A stack of the latest toys produced by Kent based Hornby will be available to win at KM Big Quiz events this year.

Heats of the popular wine and wisdom evening in Medway, Canterbury and Maidstone are accepting bookings for what organisers hope will be a bumper year for the event. The Ashford heat of the event will take place later this year but is not yet open for bookings.

The Medway KM Big Charity Quiz will be staged on Friday, March 27 at The George Hotel, Chatham, while the Canterbury event will be staged at the University of Kent Sports Hall, on Friday, April 24.

The Maidstone KM Big Charity Quiz celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and will be held at Maidstone Leisure Centre on Friday, June 19. All three events kick off at 7pm and bookings can be made at www.kmbigquiz.co.uk Teams of eight will compete for a range of prizes and the KM Big Charity Quiz Trophy. Top teams from each heat will be invited to the county final of the event at the end of the year.

This is the third year the Hornby Visitor Centre, in Margate, has supported the series of KM organised charity events.

Manager Joannah Rye said :”We are delighted to back the Big Quiz. The event is great fun and raises £30k each year for excellent local causes. We are very happy to help.”

Joannah selected a a Micro Scalextric quick build Bash ‘n’ Crash set for £40, Corgi Isabelle box truck at £10, Hornby Gloucester City Pullman oo gauge traing set at £150, Scalextric App Race Control at £130 and Airfix Lamborghini Aventador quick build set at £10 for the raffle tables.

Big Quiz questionmaster Simon Dolby said: “Hornby are very generous. Their support is one of the reasons the KM Big Charity Quiz is so successful as an event and is so effective at raising funds for Kent causes.”

Other major backers of the event include Faversham-based brewer Shepherd Neame, Barclays bank and PO Ferries. Mr Dolby is keen to hear from other organisations able to support their local heat of the big quiz or provide Kent-wide support. Contact Mr Dolby on 07989 164 752 or sdolby@thekmgroup.co.uk

Cafe is just the ticket to train catering students

The Just the Ticket Café at Hornby Visitor Centre is now being run by East Kent College.

Manager Mandy Bushell is supporting more than 40 catering college students who are using the café as a live training venue, similar to the award-winning restaurant at the main college campus in Broadstairs.

During the week different shifts of students will work there as part of their course, but paid work is also available to the students during holidays and weekends.

Former East Kent College catering student Emma Bennett is proof of the successful model as she is now employed full time at the café.