Some 25 members/guests enjoyed a delightful evening at the beautiful home of Katrina and Richard Burnett at the bottom of Goudhurst hill.

Our hosts entertained us with stories of the house, the families that lived there and of course, the musical instruments for which the house and the Burnetts are world-renowned.

We are now all experts on pianoforte, forte piano, piano consoles, square pianos, pyramid pianos, transverse grands, upright pianos, grand pianos, harpsichords, clavichords and organs, barrel or otherwise!  Not to mention the famous makers of many of these instruments -- Broadwood, Clementi, Stodart, Collard.

Not only did Richard play for us as usual, but there were a couple of guest appearances.  David, who was as knowledgeable as Richard about the history of each instrument and Alastair, an Englishman who lived in Norway learning Norwegian folk tunes one of which, he played in the "jazz" style on an 18th-century harpsichord.  You do not hear that very often

Michael was delighted that fellow KEC members Joseph Oates and James Theobald with his guest Mark Findlay, were able to join them.

The results were as follows

Winning team: Chris Edgecombe,  Julian Friel, IFA, Mark Stock Marc Lemezma and Miles Thurston

Best individual Shot:  Chris Edgecombe

Winning team on the Flush: John Bowden Clarkson Wright & Jakes Solicitors,  Julian Friel, IFA and Mark Stock Marc Lemezma

Other Shooters – 

All members of the Kent Executive Club would be most welcome to join the Hit & Miss shoots. Details can be found on our website Kaslers Solicitors LLP

The next meeting of the Hit and Miss Clay Pigeon Shooting Club will be on Friday 12^th September at 09:15 hours

Venue: West Kent Shooting School [directions]

Format: 30 clay practice over 5 stands, followed by a 50 clay competition over the same stands

Lunch: At the West Kent Shooting School

Cost: £65 per person to cover the cost of clays, hire of guns, ammunition, ear defenders, tuition, insurance, 2 course lunch and a glass of wine

Dress to be comfortable. 

2008 MEETINGS: [all Fridays]:  12th September, 21st November

In May members enjoyed a pleasant evening at Pashley Manor where the evening began with a history on both the manor and the garden before discovering them for yourselves.

April saw a  very successful evening with Alan McKendrick himself taking half of the tour of Aylesford Newprint together with his Training and Development Manager taking the other half.  After making our way through the landscaped site to the reception area we were met by Alan who ushered us into their function suite for coffee and a brief introduction to the tour.  We then had the opportunity of seeing the whole cycle from the collection of discarded printed matter to the output of paper.  Most of the members found questions and all showed enthusiasm.  It was a brilliant opportunity for Aylesford Newsprint to showcase their excellence in manufacturing standards.  Two members who had misunderstood the start time were escorted by security to join the tour and one ended up with the wrong head set for the narration which was really just typical of our members!!!!!  However the tour ended with a quick rundown on how it went and we were congratulated on being well behaved and for folding up our high-vis jackets.

Who said that KEC can't organise a ……..an event…. in a brewery?

Some 30 or so members and their guests visited the Kent Brewery on 11^th March. Jonathan Neame, Chief Executive spoke to us about the challenges facing not just his business, but the brewing industry as a whole – particularly being lumped into the same “alcohol industry” category as the supermarkets selling vodka and alco-pops, sometimes at below cost.   

Jonathan’s comments were particularly timely as it was the eve of the Budget and his prediction came true - that the Government would not differentiate and encourage the family friendly, controlled, drinking environment that is the modern pub from and over the “buy it in bulk” and (possibly) drink it in the street culture.

Jonathan fielded questions most ably and then left us to enjoy a tour of the facilities with the two “Dereks” who were both entertaining and informative.

A packed house of KEC members and their guests enjoyed a splendid evening at Stone Court Hotel, Maidstone on January 25th to hear Ann Widdecombe speak.

She gave an entertaining and enlightening talk on her experiences and views on politics and the wider world before signing copies of her books.

The first event of the year started with 18 members and guests gathering at Buckmore Park Go Kart Circuit for a briefing prior to a Mini Grand Prix. The weather prior to this had been continuous rain, but had subsided and the freezing temperatures took over. This did not stop our intrepid participants from hitting the track in some cases quite literally. Further Members and Guests joined the party who were still thawing out, for a meal in the Surtees Suite. The meal was concluded with an adrenalin filled talk given by our host, John Surtees, the only man to hold World Championship records on both 2 and 4 wheels, to end an excellent evening.

John and Jane Surtees were also Chairman, Peter Smith’s guests at the club’s dinner on 25 January when Ann Widdecome was the speaker. Besides John presenting Caroline Tancock with a memento of the Karting evening, John was presented with a cheque for £250 towards his chosen Charity, Demelza House, Sittingbourne.

The unique Stone Court Hotel originates from 1716 when it was primarily used as residence for Crown Court Judges.  The original owners were wealthy landowners, who it is said, was related to Queen Elizabeth I.  The Grade II listed building has been lovingly restored and now provides a magical retreat boasting original oak panelling and an imposing open stone fireplace.

In 1995 English Heritage, which had identified the house as ‘the most significant building at risk in London’ began ten years of restoration and the property became open to the public in 2005

Dinner was served in the breakfast room of this magnificent house, looking out over the parkland.

This year the Kent Executive Club's most prestigious Golf event took place at the Knole Park Golf Club.  The Kent Executive Club Trophy, was keenly contested for over an 18 hole Stableford competition and all aspiring golfers of any standard were welcome.

To hear some critics holding forth on the latest exhibition, you could get the impression that there is something very deep and complicated about art.

The Iles sisters, at Francis Iles Gallery in Rochester, have a different approach. If you like it and it lifts your heart every time you look at it, then it works!

Alayne, Nettie and Lucy actually have three art-related shops in Rochester and in July Club members and guests were wined and dined at the Gallery on the corner of La Providence and Rochester High Street.  During a tour of the Gallery, with glass in hand, they were given a critique of various painters and their foibles and passions.

On Wednesday 14 March 2007, a total of 74 members and friends enjoyed an excellent dinner at the Hempstead House Hotel, Bapchild, near Sittingbourne, followed by a most interesting talk by Dennis Turner, the Chief Economist of HSBC Bank plc.   Dennis not only displayed his great expertise as an Economist but also his personal art of presenting the subject - the economy over the years - with light hearted humour.   At the end of his talk Dennis dealt with several questions from members of the audience, in the same serious, yet light hearted manner.  He sat down to resounding applause from an appreciative audience and thanks from the Chairman, George Sanders.

During the evening the Chairman welcomed two new members, Suzanne Shaughnessy and Simon Scott and presented them with their KEC name badges.   Both suitably responded.

Members - you can now view more photographs of club events in the members area

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