During the construction of this giant event space, a number of small but significant engraved bricks were included. They have been bought by the members and the public to help the Kent County Agricultural Society raise funds and they will form part of a larger permanent legacy.
The idea came from financial director Glyn Charlton reading about “buying a brick” working for other building projects.
Mr Charlton said: “My role is to ensure that everything we do as a charity on behalf of the society is achieved in the most cost effective way. The chance to have a brick engraved has proved very popular with members, local businesses and the public and now forms part of this impressive new space.”
The society is still offering the chance to buy your very own named brick for £100. The eight by four inch bricks bearing inscriptions form part of a special sponsors’ wall. So far more than 100 people now have their name or an inscription immortalised on the Kent Showground site, home of the Kent County Show. The bricks proved to be an unusual but welcome Christmas gift and many people took the opportunity to buy them for family members or loved ones.
The 3,000 square metre fully ventilated, single span building has been used extensively since its official opening by society patron, HRH The Duke of Kent, on 11 July 2014. The society still has space and bricks available on the wall which can be bought by cheque or credit card.
Lucy Hegarty, Kent County Show manager, said: “We are delighted that so many people have bought a brick but we still have plenty more space. All proceeds go to help the Kent County Agricultural Society and its charitable objectives. The doors on the Maidstone exhibition hall can be sponsored as well: eight of the doors are now fully sponsored, with only a few remaining.”
To find out more information about the “buy a brick” scheme, contact Kent County Agricultural Society on 01622 630975 or download a form from the website.
