5 Dec 2011 - 19:00
Our Christmas “Black Tie” Dinner this year will be held at Oakwood House, Maidstone – www.oakwoodhousehotel.co.uk on Monday 5 December 2011 at 7.30pm for 8.00pm. This will be preceded by the Annual General Meeting at 7.00pm – details to follow in due course.
We will be served with a mulled wine and bucks fizz reception from 7.30pm. I have agreed a 3 course seasonal menu with Oakwood House and this is reproduced below:-
Honey roast parsnip and chestnut soup with spiced apple croute
Weald smoked duck with mulled berry chutney and toasted brioche
Cantaloupe melon and Parma ham
Roast turkey with all the trimmings
Pan roasted sea trout with cider and mustard braised winter greens and mushroom fricassee
Caramelised red onion and Kentish blue tarte fine with parsnip puree
The Oakwood Christmas pudding with brandy and rum and raisin butter
Kent pear, hazelnut and cranberry crumble with butterscotch custard
Selection of cheese and biscuits
Fresh filter tea, coffee and mince pies
There will be a cash bar for wine and other drinks. As a result of the administrative savings the Club has achieved this year, the Committee has agreed to allow each Member one free place (non-transferable) at the Christmas “Black Tie” dinner; the Guest rate is just £34 per person.
Please use this opportunity to entertain friends, colleagues, clients and contacts and to introduce them to your Club. I look forward to hearing from you (RSVP please) and seeing you again on Monday 5 December for the Christmas “Black Tie” Dinner which I am sure will be a superb evening! Can I please ask you to book early to avoid disappointment!
We have also been offered preferential rates on rooms at Oakwood House for the night of Monday 5 December – a Standard Room at £46 (single) or £63 (double) and a Superior Room at £68 (single) or £81 (double) inclusive of breakfast, service and VAT! You will need to contact Oakwood House directly (telephone 01622 620720) to make your reservation; please let Oakwood House know that you are a guest at the KEC dinner to secure the preferential rates. .
Oakwood House Hotel Oakwood ParkNovember 2011: Life of Crime Dinner
10 Nov 2011 - 19:30
The “Life of Crime” Dinner will be from 7.30pm on Thursday 10 November at Brands Hatch Place Hotel – www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/hotels/brandshatch-place
This follows on from the “Life Behind Bars” dinner Sarah Haywood arranged last November with Andy Hudson, Governor of HM Prison Maidstone.
Our guest speaker on 10 November will be Martin Gill who is a Professor of Criminology.
Martin has undertaken studies on different aspects of crime and its prevention with a particular interest in business crime and security.
His research has included interviews with murderers, armed robbers, fraudsters and burglars in prison and their views on what they did and why will be insightful!
I have agreed a 3 course menu and this is reproduced below:-
Roasted Plum Tomato Soup, Basil Oil
Gala Melon, Handpicked Berries and Raspberry Coulis
Roasted Breast of Chicken, Mash Potato, Fine Beans, Baby Onion and Pancetta Sauce
Puff Pastry Case with Wild Mushrooms, Rosemary Roasted Parsnips
Lemon and Vodka Meringue Roulade, Raspberry Coulis
Raspberry Crème Brulee, Shortbread Biscuit
Tea, Coffee and Mints
The cost is just £26.50 per person.
Brands Hatch Place Hotel Brands Hatch RoadOctober 2011 : Tower of London Yeoman Talk (Peter McGowran)
11 Oct 2011 - 19:00
Sept 2011 : Annual KEC Golf Day
22 Sep 2011 - 12:00
The Kent Executive Club Golf Day at Sittingbourne & Milton Regis Golf Club, which is known for its challenging and well maintained course, will take place from Midday on Thursday 22 September 2011. We will be providing a ploughman’s lunch and 18 holes followed by a 3-course dinner and prize giving and all this for just £52 per person
To reserve your place (or team places) can you please contact Roger Cornish. Payment of £52 per person can be made either:
· online directly to the Club’s NatWest bank account – Sort Code 60 – 60 – 08, Account No. 33528071 (preferred); or
· by cheque payable to Kent Executive Club and sent directly to Roger Cornish at 22 Bayview Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 4NP
When booking can you please advise your handicap and the names/handicaps of team members, if known? If not you can advise us later. After last year’s record attendance, demand for places is likely to be high so please book early to avoid disappointment!
Sittingbourne and Milton Regis Golf Club Wormdale Hill, NewingtonAug 2011 : Wildwood Trust Visit
15 Aug 2011 - 19:00
Join us on a night tour by moonlight of the Wildwood Trust in Herne Bay. Wildwood staff will lead us on the tour and we will experience the woodlands and the animals that live there at a time when the darkness belongs to them! We will:
- FEEL the wolves tracking us silently through the woods like silver shadows on silent feet
- HEAR the beavers splashing in their pond
- SPOT the wild boar rooting under the pine trees
and all this at Wildwood Trust, Kent’s unique woodland discovery park. The Wildwood Trust is a registered charity and further information is available at www.wildwoodtrust.org
We will enjoy a 2 course meal following which the Night Tour will commence at 8.00pm and last approximately 2 hours. The final menu is yet to be decided but will be along the lines of lasagne / vegetarian option followed by a dessert. There will be a cash bar.
Wildwood Trust allows a maximum of 30 guests per evening for the Night Tour and therefore we have provisional reservation for all 30 places on Monday 15 August.
Our first objective is to fill the 30 places reserved but in case demand exceeds supply we are also holding 28 places for the Thursday evening before (11 August)!
The cost for the evening meal and Night Tour is £28.50 per person including a charitable donation of £20.00 for which we will complete Gift Aid Certificates later. To confirm the provisional booking the Club needs to make full payment next month. Can you please let David Forge know if you will be joining us on Monday 15 August and how many places you require? Payment can be made either:
- online directly to the Club’s NatWest bank account – Sort Code 60 – 60 – 08, Account No. 33528071 (preferred); or
- by cheque payable to Kent Executive Club and sent directly to Roger Cornish at 22 Bayview Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 4NP
We look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible (RSVP please). This will be a SUPERB evening and with the limit on numbers you really MUST book early to avoid disappointment!
Wildwood Trust, Herne Common Herne Bay Kent CT6 7LQJune 2011: Kent Wildlife Trust reserve Visit
20 Jun 2011 - 18:45
We will be visiting the Kent Wildlife Trust reserve at Sevenoaks. To quote their literature, ”As you enter the tranquility of the lakes and woodland walks it is easy to forget this reserve is surrounded by the hustle and bustle of everyday life” This is an opportunity for you to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a short while and enjoy the location and talk from Amanda Hedges the reserve manager. We will then proceed to the Woodman at Goathurst Common, Ide Hill , Sevenoaks for a two course dinner. We will also be presenting a cheque for the money raised at the golf. The evening will start at 7.00 pm so please arrive shortly before that time
The cost for the Kent Wildlife Trust visit is £ 27.50 per person. Can you please let me know if you can join us on Monday 20th June, and how many places you require Payment can be made either:
- online directly to the Club’s NatWest bank account – Sort Code 60 – 60 – 08, Account No. 33528071 (preferred); or
- by cheque payable to Kent Executive Club and sent directly to Roger Cornish at 22 Bayview Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 4NP
I look forward to hearing from you (RSVP please) and seeing you again on Monday 20th June for the Kent Wildlife Trust visit which I am sure will be a superb evening! Please book as soon as possible.
The reserve address is Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3DH
Kent Wildlife Trust reserve at Sevenoaks Bradbourne Vale RoadApr 2011 : Meal at The Swan, West Malling
23 May 2011 - 19:30
Further details to follow shortly. Time to be confirmed.
The Swan 35 Swan StreetApr 2011 : No event due to bank holidays and Royal Wedding
1 Apr 2011 - 19:00
There will be no April event due to the bank holidays and the Royal Wedding.
N/A N/AMar 2011 Bank of England Dinner : Kits Coty
28 Mar 2011 - 19:30
Phil Eckersley, South East and Anglian Regional Agent for the Bank of England will be offering his insight into the economy and predicitions for the following year.
Phil will also be looking for feedback from attendees to have insight into what delegates are experiencing within the local economy.
Kits Coty Brasserie 15 Old Chatham Road Bluebell Hill Aylesford Kent ME20 7EZ
Feb 2011 Charity Dinner : Hempstead House
22 Feb 2011 - 19:30
[caption id="attachment_399" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="KEC 2011 Charity "]
[/caption]
The Annual KEC Charity Dinner is being held in support of this year’s charity, the Caldecott Foundation. Richard Harvey (previous KEC Member) will be speaking about the work the charity does caring for the most vulnerable children in the UK who have suffered cruelty and neglect.
Hempstead House London Road Bapchild Sittingbourne Kent ME9 9PP
Jan 2011 : KEC Annual Quiz
27 Jan 2011 - 19:30
The Annual KEC Quiz was held at the Sutton Valence Village Hall with George Sanders once again being the very able quiz-master.
7 tables battled it out to take this year’s crown with Edwina Millward’s team “Degamers” retaining the crown for the 4th consecutive year by the narrowest of margins. It took 4 tie-break questions with only the name of Charlie Brown’s dog (Snoopy) separating them from the Reeves & Co team.
A great night was had by all and special thanks go to George for an excellent set of questions of varying difficulty,Michael and Michelle Breeze for organising the drinks and to Susan for organising the raffle prizes.
I am delighted to be able to announce that £250 was raised for charity on the night. So thank you to you all for your support.
Martin
Sutton Valence Village Hall North Street Sutton Valence Kent ME17 3HTDec 2010 : KEC AGM
6 Dec 2010 - 19:00
The Black-tie Annual General Meeting took place on Monday 6 December 2010. After the formalities of the meeting we were treated to an excellent meal at the Chilston Park Hotel.
Chilston Park Hotel Sandway, Lenham, Maidstone, Kent ME17 2BENov 2010 : Life Behind Bars : Petit Maison
9 Nov 2010 - 19:00
Members were treated to an interesting talk by Andy Hudson, Guvenor of Maidstone Prison whilst enjoying a meal at Petit Maison in Maidstone.
Andy gave us a useful insight into what daily life behind bars is like.
Thanks go to Sarah Heywood for organising this event.
Petite Maison Nelson Yard/2-3 St. Faiths St Maidstone ME14 1LHOct 2010 : Dockyard Ghost Tour
25 Oct 2010 - 19:00
Members and guests were treated to an excellent 3 course meal at the Commissioner’s House within the Historic Dockyard at Chatham followed by a spooky Ghost tour of the building and gardens. Guided by Steve and Pam (both dressed in spooky attire) some of the secret past of the house and gardens was unveiled in an informative and engaging manner.
Thank you to Martin Kingman for organising this event.
Commissioner's House Main Gate Road, The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent. ME4 4TZAug 2010 Big Cat Experience : Cheques PH
9 Aug 2010 - 18:30
Our members and their guests were treated to the wonders of the Wildlife Heritage Foundation Big Cat Experience at Smarden on a beautiful English summer’s evening.
Brian gave an informative talk about the conservation work and then groups were shown round the immaculate site. An interactive demonstration was given by Brian at the Lion enclosure.
Here the extremely knowledgeable Brian shows us Kafara (one of the three lions) up close and personal.
An excellent evening was rounded up by a wonderful BBQ at the Chequers PH in Smarden, where the food and surroundings were both excellent.
Thank you to all concerned in making us very welcome and for such an excellent event.
Wildlife Heritage Foundation Headcorn Road, Smarden, Ashford, Kent. TN27 8PJJul 2010 : Biddenden Vineyard
12 Jul 2010 - 19:00
We met at Biddenden Vineyard at 6.30pm on Monday 12 July for a vineyard walk, winery talk and tastings including a complimentary glass of wine. www.biddendenvineyards.com. After the informative tour we enjoyed a Ham Salad – home baked ham served with a selection of salads, new potatoes and fresh bread. To follow there was local strawberries and raspberries as well as raspberry cheesecake and coffee. An excellent venue with great food ensured that the 30-odd members and guests had a brilliant evening.
Biddenden Vineyard Gribble Bridge Lane Farm, Gribble Bridge Ln Biddenden, Kent TN27 8DFJun 2010 : Tudeley Church Visit, Piano Recital + Poachers Inn
7 Jun 2010 - 19:00
The visit to All Saints Church, Tudeley, whose origin dates back to the Saxons and Normans, contains the world famous Chagall’s Memorial Window which dominates the east wall, was introduced by our newest member, John Marsh, who gave a brief overview of it’s rich history.
Following a short tour around the remainder of the Chagall windows, a recital was given by Graham and David Williams, musicians from Tonbridge School.
A most pleasant meal was provided by the staff at the Poacher Inn to complete the special evening
Tudeley Church Tudeley Tonbridge Kent TN11 0NZMay 2010 : Mid Kent College Apprentice Meal
6 May 2010 - 18:30
Mid-Kent College has a long held reputation as a centre of high-class further education. Their Catering & Hospitality Faculty has trained hundreds of young professionals, many of whom have gone on to work in some of the World’s finest restaurants and alongside celebrity chefs, such as Gary Rhodes and Gordon Ramsey.
With a fully licensed bar and restaurant in contemporary settings our 30-odd members and guests sat down to experience what turned out to be a memorable meal.
The evening was a great success with a delightful menu which included fresh local asparagus to start, superb chicken and mushroom main course with and a pineapple, meringue and home-made coconut ice cream dessert.
Cooked by the County’s finest young culinary talent who we got a chance to quiz after dinner.
Mid Kent College Maidstone Campus Oakwood Park Tonbridge Road Maidstone Kent ME16 8AQDec 2009 : KEC AGM
7 Dec 2009 - 19:00
The 2009 Annual General meeting was held at Boys Hall followed by an excellent meal.
Boys Hall Boys Hall Rd Willesborough, Ashford, Kent TN24 0LAKEC ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF DAY 2009
15 Sep 2009 - 12:00
On a fine day in September, thirty five intrepid members and guests set out to conquer the mighty mountain of a golf course at Knole Park.
Despite many wishing they could turn back, all managed the final ascent via the South Col (some via the massive lake by the eighteenth green and even two by trying to bounce off the clubhouse windows). The last few teams were able to beat the gathering gloom and were even rewarded with fantastic sunset atmospherics.
Many stories of crevasses and ice walls were exchanged over the dinner table afterwards and then, over coffee, David Forge succeeded in winning the raffle (a consolation after his inimitable and probably very forgettable round). Finally, the prize-giving arrived and it was announced that there was a tie for first place. Instead of insisting on a play off on the, by now, pitch black course, the winner was decided by an arcane procedure known as a count-back and resulted in Kevin Hall retaining the trophy for a second year.
The exhausted mountaineers started their descent for their various far flung
homes with all but one vowing that next year they will do better.
Jun 2009 - Yalding Organic Garden
25 Jun 2009 - 19:00
Thirty-five Club members and their guests were spoiled by glorious June weather when they visited the Yalding Organic Centre on the evening of 25 June. We were treated to a talk by Steve Oram, a wonderfully educational tour of the centre, superb local organic food and drinks and a chance to augment the generous vegetable box for every guest with our own purchases!
Thank you to Steve Tancock for organising this event.
Yalding Organic Garden Benover Road,ME18 6May 2009 - Kent & East Sussex Railway
13 May 2009 - 19:00
If you have been lucky enough to travel on the Orient Express, you would have felt equally at home in one of the three coaches Barbara, Theodora and Maunsell of the Kent and East Sussex Railway. Many of us did, joined by our friends from IOD Kent and IOD East Sussex
The steam train, with some 55 of us on board, chugged and puffed through beautifully green, Kent and East Sussex countryside from Tenterden through Northiam to Bodiam – and back. The very caring and friendly, volunteer staff in their resplendent uniforms served us an amazingly good vegetable soup followed by beef with all the trimmings and topped by some desserts to die(t) for…all, of course, down by some very palatable wines for those that cared to imbibe
Kent & East Sussex Railway Tenterden Town Station Station Rd, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HEApr 2009 - SWEEEP + Sittingbourne + Milton Golf Club
30 Apr 2009 - 19:00
Who would have thought that SWEEEP’s noisy, dusty, busy yard would be so fascinating?
25 of us donned hard hats to watch old TV sets, computers CPUs and screen, Hoovers and the like be crunched, dissected, bashed and the bits (according to their properties) then sorted by electro-magnets, centrifugal force, shaking, straining, washing and finally by hand into bins of valuable metals , batteries , parts for sale.
Patrick Watts, ex racing driver, our host and MD, gave us a real insight into the young industry which has only grown since the WEEE Directive of 2002, enacted here in the UK in 2006 and implemented soon afterwards. What an inspiring entrepreneur!
We retired, slightly dusty and thirsty, to the Sittingbourne and Milton Regis Golf Club for a well earned pint / glass / tumbler and excellent evening dinner
SWEEEP (Specialist Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Processor) Gas Rd Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 2QBMar 2009 : Maidstone Museum
23 Mar 2009 - 19:00
Maidstone Museum was the setting for our March meeting.
Some 28 members and guests gathered in the magnificent Brenchley Gallery and split into two groups prior to being taken on a “behind the scenes” tour. Simon Lace, the Museum’s Director informed us that of the 600,000 or so artefacts in the collections only a mere 2% are ever on show to the public.
Highlights of the tour included a visit to the Art Store to see some magnificent works of art, the main store where we were able to get our hands on such diverse items as Japanese ceremonial swords and an extremely rare narwhal’s tusk and a chance to see the “Bug Store” where we were able to browse through hundreds of thousands of specimens of insects.
Following the tour a light-buffet was served following which Simon gave an enlightening talk on the history and exciting future of the Museum. Members were intrigued to hear how many of the artifacts and collections are rare, of exceptional quality and of international significance. Many other museums and universities borrow items on a regular or come to study them because our county town’s Museum truly has a most diverse and unique range of items on display and in its stores.
Simon also outlined the new East Wing Project which would both revolutionise access to the collection and provide 21st Century technology and educational facilities to benefit the community.
After covering the usual business matters chairman Peter Smith thanked Simon and his staff for a most enjoyable evening and requested a return visit in a few years once the new wing was completed
Feb 2009 - Charity Dinner : Hempstead House
5 Feb 2009 - 19:00
The Kent Executive Club’s annual Dinner/Charity funding raising event was held at Hempstead House, Near Sittingbourne on Thursday 5th February 2009.
The chosen Charity for the evening was the Kent Air Ambulance and although their Head of Sales Jill Playle was unavoidable taken off the bed with the cold, David Philpott, the Chief Executive agreed to stand in.
Grace was given by Don Wright and table magic was provided by Marc the amazing magician to the delight of all, leaving many with a variety of modelled balloons which took place during the excellent meal.
The Chairman, Peter Smith, welcomed everyone and formally introduced David Philpott who gave a very informative and enlightening overview of his role as Chief Executive, leaving everyone with an wonderful analogy of how our grandparents, and theirs before them used to use the seas to conduct their business and supported the Lifeboat Institution, now we use the motorways for our trade and use the Kent Air Ambulance, both Institutions being independent of any governing body resulting in first class service. Peter thanked David for his informative talk and presented a cheque, on behalf of the KEC, for a sum of £1,000.
Peter went on to cover the Parish notes, being the forthcoming events with dates and then closed the meeting.
Hempstead House London Road Bapchild Sittingbourne Kent ME9 9PP
Jan 2009 : KEC Annual Quiz
27 Jan 2009 - 19:30
Member gathered at Sutton Valence Village Hall once again for one of our most popular events – the annual quiz!
For the first time since the Quiz has been running there was a tie with “Always Right” led headed by our Secretary, Roger Cornish, and “Double Quartet” headed by our former Membership Secretary, Sandy Still, having the same score.
The winner ,determined by a tiebreak question put by the Quizmaster, George Sanders, was “Double Quartet”
As usual a raffle took place during the evening with all proceeds being earmarked for charity.
There was a very happy atmosphere throughout the whole evening with most of those present looking forward to the next Quiz with, of course, fish and chips.”
Dec 2008 : KEC AGM
8 Dec 2008 - 19:00
Biddenden’s most famous residents were Eliza and Mary Chulkhurst, Siamese twins joined at the hip and born
into a wealthy family in 1100. They lived to reach the age of 34, leaving
their considerable wealth to the Church to provide bread and cheese for the
poor.
Exposed beams and a roaring fire in the inglenook fireplace welcomed
members to the AGM and Black tie Christmas dinner at Ye Maydes restaurant,
which was named after the twins (owned and run by Sheila Daniels for the
last 30 years) it is a wonderful grade 1 listed building, built around 1500
and is in the midpoint of the picturesque High Street leading to the Church
The Chairman, Peter Smith opened the 19th Annual General Meeting by
welcoming all the members present
The Chairman again expressed his sincere thanks to the committee for their
ongoing commitment and hard work throughout the year and gave a brief
overview of the year’s events and membership drive, as well as the revamped Club’s website, thanking particularly the new Treasurer Steve Tancock for his sterling work and to Roger Cornish for the ever cheerful minutes.
The Chairman went through the agenda, approving the accounts and following
the appointment of new members to the committee, being Mark Stock and James
Theobald, made a plea for new members to come forward to assist with the
ongoing activities. A special thanks was given for the support given by
Susan Robinson, having served as a Chairman and continued to support the
Club as a committee member, was standing down due to increasing work
commitments.
There being no other business, the Chairman thanked everyone, including
Michael Breeze who had recorded the time of 12 minutes for Peter chairing
the AGM, and wished everyone a happy Christmas and prosperous healthy New
Year.
Oct 2008 - Murder Mystery Evening
22 Oct 2008 - 19:00
Crime report Was it suicide? Was it murder most foul!
The hotelier’s daughter Emily Brown (played by Sarah Hayward of Cooper Burnett) was discovered dead one evening, as we dined at Boys Hall
Inspector Jagger (Joe) interrogated Emily’s family comprising her father George Brown (aka Peter Smith, Venture Property Services). Mother Judith Brown (Sylvia Lichfield) and her siblings James Brown (Simon Scott, Kaslers Solicitors LLP) and Jill Brown (Caroline Tancock, Smith & Williamson), her lover Dan Crouch (Don Wright) and the family solicitor Henry Monk (Michael Breeze, Kaslers Solicitors LLP)
During the course of an excellent meal provided by Marcus Collings and his staff, the crime scene was inspected, questions asked, motives examined, alibis explored, secret code cracked, magnifying glass wielded, no stone left unturned to uncover the truth of this horrible event …. which was that it was certainly no suicide, despite the apparent suicide note left by the unfortunate victim and, as the ultimate sleuth of the evening Julie Stevens (Interior designer) deduced, the cold hearted, dastardly, murdering villain was none other than ………….…..well, you should have been there !
Boys Hall Boys Hall Rd Willesborough, Ashford, Kent TN24 0LA
