The 1st Cascade Catering
16/9/2007 - Frith Farm House

Members of the fund raising committee and patrons were invited to Frith Farm House on the 16th September 2007 to enjoy a Cascade Catering event. Markham and Susan Chesterfield were the generous hosts at their lovely home in Otterden. 22 of us filled their dining room where Susan and her team provided a fantastic 4 course dinner. The guests were then invited to make a donation to The Rod Kesson Benefit Fund in thanks to their hosts. £1440 was raised from this the first of the Cascade Catering events. So why not try one with your friends, for more information please follow the 'Contact Us' link from this website.

Christmas Carols & Dinner

A fund raising event at the home of Susan and Markham Chesterfield that raised approximately £4,000 for the Rod Kesson Benefit Fund. Guests were greeted by Markham in his usual elegant style and treated to a glass of mulled wine. Markham and Susan led the congregation into singing favourite Christmas Carols and Rod was fondly remembered along with a number of other friends and family who were unwell or sadly no longer with us. Susan and her band of helpers served a delicious dinner and everyone dug deep into their pockets to support the raffle. This evening also saw the launch of the RKBF cap! This cap can be purchased for £10 plus p&p by contacting the committee via this website.

Rod Kesson Benefit Fund Launch
7/11/07 - Shepherd Neame

Sixty guests from Faversham's local businesses, the Mayor of Faversham, and some friends of Rod gathered at the Shepherd Neame Visitors Centre for the launch of the RKBF. Chairman Markham Chesterfield welcomed the guests, while Monica Kesson gave an outline of her thoughts behind the setting up of the RKBF. Barbara Sturgeon, one of the RKBF's patrons, then gave a call to arms to all of those who may be thinking of running a fund raising event. Ideas that came from the floor were for a Ladies Tennis Tournament, and a Who Dunnit Play. If you have any ideas of raising money for the RKBF please follow the 'Contact Us' link from this website.

Music Quiz
8/2/08 - Queen Elizabeth's School

With grateful thanks to Geoff Wade and his family, the Music Quiz held at the QE School on 8 February raised £1,569. Our brains were truly stretched as we attempted to remember movie theme tunes, classical pieces and contemporary pop! The raffle on the evening raised £550.

Photography Exhibition
19/4/08, 11:30 to 15:00 - St John's Centre, Merrow, Guildford GU4 7AA

This exhibition is being presented by Rosanne and Nick Bond and family - Rosanne is Rod's sister and the family have already supported the fund by raising over £300 through a cake stall run by niece Katherine. The exhibition is of Nick's work and the event includes a light lunch in the ticket fee of £5 (reduction for children).

Ramble 4 Rod
27/4/08, 11:30 to 15:00 - Faversham
Registration 08:30

Everyone welcome, bring the family - well behaved dogs on leads welcome, make up a team. It is not necessary to gain sponsorship to enter the Ramble but sponsorship forms are available should you wish to contribute to the fund in this way. Entry fee is £5 per adult, £10 per family (2 adults, 2 children), £1 per extra child place.  Registration will be open from 08.30 at Faversham Town Football Ground, Salters Lane. Barbara Sturgeon will be on hand, Jane Wake will conduct a warm up routine before the event and Barry Macguigan will start us off at 09.30. The Ramble is approximately 8 miles but there are several points of escape at which the walk can be shortened!

This Ramble has the support of the Faversham Enterprise Partnership together with sponsorship by Shepherd Neame, The Garden House, Kesson Physiotherapy and the Faversham Times. The Ramble follows the 'Walk on the Wildside' route and detailed information of this is available from www.faversham.org From the heart of the town, the ramble will take you to the calmness of the sea shore path along the Thames estuary and back through the open fields of Luddenham and Oare. A refuelling stop can be made at the Three Mariners at Oare. From there the ramble will finish at Faversham Town Football Club where a cash bar will be open.

So make it a day out for all of the family, support the RKBF fund whilst doing some worthwhile exercise - let's make it a day to get Faversham out walking!

Sharsted Court Open Afternoon
25/5/08, 14:00 to 17:30

£6 to include entrance, tea and a scone with cream and strawberry jam - available on the day at the gate.

Chris and Judy Shepley have kindly offered an open afternoon at Sharsted Court, Newnham, Faversham when the gardens will be lovely at this time of year - the azalea walk in particular should be an explosion of both colour and perfume, in itself well worth the visit to Sharsted! Sharsted Court is steeped in history dating back to well before the 11th century, when it was recorded in the Doomsday Book ordered by William the Conqueror. From a 14th century medieval court, it was remodelled in 1711 into a Queen Anne mansion. The Ballroom was added in the 19th century and most recently a conservatory has been built onto the Victorian East Wing. Secluded in the midst of Kentish orchards and woodlands, Sharsted Court is both unique and romantic. As you approach the manor you feel as if you're stepping into a fairy tale. Entering the tall wrought iron gates you view the breathtaking Manor and garden surrounded by arched walls of flint and mellow brick and cascading, old fashioned roses. A maze-like topiary garden, a charming Queen Anne gazebo, terraces built into the wall and giant yews lovingly sculptured into interesting shapes are just a few of the details that make this setting so wonderfully unique and beautiful. The main entrance of Sharsted leads you into the original medieval house, now the Front Hall, a large room with a grand fireplace and minstrel's gallery.

This will be a great opportunity to visit a lovely English country manor, walk through the beautiful gardens and to enjoy afternoon tea.

Beer and Brains
31/5/08 - Shepherd Neame Visitor Centre

7pm - £10 per person to include a finger buffet. This event is organised by the GP practice where Rod worked for almost 30 years. Teams of 10 people per table will tax their brains by participating in a quiz devised by Clarissa. For more information contact Clarissa at the Practice reception in the Health Centre or via the RKBF website.

Cheese and Wine Evening
13/6/08 - Guildhall Faversham

Contact us for further information.

School Speech day and Dinner
20/6/08 - Abbey School Restaurant

Cost: £20 per person to include welcome reception, dinner and a glass of wine. Elegantly casual - add the old school tie if you like!

Now if that's made you go cold - let me assure you that this will not be school dinner and speech day as you remember it! You may not be aware, but the Abbey School has special business status and runs a restaurant and a horticultural unit downstairs in the Vocational Centre where we have our physiotherapy practice. The pupils run the restaurant and this dinner will be planned, cooked and served by them. Hugh Robertson, our local MP, has kindly offered to provide a short speech based on the funny things that go on in Parliament! So please come along and support the RKBF fund as well as the pupils who do an excellent job. Incidentally they open the restaurant to the public for lunches which are extremely good value as well as delicious.

Military Whist
11/7/08 - Faversham Town Football Club, Clubhouse

This event is kindly being arranged by Peter and Jennifer Collins, Rick and Kay Barnicott. Please use the contact numbers above for further information.

Grand Finale Ball
27/9/08, 7pm - Mount Ephraim, Hernhill, Faversham

7pm - £60 per person to include welcome drink, three course meal with wine, dancing to Hullabaloo and entertainment. This event will be a hum dinger of a finale and, as well as fund raising, is intended to say a big thank you for the support that the fund has been given during the year of fund raising. We intend to go out with a bang and this event is not to be missed! By kind permission of the Dawes family a marquee will be erected at Mount Ephraim. The Ball will have a Caribbean theme and we have some surprises in store - we don't intend divulging any secrets so you'll have to be there to experience it! Tickets will shortly go on sale and can be purchased individually or as a table group. Contact us through the website or RKBF PO Box 248 ME13 8UX.

For more information and help in running your own event, or tickets to one of the organised event please e-mail the Committee.


Visits - 1598