Kent , we have made it .
We have reached ‘ Level December of 2020 ’ – and what a rollercoaster it has been !
We ’ ve played lockdown hokey-cokey ( are we in , are we out , are we shaking it all about ?!). We ’ ve stayed home . We ’ ve eaten out to help out . We ’ ve clapped . We ’ ve been furloughed . We ’ ve been teachers ( what a special hell that was ). We ’ ve learnt ( the hard way ) that a Joe Wicks PE sess is much harder than it sounds ( and that a sports bra is a definite must !); that home baking really does last a minute on the lips and the next 9 months on the hips ; and that we are indeed fortunate to live in the Garden of England .
And , that we are all an amazingly resilient and wonderful county of goodness .
We have joined the ‘ Help Kent Buy Local ’ movement . We have supported our local independent businesses . We have proudly flown the flag for our great home county .
And now , dear readers , clients , colleagues , friends , and family it is time to celebrate in style this Christmas – goodness knows we ’ ve earned it !
Our social shenanigans may be paused , our traditions facing yet another u-turn , but we can all still enjoy a truly Kentish Christmas … and we ’ re here to help you do just that !
For this issue is packed with all you need to have a happy Kentmas …
We bring you wintery walks in association with Kent Staycation on p15 ; have your yuletide ’ s top Kentish reads on p20 ; and have answered your boredom woes with our fun-for-all-the-family board games from p25 .
We have some last minute gift suggestions including gifts that will keep giving all year round on p41 ; and some that make an extra charitable difference on p160 .
In keeping with our ‘ Keep it Kent ’ campaign , we bring you even more ways to shop local from p49 ; and we ’ ve even planned your food and drink too !
A Kentish Feast from p71 showcases some truly inspired recipes brought to you from our county ’ s renowned chefs , producers and suppliers – with your wine pairing taken care of by English wine champs , Corkk .
Discover your perfect place settings and tablescaping top tips on p127 ; give your tree some T ( ree ) LC on p149 ; and bring some white calm to your home haven from p146 .
To ensure you get properly into the Christmas spirit , we have a whole feature dedicated to the good stuff ! Artisan Kentish producers , home bar necessities , the must-have spirits of the season ; and , we ’ ve even thrown in some celebratory cocktails too , courtesy of WILD BOX ! Catch it all from p86 .
And … to make your Christmas even better … insideKENT ’ s Great Christmas Gift Giveaway is back !!!
# TEAMSIDEWAYS , BACK WHEN CHRISTMAS WORK DO ’ S WERE ACTUALLY A THING !
That ’ s right , one lucky insideKENT reader will win over £ 3,000 ’ s worth of top Kentish gifts , all in time for Christmas – find out how to enter on p31 !
All that remains is for me , on behalf of all of us at iKHQ , to raise my glass * and wish you all a safe and happy Kentish Christmas !
Merry Kentmas All
* erm possibly 4th glass of chocolate orange espresso martini …. Well it is CHHHHRRRRRIIIIISSSSSTMAAAAAAS ! www . insidekentmagazine . co . uk
@ insideKENT
Publisher Adam Ready Editor Samantha Ready Features Editor Sara Stephen Editorial Assistant Alison Kettle Features Writer Jess Marshall Senior Designer Dave Leo Yogore Graphic Designer Lorna Morris Graphic Designer Kareena Ross-Cumming Senior Account Manager Jerry Barrett Account Manager Nadene Weed Account Manager Anna Lockyer Administration Manager & Fashion Editor Karlene Gannon Contributors Abbas Kanani , Adam Turley , Allister Barsby , Burlanes , Chetna Makan , Clive Barlow , Delia-Maria Asser , Dobbies , Emma Thornton , Gena Lorainne , Jane Beadle , Jenna Hope , John Howe Turkeys , Karen Roberts , Korkers Sausages , Mark Stevens , Ray Clear , Rick Schofield , Rooks , Sarah Crichton , Sarah Freeman , Sarah Jarvis , The Curious Eatery Cover © Produced in Kent
insideKENT Magazine is published by Sideways Media Ltd , Coachworks , Dover Place , Ashford , Kent TN23 1HU www . sidewaysmedia . co . uk For general enquiries , please contact hello @ sidewaysmedia . co . uk or 01233 226519
For all advertising enquiries , please contact Adam Ready on 01233 226519 or email adam @ sidewaysmedia . co . uk For all editorial enquiries , press releases or news stories , please contact insidekent @ sidewaysmedia . co . uk
© Copyright 2020 . The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher . Neither the publisher nor any other person associated with the production and publication of this magazine make any guarantees , warranties or claims as to the accuracy , currency or truthfulness of any of the contents of this magazine . No part of this magazine may be copied , reproduced or transmitted in any form without the publisher ’ s written consent . No responsibility is taken for unsolicited editorial , images or photographs published . While every care is taken , prices and details are subject to change and the publisher takes no responsibility for omissions or errors . Publisher is not responsible for any variation in image colour due to printing processes .
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