Times of Tunbridge Wells 27th October 2021

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Daughter fights for the council seat left vacant by death of her father

REMEMBERED Julian Stanyer and daughter Rowena

By Robert Forrester THE daughter of a popular Tunbridge Wells councillor who died last month is to fight for her father’s seat on the Borough Council.

Rowena Stanyer, a 37-year-old communication specialist and daughter of Julian Stanyer, was chosen by the local Conservatives after the by-election was controversially called last week on the day of Cllr Stanyer’s funeral.

The move involved the Alliance party and led to a break with protocol. The call for an election is not normally pushed forward before the incumbent’s funeral.

Conservative Cllr Julian Stanyer had represented the Speldhurst & Bidborough Ward since 2012 and was Mayor in 2014/2015.

He was among one of the most respected members in the Town Hall. His death, after a long illness on September 26, has prompted a by-election.

Major cuts to services loom as Town Hall faces £1.7m hole INCREASED parking fees could be among drastic measures taken by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC] to plug a budget deficit of around £1.7million.

The shortfall might result in the authority ‘significantly reducing’ its services.

As revealed in the Times earlier this year the council emerged from the pandemic in the black.

Despite a fall in revenues from car parks, Council Tax, and Business Rates that cost [TWBC] around £8million last year, the authority managed to balance its books during its last budget in April.

Leader Tom Dawlings speaking to the Times in July warned that ‘a continuation of a loss of revenue for the Council’ was expected next year due to falling Business Rates levels.

‘A public consultation is expected to ask residents what services to ring-fence’ In a budget report ‘based on high level projections’ it has been revealed that for the financial year of 2022/2023 the Council is expecting a shortfall of £1,659,000.

Tomorrow [Thursday] the Cabinet is to

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Wednesday October 27 | 2021

be presented with the report by the officer in charge of finance at the Council, Lee Colyer, who will warn councillors that if it does not manage the deficit it could rise to £6.4million by 2027/28.

In his report he states: “For 2022/23 [the] Revenue Support Grant (RSG) for this Council is expected to remain at zero and at the time of writing there are no firm details of government financial support.”

He continued: “If left unmanaged the deficit would increase to an annual deficit of £6.4 million by 2027/28, which

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• Police step up patrols on common and renew appeal following assault on woman. Full story page 3.

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Wednesday October 27 | 2021

this week… Virus rates hit highest levels BACK WITH A BANG: The Borough’s favourite fireworks display returns for the first time since the pandemic on Saturday, November 6. P5

MEDAL WINNERS: Three female entrepreneurs win gold and silver medals in the final of a national business awards. P8

MP rebels again but admissions relatively low but this time on the environment

By Richard Williams

THE number of people who tested positive for Covid-19 last week in Tunbridge Wells reached its highest level since the pandemic began more than 19 months ago, with a 42 per cent increase.

For the seven days to October 18, official figures show that there were 760 cases of the virus in the Borough, the highest figure recorded and up from 535 cases from the week before.

The rate of the virus per 100,000 people – used to compare different areas – is currently at 639 in Tunbridge Wells, higher than 488.5 average for England and the highest levels in Kent.

Plan B

PULLING THE STRINGS: Comedian Nina Conti will be performing at the Assembly Hall on November 4 with The Dating Show.

P26

PERSIAN PARADISE: We review the latest restaurant to open in the town.

P28

This is more than the figures for January when the UK was under lockdown and the third wave of the virus saw rates in Tunbridge Wells reach a peak of 699 cases in a week.

Rates of Covid-19 are also currently on the rise in Sevenoaks with 746 cases in the last week, giving the district a rate per 100,000 of 614.6.

Tonbridge & Malling has seen its rate per 100,000 people rise from 414.9 to 493.3, and Wealden has also seen rates increase from 267.9 per 100,000 people to 432.

It comes as the government has rejected calls to move to ‘Plan B’ following rising rates across the UK and fears of the NHs being overstretched during winter.

Plan B measures would include guidance to work from home, the mandatory use of face masks and vaccine passports for places such as nightclubs.

The government has said that the ‘data’ on deaths and hospital admissions from the virus do not warrant the move due to the effectiveness of the vaccines, although though Health Secretary Sajid Javid has warned that cases across the UK could rise from the current 40,000 to 100,000 a day.

Across Kent, latest figures show there are 117 people with the virus in the county’s hospitals, up from 75 the week before.

At Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust [MTW], the total reported hospital admissions from Covid-19 have risen with ten cases being reported on October 17 – the highest daily figure in a month.

The number of people taking up a hospital bed at any one time at either the Pembury site or the hospital in Maidstone has steadily increased from around 15 recorded at the beginning of the month to 35 last week.

Deaths Yet these figures are only a quarter of the rates seen by the Trust in January when there were more than 150 people requiring a bed at the two hospitals due to the virus when around 40 people a day were being admitted each day with Covid-19.

Six deaths have been recorded by MTW so far this month to October 24 compared to 14 for the entire month of September.

January 2021 saw 236 deaths at MTW where patients had tested positive for Covid-19, which was more than a third of the 671 total deaths recorded by the Trust since the pandemic began.

Council could cut services to plug £1.7million black hole

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By Robert Forrester TUNBRIDGE Wells MP Greg Clark has again defied his own political party by voting against the government Mr Clark lost the Conservative whip two years ago after rebelling against Brexit. He was reinstated when Boris Johnson took over the leadership but has again defied his party’s whip.

In a vote on proposals designed to clean up rivers, Mr Clark was among 22 Conservative MPs who rebelled in a failed bid to retain proposals in and Environment Bill.

The vote came after Southern Water, which handles wastewater in Tunbridge Wells, was fined earlier this year a record £90million having pleaded guilty to 51 offences reported to involve the release of between 16 and 21 billion of litres of sewage.

Peers in the Lords had made several changes to a government Bill in order to place a new duty on water companies to reduce raw sewage discharges such as these into rivers and seas.

But MPs removed the amendment before it arrived back at the Commons. Some had argued the water companies did not have the necessary infrastructure in place to make the necessary changes needed, but more than 20 Tory MPs did not agree.

Disgraceful

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Rebellion Greg Clark

Continued from front page would need to be funded from new income, further cost reductions or support from central Government.”

To plug the deficit, the Council may have to make some hard decisions, but it is unlikely to put up Council Tax beyond the legally allowed maximum as that would require a local referendum.

Increased But Mr Colyer points out that fees such as parking could be increased more easily, saying in his report: “For the fees and charges which are not imposed by central government a report will be considered by Cabinet in November.”

A public consultation is expected to begin in December to ask residents and businesses what services residents would like ring-fenced.

Speaking to the Times after the publication

of his report last week, Mr Colyer said that the only way to balance the Council’s books will be by ‘significantly reducing the range of services provided’.

He said: “With the economy struggling to recover and the combination of higher inflation and labour shortages, the Council’s income is currently insufficient to fund the range and quality of services to be provided.

“A benchmarking exercise confirmed that the Council already operates on a very lean and efficient basis which makes savings more difficult to achieve without significantly reducing the range of services provided.

“The community and local businesses are still being impacted by the pandemic and the budget strategy is to continue to support them and encourage economic activity through the temporary use of reserves.

“This approach will be tested with the public through a budget consultation in December before Council makes a final decision on the budget and level of Council Tax in February.”

Mr Clark and the other rebels failed to block the Bill, which was passed in the Commons by 268 votes to 204 last Wednesday [October 20].

The Bill is now set to return to the Lords, where peers are expected to send it back to the Commons later this week, forcing another vote among MPs. The expected vote – possibly tomorrow [Thursday] – could be even tighter, as rebel numbers are likely to grow, and may even threaten the Government’s majority.

On his recent rebellion, Mr Clark told the Times: “The practice of regularly discharging sewage into our rivers and sea has to stop.

Southern Water, in particular, have a disgraceful record of damaging our environment.

“The Environment Bill gives the Government extensive new powers to act against this pollution, and I strongly support it. But before it is passed into law, I want it to be stronger still in placing a duty of water companies to avoid discharges of sewage and so I voted accordingly.

“I hope the Government will agree to further strengthen the Bill so that we can return our rivers to the pristine natural environments they should be.”

Wednesday October 27 | 2021

NEWS IN BRIEF

Man accused of ‘bedsit killings’ to stand trial A MAN accused of murdering two young women in Tunbridge Wells during the 1980s is set to stand trial on Monday [November 1].

David Fuller, a 67-year-old electrician from Heathfield in East Sussex is charged with the 1987 killings of Wendy Knell (25) and Caroline Pierce (20).

The two killings were a high-profile unsolved case and became known as the ‘Bedsit Murders’ after the case appeared on BBC Crimewatch.

In an earlier hearing, a court heard how Fuller, who is married, has admitted the killings but is claiming ‘diminished responsibility’ over the two women’s deaths.

The trial, at Maidstone Crown Court, is expected to last several weeks.

Kent test results out NEARLY 5,000 students who sat the Kent Test have been accepted into grammar school after results were published last week.

Around 17,000 children across Kent sat the test, which is similar to the old eleven plus exam and is designed to see if pupils are suitable for the many selective schools in the county.

Results were issued last Thursday [October 21] showing there were 4,975 children accepted for grammars.

Families of successful students can now apply for schools such as Tunbridge Wells Grammar School For Boys, The Skinners’ School and Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School.

Shellina Prendergast, Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “I would like to congratulate all pupils who found out their Kent Test result today. Your results mean your family can now apply for a school that will provide you with a fantastic place to start your secondary education.”

Blockage shuts hotel THE latest hotel to open in Tunbridge Wells was forced to close last week after guests blocked its water system.

A Premier Inn located on London Road, closed their doors on October 22 after customers flushed wet wipes down the toilets but the hotel reopened the next day.

Guests were diverted to different Premier Inns until engineers cleared the blockage.

A spokesperson for the Whitbread owned chain said: “Thankfully the team worked very quickly to get engineers on site to resolve the issue which meant the water was turned back on as soon as possible so that later check-ins were able to stay.

“We apologise to those who needed to be out-booked and would like to take this opportunity to remind guests face wipes are not meant to be flushed.”

Incident closes road THE main throughfare into Tunbridge Wells had to be closed last week following a medical incident.

St John’s Road was closed to southbound traffic on Friday, October 22 after the incident near to Culverden Park.

It is understood a tradesperson fell ill while working on a rooftop in the road.

A spokesperson for Kent Police said last week:” Patrols are currently at St John’s Road, Tunbridge Wells where they are assisting South East Coast Ambulance Service with a medical incident.”

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Customer says he was refused a table because of his ‘colour’

By Robert Forrester TWO men who describe themselves as ‘black and gay’ have received an apology from a restaurant where they faced a ‘rude and offhand attitude’ from an assistant manager before being turned away. The restaurant insists that ‘race was not a consideration’.

Employment specialist Ashley Cole and his partner Sonny were in Tunbridge Wells on October 2 for a friend’s wedding.

Having not eaten lunch, the pair, who are both 30-years-old, decided to pop into Prezzo on Mount Pleasant Road for pizza just after 3pm.

Mr Cole, who is from East London, told the Times: “On that day it was freezing, really wet and windy. We went straight into the restaurant after getting off the train and it was empty, there was nobody in there.

FULLY BOOKED EMPTY believes Prezzo [left] Ashley had noCole diners inside table when he Mr was Colerefused [below] avisited because of his race

‘We apologise fully and unreservedly for Mr Cole and his partner’s experience when they visited our restaurant’

‘Mark’ had been disciplined and told to attend training on diversity and inclusion.

Mr Cole said: “If they are denying race had any part to play in this, then why is he being trained on Diversity and Inclusion?

“As an apology they offered us a free meal, which was a slap in the face. This whole incident has seriously affected me. I suffer from depression and this has definitely knocked me back.”

We asked for a table for two but were told by the assistant manager that all the tables were taken.

There must have been about 12 empty tables downstairs and even more upstairs.”

He continued: “I said I don’t mind waiting for a table if there are no shows, but his response was that they hold the tables for one hour and are fully booked for the afternoon and that he had called everybody that had already booked and they were on their way.”

Unwelcome After the pair left the restaurant, Mr Cole, who works in employment relations, said he and his partner decided to check the Italian restaurant’s website and found there were seats available.

“We stood in the doorway as it was still raining not sure where to go for somewhere to eat, so checked the Prezzo website and there was a table so we booked and went back in,” he recalled.

When the pair returned inside, he said they were eventually seated by the staff, but were made to feel ‘completely unwelcome’.

He added: “We ate the meal, but it was such an uncomfortable experience.

“There was no eye contact from any of the staff, and the restaurant remained empty. No one else turned up, except for 45 minutes later when a white lady came in and booked a table for two and was seated straightway.”

He added that the pair had been polite,

Training well-mannered and he could not ascribe the assistant manager’s behaviour to anything other than the colour of their skin.

After complaints to Prezzo, the company conducted an investigation, but said that ‘race was not a consideration’ and the chain described the actions of the assistant manager as ‘just having a bad day’.

In a statement sent to Mr Cole and seen by the Times, a spokesman for the restaurant chain said: “The Assistant Manager in charge that day, made a series of poor and uncommercial decisions and these decisions, coupled with his rude and offhand attitude meant that your experience was not in line with our Prezzo values or indeed any reasonable expectation.

“He [the assistant manager] is extremely sorry that he upset you and your guest, he is adamant that your race was not a consideration and that he was ‘just having a bad day’.”

He added that the assistant manager, known as

He says he is now considering legal action to sue the Italian chain for the upset and distress caused by the alleged discrimination.

After being contacted by the Times, Prezzo said in a statement: “We apologise fully and unreservedly for Mr Cole and his partner’s experience when they visited our restaurant.

“We have conducted a thorough investigation of Mr Cole’s complaint and are taking it very seriously.

“Our restaurant team was stretched on the day of Mr Cole’s visit and made a mistake about how long the tables are held for and the booking procedures.

“We have reviewed the training given and supplemented this for the whole team to reiterate our high standards when it comes to our expectations of guest relations.

“Our aim is for every customer to leave our restaurants wanting to return. We’re sorry that this didn’t happen on this occasion and are in correspondence with Mr Cole to discuss and learn from his experience.”

Police increase patrols on common following assault

By Richard Williams OFFICERS have stepped up patrols on Tunbridge Wells Common and have renewed appeals for witnesses after a woman was attacked earlier this month.

The victim, a woman in her forties, was returning from Sainsbury’s supermarket at around 7.30pm on Saturday October 16 heading up Major Yorks Road towards the A264, Langton Road.

assistance.

The woman was not seriously injured but did require hospital treatment following the ordeal.

Police are now are asking any motorists who may have been in the area at the time to check dashcam footage and they have also stepped-up patrols in Tunbridge Wells Common following the attack.

Assistance As she was speaking to a friend on the phone, police say a young man approached and assaulted her.

The suspect, who is described as being in his late teens and wearing a dark blue baseball cap and a tracksuit, fled when the victim shouted for help and members of the public came to her

ATTACKED The assault occured on Mayor Yorks Road

Following reports that a number of PCSOs have been patrolling the popular green space, Kent Police confirmed to the Times that this increased police presence was ‘part of the investigation’ into the attack and that inquiries were ‘ongoing’.

Detective Inspector Adam Marshall from Kent Police added: “Our officers are continuing to make enquiries and are examining CCTV footage around the location of the incident.

“We are urging motorists with dashcam who were in the area at the time to check if they have footage that may assist the investigation.

“Officers are particularly keen to receive dashcam footage from those roads that cross Tunbridge Wells Common or run alongside it.

“Witnesses who saw the incident or anybody acting suspiciously in the area should also call the appeal line.”

Anyone with information should call Kent Police on 01622 604100.

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Wednesday October 27 | 2021

Alliance court controversy after death of councillor

By Richard Williams THE Tunbridge Wells Alliance political party, which has come under fire in the past for its aggressive, personal attacks on opponents on social media, is again at the centre of controversy.

This time it’s about the timing of a borough council election to replace one of the most popular members on the authority, the Conservative councillor Julian Stanyer and the former Bor0ugh mayor who died last month.

Protocol Normal protocol, observed voluntarily by major political parties as a mark of respect, is that no one calls for a replacement election until after the funeral of the incumbent.

This time, though, the Alliance triggered an election earlier when it had a hand in a letter demanding the ballot be called.

Town Hall staff are required by law to follow through on any such request from two members of the electorate.

BALLOT CALL Alliance leader Cllr David Hayward

Julian Stanyer represented Speldhurst & Bidborough from 2012 until he passed away on September 26 after a long illness. He had also been the Borough Mayor between 2014 and 2015.

Members of his own Conservative Party, as well as opposition Liberal Democrat and Labour members, posted tributes.

CANDIDATE Rowena Stanyer is hoping to win her father’s seat

FUNERAL Cllr Julian Stanyer pictured when he was mayor in 2014

Letter Tunbridge Wells Alliance, which came into being to stop the Calverley Grounds theatre project, set in place a chain of events calling for his replacement before the councillor’s funeral had taken place.

The Times has learnt that following Cllr Stanyer’s death, Alliance Leader Cllr David Hayward [Pembury Ward] communicated with a couple from Langton Green about how to call the election.

The pair then wrote a letter to the Council requesting the by-election be called. There is no suggestion they did anything legally wrong.

The letter, which has been seen by the Times, explains that the couple, a retired doctor and her husband, both in their 80s were ‘conscious’ of the protocol not to call the election until after a funeral, but the letter was sent anyway.

It was received by the Council on October 12.

Officers held off calling the election until the last possible moment to avoid posting the election before the councillor’s funeral.

Council rules mean a by-election has to take place within 35 days of receiving a request from electors, and the last day it could have been called to meet that time frame was the day of the councillor’s public funeral service.

Cllr Stanyer, a former chartered surveyor was laid to rest at a private ceremony last Wednesday

[October 20] before the public funeral service on Thursday, October 21 – the day the election was called.

The move by the Alliance is understood to have dismayed both Conservatives and the Stanyer family. Councillors from both the Lib Dems and Labour are also said to be ‘extremely unhappy’ about it.

Daughter of Cllr Stanyer, Roweena Stanyer, told the Times: “It was not ideal coming on the day of my dad’s funeral obviously.

“I did receive a letter of apology from the couple concerned, but it really wasn’t ideal.”

When approached by the Times Cllr Hayward did not deny being in communication with the couple in question but refused to comment on whether the two electors were members or supporters of his party.

He would only say that the Alliance were ‘very surprised that the process of the by-election started before Julian’s funeral’.

The Speldhurst & Bidborough by-election takes place on November 25.

‘My dad did so much for local people that I want to carry that on’ Continued from front page The ballot could see the Tories become a minority party in the council chamber if the party lose the seat.

“Having to be interviewed to stand in my father’s seat on the day of his funeral was not ideal, but I will be standing in the by-election,” Rowena Stanyer told the Times.

“But I’ve had so much support and messages with people coming up to me to say the most lovely things about my dad and talk about all the things he did for the community.

“He was the sort of man who could sit on a park bench and make a friend. I really loved my dad and know he did so much for local people and I want to carry that on.

“I am incredibly proud to be standing to continue by dad’s public service.”

The by-election takes place in November 25.

BY-ELECTION COULD SEE TORIES LOSE CONTROL OF THE TOWN HALL THE Speldhurst & Bidborough by-election brought about by the death of Cllr Julian Stanyer, could see the Conservatives become a minority party in Tunbridge Wells.

Before the Tory councillor’s death, the chamber at the Town Hall was currently under no overall control with the ruling Conservatives holding 24 seats and the combined opposition also holding 24.

The Conservatives had to rely on the Mayor’s casting vote to elect Tom Dawlings as Council

Leader after November’s local elections when opposition parties refused to form any kind of coalition or ‘confidence and supply agreement’.

Power If the Tories lose the Speldhurst seat it would mean the opposition parties will for the first time in 20 years have more seats than the Conservatives. The balance of power would shift to 23 Tory and 25 opposition councillors.

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The Tories, however, will continue to run the Council, albeit as a minority party, as challenges to the council leadership require a two thirds majority.

For Leader Tom Dawlings and his Conservative cabinet, it will mean relying on abstentions, absenteeism or opposition support to pass any future policies.

The next local elections are scheduled to take place in May when a third of council seats (16) are up for election.

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subject to anti-avoidance action. Reducing the Cash Grants: A grant of £10k will automatically be registration threshold to say £10,000 (in line with the provided to all businesses currently entitled to Small proposed MTD starting point for income tax) would Business Rates Relief. A grant of £25k can be claimed raise tax, remove barriers to growth and reduce for businesses in the retail, hospitality or leisure industry avoidance. ifThe theirsecond rateable value is between £15k and £51K. change is the reintroduction of Advance Business Rates There a 12-month business Corporation Tax.Holiday: Until 1999, wheniscompanies paid rates holiday (April 20make to March 21) forpayment all retail, dividends, they had to a quarterly hospitalityto and in England. equivalent theleisure tax on businesses the profits from which the dividends were declared.

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Wednesday October 27 | 2021

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Remember, remember to buy your firework night tickets ORGANISERS Members of the Tunbridge Wells Round Table promoting their event

Now the event, which returns on Saturday, November 6, looks set to be as popular as ever, with the Royal Tunbridge Wells Round Table, who have been organising the fireworks since it started, advising people to book early.

Chairman of the Fireworks Committee, Simon Addis, told the Times said “We are delighted that the fireworks are back.

“This is one of the flagships events held in the town every year and we know it was sorely missed last year.

Performing

By Richard Williams ORGANISERS of the annual firework display in Dunorlan Park say tickets for this year’s event are selling out fast as it returns with a bang after being cancelled last November for the first time in its 64-year-history.

Since it began in the late fifties, the town’s annual bonfire celebration has gone onto become the largest single event put on in Tunbridge Wells, with more than 12,000 people

attending each year.

The fireworks extravaganza raises tens of thousands for local charities, with hundreds of thousands generated for good causes over the last six decades.

Dampened In 2020, the fireworks had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, which came a year after the 2019 event was dampened by poor weather.

FACE OFF The festival is family friendly

“The last 18 months have been tough for everyone, and it is great to be able to get back to some form of normality and light up the skies over Tunbridge Wells. We want everyone to have a great time whilst raising valuable funds for local causes.”

He added that the bucket collection at the end of the display this year is for Hospice in the Weald, and alongside the fireworks, the Rock Choir will be performing, the Tunbridge Wells Rugby Club will be running the bar and there will be lots of food stalls to keep everyone fuelled.

The event is being sponsored by local solicitors Buss Murton, while the Times is media partner.

Tickets for the Dunorlan Park fireworks are available to purchase online at rtwrt.org or by the Millennium Clock at Fiveways in Tunbridge Wells town centre between 10am and 4pm on October 30.

Advanced purchase price for Adults is £8 and Children £5 – under 5s are free.

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Half term rail line closure ongoing PASSENGERS are being asked to check before they travel ahead of major engineering work by Network Rail between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings this week.

The half term works began on Saturday [October 23] and run to Friday [October 29] and mean no trains will be operating between the two stations.

The works will centre on the Victorian-built Wadhurst Tunnel, which has seen its steep-sided entrances increasingly affected by heavy rain fall and subsidence in recent years. This has caused the line to close numerous times.

The project will see ‘soil nails’ driven into the cutting face at both ends of the tunnel, to hold them fast and prevent future slips.

Numerous Network Rail who look after the UK’s rail network say by doing the work over a concentrated period of seven consecutive days, the overall disruption to passengers can be significantly reduced, while fast-tracking the delivery of the reliability and safety benefits of the project.

Fiona Taylor, Network Rail’s Route Director for Kent , said: “Passengers have [had] two weeks to prepare for the closure of the line from Tunbridge Wells to Hastings. The steep cuttings along the line have suffered from a number of landslips in recent years, causing significant disruption to passengers on this key route between the coast and central London and we are nearing the end of our works to stabilise them.

“We’ll be tackling a number of other jobs such as improving biodiversity and carrying out station improvement works which will make the most of the line closure and minimise disruption for passengers.”

6

NEWS

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Wednesday October 27 | 2021

A tale of two towns for traders as workers stay away from the office

By Richard Williams and Taylor Catton BUSINESSES in Tunbridge Wells are experiencing a mixed recovery from the impact of lockdowns and Covid restrictions. Those at the top end of town near Royal Victoria Place shopping centre appear harder hit than those at the other end town near The Pantiles.

Informal soundings taken by the Times amongst retailers show that some who rely on lunchtime trade are seeing a 60 per cent drop in revenue compared to pre-pandemic levels. And they are blaming home working.

Those running cafes, sandwich and coffee shops say business has not recovered and problems have been exacerbated by increased absence of office workers.

“But if people are not going into the offices, it’s a domino effect, and it is not just us, you go to any other small business around here and they will say the same thing.

“I can’t afford to have staff on, I work seven days a week because I cannot afford staff. When I first opened, I had three staff, but now I cannot pay them.”

The decision by AXA Health to close its offices opposite the Town Hall has not helped.

The insurance group, which employs around 2,000 people in the town, put its Crescent Road offices at Eynsham House and Phillips House on the market earlier this year.

The two buildings housed approximately 1,000 staff, most of whom will soon be working from home or using one of AXA’s other offices, such as their main site in Hawkenbury.

EMPTY Central Market

Hirion Ali, who runs Indian Street Food at Central Market – formerly known as Ely Court at Royal Victoria Place - said trade was down 60 per cent compared to pre-pandemic income streams.

He told the Times: “When we first opened, the whole market was buzzing and we would make between £3,000-£4,000 a week.

“These days we are lucky if we take around £1,200. I would say we are 60 per cent down.”

He added that the majority of trade has dropped off at lunchtimes.

He said: “A lot of the offices were our trade for lunchtime, from 12 to three.

When the closures were announced in June, AXA said its ‘commitment to the Tunbridge Wells area’ remained unchanged.

At coffee shop Esquires on Mount Pleasant Road, Thomas Saunders, supervisor, said straight after restrictions eased earlier this year the business was ‘jam packed’.

“There would be people in here with laptops at every single seat,” he added. “Now, there isn’t so much business, there are still people coming in to do their work but it has kind of died down.

“You still see the odd regulars coming in every day in the week, they always have their drink

QUIET Esquires rely on lunch trade

and their food, and it is lovely. But it is not as many people as before.

“We have AXA in every day, about 50 people coming from there. So I think that will be a big chunk of the business gone, because they always come in here getting their coffee. That will definitely hit us.”

Laptops Despite this downturn at the top of town, traders on the lower end of the town centre near the High Street and The Pantiles say they are faring much better.

Kate Phillips, supervisor, at coffee shop Lodge on the HIgh Street, said: “Business has been gradually picking up, we are one of three branches. The shop in Maidstone has been doing better during Covid because everyone has been out exercising, we have been quieter but generally picking up every week.”

She continued: “In the centre and top parts of town, some of the shops are shut. We are lucky down here because there is more down here to do.

“With the High Street and The Pantiles, it is nice to see more traders. There are more local and more interesting shops. Tourism wise, people are down this end of town.”

At Hudsons Coffee and Kitchen on Chapel Place, manager Elaine Rose said business there was ‘good’.

“We have been open for six weeks now and we are steadily building our clients because we are a brand new business and trade has been good.

“We have had people working from here with their laptops and we are doing a dedicated space downstairs.”

She also believed the number of shops that were closed at the top of town was affecting businesses.

“A lot of shops in the town have closed, that’s what I hear from customers coming in, that it is quite empty.”

CEO of RTW Together, Sarah-Jane Adams, said trade was returning to the town centre.

She told the Times: "We're hearing from many

PICKING UP Hudsons near The Pantiles of the town centre businesses that we represent, that levels of trade are approaching, and in some case surpassing pre-pandemic levels, particularly in hospitality.

“They attribute this to the loyalty of Tunbridge Wells customers, who they see as being keen to come back and support the businesses they know and love, understanding how important their patronage is, especially for independents.

“We believe that Christmas shoppers are out early this year, to stock up on essentials and prepare for the festivities ahead, but also to recoup some of the shopping and entertainment enjoyment that has been reduced over the past couple of years - and our hope is that they will continue to spend from an earlier point right up until the big day."

AXA ACKNOWLEDGES TOWN CENTRE ROLE In a statement, AXA Health has recognised the importance of the town centre for its employees, despite its recent moves to increase home working.

A spokesman for the health provider told the Times: “As announced in June this year, we implemented a new approach to working to empower our employees to work in the way that’s right for them and their roles.

“This entails a blend of home and office working meaning that, even with the same number of employees, AXA Health will need fewer people to be in the office at any one time.

“Currently we believe that, like many of the

population, our employees are continuing to heed the coronavirus guidance and are being responsible in how they approach returning to the office. As such, there’s likely to be an air of caution at the moment in light of ongoing infection rates.

“But we do know that going forward our employees value the importance of seeing each other face to face and many look to spend days in the office (alongside homeworking) for meeting colleagues and collaborative working.

And this undoubtedly involves coffee-stops and taking advantage of all Tunbridge Wells has to offer.”

8

BUSINESS

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Wednesday October 27 | 2021

Businesswomen trio scoop top awards

By Robert Forrester THREE Tunbridge Wells female entrepreneurs have won a gold and three silvers in the finals of a national business awards.

Siobhan Stirling of Sharp Minds Communications took gold in the Best Woman in PR and Marketing at the Best Business Women Awards 2021 (BBWA).

Deborah Richards of Maddisons Residential took silver for Best Consumer Business and Best Business, while Sophie Forrest of Forrest HR won silver in the Best Business Service category.

The women were handed their accolades at a gala final in London on Friday (October 15).

TRIPLE SUCCESS [L-R] Sophie Forrest, Siobhan Stirling, Deborah Richards

Founder Siobhan Stirling said: “To win a national award against such stiff competition is something I never expected – and a huge testimony to my team who have helped Sharp Minds emerge stronger than before through the challenges of the last 18 months.

“To be able to celebrate with two of our clients as silver winners was the icing on the cake!”

Deborah Richards, founder and managing partner of The Pantiles’ estate agents, Maddisons Residential, added: “We aim to turn preconceptions of estate agents on their head by providing exceptional customer service to sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants and to contribute positively to the fantastic Tunbridge Wells community – especially throughout the pandemic.

“It was great to have our fresh thinking, expertise and the results we deliver for our clients acknowledged with two silver awards.”

Sophie Forrest continued: “I’m delighted that the work of my team in expanding ForrestHR to provide a suite of services to meet the ever-increasing needs of our clients across such a turbulent period for businesses of all shapes and sizes has been reflected with this award.”

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Wednesday October 27 | 2021

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Town centre workers offered free self-defence classes to keep safe

Thomas Mansfield Wills & Inheritance Planning

By Richard Williams PEOPLE who work in Tunbridge Wells town centre are being offered a free one-hour self defence class in the wake of recent high-profile national incidents.

The initiative, which is being offered by RTW Together – the Business Improvement District [BID] group – to anybody that works for a business in the BID area.

BID say the martial arts classes are aimed to help people feel safer walking home in the wake of recent events, such as the Sarah Everard tragedy, in which the 33-year-old marketing executive who was abducted in London, raped and then murdered by Met police officer Wayne Couzens earlier this year.

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Lucky BID Director for RTW Together, Sarah-Jane Adams, said: “With the darker nights and mornings, many of us are thinking about getting to work or home safely, and after recent high-profile events, personal security is a very current and real consideration.

“We felt it was important to offer a free self-defence class and personal alarm to the workers who are employed within our town centre, to give more people confidence as they come and go from work.

“We’re lucky that Tunbridge Wells is a relatively safe town, and ideally, we’re hoping to provide the women and men who come along with skills that they will never have to use!”

The free one-hour lessons teach everything from what to do when you are being grabbed from behind, being grabbed by the wrist, escaping a chokehold, knife defence, mugging, being followed, and bag defence.

The class, which is being given by Heather Jordan of local martial arts group Surge Self Defence, also covers topics such as the law regarding defending yourself.

Participants also receive a free personal alarm,

CLEAN SWEEP Self-defence coach Heather Jordan [left] with BID director Sarah-Jane Adams a worksheet of moves, and a code to access a safety app.

Classes begin today [Wednesday, October 27], for 20 people per class, in the Pop In Pop Up unit of Royal Victoria Place shopping centre at 9.30am-10.30am / 10.45am-11.45am / 12pm-1pm / 1pm-2pm / 3pm-4pm.

Further classes are also being arranged for Friday, November 12.

To book a space, town centre staff should visit: rtwtogether.com/bidschool

County Hall kickstarts drive for classroom teaching assistants KENT County council (KCC) is attempting to attract more classroom assistants to the profession by promoting a scheme to attract unemployed young people to the profession.

Teaching assistants [TAs] are used by schools to assist with the running of the classroom, helping teachers prepare lessons and support them during their classes.

According to The Skills Network [TSN], there is a shortage of more than 40,000 TAs across the UK, higher than the recruitment gap for HGV drivers.

Special KCC is now promoting a Kickstart scheme across the county. It is a national initiative, which creates new job placements for 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

Fourteen special schools, nine mainstream schools, and one Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in Kent have signed up to the scheme and 11 of those have already welcomed Kickstart participants.

Participants, who have to apply via the Jobcentre, are paid the appropriate National Minimum Wage for their age while those aged 23 and over receive the National Living Wage.

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CAREER CHANGE Fiona Cashman Fiona Cashman, who began a six-month paid placement on the scheme at The Wyvern School – a special school in Ashford that caters for pupils aged 3-19, said: “It’s always been my dream job to work with children.

“I wanted to work in a nursery but when I heard about this I thought I’d give it a go and now I’d never change it. It’s changed my life to be honest.”

Shellina Prendergast, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “We are very pleased to be able to support the Kickstart scheme here in Kent and to be in a position to promote it to young people and employers via the Reconnect: Kent Children and Young People programme.

Call today on 01892 337540 For more information and the terms of this offer please visit our website: www.tmwillsandprobate.co.uk/simple-wills-offer TUNBRIDGE WELLS

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9

10

NEWS

Community News

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Wednesday October 27 | 2021

Hit the high notes for charity Best foot forward for ramblers

after anniversary celebrations

By Robert Forrester A RAMBLERS group are planning a busy month of walks after celebrating four decades of walking together.

Last month, walkers from Tonbridge & Malling Ramblers organised a walking festival in celebration of their anniversary of the Wealdway long-distance trail, which stretches 82-miles through Kent and East Sussex.

The group was able to host 26 free guided walks over five weeks with distances ranging from 1.5 miles around Tonbridge Park to 15 miles from Tonbridge to Groombridge and back to Tunbridge Wells.

Planned OWNING THE STAGE: The Orpheus Choir performing once again

By Taylor Catton AFTER a long break due to the pandemic, local choristers are back in tune to raise money for charities around the town.

The Royal Tunbridge Wells Orpheus Choir have been performing on the West Kent music scene for over 80 years.

Throughout the decades, new members have been introduced into the group, but the message has always stayed the same, to raise money for good causes such as churches, local and national charities.

In recent years, the choir have joined in performing in special events for November’s Remembrance Parade in Tunbridge Wells and

taking part in the Menin Gate Last Post ceremony in Ypres, Belgium.

The group are due to return to the stage on November 20 for their annual event at St Peter and St Paul Church Tonbridge to raise funds and support for valuable work for Hospice in the Weald.

Group member Glen Goodall said: “It is a known fact that music is good for your wellbeing, so we are pleased to sing and bring music to others.

“We are always on the lookout for new members so if anyone is interested in joining us check out our website.”

Tickets are £10 at the door or for more information, please call 01732 368824.

In attendance was The Mayor of Tonbridge, Roger Roud who joined from Tonbridge Castle.

Chairman of Tonbridge & Malling Rambler, Neil Whittall, said: “We were delighted with the enthusiastic response from the volunteers who planned and led the 26 walks.”

The team are one of 13 groups located in Kent and are part of the National Ramblers Walking Organisation which organises mid-week and Sunday morning walks from different starting points.

With more than 260 members, the team are expected to have a busy month ahead with seven, five-mile walks planned starting from Wednesday, November 3.

The ramblers are inviting more people to come and explore the two counties and have a packed November walking schedule.

Their journeys normally experience walking through woodland, across farmland and tracks,

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This role may suit a trained medical receptionist looking for additional hours or a new applicant with no previous experience in the role, either way appropriate professional training will be given.

We are looking for a flexible receptionist to cover the following regular sessions: 16 hours per week • Monday: 1.00pm-6.30pm • Tuesday: 1.00pm-6.30pm • Thursday: 8.00am –1.00pm In addition, the candidate needs to be aware that there will be a requirement to provide cover Friday morning or afternoon, in the event of absence through sickness, illness or holidays for which they will be paid for the hours worked at the contracted rate.

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For further details please e-mail joanneadam@nhs.net or call 01892 511833 Closing date for applications: Friday 12th November 2021

EXPLORING: The ramblers are back along quiet roads and local villages.

Walk leader, Nicola Brown said: “If you’re new to the group, we try to make you especially welcome. We’re always happy for you to try out two or three walks with us as a non-member, to help you decide if you’d like to join.

“Advance booking is not required, and you can just turn up on the day. If you are new to our walks, it’s a good idea to contact the walk leader beforehand to check that their walk will suit you.”

To find out more, visit: tonbridgeandmallingramblers.org.uk

General Practitioner Assistant (Administration)

• £14860 to £15640 Depending on experience • Tunbridge Wells, Kent • Kingswood Surgery

Kingswood Surgery, General Practitioner Assistant (Administration) Part Time 30 hours per week An opening for a General Practitioner Assistant (Administration) has arisen within this 11,000 patient practice located in central Tunbridge Wells.

This role may suit a trained medical administration clerk or a new applicant with no previous experience in the role, either way appropriate professional training will be given.

We are looking for a flexible General Practitioner Assistant (Administration) for the following hours: 30hours per week • Monday to Friday 9am to 3.30pm (including 30 mins lunch break) If you are quick to learn, have the resilience to meet the challenges of a pressurised environment, energetic but calm, people-oriented, computer-literate, adaptable and good humoured, this could be your ideal opportunity.

For further details please e-mail joanneadam@nhs.net or call 01892 511833 Closing date for applications: Friday 12th November 2021

Community News

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Wednesday October 27 | 2021

NEWS

11

Borough wants to help eliminate Showcase your support rough sleeping in next five years opposing climate change

By Taylor Catton

PLAN The council wants to eliminate homelessness

TUNBRIDGE Wells Borough Council [TWBC] have put forward plans to end homelessness by 2027 and to improve housing availability and quality in the Borough.

The pledge to eliminate rough sleeping is set to be approved by the TWBC Cabinet tomorrow [October 28].

The plan aims to increase the supply and choice of affordable homes, improve housing needs, promote homes that maintain health and well-being.

The Council have received a total of £913,000 over the past four years to tackle homelessness around the town and have provided funding to homelessness organisations to provide outreach workers and a rough sleeper co-ordinator.

Voice

Streets While previous rough sleeper counts, conducted during the winters, have found the number of people sleeping in the streets in the borough is usually below ten, the Council wants to reduce this to zero.

During the pandemic last year, TWBC was able to move rough sleepers off the streets into temporary accommodation such as the Russell Hotel which has now ended.

This was part of the Covid 19 measures the Government implemented during the pandemic.

This help has now ended but the

ON the eve of COP26, a local green campaign group will be launching a brand-new arts page for individuals to showcase their love and appreciation of the environment.

Tunbridge Wells Friends of the Earth are launching their new page on October 31 to coincide with the meeting of world leaders at the weekend.

Government has set out a vision to see homelessness halved by 2022 – with the aim to see it eliminated completely in the UK by 2027.

To achieve its aim in Tunbridge Wells and to see the problem eliminated over the next five years, the council have been working closely with homeless charity Porchlight.

Chris Thomas, Spokesperson for Porchlight told Times: “Porchlight has been working closely with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to provide a lifeline to people on the streets.

“It's been a challenging year-and-ahalf, but we've been able to get people inside to safety so they can start rebuilding their lives.”

He added: “Unfortunately, we predict that work is far from over.

“Porchlight estimates that more than 9,300 households in Kent and Medway are at risk of homelessness this winter because the government protections they relied on throughout the pandemic – furlough, increased Universal Credit payments, the ban on evictions - have ended. People are at breaking point.”

acknowledge and celebrate artistic expression for the beauty, strength and fragility of nature and planet Earth, and the vulnerability of life in the face of our recklessness… such as ecocide and climate change.

He added: We will be showcasing the work online, whether paintings, drawings, photographs, poetry or other creative writing. We anticipate holding an actual, physical exhibition in due course.

Cop26 is a UN climate change conference which is held every five years with aims to tackle climate change. Due to the pandemic, the summit was postponed for 12 months.

For nearly three decades, world leaders have come together to discuss problems surrounding the planet’s environment and this will be the first meeting since 2015.

This year’s COP26 is due to be held in Glasgow between October 31 – November 12.

The environmentalists are part of a national organisation which help give people a voice on climate change and for a sustainable way of life.

Following on from the website launch, the team will be hosting a ‘Global Day of Action’ at the King Charles the Martyr Church Hall in a bid to connect with the environment, share opinions on COP26 and climate change.

Spokesperson from Friends of the Earth, Steve Walter said: "We’re encouraging ARTWORK everyone to submit works Gone With The of art, poetry and writing Tide by Sander which are in some way Matulewicz reflections on planet Earth and may be in response to climate change, the climate emergency or the parallel crisis of biodiversity loss, both locally and globally “We want to

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National News

Wednesday October 27 | 2021

Insulate Britain warn of The Queen returns to work more M25 protests and tell after doctors ordered rest motorists to slow to 20mph

BLOCKADE Insulate Britain earlier this month on the M25 THE protest group that has angered motorists over the last month by blocking Britain’s busiest motorway has warned that the M25 will become a ‘place of non-violent civil resistance’ from today [Wednesday].

Insulate Britain also urged motorists to avoid the motorway from 7am or cut their speed to 20mph ‘to minimise the risk of accidents’.

It said this is in response to Governmentowned National Highways securing a new court injunction banning activities that obstruct traffic on its 4,300-mile network of motorways and major A-roads in England.

Consequence This is the fourth injunction taken out in response to Insulate Britain’s protests.

Activists have blocked roads on 15 days since September 13, causing misery for drivers stuck in long queues of traffic.

Protesters have frequently targeted the M25, which is the UK’s busiest motorway.

Insulate Britain said in a statement: “We are not concerned with endless injunctions. We are not concerned with our fears. We are concerned with fulfilling our duties and responsibilities at this ‘period of consequence’.

“Starting from 7am on the morning of Wednesday 27th October, the M25 will become a place of non-violent civil resistance to stop our Government committing crimes against humanity.”

The group – an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion – wants the Government to insulate all UK homes by 2030 to cut carbon emissions.

The statement urged National Highways to

enforce a 20mph speed limit on the M25 to “keep the public safe”.

It also called on the police to “refuse to arrest us, as we are upholding the British constitution and they have a duty to refuse to obey any Government that fails to uphold its first and most important responsibility: the protection of people in Britain”.

People who break injunctions can be found to be in contempt of court, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison or an unlimited fine.

But prosecutions for this offence usually take several months.

The Department for Transport said on Tuesday that more than 100 Insulate Britain activists have been served with court papers in relation to the injunctions.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We are making use of every avenue of existing law to try to prevent the continued life-endangering action being carried out by Insulate Britain, which is causing intolerable disruption to motorists’ lives and livelihoods.

“This new interim injunction will ban activities that obstruct motorways and major A-roads across the entire country.

“On top of the immediate measures we’re taking, the long-term solution lies in the changes to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which were set out by the Home Secretary, giving additional powers against disruptive protests which target critical national infrastructure.

“This includes unlimited fines and prison sentences of up to six months for obstructing highways.”

GREG CLARK MP Hildenborough Church

Hildenborough Church

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ADVICE SURGERIES

THE Queen has carried out virtual audiences from Windsor Castle – her first official engagements in seven days since she was ordered to rest by doctors.

It is the first time the 95-year-old head of state has been seen – albeit on a computer screen – since she hosted a busy evening reception for the global investment summit on October 19.

She cancelled a trip to Northern Ireland, was under strict orders to rest and faced preliminary tests in hospital on October 20 during her first overnight stay at a medical facility in eight years.

The Queen was wearing a yellow dress and her three-strand pearl necklace and was seen smiling during the audiences on Tuesday.

She was pictured on a computer screen as she greeted the ambassador from the Republic of Korea, Gunn Kim, who was dressed in Korean clothing including a traditional hat known as a gat.

COP26 The monarch is being looked after by the Medical Household, her expert team of royal physicians.

She is due to attend events in Scotland next week as part of a flurry of royal COP26 engagements involving the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge between November 1-5.

On the royal family’s website, the Queen is still listed as attending a reception on November 1 as part of the climate change conference.

She had a busy schedule of engagements in the first weeks of October following her return from Balmoral, and her hospital stay was kept a secret and only confirmed by the Palace when it was revealed by The Sun newspaper.

BACK TO WORK Her Majesty speaking to the Korean Ambassador The Queen was seen using a walking stick for the first time at a major engagement during a Westminster Abbey service on October 12.

On Thursday October 21, she was said to be in “good spirits” after her hospital stay and back at her desk, undertaking light duties.

But she missed a church service at Windsor on Sunday. Royal sources had briefed the Sunday Times that the Queen was “knackered” due to a busy social life and preference for late night television, as having a hectic run of engagements in October.

The Queen’s husband of 73 years the Duke of Edinburgh died six months ago at the age of 99.

Buckingham Palace would not comment on whether the monarch has received her booster Covid-19 jab but given her age it is likely she has already had it.

JOIN US FOR A FAMILY FUN EVENING OF CHRISTMAS CHEER ON THE PANTILES!

g i B The ! l a e v Re

SATURDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2021 - 6PM Come and see the unveiling of The Pantiles Traders' Christmas windows and vote for your favourite!

If you have an individual problem which you think I can help with or you would like to have a chat about a more general issue, please do get in touch.

To make an appointment for one of my regular advice surgeries, please call

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NEWS

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Local News

Wednesday October 27 | 2021

UN report says world is facing ‘catastrophe’ as countries’ climate commitments fall short THE world is on track for ‘climate catastrophe’, the UN warned, as it published a report showing countries’ plans to cut emissions still fall far short of curbing dangerous warming.

With a few days before COP26 opens in Glasgow, the latest scientific report on climate change should act as a ‘thundering wake-up call’, according to the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said even with new and updated plans and pledges from countries for cutting greenhouse gas emissions in the next decade, the world faces global warming of 2.7C by 2100.

The latest climate plans and pledges brought forward by countries to tackle emissions by 2030 only reduce predicted planet-warming pollution by 7.5% by 2030 compared to their previous commitments, it said.

But reductions of 55% are needed to meet the goal to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C – beyond which more severe impacts of climate change will be felt, from extreme weather to rising seas.

Opportunity Some 49 countries and the EU have pledged long-term targets to cut emissions to net zero, which could bring temperature rises down to 2.2C, but only if they are fully implemented, with action in the next decade, it said.

And the report showed that just a fifth of the recovery investment to help reboot economies after the pandemic had gone to supporting green measures – missing an opportunity to drive action to slash emissions.

The report also highlights opportunities to cut emissions quickly, including by tackling the powerful but short-lived greenhouse gas methane, which could be reduced significantly

Wednesday September 29 | 2021

National News

NEWS

13

Former Tory Minister faces suspension for lobbying breach FORMER Cabinet minister Owen Paterson is facing the prospect of a 30-day suspension from Parliament after he was found to have breached Commons rules on lobbying.

An investigation by Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Kathryn Stone found he repeatedly lobbied ministers and officials on behalf of two companies for which he was acting as a paid consultant – Randox, and Lynn’s Country Foods.

The Commons Standards Committee said his actions were an ‘egregious’ breach of the rules on paid advocacy by MPs and recommended that he should be suspended for 30 sitting days.

But, in an angry statement, Mr Paterson rejected the commissioner’s findings, accusing her of making up her mind before she had even spoken to him.

with technology and changes to diet.

Launching the report before world leaders head to Glasgow for crucial Cop26 climate talks, UNEP’s executive director Inger Andersen warned: “The world has to wake up to the imminent peril we face as a species.

“Climate change is no longer a future problem.

It is a now problem,” she said.

And UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said that less than a week before the talks, “we are still on track for climate catastrophe”, warning there was a gap in leadership on tackling the crisis.

It is the latest warning over the climate crisis, as emissions of the gases that drive global warming are set to bounce back after the pandemic, and reached record concentrations in the atmosphere in 2020.

Countries at Cop26 are under pressure to deliver on promises made in the global Paris Agreement to hold global temperature rises to “well below”

2C and to try to keep warming to 1.5C, to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

But the national plans countries previously put forward for the Paris deal left the world well off-track for the 1.5C and 2C limits, so they have had to submit new or updated plans for action up to 2030, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), by Cop26.

The latest annual analysis of the “emissions gap” between the action countries are planning and what is needed by 2030, shows that even with new or updated plans from 120 countries and the EU, as well as new pledges from key polluters such as China, far more needs to be done.

It finds the impact of the new and updated plans will reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by just 2.9 billion tonnes in 2030 compared to the old NDCs, while including pledges announced by China, Japan and South Korea will reduce emissions by` four billion tonnes.

Evidence “This is a biased process and not fair,” he said.

“It offends against the basic standard of procedural fairness that no-one should be found guilty until they have had a chance to be heard and to present their evidence including their witnesses.”

Mr Paterson said the manner in which the investigation was carried out had “undoubtedly” played a ‘major role’ in the decision of his wife Rose to take her own life last year.

In her report, Ms Stone found that between November 2016 and November 2017 Mr Paterson made three approaches to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) relating to Randox – a clinical diagnostics company – and antibiotics in milk in breach of the ban on paid advocacy.

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Education

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Wednesday October 27 | 2021

EDUCATION Times

Intrepid students praised for their award winning endeavours Beacon Academy pupils succeed with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

day and night of expedition training and then went straight into a three-day, two-night practice expedition. For their qualifying expedition, the students worked in teams to navigate their way to Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre campsite and then on to Lepe Country Park the next day.

Our students worked incredibly hard over both weekends and I am incredibly proud of all of them.”

Now in their third year as a licensed organisation of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Beacon Academy now has over 260 students across Years 9 to 11 participating in the Bronze and Silver Awards, with Gold enrolment beginning soon for Year 12.

By Eileen Leahy BEACON Academy students in Crowborough have been celebrating their achievements in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze and Silver Awards.

Students in Years 10 and 11 were presented with their Bronze Award certificates and badges by Award Manager, Mr Hoddinott. To achieve their award, students have spent an hour each week over six months taking part in volunteering, completing a physical activity, alongside learning a new skill.

‘Our students worked incredibly hard over both weekends and I am incredibly proud of all of them’

Learning This cohort of Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Bronze Award participants who started their Award in October 2020 have been representing Beacon Academy in their local communities, volunteering in sectors such as social care, sport, education and many have even adapted to the circumstances over the last two years by offering virtual tutoring to peers and younger students from home.

Students have also been learning a variety of new skills alongside taking part in a variety of physical activities, improving both their physical and mental wellbeing.

Beacon Academy DofE Manager, Mr Rob Hoddinott, said: “I am immensely proud of what our students have achieved over the past year.

Despite there being less opportunities to take part in volunteering, physical and skills activities due to the different restrictions, our students have overcome this challenge and adapted their programs to continue their Awards both at home and in their local areas. This is our second cohort of students to receive their Awards, and I am looking forward to watching many more achieve theirs over the coming few months.”

The Academy’s first cohort of Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants successfully completed a weekend of training and practice expedition on the South Downs in the final weekend of August and went on to successfully complete their qualifying expedition in the New Forest in September.

Mr Rob Hoddinott, added: “We had nineteen students across Years 11 and 13 taking part, walking nearly 60km across the South Downs, whilst carrying all their own kit and food. The training and practice weekend started with a

Alongside the students’ achievements, Beacon Academy staff have been upskilling themselves over the past three years, made possible thanks to funding received from the DofE’s Diamond Jubilee Fund. Beacon Academy now have staff qualified in Lowland Leadership, Expedition Supervision and Assessment, and Outdoor First Aid, with more staff attending training over the coming months to support the school’s growing DofE programme.

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LOCAL NEWSPAPERS

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Weekly Comment

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Bjorn Simpole Labour Party

Wednesday October 27 | 2021

Bjorn Simpole is Tunbridge Wells Labour’s Policy Officer.

He managed the 2021 Rusthall campaign where Labour secured their first Labour councillor in the ward since 1994. He works in Local Government for a London Borough.

We disagree over big issues but our traditions are to debate THE HORRIFIC murder of a second Member of Parliament in five years was a shock to all of us and an outrageous attack on our democracy.

Tunbridge Wells Constituency Labour Party stands in solidarity with our MP, Greg Clark, and all local Conservatives affected by the death of Sir David Amess.

This outrageous incident – following the murder of Jo Cox MP – forces us all to consider how we can make our politics less adversarial, more courteous, and unclouded by hate. People who stand for election should have our regard rather than being reviled for wanting to serve their community.

borough and country we’d like to live in.

Locally their political choices have led to wasting over £10million on a failed grandiose town centre building project. Nationally they have led to cuts in Universal Credit by £20 a week for the poorest households and funding the NHS and Social Care by hitting all working age residents with tax rises.

The Conservative rhetoric of ‘Building Back

Better’ and ‘levelling up’ is meaningless waffle.

They are out of touch, lack any coherent plans and have learnt the wrong lessons from the pandemic. What does levelling-up mean for lower income residents in Tunbridge Wells who will see less money in their pockets and decreased chances to find an affordable place to live?

At its recent Party Conference Labour has

set out a policy programme for a fairer Britain where the interests of working people will always come first. Labour would replace Universal Credit with a fairer system where work really does pay. We would improve derisory levels of statutory sick pay and incrementally increase the minimum wage to £15 an hour.

Families

TRAGEDY: Flowers left outside the church where David Amiss was killed

We would also tackle the big priorities facing the nation. The Conservatives are happy to concrete over vast swathes of our greenspaces with unaffordable housing. Labour would provide a new housing programme to provide genuinely affordable housing to rent or buy.

This would give young families the choice of living in the place where they grew up.

A Labour government would be prepared to take the action necessary to meet our commitments to address the climate emergency by bringing in a Green New Deal that will reduce our carbon emissions, achieve net zero and invest in Green jobs.

Only Labour will provide opportunity for all regardless of where people live in the country, their background and connections. That’s real ‘levelling up’ and we are ready to do this now.

Fight In politics we disagree over the big issues like taxation, immigration, the role of the state and how public services should be delivered, but our democratic traditions are to debate, sometimes passionately, but respectfully.

There is a big difference between Labour and the Conservatives in office both at a local and national level and both parties fight hard for what they believe in. The Conservatives have run Tunbridge Wells for over 23 years and the country for over 11 and we believe it is time for change on both fronts to reset the kinds of

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Wednesday October 27 | 2021

Letters

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NEWS

17

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 Local News, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG

TWIN TOWN Brian Bissell [front left] and the other members of the Twinning Association Last week [October 18] was the 29th anniversary of Southborough and High Brooms Twinning Association SHDOFA [see Times Community News, October 20].

It is also one calendar month from the date of the official opening of the Southborough Community Hub by the Mayor of Southborough Cllr Dianne Hill. I would like to see the words Community Hub added to Southborough on the outside of the building.

It was a glorious sunny Saturday and people turned out in force to celebrate the opening of this new Civic Centre, Library, Community Hall, called Unity Hall, and the ancillary facilities which included a football pavilion and tours round The Bounds Oak Room, The Lambersart Room and The Brickworks Room.

In the Unity Hall a Tea Dance along with excellent entertainment was held during the afternoon which I attended. There were stalls and band performances in the Outdoor Display

Public servants need to serve The tragic murder of David Amess MP while meeting his constituents sadly demonstrates the increasing risks that those in public life face going about their daily activities while engaging with other people on local issues.

What with the attacks on social media and physical and verbal abuse it is little wonder that increasingly people are being put off standing for election as MPs and council candidates at all levels.

I agree that vigilance and protection measures should be stepped up, but if we stop meeting the public altogether then those who are against our liberal democracy have won.

Dr Alan Bullion Southborough Town Councillor Cinema site’s fate Peter Kirkup in last week’s Letters [Times October 20] writes that he is engaging Greg Clark and Michael Gove in the continuing saga that is the old cinema site.

Well Greg Clark is already exercised by it so Mr Kirkup’s intervention is unlikely to stir anything further and Michael Gove is likely to duck - not wanting to get involved in Mr Clark’s bailiwick.

He goes on to write that Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC] should sell assets and buy it claiming that this will cost nothing, but

Area of the Town Square plus a wonderful Dog Show.

Lots for everyone to enjoy and clearly pointed the way forward to future events which hopefully will include a Christmas Festival and an annual celebration of this special Fun Family Festival.

This new community facility needs using and the Unity Hall is ready to receive bookings. I understand a local dance school has already registered its interest.

The Town Square has enormous potential for the holding of outdoor events and markets and the Southborough Street Community team southboroughstreet.co.uk along with SoutboroughTown Council southborough-tc. gov.uk are keen to promote the use of this wonderful new facility for Southborough and High Brooms.

Brian Bissell Southborough

Media is censoring opinion Over the past 18 months or so, a local media organisation [not the Times] has published two full-length articles of a controversial nature and not allowed anyone to reply.

The correspondence was initially triggered when the Sevenoaks Chronicle / Kent and Sussex Courier published several articles in praise of the LBGT organisation Stonewall.

The first of these articles was by someone named Tim Ramsey and the second was by someone named Harry Higginson. While there will be some who agree with the views expressed in those articles, there will be many people (especially in West Kent) who strongly disagree.

Many such people (myself included) will have written to the relevant organisation, but no letters have appeared in print that disagree with the content of those two major articles. This begs several questions. For example, who actually are Tim Ramsey and Harry Higginson? What are their credentials that have led them to write in the way they did?

And why are their views apparently considered so sacrosanct that nobody is allowed to disagree (or at least is not allowed to voice such disagreement in public)?

John Humphrey, Sevenoaks

Time changes affect dementia As the nights begin to draw in, many of us exclaim our surprise, despite the fact it happens every year!

But for people with dementia when the clocks change and go back an hour on 31 October it may well cause more than just surprise. People with dementia can find themselves particularly disorientated by the change.

People’s responses will vary – some people with dementia may find this upsetting and become tearful, whereas others may become angry or agitated, and still others might respond in a more light-hearted way. Others may not even notice that much. It will of course depend on the individual.

The main difficulty that people with dementia might experience when the days get shorter is of an increase in ‘sundowning’. This can be seen as changes in the person’s behaviour in the later afternoon or towards the end of the day. During this time the person may become intensely distressed or confused or have hallucinations or delusions.

This may continue into the night, making it hard for them to get enough sleep.

The fact that the mornings are darker may well have an effect too, as someone with dementia may find it difficult to differentiate between, say, 6am and 6pm. The use of clocks that show both the time and also whether it is evening or morning may help here.

Having a routine during the day and at bedtime can help when a person’s body clock doesn’t work as well as it should. Doing regular activities at the same time each day – for example, going out for a walk after breakfast, playing a game after lunch or listening to the radio together in the afternoon can help make sense of the time.

Jacqui Justice-Chrisp Alzheimer’s Society Area Manager

these assets generate revenue so their sale will result in a net loss leading to higher local taxes.

Far from costing nothing, we could be faced with a large bill.

As I have urged before along with many others: TWBC, together with my taxes, is well out of it; like it or lump it, it’s a job for the marketplace.

Edward Baker Tunbridge Wells

Night flights are no argument An argument is diminished if it’s advanced by exaggeration and hyperbole, so when Norma Pinkerton last week wrote ‘hundreds of thousands more aircraft flying low..........at night’ she fails to acknowledge that night flights are now restricted.

She then seems to argue that it’s OK for some people to fly - presumably this includes herself, but not the rest of us jetting off to sunspots in our hundreds of thousands just for pleasure. It’s OK for a small number to cause cancer and contribute to global warming - I quote her, but not the rest of us. This is hypocrisy on a grand scale.

Unless she has a different understanding of night and day she hasn’t had a night’s sleep disturbed in a very long time.

Sam Goodenough Broadwater Down

We do our best to publish letters in full. However, the Editor reserves the right to edit any letter. Please ensure that letters do not exceed 250 words

PEPPY SAYS

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

Southborough has so much potential

Turkeys won’t vote for Christmas I feel certain that I was not alone in being totally unsurprised by the decision of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council not to reduce the number of councillors from the current total of forty-eight.

Given their beleaguered position getting the controlling Conservative party, which currently does not have an overall majority, to agree to a reduction in numbers would not be unlike asking turkeys to vote in favour of Christmas.

Victor Bethell Tunbridge Wells

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Wednesday October 27 | 2021

Life&Times

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Homes & Interiors

Wednesday October 27 | 2021

Property Focus

Average house in Tunbridge Wells made more than £50,000 last year

By Richard Williams RISING FORTUNES House prices across the UK rose by 10%

PROPERTY values increased by 10.6 per cent over the year to August 2021, up from 8.5 per cent in July, according to official figures.

The figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) House Price Index released last week, show that the average UK house price was £25,000 higher in August than a year earlier.

The ONS said that the average UK house price was £264,000 in August 2021, compared to £239,000 this time last year.

According to online vendors the average house price in Tunbridge Wells now sits above £500,000, and using the ONS price rise figures, it means the average property in the Borough have shot up by around £53,000 over the last year.

Highest In England, for the ninth month in a row, London was the region with the lowest annual house price growth (7.5 per cent) – although prices there still hit a new record high in August.

The North East had the highest annual house price growth in England, with average prices increasing by 13.3 per cent, but continued to have the lowest average house price, at £149,000.

London’s average house price remained the highest of any region in the UK at an average of £526,000 – the highest on record, the ONS said.

A stamp duty holiday in England and Northern Ireland was tapered from July,

before ending completely from October.

ONS head of economic statistics Sam Beckett said: “Annual house price growth rebounded in August from the dip seen last month following changes to the stamp duty holiday.”

She added: “Scotland saw the highest growth in house prices and although London’s growth was once again the weakest, it has picked up significantly

from last month’s trough.”

Iain McKenzie, chief executive of the Guild of Property Professionals, said: “The underlying cause of this current wave of price rises is the shortage of stock available from estate agents.

“The number of properties available to buy started to dwindle after the first lockdown and this trend looks set to continue while demand remains high.”

He added: “These figures tell the story of the ‘flight from the city’, with London prices increasing at the slowest rate in the country and Scotland roaring ahead.”

Lawrence Bowles, senior research analyst at Savills, predicted: “Affordability and access to mortgage finance will moderate price growth in London and the South over the next five years, while we expect faster growth in the North.”

Demand for grade-listed Detached properties at their buildings has increased most popular since 2002 DEMAND for Grade-listed homes has increased and now sees more than half of all listed homes already under offer or sold subject to contract.

According to research from estate agent comparison site, GetAgent.co.uk, 52.7 per cent of Grade-listed homes have already been snapped up.

The nation’s highest demand is found in Bournemouth (76.9 per cent), closely followed by Southampton (75.9 per cent), with Sheffield (66.7 per cent) in third place. The top-five is completed with Oxford (61.9 per cent), and Portsmouth (60 per cent).

Buildings are listed when they are considered to be of significant interest or importance to culture and heritage of an area.

Highest Such classification is designed to ensure that the buildings are protected against physical and environmental alterations.

As such, there are often strict limitations on how owners can extend, adapt, or modernise the property.

Despite these limitations, living in a listed home is still very appealing to buyers, most of whom find it difficult to resist the unique charm and architectural significance of the buildings.

However, despite demand being high in many cities, the chances of actually buying a grade-listed home remain low.

This is because listed homes account for such a low percentage of the homes currently on the market - just 3.7 per cent of all for sale stock across the nation.

Cities ranked highest to lowest by demand for grade-listed homes CITY

DEMAND

Bournemouth 76.9% Southampton 75.9 % Sheffield 66.7% Oxford 61.9% Portsmouth 60.0% Glasgow 60.0% Plymouth 59.9% Nottingham 58.6% Bristol 58.4% Newcastle 58.3% Liverpool 53.3% Edinburgh 50.0% Birmingham 49.4 % Leicester 48.0% Cardiff 47.4% Newport 44.4% Leeds 43.8% Manchester 43.2% Swansea 40.0% Cambridge 37.5% Aberdeen 33.3% London 31.1% Nationally 52.7% Table shows what percentage of grade-listed homes listed for sale are already under offer or sold subject to contract. Source - Zoopla

DEATCHED homes make up the highest proportion of new build properties being registered since 2002 as demand for spacious properties increases, according to an industry body.

More than a third (36 per cent) of new homes registered to be built in the third quarter of 2021 were detached, compared with 28 per cent in 2020, according to the NHBC (National House Building Council), which has a 70 per cent to 80 per cent share of the UK warranty market.

Homes are registered with the NHBC before being built – so its figures are an indicator of the housing stock in the pipeline.

The latest figures show detached homes are now at their most popular since the second quarter of 2002, when compared with other house types, the NHBC said.

The 36 per cent figure for the percentage of homes being built which are detached is the highest proportion recorded since 2002, although, by volume, there have

been occasions more recently where the number of detached homes being built has been higher. Flats made up just 13 per cent of new home registrations in the third quarter of 2021, falling from 29 per cent in the same period last year.

Registations Total new home registrations were up by 14 per cent compared with a year earlier to 33,779 in the third quarter of 2021.

The highest rises were in the East Midlands, the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber, although registrations in London fell by 78 per cent.

NHBC chief executive Steve Wood said: “Housebuilders are responding swiftly to shifts in consumer demand for detached houses that offer more space. The move away from apartment blocks is affecting London but this is only one quarter’s data.”

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Homes & Interiors

Wednesday October 27 | 2021

Delight in the devilish Halloween is coming, says Sam Wylie-Harris, who offers you 12 wicked ways to make your home creepy on October 31 ...

SCENT OF PINE Scandanavian themes are perfect for autumn and winter

Homes & Interiors

Wednesday October 27 | 2021

W

ITH a wicked weekend on the cards and an extra hour to be creative – the clocks go back on Halloween this year – dressing your little house of horrors with spine-chilling decos is frightfully fun!

To set the scene as darkness falls and get into the spooky spirit, we’ve rounded up some hauntingly good homewares for at-home costume dramas. Whether it’s pumpkin-carving with the kids or a gruesome grown-up gettogether on the cards…

1. HAUNTED HOUSE OUTDOOR HALLOWEEN LANTERN, (£18.99, Lights4fun) When an eerie dusk starts to fall and first flocks of trick-ortreaters set out with their sweetie buckets, this flickering LED lantern will lead them straight to your door. Designed for outdoor use, grownups will appreciate its ghoulish silhouettes too.

3. HALLOWEEN TOAST JELLY SNAKES SMALL OLD BOWL, (£18.95; Personalised Wild Mushrooms Small Mug, from £15.95; Wild Mushrooms 3 Mug Teapot, £49.95, Emma Bridgewater) All those frightfully good foodie treats will taste that much better in themed tableware, not to mention a wicked cuppa from a fairy-tale toadstool teapot.

this pumpkin casserole dish lands on the table.

6. POUNDLAND HALLOWEEN ITEMS: (from £1 each for Light up Skulls and Glitter Light Up Candles, to £5 each for Sitting Skeletons and Led Lanterns, Poundland stores) A one-stop shop for petrifyingly good deals, Poundland have you backed when it comes to spinechilling set pieces and creepy-crawlies.

4. SPIDERWEB WITH GOLDEN SPIDER (IN FIREPLACE), (£2.49; Black & White Decorating Kit, £14.99; Cat Skeleton, £22.99 (other items from a selection), PartyDelights) When it comes to firing the imagination, you can’t beat a mysterious mantelpiece to build your web of intrigue. But the good news is, these flying

7. SET OF 4 HALLOWEEN FELT PLACEMATS, (£8, Next) Playful pranks such as laying the table with themed placemats and ghostly tealights will keep the whole family entertained. A Halloween table runner and cobwebs will encourage the skulduggery and fun antics well into the witching hour.

8. MAGIC POTION HALLOWEEN WINE GOBLETS by Dibor, £24.95, Notonthehighstreet Friend or foe, your party guests will love a bloodcurdling glass of red wine served from a gothic goblet. This set of four features two ‘Wicked Purple’ and ‘Gothic Amethyst’ designs, and they’re an ideal size for creepy cocktails too.

2. HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN STICKERS (by All Her Glory, £6.50 each, Notonthehighstreet) With six spooky designs to choose from, these vinyl stickers are boo-tifully easy to pop on pumpkins, and a quick fix if you want to save your Jack-o’-lanterns for pumpkin pie and soup.

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9. DECORCANDLEUK SKULL SNAKE DÉCOR CANDLE, (from £15.99; Skull Sculpture Candle, £10.99, Etsy) Even Count Dracula would covet

1

4 5 12

7 8

6 these artisan gothic candles, hand-poured and made using all natural ingredients. Available in unscented or sandalwood vanilla, presented in a gift box and a natural bedfellow with Halloween coffin props.

10. HALLOWEEN COFFIN AND ZOMBIE HAND DONUT STAND, (£12.99, Ginger Ray) Crying out for sweet treats such as doughnuts (Krispy Kreme have a special Krispy Skremes Halloween dozen in the offing), this zombie arm stand is mounted on a coffin-shaped doughnut wall… A real scream.

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11. SKELETON JEWELLERY STAND, (£33.99, Wayfair) So you’ve got the decos nailed, but how about accessorising your costume drama?

More than a bag of bones, these frightening fingers can be adjusted to flaunt prized jewels such as a vampire’s wife cocktail ring or charm bracelet. Darkly decadent.

bats, creepy crows and skeletons can be placed around an entertainment centre to equal effect if you’re minus a mantel.

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5. PUMPKIN COOKWARE MEDIUM CASSEROLE DISH, £24, Next A cornerstone for Halloween celebrations is a hot pot pie, steaming chilli, or monster of a macaroni cheese to ward off those winter chills… Think of the screams of delight when

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12. HALLOWEEN FAIRY LIGHTS BY LIGHTS4FUN, (£16.99, Notonthehighstreet) Cute as candy, we love these sweetly-spooky shapes set against an autumnal garland strewn with rich foliage. With four Halloween characters illuminated by a warm white LED light, it’s fearsomely fun with 1.65m of cable to play with.

Arts & Antiques

antiques

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Wednesday October 27 | 2021

Travel trinkets

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HROUGHOUT history there were numerous reasons that pushed man to take long journeys and visit far flung destinations, but the truth is that the impulse to move, to discover and cross new frontiers, to adapt to new environments has defined human nature for six million years and brought us to populate all four corners of the planet.

Although the word ‘tourism’ made its first appearance in 1811, the concept of going away from home, for leisure or business purposes, has always been part of almost every culture. Mythology is full of stories about adventurous travels.

Mythology Let’s just think about the audacious journey of Aeneas, who left Troy and after many vicissitudes that took him around the Mediterranean coasts finally reached Latium, where he founded the city of Rome. Or about the ten long years that Odysseus spent sailing before being able to reach his beloved wife and home.

In Norse mythology instead we find Odin, a travelling God who in the shape of different animals came across the world in quest of wisdom and knowledge.

Without that insatiable curiosity, there

would not have been any Marco Polo or Columbus and surely no moon landing and our world would be much smaller.

England has always been one of the leading countries in terms of travelling and exploring. It is in fact here that the tradition of the Grand Tour began in the 17th century. The Grand Tour was a period of foreign travel commonly undertaken by gentlemen to finish off their education.

The definition was first introduced to the public by a Roman Catholic priest named Richard Lassels in his 1670 book Voyage to Italy. He recommended it as a sort of rite of passage to adulthood and a priceless chance to gain a broader knowledge of the world. The aim of these journeys was to see the remains of the great Roman and Greek civilisations, to admire the architecture and art of Renaissance, to perfect the foreign languages and broaden their cultural horizons. For at least 200 years, the Grand Tour was a privilege only available to a small and extremely wealthy élite.

The Grand Tourists were primarily interested in visiting cities that were considered the major centres of culture at the time - Paris, Rome, and Venice were not to be missed. Florence and Naples were popular destinations.

What was considered the privilege of

Alexander Pushkin, of Pushkin Antiques in Tunbridge Wells High Street, talks about the popularity of antique travel items ...

a small élite, became now accessible to a larger mass. In 1841 Thomas Cook, a former Baptist preacher, had a brilliant idea, he organised a rail journey from Leicester to a temperance meeting in Loughborough. Cook negotiated a deal with Midland Counties Railway Company. Each passenger would be charged a shilling for return tickets and food, Cook would receive a percentage of the total figure made. It was such a success that he organised many more trips after that, launching for the first time the concept of the travel company and becoming the world’s first travel agent. By 1892, when Thomas Cook died and his sons took over the business, the company organised tours in Europe, Egypt, United States and Australia.

Heights Tourism in its most contemporary meaning was born. Shipping lines promoted international tourism from the late 19th century onward. From the Norwegian fjords to the Caribbean, the pleasure cruise was already becoming a distinctive tourist experience before World War I, and transatlantic companies competed for middle-class tourism during the 1920s and ’30s.

The inexhaustible curiosity of the human being brought us to discover the Poles, as well as the mountain heights and the deep oceans and finally took us to the Moon in 1969. Transport innovations between the 19th and 20th century made most parts of the world accessible to any tourist and yet, in going anywhere new, anyone has

TRUNKS Travel chests are in demand experienced at least once the satisfactory and fulfilling feeling of being an explorer of the unknown and to live, even if for a short time, another life. It is exactly with this spirit in mind that we are glad to present in our high street gallery a wide range of objects related to travels: objects that our ancestors found functional to their journeys, such as wardrobe trunks or travel tea sets but also items that represented some of the most relevant discoveries and that today become wonderful home decor elements other than precious testimony of incredible achievements.

Arts & Antiques

Wednesday October 27 | 2021

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From tea caddies to advertising signs Gorringe’s Joseph Trinder talks about items that have recently gone under the hammer Joseph Trinder

decorated with symmetrical floral motifs, the hinged cover flanked by lion mask and ring handles, opening to reveal a divisional interior – with two further lidded compartments flanking a central mixing bowl.

English

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S OCTOBER draws to a close and our weekly sales continue to deliver exciting results, I have selected a few favourite pieces from our upcoming November 1st auction.

Lot 51 is a small George III satinwood banded mahogany cellarette – with a hinged cover and divisional interior, a cellarette is just that, a miniature ‘cellar’ - the perfect way to stylishly store your tipples of choice beside your favourite chair – an ideal companion as we prepare for cold winter nights spent nestled by the fireplace. Estimated at just £100 it may well be a very affordable and practice piece of history.

Another lot that caught my eye is 252, a 19th century rosewood and bird’s eye maple sarcophagus shaped tea caddy. The inlay

I cannot think of more quintessentially English antique and object of cultural heritage – a finely decorated box used to store the once expensive and celebrated commodity – long before the modern teabag, when households would mix their own blends of loose leaf tea. A more ‘traditional’ antique which has crept down in value over recent years, this too is estimated at just £100-150.

Around 100 years later but perhaps staying with the same theme are lots 292 and 293, enamel advertising signs for Lyon’s Cakes and Lyon’s Tea.

The now iconic Irish brand started life in London in 1904, the product of catering company J. Lyons & Co, selling packaged teas throughout a network of shops in London and throughout the wider UK. With their varied bright and decorative designs and durability, original enamel signs have become hugely collectable over recent years with iconic brands in food and drink, travel and breweries generating the highest prices.

Our November 1st sale also features a large, varied and interesting collection of modern and contemporary British studio pottery / ceramics. A developing and buoyant market area, we have seen huge prices achieved at auction over recent years as competition for names such as Lucie Rie and Hans Coper reach new heights. A favourite of mine from this upcoming selection at Gorringe’s is lot 362, two jugs

by Walter Keeler. A prominent potter with work featured in The Victoria and Albert Museum together with other exhibitions in the UK and US, his works are often influenced by Staffordshire creamware and early salt glazes.

Estimated at £200/300, these pieces may well be a prudent investment as this market continues to develop, as well as principally being beautiful works of art to display and enjoy.

Before we had the likes of Netflix or Love Island to occupy our evenings, if not reading or being creative in the form of drawing or embroidery, lot 403 may have brought fun and entertainment – a George III inlaid mahogany zograscope….a what?

Selection This rather curious invention is an optical device, with a large lens which gives flat images the appearance of added depth and three dimensions.

A fabulous conversation piece and fun relic of evening entertainments past, it is estimated at just £100-150.

So another small selection of affordable and interesting pieces from a sale featuring no less than 708 lots – meaning, as always, our weekly sale at Gorringe’s features something for everyone.

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Arts

Wednesday October 27 | 2021

Meet the ventriloquist who’s paying lip service to the art of finding love through alternative comedy

PHOTO: Matt Crocket

Ventriloquist and comedian Nina Conti comes to the Assembly Hall on November 4 with The Dating Show. The Times finds out why the popular stand-up artist is loving being back on tour again and why puppets hold such power.....

UNMASKED Nina Conti has been a successful comedian and ventriloquist for 20 years

Arts

Wednesday October 27 | 2021

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OULD there be anything more contemporary than a comedy show with masks which looks to bring people together? That’s what Nina Conti is aiming to achieve with The Dating Show, her new touring extravaganza featuring a gallery of latex masks, a cheeky monkey called Monkey, and willing audience members who are up for a laugh and maybe (just maybe) a little bit of romance.

The idea for this new matchmaking affair came to Nina pretty much by accident during her previous show with masks, In Your Face.

“When I did masks before with an audience, I often ended up with love matches. The audience members often took it there with their body language. They could be a bit friendly and a bit flirty, and I remember thinking, ‘I have to stop things going like this or people will think I’m a sex maniac! What’s the matter with me!?’ But then I thought that maybe it’s not me forcing it because it’s simply happening every time, so why resist? And why not do something called The Dating Show?”

Nina had performed a few trial runs of her new work at London’s Soho Theatre just before the pandemic struck and has spent time while away from the stage considering the best way for The Dating Show to progress.

‘For around 20 years Nina Conti has pretty much cornered the comedy-circuit market in ventriloquism’ “To avoid it becoming this hetero-normative thing, you want to get everyone involved. In the Soho shows, I opened with Monkey interviewing a bunch of people in the audience, and whoever elicited the most warmth was the person I went with. I’m not after eccentrics, just likeability.

Then we got them on stage and put a mask on them and had a very low-key chat about their past relationships and what they were looking for next. Hopefully those we get up could be any kind of person and not just the Cilla Black demographic.”

Laughs For around 20 years now, Nina Conti has pretty much cornered the comedy-circuit market in ventriloquism. For those who haven’t seen her show, this genre might still seem a bit oldfashioned or easy fodder for nightmares thanks to spooky films such as Dead Of Night or Magic where, respectively, Michael Redgrave and Anthony Hopkins went on murderous rampages after being taken over by their ventriloquist dummies. When Nina was first approached by her old mentor Ken Campbell to consider ventriloquism, she was equally as sceptical.

“I’m lucky to have found it, because I never thought that ventriloquism was a skill worth having. I would never have gone to a ventriloquism show, and when it was suggested to me by Ken I was so uninterested in it. I thought he was mad! I don’t know if I’ve enhanced it for nostalgia, but there was a definite lightbulb moment. I had been practising with those awful mannequins, and it was so end-of-the-pier and saucy: I didn’t like it. But then I remembered this monkey puppet that I stole off a mate, and I wondered if his mouth could move; I had to take some stuffing out and put my hand into his face, and then as soon as he started to talk, I thought ‘woah! Everything you’re saying is coming from a wider place than my own head.’ It was a really good feeling.”

From there, Nina has created critically lauded shows that audiences have flocked to such as Talk To The Hand and Dolly Mixtures, while her sidekick Monkey has become quite the cult figure. And still she is a lone vent figure in the modern comedy world, a fact that does surprise her.

“I’m delighted to be out on my own, though I

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‘Monkey interviews a bunch of people in the audience then we get them on stage, put a mask on them and have a lowkey chat about their past relationships and what they are looking for next….’ have a feeling that there’s one coming . . . I don’t actually think the ventriloquial aspect is my show’s best selling point. It’s a side issue that needs to be overcome given it still has a bad rap.

I don’t think people leave my shows thinking, ‘oh that was a good ventriloquist show’. I think you can forget it’s a ventriloquist show; I know I do, to the point where later I think, ‘oh, did I do the ventriloquist bits?’ I can get a bit carried away.”

Cult Figure While there is a lot to love about Nina’s shows, the elaborate masks (which cover the bottom half of a person’s face so that the eyes are on display while Nina adds her voice to proceedings) have added a new dimension to her work. “We’ll probably be working with about 14 masks in total, as they have to fit the shape of the face or have their skin-tone, and be male or female. The guy I use is a ventriloquist in the Philippines, and his masks are very robust. But they really have to be. It’s awful if they stop working halfway through because if that happens then the magic breaks.”

Having solid and reliable masks solves one potential concern, but the element of risk remains given that Nina is keen to keep the work fresh and to make it as different as possible every night. She may have a structure in mind when stepping on stage, but working from a

SHoPPING

Christmas presence

script is a strict no-no. And just to ramp up the risk factor even more, she’s even added a musical element to The Dating Show.

“First and foremost, it’s a funny show; I’m not actually trying to match-make – but it would be very funny if it actually worked out for anybody!”

Nina Conti’s The Dating Show is on at the Assembly Hall on Thursday November 4.

Tickets cost £27.50 and are available from www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

Don’t forget to pick up your November edition of

Don’t miss our brilliant seasonal gift guide that has something for everyone

SO MAGAZINE out Saturday 6th November

TALKING SHOP…

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS TOGETHER MEMBERS ON WHY SUPPORTING YOUR TOWN IS SO IMPORTANT THIS CHRISTMAS - AND HOW IT’S THE PERFECT PLACE TO BUY GIFTS AND SOCIALISE WITH FRIENDS

Pick-up points available across Tunbridge Wells, Cranbrook and Crowborough.

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Food & Culture

food

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Wednesday October 27 | 2021

Going Dizzi for a taste of Persia Persian food might not yet be as popular as its Mediterranean rivals but it certainly deserves the same respect … as Richard Williams discovered when he visited Dizzi - one of the newest restaurants to open in Tunbridge Wells

MOUNT Ephraim is home to a wide variety of great places to eat, and the latest restaurant to open its doors in Tunbridge Wells is going to fit in perfectly.

Dizzi is a family-run establishment offering perhaps one of the culinary world’s best kept secrets.

To classify Persian food as sitting somewhere in the middle of Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, would certainly not do it justice; it is a distinctly unique offering that provides some familiarity but also a lot of surprises.

The restaurant itself manages to mix the authentic with the modern.

A glimpse of the giant tandoors – large ovens used to cook bread – will certainly catch your eye, as will the faux Persian freeze adorning the walls, as you step over its threshold. But it is the heady aroma of herbs, spices and cooked meats sizzling on the grill that dominates your senses as you walk towards your table.

UNDER STARTERS ORDERS Those familiar with Mediterranean mezze, will feel right at home with the selection of starters and appetisers on offer at Dizzi.

An array of salads, cold plates, warm starters and breads gives you a wide choice of vegetarian and meat options.

One surprise is the kashke bademjan [£5.95] a mix of crushed aubergines, honey and walnuts that makes a delightful and more-textured alternative to hummus and is perfect with one of Dizzi’s home baked naan or garlic naan [from £2], which are crispier and thinner than their Indian rivals.

Also good with bread is the paneer sabzi [£5.95], a feta and herb salad.

Indeed, one of the most distinctive aspects of this Persian menu is the abundance of fresh basil, mint and dill used in almost nearly every dish.

THE MAIN EVENT While there is a wide selection of main courses to choose from at Dizzi, you can broadly split them into two styles: stews and grills.

Traditional Persian skewers of either lamb (barg), chicken (joojeh), vegetarian or minced lamb (koobideh) are subtly seasoned with saffron and a mix of herbs.

They are much lighter than their Mediterranean cousins and range from single skewers [£8.00], to a mixed grill for four people [£58.80] with every conceivable mix and match alternative in between.

The light, delicately seasoned rice (£3.95) is the perfect accompaniment to these hearty meat kebabs.

For those wanting to sample truly authentic Persian cuisine, however, then the Khoresh-e Ghormeh Sabzi [£14.90] is a must.

The dish has been cooked by families in the region for thousands of years, and every self-respecting matriarch would not let you enter her home without sampling her own recipe.

The stew is a rich mix of lamb cooked incredibly slowly and mixed with beans, herbs (obviously) as well as dried lime.

After a few mouthfuls, it can easily be seen why this comforting stew has remained so popular over the centuries, as it is delicately flavoured yet incredibly wholesome.

TEA FOR TWO Persian desserts are limited to a handful of homemade ice creams [£4.95], which are as good as ice cream gets, but for the perfect end to a meal, or even if you want somewhere for a late afternoon chit chat, the Dizzi tea and pastries [£18.00] were a light surprise.

Tea is served with the ubiquitous use of herbs, but unlike their Moroccan counterparts, the dominant flavour seems to be bergamot rather than mint, which has the mind wondering whether this

classic Persian cuppa was the origin of Earl Grey.

If you are after something different such as a twist on the traditional kebab, or some good old fashioned comfort food, then Dizzi makes for a wonderful evening out where the food is not only tasty but is interesting enough that my guest and I found it dominating the conversation.

Highly recommended.

Dizzi is located at 37 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells TN4 8AA Tel: 01892 520220

HIGH TEA Persian Tea is sweet and infused

A TASTE OF IRAN Herbs play a dominant role in Persian cooking

GRILL Persian kebabs are seasoned with saffron

Food & Culture

Wednesday October 27 | 2021

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Wines that curry favour Following on from the 23rd annual National Curry Week earlier this month Times Drinks Editor James Viner has some hot tips for wines – and cider – to match spicy food and help upgrade your curry night

THEY say the hotter the curry, the trickier the wine match. With fiery dishes such as vindaloo I’d try a floral-scented Argentinian Torrontés to counter the heat (or of course a crisp, ice-cold lager). But whatever liquid refreshment you choose remember it’s a good idea to avoid heavy alcohol and wines with high tannins.

Of course traditional Asian drinks like mango lassis remain a non-alcoholic classic but if you want to try something new – or move out of your Kingfisher lager rut – then these top bottles are second to naan when it comes to handling some spice!

‘They say the hotter the curry, the trickier the wine match’ 1 BRIGHT AND BOUNCY RIOJA for Rogan Josh and mild to medium-bodied spices Ramón Bilbao Rioja Crianza 2018, Spain (£9, Tesco, 14% alc) Ramón Bilbao was established in Haro in the heart of Rioja Alta in 1924 and today sources grapes from 200-hectares of owned vineyards, with access to a further 900-hectares via long-term grower contracts. Here’s a fruit-driven, gluggable Rioja Crianza, which means it has spent a minimum of one year in oak barrels. It’s an attractive, smooth, sweetly-fruited red with notes of blackberries, red fruits and hints of sweet spice. With a velvety texture and ripe, fine tannins, this is a joyful, juicy, easy-drinking style of Rioja that goes brilliantly with Rogan Josh. It’s also magic with a madras. 100% Tempranillo.

2 TRADITIONAL METHOD PINK BUBBLY from Bordeaux Calvet Brut Rosé, Crémant de Bordeaux 2019, France (£12.99, Ocado, 12% alc)

The wines of Bordeaux have the variety, affordability and excellence to get the most out of your favourite curries. This (traditional method) Crémant de Bordeaux sparkling rosé is based on Cabernet Franc and Merlot and it’s a great match for Keralan fish curry, prawn curry and creamy, milder dishes, such as Korma, Pasanda, Makhani (butter chicken) and Tikka Masala. Strawberry, raspberry, cherry, nectarine, redcurrant and sweet pastry flavours spark brightly through the palate. It’s fruity but dry, with a creamy mousse and impressively persistent. An excellent aperitif too. Bon appetit!

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3 AN EXCEPTIONAL MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC for Thai green curries Nautilus Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Marlborough, New Zealand (£13, Co-op, 13.5% alc) Highly aromatic with lifted characters of passionfruit, guava, blackcurrant and grapefruit jumping out of the glass, this zippy, fresh and focused Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc goes down a treat with Thai green and veggie curries.

Puckering lemony acidity snaps the herbal finish.

It’s brilliant, luminous stuff and a serious food wine that won’t fall over any time soon. Get in quick though as 2021 was a very small harvest in New Zealand, especially for Marlborough, the

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largest and economically most important wine region with around 70% of the country’s vineyards. A real treat.

4 TOP-TIER LOCAL CRAFT CIDER made from 100% Kentish apples Turners Medium-Dry, Lightly Sparkling Cider, Marden, Kent (£4, 500ml, n07.co.uk & Fuggles Bottle Shop, 6.5% alc) This succulent, low tannin, lightly sparkling craft cider from Marden is made from classic culinary and dessert apples and fermented with champagne yeast. It has a wonderfully wholesome crisp apple zip and zingy acidity that allows it to cut through spicy foods. Pour it with chicken Jalfrezi, chicken Balti, chicken Korma, lamb Bhuna and rich and creamy Shahi Paneer.

A fantastic (road tested) spice matcher.

Follow James @QuixoticWine

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POUR A NEW BEER, NOT THE USUAL LAGER, WITH YOUR CURRY! UNSURPRISINGLY thirst-quenching lagers are popular with curries but here are two even more complementary alternatives: · German Hefeweizen – where the grain bill is usually 50% Pilsner malt and 50% wheat malt – with Pad Thai or Thai red curry. Try Franziskaner Hefe Weissbier (£1.80, 500ml, Tesco) or Rothaus Hefe Weizen (£4, 500ml, Fuggles Bottle Shop) · A style-defining Belgian Saison for fish curries, Chicken Massaman curry and Thai green curry: Saison Dupont (£2.59-£4, 330ml, Virgin Wines & Fuggles Bottle Shop)

merriments gardens PLANTS · SHOP · RESTAURANT · CAFÉ · GARDEN

PLANTS are at the heart of everything we do here at merriments gardens We grow them on our own nursery & sell them in our retail plant centre along with a great selection of houseplants in our SHOP which also sells gardening essentials.

Our RESTUARANT serves meals made from fresh, seasonal & locally sourced ingredients & you can relax over a coffee in our new CAFÉ before enjoying a stroll around our RHS Partner GARDEN which is open between March & November.

Merriments Gardens | Hawkhurst Road | Hurst Green | East Sussex | TN19 7RA 01580-860666 | info@merriments.co.uk | www.merriments.co.uk

Hawkhurst Feature

Wednesday October 27 | 2021

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From smugglers paradise The village has a history of famous bootleggers but these days Hawkhurst boasts stunning attractions, thriving businesses along with mouth-watering food...

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T IS Hard to imagine that almost 300 years ago, the notorious Hawkhurst Gang ruled like the mafia over vast swathes of countryside stretching from Deal to Poole in Hampshire.

Stories of the Gang were everywhere – not just in the village or where the notorious gang had their HQ but right across the South East.

It is estimated that around 20,000 people were involved in the ‘industry ‘ of smuggling in the South at its peak around the 1740’s. Why? Because with a rising population, jobs were scarce and to find work in the countryside was challenging.

These days, the links to the infamous Hawkhurst Gang of Smugglers is not the only

attraction the village has to offer.

Its Grade II listed colonnade of shops in the Highgate part of the village as well as the the high street, are enough attractions to keep you amused for a whole day out.

The independent, digital cinema is a magnet for people, as are the lovely country pubs and the gorgeous walks through the North and

South Downs that surround the village.

Foodies can pick up local produce at the village butchers or the open-air markets on the first Saturday of each month.

With easy bus services from Goudhurst and Tunbridge Wells, Hawkhurst is the perfect day out if you don’t have a car – or don’t fancy being the designated driver.

The Eight Bells Country Pub & Kitchen www.theeight-bells.com

01580 389039 “Fabulous food and service” Ben_Fi_Bexhill Trip advisor “Consistently great food” Simsec1967 Trip advisor

James and Annie Rogers and their wonderful team have been working hard over the past 3 years to transform The Eight Bells on the Moor.

Having gone through a full renovation the pub now offers delicious traditional style country cuisine, freshly prepared daily using only local and seasonal produce with an emphasis on locally shot game.

With a passion to support other local small businesses the pub now offers a unique rage of cask ales, a wide rage of independent gins, fine wines and all your favourite lagers.

A specialty steak menu runs along side the seasonal a la carte every Thursday! Championing superb local beef along with cuts such as venison haunch, veal T-bones.

To celebrate being shortlisted for ‘The Best British Sunday Roast’ The Eight Bells will be launching the new ‘Sunday Claret Club’ where you can enjoy a complimentary glass of vintage claret with every roast ordered after 6pm.

Why not pop in for a quiet drink next to one of the fires or try some of the fantastic food soon.

Open Wednesday – Sunday from 12pm. Booking advisable. * Family friendly * Gluten Free Friendly * Vegan friendly *

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Hawkhurst Feature

Wednesday October 27 | 2021

Helping green fingered residents in the village for three decades A GARDEN centre that was opened more than 30 years ago has undergone a recent investment drive.

Merriments Garden was established in the 1990s, and the heart of the business has always been growing and selling beautiful plants.

Specialising in perennials, many of them unusual or unique to Merriments, they are grown on their own onsite nursery and sold through a stunning retail plant area that will stop you in your tracks.

The four-acre garden was started to showcase how the plants being sold can be used to create a magical space. Merriments was awarded RHS Partner status in 2015 as recognition of the excellence of design and planting developed to inspire visitors though out the seasons.

Since changing hands, just over four years ago, the drive and focus has been on getting the business back on its feet following a period of decline. Still privately owned, Lucy Cross bought Merriments because she had loved visiting it

with her mother and her team work hard to maintain an intimate, family feel.

Considerable investment has gone in to restoring the Nursery, Plant & Garden centre to its former glory and to developing a site that meets the needs of the 21st Century visitor.

Sit back and relax in a state-of-the-art cinema

Reopening During 2020, further investment saw the original 1930s house developed into a lovely Café carefully designed to ensure it kept its original charm and in November, Merriments will be reopening its much-loved licensed restaurant using local, fresh and seasonal ingredients to serve breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, just in time for Christmas.

This is still an ongoing project, with the shop still to be renovated, but behind an unprepossessing frontage there is a wealth of horticultural and culinary passion waiting to inspire you . . . truly a hidden gem!

DELIGHTFUL Get lost in the four-acre garden centre

ACTION-PACKED The 91-seat Kino cinema [also below] shows the latest film releases LOCATED in the heart of the village of Hawkhurst, on the easterly fringe of Tunbridge Wells borough, Kino is a state-of-the-art venue with a 91-seat cinema, cafe-bar, sunny outside terrace and secret garden. Open daily from 10am, Kino screens the latest cinema-release films in the morning, afternoon and evening to ensure that there is a time to suit everyone.

Kino also runs a curated programme of special events, including theatre and opera from world-leading venues, live Q&A, music and performance. Many customers use Kino as a place to meet friends and family for drinks and a bite to eat from the interesting, locally-sourced menu, for brunch, lunch or supper. If you haven’t already discovered the delights of Kino Hawkhurst, give it a try!

Website: kinodigital.co.uk Phone: 01580 754321 Facebook: @KinoHawkhurst Instagram: kinohawkhurst Twitter: @kino_hawkhurst

Christmas Hampers are now available!

where quality comes naturally • Our butchery is modern in its provision but traditional in its values. very best service is assured whether it be whilst shopping • The instore or having a delivery to your door using our online services. skill of our butchers assures the very best cuts are created and • The using whole carcasses means that everything is available. of our sausages and burgers are homemade. We have many • Allvarieties including gluten-free.

• Our bacon is dry cured on the premises from free-range pork.

• We use paper packaging.

BULK ORDERS FOR WEDDINGS, PARTIES, FESTIVALS, AND LARGE EVENTS HOG ROASTS AND BARBECUES PADDOCK MAINTENANCE HAY AND HAYLAGE FOR SALE

PARK FARM BUTCHERS 01580 753558 • parkfarm3@btconnect.com

PARK FARM OFFICE 01580 753558 • parkfarm3@btconnect.com

www.parkfarmbutchers.com

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Wednesday October 27 | 2021

Hawkhurst Feature

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Fresh meat from the pasture to your plate A BUTCHER in the village provides not only quality meats form around the South East but also rears its own meat.

Park Farm Butchers is spread across 300 acres of typical Wealden farmland, father and son duo Andrew and William Clarke, are committed to farming as much as possible in a way that supports and enhances their surrounding countryside, whilst producing fully traceable, quality beef and lamb.

Premium This Christmas, alongside their owned reared cattle and sheep, that move straight from field to their discerning butchery outlet, customers can order premium turkeys and locally-sourced freerange pork, sausages and sausage meat, as well as pantry staples including potato seasoning, cranberry sauce and stuffing mix.

Attention to detail and quality is at the centre of Park Farm’s ethos to produce and sell the very best.

Park Farm rear Sussex cattle and Romney sheep that are indigenous to the area, on traditional pastures.

Their methods are environmentallysensitive, with low food miles, and they are committed to working in harmony with the countryside.

Their aim? To create the best

flavours from the diverse grasses available to them, whilst rearing stock that thrives within the environment that it lives.

Free-range natural pork comes

Free-Range Natural Pork FARM FOOD Park Farm rears both Sussex Cattle [right] and native breed pigs [below]

from the passionate Caroline from Holley Farm whose native breed pigs are all very content, fed on locally grown corn mix and are full of flavour. While the best whole bronze turkeys are supplied by John Howe.

This Christmas, why not delight in a Park Farm hamper? The Ultimate Christmas Hamper (£109) is bursting with local seasonal produce including: 2kg turkey joint, 2kg topside joint, 2kg gammon joint, 10 pigs in blankets, 500g cocktail sausages, 12 rashers unsmoked streaky bacon, 12 rashers unsmoked back bacon, 2 slices black pudding, 12 eggs, cranberry sauce, mustard potato seasoning, small local honey, stuffing mix, and a mulled wine pack.

‘Attention to detail and quality is at the centre of Park Farm’s ethos to produce and sell the very best’

Plantation pigs are on top of the South Downs near Brighton. If you live in the South East, Plantation Pigs is your most local producer of high quality, free range pork.

Using traditional breeds that thrive in an outdoor environment, our choice of Plantation pigs for our pork supply is because they have a fantastic ethos of production method. Giving their pigs a natural lifestyle to produce a superior meat.

www.parkfarmbutchers.com

Park Farm Butchers are proud of their discerning butchery offering.

The very best service is assured, whether it be whilst shopping in store, or having a delivery to your door using their easy to navigate online services.

Christmas ordering is open now. parkfarmbutchers.co.uk parkfarmbutchers parkfarmhawkhurst

• PRINTED BUSINESS AND SOCIAL STATIONERY

• PHOTOGRAPHS • PASSPORT AND VISA PHOTOGRAPHS OR ONLINE

www.parkfarmbutchers.com

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Hawkhurst Feature

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Wednesday October 27 | 2021

What’s on

SHOPPING There’s plenty of great businesses in Hawkhurst

in Hawkhurst

P

lan ahead and avoid disappointment from missing out on the latest fun-fuelled entertainment in the villiage. Here is your guide of things to do in Hawkhurst in the run up to Christmas from getting lost in late night shopping and supporting local businessess, to enjoying yourself and warming up with a glass of mulled wine or seeing the skies light up on Firework Night...

NOVEMBER 6 Bingo in aid of the Poppy appeal at Royal British Legion, Hawkhurst 7:30pm

tickets will be available soon from The Green Shop & on-line from Eventbrite.

NOVEMBER 20 Bingo run by The Community Poppy Knitters, this is to raise money towards the O.A.P’s Christmas Dinner & the Family Panto. R.B.L Hawkhurst. 7:30pm

DECEMBER 1-24 Living Advent Calendar, this is in its 3rd year and is a great example of our community coming together, we have a different business or house every night that lights up their display at 5pm and keeps this lit up every night until 28th December. This year we are adding an Elf trail for children & families to collect the clues, there will be a prize for the winner we draw out of all correct entries (to be drawn 31st Dec)

NOVEMBER 27 HGBS Firework night at KGV playing field, Hawkhurst. 6:30pm start with live music, food and their famous Mulled Cider,

DECEMBER 2 Happy Christmas Hawkhurst late night shopping 5-8pm, come along to start your Christmas shopping, support your local businesses, enjoy a glass of mulled wine, mince pie even a Christmas cookie. There will be face painting and other fun for the children. The children can visit Father Christmas at the Green Shop.

WINDOWS The living advent calendar

DECEMBER 3 Christmas Market @ Hawkhurst Squash Club 5-8pm. More chances to get some Christmas goodies, enjoy some musical

entertainment and see the markets Christmas tree light up at 6.30pm, perhaps with some Christmas carols around the tree.

pop up stalls around the village during markets & events, also online from Eventbrite, keep your eyes peeled for more details.

DECEMBER 4 Christmas Market @ Hawkhurst Squash Club 9:30-12:30 Today also sees a Bingo in aid of The Kitt Wilson Trust @ R.B.L 7pm.

DECEMBER 17 & 18 Christmas market time again at Hawkhurst Squash Club, 5pm on 17th December see’s the opening of Hawkhurst’s 1st Father Christmas Experience, how exciting!

Children get the chance to make reindeer food, ice their Christmas cookies, make their Santa experience badge to wear with pride enjoy story time with mother, Claus right before meeting the big man himself, Santa Claus. You will be able to tell Santa what you want for Christmas & perhaps have a selfie! This experience will be ticket only and limited to 6 children per session, again these tickets will be available at our pop-up shops during December, and on-line at Eventbrite.

DECEMBER 10 OAP’s Christmas Dinner (venue TBC) Enjoy a 3 course Christmas dinner & entertainment, £5 deposit to be paid to secure your seat, please contact Carole on 01580 754675 or Lisa on 07444 837029.

DECEMBER 11 sees the return of our family Panto, this year we are hosting this event at Hawkhurst Primary School alongside Shooting Star Entertainments.

Jack & the Beanstalk is coming to keep you entertained with laughter, singing and thigh slapping heroics.

Tickets will be £8pp and will be available from

“Outstanding professionalism.”

“Peace of mind provided.”

“Efficient and courteous.”

“Certainly not your stereotypical letting agent!”

“Helpful and friendly.”

“Went above and beyond.”

EST 1900

If you would like any further information regarding these events please contact Lisa on 07444837029 or Carole 01580754675

E X C L U S I V E

DINING IN VOUCHER

15 % OFF

*One voucher per table. Excludes drinks and desserts. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Excluding special days and events.

DUE TO AN OVERWHELMING RESPONSE, PLEASE KINDLY BOOK IN ADVANCE TO AVOID ANY DISAPPOINTMENT. THANK YOU

01580 754 695 | Rye Road, Hawkhurst, Kent, TN18 4EP

QUEEN’S INN CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH 2021 £95 per person £35 children 12 & under (excludes, canapes & Lobster course)

CANAPÉS Smoked salmon cone, Tunworth & pear tart, Duck liver parfait, Marjoram STARTERS QUEEN’S INN FESTIVE MENU 2021

Coronation crab salad, cucumber gel, semi dried mango (Gf adapted)

Available from Friday 26th Nov-Tuesday 23rd Dec 2021 Lunch (Mon-Sat) 2 course £30.00pp & 3 course £32.00pp Dinner (Mon-sat) 3 course £38.00pp

Wild mushroom & black truffle Agnolotti, garlic & parsley foam (V)

STARTERS

Confit duck terrine, crisp gingerbread, ginger beer gel, apple (GF adapted) SECOND COURSE

Cod Salt cod scotch egg, chorizo & red pepper sauce

Lobster Thermidor tart Or Roscoff onion tart tatin, Old Winchester (V)

Cauliflower Roast cauliflower soup, thyme, toasted almonds, cheddar scone (V) (GF adapted)

MAINS

Beef Smoked brisket, warm onion puree, pickled vegetables, corn bread (GF)

English-reared roast turkey, confit leg, sausage meat, sage & cranberry ballotine wrapped in pancetta, bread sauce, gravy, slow roasted winter veg, thyme roasted potatoes & buttered Brussels sprouts (GF adapted)

Beetroot Heritage beetroot tart tatin, whipped goats cheese, candied walnuts (V)

Roast Turbot, devilled shrimps, baby fennel, potato fondant, caviar & seaweed sauce (GF)

MAINS Turkey English-reared roast turkey, confit leg, sausage meat, sage & cranberry ballotine wrapped in pancetta, bread sauce, gravy, slow roasted winter veg, garlic & thyme roasted potatoes, Brussels sprouts (GF adapted) Seabass Fillet of seabass, spiced carrot mash, buttered sprout tops, warm tartare (GF) Pheasant Cooked in white wine, garlic & smoked paprika, pearl barley, spinach & chorizo risotto (GF adapted) Aubergine Roasted aubergine, butternut squash, crispy sage, Bocconcini, fruit & nut pilaf (V) (GF)

Fillet, braised beef cheek, fondant potato, red cabbage, red wine jus (GF) Jerusalem artichoke, leek & spinach pudding, roast onion puree, winter kale (V) DESSERTS Christmas pudding, brandy & vanilla bean Crème Anglaise (GF adapted) Chocolate cremeux, toasted hazelnut, pear (GF adapted) Clementine Meringue pie, Mascarpone sorbet Selection of English Cheeses: Baron Bigod, Kentish Blue, Old Winchester (GF adapted) COFFEE, TEA AND QUEEN’S INN MINCE PIES If you have a food allergy or special dietary requirements, including vegan options please speak to a member of staff. £20 non-refundable deposit per person is required upon booking * Pre orders required

DESSERTS Christmas pudding, brandy & vanilla bean crème Anglaise (V & GF adapted) Mango cheesecake, passionfruit jelly Sticky toffee trifle

Please call 01580 754233 or email info@queensinn.co.u k to make a booking

Selection of homemade ice creams (GF) Selection of English cheese & biscuits (+£4.00 supp) (GF adapted) If you have a food allergy or special dietary requirements, please speak to a member of staff & advise at time of booking. Please make sure that if the guest is vegetarian, vegan or gluten free that this is specified within your preorder. £10 non-refundable deposit per person is required upon booking

The Queen’s Inn, Rye Road, Hawkhurst, Kent, TN18 4EY 01580 754233 | www.thequeensinnhawkhurst.co.uk

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

WWW.H-ENGINEERING.COM

H E n gin e erin g Ltd, L ittle Ca cke tts Farm , H ay m an s H i l l , H o rsm o n den , Ke n t , T N 1 2 8 BX

info@h-engineering.com | 01892 549042

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Motoring news

Wednesday October 27 | 2021

Motoring News

This week… n

Tesla Model Y

n

Maserati delay

n Radio controlled car

The Tesla Model Y has gone on sale in the UK THE TESLA Model Y has gone on sale in the UK, bringing the firm’s model line-up to four.

The crossover is now available in the Design Studio on the company’s UK website in Long Range and Performance trims, with both having dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrains.

Prices for the Long Range start at £54,990, bringing a range of 315 miles, a top speed of 135mph and a 4.8-second 0-60mph time.

The interior comes in black as standard, or can be upgraded to white for £1,100. It comes with a glass roof, a 15-inch central touchscreen, wireless charging, vegan upholstery, heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheels and a 14-speaker ‘premium’ audio system.

Including the front trunk and flat rear seats, the Model Y offers up to 2,100 litres of space. It requires no keys, with your smartphone allowing you to unlock, enter and start the car.

The central touchscreen dominates the interior as there are very few physical buttons, with the vast majority of functions controlled through the screen.

UK buyers can order the Model Y now, with initial deliveries being for the Long Range version expected to begin in Januray or February next year.

DRIVE AWAY The new and improved model has a top speed pf 135mph

Technology Performance models start at £64,990 and can travel up to 298 miles between charges, have a 3.5-second 0-60mph time and can go on to 150mph. These models get 21-inch alloy wheels, performance brakes, and lowered suspension.

All models get basic Autopilot as standard, with enhanced Autopilot a £3,400 option. This includes automatic lane changing, autopark and the Summon feature. ‘Full Self-Driving Capability’ – which is essentially Tesla’s most advanced cruise control technology and still requires the driver to hold onto the wheel and pay full attention to the road – is a £6,800 upgrade.

Maserati Grecale launch pushed back due to semiconductor supply issues MASERATI has delayed the reveal of its new Grecale due to issues with the supply of semiconductors.

Initially set to be unveiled on November 16, the Grecale’s full launch has been delayed until ‘Spring 2022’ – though no specific date has been given.

In a release issued recently (October 18), the Italian firm said the launch had been delayed because of the ‘background problems that have caused interruptions in the supply

chains for the key components necessary to complete the car’s production process’.

Shortage It said this was particularly down to the shortage of semiconductors – the computer chips required to conduct all manner of functions in a car – and that the ‘quantity of production would not allow us to respond properly to the expected global demand’.

Sitting below the larger Levante in Maserati’s range of SUVs, the new Grecale is expected to be a best-selling vehicle for the firm. Using much the same underpinnings as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, the Grecale will use Maseratimade engines and an electric model is expected to enter the fold after the car’s initial release.

Though no real images of the car have been seen, Maserati did release a handful of blurry ‘teaser’ images at the start of the year.

SLOW START The new Maserati Grecale will be revealed this spring

Toyota hydrogen-powered RC car hits the miniature test track

A hydrogen-fuelled radio controlled car has been put to the test on the small stage.

Toyota – in partnership with Bramble Energy and Tamiya – created the 1/10 scale replica of its Mirai hydrogen saloon to showcase the wider applications of fuel-cell technology. It was put to the test in a fittingly compact location – the Old New Inn Model Village in Bouton-onthe-Water, Gloucestershire.

Bramble Energy fitted the scale replica of the Mirai – which was finished in the same Scarlet Flare colour as the full-size car – with a miniature version of its printed circuit board fuel cell system, alongside a control module and hydrogen storage.

It’s fitted with two hydrogen fuel canisters which can be switched out, meaning that an empty unit can be quickly replaced for a full one.

David Rogers, Toyota (GB) spokesperson on alternative fuels, said: “In Toyota collaborations across Europe

you’ll increasingly see trials of fuel cell-powered buses, trains, boats and, who knows, maybe even homes. We undertook this challenge to have some fun and show what can be done with fuel cells and we think the results are great!”

Providing around 20 watts of power, the hydrogen R/C car can deliver double the running time of a conventional batterypowered version. It’s all fitted into a standard four-wheel-drive remote-control chassis, the same one that can be purchased in shops.

Tom Mason, CEO and co-founder of Bramble Energy, said: “We had to shrink a whole fuel cell system down to the size of an RC car, which gave our engineers a good challenge.

“The biggest hurdle was to make all the system components required to run the fuel cell small and compact enough to fit onto the Tamiya TT02 chassis and inside the Mirai RC car shell.”

Books

Wednesday October 27 | 2021

Times book reviewer

HANNAH KIRSOP

COMING OF AGE BEAUTY & TRAUMA

Hannah Kirsop grew up in Kent and now lives in Horsmonden with her family. She loves to read and share recommendations and runs Bainden Book Club for a group of local women to discuss interesting fiction and non-fiction in a range of genres. You can find www.baindenbookshelf.com online or on Instagram: @baindenbookshelf

Agent Sonya by Ben Macintyre (published by Penguin,

(published by W&N, priced £8.99)

Betty is a beautiful and harrowing retelling of the childhood of the author’s mother.

Born in a bath in 1954 as one of eight children to a white mother and a Cherokee father, Betty’s upbringing is far from conventional and the loss, trauma and emotional responsibility she has to bear is way too much for a full life let alone the first 18 years of a child’s.

All is not darkness though, and light, hope and (as her father, Landon, would likely say) enrichment for her soul is bountifully offered by her lovely father himself, a shining gem in this book that is filled with lots of sadness.

This book is really hard to read at times but is filled with beautiful writing about a family - in many ways the story resonates with its descriptions of their magical life and the otherworldliness of their existence but it is grounded and rooted nonetheless by many hardships, not least the harsh realities of real life for Betty as a mixed-race girl growing up in America.

A brilliant book…but be prepared for some tough reading.

The bookcase…

We hope you also enjoy these other books we’ve picked for you to read this week…

Oh William! By Elizabeth Strout Published in hardback by Viking, priced £14.99 (ebook £9.99). Available now

9/10

COLD WARS

Betty by Tiffany McDaniel

8/10

Profound is a big word, but Elizabeth Strout’s writing has such gravitas and feeling, and she conveys truths of human behaviour in a way that’s so simple yet moving, that ‘profound’ is genuinely suitable. In Oh William!

Strout returns to Lucy Barton (hero of earlier works, My Name Is Lucy Barton and Anything Is Possible) who is dealing with grief, and increasingly, the requests of her ex-husband, William. In his 70s, William is first battered by betrayal and then by an unexpected family secret, leading him to ask Lucy for support. With astounding clarity, what ensues is Lucy capturing the nuances of an up-and-down relationship lived across decades, complete with the baggage of children, divorce, humiliation, stubbornness and regret. Strout gently explores whether it’s possible to ever fully understand another person, and thoroughly outlines the fallibilities we all contain.

Oh William! is full of light, space and an incredible directness you can’t avoid – it’s quite spectacular.

(Review by Ella Walker)

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priced £8.99) Agent Sonya is the latest of Ben Macintyre’s acclaimed histories of espionage in the second world war and cold war, and it has a good claim to be one of his best. Telling the story of Ursula Kuczynski who became, as Agent Sonya, one of the most decorated and influential Soviet spies, the story goes from Weimar-era Berlin – where Ursula was born to a Jewish family – to China, wartime Switzerland, rural Oxfordshire before finishing in East Berlin where Kuczynski lived out her dotage as a decorated agent of the revolution and prolific children’s author (described as East Germany’s Enid Blyton).

As with all his books, Macintyre paints a particular vivid picture of his protagonist – including the tension she felt between raising her three children and her commitment to the Communist cause – and utilises recently released Stasi and MI5 archive material to document an extraordinary life and the times in which she lived.

9/10

9/10

WARREN WARS

The Legend of Podkin OneEar by Kieran Larwood

(published by Faber & Faber, priced £6.99) Podkin, his older sister, Paz, and younger brother, Pook, live an idyllic life in their warren as the children of the rabbit warrior chief.

For Podkin, the responsibility of being in charge one day feels very far away… until the Gorm, a terrifying band of evil rabbits, attack and Podkin’s father is killed defending their warren. Podkin, Paz and Pook escape but the Gorm are in hot pursuit, tracking Podkin and his famed dagger than can cut anything other than iron.

Narrate by a travelling bard on Bramblemass Eve to a group of captivated young rabbits, the impetus and drama of the acation-packed story is heightened by their demands for more information as both they, and we are readers, are hooked to see if the Gorm are defeated and exactly what happened to Podkin’s ear. Pitched for readers aged 9-11ish.

Life Without Children by Roddy Doyle Published in hardback by Jonathan Cape, priced £14.99 (ebook £9.99). Available now Ten stories by Roddy Doyle in one book – what a treat for fans of the Booker Prizewinning Irish author. The short stories are told against the backdrop of the pandemic and portray many of the sad, desperate, heart-rending emotions sparked by the virus. The titles of some of the chapters give clues to Doyle’s take on events, written mainly over the past year – The Curfew, Gone, Nurse, Masks and The Funeral. But through the darkness of the stories, Doyle’s lyrical style of wit, passion, and occasional

obscene outbursts, shine through. The stories touch on many of the tragic scenes witnessed all too often over the past year, from an exhausted nurse losing a patient, to a son who can’t attend his mother’s funeral.

Doyle hammers home the agony, cruelty and desperation forced on everyone by the lockdowns, but with his trademark storytelling skill – and a wonderfully uplifting final few pages.

(Review by Prudence Wade)

8/10

Silverview by John le Carré

Published in hardback by Viking, priced £20 (ebook £9.99). Available now The master of the spy novel is back! Published posthumously, John le Carré’s novel Silverview is a discerning exploration of the modern Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) past and present.

Julian, a high-flying City trader turned local bookshop owner, finds himself caught in a security breach after befriending the baffling Edward Avon, a Polish

8/10

immigrant and ex-head agent. The slow pace of life in a small seaside town is disrupted by a controlled urgency from the Service, shrouded in secrets and layered with deception. From the Belgrade station in the Bosnian War to the present-day Service network, le Carré weaves a poignant story of love and loyalty.

(Review by Rebecca Wilcock)

STEPHEN K AMOS: BEFORE & LAUGHTER 4th Nov · 8pm

Respect 3rd Nov · 8pm

The Thinking Drinkers: Pub Quiz 13th Nov · 8pm

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Wed - Fri 10AM · 3PM

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (20th Anniversary Screening)

16th Nov · 2pm · 8pm 23rd Nov · 8pm FRENCH D

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Stacey Kent: I Know I Dream

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