Dinner, but will things are out as a group of strangers compete for the title of ultimate go to plan with Del, Rodeny and Uncle Albert on the guest dinner party host, come dine with me style! And with £100 on list? Expect an evening of chaos and mayhem with an the table to add spice to the proceedings it comes as little Why extra-large portion of comedy! Includes a surprise that tonight's meal will end in Murder! Includes not stay 3-course meal, comedy, and disco. BBQ style meal, murder mystery & disco. the night ? £28.00 per person From £70 £38.00 per person including breakfast. Call for further Comedy Night - laugh the night away! details. Abba Loves Charity Saturday 30th July & 1st October Saturday 17th September Bringing laughter to Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel in Join us for a great evening of live entertainment from one of the association with Jokers Comedy. Enjoy a 2 course meal, best Abba tribute acts around, and help raise money for Breast followed by 3 great stand-up comedy acts, a compere to take Cancer Care! With a 3-course meal, tribute act and disco, this you through the evening, and a disco to party the night away! will be a night to remember. Includes raffle on the night, with all proceeds going directly to Breast Cancer Care. £25.00 per person £35.00 per person
Email – [email protected] TO BOOK CALL 0844 815 9074 Web – www.mercuretunbridgewells.co.uk
Images: Dover Castle courtesy of English Heritage. Mid Kent Living 15 Hand-picked events from the editor
heritage of the hop industry September 10 - 11 SEPTEMBER in the Faversham area, which Chalk it up! September 3 - 4 extends back over Sittingbourne High Faversham Hop Festival 800 years. Street Market Place FREE For a whole weekend, a host Faversham EVENT of artists will descend upon One of the few remaining the town and create amazing events to celebrate Kent’s works of art in chalk, hopping heritage and now in charcoal and pastels on walls its 27th year, the festival and on pavements in the brings music on three stages High Street. Make sure you plus events in many of the see them before the rain town’s pubs. washes them away! September 17 Complemented by Morris iPhone Workshop September 16 - 18 and other dancing, this is a Kent Wildlife Trust foot-tapping experience for Faversham Food Festival Would you like to find out all the family. Taking place over three days, how to use your iPhone to There will be the usual the Friday focus is on fish, capture photos to the best selection of stalls, exhibitions freshly landed in the heart of of your ability? and activities celebrating the Faversham adjacent to the At this workshop you will old fish market. learn techniques for On Saturday, Faversham's focusing and exposing regular market is using your iPhone out in supplemented by a host of the field around Bough food stalls and tastings, Beech then return to the demonstrations and talks visitor centre to improve throughout the town. New your images with the for 2016 is the Ale Trail for editing features – bring those who appreciate fine your own iPhone! ales. The Local Food Hero £25 per person/£80 Award will be presented at group (x4). Booking the Food Festival Barbecue essential at at the Phoenix Garden in www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk Abbey Street.
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16 Mid Kent Living Advertisement feature ou only get one Y set of eyes
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Mid Kent Living 17 Hand-picked events from the editor
September 17 - 18 Vintage Fair and a spiffingly with tasting, cooking tips, September 29 - October 2 Salute to the ’40s nostalgic atmosphere. experiment with unusual Tenterden Folk Festival The Historic Dockyard, September 22 chocolate flavour Four days of folk, music and Chatham Indulgent Chocoholics’ combinations - and take dance in Tenterden town Keep Calm and Carry On to Course home some delicious treats! centre. Barn dances, one of Britain’s Best Vintage Bore Place, nr Make to take home the best concerts, Morris dancers, Festivals! Visitors will be Chiddingstone chocolate cake ever, truffles, workshops, folk clubs, sing-a- profiteroles and super transported back in time as This chocoholics’ one-day rounds, music sessions, craft, soon as they set foot into The course lets you indulge your chocolate choc chip cookies. music and street stalls. There Historic Dockyard Chatham. love of all things chocolate, The course includes all will also be a procession, The very best in 1940’s ingredients and a healthy dance displays, showcases Entertainers, with singing and chocolate free lunch and and much more. dancing throughout the day, costs £65 pp. Full weekend and individual Military and Home Front Contact Becky Baldock, event tickets also available. Displays, Air Displays, Vehicle [email protected] Many events are free - check Parades, Vintage Fashion, Tel: 01732 463255 to book. website for details.
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Est. starts Day Nursery School 1989 here... Nursery School Out of School & Holiday Club New places available 7 Reasons To Choose Linden Lea For YOUR Childcare We offer term time/full time Nursery School places between 8-6 for 3 months onwards and an After School Club/Holiday Club for 4-14 year olds to 6:30. 1. Are you looking for flexible childcare? We offer 8-1, 9-1, 9-3, 1-6 and all sorts of possible scenarios! 2. Are you looking for a homely feel? We pride ourselves on our homely environment. 3. Are you looking for reasonable costs? We offer great value for money. 4. Are you looking for a setting offering Free for 2/3/4 childcare? You have found it! Whilst at Linden Lea 5. Are you looking for quality? Our Day Nursery is rated Good by Ofsted, as is the we promote sharing… Downswood Nursery and Out Of School Club. 6. Are you looking for an easily accessible childcare provider? Both our locations are near the M20 with good bus routes too. 3 months to 7. Are you looking for a setting with large outdoor area? You have found it! Pre-School Day Nursery School in Grove Green ME14 5JR open 8-6, with 8-1, 1-6, 9-3 and Home to Home all sorts in between term time/all year from 3 months old. Environment CALL / Downswood Nursery in ME15 8XG open 9:20-12:20 or 9-1 term times for 2-5 year olds. EMAIL NOW After School Club based in Downswood open until 6:30 FROM £13.30 including to see why your child's cooked tea picking up from Madginford, Thurnham, Roseacre and St John's schools. future should start here on Holiday Club 8:30-6:30 at £18 half day 01622 735094 / [email protected] or £31 full days. No registration fee when mentioning this advert.
18 Mid Kent Living Images: Salute the 40’s, courtesy of Chatham Historical Dockyard; pilot image © ARW Photography EXCLUSIVE TREATMENT CORRECT YOUR VISION WHILST YOU SLEEP!
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Kings Hill Opticians t: 01732 875544 2 Liberty Square, Kings Hill, www.kingshillopticians.co.uk West Malling, Kent, ME19 4AU [email protected]
Mid Kent Living 19 Kids SUMMER activities for kids With the school holidays on the horizon, Dawn Kingsford has been doing some homework of her own, researching a range of options for having fun with the kids this summer...
There’s certainly no shortage of things to do in Kent when it the psychology of play, it’s what children do! Remember what comes to making the most of the school holidays — but now, it made you smile as a child and aim to provide a mix of things, seems, it’s all about striking the right balance. from a reassuring hug, to the chance to let off steam. With child experts suggesting we worry way too much about Brainstorm with your child about what they want to do, children getting bored and should, instead, let them get which will make them feel loved, listened to and involved in creative about their own entertainment, it’s small wonder the decision-making process and build the bond between you, parents are feeling confused. as well as providing some useful clues about what to do. What’s for sure is that down time, family time and Be strong about making your children entertain themselves structured play all have an important role to play in - away from the telly and other games and gadgets - and be developing healthy, happy children. strong with yourself when it comes to devoting your time to The secret is to “keep it simple”. Don’t get too caught up in them and enjoying fun time together.
Ten different things to do this summer Plan a party - Nobody needs a reason Go wild - Meet the animals at the spiralling sprays. for a party, so why not hand the award-winning Drusillas just across The zoo has several new animals, organising over to your children? the Sussex border and enjoy the including a baby sloth and black lemur. Older kids can plan the menu, even ultimate splash pad experience ‘GET Quiet time - Kids need quiet time to cook some of the dishes, while WET!’ do their own thing, be that to read, younger ones can come up with – a thrilling collection of water jets, write, draw or for imaginative play. activities, the guest list, setting up and geysers, twirling streams and Research suggests that children tidying. unable to manage their time now will Go fruit picking - Find a local pick- struggle to do this as an adult. your-own fruit farm, get your children Nature lovers - Make a bird feeder by involved in filling the freezer and make spreading a pine cone with peanut a dessert with your harvest when you butter and rolling it in birdseed. String get home. it up where your child can watch the Go camping - Pitch a tent in the birds visit. A host of activities, like backyard, or grandma’s garden. Roast pond-dipping, and bird-watching are marshmallows, play family games and arranged by the RSPB and Kent enjoy a night under the stars. Wildlife Trust, which you will find Get moving - Lift the mood by getting online. on your bikes, taking a walk, dance in Garage sale - Summer is the perfect the dining room, or create an obstacle time to clear out clutter. Get your kids course in the garden. busy cleaning toys, pricing items and Friends reunited - Arrange a trip making garage sale signs. where your children and their friends Get baking - Cooking is a great way for can meet up at the pool, go ice-skating children to enjoy decision-making and or bowling. being creative.
Indoor games - There are bowling alleys machines and inflatables. In Faversham, tractor rides, rare animals and their across Kent in Tunbridge Wells, there’s the added summer-time bonus famous pig racing returns in the summer. Canterbury, Maidstone, Rochester, (until September) of three outdoor pools Family £35. Under 3s free! Ashford and Whitstable. For details of with diving boards and an opportunity to www.rarebreeds.org.uk these and other fun ideas, from ball take a picnic. Simple pleasures - Spend the day at the parks to skating rinks, visit www.favershampools.com many beaches this county has to offer. www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk Animal Magic - The Rare Breeds Centre, Try those at Margate, Ramsgate or how Outdoor diving - Splash out on a trip to at Woodchurch near Ashford boasts an about Sunny Sands Beach in Folkestone, your local pool, with many boasting wave exotic butterfly tunnel, discovery garden, and spend the day making sand castles.
20 Mid Kent Living Centre image courtesy of: ©Drusillas Park Mid Kent Living 21 Tourist profile SHIVER ME TIMBERS: famous ship found under the floorboards goes on show A hidden chapter of British Naval history is revealed for the first time in a new £9 million set of galleries at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, as Diane Nicholls explains...
Command of the Oceans is the starting point for telling the story of the yard’s role in transforming Britain’s Navy into the worlds most powerful sea force. The new permanent display is built around the 260-year-old skeleton of the HMS Namur, preserved where she was “The Namur is the discovered. this influential ship The Namur was uncovered by chance researched and ship that defines the in 1995 during conservation work on the brought together course of British Georgian Wheelwright’s Shop, one of for the first time. history”, Dan Snow, scores of historic buildings and She was certainly TV historian structures within the Dockyard. What an exceptional began as routine repair work yielded an ship. At a time astonishing secret — the timbers of an when the working 18th century warship which had lain life of most timber undisturbed under six layers of ships was 20 floorboards for more than 200 years. years, she saw After decades of painstaking detective more than 47 work, experts were able to confirm that years’ service. Her battle honours marks – of the the wood came from HMS Namur which include the Seven Years War, Napoleonic Wars and nine fleet actions. Jane shipwrights who made each timber and was built at the yard in the 1750s and Austen’s seafaring brother Charles of their masters who approved every broken there in the 1830s. served as her captain, and her crews part for use in the ship. The timbers also The Namur’s timbers have been included Olaudah Equiano, the most carry a “position mark” that gives their carefully preserved and the stories of celebrated black writer and anti-slavery precise location in the ship – enabling activist of Georgian England. Equiano all the sections to fit together like a wrote a vivid account of the terror of giant 3D puzzle. working below decks as a “powder The discovery of the timbers was seen monkey” – the youngest members of the as the best advance in warship crew who carried gunpowder to the archaeology since Henry VIII’s flagship guns during battle. Mary Rose at Portsmouth nearly 30 The 245 giant timbers still bear their years earlier. “race marks” – special cuts made with a TV historian Dan Snow said: “The carpenter’s race knife that enable Namur is the ship that defined the historians to track when each timber course of British history. In 1759, she was sourced by the Navy. They also bear fought at the two great Naval battles the “signatures” – the personal makers’ of the ‘Annus Mirabilis’ – the year of
OLAUDAH EQUIANO According to his 1789 autobiography, Equiano came on board the Namur as the 14 year-old slave of an officer. He recalled carrying gunpowder to one of the cannons with another boy as powder fell around them from rotten cartridges. “We were also from our employment very much exposed to the enemy’s shots: for we had to go through the whole length of the ship to bring the powder. I expected therefore every minute to be my last, especially when I saw our men fall so thick about me.”
Images top right, reovationg boat ©Ricard Osterlund. 22 Mid Kent Living Images courtesy of ©Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust miracles – battles which effectively destroyed French naval ambitions of the rest of the war and led to British worldwide success at sea. Her remains enable us to better understand the shipbuilding ingenuity at Chatham, which was crucial in developing British Naval dominance and in turn helped extend Britain’s influence around the world.” The Dockyard, which at its height employed more than a thousand people, became a visitor attraction after its closure in 1984 and the Namur’s JANE AUSTEN Jane Austen’s brother, Charles, commanded the Namur from 1811 to 1814 and she used his stories of Naval life to enrich the seafaring characters in her novels, including Mansfield Park and Persuasion. remains will form the centrepiece for 1747, whose collection is also on display the new Command of the Oceans for the first time. galleries. The Dockyard also offers unrivalled Set in restored historic buildings, the access to other ships that played a part project captures 400 years of history in Britain’s seafaring destiny, including a and acts as the starting point for telling Victorian anti-slavery sailing ship, a the unique role of the Historic Dockyard World War II destroyer and a Cold War Chatham in creating ships for the Royal submarine. Its historic buildings house a Navy. The four new interactive galleries treasure trove of maritime artefacts and have been made possible with displays, all helping to tell the story of £4.8million from the Heritage Lottery what it took to rule the waves. Fund, as well as support from the Homes and Communities Agency, individuals and organisations. ADMISSION AND TICKETS The Namur’s remains go on display Tickets to The Historic Dockyard Chatham offer unlimited entry for a year. with personal items and objects from Prices are: Adult, £24; concession, £21.50; children (5-15), £14; family £63. the Invincible, an 18th century French Full details: www.thedockyard.co.uk/prices warship captured by the Royal Navy in
Mid Kent Living 23 BEDGEBURY bicycle trails Home to one of the world’s finest pinetum conifer collections, early summer is the perfect time to explore Bedgebury on a bike. With a great choice of trails, from short routes for less experienced riders, to family trails and those for the more adventurous — even if you don’t have a bike, you can hire one at Bedgebury from Quench Cycles, so there’s no excuse, other than to turn up with a map!
Once here, you’ll ride past giant conifer trees providing dappled shadows in the Family Cycle Trail 6miles (9km) sun and spot colourful flowers and Singletrack MTB Trail 8miles (13km) interesting wildlife that makes the Guides available from the Visitor Centre (£2) pinetum home. Whichever day you visit Bedgebury, it will be unique to you, so don’t forget to visit often and see Bedgebury through the seasons. Summer is an ideal time to start cycling. You might be here to try out a trail as a first-timer or come here often ì for a blast on the challenge trails; either ENTRANCE way, Bedgebury will make you more than welcome with its well-maintained trails. If you are here as part of Explore Kent’s Summer of Cycling then that’s great news! Hopefully, you will leave wanting to continue this addictive pastime. 00.5 1 Km 0 If you’re a bit unsure about going solo 00Miles .5 into Bedgebury (trails are signed but it’s © Crown Copyright and database right 2016. Ordnance Survey 100019238 a good idea to take a map), there are women’s cycle fitness groups, holiday Why not bring your family and explore Location: Bedgebury Forest (TN17 2SJ) and after school clubs for young bike the family trail – a 9km ride through the Distance: Over 15 miles of traffic-free riders and bike riding groups for disabled forest? The surfaced trail is flat, with a cycle trails (Over 25 km) people. These are good options for few steeper inclines in places. Time: Allow 1 hour minimum people who need a bit of a confidence If you have young or inexperienced Map: OS Explorer 188 boost or bike refresher training. riders with you, the shorter 4km family Terrain: Variable Picking a trail trail might be better. The track is gravelly in places, so you may need to Parking: Parking at Bedgebury, Meandering along a family trail or assist younger members at times. subject to charges timing yourself to see if you can beat your trail time is all part of a great day If you’re visiting Bedgebury in search Refreshments & facilities: out exploring Bedgebury. of a challenge, then you will not be Café in Bedgebury serving Many people come to Bedgebury to disappointed. The single-track mountain hot meals and light lunches. escape the business of everyday life. bike trail has defeated many an unsuspecting thrill-seeker, no matter how experienced they are. The trail is regarded as difficult in most places and will break you out into a sweat as well as a smile! The route is currently undergoing significant development to include free ride areas and an excellent black run for serious thrill-seekers. Regardless of which trail you opt for at Bedgebury, you can always cut the trail short or take a break at any time — the aim is to have fun and to stop and admire the beautiful surroundings and atmosphere of this 320-acre pinetum. Don’t forget your camera Bedgebury Pinetum is home to 10,000 tree specimens — some extremely rare. All the cycle tracks allow an opportunity to view and admire the pinetum, plants and wildlife that thrive in these perfect
24 Mid Kent Living Information and images supplied by Explore Kent If you fancy the idea of a cycling day out, but would rather let an electric bike take the strain, you can hire ebikes to explore Bedgebury and marked routes across the Weald from the UK Electric Bike Centre. Owner Marcus van der Gaag says by using an electric bike, everyone can enjoy the day – no matter when they last rode a bike! If you’ve never tried an ebike, you ride in exactly the same way as a pedal bike. The difference is that when you pedal, the motor kicks in to help you. There are various motor settings so it is possible to cycle without making any effort at all. Alternatively, you can switch the motor off and ride your bike conventionally. The bike also has a throttle that can be engaged to help at specific times The UK Electric Bike Centre is a one- stop shop offering everything to do with ebikes, including sales, servicing, hire and tours. They have a number of well For more forest conditions. Take time to take in known and reliable brands in stock and inspiration on enjoying the peacefulness and tranquillity of the unlike a traditional bike shop encourage forest. This is escapism at its best. Feel the great outdoors in Kent and for their clients to try a bike or even hire at one with nature, whether that’s early information about the Summer of them for a half or full day to really get enough to hear the dawn chorus or to Cycling, check-out explorekent.org, a chance to get the feel of an ebike. If admire the rhododendrons adorning or follow Explore Kent on social you purchase a bike then the hire cost is Bedgebury at this time of year, there’s media @explorekent on Twitter and refunded. no better place to be on a bike. Take a They offer marked trails of up to 27 pit stop at various points on your trail Facebook. miles near Biddenden in Kent. The to capture essential memories or for routes pass castles and gardens, some well-needed hydration — absolute What next? vineyards and a brewery and all along must do’s during your visit! Visiting As you will realise when you visit quiet country lanes. There is even a Bedgebury and exploring all its finery Bedgebury, the cycle tracks combine a chance to travel, with your bike on the is an experience that should not be whole range of outdoor activities, Kent and East Sussex steam train. Full rushed. Make a day of it, exploring, including an amazing adventure training is given. riding and then round off your visit playground for youngsters — if they still Visit www.ukelectricbike.co.uk or with well-earned refreshments at the have energy to burn! Take the time to www.ukelectricbiketours.co.uk. Bedgebury café. explore the fascinating Arboreta.
Mid Kent Living 25 • 1st to 3rd JULY • 26th to 29th AUGUST • 9th to 11th & 30th SEPTEMBER • 1st & 2nd OCTOBER PLEASE NOTE WE ARE ONLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON THE ABOVE DATES.
26 Mid Kent Living Charity profile KAB - helping to shine a light in the darkness Imagine if you couldn’t see. How would you feel? What do you think your life would be like?
Sight is the sense that people fear losing the most, but the reality is that more and more people are affected by sight loss each year. Would you know where to turn for help? Kent Association for the Blind (KAB) is a local charity supporting visually-impaired people and those with dual sensory loss. Our clients are people of all ages, from a variety of backgrounds and we tailor our services to their needs. Our dedicated team of staff offers a range of training and advice to those with sight loss to enable them to live hospitals across the in the workplace, maintain Can you help? independent lives. region so that we can be control of their finances, Our befrienders are instrumental Our eye clinic liaison there right at the point of or do internet shopping. in helping our more isolated officers are based in diagnosis to support Overcoming isolation clients keep in touch with society people at what can be a and remaining active around them, creating a greater very daunting and members of the local sense of wellbeing. Also, whilst emotional time. We community are key, and they are an important element in continue to be there for we produce 13 regional the lives of the individuals they as long as people need us. editions of a digital talking help, they themselves also find a Some of our clients news service which is great sense of satisfaction and need to learn techniques delivered to hundreds of fulfilment in giving their time to to get around safely and homes free of charge help others. confidently outdoors. For every week. There are We are in urgent need of more others, their priority over 40 KAB clubs befrienders in the Maidstone area; might be using talking offering leisure and social if you have a few hours you can scales and knife guides in activities to those looking spare weekly or fortnightly, do the kitchen to prepare to make friends or try please get in touch with our food for themselves or something different. volunteer co-ordinator Jo their children. We have hundreds of Wilkinson by emailing As well as equipping volunteers who support [email protected] or calling people with the skills they our work; they are an 01622 691357. need for day-to-day life, invaluable part of our Last year there were 2,450 we also empower them to team and assist with the referrals made to our services. use technology and digital running of clubs, driving With an ageing population and an equipment so they can clients to and from increase in diabetes, more people stay in touch with friends appointments, befriending than ever will need our services in and family, access and taking part in the years ahead. Much of our work information at school or fundraising events. can only continue thanks to donations and fundraising. Money donated to KAB stays in the region To make a donation to our work please call Lindsay or Teresa in our fundraising to support people right here in our department on 01622 691357 or visit our website www.kab.org.uk local communities.
Mid Kent Living 27 28 Mid Kent Living Theatre Inside and out, a summer of cool Kentish performances Whether it is indoor opera at Leeds Castle or timeless classics in a Kentish Josie Long with Grace Petrie garden, this summer has a lot to offer… The Quarterhouse in Folkestone is right in the heart of the seafront regeneration area, although the main Barber of Seville work to bring prosperity back to the town is yet to start in earnest. Some of the country’s bigger acts try out This summer, there is an their material at the opportunity to go inside Leeds Quarterhouse before embarking Castle to see the Pop-Up on national tours. Al Murray is Opera company’s rendition of due later in the summer, but Rossini’s Barber of Seville. tickets sold out a long time ago. Set in the Henry VIII And then there is emerging banqueting hall, opera lovers Victorian poorhouse, a cider talent who are attracted to will be up close to the action barn or an ancient castle. venues of this size for testing as it happens. And the critics seem new material. One such act is It is a courageous move by impressed, with The Times Josie Long, pictured right, the Leeds Castle management to saying of one production that triple Edinburgh Comedy Award stage such an event indoors in Pop-Up Opera provides “top- nominee, presenter of Radio 4’s the middle of an English class singing and exceptional Short Cuts and star of Radio 4’s summer. acting”. Romance and Adventure. But the surroundings should The Barber of Seville is a The comedienne presents her latest stuff as she sows make all the difference — with much-loved tale of lies, the seed of her next stand-up show and she’ll be joined atmospheric wood-panelling deception and love. by accomplice Grace Petrie. and creaking, ancient floors. A bar will be available before Her previous act, Cara Josephine, was a worldwide hit The Pop-Up Opera company the performance and during – selling out shows in London, across the UK and comes to the castle with the interval for drinks in the Europe, in Australia and in New York. positive reviews and the 1930s drawing rooms. It was rated among the Guardian’s top 10 shows of the company takes the venues July 20, 7.30pm. Tickets year, the best-reviewed show of the Edinburgh Festival very seriously. adults £25, concessions Fringe 2014 and a New York Times Critic’s Pick. It takes its productions £22, must be booked in July 23, 7.30pm. Tickets £10. beyond traditional theatres — advance. The Quarterhouse, Folkestone whether it is a boat made of Book online or call the Box scrap metal, a restored Office on 01622 880008.
Al fresco entertainment has become very fashionable in recent years – despite the vagaries of the English weather. The National Trust is opening up some of its grounds Al frescoTHEATRE for a summer of outdoor theatre... Emmetts Garden, Kent Emerald City. Meet the characters and get involved with Once upon a time there were four little rabbits… the show to make sure she gets back home to Kansas. July 16, 6pm. Adult £15 child £8 Quantum Theatre are delighted to perform their own adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s timeless stories. This The Merry Wives of Windsor production delivers a magical occasion for all ages. The most farcical of all Shakespeare comedies performed August 2, 4.30pm (picnics from 3.30pm). Adults £12, on the date of Ellen Terry’s death in 1928 as a tribute to her child £7, family from £26. Call 0344 249 1895 talent and legacy. Much Ado about Nothing July 21, 7.30pm. Adult £15, child £8 Enjoy an all-male production by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men Romeo and Juliet of this popular fast-paced Shakespeare comedy. Watch the famous forbidden love affair between two August 18, 7.30pm (picnics from 6.30pm) members of feuding families. Set in Verona and performed Adult £15, child £8. Call 0344 249 1895 in this quintessentially English garden, enjoy the evening with Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers. Smallhythe Place, Kent August 14, 6pm. Adult £15, child £8 The former home of the great Victorian actress Ellen Terry Gulliver’s Travels hosts a series of outdoor performances in the enchanting Whilst on a trip to the South Seas, Lemuel Gulliver is gardens. Tickets can be booked on the National Trust website captured by the tiny people of Lilliput. Will he ever break or by calling 0344 249 1895. free and return home? Bring a picnic and enjoy the show The Wizard of Oz in the summer garden. Join Dorothy and her friends on this magical adventure to August 29, 6pm. Adult £1, child £8
Mid Kent Living 29 Summer SIZZLERS At the first sign of sunshine, you can guarantee someone in the household – usually the man – will be blowing the dust off the barbie and heading out for the compulsory sack of coals, as Jane Shotliff explains... offer at occasions like these, ensuring guests who might normally flinch at a There’s something about cooking tends to be the other way around? burnt offering indoors react quite the outdoors which means even the Maybe that’s a caveman thing …. opposite when stationed outside. Chargrilled sausages, overcooked vagaries of the Great British Summer Certainly, caveman’s carnivorous steaks and slightly singed fish are all, fail to dampen the spirits of we have-a- tendencies come to the fore on somehow, acceptable when brandished go-heroes when it comes to entertaining occasions like these. When would you aloft, hot from the barbie. ‘al fresco’ between the months of May ever eat several types of meat, fish, And you don’t need to shell out much and September. (Having said that, I do chicken, sausages and burgers all in one cash – or need much space – in order to have one friend who needs no excuse to meal? (Obviously, never if you’re a indulge yourself this summer. fire up the ‘Brai’ whatever the weather — vegetarian, but even non-meat eaters Instant barbecues come with or the time of year. But he’s the now have a vast choice of Quorn and everything you need to turn a picnic exception, rather than the rule, I soya substitutes to choose from to pack into a portable feast; bucket barbecues suspect…..) a perfectly pleasing platter.) likewise are lightweight and portable, Speaking of which, have you noticed Outdoor entertaining tends to prompt meaning you can take your lip-smackin’ how it’s generally the men who take conversation which flows faster than the sizzling sensation to your location of charge of the cooking — when indoors, it copious amounts of alcohol generally on choice. Just remember to respect your
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30 Mid Kent Living Good Food surroundings and don’t set fire to your local national park. At home, anyone with the most basic DIY skills can construct a brick barbecue which will be the envy of the neighbours. A simple grill and pan to hold the charcoal is less than £20 – and can be stored indoors in winter to protect it from the elements. Of course, you can spend almost as much on a premier, six-ring gas-burning barbecue as you would on the cooker in your kitchen. If you have shelter from the elements and plan to do a lot of outdoor entertaining, the investment might be worthwhile, but for most folk, a bit of kit which sits somewhere in the mid-price range is perfectly adequate. One of the best barbecues I ever Michelin star barbecue cleaning tips attended was cooked on half an oil drum, Michelin star chef Steve Smith has provided his tips on how to clean your turned on its side, with a vast metal grill barbecue as easily and as quickly as possible. Regular cleaning is important to on top. It rained. But the food was fab. prevent food poisoning and to prolong the life of your cooking equipment. After you have wined and dined your guests, the last thing you want to do is start cleaning. Pre-heat the grill Prevent rusting Clean the grill just after preheating it, Clean the grill with soapy water, rinse this way the grease and food will and dry immediately and rub vegetable scrape off easily. oil on the grill to prevent rust. Grab an onion Don’t throw water To remove all of the grit, place a half If you are using a charcoal grill, then cut onion on the end of a fork and rub do not throw cold water over the coals onto a hot grill. after cooking as this will create a mess.
The Pepperbox Inn GB LISTER Windmill Hill, Harrietsham, ME17 1LP Lenham’s Traditional Family Visit our charming pub situated Butcher & Greengrocer in beautiful countryside with outstanding views of the Having a BBQ or Summer Party? Weald of Kent Full á la carte menu and Try our local, fresh, traditional meat. traditional pub food served Great value packs available, or set us a challenge lunchtimes and evenings to meet your personal requirements.
Sunday Lunches £11 per person Served 12noon – 3pm
• Outside terrace • Ample parking We take orders via phone or email & are happy to deliver • Walkers & Riders welcome Please contact us on 01622 858220 or at [email protected] • Warm & welcoming open Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest log fires. for special offers, news, events and recipes www.lenham-butchers.co.uk Opening Times: Daily from 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 11.30pm Food Served: Lunch 12noon – 2pm Evening 7pm – 9.30pm 13 The Square, Lenham, Maidstone ME17 2PQ Sunday Lunches: 12noon –3pm Closed Sunday Evenings 01622 842558 Produce you can trust www.thepepperboxinn.co.uk Try our Award Winning sausages
Mid Kent Living 31 Woolpack The Inn
Our food is freshly prepared on the premises using the finest quality ingredients, by Turkish & Kurdish chefs. Come and try one of our delicious set menus Fine cask beers & lagers SET MENU A SET MENU B 6 COLD MEZZES 5 COLD MEZZES Home + 6 HOT MEZZES + 2 HOT MEZZES + 1 DESSERT + 1 MAIN COURSE cooked £12.95 pp + 1 DESSERT £14.95 pp meals & bar
SET MENU C £29.95 pp Upgrade to snacks All food from SET MENU B Prosecco for just £5 per + Unlimited House Wine & House Beer, Still Our opening hours are : bottle & Sparkling Water and Soft Drinks for 2½ hours Tues til Friday 11am ‘til 3pm, 5pm ‘til 10.30pm Saturday 11am ‘til 10.30pm TAKE AWAY NOW AVAILABLE Sunday 12 noon ‘til 8pm Sunday - Thursday 12.00-22.30 Friday, Satuday 12.00 - Late Mondays closed except bank holidays COLLECTION ONLY
62-63 High Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1SR Benover Road, Benover, Yalding, Kent ME18 6AS 01622 675000 Tel: 01892 730356 www.gemofkent.co.uk Email:[email protected] [email protected]
he Georg T YALDING e The family warmly welcome you to our pub.
Beautiful family run restaurant, bar, conservatory and fully air conditioned carvery. • Fresh Traditional Food Atmospheric family friendly pub, large garden for many uses. Daily 12-2.30pm. Eve 6.30-9.30pm (Mon-Sat) Outside barbeque area, hog roast also available & Sunday Lunch 12-8pm • Carvery Friday & Saturday Evening Fishing facilities from our garden includes and Sunday 12-5.30pm £10 lunch a beer/drink and all day fishing • Function Room available for either sit down meals • Children’s Play Area catering for up to 80 people or buffets for up to 100-120 people. Perfect for funerals, Regular live entertainment birthdays and weddings, family meals, business lunches. - Any occasion. • OAP days Monday to Wednesday 12-5pm The Tudor Rose All football showing Chestnut Street, Borden, Sittingbourne, ME9 8BT www.thegeorgeyalding.co.uk 01795 842575 01622 814376 Benover Road, Yalding, Maidstone ME18 6EJ
32 Mid Kent Living Good Food A warm welcome this summer We Brits like nothing more than heading for the great outdoors – at least, when the weather permits! So, with a bit of luck, some sunshine and a following wind, that’s when our great British pubs with family-friendly beer gardens really come into their own. Two of this month’s featured pubs are on the outskirts of Maidstone, in the leafy lanes around Yalding, offering top quality food and drink for all ages to enjoy. If the weather stays true to type, the Tudor Rose at Borden has a light and airy conservatory where you can shelter from the showers – but also a lovely beer garden for those times when the sun does finally pop out! If the climate is cool and you are seeking a warm welcome, look no further than The Gem of Kent in Maidstone High Street. Whichever you choose you really can’t go wrong.
The Woolpack Inn, The George, Tudor Rose – Borden, The Gem of Kent, Benover Yalding Sittingbourne Maidstone The Woolpack Inn is a The George in Yalding is a The Tudor Rose is a The Gem of Kent proudly family-friendly country pub beautiful family-run pub lovely family-friendly pub boasts itself as Maidstone’s in the quiet village of situated on the River Beult with a garden and a only Turkish and Kurdish Benover, with a good and can offer fishing spacious conservatory for Restaurant and it is selection of cask beers, facilities for just £10 per dining, whatever the certainly worth shouting fine wines and home- person - which includes all weather. There is a varied about. cooked food. With olde- day fishing, lunch and a menu to suit all budgets The restaurant offers worlde décor, this historic drink! and tastes including lighter outstanding dishes from pub has a traditional This popular pub offers a bites and a children’s menu both cultures created using restaurant with a friendly good-sized atmospheric too. The regularly the finest quality and warm atmosphere and restaurant with varying changing specials board ingredients. beautiful gardens with a menus available. As well as often includes favourites In addition to the play area to enjoy on traditional Sunday roasts, such as crispy pork belly, extensive a la carte menu balmy summer days. The they offer stone-baked pan-fried sea bass and there is a set lunch and varied menu features top pizzas and light brunches. braised lamb shank. dinner menu – offering you quality meat, fish and An excellent value menu is Every Friday, Saturday a fantastic choice of new vegetarian dishes, made also offered for senior and Sunday the pub offers tastes as well as the classic with locally-sourced citizens – available Monday its popular carvery – dishes. ingredients. From hearty to Wednesday. The George serving up a selection of The popular restaurant Sunday roasts to light enjoys a wonderful, four meats and a wide now offers a take away sandwich lunches and picturesque garden which selection of fresh service too - collection seafood suppers. plays host to barbeques vegetables. only for now but giving you There is a children’s and hog roasts virtually all The pub is able to cater the chance to take a taste menu for little ones and a year round, plus there is a for any occasion in their of Turkish cuisine home good selection of delicious large children’s’ play area Events Room with either a with you. Whatever you desserts for those with a to keep the little ones sit down meal or a more choose, the warm friendly sweet tooth. The pub is amused. Check the website informal buffet for both atmosphere along with the perfectly located for for all forthcoming events large and small parties. exceptional food is sure to passing cyclists and including quiz nights and You will be assured of a make you visit again and ramblers or for an evening live entertainment. warm welcome. again. meal with family or friends. www.thegeaorgeyalding.co.uk www.tudorroseborden.co.uk www.gemofkent.co.uk According to TripAdvisor… The Woolpack Inn The George “Traditional pub food at its best” “Superb” “I have been for lunch at this charming Kentish pub several “This is a superb friendly pub, spotless inside, with a nice times during the past year. I can't find fault in the food at all. decor. We were made to feel welcome and comfortable in a For those who enjoy traditional dishes at reasonable prices, local pub. The food was on point.” April 2016 this is perfect. “ June 2016 The Gem of Kent The Tudor Rose “Excellent meal - will definitely be returning!” “Amazing delicious food and fantastic service” “My first visit to this fantastic restaurant. Could not fault the “Child friendly and a beautiful garden. The food was cooked food or service. I had Set Menu A which was excellent value. to perfection. This lovely pub /restaurant is the best I've Plus a very impressive wine list. I will definitely be paying been to in Sittingbourne and surrounding area. Will another visit and will be recommending it. definitely be returning. May 2016 May 2016
Mid Kent Living 33 KENT’S ONLY FLOATING BAR & RESTAURANT MAIDSTONE
MENUS Come try our delicious new menus A la carte menu Party 3 course menu from £21 pp All of our menus are available online at www.embankments.co.uk
SURF ‘N’ TURF IS OUR SPECIALTY Fish, shell fish, steaks and vegetarian dishes Pop in for a drink during lunchtime or evening
Fresh food, lovingly prepared by talented chef’s and served by our warm friendly staff
Book at www.embankments.co.uk Tel 0800 689 7888 Parking available in Lockmeadow (free after 6.30pm) (Restaurant permit parking available after 6pm, ask when booking)
34 Mid Kent Living Advertisement feature
Globe-trotting chef takes up top post at Tudor Park
Meet Tudor Park’s new executive head “I have heard so much about Kent and chef, Alfonso Salvaggio. the produce grown here, so I am looking He has recently swapped a jeep, sand forward to making the most of that in and the stifling heat of Dubai, for the our seasonal menus,” he says. lush green surroundings and a golf Alfonso now heads up a 13-strong buggy at the four star Marriott Hotel & team of chefs who create dishes for Alfonso will be serving up delicious Country Club in Bearsted—and says he Tudor Park’s Conical Grill restaurant, seasonal dishes this summer. and his young family couldn’t be happier. Mezzanine and Zest Bar, as well as menus for Mezz bar and Zest arriving “It is so fantastic to be able to walk catering for up to 250 people at any this summer. outside and enjoy this beautiful one time at business banquets, golf His travels, combined with Italian countryside and fresh air. I bought my events, private functions and about 50 family connections, have strong daughters (Giulia, five, and Fiona, three) weddings a year. influences on Alfonso’s cooking which umbrellas for the first time in their lives His arrival coincides with the launch he hopes to bring to his new role. and they are even loving the outdoors of a new a la carte menu for the Conical “I think guests at Tudor Park will when it rains as they have never Grill, which has been designed following see Asian, Balkan and Italian flavours experienced it before,” says the 41- feedback from Marriott’s loyal coming through some of my dishes year-old. customers and will bring menu He is also revelling in the fact that, consistency across all the group’s hotels which I hope they will enjoy,” he adds. unlike in Dubai, ingredients here are in the UK. Editorial supplied by Tudor Park fresh and seasonal and not flown in. Alfonso will also be overseeing new Marriott Hotel & Country Club
FREE JUNIOR GOLF MEMBERSHIP TEE OFF TOGETHER FOR LESS
Free off-peak Junior Membership for children aged up to 16 years with every Full Adult Membership. Enjoy unlimited golf from 3pm Tudor Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club during April - October and from 12pm during Ashford Road Bearsted November - March. Upgrade to Full Junior Maidstone, ME14 4NQ Membership from only £49 per year! +441622 734334
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Mid Kent Living 35 LOCAL Clinical Hypnosis & NLP COUNSELLING Discreet and confidential Make Positive Changes SERVICE counselling provided by a Stop Smoking, Motivation, therapist with over Performance Anxiety, Phobias, 25 years experience Weight Control, Exams, - Assessment within 48 hours of initial contact Confidence and Self Esteem - Early morning & late evening appointments available - Individual and couple therapy One to one Sessions - Covering a wide range of presenting problems Training Courses and Groups [email protected]
For more information call www.kentcollegeofhypnotherapy.co.uk Tel 01622 721539 www.mindconnections.co.uk Mobile 07955 749533 or go to www.counselling-maidstone.co.uk Patricia Whitson D.Hyp.(Dist). Member of The Hypnotherapy Association Appts: West Malling, Nr. Maidstone. Telephone 07711140201
MONDAY TUESDAY Harrietsham WEDNESDAY Centre, 70 Gibson Drive 7.30pm Vinters Park Harrietsham C of E 5.30pm & 7.30pm Sue 07724 185071 Vinters Park Community Barming Allington Primary School Aylesford Bulls RFC Jay 07930 337708 Centre, Hampton Road St. Andrew’s Church Hall St Nicholas Church Hall West Street Jack Williams Memorial 5.30pm Lenham THURSDAY St Andrews Road (Back Hall), Poplar Grove 7.30pm Ground Hall Road Lorraine 01622 631982 Lenham Primary School Snodland 5.30 & 7.30pm 10am Ray 07747 114511 9.00am Julie 07770 937425 Emma 07931 747183 Bev 01622 750701 Ham Lane Ham Hill Working Mens Larkfield 7.30pm Club, Function room SATURDAY Ditton Allington Larkfield Priory Hotel Tovil Sammie 07979 692389 259-261 Malling Road Maidstone - Ditton Community Centre Allington Community 802 London Road (A20) Cornwallis Suite, Masonic 9.30am & 11.30am Ringlestone Kiln Barn Road Association,Castle Road Centre, Courtney Road Snodland 3.30 & 5.30 & 7.30pm Tracey 01634 240429 St Faiths Village Hall 5.30pm & 7.30pm 5.30pm & 7.30pm 9.30am & 11.30am Ham Hill Working Mens Hayley 07590276546 Moncktons Lane Toni 07834 438422 Vanessa 07712 647797 Sue 07724 185071 Club, Function room Larkfield Maidstone 259-261 Malling Road Larkfield Church farms 8.30am Coxheath Aylesford St. Martin’s Church Hall East Malling 5.30pm New Hythe Lane Lindsey 07914 842597 Coxheath Village Hall Aylesford Community Northumberland Road St James Centre Tracey 01634 240429 7.00pm Stockett Lane Centre 3.30 & 5.30 & 7.30pm Chapman Way Bev 01622 750701 Staplehurst 7.30pm 25 Forstal Road Sue 07724 185071 5.30pm & 7.30pm Bev 01622 750701 7.30pm Amanda 07531 308636 Staplehurst School Loose Bev 01622 750701 Maidstone – Town Gybbon Rise Loose Parish St. Luke’s Church Hall Grove Green 5.30pm & 7.30pm Pavilion Foley St St John’s CEP School Ray 07747 114511 King George V 5.30 & 7.30pm Provender Way Playing Field Tovil Toni 07834 438422 5.30pm & 7.30pm 7.30pm Cornwallis Suite Julie 01622 734283 Caroline 07539 Masonic Centre 175355 Kings Hill Courtney Road Kings Hill Community
36 Mid Kent Living Mind, body & soul
How to boost your BRAIN Our brain is the most precious organ in our body – we spend the first 18 years of our life developing and training it and it is who we are.
The preciousness of our brain is true even hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes with all the scientific progress — modern are often invisible without medical tests. High medicine can transplant nearly any organ cholesterol may be related to the food we except the brain. For this reason, we have to eat. However many people have high value and protect the brain as we age. cholesterol despite eating a healthy diet as Just like any organ of the body, the brain is they carry certain genes which predispose nourished by blood vessels susceptible to them to have high cholesterol so it is disease. Diseases and habits which clog up worthwhile to have this checked. Diabetes is our arteries in the heart and cause heart also increasingly common due to the amount Dr James Teo attacks are the same that cause clog ups in of sugar and carbohydrates in our diet, and the arteries in the brain. can be detected with a simple blood test. Smoking, hypertension (high blood Hypertension is probably much more pressure), high cholesterol and diabetes (high insidious as this requires regular blood blood sugar levels) clog up the arteries to the pressure checks. Blood pressure changes Quick tips brain cumulatively over years and starve the from minute to minute and hour to hour. Smoking brain of blood. Blood pressure machines at pharmacists and is the biggest risk This starvation to the brain can cause GPs are helpful guides, but even better is factor for strokes and sudden dramatic strokes, which can paralyse, checking your blood pressure at home at vascular dementia blind and disable, or more insidiously, cause a random times of the day and night. slow decay of the brain’s thought processes, Nowadays, you can buy wireless machines, Check your own blood resulting in dementia. This process happens which talk to your smartphone or tablet pressure at home over many years and decades, such that automatically. Drink alcohol within changes to our lifestyle or preventative There is a lot of interest in using brain recommended limits actions we undertake now will reap dividends training games on tablets and smartphones (lower the better) in 10-20 years. If you can read this article, you to improve brain power. Unfortunately, their have a brain to save. benefit is not yet Eat a healthy, mixed While smoking is a very visible backed by scientific diet of meat, green habit we know to avoid, evidence. It appears vegetables and fresh that if you play Sudoku fruit; reduce the a lot, you just become amount of good at Sudoku but don’t carbohydrates and maintain all the many processed foods other things your brain Train mental agility: does, like planning a schedule, real-world problem-solving and try new hobbies that story construction, to name a few. challenge you Mental agility (the ability to switch between competing tasks or thoughts) plays a big part in how good we are and Home blood pressure needs to be maintained by taking up different machines: hobbies or trying new things. Withings blood You may consider a review with your doctor pressure machine or a neurologist to advise on medical issues that impact on your brain, or a QardioArm blood neuropsychologist in assessing how your pressure machine brain function (cognition) measures up. Omron RS8 blood Eliminating health issues and detrimental pressure machine habits before they cause brain problems is the most effective strategy. Your brain is at iHealth wireless blood its peak in your 20s, 30s and 40s; preventing pressure machine damage to the brain is a boost in itself. Editorial supplied by Dr James Teo, Consultant Neurologist at Sevenoaks Medical Centre
Mid Kent Living 37 Advertisement feature Lifeline that also gives some peace of mind
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The epicentre of a lifeline is the base ensures all of the members provide the will be able to access the phone or call unit which pairs up with a wrist-or-neck- highest possible standards and the for assistance. Adults living alone can go worn pendant, which connects to the quickest response times in any hours or even days before help arrives. emergency response centre. This emergency situation. • In instances like a heart attack, the enables us to quickly and efficiently • A lifeline system cannot prevent chances of survival decline by roughly communicate in the event of a medical 10% for each minute a patient goes danger but it can save precious time in emergency in the home or garden. without assistance from a medical the event of an emergency, thus It is vital that any telecare provider is professional. A lifeline system can set preventing an emergency from turning part of the TSA (Telecare Services the wheels of care in motion, ensuring Association). The TSA oversees the into a tragedy. that time is not wasted and assistance is largest network of telecare and • In emergencies, every second matters. dispatched as soon as possible. telehealth organisations in Europe and If injured in a fall, it is unlikely that you Editorial supplied by Intra Telecare
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38 Mid Kent Living Senior living
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01622 277200
Mid Kent Living 39 ƌĞLJŽƵ ĐĂƌŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ƐŽŵĞďŽĚLJ ǁŝƚŚ ĚĞŵĞŶƟĂ ƚŚĂƚ ĂƌĞ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐŝŶŐ ƉƌŽďůĞŵƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞŝƌ ŵĞŵŽƌLJ͍ ŶĞǁ ŝŶŶŽǀĂƟǀĞ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵŵĞ ƚŽ ĂƐƐŝƐƚ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ǁŝƚŚ ĞĂƌůLJ ƐƚĂŐĞ ĚĞŵĞŶƟĂ ŝƐ ĐŽŵŝŶŐ ƚŽ LJŽƵƌ ĂƌĞĂ͘ dŚĞƉƌŽŐƌĂŵŵĞ ŝƐ ĚĞƐŝŐŶĞĚ ƚŽ ŚĞůƉ ŬĞĞƉ ƚŚŽƐĞ ůŝǀŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ĚĞŵĞŶƟĂ ƐƟŵƵůĂƚĞĚ ĂŶĚ ĞŶĐŽƵƌĂŐĞ ŵĞŵďĞƌƐƚŽ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂƚĞ ŝŶ ƉƵƌƉŽƐĞĨƵů ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ ŝŶ ŽƌĚĞƌ ƚŽ ŵĂŝŶƚĂŝŶ ĂĐƟǀĞ ŵŝŶĚƐ͘
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40 Mid Kent Living Advertisement feature Quality advice at affordable prices
Camrass Wills gives help and advice with Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts, Inheritance tax, Probate and Funeral plans. Peter Camrass has over 30 years’ experience in financial services and 6 years’ as a qualified legal adviser. Peter is an affiliated member of the Society of Will Writers, the largest self-regulatory trade body within the Will writing profession.
Based in mid Kent for the last 23 years, Peter is able to offer home visits around Kent giving quality advice at affordable prices. Why do you need advice? • We offer help • Dying without a Will usually leaves your loved Everyone should set up powers of attorney. ones in a difficult position trying to sort & advice everything out after you have gone. • Inheritance tax can often be avoided if it is looked at early enough. • Many couples have standard mirror Wills when • Home visits their children and grandchildren would benefit • Paying for your funeral before you ‘go’ can be greatly if the Wills were a little more detailed. the best buy you ever make! You choose the • All fees agreed funeral you want, you save your family the • Without Lasting Powers of Attorney, life can stress of organising it and they do not need to before you proceed be very difficult for the family if someone loses worry about finding the money because you the capacity to make their own decisions. have already paid for it.
Phone Camrass Wills to book a free initial consultation. Tel: 01622 720985 or go online: www.camrasswills.co.uk
Tel: 01622 246 046 0800 566 8889 www.nightingalebathrooms.co.uk
Mid Kent Living 41 PleaseHome call Show Open to make an appointment Extra Care apartments 07715 015840 and FOR SALE Rent
Quarry House
Calleywell Lane, Aldington, Kent TN25 7FZ
A stylish new extra care development, comprising 33 apartments, available for shared ownership sale or rent. Prices from: The development has extensive * communal facilities, together with £110,000 care and support services on site * based on a 50% share of a two bedroom apartment 24 hours per day, to give you total peace of mind. For sales information, please contact Housing & Care 21 sales team on:
For rental information, please contact Ashford Housing Services on: 0345 608 4021 [email protected] 01233 330688 [email protected] www.housingandcare21.co.uk
Developed in partnership with:
42 Mid Kent Living Property
Advertisement feature NEVER TOO OLD FOR A MORTGAGE! With over 20 years’ Whether you need to repay a mortgage, “My advice for first time buyers would be very experience in the finance some unexpected outlay - or just different than if I were speaking with somebody mortgage market make your retirement more comfortable - approaching retirement. If somebody is Sarah deals with there are many options available. Retirement concerned about mortgage finance, whatever all manner of mortgages or Equity Release can provide a their age, I would strongly recommend a mortgage enquiries. safe and very welcome solution to many conversation. While some people know exactly Whether it is for a people who just don’t know that this may be what they want and need, there are many people new house purchase, an option. who find there are options available they just a re-mortgage, a Local adviser Sarah Ferrell says: “I see so didn’t know existed!” buy-to-let enquiry or many people who are worried about their Sarah is happy to visit your home and, unlike to discuss releasing finances at a time in their lives when they many banks, she is not just available 9-5 but will equity from your home in retirement, Sarah is really don’t want financial pressure. Being offer flexible times to suit her clients. happy to discuss any mortgage needs with able to take these worries away is anybody – regardless of age. She is one of tremendously rewarding.” the few advisers fully qualified and licensed There are so many different types of to deal with “traditional” and retirement Call Sarah at mortgage – be that in the “traditional” lending. Her clients are currently aged Professional Mortgage Services market or be it a retirement mortgage - between 19 and 93! which can be set up in many different ways Through no fault of their own, an increasing so it is definitely not “one size fits all.” M: number of people are carrying debt into 07789007447 Sarah takes a great deal of time to work out retirement making the “Golden Years” the exact solution which is best for each potentially worrying because of financial T: 01622 631372 individual at their particular stage of life. pressures. E:[email protected] But that need not be the case. MORTGAGES EQUITY RELEASE RE-MORTGAGE BUY-TO-LET FIRST TIME BUYERS
Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other loan secured on it. Equity Release is a lifetime mortgage or home reversion scheme. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration. The Financial Conduct Authority do not regulate some buy to let mortgages. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate on Will Writing.
Professional Mortgage Services is a trading style of Rosemount Financial Solutions Ltd who are an appointed Representative of Intrinsic Financial Planning Ltd and Intrinsic Mortgage Planning Ltd, Registered in England 5372217, Wakefield House, Aspect Park, Pipers Way, Swindon, SN3 1SA. Intrinsic Financial Services is a holding company, subsidiaries of which are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The information contained in this message is confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy or otherwise use it and do not disclose it to anyone else. Please notify the sender of the delivery error and then delete the message from your system.
e: [email protected] Willington Homes t: 07971720242 Willington Homes – specialists in subdivide partnerships
Do you have a large garden that may lend itself to subdivide? Maybe you are thinking of selling up and would love to maximise your return? Maybe you’d like to stay in your home but reduce the size of your garden and create a nest egg for you and your family?
We at Willington Homes understand this is a big decision and have undertaken partnerships with local people, like you, to help them minimise the risk and maximise their return.
How does it work? Step 1 – We evaluate the potential of subdividing your garden Step 2 – We provide some build options for your consideration Step 3 – You seek independent advice on the value of the proposed build options Step 4 – We agree a land purchase price, based on achieving planning permission Step 5 – If we beat the upper valuation at sale we share the benefits To find out more, please call us on 07971720242 or email us at [email protected]
Mid Kent Living 43 CELEBRATING 70 YEARS 1946 - 2016
Established 1946 A company you can trust National & International Removals & Secure Storage
Short & long term storage CCTV & Redcare alarm protection 24/7 Fully insured Own storage warehouse Self storage available
We don’t just move houses...We move homes....
Local & long distance, full & part loads International removals and shipping Wrap & pack service available Domestic & commercial moving & storage Fleet of own vehicles All staff are British Association of Removers trained & CRB checked
Take a virtual tour of the warehouse with Google maps at Bray & Sons, Maidstone
“A very big thank you to yourself, your office staff and your removal team for a very helpful and efficient removal service which helped to ease the stress out of the day. We would certainly recommend your company to anyone who is considering a move. B012 B.A.R Mr & Mrs Underdown, Maidstone Trained Staff “Just a note to commend the team who moved me last week. Bray & Son They were all very courteous, careful with the packing and the moving, and A third generation, family continued to be cheeful in spite of the torrential rain.” Mr How, Bearsted run company with 70 years experience of moving homes. Call 01622 670562/663350 Why trust your [email protected] www.brayandson.com possessions to anyone else! Unit 15 Heronden Road, Parkwood, Maidstone
44 Mid Kent Living Advertisement feature Bray and Son Removals celebrate their 70th year When Frank Bray came home to Maidstone in 1946 after five years in a German prisoner-of-war camp, he quickly bought himself an old van, and started a removals and porterage business transporting anything from meals to schools, cows for farmers…and, of course, household removals. Frank carried out the company’s first removal 70 years ago for the princely sum of £2.10s and, in the seven decades since then, Bray & Son Removals has grown into one of the most highly-regarded and best removals companies in Kent.
Vehicles with star quality solution and carry a full range of In total, Bray and Son’s fleet now packing materials to suit the customers’ consists of 10 lorries plus van and requirements and offer a packing trailers. Their oldest vehicle from 1971, service to save time. They will carefully and affectionately named Eric, appears assess each removal or storage task and regularly on period television shows and provide guidance to suitable box types films such as Made in Dagenham and and even grades of infill to suit your Brighton Rock and has won several items and prevent any damages. awards at vintage motor shows. More recently, the business has invested in Family business DAF EEV (enhanced environmentally- Frank, with his son Graham, expanded friendly vehicles), which reduce the business to provide domestic, emissions which allows them into the commercial and international moving low emission zones. services and with a third and fourth generation of the family now involved in Packing service the business. Bray & Son is Whether continuing to invest in their commercial, vehicles, services and domestic or training to ensure that their specialist “Being environmentally-friendly is reputation for quality, Bray and almost an obligation these days,” says service and reliability will Sons offer Simon Bray. “We are always trying to see the company around for the raise our game and we have stopped many more generations. perfect the use of bubble wrap because it is not recyclable. We use corrugated Why choose a BAR member? cardboard instead, which can provide even better protection.” Choosing a British Association of Removers (BAR) member will ensure your move goes smoothly with added peace of mind that comes from using a reputable, Professional standards professional and safe remover, and in the unlikely event that something goes The company is an approved member wrong, you’ve got someone to turn to. of the British Association of Removers (BAR) and are also approved with All BAR members abide by an industry-approved code which dictates: Checkatrade. • the standards of service you will receive • what will happen if something goes Graham Bray explains: “We have been • the quality of the materials used wrong and most importantly the Code a BAR Member for over 22 years, we • the standards of vehicles and requires BAR moving companies to know a lot of people in the industry, and warehouses deal with you in a courteous and they know that high standards are very • staff training requirements sympathetic way at all times. important to us. We only use our own As well as son Simon, Graham’s wife Angela, daughter Donna and her husband, full-time employees on jobs and our Simon Brown, help run the business, with a young grandson also becoming vehicles are all Euro 5. We strongly involved. Still a very hands-on owner, Graham is proud of the achievements of the believe in keeping our facilities family business over the last 70 years and is confident about the future. immaculate and fit for the 21st century.” “We have had the busiest year so far,” says Graham. “It is not always easy Impartial reviews on the Checkatrade competing against man-and-van services, but people in the Kent area know our service, run by Kent and Essex name and trust us completely with their business. Bray & Son is the first business Trading Standards, speak highly of the they call when they need a removals service in the area. I am sure Frank would be professionalism of the company and its very proud.” crews.
Mid Kent Living 45 OUR REPUTATION SPEAKS FOR ITSELF windows : doors : conservatories
Sorry no buy one get one free. No 70% off list price Just the keenest prices around
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WE DO NOT employ pushy salesmen on commission. WE DO employ our own fitters. WE DO insure all our guarantees for peace of mind. WE DO give prices over the phone.
46 Mid Kent Living Homes Gardens&
Ideas for home improvements
Summer Sales & gardening services LivingMid Kent All LOADS Ltd Loose or Bags 01622 873 231 Specialists in supplying aggregates Turf • Top Soil • Sand & Ballast Free Delivery All Bags £40 Bulk Bag Waste Collection www.allloads.co.uk email:[email protected]
48 Mid Kent Living Homes & gardens
TIME FOR A HOE DOWN? Summertime... and the living is not so easy! Left unfettered, weeds will rapidly take hold of your garden - and bugs get a grip on your plants...
Don’t return from a family holiday to find the garden is out of control. Instead, bribe a neighbour or friend to undertake the watering and to limit weeds. Reward them with being allowed to harvest crops from the kitchen garden. (Of course, make certain the friend has adequate skills that include knowing the difference between a plant and a weed!) Returning to the subject of weeding. When the ground is dry, don’t disdain that old fashioned tool – a hoe. Tiny weeds can be hoed out and left on the surface to wilt and die. Sadly, this method is not successful when the soil is damp because those clever weeds will re-root and establish! gardens, most of which are privately small plot in a good position – or even a A lot of fruit trees are carrying owned, for a remarkably small entrance couple of containers filled with especially large crops this year and fee. appropriate compost. Remember that branches are heavily-laden. Prop them Founded by the Queen’s Nursing children want to see results quickly so up with supports to prevent them Institute in 1927, it was made a encourage them to sow quick-grow breaking off. Still on the subject of fruit charitable company in 2005. A lot of salad leaves and quick-grow herbs that trees: remove any suckers growing at the properties listed offer delicious they will be able to harvest – and have the base of trunks. The girth of the trees home-made teas, some sell plants – and the fun of using – during the holidays. may have increased quite dramatically – almost all provide free information and At this time of year, there can be an check ties/supports and loosen as advice! The scheme has donated over over-abundance of fruit and vegetables. required. Espalier and fan-trained apple £23 million to charities in the last ten Rather than boring everyone with ‘the and pear trees should be pruned now. years. same, the same’ every day, consider Whether holidaying in this country or The school holidays are long and setting up a ‘swap shop’ with abroad, why not include visits to a children – especially younger ones - get neighbours. Or sell surplus to raise couple of ‘open gardens’ in the bored! It is not too late in the season to money for a selected charity? And of schedule? A delightful way of gaining encourage them to garden. Don’t give course, bottling, preserving, drying and knowledge and researching for new them a place in an out-of-the-way dark freezing are back on the agenda – ideas. The National Gardens Scheme corner that might defeat even the something in which the entire family can affords wonderful opportunities to visit experts! Instead, provide them with a get involved. Editorial supplied by Pat Crawford for Hadlow College. Mid Kent Living 49 01795 890551 SEC 07958 560280 LTD Builders
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50 Mid Kent Living Homes & gardens
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Thinking of a new bedroom? Then think of us.
We are a friendly, family run bedroom company and have a wide range of designs which includes everything from bespoke bedrooms to hardworking home offices, So whatever your dream bedroom may be our bedroom www.bedroomflair.co.uk 01622 729855 designer can help – AWARD WINNING FAMILY BUSINESS – you achieve it. 169 Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8NA Find us on
Mid Kent Living 51 GARDEN 4 KENT soft furnishings LANDSCAPE SERVICES Family firm based in Coxheath, offering all aspects of soft furnishing from curtains and blinds to knitting wool and haberdashery Personal 1-1 service Tree Care Nearly 40 years of experience Hedge cutting Available to every Weed Killing budget Turfing Knitting wool and Fencing haberdashery Fully insured, Professional service
Tel: 01622 432597 Unit 2, The Oast, Clockhouse Farm, Mob: 07944 510742 Coxheath, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4PB E-mail: [email protected] 01622 744265 www.aquariussoftfurnishings.co.uk Email:[email protected]
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• Walk-in Baths • Walk-in showers (low level & level access) • Wet Rooms • Product & installation guarantee • Waterproof wall panelling • Slip resistant safety flooring • Grab rails, shower seats & raised toilets • Friendly, family business • Discounts for OAPs, Ex Service Personnel and SSAFA Call now to arrange a FREE survey & quote 01622 738204 0800 731 6495 [email protected] www.ahminstallations.co.uk Offer expires Please come and visit us at Newnham Shopping Village, Bearsted, Maidstone Kent deposits by Showroom opening times Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-4pm 30th September 2016
52 Mid Kent Living Homes & gardens
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Mid Kent Living 53 Dewitt Flooring UK Limited The Green, Boughton Monchelsea, Maidstone ME17 4LT w: www.dewittfloors.co.uk e: [email protected] t: 01622 744886 Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 09:00 – 16:00 Saturday 10:00 – 16:00
Based in Boughton Monchelsea we provide excellence in all of the key areas that are most important to our customers, design, quality and customer service. We offer many brands to suit all budgets including our very own Dewitt Collection and are pleased to announce for that the months of July through to the end of September we can offer the Dewitt Collection Luxury Vinyl Flooring at £23.99 per m2 when mentioning this advert.
Established 31 Years Transform Your Kitchen Award Winning Family Run Business
Replace with new doors and worktops for a fraction of the cost of a new kitchen
• Hassle free make • Doors & drawer over completed fronts made-to- in days measure In association with Bedroom Flair • Extensive ranges • Additional units www.bedroomflair.co.uk to suit all styles & • Appliances to budgets suit all budgets 01622 729855 • FREE design • Full kitchens - service & Visit our showroom. Opening Times affordable prices Mon Fri 8.00 – 4.00 | Sat 10.00 – 4.00 quotation 169 Tonbridge Road, Maidstone ME16 8NA
54 Mid Kent Living Sales & Services
Trailer Hire-Sales-Repair Kent Trailers Indespension Agent Livestock, Plant, Recovery, Van, General Purpose Trailers in stock, New & Used Detling 01622 730063 [email protected] 07860 318166
MALCOLM ROBERTS Marchant Garden Services Over 25 years’ experience of maintaining people’s homes. Adrian Marchant A friendly, reliable service. - Tree Surgeon Painting & decorating, Wall Papering, Tiling and all aspects of DIY. N.P.T.C. Qualified • Fully Insured • Hedgecutting & Fencing CALL MALCOLM - FOR A FREE QUOTATION Offham Nr West Malling ON 01634 308067 Mob: 07788 142576 07932 492897 01732 841041
UPHOLSTERY & CARPET CLEANING (homes and cars) POND (maintenance and clearance) HOUSE & COMMERCIAL CLEARANCE MOBILE BODY REPAIRS (clean ups, probate, end of tenancy) • BUMPER SCUFFS • KEY SCRATCHES • ALLOY REFURB all at very reasonable prices. • VANDOLISM DAMAGE TO PAINTWORK • DENTS • MACHINE POLISHING • FULLY GUARANTEED TO MAIN DEALER STANDARD • FULLY INSURED Call us Now: 01622 686 189 Mobile: 07943 953 412 Email· [email protected] www.kentclear.com 24hrs FREE ESTIMATES
Plumbing & Tiling Bathroom Installation & refurbishment, DAVID COX Mobile: 07701024078 Home: 01622 730960 E: [email protected] Before Before FREE ESTIMATES
HANDYMAN After After No job too big or too small. • 27 years experience Painting & decorating, Proud sponsors of • 6 day operation all roofing works & repairs, • Around 1/4 of body shop price chimney’s, guttering & gutter cleaning, pressure cleaning, Bearsted • Reliable, professional and flexible fencing & brickwork & driveways Cricket Club 07554 267087 Call: 07771 621 769 0800 4748750 Free from landlines [email protected] www.touchupsltd.co.uk
Mid Kent Living 55 MoT Testing All MOT’s Free re-test and minor adjustments £40.00 Service & repairs carried out to all makes & models TilyardAuto’s Local recovery service available Tel: 01622 663662 Tyres • Exhausts • Tracking Unit 5, Bridge Industrial Estate, Wharf Road, FREE COLLECTION AND DELIVERY Tovil, Maidstone ME15 6RR SERVICE WITHIN 10 MILE RADIUS
SAVESAVE £££s ON SKIPSKIP HIRE ACROSS KENT P.BROWN BUILDING & ROOFING Extensions, renovations, roofing, 4, 6, 8 & 12yd Skips DomesDomestictic & CommerCommercialcial loft conversions & alterations Fully rrecycledecycled aatt our oownwn ffacilitiesacilities Call Paul on 01634 865213 PPermitsermits ArrArrangedanged CompeCompetitivetitive RaRatestes 07748185920 Book and papayy online on our wwebsiteebsite All work carries an Insurance Backed Guarantee E: [email protected] CONTACTCONTTAACT US TODAYTODAY 01622 8045498 W: pbrownbuildingroofing.co.uk TO FIND OUT MORE countrystylerecycling.co.ukcountrystylerecycling.co.uk 2 Warren Road, Bluebell Hill Chatham, Kent ME5 9RD
Double Glazing Repairs & Locksmith Services • Locks repaired or replaced • Letterboxes H & G Chimney Services • Hinges & window handles Chimney sweeping service • Long established • ICS registered • Broken glass & misted units Access All types of flu • All pots-cowls supplied & fitted • Complete • Lost key replaced & doors opened re-builds • Re-pointing • Guttering, roof & valley repairs • Patio doors, runners & rollers Denied [email protected] • Doors that are difficult to close and lock 01622 739439 07860 318166 01622 611107 / 07967 625 447 D. BODY LTD Waste Collection
Cesspool Emptying Septic Tanks Drain Clearing Sludge Removal Treatment Plants Gulleys & Forecourts High Pressure Jetting
Domestic & Commercial ENVIRONMENTAL LICENSED CARRIERS 24Hr - 7 Days A Week 01622 631688 Prompt & Friendly Service www.dbody.co.uk The Paddock, Detling Hill, Maidstone, Kent
56 Mid Kent Living Sales and Services The complete Bathroom Maintenance Company NO CALL OUT FEE & FREE QUOTES Supply • Install • Repair • Floor & Wall Tiling • Full Plumbing Services
Call Gary 07738 902116 • 01622 736266 ALL WORK GUARANTEED
Free collection & delivery service •Driveways •Tar & Grit •Tarmacadam from your home or office... •Footpaths •Block Paving•Car Parks call us sit back and relax! Council Approved Drop Kerbs Free Estimates Service • MOT • Bodyshop All makes & models WE BEAT ANY GENUINE QUOTES Highland Garage, Detling The Willows, The Street, Bearsted Maidstone, Kent ME14 3HT Maidstone, Kent ME14 4HH 01622 743037 01622 739864 07729 862518 / 07771 523799 - G A R A G E S E R V I C E S - www.patheardgarageservices.co.uk www.rssurfacing.com
PHONE THE REST – THEN RING THE BEST www.wrightsfencing.co.uk WANTED 4X4s, CARS, VANS, TRUCKS, LORRIES AND ALL PLANT MACHINERY Petrol, diesel, Good, bad, ugly CASH PAID, FAST COLLECTION Running or not 07733 205083 No1 Locally PHONE THE REST – THEN RING THE BEST Since 1996
For a free site survey call: 01622 527106 BMP MINI SKIP HIRE EPIC 07788 532926 LANDSCAPES No job too big or small 2/3/4 & 6 YARD • Fencing • Treework • Turfing • Decking • SAME DAY SERVICE E.A. REG • FAST FRIENDLY SERVICE • Levelling Ground • Jet Washing Service • WE RECYCLE YOUR WASTE • Water Features • Astroturf • Patios • Clearance • Driveways 01622 858887 07870 680 979
LTJ SURFACING Monumental Stonemasons Family run Business for over 27 years Est. 1973 NAMM, BRAMM & NAMLC Registered Specialists in: • Tarmac • Block Paving • Concrete • Bonded Tar and Gravel • Resin Bounded • Brickwork • Driveways • Patios • Footways • Alterations and Repairs • Carparks and Roads • Pressure Washing New Memorials Tablets, • All other Groundwork undertaken private and commercial We offer Machine and Hand Lay Tarmac Teams Plaques & Vases Cleaning, For a Free Site Survey and Advice please call 07799 351299 Renovation & Restoration or 01622 436933 Or visit us at www.ltjsurfacing.co.uk Safety Inspections Memorial Insurance Arranged MB WINDOW CLEANING Free Brochures • Domestic & Commercial • Window Cleaning Telephone 01622 762482 • Conservatory Roof Cleaning • Gutter, Fascia & Conservatory 01233 636500 • Professional & Reliable Service 01795 436178 01622 863502 07950 211 507 2 Sutton Road Maidstone Kent ME15 9AH www.mbwindowcleaningservices.co.uk 68 Kent Avenue Ashford Kent TN24 8NQ [email protected] Howt Green Bobbing Sittingbourne Kent ME9 8QP
Mid Kent Living 57 ACE M.O.T. and Clutch Centre Open Vehicle • Cam belt kits supplied & fitted Mon – Fri 8:00 - 5:30 Sat 9:00 – 12:00 Maintenance, • Broken belt damaged repaired (M.O.T. only Sun 9:00 – 12:00) Service & M.O.T. • All makes, petrol & diesel 736 London Road, Larkfield, Kent ME20 6BG Tel: 01732 870368
GARDEN & Freephone 0800 6942024 AGRIC ULTURAL HOMEFRESH Throughout the South East CARPET & Carpets (Average) Normal rate Special rate Redwall Farm, Redwall Lane, MAC HINERY Single Room (12’ x 12’) £42 £21 UPHOLSTERY Through Room (12’ x 18’) £56 £28 Linton, Maidstone, ME17 4AX Stihl Chainsaws, Brushcutters, Hall, Stairs & Landing £56 £28 T: 01622 749819 Hedgetrimmers, Strimmers CLEANING Upholstery Viking Lawn Mowers and OFFER 3 piece suite £84 £42 F: 01622 749829 Ride-On Mowers by Stihl 50% Leather 3 piece suite £146 £73 Mountfield Lawnmowers Discount Also at Lydden Road, Swingfield, No hidden extras - All Curtains and Garden Machinery prices inclusive of VAT Full length £74 £37 Dover CT15 7HF Stiga Multiclip and Ride-On Mowers Half Length £42 £21
Complete Garden
Professional and traditional upholsterers Maintenance Established 1975 Most types of furniture re-upholstered and repaired. • Grass cutting, from field to a garden Cushion interior replacement service, antique restoration. •Hedge cutting • Weed control Extensive range of fabrics and leather. Also a barn full of Fully Insured Free Quotes • Japenese Knotweed treatment second hand sofas. Tel 01622 206431 • Fencing • Rubbish removal Workshop 5, Slaney Place farm, Headcorn Road, Staplehurst, Maidstone, Kent TN12 0DT Mob 07932 752875 • Alleyway Clearances • Turfing www.theobaldsfurniture.co.uk 01580 890055 www.boatmanlandscapes.com • Hedge & tree reduction • CRB Checked
M&E SERVICES Local, Experienced, Gas Safe Engineers. BuildingBuilding ServicesServices Gas Boiler Servicing D Part P registered All General Maintenance & Specialised Warm Air Servicing Property Renovations J We are a CRB Police checked company Landlord Safety Certification Call for FREE Estimates 07725 259179 • 01622 750206 Breakdown Repairs 48 Flaxman Drive, Allington, Maidstone, Kent S [email protected] www.djs-builders.com New Installations Gas, Oil & LPG Boilers 01474 812005 One off service offer for £99 ALL MAKES OF WATER SOFTENERS SERVICED • SALES • SERVICE • FILTERS & REVERSE OSMOSIS Call Hayley or Phil now on • FREE SURVEY PROMPT INSTALLATIONS
BARNSIDE, WROTHAM ROAD, MEOPHAM 01622 720888 www.softwaterservices.co.uk BLOCK SALT SOFTENER [email protected] www.advancefm.net E: [email protected]
58 Mid Kent Living Sales and Services
Maidstone Exhaust Centre Covering most aspects & Bower Lane Tyres of car repairs Bower Lane, Maidstone, Kent
Exhausts: 01622 672798 TYRES - EXHAUSTS - BRAKES Tyres: 01622 687466 SUSPENSION - TRACKING & MORE www.maidstone-exhaustcentre.co.uk
Allen Plastering Contractors Fence me in & alot more All plastering work undertaken & All types of Fencing & Gates Installed & Repairs carried out to the highest standard All Aspects of Garden Services, Landscapes, Domestic & Commercial Decking, Patios, Paths & Paving. Skimming • Dry Lining • Rendering • Screeding Regular Contracts, Lawn Mowing, Hedge Cutting etc. • Coving • Repairs • Decorating Free Estimate & Advice - Call Wayne Call Colin on 07521 377306 01622 710859 07748 474957 or 01622 853978 14 Varnes Street, Eccles, Aylesford, Kent ME20 7HH
01233 840624 [email protected]
Blocked drain clearance CCTV drain & sewer surveys The largest Drain & sewer cleaning Cesspool & septic tank services independently owned
liquid waste Tankering including ADR (hazchem) management Pollution & flooding solutions company in the UK Waste disposal & recycling www.mtscleansing.co.uk
24 hour service locks opened new locks fitted security checks emergency work undertaken UPVC door & window repairs Your Maidstone Locksmith T: 01622 755750 M: 07738 658751 3 Plains Avenue, Maidstone ME15 7AT Maidstone & Kent www.yourmaidstonelocksmith.co.uk
Reliable, Local Carpenter FOR FREE ESTIMATES CALL GERRY 01622 631149 / 07929 522990 Email: [email protected] Bedrooms - Wardrobes Wooden flooring custom made & fitted Kitchens custom made & fitted Door framing & hanging Internal alteration Security Lock fitting service Fences & Gates Windows including sash Repairs & Velux Staircase Renovation & repair Architraves & Skirting Property Renovation
Tree Surgery TREE CARE Stump Grinding Contact Tom Hedge T: 01622 206431 Cutting M: 07812 921748 Pruning E:[email protected] Fencing CRB checked
Mid Kent Living 59 HH && CC MotorsMotors Ltd.Ltd.
Independent BMW & Mercedes Specialists Servicing & Repairs while you wait, close to town centre Dealer Level Diagnostics MOTs by appointment Free Courtesy Car by Appointment Air Conditioning Specialists Why pay main dealer prices? Convertible Hood Specialists Affordable, advanced technology servicing Over 70 years’ of combined experience and accredited training with local main dealers 01622 752364 We service all makes & models www.handcmotors.co.uk 19-25 Rawdon Road, Maidstone, ME15 6PT Approved by Trading Standards AUTOSPRAY SOLUTIONS For the ultimate paint finish! MOBILE BODY REPAIRS SCUFFS, SCRATCHES, DENTS etc SAVINGS UP TO 50% COMPARED TO BODYSHOPS Fully guaranteed to main dealer standard Fully insured 25 years experience Insurance work welcome
Call now for your free quotation on Follow 01622 727263 / 07773 340049 us on or email [email protected] Winner of tradesperson of the year 2013
60 Mid Kent Living Motoring news
F-PACE Jaguar’s first SUV Pricing starts at £154,000 in the The all-new Jaguar F-PACE is a UK. Visit cars.mclaren.com for more performance crossover designed and details. engineered to offer the agility, Funky Ford KA responsiveness and refinement that Funky, friendly and fantastic to Jaguars are renowned for, together with drive. The Ka is loaded with unrivalled dynamics and everyday innovative technology to help you versatility. The F-PACE is priced from get to the fun stuff faster. For £34,170. instance, parking in even the Developed using Jaguar's lightweight tightest of spaces is a piece of cake aluminium architecture, the F-PACE with optional rear parking distance incorporates F-TYPE-inspired features A Practical McLaren sensors. Tricky hill starts become a thing such as the powerful rear haunches, The 570GT is claimed to be the most of the past with technology that keeps fender vents and distinctive tail light practical model ever launched by the car still without having to use the graphics. McLaren Automotive, targeted towards handbrake. The bold front grille and the muscular longer journeys and weekends away. The new Ka has a firmer body shell bonnet hint at the performance Fine-tuning to the suspension and and excellent seat and seatbelt potential of engines like the 380PS 3.0- steering systems emphasises long technology, along with ABS. litre supercharged V6. Elements such as distance comfort. The front luggage slender full-LED headlights, 22-inch area provides 150 litres of stowage, For the first time the new Ford Ka has forged alloy wheels and short front while a further 220 litres of space is a choice of engines - the 1.2-litre petrol overhang carry the design vision of the available behind the seats on the or a 1.3-litre diesel. With a top speed of C-X17 concept through to production. leather-lined touring deck. This 99mph and low CO2 emissions of just The F-PACE seats five and the interior additional space is accessed via the side 115g/km. is a perfect blend of premium materials opening Glass Hatch bringing the total Priced from £8,995 – find out more and finishes, exquisite detailing, luxuries storage space to 370 litres. www.ford.co.uk such as heated, electrically-reclining The 570GT features specially rear seats, and cutting-edge developed Pirelli P Zero™ tyres which technologies including the InControl reduce in-cabin road noise by up to Touch Pro infotainment system. three decibels. For the most enthusiastic drivers, The McLaren-developed 3.8-litre there are configurable dynamics, which twin turbo V8 M838TE engine gets allows individual settings for the you from 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds throttle, automatic transmission, with a top speed of 204 mph so you steering, and, where fitted, the adaptive can arrive at your short break dynamics system. www.jaguar.co.uk destination well before you intended.
Meet New Megane front bumper redesigned to express a At the rear, the design of New Two decades after the launch of Renault more sporty personality. Mégane GT is underscored by two Mégane, which has been sold over 6.5 It incorporates a broader air intake chromed tailpipes that echo the air million units worldwide, the makers and the new grill has a honeycomb scoops further to the front and frame have updated the core range to reveal design. a spoiler inspired by the world of F1. New Mégane, the fourth car with that New Mégane GT has a "Renault Sport" name. badge at the rear, on the wings and in New Mégane stands out with its front. dynamic styling and distinctive lighting This sports version, available with signature both at the front and at the new "iron blue" paintwork, combined rear. with "dark metal" touches at the front The latest range is topped by a GT and on the body-coloured door mirrors version whose design is inspired by to emphasise its affinity with the world Renault Sport. New Mégane GT has a of GT motoring. www.renault.co.uk
Mid Kent Living 61 Competitions WIN An annual family membership at Drusillas Park Enjoy a years entry to Worth award-winning over £250 Drusillas Park Name: Win an annual family membership to Friends™ train and visit Hello Kitty Address: the award-winning Drusillas Park in Secret Garden. You can also have a East Sussex and enjoy entry to the best splashing time in the brand new small zoo in the country for a whole attraction for 2016, Get Wet! - the year! ultimate splash pad experience. You can get nose to nose with There's also a runners up prize of a Tel: hundreds of fascinating and family ticket to visit the Park for a day entertaining creatures, enjoy oodles of visit. Both prizes are valid for a group Email: adventure play, ride on the Thomas & of up to four people. Send your entry to Drusillas Park competition Mail Publications Ltd, 2 Forge House, Bearsted Green Business Park, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent ME14 4DT. Drusillas Park offers
Closing date: 31st August 2016 the best family fun day out in Sussex To opt out of receiving information Drusillas Park, Alfriston, East Sussex BN26 5QS about special offers please tick box. www.drusillas.co.uk 01323 874100 Welcome to The Mercure WIN Tunbridge Wells Hotel Bed & Breakfast Escape city life to the rural Georgian oast house at the plus tickets to Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel. Comedy Night and Step back in time to 18th century tranquility at the Mercure a two course meal Tunbridge Wells Hotel, in a quiet corner of Kent but within easy Worth £130 reach of London. The hotel is styled around a feature oast house and surrounded by summer seating area and pond. Relax in Name: the Feel Good Health Club or pop into the beauty studio for a pampering session. By night, linger over dinner in Address: Mallows Restaurant and savour a brandy in the welcoming Oast Bar. The hotel is situated just two miles from Highbrooms railway station and just two miles from the centre of spa town Royal Tunbridge Wells perfect for a shopping trip.
One lucky reader will have the opportunity to experience a great night out and Tel: an overnight stay at the hotel. The fantastic prize includes tickets to the Comedy Night on Saturday 1st October plus a 2 course meal and disco too. Email: This amazing prize is worth £130. Send your entry to Mercure Hotel competition Mail Publications Ltd, 2 Forge House, Bearsted Green MERCURE TUNBRIDGE WELLS HOTEL Business Park, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent ME14 4DT. Tonbridge Road, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4QL Closing date: 31st August 2016 0844 815 9074 [email protected] To opt out of receiving information about special offers please tick box. www.mercuretunbridgewells.co.uk
62 Mid Kent Living Welcome to
Here at Rapid Mix Kent, we are proud to be a leading provider of readymix concrete for customers in the Kent, Ashford, Maidstone and Canterbury areas. Using a combination of expertise, state-of-the-art equipment and a commitment to quality, we can provide a first class service for all our customers, regardless of the size of the project. Whether you need concrete for flooring or screeding, or for domestic or commercial use, we have the skills, equipment and service necessary to provide you with everything you need to help your project INTRUDER ALARMS go as smoothly as possible. t CCTV SYSTEMS If you would like to know more about what it is that we t do, please feel free to get in touch with us today and tACCESSACCESS CONTROL our team will be more than happy to help you Call us today for a free no obligation quote: 0800 8595 375
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B.T. ENVIRONMENTAL MirandaMirandaMiranda DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS Professional jet washing SPECIALIST REPAIRER FOR OVER 20 YEARS services at affordable prices: • Driveways & Paths ALL REPAIRS GUARANTEED • Block paving Misted / Broken Glass Units, • Patios Door & Window Handles, • Walls Locks & Hinges • Graffiti removal Patio Door Wheels & Tracks Sky Vac Gutter Cleaning/Sucks Your Gutters Clean SPARE PARTS SHOP • Saves using expensive access equipment • Reaches up to five storey’s high Units 15-16 Dickens Court • Reaches those awkward places Enterprise Close, Medway City Estate • Camera and video footage Kent ME2 4LY • Prices from £30 Free no obligation quotations. 01634 717400 www.mdgrepairs.co.uk Tel. 01622 200333/07875 579692 [email protected] www.bt-environmental.com
Mid Kent Living 63 MAIDSTONE TREE SERVICES
TREE SPECIALISTS | FULLY INSURED | 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE
0800 567 7175 01622 296412
• Pollarding • Coppicing • Firewood • Crown reduction • Forestry work • Hedge cutting • Crown Lifting • Thinning & shaping • Tree Removal & deadwooding • Grass cutting & strimming • Stump grinding • Landscaping
Email: [email protected] www.maidstonetreeservices.co.uk
Mid-Kent Living is published by Mail Publications Ltd, Forge House, Bearsted Green Business Park, Bearsted, Maidstone, ME14 4DT. (Chairman: Claire Procter, Sales Manager: Bill Brett, Editor: Simon Finlay). Printed by Cliffe Enterprise Ltd Tel: 01622 630330 email: [email protected] website: www.downsmail.co.uk