Times of Tunbridge Wells December 22nd 2021

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Wednesday December 22 | 2021

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Why not come and try our delicious Hot & Cold Starters, Stews, Seafoods, Grills and Kabobs?

We are open 7 days a week from noon until midnight.

Please book early to avoid disappointment!

Christmas is not cancelled but it will still need a boost A Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

NATIVITY Early years children from Rose Hill School in Tunbridge Wells performing ‘Busy Bethlehem’ for their Christmas production – picture Bruce Elliott

From all the Team at Host My Office

01892 267200 hello@hostmyoffice.co.uk www.hostmyoffice.co.uk David Salomons Estate, Broomhill Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0TG

THIS weekend will see us all celebrate our second Christmas under the shadow of a global pandemic, but there are many reasons to remain optimistic this year.

While there is a lot of uncertainty over the new virus strain Omicron that has seen work parties and other events cancelled, we are not in the same territory as last year when Tunbridge Wells was plunged into Tier 4 and the country was heading for its third national lockdown.

On our front page this week, we have the Early Years children from Rose Hill School, who like many schools in the area, have been able to hold their nativities despite the turmoil.

We are also reporting in this edition how the crowds have returned at the weekend to the annual pantomime with Strictly star Shirley Ballas entertaining families with the Assembly Hall’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Vaccine Trinity and the EM Forster theatres are also putting on Christmas shows over the festive period, and there have been record numbers of people visiting the ice rink Skate in Calverley Grounds for some outdoor winter fun.

We also report on Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark, who chairs parliament’s Science and Technology

Committee, who says there are reasons to be optimistic for 2022, as he believes the vaccine means the New Year will soon see us ‘resuming life free from the restrictions that have dogged us for nearly two years’.

Obviously, there are challenges ahead in the New Year now that the Omicron strain is among us.

And while it might be difficult to have faith in the current government at times, it has been clear from the beginning that the way out of the pandemic is going to be the vaccine, and the booster rollout is obviously our best weapon over this new strain.

So, wherever you are spending Christmas and New Year, treasure the

moments, enjoy the time with loved ones, but remember to get yourself boosted.

Next week [December 29] we’re taking a break and will not be publishing the newspaper. We will though, be back on January 5, so remember to pick up your copy in all the usual places.

In the meantime, the Times annual Christmas quiz is included in this edition and we hope it will provide you with a bit of light-hearted fun as you all wind down for the festive period.

From all the team here, we hope you have a Happy Christmas and even better New Year.

Richard Williams, Editor

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Wednesday December 22 | 2021

this week… Covid rates top 1,000 cases a week but hospital admissions have halved

TIS THE SEASON: How the people of Tunbridge Wells are getting into the festive spirit despite the ongoing pandemic. P4

By Richard Williams

Coronavirus update ...

BACK TO BUSINESS: We reveal the talented judging panel for the 2022 Times Business Awards.

P9

QUESTION TIME: The big Times of Tunbridge Wells Christmas quiz is here – how many answers will you know? P19

LIGHT FANTASTIC: We take a trip to Hever Castle and Gardens to enjoy their illuminating festive light trail P30

A RECORD one thousand positive Covid tests have been recorded in Tunbridge Wells, as cases surge across the UK. For the seven says to December 13, 1,010 people tested positive for coronavirus in the borough.

The figures, which gives Tunbridge Wells a rate per 100,000 – used to compare infection rates of different areas – of 849.2, are up from the previous week when there were just 855 positive cases and the rate per 100,000 was at 718.9.

Tonbridge & Malling has seen a similar rise in cases going from 829 in the figures recorded last week to 967 in the seven days to December 13.

Cases have fallen slightly in Wealden going from 1,061 last week to 1,049 in this week’s figures.

Unchanged Of the 377 local areas in the UK, 241 (64 per cent) have seen a week-on-week rise in rates, 134 (36 per cent) have seen a fall and two are unchanged.

In Tunbridge Wells, the number of positive cases recorded in the seven days are double the number seen this time last month, but hospital admissions caused by the virus have halved.

In the seven days to December 2, there was a maximum of 37 Covid patients at any one time in the wards at Maidstone or Tunbridge Wells Hospital – the two facilities run by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust [MTW].

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SHOT IN THE ARM Booster jabs are now being offered to all over 18s For the seven days to November 2, there was a maximum of 68 Covid patients taking up a bed at MTW. However, there are fears the latest Omicron strain is beginning to take hold in the UK and could see hospital admissions increase.

The figures come following the announcement of the government’s enhanced booster rollout, which aims to offer the third jab to all over 18s by the end of December.

According to recent NHS figures, 58.1 per cent of all the over 40s in Tunbridge Wells, around 37,887 people, have now had the booster.

Kent County Council Interim Director of Public Health, Allison Duggal said: “Omicron numbers are now increasing exponentially across Kent and Medway and it’s crucial we do all we can to help limit the spread of the virus, especially over the festive season and during winter.

“There are things we can all do to help protect ourselves and our key workers so that they can go to work as safely as possible. We urge residents to book their Covid-19 booster. If you haven’t had a jab yet, we know that even one dose provides some protection, while a full course significantly increases that protection.

“Remembering the basics can help much more than people might imagine. Wash or sanitise hands regularly, meet in groups outside, or open doors and windows inside.

“Remember to wear a face covering where required, or in any busy areas, and take regular Lateral Flow tests, even if you’ve been vaccinated.

“In making sure we take these seemingly small actions we can help protect ourselves, our loved ones and the key workers who have worked so tirelessly during this time.”

Eyes now turn to hospital failings as double killer told he’ll die in jail

By Jonathan Banks

CONTACTS

CANCELLATIONS The Tunbridge Wells Hotel has had three works parties called off

CALLS to ‘hold to account’ those behind any failings that allowed David Fuller to go on to commit his offences in hospitals have followed the handing down of two life sentences for the convicted double murderer last week.

Last week a judge told 67-year-old Fuller he will die in prison after sentencing him to two whole life sentences for the 1987 murders of Wendy Knell, 25, and Caroline Pierce, 20, in Tunbridge Wells.

The former electrician also received 12 years in prison for offences committed at Tunbridge Wells Hospital and its forerunner the Kent and Sussex Hospital between 2008 and November 2020, as well as for numerous charges for possession of child pornography.

He had worked at both hospitals, first as an employee of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust [MTW] and later as a contractor and had filmed himself carrying out attacks on scores of dead bodies.

Following last week’s court hearing, Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark along with seven other parliamentarians, including Tom Tugendhat [Tonbridge & Malling], Nus Ghani [Wealden] and Helen Grant [Maidstone] released a joint statement saying that despite the whole-life term handed to the Fuller, there was still ‘much unfinished business’.

The MPs said it was important to learn how Fuller, who was a family man, was able to go undetected for so many Miles years committing his Scott crimes in mortuaries.

They also want stiffer sentences for similar offences committed in hospitals.

A public inquiry was

called so after Fuller’s conviction last month, which will be led by former NHS chief executive Sir Jonathan Michael.

The MPs say the report must ‘put right the faults’ that allowed the double killer to go undetected for so long and ‘hold to account those responsible for them.’

CRIME SCENE Fuller carried out scores of offences at Tunbridge Wells Hospital

Unflinching They continued: “It must be comprehensive, unflinching and transparent. It must give victims’ families their say and to hear from everyone whose evidence is relevant.

“We will support our constituents through the Inquiry and hope that it provides a basis for all the reforms that are needed.

“Nothing will ever undo the horror and heartbreak that Fuller has caused the families of the victims. But we can and must be certain that no other family ever has to endure what they are experiencing.”

Fuller had a swipe card that allowed him unsupervised access to all parts of the hospitals he worked at because of his role as a maintenance electrician.

MTW was set to hold its own inquiry into the scandal that saw Fuller commit his crimes in the Trust’s hospitals for more than a decade, but that was replaced by a full, independent inquiry following calls from the local MPs. Chief Executive of MTW, Miles Scott, has already faced calls to resign from affected family members.

Nevres Kemal, who daughter Azra Kemal died after falling from the A21 near to Tonbridge in July 2020, met Mr Scott soon after the news emerged that Azra had been among Fuller’s last victims.

After meeting the health chief she told reporters: “Accountability starts with the man at the top. He is responsible, but he doesn’t want to lose his fancy job,” she said, adding: “Scott

needs to go.

“That man must not wait to be thrown out; he needs to walk.”

She is being represented by Irwin Mitchell, one of the largest law firms in the UK who are also assisting numerous other families of Fuller’s victims who may seek to sue the Trust for compensation.

Now the Chief Executive is under renewed pressure following the statement by the MPs. When asked by the Times if he would consider his position at MTW if the inquiry were to discover failings at the Trust, Mr Scott declined to comment.

But in a statement released following Fuller’s sentencing last week, he said: “I would like to apologise once again for the hurt that has been caused to families as a result of these appalling crimes.”

He continued: “As requested by the Secretary of State, we will work with the families and NHS Resolution to agree a compensation scheme without the pain and delay that may be caused by individual claim action.

“We will make any further improvements recommended from the independent inquiry, and we have undertaken a risk assessment of our mortuary including assuring ourselves against existing Human Tissue Authority guidance.”

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

NEWS IN BRIEF

Fly-tipping on rise as prosecutions fall TUNBRIDGE WELLS recorded the lowest number of fly-tipping incidents across Kent between 2020 and 2021 according to government figures, but incidents of dumping rubbish in the Borough’s streets have increased by a third.

According to the latest figures released by Defra, there were 929 cases of fly-tipping reported in Tunbridge Wells for the last financial year, up from 659 in 2019/2020.

A spike in fly-tipping has been recorded across the entire UK during lockdown in 2020, although prosecutions have fallen.

In 2019/2020 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC] took action against 202 cases of fly-tipping, just a third of the 615 actions the authority took against offenders a year earlier.

Cllr Matt Bailey at TWBC said: “While we may not be as badly affected as other parts of Kent, any fly-tipping in unacceptable and we work with the police to find and prosecute those responsible. We have also lobbied for tougher sentencing for those we catch flouting the law.”

Cancer centre closes THE Pickering Cancer Drop In Centre in Tunbridge Wells has had to temporarily close again, just a fortnight after reopening due to the Covid crisis.

The charity returned to its Monson Road HQ earlier this month after spending the last 18 months at various venues across the town due to the need to ensure safety in the wake of the pandemic.

However, Polly Taylor, who runs the charity said she has now closed again due to fears over the Omicron surge.

She added that the group may now revert back to meeting at the Salomons Estate in Tunbridge Wells.

She continued: “If people still need our help, we are always on the end of the phone, though, so please just call 01892 511880.”

Charges follow murder THREE more people have been charged with robbery offences following a murder in Tunbridge Wells earlier this month.

Xhovan Pepaj, aged 25, was found with fatal stab wounds in Caley Road, in the early hours of Saturday, December 4.

Ciaran Stewart, 18, of Hornchurch and a 17-year-old boy from Ilford who cannot be named, were charged with murder earlier this month, as well as with conspiring to commit robbery. Three other men from Essex and London were also charged with robbery and offences relating to cannabis dealing.

Now three more people, also from the Essex and London area, have also been charged with robbery, which brings the total number of offenders charged in connection with the murder to eight.

Three other people have been arrested in connection with the incident but remain on bail pending further enquires.

Village dealers jailed A PAIR of drug dealers are starting prison sentences after officers arrested them with cocaine in Bartley Mill, Lamberhurst near Tunbridge Wells where the average house price is more than £2million.

Cosmo Budd, who was renting the house, received three years and nine months and Hussain Alrawi of Eastbourne received eight years and nine months after the pair pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with an estimated street value of between £6,000 to £8,000 was found in the house.

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Aldi forced to scrap supermarket plan after Lidl moves in around the corner SHOPPING AROUND Aldi is looking for another site

By Richard Williams A PLANNED new Aldi store in Tunbridge Wells has been shelved because the German retailer’s low-cost rival moved a hundred yards away, the Times has learnt.

The budget retailer insists it is still shopping for another location for a second supermarket in the town, although a site it had bought on Eridge Road will now to be sold to a developer.

Designation Aldi bought the plot of land near to Linden Park Road where Sainsbury’s and Homebase are located several years ago.

It was set to be its second store in the town after the German discounter opened its first supermarket in the former Toys R Us site in Longfield Road in November 2019.

However, earlier this year, budget rival Lidl also opened its first branch in Tunbridge Wells, taking one half of the Homebase unit – just over a hundred yards from Aldi’s planned Eridge Road location.

The move has meant the German retailer is now selling the site and looking elsewhere.

The land has been offered to Beechcroft Developments who have applied for planning permission for

a retirement apartment complex.

Dan Pannell, Property Director at Aldi Stores told the Times the sale is dependent on planning permission, and the removal of a Village Green designation that would prevent any building on the site.

He said: “Beechcroft have submitted a planning application and are waiting to receive a decision.

“In conjunction with this, an

application has been submitted to remove a Village Green designation associated with the site which would allow Beechcroft to progress with their development.

“Aldi are still committed to delivering a second store to Tunbridge Wells, but the Eridge Road site no longer meets the company’s requirements, and we are therefore exploring other opportunities in the town.”

Both Aldi and Lidl brands have been going head-to-head with new store openings over the last couple of years as they jostle for market share.

Lidl has set an aggressive target for 1,100 stores by the end of 2025.

It currently has around 880 outlets.

Rival Aldi, which has around 940 UK stores, wants to have 1,200 by 2025 and is investing £1.3billion to meet the target.

Rubbish garden waste service could cost a million by next year distribution of food, fuel and medicine, as well as waste and recycling services around the country.

“Our main priority is to get the service restored. We’ve finished the one-off collections in our borough, and we’re pushing the contractor to restore a regular service as soon as they possibly can. We hope to have news on that early in the new year.”

By Jonathan Banks THE suspension of garden waste services in Tunbridge Wells is losing the Council £45,000 a fortnight, councillors have been told.

Paid for services to collect garden waste were introduced in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge in 2019, when Urbaser took over as joint contractor for both local authorities.

The £52 annual levy was meant to pay for fortnightly collections and was set to generate more than £700,000 a year from around 15,000 residents that signed up to the scheme.

Pocket But the service had to be suspended in July following the national shortage of HGV drivers and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC] promised residents they would not be out of pocket and promised to roll over any undue collections.

While a one-off collection was offered to residents in October, there has been no sign of the fortnightly collections resuming any time soon.

At last week’s Full Council meeting, councillors were told that for every two weeks that garden waste is not being collected the Council is losing £45,000.

The cost of the suspended service

Deficit

was revealed when Lib Dem Cllr Ben Chapelard asked how much the suspension had cost.

Cllr Matt Bailey, the Council’s head of Environment replied: “We took the difficult decision to suspend the garden waste service to protect our main waste and recycling collections that all households in our borough, regardless of income level, need and expect the council to provide.

“This decision to prioritise our statuary services has come at a financial cost to the council with gross income reduced by approximately £45,000 each fortnight while the suspension continues.”

It means so far, the suspension has wiped out nearly £500,000 of

expected income and if it continues into July, there will a shortfall for the Council of £1.1million.

The news comes as TWBC is currently preparing its 2022/23 budget and is consulting residents on how to plug a £2million deficit brought about by a reduction in business rates, council tax and income from fees such as car parks due to the pandemic.

Cllr Bailey told the Times that he expects the garden waste service to resume soon after the New Year, adding: “The decision to temporarily suspend the garden waste service was taken due to the national shortage of HGV drivers.

“This has affected crucial areas of the economy, including the

But Cllr Ben Chapelard said contractor Urbaser should take its share of the financial responsibility for the suspended service.

He said: “Cash-strapped Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is now paying the price for the Conservatives’ poor decision-making over its waste contract. Losing £45,000 every two weeks is a lot of money when the council is facing a £2million deficit next year.

“TWBC is losing over £1million a year whilst garden waste is not being collected but, its contractor Urbaser, gets away with no financial penalties whatsoever.

“In this situation there is no incentive for Urbaser to recruit extra drivers to provide this service to residents. The Conservatives have failed to hold their own contractor to account.”

For more on the garden waste suspension see letters page 17.

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Wednesday December 22 | 2021

Nativities, panto and ice skating – who says Christmas is cancelled?

By Robert Forrester THE run up to Christmas officially began last week as the annual pantomime returned to Tunbridge Wells.

The curtain finally went up on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs starring Strictly Come Dancing’s Shirley Ballas as the Wicked Queen, on Friday [December 17] at the Assembly Hall.

Stunning The pantomime comes after last year’s Christmas show, a socially distanced version of Jack and the Beanstalk, was cancelled just before the first show when Kent was plunged into Tier 3, which banned live shows.

The Assembly Hall Theatre Director, JJ Almond said the pantomime, which is on until January 3 and tickets that cost from £19.50 [children] – £29.50 [adults] from assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk was a ‘stunning production’.

“It is one of the best I have had the pleasure of directing. You won’t want to miss the phenomenal glittering sets, Shirley Ballas at her most evil, a comedy troupe of dwarves, a wonderful dame, a hilarious henchman, superb vocals from the best talent around and choreography worthy of a strictly 10.

“Get out and get back to the family tradition of pantomime! We all deserve a good laugh and Snow White is sure to provide it for all the family!”

Also entertaining families this Christmas is the first production by the new director of Trinity Theatre, Sean Turner, who is putting on the Mark Twain tale, The Prince and the Pauper until January 2. He told the Times: “The show has been going down a treat with our audiences... we are blessed with a great space.”

Tickets, which cost from £18 – £22, are available at trinitytheatre.net For more on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs see Arts page 29.

RECORD NUMBERS TAKE TO THE ICE

NATIVITIES RETURN TO NURSERIES AND SCHOOLS The children at St. Luke's Nursery in Tunbridge Wells were among a number able to tell the traditional Christmas story on December 10, thanks to parents agreeing to wear masks, sanitise their hands before entering and show

CHILLING OUT Youngsters enjoying the ice rink at Skate last week

proof of a negative lateral flow test.

Marley Westell, Head of Nursery at St Luke’s said: “Despite these restrictions, it was such a joyous occasion which all our families embraced.”

CHRISTMAS STORY Children from St Luke’s - picture Megan Strydom

The ice rink in Tunbridge Wells is on track to attract record numbers, its organisers say.

Skate Tunbridge Wells has proved a popular winter attraction for the town, and the Borough Council. Which runs it with around 40,000 people descending on Calverley Grounds between November and January.

Curling

The skate season was cut short last year when the rink had to be closed after being open for just a couple of weeks due to the Covid crisis.

This year there are two ice rinks open seven

days a week until Monday, January 3.

The main rink, and a smaller one dedicated to toddlers during the day and transformed into a Bavarian Curling rink by night.

Mikey Powell, Technical Manager, at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council said: “We’re so excited to have the Pantomime and Skate Tunbridge Wells back again this year.

“People have been turning out up to the ice rink in record numbers and we’re on track to have one of our most successful year ever.

“With the Pantomime opening, it’s a great opportunity for people to have a safe and fun family day out.”

‘Difficult weeks ahead’ but booster a cause to be ‘optimistic’

By Richard Williams TUNBRIDGE Wells MP Greg Clark has said that life ‘free from the restrictions’ will return in 2022 thanks to the vaccine roll out.

He said because of the booster, the vast majority of people will be kept safe from the new Omicron variant.

“Although Omicron has reminded us that Covid has not gone away as a threat, we know that the boosters now being rolled out at breath-taking speed, will keep the vast majority safe from severe illness,” he told the Times.

“Within a few weeks, when most of the population has been robustly protected, and the Winter warms to Spring, we can be confident in resuming life free from the restrictions that have dogged us, on and off, for nearly two years.

“As we do so, the prospects for 2022 are some of the most optimistic that we have experienced as a country for many years as we rebound from some of the most challenging times we have experienced outside wartime.

Measures “The next few weeks will be difficult – but everyone expects they will be short lived and I hope that the Platinum Jubilee Year of 2022 will be, for the best of reasons, a year to remember and to enjoy.”

His words come a week after the Tunbridge Wells MP decided not to rebel against the government and voted for the Covid Plan B restrictions last week.

Mr Clark was widely expected to vote against

the new raft of measures when they went before parliament last Wednesday [December 15] after voicing his discontent with the government’s plans when they were introduced at the beginning of the month.

The MP, who is also chair of the Science and Technology Committee, had rounded on the Health Secretary in the House of Commons, and told him he had ‘jumped the gun’ by introducing the new measures.

Despite this, and even though the rebellion last week was much larger than anticipated with nearly a hundred MPs voting on the most contentious of the four bills that came before parliament – the introduction of so-called vaccine passports – Mr Clark voted with the government.

When asked by the Times what had convinced him to vote for the government last week, Greg

Clark said: “As Chair of the Science & Technology Committee, I convened a special meeting of the Committee on the morning of the vote in the House of Commons.

“The consistent evidence given to the Committee was that we face a very real threat from Omicron, which is now spreading rapidly, and the latest evidence from South Africa shows an increase in the hospitalisation of doublevaccinated people compared to the previous delta variant.”

He continued: “I very much hope that the UK experience of Omicron will prove more benign than feared, in which case the measures should be withdrawn as soon as that is evident – they expire automatically on 26 January – However, I have to tell you that I fear that we are heading for a difficult few weeks.”

MERRY CHRISTMAS

01892 540216 | gabriellajewellery@outlook.com | www.gabriellajewellery.co.uk 9 Chapel Place, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1YQ (located between the High Street and the Pantiles)

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Wednesday December 22 | 2021

Dave Brooker

Ashdown forest faces difficult New year after losing funding

Wealden meets with Secretary of State over house building quota

By Robert Forester A LOCAL council who had its Local Plan rejected by the government after failing to address local unmet housing needs has asked Michael Gove to reduce the number of properties it has been asked to build.

The rejection of Wealden District Council’s [WDC] Local Plan means the authority cannot prove it has a five-year land supply [5YLS] of new properties.

Targets

WOODLAND BEAUTY Ashdown Forest Trust has lost funding

A FOREST that inspired one of the world’s best-loved children’s characters, and dates back to medieval times, is facing a challenging 2022 after seeing its funding cut.

Ashdown Forest is the largest public open space in the South-East covering more than 2,400 acres of land across East Sussex. It was the inspiration for AA Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories set in Hundred Acre Forest.

Now it has lost up to £150,000 in support from East Sussex County Council, a move that could see parts of the forest closed to visitors and the introduction of new charges such as fees for the car parks.

Review The habitat is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty [AONB] on the heathland of the High Weald Area and is home to a wide variety of species of animals and insects.

It’s managed by the Ashdown Forest Trust with elected members from East Sussex County Council (ESCC) as trustees.

Previously, the county council bailed out the forest by covering any deficit in its annual running costs which are nearly £1million including staff.

Due to the financial crisis brought about by the pandemic, ESCC has been forced to review its funding allocations.

Speaking to the Times about the loss of funding, the CEO of Ashdown Forest James Adler says that finding financial support is very challenging at the moment.

Mr Adler said that funding was one of the critical issues they are having to manage with East Sussex County Council having to withdraw support because of the pressures that Covid has put on the authority’s own budget.

“They have told us they have to divert the money elsewhere,” added Mr Adler. “Potentially we are losing between £100,000 to £150,000 a year of income.”

The trust is working on solutions to replace the funds in a way that best suits visitors who until now have enjoyed the forest free of charge.

Mr Adler explained: “We are looking at a range of different ways to fund the forest such as

asking for donations from the public, while also trying to look for grants. We are also considering introducing car park charges. We might not be able to keep them all open without funds.

Devlopment “For our wildlife, there are also some big issues. If we are not able to look after the land, especially for our rare bird species, then it is possible that the land could lose its protection [as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty].”

He warned the loss of protection “would definitely be bad for the forest’ and potentially for the surrounding villages which could be impacted by housing development.

Because of climate change, the land has seen positive and negative changes with new species flying over because of the warmer weather, such as the Willow Emerald damselfly.

However, the forest has witnessed extreme wet weather conditions that have caused flooding and damages to car parks and footpaths.

Mr Adler said: “We are still understanding the impacts of climate change on the forest and the Willow Emerald which is expanding its range as temperatures warm.

“Some reports suggest that beech trees will not be able to cope with changes to temperature and weather patterns over the next thirty years.

“It is also believed that heath fires will increase in frequency and intensity with warmer, dryer weather.

“This could release more climate gases, accelerating change even quicker whilst

impacting on rare species. The peat bogs on the forest which lock up considerable carbon may also be damaged JAMES ADLER by fire.”

He continued: “If we manage the Forest well then it can help in dealing with climate gases and we are looking into how this may be quantified.”

The Trust has set out a 10-year plan which is broken into three categories for maintaining the forest.

The strategy will look into protecting the land itself… collaborating and engaging with local communities by building partnerships… plus welcoming and inspiring healthy and active lifestyles amongst individuals.

An East Sussex County Council spokesperson said: the authority ‘recognise’ the great work the Ashdown Forest Conservators do in managing and protecting the forest, and in raising a significant amount of money themselves to support their work.

But she added: “Reductions in Government grants, rising costs and increased demand for council services has meant we have had to consider how we fund and deliver our services to ensure we can meet our priorities, including protecting the most vulnerable residents.”

She said that while the council could no longer agree to an upfront grant each year it did cover the forest’s shortfall in the last financial year to the tune of £69,000.

Dave Brooker

By Jonathan Banks

UNCLEAR FUTURE Sunset over Ashford Forest

This means developers are able to push through housing projects WDC deem unsuitable, such as in places like Crowborough that sit on Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty [AONB].

Already a number of housing projects have been given the greenlight that impinge on AONB, with the Council powerless to stop them.

The Planning Inspector returned Wealden’s draft Local Plan in January last year after the authority failed to engage with other councils in the area to meet local housing needs.

It followed complaints from a number of councils bordering Wealden, including Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC].

TWBC’s own Local Plan has led to protests after it announced plans to build a garden village in the parish of Capel in order to meet strict house-building targets.

The Conservatives at the authority also lost a number of seats in the local elections which they say was due to having to build new housing developments in Capel and Paddock Wood.

Granted In a virtual meeting earlier this month, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government met WDC leader Cllr Bob Standley and deputy leader Cllr Ann Newton.

In a statement, the councillors said they raised a number of concerns with Mr Gove, which they said left them ‘encouraged by the responses to their issues’.

These included the way the five-year land supply was calculated.

The authority has granted more than 7,500 permissions for new homes, but as they are not yet built so WDC cannot prove a 5YLS, which has encouraged further speculative planning applications.

The councillors also raised the current use of 2014 population data rather than more up to date 2018 figures.

Both Councillor Standley and Councillor Newton emphasised what they described as the importance of getting a new Local Plan in place and said they will, following their meeting with Mr Gove, continue to raise the issues with other ministers.

Wealden is not the only local authority that has its Local Plan rejected.

Both Sevenoaks District Council and Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council had their Local Plans rejected due to unmet housing needs.

Sevenoaks had attempted to get the decision overturned in the courts but lost its Judicial Review - both Councils now face renewed and larger housing quotas for their new local plans.

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

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BUSINESS

7

Festive flurry on job market is expected as record vacancies keep unemployment down

By Richard Williams JOBLESS figures have continued to fall for the ninth month in a row, with record vacancies being reported in Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding area.

The unemployment rate for the Borough, according to figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) last week, show that 2,110 people are claiming some form of out of work benefits during November.

This is slightly down from 2,155 but is nearly double the number that was unemployed before the Covid pandemic began when figures for March 2020 show just 1,130 people were out of work.

Payrolls The ONS said there is ‘still no sign’ that the closing of the furlough support scheme in September has affected the jobs market across

the UK, with the number of UK workers on payrolls rising by 0.9 per cent between October and November to 29.4 million.

The number of people employed is now 424,000 or 1.5 per cent above levels seen before the pandemic struck.

Vacancies also jumped to another new record – up 184,700 to 1.22 million between September and November.

Locally, recruiters say there ‘huge numbers’ of vacancies in West Kent and they are expecting Christmas and New Year to see even more activity in the local job market.

Neil Simmons, who runs TN Recruits, told the Times: “Tunbridge Wells is certainly reflective of the national statistics.

“There is huge number of vacancies across all sectors including hospitality, IT, legal and warehouse and manual labour.

“The candidate flow has slowed down due to record numbers of people in employment and at this time of the year, the focus is on Christmas so lots of people tend to put their job search on hold until the New Year.

“We have had to introduce a number of new practices to dig deeper to find the best talent for our clients. There has never been a more

Office protection orders are confirmed

By Jonathan Banks A NUMBER of commercial properties in the borough of Tunbridge Wells can never be turned into flats after the Council had its orders banning their conversion confirmed.

As revealed in the Times in August, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC] served Article 4 Directions on office, retail, café and restaurant premises in Bidborough, Horsmonden, Langton Green, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Sissinghurst and Southborough to

prevent the premises from being converted to residential use.

Changes to legislation meant that unless action was taken the Article 4 directions would expire next year.

Permanent Following a required consultation period, TWBC has now confirmed the orders and made them permanent.

Cllr Alan McDermott, head of Planning and

Transportation, said: “The Council took swift action when new permitted development rights were announced.

“As a result, we now have protection in place on offices, shops and cafes where there would be a real loss to the economy and local community if they were to become residential units.’

He added: ‘We will be keeping a close eye on what’s happening around the borough and will take further action to protect other premises if it becomes necessary.”

RECRUITER Neil Simmons

important time to work with a good recruitment agency who can work in partnership to assist business growth.

“In recruitment we always brace ourselves for the January rush when budgets restart and New Year’s resolutions kick in, the vacancy merry-goround begins. I believe this year will be slightly different and we will see applications flooding in during the period between Christmas and New Year as fewer people are on holiday.”

Plan B Grants for businesses BUSINESSES in the hospitality sector hit by Covid Plan B rules are entitled to money following a new government grant handed to the Council. The ARG round 7 is to support businesses in hospitality and leisure premises which have been severely impacted following the announcement of new Government Covid-19 restrictions.

This scheme is not open to businesses who are in the supply chain to these sectors, and the grants issued to eligible businesses will be based on the Rateable Value.

This fund was launched last week and will be open until Wednesday, December 29.

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Wednesday December 22 | 2021

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9

Do you have what it takes to impress the Times Business Awards judges?

By Robert Forrester ENTRANTS to the Times Business Awards are coming in thick and fast, but to decide which local firms are the pick of the crop will be the job of the 2022 judges.

The winning businesses chosen from those shortlisted for the black tie evening at the Science Theatre at Salomons Estate on Thursday, March 24, will be chosen by this year’s panel of judges.

The judges for 2022 come from a range of sectors, and each one has been selected to bring their own unique take on not only what makes a good business, but also what makes them a good business for the area.

Partnership We have been honoured each year to have had some fantastic judges, all leaders in their respective fields, and 2022 is no different.

Joining TV’s Eamonn Holmes - one of Britain’s most well-known faces from breakfast and daytime TV – on centre stage will be head judge Jo James OBE. Jo James As Chief Executive of Kent Invicta, the county’s only accredited Jo James OBE Chamber of Commerce Jo represents more than 1,300 members’ businesses across Kent.

Ms James also represents business on the South East Local Enterprise Partnership. She has been head judge at numerous Times Business Awards in the past.

She said: “I am delighted to be judging once again the Times Business Awards.

“The past 20 months have been excessively hard for our business community but despite the challenges and obstacles, so many businesses have not only survived but thrived through diversification and innovation and this year’s Awards will give us the opportunity to celebrate a truly innovative business community.”

Darren Austin Joining Jo on the panel of judges is partner/ owner of Synergee, the chartered accountants and business advisors. Darren Austin has more

GALA NIGHT Shortlisted entrants will be entertained by dancing and live music

GUEST HOST Eamonn Holmes will be on stage handing out the awards

than 30 years’ experience, most of which has been gained working closely with owner managed business covering all industries.

Tom Poynter AS CEO of the creative agency Southpaw, which Darren Austin has been located in the town for over 50 years, Tom Poynter is in charge of servicing global clients like Honda, Diageo, Ahmad Tea, Brown-Forman and PZ Cussons it has always placed a significant importance on the town, its culture and talent.

TOMto POYNTER “I am really looking forward the entries

for 2022. Covid has impacted businesses across all sectors and in many different ways.

“The move to different operating models has meant there is a genuine Tom Poynter opportunity for local businesses to thrive.

“I am looking forward to hearing how companies have been creative through 2021 in looking after their staff, their customers and setting themselves up for future growth.”

Siobhan Stirling Siobhan Stirling, director of marketing and PR

agency, Sharp Minds Communications, is no stranger to awards, having been named Best Woman in PR and Marketing at this year’s national Best Business Women Awards and taken titles for the last four years at the Kent Business Women Awards.

“I know how hard business owners work to serve their customers Siobhan Sterling and create jobs and opportunities, so I’m excited to get more insights into some of our fabulous local businesses and to do a small bit in providing the just recognition that our local entrepreneurs deserve.”

Tom Dawlings Cllr Tom Dawlings is the current leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Before joining the council in 2012 as a member for the Conservative Party, Tom worked at The Bank of England.

He said: “Encouraging and attracting new businesses and the Tom Dawlings growth of businesses is fundamentally important to the residents of the Borough in providing more employment and also to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council because growing the local economy and increasing business rates has a direct effect on the Council’s finances.”

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Elms to line Eridge Estate again for Queen’s Jubilee

By Victoria Roberts THERE will be elms again on the Sussex border path south of Tunbridge Wells as part of an initiative to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee.

The Marquess of Abergavenny oversaw the planting of a pair of trees on the edge of his estate, between Crowborough, as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) initiative to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee set to take place next year.

He was joined by a group of nearly 50 guests, including Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex, Andrew Blackman, Wealden MP Nusrat Ghani, local residents, local organisations and others interested in the Jubilee plan to plant trees to commemorate 70 years of the Queen’s service to the country.

Planting the two trees, Ms Ghani said: “Not only are we playing a crucial part in helping combat climate change, we are also reminding ourselves of the incredible service that our Queen has given to this country.”

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

A NEW LEAF: Lord Abergavenny (centre) with Wealden MP Nusrat Ghani (right) and Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex, Andrew Blackman

The trees were also being planted for the future, said Lord Abergavenny, explaining: “At Eridge Park, we have an important role to play in preserving this wonderful estate.

Wildlife “It is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, so the trees have been carefully chosen to suit the location.

“We are planting disease-resistant elms along this section of the Sussex border path as there used to be a beautiful line of elms bordering the road.”

The QGC project, covering the Queen’s Jubilee year of 2022, aims to create a national canopy of trees to help reduce the impact of climate change, filter air, increase wildlife habitat and improve the environment for everyone.

“I would urge everybody to spread the word about this country-wide initiative and, where possible, to get involved,” added Mr Blackman.

Taxi driver swaps his cab for a mic for charity A LOCAL charity which raises money for terminally ill children last Christmas is hoping to beat that record with a charity single, also produced locally with help from a local taxi driver and other volunteers.

After fundraising for Taylor-Made Dreams by running Santa ‘Zooms’ over December last year, Dave Richardson, of Keller Kars in Southborough, set out to repeat the feat this year by recording the carol Silent Night, with other local businesspeople.

Support Operating throughout East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent and Surrey, Taylor Made Dreams provides ‘bucket list’ treats for children with life-limiting illness and provides their families with financial, emotional and practical support.

Children are referred from NHS children’s wards, children’s hospices, Clic Sargent, the Royal Marsden Hospital, the County council Social Services Disability Teams, GP practices, schools and others. Joining Mr Richardson on the single were vocalists Emily Brown (Emily Brown Photography), Jane Brown (Pink Spaghetti PA

SILENT NIGHT: Dave Richardson singing for Taylor-Made Dreams

Rugby club pitches for backing on planning bid LOCAL rugby fans and players are being asked to back a planning application to support the Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club [TWRFC] in its bid to update facilities.

The club has applied to Wealden District Council to install a 3G Alternative Grass Pitch (AGP), cricket pavilion, new cricket wicket and improved parking.

The new facilities at the grounds on the Frant Road, would benefit local schools, clubs and other community groups as well as the TWRFC, especially by allowing all-weather play, when pitches are often unplayable, said club chairman Mike Rigby.

He said: “The planning applications are now open to the public for comment – we really need members to log on and register positive comments to help support us through the application process.”

Straddling

ALL WEATHER: How the 3G pitch will look

In commenting on the planning application, local residents might also consider the benefit of the proposed extra parking, which would ‘release pressure’ on nearby roads, Mr Rigby stressed.

The local community would also benefit from the 3G pitch when not in use by the club.

With the grounds straddling the Wealden and Tunbridge Wells boundary, sports enthusiasts can submit comments either at ‘planning. wealden.gov.uk/ or twbcpa.midkent.gov.uk/ online-applications

Services) and Ina Sylvester-Smith (Arbonne Health & Wellbeing).

Meanwhile, Simon Taylor (EQ Audio) recorded and mixed the track, and Alan Harbord Photography, videographer Simon Burridge of Cherrywood Productions, Gary Brindley of Step 3 Digital created the website. Sarah Raine (Colley Raine & Associates) provided PR support.

The single is already available to download from www.silentnight-tmd.co.uk, where charitable music-lovers can choose their donation, and the song will be sent to them by e-mail.

“Anyone giving £10 or more will receive a bonus music video which contains some fun behind-the-scenes footage of the recording session and some touching TMD footage of some very special children,” said Mr Richardson.

With all volunteers giving their time and skills for free, all funds will go directly to Taylor Made Dreams. “We would like to thank everyone for giving their time for free to help make this happen,” said the charity’s chief executive Suzi Mitchell.

Cancelled charity carol service will now go online...

A CHARITY carol service cancelled in November will now be a virtual affair on Christmas Eve, thanks to the wonders of the internet and the offline contributions of volunteers.

Cancelled The service, in aid of the Hospice in the Weald, had been due to take place on December 16 at Tonbridge School, but was cancelled as a precautionary measure, and will now be aired at hospiceintheweald.org.uk/events/carols-atchristmas-2021 on Christmas Eve. There will be a reading from celebrity host and former Strictly star Len Goodman and carols from Skinners’ School Senior Choir.

Refunds were available up to December 15, but the charity said: “Any non-claimed ticket fees will be treated as a much-appreciated donation, helping ensure the support and care of terminally ill patients and those important to them, throughout the festive period.”

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

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Reindeer, penguins, snowflakes and a lot of heart for the hospice WHERE can you find novelty reindeer, penguins, snowflakes, stars, angels and a lot of heart?

Answer: in Hawkenbury Road and Barden Road, where residents have been lightingup the night and raising thousands for Hospice in the Weald over the past three years.

In Hawkenbury Road, southeast of Tunbridge Wells, Alan and Linda Heyes and their neighbours Sean and Chris Belton have raised more than £6,500 over the past three years. Last year alone, the lure of local lights during a locked-down Christmas netted over £3,000 for the charity, said Mr Heyes.

Planning

Tor Edwards (Hospice in the Weald), Alan Heyes, Steve Hargrave (Channel 5 News) and Sean Belton, at Hawkenbury Road.

Meanwhile, Alan and Debbie Brown are lighting things up in Barden Road, Speldhurst, where their JustGiving supporters say the lights delight both children and commuters walking to work.

Their efforts have raised over £1,220 for the Hospice over the past three years.

“It started many years ago, when Brian, Sean’s dad, decided to put a light or two out on the

lawn and asked me if I was going to as well,” said Mr Heyes, whose daughter, Clare is a nurse at the Hospice.

“It grew from there and as more people started coming to see the lights, we decided to start raising money for charity. We plan in early November and it takes a few days to set up. Sean gets up on the ladders and my son helps, too.”

News

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Wednesday December 22 | 2021

Chancellor unveils £1billion help for hospitality to ride latest restrictions RISHI Sunak has offered a £1billion support package to businesses hit by Covid restrictions amid concerns over the ‘eye-wateringly high’ transmission of the Omicron variant.

The Chancellor has come forward with additional help for the hospitality and leisure sectors in England following days of urgent lobbying from MPs, firms and industry officials.

It includes one-off grants of up to £6,000 per premises for businesses in the affected sectors in England, which the Treasury expects will be administered by local authorities and to be available in the coming weeks.

FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT Rishi Sunak

Crucial The Government also intends to use taxpayers’ cash to cover the cost of statutory sick pay for Covid-related absences for firms with fewer than 250 employees.

Cultural organisations in England can also access a further £30 million funding during the winter via the culture recovery fund, the Treasury said.

Mr Sunak’s announcement follows crisis talks with business leaders after he cut short a Government business trip to California.

Businesses have seen takings plummet due to Christmas festivities being scaled back amid fear over the spread of Omicron.

Mr Sunak said: “We recognise that the spread of the Omicron variant means businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors are facing huge uncertainty, at a crucial time.

“So we’re stepping in with £1 billion of support, including a new grant scheme, the

reintroduction of the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme and further funding released through the culture recovery fund.”

Asked if the new cash was enough to help hospitality businesses through what is usually a busy period of the year, the Chancellor told reporters yesterday [Tuesday]: “If you look at the grants that we’re providing today, up to £6,000 for hospitality businesses, they are comparable in generosity to the grants that were provided when these businesses were fully closed, completely closed, earlier this year.”

The extra support builds on existing schemes

STURGEON CANCELS HOGMANAY SCOTLAND’S First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said large-scale Hogmanay celebrations in Scotland are to be cancelled and live sports will be ‘effectively spectator-free’ for three weeks from Boxing Day as the country introduces new restrictions on public events.

The SNP leader made the announcement yesterday [Tuesday] amid concerns over the omicron strain.

The First Minister also urged people to minimise contacts with other households.

She told MSPs: “Difficult though it is, please follow this advice over New Year – minimise Hogmanay socialising as much as you can.

“If we all follow the advice to minimise the contact we have outside our own households, we will help limit the spread of infections.

“This is the bedrock of our plan for the immediate period ahead.”

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce said the measures will be ‘another hammer blow for employers and Scotland’s economy’.

The First Minister also said crowds at outdoor public events will be capped at 500 from Boxing Day for at least three weeks.

Numbers at indoor public events are to be limited to 100 standing or 200 seated.

Indoor hospitality and leisure venues will also need to ensure one-metre social distancing between groups of people who are attending together.

For three weeks from January 27, pubs and other venues selling alcohol will be required to offer table service only.

in place to assist businesses, the Treasury said.

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has said Labour ‘will be going through the details’ of the new measures for businesses, adding the Government had been ‘dragged kicking and screaming’ to announce them.

“Support is welcome, but we will be going through the details of this announcement to see which business and workers are included and excluded,” she tweeted.

“But Government have been dragged kicking and screaming here … in fact, the Chancellor was dragged back kicking and screaming from

California when this support should have been announced alongside Plan B. “This is a holding package from a Government in a holding pattern.

“The PM continues to be too distracted by revolt from Tory backbenchers to act in the public interest.

“Businesses and workers are crying out for clarity on what restrictions are down the road as many continue to be hit hard. The Government must bring some certainty now.”

Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, welcomed the new Government support, but said more could be needed if restrictions persist or are tightened.

“These measures will provide some welcome respite to many of those businesses who have been hit hardest by the latest Covid measures,” she said.

“The Chancellor and his team have engaged with us in talks over the past week, considered the experiences of Chamber business communities and the proposals we put to them.

“We are pleased that the Chancellor heard our call for additional grant funding for hospitality and leisure businesses, which will provide some much-needed support in the face of this increasingly difficult trading period. Clarity and speed will be needed to ensure that these grants are paid out swiftly to help these hard-pressed firms weather the next few weeks.

“Whilst these measures are a positive starting point, if restrictions persist or are tightened further, then we would need to see a wider support package, equal to the scale of any new measures, put in place.”

COVID DEATHS AT LOWEST LEVEL FOR TWO MONTHS WEEKLY registered deaths involving coronavirus in England and Wales have fallen to their lowest level for two months, figures show.

Some 764 deaths were registered in the week to December 10 where ‘novel coronavirus’ was mentioned on the death certificate, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

This represents 6.4 per cent of all deaths registered over the seven-day period and is a 4% fall from the previous week when 792 deaths were recorded.

It is the lowest number of weekly deaths registered since the week to October 15, when the total was 713.

It is too early to see what impact the rapid

spread of the Omicron variant will have in the weekly ONS data on Covid-19 deaths.

The figures also show that 65 care home resident deaths involving Covid-19 in England and Wales were registered in the week to December 10, down slightly from 67 in the previous week.

In total, 44,406 care home residents in England and Wales have had Covid-19 recorded on their death certificate since the pandemic began.

The ONS figures cover deaths of care home residents in all settings, not just in care homes.

A total of 173,525 deaths have occurred in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, the ONS said.

Ali Harbi Ali denies murdering David Amess in terrorist attack A MAN accused of stabbing to death the MP Sir David Amess has denied murder and terrorism offences.

Ali Harbi Ali is accused of killing the Conservative member for Southend West during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex.

The 25-year-old is also charged with preparing acts of terrorism between May 1 2019 and September 28 this year.

Ali entered not guilty pleas to the charges at a hearing before Mr Justice Sweeney at the Old Bailey on Tuesday.

large knife from his pocket and repeatedly stabbed Sir David.

The veteran MP was pronounced dead at the scene at 1.10pm.

Before the killing, Ali allegedly engaged in reconnaissance of locations of targets to attack, including addresses associated with MPs and the Houses of Parliament.

Trial

Identity The senior judge appeared remotely from Manchester Crown Court while Ali was in the dock at the Central Criminal Court in London.

The defendant, wearing a blue sweatshirt and grey jogging bottoms, stood with his arms crossed as he confirmed his identity and entered

pleas without removing his face mask.

It is alleged that on the morning of October 15, Ali travelled by train from his home in Kentish Town, north London, to attend Sir David’s surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church.

During the meeting, he allegedly produced a

He also made an internet search relating to targets, it is claimed.

Following discussions with prosecutor Tom Little QC and defence barrister Tracy Ayling QC, Mr Justice Sweeney agreed to put the trial back to March 21.

Following the half-hour hearing, the defendant was remanded into custody.

The senior judge has already identified a provisional trial date of March 7 next year.

DAVID AMESS

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Sheikh to pay half a billion in UK court’s highest divorce settlement THE ruler of Dubai has been ordered to pay around £550million to his former wife and their two children in what is thought to be the largest award of its kind ordered by an English court.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 72, will now have to pay £251.5million to his sixth wife Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, 47, as well as making ongoing payments for their children Al Jalila, 14, and Zayed, nine.

In a ruling published on Tuesday, Mr Justice Moor said the further payments are underpinned by a bank guarantee of £290million to cover the children’s maintenance and security as adults.

However, the total amount they receive could be more or less depending on several factors, including how long they live or if they reconcile with their father.

The award comes after Princess Haya, the half-sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan, fled the United Arab Emirates for England in early 2019 with her two children, claiming she was ‘terrified’ of her husband.

Ruling The total award is believed to be the largest ever ordered by an English court following a divorce, surpassing the approximately £450million awarded to Russian native Tatiana Akhmedova in 2016.

The High Court heard Princess Haya had not asked for an award for herself except for her

lifetime security and to compensate her for property lost due to the end of the marriage.

As part of the financial ruling, Mr Justice Moor ordered Sheikh Mohammed to pay £11million a year for Princess Haya and her two children’s security costs while they are under-age.

Children The children will also be entitled to a £3million education fund.

Once both children have finished university, Princess Haya will then receive a security budget of £5.5million per year for the rest of her life – with both children then receiving similar sums.

The multimillion-pound security budget comes after Sir Andrew McFarlane – the most senior family judge in England and Wales – found that Sheikh Mohammed had authorised the hacking of Princess Haya’s phone during their legal battle.

In a series of judgments in October, Sir Andrew found that the ruler gave his “express or implied authority” for Princess Haya and her lawyers’ phones to be infiltrated with the Pegasus spyware.

Sheikh Mohammed denied any knowledge of the hacking.

In another judgment published last year, Sir Andrew ruled that Sheikh Mohammed had ‘ordered and orchestrated’ the abduction and forced return to Dubai of two of his adult daughters: Sheikha Shamsa, in August 2000 and

her sister Sheikha Latifa, in 2002 and again in 2018.

Ruling on Princess Haya and her two children’s security costs, Mr Justice Moor said: “Given their status and the general threats of terrorism and kidnap faced in such circumstances, they are particularly vulnerable and need water-tight security to ensure their continued safety and security in this country.

“Most importantly in this regard, and absolutely uniquely, the main threat they face is from (Sheikh Mohammed) himself, not from outside sources.”

The judge continued: “There will remain a clear and ever-present risk to (Princess Haya) for the remainder of her life, whether it be from (Sheikh Mohammed) or just from the normal terrorist and other threats faced by a princess in her position.”

The High Court also heard that Princess Haya alleged she had been blackmailed by four of her security staff, which led to her paying the men £6.7 million.

Mr Justice Moor said: “This was clearly a most unsatisfactory episode. I realise I have not heard from the alleged blackmailers but nobody should be blackmailed and (Princess Haya) must have been very frightened at this point.”

As part of the order for the two children’s maintenance, the judge also awarded a holiday budget of £5.1million, an annual sum of just over £450,000 for the children’s staff and around £275,000 for their animals.

DIVORCEE Princess Haya Al Hussein

Christmas marks a ‘miracle’ birth for white rhino A RARE baby white rhino born at a UK zoo has been hailed as a ‘little miracle’.

The southern white rhino calf was born to mother Njiri, aged nine, and 13-year-old father Zimba at Africa Alive near Lowestoft, Suffolk, on Saturday.

Keepers do not yet know if the calf is male or female and it has yet to be named.

White rhinos typically weigh between 40kg (six stone four lbs) and 60kg (nine stone six lbs) at birth.

They are typically able to stand just an hour after birth, immediately attempting to suckle on their mother.

The species was previously hunted to near extinction but the success of conservation has seen numbers grow to around 18,000.

They are classed as near threatened in the wild.

Graeme Williamson, head of living collections at Africa Alive, said: “We are absolutely thrilled about our new arrival at Africa Alive.

“This is the first time white rhinos have ever been bred at Africa Alive, so the birth of this calf truly is a little miracle.

“Njiri and her baby are doing well but she is a first-time mum and we are monitoring her closely.

“Pregnant white rhinos will leave their group

(or crash) shortly before the birth and will stay apart for a few days afterward.

“To replicate this natural behaviour, we set up a ‘birthing suite’ for Njiri away from the other rhinos which is monitored closely through CCTV cameras.”

Njiri and Zimba were identified as being genetically compatible mates by The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) breeding programme which aims to conserve the population of threatened animals.

The zoo is home to four southern white rhinos – three females and one male – and this is the first time a calf has been born at the park as part of the European Breeding Programme for this species.

Claudia Roberts, CEO at the Zoological Society of East Anglia, said: “This is a very exciting step forward in the conservation of this species and we are over the moon to have our first white rhino calf born at Africa Alive.

“Our commitment to conservation remains at the forefront of everything we do here at ZSEA with many exciting conservation projects.”

Japan executes its first prisoners for two years

Seven arrested after police Police Federation chief is Train cancellations for seize £90million drug haul suspended over allegations Christmas and New Year

JAPAN hanged three death-row inmates on Tuesday, its first executions in two years.

One of the three, Yasutaka Fujishiro, was convicted of killing seven people and setting fire to their house in 2004. The other two, Tomoaki Takanezawa and Mitsunori Onogawa, were convicted of the 2003 killings of two pinball arcade employees.

Executions are carried out in high secrecy in Japan, and prisoners are not informed of their fate until the morning they are hanged.

In 2018, Japan executed 15, including 13 Aum Shinrikyo cult members convicted of a deadly 1995 nerve gas attack in Tokyo.

SEVEN suspected members of a drug-smuggling ring accused of using an insider at a UK port have been arrested in an armed raid that saw the seizure of cocaine worth more than £90 million.

A team from the National Crime Agency (NCA) led the raid at Sheerness port in Kent in the early hours of Monday, with 100 officers involved.

Six people were arrested at the port, including a 27-year-old man who works as a security guard at the site, and a seventh man was held at his home in Hertfordshire.

Around 1.2 tonnes of cocaine was seized, which has a street value of more than £90 million.

Conserve

LITTLE BIG HORN Zookeepers do not yet what sex the baby rhino is

THE chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales has been suspended amid an investigation into alleged sex crimes.

John Apter, who leads the organisation that represents more than 130,000 officers from the rank of constable to chief inspector, has also been suspended from duty by Hampshire Constabulary.

The Police Federation (PFEW) tweeted on Tuesday: “We have been informed that the National Chair of the Police Federation has been suspended from duty by Hampshire Police whilst an investigation is undertaken.

“As a result he is also currently suspended.”

RAIL operators have blamed coronavirus-related staff shortages for widespread cancellations that are expected during the Christmas getaway.

A number of firms are running reduced timetables due to workers being off sick or isolating.

CrossCountry said it is ‘expecting widespread disruption to our services this week’.

It went on: “Please pull your journey forward to sooner rather than later to get to your end destination as early as possible.”

Dozens of trains are being cancelled by the company each day, and many others have fewer carriages than usual.

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Wednesday December 22 | 2021

EDUCATION Times

Education

NEWS

15

“We are so impressed with the beautiful quality of this skilled composition and also the thoughtfulness behind the design...”

Local secondary school art student wins regional heat of prestigious Royal Mail stamp competition TUNBRIDGE WELLS Grammar School for Boys (TWGSB) Year 10 student Raphael Valle Martin has been successfully chosen as one of 24 regional winners of the Royal Mail Heroes Stamp Design competition, which attracted over 606,000 entries nationwide.

The competition, which was open to children aged between 4 and 14, was launched earlier this year with the aim of asking schoolchildren to think about who their heroes are. They were then asked to design a stamp in their honour.

“Children from over 7,500 UK schools entered the Royal Mail stamp competition and a shortlist of 120 pupils was then drawn up with Tunbridge Wells student Raphael being one of them” Children from over 7,500 UK schools entered the competition and a shortlist of 120 pupils was then drawn up. Their images were judged by a panel including The Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Boris Johnson MP, the family of Captain Sir Tom Moore, Baroness Floella Benjamin

went above and beyond during the pandemic.

Congratulations to all those who have made it to the next round and thank you to everyone who has taken part.”

The previous highest number of entries received for a stamp design competition was 239,374 for Royal Mail’s Christmas Stamp Design Competition in 2013 so the 600,000 plus figure for this year has far exceeded that and resulted in the competition earning a Guinness World Records accolade.

Honour

WINNING DESIGN BY RAPHAEL VALLE MARTIN and Simon Thompson, CEO of the Royal Mail.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “It is of great credit to the children of this country that in world record breaking numbers they picked up their paintbrushes, pens and paints and paid artistic tribute to the heroes of our coronavirus response. Their brilliant efforts represent the collective gratitude of the nation to everyone who

Royal Mail chief executive Simon Thompson said: “We have been amazed and impressed by the sheer volume of entries, and to have achieved a Guinness World Records title in the process shows how much the UK’s children value those heroes who have kept the nation moving during such a difficult period.”

The 120 regional finalists were then edited down to just 24 last month and Raphael’s design was one of them. His illustrates an NHS cleaner at work while other entries celebrated carers, refuse collectors, teachers, supermarket workers, public transport staff, delivery drivers and postmen and postwomen.

By succeeding at this level, Raphael has won a

prize for himself and a £500 prize for the school.

TWGSB’s Head of Art, Ms Kublik, commented: “As soon as we saw Rafi’s piece we had a feeling it would go far! We were so impressed with not only the beautiful quality of his skilled composition, but also the thoughtfulness behind his design, and his recognition of NHS cleaners and the work that they do to keep a hospital running. We are exceedingly proud of him!”

A TWGSB added: “Usually stamps are issued to honour the achievements of famous British people, including scientists, explorers, writers and artists, but since the coronavirus pandemic began there have been many people who have done great things. These are the people who have helped the country through a really difficult time and these are people who are depicted in the competition.” The next stage of the competition sees the regional finalists’ designs being reviewed

by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.

The list of 120 will be then edited down to just eight and the overall winners will be announced on February 28 2022. The winning eight stamp designs will be sent to Her Majesty The Queen Raphael’s inspiring design is attached and all the regional winners can be found on https://www. stampcompetition.ichild.co.uk/

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Bringing learning to life

16

NEWS

Weekly Comment

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Rt Revd Simon Burton-Jones Bishop of Tonbridge

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

The Rt Revd Simon Burton-Jones is the seventh Bishop of Tonbridge. He has oversight and leadership of the education, youth and children, and community engagement work of churches across the Diocese of Rochester, which includes Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge.

Planning does not always lead to perfect performance Plans don’t survive first contact with the enemy, goes the military saying. Nor with the new year, in my experience. And perhaps especially so in 2022.

It is said that complicated environments can be managed by logical thinking but that complex systems are not.

These are scenarios where a huge number of factors interact rapidly and randomly, producing outcomes we don’t see until they have overtaken us. Three in our lifetime are the collapse of the Soviet Union, the banking crash and the Arab Spring.

‘Life is unpredictable. We can feel nothing is happening and then suddenly we are whisked off our feet’ There is a cohort of people known as superforecasters who have shown themselves to be better than most at predicting outcomes in life, but it’s known that their ability to nail it drops off after four hundred days.

That’s thirteen months, barely more than a year. Perhaps that should make businesses and institutions think carefully about three, five or

does not unfold in a linear way, where we join the dots in a straight line. Most people, looking back, see a journey whose markings look more like the idle doodling on a piece of paper than the urgent line of a bullet train.

Argument

ARAB SPRING Nobody predicted the rising in the Middle East ten year plans because they so rarely come to fruition in the shape they were formed.

According to business writer, Margaret Heffernan, we are addicted to prediction but usually quite poor at it. We like to be surrounded by people who have a go because it gives us a sense of security in the midst of ferment, but the evidence suggests we should beware long term forecasts.

In a funny kind of way, that’s reassuring right

now. Making long term plans when confronted with a mutating global virus feels daunting.

There is still plenty of brain fog and no certainty about the shape of a post-Covid world.

Making plans for the next five years might appeal to that part of the brain that craves certainty but may represent a false dream.

Short-term, iterative plans are called for. What can be done in the next month, quarter, year?

Life experience also shows us that the journey

In reflecting with people of faith on their own history, the journey they have made often feels less like a quiet ramble across the countryside at a measured pace and more like a trip to the airport where nothing happens for ages while you wait to be called to the gate and then within two hours you travel a thousand miles.

Life is unpredictable. We can feel nothing is happening and then suddenly we are whisked off our feet. And it can often be the result of small, apparently insignificant events – a friend we bump into, an advert we read, an email we receive.

This isn’t an argument against planning, which is a smart human response to the world. It’s to say we’re never as in charge as we think we are and that is OK. Because neither is anyone else.

We perhaps just need to be a bit more honest with each other. For that’s how we draw strength and hope in the midst of an uncertain world.

Here’s to a hopeful new year.

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Letters

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

NO ENTRY: The restrictions on Mount Pleasant Road

Banning cars is a waste of money if motorists just ignore the signs Is there anybody in the Town Hall who can bring clarity to what traffic is and what is not allowed to drive along Mount Pleasant Road?

To assist them, this is the stretch directly outside said Town Hall.

There are signs banning cars between certain hours, but these are roundly ignored; people have been fined in the past – to much hue and cry, so what is the current picture?

Must I take my life in my hands when I cross this what I assumed had been made a mainly traffic-free zone.

It’s a right beggar’s muddle and it needs sorting, otherwise what we have is yet another expensive waste of public money.

Never mind, there’s plenty more where that came from.

Ralph Steerpike Tunbridge Wells

It’s the government not restrictions It would be wrong to ascribe the recent backbench revolt as being wholly anti Plan B – a proposal for new restrictions to control Covid that needed the support of the Opposition to get it passed through Parliament.

For many it served as a lightning-rod for their disaffection with the antics of No 10 and its team.

What they should have done was to vote for the measures that have been described as wholly appropriate, modest and proportionate, then articulated their displeasure with this rotten administration and its leader – for whom words fail, by writing to the backbench 1922 Committee; hiding behind the Covid proposals shows a lack of backbone.

There are those, though, including our own local MP, who set their face against the proposals even before the details were announced and we may only conclude that this is because they are in thrall to local businesses placing their interests over those of the health of their constituency members and the abilities and capacities to cope of the NHS professionals.

This is the nature of fixed-term parliaments: governments of fools and knaves which cannot see beyond the next headline and forever in hock to its rebels; prey to the mercies of the Opposition and condemned forever to sail on to the end of its term like some latter-day Flying Dutchman.

Is there a Senta to hand to redeem it? Does it deserve one?

Edward Baker Tunbridge Wells

No Covid help from Westminster I recently asked the Conservative Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council if we will receive any central Government support to help residents and businesses disrupted by the Omicron Variant, the shocking answer is no.

This is significant, as Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is currently using its financial reserves to cover an annual deficit of over £2 million.

Council reserves are already depleted by a wasteful £10 million plus spend on a failed Conservative vanity project to build a new Town Hall and Theatre in a public park.

An unforgivable spend of resident money without a single brick laid nor any tangible benefit to the Borough.

This poor leadership and reduction in reserves has left the Council weaker. Limiting the options to stimulate the local economy and support residents in the ongoing pandemic.

The Council leadership who wasted this money have become completely directionless and are clinging to power despite the electorates repeated rejection of them at the ballot box.

Nationally the Conservatives can’t get over their Christmas party hangovers.

Locally they are in denial that their decades of mismanagement have weakened the Council.

With no forward plan, they are sleepwalking towards a financial cliff.

Luke Everitt Cllr Southborough and High Brooms Cancer does not stop We had all been hoping Christmas would be a little more normal this year. While the

emergence of the new variant has left many of us feeling uncertain about what lies ahead, for people living with cancer in Kent, a normal Christmas may already have felt out of reach.

The prospect of being isolated from friends and family, once again, is a real one for people who are undergoing treatment and have been advised to shield.

Many will also be worried about how they’ll be able to enjoy the holiday season when the side effects of treatment are making them feel unwell or a burden to their family.

Cancer doesn’t stop at Christmas, and neither does our support. That’s why we want anyone across Kent who has been affected by cancer to know that we are there for them this Christmas time.

Macmillan’s national support line is open every day during the Christmas period, and throughout the year, between 8am to 8pm.

Anyone affected by cancer can call free on 0808 808 00 00.

The website, macmillan.org.uk, has lots of information and an option for you to chat to an expert online.

There’s also our online community where people share experiences, ask questions and talk to people who understand what they might be going through.

Our Macmillan Information and Support Centres will be open until Christmas Eve before closing for the bank holidays. Normal opening hours will resume on 4th January onwards.

For details of your nearest centre, visit the ‘in your area’ section of the website.

Macmillan is here to do whatever it takes to support you from the moment you are diagnosed – that includes at Christmas time. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you need information, support or just someone to talk to.

Emma Tingley Macmillan Head of Partnerships for London

PEPPY SAYS

Bad governors equal bad opposition As a regular reader of your letters page it has become abundantly clear in recent times that the lines between National and Local government have become blurred if not intrinsically fused.

I am not sure this is necessarily a good thing.

That said I do accept that we have a crisis within Government as well as with our own Council.

I doubt anyone who voted for Boris Johnson did so because of high expectations of his personal moral code – most thought Johnson a posh politician that does as he pleases.

The Conservatives nevertheless were elected with a massive majority.

Few, therefore, will be shocked at recent revelations. What is the issue, however, is one of basic competency.

The same can be said about our Council. The actions of the local Opposition parties clearly demonstrates their collective loathing of the incumbent Conservative administration irrespective of the harm their churlish behaviour does to the Town and its residents .

However, the more the Opposition parties focus on exposing the inadequacy of this Government and indeed our local Council, the

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

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

more it poses the question, if the Conservatives are so bad, what does it say about them?

Mark Casady Tunbridge Wells

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

19

Times Local News Quiz in association with Paley Farm www.paleyfarm.co.uk

The Great Christmas Trivia Quiz With the festive season upon us it’s time to try our fun quiz - brought to you in association with Paley Farm. Based on all things Tunbridge Wells, the questions are compiled by Sunisa Avery and Robin Singer. How many points will you score?

General knowledge 1. Which TV personality is starring in this year’s Assembly Hall Christmas Pantomime, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs?

A) Mary Berry B) Shirley Ballas C) Holly Willoughby D) Lorraine Kelly 2. Name Tunbridge Wells’ biggest park?

A) Grosvenor & Hilbert B) Calverley Grounds C) St John’s Park D) Dunorlan Park

3. When was the phrase “Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells” first coined?

A) 1944 B) 1890 C) 1904 D) 1808

5. Which German town is Tunbridge Wells twinned with?

A) Hannover B) Wiesbaden C) Freiburg D) Mannheim

4. How many people does Trinity Theatre’s auditorium seat?

A) 225 B) 291 C) 355 D) 417

6. Which iconic singer’s father was born in Crowborough?

A) Elton John B) Freddie Mercury C) Bob Marley D) John Lennon

FINE FOOD But who is Michelin starred?

One Warwick Park Hotel - but what did it used to be?

DIY SOS Where did Nick Knowles go to school?

7. In addition to Royal Tunbridge Wells, how many other UK towns have a ‘royal’ status?

A) 5 B) 2 C) 1 D) 4 8. How many Tunbridge Wells restaurants feature in the Michelin guide?

A) 3 B) 2 C) 1 D) 0 9. In what year did Tunbridge Wells become Royal?

A) 1919 B) 1889 C) 1929 D) 1909 1o. According to Trip Advisor, what is the ‘number 1 attraction’ in Tunbridge Wells?

A) Spa Valley Railway B) Calverley Grounds C) Dunorlan Park D) Chalybeate Spring 11. Which town is often referred to as the ‘Capital of the Kentish Weald’?

A) Hawkhurst B) Cranbrook C) Tenterden D) Sevenoaks

WATER FUN How big is the Aqua Park?

12. Which British athlete grew up in Hildenborough?

A) Paula Radcliffe B) Jessica Ennis-Hill C) Denise Lewis D) Kelly Holmes 13. In what year did Greg

Clark first become Tunbridge Wells’ MP? A) 2003 B) 2004 C) 2005 D) 2006 14. The site of One Warwick Park hotel historically manufactured what?

A) Uno Cards B) Monopoly Board Games C) Subbuteo Games Sets D) Draughts Boards 15. The boundaries of Tunbridge Wells were widened in 1900 to include which area?

A) Rusthall B) Southborough C) Hawkenbury D) Langton Green 16. What is Tunbridge Wells district’s population according to (most recent) figures published in 2018?

A) 118,054 B) 117,762 C) 120, 133 D) 119,325 17. How many square metres is the Bewl Water Aqua Park?

A) 1500 B) 700 C) 2400 D) 3000 18. TV personality Nick Knowles attended which local school?

A) The Skinners’ School B) Sandown Court Secondary School C) Tunbridge Wells Technical High School D) The Judd School

20

Times Local News Quiz in association with Paley Farm www.paleyfarm.co.uk

Local current affairs 1. Who is the current Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council?

A) Cllr David Jukes B) Cllr Tom Dawlings C) Cllr Alan McDermott D) Cllr Hugo Pound 2. The Times Business Awards returns on March 24, 2022, but which celebrity guest will be hosting the gala evening at Salomons Estate?

A) Anton du Beke B) Michael Portillo C) Eamonn Holmes D) Nick Knowles 3. Who is the current Mayor of Tunbridge Wells?

A) Cllr Joy Podbury B) Cllr Bob Backhouse C) Cllr Chris Woodward D) Cllr Godfrey Bland 4. Olga Johnson was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours

in June 2021, but which Tunbridge Wells based charity has she founded?

A) Taylor Made Dreams B) West Kent Mind C) Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre D) Nourish Community Foodbank 5. A by-election held in November 2021 has seen the Conservatives lose their overall majority at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, but in which ward was it fought?

A) Park ward B) Brenchley & Horsmonden C) Speldhurst & Bidborough D) Hawkhurst & Sandhurst 6. Which Chief Executive took over the Business Improvement District (BID) that promotes Tunbridge Wells town centre in 2021?

A) Ross Feeney

WINNER? Did this hotel win a deisgn award

ABANDONED But what sat here?

B) Karen Pengelly C) Sarah-Jane Adams D) Jane March 7. A newly built hotel that replaces the old courthouse in Tunbridge Wells was recently awarded by the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society for its design. Which hotel is it?

A) Premier Inn B) One Warwick Park C) Spa Hotel D) Hotel Du Vin 8. A developer pulled out of building a retirement complex on a plot of land left derelict for 20 years on Mount Pleasant Road this year. What used to sit on that site?

A) A cinema B) A bowling alley C) A courthouse D) The Town Hall 9. A new bakery chain opened on the High Street in Tunbridge Wells last year, but which one?

WHO’S HE? And why is he coming to town?

RECOGNISE HIM? But what does he do?

MBE Olga Johnson was honoured by the Queen - but why?

A) Sayers B) Patisserie Valerie C) Gail’s D) Greggs 10. Which supermarket opened its first store in Tunbridge Wells in February 2021?

A) Waitrose

Local history 3. Britain’s first ever motor show, known as the Horseless Carriage Exhibition was held at Showfields in Tunbridge Wells in November 1895, but who organised it?

A) Sir David Lionel Salomons B) Amelia Scott C) Beau Nash D) Lord Abergavenny

2. The annual fireworks celebration organised by the RTW Round Table returned to Dunorlan Park in November after being cancelled for the first time in its history last year. But when did the event first take

4. The Opera House in Tunbridge Wells recently had its renovated but who was behind the £600,000 project?

A) Kent County Council B) The RTW civic Society C) Tunbridge Wells Borough Council D) Wetherspoons 5. The council’s latest development in Tunbridge Wells is called the Amelia Scott, but who was Amelia Scott?

A) The first female mayor of

B) Lidl C) Aldi D) Morrisons 11. A popular festival held in Eridge Park between Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells is set to return in 2022 after being cancelled two years in a row due to the pandemic, but which one is it?

A) Local & Live B) Monsters of Rock C) Black Deer D) Unfest 12. During the peak of the Covid crisis, the Assembly Hall Theatre was converted into a what?

A) A nightingale hospital B) A vaccination centre C) An asymptomatic testing centre D) Temporary GP surgery 13. Tunbridge Wells jeweller Harry Collins from G Collins & Sons in the High Street described which member of the royal family as ‘a very funny man’ who was a ‘joy A) Penshurst Place B) Leeds Castle C) Scotney Castle D) Hever Castle

place?

A) 1946 B) 1957 C) 1973 D) 1965

1. The discovery of the Chalybeate Spring marks the beginning of the town of Tunbridge Wells, but when was it first found?

A) 1706 B) 1606 C) 1506 D) 1806

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

Tunbridge Wells.

B) The wife of arctic explorer Robert Scott C) A nineteenth century suffragist D) A pioneering aviator 6. Anne Boleyn, one of the wives of Henry VIII, had an ancestral home near to Tunbridge Wells, but what is it called?

7. Edward VII gave the royal title to Tunbridge Wells in 1909, but which was the last location to be given the royal prefix?

A) Royal Sutton Coldfield B) Royal Leamington Spa C) Royal Wootton Bassett D) Royal Kensington and Chelsea 8. The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells is so named because of the original paving tiles used in the iconic arcade, but what was originally called?

A) The Lanes B) The Colonnade C) The Square D) The Walk 9. The Common in Tunbridge Wells is a popular location for dog walkers, but who owns it?

A) Tunbridge Wells Borough Council B) The people of Tunbridge Wells C) Kent County Council D) Property firm Targetfollow 10. Which surrounding town to Tunbridge Wells was

to be around’ A) Duke of Cambridge B) The Prince of Wales C) The Duke of Edinburgh D) Duke of Sussex 14. What inaugural festival based on a popular Edinburgh event took place in Tunbridge Wells in July?

A) Local & Live B) TW Fringe C) Black Deer D) Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival 15. A school in Cranbrook will close by the end of the year, but which one?

A) Cranbrook School B) High Weald Academy C) Cranbrook Primary School D) Dulwich Prep 16. Which service did Tunbridge Wells Borough Council have to suspend due the HGV driver shortage?

A) Garden waste collections B) School bus services C) Household waste collections D) Meals on wheels

promoted as a health resort based on its high elevation in the late 19th century.

A) Cranbrook B) Tonbridge C) Crowborough D) Lewes 11. Which town in Tunbridge Wells owes its prosperity to the medieval weaving trade?

A) Southborough B) Cranbrook C) Paddock Wood D) Royal Tunbridge Wells 12. In 1983 the Nevill Ground played host to an international cricket match that has just been immortalised in film. Who was playing?

A) India v Zimbabwe B) England v West Indies C) Australia v Pakistan D) New Zealand v Sri Lanka

LOCAL HISTORY ANSWERS: 1. Answer B, 1606, 2. Answer B, 1957 3. Answer A, Sir David Lionel Salomons, 4.

Answer D Wetherspoons, 5. Answer C, A nineteenth century suffragist, 6.

Answer D, Hever Castle, 7. Answer C, Royal Wootton Bassett, 8. Answer D, The Walk, 9. Answer D, Property firm Targetfollow, 10. Answer C, Crowborough, 11. Answer B, Cranbrook, 12. Answer A, India v Zimbabwe.

LOCAL CURRENT AFFAIRS ANSWERS: 1.

Answer B, Cllr Tom Dawlings, 2. Answer C, Eamonn Holmes, 3. Answer C, Cllr Chris Woodward, 4. Answer D, Nourish Community Foodbank, 5. Answer C, Speldhurst & Bidborough, 6. Answer C, Sarah-Jane Adams, 7. Answer A, Premier Inn, 8. Answer A ,A cinema, 9.

Answer C, Gails, 10. Answer B, Lidl, 11.

Answer C, Black Deer, 12. Answer C, An asymptomatic testing centre, 13.

Answer C, The Duke of Edinburgh, 14.

Answer B, TW Fringe, 15. Answer B, High Weald Academy, 16. Answer A, Garden waste collections GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ANSWERS: 1.

Answer B, Shirley Ballas, 2. Answer D, Dunorlan Park, 3. Answer A, 1944, 4.

Answer B, 291, 5. Answer B, Wiesbaden, 6. Answer C, Bob Marley, 7.

Answer B, 2 (3 in total), 8. Answer A ,3 in total, Thackeray’s, The Warren & The Old Fishmarket, 9. Answer D, 1909, 10.

Answer C, Dunorlan Park, 11. Answer B, Cranbrook, 12. Answer D, Kelly Holmes, 13. Answer C, 2005, 14. Answer C, Subbuteo Games Sets, 15. Answer A, Rusthall, 16. Answer A, 118,054, 17.

Answer C, 2400, 18. Answer A, The Skinners’ School.

Answers

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

21

Times Local News Quiz in association with Paley Farm www.paleyfarm.co.uk

Famous Connections 1. Which former pop star has left Crowborough for a new life ‘up north’ after spending 13 years in the Sussex Town?

A) Adele B) Kerry Katona C) Cheryl Baker D) Sinitta Malone 2. Which famous Tunbridge Wells resident courted controversy in the wake of the Sarah Everard murder, after tweeting that ‘fear-

6. Which former cricketer and captain of England was born in Tunbridge Wells?

A) Mike Gatting B) Ian Botham C) Freddie Flintoff D) David Gower

mongering isn’t healthy’.

A) Ian Hislop B) Jo Brand C) Davina McCall D) Jeff Beck

7. Which popular table top game was invented in Langton Green in Tunbridge Wells in 1946.

A) Ping pong B) Pinball C) Subbuteo D) Air Hockey

3. Which singer songwriter was born in Tunbridge Wells?

A) Kirsty MacColl B) Sinead O’Connor C) Imelda May D) Shane MacGowan

PANTO STAR This man was born in Tunbridge Wells

BIG BOTHER What did this woman say?

HAWKHURST MAN Who is he?

4. This Labour politician was born in Hawkhurst, but who is?

A) MP for Newcastle and former Chief Whip, Nick Brown B) Former Kilmarnock MP and Secretary of Defence, Des Brown C) Former Paisley MP and International Development Secretary, Douglas Alexander D) Former Barrow and Furness MP and defence Secretary, Lord Hutton 5. Which celebrated Victorian author was born in Crowborough?

A) Charles Dickens B) H Rider Haggard C) Arthur Conan Doyle D) Bram Stoker

8. This deceased star of musicals and pantomime was born in Tunbridge Wells but who is he?

A) (Władziu Valentino) Liberace B) Danny La Rue C) Christopher Biggins D) Jimmy Tarbuck

Local sport 1. What trophy did Tunbridge Wells Cricket Cclub win in 2021?

A) ECB National T20 Cup Final B) ECB National 50 Over Cup Final C) Veneus Village Cup D) The Kent League 2. Where do Tunbridge Wells Rugby Club play their home games?

A) St. John’s B) St James C) Culverden D) St Marks 3. When did Tunbridge Wells Football Club win the Kent League?

A) 1975 B) 1985 C) 1995 D) 2005

4. At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, what sport did former Groombridge resident Will Bayley win a silver medal in?

A) Tennis B) Table Tennis C) Badminton D) Squash

OLYMPIAN What sport does Will Bayley play?

5. What was the name of the curling rink in Tunbridge Wells?

A) Bentons B) Dentons C) Kentons D) Fentons

SCRUM DOWN Where does Tunbridge Wells rugby club play?

6. Who runs the sports centres for the council in Tunbridge Wells?

A) Sweat It B) TM Active C) Fusion Lifestyle D) Nuffield Health

7. Which former Olympian criticised The Kent Girls & Ladies Football League [KGLFL] this year after saying the league ‘effectively bans’ girls from playing grassroots football.

A) Emily Craig B) Matt Weston C) Dame Kelly Homes D) Will Bayley

22

Times Local News Quiz in association with Paley Farm www.paleyfarm.co.uk

Picture round

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

1. This building is currently under construction but what is it called?

A) The Southborough Hub B) The Amelia Scott C) The Belvedere D) Dandara 1887 The Pantiles

3. This building opened in 2020 but what is it called?

A) Assembly Hall Theatre B) The Amelia Scott C) Paddock Wood Community Centre D) Southborough Civic Centre

4. Where will you find this elaborate and ornate looking phone booth?

A) Outside Tunbridge Wells Rugby Club B) On Mount Ephraim C) Outside the Nevill Ground in Tunbridge Wells D) In Camden Road

2. This ceiling can be found in what building?

A) Trinity Theatre B) Church of King Charles the Martyr C) Wetherspoons’ Opera House D) Tunbridge Wells Town Hall

PICTURE ROUND: 1. Answer B, The Amelia Scott, 2. Answer C, Wetherspoons’ Opera House 3. Answer D Southborough Civic Centre, 4.

Answer C, Outside the Nevill Ground in Tunbridge Wells, 5. Answer B, Kent County Council .

LOCAL SPORT ANSWERS: 1. Answer A, ECB National T20 Cup Final, 2. Answer D, St Marks, 3. Answer B, 1985, 4.

Answer B, Table Tennis, 5. Answer D, Fentons, 6. Answer C, Fusion Lifestyle, 7. Answer C, Dame Kelly Homes.

5. Which organisation uses this building?

A) Tunbridge Wells Borough Council B) Kent County Council C) Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce D) Kent Police

FAMOUS CONNECTIONS ANSWERS: 1.

Answer B, Kerry Katona, 2. Answer C, Davina McCall, 3. Answer D, Shane MacGowan, 4. Answer A, MP for Newcastle and former Chief Whip, Nick Brown, 5. Answer C, Arthur Conan Doyle, 6. Answer D, David Gower, 7.

Answer C, Subbuteo, 8. Answer B, Danny La Rue.

Answers

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

Life&Times

Illuminating idea

We take a trip to Hever Castle and experience its festive light trail P30

HOMES • INTERIORS FOOD • DRINK • HEALTH WELLBEING • ARTS CULTURE • TRAVEL • BOOKS MOTORS and MORE...

s a m t s i r h C y r r Me isons

d d a M e from th ! m a e t l a i t n e d i s Re

It’s been another busy and eventful year, but the whole Maddisons Residential team has taken every opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit along with our friends and neighbours on The Pantiles. We loved being a part of the fantastically festive Big Reveal event in November and more recently have been busily collecting for the Mayor’s Toy Appeal.

We are always delighted and humbled by the community spirit in our wonderful town and want to thank you for your ongoing support for our business and the events and charities that are close to our hearts.

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy, and happy New Year!

www.maddisonsresidential.co.uk Telephone: 01892 514100

Email: info@maddisonsresidential.co.uk

Property News

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

25

Property Focus

End of year slow down begins with a £3,000 fall in cost of the average home THE average UK house price was £3,000 lower in October than a record high reached the previous month, according to official figures.

The typical property value in October was £268,000, down from a peak of £271,000 in September, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

The stamp duty holiday in England and Northern Ireland, which had sparked a rush of buyers, ended from October.

Despite the fall, the average house price was still £24,000 higher than a year earlier.

House prices increased by 10.2% over the year to October, slowing down from 12.3% growth in September.

KERB APPEAL Knight’s Wood

Growth Average house prices in Wales increased over the year to a record level of £203,000 (15.5% annual growth), in England to £285,000 (9.8%), in Scotland to £181,000 (11.3%) and in Northern Ireland to £159,000 (10.7%).

ONS head of economic statistics Sam Beckett said: “Following last month’s record level of house prices, annual house price inflation slowed in October, with annual growth rates in England, Wales and Scotland all lower than in September.”

She added: “London continues to show the weakest annual growth, with the East Midlands performing strongest.”

Average prices in the East Midlands increased by 11.7% in the year to October.

House prices in London increased by 6.2% annually.

Despite having the lowest annual growth, London’s average house prices remain the most expensive of any region in the UK at an average of £516,000 in October.

The North East of England continues to have the lowest average house price at £148,000, the ONS said.

The findings were released as a separate report from the ONS showed the rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rose to 5.1% in November – the

highest level since September 2011.

Jamie Durham, economist at PwC UK, said: “Higher inflation may impact consumer confidence, and limit their willingness to make major financial decisions like buying a house.”

Karen Noye, mortgage expert at wealth managers Quilter, said: “The next MPC (Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee) interest rate decision is set to be announced tomorrow.

“Despite being widely anticipated for so long, with the uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant, the possibility of further restrictions and the potential negative impact on the economy, we are perhaps less likely to see a rise in interest rates just yet.”

She added: “An interest rate rise could potentially slow soaring house prices, but, while a rate rise is seemingly inevitable, there is no guarantee that it will come soon.

“Even if rates are hiked, supply versus demand issues remain so we would likely see a gradual slowing of growth as opposed to a sudden drop.”

Impact Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, said: “With inflation soaring to a 10-year high, the pressure on the Bank to raise rates has notched up another level.

“However, historically the Committee rarely makes its move and raises rates in December, so the February meeting is a more likely option. This will also give the Bank time to see what impact the Omicron variant is having on economic activity.”

Lawrence Bowles, director of research at Savills, said: “We expect UK house price growth to continue easing through the tail end of the year, as the market

slows in the run-up to Christmas.”

Nick Leeming, chairman at JacksonStops, said: “A large number of people who lost out on buying their countryside home this year due to strong competition in the market are now in rented homes and are perfectly positioned to buy a permanent base in the areas they have tried and tested over the last 12 months.”

Nicky Stevenson, managing director at Fine & Country, said: “Though transaction levels have eased off following the giant spikes witnessed in the summer, new listings have failed to keep up with demand, meaning prices remain buoyant.”

Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank, said: “Gravitydefying price growth has been the result of low mortgage rates and tight supply, both of which we expect to reverse next year, increasing downwards pressure on prices.

Festive road names are no turkey for house prices BUYING a home on a Christmas sounding road could increase the value of a property by nearly 20 per cent, research has found.

GetAgent.co.uk analysed sold prices records from the Land Registry over the last 12 months across an array of festively themed road names and found that on average, a property along one of these

roads will set you back £320,000. That’s 19% more than the current national average.

However, this price is far higher across some Christmas streets compared to others.

Leading the pack is the road name, Rudolph. With an average sold price

of £527,500, properties on roads called Rudolph come in 95% above the national average.

Lights ranks second at £363,000, 34% above the national average, while Mistletoe also commands a festive premium at 33%, with the average property costing £360,000.

Budget Buying on roads called Merry (£331,250), Turkey (£330,000), Tree (£328,750), Christmas (£325,000), Pudding (£325,000), Chimney (321,495), Chestnuts (£320,000), Joy (£315,000), Sleigh (£311,000) and Stocking (£285,000) will also cost you a property price premium of between 6% and 23% versus the national average.

However, there are some opportunities to climb the Christmas property ladder without spending the Christmas budget in order to do so.

At £266,498, homes on roads called Star come in around the national average,

while Snow (£250,000), Holly (£247,000), Bells (£230,000), Reindeer (£205,000) and Toy (£180,000) are also considerably more affordable.

Founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, said: “We all know that one Christmas nut, usually an aunty, that starts Christmas shopping in May and has Mariah Carey blaring out from the start of October. So what better place for them to live than on Rudolph Road or Mistletoe Drive.

Rudolph “Unfortunately, if you do want to go full Christmas 365 days a year, at least where your road name is concerned, it’s likely to cost you a fair bit more than the average property.

“Of course, the fragmented nature of the property market means there’s always a more affordable option and so you could opt for Reindeer Road over Rudolph Road and save yourself over £320,000 in the process.”

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Arts & Antiques

antiques

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

27

We’re hunkering down for Christmas

TV antiques expert Eric Knowles on why he’s closing his emporium temporaily due to Covid

G

REETINGS everyone! Well, it’s almost upon us once again, but – of course – the freshly-pressed napkin has been abruptly pulled out from under the sausage rolls and Christmas arrangements have been derailed by the perfidious Omicron variant, which should be roundly booed in the manner of a traditional pantomime villain.

In common with the rest of you, I’m as disappointed as anyone about this latest turn of events but, as is always the case, we’ll all be soldiering on and making the most of it. For our part, we have taken the decision to scale down retail operations down here at the Pantiles Arcade and will be effectively returning ScottishAntiques. com to its roots and operating almost entirely as an online business in the immediate short term.

EYE FOR AN ANTIQUE Eric Knowles EXPERT: Eric Knowles on The Pantiles Arcade

Inclement In some ways, this is a bonus, as we have always undertaken a sale prior to Christmas and can now direct all our efforts in to organising this year’s signature event, hosted entirely by way of our website.

This, of course, means that you have the facility to peruse all of our stock, entirely at your leisure and from the comfort of your own home, without having to worry about masks, social distancing, inclement weather, camping overnight on the High Street beforehand or being trampled underfoot by belligerent shoppers, desperate to grab a bargain. In fact, the whole enterprise is so far removed from that traditional and somewhat unseemly

Boxing Day scramble that it’s already underway – today!

We’d like to say that this still gives you time to select late Christmas gifts, and while we’re more than happy to accommodate personal collections by local customers who are prepared to venture out, it’d be remiss of me to now guarantee deliveries further afield by Friday (although our “preferred logistics providers” are still intent on maintaining an overnight service for items despatched by midday tomorrow wherever possible).

We’re more than happy to gift-wrap anything you may be kind enough to buy,

and can have such items ready for pre-arranged collection up to close of play on Friday evening. If you’d like to discuss any element of pre-Christmas ordering, do feel free to give me a call on 01892 322777 and we’ll do everything in our power to be of assistance.

If you do to take a look at our on-line catalogue but are not immediately able to find something that appeals – do not despair – we’ll be updating our stock lists on a daily basis over the holiday period and beyond with the usual eclectic range of antiquarian finery, so there is bound to be something of interest.

Of course, I’d have very much liked this last missive before the festivities to have been the usual somewhat mystifying flurry of urbane banter and affable badinage (other adjectives are, of course, available…) rather than what amounts to a public service broadcast, but this temporary change of direction in no way diminishes my wishes that you all have the very best of yuletide breaks imaginable, and that we are all able to reconvene in the New Year robust, rested, reinvigorated and – above all – healthy. Stay safe, everyone, and please do enjoy yourselves – Happy Christmas!

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28

Arts & Antiques

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

Russian antiques are under the kovsh

Alexander Pushkin, of Pushkin Antiques in the High Street, reveals the allure of the collectible Russian drinking cup appeared in Novgorod only in the 14th century.

There, in the North of Russia, the traditional wooden form was reproduced in silver and gold.

The most ancient find is considered to be the surviving Russian silver kovsh, which belonged to Novgorod’s Archbishop Euphimiy and dated to the last quarter of the 14th century.

Fabergé and other Russian silver artisans revived numerous enamel techniques and started to apply them generously on their creations.

The multi-coloured cloisonne and guilloché enameled kovshes with traditional Pan-Slavic motifs made by Feodor Ruckert inspired the greatest silver workshops for a resurgence of the Russian kovsh as a pure object of art.

Decoration

Alexander Pushkin

T

HE RUSSIAN silver kovsh with vivid polychrome enamels is a widely known image of Russian tradition and nowadays a very sought after object by collectors worldwide. Nevertheless, few know that a Russian kovsh has its origin in the 10th century.

In its essence, the kovsh is the most ancient form of Russian festive drinking vessel.

Standing at the center of the table during feasts, the kovsh was meant to serve the main Russian drinks: mead, beer and kvass.

Early Russian kovshes were carved from wood into the oval form similar to lodge or water birds with one or two handles. The size came in an enormous range: from the smallest one for only one gulp to the large kovsh containing up to four buckets of drink.

It is believed that the first Russian silver kovsh

Later in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Novgorod silver kovsh style was perfected by the Moscow masters, who at first had just been copying the originals. But in the 17th century the design of Russian kovshes has notably evolved.

The austere kovsh designs evolved into complex pieces with peculiar decorations, intricate ornaments and an abundant usage of gemstones.

In the late 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries the solemn form of the Russian kovsh acquired

Renowned a new purpose by becoming the state award, that was traditionally gifted, on behalf of the Russian Tsar, to the subjects that made the highest contribution to the welfare of the country.

Silver-gilt kovshes decorated with refined engravings, golden details and hardstones became the honourable Russian Imperial distinction.

The size of the ladle was strictly affected by the social status of the awarded, his merits and his position.

In the late 19th century, the resurgence in popularity of Old Russian culture, free of Western influence, inspired the Russian artistic circles, including the prolific community of silversmiths, goldsmiths and enamellers.

The plique-a-jour kovshes by Pavel Ovchinnikov, champleve enamel pieces by Ivan Khlebnikov, silver gilt kovshes with filigree enamel and precious gemstones by Maria Semeonova represented a traditional housewarming or work-anniversary gift in Imperial Russia and became an integral part of the Imperial Russian heritage.

At Pushkin Antiques we offer a great range of kovshes made by the most renowned silversmiths, visit our website or visit us in store to own your very own piece of Russian Imperial history.

Arts & Antiques

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

29

“We all deserve a good laugh and Snow White will provide it for all the family!”

The Assembly Hall’s pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - starring Strictly’s head judge Shirley Ballas -started its run last Friday and it’s proving a huge hit with audiences.

Eileen Leahy discovers the secret of its success and why it’s getting 10 out of 10 reviews….

W

Pamela Raith Photography

HEN IT was announced in September that Strictly’s Head Judge and dancing queen Shirley Ballas would be stepping onto the stage at the Assembly Hall at Christmas to take part in its Snow White panto we knew it would be a sure fire hit. And so it has proved to be given the audiences’ reactions so far!

It premiered last Friday night to rounds of rapturous applause and belly laughs – all of which are much needed given the current uncertain situation we find ourselves in right now.

“What a stunning production! One of the best I have had the pleasure of directing. You won’t want to miss the phenomenal glittering sets, Shirley Ballas at her most evil, a comedy troupe of dwarves, a wonderful dame, a hilarious

“This version of Snow White is one of the best with a brilliant cast – it’s definitely worthy of a Strictly 10” henchman, superb vocals from the best talent around and choreography worthy of a Strictly 10!”

And despite people feeling nervous about going out right now JJ Almond says they have nothing to worry about at the Assembly Hall thanks to the strict safety measures they have in place.

“Despite everything it really is the time to get out and get back to the family tradition of pantomime! We all deserve a good laugh and Snow White is sure to provide it for all the family!”

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs runs until January 3 and tickets and timings of shows can be sourced from www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Ticket prices start at £32.50.

Formidable Penned by the brilliant specialist script writer Paul Hendy, the theatre’s panto is produced by Evolution Productions who just happen to have won the best Pantomime of the Year over two consecutive years in 2016/17 and 2017/18. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was originally supposed to run last year but as its organisers told us “The ‘evil Miss Corona Virus’ put paid to that but we will not be defeated!”

The fun, fast paced show is directed by the Assembly Hall’s Artistic Director JJ Almond who revealed to us after its debut last Friday that he was over the moon with how the panto and its formidable cast got on.

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TREAT THE FAMILY TO A TRIP BACK IN TIME

BY RAIL THIS NEW YEAR Book online and save on Compartments or Freedom tickets.

31st December 2021 - 3rd January 2022 www.kesr.org.uk 1056 KESR WINTER WONDERLAND TIMES OF TW HALF PAGE AD FAW_2.indd 1

12/11/2021 11:40

Arts

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

Walking in a winter wonderland...

images courtesy of Hever castle & gardens

arts

30

Seeing the light shows at Hever Castle and Gardens has become a firm favourite in the festive calendar since it began in 2008 and this year it’s bigger and brighter than ever as Eileen Leahy discovered when she visited last week

G

IVEN the current uncertainty surrounding what we should and shouldn’t do due to the continual rise in Omicron infection rates, opting to enjoy a seasonal treat in the great outdoors would seem like a sensible decision right now.

Luckily you don’t have to travel very far in order to do so courtesy of the amazing illuminations and fun-for-all-the-family fairground currently happening over the Christmas period until January 3 at Hever Castle and Gardens.

I paid a visit to it last week with my family after hearing lots about it over the years.

Hever’s official Christmas event, which includes an impressive Santa’s grotto,

launched in 2007 and its light trail was launched the following year. Since then it has grown bigger and more impressive every year with lots more of its iconic landmarks being lit up against the December night sky.

Sadly you’re too late for tickets to see Santa as that sold out – as it always does – weeks ago but you can still take in the charming light trails. This year there’s a special one dedicated to the story of Pinocchio which is ideal for little ones.

The twilight trail tickets are available from 4pm daily and although we visited around 6.30pm when it was pitch black Hever’s glorious grounds and castle looked nothing short of stunning as they were

Arts

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

31

(from £2), treat yourself to some hot donuts and coffee - or for little ones why not take a ride on the fairytale-style carrousel which looks like it could have stepped straight out of the original Mary Poppins film set.

The Pinocchio Christmas Trail takes in a trip to Geppetto’s workshop which boasts a display of wonderful woodcarving creations. Visitors, both young and old, can also see Stromboli’s puppet show. You also get to journey through the land of toys and help rescue Pinocchio’s father - oh and Jiminy Cricket can be spied throughout the trail so make sure you keep an eye out for him!

It takes around 30 minutes to follow the Pinocchio Christmas Trail and 90 minutes to do the whole circuit - which also sees Hever’s famous Italian Gardens getting a look in on the action. A number of its famous statues are illuminated while the Loggia’s walkway is studded with twinkling fairylights.

All in all Hever’s light trail is a truly magical – and very safe - experience that will certainly brighten up your Christmas and as it runs until January 3 there is still plenty of time to enjoy it.

To book tickets to Hever’s light trails which are on until January 3 visit www.hevercastle.co.uk

“As you wander around the main light trail you walk through a series of pretty light displays where you can marvel at the grounds’ huge majestic trees illuminated in shades of vibrant red, pink and green” transformed into an illuminated winter wonderland courtesy of an amazing array of festive lights festooned over all of this historic country estate.

As you wander around the main light trail you walk through a series of pretty light displays

Paley Farm, Cranbrook TN17 2LX www.paleyfarm.co.uk 01580 891046

where you can marvel at the grounds’ huge majestic trees illuminated in shades of vibrant red, pink and green. Seasonal music gently plays as you tour around thanks to some cleverly hidden speakers dotted about. And there’s always a nearby sign pointing you in the right direction, so despite the fact it might be very dark when you visit you never feel like you’re veering off track.

This year most of the really impressive light displays are located near the castle. They include an amazing Ferris wheel – new for this year - which you can ride on for two pounds per person. Top tip here: to get a really great shot of it at night make sure you position yourself on the nearby bridge so you can catch its reflection in the water too.

Just nearby there’s the chance to hook a duck,

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Food & Culture

32

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

A true taste of Christmas in the countryside There’s nothing more festive than a trip to a country pub with a roaring fire, great food and a cosy atmosphere. Eileen Leahy discovers that The Bottle House in Penshurst ticks all those boxes – and so much more thanks to its tasty menu and welcoming ambience...

T

HE BOTTLE HOUSE has always been somewhere I’ve enjoyed visiting but the popular country pub, located in the picturesque village of Penshurst, has played a very special part in my life during the past year or so.

Just before we were plunged into Tier 4 status last November it was where I took my daughter Isabelle for her 15th birthday lunch. Memories of the hearty burger, triple cooked chips and indulgent sticky toffee pudding we both enjoyed that winter’s day in front of the pub’s crackling fire were made even more special when we found ourselves back in lockdown just a few days later and pining for such an epicurean experience.

“Our food is excellent and generous in portion and the welcome is warm and genuine” And then when the government partially lifted restrictions for the hospitality sector in April this year, The Bottle House was where my family and I enjoyed our first taste of dining out – albeit alfresco – thanks to its new purpose-built pergola which is now a permanent and very popular fixture. Sitting outside with blankets around us dining on steak frites and chocolate brownies really did feel almost close to celestial.

So to find myself back there eating dinner inside on an winter’s evening – said fire crackling away nicely - is a very special treat indeed.

“We’ve had to diversify quite a bit,” says Paul Hammond the pub’s manager who’s been a steady pair of hands at the helm of this hostelry for over 30 years.

“As well as building the pergola we offered customers a takeaway service during the lockdowns and that’s proved to still be very popular. We now also offer a private dining area too which is located upstairs.”

It’s a Friday night when my husband and I visit, and I’m pleased to say The Bottle House is nice and busy with lots of diners and drinkers feasting and chatting, clearly enjoying the relaxed and convivial atmosphere that the place is well known for.

As we settle back to peruse the menu it’s good to see The Bottle House’s popular staples such as Larkins Beer-Battered Cod (£14.50), Speldhurst Sausages and Mash (£14.50) and homemade pizzas (from £12) are still very much in evidence.

But peppered in amongst the gourmet pub grub are more exotic sounding dishes such as Spanish Style Fish Stew (£17.50), Slow Roast Orchard Farm Pork Belly (£16.50) and Fillets of Sole & Prawns En Papillote (£17.95). I opt for the latter liking the sound of classic French-style steamed fish and new potatoes fused with a fragrant Asian kick courtesy of soy sauce, spinach and spring onions.

My husband likes the sound of the comforting shortcrust pie of the day and when Paul tells him it’s a beef and ale filling today it’s a shoo-in.

“No starters?” queries Paul. No we politely respond explaining that the dessert offering which includes a decadent brownie, crème

TALKING TURKEY The Bottle House has a delicious festive menu on offer this year

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Food & Culture

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

brûlée and Kentish cheeseboard featuring local Winterdale varieties all sound incredible.

“Well next time you’re here make sure you try the Smoked Haddock Scotch Egg,” suggests Paul. “It’s one of our most well-liked dishes here and it’s very, very good.” Noted for next time Paul . . .

While we wait for our food we take in the establishment’s charming surroundings. All the hallmarks of a classic country pub are here: exposed beams, stripped back wooden flooring and tankards hanging above the bar counter, but these elements are further enhanced courtesy of the pub’s décor scheme: think a soft sage green and putty paint palette and soothing low-level lighting.

In addition, there are plenty of old photos and antique paintings festooning the pub’s wainscot walls. And there’s also a good few vintage bottles of booze on display – well it is called The Bottle House after all!

One of the things I’ve always loved about this pub, which dates back to the 15th Century, is the way it has cleverly managed to anchor down its traditional roots as a country pub yet it also feels

33

like it’s exactly on point for its modern day customers too who also expect a decent offering of exciting culinary creations and cocktails.

Talking of which, the latter is an area Paul and his team are currently experimenting with thanks to the infused spirits they have been creating using foraged finds - sourced literally from just a few yards away. As well as Blackberry whisky and damson vodka, you can also try their crab apple or rosehip vodka and rhubarb gin.

But back to the food: our choices are excellent and generous in portion. My fish is light and fragrant thanks to its aromatic Asian twist while my husband reports his beef and ale pie as being the perfect seasonal dish: rich, indulgent and super filling. Our second course which sees my husband treat his tastebuds to an indulgent brownie while I choose the local cheeseboard is also first class. As the fire crackles away and we nurse the last of our glasses of wine we both agree that this glorious pub is just the perfect place to come and relax – especially at this time of year when you want to truly soak up the true spirit of Christmas …..

GET INTO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT The pub specialises in lots of different homemade liqueurs

in a mouth-watering Sunday lunch at STEAK, for all the family to enjoy.

Children have an exciting colouring competition to keep them entertained, and a prize for the winning family!

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Food & Culture

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

How to enjoy a sparkling Christmas If you can’t pop a sparkling-wine cork and enjoy a convivial flute or two of fizz at Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when can you? This week Times Drinks Editor James Viner has rounded up five highly recommended sparkling wines that are sure to make any party go with a bang!

M

OVE over Prosecco! From a brilliant homegrown sparkling pink wine, through to Cava, Champagne and a sophisticated bottle of dealcoholised Aussie bubbly, here are five special festive sparkling wines to try...

1. Must-try savoury & delicious supermarket traditional method giveaway Spanish bubbly Specially Selected Vintage Cava 2017, Spain Aldi, £6.49, 11.5% The word ‘cava’ means cellar in Catalan and the term was slowly embraced by producers in the ‘70s and ‘80s. When the DO was created in 1991, the name was officially accepted to refer to those sparkling wines made using the traditional method of producing the bubbles by a second fermentation in the same bottle in which it’s sold. This vintage Cava is an ideal budget Christmas bottle for (mini) family get-togethers or when the Covid-19-tested neighbours come around for a socially-distanced sherbet. A serious bargain, it’s super-fresh with focused appley acidity and lively bubbles. Pairs beautifully with Cantonese dishes, tandoori chicken, sushi, oysters and smoked salmon.

2. Bold and beautiful bargain NV champers made by Piper-Heidsieck Les Pionniers Brut NV Champagne, France Co-op, £19, 12% This is my favourite high street own-label Champagne. It’s at once reassuringly biscuity, creamy, zesty, toasty, crowd-pleasing, deluxe and highly quaffable. Ideal as a lip-smacking

aperitif – or enjoy with fish and chips, a decadent plate of oysters, gougères, salted crisps, cashews, fresh/smoked salmon, lumpfish caviar blinis or rillettes de la mer on slivers of baguette. Really looks the part too with a fetching new label.

3. Vintage champagne to serve at the festive feast and toast the new year Tesco finest* Vintage Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs 2015 Champagne, France Tesco, £26, 13% This is a 100% Chardonnay (‘Blanc de Blancs’) vintage Champagne with an expressive, classic nose of honey, late-season apples, nectarine, nougat, crystallised lemon, dried apricot and nuts. It’s a refined wine from a warm vintage that holds its head well above many other costlier big-name bottles. Star match for grilled seafood, smoked salmon starters, camembert and – surprisingly – blue cheese. One to pour when toasting the New Year at midnight!

4) Must-try minerally English sparkling vintage rosé wine created by Barbara Laithwaite & her winemaker son Henry Wyfold Vineyard Brut Rosé 2017, Berkshire, England Laithwaites & BBC Good Food Wine Club, £26.99 mix 12, 12% Tasted blind, I recently enjoyed a bottle of this ravishing traditional method pink sparkler en plein air with a colleague and it blew my mind.

Given the trademark lively acidity, it was recognisably a top-quality cool-climate wine.

Made from 51% Chardonnay, topped up with 28% Pinot Noir and 21% Pinot Meunier, you get a mineral and summer fruit-laden festive mouthful. Brisk, well balanced and persistent, this seduces and slices its way through the palate. A gorgeous sparkling wine with plenty of citrus and biscuity pizzazz. Aperitif o’clock.

Would also be a treat with sushi (hello again tempura prawn nigiri at Kitsu, Tunbridge Wells!). Produced on a high, cool, south-facing vineyard established on gravel and flint over chalk in the Chiltern Hills in 2003, just to the west of Henley-upon-Thames, it makes for joyous drinking.

5) Crisp and fruity dealcoholised sparkling wine substitute Edenvale Sparkling Cuvée NV Alcohol Removed, Australia Laithwaites, £4.99, 0.5% ’Tis the season to be merry, but that doesn’t have to involve boozy beverages. When it comes to ‘Low and No’ drinks I always reach first for a superior no-alcohol beer – Germany’s Lucky Saint Unfiltered Lager (Tesco, £1.50 Clubcard price, 330ml, 0.5%) was a revelation and it was the same when I tried this lemony alcohol-free

1

Semillon-based Aussie sparkling wine at a virtual press tasting last month. This fruity sparkler is really worth seeking out, especially for guests who are driving or teetotallers, since it has been dealcoholised and made in the traditional way. Contains less than 0.5% abv, a level comparable to that found in natural fruit juices. Try it with canapés, oysters or spicy cuisine. A great option for Dry January, too.

Abstemiousness doesn't mean missing out on taste.

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year to you and yours. Cin cin!

Follow James on Twitter @QuixoticWine

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5

A festive feast that’s a cut above the rest This Christmas why not trade in your turkey for a quality steak dinner instead? The Times discovers why STEAK is the ideal place to treat your tastebuds over the party season….

STEAK is One Warwick Park Hotel’s flagship restaurant. Located on Chapel Place, away from the bustle of the town centre and surrounded by a cluster of artisan shops and cool bars it’s certainly enjoyed brisk trade since it opened earlier this year.

Headed up by renowned chef Andre Woodward it specialises in quality cuts of beef which range from ribeye, sirloin, rump and filet according to supply and demand.

STEAK’s signature cuts are served with chunky chips and a selection of sauces including smoked bacon & dolcelatte butter Garlic & herb butter Peppercorn sauce Chimichurri sauce. Each cut comes from 30 day dry aged Dexter beef cattle, locally sourced from the excellent Southborough Butchers.

“Diners can expect a little festive flourish on their favourite cuts” In the lead up to Christmas, diners can expect a little festive flourish on their favourite cuts at STEAK but the usual menu will also be able to order from too.

On December 25 however the focus will be on traditional turkey but carnivores will still have a selection of meat treats to choose from on the menu including filet of Hereford beef carpaccio to accompany the delicious roasted free range turkey with chestnut stuffing being served up.

In terms of STEAK’s décor, the restaurant strikes

WHAT’S ON THE MENU?

a fine balance between being dark and atmospheric, yet glimmering with contemporary class. The mirrored walls give the impression that the restaurant is bigger than it is but also manages to add an air of intimacy as tables are sectioned off from each other with dividers, giving it an exclusive – and also safe socially distanced - feel.

And it feels extra special right now thanks to the gorgeous and super stylish decorations which embellish every corner of it. If you want to step into the spirit of Christmas this is certainly the place to do it. . .

• STEAK has all you need for a classic Christmas party Its regular menu runs alongside some Christmas classics to keep every guest happy.

The restaurant will even provide the decorations and crackers for your table!

Pre-order from selected menu which will include Christmas classics for groups of 8 or more (no pre-order needed for groups up to 6 people). Deposit required to confirm booking • All you want for Christmas . . .

Customers can dine at STEAK on December 25. They say “Leave the work (and washing up) to us, sit back relax and enjoy your Christmas meal.”

Food will be served in the restaurant from 2.30pm until 5.00pm. You can pre-order from a selected 4-course menu which will include Christmas classics, coffee and petit-fours as well as a welcome drink Prices are as follows: £85 per person. Under 12s: £35 per child (please contact STEAK directly if you have very young children – i.e. under 5s – and they will adjust accordingly).

A deposit required to confirm booking To book a table at STEAK call 01892 552592 Email info@steaktunbridgewells.co.uk

Books

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

Times book reviewer

HANNAH KIRSOP

COSY CHRISTMAS CRIME

NOT SO COSY CHRISTMAS(ISH) CRIME

CHRISTMAS CRIME FOR CHILDREN

Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo

Murder and Mistletoe: A Murder Most Unladylike Mystery by Robin Stevens

(published by Harper, priced £7.99)

Simeon Lee has invited his family to join him for Christmas but not for the traditional, joyful festivities. The family – four sons, three of their wives and the daughter of their late sister – are not on good terms, particularly with ‘black sheep of the family’ Harry. So, when on Christmas Eve they all overhear their father arranging to change his will and, later, Simeon is found dead following a grisly fight in his bedroom, the finger of suspicion is left pointing firmly at one of the family members.

Enter Hercule Poirot who arrives to investigate the murder alongside the police and cue his familiar meticulous attention to detail and the application of the little grey cells. With a classic cast of supporting characters, this is vintage Christie with enough clues sewn through the story to tempt you into accusations but leaving the ultimate denouement a satisfying surprise.

8/10

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

The bookcase…

Here are some more reads to inspire you this week …

A Will To Kill by RV Raman Published in paperback by Pushkin Vertigo, priced £8.99 (ebook £5.83) Fans of the film Knives Out and Agatha Christie novels will love A Will To Kill. It’s got all the hallmarks of a classic murder mystery: an ageing millionaire in a remote, haunted mansion, cut off from the world by a landslide, leaving him with his friends and family – many of whom seem to have ulterior motives against him. Good thing an investigator is visiting for the

8/10

Jingle Smells by Mark Sperring, illustrated by Sophie Corrigan Published in paperback by Bloomsbury Children’s Books, priced £6.99. Available now

When you think of typically festive animals, a skunk might not immediately spring to mind. However, a skunk named Jingle is the unlikely hero of this Christmas tale. This cute little cartoon isn’t exactly the most popular critter in town due to his almighty stink, but he steps up to the plate when Santa is in trouble – but the question is, will Jingle be able to save Christmas? This kids’ book ticks all the boxes: it’s fun, a bit silly and the illustrations are truly adorable. While it might not be pushing any boundaries, it will certainly get any child ready and excited for Christmas.

8/10

weekend, because there is soon a murder to solve: but who did the deed? And did they even target the right person? The mystery genre tends to be dominated by white writers, so it’s refreshing to read an Indian version – and an extremely fun one at that. It’s camp, dramatic, a bit silly and has plenty of twists and turns – exactly the kind of thing you want to read during this time of year.

Review by Prudence Wade

(published by Vintage, priced £8.99) The first snowfall of the season and a young boy sees a snowman outside his window, dressed in his mother’s scarf and encasing her decapitated head.

When a second, and similar, snowman appears, Harry Hole knows he’s dealing with a serial killer – quickly named The Snowman – and the search is on…. intensified and personalised when the killer himself starts corresponding with Hole.

This is textbook Scandinavian noir reading.

The Harry Hole books are not for the fainthearted but are brilliantly pacy and nailbitingly gripping thrillers – lots of characters, lots of red herrings & plot twists and an absorbing lead in Hole, the classic talented yet unorthodox male detective.

The final scenes and the unmasking of the killer make for an excellent denouement in classic Christie style with a bit more gore.

9/10

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(published by Puffin, priced £7.99)

The fifth book in the series finds detective duo Hazel Wong and Daisy Wells in Cambridge, visiting Daisy’s brother, Bertie, and staying with Daisy’s Great Aunt at St Lucy’s College.

When it becomes clear that there is danger lurking in the staircases of Maudlin College and strange things start to happen to Bertie’s friend, Donald, the girls are on hand to start investigating, immediately suspecting Donald’s twin brother, Chummy. But there is fierce competition with another detective duo in town who also want the glory of solving the case so the girls will need all their cunning and courage to work things out.

A book which can be read on its own or as part of the series, this is a brilliantly fast-paced and festive murder mystery for anyone aged 9-11ish. The Christmas setting in beautiful Cambridge also offers a great opportunity for atmospheric scene setting with snow covered cobbled streets and spires.

8/10

The Horsewoman by James Patterson & Mike Lupica Published in hardback by Century, priced £20. Available December 30 James Patterson switches his legendary writing from crime to showjumping – and the result is yet another gripping story. The book gallops through the efforts of Maggie Atwood and her daughter Becky McCabe to qualify for the Olympics, with each chapter throwing up physical and personal barriers to their dreams. Any thoughts of showjumping being a sedate world of jodhpurs, funny hats and stirrups are shattered amid

8/10

clashes with a rich, ignorant horse-owner, injuries, rivalry with other riders, and romance.

The book, jointly written by sportswriter Mike Lupica, tracks the ups and downs of a fiercely competitive family fighting against each other to be an Olympic champion – told with Patterson’s trademark drama.

It’s an unusual subject for the writer, but one which will enthral his fans until the final hurdle.

Review by Alan Jones

Rise And Shine: How To Transform Your life, Morning By Morning

by Kate Oliver & Toby Oliver Published in hardback by Piatkus, priced £9.99 (ebook £6.99). Available now Many of us could probably make better use of our mornings, mostly spent rushing madly or savouring the maximum number of minutes in bed. Rise And Shine promises to transform readers’ mornings – and therefore their lives – with 30 different practices, organised under five concepts like ‘Happiness’ and ‘Nourishment’. No one’s expecting you to do all of them, but it’s a pleasingly laid out, user-friendly manual full of practical tips, so you can pick and choose what might work to create a new routine.

Some suggestions are no-brainers (a healthy

7/10

breakfast, movement); some seem like a pipe dream (15 minutes of ‘freewriting’, getting a nature fix); some are more difficult to get on board with (‘candle gazing’ – staring at the flickering flame of a candle).

But after a week of focusing on ‘creative visualisation’ – spending a few minutes imagining how you want your day to pan out – you do start to feel more positive and ready to tackle what’s ahead. The tone isn’t preachy, but some of the practices feel slightly unrealistic for busy lives.

However, it can’t hurt to try…

Review by Lauren Taylor

Health & wellbeing

36

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

Feeling stressed then why not dance yourself happy?

The Times talks to Michelle Clark, the founder of Happy Me Dance, which offers adult and children’s dance classes in Tunbridge Wells about how dancing can boost happiness …

Experience Dance is quite simply transformational.

There are many styles of dance to indulge in. Strictly has popularised ballroom dance in a phenomenal way and has won the heart of the nation.

Seeing the chemistry between dancers, the kindness and respect in working towards a shared experience or goal is infectious. It not only connects the dancers but the viewers, too. It is at its best when it is inclusive – we all

want to see the novice blossom and turn into the butterfly.

But what if you are an absolute beginner, starting afresh and alone without a professional dance partner in toe? A group dance class is a brilliant start point. Some people feel terrific and have great body image, but some people don’t or perhaps did, but after children or post pandemic are not feeling as ‘flash dance’ as they might like.

And what if you want to feel terrific but just need a kick start? It is very easy to get comfortable, particularly at this time of the year, but it is not just a cliché that perhaps it is outside your comfort zone where the magic truly happens.

Who would have thought that attending a weekly group dance class, and learning together, could be of benefit? Take the plunge, that first communication, that first walk through the doors of the studio.

A stumble here, a wrong foot there doesn’t matter. Persevere and you will soon start to see a difference. A routine, a discipline as such, will give you the scaffolding you are craving to bring you back to the rhythm of life pre-pandemic and, most importantly, you will be doing an act of self care and something for you. So, channel your inner Adele, go easy on you.

Find an outlet and come and dance.

Simply put, it transforms everyone.

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Weddings Weddings

HAPPY DANCERS Dancing can be great for helath and wellbeing

© TALI PHOTO & FILM & FILM © TALI PHOTO

MICHELLE CLARK

a positive change but, for others, change can involve an emotional upheaval - a redundancy, divorce, losing a partner or loved one or a chronic illness.

Adapting to a significant change requires a metamorphosis of sorts. Just as the caterpillar goes into the cocoon, decomposes and emerges as a butterfly, this messy interlude is often a slow, drawn out and painful, lonely experience.

But it doesn’t have to be so.

Dance is one such art form that offers an outlet, a community and a shared experience that can connect and bind us. Working together in sequence, literally following the same rhythm, offers common ground. It regulates our breathing to maintain a regular heartbeat and brings momentary calm, to securely root us back in the present.

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HANGE: What is it? Whether we have welcomed it or not, we have all had to adjust to change in the last two years.

And this has been a collective experience. A collective trauma some might say.

A collective trauma can be described as a communal experience; however, we are all experiencing the storm but weathering it in different ways. For many, this has been an onset of fatigue after our various lockdown experiences.

As the body slows, so does the brain, and it really is a matter of restarting or re-igniting the engine again.

Throughout life, we also experience individual change. For some this can be

Wednesday 22 | 2021 Wednesday December April 7 | 2021

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Health Local & wellbeing News NEWS 3717

Covid has seen physical exercise in Kent plummet Diversity House to teach people from culturally diverse communities to cycle.

• Helping The Grand Healthy Living Centre, Gravesham to run group exercise classes to improve the wellbeing of the community.

Sport England has recently launched the Together Fund - a continuation of the Tackling Inequalities Fund which will offer organisations across Kent and Medway the opportunity to continue to apply for funding.

By Jonathan Banks NEARLY 40,000 fewer adults in Kent are meeting government guidelines for physical activity than before the coronavirus pandemic.

To help address this reduction, Kent Sport has announced a new fund to help groups and clubs with their efforts to increase public participation.

The latest results from Sport England’s Active Lives Adults Survey, highlight the on-going impact Covid-19 has had on physical activity levels in Kent.

It shows that only 61.2 per cent (917,000) of people met the Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines of 150 minutes of regular physical activity a week during the period May 2020 to May 2021.

This is a 2.9 per cent (39,700) decrease in the number of active adults compared to the previous 12 months.

The data also shows that 27.3 per cent (409,700) of Kent’s adults are physically inactive, meaning they are doing less than an average of 30 minutes of physical activity a week.

Communities

This is a 2.2 per cent (35,000) increase in the number of inactive adults compared to the previous 12 months.

Inequalities

LIZ DAVIDSON

Further Sport England research has shown that groups including women, young people aged 16-24, over 75s, disabled people, people with long-term health conditions, and culturally diverse communities have been XXXXXXXXXXX disproportionately affected by the pandemic, significantly impacting their ability to be physically active.

To address these inequalities Kent Sport (the Active Partnership for Kent and Medway) has been awarded a total of £340,000 from Sport England’s Tackling Inequalities Fund (TIF) and has

also launched the Everyday Active campaign, with hints, tips and inspiration, to help people to be more active.

Set up in April 2020 in response to COVID-19, TIF aims to support community organisations working with four key audiences: lower socioeconomic groups, culturally diverse communities, disabled people and people with long-term health conditions. Kent Sport has already worked with more than 60 organisations to continue to engage with their communities and support them to be physically active. Examples of projects supported by the fund include: • Training of Sheppey Matters community leaders to deliver Nordic walking to residents with long term health conditions, to develop strength, mobility and confidence.

• Supporting the Sittingbourne based charity;

The Together Fund will be administered by Kent Sport and will open in January 2022.

Organisations can apply for up to £10,000 and have until March 2023 to commit and deliver their projects. Contact kentsport@kent.gov.uk if you would like further information.

Liz Davidson, the Partnership Director at Kent Sport, said: “We recognise the incredible effort people across the county have made to adapt throughout the year, and the continued efforts made to address inequalities that have been exacerbated by Covid-19.

“Throughout the pandemic the team has looked to support partners, providers and projects that have sought to keep people across the county active.

“However, we know that more needs to be done and that an increased focus on physical activity needs to play a vital role in Kent’s recovery to improve health and wellbeing in all of our communities.

“We will continue to work with the sector to address these challenges and help find new ways to help people keep active and return to physical activity and sport in a way that is accessible to everyone.

“I would recommend that anyone making their first step to being more active visits the Everyday Active website [everydayactivekent.org.uk] for tips and inspiration on how to get started.”

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Motoring news

Wednesday December 22 | 2021

Motoring News First Morgan Plus 8 GTR rolls off the production line THE FIRST of nine Morgan Plus 8 GTR special editions has been completed at the firm’s Malvern factory.

Inspired by Morgan’s racing history, the GTR is based on the regular Plus 8 but gains a variety of enhancements including a power boost from 365bhp to 375bhp – making it the most powerful Morgan ever.

Each of the nine cars is a bespoke commission, with owners working with Morgan’s design team to create ‘their’ car. The first GTR is finished in Yas Marina Blue and pays homage to the Plus

8 race car of the nineties known as ‘Big Blue’.

The remaining eight cars are all currently in production and should be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2022.

Aluminium Steve Morris, chairman and CEO of Morgan Motor Company, said: “We are excited to release the first images of the Plus 8 GTR following the design sketches published earlier this year.

The Plus 8 GTR represents an opportunity

This week…

Morgan’s Plus 8 GTR

n

Best charging network

n

Mercedes autonmous plans

n

Mercedes receives certification for its autonomous systems

for Morgan to celebrate the V8 engine once again, something we did not expect to do since finishing the Plus 8 and Aero 8 models in 2018.”

As well as a tuned engine, the GTR features cannon-style twin-exit sports exhausts and fivespoke centre-lock wheels, similar to those fitted to the Plus 8 race car. The aluminium wings and front splitter have all been re-designed, while the fitted hardtop features a cockpit vent. Bespoke GTR dials are fitted too, as is a plaque displaying the car’s number in the build sequence.

OUT WITH THE OLD The new Morgan Plus 8

MERCEDES-BENZ has received certification that will allow the use of its Level 3 automated driving technology.

The German firm has been granted system approval by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), which means that next year, customers will be able to buy an S-Class with Drive Pilot.

This will allow them to drive in ‘conditionally automated mode’ at speeds of up to 37mph while in heavy traffic or on congested sections of motorway. The technology will also appear on the electric EQS. While in this mode, the driver can legally perform ancillary tasks on the central display, such as replying to work emails, watching a movie or doing online shopping.

Evading

The UK’s best EV charging networks revealed TESLA’S Supercharger network has been named the UK’s best electric vehicle charging provider in a leading car ownership survey.

Autovia’s Driver Power study pooled responses from around 60,000 motorists who answered questions on various aspects of car ownership, including thoughts from EV owners.

Chargers from the country’s biggest operators were then ranked based on their scores in 10 categories, such as price, charging speed and reliability.

In all but one of these categories, Tesla came out on top, giving it an overall rating of 83% and securing its place at the top of the table.

ALL WHITE NOW The Suzuki S-Cross

Supercharger However, one of the biggest problems with Tesla’s network is that it’s only open to owners of the American firm’s vehicles. With this in mind, Shell Recharge is the best provider that is open to owners of any vehicle, scoring 79%.

EV owners said no other company offered a better range of locations to charge, while it took the top three position in six other categories.

The top five was made up of Instavolt (77%), Geniepoint (75%), and Pod Point (74%).

However, for the second year running, Ecotricity is rooted to the bottom of the table with a score

of just 66%. However, it has recently been purchased by Gridserve, so owners who regularly have to use these chargers at motorway service stations will be hoping to see an improvement.

Chris Rosamond, consumer and features editor at Auto Express said: “Tesla’s Supercharger network continues to impress, not least because so many Tesla owners can still use the service for

free.

“Shell Recharge’s investment is paying off, and with the firm planning to increase its number of sites from around 170 today to more than 5,000 by 2025, it’s a provider to watch.

“Some of the biggest and more well-known charging networks will be disappointed to see that their operations need work.”

Mercedes-Benz says the technology will work on over 8,000 miles of highway in Germany at first, with testing underway in the USA and China. “As soon as there is a national legal framework for conditionally automated operation in additional markets, the technology will be rolled out step by step,” the firm said in a statement.

Drive Pilot can maintain the vehicle’s speed up to the maximum of 37mph, as well as keeping the vehicle in its lane. However, to achieve certification it also had to be able to react to unexpected driving situations by evading or braking.

To build on the existing advanced cruise control function, Mercedes-Benz fitted LiDAR sensors and extra cameras, with a microphone also added to help detect situations such as approaching emergency vehicles.

If the driver has to take over the vehicle, they will receive a prompt. However, if they should fail to take control within the allotted time, for example because of a medical emergency, the system will gently slow the car, put the hazard warning lights on and unlock the doors and windows so first responders can access the vehicle.

Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management at Mercedes-Benz, said: “For many years, we have been working to realise our vision of automated driving. With this LiDAR based system, we have developed an innovative technology for our vehicles that offers customers a unique, luxurious driving experience and gives them what matters most: time.

“With the approval of the authorities, we have now achieved a breakthrough: We are the first manufacturer to put conditionally automated driving into series production in Germany.”

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Wednesday November 10 | 2021

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