Times of Tunbridge Wells 16th Feb 2022 by One Media

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A 21-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder after a town centre incident in broad daylight that left another man in hospital with stab wounds. On Saturday afternoon, police were called near to Royal Victoria Place shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells just after 1pm following reports of an assault. A man was found to have suffered stab wounds and was rushed to a London hospital. The injured man, who has not been named, is now said to be in a ‘stable condition’ following the attack. Shoppers were kept away from the area on Saturday afternoon as a cordon was put around the Meadow Road car

‘Following the general easing of Covid restrictions we have seen an uptick in public order incidents in the town centre’ park and towards Goods Station Road following the incident in Upper Grosvenor Road. White-suited scenes of crime officers were seen searching the area for evidence, while the incident caused a large traffic backlog through the town. On Sunday (February 13), Kent Police arrested Michael Rodriguez, 21, of Warren Gardens, Hadlow in connection with the attack, and later that day he was charged with attempted murder.

07/02/2022 12:56

Council Tax to rise after county council approves its budget

By Victoria Roberts

Mr Rodriguez was remanded in custody by Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday (February 14) and he is set to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on March 14. Kent Police say are still appealing for witnesses to come forward A force spokesperson said: “A suspect has been arrested following report of a serious assault in Tunbridge Wells. “The incident happened in Upper Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells, at 1.22pm on Saturday February 12. “Officers and South East Coast Ambulance Service attended the scene and a man was taken to a London hospital with injuries consistent with stab wounds. “He remains in hospital where his

COUNCIL tax will rise by nearly three per cent from April, which will see bills increase by at least £43 for most residents, following a vote last week. Kent County Council (KCC) approved a £1.2billion budget on Thursday (February 10), following a debate at the Kent Event Centre at Detling rather than county Hall in Maidstone due to social distance guidance in place at KCC. Councillors agreed to raise the duty on residents by the maximum permissible in law, which will see Council Tax rise by 2.99 per cent, which includes a 1 per cent ringfenced Adult Social Care Levy. For a Band D Council Tax payer this will see bills rise by £43, and comes as after the Police and Crime Commissioner confirmed a £15 a week rise in his share of Council Tax and a week before Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is set to vote on whether to hike its Council Tax portion next week (February 23). The combined rises mean by April, some of the highest band residents in Tunbridge Wells could see their bills exceed £3,000 a year for the first time. KCC approved its budget last week by 46 votes to 16, with four abstentions. The £1.2billion plan for 2022/2023

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Continued on page 2

Town crime rate remains ‘very low’ despite weekend violent incidents By Richard Williams

S , DE EA: OOKN SI ITDM OT ES INNRISS NIGBHRNUTRIEL -33 I L 0 CH ORTA PAAT S 3 PC EE E iSn THF AG P

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this week… Murder charge after man stabbed KENT CONTENDERS: Meet the four women from Tunbridge Wells who are shortlisted for the Kent Women in Business Awards P7

THREE’S COMPANY: Lynne Meek turned her home-based operation into a million pound business. Now she’s after a Times Business Award. P8 STREET CRAFT: Teens enjoy chance to hone their graffiti skills in workshops led by urban artist Graham Upton. P10

FROM THE HEART: Tonbridge Philharmonic Society plans a programme of romance and drama under conductor Naomi Butcher. P20

CONTACTS EDITOR RICHARD WILLIAMS richard.williams@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 240626 DEPUTY EDITOR EILEEN LEAHY eileen.leahy@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 576037 NEWSDESK VICTORIA ROBERTS newsdesk@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 779615

Continued from front page condition is described as stable.” He continued: “Any witnesses and anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to call Kent Police.” The incident occurred just seven days after another violent assault in the town centre in which a man was hospitalised with facial injuries. Kent Police say the victim of that incident was a man in his 20s who was walking in Mount Pleasant Road on Saturday, February 5 at around 8.50pm, when two men ran up and punched him to the floor. The men continued to assault the victim on the ground, but several members of the public intervened and the two attackers fled.

Arrested The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to facial injuries and bruising. Two men, both aged 22, were later arrested by Kent Police on suspicion of assault. They have been bailed to return to the police station on March 6. Investigating officer, PC Lily Mackay, said: “We understand the suspects fled the scene after members of the public intervened and we are appealing for anybody who witnessed the incident but has not yet spoken to the police, to call our appeal line.” Despite the two separate weekend attacks, residents have been reminded that Tunbridge

CRIME SCENE Forensic officers carrying out investigations on Saturday Wells remains ‘a town with a very low crime rate’. Cllr David Scott, the Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for Economic Development in Royal Tunbridge Wells, put the recent incidents down to post Covid ‘uptick’ in crime, but reminded residents the town remains one of the safest in Kent. He said: “Following the general easing of Covid restrictions we have seen an uptick in public order incidents in the town centre and elsewhere, including two serious incidents of assault within the past two weeks.

“The Community Safety Partnership, which includes partners such as Kent Police, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and the Safe Town Partnership, are working closely to ensure all available options are considered in securing convictions and preventing further similar occurrences. “We remain a town with a very low crime rate and are determined to maintain this to minimise both the risk and fear of crime in Tunbridge Wells.” Anybody with information about either incident can call kent Police on 01622 604100.

Council Tax to rise after budget Continued from front page includes £484million ringfenced for adult social care and health services, £52million for roads, improving communities and digital connectivity, £270million for helping young people, and £5million for tackling climate change. “The spending pressures we face are severe. We have huge demands, especially in adult social care, as we come out of the pandemic and successive lockdowns, and more and more people come into our services with more complex needs,” stated KCC Leader Roger Gough. He acknowledged the squeeze on residents with the announced Council tax rise as well as an intended rise to bus passes, saying: “I have no wish to be raising Council Tax, or the cost of the Kent Travel Saver, at a time of pressure on living standards. “But evidence of stress in our sector is all around us. And we know what happens when councils don’t face reality and lose control – financial failure means service failure too. “Now is the time to take the decisions that set us on an even keel.”

Summing up, Mr Gough said: “The commitments we make in this budget are not the end, but a down payment on what we aim to do over the coming years. Some amendments to the proposed budget focused on easing the burden for the vulnerable, for example, although the Council approved an ROGER GOUGH £80 increase to the Kent Travel Saver, it was decided not to increase the cost for children on free school meals. KCC has also allocated £1.7billion for capital works – spending on large infrastructure projects – over the next decade. But the budget hearing heard how the authority has also seen the cost of services rise by £84million. Peter Oakford, KCC deputy leader, head of finance and Cllr for Tunbridge Wells North, has appealed for government help. He said: “Despite an increase in government

WHAT THE COUNTY HALL TAX RISE MEANS TO BILLS 2020/21 TheBand rise voted in by KCC will see 2022/23 Council Tax bills riseAacross Kent. Here is how much of an increase £945.84 £ 974.16 it will be on your band. B £ 1,103.48 £ 1,136.52 C

£ 1,261.12

£ 1,298.88

£1,418.76

£1,734.04

£1,785.96

£2,049.32

£2,110.68

£2,364.60

£2,435.40

£2,837.52

£2,922.48

funding for the new financial year, the stark reality is that it is simply not enough. “The current economic situation – rising inflation and soaring energy prices – has increased the cost of providing key services. “While at the same time, central government contributions over the last decade have fallen by a total £750million.”

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Bewl and parish council meet over fishing lodge row

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THE operators of Bewl Water and the local parish council have met following a row over the reservoir’s plans to convert a derelict fishing lodge. Ticehurst Parish Council had objected to the plans to convert the disused lodge into holiday lets over ‘ecological concerns’. Parish councillors had told the local planning authority that Bewl Water had not been transparent with its plans and had not communicated with them. However, a row erupted after it emerged the parish council had refused to meet the water park operators, who had their planning application rejected by Wealden District Council last month, despite the reservoir asking on four occasions to meet them. Bewl Water is now appealing Wealden District Council’s decision in a move that could land

taxpayers with a heft legal bill. Last week (Thursday, February 10) Ticehurst Parish Council along with DISUSED The fishing lodge leader of Wealden District Council, Bob Standley, and Cllr Johanna Howell head of the planning committee (north) met with Bewl’s team to discuss the reservoir’s development plan. Mr Andrew Daniells, Business Director at Bewl Water said the 90-minute meeting was ‘very productive’. He added: “We presented the simplified Bewl Water masterplan, which is founded on a site wide landscape and visual appraisal and on an extensive leisure and tourism market analysis and showed a number of development options

to protect the future of Bewl Water. “We were able to show the Parish and District Councillors how Bewl’s watersports have diversified to be more inclusive and attract more people to the reservoir. “A lot of care has been taken to diversify water activities, which has attracted more windsurfers, paddle boarders, wing-foilers and, importantly, sailing schools and junior dinghy training sections. “The diversity of Bewl Water’s recreational activity has never been so wide or popular. “We hope that following this meeting, all parties can work positively together to find the ‘balance’ between the need to diversify and ensure the longevity of the site and to protect and enhance the landscapes of the High Weald and look forward to meeting with interested parties in the near future.” Ticehurst Parish Council were approached for comment.

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Musical duo set to return to Hop Farm STARS of the stage, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, are to return to the Hop Farm, near Paddock Wood this summer. The iconic duo are to perform an outdoor concert on Saturday, July 2. The two artists first joined forces in 2016 with their best-selling debut album, Together and have since released a further three albums, including a collection of Christmas classics in 2020. “We are so looking forward to Ball and Boe joining our spectacular weekend of music in Kent for a sundown of classic hits,” said the concert promoters. “The last couple of years has been so challenging and it will be amazing to see everyone ‘together again’.” Tickets from online vendors are set to go on sale today (February 16).

Euro cricket success FOLLOWING on from their national T20 success, Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club (TWCC) have made it through to the ECL 2022 (European Cricket League) finals after playing nine T10 matches over five days and winning their group. TWCC beat Dreux CC, the French champions, last Friday (February 11) at the Cartama Oval in Spain in their last group game. to secure the club’s final place. Batting first, the English T20 champions scored 128-5 from their ten overs, Viraj Bhatia and Dave Smith both top-scoring with 28. Dreux CC reached 101-8 from their ten overs to lose by 27 runs. TWCC will now embark on the finals next month.

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Narrow escape for cash machine user as a car crashes into station By Sarah Bond A WOMAN escaped injury after a car ploughed into the rear of Tunbridge Wells Station last week as she stood at a cash machine. Police say they were called to the Mount Pleasant Road train station around 7.45am last Thursday [February 10] after a car hit a column supporting the canopy to the entrance to Platform 1. The driver was interviewed by police and later taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries. No other vehicles were involved in the incident that happened at the back of the station outside Platform 2, but a young woman narrowly missed being hurt as she withdrew cash.

PHOTOGRAPH BY SARAH BOND

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

Pillar One witness told the Times: “It was an SUV type car and the driver just seemed to fail to stop. I’m not sure if they pressed the wrong pedal but it went straight into the pillar. “A lady was using the cash machine and the car came to a stop just inches away from her. It was quite scary but thankfully nobody was hurt.” Southeastern asked passengers to use the entrance via Platform 2 following the incident last week as the rail provider checked the safety of the canopy over the station entrance.

It re-opened two hours later. A spokesperson for Kent Police said: “Kent Police was called at around 7.45am on Thursday 10 February to a report that a car had collided

with the front of Tunbridge Wells railway station. “Officers attended the scene and spoke to the driver who later attended a local hospital for treatment to minor injuries.”

Council ranks poorly on climate but wins £1.4million in eco grants

Olympic hopes dashed

By Robert Forrester

CROWBOROUGH Winter Olympic hopeful, Matt Weston, has spoken of his disappointment after finishing only 15th in the skeleton competition. He had joined Team GB on the back of the team winning a skeleton podium place in the last five years, including three golds. But Weston finished 15th at Yanqing National Sliding Centre, while his colleagues were also off the place, dashing any medal hopes. “We’ve got to learn some lessons from what happened here. I don’t doubt that we will bounce back stronger,” he said. “But for the moment, this is not where I want to be.”

TUNBRIDGE Wells Borough Council is at the bottom of Kent’s districts when it comes to the authority’s action plan to tackle climate change, a campaign group has said. Climate Emergency UK say they scored councils' published policies on climate change action regarding such thing as whether the actions were costed, were assigned to specific teams, and whether the authority had a clear goal. Maidstone scored 72 per cent – top in the county and was the sixth highest scoring council in the UK. But Tunbridge Wells scored just 50 per cent. While this is higher than the national average of 40 per cent, was the lowest of all Kent’s districts other than Dartford, which

scored zero per cent for having no action plan in place. Isaac Beevor, from Climate Emergency UK said: "Councils may be doing good things which aren’t reflected in their action plan.

Funding "Next year we will be assessing all councils on what they are actually doing." However, the news comes just as TWBC has just been handed £1.4million in funding from the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The money, which is to fund decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures, will be used for a number of projects. These include developing plans for the Council’s least energy efficient buildings.

In particular, the Weald Leisure Centre in Cranbrook is to get an eco upgrade of air source heat pumps, better insulation, LED lighting and solar panels. Cllr Jane March, who has just taken over the role as the Cabinet’s head of Environment following the resignation of former cabinet member Cllr Matt Bailey last month, told the Times: “There has been progress been made in how we are tackling climate change and our commitment to the net zero target has not changed. “There is still work to be done and initiatives like the recent award of grant funding to help develop decarbonisation plans for the Council’s buildings are going to be a great help.” She added: “I am sure the improvements at the Weald Leisure Centre will also be welcomed by residents who use the centre.”

GREG Iconic Pantiles immortalised in Lego bricks CLARK MP ADVICE SURGERIES

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THE spring that founded the town of Royal Tunbridge Wells has been recreated out of Lego bricks. Modeller Neil Marsden says he built the Lego version of the Chalybeate Spring that sits on The Pantiles to celebrate the near 400-year history of the town.

Showcased He said: “This build celebrates over 400 years of the unique and historical significance of The Chalybeate Spring. “It features the frontage that was built around the spring, in its heyday, at the end of the 19th Century and which can still be seen today.” Neil says he hopes if enough people like the model, which was showcased on the plastic brick maker’s website ideas.lego.com, it could even become an official Lego set. See our feature spotlight on The Pantiles page 30-33.

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Hospital predator faces more charges as further victims are being identified But families launch legal action to extend the powers of the inquiry into Fuller’s crimes

Representatives of Ms Miah and the families of 36 victims say the current inquiry's nonstatutory status means it will not be able to legally compel witnesses to give evidence. They have also questioned the independence of inquiry chair

By Robert Forrester MORE David Fuller victims have been identified and it is likely the of convicted murderer and sex offender is to face further charges in the coming weeks. A national newspaper reported last week how officers at Kent Police are confident they have enough evidence to charge the 67-year-old with yet more crimes. Fuller, a former hospital electrician, is currently serving a whole life sentence for the 1987 murders of Wendy Knell, 25, and Caroline Pierce, 20, but he was also convicted of abusing bodies at hospital mortuaries in the town.

Independent

Hundreds He pleaded guilty to 51 offences, including 44 charges relating to 78 identified victims. But police have always suspected there were more victims yet to be identified. Kent Police received hundreds of calls after setting up an appeal line to hear from families of people that Fuller may have attacked over the 12 years of his offending at Tunbridge Wells Hospital and its forerunner the Kent and Sussex Hospital. The Sun newspaper suggested charges were set to be laid as early as last week, but the Times understands that while the force has evidence of more crimes against further victims, charges are unlikely to be put to Fuller until next month. The news comes as a daughter of a woman whose body was abused by Fuller, a father of

CAROLINE PIERCE

WENDY KNELL

four, has applied for a judicial review into the inquiry into his crimes. Following his conviction last year, an independent inquiry was called to be headed by Sir Jonathan Michael, the former chief executive to a number of NHS hospitals.

Sir Jonathan announced in January his inquiry into Fuller, of Heathfield, East Sussex, will be split in to two parts. The first stage will focus on Fuller's crimes the hospitals, while the second will examine the implications for the country as a whole. But Amanda Miah, whose late mother was one of Fuller's victims, has applied for a judicial review, backed by other victims' families, to extend the powers of the review, which her lawyers say is ‘not fit for purpose’.

Sonia Miah died aged 54 after experiencing breathing difficulties in 2018. Her daughter told reporters last week: "I just want to make sure that this can never happen again, that you know there's security in place [so] that we can have more trust to leave our loved ones in these people's care." Ben Davey, her lawyer, said she and many other families want a full statutory judge-led inquiry, with hearings held in public. Mr Davey said: "The family say the inquiry is not fit for purpose. They say it does not have sufficient powers to be able to fully examine how David Fuller was able to commit these offences over such a long period of time. "They also say the chair of the inquiry is not independent and therefore he will not be able to maintain the integrity of the inquiry by remaining in post." A spokesperson for the inquiry said nonstatutory inquiries are ‘often quicker’ than statutory inquiries, enabling recommendations and changes to be made faster. He added: "The inquiry is independent of the NHS and of the government. Sir Jonathan and his team are determined to be objective and thorough in their work."

Investigation into Tunbridge Wells minibond firm set to last five years

in filing their legal action, which is subject to reporting restrictions, Smith & Wiliamson have alleged that money from LCF investors went on horses, a helicopter and land for a holiday resort in the Dominican Republic, in what the adminstrator decribed as ‘highly suspicious transactions’. Mr Hume Kendall and his wife Helen are also reported to have spent the proceeds on a membership of Annabel’s private members’ club in London’s Berkeley Square. The collapse of LCF is also the subject of an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), which arrested five individuals connected with LCF in 2019, but have so far filed no charges. The SFO has also interviewed a number of people in the Kent and East Sussex area on suspicion of money laundering offences in connection with LCF’s collapse.

By Richard Williams THE administrators tasked with finding out what happened to £237million invested by more than 11,500 bondholders in Tunbridge Wells based London Capital & Finance (LCF) have extended the investigation process until 2024. According to the latest filings on Companies House, joint administrators Smith and Williamson and FRP Advisory said the administration of the mini-bond provider will now end on January 29, 2024.

Returns This would mean the administration process would reach five years if the investigation lasts that long. LCF collapsed in January 2019 after the city watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), froze its bank accounts because of its marketing practices for minibonds. The Tunbridge Wells firm was offering returns as high as eight per cent and selling the products as being similar to ISAs, although they had none of the same protections. The investment company that was based in Eridge Road, was set up by Tunbridge Wells businessman and former local Conservative Association chairman, Simon Hume-Kendall. Mr Hume-Kendall eventually stepped down from the company but went on to become its largest borrower of funds through his business London Oli & Gas (LOG), which also collapsed after LCF fell into administration.

Taxpayers COURT ACTION Mr Hume-Kendall and wife Helen at a launch of a Dominican Republic resort project The scandal is currently the subject of a High Court action in which Mr Hume-Kendall and 12 others connected to LCF are being sued by the administrators for £178million over alleged fraud. Also being sued is Mr Hume-Kendall’s wife, Helen Hume-Kendall, Equestrian businessman Spencer Golding of Crowborough, former LCF CEO Andy Thompson, Hadlow Down

businessman and former LOG director Elten Barker.

Minister Former Conservative energy minister Charles Hendry is also among those named in the legal claim by administrator Smith & Williamson after he became a consultant for LCF.

Already, the costs connected with the administration of LCF has exceeded more than £7million and are set to rise if the case drags on until January 2024. When LCf collapsed more than 11,000 bondholders lost investments including pension pots and life savings. In April last year, the Treasury announced it will establish a scheme that will refund 80 per cent of LCF bondholders’ initial investment. The money, up to a maximum of £68,000, is expected amount to around £120million in compensation that will be paid by UK taxpayers due to LCF not being regulated by the FCA.

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Four-year battle over golf course ends as developer loses its housing appeal By Jonathan Banks A PLANNING Inspector has rejected an appeal to build 374 homes on a golf course in a Tunbridge Wells, in a decision that has been described as ‘monumentally important’. Owners of Hawkhurst Golf Course had wanted to redevelop the land to build a new housing estate as well as a relief road that would have cut through the middle of the 18-hole course. The existing clubhouse and squash courts would have been demolished under the proposals and the golf course reshaped to accommodate the homes that included social housing and sheltered housing. Opposition from residents and environmental groups has been significant. Hundreds of emails and letters were submitted to planning authority to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) in

opposition to the plan. A protest group, Save Hawkhurst, was also set up while Hawkhurst Parish Council also objected to the gold course’s plan. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council eventually refused planning permission last year, but club owners CedarDrive appealed against the decision to the CLERK Planning Clare Escombe Inspector. But last week, the government inspector threw out the Golf Course owner’s appeal as not being ‘in the public interest’. Planning

Inspector Owen Woodwards, who held the appeal hearing last September, made his decision last Thursday (February 10) ruling that the proposed road would involve substantial engineering work and a loss of trees in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). He refused the planning appeal even though there is a shortage of housing in the area. The decision ends a four-year battle between Cedar Drive, the parish council and resident groups after the golf club first proposed the plans in 2018. The Parish Council described the decision as ‘wonderful news’. Clare Escombe, Chairman of Hawkhurst Parish Council said in a newsletter to residents: “This decision was monumentally important for the whole village. “If this application had been approved, it

would have dramatically changed Hawkhurst forever. “I am incredibly proud of what we achieved by working together as a community. “Thank you all for everything you did and for your support.” Cedar Drive was approached for comment.

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Parish council accused of dirty tricks as referendum sparks a political row leave it to planning officers who may lack the local knowledge to decide what is best for our parish’. She also defended the actions of replacing Mrs Strouts posters, saying: “The ‘yes’ campaign seemingly wanted to ensure all voters understood the vested interest of those encouraging a ‘no’ vote. This was not confusing, it actually clarified the issue for many.”

By Victoria Roberts ACCUSATIONS of ‘dirty tricks’ have been thrown following a row in a sleepy Tunbridge Wells parish over a referendum for a proposed Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP). The plan for Benenden, population just 2,000, proposed by a steering committee, has suggested that the village choose sites for development instead of allowing the planning authority of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) to do it. Those in favour argued this would protect the countryside and ensure the parish would get the affordable housing the parish needed, and allow any new builds to be offset against the parish’s housing targets. A referendum was held on February 3, giving residents of the parish two options, vote ‘yes’ for the plan or vote ‘no’.

Allocate

Redundant The plan gained 80.5 per cent support on a turnout of 52 per cent. But opposition group Friends of East End (FoEE) group have called foul on the ‘yes’ campaign orchestrated by the Parish Council. The group has argued that TWBC planners ‘should allocate sites with input from the village, not the other way around’, and pointed to recent data showing falling housing needs for the parish that could make the NDP redundant. Organiser Hazel Strouts said the pro-NDP group put up posters imitating her ‘No’ campaign’s black and white colour scheme and

font, to undermine the FoEE message. “This is akin to forgery,” she claimed, accusing the Parish Council of ‘dirty tricks’. “Of course, you accept the result of a democratic election, but this was not democratic.” She also accused the local parish magazine of bias as the co-editor Peter Thomas is married to Parish Council chair, Nicola Thomas. “The February editorial was quite virulent, whether he meant to or not, he leant his authority to his wife’s position.”

She also said another parish councillor, Graham Beveridge, had ‘almost wrestled her to the ground’ when he saw her putting up her campaign posters. Replying to the accusations, Benenden Parish Council chair Nicola Thomas told the Times the police had said Mrs Strouts’ claim about Cllr Beveridge was a civil matter, but added: “We are one of few Neighbourhood areas to choose the difficult route of allocating sites.” She explained that it seemed ‘safer for us to take control of the selection process, rather than

Ms Thomas said she and a fellow parish councillor had recently met with a small group of residents in the East End area ‘to discuss how we move forward, and the results of this were very positive,’ she said. “We chose to allocate sites for homes and the Parish Council wanted a strong turn-out and clear mandate either way. With 56 per cent turn out and 80:20 vote in favour I am delighted the residents have spoken loud and clear. I am certain that we will stand up to any scrutiny.” Meanwhile, her husband and parish magazine co-editor Mr Thomas disputed that FoEE had not been able to put its points across, pointing to editorial coverage in different issues. “Was it virulent? I think it just told one or two long-overdue truths that Hazel didn’t like,” he told the Times. He continued: “Sadly this kind of rant from Hazel is nothing new to us in Benenden it is just the latest in a long line of personal attacks that have only got worse since the parish voted by an 80 per cent majority in favour of the NDP.”

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

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BUSINESS

Four female entrepreneurs make the grade at the county’s Women in Business Awards our clients,” she said. “Being recognised for those efforts is the icing on the cake.”

By Sarah Carter FOUR Tunbridge Wells women have made the shortlist of the county-wide Kent Women in Business Awards (KWIB Awards). The quartet are all competing in more than one category, with some of them returning after past successes. Siobhan Stirling and Deborah Richards are both on the shortlist for Businesswoman of the Year (over five years’ operation).

‘Mumpreneur’

Champion Ms Stirling, director of Sharp Minds Communications, is also competing in the Employer of the Year and the Women in PR and Marketing categories. In 2021, she won the Leadership and Management award for the second year running and was also runner-up in the PR & Marketing category and the businesswoman of the Year (over five years’ operation). She has also won the PR & Marketing award twice and Women’s Champion award once. “It’s an hnour to share a spot in the finals with so many other leading Kentish women, and I wish my Tunbridge Wells colleagues the best of luck on the night.” she said. As founder and managing partner of Maddisons Residential, this is Ms Richards’ first time at the KWIBA ceremony, but she has also been nominated for the Growth Award this year. “Even with the remaining lockdown challenges of last year, I’ve been committed to finding new ways to keep providing an excellent service for

Siobhan Stirling

Jessica Nelson

Deborah Richardson

Jess Gibson

The founder of the TN Card reward scheme – which covers independent businesses in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, while raising funds for West Kent Mind – Jess Gibson has been shortlisted in the entrepreneur of the year and community champion categories. “It’s an honour to be a finalist at the awards for a second year,” she said. “The TN Card has grown rapidly since launching in 2020, and with over 2,000 members now enjoying rewards for supporting local and industry recognition such as this, it is clear that the TN Card is making a real difference in our towns.” In the Professional Achievement and ‘Mumpreneur’ of the Year categories is Jessica Nelson, owner of Once Upon A Wish Events, providing characters and experiences for children’s parties and events. “I’m delighted to be on the shortlist for two awards – it makes all of the hard work worthwhile,” she said. “It can be a handful, growing a successful business as well as being a fulltime mum, but it has let me pursue my passion of sharing magical moments with my customers across Kent.” The KWIBA winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in Ashford on Friday, March 11. There are 20 categories this year.

Tyre wholesaler treads Kent Cricket retains new turf at North Farm services of Cripps

WINNING TEAM Cripps partners Salim Somjee and Sam Jones with Andy Griffiths, Director of Partnerships at Kent Cricket

A MAJOR UK tyre-wholesaler has opened a new warehouse in the North Farm Industrial estate, in a bid to increase business in Kent and Sussex. R.H. Claydon had previously served the area from its Suffolk and Swindon, Wiltshire, centres, but the new location would help the company make daily deliveries to clients in Kent and Sussex, said director Ruby Claydon.

Depot Located near the major goods artery of the A21 and with access to farming sector customers, the North Farm-based warehouse would stock a full

range of tyres, from agricultural, earth-moving and goods transport vehicles to private cars and even wheelbarrows, she explained. “Five jobs have been created by the opening of the new depot; however, we are hoping to expand and create more jobs. “We are currently recruiting three delivery drivers,” she told the Times, adding that interested parties could e-mail mariusk@rhc. co.uk. The 20,000 square foot new depot, the company’s seventh, opened on January 4, increasing the company’s warehouse space by about ten per cent, to over 240,000 square feet.

KENT Cricket have retained the legal help of a local law firm to provide legal advice for their 2022 season. With the county sports team starting their defence of the Vitality Blast title in May, they named Tunbridge Wells-based Cripps Pemberton Greenish their preferred legal partner for the season. Founded in 1852, Cripps are a top 100 UK law firm, and the largest law firm in Kent, providing a full range of services for businesses and individuals. Kent Cricket’s Director of Partnerships, Andy Griffiths, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Cripps into the Kent Cricket family, further strengthening the Club’s ties within the county’s

successful business community. “We look forward to working with Cripps ahead of starting a new season and defending our Vitality Blast title.”

Heritage Cripps managing partner Gavin Tyler said: “We are incredibly proud of our Kent heritage and are thrilled to be selected as Kent Cricket’s Preferred Legal Partner. “The opening night of the 2022 Vitality Blast is Wednesday 25 May, when there will be a rematch of last year’s final between champions Kent Spitfires and Somerset,” said the England and Wales Cricket Board.

BUSINESS

Local News

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Wednesday February 16 | 2022

Fashion boutique is not being meek Ten categories with its entry to the Business Awards to be celebrated The Times Business Awards on March 24 at the Salomons Estate in Tunbridge Wells will celebrate success in the following categories:

Start-Up Business of the Year Award – This award recognises new start-ups under two years old at the closing date for entries of February 14.

Creative Business of the Year – To recognise those businesses based on innovation and creative thinking.

Entrepreneur of the Year – The award for the most dynamic individuals who and are able to demonstrate significant success in growing their company.

Times Business Awards are in collaboration with:

Young Business Person of the Year – Entrants for this award must be aged 30 or under by the closing date on February 14, 2022 and need to show they have a clear vision/ strategy for their business.

Resilient Business – The winner of this category will have risen to the recent challenges of the pandemic and diversified or come up with a new business strategy to adopt to the ‘new normal’.

By Richard Williams A FAMILY that began selling clothing from the loft of their Tunbridge Wells home before turning into a million-pound online fashion business is hoping to see their success rewarded at this year’s Times Business Awards. The Meek Boutique was set up by Lynne Meek and husband Russell back in 2018, selling women’s clothing over the internet worldwide.

Women The business soon began to grow as the brand’s reliance on quality and a very high level of customer service saw them become a go to clothing shop for ‘tens of thousands of women who need quick, easy solutions for their wardrobes’. The company has since grown out of the

family’s loft and the business is trading from a large facility in Linden Park in Tunbridge Wells. The number of employees has grown too. Lynne and Russell have now been joined by both sons Tom and Dan who are both involved in the family-run concern that saw some of its

‘During this difficult time we felt incredibly blessed to have such huge loyalty from our customers.’ largest growth during the pandemic. “We had to adapt quickly to a very new set of demands, difficulties and frustrations,” Lynne Meek told the Times. “During this difficult time we felt incredibly blessed to have such huge loyalty from our

MEEK TEAM: Lynne [centre] Russell [right] and son Tom

customers. “And indeed the business grew rapidly as more women relied on buying their clothes online, often for the first time. “Covid saw a large part of our growth, which makes us very lucky for being in the right place at the right time.”

Champion Lynne added that while their customer base is global, they feel very much part of the Tunbridge Wells business community. “We live and work in Tunbridge Wells and really love it. “We feel very passionately about Tunbridge Wells and feel very much a part of the community so want to be part of the awards as we feel it is important to champion local business.”

HAVE YOU ENTERED THE GALA EVENT OF THE YEAR? The deadline for entrants to the Times Business Awards has now passed. If you have entered, the awards judges will be announcing shortlisted entries on February 23 when the top three finalists from each of the ten categories will be announced in the Times The winners will be announced at the Times Business Awards ceremony at the black-tie event on March 24 at the Salomons Estate Science Theatre in Tunbridge Wells.

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Best in Food and Drink – For those local business that provide truly remarkable food and/or drink in the area.

Best Family Business of the Year – This category recognises those businesses that not only have the passion and commitment that comes with a company run by a family concern. Best Business 25+ employees – For larger firms that have consistent growth and strong financial performance alongside an engaged workforce and a business plan.

Best Business 1-25 employees – Here we recognise owner-managers and SMEs employing up to 25 people that have maintained consistent growth and strong financial performance. Outstanding Business of the Year – The ultimate award of all the categories will go to the business that can show outstanding initiative, boldness and imagination in the enterprise, as well as sound management practices.

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Tuneful porter brings praise to hospital team By Victoria Roberts A HOSPITAL porter has been praised for his tuneful renditions that have eased the fears of young patients undergoing procedures at Tunbridge Wells Hospital. Jonathan Baker, 51, has been worked for the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) for 20 years. He has been a porter at the Tunbridge Wells hospital’s emergency department for the last five years, where he works in character as Santa Claus att Christmastime.

Responded His recent rendition of ‘The wheels on the trolley go round and round’ to his one-year-old patient – all the way from the Resuscitation unit to the Hedgehog children’s ward – helped bring their son round, the boy’s parents have said. Olivia Arnold said son Oscar had come into hospital suffering breathing difficulties, but Jonathan started singing and kept it up until the boy responded.

“Jonathan sang to Oscar the whole way, making him smile and laugh – something his dad and I hadn’t been able to do in days,” she said. “He was amazing, and really cheered up a very anxious mum and scared baby. He really was a little glimmer of light in a very scary and stressful week.” Oscar was discharged from hospital after a short stay, and is back to full health, with plenty of energy. Now Jonathan, along with the team of porters at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, has been praised by the Trust’s Chief Executive, Miles Scott. He said: “Porters are at the heart of delivering outstanding care for our patients, making sure patients are at the right place at the right time to receive their treatment. “Every member of the MTW team makes a real difference and helps us to deliver outstanding care for our patients.” But modest porter Jonathan played down his role on the wards, saying: “I tell jokes and sing to patients to try and make them less anxious and more at ease in troubled times.”

Teens given street art lessons

SINGIN’ THROUGH THE PAIN Porter Jonathan Baker

PM and Chancellor visit MTW’s Cancer Centre

PM VISIT Mr Johnson and Rishi Sunak at MTW

YOUNG people aged 12-18 year-olds were introduced to urban artwork by professional graffiti artist Graham Upton at the TN2 Community Centre in Tunbridge Wells in a pair of workshops organised by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, with support from the Gatwick Foundation Trust and Kent Community Foundation. Mr Upton, an award winning community artist with over 20 years experience. His past projects included Edenbridge Station, Dunton Green underpass and Maidstone Skateboard Park.

MAIDSTONE and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) provides some of the fastest access to cancer treatment in England, the Prime Minister and Chancellor heard, on a visit to the Trust’s cancer centre in Maidstone. MTW, which also runs Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury, is one of only a handful of trusts to meet the national standard for treating cancer patients within 62 days. The Trust had met this target for 29 months in a row, it said. Meeting Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, Dr Henry Taylor, Chief of Cancer Services and Consultant Oncologist, said: “Throughout the pandemic staff continued to safely deliver all cancer treatments. “Our clinical teams quickly redesigned patient care pathways and face to face appointments became virtual or telephone consultations. Multi-disciplinary teams also

worked together, developing new ways of working which ensured we continued to diagnose and treat cancers as quickly as possible.”

Invest The Trust provides specialist cancer services to around 1.9 million people across Kent, Medway and East Sussex, and is continuing to invest, MTW chief executive Miles Scott said. “In the last three years we’ve developed innovative new treatment pathways and have invested almost £10 million pounds in new buildings, scanning machines, 12 additional cancer consultants and specialist staff training and development,” he added. Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak were accompanied by local MPs Helen Grant, Tracey Crouch and Helen Whately, while visiting the new, multimillion-pound CT and LINAC suites.

Half of county’s children are classed as ‘active’ Less than half of children and young people in Kent are active for an hour or more a day, according to a nationwide survey covering the last school year. Just 103,200 children and young people in Kent, or 41.7 per cent, were active for an average of an hour or more a day, down 6.3 per cent since the previous year, according to the Active Lives Children and Young People Survey, produced by Sport England and then analysed by Kent Sport. Meanwhile, 34 per cent, or 84,100 children in

the area, were ‘physically inactive’, doing less than 30 minutes’ exercise a day, a 6 per cent increase. Although fitness and gym activity increased, team sports dropped, with swimming the biggest loser, with 11.8 per cent fewer children swimming, compared to the previous year, said Kent Sport. The activity gap between boys and girls was closing, but only because boys had become less active, added Kent Sport. “If positive attitudes and physical literacy

levels don’t increase, there is a likelihood that the next generation will be less active, leading to poorer health and wellbeing outcomes,” warned Liz Davidson, Kent Sport’s partnership director.

Pandemic The Sport England survey also stressed that active children had higher levels of mental wellbeing, and showed that sport and physical activity could support them against loneliness

and declining mental health during the pandemic. Kent Sport is offering funding to target groups least likely to be active, including those from culturally diverse communities, financially deprived backgrounds, and children with long term health conditions and disabilities. Individuals or organisations can submit ideas and projects through the website KentSport.org, under the strapline ‘Making Sport Happen’. Kent Sport is funded by Kent County Council and Sport England.

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Butcher hangs up his apron after fifty years at the chopping block By Sarah Carter A BRENCHLEY butcher who has spent more than 50 years providing meat to villagers is set to close. Terry Tester carried on trading through mad cow disease and the Covid-19 pandemic, but his shop is now for the chop after his lease came to an end. And his son, Neil, who joined the business straight from school, will not be able to continue the family firm in the same place. “The person who owned it [the premises] is going into a nursing home. The lease is not being renewed, and the property is being sold from under our feet,” Terry told the Times. “I’m 75 now, but I possibly would have continued for a few more years.”

“Then I’ll probably play a bit more golf.” As for his customers, from March their nearest butcher’s shops will be in Matfield and Paddock Wood, he said. “But they’re all stocking up now. It’s a bit of a bumper week.”

NEWS

New Chairman is game for top job at County Hall

CHAIRMAN Lesley Game and Gary Cooke KENT County Council (KCC) has confirmed its new chairman and deputy following the untimely death of previous leader Ann Allen MBE in October. Chairman Lesley Game, a councillor for Thanet was elected to the top ceremonial role by the full Council on Thursday (February 10), having served as interim chairman since October.

CLOSED Terry Tester [inset] when he celebrated 50 years at his shop [below] in 2020

Difficult At the same time, Gary Cooke [Maidstone ] was elected new vice-chairman, replacing Mrs Game. The role of Chairman at KCC is similar to role of Mayor at a Borough or District council in that it is a non-political civic role. Calling Ann Allen ‘a dear friend and fantastic mentor’, Councillor Game said: “Today is a bittersweet day as taking up office under these circumstances is difficult. “The very fact we have had to relocate today’s meeting to the Kent Event Centre from County Hall, to ensure Members can safely attend and socially distance, serves as a reminder that we are still not yet living in normal times.” Councillor Game confirmed she would be continuing to support Mrs Allen’s Chairman’s charity, the Kent Foster Care Association, until May 2022.

Farewell Terry has been trading for 52 years and provided a crucial service for locals during the Covid-19 pandemic. “We delivered, and we started supplying fish to help people out. For about six months, we did double the normal trade.” In response, residents are planning a farewell party for the shop’s last day, Saturday, February 26. “Goodness only knows how many will come,” said Terry. “It’ll be a knees-up, by the sounds of it. But it’s a very strange feeling.” Mr Tester, who opened his business in 1970, plans to go out to lunch at the local golf club the day afterwards, but will be back in the shop with Neil the next week, to clear the premises.

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Moscow sending ‘Mixed signals’ says PM but diplomacy over Ukraine remains option BORIS Johnson has said there are ‘mixed signals’ coming out of Russia about the prospect of an invasion of Ukraine – but an “avenue for diplomacy” remains open. Russian President Vladimir Putin also said he was prepared for further talks with the US and NATO to ease tensions in eastern Europe. Following a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee, Mr Johnson suggested there is a ‘diplomatic opening’ to resolve the crisis without a war. But the Russians have the preparations in place to launch an invasion at ‘virtually any time’, he added, despite claims from Moscow that forces were being scaled down following the conclusion of military exercises near the Ukrainian border. The Prime Minister said the intelligence he has received about Russian military activity is ‘not encouraging’, with the construction of field hospitals and the movement of extra forces closer to the border suggesting preparations are still being made for an invasion. Russia’s defence ministry said some troops and equipment were returning to base following military drills.

False flag But Mr Johnson said intelligence suggests ‘you have got more battalion tactical groups being brought closer to the border’. “So, mixed signals, I think, at the moment,” he said. Responding to reports that US intelligence sources believe an invasion could commence at 3am local time – 1am in the UK – on Wednesday, Mr Johnson said: “We think they have a huge

“Unfortunately there was no constructive response to this proposal.” But he said there are still “elements that can be discussed”. NATO general secretary Jens Stoltenberg said the “door remains open” for Ukraine to join the alliance. Mr Johnson called on Russia to withdraw its battalions away from the “potential theatre of conflict” and give “a sense that things are being scaled back, scaled down, that the threat is over and that a conversation and negotiation is beginning”. He warned that if Russia does invade, a tough package of sanctions will target Russian money in the UK.

MEETING Foreign Secretary Liz Truss arriving for a COBRA meeting

Cause preparation ready to go at virtually any time – 130,000 troops or more, a huge number of battalions – more than 90 battalion tactical groups – and they are stationed around the Ukrainian border.” He suggested Mr Putin could order a strike from Belarus, through eastern Ukraine or up from southern Ukraine through Odesa and Kherson. “There a lot of options that they have,” he said. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss suggested a ‘false flag’ operation could be launched within days to give Moscow the pretext to launch an offensive. But Mr Johnson said the UK’s embassy in Kyiv will remain open, despite the risk of an invasion and the decisions made by allies to close their

diplomatic missions in the capital. Mr Putin, speaking following talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Moscow, said he was ready for negotiations with the US and the NATO alliance on limits for missile deployments and military transparency. But he said NATO was rejecting Moscow’s demands to take membership of the alliance off the table for Ukraine and other former Soviet nations, halt weapons deployments near Russia’s borders and scale back force levels in eastern Europe. Mr Putin said Russia did not want war, adding: “This is exactly why we put forward the proposal to start the negotiation process, where the result should be an agreement of ensuring equal security of everyone, including our country.

Prince Andrew settles with Epstein accuser out of court THE Duke of York has settled his court case with the woman who claimed she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein, to have sex with the royal when she was 17. According to documents filed submitted to a US court said Virginia Giuffre and Prince Andrew have reached an out of court settlement.” Details of how much Prince Andrew has paid his former accuser has not been declared. The court papers said: “The parties will file a stipulated dismissal upon Ms Giuffre’s receipt of the settlement (the sum of which is not being disclosed). “Prince Andrew intends to make a substantial donation to Ms. Giuffre’s charity in support of victims’ rights.

Oh dear … what can the matter be

THE PICTURE Prince Andrew with Virginia Giuffre and Ghislane Maxwell

Regret “Prince Andrew has never intended to malign Ms Giuffre’s character, and he accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks. “It is known that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked countless young girls over many years. Prince Andrew regrets his association with Epstein, and commends the bravery of Ms Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others. “He pledges to demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims.” A second document, a letter addressed to US judge Lewis A Kaplan, who has been overseeing

That means ‘Russian banks, Russian companies’ and taking extra steps to ‘unpeel the façade’ of Russian property holdings and corporate ownership in the UK. It would also prevent Russian firms from raising capital on London’s financial markets. Mr Stoltenberg said there was cause for “cautious optimism” in resolving the Ukraine crisis peacefully. But he also questioned Russia’s claims to have withdrawn troops, telling a press conference in Brussels: “So far we have not seen any de-escalation on the ground – not seen any signs of reduced Russian military presence on the borders of Ukraine.” Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said military drills are held ‘on (Russia’s) own territory and according to its own plans – they start, go on and end as planned’.

the case, said: “We write jointly with counsel for defendant to advise the court that the parties reached a settlement in principle of the abovereferenced action.” It goes on to say the parties involved plan to file a ‘stipulation of dismissal of the case’ within 30 days. The letter, signed by Ms Giuffre’s lawyer David Boies, concludes: “We appreciate the time and effort the court has devoted to this matter.” Legal experts had predicted Andrew would seek a settlement after the Queen stripped him of his military roles, widely seen as the monarchy distancing itself from any potentially damaging developments.

Ms Giuffre was suing the duke for damages in her home country of the US, claiming she was trafficked by disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, Andrew’s friend and a convicted sex offender, to have sex with the royal when she was a minor under US law. The encounter with the Duke is said to have taken place at the London home of disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell in the early 2000s. The Duke was also alleged to have sexually abused Ms Giuffre during a visit to Epstein’s private island, Little St James, and on a separate occasion at the financier’s Manhattan mansion. Andrew strenuously denied all the allegations.

A FOX with her head stuck inside a watering can has been rescued by the RSPCA. The animal is suspected to have been looking for something to eat or drink when she got into difficulty in Braiswick, near Colchester, in Essex. A member of the public saw the fox thrashing about with the plastic on its head on Friday and called the animal rescue charity to his garden. Animal rescue officer Natalie Read said: “The caller said the poor fox had the plastic watering can stuck on her head and was thrashing around trying to get it off – she was clearly distressed. “She’d wedged herself between fencing at the bottom of the garden and must have been exhausted because I was able to catch her easily and carefully prise the can off her head. “Thankfully she wasn’t injured and she was raring to go so I released her and she bounded off back into the safety of the undergrowth. “It was lovely to see her running back to her den. “I suspect she got the watering can stuck on her head after investigating to see whether there was anything to eat or drink inside. “She was lucky to be spotted and rescued so quickly because she could have suffered serious cuts and injuries to her head, or may have even died if she’d have been left like that.”

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

National News

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Hancock did break rules when he hired Tory peer for top Covid job THE government DIDO HARDING has lost a High Court fight over the appointments it made during the pandemic. Two judges have ruled that then health secretary Matt Hancock did not comply with a public sector equality duty when appointing Conservative peer Baroness Dido Harding and Mike Coupe, a former colleague of Baroness Harding, to posts in 2020. Lord Justice Singh and Mr Justice Swift granted a declaration to the Runnymede Trust on Tuesday after considering arguments at a High Court hearing in December. Campaign group the Good Law Project joined the trust in making complaints – arguing that the Government had not adopted an ‘open’ process when making appointments to posts ‘critical to the pandemic response’ – but their claim was dismissed. Judges concluded that Mr Hancock had not complied with ‘the public sector equality duty’ in relation to the decisions to appoint Baroness Harding as interim executive chair of the National Institute for Health Protection (NIHP) in August 2020 and Mr Coupe as director of testing for NHS Test and Trace (NHSTT) in September 2020. Lawyers representing the two organisations suggested that people ‘outside the tight circle’ in which senior Conservative politicians and their friends moved were not being given opportunities. They said an unfair policy was being challenged. Ministers disputed the claims made against

them. Jason Coppel QC, who led the two organisations’ legal teams, told Lord Justice Singh and Mr Justice Swift that the challenge was based on equality legislation and public law. He said the Government had a “policy or practice” of “making appointments to posts critical to the pandemic response” without adopting any, or any sufficient, “fair or open competitive processes”.

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Wealthy Mr Coppel said people ‘less likely to be known or connected to decision-makers’ were put at a disadvantage. He also said the Government was failing to offer “remuneration for high-level full-time roles” and ‘excluding all candidates who were not already wealthy’ or held other posts for which they would continue to be paid. Lord Justice Singh and Mr Justice Swift said in a written ruling: “It is the process leading up to the two decisions which has been found by this court to be in breach of the public sector equality duty. “For those reasons we will grant a declaration to the Runnymede Trust that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care did not comply with the public sector equality duty in relation to the decisions how to appoint Baroness Harding as interim executive chair of the NIHP in August 2020 and Mr Coupe as director of testing for NHSTT in September 2020.”

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FORMER Post Office workers who were among those falsely accused of theft, fraud and false accounting have called for those responsible for their convictions to face prison. Between 2000 and 2014, more than 700 subpostmasters and subpostmistresses were prosecuted based on information from the Horizon IT system, installed and maintained by Fujitsu. However, in December 2019 a High Court judge ruled that Horizon contained a number of ‘bugs, errors and defects’ and there was a ‘material risk’ that shortfalls in Post Office branch accounts were caused by the system.

Damian Owen, from Anglesey in Wales, who was the manager of a post office, was audited in 2010 and later jailed for eight months accused of stealing £25,000, he told an inquiry in central London. He said: “(Prison) is not the kind of place I want to be… I lost an awful lot of weight, about four stone in 10 weeks.” Mr Owen said he sought help for his mental wellbeing and began working ‘bottom of the rung’ jobs because of his criminal record. Asked what he wants from the Post Office, the witness said: “They will not do anything to help in any way, they don’t want to assist in any way. “I would like a proper apology and I won’t beat about the bush, I want a decent amount of money out of them. “I spent 10 years doing menial jobs which are massively beneath me.” He continued: “I want some decent money, a decent apology and I want there to be convictions for the people who have perpetuated the whole conspiracy inside the Post Office. “You know everyone from the top down knew and were pushing the charges.” Also giving evidence was mother-of-one

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Margery Lorraine Williams, 55, from Anglesey, Wales, who tearfully said she was left to pick up a bill of just over £14,000 because of the system fault. She had owned her post office in Llanddaniel Fab near Llangefni since 2009, but in 2011 auditors suspended her licence before she was convicted of four counts of fraud. Ms Williams told the inquiry she had pleaded guilty because she did not want to go to jail and leave behind her daughter, who was 10 at the time. She spoke of being “humiliated” after receiving a 52-week prison term suspended for 18 months. Ms Williams said: “It was horrendous because it was like a little village for us and my daughter had grown up there from one to the age of nearly 11.” Speaking about the physical effect of her ordeal, she went on: “I’ve got type 2 diabetes now and I’ve got scarring alopecia, which means the hair is gone and won’t be replaced. “I was a recluse, I wouldn’t go out. I still don’t feel I’m the same person and I do get angry at times.” Jason Beer QC, counsel to the inquiry, said during his opening that the ordeal of those affected could be concluded as ‘the worst miscarriage of justice in recent British legal history’.

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EDUCATION Times

Students’ sweet charity Last week pupils from St Gregory’s Catholic School took part in a fun fundraiser – which also carried a serious message of support

DESPITE this time of the academic year being a busy one with Pre Public Exams for GCSE pupils, and A Level preparation for Year 13 students, some local teenagers have found the time to raise money – and also awareness – for charity. At St Gregory’s Catholic School in Reynolds Lane, Tunbridge Wells, Sixth Formers and staff hosted a special PJ day in order to raise money for Action Aid on February 4. Students and teachers were invited to come to school dressed in their nightwear in exchange for donations to the international charity that

“We believe Action Aid saves lives which is why we were extremely eager to raise money and make a difference” They added: “Overall the pyjama day and cake sale together raised a grand total of £149.95 for Action Aid, plus everyone who participated enjoyed a great day in the process.” SWEET TREATS FOR SALE

ST GREGORY’S SIXTH FORMERS

supports women and girls suffering in humanitarian crises and chronic poverty around the world. A St Gregory’s spokesperson told the Times: “We thought it would be fun to do a pyjama themed fundraising event in support of Action Aid. We strongly believe this charity saves lives which is why we were extremely eager to raise money and make a difference. “We also sold cakes to other students and staff. The cakes were beautifully made by the Lead students and they went down very well throughout the school.”

Education

NEWS

Howzat for a great result? Mayfield School celebrates as it progresses to Lady Taverners Cricket Finals Mayfield’s U15 Cricketers have reached the latter stages of the Lady Taverners Girls School Indoor Cricket Tournament after recently winning all four of their qualifying matches. The U15 girls went into the qualification stages of the tournament having had just two PE lessons in which to prepare. Despite this, the students at the Catholic all-girls independent school in Mayfield managed to win four out of four matches against tough opposition, beating Bedes, Roedean A, Roedean B and Brighton Girls on their way to qualification.

Victory

TEACHERS ALSO TOOK PART IN FUNDRAISING

Needing to win their final match to secure qualification, the girls held their nerve, restricting the opposition to 15 runs in the final over, and thus securing a 7 run victory in the process. Emily Starr, Mayfield’s Director of Cricket, and former England U19 Indoor Cricketer, said: “Huge credit to the girls for holding their nerve when required and playing some superb cricket. They are improving every year and we can’t wait to compete in the County Finals in March.”

NEWS

Weekly Comment

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Greg Clark Conservative MP for Tunbridge Wells

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

Greg Clark was first elected MP for Tunbridge Wells in 2005. He has held a number of positions in Government, including Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. He is currently Chair of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committe.

Democracy depends on disagreement but we have more in common than what divides us WESTMINSTER has been pretty acrimonious in recent weeks – as has been evident on our TV screens. Day after day, accusation has been followed by counter accusations, with the Speaker having to warn of the need for civility and moderation. Of course, it’s not the first time in our history that the chamber of the House of Commons has been a cauldron of confrontation. That is, partly, its function. But for all the noise and the division, Parliament can be a place of mutual respect and common purpose. Where I sit in the House of Commons directly in front of me on the opposite wall of the chamber is a shield with words ‘More in Common’ beneath it, visible to everyone in the chamber.

Honoured It commemorates Jo Cox, the MP who was murdered in 2016. In her maiden speech in 2015 – to which I responded as the Minister on duty – Jo said that one of the things that she had realised since being elected an MP was that ‘we are far more united and have far more in

common than that which divides us’. I think that’s true locally too. I was touched and honoured when the Conservative MP David Amess was murdered last Autumn, it was Andrew Sharp of our local Labour Party who suggested and organised a memorial service for him at St Augustine’s in Tunbridge Wells. Amid all the turmoil of recent days, last week the House came together to mourn the loss of Jack Dromey the Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington and I was privileged to speak in tribute to him. Though we faced each other on opposite sides of the House of Commons, Jack and I were friends and partners in our work in Parliament. In my speech I recalled how Jack incited my very first rebellion against the Party whip! So reasonable and persuasive were his arguments in favour of an Opposition amendment to the Bill that I was steering through the House, that I voted for it. Despite being the Minister in charge of resisting the amendment and the whips looking outraged… Jack was a successful trade union leader – a former Deputy General Secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union. I am a

every month with the leaders and trade unions in the main manufacturing industries, who told us that shortages of skilled labour was their number one challenge and so we pressed the case for apprenticeships.

Alliance

former Secretary of State for Business. We were both passionate advocates of manufacturing industry – not just in providing millions of really good jobs for people, but in offering a brilliant future given the strengths we have in science and technology. Over the years we joined forces to work together. We campaigned to ensure that the automotive industry had minimal barriers to and from the EU market after Brexit – and succeeded. When Covid struck we jointly proposed what became known as the furlough scheme and was adopted by Chancellor shortly after. We met

So Jack was very much in mind last week when I joined a cross-party alliance to mark National Apprenticeship Week. On Friday, on a visit to Aspens – the local charity (formerly known as Pepenbury) that gives such wonderful support to adults with learning difficulties, I met Jamie hands, Emily Banks and Ashley Brawn, who are undertaking apprenticeships with Aspens in everything from horticulture to administration, and in so doing gaining skills and helping the work of the charity. If any Times readers want to find out more about apprenticeship opportunities, contact me or go to www.apprenticeships.gov.uk Politics is a rough trade. Democracy depends on disagreement. But it’s not the whole story. There is more in common than divides us, and it’s worth acting on that.

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

Letters

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NEWS

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

Thank you everybody for our Winter Lantern success

CREATE are delighted that the Winter Lantern Parade took place on Saturday, February 5 from the centre of Tunbridge Wells down to Grosvenor and Hilbert Recreation ground. The parade was a wonderful, happy event with many hundreds of families joining in having made their lanterns from packs sold through local shops and lantern workshops. Why does PM need a new team? Previous Prime Ministers knew how to behave and perform within the guidelines of public office and, not least, demonstrate a sense of decency and probity; if any clarification was needed about any matter civil servants were close to hand to steer and advise. So why does the current incumbent need to create a new office and team to keep him on the straight and narrow; what is it that senior civil servants, who were sufficient for past administrations, cannot deliver to the present? Given the past incontinence in most of his habits, one must wonder if this has any chance of success. Don’t hold your breath, if he has never

On the evening of the parade we received £304.88 through our collection boxes. This money will go towards the next Winter Lantern Parade. Thank you to everyone who gave so generously. Veronica Dorset CREATE Winter Lantern Parade acknowledged the difference between right and wrong, lies and truth, will he ever? Edward Baker Tunbridge Wells Development no ‘small burden’ It was with some degree of frustration that I read the recent comments from Cllr Chris Woodward that the proposed development in Ramslye would represent ‘a small burden’ to the residents of Broadwater. For those of us that actually live in the ward it is anything but a small burden. It has already been a blight for those in the area for several years and it will be we residents who will lose our precious green space and heritage.

Cllr Woodward has been vocal in his support of building on as much of our green space as the plan will allow, and it is only the energy, dedication and organisation of local residents that has thus far prevented the loss of more historic environment to concrete. Ramlsye is not the only green space development in Broadwater, and outside of Capel we bear the brunt of lost green space and over-loaded infrastructure. The one positive of the situation so far is that it has brought people together as a community, against it. Let us hope for better representation for the ward in May. Adrian Thorne Tunbridge Wells Green Party Rules are not a one way road for cyclists Today I overtook a cyclist on the old London Road that runs past the hospital in Pembury and beyond. He was exercising his civic right to use the road and ignore the cycle path which was installed at great public expense and opened to much fanfare. Mind you, this is the first cyclist I’ve ever seen on this stretch, or any part of it. I believe there are new rules in the Highway Code which advise me, as a driver, about respecting cyclists; shouldn’t there be something similar for cyclists? I wonder where the division of blame lies if there is an accident: I would argue the cyclist is 100 per cent culpable. Sam Goodenough Broadwater Down Modernising Mr Rees-Mogg Jacob Rees-Mogg has been given the job of improving government efficiency and, in a swift move to demonstrate his intentions has called for all quill pens to be scrapped and has purchased large quantities of the recently invented fountain pen. Rumour has it, too, that the inter-department messenger service is to be replaced with another recent invention - the telephone, and that the government fleet of horses and carriages is to be replaced with motor cars. Ben Hardy Tunbridge Wells

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

PEPPY SAYS

Calverley

Observations on life and more important things

CALVERLEY has been sent to Coventry, given the silent treatment, at least by some younger members of the family. (Stop gloating.) The offence? HE could not resist telling them property legend Kirstie Allsopp says the young can afford to get on the housing ladder if only they gave up a few luxuries such as Netflix, foreign holidays, gym membership, take away coffee etc etc She used to walk to work and take sandwiches to save money. It was Calverley’s birthday last week. He received not a single gift from the youngsters. They were, it seems, all suddenly saving up for mortgages. Where’s that will?

MAKE it up you could not. A right-wing politician on TV has accused rivals of having the ‘gazpacho police’ spying on people. She meant the Gestapo, the much-hated war-time Nazi secret police. She’s Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene a member of the US Congress. Had to happen in America. None of our politicos would end up in the soup like that. Or would they?

AT LAST! We now know why Victoria Beckham always look so flipping miserable when pictured out and about or even posing with her family. Every day for the last 25 years she has eaten the same boring meal – grilled fish with steamed vegetables. Anyone would be grumpy on that diet. And who let the menu out of the bag? Soccer legend and hubby David Beckham. Naughty old Dave.

BACK TO POLITICS, more than half of our MPs plan to let their staff continue to work from home. (So much for Boris ordering them back to the office.) Many of those civil servants have now moved out of London. Calverley wants to know if they will still be handed up to £7,000 extra a year, it’s called London weighting, to cover the higher cost of working in the capital. Not to worry, it’s only our money.

COULD this be a reason the birth rate is falling? The cost of childcare is today about the same per hour as the average wage of women in the UK. That’s £12.52 against £12.93. And yes HE does know men can care for kids as well as women.

FINAL THOUGHT: Found on a family WhatsApp message: “No mun … no fun … your son”. Back came the response: “How sad… too bad… your dad”. Bank of Mum and Dad was closed. Chin Chin, dear reader

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

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

Life&Times

ARTS • BOOKS • GOING OUT • FOOD • HOMES • INTERIORS • TRAVEL • MOTORS and MORE...

Going out - Page 23

Food - Page 24

Antiques - Page 34

In fine tune

Tonbridge Philharmonic Society prepares for its February concert P20

Arts

arts

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

Tuning up for a night of musical romance...

Next Saturday, February 19, Tonbridge Philharmonic Society will perform its second live concert since the pandemic struck. Eileen Leahy discovers what’s on the musical bill and also how its new artistic director Naomi Butcher (above) is finding her role Assembly Hall Theatre | Tunbridge Wells

WED 02 – SAT 05 MAR assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

Arts

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

EBRUARY is synonymous with Valentine’s Day so it’s only fitting that Tonbridge Philharmonic Society’s second concert in as many years - due to Covid forcing members to cancel so many performances - will be a romantic one when it takes place at Tonbridge School’s Chapel on Saturday (February 19) at 7.30pm. Like so many organisations, Tonbridge Philharmonic Society – or Tonphil as it is more commonly known - had to operate solely online during the 2020-21 season because of the Covid crisis. But the good news is its new season – the delayed 75th incidentally - is finally back up and running. The first live concert took place last November when the orchestra performed with its new musical director Naomi Butcher – who incidentally is the first female conductor in the society’s history.

NOTEWORTHY TPS rehearse in Tonbridge School’s beautiful chapel

Enjoyment This Saturday she follows her triumphant debut with an orchestral programme of high romance and drama. The evening concert will begin with the Tonbridge premiere of Germaine Tailleferre’s Ouverture, paving the way for Prokofiev’s powerful re-telling of one of the greatest love stories ever told: Romeo and Juliet Suite No 2. In the second half of the concert, Tonbridge Philharmonic Choir’s much-loved accompaniest Jong-Gyung Park will take to the stage to perform Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No 2 – possibly one of the most romantic pieces in classical musical history. “Following the performance of Fanny Mendelessohn’s Overture last November, Naomi Butcher continues to shine a light on female composers thanks to the inclusion of Germaine Tailleferre’s Ouverture,” explains a Tonphil spokesperson to the Times. “Tailleferre was a student at Paris Conservatoire in the 1920s. Taught by Ravel she also fell in with the likes of Arthur Honneger and Francis Poulenc, becoming the only woman

“Saturday’s concert promises to be an orchestral programme of high romance and drama” in the avant-garde group of composers known as ‘Les Six.’ “Tailleferre’s Ouverture pour Orchestre was written in 1931. It is a short work lasting just over four minutes and opens with three distinct

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Tonphil - as it is colloquially known - was formed firstly of a choir, just after World War Two, in 1946. In the minutes from the society’s inaugural meeting, it states it was set up to ‘build into a strong virile fellowship all who valued the practise and performance of great Choral Works as well as other musical activities’. An orchestra was formed 12 years later, and the Society has just celebrated its 71st anniversary. It currently boasts 150 members and has for the first time in history a female musical director, Naomi Butcher, at its helm. The choir and orchestra rehearse approximately once a week and perform up to five concerts each season: two are purely orchestral ones, three are choral concerts; and then there is their community Round Table Family Carols in the Tonbridge School Chapel at Christmastime. chords before moving off with high energy!” When Naomi chose to include Fanny’s Overture last November she said at the time she did so in order to make a point of highlighting the fact so many female composers have been ‘overlooked’ in history. “The Fanny Mendelssohn Overture is such a tuneful and stylistic piece, there is no doubt in my mind that if it had been written by her brother it would be one of the classical overtures in the canon,” Naomi told the Times just ahead of her first concert at the end of last year.

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Romance “Works by female composers have too long been overlooked in favour of their more mainstream, male-written counterparts, and budding female composers deserve to see themselves reflected in the programming of whichever orchestra they happen to come across!” In addition to Naomi featuring the work of another great female composer – Tailleferre she will also include some classics too says the Tonphil spokesperson. They include Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No 2. For those not familiar with them we asked the Tonphil spokesperson to tell us a bit about them: “In 1936, shortly after the Bolshoi’s initial decision to abandon Prokofiev’s ballet score Romeo and Juliet, he extracted a pair of concert

suites from his full score. Each element of Suite No 2 represents a scene from the ballet. From the famous Montagues and Capulets portrait (now known as the theme to BBC1’s The Apprentice) to the poignant sound picture ‘Romeo with Juliet before parting’ it is a wonderful musical portrayal of one of the world’s most popular love stories.” Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No 2 is without

“The musical bill includes works by Tailleferre, Prokofiev and Rachmaninov” doubt one of the world’s most romantic pieces of music and for the Tonphil it is most definitely high up on the Society’s list too! “From those first insistent chords it is an unashamedly romantic piece that delivers fire and passion, along with gentle and consoling piano themes,” reveals the orchestra’s spokesperson. Sounds like the perfect way to spend a night celebrating the return of live music – and romance of course! The TPS choir and orchestra rehearse approximately once a week and perform up to five concerts each season: two are purely orchestral and three are choral concerts. The Society also hosts its community Round Table Family Carols in the Tonbridge School Chapel at Christmas. Tickets for February 19 cost £17 and £8 for students visit www.tonphil.org.uk

Going out

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

going OUT

The Times’ Victoria Roberts provides a round-up of local events and activities coming up over the next week or so…

ECORD breaking boy band Westlife are to make a return to Kent after announcing that they are opening their UK tour at the Hop Farm this July. Despite having just launched a new album, ‘Wild Dreams’, the Irish foursome of Shane, Nicky, Mark and Kian have promised to make the performances a real mix of older music as well as new tunes. After forming in Ireland in 1998, the charttoppers went on to sell more than 55 million records worldwide, and their first seven singles entered the UK chart at No.1. The band has also achieved 33 No.1 albums worldwide. “It feels like things are finally starting to return to normal and we can’t wait to enjoy that feeling with our amazing fans,” the band said. “After the last 18 months, this tour means more to us than any that we’ve ever done

before. “It will be a massive celebration and will bring us closer to our fans than ever before. We’re planning some spectacular shows which will include all of our greatest hits and some special surprises.” The confirmed line-up includes ‘Swear It Again’, ‘Flying Without Wings’ and ‘World of our Own’. “We couldn’t be more delighted to kick off the tour with Westlife at The Hop Farm. Westlife are an immense band with an incredible heritage and we’re thrilled to support their reunion,” said a co-promoter of the show at the Hop Farm. For concert-goers eager to make the concert into a festival-like weekend, the Hop Farm is also offering camping. Westlife at The Hop Farm, Friday, July 1 at 4pm. Tickets available from lizhobbsgroup. com

WESTLIFE

on stage and screen

going live

family fun

LOOKING at screens and stages big and small, The Times of Tunbridge Wells presents a selected guide to the week ahead. ‘The Miraculous Mis-adventures of Robin Hood’ by the Three Inch Fools ends tonight [Wednesday] at Trinity Theatre. Wednesday, February 16 at 7pm. Ages six and over. Next up at the same venue is the Trinity Youth Theatre’s production of ‘Legally Blonde: The Musical’, the story of unlikely heroine Elle Woods and her comeback, from heartbreak to Harvard. On Friday and Saturday (February 18-19) at 2pm and 7:30pm. Ages 12 and DEATH ON over. THE NILE Also this weekend, local performing arts school Footsteps Theatrical Workshop is celebrating two decades of dance, ‘reliving and reimagining’ its most meaningful numbers from 2001 to the present. E.M. Forster Theatre (Tonbridge), Friday, February 18 at 2pm and 6:15pm, and Saturday, February 18 at 2pm. In a stage and screen crossover, the Odeon will screen the live performance of ‘The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage’ from the Bridge Theatre in London. Based on Philip Pullman’s book, the play reveals the background to Lyra and Will’s adventures, twelve years before the events of ‘Northern Lights’. The screening is part of the National Theatre Live initiative, broadcasting stage productions to screens around the world. Thursday, February 17 at 7pm. The Odeon is also showing a Julia Donaldson double bill of ‘Superworm’ and ‘The Gruffalo’ (U) at 10:20am, ‘Sing 2’ (U) matinées, and ‘Encanto’ (PG) at 10:10am, all on until tomorrow, February 17. For older children, the Odeon programme includes the Japanese animated fantasy ‘Belle’ (12A), a virtual-world re-telling of Beauty and the Beast, tonight, February 16. ‘Uncharted’ (12A), based on the video game of the same name, has a number of showings daily until tomorrow, February 17. Also at the Odeon, Kenneth Branagh’s second outing as Hercule Poirot, ‘Death on the Nile’ is on until tomorrow, February 17. Next week is the disturbing fever-dream, ‘Petrov’s Flu’ (18), about a comic book artist losing his way in a nightmarish modern Russia. Tuesday, February 22, at 8:20pm.

WITH one of the best live music scenes in the South East, here is a round-up of some of the best bands and acts performing this week. This Friday, the Paul Dunton Orchestra returns to the Grey Lady for an evening out on the Pantiles. The Grey Lady Music Lounge, The Pantiles, on Friday, February 18 at 7:30pm. Tickets from Eventbrite. This Saturday, the Forum FISH HEAD presents a triple bill of electrifying live music, opening with alternative rock band Escape The Box, followed by Tunbridge Wells-based Fish Head, playing rock and metal, and finally genre-blender TEDDYYBEARR, which fuses alternative pop, pop punk, rock and hip hop. Saturday, February 19 at 7:30pm. At The Hive in Cranbrook, cabaret is on again, and Sunday brunch is accompanied by jazz, featuring musicians and vocalists from Café Society on Sunday, February 20 between 10:30am and 3pm. Trinity Theatre is launching a new season, the ‘Breathing Room’, offering time and space to breathe and unwind on Sunday evenings before the working week begins again. Folk-infused singer Chris Helme debuts the theme on Sunday, February 20 at 7pm. Further ahead, the tribute scene continues strongly at both Trinity Theatre and the Assembly Hall in March. CHRIS HELME At Trinity Theatre, G2 Definitive Genesis is celebrating its 21st year of playing the music of Genesis from the band’s 1970s era of ‘Seconds Out’ and Peter Gabriel’s influence. March 4. The Assembly Hall has booked Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens as comedy duo Morecambe and Wise on March 15, while T.Rextasy wears the crown of rock’n’roll band T.Rex on March 16. Later in March, seek your rock’n’roll with ‘That’ll Be the Day’, pop with ‘Pop Divas Live!’, of your nineties nostalgia with ‘Friends! The Musical Parody’.

WHETHER your family is young or old, big or small, there’s plenty to do both indoors and outdoors over the coming week, along with some active ideas. Half term is only half over, but even if you’ve run out inspiration, the area hasn’t run out of activities. Circus Zyair is on at the Hop Farm until February 20. Performances at 2pm and 5pm today (Wednesday), then 11am, 2pm and 5pm Thursday to Saturday, then 2pm on Sunday. Also at The Hop Farm, all its indoor entertainments are open, including the café and children’s soft play. Outdoor attractions are also open, subject to weather, including the adventure playground and animal farm – with spring lambs and piglets. This year, real-action dinosaurs and their babies will be roaming the park. Arty Farty Retreat in Southborough is only half way through its half-term programme, and still has Moving Sculptures today (Wednesday, February 16), followed by how to draw fantastic book characters, relax and create, and a watercolour painting day. Over the weekend, action turns to speech, with children’s circles. Tickets from Eventbrite or Arty Farty Retreat. Drop off your children for a 60-minute session quilting a memory leaf for the Tunbridge Wells Pandemic Memory Tree, organised by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Free sessions, but booking essential, at TWSocial.co.uk. Cranbrook Library, Friday, February 18 at 10:30am and noon. Penshurst Place will be running a family trail through the gardens, highlighting what tasks have to be done in February, both at Penshurst and in visitors’ own gardens. Hever Castle has all of half term covered, with its ‘Nature Week’ offering ticket-holders for the gardens a nature-themed scavenger hunt, an endangered species trail and a craft activity (all daily and all free). Ticket-holders for the castle can also follow the ‘wildlife’ treasure hunt indoors. The Spa Valley Railway departs from Tunbridge Wells West station (next to Sainsburys) and Eridge Station, via High Rocks and Groombridge. Over half term, tickets for 2-15 year olds are £1. If you fancy some exercise, why not try ‘Bedgbury Boost’ nordic walking at Bedgebury Pinetum. Saturday, February 19 at 9:15am. Tickets from WALX.

Books

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

Times book reviewer

HANNAH KIRSOP

TRANCENDENT LOVE

ONE YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

Devotion by Hannah Kent

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

(published in hardback by Picador, priced £14.99)

(published by Virago, priced £8.99)

Fourteen-year-old Hanne has never bonded with the other girls in her Old Lutheran community of 1836’s Prussia, shunning their domestic ways and marriage ambitions to wander outside at one with nature…until she meets the enigmatic Thea whose arrival with her parents ignites Hanne’s world. When all the families are offered safe passage to Australia – where, as Old Lutherans, they would be able to worship freely – Hanne and Thea vow to remain together forming an unbreakable bond. This book – based on the true story of groups of Old Lutherans emigrating in the 1830s from Prussia to Australia, New Zealand and America in search of religious freedom – is a beautifully written story of friendship and love which effortlessly portrays Hanne’s character and emotions as her understanding of her feelings evolve and we are caught up in the all-encompassing, intoxicating and inevitable affection between two people.

Sue Trinder, an orphaned maid, is coerced by her adoptive mother – the brilliantly named Mrs Sucksby – into helping with an elaborate scam to trick a wealthy heiress, Maud Lilly, into marrying a charming con artist. If it all goes according to plan, the three of them will share in Maud’s wealth and she’ll be shipped off to the asylum. But, as is often the way, when enacted in reality with people and emotions in play, plans never materialise completely as expected… Fingersmith is a brilliant outing for gothic fiction with an allenveloping atmosphere of Victorian London. Waters is a magnificent storyteller, and the plot is gripping, intricate and wholly original as the reader is wrongfooted at every turn. You absolutely must read this if you love historical fiction and thrillers – it’s a cracking book, completely unexpected with the most phenomenal plot twist.

8/10

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 …

10/10

Notes On An Execution by Danya Kukafka in hardback by Hachette, priced £16.99 (ebook £9.99). Available now Baffled by the cultural obsession with glorifying serial killers, Danya Kukafka’s Notes On An Execution is a new kind of crime fiction. It explores the lives of the survivors – shifting the power to those living with the consequences of violence. Sitting on death row, Ansel Packer isn’t waiting for death, but his chance to be celebrated. Instead, as his execution looms, we learn about his mother’s story; his wife’s twin sister; and the female detective who trailed him for years. Haunting and intense, Kukafka’s third person prose keeps you at arm’s length throughout, forcing you to see beyond the typical narrative lionising the violence of men. Review by Rebecca Wilcock

7/10

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson Published in hardback by Michael Joseph, priced £14.99 (ebook £7.99). Available now From the very first page, Charmaine Wilkerson makes it clear we are about to be taken on a twisty ride of adventures spanning more than one lifetime, making great use of short chapters to jump between characters and time periods. We meet estranged siblings Byron and Benny in the shadow of their mother’s death, as they meet with a lawyer to listen to Eleanor Bennett’s final message. As the emotional voice recording plays, we learn about the hardships Eleanor faced, from a forced arranged marriage in the Caribbean to starting a new life in the UK, before eventually settling in the USA. A delight to read, each page of Black Cake is more interesting than the last. Wilkerson weaves social history into the backbone of the story, in a way that’s nothing short of masterful. Review by Rachel Howdle

The Life Inside: A Memoir Of Prison, Family And Philosophy by Andy West Published in hardback by Picador, priced £16.99 (ebook £7.99). Available now

9/10

Andy West teaches philosophy in prisons – he and the inmates grapple with tricky concepts around time, shame, truth and freedom, their sometimes insightful ruminations interrupted by jokes, gossip and arguments. But West’s connection with prisons runs deeper than the urge to impart knowledge. His father, brother and uncle all served time – leaving an indelible impression on West’s life. This book brilliantly captures the boredom and frustration of prison, but

8/10

where it really excels is showing the impact it has on those who haven’t committed a crime: the families. West is determined not to be like his relatives, but to keep himself on the straight and narrow he appoints what he calls an ‘executioner in my head’, who plagues him with distressing and obsessive thoughts. It’s his battle with this inner imprisonment, as well as his accounts of teaching, that makes The Life Inside both fascinating and moving. Review by Jackie Kingsley

Food & Drink

food & drink

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

Experience a taste of fine French inspired cuisine on your doorstep Rendez-Vous on Camden Road has long been considered one of the best places to eat in town thanks to its fantastic food, warm welcome and appealing ambience. Eileen Leahy pays the bijou bistro a visit to discover the secret recipe for its ongoing success . . .

endez-Vous has been serving up its trademark French inspired classics - with a side order of more experimental local seasonal offerings – for nearly

nine years. At the helm are Mark Harper, who heads up the front of house operation with his French wife Lydie, and John Boreham who is the restaurant’s classically trained head chef. Mark (pictured right) is also known to help out in the kitchen occassionally... Both men are passionate about what they do and whether you drop in for a quick lunch or linger a bit longer in the evening you’re bound to find yourself in conversation with them at some point.

Quality Whether it’s discussing how the nearby Camden Butcher has perfected its Merguez recipe or chatting about loyal customers bringing in their allotment gluts, you’ll quickly feel very much at home. The other thing to note is that during the lockdowns Rendez-Vous swiftly and very successfully turned its restaurant operation into a takeaway service, operating within a two-mile radius, which is something they still offer on certain days of the week.

“On the specials board which changes regularly there are a number of tempting dishes to whet our appetites” With its wooden tables and chairs, stripped back flooring, polished cutlery and glimmering candles Rendez-Vous certainly reflects the classic ambience of a typical ‘bistrot du coin’. It may be compact and bijou but this only adds to its romantic charm and first impressions can be rather deceptive when you step over its threshold because actually it’s spread over three floors and can accommodate up to 50 diners. On arrival my guest and I are warmly greeted by Mark who ushers us to our cosy corner table on the ground floor. He talks us through the tantalising specials board or ‘les speciaux’ which changes very regularly. Given the amount of chatty and content diners already here – on a weekday evening – all the signs are there for an enjoyable time . . . On the specials board there are a number

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Food & Drink

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

of tempting dishes to whet our appetites. I am sorely tempted by the decadent sounding twice-baked smoked haddock cheese souffle (£7.50) which comes with a rich chunky tomato and garlic sauce. But in the end I decide to go with the Merguez casserole (£7.50) as I’m intrigued to see just how well the aforementioned Camden butcher has replicated the distinct smoky and aromatic taste of the traditional north African sausage which is widely available across Southern France. I’m pleased to report the expertly spiced nuggets of Merguez do not disappoint and I quickly polish the dish off, soaking up the piquant sauce with hunks of fresh bread. My guest had wanted to try the fresh ceviche of turbot, anointed with zingy chilli, ginger and lime and served with an avocado salad (£8.50), but at the last minute he

reneges on his decision and instead opts for the duck terrine (£7.50). One mouthful in and he declares he’s made the right choice. It is smooth with a pleasing salty kick and a dollop of the accompanying homemade sweet jam chutney takes it to another level. Textural satisfaction comes courtesy of the tranches of toasted sourdough served with it.

Solid choice Although Mark and John say Rendez-Vous is ‘French influenced’ the duo admit they always want to make the best of seasonal produce and ingredients - whether that’s from local specialist

preferences - dialling up the heat or mellowing it. I’m impressed by this bespoke approach but say I’ll go with the chef’s preferred cooking method. When the curry arrives it’s nothing short of sensational. The perfect combination of a subtly spiced and slightly sweet sauce enveloping the chunks of meaty monkfish. I give it a perfect palate pleasing 10 out of 10. My guest has chosen to indulge in the chorizo and herb crusted filet of cod (£19.50) which comes with a delicious crab and mussel sauce, crushed new potatoes and mange tout. He declares it a taste triumph that is further enhanced by a few glasses of rosé from Provence.

the latter which comes almost quivering on the plate. It’s served warm and is deliciously indulgent enhanced by a vanilla bean ice cream and tangy fruit coulis. Our forks are soon duelling for the final morsel….

“Rendez-Vous certainly reflects the classic ambience of a typical ‘bistrot du coin’”

suppliers such as The Warren Estate in Crowborough - or just friendly customers with a large allotment! That’s why alongside the likes of Steak Frites (£14.50), you’ll also find dishes such as Bayham Estate Venison pâté (£7.50) and pan fried Hastings skate wing (£18). When we visit, I opt for the monkfish, rhubarb and coconut curry, which is served with saffron rice and poppadoms (£17). When ordering Mark says it can be tweaked to my personal

The Big Dog Day out returns to Bewl Water! The countdown has officially commenced for the Bewl Water ‘Big Dog Day Out’, which will take place on Saturday 26th March, the event promises visitors a day out for the whole family, and of course your furry friends! There is plenty of things to see and do with your pooches. FREE ENTRY 10am - 4pm Dog Show - see a different category each hour. Running at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Dog agility. Face painting for the little ones! Children’s treasure trails

www.bewlwater.co.uk info@bewlwater.co.uk Bewl Water, Bewlbridge Lane, Lamberhurst, Kent, TN3 8JH

Although we would happily have left things there, Mark persuades us that a dining experience chez Rendez-Vous is not complete without dessert. All are priced at £7.50 and there’s a solid choice of British classics such as treacle tart and warm ginger pudding alongside gallic gourmet offerings like iced nougat, chocolate and cherry brandy mousse and white chocolate brioche bread and butter pudding. We choose to share

For a relatively small restaurant - and team this brasserie certainly punches way above its weight when it comes to delivering excellent quality food at affordable prices. It’s no wonder that it has held the coveted top spot on Trip Advisor for restaurants in Tunbridge Wells for so long. And lots of my French friends living in the area rave about its 'genuine ambience' and 'delicious traditional food'. So whether you’re hankering after a taste of la belle France or want to partake in a culinary celebration of some seasonal ingredients then make sure you make a date with Rendez-Vous. I guarantee you will not be disappointed . . . www.rendezvoustw.co.uk

Food & Drink

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

food & drink

Six of the best bottles of wine for under £10

This week Sam Wylie Harris samples some value vino. So why not treat your tastebuds tonight or at the weekend to one of these fantastic budget bottles ...

HETHER it’s mid-week Wednesday or thirsty Thursday, you don’t always want a wine with the wow factor. Just a decent glass to set the tone and unwind with – what wine enthusiasts like to call the ‘support band wine.’ Not the top billers but mood boosters to draw you in, more mainstream than offbeat, and just happen to be bang on the money. Here’s what we’re opening up… 1. Pierre Jaurant French Chardonnay 2020, IGP Pays d’Oc, France (£6.29 Aldi) Best known for its Mediterranean climate and sun-kissed fruit, the Pays d’Oc in southern France is a goldmine for ripe, juicy chardonnay and this one’s upbeat melody of fresh tropical fruits is dialled up by a touch of toasty brioche on the lingering finish. 2. Adnams Chianti 2020, Italy (£8.99, Adnams) A sangiovese that sings from the glass, Adnams own-label wine range offers some real gems and this one’s right up there with its violet aromas, soft cherry fruit, rhythm of raspberry, savoury nuances and smooth, easy drinking finish with enough oomph to funk up anything in a rich tomato sauce. 3. Waitrose Loved & Found Pais 2020, Maule, Chile (£7.99, Waitrose, in-store) Pais may be Chile’s mainstream grape but this one’s a bona fide hit with its explosive plummy and blackberry aromas with a herbal edge, a foundation of plush ripe berries underpinned with spicy notes and a

fleshy, floral, juicy finish. A lesser known variety that’s making waves on the wine scene and downright delicious. 4. Juan de Juanes Garnacha Tempranillo Syrah 2020, Valencia, Spain (£9.99, Virgin Wines) With its silky symphony of fragrant red fruits, this power trio of garnacha, tempranillo and syrah more than delivers with its solid flavours of black cherry, raspberry and blackberry, feeling rich and vibrant with a persistent finish and vivid

from start to finish. A crowd pleaser. 5. La Belle Angèle Sauvignon Blanc 2020, France (£8.99, Majestic) An artistic culture pick… La Belle Angèle was a famous beauty from the 1900s cited for her joie de vivre. This has all the charm you’d expect with its crisp, refreshing character serving as the perfect backdrop for citrus, apple and gooseberry flavours. Right on tempo and a top drop with seafood starters or even a sneaky pack of prawn cocktail crisps.

6. M&S Found Cabernet Franc 2019, Mendoza, Argentina (£10, Marks & Spencer, in-store) Centred around a sultry label, this cabernet franc’s a solo act rather than a member of a Bordeaux-style blend and instantly draws you in with its burst of cassis, leafy herbs and enticing aromatics which follow through on the palate, fanning out beautifully on the firm finish.meals and freeze one half for another day, this will save you both money and time.”

Property News

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

property news

Houses are now fetching 98 per cent of asking price

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A GREENER RENTAL PROPERTY FOR A HIGHER YIELD

HAGGLING over the cost of a home may now be a thing of the past as latest research shows that sellers are getting nearly full asking price for properties that hit the market in 2021. According to estate agent comparison site, GetAgent.co.uk, vendors achieved 98 per cent of asking price last year, up from 96 per cent in 2020. The website pulled data from all of the major property listing portals which are then crossreferenced with the Land Registry using their proprietary algorithms and input from partner agents, to see where sellers have achieved the best price for their property compared to the price they listed it for sale at.

Achieve The research shows that the average home seller listed their property at an asking price of £326,212 in 2021, while they achieved £319,119 or 98 per cent hen it came to actually selling. In total, 157 postcodes across England and Wales saw home sellers achieve 100 per cent of asking price or higher in 2021. The best performing of the bunch was the TS2 postcode in Middlesbrough, where home sellers achieved 117 per cent of asking price. In Gwynedd’s LL45 postcode they achieved 114 per cent of asking price, with home sellers in NE69 in Northumberland achieving 112 per cent of original asking price. These three postcodes have also seen the largest year on year increase in the percentage of asking

price achieved. Camden’s WC1R postcode seems to be on the decline where the percentage of asking price achieved is concerned. While home sellers listed at an average of £959,337, they achieved £767,470 - just 80 per cent of their original asking price. The postcode has also seen the largest year on year decline, with home sellers achieving 95 per cent of asking price in 2020, 15 per cent more than 2021. Westminster’s W1D postcode also saw home sellers achieve just 80 per cent of asking price in 2021, while Bradford’s BD1 postcode is the only area outside of London to make the top 10 when it comes to the lowest level of asking price achieved in 2021. Founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, said: “2021 brought another incredibly strong year for the housing market and the nation’s home sellers. “The extension of the stamp duty holiday, as well as the continued low cost of borrowing, ensured that the percentage of asking price they were able to achieve continued to climb on the impressive performance posted in 2020. “Of course, not everyone has benefitted to the same extent and we’ve seen the London market trail quite considerably behind the rest of the UK, with the capital accounting for nine out of 10 of the worst performing postcodes across the nation.”

Sellers urged to take advantage of the spring surge PEOPLE considering selling their home should consider placing it on the market now in order to take of the best sale period of the year, analysis suggests. Based on research into the number of homes sold over the last five years, March is the second busiest month of the year, with 63,547 transactions completing as those sales agreed before the Christmas break finally make it over the line. The study by estate agents Barrows and Forrester looked at the average number of transactions to take place in order to reveal when the market was at its busiest for homebuyer activity. When it comes to buyer and seller activity throughout the new year, June is the busiest month for the property market, with an average of 68,546 transactions completing in a single month. While summer may seem a long way away, it takes an average of four to six months to sell a home from first listing on the market to reaching completion. This means that this record level of transactions actually comes as a result of the spring surge in buyer demand and so those looking to take advantage should be thinking about listing their home in the coming weeks in order to do so. The research also shows that the average number of residential completions remains above 50,000 per month right through until December. Managing Director of Barrows and Forrester, James Forrester, said: “What we generally find each year is that January is quiet as we return from the Christmas break and there isn’t a great deal of intent from both

buyer and seller. “However, we do see an uplift in sales around March from those that were agreed prior to the Christmas break and have finally reached completion.

Activity “March also tends to mark the start of the spring surge with a great deal of buyers and sellers entering the market having spent the first few months of the year getting their house in order. “This heightened level of activity then results in a notable spike in the number of transactions completing around June and this trend tends to remain for the remainder of the year.”

Did you know that as well as being socially responsible and savvy, it will soon also be a legal requirement to improve your investmnet property’s energy efficiency? The Government is set to get tougher on rental properties’ EPC ratings and from 2025 your rental property will need to have a minimum certification rating of C. If you are a landlord or considering renting out your property in the future, an eco-friendly approach could ease your conscience and your purse strings! James Richards of Maddisons Residential discusses the simple steps to ensuring a more efficient rental property, and how to get maximum benefit from your eco-investments. Top tips for a greener investment property: • Insulate, Britain: Wall or loft insulation stops heat escaping and is a fast, cost-effective solution. • Exclude draughts: Repairing or replacing windows can make a huge difference. Remember that up to 18% of heat loss occurs through windows! • Replace the boiler: A fast way to boost the EPC rating is to upgrade to a more efficient boiler. This is a large initial outlay but will mitigate the potential call-out and repair costs associated with running an older boiler. Why it benefits you to be a greener landlord: • Reduce void time: The EPC rating of your property can make it more attractive to a potential tenant. It is displayed on most lettings adverts and will not just be important to eco-conscious tenants, but also economically conscious tenants! • Increase interest and yield: Especially for tenancies which exclude bills, a property which is cheap to run is more likely to spark people’s interest. This could mean you have more than one tenant vying for your investment property, so you can demand a higher rental price. • Low-maintenance property: A more energy efficient property will reduce the risk of damp, mould, and condensation, reducing repair and maintenance costs.

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

Homes & Interiors

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

Five easy ways to work the Seventies trend at home Go groovy with your decor, says Sam Wylie-Harris

Homes & Interiors

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

decade defined by disco music, eye-catching prints, a colour scheme of browns, oranges and greens and shot of glamour for good measure, the Seventies certainly captured our

attention. And we’re still feeling the love – so much so that designers continue to be inspired by the 1970s, reviving the look with a range of ideas to fire the imagination. There’s a sense of fun when we reconnect with this decade’s trademark palette of brights, as well as the feelgood factor of nature (house plants were one of the hottest trends at the time), and there’s good reason key pieces such as vintage chairs, lava lamps and eclectic homewares have never lost their appeal. Here’s how to rock the Seventies vibe at home…

1. Play up patterns and prints

era in interior design and it still inspires us today,” says Rachael Doble, co-founder of Carmine Lake. “For an instant injection of Seventies glam, a feature wall in a 1970s-inspired design will score plenty of style points. “Make sure it has a strong, distinctive print and a palette of browns, oranges and reds for maximum impact.” Abbas Youssefi, director of Porcelain Superstore, agrees: “Seventies interior style was all about statement patterns in strong, earthy colours. Our Sunset Astro pays homage to the 1970s vibe, with the red and terracotta shades exuding warmth. “For maximum impact, use these rich tiles to create a striking splashback, while keeping the rest of the kitchen relatively simple.”

2. Rally retro accessories

supply at Fy! describes the Seventies trend as bringing a touch of luxe and nostalgia, especially with a retro colour palette of terracotta orange, aqua tones and rich greens. “Opt for midcentury furniture pieces and add a contemporary edge with velvet textiles and contrasting textures,” says Pusey. “Finish with the warm glow of a mushroom lamp for a sense of vintage glamour.”

“The 70Seventies was such a ground-breaking Market finds – such as boho-chic rattan and leather swivel chairs – are easy ways to introduce the look, if and when you can track them down. Otherwise, online shopping sites such as Etsy and Ebay are good hunting-ground for things like wicker and teak furniture, retro glass vases and – love it or loathe it – the lava lamp. “A simple but extremely effective way to introduce 1970s style to your home is with statement lighting, a trend we’re seeing for 2022,” notes Etsy trend expert, Dayna Isom Johnson. “I also like vintage wall prints, which is an inexpensive way to experiment with adding Seventies flair to your home without much commitment.” Meanwhile, Molly Pusey, vice-president of

3. Hang house plants aplenty Whether its with macramé or a glittering disco ball, stringing and hanging your plants is a stylish way to work the Seventies’ take on greenery in the home. Plus it’s a space-saving way of bringing the leafy world inside, as you won’t need to worry about running out of room on shelves and cabinet tops.

4. It’s cool to colour-clash “The Seventies were defined by the bold sound of the funk era. The music was rich and brazen and really made you stop in your tracks to listen,” says Chris Bond, director at The Rug Retailer. “From an interiors perspective, for me 1970s

style is all about capturing the excitement and confidence of the funk movement, so strong colours and shapes are an absolute must. And don’t be afraid of clashing hues too – the more the merrier.” Try mixing and matching your furniture, rather than sticking with variations of the same shade in a room. Or, adding pops of clashing colours in accessories – or a bold, geometric rug – is a quick way to get the look.

5. Flaunt your flower-power Think cosmic blooms in sunshine yellow and other happy brights. Going bold with pops of pretty petals will make everything look fresh and modern, and you can always work the wicker look in the form of lampshades and shelving, or a sweet bedside table. Also, be on the lookout for crochet wall hangings (Aldi currently has a Crafty Crochet Wall Hanging Kit for £5.99, if you fancy giving it a go yourself). Another key find is a vintage sunburst wall clock – a prime example of why 1970s style stands the test of time.

Turkish and Mediterranean Restaurant in Tunbridge Wells tel: 01892 512758

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88 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1UX

Spotlight on The Pantiles

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

Spotlight on:

The Pantiles

The Pantiles area is more than just a place to shop, dine or relax. As Victoria Roberts finds out, this iconic promenade represents the heart of Tunbridge Wells and without it the town may not even exist...

Spotlight on The Pantiles

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

FTER the discovery of the apparently health-giving properties of the iron-rich, or ‘chalybeate’, spring by Dudley North, 3rd Baron North, Tunbridge Wells Tmost iconic area came into being. Once the spring was discovered, Lord Abergavenny cleared the area, created wells lined with stone and put up railings. But without any buildings, visitors were either forced to travel from Southborough or ‘Tunbridge’ or else camp, as did Henrietta Maria of France, wife of King Charles I, while she was recovering from childbirth, in 1629. Further levelling and landscaping took place later, with the creation of a promenade to the well – the ‘Walks’ as it was first called. From the mid-1730s, the dandy ‘Beau’ Nash reigned over society in Tunbridge Wells, a position commemorated in the red plaque at Number 40-46 The Pantiles. In his vision, a day during the Season would start by drinking the waters, followed by

breakfast and attendance at Chapel. Mornings were spent walking or riding in the countryside. After dinner, visitors to the town would promenade and later go to the Assembly Rooms for dancing and gambling. The nineteenth century brought some of the most iconic buildings into being: the Dippers’ Hall housing the well, the Corn Exchange and the Royal Victoria Hotel. Although there had been a music stand in The Pantiles since the seventeenth century, the bandstand was anchored in its current location at the turn of the twentieth century, and rebuilt in 1973. Today’s visitors can still take the waters, from Easter until the end of September, but there are plenty of more modern entertainments on offer:

Eating and Drinking

With its wide, tree-lined pedestrian promenades, the colonnades, and the bandstand, street life on The Pantiles today has a Mediterranean feel. This is a place to walk in the sunshine or sit in the shade eating Victoria sponge from the

TAKING THE WATERS In the eighteenth century, the Chalybeate Spring became a vital daily custom for any honourable lady or gentleman visiting ‘The Wells’. The Chalybeate spring water was served by someone called a ‘Dipper’ for a small fee – not for the water, which has always been designated as belonging to the people, but for being served the medicinal solution in a genteel fashion. This tradition carries on today when circumstances allow. Usually in the summer it can be possible to sample the cool Chalybeate Spring water served by a costumed dipper, provided the water is flowing, it is a natural phenomenon after all.

The nineteenth century brought some of the most iconic buildings into being: the Dippers’ Hall housing the well, the Corn Exchange and the Royal Victoria Hotel. CakeShed or drinking a tasty latte from the The Pantiles’ cafe outdoor café. If you are hungrier for something more substantial, The Pantiles’ restaurants span the globe, from the truly distant – opening soon is Riwaz Restaurant, under celebrity Indian chef Atul Kochhar – to friendly Ragged Trousers pub, La Casa Vecchia’s cuisine straddles both north and south coasts of the Mediterranean, while

HAIR & BEAUTY EXPERTS

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Spotlight on The Pantiles

NEWS

Local News

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS16VISIT: Wednesday February | 2022timesloc

Sankey’s serves the best of British fish and shellfish. Food and drink are closely connected to music in The Pantiles, culminating in the Jazz on the Pantiles summer series, co-founded by drummer Lionel Shell and Julian Leefe-Griffiths of the Tunbridge Wells Hotel. Traditionally a season of outdoor concerts played from the historic bandstand on Thursday evenings, the festival carried on through pandemic restrictions in 2020 and 2021, thanks to a new entry price and support from restaurants, the Tunbridge Wells Hotel, the Kirthon Indian and La Casa Vecchia. Look out for the new season programme, starting this May.

Arts At the end of July, the Tunbridge Wells Hotel organises yet another crossover between music, drinking and eating, with the outdoor Gin and Jazz festival. The two-week TWFringe Festival also takes place over the summer, filling the whole of Tunbridge Wells with arts performances, but

kicking off with an opening ceremony in The Pantiles on Monday, July 5. Another musical event to emerge from The Pantiles was Tunbridge Wells’ Local and Live, which was so successful it outgrew its birthplace and moved to Calverley Grounds in 2014. Live music venue The Forum made the opposite journey, starting out across the London Road from The Pantiles, before establishing the Forum Basement, a second ‘satellite’ venue at the Sussex Arms, just behind the Corn Exchange. Further down the promenade, another indoor venue keeps the musical heartbeat going all year round, according to local musician and impresario Paul Dunton. “Since 2005, I’ve been running musical

‘Food and drink are closely connected to music in the Pantiles, culminating in the Jazz on the Pantiles’ showcases at the Grey Lady [Music Lounge] for grassroots music and emerging artists,” he told the Times. “These are candlelit sessions for composers and singer-songwriters. “I’ve probably done two and a half thousand shows since then,” he continued, adding that even in the wake of the pandemic, the shows are still going on monthly.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Licensing Act 2003 Application for the variation of Premises Licence An application to vary the Premises Licence at The George, 29 Mt Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 8AA has been made by Richard Simm and Jason Dormon. A summary of the proposed licensable activities and the proposed hours of Opening: Sale of alcohol by retail on the standard timings:

Monday 09.00 – 21.00 Tuesday 09.00 – 21.00 Wednesday 12.00 – 22.00 Thursday 12.00 – 23.00

Friday 12.00 – 23.00 Saturday 12.00 – 23.00 Sunday 12.00 – 21.00

In addition, we propose the sale of alcohol by retail on non-standard timings Fridays until 00:00, Saturday, until 00:00 and Sundays until 23:00 on weekends before a bank holiday. Any person wishing to view details of an application can contact the licensing Team on 01732 227004 Any person wishing to make representation about the proposals should make them in writing by 08/03/2022 to: Licensing Partnership, PO Box 182, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1GP licensing@sevenoaks.gov.uk www.sevenoaks.gov.uk It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connectionwith an application. The maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary of conviction for the offence is £5,000.

Spotlight on The Pantiles

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

Scottish Antiques opened their first bricks-andmortar shop, The Hoard, in the nineteenth century Corn Exchange at The Pantiles, where Georgian silverware and wooden ‘Tunbridge ware’ are perfectly in keeping with the location.

Living and Working

One building which was not in keeping with the architectural harmony of the location was Union House at the bottom end of The Pantiles, a four-storey brick and concrete office block – before it was demolished to make way for the ‘1887’ Dandara complex of flats and mews houses. Named for the year in which ‘The Parade’ became ‘The Pantiles’, the 1887 complex is mostly residential, although one business tenant, The Finance Hub, has moved in, and

Shopping

In keeping with its air of a Mediterranean promenade, The Pantiles plays host to regular open-air markets. The farmers’ market season is already in full swing, operating on the first and third weekend of the month, with organisers boasting a range of stalls to satisfy almost everyone: “Bakeries, veg delivery, tropical wine, marinades, local produce stall, crepes, olives, cheese, pet food, biltong, eggs, limoncello, fashion, art, candles/ melts, fabric toys, vegan leather bags, children’s books, jewellery, vintage, reclaimed wood, sandals, sustainable goods and tea.” Specialist markets listed for this year include Food Fest in May and September, Gin and Jazz in

May and September, the Vintage Fair in June and the Homes and Gardens Fair in July. Christmas market dates are already set for November and December.

Trade The area also plays host to an incredible variety of shops, particularly independents which do not trade anywhere else, like kitchen shop Trevor Mottram, or tiny businesses with just one other shop, like Pantiles Cameras or dog accessory and gift shop Collared. All of them appeared on BBC’s Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr last year. Online and private-client antiques specialists

Beauty Rooms for hire at

Our serviced beauty rooms, perfect for therapists, hair stylists, clothing stylists or other beauty therapists looking for a private and relaxing space. Located on Nevill Street, opposite The Pantiles, our beauty rooms are in the idyllic location. Just £50 a day. Long-term lettings are available upon request. All beauty rooms will be serviced, cleaned and looked after for you. Email reception@onewarwickpark.co.uk to enquire.

has recently opened, offering advice on personal finances as well as business services. The entrance to the 1887 development is marked by a fountain so symbolic that the town agreed to place its Wiesbaden Plaque here, marking the twinning arrangement between Tunbridge Wells and its fellow spa city of Wiesbaden. Standing two storeys high, the towers of the 1887 water feature are made of stainless steel, creating a modern mirror to the ancient stone-clad well, which is rust-red from the iron-rich water, and where the spring has bubbled quietly for over 400 years. The spring has only run dry once in four centuries. The last time was in 2015, and it is due to open to the public again this Easter.

Antiques

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

The bouyancy of the Chinese market

antiques

Joseph Trinder discusses the rising value of China’s finest porcelain and jade for pieces with detailed provenance relating to the item. My colleague, our head of Asian Art, Dan Bray has over 25 years of experience in this field, having developed a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the nuances which can make all the difference in value for objects within this market.

Joseph Trinder

NE OF the most buoyant areas of the market in today’s auction world, driven principally by Chinese porcelain and works of art, the Asian Art department at Gorringe’s has seen some of our most exciting results over recent years.

Collectors As the Chinese economy has flourished in recent decades, more and more discerning collectors from the growing wealthy Chinese middle classes are competing to repatriate works of Chinese porcelain, jade and other items of artistic, cultural and historic significance – following centuries of such pieces being removed from their country of origin by British and other European collectors. In a complex market, premiums are paid

‘Expectations were exceeded by demand of the present market, as the gavel finally fell at £160,000’

plants in shallow relief. These bowls were made during the Yongzheng (1723-1735) and Qianlong (1735-1796) reigns and each bears Period the emperor’s seal mark in underglaze blue We will be holding two specialist on the base. focussed Asian Art valuation days in March Provenance - The Hon. Alfred Clive – we invite you to join us with works of Lawrence (1878-1926) thence by family Chinese porcelain, jade, paintings and descent. Lawrence’s father was the 1st other Asian antiques for a free, Baron Trevethin. Alfred was commonly no-obligation valuation. Our upcoming known by his middle name Clive and was a events are scheduled for Monday 7th March solicitor with the Ministry of Labour in Tunbridge Wells and Friday 11th March between 1907 and 1923 and was appointed in Lewes. Commander, Order of the British Empire Recent highlights from the Asian Art (C.B.E.) in 1918. He was awarded the Order Department at Gorringe’s with interesting of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus of Italy and provenance include: was Procurator-General and Solicitor for A fine large Chinese moulded celadonthe British Treasury in 1923. glazed bowl, Qianlong seal mark and of the Estimated at £20,000 - £30,000 ahead of period sale, we had high (1736expectations for 95). this piece – yet This even this was piece exceeded by belongs to demand of the a rare group present market for of large examples of such celadonquality, as the gavel glazed bowls finally fell at £160,000 decorated to the – one of numerous recent SOLD exterior with examples of important This porcelain bowl fruiting and works of Asian art discovered fetched £160,000 flowering auspicious in local properties.

TRIPOD This 11th century piece fetched £190,000

Another example of such a discovery is this rare Chinese archaic bronze tripod ritual food vessel, Ding, early western Zhou dynasty, 11th century B.C – part of an important collection of such pieces. Representative of the depth and scope of China’s artistic heritage, this survivor of millennia also captured the attention of the highly motivated Chinese buying market, selling at Gorringe’s for an impressive £190,000. Join Dan and I In March and perhaps a family heirloom of yours will be our next exciting discovery in the fascinating world of Asian art. Contact me directly to book your appointment today: josepht@ gorringes.co.uk

A new partnership with Portobello Road specialist Eric Knowles from the Hoard in The Pantiles reveals his most recent partnership

ELLO everyone. Having welcomed Jeroen and Jacob Markies to The Corn Exchange last week, I’m now equally delighted to introduce you to our second new partner. I am extremely pleased to announce that we have been joined by Hickmet Fine Arts – another of the brightest stars in the antiques firmament, and a splendid addition to my enterprise down here on The Pantiles. As with Jeroen and Jacob, Hickmet’s have previously operated – for the most part – on the exhibitions and fairs circuit, although they also boasted a physical presence by way of their shop on London’s Portobello Road.

Incumbents Another family-run business, they are headed up by David Hickmet – a fine gentleman who I am inordinately pleased to now be able to number amongst my work colleagues. David has recently welcomed both his son and daughter, Harry and Sydney, to the fold – and they become the fourth generation of the family to have worked in business. In keeping with our existing incumbents, David will be bringing a wide range of extraordinarily fine wares for display and sale on the Lower Walk, appealing to a diverse array of tastes. However, his specialities are 20th century bronze sculptures and art glass, fields in which he is held in the utmost regard throughout the trade. If you are kind enough to visit us,

David brings by Bergman, Bruno Zach and Josef Lorenzl, amongst others. These are the absolute top tier of Art Deco bronze royalty, and their works set the standards for the entire movement that they defined.

Emporium

you will see why – we will have an unsurpassed selection of sculptures and glassware on show, produced by the very finest names imaginable. I have waxed lyrical many times about René Lalique and his fabulous glass – a personal favourite of mine – but I am equally thrilled by the sculptures which

However, quality of wares notwithstanding, we are very keen to ensure that my emporium is not perceived as the exclusive preserve of connoisseurs and the cognoscenti. The Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements which are so very well represented by Messrs Hickmet and Markies were very much about redefining what was considered to be ‘proper’ art. The delineation between classical ‘fine art’ and the merits of decorative and functional pieces became less distinct, with the latter – if produced with sufficient dexterity and

ERIC KNOWLES creative thought – being afforded the same degree of admiration as would a revered ‘old master’ painting, or centuries-old artefact. To this end, I am very pleased to be hosting a series of talks which will, we hope, provide an engaging ‘introduction’ to the world of Art Deco as well as an opportunity to peruse the finery which we have on display. They’ll be held at our own Pantiles Arcade and all the relevant details are on the website at scottishantiques. com/eric-knowles-tunbridge-wells. The ticket price includes some canapes, wine and refreshments, so please do consider coming along for an evening (or afternoon) of conviviality, and the opportunity to see some absolute masterpieces at first hand.

Antiques

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

Another of Britain’s finest businesses Alexander Pushkin, of Pushkin Antiques in the High Street talks about luxury goods company Dunhill... the demand for cars, he designed and manufactured a collection of accessories created for car owners. The collection was named “Dunhill’s Motorities” and included car horns, headlights, leather coats, glasses, picnic sets and watches. In the beginning of the 20th century the young prosperous manufacturer opened two showrooms in Mayfair, and in 1907 the first tobacconist and pipe shop on Duke street.

Malls Alexander Pushkin

HIS WEEK I would like to put this important brand Alfred Dunhill Limited - otherwise better known simply as Dunhill - into the spotlight. It’s a British luxury retailer, specialising in luxury goods for men. The brand produces and sells designer and custom menswear, fine leather goods and accessories, such as lighters, pens and watches, and perfume. The company was founded in London in 1893 and has always been based there. It was launched by Alfred Dunhill, a business-minded Englishman, who inherited his father’s saddlery business with a workshop in London. Anticipating an increase in

As time went by, the business grew, and within a couple of years the company turned into a whole corporation. Alfred Dunhill Ltd. owns several shopping malls, run exclusively for men. The so-called Dunhill Houses allow each visitor to experience the atmosphere of luxury and plunge into the history of the brand. In addition to the full range of the brand’s exquisite pieces, each client gets the opportunity to use such services, as custom tailoring, hairdresser

‘The company was founded by Alfred Dunhill, a business-minded Englishman, who inherited his father’s saddlery business’ cinema. Dunhill Maisons are located in London, Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong. One of the company’s calling cards is the world-famous Dunhill lighter, featured in James Bond movies several times, starting from 1962. Along with such renowned brands as Rolex, Omega and Breitling, the name of Dunhill is strongly associated with the image of brave, courageous and determined special agent. With its long and prolific history, Dunhill is now one of the world’s top luxury brands for men. Clients and customers appreciate the company for its incomparable service, attention to detail and respect for tradition. Dunhill is a part of Richemont SA, a luxury goods holding company based in Switzerland.

Richemont SA’s roster of prominent luxury brands include the likes of Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Panerai, Montblanc to name a few. Rare, antique and vintage pieces by the prominent Maison are in especially high demand among collectors and connoisseurs of exclusive and exquisite items from all over the world. Such luxury pieces can be found in our extensive collection of men’s gifts and can be viewed on our website pushkinantiques.com or viewed in our High street gallery.

and spasalon, wine and cigar rooms, bar and restaurant, as well as a

HUNGRY FOR A NEW JOB? JOIN OUR AWARD WINNING TEAM DESIGN Some of Miller’s work can be found at Pushkin

Elite Leisure Collection is an award-winning independent group of local companies operating across the hospitality, leisure and media sectors. Founded in 2008, we always aim to recruit, train, development and support our team to consistently deliver a high level of quality and service. Following a probationary period, by joining our team, you’ll enjoy free gym membership, contributory pension, healthcare, reward incentives and staff perks along with a competitive salary. Due to continued growth and internal advancements, we are now recruiting for the following roles across our venues in Tunbridge Wells:

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Chef de Partie – £24,570 p.a. Sous Chef - £29,250 p.a. Food & Beverage Assistant - £22,230 p.a. Food & Beverage Manager - £33,000 p.a. Restaurant Manager - £30,000 p.a. Receptionist - £22,230 p.a. Operations Manager – salary depending on experience

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to marketing@onewarwickpark.co.uk

Travel

travel

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

Experience some very cool cabin fever in Norfolk

Banish the blues and flee to the Norfolk countryside, says Claire Spreadbury

CAN’T actually remember the last time I had a bath with a friend, but it was probably about 35 years ago. It’s not an opportunity that crops up very often, but that’s set to change at Congham Hall’s brand new Orchard Cabins, as the star attraction of the sleek open-plan spaces is an outdoor bathtub. Wiggling into skin-tight swimming costumes – after a three-course meal of roasted beetroot, goat’s cheese, plump pillows of ravioli and a decadent assiette of (not so) mini puddings – seems like a good idea at the time. (That might have had something to do with the delicious lashings of Fleurie we washed it down with.) And once the the stainless steel silver taps are splurting water into the ginormous tub, there’s no turning back.

Luxurious Bubbles spill over the top as we hurl ourselves in, seconds away from deciding an outdoor bath is exactly what every single one of us needs in our lives right now. Putting the world to rights while trying to stay above water, we fight back the giggles while debating the monstrosities of life in 2022. The apple trees watch over us, swaying disapprovingly at the drowning slippers and robes mopping up our overspill, and the shrieks we can’t bear to keep in. The stars twinkle from a distance, promising a better display in brighter months, as we lay back and savour the dark night sky. The Norfolk hotel has built five luxurious new rooms with outdoor bathtubs, all

overlooking the beautiful apple orchard at Congham Hall in Norfolk. Launched to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the hotel’s management by Nicholas Dickinson (previously of Le Manoir and Luxury Family Hotels) and his team, the timing couldn’t be better. As ‘The Great Resignation’ rumbles on, with people choosing to move away from cities and into the countryside, it offers a great taste of Norfolk life. Already,

As well as outdoor baths, the new rust-coloured cabins have plenty more to enjoy Burnham Market in north Norfolk has been nicknamed ‘Chelsea-on-Sea’, due to vast swathes of Londoners upping sticks and moving there.

Although Congham Hall is in the west of the county, there’s still an abundance of fresh air and green spaces, beautiful beaches, hugely affordable stunning houses, and it’s teeming with nature at every twist and turn. As well as the outdoor bath, the new rust-coloured cabins (which look like house-shaped shipping containers from the outside), give you the option of bathing inside, like a normal person. Much less fun,

Travel

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

but because one roll-top is sometimes not enough, you can take your pick from the brushed tin tub outside, or the pretty pink bath in the bathroom, both big enough for multiple bathers. Inside the cabin, a squashy bed awaits our weary limbs, beside a large pink sofa, marbletopped circular coffee tables and comfy spinning chair; the perfect spot to sit and take in the views of the orchard. A green bistro table and chairs sit out on the balcony for morning brews and sundowners. It really is a place to relax, and the slow pace makes you feel like you’re on an actual holiday. “We’re in Norfolk, there’s no such thing as late,” Nicholas tells us as we apologise for our tardiness at dinner. We’re then encouraged to sup on aperitifs by the bar before heading over to our table in The Samphire Kitchen – a two AA Rosette restaurant, which has recently had a restyle.

and local woodland. We’re told Old Hunstanton Beach is worth the 25-minute journey, but we choose to while away an hour or two at the local distillery, Whatahoot, instead. Whatahoot is an award-winning distillery and gin school, set in a beautiful 15th century building in Kings Lynn (about seven miles away from the hotel). We gather on sofas with AJ, who talks us through the history of gin, and the brand, and why husband and wife team Nicky and Jason decided to set it up. “In the summer, Norfolk is beautiful,” AJ tells us. “But in the winter, everything closes – people need something to do.” And doing gin comes highly recommended. Whether you pop along for the distillery tour to learn all about how gin is made (£15), upgrade to a cheeky Cocktail Masterclass (£35) or go the whole hog and book into the four-hour gin school (£95, or £135 for two) where you make your own gin,

Private We peruse the menus, shortlist wine and nibble on salty edamame beans. Game and fish feature heavily because of the location – Congham aims to source 80% of ingredients from within a 20-mile radius, as long as they’re the best available. And there’s a separate vegetarian menu, too. Mains cost between £20 and £30, starters around £10 and desserts about £9, but room rates that include dinner are a good idea. Wine is well chosen, around £40 for a really good bottle, and staff are attentive. The co-owners also wait on tables – either a sign of their hands-on nature, or the post-Covid impact on hospitality. The Secret Garden Spa features a 12-metre swimming pool, steam room, saunas, treatments rooms and a new outdoor deck with hot tub. Roomy enough not to feel awkward when you clamber in among other guests, it’s the perfect spot at dusk, when pink skies light up the surrounding woods and meadows and the warm, gentle bubbles heat up our cold bodies. If you feel the need to explore further afield, local walking routes are available from reception, along with pairs of Dubarry boots. We blow the cobwebs (and hangover) away on a flat three-mile loop, taking in the old railway line

Congham Hall’s brand new Orchard Cabins are the star attraction of this Norfolk venue you’re likely to wobble out with a big smile on your face. My lips feel like they’re bubbling with dryness as the alcohol warms my throat. For someone who’s not a fan of doing shots, I seem to be sampling the straight gins without any trouble at all. Fiery but smooth, each variety is really quite delicious, and even better when you add a splash of tonic. Back at the hotel, waking up to the early morning sky – light dancing on the fruit trees as I sit with a cuppa on the balcony – feels like a moment out of a self-care manual. And before we leave, there’s time to squeeze in one more bath. The cabins are positioned so each balcony area is private and not overlooked, although I do almost come a cropper when relaxing in the tub

and a couple bring their dog for a walk in the orchard. Thankfully, the size of the bath and the enormous number of soap suds surrounding my naked body save my dignity. And it’s easy for my heart rate to return to normal as I sit amid the bubbles, watching a family of blue tits flit from one apple tree branch to another, the sunlight falling on their fluttering wings, nature’s soundtrack of birdsong filling the air. Undoubtedly, I am an outdoor bath convert. So much classier than a hot tub. More peaceful, more sustainable, more stylish. It’s self-care on tap, if you’ll excuse the pun, and I really want one in my garden. How to plan your trip The Orchard Cabins are currently available to book on an introductory offer of £399 per night, including breakfast and dinner, rising to £450 per night from April 1. Contact Congham Hall Hotel (01485 600 250; conghamhallhotel.co.uk). Stay two nights (Tuesday to Friday) in March and receive two miniature WhataHoot gin bottles and tonic to sample in your room, and a complimentary tour of WhataHoot distillery. Prices from £498 for a standard double room,

SPRING BREAK

7 DAYS

£358

COACH BREAK TO SCOTLAND

LOCH AWE HOTEL ARGYLLSHIRE

TripAdvisor

SUNDAY 20 TH MARCH Come and visit Scotland in the Spring! With an included excursion of cruise on Loch Lomond. You will also get the chance to explore the Cruachan Power Station, Inveraray, Fort William, Glencoe, Oban, Tighnabruaich and historic Stirling. TOUR INCLUDES

6 nights half board. Nightly entertainment. Excursions. PICKUP FROM

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LOCHS.COM 01389 713713 LOCHS & GLENS HOLIDAYS, SCHOOL ROAD, GARTOCHARN, G83 8RW

Wednesday February 16 | 2022

Motoring News Volvo announces £808million for next-generation EV production

This week… Volvo EV investment

DS 804bhp concept

MG launch EV ZS

A new lower range, more affordable MG ZS EV is here

VOLVO has announced a huge investment in its Torslanda plant to make it ready for the production of next-generation electric vehicles. The factory in Sweden, the firm’s home country, will receive SEK 10 billion (£808 million) of enhancements to focus on fully electric vehicles. As part of the upgrades, the factory will install new and more sustainable technologies and manufacturing processes, including the introduction of mega casting of aluminium body parts.

Refurbished This process simplifies the construction of a vehicle’s body, reducing the number of parts that need to be joined together. A new battery assembly plant will also be built, while the paint and final assembly shops will be fully refurbished. These investments follow a recent announcement from Volvo and leading battery cell company Northvolt. The pair are investing SEK 30 billion (£2.4bn) in the development and manufacturing of next-generation battery technology for Volvo’s EVs. Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive of Volvo Cars, said: “With these investments, we take an important step towards our all-electric future and prepare for even more advanced and better electric Volvos. “Torslanda is our largest plant and will play a crucial role in our ongoing transformation as we move towards becoming a pure electric car maker by 2030.” Volvo says the mega casting process ‘is the

most significant and exciting change’ to come from this investment, because it improves sustainability, cost and car performance, while using this process to create the floor from a single aluminium part reduces weight. This, in turn, reduces the amount of materials

required and improves vehicle efficiency. Torslanda has an annual production capacity of 300,000 cars and is one of Volvo’s longestserving manufacturing facilities, having been opened in 1964. It currently employs around 6,500 people.

The DS E-Tense Performance is an 804 bhp test bed for electric power THIS is the DS E-Tense Performance, a concept car designed to accelerate the French firm’s electric vehicle development. It has been developed by DS Performance, the group behind the company’s title-winning Formula E team, and applies learnings from electric motorsport to road cars. It’s powered by the Formula E race car

powertrain, using twin electric motors that make 804bhp combined and an astonishing 8,000Nm of torque, with power sent to all four wheels. All electric vehicles have regenerative braking systems that help slow the car and feed energy back into the battery, but the E-Tense’s system is so strong that DS claims the traditional braking system is only there as a safety back-up.

The battery pack is mounted in a central-rear position and is housed in a carbon-aluminium composite envelope. More interesting is the fact that DS has worked with external partners to develop ‘an innovative chemistry and an immersive cooling system for cells, at odds with current technology’.

Display On top of the mechanical aspects, the concept’s styling also hints at future DS cars. For example, with no need for a traditional grille – electric vehicles don’t require the same cooling as internal combustion engine cars – the E-Tense gets a configurable display instead. This new ‘grille’ is flanked by the daytime running lights, which use 800 LEDs in a thin stripe. Inside there’s a focus on performance, with a bucket seat and the steering wheel from the Formula E car. However, it is also said to be comfortable thanks to black leather inserts. This is no show car, either. Although it will remain a one-off, its position as a development tool will be shown through testing by Formula E racers Jean-Éric Vergne and Antonio Felix da Costa. The pair will help finalise its development before testing it on road and track. Although you can’t buy the physical car, DS is releasing four NFT series with similar erformance.

ONE OF the most affordable electric vehicles on the market just got cheaper, thanks to the introduction of a smaller battery variant. The MG ZS EV has been winning many fans thanks to being the least expensive electric SUV on sale, but now there’s a new version that makes it even more accessible. The ZS EV Standard Range joins the Long Range model, but still comes with a useful 198-mile range – 35 miles more than the previous entry level model. Its 51.1kWh battery can be topped up at speeds of up to 100kW, which can fill from 10-80% in 36 minutes.

Quality Power comes from the same motor found in the Long Range version, but a different operating voltage between the two batteries means the lower-cost model actually has a bit more power, with a total output of 174bhp. The MG ZS EV Standard Range is eligible for the Government’s £1,500 plug-in car grant, which brings the price down to £27,495. Long Range models are also eligible for the discount, with prices starting at £29,495. MG Motor UK commercial director, Guy Pigounakis, said: “MG is already the go-to choice for customers looking to buy great quality, well-equipped and terrific value electric cars, but the new Standard Range ZS EV takes that offering to new levels. “The Plug-in Car Grant may have been reduced, but MG’s commitment to delivering great value, world class EVs certainly hasn’t – the ZS EV offers unrivalled specification, range and performance for the money.” The MG ZS EV Standard Range is on sale now, with deliveries expected to begin this month. MG currently sells six models in the UK, with three of these offering plug-in power – the MG ZS EV, MG5 EV estate and the MG HS plug-in hybrid SUV. The British-based, Chinese-owned company has seen a real resurgence in recent years, and despite having a tiny market share, has seen impressive growth. In 2021 it sold more than 30,000 cars – not much in the grand scheme of things, but up 12,000 on 2020 and more than double what it sold in 2019. For context, Hyundai sold 70,000 vehicles last year.

November | 2021 Wednesday February 1610 | 2022

H ENGINEERING PROUDLY UNDERTAKE THE RESTORATION OF CLASSIC & VINTAGE VEHICLES.

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