On Thursday, 10th July 2025, the Town Mayor Cllr. Andrew Holcombe, Deputy Town Mayor Cllr. Jane Mills and Town Clerk Debbie Baines were invited to attend a special event hosted by Admiral Sir George Zambellas, Lord Warden and Admiral of the Cinque Ports GCB DSC DL, at Walmer Castle in Dover. This event was to welcome a Senior VIP Guest who was visiting the Cinque Ports; guests were unaware of who the VIP might be until the morning of the event. Mayors and guests from all 14 Cinque Ports were in attendance and were honoured to meet King Charles.
In order to inform King Charles of the history, character and worthy causes of the Confederation, two organisation representatives from each Town were invited to attend this event. Tenterden Town Council had proposed that Beth Whatman (Director of Rockits Sensory CIC) and Gill Asbee (Volunteer from Tenterden Social Hub) attended the event which reflected the extraordinary nature of volunteering and charity in the Region. King Charles spoke to each of the representatives as well as the Cinque Port Mayors, Town Clerks and Guests and shook hands with each person. The King happily accepted a Tenterden Heritage Leaflet with Tenterden’s Cinque Port history from Cllr. Jane Mills. King Charles was very complimentary of the good works carried out by all of the volunteers and Town Councils.
Attached are a selection of photos taken by Kt Bruce, who has provided permission for Tenterden Town Council to share these photos.
The Cinque Port Towns ready to greet King Charles:
From the left to right - Deputy Town Mayor Cllr. Jane Mills, Town Mayor Cllr. Andrew Holcombe, Town Clerk Debbie Baines, Gill Asbee (Tenterden Social Hub) and Beth Whatman (Rockits Sensory CIC):
Admiral Sir George Zambellas, Lord Warden and Admiral of the Cinque Ports GCB DSC DL, with King Charles meeting The Town Mayor of Tenterden:
Admiral Sir George Zambellas, Lord Warden and Admiral of the Cinque Ports GCB DSC DL:
King Charles and Admiral Sir George Zambellas exploring Walmer Castle:
