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OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Leisure complex plans for BHS store shelved
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PLANS for a new leisure attraction to feature go karts, cinema and bowling alleys in the former site of the BHS store in Tunbridge Wells have been shelved after the shopping centre owner vetoed the project.
Influence The new attraction by Elite Leisure Collection had been planned to open at the end of the year. But owner of Royal Victoria Place, British Land, which has a minor five per cent stake in the BHS unit, had demanded ‘an unworkable level of influence’ over the plans say developers. Elite Leisure Collection say they are now scouting sites outside the town centre. Full story page 3
Tunbridge Wells still has no Council as fractures appear in coalition plans Liberal Democrat leader already challenged for top job By Richard Williams AN AGREEMENT still hasn’t been reached on who will run the Council in Tunbridge Wells following the defeat of the Conservative party at the local elections earlier this month. Last night as the Times went to press, members of the Lib Dems, Alliance and Labour party were meeting to thrash out a plan to run the town hall as a threeparty coalition. But this newspaper has learnt that the Liberal Democrat group, which is now the largest party at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) and plans to take charge of the authority with help from the other parties, is already in disarray after the leader was challenged for his job. Cllr Ben Chapelard saw his group of councillors increase to 16 from 12 during
the local elections on May 5, which also led to the Conservatives losing eight members at the town hall. Cllr Tom Dawlings who leads the Tory group has announced he will step down at the first Council meeting scheduled for next Wednesday (May 25) to allow the Lib Dems to form a Council with opposition members.
Delayed The Lib Dems are expected to propose Cllr Chapelard for the council leader role, but he needs the backing from the other parties, and ‘positive’ and ‘constructive’ talks took place at the weekend. However, these talks had been delayed, frustrating other parties. And the Times has learnt that the reason talks were delayed, was due to an internal Lib Dem leadership challenge to
Cllr Chapelard. Cllr Mark Ellis, who narrowly retained his St John’s ward seat by four votes to Labour candidate Mike Tapp, is understood to have challenged Cllr Chapelard for the leader’s job. A vote was held among the Lib Dem group and Cllr Ellis was defeated. The news comes after a number of highprofile resignations from the party last year, including former chairman Cllr James Rands, who now sits as an independent. Neither Cllr Chapelard or Cllr Ellis would comment on the leadership challenge but a spokesman for the Lib Dems said it was just ‘part of normal business within the party’ and ‘unrelated to the negotiations with other parties’.
Continued on page 2
UR E ER YO E AP FR L P CA LO
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this week… Hospital waiting list rises as Trust EYE WITNESSES The Times hears stories of escapes from Ukraine P7
struggles with its Covid backlog
By Richard Williams
LAST STOP Local buses light up driver Ken D’Souza’s last day P10
THE number of people waiting for routine treatment at Tunbridge Wells Hospital and its sister site in Maidstone has increased as the Trust that runs the site continues to recover from the pressures of the pandemic. Around 1,000 more people were on the waiting list in March at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW), than in February, latest data shows. The Trust, which runs both the Pemburybased facility and the main hospital in Maidstone, had seen waiting lists for nonemergency or life-threatening treatment fall for the first-time last month since they reached record levels in November when its waiting list peaked at 39,341.
Procedures GREAT SCOTT Friends’ group publishes a new history of Amelia Scott P22
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS Taste of Kent winners dine out on their success P28
But according to the latest NHS figures released last Thursday (May 12), there were 38,715 people waiting for non-emergency procedures in March. While down from last year’s peak, it was up by nearly 1,000 from February’s figures of 37,775 patients on the waiting list. The figures also show that only 70.8 per cent of patients are being seen within 18 weeks, compared to the government target of 92 per cent, but that target has not been hit since the pandemic began in March 2020. There has been an increase in the number of people waiting for general surgery, which includes hip and knee operations, rising from 4,163 in February to 4,436 in March. Ophthalmology has the longest waiting list at MTW, with 7,310 waiting for treatments such as cataract operations, although this was down
from 7,854 from February’s figures. The average wait time for non-emergency treatment at MTW currently stands at 10.5 weeks, which is down from 11.4 weeks in February, meaning people are getting seen more quickly. Nobody at MTW was available for comment on the waiting list increase, but a spokesperson did say the Trust has seen an increase in referrals and is the only Trust in the South East to not have any patients waiting more than a year for treatment.
Routine The data released by the NHS for March show that across England, routine hospital treatment
has hit a new record high, but the number of two-year waits has fallen. Total waits for procedures stood at 6.4 million at the end of March, up from 6.2 million in February and the highest number since records began in 2007. But the NHS England figures, published on Thursday (May 12), show that the number of people waiting more than two years has dropped for the second month in a row. A total of 16,796 people in England were waiting more than two years to start routine hospital treatment at the end of March, down 28% from 23,281 at the end of February. But this is still more than six times the 2,608 people who were waiting longer than two years in April 2021.
No agreement reached yet to run council Continued from front page
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He added: “Ben won the vote, and Mark immediately offered his full support to Ben as leader.” But the challenge to Cllr Chapelard does not bode well for any agreement to be reached between the parties to form an administration to run the Council. And another sticking point could be getting approval from national party head offices.
Details
Prevented The Labour party, whose local group under Sherwood councillor Hugo Pound is pushing for a ‘coalition of equals’, has in the past been prevented by its NEC (National Executive Committee) from joining council coalitions as a junior partner. The group is the smallest of the parties undergoing talks, with just seven councillors. If no progress on a coalition is made this week,
beleaguered Tory leader Tom Dawlings could be forced to hold off on his resignation on May 25 until a new leader can be voted in. However, Cllr Chapelard is confident an agreement will be done.
“We are happy to announce that all three parties are going to work together in a Liberal Democrat-led Coalition to provide stable local government for the residents of the Borough.” However, he added that the ‘details remain to be settled’ saying: “Once the Coalition Agreement has been concluded, it will be published for the public to view.”
For more on coalition talks see page 18
CONSERVATIVE GROUP TO ‘TAKE STOCK’ AND PREPARE FOR OPPOSITION
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CLLR BEN CHAPELARD
He told the Times yesterday (Tuesday): “Over the weekend, the Leaders of the Liberal Democrats, The Tunbridge Wells Alliance, and the Labour Party in Tunbridge Wells met to discuss coalition arrangements for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Discussions were collegiate, positive, and constructive.
CLLR TOM DAWLINGS
THE Conservative group in Tunbridge Wells is meeting tonight (Wednesday) for the first time since the party’s defeat at the local elections. The Tory group went into the May 5 ballot as the largest group at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) and had been running the authority as a minority party with 21 councillors.
After the election, it found its number cut to just 13, which put it behind the Lib Dems as only the second largest group at TWBC. At its AGM tonight, leader Tom Dawlings is expected to announce his intentions to stay on as local Tory leader, as the party regroups and looks ahead to the next elections. Cllr Dawlings, told the Times: “It is my intention to stay on as group leader and at the AGM we will take stock and look to the future and work on attracting more
candidates before the next elections and those in 2024.” In two years’ time, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council will have an ‘all-out’ election that will see all councillors forced to defend their seats, while their number will be reduced from 48 to 39 due to boundary changes. This could present all parties in Tunbridge Wells, including the Conservatives, with the problem of having to find up to 39 candidates for the election, instead of 16.
NEWS IN BRIEF
The Times is the talk of comedian’s show A COMEDIAN based almost an entire 90-minute show at the Assembly Hall Theatre on the Times of Tunbridge Wells after the newspaper took him to task for slamming the town. Stewart Lee performed at the 1,000-seater council-run venue on Thursday (May 13). One audience member said: “He was very funny but also very scathing to the Times of Tunbridge Wells after the article and also criticised lots of other comedians and famous faces.” Mr Lee had described the people of Tunbridge Wells as ‘ignorant and arrogant’ which he claimed during his show was ‘of course just a joke’. Stewart Lee’s Snowflake and Tornado tour featuring the Assembly Hall show is due to be played on BBC2 and iPlayer later in the year.
Bayley wins gold TUNBRIDGE WELLS paralympic star Will Bayley has won gold in Slovenia. The table tennis player clinched the men’s class 7 singles title at the Slovenia Para Open in Lasko at the weekend (Saturday). The 33-year-old former contestant on Strictly is the most successful British paralympic table tennis player in recent times after winning seven medals, including two silvers in the delayed 2020 Tokyo Paralympics last September. Bayley won all three sets but nearly lost the first. He said: “At 7-2 down I said to myself that his serves were coming long and I had to try and attack because otherwise he would be getting on top of me.”
Flasher charged A MAN has been charged in connection with a series of indecent exposures in Rochester and Tunbridge Wells. Between March 26 and April 21 last year Kent Police received allegations of a number of offences at locations in Rochester. A suspect was arrested and bailed pending further investigation. Then at 12.30pm on Monday May 2, Kent Police were contacted about an incident near Kibbles Lane in Tunbridge Wells, where a teenage girl reported a man had exposed himself and carried out an indecent act. Evgeni Nachev, aged 36, of Rochester was arrested later that day and charged with three counts of exposure and a sexual assault and remanded in custody. He is due to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on June 1.
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BHS leisure complex halted after shopping centre owner vetoes plan Go kart and entertainment attraction will now move outside town centre By Richard Williams
VACANT BHS has sat empty for seven years
PLANS for a go kart track, bowling alleys and other state-of-the-art leisure attractions at the former site of BHS in Tunbridge Wells have been scrapped after the owner of Royal Victoria Place (RVP) refused to approve the plans. Elite Leisure Collection (ELC), which also owns One Media, publisher of the Times, was planning the £10million attraction in the empty unit say they are now looking for sites outside of the town centre to open the leisure complex. The plans for the BHS unit, which has been empty since 2016 when the high street retailer collapsed, had been planned to feature the latest in modern attractions over three floors, including a 240-metre go-kart track, a cinema, a number of bowling alleys, and the latest in virtual reality gaming.
Shelved The project was set to attract thousands of people to the town centre each week and create up to 50 full and part-time jobs. But British Land, which bought RVP in 2018 for just under £100million, wanted ‘an unworkable level of influence’ over the plans put forward by ELC, including vetoing certain leisure activities proposed for the site. While British land does not own the retail unit that had previously belonged to BHS, as M&G Real Estate operate the lease and had agreed to sell the site, the RVP owner has a five per cent stake in the unit where it backs into the shopping centre. Andrew Daniells, Business Director at ELC, told the Times: “The freehold purchase of 95 per cent of the derelict BHS unit had been agreed, the leasehold agreement for the remaining five per cent, which relates to the ‘back of house’ areas of the Royal Victoria Place and a small section of window space adjoining the shopping
centre was the stumbling block. “British Land, the owners of the RVP required an unworkable level of influence and control over the various activities we wanted to install, and which would have created an amazing family leisure venue. “We engaged the top consultants, specialising in the conversion of disused retail units into hi-tech leisure and restaurant destinations. “It’s back to the drawing board and our agents are now looking for alternative location options.” The decision by British Land comes after they also shelved an £80million refit of RVP proposed by former owner Hermes when they first took over the reins at Tunbridge Wells flagship shopping centre four years ago. In January, the Times also revealed how the food hall, Central Market, that British Land had
installed in the abandoned Ely Court to breathe new life into the centre, had collapsed. Over the last two years, the commercial landlord has refocussed its retail strategy after it was forced to wipe £1billion from its portfolio in the wake of the pandemic. The landlord has sold numerous retail sites, including a recent 75 per cent stake in Paddington Central in London. It is also in talks with rival retail landlord Landsec to swap ownership of some of its shopping centres for out-of-town retail parks, including its flagship Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield. British Land declined to comment on its objection to the ELC plans. The commercial landlord also refused to confirm or deny whether it planned to sell off the shopping centre or see it redeveloped.
Food festival is best on record as thousands flock to The Pantiles By Robert Forrester AROUND 7,000 people descended on to The Pantiles at the weekend for the annual Food Festival, which organisers say was the most successful in the ten-year history of the event. Foodies from across West Kent and the
surrounding areas were treated to blazing sunshine on Saturday, and while showers arrived on Sunday it did not dampen people’s spirits, said organiser Julian Leefe-Griffiths. He told the Times: “Wow, what a day. It was probably the most successful food festival we have run in the past 10 years, we had so many
lovely visitors coming down to the Pantiles to experience a great day out. “Yes, it was a game of two halves with incredibly beautiful weather on the Saturday and a rather overcast and drizzly day on the Sunday, however we were really pleased with the turnout on both days.
Highlight Photograph: Key & Quill
Wednesday May 18 | 2022
“We had fantastic traders and exhibitors this year with everything from Mauritian coalition cooking, Longtooth Gin, Rascals Southern Chicken to crazy Vegan Peanut Crackers! “It's difficult to pick a highlight from the foods and nibbles on offer because all had really interesting and delicious stuff. “But I have to pick one or two then Lorenzo (from Florence) Italian Ice Cream stall was delicious, that and the Pierre from Halstead bakery.” Mr Leefe-Griffiths, who also runs the Tunbridge Wells Hotel and recently came under fire after changes made to the weekly Jazz on the Pantiles event introduced to make the weekly music event more manageable, which he has promised to review, added: “Were now really looking forward to Gin and Jazz festival in two weeks on May 28 and 29. Should be fantastic if this festival was anything to go by.”
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Mystery surrounds Tunbridge Wells woman’s death after her body found in Oxfordshire lake By Richard Williams A CORONER has failed to get to the bottom of why a woman left her Tunbridge Wells home in August last year before being found dead in a lake in Oxfordshire eight days later. Bersi Küper, a 42-year-old senior product manager, was found in Cresswell Lake in Yarnton, Oxfordshire, on August 16 last year. Coroner, Darren Salter, sitting at Oxford Coroner's Court last week, heard how German national, Ms Küper, had driven to the county from her Kent home on or before Saturday, August 7 last year.
from Thames Valley Police arrived after 7.30am to remove her following concerns from the group of school friends. PC Dolphin told the coroner that he let the Tunbridge Wells resident go after she told him she had been attending a local festival and was returning to her car. Later checks with Wilderness Festival, in
Charlbury, which was taking place that weekend, found no evidence she had attended. Ms Küper, who was born in Peru, was later spotted on CCTV by a security guard at a waste management site in Yarnton at about 00:30 on Sunday, August 8, before she was seen walking into fields at about 01:20. Her body was discovered in nearby Cresswell
DECEASED Bersi Küper [inset] caught on CCTV near Cresswell Lake [below]
Concerns Her car was spotted being driven on two roads in Oxford on that day. During the evening, police were called after ‘free-spirited’ Ms Küper woke up a group of old school friends staying at an Airbnb property in the area. Asked where she was from, the Tunbridge Wells resident told the men: “You will laugh at me. I come from the matrix.” She spent the night on the sofa until an officer
Lake by two fishermen on August 16, more than a week after the last sighting of her. A post-mortem examination was unable to establish a cause of her death due to the time she had spent in the water. A hat, scarf and Wellington boots that she had earlier been seen wearing have never been found. She was identified after Ms Küper’s neighbour in Tunbridge Wells, Michael Plum, contacted Thames Valley Police after recognising her in CCTV still images released by the force. He told detectives of her VW Passat estate car, which was later recovered from a layby on the A40. Mr Plum spoke of her being a keen wild camper, who would spend weekends away camping out of her car. She was said to have been making arrangements to move out of her Tunbridge Wells flat as removal men attended on August 22, having been paid in advance, and told her neighbour they had orders to take her belongings to an address in Brighton. Coroner Darren Salter returned an open verdict in the ‘unusual’ case but said he was satisfied there was no evidence of third-party involvement in Ms Küper’s death or of any ‘suicidal ideation’.
TN postcode is seventh most Countryfile visits Bewl Water dangerous for learner drivers over UK’s water security fears By Victoria Roberts BEWL Water, the largest body of water in the South East, is just one part of a complex system of water management that is already curbing housebuilding. This was the message coming out of a BBC Countryfile visit to the Southern Water reservoir, filmed last week and broadcast on Sunday [May 15].
Climate change Sir James Bevan, chief executive of the Environment Agency, told the programme that by 2050 the country would need to find an extra 4 billion litres of water a day, thanks to a combination of increasing population and climate change. “It’s existential. If we don’t address it, then in 20 or 25 years the country will simply not have all the water that we need,” he said. “We’d need to empty one of these reservoirs [like Bewl] every week.”
By Robert Forrester LEARNER drivers face the risk of more accidents in the Tunbridge Wells area than almost any other location in the UK, research has found. The TN postcode has been named the seventh most dangerous area for learner drivers with one in a thousand provisional licence holders involved in accident. A new study by driving school Bill Plant has discovered which areas in Britain you are most likely to have a road accident if you hold a provisional licence. The study used Freedom of Information requests and compared the number of provisional licence holders in each city to the amount of reported road accidents involving drivers with a provisional licence in 2020. The Colchester postcode area is the most likely in all of Britain to be involved in a road traffic accident as a learner. 25.2 per 10,000 provisional licence holders in the postcode area have been involved in an accident, with most taking place in Essex.
Guildford ranks second place as one of Britain’s learner driver road collision hotspots. We found that of per 10,000 provisional licence holders living in the Guildford postcode area, 20.29 were involved in a crash.
Injuries In the TN postcode area, which covers Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge & Malling and parts of Sevenoaks, there were 77 accidents reportedly involving learner drivers out of the 75,135 provisional licence holders in the area – or 10.25 accidents for every 10,000 learners. A spokesperson for Bill Plant said: “Although the figures for road accident-related injuries and fatalities in Great Britain are among the lowest in the world, as a learner driver traffic collisions can be a major source of anxiety.” He continued: “While anyone can be responsible for a crash, the Department for Transport reported in 2019 that the fatality rate for road-related casualties is highest among ages 17-24 and 75+.”
Presenter Tom Heap said Countryfile had found ‘over ‘2,100 homes currently stuck in planning limbo across West Sussex in the councils of Crawley, Horsham and Chichester’ due to legal action taken by Natural England to enforce ‘water neutrality’. Under ‘water neutrality’, said Tom: ‘unless builders can show their plans won’t add pressure to the region’s water supply, their building plans will be put on ice.’ Dr Toby Willison, environmental director of Southern Water, said the utilities were installing ‘acoustic detectors’ on pipes to alert the company to leaks, and also co-operating with other water companies to build the country’s first new reservoir since 1991, near Portsmouth. Water companies also piped water into one another’s areas, a spokesman for Southern Water told the Times, giving the example of transferring water from Bewl to Darwell reservoir, to supply Hastings. Southern Water operates Bewl Water as a reservoir, but leisure activities are run by Elite Leisure Collection, publisher of the Times. TV STARS Dr Toby Willison with Countryfile cameraman, and the presenter Tom Heap [right]
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Tunbridge Wells has received more By Victoria Roberts
… BUT THERE ARE FEARS OVER CRIMINAL RECORDS AND SAFEGUARDING CHECKS
MORE visas have been issued to Ukrainian refugees heading to Tunbridge Wells than anywhere else in the county, but such numbers are bringing with them costs and risks, local authority heads have warned. Nearly 400 Ukrainians have arrived or are heading to the borough after fleeing Putin’s invasion of their country. Council chief executive William Benson told a national media briefing last Wednesday (May 11) at the TN2 Community Centre that 379 visas had so far been issued to Ukrainians coming or that had arrived in Tunbridge Wells.
Applications The event was organised to showcase Tunbridge Wells and West Kent’s response to the crisis, and for the media to hear some of the stories from people that have fled the warzone. Second to Tunbridge Wells in Kent for the number of visas issued to refugees was Sevenoaks with 352 visas, followed by 331 in Maidstone. The visas have been given out under both the HfU scheme and the Ukraine Family Scheme (UFS), and Tunbridge Wells is also housing more Ukranians with its residents than any other of the county’s 12 districts. Tunbridge Wells accounted for 289 HfU visas, followed by 266 in Sevenoaks District Council and 242in Maidstone Borough Council, meaning more people were opening their doors in the borough to help refugees than anywhere else in Kent. Across the UK nearly 133,000 visa applications have been received under both schemes and more than 100,000 visas have been issued so far. Accompanied by leader of Kent County Council (KCC) and Sevenoaks councillor Roger Gough as
HELP AT HAND: The TN2 centre has received all sorts of items to help Ukrainian refugees coming to Tunbridge Wells. This includes scores of push chairs and prams which were donated by local residents for the many families fleeing Putin’s Russian invasion of Ukraine. well as local volunteers from the Ukraine Relief Group, Mr Benson, who is himself hosting refugees, said overall in Kent, 2,773 visa applicants had been matched with 1,104 households. However, both local authority heads admitted both councils faced difficulties in the quickly-developing crisis, with arrangements and government guidance developing over time. One of the major headaches was the existence of the two schemes for Ukrainians to enter the
UK: HfU and the UFS. Following reports that UK-resident Ukrainians had invited family members without the means to support or house them, Mr Benson said: “People were using any scheme to get them out. But the peculiarity of the two schemes being parallel, not together, is a major concern.” Cllr Gough added: “The parallel Family Scheme was almost unregulated. We [local authorities] are blind to it. Local authorities don’t get support. The Family scheme isn’t funded.”
THE fast-moving Ukranian refugee situation has created potential safety and safeguarding issues for the arrivals, Tunbridge Wells Chief Executive William Benson has said. Local authorities have been tasked with undertaking basic DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks on all adult hosts in a sponsor household to ensure they do not have criminal convictions. However, the TWBC chief executive said: “One of the big outstanding issues is that we do not yet know what we do if a host fails a DBS or a house check. “There is a potential that a guest is on their way, or has arrived, to be hosted in a house that we don’t believe is suitable.” KCC leader Roger Gough, added: “At no stage were checks holding up visas. They are run separately,” adding that over 1,600 DBS checks were ‘in the works or completed’. And he pointed out that there could also be safeguarding issues under the Family Scheme if relationships broke down. “They would then present [to the Council] as homeless,” he said. “Government also required us to ensure smoke alarms are fitted, and carbon monoxide alarms,” continued Mr Benson. “Thankfully, the fire brigade told us that they would do it!” adding that thanks to agencies and community projects taking this type of strain off councils, ‘we are now beginning to hit our stride’.
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refugees than anywhere else in Kent
SAFE Ksenia (left) and her mother who has escaped the war
REFUGEE Tetiana’s husband is still in Ukraine
‘I drove for three days to fetch ‘My husband is back in Sumy my mother from the warzone’ fighting the Russian army’ KSENIA has been in the UK for 17 years and moved to Tunbridge Wells during lockdown, she explained to the Times when we met her at the TN2 centre. She said when war broke out her mother Liudmila was in Dnipro, in east Ukraine, and her sister and nephew, Masha and Misha were in Kyiv. “When I learned what had happened, I got in the car in England and went to the border of Romania,” Ksenia said. “It took me three and a half days to get there, but the whole trip was 22 days, and it was a very difficult experience because we spent two weeks in France. “We were in Paris [waiting for a visa] for two weeks. My sister cried every day. She received
her visa two days before her son.” Liudmila told the Times she had been to the UK many times since her daughter had moved here, but this time was different. She is not visiting people she knows and exploring Tunbridge Wells, and she finds it difficult to contact old friends. “I don’t really want to,” she said. “I also don’t really call my female friends who have scattered. Sometimes I talk to them. “But I need to concentrate [on what they are saying] and it’s a lot to take in. It’s difficult. I’m grateful to my daughter, who is really taking care of me. “We live on faith, hope and love. “Faith that everything will be all right,” added Ksenia. “It’s clear that everyone is helping. We thank everyone so much.”
THE Times also met Tetiana, whose husband is a professional soldier and still in Ukraine fighting the Russians. She explains that she left her hometown of Sumy on the first day of the war, with the couple’s 16 and 12-year-old sons, fleeing first into central Ukraine, then to the west.
Protect “That was the first thing, to save them from the war. They are adolescents. They are only just beginning to live,” she said, adding: “They are our children. They are the continuation of the Ukrainian people and we have to protect them.” She explained she was still in contact with her
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“The few words he’s able to say are that everything is fine with him. That is already enough for me,” she explained to the Times before beginning to cry. She continued: “It’s such a pleasure that people want to listen to Ukrainian people and it is very important that people are listening to us. “We are very grateful to the people of the UK, for accepting us with open doors and open hearts. It’s very important to us. Very important.”
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BUSINESS
Local News
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Wednesday May 18 | 2022
‘No fault’ divorce warning to women over pension pot fears pension contributions, whereas Alesha’s pension pot would be worth £185,483 and Louise’s only £171,826. Having children and going on maternity leave is the turning point, she told the Times. “One mechanism is to ensure that when you go on mat leave you claim Child Benefit,” she advised, explaining that even if the partner was a higher-rate taxpayer who had to pay back the money through his tax code, child benefit ‘fills the gap in National Insurance contributions’. “One other idea is when agreeing that one partner is not going to go back to work, that the
By Victoria Roberts WOMEN divorcing under the new ‘no-fault’ legal framework must not skimp on use of a solicitor, or they could end up losing a pension pot that would make up for all the contributions lost through maternity leave, according to an advisor determined to bring ‘fairness’ to finance. Taking the ‘gender pay gap’ between men and women as a starting point, which is generally driven by maternity leave and caring responsibilities, chartered financial planner and business author Amanda Redman says this translates into an even worse pension gap. The differences she quotes are stark. In her Dare to be Fair book (2021), she refers a 2019 study showing that, on average, women retire with just 20 per cent of the pension wealth of men at age 65. Most of it comes down to the ‘multiplier’ effect of salaries and pension investments throughout a working life.
‘My fear with no-fault divorce – and I hope I’m wrong – is that it will encourage more people to divorce without working with a solicitor’ Talking to the Times, Amanda referred to scenarios calculated for her book, showing three women aged 30, all earning £30,000 a year before having a child. ‘Emma’, returns to work full-time after maternity leave. ‘Alesha’ takes a two-year break from work before returning. And ‘Louise’ returns to work part-time (three days a week) and continues this for 10 years, before returning to work full-time. If Louise manages to transition back to
BUSINESS GURU Financial planner and author Amanda Redman full-time work at age 40, with no salary reduction, she can catch up with Emma salary-wise – but will have earned less for those 10 years.
Modelled Alesha’s two years out of the workforce reduce her salary by 3 per cent, compared to Emma’s salary, and she never catches up. However, in terms of pension pots, Amanda sees extreme differences between these realistically modelled lives, due to the ‘multiplier effect’ of investments over a working lifetime. At 60, Emma’s pension pot would be worth £212,509 thanks to her uninterrupted career and
‘I went through a divorce in my 30s, so I have experience of it. It is such an emotional time’ other partner pays into a pension on her behalf, even if she is not working.” She acknowledged that the current cost of living crisis makes this solution difficult, but stressed: “I appreciate that money is very tight, but this [pension contributions] should be considered part of that financial discussion, and it’s important to consider it jointly.” Ms Redman warned: “In a divorce situation, there is often one party that is financially more literate, and that will typically be the higher earner, typically the man in the scenarios that we’ve been discussing. “I think that when people divorce using solicitors, normally pensions are part of the conversation. When women are not working
with a solicitor, they can be financially vulnerable. And because they don’t always have that the level of understanding about how valuable that pension is, they will shy away from it. “My fear with no-fault divorce – and I hope I’m wrong – is that it will encourage more people to divorce without working with a solicitor, and that these conversations will happen even less often than now. “It is the role of good financial advisers to make sure that that conversation does happen and that pensions are an asset that are shared as are all other assets. But at the moment, it’s not a legal requirement, and I do believe that that should be mandated.”
Emotional She urged women to remember that even after a divorce, their ex-husband could continue earning and developing his career, and making his pension contributions. “I went through a divorce in my 30s, so I have experience of it. It is such an emotional time, and not the best time to realise that actually you don’t know what you own jointly, or you don’t know what your husband’s business assets or debts are. “That’s a very cruel outcome, when occasionally women have responsibility for debt that they had no clue about because they didn’t involve themselves in their financial planning at an early enough stage.” When Ms Redman takes on a new client, she always asks whether solicitors are involved. “If the answer is no, because they can’t afford it, it could be a very expensive mistake. It can be a hard, hard circle to square if you don’t have the money available to pay for a solicitor in the short term, but they should end up providing a far better and fairer settlement at the end of the day.”
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Wednesday May 18 | 2022
A bus driver’s last stop is Bidborough man gets on his announced across the fleet bike for Muscular Dystrophy A BIDBOROUGH resident is getting into gear for another 300km sponsored cycle, in the hope that 24 hours of discomfort will help thousands of children diagnosed with a life-limiting musclewasting condition. Duchenne UK has invested over £9million in medical research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), which causes all the muscles in the body to gradually weaken, including the heart and lungs. The charity has also funded 34 clinical trial staff at sites across the UK, as well as supporting families with their diagnoses and care of their children. The condition mostly affects boys, with some rare girls also diagnosed, and the charity estimates there are 2,500 people living with DMD in the UK, while 20,000 children are born with DMD globally each year. Riders pay for all their own travel and expenses, so that all funds raised go directly to the charity.
By Victoria Roberts ARRIVA buses had an illuminating surprise last week for ‘likeable and very charismatic’ Tunbridge Wells bus driver Ken d’Souza, who retired on Thursday (May 12). Digital displays on most of the bus company’s fleet, which normally provide destination information, read: ‘Happy Retirement Ken D’Souza’.
Signage The retirement message was thanks to friend Daniel Hardcastle, a member of the engineering team, who is responsible for all the ‘destination blinds’ across all the Kent garages. Daniel also arranged for vinyl stickers to mark Ken’s double-decker bus, and even brought his own – privately-owned – single decker to the depot on Thursday, with the celebratory signage. On his final day, Ken’s duty sheet was handed over with out-of-the-ordinary ceremony by duty manager Andy Greenhead. He also received a picture that will be displayed in the bus to mark his service at Arriva. Daniel paid tribute to his friend publicly, tweeting: “One of the best drivers out there, a real credit to Arriva. Just wish more had his enthusiasm and customer focus; certainly a character. He will be missed by us for sure.” Daniel told the Times: “I couldn’t let him leave without a fuss!” An Arriva spokesman said: “He had been at Tunbridge Wells depot for nine years but had previously worked at Maidstone. “He was a likable and very charismatic character, loved by all.”
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STEPPING DOWN Ken D’Souza and one of Arriva’s buses with his retirement message Arriva buses connect Tunbridge Wells town centre with other villages in the borough as well as with Tonbridge and Maidstone. Bus routes serve both Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury and Maidstone Hospital.
Ian Playford was introduced to Duchenne UK by a local friend and did his first London-toParis ‘Duchenne Dash’ in 2019, cycling through the pouring rain for several hours between Dieppe and Paris. He is hoping for better weather in his second sponsored ride, on June 10-11, setting out from Herne Hill in southeast London, to Newhaven, then crossing the Channel to Dieppe by ferry, and then cycling to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Ian said: “It is a devastating condition but the number of children who are diagnosed with it is relatively small, and so the research and clinical trials to find treatments are carried out through
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the charity, set up by mothers of affected children 10 years ago. “Successful treatments are getting closer, but it really is a race against time for the children and their families.” The 54-year-old fundraiser has the wind at his back, with a contribution of £1,000 from commercial property developer Kingsbridge Estates – of which he is chairman. In Bidborough, his fellow residents have also contributed £3,500 from a fundraising quiz. Ian said: “The event is a very emotional day supporting a charity that has a real family feel about it. It’s a privilege to ride alongside mums and dads who are not only coping with the physical and mental challenge but are determined to see it to the end to fund research that could change the lives of their own children and those of the future.” Ian Playford’s fundraising page ‘Duchenne Dash 2022’ is on JustGiving.
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Wednesday May 18 | 2022
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Changeable winds greet Bewl sailors at Heron race meeting PLAIN SALING Boats at Bewl {Photograph by Hannah Evans)
BEWL Sailing Association (BSA) welcomed eight competitor crews for its annual Heron Open Meeting earlier this month, with changeable winds posing a challenge. Visiting boats came from as far afield as Norway, Wales and Yorkshire – plus a contingent from Chipstead. Amanda Conrad – whose BSA boat came third – said one of the visiting crews had commented that the regatta always provided ‘extremes of weather’. “And this year was no exception,” she commented in her race report.
NEWS
11
Resident goes the distance for charity A TUNBRIDGE Wells woman is to run, cycle, hike and swim 100km to raise money for Parkinson’s. Emma Murphy’s father Geoff suffers from the neurological condition, which affects around 145,000 people in the UK, with two more people diagnosed every hour. It currently has no cure, but Emma said: “If I can raise awareness of the disease and hit my target of £500, that will fund a one-hour MRI brain scan, helping researchers learn more about the Parkinson’s brain. Wouldn’t that be amazing? “This challenge is just a fraction of the effort and sacrifice that both my Dad and Mum have to make, living with Parkinson’s every day,” she said.
Difficult
Advantage “By the first start, the wind had dropped somewhat so competitors had quite a sedate three-lap race. In the light airs, Matt Pickett [from Up River Yacht Club] sailing single-handed took advantage of his large genoa to come second. “Dave Butler and Emily Clixby [from Welton Sailing Club], with their red spinnaker led the fleet from start to finish, and the other boats with this extra sail confirmed its benefits,” added Amanda. However, with the wind dying at the start of the second race, before picking up again slightly, a spinnaker was of no use to Amanda and her skipper Jo Mayes. “It took over 40 minutes to sail a single lap, so the race officer [Colin Nutt] shortened course to avoid further frustration,” said Amanda. The wind changed again for the final race, prompting race officers to change the course, but this ‘confused some competitors’, she said.
Community News
And she admitted: “The visitors were not the only sailors to lasso the weather station near the new windward mark!” The winning crew, from Welton Sailing Club, was helmed by Dave Butler and crewed by Emily Clixby. Matt Pickett of Up River Yacht Club came second. The home crew of Jo Mayes
with Amanda Conrad, from Bewl Sailing Association, came third. Prizes were presented by Commodore Mark Munday. The Heron Open Meeting was held on May 7 at Bewl Water, run by Elite Leisure Collection, owner of One Media which publishes the Times.
Her father was diagnosed with the condition after retirement, and has been battling to fight the disease, performing his physio and speech therapy, playing golf twice a week – and throwing himself into new hobbies and projects when existing ones have become too difficult. He has even taken part in research. However, said Emma, his condition is now progressing quickly, and she hopes she can raise funds to help find a cure. Parkinson’s UK is the largest charitable funder of Parkinson’s research in Europe, leading the way to better treatments and a cure. Leigh-Beth Stroud, South East regional fundraiser at Parkinson’s UK, thanked Emma for taking on the challenge, saying: “Fundraising helps us drive forward the research we need, as well as fund vital support to help people with Parkinson’s to live well.” Emma is in the middle of her plan to cover 100km over 30 days – between April 27 and May 27, using all means of locomotion. Emma’s ‘100k Done Any Which Way’ fundraiser is on JustGiving.
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Wednesday May 18 | 2022
National News
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NEWS
13
Northern Ireland Protocol is to be ripped up within weeks MOBILITY SCOOTERS
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Trade war This could aggravate fears of the move sparking a trade war with the bloc. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisted problems with the protocol must be addressed. On a visit to Paddington station, west London, he said: “What that actually involves is getting rid of some relatively minor barriers to trade. “I think there are good, common sense, pragmatic solutions. We need to work with our EU friends to achieve that.” The controversial legislation is due in the ‘coming weeks’, before the summer recess. It had been heavily tipped to have been introduced to Parliament on Tuesday. Ms Truss told the Commons the Bill will “ensure that goods moving and staying within the UK are freed of unnecessary bureaucracy” through the new “green channel”. “This respects Northern Ireland’s place in the
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Measures Ms Truss said the legislation will also provide the Government with the ability to decide on tax and spend policies across the whole of the UK. She added: “It will address issues related to governance, bringing the protocol in line with international norms. “At the same time it will take new measures to protect the EU single market by implementing robust penalties for those who seek to abuse the new system.” Responding to the Foreign Secretary’s plan, Mr Sefcovic said: “Should the UK decide to move ahead with a Bill disapplying constitutive elements of the protocol as announced today by the UK Government, the EU will need to respond with all measures at its disposal. “Our overarching objective is to find joint solutions within the framework of the protocol. That is the way to ensure legal certainty and predictability for people and businesses in Northern Ireland. “With political will and commitment, practical issues arising from the implementation of the protocol in Northern Ireland can be resolved. “The European Commission stands ready to continue playing its part, as it has from the outset.” The row over the treaty has created an impasse in efforts to form a devolved government in Belfast, with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) refusing to join an executive unless its concerns over the arrangements are addressed.
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TV pays tribute to Kay Mellor after she dies at 71 WELSH actress Ruth Jones was among a host of stars and TV personalities who have paid tribute to Kay Mellor following her death aged 71. Leeds-born Mellor, who wrote hit series including ITV’s Girlfriends, Band Of Gold and The Syndicate and was also best known for penning series including Fat Friends which aired from 2000 until 2005 and was turned into a musical, died on Sunday. Jones, who starred as Kelly Chadwick in Fat Friends, said in a statement: “I am completely shocked to hear the news of Kay’s untimely death. Her contribution to British television was outstanding and I feel privileged to have worked with her.
Tunbridge Wells Showroom 26 Grosvenor Road Tunbridge Wells TN1 2AP paying it forward. “Her series Fat Friends was a massive turning point in my career and I will be eternally grateful to her for what she did for me. “British television has lost one of its greats. Thank you Kay for all that you gave us. I cannot believe you’ve gone.”
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Wednesday May 18 | 2022 T: timeslocalnews.co.uk
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National News
NEWS
15
Queen makes a surprise stop on the Elizabeth Line ALL SMILES Her Majesty at Paddington yesterday
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THE Queen yesterday made a surprise appearance at Paddington station to see the completed Elizabeth line, which is named in her honour. The 96-year-old monarch, who now rarely carries out public engagements outside of her royal residences, was joining her youngest son the Earl of Wessex for the official visit on Tuesday. Her attendance was not publicly announced in advance, with the head of state facing ongoing mobility problems, but organisers were told there was a possibility she might be able to attend.
Rallied The nation’s longest reigning head of state is just over two weeks away from her Platinum Jubilee celebratory weekend. A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “In a happy development, Her Majesty The Queen is attending today’s event to mark the completion of the Elizabeth line. “Her Majesty was aware of the engagement and the organisers were informed of the possibility she may attend.” The Queen rallied to make a trip to the Windsor Horse Show on Friday and on Sunday was the guest of honour at the equestrian extravaganza A Gallop Through History near Windsor, the first major event of the Jubilee festivities.
But Tuesday’s engagement was the Queen’s first one outside of the Windsor area since she attended the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service in Westminster Abbey seven weeks ago. The Queen and Edward were being welcomed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Transport for London commissioner Andy Byford. They were meeting staff who have been key to the project and who will run the railway, including train drivers, station staff and apprentices. The Elizabeth line, named in honour of the Queen, will open to passengers on May 24. Crossrail, the project to build the new east-west railway, was delayed and over budget due to numerous issues including construction difficulties and complications installing signalling systems. It was due to be completed in December 2018 and was set a budget of £14.8 billion in 2010. The total cost has been estimated at £18.9 billion, including £5.1 billion from the Government. The Elizabeth line will boost capacity and cut journey times for travel across the capital. It will stretch from Reading, in Berkshire, and Heathrow Airport, in west London, to Shenfield, in Essex, and Abbey Wood, in south-east London. Trains will initially operate in three sections, which are expected to be integrated in the autumn.
Jobless rate falls to lowest level in 50 years but wages lag behind inflation BRITAIN’S jobless rate has fallen to its lowest level for nearly 48 years, but workers have seen their pay fall further behind rocketing inflation, according to official figures. The rate of unemployment dropped to 3.7 per cent in the three months to March – the lowest since October to December 1974, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. For the first time, there were fewer unemployed people than vacancies as job openings hit a record 1.3 million, although the fall in the rate – down from 3.8 per cent in the three months to February – was also due to a rise in the number of people dropping out of the jobs market, the figures showed. Calls were mounting for an emergency Budget to offer help amid a crippling cost-of-living crisis as the ONS revealed that regular pay excluding bonuses dropped by 2.9 per cent in March when taking Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation into account – the biggest fall since November 2011.
In the three months to February, real regular pay was 2 per cent lower, the steepest decline since 2013.
Sectors It comes in spite of another pick up – of 4.2 per cent – in regular average pay in the quarter. Pay including bonuses jumped 7 per cent and was up 9.9 per cent in March alone as firms ramped up rewards for staff amid a booming jobs market, seen in particular across sectors such as construction and finance. Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s shadow secretary of state for work and pensions, warned Britons were facing a ‘cost-of-living tsunami’, with real wages now almost £300 lower than they were 15 years ago. “By refusing to take action on the cost of living through an emergency budget, Rishi Sunak has shown once again the Tories simply aren’t on the side of working people,” he added.
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Adult Picnics £19.50 per person Children's Picnic £10.50 per child We have a limited number of picnic benches available,please bring your own picnic blanket to sit on the lawns. Entry is only permitted with purchase of a picnic for each guest attending. Confirmation of booking will need to be shown upon arrival. You are not permitted to bring your own food or drink on site.
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Wednesday May 18 | 2022
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Education
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17
Why this children’s book is more than just words…. Author, Nikki Young (pictured) has created a special anthology of stories, poems and artwork by local children to help them process what’s going on in the world right now. Eileen Leahy discovers more about this inspiring fundraising project which aims to help the victims of the war in Ukraine NIKKI Young is a published author who writes books for the middle grade and young adult ages ranges. In July 2017 she set up Storymakers, a creative writing club for children. Providing weekly writing classes, holiday workshops and one-to-one sessions for children aged 7+ in the
local area, the aim of this club is to encourage and inspire a love of writing. “I have frequently found children are reluctant to write, yet they have incredible imaginations and love to make up stories. My aim is to get them to translate these imaginings into words,” Nikki told us when setting up the club. Fast forward a few years and she has now had the idea to create an anthology of children’s words and artwork in order to help them understand what is going on in the world, post pandemic, with the situation in Ukraine and to help process any other anxiety little ones might have right now.
“Our hope is that by reading these stories, we can help others” “We understand that children have been feeling anxious about the war in Ukraine. After such a difficult couple of years, many are still suffering the after-effects of the pandemic. Like us, children feel helpless, anxious and unsure about this terrible atrocity. They may feel like they want to do something, but don’t know what. That’s why we gave them the opportunity to contribute to this anthology; to help them feel
that they can do something positive.” Earlier this year Nikki asked children aged 7-16 to contribute a story or poem of no more than 800 words or a piece of artwork. The request was for feel-good stories, poems or artwork about achievement, overcoming adversity, kindness, love and humour.
make a difference. Ultimately, I felt that this anthology should be uplifting so that it could bring joy to not only those who read it but also to those who write the words that have filled it.” The book is available to order from the Sarontisaronti.com/bookforukraine More general info on Storymakers at storymakersclub.com
Uplifting “Our hope is that by reading these stories, we can help others. The words you read in a book often stay with you for a very long time, especially if they are uplifting and inspiring. That’s what we wanted to achieve with this anthology. So, we asked for funny or heartwarming, not good versus evil and definitely no violence or war.” The result is a book entitled Sunflowers and Nightingales which is published by Saronti, the proceeds of which will go to charities helping the displaced people of Ukraine. “I wanted to do something but I didn’t know what and donating money didn’t seem like enough. Knowing how comforting writing and reading are in times of difficulty, putting together an anthology seemed like the right thing to do. I thought it would be a good idea to give children the opportunity to feel as though they could contribute to something that could
Antique & Fine Art Auctioneers
Paintings and Prints - Fine Art Valuation Days Tuesday 14th June - Lewes
Friday 17th June - Tunbridge Wells
Portrait of Captain David Burgess, c.1850 Sold by Gorringe’s in 2021 for £3,000
Paintings and Prints. Old Masters to Contemporary. Watercolour to giclee. The market for Fine Art can be complex and wide-ranging. What was valuable 10 years ago might now be in the doldrums. Conversely what was once unfashionable may now be all the rage. Much has changed in the past 20 years. A Fine Art appraisal can shed light on more than just the monetary value of a work.
Marcel Dyf (1899-1985) ‘Pivoines’ Sold by Gorringe’s in 2022 for £7,800
The pictures hanging on your walls all have a story to tell; who painted them? When were they painted? What was their place in history and how does the market see them today?
To book an appointment for a free appraisal email tw@gorringes.co.uk or telephone 01892 556860 Banksy (1974-) Welcome to Hell Summer Fine Sale. Estimate £30,000-40,000
www.gorringes.co.uk Grosvenor House, Grosvenor Park, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2BF
L.S.Lowry (1887-1976) limited edition print Sold by Gorringe’s in 2022 for £5,500
18
NEWS
Weekly Comment
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Wednesday May 18 | 2022
Cllr Nicholas Pope was elected to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in 2018 and was the first member of the Alliance to become a councillor. He represents Park ward, where he was re-elected in 2022 and is a is an active member of the Friends of Calverley Grounds.
Nick Pope The Alliance
Things look positive but there are a number of decisions still to make WE WOULD like to thank everyone who voted in the local elections two weeks ago on Thursday, May 5. The support for TW Alliance candidates, whose focus is only on the local issues and local services in the Borough of Tunbridge Wells, has grown from 13 per cent last year to 22 per cent. This demonstrates strong and increasing support for independent councillors who are free from the constraints of a national political party.
developers to deliver housing that meets the needs of local communities, a period of free parking in council owned car parks to encourage the use of local businesses. We will work on creating a council with kinder politics in which people of all political colours are able to constructively challenge and work with each other to shape the future of the borough, involving residents and businesses in the decision-making process. Before any major decisions can be made, the financial position of the council needs to be fully understood, especially with the council running a deficit and after the millions wasted on the terminated Calverley Square development and the budget overruns on the Amelia Scott project. The council’s finances need addressing and this will require some difficult decisions.
Talks The Alliance registered to become a political party in 2018, and now, four years later, holds 9 of the 48 seats on the borough council. We are the third largest group after the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives and will be key to how the new administration operates. After a delay of ten days, talks between the Liberal Democrat, Alliance and Labour groups, and an independent councillor, began on Sunday. We found there is a lot of common ground on the priority of local issues, core policy areas, and how we would plan to work with each other. Things are looking positive, but there are still a number of decisions that need to be ratified by some political groups. Whatever the outcome, the borough council will be led with more energy and fresh ideas after 24 years of
Services domination by the Conservatives. The arrangements will be finalised and voted on at the Annual Council Meeting on Wednesday, May 25 which can be watched live on the council’s webcast. Since the creation of the Alliance four years ago, we have focused on areas on which the council needs to improve.
Working with the other parties we will continue to push on the following: better engagement with residents, greater transparency, improvement in the procurement process for contracts, making our towns and villages places we can be proud of and people want to visit, improving infrastructure for active travel and cycling, encouraging
Hugo Pound Labour Councillor for Sherwood
Whatever happens in the negotiations over the next few days, the Alliance will remain the champion for residents and businesses, our focus always being on local issues and services. We will never be distracted by national political issues that have no relevance to the running of the local council or by general elections.
Hugo Pound is Labour Councillor for Sherwood Ward and leader of the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Labour group. He is a chartered psychologist specialising in corporate leadership and strategy. He has worked in the NHS, as a qualified social worker in a London borough, in industry, and latterly in consulting.
The voters have not given any party a majority to run the Council Before the Borough Council elections earlier in the month I said that ‘voters will have the chance to give their verdict on a Conservative Council that has already lost its majority and lost its way’. That verdict has now been given. Labour had a good election. Alain Lewis was re-elected in Southborough and High Brooms, Shadi Rogers took Sherwood and Ray Moon took Paddock Wood West, both from the Conservatives. We increased our share of the vote across the Borough by 3%.
Decisively More importantly, voters have said decisively that they no longer want their local Council run by the Conservatives – who lost a massive 10 seats. But this message contains a caution – voters have not given any other party an overall majority to run the Council. The new Council comprises 16 Liberal Democrat, 13 Conservative, 9 Alliance, 7 Labour, and 3 Independent Councillors. Local politicians have been told we need a new way of working, more cross-party, and more collaborative in our approach.
Since the election, leaders and representatives of Lib Dem, Alliance and Labour Party Councillors and an Independent have been exploring setting up a ‘co-operative alliance’ to run the Council to deliver agreed parts of their manifestos. From a Labour perspective we are putting our efforts into working with other parties to reduce inequality and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, and to deliver a fairer, greener, and more prosperous Tunbridge Wells. Getting agreement between parties can be tricky, but we’ve been given the task of moving on from years of Conservative failure and work to improve the lives of residents. As politicians, voters expect us to get on with it. We’ve got the message! Talks are progressing quickly and going well. We have developed a set of headline priorities to be discussed and agreed within our parties. Unfortunately, our first job will be dealing with the legacy of a Tory financial mess.
Labour candidates campaigned for policies to Build a Better Borough and in our discussions with other parties we will be working for these to be in any final agreement. These include working up a post-COVID recovery plan focused on business growth, jobs and the cost-of-living crisis.
Residents We also want speedier action to tackle climate change; more genuinely affordable houses to buy and social houses to rent; more police on the street and safer towns and villages for women and children; and a Council that listens and acts on what residents say. Across the UK many ‘No Overall Control’ councils are successfully running along the lines we are considering. Nearby Lewes District Council has been run like this since 2019 and shows how it can be done, with parties still maintaining their own identities and competing against each other at elections. There is still a lot more work to do but we are determined to step forward to help make Tunbridge Wells a Borough where everyone can flourish. The discussions continue. Together we are getting on with the job.
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And another thing… This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going on in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or you can write to the Editor, Times of Tunbridge Wells, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG
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Thank you St John’s I’d like to thank the residents of St John’s for voting for me last week at the local elections. Together we have pushed the Liberal Democrats to just four votes and have shown that a Labour Councillor in the Ward is well and truly within reach. We know that for years the Liberal Democrats have been telling residents that it was a choice between themselves and the Conservatives but we have proved that that is simply not the case. I will continue to push for safer parks, road and parking solutions and an answer to the upcoming electric charging point problem. Thank you and congratulations to the incumbent Liberal Democrat Councillor who retained his seat. Mike Tapp Labour candidate St John’s Labour made progress Labour made further progress in last week’s elections. Alain Lewis was re-elected in Southborough and High Brooms. Shadi Rogers took Sherwood Ward. Ray Moon won Paddock Wood West for Labour for the first time ever. Labour nearly won St John’s and its share of the vote across the Borough increased by 3 per cent. Tunbridge Wells has rejected the Conservatives and has a ‘No Overall Control’ Council. Labour Councillors will seek to work with other parties in the best way possible to deliver on its priorities to reduce inequality and achieve the fairer and more prosperous Tunbridge Wells promised in its manifesto. Martin Betts Chair Tunbridge Wells Labour
Worried ABOUT
TEENAGE Conservatives lose control of Coun cil ACNE? after twenty years of being in charg e scan code to book But the Times asks: what happen CHANGE OF TUNE Organisers have said they will review changes made to Tunbridge event following complaints that Jazz Wells’ popular weekly on The Pantiles has become ‘exclusive’ and ‘elitist’. Full story page 3
By Richard Williams
THE Conservative party will no longer be running Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) after the group lost eight seats following the local elections last week. On Thursday (May 5), 16 wards at the No Overall Control authority went to the polls. The Tories, who have been running the Council as a minority party since the local elections last year, were defending 10 seats and lost all but two of them. The election came following a raft of scandals that have plagued the national party, including Boris Johnson’s fine for breaking lockdown rules, and inappropriate behaviour by MPs. Nationally, the Conservatives lost nearly 500 seats and a number of key councils, including Westminster, Wandsworth and Barnet, while Labour and the Lib Dems made gains across the UK.
s at the Town Hall now?
The count at the Assembly Hall on Friday (May 6) ended up with the Liberal Democrats overtaking the Conservatives as the largest party at the Town Hall.
Coalition The Tories now have just 13 members at the 48-seat Town Hall, which means they can no longer defeat a vote of no confidence that would force Council leader Tom Dawlings from his position. Cllr Dawlings told the Times after the count on Friday that he would now step down to allow opposition members to form a cabinet. It will be the first time since 1998 that the Conservatives have not been running the authority. Councillors from the Lib Dems, Labour and Alliance are currently in discussions to build a coalition, but it is not clear what form this will take. The Lib Dems made four gains and are
now the largest of the parties at the Town Hall with 16 seats – but they are nine short of a majority. To run the council, under leader Cllr Ben Chapelard, the party will need support of at least the Alliance party, which has nine seats. But a ‘coalition of equals’ has been proposed by leader of the Labour group, Hugo Pound, although his party is only the fourth largest with just seven seats. The Lib Dems and the Alliance may well go it alone as they have the numbers to form a majority together. The Conservative group are set to remain in opposition until at least next May when a further 16 seats at TWBC go up for election before the 2024 boundary changes that that will see all councillors re-elected and their numbers cut to 39.
Full story and analysis on pages 6–7
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Tom Dawlings. Could he remind us what they were? Victor Bethell Tunbridge Wells Green space should be preserved May 9th to 15th is Mental Health Awareness Week. In 2022 it coincides with peak, and rising, global food insecurity. Given that space, greenery, and birdsong (among many other things in the countryside), are so beneficial to our mental health, why are so-called developers being allowed to build so much housing on greenfield sites in Kent? This housing is largely unaffordable for local people, while developers choose to ignore brownfield sites. Given that God, or the gods, or fate, gave Kent some of the most fertile soil in
Stop moaning about moaning Calverley, who appears to have undergone some sort of Pauline transformation during his absence, writes that if we don’t vote we can’t moan. Why ever not? I didn’t, it only encourages them, and I will continue to moan – so there! (Metaphorical stamp of foot accompanying a haughty upward thrust of chin). Charlotte Steerpike Tunbridge Wells Where are the library’s books? I visited the library recently - sorry, The Amelia Scott Centre, looking for a couple of books: where are they? Not just where are they located, but where have they all gone? I’ve seen larger private collections Then I tried to find the relevant bookcase: “H”, that was a fool’s errand. Where are the signs on the ends of the book cases: A to C, D to F for example, now nothing. I asked if the intention was to do so: ‘Oh no’,
came the reply ‘we use the Dewey Decimal System now’. Well, libraries have always used this system but: (a) one needs to know what the number is in the first place, (b) these numbers need to be located on the spines of each book: neither of mine do, (c) The system does not specify individual books, but categories. (d) the books are arranged alphabetically, not by Dewey number. Furthermore, the Dewey number for literature is 800, but it could be 025.43 for fiction – and that covers the entire corpus of fiction. the Dewey system is useless. Finally, unsure about the authorship I asked for help and was told the writer was under ‘haitch’. So off I went to find ‘haitch’. Edward Baker Tunbridge Wells Move Jazz to Calverley Grounds I was particularly interested to read your article about the Jazz concerts on the Pantiles. I should explain that I live on the Pantiles, in a maisonette, and our front door opens onto the Pantiles, close to the bandstand. I have long wondered about the legality of the £5 entrance fee. The Pantiles is a public right of way, and none of the three sponsoring parties, as far as I am aware, own it. They may well be tenants, but that does not give them the right to block off a public right of way. I have been challenged by security in getting to my front door I have always managed to reach my door without payment – I regard it as a complete impertinence to have to queue to reach home. If the jazz is not viable without the £5 payment, then in view we should dispense with it on the Pantiles. Perhaps it could move to the Calverley Grounds, which I think is a more suitable venue. I cannot believe that the sponsors promote the event for any other reason than pure profit. As to the suggestion that these are some of the best bands in the country – one wonders what the rest of the country has to put up with. Daid Lloyd-Roberts The Pantiles
PEPPY SAYS...
What were Tory achievements? In his letter last week (Times, May 11) the chair of the Tunbridge Wells branch of the Young Conservatives, Aaron Brand, claims that coalition parties will claim the credit for all the excellent work done by former Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Councillors David Scott and
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
CARTOON BY PEPPY: (Follow her on Twitter @Peppyscott)
CIF_Hever_Spring22_35x264.indd
UR E ER YO RE AP F LP CA LO
I wish the new Tunbridge Wells Borough council leaders well but suspect there will soon be some disappointed residents following the fleeting euphoria and unrealistic expectations for positive and rapid change at the Town Hall. A previous brief Lib Dem led administration fell apart in acrimony and infighting after just one year, with petty ego clashes and inexperienced councillors taking the reins of power. I hope the new council leaders listen to the public that elected them, but in the wise words of former Lib Dem mayor David Neve – constructive advice and different opinion may not be taken up in the spirit offered by critics. Dr Alan Bullion Southborough Town Council (Labour)
the UK (not for nothing the title ‘Garden of England’), how is it acceptable to cover it in concrete when there are no positive scenarios concerning the provision of food going forward? I have trawled the internet for information, and I can only find dire predictions re future food provision. We are, apparently, in a time of solar minimum (adversely affecting yields). War between major grain exporters Russia and Ukraine is not only affecting exports right here right now but also impacting planting for future harvests. Sanctions are seeking to punish major fertiliser producers, Russia and Belarus. Shanghai, with the world’s largest container port, is in lockdown, at a time when China is stockpiling food anyway. Would our Conservative MPs care more about wildlife, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the wishes of Kent people, if their party didn’t receive tens of millions of pounds in ‘donations’ from the people scarring the landscape? Adrian Pope Cranbrook
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Wednesday May 18 | 2022
Life&Times
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Local historian on the life of Amelia Scott Arts P22
Arts
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Wednesday May 18 | 2022
Penning a timely tribute in celebration of Amelia Scott The Friends at The Amelia Scott tell Eileen Leahy all about the special book they commissioned local author Anne Carwardine to write about the formidable suffragist after whom the town’s new cultural centre is named…
T
UNBRIDGE WELLS Borough Council unveiled its multimillion new cultural centre to much fanfare at the end of April. The opening of the new library, visitor centre, museum and art gallery, which is open seven days a week, saw around 1,000 people flock into town to visit the attraction when it opened its doors on April 28. Named after the town’s social reformer Amelia Scott, the building on Monson Road, is the Council’s flagship project and was first conceived around nine years ago. In celebration of the opening, The Friends of the Amelia Scott (formerly The Friends of Tunbridge Wells Museum, Library and Art Gallery) commissioned Anne Carwardine, a local historian and writer to write a short biography of the life and times of Amelia Scott. Ms Scott is best known for being a suffragist which is a non-militant campaigner for women’s suffrage.
“Anne Carwardine’s new book is a fascinating account of the life and times of Amelia Scott” “Anne has freely given of her time, energy and talent to this project and we sincerely thank her for her work,” Friends of the Amelia Scott chair Anne Stobo told the Times. “Amelia Scott was a remarkable woman of whom little was known about apart from that she was a suffragist, a Poor Law Guardian and one of the first women councillors in Tunbridge Wells. “One of her passions was for a free library in Tunbridge Wells. This was finally achieved in 1922 when the first public library in Tunbridge Wells was opened in Dudley Road. Tonbridge had theirs in 1882! It is therefore especially appropriate that the new centre should bear her name.” ANNE CARWARDINE
Mrs Stobo went on to say that Anne Carwardine’s book is a ‘fascinating account’. And that the Friends’ chief desire was ‘to bring the life and works of this real pioneer to the attention of the wider public.’ On the day of the official opening it was the great-niece of Amelia, Helen Boyce, who cut the ribbon in order to open the new cultural centre. She told the gathered crowd all about meeting the great campaigner for the first time when she was a girl of just nine years old. “Cousin Milly, as she was known in the
family, insisted on pouring the tea, although she was 90 years old and could barely see,” Ms Boyce recalled.
Informative “So we had to call out when she reached the rim of the cup. I can see now how determined she was, even at the age of 90.” Inheriting Miss Scott’s possessions from her parents in 1993, Helen Boyce offered the collection to the Women’s Library in London, which accepted and sent a large van to collect everything.
She said that knowledge about the work of Amelia Scott and other women’s activities started to grow around 20 years ago as the internet and consequently Amelia Scott’s work became known to women’s history researchers all over the globe. However, she added that despite bequeathing most of Amelia Scott’s possessions, Ms Boyce - who attended the ceremony with her daughter Amelia Bodfish - revealed she did keep her great aunt’s brooch which she has subsequently lent to the new cultural centre.
Arts
Wednesday May 18 | 2022
23
‘Louie’ Scott saying “After a lifetime of social activism and campaigning for women's suffrage, we like to think this photograph of Amelia Scott and her sister, both in their 90s, captures yet another day of philanthropy and community outreach in Tunbridge Wells.” The inscription for the picture read: “Lived every moment of their long-life thinking, working and serving others, in Public and Private life. Passed March 1952.” Anne Carwaradine’s book on Amelia Scott is on sale from The Friends and is priced £5. Details of how to buy this booklet are available on The Friends at The Amelia Scott Face Book page or you can contact the Chair of The Friends, Anne Stobo annestobo@yahoo.co.uk for your copy.
“All proceeds from the sales of the book will go towards The Friends at the Amelia Scott’s new project: a conservation of a Georgian suit” In Anne Carawardine’s book about Amelia Scott she reveals how the turn of the century reformer became socially aware after attending a conference of the National Union of Women Workers (NUWW) in Bristol. On her return to Tunbridge Wells, Amelia Scott immediately started a local NUWW branch in
Helen Boyce, Amelia Scott’s relative with her daughter Milly and granddaughter Amelia. Author Anne Carwardine is pictured on the right
NEW CHAPTER Anne Carwardine’s book on the suffragist
1895, and from then did not stop striving for justice. Ms Carawardine also states that although Amelia Scott is known as a suffragist, she was also particularly dedicated to benefiting poor and working-class women and mothers, providing housing and a social club, and later a maternity home. All proceeds from the sales of the new book will go towards The Friends’ new project: a conservation of a Georgian suit. “The man’s suit was donated along with the Georgian Gown which we, as the Friends have just recently had conserved, and is now on view at The Amelia Scott. The suit however is in need
of conservation and we are actively seeking estimates for this work,” explained Mrs Stobo. She also revealed that the book’s launch took place via Zoom with local social group Tunbridge Wells U3A joining in. “I wonder what Amelia would have thought of all this technology? She would probably have loved it – thinking ‘it gets the job done’! She was a very much ‘can do lady’!” added Mrs Stobo.
Pioneer On the day of the opening of the Amelia Scott, the Kent Archives tweeted an archive photograph of Miss Scott with her sister Louisa
Tunbridge Wells 1913 Pilgrimage Meeting Poster/ held in The Women's Library LSE
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Book
Wednesday May 18 | 2022
Times book reviewer
HANNAH KIRSOP
80S GLASGOW – FOOTBALL NOSTALGIA
80S GLASGOW – FAMILY TRAUMA
The Accidental Footballer by Pat Nevin
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
(published in hardback by Monoray, priced £20.00)
(published by Picador, priced £8.99)
Pat Nevin is a regular and erudite voice on BBC 5 live’s football coverage and it is no surprise his autobiography is a cut above a run of the mill sporting autobiography. Raised in Glasgow’s East End, the youngest of 6 siblings, Nevin was always a bit different to the average footballer. Slight, keen on indie music and a student in Glasgow, he was eventually picked up by Chelsea despite being adamant he didn’t want a career in football. His account of playing in London in the 80s, the music scene (including a close friendship with John Peel) and subsequent stint at Everton (where he was an outsider in a heavy drinking culture engendered by the manager Howard Kendall) is fascinating. Likewise, his passages on abuse at Celtic Boys Club and the racism and hooliganism that was rife in the stands is characteristically thoughtful. The book ends quite abruptly with an injury enforced move to Tranmere and it would have been interesting to learn more about his successful post-playing move into broadcasting. Nonetheless, a great read particularly for those who followed the game in the 80s.
Set in Glasgow in the wake of Thatcher’s mining reforms, this bleak novel tracks the formative years of Hugh ‘Shuggie’ Bain as he lives a poverty-riddled existence with an alcoholic mother, ever-distancing siblings, an absent father and the awareness that he is different to the other boys. The real lead, however, is not the eponymous Shuggie but mother Agnes, a beautiful alcoholic who trades on her looks and makes a neverending chain of selfdestructive decisions which drive life’s narrative for Shuggie as his adoration of her keeps him close throughout her relentless decline. The book focuses in the main on the grimier side of Glasgow life and does, surely, include some cliches in its blanket descriptions of the behaviour of the working-class ex-miners and their families. That said, the powerful depiction of Agnes’ struggle with her alcoholism is extraordinarily well-written and the tragedy of the destructive impact it had on her children, especially Shuggie, lingers long after the book is finished. An elegant book about an ugly subject.
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
When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
The bookcase…
Published published in hardback by Hot Key Books, priced £14.99 (ebook £9.99).
Here are some more reads to inspire you this week …
The Secret Lives Of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw Published in hardback by Pushkin ONE, priced £14.99 (ebook £9.99) The phrase ‘church ladies’ conjures up a variety of images, according to the reader’s own cultural understanding of the church. The Secret Lives Of Church Ladies is a modern glimpse into the deeper feelings and emotions of a group of black female friends, linked by their childhood membership of a congregation. The women meet every New Year’s Eve, when they can express their secret desires, forbidden loves, and transgressive thoughts. Funny, affectionate, startling, even shocking, they share things we may think, but can only say to our closest confidantes. The umbrella of the ladies’ church connection adds another dimension to this well-crafted collection of stories – the all-pervading sense that someone else – God perhaps – is listening. Review by Victoria Barry
9/10
The title of When Women Were Dragons might suggest a fantasy novel, but beneath the surface lurks a living and fire-breathing story of women’s battle for equality. In this book, Kelly Barnhill would have us believe women have dragons inside them, helping them battle to right inequalities and crush stereotypes. At the centre of this upheaval is Alex Green, whose aunt becomes a dragon and her mother dies of cancer, all the time bringing up youngster sister Beatrice after they are abandoned by their father. Barnhill’s story is of family, love in its many forms, and the female members of that family who fight for what they think is right. The reader is borne along on the peaks and troughs of a battle for recognition, as if they were riding a dragon through the skies. Review by Roddy Brooks
8/10 8/10
This Is Not A Pity Memoir by Abi Morgan Thrown by Sara Cox Published in hardback by Coronet, priced £14.99 (ebook £6.99) Wannabe authors are often told to write about what they know. It’s hard to tell how much Radio 2 DJ and broadcaster Sara Cox knows about being the manager of a community centre, but her life lessons and presenting experience from The Great Pottery Throwdown has definitely come up trumps. Weaving the stories of four women who decide to sign up for a local pottery class, she has created a welcoming world full of wonder and hope, set against gritty real-life problems that are often kept secret. It’s a pleasure to get to know the characters of Thrown – especially Becky, a single mum who is learning about herself and growing stronger and more independent every day – and Sheila, who is yearning to start a new life in Spain, but needs to get her husband to agree. A great summer read, with Cox’s voice jumping off the page. Review by Rachel Howdle
9/10
in hardback by Sceptre, priced £18.99 (ebook £8.99) Pity aside, it’s impossible not to feel a huge amount of sympathy for Abi Morgan, whose long-term partner, actor Jacob Krichefski, collapses and is put into an induced coma after complications caused by a drug used to treat his multiple sclerosis. When he wakes, months later, Krichefski suffers a rare psychological condition that puts an immense strain on their relationship, and Morgan receives a devastating diagnosis of her own – but she continues to rally friends, family and the couple’s two children to battle a disease with crushing effects, not just for the patient, but everyone around them. As a scriptwriter, Morgan knows how to craft dramatic prose. She doesn’t pull any punches, describing with unflinching honesty the anger and resentment that bubbles up during some of her darkest moments. Interspersed with glimpses of the couple’s glamorous life – rubbing shoulders with A-listers and walking Hollywood red carpets – before MS turned their world upside down, it makes for a captivating, heartbreaking, but ultimately hopeful read, that will resonate with anyone who has had to cope with the illness of a loved one. Review by Kate Wright
9/10
Going out
Wednesday May 18 | 2022
25
ANDREW BIRD
Victoria Roberts looks at some of the local events and activities set to entertain you soon…
Looking to have a laugh around Tunbridge Wells?
I
T’S a good weekend for comedy, with three days’ worth of gigs starting on Friday, with the comedy circuit seemingly recovering from pandemic restrictions. Kicking off the run of shows is Tonbridge Comedy Night at the E.M. Forster Theatre (EMFT) on Friday, featuring magic tricks and verbal gags from Otiz Cannelloni, whose other stage specialty is stupidity. Supporting him is comedy Welshman Matt Rees, while the compère is the quick-witted Ross Smith. Comedy as a genre has revved back up after pandemic restrictions, according to an EMFT marketing spokesperson. “On the dramatic front, there are not as many groups touring, so there’s less choice for venues. Meanwhile, comedians seem to have gone from zero sixty very quickly.” Comedy gigs were moved out of their usual space in EMFT’s Studio to the main theatre as a Covid-19 measure, but she told the Times, “This does also give us the ability to go above 80 people.” And she confirmed that ticket sales for the Tonbridge School-based venue were ‘definitely heading in the right direction’. “Ticket sales are on their way back to where they were, but it’s a matter of holding your
nerve,” she added, noting that audiences had got into the habit of waiting to buy tickets out of a fear that someone would have to cancel due to Covid-19, but now seemed to be returning to old spontaneous habits – which can also mean last-minute ticket sales. “Now people are thinking, ‘Do we fancy going out? Yes, let’s buy tickets.’” She said. On Saturday night, the spotlight flicks to Trinity Theatre, where award-winning comedian, writer and broadcaster Jarlath Regan is headlining. He is followed by Anuvab Pal, who has such a reputation for intelligent and engaging wit that one reviewer said ‘will leave you coming away feeling much more intelligent than when you arrived’. Finally, on Sunday night [May 22], the laughs come from Andrew Bird in the Forum Basement (Sussex Arms), in the Dark Horse Live Comedy show. Andrew is a headliner in his own right, but has supported the even bigger names of Rhod Gilbert, Rob Brydon and Michael McIntyre – most recently in Michael McIntyre’s appearances at Wembley and the O2. The show starts at 7:30pm – unless you are lucky enough to have got tickets to the podcast recording at 6pm (only 50 tickets).
IN ‘Hangmen’ at the Oast Theatre (Tonbridge), and a sinister stranger walks into a pub and provokes an executioner… May 21-28 at 7:30pm (Sunday matinée 3pm). Trinity Theatre is screening a live performance of the Royal Ballet’s production of ‘Swan Lake’, from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, on Thursday, May 19 at 7:15pm. ‘To Catch a Thief’ is next Monday’s [May 23] Senior Cinema classic, at 10:30am. Trinity Theatre. As a former cat-burglar, Cary Grant is in the frame for a series of thefts… unless he can find the real criminal. Kenneth Branagh’s Oscar- and BAFTA-winning film ‘Belfast’ is back onscreen locally, at Rusthall Community Theatre. Saturday, May 21. Doors at 7pm. At the Odeon, ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ (12A) continues his rampage, with multiple scheduled performances daily. Meanwhile, ‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’ is holding up the side well, with numerous showings.
HANGMEN
NATALIE Black brings her Adele impersonation to Trinity Theatre on Friday [May 20] at 8pm. Can she Make You Feel her Love? At The Forum, the NATALIE BLACK group Nancy Boys Don’t Cry pay tribute to Placebo and The Cure, supported by TEDDYYBEARR and Tomm Thomas. Friday [May 20] at 7:30pm. Contemporary folk singer-songwriter Flo Perlin has musical influences from as far away as Iraq, Belarus and the native Colombia of the guitar teacher weho introduced her to Bossa Nova. Hear her mellow voice and music on Sunday [May 22] at 7pm, for Trinity Theatre’s Breathing Room series. Meanwhile, at The Assembly Hall on May 22, The Carpenters Story tribute duo bring Karen and Richard Carpenter to the stage at 7:30pm this Sunday. It’s launch night at The Grey Lady on Sunday [May 22], with the premiere of Ash Dodd’s EP ‘Begin Again’. Free copy of the EP included with each ticket. FLO PERLIN Doors at 7pm.
KNOLE Fawns, a monthly craft and games group at Knole Park (Sevenoaks), is on this Friday [20 May] at 10:30am to noon. Booking essential (£5), but if you miss out, Knole Park also runs free storytimes every Monday in termtime at 11-11:30am. The Spa Valley Railway is running this weekend between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge. Tickets from spavalleyrailway. co.uk. For adult families (18 and older only), the railway’s Kent Whisky Train leaves Tunbridge Wells West at 2:45pm on Saturday [May 21]. Tickets (£40) include three whiskies from Chatham’s Copper Rivet
KNOLE HOUSE distillery, with canapés, a mixer and branded whisky glass. Tonbridge School have given ‘Julius Caesar’ a modern makeover in the setting of 1980s high finance, featuring jealous conspirators plotting to keep Julius Caesar from gaining ultimate power as CEO of Rome Ltd. The run starts on Monday [May 23-26] at the E.M. Forster Theatre (Tonbridge). Performances at 7:30pm.
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
The human touch
Call for personalised care for people with dementia life, as well as providing their loved ones with TUNBRIDGE WELLS and Tonbridge home care support and respite,” adds Netta Sceal, Deputy company, TerraBlu, is calling for better support Care Manager. for people living with dementia as part of Dementia Action Week. The campaign, run by Alzheimer’s Society this week, Carol, a TerraBlu client, loves is focused on early diagnosis puzzles and keeps up her and support, something cognitive skills with a challenging Terrablu have long advocated. 1000-piece landscape “For many people, experiencing frequent memory loss can be extremely confusing and unsettling, and increasingly worrying for their loved ones. Yet this could be the early signs of dementia and it’s essential to seek a prompt medical diagnosis, so that the correct level of care can be implemented to support them,” urges Managing Director, Richard Gould. For many elderly people with dementia, staying in the familiar surroundings of their own home can provide reassurance and reduce confusion. “Some relatives manage brilliantly, but it can be very demanding, especially as the condition progresses. That’s where domiciliary care can be a game changer, helping the person with dementia to live the best possible independent
Some home modifications may be required to enable the person to continue living safely in their own home. As dementia is unique to each individual, it’s important that care is tailored to their personal needs and that professional carers take time to understand these. “Professional carers can support independent living with dementia by helping with anything from personal care and medication to domestic tasks and travel to appointments. But compassionate care means spending time getting to know the person by talking and listening about their past and memories, which helps to build true companionship,” explains Emma Foard, Operations Support. TerraBlu carers often help clients with activities such as puzzles, crosswords and singing to boost cognitive skills, and arrange days out to build confidence and vary experiences. The difference that personalised dementia care can make is evidenced by feedback from relatives, such as this from Donna P: “We used TerraBlu to help my Mum, who has Alzheimer’s. From the thorough initial assessment to the carers’ visits, TerraBlu were fantastic. The carers treated her with dignity, respect and brightened up the days with their visits. They were totally understanding of Mum’s needs, and nothing was too much trouble for them.”
Carers’ pets bring joy to elderly ELDERLY people living in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge are reaping the therapeutic benefits of animals when their carers bring their pets to visit them. The mental and physical health benefits of pets have long been recognised, so local domiciliary care company TerraBlu is supporting carers to take their pets on home visits to clients who would like to see them. “Therapy pets can help greatly with social interaction and help alleviate stressful situations, especially for people with dementia. As pets are completely non-judgemental, it can
be comforting for a client with dementia who might find communicating verbally increasingly difficult,” explains Deputy Care Manager, Netta Sceal. The interactions between pets and clients can bring a wealth of benefits. “The noncommunication between them can be relaxing and put a client at ease. The gentle stroking and softness of fur can be very calming and therapeutic. Memories are often reignited of past times with a pet, generating positive feelings, and stories are shared of these precious times. The visits always bring a smile
to our clients’ faces,” says Managing Director, Richard Gould. Sally, a TerraBlu carer, occasionally brings her lovable King Charles spaniel, Honey, to spend time with some of her clients. She is extremely affectionate and just loves to be petted. Sally says, “Honey is always very pleased to meet people, and she brightens up the room with her enthusiasm. Clients who have met her remember her and ask after her. I always ask if I can bring her in if she is with me. Most clients say yes.”
Looking for care with a human touch? Want a fulfilling career where you can make a difference?
www.terrablu.co.uk
01892 529 429 info@terrablu.co.uk 9 Calverley Crescent, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2NB
A month of caring We’ve been mostly… Getting to know our new Senior Care Co-ordinator
TERRABLU welcomed Liam Brown as Senior Care Coordinator in April. Previously, Liam was supporting adults with learning disabilities. Liam will be working closely with senior management, transferring his wealth of knowledge and skills to his role, and has slotted in seamlessly. Liam says, “It has been a privilege to be given the opportunity to join the team at TerraBlu. Since starting I’ve learnt so much about the company and how hard the whole team works to provide the best possible care that our clients need.”
We’re looking forward to… TerraBLOOM!
Client Annette’s garden is awash with colourful plants and shrubs MAY is always an exciting month for the avid gardeners among us, with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show next week. As a nod to this, we’re looking forward to TerraBLOOM, a fabulous idea created by one of our carers, Laura, who wanted to highlight the talents of our greenfingered clients. TerraBLOOM is our novel way to share in the delights of our amazing clients’ own bit of ‘Chelsea’ in their gardens.
Gig guide
Wednesday May 18 | 2022
gigguide May 18 to May 31
Live music is well and truly back in the town By Paul Dunton
W
ith much to look forward to this month with many music events planned to co-incide to the Queen’s Platinum Jubille scheduled for the beginnng of June, here is a round up of the live music events taking place before that... If you are a local to Tunbridge Wells venue that hosts regular live music or even if it’s a one-off event, concert or festival please email me
ASH DODD
at least six weeks in advance of your event date with the details. Email to paul@ paulduntonandguests.com • Name and address of Venue • Date and time of event • Name of event and name of act(s) involved • Ticket link and/or website please state if free entry • 1 x high resolution (300 dpi) landscape jpeg (performer only, no posters) • Please state photo credit Roll on the rest of 2022!
THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE The Pantiles Doors 7.15pm, all event information and ticket entry available at www.thegreylady.co.uk Sunday 22/05 The Grey Lady Sessions: Ash Dodd EP Launch Concert Friday 27/05 Fiesta Latina – Yanifit + Dj Javier La Maquina de Cuba THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM Event information and tickets at www.twforum.co.uk Friday 20/05 Nancy Boys Don’t Cry + TEDDYYBEARR + Tomm Thomas Saturday 21/05 JP Cooper + worryworry Wednesday 25/05 FEET + Bull + Opus Kink Thursday 26/05 Amber Van Day + Darcey Beth + Kumala Friday 27/05 Coach Party Saturday 28/05 Slay Duggee - Metal 4 kidz (1pm) Saturday 28/05 Back To The 90’s (7.30pm) THE ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE Crescent Road All event information and tickets available from www.assemblyhalltheatre. co.uk Sunday 22/05 The Carpenters Story
HELEN GARROD
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org.uk/whats-on/ Sunday 29/05 Hot Club Jazz Ridge Philharmonic: Dvorak’s Stabat A THE BLACK HORSE PUB Open all day, music from 8pm Friday 20/05 (£8 ticket) Adele Tribute SANKEYS RESTAURANT The Pantiles Open all day, free entry, music from 6.45pm – 9.15pm Thursday 19/05 The Management Acoustic Duo Thursday 26/05 Jennifer Maslin & John Harriman
THE VARLIES
THE ROYAL OAK PUB Prospect Road Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Sunday 22/05 Harry Whitty THE HIVE 19 Stone Street, Cranbrook All event information at www.hivehubs. buzz/events-calendar/list/ Friday 20/05 The Curious Few Sunday 29/05 - Jumpbeat: DJ Ben Rudge SAINT JOHN’S YARD St John’s Road Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm JENNIFER MASLIN
TRINITY THEATRE Church Road All event information and tickets available at trinitytheatre.net Friday 20/05 Hometown Glory: Tribute to Adele Sunday 22/05 Flo Perlin Sunday 29/05 Sarah McQuaidt JAZZ ON THE PANTILES The Pantiles Bandstand 7.30pm – 10pm reservation required (entrance £5pp). Participating restaurants : The Tunbridge Wells Hotel, The Kirthon, La Casa Vecchia Thursday 19/05 Trudy Kerr Quartet Thursday 26/05 Neil Richardson Trio
JOHN HARRIMAN Monday 30/05 TWUNT Ukulele Jam session TN1 BAR & KITCHEN Monson Road www.tn1barkitchen.co.uk Thursday 19/05 Charlotte Lubbock Duo Friday 20/05 The Management Acoustic Duo Saturday 21/05 The Masqueraders duo Sunday 22/05 Steffan James Thursday 26/05 Cal White Friday 27/05 The Masqueraders Duo Saturday 28/05 The Masqueraders Duo Sunday 29/05 Mike Wilton THE BEDFORD PUB 2 Highstreet Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Friday 20/05 U Turn Friday 27/05 Phoenix Fire
COACH PARTY
CHIDDINGSTONE CASTLE Chiddingstone All event information and tickets available at www.chiddingstonecastle.
GEOGRAPHY WINE BAR, HIGHSTREET Open all day, free entry, music from 3.30pm - 6pm Sunday 22/05 John Whitehorn (The Varlies) Sunday 29/05 Andy Vickery & Helen Garrod EVEN FLOW CAFÉ, ST JOHN’S ROAD Open all day free entry all event information at www.evenflowuk.com Thursday 26/05 Open Mic Night THE BEER CELLAR, TONBRIDGE Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Friday 20/05 The Busking Phoenix Friday 27/05 Ian Ingles THE GUN & SPITROAST INN, Horsmonden Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Wednesday 18/05 Jam Session all welcome Wednesday 25/05 Jam Session all welcome
Food & Drink
food & drink
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Wednesday May 18 | 2022
Serving up a true taste of our county’s finest food and drink
Last Thursday (May 12) the overall winners were announced for The Taste of Kent Awards. Eileen Leahy discovers which of our local producers and foodies took away a prestigious prize on the night ….
F
OR THE first time since March 2020, the county’s most famous – and largest – food and drink awards winners’ ceremony A Taste of Kent (TOKA) was able to go ahead. Dubbed the ‘Food and Drink Oscars’ the event saw the great and the good of the
regional epicurean world gather together to enjoy a delicious three-course dinner, and to crown the winners of categories such as Best Start Up, Best Sustainable Product and Best Food Retailer of the Year. The awards are the brain child of Produced in Kent, an organisation which pulls together the finest producers, farmers,
Assembly Hall Theatre | Tunbridge Wells
“Local winners from this year’s awards included Cellar Head Brewery and The Small Holding”
retailers, and hospitality businesses for a celebration of the best in the Garden of England. Now in its 18th year, TOKA is dedicated to showcasing the tastiest produce the county has to offer while shining a spotlight on the many hard-working businesses behind all our wonderful food,
PUBLIC NOTICE
Licensing Act 2003 Application for the grant of a Premises Licence
An application for a Premises Licence at 11 Monson Road Tunbridge Wells TN1 1LS has been made by Fat Sam’s Kitchen Ltd A summary of the proposed licensable activities and the proposed hours of opening: The sale of alcohol between the hours of: Sunday to Wednesday 10:00 - 22:00 Thursday to Saturday 10:00 - 23:00 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 30th May 2022 to: Licensing Partnership, Council Offices, PO Box 182, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, Kent. TN13 1GP licensing@sevenoaks.gov.uk
THU 26 — SUN 29 MAY assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
www.sevenoaks.gov.uk
It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with this application, the maximum fine on summary conviction being £5,000.
Food & Drink
Wednesday May 18 | 2022
drink and hospitality hubs. The awards promote a wide range of categories and are open to all food and drink businesses across Kent. The campaign begins each year with public voting in January and February, before concluding with a gala dinner in May when winners are announced. TOKA organisers told us that the number of people who’d voted this year had exceeded all expectations. They said: “We had over 30,000 votes cast in the various food and drink categories with hospitality categories seeing an increase in 11% this year, proving that since the start of Covid-19 the public have a new found appreciation for local restaurants and pubs.”
“The Taste of Kent Awards are dedicated to showcasing the tastiest produce the county has to offer”
Following the first round of public voting to determine the finalists, it was then up to industry specialists to whittle down a shortlist of finalists from around the county. The winners were then announced at last Thursday’s ceremony which took place at the Kent Event Centre in Ashford after a three-course meal, created by The Curious Eatery, was served. Cocktails and treats came from finalists Wild Box, The Cheesemakers of Canterbury, Kingcott Dairy and Solley’s Ice Cream.
exceptional quality of food and drink we have here in Kent, and it’s wonderful to see the support for buying local hasn’t faded postpandemic,” she said.
Celebrate “Both the finalists and winners have shown innovation, diversification, sustainable practices, and immense talent within their specialist fields, it makes me enormously proud to spotlight these Kent businesses. I’d like to add a special thank you to the headline sponsors of this year’s event, Southeastern and The University of Greenwich, without which the finalists would not have had their moment in the limelight and the awards would not have been possible.”
Quality Four hundred guests were in attendance to see Kent’s food and drink best producers, pubs and retailers celebrated. Locally they included Cellar Head Brewery and The Small Holding at Kilndown. Floortje Hoette, Chief Executive of Produced in Kent, was delighted to see that the public’s support for local remains high and applauded the outstanding standard of this year’s finalists. “The judges and I were blown away by the
A SELECTION OF THE TASTE OF KENT AWARDS 2022 WINNERS: Kent Beer of the Year Winner: Cellar Head Brewing Company Product: Session Pale Ale Location: Tunbridge Wells Sponsored by: NFU Mutual Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield
Kent Wine of the Year Winner: Balfour Winery Product: Balfour Brut Rosé Location: Staplehurst Sponsored by: Furley Page and NFU Mutual Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield
Kent Cider of the Year Winner: Turners Cider Product: Apple Pie Cider Location: Marden Sponsored by: A C Goatham & Sons
Kent Restaurant of the Year Winner: The Small Holding Location: Kilndown Sponsored by: Thomson Snell & Passmore
Kent Dairy Product of the Year Winner: Kingcott Dairy Product: Kentish Blue Location: Staplehurst Sponsored by: BTF Partnership
Kent Diversification Award Winner: Reuthe's Location: Sevenoaks Sponsored by: Gullands Solicitors
Kent Non-Alcoholic Drink of the Year Winner: Biddenden Vineyards Product: Sparkling Apple Juice Location: Biddenden Sponsored by: Barretts
CELLAR HEAD (RIGHT) AND KINGCOTT DAIRY (ABOVE TOP RIGHT)
PUBLIC NOTICE
Licensing Act 2003 Application for the grant of a Premises Licence
An application for a Premises Licence at 102 Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells has been made by Allkin Brewing. A summary of the proposed licensable activities and the proposed hours of opening: Sale of Alcohol for the hours below: Sunday to Wednesday 12:00 - 23:00 Thursday to Saturday 12:00 - 24:00 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 08/06/2022 to: Licensing Partnership, Council Offices, PO Box 182, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, Kent. TN13 1GP licensing@sevenoaks.gov.uk www.sevenoaks.gov.uk It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with this application, the maximum fine on summary conviction being £5,000.
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Kent Dining Pub of the Year Winner: The Butcher’s Block Location: Burham Sponsored by: Thomson Snell & Passmore
BRAND NEW PHASE LAUNCHING SATURDAY 21ST MAY Join us on Saturday 21st May between 10am and 5pm at the launch of Meadow Quarter, our brand new release of 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes at Foal Hurst Green in Paddock Wood.
Each property also includes home office options with the availability of superfast BT broadband* connectivity, allowing you to work from home at your convenience.
All homes feature high specification kitchens and bathrooms, generous living and dining areas and private gardens with a lawn and patio.
3, 4 and 5 bedroom houses from £465,000† Final 2 bedroom apartment also available at £335,000†
TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT AT THE LAUNCH, PLEASE CALL 01892 886 971 OR VISIT FOALHURSTGREEN.CO.UK Photography is of Foal Hurst Green and is indicative only. Help to Buy available on the final apartment, subject to qualifying and terms and conditions. *Subject to owner connection. Download speeds may vary. †Prices correct at time of print.
www.foalhurstgreen.co.uk Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies
PKWD-00025_PW_Times_of_Tunbridge_Wells_W264x340mm_AW.indd 1
10/05/2022 15:35
Food & drink
Wednesday May 18 | 2022
31
Why not think pink for summer… With a heatwave on the way the good news is it’s now the perfect time to start cracking open the rosé again – and Times Drinks Editor James Viner, is tickled pink with these four bottles….
P
INK or rosé wines are mostly made by pressing red grapes before fermentation, or macerating red grape skins with grape juice overnight or for just a few hours. In terms of production France still leads the way in both quality production and consumption. My top tips for enjoying a glass or two? Serve at around 8C (46F) and pray for sunshine! Oh, and remember to check dates since many wines from the 2020 vintage are already starting to fade. Some pinks cellar brilliantly, including Domaine Tempier’s iconic Bandol Provençal rosé but not all… The first three choices all 2021s and two out of the three (from France) are completely bone-dry. Pour them with salty snacks and all manner of dishes, including fish and shellfish, leafy/tomato/Niçoise salads, pissaladière and sushi. 1. Specially Selected Coteaux de Beziers Rosé 2021, Chassaux et Fils, France (Aldi, £5.99, 12.5%) France typically accounts for just over a third of global rosé wine consumption and is therefore easily the planet’s leading rosé consumer country. Like everything else, pink French wine has been creeping up in price recently, but this Aldi bottle is a wine giveaway. Great rosés don’t just come from Provence so bag my favourite French bargain-buy rosé, a truly excellent and quaffable bone-dry rosé from the Mediterranean coast of Languedoc-
Roussillon, well-balanced and with juicy red fruit, peachy, herbal and red appley notes alongside wisps of citrus fruits. It’s a lovely pale pink colour and a star wine for salads and seafood. Magnifique! 2. Cramele Recas Babele Rosé 2021, Romania (Laithwaites, £7.99 mix 12, 12.5%)
2 1
This piquant and fruity rosé is part of Cramele Recas’ Babele collection, named after the Romanian tradition of commemorating the coming of spring. Seize this scrumptious strawberry, raspberry, floral and appleperfumed pink, enhanced with Merlot, Feteasca Neagra, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, from a Romanian winery
3 4
started by Englishman Philip Cox and his Romanian wife – with winemaking expertise from Australia and Spain – in 1998. It’s dry, but not quite bone-dry like the other two wines (and much less pale than the standout Provençal selection below, which was also established by British ex-pats), a great party wine and a joy to drink. Juicy/tangy acidity sustains the high energy levels. Noroc! 3. Mirabeau Pure Provence Rosé 2021, Franc (Tesco, £15.50, 12.5%) This is a Côtes de Provence gem, made from Grenache (70%), Syrah (15%) and Cinsault (15%) grown in some of the hallowed appellation’s highest vineyards. It’s a powdery pink colour, with scents of hibiscus, pink grapefruit, blackcurrant leaf, tangerine peel, passion fruit and super-fresh, light citrus and red berry flavours. Exactly what you would expect from first-rate grapes and winemaking. It’s a cracker of a dry rosé high on finesse that would make a lovely aperitif, or try it with seafood… 4. Graham Beck Pinot Noir Rosé 2017 (Majestic, £17.99 mix six, 12.5%) Great sparkling pink wines don’t just come from France. It’s tricky to find rosé bubbly under £20 that’s worth drinking so nab this South African crowd-pleaser made by the labour-intense traditional method (‘Methode Cap Classique’ aka MCC). One of the planet’s most marvellous sparkling rosés below £20. I love it for a treat.
Sunday Lunch at Salomons 22nd May
Enjoy a delicious Sunday roast at Salomons Estate. Whether it’s a family get-together, a celebration, or simply an excuse to indulge, you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon at Salomons Estate. Just £24.50 for two coursese or £29.50 for three courses. Call 01892515152 or email reception@salomons-estate.com to book.
ESTABLISHED
01892 51 51 52 | www.salomons-estate.com Salomons Estate, Broomhill road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 0TG
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Antiques
Wednesday May 18 | 2022
Through the looking glass with BBC expert
antiques
BBC Antiques Roadshow expert Andy McConnell is in Tunbridge Wells to discuss and value people's glassware. Victoria Roberts caught up with the master of glass
F
IVE thousand years of glass is an unfinished history, according to an antiques expert speaking in Tunbridge Wells this week. Best known as the glass expert of the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, Andy McConnell will be giving two talks locally this week, on ‘Five thousand years of glass’, but as he told the Times, looking through that lens is just a starting point for him and for humanity. “Glassmaking grew out of a need for people in Europe to make drinking vessels. Glass is so much better than ceramic and metal.
will go to, to keep his audience from being bored, are literally shocking. “If people start looking bored, I whack ‘em! I go to talks with a Taser. Twelve thousand volts will wake ‘em up,” he boasts cheerfully. “I’m well-known handling glass in an idiosyncratic way. I’ve handled so much of it and have very, very rarely broken anything. But it keeps them on the edge of their chairs!”
TRANSPARENCY – Antiques expert Andy McConnell can help you get more for your glassware
Jolly
'It’s an almost invisible substance, but if you start removing glass from people’s lives, life would become intolerable very quickly' “And everywhere had a glassworks, enabling them to produce lenses,” Andy adds, referring to the history of observation and identification of micro-organisms, leading to the development of hygiene and modern medicine. However, he stresses that glass is a ‘future substance’ with applications in communication, architecture and chemistry.
“I mean – fibre optics a fraction of the diameter of a human hair carry the world’s communications. It’s an amazing substance. “It’s an almost invisible substance, but if you start removing glass from people’s lives, life would become intolerable very quickly.”
Glass is a two-way mirror for his own life interest in the substance, too, he reveals to the Times. “This is how I’ve managed to cobble together the funny TV career I’ve had,” he laughs. “But you need to engage your audience.” Some of his claims about the lengths he
HOUSE CALLS
The other thing bringing in audiences is curiosity. “People have been oblivious to what they have brought in. Most people haven’t got a clue what they’ve got.” Now, ‘What they’ve got’ could mean either history or money, but Andy makes no judgement about what people do with their objects once they know more about them. “They can do what they jolly well like with it. It’s none of my bloody business and entirely their own decision. “One woman came in with a very autistic child in a wheelchair – who had bought a glass for 10p in a charity shop and ended up selling it for £4,000. I was able to help her maximise the price.” Andy McConnell will be appearing at The Hoard on Friday, May 20, at 7pm for 7:30pm, and Saturday, May 21, at 4pm for 4:30pm. Tickets £20 from scottishantiques.com, including wine and canapés.
Alexander Pushkin
FOR MAY IN YOUR AREA There is no obligation to sell, so call Clive Today to arrange a home visit at no charge and at your convenience. He will advise you personally on your items and absolute discretion is guaranteed.
Clive Attrell is back and available throughout Kent & East Sussex for home antiques valuations (Appointment Only)
Call Clive on 07860 942726
SOCIAL DISTANCING FOR SAFETY
GOLD • SILVER • WATCHES REMEMBER CLIVE IS ALWAYS READY TO MAKE YOU A GENUINE NO OBLIGATION OFFER
During appointments hand sanitiser & masks will be used on arrival. Social distancing will also be observed where possible at all times.
TOP PRICES PAID FOR
• GOLD (in any condition) • SILVER (in any condition) • WATCHES (working or not) • COSTUME JEWELLERY • DIAMONDS • SOVEREIGNS • KRUGERRANDS
• COINS • TOYS • GAMES • POSTCARDS • CHINESE CERAMICS • FIGURINES • OBJECTS OF INTEREST
• MEDALS • SWORDS • MILITARIA • CLOCKS • PAINTINGS • BRONZES • PRINTS / BOOKS
K O O B NOW
Clive Attrell is Kent County Council Trading Standards Approved: Reg No 15618
Antiques
Wednesday May 18 | 2022
33
Think of fine art as a clever investment... Auctioneer Joseph Trinder explores the potential value of paintings, prints and fine art Joseph Trinder
examples of the illusive artist’s work in our June 28th Fine sale.
L.S. LOWRY
News So please get in touch today and join our head of fine art Clifford Lansberry and I for a dedicated paintings and pictures valuation day in Tunbridge Wells on Friday June 17 – we may just be giving you some really wonderful news! I am also delighted to be able to give you notice in advance of a very special champagne evening of fine art and antiques taking place with our friends and partners at The Finance Hub, Tunbridge Wells on Thursday 23rd June…keep posted for further details!
J
UNE 14 in Lewes and June 17 in Tunbridge Wells are dates to save in the diary, as Gorringe’s are holding our latest specialist focused valuation events in paintings and prints - covering everything from Old Masters to Modern and Contemporary, from oils to acrylics and watercolours to giclée. In today’s climate where there is no improvement to be made from money sat in the bank with poor interest rates, we increasingly find discerning buyers are once again looking at antiques (and fine art especially) as a potentially more lucrative investment without some of the risk associated in other kinds of purchase, whilst at the same time owning an asset which can beautify their home and bring pleasure to the owner.
Culminates Our fine art department has generations of experience in this complex and ever-changing market area. Our use of numerous online platforms with a truly global reach combined with
the knowledge, expertise and trusted reputation of our specialists culminates in the exciting results seen throughout the year in both our weekly and quarterly fine sales. A recent example of such reflects how a once very affordable work has matured in price over recent years. I can recall at the beginnings of my career some 15 years or so ago, when one might have purchased a signed L.S.Lowry (1887-1976) print for maybe a few hundred pounds. Yet competition for collecting these works as the prices for originals by the artist has rocketed has become far greater, with Gorringe’s selling the print pictured here earlier this year for an impressive £5,500.
Another exciting result in recent weeks which reflects the buoyancy of especially post-war British works can be seen in Eliot Hodgkin’s (1905 – 1987) ‘Two Cut Lemons Hanging’. The oil on board was competed for far past our initial auction estimate of £6,000 - £8,000 to finally reach a hammer price of £29,000. An example yet to come can be seen in Banksy’s (1974-) ‘Welcome to Hell’, a limited print, numbered 128/175 with ‘Pest Control’ certificate - here is a piece which delivers the opportunity for investment, with a highly popular and fashionable artist’s offering to set your walls at home apart from those of friends. Estimated at £30,000 - £50,000 it is one of three such
BANKSY
Looking at the concept of this Danish retailer This week, Alexander Pushkin looks at contemporary Scandinavian retailer BoConcept ...
B
OCONCEPT is a Danish retailer, producing and selling pieces of furniture and homeware. The company is known for its high quality customisable furniture items, iconic Scandinavian design and Nordic elegance. Along with IKEA, BoConcept is one of the most important and remarkable Scandinavian retailers, specialising in furnishing. The company trades worldwide and has approximately 265 subsidiary stores in more than 60 countries.
'The simplicity of BoConcept designs, their craftsmanship, elegant functionality and quality materials soon gained international fame' The business started in 1952 as a small workshop in the city of Herning, Denmark. It was founded by two young cabinetmakers, Jens Ærthøj and Tage Mølholm. By 1954, the factory only counted four employees. However, it did not take long for the prosperous business to grow, and soon the company became one of the world's largest international furniture retailers. Nowadays BoConcept designs, manufactures and distributes contemporary furniture, accessories and lighting solutions for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, home studies and outdoor spaces. The company’s experts also help the clients to create an individual design for their interiors. The simplicity of BoConcept designs, their craftsmanship, elegant functionality and quality
materials soon gained international fame. The company’s furniture pieces are appreciated all over the world and keep winning important awards, such as Danish Franchisee Award in 2007, The Red Dot Award in 2008 and 2013, The Diploma of the Danish Export Association & HRH Prince Henrik’s Medal of Honor in 2016 and The Good Design Award in 2017.
'Clients have always appreciated BoConcept for its commitment to traditions and impeccable quality, as well as an individual approach to each customer'
Notable The company’s most notable products are undoubtedly upholstered furniture and chairs.
Each item by BoConcept represents the quintessence of the best features of Danish
design: functionality, minimalism, practicality and elegance. Along with such prominent makers as Arne Jacobsen, Henning Nørgaard and Knoll, BoConcept provides the finest design furniture. Clients have always appreciated BoConcept for its commitment to traditions and impeccable quality, as well as an individual approach to each customer. It is thanks to the latter that all the company's products are unique, and therefore especially valuable. Art connoisseurs and Scandinavian design enthusiasts hunt for antique and vintage pieces of furniture by the maker at auctions around the world. Such luxury pieces can be found on the website www.pushkinantiques.com in our extensive collection of Luxury Interior and can also be viewed in our High street gallery.
Alexander Pushkin
34
Property
Wednesday May 18 | 2022
property news
Waterside properties bring a premium – but it depends on the type of water SCENIC SCOTLAND
WHAT is the difference between a lake, loch or reservoir? Well, as it turns out, quite a bit if you want to buy a house by the water. Research by estate agent comparison site, GetAgent.co.uk, has revealed how UK homebuyers will pay more for a lakeside property than they will a loch or reservoir, but on average, all three offer a more cost effective route to a property purchase with the option of an al fresco dip. Analysis of 38 areas boasting a lake, loch or reservoir shows that they could make a more affordable option for those wishing to live within arm’s reach of the water than seaside towns.
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Current House prices around these freshwater alternatives average £270,450, £6,305 cheaper than the current UK average, with no less than 21 individual areas also coming in below the national average. But prices differ depending on how the body of water is branded. A loch is the most affordable option, with an average house price of £194,685, climbing to £295,562 for reservoirs and £299,756 for lakes. The most affordable of the lot is the Trawsfynydd reservoir in Wales, where property prices average just £131,814. Derwent Reservoir in England also offers some of the greatest freshwater affordability, with property prices averaging just £140,231. Northern Ireland is home to the three most affordable areas for a loch side
5 DAYS
property purchase, with Upper and Lower Lough Erne (£149,540) and Lough Neagh (£157,387) coming in below the £150,000 threshold.
Seaside Kenfig Pool in Wales offers the most affordable property prices for a lake-side purchase, averaging £157,387. In contrast, the Chew Valley Lake reservoir will set you back £474,108 on average.
Founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, said: “We all like to be beside the seaside, but the ever growing popularity of coastal locations has caused property values to climb considerably across many seaside towns. “However, there are still no less than 21 locations across the UK boasting a loch, lake or reservoir and an average house price that sits below the national average. “What’s more, these freshwater alternatives are salt and sand free. What’s not to love?”
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36
Gardening
Wednesday May 18 | 2022
Tunbridge Wells tops county list of dreaded knotweed plants using the heatmap’s ‘Add Sighting’ feature and attaching a photo to be verified by experts. Luke Walton, Environet’s Regional Director for Kent, said: “Knowledge is power when it comes to Japanese knotweed and this heatmap is invaluable to homeowners and buyers who want to assess the risk in their local area. With the stamp duty holiday extended and lockdown restrictions beginning to ease, the property market is busier than ever – but failing to carry out the appropriate checks for knotweed can turn out to be an expensive mistake. “Despite its fearsome reputation, with professional help, the plant can be dealt with and the value of a property largely restored. I’d urge anyone buying or selling a property, or homeowners wishing to preserve the value of their home, to be vigilant for signs of spring growth and check Exposed to see whether they live in a high-risk area.”
gardening
By Robert Forrester MORE reports of an invasive weed that can reduce property prices by up to 13 per cent are recorded in Tunbridge Wells than anywhere else in Kent. Japanese knotweed has been known to spread underground, damaging pipework and drains as well as weakening building foundations. The plant as a defect to the property by RICS Homebuyer Reports, with the potential to reduce the price of a home by 5-15 per cent. Experts and removal specialists of Japanese knotweed, Environet, have produced a list of ‘hotspots’ using data from over 54,000 known infestations of the dreaded plant. It found that in Kent, the biggest hotspot is in Tunbridge Wells where there were 48 infestations of knotweed within a 4km radius.
GET KNOTTED The dreaded Japanese knotweed
Lush Chiddingstone reported the next highest number of infestations at 39, with Tonbridge just behind with 38. Following its winter hibernation, knotweed begins to grow in March or April, depending on the local ground temperature, reaching up to three metres in height by mid-summer. Homeowners spending more time in their gardens this spring may notice purple or red asparaguslike shoots now emerging from the ground and quickly growing into lush green shrubs with heart or shovel-shaped leaves and pink-flecked stems. Pushing up through cracks in concrete, driveways, patios, paths, drains and even the cavity walls of our homes, Japanese
knotweed can reduce a property’s value by 10% and make it difficult to sell, unless a professional treatment plan is in place with an insurance-backed guarantee to satisfy mortgage lenders.
House prices According to Environet’s research, approximately 5 per cent of homes are currently affected, either directly or indirectly such as by neighbouring an affected property. It is estimated it could be reducing house prices across the UK by £20 billion. The general public can help in the fight against knotweed by reporting suspicious
The Kent Japanese knotweed hotspots for 2021 are: Location
Infestations within 4km radius
Royal Tunbridge Wells
48
Chiddingstone
39
Tonbridge
38
Canterbury
29
Gillingham
20
Environet’s heatmap can be found at environetuk.com/exposed-japaneseknotweed-heat-map
Gardening
Wednesday May 18 | 2022
37
Gardening firms head to Chelsea and offer greenfinger support for charity A NUMBER of gardening firms in Tunbridge Wells are heading to the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) Chelsea Flower Show as Exhibitors. The show will be running from May 24-28 and is set to attract thousands of visitors including the Royal Family. This year the show gardens are going wild for native plants, naturalistic designs, sustainability, mental health themes, climate change warnings and diversity messages. Featuring 39 show gardens including 13 show gardens, 12 sanctuary gardens, nine balcony and container gardens and a new category All About Plants in the Great Pavilion, plus four installations to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee,
ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL The Queen at a previous RHS Chelsea Flower show. It’s on this year from May 24-28
dig deep to support it”. Sue Allen, Chairman at the Greenfingers charity added: “Our sincerest thanks to British Garden Centres for their support in helping us gain a presence at RHS Chelsea. “We are looking forward to getting on-site and start telling all the wonderful visitors more about the work we do and hope that many of them will consider making Greenfingers their charity of choice”. Their exhibit will be located on Eastern Avenue (stand EA453), which is the thriving shopping and information hub of the show. Greenfingers and the British Garden Centres teams are hoping to spread the word and encourage more people to get involved and support the charity.
BEST IN SHOW Prepping for the RHS show and [below] a young gardening fan
there will be so much to see. Paddock Wood Garden Centre is one of the 61 centres in the British Garden Centres group that will be appearing at the show in support of Greenfingers, the charity dedicated to creating magical and inspiring gardens for life-limited children and their families. Boyd Douglas-Davies, Director at British Garden Centres said: “We are so pleased we are able to support Greenfingers by enabling them to have a presence at RHS Chelsea this year. “The event is the perfect place to shout from the rooftops regarding the work the charity undertakes, with an attending audience that is already engaged with the mental and physical
benefits of gardening. We’ve no doubt that the show will see legions of new supporters inspired by the work of the charity and in turn
‘This year the show gardens are going wild for native plants, naturalistic designs, sustainability, mental health themes, climate change warnings and diversity message’
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38
Motoring
Wednesday May 18 | 2022
Motoring News The first Aston Martin DBX707 built in Wales rolls off the line
This week… Aston's Welsh made DBX707 n Ford’s E-Transit revealed n Homeowers benefit from EV grants
n
One in five homes could benefit from new rental home car charger grants
THE FIRST Aston Martin DBX707 customer car has rolled off the production line at the firm’s factory in St Athan, Wales. The world’s most powerful SUV boasts a 4.0-litre V8 making 697bhp and 900Nm of torque, contributing to the 3.1-second 0-60mph time and 193mph top speed. Secretary of State for Wales, Simon Hart MP, and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales, David Davies MP, inspected the vehicle as it was completed.
Production To support the increased production for the model, Aston Martin hired 100 new technicians to work on the first Welsh-built production car for almost 50 years. Michael Straughan, Chief Operating Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “Aston Martin is immensely proud to be manufacturing industryleading products like DBX707 from a world-class facility in Wales, and we are delighted to see the very first model completed. “The initial reaction from customers and media has been tremendous, and as we ramp-up DBX707 production at St Athan, it is fantastic that we have also had the opportunity to grow our team and create more employment opportunities for people from the local community.” Simon Hart added: “It’s great to see the iconic Aston Martin brand roll off the production line here in Wales, before being exported to countries around the world. The success of the DBX707 is
testament to the highly skilled and hard-working team, and it’s fascinating to see how they work.” The St Athan facility was built specifically to produce the firm’s new DBX SUV. The first
example was finished in July 2020, just over four years after the investment in the facility was announced. At launch, up to 750 jobs were expected to be created.
Electric Ford E-Transit Custom revealed with 236-mile range FORD HAS revealed the E-Transit Custom, an electric version of Europe’s best-selling van. The Custom joins the larger electric Transit in Ford’s commercial vehicle line-up, and while it comes with less cargo space, it also provides an even more impressive range between charges. While the regular Transit can go up to 196
miles on a full battery, the Custom can go 236 miles. Rivals vary in size and shape, which can have a big effect on range, but for context the Citroen e-Dispatch can do just over 200 miles while the bigger Mercedes-Benz eSprinter will go less than 100. Many of the specific facts and figures will not
be revealed until September ahead of production beginning in 2023, but Ford says it has installed a number of features based on conversations with van drivers and owners. For example, ProPower Onboard technology allows external products to be plugged into the vehicle to provide power, such as for tools, lights and other devices that are needed while working.
Operators The design is familiarly Transit, but up front the new LED headlights clearly distinguish this as the electric model. Hans Schep, general manager of Ford Pro Europe, said: “This is a watershed moment for commercial vehicle operators in Europe, and another hugely significant realisation of our Ford Pro ambitions. “Europe’s best-selling van just went all-electric and – supported by our unique Ford Pro one-stop-shop of productivity-boosting services – the operating benefits this will bring to business across Europe cannot be overstated.” The Ford Pro platform for commercial vehicles gives owners access to a single platform that provides specific software, charging, service and financing solutions designed for business users. The Ford E-Transit Custom will enter production in the second half of 2023 at a heavily updated factory in Turkey.
LANDLORDS, tenants and flat owners can now benefit from a grant that will make it easier to fit an electric vehicle charger in rented properties. The original home charger grant was discontinued in March, but has been replaced by a new offer that targets rental properties and flats. It provides a £350 discount on chargers and could be of benefit to one-in-five properties. Being able to charge at home is a big positive in EV ownership, but it is rare to find chargers installed on rented properties because tenants cannot make changes to a property without permission and landlords have little incentive to fit them. However, the new scheme reduces the cost of entry for both landlords and tenants, potentially future-proofing properties as EV uptake increases and more buyers plan to make the switch.
“We’ve seen a huge increase in interest in EVs from our tenants, who are now looking for properties that have chargers in place, so their homes are ‘EV ready” This year, there are around 460,000 EVs on UK roads with data from industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders indicating over 77,000 EVs have been registered so far this year. This is up 88% on the same period in 2021, despite overall sales being down about 5%. Danny Morgan, editor and marketing manager at Smart Home Charge said: “The new EV Chargepoint Grants for landlords, tenants and flat owners are exciting, as they help open up the UK rental market to affordable home electric car charging. “It’s also very well-timed too, as there are more and more EVs on UK roads and many people, particularly younger individuals who rent homes, want to make the switch from petrol and dieselpowered vehicles.” EV chargepoint retailer and installer Smart Home Charge says it is working with rental property provider Annington to install chargers for tenants. Gary Smith, property manager at Annington, said: “We’ve seen a huge increase in interest in EVs from our tenants, who are now actively looking for properties that have chargers in place, so their homes are ‘EV ready’. “That’s why Annington is working with Smart Home Charge to install charge points at a number of its properties, so they can be used by existing tenants but also future-proofed for those who are yet to make the shift to an electric vehicle.”
RESTORING THE WORLD’S MOST ICONIC CARS
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