insideKENT Magazine Issue 109 - May 2021 | Page 149

GRAVESEND SC ’ S YOUNGEST COMMODORE CONTINUES FAMILY TRADITION
Gravesend Sailing Club has announced the appointment of their new commodore Harriet Davies-Mullan .
NEWS
At 31 Harriet , who is also Honorary Vice President of the Gravesend Sea Cadets , is its youngest commodore to date and is the third generation of her family to become commodore ; her grandfather , James ( Jim ) Twyman , joined in 1946 and was commodore twice , with parents Steve and Penny Davies also holding the post .
Sailing is very much in the family , with Harriet ’ s son Edward starting sailing at just three days old last summer .
Situated at the gateway to the tidal Thames , Gravesend Sailing Club is particularly well suited to those wishing to learn how to sail . Harriet explained : “ You definitely don ’ t have to own a boat , the club has sailing dinghies available for members to hire and there will always be someone keen to take you out either on a dinghy or cruiser . The club also runs RYA training courses which are targeted at newcomers to this sport as well as those wishing to improve their skills .
“ Sailing is one of those sports that is ideal to undertake in our present climate . It is outside , people can easily distance and of course being on the river there is plenty of fresh air for everyone . It ’ s a very good form of exercise and excellent for the health and wellbeing of our members . With the new season commenced in April , we are looking forward to welcoming even more new members and visitors this year .”
LAUNCH OF THE INAUGURAL HOTEL WEEK LONDON – 28 MAY - 6 JUNE 2021
Aimed at promoting and supporting the reopening of London ’ s finest hotels post lockdown , Hotel Week London will bring together a diverse and exciting collection of London hotels from all corners of the capital – all offering superb discounted rates and unique value-added packages with the aim of enticing Londoners and British travellers to explore London once again .
Guests will be able to book to stay at any time during this week to redeem exclusive offers and rates , with bookings opening in April .
Participating properties include luxury hotels such as DUKES London in the heart of St James ’, the Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill in Portman Square , the Corinthia and the Dorchester , as well as more affordable options , including The Tower Hotel , The Standard , Ruby Lucy Hotel and Mama Shelter London Shoreditch . As well as offering exclusive rates available during Hotel Week London only , each of the 35 participating hotels has designed its own experience or added value activity , ranging from pizza-making classes , transfers by vintage car from London stations , to room upgrades , Michelin-starred dining and cocktailcreation classes .
For further information on Hotel Week London , to view the available offers and to book your stay and support London ’ s reopening visit www . hotelweeklondon . co . uk .
SHOPPERS ENCOURAGED TO SAY ‘ HI !’ TO THEIR LOCAL HIGH STREETS
Local residents and visitors are being encouraged to support the shops , cafes , pubs , restaurants , and salons in four of the Tunbridge Wells borough high streets now that coronavirus restrictions have eased .
‘ Say Hi to your High Street ’ aims to encourage people to support local businesses in Hawkhurst , Cranbrook , Paddock Wood and Southborough with the goals of : encouraging people to shop safely and locally , attracting new visitors , restoring confidence and ultimately boosting footfall and spend , and emphasising the wonderfully diverse local high streets to help ensure their viability as places to shop , relax and explore .
Nell Price , of Arty Farty Retreat in Southborough , commented : “ Arty Farty Retreat has almost been closed for longer than we ’ ve been open . It ’ s been devastating after such a good summer in 2020 , the break between lockdowns . The more people locally who can support small businesses like mine over the next year or even two , will be the difference in the studio closing or staying open for the future . With more people than ever working from home , hopefully they will be willing to explore what Southborough has to offer and spend their leisure time there .”
Lisa Edwards of Hawkhurst interiors and gift store , Ooh How Lovely , added : “ Business for my shop has been a total experience of learning to adapt . It ’ s vital to have local support but also be available and offer adapted services when situations change .”
‘ Say Hi to your High Street ’, which began in April , will run for 10 weeks giving each high street two key focus weekends ; a ‘ spotlight ’ weekend and a treasure hunt weekend , with the chance to win prizes donated by the traders , with former BBC South East presenter , Rob Smith , capturing the return to the high street on film .
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