mmm Magazine 25
mmm Issue 25, February 2014 Complimentary
TREBOR’S TASTY TREATS Maidstone’s own Wonka Factory
BREWING UP THE PAST
FROM CANTERBURY WITH LOVE
Fiona Phillips and her determination on dementia
Toasting Fremlins' past glories
PAUL’S ANIMAL MAGNETISM TV favourite on life, love and home in Kent
February 2014
n History n Travel n Business n Weddings n And much, much more
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Madrid
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Welcome
AMID all this cold and chilly weather, February brings with it a day which puts a little heat into all our lives. Love it or hate it, Valentine's Day is often a chance to celebrate relationships, rekindle others or rejoice in the birth of something new and exciting. If you're still pondering how to spoil your other half – or simply indulge yourself – then I can certainly recommend a spa day at the beautiful Eastwell Manor near Ashford, which I was recently treated to. It was truly wonderful experience. Of course, you may just want to avoid Valentine's Day altogether and what better way than to celebrate being single than by curling up in peace and quiet with a good book? I've developed something of a love for autobiographies; learning the methods behind some of the most inspirational characters. You learn an awful lot, which you can incorporate into making your own life a success. I'd love to hear which titles you've enjoyed recently – why not drop me a line and let me know? For now, though, we've got some great features inside this month's edition for you to enjoy. Everything from Kent's very own Paul O'Grady and Fiona Phillips, to some fascinating history pieces on the beer and confectionery industries, which once flourished in Maidstone. Meanwhile, at mmm we are now comfortably settled in our lovely new offices. Remember, if you want to get in touch with us, our new address is GHL House, First Floor, 12-14 Albion Place, Maidstone, ME14 5DZ. I hope you enjoy this edition – and please don't hesitate to get in touch with your ideas and feedback. We love to hear from you! Rasa
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MMM Media Ltd GHL House 12-14 Albion Place Maidstone Kent ME14 5DZ Tel: 01622 299035 sales@mmm-media.com www.mmm-media.com Publisher Rasa Dregva Editor Tom White Travel Editor Tricia Lester Design Matthew Jones Karen Oliver Sales Dawn Long Accounts Kerry Head Further contribution Christine Furlonger Emily Williams Alexandra Smith
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11 Paul O’Grady
Find out how beloved TV legend Paul O’Grady coped with his health and an amazing career
20 Valentine’s Day
Trouble finding something for your loved one? We take you through the top 10 most popular gift ideas
26 Fiona Phillips
Fiona first dazzled us with her appearance in 1993, we take a look at her career, family life and growing up in Kent
33 Sweet Factory
Charlie’s dream was a reality in Maidstone, find out about the factory that created mouthwatering treats
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56 Fremlins' Brewery
We take you back to the history of Fremlins' Brewery
61 The Medway Jewel
The true story of how Rochester’s airport was named ‘The Medway Jewel’
70 Home 35 Kent Weddings
Our wedding experts bring everything you need for your perfect day, from dresses to venues, cars to cakes
48 Travel
Visit Southern Europe by Land and Sea
Whether moving or improving, we have some great ideas for your home and interior
74 Motors
Arsenal F.C. test out of the latest vehicles for a short video
80 Business
Find out all the latest business news in the Kent area
35 All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher. © MMM Media Ltd 2014
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The Daytime TV Legend
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The lovable television presenter that is Paul O’Grady has blessed us with his presence for many years and even awarded an MBE for his outstanding dedication to his work.
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N RECENT years Paul O'Grady has made more headlines for his health, than his many talents as one of television's best-loved performers and presenters. As chat show host, he has carved out a career which has seen him
become one of the most in-demand and most popular presenters. While all that follows on from making his name as one of comedy's finest creations the crass drag queen Lily Savage. But the animal-loving personality
has paid a high price recently for his workaholic lifestyle. In November he suffered an angina attack which, given its similar symptoms to a heart attack, left many of those closest to him fearing the worse. a
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He has already suffered two heart attacks – attributed to his hectic lifestyle and a life of heavy smoking. It has made both friends of the star, who lives the quiet life in Aldington, near Ashford, when not in front of the TV cameras, fear for his long-term health. In addition to his busy work schedule, popular Paul has also faced heartache in recent years, with the death of his long-time partner, Brendan Murphy, in 2005. The pair had been together for more than 20 years. Brendan had an inoperable brain tumour which killed him and devastated Paul. His death, at Charing Cross Hospital in London, came just two days before Paul was to turn 50. The star explained: “Murph was my best friend and manager. "I'd lost my best mate, someone who'd been in my life for 25 years. We were like brothers - joined at the hip, thick as thieves. "It transcended any sexual relationship we'd had. “To watch someone you love - a healthy, eloquent man - unable to speak or walk is hideous." Ironically, his death would spark a return to the 40-a-day smoking habit which, itself, would put such an enormous strain on the star's own health. In April 2002 Paul had suffered a heart attack, which left him needing emergency surgery. As he recovered he had quit cigarettes on his doctor's orders. But the death of Brendan sparked the habit again which, just a year later, would spark another major scare over his health. In June 2006 Paul found himself back in intensive care at Ashford's William Harvey Hospital suffering from a second heart attack. He underwent another operation and again promised to kick cigarettes into touch. Now, after November's latest scare, he knows he must try and ease his lifestyle. Much of that revolves around his farmhouse in the countryside. Formerly the home of comedian Vic Reeves – who now lives in nearby Charing – it is his refuge of peace and quiet. It was here he retreated following
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“It’s a feelgood show. It not only demonstrates the good work that goes on at Battersea, but it also shows the work involved in having a pet”
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“His tours quickly became popular and Lily Savage began her rise to national prominence”
Brendan's death – the funeral took place in the local church – and, surrounded by animals, he uses it to unwind and relax. The star says of his home: “It is such a lovely part of the world to live in. I have been here for many years now and I do very much consider it my home.” His rise to fame is a remarkable one. Born in Merseyside to a working class Irish migrant family, he left school and looked to establish a career, working in a
host of professions, including the civil service and social services, whilst moving around the country to where the work took him. It was while in London during the late 1970’s he first began to develop a drag act. Drawing on inspiration from various female relatives. Lily Savage was born. After being part of a doubleact he finally started to branch out on his own. His tours quickly became popular and Lily Savage began her rise to national prominence – fuelled, in 1991, with a nomination for a Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Festival. Making the move into TV, Lily took roles on Channel 4's Big Breakfast and eventually even hosted quiz show favourite Blankety Blank, breathing new life into the long-running BBC show. But while Lily became enormous, few recognised Paul O'Grady as the talent behind her. However, things started to change, and as Lily was retired by her creator – she still makes the occasional appearance for some pantomimes Paul became the centre of attention. He began hosting his first chat show in 2004 for ITV. But in a highprofile falling out with the network, he moved to Channel 4. In what proved to be something of a business masterstroke,
following his move to Channel 4 he created his own company, Olga TV. It means not only does he pick up a fat cheque as presenter, he also picks up a production fee too. Today, as one of the nation's highest paid performers, he is back a
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a again on ITV
presenting his chat show after he and network put their previous bad blood behind them. In addition to a host of other project such as a Radio 2 show and the ITV series For the Love of Dogs which looks behind the scenes at the work of Battersea Dogs Home. He explains: “It’s a feelgood show. It not only demonstrates the good work that goes on at Battersea, but it also shows the work involved in having a pet. “Whether you've got a cat, a dog or a hamster, it’s a commitment.” It's a commitment Paul knows only too well, as he shares his Kent home with quite a menagerie.
He explained: “I’ve got four dogs, eight chickens, 10 sheep and six pigs. “I’ve also got four barn owls, which are dropping eggs left, right and centre. It’s going to be like Hogwarts soon.”
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ith Valentine’s Day fast approaching, will you opt for the traditional gift or maybe add a modern twist to truly surprise your loved one? Here are our top ten gift ideas and how they can be adapted to suit the modern man or woman in your life to make this Valentine’s Day extra special...
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The tradition: Roses The twist: Flowers are beautiful, but they do not last for very long, especially this time of year when the central heating is on! Give your partner something as lasting as your love by garnishing the bouquet with a variety of gift vouchers. Shops such as House of Fraser or Woods Designer Clothing (01622 766262) can add little unique twist to any regular bouquet. A vase full of candy might be a nice addition to your bouquet, or you can truly win your ladies heart by
including gift certificates to her favourite beauty spa such as Botanical Beauty (01622 661300) or Pure Hair & Beauty (01622 632642). If you'd prefer a more personal touch, you can also include certificates of your own entitling her to a free massage and a night of unlimited touching. If you're buying roses anyway, you might also want to pick up a bag of rose petals. When strategically placed, these flower fragments can become the perfect accessory for a romantic bath for two.
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The tradition: The well-intended, but ultimately disastrous, home-cooked meal. The twist: Hire a professional chef to cook for both of you. Your local phone directories are full of qualified caterers who will not only cook a sumptuous feast for you, but who will also provide waiters to serve you and clean up afterwards, such as Chaucer Gourmet (01622 820329). All you have to do is show up and enjoy. Bon appetit!
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The tradition: Lace or silk lingerie. The twist: Present her with a provocative piece of lingerie from a high-end local retailer, like Leia at Bluewater (01322 313887). And rather than buying her the teeniest, tiniest and trashiest thing you can find, buy her lingerie she'll actually wear. That means making sure it will flatter her best assets, while concealing the areas she might be most sensitive about. For instance, if she likes to
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The tradition: A CD of songs that have a special significance in your relationship. The twist: CDs are so 1999. Truly impress him by putting ‘your song’ on a brand new MP3 player with photo and video capabilities. John Lewis has an excellent selection of electrical items with knowledgeable sales advisors on hand.
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The tradition: A ring or necklace. The twist: Titanium is the new silver. Rather than spending cash on some random unoriginal accessory, give your partner something that'll stand out. Have a ring engraved with a personal message. The message could be as simple as your names and anniversary date or as grandiose as an excerpt from a romantic love poem. For her, look no further than
show off her chest, buy her something plunging or low-cut and if she has great thighs and legs, buy her a sizzling thong set. The sexier she feels, the more likely she'll be to wear it over and over and over again. And the best thing about buying from a local specialist, is they are on hand to assist you with your perfect purchase.
If an MP3 player is out of your price range, you could buy your partner a digital picture frame to keep on their office desk instead. While viewing 20,000 photos of you holding hands and making out in the park might sound like someone's version of hell, your partner will be sure to absolutely adore it. Available at PANDORA
Pandora (01622 756933), Kaizen Antiques and Jewellery (01634 814132) and Cornell Jewellers (01622 753150). Regardless of what you choose, they will be guaranteed to appreciate this thoughtful - and lasting - declaration of your love.
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The tradition: A box of chocolates purchased at the local supermarket. The twist: Avoid the predictable this Valentine's Day and give your loved one chocolate-covered strawberries instead. You can prepare these decadent treats yourself and impress your partner with your cookery skills. Alternatively, pop into your local Hotel Chocolat store (01622 768362) and pick up something special.
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The tradition: The carriage ride. The twist: Why limit yourself to just a carriage? Go up, up and away in either a helicopter or a hot air balloon. His heart will positively soar looking down across the lovely views of Leeds Castle as you glide off through the air in
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an Airborne balloon flight (01622 873200). As an added bonus, you can even bring along a picnic basket filled with food and locally sourced champagne to enhance your special ride from Meopham Valley Vineyard (01474 812727).
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The tradition: Expressing your intimate thoughts in poetry or prose. The twist: When it comes to love letters, the key is presentation. For a small price, companies like Handmade With Love (07795 261162) will design your romantic love letter on a beautiful handmade paper or within a frame. If writing isn't your strength, you can make her a special video or photo slideshow set to some of your favourite romantic songs. No matter how feeble your effort, cherished gifts like these are certain to end up in your partners special ‘memories’ box for eternity.
The tradition: A room for the night at a hotel. The twist: A night away is always a treat, but it's especially nice when a spa package is included for both of you. Whisk your partner away to a trendy boutique hotel and relax together in beautiful spa surroundings enjoying a massage or similar treatment. One place that's sure to impress is the renowned Eastwell Manor, set in the ideallic countryside near Ashford (01233 213000), or why not try the tranquil London Beach Hotel, close to the historic town of Tenterden (01580 766279). Fancy something more nearer town? Then look no further than the Village Hotel (0871 222 4598) or Mecure Hotel (0844 815 9045) both located on the outskirts of Maidstone, have lovely health and fitness facilities, charming rooms and excellent food.
The tradition: The Valentine's Day dinner at a local romantic restaurant. The twist: Spread your dinner across town with multiple courses at different venues. Rent a limo from a local company such as Oasis Limo’s of Maidstone (0800 234 3552) and go out on the town as you relive some of your most memorable dates. Have an starter at the place where you first met, enjoy dinner at the restaurant
where you proposed, have dessert at the cafe where you first confessed your love, and finish it off with a welltimed nightcap back home. Or try one of our highly recommended restaurants such as Phad Thai (01732 870000) in West Mailling, or Buenos Aires (01622 688655) in Maidstone. You will both fall in love all over again as the emotions conjured up, begin to set in. mmm
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Fiona Phillips
Having been on TV for over two decades, Fiona has had her fair share of rise and falls in a life that started in Kent..
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HE hugely popular TV presenter left the relative comfort of the GMTV sofa at the end of 2008, in order to spend more time with her father. He, like his wife before him, suffered from Alzheimer's disease, and the bubbly blonde presenter was determined to ensure he received the very best possible care. It is that standard of care for
dementia patients, which she has chosen to highlight – using her fame and influence, to keep it high on the news agenda. In January 2009, shortly after leaving GMTV, she presented an episode of the TV show Dispatches entitled Mum, Dad, Alzheimer's and Me in which she candidly discussed the struggles caring for her parents and the problems faced by others in
similar situations. “If you know someone with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, you will know how devastating it is for everyone concerned,” she explains. “How frightening and distressing for those who have the illness. How heart-breaking for their loved ones. “Dementia should be reclassified as a medical issue, funded by the Department of Health. a
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“I remember going off on our own to fish, taking our nets and catching catfish, dogfish and eels from the river”
People with dementia can't do anything without help, so how can this be considered social care? “Many are faced with selling their homes to pay for essential care. It's a tax on dementia. We would not be expected to pay for cancer care." Fiona's mother, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer – and then dementia – and died in 2006. A few weeks later, her father was also diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He died in February 2012. She explains: “The system gave my mother the gold service when she had breast cancer. She couldn't have had better care – but when it's elderly mental illness, it's very different. “As soon as my father got into the system, it was an absolute mess. I kept him off any drugs for three years but as soon as he was in care, he was on an A4 sheet of them – really powerful antipsychotics and sedatives. "He changed completely. He had always been a big, strong man, but he deteriorated so much. If you picked up his hand, it dropped like a rock. His eyes were opaque and watering; he was stooped over, his breathing was laboured." As a patron of charities such as the Alzheimer’s Society, she has looked to take the standard of care to politicians too, calling for more to be done in treating an illness, which will surely become an even more topical illness given the nation's ageing population. Her struggle is felt keenly in Kent – where she was born and spent her first few years of her life with her family. Fiona was born in Canterbury on New Year's Day 1961 her parents used to run the Duke's Head pub in Church Street, Wincheap. She attended the local Kingsmead Primary School and has happy memories of her time in the county. “I still remember my days there. I loved it. a
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"We used to walk across St Stephen's Road and there behind the houses was a great big field and the River Stour. We used to walk to school through those fields. “I remember going off on our own to fish, taking our nets and catching catfish, dogfish and eels from the river. I just loved everything about it – even the rats which used to live along there. “I had a wonderful childhood in Kent. “We used to visit all along the coast – up to Whitstable, Tankerton, Seasalter and along to the likes of Sandwich and Dungeness. “And, of course, we used to love going to Dreamland in Margate. It was a very special place.” Before she went to secondary school, however, her parents were on the move – heading instead to Southampton. Young Fiona finished her schooling there before heading to university in Birmingham, where she
studied English. It quickly became apparent she had a talent for journalism and she began to pursue a career in radio. She found her first jobs in local radio in Surrey and Sussex before she took the step into television, joining BBC South East's weekend programme as co-presenter. It was then, she stepped up to the international level, working as a reporter for CNN, becoming the station's entertainment editor. But her big break came in 1993 when she was appointed GMTV's Hollywood correspondent – swiftly getting involved in some of the biggest stories and gathering a strong fan base in the UK. When Anthea Turner quit GMTV, as she was appointed her replacement as the main anchor alongside Eamonn Holmes. It established her as a major personality in the UK, at the height of the morning show's popularity. Following the death of her mother
and her father's declining health, she quit the show at the end of 2008 – but not before marrying former reporter, turned producer Martin Frizell. They have two sons together. Today, she continues to have a busy schedule of presenting work and a clear focus on charity work – especially when it comes to dementia. There remains, of course, the chance she could take a step into the world of politics. She was famously approached by Gordon Brown, during his time as Prime Minister to advise on health issues for his government, and offered a peerage. Both of which she turned down in order to focus on her family. As a Labour Party supporter, you wouldn't rule her out of heading to Westminster one of these days – and few would bet against her, given the remarkable longevity of her popularity in the UK. mmm
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THE SWEET FACTORY It's every child's dream to live in a town with a factory devoted to creating delicious sweets. So it may come as a surprise to some to learn that, just a few years ago, Maidstone was home to its very own version of Willy Wonka's famous factory. We take a look at the county town's sweet-toothed past.
W
HEN Charlie Bucket used to stand by the gates of the Wonka factory in Roald Dahl's classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and breathe in the deep, sweet scent of chocolate and confectionery, it was hard to imagine such a place existing in real life. Yet just 14 years ago, Maidstone was home to a factory dedicated to creating mouthwatering treats, the smell of which would waft across the town. But in the summer of 2000 the doors closed for the very last time on the Trebor Bassett factory in St Peter's Street, and with it the end of nearly 120 years creating sweets on the site. The harsh reality of the closure also saw 300 people lose their jobs. Trebor Bassett's then managing director, John Taylor, said at the time: "This is the end of an era and a very sad day. Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
"Confectionery production is going through unprecedented change and competition is intense. We must respond, no matter how difficult the decisions involved, if we are to remain competitive." The site itself had previously been producing Sharps Toffees, until it was consumed by Trebor, which in itself, became part of the Cadbury empire. In its heyday, the factory was one of the county town's major employers drawing on a host of skills from the hundreds of staff on the payroll. In his book The Trebor Story, author Matthew Crampton takes a look at the rise of the sweet firm. He has family links to those who originally created the business and became fascinated by the story behind a company, which became one of the UK's household names, producing a host of sweets, which consumed the pocket money of
generations of youngsters – and became the guilty pleasure of plenty of adults too. He explained: “Britain’s industry once rose on the back of family firms like Trebor - plucky, private ventures that punched above their own weight. “From hard roots in the Victorian East End of London, this tiny sugarboiling enterprise grew to become the nation’s biggest maker of sugar confectionery. “Many Trebor sweets are legendary - Refreshers, Extra Strong Mints, Black Jacks and Fruit Salad. “Over time the Trebor family added other iconic names: Sharps Toffees, Clarnico Mint Creams, Topps Bubble Gum and Maynards Wine Gums. a
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“I wanted to write the book to bring back the world that made those sweets: the Trebor factories and sales vans, the darts teams and work outings – all the ecosystem of a thriving family business, from a time when managers could tend a firm rather than simply feed shareholders.” One of those responding to his quest for information was Sheila George who used to work at the Maidstone factory. Writing on the book's website, she said: “I went to work at the Sharps Toffee factory when I left school around 1966-67. “Myself and some friends had heard about the factory, so we went over together to see if there were any vacancies. We couldn’t believe it when we all got jobs. “My first position was making the paste used to create flowers for the Easter eggs. I then went to the jar wash and was lucky enough to be made section controller. I then progressed onto the chocolate floor,
(Above) Trebor Christmas Advert 1971
where I learned how to run the chocolate enrobers (the machines which coated the sweets). These made sweets such as Buttersnap, Chocolate Mint Creams, Easter eggs and eventually Swisskit bars. I worked on all floors of the factory in the 15 years I was there – and I met my husband in the process.” Trebor had originally started trading in the East End of London at the turn of the 20th century, when four men looked to create a business by making sweets.
Originally called Robertson and Woodcock, it harnessed the latest technologies to keep ahead of the competition and through a programme of acquisition, by the 1970’s it was the nation's biggest sweet maker. Adds Matthew Crampton: “As a company, Trebor has good tales to tell. “How a mighty business emerges from tiny, uncertain beginnings. How a few ambitious people can shape the lives of many thousands. How its progress, like most progress, is haphazard, leaning on luck as much as guile or industry. How one family manages to keep its business, private, and virtuous, even as it totters under the challenges of growth, competition and inner discord. “Beyond these personal stories, Trebor is also a story of Britain’s industrial past. Its founders rode a wave of new technology, explored fresh ways of working, and
pioneered new sales techniques and export activities. “They coped with two world wars. They coped with the ensuing peace. They coped with times of plenty and times of poverty, and when it became hard for a private company to compete with global competitors, they sold the business, as decently as they could and much more decently than they needed.” One of those firms Trebor acquired was Sharps, which had created toffees since the 1880’s. It was the world's largest toffee manufacturer and had a factory in Maidstone, in addition to administrative offices. But in the 1960’s it was taken over by Trebor and by the 1980’s, it proved too tasty an opportunity for the growing Cadbury empire. Facing increasing competition, the Maidstone factory would become one of the victims of streamlining. The site was sold off for housing. The memories, however, live on.mmm
(Below) Trebor Refreshers and Cola Refreshers
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St Augustine’s Priory Wedding Show, Ashford 27 April 2014, www.mainweddingsandevents.co.uk
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The Wedding Experience - The Kent Showground, Detling 4 May 2014, www.wedding-experience.co.uk
Bradbourne House, West Malling 16 February 2014, www.bradbournehousekent.co.uk
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Wedding Fayre, Hotel du Vin & Bistro, Tunbridge Wells 23 February 2014, www.hotelduvin.com
The Wedding Experience - Mercure Great Danes, Maidstone 22 June 2014, www.wedding-experience.co.uk
Hempstead House Hotel, Sittingbourne 23 February 2014, www.hempsteadhouse.co.uk
The Wedding Experience – Salomons, Tunbridge Wells 29 June 2014, www.wedding-experience.co.uk
The Wedding Experience - Ashford International Hotel 2 March 2014, www.wedding-experience.co.uk
The Wedding Experience - Mercure Great Danes, Maidstone 25 August 2014, www.wedding-experience.co.uk
Wedding Fayre, Mercure Hotel, Pembury 2 March 2014, www.gmppr.com Holiday Inn Ashford North 2 March 2014, www.holidayinnashford.co.uk/weddingsand-occasions The Sevenoaks Wedding Fair At West Heath 2 March 2014, www.inspiredweddingsandevents.co.uk Boys Hall Manor Wedding Show, Ashford 9 March 2014, www.kcweddingsandevents.co.uk The Grange Moor Hotel Wedding Fair, Maidstone 9 March 2014, www.whiteskyevents.co.uk The Archbishops Palace - Open morning, Maidstone 22 March 2014, www.akentishceremony.com The Wedding Experience - Hadlow Manor Hotel 23 March 2014, www.wedding-experience.co.uk Wedding Show at The Old Kent Barn, Swingfield 6 April 2014, www.theoldkentbarn.co.uk
The Wedding Experience - Commissioners House, Chatham 31 August 2014, www.wedding-experience.co.uk The Wedding Experience - Coniston Hotel, Sittingbourne 7 September 2014, www.wedding-experience.co.uk The Wedding Experience - Hadlow Manor, Hadlow 14 September 2014, www.wedding-experience.co.uk The Wedding Experience - Ashford International 21 September 2014, www.wedding-experience.co.uk The Wedding Experience – Salomons, Tunbridge Wells 5 October 2014, www.wedding-experience.co.uk The Wedding Fair – Glow, Bluewater 17-19 October 2014, www.weddingfairatbluewater.com The Wedding Experience - The Kent Showground, Detling 19 October 2014, www.wedding-experience.co.uk Please contact events directly for full details.
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Kent’s Best Kept Secret F
rasers - Kent’s best kept Secret... Are you searching for that perfect country wedding venue where you are able to relax and enjoy your perfect day - look no further. Frasers is the most perfect setting for your special day. Set in 300 acres, on a medieval farmstead at the end of a private drive in the heart of the most beautiful Kent countryside. Frasers ethos is simple, they treat every bride and groom as individuals and design your wedding around your dreams. Frasers offer a bespoke approach to your special day, whether you dream of a garden style party with a quintessential afternoon tea
followed by a BBQ with a glass of pimms or two, or a five course taster menu with accompanying wines - everythings possible at Frasers. Frasers fundamental philosophy is never to host two weddings on two consecutive days. Brides come and stay the night before their special day with their bridesmaids to make sure all those last minute details are attended to, then sit, relax on the terrace and savour a glass of delicious local wine whilst anticipating the big day ahead. Frasers are delighted to offer exclusive use of both their beautiful venue and grounds as well as nine, five-star gold luxury en-suite bedrooms.
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The Perfect Dress A
bigail’s is proud to have been awarded Wedding Dress Retailer of the Year at The Kent Wedding Awards. Abigail’s offers every bride a truly unforgettable experience when finding their dream wedding dress. Situated in the picturesque village of Headcorn, in a Grade II listed building, every bride can’t help but fall in love with Abigail’s. It is truly beautifully; full of character and charm. Our luxurious fitting suites provide each bride with their own private dressing room and mirrored viewing galleries to capture every angle of the dress. Our brides are choosing the most important dress of their life and we don’t want them to have to share the experience with anyone else other than the people close to them. We do recommend that you book an appointment however, they are not always necessary and you are more than welcome to just pop in and browse our beautiful collections. Pink bubbly and cupcakes are offered to every bride to start their experience with us.
Ideally situated between Maidstone and Ashford, our services have expanded to include Groomshire and Mother of the Bride in addition to bridal and bridesmaid. Abigail’s focus is about delivering excellence in service from the first point of contact whether face to face, over the phone or email through to the day that the bride collects their dress and beyond. We don’t just sell wedding dresses; we create an unforgettable experience that brides will cherish on their wedding day and always. We want them to look at their wedding photos for years to come and think back to their time at Abigail’s with fondness. A wedding dress is such an important purchase, and our enthusiasm and passion for what we do is evident in the service that we deliver. Abigail’s Handy Tips for Brides We recommend that you start looking for your gown 12 to 18 months before your wedding. This will give you ample time to enjoy your search in finding your dress without the stress of time constraints. The normal delivery time for a wedding dress is six to eight months and then you need to allow approximately eight weeks for alterations. However, if you don’t have much time, we do have stock and sale dresses available immediately. We do recommend that brides only bring two or three guests to the appointment as too many opinions can be conflicting, confusing and overwhelming We suggest that you wear flesh coloured underwear and a good supporting strapless bra if possible.
2 & 3 The Cloth Hall, North Street, Headcorn, Kent TN27 9NN 01622 892225 www.abigailbrides.co.uk info@abigailbrides.co.uk
We advise against the temptation to buy a dress online. If it seems too good to be true then it probably is! Buying on-line runs the risk of not receiving the dress on time or receiving a poor imitation with no comeback to an authorised retailer.
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£2014 Weddings in 2014 If you are set to a tight budget or are flexible with your dates and looking for Fridays or Sundays, then a Wedding Reception for £2014.00 could be just for you! Includes: >Room hire >Arrival drink >Toast drink >Wedding ‘hog roast’ breakfast >Evening buffet
Wedding ‘Hog Roast’ Breakfast Your personal Chef will carve
Whole honey roast ham & whole leg of pork served with rustic roll, stuffing, apple sauce & mustards Jacket potatoes with a selection of hot and cold fillings Potato, coleslaw & chopped garden salads
g Weddin se Showca ‘14 h rc a 9th M ’14 ptember 28th Se FREE n Admissio
Evening Finger Buffet
Selection of filled subs (50% vegetarian) Rosemary and lemon chicken pieces Selection of assorted quiche Puff pastry sausage rolls Vegetable spring rolls with sweet chilli dip Potato wedges with sour cream & chive dip Hand cut crisps with dips Based on the following numbers: 50 guests for wedding breakfast, 50 guests for drinks package, 80 guests for evening reception (catering for 80%) Additional guests can be added but charged as per the wedding brochure
Contact our events team on
0871 222 4598* Option 2
ever afters
maidstonehub@village-hotels.com
www.VillageUrbanResorts.com/Weddings Village Maidstone, Castle View, Forstal Road, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3AQ *Calls to this number cost 10p per minute plus network extras
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Mother of the Bride A
lexandra Smith is a personal stylist from Kent who trained at the prestigious London College of Style. Alexandra is passionate about fashion and style and loves to see the changes that can be made to her client’s lives as they develop their own personal sense of style. Anyone can follow the latest fashion trends, but at Alexandra Smith Styling we take into account each and every client’s body shape, life style and personality and through a nurturing and positive coaching experience develop styling solutions that are truly unique. For a big event such as a wedding day there is a lot of pressure to look your best and as the Mother of the Bride or Groom, this can be a daunting prospect to say the least. As the second most important ladies on the big day, a lot of attention is on you and you need an outfit that will stand the test of time in photographs as well as make you feel comfortable, confident and ‘yourself’. Alexandra Smith Styling is offering one lucky Mother of the Bride or Mother of the Groom a two hour personal styling session during which you will learn more about the type of outfits that suit you in terms of style, cut and colour and then scour the shops in your local area in search of your dream outfit. To be in with a chance of winning, please fill in the entry form and post to MMM Media Ltd, GHL House, 12-14 Albion Place, Maidstone, Kent ME14 5DZ. Closing date is 1 May 2014 and the winner’s styling session will be valid between 2nd June to 31st October 2014. For more information about Alexandra Smith Styling and the services offered please visit www.alexandrasmithstyling.co.uk Phase Eight, Eva Rouge Kitten Heel £89
Fifty Plus, Shift Dress from £95
Win a Mother of the Bride Styling Session Name:
_____________________
Address: _____________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ Telephone: __________________ Email: ______________________
Petra by Bundle MacLaren Millinery at Boticca.com £142
Glitzy Secrets, Pearl Fleur Hair Comb GlitzySecrets.com £34 Its Vintage Darling, Vintage 50s Style Silver Bow Clutch Bag £18
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Beautiful Bridesmaids P
ersonal stylist and wedding guru, Alexandra Smith explores the latest trends for bridesmaids...
I’m beginning to notice a bit of a trend running through many aspects of wedding planning at the moment and that is the idea of banishing many of the traditional ‘must have’ extras and taking things back to basics. Obviously the important things remain, the dress, the venue, bridesmaid and usher outfits and gorgeous decorations to bring the whole thing together but the brides-to-be I have spoken to recently seem to be taking more of a DIY approach. I’m not sure if this is related to the rising cost of living (and weddings) or a bride’s desire to do something a little bit unique with their big day but whatever it is I like it! Let’s take bridesmaid dresses for example, I remember when I was a little girl the very word ‘bridesmaid’ conjured up images of reams of sickly pink, stiff taffeta lined with lace, everyone coordinated from the uncomfortable-looking adult bridesmaids to the cute, little flower girls. There was no individuality, everyone worn the same dress regardless of body shape, height or colouring. These days a more reflective approach seems to take place, bridesmaids are given more say in the dress they wear, straps or strapless, long or short, various shades of gown to make up a beautiful colour palette and instead of heading straight to a traditional, specialised Bridal Wear shop brides are heading to the high street for a modern take on Bridesmaid dressing. I was asked to be a bridesmaid last year and the gorgeous dresses were from Coast, now with seven adult bridesmaids to dress finding a dress to suit all was a challenge but somehow Coast managed it and the effect was modern and elegant with the perfect colour palette for an October wedding. Now with a designated ‘Bridesmaid’ dress section, Coast is a safe bet when searching for bridesmaid dresses on the high street. Some of my favourite current styles include: 1. Hedda Maxi - £195. Now this dress isn’t going to be for everyone but if you maybe have one or two adult bridesmaids and really want to make a statement then this dress is the one. I have already
seen this colour popping up all over the high street and I predict it’s going to be big this Spring/Summer. 2. Portia - £95.00 - This dress is perfect if you have a larger number of bridesmaid as the potential for individual customisation is huge. Make your bridesmaids stand out from each other with different colour shoes and dramatic costume jewellery that reflects their own individual style and personality. However another bride I have spoken to is turning her back on the traditional bridesmaid dress even more and heading to high street favourite Topshop for her dresses, with the awesome idea of picking a less detailed dress and then allowing her bridesmaids to customise it as they wish, under her careful supervision of course! I love this idea and have picked a few more high street dresses that would be perfect for this kind of DIY approach. 1. French Connection - Lolo Stretch Classic Dress - £79.00 2. Coast - Poppy Short Dress £175.00 3. Ted Baker - Hearn Contrast Side Dress - £129.00 All of these dresses are just crying out to be customised in some way, be it with an embellished belt to add detail and synch in the waist, different costume jewellery for each bridesmaid or statement-making shoes in a variety of colours, the options are endless. Alexandra Smith www.alexandrasmith styling.co.uk
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Weddings in the Wild F
or that unique and special place to say “I do”, look no further than here at Wildlife Heritage Foundation, ‘Home of the Big Cat Sanctuary’ - a venue to cater for your intimate and personal ceremony.
We have several packages to choose from whether it be a simple Champagne and canapé reception or a three course wedding breakfast of your choice. We can offer a personalised package to suit your needs, whether it be for a personalised wedding celebration, renewal of your vows, naming ceremony, a special anniversary or birthday, we are here to ensure your celebration will be unforgettable.
In addition we have now completed our Out of Africa overnight accommodation in one of our five star luxury appointed cabins, so why not include that in your chosen package so you can enjoy a Champagne High Tea served to your cabin, awake to the roar of the lions, have an early morning walking safari, then share your full English breakfast in Heritage Lodge Conservatory under the watchful gaze of our two male lions. We are proud to share this special and unique experience that we at Wildlife Heritage Foundation have to offer, and although can only cater for limited numbers, we promise a professional and caring service to ensure your special day is truly memorable, tailored and a totally unique day to remember, for you and your guests.
timate a
unique, in g for that
Lookin
You will share with your guests the unique opportunity to wander the site and capture the beauty of some of the most endangered cats in the world, such as the Amur Leopard and Sumatran Tiger.
ay “I do”?
place to s nd special
Look no further than the Wildlife Heritage Foundation, ‘Home of the Big Cat Sanctuary’
Wildlife Heritage Foundation, Big Cat Sanctuary, Headcorn Road, Smarden, Ashford TN27 8PJ www.whf.org.uk 01233 771915 Registered Charity Number 1104420
We have several packages to choose from, whether it be a simple champagne & canapé reception or a three course wedding breakfast of your choice, ensuring your celebration will be unforgettable. You will share with your guests, the unique opportunity to wander the site and capture the beauty of some of the most endangered big cats in the world. Email lainey@whf.org.uk for more details on a truly unique wedding experience.
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Fabulous Cakes A
wedding cake is the centre piece to any venue and choosing the perfect cake is essential. Gone are the days of a traditional fruit cake. With ample choice from sponge to chocolate, lemon to carrot cake, The Little Sugar Box offers excellent beautifully designed wedding cakes that taste as good as they look. All of their cakes are made to order and their designs can be adapted to suit your specifications. Colours of flowers and ribbons can be changed to compliment your colour scheme and cake sizes can be altered to accommodate the correct portions needed for your guests. You can choose a different flavour for each tier so that there is something for everyone. If you are inspired by the designs on their website, but want something that reflects your own style and personality, they offer a bespoke design service. They will spend time during this consultation discussing colours, flowers and dress details and create something beautiful and unique for your big day.
All Kent Wedding Car Services Family run Wedding Car Company based in Sittingbourne. We offer vintage, classic & sports cars for bride, groom and bridal party. Our cars currently comprise of: Albany Open Tourer, 3 x Beauford Tourers, 3 x 6/7 seater Daimler Limousines, Range Rover Vogue, Nissan 350Z
Call us on 07966 475353 for a competitive quote Email: allkentweddingcars@hotmail.co.uk www.all-kent-wedding-car-services.co.uk
FIND US ON
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Jewellery to Last a Lifetime
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ewellery can be sometimes overlooked when planning a wedding, yet it is one of the few things which will last a lifetime, so its important to make the right purchase for both bride and groom. Emily Williams, Kentish wedding expert and bridal blogger looks into the latest trends... The world of bridal jewellery in 2014 is promising to be a familiar one with the most popular trend of last year, vintage, promised to continue. Lace bridal dresses and the frequent use of pearls will continue to grace couples as they say their vows, but the catwalk trends are slowly changing and here’s some of the hottest new looks for the year ahead. Art Deco Think geometrics, especially amongst rings. Inspired by ‘The Great Gatsby’, one of the most popular films towards the end of 2013, statement earrings and quirky patterns will be sure to adorn the isles this year.
Champagne Not so much the drink - although we can probably guarantee that this will be included somewhere in the wedding - it’s the colour that we are talking about. Dresses, bracelets and necklaces are taking on a minimalist approach and a deeper champagne colour for 2014. Motifs In the form of animals and flowers, motifs are said to be hitting this year hard with their inclusion in a lot more of the minor details of the wedding. For more bridal traditions and other useful tips, tricks and advice, don’t forget to visit www.kentbridalbook.co.uk
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Traditions - Past & Present E
mily Williams, Kentish wedding expert and bridal blogger looks into the well known wedding traditions...
Whenever you are lucky enough to say “I do”, wedding etiquette is something you may wish to consider depending on what’s right for you as a couple. To help you decide if you want to plan the present but include the past, here’s a list of the most well known traditions and their origins to provide extra meaning for your special day. “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in your shoe.” Said to date back to Victorian times and originally meant for the bride, these traditions are still among the most
adhered to today with couples everywhere using these items as keepsakes long after rings are exchanged. Something old represents the link with the families of the couple and the past to remember where you both came from. Something new is said to bring good fortune and success in the couple’s life together with the wedding dress being the usual option of choice. Something borrowed reminds the couple that family and friends will always be there when they are needed. Something blue is symbolic of purity, loyalty and faithfulness between the couple and is often represented as a blue garter. A silver sixpence in your shoe is the last part of the verse and less known than its verse counterparts due to its uncomfortable nature to include, but the use of a silver sixpence in your shoe is to symbolise wealth as good finances and happiness. Favours Favours are not simply an act of kindness or gratitude to your guests for their attendance on your wedding day. Favours class as a tradition in the form of five sugared almonds. The almonds each represent a wish that you want to pass on to your guests in the form of health, fertility, happiness, long-life and wealth. The Threshold You may have seen in movies brides being carried into the couple’s home but never questioned why this is done. No, it is not a display of strength, but a tradition used to protect the bride against any evil spirits that may lurk in the married home and to symbolise eternal protection.
For more bridal traditions and other useful tips, tricks and advice, don’t forget to visit www.kentbridalbook.co.uk
Discover Kent’s most enchanting Wedding Venue ... Nestled in the Heart of the Kentish Countryside; The BarnYard is an enchanting setting for the most memorable day of your life, surrounded by 150 acres of picturesque landscape, combining rolling hills, woodland and romantic orchards. • • • • • •
Elegant Marquee available all year round Capacity from 80 to 300 guests Civil Ceremonies & Partnerships Beautiful Gazebo for Spring & Summer services Exquisite menus to meet all tastes Bespoke packages
• On hand expert guidance from our wedding team • Stunning photograph opportunities • Only one wedding per day
Combining breathtaking scenery, outstanding service and fine food; The BarnYard’s elegance and charm is the perfect setting for the perfect wedding
THE BARNYARD, GORE FARM, OAK LANE, UPCHURCH, KENT, ME9 7EZ Tel: 01634 235059 Email: contact@the-barnyard.com www.the-barnyard.com
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Inspired by Flowers E
mily Williams, experienced wedding planner and bridal blogger talks flowers...
Flowers can be the final touch to bring a wedding together, giving it that final ‘pop’ and making it personal to you. 2014 promises to be a blooming good one, so here’s some trends to give you inspiration! What trend? In the style of Kate & Wills, we’re bringing the outside – in. Styling up a wedding to look like an English country garden is said to be a big hit for 2014 – think adorning the isle with trees and a light, al fresco theme throughout. What colours? With vintage still very much on the trend agenda, pastels remain the colours of the day for a lot of couples due to wed over the coming year. What flowers? The fuller, the bigger, the better - the full-luxe blooms are in for 2014. Roses, peonies and hydrangeas are looking to be increasingly popular for couples this year for use as both centrepieces and decorations.
For more bridal traditions and other useful tips, tricks and advice, don’t forget to visit www.kentbridalbook.co.uk
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Your Dream Honeymoon B
ook your dream honeymoon with Kuoni and Baldwins Travel. From intimate and romantic resorts to thrilling cities and adventure safaris, Kuoni has a honeymoon to suit you. Many of our hotels offer complimentary honeymoon offers, including room upgrades, candlelit dinners and spa treatments, and our Personal Travel Experts can tailormake your perfect honeymoon from scratch. All inclusive holidays All inclusive doesn’t mean compromising on quality. Your honeymoon is the holiday of a lifetime, and our fantastic range of all inclusive honeymoons include muchneeded extras – such as meals and drinks, watersports, entertainment and even excursions. Not only are these idyllic resorts all inclusive, honeymooners are also spoilt with exclusive offers such as room upgrades, Champagne breakfast in bed and discounted spa treatments. And don’t forget, you can still add on a few of our Authentic Experiences for some romantic memories to keep forever.
Luxury honeymoons No one does luxury quite like Kuoni. We’ve got an unrivalled selection of hand-picked resorts that are renowned for their indulgent facilities and outstanding service. You won’t have to lift a finger – which is exactly how a honeymoon should be. No stress, just blissful days spent unwinding as man and wife. Value for money honeymoons At Kuoni, budget doesn’t mean basic. We know how expensive a wedding can be, and offer a range of incredible honeymoons that won’t break the bank. Whether you crave a Caribbean escape or some sightseeing in Dubai, we’ve got your perfect budget honeymoon that doesn’t cost the earth. All our knowledge and experience wins us awards – important ones – including the World’s Leading Tour Operator title for 11 years in a row at the World Travel Awards; and Best Honeymoon Provider at Perfect Wedding magazine’s 2010 awards. Book your honeymoon with us and we’ll show you why.
Mediterranean Destinations
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Kirsty Keeling-Jones Branch Manager Baldwins Travel Agency Maidstone 01622 762141
Come and see us at the Holiday & Leisure Show on Sunday 6th April 2014 Travelux of Tenterden, including Baldwins Travel Group and Sevenoaks Travel, will be hosting a section of The Holiday and Leisure Show: When: Sunday 6th April Where: Cruise Terminal 2, Dover Time: Between 10am – 4pm. This event is completely free to the public and allows you to speak directly to our trusted travel representatives from a variety of tour and cruise companies who are able to share their first-hand experiences with you. You may then, armed with the knowledge and enthusiasm for your next adventure, make your reservation with one of our many experienced travel consultants who will be present at the show. Pre-register your attendance for fast track entry at www.theholidayandleisureshow.co.uk
We hope to see you there!
Barcelona Get the best of the Mediterranean with this cruise. Start at Barcelona, a truly stunning city where you’ll discover unique architecture with simple and charming streets, shops, cafés and bars. Stroll down the mosaic-paved La Rambla, visit
open-air cafes, or Barcelona’s unique cultural heritage in the ancient Gothic Quarter. After a visit, you’ll agree that Barcelona is one of Western Mediterranean’s most colourful metropolises, that offers a blend of modern life with its cultural heritage. a
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Palma Explore and find Palma’s traditional charm with modern blend. Being Majorca’s most popular cosmopolitan city, Palma offers great street side cafes, stunning beaches and a wonderful warm temperature. Discover castles, cathedrals, art galleries and the delightful restaurants. Naples Naples is the third largest city in
Italy and is situated on the northern side of the Bay on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The City port is overlooked by the imposing Castel Sant'Elmo, as well as the 13th century Castel Nuovo. Discover thousands of years of history and be fascinated by remains of Pompeii and the island of Capri. Rome Imagine the gladiators fighting in the Colosseum.
Rome is truly breathtaking with is abundance of history and culture. It is also known as the ‘Eternal City’, which has it all from unforgettable historical sights to designer shops. So whether you’re in the mood to explore the sixteenth-century Michelangelo’s sculptures, make a wish and throw a coin into the Trevi fountain, or just explore designer shops, bars and cafés, Rome will definitely offer an experience of a lifetime.
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Florence Livorno is the perfect place from which to explore Florence and Pisa. Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is famous for its stunning architecture and rich heritage. When you’re there, make sure you try their ice-cream, which the locals boast about. Take a short excursion and
witness Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower, the bell tower of the city’s cathedral, or discover the vineyards and the costal villages. Cannes Cannes is small town on the French Riviera that offers a wide variety of experiences - glamorous gourmet restaurants, the regattas,
gallas, the affluent characteristics and the exciting yachts. If you would like even more information on these destinations, Please contact Linda from Baldwins Travel. Email: Linda@baldwins-travel.co.uk or call: 01732 351223
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Educational report by Bettina McCue, senior travel consultant, Baldwins Travel, Tonbridge Saturday 16th November arrived at Heathrow, terminal five in good time to meet Greta from Insight who was treating us to breakfast at Café Nero before joining the rest of the group in Madrid. Great way to start the day and to meet my fellow travellers! On arrival to Madrid we were met by Shannon from Insight Vacations who had arrived with the Irish Agents earlier in the day. We had a short journey to the Gran Hotel Conde Duque and checked in to our rooms for to freshen up before meeting the rest of the group in the bar. This hotel was very modern and of a very good standard but was a little out of the way. Our evening was spent at a local Spanish tapas restaurant where we got to meet the rest of the coach party, agents from New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa and Canada. Sunday 17th November We woke up to a cold, rainy day and were taken to Toledo, about an hour’s journey from Madrid. This is a beautiful town with lovely little cobbled alleys and squares. We were met by Carlos, a local guide,
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who took us on a walking tour of part of the old town and a visit to the church of Santo Tome, which houses El Greco’s famous painting ‘The Buriel of the Count of Orgaz’, and kept us all entertained with his witty sense of humour! After some free time in Toledo to have lunch we went back to Madrid and Tony, our tour guide, showed us some of the sights from the coach. Unfortunately, the streets were littered with rubbish due to a strike that had been going on for ten days, so not the best first impression. We did get a glimpse of the old town area from the coach and were shown some pretty gardens and monuments but the weather stopped us from getting the most of this city. In the evening we went to a lovely restaurant that Insight use for their welcome and farewell dinners. The food was excellent and in fact there were a group of ‘regular’ tourists there too. Monday 18th November After an early start and breakfast, we boarded the coach for our journey to Cordoba en-route
to Seville. On arrival in Cordoba, we were met by a local guide called Gemma. She was very passionate about her town and her enthusiasm and knowledge shone through. We visited an eighth century Mosque and walked through the narrow cobbled streets, before stopping for a cold beer in one of the lovely squares. It was bliss to have some warmth and sunshine! It was then another coach journey on to Seville, arriving at the Ayre Hotel late afternoon. The hotel, although very close to shops, was about a half hour walk from the old town, which meant for most people a taxi ride costing about five euros. In the evening we had our dinner at a Flamenco show, all seated facing the stage. The food was very good but was served luke warm, probably due to the amount of people there. The show was quite entertaining, but would not suit everyone as was very touristy. We were seated on tables of four which would be ideal if you are not in a group, but a little unsociable if you are travelling with others.
Tuesday 19th November This morning we enjoyed a city tour of Seville, which a maze of narrow lanes and squares and for part of our tour we were serenaded by a couple of Spanish guitarists! Next was a tour of the Seville cathedral, which is the third largest cathedral in the world! The cathedral has a bell tower (La Giralda) which is 105 meters high reached by 35 ramps. A few of us decided to brave the climb and were rewarded by fantastic views of Seville. The afternoon was spent strolling around the town, doing a bit of shopping, stumbling across a typical Spanish bar and then spending a couple of hours chatting to the locals with a couple of cold beers and tapas. Wednesday 20th November Today we had our last long journey from Seville to Lisbon, via Tavira in the Algarve. It was about a two hour journey to Tavira, where we had a lunch stop and free time. I do feel that although the journey had to be broken up Tavira, although a nice little town was not a typical beach resort and there was not a lot to do there, just a few local shops and a square with a few coffee shops. Another two and a half hours later we reached Lisbon in the late afternoon, where we checked in to the Altis Hotel. This five star hotel is in a fantastic position, only about 15 minutes walk from the old town, great for that free time! After freshening up, we met in the lobby and were treated to wine and
canapés before taking the lift up to the twelth floor for a fantastic meal in their panoramic restaurant. In the morning we went on a coach tour of Lisbon. This city is very sprawled out with a long 7km beach promenade with restaurants, hotels and businesses. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and the largest city, but also has a nice local old town area and a castle. We were left with an afternoon of free time to enjoy some lunch and shopping before walking the short distance back to our hotel. In the evening we were taken to a Portuguese show, with musicians, dancers and singers. Everyone sat on long tables, where we had dinner and free flowing wine.
Friday 22nd November An early start today, 6am wakeup call and 7am departure to the airport. Lisbon airport is amazing, really modern with lots of shops and eateries both before and after check in, and even on the way to the gates. Although it was a half an hour’s walk to the British Airways gate from the terminal, something to consider for those less able. Insight’s 40 seater coaches create up to 100% more legroom than your standard coach making it a much more comfortable journey. At every hotel your luggage is taken from the coach and delivered directly to your room with a fast check in process. At all destinations, they have a local tour guide who can usually get fast track entrance to any attractions saving queuing for hours. Headsets are provided for all guided visits and walking tours, ensuring nothing is missed even if you wander off to take photos. It was nice to have a mixture of local restaurants, themed nights and hotel meals as it ensured a nice variety of menus from tapas to fivestar a la carte meals! On all tours your tour director is with you throughout the whole journey making sure everything runs smoothly. Tony our tour guide treated us all to a local speciality in Lisbon – a custard tart …This is something the tour guides budget for and every now and then treat all the guests to a little something! A very nice touch!
Kent’s Breweries
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Breweries in Kent has always been linked with Shepherd Neame of Faversham, but originally competing with them was Fremlins' Brewery of Maidstone.
L
OOKING at the beer brewing landscape in Kent today and it would be easy to assume the sole player has only ever been Shepherd Neame. The family brewer in Faversham has become synonymous with the county's rich history of hop growing and continues to create a range of in-demand beers. Head back to the mid-20th century, and Sheps was just one of a number of significant players in the county. There was the Courage brewery in St Peter's Street, Maidstone, which, by the 1950’s was a major player, and the county's second largest brewery with more than 600 pubs stretching out across the county and South East. It had, however, closed down by 1971 and the buildings
demolished some five years later. Among the other competitors was the Fremlins' brewery which sat in the centre of Maidstone town, along the banks of the River Medway, on Earl Street. Using the river's water for both the beer making process and transporting the finished product further afield, brewery buildings have stood on the site since the late 18th century. However it would enjoy its major claim to fame when Ralph Firmin took over the derelict buildings in 1861 spending the next 10 years building a new, vibrant brewery. Unlike Shepherd Neame, which produced a range of beers and then sold them through their chain of self-owned pubs and inns, Ralph Firmin took a different approach.
A devout Christian, his faith prevented him from buying up pubs during his lifetime, and so he set up a number of distribution outlets around which the beers were sold to the pub trade instead. Carrying an obituary at the time of his death in 1910, the Wateringbury parish magazine wrote: “Mr Ralph founded the brewery in Maidstone in the year 1861, and from that time onward, eschewing civic honours, devoted his spare time to the spiritual welfare of his employees and to the work of the Church in the parishes, with which he was connected. “The foundation of the ecclesiastical parishes of St Paul's and St Faith's churches owed much, while that of St Luke's owed well-nigh all to him.
“For many years he acted as superintendent of the Sunday schools and churchwarden of St Luke's. He also founded the Maidstone Social Purity Society, and took a prominent part in the work of the school board, the ophthalmic hospital and other Maidstone institutions. “But perhaps his greatest work of all lay in the weekly Bible class for men, which he started more than 30 years ago, and which now numbers 250 members.” It reads as an unusual eulogy for one who made their professional reputation through alcohol. He introduced his three brothers to the business – Richard, Walter and Frank – and all became partners in
the new venture. When Ralph died, the firm continued as Fremlin Bros, before once again becoming simply Fremlins' by 1928. Like many at the time, as the 20th century got into full swing, it began to expand by acquiring other local breweries – among them sites in Canterbury, Dover and Maidstone. The firm also, finally moved into the pub trade too, having also snapped up The Brewery in Court Street, Faversham. Yet, Ralph Firmin's philanthropic message would ensure he would remain part of the county town's cultural tapestry long after his death. By the end of the 1960’s, Fremlins' had been consumed by Whitbread. By the 1970’s, the brewery was
closed in Maidstone, although the Faversham site continued to operate - and the buildings became a bottling depot before transforming again into a despatch depot. All that remains today of the original site's buildings are the distinctive arch entrance and clock. Both of which play a part in the shopping complex which is situated there today. Fremlins' Walk was created when the final buildings on the former brewery site were cleared in order to create a town offering retail capability rivalling those of nearby towns, and combating the threat of the likes of Lakeside and Bluewater. There are still some clear reminders of the brewing history a
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not least in the distinctive elephant Fremlins' used as its logo. As with many of the nation's industries, production has long since ceased but it has left its mark on Maidstone heritage. Today, a new brewing revolution is taking place. While Shepherd Neame remains a major player in the South East – production continues at its Faversham plant and sales continue to support the industry despite having to readjust to major changes
to the pub trade – there are new faces on the scene. Microbreweries are finding themselves increasingly popular with beer drinkers and those seeking products with a local heritage. They may not create drink on a scale which will ever threaten the major producers, but they are making a mark. In addition, the new breed of socalled micro-pubs – non-brewery affiliated drinking holes which reject the modern mod cons of TV or
music, preferring instead for conversation to dominate – are making in-roads across the county, with Kent one of the hot-spots in the UK for this new outlet as many move into deserted shops in the very heart of town centres. It would seem likely we will not see the likes of Fremlins' – large, intown breweries employing hundreds of staff – again, but the brewing industry is far from dormant. Ralph Firmin, you imagine, would probably be proud. mmm
Rochester Airport Medway’s Jewel
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O
nce the home of Short Brothers, Rochester Airport has served the Medway Towns from the peace of 1934 through the war years 1939/45 and through to the airfield we see today. With the prospect of an up-grading over the next few years, Robin J Brooks looks at it’s unique history. Having concentrated on building Seaplanes alongside the River Medway at Rochester since 1913, in 1932 Short Brothers thoughts turned to land based aircraft. A recently designed and constructed plane at the time was the Short Scion. Although it was built with floats to enable it to take off from the water, the thoughts were that with the addition of an undercarriage, it could easily become a land based aircraft. One problem was that it needed an airfield from which to fly. At around the same time Rochester City Corporation were considering building a municipal airport on land between the Rochester and Chatham/Maidstone Road. Inspired by the National Aviation Display tour in 1934 when Sir Alan Cobham
bought his show to Rochester on August 25th, a compulsory purchase order for a mushroom farm owned by a Mr Auger saw the airfield become a reality when 105 acres were leased from January 1st, 1934 intended to run for 14 years. With the full consent of the Air Ministry in September of that year and with all the legal requirements satisfied, the constructors moved in to level the ground, remove all the flint and stones and seed with grass. Unemployment at this time was at a very high level in the Medway Towns and so the Corporation employed men who were ‘out of benefit’. As the airfield began to take shape, Short Brothers moved in and despite the lack of hangars, an order from Imperial Airways forced the company to start work immediately on the large four engine biplane airliner known as the Scylla. The airfield was also licensed to be used for flying training and pleasure flying with the records showing that the first aircraft to land at Rochester was the Short Scion G-ACJI flown by chief pilot John Lankester Parker
on December 16th, 1933. Originally fitted with floats, G-ACJI was transported to the Pobjoy factory at Gravesend Airport (Pobjoy’s were the engine manufacturers) where the undercarriage was fitted before flying back to Rochester where production of the Scion started in full. Shorts then leased some of the buildings to Pobjoy’s, thus allowing Douglas Pobjoy to re-locate his company to Rochester from Gravesend. Eventually Shorts transferred the manufacturing rights for later versions of the Scion to Pobjoy’s. So began a period of rapid expansion for the airport. A ferry air service from Rochester to Southend began on June 9th, 1934 and an air show in the same year attracted such aviation personalities as Amy Johnson, Gladys Batchelor (who at the age of 17 became the youngest female to obtain a flying licence), Tommy Rose and many others. It was the prospect of another war that bought these halcyon days of flying to an end. In 1937 Shorts were approached by the Air Ministry
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to establish a flying training school at the airport. Consequently No. 23 Elementary & Reserve Flying Training School (E&RFTS) was formed on April 1st, 1938 to train pilots for the RAF and Fleet Air Arm. The school remained at Rochester until transferred to Belfast on the outbreak of war in September 1939. Meanwhile with an expansion of the Short Brothers factory, production began of the first four engine bomber for the RAF, the Short Stirling. With the first production model flying on May 7th, 1940 the factory was subjected to several air attacks by the Luftwaffe, the worst being on August 15th. In this attack six completed Stirling’s were destroyed as well as buildings, machinery and offices. The damage was so severe that production did not really get underway again until 1942 with the manufacturing of large components outsourced to other Medway towns and as far away as Swindon and Longbridge. On the esplanade production of the Sunderland flying boat continued until 1945, the factory finally closed in July 1948. The factory on the airport closed in 1962 when Short Brothers surrendered the lease to Rochester Council. The remnants of
the former company relocated to West Malling whilst Universal Flying Services took over the lease at Rochester. When this was severed the management of the airfield was taken up by Marconi Elliott who manufactured avionics equipment. In 1967 the company merged with the English Electric Company with the combined companies being taken over by GEC a year later. In 1969 it was known as Marconi-Elliott Systems Ltd and a year later had become Marconi Avionics Ltd. In 1977 an aircraft preservation group created within the confines of the Medway branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society took over some of the old wartime buildings. In January 1989 it became the Medway Aircraft Preservation Society (MAPS) Ltd. An all volunteer, not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee, it soon gained an international reputation for restoring and preserving historical aircraft. From the first aircraft to be restored, the RAF Manston gate guardian Spitfire Mk XVI TB752, to the latest, a Boulton Paul Defiant belonging to the RAF Museum collection at Hendon, the name of MAPS soon became synonymous
with efficiency and quality. With the airfield currently owned by Medway Council and leased to a company named Rochester Airport Ltd, the old Short Brothers buildings are still used today by BAE Systems PLC. With many of the wartime buildings now reaching the end of their lives, the council is committed to a plan that will ensure the longterm future for Rochester Airport. This will include new buildings, a new control tower and a new paved runway to run parallel with a grass runway. It will also mean new buildings for MAPS where the public will be able to see aircraft restoration in progress together with a small museum and a restaurant. This will not be achieved however without some loss, this being the old 16/34 grass runway to allow a high-tech business park to be built. The Medway Town’s has a rich aviation history from Short Brothers building aircraft on the esplanade to building aircraft on the airport. Very little remains to remind people of the fact but what better than to have a flourishing refurbished airport looking to the future and allowing to once again become ‘Medway’s Jewel’.
By Robin J Brooks
Pillows & Duvets
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www.bensonsforbeds.co.uk
Find the perfect pillow and dreamiest duvet to improve your sleep...
Logan Flannelette, John Lewis
P
ILLOWS and duvets. We
all have them but did you know there are many varieties of each out there and finding the best ones for you can actually improve your sleep? The perfect pillow and dreamiest duvet do exist and it’s well worth investing in a range of bedding and changing it seasonally to suit you. Explains Carine Hodgkiss, marketing director for Bensons for
Bethany Bedroom Collection, House of Bath
Beds: “From orthopaedic, bounceback and pocket sprung pillows to hollow fibre and climate control duvets, finding the ideal bedding set is very easy. “When it comes to pillows, there are essentially four types: hollow fibre, feather, latex and memory foam. Then it’s down to what level of support you need. Orthopaedic pillows offer firm support for anyone who sleeps on their side, bounce back pillows provide medium
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support and our sensation pillow is traditionally shaped with a memory foam filling that shapes to your head and neck. “We have 12 types of pillow in total so there is plenty of choice and, as with beds, we \encourage customers to try out the pillows and see how each one feels so they can choose the most comfortable for them.” Continues Carine: “Duvets are available in four different sizes: a
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Jacksons Fencing
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news, topical treats and more...
Jacksons Venetian panels are semi-solid, so offer less wind resistance and have an attractive modern look
Regular readers of my monthly pages will no doubt have realised that I often mention the weather, so I’m sorry to be harking on about it again, but it has been exceptional. Even before the Christmas break there were disruptions caused by floods and gales, and throughout January the country has continued to be battered and soaked. My heart goes out to those of you who suffered flooding and damage to your properties, especially those who after mopping up and trying to get back to some semblance of normality were hit by another onslaught of evil weather, causing even more damage. Some of you may well have woken up to find that your fencing had blown down, which isn’t all that surprising when you consider some of the gales were estimated as being upwards of 80 mph. It was a scene of garden devastation in the area of Kent where I live. We helped a few neighbours out by moving panels that had not stood up
Not much of this fence is left standing after the gales
to the battering of the wind, and in some instances fencing that ended up as just fragments of brittle wood. Well if this has happened to you, you may well ask why has my fence blown down and someone else’s in the next garden remains intact? Here are a few points to bear in mind when thinking of a replacement fence: Rotten posts - A common reason for a fence falling is due to rotten posts. Untreated timber will rot very quickly when it is in contact with the ground and will therefore no longer be able to stabilise the line of fencing. All Jacksons fencing posts undergo the unique Jakcure timber treatment process, which offers a 25-year guarantee against rotting and wood boring pests. Jakcure pressure treatment drives preservative deep into the carefully selected timber (not all species of tree represent a timber conducive to effective treatment), which results in solid and strong posts that last for many years. Proper foundations – No matter how good your posts are, they won’t stay up unless you have them dug in to the correct depth, and with plenty of concrete to secure them in the holes. Always ensure that the post holes have straight sides. For a 1.8m fence (6ft) fence each post requires 60kg of concrete to provide a secure base. Posts should be set in the ground at a minimum of 600 mm (2ft) – and deeper for higher fences.
Why has my fence blown down?
Win a Jacksons garden gate set... Enter the free prize draw and be in with a chance to win one of our garden gate sets. We have 15 different styles and various sizes - the gate sets come complete with posts and everything you need to hang the gate. They make having a new gate beautifully simple and straightforward, and they are all guaranteed for 25 years too! Simply log on to your local page, address below and follow the easy instructions on how to enter. The draw closes 28.2.14. To enter go to:
www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/ashfordlocal Fit for purpose design – Look for solidity in the fence panel, does it look strong and feel heavy? If it feels flimsy and lightweight, then that’s what it is! In areas that suffer excessive winds, like coastal situations, it may be best to consider a semi-solid panel that offers less wind resistance, allowing air to pass through it, rather than hit it full on. Fixings that last - These are as important as all the other points mentioned here. There is no point in buying a well-built panel and following the rules on post strength and correct installation if you skimp on cheap fixings, go for nonrusting, heavily galvanized fixings to hold everything firmly in place.
Avoid the cowboys! – A final point to remember, a fence is only as good as its installation. Please check your installer is reputable and if they are, they will be able to supply references of good work they’ve carried out previously, or ask friends to recommend decent installers. These points are all covered in more detail if you go to your local page, as is our special offer to help out people who need to replace their fence, Jacksons are offering free delivery on all garden fencing and gates throughout February – full details at: www.jacksonsfencing.co.uk/ashfordlocal
louise@jacksons-fencing.co.uk
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Dean Hill Rural Getaway
wonderful detached family home with private established gardens situated in a sought after semi rural location. Dean Hill is a detached character property providing well appointed rooms spaciously arranged over two floors. The ground floor comprises of an entrance porch with cloakroom and leads into the welcoming entrance hall, the sitting room is very impressive with an attractive open working fireplace and double doors opening through to the large
A
conservatory. The dining room has double doors opening out of the rear garden and an lovely feature fireplace, the sun room connects to the dining room and kitchen proving a lovely space to the relax whilst enjoying the rear garden views. The kitchen/breakfast room is in a traditional country style providing a comprehensive range of fitted units, gas fired AGA and walk in pantry, there is a separate utility room and boiler cupboard. The first floor has a light landing area with access to the
master bedroom, which has fitted wardrobes; there are three further double bedrooms, one of which has a lovely covered balcony and two family bathrooms. There is a integral annexe accommodation with it’s own separate access on the ground floor and comprises of a double bedroom, sitting/kitchen area and shower room. Eternally the property is approached through a wooden five bar gate, which leads onto a gravel
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in and out driveway providing ample off road parking and access to the triple garage and workshop. The gardens are a real delight and are arranged to the rear and side of the property offering complete privacy and are predominantly laid to lawn with interspersed with a number of mature trees and established shrubs. There are a number of storage outbuildings, two ponds, a charming ‘fairy house’ and a further workshop. Dean Hill is located on the outskirts of the sought after village of East Farleigh. East Farleigh is a
charming ancient village in the local government district of Maidstone, located on the south side of the River Medway about two miles upstream from this historic town. The Grade 1 listed East Farleigh Bridge crossing the river was built in the 14th century and is considered to be one of the oldest in Kent. The area offers local amenities including a Village Inn and Mainline Station with links to Paddock Wood, Gatwick Airport and Maidstone. Local shopping is available in the Village of Coxheath (1 mile). The County Town of Maidstone (2 miles)
offers extensive amenities, including mainline rail services to London and access to the new High Speed Rail link from Maidstone West. The M20 Junction 5 (3 miles) provides comprehensive road links to London, Ashford and the Channel Ports. There is also an excellent selection of private and state schools within the local area including the well regarded grammar schools. To arrange a viewing call Geering and Colyer on 01892 615757, or visit www.geeringandcolyer.co.uk for more details.
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MOTORS Citroën Grand Picasso gets put through it’s paces by Arsenal Football Club Premier League footballers test the latest Citroën in short film
The New Citroën Grand C4 Picasso has been put through its paces at Arsenal Football Club’s Training Ground by Premier League aces Olivier Giroud, Per Mertesacker, Santi Cazorla and Wojciech Szczęsny. In the light-hearted promotional film, the players test a selection of the features that help to make the New Grand C4 Picasso a multi-award-winning MPV. Created to mark the launch of Citroën’s new-generation compact 7-seater, the film sees the Arsenal players put the new MPV through a series of football-themed challenges to demonstrate the class-leading space, comfort and technology on offer. Their alternative take
on a car review, sees the Arsenal stars capitalising on each of their technical strengths, such as a spot of free kick and goalie practise to test the wide door and boot openings, followed by some post-training relaxation on the massaging seats.
In a high-stakes demonstration of the New Grand C4 Picasso’s Park Assist feature, Per and Olivier showcase the assisted parallel parking technology between a Ferrari 430 and Maserati Gran Turismo, whilst Santi and Wojciech look on in amazement.
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The tongue-in-cheek film shows that even Arsenal footballers, are not immune to the charm of this new family-friendly car, as well as highlighting some of the features a Premier League player might look for, when choosing their new family car. James Parfett, communications director at Citroën UK, commented; “It’s brilliant to be exploring new ways of working with Arsenal, as
we’re now in our seventh season as the Club’s Official Automotive Partner. We had a lot of fun creating this film and we hope Citroën and Arsenal fans alike enjoy seeing the players and car in this new light.” The New Citroën Grand C4 Picasso has only been on sale in the UK since the start of the year, but has already been named Top Gear Magazine’s Family Car of the
Year, What Car?’s MPV of the Year and is one of the seven finalists for Car of the Year. It is available from £19,200. The New Grand C4 Picasso is a practical, versatile and elegant offering for the seven-seat compact MPV segment that strikes a new balance between benchmark space and engaging styling, combined with record efficiency.
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BUSINESS
Entrepreneur Start-Up
The first Apprentice winner reveals new start-up for all future businesses A FORMER star of the TV favourite, the Apprentice has unveiled a £1million start-up fund to help kick-start his new businesses in 2014. Raj Dhonota was in the very first series of the BBC show and has since gone on to start a number of businesses and now offers an advice and mentoring service. He was born and raised in Dartford and first made his name in property. He hopes his new initiative will establish two start-up businesses each week by providing a helping hand in the form of finance, resources, expertise, contacts and a fixed growth plan.
Each successful business will be assigned accomplished mentors to help them towards success and support them for five years. Mr Dhonota says the new scheme was sparked by his own experience, when his first business left him bankrupt before he bounced back. He said: "I've always wanted to do something significant to help startups, because of my own background and experiences. I know too well, how hard it is to establish a viable and profitable business without finance, support and experience, I want to help entrepreneurs avoid similar setbacks that I have encountered.
“I am passionate about start-ups and find it incredibly satisfying and exciting to help people achieve their own dreams.” It is open to start-ups in all sectors, and people of all ages. Mr Dhonota adds: “Whilst there are a lot of start-up schemes out there already, many of them neglect the mature entrepreneurs, which are a highly viable market. I believe in equality and that the opportunities available to young entrepreneurs should be available to the older generation.” For details of the scheme, which is personally funded by Mr Dhonota see his website www.rajdhonota.com.
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Cobtree Manor Signing
Kent tourist attraction secures contract extension to remain in Maidstone THE FUTURE of popular tourist attraction Kent Life has been secured after a new deal to remain at the 28-acre site was signed. The owners of the attraction in Sandling, near Maidstone, the Continuum Group, says it has inked a new two-year management agreement with the site's Cobtree Manor Estate Trust. Continuum, which operates a host of other tourist attractions in the UK, including the Canterbury Tales in the cathedral city, has operated Kent Life since 2008. Its chief executive, Juliana Delaney, said: “We’re delighted to have secured an extension to the lease
KentEvent Centre
and we look forward to enhancing the visitor experience in 2014. “We are constantly striving to introduce new activities and events that will appeal to people of all ages. I’m incredibly proud of our achievements in Maidstone, which reflect the passion, dedication and hard work of all our staff.” The chairman of Cobtree Manor Estate Trust, John Wilson, added: “I am delighted with the agreement that has been reached with Continuum to enable Kent Life to continue. “The trust will be working hard with Continuum to further improve the attraction and events at Kent Life.”
Summer motorhome and caravan show has been organised for the summer in Detling
A MAJOR event focusing on the camping and caravan sector will be staged in the county later this year. The UK summer motorhome and caravan show will take place at the KentEvent Centre – sited on the Kent Showground in Detling. The two-day public event runs on May 31st and June 1st. It is being organised by Event Developments, which stages some of the UK’s largest outdoor motor home and caravan events. The Kent event is hoped to cater for the booming South East market. According to recent figures, enthusiasts take some 16.6 million trips spending some £2.3bn.
Organiser Russ Harman said: “Our decision has already proved popular with local dealerships and we are receiving some great feedback from enthusiasts who are looking forward to attending our event at Detling.” The event will feature trade stands aimed at experienced owners and first-time buyers alike, with new and used motor homes and caravans for sale, plus all kinds of outdoor leisure accessories. Tickets for the event, weekend
camping tickets and trade stands, are available now. Hundreds of weekend campers from all around the UK are expected to stay at the event and enjoy a great line-up of evening entertainment. Russ Harman added: “I’m really excited about the new show as the Kent Showground is a great venue with lovely modern facilities which will be ideal for our weekend campers to enjoy the event and to explore the local area.”
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mmm Magazine 25
mmm Issue 25, February 2014 Complimentary
TREBOR’S TASTY TREATS Maidstone’s own Wonka Factory
BREWING UP THE PAST
FROM CANTERBURY WITH LOVE
Fiona Phillips and her determination on dementia
Toasting Fremlins' past glories
PAUL’S ANIMAL MAGNETISM TV favourite on life, love and home in Kent
February 2014
n History n Travel n Business n Entertainment n And much, much more