Sevenoaks News

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Stag Community Arts Centre - Celebration Weekend & Official Opening
This week The Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks will be officially re-opened as The Stag Community Arts Centre by Sevenoaks Town Mayor, Cllr Pam Walshe. To celebrate the occasion a weekend of special events have been planned to showcase the facilities and exceptional talent of local community arts groups. Celebrity performers are also supporting the week’s celebration events.

The Town Mayor’s charity dinner on 23rd April takes place in The Plaza Suite and is followed by a Gala Celebration Evening on the 24th in the 450 seat theatre auditorium.  Members of eight local amateur dramatic and performing arts groups will perform alongside TV personalities, Cheryl Baker and Michelle Gayle. Cheryl will introduce a medley of songs from her recent Disney musical, performed by members of her youth theatre, Bullfrog Productions. Michelle Gayle will perform two numbers, “Sweetness” and “Woo (You Make Me),” which featured on the TV show to select the UK’s entry to the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest.

Actor, Graham Cole, (The Bill), will make a special appearance in his role as King Water Rat, the ‘president’ of The Grand Order of Water Rats, the performing arts charity. Speaking about his support of The Stag he says: “The people of Sevenoaks are to be congratulated for the hard work and determination they have shown in getting The Stag Community Arts Centre open. May the curtain never fall on The Stag.”

Other members of the programme include musician, Emma Pears, and actress/singer Cathryn Short, who will perform “The Wizard and I”  as ‘Elpheba’ from the West End hit musical “Wicked”. Close up magician and mind reader to the stars, Robert Pound, will delight the audience with his animal magic antics and magic tricks. Pupils from St Lawrence School in Sevenoaks and Temple Academy of Performing Arts in Bromley will also star in the variety line up.

On Saturday 25th (10am – 4pm), the Friends of Stag host a free art exhibition and silent auction in The Plaza Suite. Since the Council’s formation in 1974, each Town Mayor has purchased a piece of painted artwork by a local artist, depicting a local scene. This will be the first showing to the public of this special collection.

There will be free cinema and theatre entertainment on Saturday afternoon (12 – 4pm) which will include a selection of short films and a chance to see an open rehearsal by Sevenoaks Philharmonic Society and The Jean Bentley Dance Band. Celebrity cast members of The Stag’s forthcoming Panto, Dick Whittington, will be in the theatre to meet the public. ‘Trojan’ from Gladiators, Sophie McDonnell from CBBC and ‘Lolly’ aka Anna Kumble will be there. It promises to be a great day out for all the family.

On Sunday, G2 Definitive Genesis plays in the theatre, capturing the sound, energy and atmosphere of early Genesis with passion and a spectacular light show.

Speaking about the official opening of The Stag Community Arts Centre, Councillor Andrew Eyre, Sevenoaks Town Council says: “I would like to thank everyone who is supporting The Stag and urge them to keep up the momentum. I hope we can together continue to provide and enjoy entertainment of the highest quality for many years to come.”

Details of the celebration events, forthcoming shows & films are available on www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk.
The Stag’s first What’s On Guide (May – Aug 2009) is also now available, featuring Sevenoaks Summer Festival events. Tickets are available from The Stag Box Office. Tel: 01732 450175.

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FREE weight management courses for Sevenoaks, Edenbridge & Swanley
The Why Weight Plan, organised by Sevenoaks District Council, has been running successfully throughout 2008/09. I'm pleased to announce that a further three Why Weight courses will be running in Swanley, Sevenoaks and Edenbridge, to start in April.

The 'Why Weight Plan' is a FREE 12 week weight management programme which encourages men and women to learn how to balance a healthy diet with regular exercise. The course will have weekly weigh-ins, nutritional advice, practical solutions to losing weight and 30 minute motivational exercise class.

The courses will be run at the following venues and must be booked in advance by calling the relevant dietician:

White Oak Leisure Centre, Swanley - Thursday 23rd April, 1pm – 2.30pm (call 01322 622132)
Sevenoaks Leisure Centre - Friday 24th April, 10.30am - 12pm (call 01732 885776)
Edenbridge Leisure Centre - Monday 20th April, 9.30am - 11am (call 01342 414445)

The programme, which is for those who live or work in the Sevenoaks District, is run by NHS dieticians and each person who calls the dietician will be assessed over the phone regarding their suitability for this course.

This initiative has been organised by Sevenoaks District Council, in partnership with Sencio Community Leisure and is jointly funded by NHS West Kent as part of the National Choosing Health agenda which aims to make healthy choices easier.

I would be grateful if you could forward this information to your staff, colleagues , friends and partners who work or live in and around the Sevenoaks Town area.

Additionally if you would like some posters and postcards, to display and distribute in your organisation, just let me know, I'm happy to send them onto you.

Thank you for your assistance.
Pauline Todd Community Development Officer (Health)
Community & Planning Services, Sevenoaks District Council, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1HG
Tel: 01732 227246 Fax: 01732 742339 www.sevenoaks.gov.uk

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Sevenoaks Stag - News Release
Stag Community Arts Centre - What’s On Guide Launch
The Stag Community Arts Centre is delighted to present its first What’s On Guide for the coming summer season. The programme, which gives details of events between May and August 2009, offers a wide variety of entertainment to appeal to most tastes.

Events suitable for young children, youth, families and discerning music lovers have been included. Comedy fans are in for a treat with monthly events hosted by resident comedian Maff Brown. Some of the names already seen at The Stag include Omid Djalili and Lee Mack. Rufus Hound and Russell Kane, amongst many other well-known names, will be making an appearance.

There is plenty of choice for both Popular & Classical Music lovers. Tribute bands like ‘Letz Zep’, ‘Magic – A Kind of Queen’ and ‘Fire & Water’ will feature, as well as   ‘Wishbone Ash’ with original band member, Martin Turner. Leading female singer of the late 70s, Elkie Brooks, will perform in concert in June. Hip Hop, Swing, Jazz and Classical Music events including Sevenoaks Symphony Orchestra, Sevenoaks Philharmonic and The Lydian Orchestra will all be performing over the summer.

Musical Theatre lovers will enjoy the spectacle of big Broadway shows such as ‘42nd Street’ presented by Sevenoaks Entertainers. ‘Footloose The Musical’ is looking for local performers to join the production, with two public performances at the end of August.

There are plenty of opportunities for young people to get involved in theatre life at The Stag Community Arts Centre. As well as Bullfrog Productions’ summer workshop and youth group, the launch of The Stag Youth Theatre (in association with Cre8tive Youth) starts on 20th April. Suitable for 11 – 18 year olds, SYT will give young people a chance to try something different, meet new people and have fun. Workshops over ten weeks will cover all aspects of acting and theatre. A summer Film Project will give young actors and film-makers the opportunity to write, shoot and act in a feature film over five days, then attend a premiere and see the finished film on the big screen at The Stag Community Arts Centre at the end of August. This exciting new club will give young people skills and experience which will last a lifetime.

For adults there is a film course starting on 20th April which will teach film-making techniques including camera and editing skills, acting for camera, storyboarding and production.

Tickets for all these clubs and events featured in the What’s On Guide are available from The Stag Box Office Tel: 01732 450175. More details can be seen on the website:   www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk

There are also two cinema screens at The Stag which show a weekly choice of latest release films each day, suitable for different age groups. Listings can be seen in the local press and on www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk

Linda Larter MBE, Chief Executive, Sevenoaks Town Council said: “The Town Council re-opened the venue on the 2nd January 2009 and during its first two months of operation has already hosted an impressive programme of events with approximately 14,000 people buying tickets. We hope that people will find something to suit their taste form the wide variety of events on offer.”

Events range from £1 (Shoe Baby Puppet Show on Saturday 20th June) to £28 (Cabaret & Dancing with dinner on Friday 26th June). There are 16 Sevenoaks Summer Festival events being held at The Stag Community Arts Centre, the largest number for any one venue.

Further press information:                        
Gabrielle Stapleton             
Tel: 01892 825157

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Fox Archers
Fox Archers is a small archery club located in the pretty village of Otford in North Kent.  Our practice days are on a Sunday from 10.00am, on a Saturday afternoon and also on Wednesday evenings from 5.30pm onwards at St Michaels School, Row Dow Lane, Otford, TN14 5SE.

We run two beginners course each year, one in April and the other in May and the courses last for four weeks. During the two and half hour sessions all equipment is provided and you will receive instruction from one of our GNAS qualified coaches. The course costs £40 and this includes membership of our club if you decide to join. If you are interested then a beginners application form can be downloaded from our website.  More information can be obtained by contacting Lynn Archer by telephone 01322 866444 or email lynnarcher54@googlemail.com.

Our website address is as follows: http://www.freewebs.com/foxarchers

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New Events at Sevenoaks Music Centre
Sevenoaks Music Centre is launching two products this term at its centre in Sevenoaks County Primary School.

Theory of Music Classes take place on Tuesdays from 4.30pm until 5.00pm. The classes are suitable for pupils up to Grade 5 or those wishing to improve their knowledge. Theory of Music is an aid to instrumental learning and can be especially useful for those people taking exams. Classes are free (when four or more students join) and are running currently.

From April 28th there will be a fantastic chance to take part in a new ensemble for all string players up to Grade 3. The Sevenoaks Junior String Ensemble is on Tuesdays from 4.35pm until 5.05pm and the first term is FREE. This is an opportunity for children to learn how to work as part of an ensemble and no experience is necessary.

For further information on any of these classes and to register please call Sue Marlow, Centre Coordinator on 07936 428426. Web: www.kent-music.com

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Free ZingZone Lesson for all 0 - 2 Year Olds at Sevenoaks Music Centre
ZingZone is an exciting new music programme for all pre school children that will begin a life long love of music. ZingZone classes are the perfect start to a child’s musical journey. They are small, up to 10 children, friendly and stimulate your child’s imagination and creativity.

On Tuesday 5th May, Kent Music will be offering a free ‘taster’ session at Sevenoaks Music Centre which is based in Sevenoaks County Primary School, Bradbourne Lane, Sevenoaks. All children aged between 0 – 2 years old can attend and bring their parents along. The class will take place at 3.45pm until 4.15pm and, in order to obtain your free place, you need to register your child’s name and date of birth by calling 01622 358400.

ZingZone classes will start the following week on Tuesday. There is a variety of songs, rhymes, dances and activities that are perfect for pre schoolers.

Prices are £5.00 a session and discounts are available for more than one child from a family attending. All we ask is that you sign up for a minimum of five sessions.

In order to find out more about when classes are on and availability simply call Kent Music on 01622 358400. Web: www.kent-music.com

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Cricket's first centurion - by Martin Williamson
The man who entered the record books for scoring the game's first recorded hundred.

Although cricket can be traced back with certainty to the seventeenth century, most of the early contests are lost in the mists of time. Occasional snippets survived, but with scoring and newspapers very much in their infancy, individual feats are rarely recorded.

In 1744 the first laws were drawn up, 10 years after cricket had been played at Sevenoaks Vine in Kent. In that same year the first full scorecard can be found.

A partial scorecard of a match played at The Vine on August 31, 1769 is one of the earliest to survive, and from it the honour of being the first man to score a hundred was given to John Minshull.

The game, between the Duke of Dorset's XI and Wrotham, was not a major match, even by the rather confused standards of the day, but no batsman before had been reported as making a century. Dorset, like his father, was a renowned patron of the game.

Minshull, or Minchin as he was called on the scorecard, made 107 in Dorset's second innings - he also top-scored in the first with 18 - which included 34 singles, 15 twos, nine threes and four fours, the latter all-run. Other details of the match are sketchy - Wrotham's scores are not even mentioned - but his was the first stroke-by-stroke record of any major innings.

To put his achievement into context, it was an era where it was relatively rare for a team to reach a total in excess of 100, and a batsman who got into double figures was considered to have done well. Pitches were little more than an area selected on a field that would have been kept in trim by sheep. The playing surface would have been uneven, and bats were unsprung and little more than carved wood.

Dorset, who three years later donated the ground to the Sevenoaks Vine club, recognised Minshull's talent, and as was often the way, subsequently employed him as head gardener at Knole House, his Kent estate, at 20 guineas a year. While Minshull reportedly fulfilled that role diligently, a major part of his job also involved playing cricket for the Duke and the club. [more]

YOUR LOCAL ADVERTISER MAGAZINE
Your Local Advertiser - April 2009
Your Local Advertiser Magazine for April 2009 is now available online in 'page turning' digital format.

VINE MAGAZINE
Vine - April 2009
Vine Magazine for April 2009 is now available online in 'page turning' digital format.