The Times of Tunbridge Wells 28th July 2021

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Revellers brave rain for Mela festival of diversity and culture

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CENTRE STAGE ‘Sahrudaya’ dancers from Kerala in India performing in Calverley Grounds

CALVERLY Grounds played host to the 15th annual Mela festival in Tunbridge Wells at the weekend. Despite rain showers and a few last-minute changes to the line-up, organisers say they were ‘delighted’ to have put the event on after it had to be cancelled last year due to Covid. More than 1,000 turned up to the Tunbridge Wells park to join in with the celebration of culture and diversity to enjoy music, dance and food from around the world. “After the year we have had it was so nice to hear live music again and see the smiles of people’s faces,” organisers said.

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Virus vaccinations keeping people out of hospital as third wave hits

More good news as infection rates also begin to fall By Richard Williams THE vaccination programme being rolled out across Tunbridge Wells appears highly effective in the fight to protect the NHS and keep people out of hospital, analysis by the Times shows. When the virus was at its peak in January there were more than 600 positive tests a week, with 230 hospital admissions and more than 60 deaths being recorded every seven days. Last week in Tunbridge Wells cases nearly reached 500 over a seven day period, but there were just 20 admissions to hospitals over the week and only two deaths were recorded for the whole of July. The figures show the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 was nearing the same levels recorded in the area

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during the peak of the second wave earlier this year. Tunbridge Wells saw its highest levels of infections in the seven days to January 4, when the Kent variant, later renamed Alpha, plunged Tunbridge Wells into Tier 4 – the highest level of restrictions, which forced pubs and restaurants to close.

‘The vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones’ More than 693 people had tested positive in the borough that week, and days later the PM ordered another national lockdown as the variant caused a second wave across the UK.

Six months on, and figures released from Public Health England show Tunbridge Wells approaching similar levels due to the Delta variant, which was first discovered in India and that is now causing a third wave across the UK. In the seven days to July 18, on the day before the PM lifted final lockdown restrictions such as mandatory mask wearing, 474 people in the Borough had tested positive for the virus – nearly double the number of cases from the previous week, where 253 had tested positive. Similar figures were being seen in Wealden (566 cases) and Tonbridge & Malling (716 cases). Following the final lifting of restrictions

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this week… Residents vow to block off their cul-de-sac

over development and parking permit row By Richard Williams

BOUNCE BACK Cancelled Americana music festival Black Deer’s organisers promise a bigger and better party in 2022 P6

Residents of a cul-de-sac in Tunbridge Wells are challenging the council over the sale of their road to a private developer who is causing ‘chaos’ and demanding £500 a year to park their cars. They now plan to block the entrance to their street in High Brooms today [Wednesday] to prevent a developer from building new homes after they were told the project will mean they will no longer be able to park their cars for free. Residents in Blackthorn Avenue also say the Council has sold off the adjoining cul-de-sac, Aspen Way, on their street without telling them. The cul-de-sac currently has fewer than 12 houses, but a project is underway to build three new homes.

Unfair INSIDE JOB Job vacancies in Tunbridge Wells skyrocket, making it one recruitment agency’s most successful month ever P9

BUILDING FUTURES Southborough Primary School celebrates opening of a new dynamic learning space courtesy of Baxhall Construction P10

They say the development work is already causing ‘chaos’ with the builders having no proper access to the site, resulting in them driving on the public footpath, damaging the pavement and the roots of the trees that line the road. They also say the developer has not installed proper toilet facilities for the workers on the site who they have seen using the adjacent nature reserve. The project is being constructed by local developer Albert Ini. Once complete, he has told residents that they will no longer be able to park their cars in either Blackthorn Avenue or Aspen Way without applying to him for a parking permit – at a cost of £500 a year per car. Ms Dudo Rae, who lives in Blackthorn Avenue, told the Times: “We have never had to pay

END OF THE ROAD Residents [L-R] Phillipa Hall, Diana Hall and Dudo Rae

before, so it is just unfair. “If he [the developer] is profiting from building three houses here, why should we be forced to pay £500 to him to park our cars – surely he should pay for it?” Ms Rae, who has lived in the street since 1998, added: “This work has been going on since April and enough is enough. “We have now decided to protest in front of Aspen Way, blocking the entrance to the cul-de-sac from Wednesday [July 28] onwards. And we will do it every day until somebody listens to us.” A spokesperson for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC] said: “In 2018 Tunbridge Wells

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GUTTED The barn fire left the building destroyed

Continued from front page on July 19, it was expected rates of the virus will rise even further as the effects of no social distancing begin to show. But Tunbridge Wells, as with many areas of the country is now seeing a slight dip in the number of positive cases, which have falled to 425, although health officials say it is too soon for the data to show that we have reached the peak.

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Borough Council sold some of the land it owns on Blackthorn Avenue, the sale included a grassed area and an area of road at the end of a cul-de-sac. A For Sale notice was put on the land before the sale at auction. “Planning permission has since been granted to the new owner of the land to build three houses on the grassed area. Nearby residents have rights of access to their driveways across the area of road. We understand the residents are now in dispute with the new owner over parking on the area of road he owns.” Mr Albert Ini, who is building the housing project, was contacted to comment but did not respond.

Brewery’s barn burns down after being struck by lightning By Lottie Bulmer A LOCAL brewery has started a fundraising drive after the seventeenth century barn they are based in burnt down after it was struck by lightning. Fire crews were called to Good Things Brewing Co in Boars Head on the Eridge Road near Crowborough on Sunday (July 25). East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze broke out around 1pm and six fire engines and a control unit were at the scene on Sand Hill Lane. Local people were asked to keep windows and doors closed as firefighters battled the blaze, which gutted the barn. The Good things Brewing Co said they have now started a fundraiser to rebuild the barn. In a statement, the brewery said: “Our beloved 17th century barn, the home to our brewery was

struck by lightning today and has sadly burned to the ground. Thankfully the team and I are all safe and no one was hurt. The barn is something our family and brew team treasured with so many fond memories and we are deeply saddened but we are very thankful no one was on site today.

Reconstruction “We will be back in touch over the next few days, thank you to everyone who has offered their support so far.” They have set up an online GoFundMe page to start the clearing and reconstruction of the site. At the time of print, the fundraiser has received £10,550 in donations. To donate to help rebuild Good Things Brewery, search for “Help Rebuild Our Brewery Home” on gofundme.com

Despite high levels of infection, hospital admissions from Covid-19 remain well below the levels seen during the second wave. In January’s peak, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust [MTW] was admitting around more than 200 people a week with Covid-19 to its two hospitals in Pembury and Maidstone. Deaths were also at their peak, with 62 people succumbing to the virus in Tunbridge Wells during the seven days to January 4. Thanks to the vaccine rollout, for figures for the seven days to July 18, MTW admitted just 20 people with Covid-19 – a fraction of the numbers seen in January. The Trust has recorded two deaths in July from Covid-19, but these were the first fatalities in three months. It comes as figures show that around 82,000 people in Tunbridge Wells – 85 per cent of the adult population – have now received at least one dose of the vaccine, with more than 64,000 [68 per cent] people having had both jabs. Paula Wilkins, Chief Nurse at NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “The Covid-19 vaccine is available to everyone over 18 and we really encourage people to have it; it remains the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and anyone who is vulnerable.” She continued: “Everyone should now have their second dose eight weeks after their first.”

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Crackdown in Cranbrook on anti-social behaviour KENT POLICE is increasing its visible presence in Cranbrook after reports of antisocial behaviour in recent weeks. Residents in the town have reported a range of incidents including damage suspected to have been caused by a catapult. Patrols including officers, police community support officers and youth engagement officers are on foot at key times of the day. District Commander, Chief Inspector Dave Higham, said: “We have listened to concerns raised by local residents and business owners and are actively working to identify those responsible for any crime and disorder in the area. “Our patrols depend on timely information about incidents, when they are happening, to allow an effective response. I would urge anyone who sees anything suspicious to phone us. “Officers will intervene with anybody committing a nuisance in the town, offering advice and taking any other action that is appropriate. Those seeking to commit crime or disorder can expect a robust response.”

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Husband speaks of ‘loving wife’ killed by lightning at Bewl Water By Richard Williams A WOMAN who was struck by lightning at a Tunbridge Wells beauty spot has died. Kirstine Mehmood, 34, was with husband Shahid and their nine-year-old daughter at Bewl Water last week [July 19]. The family, who had been enjoying a picnic when thunderstorms rolled overhead, were walking to take shelter when the lightning struck, fatally injuring Mrs Mehmood.

Intelligent Shahid Mehmood, who works as a taxi driver in Tunbridge Wells told the Times: “It was such a lovely sunny day and we were sat down having some snacks and drinks when it started to rain, and we heard the thunder. “We decided to walk back, so we packed up

and were walking past some trees and deciding to either go back to the car or the restaurant. “I just turned to speak to my wife then it sounded as if a bomb went off. I had fallen over and when I looked over I could see my wife lying on the ground.” He said despite the best efforts of Bewl staff and paramedics, his wife was pronounced dead at King’s College Hospital in London last week. “She was my life,” said Mr Mehmood. “She was such a loving, honest and kind person. I can’t put into words just how much she meant to us and how much we are missing her. “We had been married for more than ten years and we were so happy. She was so funny and intelligent. She was the greatest person in my life.” He added that he and his daughter, who were both unhurt by the lightning, are being supported by family, friends and members of their mosque.

TRAGEDY Kirstine Mehmood was killed by lightning last week

Ricky Gervais to return to the Assembly Hall COMEDIAN Ricky Gervais is to return to Tunbridge Wells this summer with his unique brand of acerbic humour. The star, who has recently enjoined success with Netflix show Afterlife, is to appear at the Assembly Hall Theatre in August. The creator of The Office, Extras, and Derek is returning to the 1,000-seat venue as part of a warm-up for his sixth stand-up tour, ‘SuperNature’. Considered one of the most influential British comedians of all time, Ricky Gervais is returning to the stage, following the global success of his recent Netflix stand-up special Humanity, which

Walk in jabs offered THE Tunbridge Wells Covid-19 vaccination centre at the Army Reserve Barracks is offering walk-in appointments today [Wednesday July 28]. Those over 18 who have not yet had the jab are being encouraged to go along and get their first dose. People do not need to make an appointment and can go to the centre on St John’s Road, run by Pharmacy2U, between 8:30am-1:20pm and 2:05pm -7:25pm. There is no onsite parking available except for Blue Badge holders with appointments, although limited free parking is available at the Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre next door.

was his first in seven years. He appeared at the Assembly Hall in April 2019 as a warm up for that show, when he poked fun at the town, especially its use of the prefix ‘Royal’.

Priority The funnyman, who is originally from Reading in Berkshire, is set to play two nights in Tunbridge Wells on August 9 and 10. He broke the news to fans yesterday on Twitter, saying: “Gonna do a couple of #SuperNature gigs in Tunbridge Wells & Manchester in August. Tickets on sale Saturday. Stay

tuned for details.” Tickets for the Tunbridge Wells shows, which are expected to sell out fast, are due to go on sale on Saturday [July 31] at 10am on the Assembly Hall website (Assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk) priced at £40 plus booking fee. Circle members of the theatre will get a two-hour priority booking window that starts at 8am on Saturday. Fans of Ricky Gervais may also be able to buy tickets for the Tunbridge Wells show on Thursday [July 29] at 10am from the O2’s website [theo2.co.uk], which is selling half the tickets for the Assembly Hall performance.

Foodbank handed another royal award for service to community

HUNGER HEROES The team at Nourish with Lady Colgrain [white hat]

By Lottie Bulmer VOLUNTEERS from the town’s foodbank have been presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) in recognition for their selfless work feeding those in need. It comes after founder of Nourish Community Foodbank, Olga Johnson, and its Operations Manager, Dawn Stanford, were both recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours last month. The Lady Colgrain, the Lord-Lieutenant of Kent – Her Majesty’s representative in the county – visited Nourish foodbank in Tunbridge Wells to open its new premises and present volunteers

with the QAVS last week [July 19]. Key members of the Nourish team, Chair of Trustees Paul Haines and Dawn Stanford BEM, were on hand to receive the latest award along with volunteers. The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to UK volunteer groups and is the equivalent to the MBE. The award recognises exceptional work done by volunteer groups in their communities. The Lady Colgrain also officially opened Nourish’s new warehouse in Kingstanding Way by cutting the ribbon, assisted by Olga Johnson MBE, Founder and Honorary President of Nourish

Community Foodbank. The dedicated warehouse on in Tunbridge Wells enables the office team, warehouse crew, pick and pack and dispatch units to all be together under one roof for the first time in the charity’s history.

Exceptional Paul Haines, Chair of the Trustees at Nourish said: “We were delighted to be presented with the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service by The Lady Colgrain, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Kent and Mrs Georgie Warner,

Deputy Lieutenant. “To be able to celebrate this incredible achievement in the presence of many past and present volunteers, spanning the nine years of the charity, was an honour. He continued: “As we ramp up for a busy summer holiday period, we have been overwhelmed by the community’s support to our Hidden Holiday Hunger campaign, targeting families who struggle to provide basics for their children through the long summer holidays. “To provide the essentials for a family in this area, just text HUNGER to 70560 to give £15 to provide the essential extras for family meals.”

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Crowds brave the rain as Mela festival returns everyone up and dancing in the midst of the rain. Off stage the children were entertained by the Show Globes ‘Enchanted Flower Garden’, a mobile and interactive life size snow globe complete with a mythical nymph. There was also a range of food and drink as well which was supplied by local traders. The Mayor of Tunbridge Wells Cllr Chris Woodward was also in attendance and he thanked everyone for coming and supporting the event. Gurvinder Sandher, Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus who produced the Mela said:

“Despite the really bad weather I was delighted with what we were able to achieve. “It was a challenging day with last minute drop out of acts and stall holders but we managed to produce an event which brought a smile to those at the festival. “After the year we have had it was so nice to hear live music again and see the smiles of people’s faces. “We are truly humbled by the support provided by those in Tunbridge Wells and look forward to delivering another Mela next summer with hopefully better weather!”

RAIN DANCE Revellers enjoy a break from the showers TEAM MELA Acts, organisers and Tunbridge Wells Mayor Chris Woodward [left of centre]

By Robert Forrester MORE than a thousand people braved the rain at the weekend to celebrate the Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival in Calverley Grounds on Sunday [July 25]. The festival, organised in partnership by Cohesion Plus and Kent Equality Cohesion Council and supported by Arts Council England and Royal Tunbridge Wells Together, is an annual celebration of diversity and culture, featuring music and dance from around the world. It was the fifteenth time the event has run in the town, although last year’s festival was cancelled due to Covid.

Despite a few rain showers and some lastminute changes to the acts, organisers say it did not dampen people’s spirits. Revellers saw an exciting series of performances on stage, including Tunbridge Wells based Paul Dunton Orchestra and Sahrudaya West Kent Keralites who performed their high energy performances.

Celebration They were followed by the ever-popular Phase 5 Steel Band and Uzambezi African ensemble. Grime and Rap was performed by G Town Talents, before the Mela came to a climax with the Kings of Bhangra Four by Four who had

More rubbish service as councils suspend garden waste collection By Richard Williams A SHORTAGE of drivers and the national ‘pingdemic’ has seen the councils in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge suspend garden waste collections. A nationwide HGV driver shortage, which is said to be caused by Brexit, as well as the growing number of people being asked to self-isolate by the NHS Covid app means waste contractor Urbaser is suffering staffing issues. The Spanish based company has a joint contract with both Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells councils, worth around £3million a year from each authority.

UNDERFIRE Waste contractor Urbaser is facing staff shortages

Missed The company has been under fire ever since they took over the contract two years ago, due to high levels of missed bin collections. In January last year, Urbaser was fined by both TMBC and TWBC over its poor service, with the authorities telling the waste company ‘the time for excuses and apologies is over’. Last month, both councils wrote an open letter to residents explaining how they were still in talks with the waste contractor to resolve ongoing poor service issues. MP Greg Clark even raised their poor performance in the House of Commons, where Luke Hall, the minister of State for Regional Growth and Local Government, said he would write to Urbaser to ask how they intend to improve performance. Now the ‘pingdemic’, where workers are being

told to self-isolate by the NHS Covid app, has caused even more woes for Urbaser. Across the country, more than 600,000 people a week are currently being ‘pinged’ by the app, which has seen both the PM and leader of the opposition forced to self-isolate. Bin services at a number of councils across the UK have had to be suspended, and now TWBC and TMBC say they ‘have taken a proactive decision to temporarily suspend garden waste collections from Monday July 26 across both boroughs’. They said that the decision has been taken now to free up staff to ensure that food waste, recycling and refuse continue.

The suspension of garden waste collections is expected to be for at least four weeks. The paid for service costs residents in Tunbridge Wells who sign up to it around £52 a year. The council has written to all garden waste subscribers to apologise for the inconvenience caused by the halting of collections, and to advise that subscriptions will be extended for the period the suspension is in place. Tom Dawlings, Leader of TWBC said: “I apologise to all residents affected by this and thank them for their patience. I can assure residents that this was not a decision that was taken lightly but it does mean we can prioritise other collections.”

Binman crushed by his own lorry was covering for staff shortages A WASTE contractor for Urbaser who was crushed to death by his own bin lorry in Cranbrook, was only on the round because of staff shortages, an inquest has heard. Andrew Betts, known as Andy, died on November 25 last year, outside Benenden School. He was killed just four days before his 62nd birthday. Coroner Alan Blunsdon was told last week that Mr Betts, from Tonbridge, was fully qualified to drive the vehicle and extremely experienced, but it was not his usual job. Colleague Edward Sheldrake, the only other member of the crew on that day, told the coroner the bin lorry had been parked on a slight incline before it rolled forward, crushing Mr Betts against a hedge after Mr Betts had failed to apply the handbrake. However, it emerged that Mr Betts, who was normally a supervisor, had volunteered for the round due to staff shortages.

Altered Mr Sheldrake said there were normally three men per dustcart but, because of staff shortages there was only him on duty that day. He said Urbaser had ‘completely altered all the collection routes’ adding: “Most of the new rounds were too big for anyone to complete. You’d end up finishing Monday’s round on a Wednesday.” Urbaser has the waste collection contract for both Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge and Malling councils. The inquest is expected to conclude this week.

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Festival bounces back after cancellation with dates for ‘world’s biggest Americana party’ By Richard Williams AN AWARD-WINNING music festival, that was forced to cancel at the eleventh hour following the delay to the easing of lockdown restrictions last month, has announced plans for next year. Organisers of Black Deer were left ‘devastated’ when they forced to call off the Americana music event in June for the second year in a row. It was cancelled after the Government delayed the lifting of restrictions including capacity limits on outdoor events that would prevent more than 4,000 people from attending. More than 10,000 tickets had already been sold for the 2021 festival, but organisers insisted the event would return and the tickets would remain valid.

everyone, especially the people of Tunbridge Wells and surrounding areas, for your unwavering support for Black Deer. “We know it’s been tough out there, that’s why we’ve worked really hard to bring you these big names for our first

FUN IN THE SUN The 2019 festival was the biggest yet with more than 10,000 in attendance

Unwavering Co-founders of the Eridge Park festival, Jill Tee and Deborah Shilling, said the cancellation, which came just days before the event was due to take place, resulted in them taking a ‘massive financial hit’. Despite this, the pair, who are from Sevenoaks, have announced new dates for next year, and a line of acts, including some of the biggest names in live music. The event will return to Eridge Park in June 17-19 and those scheduled to play include Van Morrison, The Waterboys and Wilco. Jill Tee and Deborah Shilling told the Times this week: “We want to thank

ORGANISERS Deborah Shilling [left] and Jill Tee

2022 announcement. “There’s more to come but we want to reassure our loyal community that everything is in place for Black Deer 2022 to be the

greatest Americana party the world has ever seen.” Ticketholders for this year’s cancelled festival can reuse their tickets for 2022, while those who wish to purchase new ones for next year’s event can do so at: blackdeerfestival.com/tickets

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Police pay freeze challenged by Tory Crime Commissioner By Robert Forrester THE Police and Crime Commissioner [PCC] for Kent has joined calls to get the Conservative government to review a proposed pay freeze for police officers and staff. The Home Secretary Priti Patel has confirmed that those earning more than £24,000 would be hit by the public sector pay freeze, while those earning less would be given an annual rise of £250. But Kent PCC Matthew Scott thinks this is not good enough.

acknowledge what the police have done for us.” He said he has written to ministers at the Home Office asking them to work with the Treasury to find a solution. His calls come after the Police Federation for England and Wales say they ‘have lost confidence’ in Home Secretary Priti Patel following her pay freeze announcement last week. The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners has also written to ministers to request a pay rise.

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Consistent He said: “Police Officers and Staff deserve a pay rise,” adding that officers had been ‘at the frontline of this pandemic’, dealing with the enforcement of regulations whilst still doing their regular work. And experiencing a massive increase in assaults.” For the year to March 2021 there were just under 1600 assaults on police officers in Kent, a rise of 38.9 per cent on the previous year. “Financially and economically the country is in a difficult position, one accepts,” Mr Scott said. “But the position of a ‘public sector pay freeze’ has not been consistent, with those in the NHS and fire service receiving well deserved pay rises, as well as some others. So let’s

POLICE CHIEF PCC Matthew Scott

Family ‘relieved’ by changes police have made after teen’s park death

DEATH Matthew Mackell

By Richard Williams THE family of a teenager who took his own life in a Tunbridge Wells park have said they are ‘relieved’ that Kent Police has made changes to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. The body of Matthew Mackell was found in Dunorlan Park in the early hours of May 7 last year. He had been struggling with the pressures of lockdown and his A-level exams. The 17-year-old contacted Kent Police on the night he died, saying: “Can you send someone to pick me up? I’m about to kill myself.” Despite this, no officers were sent to the park because a phone mapping system that could have identified where Matthew had been calling from was not in use. At an inquest into Mathew’s death in May, coroner Alan Blunsdon said ‘a systemic failure’ in the force had led to a ‘missed opportunity’ to find the Skinner’s Kent Academy student. Last week, the family of Matthew met with Assistant Chief Constable of Kent Police, Peter Ayling, to learn of the changes implemented by the force. Following the meeting at Tonbridge Police Station last week [Wednesday, July 21], Matthew’s father, Michael Bond, speaking through his solicitor, said: “We are relieved that Kent Police have brought about some changes relating to training of their staff.

“There were so many failings to protect Matthew and so things have to change. And they can change.” The force has implemented a number of changes following Matthew’s death, including ensuring that the phone system, that could have pinpointed the teenager’s location, has now been made the default setting on all police computers. Kent Police also updated its policy regarding phone calls involving a risk to life, after Matthew’s plea for help was downgraded from ‘immediate’ to ‘high priority’ because they could not identify the teen’s location. Changes to the way call handling staff are trained have also been implemented by the force. Mr Bond added: “We hope Kent Police will continue to work with us to ensure a process of learning and change which honours Matty’s memory.

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Evidence “We will continue to provide updates as we go through this journey for change. We thank everyone for their continued love and support.” Assistant Chief Constable Peter Ayling said the force could not comment on the ‘private meeting’ but added: “I would emphasise that our thoughts are with the family and friends who continue to miss Matthew dearly. “Kent Police referred this matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following Matthew’s death and they found no evidence of misconduct by either police officers or staff. “As was confirmed by the coroner, there were lessons for us to learn and Kent Police was issued with a section 28 recommendation which set out areas for improvement. “All of those areas have been addressed to enhance clarity within force policies and guidance around the response to incidents where there is a threat to life. “We will strive to respond as speedily as possible to calls for assistance and I am confident our dedicated officers and police staff, will work tirelessly in their aim to protect members of the public from harm.”

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PUBLIC RELATIONS Maxim’s newly appointed Directors [L-R] Erica Jones and Rachel Knight with Managing Director Andrew Metcalf

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All change at Kent PR agency A PR agency in Tunbridge Wells has undergone a senior management shake-up for the first time in its 26-year history. Maxim PR, based in Grosvenor Rd, has promoted longstanding members of staff Rachel Knight and Erica Jones to the board of directors, with equity in the business. Established by Andrew Metcalf and Philip Jones in 1995, the move coincides with Philip’s decision to step back from the day-to-day management of the agency, although he will continue to work with Maxim. Maxim’s Managing Director Andrew Metcalf said: “I wanted to recognise the significant roles Rachel and Erica have played in our success in recent years, particularly during the pandemic. “I’m looking forward to this new, exciting chapter in which we will continue to provide a first-rate service in everything from reputation management to community engagement.” Rachel, who recently marked 20 years with Maxim, has spent the last 15 months supporting NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group while Erica has managed a range of clients, including extensive work for medieval charity the Rochester Bridge Trust. Mr Metcalf continued: “Obviously Covid has

made things difficult for many of the organisations we work with but we feel we’re in a good position to help them get back on the front foot. “We have always been about building and protecting clients’ reputations, whether that’s through public relations, public affairs, crisis communications, marketing or support with social media.

Exceptional “We have worked with so many diverse companies over the last 26 years from business support agencies to large infrastructure projects, not to mention those in the healthcare, charity, education, tourism and renewable energy sectors. We work in an industry where our skills are transferable so we can turn our hands to almost anything, although our core focus has always been in the South East.” Rachel, added: “We always strive to offer an exceptional service, honesty, and value for money, and that certainly won’t change. Maxim has been a huge part of my life – I even met my husband here when we started work within three weeks of each other – and now it feels like it’s been made official.”

Gym franchise comes to town By Robert Forrester A NEW gym is holding an open day on Saturday, encouraging local fitness fans to see its small group training approach to working out. The Shredquarters in Kingstanding Retail Park in Tunbridge Wells is the fifth gym in the company’s franchise.

Transform

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The new centre has its official opening on August 2, but it is holding an open day on Saturday [July 31] to demonstrate its ‘small group circuit based high intensity’ workouts. Shredquarters offers strength based workouts, boxing, yoga, as well as full body transformation packages with nutritional consultations and PT sessions. Tiggy Willett and James Stewart who have opened the franchise after recently moving to the area from London said they recognised a real lack of

small group training gyms in Tunbridge Wells. They said: “Whether it is the push to lose those few extra kgs, maintain fitness or simply have a good time amongst our friendly community, we are here for you.”

The open day starts at 10am – 2pm and will include a fun introduction to the gym space and trainers, competitions with the opportunity to win prizes and free class passes, fresh juice tasters, as well as limited goody bags.

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Employment agency sees its busiest time in history By Richard Williams TUNBRIDGE WELLS businesses are posting record numbers of job vacancies, a local recruitment agency has said, following the easing of Covid restrictions. TN Recruits, which finds jobseekers employment in Tunbridge Wells and surrounding area, says it is seeing its busiest period in the firm’s 17-year history.

‘Currently, 2,590 people are unemployed in Tunbridge Wells, according to June figures supplied by the ONS’ Last week, the Times reported on the largest drop in unemployment rates in the Borough since the pandemic began. Currently, 2,590 people are unemployed in Tunbridge Wells, according to June figures supplied by the ONS [Office for National Statistics]. This is 230 fewer people claiming out of work benefits than the month before [2,890] – the largest drop since unemployment rocketed last year when the pandemic struck. The crisis has seen jobless figures surge from around 1,000 before the crisis began, to a peak of 3,315 in May last year. The successive

easing of restrictions over the last few months has seen the number of job vacancies in the area rocket. Neil Simmons, who runs Tunbridge Wells employment agency TN Recruits, said employment figures in and around Tunbridge Wells are reflective of what’s happening across the country.

Competitive He said: “From our perspective, June was TN Recruits most successful month in our history (since 2014) and it looks as though July will outperform June, we are pinching ourselves as this time last year, we had our worst month on record.” However, he warned local businesses they may have to up salaries to remain competitive, as ONS figures have also revealed that wages in Tunbridge Wells are lower than the national average. Mr Simmons said: “Tunbridge Wells salaries have needed a shake up for a long time and the pandemic will instigate this in my opinion. “The draw of opportunities to work in London has always been the inflated salaries along with opportunity to work for large organisations. “The

HEAD HUNTER Neil Simmons

“It’s not just about salary, candidates tend to look for training and development opportunities to progress” downside of working in London has always been the commute and lack of work/life balance. “With more companies offering hybrid working solutions, part home, part office, it’s my belief that local companies will need to compete with

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London salaries in order to attract the best talent. “Having said that, it’s not just about salary at the moment, the added value candidates we are meeting tend to look for are things like training and development opportunities to progress their career and for working parents, a level of flexibility is required. “There are a number of amazing companies in and around Tunbridge Wells and more and more are recognising what they need to do to make the package attractive with both salary and benefits.”

KEEPING YOU SAFE ONBOARD

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Pupils add another dynamic to their learning with new discovery centre SOUTHBOROUGH primary school has celebrated the opening of an exciting new addition to their building’s facilities. The Discovery Centre is the result of a refurbishment of the school’s library and IT Room into a new dynamic learning space. It was opened on July 15 by Mayor of Southborough Town Council, Dianne Hill. Pupils are now able to borrow one of the 4,000 new books, collaborative learning booths, an amphitheatre and new technology, costing around £50,000. Along with being a new library, the discovery centre is also the new science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) hub.

“On behalf of everyone I’d like to sincerely thank everybody involved in this project” The new centre aims to boost pupils’ learning which has been disrupted by the pandemic by creating a more active working environment. Emma Savage, head teacher at Southborough Church of England Primary School, said: “On behalf of everyone at Southborough Primary School I’d like to sincerely thank everybody involved in this project for giving their time and resources so generously. “The Discovery Centre is proving to be a fantastic addition to our school and is making such a positive impact upon our pupils’ learning during these challenging times.” The centre was built by local Baxall Construction, based in Paddock Wood. Baxall provided the building and renovation

SCHOOL OF THOUGHT MD of Baxall Consruction, Malcolm Clarke (left) with Mayor Dianne Hill (right) and Southborough Primary School pupils work cost-free while firms including Streif, Stamford Carpentry, Kiley’s Karpets, Broad Signs, Bexhill Electrical, Macai, Brith Services, Gerflor, Martin & Bowles Decorators and Crown Paint, along with HMY Architects, contributed labour and materials free of charge. Peter Oakford, Deputy Leader of Kent County Council (KCC) and Southborough’s KCC local Member, said: “I am delighted KCC selected Baxall to build the Southborough Hub.

“A local company with their focus on social value supporting the community made this the perfect decision for us. I was thrilled to hear how Malcolm and the Baxall team brought the other local companies together to deliver this fantastic new facility for our local school. “It is wonderful to see Baxall investing in the future of Southborough’s young people, and I know the staff and children alike are enjoying using this fabulous new facility.”

Malcolm Clarke, MD of Baxall Construction said: “Giving back to the local community is a hugely important part of our company ethos.

Valued “We’re delighted to have had the opportunity to work closely with Southborough Primary School and our valued supply chain to create this brand-new facility for the children.”

Local athlete represents the UK in at the Tokyo Olympics this summer tournament. “Also, and it sounds weird, but try not to take it too seriously, try and have a bit of fun with it because it can become very stressful for anyone. “A little bit of fun is not a problem – I think it’s quite a good thing, so I just tell them to try and enjoy the moment.

PICTURE: TESSA CLEMENTS

A PARALYMPIAN from Tunbridge Wells is representing Great Britain in Tokyo this summer. Will Bayley – who you may recognise from Strictly Come Dancing in 2019 – will be representing the country at the Paralympic games after being selected for the ParalympicGB’s table tennis squad. The 33-year-old is ranked world number one and won silver in London 2012 and gold at Rio 2016 in the Class seven category. Bayley is one of over 1,000 athletes who will be funded by the on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme which covers all funded summer and winter Olympic and Paralympic sports. UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme allows Bayley to train full-time, access the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering technology, science and medical support. He explained what the less experienced members of the team should look for when competing: “I’m a little bit more experienced – we’ve got so many experienced players in the squad and a lot of good young players as well. “I think they should just take it in, try and take in the village and try to enjoy the WILL BAYLEY moments where you get to train before the

Pressure “I think I’ve struggled myself to do it because there’s a lot of pressure – you’ve got a target and you’ve got to try and achieve it, so nothing else matters really.” “We’re just here to really do a job, enjoy the moment and focus now on a huge event – we’re really looking forward to it. He added his hopes for this year’s games: “I believe I can achieve again, and I think when you’ve achieved something it gives you belief that you can go again. I certainly haven’t put my foot on the brake. “I keep going full out and I want to try and create history. It would be a great achievement if I could do it again.” No one does more to support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes than National Lottery players, who raise around £36 million each week for good causes. Discover the positive impact playing the National Lottery has on sport at www. lotterygoodcauses.org.uk and get involved by using the hashtags: #TNLAthletes #MakeAmazingHappen

FEELING MERRY Daisy the Horse with volunteers and residents from Birchwood House

A knight to remember at Birchwood House RESIDENTS at a Tunbridge Wells based elderly care home have enjoyed a medieval themed summer party. Stepping back in time, the garden at Birchwood House in Speldhurst was transformed into a castle and staff played their part by dressing up in traditional period style clothing. The party included a banquet of traditional medieval style food including a makeshift hog roast, vegetable pottage pears in red wine and custard tarts served up by the home chef, Anne. Special guest, Daisy the horse made an appearance and there was hobby horse jousting, a court jester and the home’s

staff even took turns in the stocks to have rotten cabbages thrown at them. Niral Patel, owner of the care home, said: “We are so pleased to be able to hold these events for our residents.

Success “To be able to enjoy some socialising whilst getting into the spirit of our chosen theme, gives us all something to really look forward to. He continued: “After such an incredibly difficult year for all the residents and staff - it feels extra special now we can all celebrate together and enjoy

the beautiful gardens along with the amazing attention to detail of our medieval themed summer party. Claire Tye, deputy manager at Birchwood House, added: “We had such a lovely day for the medieval garden party! Staff once again got fully into character and had such fun recreating scenes from the dark ages. “The event really did lift the spirits of the residents who have faced such a challenging year. To see the residents getting involved with the theme, enjoying the lute music and dining on the hog roast was great.”

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THE SHREDQUARTERS GYM LAUNCH DAY July 31st 10am - 2pm The Shredquarters, Kingstanding Business Park, TN2 3UP

Visit Tunbridge Wells’ first class-led fitness space on our opening day. • Versatile equipment • Experienced trainers • All abilities welcome • Fun environment • Free trial class Come and grab your goodie bag with free gifts from: • Radiance Juices • WOW Doughnuts • Sweaty Betty • Grenade • NOCCO ... and much more!

Get in touch 07887 198007 t.wells@theshredquarters.co.uk

Find out more @shredquarters_tunbridge_wells @shredquarters.Tunbridge.wells

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PM wants a return to ’chain gangs’ to combat anti-social behaviour

Gove says ban ‘selfish’ vaccine refusers to events

BORIS Johnson promised the wider use of public ‘chain gangs’ to tackle yobs as he defended his approach to law and order in the face of police anger over a pay freeze. The Prime Minister, launching the Government’s Beating Crime Plan, said people should be able to identify those who have been sentenced to community service for anti-social behaviour carrying out their punishment. The plan also includes a permanent relaxing of conditions on the use of controversial Section 60 Stop and Search powers, effectively undoing reforms brought in by Theresa May. Mr Johnson used a visit to Surrey Police headquarters in Guildford to highlight the plan, but was criticised by the force’s Police Federation branch in the latest sign of the strained relationship between rank-and-file officers and the Government.

CABINET Office minister Michael Gove has branded those who refuse a vaccine ‘selfish’ and warned they will be barred from some events. The UK Government is mulling the use of vaccine passports for some large-scale events such as football matches, having already announced they will be required for nightclub entry in England from the end of September. But Mr Gove warned those who refused to be jabbed may not be able to access such events. Speaking during a visit to the Lighthouse Lab in Glasgow, he said: “Ultimately, if you can be vaccinated and you refuse to, that is a selfish act. “You’re putting other people’s health and lives at risk, you should get vaccinated.” ATTACK DOG The PM yesterday [Tuesday] with Home Secretary Priti Patel and a police dog handler

Payback The Prime Minister said he is keen to tackle problems with low level disorder, which he acknowledged could have a major impact on victims. He also said the coronavirus lockdown ‘has driven some anti-social behaviour’ and promised to tackle it. “Somebody’s anti-social behaviour may be treated as a minor crime but it could be deeply distressing to those who are victims,” he said. “If you are guilty of anti-social behaviour and you are sentenced to unpaid work, as many people are, I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t be out there in one of those fluorescent-jacketed chain gangs, visibly paying your debt to society.”

Offenders taking part in “community payback” schemes are already required to wear a hi-vis vest while carrying out the unpaid work, but Mr Johnson said “you are going to be seeing more of that”. The wider use of Stop and Search is controversial because of concerns that it disproportionately affects black and minority ethnic communities. But Mr Johnson insisted it is not a “strong-arm” tactic and it has the backing of parents. Section 60 powers give officers the right to search people in a defined area during a specific

time period when they expect serious violence, and officers can look for weapons before they can be used, or those used in a recent attack. The Prime Minister said: “I think that giving the police the backing that they need in law to stop someone, to search them, to relieve them of a dangerous weapon – I don’t think that’s strong-arm tactics, I think that’s a kind and a loving thing to do. “The people who often support Stop and Search most passionately are the parents of the kids who are likely themselves to be the victims of knife crime.”

Barred When asked if refusal to be jabbed should prevent attendance at some mass events, the minister said: “It depends on which part of the United Kingdom you’re in and what the nature of the event is. “But if you deliberately refuse to get vaccinated and there are certain venues and certain events that require a certain level of safety, then, you know, the terms in which you will be able to get into those venues and those events will be barred to you.” Mr Gove pushed for cooperation across the UK on a Covid-19 certification measure, but stressed it would be for the devolved administrations to make their decisions on the matter. He added: “We’re going to do what’s right for public health and I think that Covid certification in certain limited venues and for certain limited events is a way of making people safe.”

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Report finds hundreds of children abused following council cover up STAFF and councillors in Lambeth presided over a ‘culture of cover-up’ that led to more than 700 children in care homes suffering cruelty and sexual abuse, an inquiry has found. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse strongly criticised the south London council for allowing decades of abuse in five homes. The report found Sexual and other abuse of children was ‘widespread’ in Lambeth Council’s residential and foster care homes during the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The investigation covered five children’s units – Angell Road, South Vale Assessment Centre, the Shirley Oaks complex, Ivy House, and Monkton Street. The inquiry said that by 2020, 705 former

residents from Shirley Oaks, South Vale and Angell Road made complaints about sexual abuse, though the true number is likely to be much higher. A number of victims reported sexual abuse to adults at the time, including to other staff or their social workers.

Action But in many cases, this did not result in the investigation or prosecution of alleged offenders, or any disciplinary action being taken. The report found some children were too frightened to tell anyone, or were threatened with violence by the perpetrator if they reported the abuse.

At Shirley Oaks, staff viewed children with hostility and as given to “fantasy”. The report said: “This complete disbelief of children was incomprehensible and further increased their vulnerability. “Even when their allegations proved to be substantiated, they were shown no compassion and given no support.” The report found that rather than a culture of openness and a willingness to improve when it came to the fundamental interests of children, there was instead ‘defensiveness and resistance to change – children’s interests were secondary to those of staff and councillors’, the report found. It said that when systemic failures were identified, ‘time and again they were minimised and levels of risk ignored’.

One dead and four missing following explosion at German chemical plant They said the smoke had gone down but that they would continue to measure the air for toxins. The city of Leverkusen said in a statement that the explosion occurred in storage tanks for solvents. It said four people were admitted to hospital with severe injuries. “We are deeply concerned about this tragic accident and the death of our employee,” the head of Chempark, Lars Friedrich, said in a written statement.

Deployed

AN EXPLOSION at an industrial park for chemical companies in Germany has killed at least one person, with 16 injured and four still missing. Fire officials who tested the air said there did not appear to be a danger to nearby residents after authorities initially urged people to shelter inside. The explosion at the waste management facility of the Chempark site in the city of Leverkusen, near Cologne, sent a large black cloud into the air.

It took firefighters almost four hours to extinguish the fire that took hold after the explosion. Germany’s Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance initially classified the incident as “an extreme threat”. Later on Tuesday, however, the Cologne fire department tweeted that measurements of the air’s pollution “do not show any kind of abnormality”.

Currenta, the company operating the chemical park, said the explosion happened at 9.40am local time and then developed into a fire. “Sirens were operated to warn residents and warning alerts were sent,” Currenta said in the statement. Police in nearby Cologne said a large number of officers, firefighters, helicopters and ambulances from across the region had been deployed to the scene. They asked all residents to stay inside and warned people from outside of Leverkusen to avoid the region. They also shut down several nearby major roads. Daily Koelner Stadt-Anzeiger reported that the smoke cloud was moving in a north-western direction toward the towns of Burscheid and Leichlingen.

Suspension for surgeon who signed his work ‘insufficient’ A TRIBUNAL must reconsider the case of a surgeon who burned his initials on to the livers of two unconscious patients after the General Medical Council (GMC) complained that a five-month suspension was ‘insufficient’, a High Court judge has said. Mrs Justice Collins Rice ordered a fresh Medical Practitioners Tribunal hearing into Simon Bramhall’s case after considering a GMC appeal. The judge, based in London, said a tribunal that considered the case last year did not “put its finger on precisely what was and was not wrong” with Mr Bramhall’s conduct. Bramhall, who is in his 50s and was a transplant surgeon at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, was given a community order and fined £10,000 by a judge at Birmingham Crown Court in January 2018 after he admitted two counts of assault by beating. He told police he used an argon beam machine to initial the organs to relieve operating theatre

Simon Bramhall tensions following difficult and long transplant operations in 2013. Mrs Justice Collins Rice was told that, in December 2020, a Medical Practitioners Tribunal

imposed a five-month suspension on Bramhall’s medical registration. Lawyers representing the GMC said the sanction was “insufficient to maintain public confidence” in the profession. The judge, who published a ruling online on Tuesday after considering arguments at a High Court hearing earlier this month, allowed the GMC’s appeal. She said the case must be reconsidered by a new tribunal. “The Medical Practitioners Tribunal did not put its finger on precisely what was and was not wrong with Mr Bramhall’s conduct and sanction accordingly,” she said. “It did not do full justice to this unique case. “I allow this appeal on that basis. “I am satisfied that the right way forward is to quash the sanctions determination and remit the case for a fresh determination by a differently constituted tribunal.”

Tom Dean swims to victory for Team GB’s fourth gold BRITISH Swimmer Tom Dean clinched Team GB’s fourth gold of the Tokyo Olympics on day four of the Games as Great Britain secured its best ever start ever. GB claimed six medals yesterday [Tuesday], including two silvers and three bronzes, to take their tally to 13 overall and put them fifth in the medal table. It more than doubles Britain’s previous best medal haul of six after the first four days, achieved at the 2000, 2008 and 2016 Games. Dean, 21, who contracted Covid for the second time six months ago, edged out compatriot Duncan Scott into second by 0.04secs in the 200m freestyle swimming, His mother Jacquie Hughes spoke of the moment she watched her son win the gold medal. She said: “I looked around at my other children and people in my garden in the early hours this morning, and they were all crying. I was just in shock. “We were all jumping around like whirling dervishes.

Doubts “Tom says he feels like he’s in a dream and I think I’m with him in the same dream.” However, Dean had doubts about even making it to the Games, after he contracted coronavirus for a second time at the start of this year, spending up to seven weeks out. After testing positive again in January, the 21-year-old said his symptoms were much more severe, saying he could not walk up the stairs ‘without coughing and wheezing’. He said: “When I was sitting in my flat in isolation, Olympic gold seemed like a million miles off. But here we are.” Ms Hughes said that her son’s life has ‘changed forever’ after he became the first British man to win an Olympic freestyle title in 113 years. She said: “Before the race he was very quiet, contained and internal and very methodical, he knew what he had to do, he just wanted to get on with it. “After the race he said: ‘Mum I just feel like I’m in a dream I knew I could win it but none of it’s sunk in.’” Ms Hughes added: “I just said to him, ‘Tom my heart is bursting’ and it’s not just because you have won a gold medal it’s the way he conducts himself, the way he picks himself up after disappointment. “He’s had two bouts of Covid this year, it’s really knocked his plan off. I’m just so proud of the way he approaches it.” Footage on the Team GB Twitter account showed Dean’s family celebrating in Maidenhead as they watched the event live. A large crowd could be heard cheering him on before jubilant friends and family embraced each other. The victory marks Team GB’s fourth gold medal of this year’s Games, following a spate of victories on Monday.

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Education News

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EDUCATION Times

Top marks for academy students The Skinners’ Kent Academy sixth formers celebrate another year of successful IB Results CONTINUING the success of last year, students at The Skinners’ Kent Academy are once again celebrating achieving a 100% pass rate in the International Baccalaureate Career-related programme (IBCP) this year. The IBCP is an innovative education programme tailored to those who want to focus on career-related learning. Over the past two years, students at the Academy completed a Reflective Project and Community Service Learning whilst studying a range of different subjects including History, Visual Arts, Social & Cultural Anthropology and Business Management.

“Our young people thoroughly deserve the grades they have been awarded” Students have been offered university places to study a range of courses from Accountancy to Zoology, via Architecture, Computer Science, Forensic Psychology, History, Linguistics, Marketing, Mental Health, Nursing, Stage Management, and in various places across the UK, including Bangor, Bristol, Canterbury, Loughborough, Nottingham, Sheffield and Surrey. Such a breadth and range of University courses showcases the flexibility and adaptability of the IB Career-related programme.

MAKING THE GRADE: Pupils at Skinners Kent Academy have successfully passed their IB exams again

Praise Following another difficult year due to Covid-19, Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General of the International Baccalaureate, said: “The last 18 months have been incredibly challenging for students, teachers, and schools throughout the world as COVID-19 has undermined much of what we had come to take for granted. I salute their spirit and dedication to our shared mission: education for a better world. “A key responsibility of the IB this year has been to ensure that our students are not disadvantaged by the pandemic, including in their applications to university and higher

education. The many changes we have made to this session are part of this commitment to ensure students are not affected by the hugely challenging circumstances in which they have been learning.” Commenting on this year’s results, SKA Principal, Hannah Knowles added: “We are incredibly proud of all our Year 13 students this year, who despite the disruptions caused by Covid-19 have not only demonstrated incredible resilience but epitomise what it is to be a SKA and IB learner. “It has been a delight sharing in their joy as they have opened their results and we are thrilled they are facilitating their next steps, be it to read at Russell Group Universities or to begin apprenticeships or employment. Our young people thoroughly deserve the grades they have been awarded and we look forward to welcoming them back in years to come as part of our alumni.”

GREG CLARK MP ADVICE SURGERIES

If you have an individual problem which you think I can help with or you would like to have a chat about a more general issue, please do get in touch. I am holding regular advice surgeries – by zoom or telephone. To make an appointment, please call:

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Weekly Comment

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Mark Ellis

Wednesday July 28 | 2021

Mark Ellis is a Liberal Democrat Councillor for St John’s and is the party’s Deputy Group Leader at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. He has previously represented the town’s Federation of Small Businesses.

Liberal Democrat Councillor

Short term fixes are no solution for rubbish waste service This week we saw another instalment of the failing Urbaser waste contract, this time due to the national driver shortage resulting in garden waste collections being suspended for at least the next four weeks. I am very much aware of how hard the officers at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC] have worked in order to apply sticking plasters over the ongoing issues since Urbaser took over, however, short term fixes can’t overcome the fundamental issue of how this contract functions. I expect the Conservatives will tell you that Urbaser submitted the tender and will portion the blame for this on the company absolving themselves of responsibility for the choice made.

Crisis In my view, this contract was agreed with a focus far too heavily on low price and as it turns out not sufficient consideration to the sustainability of service, therefore the blame for this has to be shared with the councils. It may have been OK if the contract was established in a stable environment, but in the last few months, we have seen a crisis develop with UK driver shortages spiralling from a

BUILD UP A national labour shortage is causing local bin collections to be missed historic level of around 60,000 to over 100,000. This is due to a combination of the short-term suspension of driver training during covid and the larger longer-term issue of Brexit. This has damaged our supply chain with drivers returning to their own countries for

work, plus delays at our borders tying up many drivers that remain. As with any Labour shortages, the companies that can pay the highest rates will get the workers. In the case of HGV drivers, logistic companies are more likely to have the ability to

pass this cost onto customers by increased transport charges. This in turn is passed onto their customers and ultimately the consumer in prices in the shops. The blame for these problems sits squarely with our national government and can’t be solved by making drivers work 60 hours a week. With a contract like Urbaser’s, the increase in cost is far harder to pass on due to contractual restrictions, so without a lasting solution, it is likely we will see a long-term decline in service. There is no simple fix to this problem and drivers should have the right to demand better pay, especially when they know their services are in demand (it’s a free market after all), however, we need to come clean on driver shortages and either review the contract with Urbaser, or with another provider if a resolution cannot be found. This is not a palatable choice as we are effectively deciding between a potential decline in service or an increase in cost for that service, but the longer we take to make this choice, the problem is likely only to get worse. I hope that the new leaders of both TWBC and Tonbridge will be brave enough to confront the issue head-on and make the hard decisions.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Licensing Act 2003 Application for the grant of a Premises Licence An application for a Premises Licence at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has been made by Dizzi Persian Cuisine. 37 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 8AA A SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED LICENSABLE ACTIVITIES AND THE PROPOSED HOURS OF OPENING:

Serving Traditional Persian Food and Alcohol Monday -Thursday 11:00 am – 01:00 am Friday – Saturday 11:00 am – 03:00 am Sunday 11:00 am – 01:00 am Any person wishing to view details of an application can contact the licensing team on 01732 227004 Any person wishing to make representation about the proposals should make them in writing by Monday 14 August 2021 to: Licensing Partnership, Council Offices, PO Box 182, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, Kent. TN13 1GP licensing@sevenoaks.gov.uk www.sevenoaks.gov.uk It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. The maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary of conviction for the offence is £5,000.

Wednesday July 28 | 2021

Letters

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

NEWS

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And another thing… This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going on in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or you can write to the Editor, Times Local News, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG

Encouraging bees is not without its issues

proposing a single election cycle every four years; hitherto they have been against this because it can produce a wholesale change – just what most of us want. It seems that, when their jobs are on the line, and the gravy train, they will trade previously held principles of good and stable governance. I’m in favour of both: fewer councillors and a single four year election cycle, that’ll stir things up for them. Hugh Masters Pembury

France is not honouring asylum treaty

I have always put in my garden plants to encourage bees but over the last eight years or so many residents of Durgates, Wadhurst have been plagued by brown spots covering everything outside in the open. I am not talking the odd spot, the numbers run into hundreds and are found on paintwork, washing on the line, cars and any other object that maybe on the bee’s flight path. It has been alleged that a resident of Durgates has many hives and the result is the bee’s drop these brown spots as they fly. If a car is washed and then left on the drive

Supermarket rebrand sees price hikes What happens when Tesco get a name change from a Metro to an Express? Large price increases across the board. Items bought on Saturday July 17 had increased on the Monday by between 10p, 20p and as much as 40p per item. When I mentioned this to a member a staff i was told this was because they were now an Express store. A lot of people use this store for their main shop and not necessarily for a few extras. I personally do and it enabled me to walk and not have to drive to a larger store. With the price increases it is now not a viable option. I have emailed Tesco and am waiting for a reply Deborah West Tunbridge Wells

Change is in the air Right on cue, newly elected TWBC Tory Councillor Victoria White earnestly desires to ‘talk to everyone to understand what they care about and what they want our town to look like going forward’. Has she been living under a stone for the last 20 years? Allow me to enlighten her: Tunbridge Wells wants an end to the festering wasteland at the heart of the town – and soon. Tunbridge Wells does not want any more talk of £108million (and counting) vanity projects on Calverley Grounds, and she at least appears to have grasped that Tunbridge Wells does not want a Council impervious to the scrutiny which a thumping majority has allowed in the past. But of course, anodyne promises of ‘listening’, ‘working collectively and collaborating’ and ‘cooperating to bring about the future our residents deserve’ have only been conjured up because Tory Councillors have lost control. She needs to realise that the natives are

within minutes there will be up to 100 or more difficult to remove spots appear. It has made it almost impossible to enjoy sitting in the garden and eating outside as these spots land on food and even into my glass of wine on occasions. I know of the distress this has created in my own close location, but it would be interesting to hear how many others in the Durgates area are affected.

The moral arguments for allowing illegal immigrants into this country is for another time, I do know that if I am ever on the beach at Dungeness – a favourite haunt, when they come ashore, I shall applaud their safe landing – who would not. My ill-disguised anger is directed against paying the French to do the thing they are treaty-bound to do under international and maritime law. Unlike the rest of the civilised world, the French interpret these as: preventing people entering the water, but once they’re on it, or in it, their responsibility ceases. These payments are the modern equivalent of Danegeld. Mike Pearson Tunbridge Wells

On the road to ruin I’m a regular driver around Tunbridge Wells. Especially crossing the border from the town

into East Sussex and I cannot fathom how people commute to and fro the town everyday without doing serious damage to their cars, I recently noticed that there was the start of what seemed to be some road repairs, but that has now faded into nothingness and we are still left with the same uneven, falling apart and – quite frankly – dangerous road. Who knows how bad the roads will be in say six months’ time when those who have been working from home during the pandemic return in full force to the town’s offices. My worries are especially heightened with the influx of new flexible working office spaces which was reported in last week’s edition of the Times. Will people be deterred about using these spaces if the roads to them are this bad? Mary Johnson Tunbridge Wells

Weekend washout is a lesson The flooding that Tunbridge Wells’ neighbouring towns saw at the weekend were terrifying. Those people who still deny climate change are blind to what is right in front of them. I hope that the flooding and tragic ruin of peoples’ homes will wake others up to the very real challenge we are facing as a planet. Tunbridge Wells has suprisingly missed out on the downpour, but in previous years we haven’t been so lucky. Now is the time to act, before the county is washed away. Fred Jameson Crowborough

R.A.Larkin Durgates, Wadhurst.

PEPPY SAYS...

restless. Change is in the air, and whatever she says, a Council where every Committee chair is a male Tory is one which has, even now, not woken up and smelled the coffee! Name and addressed withheld Tunbridge Wells

Cutting councillors and elections is retrograde The proposed reduction in the number of Tunbridge Wells Borough councillors and the electoral cycle [see the Times July 21] would be a retrograde step for local democracy. The strong link between local councillors and the public is important to maintain, especially at this time of great change and social upheaval, and smaller numbers at a time of significant population growth would weaken those representative bonds. I have seen that in neighbouring councils where wards are larger and the voters only have an opportunity to go to the polls every four years complacency inevitably creeps in and the cabinet and officers gain in strength. So this change should therefore be resisted, due to the wider costs to participation. The potential saving to the council is £50k a year. To put this into context, it would take many years of all out elections to pay back the £11m wasted on the Calverley Square project. Dr Alan Bullion Lib Dem Southborough Town Councillor

Councillors should be cut Your article last week [July 21] about the number of local councillors raises some interesting points: a reduction is a good thing because (a) what do they all do? (b) there will be fewer of them to make a mess of things, but old habits die hard. The local council is hoping to frustrate this by

CARTOON BY PEPPY: (Follow her on Twitter @Peppyscott)

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Homes & Interiors

Wednesday July 28 | 2021

Interiors Somewhere over the rainbow Why subtlety just won’t cut it this season Page 22

19

Taste of the South We name some of the best local eateries

Page 26

Call 24/7 flyingfishproperties.co.uk | 01892 514 189 challe nging pe rc e pt io n

5 Bedroom Detached House, Harland Way, Tunbridge Wells Guide Price £1,500,000 This majestic 1920s black and white gabled house is breath takingly beautiful, both inside and out. Sat elevated in a commanding position on its tree lined road, with stunning countryside views to the front, it delivers plenty of kerb appeal. Immaculate detached house in stunning location, beautifully fitted kitchen/breakfast/family room, drawing room, 1 family bathroom and 2 further en-suite bathrooms, driveway with parking for several cars, 5 double bedrooms, separate utility room, dining room, double garage and pretty landscaped gardens (circa 0.4 acres).

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5 Bedroom Detached House, Doon Brae, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells Guide Price £950,000 This fantastic home sits on a peaceful cul-de-sac, nestled in the heart of its popular village location, with lush green woodland as its backdrop. As it is elevated on a hill, its modest two storey appearance from the front conceals a further floor which opens directly onto its glorious gardens, framed by leafy views. Detached house, living room with sit on balcony, family room and home office, 3 bathrooms, double garage, workshop and driveway, four bedrooms, 1 en-suite, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, pretty gardens and sought after village location.

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Homes & Interiors

Wednesday July 28 | 2021

3 CHASING RAINBOWS Brighten up mealtimes with this tablecloths from Summerill & Bishop

Colourful homewares 12 ways to brighten up tables and teatime Because a punchy palette is where it’s at, says Sam Wylie-Harris

Homes & Interiors

Wednesday July 28 | 2021

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WITH FLYING COLOURS Lay the table with these funky tablewares from Graham & Green

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LL THINGS bright and beautiful, all homewares great and small… Colouring your world with vibrant shades sings summer joy, and it only takes a bunch of brights to get the look. Whether you are hosting guests or dining in with your nearest and dearest, here’s how to serve up a riot of rays to boost the mood…

1. Summer Brights Melamine: Set of Six Bowls, £55; Set of Six

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Medium Bowls, £38; Set of Six Medium Cups, £19.95; Set of Six Espresso Cups, £16.95; Set of Six Raffia Coasters, £18.95 (other items from a selection), Graham & Green Cute as candy, bubblegum pink, ocean blue and buttercup-yellow styled with trimmed raffia coasters makes you want to grab your wicker basket, run to the sandy dunes and picnic on the beach.

2. Asta Barrington YAY Bright Pink Long Tray, £20, Daisy Park Summer is served… This eyecatching tray is made from certified Scandi birch wood and makes you want to salute summertime!

3. Summer Rainbow Linen

Tablecloth in Multicolours,

making a statement, with wild tigers, cranes, exotic flowers and grasses. The teapot has a tiger on one side and crane on the other.

£275, Summerill & Bishop A beautiful tablecloth in rainbow brights makes a great centrepiece to build on, especially if you top it with classic white dinnerware and vases spilling out with wild meadow flowers. Pot of gold optional.

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4. Cactus Light , £5.99 (was £12.99), Getting Personal For indoor or outdoor use, this prickly porcelain little fellow sets the tone for carefree cacti.

8. Vivian Velvet Bar Stool,

5. Colour Pop Enamel Salad Bowl Turquoise, from £24.50, Souschef Ideal for generous leafy salads, mixed fresh fruit, guacamole dip and salsas, these bowls are available in two sizes. Mix ‘n’ match with other colours in the range, such as lipstick pink, purple and cobalt blue.

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6. Tropics Cake Plate, £15; Tropics Teapot, £12; Tiger Tropics Side Plate and Crane Tropics Side Plate, £4 each; Tiger Tropics Footed Mug and Crane Tropics Footed Mug, £4 each (other items from a selection), Dunelm A summer tea party with all the tropical trimmings, Dunelm’s Equatorial dining range is all about

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7. Set of Six Blossom Glasses, £89, Graham & Green White wine, red, rosé, beer, cider, cocktails – take your pick and proffer those sundowners in style. These blossom glasses cover all the bases.

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£87.20 (was £109; other items from a selection), Dunelm We’re giving these primrose yellow, scallop edged bar stools five-star status. More boutique bar than kitchen stool, they’re not too spendy yet super stylish.

Mexicana tapestry prints have been making their mark for some time, and when it comes to Frida Kahlo-inspired characters, this charming play on pattern stirs the senses with all the right summer vibes. And it will sit pretty on your farmhouse kitchen chairs as well as garden seating.

11. Pink Coral Reef Cushion, £60, Postcards Home Barbecue banquet or fresh fish feast, these Instafriendly pink coral reef cushions will glam up any occasion, and imbibe thoughts of far-flung locations and luxurious resort furnishings to sink into.

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9. Les Ottomans Matthew Williamson Cotton Napkin – Peacock Feather, £15, Amara If you’re serving a fanfare of flavours with tableware as tempting as the food, these designer napkins with a bold peacock feather pattern are worth hunting down – and guaranteed to thrill your guests.

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10. Mexicana Tapestry Print Seat Pad, £15, Graham & Green

12. By The Seaside Mini Candle Tin, £8.50 each, Calon Candles Filled with the enticing fragrance of rock salt and driftwood, scatter these seaside-scented candles among pitchers of Pimm’s or chilled buckets of rosé, to float you away to the Welsh coast and beyond. The tins are bilingual, with English (Beside The Sea) on one side and Welsh (Ar Lan y Môr) on the other.

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26

Food & Culture: Advertorial

Wednesday July 28 | 2021

Restaurants with a recipe for success With dining restrictions lifted, our favourite eateries tell us what’s on the menu this summer

The Blue Anchor

Amy Glenie is the director of this popular Crowborough haunt which just won Pub of the Year…

The Persian Lounge Mehdi Alizadeh tells us all about the delicious dishes on offer at his newly opened and popular restaurant

P

ersian food is authentic as it uses blends of fresh herbs and subtle aromatic spices such as saffron with fruit and nuts to combine and compliment meat and fluffy Persian rice. We have a great selection of wines and cocktails and operate till 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays. We invite customers to come in for drinks only and enjoy themselves till late. The best way to explain what you can expect at Persian Lounge, located on Mount Pleasant Road, is our lovely customers reviews on Google. Here are just a few of them: “A really fantastic experience. The restaurant is set up so that you aren’t on top of other diners, with lots of booths…” “Amazing food and very friendly staff. It made me feel close to home. We had a lovely time.”

“I am so happy that Tunbridge Wells has a great Persian restaurant! Absolutely loved the food. Extra points for having delicious vegetarian options!” “Delicious affordable food and incredibly friendly staff. We are going back as soon as we can.” “…When you are in Tunbridge Wells, you have to try this place. Very delicious!” “I came here for a family member’s birthday and impressed is an understatement. All of the food is so fresh and you can tell the quality of the food is to a good standard…” “…The food was extraordinary, the atmosphere is authentic and not overpowering and staff is word class. Highly recommended!” www.persianlounge.co.uk

Soprano Tapas and Wine Bar Ivan and Maurizio Di Santo reveal why their Spanish inspired bar is still one of the hottest on the high street…

B

rothers Ivan and Maurizio Di Santo are well known in the locality for bringing a genuine taste of the Med to Tunbridge Wells. And despite the fact they are Italian they have chosen not to specialise in the cuisine of their homeland. Instead, they have opted for a predominantly Spanish flavour with their original restaurant Soprano Tapas and Wine Bar and then a dash of gallic gourmet flair with their French inspired Coco Retro eatery. Both are located in the High Street area of Tunbridge Wells and boast an excellent offering of delicious dishes that will please most palates. “Even though Italian food does much more for business, I felt a tapas bar was missing in Tunbridge Wells,” explains Ivan. “So we opened Soprano based where I like to go.” The result is a cosy yet cool bustling bar and restaurant that’s known as much for its traditional tapas as it is for its trendy cocktails and tasty vegetarian options. “The thing we could never take off the menu is the meatballs, or ‘albondigas’, which are very popular, our chorizo and the ‘flamequin’ which are Spanish fried pork rolls,” continues Ivan. “We change the menu every six to eight months and try to use a lot of local suppliers. Being Spanish, there are a lot of things that aren’t produced over here, so we try to source the meat,

fruit and veg locally, but the rest comes from either Italy or Spain.” www.sopranotunbridgewells.co.uk

W

e are quality and welcoming country pub near the Ashdown Forest in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Run be me and my dedicated team we were recently named ‘Pub of the Year’ by the Beautiful South Tourism Awards. Here at The Blue Anchor we pride ourselves on our exceptional food, high quality service and welcoming atmosphere. Our menu changes daily and is all freshly prepared by our team of brilliant chefs. It includes a combination of outstanding pub classics and locally sourced fine dining dishes. The popular pizza and BBQ shack is open both Thursday and Friday evening, and all day on Saturday and Sundays. On Sundays we also serve a fantastic selection of roasts - the Yorkshire Puddings are a clear customer favourite! All our dishes are prepared in the pub kitchen and our chefs are happy to cater for most dietary needs. This includes a range of exiting new vegan, vegetarian and gluten free meals. The Blue Anchor clientele represents a diverse range of people including local families, friends and couples looking a romantic evening out. All these people come in for our exceptional food, high quality service and welcoming atmosphere. The Blue Anchor team are happy to provide a relaxing environment in which customers can unwind, chat with our friendly staff and enjoy exceptional food.” www.blueanchorcrowborough.co.uk

Wednesday July 28 | 2021

Food & Culture

Out of the blue

The book about the high seas raising money for children’s mental health charity

Page 28

Just the tonic...

The Pantiles’ Gin and Jazz festival livens up the weekend Page 30

& h t l a e H g n i e b l l We TURE FEA

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Food & Culture

arts

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Wednesday July 28 | 2021

“I hope the book I have written will bring great joy to children and their parents” During lockdown Tunbridge Wells resident Eric Reimann decided to write a children’s book to raise money for charity. Here the business consultant, who writes under the name of Enrique Reilly, tells Eileen Leahy what inspired him to put pen to paper in order to support our youth in myriad ways…

T

he various lockdowns over the past 16 months have certainly taken their toll on most – but none more so than children whose mental health has been compromised like never before. Spending time in and out of school over the past couple of academic years has proven to be very tough for a large section of both primary and secondary aged children.

Yet despite not being a seasoned author, Eric still managed to write a book which is entitled The Horrible Captain Horatio Murky. “Writing it put me totally outside of my comfort zone. Having an idea and turning it into a book is literally as hard as it sounds. The experience is both

“My storyline goal was to touch on the environment, seen and experienced through the eyes of a 10-yearold boy from Paris”

Inspired According to a recent survey by YoungMinds, a national organisation supporting children’s well-being, 75% of respondents agreed that they have found the last lockdown earlier this year harder to cope with than previous ones. It also found that 67% of respondents believed that the pandemic will have a long-term negative effect on their mental health. And just two weeks ago Ian Soars, CEO of Fegan’s a national children’s charity based here in Tunbridge Wells, spoke about why mental health difficulties (pandemic or no pandemic) are so challenging for young people while their brains are still developing. Another local concerned at how Covid has been taking its toll on our youth is

businessman Eric Reimann (whose nom de plume is Enrique Reilly). “During the first lockdown I watched and read a lot of reports with great sadness of people suffering from mental health issues. So I decided to write a children’s illustrated book out of the blue, with a view to donating all of the profits to Heads Together mental health charity and also the WWF,” explains Eric who when not writing is a business consultant in the logistics industry.

challenging and rewarding for me as a writer,” says Eric. “With The Horrible Captain Horatio Murky my storyline goal was to touch on the environment, seen and experienced through the eyes of a 10-year-old boy from Paris. He saves wild animals from the titular antagonist. Children like fun books, so in the story the intelligent beings are the animals and the young protagonist, French school boy Max Dubois - all the adults are hapless!

“I hope the story will bring great joy to children and their parents. I also hope it is fun and thought-provoking, and above all relevant.” Yet although the words flowed freely for Eric he struggled to find an illustrator to do the images for the book so he decided to do some research into how he could commission someone. “I found an illustrator from Birmingham online. He was very accommodating and flexible when I commissioned him to do the illustrations.” When it came to the book’s typography Eric says he emailed several universities asking for help and then Reading uni came up.

Opportunity “One of the lecturers, Professor James Mosley, informed me about the opportunity they offer to their students to work with professionals as part of their innovative Real Jobs campaign. “It was a win-win for me because a lot of those suffering from mental health issues are around the age of these university students. To give them a chance to have something to focus on during a difficult year – one in which everyone had to deal with the psychological strain that comes

Food & Culture

Wednesday July 28 | 2021

from being locked within the same four walls – was excellent.” Eric found a student named Joanne Tunbridge who did all the typography for the book, including giving him a choice of font etc. “Joanne also had to configure the structure of the book so it could be uploaded in the correct format and bleed onto both Amazon’s and Barnes and Noble’s websites,” says Eric. Aside from providing a student with a welcome distraction from socialdistancing measures, Eric was quick to identify the wider benefits afforded to both student and customer by the scheme.

Contribute

GETTING INTO CHARACTER Local boy Max dresses up as Captain Horatio Murky to promote the book on Tik Tok TW_FINAL.pdf

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He said: “It provides a great experience for the students’ CVs. When I was assigned Joanne she went over and above what was expected, which was much appreciated. Whenever there were any issues, she dealt with them and I couldn’t fault her. “I also love the fact that the work she completed for me will contribute towards her final degree.” Eric was so impressed by the quality of Joanne’s work that he opted to enlist the services of a second undergraduate, Eva Doger de Speville, to help promote sales of his book. “I was excited to give an opportunity to another brilliant young student. Eva is a French speaker, which is great because my book, which is set in Paris, has been translated into French for children across the English Channel to enjoy as well,” continues Eric. “Eva set up social media accounts for the book in the name of Captain Murky and published posts to attract French readers. That is something I would

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BROUGHT TO BOOK Eric Reimann who writes under the hame Enrique Reilly

never have been able to do on my own.” Eric hopes to bring his cast of colourful characters back for a sequel and is adamant he will also return to Reading for creative inspiration. “The University of Reading have been brilliant. They were so helpful and that is what I needed. A lot of people tend to say that students come out of university highly qualified but under experienced. “Allowing these two students to get some real experience has been so rewarding. I am proud of my achievement and hope will sell a lot of

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The author would like to offer two free copies of the book to two lucky Times readers, and also welcomes their feedback on whether they enjoyed reading the book and what characters or animals in the book they liked the most. To enter the competition, please answer the following 2 questions: 1) What is the name of the 10 year old boy in the book? 2) What is the full title of the book? Email your answers to author@enriquereilly.com by Wednesday August 4 to be in with a chance of winning. Good luck!

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copies and financially support my two chosen charities – and children too.” And Eric has even jumped on the Tik Tok bandwagon as a promotional tool for the book… “I am in the process of finishing a video of a ten-year-old boy - who by coincidence is called Max (pictured left) who also looks like the Max character in the book. In the Tik Tok video he changes into various characters from the book. It’s a lot of fun!” To order a copy of The Horrible Captain Horatio Murky visit www.enriquereilly.com

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A COPY OF THE HORRIBLE CAPTAIN HORATIO MURKY

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Food & Culture

food

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Wednesday July 28 | 2021

Why this gin festival will raise your spirits LET THE FUN BE-GIN A previous year’s Gin and Jazz on The Pantiles

September – date still to be confirmed. “The first one will take place during the day on Saturday July 31 and Sunday August 1. It should be a marvellous weekend! We have been running it for three years and it really is one of the most fun days out in Tunbridge Wells attracting large crowds every time. We will confirm the September date nearer the time.” Taking place right in the heart of The Pantiles there will be gins from as far away as Kenya and Mexico as well as plenty of local varieties to sip and savour. This year’s festival is

“Whether you like a classic London dry or an exotic gin, The Pantiles Gin and Jazz festival has something for you to enjoy”

This weekend (July 31-August 1) The Pantiles welcomes one its most popular events: Gin and Jazz. Eileen Leahy speaks to its organiser Julian Leefe-Griffiths about why it’s the perfect tonic after the past 16 months of lockdown...

W

ith the further easing of coronavirus restrictions earlier this month we are now finally able to enjoy more social events, albeit with some safety restrictions still in place. Gin and Jazz is one of the town’s newest and now most popular and it hits The Pantiles this coming weekend (July 31 – August 1). Established in 2018, the free daytime event welcomes thousands of visitors and showcases over 40 different gin producers alongside live jazz

performances and delicious street food stalls. Its organiser is Julian Leefe-Griffiths who owns the Tunbridge Wells Hotel and hosts the weekly Jazz on The Pantiles events. After being postponed last year due to coronavirus Julian is certainly excited about being able to put Gin and Jazz on again. “It’s fantastic to be back in business,” he declares. He goes on to say that this will be the first of two special Gin and Jazz festivals taking place on The Pantiles, with the second one happening in

GIN AND BEAR IT Founder of Gin and Jazz, Julian Leefe-Griffiths (pictured right)

A super spot to ‘moor up’ for a few hours on a summers day... A traditional family run pub serving locally sourced ingredients, freshly cooked food and delicious drinks all with a friendly smile. • • • • •

Fresh, Wood Fire Pizzas Beers, Ales and refreshing cocktails Private functions & wedding hire Large secluded child friendly garden Close proximity to the Ashdown Forest

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12 - 3pm / 5 - 8.30pm 12 - 8.30pm 12 - 4pm Get in touch to book a table 01892 319299 info@blueanchorcrowborough.co.uk Beacon Road, Crowborough, TN6 1BB

Food & Culture

Wednesday July 28 | 2021

sponsored by estate agents Alexander Boyes and Sekorde mixers who Julian says are ‘very excited to be associated with the successful event’.

COCO RETRO

Fun “Whether you like a classic London dry or an exotic gin, The Pantiles Gin and Jazz festival has something for you to enjoy,” continues Julian. “As well as lovely gin and tonics on offer, we also have the great restaurants and hotels of The Pantiles participating in Gin and Jazz plus some street food vendors. Fullers butchers will also be in attendance.” A number of jazz bands will playing on the bandstand during the day to complete the festival spirit that we have all waited so long to enjoy. Entrance to Gin and Jazz is free and it runs from 11am to 6pm on Saturday July 31 and Sunday August 1. For more information visit www. thepantiles.com

PUBLIC NOTICE

Licensing Act 2003 I/We The Deer Park Store Do hereby give notice that we have applied to the Licensing Authority at Wealden District Council for the grant of a Premises Licence.

The Deer Park Store Ltd Sham Farm Road, Eridge Green Eridge, East Sussex, TN3 9JD And known as The Deer Park Store The application is to: Sell alcohol from a small farm store from 9.00am – 5.00pm everyday. Any person wishing to make representations to this application may Do so by writing to Licensing Officer, Wealden DC, Vicarage Lane, Hailsham, BN27 2AX or email licensing@rother.gov.uk not later Than 18/08/2021 Representations received After this date cannot be considered. Details of the above application may be viewed on the Licensing Register at the Council Offices or www.wealden.gov.uk/licenceregistersearch It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in Connection with this application, the maximum fine on summary conviction being £5,000.

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Stylish sunkissed white wines to seek out in the July heatwave From beams of fruity freshness to clean as a whistle, these summer whites make for a refreshingly cool tipple in these soaring temperatures, as Sam Wylie-Harris writes... Hello heatwave! Sunshine, blue skies, long, lazy days – and we’re thirsty for bright young things to sip in the sunshine. We’re in the mood to channel verdant green vineyards, breezy coastal sites and centuries-old olive groves. Want to join us? From refreshing, light styles to a lively fruit salad and greener than green, these polished whites channel a chilled cornucopia of gratification…

notes, blossom, white peach and sage, underlying minerality and lovely floral lift on the fruity finish. A must for al fresco entertaining and picnic hampers. 6. THE ROTHSCHILD COLLECTION RIMAPERE SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019, MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND, £19, HARVEY NICHOLS A notch up the scale, this splendid sauvignon blanc is a collaboration between the Rothschild dynasty and blue-chip winery Craggy Range – and highlights everything we love about the country’s most famous export. Exciting and beautifully aromatic, with the promise of a perfect parcel of passion fruit, concentrated gooseberry, vine tomatoes, freshly cut grass and lemony acidity, it’s super pure, expressive and full of finesse. A joyous glass.

1. ANDREW PEACE CHARDONNAY 2020, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, £5.50, CO-OP STORES If you love a fruity, fresh white but think you don’t like chardonnay, give this a whirl. Mellow lime on the nose mingles with yellow fruits, and its juicy, tropical palate and hint of pineapple is enhanced by citrusy freshness. A splash of semillon lends richness and a delicious reminder of how a ripe chard can charm us with its broad flavours, especially at this price. 2. CAMBALALA GRENACHE BLANC 2020, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA, £6.49, ALDI A lively fruit salad of tangy green fruits, ripe guava, juicy spiced pear fruit and lemon peel, this gold nugget from South Africa really hits the spot, with a brilliant balance of concentrated flavours and refreshing acidity closing the finish. Mouth-watering, food-friendly and a top drop with spicy seafood or grilled Cajun shrimp. Intense and downright delicious. 3. PONTE DE LIMA LOUREIRO, VINHO VERDE 2020, PORTUGAL, £6.95, THE WINE SOCIETY Young, fresh and sprightly with a seam of spritz to give it a lovely lift, there’s real vivacity to this vinho verde, as it dances on the palate. Fresh aromas of lemon and lime blossom, backed by pear and stone fruits with a happy, zippy finish makes it even more appealing. A perfectly poised Portuguese for summertime sipping. 4. TORRES VIÑA ESMERALDA 2020, CATALONIA, SPAIN, £9, TESCO High summer is the perfect time to pay a little more attention to delightful, off dry styles, with bags of blossomy fruit crowned with fragrant florals – such as this pretty blend of muscat and gewürztraminer. Bringing the best of both worlds together, with

1 heady notes of honeysuckle, orange blossom, lychee and roses, it’s soft and silky and the intensity of ripe, stone fruits is perfectly balanced by light acidity. Utterly gorgeous, a natural with Asian inspired summer salads. 5. CANTINA GOCCIA CELI, UMBRIA, ITALY, £12.50, WOODWINTERS A bright white with excellent eco-friendly credentials, Cantina Goccia were one of the first wineries to introduce the Frugal Bottle made from 94% recycled paperboard. Teasingly lightweight, at five times lighter than the average glass bottle, it’s a joy to hold and drink. An invigorating blend of grechetto, vermentino and chardonnay from the ‘green heart of Italy’, the wine’s full of lemony

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Food & Culture

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health & wellbeing

Do you need to eat like a professional athlete? Fuelling correctly is vital for pro sportspeople. But as Lisa Salmon finds out, their body’s needs can be very different to those of the average gym-goer... AS THE Olympics begin, fans may marvel at the skill, training and dedication shown by our athletes to get to the top of their game. But an unseen – yet vital – part of their success is their nutrition. “For athletes, focusing on optimum nutrition is important for maximising performance, reducing the risk of injury and illness, and ensuring the best recovery after training,” explains Alex White, a nutrition scientist at British Nutrition Foundation (nutrition.org. uk). And while we’re talking a large volume of food – sometimes up to 7,000 calories a day – that’s not always nearly as much fun as it sounds, says sports nutritionist and dietitian Chris Cashin, a spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association (BDA; bda.uk.com).

‘Athletes will often have different food for different days’ “One of the things athletes say to me is, they’re eating so much during the day, sometimes it can become a bit of a chore,” she explains.

While on average, men need about 2,500 calories a day and women about 2,000, Cashin says professional athletes may need 3-5,000. Some consume even more; for example, Tour de France cyclists probably needed ALEX 6-7,000 calories a day. WHITE So, what about ‘ordinary’ fitness fans who want to improve? Here, White and Cashin discuss what pro athletes eat, and how it relates to the average exerciser… Timing is key for the professionals Pro athletes usually have higher requirements for energy (calories), protein CHRIS and carbohydrates than the CASHIN general population, says White, but the specifics will differ depending on their particular sport. A power lifter will probably have different nutritional needs to a longdistance runner, for example. “At professional level, it’s all about timing, and athletes will often have different food intakes for different days, depending what time they’re training or competing,” Cashin says. “Recovery is a big thing too – if they’re in a sport where they’re going to compete in rounds, they’ve got to make sure they’re fuelling up ready for the next round.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Diet plays an important part in athletes’ performance

“So, if it’s something like 800m or 1,500m, it’s going to take them a few hours to build their glycogen stores back up, so when they get off the track, they need to be thinking about refuelling straight away.” What about ‘ordinary’ exercisers? As for mere mortals? “If you’re becoming more active and want to stay healthy and

improve, eating a healthy, varied diet is the basis of improving performance,” states White. This means, he says, getting your five-a-day of fruit and vegetables, choosing mainly wholegrain carbohydrates like wholegrain bread, whole wheat pasta or brown rice, and eating a variety of different protein

Food & Culture

Wednesday July 28 | 2021

sources, including plant-based proteins like beans and lentils, alongside animal proteins like meat, fish and eggs. (Although, plantbased diets are growing in popularity among athletes too.) “If you’re just going to the gym regularly, make sure you’ve had something to eat a couple of hours before going, and maybe think about eating a banana or some fruit before, and something similar afterwards,” suggests Cashin. “But apart from that, and making sure you drink enough fluid, you don’t really need to eat anything different.” Packing in extra calories For the pros, getting enough calories is crucial. “Professional athletes will definitely be having a lot more calories than you or I could eat,” says Cashin. “Sometimes you have to be imaginative and resort to using things you wouldn’t perhaps suggest to the general public, that are very high in quick-release carbs, like sweets or Jaffa Cakes, so they can get some energy on board quickly.” Getting the protein balance right White says ordinary exercisers don’t need lots of extra protein if they’re getting more active, but it’s worth thinking about when and what you choose to include. “It may be beneficial to spread protein intake through the day – think about ways you could include lean protein at breakfast, including eggs, beans, yoghurt or

fish,” he says. Also, try varying sources. While animal proteins provide all the amino acids the body needs, it’s also good to include plant proteins as they provide a different range of nutrients, and are high in fibre and low in fat. “We can still get all the amino acids we need, as long as we have a varied diet,” says White. Cashin says many people are overeating protein. “If you eat a couple of helpings of meat, fish, cheese, egg or a veggie alternative, and you have some milk or a milk alternative, that should be enough,” she stresses. “You also get quite a lot of protein in things like pasta and bread. It’s very unusual to find people who have a low protein intake.” People doing a lot of strenuous exercise, like weightlifting, may need a bit more, but Cashin says most people need between about 1.2-1.7g of protein per kg of body weight. “Evidence suggests that if you go over 2g of protein per kg, you’re wasting your time, because it doesn’t do anything,” she adds. Supplements or not? White believes that for non-professionals, there’s “no need for supplements or special sports products. We can get all the nutrients and fluid we need from a healthy diet and plenty of water. Save money by bringing healthy snacks and a drink with you when you exercise,” White suggests. However, Cashin says professional athletes may sometimes need protein supplementation: “You might have to use a protein supplement to get their protein intake in. I was really antisupplements, but I’ve now realised some athletes can’t do without them. They need a

THE PANTILES ARCADE Selling decorative objects from the 17th Century to the present day

Silver | Art Glass | Chandeliers | Furniture Tunbridge Ware | Porcelain | Georgian Glass Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

11am – 4pm CLOSED 10am – 5pm 10am – 5pm 10am – 8pm 10am – 5pm 10am – 5pm

THE

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TIME TRIAL You should always test out new products before using them in an event or workout

recovery drink that’s got extra protein in, and if they’re not hungry after they’ve competed or trained, a protein shake with some carbohydrate in is quite useful.” Snack healthy If you like to have snacks before or after a workout, keep these healthy, White advises. He suggests trying unsalted nuts and seeds, fresh fruit, wholegrain crispbreads with nut butter, or vegetable sticks with houmous or cream cheese. And extra carbs? Cashin says long-distance runners might need fuel while they’re running, so might have a carbohydrate drink. “They do get very fed-up with those, so I give them home-made versions they can make themselves. You just dissolve 10 teaspoons of sugar in a bit of warm water, add a pinch of salt and make it up to a litre with cold water, and then add some sugar-free squash,” she says. “Some have other things added, like vitamins, but basically they’re all the same. It’s providing carbohydrate if you’re exercising for longer than an hour, so for a marathon or half-marathon, they can be useful.”

Always road-test first If you are going to try a carb drink, or any food or nutrition product to help fuel you through a big workout or event, it’s important to find out if it agrees with you first. “If you’ve never done it before and you try it during a run, you might get an upset tummy,” Cashin warns. “Never, ever try something during a race that you’ve never done before.” Exercising on an empty stomach Some people thrive on exercising on an empty stomach, says Cashin. “There have been some papers published recently showing some people, particularly women, seem to do better exercising in the morning if they haven’t had anything to eat. What it’s highlighting is that we’re all different. Gone are the days when all dietitians were saying you must have your breakfast.” She suggests people who exercise in the morning before eating should have a substantial breakfast afterwards, and perhaps a snack before bedtime the night before. “Have something light like a bowl of cereal – it’s not going to sit on your stomach, and you’re fuelled overnight and can catch-up after you’ve exercised.”

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Food & Culture

Wednesday July 28 | 2021

Michelin star restaurants, boutique boltholes and sleek superyachts… the fresh face of Malta is emerging

travel

Celebrated for its historical riches, the tiny island state is making new waves in the Med, says Sarah Marshall

MEDITERRANEAN MYSTIQUE Malta is open to double vaccinated visitors

E

VERY DAY at noon, cannons fire from the 16th century Saluting Battery overlooking Fort St Angelo and Valletta’s Grand Harbour. Once the heavy thuds subside, Vera Lynn’s sentimental melodies crackle from speakers and fade into plumes of smoke. Steeped in nostalgia and revelling in past pomp and glory, Valletta is the jewel in Malta’s antique crown, attracting almost two million tourists a year. But today, as I walk around fortifications built by the Knights of St John, a ruling military and religious order who rose from the Crusades, it’s refreshingly quiet. The only cruise ship in port departed yesterday, leaving a handful of foreigners to admire the ramparts in peace. Open to double vaccinated visitors with no need to quarantine in either direction, the three-island state of Malta, Gozo and Camino is slowly welcoming back tourists. But even in a destination whose future has always been shaped by its past, things will never be the same.

One of several innovators determined to move forward is entrepreneur and philanthropist Mark Weingard, whose boutique property Iniala Harbour House launched last November in the midst of the pandemic. Spread across four amber limestone townhouses and vaults overlooking the harbour, the project took five years to complete. Inside, original features – such as a spiral ‘garigor’ staircase and ceiling fresco – have been restored and brought up to date with contemporary artworks. In my suite (so spacious it could happily

‘A shift towards more luxury offerings is elsewhere in the city – on both land and sea’ accommodate long stays with a separate living area, hallway and walk-in wardrobe), the wallpaper is based on skyline prints by a local Maltese photographer, while furnishings in a delicious combination of copper and cream, have all the pizzazz of a

Manhattan penthouse. At rooftop restaurant ION, I dine in the warm open air with a Michelin-starred meal from British chef Alex Dilling, currently on a 100-day loan from The Greenhouse in London. Committed to experimenting with local ingredients, he uses oysters for a savoury take on a bavarois and elevates a humble tomato with a silky sheet of thickened almond milk. A shift towards more luxury offerings is backed up elsewhere in the city – on both land and sea. Superyacht trader Jamie Houston – who offers services to guests at

Food & Culture

Wednesday July 28 | 2021

Iniala – decided to base his charter business CarBlu in Malta, because of both its geographical location and a laidback atmosphere lacking in Europe’s better known rivieras. I join him for an afternoon cruise on Midnight Madness, an 86ft Italian-built beauty capable of speedily zipping between bays without even a drop of prosecco spilt on deck. Completely refitted, a Louis Vuitton leather-embossed set of drawers in the master cabin is the only vestige of her past life. Available for hourly and daily charters, she can take 12 – making a two-hour trip surprisingly realisable at less than €160 per head. Anchoring in a quiet bay on the south of the island, where brilliant limestone cliffs beam brighter than the moon, Jamie opens the aft to reveal a toy box of water sports gadgets: paddleboards, snorkels and an inflatable raft towed by a speedboat for thrilling rides. Lying flat on my belly, I scream as we crash over waves, eventually losing control (and half my bikini) on a tight corner. White bottom flashing in the air, it’s hardly the look Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie – who honeymooned on a yacht here – might go for, but it’s fun all the same.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence VIDLER & BARNARD LTD Of 2 Santers Court, Gills Green, Cranbrook, TN18 5EQ

A STAR-STUDDED SETTING A stage set for historical dramas and fantasy sci-fis, Malta has hosted countless film and TV productions, with many A-listers choosing to stay in Mdina, the ‘Silent City’ and former capital located in the middle of the island. The clop of hooves over cobblestones transports me to another era when I arrive at the highest point on an otherwise flat island, an area colonised by the Phoenicians 4,000 years ago. During the day, the walled citadel is filled with horse-drawn carriages laden with sightseers. But in the early hours, only birds flit between shadows in the gaunt alleys. The sole place to stay is Xara Palace, a former noble residence revitalised by the Zammit Tabona family and filled with antiques acquired from across the islands – heavy wooden church doors frame a living area, while a choir stall balcony now serves as a reception. Centred around a glass-covered courtyard or looking out to Maltese vineyards and the sea, 17 suites bathe in discreet grandeur. I stay in a newly-renovated room, where Charles and Camilla once slept, and enjoy a meal appropriately fit for a king at the De Mondion restaurant. Chef Kevin Bonello earns his Michelin star with a parade of refined dishes: red Sicilian prawns invigorated by a garum spritz, and beetroot gnocchi filled with a knock-out punch of Comte cheese. A MEETING POINT IN THE MED The piece that doesn’t quite fit into Europe’s puzzle, Malta is a fusion of flavours and a crossroads of cultural styles. From the narrow, winding streets of Arab-built citadels, to the bright postboxes embossed with Her Majesty’s stamp, every ruling overlord has left their mark. It’s the place to indulge in sweet ricotta-filled Sicilian cannoli while sat beneath a fluttering St George’s flag. Even the language is a curious blend of Semitic vocabulary scribed with a Latin alphabet and peppered by the odd English word. The melting pot makes sense given Malta’s position: floating between Italy, Libya and Tunisia in the Mediterranean Sea, it was an

important market for traders, a strategic vantage point for conquerors and a sacred place of worship for megalithic civilisations. Although the Republic of Malta is a tiny island state – covering an area 100 times smaller than Cornwall – the volume of historical sights is huge, making the job of a tour curator indispensable. “I call this a rock; it’s not even an island!” laughs Jasmine Mifsud, a 23-year-old archaeologist who works for Past Preservers, an agency of historical experts who consult film crews on castings and locations. As part of a new partnership set up with tour operator Original Travel, she now guides tourists in Malta and neighbouring Gozo, with an opportunity to sneak behind the scenes at some sites. At Hagar Qim, we walk through a megalithic temple complex built to honour a fertility goddess known as the ‘fat lady’; and at Popeye Village, we see the perfectly preserved set from the 1980s musical movie starring Robin Williams – a far cry from antiquity, it’s still part of the island’s story. All over Malta, historical artefacts shed light on periods of war balanced by decades of peace. But today, ancient backdrops are setting the scene for new developments, saluting the future with the power of 100 cannons at full blast.

How to plan your trip…

Original Travel (020 3582 4990; originaltravel.co.uk) offers a five-night holiday to Malta from £3,450pp (two sharing) including three nights’ B&B at Iniala and two nights’ B&B at Xara Palace, return flights, all transfers and a full day’s guided tour with a Past Preservers guide. For more information, go to visitmalta.com.

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Food & Culture

Wednesday July 28 | 2021

goingout 7 days of activities

By Lottie Bulmer

MUSICAL MANOR Bayham Abbey is showcasing the work of the King of Jazz, Benny Goodman PARTY ON THE PANTILES Gin and Jazz is taking place on Saturday

DRINK UP The new Courtyard at One Warwick Park

AFTER another disrupted academic year for children and young adults across the country, they finally have some time to relax and recharge their batteries. At the Times, we have compiled a list of events taking place across Tunbridge Wells and beyond, for pupils on their summer holidays and adults who left school longer ago than we’d like to admit! This week there is a selection of musical events in genres to suit every taste…

Live Music dates are as follows Sunday 1st August from 1pm (music until 3pm) Sunday 15th August Sunday 29th August Booking is necessary and a £10 deposit per person will be required to secure all bookings. You can follow the courtyard on Instagram @ thecourtyard_atonewarwickpark and to book call the hotel direct on 01892 520587 or email reception@onewarwickpark.co.uk

SOUNDTRACK YOUR AFTERNOON Soak up the rays with afternoon tea and live music at One Warwick Park hotel. The Courtyard at One Warwick Park is the newly opened outdoor space at the hotel with a fully equipped bar in the lower section and a Mediterranean feel, whitewashed walls, olive trees, lavender and bamboo. It is open at weekends for Afternoon tea and there is also the opportunity to use the space for Al fresco events for parties and small gatherings. Whatever the occasion, a hen party, baby shower, drinks party, birthdays or just because. The courtyard can hold up to 40 guests. If there is inclement weather, guests will be transferred to the hotel’s Atrium or Old School House Bar. There will be live music from ‘Café Society’ playing laid back background music to while away the afternoon or early evening sunset for guests who like to relax and talk. Check them out on Facebook @cafesocietyonline Prices for afternoon tea start from £21 per person and include freshly baked scones, preserves and clotted cream, a selection of finger sandwiches and treats baked by One Warwick Park’s kitchen team. There is also the option for prosecco or Champagne afternoon tea.

JAZZ HANDS Jazz at Bayham Abbey near Lamberhurst is taking place this Saturday (July 31). Headlined by the Julian Bliss Septet, the concert will showcase some of the best of the swing era, by focusing on the work of ‘The King of Swing’ Benny Goodman. Festival goers will hear some of Benny’s best-known tunes, and Julian will talk you through the music, sharing anecdotes and stories about Goodman’s life. The set will include favourites such as: Lady Be Good (Rifftide), Georgia Brown, Sing Sing Sing, Don’t be that Way, Stompin’ at the Savoy and Memories of You. The septet is made up of Julian Bliss on the clarinet, Martin Shaw playing the trumpet, Lewis Wright on the vibraphone, Neal Thornton playing the piano, Colin Oxley on the guitar, Tim Thornton playing the bass and Ed Richardson on the drum kit. Tickets cost £30 and to book your place, visit lamberhurstusic.co.uk PRIDE OF THE PANTILES The historic promenade of The Pantiles has long been the setting for visitors to the town to enjoy their summer holidays and 2021 is no exception.

On Saturday (July 31) Gin Festival and Jazz is taking place from 11am to 6pm on the promenade where there will be cocktails, champagne and over concoctions from 40 gin producers to try while you listen to live jazz and try great street food. For more information see Page 30 MELODIC MANOR HOUSE At Finchcocks in Goudhurst near Cranbrook, the Grade One listed Georgian manor house is hosting its first outdoor music festival. The house was kept as a musical museum of historic keyboard instruments until 2016 when it was sold to Neil and Harriet Nichols who have it as their family home, and keep its musical history alive. Finchcocks built an outdoor stage last summer which performers will take to at the festival. Starting on Thursday, with Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” with the Piccadilly Sinfonietta orchestra Friday July 30 there will be the child friendly concert, “Storytelling in Nature” and “Celebrating the masters” with Florian Mitrea. Saturday July 31 Jazz trio on the lawn with David Hall, Jennifer Maslin & James Sunney, and Erik Satie, Memoires d’un amnésique with Alex Metcalfe & Amusia Productions For prices, visit finchcocks.com and to book email bookings@finchcocks.com or call 01580 428080. CREATIVE JUICES Throughout August, The Amelia Scott Building is hosting a variety of workshops and activities. Named after the local campaigner for women’s suffrage, Amelia ‘Millie’ Scott. The building aims to create a place to continue her work and create a space where the community can come together

through the building’s collections, services and activities. Amelia was one of the first two women (along with Susan Power) to be elected to the Borough Council of Tunbridge Wells. Located in the Royal Victoria Shopping centre, the programme has a free programme of artist-led, hands on activities with workshops, walks and talks. The programme is open to all ages and is supported by The Amelia’s team. The second week of the programme starts off on Monday (August 2) and includes a workshop from the artist Parveer Braich (also known as Eksait) is hosting a series of macrame – making art pieces from knotted threads or cords – sessions, a pop-up exhibition showcasing lighting and optics, colour mixing and its impacts on our thoughts and emotions, hosted by James Tunnard, and many more. For more information, visit theamelia.co.uk A GOOD SPORT At Knole in Sevenoaks, children can release school stress by getting active. They can borrow sports equipment to have fun in the surroundings of the house and Get, Set, Go! cards will also be available, to inspire them to get closer to nature around Knole Park. Every Monday throughout the holiday will have a different theme for Family Monday where you can try different arts and crafts activities. The house is also open for a chance to see the historic collection. Open daily, times vary. Knole asks for a small donation for Family Mondays. Pre-book tickets to guarantee entry. Normal admission applies for more information visit https://www. nationaltrust.org.uk/knole

GETTING CRAFTY The Amelia is hosting a variety of workshops

MUSIC TO THE EARS Finchcocks is putting on a summer classical music festival

DROP THE BALL Children can play a variety of sports at Knole in Sevenoaks

Books

Wednesday July 28 | 2021

The bookcase… Over the past year or so more people have had the chance to fall in love with reading again. Here’s our pick of this week’s top reads to enjoy

FICTION

How To Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie

Published in hardback by The Borough Press, priced £14.99 (ebook £7.99). Available July 22

8/10

Times book reviewer

HANNAH KIRSOP

It could be difficult to make a novel relatable when the protagonist is a snobby, self-obsessed murderer – but while Grace Bernard is rather grating at times, you also can’t help rooting for her. The deliciously addictive How To Kill Your Family – Bella Mackie’s fictional debut – depicts Grace’s mission to avenge her mother, which sees her tracking down numerous relatives, including her famous billionaire father, and picking them off one by one. The sharply dry, dark humour culminates in some laugh-outloud lines, but the hilarity is balanced with genuinely shocking moments; Grace’s crimes are detailed, clever, and unpredictable. Add in Mackie’s witty observations on society, plus a brilliantly executed twist, and this is one very entertaining read. (Review by Georgia Humphreys)

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Dream Girl by Laura Lippman Published in hardback by Faber & Faber, priced £14.99 (ebook £7.99). Available now Gerry Andersen is living in a dream world: bedridden and unable to sleep, he drifts in and out of a pillinduced fug. With ghosts of his past similarly seeping in and out of focus, he finds it hard to decipher what about his life is real and what is fiction. Laura Lippman’s Dream Girl is a horror story for the #MeToo generation, a world in which fictional characters and real

people battle for supremacy. It takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, as Gerry battles to see a clear picture of what is actually going on. Lippman has brilliantly woven together truth and lies, with a series of twists and turns as the story builds to an unexpected conclusion. (Review by Roddy Brooks)

8/10

Three Rooms by Jo Hamya

Published in hardback by Jonathan Cape, priced £12.99 (ebook £7.99). Available now A picture of the confusing postreferendum landscape for young millennials, Three Rooms brings together themes of class, race and belonging in a time when the usual displacement and uncertainty of early adulthood is amplified by the bitter division caused by Brexit. The protagonist’s desires are so simple: a rented property in which to entertain friends, but Jo Hamya lays bare how out of reach this basic achievement is for those on the bottom rung of the ladder. The interactions with the other characters are fascinating and insightful – although the cynicism is sometimes overplayed, this is still a profound, well-written and relatable novel that expertly captures the mood of a generation. (Review by Molly Hunter)

7/10

FAMILY HISTORY

On Chapel Sands by Laura Cumming (published in paperback by Vintage, priced £8.99)

This piece of non-fiction is both a loving memoir of Laura’s mother, Elizabeth, and a detective story into Elizabeth’s disappearance aged three from a Lincolnshire beach and her reappearance five days later – an incident that Elizabeth had no recollection of, was never spoken of again and that was surrounded by a

8/10

succession of additional secrets. The daughter of two artists, Laura is the chief art critic at The Observer and she draws upon this as she punctuates her investigations with reflections about pertinent paintings in the narrative; this commentary, along with the plates, complements the story and is a really wonderful way of using art to tell her mother’s story. The slow unravelling of facts courtesy of documents, diaries, letters and meetings makes for a fascinating book with resolution finally achieved for Elizabeth.

STAYCATION READ

The Feast by Margaret Kennedy (published in paperback by Faber & Faber, priced £9.99)

Hannah Kirsop grew up in Kent and now lives in Horsmonden with her family. She loves to read and share recommendations and runs Bainden Book Club for a group of local women to discuss interesting fiction and non-fiction in a range of genres. You can find www.baindenbookshelf.com online or on Instagram: @baindenbookshelf

Writing the eulogy for a funeral, a Cornish vicar reflects on a recent cliffside collapse which took with it a seaside hotel along with a collection of staff and guests. Rewind a few weeks and the novel is split into seven parts, one for each day of the week preceding the collapse. Throughout that week, we follow the relationships, exploits and interactions of the unusual and varied assortment of characters at the hotel; and as the cracks in the cliff slowly begin to widen, the reader can’t help but choose who they would

8/10

like to disappear with the hotel. The Feast offers a hugely entertaining and enjoyable insight into a brilliantly depicted post-war, British seaside holiday…with a twist. A wonderful summery read.

Challenge Yourself Sunday 19th September 2021 Starting from the Lower Cricket Ground Tunbridge Wells

Choose between 5K and 10K routes

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