Sarah Sturt's Blog

Happy New Year!

sarah.sturt@kent-life.co.uk — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:21:00 GMT

As this is my 'official' first day back 'in the office' - or, as a 'homeworker', rather a short stroll into my back bedroom grandly known as 'the study' - Happy New Year greetings on what appears to be a Friday. Of course, for those of us in the wonderful world of publishing, it's practically March already, so no wonder we're confused most of the time as to what day of the week it is, let alone what month.

Having been tapping into my emails off and on since Christmas, my Inbox has not reached its usual level of horror and I have a sneaking suspicion that the world in general is still largely on holiday - I think this year has meant the maximum number of days away from work for many people and that 5 January will be the day when everyone tries to remember what they were doing before an onslaught of turkey and wine. So I'm glorying in the relative peace and trying to tie up the loose ends of my February edition before the madness sets in.

New Year's resolutions? Apart from the usual keeping fit, losing the same amount of weight I vow to every year but never quite achieve and using the car less (I have legs and will use them!), this is the year I return to am dram in my spare time, thanks to local actor Louise Jameson's new drama classes starting in February, and - arguably most exciting of all - start growing my own vegetables. The plot is ready (it's more or less 100 per cent manure, thanks to neighbour Bill generously sharing the booty from a stable next to his allotment), the seeds are in, all I need now is for it to be real March, not just fake-publishing March!

Do share with me your own resolutions - the more unusual the better!

Here's to a great 2009.

Sarah

The bit in the middle

sarah.sturt@kent-life.co.uk — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:39:00 GMT

I always think the bit in the middle that's not quite Christmas nor yet New Year is an odd time, especially when you're not really back at work yet but sort of think you should be. But it's a great time to catch up with people and things, and in my case that has meant a lot of really lovely family get-togethers and sorting out the house and my unruly desktop (the things bit).

I waved goodbye to my daughter and her boyfriend on Friday, as they headed off to Swizerland for a week's skiing, then headed off myself to my sister's over in Kingston, where my mum - like a very nice present - had been 'delivered' by my brother after spending Christmas with him and his wife. It was great to see everyone and particularly great to partake of my brother-in-law's legendary hospitality, though I am abashed to admit that little sis, b-in-law and I polished off three bottles of Bolly with very little help from anyone else present. No idea now what we ate but it was brilliant and I do hope I behaved....

A quick - and exceedingly chilly - turn around Richmond Park this morning certainly sorted out my hangover, though I perversely prefer this kind of weather (all blue skies and early frosts) than the dull grey days December can dish out. And tomorrow I will try and force myself to the gym (well,, pilates and yoga, need to ease myself back gradually, you understand) and away from the fridge, where I seem hellbent on finishing everything up at once.

Next stop - writing out those dreaded New Year Resolutions - see you in 2009!

Sarah

A Christmas miracle

sarah.sturt@kent-life.co.uk — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:30:00 GMT

Season's greetings to you all and massive apologies for tardiness on the old blogging front - I've said it before and will undoubtedly say it again, it's been One Helluva Week. We went to press with our January edition on Tuesday and in my case that meant doing it on aboutr five minutes' sleep, as the night before I'd enjoyed my annual 'Monday just before Christmas but not quite Christmas week because that would be silly' get-together with my mates from two jobs back.

We've been congregating at the house of she-who-cooks-best-and-has-the-best-house-to-do-it-in for about 10 years now and there is just so much to catch up on - including the baby of the group's tussle with a dog the other side of a neighbour's letterbox which ended up with her minus the tip of one finger - ouch! Anyway, we didn't get round to pudding until gone 11pm, so it wasn't exactly the sensible early night I'd planned before a manic press day.

There has literally been no peace for the wicked since, however, as for some reason our February editions have been scheduled to completely ignore the minor detail that is Christmas - so we return in the New Year to February press week, having just seen our January editions to press! A ghastly prospect I shall attempt to ignore as I am now officially On Holiday.

And today has been a strangely euphoric start - I drove down to Somerset after work last night to be on hand to accompany my mum to a rather critical appointment at her cancer clinic. We were to hear the results of her recent bone marrow test and, to everyone's astonishment and relief, the tests have come back clear - which is remarkable and wonderful. She does still have, and now has for life, lymphoma and starts tomorrow on another intensive bout of chemo and steroids, but the bone marrow result has got to count as a minor victory. Odd things are happening to her tastebuds - coffee and tea taste horrible - but wine seemingly is still tasting like wine. So cheers, we'll be having some of that tonight!

Have a great Christmas everyone and catch up soon

Sarah

Dr Who's girl

sarah.sturt@kent-life.co.uk — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:27:00 GMT

Had the very great pleasure of meeting Louise Jameson for lunch yesterday - an actress most recently known for her portrayal of Rosa di Marco in EastEnders, but for all you Dr Who geeks out there, she will always be Tom Baker's feral and fesity sidekick, Leela. It's always odd when you meet someone 'off the telly' - there's that immediate sense of recognition, even though you've never met them in your life before. In Lou's case, I'm hoping it won't be the first and last time we get together - she has already launched a hugely successful drama group for youngsters in Kent and wants to start an equivakent evening group for adults. Count me in, I cried!

I hope to do her justice when I write up our interview for February's Kent Character, but I fear the tape will largely consist of me babbling in an inane and starstruck manner. At least the pics will be good - my snapper, Manu, was positively drooling over a 'Character' who knew how to work the camera and the glamorous red head sure is photogenic.

It was my second meeting in a row with Manu - Sunday saw me up far earlier than I would have liked and heading off for Allington Lock, where Manu and I led a session with three of the winners in our recent photographic competition to capture the spirit of the River Medway. The trio had all previously been on a shoot in Chatham with our expert snapper and we went through their favourite pictures with a view to including them as part of February's Chatham town feature.

It was fascinating to see how they had all interpreted the same brief so differently and I was particularly impressed by the work of young Sam Baylis who, at 13, had produced some remarkably professional images. Naturally I immediately snapped him up as a future Bright Young Thing for the magazine!

Sarah

Carols for Demelza and Monkey makes three

sarah.sturt@kent-life.co.uk — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 14:46:00 GMT

You know Christmas is getting close when the annual Demelza-Kent Life carol service comes around - but this year it was an almighty shock to realise that yes, it really was that time again. Last night was my fourth carols at Canterbury and arguably my most nerve wracking, as I was doing one of the readings. And in this awe-inspiring cathedral, that is really quite something: you don't just stand at the front, you have to climb up to the really rather high pulpit, confront the packed house, and deliver.

Fortunately, Demelza's tireless organiser, Clare Emmett, had been kind to me and I had a delightful and very unusual reading - called A Christmas Truce, it's a letter written from the trenches about the temporary and impromptu halt to hostilities by German and British troops for one extraordinary Christmas Day. Anyway, I got through it, remembered to look up from my script, not drop my voice at the end of sentences (I'd had a bit of a pep talk from a verger in advance) and, most importantly, didn't fall down the steps on my way down. But if I do it again, I'll wear mufflers on my very clippety-clop boots: how loud did I sound as I clattered into place!

The whole service was magical, the children delightful and the standard of readings excellent - I don't think anyone will forget DJ Neil Kefford's 'How to make the perfect Christmas cake' in a hurry. Afterwards, the Kent Life team - myself, Michael, Angela and Adam - leapt into well-drilled action, rounded up our guests like so many unruly sheep and herded them into the Chapter House for a chilly but boisterous reception.

Despite the foul weather and a lot of illness around, we hardly 'lost' anyone and I had great chats with no less than four High Sheriffs - two former, one present, one future - and learnt from Nigel Wheeler the collective noun for a gathering of such an august group: "an overdraft!" he roared. Good, too, to see the lovely Amanda Cottrell and Sandra Matthews Marsh, representing Visit Kent, from Hadlow College Mark Lumsdon-Taylor and Produced in Kent's Julie Monkman, Frazer Thompson from Chapel Down, Action with Communities in Rural Kent's Keith Harrison, Keziah Cunningham from Kent Community Foundation, Lenley's Jonathan Watts and all our lovely friends from Whitehead Monckton. A great evening and hopefully lost of money raised for Demelza, which has an ambitious target of £7m for the coming year, with the opening of its new hospice in south east London to find additional funds for.

And last but not least - huge thanks to Michael for driving me there and back, calming my nerves, being brilliant at the reception (and commissioning an article for next October from one guest during it!) - and reaching three years on Kent Life: what a night to celebrate that milestone! That traineee editorial assistant I first met at the end of 2005 is now a first-class magazine professional, working across Kent and Sussex and producing excellent and innovative work, including his second supplement in less than six months. Well done, young Monkey, you're great.

Sarah

A theatre for the future

sarah.sturt@kent-life.co.uk — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:19:00 GMT

Spent the majority of today in Canterbury, first stop the City Council offices for a press conference held by Keith Williams Architects to show us the plans for the New Marlowe Theatre. This much-loved theatre in the heart of the city has outgrown its original design and will close in March, when building work will begin on a New Marlowe for a new theatre-going generation.

The new designs are tremendously exciting, both using the existing building and taking it forward into an exciting new future, and for the first time the riverside setting will be properly exploited, with terracing and gardens down to the Stour creating a whole new set of possibilities for the site.

As a massive fan of live theatre, I was delighted then to be whisked off for a visit to the theatre - which I have only ever seen from the outside - for a one-to-one tour of the building with theatre director of the past 14 years, Mark Everett. Not quite sure what they did with all the other journalists, but I wasn't complaining! It certainly made sense of the plans we had been shown on screen and while many people will feel a sense of nostalgia for the old building, the new space will be genuinely thrilling and really put Canterbury and Kent on the global cultural map. I look forward to being able to follow its progress through the pages of Kent Life over the next two years - watch out for part I in our March editiion.

Sarah

On the radio

sarah.sturt@kent-life.co.uk — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:43:00 GMT

Having been challenged to try and get a radio 'gig' following our recent editors' day training for that very purpose, I was extremely chuffed to be able to let She Who Must Be Obeyed know almost immediately that Radio Kent had expressed an interest in five minutes with yours truly. Granted, I didn't get the green light until yesterday afternoon and had to do my bit quite early this morning, which didn't give me much time for anything really.

Certainly not sleep, anyway - after a long day in Worthing, I foolishly decided about 10pm last night it might be an idea to do a bit of preparation. The breakfast show presenter, John Warnett, wanted myself and Julie Monkman, manager of Produced in Kent, to talk about the Taste of Kent Awards. The final deadline for votes in the various food and drink categories is 31 December, and we want as many people to get involved as possible. John, a huge supporter of local food and drink (and fellow Awards judge in January with me), plans to devote part of each Friday show to a different 'what makes a great .....' - Julie was invited to talk about what makes a great pub and I was to talk about restaurants.

Now, I've been editor of Kent Life for nearly four years now, so starting at January 2005 and working my way through each mag to re-read the restaurant reviews took quite a long time. It did, however, give me a useful statistic to back up John's claim that I was an 'expert' on the subject - out of 68 reviews in four years, I've done 41! How greedy am I! Anyway, I duly toddled off extremely early to Hadlow College, where Julie and Steph had a very strong cuppa waiting to calm my nerves, which were very much present, and suddenly there was the producer on the line and John's dulcet tones in my ear.

To say it was over in a flash is an understatement and I have no idea how I sounded and as yet haven't pluckled up courage to listen back, but Monkey says it was fine - and he doesn't do large amounts of praise - and, more to the point, I actually managed to get a few 'Kent Life' references in. Which is more than I did on training day....

And my lovely little Focus has been returned, intact and immacualte, so no more ridiculous Ka to ride around in. Things are definitely starting to look up.

Sarah

Winners all

sarah.sturt@kent-life.co.uk — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:54:00 GMT

Had the very great pleasure of being invited to attend the Institute of Directors South Region Awards last night, held at the very swish IoD headquarters in Pall Mall. I was one of 10 guests of Hadlow College, whose hugely talented finance and resources director, Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, was up for SE Young Director of the Year (turnover £5 and over) and he wanted his friends around him - including his stalwart press officer, Pat Crawford, the ever-lovely Amanda Cottrell, college principal Paul Hannah, Stuart Gibbons of KCAS and me.

To have reached the final three from a very strong field was triumph enough, but the top prize in the end went to a recruitment business in Henley-on-Thames, so we all felt for Mark, who was a truly deserving winner. At only 33, he has turned the fortunes of the land-based college around since his arrival on the scene five years ago when Hadlow had losses of £500,000 - now profits are in excess of £400,000 annually and the college has an annual growth of 25 per cent. So well done Mark, you've got years and years to nail the top prize and we all know you're great! At least WhiffAway (something to do with 'urinal freshness' - nice) didn't win, eh?

Sarah

West Country ways

sarah.sturt@kent-life.co.uk — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:02:00 GMT

Back from a few days off visiting Mum in Somerset, which did mean I was on the M25 rather sooner than I would have liked, after my little incident there last week - but at least I've confronted it. Bit like getting back on a horse again after it's thrown you, I guess. What the crash has done is instilled in me, however, such a distrust of hgvs that I had to perform 'the lorry dance' on every bit of my journey - I could never be immediately before or after one of the wretched things - so that made for some interesting lane swapping. And being in ther world's smallest Ka certainly made me a feel a littlle more vulnerable than I would have liked...

But seeing Mum was the main thing and it was good to be there during the halfway mark of some pretty intensive treatment (she will have taken 90 tablets in 10 days by the time Friday breakfast comes round), just to keep an eye on things really. She's keeping her spirits up, battling the not-very-pleasant side effects and is as busy as ever, but not too busy for a bit of therapeutic retail therapy - and I bet she'll be the only octogenarian in town sporting a new hat from surf shop Fat Face that I managed to persuade her into! We also went to a Christmas Fair at nearby Hestercombe Gardens that boasted some extremely tasteful and unusual gifts, and spent a breezy, sunny Saturday in her favourite seaside town on Sidmouth, on the Devon Heritage Coast.

Then back yesterday to lashing rain and freezing conditions in Kent - it never ceases to amaze me how different the weather conditions can be from west to east! Daughter appeared yesterday evening after a very busy Monday at college and we hope to meet up this evening for the last train home - she's going to a gig and I'm in Pall Mall at the Institute of Directors South Awards Dinner, a guest of Hadlow College.

Better catch up on 200-plus emails then....

Sarah

And then the lorry hit me...

sarah.sturt@kent-life.co.uk — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:43:00 GMT

So there I was, driving back from a really enjoyable day learning how to do radio interviews with my fellow south east and east editors, pootling along at a steady 60mph on the M25, when - crash. I lurched forward, and all I could see was a lorry's headlights and grille in my rear window. Truly terrifying, especially as I was travelling alone and it felt like an attack. Then it happened again - and again. Sort of like being the wrong side of a battering ram. I've never been so frightened in my life. Finally the lorry pulled back and unbelievably my car seemed driveable, so that's what I did - drive, tears streaming down my face and no idea if the lorry would come back or not - until I finally limped home. The rear of my lovely silver Focus is not a pretty sight.

Insurance and police were wonderful (dialling 999 was a first) and the more I talk to people who are cleverer than me about such things, the more likely it seems that a) the lorry driver wouldn't even have noticed he hit little old me in my Focus, such is their size and cushioning or b) he might even have dropped off at the wheel momentarily, hence the ricocheting back and forth as I, inevitably, slowed down. The complications today are that my insurance company don't have a car for me until tomorrow at the earliest, and I have to go down to my local police station to file another report, as the 'incident' happened on the Surrey side of the motorway. Let's hope the cameras were working last night and they catch him.

Bear with me if I'm a bit 'wobbly' over the next few days...

Sarah

From castles to conferences

sarah.sturt@kent-life.co.uk — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:04:00 GMT

It's been a whistlestop week, but then again when isn't it - and i'ts only Tuesday... Saturday foud me in Bluewater during the day (never again - recession, what recession? I'm doing the rest online!) and driving around that evening in a blind panic trying to find a castle that didn't seem to exist on any map or even satnav. I eventually found Castle Allington at the very end of an ordinary suburban road - and it was anything but ordinary, more like a mini Leeds Castle, just a privately owned one.

The occasion was the final celebration in a long line this year by Kent Wildlife Trust, whose 'golden' 50th anniversary year 2008 has been. A guest of Amanada Cottrell, supporters of the Trust lisened to the achievements that have taken place over half a century and the exciting prospect of the next 50 years, while nibbling delicious canapes and supping champagne. The alarming bit was leaving - the path, dimly lit by lowlighters, was lapped by water on either side and it was strangely difficult to walk in a straight line and not plunge in (I was driving and on the apple juice, before you ask!).

Yesterday was more apple juice as I met my next edition's 'produucer of the month', Colin Corfield,at his Lamberhurst farm. He not only makes delicious apple juice from his crop of Cox's but alsodesigns and paints the labels himself - a real cottage industry. And I came away with two delicious recipes for mulled apple juice, perfect for a non-alcoholic Christmas tipple and one I'll definitely try at home.

And today I'm at a very delightful small hotel lin Findon, Sussex, which satnav fortunately made an easy journey, learning how to be interviewed on radio. We've had lots of theory this monring and this afternoon the real scary stuff begins - mini interviews (in front of six of my editor peers, no less!) at a local studio on a topic I've chosen from my December edition. Only I had to leave before the new magazines were delivered at home, so it's a huge test of my (very limited) memory... I'll let you know how I get on.....

Sarah

10 prisons, one Sheriff

sarah.sturt@kent-life.co.uk — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:34:00 GMT

Had the very great privilege today of joining the High Sheriff of Kent (and Kent Life columnist, no less), Richard Oldfield, for lunch at his lovely home, Doddington Place. Richard has visited all 10 Kent prisons at least once during his first seven months in office and, as for many former High Sheriffs, prisons are one of the central interests of his shrieval year.

Together with 75 other guests, who included the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Viscount De L'Isle, judges, prison governors, heads of business and representatives of the police and probation service, we sat at table in the Great Hall, complete with minstrel's gallery, to hear Lord Ramsbotham, the former Chief Inspector of Prisons speak on the prison servive today. It sounds dry - it was anything but, he spoke with passion, innate knowledge and, frequently, frustration with central government, and I definitely feel a feature coming on in the New Year....

I now need to listen to the tape from my interview at a rather special care home in Herne Bay that I visited yesterday. I must admit I was dreading it, anticipating a depressing couple of hours amid the vague smell of antiseptic and cabbage. Instead, this place was like a five-star hotel, complete with wonderful sea views, plasma TVs and a penthouse suite that was so beautifully styled I immediately came home and started moving cusions around and generally 'de-cluttering', actually rather annoyed that my own home isn't anything like as beautifully put together as the Signature Miramar.

So that's two dates in my diary this week that have completely confounded my expectations, and both in an extremely positive way.

Just a quick hello before the weekend to one of my furthest flung 'regulars' - hi Phil, I know you're busy entertaining friends of Monkey at home in New Zealand (and I know he'd love to be there himself!). Thinking of you and hope you feel a bit better soon. And ditto to my Mum who, poor thing, has now contracted shingles - on top of everything else she's stoically putting up with. - and will have to miss a 70th birthday bash this weekend she'd been really looking forward to. You just can't keep a party girl down.

Sarah

Congratulations to Monkey!

sarah.sturt@kent-life.co.uk — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:56:00 GMT

Just wanted to add my congratulations to the many literally flooding in to Michael for winning the first-ever Archant Life South East and East Digital Dash. This fancy title hides an awful lot of work from young Monkey, who created the Kent Life website from scratch last summer and has continued to develop it month by month, bringing in new readers and helping us interact between the printed version and the website.

His prize of a holiday voucher is richly deserved and I know he hopes to take a kite surfing holiday abroad that might actually involve the right weather conditions for a change and therefore some actual kite surfing! A fantastic hobby when the wind and the tide are on your side, but frustrating when the two seem to rarely coincide, I gather.

It's a brave new world for us at Team Kent Life. As of today, we say goodbye to our title designer of the last couple of years, Kerry Brown, who moves on to Esssex Life to replace designer Paul Jarvis, shortly heading off for the warmer climes of Australia. And it's a welcome to Rachel Dorman, who has been cutting her teeth on Berkshire Life since she joined the company eight months ago. We're looking forward to working with her and taking the magaizne forward to even greater heights in 2009.

Sarah

One helluva week

sarah.sturt@kent-life.co.uk — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:41:00 GMT

In a week that saw history made with the election of first black American president, to almost universal relief and acclaim, I have had to come to terms with a whole new set of medical terms, as my mum's own story unfolds, and Monkey and I seem to have been in West Sussex more than Kent, with two dawn raids on head office in the space of two days.

It's our December press week, but it's been a tad hard to concentrate since Monday, when mum's apparently innocent lump, removed in an op two weeks previously, turned out to be anything but. A routine clinic appointment was replaced by a much lengthier session with an oncologist yesterday, so Friday morning at Worthing was, I must admit, a bit of a blur until I could safely phone for an update. Anyway, as far as cancer can have any good news attached, the words 'low-grade luymphoma' are reasonably reassuring, as is the fact that, at least initially, treatment can be via tablets and not the dreaded chemo. I shall continue, however, to scour NHS Direct until I am a veritable expert. Mum, in typical fashion, wanted me off the phone as I was making her late for her hair appointment: nothing like taking it all in your stride, I guess, but I doubt I could ever be so nonchalant.

We've also had fun and games on the December edition. You might have noticed there's a bit of a recession going on and, like the canary in the coalmine, changes in ad sales have always been an early barometer for economic health.Anyway, from a position of doom and gloom on Monday, by Friday the Kent Life team had turned the situation around and we were able to go up 16 pages on our issue size, giving me back valuable editorial space I'd had to lose. Which is a massive relief, as it's the best Christmas edition we've ever put together and I really, really had nothing I was prepared to sacrifice. So, well done Angela, Martin and Adam - and Monkey for all the fantastic editorial you've helped me put together - it's been a real 'lift' in a challenging week.

Here's to more peaceful days ahead...

Sarah

November already

sarah.sturt@kent-life.co.uk — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:21:00 GMT

Have just about recovered from Hallowe'en night, though I am never, ever going to attempt to get through a whole night in an uncontrollable long black wig that kept on trying to take my eye out and tangle itself on anything and anyone who got near it. Nobody warns you they don't move like real hair does. And don't get me started on my witch's hat with a point that refused to stay upright and just kept on falling off, nor my black gloves with long pointy nails - you try holding a glass wearing those! In the end I had to resort to stealing a short, choppy bright orange wig from a small child and abandoning all my accessories - never felt so liberated in my life!

Anyway, my outfit and Jo and Matt's little er, tiff, aside, the evening was a triumph - the room looked spectacular and every single man, woman and child dressed up, which is pretty damn good for such a big crowd. I even got to judge the best Mummy competition (never seen so much loo roll floating around!). The drinks flowed, the snacks were suitably ghoulish and the DJ brilliant - a top night.

Right, it seems to be November already and I need to get on the road, pick up Monkey and hear more about the tale of his broken car - we're off to Maidstone for a complicated morning of meetings with photographers, contributors and sales colleagues, of which more later.

Sarah