insideKENT Magazine Issue 77 - August 2018 | Page 161

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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