NEWS insideSTORY
HS1 LTD REBRANDS TO BECOME LONDON ST . PANCRAS HIGHSPEED
London St . Pancras Highspeed is the new name for HS1 Ltd , the company that operates the UK ’ s only high-speed rail link connecting London to Europe via the Channel Tunnel , bringing the people of Kent closer to the capital through Ebbsfleet and Ashford stations . The rebrand signifies a shift in focus with London St . Pancras Highspeed now set to play a more active , consumer-facing role in helping to drive the growth of sustainable travel by high-speed rail .
St . Pancras International could see capacity for international rail services more than double from the current 1,800 passengers per hour to almost 5,000 per hour . New infrastructure , combined with efficient border and security processes , will allow
for a quicker passenger journey and significantly reduced station arrival times .
“ This is not simply a change of brand or a new logo . Instead , it signifies an important shift and a desire to play a much more active and supportive role in driving the growth of sustainable travel by high-speed rail ,” said Robert Sinclair , CEO of London St . Pancras Highspeed . “ Who we are and what we do as a business has not changed , but our ambition has , and it ’ s evident that a modal shift is taking place for travel and that our new brand reflects this . Together with our partners in the industry , all of us at London St . Pancras Highspeed are excited about the journey ahead .”
SEVENOAKS IS BRITAIN IN BLOOM FINALIST FOR 2025 !
Sevenoaks Town Council is thrilled to announce that the town has once again been selected as a finalist for Britain in Bloom . Chosen to represent the South & South East region in the 2025 RHS Britain in Bloom UK finals in the Town Centre & City Centre category , Sevenoaks last qualified for Britain in Bloom in 2022 after winning the Silver Gilt award . The judging period will run from 28 July - 15 August , with the winner announced in October .
The Britain in Bloom award is a key influence on environmental improvements in horticulture , increasing biodiversity and pledging to make the United Kingdom a greener place . With a theme of ‘ celebrating bugs ’, the signature colours for Sevenoaks this year will be purple and blue with flashes of white and yellow , and edible plants and herbs will be planted alongside flowers for pollinators . Schools are being asked to encourage pupils to ‘ Be Busy Bees ’ for Britain in Bloom by painting rocks with ladybirds or other bugs , and knitting groups have already begun making bees in anticipation for the iconic awards .
KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY CELEBRATES MORE WINNING WAYS AFTER ‘ GOLDEN YEAR ’
After marking its 50th anniversary last year with a Trip Advisor Travellers ’ Choice Award , the Kent & East Sussex Railway has started 2025 as a finalist in two categories of the prestigious Heritage Railway Association ( HRA ) Awards . The railway ’ s innovative collaboration with international artist Mr Doodle last summer is one of three projects from around the UK to be shortlisted for the Marketing & Communications Award . Meanwhile , 18-year-old K & ESR volunteer Aodhan Kavanagh is a finalist for the Lord Faulkner Young Volunteer of the Year Award , one of the HRA ’ s longestestablished awards which recognises the importance of the involvement of young people in the running of heritage railways .
“ We are delighted to be finalists in these top awards for the heritage rail community - a fantastic start to 2025 . Through the collaboration with Mr Doodle , our marketing , communications and events team came up with an innovative way to both promote the railway and successfully attract new and younger audiences to visit ,” said K & ESR general manager , Robin Coombes . “ Just as crucially , we need to recruit more volunteers , who are the beating heart of our railway . Since joining us in 2022 , Aodham has demonstrated outstanding qualities in collaboration , quick learning , dedication and enthusiasm ; an excellent role model for other volunteers of all ages .” www . insidekent . co . uk • 209