February 2024 Newsletter

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2024. We know many of our partners have been been very busy from the start of the year planning lots of events for the coming year and we look forward to promoting these. It is good to see so much positivity and with many events planned and booked, or in the pipeline, we think that 2024 is going to be a great year.

Love is in the air with Valentines only a few weeks away. We have a special Valentines category and a wide choice of partners offering some delicious cuisine and even more coming on board. Its not too late if you want to promote your Special Valentines offer to our audience. You may want to treat your partner to a different experience such as Alpaca or Micro pig walking, maybe give them an electric thrill with our new partner Combat Laser Tag, or maybe enjoy a romantic meal with a harpist playing in the background? Whatever you are looking for, you can find inspiration with our App. This month, we're pleased to bring you the latest experiences and events taking place across Kent.

• Maidstone United victorious against Ipswich

• New Partners

• Festivals · Great Music · Delicious dining experiences

• Kent Networking Events

• The Cave Tasting Menu

• New Member of the Team

• Upcoming events

As we reflect on the past year, we appreciate your continued support, and we're excited to announce that 2024 holds even more opportunity for the partners of "What's On In Kent." We're growing at a great pace, and it's heartening to witness an increasing number of partners and users joining our What’s On In Kent community.

We are proud to announce we now have well over 8,000 app downloads and regularly receiving between 25,000-30,000 page views per month, so thank you to each and every one of you. Clearly this is great news for our partners as they get a lot of exposure.

In 2024, we are committed to enhancing your experience with richer content and diverse events and greater exposure to a wider audience. Our mission is to continue to be your "Go-to" app for everything happening in Kent.

Don’t miss out on the chance to promote your business to the thousands of people who are searching our site every day! Our partner packages start at just £30 per month, making it a pocket-friendly choice for any businesses big and small. Get started today by exploring our advertising options at https://whatsoninkent.com/advertisewithus

Feel free to get in touch with the team at What’s On In Kent by giving us a call on 01622 477778 or email sales@whatsoninkent.com

We are thrilled that Maidstone United Football Club emerged victorious in their match against Ipswich Town in the FA Cup last Saturday, January 27th.

The thrilling encounter, held at Portman Road saw Maidstone secure a triumphant 2-1 victory. The What’s on in Kent team proudly stands united in celebrating Maidstone's remarkable success and a big shout out to our partner, The Village Hotel in Maidstone, for showing the action live in their bar, it certainly was a fantastic atmosphere.

Congratulations to Maidstone on this impressive win and we look forward to the next round! Let us know on social media who you would like Maidstone to play in the next round, Sheffield Wednesday or Coventry?

New Partners

We would also like to introduce you to our new partners we have had join us in the past couple of weeks.

Combat Laser Games

Combat Laser Games offers the ultimate outdoor experience for all!

With 3 purpose built woodland maps, a multitude of instructor led missions, cutting-edge laser tag technology, unlimited ammo, camo overalls, army style face paints and the option for adults to experience our electrifying Hyper Shock system – there’s no way, you won’t have the best time of your life!

And to top it all off, there’s unlimited hot and cold drinks for all, plus an awesome 50% off of Domino’s pizzas delivered as soon as the games end, to recharge your batteries after 2 hours of adrenaline pumping action.

Our goal is to ensure every player, leaves having experienced one of the best adventures of their life, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Also Combat Laser sell their UK made, high quality laser tag equipment - so if you are looking at starting a laser tag business, Combat Laser are the people for you!

Award Winning - Rosemont Mediterranean Restaurant Folkestone

Rosemont is a contemporary Mediterranean Restaurant and cocktail bar situated in the charming seaside town of Folkestone. At Rosemont, they serve breakfast, early brunch and dinner. There is an outside seating area available for customers, where customers can enjoy outside dining. The Rosemont restaurant will also be offering a special valentines dining experience where you can enjoy a romantic evening with the beautiful sound of a harpist playing in the background to make your evening even more special.

TN90s Festival Tonbridge

Introducing TN90's Festival to Tonbridge in 2024! Immerse yourself in a weekend fi lled with the fi nest acts from the 90s, promising a blend of fun, dancing, and exceptional music.

Located at Deaconsfield, our new festival finds its perfect home near Tonbridge Castle and Tonbridge Rugby Club. Positioned conveniently close to the station, offering ample local parking, and just a short stroll from the town centre, it truly stands out as the ideal venue for our festivities.

The celebration kicks off at midday each day, extending the excitement until well after sunset! With a variety of delectable food options and bars right on site, there's no need to step away from the party atmosphere. Join us for a weekend to remember!

The Pond Cafe, Tyland Barn

If you're in need of a caffeine boost, a delicious breakfast, or a satisfying lunch, experience the perfect blend of good food, & friendly atmosphere. Located at Tyland Barn, Chatham Road, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3BD

The Pond cafe is located at the Kent Wildlife Trust, so if you are looking to go exploring or take the kids out in the great outdoors, then why not work up an appetite and experience a delicious for lunch. We recently visited The Pond Cafe recently for an all day breakfast and would personally recommend anyone in the area to pop in and try it out!

The Garden Cafe, Four Elms

Introducing The Garden Cafe, a freshly opened, trendy spot nestled in the heart of Four Elms. It's the ideal place to relish in wholesome breakfasts, lavish brunch options, expertly crafted artisan coffees, delectable cakes, and our special signature waffles. Pet lovers rejoice – we're proud to be dog-friendly! We even offer a pupcup for your furry companions to enjoy alongside you.

You can locate us conveniently next to The Elms Equestrian Supplies. For reservations and inquiries, feel free to give us a call at 01732 757434.

We can't wait to welcome you to The Garden Cafe! We recently went to The Garden Cafe and tried their delicious brunch and the poached eggs were cooked to perfection would definitely recommend it!

Waterfront Bar and Cafe

Welcome to The Waterfront Bar & Restaurant by Tan and Tass. At The Waterfront Bar & Restaurant we believe in the perfect pairing of tasty food and great company. Founded by two passionate sisters, Tan and Tass our family-run Restaurant offers a warm atmosphere for friends and family to gather over delicious food and drinks.

Our carefully curated menu, ranging from classic comforts to innovative creations, is a testament to our commitment to satisfying diverse tastes. Chef Tan’s expertise ensures each dish bursts with flavour, using only the freshest ingredients.

Local Services

We have thousands of people viewing our website each month which makes it a great place to advertise your local business. People often think you have to be hosting events to be a partner on the What’s on in Kent app, but you don’t! We have a local services category on the app and website where you can promote your business. Just like our newest Local Service that has just gone live, Glosrose Engineering Ltd.

Glosrose is the UK's leading supplier of mechanical handling and construction equipment. Evolving from a local Kent-based business, we offer a comprehensive range of services, including sales, hire solutions, service & maintenance, parts, health & safety, and finance.

Balfour Hush Heath Estate

Discover Balfour Winery and explore Hush Heath Estate, which comprises of 400-acres of Kent countryside, teeming with wildlife. Visit our state-of-the-art winery, open all year round for tours and tastings. Relax on the terrace with sweeping views of the Estate and experience some of England’s fi nest wines, straight from the vineyards. Self-guided walks are available seven days a week, 10am-6pm, no need to book. Guided tours must be booked in advance via our website.

Huckleberry Woods

Huckleberry Woods is a small, rustic farm devoted to micro and miniature animals.

• Visit our gorgeous micro-pigs, miniature donkeys, Teddy Bear sheep and alpacas
• Mingle with animals free ranging around their orchard home
• You can even arrange to take them for a walk
• With none of the usual hustle and bustle, a two hour visit to Huckleberry Woods provides a more relaxed and personal experience with limits on numbers of guests booked in at any one time
• Relax with tea and cake afterwards while your children let off steam in the little play area

Networking Events - Keeping Connected

Our What’s on in Kent team like to keep in with the action by attending as many business and networking events as possible throughout the year. This month we had the pleasure of attending a networking with event with our partner The Copper Rivet Distillery. The event was organised by The Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and we were treated to a tour by Naomi where she educated us on the process of making gin and vodka, and special thanks to Kaz Macklin and Marion Turner of the Kent Chamber for helping to make the event such a success! We attended another Kent Chamber of Commerce networking event hosted at the University of Kent in Canterbury. We were also lucky to be invited to a special event to celebrate Burns night and this event was hosted by hosted by BoConcept in Canterbury where a delicious spread was provided including some traditional Haggis.

These networking events not only allowed us to expand our network but also reinforced our commitment to supporting our partners in Kent. As we actively seek out opportunities to promote and recommend our partners, these meetings help contribute to the growth of the economy in the Kent region. The What's on in Kent team look forward to more network meetings throughout 2024, further enriching our partnerships.

We would like to say a massive Thank you to Melissa Dizon from Martello Building Consultancy who introduced us to Earl. We always love to catch up with Melissa at networking meetings, and we can recommend Melissa for any comprehensive building consultancy information!

The Cave Hotel - Firepit tasting menu

Our MD, Nick was lucky enough to be invited along by our wonderful partner, The Cave Hotel, to sample their new Firepit Tasting Menu last Thursday 25th January.

Designed for communal indulgence, the menu invites customers to savour the bold and innovative nature of Firepit's cuisine through an array of sharing plates. Signature dishes such as the Black cod, Voodoo shrimp with Cajun bisque, and the Sticky fried rice with a fried egg showcase the team's dedication to pushing culinary boundaries.

These dishes exemplify the global exploration that has fueled Firepit's menu, promising a unique and exciting concept to Canterbury. The introduction of new dishes adds a thrilling dimension to the Firepit experience. From the aromatic Tandoori chicken to the indulgent Pork belly, the tantalizing Smores volcano, the exquisite Banana souffl é, the refreshing Mango & passionfruit pavlova, and the decadent spiced pineapple tart tatin, each dish is a testament to Firepit's commitment to culinary excellence.

The culinary revelations at Firepit promise to exceed expectations, inviting you to indulge in a dining experience that is truly unparalleled, now further enhanced for wedding celebrations.

Newest Member of the Team

We would like to introduce to you, Earl, the newest member of the What’s on in Kent team. Earl will be with us on a 3 month secondment to assist with the development of our website and app. Earl is from the Phillipines and currently studying Computer Engineering.

Earl’s hobbies are writing and reading, I read and write various things from computer programs to essays and articles. The Philippines is a unique place with rich culture and beautiful landscapes and one of Earl’s favourite dishes in “Tinolang Manok” (Chicken Tinola). Our MD Nick enjoyed discussing different recipes with Earl, especially Chicken Tinola! Earl kindly sent us a YouTube video if anybody would like to make this delicious meal for themselves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akce1y4DKXc

Upcoming Events

• 10,000 Steps Challenge in January 2024 - Royal British Legion Industries
• Live Band Music Quiz - The Little Gem- 31st January 2024, 7.30pm.
• Saturday Bottomless Brunch - Thai Orchid- Every Saturday 2pm - 4pm
• Feel Good Friday - Thai Orchid - 2 February 2024
• Chapel Down Dining Experience - Chilston Park Hotel- 3rd February
• Sick Whips - Car Meet - FA Classics Auctioneers - Sunday 4th February
• One Foot in the Gravy Comedy Dinner - Holiday Inn Maidstone - Sevenoaks - 9th February
• Butler's School & Castle Capers - Leeds Castle - 10th - 18th February
• Battle at the Fort - Fort Amherst - Nerf Gun Battles - Saturday 10th February - Saturday 17th February.
• Valentine's Day - Orida Hotel Maidstone - 10th - 14th February
• Valentines at Frasers - Frasers - 14th - 17th February
• Singing Live, Sammy Dean - Five Bells, Halling - 14th February
• Valentines Day - The Hook & Hatchet - 14th February
• Young Shots Morning - West Kent Shooting School - 12th February
• Valentine's Dinner - Chilston Park Hotel - 14th - 17th February
• Wedding & Events Open Evening - Holiday Inn Maidstone - Sevenoaks - 29th February
• Superhero February Garden Trail - Hall Place & Gardens - Everyday throughout February