NEWS
RECORD BREAKING YEAR FOR HEVER CASTLE VISITORS
Hever Castle & Gardens topped its best ever visitor numbers in 2022 , a record breaking year which saw nearly 420,000 people visit the childhood home of Anne Boleyn , an increase of 8 % on the previous year .
Visitors to the castle and gardens were able to enjoy the first in a series of exhibitions detailing the life and times of Anne Boleyn , 500 years to the day she made her debut at court in 1522 , as well as having the chance to be creative with new event , Art Week , which including painting competitions , mosaic digs and creating bookmarks .
Hever Castle & Gardens CEO , Duncan Leslie , said : “ Considering the events of the last few years I am particularly happy to report a record breaking year for visitor numbers at Hever Castle & Gardens . Thank you so much to our regular visitors for their ongoing support and also those who chose to come and visit for the first time . The record numbers are down to the hard work and commitment of all of our staff across the departments , who strive to ensure those who come here have excellent customer service ."
TUNBRIDGE WELLS LAWYER VOTED FOR 2ND TERM
John Spence , property litigation partner at the Tunbridge Wells-based law firm CooperBurnett LLP , has been voted in for a second term as President of the Tunbridge Wells , Tonbridge and District Law Society ( TWTDLS ), while senior associate Sarah Strong from its Private Client team also remains on the council .
John had a successful first year in office which included a number of social events and seminars , as well as a well-attended dinner in November , which raised £ 1,500 for Demelza Hospice Care For Children ; a figure that was price matched by the partners at CooperBurnett .
The TWTDLS was founded in May 1933 by local solicitors practising in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge . Led by a committee elected annually , it offers support to local solicitors and other legal professionals , including networking , training and social events , while also representing the local members in consultations with The Law Society , Solicitors Regulation Authority and other government bodies . In addition to solicitors , the membership also includes paralegals , trainees , legal executives , barristers and in-house counsel .
“ I am proud to be President for a second year ,” says John . “ Our events throughout the past year have been well attended and we ’ ve already got a date scheduled in for a quiz night in March .”
HISTORIC GRAVESEND PIER GIVEN £ 800,000 REFURBISHMENT
The Port of London Authority ( PLA ) is investing £ 800,000 in replacing the roof and refurbishing the interior of Royal Terrace Pier , Gravesend , a Grade II listed building that dates from the 1840s . Work began in September 2022 and the roof replacement is due to be completed in April 2023 .
Royal Terrace Pier is the base for vessels in the PLA ’ s pilotage , hydrographic and harbour service operations . The pier is also home to Gravesend lifeboat station , which is manned 24 hours a day .
PLA ’ s Civil Engineer Nick Jordan said : “ This is a major refurbishment , which is being fully managed by the PLA ’ s Civil Engineering team . The project includes the use of local roofing specialists and uses Welsh slate , which is in keeping with the original materials used on this important and historic building . Once this is completed , the interior will be refurbished which will secure the future use of the building .”
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