Welcome On the brightside...
IN the words of our headline on the page 34 gardens feature: ‘Winter isn’t all dismal’.
If you are reading this in the freezing cold with darkness all
around or dark clouds up above, then perhaps you feel differently.
But this writer thinks winter is a brilliant season, with a
greater potential for dazzling blue skies and jaw dropping sunsets than at any other time of the year.
Once you pass the shortest day of the year – which comes
and goes welcomingly early in the season – there is a feeling that things are improving, with the days getting longer and the first buds of the year offering a sense of anticipation for a brighter future.
And what’s more, on average we receive less rainfall in the
winter than the summer months of barbecues and droughts. So with a little planning and early rising to ensure you make
the most of the daylight hours, winter days out can be just as fulfilling as the ones where you end up sunburnt and dehydrated.
Geocaching is a case in point. Instead of picking out stinging
nettles and overgrown weeds on your travels, you can pick out real-life treasure from places you never knew existed. Our page 22 feature gives you full details on this exciting modern outdoor hobby.
This edition also documents Chatham Dockyard’s regular
brush with the big screen, Aylesford’s many attractions and the traditional merits of English afternoon tea.
Enjoy. 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 www.downsmail.co.uk
Chairman: Claire Procter Editor: Stephen Eighteen Publishing Manager: Joanne Brown Sales Manager: Bill Brett Advertising Sales: Tel 01622 630330
Contents
Page 6-7 Interview with Fiona Wight
Page 8-12 Editor’s choice Page 14 Chatham dockyard Page 15 Motoring Page 16-19 24 hours in Aylesford Page 20-21 Theatre Page 22 Walks Page 24 Kids Page 25 Dining News Page 27-29 Senior Living Page 30-31 Health & beauty Page 32 Education Page 33 Finance Page 34-40 Homes & gardens Page 41 Competitions
Tel: 01622 843448
Georgian House, Warmlake Road, Chart Sutton, Maidstone, ME17 3RP
www.lilypiepaintsetc.com
Mid Kent Living 3
A unique boutique shopping experience in the heart of Kent. The shop, café and workshop venue is located in the village of Chart Sutton, just ten minutes from Maidstone Town Centre. In this newly renovated Georgian House you will find a wide range of furniture, home decorations, accessories, paints, fabrics, and bespoke painted furniture all sourced from independent suppliers in the South East and France. It’s the perfect place to meet, eat, shop, and get creative!
Open 7 days a week 10am - 4pm
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