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Wednesday May 11 | 2022
Jazz on the Pantiles returns but new format sparks row
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TEENAGE Conservatives lose control of Council ACNE? after twenty years of being in charge scan code to book
CHANGE OF TUNE Organisers have said they will review changes made to Tunbridge Wells’ popular weekly event following complaints that Jazz on The Pantiles has become ‘exclusive’ and ‘elitist’. Full story page 3
But the Times asks: what happens at the Town Hall now? By Richard Williams
David Salomons Estate, Broomhill Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0TG
THE Conservative party will no longer be running Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) after the group lost eight seats following the local elections last week. On Thursday (May 5), 16 wards at the No Overall Control authority went to the polls. The Tories, who have been running the Council as a minority party since the local elections last year, were defending 10 seats and lost all but two of them. The election came following a raft of scandals that have plagued the national party, including Boris Johnson’s fine for breaking lockdown rules, and inappropriate behaviour by MPs. Nationally, the Conservatives lost nearly 500 seats and a number of key councils, including Westminster, Wandsworth and Barnet, while Labour and the Lib Dems made gains across the UK.
The count at the Assembly Hall on Friday (May 6) ended up with the Liberal Democrats overtaking the Conservatives as the largest party at the Town Hall.
Coalition The Tories now have just 13 members at the 48-seat Town Hall, which means they can no longer defeat a vote of no confidence that would force Council leader Tom Dawlings from his position. Cllr Dawlings told the Times after the count on Friday that he would now step down to allow opposition members to form a cabinet. It will be the first time since 1998 that the Conservatives have not been running the authority. Councillors from the Lib Dems, Labour and Alliance are currently in discussions to build a coalition, but it is not clear what form this will take. The Lib Dems made four gains and are
now the largest of the parties at the Town Hall with 16 seats – but they are nine short of a majority. To run the council, under leader Cllr Ben Chapelard, the party will need support of at least the Alliance party, which has nine seats. But a ‘coalition of equals’ has been proposed by leader of the Labour group, Hugo Pound, although his party is only the fourth largest with just seven seats. The Lib Dems and the Alliance may well go it alone as they have the numbers to form a majority together. The Conservative group are set to remain in opposition until at least next May when a further 16 seats at TWBC go up for election before the 2024 boundary changes that that will see all councillors re-elected and their numbers cut to 39.
Full story and analysis on pages 6–7
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Local News
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Wednesday May 11 | 2022
this week… From Tunbridge Wells to Tokyo COUNTDOWN Read the latest developments following last week’s local elections P6-7
–MP becomes UK’s man in Japan By Richard Williams
STATUE SUCCESSOR A new sculpture for Dunorlan Park’s Grecian Temple P11
TURNING JAPANESE Mr Clark is to build trade relations between the UK and Japan
GREG Clark MP has been confirmed as the UK’s new Trade Envoy to Japan. The unpaid, voluntary role will involve the Tunbridge Wells MP promoting UK trade with the pacific nation and is likely to see Mr Clark make regular trips to Tokyo as well as other Japanese cities. Trade Envoys are parliamentarians appointed by the Prime Minister that are drawn from both the Lords and the Commons and across the political sphere. There are 37 envoys covering 77 markets across the globe.
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BOOK CLUB Find out how to join the new Times Book Club with Hannah Kirsop P24
SHOWSTOPPERS The musical that’s always ‘all right on the night’ P22
The appointment of Mr Clark last Thursday (April 5) coincided with a visit by the Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida’s in London as he and Boris Johnson agreed a ‘landmark’ new defence agreement. The two agreed a new military deal that allows the country’s armed forces to deploy together to carry out training, joint exercises and disaster relief activities. Mr Johnson has also signposted Japan as in important trading partner following Brexit. The UK has just applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), one of the largest and most exciting free-trading clubs in the world, and Japan is its largest economy and the UK’s 13th largest trading partner. Mr Clark has held positions in HM Treasury and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, where he served as Secretary of State,
which Downing Street says makes him ideal for the role. The MP also currently serves as the Chairman of the Commons Science and Technology Committee – a role he will continue to do while he serves as Trade Envoy.
Relationships On his new role, the Tunbridge Wells MP said: “I am delighted to have been appointed the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Japan. “As Business Secretary from 2016 to 2019, I enjoyed strong relationships with Japan as a
hugely significant trading partner with the UK. “I look forward to building on this in the role, championing UK businesses and creating more opportunities for our two countries to deepen our already strong ties.” His appointment was welcomed by UK International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who said: “I welcome the Prime Minister’s appointment of Greg Clark MP as the new Trade Envoy to Japan. “Our Trade Envoys play a vital role in promoting Global Britain across the world, and our trade deal with Japan provides huge opportunities for UK businesses.”
PCC refuses to U-turn on e-scooter ‘menace’ despite legalisation plans By Robert Forrester
CONTACTS EDITOR RICHARD WILLIAMS richard.williams@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 240626 DEPUTY EDITOR EILEEN LEAHY eileen.leahy@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 576037 CHIEF REPORTER VICTORIA ROBERTS newsdesk@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 779615 DESIGN/PRODUCTION JASON STUBBS jason.stubbs@onemediauk.co.uk ADVERTISING 07757 847841 robin.singer@onemediauk.co.uk FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/timeslocalnews www.timeslocalnews.co.uk twitter.com/timeslocalnews
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KENT’S Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has told the Times that he opposes the legalisation of e-scooters despite his government planning to make them legal on UK streets. Matthew Scott has also criticised government’s plans to change the legislation and said the money should be spent elsewhere. The Conservative PCC has been a wellestablished critic of e-scooters, which are powered by modern lithium batteries and can reach speeds of up to 30 mph. Up until now, there use has been limited to private land, but a number of pilot schemes have seen the use of the two-wheeled devices trialled on public roads. But in yesterday’s Queen’s Speech, legislation has been proposed to make the use of e-scooters legal on public roads. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told the Commons Transport Select Committee earlier this month about the plans, arguing that e-scooters are ‘a reality, they exist’. He added: “If these things exist, they need to be made safe, and I think the trials have been useful in gathering data and there’s more data still to gather.” He promised a further announcement in the Queen’s Speech, announced yesterday. The rule change could see e-scooters that meet safety specifications such as restrictions on their top speed, become legal to use as a means of transport on UK roads. However, Mr Scott, is among a number of opponents of the two-wheeled motorised devices and has branded them a ‘menace’ following hundreds of accidents.
MORE JUDGES FOR KENT AS COUNTY SHOWN TO HAVE HIGHEST BACKLOG
LEGALITY e-scooters are to be made legal Government figures show there have been 900 collisions involving e-scooters in the UK over the last few years, eleven of which involved a fatality. The PCC has previously called for trials in places such as Canterbury to be halted along safety grounds, adding the use of the devices was ‘placing strain on already stretched emergency services’. Mr Scott told the Times last week that any attempt by the government to change the legislation did not have his backing and he remain opposed to e-scooters on public roads. He said: “I have not seen the proposals for a change in e scooter legislation. “However, I remain opposed to their legalisation and would rather time and money was spent making walking and cycling safer, as well as improving public transport.”
KENT has been outlined for a raft of new judges after figures have shown the county has the highest backlog of criminal cases waiting for crown court dates following the pandemic. In April, statistics released by the government show the number of suspects awaiting trial in Kent was 88 per cent higher than before the pandemic. Following lobbying by Matthew Scott, Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, along with a number of Kent’s MPs, Courts Minister James Cartlidge MP has said that the county will be a priority for the allocation of new judicial capacity, including the appointment of more judges. Matthew Scott welcomed the news, saying: “I am pleased to have been able to secure this commitment from the Ministry of Justice, which will enable us to get the backlog down. “Justice delayed could be as bad as justice denied, so I welcome the Government’s extensive actions to support victims and witnesses and enable people to have their day in court. “The Nightingale Court is helping and in addition to the recruitment of judges, I’m pleased to hear there will be a push to recruit more magistrates as well.”
NEWS IN BRIEF
Call for emergency cost of living budget THE Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce has joined the British Chambers of Commerce to call for an emergency budget to deal with the cost of living crisis. The chamber wants the government to reverse the increase to National Insurance until at least 2023/24 and cut VAT on firms’ energy bills from 20% to 5% for at least one year. Jo James, chief executive of the Kent Chamber, said: “If we can ease the pressure on businesses then they can keep a lid on the price rises being driven by surging energy bills, staff shortages and higher taxes. “Firms will then have the breathing space they need to raise productivity and strengthen the economy. But a change of course is needed now, if the government does not act immediately then rising costs will put our economic recovery in a stranglehold that will have repercussions for years to come.”
Bin strike continues A STRIKE by binmen in Wealden is in its second week and leading to less than half of rubbish collections taking place in towns such as Crowborough. The industrial action by members of the GMB union at contractor Biffa over pay, is set to end on Monday, May 16. In an update this week, Wealden District Council said the strike was affecting approximately half of general waste collections and all garden waste and recycling. A spokesperson for WDC said: “We have been informed by our waste contractor, Biffa, they are committed to resolving this dispute and will continue to engage with representatives of the GMB union to reach a fair settlement for their employees and the residents of Wealden.”
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Pantiles’ Jazz organisers will review changes after backlash By Richard Williams ORGANISERS of a popular weekly music night in The Pantiles said they are keen to hear ‘constructive ideas’ to make the event more ‘inclusive’ after criticism from residents over the entry requirements. Jazz on the Pantiles, which has been running in its current format in the iconic promenade every Thursday evening in the summer since 2013, used to be free to enter and would see hundreds of people descend to the town centre spot to listen to the live music. But the format of the popular event changed during the pandemic. A fence was erected to separate the bandstand and participating restaurants from the rest of The Pantiles, while a £5 entry fee and a requirement to book a table at one of the participating venues, including The Tunbridge Wells Hotel, The Kirthon and Casa Vecchia, was also introduced as a condition of entry. Following the Covid crisis, organisers of the weekly music night, which showcases some of the top jazz musicians in the country, decided to keep the revised format, saying it made the event ‘more manageable’.
Spontaneity After Jazz on The Pantiles returned last Thursday (May 5), a backlash grew over the revised format, with some calling it ‘segregated’, ‘classist’ and that the event had ‘lost its soul’ and ‘spontaneity’. On Facebook’s Tunbridge Wells page, which has 28,000 members, the launch of Jazz on The Pantiles received more than 175 comments from disgruntled music fans decrying the new format. Organisers say they will now look to review the changes.
Tonbridge to pass baton
Photograph by Key & Quill
Wednesday May 11 | 2022
ALL THAT JAZZ [Above] Revellers on Thursday and [inset] looking on from behind the fenced area Julian Leefe-Griffiths, who puts on Jazz on The Pantiles and also runs the Tunbridge Wells Hotel, told the Times: “I've run the event for 10 years as a free to attend night, but as it became more and more successful it has become more and more difficult to do that. “In past years we have had increasing problems with organising and funding the festival. “As the event organiser we were responsible for completely clearing the area with a considerable amount of litter and rubbish after the event. “Much of this was left by people who weren't really here for the Jazz they just wanted a night out drinking on The Pantiles. Much of this alcohol was also brought onto site and not purchased from any of the operators down here.” He continued that the event cost around
£70,000 a year to put on and two hospitality venues on The Pantiles were no longer willing to fund it. But he said he would now ‘review’ the changes and that people can go and listen to the music by just paying £5 and they would no longer need to book a table. Mr Leefe-Griffiths continued: “We are so pleased to hear that Jazz on The Pantiles feels so close to the heart of the community spirit of Tunbridge Wells and would love to hear constructive ideas and on how we can better run this event in a responsible, safe and viable format to be more inclusive to all. “We will review what’s possible to be more inclusive. We love running the Jazz nights but it was unsustainable in its old format; however there might be a compromise to be discussed and explored.” The free Pantiles Food Festival returns for its tenth year and runs next weekend (May 14-15), see page 28.
Architects praise school’s ‘gothic revival’ extension
THE Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will visit Tonbridge during its journey through England ahead of the opening of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – but it won’t be stopping in Tunbridge Wells. Tonbridge will officially welcome the Baton on Thursday July 7. The Batonbearers are due to arrive at the south end of the High Street at around 9am. The Queen’s Baton Relay is set to travel the length and breadth of England for a total of 29 days, before culminating at the Opening Ceremony in Birmingham on July 28.
A SCHOOL’S new building extension has won a coveted architecture award. The Mitchell Building, a new extension to The Skinners’ School designed by Bell Phillips Architects, was a regional winner in the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) South East Awards. It was among seven regional winners and will now compete as a grand finalist, with the overall victor set to be revealed at a ceremony in London later this month. The winner of that will then go on to battle it out for the national title in June.
The Mitchell Building, which is arranged over three floors, was designed to be part of the Gothic revival style. Judges at RIBA said that Bell Phillips Architects had created ‘a contemporary building that is successful in both speaking to the forms and materials of the Victorian buildings’ as well as ‘mediating between the wider town’. The new building at the boys’ grammar was created to allow the school to expand to five form entry and houses the English department, the school library and sixth form centre.
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Local News
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Wednesday May 11 | 2022
Working from home is here to stay in Tunbridge Wells despite clampdown By Victoria Roberts MANY workers in Tunbridge Wells will not be returning to the office full time, despite criticism of working from home (WFH) by Downing Street. Government minister Jacob Rees-Mogg has reportedly been conducting ‘spot checks’ on civil servants, leaving notes on desks saying ‘I look forward to seeing you in the office very soon’ following a drive by Downing Street to stop public sector employees from working from home.
Permanently London-based law firm Stephenson Harwood also announced last week that it would offer staff the ability to work from home permanently – but at the cost of a 20 per cent pay cut. Locally, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s (TWBC) plans for the Town Hall are dependent on giving up some office space to a ‘co-working’ company, which means a number of Council officers are hybrid working – spending some time in the office and some at home. Nicky Carter, Head of HR, Customer Service & Culture at the authority said: “Each team has its
challenge of adapting the way we work, own working patterns depending on and regularly book desks in the what the Council needs. JACOB REES-MOGG spaces that best meet there needs “Some members of staff work or drop in to the facilities as part from the office all the time, of their daily routines of others have a mixed pattern of working around the county.” working. It is not possible to In the private sector, as say how many people fall into Times reported last year, AXA each category as it can vary on Health, the town’s largest a daily basis.” employer, remained Hybrid working is also now committed to hybrid working permanently established at but ‘would not adopt a 100 per County Hall. cent working from home A Kent County Council (KCC) model’, after closing two local spokesperson told the Times: offices. “We have 12 buildings across our And law firm Cripps Pemberton office estate designed to Greenish has said the firm now had accommodate the needs of individuals ‘embedded’ a hybrid working model for its and teams. London and Tunbridge Wells-based teams.. “As a council, we deliver a complex range of Chief People Officer Craig McMurrough added: services and the vast majority of our staff need “We delivered a guide designed to help employees to be able to access the right equipment and achieve the right blend of home and office spaces to meet the varied demands of service working. However, this approach has always been delivery day to day, making sure that wherever positioned as a guide rather than policy. We trust they work from the people we support across and enable our people to excel in their work and Kent can still access the information, guidance they consistently rise to the challenge.” and support they need. But increased levels of WFH is at ‘the detriment’ “Managers and staff have risen to the
TAX RELIEF FOR WFH MAY NOW BE OFF THE KITCHEN TABLE EMPLOYEES working from home may no longer be eligible for tax relief, accountants have warned. Darren Austin, founder of Synergee, said work-from-home tax relief claims are now dropping to pre-pandemic levels as employees no longer become eligible to claim the subsidy. Employees had been allowed to claim tax relief for the whole tax year, which was to pay for electricity, broadband and heating while working at home. The rules only applied if workers were required to work from home for any amount of time, even one day – rather than only claiming for the period required. However, with lockdowns no longer mandated, it was likely most employees would be counted as working from home ‘by choice’, said Darren Austin. He explained: “If employees continue to work
from home by choice, no claim is allowed. “In order to make a claim, one of the following must apply: There are no appropriate facilities available for the employee to perform their job on the employer's DARREN AUSTIN premises. “And the nature of the job requires the employee to live so far from the employer's premises that it is unreasonable for them to travel to those premises on a daily basis.”
TUNBRIDGE WELLS employer AXA Health has applied for planning permission to roof over an internal courtyard to create a ‘collaboration space’ at its Hawkenbury offices.
Announced According to a planning application filed at the end of April, the organisation does not plan to change employee numbers or the occupancy of International House in Forest Road. It comes after the insurer announced last year the sale of two if its town centre premises due to the move to permanent hybrid working at its other sites, inlcuding its Hawkenbury HQ. Parking, will be unchanged at 318 spaces, plus three disabled spaces, according to the application.
Contractor Although the Conservators must still go through a tender process for a parking contractor to run the scheme, the approved charges will be in the range of £1.50-£2 for up to one hour, £2.50 for up to two hours, £4.00 for up to four hours, and £5-6 for an all-day pass covering 16 hours – overnight parking will not be allowed. The charge for an annual pass would be
Photograph: Dave Brooker
By Sarah Carter
between £80 and £100. Under the Ashdown Forest Act 1974, the decision to introduce charges is solely a matter for the Conservators, but ESCC is required to approve or refuse the level of proposed charges, with input from Wealden District Council and motoring associations the RAC and AA. According to the report given at the Council meeting, County Council officers had supported the Conservators in drawing up plans to introduce parking charges across the Forest and had not made any responses to the consultation. A Council officer reported: “Charges are reasonable and are comparable with similar sites.”
Talent “For employers it’s a cost-cutting exercise. They can also recruit talent from anywhere in the country. I can see why they do it. “But the flip side of that coin is the detriment to company culture,” she said. “It is to the detriment of junior colleagues, who are not able to learn through osmosis,” she added, warning that if new employees and less experienced staff could not have access to their seniors, it could ‘kill the culture’ of an organisation. “In a candidate-led market, when employers are fighting over good candidates, they need to be very careful about their approach to flexibility,” she continued. “If you go down the Stephenson Harwood approach [and cut salaries by 20 per cent], what does that say about your culture? Ultimately, decision-making should be localised, and employees should be treated like grown-ups.”
AXA Health plans Markerstudy complete for more HQ space on BGL insurance deal
Ashdown Forest to charge up to £2 an hour for parking PARKING fees at Ashdown Forest have been confirmed by East Sussex County Council (ESCC), which will see an annual pass cost up to £100 and an hourly rate of between £1.50 and £2.00. As the Times revealed in December, Ashdown Forest was forced to consider other funding methods, notably parking charges, after losing up to £150,000 in support from ESCC. However, following a consultation last year, the Conservators’ proposed level of parking charges have now been approved by the county council in a meeting led by Cllr Nick Bennett, the Council’s lead member for Resources and Climate Change.
of some workers, HR experts have warned. Tunbridge Wells-based career coach and consultant Husnara Begum, told the Times: “If you can shave off two hours from your commute, it can be quite a game-changer.
Chief executive James Adler told the meeting: “The Forest … has long struggled for funding, and the 1974 Act actually limits many funding opportunities, albeit that it gives the opportunity for car park payments. “There are well over 1.5million annual visits to the Forest, and that continues to increase. Enhanced budgets are desperately required, and car park payments are a vital element of that. It’s not the only solution to the Forest’s problems, but it’s a key part of it.” The Forest Conservators will now be carrying out a tender for the administration and implementation of parking charges.
LOCAL insurers, Markerstudy Group, has announced the completion of its purchase of BGL Insurance and starts to formulate plans for the integration of the two businesses. The Group, which originally founded Elite Leisure Collection, owner of the Times, received regulatory approval for the £400million deal in April, on the eve of company’s 21st anniversary. BGL Group is part-owned by one of the largest pension funds in Canada and regular insurance and reinsurance sector investor, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. The acquisition will reportedly near double Markerstudy’s client base to around 6 million policyholders and adds around 1,700 people to the insurer’s headcount.
Colleagues Kevin Spencer, CEO of Markerstudy Group, said: “I am delighted that we have now completed on the purchase of BGL Insurance. “This is an auspicious event in our history as we warmly welcome 1700 new colleagues to our group. Our partnership creates a business with more than 6 million customers and our complementary skills will enhance our customer proposition and create significant growth potential. “Together, we have operational strength and leading digital distribution capabilities, alongside underwriting, product and insuretech prowess. We are all very excited by the opportunities ahead.” He said that the leadership teams of both businesses will now be working closely together to identify synergies and prepare for integration, opening the doors for new opportunities for colleagues to develop their careers. Although he added that it was too early to say whether there will be any redundancies in the longer term – the focus is very much on the challenging agenda for the rest of this financial year and attention will remain firmly on the day job. Peter Thompson, who will continue in his role as CEO of BGL Insurance added: “The complementary skills and capabilities within our businesses, combined with the strength of the Markerstudy Group, truly represents a unique opportunity to accelerate and increase our growth potential – something I am very excited about.”
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Local Elections
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Wednesday May 11 | 2022
Council Leader ‘will resign’ after his party’s losses at local election Gains were made by the Liberal Democrats, Labour and the Alliance.
By Richard Williams TUNBRIDGE Wells Borough Council (TWBC) is now likely to become controlled by a coalition of parties after the local election results saw the Conservatives lose their grip on control of the Town Hall. TWBC has been Tory run for the last 24 years, but following a poor result in May 2021, the local party went into the Thursday’s (May 5) elections with just 21 seats at the 48-seat no overall control authority, although they remained the largest group on the council.
Plummet Thursday’s ballot came amid a host of national scandals that have seen Boris Johnson’s party plummet in the polls. Locally, the Conservatives were defending 10 of the 16 seats up for election and needed to win at least six of them to stave off a potential future vote of no confidence at the next Full Council meeting scheduled for May 25.
Co-operative
OUT: Conservative Council Leader Cllr Tom Dawlings Such a ballot would need a two thirds majority to pass (32 seats) so could have been blocked if the Conservatives had held at least 16 seats in the Town Hall. But Thursday’s poll saw the party lose nearly
IN: The Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr Ben Chapelard all the council seats they were defending with just leader Cllr Tom Dawlings and Pembury councillor Paul Barrington-King holding on to their wards, leaving the party with just 13 councillors at TWBC.
Council Leader Tom Dawlings told the Times after the count on Friday that he 'will resign' and pave the way for opposition councillors to form a coalition to run the Council. He said: "I will talk to opposition leaders, but I expect they will be more keen to work among themselves than they will with me. “I will resign, and it will be up to them to find a new leader, but I will look to being co-operative and work with the Council and build on the broad support we have achieved for the Amelia, the Town Hall conversion and the local plan.” By the end of the count on Friday, the Lib Dems, under leader Cllr Ben Chapelard, were declared the largest party at TWBC and are likely to form a coalition with the Alliance and possibly Labour. Read what the Lib Dems have to say on their election victory, page 18.
How Tory swing went The Conservatives lost the to Alliance town hall in just five years TURNOUT for the poll in Tunbridge Wells was down on previous years at just 39 per cent of the electorate turning out to vote. In May 2021, 42 per cent of voters took part in the election.
Gains Despite losing eight seats and the control of the Borough Council to a likely coalition led by the Lib Dems, the Conservatives still retained the largest vote share in Tunbridge Wells last week. The Tories secured 32 per cent of the 28,811 votes cast on May 5, which was down from 37 per cent in 2021. The Lib Dems, who made the most gains, secured 22 per cent of the vote, but this too was down from the 27 per cent vote share the party enjoyed in 2021, although the First Past the Post Voting (FPTP) system enabled them to convert more votes to seats this time around. Labour received 20 per cent of the vote on Thursday up from 14 per cent in 2021. But the biggest swing last week went to the Alliance who received 22 per cent of the vote on Thursday, up from 13 per cent in 2021, with the Greens and minor parties picking up the rest.
JUST five years ago the Conservatives in Tunbridge Wells had one of the healthiest majorities of all 315 local authorities in the country. The Tory group had 43 councillors at the 48-seat Town Hall in 2017. Following the Calverley Square theatre project, which was scrapped after widespread opposition towards the project,
2017 vs2022 TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH COUNCIL
CONSERVATIVE PARTY 43
MAIDSTONE FALLS TO NO OVERALL CONTROL The Tories have also lost their majority at Maidstone District Council – one of the only other local authorities that held elections besides Tunbridge Wells last week. The Conservatives in the county town went into May 5 holding 29 of the 55 seats, but the party lost two of the nine seats they were defending, leaving them one seat short of a majority. The party is, however, likely to remain in charge and run the authority as a minority party. Gains were made by the Lib Dems and Greens.
the Conservative majority was cut repeatedly each election until last year, when for the first time in two decades there was no majority at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. The Tories clung on to power as a minority party, being as they remained the largest group on the Council until last Thursday when the party was overtaken by the Lib Dems as the largest party.
TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH COUNCIL
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS 16
CONSERVATIVE PARTY 13
ALLIANCE 9 LIBERAL DEMOCRATS 3 LABOUR PARTY 7 LABOUR PARTY 2 INDEPENDENT 3
Wednesday May 11 | 2022
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Greens miss out on borough seat after Tories defeated over housing By Victoria Roberts THREE seats in Tunbridge Wells fell from the Conservatives due to proposed housing plans, as residents voiced their opposition to the Council’s Local plan Broadwater, Paddock Wood East and Paddock Wood West are all areas in which the Council’s local plan calls for housing development. Developments earmarked for the Ramslye area in Broadwater were referenced repeatedly by candidates and agents of various parties, as a reason to watch the ward.
Count Broadwater was also an early focus of election buzz at the count, due to six parties contesting the seat. However, Lib Dem Jamie Johnson won the seat with 429 votes, with Adrian Thorn of the Green Party (376) in second and pushing the incumbent Conservative councillor and borough mayor, Chris Woodward, into third place.
The Green Party had been TREVOR BISDEE hoping for its first borough council seat in Broadwater. Local Green leader Trevor Bisdee said: “We are disappointed over Broadwater, but we have to keep going. We’re growing our support. We’re looking forward to holding the Council to account. “In Paddock Wood West, next year, we’re up again. We want to get more Green voices in, and want to give people the opportunity to vote for the environment. Since we’ve been active, people have become more aware. “We are not going to fade away. We’ve just got to keep pushing. Now with the change in control (of the Council), hopefully, we can get a citizens’ assembly organised. Paddock Wood West, where housing has also been allocated under the Local Plan, went to Labour town councillor Ray Moon who won the
five-candidate race with 397 votes, compared to 217 from his nearest challenger, Begnat Robichaud of the Alliance. “It’s a historic result. These were local issues that affect all the residents. I’ve been campaigning all my life. I’ve been a (Paddock Wood) Town Councillor 31 years,” Cllr Moon told the Times. He has stood for the Paddock Wood West ward before. In 2019, he came closest to victory, when he polled exactly the same number of votes as Cllr Matt Bailey – who took the seat following a ‘lucky dip’ tie-break. Meanwhile, in Paddock Wood East, Conservative Cllr Sarah Hamilton also lost her seat, which went to Suzie Wakeman of the Alliance. It came after the Tories lost Capel in 2019 due to the local plan that also proposed a garden village in the parish.
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MP: PLANNING TO BLAME FOR POOR ELECTION RESULT TONBRIDGE MP Tom Tugendhat has said that planning issues were responsible for the poor Conservative result at the local elections. Mr Tugendhat, whose own constituency of Tonbridge & Malling was not holding elections, told Sky News: “One of the things that came up even more for me in the south of England was planning and we need to address the fact that the garden of England cannot become the patio of England. “We need to make sure that communities across the United Kingdom have a say in what’s built near them. “By the way, for many people that means building more because people want their friends and children and family to come and live near them. He continued: “Because a lot of the issues that have come forward have not been the national issues that you ever been quite understandably talking about. “More of them have been down to local issues. I can certainly tell you that in places like Tunbridge Wells, a lot of the issues have been down to very local management decisions, which people feel have gone out of their control.”
A ‘coalition of chaos’ will be ‘bad news for residents’ A FORMER Liberal Democrat mayor of Tunbridge Wells has said that any agreement between the parties to form a multi-party administration at the borough council will result in a ‘coalition of chaos’. David Neve, who was major in 2016/2017, says if the Lib Dems want to run the no overall control authority with support from other parties will lead to ‘decision making by committee’ which will be ‘bad news for residents’. Mr Neve, who quit the Lib Dems in 2019 and now lives in Wales, said: “There are so many permutations, anything can happen but ruling by committee never works.
DAVID NEVE
ALL CHANGE The Town Hall will have a new administration led by the Lib Dems
Short-lived “It may very well be better than what we have had in the past with the Tories making all the decisions, but there is now way around it, it will be a coalition of chaos. “It will be bad news for residents as nothing will get done. The government may even step in if the Council can’t form a budget next year. “They won’t have long to get their act together either. With the boundary changes coming soon, all councillors will be up for re-election so this victory could be short-lived.”
Times Comment: What next for parties that are no longer united by opposition IT HAS finally happened. True blue Tunbridge Wells will no longer have a Conservative-run Council for the first time in more than twenty years. But where does the borough go from here? The Lib Dems, Labour and Alliance have so far been united in opposition to the Conservatives, but having achieved their goal of ousting the Tory group, will these very different parties now be able to work together? If they pull it off and can form a coalition, they may find running the Council a lot different than being in opposition, especially when it comes to
introducing policies. While the various parties have been vocal over issues such as the external contracts with sports operator Fusion, as well as the dire waste and recycling service provided by contractor Urbaser, there has been scant mention of how these issues in Tunbridge Wells will be fixed in any of the party manifestos. Instead, the parties have made a variety of promises to residents, from promoting ‘meanwhile use’ on empty sites set for development (Alliance), to providing ‘genuinely affordable housing to buy and rent’
(Labour). And the Lib Dems, who have promised a ‘proper cycle lane on A26’ as well as ‘more electric vehicle charging points’, have vowed to ‘resist strongly’ any spending cuts. How all these election promises are to be paid for is yet to be explained, especially as revenue coming into Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is at an all-time low following the pandemic. Some tough decisions may lie ahead. Any coalition is going to have figure out what it thinks the priorities are for the borough, and ultimately that will mean some plans and policies won’t make the cut, and that could be
when the trouble might start. As the Liberal Democrats are the largest party then by rights most of the power should lie with them, but will the Alliance, or more likely, Labour, be content to prop them up if they feel their policies are not being taken into consideration? A ‘coalition of equals’ could mark the dawn of a new Borough Council based on co-operation and joint understanding. Or it could descend, into what former Lib Dem Mayor David Neve so eloquently coined as a ‘coalition of chaos’? Only time will tell.
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Wednesday May 11 | 2022
Networking event to encourage Best foot forward for local lawyers women to ‘make it your business’ LAWYERS across Tunbridge Wells are hitting the streets this afternoon [Wednesday, May 11] in support of free local legal advice services, which have struggled to provide assistance due to the pandemic. The annual sponsored 10km Tunbridge Wells Legal Walk will benefit Citizens Advice Tunbridge Wells & District (CATWD), which helps local residents with legal, financial, employment and issues.
JO JAMES
JESS GIBSON
By Victoria Roberts WOMEN telling the story of their own businesses can galvanise female-led ambition and enterprise startups, according to an entrepreneurship initiative bringing its roadshow to Tunbridge Wells this Friday [May 13]. ‘Make it Your Business’ (MIYB) runs seminars across the country, offering aspiring local businesswomen information and opportunities to network with established female entrepreneurs as well as building relationships with their peers in the area.
Entrepreneurs The keynote speaker for this free event, which is to take place at the Finance Hub in The Pantiles will be Jo James, head of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. She said: “Having worked with businesses of all shapes and sizes in my years at Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, I am looking forward to connecting with more entrepreneurs so we can
VICTORIA SAMPSON learn from one another to build ever stronger business in the county.” The event is sponsored by hosts The Finance Hub, whose founder Gillian Palmer is one of the speakers, along with Victoria Sampson, partner and co-leader at solicitors CooperBurnett, Jess Gibson, founder of local retail loyalty scheme the TN card, and Maddy Bishop, lockdown entrepreneur and founder of sustainable stationery shop Green Planet Paper. MIYB founder Alison Cork said: “I’m pleased that we’re finally able to celebrate another in-person Make It Your Business event in Tunbridge Wells. “Creating a space for local businesswomen to network with each other and learn from each others’ successes – and failures – is a magical formula, which our audiences tell us time and again gives them valuable insights to apply to their own businesses.” A writer, broadcaster and entrepreneur Ms Cork is also an ambassador for Business & IP Centre, a British Library spin-off which supports entrepreneurs. Tickets are available from Eventbrite.
‘The funds raised from the Tunbridge Wells Legal Walk are invaluable to the service we provide at Citizens Advice Tunbridge Wells & District’ Lord Justice Males, who attended The Skinners’ School, will be leading the walk, which is expected to include over 150 participants from 14 local firms, including Buss Murton, Cripps Pemberton Greenish and Thomson Snell & Passmore. CATWD is also fielding a team of five, and the Tunbridge Wells & Tonbridge District Law Society has two walkers taking part. Jennifer Jadia, acting chief officer of CATWD, told the Times: “The funds raised from the Tunbridge Wells Legal Walk are invaluable to the service we provide at Citizens Advice Tunbridge Wells and District. Without funding such as this, we would not be able to continue to provide a much-needed service to the residents of Tunbridge Wells. “The funding raised this year will help us to expand and develop our outreach services even further which will enable us to widen access to our service, thus making it easier for more of our residents to reach us. “We would like to thank Law 365, the London Legal Support Trust and everybody for the
incredible job they did last year where we raised over £11,000.”
Invaluable The walkers will set out from the offices of Law 365 in London Road, and end at The Old Auction House in The Pantiles, with loops passing through Nevill Park, Calverley Grounds and Dunorlan Park. The sponsored event is carried out under the umbrella of the London Legal Support Trust, an independent charity that raises funds for free legal advice services in London and the South East. To sponsor one of the law firms walking, search for Tunbridge Wells Legal Walk 2022, which has links to all the fundraisers. CATWD can be contacted by phone 01892 518 460 or email advice@catwd.org.uk
NEW PARTNER FOR LAW FIRM THOMSON Snell & Passmore has taken on Jonathan Askin as a partner to lead the firm’s commercial department. Mr Askin previously led the commercial team at nationwide firm Knights plc. Joanne Gallagher, head of the firm’s Corporate and Commercial department, said Mr Akins had a ‘business-orientated and pragmatic approach’. She said: “We have ambitious growth plans for the department and Jonathan’s appointment is a key step in enabling us to achieve these, as well as deepening and expanding the range of specialist services we deliver for clients.” Mr Askin added: “I have long admired Thomson Snell & Passmore’s work and approach and it is great to be joining such a well respected and ambitious firm.”
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Town’s first ‘Buddi Bench’ becomes a Calverley Grounds talking point
Wednesday May 11 | 2022
Grammar school pupil wins geography prize A FORMER TUNBRIDGE Wells Girls Grammar School (TWGGS) student has won a geography prize for academic achievement. The prize, sponsored by housebuilder Millwood Designer Homes, was given to Aimee Hobley for excellence, as she maintained her standards and motivation throughout remote learning. TWGGS headteacher Linda Wybar said: “We are very proud of Aimee, who has excelled in the most challenging circumstances, maintaining her love of learning and high academic standards through remote learning. “Her superb results also bear testament to the outstanding Geography Department at TWGGS, whose inspiration is evident in Aimee's real passion for the subject.
prize for geography, a subject I’ve always loved for its breadth and enduring relevance in helping to understand both our physical world and the people and politics that inhabit it.” Aimee received a trophy, a £50 book token and £50 cash prize.
Flourish By Victoria Roberts A BENCH inspired by ‘puppy-talk’ and ‘school friendships’ – which allow strangers to strike up short conversations with one another – is to be unveiled in a Tunbridge Wells park this weekend. The Buddi Bench is to be launched this Sunday (May 15) in Calverley Grounds, opposite the basketball court. The project was prompted after observations of how dog walkers were able to enjoy short, no-commitment chats, rather than ignoring one another like strangers, explained Buddi Bench founder Seth Hunter. “Why do dogwalkers stop to chat when usually we would avoid eye contact and ignore a passing stranger? “There is an unspoken rule that the chat with a
fellow dog lover generally won’t last for more than ten minutes, max!” he said. “The bench can be used at any time and for any reason – from small issues to more serious concerns, and encourages children to ask for help when they are troubled or simply in need of some company or wanting to play.
Seat “The impact of Covid-19 has shown the essential importance of our need to stay connected to other human beings and how important it is to tackle isolation and loneliness. The ‘buddi bench’ directly helps with these issues,” Seth stressed. He added that he will be taking a seat on the Buddi Bench in Calverley Grounds on Sunday for anybody that wants an informal chat.
“We are very grateful for the ongoing support of Millwood Designer Homes in their encouragement for, and in recognition of, the importance of studying Geography at the highest level, and are delighted that Aimee continues to flourish at the University of Cambridge.” The Millwood Geography Prize is part of the Kent-based developer’s Encouragement Pack initiative. Philip Brown, sales and marketing director at Millwood Designer Homes, said: “It is clear that Aimee has shown great resilience with her ability to achieve despite the uncertainty of the past few years. “On behalf of everyone at Millwood, I would like to send a huge congratulations to Aimee on her fantastic academic achievement, and wish her all the best for the future.” Aimee said: “I am so grateful to receive this
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Wednesday May 11 | 2022
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Bowls clubs roll out green carpet for new members EVERGREEN The Grove Bowls Club
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‘Dancing Girl’ successor takes place in Grecian temple thanks to park Friend By Sarah Carter DUNORLAN Park’s stolen ‘Dancing Girl’ at last has a successor, thanks to a park Friend whose daughter has donated a replacement statue. The Grecian Temple’s original figure by Victorian sculptor William Theed, was stolen in October 2006, and has never been traced. It was a quiz question about the theft in the Friends of Dunorlan Park (FoDP) newsletter that gave Hellis Hill and her husband Mike the idea of donating their own statue, which had been suffering from pollution in their London garden. Mrs Hill already had reason to be grateful to Dunorlan Park for giving her father, David Molloy, a purpose and a community after he moved to Tunbridge Wells from Devon about six years ago.
REPLACEMENT The new donated figure
Lockdown BOWLS clubs across Tunbridge Wells are running a co-ordinated membership drive at the end of May as part of a national initiative that shows a fifth of new players sign up after an open event. Bowls England has set up a map-based search facility for those interested in trialling the sport for free over the late May Bank Holiday.
Affected Pat Allen, a member of the organising committee at The Grove Bowls Club, in Norfolk Road, said: “It has been difficult over the last couple of years to keep up the membership numbers that we require, and Bowls England has recognised that this has affected many clubs.” The initiative will allow those wanting to take
up bowling by searching BowlsBigWeekend.com or contacting any participating local clubs. Local clubs participating in the upcoming Bowls’ Big Weekend are: Grosvenor Bowls Club, Grosvenor Rec. Ground: Sunday, May 29 at 2-4pm The Grove Bowls Club, Norfolk Road: Friday, May 27 at 3-8pm Paddock Wood Bowls Club: Friday, May 27 at 10am-1pm and 2-5pm. Saturday, May 28 at 10am-1pm, 2-5pm. Sunday, May 29 at 10am-1pm, 2-5pm. Launching the open weekend events, Bowls England said: “We know that 20% of new bowlers join our sport on the back of open weekends, that our clubs want support to help recruit new players and that there are plenty of people out there who would love to have a go at bowls.”
“He soon became one of the Friends of Dunorlan,” she told the Times. “He instigated the feeding of the wildlife. This has rather become his raison d’être, and he goes to the park most days. During the lockdown, when the café was shut, he would still go out and bucket-feed. He’s very concerned the wildlife don’t get fed bread. “I’ve seen how fundamental the role he’s made for himself has been for him – after moving across the country (from Devon) in his late 80s. He’s now a nonagenarian!” Mrs Hill and her husband contacted FoDP to offer their sculpture, which had come to them from Mr Hill’s father, who had also been a resident of Devon. “We don’t know how old she is. She came from my father-in-law, and we’ve had her 30 years. She might be Victorian. “But she wasn’t doing very well in the London air. All the upper surfaces of her are starting to erode,” Mrs Hill added.
The Royal Tunbridge Wells Round Table helped with transport and positioning the new sculpture over the May Bank holiday. “We never gave her a name, but she definitely does need one that would suit her new heritage,” said Mrs Hill. The new statue can be seen in the Grecian Temple in Dunorlan Park.
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Wednesday May 11 | 2022
Queen’s Speech won’t shield people from cost of living crisis PM admits BORIS Johnson warned the Government could not ‘completely shield’ people from the rising cost of living as he promised plans to get the country ‘back on track’ following the Covid-19 pandemic. The Prince of Wales opened Parliament and delivered the Queen’s Speech for the first time in history. Heir to the throne, Charles, in his Admiral of the Fleet uniform, took on the monarch’s constitutional duty in the House of Lords amid the pomp and ceremony of the State Opening. It is the first time in nearly 60 years that the Queen, 96, has missed the occasion. She reluctantly pulled out on the advice of royal doctors due to her continued mobility problems, but watched the proceedings on television from Windsor Castle.
Spiralling Charles was joined by the Duke of Cambridge, with the pair jointly opening Parliament on the Queen’s behalf as Counsellors of State after the monarch delegated the important duty to them. The Prime Minister used the Queen’s Speech to set out plans for changes to create a ‘high-wage, high-skill’ economy, but there was no immediate extra help for households facing spiralling costs with inflation set to hit a 40-year high later in 2022. With the war in Ukraine raging, the Government’s programme also included a series of measures to give the security services extra powers to tackle foreign spies and efforts to influence British democracy. The package also contains a series of measures aimed at taking advantage of the freedoms offered by Brexit – but there was no legislation to implement the Government’s threat to tear up the deal on Northern Ireland’s trading arrangements, although ministers insist that could still be on the table if Brussels refuses to agree to significant changes. The Government highlighted the £22 billion package of help with energy bills, tax cuts and other measures already announced and hinted at further support in future. Mr Johnson said: “After two years of Covid-19, I know that the last thing people need are further challenges. I know people are struggling with
FILLING IN Prince Charles delivered his mother’s speech
their bills, and that they are anxious about the future,” Mr Johnson said. “But we will get the country through it just as we got through Covid-19, with every ounce of ingenuity and compassion and hard work. “While we must keep our public finances on a sustainable footing – and we cannot completely shield people from the fallout from global events – where we can help, we will.
Economy “And over the coming months we will continue examining what more we can do to ease the pressures on hard-working people and families.” He said the Government’s ‘top priorities’ were growing the economy, making streets safe and supporting the NHS to clear the backlogs built up during the pandemic. But Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer said the Government was ‘out of touch’ and called his proposals ‘thin’. He told the Commons: “Times are hard but they’re much tougher than they should be.
“As we emerge from the pandemic, find a new place in the world outside the European Union and transition to a carbon-neutral economy, our country faces great challenges, but at the same time great opportunities are within our reach. “We can rebuild stronger, learning where our society and services need more resilience. We can do more than just ‘get Brexit done’, we can ensure Britain is in the best position to thrive outside of the European Union. And we can lead the world in zero-carbon industries, generating high-skilled, high-wage jobs across the country. “But for that to happen we need a Government of the moment with the ideas that meet the aspirations of the British public. “This thin address, bereft of ideas or purpose, without a guiding principle or a road map for delivery shows just how far this Government is from that – too out of touch to meet the challenges of the moment, too tired to grasp the opportunities of the future, their time has passed.”
Pilot aborts take-off after passengers receive plane crash images on runway THE captain of a Turkish AnadoluJet flight aborted its take-off at Israel's main airport after passengers were sent images of plane crashes on their iPhones. It is understood a number of passengers on the flight were sent the images by fellow passengers using AirDrop, an Apple service which enables users to send files from one Apple device to another across short distances.
Incident Israel's aviation authority said the aircraft was taxiing at Ben Gurion Airport when the incident happened. Passengers and crew were taken off and the luggage reinspected. Several young Israelis were identified as suspects and were being questioned yesterday. The plane departed five hours late after being cleared to leave. The AnadoluJet Boeing 737, with 160 passengers on board, was on its way to the take-off position when passengers alerted crew that they had received the photos. The captain was informed
and decided to return to the terminal. The Hebrew Ynet news site reported that all the images were received on iPhones, and included images of a Turkish Airlines plane which crashed in the Netherlands in 2009 and another plane crash in the United States in 2013, Ynet said. Passengers were told they could reboard the reinspected plane, which was headed to Istanbul, or stay in Israel.
The incident comes two weeks after another security scare at Ben Gurion Airport. It happened when a family from the US produced a live artillery shell at check-in, which they had planned to take home as a souvenir. There was pandemonium as travellers fled the area, with one person requiring hospital treatment after falling over a conveyor belt in the rush to escape.
Wednesday May 11 | 2022
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‘Wagatha Christie’ libel battle begins as Rooney and Vardy appear in court FOOTBALLER’S wife Rebekah Vardy ‘had no choice’ but to bring the libel claim against Coleen Rooney to ‘establish her innocence’ the High Court has been told. Mrs Rooney, 36, accused Mrs Vardy, 40, of leaking ‘false stories’ about her private life to the media in October 2019, after she said she carried out a months-long ‘sting operation’. The wife of former England star Wayne Rooney was dubbed ‘Wagatha Christie’ when she publicly claimed her fellow footballer’s wife shared fake stories she had posted on her personal Instagram account with The Sun newspaper.
Accusations The fake stories included Mrs Rooney travelling to Mexico for a ‘gender selection’ procedure, her planning to return to TV, and the basement flooding at her home. In a now infamous post on Twitter and Instagram, Mrs Rooney wrote: “I have saved and screenshotted all the original stories which clearly show just one person has viewed them. “It’s ………. Rebekah Vardy’s account.” Mrs Vardy, who is married to Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, denies the accusations and is suing Mrs Rooney for libel. After months of preliminary hearings, Yesterday (Tuesday) marked the start of the full trial which is due to last seven days. Mrs Rooney arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice with her husband, also 36, who had a trophy-laden career with Manchester United and is now manager of Derby County. Wearing a black suit and with her foot in a brace, she entered the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand by the front entrance, flanked by a crowd of photographers. Mrs Vardy arrived moments after Mrs Rooney entered the building, wearing sunglasses and a long blue buttoned dress. Both women sat at the front of the court, in front of their barristers, as the hearing began. Mrs Vardy’s barrister, Hugh Tomlinson QC, said the TV personality had to bring the libel claim to “vindicate her reputation”. He said in written submissions: “The allegation in the post was and remains false: Mrs Vardy had not leaked information about Mrs
WAGS AT WAR Coleen Rooney and [right] Rebekah Vardy
Rooney or her friends and family to the Sun newspaper from her private Instagram account. “Mrs Rooney did not have the ‘irrefutable’ evidence that she claimed to have had: her so-called ‘careful investigation’ was nothing of the sort. “If anyone had been leaking information from Mrs Rooney’s private Instagram this was not done with Mrs Vardy’s knowledge or approval.” He continued: “Mrs Vardy made strenuous but unsuccessful attempts to settle the case but the post was not taken down. “As result, Mrs Vardy had no choice but to bring this libel action to establish her innocence and vindicate her reputation.”
Chants Mr Tomlinson told the court that, as a result of the post, Mrs Vardy, who was seven months pregnant at the time, and her family were subjected to horrible abuse, including one post calling her an “evil rat-faced b***h” and others saying she should die and her baby should be “put in an incinerator”. He said her husband, Jamie Vardy, was also subjected to chants about her during matches. Mr Tomlinson said the affair and subsequent libel case had become the subject of intense
press coverage and a source of ‘entertainment’ in the media, being referred to as ‘Wag Wars’ and ‘Wagatha Christie’. He added: “This is far from being an entertaining case, it has been profoundly distressing and disturbing.” He said Mrs Rooney’s post on Instagram was liked about 93,000 times while the Twitter post received more than 300,000 likes. Mr Tomlinson added: “(Mrs Vardy) needs to be able to clear her name through this case, so she can move on from this terrible episode.” Mrs Rooney is defending the claim on the basis of truth and public interest. In written submissions, her barrister David Sherborne said there were “numerous examples of the claimant and Ms (Caroline) Watt conspiring to pass private and personal information on to the press about other individuals”. He continued: “In short, the claimant is someone who has secretly provided, or sought to provide, to the press private information which she has been privy to in relation to a number of individuals in the footballing world or other celebrities, and not just the defendant, without their consent.” The trial before Mrs Justice Steyn continues, with a decision expected in writing at a later date.
Last steps of Kent PCSO killed while walking dog are retraced A JURY has retraced the final steps of a police community support officer who was beaten to death while walking her dog. Julia James, 53, died from head injuries near Ackholt Wood, close to her home in Snowdown in Kent, on April 27 last year. Yesterday ( Tuesday) jurors in the trial of Callum Wheeler, who is accused of her murder, were taken to Mrs James’s former home and along the footpath where she walked that day with her Jack Russell dog Toby. The path led from a gate at the end of her garden, through a wooded area and along the edge of a farmer’s field. Mrs James’s exact final movements were recorded by her smart watch. She walked along an uneven path at the edge of the field and on to a bridle path at the edge of Ackholt Wood to a place known for an abundance of butterflies, that she and her husband Paul called the Butterfly Point. The jury walked along the edge of a field full of crops to that point, where Mrs James turned round and began to walk home. They were shown the point where she then made a detour away from a wooded area, the prosecution claim because she had seen Wheeler in the woods and wanted to get away. A yellow marker showed the point a short distance away along a path next to a wheat field where her body was found. Jurors have already been told that Mrs James
KILLED Julie James
had seen Wheeler in the same spot before, and described him to Mr James as ‘a really weird dude’.
Camera Wheeler accepts that he killed her but denies murder, and is on trial at Canterbury Crown Court. Jurors were also shown Wheeler’s home address in Sunshine Corner Avenue, as well as a nearby gap in the hedge that leads to Adisham Road, that it is said Wheeler walked through both on April 22 and the day of Ms James’s death. The group then moved on to Aylesham and District Social Club in Ratling, where the jury was shown a
ACCUSED Callum Wheeler
camera on the front of the building that recorded Wheeler walking past at 1.08pm on April 27. Ms Alison Morgan QC told them: “It shows the defendant carrying a bag containing a metal railway jack.” They then moved on to a building belonging to a local coach company, with a CCTV camera that captured an image of Julia from a distance while on her walk along the bridle path. Jurors were also shown locations near the end of Spinney Lane where Wheeler was captured on a bus dashcam on April 27, and by a gamekeeper called Gavin Tucker who took a video clip and still photo of him the day after Mrs James’ death. The trial resumes today (Wednesday).
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Met Office warns of 1.5C warming over five years THERE is a 50-50 chance that temperatures will temporarily exceed the key 1.5C threshold for global warming in the next five years, a Met Office study has warned. The annual update forecasts that one of the years 2022-2026 is very likely to be the warmest on record globally, beating the current record hot year of 2016.
Average And it is likely that one of the years in the next half-decade will see annual average temperatures exceed 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, the report produced for the UN’s World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said. Under the global Paris climate treaty, countries pledged to curb temperature rises to 2C and pursue efforts to limit them to 1.5C above 19th century levels to avoid the most dangerous impacts of climate change. In 2015, when the Paris Agreement was signed,
the chance of temporarily exceeding 1.5C was close to zero, the WMO said. The world is already seeing increasing floods, storms, heatwaves and wildfires as a result of climate change of around 1.1C in 2021, and beyond 1.5C of warming, more extreme weather, crop damage and losses of key systems such as coral reefs are expected. Some vulnerable countries, such as low-lying island states, warn that going beyond 1.5C threatens their very survival. The report’s lead expert, Dr Leon Hermanson, of the Met Office, said: “Our latest climate predictions show that continued global temperature rise will continue, with an even chance that one of the years between 2022 and 2026 will exceed 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. “A single year of exceedance above 1.5C does not mean we have breached the iconic threshold of the Paris Agreement, but it does reveal that we are edging ever closer to a situation where 1.5C could be exceeded for an extended period.”
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Thomas Mansfield Wills & Inheritance Planning Writing a Will does not have to be costly or complicated
...but hotter weather has brought an earlier and sweeter strawberry crop THE British strawberry season has arrived early, with this year’s crop sweeter and up by 50% on this time last year due to the run of bright weather, producers say. The fruit has ripened under approximately 166 hours of sunshine in April, 7% above the average for the month, industry body British Summer Fruits said. This increased sunlight has resulted in a boost to the crop’s natural sugar content and means supermarket shelves will be filled with the fruit by the middle of this month, compared with June last year.
Season The brighter weather also means there are predicted to be 50% more strawberries – a mix of glasshouse-grown and naturally on table tops in polytunnels – available next week compared to the same period last year, when the season was delayed by cold weather. The news will also be particularly welcome for those planning to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, when the Bank Holiday is forecast to see 5,000 tonnes of British strawberries bought that week. Rupert Carter, technical director of producer WB
Having a Will gives you control over who receives your assets and personal belongings and, if you have younger children, it allows you to assign legal guardians, should anything happen.
Chambers Farms, said: “We have enjoyed bright days this spring coupled with cool nights, which allows strawberry plants to rest well and put their energy gained during the day into producing high natural sugars overnight. “This process makes the berries sweeter and is one of the main reasons for such good tasting fruit.” Last year, Britons bought more than 87,000 tonnes of British strawberries. The strawberry industry is now worth more than £769 million to the British economy, according to Kantar figures.
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British Gas owner hits profit targets
BRITISH Gas owner Centrica has said it expects to post annual earnings at the top of its targets amid intensifying calls for a windfall tax on energy firms. The company said it has been boosted by “strong” volumes across its nuclear and gas production operations. Meanwhile, its trading business has also increased volumes of gas and renewable energy to improve UK supply amid pressure from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Centrica also told shareholders that it has “managed increased commodity price volatility well” in recent months. Energy bills for UK households surged this month, after the price cap was increased by 54%
to £1,971 per year by regulator Ofgem due to soaring wholesale prices. Prices had been driven higher by broad inflationary pressures but have continued to escalate due to the conflict in Ukraine. It is predicted that the price cap could jump again to as much as £2,900 in October. Nevertheless, Chancellor Rishi Sunak held firm in his opposition to a windfall tax on Monday, arguing that it would “deter investment at a time we need it most – not least in renewable energy”. Centrica said on Tuesday that its British Gas Services & Solutions business has been hit by “some supply chain disruption and higher inflation” which has affected its costs and customer demand. “We expect those headwinds to continue to at least partially offset underlying operational progress for the duration of this period of higher inflation,” it added. The company also warned that there are still “significant uncertainties” regarding its performance over the year, including the impact of weather, commodity price movements and the potential for higher bad debts. It comes after the group saw adjusted profits jump 44% to £118 million in 2021.
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Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at Salomons Estate
Book your family picnic in our 36 acres of beautiful gardens and woodlands. Saturday 4th June 2022, 12pm until 6pm
Indulge in a quintessentially British picnic lovingly prepared by our chefs ready for you to collect on arrival, along with our fully stocked Terrace Bar serving your favourite tipples. With plenty to keep the kids entertained including table tennis, scavenger hunt, table football, face painting, lawn games and other fun activities.
Adult Picnics £19.50 per person Children's Picnic £10.50 per child We have a limited number of picnic benches available,please bring your own picnic blanket to sit on the lawns. Entry is only permitted with purchase of a picnic for each guest attending. Confirmation of booking will need to be shown upon arrival. You are not permitted to bring your own food or drink on site.
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Wednesday May 11 | 2022
EDUCATION Times
Education
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Local independent preparatory makes the grade Rose Hill School has been shortlisted for Prep School of the Year. The Times finds out why it’s made the grade and is now in the running for a prestigious Tes award...
ROSE HILL School, one of the oldest prep schools in the country, has been told it is in the running for the Tes Schools Awards Prep School of the Year. The co-educational school - set in over 15 acres of grounds on the edge of Tunbridge Wells which welcomes pupils aged 3-13 announced the news last week to parents and staff. The school is only one of eight selected in this particular category of the Tes Awards for 2022. Rose Hill Head Emma Neville, said: “To be nominated for such an award is an absolute honour but it is also a huge privilege to have the hard work and dedication of our staff acknowledged.
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
Panel “I am also delighted for our pupils who continue to thrive every day in our wonderful school”. The Tes Schools Awards recognise outstanding
‘To be nominated for such an award is an absolute honour’ individuals and institutions within the education sector. The panel of expert awards judges include school leaders, inspectors and education
researchers. The objectivity, professionalism and high standards of the Tes Schools Awards judges and the judging process has helped establish them
as a well-respected achievement for any school chosen as a finalist or winner. The overall winners of each Tes category for 2022 will be announced on Friday 17 June.
IN TEN years, Rose Hill will celebrate its 200th anniversary, making it one of the oldest schools in England. To mark the occasion it will host its first Founder’s Day on EMMA NEVILLE May 21 from 10.30am to 3pm. The event will combine a traditional summer fair, lots of family fun and displays from the school’s rich history as well as art, drama and musical performances from current pupils. Head Emma Neville said “I feel very privileged to be the Head of this wonderful school. Rose Hill School has built a reputation as one of the leading prep schools in the south-east thanks to a combination of inspiring teaching, excellent academic results and a firm commitment to protect the joy of childhood. I look forward to steering the school through this exciting period of its history.”
THE MEAD SCHOOL
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Outstanding independent education for girls and boys aged 3-11 T: 01892 525837 E: office@themeadschool.co.uk W: www.themeadschool.co.uk
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Weekly Comment
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Justine Rutland Tunbridge Wells Liberal Democrats
Wednesday May 11 | 2022
Cllr Rutland was elected to Culverden Ward in November 2019. She is the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for culture and leisure, a Commons Conservator and a member of the RTW In Bloom committee. She works for a local digital marketing agency.
Our party does not have a majority but we are in discussions with other parties THANK you to everyone who went out to vote at the local elections last Thursday. We are thrilled with the results and the trust that has been placed in the Liberal Democrats. With 16 councillors, we are now the largest group at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
Discussions We are delighted to introduce our four newly elected councillors: mental-health professional Gavin Barrass in Pantiles & St Mark’s; retired Financial Times journalist Martin Brice in Culverden; ex-professional boxer Jamie Johnson in Broadwater; and science teacher Brendon Le Page in Southborough North. Now the hard work begins. With 16 out of 48 councillors, our party does not have a majority, and cannot lead the council alone. Therefore we are in discussions these coming weeks with other parties in order to form a close-knit administration that will work speedily and effectively for the benefit of residents across the borough. This is a scenario we have been planning for and considering over the past year. It won’t always be easy, and we know there is very little money but, to borrow a phrase from the late Jo Cox MP - we have more in common than that which divides us.
We will announce the outcome of these talks as soon as possible. The make-up of the next administration will be wrapped up at the Full Council meeting on 25 May at 10am. This is a public meeting at the Town Hall that residents are very welcome to attend in person. It will also be broadcast live on the TWBC website. Contrary to the Conservatives’ election literature predicting chaos if they were not re-elected, there will be stability and progress. We all love Tunbridge Wells and we all want it to thrive and prosper. We care deeply about our wonderful communities that make it such a
‘Under the Conservatives, the culture was one of top-down politics. That will now change. We pledge to listen’ great place to live. Our first priority will be reducing the budget deficit, set to cumulatively reach £20m by 2028 after the previous Council’s maladministration. The Conservatives losing their fragile minority
grip on Tunbridge Wells made national headlines and reflected an overall decline in the party’s popularity. But there can be few of us here on the ground who don’t understand that the collapse of the Conservative vote locally was not purely down to PartyGate, the cost-of-living crisis, and other genuine concerns about the way the country is being run, but also to years of complacency and arrogance at TWBC. On the doorstep, people were still talking to us about the £10.8m wasted on the widely disliked Calverley Square project and the shortcomings (to put it politely) of the waste collections contract. Under the Conservatives, the culture was one of top-down politics. That will now change. We pledge to listen. We want more collaborative, consensus politics, with parties working together to deliver efficient local services, balance the books, do what we can locally to address the climate emergency, and create a town centre we can all be proud of. On some of these issues, like the Council’s own carbon footprint, baby steps have been taken—but we now need much more ambition and urgency. As the largest party, we find ourselves in a position of immense responsibility and we do not take it lightly. Nor do we take the support of voters for granted. Residents of the borough are seeking a different kind of local politics and we will do everything in our power to deliver it.
OPENING Greg Clark with Mayor Chris Woodward and the Mayoress
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Wednesday May 11 | 2022
Letters
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NEWS
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And another thing… This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going on in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or you can write to the Editor, Times of Tunbridge Wells, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG
Amelia is cheering at a time when there is too much gloom around
Why was cultural centre closed at weekend? I was impressed when I visited the Amelia twice since it opened last week. So I brought two friends to see it on Bank Holiday Monday last week. Only to find it was closed! There were four members of staff telling everyone that the only people allowed in were those who had paid £10+ per head to attend the Literary Festival. They also said that the reason it was closed was that staff working for the council or the library weren’t working today. So if they could let in those for the Literary Festival why on earth not everyone else? Was the building created with no doors to close off areas not open? Does the Tate close when the offices are shut? I’m afraid all of the launch’s enthusiasm has been lost… Colin Walton Tunbridge Wells You can moan about who to vote for Calverley (Times, April 27) is quite right when he states: ‘If you don’t vote you can’t moan’. But this encourages the candidates in their own delusional view that they’re worth voting for; worthy of office, and the notion that they can run anything except a bath – and some would struggle with that. Edward Baker Tunbridge Wells Greens always go too far In his letter last week Paul Steptoe of The Green Party goes too far in comparing peaceful acts of civil disobedience with those of Extinction Rebellion, Insulate Britain and Just Stop Oil: there is no moral equivalence. Smashing petrol pumps; gluing themselves to tube trains, roads and petrol tankers prevent others from going about their rightful and lawful activities; it is illegal and deserves sanction. The sorry truth is that no matter how much is
very quickly and it is surprising that they achieved such a high standard when they had so little time to prepare. I enjoyed listening to several speakers and I thought that the programme had widespread appeal. There is plenty of gloom around Tunbridge
Wells, so it is cheering to see something with real merit happening in the town. All credit to The Amelia team for their hard work and drive to make the First Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival a success. Evelyn Birkett Tunbridge Wells
undertaken by government in renewables, and however much the public is burdened with green levies, it will never be enough: their activities will just become vandalism for its own sake. The law cannot placate these people with understanding and leniency, it will only encourage them. Sam Goodenough Broadwater Down
Coalition should not take the credit Now that the Conservatives are no longer the largest party, the other parties can now take credit for all the excellent work done by Cllr Tom Dawlings and David Scott, this year. I do hope the voters in Tunbridge Wells remember this! Aaron Brand Tunbridge Wells Young Conservative Chair
PEPPY SAYS...
FUN BEGINS. Voters have given Tunbridge Wells Tories the boot leaving no one in overall charge at the Town Hall. The likely outcome is a power coalition of Lib Dems and the Alliance party – putting Matt Sankey front and centre. The man who manages the restaurant bearing the family name is the highest profile member of the Alliance which will now be the kingmaker. They can work with the Lib Dems to do great things for the town, or not. They can dictate policy and direction or withhold their votes in the council chamber. So, moving forward anything happening in TW that you don’t like blame Matt and his mates. Get in touch and tell them. He has for years bellyached from the sidelines about how other councillors have screwed up. Now the buck stops with him and his friends …
QUICK QUIZ. Any thoughts about the meaning of the following words: neutrois… varioriented… maverique. No idea? Join the club. They are in fact among 37 different sexual identities and gender terms that have been handed to police officers to help them when dealing with members of the pubic. Neutrois: identifying as neither male, female nor genderless. Varioriented: When sexual and romantic orientations do not target the same set of genders. Maverique: Non-binary gender outside of orthodox social bounds of gender. Can’t think of anything more useful when an officer is dealing with a late night disturbance outside a town centre pub: “Right sir, (sorry) person, so we get the paper work correct, which of these terms best relates to you?”
COMEDIAN Michael McIntyre was on top form
CARTOON BY PEPPY: (Follow her on Twitter @Peppyscott)
THE AMELIA opened on Friday, April 28 and the launch of the first Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival also took place that weekend. The building is splendid and the programme for the Literary Festival was excellent. The team put The Literary Festival together
Calverley
Observations on life and more important things
last week in Eastbourne as part of his nationwide tour. Not quite so funny was the fact Calverley spotted just eight people, aside from himself, wearing masks. The Congress Theatre was at full capacity with an audience of 1,700. Boris tells us masks are now optional as Covid numbers have dropped – just thousands a week falling ill and hundreds of them dying. But what about those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and too wary to venture beyond the front door. How about venues having one performance where masks are mandatory and everyone can get to enjoy time out? Bet theatres won’t find that idea very amusing?
FINAL THOUGHT. Who appeared on prime time TV the other night sporting a casual jacket and a shirt with the top two buttons undone? No, it wasn’t some celebrity wannabe. It was one of the BBC’s top political editors covering a major story. For goodness sake chaps. We can live without ties. But bare chests?
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
ROSE HILL SCHOOL
Shortlisted for Independent Prep School of the Year 2022 To book a personal tour, please contact admissions@rosehillschool.co.uk
Founder’s Day 21 May 2022 10:30am - 3pm You are warmly invited to our first Founder’s Day celebration, summer fair stalls, dog show, refreshments and entertainment for all the family!
Coniston Avenue, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9SY 01892 52 55 91 | admissions@rosehillschool.co.uk
www.rosehillschool.co.uk
Tes Schools Awards 2022 Shortlisted
Independent Prep School of the Year
Wednesday May 11 | 2022
Life&Times
ARTS • BOOKS • GOING OUT • FOOD • EVENTS • ANTIQUES • TRAVEL • PROPERTY • LIVE MUSIC and MORE...
Arts- P22
Going out - P26
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Time to treat your tastebuds The Pantiles Food Festival is back P28
Arts
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Wednesday May 11 | 2022
“The way our show goes is entirely up to the audience and what they choose to see on that given night!”
Photography: Geraint Lewis for the West End Apollo Theatre Production
This Thursday and Friday, May 12 and 13, the award-winning Showstopper! comes to Trinity Theatre. The Times finds out more about this show which has been described as ‘a must-see unbeatable spontaneous musical comedy….’
O
N THURSDAY and Friday evening of this week Trinity Theatre will be positively buzzing courtesy of the West End cast of Showstopper! coming to town. If you haven’t heard of it then in brief it’s a fast-paced, improvised musical comedy that’s different every single night as it’s down to the audience to decide what happens. It started in the Hen & Chickens theatre in Islington, London in 2008 and has since then performed pretty much all over the UK. It is currently on another nationwide tour which stops at Trinity on May 12 and 13 and also takes in a month’s residency at the Lyric theatre in the West End plus a month-long run at this summer’s Edinburgh Festival. Winner of multiple awards including the 2016 Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and Family, Chortle’s Best Music or Variety Act in 2011 and Mervyn Stutter’s Spirit Of
The Fringe Award in 2009, it is the first long-form improv show of its kind that’s genuinely improvised every night, making for a totally different show. “It’s a fully-realised musical created live on the spot from audience suggestions,” a Showstopper! spokesperson
“We promise the audience will have a great night out, with laughs, songs and maybe a few tears as well” further explains to the Times. “The cast transform from suggestions of setting, genre and style with ingenious storylines and hilarious characters. The audience also name that night’s show,
which is then added to The Showstoppers’ archive. From Pink Floyd to Stephen Sondheim, via a school, Ancient Egypt or a mattress shop – if the audience can suggest it, The Showstoppers will perform it. It’s hugely funny to watch.” The group is a long running one, very well-known and renowned for their improvisation work. “Most cast members have also received acclaim in their own right. The Showstoppers have been working on the show since 2008, figuring out how to improvise in increasingly esoteric styles, musical, dance, straight theatre, and film genres - to name but a few.” The show has been at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for the past 12 years and now has a reputation as a ‘must-see’ event. It had an eight-week run at London’s Other Palace in early 2019 and continues to play monthly at the Lyric Theatre in London’s West End. In the Autumn of 2015, it
Arts
Wednesday May 11 | 2022
became the first longform improv show to have a full run in the West End at the Apollo Theatre.
Exciting Critics have lavished praise all over the show with The Daily Telegraph saying it’s ‘So polished, it defies belief’ One if its key performers Andrew Pugsley who, trained in musical theatre at Circle in the Square Theatre School, New York and has appeared internationally with improvised horror show, The Society of Strange, The Mikado at The Tabard, and Wind in the Willows at the Brewhouse Theatre, tells the Times more about the Showstopper! phenomenon…. Can you tell us what the audience can expect from the show? We can promise them they will have a great night out, with laughs, songs and maybe a few tears as well. Other than that, we don't know! It's entirely up to the audience and what they choose to see on the night! How did you all meet? One of the great things about the group is we
“There are all kinds of conspiracy theories about how we work as an improv group and we love finding out about them” all have different performing backgrounds. Some of the company knew each other from stand-up and improv comedy, some from the musical theatre world, and some of us just responded to a casting notice and auditioned for the show. Is there a formula for impeccable improvisation? There's no one magic formula, but there are some important principles that really help: you need to swallow your ego, to listen to your teammates and build on their ideas without judgement. We talk about approaching our work with a 'Yes, and…' mindset. We act first, think later. Having worked together for so long can you predict each other’s responses? There's definitely some subconscious communication that goes on - it's a bit like when you're with your family, and know exactly what someone is thinking without them having to say a word. That said, we also love it when we surprise each other with a new and unexpected choice!
What is the musical you listen to the most? Tough question! For me, it's Stephen Sondheim's 'Assassins'. It has such an amazing score; and it’s funny, serious, beautiful, haunting all at the same time. Have you ever been accused of planting audience members? Oh yes! There are all kinds of conspiracy theories about how we work, and we love finding out about them! On one occasion, I overheard an audience member discussing how much our supposed 'plants' get paid per show - I was very tempted by the idea, since the figure was considerably more than I was receiving for doing the show... What is the best, funniest or weirdest suggestion that has been thrown at you? We once did a musical set inside a snow globe - it was surprisingly beautiful! Both performances start at 8pm and tickets cost from £20. Book at trinitytheatre.net
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Books
Wednesday May 11 | 2022
Times book reviewer
HANNAH KIRSOP
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
FAMILY MEMOIR
The Dance Tree by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Outside, the Sky is Blue by Christina Patterson
(due to be published in hardback on 12th May by Picador, priced £14.99)
(published in hardback, priced £16.99)
In Strasbourg in 1518, the city was hit by a ‘dancing plague’ when up to 400 women danced for two months in a frenzy. Whether due to illness or a hysterical reaction to the general despair, misogyny, poverty and religious oppression, this historical event sets the backdrop for this novel which incorporates both the dancing phenomenon and a fictional tale of three women – Lisbet, Ida and Agnethe – who encapsulate some of the challenges women faced at that time. Many themes are covered to different degrees – marriage, forbidden love, miscarriage, sexuality, madness, superstition, prejudice – and all are carefully folded into the tenderly written story which has a lyrical feel via the musical theme and the descriptions of the natural environment of its setting. Good characters, good plot and lots to think about in a solid piece of historical fiction.
8/10
Following the death of brother Tom and the confrontation with boxes and boxes of family memories, this memoir unpicks the patchwork of the Patterson family and, particularly, the effect that the illness of her sister Caroline – who suffered from schizophrenia – had on each of them. The words ‘I think you have had hardship in your life, and are brave in the way that you dealt with it’ words written to Christina near the end of the book are spot-on but the memoir is in no way indulgent of this. The narrative is gentle, humorous and understated…and written from a huge well of true familial affection which had me in tears for most of the last 100 pages. Emotional and engaging, fascinating and inspiring – her mother’s filing system alone is something I aspire to – this is story of a family written from the heart. A real winner of a read.
10/10
Why not join the Times Book Club? Hannah Kirsop grew up in Kent and now lives in Horsmonden with her family. She loves to read and share recommendations and runs Bainden Book Club for a group of local women to discuss interesting fiction and non-fiction in a range of genres. You can find www.baindenbookshelf.com online or on Instagram: @baindenbookshelf
The bookcase… Here are some more reads to inspire you this week …
The Imagination Chamber by Philip Pullman Published in hardback by Scholastic, priced £12.99 (ebook £7.99) The many worlds Philip Pullman has created are already impossibly rich, but fans will be pleased to discover yet more layers in this series of sketches and snapshots. Each page is a window offering tantalising glimpses into the characters of His Dark Materials and the not-yetcompleted trilogy, The Book Of Dust. The witch Serafina Pekkala hovering above a field at night, taking in the stillness of a silence that contains multitudes. Lyra as a child, eating too much cake during a visit from an eminent writer and hiding her vomit under a rug. And Will, a surgeon in training, needing to obscure the true precision of his hands – a legacy from his time as bearer of the subtle knife. Slim in volume only, less is more with this quiet, beautifully crafted companion book. A wonderful stopgap for fans impatient for the highlyanticipated Book Of Dust finale. Review by Jemma Crew
FOLLOWING on from the success of the inaugural Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival, the Times of Tunbridge Wells is very excited to be launching its own book club. Each month, we will suggest a book to read and will welcome feedback from readers which will be collated and published the following month along with the next suggested book. Our first book will be ‘A Terrible Kindness’ by Jo Browning Wroe, which is about nineteen-year-old William’s decision to volunteer at the tragic scene of the 1966 Aberfan landslide that transforms his life
forever in this moving story about sacrifice and compassion. We are hoping to introduce a ‘live’ monthly discussion at the newly opened Amelia Scott and further information on this will follow in due course…but in the meantime, get reading and let us know your thoughts. If you are an individual or local book club which would like to get involved in making one of the monthly suggestions and/or compering a live session at the Amelia Scott, please do get in touch via newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk
An Olive Grove In Ends by Moses McKenzie Published by Wildfire, priced £16.99 (ebook £8.99) Sayon Hughes has a dream to rise to the heights – social and literal – of Bristol’s Clifton neighbourhood. But born into the infamous Hughes family, the only way to drag himself out of the deprivation he lives in is to deal drugs. The hurdles he faces are made clear 10 pages into Moses McKenzie’s engrossing debut novel, when he commits a crime. Sayon, son of a pastor and in love with the daughter of another, must work out who
knows of his crime, and who can be trusted. In a manner tender yet unsentimental, McKenzie describes Sayon’s battle to navigate this complex neighbourhood, which offers few escape routes from the usual predetermined outcomes for its inhabitants – none of which traditionally end in Clifton. Just 24, McKenzie has delivered a remarkable debut full of wisdom. Review by Ian Park
9/10
Here Goes Nothing by Steve Toltz
9/10
in hardback by Sceptre, priced £18.99 (ebook £8.99)
7/10
For anyone who has gone through the last few years and thought things couldn’t possibly get any worse, Steve Toltz’s latest novel Here Goes Nothing is here to prove you wrong. Angus Mooney is trying to come to terms with his own death, as his murderer makes moves on his pregnant widow. Meanwhile a new, even more deadly, pandemic is sweeping the globe. This vision of the afterlife is
far from utopian, with the dead taking all the worst aspects of human nature with them as they depart the mortal plane. Toltz – whose debut novel A Fraction Of The Whole was shortlisted for the Booker Prize – offers wit and plenty of food for thought with this dystopian novel, but if you’re looking for a feel-good read, you should steer clear. Perhaps not the ideal holiday read but worth picking up. Review by Eleanor Barlow
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Going out
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Wednesday May 11 | 2022
Victoria Roberts looks at some of the local events and activities set to entertain you soon…
Rock veterans to take to the stage to help military heroes
T
WO hundred tour dates in one year is a hard slog, but the seven members of the Rock for Heroes group are on the road to donating £2.5million to military charity Help the Heroes. The Assembly Hall in Tunbridge Wells is one of those dates this July, and every milestone on the way counts, according to director Paul Finch. “It’s a very long goal, but we have just gone past about £50,000, and every time we hit another £10,000, we get another certificate from Help for Heroes,” he told the Times. “Originally, we were the Live Aid Experience. We always wanted to channel money to good causes,” he explained. “We’ve all got family in the military, and we were going through a name change just as we made contact with Help for Heroes, so we called ourselves Rock for Heroes.”
“There was a pause (in touring and fundraising) in 2020-1, but now we’re back. Sadly, Help for Heroes really suffered over those years. Its main income is from charity collection buckets. “We’ve got 200 touring dates this year, up and down the country.” The Rock for Heroes show features Paul and his six band-mates, rocking to classic rock songs from Bon Jovi, Prince, The Eagles, and more. “It’s not just a rock show; it’s also an entertainment show. We break that fourth wall,” he said. Due to regulations, tickets (£25) do not include donations to Help for Heroes, but audiences can make donations in the collection buckets at the end of the show. Rock for Heroes at The Assembly Hall on Thursday, July 7 at 7:30pm.
FRESH from the West End, the improvised musical ‘Showstoppers’ brings a talented cast – ready for any and all requests the audience can throw at them – to Trinity Theatre for a two-night run (May 12-13) from this Thursday. Performances at 8pm. (See p22 for more...) Controversialist Stewart STUART LEE Lee is on at The Assembly Hall this Thursday [May 12] at 7:30pm, with a double bill of two hour-long comedy sets, ‘Snowflake’ and ‘Tornado’. Trinity Theatre screens Northern Ballet’s production of ‘Merlin’, filmed in November 2021. Sunday, May 15 at 2:30pm. ‘Ali & Ava’ (15) are the unlikely couple at the heart of this film drama, both struggling to shed baggage from past relationships. Trinity Theatre, tonight [Wednesday] at 8pm. Maurice Flitwick is one man who doesn’t suffer from impostor syndrome, as he bluffs his way into the 1976 British Open despite never having played a single round of golf, in ‘Phantom of the Open’ (12A). Trinity Theatre, on May 17 at 8pm. It’s a battle of behemoths at The Odeon this week, with Marvel’s ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ (12A) appearing in the same theatre of operations as ‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’ (PG).
ASSEMBLY HALL
ROCK FOR HEROES
LOCAL impresario Paul Dunton brings East Sussex band Wild Horse’s special style of indie rock from ‘BBC Introducing’ and RadioX to The Forum. They co-headline with youthsome foursome Another Day, whose freestyle trampoline athlete member, Louis, is always ready to pull flips onstage. Friday [May 13] at 7:30pm. Age 16 and older unless accompanied by an adult. Cranfest darling Samuel Ashton brings his soulful blues voice back to Cranbrook village this Friday [May 13], appearing at The Hive at 7-10pm. No need to book. Royal Tunbridge Wells Orpheus Male Voice Choir is fund-raising for Tunbridge Wells Dementia-Friendly Community this Saturday (May 14) at 7:30pm. The Bennett Memorial Junior Choir are guest performers, for a programme including musicals, popular classics and traditional pieces. Trinity Theatre.
Craft in Focus’ four-day spring craft fair starts this Thursday [May 12] at Hever Castle, running until Sunday, with 180 exhibitors spanning a range of top UK artists and designer makers. Free entry to craft fair with a Gardens ticket. Grounds open at 9:30am. Craft fair closes at 5:30pm and grounds at 6pm. It’s a busy weekend on the Spa Valley Railway, with the Kent Gin train steaming between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge at 2:45pm on Saturday. Serving canapés with three local gins on the way, with ice and fruit garnish. Branded gin glass included in £35 ticket. Age 18 and older. There are no age restrictions on Sunday’s Afternoon Tea Train, departing at 2:45pm on Sunday. Table for two £80, or table for four £160. Saturday and Sunday are also the last chance to see the Sir Keith Park locomotive until 2023, as he puffs off for an overhaul. Steaming between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge. Meanwhile, at The Pantiles, the annual Food Festival is in full swing on Saturday and Sunday, with over 40 different food and drink stalls and live cooking demos and live music. Taking place on May 14 10am-5pm and May 15 10am-4pm see more on p28.
TRINITY THEATRE Mellow folk is on at St Dunstan’s Church, Cranbrook, this Saturday [May 14] as Show of Hands tours the UK this spring and summer. Doors at 7pm. Tickets from WeGotTickets.com Singer-singwriter Rachel Croft’s ringing, resonant voice and music are an atmospheric choice for Sunday night [May 15] at Trinity Theatre at 7pm. Part of the ‘Breathing Room’ series. The Grey Lady hosts Soul Kitchen this Sunday [May 15] from 12 noon to 10pm. Hosted by Tracey Shaw and John Browne. Island Records-signed trio Noisy bring a ‘go mental’ Friday-night attitude to Monday night [May 16] at The Forum, as part of their UK tour. Touring with them is summery pop and hip-hop influenced rapper Barny Fletcher.
There is still time to join in with Moving Memory Dance Theatre Company’s dance workshops at Royal Victoria Place (RVP), aimed at anyone who wants to socialise with new people while getting moving. No previous experience required, but comfortable clothing and trainers encouraged. Fridays 1-3pm until May 27, when the workshops culminate in a ‘flashmob’. Meet outside RVP Customer Services office on Level 1. No booking required.
How you feel tomorrow starts with choosing the right hospital Some of our key services include: • Orthopaedic • Weight loss • Spinal surgery and pain management • Diagnostics • Men’s and women’s health.
Search Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells Hospital or call 01892 888199
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Food & Drink
Wednesday May 11 | 2022
food & drink
A food festival with real market value
This coming weekend sees the return of The Pantiles Food Festival which this year celebrates its tenth anniversary. Eileen Leahy savours a taste of what’s in store for the town’s foodies and also speaks to its founder Julian Leefe-Griffiths
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VER THE weekend of May 14 and 15 there’ll be a feast for the senses - and of course one’s tastebuds down on the town’s famous promenade thanks to The Pantiles Food Festival taking place. The event, which this year celebrates its tenth anniversary, is hugely popular with lots of specialist producers selling their artisan gourmet goods and live cooking demos going on with local chefs. With plenty to eat and drink and entertainment to keep the kids happy, this is a perfect way to spend the weekend with family and friends as there truly is something for everyone.
“We do our best to find great local producers selling fun and interesting stuff and ask the best local chefs to join us” Its founder and promoter Julian LeefeGriffiths says he is very much looking forward to hosting it once again this year. “We are really pleased to announce the fantastic Pantiles Food Festival is back for 2022 and will be serving up another delicious offering this coming weekend. “I'm sure I don't need to tell Times readers what the event is all about because we are
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To book, please contact: 01892 520 587 or reception@onewarwickpark.co.uk www.onewarwickpark.co.uk
Food & Drink
Wednesday May 11 | 2022
now in our 10th year! But for those of you new to the town or who haven't been to the food festival before it's a lovely way to spend a weekend. “The arrival of The Pantiles Food Festival and Jazz on The Pantiles are a real sign that summer is fully underway down on Tunbridge Wells’ famous promenade.” Julian went on to say there will be lots of ‘lovely food stalls’ selling everything from Moroccan tagine to artisan gins, gourmet conserves, homemade ice creams and French pastries, but the logistics of putting such an impressive smorgasbord of epicurean delights together is often pretty time consuming. “It's a great labour of love putting on The Pantiles Food Festival and it does take a lot of organising,” admits Julian who also runs the Tunbridge Wells Hotel. “We do our best to find great local producers selling fun and interesting stuff. We also ask the best local chefs from the most well-known and fashionable restaurants to come and join us and share their knowledge on the bandstand demonstration kitchen.
SERVING UP GASTRO GOODIES
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working with Royal Tunbridge Wells Together (RTW) who back the event financially. “RTW Together is very pleased to support events organised by The Pantiles traders, such as the upcoming Food Festival, via our grant scheme for events which benefit the town centre,” added Sarah-Jane Adams who is the Business Improvement Director for RTW. “This is always a highlight of the calendar, rightly attracting tourists and residents alike to enjoy a wide range of cuisine and meet foodies and local suppliers, amongst the beautiful setting of this historic part of town.” The Pantiles Food Festival starts at 10 am on both Saturday and Sunday and runs until 5pm on Saturday and 4pm on Sunday. For more details visit www.thepantiles.com
“Despite the hard work we always end up with a great line-up of talented and committed local producers and chefs and we’re really excited to see what they'll be serving up this year.”
OH SO TASTY Sweet treats
Gourmet Julian says that those doing live cooking demos this coming weekend include Will Devlin from the Michelin accredited The Smallholding in Kilndown, Scott Gross from The Beacon, Pat Hill from Thackery’s and main sponsors Matthew Sankey and local butcher Steve Fuller. “Our sponsors have been an incredible help this year especially after the pandemic. Matthew Sankey is a real asset to the festival and always does a great spot on the demo kitchen. But if fish isn’t your thing then the event’s other main sponsor Steve Fuller, is your man as he knows all there is to know about meat.” The Pantiles Food Festival will once again be
FOUNDER Julian Leefe-Griffiths
‘Charismatic storytelling that stirs the imagination’ The Guardian
Tickets · £18 · £16 · 25 May · 8pm
A Room of One's Own 16 June · 8pm Theatre Technician Finance Manager Operations Manager
“Perfection… Vaughan is simply sublime”
– Huffington Post
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Food & drink
Wednesday May 11 | 2022
31
Hop to it – these beers are perfect for springtime Spring is finally here and with that there’s some great beers to try which evoke the changing season. In his column for May, Alex Greig of Fuggles suggests a few that are brewed with the sun in mind and are therefore perfect to crack open and enjoy as the nights get longer and warmer…
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PRINGTIME beers. Let’s start with one I’m a huge fan of: the Saisons offering from Mark Tranters’ Burning Sky which is based down the road in Firle and brews some of the best beers in the country. Traditionally, this style was brewed during the winter by farmers in Belgium and Northern France, in order to be drunk during the hot summer months to keep the workers refreshed. Designed to be light and refreshing, the beer is brewed with a high proportion of spelt and wheat, adding a lovely rustic touch to the beer. Burning Sky’s Saison Printemps is brewed seasonally for the spring months, blended with some barrel aged beer and then dry hopped. It’s super refreshing, with some white wine-like tropical fruit notes. Next up, we have a lager from a big favourite of
‘Designed to be light and refreshing, the beer is brewed with a high proportion of spelt and wheat, adding a lovely rustic touch to proceedings’ mine: Donzoko. Owner Reece Hugill is a massive fan of all forms of lagers and his knowledge on the style is somewhat mind boggling. Brewed with the decoction mash method (effectively you rest the grains at several stages during the process to release different proteins – and all you need to really know here is that decoction equals more layers of complexity, which means
more deliciousness!) This ‘Rustic Lager’, named Big Foam, is just a lovely drop, light, bready and citrussy, there’s lots going on and at the same time, nothing to see at all. And the foam is a great thing so pour it with the intention of creating a lovely, foamy head – afterall it’s where all the lovely aroma hides! If you’re more of a fan of hop forward beers,
let’s talk about Cold IPAs. The cold in this case refers to the strain of yeast used – a lager strain, which ferments at a much colder temperature than ale yeast, which you’d usually use to brew an IPA. What this results in is a beer with juicy, fruity,
TOP TIPPLES (from left to right): UnBarred ‘Cold IPA’ – 8.4%, £5.20 Burning Sky ‘Saison Printemps’ – 4.2%, £4.40 Duration & DEYA ‘Crocs In The Coolship’ – 5.7%, £7 Donzoko ‘Big Foam’ – 5%, £5.40 Donzoko & Newbarns ‘Spring Beer’ – 5%, £4.10
hop characteristics that you’d expect from a well hopped beer but with a really clean and crisp finish thanks to the lager yeast used. UnBarred’s Cold IPA comes in at 8.4%, but don’t be put off, it’s super drinkable for the weight with loads of pineapple and tropical fruit notes.
Showcasing At a slightly more sessionable ABV, we’ve also got the aptly named Spring Beer from Donzoko as well (this time brewed with the folk they share brewing kit with: Newbarns of Leith). This is a great showcase of what the two breweries can produce: a clean and refreshing pale ale (one of Newbarns specialities) showcasing how great German hops can be in so many styles of beer (Donzoko’s speciality). Light, floral and crisp with a continental touch, one to crack open when firing up that BBQ! Finally, something for anyone who really likes to explore beer styles and technique. Duration are one the best in the UK at this and for this beer, Crocs In The Coolshipthey’ve teamed up with DEYA. This is a Wit Beer (the Belgian style of White Beer, which means it’s more citrussy and herbal than its German counterpart, the Weissbier). This beer has been wild fermented in Durations’ Coolship with the addition of candied lemon and lemon peel, which gives the beer a marmalade-y note and a delicate tartness over a lovely nutty, biscuity hint courtesy of using heritage malts and buckwheat during the brew. One for anyone who likes lemon pie! Now, where’s my glass….?
32
Antiques
Wednesday May 11 | 2022
Take a seat and discover all about Knoll
antiques
This week, Alexander Pushkin reveals all about American design legends Knoll Inc structures, funds conservation initiatives, and educates the public about the challenges to Modernist architecture through exhibits and talks.
Collaborations
Alexander Pushkin
K
NOLL INC. is an American design company that specialises in producing furnishing and accessories for offices and home studies, such as desks and tables as well as textiles. The firm is kno INCwn to have collaborated with a wide range of prominent designers under the company's KnollStudio division. The firm bears the name of its founder, Hans Knoll. Hans Knoll launched the company in New York City in 1938. In 1950, production facilities were relocated to Pennsylvania. After Hans Knoll's death in 1955, his wife Florence Knoll became the company's president. The company is based in East Greenville, Pennsylvania, and manufactures in both North America and Italy. Many unique products created under
the auspices of this company are considered iconic in the world of interior design. One such iconic invention is the Wassily Chair, also known as the Model B3 chair. The legendary design was elaborated by Marcel Breuer in 1925–1926 while he was the head of the Bauhaus' cabinet making studio in Dessau, Germany. Among other notable patents and significant items by Knoll are the womb chair and the tulip chair by Eero Saarinen, the Hardoy chair by Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy and several pieces of furniture by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
Institutional Achievement in 2011. Knoll also supports Modernist architecture and design through sponsoring exhibits, scholarships, and other events. Modernism at Risk, an advocacy and conservation initiative, was founded in 2006 by Knoll and the World Monuments Fund, a New York-based non-profit organisation. Modernism at Risk promotes creative solutions for endangered Modernist
As for collaborations, more than 65 world-renowned designers happened to create works for Knoll, Inc. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Harry Bertoia, Florence Knoll (Florence Schust), Frank Gehry, Charles Gwathmey, Maya Lin, Eero Saarinen and Ettore Sotsass are only a few of them to be mentioned. Together with Herman Miller, Knoll is among America’s most famous companies, producing and retailing furniture. Such luxury pieces can be found on the website pushkinantiques.com in our extensive collection of Luxury Interior and can also be viewed in our High street gallery.
'Many unique products created under the auspices of this company are considered iconic in the world of interior design' The Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum awarded Knoll the National Design Award for Corporate and
HOUSE CALLS
FOR MAY IN YOUR AREA There is no obligation to sell, so call Clive Today to arrange a home visit at no charge and at your convenience. He will advise you personally on your items and absolute discretion is guaranteed.
Clive Attrell is back and available throughout Kent & East Sussex for home antiques valuations (Appointment Only)
Call Clive on 07860 942726
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GOLD • SILVER • WATCHES REMEMBER CLIVE IS ALWAYS READY TO MAKE YOU A GENUINE NO OBLIGATION OFFER
During appointments hand sanitiser & masks will be used on arrival. Social distancing will also be observed where possible at all times.
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• GOLD (in any condition) • SILVER (in any condition) • WATCHES (working or not) • COSTUME JEWELLERY • DIAMONDS • SOVEREIGNS • KRUGERRANDS
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• MEDALS • SWORDS • MILITARIA • CLOCKS • PAINTINGS • BRONZES • PRINTS / BOOKS
K O O B NOW
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Antiques
Wednesday May 11 | 2022
33
Through the looking glass with Andy McConnell
The Antiques Roadshow star will host two specialist talks on glassware at The Hoard this month
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RIC’S TAKING a back seat for the time being at the Pantiles Arcade, but do not despair as his Antiques Roadshow colleague Andy McConnell takes centre stage, with a pair of ticketed talks on his pet subject of antique glassware on the 20th and 21st of May Knowing Andy personally, I can safely say that he could not be further from your expectations of the usual slightly dusty antiquarian expert. His humorous and light-hearted style belies the encyclopaedic knowledge which he curates on his specialist subject – antique glassware. He’ll be bringing his signature infectious enthusiasm in abundance to The Pantiles next Friday evening (the 20th - from 7:00pm) and Saturday afternoon (21st - from 4:30pm), at our home in the old Corn Exchange. Tickets are available online from ScottishAntiques.com at a cost of £20.00 per person. The ticket prices includes wine and canapes, and there will be very many examples of antique glassware on display, as always. There’s everything from Baccarat paperweights to museum-quality drinking glasses dating from the 1700s and worth several thousands of pounds, to landmark examples of equally valuable Art Glass from the revered names of 20th century design, and pretty much everything in between. Andy will be in his element and if you’re a connoisseur of very much the finer points of collectable glassware, you will be too. Within this rarified realm, our speaker’s particular forte is decanters and, as you’d expect, this aspect of his expertise is also well catered for with regard to pieces which will be on our shelves available for discussion, perusal and purchase.
will be no lack of entertainment on offer from this most engaging of antiquarians as he covers 5000 years of glass history from Ancient Egypt to 20th century Stourbridge.
' Other celebrity guests coming along to The Hoard include Mark Hill and we will also be hosting two special fairs ' Looking to the not too distant future, the effortlessly elegant Mark Hill will be adding his own insouciant insight to this year’s series of expert lectures on The Pantiles. ANDY MCCONNELL
Adhering 'Andy will be in his element talking much the finer points of collectable glassware and so much more' We’d like to be able to give you more of an idea of exactly what the talks will cover but Andy’s style is somewhat freeform, and things are prone to take any one of a number of different directions, rather than adhering to any sort of script. He himself likens his audience-lead ‘performances’ more to street theatre than to staid and stuffy educational lectures, so there
THE HOARD
Assembly Hall Theatre | Tunbridge Wells
THU 26 — SUN 29 MAY assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk *minimum subscription term applies see website for full terms
We will also have a very special announcement for those of you who perhaps still harbour treasured artefacts from your childhood, or who may be looking to replace fondly-remembered playthings which have been mislaid over the years. There are also some more expansive outdoor, high summer shenanigans coming up for the general edification and delight of a broader spectrum of the good burghers of our parish. We will be hosting two fairs later this year, which will utilise the length and breadth of The Pantiles, and of course our own Pantiles Arcade. More to follow via these pages, and other social media and broadcast channels.
KMJProperty (Tunbridge Wells) Ltd 01892 515188
sales@kmjproperty.co.uk
www.kmjproperty.co.uk
n o t a e h e Turn up th y hunt t r e p o r p r u yo h t i w r e m this sum y t r e p o r P J KM
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R DE R N U FFE O
L ANGTON GREEN OIRO £700,000
W IO NE UCT R ST
This substantial detached family home is situated in the soughtafter village of Langton Green, the accommodation, which would benefit from some updating, comprises; large l-shaped living room/dining room, kitchen/ breakfast room, study/bedroom 4, entrance hall, porch and cloakroom. On the first floor are 3 double bedrooms and the family bathroom. In addition the property offers a lovely SE facing rear garden, double garage, workshop and spacious driveway. Council Tax F. EPC F.
IN
RUSTHALL
OIRO £450,000
This delightful end of terrace family home is situated within easy reach of Rusthall High Street. The accommodation is set over 3 floors and comprises; Master Bedroom with En-Suite, 2 further bedrooms and a family bathroom. On the ground floor the property boasts a modern fitted kitchen, living/ dining room and a downstairs cloakroom. The property also benefits from an allocated parking space and a rear garden. Council Tax D. EPC C.
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W IO NE UCT TR NS
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www.company.com RUSTHALL
OIRO £340,000
This charming 2 bedroom mid terrace cottage in a popular road with views overlooking Rusthall Common. On the ground floor is the living room, kitchen and bathroom and on the first floor are the 2 double bedrooms. The property also benefits from a rear garden. EPC tbc. Council Tax C.
Scan here for an idea of what your property could be worth www.kmjproperty.co.uk
01892 515188
sales@kmjproperty.co.uk
FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk
Wednesday May 11 | 2022
Property
35
property news
What the interest rate rise means to mortgage holders GROWING OLDER RENTAL MARKET CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR LANDLORDS
THE Bank of England base rate of interest was increased last week to a level not seen for more than 13 years. The rise of 0.25 per cent rate now puts the base interest rate – used by banks to determine lending costs to other financial institutions – to 1 per cent. A rate of interest not seen since 2009. The Bank of England said the hike was necessary as it warned the economy could go into reverse and that inflation will peak at more than 10 per cent as the Ukraine war compounds a crippling cost of living crisis.
Increase But the latest rise follows a range of bill increases in April, with rocketing inflation expected to peak at more than 10 per cent. And many mortgage holders are anxious that it will see housing costs increase. However, according to the ONS, three-quarters of outstanding mortgages are on fixed rates, meaning most homeowners will not feel the immediate impact of a base rate rise, according to
figures from trade association UK Finance. Nearly one in ten (nine per cent) mortgages are trackers, with variable rates. Among the nearly nine million outstanding mortgages, the average balance on a tracker deal is £121,034. Based on an average tracker balance, a 0.25 percentage point rise in the base rate would mean a homeowner paying around £25 per month more in mortgage interest, according to UK Finance. Some homeowners are on their lender’s standard variable rate (SVR). People end up on SVRs when their initial mortgage deal has ended, and the rate is set by the individual lender. The average fixed-rate mortgage balance is £161,774 while homeowners on their lender’s SVR typically have an outstanding balance of £76,499. Someone on a typical SVR balance could pay around £16 per month more, assuming the lender passes on the 0.25 percentage point base rate rise in full. Rachel Springall, a finance expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk, said: “Borrowers sitting on a variable
rate may want to lock into a competitive fixed-rate mortgage deal to protect themselves from rising interest rates, perhaps sooner rather than later as fixed rates rise, with the average two-year fixed rate surpassing 3.00 per cent.
Rates “Fixing for longer may be a logical choice for peace of mind with mortgage payments when other household costs are increasing.” She added: “There is still room for improvement across the sector, but as rates rise, comparing deals and switching is wise. “As we have seen before, it can take a few months for customers to see any benefit from a base rate rise but there is no guarantee that savings providers will increase their rates.” Ms Springall said a 0.25 percentage point increase passed on in full would equate to receiving £50 more a year in interest based on a £20,000 investment.
New research shows that more older tenants are renting private properties. ‘Where next for the private rented sector?’ by the Social Market Foundation (SMF) anticipates that by 2035 over 50% of all privately rented homes will have the head of the house aged over 45 years. James Richards, Director of Maddisons Residential, explains the implications for landlords who want to take advantage of this growth sector. In Tunbridge Wells, the average age of private residential tenants is currently 35 years old. In the last 12 months, older tenants over 50 accounted for roughly one in every eight tenants (13.6%). But with house prices continuing to soar and the cost of living increasing, renting is becoming both more necessary and/or more attractive. The SMF research highlighted that many private renters are very happy in their current property, preferring the better location to be near family, have access to outside space, amenities and health facilities. Additionally, many older tenants were increasingly looking for longer-term security and more flexibility within their tenancy agreement. The ability to make cosmetic changes and to have pets in their homes were high up on the wish lists. Allowing pets has proven a great way to increase your choice of tenants, with the number of enquiries for pet-friendly rentals soaring by 120% over the past year, according to Rightmove, compared with a 13% increase in the number of people looking to rent generally. If you’re hesitant to the idea of pets in your rental property (only 7% of landlords advertised pet-friendly rentals in 2020), it’s worth noting that under the Model Tenancy Agreement (the government’s recommended contract for landlords), consent for pets is assumed to be the default position. If you receive a written pet request from a tenant, you need to provide a good reason for refusing in writing within 28 days.
Nearly 40 per cent of homeowners say they are looking to move house HOUSING market conditions are surprisingly buoyant, with 38 per cent of people actively moving or considering doing so, according to an index. A survey of around 3,000 people for Nationwide this month indicated 38 per cent across the UK were either in the process of moving or considering a move. Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist, said the proportion was particularly high in London, where almost half said they were moving or considering a move.
trade up – the exception being amongst those aged 55 and above, where nearly 40 per cent are looking to move to a smaller property compared to just 7 per cent looking to move to a larger property.” The research also found 17 per cent of those moving or considering a move said they were doing so at least in part to reduce spending on housing, either by moving to a different area and/or by moving to a smaller property.
Moving
Mr Gardner added: “We continue to expect the housing market to slow in the quarters ahead. “The squeeze on household incomes is set to intensify with inflation expected to rise further, perhaps reaching double digits in the quarters ahead if global energy prices remain high. “Moreover, assuming that labour market conditions remain strong, the Bank of England is likely to raise interest rates further, which will also exert a drag on the market if this feeds through to mortgage rates.”
Even in Wales, where the share was lowest, more than 25 per cent were either moving or considering a move, he added. These figures are high considering that only around 5 per cent of the housing stock is turned over in a typical year in the UK, he added. Mr Gardner said: “For most movers and potential movers, the majority of those surveyed are looking to
Conditions
Meet the expert: James Richards is Director of Maddisons Residential, a leading, award-winning independent estate agent based in Tunbridge Wells, offering expert advice on all aspects of sales and lettings, combined with excellent customer service.
www.maddisonsresidential.co.uk 18 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5TN Telephone: 01892 514100 Email: info@maddisonsresidential.co.uk
Travel
travel
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Wednesday May 11 | 2022
The famous Moulin Rouge in Paris has opened its boudoir for the first time ...
Your chance to stay overnight in a secret Belle Epoque room inside the City of Light’s famous Moulin Rouge windmill - which is also the home of the can-can
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PARKED by raucous parties held by the 19th century bourgeoisie, Paris earned its reputation for embracing risqué entertainment. Back then, nowhere embodied the saucy side of Belle Epoque France better than the Moulin Rouge, a theatre in arty district Montmartre, where the famous can-can dance was born amidst a flurry of high kicks and frilly skirts.
‘Now, for the first time, members of the public will have an opportunity to stay overnight in a secret room inside the windmill, as part of an offer from Airbnb’ Still standing, the 133-year-old theatre and its iconic red windmill have become synonymous with a city famous for seduction and romance. But beyond the main stage, the building is as clandestine as its saucy shows were in those early days. Although that’s all set to change as now, for the first time, members of the public will have an opportunity to stay overnight in a secret, never-before-seen room inside the windmill, as part of an exclusive offer from Airbnb.
Wednesday May 11 | 2022
‘Visit the dancers in their dressing rooms before the velvet curtains go up, and take front row seats for the theatre’s flamboyant, feather-filled show’ What’s the room like? Working alongside renowned 19th century French historian, Jean-Claude Yon, Airbnb have restored the cabaret-inspired boudoir to it’s 1889 origins.
Rooftop Guests staying in the room can expect to find art nouveau features, including a miniature paper stage, a dressing area featuring glamorous accessories, vintage costumes, fragrant perfumes and effusive letters from admirers. Upstairs is a private rooftop terrace with an ornate pagoda and garden furniture – ideal for a pre-show cocktail. What else do you get? Lucky guests will be ushered into their sexy salon by Claudine Van Den Bergh, lead dancer for the Moulin Rouge. After a private tour, delving backstage, visiting costume makers and learning about the building’s history, there’s a chance to enjoy an aperitif on the rooftop terrace and a three-course dinner, prepared by resident chef Arnaud Demerville. Visit the dancers in their dressing rooms before the velvet curtains raise, and take front row seats for the theatre’s flamboyant, feather-filled show, Féerie. Plus, there’s time for a leisurely petit déjeuner the following day. How does it work? Three individual one-night stays are available on June 13, 20 and 27, for just for just €1 per night. Bookings will open on Tuesday, May 17 at 6pm. Visit airbnb.com/moulinrouge.
Travel
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Motoring
Wednesday May 11 | 2022
Motoring News
This week… 911 Sport Classic
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Sporty C4 n
10 million cars for Dacia
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Porsche 911 Classic reveals heritage-inspired limited-edition model PORSCHE has unveiled its new 911 Sport Classic – a limited-run edition that celebrates the brand’s heritage. Developed by Porsche’s ‘Exclusive Manufaktur’ division, the model pays tribute to the German sports car brand’s past models, namely the original 911 sold between 1964 and 1973 and the 1972 911 Classic RS 2.7.
Colour Featuring a wide body look, which is usually reserved for Porsche’s Turbo models, the Sport Classic gets a prominent rear ducktail spoiler and a distinctive double-bubble roof. Just 1,250 examples will be produced too. It’s not the first time Porsche has created a 911 Classic as in 2009 the 997 generation of this model also spawned this classic look. This new model comes painted in a similar Sports Grey colour that was seen on the 997 model accompanied by twin stripes on the bonnet, roof and rear spoiler. Customers will also be able to choose to have their cars painted in black, Agate Grey, Gentian Blue or one of Porsche’s many ‘Paint to Sample’ colours. IThe 911 Sport Classic also features a unique
engine – a 3.7-litre, twin-turbocharged six-cylinder unit that produces 543bhp, which is sent to the rear wheels. It’s able to go from 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds, while accelerating onto a top speed of 196mph. All versions also use a manual gearbox – making it the most powerful manual 911 available today. It’s the second classic-inspired special edition to be launched recently, following on from the 2020 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition, and a further two retro special editions are in the pipeline. Alexander Fabig, vice president of individualisation and classics at Porsche, said: “The Heritage Design models represent the most emotionally driven concepts of the Porsche product strategy. “This unique approach sees the Style Porsche design department working with Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur to reinterpret iconic 911 models and equipment from the 1950s through to the 1980s and to revive design features from those decades.” Prices for the 911 Sport Classic start from £209,540, making it comfortably the most expensive 911 currently on the market. It’s now available to order, with first deliveries expected in the summer.
Mercedes unveils the first sporty version of its latest C-Class – the C4
Dacia celebrates production of its 10 millionth Duster SUV DACIA has produced its 10,000,000th car – a special-edition version of its Duster crossover, the brand recently announced. Rolling off the production line in Mioveni, Romania, the Duster Extreme SE, which has been the most popular SUV sold across Europe to private customers since 2018, was finished in Urban Grey. Speaking of the milestone, Denis Le Vot, CEO of Dacia, said: “We are very proud to have passed the symbolic milestone of 10 million vehicles produced. This result rewards a pragmatic vision of the automobile, focused on what is essential to our customers.
Lifestyles
AVAILABLE In both saloon and estate form, the new sports model borrows the same engine from the recently revealed Mercedes-AMG SL43 sports car. It might be down two cylinders on the outgoing car’s V6 engine, but the new 2.0-litre has increased power from 385bhp to 402bhp. This is delivered to all four wheels via an AMG-developed nine-speed automatic gearbox.
Turbocharger It’s also a mild-hybrid – which is able to add a small 14bhp boost from its 48-volt electrical system – and is the first series production car to use an electric exhaust gas turbocharger, which helps to provide extra responsiveness, particularly from idle. Mercedes says the engine’s technology ‘derives directly from Formula 1’. The C43 saloon can accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds, with the more practical estate taking a further tenth of a second. The top speed is limited to 155mph, but can be raised to 165mph with an optional ‘AMG Driver’s Package’.
A range of different driving models are available as part of the ‘AMG Dynamic Select’ package, including ‘slippery’, ‘comfort’ and ‘sport plus’. The C43 also comes as standard with adaptive damper suspension, as well as rear-axle steering, which improves handling agility while also reducing the turning circle when parking. To set it apart from the regular C-Class, the C43 gets an AMG-specific grille with chrome vertical slats, sporty air intakes and an aggressive rear diffuser. Inside, ‘AMG Performance’ seats trimmed in man-made leather and microfibre are included as standard, along with contrasting red stitching and seat belts. The MBUX infotainment system also features AMG-specific displays and functions, including a data logger for those wanting to use their C43 on track. Until the new four-cylinder C63 arrives later in the year, the C43 is the most powerful C-Class in the line-up. Although Mercedes hasn’t named an on sale date for the C43, first deliveries are likely before the end of 2022.
“Building on its experience, Dacia will continue to grow and offer attractive vehicles that are adapted to our customers’ lifestyles.” Dacia first began producing cars in August 1968, with the ‘1100’ being its initial model. The following year the ‘1300’ debuted and was sold in a variety of bodystyles, and remained in
production for an impressive 35 years, with 2.3 million being manufactured. The Romanian brand’s turning point, however, came in 1999 when it was bought by the Renault Group. The Logan was launched in 2004 and helped to really accelerate Dacia’s growth with its focus on value, with 1.95 million Logan and Logan MCV estate models being produced. More recently, Dacia introduced the Sandero and its Stepway sibling, with 2.6 million examples of these being produced, while 2.1 million sales can be attributed to the Duster. The firm would also continue to expand to various markets, with Dacia officially launching in the UK in 2012. Dacia has dabbled in electrification in recent years, with the ‘Spring EV’ being its first electric car, though it isn’t sold in the UK. The new Jogger MPV also launched last month, earning the title as Britain’s cheapest seven-seater car. While many Dacias continue to be built in Romania, the brand also now produces cars in Morocco, Algeria and China.
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Wednesday November 10 | 2021
H ENGINEERING PROUDLY UNDERTAKE THE RESTORATION OF CLASSIC & VINTAGE VEHICLES.
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