NEWS
NEW KENT WEDDING VENUE CELEBRATES AWARDS WIN
© James Richard Photography
Less than a year after opening its doors , Kent wedding and events venue Chapel House Estate has been named as the Hospitality and Events Start Up of the Year at the South East finals of the StartUp Awards 2023 .
Blending seamlessly into the Kentish countryside , Chapel House Estate , the luxury , family-run independent wedding and events venue , which is located in Minster and opened in July 2022 , was built from the ground up by owner Darren Ellis and has everything couples need for their perfect wedding day .
weddings and events , as well as nine hideaway lodges , enabling 34 people to stay at the estate .
The awards , which took place in June , recognised Chapel Place Estate for its transformation and success in becoming a destination wedding and events venue .
“ I ’ m so proud of everything my team and I have achieved in such a short space of time . This award goes to everyone involved in the project from contractors to front and back of house staff ,” says Darren Ellis , owner of Chapel House Estate .
© William Harley Photography
The sympathetically restored 732-yearold chapel , which now boasts five bedrooms ideal for housing the bridal party before and after the big day , is surrounded by 35 acres , with couples able to wed in the lovingly converted old malt granary , the romantic gardens or the orchards . The estate also has its own No 9 Restaurant with a changing locally sourced menu catering for
“ I feel very proud to open such a beautiful venue and to become a custodian of such a charming , precious and ancient Grade II listed flint and stone-built building now made available with some serious investment for weddings , events and stays . We can ’ t wait to welcome you to our now award-winning best wedding and events venue in Thanet !”
MAIDSTONE MUSEUM CELEBRATES NHS AT 75
To mark 75 years of the NHS , Maidstone Borough Council ( MBC ) is showcasing the fantastic work of the service with a free exhibition at Maidstone Museum which will be open to the public until 14 October .
Maidstone Museum ’ s Helping Health – 75 Years of the NHS exhibition includes personal memories of people who have worked for the service over the years and looks at what was available in the way of healthcare before the NHS , how it was formed , the services available now and the difference in the equipment available then and now for clinicians .
Officially opening the exhibition , Mayor of Maidstone , Cllr Gordon Newton said : “ I was delighted to open Maidstone Museum ’ s ‘ Helping Health – 75 Years of the NHS Exhibition ’ which is a wonderful way for us to pay tribute and celebrate the great service we have . I am so pleased that it includes the memories of local people who were at the heart of the service in Maidstone and we can hear and see how it has changed over the years .”
Maidstone Museum ’ s ‘ Helping Health – NHS at 75 ’ exhibition is open free of charge until Saturday 14 October . To find out opening times , more on events and exhibitions visit : www . museum / maidstone . gov . uk .
ASHFOOD ! ELWICK PLACE ’ S FIRST FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL IS A SWEET SUCCESS
‘ ASHFOOD !’, Elwick Place ’ s inaugural family food and drink festival , has been hailed a huge success as over 1,000 visitors enjoyed food and drink from numerous local vendors while dozens of acts performed live over the weekend of July 1 and 2 at Ashford town centre ’ s pinnacle entertainment destination .
With a vast array of treats on offer , visitors at the event sponsored by headline sponsor Girlings , and local sponsors Ashford College and Azets , enjoyed wines from Meophams Wines , prosecco from Fizzy Flamingo , cocktails from hide bar by herd . and drinks from Elwick Place ’ s Picturehouse cinema , Matches Sports Bar and Leo & Sage café . And , guests were spoiled for choice when it came to delicious eats with the likes of Il Pakkero ’ s famous pizzas , authentic Caribbean cuisine from Jay ’ s Soul Food , Wild Souls Greek Street Food , Pasta Rasta Italian / Caribbean fusion , and sweet treats from Margate ’ s renowned Cookie Man . Elwick residents Leo & Sage were also on hand with their famous gelato , while Picturehouse shared samples from their lunch menu , and Matches and Snap Fitness ran competitions including corn hall , rugby ball keepy-uppies and spin the wheel to win fabulous prizes .
ASHFOOD ! is set to return in July 2024 .
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