NEWS
BOUTIQUE WINE HOTEL FOR MAIDSTONE
© Chris Mansfield
Maidstone Borough Council has accepted Balfour Winery entrepreneur Richard Balfour- Lynn ’ s proposal to develop plans to create a boutique wine hotel in the Archbishop ’ s Palace in the county town . One of Kent ’ s most historic buildings dating back to the 12th century , it has extensive gardens and outbuildings . The plan is to create three new buildings for luxury bedrooms in the grounds overlooking the River Medway and the River Len . The vision is to create a boutique hotel with restaurants and bars and state-of-the-art wedding and conference facilities . At the heart of the development , in the palace itself , will be a wine and viticultural educational centre . The key component of the whole enterprise is English wine and spirits with the focus on Kent-based producers and locally sourced food . The palace will remain open to the public as a well-loved historic site .
PADDLEBOARDING COMES TO RAMSGATE MAIN SANDS WITH LAUNCH OF NEW BEACH CONCESSION LESSONS AND SAFARI EXPERIENCES
Active Ramsgate has announced the launch of a new paddleboarding outlet in Ramsgate – with the opening of the first ever paddleboard beach concession on Ramsgate Main Sands . Located on the beach next to Coasters Café Bar , this new concession is run by Ramsgatebased Kite Pirates Kite & SUP School and offers paddleboard hire , lessons and small group guided paddles . With a team of professional and highly experienced BSUPA certified instructors , Kite Pirates is the go-to SUP school in Kent . Paddleboards are available for hire for £ 15 per hour inclusive of lifejacket , with Kite Pirates also offering paddleboarding lessons . The school is open seven days a week on calm days .
THE RSPB BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH 2022 RESULTS FOR KENT ARE REVEALED
This year , over 25,000 Kentish residents joined the 700,000 nationally to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch , counting more than 11 million birds . The Big Garden Birdwatch is the world ’ s largest wildlife survey and gives RSPB scientists insights into how our garden birds are faring . Now in its 43rd year , RSPB ’ s Big Garden Birdwatch is a chance for people of all ages to count the number of birds that visit their garden helping the RSPB get a snapshot of how they are doing .
In Kent , the house sparrow took the top spot , followed closely by starling and wood pigeon . Kent also saw a big rise in the number of jays recorded and a glimmer of hope for the red-listed greenfinch .
SHEPHERD NEAME TEAMS UP WITH LOCAL BEE FARM TO LAUNCH NEW LIMITED EDITION HONEY ALE
Shepherd Neame is hoping discerning drinkers will swarm to its pubs to enjoy the newest Cask Club nectar on offer : May Bee ( ABV 4.3 %). A golden-amber honey ale , May Bee offers delicate malt and sweet honey flavours , balanced with peppery spice and fruit notes . Crystal malt gives this ale a deep golden hue , with oats used to create a smooth mouth feel . UK Cascade hops combine with Target and Challenger to give floral and citrus aromas , balancing out the sweet honey . The honey was sourced locally from Paynes Bee Farm , a family run business nestled in the village of Hassocks , Sussex . Started in 1922 , Paynes is famed for its polyhives , a modern alternative to traditional wooden hives , and celebrates its centenary this year .
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