Home   Maidstone   News   Article

The Apprentice teams visit Hever Castle and the Canterbury Tales and hopefuls Felipe Alviar-Baquero and Solomon Akatar go through to next week

Historic Kent took a starring role as the county’s two Apprentice hopefuls turned their attention to coach trips tonight.

The BBC One show saw Lord Sugar set a task of creating their own day trip and persuading punters to part with their cash to visit attractions outside London.

Hever Castle and the Canterbury Tales medieval attraction in the Cathedral city were chosen by Team Summit.

Hever Castle spokesman Sarah Cole negotiates with The Apprentice candidates, watched by Karren Brady. Picture: Hever Castle
Hever Castle spokesman Sarah Cole negotiates with The Apprentice candidates, watched by Karren Brady. Picture: Hever Castle

The group, which included Solomon Akatar, a former pupil of Skinner’s School in Tunbridge Wells, plumped to showcase the Garden of England’s history.

But they hit a snag trying to negotiate £3-4 entry prices per person to Hever - the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, which features Henry VIII’s bedroom.

And some on board complained after being subjected to loud renditions of The Wheels on the Bus and One Man Went to Mow.

Solomon Akhtar. Copyright: BBC Pictures
Solomon Akhtar. Copyright: BBC Pictures

Filming took place in May and Hever spokesman Sarah Cole met the team. She said after the show: “Sadly I felt the candidates wasted too much time trying to negotiate entry prices when it was apparent that I wasn’t going to go any lower."

Castle co-ordinator Anna Spender then gave them a whistle-stop tour. She said: “I was impressed by their enthusiasm and willingness to learn the key facts about the history of the castle. It was a big undertaking for them to remember it all.”

During the coach trip timings became an issue, so guests missed out on the gardens and lake.

Felipe Alviar-Baquero. Copyright: BBC Pictures
Felipe Alviar-Baquero. Copyright: BBC Pictures

Headed by project manager Sanjay Sood-Smith, it was then a mad dash to the Canterbury Tales and after getting lost they arrived with two minutes before the venue closed.

They then had to hurry the day-trippers out without seeing all of the attraction to get back to London in time.

Team Tenacity included Felipe Alviar-Baquero, the founder of Tiny Town children’s play area in Larkfield, headed for Bleinheim Palace in Oxfordshire.

When it came to profits Team Tenacity secured £1,037.99 while Team Summit took £813.70 and saw Jemma Bird fired.

A spokeswoman for The Canterbury Tales said: “Due to confidentiality agreements we are unable to make comment on our inclusion in the programme.”

Next week’s episode sees the candidates create new board games.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More