Hever Castle, High Sheriff of Kent and more in County Life
PUBLISHED: 13:35 03 May 2011 | UPDATED: 19:17 20 February 2013

Hever Castle, High Sheriff of Kent and more in County Life
Hever Castle, High Sheriff of Kent and more in County Life
Our English Rose
Hever Castle has its own rose for the first time in its history. The deep red Hever Castle Rose was launched by Dame Judi Dench, the award-winning actress, during a planting ceremony at the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, near Edenbridge.
Hever Castle has its own rose for the first time in its history. The deep red Hever Castle Rose was launched by Dame Judi Dench, the award-winning actress, during a planting ceremony at the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, near Edenbridge.Dame Judi is featuring in a VisitBritain TV commercial that will be broadcast worldwide following the royal wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton as part of a 100m drive to attract tourists to Britain. She chose to film her Invitation to the World at Hever Castle, describing the romantic castle as one of her favourite British landmarks.
Hats off to the High Sheriff
The new High Sheriff of Kent, Georgie Warner (pictured with former High Sheriff Amanda Cottrell) welcomed guests to her home for a celebratory tea following her installation as High Sheriff atnearby All Saints Church, Brenchley.
With dignitaries in attendance including The Lord Lieutenant of Kent, the Dean of Rochester, theChief Constable of Kent Police and His Honour Judge Jeremy Carey, plus processional music by the Kent Police Band, the service was both moving and magnificent, its roots deep in history.
Read editor Sarah Sturts interview at home with the new High Sheriffin our July edition.
Pigeon wars
Inspired by an episode of BBCs Human Planet where a falcon kept Dubai free from pigeons, traders on The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells have clubbed together to pay for their own winged pigeon patrol.
Bode the hawk and his handler, John Parle of Penshurst-based pest control company Enviroguard, visited The Pantiles to encourage the feral pigeons, which create a huge amount of droppings, to move on.
The new committee of The Association of Pantiles Traders has been working hard to expand its 2011 calendar. A Food Festival, Fashion Fair and events that form the Electric Lantern Festival are all being planned, as well as being an established venue for Local and Live, Summer Jazz Nights and the regular markets. The pigeons do little to enhance these occasions.
A stamp and a prayer
The first post office to operate out of a Kent church has opened for business at Holy Cross Church, Goodnestone. Then High Sheriff of Kent, Peregrine Massey, led a special ceremony that included a blessing by Bishop of Dover, the Right Reverend Trevor Willmott and a performance by children from Goodnestone CoE Primary School.
Villagers have campaigned to open a branch since their shop and post office shut last year. They worked with local vicar, Rev Nigel Hale, and the Post Office to get the project off the ground.
The post office will open two mornings a week and there are plans for coffee mornings and a mini Farmers Market to operate at the same time.
A happy Easter
A cross made from rubbish donated by parishioners and a series of sculptures on the altar by local artist Guy Portelli helped make Tonbridge parish churchs
very first Easter Eggstravaganza a roaring success.
Hundreds flocked to St Peter and
St Paul to take part in activities ranging from egg decorating and glass painting to climbing the belfry.