Maidstone’s local community magazine
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FEB/MAR 2016
WIN
tickets
To the Hazlitt Theatre for an Evening of
Burlesque
Top Tips for planning your BIG day. Plus local wedding fairs!
Valentine’s
Day Check out
our original gift ideas
Hair trends
for 2016 Hot, fresh styles for a new you!
Talking about Osteoporosis All you need to know!
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Primary Colour Palette. Colour swatches are for guidance only. C67 M61 Y50 K32
Secondary Colour Palette. Colour swatches are for guidance only. C15 M41 Y10 K0
Based in Boughton Monchelsea we offer excellence in all of the key areas that are most important to our customers, design, quality and customer service. Making the right choice makes a huge difference to the character and practicality of your home. We want to help you find the floor that fits your space, your needs and your style. We offer many brands to suit all budgets including our very own Dewitt Collection and are pleased to announce for that the month of February we can offer a 10% discount on all Amtico Signature and Spacia ranges when mentioning this advert.
Dewitt Flooring UK Limited The Green, Boughton Monchelsea, Maidstone ME17 4LT w: www.dewittfloors.co.uk e: info@dewittfloors.co.uk t: 01622 744886 Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 09:00 – 16:30 Saturday – 10:00 – 16:00 3
Contents
Do, I Do... 16 IWedding guide Hair trends 10 for 2016 contact - advice 13 Holiday for separated families to look for in 15 What a starter home 19 New career for 2016? 21 Health: All about Valentine’s Day 26 Ideas Competition - An 25 evening of Burlesque 26 Travel- South Africa Markets 30 Farmers a local guide. Recipe - Seville 31 marmalade - Tales 33 ofGardening the unexpected On - in the area 34 What’s and local community Puzzle - try your hand 43 at Sudoku
Welcome to In and Around Magazine, Feb/Mar 2016
Dear Readers Wow, we’ve made it through January, the resolutions we made, might still be in tack (only just!), the days are drawing out and we can see spring peeping it’s head around the corner. Have you recently just got engaged and now planning your big day? Check out our wedding guide (pg 6) which gives you loads of tips, local wedding fairs and inspiration to start the ball rolling. This month we also celebrate Valentine’s (pg 22) and Mother’s day (pg 28), so we bring you some great ideas so you can easily spoil that someone special!
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Are you starting to think about booking your annual holiday? If so, have a read about South Africa (pg 26), it could sway you into taking your trip slightly further afield. Our magazine represents everyday life with a local spin. If you ever have a story to share, local information or local events please do get in touch. Wishing you all a fun February! Sarah, Editor
Upcoming copy deadlines Tuesday 16th February Tuesday 15th March
In & Around Magazine is distributed each month to; Loose, Boughton Monchelsea, Coxheath, Bearsted, Grove Green, Penenden Heath, Allington, Aylesford, Ditton, West Malling, Sutton Valence, Langley, Lenham, Harrietsham, Hollingbourne, Maidstone Town Centre and Newnham Court.
“Connecting local people to local businesses”
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26 Editor & Publisher: Sarah Maberley Laurel House 43 Earl Street Maidstone Kent ME14 1DP Tel: 01622 296230 Published independently by: In and Around info@inandaroundkent.co.uk inandaroundkent.co.uk
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I do, I do
Top tips for your big day take time off during the summer, or certainly be more keen to. If you’re planning a winter wedding, check with the venue you have in mind for any deals they may have around this time. Towards the end of the year, many venues will lower their prices and will often offer £2,014 to get married over the 2014 Christmas period, for example.
Whether you’ve been swept off your feet on Valentine’s or you’ve entered engagement bliss over Christmas and the New Year, it is safe to say that you have a very busy year ahead! 2016 promises to be a great year, and especially exciting if you have just got engaged to the love of your life! However, this doesn’t make the thought of planning a wedding any less daunting, so we have come up with some handy tips, tricks and advice to help get you started on your bridal journey. Tip 1: Plan your budget! We know it’s boring but the biggest mistake couples make is going to see their ideal venue, finding the perfect dress and dreaming up stories of wedding day heaven, only to find that you can’t afford it. Tip 2: Check your dates! Getting married on a Saturday can easily triple the price of your wedding and so can bank holidays. If you can, consider a weekday wedding. Summer weddings are perfect for weekdays as a lot of people will 6
Tip 3: The dress! There is no doubt that the wedding dress is one of the most important elements of the big day, but if the dream dress seems out of reach financially, never fear! The easiest way to save money and still look fantastic is to find a dress you like and take the design to a private local dressmaker. Dressmakers can work with you to create the perfect dress to fit your body with the exact design you want for a fraction of the cost of designer brands. Perfect! Tip 4: Write a list Knowing where to start is often the greatest problem when newly engaged. Where? When? Who’s invited? Have we forgotten anything? All these questions will cross the newly engaged at some point, but it is easier to work out than you think. After you’ve agreed on a budget, start by listing your priorities. This list will be your guide to keeping to budget and resolving those little “this or that” dilemmas. Next, list all the people you know who may be able to help, such as relatives, close friends and those who owe you a favour. These are the people who will take some of the stress away, and may save you money with a favour or two. To help you along the way with inspiration, advice and a helping hand, keep up-to-date with wedding blogs - especially local ones. They will be able to take some of the stress away by providing details of suppliers, key dates and invaluable tips that you won’t be able to live without. A personal favourite is www.rockmywedding.co.uk
Advice Tip 5: Visit a wedding fair To kick start planning your big day. Visiting a wedding fair can give you imediate access to great ideas and various suppliers from invitations to cakes. Check out some of the upcoming fairs in the area, see below. Sunday 7th February Royal Wells Hotel Wedding Experience 59 Mount Ephraim, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8BE Time: 10:30am - 3:30pm Exhibitors: 25 - 50 exhibitors Admission: Free Entry Tel 01795 844449 www.wedding-experience.co.uk Sunday 21st February Holiday Inn London-Bexley Wedding Show Bexley, Bexley, Greater London DA5 1ND, UK Time: 11:00am - 4:00pm Exhibitors: 25 - 50 exhibitors Admission: Free Entry Tel: 01474 815463 www.bestbrides.co.uk
Sunday 28th February St George’s Centre Chatham Wedding Experience Chatham, Medway ME4 4UH, Reino Unido Time: 10:30am - 3:30pm Exhibitors: 25 - 50 exhibitors Admission: Free Entry Tel: 01795 844449 www.wedding-experience.co.uk Sunday 13th March Ashford International Hotel Wedding Experience Simone Weil Avenue, Ashford, Kent TN24 Date: Sunday, 13th March 2016 Time: 10:30am - 3:30pm Exhibitors: 25 - 50 exhibitors Admission: Free Entry Tel: 01795 844449 www.wedding-experience.co.uk Sunday 13th March Brands Hatch Thistle Hotel Wedding Show Longfield, Kent DA3 8PE Time: 11:00am - 3:30pm Exhibitors: 25 - 50 exhibitors Admission: Free Entry
Weddings at
Cobtree Manor Park Golf Course ‘We offer a perfect venue with our unique clubhouse setting, nestled in picturesque surroundings of the golf course. It provides the perfect backdrop for all weddings. With its traditional clubhouse setting, Cobtree Manor offers a very relaxed warming environment to welcome all wedding guests’ Excellent package: • Canapés Arrival with Prosecco • 3 Course Breakfast Meal • Red and White Wine on all tables • Evening Buffet • Room Hire Included • Resident DJ through to Midnight
All for just £58pp
Book & quote ‘In&AroundKent’ for a FREE bottle of champagne
Cobtree Manor Park Golf Course, Chatham Road, Maidstone, ME14 3AZ Tel: 01622 753 276 www.mytimeactive.co.uk/cobtree/functions email: cobtree@mytimeactive.co.uk 7
g n i d d We
n o i t a r i insp
Are you busy getting ideas for your big day? It needn’t be a worry as The Mall, Maidstone has plenty of inspiration to get you started. Here’s a sneak peek to what’s in stores now.
Bella Vintage Keyhole Back Lace Full Dress £165.00 BHS
Sophie Lace Sweetheart Neckline Dress £150.00 BHS
www.themall.co.uk/Maidstone
the dress
Amelie Bridal Short Dress £65.00 BHS
the bride
Dancer Square Jewel T Bar Shoe Danielle Brooch Satin Court £45.00 BHS Shoe £35.00 BHS
Miranda High Pleat Platform Shoe £39.00 BHS
Amelie Short Jacket £40.00 BHS
Olive Diamante Trim Ballerina Pump £25.00 BHS 8
Ivory Bead Fringe Bag £25.00 BHS
Lattice Pearl Clutch £25.00 BHS
y
stationer
Butterfly Print Evening Invitation Cards From £1.49 Card Factory
Silver Diamanté Wedding Evening Invitation Card From £1.79 Card Factory
White Wedding Gift Thank You Cards From £1.79 Card Factory
m the groo
Square Cuff Links £8.00 BHS
Pleat Dress Shirt and Bow Tie Set Silver Floral Waistcoat £25.00 BHS £25.00 BHS
Silver Floral Cravat £12.00 BHS
gifts
12 Piece Fresh Green Dinner set £25.00 Next
Large Botanial Ceramic Vase £28.00 Next
Boxed Wedding Card From £1.99 Card Factory
Large Solid Wood Memo Board £22.00 Next
Set of 4 Butterfly Short Tumblers £6.00 Next Butterfly Water Bottle £6.00 Next
Set of 4 Butterfly Crystal Wine Glasses £12.00 Next
Watercolour 4 Person Hamper with Cool Bag £100.00 BHS
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Hot Hair Trends for Spring 2016 Are you ready for a new look for the New Year? We take a look at what’s hot for hair this season to help keep you bang on trend!
Bold Blunt Bangs
Go Natural
Curly bobs
Go Natural Carefree and casual, air-dried hair is hot – and your hair will thank you for it! Ask your hairdresser to tailor your style to suit your lifestyle, working with rather than against your hair’s natural texture. This is such an easy look to maintain once the cut is right for you.
Long Textured Layers
Long Textured Layers Create movement and give an illusion of fullness to long fine hair by adding long textured layers. Ombre highlights on the ends complement the look perfectly. 10
Bold Blunt Bangs Don’t be scared! A long fringe cut close to the brows can be incredibly flattering – leave in your natural waves or curls for a relaxed but hot new look that will get you noticed! Great on lobs or longer hair.
Curly Cheekbone length bobs Get your hair cropped into a tousled bob, carefree and sexy and seriously flattering for most face shapes.
Geometric, Triangular and Sharp
Geometric, Triangular and Sharp This isn’t an easy look to achieve but is stunning on kinky or curly hair that has been well cut – no scruffy ends allowed or the look will be spoilt!
Lobs (long bob)
Beauty & Fashion
Sleek and Polished Lobs The lob (long bob) becomes sleeker this season – still tousled with blunt edges, but add a touch of shine spray or oil to the ends to smooth them out.
The Big Chop
The Big Chop Celebrate the New Year with a totally new you! Pixie cuts are going to be cool this spring – go on, set the trend!
Statement Colour
Statement Colour It won’t be a season for shrinking violets! Are you bold enough to choose a fiery red or a strong shade of pastel – mint, pink, mauve or baby blue? For a softer look, complement chocolate brown with sombre – gorgeously flattering for ladies of all ages!
Here’s to a glamorous new you in 2016! Sarah Hughes
Love your hair like we do this 2016 Special offers on website
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Maidstone 72 Bank St Maidstone ME14 1SN Tel: 01622 685515 or 01622 750351
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17 Halstow Close, Loose, Maidstone, Kent ME15 9XA
Op 3T
Advice
Holiday Contact
for separated families If you are a separated or divorced parent planning a holiday with your children this year, what should be aware of, which may affect your travel plans? Amendments to the law in 2014 has resulted in Child Arrangements Orders sweeping away the old regime of Residence and Contact Orders. Under the previous arrangement, the parent with main care could have obtained a Residence Order perhaps with defined Contact granted to the absent parent. Now we have an Order covering the living and contact arrangements. However, as before, the Courts do not want to make Orders concerning Children. They want parents to resolve issues themselves. As part of this there is now much greater emphasis on parents attending mediation before proceedings can even be issued. As solicitors we have an obligation to make sure all attempts have been made to resolve the issue before considering court involvement. That being the case, what can parents do themselves to avoid having to involve solicitors at all? The first thing is to try to ensure the lines of communication are open. It is not always easy to speak to an estranged partner, when a relationship breaks down. Feelings will run high but at the middle of this will be the children of the family and parents owe it to them to try to minimise the impact of the split. If the parties are finding it hard to communicate, try to find a neutral third party to pass messages, or limit contact to text or email and only about issues concerning the children. If necessary consult your solicitor before difficulties get out of hand. Avoid using the children to pass messages. When it comes to organising school holidays, the more notice that can be given the better, although however well intentioned parents are, last minute changes may have to be made which may result in arguments leaving both parents with childcare issues to sort out.
What about taking the child out of the country? If there is a Residence Order or Child Arrangement Order establishing with whom the child will live, that parent does not need to seek the permission of the other parent to take the child out of the country for up to 28 days. However, for the vast majority of cases, where there is no order, consent must be obtained from everyone with parental responsibility. Parents should provide each other ahead of the holiday with details of flights and how the child can be contacted and where they will be staying. Information on travelling abroad with children is available on the government website www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad. The party with whom the child lives should hold the passport, but should make it available in good time to the other parent, who should return it promptly after the holiday. If it is not possible to agree holiday contact, legal advice should be sought and mediation attempted. Taking the children out of the country for a longer period is a very different matter and advice should be sought early on if that is a possibility. As can be seen, whilst there are legal provisions governing the care of children after separation, the emphasis is on the parents acting in the best interests of their child and caring for the child without the involvement of the law. It is not easy, and there will inevitably be a few issues, but ultimately doing what is best for your child, and remembering that you are both responsible for the children’s welfare and happiness should help to avoid major difficulties arising. Julie Hobson is a Partner at Gullands Solicitors and can be contacted at j.hobson@gullands.com 01622 689700, or via www.gullands.com 13
Cooper & Co are a local family business with over 20 years experience
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Thinking of a new bedroom? Then think of us.
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Property
What to look for
in an ideal starter home
With plans afoot to build hundreds of thousands of starter homes (typically 2 bedrooms with an open plan living area) over the next few years, what should first time buyers be on the lookout for in their first home? Here are my five priorities. Clever use of space: Space is at a premium in a starter home, so make sure it’s not wasted on access areas such as halls and landings. A kitchen diner makes much more sense than a lounge/ dining room and there should be space for a washing machine and tumble drier in the kitchen, even if it means sacrificing the dishwasher. Storage space: Most people own so much stuff and builders often conveniently forget this fact. Built in wardrobes in the bedrooms are a big boon, as are cupboards or shelves in wasted space such as under the stairs or in alcoves. A proper bathroom: Few builders can resist the temptation to squeeze two ensuite bathrooms into a two bedroom house. In practice, this means that both will be tiny shower rooms. Look for a good sized bathroom with a proper bath. Two, or even three people are more than capable of sharing a bathroom. Off road parking: Most of these houses will be occupied by two adults and adults tend to have cars. Therefore, there should be two off road parking spaces. It doesn’t matter about a garage as few people ever park their cars in them.
Plenty of plug sockets: The majority of people own at least two mobile devices which will need to be charged up on a daily basis. Then there’s TVs, games consoles, smart boxes, wireless speakers… the list goes on. You can never have too many plug sockets, particularly in the lounge.
Good luck to those taking their first step onto the property ladder in 2016. Craig Brown
15
77 King Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1BG
Tel: 01622 862302 / 07889 041416
E-mail: enquiries@jandccreations.co.uk
“A Parkes Construction offers a free estimate and advice service. All our work is fully insured and guaranteed.”
For extensions, renovations or maintenance call APC A. Parkes Construction Ltd
For more information on the wide range of services we provide, why not visit our website www.apcconstruction.co.uk
Tel: 01622 765698 Mobile: 07785 924497 120 Loose Road, Maidstone, Kent ME15 7UB 28 inandaround
IAAK July 14 final to print.indd 28
22/06/2014 07:45
MAIDSTONE’S LEADING INDEPENDENT BLIND SUPPLIER Awnings & Canopies, Conservatory Blinds, Vertical, Venetian, Roller, Roman Blinds, Plantation Shutters, Perfect fit and Intu (no drill) Blinds. Free Home Survey. Abacus manufactures bespoke roller and vertical blinds on site. Visit our showroom to see for yourself. Fitting service also available with order. Abacus Blinds & Awnings (SE) Ltd Unit 14, Viewpoint, Boxley Road, Maidstone, ME14 2DZ
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01622 675688 www.abacusblinds.co.uk info@abacusblinds.co.uk
Home Media is an independent business run by local Maidstone resident, Simon Burton. Simon has 25
years experience in the hi fi industry and is passionate about customer service. They won’t give you a hard sell and are great at listening to your needs and finding a solution. Home appliances have become an integral part of everyday life for almost every household in the developed world. Domestic appliances make light work of numerous chores, from washing our clothing to reheating a plated meal, to name just two of the benefits. Such luxuries provide us with more time to indulge in the entertainment side that technology brings to our lives, and this is without doubt a pastime that is enjoyed by millions of people on a daily basis. Wind the clock back fifty years and families would gather round a small black and white television set to catch the latest broadcast from comedy legends such as Morecambe and Wise, or enjoy the latest music releases televised on shows such as Ready Steady Go! Moving forward to the present day and the demand for home entertainment is of even greater need than ever before. With significant technology advancements in picture and sound quality, the movie experience creates a heightened sense of realism and emotion. The recreation of the cinema experience within the home has been available since the early 1990’s, and over this time products have become increasingly sympathetic to room design and likely to be more accepted by the entire family within the home environment. Similarly to a modern fitted kitchen, a discrete home cinema
system can be tastefully integrated within your home with consideration to room design, symmetry and acoustics. During the installation process, a degree of ‘making good’ may be required to conceal unsightly cables to create a beautifully presented end result for your family to enjoy. A correctly installed home cinema system will provide a beautiful visual balance and recreate an engaging audio experience for aerial and satellite TV broadcasts, video streams from services such as Netflix, games consoles and music and movies contained on DVD and Blu-ray discs, all within a surround sound manor. Soundbars and Sound Bases can improve upon the inferior sound quality known to plague modern TV sets, but fall far short of recreating a true home cinema surround sound experience. Home Media have designed and installed cinema systems in a variety of rooms over the years, so there really is no excuse, you CAN have your own cinema and make the most of your precious time with your loved ones.
***Offer*** for In and Around readers And here’s the good news... we have secured an exclusive offer with Home Media for readers of In and Around. Home Media will halve the installation cost when you buy a home cinema system before 31st March 2016. If you would like to learn more, then Simon and his team can provide you with a demonstration of the true cinema experience at their Union Street showroom. Home Media will then carry out a site survey to see how their installation team can provide you with a bespoke cinema system.
24-26 Union Street, Maidstone, Kent, UK, ME14 1ED T: (01622) 676703 F: (01622) 676723 www.homemedialimited.co.uk sales@homemedialimited.co.uk
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Premier ironing, laundry and dry cleaning service Iron Maids offer a premier ironing service, alongside our laundry and dry cleaning services, to households all around Kent and East Sussex. Whether you require a regular ironing service or a helping hand with the odd basket of ironing, Iron Maids can help. Our service is quick, flexible, personal and affordable.
Free collection and delivery within the local area Shirts £1.35 (starching available) All other clothing £2.95 per Kg Full laundry service £4.95 per Kg Full dry cleaning and repair service
T: 01622 870111
www.iron-maids.co.uk For our special offers follow us on
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Advice
New Career for 2016? Wondering What Your Purpose is in Life? Perhaps you have been thinking for some time ‘I’m meant to be doing something more than this...’
But what? If we are to uncover work we love, developing an understanding of ourselves is key. So with that in mind... If money didn’t matter, you couldn’t fail, and everyone approved - what would you do? What inspires us brings further insight... When do you feel inspired, most fully alive? What type of person are you with? What would an inspirational environment look like for you? What is it that makes you feel really well? When we are inspired and feel fully alive, we get a glimpse of our potential – a glimpse of our ‘higher self’ so to speak, and it is for us to take responsibility for enabling this. When we feel our work is an expression of who we truly are, we find a sense of wellbeing and satisfaction, one could say we find our sense of Purpose. To improve your feelings about your current work, ask yourself ‘What is it I value most about myself?’ Whatever the answer, weave this awareness into your work life - it will help you feel more aligned and more positive about what you are doing at the moment - until you bring about the change you may be longing for.
I help sensitive, ambitious people figure out what they really want to do. Together we uncover a Vision for their future; we then look at a strategy, their mindset, skill set and their environment. I work 1:1 in person or by telephone. I also work in small groups (with a maximum of 10 participants) in a tranquil retreat set amidst beautiful countryside - Tor Spa Retreat, Ickham, Canterbury.
ity U n co ve r t h e culayrea rn fo r. a n d f ocu s y o For further information contact maureen@maureendickie.com
Maureen Dickie
19
at
Maidstone Wellness Centre is a centre for health and healing in the Maidstone YMCA Osteopathy Osteopathy Contact Gemma on: 01622 762802 / 07593 212364
Contact Gemma on: 01622 762802 / 07593 212 364
Sports Massage Contact Shelly on: 07967 109638
Sports Massage
Acupuncture Contact Shelly on: 07967 109638 Contact Melanie on: 07837 637465
Reflexology / Aromatherapy Acupuncture Contact Ursula on: 01622 746358 / 07922 872634
Contact Melanie on: 07837 637465
Stress Adviser Contact Amanda on: 07504275182 Reflexology / Aromatherapy
Hypnotherapy / Life & N.L.P./ 07922 Contact Ursula on:Coaching 01622 746358 Contact Geoff on: 01622 747575 / 07950 512453
872634
Beauty / Massage Physiotherapy Contact Mark on: 07794 71 1181 426511 07955 Contact Georgina: Nutritional Therapy Hypnotherapy/ Life Contact Marjan on : 07895 052861
Coaching & N.L.P.
Contact Geoff on: 01622 747575 / 07950 512453
Melrose Close, Cripple Street, Loose, ME15 6BD
www.maidstonewellnesscentre.co.uk
info@maidstonewellnesscentre.co.uk
“A baby enjoys freedom of movement, relaxation and bonding. They make an easy transition from their early swimming reflexes into swimming movements”
Soft Furnishings
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Privately Owned Swimming Pools in Linton and Sutton Valance 20
Health & Fitness
Health
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis affects over three million people in the UK. It is a condition that weakens the bones so that they become fragile and break more easily; it is caused by a thinning of the struts which make up the mesh-like structure within the bone. The commonest injuries for people with osteoporosis are wrist, hip and spinal fractures, although fractures of the upper arm, ribs or pelvis may also occur. Osteoporosis does not generally slow or stop the healing process of broken bones. A healthy bone will not usually fracture when falling from standing height; a fracture occurring from a minor fall is often the first symptom of osteoporosis. The condition is only painful if a fracture occurs. If numerous severe spinal fractures occur over a period of time, they can lead to significant height loss and curvature which may cause shortness of breath, protruding stomach, indigestion problems and stress incontinence. This is because of a reduction in the available space for the internal organs. Bones stop growing in length at the age of 16-18, but continue to increase in density up to the late 20s. They lose density from around age 35 which can lead to osteoporosis. Women are particularly susceptible following the menopause. A family history of the condition, heavy drinking and smoking, suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, Crohns, or COPD, an overactive thyroid or parathyroid gland, malabsorption or long term use of oral prednisolone can all increase risk of developing osteoporosis.
The condition is usually diagnosed by carrying out a short painless DXA scan to measure bone mineral density. Medication may be given to strengthen bones and is dependent on your individual fracture risk based on age and scan results. Prevention of osteoporosis for those at risk includes exercising regularly, cessation of smoking, reducing alcohol consumption and eating healthily, including food rich in calcium and vitamin D. For those living with osteoporosis, having a hazard-free home and taking regular sight and hearing tests can help minimise risk of fractures. Further information is available from The National Osteoporosis Society www.nos.org.uk Phoebe Hodge
21
Valentine’s day
ideas to treat your loved one
Dining Out: Maidstone’s selection of bars and restaurants means that you will never be short of an option or two for where to spend a romantic dinner. And it isn’t just in the town centre that you will be spoilt for choice! Head out to Bearsted Green or some of Maidstone’s surrounding villages for a truly magical dining experience. Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest in the year though, especially if you are after an intimate setting, so remember to book in advance! Romantic Ideas & Special Proposals: With easy access to transport links and a town to be thankful of, there really is no reason not to make this the most romantic Valentine’s Day yet. Here’s a list of some lavish, and more subtle ways, to express your love: Y Hot Air Balloon: With Mote Park and Leeds Castle on the door step, it really is no surprise that a hot air balloon ride can be arranged from various points within the town. Whilst the weather could probably be somewhat warmer, with a glass of champagne floating over the Kent countryside on the most romantic day of the year, it could be the perfect time to ask a special person a very special question. Y Kent Ballooning Choose Kent Ballooning for exclusive champagne 22
hot air balloon flights in Kent. Kent Ballooning schedule hot air balloon flights 7 days a week, at sunrise and sunset between April and October. Tel: 01303 812 812. Kent Ballooning, Yew Tree Studios, Stanford North, Ashford, TN25 6DH www.kentballooning.com Y The School of Chocolate You can learn the noble art of chocolate making in our Bean to Bar Experience, where our chocolatier will show you how to roast and conch cocoa and guide you as you make your own bar of chocolate, which you will take away with you. You could take your appreciation of chocolate to the next level with a Chocolate Tasting Adventure – a twohour guided tour through the flavour nuances of chocolate in which you’ll learn how best to taste it, pair it and discern the distinctive flavours of fine cocoa from around the world, with a delicious glass of our house Prosecco. Tel: 020 7209 0659. School of Chocolate Contact: 02076 939 758. 4 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9HB. www.hotelchocolat.com Y Volunteer Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love, so consider branching out from romance into charity and friendship. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, send flowers to nursing home residents, or check online listings for Valentine-themed fundraisers for reputable non-profits. Contact local women’s and domestic violence shelters to ask how you can best show love to those who live and work there.
Baking cookies or sending letters of appreciation to caregivers can make all the difference for people who have suffered because of corrupted relationships. Maidstone Day Centre, Lily Smith House, 15 Knightrider Street, Maidstone ME15 6LP www.homelessinmaidstone.org.uk Tel: 01622 674064 Y Get out and about Do touristy things in your own town. Since plenty of people already dismiss Valentine’s Day as corny, plan a few touristy activities that you and your honey have never got around to doing. The London Eye, Riverside Building, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB www.londoneye.com Tel:+44 (0)871 781 3000 The Shard AQUASHARD, OBLIX or HUTONG The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, SE1 9SG Tel: +44 333 456 4000 www.the-shard.com Y Romantic walk in Sutton Valence 5.2 miles (8.3km) approx. Allow 3 hours About the walk... This walk starts at Sutton Valence and joins the Greensand Way, heading to the nearby villages of East Sutton and Ulcombe. 1 From parking walk ahead on the cobbled footpath past The Swan Pub and the Post Office. Continue on the path past some houses on your right. Take care walking along the road. 2 On reaching crossroads continue straight on and follow the Greensand Way footpath sign across field. 3 Continue along field boundary and cross track. Keeping house to your right, head across field towards road. Follow Greensand Way signs along road (Church Lane). Pass a church on your right as you enter East Sutton. 4 At crossroads, continue straight on, pass over stile and continue along edge of field, still following the Greensand Way. Pass through gate and continue with apple orchard to your right. Pass through 2 more gates as you head towards the road. Take care crossing road.
Sky Garden The famous enlarged glass dome of 20 Fenchurch Street is dedicated to three storeys of exquisitely landscaped public gardens and London’s most exclusive social spaces, including observation decks and an open air terrace. Tel:0207 337 2344 skygarden@20fenchurchstreet.co.uk www.skygarden.london/sky-garden Y Love drama, see a show ABOUT AMALUNA - Cirque du Soleil A Mysterious Island Ruled by Goddesses After directing her daughter’s coming of age ceremony, honouring femininity, renewal, rebirth and balance, Queen Prospera causes a storm. A group of young men wash up on the isle, triggering an epic love story between Prospera’s daughter and a brave young suitor. Theirs is a love that will be tested. Royal Albert Hall, London Jan 16 2016 - Mar 6 2016 Tel: 00-800-1-5480000 www.cirquedusoleil.com/amaluna
5 Pass through gate and turn left following Greensand Way, pass Morry Barn.
follow field edge crossing over another stile as you head towards the road.
6 Turn right off road to follow Greensand Way sign and continue along path to the side of field. There are good views on the right. Pass through gap and continue along left edge of field, passing Church Farm on your left. Bear right past All Saints church car park as you approach the road ahead.
12 Cross stile and turn left to follow road. A shortdistance on, turn right to follow footpath sign. Pass lake on left and go through gap. Follow path along edge of field and up slight slope. Cross over stile to continue on path towards road.
7 Leaving the Greensand Way, turn right to follow the road (Ulcombe Hill) downhill. Enter the village of Ulcombe and pass The Harrow Inn pub on the right. 8 Turn right to follow the footpath sign in frontof the school, across a stream and along left edge of field. Continue up a slight hill,through gap and down towards road.
13 Cross stile and turn right to follow road. After a short distance turn left to follow the bridleway. Pass house and continue on surfaced road. Take care walking along the road. 14 Continue along road and bear left, passing ruins of a castle on the right. After a short distance you reach Sutton Valence village. Take the first road turning on the right to take you back to the Post Office where you started.
9 Cross road and follow footpath sign over stileand across field. Go over another stile, cross stream and continue towards the road. 10 Cross road following footpath sign over stile.Go through gate and continue ahead across field. Cross stream, go through gate and head across field to stile and follow path through woods. 11 Follow path through woods. Cross over stile and stream as you exit woods and
23
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WIN
tickets
to an evening of burlesque Saturday 12th March 2016 – 7:30pm AN EVENING OF BURLESQUE EMBARKS ON ITS SIXTH SIZZLING YEAR “Scintillating, titillating, mesmerising, fantasising, a place you’ve never seen, a world you’ve never been” – the producers of Britain’s biggest burlesque show cannot be accused of hiding anything under a bushel. Scintillating, titillating, mesmerising, fantasizing, a place you’ve never seen, a world you’ve never been…..all in one evening……..An Evening of Burlesque! Theatregoers are invited to enter a world unlike any other, where up is down where left is right, where dark is bright and where the ladies tease at night!!! Burlesque is the ultimate parody, it’s an escape from everything we accept as reality, it’s brash, it’s glamorous, it’s lude it’s a little bit rude!!! This is one of the oldest forms of classic variety and show producers Easy Theatres see the importance in keeping this art form alive. If life is all about experience then this is an experience unlike any other and not to be missed. It’s an evening for excess, it’s An Evening of Burlesque!! Over 18s.
To win tickets to this amazing show answer this simple question: In which French city is the Moulin Rouge to be found? Send your answer on a postcard/by email with your name, address, email address, daytime phone number and name of venue the show is coming to, to: In and Around, Laurel House, 43 Earl Street, Maidstone, ME14 1DP or email sarah@inandaround.co.uk. Closing date: 16th February 2016. To buy tickets contact: Hazlitt Theatre Earl Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1PL – Tickets: £21.00 Conces: £19.00 Box Office: 01622 758611 hazlitttheatre.com easytheatres.com
25
a c i r f A South
Travel
Are you looking for stunning scenery, incredible natural wildlife, amazing activities and endless adventures? If the answer is yes, you can find it all and more in South Africa. Find out below why this amazing country is hot on our radar this month… A vast and beautiful land of contrasts, South Africa offers spectacular experiences for all who visit. Made up of amazing scenery and natural wildlife; friendly locals, world-class hotels, fantastic food and plentiful vineyards, this is truly a destination with something to offer every guest. One of the best starting points is the capital city of Cape Town, where in just a few days you can explore majestic Table Mountain, watch the penguins play
at Boulders Beach and visit iconic Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Take your pick from the many incredible hotels in the area and don’t forget to take advantage of the amazing food at the choice of restaurants along the V&A waterfront, followed by fantastic sundowner cocktails. One of the best things about South Africa is the incredible value, particularly when it comes to food and drink. People don’t often realise how affordable the destination is or how fantastic
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Travel their local food can be! With the excellent exchange rate at the moment, there’s a huge range of choice for every guest and you can enjoy a delicious meal with wine for around half the price you would expect to pay here in the UK. Adventure is also a huge part of this amazing country - a wildlife safari is top of most visitors’ lists and the world famous Game Reserves such as Kruger and the Eastern Cape are some of the best places to spot the ‘Big Five’. During a morning game drive listen for lions, rhino, elephants, giraffes and cheetahs waking up and keep your eyes peeled as the sun rises for the chance to catch them in their natural habitat, a magical start to any day. If you’re keen to sample a taste of the finest wines in the area then there’s no better place than Stellenbosch. Set in the heart of the Winelands with an impressive reputation for the very best grapes, no visit would be complete without trying the local produce! You can indulge at one of the many beautiful wine estates or vineyards and relax at some of the finest hotels, t he perfect place to unwind. There are also plenty of opportunities to discover the country’s rich heritage with guided tours of the fascinating Swazi Villages, Drakensberg Mountains and Rorke’s Drift Battlefields; taking in the wealth of history and culture which South Africa has to offer. Alternatively, beach lovers will be more than at home on the glorious golden sands of Durban – an ideal destination to end your South African itinerary. Our tailor-made South African itineraries are put together by Premier Holidays’ South Africa experts, each offering the perfect introduction to South Africa’s main highlights. Choose from our action-packed Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route and Game Reserve itineraries; an escorted Glimpses of South Africa tour, a self-drive holiday encompassing Cape Town, the Drakensberg Mountains, Battlefields and Beach or simply contact us to create your own incredible South Africa holiday.
Escapes by Travel Designers Boughton Monchelsea, Maidstone Tel: 01622 230901 email: Lesley@escapesbytraveldesigners.co.uk Web: www.escapesbytraveldesigners.co.uk
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Mother’s day, 6th March Brilliant gift ideas
Sh ow mu m th at you love he r!
Floral Print Frame £10.00 Next
Painted mother and baby duck cushion £14.00 Next
Purple Bloom Cup and Sauce £2.50 Wilko
Purple Bloom Tray £4.00 Wilko Floral Tapestry Cushion £16.00 Next 28
Mineral Floral Photograph £30.00 Next
USA Pro Topaz Laced Trainers £16.00 Sports Direct USA Pro Sweat High Waist Shorts £10.00 Sports Direct USA Pro Racer Vest Ladies £10.00 Sports Direct
Active wear
Karrimor D30 Excel Ladies Running Shoes £25.00 Sports Direct Karrimor Running Tights £7.49 Sports Direct
Karrimor Xlite Running Jacket £29.99 Sports Direct
Ne w sh oe s!
Lilley Black Court Shoe with Buckle £14.99 Shoe Zone Lilley Black Turndown Collar Ankle Boot £19.99 Shoe Zone
Lilley Black Microfibre Ballerina with Bow £7.99 Shoe Zone
Lilley Black High Heel Satin Peep Toe Shoe £17.99 Shoe Zone
Love Heart Mug £2.00 Wilko
Love Heart Coasters 4 Pack £2.00 Wilko Reminisce Love Multi Picture Frame Remember Hanging Plaque £8.00 Wilko £5.00 Wilko
Wooden Heart Frame £6.00 Wilko 29
Find your local
farmers market
Aylesford Farmers’ Market Next market: Sun 21th Feb 9.30am -11.30 am 3rd Sunday every month Aylesford Priory, Aylesford ME20 7BX Bearsted Farmers’ Market Next market: Sun 28th Feb 9.00am -1.00 am 4th Sunday every month The Village Green, Bearsted, ME14 4EB East Farleigh Farmers’ Market Next market: Sun 7th Feb 10.00am - 1.00pm 1st Sunday every month. The Old School Hall, Lower Road, East Farleigh ME15 0JL Hildenborough Farmers’ Market Weekly market, every Tuesday 9.00am - 11.00 am St. John’s Church Centre, Tonbridge Road, Hildenborough, TN11 9HT Coffee Lounge Lamberhurst Village Market Next market: Wed 3rd Feb 9.00am - 1.30pm 1st Wed of the month Lamberhurst Memorial Hall, The Broadway, Lamberhurst TN3 8DB
Lenham Country Market Next market: Sun 14th Feb 9.00am -1.00 am 2nd Sunday every month Lenham Square, Lenham, ME17 2PQ Lewes Food Market 9.00am - 1.00pm Every Friday Market Tower, Market Street, Lewes BN7 2NB.
Tonbridge Farmers’ Market Next market: Sun 14th Feb 9.30am - 1.30pm 2nd Sunday every month Sovereign Way, Tonbridge, TN9 1RG
Penshurst Farmers’ Market Next market: Sat 6th Feb 9.00am - 12.00pm 1st Saturday every month Penshurst Place, Penshurst, TN11 8DG Sevenoaks Saturday Market Next market: Sat 6th Feb 9.00am - 4.00pm Every Saturday 10 Food, 3 Home & Garden, 8 Craft Blighs Meadow, off Pembroke Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1DA Tunbridge Wells (Pantiles) Food & Craft Market Next market: Sat 6th Feb / Sun 7th 10.00am - 4.00pm 1st & 3rd Saturday and Sunday every month The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5TN
Thanet Farmers’ Market Next market: Sun 14th Feb 9.00am -1.00 am 2nd Sunday every month Dane Court Grammar School, Broadstairs Rd, Broadstairs CT10 2RT
West Malling Farmers’ Market Next market: Sun28th Feb 9.30am - 1.30pm 4th Sunday every month High Street, West Malling, ME19 6NE Yalding Farmers’ Market Next market: Sat 20th Feb 10.00am - 1.00pm 3rd Saturday every month Yalding High Street, Yalding, Maidstone, ME18 6HX
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Food and Drink
Seville Orange Marmalade You will need: 900g Seville oranges 2 lemons 1.5kg preserving sugar
How to do it: Pop 3 or 4 small plates into the freezer. Halve the oranges and lemons. Squeeze the juice and pour into the preserving pan, retaining the pips, pith and empty orange halves. Put the pips and any pith into a square piece of muslin and tie with string. Using a sharp knife, cut the empty orange halves in two, then slice into strips. Add to the pan and pour in 2.8 litres water. Add the muslin bag and tie the string to the handle. Bring to the boil, then simmer gently for about 2 hours until the zest is very soft and transparent.
thermometer, when the temperature reaches 105°C. To test, spoon a little marmalade onto a plate from the freezer and put back in the freezer for 1 minute. Then, run your finger through the cold marmalade – if it is thickened and begins to wrinkle, it’s set. If not, cook for about 3 more minutes and test again. Allow to cool for about 20 minutes. Use a jam funnel to ladle the marmalade into 6 sterilised 450g jam jars. Top with a waxed disc, then cover. Cool the jars, then label and date them.
Chef’stip:
You need a wide, deep pan to make marmalade as this helps the liquid evaporate and reduces the likelihood of it boiling over. It’s important to let the marmalade stand for about 20 minutes before putting into jars to distribute the zest evenly. As with all preserves, jars need to be thoroughly sterilised first.
Tip in the sugar, stir well and bring slowly to the boil. Once the sugar has dissolved, boil rapidly until setting point is reached or if you have a sugar 31
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bombing the BBQ and searching out a nice cold Magners to quench their thirst. Worse still if they happen to take a serious dislike to you and actually sting you, just the ticket to spoil a summer garden party. We can come along and move them on, whoever has overstepped the mark, Pest Purge have the technology, the wit and charm to remove them safely without a fuss, keeping your event pest free. It must work; no pest that we have ever expelled has complained! We are tolerant of small disturbances but will intervene when insects get out of hand. If you have a Pest call Pest Purge (small kids excluded)!
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Gardening
Gardening
Tales of the Unexpected
It’s that time of year when gardeners start thinking about what they’re going to do to their beloved patch ready for the summer. However, it’s probably fair to say that any activities in the garden will be heavily reliant on the good old British weather which appears to have gone to pot before we even start! My kids are desperate for some decent snow for sledging and the hedgehogs in the garden have sleep-walked their way through the festive season, desperate for 40 winks in a nice cold pile of leaves! As I write this, December has basically been an extended autumn – but then there is nothing to stop February and March being the coldest on record, meaning that all those animals that would have gone into cosy hibernation, or plants that would have gone dormant at the end of the year, are now very vulnerable. Gardening has historically been all about taming nature – striving to control the conditions, the soil and even the plants themselves. We have always had, and still have, austere organisations dedicated to theorising, experimenting and standardising all our gardening procedures – and those that really aspired to gardening greatness could even become ‘qualified.’ This would then allow them to go forth and impose a strict order on their chosen piece of England – lawns trimmed, borders edged, trees and bushes trimmed and death to any bugs that dared to step out of line! Maybe I’m being slightly melodramatic here, but you only have to look at how DDT nearly wiped out all our wildlife (and us!) just because some gardeners became obsessed in their desperate quest for the perfect plot. Thankfully, gardening is now a bit more liberal in both practice and interpretation; garden designers don’t simply force a prescribed solution onto a garden problem and garden owners are less inclined to simply follow blindly in the footsteps of our less informed ancestors. Indeed, in the last few years there have been some really healthy
trends for gardeners to simply throw out the text books and do what comes naturally – looking at new ways of using materials and plants which are more in tune with nature and therefore more able to adapt to our island’s changing weather patterns. For example, this week I’ve been looking at commercial planting sytems that could be adapted by the building industry (or you and I) to grow specific plant species in what we would previously have classed as unsuitable substrates. You would have thought that sub-soil and gravel would make a shockingly bad medium to grow anything – but, trust me, it can be done and the results are remarkably good! One of the positive aspects of global warming is that it is becoming increasingly possible to grow more exotic species, even if we accept that some may cop for it during an early or late frost. We can now start to look at a greater palette of plants from Asia, South America and especially South Africa where there are some fantastic plants just on the verge of hardiness in the UK. Whilst this may not appeal to those gardeners dedicted to staying with our native flora, it does allow for much greater choice and, frankly, that’s exactly as it should be, in my opinion - as long as there is plenty of pollen and nectar for the bees, they aren’t bothered what language the flowers speak! As we are talking of the unexpected, I just wanted to share this image of a grave at my local bone-yard which has become a beautiful ‘garden’ of wild cyclamen. There are few other plants that would look as impressive in this situation, so whoever chose to put cyclamen in this plot has done both the occupants and any passing admirers a big favour! Jonathan Wild - Gardener, Designer
33
Events
What’s on... Until - 20 February
The Magic of Masks & Puppets Maidstone Museum The Scottish Mask & Puppet Centre presents a beautiful and quirky collection of masks and puppets from around the world, including old favourites like Punch and Judy, Javanese shadow puppets, commedia dell’arte leather masks and film animatronics. Family activities available in the galleries. Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery, St Faiths Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH. Tel: 01622 602838 www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk
6 February
The Winter Social Festival The Winter Social is a boutique music festival showcasing the world’s greatest dance music acts in the idyllic setting of the Kent County Showground in Maidstone, Kent. The Social originally launched on the 28th September 2013 and closed the summer in style, bringing a taste of Ibiza to the south east of England with a line-up of the world’s most discerning electronic music talent. Charges apply. Kent County Showground, Detling, Maidstone ME14 3JF Tel: 01795 474660 www.thesocialfestival.com
9 February
Wheel throwing workshop If you’ve always wanted to have a go at making a pot on the wheel, now is your chance! Time 19:00. Charges apply. This Art of Mine, Little Budds Farm, Coldblow Lane, Thurnham ME14 3LR. Tel: 01622 735312 www.thisartofmine.co.uk
13 - 21 February
February Fun & Frolics at Kent Life A fun packed week full of activities and trails. Get your boots on and join us on the farm, see our Welsh Mountain Badger Face Flock lambing and meet our new born lambs. There’s plenty to do what ever the weather, take a visit to our Cuddle Corner and meet are small furry friends or get creative in our Paint a Pot Studio* Pick up your activity list on arrival to make sure you don’t miss a thing. Kent Life, Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3AU 34
Tel: 07519 102272 www.kentlife.org.uk 13 - 19 February Charlie’s Chocolate Adventure at Half Term Keep the children entertained with delicious half term fun at Leeds Castle. Go on an adventure through the grounds of the magnificent Castle estate in search of clues to help you find the magical ‘Golden Tickets’. Charlie’s Chocolate Trail is £1 per person to enter and includes a chocolate prize at the end. Leeds Castle, Broomfield, Maidstone, ME17 1PL Tel: 01622 765400 www.leeds-castle.com
13 - 21 February
Half Term Fun at the Farm The Hop Farm opens for the 2016 season this coming half term! Join Hopper the Rabbit, Barbara Beaver and Holey Moley for some fabulous family days out. You can enjoy all our fantastic attractions, including our popular indoor entertainment shows, animal displays, indoor soft play, The Magic Castle, Driving School and much more! We have some new features and even more coming later this Spring! There are plenty of places to eat and drink at The Hop Farm, and picnic areas for those who wish to bring their own refreshments. The Family Park is FREE TO ENTER and we can’t wait to see you all! The Hop Farm, Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood TN12 6PY Tel: 01622 872068 www.thehopfarm.co.uk
15 - 19 February
Half Term Week Make It Workshops A week of fun-filled activities to keep the kids entertained! Monday: make a nature themed wind chime or a nature inspired mask Tuesday: T-shirt designing. This will be £3.50 per child, 2 for £6 Wednesday: choose from shields or superhero themed masks. Thursday: mystery activity day Friday: make your own fan or a Japanese themed mask Maidstone Museum, St Faiths Street, Maidstone, ME14 1LH. Tel: 01622 602838 www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk
Events
18 February
RSPB meeting - Birds without borders: the challenge of migration A meeting of the RSPB Maidstone Group, with a talk by Peter Holden MBE Grove Green Community Hall, Penhurst Close, Grove Green, Maidstone ME14 5BT Tel: 01622 67400
27 February
Concert of Favourite Music 2 in aid of Heart of Kent Hospice Saturday 19:30. This concert is in aid of Heart of Kent Hospice and will feature concertos composed by Simon Proctor as well as popular classics, including the James Bond Piano Concerto, Frank Sinatra Piano Concerto and the Serpent Concerto. With Simon Proctor (piano), The Heart of Kent Orchestra conducted by Thomas Shelbourn and Phil Humphries. Invicta Grammar School, Huntsman Lane, Maidstone ME14 5DS Tel: 01622 790195 www.hokh.org
15 - 19 February
February Half Term Activities - Maidstone Leisure Centre Superstars Holiday Club. The play-scheme will go on sale on Monday 18th January and the prices start from £17.75! Book Early and save!! Activities ranging from all the usual sports, adventure walks, team games, arts and crafts, our Polar Adventure soft play area, swimming (for age 8+) and much, much more! Charges apply. Maidstone Leisure Centre, Mote Park, Maidstone ME15 7RN. Tel:0845 1552277 www.maidstoneleisure.com
2 - 27 February
Catching Rainbows: A Digital Metamorphosis Imelda Bell is a multi award-winning photographer and a qualified member of the Guild of Professional Photographers. She specialises in newborn art, children’s photography and digital art photography. She photographs a variety of subjects, and then applies various post production techniques to create a piece of digital art.
Maidstone Museum, St Faiths Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH. Tel: 01622 602838 www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk
Every day throughout 2016 -
NEW Stick Man Trail - at Bedgebury Join Stick Man on his quest to find the family tree! Follow our trail around the pinetum and complete loads of fun activities along the way! Complete the adventure by making your own Stick Man for our Stick Man family tree! Call us on 01580 879842 Friends of Bedgebury Pinetum, Park Lane, Goudhurst TN17 2SL. www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk
Kent Big Weekend Join one of the biggest birthday parties in the South East…as the Kent Big Weekend turns 10 this year! Simply enter the Big Weekend ballot and apply for free tickets to plenty of hidden gems and popular attractions right on your doorstep: www.kentbigweekend.co.uk The Kent Big Weekend will take place on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th March 2016. This year we have 119 attractions on board offering over 25,000 free tickets, including some never before seen at the Kent Big Weekend! The website is open for applications until midnight on Sunday 14th February, so all you need to do is browse through the many offers we have available and apply for tickets for wherever you fancy! The ballot will be run later in February when you will be notified if you have been successful or not. Happy hunting! The Big Weekend Team
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All Saints’ Church Services – Sunday, 8.15am & 10.15am – All Saints Church, Church Street, Loose
Coffee Stop On Tuesdays, pop in for a coffee – 9.30am-12 noon – Congregational Church, 157 Linton Road
AylesARA Next meeting on Thurs Feb 25th at 2p.m in the Community Centre Aylesford at 2p.m. There will be a talk by Mel Reese entitled You Will Never Believe It. There is also time for a cup of tea and chat and a chance to see what other events, visits etc may be happening.If you would like any further information please either contact Wayne on 01622 710734 or have a look at our web site.
Loose Area History Society 7.30pm-9pm - Meets second Monday of each month (except August & September) – Loose Infant School, Loose Road.
Aylesford & Eccles W.I. will be holding their 10th birthday party on Wed 24th Feb at 7.30p.m. in the Brassey Centre Station Road, Aylesford. We will be entertained by the fabulous energetic violinist, Victoria Yellop. There will of course be party food and we will be joined by representatives from other local W.I.s. We hope as many of our members as possible will join us for this landmark party. If you would like any further information please feel free to contact Eileen on 01622 715205 or have a look at our Facebook page. Aylesford & Eccles W.I. - My Secret Kitchen Aylesford & Eccles W.I will be hosting a fun evening with My Secret Kitchen on Fri Feb 19th at 7p.m.for 7.30p.m.in the Aylesford Village Club, Rochester Road Aylesford.There will be a chance to sample a range of culinary delights such as mixes for dips, exotic seasonings, oils, vinegars and even dessert mixes. There will be a chance to buy your favourite flavours and to add to the fun there will be a food related quiz, a dessert competition and a raffle. Entrance is by ticket at £1 per person and are available from Eileen on 01622 715205. The Alzheimer’s Society based in Loose, Maidstone, offers a variety of services to support people with any form of dementia and their carers/ family/friends. Anyone wanting information should call us on 01622 747181 or e-mail maidstone@alzheimers.org.uk. Blackthorn Trust Events St Andrews Road ∙ Barming ∙ Maidstone ∙ ME16 9AN Café, Artisan Bakery, Plant Nursery & Shop. Make Valentines heart workshop - Saturday 30th January 10.00am – 3.30pm. To Book, call or email: 01622 828373. Email: events@blackthorn.org.uk Web: blackthorn.org.uk Congigational Church 157 Linton Road, Loose. We will be changing the time of the Sunday Service . From 6th of December 2015 to11am. All welcome. Tel: 01622 743952
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Loose Footpaths Group Walk on Saturday 20th February 2016 Meet 10am at St. Margaret’s Church car park in Church Lane off South Street ME16 9HA (TQ720542) for a 5 mile saunter around Barming Heath. Details from walk leader on: 01622 743145 Loose Valley Wives meet on the 3rd February when Jane Drinkwater will be telling us about the work of the McMillan Nurses.On the 17th we have a talk entitled “The meaning of Mongul” by Frederick Merrifield who has spent time in Mongolia as a volunteer dentist. This promises to be a very interesting evening. Both these meetings take place in All Saints’ Church, Loose commencing at 7.30 p.m. Visitors welcome. Details from the Leader: Mrs. Ann Emery. Tel. 741559. Loose Valley WI – First Wednesday of the month 8-10pm – KGV Parish Pavilion, Walnut Tree Lane, Loose Maidstone Flower Club 2nd Thursday of each month at 7pm. Allington Baptist Church, opposite Somerfield Hospital, 76A London Rd Maidstone, ME16 0DT. Pam Hayward Tel: 01622 741207 Maidstone Horticultural Society 4 February. Talk “Daffodils - Growing for the Garden or Show” by Len Olive, a specialist daffodil grower and judge, MHS meetings are open to all, members or visitors. Members come in free, visitors £2 including light refreshments Baptist Church Hall, Knightrider Street, Maidstone, ME15 6LU. Tel: 01622 674384 Thursday March 3rd, at 7.30 pm. A TALK by Robert Wiseman, a specialist rose grower and judge, entitled “ GROWING AND SHOWING ROSES”. We meet at the Baptist Church Hall, Knightrider Street, Maidstone. ME15 6LU. MHS meetings are open to all, members or visitors. Entry £2.00 including light refreshment. For more information visit our website: www.maidstonehorticulturalsociety.org or call 01622 674384 or 0741460739.
If you would like to include your local event, group or notice - please email Sarah at info@inandaroundkent.co.uk. This is a FREE service for local non profit making organisations.
Community Welcome to Nearly New Sale Kent! Next Sale: 19th March 2016 2-4pm
Seller registration for our March Sale is now OPEN! Visit www.nearlynewsalekent.co.uk For a great way of selling pre-loved children’s items, buying good quality second-hand bargains for your little ones, and benefiting the local community and the environment, look no further than Nearly New Sale Kent. Our sales are based in Maidstone at Cornwallis Academy (Hubbards Lane, Maidstone, ME17 4HX) and people travel from all over Kent to buy and sell with us. We sell anything relating to parenthood, from pregnancy to 11 years old, all sold by local parents for local parents. We are not a table-top sale, in that we sort everything into ages, gender and category so if you are after something specific, you’ll be able to find it easily. A ll of our sales offer baby & childrens’ clothing (up to 11 years), Maternity clothes & accessories, books, toys, DVDs and nursery/baby equipment. The ranges on offer do depend on what our sellers have, we can never tell what will be on offer, but there are always fantastic bargains to be had!
Loose a place apart Last month our article briefly mentioned the Neighbourhood Plan “Exhibition and Engagement” event. We are now able to give you more details. The event took place at the beginning of December over three days. The first day took place in the King George Pavilion and the second and third in the Church Street Chapel (The Vine). The object was for parish residents and businesses to come along and give their views on the policies and content of a draft plan that is being built up that will underlie the NP. (We hope you got your flyers advising you of the event?). Pages from the plan were enlarged and exhibited together with large blank sheets for comments. At the end of the exhibition, in response to question sheets on the three policy areas (Design Quality, Landscape Protection, Access and Movement) we had 13 sheets of comments. This was a good response. We also had a lot of discussion between visitors
and members of the NP Steering Group which also provided useful information on your ideas and how you viewed progress so far. Over the exhibition period there were over a hundred visitors. We wish to thank all of you that came along and contributed, also those that gave comments on-line. As you may guess this is not the end of it. Your comments will be fed back to Feria Ltd (our consultants) who will take them on board for the preparation another draft on which we will be seeking your comments in due course. Please contact Jan Capon at clerk@loose-pc.gov.uk (01622 692712) if you wish to find out more about the Neighbourhood Plan. Jim Andrew, Loose Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.
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Maidstone YMCA
Pre-school
Maidstone YMCA Pre-School are delighted with their new canopy. They have been fund raising since they moved to their brand new purpose built premises in 2012. This has only been possible with the support of all the parents and the Pre-school and Centre staff. Pre-school staff organised a number of fund raising events, including sponsored trike rides and sponsored trampolining in the Sports Centre, a table top sale, discos and parties for the children. Money has also been raised through selling pre-school uniform, recycled clothes collections, Christmas craft sales and many raffles. Anne Elliott, Pre-School Manager, said, “We are really grateful to everyone who has helped us raise the money, especially all the parents, past and present. The canopy means we can offer the same
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Teaching in a professional but enjoyable manner since 1963 Ballet • Hip Hop • Modern • Street • Jazz • Tap • Break Dance Classes available six days of the week at varoius locations - Allington, Bearsted, Coxheath and Madginford or our two Dance Studios close to the town centre.
Pupils taken from 2½ years to Adults. Dance for fun. Dance for fitness or take ISTD examinations
For further information call 01622 746835
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www.maidstonedancestudiosltd.co.uk 38
opportunities for play and learning both indoors and outdoors in all weathers. Some children prefer to be outside and this will help improve their learning outcomes. The children are pleased with the new canopy and we have already seen more children choosing to play outside.” The PreSchool will continue to fund raise to improve other aspects of the outside area, for example safety matting, a roadway and a natural resources area.
Have fun, get fit
Information
and keep warm!
There is a new way of keeping fit that’s fun, sociable, and warm!
best reason to try touchtennis is simply that it’s fun!
Touchtennis is a new and easy sport that was only founded in 2002. Its popularity has soared as it is a game suitable for all ages and abilities. Played on a smaller court than normal tennis, with foam balls and lighter racquets it’s perfect for beginners or those who’ve played a bit of tennis years ago – it’s about outwitting your opponents rather than relying on strength and power blasts.
If you would like to try something new why not pop along to the Maidstone YMCA or Ditton Community Centre?
Toddlers starting with Mini Tennis (the children’s version of touchtennis) often find they move up naturally to lawn tennis and older people are delighted to find they can start rallying fairly quickly. We all know that regular exercise benefits wellbeing and reduces the impact of ageing but perhaps the
Please book through enquiries@ se-tennis.co.uk or speak with Julian on 07974 815 387.
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22/06/2014 07:45
Walk on Fire
Events
in aid of Heart of Kent Hospice
Join a team of 100 brave Fire Walkers as they take on the hottest challenge yet, by walking barefoot over red-hot coals in aid of Heart of Kent Hospice. The Hospice’s first Fire Walk will take place on Friday 4th March in Jubilee Square, Maidstone from 7pm – 9.30pm, and offers people the opportunity to face the flames and their fears by walking 15ft over smouldering embers that can reach up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. This Fire Walk experience is being managed by one of the UK’s leading firewalk companies, UK Firewalk, on behalf of Heart of Kent Hospice. UK Firewalk, which has an outstanding safety record, organises over 100 events a year worldwide and has led thousands of people across fire. The evening starts with an hour’s training session with firewalk expert Scott Bell who will explain the technique of walking on hot coals. Scott, who has been teaching people to walk on fire for the last 12 years, also holds two world records for fire walking, having walked 100 metres over burning embers. “We call the training an ‘hour of power’ where we help people to understand how it is possible to walk on fire,” explains Scott. “Some people see it as a challenge and want to do it for a great cause, while for others it’s a fear of the unknown. Fire walking is completely safe and age is no barrier, our eldest fire walker was nearly 100 years old. So long as you are able to walk at the reasonable pace, then you can get across. Tom Abbott, Events Manager for Heart of Kent
“This is a chance to challenge yourself to achieve something you never thought you could do, knowing that every step you take will Hospice said:
We are very grateful to Samsian Ltd, local central heating systems and gas appliance specialists, for kindly sponsoring this event. Samsian Ltd is a regular supporter of the Hospice and we look forward to welcoming some of their team on the night to take on the Fire Walk.” Further information Entry for the event is £25 (over 18s only) with a minimum sponsorship requirement of £100. You can register online at www.hokh.org/event/ firewalk2016 or call the Fundraising Team on 01622 790195.
be raising vital funds for Heart of Kent Hospice.
41
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CHRISTMAS FOR PAINTING AND DECORATING. or Steve. Tel: (01622) 756060 Please callwww.jennerandson.co.uk and speak www.jennerandson.co.uk with either Claire or Steve. mjennerandson@btconnect.com Mobile: 07885 284081 Tel: (01622) 756060 Mobile: 07885 284081 mjennerandson@btconnect.com www.jennerandson.co.uk
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M.O.T. & Clutch Centre Vehicle Maintenance, Service & M.O.T
Cam Belt Kits Supplied & Fitted Broken Belt Damage Repaired All Makes, Petrol & Diesel
FAIRVIEW FARM
TREE MAINTENANCE & GARDEN SERVICES
OPEN Mon - Fri. Sat M.O.T. only Sun
8.00 - 5.30 8.00 - 12.30 9.00 - 12.00
TREE SURGERY (crown reduction, felling, pruning) MOWING (lawns) HEDGE & SHRUB (trimming) CLEARANCE
736 London Road, Larkfield, Kent. ME20 6BG
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• • • • •
Lawns Cut and Edged Hedge Cutting Fence / Shed Painting Garden Clearance inandaround 17 General Help Around Your Garden
Tel: 01732 870368
SEASONED LOGS SUPPLIED FULLY INSURED - City & Guilds NPTC qualified
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R&LGardenServices
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To advertise call Sarah on 01622 296230 or email sarah@inandaroundkent.co.uk
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COMPUTING FOR BEGINNERS One to One Computer and iPad Training in your own home. Also Computer, iPad and Printer Setup
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FLYNN ROOFING SERVICES
FLAT ROOFING SPECIALIST
GUTTERING FASCIAS, UPVC SOFFITS ROOF REPAIRS, INSURANCE WORK HIGH PERFORMANCE FELTS TORCH ON FELTS FIRESTONE RUBBER COVER SYSTEMS DECKING ROOF INSULATION
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570 Loose Road, Loose, Maidstone ME15 9UR 44
Teaching in a professional but enjoyable manner since 1963
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Classifieds
Locksmith
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45
Information
Index
Your guide to local services and tradespeople
Appliance Repairs Neville Powell
Architects
MRW Design
Electrical Gifts 45 24
Bathrooms
MBK Design Studio 26 Cooper & Co Plumbing & Heating 14
Bedroom Design
Bedroom Flair
Boilers
14
(New/Servicing/Repairs)
Samsian 40
Builders
Geoff Brown 32 Neil Shorter 12 APC 16 M Jenner 42
Home Media
Fencing
Glebe Fencing
48
Floors
42 30 30
Hairdressers
Doo Das 11
Health, Fitness & Wellbeing
20 38 38 20 20 18
Iron Maids 30 Ace MOT 42 Mongers Garage 24
Jobs
Geoff Brown
United Response
Carpet Cleaners
Hydro-Dynamix
Cleaning
32 18
Phynix Cleaning Ann Cleaner
12 40
Computing for Beginners JLM Network Services
44 24
Computer Services
Curtains and Blinds
Soft Furnishings by Miriam Abacus Blinds
Days Out
Pympes Court Farm Centre
Decorators
32
AP Decorators 45 M Jenner 42
46
Kitchens
MBK Design Studio Hamilton Kitchens
40
26 2
Legal Services
Gullands 12
Life Coach
Maureen Dickie
19
Loft Ladders
Loft Ladders 45
32 16
All Type Property Maintenance
Security Systems
Fairview Farm The Big Mow Tantons Tree Surgeons
Ironing
Carpenter
Property Services
Garden Services / Tree Maintenance
Car Services
O&H Cars 5
Cooper & Co Plumbing & Heating 14 Palace Heating 45
Roofing
Steptows 45
Car Hire
Plumbing & Heating
Austin Services 24 Dewitt 3
Baby & Toddler Swim Maidstone Dance Studio Maidstone YMCA S.G. Swim School Maidstone Wellness Centre Tennis Coach
Buy & Sell Anything
17
Locksmith
A Short Locksmith
Osteopathy
Maidstone Wellness Centre
45 22
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Pest Purge Ltd 32 Roecall 44
Plasterer
H. Preece Plastering Briery Property Maintenance Derek Older
44 44 40
Flynn Roofing Services
45
44
JDS 44
Travel
Escapes by Travel Designers
26
Tuition
Genext 42 Tennis Coach 39
Venues for Hire
Pympes Court Farm Centre My Time Active
32 7
Weddings
My Time Active 7 O&H Cars 5
Window Cleaners RJ’s
44
Why your business should be using email marketing • How do you stay in regular contact with current and old customers? • Do you just do one job and wait for them to call you again? Email marketing is a cost effective way you can send information about new products or services, special offers and use it as a way to continue “getting in front” of your customer base.
“It is cheaper to retain than acquire a customer” Cross Chanel Marketing Report 2013
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Use email to help convert current prospects into customers and current customers into loyal customers. Educate people about the features and benefits of your products or services, differentiate your business from your competition, and ask for the sale. You can also use email to help increase customer loyalty and referrals by sending emails that strengthen your customer relationships.
If you are not marketing your business online you are missing opportunities and potentially losing business We would love to help you . . . (we by the way are local digital marketing agency based in Earl Street! Give us a call, drop us an email, pop in for a chat or we can come to you) Our services Email Marketing | Search Engine Marketing | Web Development | Online Video Marketing Mobile Marketing | Graphic Design | Online Brochures | Social Media
Digital Line Laurel House | 43 Earl Street | Maidstone | Kent | ME14 1PD T: 01622 296230 | E: info@digital-line.co.uk | W: digital-line.co.uk
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Send them thank you emails, holiday greetings, and offer special privileges to make your customers feel like they’re appreciated. For more information on emarketing services go to digital-line.co.uk
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WWW.GLEBEFENCING.CO.UK click & reserve fencing on-line
supply and installation
free surveys
Opening Times: Monday - Friday 7am - 4.30pm Saturday 7am - 3pm
CALL 01622 220054 www.facebook.com/glebefencing
@glebefencingltd
108 Hockers Lane, Detling ME14 3JJ
GLEBEFENCING
LTD