FREE SEPT 2015
Modern
Interior Trends ‌
think Luxury
and Versatility
Make the most of School open days!
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Welcome to In and Around Magazine, September 2015
Contents
16 School open 09 days that go 10 Things flutter in the night Travel - beautiful 14 Budva - support 20 Legal for students - love them 22 orWasps loath them! Health - Raynaud’s 24 phenomenon Film review 25 Minions - tuna 27 Recipe nicoise salad 30 What’s on Local community 33 noticeboard 38 Index Opinion - reality 39 television Modern home Interior trends
Dear Readers The summer holidays are over (I hope you survived!) and the frenzy that is ‘shoe shopping’ and ‘uniform buying’ has lulled with kids rolling back into school. If you have a child looking to start school or move onto secondary, check out our guide for attending school open days. As the nights draw in maybe a spot of interior design is on the cards, we’ve got plenty of tips and know how on page 6. We must say congratulations to Diane Wood, from Kent who won the £100 GoApe vouchers! As we move into autumn check out our “What’s On” page and plan some days out. Don’t forget to support your local services in our magazine and remember to say you found them in “In & Around Kent Magazine”. Wishing you Copy deadline all a fabulous for next edition: September. Tuesday 22nd September Sarah, Editor 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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14 Editor & Publisher: Sarah Maberley Laurel House 43 Earl Street Maidstone Kent ME14 1DP Tel: 01622 296230 Published independently by: In and Around Kent info@inandaroundkent.co.uk inandaroundkent.co.uk
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Property Modern Interior Trends ‌
think
Luxury and Versatility
Modern interior trends reinvent classy luxury, serenity, creative recycling and versatility in furniture design and interior decorating. Be sure you include classic, retro and contemporary design ideas, traditional and new materials, fresh decorating colours, exotic motifs, ethnic decoration patterns, artistic details and surprising blend of textures.
Mixing old and new interior design ideas and incorporating a fusion of styles into room decor create stylish, comfortable and interesting living spaces, connecting the old and fresh. Softly curved lines, organic shapes and natural interior decorating colour schemes with stunning accents dramatically change interior design and decor. Salvaged wood, stone and metal are popular and modern interior design materials, especially fabulous rustic wood, natural light wood and exotic types of wood, colourful stained wood, warmly glowing gold and majestic bronze, elegant granite and luxurious marble. Natural materials, such as stone, wood, metal and glass, dominate modern interior design trends representing an eco-friendly, contemporary feel. A mix of wood, metal, glass and leather, weaved baskets and furniture upholstery, plaited details and blends of textures look surprising and stylish. Colour Trends Pleasant natural room colours and soft pastels are perfectly set off with shades of grey colour, soft black and creamy white tones, reinventing classic decorating ideas or bringing beautiful contrasts into contemporary spaces. Organic and Natural Themes Inspiring green walls, indoor water features, nature inspired decoration patterns, room colours, bright fabric prints, floral wallpaper and vibrant interior paint colours, that bring natural themes into 6
modern interior design, are teamed with fresh shades of green colours, light grey colour tones, beige, black and white decorating colours. Retro styles Exciting and fresh combinations of rustic and retro styles with comfortable, classy and romantic interior design ideas create gorgeous, functional and inviting rooms. Black and white geometrical prints, posters, chalk drawings and handwritten letters or meaningful words on black painted walls are contemporary interpretations of interior design.
Versatility Modern interior design trends that celebrate versatility suggest to furnish rooms with modern furniture, decor accessories and lighting fixtures that work either indoors or outdoors. Organic design ideas and decoration patterns, natural inspired fabric prints, bright interior design colours and pastel tones are versatile elements of modern interiors and outdoor rooms that connect people with the nature and feel natural, pleasant and inviting.
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www.maidstonedancestudiosltd.co.uk 8
Events
Make the most of
school open days
School open days can help you when you
have to make that difficult decision of which school to apply your child to. What is a school open day? An open day allows prospective parents and pupils visit the school during the working week. You get the opportunity to visit classrooms, and will be shown round. Pupils attending the school can tell you about their time at the school. The headteacher, head of admissions of head of year may organise a talk for you to attend. When are open days held? Most open days are held in September and October. This is for families looking for a place for their child the following September. It may be worthwhile to start having a look around schools a year before this. you can go to primary school open days when your child is three or in Year 5, aged 9-10 for secondary school. At a later date revisit the schools you are most interested in, September / October time when you need to apply. How are open days organised? This can vary between schools. Open days for popular schools are very busy and the opportunity to talk to individuals may be small. Other schools plan programmes with lots of opportunities to speak to staff and pupils.
Plan ahead and make sure you: 1. Take your child with you so they can help notice things you may not see. 2. Think about how you felt at the open day – was it friendly, efficient. 3. Look at the pupils to see if they seem happy and motivated. Are they speaking positively about staff and everyday school life 4. Don’t be put off if you do not like an individual teacher, they may not be there when you child starts. 5. Try to get a general feel for the place and write down first impressions. 6. Ask questions, particularly to pupils – do they like the teaching and enjoy school 7. Does the work on display show a large range of ability? Each child should be valued 8. Are there sports and clubs so your child can have a hobby 9. Ask about lunch – are there health meals available and what is the cost 10. Listen to your instincts 9
Gardening
Things that go
flutter
in the night…
I thought I’d seen most things, plant, mineral or animal, that you would normally expect to find in a British garden. Well, obviously, I haven’t –
a point made abundantly clear when I arrived to open the office door yesterday morning and was greeted by one of the most beautiful creatures I have ever seen. Looking like a cross between a fighter jet and some impossibly beautiful jewel, this proved to be (after some hasty research) an Elephant Hawk Moth - one of our largest moths and, arguably, the most dramatic.
It has certainly sparked an interest in a group of insects I had always considered second-rate to their day time cousins, the butterflies. Moths are normally relegated to the slightly spooky/little bit naughty category, seen as only being interested in chomping through your finest worsteds, buggering up your apple crops or joining in strange behaviour that ends up killing oak trees. In reality, they do a lot of good stuff, pollinating flowers and providing a rich source of food for lots of animals and birds. Normally, night flying moths tend to be secretive and shy creatures who have mastered the art of camouflage better than any SAS trooper - those that haven’t mastered these basic skills normally end up as dinner for a hungry bird or passing shrew. It’s the day-flying moths that we would normally spot in the garden, such as Spotted Burnets and Small Yellow Underwings. The most amazing species, the Hummingbird Hawkmoth, is the one which really takes your breath away. Actually looking incredibly similar to a hummingbird, these moths are about the same size as their avian counterpart and feed in exactly the same manner, poking their long tongues into nectar rich flowers such as buddleia.
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August is when you would most likely catch a glimpse of this migrant from southern Europe and Africa – and how incredible is that, a little moth
flying all the way to cold, wet Blighty, risking getting eaten along the way?! So, how can we help these nocturnal stunners and increase our chances of seeing some of their more attractive brethren? Well, first thing is stop being too tidy around the garden – they need the uncut stems of perennials and piles of twigs and branches to hide amongst. Caterpillars nibbling at your plants could be either moths or butterflies; normally they won’t strip your plants, so try and refrain from using pesticides. Moths also love heavily-scented flowers, particularly white or pale coloured, and will make a bee-line for stocks, evening primrose, valerian, phlox and lilacs. You could also try nicotiana, jasmine and honeysuckles to give them their nectar fixes, particularly if you want to see a Hawk Moth. As for caterpillars, they love rose-bay willow herb, willows, apple, lime and poplar leaves. So, if you see any strange ‘glows’ at night in the coming weeks, don’t panic. The Martians aren’t landing; it’ll just be me trying out my new moth trap to see if I can attract a few Garden Tigers, Iron Prominents or Old Lady’s… yes, it’s a type of moth! Jonathan Wild
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Travel
Beautiful Budva,
jewel of the Adriatic
Ever since I watched Casino Royale, I’ve wanted to take a holiday in Montenegro. Never mind that not one single frame of the film was actually shot in the country, for me it will always be associated with the glamour of James Bond. Admittedly, my wife is not the
perfect substitute for Eva Green and I’ve never known 007 take a couple of daughters with him on his travels, but at least I could console myself with the knowledge that I was unlikely to encounter any megalomaniacs with ambitions of global domination during my family holiday. We were staying at Bečići, a beach resort just outside the most popular destination of Budva on the Adriatic coast.
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Most of the tourist flights go to Dubrovnik in Croatia and the 45 mile transfer takes forever, but the incredibly spectacular scenery more than makes up for it. We were staying in the Iberostar Bellevue, a huge modern complex that offers nicely landscaped grounds, its own beach and allinclusive everything. Montenegro has numerous old adages, most of which have something to do with eating, sleeping and resting. Luckily the staff didn’t
seem to abide by any of them, so the service was pretty good. Nice rooms too. After a lengthy trip we rewarded ourselves with the traditional prize of copious amounts of all-inclusive lager and pizza before crashing out. The next day was dedicated to lounging round the pool, refreshing ourselves frequently and indulging in the wonderful pastime of Russian watching. All the men look like gangsters complete with hairy backs and Rolexes and their wives look like lingerie models; I can think of worse things to look at. We decided to forgo our free meal that night and walked into Bečići. It is extremely lively at peak season and it was hard work getting a seat in a restaurant. Once sat down we discovered that patience is a virtue in Montenegro; it can easily take half an hour to get the bill. Still, the food is good with plenty of fresh seafood and salad and the local wine is excellent. After dinner we went on a bar crawl while my 16 year old daughter looked hopefully at the nightclubs. Budva itself is a 20 minute walk up the promenade from Bečići. The old town sits on an island connected to the mainland by a causeway. It is picture postcard perfect with terracotta roofs, a fortress on a cliff, churches,
boutiques and bars. There’s a lot of money floating around Budva and some of the hotels and restaurants reflect that with exorbitant prices. Still, it’s a great place to have a wander around, have a meal or enjoy the nightlife. A brilliant day trip is to take a cruise around Boka Kotorska, a large bay a few miles up the coast. It is sometimes described as Europe’s most southerly fjord because of the way the sheer mountain sides plunge straight into the water. The scenery is breathtaking and the local fishermen very friendly. The boat stops off so the passengers can dive over the side for a swim and calls in at the charming village of Perast. We enjoyed a fantastic lunch of freshly grilled fish and a bottle of the local red wine, served slightly chilled. This is what I call a perfect day! Although I didn’t visit any casinos or crash any Aston Martins, I really rated my trip to Budva and I’m sure other resorts in Montenegro are much the same. The scenery is stunning, the towns and
villages charming, the food and wine superb and the prices surprisingly reasonable. There is no graffiti, no litter and no drunken oiks to spoil your day. Admittedly, the horizontal nature of the laid back locals takes a bit of getting used to but, at the end of the day, you’re on holiday. There is no rush; just relax and enjoy the view… and the wine. In the words of another of my cinematic heroes, I’ll be back. Iain Brown
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Advice
Financial support
for students from separated families
It was always the case that support for children on divorce lasted until their 18th birthday or leaving full time education. Until a few years ago,
that could have been 16 but now all children are required to stay in full time education until 18, so there is little room to debate when child maintenance payments end. However, the rising price of university education and its associated costs mean that for many parents, children do not stop costing money at 18 and in many cases they actually get more expensive.
Julie Hobson is head of the matrimonial team at Gullands Solicitors and can be contacted at
j.hobson@gullands.com 01622 689700, or via www.gullands.com
Tuition loans are available to all students, and are paid direct to the university, however, the major ongoing cost is for accommodation and living expenses. From next September there will be no student grants available at all, and already they are only available to help those from the poorest backgrounds. Most students must look to loans to sustain them. The amount of loan available depends on the household income of where the child lives, so if the child lives with mum, dad’s income will not be a factor. Applications need to be made by the student as early as possible to ensure that loans are available for the start of term, in reality the sum available will almost certainly not cover the cost of accommodation, let alone the cost of food, travel and nights out. How can separated parents deal with the shortfall? Once the child is 18 there is no way to force the absent parent to assist with the costs. My recommendation is to think ahead when separating. No matter how old your children are, when negotiating a settlement try to get agreement that both parents will contribute to their university costs. Unfortunately the court does not have the power to order support for adult children, but both parents can agree that they will mutually support their child.
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Wasps… love them or loathe them!
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Wasp stings can be painful, even fatal. If you are stung by a wasp, you will likely be dead in 20 minutes if you have a severe allergic reaction which goes unaided. Some people only experience a mild reaction to the sting, feeling just a small prick. Others suffer varying degrees of discomfort from mild, Third Division, through to the Pemiere League “anaphylactic shock”, a sudden and massive immune reaction to the venom. Either way, whether your reaction is mild or severe, it pays to be cautious and keep your distance. If you are going to swat, be accurate, missing only makes them wilder. The issue of wasps dining with us is significant. Have you noticed that within five seconds of laying the table outside, wasps are gathering and circling around, eyeing up your lobster sandwiches, the mouth-watering glass of sauvignon blanc and your fruity syllabub dessert. Their formation flying now takes on more purpose, their mission is to get you to abandon your food and get stuck-in for themselves. What treats we serve up for them, all manner of entomological digestive delights. The answer is to eat under large army surplus mosquito net, safe from their formation flying and out of harms way. If you don’t have access to army surplus, try navy or air force or better still eat indoors, on a tray in front of the telly.
ice, Squirrels, dbugs and Fleas
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est problems
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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)!
The best spotting sites will be up under tile roofs (one of their favourites), facias, soffits, potting sheds and garages. They also like holes in the ground, shrubs and trees. If you are going up into your loft you will often see them flying around, attracted by the light, don’t hang around, give me a call…and a chance to be stung! There are three main reasons for killing wasps; the first is because we can, the second is because they can sting you and the third is because they spoil our penchant for al fresco dining.
Wasps have no rights, as winged insects, like you and I. We can enjoy the right to roam, go to the pub and visit friends. Wasps prefer to fly rather than walk, they dive into beer and they have no friends. Enough said!
Monday, May 14, 2012 15:15 Magenta Yellow Black Cyan
Pest Purge is getting calls on a daily basis to eradicate your wasps. Often you will see them dive-bombing and showing off with their aerial acrobatics, whizzing around your garden. By the end of the season, there may be as many as 20,000 yellow-jackets living in your loft, rent free. Talk about free-loaders! Get them out, get them evicted…vamoose.
removal contact Richard Lee at Pest Purge. All squadrons of wasps and hornets dealt with. PS Keep your eyes peeled for the Asian Hornet, soon to be arriving in the UK, it’s big, like a Lancaster bomber, you will not miss it if it flies past.
Call 01622 842481 Or 07758 615101
19
Health & Fitness
Raynaud’s
Phenomenon
Raynaud’s phenomenon is a common disorder in which the small blood vessels in the extremities are over-sensitive to changes in temperature so that blood supply to them is affected.
The condition most often affects the fingers and toes but can also affect the ears, nose, lips and nipples. As well as cold temperatures, it can be triggered by anxiety or stress. There are up to ten million sufferers in the UK; it is seen more often in females and can affect people of any age. It is sometimes hereditary and in these cases is usually mild. Many people do not seek medical help and are unaware that there is a name or treatment for their condition. Primary Raynaud’s, meaning it develops by itself spontaneously without any other condition being present, most commonly develops in the 20s or 30s. Secondary Raynaud’s is less common and associated with underlying diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma; when associated with scleroderma, symptoms are often more acute and can lead to finger ulcers and infection. Around 10% of people with primary Raynaud’s go on to develop a condition associated with secondary Raynaud’s such as lupus. Raynaud’s occurs when the blood vessels go into temporary spasm, blocking the flow of blood. The affected area then changes colour to white then blue then red once the blood flow returns. The colour change may be accompanied by numbness, pain 20
and pins and needles. The symptoms may only last a few minutes or may continue for several hours; whilst not a serious condition, Raynaud’s can be annoying to live with as it may be difficult to use your fingers. Sometimes a sufferer can be symptomfree for months or years or the condition may just disappear. The symptoms of Raynaud’s can be controlled by avoiding cold, wearing gloves and using relaxation techniques when feeling stressed. Smoking can affect circulation so smoking cessation can also help reduce symptoms. Nifedipine may be prescribed if the symptoms cannot be controlled. Examination by a GP and blood tests can be used to determine whether you have primary or secondary Raynaud’s. Phoebe Hodge
21
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Opinion
Minions (U) Film Review Directors: Pierre Coffin, Kyle Balda
This Despicable Me spin-off seeks to tell an origin story for the eponymous yellow creatures. Predisposed to serve evil, the minions spend thousands of years switching from master to master, usually inadvertently contributing in some way to the demise of each. The clan are eventually isolated in an arctic cave circa 1960, from where Kevin, Stuart and Bob venture out to find a new villainous boss. As a rule of thumb, taking the cuddly, stupid element out of a successful franchise and blowing it up to support a whole film isn’t a good idea. Spin-offs are rarely good, for obvious reasons; to paraphrase Bilbo Baggins, spin-offs often feel like butter scraped over too much bread. Something being funny for a minute is very different to something being funny and interesting for ninety. So is Minions a success? Yes… and no. The three minion protagonists themselves, speaking nothing but the odd word of Spanish or Japanese, are very much played in the old tradition of silent
slapstick. It works more often than it doesn’t, largely helped by the fact that the minions are the best and most developed characters by far. Jon Hamm and Sandra Bullock are in this too, but as nothing more than stooges for the minions to best in various shenanigans. It’s adequately funny when it needs to be, and not a fat lot more. As for everything else? A sequence set in villain-con is fun and so are bits of the London heist, though if I tell you the target is stealing the crown in order to make their master Queen, you get a good idea of how much thought went into this script. In fact, that’s really the main thing you take away from this film. Not that it’s lazy, it doesn’t feel quite lazy, but it feels under-ambitious, like the filmmakers had a specific template and a bar to meet. As a result it isn’t terrible, it’s a very competent mini-feature. But it isn’t compelling or memorable, merely satisfactory. James Warren - My Rating *** 25
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Food and Drink
Tuna Nicoise This is one of life’s little pleasures. Juicy seared tuna tastes so much better than tinned fish. Use up any left over new potatoes you have in the fridge. This dish is so easy and quick to create and super healthy too. You can pick up all the ingredients at any good farm shop. Serves 2 • • • • •
2 fresh tuna steaks, approx 1cm thick 1 large little gem lettuce head 3 tablespoons Light Salad Dressing 8 fresh anchovies. Handful of French beans, trimmed and blanched in boiling water for three minutes • 2 soft boiled eggs, peeled and cooled • 1 small red onion, finely sliced • 4 new potatoes, boiled and chilled • 12 pitted black olives • Fresh basil leaves
Salad
How to do it:
1
Heat a ridged griddle pan on a hot flame. Cook the tuna steaks for 1-3 minutes on each side, depending on how rare you like your fish.
2
Wash and dry the gem leaves, place the leaves in a large plastic bag, add two tablespoons of salad dressing to the bag and a pinch of salt and pepper. Shake until the leaves are coated. Lay the lettuce leaves onto a large plate, add the onion, potato, beans and anchovies and finally the tuna on the top. Drizzle over the remaining dressing then finish by adding the eggs, olives and ripped basil leaves. Georgie Mason
TOP TIP
Enjoy wit h a perfe ctly chilled bo ttle of R ose. 27
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Feature
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POOL Bearsted roundCARE table Bearsted round table was chartered in 1974 it is a mens club ‘non profit’ organisation for men 18-45
we also recently hosted a Black Tie Ball raising £2000 for crossroads young carers. And in September we are climbing 3 mountains in 24hrs.
In recent years round table has been considered an old mans club and the numbers through out clubs in the UK have Pool & Relines Pool & Hot Tub Chemicals Supplied been Repairs on the decline. We are experiencing interest from people that have DIY Self Build Service Pump Repairs Replacements moved to&the area for work. Bearsted Round Table however currently on the way Filter & Sand Changes Heating Repairs Oil, Gas & LPG Replacements If you are new to the area it’s a great way to meet up. We currently have 6 members under 30 and Hot Tubs Sales & Repairs Summerise & Winterise a new groupServices of mates and get yourself out the we have had recent membership enquiries via house it could be a pint at the local, go karting Solar & Winter Covers Pool Maintenance our website even Climbing mountain! Contact Chemicals available at Woodstock Garden Centre, or Hermitage Lanea, Maidstone , ME16us: 9NT At the end of this month we could be back in Telephone: 07739 308493 double figures! In November the lads collect in Email: membership@bearstedrt.co.uk London for Children In Need with Pudsey and Web: www.bearstedrt.co.uk won an award for collecting £5000
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Events
What’s on... 3rd Septmber 2015 Printmakers Tour at Mascalls Gallery Join us for a tour of selected printmaking studios in West Kent, to meet artists and watch demonstrations of a variety of printmaking techniques. £24.00 pp. Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, TN12 6LT Tel: 018902 839039. www.mascallsgallery.org
3rd Septmber 2015
A Night Of Comedy At The Laughing Pod Comedy Club Maidstone The Laughing Pod & Oakwood House has joined forces to create top comedy for Kent! Tickets £10. For information on the great line up check Tel: 01622 620 720 www.thelaughingpod.com
4th Septmber 2015
Simply the best: the Tina Turner experience Starring Julie Nevada one of the world’s best Tina Turner Impersonators. You’ll actually believe you’re at a real Tina Turner Show! Hazlitt Theatre, Earl Street Maidstone ME14 1PL. Tel: 01622 758611 www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
4th - 6th Septmber 2015
Brick City - Made In LEGO® Bricks Maidstone Museum ME14 1LH An extraordinary exhibition that will thrill adults and children alike, with acclaimed LEGO® artist Warren Elsmore’s Brick City. Admission charges apply. Tel: 01622 602838 www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk
5th Septmber 2015
Kent Wildlife Trust Study Day Crickets and Grasshoppers of Kent Learn how to identify the grasshoppers and crickets of Kent by sight and sound anmd discover their habitats. Tyland barn Sandling Maidstone Kent ME14 3BD Tel: 01622 662012 www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk
5th Septmber 2015
Maidstone Horticultural Society’s Autumn Show Annual autumn show, prize-winning seasonal vegetables and flowers will be on display, as well 30as fruit, floral art, crafts and cookery. Everybody is
welcome 1.30 til 4.00pm. Entrance 50p. Baptist Church Hall, Knightrider Street.
5th - 6th Septmber 2015 Antiques & Collectors Fair If you are looking for the unusual then this is the place to go to. Dealers work hard to offer you a wide choice of items that you won’t find on the High Street. £6.00 per ticket. Detling Showground, Maidstone, ME14 3JF Tel: 01622 633060 www.kentshowground.co.uk
6th Septmber 2015 Open Garden - Heart of Kent Hospice The current owners have lived at Strettit Place for 40 years and invite you to visit their village garden with predominantly herbaceous borders and lawns. Refreshments. Donation for entry £4.00. Strettitt Place, 22 Old Road, East Peckham TN12 5ER www.hokh.org
6th Septmber 2015 Musical In A Day – Mamma Mia Are you the original Abba fanatic or maybe the official Dancing Queen amongst your friends? Love the songs ...love the musical? This is a day of pure musical fun10am-5.00pm. Booking required. Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone ME14 1PL. Tel: 01622 758611 www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
11th - 13th Septmber 2015 Leeds Castle Food Festival Discover fantastic food and drink at this festival designed for passionate foodies. Experience food and drink from quality local producers, enjoy tastings, food and drink theatre and workshops. Leeds Castle, Broomfield, Maidstone, ME17 1PL. Tel: 01622 765400 www.leeds-castle.com
12th Septmber 2015 The Social Festival - Mote Park The Social is a boutique music festival showcasing the world’s greatest dance music acts. It brings a taste of Ibiza to the south east with a line-up of the world’s most discerning electronic music talent. Mote Park, Maidstone. www.thesocialfestival.com
Events 12th - 13th Septmber 2015
19th Septmber 2015
Hops ‘n’ Harvest Beer Festival 10am to Late. Our annual Hops ‘n’ Harvest Beer Festival is back and better than ever. It garantees to be a weekend of fun for all. With over 40 varieties of beer and 19 varieties of cider there is more than enough to tickle the taste buds Kent Life, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3AU. Tel: 01622 763936 www.kentlife.org.uk
Allsorts Lampshades - Maidstone Museum Create your own lampshade based on the fabulous 1960’s Bassett’s Allsorts dress, designing and painting the fabric then shaping your shade. Booking required. Maidstone Museum, St Faiths Street, Maidstone, ME14 1LH Tel: 01622 602838 www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk
12 - 13 Septmber 2015
Havrvest scarecrow activity Create you own mini scarecrow. Suitable for age 8+. £8 per child. Maidstone Museum, St Faiths Street, Maidstone, ME14 1LH Tel: 01622 602838 www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk
th
th
Truckfest South East - Kent Event Centre Trucks, entertainment for weekend visitors, celebrities and brilliant recovery displays and stunt bike Team Broke FMX. Kent Event Centre, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone ME14 3JF Tel: 01775 76866 www.kenteventcentre.co.uk
12th - 13th Septmber 2015
Hop Festival at Kent & East Sussex Railway There will be 8 daily train departures on Saturday and Sunday between Tenterden and Bodiam stations and plenty of entertainment for everyone throughout the weekend. Tel: 01580 765155. www.kesr.org.uk
13th Septmber 2015 Kent’s Classic Car Show An opportunity for classic car enthusiasts to meet and view over 500 original and restored cars. Auto jumble and refreshments available during the day. Adult £3.00 per ticket Children (under 16) Free
18th - 20th Septmber 2015
Grill ‘n’ Chill - The Hop Farm Grill ‘n’ Chill is back with a fun-filled weekend featuring classic VWs.Bringing you all the best things you enjoy from a traditional car show but with a more chilled-out vibe. Paddock Wood, TN12 6PY Tel: 01622 872068 www.thehopfarm.co.uk
19th Septmber 2015
19th Septmber 2015
19th Septmber 2015 Moonlit Walk 2015 Get together with friends , family and colleagues to sign up for this fun 8 mile sponsored walk under the moonlight to remember someone close to you , and help the Heart of Kent Hospice raise money to provide care for local families in need of our services. Tel: 01622 790195
19th Septmber 2015 Paws in the Park Autumn Show Endless activities for you and your dog at the Kent Showground! Be entertained by expert pooch handlers and ‘have a go’ at fun attractions with your pup! The Kent Showground, Detling. Tel: 01730 266633 www.pawsinthepark.net
20th Septmber 2015 The Demelza Run - Leeds Castle This year marks the 11th anniversary of this fundraising event for Demelza Hospice Care for Children. Suitable for novice runners taking on their first 5k to experienced runners who are looking for a more challenging 10k. For more informationcontact: sarah.marsh@demelza.org.uk www.leeds-castle.com
An Artist’s Travels - Maidstone Museum A Cafe Gallery exhibition of the paintings of Bob Bushnell, a graduate of the Glasgow School of Art. Free admission. Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery, St Faiths Street, Maidstone, ME14 1LH Tel: 01622 602838 www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk
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Loose Swiss Scouts will be holding their next jumble sale at the Vine, Boughton Lane, Loose, New Line Learning site, on Saturday 19th september Jumble can be dropped off on Sat 19thseptember between 9.30 and midday.We can no longer accept duvets, electrical items and no big or bulky items. Jumble sale will open at 1.00 pm admission 30p. Loose Swiss Scout Christmas Fair Is on the 3rd October 1pm till 4pm. Start your Christmas shopping early with gorgeous gifts and perfect presents Jewellery – Cards – Handbags Confectionery Scarves - Collectables Vintage And Fair Trade Gifts. Plus many more stalls held at The Vine, Boughton Lane, Maidstone ME15 0QF. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. £1 Entry, all proceeds to Loose Scouts For more information please contact jillwilson@talktalk.net Loose Foothpaths Group For information on our next walk please call 01622 743944. Maidstone branch of the British Sugarcraft Guild We meet monthly at St. Pauls Church Hall, Boxley Road Maidstone, ME14 2AH. Tel 01622 791622 for more information. St Peter & St Paul’s Church, Aylesford are holding another of their popular quiz evenings on Sat 5th Sept at 7 for 7.30p.m. in the Brassey Centre, Station Road. Please bring your own drinks
and any snacks you want with you.Teams are of 6 people but if you are not able to make up a group of that size or you come alone then you will be very welcome and will be put into a team on the night. Aylesford & Eccles W.I. will be holding their monthly meeting on Wed 23rd Sept at 7.30p.m. in the Brassey Rooms, Station Road, Aylesford. We will be celebrating 100 years of the W.I. in the U.K. There will also be a fun quiz around each decade and plenty of time for socialising. Please feel free to come along and join us in this special event. For further information please contact Eileen on 01622 715205 or visit our Facebook page. Ayles ARA will be holding their nest monthly meeting on Thurs 24th Sept at 2p.m. in the Community Centre, Aylesford at 2p.m. There will be a talk by the well-known local historian Bob Ogley entitled Kent in the 19th Century.There will be time for a cup of tea and a chat and also a chance to find out what other events are available e.g. art group, lunch club, outings, holidays and social events. For more information please contact Wayne on 01622 710734 or for more detailed insight into our group why not visit our website.
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.
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Take advantage of a Free Trial at your local Kumon study centre at the Maidstone YMCA in Loose.
As the new school year approaches, thoughts may be focused on ensuring children have a new, crisp, school uniform and a restocked pencil case. However, it is just as important to ensure your child is equipped with the most vital tools needed for a successful year ahead - a good grip on the core subjects of maths and English and the learning skills required for academic progression. With over 70,000 students studying at more than 650 study centres throughout the UK, Kumon Educational – the UK’s largest supplementary educational provider - is here to help. At your local Maidstone South Study Centre, Kumon offers individualised worksheet-based maths and English study programmes which are tailored to all ages and abilities. Established for over 50 years, the Kumon programmes enable children to develop their study skills and confidently tackle advanced work. At Kumon, learning is always for the long run: the individualised programmes enable students to progress to an advanced level, at their own pace, ensuring they maximise their ability and begin to realise their unlimited potential. The Maidstone South Study Centre, located within the Maidstone YMCA in Loose, is now offering a two-week Free Trial (14 days) for new students enrolling between Monday 21 September to Saturday 31 October. Take advantage of this opportunity and find out what your child can achieve through the Kumon Maths and English Programmes.
To celebrate this offer, the study centre is holding a Family Fun Event on Saturday 19 September at the Maidstone YMCA. Local families are invited to come along between 1pm and 4pm to meet the instructor and learn more about the Kumon Maths and English Programme and the Free Trial. The event will be opened by the Mayor of Maidstone and will include a drama showcase from Razzamataz, magic shows, balloon modelling, storytelling, cupcake decorating and a range of fun, educational-based games and activities with a Kindle Fire HD to be won. The Kumon Maidstone South Study Centre is located at the Maidstone YMCA with classes running from 4-6pm on Mondays and Thursdays. For more information, contact Instructor, Davina Foord on 01622 737294/ 07792 108750 or email maidstonesouth@kumoncentre.co.uk.
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DEREK OLDER Alltype Property Maintenance
• Affordable Rates Deer Fencing Erected Shrub Clearance & Ground Maintance • Local Tradesman - FRIDGES & FREEZERS Concrete Barn Floors Prepared & Repaired • City & Guilds Qualified - WASHING MACHINES Stable & Yard Drainage Installed
Roads Paths & Parking Works Undertaken Call Andrew on 01622 745924 Stable Doors & Gates Fitted AllMobile repairs carried out by qualified engineer with over 07769 154656 25 years of experience, every repair is fully guaranteed T. 07533 318702 W. www.bentonlandscapes.co.uk
24 Lo M M
34 Norrington Road, Loose E. charles@bentonlandscapes.co.uk
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Alltype Property Maintenance
P TOW E T
All Carpentry & Maintenance Work Undertaken Including:
JR BUILDING We buy & sell anything SERVICES
Kitchen Fitting - Bedroom Fitting - Bathroom Fitting Tiling Floor & Walls - Windows, Doors & Floors Decking & Fencing
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l New locks fitted
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755750 07738 658751 l 01622 3Lock Plains repairs Ave, off Loose Road & window lock repairs
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MICK
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All locks repaired & fitted
l Double glazing door l YOUR 24 hourLOCAL lock outLOCKSMITH
s
S
Classifieds
Locksmith
L o c k s m i t h
Bu
e ir
Classfieds
Reliable & Efficient Service, Fully Insured. For a Free No Obligation Quotation
Paid
Cash y 01622 Maidstone 747143 orWest 07716 787271 Station Same Da Service Email: tonyfridd69@gmail.com
01622 675252
www.steptows.co.uk GENERAL BUILDING & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
T&C’s Apply
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APExtensions, DECORATORS Brickwork, Patios,
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Kitchens and Bathrooms DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL
City & Guilds Male & Female Decorators Interior & Exterior Work Friendly Professional Service
Est. 22 years
Fully Insured
Tel: 01622 891032
FREE ESTIMATES & ADVICE Mob: 07729 538972 24 Copper Tree Court ANDY 01622 749676 Loose www.jr-buildingservices.co.uk 07973 525522 Maidstone ME15 9RW JACKIE 07878 110934 37
Information
Index... Accountant
Mike Nichols
Appliance Repairs Neville Powell
Architects
MRW Design
Bathrooms
MBK Design Studio Nightingale Bathrooms
Bedroom Design
Bedroom Flair
Energy Performance 28
EPC Solutions
Fencing 34 28 18 23 26
Glebe Fencing
Floors
Footstep Flooring Ausitn Services
Samsian 13
Builders
Hairdressers
(New/Servicing/Repairs)
Geoff Brown 18 Neil Shorter 24 JR Building 24 APC 23
Buy & Sell Anything
Steptows 37
Car Services
Geoff Brown
Carpet Cleaners
Hydro-Dynamix
Cleaning
18 37 37
Computing for Beginners JLM Network Services Bearsted Computers
16 16 34
Curtains and Blinds
Soft Furnishings by Miriam Abacus Blinds
Baby & Toddler Swim Maidstone Dance Studio Maidstone YMCA S.G. Swim School Reflexology with Lisa Audley Club
38
Kitchens
MBK Design Studio Astounding Interiors
22 8 8 12 22 3 21 18 7
Legal Services Loft Ladders Locksmith
A Short Locksmith
Osteopathy
37
Pest Control
Pest Purge Ltd
Plasterer
H. Preece Plastering Paul Lansley Briery Property Maintenance
All Type Property Maintenance
Flynn Roofing Services
34
36
Swimming Pool Maintenance Pool care 29
Tuition 11 11 23 11
Health, Fitness & Wellbeing
Maidstone Wellness Centre 36 7
Kent Life 40 Go Ape 2 Pympes Court Farm Centre 28 Allington Belle Boat Hire 28 AP Decorators
Roofing
Loft Ladders 22
Days Out
Decorators
13 34
Gullands 16
Phynix Cleaning
Computer Services
Property Services
HQ Hair and Beauty 24 Doo Das 26
Ace MOT 29 Home Care Services Mongers Garage 29 Audley Care
Carpenter
5
Tudor Oak 11
Fairview Farm The Big Mow Benton Lanscape Tantons Tree Surgeons
Boilers
Cooper & Co Plumbing & Heating 12 Palace Heating 37
Furniture
Garden Services / Tree Maintenance
Plumbing & Heating
34
37 15 19 36 12 36
Nicola Connelly 16 Kumon 35
Venues for Hire
Pympes Court Farm Centre
Window Cleaners RJ’s
28 36
Opinion
I’m not so
Shore
about this...
One of the many benefits of internet television is that you can watch entire series of TV programmes that for some reason you’ve never had a chance to enjoy before. Taking advantage of our Amazon
Prime subscription, my older daughter decided to indulge in an orgy of Geordie Shore one Sunday evening. I was preparing the Sunday roast at the time so I kept half an eye on the telly as I stirred the gravy. After 20 minutes I was compelled to inform her that this was inappropriate viewing. “Who is it appropriate for then?” she responded. This was a fair reply so I carried on watching, hoping to work out what is the point of this programme and who it is aimed at. Geordie Shore, like TOWIE, is one of those reality shows where some of the participants’ lines are scripted, presumably in an attempt to disguise just how incredibly stupid and talentless the “actors” really are. There is no point to the “actors” being on the show; they’re not competing to win a prize, delivering a plot or even trying to offer some insight into the futility of existence. The “actors” just move into a shared house and… well I suppose you could call it interact. Yet despite this lack of any discernible purpose, Geordie Shore does have rules. Take the girls; the rules state that they have to be terminally stupid, have very white teeth and be solely interested in clothes, makeup and getting so drunk they cannot move. Actually, they are also interested in men, but only ones with rippling abs, bulging pecs and very white teeth. Most of all, they must be interested in themselves to the exclusion of all other things. The men are even worse. They must spend most of their waking hours working out in the gym – this makes sense I suppose, otherwise the girls wouldn’t even notice they existed. They are not allowed any form of body hair and the hair on their heads must contain “products.” Like stags in rutting season, they are genetically programmed to try to procreate with as many females as possible and, for some reason, they can only have one syllable in their names. What else? They can’t wear shirts with sleeves, they only drink beer or vodka and, just like the girls, they are totally self-obsessed.
Like all self-obsessed people, they assume that they must be endlessly fascinating to everyone else. I suppose this is why there is so much swearing on Geordie Shore. They need to tell the viewers all about themselves and a few swear words help to emphasise just how profound their insights into themselves really are. Either that or they have such limited vocabularies that they need some multi-purpose words to fill in the gaps. The “actors” spend their days going to nightclubs, drinking, procreating, drinking, swearing, procreating some more and then telling you how profound and interesting it all is. The producers have clearly hit on a winning formula here because Geordie Shore is now in its fourth year and on its tenth series. I’ve thought about this a lot and I think I now know what the point of Geordie Shore is and who it is aimed at. The simple fact is that if you put anything at all on television, it becomes interesting. Ants gathering food, Americans rummaging through lock ups, gypsies getting married – as soon as it is transferred to the small screen it becomes absolutely fascinating. This must be true, or why would Antiques Roadshow exist? As for the people who appear on these shows, they become celebrities – feted, photographed and written about in newspapers and magazines around the world. The minutiae of even their off-screen lives becomes the subject of gossip columns and the paparazzi. They are showered with money for interviews, appearances and promoting products. So come on young people, whiten those teeth, pump up those pecs and slap on that mascara. Fame and fortune await you! Howard Clemmow 39