insideKENT Magazine Issue 99 - June / July 2020 | Page 48

NEWS
LOCAL ARTIST
CREATES #HELPKENTBUYLOCAL
COLOURING SHEET
Produced in Kent, the
voice of Kent food
and drink, has
launched a more
mindful message in
the form of a
colouring poster.
The colouring sheet
has been designed and
created by talented
local artist Danielle
Williamson of Tiny
Beagle, and partakers
are encouraged to
share their coloured
poster in the window
of their shop, store or
home and share a
picture on social
media for a chance to
win a weekly prize.
Prizes include
donations made from
Produced in Kent
members, including
juices from Bardsley England, a pen and notebook from Romney Marsh Wool
and a hamper from Macknade.
The HelpKentBuyLocal campaign has now reached over 400,000 people
across the county, with more than 250 businesses listed, the campaign is
sending positive waves and pride across Kent.
Floortje Hoette, chief executive of Produced in Kent said: “Colour in your
sheet and share your photos with us. Our food and drink businesses need our
support to get through lockdown and in the recovery period, but they also
need our support in the long-term. Because local food is quality food, because
local food is sustainable food and because a healthy local food and drink sector
will preserve our countryside, improve the quality of life for our residents,
boost the local economy and attract tourists to beautiful Kent.”
SHEPHERD NEAME
SUPPORTS LOCAL MANUFACTURER
WITH LARGE ORDER FOR
PROTECTIVE MASKS
Shepherd Neame is continuing its efforts to support local businesses by ordering
3,000 cloth face masks for its team members from a Kent company.
The Faversham-based independent family brewer and pub operator placed
the order for the masks with Tillett Racing Seats based in Sittingbourne
earlier this month.
Tillett Racing Seats is one of a number of businesses in Kent and Sussex with
a sewing capability to have shifted production to making non-medical cloth
face masks as part of the Make Masks UK initiative, operated by a team of
eight volunteers and supported by Locate in Kent, Kent's official investment
agency.
Alex Pawle, project manager for Make Masks UK, said: “I own a precision
metal component manufacturing company in Ashford and needed masks for
my team members, so we came up with the idea of this initiative.”
Shepherd Neame’s chief executive Jonathan Neame adds: “We are committed
to supporting local businesses. The masks will be used by workers at the
brewery and across our pub estate when they reopen, to complement other
protective measures and social distancing rules.”
Companies interested in buying masks, or able to join the initiative by
manufacturing masks, can find out more at www.makemasksuk.org
BIDDENDEN TRACTORFEST
CANCELLED FOR 2020
The organisers of Biddenden Tractorfest, which was due to be held on 15-16 August
2020, have made the difficult decision to cancel following updated announcements
outlining the need for ongoing social distancing.
A spokesperson for the event said “Our main obligation and priority is to protect
the health and safety of our visitors, traders, exhibitors, volunteers, staff and all
those involved in preparing and delivering the Show. With the current conditions
on social distancing and possible Government restrictions on large events for the
foreseeable future, it is just not possible to host a safe event for all those involved.”
The event’s volunteer organisers, who live in and around Biddenden and are part
of the Kent County Agricultural Society, have asked those holding tickets/stands
to consider donating their purchase cost to the Kent County Agricultural Society
so that it may continue its important work in supporting education and development
in farming and agriculture.
But good news, next year's event has been confirmed as running 21-22 August 2021.
www.tractorfest.co.uk
48