NEWS
NEW TRUSTEES FOR THE PICKERING CANCER DROP-IN CENTRE
The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre , which has been providing support to cancer patients and their families , friends and carers from its Tunbridge Wells base since 2004 , has welcomed Chris Maslin and Angela Ward to its board of trustees .
Chris , who established Maslins accountants 14 years ’ ago and now runs his firm as an Employee Ownership Trust ( EOT ) offering support for other business owners via new venture Go EO , will bring his financial skills to the board , while Angela will utilise her decades of PR experience at the charity run entirely by volunteers and led by Polly Taylor and Caroline McGibney , as well as having a shared understanding of the impact of its work as her daughter Naomi died from cancer at just four years old .
“ When Naomi was ill 20 years ’ ago , we received amazing medical care from the NHS but having somewhere like Pickering to go for a chat and some understanding would have been amazing ,” says Angela . “ The support they provide to patients – and their family and friends – makes a real difference . I am so proud to be part of the Pickering family as a trustee .”
STEINWAY & SONS FINEST PIANO TO GRACE COBHAM HALL IN PRESTIGIOUS NEW MUSIC PARTNERSHIP
Cobham Hall has taken delivery of one of the world ’ s finest pianos , a Steinway & Sons Model B Grand , marking the start of a prestigious new partnership for the historic Gravesend school and the creation of an exceptional music venue for the area .
Known as ‘ the perfect piano ’, the Steinway Model B Grand now graces Cobham ’ s fabulous Gilt Hall . With its beautiful , gilded ceiling and excellent acoustics - reputed to be among the best in the country - the Gilt Hall is a dream venue for any musician , and the school looks forward to bringing some of the finest pianists to the venue over coming months as it also celebrates the launch of a new Steinway Scholarship and a series of masterclasses with an exciting roster of Steinway International Artists including Yaoying Yang , Lang Lang , Charlie Puth and Hying-ki Joo .
FOLKESTONE STUDENTS FUNDRAISE FOR LEAS LIFT
Students from The Beacon Plus , West Terrace , braved the recent cold snap to take part in a sponsored walk to raise funds for the restoration of the Leas Lift in Folkestone .
The Beacon , which is situated near the lift ’ s Upper Station , provides children with complex needs , profound and severe learning difficulties , and physical and sensory impairments with personalised learning .
As part of the sponsored walk , James Walker-Osborn , trustee of the Folkestone Leas Lift Company Charity , gave the students a private tour of the historic pump room .
“ We ’ re incredibly grateful to the pupils and staff for braving the weather for their sponsored walk . The school supported our bid to secure National Lottery Heritage Funding and has been involved with the project for some time now . They came to an early focus group and provided us with valuable feedback on the plans for displays and learning materials , ensuring that we meet the pupils ’ needs and make the exhibits accessible for as many people as possible ,” says James .
“ We ’ re extremely thankful to everyone who fundraises locally as it means we can move the project on at a pace and achieve everything on our wishlist .”
The lift is due to reopen in 2025 . For more information on the history of the Leas Lift and the campaign to reopen it , visit leaslift . co . uk .
Students from The Beacon Folkestone visiting the Leas Lift during their sponsored walk .
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