NEWS
MEET JUDE: THE NEWEST ARRIVAL AT PORT LYMPNE RESERVE
PROJECTS TO OPEN NEW COWORKING SPACE IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Brighton-based operator Projects is set to open a new coworking hub in Tunbridge Wells this summer, marking its first expansion outside the city.
Located on Crescent Road, the design-led workspace will cater to freelancers, founders, start-ups and growing businesses, with facilities designed to support focused work and day-to-day productivity.
Port Lympne Reserve has welcomed its first giraffe calf since 2018, fittingly named Jude after England football star Jude Bellingham, following her perfectly timed arrival during a weekend of World Cup excitement.
Jude’ s arrival is a major conservation milestone, marking Port Lympne’ s first giraffe birth in seven years. Born on Saturday 11 July, just hours before England’ s victory over Norway, Jude is a Nubian calf standing 5ft 8in tall. She has already captured the hearts of her keepers.
Nubian giraffes are among the world’ s most threatened giraffe subspecies, making every successful birth an important contribution to the international conservation breeding programme and another positive step towards safeguarding the future of the species.
“ Welcoming the first giraffe born at Port Lympne since 2018 is an incredibly special moment, not just for everyone here but for giraffe conservation in the UK,” said Tony Kelly, managing director.“ These first few weeks are a delicate time for both mum and calf, so we’ re giving them all the care and space they need. Our keepers are with them constantly and although it’ s still early days, we’ re delighted with how Jude is progressing and we look forward to our guests meeting her this summer.”
The space will include private offices for teams of between three and 93, alongside coworking memberships, dedicated desks and meeting rooms. Shared facilities will include an event space and a stretch studio offering yoga and Pilates classes.
Founded in Brighton, Projects operates workspaces with a focus on functionality, service and member experience, supporting a mix of independent professionals and businesses.
“ We’ re incredibly excited to be opening in Tunbridge Wells and to become part of the community here,” said managing director, Alex Young.“ For us, this is not just about opening a new building, it’ s about creating a place that feels welcoming, inspiring and genuinely useful to the businesses and individuals who chose to base themselves here.”
KENT FARMER WINS TOP CONSERVATION AWARD
Andrew Lingham of Court Farm in Upper Haling near Rochester has been awarded The Country Land and Business Association’ s( CLA) Emsden Trophy.
The award recognises and celebrates rural landowners and businesses across England and Wales. Supported by BTF Partnership, it is presented in memory of Brigadier Brian Emsden, the Kent & East Sussex CLA Regional Secretary during the 1980s who died while in post.
The Lingham family have been farming at Court Farm for three generations, while Court Farm Butchery & Country Larder has become a well-known brand in North Kent since opening to the public in the 1990s.
Andrew was recognised for transforming a conventional high-input farm into a lowinput, self-sufficient one with a focus on removing reliance on artificial nitrogen and improving soil health. Alongside growing milling wheat, oilseed rape and grazing cattle, he has developed new markets for farm produce through the site’ s farm shop, brewery and pop-up pizza venue.
“ Andrew is a fantastic example of how a truly local food system can thrive,” said advisor Jack Scott, who nominated the Linghams for this award.“ From field to fork, everything is kept as local as possible. Beef reared on the farm is sold through the butcher’ s shop, homegrown grains are used for brewing, livestock are integrated into the farming system and the diversified farm courtyard has become both a destination for exceptional local food and a valuable community hub.”
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