Times of Tunbridge Wells 9th November 2022

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OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

From EASTENDERS and CALL THE MIDWIFE

UR E ER YO E AP FR L P CA LO

Wednesday November 9 | 2022

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Dunorlan Park skies light up for 65th time TUNBRIDGE WELLS’ annual fireworks display got off to a bang at the weekend, despite the dreary weather that saw other events cancelled.

More than 8,000 attended the display put on by the Royal Tunbridge Wells Round Table in Dunorlan Park on Saturday November 5.

Celebrations The event has been running in the town since 1957 and over the years the Round Table has raised hundreds of thousands for local charities and good causes.

This year, organisers say that while they were ‘still finalising exact numbers’, it looks like the display has raised more than £30,000 – in addition to money raised following a bucket collection.

However, not all bonfire celebrations went as planned as the annual fireworks display in Crowborough had to be cancelled due to the bad weather.

Full story page 29.

House prices to plummet by more than £50,000 next year

By Richard Williams THE days of rocketing house prices in Tunbridge Wells could soon be coming to an end, after a leading estate agent said it expects 11 per cent will be wiped off local property prices by the end of next year.

The predictions, made by Savills, came as the Bank of England (BoE) introduced the largest rise in interest rates in a generation last week, hiking mortgage costs for millions.

An increase of 0.75 per cent was introduced on Thursday (November 3), the biggest rise since 1989, which now sees the UK base interest rate at 3 per cent.

On average, it will add around £3,000 per year to mortgage bills for those households that are set to renew their fixed-rate and tracker mortgages, the BoE said. Less than a year ago the base rate was just 0.1 per cent.

‘People have got used to paying more for their car than for their mortgage’ Savills said that rising interest rates and uncertainty in the housing market will see property prices plummet.

Next year Savills expects at least 10 per cent to be wiped off the value of the

average property in England and Wales in 2023.

London and the South East of England are expected to see even larger house price falls with Savills predicting homes in the region are set for a 11 per cent drop in value by the end of next year.

Last year, the Times reported that house prices in Tunbridge Wells had overtaken Sevenoaks to become the highest in Kent.

And last month we reported on how the value of homes in the borough had risen on average by £38,000 over the last 12 months, but that now looks set to change.

Continued on page 3

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Property prices to fall by 11 per cent next year Continued from front page According to Rightmove, the average property in Tunbridge Wells fetches £510,588, while Zoopla has the average price even higher at £518,385.

If the Savills predictions come true, the average home in Tunbridge Wells could fall in value by as much as £57,000, seeing the average house price in the area fall to around £460,000.

Savills said despite the fall in prices across the South East, the region is expected to bounce back ‘from 2027 onwards’.

Significant

currently some properties may be overvalued.

Shaun Kidd, director (and co-founder) Jack Charles Estate Agents told the Times: “When a market stabilises, some people who have over-valued their properties won’t be able to be as ‘punchy’ with their numbers.

“When you come to sell it, it’s not a real loss because it was never a real gain.”

He continued: “If we talk about Tunbridge Wells property prices, there are so many positive factors.There is still huge demand coming out of London. There are changes in ways of working – people are able to commute two days a week.

Tunbridge Wells sees a lot of that. We are still seeing young families coming out of London.”

He continued that despite rising interest rates, mortgage deals can still be had.

“People have got used to paying more for their car than for their mortgage. They will get used to rates at a higher level than they have been used to,” he said.

“Clients are receiving offers with some lenders which are high but not catastrophically high.

Those rates are rates from existing lenders to clients with a good credit history are at a level which is potentially still affordable.

“Even first-time buyers are managing to find deals out there still, though they may have to put down a bigger deposit.”

For more on property news see page 34.

Murderer David Fuller admits to abuse of more mortuary victims CONVICTED double murderer David Fuller has admitted abusing 23 more dead women in mortuaries in Tunbridge Wells.

The 68-year-old pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court on Thursday (October 3) to 12 counts of abusing corpses and four counts of possessing extreme pornography between 2007 and 2020.

Fuller, who beat and strangled Wendy Knell, 25, and Caroline Pierce, 20, to death before sexually assaulting them in two separate attacks in Tunbridge Wells in 1987, was sentenced to a whole-life term last year.

He had pleaded guilty to DAVID FULLER murdering Ms Knell and Ms Pierce, as well as 51 other offences, including 44 charges relating to 78 victims in mortuaries between 2008 and November 2020.

Kent Police said an investigation had led to evidence relating to a total of 101 victims and the latest charges relate to the 23 remaining victims.

All were deceased adult women – ten of whom have not been identified.

Fuller pleaded guilty to a further ten charges relating to offences involving ten identified victims; two charges relating to offences involving three unidentified victims; two charges relating to the possession of extreme pornography in connection with 13 identified victims; and two charges relating to the possession of extreme pornography in connection with 10 unidentified victims.

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said Fuller, who appeared in court by video-link from HMP Frankland, must appear in person when she sentences him in the week starting December 5, likely at the Old Bailey.

The Government has announced an independent inquiry into how Fuller went undetected until being arrested on December 3, 2020 for what have been dubbed the ‘bedsit murders’, following new analysis of decades-old DNA evidence.

Police discovered a library of images of Fuller attacking corpses when officers searched his three-bedroom semi-detached home in Heathfield, East Sussex, where he lived with his family.

His victims included a nine-year-old girl, two 16-year-olds and a 100-year-old woman.

Senior Crown Prosecution Service prosecutor Libby Clark said: “Fuller’s actions were depraved, disgusting and dehumanising, on a scale that has never been encountered before in legal history.

“It was vital for us to bring these additional charges for the women we could identify, and those we sadly couldn’t, to reflect his offending and bring justice for the families that we can.”

Tonbridge MP appears in court facing a driving ban TONBRIDGE MP Tom Tugendhat was in court on Friday (November 4) facing a driving ban after he was caught using his mobile phone at the wheel.

Mr Tugendhat who was retained as Security Minister by PM Rishi Sunak was stopped by police in his Skoda 4×4 in Wandsworth on April 4 after being seen on his phone.

The 49-year-old, who stood for the Tory leadership after Boris Johnson stepped down, told an officer he was using his mobile phone to navigate, according to court papers.

In a written statement, PC Joseph Robson said he spotted the politician’s car shortly before 2.45pm in Wandsworth High Street.

“I noticed the driver of this vehicle was using a handheld mobile device whilst driving,” he said.

“The device was being held in their left hand to the front, in front of themselves.

“I saw this from around three metres, in good daylight with no obstructions. I saw this for around 20 seconds. The driver did appear to be having a conversation. The driver did not appear to be operating the device.

“I stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver. I confirmed they weren’t making

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this week…

DEMOGRAPHIC DATA Latest census release shows the average age of borough residents has risen P6

HEARTSTRINGS Banjo artist Don Vappie raises the roof for charity in a concert in Frant P10

Lucian Cook, Savills head of residential research, said: “A new Prime Minister and fiscal policy U-turns appear to have reduced some of the pressure on interest rates, but affordability will still come under real pressure as the effect of higher interest rates feeds into buyers’ budgets.

“That, coupled with the significant cost-ofliving pressures, means we expect to see prices fall by as much as 10 per cent next year during a period of much-reduced housing market activity.”

However, local estate agents say the housing market in Tunbridge Wells ‘positive’ and that

By Robert Forrester

Local News

emergency contact to the 999 service.

“I pointed out the offence where they confirmed the communication was using maps.”

FLOWER BEDS Four garden holiday cottages open in the grounds of a local stately home P32

CONTACTS EDITOR RICHARD WILLIAMS richard.williams@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 240626 DEPUTY EDITOR EILEEN LEAHY eileen.leahy@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 576037 CHIEF REPORTER VICTORIA ROBERTS newsdesk@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 779615 DESIGN/PRODUCTION JASON STUBBS jason.stubbs@onemediauk.co.uk

Licence The Metropolitan Police sent Mr Tugendhat a conditional offer of a fixed penalty notice, and the MP agreed to pay the fine and surrender his driving licence.

But because Mr Tugendhat already had six penalty points on his driving record, his case was sent to court for prosecution.

Using a mobile phone while driving can attract six penalty points and a disqualification can be imposed if a driver tots up 12 points within three years.

The case was dealt with at Bromley Magistrates’ Court under the single justice procedure on Friday (November 4), where prosecutions are heard in private – which means the public has not been told if the MP has been banned from driving or not.

The Times has contacted Mr Tugendhat’s office and asked what the outcome was, but at the time

FROM KENT WITH LOVE Artist Lyn Rohde reveals her collection of nine local charcoal studies in Chapel Place P29

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TOM TUGENDHAT of going to press there had been no comment.

But a spokesman for Mr Tugendhat did say: “Tom was stopped by police in April this year for holding his phone while driving.

“He accepts that holding his phone while driving is an offence.

“Tom immediately put himself on a driving course of his own volition.

“He received the court documents six months later and has entered a guilty plea.

“He apologises unreservedly and will accept the outcome of the case.”

Salomons Estate, Broomhill Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0TF

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Wednesday November 9 | 2022

Pub festival to make park return with chart-topping musical acts

By Robert Forrester THE popular Pub in the Park festival is to return to Tunbridge Wells next July with some of the most memorable music acts from the noughties.

Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge returns to Dunorlan Park on July 7-9, where he will be joined on Saturday evening by chart-topping pop band McFly. London drum and bass trio Rudimental will headline the Friday night with a DJ set.

Restaurants On Saturday afternoon, festivalgoers will see Mercury Music Prize-winning singer-songwriter Badly Drawn Boy, while disco legends Sister Sledge will be closing the festival on Sunday.

Along with the music, more than 19,000 dishes are expected to be served at the Tunbridge Wells event this year from a host of local pubs and restaurants.

Miranda Martin, from Pub in the Park, said: “We love coming to Tunbridge Wells. It’s a fan favourite on our Pub in the Park tour and we can’t wait to come back. We’re hard at work behind the scenes creating the biggest event to date and it won’t be one to miss. Keep an eye out for more announcements coming soon.”

Early bird tickets go on sale this Friday, Nov 11.

More details at pubintheparkuk.com

TWO official Remembrance events are planned for this week, as Armistice Day (November 11) falls on Friday and Remembrance Sunday on November 13.

At the official Armistice Day town ceremony, Tunbridge Wells Mayor Cllr Godfrey Bland will join representatives of the Royal British Legion (RBL) at the War Memorial at 10:45am for a short ceremony and the traditional two minutes’ silence at 11am.

Ceremony The mayor and members of the RBL will also lay wreaths at the Victoria Cross Grove in Dunorlan Park at 11:30, in a ceremony open to the public.

On Remembrance Sunday (November 13), roads around the War Memorial and Town Hall will be

Beer lover surveys the town’s cheapest pints A TUNBRIDGE WELLS resident has compiled a list of the cheapest places in the town to buy a pint of lager.

Marcus Novius (@MarcusNovius) told his Twitter followers he wanted to find the lowestcost pint of his favourite tipple and listed the price from 30 local pubs and restaurants he had visited.

He found that Wetherspoon’s Opera House has the cheapest pint in the town at £2.39, followed by the Rose and Crown (£3.65) – the only two establishments found to offer a pint of lager in Tunbridge Wells below £4.00.

At the other end of the scale, The Lyle was found by Mr Novius to sell the most expensive lager at £6.20 followed by The Guinea (£5.94).

Lib Dem GE candidate THE Liberal Democrats in Tunbridge Wells have selected a new candidate to take on MP Greg Clark at the next General Election.

Mike Martin, a former British Army officer who served in Afghanistan and who now runs a business advising organisations on how to understand and navigate conflicts, has been selected by the Lib Dems to be their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) for Tunbridge Wells.

In 2019, the party came second to Conservative Greg Clark, with current Lib Dem Tunbridge Wells Council Leader, Ben Chapelard, receiving 28 per cent of the vote compared to Mr Clark’s 55.1 per cent.

PARKLIFE Last year’s festival and [inset] popstars McFly

Town prepares to honour fallen with two Remembrance events

By Victoria Roberts

NEWS IN BRIEF

closed from around 10am until midday.

Leading the service at 10:45am is Chaplain Gareth Jones of the 129 (Tunbridge Wells) Squadron Air Training Corps, Pastor of the Pantiles Baptist Church.

Wreaths will be laid by members of the civic party, representatives of service organisations, political parties, local groups and members of the public, followed by a march-past by service and other organisations.

The Civic Ceremony at Tunbridge Wells Cemetery takes place at 12:30pm, with the Mayor laying wreaths at the four War Memorials.

As the Times recently reported, the RBL has called for veterans to get in touch to participate in the Remembrance events. The local branch chairman can be contacted at johncohen1946@ gmail.com

SILENCE The 2021 service

Treasure trove hotspot FREE TRAVEL FOR VETERANS TRANSPORT companies have offered free travel to service personnel, veterans and cadets on Remembrance Sunday (November 13).

Bus operator Arriva will offer free travel all day to serving personnel, veterans and cadets showing an Armed Forces identification card, Armed Forces Veteran identification card or Ministry of Defence-issued Veteran’s Badge.

Arriva say passengers shoud be aware drivers may pull over to partake in a two-minute silence at 11am on both Friday and Sunday (November 11 and 13).

THE South East of England is the buried treasure hotspot of the country, according to Government figures.

The region is the top spot for treasure discoveries, with some 265 finds made last year, according to provisional figures from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

The statistics, which cover England, Wales and Northern Ireland, show Norfolk was the top county to seek out treasure as 86 discoveries were made there.

But behind Norfolk was Kent with 74, followed

by Wiltshire with 68 and Hampshire with 67 finds respectively last year.

How can I gain experience if I’m not given the chance?

We recently recruited a PA to a director of a Tunbridge Wells based organisation. We were delighted to assist company growth whilst creating an exciting career development opportunity for a superb local candidate.

However, we were left with three other strong applicants who were unsuccessful. One of them, was at the beginning of their career and in comparison, to the chosen PA, was deemed less experienced. Our client said by taking someone with a proven track record, it would minimise training needs, business hours and they would add value in a shorter timescale.

Whilst the less experienced candidate understood the company’s position, they did raise the familiar question “How can I gain experience if I’m not given the chance?”

Our suggestions to this conundrum.

1. Be prepared to start at the bottom.

Whatever your chosen profession, get inside the office, be happy to take on menial tasks. Once you’re ‘in’ you can start to

build relationships with the right people, work hard to get recognised, do extra, lend a hand to departments of interest.

2. Secure work experience.

Committing to a week or two of your life will be a tiny commitment and will allow you to add relevant experience to your CV. LinkedIn is a great starting place to identify people you would like to work with. From there you can send a message easily or go ‘old school’ and write a letter. Don’t forget to follow up with a phone call if you haven’t heard, hopefully your tenacity will be rewarded.

3. Gain Qualifications.

Research and enrol on a relevant course at college. Potential employers will recognise your commitment and desire which could open a door for you.

For more career advice and guidance please contact TN Recruits neil@tnrecruits.com 01892 571105

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Wednesday November 9 | 2022

Average age of residents getting older latest census data reveals

One in six is now born outside England as ONS data shows changing shape of borough

By Lilly Croucher THE population of Tunbridge Wells is getting older with nearly one in five of residents now over 65, statistics from the latest census shows.

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) last week based on census data collected in March last year, reveals the median age of those living in Tunbridge Wells has risen by three years to 43 up from 40 in the previous census of 2011.

The average age of people in the UK is 40.

Around one in six people in Tunbridge Wells was also born outside of England, the ONS has reported.

Increase One in six residents in Tunbridge Wells was not born in England, according to the census results, with 15.9 per cent of the population of the borough born outside country, an increase of 3.4 per from 2011.

The most common locations outside England where Tunbridge Wells residents were born include Scotland (1.2 per cent), India (1 per cent), Poland (0.9 per cent), South Africa (0.9 per cent), Wales (0.7 per cent), Romania (0.7 per cent) Ireland (0.5 per cent) and USA (0.4 per cent).

The latest census information comes after the ONS released data earlier this year that showed that the population of Tunbridge Wells grew by only 0.2 per cent in the last decade, up just 252 people to 115,300 – the lowest increase in population size in Kent.

Now the ONS has revealed that the average age of residents in the borough is getting older.

While the largest demographic group in Tunbridge Wells is aged 16 to 64 and makes up

62 per cent of the population (71,500 people), nearly one in five (19.4 per cent) of residents are now over the age of 65 (22,400), up from 19,075 in 2011.

Those under 16 make up 18.6 per cent (21,400) of the population of the borough, down from 23,566 in 2011.

Tunbridge Wells also has the lowest percentage of young adults in Kent, with only two per cent of the population aged between 19 and 21 years old.

Out of 12 major districts in the county, Tunbridge Wells is the fifth-oldest in terms of median age, with Folkstone and Hythe (47),

Dover (46), Thanet (45) and Sevenoaks (44) all higher.

Picture The census, taken every decade, is a crucial tool used by local authorities such as Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) and Kent County Council (KCC), along with the NHS, police and other organisations to plan services for the area, such as how many houses need to be built or how many school places need to be allocated.

Census Deputy Director, Jon Wroth-Smith said:

Solicitors warn two towns are becoming ‘Legal Aid deserts’

By Victoria Roberts A ‘CRITICAL lack of funding for Criminal Legal Aid in England’ could see Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge become a ‘Legal Aid desert’, the local Law Society has claimed.

A lack of government funding has led to a huge drop in the number of lawyers becoming publiclyfunded criminal defence solicitors, said the Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge & District Law Society (TWTDSL).

Duty “While the Government recently announced an initial 15 per cent increase to Criminal Legal Aid fees paid to solicitors for police station work and hearings in the Magistrates’ courts, there has been no significant increase in Criminal Legal Aid rates of pay to solicitors for nearly 25 years,” TWTDSL said.

Quoting Law Society statistics, TWTDSL said there are currently only 138 duty solicitors on the Kent police station duty rotas, of whom only seven are under 35.

“Nationally, between 2018 and 2021, the number of duty solicitors under 35 fell by almost 35 per cent,” the group added.

Barristers and members of the Criminal Bar Association took strike action in September.

In a recent letter to local MPs Greg Clark and Tom Tugendhat, TWTDSL president John Spence, a partner at CooperBurnett, played down the danger of strikes but warned of severe delays to justice.

“As one of our members recently advised me, it is not implausible that in the near future we may see picket lines of Criminal Legal Aid solicitors

outside Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells Police JOHN SPENCE Stations, with offenders in the cells unable to be dealt with and defendants in the Courts unable to be processed,’ Mr Spence wrote.

Meanwhile, Tonbridge solicitor John Moreland added: “Urgent action is needed by our MPs to ensure our part of the county does not become another Legal Aid desert.”

At 33, criminal law solicitor Mr Moreland, said he was the youngest duty solicitor he knew.

“I have seen more criminal lawyers retire than enter the profession,” he said. “In the face of the rising cost of living, local High Street practices have to accept that running a criminal Legal Aid practice is no longer a viable business option.

“Those that do remain open cannot afford to train the next generation of lawyers. Those that risk taking on trainees cannot afford to offer

competitive salaries to meet the trainee’s needs.

“The exodus of the future of the profession [from the law] is starting to be felt already. In some parts of the England and Wales the ‘local’ duty solicitor is a three-hour round-trip away.”

Mr Moreland warned: “As far as Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and our surrounding districts are concerned, if this trend continues let’s hope the London traffic is good while we wait for our ‘local’ duty solicitor to arrive and talk us through what to expect at the police station.

“Unless our local population is content to rely on solicitors from London who are not familiar with our local towns or communities, then urgent action is needed by our MPs to ensure our part of the county does not become another Legal Aid desert.”

TUNBRIDGE WELLS ALSO BRANDED ‘CASH MACHINE DESERT’ A REDUCTION in ATM machines in Tunbridge Wells has turned the town into a ‘cash machine desert’, a consumer advice company has claimed.

Website The Grade put together House of Commons Library data on the location of ATMs with Office of National Statistics population and

demographic data to highlight the lack of access to cash faced in many parts of the country.

Their report shows that Tunbridge Wells has seen a 19 per cent decrease in the number of ATMs since 2018.

This leaves just 5.2 free ATMs per 10,000 people and only 0.23 free ATMs per square KM.

“The census paints a picture of how the make-up of the population has changed in the past decade. That decade, of course, saw us leave the EU as well as live with the pandemic.

“While these events may have had an impact on people’s decisions or ability to migrate or travel at a given time, the census tells us about the change over the whole decade – who was living here in March 2021, compared with March 2011.”

More data will be released by the ONS from the census over the next year, including occupational data and religion.

Jobs will go in BBC radio cuts THE BBC has announced cuts to local radio programming in England, which are understood to have put all jobs at risk across its 39 districts, including the studios on Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells.

The corporation said last week that all its local stations in England would keep their current schedule from 6am to 2pm, but after that, shows would be shared.

Programming Eleven new investigative reporting teams would be created across England, ‘focusing on key local issues across TV, radio and online’, said the BBC, adding that there would be ‘a wider range of local audio programming’ on the digital streaming service, BBC Sounds.

According to BBC News: ‘These changes will result in the closure of about 48 staff posts, with the BBC explaining it wants to prioritise digital content.’

There will be one ‘all-England’ show from 10pm across the week, and on Sunday afternoons.

Radio sources have told the Times that it is understood BBC local radio staff have been notified their jobs are at risk of redundancy.

BBC Radio Kent’s weekday schedule already includes shared BBC programming overnight, but local programming starts at 5am with an early breakfast show.

There is no indication of any plans to change BBC local television, such as BBC Southeast, also based on Mount Pleasant.

Wednesday November 9 | 2022

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Survey finds 90 per cent of females have been harassed Soroptimist International said ‘in one sense, there are no surprises’ in the survey, but they added it provided ‘documentary evidence’ about views of the effectiveness of support services and ‘additional actions needed to keep women and girls safe in Tunbridge Wells’.

“The survey answers, map annotations and recommendations will be discussed at the November Town Forum meeting with the Community Safety Unit and Tunbridge Wells Police,” said local Soroptimist International president Caroline Auckland.

By Victoria Roberts MORE than 90 per cent of female residents in Tunbridge Wells have experienced some form harassment in the town, a survey has found.

The Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) survey was run this spring by the local branch of women’s movement Soroptimist International to coincide with International Women’s Day in March.

The report ‘Spotlight on Safety in Tunbridge Wells’ was published last week and the responses from 112 people, over 93 per cent female, largely confirmed results from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office survey in 2021, the authors acknowledged.

Spiking The report found that 104 respondents said they had experienced one or more crimes such as verbal harassment or intimidation, unwanted touching or groping, stalking, indecent exposure, physical violence, sexual assault and drink spiking.

Yet just 12 respondents had reported the crime in question.

There were 16 respondents who said they did not report the offence as they did not expect to be taken seriously by the police.

A further nine said the incidents were too

WALK ARRANGED TO ‘RECLAIM THE NIGHT’

SERVICE A candlelight vigil was held in November in Tunbridge Wells following the conviction of Met policeman Wayne Couzens who killed 33-year-old Sarah Everard from London frequent and/or low-level, and one expressed a fear of repercussions for reporting.

Suggestions Specific measures to protect women and girls were suggested 111 times by respondents, most

frequently more police presence (31 per cent), better lighting (27 per cent) and better education (14 per cent), particularly of men and boys.

Other suggestions included more CCTV, preferential taxi rates for women and more scrutiny of taxi drivers.

Road and rail delayed as region hit with heavy rain floodwaters, though Thursday was ‘a close call’.

“Fifty yards away it was ankle deep, by the junction of Church Road and The Ridings,” he added.

Warning Following a break in the weather on Friday, rain renewed falling over the weekend, with the Met Office issuing a yellow warning for rain in London and South East England.

According to the Met Office, the outlook from today (November 9) to Friday is for sunny spells and heavy, blustery showers midweek, ‘probably gradually giving way to drier and brighter weather to end the working week but remaining rather windy’.

NORTHBOUND ON THE LAMBERHURST BYPASS

By Sarah Carter WET weather crossing the county last week and over the weekend closed both roads and rail lines and saw a number of Bonfire Night celebrations cancelled.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for rain, covering the south of England from Portsmouth to Canterbury and parts of London, until last Thursday afternoon (November 3).

Flooding Horsmonden in Tunbridge Wells saw the largest amount of rain in the region with a total of 64mm, while some places saw over 50mm of rain in a 24-hour period, the Met Office said.

Kent Highways issued a warning about the weather, tweeting: “Please be aware we have multiple reports of weather-related issues across the Kent road network following strong winds and heavy rain. Please be careful out there.”

Meanwhile, Kent Police’s Roads Policing Unit urged motorists to reduce their speed due to the danger of aquaplaning and the Environment

Agency warned that ‘just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car’.

On the railways, part of the tunnel at Wadhurst succumbed to flooding on Thursday, blocking the line and making it impossible to run trains between Robertsbridge and Tunbridge Wells.

The line reopened late on Thursday after a day of shuttle services between Hastings and Robertsbridge, and a replacement bus service between Robertsbridge and Tunbridge Wells.

Services had returned to normal by Friday morning.

In Paddock Wood, a picture on social media appeared to show a flooded road near the John Brunt VC pub, but a spokesman said the establishment had remained clear of the

NEWS IN BRIEF

Teen cyclists injured A TEENAGER was airlifted to hospital following a collision between his cycle and a van in Crowborough last week.

Sussex Police say they are appealing for witnesses the incident that occurred in Crowborough Hill shortly before 8am on Monday October 31.

A police spokesperson said: “The cyclist – a teenage boy – sustained serious head injuries and was airlifted to King’s College Hospital in London for treatment. No other injuries were reported. Anyone who witnessed the collision, or captured anything on dash cam or CCTV, is urged to email collision.appeal@sussex.police.uk, quoting Op Aylesbury.”

Garden waste changes SUBSCRIBERS to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s (TWBC) garden waste collection service have been told to expect scheduling changes.

While the £52-a-year service will continue with fortnightly collections, days on which bins are picked up by Urbaser are set to change due to ‘reconfiguration and rebalancing’ of the service.

A spokesperson for TWBC said: "The main benefit we expect will be an improvement in performance with fewer missed bins and increased collection capacity, both for the higher waste arising during the growing seasons and for increased numbers of subscriptions. Subscribers may have a change of collection day but not everyone will be affected."

Museum funding

FLOODED RAILWAY TRACKS AT STONEGATE

VILLAGES WITHOUT WATER Some homes and businesses in eight Tunbridge Wells villages have been left without drinking water since Monday after a power cut affected a nearby water treatment plant.

Goudhurst, Wadhurst, Lamberhurst, Matfield, Kilndown, Hawkhurst, Sandhurst and Northiam

Following the Town Forum meeting on November 24, a Reclaim the Night walk is being organised by local journalist Jayne Sharratt, to visually demonstrate the numbers of people afraid to walk alone at night.

Taking place between The Common, Rusthall and The Pantiles, the walk on November 25 coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Those interested in participating in the Reclaim the Night walk can register at reclaimthenightrusthall@gmail.com For more information on Reclaim the Night see Comment page 19

were experiencing low pressure or no water from around 10am on Monday (November 7).

Water stations were set up in three locations with two being set up in The Fowlers Car Park on Rye Road in Hawkhurst and the other at the Dale Hill Hotel and Golf Club in Wadhurst.

THE Amelia Scott in Tunbridge Wells is to receive a share of nearly three-quarters of a million pounds in national arts funding over a three-year period.

The cultural centre in Monson Road is part of the Kent-Medway Museum Partnership consortium that is led by the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, along with the Canterbury Museums & Galleries and Guildhall Museum Rochester.

As a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), the museum consortium will receive £748,524 of Arts Council England investment over three years from April 2023.

The Amelia Scott’s art, heritage and engagement director Jeremy Kimmel said: “This funding will allow us to continue to develop new and innovative arts practice and installations which are relevant and accessible to people from all backgrounds and demographics.”

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High Brooms McColl’s to close as Morrisons culls convenience stores

Sean ´ Holden Tunbridge Wells Conservatives

Wednesday September November 7 9 | 2022 Wednesday

Childrensalon raises £25,000 fundraising for girls in Ghana Cllr Seán Holden has been the Conservative councillor for Benenden and Cranbrook since 2008 and the county councillor for Cranbrook Division since 2013. He runs a property business with his wife Corinna and before that he was a television reporter working for TV-am, ITV Meridian and ITN. In 2001 he was the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Chatham and Aylesford.

Bits have started falling off the puny coalition of chaos already ‘THINGS fall apart; the centre cannot hold’. The great Irish poet, W B Yeats’ premonition of disintegration had grander themes than the puny ‘coalition of chaos’ trying to run Tunbridge Wells’ council, but the words fit.

Bits started falling off the coalition jalopy when it chugged into its first major policy disaster – the unconsulted plan to raise car park charges by 25-75 per cent. A hasty, retrospective consultation ended on September 5 and is being assessed.

But already,Roberts the coalition’s centre is not holding By Victoria as the Liberal Democrat Leader Ben Chapelard THE McColl’s convenience store in own Highparty, Brooms grapples with the hotchpotch of his Road is aone of 132 ‘loss-making’ convenience Labour, smattering of independents and the stores to beWells closed

by Morrisons.

Tunbridge Alliance (TWA). It took power Theinsupermarket sealed dealago. to buy only May, thoughgiant it seems like ayears McColl’s for £190million in a rescue deal in May, and last week (November 1) it unveiled plans to Hotchpotch overhaul the convenience retailer.

The TWA is a hotchpotch in its own right. Its activists, of various political hues, have the Prospect improbable air of doing this council thing for a Morrisons said it expected some McColl’s bet.

Its leader David Hayward, a cabinet stores to return profitability as part of writing its member, made ittoclear to Cllr Chapelard, turnaround but saidWells therethat were in The Timesplans, of Tunbridge he‘132 is a stores where there is no realistic of achieving ‘titular leader’– a leader inprospect name only, who a breakeven position in control the medium term’. to ‘definitely has no say or over anything supermarket group said 55 ofCllr the Hayward 132 doThe with the Alliance’.

Nonetheless, storesup earmarked forLib closure, lined behind the Dems,including voting forHigh parking Brooms, have Post Office counters and will shut increases.

made themselves from budget documents they probably didn’t well understand. Parking increases which will sting us all in this cost-ofliving crisis, are supposed to help to fill a supposed budget black hole they supposedly inherited from Conservatives.

Shortfall CLOSURE The High Brooms’ McColls next year, following their busy Christmas period.

PROTESTS Proposed price hikes have prompted outcry GROUND FORCE A Girl Power project in Ghana Morrisons said it now plans to convert the ‘substantial majority’ of stores to for Morrisons parking. The Lib Dems suddenly remembered The coalition’s Cabinet Member Finance, Dailys following a review, the totalthe A TRIP to Ghana was the culmination of four their PR stunt of staging cabinet meetings across Andrew Hickey, ducked outbringing early – leaving under theand banner to independent more than 1,000 two years of cooperation a children’s charity, the borough was meantwith – said Cllr Chapelard Lib Dems going overwithin parking years. Three elected Lib Dem councillors now £25,000 raised this year by the to – with to ‘show our face and that wealone are listening charges. local stores not earmarked for arm of one Tunbridge Wells-based allcharitable parts of the Borough’.

Cabinet Member sitOther outside theMcColl’s party. Labour’s rank and file are closure – in Tunbridge Wells High Street, Quarry Justine company.

Rutland admitted to the council’s turning against leadership decisions, especially Hill in and Commercial Road in The Childrensalon Foundation started scrutiny committee that not listening to any that to Tonbridge end free parking in Labour-held Paddock Wood – will be part of the switch to the residents supporting & and Pensregrettable (P&P) in 2019, and wasPorridge a ‘terrible Southborough.

Morrisons Dailyu-turn brand.and a belated, cobbled has beenthough increasing its involvement since then, oversight’ apparently not regrettable A predictable David Potts, chief executive of Morrisons, funding extra meals at the forinitiatives, any formalfrom apology. together consultation has followed the hugesaid: enough “Todayoutcry marksfrom an important for the charity’s school in Kumasi, to consultation funding girls at The hastily concocted, biased public residents,moment businesses and McColl’s business, colleagues andand customers as P&P’s Girl finished thisPower week, Centre. but still there’s no assurance town councils like Paddock Wood we formally welcome the business and its Foundation raised £25,000 this year, theThe coalition will listen to the thousands of Southborough about their views being colleagues into the Morrisons family. including some £9,000 from to itsthe ‘Night at the voices already raised, or even (probably completely ignored.

Five petitions emerged with “We are now able to begin the urgent journey eventin at the Theconsultation Amelia in July, and the farMuseum’ fewer) raised should they thousands of signatures.

Rumblings grew within to transform into a viable, wellrestreject from price internal company efforts, said Denise also rises. the coalition.McColl’s The Alliance suddenly invested and its growing operation.”

Hamilton, chief corporate and In truth, the coalition fearsaffairs a paper tiger they remembered election promise to keep free

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It’s fake news. Conservatives presented a budget shortfall in February because income levels were still below normal after the pandemic. But they were clearly recovering so it was necessary to see where they would go before deciding on further action. In Tunbridge Wells, communications Childrensalon. vacant shops wereofficer being at filled, benefiting from it hit its target, the Foundation theOnce Amelia Scott’s 100,000 visitors sincesent it a three-person team to Kumasi to see the results, opened in April.

There is growing income from she said.rates and the Conservative scheme to business rent spare Town Hall space to businesses.

Coalition claims that Conservatives reinforced Emotional the budget from the council’s healthy £32 “It was emotional.

It the waspandemic intense. Itare really million savings during not brought things home to was us. nil. true.

Council borrowing “Ghana has been reallyparking hit by cost-of-living The coalition’s planned fees rise increases.”harms recovery, jobs and businesses potentially This £25,000 will help P&P to buy land who sayyear’s they’ll lose footfall. for new Girl Power facility, she the said, adding Of acourse, now Putin’s war and related that Childrensalon planned to Maybe continue inflation have upended things. they’d like supporting the charity and hoped to visit to to, but the coalition can’t blame Conservatives help with initiatives in the future. for that.

Goother Ukraine!

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Spa Valley Railway seeks a fish and chip supplier

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BUSINESS

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New family law partner Manager sought for for Thomas Mansfield Pembury charity café THE BLUEBELL Café in Pembury, run by disability charity Aspens, is seeking a paid manager for 30 hours a week, to run daily operations and motivate staff.

The café offers experience to many of the people with learning disabilities and on the autism spectrum helped by Aspens.

“Being part of the Bluebell Café team will give you the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities and on the autism spectrum, many of whom volunteer and work in the café and are regular customers,” said Aspens.

Difference KATE RAYNER LOCAL law firm Thomas Mansfield has named a Resolution-Accredited solicitor as a new partner in its family law team.

Kate Rayner was previously partner at another Tunbridge Wells-based office, and will continue her specialisation in medium- to high-net-worth financial cases involving family-run businesses, shareholdings in public companies and complex trust structures.

Experience

Picture: Darryl Curcher Photography

By Sarah Carter A MAJOR Tunbridge Wells tourist attraction has issued a call for a fish and chip supplier to provide meals for its popular series of events running throughout 2023.

Spa Valley Railway’s Fish & Chip Lunch, Fish & Chip Supper and Murder Mystery Fish & Chip train services require a new supplier due to the sale of the old one, said commercial manager Jonnie Pay.

Heritage Potential suppliers must be able to cater for up to 100 people and deliver to Tunbridge Wells West station, where the heritage attraction has its headquarters.

Only a streamlined menu is offered, including chips, cod, sausage, veggie burger and glutenfree cod.

Invoice and BACS transfer arrangements are

already in place, as is access to the booking system giving information about passenger numbers and their food choices.

With the railway running upwards of 30 trains per year on these services, the contract was a ‘good source of regular income’, said Mr Pay. “We will need someone who is reliable, capable of catering for large numbers on a regular basis and uses good quality fish.”

He added: “It’s quite a lucrative bit of work – probably worth £12,000 over the course of the February to October period, based on 2022 numbers.”

Fish & Chip Lunch trains operate on selected Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year.

Fish & Chip Suppers operate on selected Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the year.

Murder Mystery Fish & Chip Trains operate on selected Saturday evenings throughout the year.

Interested suppliers should contact Mr Pay at: jonnie.pay@spavalleyrailway.co.uk

Previous coffee shop experience and communication skills are essential for any new manager, who will have responsibility for scheduling shifts, ordering, and monitoring expenditure and revenues.

An effective manager will have the opportunity to make a difference in business terms, increasing profitability and boosting customer engagement.

However, the charity underlined that it was essential for applicants to be ‘driven by our core values of empowerment, inclusivity and integrity’.

For details and to make an application, visit: aspens.org.uk/cafe-manager-bluebellcafe

Thomas Mansfield managing partner Neill Thomas said: “Kate’s approach is perfectly aligned with our team’s focus on the constructive resolution of family issues and her experience in alternative dispute resolution will enable us to meet a growing societal need for better support and solutions for families.”

Ms Rayner advises on divorce settlements, cohabitation disputes, nuptial and separation agreements, and disputes between parents and relatives over arrangements for children.

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Wednesday November 9 | 2022

Creole banjo star to raise the roof for church fund KING CREOLE Don Vappie is bringing a flavour of New Orleans to Kent

By Victoria Roberts A WORLD-FAMOUS banjo artist from New Orleans is on his way to pluck at the heartstrings of concertgoers in Frant, as he performs under the rafters of St Alban’s Church tonight (November 9).

Playing a style of Creole banjo with its origins in the early days of jazz, Don Vappie will be making a stop in Frant, playing in a concert to raise funds for the parish church, after thieves stripped lead from the roof in June.

The Frant concert is part of Don’s ‘Jazz Creole’ tour in November, jazz and world music promoter Dave Kelbie of Lejazzetel London told the Times.

“Don Vappie is a rare person,” said Dave.

“The style of Creole banjo he plays has a direct

connection back to the early days of jazz, passed on to him by an iconic Creole musician from New Orleans, Danny Barker, who in turn learned from the originator of this style – Johnny St Cyr – in the early 1910s.”

Prestigious Don was inaugurated into the American Banjo Hall of Fame earlier this year, and last year won the prestigious Steve Martin Banjo Prize.

“He is the only musician with this repertoire,” explained Dave.

“Frant Church has been very fortunate with a very switched-on, energetic and inspiring concert programmer until recently called Paul Barber. He retired from the position just before

Covid and now (Tunbridge Wells-based jazz and classical guitar player) Stuart Jackaman has taken over and he’s equally diligent,” said Dave.

“It’s due to them that the audience catchment area has not just been restricted to Sussex and Kent.”

He added: “Occasionally I stop and think how lucky that Paul and I found each other.”

Dave himself will be playing rhythm guitar during the concert, along with David Horniblow of The Dime Notes on clarinet and Sebastien Girardot of Django à la Creole on double bass.

Don Vappie & Jazz Creole perform at St Alban’s Church, Frant on November 9 at 8pm.

Tickets cost £19 and are available from Frant Stores or online at: frantchurch.churchsuite. com/events/qfvfbo6d

Why not try gambling on rambling?

A LOCAL rambling organisation is encouraging Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge residents to get involved.

Nicola Brown, a spokesperson for Tonbridge & Malling Ramblers, said that across the county there are 13 Ramblers groups, all part of The Ramblers, Britain’s walking charity. They offer a variety of walks each week, ranging from leisurely short walks to strenuous all-day walks.

Volunteer “What all the groups have in common us that you can try a couple of ‘taster’ walks before there’s any commitment to join The Ramblers. It’s a chance to enjoy the physical, mental and social benefits the outdoors has to offer,” she said.

“If walking in a group isn’t for you, there are other opportunities to volunteer with a local Ramblers group to help check that local footpaths are clear and walkable, or to get involved with a footpath maintenance team.”

Tunbridge Wells Ramblers offers Sunday and occasional mid-week walks from different starting points.

“Our walks are usually four to six miles and we have a special walk coming up on Remembrance Sunday when we will join the annual memorial service at the Airmen’s Grave monument in

Ashdown Forest,” said chairman Lawrence McLean.

Walks this month include: Sunday November 20: 5-mile ‘moderate’ walk from Five Oak Green, climbing up through hop fields and orchards to a ridge near Spring Grove with lovely views, and returning through woods, fields and more orchards.

Wednesday November 30: leisurely 5.5-mile walk from Tudeley across farmland to the River Medway. Return along the Medway to Tonbridge

and back via lanes and fields.

Sunday November 13: 5.5-mile ‘moderate’ walk from King’s Standing car park in Ashdown Forest to the Airmen’s Grave for a memorial service.

Thursday November 17: 4-mile ‘moderate’ trek from Tunbridge Wells Common to Rusthall and down to the Spa Valley Railway, returning via Lower Common. The route will include the bat cave and the cold baths.

For further information about any of the groups contact: nicola.brown55@btinternet.com

WALKING WINE Vineyards in Aylesford on a recent Tonbridge & Malling ramble

Wednesday November 9 | 2022

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Southborough and Lambersart celebrate their ‘entente cordiale’

By Sarah Carter SOUTHBOROUGH’S residents welcomed their ‘twins’ from Lambersart in northeast France last week, celebrating 30 years of their Amitiés Internationales.

Southborough and District Overseas Friendship Association (SHDOFA) celebrates its twinning with Lambersart, near Lille, every five years, renewing the aims of their founding charter.

SHDOFA and Southborough’s Mayor Dianne Hill welcomed the Amitiés Internationales led by Lambersart’s new Mayor Nicolas Bouche, on the weekend of October 22-23.

Relationship The French visitors toured the Civic Centre, revisiting gifts given by the people of Lambersart to the people of Southborough over the past 30 years.

Among the residents networking over a ploughman’s lunch of local produce, John Francis of Tunbridge Wells Youth Football Club was eager to discuss facilitating some youth matches against Lambersart teams.

Also at the lunch was Simon Miller of Southborough & District Wheelers, who had cycled to Lambersart earlier this year with a view to extending their relationship with Cyclo Club de Lambersart.

The evening saw the official re-signing

NICOLAS BOUCHE

FRIENDS REUNITED SHDOFA members at the Civic Centre ceremony and exchanges of gifts, culminating in the gala dinner at the Masonic Hall.

Entertainment laid on by the local hosts included local singer and musician Michele Roszak, who played for the residents and visitors, and the musician and Southborough theatre group member Edd Price, who performed after the gala dinner.

SHDOFA hosted all the foreign guests overnight, before sightseeing and entertainment

by Nell Price of Southborough’s Arty Farty Retreat on Sunday, followed by a final carvery lunch at the Masonic Hall.

DIANNE HILL

Dance company holds its first arts festival AN ACCESSIBLE and inclusive festival, delayed for two years by the pandemic, left children and families smiling and serene last week.

The inaugural ‘Be You’ festival by Tunbridge Wells-based This Is Us dance company finally found its moment to bring families together in a day of low-key and inclusive fun at the Tonbridge campus of North Kent College.

Creativity This Is Us co-director and co-organiser of the event Jan Cockburn said: “Festivals are often avoided by families if there is someone with needs within the family.

“However, ‘Be You’ hopes to change that. We want to celebrate all individuals and give them a platform to explore their creativity.”

Explaining the mission to bring the arts to those who are often excluded, co-organiser

Hannah Rotchell, said: “We all grow from the opportunities we are given and the social experiences that are offered to us.

“We have been running This Is Us for over six years and have recognised the difference the arts can make on many levels.”

Away from the live theatre performances, workshops offered participants a chance to enjoy inclusive dance, poetry, music or signing – but in a smaller group, and always optional.

Breakout spaces included a sensory room, arts and crafts, Lego, and a silent disco.

In the finale, a showcase of singing, dancing and film was performed with British Sign Language interpretation and subdued lighting.

Members of the audience were free to move around, join in with the performance or even leave if they needed to.

Find out more about This Is Us and ‘Be You’ at: ThisIsUsDance.co.uk

Show some love for wildlife this winter AUTUMN and winter gardening can threaten wildlife, according to a waste management and recycling company.

Leaves and other garden debris can be used to help light a bonfire, but householders should ensure no wildlife have been sheltering in piles of leaves, compost heaps or even the base of a bonfire, warned ClearItWaste.co.uk.

However, gardens should not be ‘cleaned’ up too much, either, because natural debris provides a home for wildlife, said the company.

“Small mammals such as hedgehogs settle in piles of logs, leaves, plant hedges and even compost heaps.

Hibernate “So if you must tidy, leave big piles of leaves alone and take care with powerful tools such as strimmers, lawn mowers and hedge trimmers.”

Many animals choose to hibernate between October and April, so it is a good idea to be careful with your autumn planting, and if you

do disturb wildlife, such as hedgehogs, you can re-cover the animal with leaves and leave the area alone until early spring.

People can even build a hedgehog house using a straw-lined wooden box, while plant pots make good shelters for frogs and insects.

Even our attics can be habitats, warned ClearItWaste.co.uk: “Enter your attic safely, and when moving around, try not to disturb any bats, birds or even butterflies should you find any.”

Residents should also check that their outdoor Christmas decorations cannot harm wild creatures.

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Specialist is recognised

Radio presenter lendsHancock her voiceloses party wh heads to I’m a Celebrity… to Ashdown Forest fundraiser

By Sarah Carter A BBC classical music presenter and Ashdown Forest local is to lend her voice to a cultural celebration in aid of the beauty spot’s charitable arm.

BBC Radio 3’s Katie Derham, who is also a BBC Proms presenter, will host a cultural celebration featuring music and photography organised by The Ashdown Forest Foundation (TAFF) on November 13.

The evening event will combine music from the Icon Strings Quartet with an exhibition by local photographer Craig Payne, who has published a new book on the Ashdown Forest.

The Ashdown Forest’s chief executive James Adler said: “We are really looking forward to celebrating the unique beauty of the Forest

through music and photography, and we’re very fortunate that Katie has agreed to host our event.

“Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ is the perfect musical backdrop to the Forest over a year and we also have the visual accompaniment of Craig’s stunning photographs.

Landscape “Between each of the concertos, Katie will be chatting to Craig and me about how the seasons impact on the Forest, and the unique flora and fauna that call this amazing place their home.”

Katie said: “Ashdown Forest is a fascinating landscape very close to my heart. This wonderful event combines my love of music with my desire to support the Forest.”

Proceeds from the event will support TAFF, a

Whether you’re after an intimate celebration with friends and family, a glamorous office party or a fabulous festive lunch, we’ve got you covered!

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A ‘PLAY specialist’ at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) has been recognised as one of the country’s best mentors in the field, helping to create the next generation of health play professionals.

Currently working in the children’s outpatients gastro and day wards at MTW, Vicki Belton has make these decisions than withwhich FORMER health secretary Matt Hancock has those20who years’ experience in ‘health play’, the most programme on TV?more about signed up to join I’m A Celebrity… Get Me helpswatched child patients understand “Politicians like Matt go tocoping where techniques.

Out of Here! which has cost him the party their treatment andmust develop the people are – particularly thosechildren who whip.

The specialists also distract during are politically disengaged.

The West Suffolk MP, who was forced to procedures and support their mental health quit as health secretary after breaking during treatment. coronavirus lockdown rules by conducting The UK’s leading health play charity, Starlight, Resigned an affair in his ministerial office, has had named Vicki runner-up in its Mentor of Play the Conservative Party whip removed after “Matt’s ofduring the view that wePlay mustin Hospital Week award National news of his plans to join the ITV show embrace popular culture. Rather than last month. reached Westminster. looking down on reality TV, we should see ASHDOWN FOREST Chief whip Simon Hart said: “Following a it for what it is – a powerful tool to get our Superheroes conversation with Matt Hancock, I have message heard by younger generations.” considered the situation and believe this is Mr Hancock who resigned Borisfor many years, Vicki said: “I’ve been afrom mentor a matter serious enough to warrant Johnson’s cabinet caught on on and this is theafter first being year we’ve taken suspension of the whip with immediate CCTVapprentice during an play affairspecialists with aide in Gina our trust. They’re effect.”

Coladangelo, is entering the for the working and learning atjungle the same time so it’s ITV show alongside Walsh Boy our job to makeSeann sure they get and as much George, when I’m Celebrity returns to experience asapossible.”

Human ITV onVicki Sunday (November 6) at 9pm. said: “It’s so amazing to be nominated, This year, the as celebrities to the A loss of the party whip means Mr especially a mentorreturn because it means you’re Australian first time since Hancock is no longer part of the doing ajungle good for jobthe at influencing future health 2019.play For the past two years, the ITV show Parliamentary Conservative Party and will specialists.” has taken placechief in Wales due toCathy CovidGilman said: sit as an independent MP until the whip is Starlight executive regulations. restored – if it ever is.

“It’s people like Vicki who are our real-life Most of the cast for the 2022 edition of He is not the first MP to lose the party superheroes.” show has been announced, and includes whip for appearing on the show. Nadine KATIE DERHAM DJ Chris Moyles, royal family member Dorries was stripped of the Conservative Mike Tindall and Loose Women star Party whip for appearing on the show in Charlene White.

2012 but was later established readmitted into the awareness Tory registered charity to raise party. and funds to conserve and enhance Ashdown Mr Hancock was among supporters of Rishi Sunak who welcomed the new An ally of Mr Hancock said: “There are Forest. many ways do the job of on being an MP. Forest’ leader to Conservative headquarters last Tickets forto‘Four Seasons Ashdown he’s camp forinone-day or on“Whether November 13 in at 7:30pm the Ashdown Parkweek but was overlooked for a ministerial job under the new Prime Minister. three there are very few places Hotel weeks, & Country Club, are available from people will Craig be able to see book a politician Eventbrite.

Payne’s can beas bought on He had also reportedly been considering they reallyorare. the night ordered from AshdownForest.org/ the role of chair of the Treasury Select Committee but pulled out on Monday.

“Where to show the human side of shop and better collected on the night.

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Arrests made after M25 blocked for second day in coordinated protest PROTESTORS caused widespread disruption on the M25 for a second day after several junctions were blocked yesterday (Tuesday).

Around 16 protestors were arrested after supporters of Just Stop Oil climbed onto overhead gantries in ‘multiple locations’ on the UK’s busiest motorway from 7am, causing police to halt traffic.

Essex Police said officers were on the northbound carriageway of the M25 near the Dartford Crossing, where a demonstrator climbed the gantry at junction 31, closing the Dartford Tunnel.

National Highways said there were delays of 60 minutes, with congestion for five miles.

Removal Meanwhile, Hertfordshire Police responded to a protest at junction 20 of the M25 near Kings Langley and had urged motorists to seek alternative routes.

Surrey Police said two protesters climbed motorway gantries between junctions 8 and 9 and junctions 12 and 13, stopping traffic in both directions on that part of the motorway.

And the Metropolitan Police said ‘specialist removal teams’ dealt with protesters near junctions 14 and 15.

The force said 16 protesters on the M25 were arrested on Tuesday morning in a joint operation with neighbouring forces including Essex Police, Surrey Police and Kent Police.

The Met had already charged eight people with conspiracy to cause a public nuisance following earlier protest action on the M25 on Monday. All eight appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Police believe some of those involved in the

TAILBACKS Traffic on the M25 on Tuesday morning and [inset] one of the protestors on a gantry demonstrations could have breached a High Court injunction obtained by National Highways.

Just Stop Oil said in a statement: “We will not be intimidated by changes to the law, we will not be stopped by private injunctions sought to silence peaceful people.

Freedoms “Our supporters understand that these are irrelevant when set against mass starvation, slaughter, the loss of our rights, freedoms and communities.”

The Met is conducting an operation to foil the protests in conjunction with the National Police

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Coordination Centre.

Just Stop Oil staged 32 days of disruption from the end of September and throughout October, which the Met said resulted in 677 arrests with 111 people charged, and officers working a total of 9,438 additional shifts.

According to the group, since its campaign began on April 1, Just Stop Oil supporters have been arrested nearly 2,000 times, and five are currently in prison.

It added that the Government’s refusal to halt North Sea oil and gas extraction will contribute to global warming, which “will result in the collapse of ordered civil society, the loss of our rights and freedoms and the death of countless

Wednesday November 9 | 2022

Carry On star Leslie Phillips dies aged 98 Leslie Phillips, famed for starring in the Carry On films, has died at the age of 98.

The veteran actor, who died on Monday, spent eight decades in the spotlight and became well known for his suggestive catchphrases which included ‘Ding dong’, ‘Well, hell-o’ and ‘I say!’.

Phillips died ‘peacefully in his sleep’ on Monday, his agent Jonathan Lloyd confirmed on Tuesday.

Although he became known for his plummy accent and exaggerated portrayals of the English upper-class, Phillips was born in Tottenham, north London, speaking estuary English.

He attended the respected Italia Conti Stage School, where he studied drama, dance and elocution.

Theatre This led to him losing his accent, which was viewed as an impediment in the acting industry at the time.

He later served as a lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry between 1942 and 1945, when he was invalided out.

The 1930s marked his first film appearances but his big break came in 1957 when he appeared in the Gene Kelly musical Les Girls as Sir Gerald Wren, and despite considering a move to Hollywood, he stayed in the UK as he considered himself a theatre actor.

In 1959 and 1960 he starred in three Carry On films that made him a household name.

Wednesday October 26 9| |2022 November 2022

National News

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Number 10 looking ‘serious’ Haze and cloudsinto obscure Sir Gavineclipse Williamson allegation partial of the sun DOWNING STREET is looking into a ‘serious’ allegation that Sir Gavin Williamson told a senior civil servant to ‘slit your throat’ as the under-fire minister faced a second claim of bullying.

No 10 insisted on Tuesday that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak still maintains confidence in his ally despite the clear unease at the latest accusation as he faces the prospect of three investigations.

An internal inquiry by the Conservative Party is under way, while it is understood that former chief whip Wendy Morton has referred her complaint to Parliament’s bullying watchdog.

Downing Street is understood to be undertaking a fact-finding exercise and considering how to respond to allegations a Ministry of Defence official made to the Guardian newspaper.

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Processes The twice-sacked minister denied the official’s allegation of a campaign of bullying while he was defence secretary but did not deny making the extraordinary remarks, including telling the civil servant to ‘jump out of the window’..

AROUND 25 per cent ofofficial the Sunspokesman was blocked out The Prime Minister’s said: on Tuesday the further Moon passed between it and “There haveas been allegations reported the thisEarth. morning. Those are serious allegations that But come many in.

Skygazers across the UK were have disappointed that view of the celestial “It’s true that notheir formal complaint has been phenomena spoiled by poorproper weather, with made but wewas want to consider processes those northern Scotland having the best views. beforeincommenting further.”

It was unclear how the Government will investigate, but the Cabinet Office’s Propriety and Ethics team would be one option for handling a complaint.

In a statement, Sir Gavin said: “I strongly reject this allegation and have enjoyed good working relationships with the many brilliant officials I have worked with across Government.”

Downing Street did not say whether Mr Sunak has set up any meetings with Sir Gavin, who holds the vague brief of “minister without portfolio” in the Cabinet Office.

The Prime Minister has been coming under sustained pressure over his decision to bring his ally back into Government despite knowing about a complaint made by Ms Morton.

In a series of expletive-laden texts, Sir Gavin accused Ms Morton of seeking to ‘punish’ MPs out of favour with then-premier Liz Truss by excluding them from the Queen’s funeral, warning: “There is a price for everything.”

The Liberal Democrats demanded an independent inquiry into Sir Gavin’s conduct so the Tories do not ‘mark their own homework’.

The party’s Office spokeswoman, THE UK’s mostCabinet squeezed households are seeing Christine Jardine, “Anything would be the price they havesaid: to pay for someless of the cheapest food in the supermarket soaring by nearly two thirds, new data has revealed.

The price of the least expensive pasta that under-pressure shoppers THE terror suspected of can get has risen by 60% in the last according to the Office for firebombing an year, immigration National Statistics. processing centre in Dover died of The cheapestan vegetable oil on supermarket asphyxiation, inquest has heard. shelves jumped by 65%.

Andrewhas Leak, 66, from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, threw two to three homemade Understand incendiary devices at the centre at Statisticians collected Western Jet Foilhave in Dover, Kentmore on than a million prices from October 30.supermarket websites over the past year towas compare cost of the cheapest Leak foundthe dead eight available produce. minutes after the attack in the car ANDREW LEEK It allows them to park of a nearby BPbetter petrolunderstand station. the impact ofThe the inquest cost-of-living crisis death on poorer into Leak’s was households.

They said that the cheapest tea had risen opened on Tuesday morning at County Hall in price by 46%, chips rose 39%, bread was up 38% Maidstone by coroner Bina Patel. and biscuits up 34%.

She confirmed Kent Police was called to “While Jet theFoil recent spike inon inflation began with Western at 11.22am October 30 and energy prices, fresh using a new Leak was foundtoday’s deceased at insights the petrol station on innovative dataatsource show they are now Limekiln Road 11.30am.

Paramedics confirmed filtering to other important items, with his deaththrough at 11.48am. the cheapest price of some food items Leak, who was single and staple unemployed, was rising around two seat thirds the last Seat year,”car. said found by in the driver’s ofin his white national statistician Sir Ian Diamond.

The inquest was adjourned until the provisional Earlier this year, Jack Monroe called date of January 27 campaigner 2023. onAfter the ONS to update the way it measures initially being discounted as a terrorist

In the South East, the eclipse began at 10:08am on October 25, with the UNDER-FIRE maximum eclipse occurring at 10.59am, when Gavin Williamson the Moon covered close to 15 per cent of the Sun. an abdication ofShetland leadership from No 10, and Lerwick in the Isles is expected to makeaabetter mockery of with Sunak’s promise govern have view, 28 per cent oftothe Sun with integrity. obscured at mid-eclipse.

“The findings must be made public – if the Conservatives have nothing to hide, they have nothing to fear.”

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said the latest remarks would be “utterly, utterly unacceptable” if proved to be true but said reports are in the “realm of media speculation”.

Any investigation could take several weeks, with Mr Stride suggesting Sir Gavin will still be in post by Christmas as any process “will take some time and we’ve got to wait to see what comes out of that”.

Mr Stride, who spoke of an “aura or mystique around” Sir Gavin, said no minister is ‘unsackable’.

Labour has continued to maintain the pressure on the Government, with frontbencher Yvette Cooper accusing the Prime Minister of making ‘grubby political deals that aren’t in the national interest’ to appoint Sir Gavin and Suella Braverman as Home Secretary.

Sir Gavin, who was knighted after being nominated for the honour by Boris Johnson earlier this year, was regarded as a key figure in Mr Sunak’s campaign over thewhat summer to rising inflation to better understand impact become party prices have on leader. the poorest households.

Some items also decreased in price. Orange juice dropped 9%, and minced beef was down 7%.

The ONS alsoincident published separate data

by Kent Police and the showing that 72% of Office, peoplethe with prepaymentwas Home investigation energy meterstaken are finding it counter-terrorism difficult to pay their over by bills. police last Tuesday and was A survey alsoofficially found that seven in 10 (69%)attack of designated a terror black adults areonfinding it difficult to afford their Saturday. energy bills, compared to just 44% white Facebook posts on of a now-deleted adults. The survey showed that of Asian account under the59% name of an Andy adults were struggling with energy bills. contain Leak from High Wycombe The figures show over halfsentiments (55%) of disabled anti-Muslim and adults reportedcomplaints finding it difficult to afford their about people claiming energy bills and aroundifathey thirddo (36%) found it benefits not speak difficult to afford their rent or mortgage payments English.

– compared withOne, 40%shared and 27% non-disabled on of August 9, said: people respectively.

“The next time the job centre sanctions your “Figures our near survey of them money for from not looking forreal-time enough work ask people show that while in getting food and energy about the thousands of rises people benefits costs are affecting many across cannot speak English andpeople can not write the English, country, thoselooking who are how are they fordisabled, work? from certain ethnic minority backgrounds and renters are “Unemployment benefits clearly state you among struggling the looking most,” Sir said. cannot those claim benefits if not for Ian work, all in the cost be of living at the forefront of“With theserises people should excluded from of many people’s minds, our new, almost real benefits. time, just how changing “Youdata can showing clearly not look forprices work are if you cannot and on English, how different groups are readshining Englishaorlight speak they are breaking affected have to never been the law, time stand up.”more important.”

Cost of household basics has risen up to two thirds

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Wednesday November 9 | 2022

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Education

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17

EDUCATION Times

Pupils encouraged by teachers and experts set to go full STEAM ahead

Last week children at Rose Hill School participated in their annual STEAM Week.

The Times finds out more about this academic yet fun celebration of science, technology, engineering, art and maths…

THE THEME for Rose Hill School’s 2022 STEAM Week – a focus on science, technology, engineering, art and maths – was ‘What’s the matter?’

All year groups at the co-ed independent school got involved in the investigations during each of their relevant lessons last week.

role encompasses all elements of STEAM. The youngest Rose Hill pupils turned solids into liquids and vice versa when creating art from frozen paint and cooked with melted chocolate and crushed biscuits.

“Other highlights included marvelling at the properties of ‘Oobleck’ (gloopy, slimy and solid), a non-Newtonian fluid, that acted as both a solid and a liquid in science!”

Rose Hill’s Head Emma Neville, added: “Every year in STEAM Week we investigate a different question which helps build on the development of language, logic and problem-solving skills within the classroom and beyond, this year has been no exception. I cannot wait to see what we will be looking at next year!”

‘Every year in STEAM Week we investigate a different question which helps build on the development of language, logic and problemsolving skills’ The idea behind the STEAM event is for pupils to fully engage and have fun exploring these particular areas of the curriculum.

A Rose Hill School spokesperson told the Times: “The week kicked off with an actionpacked assembly covering the three states of matter, which saw bold members of staff harnessing the power of mass to topple objects, blow giant smoke rings and mould theatrical masks.”

The school, located in Coniston Avenue, Tunbridge Wells, is one of the oldest preps in

SLIME TIME Rose Hill students investigate materials the country, accepting children aged 3 to 13.

Also making an appearance at last week’s STEAM week was the team from Explorer Dome – a popular science outreach organisation – who enthralled the whole school with their ‘Solids, Liquids and Gases’ show.

“Pupils watched as balloons disappeared, a banana became a hammer and rockets, powered by dry ice, flew across the theatre.

They were literally blown away by the explosive energy inside their breakfast cereal!” explained the spokesperson.

Pupils also heard from a civil engineer who talked about how her

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Jayne Sharratt

Weekly Comment

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19

Jayne Sharratt is a Rusthall resident and active member of the local Labour Party. She is the editor of Rusthall Life and Langton Life magazines and a co-organiser of a ‘Reclaim the Night’ walk

Tunbridge Wells Labour Party

Walking across the Common at night shouldn’t invoke fear I HOPE that one day we won’t need to have an International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women which is on November 25.

That word – elimination – implies it’s possible to end the most pervasive violation of human rights known to us, but sadly it’s clear that this goal is nowhere in sight.

We live in a society where male violence against women and girls is tolerated. We see it everywhere – in shocking and tragic murder cases, a rise in domestic abuse, the falling and alarmingly low rate in rape convictions, and the street harassment that most women will experience in their lifetime.

changes in society will end the misogyny that underlies male violence towards women.

Education of boys is key, but this needs to be more than just telling them that they should respect women, when the world they go into outside the classroom doesn’t reflect that ideal.

Opportunities

Humanitarian Gender based violence can happen to anyone, but some people are more at risk. The UN recognises these groups as, ‘young girls and older women, women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex, migrants and refugees, indigenous women and ethnic minorities, women and girls living with HIV and disabilities, and those living through humanitarian crises’.

I count myself as privileged, and for women like me who are lucky enough to feel safe at home, work or our place of education, the time when we feel most vulnerable is on the streets after dark.

I live in Rusthall and don’t have a car, so I walk a lot. I hate the fact that something as simple and enjoyable during the summer as walking my daughter across the Common to choir practice, becomes a moment of fear in winter. I don’t want to teach her to be scared, but the dangers are real.

Last year a woman was attacked on the Common when she was walking home from the supermarket at half past five in the evening, and while fortunately some passers-by intervened, the perpetrator has never been caught. The incident is a reminder to the whole community

that we are not safe after dark. It feels outrageous that we should be denied the freedom to just go for a walk, whenever and wherever we choose. It IS outrageous – and we will act.

What are the solutions? Rusthall’s Labour Borough Councillor Alex Britcher-Allan has been raising the importance of street lighting at Council meetings, and she has also worked with the Commons Conservators to think about keeping good visibility around pathways and roads.

This is positive, but I believe that only dramatic

Nick Pope

We all need to show, not just tell, the next generation of boys how to treat women with respect, by creating a world in which women are respected and given equal opportunities to thrive, instead of one where casual sexism and harassment are normalised.

There should be a zero-tolerance attitude to harassment. Men especially should feel a responsibility to call out sexism when they witness it. The Labour Party has a Green Paper on tackling violence against women and girls that we want to put into action as the next government. It also has plans to dramatically reimagine childcare support so that women with children are supported and able to continue their careers.

Labour has a majority of female MPs, and we will all fight to push out this hope of a fairer world into life with every representative we elect. Our society has been built to benefit men.

It must be changed to one that works for us all equally, for us all to feel safe.

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.

The Alliance

National politics has little relevance in running an effective local council DO YOU know which political party has controlled Epsom & Ewell Borough Council in Surrey for the last 85 years?

As the area has returned Conservative MPs through that period, you probably guessed the Conservative Party. Remarkably, the answer is that Epsom & Ewell has been run by independent residents associations since the borough was formed in 1937.

In the most recent election in 2019, residents association candidates won 32 out of 38 seats with the remaining 6 seats being held by the 3 national parties.

Although Epsom & Ewell’s record is unique, there is an increasing trend for residents who are disillusioned with national politics to vote for independent groups to represent them locally.

Conflicts What is different about local independent groups? A key difference is that every councillor is free to represent the views of their residents and vote accordingly.

National parties ‘whip’ local councillors on how to vote on certain matters - putting the interests of their party before those of the residents they represent.

Local independent groups have no such conflicts of interest. The free vote is the purest

on sustainable development.

• Deliver excellent services and fiscal responsibility.

• Develop ideas and policies that are progressive and independent from national party politics.

• Make the council more transparent and accountable.

Residents

LOCAL Members of the Alliance in Tunbridge Wells form of representative democracy.

In the Borough of Tunbridge Wells, the Alliance is the local independent group. It was registered as a party in 2018 and now has 9 seats on TWBC. The party was founded by two groups of residents that came together when they realised the national party running the council was not listening to the views of residents and did not appear to be open about how decisions were made. We believe national party politics has little relevance in running an effective and

efficient borough council.

Some independent councillors operate as ‘lone wolves’ but they have little influence on decision-making on the council. The big advantage of independents coming together to form a party is the chance to discuss and debate issues and share experience and expertise with others who subscribe to our core principles, which are to: • Listen to residents and make objective decisions that are right for local communities.

• Plan strategically for the long term and focus

In recent months, Alliance members have held discussions with other independent groups running other councils. These include Uttlesford (Saffron Walden in Essex), Tandridge (Oxted in Surrey), Guildford (Surrey), Rother (Bexhill) and Frome (Somerset). It has been very encouraging talking to like-minded people who are passionate about representing their residents and who do not harbour ambitions to be career politicians.

As a new independent party, it is hard work to win seats on the council. We do not receive support and funding from a regional or national party office, all our funding comes from local residents. We work hard to encourage people to consider how they vote in the borough council elections. We focus on our communities, residents and local services, not a Westminster party.

20

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Letters

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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

Sad decline of shopping centre due to combination of factors I read with a tinge of sadness how the RVP (Royal Victoria Place) has declined over the past 30 years (see Times, November 2). It’s a combination of factors, but the main reason is that Tunbridge Wells Town Centre is now not such a welcoming place. High rents and parking charges only make retailers move to shopping centres out of town, like Bluewaters.

To halt this decline Tunbridge Wells Borough Council needs to make a truly pragmatic change of direction. Firstly, footfall is the key to retaining these outlets and also encourages other independent or chain stores to take up vacant space.

To fill the ‘black hole’ by charging higher

rents when we now only have 50 per cent occupancy will only drive away others. Should M&S or Fenwick’s move out that would be the death knell for RVP. More retailers will lessen the rental burden.

Secondly it is to with the parking charges which are now 24/7. Make the charging period only 8 AM to 6PM weekdays with none overnight or weekends.

This is two-fold as of an evening more people will visit the town centre and support the many independent eateries in town. More money spent means more available for expansion – more rental income & more business rates.

The third is not having parking times fixed and allow those visiting to spend as long as they wish and then you pay on egress, such as at Pembury Hospital. The longer the stay, more revenue, especially as people won’t be making ‘guestimates’ of time left and rush through their shopping or using one of the eateries.

This is especially so in case where you meet a friend on your visit. Presently, you have to make a conscious decision of how long you are likely to be visiting and any overstay gets penalised.

In the longer term it will be a win/win situation.

John Pearce Tunbridge Wells

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Dear sir sir...

In defence of us ‘old codgers’ As an ‘old codger’ of some years, I would like to quibble with some of the comments made by readers in recent editions about people who may be a little longer in the tooth.

John Pearce said last week (Times, November 2) that ‘retired people would hope to move to the outskirts of town, not into the middle of it’.

Quite the opposite is true. Having lived on the edge of Tunbridge Wells for over eight decades, I moved into the town centre two years ago.

Without a car, I was becoming increasingly isolated, but since my move I have had a second wind. Coffee, library, museum, book and paper shops all within a 5 minute walk – what could be better (and greener).

A few weeks previously, the Inner London Road Residents Association claimed ‘it is unlikely retired residents would contribute to the night time economy’. You only have to walk down the High Street or Pantiles one evening to see the power of the ‘grey pound’ in sustaining our town’s bars, cafes and restaurants. And yes, while we may not be active nightclub goers, I hardly think most local residents want Tunbridge Wells to become the Benidorm or Ibiza of the High Weald.

The Association went on to say ‘we believe maintaining the vibrancy of the town needs more young people’.

I agree that Tunbridge Wells should not become ‘God’s waiting room’, but our excellent schools mean that the town has, and always will, have a good generational mix.

Furthermore, if you look at the makeup of local

Letters

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Wednesday November 9 | 2022

clubs, societies and voluntary groups – organisations that really do help keep the town vibrant – grey and white hairs can be found in abundance. We do have more time after all.

Eric McBirmingham Tunbridge Wells ABC development is disappointing The old cinema site has been a blot on the landscape for many years and a barrier to the boulevard walk from Five Ways to the Pantiles.

There have been several proposals to render the route from Five Ways to the Pantiles as an attractive way through the centre of the town with various amendments made over the last few years including the delightful Amelia Scott.

Many retirement villages/homes now being provided in Tunbridge Wells and this town will shortly be the retirement centre of the South East. What about Hospital/GP appointments?

Where are the facilities for young people who work in the town and desperately need proper affordable accommodation?

The trickle-down process where older people downsize their £500.000/£600.000 homes to retire to their retirement village home does not work for young first-time buyers.

The developers have made it clear they do not intend to provide any proper affordable homes.

Why not? Is it not possible to provide a mix of accommodation a mix for the older persons as well as the young. They do not necessarily have to be in the same block like an inter-generational experience.

Aesthetically the latest proposals are rather disappointing where the centre block at the traffic light junction is far too massive, mimicking the council block opposite. Perhaps reduce the height of the white centre element and provide greater transparency.

Cote Brasserie restaurant have a very pleasant outside coffee area, why not similar for the new proposals with an open glazed link through to the internal courtyard.

Pedestrians walking up and down the boulevard can then sit and enjoy a coffee mid-walk. If desirous to continue their walk through the internal terraced courtyard to a lower level with an attractive walkway out to Mount Pleasant Road.

Also, do we really need more retail space in Tunbridge Wells? There are so many vacant shops already.

Charles Neve Tunbridge Wells

Less than a third of the electorate generally turn out to vote in local elections, because they find the present system confusing and a chore.

So I expect this issue generates no more than a weary sigh in most electors’ hearts. But please - go online at talkingpointtunbridgewells and vote for all-out elections. Simpler and cheaper – what’s not to like?

Mrs Dariel Francis (Labour) Southborough Town Councillor ‘Normal electoral system’ would save money Councillor Wormington listed several reasons why Tunbridge Wells Borough Council should stick with the current system of having elections almost every year.

He neglected to mention the significant amount of money we could save by having elections once every four years, the system used by almost every other council in the land. It would, at a stroke, save local taxpayers £50,000 a year.

It was recently reported by your paper that the Community Support Fund, the coalition’s flagship policy to help low-income households, has no money in it due to budgetary problems.

I’ve already suggested cutting the number of TWBC Cabinet posts back to pre-coalition levels, a move that could save nearly £40,000 per year.

If we did this, and adopted a normal electoral system, we would save £90,000 per year from the two measures.

This would fill the coffers of the Community Support Fund, all without a single service being cut or fee raised.

Cllr Matt Bailey (Independent) Paddock Wood West We are facing a housing crisis A recent members’ meeting of Tunbridge Wells Constituency Labour Party concluded that locally and nationally – we are facing a housing crisis.

Our party has always been at the forefront of trying to achieve decent, safe, secure and genuinely affordable homes for all.

It is therefore of deep concern that thousands of people are forced to sleep on the streets; even

more are homeless and stuck in unsuitable temporary accommodation; and millions of people are living in overcrowded, dangerous, unstable or unaffordable housing.

The Government has failed to achieve its national building targets, has failed to ensure adequate provision of social housing, and has been majorly responsible for provoking a cost-of-living crisis – driving up the cost of mortgages and rents and making housing precarious even for those who do have a place to live.

A wealthy town like Tunbridge Wells is not immune from the effects of these failures and indeed has its own housing crisis - fuelled by the complacency and inaction of previous Conservative administrations.

The Borough Council has a housing waiting list of nearly a thousand individuals and families.

The waiting time for a three - bedroom house for social rent is over four years. And over the last five year only 36 units of planned social housing have been built across the borough.

More and more we are hearing demands – even from some Conservative MPs – that government and local authorities need to get building. Not executive and expensive retirement housing featuring so prominently in Tunbridge Wells, but affordable housing that helps people stay in the area where they grew up and want to live.

We applaud one of the five priorities of the new Borough Partnership, to increase the availability of ‘genuinely affordable and social rental housing’. Whilst understanding the pressures and constraints on the Council during these financially challenging times we expect to see evidence of this intention becoming a reality.

Tunbridge Wells Labour adds its voice to those of others saying that the Council really does need to get building – and/or working with partners to build – many more homes of all tenures; particularly social homes for rent. To make any progress over the next two years this work needs to start now.

Martin Betts Chairman, Tunbridge Wells Labour

NEWS

21

Calverley

Observations on life and more important things

GREEN GREEN GRASS. Tunbridge Wells is not a bad place to live and bring up kids. Decent schools, restaurants and pubs, not so sure about the shops, and it’s surrounded by beautiful countryside where it’s easy to escape the daily grind and relax. Most take that countryside for granted. They should not.

Almost two million Brits, one in 30, have never even seen green fields and rolling hills, a new survey shows. It’s even higher in places like Glasgow and Birmingham. One 29-year-old admitted the largest patch of green he’d seen was the local soccer pitch. So, stop moaning about being stuck behind that tractor.

GERMAN LESSON. Sometimes, friends across the channel get things spot on. Take what happened when protestors glued themselves to the floor of a Volkswagen factory in Germany.

Were they offered tea and sympathy by police, as happens here? Not on your strudel. Workers ignored their pleas for refreshments and access to the loos and instead turned the lights and heating off and went home. Way to go.

STAB IN THE BACK. Regular readers (oh yes there are) might recall that a few weeks back Calverley thought it might be an idea for French police to puncture inflatables about to carry migrants across the Channel. And lo it came to pass. They did stab an inflatable. And out of the sea came the moaning minnows claiming it was just not on. And lo it has also come to pass that officers are now forbidden to intervene in such a way with any departures. They can only stand on the beach and wave the boat people bon voyage.

BOUNTY HUNTER. Another week: another crisis. This one bites. The makers of the package of sweets called Celebrations are banning those mini-Bounty bars.

They claim they’re not popular.

Twaddle. In Calverley’s household there’s almost an outbreak of fisticuffs over who gets the coconut filled treats. Forget the extra Snickers, Mars or Milk Ways. Bring back Bounty or risk boycotts. Calverley will happily organise the sweet revenge.

PEPPY SAYS...

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

Election costs should go on services Councillor Wormington’s advocacy (Times Comment, November 2) for ‘by thirds’ council elections ignores the elephant in the room: cost.

Council officials tell us that each election costs around £80-100,000 for wages, polling station hire etc.

So scrapping three out of four could save at least £240,000 over the election cycle. Wouldn’t you rather spend that money on essential services, like housing the homeless?

Besides, it only suits densely populated urban areas, which are easy to slice and dice to fit the Procrustean bed of the three-member ward system.

Communities with distinct identities which don’t fit that pattern, have to be arbitrarily split up (Goudhurst, Paddock Wood), or amalgamated with ones with which they have no affinity (Speldhurst, Bidborough with Rusthall), or in extreme cases, split up and the resulting pieces then cobbled together into a Frankenstein’s monster of unrelated parts.

Which is why all the parishes in the Borough are up in arms against it. And why no other council in Kent still does it.

RAG MAN BANGS. Big community thanks to neighbour Ray Graham (Rag ‘n’ Bone Man) for fantastic half hour fireworks display at the bottom of Calverley’s garden. And it was all for free! Next year Calverley will charge his guests.

FINAL THOUGHT. There might be a new Prime Minister along with a new Cabinet but there’s still the same old witch hunt by the Left, including the Biased Broadcasting Corporation.

Stick to your guns Suella.

Chin, chin dear reader…

Musical instruments Sheet music Instrument rentals Servicing & repairs

Brittens Music School

Where music matters

@brittensmusic Tel: (01892) 526659 www.brittensmusic.co.uk

Wednesday November 9 | 2022

Life&Times

ARTS • BOOKS • GOING OUT • FOOD • EVENTS • ANTIQUES • TRAVEL • PROPERTY • LIVE MUSIC and MORE...

Food – P26

Going out – P29

Motors – P38

Drawn to Tunbridge Wells

Brighton artist Lyn Rohde on her new show… P24

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Arts

Wednesday November 9 | 2022

arts

The local paintings that will prompt viewers to enjoy familiar places in a very different way Artist Lyn Rohde tells Eileen Leahy all about her new exhibition which is on all month at the Silver Sheep in Chapel Place and what inspires her work…

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ander into the delightful lifestyle emporium that is the Silver Sheep on Chapel Place and you’re always guaranteed an enjoyable experience thanks to the wealth of different creatives who have pieces on display and for sale.

From handmade jewellery to hand-painted lampshades and beautifully crafted fashion items, there is always something to covet.

And this month visitors can enjoy an added extra, courtesy of a new exhibition of paintings from artist Lyn Rohde.

Although she is based in Brighton, Lyn, who is a full-time artist, says she is very much looking forward to exhibiting here in Tunbridge Wells after she contacted Caroline Smith and Sylvia Kus who co-run the Silver Sheep.

‘Living in Paris until I was in my late teens definitely influenced my art’ “They very kindly invited me to exhibit in their colourful treasure trove of wonderful art, jewellery, ceramics and much more,” explains Lyn on the opening week of the show.

The exhibition, which is on until the end of the month, consists of nine paintings of

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Arts

Wednesday November 9 | 2022

familiar nearby towns including Tenterden, Cranbrook and of course, Tunbridge Wells.

“I hope they will make the viewer smile and that they enjoy seeing towns or villages they know in a completely different way.”

Lyn, who was born in Dublin but spent most of her childhood living in France, says she has been interested in drawing and painting from an early age.

“At the age of nine, when I lived outside Paris, I met the French artist, Dunoyer de Segonzac, who invited me to sit and draw with him while CRANBROOK

‘I’d say my style is quirky, colourful, sometimes naive and whimsical and with a strong rhythm of line’ he was painting a landscape of our village, Jouy-en-Josas.

“I had no idea he was so well-established and so I asked him if I could have one of his paintings. He politely told me that he needed it for an exhibition but he was touched I liked it so much! He was very kind and encouraging about my attempt at painting ‘en plain air’.

“Living in Paris until I was in my late teens definitely influenced my art. Having the opportunity to travel to many areas of France and visit numerous galleries in Paris and elsewhere definitely helped shape my artistic vision.

“Visiting Montmartre in Paris, Giverny, Pont-Aven, the South of France, Auvers-sur-Oise – just to mention a few places – inspired me to look at the work of Monet, Derain, Cezanne, Matisse and Vincent van Gogh,” she adds.

Appreciation “More recently, I have been looking at David Hockney and Terry Frost’s art, the latter could well influence my next group of paintings towards a more abstract art but still boast the elements of colour, rhythm of line and ‘joie de vivre’.”

This early love and appreciation of art led Lyn to

studying a foundation course at Kingston Art college and then going on to study for a degree in Fine Art at Wimbledon College of Arts.

So how would she describe her own work?

“I’d say quirky, colourful, sometimes naive and whimsical and with a strong rhythm of line. I paint mostly in acrylics, either on canvas or paper and also enjoy drawing either in pencil, charcoal or pen and ink.

THE LEN PHILLIPS SWING ORCHESTRA

25 TENTERDEN

Inspiring “My style of painting or drawing tends to vary depending on my mood. With this series of monochrome paintings, which I am currently exhibiting at the Silver Sheep, I wanted to minimise the distraction lots of colour can bring and accentuate specific shapes. The quirkiness, humour and rhythm of line are still there and the viewer should still find the painting uplifting even with the lack of colour.”

Lyn, who counts the likes of Mary Fedden and Picasso as inspirations to her work along with Dunoyer de Segonzac, does several commissions – particularly house portraits.

She also has a variety of greetings cards available and a selection of tea towels of Brighton, Worthing and Littlehampton available from her website.

She also has a link with the prestigious Royal Academy (RA) in London. How did this come about?

“I was invited to a dinner there to help raise

money for the RA Schools. I offered to donate one of my charcoal still-life drawings and they very kindly accepted it for the auction where it raised a few hundred pounds.

“I felt very honoured and glad that I was able to help in a small way to raise some money for them.”

For further about Lyn and her work, contact her at: lyn.rohde50@gmail.com or visit her website at: rohdefineart.co.uk

Students win awards for their diamond performances Celebrated trumpeter Alison Balsom presented awards to talented music students from local schools as part of the celebrations for Tonbridge Music Club’s Diamond Anniversary LAST MONTH, at Tonbridge School Chapel, as part of Tonbridge Music Club’s (TMC) Diamond Anniversary Concert, eight promising local young musicians were given awards totalling £1,600.

Making the presentations was Alison Balsom, the internationally-renowned trumpet player and one of the evening’s star performers.

The winners came from a number of local schools and play a range of instruments from flutes to percussion.

Top prize went to Joe Steyn, a talented drummer, who hopes to make his career in music. Joe, a student at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, achieved distinction in Grade 8 and is already the drummer for three different bands. He plans to use his prize money to buy some new cymbals and to pay for extra lessons.

Talented The runners up were Ellen Roff and Eddie Moskal. Ellen, now 16 years old and a student at Tonbridge Grammar School, has been playing the flute since she was nine. In December 2020, she gained a distinction at Grade 8 and now studies at the prestigious Royal College of Music Junior Department. She was thrilled recently to get through to the second round of auditions for a place with the National Youth Orchestra. She expects to use her prize to pay for longer music lessons.

Eddie Moskal, who attends St Mark’s Primary School in Tunbridge Wells, is only nine years old, but is already showing huge talent as a drummer. He has achieved distinction at Grade 5 and his teacher expects that he will get his

WINNERS OF NOTE Alison Balsom (left) and the Tonbridge Music Club award winners

‘Alison Balsom, the internationally-renowned trumpet player, awarded young musicians with their TMC prizes’

Grade 8 by his 10th birthday. Eddie said he will be using his prize money to help pay for lessons and acoustic drums.

The awards were funded by generous donations from TMC members. Award-winners were selected from among dozens of talented applicants by a panel of local musicians.

Pat Gane, TMC Chair, said she was delighted that there were so many young, talented musicians living in the area. She added that the prizes help to celebrate the Club’s 60th anniversary along with its mission, as a charity, to promote the performance and appreciation of quality music. More info at www.tmc.org.uk

26

Food & Drink

Wednesday November 9 | 2022

What does healthy eating mean to you?

Sussex-based broadcaster and health and wellbeing expert Monica Price talks to the Times about the best ways to improve your diet and eat healthily…

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the couple of biscuits you had with your coffee and the late night supper. By including the weekend as well you can see how your eating habits might change. If you are at work for example, you may not eat as much, but at the weekends you may have more food and drink.

It is all about the balance – and if you get that right you are on the path to a healthier lifestyle.

Monica Price is a qualified nutritional therapist, writer and broadcaster. She is the go-to expert for health and wellbeing on national television and radio stations across the UK. Her website is: monica-price.co.uk Got a health and wellbeing-related question for Monica that you would like answered? Email newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

ou need to think of your body as a top-of-the-range car, and in order to keep that car in top condition it needs the right fuel and oil to maintain its performance, regular servicing to make sure it stays in excellent condition, and care and attention when things start to go wrong.

Your body is exactly the same. We underestimate the power of our body and its ability to withstand illnesses and diseases and one of the things that you can do to help and protect your body is to eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Here are some common questions that I am often asked: How much water should I drink in a day?

Your body is made up of around 75% water, so it’s really important to stay hydrated. Aim for six to eight glasses a day and add fresh fruit if you really don’t like the taste. Any fluid that you drink counts – but remember that tea and coffee contain caffeine, which can dehydrate the body.

Try adding fruit and vegetables to your diet with a high water content such melon and grapes or having smoothies and soups.

I go to the gym regularly but why am I not losing weight?

Exercise and nutrition go very much hand in hand. If you really want to lose weight then you need to not only exercise, but look at the foods that you are eating. Stick to lean proteins, plenty of vegetables and wholegrain foods. Avoid foods high in sugar, as they will give you an instant rush, but leave you feeling empty and hungry later.

SCAN FOR MORE INFO & TO BOOK

@onewarwickpark

VEGAN POP-UP RESTAURANT Picture: Shutterstock

Why do I feel tired all the time?

Make sure your daily intake of food and drink incorporates a nutrient-rich balance of fruit and vegetables, starchy carbohydrates, protein, milk and dairy products or alternatives, and smaller amounts of foods containing high levels of fat, sugar and salt. This will ensure that your body is getting the right balance of vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy. Eat and drink regularly to keep yourself hydrated.

What kind of fat is the best to eat?

The healthiest type of fat is monounsaturated

fat. Good sources of this are olive oil, fish, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, sesame and pumpkin seeds. Saturated fats are the fats found in butter, ghee, lard, dairy products, sausages, pies, biscuits, cakes and confectionery. These fats or the trans fats found in processed foods and fried foods are considered more harmful, so try to limit these in your diet.

For all of these tips I would recommend keeping a food diary for a week and include a weekend. This is an excellent tool for you to actually see what you are eating and drinking each day. Include everything – the glass of wine,

y a d Satur ds n t DJ Stou i h Min w

A LOCAL vegan chef is opening a pop-up restaurant on The Pantiles on Friday.

Taking place at Cake Shed café on The Pantiles on November 11 from 7.00pm to 10.00pm, Ben Fuller will be presenting a five-course Indian tasting menu.

Mr Fuller attended the Vegan Chef School and the Plant Lab Culinary Academy where he trained in baking, raw food preparation, fermentation and nutrition before working at Gauthier Soho with Michelin-starred chef Alexis Gauthier. He told the Times: “I am teaming up with the Cake Shed to host pop-up dinner nights because they share my desire to bring quality fine dining from across differing cuisines to Tunbridge Wells.”

£39

per person*

To book, call 01 892 520587 or email recept ion@ onewarwickpar k.co.uk

Saturday, 19 November 11am – 2pm th

BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH

One dish from our brunch menu Three hours of bottomless Prosecco, Bellinis, Bloody Marys, Mimosas & Mocktails *£10 deposit on booking required

Award winning Mint DJ bringing back summer vibes with tropical house

November 9 |Local 2022 News 8Wednesday BUSINESS

October 26 | 2022 27 Food Wednesday & Drink

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Agency offers Town centre for stardom Say ‘cin cin’ traders to this BID expert Italian craft brewer sustainability which produces truly video bellissimo beers in a frightfully funsome Halloween sessions free businesses. Watch it if you dare!”

In his monthly column,centre Alex Greig from the Fuggles Beer Café and Bottle Shop, savours RTW Together, which runs the local BID, is JENNY KITCHEN A NEW promotional short film has been released now planning for its Christmas advert ‘A Very athetaste of Italy’s craft brewer Birrificio Italiano…

Royal Christmas’. by Royal Tunbridge Wells Togetherpioneering Business

By Lilly Croucher

F

Improvement District in time for October’s ounded in 1996, Birrificio Italiano spooky season. was one of the earliest Italian craftthe The Business Improvement District (BID), breweries – originally starting as town centre promotional company that isout paid a brewpub Lombardy region. to for by local firms via in anthe annual levy attached Initially thereleased brewerythe launched two their business rates, video via beers – Rossoscura (which has YouTube last week (October 20).evolved into a strong, dark lager called Bibock) and Tipopils.

Tipopils (Tipo + Pils = a kind of Pilsner) is the Creatures beer that really gained the brewery its reputation asItcreating theby first ‘Italian pilsner’. Simon was filmed local videographer Cossons, a resident of Camden Road.

In the film, visitors and residents are greeted Brewer

by Sleeping Beauty villain ‘Maleficent’ roaming Tipopils wasThe essentially modern takeplaying on a The Pantiles; Phantoma of the Opera classic style in – ita was the first ever dry-hopped to the death piano showroom; and the pilsner.Barber The story goes thatStreet. it was created out of Demon of the High aBusinesses mistake, essentially batch of beer that are inthe theoriginal video include wasn’t quite what theAesthetics, brewer wanted, so he Good&Green, HiTech James|Munro decided to use a technique as dry hairdressers, Brittens Music,known The Green Duck hopping. This gives theTN1 beerBar a richer, fuller The Emporium, Stampede, and Kitchen, flavour.

It has added extra depth the beer and Body Shop, Office Tribe, Glass by to Claudia, in this & case, the noble hops impartwhile some Bubba Me and Larratt & Coused Butchers, wonderful depth and herbal note orGrounds two. As a kooky characters also avisit Calverley result, is revered the world over and and TheTipopils Pantiles. we’re really excited have it here said to share this Sarah-Jane Adams,toBID Director, of the wonderful beertime withofyou. film: “It’s that year when unusual Alongside the of brewery produces a we creatures areTipopils, coming out the shadows, and wide range craft beers, some ‘Grape managed to of capture some including of the sightings in our Ales’, which are brewed usingvideo. grape must (the tongue-in-cheek promotional freshly-pressed juice usually which still contains “Our seasonal grape short films attract lots theviews, skinsand andwe seeds of that the fruit). of hope residents and Here to arethe mytown picksare from our most recent guests enjoying these fun ways delivery from Birrificio to get to know the facesItaliano: behind their town

To watch the film, search YouTube for Royal Bibock –Wells As mentioned, thisor started Tunbridge Together BID visit: out as a different beer and has today evolved into a youtu.be/qUnxEprfczE strong dark lager, brewed with a specific strain of lager yeast. Dry hopped (of course) which gives it a wonderful aroma, the fruitiness well balanced by the nutty, caramel malt tones coming through.

ORIGINAL BREW Tipopils is available in two sizes

Finisterrae – Their take on the classic Bavarian wheat beer. On the nose there’s the classic subtle spicy aroma, while the taste starts off with some sweet tropical fruits and finishes with a pleasing and refreshing bitterness.

Incrocio Manzoni – One of the beautiful ‘grape ales’ previously mentioned. This is brewed with 20% of wine must from white Incrocio Manzoni grapes. Smooth, slightly tart, SPOOKY STORES ‘Maleficent’ (above) in The Pantiles, Pumpkins (left) at The Body Shop and (below) two terrible (Times-reading) twins

with hints of vanilla, elderflower and pear.

Moonshare – This beer, a deep-golden barley wine, is matured in Grappa barrels – it’s a big and powerful beer, warming, rich and with oodles of complexity. One to pair with a strong hard cheese or as we’re nearly at the season, a mince pie or two!

Photo, left to right: Bibock, 6.2% – £3.50 6.2%from – £8.50 AIncrocio DIGITAL Manzoni, design agency Tunbridge Wells is Tipopils, 5.2% – £3.40 £8.00 (750ml) offering free sessions for(330ml) businesses that want to Moonshare, – £9 become more 10.1% sustainable.

Finisterrae, 5%, – £3.50 The award-winning Yoyo Design is providing sustainability support for local businesses through one-hour drop-in sessions with their CEO, Jenny Kitchen.

Grow Starting this month, the sessions are being held at the Yoyo office at 77 Mount Ephraim in Tunbridge Wells once a month.

Jenny Kitchen is leading the sessions, which will involve a short presentation followed by a group Q&A. The sessions are open to anyone who works in or runs a business and wants to learn how to grow their business sustainably.

The next session will be held on November 17 at 10:30am.

To sign up for the sustainability sessions, search for Yoyo Design at eventbrite.co.uk

Auctioneers Since 1929

Sell with Gorringe’s this Season

We’re inviting consignments for our Winter Fine Sale, 13th December 2022 Entry Deadline 23rd November For more information call us on 01273 472503 or send an email to clientservices@gorringes.co.uk From left to right: Qi Baishi (1864-1957), Bee and chrysanthemums – £65,000 + fees. A rare William de Morgan ruby lustre dish, c.1880 – £6,000 + fees. A Hagenauer bronze relief of a horse’s head – £1,900 + fees.

Visit us online at gorringes.co.uk

12 Noon - 2.00pm 3 courses, coffee & mince pies

£80pp

2.45pm - 5.00pm Welcome drink, 4 courses, coffee & petit fours

£95pp

Spend Christmas Day with us and enjoy a seasonal feast at one of our two special sittings taking place at midday and 2:45pm. Let us take care of you (and the washing up) on December 25th

STARTERS

MAINS

DESSERTS

Scallop ceviche with pickled golden beetroot, apple & sorrel gel (GF) (DF)

Roasted free range turkey, sage and onion stuffing, smoked bacon wrapped chipolata, seasonal vegetables, roast potatoes, turkey jus (GF)

Selection of cheeses with farmhouse chutney, celery, grapes and artisan biscuits (GF on request)

Terrine of ham hock, celeriac apple slaw, pickled vegetables (GF) (DF) Lightly spiced parsnip soup, sourdough croutons, parsnip crisps (GF on request)

Sweet potato, chard, goats’ cheese and pine nut loaf, garlic and herb stuffed mushroom, wilted greens with a butternut and caraway purée (V)

Christmas pudding with brandy butter and vanilla cream sauce Dark chocolate marquise, orange marscapone, lemon verbena shortbread

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onewarwickpark.co.uk | 01892 520 587 |

@onewarwickpark

Going Out

Wednesday November 9 | 2022

29

Fireworks displays go off with a bang (except one) support of the Times of Tunbridge Wells.”

Despite the Bonfire Night timing, the Dunorlan event does not include a bonfire, but there were other events providing that glow.

Edenbridge Bonfire Society garners nationwide attention for its annual ‘celebrity guy’ – this year in the shape of former prime minister Liz Truss.

Picture: Robert Day

BONFIRE societies and local councils have been lighting up the skies for November 5 and raising spirits and funds for good causes along the way.

The Dunorlan Park Fireworks have been lighting up the skies above the Tunbridge Wells park since 1957, in a gigantic display organised annually by the local Round Table.

The flagship November 5 event raises thousands for charity every year, and in 2021 raised so much that it had to call for additional charities to apply for funds.

Despite the weekend’s wet weather, which prompted a number of event cancellations, the Dunorlan display went ahead with a crowd of over 8,000, according to chairman of the fireworks committee Simon Addis.

He said: “Despite the damp conditions and drizzle, we were delighted to light up the skies over Tunbridge Wells, our 65th year of putting on the display.

“The damp evening did not dispel the crowds.”

He added: “This money will allow us to launch our annual giveaway in the new year with the

Fairground The event starts with a torchlit procession including the effigy of Guy Fawkes and the celebrity guy, followed by fireworks on the Fireworks Field, alongside food stalls and fairground attractions for children and the burning of the guys.

In Rusthall, the celebration on Saturday (October 28) before included both fireworks and bonfire.

Lisa Lindfield of the bonfire and fête committee said: “Organisers have been overwhelmed with our biggest influx of new and returning helpers to coordinate the largest village event in the calendar.

DISPLAYS Fireworks displays drew in the crowds in Tunbridge Wells, Rusthall and Edenbridge “Everyone worked so well together and the atmosphere was electric, especially as this was our first parade since 2019.

Cancelled “We are already planning 2023 and hoping to add some new interests to our parade so watch out for updates.”

Crowborough fireworks were cancelled for the first time in the event’s history, over fears about emergency vehicle access, and Town mayor Cllr Dave Neeves said he hoped the event might be rearranged for a later date.

“This event contributes a huge amount of donations toward my chosen charities (Grove Park Charitable Trust and Crowborough Foodbank),” he said

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30

Gig Guide

gigguide

November 9 to November 22

Times music correspondent Paul Dunton shares his top gig picks for the next fortnight...

THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE, THE PANTILES All event information and tickets available at www.thegreylady.co.uk FRIDAY 11/11 Paul Gunn Collective FRIDAY 18/11 The Ackerleys EP Launch + support from Anna Howie SATURDAY 19/11 Salsa Camina SUNDAY 20/11 Soul Kitchen THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM Event information and tickets at www. twforum.co.uk THURSDAY 10/11 George Dewhurst + Split The Dealer + Mind The Moon+ Longcoats FRIDAY 11/11 Revolver + Entropy + Disco Drug Store + Jo Jardim SATURDAY 12/11 WSTR SUNDAY 13/11 The Stable: Murderers Are Optimists + Stagg & Collins + Ryan Weeks Band + Jac Verrion FRIDAY 18/11 Keg SATURDAY 19/11 Cockney Rejects + Riskee And The Ridicule SUNDAY 20/11 The Orb THE ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE, CRESCENT ROAD All event information and tickets available from www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk SATURDAY 12/11 UK Pink Floyd Experience

ANNA HOWIE

TRINITY THEATRE, CHURCH ROAD All event information and tickets available from www.trinitytheatre.net THURSDAY 10/11 Ralph McTell SATURDAY 19/11 Graffiti Classics TN1 BAR & KITCHEN, MONSON ROAD Open all day, free entry, booking advised www.tn1barkitchen.co.uk THURSDAY 10/11 Ben Hills FRIDAY 11/11 David Mumford SATURDAY 12/11 The Masqueraders Duo THURSDAY 17/11 Julian Burdoch FRIDAY 18/11 Owen Donavon SATURDAY 19/11 The Masqueraders Duo

present: Echaskech Live

MONDAY 14/11 TWUNT Ukulele Jam session

ROSE HILL SCHOOL THEATRE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS All event information and tickets available at www.codatw.co.uk SUNDAY 13/11 Piano recital in aid of Ukraine Live concert featuring Ukrainian pianist Viktoria Goncharova Repertoire to include Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Franck and Liszt

GEOGRAPHY WINEBAR, HIGHSTREET Open all day, free entry music from 3.30pm to 6pm SUNDAY 13/11 Ryan Weeks SUNDAY 20/11 Ben Hills

FRANT CHURCH, FRANT All event details and tickets available at www.ents24.com/nr-tunbridge-wellsevents/frant-church WEDNESDAY 9/11 Don Vappie & Jazz Creole SAINT JOHN’S YARD, (ST JOHN’S ROAD) Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm

SANKEY’S BAR & RESTAURANT MT EPHRAIM Open all day, free entry, music from 7.30pm THURSDAY 10/11 A21 Duo THURSDAY 17/11 Sean Fennessey THE RIDGEMONT PAVILION, SOUTHBOROUGH All event information and tickets available at www.tunbridgewellsyouth. com SATURDAY 19/12 Tunbridge Wells

Wednesday November 9 | 2022

Youth Football Club presents The Acoustic Sessions: Chris Helme (The Seahorses) + Paul Crisp THE ROYAL OAK PUB, PROSPECT ROAD Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm SATURDAY 12/11 Kharma & The Devil SATURDAY 19/11 The Management ST MARY’S CHURCH, LAMBERHURST Lamberhurst Music Festival - all event information and tickets available at : www.lamberhurstmusic.co.uk/ forthcoming-concerts SATURDAY 19/11 Lisa Friend (flute) accompanied by Mark Kincaid (piano) and Martin Radford (cello) THE RED LION PUB, RUSTHALL Open all day free entry music from 8.30pm The Hearthside Sessions: SATURDAY 12/11 Michael Crowther SATURDAY 19/11 Jay Scott & The Find THE GUN & SPITROAST INN, HORSMONDEN Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm WEDNESDAY 9/11 Jam Session all welcome WEDNESDAY 16/11 Jam Session all welcome

THE AMELIA SCOTT CENTRE All event information and tickets at theamelia.co.uk/whats-on/autumnpiano-recital.html WEDNESDAY 16/11 Autumn Piano recital featuring Alex Metcalf THE FORUM BASEMENT AT THE SUSSEX ARMS All information and tickets available at www.twforum.co.uk FRIDAY 11/11 The Rambling Club + Suncharmer + Jack Hawkins SATURDAY 12/11 Frost + ensemble1 TUESDAY 15/11 PLAY DEAD + Dog Lungs SATURDAY 19/11 VLSI Records THE GAMBIT JAZZMEN PAUL GUNN

GEORGE DEWHURST

THE ACKERLEYS

If you are a venue local to Tunbridge Wells that hosts regular live music or even if it’s a one-off event, concert or festival, contact Paul at least six weeks in advance of your event date with the following details: Name and address of Venue Date and time ofHEVER event CASTLE

Name of event and name of act(s) 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 if required. paul@paulduntonandguests.com

Books

Wednesday November 9 | 2022

From child actor to latest Tunbridge Wells author

A

Tunbridge Wells resident and actor of more than 60 years has just published his autobiography recounting a six-decade long career that saw him tour Europe with Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh.

David Barry, a resident of the town for 38 years, began acting as a teenager and his book ‘Laurence Olivier & Vivien Leigh – The Final Curtain’ tells the incredible inside story of one of the most prestigious theatrical tours of all time.

In 1957, David Barry

‘It is theatre history that has never before been told in such detail’ was just 14 years old when he played Olivier’s grandson in the seldom performed ‘Titus Andronicus’, accompanying the media-power couple of the decade to six European capitals as part of the first British Shakespearean company to perform beyond the Iron Curtain at the height of the Cold War. It is theatre history that has never before been told in such detail, and reveals what really went on during the crazy, hectic, wild and still sensational touring production.

After decades of performing together, 1957 would be the last time Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh would work together, and strangely enough, not much has been written about this highly prestigious tour – up until now!

The author, whose past is a colourful mix of acting on stage and screen is probably best known for his iconic role of Frankie Abbott in the 1970s hit sitcom ‘Please Sir’ and the follow up ‘Fenn Street Gang’, but Barry was treading the boards long before TV fame when he shared the stage with Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh and Paul Scofield among others.

However, he has been a published author since 2006, writing a mixture of genres and memoirs.

The biography was published in July 2022

by Acorn Books, an imprint of Andrews UK Ltd and available from all good bookstores and online.

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On the bookshelf this week, Victoria Roberts selects two of the latest releases available in bookshops this week...

Dickens And Prince: A Particular Kind Of Genius by Nick Hornby published in hardback by Viking, priced £9.99 Nick Hornby’s return to non-fiction writing presents an ambitious historical connection that makes perfect sense. The author, impressed by the huge volume of work produced by the titular men, succinctly summarises their shared traits in a convincing manner. In under 100 pages, Hornby offers a refreshing perspective on both Charles Dickens and Prince that does not feel overly-elaborate or forced, instead identifying the key personal components – sacrifices, absences, quirks and fallibilities – that informed their oeuvres. A sprinkling of his own critical opinion is woven with detailed and precise historical analysis that examines exactly how the two men used these nuances to endure in the public consciousness.

An enjoyable and educational read that will leave fans of either figure positively enlightened.

Review By Harry Stedman

8/10

The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy published in hardback

by Picador, priced £20 Lonely salvage diver Bobby Western is sent to inspect a plane that has crashed just off the Gulf Coast, but when he reaches the watery grave, the pilot’s flight bag and a passenger are missing.

The sunken plane doesn’t make the news, and with a growing sense of unease, Western finds himself followed and questioned, apparently under a cloud of increasingly pervasive suspicion. McCarthy’s troubled protagonist lays low, but he is also on the run from his past – his dead father, who helped develop the atom bomb, and the sister he remains futilely in love with. McCarthy’s first novel in 16 years – to be followed shortly by a sequel – is a challenging and claustrophobic tale of irretrievable loss, an elegy that rests heavy on its pages.

Review by Jemma Crew

6/10

32

Developments

Wednesday November 9 | 2022

developments

Country estate’s Garden Cottages open to boost town’s holiday accommodation

By Robert Forrester

A

country estate in Tunbridge Wells has created four new holiday cottages that will boost the amount of holiday accommodation in the town.

Salomons Estate in Broomhill Road, Southborough, is to welcome guests to four newly refurbished ‘Garden Cottages’ available for holidays, business trips and short- and long-term lets.

The four holiday homes are each named after a species of plant that once grew in the gardens when the science author, barrister, and pioneer of road transport, David Salomons owned the estate. The cottages are ideal for couples and small families, and are dog-friendly too.

Rustic Peony, Lavender, and Rose cottage all sleep two guests and cost from £219 per night, while Honeysuckle Cottage, the largest of the four buildings, sleeps up to four guests and is priced from £369 per night.

Each holiday let includes a fully-equipped shaker-style kitchen, a lounge/dining area with TV, a double bedroom and an ensuite bathroom all boasting rustic and earthy elements reminiscent of their past, when they were used as potting sheds in the 19th century.

While modern luxuries provide everything you need for a relaxing stay, the design of each unit retains the simple, traditional

Free Valuation Days 22nd November - Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks TN13 1ZZ - 10am - 1pm 24th November - Bagham Barn Antiques, Bagham Cross, Chilham CT4 8DU - 11am - 3pm 25th November - King Charles the Martyr Church, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1YX - 1pm - 4pm Enquiries please contact: 020 8468 1010

Developments

Wednesday November 9 | 2022

character of their original purpose. Existing brickwork and timber beams have been preserved and exposed, allowing guests to experience a part of the estate’s fascinating history.

‘All original fabric and features have been restored and the utilitarian character of these humble working buildings is retained’ The refurbishment is part of Salomons Estate’s master plan, which aims to conserve the heritage of their listed assets, promote local tourism, and generate the funds necessary to restore the main building, Salomons House.

The cottages are nestled in a winding garden behind a grand wall that once enclosed the potting sheds, plus an extensive glass house.

Here, the gardening staff would use the

buildings as a place to nurture seedlings and re-pot plants.

“Most of us are aware of the fascinating buildings there are at Salomons – the house itself, the Science Theatre, and the splendid stable block. But few will remember the extensive glasshouses and nurseries that were built in the late 1880s,” Salomons Museum curator Chris Jones said.

“The restoration of the Garden Cottages as holiday accommodation is a great reminder of the days when peaches, nectarines and melons were grown here,” he added.

The Garden Cottages, which have been underused for their original purpose for many years, had their planning applications approved in July 2022 to designs by architect Gaby Higgs.

“All original fabric and features have been restored and the utilitarian character of these humble working buildings is retained,” said Ms Higgs.

The project, which took almost six months to complete, was delivered by construction company Dark Projects, who worked closely

33

THE LEN PHILLIPS SWING ORCHESTRA

THE NEW CENTENARY BUILDINGS

outbuildings, and compliment David Salomons’ original vision for the grounds,” he continued.

Bookings have already been made for all four cottages in the run up to the busy Christmas season where the estate is offering a special discount for the holidays.

On December 25, guests can enjoy a two-night stay plus Christmas dinner at the pub and dining rooms located in the main house for £595 for two people.

Trend

PENSHURST PLACE PROJECT STAYS LOCAL

GROUND BREAKERS Penshurst Place heir Dr The Hon Philip Sidney, pictured on the right

THE CONVERSION of a historic local building is going forward on purely local foundations, with both the architects and contractor coming from the area.

A planned new extension to the Porcupine Pantry café at Penshurst Place will more than double the size of the café and create a large, partially covered courtyard.

Two new ‘arms’ will create a U-shaped café with indoor seating for 90, up from 40 currently. The extended structure will form a sheltered courtyard providing outside seating for a further 80 people year round.

The kitchen and food preparation areas in the Porcupine Pantry will be enlarged and remodelled at the same time, also extending the menu choices.

At the ground-breaking ceremony last week (November 1), the heir to Penshurst Place Dr The Hon Philip Sidney said: “I am delighted that the Pantry gives so much pleasure to so

many, both from the local community and farther afield.

“We have a great tradition of hospitality at Penshurst and it will be splendid to be able to share it with even more people.”

The architectural consultants for the project are Tunbridge Wells-based Madgwick and Dottridge, while the building work will be done by contractor W.H. Hodder & Sons of Wadhurst.

Previously a dairy barn and later a plant centre, the building was converted into a café in 2012, and due to its location outside the visitors’ entrance to the stately home, it has become a popular stopping place for cyclists, walkers and the wider local community.

Building work is expected to take 22 weeks, finishing by April 3 – in time for the Easter weekend.

Both the Pantry and the adjoining gift shop will remain fully operational during the works.

with the estate’s team and architect.

Martin Wood, Director of Dark Projects told the Times: “While we’ve restored and converted the commercial units, we’ve sympathetically honoured the design and layout of the original Victorian buildings.

“The cottages harmonise with the existing

Alongside the onsite restaurant and amenities of the Garden Cottages, guests can use the purpose-built utility room complete with a washing machine and tumble dryer located at the end of the holiday lets, making the Garden Cottages a great option for those looking for longer-term stays. This is a trend that the Estate says is evolving.

Operations Director Nick Moore said: “Aparthotels are the future of hospitality. People are staying in one place longer – perhaps to work first and then relax on holiday.

“The Garden Cottages appeal to a variety of groups for this reason – both leisure and business travellers – they give people the flexibility to cherry-pick between the benefits of both hotels and self-catering accommodation.”

Salomons Estate is part of Elite Leisure Collection (ELC), which is also owner of One Media, publisher of the Times.

34

Property

Wednesday November 9 | 2022

property news

Nationwide records first house price fall in more than two years WHAT MEASURES WILL HELP BOOST THE FALL IN RENTAL STOCK?

HOUSE prices fell month on month for the first time in 15 months in October, according to an index.

The 0.9% drop marked the first monthly decline since July 2021 and was the biggest decrease since June 2020.

Annual house price growth also slowed sharply to 7.2% in October, from 9.5% in September, the Nationwide Building Society said.

Across the UK, the average house price in October was £268,282 – and the housing market looks set to slow in the months ahead, the society added.

Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist, said: “October saw a sharp slowdown in annual house price growth, to 7.2% from 9.5% in September.

Turmoil “The market has undoubtedly been impacted by the turmoil following the mini-budget, which led to a sharp rise in market interest rates.

“Higher borrowing costs have added to stretched housing affordability at a time when household finances are already under pressure from high inflation.”

Mr Gardner added: “The market looks set to slow in the coming quarters.

“Inflation will remain high for some time yet and [the base rate] is likely to rise further as the Bank of England seeks to ensure demand in the economy slows to relieve domestic price pressures.

“The outlook is extremely uncertain and much will depend on how the broader economy performs, but a relatively soft landing is still possible.

“Longer term borrowing costs have fallen back in recent weeks and may moderate further if investor sentiment continues to recover.

“Given the weak growth outlook, labour market conditions are likely to soften, but they are starting from a robust position, with unemployment at near 50-year lows.

“Moreover, household balance sheets appear in relatively good shape with significant protection from higher borrowing costs, at least for a period, with over 85% of mortgage balances on fixed interest rates.

“Stretched housing affordability is also a reflection of underlying supply constraints, which should provide some support for prices.”

Mr Gardner added that running costs for less energy-efficient properties tend to be considerably higher, leaving these households particularly vulnerable to energy price rises.

Mortgage repayments hit highest levels since 2010 HOMEBUYERS are facing the most expensive monthly mortgage repayments since 2010, according to analysis by mortgage experts.

Official figures released by the Bank of England this week show that the number of mortgage approvals in the UK has dropped in the past month.

One reason for this drop in approvals is declining buyer demand, which is being caused in part by rising mortgage costs.

According to a recent survey, in the last three years, the number of homes available to rent in the Southeast has fallen by more than a third, resulting in a severe rental shortage for many areas.

Coupled with rising buy-to-let mortgage rates and the recently announced Renter’s Reform Bill, what is the short-term outlook for the private rental market? James Richards, Partner at awardwinning Tunbridge Wells Sales and Lettings agent, Maddisons Residential, lends his view of the situation.

There is currently great concern within the private rental market. A reduction in the availability of rental stock and the rising buy-to-let mortgage rates for some private landlords will almost certainly increase rental prices. At a time when we are all experiencing rising energy and retail prices some renters are facing a worrying cost-ofliving crisis, and some landlords are being driven out of the market as their yields are not covering their costs.

However, most landlords wish to maintain their portfolios, as the medium to long term gains remain good and the vast majority wish to retain their tenants without having them unnecessarily financially affected. It was hoped that the new Government would bring some stability and give a clearer path ahead, but many property investors are still seeking more clarity. There is no doubt that Liz Truss’ ‘minibudget’ has had its ramifications.

I remain hopeful that the recently announced Renter’s Reform Bill will be seen through and at the very least ensure tenants secure, quality homes and see an end to those affected by houses “of an unacceptable standard”.

I would equally hope that acknowledgement is given to the reductions in private rental stock in order to help keep rental levels buoyant and a competitive market afloat.

Expensive Market analysis by mortgage experts Revolution Brokers found that homebuyers are now paying the most expensive monthly mortgage repayments since 2010, but that today’s costs are still a long way off historic highs.

Today, the average monthly repayment for a three-year fixed-rate mortgage over 25 years at 75 per cent LTV (Loan to Value) with a 25 per cent deposit is £948.

This is £86 more expensive than last year’s average and the highest it has been since 2010 when the average payment – after being adjusted for inflation – was £972 per month.

Today’s numbers, however, are still considerably lower than 2007’s high point when the global financial crash pushed the average monthly repayment up to £1,355.

It’s also important to note that this

current hike in repayment costs is not an anomaly. Instead, the average repayment has, with a couple of exceptions, been rising gradually since the 2012 low point of £771 per month.

As for variable-rate mortgages, it’s a similar story. Today’s average monthly repayment of £1,135 is £49 higher than last year and the highest since 2008 when the average was £1,350.

As with fixed-rate mortgages, today’s variable-rate repayments have been rising (with the odd anomaly) since 2011’s low of £771 per month.

Founding Director of Revolution Brokers, Almas Uddin, said: “This is undoubtedly a hard time for buyers, not least those on a variable-rate mortgage.

However, we do still have to be thankful that the current economic turmoil has not pushed mortgage costs anywhere near to the crippling highs we saw as a result of the last global financial crash.

“Furthermore, it is possible that a more stable leadership in the UK will calm some of the markets that have influenced the rises in mortgage costs in recent weeks.”

Meet the expert: James Richards is a Partner at Maddisons Residential – a leading, award-winning independent Sales and Lettings estate agent based in Tunbridge Wells, offering expert advice and exceptional customer service.

www.maddisonsresidential.co.uk 18 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5TN Telephone: 01892 514100 Email: info@maddisonsresidential.co.uk

Christmas at Salomons Estate

SCAN HERE FOR MENUS & MORE INFO

LET’S PARTY!

We’re rolling out the red carpet this Christmas, step into the glitz of our Hollywood Glamour theme!

For your work do or a festive night out with friends or family, our Christmas parties boast the best in yuletide spirit…

£54pp DINE WITH SANTA Sunday 11th December

FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA Wednesdays & Fridays from 23rd November

We’ve decked the halls, so spark that festive feeling with seasonal twists on traditional delights, all to be enjoyed in our stunning Victorian mansion house

Santa makes his way round to hear all your stories and Christmas wish lists while you enjoy a delicious three course Sunday roast (includes a gift from Santa for every child)

Festive Afternoon Tea

£32.50pp Children £16.95pp

Children’s Festive Afternoon Tea

Adults

£22.50pp

with Prosecco

£27.50pp

£12.50pp

THE BIG DAY

25th December 12 Noon - 4.00pm Join us at Salomons Estate for a fourcourse feast this Christmas! Tuck into all your festive favourites with your nearest and dearest in our cosy bistro packed full of yuletide spirit Four course carvery, coffee with mini mince pie & a chocolate gift

£90pp Children £45pp Adults

TO BOOK Call 01892 515152 or email reception@salomons-estate.com Booking essential for all Christmas events

@salomons_venue @salomons.venue @salomons_estate

ESTABLISHED

36

Events

Wednesday November 9 | 2022

Best of Bewl photo competition is just picture perfect for the autumn Molly Miller from Bewl Water talks about the return of the annual photo competition at the reservoir…

THE arrival of autumn means it’s the return of Bewl Water’s photography competition, Best of Bewl where amateur and professional photographers are being encouraged to get outdoors and capture everything from woodland to water at the 800-acre site.

Entries are being submitted on social media (@Bewlwater) where the winner will be announced at the end of the season and receive an annual parking pass worth over £300.

The competition follows the reservoir’s commitment to inspiring more people to get out in their natural surroundings and enjoy the great outdoors. New self-guided walking trails have been introduced along with 50 per cent off cycle hire from November to February 2023.

While the ranger team will begin working on the project on November 21, access will be maintained in certain areas between Rosemary Lane and Tinkers Wood to allow visitors to still enjoy a leisurely stroll.

Weather permitting, the footpath and bridleway are set to re-open for use on December 3, where visitors can expect to enjoy views like Mark Wicks’ Best of Bewl photography submission that overlooks the waters from the footpath.

Daniel Baker, Head Ranger said: “This investment marks a major step forward in maintaining, upgrading and sustaining the Bewl Water round reservoir route.”

East Sussex Highways will be erecting closure signs for the duration of the works, with diversions in place for pedestrians and cyclists.

Bewl Water is run by Elite Leisure Collection, which also owns One Media, publisher of the Times.

KATE DAVIS

Commitment Part of the commitment includes rebuilding sections of the public footpath and bridleway to improve the overall conditions and safety for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders.

Bewl Water spends more than £1.3million each year on projects that help run and maintain the grounds and works will start over the coming months.

The plans include replacing two wooden bridges in Pine Bay, a section of path which suffers from very wet and muddy conditions during the winter.

SHARON BRADSHAW

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

•

Food & Beverage Assistant - £23,400 per annum

•

Housekeeping - £9.50-£11.00 per hour DOE

•

Kitchen Porter - £9.50 per hour

•

Receptionist - £23,400 per annum

•

Chef de Partie - £10.50 per hour

•

Commis Chef - £10 per hour

We are always looking for great people who are passionate about hospitality, so if you’re looking for a role in food and beverage, front of house, housekeeping or in our reception teams we’d love to hear from you.

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to marketing@onewarwickpark.co.uk or scan the QR code to apply online.

Antiques

Wednesday November 9 | 2022

37

antiques

Putting a price on people’s valuables and collectibles After working at Sotheby’s, Catherine Southon was a freelance valuer appearing as an expert on TV’s Bargain Hunt, before establishing Catherine Southon Auctioneers and Valuers. She talks to the Times about what to expect at a valuation day... come out of supermarket carrier bags – a Fabergé photo frame came out of Marks and Spencer carrier bag and went on to make £18,000 plus buyers premium. A Chinese Qing dynasty libation cup that came out of Sainsbury’s carrier sold for £6,500 plus buyers premium.

Surprising

CATHERINE SOUTHON

One of the most pleasing parts of my job is surprising people with a valuation that they are totally unprepared for!

One of our most exciting finds came from a valuation day which we held at a Garden Centre in Tunbridge Wells.

W

e launched Catherine Southon Auctioneers and Valuers back in 2012, holding auctions at Farleigh Golf Club near Warlingham, while carrying out valuations around Kent and Surrey.

The valuation days normally take place at a local church hall or community centres in one of the many towns and villages around Surrey and Kent. As soon as myself and the other experts from the team turn up at the valuation day venues, we are often greeted by a queue of members of the public clutching their bags of valuables eagerly awaiting the news that their possessions are worth millions.

Strangely some of our best finds have

FABERGÉ PHOTO FRAME

Inspired Another great recent find, from Warlingham, Surrey was a Rolex ‘Pepsi’ wristwatch. The watch was so-called as the bezel (the circular part around the outside of the dial) matched the colours of Pepsi Cola, although at the time in 1954, when the watch was first launched, the design was inspired by the colours of Pan Am. The gentleman who brought the watch along to our valuation day had inherited it and knew it was worth something, but was unsure of the exact value.

Along with the watch, he had also

TOP PRICES PAID FOR:

VALUATION ROADSHOW

by TV’s Clive Attrell from ITV and BBC Television Clive has a well-established and successful antiques warehouse on the High Street in Hastings Old Town. You may also recognise him from Dickinson’s Real Deal, on which he was an appraiser for over two years, and numerous other television productions.

Clive is always in the area and FREE private/home valuations are available by appointment.

NOVEMBER

Sadly it was one that I did not attend personally, but my colleague Tom was at the helm. After sifting through endless boxes and bags, a lady presented him with a rather tatty Tesco carrier bag. Inside the bag was perhaps one of the most exciting finds Tom has uncovered – a 16th-century southern German backgammon and games board.

The lady had rescued the board from a skip back in 1960s and had kept it ever since. The board attracted national media attention after mentions in The Times and The Telegraph and went on to sell for £30,000!

Wed 9th Nov (PM) ASHFORD Kings Head

Woodchurch Rd Shadoxhurst TN26 1LQ 1.00pm - 4.00pm

Mon 7th Nov (AM) TENTERDEN The White Lion

57 High Street Tenterden TN30 6BD 9.00am - 12.00pm

Thu 10th Nov (AM) SISSINGHURST Village Hall

Sissinghurst Cranbrook TN17 2JQ 9.00am - 12.00pm

Mon 7th Nov (PM) STAPLEHURST Village Centre

West Hall High Street TN12 0BJ 1.00pm - 4.00pm

Thu 10th Nov (PM) WITTERSHAM Village Hall

The Street Isle of Oxney TN30 7EA 1.00pm - 4.00pm

Tue 8th Nov (AM) HAWKHURST The Royal British Legion

High Street Cranbrook TN18 4AG 9.00am - 12.00pm

Fri 11th Nov (AM) BIDDENDEN Village Hall

Tenterden Road Biddenden TN27 8BJ 9.00am - 12.00pm

Tue 8th Nov (PM) HEADCORN Village Hall

Church Lane Headcorn TN27 9NR 1.00pm - 4.00pm

Fri 11th Nov (PM) APPLEDORE Village Hall

76 The Street Ashford TN26 2AE 1.00pm - 4.00pm

Wed 9th Nov (AM) ROLVENDEN Village Hall

Maytham Road Cranbrook TN17 4ND 9.00am - 12.00pm

AVERAGE 5-15 MINS WAITING Clive Attrell and his experienced team ensures waiting times are kept to a minimum

• SWORDS • DIAMONDS • MILITARIA • PRINTS / BOOKS • CLOCKS • TOYS / GAMES • PAINTINGS • POSTCARDS • BRONZES • OLD COINS • FIGURINES • JADE ITEMS • MEDALS • SOVEREIGNS • WATCHES (working or not) • SILVER (in any condition) • GOLD (in any condition) • OBJECTS OF INTEREST • COSTUME JEWELLERY • CHINESE CERAMICS • KRUGERRANDS

Hastings Antiques Warehouse, 54 High Street Old Town, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3EN

Clive Attrell is Kent County Council Trading Standards Approved: Reg No 15618

been left the original receipt from the late 1970s, when the watch cost £90. I surprised him with a pre-sale estimate of £8,000-£10,000, but it then went on to sell for a staggering £18,000 with us at auction.

Quite often, people are reluctant to come along to valuation days as they are not sure if they have the ‘right sort of antiques’. My advice is come along, bring whatever it is that you have and if we are unable to value or auction your items we can certainly offer you the best advice as to where you can sell your possessions.

All valuations and auction advice are free of charge and we would be delighted to welcome you.

For more information, visit: catherinesouthon.co.uk

OFFERS Remember Clive is always ready to make you a genuine no obligation offer.

GOLD WANTED

SILVER WANTED

RINGS WANTED

FREE Clive Attrell is always in the area and FREE private/home valuations are also available by appointment.

WATCHES WANTED

There is NO obligation to sell so let Clive offer you is advice for FREE. He will advise you personally on your items & absolute discretion is guaranteed.

www.freeantiquesvaluations.com

For general enquiries call Polly on: 07824 359169

GERMAN GAMES SET

CASH OFFERS

MEDALS WANTED

COINS WANTED

JADE

WANTED

WHAT THE PUBLIC SAY... “ I wanted to get around £200 for my items, when Clive gave me £500 cash I was over the moon.”

Mrs Kelly from Crowborough

“ Clive was very interesting to talk with, he clearly has a genuine passion for antiques which helped him identify my items. He offered me a very good price and I am very happy indeed.”

Mr J. Peters from Rye

Keep this advert for future reference

38

Motoring

Wednesday October 19 | 2022

Sponsored by Handelsbanken Tunbridge Wells

November 9 | 2022 19 PropertyWednesday Feature

SJD£300,000 offers new Kent car collector sells off 47 microcars Tunbridge Wells housing market for pre-application slows after 10% annual growth planning service

By Robert Forrester

A KENT collector of ‘microcars’ has sold off 47 of the miniature motors at auction for almost £300,000.

THERE is not quite rush buyers that there The vehicles werethe part of aofcollection was earlier in over the year whenbybuyers wereEdwin accumulated 50 years Jean and fighting over newHawkenbury, properties, an estate agency Hammond from near Staplehurst has andclaimed. formed the Hammond Microcar Museum Kings Estates, based on Mount Pleasant Road, Collection. says over them the last years, Wells has Among is atwo blue PeelTunbridge P50, similar to one seen unprecedented house-price of at of driven

by Jeremy Clarkson duringgrowth an episode least 10 per year, and the average Top Gear in cent 2007per – which soldwith for £97,240. house price nowalso overincludes £500,000, means the The collection thethis famous average house in the town Messerschmitt Bubble Car.increased by nearly £1,000 every weekHammond over the last two purchasing years.

Jean and Edwin began

the novelty vehicles in the 1970s after their son Andrew wanted a motorbike.

Instead, Edwin, who has now passed away, bought his son a Heinkel three-wheeled Bubble Car, which the pair restored.

Andrew said he and his father were ‘hooked’ on microcars from that day onwards.

Quirkiness “It was different. None of my friends had anything like it," said Andrew, who was 15 when he received the vehicle.

“My dad fell in love with the cars and their quirkiness and how odd some of them were.”

The money raised from the auction will go to

‘Tunbridge Wells has seen unprecedented house price growth of at least 10 per cent per year, and with the average house price now over £500,000’

Proposal

AGENCY The Kings Estates team

Pictures by Charterhouse Auctioneers

But the estate agency says things have now ‘calmed’ and demand for houses in Tunbridge Wells has slowed.

A spokesperson for King Estates said: “This rapid house-price growth had to calm at some point and the catalyst for this has been the energy price hikes, the cost-of-living crisis and interest rate rises.

“We have recently noticed the demand for houses in the town has now slowed slightly, however the supply of good houses for sale is still very low, so this is keeping prices stable.

“For some buyers, particularly first-time buyers who can save up to £8,750 with the stamp duty exemption announced in the governments MICRO CLASSIC mini-budget, now is still a good time to buy.

Heinkel Bubble Car Buyers are telling us that they would prefer to

A LAND and development consultancy in Tunbridge Wells has introduced a pre-application service to help increase the chances of a positive planning outcome.

SJD, based in St John’s Road, said: “Working with our planners and architects, we are offering a dedicated pre-app service to determine the thoughts and opinions of the local council.

buy now whilst their monthly mortgage repayments are relatively affordable, rather than waiting until next year when they are likely to face larger mortgage repayments if interest rates rise further,” the spokesperson explained.

“Going forward, sellers and their agents will

Andrew's mother Jean, who now lives at a “Any proposed development would require a care home in Staplehurst. written proposal to be submitted to the council, Richard Bromell, from Dorset-based in advance of any formal planning application.

Charthouse auctioneers, who organised “The council will give feedback, citing policies the sale, said: “In the 37 years I've been and providing advice that will have a bearing on involved in auctioneering, I've never ever the outcome of any application. This will enable seen a collection like this.” the applicant to make any amendments before a Lesley Cook, daughter of Jean and Edwin formal proposal is submitted.

Hammond, said: “It was a sad sale for the “Based upon the advice of the council, our team family as we have been in custodian of can submit a scheme more likely to be considered them for many years. It was sad to see favourably. A pre-app is not publicly recorded them disappear but people will love and anywhere and therefore the information remains cherish them.” confidential.

Ms Cook said she hoped to see them on have to work harder to sold achieve sales, but with “A typical pre-app will include a written the road as some were to local buyers. the verytobest and sensible statement by the planner and a basic scheme “Due the marketing current economic and pricing, we still feel the demand houses the dug town will provided by the architect. If necessary, other political state, peoplefor might notin have remain and hopefully we acan continue reports and surveys can be provided.” as deepstable in their pockets but it’s means to to help people moved their dream Interested parties should contact SJD at: an end.

It is get great to seetothey have all homes.” TINY MOTOR Peel P50 For more visit: office@sjd-estates.com found gooddetails, homes,” shekings-estates.co.uk said.

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