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THE HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM LAUNCHES NEW FILM LOCATION TOUR
This summer, The Historic Dockyard Chatham invites visitors to step behind the camera and into the action with its brand-new Film Location Tour. Running from July to September, the 90-minute walking experience offers a rare look at how one of Britain’ s most filmed historic sites is transformed, lifting the lid on how filmmakers tackle the challenges of shooting in a working heritage site and how these historic spaces are reimagined on screen. From Bridgerton to Les Misérables, Blitz to Loki, the dockyard’ s cobbled streets, grand buildings and historic ships have served as the backdrop for some of film and television’ s most memorable scenes.
MORE THAN HALF A MILLION PEOPLE TO BENEFIT FROM NEW NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE IN KENT
“ The Film Location Tour brings together two things we’ re known for: rich history and great storytelling,” said Olivia Horner, director of commercial and operations at the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.“ Whether you’ re a film fan or just curious, it’ s a fresh way to see the dockyard and discover the role it plays in some of your favourite productions.”
Natural England has announced the opening of the North Kent Woods and Downs National Nature Reserve, offering access to a mosaic of ancient woodlands, vineyards and chalk grasslands in one of England’ s most significant conservation areas. The first National Nature Reserve to include an organic and carbon-negative vineyard, its launch is part of the King’ s Series of National Nature Reserves( NNRs), which will leave a lasting public legacy for people and nature by creating or extending 25 National Nature Reserves by 2027.
Nick Johanssen from Kent Downs National Landscape, said:“ We’ re so proud this reserve has been given national status and chosen as part of the very special King’ s Series of NNRs. This special honour is well deserved; the Kent Woods and Downs encompasses nationally and internationally important habitats including over 1,700 ancient and veteran trees, some older than 500 years, which are internationally significant.
“ The woodlands are home to a mosaic of habitats from rare beetles and bats to delicate lichens and fungi, and the more familiar spring woodland flowers including our much-loved bluebells. These wooded areas are surrounded by wildflower meadows and chalk grasslands providing homes for flagship species including orchids, the Maidstone mining bee, Hazel dormouse and skylarks.”
LOCALS TAKE ON LE LOOP IN AID OF THE WILLIAM WATES MEMORIAL TRUST
Three friends and colleagues from Kent took on one of Europe’ s most gruelling cycling challenges this summer, aiming to raise £ 10,000 for the William Wates Memorial Trust. On 27 June, Simon Hagger, Matt Paxton and Ian Copley – all part of the senior leadership team at Hythe-based company, Holiday Extras – saddled up and embarked on Le Loop, a challenge that sees amateur cyclists from around the world ride the official route of the Tour de France a week before the professionals.
The impressive feat was all in aid of the William Wates Memorial Trust, a charity set up in 1998 in memory of William after he was tragically killed in Central America during his gap year. It exists to support projects that help disadvantaged young people fulfil their potential and stay away from a life of crime.
” Every donation supports this brilliant charity so they can make a positive impact on the lives of disadvantaged young people around the country,” said Holiday Extra’ s Simon Hagger.“ To help us reach our fundraising goal, please head to fundraising. wwmt. org.”
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