insideKENT Magazine Issue 77 - August 2018 | Page 158

NEWS
BIDDENDEN VINEYARDS AWARDED FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AT KEIBA 2018
Biddenden Vineyards, Kent’s original
commercial vineyard, has been awarded
‘Family Business of the Year’ at this year’s Kent
Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA). The
vineyard is owned and managed
independently by the second and third
generation of the Barnes family and will next
year be celebrating its 50th anniversary.
KEiBA is an annual awards run by KM Media
Group and Kent County Council to recognise
and reward excellence in Kent’s businesses.
Following on from a detailed application,
Biddenden was shortlisted alongside three
other Kent businesses before carrying out in-
depth interviews covering all aspects of the
business with the categories judging panel,
led by sponsor, Gallaghers.
“We feel honoured to have been the first
business to receive this award in Kent,” said
Julian Barnes, managing director. “It is an
exciting time at Biddenden and family is key
to the continued growth of the business. As
anyone with a family business will know, a
lot of hours, hard work and determination is
involved and to be recognised for this by
KEiBA is extremely rewarding.”
NEW PRINCIPAL FOR
KING’S SCHOOL, ROCHESTER
Mr. Ben Charles has
been appointed as the
new principal of King’s
and headmaster of the
senior school following
Mr. Jeremy Walker’s
move to be headmaster
of St Peter’s School, York.
The position attracted an
extremely strong field of
applicants reflecting the
strength of the school and
regard in which it is held
nationally.
Jeremy Walker leaves King’s in December at the end of the
Michaelmas term and Mr. Charles will commence as principal
in April 2019 at the start of the midsummer term due to his
contractual notice period. Mr. Roger Overend, who retired
as headmaster of King’s Preparatory School in July 2018,
has been appointed acting principal for the lent term.
Miss Jacqueline Shicluna, chair of governors said: “Governors
were highly impressed with Mr. Charles’ experience, his
affinity for King’s and vision for the future building on strong
foundations. We all look forward to welcoming him and his
family to Rochester and are confident that King’s will
continue to thrive and develop under his leadership. In the
meantime, I am delighted that Mr. Roger Overend will be
acting principal for the lent term. His long experience and
knowledge of King’s will ensure stability and successful
transition to Mr. Charles.”
158
GRAND DAY EVENT AT THE DUKE OF YORK’S
ROYAL MILITARY SCHOOL
The Duke of York’s Royal Military School Grand Day parade saw more than
500 students in full ceremonial uniform inspected by guest of honour,
Reviewing Officer Air Marshall Christopher Nickols CBE at the annual event
last month.
About 3,000 parents and guests attended Grand Day, which included a prize
giving followed by the parade. Many of the pupils aged 11 to 18 have family
in the armed forces and, as a personal touch, wear the cap badge of their
parents’ or family member’s service, corps or regiment over their hearts.
During the event, the blue sky about the school’s 150-acre countryside site
was the background for a Spitfire fly past and jumps by the Royal Logistic
Corps Parachute Display Team. There was also a superb range of vintage
military transport such as jeeps, tanks, and aircraft on display.
Alex Foreman, the school’s principal, said: “Grand Day is the most celebrated
event in our school calendar as it combines the high achievements of our
prize winners as well as the Trooping of Colours – a ceremonial parade by
the whole school which is practiced all year and symbolises our military
heritage and ethos.”