NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR LEEDS CASTLE FOUNDATION
The Board of the Leeds Castle Foundation is delighted to announce that Helen Bonser-Wilton has been appointed as its new chief executive . Helen is currently chief executive of the Mary Rose Trust in Portsmouth , where she has led its transformation from long term project into a successful and sustainable business .
Leeds Castle in Kent , regarded by many as ‘ the loveliest castle in the world ’, is one of the nation ’ s most popular attractions with more than half a million visitors every year . After what has been a very challenging year for the Castle like every other heritage site , Mrs Bonser-Wilton ’ s appointment is seen as the start of another exciting chapter in its long and distinguished history .
Her successes at the Mary Rose include the development of new visitor experiences , building on the Trust ’ s archaeological and scientific reputation and the launch of a new joint trading venture with Portsmouth Historic Dockyard . She brings a strong background in commercial businesses and the management of heritage attractions , including 13 years at the National Trust .
Helen succeeds Sir David Steel who led the team at Leeds Castle for five successful years , including the celebration of its 900th anniversary . Last year Sir
David was appointed by HM the Queen as the Governor of Gibraltar .
Niall Dickson CBE , the chairman of the Leeds Castle Foundation , the charity responsible for the Castle and its estate said : ‘ We are very much looking forward to Helen joining us in March . She brings a wealth of experience and a great track record . Leeds Castle enriches the lives of our many visitors and guests and Helen ’ s arrival will enable us to build on what has been achieved and create an exciting future , preserving this national icon and developing the experience for everyone who comes here .’
Helen added : ‘ I am delighted to be joining the team at Leeds Castle in March and to have the opportunity to drive forward a strategic vision for this astonishingly beautiful and much-loved heritage site . Leeds Castle is a key player in the Kent and South East visitor economy , but the COVID-19 crisis has wrought huge damage on our income . As a charity that relies on income from visitors , we need the support of the public more than ever now to care for this extraordinary place . We will be developing our offer to encourage more visiting during this season , as well as caring for the unique heritage assets so that future generations can enjoy them as much as the current generation ’.
PRESTIGIOUS SCHOOL AWARDS FOR KENT STUDENTS
Now in its 11th year , Kent-based housebuilder Millwood Designer Homes has rewarded 5 talented students in Kent , as part of its prestigious annual Encouragement Pack initiative , which rewards the hard work and dedication from students at a selection of secondary schools across Kent and East Sussex .
The talented students include Tigris Were from King Ethelbert School in Birchington-on-Sea , who set up his own business during lockdown 1 to create and sell handmade fabric face masks to his local community to raise money for his local food bank . The other students rewarded for their outstanding achievements were Charis Omer from Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School , Amy Green from Hillview School for Girls and Ben Gadd & Thomas Price from The Skinners ’ School in Royal Tunbridge Wells .
Whilst the annual awards ceremonies were unable to take place in person , it didn ’ t stop the students ’ incredible achievements from being recognised . The students were each presented with their prizes ; an engraved trophy , a £ 50 book token and a £ 50 cheque , by their teachers on behalf of Millwood Designer Homes .
AMY GREEN WITH HILLARY BURKETT , HILLVIEW SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
CHATHAM-BUILT RESOLUTE DESK FOR THE WHITE HOUSE ?
The Historic Dockyard Chatham watched keenly as new US President , Joe Biden , took up residency in The White House for a very historic reason … for he decided to choose the Resolute Desk .
The President ’ s desk in the Oval Office is at the centre of every presidency . Each President has 6 desks from which to make his choice , with the oak Resolute Desk , which was presented by Queen Victoria to the U . S . President Rutherford B . Hayes in 1880 as a gesture of thanks for the rescue and return of Resolute , being used by all but three Presidents .
HMS Resolute was part of a four-ship squadron under Edward Belcher sent in the early 1850s to search for famed English explorer Sir John Franklin , who was searching for the Northwest Passage to Asia . After running into difficulties in the Arctic ice the Resolute was abandoned , but later rescued by an American fishing vessel and purchased by US Congress . Once refitted she was presented to Queen Victoria in 1856 as a token of peace and marked the special relationship between the USA and the UK .
When the ship was decommissioned in 1879 , at least three desks were made from its oak timbers , built by William Evenden , a skilled joiner at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham .
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