Brought to you by the same team that produced last year’s five-star production of The Wizard of Oz, this sparkling new musical by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes features amazing designs, explosive choreography and a gloriously British score by Olivier-Award-winning composer and lyricist George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

Ratty, Badger and Mole join the exuberant Toad and embark on a series of adventures and misadventures caused by his insatiable need for speed! Imprisoned for theft and with his existence under threat from the inhabitants of the Wild Wood, Toad must attempt a daring escape to defend Toad Hall. Featuring spectacular stagecraft and a company of professional actors as well as an ensemble of young local performers and a live orchestra this is set to be Trinity’s wildest adventure!

Based on Kenneth Grahame’s treasured novel, the production will open on the 13th December 2018,

Trinity Theatre’s production is directed by John Martin, Trinity Theatre Artistic Director, “I’m delighted to be able to get the rights to this brand-new musical by some of the leading talents in the world of British musical theatre. This version takes a fresh modern look at a classic tale with its emphasis on friendship and tolerance and has a very important message for today”.

Trinity Theatre is renowned as a pillar of the Kent theatre & arts community. “Trinity welcomes anyone and everyone to come together and experience the arts through the widest possible range of cultural activities. This year’s Christmas Show truly resonates how we feel about our local community and why the work we do and the position we hold is so important to all generations.” Alex Green, Executive Director of Trinity

Visitors will be met with the smell of hot chestnuts and a roaring coal fire in the festively decorated waiting room.

To get everyone into the festive spirit, located inside the waiting room will be the railway’s two popular face painters ready to decorate little cheeks with Christmas trees or snowmen!

Traditional Christmas music will play as families board the train.  Once on board, just sit back and enjoy the ride through the winter countryside from Eridge to Tunbridge Wells West. During the journey Santa will visit every child (only the good ones of course)! and all the children will receive a special gift.

Keep an eye out at the stations (including Groombridge) to take part in the ‘Spot the Snowman’ competition. Everyone who spots all the snowmen will be entered into a prize draw to win a family ticket to use during 2019.

The train journey to Tunbridge Wells West will last around 40-45 minutes where upon arrival Santa will disembark from the train to make his way into the Victorian engine shed where his sleigh can be found.   Everyone will have approximately 40 minutes at Tunbridge Wells West to sit with Santa in his sleigh for photos, view the spectacular Christmas tree, watch the model trains go around (subject to a small 50p charge), view traditional Christmas shows in the small cinema and also play on the Victorian penny machines.

Prior to departure there will be an opportunity to visit the well-stocked shop and pick up those all-important Christmas gifts, the return journey to Eridge will take approximately 20 minutes.

On 19^th April 1921 in Croydon, New South Wales, Australia Mr and Mrs Cecil Blumer produced a son and gave him the names Richmond Antony Barrett. Twenty years later he left his job as an Insurance Clerk and enlisted into the Royal Australian Air Force.

He trained as a pilot and during his early flight training in Canada crashed during some unauthorised low flying between two chimneys. Probably because of this bravado his rank remained at Flight Sergeant rather than gaining promotion to Flying Officer. His family called him ‘Tony’ but his colleagues nicknamed him ‘Red’ on account of his bright red hair. Eventually travelling to England he became a member of 91 Squadron, flying Spitfires from Westhampnett in Sussex and Lympne in Kent. In September 1943 he was flying missions over Kent, The Channel and Northern France. His tally stood at two Focke-Wulf 190’s and a Messerschmitt ME109 “destroyed” and a half share in another Focke-Wulf.  Once, an engine failure after a dog fight over Deal meant a swim in the Channel while waiting for rescue. He was unhurt.

That November his luck ran out, while on a *rhubarb he was shot down by flak near Rouen. He managed to evade capture by the Germans with the help of the French Resistance and got back to England via Switzerland and Spain. ‘Red’ was very un- Gallic in appearance, so much so that at one stage the Resistance dyed his hair black!

During his month’s long escape his Squadron had located to West Malling, he turned up there totally unexpected by his fellow airmen. After only three days convalescence he returned to active service. On 25^th June 1944, now 23 years old he had been flying Spitfire MKXIV RM617 chasing and shooting down or tipping over the Corporal’s V1 Flying Bombs (Doodlebugs) above Ashford and Tenterden. He touched down at Staplehurst Advanced Landing Ground to refuel. After taking-off again for the short return flight to West Malling the Spitfire was seen to suddenly spin and crash into fields and woodlands behind the Hop Pole Pub in Nettlestead Green, just a couple of miles from base. Today ‘Red’ rests at Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey. The remains of Spitfire RM617 were excavated in 1992 and a memorial to the Australian was placed at the crash site. The pilot’s flying helmet, watch and coins were found still in the wreckage.

A memorial service is held at the Hop Pole every year on the anniversary of the crash.

*RAF Banter for low-level freelance fighter operations against ground targets.

Footnote:  Winston Churchill in his speeches and writings often referred to Adolf Hitler as “Corporal Hitler”. I’ve followed his lead!

In Portugal a few weeks ago with another naturalist watching a rather dashing black and white butterfly, my companion asked me why it was called a Bath White. I had to admit that I did not know. It’s a rare butterfly to see in the UK and there are not many records as it is largely a resident of Southern Europe. There have been bumper years in the past when lots have appeared as migrants, 1945 was a exceptional year for them, but there have not been many UK records since. In fact this was a new species for me.

The story behind its name is very telling about the long history of interest in the natural world in the British Isles. Originally called “Vernon’s Half Mourner” it was named after its first known captor, a certain William Vernon, who came across a specimen in May 1702. However its common name, Bath White, comes from its appearance on a sample of needlework, supposedly showing one caught near Bath in 1795, and the name has stuck. It must have been a very special sighting to have been recorded in this way. I was glad to have seen one.

Why that Mr. Vernon called it a “Half Mourner”, I have yet to discover. I suspect that if still around today he might be a bit miffed that his name for this fine little butterfly has been lost……..after all, he did see it first!

House Martin

The event on Friday 23 November will be an exclusive event from 5.00pm to 8.00pm which will include a free glass of mulled wine or cider and a mince pie.   Pre-booking is essential and tickets are £12.

On Saturday 24 November the Christmas Fair takes place between 10.00am and 4.00pm and admission is £7.  Pre-booking is essential and following the huge success of last year’s event tickets can be purchased for either morning or afternoon entry.  Pre-booking is essential via the Castle’s website.

There will be over 70 stalls from which to choose your ideal festive gifts and on Saturday delicious refreshments will be available to purchase in the castle’s Tea Rooms and from outside caterers Gourmet Griddle.  Mulled wine and mince pies will add to the seasonal cheer!

The beautiful countryside location of this lovely Castle is perfect for a relaxed shopping opportunity with many stalls selling unique products that are not found on the High Street. Both the Castle and marquee will be brimming with Christmas gift ideas including home accessories, vintage wares, jewellery, books, cards, slate and lacquer goods, bags, clothes, locally-produced food and drink, soaps, candles, cards and much more.

There will be plenty of free parking but we are sorry that because of the nature of the venue we are unable to allow pushchairs into the castle.

Website : https://www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/christmas-fair

Tickets : https://event.bookitbee.com/19455/chiddingstone-castle-christmas-fair-2018

For more information on Chiddingstone Castle, the collections and activity days please visit www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk or call 01892 870347.

Chiddingstone Castle:  Hill Hoath Road, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7AD.  Tel: 01892 870347.