Faversham’s Active Business Group Marks 25 Years of Networking Success with Summer BBQ Celebration

The Active Business Group (ABG), a cornerstone of the local business community for over two decades, is proud to announce the success of a Summer BBQ arranged to celebrate its longstanding success as an independent networking group.

The event was held in the charming garden of The Dove Boutique Restaurant and Pub in Dargate, welcoming VIP ex-members and other distinguished business guests, including Stuart Weller, who entertained the attendees with his sleight of hand and wit. A raffle, held in aid of Demelza Hospices, Kent, the Group’s nominated charity for 2025, raised £500, with Glynnis Wisbey, a Demelza Champion, presenting the raffle prize, of a voucher for The Dove, to the winner.

For 25 years, the Active Business Group has provided a vibrant and supportive platform for businesses in and around Faversham, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Canterbury, and Thanet. The group, which is based at the prestigious Cave Hotel & Golf Resort near Faversham, has fostered a collaborative environment where local entrepreneurs and professionals can connect, share expertise, and generate valuable referrals.

“We are incredibly proud to have been a steadfast presence in the local business landscape for 25 years,” said Mark Isom, one of the founding members and current Chairman of the Active Business Group. “Our longevity is a testament to the friendly, proactive, and mutually supportive ethos of our members. We are more than just a networking group; we are a community that actively champions each other’s success.”

The choice of the Cave Hotel & Golf Resort as its regular meeting place reflects the group’s commitment to quality and providing a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere for its members. The Summer BBQ at The Dove in Dargate promised a relaxed but equally memorable occasion to mark this significant milestone. Known for its gastropub cuisine and emphasis on fresh, local produce, The Dove did not fall short in providing an idyllic backdrop for an afternoon of celebration and networking.

The event was an opportunity for current members to reflect on the group’s achievements and for the ABG to extend its gratitude to those who have contributed to its journey. The invitation to VIP ex-members and other prominent figures from the local business community underscores the group’s extensive and enduring network.

As the Active Business Group looks to the future, it remains committed to its core principles of fostering business growth and cultivating a referral-rich community. The 25th-anniversary celebration is not just a look back at a successful past but also a confident step forward into the next chapter of empowering Kent’s startup and small businesses through shared knowledge, mentorship, and reinvestment.

The Group has a great schedule of business events lined up for the coming year. If your business would like to join a proactive and supportive membership organisation that reinvests the fees into the group, please book a breakfast visit to find out more & meet the members.