NEWS
STORY
A DECADE OF EXPRESSION: SANDRA ART4ALL TURNS 10
ST EDMUND’ S FESTIVAL ON THE HILL 2026
insideKENT, Kent’ s largest luxury lifestyle magazine, has announced its partnership with the St Edmund’ s Festival on the Hill ahead of its 2026 programme. Taking place from 24- 30 June 2026, the festival will bring together world-class performers, emerging young talent and a vibrant community celebration.
Opening the Festival on 24 June is The Horne Section Live!, Britain’ s‘ funniest band’, led by comedian and Taskmaster creator Alex Horne. Known for their high-energy blend of musical virtuosity and sharp comedy, the group promises an unforgettable opening night.
The week-long programme highlights creativity across music, art, drama and sport, with key events to include The Art & Design Exhibition,
Sandra Art4All, a unique art studio providing a platform for deaf, autistic and neurodivergent artists with learning disabilities, turns 10 years old this year.
Festival Evensong, Pupil Cabaret and Rising Stars Showcase.
On Sunday 28 June, St Edmund’ s 1st XI will face the Marylebone Cricket Club in a traditional oneday match. The day also includes an open mixed tennis tournament,‘ Football Fest’ and a hockey workshop led by Olympians Mel Clewlow and Sussanah Townsend.
“ Festival on the Hill showcases the very best of what creativity can achieve when a school and its community come together,” said Edward O’ Connor, head of St Edmund’ s School.“ From world-class performers to emerging young talent, the programme reflects our belief that opportunity and participation should be open to all.”
The Art4All studio in Acol, Kent, was founded on a simple concept: that art is for everyone; a universal language that transcends communication barriers. A supportive, inclusive environment is provided- a place where artists can explore simple creativity processes, develop their individual artistic styles, gain confidence and most importantly, have fun.
“ The journey over the last 10 years has been tremendous,“ said founder, Sandra Hampton.“ We are incredibly proud of our artists’ achievements, awards and recognitions, and the support we’ ve received from the local community. Our 10th anniversary is a time to celebrate and look forward to the future. We are especially grateful to The Margate School of Arts and have seen the school and the gallery grow throughout the past seven years we have been collaborating with them. We have seen our exhibitions grow alongside them and we have both benefited greatly from the experience.”
Looking to the future, Sandra Art4All guarantees a continued dedication to providing a platform for these unique individuals, ensuring their extraordinary art continues to stand up for something bigger: a world that embraces diversity and celebrates every form of expression.
UK’ S LARGEST BEACH SPA SET TO OPEN AT FOLKESTONE HARBOUR ARM
The UK’ s largest beach spa will open this month at Folkestone Harbour Arm, a bustling food, drink and leisure destination.
Set directly on the shingle with uninterrupted views across the English Channel, the new beach spa offers a large-scale, immersive wellness experience combining heat, cold and wild sea swimming. Facilities include two wood-fired saunas, two chilled plunge pools, a hot tub with jacuzzi, indoor changing rooms, indoor and outdoor showers, and traditional bucket showers, all with direct access to wild swimming in the English Channel.
The new spa will be operated by Sea Scrub Sauna, founded by cousins Robin Bartlett and Luke Sinclair, who have helped to pioneer Scandinavian sauna culture across Kent with a distinctly British coastal twist in Margate, Whitstable and Faversham.
© Sandra Hampton
“ Wild swimming and beach sauna culture are no longer niche; they’ re becoming a way of life,” said co-founder Robin Bartlett.“ Folkestone has been one of our most requested locations by our members, so to bring our biggest and most expansive site here feels incredibly exciting. This spa allows us to fully realise the potential of what Sea Scrub can be, while staying rooted in nature, community and the sea.”
206 • www. insidekent. co. uk