Event Gallery
2009
‘Pepenbury’ is launched
On a damp and blustery late September morning at Bough Beech Reservoir we all got together for the launch of ‘Pepenbury’, our Laser Stratos sailing dinghy to be used by people with learning and other disabilities.
Many people who use our Day Activities were there, as were four ladies from KHoCA who contributed the bulk of the funds for the purchase. So was Ann Kemp - ex- mayor of Tonbridge. KHoCA were her chosen charity and they chose to use the money collected in part towards the boat. We were joined by the Courier Newspaper and Meridian News.
Peter Lake, Chairman of Kent County Council, kindly agreed to brave the elements and formally launch ‘Pepenbury’ – as a keen sailor himself he went out to give it a try and seemed impressed.
Without the dedicated instruction from the ladies and gentlemen of Bough Beech Sailability, the boat would not be much use and several of the instructors made time to be there and help (Brian Stanley, who’s in charge of the whole operation, Bob, another Brian, Richard Meakin, another Brian, Vince and Mrs. Stanley) to get out there, freeze in the wind but have a great time.
Much as it was great fun being blown away it was also good to get into the warmth of the Clubhouse and enjoy a Pepenbury ‘Kitcheners’ sandwich lunch and a hot cup of tea!
Sailing is all part of our aim to take day activities into the community and our partnership with Bough Beech Sailability has made it all come to fruition. Thanks to them and to Ann Kemp and KHoCA. A big thank you too to Peter Lake for finding time from his busy schedule to join us.
  
AXA PPP dig a hole for Pepenbury
Two young and fit teams of volunteers from AXA PPP were ably supervised by Mike Giles recently to dig a hole, not for themselves but for the ducks and ducklings of Pepenbury!
As part of our project to build up our small animal area in Cornford Lane we decided that we needed a pond for our new - hand-reared at Pepenbury - ducks. This was going to be quite a big undertaking and after the first day there was a crater not dissimilar to something from World War l in the animal enclosure. After day two the membrane was down and the pond was full of water. In addition AXA erected a shed on site.
June 20th was AXA PPP’s Global Volunteering Day so we were pleased that they decided to work with us on that day – so were the ducks!
80th Birthday Dinner Dance really went with a swing!
   
On 17th May we invited service users, staff and friends to our Charity Black Tie Dinner Dance held at High Rocks Tunbridge Wells.
A good meal and short speeches from Roger Gibson our CEO and Greg Clark MP, our Patron were followed by a raffle and auction – both of which were good fund raisers.
The highlight of the evening for many was the dancing to The Ian Fox and Al Stewart Band, supplemented by Peter Sherlock, an ex-resident and now living an independent life supported by Pepenbury.
A bouquet of flowers for organiser Meredith was well deserved!
Mencap Sports Event - 22nd August
Approximately 40 staff and service users from Pepenbury attended the Kent Mencap sports event at the Old Cricket ground in West Malling. Some were there to try out the variety of sports on offer and some were there to provide help with the excellent catering and refreshments provided by our very own Kitcheners. Others came along to watch and enjoy a great day of sporting entertainment. Thankfully the weather was kind right up until we left - indeed for the majority of the day we enjoyed some glorious August sunshine!
Unfortunately some of the organisations pulled out of staging some events scheduled for the day. This, however, gave Pepenbury the chance to step up to the plate and shine with the events we had been asked to put on. Following on from its success at the Pepenbury sports day we staged another game of rounders. Many of our service users took part along with a variety of other people at the event. Once again Simon Francombe hit the ball further than anyone else and scored the most points! We then enjoyed a tasty Kitcheners’ lunch before readying ourselves for the next Pepenbury event which was an obstacle course that anyone could join in with. There was excellent participation from Pepenbury as well as from people attending the event. Everyone seemed to enjoy it and we probably had over 50 participants.
Thanks to all the staff in attendance who helped to make it a really good day out for everyone!!
Warm Day putts Golfers in the Swing! (Oops)
Our 5th Annual Charity Golf Day at Woodlands Manor Golf Club opened and closed with sunshine and 24 teams gathered from around the South East to contest for the Larkfield Shield and the Nigel Turner Cup.
After a healthy brunch of sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs, beans and goodness knows what else, our golfers set off to their allocated holes for what the cognoscenti know as a “shotgun” start. We can report that competition was fierce and no quarter was given.
When the teams returned there were stalls selling Pepenbury Plants, Crafts, Apple Juice etc. - then it was time to get down to an evening of food and fun.
As usual many of our residents and staff joined us for the evening. Woodlands Manor provided another great meal, served by members of our ‘Kitcheners’ caterers. After a few words from our Guest of Honour, Cllr Felicity Broomby, and thanks from Roger Gibson, the day’s competition prizes were handed to the winners by several residents.
One of the many highlights of the evening was the auction led again this year by the charismatic Mick McCarthy. We auctioned a host of donated items until we could auction no more!
A big thank you to Ken and Margaret Thornton from Woodlands Manor, to Cllr Broomby, all those who donated auction and raffle items and lastly to Auctioneer Mick who exhibited a flair and degree of persuasiveness rarely seen in the annals of Charity Golf Days.
For anybody who feels left out from this great day or who would like to join us next year, the date is in the diary – 22nd June 2009!!
AXA PPP dig a hole for Pepenbury
Two young and fit teams of volunteers from AXA PPP were ably supervised by Mike Giles recently to dig a hole, not for themselves but for the ducks and ducklings of Pepenbury!
As part of our project to build up our small animal area in Cornford Lane we decided that we needed a pond for our new - hand-reared at Pepenbury - ducks. This was going to be quite a big undertaking and after the first day there was a crater not dissimilar to something from World War l in the animal enclosure. After day two the membrane was down and the pond was full of water. In addition AXA erected a shed on site.
June 20th was AXA PPP’s Global Volunteering Day so we were pleased that they decided to work with us on that day – so were the ducks!
Thanks to Jude from AXA who organised everything and to all those who took part. We hope that their blisters are beginning to heal.
Pepenbury’s Open Day
Pepenbury celebrated its Open Day on 31st May this year. We had terrific weather, high attendance and raised £2,000 for our charity for adults with a learning disability. One of our main attractions on the day was our small animal area; particularly a new addition to the site – Rupert – our new baby goat.
There were several stalls including cakes, books, trash and treasure along with fun and games such as whack the rat, soak the bloke and a smashing time (crockery). We were joined by the Tonbridge Lions with their coconut shy and several other stallholders selling jewellery, beauty products, crafts and pet food. Our Coffee shop, Farm Shop and Barbecue also attracted a great crowd – the plants were a big hit once again. There will be a further plant sale from 4th July where selected items will have 50% off.
We were supported by the Police Force and Fire Brigade on the day. The Police brought a vehicle and promoted awareness of community policing, and the fire brigade brought an interactive fire engine which created great interest amongst our guests.
Students from Mascalls School entertained us perfectly with their steel band and there were a lot of people getting into the Caribbean spirit during their excellent performance. The Pembury Scouts assisted us by providing the large tent on site to protect our stalls from any possible rain cloud, they also helped us to put up and take down the tent. Hugh Christie School let us borrow their megaphone for the day and Oakley School let us use their car park. Many thanks to all those who helped on the day, including all donors of prizes for the raffle; it would not have been such a success without you.
We look forward to seeing you all again next year!
Mayor plants 80th Birthday Tree - 15th March 2008
Walkers Trek for Pepenbury
Pepenbury Organizes Mayor's Charity Quiz Again - 26th January 2008
 
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