insideKENT Magazine Issue 24 - March 2014 | Page 14

NEWS

POLE POSITION FOR TALENTED
KENT ARTIST
Kent canvas print business, ImageThis, have launched a new collaboration
with renowned motorsport artist, David Daisy. The Kent born and raised
artist has been commissioned by sporting legends such as Nigel Mansell,
Valentino Rossi and Sir Stirling Moss making his work highly sought after
by motorsport enthusiasts and petrol heads alike.
Daisy’s unique and fast-paced painting style reflects the exhilarating life of
motorsport and usually fetch hundreds of pounds, but now ImageThis
customers can exclusively have their very own canvas artwork at a fraction
of the cost.
Tony Pereira, Managing Director at ImageThis says: “We have admired
David’s work around Kent for many years and so are absolutely thrilled to
be working with him.”
www.imagethis.co.uk

COMPETITIVE SPORT
IS CRITICAL
TO A CHILD’S
DEVELOPMENT
The head of a leading UK independent school
says the opportunity to participate in competitive
sport is vital for children to learn the resilience
they need to succeed in life.
Mike Buchanan, head of Ashford School in Kent,
is a firm advocate of competition on the playing
fields. “Of all the characteristics young people
need as they progress from childhood to
adulthood, resilience is critical,” he said.
His comments come after news that Surrey
Rugby is introducing a new non-competitive
version of rugby union. The new rules mean that
children’s mini rugby teams can no longer play
to win.
But Mr Buchanan says competition teaches
children essential life skills. “Competition is an
important part of growing up and, handled well
by schools and parents, is a positive form of
personal development for both boys and girls,”
he added.

SPECTACULAR DAFFODILS AT
GROOMBRIDGE PLACE
This popular visitor attraction near Tunbridge Wells will open earlier than usual this year to allow visitors
to enjoy the amazing daffodil display. Groombridge Place will be open on weekends in March before
opening every day from 31 March 2014.
The formal walled gardens are designed as a series of rooms and many have water features, topiary
and statues. Visitors can discover the formal Knot and Oriental Garden, a Secret Garden, the White
Rose Garden and the wonderfully named Drunken Garden, a favourite of the famous author Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle. Groombridge Place is the setting for the first part of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's worldfamous Sherlock Holmes novel Valley of Fear where Groombridge Place is renamed Birlstone Manor. A
recreated study at the entrance to the gardens gives an insight into the life of the author.
Groombridge Place Manor House and its elegant 17th-century gardens were used as a location for
the 2005 film 'Pride and Prejudice' and a small museum provides history about the house and also
the film. Two of the costumes worn by the stars of the film including Kieran Knightly are on display
in the museum.
www.groombridgeplace.com

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“Whether on the sports field, in lessons or in
relationships with siblings, it helps boys and girls
understand what progress they are making, how
to deal with joy and disaster and how to motivate
themselves to improve.
“The ability to pick oneself up and move on
positively is a defining characteristic of successful,
fulfilled people, alongside humility.”
Ashford School is a day and boarding school
that educates boys and girls from the age of 318. Competitive sport begins in Nursery where
three-year-olds compete in an annual Sports
Day. Basic sports skills are also taught from an
Ashford School pupil’s Nursery days.