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MEDWAY DESIGNER WINS KENT CREATIVE AWARD
Rainham illustrator and designer Esther Johnson has won the Creative Award at the Kent Women in Business Awards, recognising her work with multiple major museums and heritage organisations across the UK.
STATE-OF-THE-ART STEM HUB OPENS AT KING’ S SCHOOL ROCHESTER
King’ s School Rochester has officially opened its Rochester STEM Hub, a dedicated learning space designed to support science, technology, engineering and mathematics education for schools across the local area.
The hub forms part of a wider multi-classroom renovation of the school’ s science facilities and will provide a collaborative environment where students can engage with STEM subjects through specialist teaching spaces and resources.
Johnson is the founder of Designed by Esther, a creative studio specialising in bespoke illustrations for museums, heritage sites and cultural organisations. Since launching the business in 2017, her distinctive designs have appeared in gift shops nationwide with commissions from leading institutions including the Natural History Museum, the House of Commons, Canterbury Cathedral, Bath Abbey and Historic Environment Scotland. To date, she has worked with more than 60 organisations across the heritage sector.
The award recognises her contribution to heritage storytelling through design, creating products that help bring historic places and stories to life for visitors. It adds to a growing list of achievements for the designer. In 2024, Johnson was named Young Businesswoman of the Year for producing the first ever Medway Activity Book, and in 2023 she also won a national design competition by Nescafé Azera and The King’ s Trust, which saw her illustrated coffee tin design sold nationwide.
The project was made possible thanks to a grant from the Rochester Bridge Trust, recognising the school’ s commitment to strengthening links with the local community and supporting education in the region.
By opening the facilities to neighbouring schools, the STEM Hub aims to create opportunities for shared learning and future initiatives designed to encourage interest in science and engineering in the next generation of innovators.
“ This launch was about more than just new facilities; it represents our commitment to sustaining excellence in science and providing our pupils with the tools and dispositions for lifelong learning,” said Simon Fisher, principal of King’ s School Rochester.“ The success of this approach is already evident in our pupils, including current sixth-former Silas, who was recently awarded the prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship.”
DISCOVERED‘ ANNE BOLEYN’ FRENCH CHAIR ARRIVES AT HEVER CASTLE
A newly discovered‘ Anne Boleyn’ chair is now on display at Hever Castle as part of the exhibition Capturing a Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn.
Exhibited publicly for the first time, the early 16th-century ceremonial chair, crafted between 1510 and 1520 for the French court, has been generously loaned by Marhamchurch Antiques, which is owned by Paul Fitzsimmons.
© Marhamchurch Antiques, Paul Fitzsimmons
Originating from the Loire Valley, the walnut chair features a pictorial back panel and reflects the Renaissance tradition of high-status commercial seating. Its intricate carvings- including a Tudor rose bound by tails of dolphins representing the French Dauphin cherubs- combine personal, political and ceremonial symbolism.
“ Extenisve research and analysis strongly suggest that this chair was commissioned for Anne Boleyn as part of the Treaty of Eternal Peace ceremony, where we believe she served as an English-French interpreter for Queen Claude of France,” said Tudor history expert, Sandra Vasoli.
The exhibition also features other notable objects, including two further highlights from Fitzsimmons’ collection- the Crowned Falcon Badge and Crowned Leopard’ s Head.
Now on display at Hever Castle, Anne Boleyn’ s childhood home, the chair and accompanying artefacts offer visitors a rare insight into her life and connections to the French Renaissance.
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