Canterbury Christ Church held a collaborative event with partners Kent Cricket this month to deliver the fourth in a series of Netwalking events, forming part of the University’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
As Canterbury is a city steeped in history and literary charm, this particular event had a seasonal Dickensian theme.
Led by Professor Carolyn Oulton, Director of the International Centre for Victorian Women Writers, together with colleagues from the Department of Enterprise and Engagement, over 20 walkers from a range of local and regional businesses wound their way through the streets of Canterbury from the famous Sun Hotel, up to Old Dover Road to The Oriole at The Lime Tree Café at Kent Cricket at The Spitfire Ground
whilst enjoying readings from various Charles Dickens novels including A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield and Great Expectations.
Upon reaching the final destination, walkers were met with welcoming and warming seasonal hospitality and enjoyed the opportunity for further networking accompanied by Christmas carols courtesy of Christ Church’s Music department.Netwalking is an active alternative to traditional indoor business networking with many benefits including:
Andy Griffiths, Director of Partnerships at Kent Cricket, commented on the event and explained the importance of the partnership.” It was a privilege to be part of the University’s final Jubilee Netwalking Event of the year, and to see so many local stakeholders and Kent Cricket partners in attendance was fantastic,” he said.
“Building relationships and partnerships is key to our business, so to combine an opportunity to network whilst walking and keeping active was very beneficial. To listen to Professor Carolyn Oulton on such a fascinating tour was very insightful, my thanks to her.at The Oriole at The Lime Tree Café for some light refreshments with a marvellous choir who supplied seasonal songs rounded off an excellent morning.”
I thoroughly enjoyed the Netwalking event. It was educational, enlightening and very relaxed. The event drew us into the world of Dickens in Canterbury and was a fantastic and festive way to spend a couple of hours networking with like-minded people.
Philip Smith, Business Development Manager, at Barretts Group
Fergus Martin, Account Executive at Aston Lark also enjoyed the event.
“I found the Netwalking event extremely interesting and informative. It was very well delivered and worthwhile attending'”
Highly successful earlier Netwalking events have included an Easter-themed tour of some of the campus’s most beautiful and historic areas, a Summer Solstice exploration of some of Canterbury’s hidden green spaces, and an autumnal themed event surrounding the harvesting of hops.
The Department of Enterprise and Engagement at Canterbury Christ Church University is fully committed to enriching the experience of the local community and key to this work is a culture of collaboration and partnership.