Kent and Medway’s tourism, leisure and hospitality businesses’ bumper summer season which really took off in sunny June continued into July, according to the latest research from Visit Kent.

Statistics collated in the Visit Kent Business Barometer reveal that overall attractions welcomed more than 426,000 visitors – three per cent more than in July last year.  The July sunshine was particularly appreciated in the county’s coastal resorts where visitor attractions saw a 15 per cent leap in visitor numbers compared with last year.

Cross-Channel carriers transported 12 per cent more passengers and cars and four per cent more coaches. Business tourism providers enjoyed a 23 per cent boost.

Meanwhile, there are indications that more visitors to the county were staying overnight with B&Bs and guest houses enjoying a 12 per cent increase in the number of guests compared with July 2009 and larger hotel occupancy was up seven per cent overall.

Sandra Matthews-Marsh, Chief Executive for Visit Kent, said: “The upward trend is continuing which is great news in this challenging economic climate.

“The vast majority of our visitors, around 80 per cent, are from the UK but thanks to the strong Euro we are currently seeing more overseas visitors particularly from France and Germany.  Furthermore, our business and leisure events programme across the county has been very strong this summer which has attracted additional visitors. Our partners have been very creative with their events programmes and product development.”

Kent and Medway are also reaping the benefit of the new marketing campaigns launched by Visit Kent and its business partners to drive traffic to the www.visitkent.co.uk website. These include Kent Contemporary’s stunning new images of the county and the user-generated interactive My Kent campaign showcasing local people, their passions for the county and the local places they love to visit.

When compared to 2009 the number of unique visits to the Visit Kent website were up 51 per cent in July with more than 216,000 visits.

“Potential visitors are finding out more about Kent and Medway online and we are converting that interest into actual visits,” added Mrs Matthews-Marsh.

Kent and Medway welcomes more than 45 million visitors each year contributing more than £2.5 billion to the local economy. Tourism supports 50,600 jobs in Kent and Medway across 3,000 small and medium sized businesses.

• Visit Kent Limited is a public/private sector partnership supported by Kent County Council, Medway Council, the district and borough councils, Tourism South East and the leading sector tourism businesses in Kent. Visit Kent champions Kent’s £2.5 billion tourism industry by targeting UK and overseas markets, improving quality and skills and growing investment in the tourism product.

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Dear Friends in Music,

The Choir of Rochester Cathedral directed by Scott Farrell will be performing favourite works from the Cathedral choral repertoire in St Leonard’s Church on Saturday 16 October at 7.30pm – see attached flyer. The choir has an impressive list of recordings to its name; its most recent CD, “Sing Alleluia”, was released on Advent Sunday 2009.

Tickets at £10 on sale at Brandon’s Music Shop, 55 High Street, Hythe, tel 01303 263108, or can be obtained at the door. (Admission free to those under 18 in full-time education.)

Please also note in your diaries that, as an extra musical event in our schedule, on Saturday 23rd October at 7.30pm baritone Jonathan Pugsley with piano accompanist Sarah Murphy will perform “Songs for an Autumn Evening”. Further details will be published nearer the date.

We look forward to welcoming you to St Leonard’s Church on these occasions. Please spread publicity amongst your friends and other contacts.

Download cathedral-choir pdf here

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FRANKENSTEIN

by Tim Kelly adapted from Mary Shelley’s novel

The play opens on Victor (a young scientist) and Elizabeth’s wedding night. Previously Victor has created a “Creature” out of bits and pieces of the dead. The creature tracks Victor to his sanctuary to demand a bride to share in its loneliness. Against his better judgment, Victor agrees and soon the household is invaded by murder, despair and terror! HOWEVER there is enough macabre humour to relieve the mounting tension.

This play is suitable for all ages and will delight and tingle all members of the family. Newcomer Andrew Turner having recently completed makeup and wig training will be designing and building the prosthetics for the monster. He says, “I am really looking forward to this production and my first opportunity to work with the Youth Group. They really are a talented team.” Matt Cloake one of two the directors says “Everybody knows the Frankenstein story but we hope we can bring something new to our production. I am very proud of the cast and crew. We are having a great time preparing the period costumes and the makeup. It will be spine chillingly fantastic”.

The production runs from Thursday 7^th October to Saturday 9^th October 2010 at 7.30pm nightly at the Tower Theatre. Tickets are £8.00 with concessions at £7.00 there is also a further discount for group bookings.

Box Office number is 01303 223925

or book on line at www.towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk

For more information contact Alastair Rivers on 07746880704

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A Frenchman, who lost all his limbs in an electrical accident, has successfully completed his attempt to swim the English Channel.

Philippe Croizon, who swims using prosthetic legs, finished the 34 km challenge in more than 14 hours, reports the BBC.

Sixteen years ago, Croizon suffered a severe electric shock while removing a television aerial from a roof.

A current surged through him from a nearby powerline and doctors were forced to amputate his limbs.

The 42-year-old said that at no point did he feel he was not going to make it, despite pains and aches all over his body.

Philippe, Croizon’s father, said his son had favorable wind conditions and was even accompanied by three dolphins swimming alongside for a period- a “sign of good luck”.

http://sify.com/news/limbless-frenchman-completes-english-channel-swim-news-others-kjtmEdajgjf.html

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KICK THE DIETING HABIT: On 21st Sept at 6.30pm (90mins) start or 8pm (90mins) start. Cost: £5.00/wk - ongoing. This ongoing course allows you to Change Your Relationship With Food. Does food run rings round you?

• Do you find yourself turning to high-calorie snacks at set times of day? Ever catch yourself eating mindlessly?
• Are you a yo-yo eater? Binging, Comfort eating, Losing your appetite the next day, Sending your metabolism askew.

If you relate to these symptoms and you’re fed up with it and really want ‘the change’ you’ve craved for so long, come along to this weekly event that builds into a full programme for Weight Control and Healthier Living (there are two interchangeable times to match your busy schedule).

Once you’ve made the decision that you really do want this, here’s just some of what you’ll experience:

Learn how to eat what you like, keep your love of food and still lose weight, Address Food Cravings, Adopt coping strategies, Be relaxed at socials with family, friends, out at parties and restaurants, Take some exercise using the philosophy of Less is More …Tasting sessions to enhance cooking both familiar and new foods and watch cookery demonstrations of dishes voted for by you. Use the most up-to-date techniques to allow your mind to do the work while you sit back and take the credit …Meet with like-minded people and build a supportive network.

I can’t really say how long it will take you because everyone is different. What I will guarantee is that if YOU Stay Your Distance I’ll ensure you get to where you want to be. And you’ll know when you’re there because you will see, feel and notice the effortless difference and so will others. You’ll have an opportunity to address all the obstacles that held you back from achieving your long-term goals before now …Learn how to lose weight the easy way (no tie-ins and no contracts).

Any questions contact Jane on 01303 223233 / 07951 522829

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T’ai Chi classes with Catherine Robinson in Chichester Hall, Sandgate.

“Find movement in stillness, and stillness in movement” - Taoist quotation.

T’ai Chi Ch’uan is an art which has been practised for centuries in China to promote good health and llongevity. The slow, gentle flowing movements, accompanied by deep rhythmical breathing, gradually help the body and mind to become more open and centered, restoring an inner balance and harmony so often lost through the pressures and strains of everyday life.

Autumn Term (13) weeks - Tues 14 September - Tuesday 14 December (no class 26 Oct)

Spring Term (13 weeks) - Tuesday 4 January - Tuesday 5 April (no class 22 Feb)

Summer Term (12 weeks) - Tuesday 26 April - Tuesday 19 July (no class 31 May)

Times of Classes:

• 6.00 - 7.00 pm - New T’ai Chi Beginners Class
• 7.15 - 7.45 pm - T’ai Chi Part 111 for current students - from Sept to Dec 10.
• 8.00 - 9.30 pm - T’ai Chi Study Group

Fees:

• Beginners: Autumn £78.00, Spring £78.00, Summer £72.00
• Part 111/Qigong: Autumn £32.00, Spring £32.00, Summer £30.00
• Study Group: Autumn £91.00, Spring £91.00, Summer £84.00

If you need further informatioon, please contact Catherine Robinson on 01303 890652 or email: enquiries@taichiholidays.com

Note: If you are unabale to attend on Tuesday evenings, there are also beginners’ T’ai Chi and Qi Gong classes at the Chichester Hall on Friday mornings, taught by Sue Blakesley. For more information ring Sue on 01303 210456. Catherine and Sue are planning to synchronise their teaching so you may be able to make up a missed class at the alternative time in the the same week.

What to wear:

You don’t need to wear any special clothes - anything loose fitting and comfortable will do. Inexpensive Chinese indoor T’ai Chi shoes may be available to buy if you wish, but they’re not obligatory.

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