insideKENT Magazine Issue 63 - June 2017 | Page 167

NEWS
A NEW MAYOR FOR ASHFORD
Last month saw the inauguration of a new
Ashford Mayor. Cllr Winston Michael
dedicated his position towards ensuring
the borough’s young people know that
they are valued and encouraging them to
reach their true potential.
Throughout his working life Winston held
management positions from the age of
20 (notably being the youngest person to
attain such a role in the 200-year history
of Lloyds when he worked in the finance
department).
Winston has always taken a keen interest
in community matters and, upon retiring,
increased his involvement as chairman
of his parish council. Championing key
local matters he became a borough
councillor in 2011 and since then been
very active with his council work and
helping residents.
The new Ashford Mayor said; “I am
passionate about helping young people
who may have struggled against
misguided preconceptions about what
they are capable of, regardless of their
background and regardless of their
disability.
“I believe our young people are
exceptional and very much the future of
Ashford, Kent and Great Britain.”
SOUTH EAST OPEN STUDIOS
ARTISTS TO OPEN THEIR DOORS
THIS MONTH
Over 250 artists and craftspeople from around the
South East will open their doors to the public this June
so visitors can see them at work in their own studios.
The event, called South East Open Studios, is now in
its 21st year, and is a well-established highlight of the
cultural calendar. Celebrating outstanding local art,
the South East Open Studios event will run from 9th –
25th June 2017.
A total of 265 artists and craftspeople will be exhibiting
their work in148 different studios. The artworks will
be made in a wide range of media, including traditional
oils and watercolours, ceramics, textiles, photography,
fine metalwork, digital and mixed media, glassware,
printmaking, textiles, sculpture, woodwork, jewellery
and more. Visit www.seos-art.org for details and a full
list of participating artists.
CLASSIC CARS IN A CLASSIC
SETTING AS AUSTIN 7s RALLY AT BEWL
FOR FATHER’S DAY
A great Father’s Day treat for car loving dads, the Austin 7
Rally returns to Bewl Water on 18th June. Produced between
1922 and 1939, the Baby Austin was the UK’s equivalent of
the Model T Ford, becoming a huge seller and replacing most
other economy brands on the country’s roads.
Also open to other pre-1972 cars, commercial vehicles and
motorcycles, the Bewl Water rally is a great chance to see
some of the finest examples of this motoring classic from
across the south, as well as hunt for spare parts at the auto
jumble.
Visitors can make a day of it by treating dad to lunch in the
Boathouse Bistro or at the Waterfront Café, and a trip out on
the water on the Bewl Belle. Car parking at Bewl Water is just
£2, with entry to the Austin A7 rally free. www.bewlwater.co.uk.
169