It’s not all counting Beans

When my boys ask me “Dad what do you do at work?”  I try to explain to them the fun that a day in the life of an accountant can bring………..and I can see them glazing over, wishing, perhaps that they’d never asked the question!

But, alongside analysing figures, planning for tax, assisting in financial decisions and the like, every now and again I get the opportunity to do something a little different.  Take last week, for instance.

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of attending the official opening of the new playground in Wrotham Village, near Sevenoaks.  Wrotham, for those who don’t know it, is an historic village, situated on the Pilgrims’ Way in the North Downs.  Perrys have had an office there since the early 1980s, overlooking the pretty village square and the 13th century St George’s Church.  And it was here, in fact, that I started with the firm on the 15th of February 1999, a day not only important in my career, but the day on which I first met Rachael who 3 years later, was stupid enough to become Mrs Hale!

A couple of years ago we were approached by a group of mums who were looking to raise money to rebuild the somewhat tired playground in the heart of the village.  We were delighted to be able to help and although we weren’t the biggest donor, we were, I was told last week, the first, and gave the Wrotham Park Life committee some confidence that they could get support from the local business community.  Two years and a lot of hard work later, the park had its official opening on Sunday 31 August and I went there with my two boys.  Both had a great time playing on the new equipment, having balloon sword fights with Silly Billy, the children’s entertainer, and eating some very delicious cupcakes.  (Following my triathlon training and now that my body is a temple I managed to eat only ……4!)

Many congratulations to Sian, Fran, Nicola, Heather and Cath and all the others that helped to raise funds.  You should be very proud.

If you want to know more check out the Wrotham Park Life Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WrothamParkLife/info?tab=page_info

Later in the week I started my judging visits for the Kent Life and Kent on Sunday Food and Drink Awards.  http://kentfda.co.uk/

This year I am judging the category of “Drink Producer of the Year” and spent some very pleasurable hours on Friday learning about the production of Kentish wines and Kentish cider.  This was followed by some even more pleasurable hours over the weekend sampling them!  This week it will be Kent produced gin…….

So the next time one of the boys asks me what I do at work, perhaps my response ought to be “help create a playground, eat cupcakes and drink locally produced alcohol……oh and I do some tax stuff too!”

Steve Hale 01689 823175 hale@perry-company.co.uk