Events and admissions

On Saturday I watched the awesome sight of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight giving a fantastic display over Tenterden station. This contributed to a wonderful 40’s weekend enjoyed by 2500 customers, and the display will have been enjoyed by many residents and visitors to the town and local area.
We are good at managing events here, and there is no better example than our “Evacuation Week” currently in progress where some 1600 children are evacuated by train, and they get to learn about many aspects of life during World War II. As an Educational Charity we take particular pride in this event.
As with our gala, we had large numbers of people who thanked us for a wonderful 40s Weekend and told us what great value it is.

Our volunteer staff who have the difficult job of manning the ticket office and station barrier were however very disappointed with the number of local folk who tried to get in without paying or refused to pay to visit the event. They were saying that because they were local residents they thought they should not have to pay to access the event. I would be tempted to suggest they try that at Chessington, or a London Attraction and see what answer they get! I would prefer to think that local folk recognise the value K&ESR brings to the area and that they would go out of their way to support a local charity that helps keep the town alive. Events like these cost thousands of pounds to put on and the way in which they work is that people pay to come in and enjoy them.
Even more galling was a letter of complaint I got from someone who enjoyed a morning of our gala day having sat opposite the station. He congratulated us on a splendid event and then complained because we tried to charge him admission when he came round to the main station area, where there were brake van and miniature train rides to enjoy amongst other things. I’m delighted he enjoyed the show but to write and complain that he should be charged to enjoy an event that cost over £10k to put on is beyond the comprehension of most here. To refuse to make a small contribution via a platform ticket was just mean. He then took delight in telling me he went up the town to eat and drink. More fool him, as our food and beverages are cheaper than elsewhere in Tenterden and he could have saved his platform ticket price on two cups of coffee that were purchased elsewhere.

Next major event is our beer festival. Year three of this hugely popular event that goes from strength to strength. We shall of course be charging for admission!