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Welcome


The autumn after the summer before


ON any given day during the latter half of summer 2012 you could have sifted through pretty much every national newspaper and seen a string of superlatives in all their warm glory.


Words such as excitement, pride, heroism, passion, fun;


words that are usually only used in aspiration provided supporting evidence of the overwhelmingly positive effect of the London Olympics and Paralympics.


And rightly so, though one sensation that was less often


voiced amid the widespread hallowed prose was that of relief. For many people, simply hosting events of such magnitude without a hitch, or at least one terminally humiliating incident, was an achievement in itself.


So there were those who were relieved that it was all over;


those who recognised that the Games were enjoyable, momentous, wondrous etc etc, but who felt that, deep down, the mundanity of normal life – exclusive of the fear of failure in front of a worldwide audience every day – was actually rather nice and comforting.


We hope that you can take a similar kind of solace now that the nights are getting darker and weather is getting colder. Our interview with Jimmy Corbin offers some kind of perspective. As one of our few Battle of Britain pilots still alive, the 95-year- old would have experienced moments of such fear while he defended our shores that the thought of enjoying the greatest show on Earth must have seemed the last thing on his mind.


This edition also contains our usual mix of features to help you make the most of your leisure time in Mid Kent.


Stephen Eighteen Covering the Mid Kent towns


Mid Kent Living is published every three months with a free circulation in Maidstone, Medway, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Malling, Ashford and Sittingbourne. It is available at pick-up points throughout the area. Subscription copies are posted (£6 annually).


Mid Kent Living is available at an increasing number of pick-up points. Call 01622 630330 for details.


The team Mid Kent Living is published by Mail Publications Ltd


(which also publishes the Downs Mail newspaper), Forge House, Bearsted Green Business Park, Bearsted, Maidstone, ME14 4DT. Tel: 01622 630330 Fax 01622 631131 email info@downsmail.co.uk


Chairman: Claire Procter Editor: Stephen Eighteen Sales Manager: Bill Brett Advertising Sales: Tel 01622 630330


Celebrating 150 Years of Kent come and meet www.downsmail.co.uk


Page 12 Explore the making of Tunbridge Wells


Page 13 The perfect cup of coffee


Page 14 Discover the urban wonders of the River Medway


Page 15 Family Fun


Page 18 Enjoy the autumn splendour of Emmetts


Page 19-29 Dreaming of Christmas Page 30-33 Health & Beauty Page 34-35 Education Page 36-42 Homes & Gardens Page 41 Competitions


Contents


Page 4-5 Jimmy Corbin DFC, Maidstones very own WWII hero


Page 6-11 Editor’s choice events


Sunday For more details and to book online visit


WWII experience and relive the events that brought our nation together!


Join us for our fascinating www.kentlife.org.uk Kent Life, Lock Lane, Kent ME14 3AU. Junction 6 of the M20. T: 01622 763936


25 November Thomas the Tank Engine &


The Fat Controller will be making personal appearances at intervals throughout the day.


Adults £7, Children £5, Concessions £6. Members come for FREE. © 2012 Gullane (Thomas) Limited. A HIT Entertainment Company. Mid Kent Living 3


HOME FRONT


CHRISTMAS ON THE


Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 November beNot to missed


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