NEWS insideSTORY cont ..
HEVER CASTLE & GARDENS TO HOST FIRST EVER PLANT FAIR
WIN FOR THE HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM AT THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH AWARDS
The Historic Dockyard Chatham has been awarded the prestigious Accessible and Inclusive Tourism GOLD Award at 2024 / 25 Beautiful South Awards . The awards , presented annually by Tourism South East , recognise businesses that go above and beyond to deliver outstanding experiences . This year , 75 finalists from the best tourism and hospitality businesses in the South East of England attended a glittering awards ceremony at the Grand Brighton hosted by Toby Anstis .
The Historic Dockyard Chatham ’ s commitment to accessibility is demonstrated through initiatives like regular audio described and British sign language tours , a monthly Dementia Café , and the introduction of sensory support backpacks . These efforts are further supported by ongoing staff training , ensuring that everyone visiting the Dockyard or engaging with its stories feels genuinely welcome and supported . By proactively addressing both real and perceived barriers , the Dockyard has made its 400-year history more accessible , engaging and inclusive for all . Lynnette Crisp , director of public engagement at the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust said : “ We are proud to be leading the way in accessibility and inclusion within the tourism sector , and this award inspires us to continue breaking down barriers so that visiting us or connecting with our stories becomes a reality for all .”
The Edwardian pleasure gardens of Hever Castle & Gardens will host their first ever specialist plant fair at the estate in March 2025 when they welcome multi-award winning nurseries from The Plant Fairs Roadshow . Made up of a collective of nurseries drawn from ten counties in England , The Plant Fairs Roadshow includes high profile independent nurseries like Hardy ’ s Cottage Garden Plants who grow peat-free perennials on their nursery in Hampshire . Established and run by Rob and Rosy Hardy , Hardy ’ s Plants have been awarded multiple RHS Chelsea gold medals , bringing some wonderful plants to market including Ipheion uniflorum ‘ Hardy ’ s Hybrid ’, which they will showcase at Hever Castle alongside rare hellebores and shade-loving plants .
The Plant Fairs Roadshow will bring the very best spring plants to Hever Castle & Gardens in Edenbridge , Kent on Sunday 23 March . Neil Miller , head gardener at Hever Castle & Gardens said : “ It ’ s a dream come true to welcome the fantastic Plant Fairs Roadshow to Hever - I have been an admirer of their plant fairs , and also their RHS Chelsea Flower Show displays over the last few years . Having this collected pedigree of nurseries onsite at Hever , all at once , will feel a little bit like a mini Chelsea to me .”
BELLWAY DEVELOPMENT ARTIST WORKSHOPS AT BICKNOR WOOD
Members of Bicknor Wood Residents ’ Community Group learned the ancient skill of making ink , brushes and pens from foraged woodland items at a workshop led by artist Walter Bailey . The workshop , held within Bicknor Wood , was arranged to support Bellway ’ s public art commission and involved members of the residents ’ group learning to create oak gall ink .
The process of making oak gall ink begins with foraging oak galls , which are small spheres that grow on oak trees after the gall wasp lays eggs in its new shoots . During the workshop , Walter showed the group members how to turn the oak gall into a black , inerasable ink , after which they created pens and brushes from foraged branches and plants , using them with the ink to draw and write on paper .
Carolyn Webb , Bellway Thames Gateway sales manager , said : “ The workshop at Bicknor Wood was the perfect way to support our public art commission for Bellway at Rosewood . It was an opportunity for local people to meet the artist who will create beautiful sculptural , yet functional pieces for the development . Walter is very much inspired by natural materials and the living world and uses wood as his primary material .”
162 • www . insidekent . co . uk