News & Updates
Our blog containing all our news, updates, media and events.
Lord-Lieutenant’s Meritorious Awards Ceremony, 30th September, 2014
The Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, Viscount De L’Isle MBE recently honoured twenty six members of the Reserve Forces and Cadet Movements from all three services – Sea, Army and Air – with medals and certificates in recognition of their dedicated service throughout the County. In addition, he appointed nine Lord-Lieutenant Cadets for 2014/2015 who will accompany him […]
Queen’s Award for Enterprise presented to Maviga Ltd, 26th September, 2014
The Vice -Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Mr Richard Oldfield, presented The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade on 26th September to Maviga International (Holdings) Ltd. Established in 1994, Maviga supplies dried edible pulses (peas, beans, lentils and chick peas) and other special crops including sesame seeds. It wins the Queen’s Award for International Trade […]
Countess of Wessex visits Kent, 26th September, 2014
HRH The Countess of Wessex started her latest trip to Kent which took place on the 26th September, by visiting The Royal School for Deaf Children in Margate, of which she is patron. She was there to open a new hydrotherapy pool, a disability gym, and a café complex. After unveiling a plaque, the Countess […]
Unveiling of Tonbridge Memorial Gardens Refurbishment, 22nd September 2014
On Monday 22nd September 2014 at 11 am, HRH the Duke of Kent unveiled the newly refurbished Tonbridge Memorial Gardens in the presence of some 350 invited guests and the public.This was the culmination of a five year project by the Tonbridge Memorial Trust and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council to raise the £250,000 to […]
Centenary Commemoration of the Sinking of Three Cruisers of the Chatham Division, 22nd September 2014
On Monday 22nd September 2014, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent was the Principal Guest at a Drumhead Service which formed part of The Historic Dockyard Chatham’s First World War Centenary commemorations. This nationally significant commemoration marked the loss of three Royal Navy Cruisers – HMS Aboukir, HMS Hogue and HMS Cressy – sunk by enemy submarine action […]
Queen’s Award for Export presented to Marco Limited, 15th September, 2014
The Lord-Lieutenant visited Marco’s new premises in Edenbridge to present the Queen’s Award for Export and at a special ceremony presented a cut glass bowl and certificate, on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen. Marco Ltd was established in 1985 by Murray Hilborne and manufactures intelligent fresh produce packaging equipment for pre-packed soft fruit and […]
Folkestone Triennial Opening, 30th August, 2014
The Lord-Lieutenant was pleased to be present at the launch of the Creative Foundation’s third Triennial Exhibition entitled Lookout – an exhibition of great art at the seaside. There are 21 specially commissioned contemporary artworks placed around Folkestone, curated by Lewis Biggs. For further information on the Triennial click here. The Creative Foundation has been working […]
Mons Centenary Battle Field Tour, 23rd August, 2014
The Jessel family joined the Mons Centenary Tour, organised by Peter Rollington who runs a charity called Great War Battlefields to commemorate the first British engagement of the First World War at Mons, Belgium. George Jessel DL, in his capacity as a Deputy Lieutenant, laid a wreath at the Tertre Memorial to honour the Queen’s […]
Shorncliffe Military Cemetery Vigil, 4th August, 2014
On the evening of 4th August as dusk was falling, supporters of the Shorncliffe Trust, together with volunteer helpers and many members of the local community, came together for a moving ceremony at the Shorncliffe military cemetery in honour of the fallen soldiers of the First World War. The Lord-Lieutenant was represented by Ros McCarthy […]
Commemoration of the Deployment of the BEF, Swingate ,12th August 2014
On the 12th August 2014, as part of the Western Front Association 1st World War Centenary commemorative events, a special service was held at the Royal Flying Corps Memorial at Swingate, near Dover, to commemorate the arrival at Swingate on 12th August 1914 of No.s 2, 3, 4 and 5 Squadrons Flying Corps prior to their […]
Opening of the Exhibition “Back to Blighty”, Tunbridge Wells Art Gallery, 24th July, 2014
On Thursday the 24th of July, Baroness Audrey Emerton DL, officially opened the latest Exhibition at the Tunbridge Wells Art Gallery, ‘Back to Blighty’. The Exhibition is open until the 4th of January 2015. Tunbridge Wells, during WW1, was an important centre for the care and convalescence of wounded Soldiers, from both Britain and Belguim. […]
World War I Centenary – Vigil Services, 4th August, 2014
In response to the appeal made by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and supported by The Royal Household for floodlighting and house lights to be extinguished between 2200 and 2300 hours on the night of 4th August, and to leave a single light burning in each place, the gesture was taken up by many […]










