Borough Green Christmas Light Switch On 2013

Borough Green will be holding their annual Christmas Lights Festival on 30th November 2013.

The switch on will take place at 2pm and there will be stalls, food and entertainment available and carol singing in the Baptist Church driveway.

The High Street will be closed from 12 noon until 6:30 pm. As a result there will be a slight change to bus schedules for the afternoon. Please see: http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/content.aspx?id=34359740306 for more details.

Sevenoaks Christmas Light Switch On 2013

The Christmas Lights will be switched on in Sevenoaks on Friday 29th November at 7pm.

The High Street will be closed to traffic from 6pm to make space for street entertainment, food and drink, fairground rides and Christmas stalls.

There will also be late night shopping and free parking.

The cast of Robin Hood and Father Christmas will be attendance.

Westerham Christmas Shopping and Lights Switch On

Christmas shopping extravaganza in Westerham

- Lights switch on and late night shopping: Thursday 28th November, 6.30pm

- Ideas for Christmas presents with a difference: now until New Year

A festive fun evening for all is promised when TV broadcaster and journalist Dr Hilary Jones, accompanied by the Westerham Amateur Dramatic Society (WADS) cast of The Wizard of Oz, switch on the Christmas lights in the historic town of Westerham. The festivities will take place on Thursday 28^th November, at 6.30pm on The Green, after Dr Hilary Jones arrives with Father Christmas on a dray pulled by local Shire horses.

Westerham’s charming and quirky shops will welcome shoppers with mince pies and mulled wine, and there will also be stalls around the town, with hot chestnuts, candy-floss, Christmas decorations, unusual presents and other goodies.

The town’s retailers are offering lots of unusual and different present ideas – ranging from a knicker-making kit and handmade chocs to Cire Trudon luxury candles and a signed French Art Deco figurine (see separate release for more details).

Adding to the Christmas feel will be Westerham Local Vocals performing carols in harmony (The Green, 6.30pm) followed by the Oxted Rock Choir (Market Square at 7pm). St Mary’s Church Festival of Christmas Trees will also be open to visitors.

Info: VisitWesterham.org.uk - http://www.visitwesterham.org.uk/whats-on/w-late-night-shopping

Razzamataz Theatre School in Tonbridge for 4 to 18 year olds

Razzamataz Theatre School Tonbridge opened this September at The Hayesbrook School, Brook Street, Tonbridge. We are exceptionally proud to have won backing from Duncan Bannatyne on the BBC’s Dragons' Den.

Razzamataz Theatre School Tonbridge offers exceptional training in dance, drama and singing together with exciting opportunities to perform. We believe that every student should have the opportunity to be energetic, to gain confidence and to make friends whilst having lots of fun.

 If you’re 4 to 18 and want to get involved in performing arts in a funky, fresh and vibrant atmosphere, Then Razzamataz Theatre School Tonbridge is the place for you!

For further details or to book a place at our FREE taster session please call 01732 364859  or Email tonbridge@razzamataz.co.uk

Live Blues Music at the Anchor and the STAG

The Blues with Bottle Club has been going for nearly 20 years, putting on FREE live blues gigs at the Anchor, London Rd. Sevenoaks on the first and third Wednesday of each month as well as bigger blues nights at the Plaza Suite, Stag Community Arts Centre on a monthly basis. These are ticketed at £12 normally.

More information:

Website: www.blueswithbottleclub.co.uk
Twitter:  @blueswithbottle

Former Sevenoaks Councillor Heads for the Open Road

Former Liberal Democrat District Councillor John Brigden has taken his love of classic cars on the road.

Along with partner Fiona Davies he is organising classic car rallies all over the world under the name Bespoke Rallies.

John has 14 years of experience organising rallies but Bespoke Rallies is a new venture where the focus is more on exploration and culture than endurance.

A taste of the Highlands

Their next rally will be Skyefall - Classic Rally of Scotland in June 2014. This is a 10 day tour of the Highlands and islands that includes luxury hotel stays and golf at Gleneagles. It is open to pre-1982 cars.

More information:

Website: www.bespokerallies.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BespokeRallies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bespokerallies

Get your tickets for Sevenoaks Players performance of Rumours by Neil Simon

Sevenoaks Players will be performing Rumours by Neil Simon at the STAG theatre from the 13th to the 16th November 2013.

Following their sell out production of "Calendar Girls", Sevenoaks Players bring you "Rumours - the British version" a hilarious comedy from the pen of Neil Simon (The Odd Couple, Sunshine Boys, California Suite).

This laugh-out-loud comedy centres around eight party guests trying to spare their unfortunate host, and themselves, from scandal. The resulting misunderstandings, hilarious one-liners and increasingly unlikely, doomed pretences lead to a final outrageous conclusion that will delight and entertain you.

Tickets available from the STAG box office

Tickets are £15 each (Concessions £8-10) and can be purchased from the STAG Theatre website or by calling 01732 450175.

More information:

Website: http://rumoursinsevenoaks.weebly.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rumours7oaks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RumoursinSevenoaks

Local Musicians create accompaniment tracks for music exam students

Two Sevenoaks musicians have set up a website to provide piano accompaniment tracks to students practising for their grade exams.

They say: 'Exam-Accompaniment.co.uk is an affordable way for students to prepare for their exams. It is prohibitively expensive to practise your pieces with a real pianist to accompany you so the first time most students get to play the piece with the backing is in the exam.

We wanted to find a way for them to better prepare for the exam by playing along with the accompaniment part whenever they wanted.'

Music Minus One

To this end they created backing tracks (or music minus one) of the piano accompaniment parts for the Clarinet grades and have now expanded to 8 instruments with more on the way.

The instruments are: Cello, Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, Descant Recorder, Saxophone, Trumpet and Violin.

Quality licensed piano accompaniment tracks to download

Unlike existing offerings Exam Accompaniment tracks are not computer generated and are played by a real piano accompanist to give a proper musical feel. All tracks are fully licensed.

'The quality is great. Not only can the backing tracks be used for practise and rehearsal but also as performance tracks too.'

Instant Download MP3 Tracks

The piano accompaniments are available on the website for instant download and come with multiple speed versions to allow the student to start off slowly and work up to performance speed.

Students can play the tracks from their MP3 players, phones, tablets, computers or burn them to CDs. This allows the tracks to be easily used anywhere.

Special Offer: 50% OFF!

Exam-Accompaniment.co.uk are offering a discount of 50% on all off their piano accompaniment tracks until December 31st 2013. By entering the discount code: 50OFF13 at checkout any customer can get 50% off the marked price of their purchases.

There's no limit to the number of uses (or amount purchased) and the code can be passed on to friends, family and anyone else.

For more information:

Website: exam-accompaniment.co.uk
Twitter: twitter.com/examtracks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Exam-Accompaniment/243419225735192

 

Sevenoaks Fireworks 2013 Roundup

There are a number of fireworks events going on in and around Sevenoaks over the next week or so. The following is a list, in chronological order, of the ones we know about.

Contact us to tell us about any other events that you know of.

• The White Rock in Underriver will be putting on a free fireworks display on Friday November 1st from 7.30pm onwards
• Kemsing School - 1st November - Gates 6:30pm - Fireworks 7.30pm


• Hildenborough Scouts - 2nd November - Tickets on the gate: Adult £7/Child £6 Tickets in advance from One Stop and Thomsons Pharmacy: Adult £6/Child £5 Limited number of family tickets (2 adults, 3 children) available in advance only: £20 Gates open 6.30pm. Bonfire lit 7pm. First Firework 8pm
• Otford Scouts - 2nd November - at The Chalk Pit - Tickets: £5 per person, family ticket £16 (2 adults, 2 children)  under 5yrs free. Tickets are available from Otford Dry Cleaners, The Crown, Yvonne's (Telston Lane) and on the night at the gate. Refreshments and food (BBQ) will be available.


• 4th Sevenoaks Scouts (Greatness) - 8th November - Website.
• Sevenoaks Preparatory School - 8th November


• Sevenoaks Primary School - 9th November - gates open at 5pm -  Fireworks 6.30pm
• 3rd Sevenoaks Scouts (Riverhead & Dunton Green) - 9th November - Gates open 6pm - More info from their website.
• Sevenoaks Round Table - 9th November - Entertainment in High Street from 5pm - Torchlight Procession 7pm - Fireworks 8pm - Details on website.
• Eynsford Fireworks - 9th November - Furlongs farm -  7pm. Tickets £5 on the gate.

New business will take stigma out of counselling

Two Kent women who have joined forces to launch a new counselling practice say they are determined to change attitudes towards mental health and seeking help.

Dominique Wynn, from Hildenborough, and Catherine Palmer, from Sevenoaks, have founded 7oaks Counselling which offers support for a range of life challenges.

The pair feels passionate about providing support in the community and further afield to people seeking counselling to help them cope with experiences such as: death or loss; relationship problems; depression; phobias; anxiety; eating disorders; suicidal thoughts and self-harm.

There is also a preventative arm to the business as 7oaks Counselling also provides support for people wishing to maintain healthy emotional and psychological balance. This is aimed at people who don't necessarily have a 'diagnosed' mental health issue but who need guidance through trying times, challenges or projects that would benefit from having a mentor on board. Dominique and Catherine's aim is to take the stigma out of the dated notion that counselling is solely for individuals seeking help for mental health difficulties.

Both Dominique and Catherine decided to embark on counselling careers after personal experiences which included one of them experiencing the loss of a close family member.

Dominique, who completed her placement at Sevenoaks Area MIND and currently works in a children's centre in Tunbridge Wells, explained: "Unlike in the United States, many people simply don't seek help when they need it. Mental health problems are so deeply misunderstood and people are afraid to admit they are suffering. They suffer in silence and the consequences of that can be tragic.

"So many people are under pressure these days, whether it's at work or at home. The extended family of old has all but disappeared and people just don't have an easily accessible outlet to talk through difficulties which they are experiencing. It is an unrealistic notion for modern society to hold an expectation that everyone is able to cope alone. Asking for support is a strength and not a weakness."

As well as having their private practice in Sevenoaks, Catherine counsels parents and users of a children's centre in Tunbridge Wells. She has also provided bereavement counselling at The Hospice in the Weald, Pembury, and worked at Knole Academy, in Sevenoaks, where she counselled students.

Catherine says "The support we offer can be short term and involve just a few sessions, or longer term. We basically provide non-judgemental and emotional support - the type that can't readily be given by a family member or friend. We offer integrative counselling - a personal approach to counselling which involves blending more than one theoretical model to suit the needs of every individual."

Dominique and Catherine met while studying at K College in Tonbridge in September 2008. They went on to achieve their Diploma in Counselling at the Wealden Psychological Institute in Crowborough.

Dominique Wynn (DipCouns, MBACP) and Catherine Palmer (DipCouns, MBACP) are both qualified Humanistic Integrative Counselling Practitioners, graduating from Wealden Psychological Institute, Crowborough. They are registered members of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP), the professional body which provides a framework promoting safe and ethical counselling practice.

As integrative counsellors, Dominique and Catherine integrate the theoretical models of Transactional Analysis, Gestalt therapy and Person-Centred therapy. To complement and support these three core models, they have been trained to use a number of additional supporting theories. These include: Egan's Skilled Helper model, Attachment theory, Erikson's Eight Stages of Development and Petruska Clarkson's Therapeutic Relationship.

Their aim is to open a London office in the near future. There is a 7oaks Counselling Facebook page and Twitter feed to provide further information, links & support in the area. For more information, please go to www.7oakscounselling.co.uk.

ENDS

Press enquiries please contact Suzi Christie on 01435 830031 or e-mail suzi@blueberry-pr.co.uk There is also a photo available of Dominique and Catherine.

Below is a case study that helps to illustrate the type of work carried out by 7oaks Counselling.

Case Study

Fiona came to 7oaks Counselling because she was feeling desperate. She was finding it increasingly difficult trying to cope with her feeling of depression. She had suffered a serious illness 18 months before which meant that she could no longer work. She found that she was drinking more and more and she now realised that she had become dependent on alcohol. For Fiona, life had lost its meaning and she no longer felt motivated to get out of bed in the morning. She resented people and was slowly alienating her entire family. She had thoughts of ending her own life.

My role was to provide Fiona with a safe space where she could freely express what was going on for her without feeling judged or misunderstood. I did not tell her what to do. What I did do was to offer her structure and support. We were able to build a solid working relationship and Fiona felt more able to open up to me. In time, at a pace which suited her, Fiona came to speak about a loss which she had experienced in childhood. The more recent loss of her job seemed to be the catalyst for her depression. She felt that she no longer had an identity. She became aware that she had kept her feelings of grief locked away for many, many years. The process of revisiting her pain took courage and I was able to offer Fiona the support she needed to work through the feelings which she had been suppressing for so long.

St Clere Estate - Love Thy Neighbour

Love Thy Neighbour

We have alot of neighbours. We have residents of Kemsing, Heverham, Seal, Wrotham, Ightham, Otford, West Kingsdown, Ash and Stansted neighbouring our land. When we took over running the estate we wrote a plan for the estate, and one of our three key values is to steward the estate for the benefit of our family, staff and tenants, and for the benefit of our neighbours. I love living in this little corner of England where there is so little change to the landscape, and I imagine our neighbours do too. We love our neighbours, and hope they love us too.

But to keep the house standing, the farm running, the hedgerows trimmed, the cottages habitable, the footpaths walkable and the woodlands managed takes time and money. I have had to accept that sometimes we have to make compromises and to seize opportunities to bring in money even when ideally I would like to keep this place frozen in time. Not moving forward is not an option, estates all over England have been sold off in pieces because they didn't move with the times.

Since we've moved in here we have been overwhelmingly supported by our neighbours. We've unwittingly annoyed other neighbours. I hate upsetting people, and in this role, that's a real problem. I am slowly learning to develop a thicker skin. There was the neighbour who wrote to us once we'd lived here for two months letting me know how arrogant he found the fact that we hadn't introduced ourselves to him. There are the neighbours who find it intolerable that we won't allow dogs to be walked off footpaths however many times we explain there are often guns fired to control vermin in those areas and we are worried they might get shot! People don't like the fact that at harvest time our grain is picked up by huge lorries sent by the people we've sold the grain to, and those lorries cause inconvenience and difficulty moving through Wrotham. Others hate it when we occasionally have to burn linseed straw after harvest. I would argue that such inconvenience is part of living in the middle of farmland, and that it is only by economies of scale that the land can continue being farmed. If farmland doesn't make money, it will inevitably end up being sold for other use.

I am told I can't please all the people all the time, but I find that nearly unbearable! I just hope that most of the people notice that we are doing our best as stewards of the countryside.

The decisions we're taking at the moment are likely to impact on our neighbours. Our monstrous farm site, with the two huge blue silos which can be seen from all over the valley (the towers of San Gimignano this is NOT!) is in desperate need of demolishment. But it's going to cost a fortune to take down the towers so we need to try to pay for that somehow. We are about to put in planning applications for the site. I will be very interested to see how the development proposals are viewed by our neighbours. My hope is that they will agree with me that, although the site is within an AONB, it is currently an Site of Outstanding Unnatural Ugliness and that on this occasion, staying still is a worse option than making change.

Website: www.stclere.co.uk
Twitter: @stclere
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Clere-Estate/247657508609800

Sevenoaks Business Show - Friday 11th October

The Sevenoaks Business Show on Friday 11th October aims to provide a protective umbrella of support and advice to local businesses. Entry is free with a wave of a business card, taking away the tedious queues and formalities associated with exhibition registration.

Opening the show at 10am is the RT Hon Michael Fallon MP, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, Energy, and patron of the Sevenoaks Town Partnership. As a keen supporter of local business and the Sevenoaks community, Michael takes a personal interest in this event and his opening address is sure to be relevant and interesting. Kent County, Sevenoaks Town and Sevenoaks District Councils will have a presence emphasising the theme of local business collaboration and 'community'. Kent Invicta Chamber and Sevenoaks Chambers of Commerce, with the support of West Kent Partnership, and the Centre for Micro Business will offer free advice and guidance.

Delicious breakfast muffins from XyloBrit, sizeable canapés from Cote Brasserie Sevenoaks and speciality teas from Blends for Friends will satisfy hungry souls searching for added value throughout the day. Discounts and show only offers will be plentiful making this event a bounteous outing.

Tickets please! We have a big red bus for our social media workshop which will travel around town. The Number 7 will be home to ZC Social Media for the day.

On legal issues the event has Brachers LLP as main sponsor. Together with two other legal firms - Devonshires and Warners Solicitors - delegates can have a field day getting to grips with legislation affecting their businesses.

Other sponsors include CCLA a specialist investment management company for charities, faith organisations and local authorities, Sevenoaks Town Council, Sevenoaks District Council, Sevenoaks Chamber of Commerce and Stag Community Arts Centre.

Cooper Sevenoaks MINI will be showing some perfect companions to the business motorist, both trade and executive. If it's human resources you need, Office Angels will be on hand to solve temporary and permanent recruitment solutions.

New and new-to-Sevenoaks companies have chosen the business show to introduce themselves.

Telecoms provider, Connect it Communications from Chatham bring creative solutions to give businesses the edge over their competitors. They provide mobile phones, tracking, Sat Broadband, business broadband, phone systems, lines and call rental, VoIP and hosted phone systems.

In the wonderful world of the web, Andy Olsen from Zine UK in Gillingham is a wizard of SEO, website design and affordable solutions for small businesses. His free website evaluation tool is a practical way to test how effective your current site is performing before making a decision about improvements.

If you are managing a fleet of vehicles, Webworks Multimedia in Shoreham will be showcasing their 'Smartt' apps with intrinsic websites. The recently launched 'Smartt-Vehicles' app is the most comprehensive vehicle management app available. More product launches are on their way.

In the world of finance, Handelsbanken offer a bespoke banking service. The decision making is in the branch, so a swift response is assured.

Also offering financial advice is Sevenoaks based Mike Fisher at Evolve Financial Management Ltd who has 30 years experience advising clients on a wide portfolio of financial issues, educating clients for their future.

The Federation of Small Businesses protects the interest of the self-employed and those who own or run a small business. They will be highlighting their package of legal, tax and other benefits offering real and tangible commercial advantage for the business owner.

Pro-Actions business improvement specialists take business coaching to a new level. Hugh Fenton's workshops are the perfect tonic for new and old hands wishing to focus on business and marketing plans, time management, finance and other key skills. Where would businesses be without the networking breakfast? Alternative Breakfast Club members will represent the collaborative aims of the group and encourage visitors to join them at the Mercure Hotel, Pembury every three weeks with no joining fees or membership charges.

Francis Chappell & Sons, will also be exhibiting, showing the friendly and professional face of funeral directing. Established in 1840, the firm continues to serve generations of families in the south east.

At the Sevenoaks Business Show the atmosphere and sense of supportive collaboration will put the buzz back into your business. Speaking about the event, Stephen Arnold, Chairman of Sevenoaks Town Partnership says:

"We are delighted with the support from our sponsors and suppliers and urge sole traders, business owners, managers and start ups to pop along to see what is on offer.

Companies, recognising the benefits of collaborating to increase their target markets, are choosing to introduce themselves to the wider business community in Sevenoaks.

With free entry, free workshops, free seminars and free refreshments - there's nothing to lose."

Website: www.7oaksbiz.com
Twitter: @7oaksbiz
More information from the organiser: gabrielle@gmppr.com

On-call Firefighters Needed for Sevenoaks Fire Station

Press Release - 5 August 2013 

Kent Fire and Rescue Service is launching its largest ever recruitment campaign for on-call firefighters by urging residents to consider whether they could join one of 27 stations across the county.

Recruitment is now underway until 30 September at New Romney, Cranbrook, Tenterden, Wye, Charing, Hythe, Dymchurch, Lydd, Hawkhurst in the south of the county, while Headcorn, Borough Green, Southborough and Tunbridge Wells are looking for new staff.

There are also vacancies being advertised in west Kent at Sevenoaks, Swanley, Swanscombe, Westerham and Edenbridge with on call posts at Hoo, Sheppey, Sittingbourne and Eastchurch available in the Medway/Swale areas. And in the east of the county, new firefighters are needed at Whitstable, Wingham, Sandwich, Ramsgate and Margate.

On-call firefighters are paid to be available for an agreed number of hours and during that time they can go about their normal life at home. However, if they are called, they must be able to drop what they are doing and get to the station, to be ready to respond operationally within five minutes. The contracted hours KFRS will offer will be based on what the station needs to deal with the risk in the area.

All kinds of people can be on-call firefighters. Most have other jobs, so it may appeal to men or women who are looking for extra shifts, want to take on an extra challenge, or perhaps want something to fit in with childcare.

Requirements include being over 18, physically fit, with good levels of reading and writing and candidates must be able to be operationally ready within five minutes. Full training is provided. Anyone interested can find details of the stations, hours needed, recruitment criteria and a film showing the fitness tests on http://www.kentfirejobs.info/

Sean Bone-Knell, Assistant Director at KFRS said: “We want to challenge the stereotype that only a certain sort of person can be an on-call firefighter; this could be a great job for all kinds of people. So if anyone is looking for extra shifts, or perhaps an additional challenge over and above the day job, then this could be for them.

“Over the last couple of years we have made major changes to the Service to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. We are now able to recruit on-call firefighters to work exactly when and where we need them, based on local risk in individual areas. This not only applies to time of day, but also the time of year, for example busy periods such as a dry summer when there are traditionally more fires.”

Details of any information sessions or open evenings will be posted on the KFRS Facebook and Twitter sites. Become a Fan of KFRS on Facebook www.facebook.com/kentfirerescue or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kentfirerescue

The British Family Fayre - A FREE Family Day Out

Press Release - for immediate distribution

The British Family Fayre - A FREE Family Day Out Celebrating British Manufacturing & Production

The British Family Fayre is the ambitious brain child of James and Emily Bradshaw, who have hit the headlines consistently throughout the year for their project to survive, as a family, on only British goods and services.

The fayre, organised in just 3 months, brings together over 40 stalls by well known British brands around the country to celebrate just how great British manufacturing and farming is. The businesses themselves are coming to engage with families to tell their story in a fun and child friendly way. For example; Lush Cosmetics are giving a unique, hands-on and messy insight into making some of their products, Kings of Shaves will be giving the dads shaving demonstrations and the Derwent Pencil Company will be running workshops with world renowned children’s author and illustrator Shoo Rayner. Other workshops are provided by businesses from across the UK and in every sector of UK production, including; Cahoonas UK Ltd, Comins Tea House, Deltec Precision Audio, Doulton Drinking Water Filters, Ebac Ltd, Farrington’s Mellow Yellow, Gopack Ltd, Great British Sauce Co., Helen Gordon, Jacksons Fencing, Nelsons Brewery, Roadii Firegrills, Superstitchers , The Shave Doctor , Mr Singh's Sauce, Tudor Oak , W Hamond & The Original Whitby Jet Shop.

As well as the interactive stalls there will also be a diverse range of entertainment from around the British Isles including; a welcome by Traditional Highland pipers, the 30+ strong members of the London Welsh Rugby Club Choir and an all British set by the phenomenal Rock Choir. The event is also supported by The National Farmers Union (NFU) who will be bringing their own fun, but educational, entertainment including animals and farm based activities aimed at entertaining the kids.

Additional to all of this, the event is all in a good cause and will be attended by The Prince's Trust to celebrate 30 years helping young people in enterprise in the UK. The centre piece of this will be a live auction of products donated by British industry. This will include a British made Union flag signed by celebrities and eminent business people, such as Mayor of London - Boris Johnson.

With just a few weeks until the big day, they are still adding more to this fantastic line up. See the website to keep up to date - www.britishfamilyfayre.co.uk

Details: 

British Family Fayre - 31st August 2013 from 11am until 6pm.
Entrance Price - FREE!
Squerryes Court, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1SJ. (25 miles from London, Junction 5 or 6 of the M25) Website - www.britishfamilyfayre.co.uk

About the Bradshaws and their one family campaign to help British manufacturing:
In January 2013 the Bradshaws, a normal British family from a small town in Kent, started their New Year's resolution, which sparked an unexpected chain of events. They set themselves the challenge that for one year they would see if it was possible for a family to live entirely on British goods and services. This simple act has generated national headlines, features on TV and international media attention. The family blog about their adventures buying only British on their website; www.britishfamily.co.uk.

The British Family would like to thank Lincoln West for their assistance in organising this great day. 

James (34), Emily(29) and Lucan(3) are available for interview and comment as are the businesses and organisations involved. They appeal to the members of the press to help them make this event go off with a bang.
Contact: James Bradshaw
jbradshaw@london.com
07725940351

Free press photos and resources are available for download here: https://picasaweb.google.com/111492095436758572014/TheBradshawsFreePressPhotos?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Beer on the Vine 2013 - Beer Festival

The Lions Club of Sevenoaks are holding their annual Beer Festival at the Vine Cricket Pavilion again this year.

In collaboration with the Sevenoaks Vine Cricket Club, the event will run for 3 days (one more day than last year).

Starting on the evening of Friday 5th July at 5pm the festival will be open from 11am - 10pm on both Saturday 6th July and Sunday 7th July.

Over 25 beers and ciders will be on offer and food will also be available. Wines, spirits, lagers and soft drinks will also be available from the Vine Pavilion bar for those not interested in bitter or cider.

The event marks the beginning of Sevenoaks Vine Cricket Club's annual Cricket Week which will see 1 or 2 cricket matches played every day at the Vine from Monday 8th July to Saturday 13th July. This will be weather permitting.

All members of the public are welcome to attend both the beer festival and any of the cricket matches. Members of the public are always welcome to watch any of the cricket matches, not just during cricket week but throughout the summer. Matches are played on most Friday evenings, every Saturday day time and some Wednesday afternoons. The Vine Pavilion is also open to the public for drinks from the bar, sports on TV and toilet facilities.

More information:

For further details about the Beer Festival please contact Roger Hope from the Lions Club of Sevenoaks on 01732 810197.

Darent Valley, Mums Mean Business Festival

Darent Valley, Mums Mean Business Festival
Sat June 29th - 2pm-5pm
Eynsford Village Hall

The first ever showcase of small businesses run by Mums in and around the area.

From beauty to baby ballet and up-cycled home- ware to yoga and lots more in between.

Taste, Try, Discover and Buy

Free Entry 

Free art and craft activities for children 

Delicious tea and homemade cakes

Website: http://mumsmeanbusiness.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Darent-Valley-Mums-Mean-Business-Festival/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mumsbizfest

St Clere Estate Open Garden for Charity

Date: 16th June 2013
Time: 2pm- 5pm
Entrance Fee: £5.00 adults / £1.00 children

 Mr & Mrs Simon & Eliza Ecclestone are once again delighted to open the St Clere grounds for the National Garden's Scheme initiative "Garden's Open for Charity".

 The 4 acre garden is full of interest with formal terraces surrounding the mansion (not open) with beautiful views of the Kent countryside. There are herbaceous and shrub borders, a productive kitchen and herb garden, lawns and rare trees.

 Garden tours with Head Gardener at 2.30, 3.30 & 4.30 (£1 per head)

 Teas will be served in the garden room.

Postcode: TN15 6NL
Location: 6m NE of Sevenoaks
Directions: Take A25 from Sevenoaks toward Maidstone; 1m past Seal turn L signed Heaverham & Kemsing. In Heaverham take rd to R signed Wrotham & W Kingsdown; in 75yds straight ahead marked private rd; 1st L & follow rd to house

Website: www.stclere.co.uk 
Social Media: Twitter: @stclere / Facebook: St Clere Estate / Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/St Clere

Kentish Food and Crafts Fair

A Kentish Food and Crafts Fair at the Plaza Suite at the Stag in Sevenoaks. Sat June 8. 

Sponsored by Sevenoaks Chronicle.

10am to 3.30pm.

Around 30 stalls of gourmet and artisan foods from Kent, and fine handmade crafts and gifts. Teas and Cakes. Free music activities for kids. Facepainting.

Info at www.kentishcraftsfairs.co.uk

Entry £1 adults - includes charity raffle draw. Under 18s free.

My Bloody Valentine and Rodriguez to play the Hop Farm

HOP FARM MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES

My Bloody Valentine and Rodriguez

The Hop Farm Music Festival, Kent’s number one festival, will be take place on the 5th
and 6th July 2013.

The festival will offer two days of music for up to 10,000 people. Headliners h ave been
announced as: My Bloody Valentine (exclusive festival show England & Wales) and
Rodriguez.

Also announced for the Kent festival - The Horrors, Jimmy Cliff, The Cribs, First Aid Kit,
Dinosaur Jr, The Presidents Of The United States Of America, Martha Wainwright,
Edwyn Collins, Little Comets, Dry The River, The Staves, The Black Angels, Friends,
Veronica Falls, Toy, Gaz Coombes, Tall Ships, Marcus Foster, Theme Park, Jack
Savoretti, Cass McCombs, Sean Rowe, Wolf People, We Were Evergreen, Public
Service Broadcasting, Temples, The Sheepdogs, Post War Years, Jesca Hoop,
Concrete Knives, Luke Sital-Singh, Ben Caplan, Sweet Baboo, Drenge, Teleman,
Sinkane, Paws, J Roddy Walston & The Business, Pales Seas, Syd Arthur, Washington
Irving, Shields, Trevor Moss And Hannah Lou, The History Of Apple Pie, Acollective, Jess
Roberts & The Silver Rays, Pyramids, Alba Lua, Ligers and Sally Archer. More acts are
to be announced.

Vince Power commented, “I am pleased to announce the sixth Hop Farm line up this
year, which includes headliners My Bloody Valentine, exclusive to the Hop Farm
Festival, off the back of their much awaited new album. Plus I’m excited to add
international folk legend Rodriguez to the bill this year. Searching for Sugar Man, has
just won an Academy Award and a BAFTA, so this is a very special year to welcome
him to the Hop Farm. Last year has been tough for me, as it has been across the
board for the festival market. I wanted to keep the festival going, but I’ve had to
make changes for it to continue.”

The festival will feature its three stages – Main Stage, The Wild Wood and Oast House
stages as well as the The Shindig stage in the Campsite. Buskers Boulevard is to return
as well new features The Campsite Choir, Marching Bands, Fun Fair and Chil dren’s
Area. Audiences can see some great-established acts and well as emerging musical
talents that festival fans won’t always get the opportunity to see elsewhere. The Hop
Farm maintains its original 70s festival feel with its roots firmly set in creatin g a great
atmosphere. The festival will have a capacity of 10,000 this year allowing the
organisers to remain committed to delivering a fantastic weekend of music whilst
maintaining their No Sponsorship/Branding.

Weekend tickets will go on sale Monday 25t h March at 9am. The festival will introduce
a new *family ticket and will continue to offer the popular **teenage ticket:

• Weekend (no camping) £110
• Weekend (Camping) £135
• Family Weekend (no camping) £280
• Family Weekend (camping) £340
• Teenage Weekend (no Camping) £70
• Teenage Weekend (camping) £95
• Day Friday 5t h £65
• Day Saturday 6t h £65
• Family Day £195
• Teenager Day £35
• Weekend Campervan £70
• Disabled Tickets – are full price, carer goes free.
• Children – 13 and under go free (a ticket must be allocated)

*Family tickets – includes 2 adults and 2 teenagers
**Teenage - 14-18yrs old (ID must be produced)

For Tickets go to: http://hopfarmfestival.com//tickets/online
Powers Bar (www.powersbar.co.uk please hyperlink) are selling tickets at face value,
cash only.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theHopFarmMusicFestival
Twitter: www.twitter.com/hopfarmfestival
Website: www.hopfarmfestival.com


Press Information:
Lisa Baker.
Tel: + 44 (0)7768 310038
Email: Lisa@lisabakerltd.com

Award Winning Artist Gives Painting Lessons

Paintings by Peta Stockton - www.petastockton.com

Sevenoaks artist Peta Stockton is offering Watercolour and Acrylic painting lessons for both adults and children. She says:

Are you scared to splash oil paint on the living room carpet?
Is the kitchen table covered with kids homework and toys?
Do you want to buy paints, but have no clue what equipment you require?
And if you do have paints... have they been stuck in a drawer waiting to be used for the last 2 years???

and her solution is:

"Make the mess at mine!!!"

Adult tuition:

• Tuesday 
• 12:00 - 14:00
• 20:00 - 22:00 
• £15 per person for 2 hours  

Private tuition:  £30 an hour.

Groups of 2-5:  £15 per person per hour.

Children's Tuition:

MONDAY

15:45 - 17:15

TUESDAY

15:45 - 17:15

WEDNESDAY

15:45 - 17:15

£10 per child payable by term

with collection from Riverhead or Amherst including a light meal and a drink.

SATURDAY

10:00 - 11:30 Craft and Art (girls aged 4-10)

11:45 - 13:15 Art (girls aged 6-10)

13:30 - 15:00 Individual Art Projects (Children aged 9-16)

£9 per child on Saturday mornings if paid in advance, or £10 on the day.

Holiday art sessions and birthday parties also available. Please see the website for details.

Contact details:

Telephone: 07827 854241

Email: peta.stockton@me.com

Website: http://www.petastockton.com

MY FAVOURITE FINDS, talk by Geoff Burr of WKDC

This illustrated talk by Geoff Burr from the West Kent Detector Club will highlight some of the fascinating artefacts found during his time in archaeology and metal detecting and includes a display of finds from the Darent Valley, near Sevenoaks.

9th March 3:00 - 5:30 PM
Eden Valley Museum, Edenbridge High Street

Tickets  -£8
EVMT members - £7
Children under 16 - £2

Available from Edenbridge Bookshop or the Museum. Museum open hours will be extended for viewing the exhibition Lost and Found - artefacts found in the Eden Valley, which runs until May 18th.

Contact details:
  Jane Higgs
  01732 868102
  curator@evmt.org.uk

For more details see http://www.evmt.org.uk.

Classic Jazz and Soul at the Bullfinch

Sevenoaks drummer Billy Cunningham is playing at The Bullfinch in Riverhead, Sevenoaks on Thursday 7th March.

The Billy Cunningham Quartet will be playing live classic jazz and soul from 9pm.


http://www.billycunningham.co.uk

Walthamstow Hall Young Enterprise group celebrate win

Local students from Walthamstow Hall, who are running their own business under Young Enterprise's Company Programme, are celebrating after their successes in the Young Enterprise West-Kent Trade Fair competition and speaking competition.

Nova, Walthamstow Hall's Young Enterprise Company, comprised of 13 students aged 16 and 17, sell 100% cotton tote bags with unique black ink designs professionally printed on the front, mixing fashion with practicality.

The Trade Fair competition required knowledge of the company; members had to answer questions at their company display stand to impress three Young Enterprise judges and compete with other strong companies from schools in the local area, so the team were thrilled to win 1st place.

Elizabeth Brightwell-Gibbons also managed to gain second place in the tough speaking competition, making a compelling argument on the topic 'brand is no longer what we tell the consumer, it is what consumers tell each other it is - How has social media and the internet affected customers and businesses?'

This year has been very successful for the young entrepreneurs who are busy enjoying the many challenges the scheme offers.

Website:  http://novayecompany.wix.com/fashion

Music Jam Night at the Padwell

Open Mic/Jam nights have been started at the Padwell pub in Stone Street, Seal.

Thursday evenings from 8.30pm.

All are welcome to perform or just to listen.

For more information contact them on 01732 761532.

• The Padwell Arms
• Stone Street
• Sevenoaks
• Kent
• TN15 0LQ

http://www.thepadwell.com

Kentish Craft Fair this Saturday

Kentish Craft Fairs will be holding their spring event on Saturday 2nd March in the Plaza Suite of the STAG Theatre.

It is open from 10am 'til 3pm.

It will feature a variety of local produced crafts, foods and drinks including gifts suitable for both Mother's Day and Easter.

Teas and homemade cakes will be available along with activities for children.

Admission £1

For more information:

http://www.kentishcraftsfairs.co.uk/
http://www.twitter.com/@kentishcrafts

Book Now for Mother's Day at the Padwell

The Padwell pub in Stone Street, near Seal is taking bookings now for Mother's Day lunches on 10th March.

They are offering a 3 course set menu for £17.50 per person.

More information can be found on their website: http://www.thepadwell.com/mothering-sunday/

or by calling: 01732 761532

Final singer added to Tonight at the Opera lineup

Michael Dewis has been confirmed as the fourth and final singer on the bill for the Tonight at the Opera concert, due to be held at the Pamoja Hall, Sevenoaks School on the 20th March.

More information about the event can be found here:

http://sevenoaksnewswire.blogspot.com/2013/02/tonight-at-opera-at-pamoja-hall.html

Tonight at the Opera at Pamoja Hall

Tonight at the Opera

Venue: Pamoja Hall, The Space, Sevenoaks School, TN13 1HU
Date: 20th March 2013
Time: 7.30pm

A semi-staged gala concert featuring singers from the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, and Glyndebourne performing alongside student singers from Sevenoaks School. Expect to hear popular favourites, a couple of lesser-known pieces and a few contemporary surprises.

The Pamoja Hall is a state of the art concert hall in Sevenoaks, Kent which opened in 2010. It has over 400 seats, a beautiful timber roof and perfect acoustics. This one-off event will be an occasion to remember, with performances from world-class singers and showcasing the next generation of talent. This is a fundraising event. All proceeds will go towards a London touring production of Puccini's La Bohème in Autumn 2013.

Special Guests include:
 Ashely Catling
 Elizabeth Roberts
 Caryl Hughes
 Michael Dewis

Tickets: £20
www.sevenoaksschool.org/whats-on
boxoffice@sevenoaksschool.org
01732 467765

For more information: http://tinyurl.com/b9re4fr