insideKENT Magazine Issue 20 - Sep/Oct 2013 | Page 6

© Explore Kent Can you feel it? Autumn is in the air. Or is it? Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me just because it’s September, but no matter how I look at it, summer’s departure is inevitable. I can’t say I mind too much; autumn is my favourite season after all. I love curling up in front of a ?re on a chilly evening - book in one hand, cup of coffee in the other. But what a summer it’s been! All of us at iK especially enjoyed the Leeds Castle Open Air Classical Concert, Music on the Hill, and the Combined Ops Military Show. I had plenty of PIMMS, watched the Red Arrows rocket across the skies over Folkestone, checked out a fabulous comedy show at Chatback Comedy Club in Canterbury and enjoyed many beautiful 5.30am summer sunrises over Kent (that’s one positive thing about waking with a 5-month-old baby). Now, onto one of our most popular sections: food. Chapter One’s chef patron Andy McLeish shares the same love of autumn as I do, but for a somewhat different reason. For Andy, autumn is game season. Turn to page 90 to read about Andy’s love of venison, his new cookery courses, and impress your friends by making his mouth-watering Venison Wellington. Autumn also brings with it the beginning of a new school year. For many of us, it’s the perfect time to start planning for 2014. For me, this couldn’t be more true, as my eldest will be starting secondary school next year, eek! If you’re in the same boat, or have kids of any age that will be starting or continuing their education in Kent, don’t miss our special 18-page education feature on pages 30-47. In this issue, you can also get your regular ?x of Kent news, home & garden, health & beauty, fashion, days out, getaways and events. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention our exclusive interview with the multi-talented magician/comedian/actor Ali Cook (p132). I’m very much looking forward to his new show, Principles and Deceptions, in Tonbridge on 4th October. Get your tickets while the gettin’ is good! So what about you? How was your summer, and are you looking forward to autumn? I’d love to hear from you - share your summer memories and plans for the upcoming season with us on Facebook and Twitter, or email us at [email protected]. Happy autumn! Donna Martin / Editor @insidekent /insidekent This season I’m looking forward to some more great Kent events - in particular, anything to do with Halloween or ?reworks! Have a look at some of the county’s spookiest adventures on pages 113 and 143; and remember, remember the ?fth of November on page 145. We’re sure you’ve noticed, but we just couldn’t help jumping on the royal baby bandwagon, and have featured the couple you can’t help but love: Kate and William, and their new bundle of joy, baby George. Read all about the nation’s favourite new mum and dad on page 82. 6