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Britpop stars at village picnic


BRITPOP sensation and multi- platinum selling band Cast is to headline the Vicar’s Picnic – the Yalding-based music festival which this year takes place on the banks of the Medway. After a sell-out two years at Con- gelow, this year’s event moves to land near The Lees – and swells to a two-day fest of rhythm and rock. For the first time ever, the festi-


val is offering camping and “glamping” facilities. Cast, a Liverpudlian band known as “The Who of the 90s” has been lauded by the likes of Noel Gallagher and its booking is the icing on the cake of an event packed with some of Britain’s best cover bands and up-and-coming stars. The hugely popular local band


The Parkas – starring Marden brothers Mark and Paul Crisp – headline on Friday, August 28, with The Skatonics, Coco & The Butterfields, Dana Immanuel and The Stolen Band in support. Saturday sees Guns 2 Roses, Congo Faith Healers, Cass and Rime Suspex, aswell as the highly- rated Doncaster band John McCul-


lagh and the Escorts among sup- port acts for Cast, who will ensure the festival goes out with a bang on the Saturday night. Last year’s event attracted 700


music lovers but, with a change of venue and extra date, organisers expect to more than double the number of visitors. The Vicar’s Picnic grew from a


germ of an idea mooted by Yalding music lover and showbiz photog- rapher Dave King. Dave said: “This has been a big learning curve. It has turned from a personal obsession into a full-time job.” The bigger, bolder event requires


much more in terms of safety and security, but Dave said: “It will be worth it. We are trying to bring a tiny bit of Glastonbury to the peo- ple of Kent.” The Vicar’s Picnic takes place on


The Lees, Yalding, over two days. Tickets are priced from £12 to


£25 for adults, and are available from www.vicarspicnic.co.uk. The profits raised will help buy


a defibrillator for Yalding surgery and support the work of Demelza Children’s Hospice.


Working to save bees


A HEADCORN man is one of seven apprentices aiming to save Britain’s bee farming business. History of art graduate Richard Cooper (pictured) joined his father at


Beult Bee Farm in Headcorn two years ago, under a pilot scheme with Rowse Honey. He and the six other young people


have undertaken on-the-job and aca- demic training which has now led to the launch of the “Bee a Beefarmer” ap- prenticeship scheme. Each apprentice will be trained by the


Bee Farmers Association (BFA) and be awarded the Excellence in Bee Farming diploma from theWorshipful Company ofWax Chandlers upon completion. The number of commercial beehives


in the UK has declined by73%over the last century and the average bee farmer in Britain today is 66 years old. Experts say Britain has just 25% of the hives it needs to future-proof


the country’s bee count, so Rowse wants to recruit 20 apprentices over the next three years, each of whom could manage 100 hives. Applicants interested in taking up commercial bee-farming can visit www.rowsehoney.co.uk/beeabeefarmer for details.


Almshouse offer


THERE is a vacancy for a non- smoking single resident in Peace Cottages Almshouses in West Street, Hunton. Those interested over the age of


55, preferably with a connection to Hunton should call Ruth Porter on 01622 820200 or Roger Sawtell on 01622 820731.


Glamping plan


A SIX-TENT glamping site could be established in East Sutton.The proposal for Friday Street Farm includes the con- version of a vacant agricultural building to tourist facilities. Maidstone Council will de- cide the planning application.


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