Wednesday November 21 | 2018
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Man charged with murder after fire in West Malling
TOP MARKS: Staff at M&S with the campaign’s backers: (l-r) Heather Cooper, Frixos Tombolis, Jane Heydecker of the steering group, Yvonne Goddard, Tonbridge Town Team’s Howard Porter, Jack Brennan, council Leader Nicolas Heslop and Holly Morris
Big boost for business as town is awarded Fairtrade accolade By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk THE town’s shops are celebrating after it was awarded Fairtrade status for its commitment to the Foundation’s principles following a two-year campaign. To secure the prized accolade, many retailers pledged to sell more than four Fairtrade products while cafes and restaurants began serving its tea and coffee. The campaign also secured support from faith groups, schools and volunteers, as well as local businesses, which began promoting the Fairtrade message in their working practices. Fairtrade helps small-scale farmers, mostly in Third World countries, to earn decent incomes and secure long-term contracts with companies. They also
earn the Fairtrade Premium, which they invest in business, social and environmental projects in their communities. A steering group, chaired by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council’s Frixos Tombolis, the representative of Higham ward, was formed in the spring to coordinate the campaign and raise support.
‘It is a part of making Tonbridge a great place to work, shop and socialise’ Cllr Tombolis said: “People have been working incredibly hard to make all this happen and we are delighted we have now been granted Fairtrade Town status. I would like to extend our thanks to all those who have supported our efforts.”
The council passed a resolution in February to formalise its commitment to the Fairtrade Town initiative. Nicolas Heslop, the council Leader, said: “I am delighted to hear Tonbridge has now been granted Fairtrade Town status. “This is timely as we have just launched our draft Economic Regeneration Strategy consultation which we hope people will participate in and recognise that Fairtrade, along with other initiatives, is a part of making Tonbridge a great place to work, shop and socialise.” The chair of the Tonbridge Town Team, Howard Porter, explained how the move can help the High Street. “We want to promote Tonbridge as a desirable shopping destination and use all the tools available to us to achieve this,” he said.
Continued on page 4
A MAN has been charged with murder after a woman died in a house fire in West Malling. Kent Police were called to Spitfire Road at 9pm on Saturday [November 17]. Officers attended the scene with Kent Fire and Rescue Service and two people were taken to hospital. Jackie Allen, aged 65, was rescued from the fire and treated by paramedics but subsequently passed away. Simon Childs, aged 51, of Hurricane Road was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.
Babysitting A child, believed to be Mrs Allen’s granddaughter, was treated for a leg injury and smoke inhalation, and a dog was also killed in the blaze. It is understood that Mrs Allen was babysitting while her daughter Mandy was out. Childs appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court yesterday [Tuesday] accused of causing the fire at the house. An investigation is ongoing and anyone with information that may assist police enquiries is asked to call 101 quoting reference 17-1809. Due to prior police contact with the man, a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Neighbours and friends set up online fundraising pages to help pay funeral costs after the family’s belongings were destroyed.
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FAIRTRADE STATUS: Continued from page 1 “Fairtrade Towns have an established track record of promoting a positive image. “It also shows that we care about what we buy and retailers care about what they sell.” He stressed the inclusivity of the status, which is backed by the big chains, smaller shops and caterers, corporations and community groups. “Any business can take part, no matter how large or small,” he said. “Also schools, faith groups and others can achieve Fairtrade status. “We want to encourage them to do so and join the Fairtrade family so that we can all be assured the products we buy and use have been sourced responsibly and that producers get a fair deal. “We know from the success of our Farmers’ Market that local people really care about sustainability. Fairtrade is a part of the same spirit.” Mr Porter added: “This has been a long process but the work really starts now. “I would like to pay special tribute to our talented officers who know how to get things done and put in an enormous effort to achieve this.” Gareth Razzle, Store Manager of Marks and Spencer Food Hall on Cannon Lane, said: “We’re delighted to hear the fantastic news that Tonbridge has been awarded Fairtrade Town status. “It’s recognition that will be welcomed by so many in our local community. “M&S is an avid supporter of Fairtrade products and was the first retailer in the UK to convert all of its tea and coffee to Fairtrade.” Adam Gardner, Communities Campaigns Manager at the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “We are delighted to welcome Tonbridge to the Fairtrade movement, which now boasts more than 1,900 communities worldwide, taking practical steps to making a fairer world trade system a reality. “Today, more than 1.6million farmers and workers across 74 developing countries benefit, but there is still a long way to go.”
WHO’S DOING WHAT Retailers offering four or more products: Marks and Spencer, Cannon Lane; Waitrose, Sovereign Way; The Co-operative, Martin Hardie Way and York Parade; Sainsbury’s, Angel Centre and Shipbourne Road; Lidl, Quarry Hill Road; Aldi, Cannon Lane; Hilden BP Garage, Tonbridge Road; Greggs, High Street Caterers offering two or more products: Starbucks, High Street; Basil, High Street; The Bakehouse at 124, High Street; Beyond the Grounds, River Walk
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Wednesday November 21 | 2018
Butcher is driven up the wall by accident By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk AN AWARD-winning butcher’s shop has finally reopened after an elderly woman drove her car into the shop window. White’s in Martin Hardie Way had to shut for six weeks after the 82-year-old mounted the kerb on October 2 and ploughed into the facade. Ben Stoneley was relieved to open his doors again on November 13 ahead of the build-up to Christmas – though some of his equipment is still not functional. The 42-year-old from Southborough has worked there for 17 years with his mother Vivienne Bird. He said: “In all that time we’ve only ever been closed for two days – the Saturdays for my wedding and for my mum’s wedding.” He recalled the dramatic events, saying: “The old lady drove into the shop, and the main display cabinet didn’t stop till it hit the back wall. “I was standing behind it. It was chaotic, everybody was very shaken up and tearful, including my mum who was working out the back.” “Apparently it was an automatic car and she said her foot slipped off the brake pedal. “But I think she must have hit the accelerator in a panic, she hit the shop so hard.” He said the pensioner ‘does use the shop from time to time’, adding: “I went round a week afterwards to see if she was alright. She’s OK, she had some seatbelt bruising. “She’s given up her driving licence, which I think is a good thing,” he said. “Accidents hap-
FEEL THE PANE Ben Stoneley outside White’s new window; (below) the day the car collided with the shop
pen but when you’re on the receiving end there’s a lot of mess to sort out.” Mr Stoneley is still waiting for the window display cabinet to be repaired. “The insurance has been a nightmare,” he said. “We’ve been dealing
with three different insurance companies, the lady’s, the landlord’s, different assessors, trying to get them all to speak to each other. And these insurance companies do drag their heels. “We are insured for loss of trade but so far it’s hard to tell how it’s affected us. It’s the next couple of months that will really count. “It’s the busiest time of the year for us with Christmas coming up, and now we’ve got our deals and order forms ready.” He said the community around the well-known parade of shops had been supportive. “People have been very good, my phone hasn’t stopped. “I did put a sign up on Facebook saying the first 10 customers through the door would get a free sausage roll. There were a few waiting outside.”
Aldi superstore will be a big hit THE new Aldi supermarket on Swanmead Way opens tomorrow [Thursday] with Olympic boxer Anthony Ogogo cutting the ribbon at 8am. The middleweight, who won a bronze medal at London 2012, will be joined by children from Slade Primary School. The superstore, which covers 1,300 square metres on the site of the old Homebase, is providing employment for 40 local people. The first 30 customers through the doors will receive a complimentary bag of delicious fresh fruit and vegetables from Aldi’s Super 6 range. There will be also twice-weekly discounted Specialbuys on Thursdays and Sundays. Store Manager Kapil Saini said: “We’re excited to finally be opening the Tonbridge store after all
of the hard work that’s gone on behind the scenes to get everything prepared. “The team and I can’t wait to meet Anthony. It’s not every day you get to meet an Olympic hero.” Mr Ogogo said: “I’m really looking forward to visiting Aldi Tonbridge and welcoming the store’s first customers. I wish the team all the best.” He will accompany the children back to the Slade to lead an inspirational assembly, giving insights into his training regime and the importance of eating fresh fruit and vegetables. He added: “I’m really looking forward to chatting to pupils at Slade Primary School about how to maintain a balanced, healthy diet and the benefits of eating fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis.”
BOXING CLEVER: Olympic medallist Anthony Ogogo will talk about nutrition at Slade School
Primary schools grill Mayor on hot topics PUPILS from local primary schools have been debating topical issues with the Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Pam Bates, at the Borough Council’s offices in Kings Hill. Fifty-one pupils from 12 schools met Cllr Pam Bates and took part in a two-hour debate in the Council Chamber. They discussed the plastic crisis: should we stop using plastic and re-use items, and do we need more laws to tackle plastic pollution? The other topic was: should parents be allowed to take their children on holiday in term time? The children were invited by the Mayor to learn more about local government and to express their views on issues that matter to them. Cllr Bates showed them around the Mayor’s Parlour, where she hosts events and meetings. She said: “It was a pleasure to meet such a confident and eloquent group of young people at what proved a very thought-provoking debate. “They raised some excellent points and I was very impressed with the way they listened to each other and respected everyone’s views.” After hearing various views on each topic, the children were asked to cast votes. They were in favour of doing more to tackle plastic pollution, with 76 per cent saying we should stop using it and 90 per cent calling for more legislation. Opinion was more divided on the issue of
BATES DEBATES The Mayor with pupils from Slade Primary (left) and Woodlands in the Council Chamber term-time holidays – there was only one vote in it, with 26 in favour and 25 against. Some pupils said it would be acceptable if it’s at the end of term when they are not doing so much work on the school curriculum. Others felt that some families go on holiday
PARTICIPATING PRIMARIES Slade, Woodlands, Brookfield Junior, St Katherine’s, Fosse Bank, Valley Invicta at Holborough Lakes and Leybourne Chase, Wateringbury, Snodland, More Park, Long Mead, Kings Hill.
during term time because they couldn’t afford to go away in the holidays and that going abroad can be educational. But some children said pupils could miss vital lessons, and if they did not get a good education they may not secure a good job in the future. Vicki Timms, a teacher at Woodlands Primary School, said: “This was a really good opportunity for the children to be able to explore their views on some key issues and I was very proud at how well they rose to the challenge. “It was a wonderful experience for them all and I’d like to say a big thank you to the Mayor for inviting us along.”
NEWS IN BRIEF
Work temporarily ends on Crescent Road park CRESCENT Road Car Park, next to The Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells, has fully reopened. This temporary measure is to make maximum space available over Christmas before the contractor returns in January to complete the works. A council spokesperson said: “The project has been extended because during earlier work it became apparent that more repairs were needed than originally anticipated. “These unforeseeable repairs were hidden within the concrete structure, and as a result additional time to complete the work is necessary.” It is now anticipated that all refurbishment work will be completed before the end of February 2019. During this final phase the majority of the car park will remain open.
Homes in Southborough SIXTEEN properties could be built in Southborough if planning permission is granted. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s Planning Committee will vote tonight [Wednesday] on whether to give the go-ahead. This would see the homes built on land between Speldhurst Road and Bidborough Ridge. Six of these would be classed as affordable.
Christmas service FOLLOWING the parade and fireworks that mark the official start to Christmas in Tonbridge, Parish Church St Peter and St Paul’s is inviting all for a Festival Service on Sunday [November 24]. From 6.30pm, the church (off the High Street, behind Rose & Crown) is offering mince pies and mulled wine alongside carols. Tonbridge Children’s Workshop and members of several Tonbridge churches are taking part.
Tinnitus Support THE free Tinnitus Support Group, set up by local deaf charity HI KENT, will hold its next meeting on Friday, November 30. This will be at the Baptist Church in Romford Road, Pembury, from 2pm to 4pm. Please call HI KENT on 01622 691151 or email m.harris@hikent.org.uk if you would like to come along.
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Singer leaves the X Factor with bright future after winning millions of fans SINGER Bella Penfold has a ‘great career ahead’ of her even though the teenager made a surprise exit from X Factor at the weekend. The former St Gregory’s Catholic School student went out of the ITV series on Sunday [November 18] despite being one of the bookies’ favourites to be named winner. Her performance of Strong by London Grammar received the fewest public votes of the eight acts meaning immediate elimination. She was later followed out of the competition by Shan Ako, another singer managed by lead judge Simon Cowell. Bella, 19, has come a long way since she was first given the chance to perform on stage at Seventeen, the restaurant of One Warwick Park Hotel in Tunbridge Wells. She was a regular singer at the restaurant until entering the series. She was quick to give credit to Seventeen for helping her get the big break. “It’s been absolutely amazing,” she told the Times.. “Appearing at One Warwick Park Hotel gave me the confidence to carry on with singing and go for the X Factor. Now I’m just going to keep singing and hope it takes off.” Since entering the competition, Bella has impressed millions of viewers with her soulful voice and rapping flow. Bella also won plaudits for performing LGBT anthem Same Love by Macklemore and Ryan
Lewis in an early round. But the final six proved a step too far this time. Judge Ayda Field and guest judge, the Chic legend Nile Rodgers sitting in for Robbie Williams, both favoured other acts.
X MARKS THE SPOT Bella Penfold made it to the final eight
Labour peer Adonis calls for second vote on final EU deal By William Mata EUROPHILE Labour peer Lord Andrew Adonis called for Brexit to be stopped during a visit to Tunbridge Wells at the weekend. The former adviser to Tony Blair addressed an event organised by the pro-remain TW-IN group at the Camden Centre on Saturday [November 17].
Fantastic Around 200 ticketholders listened to the 45 minute speech, which followed a turbulent week for the government with several Cabinet resignations. Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark, who remains Business Secretary, has been criticised by TW-IN after repeatedly backing the Government. As a Brexit deal is negotiated, Lord Adonis said a ‘fantastic’ offer is to be had, one with less trade
AMERICAN SYCO The teen was mentored by the US-based judge PHOTOS: Thames/Syco
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
friction, border control, peace in Ireland and economic opportunity – by remaining in the European Union. TW-IN are campaigning for a People’s Vote for a final say on any deal, which they would like to include an option to remain part of the EU. The group previously handed out Tunbridge Wells passports in celebration of the town being the only Kent constituency to vote remain in the 2016 referendum. Seb St John, chair of TW-IN, said: “I would encourage every resident to contact their MP demanding a final say with a referendum based on facts.” TW-IN will host Jason J Hunter, an international trade negotiator, on December 7. For more information, visit: tw-in.co.uk
See also Ben Chapelard column on page 24.
After the announcement, an upset looking Bella told host Dermot O’Leary: “I have had the most incredible journey. “If there is one person I would like to thank more than anyone it is Simon Cowell. He has changed my life.” Dermot said: “It is a terrible way to go and I am sure you have a great career ahead of you.” And fans on Twitter agreed, with one saying: “Totally gutted for you. You have a super career ahead of you. Take care and always be yourself.” Another wrote: “So sad to see you go Bella. Honestly genuinely shocked - you should’ve gone through. You’ve been my winner from the very beginning.” It is still possible that Bella could be part of the popular X Factor tour.
TAKING THE MIC Lord Andrew Adonis speaks his mind
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Protests against plans for reserve Gatwick runway By Duncan Audsley OPPONENTS of Gatwick Airport expansion are stepping up their campaigning against plans which could see 84,000 more flights every year. The facility’s Chief Executive Stewart Wingate recently told the Times that the reserve runway is being considered to allow more flights. This is one of a number of measures proposed in their Draft Masterplan for the next 15 years, which was exhibited inside Royal Victoria Place on Saturday [November 10]. Local campaigners have long since complained about noise levels of aircraft over Tunbridge Wells and surrounding villages, which are on the flightpath. And with the number of annual flights set to rise from 40million to 70million by 2032, both Campaign Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions
[CAGNE] and Tunbridge Wells Anti-Aircraft Noise Group [TWAANG] have raised concerns. This is despite Gatwick Chief Mr Wingate saying planes will be quieter by that point, lessening the impact of noise pollution.
Enormous CAGNE united with TWAANG inside the shopping centre to hand out leaflets as to why they felt it should be rejected. Sally Pavey, Chair of CAGNE, said: “This Master Plan is about continuing the blight of these communities to profit Gatwick. “We therefore call upon residents to join us in rejecting the Gatwick Master Plan for a three runway airport. “As it is more than just airport expansion; it is about the enormous increase in noise that is with an additional 10-15 planes per hour.”
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
Ms Pavey added: “It is about flying in the face of carbon reductions to save our planet, concreting over our green space for mass housing and industrial parks, not to mention huge road infrastructure projects that would be needed to support an airport of this size. “It would rip through areas of outstanding natural beauty and the HALT RUNAWAY RUNWAY: Campaign Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions countryside.” A TWAANG member added: “Even if the noise levels of individual The ‘three runways’ relate to the master plan which says land could be safeguarded for a third aircraft are reduced over time, the significant increase in numbers proposed by Gatwick seem runway, in addition to the main and emergency more than likely to outweigh this, and the ones. increase will happen sooner. It is the frequency Gatwick Airport has said that it will not use of flights which really upsets people.” three runways at one time. By using the back-up The consultation on the grand master plan will runway, airport chiefs said 20,000 jobs will be run until January 10. created by 2028 to a net economic benefit of To take part, visit: ipsos.uk/draftmasterplan £2billion.
Benefit replacement arrives at Tonbridge Jobcentre Plus By William Mata UNIVERSAL Credit, the much-criticised support system, is to be introduced in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge this month. Three years after the first job centres made available the scheme, which sees six benefits rolled into one, proponents have hailed the move as a ‘simplification’ of the process. It means that anyone who previously claimed Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working & Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit will instead claim Universal Credit. The roll-out from Tonbridge Jobcentre Plus,
which also serves Tunbridge Wells Borough, follows Philip Hammond pledging a £1.5billion investment in the scheme. The Chancellor’s Budget promise was seen as a major backing of the troubled scheme. At one point it was reported 24 per cent of new claimants were waiting more than six weeks for full payment, which had led to examples of financial hardship and even homelessness. Measures announced by Mr Hammond are said to give applicants a 100 per cent advance on their first payment. The seven day waiting period was removed earlier this year. Andrew Holmes, of Jobcentre Plus Tonbridge, said: “Universal Credit offers tailored support,
which includes more personalised help from a work coach. “The new system is also more flexible, which means people can take on short-term work to develop their skills and build up their experience. “Our staff are trained to support people throughout the claim process. We’d encourage anyone who needs extra help or information to come and talk to their work coach.” Mr Holmes said applicants could receive additional help with applications and that families on Universal Credit could claim back 85 per cent of eligible childcare costs. “Now, all types of claimants will be able to benefit from the improved support,” he added.
CHARITY OFFERS HELPING HAND The charity Citizens Advice Tunbridge Wells & District has been given funding to help local benefit claimants. Liz De Villiers, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Tunbridge Wells & District, said: “Problems with benefits is the top issue for which people come to us for help. “There have been challenges for people in areas where Universal Credit has been rolled out, such as delayed payments and a complicated application process. “Our advisers will be here to help.”
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Wednesday November 21 | 2018
Rising reputation as Bakehouse at 124 wins three national awards By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk A BAKERY in Tonbridge High Street is celebrating after winning gold, silver and bronze medals at the prestigious Tiptree World Bread Awards. Bakehouse at 124 took home the accolades out of more than 600 entries from across the country in the UK’s leading competition for bakers. It was the only bakery in Kent to be recognised at the ceremony, which celebrates the art and skill of bread-making. Bakehouse at 124 took the gold for its blackberry, goats’ cheese and fennel seed sourdough, silver for the sea salt and rosemary focaccia, and bronze for its raspberry brioche. Clare Barton, owner and head baker said: “We are thrilled to win these awards. We are passionate about making real bread and work very hard to produce high quality baked goods, so to receive recognition for this is just fantastic.
Independent “As a small independent business we use local produce wherever possible, and our winning breads reflect that. “For example, the raspberry brioche contains fresh raspberries from Hugh Lowe farms [in Mereworth], the rosemary used in the focaccia is grown in our own herb garden, and the sourdough contains blackberries that we have foraged from the local countryside.” Now in its third year of trading, the Bakehouse at 124 is set in an iconic Grade Two listed Tudor building with an open plan bakery and café. Manager Liz Reid said what sets the shop apart from its rivals is ‘we make everything from scratch on site, in an open plan bakery, and we’re as local as local can be’. “We actively encourage our customers to watch the bakers in action, mixing the ingredients and shaping the dough,” she said. “We use traditional methods – we’re oldfashioned, it’s all done by hand including the weighing, not pressing buttons on machines. “We have groups of children coming from schools and they love watching the bakers in action.” She has really enjoyed being based on the High Street. “We’re doing really well, we have a queue
out of the door on Saturday mornings. “Business is booming. The people here like to know that they are buying good quality produce. It’s like going back 50 years to when you had the butchers and the bakers and the fishmongers – and we have that here in Tonbridge. “People are a lot more educated about the products they want to buy and they really care about that.” The Bakehouse at 124, which also offers pizzas on Saturday nights, recently provided catering at the Deeds and Words festival at the EM Forster theatre. It runs courses in sourdough and pizza making – and will be offering classes in Italian breads next year including focaccia, ciabatta and breadsticks. For more details, visit their Facebook and Twitter feeds @bakehouse124 Liz looks back on the Tiptree Awards fondly – and not just because of their success. She continued: “The ceremony was quite fun. We went up to Westminster Hall in London and we took all the breads up with us on the train. We made a lot of friends on the way – we were smelling very nice!”
GOLDEN TOUCH: Clare Barton, Bakehouse at 124’s owner and head baker
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
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The Brecon Beacons town that beat Tunbridge Wells
Meetings will decide future of Town Hall INTERNAL talks to decide the future of the Town Hall and the Assembly Hall Theatre are set to begin this month. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has appointed consultants to report on the approach and valuation for a future decision on the building. The authority has said this could lead to a possible sale, lease, repurposing, or redevelopment.
WELSH town Crickhowell has been crowned winner of The Great British High Street 2018, ahead of Tunbridge Wells. The Visa-sponsored awards also named Altrincham in Greater Manchester as England’s Best High Street. There were 26 on the overall shortlist. The High Street, Chapel Place and The Pantiles all formed the Tunbridge Wells entry and hopes were high when judges visited last month. But after judges scores combined with a public vote [which made up 30 per cent of the score] it was Crickhowell announced as winner at a ceremony in London on Thursday las week. Royal Tunbridge Wells Together, the business group that put the town forward, is now looking to enter the 2019 competition. Awards judge Hemlata Narasimhan said: “Crickhowell is a fantastic example of a community that has made huge strides in transforming its high street. “The town’s tourism website advertises the high street as one of the few shopping streets left
Aquisition It all precedes construction work beginning on the new Calverley Square civic complex and theatre on land next to Calverley Grounds. This £90million project will provide a new home for council offices and a 1,200-seat theatre to replace the Assembly Hall. Work will begin in spring of next year. Until now the council has revealed little as to how the Town Hall in Civic Way could be used following the completion of Calverley Square in 2022. The authority also recently completed the acquisition of the dentist inside Calverley Grounds for an undisclosed amount.
WHERE THE SUN SHINES Crickhowell in Wales was crowned winner
in Wales, where local businesses selling local produce recall a long-lost era when all high streets reflected the character of their town.” Tunbridge Wells also entered the awards when they were last held in 2016. Karen Pengelly, Manager of Business Group Royal Tunbridge Wells Together, said: “Obviously we’re disappointed we didn’t win the award but we were up against some stiff competition. “Our local businesses deserved the award but the simple fact we were shortlisted is testament to the effort that all the businesses put in to customer experience. “The judges were looking for very clear indicators on digital experience, community involvement and innovation.” She added: “The overall winner was Crickhowell in Wales, it’s harder for a town the size of Tunbridge Wells to compete. “We’ll be entering again next year and the experience has taught us some valuable lessons for when we come to write next year’s entry.”
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Gatwick Airport gets behind two local good causes COMMUNITY projects in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge are among six in Kent to receive a share of a £100,000 grant from Gatwick Airport. The airline base’s Foundation Fund will also invest the same amount in Sussex and in Surrey groups with 118 organisations having benefited since 2016. Local beneficiaries are: Kent High Weald Partnership in Tunbridge Wells, which helps communities by delivering conservation work. The grant will boost a ten week programme to support young people. Olympia Boxing in Tonbridge, to get adults from lower income groups into the sport.
Barriers Wayne Smith, Director of Olympia Boxing, said: “This funding has enabled us to break down all barriers. “It can help the community in disadvantaged areas that cannot afford regular gym memberships to give them a fun dynamic programme that will help them lead healthier lives, improve social interaction, reduce isolation and increase sports participation.” Projects in other West Kent towns to benefit include PS Breastfeeding in Sevenoaks and Commonwork Trust in Edenbridge. Melanie Wrightson, Gatwick Airport’s Communality Engagement Manager, said: “We are delighted to be awarding another round of grants from our Foundation Fund to community projects across Sussex. “Each organisation does incredible work and we have purposely chosen them as they help young people, vulnerable families or the elderly.”
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Pembury unveils new war memorial with the name of a forgotten soldier By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk
“I told the parish council that the state of the War Memorial wasn’t good, the plaques were tarnished, and they told me there wasn’t the money to replace them. But I was very passionate to get them done.” It was the knowledge that one of the dead had been missed off the tribute that led to the other mistakes being amended.
THERE was a special resonance to the Remembrance service at Pembury this year as the village’s refurbished war memorial was unveiled with eight of the fallen’s misspelt names corrected – and one hero added who had been omitted previously. ‘I cannot describe in words The occasion was marked with a flypast by how happy this makes me a Tiger Moth, which flew over the ceremony at 11.02am on November 11 and scattered 10,000 and our family. Wow!’ poppies across the village. The renovation project was organised by Last year Rob Woodhams contacted the local historian and resident Richard Snow, parish council to tell them his great great author of the book Ten Brave Men and True: uncle, Jim Woodhams, The Victoria Cross should be on the memorial Holders from the Borough from the First World War. of Tunbridge Wells. Lance Corporal Woodhams Mr Snow, whose was with the 12th battalion grandfather Thomas was a general in the Great of the East Surrey Regiment War and led an attack on and died on the first day the first day of the Battle of the Battle of Messines of the Somme, is the on June 7, 1917 aged 23. He cousin of Channel 4 News lived at Middle Lodge in presenter Jon and uncle Colebrook Park. of TV historian Dan. Mr Snow said: “When In 2012 he researched I heard that, I went back the names on the war to the parish council memorial – there were 49 and, bearing in mind the from the First World War significance, I said ‘we need and 18 from the Second. to do it now – or never’. I “After talking to the told them if I could raise the relatives I discovered that money, can we get on with there were eight spelling it? And they agreed.” mistakes, which seemed PRIDE OF PLACE: Rob Woodhams with He approached Burslem, disrespectful,” he said. who are the country’s a wreath for his great great uncle Jim
principal war memorial engravers. The Frant company has supplied the Commonwealth War Graves Commission with more than 150,000 memorials for graves across Europe. “David Hall, a director, said we could do them in stone rather than metal, clean the memorial and repoint the stonework,” said Mr Snow. “I managed to raise £7,000 from the villagers, the Pembury Society, churches, our councillor Paul Barrington-King.” The original memorial, which was unveiled in 1921, was in stone but when the Second World War names were added in 1949, metal plaques were placed over the top of the original – complete with errors. The fresh panels were unveiled by the Deputy Lieutenant of Kent Lord Colgrain at the service, led by assistant vicar Carrie Walshaw. Kent College’s choir sang at the ceremony, which was attended by the 4th Royal Tunbridge Wells [1st Pembury] Scout Group. Mr Woodhams wrote to Mr Snow saying: “I cannot describe in words how happy this makes me and our family. Wow! “Even as a boy I walked past the memorial many hundreds of times and always wondered why we could not honour the member of our family who paid the ultimate price. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” David Pentecost, whose ancestors Albert and Thomas had previously appeared on the metal plaque as Penticost, said: “I grew up in Pembury in the 1960s and 70s, and it irritated me that the spelling of my family name was incorrect. My father and I are relieved and proud.”
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
WRITTEN IN STONE Richard Snow next to the new stone panel in Pembury
PHOTO: Jenny Kimber
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Wednesday November 21 | 2018
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Community News
NEWS
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Twiddle boards help stimulate dementia patients at hospital BRANCHING OUT The bauble-making workshop costs £7.50
Create some magic at Christmas market THE Christmas Market returns to Hospice in the Weald in Pembury this Saturday and Sunday, November 24-25, from 10am to 4pm. In addition to the 45 craft and food stalls, shoppers can join in workshops to create a personalised Christmas wreath, make baubles for the tree or prepare a Christmas pudding. The market organiser, Kelly Heaton-Ralph, said: “It’s a great time to pick up some unusual Christmas gifts you won’t see anywhere else. “But we also see the market as a chance to welcome everyone through our doors to find out more about the hospice. We really want to host the whole family and give them a great day out.” She added: “The workshops should be really good fun. The craft workshop costs £15 but we’ll supply all the materials to create a superb wreath. “The pudding class costs £10, again with all the ingredients – all you’ll have to do at the end is take it home and put it in the oven. “And making the baubles is one where children can join in. That class costs just £7.50 and they’ll be able to paint the decorations any way they like.” Each workshop will be held three times a day, and there will also be a Santa’s grotto, for which bookings are not required. Entry to the market is £3 with under-12s free. For more information, call Ben Greenstreet on 01892 8205533 or visit hospiceintheweald.org.uk
AN INNOVATIVE way to entertain people who are living with dementia has been devised by the Tunbridge Wells Over Fifties Forum [TWOFF] and Sherwood Men’s Shed. In later stages of the condition, patients tend to fiddle with items around them in order to keep themselves occupied – moving objects around, folding paper and zipping clothing up and down.
Memories
Tempest of Sherwood Men’s Shed to help design the boards, and he recruited his ‘Shedders’ to plan and make them out of donated materials. The two organisations have presented Liz Champion, the Lead Dementia Nurse at Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury, with four Twiddle Boards. “This is so exciting for us,” said Liz, “These boards will be in constant use as they can be moved from ward to ward.” Tim said: “TWOFF came to us and asked us to build a prototype. It’s ideal for us because it’s fairly simple to make. The guys who come to the shed have a variety of different skill levels. “It suits us as well because it’s about meeting the needs of a minority through the wider com-
One idea to help them remain calm and reduce anxiety which has proved successful in recent years has been twiddle cuffs or mitts – knitted bands which are decorated with ribbons, buttons and beads. Now TWOFF and the Men’s Shed have created a similar idea called Twiddle Boards, a square of wood with attachments such as door handles, locks, bolts, hook and eye fastenings, chains, stopcocks and even light switches. It is believed that engaging in such activity may not just be occupational, but will also help to stimulate memories of past usage. TWOFF members had already made twiddle cuffs for hospital patients, but they wanted to try to create something that was more challenging. SHEDDING LIGHT: (L-R) Shedder Stuart Fittall, Lead Dementia Nurse So they approached Tim Liz Champion, Tim Tempest and TWOFF Secretary Joan Boenke
munity. And it’s very green, because we are able to recycle these items rather than just throwing them away.” Sherwood Men’s Shed are looking for donations of similar unwanted, safe-to-use domestic ironmongery and electrical components so they can make more twiddle boards. For more information, contact Tim on 07827 919 251.
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Local News
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Wednesday November 21 | 2018
New lights and sound system will dazzle crowds at Tonbridge Christmas Festival
APPLE OF MY EYES The cast of the Community Panto Snow White will help turn on the lights
By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk BRAND new Christmas lights will adorn the High Street and river banks at this year’s three-day Tonbridge Christmas Festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday [November 23-25], organised by the town’s Rotary Club. The lights will be illuminated on Sunday at 5pm when the Mayor of Tonbridge & Malling Pam Bates will join community pantomime stars for the big switch-on. The new designs include five-metre wide scroll and star crossings and column-mounted chandelier sparkle and white scroll star designs.
There will be a variety of musical entertainment for the free event, which culminates in a firework display above the Castle. The festivities begin with a Family Fun Fair in Sovereign Way Mid car park on Friday from 6-10pm, Saturday from midday to 10pm and Sunday from noon till 8pm. Sunday’s grand finale will begin at 1.50pm with the TS Brilliant Reunion Band marching through the High Street, where the Hartley Morris Men will perform throughout the day. The High Street will be closed to traffic from 11am to 8.30pm. At 2.25pm the on-stage musical entertainment starts with Razzamataz Theatre School, the Tonbridge Community Singers, the town’s singer Charlotte Lubbock and Kentish rock and pop band Roxxon. Razzamataz will perform the Christmas song Want To Be, which was sung by the girl band Fallen Millie of which dance teacher Tash Ashton was a member. The former President of the Rotary Club, Brian Piner, is once again organising the extravaganza. He told the Times:: “It is an honour to be stage manager again for this wonderful event. I am extremely excited about the enormous array of talent on stage this year.” RETURN OF THE MAC Dave Mac is back as compere after his recent US success
He added: “It is fantastic to welcome back our local award-winning comedian and screenwriter Dave Mac as Master of Ceremonies for the fifth year running. “Since compering last year’s show he has appeared on the red carpet at the Screenwriters’ Awards at Paramount Studios in Hollywood.” Mr McDonald is looking forward to returning to his roots after a busy time in the United States, where he also won an award at the Austin Film Festival in Texas. He said: “It’s been a whirlwind of a year. I loved appearing at the original Comedy Store in California and fab making it through the video round of America’s Got Talent. “I was so proud of one of our acts from the last Christmas Festival, Courtney Hadwin, who kindly took to the stage after being runner-up of The Voice UK Kids but went on to appear in the final of America’s Got Talent last month.” Mr Piner added: “This year we have a record-breaking number of stalls selling a wide range of Christmas gifts and novelties, jewellery, food and drink. They will be an array of colour for the festive season and
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 1.50pm 2.25pm 3pm 3.35pm 4.40pm 4.45pm 5pm 5.10pm 6pm
TS Brilliant Reunion Band Razzamataz Theatre School Tonbridge Community Singers Charlotte Lubbock and ensemble Tonbridge Lions Community Panto The Mayor Pam Bates Christmas Lights switch-on Roxxon Fireworks over Tonbridge Castle
will line the High Street, accompanied by all the live entertainment from the stage. “We have arranged for speakers to stretch the entire length of the High Street this year.” Another new feature is a children’s window competition in which 14 businesses will post one question each in their windows with the winner taking home a prize worth £25. Questionnaires will be available from the Rotary Club’s stall. Sonia Williams, the Rotary Club’s President, says: “We very much look forward to all the folk from Tonbridge coming along to enter into the Christmas spirit. “I am delighted that after much hard work we can look forward to an excellent Christmas Festival which will be bigger and better than last year, and I am also extremely grateful to our sponsors this year.”
FESTIVAL SPONSORS: The Christmas Festival is sponsored by Abbey Funeral Services, Anglefix, Base Finance, C & K Extrusions, Country Garden Florists, Ellis & Co Estate Agents, Hadlow Manor Hotel, Ibbott Mosely Estate Agents, Millsons Vending, Nizels Golf Club, Portman Rare Books, Rapport Housing, Rose & Crown Hotel, Richards Dry Cleaners, Shaws Leisure, Snapfitness, Subway, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, Tonbridge School, Vaporium
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NEWS
National News COMPASSIONATE William called for improvements in the workplace
William reveals his trauma working for air ambulance THE Duke of Cambridge has revealed his experience of feeling ‘very sad and very down’ while working for the air ambulance, adding that one incident ‘took him over the edge’. William said he was lucky to have worked for the RAF and the East Anglian Air Ambulance, because of their good mental health practices. Speaking about his time with the air ambulance, he said: “Talking was really important, but even that wasn’t quite enough for one particular incident for me. “I worked several times on very traumatic jobs involving children, and after I had my own children I think the relation between the job and the personal life was what took me over the edge. “I started feeling things that I have never felt before. I felt sad about this particular family.” The duke was speaking at the inaugural This Can Happen conference at The O2 in London, which aims to address mental health issues. He urged employers to look after the mental health of workers, saying: “We spend a vast amount of our time at work. “There should be a much more open, supportive and compassionate working environment.”
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It’s now or never to get rid of May, insists Rees-Mogg THE Conservatives will be stuck with Theresa May as leader for the next general election unless they move to get rid of her now, Jacob Rees-Mogg has warned. Amid signs the attempt by Brexiters to force a vote of confidence in the Prime Minister has stalled, Mr Rees-Mogg acknowledged they were struggling to get the support they needed. However, the leader of the pro-Brexit European Research Group [ERG] insisted there was little enthusiasm among Tory MPs for Mrs May to take them into the next election, due in 2022. “I think it is now or the Prime Minister will lead the Conservatives into the next election,” he told reporters.
Solutions
confirmed that references in last week’s draft agreement to ‘alternative arrangements’ for the border could involve technical measures of the kind previously promoted as the ‘maximum facilitation’ solution, or Max Fac. Last week, senior ERG figures were confidently predicting they would get the 48 letters of no confidence from MPs needed to trigger a vote in Mrs May’s leadership. But with Brexiters apparently divided over whether it was the right time to mount a challenge, the prospect of them achieving their target appeared to be dwindling. However, Mr Rees-Mogg warned that they needed to consider whether they really wanted to carry on with her at the helm. Asked if his attempt to unseat the Prime Minister had been exposed as a ‘Dad’s Army’ operation, Mr Rees-Mogg replied: “I’ve always admired Captain Mainwaring.”
“You find MPs privately who will say to you they think that is a really good idea in any number and I would be quite surprised.” WE’RE DOOMED His warning came as Jacob Rees-Mogg admires Downing Street confirmed Captain Mainwaring Mrs May will meet European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker for talks in Brussels today [Wednesday] ahead of a special EU Brexit summit on Sunday. In a move likely to be welcomed by Brexiters, Number 10 also confirmed that the Government would look at potential technological solutions to keep the Irish border open. Mrs May’s spokesman
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
NEWS IN BRIEF
Emissions changes see MOT failures increase THE number of cars failing MOT emissions tests has more than doubled since tougher rules were introduced to improve air quality and make roads safer. Nearly 750,000 cars failed the emissions test in the six months after the change on May 20, compared with 350,000 during the same period last year. The figures released by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) also show the number of diesel cars failing the emissions test has risen from 3,585 to 19,648 year-on-year.
No to Interpol Russian THE UK will not support a Russian candidate for the Interpol presidency, Harriet Baldwin has confirmed. The Foreign Office Ministe confirmed Alexander Prokopchuk, currently an Interpol vice chair, was head of the Russian Central Bureau and the UK would not support his candidacy. She said: “We do not speculate on the outcome of the election but the UK supports the candidacy of acting president Kim Jong Yang.”
Over-75 BBC debate THE BBC has launched its consultation on free TV licences for older viewers. Currently all households with people over 75 are entitled to a free licence. BBC chairman David Clementi said: “We will listen to their views and balance all the options and arguments before making a decision. The board does not underestimate the significance of this.”
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NEWS
National News
Travellers wanted £20,000 to leave Thwaites brewery THE leader of a 100-strong group of travellers who illegally occupied a brewery told its bosses: “Twenty grand or the place is ours.” A convoy of more than 25 vehicles – including 17 caravans – entered Thwaites Brewery in Blackburn after one of the gang used a chainsaw to cut a lock on a pedestrian gate and then opened the main gates on the evening of May 26. Thomas Ward, 43, of Leigh in Greater Manchester demanded £20,000 from Thwaites to leave within the hour. He then settled on a handshake to take payment at noon the next day provided no damage was caused, jurors at Preston Court were told. But prosecutors say travellers went on a wrecking spree and ransacked the office building from later that afternoon after Ward formed the view his demand would not be met.
Devastation Staff and police finally gained full access to the brewery on May 28 and Thwaites chief executive Richard Bailey said he was greeted by a scene of ‘utter devastation’, with extensive damage estimated at £300,000. The travellers finally left later the same day under police escort, the court heard. Ward has pleaded guilty to blackmail, conspiracy to burgle Thwaites and conspiracy to commit criminal damage. Two other men and a 17-year-old boy are also charged with the conspiracy offences. Work contractor Greg Hartley discussed terms with the travellers and said: “Big John said ‘give me 20 grand and we’ll be gone in the next hour’.” He said he relayed the message to Mr Bailey and explained to Big John it was not possible to obtain any money immediately.
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Tunbridge Wells among hospitals failing to meet three key targets EMERGENCY Pressure on A&E units is growing
SPORT IN BRIEF
Ashton’s return stalled as calf injury flares up THE recalled Chris Ashton has been ruled out of England’s match against Australia on Saturday with a calf problem. The winger sustained the injury in the victory over Japan at Twickenham, a scan confirming that he will be sidelined for a fortnight. The 31-year-old returned to the international fold after he became available when he left Toulon for Sale over the summer and Eddie Jones immediately selected him in his squad for the autumn Internationals.
VAR for Europe games ALMOST one in five NHS hospital services have failed to hit any key national waiting-time targets in the last year, including Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. An investigation by the BBC found that 29 hospital trusts and boards out of 157 across the UK had not hit a single A&E, cancer and routine operations target for a year. NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson warned the coming winter is expected to be even more challenging than last year. He said: “The pressure on A&E services and the knock-on impact this is having in other parts of the health and care system, coupled with higher levels of staff vacancies, will put services under significant strain this winter. “If NHS trusts are to recover their performance against key targets, we must be realistic about the time and resources this will take, and how much of a focus this should have against competing priorities within the long-term plan.” NHS leaders said the service was facing a
Mysterious technical glitch denies access to Facebook and Instagram FACEBOOK and Instagram were hit by a service outage yesterday [Tuesday] which stopped access to the social networks. Users of both platforms reported being unable to open pages or sections on the apps. Facebook’s developer website confirmed that the company was looking into the issue. “We are currently experiencing issues that may cause some API requests [Application Programming Interface, a way to communicate between apps] to take longer or fail unexpectedly,” a message on the Facebook for
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
developers page stated. “We are investigating the issue and working on a resolution.” Facebook has more than 2.2billion users worldwide, while Instagram – which is owned by Facebook – has more than 1billion. According to website status monitoring service Down Detector, the problems at both sites began just before 1pm in the UK, but problems have also been reported across Europe, on the east coast of the United States and in Asia. Neither Facebook or Instagram has commented on the cause of the problem.
difficult winter, but stressed demand was much higher than last year. The Department of Health and Social Care said there were 840,000 more A&E attendances in England in the last 12 months compared with the previous year. He added: “Despite an extra 840,000 people going to A&E, hardworking NHS staff have seen nearly half a million more people within four hours over the last 12 months than compared to last year. “We have given the NHS £1.6billion this year to improve performance and cut waiting times, as well as £420million in additional winter support to redevelop A&Es, improve emergency care and help patients get home quicker.” The BBC analysis found that 16 out of 131 NHS trusts in England missed all three of the key national targets. Patients are meant to be seen within four hours of arrival at A&E and either admitted to hospital or treated and discharged.
VAR [video assistant referees] could be introduced to the Champions League and Europa League this season, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has revealed. Ceferin said the European governing body’s refereeing chief Roberto Rosetti has been leading efforts to make sure UEFA’s pool of referees are ready for VAR and all ‘technical aspects’ have been addressed. “I expect the report in a week or so and then we will see when we can implement it – the latest, next season,” said Ceferin.
Drugs ban for Levine BRITISH sprinter Nigel Levine has been suspended from all sport for four years after testing positive for banned asthma drug clenbuterol. The 29-year-old tested positive for the prohibited substance following an out-ofcompetition test on November 24 last year. Levine is an indoor and outdoor European 4x400 metres relay champion.
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BUSINESS
National News EXTREMELY REGRETTABLE Carlos Ghosn
State lawyers may file charges against Nissan chief Ghosn JAPANESE prosecutors are considering whether to file formal charges against Nissan Motor chairman Carlos Ghosn amid a probe into allegations he misused company assets and under-reported millions of dollars of income. Officials said they were holding Mr Ghosn, 64, for allegedly collaborating to falsify securities statements and under-report $44.6million in income from 2011-15. A second Nissan executive, Greg Kelly, was also suspected of collaborating with him. “It’s extremely regrettable,” chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said. “We will watch developments closely.” The scandal has thrown into question Mr Ghosn’s future as leader of the Renault-NissanMitsubishi alliance, which sold 10.6million cars last year, more than any other manufacturer. Nissan’s board was due to meet tomorrow [Thursday] to consider dismissing Ghosn. Renault’s board held an emergency last night. Japanese public broadcaster NHK said Mr Ghosn was in charge of allocating pay among Nissan’s top executives. There are also issues around his company-issued housing in Lebanon, Paris, Amsterdam and Rio de Janeiro.
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Directors have deep concerns about possible no-deal Brexit THE draft Brexit agreement has been backed by business leaders amid ‘deep concern’ about leaving the EU without a deal. The Institute of Directors [IoD] said a survey of 800 of its members found that three out of four believed it was important that an agreement was ratified by Parliament before next March. Its members were split on whether a second referendum would be good for their business. Director general Stephen Martin said: “The message from our members is clear: they urgently want to see the UK get a withdrawal deal across the line. “Up and down the country, firms large and small are deeply concerned by the potential for a no-deal scenario, and business investment is already being choked off by the surrounding uncertainty. “The need to avoid no deal must be at the forefront of MPs’ minds when they come to vote on the agreement.
“The deal we have might not satisfy everyone, but this is still the clearest route to securing a smooth exit.” The Bank of England’s governor Mark Carney has also backed Mrs May’s draft agreement and warned that a no-deal would be the ‘worst outcome’. In a hearing with MPs on the Treasury Select Committee, Mr Carney said the Bank welcomes ‘the transition arrangements in the withdrawal agreement’ and noted the ‘possibility of extending that transition period’. Mr Carney told MPs Mrs May’s Brexit ‘supports economic outcomes’ but warned a ‘no-deal, no-transition Brexit’ would be the ‘worst outcome’ for the Bank. He said the risk of a no-deal was ‘uncomfortably high’ and in the event of a no-deal scenario ‘there would be an economic shock in Europe as well, and particularly in Ireland’. TRAFALGAR SQUARE is set to receive a ‘very symbolic’ Christmas tree from Norway this year, according to the Mayor of Oslo, because it started growing at the start of the Second World War. The traditional gift is a symbol of gratitude from the Norwegian capital for Britain’s assistance during the war. Lord Mayor of Westminster, Lindsey Hall, said both countries had their own idiosyncrasies, which the UK is ‘trying to square off with Brexit’.
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
NEWS IN BRIEF
Siemens wins contract to build new Tube trains GERMAN firm Siemens AG has landed a £1.5billion order for new trains for the London Underground’s Piccadilly line. The 94 trains will go into service in 2024, replacing ones that date back to the 1970s. The company said the contract was awarded ‘with the expectation’ it would build single-design trains for four deep Underground lines: Piccadilly, Bakerloo, Central and Waterloo & City. Siemens is planning a train factory in Goole, East Yorkshire, that will employ 700 people and offer roles for 1,700 suppliers.
EasyJet is looking up LOW-cost airline easyJet has reported pre-tax profits of £578million for the year to September 30, up from £408million the previous year. The group said it flew a record number of passengers over the year, up 10.2 per cent at 88.5million, with total revenues up 16.8 per cent to £5.9billion. But the group said revenues per seat are set to fall in the first half of the new financial year, impacted by factors including the timing of Easter.
BHS boss ‘cannot fight’ FORMER BHS owner Dominic Chappell has told a judge he is happy to be banned from serving as a company director. Mr Chappell told Judge Daniel Schaffer at an Insolvency and Companies Court hearing in London that he ‘cannot fight any more’. Judge Schaffer said a judge would decide on the length of a ban after a further hearing.
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NEWS
Letters
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Wednesday November 21 | 2018
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 newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk or write to the Editor at Runcie Court, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG Open food markets at Royal Victoria Place would bring in the crowds STALLS FOR ALL? The Pantiles markets
With regard to your article on the redevelopment of Royal Victoria Place/Ely Court [November 7], I lived on the Continent for decades and was always impressed by the sheer number of people that always seemed to be present at open markets. Their popularity can be seen in London, too. These are markets that sell principally fruit, vegetables, flowers, cheeses, etc., all from local sources. The markets at the Town Hall and The Pantiles sites, with their few stalls and produce similar to what one can find (with a few exceptions) in any supermarket, attract only a small number of people. If, however, by inducing producers of highquality varieties of food that are rarely seen anywhere in Tunbridge Wells, e.g. thick white
We won’t have to jump through hoops One of your readers [November 7] queried how feasible it will be for large lorries to do U-turns on the roundabout by Hoopers when delivering stage sets to the new theatre. Access to the new theatre has been considered carefully, and a consultant, Vectos, looked at this issue. They found that set lorries will be able to turn into Mount Pleasant Avenue (next to Carluccio’s) when approaching either from the north or south. Care will need to be taken, in the same way as care needs to be taken when delivering to the existing Assembly Hall Theatre. The theatre management team will also be able to give production companies instructions on the best and safest way to approach the site. So, lorries will not have to perform U-turns on the roundabout by Hoopers, and pedestrians and nearby walls should be perfectly safe. Full details are available in the planning documents submitted. Cllr David Scott Culverden Ward, Tunbridge Wells
The stage is set for innovative scenery Catherine Thomas’s dramatic picture of a huge truck is depicted transporting massive scenery
sticks of asparagus, persimmons, artichokes, home-reared chickens and farm eggs, multiple apple and pear varieties, hundreds of kinds of cheese, etc., I think that not only would they be amply rewarded but visitors from neighbouring towns would flock to Tunbridge Wells to take advantage of them. Ely Court would be an ideal location with shops on either side and stalls in the middle. Given the optimistic confidence of Brexiteers that the English are superb trade negotiators, it should not be too difficult to sell the idea to the many enterprises in the region and induce them to come and display their goods here on a permanent basis. I am sure that Tunbridge Wells would thrive. A Magnus, via email into such a theatre as we are to expect opening its doors in Calverley Grounds in 2022. Large pieces of scenery flying down from above or transported across our towns is already outdated. Both Covent Garden and the Royal Shakespeare Company are experimenting with exciting hologram effects and other types of computer-aided design. Sir Nicholas Hytner, who ran the Royal National Theatre for several years and has now created the wonderful Bridge Theatre at Tower Bridge, has stated that the only type of new theatre worth building now is one in which the use of space is adaptable and versatile. Experts and theatre specialists have evidently been selected, as they were in the early stages of the Southborough Hub before the light eventually dawned. Council taxpayers are, of course, footing the bill in both instances. There is very little evidence that either scheme is being welcomed with any enthusiasm, or a feeling that our town will be enriched culturally. Fiona C Brown Southborough
Local firms not included in the plans Your headline ‘Fake News warning after
theatre complaint costs taxpayers £6,500’ fails to put that in the context of what Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s Calverley Square development has already cost us. Before a brick has been laid, we taxpayers have forked out £39,358.75 for the council’s own publicity drive to persuade us to support their vanity project – ‘all work placed with local businesses’, say the council in mitigation. However, not placed with local businesses has been the work to prepare the planning documents, a task that has cost us taxpayers a staggering £4,483,181 – most of that monstrous figure paid out not to local businesses but to GVA, a multinational describing itself as ‘the UK’s leading real estate advisory-led business’. A local paper has a duty to provide balanced coverage of local issues, and not be a propaganda sheet for the local elite. Tony Edwards Lamberhurst
Calverley
Observations on life and more important things
SEQUINS AND SMILES is what Strictly Come Dancing is supposed to be about. Wrong. As people now know, there are backstage bun fights. Evidence the tale about actor Danny John-Jules (think Death in Paradise) being a shade unkind to his professional dance partner, Amy Dowden. Some reports said it bordered on bullying. Whatever, the news comes as no real surprise to Calverley. He has been told of times when the arguing has got so bad on the hit BBC TV show that at least one of the dancers has mistimed the routine on purpose, so that the pair have been voted off the series. Horror! [Note to any lawyers tempted to sue: Calverley has no money and this is all alleged.]
Share money out to fund civic projects Persimmon has let go of its Chief Executive, Jeff Fairburn, who was on a salary of £650,000 per annum, and has given him a share bonus that’s worth £75million after being in that role for three years or so. That is some hundred times his salary. With that money, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council could build a theatre, car park and a suite of offices. How do people like him get away with it? Answer: Too much money in the wrong hands; hence also the banking crisis and the destructive austerity which followed it. Nationalise ’em all, I say. Graham Munn Southborough
Sell land and let’s get back on track Over the past 50 years, numerous obstacles have been put in the way of the ambition of the Kent & East Sussex Railway [KESR] to reopen its line right through from Tenterden to Robertsbridge. I understand that the latest problem is the refusal of two landowners to sell small plots of land to the KESR; it seems that the stretch of line in question is between Salehurst and the Northbridge Street level crossing in Robertsbridge. It appears that the landowners are objecting because they fear the imposition of Compulsory Purchase Orders [CPOs], as they perceive that the KESR is the preserve of a few rich people. The truth is that the KESR is mainly for very ordinary people, even if one or two rich people are involved. If these two landowners are that concerned about a CPO, then the obvious way out is to offer these plots for sale to KESR at what they perceive to be market value, and then let the KESR launch a public appeal to raise the necessary funds. That, surely, would be a ‘win-win’ situation? One wonders what local MPs think about this? Certain politicians in the past have not been kindly disposed towards the KESR, and it is now high time to put this right. John Humphrey Via email
We do our best to publish letters in full. However, the Editor reserves the right to edit any letter. Please ensure that letters do not exceed 250 words
BANANA WATCH: Regulars will know that Himself is on a crusade to highlight the rip-off prices when buying a single banana. It started with the news that Waitrose charges 35p for a single one. Calverley is grateful to the admirer [reader] who delivered this picture showing the shop at Tunbridge Wells Hospital asking 59p. And that’s on top of the parking charges at the hospital – if you can find a space after driving round for half an hour. No wonder everyone has high blood pressure when it gets checked out.
POSTMAN PAT, who delivers to Calverley Towers and other nearby mansions, is dreading Christmas. He’s still recovering from last year when a kindly lady presented him with a ‘special gift’ all wrapped up in a box complete with a bow. It turned out to be a pair of red boxer shorts. Now the poor chap doesn’t know where to look when he bumps into her. What he doesn’t know is that she handed out several such gifts. Hey-ho. PARENTS can be so cruel, especially to their kids. One couple had a problem with their five-year-old son who just loved chocolate. He would even get out of bed at night to scour the house for some. They solved the problem when they left out, for him to find, a big bar of chilli chocolate. Call the social workers. Chin Chin, readers
Education
FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
NEWS
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EDUCATION Times How they remembered them We look at the way our schools commemorated the centenary of the end of World War I with special services and artistic projects IT wasn’t just retired armed forces and dignitaries who paid their respects to The Fallen last week. Many of our local schools did so, too, with poignant memorial services and creative projects in order to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. Tonbridge School held a Service of Remembrance which included a tribute to the final ten Old Tonbridgians [OT] who lost their lives in The Great War. Their names, along with all those of the others lost during the four-year conflict 100 years ago were read out. A spokesperson told the Times: “All names were read as near as possible to the centenary of their deaths. The final ten were also honoured in the form of named silhouettes, placed in the school’s Chapel cloisters.” The silhouettes are part of the national ‘There but not There’ installation, which honours the Fallen of the First World War. A wide range of service medals was also on display at the school, as well as a Renault FT First World War tank, restored by the Weald Foundation. It was the world’s first modern tank and was built in 1918.
As a result, it had seen active service in the final months of The Great War, evidenced by the machine gun holes in its side. By the end of the conflict, 415 Tonbridgians had died, roughly the size of the school at that time. About half of the Tonbridgians killed were 24 years of age or under, and half of them were aged 20 or under. Most of them were junior officers in the Army. The Second World War went on to claim the lives of 301 Tonbridgians. Students from Beacon Academy in Crowborough, meanwhile, represented the school at the town’s Royal British Legion Armistice Day service, which was led by Reverend Steve Rees of All Saints Church. In commemoration of the Armistice centenary, a striking poppy display by Year 7 and 8 students was displayed at the church, alongside Living Graphics postcards (pictured below) created by Year 11 Art Graphics students. The artworks were commissioned by Crowborough Festival Association for their Crowborough’s War 1914-1918 exhibition depicting the town’s role in The Great War. During Art lessons, each student created a 3D A BEACON OF REMEMBRANCE Pupils from Beacon Academy with the Rev Steve Rees
HONOURING FORMER PUPILS OF WWI: Tonbridge School’s Service of Remembrance and medal display poppy embellished with illustrations, poetry and tributes to relatives lost during this period. Pupils at St Gregory’s Catholic School also paid their respects to The Fallen courtesy of a creative project that has been three years in the making. “We have been working on our poppy display since 2015 in order to commemorate the 801 men named on the Tunbridge Wells War Memorial who died in the First World War,” said Ruth Walker, Subject Leader for History and Assistant Head Teacher, who led the project, which took its inspiration from the Tower of London’s Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation. This saw 850,000 ceramic poppies displayed at the tower in 2014, and was created under the direction of Paul Cummins and Tom Piper. Ms Walker went on to say: “St Gregory’s often takes the teaching of history beyond the classroom, and each year around 80 Year 9 students are taken to the battlefields of France and Belgium to see for themselves the impact the conflict had on that area.
POPPY TRIBUTE At St Gregory’s School
“I wanted to create a tribute to the men of Tunbridge Wells who gave their lives in the fighting of the First World War. It is so important that current, and future, generations appreciate the scale of the losses on both sides, and that they are made aware of the warning signs that problems may once again be on the horizon.” The display of poppies will be outside St Gregory’s School until the end of November.
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NEWS
Weekly Comment
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Nus Ghani
Conservative MP for Wealden
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
Nus Ghani was elected MP for Wealden in May 2015 and represents Crowborough, Eridge and Uckfield, among other towns and villages. She also currently serves as Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State at the Department for Transport and is Assistant Government Whip. In 2018, Ms Ghani became the first Muslim woman to speak from the House of Commons Despatch Box. The Times also publishes comment from the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green parties
Wealden’s economic strength is showing WEALDEN is a great borough in which to live and work, and I am immensely proud to have the privilege to represent our area in Parliament. We are a thriving and growing community, well placed to take advantage of the opportunities the next few months and years will present. Our local economic strength is down to a strong economy with record levels of employment, unemployment at a 40-year low and wages growing faster than inflation. In Wealden, the claimant count is just 0.8 per cent – the security of work is key to building strong communities and families. Without the hard-working families across East Sussex, none of this would have been possible. We have the best local businesses, farmers, pubs and community charities who do so much for the Wealden economy. It is the unsung local heroes we have to thank, from the Chambers of Commerce in Hailsham, Uckfield and Crowborough to the vineyards of the Wealden countryside. My job as Wealden’s voice in Westminster is to support our job creators and make our needs heard. That’s why, after consistent campaigning, I was delighted to welcome the measures outlined by the Chancellor in the Budget last month. The Personal Allowance, the amount you can
earn before paying tax, has been increased again, up to £12,500, and the National Living Wage is rising by five per cent – allowing people to earn more and keep more of their own money. On top of this tax cut for 32 million families across the country, we are cutting business rates by a third, boosting our wonderful local high streets and saving shops up to £8,000 a year, which will work in tandem with the unveiling of a new Future High Streets Fund, worth £675million in support for our high streets.
I was also pleased to see that the reduction in the maximum stake for Fixed Odd Betting Terminals will come down to £2 from April 2019.
The Budget showed how far we’ve come – but there is still more to do, and I will do my bit in Westminster to support our local economy.
Broadband Duty on beer and spirits has been frozen, and fuel duty will be kept steady for a record ninth year in a row. An extra £200million to support the roll-out of rural broadband is great news – and I will be fighting hard to ensure that the Wealden families, schools and businesses that depend on a reliable internet connection get their fair share. Thanks to the hard work of everyone in Wealden and across to the country, we are also able to invest more in our schools, armed forces and health services, and to put more money into fixing potholes.
Ben Chapelard Liberal Democrat councillor for St James’
ACTIVISM: Nus Ghani [centre] recently met Nadia Murad [centre right] and her supporters. Ms Murad received a Nobel Peace Prize for her work towards trying to end the use of sexual violence in war
Liberal Democrat councillor Ben Chapelard has represented St James’ ward since 2010. He is the Leader of the Opposition on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, and he has said he will be standing at the next general election, currently scheduled for 2022
Five reasons to back a People’s Vote, Mr Clark Cllr Ben Chapelard, Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and 2022 general election candidate, writes an open letter to our borough’s MP, Greg Clark Dear Greg Clark, MP, Let’s be frank. Brexit is a complete mess. You and I both knew this a long time ago. The government’s Brexit withdrawal only confirms that the Brexit fantasy is collapsing under its own contradictions. Greg – in your heart of hearts do you genuinely believe that the PM’s agreement is in our best interests? Be honest – do you really think your MAKING A BREXIT Dominic Raab quit as Brexit Secretary last week
government’s arrangement is better than our current EU deal? In 2016 we both campaigned to Remain. We even managed to put a Lib Dem sticker on you! You were ardent in your beliefs that we were stronger in the EU. Two years later what has happened to that, Greg Clark? I am surprised that you have had this extraordinary change of heart! My question to you is: Why put yourself through selling something you clearly did not and possibly still do not believe in, especially when your own constituents voted against Brexit? As Business Secretary, you are also no doubt very aware
of the catastrophic consequences that a bad Brexit could have on business and commerce. My belief is that you should free yourself of this predicament by leaving the government and, instead, put all your energies into campaigning to give all of us the final say. By staying in Mrs May’s government you are complicit – I use the word advisedly – in making Brexit your unwanted gift to your constituents. Here are five reasons why you should support the People’s Vote: 1. The referendum was not free and fair. There were lies. Turkey is not joining the EU and in any case the UK would have a veto. Leave donor Arron Banks is being investigated by the National Crime Agency. He is innocent until proven guilty but, should illegal foreign money have played a part [as alleged], then the legitimacy of the result must be questioned. Do we really want to go ahead and reward any liars and possible cheats? 2. Voters were not well informed about the reality of Brexit. Of course, leaving the EU was on the ballot paper, but what does leaving look like in reality? It wasn’t clear back in 2016. It was only last week, two and half years after the original vote, that the Brexit deal was, in part, revealed. By giving the people a vote we are allowing them to make an informed decision on the facts – not the fantasy mis-sold by Brexiteers.
3. The promises of 2016 have not been met. The backlash against the PM’s deal from Leavers and Remainers alike has only increased divisions. It satisfies neither side of the debate. If Brexit à la Theresa May is such a good deal for the UK, surely residents will endorse it again! 4. The country is allowed to change its mind – democracy should be an ongoing process. What looked like such a good idea in 2016 is now in doubt. People are, quite rightly, having second thoughts. I am sure you will have seen the recent opinion poll in Tunbridge Wells showing that the pro-Remain majority has actually increased since the referendum. Surely you were elected to represent the views of your constituents!? 5. Brexit will be your legacy to Tunbridge Wells. Despite our differences, my genuine belief is that you went into politics because you wanted to make a difference. I cannot understand why you are so determined to be an architect of a project which will make things worse for all of our residents? Please search your conscience and make the right decision. Your constituents, whether Liberal Democrat, Conservative, Labour or of no political affiliation, deserve to decide whether your Brexit agreement is good enough. Mr Clark, can we – your Remain constituency – count on you at this time of national crisis?
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
GIVE THE GIFT OF
Luxury Times
luxury this Christmas Welcome to our special supplement which offers an array of wonderful festive present suggestions. Whether you’re stuck for an idea for that person who has everything or want to purchase something bespoke for a loved one, we have curated a selection of gifts that we feel will provide inspiration for every member of the family and make them feel super spoilt on December 25th...
INSIDE
Because she’s worth it Unique scents, exquisite jewellery and leather goods for those fabulous females Page 27
The main man From top tailoring to luxury luggage we have ideas to suit you, sir Page 28
Life’s little luxuries Decadent offerings for that very special someone Page 34
Best in show We reveal our edit of gorgeous gifts for the home lover Page 36
Diamond eternity rings made in the G Collins & Sons on-site workshop
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Luxury Times
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF JOY TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY THIS CHRISTMAS
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and if you want to really impress the recipients of your gifts this year then we have the ultimate edit of perfect presents courtesy of this gift guide compiled by Eileen Leahy WITH DECEMBER just around the corner it’s definitely high time you started thinking about your Christmas wish list – not just for yourself of course – but for friends and family too. So, if you’re in need of some inspiration then you’re in luck as we have compiled a gorgeous array of covetable gifts that are sure to put a smile on the faces of those you love come Christmas morning. Over the next 16 pages we bring you a wealth of inspiring ideas for fashionistas, PERFECT SCENTS: Jo Malone London English fussy children and tech Oak & Hazelnut and Basil & Neroli Duo, heads. There’s also lots prices from £62, available from Jo Malone to please the palate of concession in Fenwick Creed Aventus For Her, any foodie friends or interior lovers. From prices from £140, available from Hoopers
exquisite jewellery to rare vintage books and leather goods we have something for everyone. So sit back, relax and enjoy your bespoke Times gift guide which aims to take the stress out of your festive shopping this Christmas so you can really make the most of this wonderful time of the year…..
WELL READ: The Art Book, £34.99, published by DK and available from all good bookshops
A SOFT TOUCH: 100% cashmere scarf, £159, and cashmere hat £85 Peter Hahn, www.peterhahn.co.uk
BAG THIS BEAUTY: Iona Classic handbag, £540, Arran Frances, www. arranfrances.com
HELL FOR LEATHER: Men’s leather bracelets, prices start from £25, Available at Micallef Jewellers (Tonbridge & Sevenoaks), www. micallefjewellers.com
Luxury Times
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
KEEP IT PERSONAL: Handmade solid 18ct rose gold diamond set initial pendant, £965, www.gcollinsandsons.com
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A BEAUTIFUL ALL-ROUNDER: 18ct white gold circle pendant with 0.40ct of diamonds, £1,735, www.gcollinsandsons.com
A WOMAN’S BEST FRIEND: 18ct rose gold XL Tank Solo, £7,000, www.gcollinsandsons.com MAKE A BEELINE FOR THIS BEAUTY: Diamond Line bracelets, Prices start from £7,985 for 3cts total, www.gcollinsandsons.com MAKE A DATE TO BUY THIS: Rae Feather monogram stripe leather diary 2019, £95, www.raefeather.com
Gifts
for Her We bring a sophisticated selection to impress the lady in your life
POINT THIS GORGEOUS GEM OUT TO A LOVED ONE: Handmade ruby and garnet 18ct gold ring, £1300, www.rebeccamundy.co.uk WRAP YOURSELF IN THIS WOOLLEN WONDER: Orwell + Austen Bee cashmere sweater in navy with pink and red, £210, www.orwellausten.com
LISTEN UP, THESE EARRINGS ARE EXTRAORDINARY: Roskanda pendants, £45, www.catherindc.com
SLEEP IN STYLE: Violet & Wren pyjama set in pacific stripe, £330, www.violetandwren.co.uk
SEE THE SUNNY SIDE OF LIFE: Cat’s Eyes sunglasses, £129.95, www.madeleine.co.uk
SCENT OF A WOMAN: Parle Moi de Parfum Papyrus Oud 71, £98, www.selfridges.com
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Luxury Times
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE: Calibre de Cartier stainless steel divers’ watch , £7,350, www.gcollinsandsons.com
GOOD GROOMING: Aspen Tin Set, £35, www.thewhitecompany.com
HATS OFF TO THIS: Butler Stewart luxury hand-tailored Oxford blue baker boy cap, £69, www.butlerstewart.co.uk
MAKE A NOTE OF THIS DIARY: Hand-stitched cow hide leather journal with gold foil embossed lettering, £58, www.theenglishbeagle.com
Gifts
for Him
KEEP IN TOUCH ON THE MOVE: Platinum Microsoft Surface laptop, PixelSense display, from £979, www.johnlewis.com
WRAP IT UP: Trendy colour block, super-soft knitted rib scarf, £35, www.grayandco.shop WELL READ: First edition (1965) of The Man with the Golden Gun by Ian Fleming, £250, www.peterharrington.co.uk
What can you buy for the man who has everything? We have a whole host of great ideas
BUTTON UP: Stenstroms fitted body mosaic shirts, from £120, www.grayandco.shop
TRAVELLING MAN: Luca Falconi Cognac Weekender, £675, www.lucafaloni.com
STEP OUT IN STYLE: The Pioneer 396 brogues, £197, www.sevenfeetapart.com
SUITS YOU: Bespoke tailoring available from Hardman & Hemming www.hardmanandhemming.co.uk
MAKING PERFECT SCENTS: Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt and Black Cedarwood & Juniper Duo, £109, www.jomalone.co.uk
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
Luxury Times
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Luxury Times
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
FOODIES’ FEAST: Cartwright & Butler Ribbesdale Hamper, £100, www. cartwrightandbutler.co.uk
GIVE THE GIFT OF ROYALTY: The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Masquerade Ball Festive Gift Pack, £98, www.royalsalute.com CHEERS TO CHRISTMAS: Hush Heath Balfour Blanc de Blancs 2014, £45, www. hushheath.com
GIN’S IN: Gin Mare Ginettone, £22, www. harveynichols.com
A CAROUSEL OF CHOCOLATE: Pierre Marcolini Christmas sweet selection, £49, www.eu.marcolini.com
Luxury Times
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
WINDOWS OF DELICIOUS OPPORTUNITY: Niederegger marzipan advent calendar, £35, www.selfridges.com and www.niederegger.com
GREEN AND CLEAN: Clipper pure green tea caddy, £7.99, available from all good supermarkets
THE FINISHING TOUCH: Gold pyramid cheese grater, £28, www.shop. nationaltheatre.org.uk
Gifts
for the Foodie Feast your eyes on the perfect presents for all lovers of fine libations and luscious treats
RAISE YOUR SPIRITS: Warner Edwards’ Naturebox containing a bottle of gin, £38, www.hattonsrtw.co.uk
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AFTERNOON TEA DELIGHT DELIGHT: The Wolseley Artisan Tea Collection Caddy Collection, which includes all three teas, £44.95, www.cantontea.com
SILVER LININGS: Floor-standing champagne cooler, £130, www.ladida-andover.com
A SPARKLING GIFT IDEA: Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé champagne limitededition metal robe cage, £57.50, www.thechampagnecompany.com
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING: Hush Heath voucher www.hushheath.com
FIT FOR A KING OR QUEEN: Partridges Buckingham Hamper, £500, www.partridges.co.uk
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Luxury Times
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
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Wednesday November 21 | 2018
WITH THE
Move Times
AVAILABLE EVER Y WEDNESDAY – A MUST-READ
ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PROPERTY, IN TERIORS & TOP TRENDS
INSPIRATION FOR MOVING AND IMPROVING timeslocalnews.co.uk
Don’t miss the property clinic
34
For free lettings tips and advice Page 51
Dine out at the manor
HISTORIC HIGH STREET HOME
41
For a window on the world Page 35
RURAL IDYLL WITH GARDEN STUDIO
53
A NEW BUILD NEAR A NEW SCHOOL
A view to a mill
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From your garden Page 35
A TRULY TEMPTING DEVELOPMENT…
34
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Best For FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
Best property buys for... We all love to see homes with the ‘wow’ factor – which could apply to the kitchen, reception room, garden or something else. Here we home in on specific aspects that make these particular properties well worth a look The PIANO ROOM…
Fern Lodge
Holden Road Southborough
£1,000,000 CONTACT • Hamptons International, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 516611 • hamptons.co.uk
An elegant and rare detached, unlisted Regency house with 3 bedrooms and many beautiful original features, such as sash windows – some with panelled wooden shutters – as well as fine established gardens. Built in the 1820s, the property enjoys a privileged position overlooking Southborough Common, which means it enjoys delightful views.
MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST n Triple-aspect drawing room with polished wood flooring
n Garden room with French doors
n Sitting room with fireplace
n Double-aspect principal bedroom with adjoining shower room
n Generous-sized study n Bespoke Harvey Jones farmhousestyle kitchen/breakfast room with French doors to side. Believed to have been a dairy in Victorian times
The WINE CELLAR…
n Garden with terraces, organic kitchen garden and small orchard n Remote-controlled timber gates n Brick and tile garage/workshop
The Chantry
High Street, Sevenoaks
Guide price
£2,700,000 CONTACT • Savills, Sevenoaks • 01732 789 700 • savills.co.uk A distinctive Grade II*-Listed 7-bedroom house of great character and historical note by Knole Park in the Upper High Street. The house has been meticulously refurbished while retaining many period features and enjoys a spacious wine cellar and boasts a Sevenoaks Society plaque.
MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST n Reception hall with panelling n Oak staircase n Drawing room with silk panelling n Dining room with butler’s pantry n Sitting room with access to garden n Bespoke kitchen by Rencraft n Large cellar with wine bins and log store n 250ft walled garden, including terrace and ornamental pond with water feature n Brick summerhouse with pillars, wood-burning stove and power n Off-street parking for 3 cars
FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
Tawsden Manor
Spout Lane, Brenchley
Best For
n Driveway n Adjoined L-shaped garages n In all about 0.19 of an acre
Offers in excess of
£855,000
The DINING ROOM…
CONTACT • Knight Frank, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 515035 • knightfrank.co.uk A spacious renovated and extended 4-bedroom wing of an attractive country house set within a rural position on the outskirts of the pretty village of Brenchley.
MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST n Central dining room with feature bay window n Sitting room n Kitchen/breakfast room with doors to garden n Study with access to garden n Ground floor bedroom and bathroom with Chadder & Co bath n Master bedroom with en-suite shower room n South-facing garden with high boundary wall and terrace n Large garden office with light and power
The VIEW…
Peartree Cottage The Hill, Cranbrook
Guide price
£625,000 CONTACT • Savills, Cranbrook • 01580 720161 • savills.com On the market for the first time in over 45 years is this delightful, immaculately presented, 3-bedroom Grade II-listed attached cottage within the Cranbrook Conservation Area. Part of the building dates from the 16th century and offers a wealth of exposed timbers, as well as a superb view of Cranbrook’s windmill.
MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST n Sitting room with inglenook fireplace n Dining room n Kitchen/breakfast room with stable door to garden n Polished oak staircase n Pretty walled garden with an old apple tree and log store n Versatile period outbuilding with vaulted ceiling n Cranbrook School catchment area
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Wednesday November 21 | 2018
FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk Harwarton
Lodge
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Times 41
AT A GLANCE
HARWARTON LODGE LOWER GREEN ROAD SPELDHURST n Covered porch n Front-to-rear sitting/dining room with central wood-burning stove dividing the spaces n Bespoke, hand-crafted kitchen with oak work surfaces and range cooker n Study with views over the garden and door to conservatory n Conservatory with hipped roof, slate floor and French doors to patio
A much-loved period country cottage with fabulous views over farmland
n Cloakroom n 2 bedrooms n Bathroom with roll-top, freestanding bath and separate shower cubicle n Elevated garden offering superb rural views n Summerhouse and shed n Insulated garden studio with power (currently used as a gym) n Double garage with power n Ample parking n Generous plot of just under half an acre
GUIDE PRICE £695,000 CONTACT • Jackson-Stops, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 521700 • jackson-stops.co.uk
The garden is a particular feature, with a paved area and pergola, sweeping areas of lawn, rockery borders and vegetable beds
FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
PITFALLS FACING THE BUY-TO-LET LANDLORD No inventory – Often a landlord will prefer not to pay for a full photographic inventory which details the fixtures and fittings of a property and their condition. However, when it comes to agreeing how much of the deposit should be retained to cover any damage, such an inventory will be invaluable as evidence if there is a dispute. We recommend all landlords pay for a professional photographic inventory, and we will ensure the tenant signs this to agree to the condition of the property at move in. Letting to a friend – Oh the number of times I have heard that a landlord has had a bad experience letting to a friend. They don’t undertake comprehensive referencing, they probably don’t take a deposit, they may not perform regular inspections and will be lenient when there are payment problems. My advice is to treat friends as you would any other tenant. If you use a regulated letting agent like Belvoir you can blame them for the formality! Not keeping up with regulations – There are more than 100 regulations impacting the private rental sector and many carry substantial fines. Some landlords are not aware of the need for an annual gas safety check. And how many are aware of the need for a legionella health risk assessment, or that they need to register with the Information Commissioner’s Office? We make sure you comply where needed.
Lettings
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Property Focus LET TINGS
New Property Clinic will be a real tonic for landlords and tenants Belvoir Tunbridge Wells is opening its doors on Saturday. On this page, owner Natalie Boardman comments on lettings issues people may face
H
ELP is at hand in the lettings sector for both landlords and tenants facing changing laws and regulations, and who may well be in need of some clarification, help, guidance or advice. Tunbridge Wells letting agents Belvoir are staging a series of free
upcoming Property Clinics designed to help them both, with the first to be held in their Vale Road office this Saturday, November 24, from 10am to 12noon. The clinics are designed to offer help to landlords trying to deal with all the complexities of managing a property
LET US HELP! The Belvoir team
and complying with ever-changing Natalie regulations, and to individuals who are becoming tenants on how to handle property issues that may arise. Landlords and tenants can bring their questions and problems directly to an owner for advice and solutions, because the Director of Belvoir Tunbridge Wells, Natalie Boardman – who has owned the business for just over a year now – has been a private landlord with a buy-to-let portfolio herself for over ten years. She says there is probably not much she hasn’t experienced first hand in her time as a private landlord, and her team have extensive experience in the local sales and lettings field. The clinic will be held at Belvoir Tunbridge Wells, 15-17 Vale Road (opposite the station), and will be repeated on a regular basis for those who can’t attend the first one. For further information, please call 01892 615333 or visit belvoir.co.uk/offices/tunbridge-wells
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Times 51
PITFALLS FACING TENANTS Not passing referencing – as more people become self-employed, it also becomes harder for tenants to prove sufficient sustainable income. Bonuses, commission, etc., cannot always be counted. A change in circumstances, such parental leave or retirement, will also impact affordability and referencing. I would suggest tenants work out what they can afford before seeing properties and falling in love with them. As a rule of thumb, tenants need to earn a gross annual salary of at least 30 times the monthly rent. Smoking – This is generally prohibited in private rental properties and is against the law in communal spaces. To smoke may put a tenant in breach of their agreement and they could be asked to leave. More likely, however, are substantial deductions from your deposit at the end of the tenancy to cover the cost of cleaning and damage. Pets in the property – Most tenancy agreements will stipulate pets are not allowed without express agreement. Many landlords do not want pets in their property because of concerns about damage, or because it is prohibited by a head lease. If you wish to have a pet, approach your landlord or letting agent first and get this formally agreed for your own protection. If your landlord agrees, it may require an additional deposit.
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk
New Homes
Property Focus
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N EW HO MES
Enjoy an early Christmas present at a downs development that is on the up
T
HE name Downsview sounds very appealing, and sure enough a collection of just nine new homes in Westerham does have an outlook towards the countryside and the northern rolling hills. Adding to the attraction, they are pleasantly tucked back from the main road but within walking distance of a multitude of local amenities in the town.
Following a busy Home Buyer Event earlier this autumn, word has clearly spread, as a number of reservations have recently been made and the first residents are already settling in – just in time for Christmas. With prices from £599,950, these high-end homes feature fine cutting-edge architecture and luxury interiors, and have beautiful south-facing gardens. And those looking for a new residence will
Golding Road
throughout, with a large reception room, 4 double bedrooms and well-appointed kitchen and bathrooms, plus off-road parking for a couple of cars and a garage. The newly built Skinners’ Primary School is within walking distance of the property, and there is very good access to the A21 (and thereafter the M25 motorway). There is also a short cut to High Brooms mainline station, with trains to London and the south coast in under one hour. Additionally, there is a multiplex Odeon cinema nearby, while local shops include an M&S Food Hall.
Tunbridge Wells
£625,000 CONTACT
• McAuley Miller, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 614 777 • mcauleymiller.com An opportunity to purchase a newly built family home in the Knights Park area of Tunbridge Wells with extensive views. The house is beautifully presented
be delighted to learn that local housebuilder Fernham Homes is offering a range of early Christmas presents to help more customers move in for the festive season. They have a range of bespoke offers up their sleeves for those who visit the sales team at the show home, for example, a possible contribution towards stamp duty, legal fees, agent fees, etc. Sales and Marketing Manager Chloë Boss says:
MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST
n Newly built 4-bedroom semi-detached house n Large reception room with bay window and ample power points for television and internet connections n Fully integrated kitchen with dining room, and double doors to garden n Utility room n Guest cloakroom n Spacious landing
Westerham “Activity at Downsview has been strong despite the approach to Christmas, when the property industry usually tends to slow down. “We know people can be apprehensive about moving at this time of year, but with our incentives in place and the smooth service we provide, there’s no reason for our customers not to enjoy Christmas 2018 in a new home at Downsview.” Some of the luxury items featured in selected properties include dressing rooms, modern glass balconies, a wine cooler in the kitchen, an Indian sandstone patio in the garden and – staying right up to the minute – an electric car charging port. Architecturally, they are arranged over three floors and display an attractive blend of brick and weatherboard. The development lies in the north-west corner of this pretty town, and not only offers easy access to Westerham but to London, too. Residents can reach the capital within 33 minutes from Sevenoaks Station, which is just over five miles away. You can discover Downsview by visiting the show home in Croft Road, which is open Thursday-Saturday from 10am-4pm. For more information, call 01732 757158, email: sales@fernham-homes.co.uk or visit fernham-homes.co.uk
n Master bedroom with fitted mirrored wardrobes to one wall, and en-suite shower n 3 further double bedrooms n Large family bathroom n Brick block paved driveway with off-road parking n Large garage with power and light, and a rear door to garden n Front and rear gardens, including a paved area that is ideal for outdoor entertaining
Luxury Times
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
ADVERT (FP)
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Wednesday November 21 | 2018
PERFECT TO THE LETTER: Solid 18ct White Gold initial handmade pendant, £525, www.gcollinsandsons.com
GAME ON: Traditional wooden rounders set, £29.95, www.muddypuddles.com
GLIMMERING GEMS: Cornflower blue sapphire and diamond cluster ring in 18ct gold, £1450 and pieces from the new Sterling Silver jewellery collection by Ania Haie, prices start from £19, all from Micallef Jewellers www. micallefjewellers.com
LIFE IS SWEET: Crabtree & Evelyn Shortbread Stars 100g, £10, www.crabtree-evelyn.com
IN THE BAG: Zatchels New Micro Satchel Kaleidoscope, £70, www.zatchels.com
CHILD’S PLAY: Matilda Bath, Book & Bedtime Gift Set, £29, www.bloomandblossom.com and Space NK stores
LIGHTEN UP: Floris London Cinnamon & Tangerine collector’s edition candle, £70, www.florislondon.com
Luxury Times
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
SUPER SOFT: Pale grey curly sheepskin stole, £129 www. thewhitecompany.com
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GIVE THE GIFT OF GOOD SKIN: RTW Skin vouchers www.rtwskin.co.uk
GO WILD: Make your own Majestic Tiger Head, £9.99, www.clockworksoldiershop.co.uk
STAR TREATMENT: Louison D’Or purse with stars, £35, www.louisondor.com
A REAL GAME-CHANGER: Profhilo anti-oxidant cream, £60, www.cindyknightclinic.co.uk
Life's
Little Luxuries
DOG DAYS: Glitter Pageant keyring, £20, www.radley.com
An entertaining assortment for all those last-minute extras to cover the unexpected COSY TOES: Just Sheepskin children’s classic sheepskin slippers in blush sparkle, £45, www.justsheepskin.com
A FRESH APPROACH: Skinny Dip Fizz Bath Bar, £6, www.boots.com
ETHICAL STOCKING FILLERS: Heart of Hospice scratch cards, £1, www.bit.ly/scratchcardstockingfillers
DAILY RITUAL: Green People Daily Essentials Starter Pack, £17, www.greenpeople.co.uk
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A WORK OF ART: Original Painting – Pink Blossom on Gold Leaf 50 x 50 cm, £1,650, www.fairfaxgallery.com
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE: Showtime! Alphabet Cushions, £31.99, www.welovecushions.co.uk
SCENTS OF YOU: Bespoke fragrance kit, from £39, The Perfume Studio, www,theperfumestudio.com
WARM GLOW: Bella Freud candle, £48, Amara, www.amara.com
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FLORAL FESTIVE TRIBUTE: Wildabout Flower ‘Festive Snowflake Wreath’, Small £80, Medium £130, Large £280, www.wildabout.co.uk FUR REAL: Sheepskin rug, £60, Oliver Bonas, www.oliverbonas.co.uk
Gifts
for the Home
Stylish items to add to your creature comforts are always welcome, to make your house proud
BURN BRIGHT: Coconut & lychee large candle, £34.95, www.peppermintgroveaustralia.com
ILLUMINATING IDEA: Loaf Biblio brass table lamp, £145, www.loaf.com
PRINTS CHARMING: Gold palm leaves pattern plate , £15, www.artwow.co
BLUES FOR YOU: Set of 4 agate coasters, £45, www.homebodydecor.co.uk
RELAX IN STYLE : Handcrafted Armadillo Sun luxury bean bag, £214, www.armadillosun.com
CRYSTAL CLEAR: Vintage Champagne Coupes (Set of 4), £35, www.thewhitecompany.com
IT’S A WRAP: Cotton chambray throw , £150, www.clarissahulse.com
POUR TO PERFECTION: Sara Miller bird print china teapot, £57, www.saramiller.london
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Do the countdown to Christmasin style
CATH KIDSTON ADVENT CALENDAR Price: £40 from Boots Contents worth: £85
Who could have guessed when the first beauty advent calendars hit the shops a few years ago that they would become such a huge phenomenon? By Katie Wright BACK then, only a handful existed and they quickly sold out – but now there are tons to choose from, each offering 24 days-worth of
pampering pressies in the lead-up to Christmas. There’s a better budget range, too, with calendars starting from less than £15 and going up to three figures for luxury selections. They all still represent excellent value for money, though, with more expensive offerings worth more than two or three times what they would cost were you to buy all the products inside individually. And who can put a price on the excitement you get every morning when you open the little door to find out the mini treat that awaits? So which should you choose? We’ve surveyed this year’s contenders and narrowed it down to our best buys, from bargain to blow-out. Here are 2018’s beauty Advent calendars...
L'OCCITANE CLASSIC BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR Price: £49 from L'Occitane Contents worth: £85
WE 24 DAYS OF BEAUTY CHARITY ADVENT CALENDAR Price: £70 from Boots Contents worth: £85
BAYLIS & HARDING BEAUTICOLOGY SPECIAL DELIVERY RED ADVENT CALENDAR Price: £13.99 from Amazon
BIRCHBOX BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR Price: £65 from Birchbox Contents worth: £179
Luxury Times
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
THE BODY SHOP 24 DAYS OF THE ENCHANTED ADVENT CALENDAR Price: £45 from The Body Shop Contents worth: £85 THE SPACE NK ADVENT CALENDAR Price: £250 from Space NK Contents worth: £600
MOLTON BROWN OPULENT INFUSIONS ADVENT CALENDAR Price: £175 from Molton Brown Contents worth: £272
NUXE BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR Price: £59 from Escentual (available this month) Contents worth: £65.60
CIATE MINI MANI MONTH Price: £50 from Ciate Contents worth: £132
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Wednesday November 21 | 2018
Life&Times
IN PRINT AND ONLINE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK timeslocalnews.co.uk
The shape of things to come
ARTS & CULTURE LIFE & STYLE FOOD & DRINK MOTORING SPORT and MORE...
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See Ballet Black perform Page 67
DYLAN MORAN’S IN TOWN
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SHERIDAN’S A FUNNY GIRL
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HAL’S HILARIOUS NEW SHOW
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SAVOURING A TASTE OF SUCCESS
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arts
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TAKING TIME TO SMELL THE COFFEE Before Dylan goes on stage to start ‘pulling the squirrels out of the bag’
Arts & CultureFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
A comic approach to
understanding the universe
Comedian Dylan Moran brings his Dr Cosmos tour to Tunbridge Wells on Saturday, December 1. Ahead of him taking to the stage at the Assembly Hall, the Times caught up with the influential Irishman
A
S HE prepares to take Dr Cosmos across the UK, it might feel as though Dylan Moran has an intricately conceived game plan in place, given that he announces a new comedy tour approximately every three years. But that feeling would be quite wrong. “I’m glad to be able to say that I don’t know how often I tour, because I can’t really deal with knowing exactly what I’m going to be doing,” he says. “But I do enjoy touring, and I’m really looking forward to this one. It’s great fun getting to go places. Last year I went to Lincoln: I’d never been there before.” A reader and a thinker, Dylan is always alert to the comedic or philosophical possibilities all around him. And never is this more apparent than when he’s on the road. “I try to make myself very responsive, and you’re always on when you’re touring, constantly receiving and transmitting, but you can’t be like that all the time. You have to come home and be boring dad. Which I’m very good at, apparently. And yes, they tell me that in no uncertain terms.” Little do they know, perhaps, that this dull father is one of the most acclaimed UK-based comedians of the past three decades. In 1996, at the age of 24, Dylan became the
youngest winner of the Perrier Award, and this Navan-born, Edinburgh-based comic, actor and illustrator (his ‘doodlings’ are likely to be used as the backdrop to his new live set) has continued to woo the critics and charm his audiences with live shows such as Monster, What It Is, and Off The Hook, while his TV and film credits include the hit Channel 4 sitcom Black Books, the BBC comedy-drama How Do You Want Me?, brittle Irish movie Calvary, and big screen zombie romcom Shaun Of The Dead.
‘I get ideas for themes or identities that obsess me for years’ But never does Dylan seem more alive than when he’s working his material before a live audience. “I have high hopes for this show, I’m really into it. And I’m really into what an incredible time it is to be doing comedy. I want people to come in and have a great time and go home feeling better. “I’m not going to ask people to understand anything too complicated or anything that I feel can’t be understood. A lot of it is about pulling
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
the squirrels out of the bag and giving them a name or a number. Let’s just say that I’m organising the squirrels.” So, who is this Dr Cosmos that Dylan Moran speaks of? Is it some fictional man of the world? Or is it the Irish comedian himself in stage guise? “I get these ideas for themes or identities that obsess me for years,” he explains. “And Dr Cosmos has been around for a while. I’m writing a pilot episode which has Dr Cosmos as the title and it’s about all kind of things, like consumerism and mental health. “It’s the idea of a snake-oil salesman, like those ads you see on the net about losing your tummy by eating bananas or not eating bananas, whatever it is. “A lot of the live show is about people just trying to cope. The big things still apply: Family is still there and the root systems don’t change, it’s just the way we are living has.”
Storytelling Much of this new way of living has, of course, much to do with the technology that seems constantly at our fingertips. It’s fair to say that Dylan isn’t exactly approving of our dependency on screens. “Look at the mystery that has been taken away from us: The whole romance of human history was made by all the imagination and projection of people in one place wondering what was over the hill. There was myth and storytelling, but now everything we could concoct in the dark has been replaced by the crystal clear Samsung LED screen. “All those deliberations that were needless but very human and showed how inventive, capable and nutty we were have been swept away now.” So where does over-reliance on tech that answers all our questions in a
FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk nano-second leave the art of storytelling? “I think people are desperate for it; we really need it. And we need to be around the fire and hear it. “We’re confused about what’s happening to us now, and that’s why you get Brexit and you get Trump and you get all this polarisation.” If people are craving stories and storytellers, then they can still delight in the innovative world of Dylan Moran. And the good news is that he has plenty to say. “I write a lot, so I’ve got tons of material. That’s never been a problem for me, the problem is deciding exactly what to do with it. Much of what I have for this show is about the incredibly fluid nature of now, how disorientating and tiring it all is, and how it feels to try and orientate yourself and stay foursquare on the earth.” What Dylan won’t be doing is looking around at other comedians for inspiration or to glean a sense of what’s on other people’s agendas. He’s certainly not immune to what’s going on in the comedy world and enjoys everything from the Dutch absurdism of Hans Teeuwen to the smart observational work of Kevin Bridges, but you’re unlikely to find him lurking in the shadows at a stand-up show. “That’s just sensible. Are there jockeys out there hiding behind hedges looking at horse races? I don’t think so. “I don’t seek live comedy out, but I love it when I see someone who has their own voice.” Dylan Moran: Dr Cosmos comes to the Assembly Hall on Saturday December 1 at 8pm. Tickets cost £25. To book, visit assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
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An evening of dynamic and dramatic dance If you are a fan of contemporary and pioneering dance, then don’t miss Ballet Black, says Eileen Leahy AS PART of the Assembly Hall’s quest to stage fresh, challenging and innovative shows alongside the traditional and favourite acts which appear at the theatre, its creative director JJ Almond has invited Ballet Black to perform a double bill of diverse and dynamic dance. The troupe, which is made up of international dancers of black and Asian origin, and whose patrons include actors Kwame Kwei-Armah and Thandie Newton, will bring two performances to the Assembly Hall next Thursday night, November 29. They are The Suit, an expressive and expertly crafted piece choreographed by Cathy Marston and inspired by Can Themba’s South African fable of the same name, which has been cocommissioned by London’s Barbican. Following their interpretation of this, the dance company, which was founded in 2001, will stage a version of Arthur Pita’s A Dream Within a Midsummer Night’s Dream, inspired by Shakespeare’s famous comedy of errors. In short it promises to be a dramatic example of how dance and theatre genres can be fused to arresting and utterly absorbing effect. As a result, this particular production was awarded Olivier, South Bank and Critics’ Circle National Dance Award nominations when it debuted in 2014.
STRETCHING THE BOUNDARIES Between theatre and dance
So to say dance fans are in for a treat is most certainly an understatement, as you can expect to see the Bard’s comedy given an appealing modern-day twist courtesy of the incredible dance routines, and also an unexpected musical soundtrack featuring the likes of Earth Kitt, Barbra Streisand and American/Peruvian soprano Yma Sumac. On staging both productions, Cassa Pancho, Ballet Black’s founder and Artistic Director, comments: “I am really excited to try something new this year by presenting our first double bill of
narrative ballets, which will be a beautiful contrast. “The whole company and I are thrilled to be taking this double bill around the UK to share our work with audiences all over the country.” Make sure you don’t miss your chance to see this ground-breaking neo-classical ballet brigade do their exceptional thing next Thursday evening. You won’t regret it. Ballet Black perform on November 29 at 7.30pm at the Assembly Hall. Tickets cost £25 (plus £2 per ticket booking fee). For further information, visit balletblack.co.uk
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Going Out
FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk
goingout 7 days of activities
By Eileen Leahy
PICTURE THIS! Take a selfie with Tunbridge Wells’ biggest teddy bear at Royal Victoria Place
Night from 7pm. Acts SOMETHING GOOD include folk rocker John See a Star Is Born McLane and quirky local at Trinity band Ukelear Fallout, whose music is based on Americana. Tickets for skating cost £14.40 for adults and £9.75 for children. Sessions can be booked any day this week from 11am to 8pm at assemblyhalltheatre. co.uk At 7.30pm, Trinity Theatre will screen a recording of the stage musical Funny Girl, with Sheridan Smith taking on Barbra Streisand’s legendary role as Broadway star, film actress and comedienne Fanny Brice. Tickets cost £20 from trinitytheatre.net Bidborough Dramatic Society’s forthcoming production Showtime, devised and directed by Alexandra Leigh, is on tonight, tomorrow and Saturday at Bidborough Village Hall. Curtain up is at 7.30pm. Ticket cost £8. Box Office: Call 01892 523962 or email: bidboroughboxoffice@gmail.com
FRIDAY
WEDNESDAY
You can now visit Santa’s Grotto in the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre until Christmas Eve. Tickets cost £5.50 per child and can be booked online at royalvictoriaplace.com The newly-named selfie bear Mr Magic is at Royal Victoria Place, too. Get your new profile picture with him opposite Marks & Spencer. Mr Magic is collecting donations for terminal illness
support charity ellenor. You can find out more about Mr Magic and ellenor at ellenor.org
THURSDAY
Get into the festive spirit by visiting the Tunbridge Wells ice rink at Calverley Grounds, which is open for Christmas business until January 2. This is one of the town’s most popular attractions, and tonight the rink will be hosting a Live Music
Starting at 9am this morning, the Hever Village Hall Christmas Market will be open until 1pm. Browse for gifts from woodcraft to fused glass, or try some of the local freshly-made bread. The market will be in Hever’s village hall. For more information, email: nikkiprince36@hotmail.co.uk At Trinity Theatre you can see comedian Hal Cruttenden – TV panel show veteran – in his new stand-up show Hal Cruttenden: Chubster. The show was named by his daughter. Hal is now on a diet. The show starts at 8pm. Tickets cost £19. The Chiddingstone Castle Christmas Fair is on today from 5pm-8pm and for two sessions tomorrow: 10am-1pm and 1pm-4pm. A handpicked selection of stalls will be set up around the grounds to provide plenty of festive inspiration. Tickets must be booked in advance, costing £12 per adult on Friday (including a glass
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
of mulled wine or cider and a mince pie) and £7 per adult and £4 per child on Saturday.
SATURDAY
The TWODS production of Hello, Dolly! finishes its run today. Tickets start at £19 from assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Corpus Christi Church will be having their annual Christmas Bazaar today from 10am-2pm in the Fisher Hall, Lyons Crescent, Tonbridge. It will feature a stall full of homemade goods, FUNNY GIRL: THE MUSICAL With Sheridan Smith at Trinity Theatre
FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
Going Out
Join in the ‘Santa Present Trail’ at Salomons Estate • From Saturday November 24 and throughout the Christmas period • Salomons Estate • Tunbridge Wells
Starting this Saturday, you can help Santa Claus find his ‘lost presents’ around the beautiful Salomons Estate. Use the special treasure map to find the
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letters which are dotted around the grounds in order to make up a mystery word. Once you have done so, you’ll be rewarded with a delicious complimentary hot chocolate in the estate’s Bistro. Participating in the treasure hunt is free, so why not bring the family to Salomons for a festive winter day out? For more information, call the estate on 01892515152, or email: reception@salomons-estate.com
IT’S SHOWTIME At Bidborough Village Hall tombolas, a gift stall, refreshments, and a grand draw (First Prize: £400) and new for 2018 is a Children’s Craft area! Free entry. The Tonbridge Philharmonic Society will be PUNCHY Comic Hal Cruttenden’s new show Chubster is at Trinity Theatre
performing Britten’s War Requiem at Tonbridge School from 7.30pm. This moving music is a combination of the traditional Latin Mass for the Dead and the poetry of Wilfred Owen. Tickets cost £16 for adults, with cheaper rates for pensioners and students. More information and booking details can be found at tonphil.org.uk
SUNDAY
The Tonbridge Christmas Festival, organised by the town’s Rotary Club, will start in the High Street at 1.50pm with a marching band and end with fireworks at Tonbridge Castle at 6pm. In between the live music and the switching on of the Christmas lights, you can browse lots of interesting stalls in the High Street. The festival and all events, including the fireworks, are free to attend. More information can be found on the Rotary Club of Tonbridge’s Facebook page: @RotaryClubTonbridge As part of these celebrations, there will be a Festival Service at 6.30pm at St Peter & St Paul on Church Lane. All are very welcome to go along after the festival fireworks for mince pies, mulled wine and a service to start the Christmas season. Representatives from other churches will be taking part, as will Tonbridge Children’s Workshop.
MONDAY
The film Hitler Versus Picasso and The Others will be screened at the Tunbridge Wells Odeon, Knights Park at 6pm. This is the story of how Hitler and the Nazis plundered Europe’s artworks. A must-see for art and history fans. Tickets cost £18.50 and can be booked at odeon.co.uk
TUESDAY At Grosvenor and Hilbert Park you can join the National Tree Week Winter Tree ID Session. After a short walk at 3pm, you should be able to tell a pine from an ash. Email: emma.peters@ tunbridgewells.gov.uk. Trinity is screening A Star Is Born at 11am, 2pm and 8pm today.
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Going Out
FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE The Pantiles Doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7 Websites pdag.co.uk & thegreylady.co.uk Wednesday David Migden & The Twisted Roots and Mulvey’s Medicine Thursday Anna Howie, Dan Clews and Kelly Bourne Friday Salsadelic Saturday Private Party Sunday Mark Morriss and Mike Wilton Monday Singers Night
THE ICE RINK
live music With Paul Dunton
P
OPULAR local bands David Migden & The Twisted Roots and Mulvey’s Medicine are performing at The Grey Lady Music Lounge tonight [Wednesday]. Thursday sees the launch of The Forum’s 2018 Winter Sessions, bringing live music to the Ice Rink in Calverley Grounds, with local acts Ukelear Fallout and John McLane. On Friday night, Hinds are at The Forum with support from Sports Team, and local singer-songwriter Paul Gunn marks the release of his highly anticipated new album by way of a live show at The Bedford. On Saturday night, gigs include Gez Gold at The Trading Post, Sophie Mullan at The Beau Nash Tavern, Sean Fennessey & Friends
The must-read guide to what’s on musically for the week ahead… paulduntonandguests.com
at The Bedford, The Acoustic Varlies at The White Hart in Wadhurst and Groove Platform at The Royal Oak. You can also enjoy Circa Waves at The Forum and the Local & Live Sessions returning to Trinity Theatre with Infrared and my orchestra. On Sunday, Bluetones front man Mark Morriss and Standard Lamps lead singer Mike Wilton both perform at The Grey Lady Music Lounge, and the excellent October Drift and Suncharmer will be live in The Sussex Arms Basement. The Duke of York’s Open Mic night is on Monday, and on Tuesday blues enthusiasts can enjoy the fantastic Nico’ZZ at The Toad Rock Retreat, while the superb Sonny & The Harp are at The Punch & Judy, Tonbridge.
Calverley Grounds Open all day, free entry Music from 7pm onwards Thursday Ukelear Fallout, John McLane and Biddle
THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM Event information at twforum.co.uk Friday Hinds and Sports Team Saturday Circa Waves and Ed The Dog The Varlies
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Tuesday The Stable: Crimson//Chaos, Pezzhead and Will.B
THE BEDFORD PUB 2 High Street Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late Friday Paul Gunn Album Launch show Saturday Sean Fennessey & Friends
Paul Gunn
TRINITY THEATRE Church Road All show details and tickets available at trinitytheatre.net Saturday Local & Live Sessions: Infrared and The Paul Dunton Orchestra
THE BEAU NASH TAVERN Mount Ephraim Open all day, free entry Music from 8.30pm till late Saturday Sophie Mullan
THE WHITE HART Wadhurst Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Saturday The Acoustic Varlies
THE ROYAL OAK PUB Prospect Road Open all day, free entry Music from 8.30pm till late Saturday Groove Platform
THE TRADING POST 5 Culverden Down Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Saturday Gez Gold
ROSE HILL SCHOOL Coniston Avenue All concert information and tickets
available at codatw.co.uk/events Sunday CODA Presents: Mark Taylor (flute) & Nathan Tinner (piano)
THE SUSSEX ARMS BASEMENT Sussex Mews Event information at twforum.co.uk Sunday October Drift and Suncharmer
THE DUKE OF YORK PUB The Pantiles Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Monday Open Mic Night
THE ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE Crescent Road All show details and tickets available at assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Monday (afternoon) Big Sing 2018 Monday (evening) Music From The Heart
THE TOAD ROCK RETREAT Upper Street, Rusthall Open all day, free entry. Music from 8pm onwards Tuesday Blues with Bottle presents: Nico’ZZ
THE PUNCH & JUDY PUB 11 St Stephen’s Street, Tonbridge Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Tuesday Sonny & The Harp
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
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Books
FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
The Little Snake by AL Kennedy
Published in hardback by Canongate, priced £9.99 (ebook £5.59). Available now
Winter reads… Time to unwind and relax, and what better way than with a great book? Here are a few suggestions for your reading…
Evening In Paradise by Lucia Berlin
Published in hardback by Picador Proof, priced £14.99 (ebook £8.96). Available now
9/10
AMERICAN short story writer Lucia Berlin died in 2004, and it is only since then that her work has become widely read. But Evening In Paradise is certainly not a bunch of leftover stories they couldn’t squish into her 2015 bestselling collection, A Manual For Cleaning Women. This batch once again reach to the core of things. Berlin tackles love, loneliness and addiction, while the heat and colour of Chile and New Mexico, roll from the page. There is always much talk of her ability to capture the ugliness of human nature, and she does, spectacularly: The muck, the dirt, the inappropriateness of people, drunken behaviour, abuse, neglect she approaches them all with a stark, wry straightforwardness. She explores how we twist and turn ourselves into what others want us to be, and also dismantles those expectations. Children run wild in her stories, hustling, playing at being grown-ups, while the adults she describes are often listless, lost and ever on the edge of anger. Her spare, evocative language and lithe turn of phrase make each phrase quietly extraordinary. You’ll race through these. (Review by Ella Walker)
8/10
FOR ANYONE longing for a beautiful, deceptivelysimple read that delves into the human condition, AL Kennedy’s slip of a novel, The Little Snake, beckons. The Scottish writer has a gorgeous turn of phrase and uses it to full effect in this magical fable about a young girl called Mary who becomes best friends with a fabulous golden snake – who also happens to be the bringer of death. Their friendship deepens as Mary grows up, falls in love and endures pain, sadness and war – but always in the background is
the knowledge that one day the snake will visit her one last time. The phrasing in this book is often childlike, reflecting Mary’s youth, but the themes are for grownups who know the world for what it is. Those who have read The Little Prince, whose author Antoine de Saint-Exupery is acknowledged at the end, will hear echoes. The result is a brief read that is both poetic and life-affirming, and simultaneously saddening. A strange treasure inside a golden snakeskin-patterned cover, it’s one to read and reread. (Review by Noreen Barr)
Middle England by Jonathan Coe
Published in hardback by Viking, priced £16.99 (ebook £9.99). Available now BENJAMIN TROTTER is settling into comfortable middle age in Coe’s latest novel. The author’s 12th novel revisits Benjamin, his sister Lois and some of the other characters from 2001’s The Rotters’ Club and 2004’s The Closed Circle. Readers first met Benjamin as a 1970s Birmingham schoolboy, besotted with beautiful Cecily Boyd. They later saw him and his former school friends as disillusioned adults in Tony Blair’s Britain. In his latest instalment, Coe catches up with the characters as David
Cameron stands poised to enter Downing Street. Real news stories and political upheaval provide the backdrop for the personal triumphs and tragedies Coe has in store for his characters, in a Britain that he describes as becoming more and more divided. It is Coe’s talent for making something interesting out of their everyday struggles while adding a touch of humour, that makes an accessible, entertaining read. A book with a strong political message. (Review by Beverley Rouse)
7/10
FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
Books
In Extremis: The Life Of War Correspondent Marie Colvin by Lindsey Hilsum
9/10
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NON-FICTION
BOOK CHARTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 10
Published in hardback by Chatto & Windus, priced £20 (ebook £9.99). Available now
HARDBACKS 1. Past Tense by Lee Child 2. The Ice Monster by David Walliams 3. Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown by Jeff Kinney 4. Brief Answers To The Big Questions by Stephen Hawking 5. Rise Up: The #Merky Story So Far by Stormzy 6. Guinness World Records 7. The Story Of Brexit by Jason Hazeley and Joel Morris 8. Battle Scars by Jason Fox 9. Tombland by C.J. Sansom 10. Let Her Fly by by Ziauddin Yousafzai, Louise Carpenter, Malala Yousafzai (Compiled by Waterstones)
SIX YEARS after being killed in the ruins of the Syrian rebel town of Homs at the age of 56, Marie Colvin is brought to life again in a candid and gripping biography of one of the great war reporters of our all time. US-born Colvin’s career took her to Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya, East Timor and Sri Lanka (where she lost an eye), providing plenty of substance for this book and the imminent film of her life. But this deeply personal account of the Sunday Times writer by her friend, Channel 4’s Lindsey Hilsum, does not seek to be all daring-do. Just as Colvin herself worked to shine a light on the human cost of war, Hilsum writes with both deep affection and a friend’s candidness to present us with a human being. Drawing on Colvin’s own diaries, she shows us someone whose skill, nerve, energy and drive in a warzone rightly brought plaudits but whose personal life was often also a chaotic battlefield. (Review by David Wilcock)
The Night I Met Father Christmas by Ben Miller CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE WEEK
Published in hardback by Simon & Schuster, priced £12.99 (ebook £5.99). Available now A MODERN retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, actor Ben Miller’s The Night I Met Father Christmas is the perfect prelude to the holidays for children under the spell of the festive season. Young Jackson is determined to meet Father Christmas, but gets more than he bargained for when Santa arrives. Having twisted his ankle coming down the chimney, Father Christmas
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requires Jackson’s help to deliver presents around the world, and rewards his new assistant with his own origin story. Miller’s tale combines humour and seasonal magic with Dickens’ allegorical classic, ensuring the morals of the story remain front and centre in a child-friendly fashion. Suitable for all ages, it makes for the ideal read before December 25.
8/10
8/10 Mr Peek’s Poetry Noire Volume 1: After Dark Mr Peek’s Poetry Fun Time Volume 2: Nice & New POETRY
By Tony Peek. Published by Borrowed Books, After Dark £8.50, Nice & New £6. Available now from mrpeekspoetryplace.co.uk
TONY PEEK, a former English teacher who now brings his humorous brand of poetry into schools across the South East, has produced two new collections of his work that will keep children entertained for a long time to come. Mr Peek says gruesome subjects tend to work best in the classroom, from bogies to bogeymen. Mr Peek’s Poetry Noire Volume 1: After Dark, certainly has a lot of monsters lurking in its pages as well as plenty of laughs. ‘Mask’ will have parents and children alike giggling. Mr Peek’s Poetry Fun Time Volume 2: Nice & New, is a more lighthearted affair. But there are also poems to help children negotiate their way through childhood; ‘Cry’ says it’s OK to shed a tear sometimes. These collections may also encourage young ones to have a go at writing poetry too, which can only be a good thing. (Review by Andy Tong)
8/10
PAPERBACKS 1. The Librarian by Salley Vickers 2. Milkman by Anna Burns 3. The Tattoist Of Auschwitz by Heather Morris 4. Kingdom Of Ash: Throne Of Glass by Sarah J. Maas 5. The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith 6. A Darkness Of Dragons by S.A. Patrick 7. The Choice by Edith Eger 8. The Secret Lives Of Colour by Kassia St Clair 9. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman 10. This Is Going To Hurt: Secret Diaries Of A Junior Doctor by Adam Kay (Compiled by Waterstones) EBOOKS 1. The Haunting Of House Hill by Shirley Jackson 2. One Day In December by Josie Silver 3. This Could Change Everything by Jill Mansell 4. Past Tense by Lee Child 5. The Stolen Boys by Joy Ellis 6. The Coordinates Of Loss by Amanda Prowse 7. The Tattooist Of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
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Wednesday November 21 | 2018
On The Menu
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Ham hock fritter, pea velouté and fried quails eggs
Homemade Scotch egg with piccalilli
Goat’s cheese bon bons, pickled baby beets and burnt apple puree
Grilled Dover sole, brown shrimp & garlic butter with straw fries and cherry tomatoes
Salt & pepper squid with garlic aioli and olive tapenade
Eggplant parmigiana, garlic new potatoes, radish & salad
Salmon fillet, sesame marinade, coconut rice, green papaya salad & mango salsa
On The Menu…
THE BLUE ANCHOR Beacon Road, Crowborough TN6 1BB Tel: 01892 319299 • Web: blueanchorcrowborough.co.uk
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food
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STICKY TREAT Caramelised apples with salted caramel, cinnamon and vanilla ice cream
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Wednesday November 21 | 2018
‘Our aim is to offer something different, a place which suits all ages and all tastes’ An intriguing new restaurant in town has only been open for a few months, but it’s fair to say Delaney’s is already making its mark on the culinary scene in Tunbridge Wells. Eileen Leahy catches up with its co-founder, Rosie Holley, to find out more about this funky and fun pancake and waffle house…
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OSIE HOLLEY is clear about her new restaurant’s mission: “Delaney’s is about fun and excitement. We want our customers to come in and spend quality time with their loved ones and have an immersive experience,” she states. Rosie runs the pancake and waffle house situated in Camden Road with her partner Ed Delaney. “We decided to start up because we love food and we wanted to be part of the
growing food scene in Tunbridge Wells. “Our aim is to offer something different, a place which suits all ages and all tastes.” And one peep through the windows into Delaney’s, which occupies the former Sankey’s Brasserie site, certainly testifies to this. Inside it’s a riot of hot neon colour pops splashed on its trendy seats, menus and mural walls. If the food tastes as good as this place looks then there will be plenty of content diners in Tunbridge Wells.
Tempting Although they only opened in October this year, Rosie says the couple had been planning Delaney’s for a ‘good two years’. “We saw a need to do this because we thought Tunbridge Wells was missing that element of fun. Both Ed and I love going up to London and spending time visiting unique restaurants and indulging in new experiences. And we both felt the types of places we liked so much would also suit Tunbridge Wells extremely well.” On the Delaney’s menu, which is made up of waffle, pancake and crepe options, you’ll find a selection of dishes that are as appealing as the café’s décor. There’s a smorgasbord of savoury delights, including duck confit, big breakfast and southern
WELCOMING Rosie, Ed and their team fried chicken fillings as well as a host of hearty sides, including the intriguing sounding Delaney’s Dirty Salad. But it’s the gourmet sweet treat waffles, crepes and American-style pancakes which really seem to be helping to make this eatery a must-visit. Tempting choices such as sticky caramelised apples served with salted caramel, cinnamon and vanilla ice cream
or chunks of pineapple chased with coconut and a generous scoop of rum and raisin ice cream sound, quite frankly, just divine. “Everything is made from scratch in the kitchen,” adds Rosie which is clearly another bonus to paying a visit to this funky shrine to all things foodie and fun. “Our chefs, Kieron and Harrison, come in very early to make sure we are prepared for the day. They are extremely creative and get
very excited when coming up with new dishes. We make our cocktail and coffee syrups on site, too.” Rosie says that most of Delaney’s ingredients are sourced locally, a detail that was ‘very important when building the concept of the restaurant’. “We like to support local businesses and local suppliers, so we source from Penshurst Fine Foods, Peter Speight’s butchers and Oliver Greens greengrocers in Rusthall.” Despite their experimental culinary vision, Rosie admits a lot of their initial customers were a little dubious about the prospect of eating a savoury pancake or waffle. “They didn’t know what to think, but once they tried them they said they love them and will keep returning to try everything on the menu! We wanted to share how great and versatile a crepe or a waffle can be.” When it comes to their future Rosie says the dream is to make Delaney’s really successful so the pair can go on to open up similar offerings across the county. “We are passionate about good food and the whole idea comes from us wanting to
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Food & Drink
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Winter warmer
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
share that with the public. We want our customers to have fun and relax and spend time with their families and friends over
some crazy food and a delicious milkshake.” And it looks like it’s a case of mission accomplished already, judging by the amount of happy customers coming through Delaney’s doors. But this is something Rosie and Ed are not taking for granted. “I would like to say a big thank you to all the customers who have visited us so far. We have had so much fun building Delaney’s, and it fills us with joy watching people enjoy our food and enjoy the overall atmosphere. “Ed and I are just a young couple who wanted to find our place in Tunbridge Wells and make our mark, and I really feel like we are on the road to doing just that!” DELANEY’S Pancake & waffle kitchen 12-14 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2PT Tel: 01892 528626 Web: delaneyskitchen.co.uk
Times Drinks Editor James Viner finds the perfect tipple to stave off those growing chills SWEET WARMING DRAMS ARE MADE OF THIS
Highland Black 8 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky, Scotland (40%, £12.99, Aldi) A firm favourite at Viner Towers, this multi awardwinning blended whisky punches above its weight and has the perfect fruitiness and smoky richness to match the season of sitting by a roaring fire. It’s a real bargain for this quality.
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travel
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SIZZLING FOOD UNDER THE SUN The Lido Outdoor Verandah and Grill
Travel
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Wednesday November 21 | 2018
Boutique brilliance
A superb new era of luxury cruising 2019 signals a new beginning for Saga Cruises with the launch of Spirit of Discovery, their first purpose-built ship. But there’s even more looming on the horizon for this award-winning cruise line, with another ship to follow
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OU are sure to be familiar with the appealing concept of boutique hotels, but next year the travel arm of Saga is taking it to a new level, by applying it to their cruises. That’s what you can look forward to when stepping aboard their new flagship, Spirit of Discovery. You will find all the comfort, luxury, fine cuisine and high levels of service you’d expect in a boutique hotel, except here you’ll wake up in a different destination to the one you went to sleep in. Taking to the oceans in the summer of 2019, Spirit of Discovery is the only small ship being built for the British market, offering a balcony for every guest and a choice of included speciality restaurants. And all backed by Saga’s famous personal service and inclusive value. WIDEST CHOICE OF RESTAURANTS Fine dining has long been an integral part of every Saga cruise, and this is continuing aboard the new ship. Guests can look forward to their widest-ever selection of restaurants at sea, led by an expert team of executive chefs. Venues include the Grand Dining Room, serving British and international cuisine, an informal Grill and Verandah, plus Asian and seafood speciality restaurants. Dining in all of them is completely free of charge. Other surprises on Spirit of Discovery include a 440-seat tiered theatre, a luxurious spa, a cutting-edge gym and an outdoor sports deck. There is also the Terrace – a welcoming outside bar and garden on the ship’s wrap-around promenade deck. Then there’s The Club by Jools, Saga’s first celebrity endorsed venue, whose patron is music legend Jools Holland. Recalling the famous music lounges of the 1950s, The Club will combine sumptuous cocktails and
dining with live music. The man himself will appear on a number of cruises throughout the year, performing live with his famed band. A SECOND WAVE OF BOUTIQUE LUXURY Spirit of Adventure, sister ship to Spirit of Discovery, will take to the oceans a year later in summer 2020. Sharing the same high levels of boutique style, but with her own distinct character, she will introduce a second wave of luxury cruising to Saga’s new portfolio.
‘You will find all the comfort, luxury, fine cuisine and high levels of service you’d expect in a boutique hotel, except here you’ll wake up in a different destination to the one you went to sleep in’ The free-to-dine speciality restaurants on Spirit of Adventure are another standout. They include Khukuri House, the world’s first Nepalese restaurant on the ocean wave, along with Amalfi, serving high-end Italian cuisine. There is also the Supper Club, which combines a premium steakhouse restaurant with a live entertainment venue, complete with large dance floor. Like those on Spirit of Discovery, the cabins aboard Spirit of Adventure are light, bright and effortlessly stylish. In keeping with Saga’s luxury boutique feel, each
one has a balcony so you’ll always have your own private outside space to enjoy. Solo cruisers on both ships are spoilt for choice, with 109 single balcony cabins across a wide range of grades. This is a first for the cruising industry – no other cruise line has dedicated such space to solo cruisegoers. EXCEPTIONAL VALUE AS STANDARD Whichever ship you choose, Saga has a great reputation for value for money. Once the fare has been paid, there is very little to budget for on your cruise. Saga includes so much more in the price, they really do leave other cruise lines in their wake. Better still, to celebrate the launch of their new boutique ships, Saga has announced that all 2020 cruises aboard Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure will be all-inclusive. This means you can enjoy a range of selected drinks from the bar completely free of charge – including beers, wines, house-branded spirits, and even cocktails. In fact, the value literally begins at your own front door. Every Saga cruise includes a chauffeur to pick you up from home and drive you to the port. It’s not an added extra, but included as standard for everyone up to 250 miles each way. When you’re on board, all meals are included, even dining in the speciality restaurants. A choice of complimentary wines is served at lunch and dinner, while snacks, afternoon tea and 24-hour room service are also included, along with free Wi-Fi throughout your cruise. Last but by no means least, when you cruise with Saga all gratuities are included, avoiding any awkward moments about who or how much to tip. Even the bars have no service charges.
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
‘Other surprises on Spirit of Discovery include a 440-seat tiered theatre, a luxurious spa, a cutting-edge gym and an outdoor sports deck’
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Travel
AN ARRAY OF CLASSIC DESTINATIONS Saga’s upcoming calendar of cruising adventures provides a real ‘wow’. For example, you could spend Christmas and New Year in New York and the Caribbean, or enjoy an arctic expedition to Greenland – or how about an unforgettable stargazing cruise to the Canary Islands? That’s really just the start. And to make it as convenient as possible to join your ship, all cruises depart from Dover and Southampton with no flying required. With so much to tempt you, there’s never been a better time to start planning your first Saga cruise. But if you’re still unsure, their Price
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Promise and money-back guarantee should be enough to put your mind at rest. Firstly, Saga’s Cruise Price Promise means you will never miss out on a late deal, because if the price comes down after you’ve booked they will automatically work out how much you would have saved and pass the value of the saving back to you. And secondly, they guarantee that if you don’t love your first cruise on a Saga ship they’ll refund your money. You can’t say fairer than that! With all the added extras, it really is time to look again at Saga as they sail into a brand new era of luxury, boutique cruising.
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Motoring
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Motoring News
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
Sit tight for new highperf0rmance ‘halo’
Rally-spec Jaguar F-Type celebrates 70 years of sports car heritage
More efficient diesels on way for two hatchbacks MERCEDES-BENZ has beefed up the engines of its A-Class premium hatchback with two efficient new diesels. The first, a 2.0-litre added to the A 200d, puts out 148bhp and 320Nm and is capable of returning 67.3mpg on the combined cycle, while emitting 110g/km CO2. Mercedes claims it can hit 60mph in 7.9 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 137mph. The second, powering the A 220d, is a 2.0-litre that produces 188bhp and 400Nm of torque. As a result of the increased power output, the car maker claims the A 220d can reach
60mph in just 6.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 146mph. It can still return 65.7mpg combined, however, while emitting 114g/km CO2. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and are some of the first in the UK to be compliant with strict new emissionsbased testing RDE-2 regulations. The lower-powered A 200d is available in Sport and AMG Line trims, while the more powerful A 220d is available in AMG Line spec only. Prices start from £28,805 for the A 200d, rising to £30,005 for the A 220d AMG Line.
JAGUAR has created two F-Type Convertible rally cars to celebrate the brand’s sports car heritage. The vehicles were put through their paces at the Walters Arena rally stage in the Vale of Neath, paying homage to the original 1948 Jaguar XK120, which completed three consecutive Alpine Rallies in the early 1950s. The rally-spec cars are powered by the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that features in the production vehicle, but have been upgraded to full FIA specifications. This means they benefit from higherspec brakes and suspension, race seats boasting six-point harnesses, bonnet-mounted light pods, a fire extinguisher and a roll cage.
Hand-built competition dampers allow the traditionally road-based sports cars to tackle gravel tracks and jumps, while motorsportspecification wheels and tyres give a better grip on loose surfaces. Both cars take design inspiration from the new F-Type Chequered Flag Limited Edition vehicle. Jaguar’s Director of Design, Ian Callum, said: “The opportunity to design a rally car doesn’t come along very often, so I was fascinated to see how we could take our modern-day sports car to a similar character. These models are a fitting tribute to the XK120 and all the great Jaguar sports cars since its reveal 70 years ago.”
A LEADING Hyundai executive has hinted that a new ‘halo’ model is soon to top the firm’s range of N performance models. Thomas Schemera, Head of Hyundai’s High Performance Vehicle and Motorsport Division, said in a recent interview that the new car will ‘sit at the top of our high performance range’. He added: “It will help us to bring even more excitement to Hyundai and will change perceptions of the brand.” The all-new division was created in March of this year, and has been designed to ‘streamline Hyundai’s strategy, product planning, sales and marketing capabilities for high performance vehicle operations’. Hyundai’s high-performance N line-up currently consists of the i30 N hatchback, and the Veloster N – which isn’t destined for UK markets. An i30 N Fastback model is due to join the pair shortly, after it was revealed at the Paris Motor Show back in October. The i30 N has been immensely popular in the UK, with its combination of performance, high equipment levels and value for money proving a hit with British buyers. This new car will, according to Schemera, ‘be a unique standalone model and will represent the next phase of the N range – even more hot than the N models now’. However, Schemera was unwilling to reveal when the car would be entering production. “It’s still a few years away,” he said.
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Recruitment
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Wednesday November 21 | 2018
WITH THE
FIND YOUR PERFECT JOB TODAY – A MUST-READ FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR WORK LOCALLY
OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE
Fill your vacancy now in print or online
From just £99 For more information contact our commercial team on 01892 779650
CODEWORD 4
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Numbers are substituted for letters in the crossword grid. Above the grid is the key with two letters solved. Try to complete the first few words to give you more letters, or look for a frequent number that might reveal a common letter. As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid. Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.
8 1
1 2 6 9
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7 3 9 4
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To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.
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© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles
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LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS
SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU
DIFFICULTY RATING: ★★★✩
CLASSIFIEDS
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Puzzles
In this Sudoku, the normal 3x3 boxes are now strangely odd shapes – but all the rules and logic of normal Sudoku apply. Fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and box contains every number uniquely.
Puzzle solutions will be published in a forthcoming issue
T R A F F I A G O P L A G U E E P N SWE E T I M T Q U A D O U T E MA I L N S A D A S H N I E T L Y D I A
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MA R I A A E N D J V A N E GO O E E R E L A X R C V E B A B E D O A B R I D G E D O D A E E Z E K I E L A N I M E L I S S A
Sudoku:
2 9 5 7 6 1 3 4 8
3 4 8 2 5 9 6 7 1
7 1 6 8 4 3 9 2 5
8 3 9 5 1 2 4 6 7
1 6 7 4 9 8 5 3 2
4 5 2 6 3 7 1 8 9
5 2 3 1 7 6 8 9 4
9 4 8 6 3 7 5 2 1
2 5 7 9 1 3 6 8 4
6 3 9 7 5 1 8 4 2
9 8 4 3 2 5 7 1 6
6 7 1 9 8 4 2 5 3
Jigsaw Sudoku:
3 6 1 2 7 8 4 5 9
7 9 5 4 8 6 2 1 3
4 8 2 1 6 9 7 3 5
8 1 3 5 2 4 9 7 6
5 7 4 3 9 2 1 6 8
1 2 6 8 4 5 3 9 7
© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles
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Wednesday November 21 | 2018
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Sport
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Wednesday November 21 | 2018
Tunbridge Wells 24 CS Stags 18 By John Crees RUGBY: TUNBRIDGE WELLS recovered from their defeat to Bedford and made inroads into the points difference with the teams in the top half of London and South-East Premier Division. CS Stags were promoted last year and had already taken the scalp of Wimbledon, the league leaders. They sat in 11th spot in the table, one position below Wells, so this contest was important for both sides. Wells started strongly but were unable to turn the pressure into points, and after five minutes the Civil Service
George Montgomery skipped around the defence to touch down under the posts. Reynolds added the extras. The referee then added eight minutes of injury time at the end of the first half and Stags scored in the corner in 48th minute to make it 18-8 at the interval. They started the second half much stronger but Wells’ defence held firm and they were soon back in attack. From a lineout on the 22 they caught and drove as a unit, and Allen touched down from a powerful forward effort, Reynolds again converting. CS were not about to give up, and when Wells lost prop Ben Williams to an injury it was a key point in the game. The visitors pressurised Wells in the
side made a break and Wells were penalised for offside in front of their posts, a kick which CS converted. Wells fought straight back and after several attacks they were awarded a penalty that Frank Reynolds slotted. Strong running from the back row of Dave Allen, Mike Hathaway and Nick Doherty finally paid off when Doherty picked up from the base of a ruck and powered over for Wells’ first try, converted by Reynolds. On the brink of half-time the home side produced more strong phases of play, with Stu Nicholls hitting Christian Earle in the lineout.
PHOTO: Bruce Elliott
Allen leads the charge as pack lock horns with stubborn Stags
GET SHIRTY Mike Hathaway holds up the Stags It was a fine all-round performance which included an impressive debut for Anthony Storkey at scrum-half. Tunbridge Wells now travel to Chingford on Saturday [November 24, kick-off 2.30pm].
scrum and were finally rewarded with another try which they converted. They followed that up with another penalty to put them seven points from snatching victory, but Wells held firm to close out the valuable win.
Dings Crusaders 27 Tonbridge Juddians 34
PHOTO: Adam Hookway
TJs edge tight contest after Colderick hat-trick SHADOW PLAY Murray Galbraith-Lowe scores early on
By Adam Hookway
Wells come up just short against ruthless leaders Spencer 4 Tunbridge Wells Men 3 HOCKEY: IN THE tightly contested South Premier League Division One it was always going to be an exciting match-up when Tunbridge Wells visited league leaders Spencer. The home side are battling it out with Old Cranleighans at the top of the table with the rest languishing some way behind, but there are only three points separating third place from Wells in eighth. Denying their opponents space, the visitors restricted Spencer to hitting long, hopeful balls. Wells deservedly took the lead as James Lester stole the ball to set Ben Allberry away. He showed his class in rounding several back markers before dropping the ball back in front of goal for Lester to finish the move with a diving effort. Harry Roberts could have had a first-half hat-trick except for some last-ditch clearances from Spencer. But Wells were unable to extend their lead, and just before half-time Spencer won a short corner and their drag flicker levelled the scores.
movement of the ball left allowed Dings to attack at pace down a weak flank and score. The try was not converted but a home penalty was followed by another try to close the gap to two points just before half-time, with
crashed into three tacklers in the Dings 22, spun on release and dotted down by the posts, Robinson again converting. The TJ defence looked as rock solid as ever but a poor kick found the opposing full-back, whose quick
After the break Sam George won a corner for Wells and Allberry flicked neatly past the keeper to put Wells ahead again. Spencer quickly equalised from a short corner, their striker rifling a flick into the corner of the goal. They took the lead from another corner soon after. Keeper James Harris made a fine double save but his teammates could not clear and the ball was forced home. But after some good work on the right hand from Russell Self and Oli Woodcock, Roberts neatly drove into the D and Woodcock followed up to level the scores again. There was a tense final ten minutes of end-to-end play as both teams looked for the winning goal. It was to prove a valuable lesson for Wells in how to be clinical at both ends of the pitch. Wells now entertain fifth-placed Indian Gymkhana, who are three points ahead of them, at Tonbridge School on Saturday [November 24, 1.30pm start].
Galbraith-Lowe having been consigned to the sinbin. TJs started the second half well and a Robinson penalty extended their lead again before Dings levelled at 20-20 with another unconverted try. The game was ebbing and flowing
PHOTO: Francis Bridgeman
RUGBY: TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS came away from their first visit to the Bristol club’s impressive facilities with a tight victory in a great game of rugby. Dings Crusaders were promoted to National Two South at the end of last season and their new clubhouse and 3G pitch were outstanding. TJs started brightly and were soon in front as good approach work allowed Will Robinson to chip over and Murray Galbraith-Lowe to gather and score wide right. Robinson added the extras and shortly afterwards kicked a penalty to put the visitors 10-0 ahead. Dings looked dangerous in the backs but the TJ forwards had an edge and they made it count as Will Colderick
but TJs seemed to have a slight edge. The forwards and backs combined to put pressure on the Dings line and Colderick crashed over for his second try, Robinson converting. TJs seemed to have made the game safe as an error by Dings in attack gave the visitors a defensive scrum in their own 22. Colderick again exploded from the base and, some 20 phases later, he recorded his hat-trick, Robinson adding the extras. But Dings responded with wave after wave of attacks and the TJ dam was finally breached to put the home side within reach of forcing a draw. The final few minutes were played out with TJs holding out and forcing a Dings mistake as they desperately sought another try. TJs, who remain fifth in the table, now host fourth-placed Taunton Titans in a crunch game on Saturday [November 24, kick-off 2.30pm].
GOALMOUTH SCRAMBLE Ele Cairns (left) tries to force the ball home
Ladies lack ruthless streak up front Tunbridge Wells Ladies 0 Blueharts 2 By Amy Hare HOCKEY: IT WAS another frustrating day at Kent College as Tunbridge Wells Ladies once again failed to capitalise on a good performance. They know they must add a ruthless streak in front of goal to rise up the East Region Division One South table. Despite Blueharts scoring soon after
the start, the hosts remained positive and worked hard for each other. Wells kept most of the possession and impressed with set plays in attack and defence but they lacked a goal to reflect their dominance. After the break the home side’s press and work-rate were effective and they had the majority of possession again. They consistently penetrated the
Blueharts circle, Harriet Alexander driving to the baseline to earn a number of penalty corners which they could not convert. The visitors had one real break in the second period, won a short corner and managed to squeeze it into the net after the initial shot was saved, a bitter blow for Wells after another good display. The Ladies now entertain Old Loughtonians on at Kent College on Saturday [November 24, 1pm start].
Wednesday November 21 | 2018
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Sport
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Lack of intensity sees falling Angels slip to third straight defeat Harlow Town 1 Tonbridge Angels 0 By Jim Rowe FOOTBALL: TONBRIDGE ANGELS, who had set the standard at the top of the Bostik League Premier, suffered their third consecutive defeat at the hands of bottom club Harlow Town. They have failed to score in any of those games, and have slipped to five points behind leaders Dorking Wanderers, who have a game in hand. Harlow had yet to register a victory after the first 15 games of the season but Tonbridge let them
into the contest with an inept first-half display. The hosts offered little up front but the Angels lacked intensity and were bedevilled by poor passing and often careless defending. On 24 minutes a Tom Beere free kick caused problems in the Harlow defence and the ball ran loose but Joe Turner’s cross was off target. Five minutes later Harlow had their only effort of the first period when a free kick flashed just wide of Jonny Henly’s left-hand post. In the second half, the home side’s occasional forays into the Tonbridge final third were easily dealt with by the defence. The Angels did improve slightly after the
interval with an Arthur Lee header crashing against the crossbar on 50 minutes. But it was not until the 72nd minute that they managed to create another opportunity, when a free kick was headed just over. It seemed the only way Harlow would score would be through an error in the Tonbridge defence, and it duly arrived in the 85th minute. A miskicked clearance and a moment of hesitation allowed Harlow substitute Laurence Vaughan to slip through and prod the ball into the net from close range. Tonbridge threw caution to the wind and played with the intensity that had been missing but
Harlow defended as if their lives depended on it. Steve McKimm was angry afterwards, saying: “The players have let me, the board and the supporters down this afternoon. “They need to take a long, hard look at themselves and ask questions of their current performances. “We haven’t changed the system of play, which saw consistent success just a short while ago.” The Angels are at home to Leatherhead on Saturday [November 24, kick-off 3pm]. They have been given a tough but attractive Kent Senior Cup tie at home to National League side Ebbsfleet United, date to be confirmed.
Murray joins McKechnie but Rusthall pay for early error Rusthall 0 Fisher 1 By Joe Croker FOOTBALL: FIRST-team coach Alan Murray has been appointed as assistant manager of the Rustics following the resignation of Mike Cramp after the 9-1 defeat to Cray Valley. He joins manager Andrew McKechnie and brings a wealth of experience to the role, having played professional football in Scotland. Murray’s coaching methods are greatly admired by the management and players. After a much needed weekend off, however, a lapse in concentration early on in their first meeting with Fisher decided what was otherwise a very even contest. In the third minute a cheap corner was given away by the home side. The set-piece was initially cleared but the ball was sent back into
the box and Paul Geddis put it into the top of the net over the stranded goalkeeper Joe Cullip. In the wake of the Cray Valley debacle, it might have been expected that Rusthall’s heads would drop after such an early setback. However, the players dug in and for the remainder of the first half they matched Fisher in every department. The defences were dominant and there was little goalmouth action. Rusthall were the better team in the second half and deserved an equaliser. Charlie Sharman was put through on goal with only the keeper to beat after a neat interchange with Steve Camacho but he could not convert the opportunity, while an effort from Camacho was also saved. Rusthall’s defence remained vigilant throughout the game and Robbie Bissett was commanding while Lynos Rwodzi excelled on his first-team debut.
HOOKED ON FISHING AT BEWL WATER WITH THE TIMES
TAKING A DIP Bewl’s water temperature as sunk to 11C
Good news for fishermen at Bewl as cold snap brings hard-fighting trout By Phil Daley and Howard McKenzie FISHING: EVERY fortnight Bewl Water will provide an update on the latest fishing activity, news and insights into what’s happening on the reservoir. Cooler days and some very cold nights have pushed Bewl’s water temperature right down to 11C, which is very good news for the fishery. Fishing has improved enormously – with some good bags of hard-fighting trout now being observed. The fish are very active and high up in the water, and fly fishing with bright flies, boobies, minkies and blobs, and any method fishing, with baits and spinners, are both productive. Predator fishing has been slower but a few pike have been caught on lures, the largest to date weighing in at 17lb. If you don’t usually fish beyond the end of
October then come along to Bewl and give it a go; there have been some beautiful days with good fishing this month. Substantial discounts on fishing are now available throughout the winter, particularly on fishing boat hire. Please note that weekends are very busy so boats should be booked in advance by calling 01892 890000.
The fish are very active and high up in the water Anglers fishing on Fridays can have a fish and chip lunch for two at the Boathouse Bistro with a soft drink, tea or coffee for £16 from 12-4pm. Book a table in the lodge when you purchase your permits or call the number above.
BOUNCING BACK Steve Camacho (centre) vies for the ball while Lynos Rwodzi looks on