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NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
George & Dragon at Ightham named Kent’s Best Gastro Pub
The George & Dragon in Ightham near Sevenoaks was presented with the accolade for Best Gastro Pub, at a glittering awards dinner held at Ashford International Hotel on Thursday 28th January.

The Kent Restaurant Awards 2009, in association with OrderOnlineNow.co.uk and sponsored by Vertex Law, were unveiled at a Ashford International Hotel attended by more than hundred guests, including BBC TV presenter and renowned local foodie - Kaddy Lee-Preston.

The pub is run by husband and wife team Mark and Fiona Harris plus Executive Head Chief Simon Brazier.

“To achieve such a prestigious accolade is tremendous recognition of the efforts of our entire team,” said Fiona, “adding we’re also blessed by having such fantastic suppliers on our doorstep.”

Indeed the Awards’ judges scored The George & Dragon highly for its use of local and seasonal ingredients. Local suppliers include HW Coldbreath family butchers, Penshurst Fine Foods, Linton’s Seafood, Chapman’s Fresh Fish, Hadlow College and Chart Farm.

The judges notes commented: “We were searching for Kent’s Best Gastro Pub – not a fine dining restaurant housed in a former public house, with a sorry excuse for a bar. Apart from Simon’s Brazier’s unique menu, artistry and exceptional cooking skills - we were struck by the atmosphere you only find in a an early sixteenth century, with period features, and a welcoming landlord and landlady embedded in the local community. Regulars coming in for a morning constitutional with their dogs, the friendly efficient service, crackling log fires and a decent pint were the final clinchers.”

The George & Dragon competed in a strong category with a final shortlist including its sister pub The Harrow at Hadlow also run by the Harrises. Other finalists were: World’s Wonder Free House – Warehorne, Tiger Inn – Stowting, Yew Tree Inn – Sandling, Ivy House – Tonbridge and Bull Inn – Benenden. The Mulberry Tree at Boughton Monchelsea and The Sportsman – Seasalter competed in the Best Gourmet Restaurant category.

The evening was hosted by the renowned after dinner speaker - Bob “the Cat” Bevan, MBE. Wines were supplied by Hix & Buck which are also served on Channel 4’s F Word TV programme.

The George & Dragon is no stranger when it comes to collecting awards. It was the winner of Shepherd Name Wine Pub of The Year 2008.

The evening got of to an inauspicious start for the eventual winner of Best Gastro Pub award, however. During his preamble, compare Bob “the cat” Bevan gave an apocryphal account of his journey to the ceremony. Joking that he has stopped en route for quick pint of a “revolting” pub, also called ‘The George & Dragon where he was served by a miserable landlady, Bob asked, “Where’s George.”

The George & Dragon, The Street, Ightham, Kent TN15 9HH T: 01732 882440 www.HarrisInns.co.uk

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Lively Lunchtimes with Sevenoaks Ladies Joggers
An increasingly familiar sight in Sevenoaks in recent years, Sevenoaks Ladies Joggers (SLJ) groups run in Knole Park, in the streets, and in the lovely local countryside. Now SLJ coach Sam Pearce is launching a new group for those of you who would like to fit a fun, effective exercise session into your lunch hour. Sam said “The session will be an hour from start to finish, including a warm up, a jog, a cool down and a stretch. The sessions will start in the town Centre at the top of Webb’s Alley, and are an ideal way for local working women to fit some exercise into their busy days!”

If you are interested in these sessions, contact Sam on 07801 254334 or email 7oaksladiesjoggers@tiscali.co.uk for more information.

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
J5Slips.org Campaigning for a safer and improved traffic community for our people
Tim Shaw – Chairman J5Slips.org October 2009
(www.j5slips.org)

Who are you and what do you do?
I am Tim Shaw. I was born and bred in Borough Green and have lived in the village all my life. I am married to Sonia and have 3 daughters. I am a campaigner for improving the constant hellish traffic onslaught within the wider community. I have given my time over many years to help improve the safety to local residents and set up the Borough Green Traffic Action Group (BGTAG) which has successfully achieved 3 essential pedestrian crossings in the village. As a group BGTAG have also been responsible for the grass roots campaign to re-instate the overdue Borough Green and Platt Bypass. Although these are local road schemas Ii also became very aware of the wider community need of removing freight from the doorsteps of all the villages along the A20/A227 and A25. To help the wider community of villages I set up a group to campaign for the missing slip roads at Sevenoaks named J5Slips.org and in September 2008 I was elected chairman. [more]

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
7Oaks Tri Club - All go for 2010 at Sevenoaks….
7Oaks Tri Club are pleased to announce that entries are now open for the next Sevenoaks Sprint Triathlon which will be held on Sunday 18th April 2010. The online entry system is accessible via the Club website www.7oakstriclub.co.uk.

The last event in September 2009 sold out within nine days and it is expected that this next race will be as popular. Race Director and 7Oaks Tri Club Chairman, Gez Morgan said “since our last event the race team have been working to ensure that the feedback we received is put into effect so that when we welcome the athletes on 18th April 2010 they will have a great race. We have been told that the Sevenoaks Sprint Triathlon is one of the best events on the triathlon calendar and will try to ensure that it stays that way. Athletes will find a challenging course, friendly and well organised Club members who marshal and the great sponsors ensure that the goody bag is probably the best the athletes will receive anywhere!”

The event starts with a 400m pool swim at Sevenoaks Leisure Centre before the athletes mount their bikes for a hilly 25km cycle leg including the long ascent of Shipbourne Hill. After this, the tough 8km run winds through the stunning Knole Park. As before, there will be a small number of relay team spaces which are primarily aimed at athletes who may not yet wish to attempt the whole event alone.

At the September race, the fastest athletes were given the opportunity to race ‘head to head’ in a mass start – this proved to be very popular and will be offered again to the quickest competitors.

Three local businesses who were the primary sponsors of the events in 2009 have all been quick to confirm their involvement again for 2010; Sevenoaks Computers, Acorn Recruitment and Opus Network Services.

Athletes will benefit from electronic timing provided by Stu Web Race Timing and excellent race photography by Sussex Sport Photography.

In addition to the three local sponsors, most of the product sponsors from previous races have already confirmed that they will again be supporting the event. Gatorade will be providing hydration on the run course and at the finish; For Goodness Shakes! will be providing their recovery drinks to everyone at the finish; Powerbar will have some of their products in the goody bag. Other sponsors who have committed will be announced in due course.

The feedback from athletes after the September race continues to be very positive as some of these comments show:

"I would like to say a big thank you to you and all the marshals who helped me today. It made my first ever tri an excellent experience. I was extremely impressed, the whole race is very well organised. I hope to be back next year - if you'll have me!"

"I would like to thank everyone at Sevenoaks Triathlon club for all the hard work put into yesterday's race, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and can’t wait for the next one. Many Thanks for a great day".

"Hi there really loved your race it was the best one I've done yet well organised lovely people very friendly and a nice location….”

"Guys, the race today was absolutely fantastic! The race itself was one of the most fun I have ever done and the organisation was superb with lovely finishing touches. What's more the goody bag and the prizes for the draw (wish I had won one of those prizes!) were fab too. I don't know how you do it, but well done and keep up the good work".

Gez Morgan said “We want all competitors at the Sevenoaks Triathlon to have a great race, be well supported and be looked after by our Club members. 7Oaks Tri Club are proud to host these events and the athletes that take part be they novices or experienced, fast or slow, young or old. We believe that we offer everyone a race that they will remember, that will impress them, that gives good value and still leaves them wanting to return. Roll on April!”

7Oaks Tri Club website - www.7oakstriclub.co.uk

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Sevenoaks Town Crier - Sevenoaks Town Council
The 2009 Autumn Edition is now online, including sections on: Message from The Town Mayor, The Possibility of Additional Public Toilets Closing in the Town, Summer Basket Donations, Raleys Gym, Kent Painters’ Group, Volunteer Centre, New Bus Service, Sevenoaks District Council - Refuse Arrangements, Sevenoaks Job Club, What’s On in Sevenoaks, Town Councillors 2007 to 2011 and Functions & Facilities Provided By Sevenoaks Town Council.

Sevenoaks Town Council
Town Council Offices, Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3QG
Tel: 01732 459953 Fax: 01732 742577 Email: council@sevenoakstown.gov.uk
www.sevenoakstown.gov.uk