NEWS
LOVEASHFORD … LIKE EVERYONE ELSE
Major regeneration projects such as Ashford College, Chapel Down brewery, the Commercial Quarter and Elwick Place are certainly creating a buzz around Ashford. Businesses are thriving and the rich town centre is evolving as people fall in love with the High Street all over again.
Experience Ashford like never before as fun outdoor games and free events animate the town centre this month as part of Ashford’ s very own summer celebration – Splashes of Summer.
Play giant chess and Connect Four in Park Mall, challenge your friends to a game of table tennis or crazy golf, parade your pooch in the Ashford Dog Show, and let the kids get creative in arts and crafts and a STAMP music workshop. These free, family friendly activities have been organised by Loveashford. com, Ashford Borough Council’ s Town Centre Regeneration Team, just visit www. loveashford. com for the full list of Splashes of Summer events and for further details.
CBEEBIES’ JB GILL OPENS NEW NATURAL PLAY AREA AT HEVER CASTLE
Former JLS star and presenter of CBeebies’ Down on the Farm, JB Gill was joined by his wife Chloe and son Ace to officially open the new play area, Acorn Dell at Hever Castle last month. Pupils from Hever Primary School were among the first visitors to try out the new natural play area aimed at those up to seven years old.
Acorn Dell has been designed to allow children to freely explore and use their imagination. Features include a two-metre high living willow structure, a giant sandpit, a mound with three tunnels to clamber in and a climbing frame. Located in the trees are two lookout platforms linked by a clatter bridge and with a slide for making a quick escape. There will also be 42 play boulders of various sizes dotted around the play area to climb on, sit on or to use as stepping stones.
“ I have extremely fond memories of visiting Hever Castle as a child and having a lot of fun with my family during the summer holidays,” said JB Gill.“ As we approach a particularly sunny and warm summer holiday, it often seems like such a long time since children were safely able to use the world as their playground. That is one of the reasons why I ' m such an advocate for this playground. Not only does it encourage children and their families to experience an important historic part of our national heritage, as I did so many years ago, it also allows them to reconnect with one of the most important things for us to do as humans – play.”
BLUEWATER COMMENDED AT NATIONAL AWARDS
Bluewater shopping centre in Kent has been praised at a major national awards ceremony. The mall was named runner up in the‘ Security Team of the Year’ and‘ Customer Service Team of the Year’ categories at the SCEPTRE Awards, an annual event that recognises best practice from across the shopping centre industry.
In partnership with Incentive FM, who provide all security, cleaning, waste, and mechanical and electrical services at the 1.6-million square foot facility, Bluewater was commended for its innovative approach to delivering a consistently seamless and enjoyable shopping experience.
“ The SCEPTRE Awards recognise the best of the best in the shopping centre industry,” said Bruce McDonnell, managing director at Incentive FM.“ We have worked closely with Bluewater for many years to ensure their customers are able to enjoy the very best shopping experience. It’ s fantastic to have that hard work recognised with this important accolade.”
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