insideKENT Magazine Issue 33 - December 2014 | Page 14

NEWS

ASHFORD STUDENT WINS KENT FESTIVAL
YOUNG PIANIST OF THE YEAR
James Short has become the third Ashford
School student in a row to win the prestigious
title of Kent Festival Young Pianist of the Year.
The 15-year-old took the trophy for the 13-19year-old class at the competition on Saturday
after stunning the adjudicator with performances
of pieces by Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms.
James also won the Aviary Cup for his
performance of the Brahms.

many hours of practice but now it has all paid
off. I'd like to thank my teacher, Mr Dandridge,
who went out of his way to make sure I was
prepared."
James, who is in Year 11 and hoping to study
music when he leaves school, is now about to
start preparing for the Kent Young Organist
Competition.
www.ashfordschool.co.uk

James Short with adjudicator, David Williams

"I am really delighted to have won," said James.
"The preparation took a lot of hard work and

AWARD-WINNING BREWERY IS THE
LATEST MEMBER TO JOIN ATTA

WATCHFINDER & CO.
WIN AT THE 2014 DIGITAL
ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS

This winter, chairman of the Ashford and Tenterden Tourism Association
(ATTA), Julian Barnes, was delighted to introduce and welcome another
new business to the growing organisation.
Nestled in the heart of the Garden of England, near to the picturesque
market town of Tenterden, The Old Dairy Brewery is an award-winning,
traditional 30-barrel microbrewery. Boasting glorious views over the rolling
countryside, the newly placed brewery is housed in one of two WWII Nissen
buildings, which are located next to Kent & East Sussex Railway. While the
brewery occupies one build, complete with a shop, bar, and meeting room
(The Parlour), the other plays host to offices and the warehousing operation.

Kent-based luxury pre-owned watch retailer, Watchfinder, is delighted to
have been crowned E-commerce Business of the Year at the 2014 Digital
Entrepreneur Awards. The awards seek to recognise organisations and
technologies that deliver successful innovative and responsive web-based
retail.
Beating off stiff competition, a team of nine judges – including director of
the BBC, Peter Salomon – chose Watchfinder to win the prestigious award.
Lloyd Amsdon, Watchfinder’s co-founder, commented: “We are delighted
to have won this award, which champions Watchfinder’s digital core and
recognises that our website is now one of the largest horological sites in
the world, with over 4.9 million unique visits per annum."

L-R - Managing director, John Roberts,
and head brewer, William Neame

Led by managing director, John
Roberts, the brewery's
expansion comes four years
after it was initially set up on a
dairy farm in the heart of the
Kent countryside. An immediate
success, John's business built
up a loyal fan base among ale
enthusiasts that appreciate
finely crafted recipes, locally
sourced ingredients, and an
interesting variety of beer styles.
In fact, it currently brews a core
range of award-winning beers
(Red Top, Gold Top, and Blue
Top), plus a selection of
seasonal and speciality beers
to satisfy all palates. These are
available in both cask and
bottles.

The Old Dairy Brewery shop is
open Monday through to Friday from 10am until 4pm. Here, visitors can
purchase the core beer range, along with new, seasonal, and speciality
beers. Brewery tours, beer tasting, and special events will start in 2015.

This award comes in what has been a year of success for the Watchfinder
team. The business has taken home the Retail Jeweller’s Watch Retailer
of the Year accolade, and two of its new brands were Highly Commended
at WatchPro’s Watch of the Year awards. In addition, it was shortlisted at
the Digital Magazine Awards, Collect+ Retail Week Enterprise Awards, a nd
Growing Business Awards.
Watchfinder is also thrilled to be under consideration for the Fast Track
'Ones to Watch' programme, which is published by The Sunday Times.

The Ashford and Tenterden Tourism Association (ATTA) is a local level,
membership-driven association for attractions, accommodation, and leisure
and hospitality providers. It offers its members inclusion in promotional
brochures; a web presence; collective PR, media, and exhibition prospects;
and networking opportunities, with advice and support from over 50 key
tourism businesses and professionals.

www.watchfinder.co.uk

www.olddairybrewery.com

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