insideKENT Issue 171 - JULY 2026 | Page 192

STORY
NEWS
GIRLINGS SOLICITORS ANNOUNCES NEW CHARITY PARTNER FOR 2026
Girlings Solicitors has announced a new two-year charity partnership with Kent Neuro Therapy Centre, a Canterbury-based organisation supporting people living with neurological conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’ s and the after-effects of a stroke.
HADLOW COLLEGE WINS SILVER AT RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
Hadlow College has been awarded a Silver medal at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show for an innovative garden inspired by the mathematical patterns found in nature.
The accolade continues the college’ s recent success at Chelsea, following a Bronze medal in 2024 and a Silver-Gilt medal in 2025. This year’ s exhibit, The Magic Number, was designed and built with support from students and explores the relationship between mathematics, the natural world and our perception of beauty.
The garden draws on concepts including the golden ratio and the Fibonacci sequence; patterns that can be seen in flower petals, seed arrangements and branching trees.
Kent Neuro Therapy Centre provides vital therapies, practical support and wellbeing services for individuals and families affected by neurological conditions. Its work includes aquatic physiotherapy, Pilates and a range of holistic therapies designed to help manage the symptoms of long-term health conditions.
As part of the partnership, Girlings will organise a programme of fundraising events and activities, with staff participating in a range of initiatives to support the charity’ s work. The firm hopes the collaboration will not only raise vital funds but also increase awareness of the neurological conditions affecting many people across Kent.
“ It is a privilege for us to support Kent Neuro Therapy Centre as our charity partner for the next two years,” said Charlotte Nock, managing partner at Girlings Solicitors.“ Partnerships like this make a real difference, enabling us to continue delivering our support to those living with neurological conditions. We look forward to working together over the next two years.”
Featuring around 4,000 plants, many of which were grown by Hadlow College students, the display showcased a diverse and carefully curated planting scheme.
“ We are incredibly proud to receive a Silver medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show,” said Ian Fleming, head gardener at Hadlow College.“ Just being part of Chelsea is an honour in itself; it’ s the top of gardening. For our students, this has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the very highest level of horticulture and garden design. They have worked incredibly hard on every aspect of the garden and the experience they have gained will be invaluable for their future careers and higher education.”
THE LYNDHURST PORTRAIT OF ANNE BOLEYN RETURNS TO THE UK
A rarely seen portrait of Anne Boleyn has arrived at Hever Castle, where it is now on display as part of the Capturing a Queen exhibition.
On loan from New York, the so-called Lyndhurst Portrait offers visitors a rare chance to view one of the most intriguing depictions of Anne and to consider how her image has been interpreted, repeated and reshaped over centuries.
The painting is traditionally associated with the Flemish-born artist Johannes Corvus, recorded as working in England during the 1520s. Over the years, the portrait has passed through several owners before becoming part of the Lyndhurst estate in the United States.
Recent research has connected the work to a photograph taken in 1926 at the Howard Young Gallery, depicting a painting of Anne Boleyn that matches the Lyndhurst panel. Ahead of its display at Hever Castle, the portrait underwent extensive conservation work that restored much of its original appearance. During the process, conservators uncovered evidence of several past restoration attempts. With these additions removed, the portrait now bears an even closer resemblance to the original photograph.
Displayed within the historic surroundings of Hever Castle, the painting becomes part of a wider conversation about memory, identity and representations. Visitors are invited to look closely, compare and question not only how Anne Boleyn may have appeared, but also how her image has been carefully shaped across generations. www. insidekent. co. uk • 193