Henley’s playing cards deal a winning pair for local charities

Two much-loved Henley charities have received a welcome boost from the town’s illustrated playing cards, with donations made to both The Kenton Theatre and The Chiltern Centre.

The Kenton Theatre, which features as the Queen of Spades in the Henley pack,  has received a mighty £533.25 from sales of the Henley playing cards, created by local business Ace Places. The donation comes from the 25p given to The Kenton from every pack of Henley cards sold, proof that small change can stack up into something rather brilliant.

This latest donation brings the total raised for The Kenton through the Henley cards to £1,372.50.

Lottie Pheasant, Theatre Manager, said: “We are so grateful to Emma and everyone who has bought a pack of Henley playing cards. The Kenton has been at the heart of Henley for over 200 years, so it is lovely to be part of something that celebrates the town while also giving back to local charities. Every contribution helps us continue to protect and bring life to this very special theatre for the community, and we are delighted that the cards have now raised more than £1,300 for The Kenton.”

The Chiltern Centre, which appears as the Five of Hearts in the Henley pack, has also received a donation of £209 through the Henley Card Club. This follows a previous £200 donation in the club’s first 12 months, meaning the fundraising target has been reached again in just six months.

Cheryl Purver, Community and Corporate Partnerships Manager at the Centre, said: "Card Club, with Emma as leader of the pack, has gone from strength to strength with a regular attendance now of more than 20 players. Emma’s concept of involving the local community in an evening of fun that benefits all is now a monthly staple in the calendar. We get to enjoy the cards, the company of others, meet new people and raise funds for a great local cause, we also roam the local hospitality businesses in the pack. It’s a win win for the town and for The Chiltern Centre. A true community project."

Ace Places was founded by Emma Sweet, who moved to Henley in 2012 and now lives closeby in Knowl Hill. Each pack contains beautifully illustrated playing cards that double up as a playful local guide. Each card features a different place, business, charity or community gem, helping residents and visitors discover the very best of the town while supporting local causes along the way.

Emma Sweet, founder of Ace Places, said: “The Henley playing cards really do walk the walk when it comes to supporting local. Everyone wins. Visitors get a beautiful memento of their trip to Henley and an insider’s guide to the best places worth visiting. Locals love them because they celebrate all the best bits of the town. The independent businesses and organisations featured in the pack gain more exposure, and, as these donations show, local charities benefit too. It’s a true win-win for everyone.”

The donations are part of the wider Ace Places mission to champion independent businesses, encourage local discovery and give back to grassroots charities. Each pack is designed to spark conversation, celebrate town pride and help people see Henley through fresh eyes — whether they live locally or are visiting for the day.

The news comes as Ace Places has also recently been named runner-up in the Community Award at the Small Business Growth Awards, presented by HSBC and the Federation of Small Businesses.

Emma added: “Being recognised in the Community Award means so much because community is at the heart of every pack. Ace Places was always created to be more than a lovely set of cards — it’s about bringing people into local businesses, celebrating the places that make our towns special, and making sure charities benefit from every pack sold.”

The Henley playing cards are available from selected local retailers and online. Visit www.aceplaces.co.uk/stockists to find out more.

Photo (from left): Lottie Pheasant from the Kenton Theatre, Emma Sweet from Ace Places and Cheryl Purver from the Chiltern Centre.