Sun. Oct 20th, 2024

Celebrate artistic achievements

To mark Mencap’s Learning Disability Week from June 16th to 22nd Tunbridge Wells charity Pepenbury is holding a week of special events culminating in a Fun Day Saturday June 21st Cornford Lane, Pembury

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Pepenbury runs art and pottery classes as part of its extensive programme of daytime activities for people with learning disabilities. Local photographer Jason Dillinghas joined forces with The charity to produce a photographic exhibition entitled A Portrait of the Artist. Jason spent several weeks photographing Pepenbury’s artists and the result is a beautifully observed series of portraits which celebrate their creativity and talent. This will be shown at the same time as an exhibition of art and crafts

Many of the people who attend the art classes not only have a learning disability but may also have complex needs such as physical disabilities, epilepsy and autism.

Beatrice D’Angelo, Pepenbury’s senior arts and crafts instructor, explained“Everyone has a disability. Shyness can be a disability but we concentrate on their ability which could be a hand movement or a blink of an eye. Everyone who walks in here is an artist.”

The Fun Day which is being held from 1pm to 4pm June 21st at Cornford Lane, Pembury TN2 4QU and will include a hog roast from Southborough Butchers, stalls and entertainment all in aid of Pepenbury. www.pepenbury.info/visit-us/events-at-pepenbury

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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