insideKENT Magazine Issue 100 - August 2020 | Page 88

NEWS BREAKING GROUND: WORK BEGINS AT CHATHAM GRAMMAR Work has begun on an exciting £2.3M project at Chatham Grammar. The ground-breaking went ahead on the build, which is expected to be completed by November 2020, that is set to make huge improvements to the learning conditions at the academy. The government-funded project, which will see a new contemporary, stand-alone, two-storey teaching block replace three existing outdated buildings, will provide the academy community with new innovative spaces for learning. Munday + Cramer, who worked with the academy to secure funding for the scheme through the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), will manage the project through to completion alongside contractors, New World Builders Ltd. Karl Curnock, project manager from Munday + Cramer said, “We are very happy to have broken ground on the Chatham Grammar build. We have worked on this project from the start of the proposal, through the application process and we are excited to see the difference the facility can make to the education for these young people and their families”. L-R: DAVE WEST - SITE MANAGER, NEW WORLD BUILDERS LTD., STEPHEN FEAREY - MANAGING DIRECTOR, NEW WORLD BUILDERS LTD., PHIL MCROBBIE - CONTRACT MANAGER, NEW WORLD BUILDERS LTD., WENDY WALTERS - ACADEMY PRINCIPAL, CHATHAM GRAMMAR, KARL CURNOCK - PROJECT MANAGER, M+C Judy Rider, CEO of The University of Kent Academies Trust added, "I am really pleased to see much deserved investment in new teaching facilities, at the growing and popular Chatham Grammar. The new buildings are yet another marker in the vibrant and transformational journey of the academy since it came under the strategic leadership of the University of Kent in 2017, and signals a new phase in CG’s hundred year old history, complementing the significant rise in standards and achievement placing it in the top of the Medway Grammar School league tables". THE BARNYARD UNVEILS NEW THE APPLE BARN AND COURTYARD WEDDING VENUE Popular wedding venue The Barnyard, nr Sittingbourne, has used lockdown to complete an inspired renovation project resulting in an exciting new separate wedding area within its grounds. Totally different to the existing wedding offering, the building’s fairy lightstrung interior oak rafters and festoon lit exterior will offer guests a beautiful rustic setting for intimate inside weddings, as well as outside nuptials in the beautiful CourtYard gazebo and stunningly lit twilight ceremonies. The Apple Barn, which can host twilight wedding ceremonies of up to 100 guests with up to 200 guests being invited in the evening, has been fitted out with state of the art DJ and lighting equipment, with the decks set high above the dance floor situated within a darkened booth which looks down onto wedding guests. Whilst the pretty outside area offers a Tuscan feel, with numerous olive trees planted in terracotta pots dotted around including the grand-daddy olive tree which takes pride of place in the CourtYard surrounded by the pale orange brickwood of the old barns. JAM ON THE MARSH: VIRTUAL Romney Marshes’ much loved JAM on the Marsh festival has revealed its plans to go virtual this summer. Catch nine new concerts and three sensational exhibitions, featuring outstanding artists from across the UK and beyond, online between 6th - 15th August. Festival highlights include the world premiere of Paul Mealor’s Piano Concerto by the London Mozart Players, Gesualdo Six performing Fauré’s Requiem and British jazz from Onyx Brass. Enjoy unmissable virtual exhibitions by award-winning photographer Tristan Fewings, breath-taking drone photography by Carsten Birkebaek of Jon Foreman’s Beach Art and stunning night photography by Susan Pilcher. Suitable for all the events are available for free at www.jamconcert.org 88