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Wednesday November 10 | 2021
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BACK WITH A BANG: The skies above Dunorlan Park were lit up at the weekend as the annual fireworks display returned after a year’s hiatus due to Covid. Full story page 3.
Full public inquiry ordered into ‘unprecedented’ crimes By Richard Williams HEALTH Secretary Sajid Javid has announced an independent inquiry into the sexual offences by electrician David Fuller at two Tunbridge Wells hospitals. It follows calls from Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark and a host of others to hold a full inquiry into how Fuller could commit such ‘heinous’ crimes for so long without being discovered. Hundreds of distraught families have contacted police to find out if their late loved ones have been the victims of sexual assault by the married man from Heathfield.
The police hotline received the calls after it emerged Fuller had violated at least 100 corpses while working at local hospitals.
‘Police believe they will never be able to identify all those he assaulted’ The actual number of bodies he abused may never be known. It has been reported that legal experts believe families of the victims may be entitled to millions in compensation. Only now is the true scale and impact of offences by the man who murdered
two young women in Tunbridge Wells more than 30 years ago emerging. Fuller, 67, last week changed his plea to guilty to the 1987 killings of Wendy Knell, 25 and Caroline Pierce, 20. He also admitted other offences relating to deceased females between nine years of age and 100. Police believe they will never be able to identify all those he sexually assaulted. The extent and scale of Fuller’s offending is ‘unprecedented’ in British criminal history. The offences were committed at Tunbridge Wells Hospital and its forerunner the Kent and Sussex Hospital, between 2008 and 2020.
• ‘Normal, loving husband’ • Force’s biggest investigation • Hoard in home – pages 4-5
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this week… RENOVATION: Wetherspoons Opera House pub in the town centre has seen a £700k investment in repairing the Grade-II listed building. P7
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Wednesday November 10 | 2021
MP admits that the ‘sleaze’ vote was clearly ‘a mistake’ OWEN PATERSON
STANDING STRONG: The Soroptimist International Tunbridge Wells branch celebrate three quarters of a century together P11
GREG CLARK
By Richard Williams
ANTI-BULLYING: Former Bennett Memorial teacher and counsellor Leonora Langley discusses bullying ahead of National Anti-Bullying Week. P16
COMEBACK: Tonbridge Philharmonic Society will be performing for the first time since the pandemic began. P30
TUNBRIDGE Wells MP Greg Clark has admitted last week’s vote to block a colleague’s suspension who is accused of breaching lobbying rules was a mistake. The MP was one of three local members of parliament approached by the Times and asked to respond to critics branding the attempt to block the suspension as ‘sleaze’ and a ‘brazen attempt to protect their own’. Owen Paterson was facing a 30-day suspension for an ‘egregious’ breach of lobbying rules following an investigation by Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Kathryn Stone and a subsequent report by the Commons Committee on Standards. Mr Paterson was found to have repeatedly lobbied ministers and officials for two companies paying him more than £100,000 per year.
Committee
CONTACTS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard.moore@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 779615 DEPUTY EDITOR EILEEN LEAHY eileen.leahy@onemediauk.co.uk.co.uk | 01892 576037 CHIEF REPORTER/NEWSDESK RICHARD WILLIAMS richard.williams@onemediauk.co.uk |01892 240626 DESIGN/PRODUCTION JASON STUBBS jason.stubbs@onemediauk.co.uk NEWS REPORTER TAYLOR CATTON taylor.catton@onemediauk.co.uk ADVERTISING 01892 779580 advertising@onemediauk.co.uk FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/timeslocalnews www.timeslocalnews.co.uk
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Conservative MPs gathered in the Commons last Wednesday [November 3] for a vote to block the MP’s immediate suspension and to support the creation of a Tory-led committee to look again at the case and overhaul the standards system. There were 246 Tory members
TOM TUGENDHAT who voted to block the suspension, including Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark, Tonbridge’s Tom Tugendhat, and Nus Ghani who represents Wealden. Owen Paterson later resigned as an MP after Boris Johnson U-turned to allow a fresh vote on the former minister’s suspension. Mr Paterson’s ‘painful decision’ to resign as MP for North Shropshire, has triggered a by-election taking place on December 16. His wife, Rose, chair of Aintree racecourse, had taken her own life in 2020, with Mr Paterson saying the scandal had contributed to her death. Despite the U-turn and Mr Paterson’s resignation, local Tory MPs have faced stiff criticism from opposition parties for trying to block Paterson’s suspension. Lib Dem councillor Ben Chapelard, who was a challenger for the Tunbridge Wells parliamentary seat in 2019, told the Times that the ‘situation stinks’, especially as Greg Clark had previously defied the whip – the party’s order on how to vote – over other issues. In 2019, Greg Clark rebelled over Brexit and was temporarily ejected from the parliamentary party. And just last month, the former Business Secretary defied the government over a vote involving
NUS GHANI the dumping of raw sewage on the UK’s coasts. However, last week Mr Clark decided to obey the three-line whip on the Paterson affair. Cllr Chapelard, said: “What was Greg Clark thinking? Mr Clark voted to let off his former Cabinet colleague, Mr Paterson. Let’s remember Mr Paterson was found guilty of breaking sleaze rules no less than 14 times and taking money for doing it.
Stinks “Mr Clark should have defied the part’s voting instructions as he did the previous week. Unfortunately, I can only conclude that he agrees with letting Mr Paterson off the hook otherwise why would he have voted the way he did? “The situation stinks. It now appears that Mr Paterson was lobbying for a company which won a dodgy Covid contract worth hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money. It is very much a case of one rule for us members of the public and no rules for Conservative MPs.” The Labour Party Chairman in Tunbridge Wells, Martin Betts, said that Mr Clark has made the ‘wrong judgement’ . He added: “Labour, other
opposition parties and most newspapers have called out these actions as yet another example of Government sleaze and a brazen attempt to protect their own.
Majority “The Government have now caved in under this pressure, done another U-turn on their decision and Paterson has resigned. The episode has again called into question the Prime Minister’s competence and has unnecessarily brought members of parliament into further disrepute.” Greg Clark told the Times: “Last week’s vote was clearly a mistake. It brought together two things – whether there should be a right to appeal as in other disciplinary processes, and whether Owen Paterson should be allowed an appeal. “The general and the personal should not have been mixed. It is much better to proceed by consensus rather than majority on such matters, and now that Mr Paterson has resigned, I hope that this is what will now happen.” Tonbridge & Malling MP, Tom Tugendhat and Nus Ghani, the Wealden MP, also voted with the government. Both were approached by the Times to comment, neither responded.
New local radio station is aimed at community By Taylor Catton A RADIO station has begun broadcasting in Tunbridge Wells to provide music, conversation and a platform for local good causes. West Kent Radio started 60 years ago as a hospital station, but from the end of last month, they have begun transmitting live across the area on FM for the first time. The new licensed station is broadcasting from Camden Road, and listeners will be able to tune in on frequencies 95.5 and 106.7 on any FM radio in West Kent. The station is broadcasting all week round, with the breakfast show starting at 7am, and segments such as The West Kent Jukebox from 1pm, drivetime at 4pm and ending with Night Network at 11 am which runs throughout the night. Programmes also feature regular discussions, allowing people to engage and to provide a platform for
local charities, support organisations and businesses to promote their services. Talking about the station’s FM launch at the end of October, Programme Controller Chris Manser told the Times: “It has been great fun getting to this stage. We have got a wonderful team of people with us, 55 in total all together now. We are all volunteers.
Volunteers “We have been working on bringing a local radio station back to West Kent now for the last four years and today is the day. “We are still going to be doing requests, that is our legacy. But with the Ofcom license we have now, we can broadcast to a wider area.” He added: “The station first started 60 years ago, and we had to see how the hospital service was
TUNE IN: West Kent team’s Chris Manser (left), Michelle Rivers, Claire Backhurst and Nigel Peacock (right)Backhurst and Nigel Peacock (right) changing with shorter admissions, so we had to expand to a wider audience. “When Nigel Peacock the Implementation Manager came to us and said this is our last chance to get this Ofcom license, we knew this could perhaps be the last time we could evolve and take that step from hospital to community radio. We are always looking back at our past and
now looking into the future.” Nigel Peacock added: “We are delighted that true local radio is now returning to the area. “It is testament to teamwork, and we are proud to be bringing this special service to our towns and villages. Radio is the medium which builds connections and enriches community, this is everyone’s radio for West Kent.”
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
NEWS IN BRIEF
Pub in the Park is to return next summer CELEBRITY chef Tom Kerridge is bringing back his Pub in the Park event to Tunbridge Wells next summer. Dunorlan Park will again host the festival on July 8-10, where food fans will be treated to a line-up of world-class chefs and chart-topping musicians. The food festival, which first came to the park in 2018, had to be scaled back and become socially distanced last year. In releasing the dates for next year, the festival has also announced the first music acts for Tunbridge Wells. They include British electronic music group Faithless, ‘queen of the kitchen disco’ Sophie Ellis-Bextor and former Spice Girl Melanie C. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday, November 12 at pubintheparkuk.com. Tickets cost from £37.98 (adults) and £21.70 (children).
Green Crowborough THE Town Council in Crowborough unveiled its Climate Change Policy at a meeting last night [Tuesday, November 9]. The authority aims to reduce the town council’s annual net carbon dioxide emissions by at least 10 per cent each year and they will take steps to reduce its annual waste by a similar proportion. Some of the other proposals include only purchasing recycled paper products, replacing used vehicles with electric cars, and a pledge by staff and councillors on council business to walk, cycle or use public transport rather than cars.
Jewellery thief charged A SUSPECTED burglar has been charged with a break-in at a Tunbridge Wells jewellery shop. Frederick Webb, aged 36, of Vicarage Road, has been charged with burglary, theft and three counts of frauds. It is understood jewellery was stolen from display cabinets at Mark Adam in the High Street while the premises was closed on Friday October 29. Kent Police say Webb has also been charged with theft stolen from another store in the High Street on the same day, and three frauds were allegedly committed using a stolen bank card in three separate town centre shops. He has been remanded in custody until a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on December 2.
Stroke plans backed THE Health Secretary has agreed to change the way stroke services are delivered across Kent and Medway. The decision, which will see three new ‘hyper acute stroke units’ established to give very specialist care to stroke patients in the immediate days after a stroke, is expected to save a life a fortnight compared to the previous configuration. The changes, which were unveiled in 2019 and raised controversy as it meant the stroke unit at Tunbridge Wells Hospital was shut in September last year. But Sajid Javid has now supported the move, which was first proposed by clinicians. Rachel Jones at Kent and Medway Clinical Commissiong Group, said: “We now have the go-ahead to focus on implementing our plans to deliver three hyper acute stroke units in Kent & Medway - a widely recognised way of delivering high quality hospital-based care for people in the immediate days after a stroke.”
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Annual firework display makes a record-breaking return to park By Robert Forrester FOLLOWING a year of quiet skies due to Covid, the annual fireworks display returned to Tunbridge Wells at the weekend and generated more than £40,000 for charity – the most the event has ever raised. More than 13,000 visited Dunorlan Park on Saturday [November 6], the highest number of people to turn up to watch the display in its 64-year history. The annual fireworks event, which is organised by Royal Tunbridge Wells Round Table to coincide with Guy Fawkes Day, has been running since 1957 but last year, due to the pandemic, it had to be cancelled for the first time in its history. It came after the 2019 display was plagued by bad weather.
Supported The skies remained mostly clear at the weekend, and people were treated to hundreds of rockets, Catherine wheels, and other fireworks at the display that takes place in the natural amphitheatre of the park where the fireworks reflect off the lake. The Rock Choir welcomed visitors to the park and there were numerous catering options as well as the Tunbridge Wells Rugby club running the bar to quench any thirst. The Round Table were ably supported by member of Pantiles Rotary, local scout groups
BACK WITH A BANG The skies above Dunorlan Park on Saturday [Picture Georgina Edwards] and girls from Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School. Organisers say not only did the event raise around £40,000 for local charities, which will be distributed in the new year at their annual giveaway, Hospice in the Weald also raised over £2,500 in a bucket collection after the display. Head of the fireworks committee, Simon Addis said: “It was great to welcome back the people of Tunbridge Wells to the Dunorlan Park fireworks. “People came in their droves which was fantastic to see after a break last year due to Covid. We have had wonderful feedback already that the display was one of the best yet.
“Best of all, we have raised thousands of pounds for local charities that are in great need of funds as we come out of the pandemic. Thank you to everyone that attended for your generosity.” He added that the Round table, which is an organisation of local men aged 18-45, wanted to thank sponsors, Buss Murton Law, GDS Surveyors, Berkeley Homes and media partner the Times of Tunbridge Wells. The group’s next event will be their Santa Sleigh in early December for Nourish Community Foodbank, and the fireworks will return next year on November 5.
Help Santa with gifts for children who might otherwise miss out By Taylor Catton THE Mayor is set to launch his annual Toy Appeal, the 35th holder of the office to back the charity scheme. Cllr Chris Woodward is the latest Tunbridge Wells Mayor to head up the appeal, which was started in 1987 to ensure children in the Borough did not have to go without at Christmas time. In the last 36 years, the Toy Appeal has ensured tens of thousands of children who may otherwise have gone without have received gifts and toys at Christmas. There have been 35 different councillors elected to serve as Mayor since the scheme was first founded, but Cllr James Scholes served in the office twice and so headed up the appeal on two occasions.
TOY STORY Cllr Chris Woodward helping the appeal last year
Generous Despite the pandemic, more than 500 children who otherwise would have gone without, received gifts last year when the appeal was headed by Cllr Joy Podbury. Organiser, Karen Collins said this year the initiative may be needed even more than ever now. She told the Times: “We are so grateful to everyone who supported us last year, a difficult year for everyone. “I would also like to thank all my volunteers, who worked like mad to get it all done in just two weeks. Without the generosity of donors and volunteers there would have
been no Toy Appeal.” She continued: “But this year it may be needed even more as there are many people who lost their jobs or who were on furlough over the last 12 months who may be struggling financially.” The Toy Appeal receives toys donated by local people who can drop them off at various points around the town. The toys, which must be boxed and new – not second-hand – are
then given to families who may be struggling to buy presents for their children. There are two ways to get involved: Residents can choose a gift from an online list on the Toy Appeal website, buy the gift and then drop it off at the Town Hall or other locations, or people can donate money that will be used to purchase toys for those in need. “We are very well supported by the Mayor’s Office and The Big Yellow
Self Storage, and this year Royal Victoria Place and St George’s nursery will be hosting ‘Giving Trees’ and Maddisons in The Pantiles is one of our drop off point,” added Karen. This year’s Toy Appeal is launching on Saturday, November 13 when the website, twmta.co.uk will go live to provide for more information to those wanting to get involved. The appeal will run until Friday, December 10.
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Wednesday November 10 | 2021
Dramatic end to court case that has shocked the nation By Richard Williams THE man who murdered two women in Tunbridge Wells 34 years ago, dramatically changed his plea to guilty four days into his trial for murder last week. David Fuller, 67, had already admitted he bludgeoned and strangled to death Wendy Knell, 25 and Caroline Pierce, 20, in 1987, but he’d been claiming manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. The case was one of the most notorious unsolved murder cases in the UK that went on to be called ‘the Bedsit Murders’ by the media of the time. The Heathfield electrician was finally caught when his DNA, found at the murder scene, was linked to him three decades later via his brother. Maidstone Crown Court had already heard that
the former hospital worker had abused dead bodies at Tunbridge Wells Hospital and its forerunner the Kent and Sussex Hospital. He had admitted killing the women at an earlier hearing but had pleaded not guilty to murder on the grounds of ‘diminished responsibility’. On the fourth day of his trial last Thursday [November 4], when the jury returned from lunch Fuller’s barrister, Oliver Saxby QC, told the judge that a medical report ordered had been submitted that meant his client could no longer rely on the defence of diminished responsibility.
Guilty Fuller, dressed in a sweatshirt, then lowered his mask and made a formal plea of guilty, admitting he murdered both Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce in 1987.
Supasnaps manager Ms Knell was last seen on June 22, 1987 after her boyfriend dropped her home on Guildford Road. He found her dead in her bedsit the next day. She had sustained blunt force trauma to the head and had been ‘asphyxiated by application of pressure to the neck’. Restaurant worker Caroline Pierce’s almost naked body was found in a water-filled dyke at St Mary in the Marsh at Romney Marsh on December 15 of the same year. She too had sustained blunt force trauma to the head and had been strangled. It is believed Fuller attacked the restaurant worker outside her Tunbridge Wells bedsit. Both women had been sexually assaulted after they had died. Following the change of plea, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb QC halted the trial and remanded Fuller into custody for sentencing at a
Biggest investigation reveals victims aged from nine to 100 By Robert Forrester THE investigation into the 1987 deaths of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce and the subsequent offending of David Fuller at hospitals in Tunbridge Wells has been the largest investigation in Kent Police’s history. Kent Police have been praised for their work on the case of David Fuller who is likely to go down as one of Britain’s most notorious criminals. Police believe many of his victims may never be identified. His crimes have been labelled as ‘unprecedented’ by those connected to the case involving some on a scale that ‘no British court has ever seen’. After a judge lifted a reporting ban following the end of the trial last week, Fuller who is married with a son, can now be revealed to be BODY Caroline Pierce was found in Romney marsh
one of Britain’s most prolific sex offenders. He was tracked down after forensic investigators widened their search for DNA found at the 1987 murder scene. While Fuller did have previous criminal convictions for burglary, those crimes were committed before the advent of DNA capture, so he was not on file. Police, however, managed to identify somebody on their records that they believed could be related to the man who conducted the Tunbridge Wells murders.
with overwhelming evidence. “Fuller, with his uncontrolled sense of sexual entitlement, treated Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce with extreme depravity. Both women were simply at home or returning from work when he ambushed them.” She continued: “Fuller’s appalling crimes did not end with these killings and he went on to
HUNDREDS CALL HOTLINE Around 400 people have so far contacted a hotline set up by Kent Police for people who may feel they may have information about the investigation or who are worried that their family members or who may have been a victim of Fuller. Specialist family liaison officers have already contacted the families of all identified victims and are supporting them. Those with information or who are concerned should call 0800 051 5270.
INVESTIGATOR DCS Paul Fotherington
STRANGLED Wendy Knell was discovered dead in her bedsit committed horrendous crimes when he killed these young women. “They should have had full lives ahead of them, but these were tragically cut short. “He then went on to commit some of the most heinous acts, abusing his position working in a hospital, to sexually assault people who have passed away, further impacting grieving families. “To support those relatives, my team has worked with the Ministry of Justice to ensure that there are bespoke support services in place for them, as well as the family liaison already put in place. “I pay tribute to the Officers and Staff involved in investigating this case to pursue justice, especially given the nature of the offences and material that they have had to process for this trial.”
DISTRESSING CRIMES SAID TO BE ‘UNPRECEDENTED’ IN LEGAL HISTORY THE Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said that Fuller’s ‘deeply distressing crimes’ were unprecedented and on a scale not seen in British legal history. Libby Clark, of the CPS, said: “This highly dangerous man has inflicted unimaginable suffering on countless families and he has only admitted his long-held secrets when confronted
date yet to be set but likely to be in December. Reporting restrictions were then lifted so it could be revealed Fuller had also pleaded guilty to 51 other sexual offences before his trial began, mostly on dead bodies at two hospital mortuaries.
Families are ‘spared additional Burden’ of facing a full trial
Tributes It was Fuller’s brother, which led officers to an address in Heathfield where the electrician lived with his third wife. Officers also found a picture of Fuller taken in the 1980s and matched the shoes he was wearing with a print found at one of the murder scenes. After he was arrested, material was recovered from Fuller’s home. It included four hard drives containing over 14 million images and videos of the electrician abusing corpses. Police then launched Operation Sandpiper to identify those he abused. Fuller has admitted assaulting around 100 dead bodies, many of which he filmed, but detectives believe there may have been hundreds more victims in the three decades he worked at the two hospitals in Tunbridge Wells. The oldest victim was 100, and the youngest was nine. He pleaded guilty to 51 of these offences involving 78 deceased females. Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott was among those who paid tribute to the officers involved in the case. Speaking on the day the trial ended, he said: “Today, Wendy, Caroline and their families have got the justice they deserved. This man
GUILTY Fuller admitted both murders and 51 other offences
abuse his position of trust as a hospital electrician in the most grotesque manner imaginable. “No British court has ever seen abuse on this scale against the dead before and I have no doubt he would still be offending to this day had it not been for this painstaking investigation and prosecution.”
ONE of the lead investigators on the Fuller case, said Fuller’s change of plea has at least spared the families of having to endure a full trial, but admits they may never identify all the victims Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Fotheringham said: “Fuller used his role as an electrician at these two hospitals to carry out these heinous acts on deceased victims. “Not only did he kill and assault two young innocent women in 1987, who should have had their whole lives in front of them, he then found another way to continue his horrific offending by assaulting and defiling multiple victims and traumatising their already grieving families in a way that is clearly beyond comprehension. “The evidence we presented was indisputable; at the very least the families of all the victims in these cases have been spared the additional burden of a trial.” He continued: “Sadly, it is likely to be the case that some of the victims will never be identified. In these cases, there is such limited information available to help us with establishing their identities, and there are no lines of enquiry outside of the investigation that can assist us.”
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
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Mother’s heartbreak over student who was one of his last victims incomprehensible. I felt I had to take things into my own hands — find him, punish him. I’m her mother. “If I’d found him, I’m 99.99 per cent sure I’d have put that knife straight through his heart because he’d put a knife through mine. The thought of him violating her — of touching her hair, touching her skin.”
By Jonathan Banks THE mother of a 24-year-old student who died after falling from the flyover at the A21 junction for Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge, has spoken of being informed by police that her daughter was one of Fuller’s final victims. Azra Kemal had been returning to her London home from a night out on July 17 last year when her car caught fire on the A21. After fleeing from her vehicle, the young woman fell to her death from the viaduct over Haysden Country park.
Incomprehensible Her mother, Nevres Kemal, has now been told that her daughter was among David Fuller’s victims at Tunbridge Wells Hospital. Her death occurred less than five months before Fuller was finally caught. Speaking to reporters last week, Mrs Kemal said: “I was told that my daughter had been violated... on three occasions in the mortuary. “What does one think? How do you comprehend such a thing?” She continued: “Like women who are raped
FALL Azra Kemal and [right] how her death was covered in the Times around the world they have a voice, Azra has a voice – I am speaking out for my daughter.” She went on to tell newspapers last weekend how she herself was arrested after officers became alarmed when she began brandishing a knife. She said: “My only thought was, ‘He is not going to get away this’. I’d just been told he’d raped her in hospital when she was dead. It was
Double killer acted as normal ‘loving and caring’ husband
CYCLIST Fuller in the 1980s when he was a keen cyclist and [below] before his court appearance
WHEN confronted by police over his crimes on his doorstep, David Fuller responded by simply saying ‘Oh Blimey’ before letting officers into his house while his wife slept upstairs. Fuller was arrested for the murders of Ms Knell and Ms Pierce at his home in Heathfield, East Sussex, in the early hours of December 3 2020. Police wore body cameras when they arrived at an address he shared with his wife and son and recorded the reaction as they confronted Fuller about the 1987 Tunbridge Wells murders. Detectives said he did not look surprised, but he denied any involvement and added that he had no knowledge of the case or the area where the women lived. It was then officers stumbled upon the hard drives that would lead them on to investigate one of the most unprecedented crimes in British criminal history. The family members of the murdered girls were said to be in ‘genuine shock’ when they were told of Fuller’s arrest and said they ‘thought this day would never come’. Yet neighbours and those who knew him have said there was nothing about the Fuller that gave any indication of his criminal activities. Fuller had been born in Deal in 1954 to parents Evelyn and Raymond and they later moved to
South Africa when he was two or three but then returned to Portsmouth. He married his first wife Gillian but the marriage broke down because he claimed she cheated on him. Fuller met his second wife Sally at a pub at the corner of George Street in Tonbridge. The pair were both keen cyclists but they separated after 17 years, when he accused his wife of an affair with a member of the cycling club they both belonged. Sally died in 2015, although Fuller was married to her when he committed the two murders when the pair lived at a staff house for a school in Broomhill Road – about three miles away from where he carried out the killings. Fuller himself had an affair with a nurse he had met in 1990 at a Kent and Sussex Hospital social club. She told police officers he was ‘a normal, loving man’ neither ‘kinky, violent or sexually demanding’. Fuller eventually moved into a nurses’ home at Tunbridge Wells Hospital after the split with his second wife where he then met his third wife Mala. She told police after his arrest: “We have been married for 20 years and we have been very happy. It is pretty perfect and we are caring towards each other.” They have since split.
‘A proper inquiry must now take place to explore how Fuller was able to continue perpetrating these appalling acts’ She continued: “The two officers who had come to the house had telephoned in and said I was running around with a knife. But the police who arrested me didn’t know what had happened. I was crying: ‘My daughter was raped in hospital and she’s dead’. They were looking at me, going, ‘Does this woman need psychiatric help?’” ‘They read me my rights, but I had this rage. I was shouting, ’What are you doing? I need to put
an end to this. No one is violating my child. I am her mother. I’m here because I’m looking for Dave. He needs to be punished.”’ As it was, Nevres herself was thrown into a cell and kept there for 34 hours but was eventually released without charges. The Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ), which has been supporting Mrs Kemal is to set up an internship programme in her daughter’s memory. A spokesperson for the charity said: “A proper inquiry must now take place to explore how Fuller was able to continue perpetrating these appalling acts over such a long period of time.”
Independent inquiry was launched after MP’s call THE public inquiry called by Health Secretary Sajid Javid comes after calls by Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark and seven other local MPs. Mr Clark, who attended the trial of Fuller last week, called for the inquiry as soon as the case ended, arguing the Trust didn’t have the resources to conduct its own investigation. He had said: “It is beyond the powers and resources of a local hospital to conduct, and the questions that must be faced are national, not just local.” His calls for a full public inquiry were backed by seven other local MPs including Nusrat Ghani (Wealden), Helen Grant (Maidstone & The Weald), Huw Merriman MP (Bexhill & Battle) and Tom Tugendhat MP (Tonbridge & Malling). Women’s groups such as The Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ) also backed his calls. An investigation launched by the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust [MTW] has now been called off. The electrician was directly employed by MTW until shortly before the Kent and Sussex Hospital closed. Police believed he applied to work at the hospital specifically to gain access to the mortuary. He then transferred to the new Tunbridge Wells Hospital in 2010 when the other hospital closed, where he was employed by an electrical contractor working for the NHS. Fuller was carrying out his crimes until his arrest in December 2020. He generally worked the late shift, from 11pm to 7am, and as a maintenance supervisor had an access all areas pass, with a swipe card he could use to go anywhere, including the mortuary. The maintenance office is situated opposite the REVIEW Tunbridge Wells Hospital has since made changes
ACCESS Fuller’s NHS swipecard mortuary at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, allowing Fuller the ability to tell if other staff members where in there. He would enter the mortuary alone after its staff left from their day shifts and he would disappear into areas not covered by the cameras, detectives have said. The Times has learnt that MTW has now installed cameras in its mortuary and is making other changes.
Confident Miles Scott, Trust Chief Executive of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust has said staff were ‘shocked and appalled’ by what has happened, but that he was now ‘confident’ the mortuary was ‘safe and secure’. He continued: “I want to apologise to the families of those who’ve been the victims of these terrible crimes. “We’ve been working with a team of specialist Police Family Liaison Officers to offer these families whatever help or assistance they may need. “I am confident that our mortuary today is safe and secure. But I am determined to see if there are any lessons to be learned or systems to be improved.” The public inquiry launched by the Health Secretary on Monday, will be led by Sir Jonathan Michael – a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians – who had been commissioned to chair MTW’s investigation. Sajid Javid has also asked all health trusts to review mortuary access and post-mortem activities in the wake of the David Fuller case.
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Wednesday November 10 | 2021
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Wetherspoons completes £700,000 restoration of historic Opera House By Richard Williams AN ICONIC Tunbridge Wells pub has been restored after owners Wetherspoons invested £700,000 repairing the Grade-II listed building. The Opera House in Mount Pleasant Road needed to be repaired after part of the roof collapsed in 2020. It had been discovered that the dome ceiling on the century old building was in need of restoration to ensure it did not degrade further. The roof had been repaired once before after it was bombed during World War II. The building has stood in the town since 1902 and was designed by Edwardian architect John Briggs.
Overseeing As its name suggests, it was built as an opera house before becoming a cinema, a bingo hall and finally a pub when Wetherspoons took over in 1996. The chain, which has reputation for restoring Grade listed buildings, says it spends millions each year on renovating many of its public houses. Wetherspoon’s property manager, Craig Beardmore, responsible for overseeing the project at the Opera House, said: “Wetherspoon invests heavily in its historic buildings for future generations, almost providing a civic service and duty to ensure the upkeep of some incredible landmark premises. “Each project is site specific i.e. no two pubs are the same, with the timescale and cost of the
work dependent on the condition and exact requirements needed to repair and restore. “These works are undertaken not because the ceilings are in a poor or dangerous condition, but, as with all historical buildings, essential improvements are required to ensure that they never reach that critical stage.” Ross Markwick, pub manager at the Opera House, added: “Our pub is housed in a local historic landmark enjoyed by so many people and, as the current custodians, Wetherspoon is responsible to ensure its preservation for now and the future. “This most recent investment, helping to keep this iconic building looking its best, highlights that commitment and we are proud to be a part of the Tunbridge Wells community at Opera House.”
ROOF REPAIRS The Opera House is back to its former glory
OPERA HOUSE SURVIVED THE BLITZ An incendiary bomb dropped during the war nearly demolished the Opera House, even though Tunbridge Wells was not in the Luftwaffe’s sights. German pilots were known to release bombs to reduce weight following or on their way to raids in London in order to save fuel. On one such occasion, a discarded bomb fell through the roof at Opera House and was caught on one of the proscenium arch stanchions, but it did not explode. The only damage was the hole in the roof and a few clearly visible scorch marks.
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The Pantiles set to become a Hive of co-working activity By Robert Forrester A SUCCESSFUL co-working and restaurant company is expanding to Tunbridge Wells with a new centre at the heart of the town’s most iconic location. The Hive, which already has successful commercial sites in Cranbrook and Flimwell, has to open a new site offering flexible working solutions at 12-16 The Pantiles – the former home of clothing retailer Jack Wills. Owned and managed by Cranbrook-based co-founders, Emma and Stuart Smith, the Greek-themed business centre, complete with a taverna dining experience, Kypseli, which will be open to the public as well as be available for Hive users. The business centre is located on the first and second floors of the new Pantiles location and features desk space, meeting rooms, Zoom booths, and secure 1GB super-fast internet access, as well as boutique office suites for one, two, three and four people. Rooms can be coupled to create suites for larger numbers.
Streaming This co-working space will also be fully furnished with height adjustable desks, integrated charging points and mobile monitors for streaming. Co-founder and Managing Director of The Hive, Emma Smith, said: “It’s clear that remote and hybrid working is here to stay. “The UK has experienced the largest start-up boom of the decade, leading to an increasing
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
TN Card goes digital thanks to green funding THE discount card accepted at more than 435 independent shops in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, is launching an app after receiving £15,500 in grants. The TN card, which celebrates its second birthday in February, offers discounts to shoppers at hundreds of locations across the TN postcode. The App will not only allow card holders to get a discount through their phone, but also will show locations of all the nearby places where the TN card is accepted. It comes after founder of the TN Card, Jess Gibson was awarded two grants.
Virtual
ICONIC The Hive will be in the former Jack Wills store in The Pantiles number of people looking to supplement homeworking with co-working. “And this is where we come in. Co-working offers a flexible way to separate home and work life, interact with others to generate leads, team up with colleagues, and share knowledge and skills – all in an uplifting and energised environment. “The Hive will have an amazing, positive vibe
and will be a great place to visit – whether it’s friends and family getting together for fabulous food, or businesspeople looking for a whole new work-life experience.” She added that ‘the heart of the Hive’s ethos’ was sustainability and ‘eco-localism’, where the business community draws upon local knowledge, skills and resources, to encourage both local community and the environment to flourish.
Around £8,000 was awarded to the TN card by Low Carbon Across the South and East (LoCASE), a government backed fund aimed to encourage low carbon solutions and protect the environment. LoCASE made the award after recognising the positive impact the TN card has on the environment by encouraging local shopping, as well as backing the replacement of physical membership cards with virtual ones via the app. Jess Gibson, said: “I am delighted that both LoCASE and SEBB have recognised the potential of the TN card to facilitate change and are enabling the TN card to grow and develop, with the introduction of an iOS and Android app. “The app will make membership easier and more worthwhile, whilst supporting our independents with valuable business functionality.” Ms Gibson added that she has also been awarded £8,000 from the South East Business Boost (SEBB) that provides financial support for start-ups to help them expand. The TN card app is set to be launched on February 3, the two-year birthday of the discount card, when Ms Gibson is hoping to arrange anniversary parties in both Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge.
31B Hair 31B Hair in The Pantiles welcomes Tim Jones to the team We are pleased to introduce to you our newest member
experience in which to build my career upon.” Having
of our Hair Salon team at 31B Hair.
re-located from London to Tunbridge Wells, Kent twenty
Bringing extensive training with top international
years ago,
experts Toni & Guy, and over thirty years of work with
Tim has a very loyal client base, from both Tunbridge
countless discerning clients throughout London & Kent,
Wells and the surrounding areas. In the short amount of
please meet Tim Jones.
time that Tim has been working with 31B Hair, he is
Having trained with top international experts, Tim has built a reputation based on his precision haircuts. With his wealth of experience, expertise, and passion, he
already an established part of the team and welcoming both existing and new clients alike. Tim said, “working with such a dedicated and focused
takes the time to understand what will look optimal and
team, (Rod, Amy and Roni), means that we can continue
yet keep the integrity of your hair.
to offer our clients the very best service from start to
Tim has also used his expertise to help teach other people in the hairdressing industry via specialist
finish.” He continued to say, “hairdressing is my passion, and I
Academies; he was an integral part of the Artistic Team
can utilise my creativity as well as providing clients with
whilst training and working with Toni & Guy.
the latest style, skills and technique they can take home.
Tim said, “being able to assist other people in
31B Hair is a good fit for me and I am already enjoying
developing their hairdressing skills was both
working alongside such a highly experienced and
rewarding and fulfilling at the time; it was an invaluable
professional team.”
31B Hair, The Pantiles Rod Prager, (owner & founder), has a wealth of
Rod is also passionate about the ethical and
colour to skin tone, whilst paying close attention to
experience from his long-standing career as a
sustainability aspects of the Hair Salon.
cutting according to the client’s face shape.
hairdresser. It had always been his vision to open his
To this end, 31B Hair is a valued member of the
Amy, (colour specialist), qualified as a hairdresser
own Hair Salon and decided to fulfil this ambition
Green Salon Collective whose key focus is finding
seven years ago and has been part of the
back in 2016. 31B Hair is situated in the heart of The
circular solutions for salon waste.
31B Hair team for two years. Amy specialises in
Pantiles where Rod sympathetically renovated a
Rod said “adopting working methods, which are
beautiful example of one of the historic Victorian
more environmentally friendly, is at the forefront of
buildings.
my business and this affects all areas of 31B Hair.
Full of character and charm alike, the Hair Salon has
matching hair colour to the varying cool and warm skin tones for her clients. Roni, (Sassoon partner), qualified as a hairdresser
Consequently, we choose which products and
over twenty years ago and has been part of the 31B
a warm and welcoming feel to it, an open-style café,
brands to use very carefully and are proud to have
Hair team for eighteen months.
(to serve clients their favourite refreshments), and
partnered with the vegan brand Authentic Beauty
carefully, hand-selected accessories throughout; this
Concept.”
precision cutting.
The 31B Hair Team:
Tim, or any of our team, please feel free to contact
Rod, (owner & founder), specialises in matching hair
us.
all adds to the welcoming ambience as soon as one of their clients enters the front door.
(01892) 544465 31b_hair 31bhair 31B Hair, The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. TN2 5TD
Like newest member Tim, Roni also specialises in If you would like to book your hair consultation with
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The Post Office saved by villagers reopens By Taylor Catton A NEW fully refurbished village Post Office has opened its doors again, three months after it was bought by the local parish council. As reported by the Times in August, Groombridge Post Office was set to be closed.
Refurbishment Withyham Parish Council held a public consultation that found that 98.8 per cent of those in the Kent/East Sussex border village voted in favour to keep the shop. A similar number of residents happy for their council tax to be used to pay staff and run the store, so the parish council bought it.
Following a refurbishment, the post office and community store, now called ‘The Shop on the Corner’, reopened on October 28. Unfortunately, the new store has had to reopen without long serving postmistress Rosie Wyatt, who has retired after 32 years of service in the village. People within the village have spoken of their ‘delight’ at being able to retain their local Post Office. One Groombridge resident said: “I am delighted that the Post Office has been saved, it is a vital hub of the community and seeing it looking so bright and welcoming is great.” The Shop on the Corner and Post Office is next to the village bakers and boasts easy access and ample parking.
BACK IN BUSINESS Staff at the revamped Groombridge Post Office
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Community News
Women’s group donates bench to celebrate their 75th anniversary By Robert Forrester A WOMEN’s group celebrated three quarters of a century of helping charities, good causes and working towards improving the lives of women and girls around the world by donating a bench to a Tunbridge Wells Park. Soroptimist International (SI) was formed in 1921, in Oakland, California and now has over 3,000 clubs worldwide, including a Tunbridge Wells branch fthat was formed 75 years ago. The town’s group started in 1946 and supports the same message as their established cousins around the world: to improve the lives of women and girls, by giving them an equal voice whilst raising thousands of pounds for regional, national and international causes. To mark its anniversary, the group has gifted a bench to the Council, which has been placed in Dunorlan Park.
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Award for disability and carers’ champion A DISABILITY campaigner who is battling to get paid leave for working carers, has said he is ‘thrilled’ to have been named Chairperson of the Year, by a leading publication. Chris Jeffery, who used to run Shopmobility in Royal CHRIS JEFFERY Victoria Place in Tunbridge Wells has been named Working Carer Equality Chairman UK at the CEO Monthly’s Chairperson of the Year Award 2021.
Support
Inscription The bench has been positioned on one of the slopes with a view of the lake and has an inscription saying: ‘Soroptimist International of Tunbridge Wells & District Empowering Women Since 1946.’ Councillor Jane March, the cabinet member for Culture and Leisure at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council welcomed the donation on behalf of the Council. She said it was especially welcome ‘after the pandemic when so many people have enjoyed outdoor green spaces and relied on them for support for their general health and well-being’. It follows an anniversary lunch for the Soroptimists in Tunbridge Wells at The Spa
NEWS
BIRTHDAY BENCH Cllr Jane March [front, centre] and SI members Hotel on October 17, attended by 50 guests inlcuding as the Mayor of Southborough Cllr Dianne Hill and former Tunbridge Wells Mayor Joy Podbury.
Suffragette At the lunch, president Caroline Auckland spoke about the history of the organisation, explained the history of the club insignia that was designed and made by suffragette Arts &
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Crafts enamel Ernestine Mills. Then followed the success of the mask making project which was led by Louise Taylor and was able to raise £12,000 which was donated to charities across Kent, the UK and around the world. The masks were donated to local organisations, residential care and charities such as Chamberlain Court Care Home, Aspens, The Women’s Refuge and Nourish Community Foodbank.
He was given the accolade for his work on Mending the Gap, a chairty he set up to campaign to get paid leave for the seven million working people in the UK who are also carers for loved ones. He told the Times: “At the moment we are entitled to five days of unpaid leave, but this is not fair when there are those in the public sector such as the NHS who get paid leave. “I am so thrilled to have been nominated and then to win this award as it means people have taken notice of the work that I have put in to get better rights for carers, and I’d like to thank the Times of Tunbridge Wells for the support you have shown me over the years too.” The awards were created to recognise chairpersons globally, who do exceptional work to take their business to the next level. Awards Co-ordinator Dean Taylor said: “This was our first year of running the Chairperson awards, and we’re all incredibly proud of how it’s gone. We offer a heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and wish them all good luck for the future.”
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Vaccines to be made compulsory for nurses and frontline NHS staff FRONTLINE NHS workers and social care staff will need to have Covid-19 vaccinations in England to continue in their jobs, the Health Secretary has announced. In a Commons statement, Sajid Javid said there is no doubt that health and social care staff “carry a unique responsibility” in the work they do and ‘we must avoid preventable harm’. He said only those who do not have face-to-face contact with patients or who are medically exempt will not be required to have two doses of a Covid jab, with enforcement of the rule from April 1 next year. The decision applies to health and wider social care settings that are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Doctors The Department of Health and Social Care said the regulations cover health and social care workers who have direct, face-toface contact with people while providing care, such as doctors, nurses, dentists and domiciliary care workers. They will also apply to ancillary staff such as porters or receptionists who may have social contact with patients but are not directly involved in their care. Care home workers in England have already been told they must be fully vaccinated by the deadline of this Thursday. Mr Javid told MPs the decision to make Covid-19 vaccinations compulsory for NHS staff does not mean the Government does not recognise concerns about ‘workforce pressures’ this winter. He added: “Allow me to be clear that no-one in the NHS or care that is currently unvaccinated should be scapegoated, singled out or shamed.
JABBED Clinical staff will have to be vaccinated by April “That would be totally unacceptable. This is about supporting them to make a positive choice to protect vulnerable people, to protect their colleagues. And of course to protect themselves.” More than 100,000 people working in the NHS in England remain unvaccinated, the Cabinet member also told MPs. “The take-up throughout the NHS in England is 93 per cent of the first dose, 90 per cent of two doses, and that does leave – the latest number I have – 103,000 people in the NHS, that work for the NHS, that are unvaccinated, so not even one jab. “It’s hard to know what portion of that number will take up the offer of vaccination. “If we look at what has happened with social care – care homes – since that policy was announced, there was a significant fall in the equivalent number and I think we can certainly expect that here.” According to the Department of Health, 105,000 domiciliary care workers have not been reported as
fully vaccinated. Overall, some 92.8 per cent of NHS workers have had their first dose and 89.9 per cent have had both doses, while, in social care, 83.7 per cent of domiciliary care workers have had their first dose and 74.6 per cent have had both doses.
Dose Mr Javid said the decision to make jabs mandatory for care home staff meant that the number of people working in care homes who have not had at least one dose had fallen from 88,000 to just 32,000 at the start of last month. Of the consultation regarding making vaccines mandatory for NHS staff, he added: “I’ve carefully considered the responses and the evidence and I’ve concluded that the scales clearly tip to one side. “The weight of the data shows our vaccinations have kept people safe and they have saved lives.” He added that flu jabs will not be
compulsory, although the issue is being kept under review. Royal College of Nursing chief executive Pat Cullen said: “The vast majority of NHS nursing staff received the Covid-19 vaccine as soon as it was offered, having led the vaccination rollout across the UK and continuing to do so with the booster programme. “With the five months until this decision takes effect, the Government and employers must continue to engage with the small minority who have chosen not to have the vaccine.” NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: “The NHS has always been clear that staff should get the life-saving Covid vaccination to protect themselves, their loved ones and their patients, and the overwhelming majority have already done so. “Working with NHS organisations, we will continue to support staff who have not yet received the vaccination to take up the evergreen offer.”
Mother of 10-year-old killed by dog pays tribute to her ‘beautiful’ and ‘sweet’ boy THE mother of a 10-year-old boy who was killed by a dog has paid tribute to her ‘beautiful’ and ‘sweet’ son. Jack Lis is believed to have been attacked in a friend’s house in a nearby street after school in Caerphilly. In a Facebook post, his mum Emma Whitfield wrote: “With so much heart break and before close friends and family see his name in the news, I have to announce our beautiful boy Jack was taken so tragically yesterday.
Shocked “It was not our dog nor did it happen at our family home. He was out to play. “We love you so much our sweet, sweet boy.” Gwent Police were called to the house in Pentwyn, Penyrhoel at
SCENE Officers at the home on Tuesday
3.55pm on Monday following reports of a dog attack. Officers attended, including firearms officers who shot the dog. Paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service then confirmed Jack had died at the scene. Those living on the street say they have been shocked by the incident.
Ricky Willis, 70, said: “The first I heard of it my neighbour knocked on my door, it’s a big shock. “I’ve lived on this road for 46 years and I’ve never seen anything like this happen.” One neighbour, who asked not to be named, described the scene as “chaos”.
While another said: “I feel sick to my stomach thinking about what happened to that boy. “We went out to see what was going on but the police asked us to go back inside while they put the child in the ambulance. “So we did, out of respect.” Chief Superintendent Mark Hobrough, of Gwent Police, said: “My condolences and thoughts are with Jack’s family, friends, school friends and everyone affected by this within the community. “We can confirm that the attack did not happen in the house owned by Jack’s family, but inside another property on a nearby street. “Officers are continuing to make further inquiries at this time and will remain at the scene as the investigation progresses. “There will be a significant presence of officers in this area of Caerphilly as inquiries continue.”
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
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Food sector warning of shortages this Christmas Food and hospitality bosses have warned MPs that there are “no guarantees” over Christmas deliveries and raised concerns about ‘acute’ warehouse staffing issues ahead of the key festive period. It came as members of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee questioned industry bosses over the impact of current labour shortages in the food sector and supply chain. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of trade body UKHospitality, told MPs, that the UK’s hospitality sector is currently seeing 10 per cent vacancy rates, representing a shortage of around 200,000 staff across the UK. She said firms in the sector have been hit by a “double whammy” of staff shortages within their own venues as well as shortages within their supply chains. Ms Nicholls said this therefore means hospitality operators will struggle to provide customers with the service they “would like” over the Christmas period.
Guarantees “I don’t think we can give the hospitality we would like to around Christmas because we would like to be operating at full strength and full capacity and not turning away business,” she said. “In our supply chain, we are getting around 80 per cent fulfilment. So, 20 per cent of all products in all deliveries are not being delivered and we can’t really say what it is. “Our supply chain cannot give us any guarantees at the moment about Christmas deliveries and that everything will be delivered at the right place, at the right time and at the right price.” The trade body boss added that cost inflation is also weighing on the sector but that many postponed Christmas bookings from last year might result hold off price increases for customers until after the festive season.
EMPTY SHELVES Consumers may find supermarkets running out of certain items
‘It is particularly in warehousing that we are concerned about at the moment’ She added: “You are going to see a really intense squeeze on margins in the run up to Christmas and then the inevitable impact that will be felt by consumers, is there will be significant cost inflation coming through the supply chain and coming through to consumers, most likely after Christmas. “But some businesses have said they are foreseeing three sets of price increases by April.”
Meanwhile, Tom Southall, policy director at the Cold Chain Federation, warned that warehouse staff shortages are a cause of concern ahead of Christmas. “It is particularly in warehousing that we are concerned about at the moment,” he said. “We are having reports from members that warehousing is becoming quite an acute issue in the run up to Christmas. “It’s a bit more tricky to understand shortage rates there, but between 10 per cent and 20 per cent are some of the figures we have been quoted there.” Speaking to the committee, Mr Southall also said he was not aware of any cold storage firms who have
been contacted by the Government since pledged to fund cold storage for meat in recent weeks. It comes after UK butchers sent pig carcasses to the EU for butchering before being re-imported due to the labour shortages. He said: “This time of year, cold storage is in demand and particularly last year was very full, as you can imagine with Christmas produce. “We are concerned about where than 15,000 tons of pork meat is going to go. “We’ve offered support, we have the support of our members but as it stands, we have no details of that scheme and how it will roll out.”
BoE’s Bitcoin to take four years THE potential introduction of an official version of cryptocurrency will have to wait for at least four years, the Bank of England has said. Officials said on Tuesday that it would launch a consultation on the introduction of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) next year. Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin have been highly successful in attracting investors that appreciate the anonymity and lack of centralised control over the virtual monetary systems. But it would take until at least 2025 for such a currency to be launched in the UK, the Treasury and Bank of England said. “The earliest date for launch of a UK CBDC would be in the second half of the decade,” they said.
And this will only happen if several other hurdles are cleared, including the consultation and a “research and exploration phase”. It is a “major national infrastructure project”, officials said in a statement, but would be
designed to exist alongside cash and bank deposits, rather than replacing them. The Bank’s deputy governor for financial stability, Jon Cunliffe, said: “The plan to publish a consultation next year on CBDC is a
crucial step in our policy development, especially as we further our thinking on the pressing issues at hand. “What it will do is provide a platform for interested parties and relevant groups to engage with the key questions on the merits of CBDC, and whether the public sector should advance to a development phase.” Economic secretary to the Treasury John Glen said: “This consultation will begin an open discussion on the role a UK central bank digital currency might play in the UK. “I’d encourage everyone to contribute to the discussion so we can explore the opportunities this could bring, as well as understanding risks it may pose.”
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Wednesday November 10 | 2021
EDUCATION Times How to grow your email list and be GDPR compliant When the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) came into force in the EU in May 2018, it meant that many email marketers had to rethink their way of building an email list. No longer could you just add someone to it; you now needed their explicit permission to send them marketing emails. Here, we look at how you can grow your email list and still be GDPR compliant. Double opt-in Customers must click on a link in an email to confirm that they wish to receive email and SMS marketing from you if they want to be included in your marketing database. An automatic confirmation email is sent to the email address entered by a customer when they subscribe to your online store through your website. Obtaining more engaged subscribers through double opt-in is mandated by law in some countries, and it is also considered a best practice when it comes to getting more engaged customers. Customers that sign up for your mailing list before you enable double opt-in will not need to validate their subscription status with you. Optimize your sign up formss Email sign-up forms must clearly explain what potential subscribers may expect from your marketing emails, how they will benefit from them, how their data will be processed and safeguarded, and what will happen to their data if they decide to unsubscribe. Pre-ticked checkboxes are not compliant with GDPR. Affirmative opt-in is all about ensuring that the recipient’s consent to receive advertising messages is clearly understood. Ensure you are offering them value in exchange Consumers now expect firms to provide them with value in exchange for providing them with their data in the post-GDPR world of marketing. Make it clear what people will receive from you if they subscribe to your email list. What benefit will they derive from becoming a subscriber?
Get in touch at simon.luck@hostmyoffice.co.uk or call on 01892 267200 today.
“In my experience, as a teacher and counsellor, bullying is a symptom of emotional distress”
Create a lead magnet Collecting email addresses through the creation of a calendar, how-to guide, or eBook is a good strategy. In exchange for marketing consent, make this content available for download. Run a giveaway Always ensure that a separate, clearly defined action that allows the participant to give consent is included in the contest, giveaway, or prize draw. This could be something as simple as checking a box. To ensure that consent is taken into consideration and is explicit, it should be requested separately from other inquiries and not bundled together with excessive terms and conditions as a whole. Do not attempt to perplex your viewers. It is counterproductive to have subscribers in your database who did not expect to be there, to begin with. Within your terms and conditions, you are not permitted to conceal entry requirements; one of which is being added to a mailing list. Doing so will simply serve to undermine your email marketing efforts.
By following these simple tips, you can keep your customers engaged without breaking GDPR. For help and support with your I.T. get in touch with Host My Office today.
Ahead of next week’s National Anti-Bullying Week which takes place from November 15-19, Leonora Langley, (pictured below) who is a former Bennett Memorial teacher, counsellor and author of ‘Let the Souls of Our Children Sing’ highlights an issue that she believes is endemic in our society… THE THEME of this year’s National Anti-Bullying Week, taking place from November 15 to 19th, is ‘One Kind Word’. This annual event aims to raise awareness of the bullying of children at school and elsewhere and to highlight ways of preventing and responding to it. I believe bullying is one of the most serious and widespread forms of distress that all children can be exposed to. We all know that, just like within society, classrooms are full of sarcasm, teasing and bantering at someone else’s expense. Since it has become a common means of communication, most of it is shrugged off as inconsequential but it isn’t. Constant taunting is bullying and, if it is not nipped in the bud, it can lead to victims underachieving academically, playing truant from school, running away from home, depression, eating disorders, self-harming and even suicide.
Respect In the last few years, we have seen a huge increase in the frequency and severity of bullying as a direct result of the rise in social media behind which bullies can operate in relative anonymity. Cyber bullying is any form of bullying which takes place online or through smartphones and tablets using social networking sites, messaging apps, gaming sites and chat rooms. In addition, children see powerful negative role models using aggressive behaviour in film, on television and play stations. These models glorify the negative values of physical prowess, bad language and
“In school, bullies often suffer from low selfesteem and self-hatred and can compensate for this by being in charge and control of a gang”
aggression - both male and female - who defeat their enemies by violent means. Instead of acknowledging bullying as a totally unacceptable form of behaviour, many adults, including some teachers, argue that it is part of human nature and that kids have to learn to deal with it as part of growing up. While none of it could be categorised as a criminal offence, the fact that it involves the use of aggression with the intent of hurting another person, it has to be regarded as abhorrent and very unkind behaviour. Bullying, which always involves an imbalance of power between the bully and the victim, takes three broad forms: physical, verbal and emotional. A fourth form, that takes on a menacing perspective involving demands of the victim by the bully, is less common. In my
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NEWS
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Local News
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
IMPORTANT GENERAL INFO By law, all schools must have measures in place to prevent bullying and teachers, pupils and parents should be told what that policy is. A school’s involvement in tackling bullying should not start at the point at which a child or student has been bullied. Good schools develop an ethos to prevent bullying happening in the first place. When bullying does occur, it is important for schools to respond promptly, support the bullied pupil and ensure that bullying does not happen again. www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk experience, as a teacher and counsellor, bullying is a symptom of emotional distress, certainly on the part of the bully and, sometimes, even on the part of the victim too. For both parties, it can be a subconscious cry for help. There seem to be several common characteristics that produce and typify bullies, most of which stem from family dynamics rather than social or economic considerations. Bullies are often bullied themselves at home and raised in a family which uses intimidation and sometimes violence as a means of control and not allowed to express their feelings and emotions safely. For both bully and victim, the ‘relationship’ between them can be an outlet for the suppressed feelings around the suffering and torment they may be experiencing at home. Children often ‘act out’ the relationship they have with their parents where they may have learnt to equate abusive attention with love. Consequently, there are some victims who seem to enjoy the attention bullying can engender, albeit negative, and others who switch from being bullies to victims, and vice versa, as if they are trying to experience and understand both sides of the equation. By ‘feeding off’ and ‘needing’ each other, there can be a dependency between bully and victim that needs to be understood and, hopefully, resolved.
Wednesday September 29 | 2021
Education
NEWS
17
“Bullying at school would be much easier to deal with if the onlookers were encouraged to report bullies as soon as they started their taunts” In school, bullies often suffer from low selfesteem and self-hatred and can compensate for this by being in charge and control of a gang. Behind a mask of self-confidence as a mean of self-control, they have a need to be bigger, stronger and more powerful than they feel inside. They are often quite unconscious of the reasons for their need to inflict pain on others as it is a shadow part of their being, an outlet for their suffering. Their victims can be a scapegoat, replacing the real perpetrator of their suffering on whom they cannot seek revenge without dire consequences. They may have a strong desire to pass on their pain and humiliation, this time as the victor rather than contain it as the victim. Some bullies seek revenge and attack someone who, like themselves, is vulnerable or suffers from ‘learned helplessness’ as a coping mechanism for their own sense of dereliction. In a state of denial, they will express and project their own feelings of vulnerability, insecurity and displaced anger onto another person.
Observe Bullying not only harms bullies and their victims but also bystanders (witnesses) who can be implicated when they fail to report an incident. Bullying at school would be much easier to deal with if the onlookers were encouraged to report bullies as soon as they started their taunts. A code of silence can lead to feelings of guilt about not intervening, anxiety because they might be the next victim and powerlessness, somewhat akin to survivor’s guilt. Bullies are mostly following the behaviour patterns they observe in their daily lives where
the ‘strong’ trample and triumph over the ‘weak’. Unless their behaviour is checked early on, young bullies will grow up to be big bullies and wreak havoc out in the world, at work and at home. If they have children they are likely to perpetuate the bullying cycle. Schools are increasingly aware of the need to offer specific lessons on the dynamics of bullying and nurture in children values such as tolerance and respect for each other, celebrate diversity, as well as provide emotional support for both bullies and victims. For more information on National Anti Bullying Week and details of where you can source support visit www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk
ARE YOU BEING BULLIED? If you think someone is bullying, you walk away. If you cannot walk away easily or if the bullying is causing you to feel sad tell someone you trust exactly what is happening. It might help if you write down what happened and how it made you feel. Write down the names of anyone who saw it happen then tell someone you trust exactly what happened and why you feel sad. If you are worried or frightened, or if the bullying is causing you to feel sad, call 0300 323 0169
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Weekly Comment
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Rowena Stanyer Tunbridge Wells Conservatives
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
Rowena Stanyer is a communication specialist and the Conservative party candidate for Bidborough and Speldhurst. She is also the daughter of former councillor Julian Stanyer who passed away in 2021.
Feeling unsafe is something most women consider standard fare ALTHOUGH I wasn’t born in Tunbridge Wells, I have spent the majority of my life here. I went to Langton Green Primary School and my very early memories are pretty idyllic on the whole; with time spent playing outside and socialising with friends who lived within a mile or so of each other. When it came to my teenage years there was a noticeable shift in energy. By now a TWGGS girl, we were essentially told that we were vulnerable and that no chances should be taken with regards to our personal safety. We were all given rape alarms, attended self-defence classes and even told that it would be wise to dress demurely. It was clear then, that the onus was on us to protect ourselves by taking ‘sensible precautions’ that inhibited our freedom.
Experience Feeling unsafe when travelling alone, particularly at night is something most women still consider standard fare. I can’t help but notice that in the 20 years since I was a teenager, not much has been done to improve our experience. The tension has been bubbling under the surface unaddressed until the murders of Sarah Everard, Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman
SCARED Women should feel safe on our streets metaphorically smacked all of us in the face. Why are women no further along when it comes to our safety? The roads that have never had lighting as long as I’ve lived here remain unlit, meaning that now that the clocks have changed I avoid walking down certain routes even though it’s only 4.30pm. This is totally ridiculous. Taking walks at dusk now feels risky and is something I’m no longer prepared to gamble. I
spoke to a number of neighbours and Tunbridge Wells residents who feel the same. One who had previously enjoyed an evening run no longer goes. Another said that her daughter had been assaulted in Calverley Grounds but that they were forced to drop the charges because of lack of CCTV and evidence capturing the event. The recent conviction of ‘Bedsit Murderer’, David Fuller has also sent shockwaves through
town residents, many of whom still remember the terror the murders created in 1987. So where is the help we desperately need? A new measure being discussed by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is an online safety reporting tool which allows women to identify areas where they feel particularly unsafe. The data will be used to see where the council should improve lighting or add additional CCTV. This is long overdue and a good first step in tackling the problem of women’s safety. The point is, it’s not just about being safe; It’s about feeling safe and it’s clear that at the moment the majority of us don’t. If I’m elected on November 25 in the by-election for Speldhurst and Bidborough this will be a key priority for me; addressing the needs of women who live in the town. Isn’t it time we had a councillor with first-hand experience, who can lobby on behalf of those who are woefully under-represented? I love the quote by Henrik Ibsen, ‘A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed’. If I am elected, I will push for action over hot air. I hope that you will support me and that it won’t take another 20 years to revolutionise basic safety standards for the women in our town who are too often scared, vulnerable and at risk.
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LOCAL NEWSPAPERS
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
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Letters
NEWS
19
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
RUFFLED FEATHERS Pigeons are causing mess in the town centre
Having just read your piece on ‘Protecting our rocks’ (Times November 3) has prompted me to write about another matter which has a detrimental effect on our environment. The pedestrian area around Calverley and the entrance to Royal Victoria Place is plagued by pigeons with the resulting mess on the pavements and seats. The situation is largely caused by or at least
made worse by the lady with the shopping trolley who walks around the town throwing feed on the ground which attracts flocks of pigeons. I have been tempted to ask her to stop doing this but am fearful of getting a reaction similar to that received by Simon Holden. Wynne Jones Tunbridge Wells
Help to trace relatives Please can anyone in the Tonbridge or Tunbridge Wells area help. I am trying to trace living relatives of RAF Sgt Gedge from Hove. His cousin was ELSIE GEDGE born in 1907. Elsie married Charles H. MARTIN in Tonbridge 1930 and they had one son John H MARTIN, born 1931 also in Tonbridge. In 1939 the Martin family lived at 38 Nelson St, Royal Tunbridge Wells. Charles was a Special Constable & Dairy manager… If you know of this family I would like to hear from you as I am trying to find a photograph of Sgt Gedge for a Memorial Service to be held later this year, in Holland, where Sgt Gedge is buried in a Commonwealth War Grave. Brenda Kelly Ex WRAF/ RAFA & RBL member Editor’s note: Please contact the Times if you have information that can help and we’ll put you in touch.
the environmental checks and balances would be far stricter in the UK than those overseas. There’s a smaller carbon footprint in its transport too: win-win, or what? Perhaps it was a sobering dash of real-politik that woke him from his Arcadian slumbers when our so-called friends in France threatened to cut off energy in the spat overfishing: if our friends threaten this, just think what our enemies will do. Just a further thought on the matter of oil and gas: if these are banned, the medical industry across the planet will cease to operate; medical science and practice is totally dependent on plastics. So, with all the cautionary enthusiasm I can muster, moderated by a cold shower of dispassionate disinterest, let’s get fracking! Edward Baker Tunbridge Wells
No candidate for Lib Dems It was a shame to see that the Liberal Democrats were unable to field a candidate for the upcoming by-election. Maybe this was the same reason they voted against all out elections. Just a thought. Aaron Brand Tunbridge Wells Fuel is close to home Well, that is surely as close to a seismic shift as we’ll get, a positive sea-change in rhetoric from the Green Party and Paul Stepto in his letter last week [Times, November 3] in which he recognises that, in the headlong rush to go green, we will have to continue to burn fossil fuels on the way and it is better to source them closer to home. How close? Mainland Britain, to me, is as close and as safe as you’ll get. And, as a previous writer stated,
MPs only rebel when it suits Last week’s shameful vote in the House of Commons demonstrates a number of things, not just how the lobbying system in this country is far too corruptible, but also just how poor the judgement of our local MPs is. Take Greg Clark. He was more than happy to be kicked out of the Westminster Party over Brexit – a well-principled stand. He also rebelled just the other week on not allowing companies such as Southern Water from dumping sewage into our seas – another principled stance. Yet when one of his colleagues is rightly fingered for breaching rules, rules and procedures he knew existed, what are voters to think when MPs like Mr Clark opt to toe the party line over such an issue. Is nobody in the Conservative party aware just how poor this looks? Regardless of his reasons for voting the way he did, and I hope this newspaper has asked what they were, he must have known how poorly it would look to his constituents – the people that put him where they are. Mr Clark may be principled on Brexit and principled on matters of environmentalism, but on the age-old problem of Tory sleaze, he has the same amount of principles as the rest of them. Namely none. Jeffrey Hever Hawkenbury
Fireworks are not fair on pets With Bonfire Night lighting up the skies on the November 5, our dogs were shaking with panic and fear. No matter how much we all love the fireworks, there are always people who take it too far by letting off fireworks past 11 o’clock, with many residents deciding to end their evening at a respectful time. For older residents like myself, the noise outside made bonfire night an evening to forget. Our dogs are our best friends and seeing them in panic with nothing we could do to help them besides breaks my heart. So why not consider other people and pet’s feelings and please think about buying noiseless fireworks which still are able to display a spectacle in the skies. Aiden Conner Tunbridge Wells Animals and climate change Climate change is headline news and is high on the political agenda, as the UK prepares to host the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November. But the devastating impact of environmental disasters on animals is almost completely overlooked. Climate change has hit the world’s poorest communities hardest of all and has left millions of working animals at severe threat from drought, flooding, cyclones, wildfires and other serious issues, such as plastic pollution. The spiralling crisis is sadly leading to the spread of disease, injury and loss of life on a massive scale. The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad [SPANA] is carrying out projects to provide water, food, lifesaving veterinary care and vaccinations to working animals in desperate need. Please visit spana.org/worldanimalday and help us to prevent suffering Linda Edwards SPANA
Been there, done that In councillor Hall’s 308-word tirade (Times November 3) in response to my small letter in the previous week’s edition she says that would like to see me under the sort of pressure that reading and scrutinizing long documents and spending days in discussion and argument about them places on councillors. For your information, Councillor Hall, I’ve been there and done that. In 1996 when Salomons changed ownership from the NHS to Canterbury Christ Church College (as it was then, University now) I sat on the staff side of the Joint Negotiating Committee as the Unison steward representing the lower echelons of the workforce. As for scrutiny, the final document was sent back for reprinted when our chair, with pen poised, noticed that the final full stop was missing. Those of us engaged in the negotiations to preserve jobs and benefits did not get any
We do our best to publish letters in full. However, the Editor reserves the right to edit any letter. Please ensure that letters do not exceed 250 words
PEPPY SAYS
CARTOON BY PEPPY: (Follow her on Twitter @Peppyscott)
Our town centre also needs protection
extra pay for that work and still had our normal workload to cope with. As for priding themselves on all the new houses they are going to building this already overdeveloped corner of England, when is her party going to increase the already overstretched facilities such as healthcare, water supply and sewage treatment to cope with the massive influx she foresees? Victor Bethell Tunbridge Wells
Christmas Menu 2021
Goats Cheese, Melon and Beetroot Salad with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds and a Honey & Balsamic Dressing Seafood Bisque topped with Croutons served with a Saffron Aioli and Crusty Sour Dough Bread Lamb, Pea and Mint Croquettes served with Tzatziki and Dressed Leaves Smoked Salmon and Spinach Mousse served with a Lemon & Lime Dressing and Melba Toast 'Bayham Estate' Venison Brochette served with an Apple & Blackberry Chutney and Toasted Sour Dough
✼✼✼✼✼✼ Turkey, Parma Ham & Emmental Parcel with Dauphinoise Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables and a White Onion Sauce Rainbow Chard, Spinach & Red Lentil Stirfry served with Saffron Rice, Piccalilli and a Garlic & Coriander Flat Bread Medallions of Pork Fillet with Prunes & Kentish Blue Cheese served with a Rosti Potato and Seasoned Spinach 8oz Rib-Eye Steak served with a Field Mushroom, Grilled Tomato, Hand Cut Chips and a Green Peppercorn Sauce Baked Salmon Tail served with New Potatoes, Pak Choi and an Olive, Lemon and Tomato Butter
✼✼✼✼✼✼ Baked Lemon Tart served with a Raspberry Sorbet Profiteroles filled with a Baileys & Almond Cream with Chocolate Sauce Baked Fruits of the Forest Cheesecake served with a Mango Coulis Christmas Pudding topped with Brandy Butter with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Kent & Sussex Cheese Selection served with Walnut & Raisin Bread
2 Courses £29.00 3 Courses £33.00
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
Life&Times
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Tuning up . . .
Tonbridge Philharmonic Orchestra returns to performing live P30
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Homes & Interiors
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
5 basic design principles for creating a beautiful modern home – whatever your budget might be
Homes & Interiors
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
23
Design guru Matt Gibberd tells interiors writer Lisa Salmon why using space, light, materials, nature and decoration cleverly will all help make a home look gorgeous
H
AVING a beautiful home has never felt more important than during the past 18 months when we’ve been forced to spend more time inside our own four walls – and you may have longed to transform yours into a beautiful modern living space. But if a lack of know-how or limited finances held you back, it’s not too late to get started. For design guru Matt Gibberd insists it can be easy to create a gorgeous home without spending a fortune, just by implementing five simple design principles. “If you ask me, a Palladian villa, for example, has the same sensibility as a masterpiece of the modernist era, and has been designed according to the same set of timeless principles,” he says. “A simple way to think of these principles is to distil them into five categories – space, light, materials, nature and decoration. “Paying careful consideration to each of these will allow you to create a home that’s beautiful, supportive and inspiring, regardless of scale or budget.” Gibberd, who is a founding director of the design-led estate agency The Modern House, has just written the book A Modern Way to Live, in which he outlines the five principles and how to best use them to create a beautiful home. Here he gives us a taste of exactly how to do it… 1. SPACE Gibberd explains that when a home combines both space and “refuge” areas it can help make occupants feel settled. He suggests: “Try to create an open and bright space for socialising, and a womb-like space for retreating and sleeping. Even in a studio flat, creating different zones using a curtain, sliding partition or bookcase on castors can greatly enhance the experience of occupying the space.” You can create the illusion of space with mirrors and reflective surfaces, he says, by using natural niches for built-in cupboards, and continuing the same material from inside to out. Consider re-hanging doors the other way around to open up rooms, and place radiators beneath windows to free-up valuable wall space for furniture. And don’t forget the kitchen! Gibberd advises homeowners to think of the kitchen as a collection of pieces of furniture rather than a set of units, and to avoid wall cupboards if possible, as the space above them becomes redundant. And instead of a freestanding fridge-freezer, consider a pair of under-counter refrigerators
“If you ask me, a Palladian villa, for example, has the same sensibility as a masterpiece of the modernist era, and has been designed according to the same set of timeless principles” side-by-side. And then there’s the bin… “A free-standing dustbin hangs around the kitchen like a foul-smelling Dalek, tripping people up and overflowing with the remains of yesterday’s dinner,” declares Gibberd. “Try to build in the rubbish solutions – the space beneath the sink is always a useful spot for food waste, for example.” 2. LIGHT Gibberd says it’s better to consider fixed glazing with a conventional door alongside, rather than bifold doors. “A picture window – free of obtrusive handles and mechanisms – does a better job of framing the views and looks more beautiful because the structural supports are hidden,” he explains. He suggests avoiding Roman blinds and pelmets, and hanging curtains from extra-wide poles so they can be pulled back to reveal the full window. And think about how the light moves around your home. “Sitting areas benefit from the enhanced light of a south-facing window,” explains Gibberd, “whereas parts of the home that are seldom used, such as utility rooms, are best placed on the northern side. The eastern side is ideal for sleeping, and dining spaces work well on the western side, where they capture the radiant embers of the day.” If your home has more than one level, he suggests thinking about inverting the layout. “You might never get used to the idea of declaring ‘I’m going downstairs to bed’,” he admits, “but in most other respects it makes a lot of sense, unlocking the light and views for the living spaces, and using the naturally darker areas lower down the building for sleeping.” But although light is crucial for a home, Gibberd says householders shouldn’t be afraid of the dark either. “Without areas of contrast, our homes would be one-dimensional and
monotonous,” he explains. “If you walk down a shadowy corridor, for example, when you arrive at a sun-soaked space it feels all the more bright and uplifting.” And on a brighter note, Gibberd says that if you can look straight into the filament of a lightbulb then it’s probably in the wrong place. “Shun ceiling lights in favour of task lighting, wall sconces and plug-in lamps that provide a gentler glow and better promote the circadian rhythm,” he suggests. 3. MATERIALS Gibberd says householders should think carefully about the things they come into physical contact with every day, including light switches, door handles or kitchen worktops. “Are these as tactile as they should be?” he asks, pointing out that natural materials will always age more gracefully than man-made plastics and laminates. “Try to preserve original materials wherever possible, as they tell the individual story of a building and induce less anxiety than new ones,” he advises. Gibberd suggests living in a home for at least a year before making any changes. “For example, that wooden floor you thought was a bit beaten-up when you moved in might start to take on some significance – its warmth beneath bare feet, or its ability to absorb the comings and goings of daily life.” Natural materials like marble and glazed tiles have a gentle sheen and are easy to keep clean, he says, and clay is a moisture-absorbing alternative to conventional plaster. It’s also worth thinking about the environmental impact of the materials you use, he says, pointing out that cork, for example, is naturally regenerative because the tree grows back its bark, and farms provide some excellent sources of eco-friendly insulation, including sheep’s wool and straw bales. 4. NATURE View this post on InstagramA post shared by Matt Gibberd (@matt_gibberd) A connection to nature is vital for wellbeing, so even those who are looking for somewhere to live in a city should try to find a flat that overlooks a communal garden, or has deep window ledges that can hold plants, suggests Gibberd. If you’re lucky enough to have outdoor space, he suggests combining borders of shrubs and flowers with decking, compacted gravel, flint, stone setts or herringbones of brick. And inside, stock up on the greenery. “Indoor plants positively impact our wellbeing, lowering blood pressure and increasing attentiveness, but they can also serve a practical purpose, helping to demarcate space, provide screening, absorb sound or add a flourish to an unremarkable room,” says Gibberd. He suggests putting shells, pebbles and pinecones on the mantelpiece, using naturallooking paint colours, and hanging landscape paintings and photographs on walls.
5. DECORATION Instead of fitted carpets, Gibberd suggests trying loose-laid natural floor coverings such as sisal and jute, with a gap between the edging and the wall. Use rugs in layers and let them fill the natural spaces between furniture. And to avoid making an interior feel onedimensional, he says it can be a good idea to mix furniture and objects from different eras and places. “Rather than putting a set of matching chairs around the kitchen table, for example, throw a bench or a wobbly Windsor chair into the mix,” he suggests. “Surround yourself with the objects that have the most meaning to you personally and tell the story of your life – family heirlooms, or things that remind you of a particular holiday or experience.” He advises householders to avoid using a flat screen TV as a room’s centrepiece, and instead organise furniture traditionally around the hearth. Group furniture and objects together in odd numbers, he says, explaining: “If things are arranged asymmetrically, the eye is forced to move around them to fully absorb what it sees.” And you may need to rethink the way your pictures are hung, he warns. “The most common mistake is to place them too high,” he points out. “My advice is to use your eye to find what feels like the right place instinctively, then take it down by six inches.” And finally, he adds: “When choosing what to buy for your home, try to follow your instincts rather than any preconceived notions about what constitutes good taste. Many of the best things have not been celebrated on Instagram, can’t be found in textbooks, and don’t cost a great deal. Often they have an accidental beauty that’s the result of fulfilling utilitarian needs.” A Modern Way to Live by Matt Gibberd is published by Penguin Life, priced £25.
SALOMONS CHRISTMAS DINNER AT HOME
Christmas Day Hamper Christmas Day Lunch prepared by our Executive Chef, delivered fresh to your door, from just
£23.33 per person
The stress free and tasty option for a Christmas feast at home! A delicious 2 or 3 course traditional family Christmas lunch, for 6 people, supplied ready dressed and prepared for you to easily cook and serve at home. Each course is supplied ready to cook with easy to follow instructions, leaving you to simply, serve and enjoy.
Starter
Buttered Free Range Turkey Breast with Sage Fluffy Duck Fat Roast Potatoes Honey Glazed Parsnips Streaky Bacon Chipolatas Cranberry Sage Onion Stuffing
COUNTRY HOUSE
£180
for 3 courses for 6 people
Collection from Salomons Estate or delivery* within a 5 mile radius on 24th December from 9am to 5pm. *Delivery is an additional £10.
Menu
Smoked Salmon, Dill Pickled Cucumber, Lime Crème Fraiche with a Rye Loaf
Main
£140
for 2 courses for 6 people
Broccoli Cauliflower Cheese Bake Buttered Chantenay Carrots Braised Red Cabbage Brussel Sprouts with Bacon Lardons Turkey Jus, Cranberry Sauce
Dessert
Christmas Pudding Brandy Vanilla Sauce
To book please email reservations@salomons-estate.com call 01892 515152 or visit www.salomons-estate.com
Property News
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
25
Tunbridge Wells houses earning £15,000 a year as Kent properties outperform UK
Property Focus
By Richard Williams HOMES in Tunbridge Wells have increased in value by £75,000 over the last five years, while house prices in Kent are outperforming the UK and rest of the South East, a new report has found. According to the 30th edition of the Kent Property Market Report, released last week by Caxtons Chartered Surveyors, Kent County Council and Locate in Kent, property prices across the county have increased by 5.8 per cent over the last 12 months.
Expensive The highest rates of growth of 6.7 per cent were experienced in Canterbury and Dover, where average house prices reached £327,500 and £266,800 respectively. At an average price of £490,000 Sevenoaks continues to be the most expensive place to live in Kent, with the most competitive being Medway with an average of £258,700. In Tunbridge Wells, the average house price is now at £422,100, according to Caxtons, who used to figures calculated by Zoopla for its report, which means homes in the Borough have risen 6.0 per cent over the last 12 months and have seen a growth of 17.6 per cent over the last five years. Ron Roser, Chairman of Caxtons, which has offices across Kent, said: “The pandemic has had an unexpected, but positive, impact on the Kent residential market. On average, prices in Kent rose by nearly six per cent by the end of the second quarter, well ahead of 2020 levels. “As a result, the gap in values between Kent and the rest of the South East has Location Ashford Canterbury Dartford Dover Folkestone & Hythe Gravesham Maidstone Medway Sevenoaks Swale Thanet Tonbridge & Malling Tunbridge Wells
5 year cumulative change
narrowed, but the county remains, on average, a relatively more affordable location than the home counties as a whole.” Roger Gough, Leader of Kent County Council, added: “The strength of the housing market over the last 18 months has been one of the more unexpected outcomes of this difficult pandemic period. “The acceleration of home working has refocused families and businesses. It has the potential to strengthen local communities and economies and this is a positive consequence from a dreadful 5 year annual average growth 3.4% 4.2% 2.5% 4.2% 3.3% 2.6% 3.1% 3.1% 3.4% 3.2% 4.1% 3.4% 3.3%
18.3% 22.7% 13.0% 23.1% 17.8% 13.7% 16.6% 16.6% 18.1% 16.9% 22.2% 18.2% 17.6%
12 month change
Average house price
6.2% 6.7% 4.0% 6.7% 6.0% 4.4% 5.0% 5.0% 6.2% 5.1% 6.4% 6.2% 6.0%
£314,000 £327,500 £325,300 £266,800 £275,500 £300,900 £316,100 £258,700 £490,000 £265,300 £260,200 £389,600 £422,100
Source: Zoopla
period. The prospect of a reinvigorated focus on community provides a solid springboard for the new villages being created across the county, which will be so important to Kent’s future economic development.” The report suggests that the first anxious months of lockdown and construction site closures are now a distant memory in the market and the end of the Stamp Duty holiday earlier this summer presented some concern, but the market has continued to thrive.
Restrictions With a shortage of properties for sale, the new homes sector has seen frantic levels of activity in many areas. While homebuyers continue to focus on houses, affordability has driven pragmatism in a challenging market: younger buyers are more comfortable with city or town centre flats, particularly as pandemic restrictions have subsided and the benefits of urban living have returned. With buyers demanding greater space in terms of gardens and separate work areas, there has been an increase in demand for – and prices of – homes in Kent. Compared with the South East average, the county remains more affordable in relative terms, although this disparity has narrowed.
Price growth has been driven in parts of the county by existing and in-mover households seeking homes in a market with a dearth of supply. The commuter districts of Dartford and Gravesham saw a relatively slower pace of growth, although this follows strong price increases in the years prior to the pandemic. High levels of sale combined with price growth have brought forward the construction of some new-build sites and phases of longer-term residential schemes. With depleted stocks, housebuilders are seeking to replenish land banks, driving up land values across the county, and focusing on sites with the benefit of planning, particularly for houses. The report was unveiled on November 4 to more than 300 guests at a virtual event, which included keynote speeches by Cathy Parker, Co-Chair of Manchester Metropolitan University and Research Lead for High Streets Task Force, and Lisa Carlson, Chair of the Association of Town & City Management. The Kent Property Market Report is supported by Cripps Pemberton Greenish, DHA Planning, Hollaway Studio, MHA Macintyre Hudson and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). For further information on the 2021 Kent Property Market Report visit: kentpropertymarket.com
Estate agents amongst lowest paid professionals ESTATE agents earn one of the lowest basic salaries of all sales professions, research has found. Just insurance, retail and telesales see a lower level of guaranteed pay than those working in property sales, according to analysis by Nested. The national estate agent chain analysed the base salary, excluding commission, of 12 of the most common sales professions and found that on average, the basic take-home pay is £26,338. However, estate agents earn a base salary of just £24,817, 6 per cent less than the average. Just three sales professions offer up a lower rate of basic income compared to estate agency. Insurance sales agents earn an average of £24,372, while retail sales executives
earn just 323,415. At £21,323, telesales representatives earn the lowest basic salary of all sales professions. When it comes to the highest earnings sales professions, pharmaceutical sales reps sit top of the table. On average, the guaranteed income of a pharmaceutical representative is £35,228 – 42 per cent higher than the average estate agent.
Commercial Advertising sales reps (£30,638) and car sales execs (£30,312) also pocket a guaranteed annual income of more than £30,000. Alice Bullard of Nested, said: “Sales roles are generally commission-based and while the earning potential can be high, basic salaries are fairly low, particularly if you’re an estate agent.
“When you couple this with the fact that estate agents only pocket a small slice of the fee charged to home sellers, it’s fair to say they are probably underpaid given the vital role they play in such a momentous stage in people’s lives.
“Of course, the perceived security that comes via employment is enough for some, but it’s no wonder that so many are adopting the self-employed business model in order to significantly boost their income potential.”
Arts & Antiques
antiques
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
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Golden age of empire Alexander Pushkin, of Pushkin Antiques in Tunbridge Wells High Street, talks about the arts and antiques that became popular during colonial times... “The Muses, still with freedom found, Shall to thy happy coast repair; Blest Isle! With matchless beauty crown’d, And manly hearts to guard the fair. “Rule, Britannia! rule the waves: “Britons never will be slaves.” Rule, Britannia!, James Thomson
I
N THE previous articles we have seen how tourism quickly developed during the 19th Century, thanks to the recent transport innovations and in particular, with the advent of railroads and steamships. Still bound to the previous century’s fashion and style, a fresh and new curiosity toward the exotic and unfamiliar of the Orient was developing throughout Europe. The art from the Far East was considered by many to be pure and unspoiled by the advent of industrialisation and mass production. This interest - evidently connected to the flourishing of trade with the East and the rise and golden age of the British Empire – developed in sciences, literature,
Indian Silver Collectible items emerged from the colonies
government took direct control of the Indian territories. Although in the first years of the Raj, British colonials were relatively indifferent to the native art traditions, in the latter years of the 19th century the fusion of European styles with Indian traditions became more evident and floral patterns, GOLDEN AGE: The British Empire covered a fifth of the world exotic animals, folklore and religious scenes gained fashion and art. During the 19th century the Empire included over 14 million square popularity, creating a unique hybrid between form and decoration. miles of territory and 450 million people. Oomersi Mawji was one of the first It included more than a quarter of Indian native silversmiths to introduce the world’s population and as the the traditional motifs of his own region, Scottish writer John the Kutch district in Western India. In his Wilson said, artworks it is possible to recognise Western ‘the sun never forms and shapes generally decorated in sets on the the Indian Kutch style. British Empire’. Europeans immediately loved the exotic Although taste of his creations and his pieces relations with India became extremely sought after amongst were strong since the British elite. They could experience a the 17th century, taste of the exotic while sticking to their it was in 1858 traditional objects and shapes, epitomised that the British
Founded Towards the end of the 19th Century, the rising nationalism sparked a new interest in genuine Indian art and style. Decorations representing religious processions, Hindu gods and goddesses, and inspired by the ornaments of famous temples became quite in vogue. They were particular to a specific area in the South of India, the city of Madras, now called Chennai. This style became very popular also among the British colonials and was in fact pioneered by an English company, P. Orr & Sons, founded in 1848 by Peter Orr a watchmaker originally from Edinburgh. Pieces by these artists were displayed at the Universal Exhibitions of London and Paris, contributing to glorification of the British Empire, to show its grandeur and highlight its unrivalled power on the world stage.
y t da en ur m at nt o S pm oi y t .30 pp da 5 A es – by Tu m ay n 0a d pe .3 on O 9 M & ay nd Su
TUNBRIDGE WELLS FURNITURE & COLLECTABLES
by this superb tea set, modelled as Black francolins standing on snakes as pictured. The firm’s artworks were appreciated all over Europe and in 1889 Oomersi Mawji was invited to participate in the ‘Exposition Universelle’ in Paris, where for the first time Indian Art became popular in the West.
Quality new and preloved furniture and accessories
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Home Accessories Personalised Gifts Jewellery Splashbacks Installations Bespoke Commissions
Occasional Chair Bronze/gold silk with dark wood legs. Excellent condition £750
Michal Aram Water jug & ice bucket RRP in excess of £500. Our price £220.
Hand painted vase Coral & White handpainted design RRP £165. Our price £100
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Arts & Antiques
antiques
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Wednesday November 10 | 2021
Through the looking glass
TV antiques expert Eric Knowles from the The Hoard at The Corn Exchange talks about how they are celebrating glassware craftsman René Lalique ...
F
OR THOSE of you who have not yet had the opportunity to visit my new venture down in The Corn Exchange on The Pantiles, here’s an invitation for you to do just that – and to indulge my personal fascination with the fantastic art glass made by René Lalique at the same time.
Display On the evening of Thursday November 18, I’ll be hosting and presenting a talk on that very subject and would be delighted if you could attend. There’s a minimal cost of just £10.00 per person, to cover admission and some light refreshments – perhaps a glass of wine or two. I should be able to wax lyrical about Lalique’s wares for a couple of hours or so, with a bit of history, a look at the manufacturing processes used and a chance for you to get up close and personal with some of the sublime items that we already have on display in our sales room. In addition, we will also be joined by the inimitable Frederick Fischer, the Managing Director of Lalique’s UK operations, and an ebullient and captivating advocate of his company’s wares who shares my enthusiasm for the works of art he is charged with promoting. He’s a real character and
will make for an engaging experience. Our soiree will get underway at around 7:00pm, with some initial time for conviviality and sharing of sweetmeats and comestibles before getting down to business. If you would like to attend, could I ask if you would please be kind enough to book in advance as spaces are somewhat limited; this may be done via our website at https://scotant. uk/EricLalique (all safe and secure, as this links to the long-established eCommerce site which underpins our venture in Tunbridge Wells).
‘For those that may be unfamiliar with Lalique’s work, the pieces go far beyond what you might term ‘normal’ glassware For those that may be unfamiliar with Lalique’s work, the pieces go far beyond what you might term ‘normal’ glassware. They’re moulded and polished in a broadly conventional manner, but there is infinite care and attention given to the nature of the glass which is used, its opacity, its lustre – even its texture – so that the chosen subject matter is more
holistically replicated than mere casting can achieve; feathers, fish scales, fruit and even human skin are all rendered in a rich, immersive manner – and the interaction with changing light throughout the course of the day can add and reveal further complexities and subtleties. It’s these almost sensual properties which first enraptured me when I encountered Lalique’s work when starting out in the antiques trade, and I remain a devotee in to my sixth decade of adherence to the cause.
Essence It may sound as if the works of the great man were created with a critical eye for detail, but that’s not strictly speaking true. Instead – and this is where the real artistic merit can be evidenced – the essence of the subject matter is defined and represented with a degree of simplicity which evokes an almost abstract use of ‘less is more’, resulting in understated pieces that suggest and imply rather than just presenting an entirely realistic replica of the subject. I’ve no hesitation in appending the epithet of genius to René Lalique’s name. So, don’t forget, Thursday November 18, at the Corn Exchange – it’ll be a pleasure to meet you!
HANDLE WITH CARE Eric with a vase by Lalique
Arts & Antiques
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
The pick of the lot ...
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Joseph Trinder
Gorringe’s Joseph Trinder reveals information about some of the items that have recently gone under the hammer at their saleroom
T
HIS week’s pick of objects from our upcoming November 15th weekly sale starts with lot 14, a piece of furniture of spectacular colour and proportions. An 18th century and later featherbanded walnut chest of four graduating long drawers raised on bracket supports. Lot 1093 gives the opportunity to add a little style to your home office in the form of a late Victorian satinwood kneehole desk. Of
economical proportions, this high-quality piece will fit neatly into a modern home. Unlike today’s flat-pack equivalent, this fellow comes with a beautiful colouhis very attractive time piece is estimated to fetch £150 - £250 – surely a more satisfying way of checking the time than glancing at a smartphone screen.
exteriors, these plaques were not merely decorative – they denoted the hosting property as protected by a specific municipal fire service, before the state-wide protection we rely on today. Later, they became used more as advertisements for membership of particular associations. Emblems of another era, they have become collectable in their variety of forms, materials and areas of origin. This particular example in copper with a gilded / polished finish stands at 24cm high and is estimated to sell for within £100.
Beauty
STILL LIFE: A painting by Raymond Campbell
As easy as it is to write about the beauty, quality and practicality of this piece, I invite you once more to consider the ecological benefits of antiques such as this which go on to transcend their vast aesthetic appeal. At a time when the world’s leaders are grappling with our efforts to grasp and reverse climate change at a societal level, I renew the call to readers to consider personal choices when it comes to the objects we spend every day using – the choice of an antique is a choice for no further emissions, deforestation or other harmful side effects that modern mass-produced goods wreak on both the human and the natural world. Buying antique is a very achievable way of ‘doing your bit’ in our collective efforts to turn the tide. With an estimate of £400-600 – a lifetime of quality and a clean conscience really
TIMEPIECE Gothic carriage clock
FEATHERBANDED A walnut chest isn’t that expensive! One of my favourite names in the world of decorative glass is Monart. Made in the Scottish Moncrieff glassworks from the early to mid-20th century by the Spanish artist Salvador Ysart and his sons, their familiar mottled designs are instantly recognisable and have become heavily collectible over recent years. At just 20cm high, lot 255 is a rich, warm amber coloured example which will bring a ray of sunshine to any interior as we venture deeper into the winter months Lot 460 reflects a rather unusual and historic collectable field. A Yorkshire insurance plaque, dated 1824. Once a common sight on building
Tantalise An artist whose work never fails to catch my eye is the contemporary British painter, Raymond Campbell. Born in 1956, He captures opulent still life studies, bristling with sumptuous bottles of wine, fruits and cheeses. Sufficiently naturalistic to tantalise the taste buds, this example, titled ‘Nuits St Georges, Clos de la Roche’ is a quintessential example of Campbell’s work. Estimated at £400-600 it could well do more. Works by this British artist now coined the ‘modern master of the still life’, Campbell’s studies have climbed in value in the auction world over recent years - it is logical to suggest that pieces such as this may well be a good investment for the future, as well as a beautiful addition to your interior this winter.
Wood works The compact kneehole desk
Eat. Drink. Stay. Enjoy. We can cater for Christmas Parties of up A charming family run pub, with six
to 20 people. So whether you’re coming with
Tel: 01892 618854
beautiful boutique bedrooms,
colleagues, family or friends we would love to
Email: hello@themountedgcumbe.com
hidden amongst the woodland of The Common in Tunbridge Wells.
help you get into the festive spirit, with
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crackers, prosecco and of course turkey!
XMAS
2021
Arts
arts
30
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
Hitting all the right notes for a musical comeback...
November 20 will see the first live concert by Tonbridge Philharmonic Society since the pandemic began. Taking place in the historic chapel at Tonbridge School it will feature the orchestra’s new music director Naomi Butcher – the first female in the society’s history. Here she tells the Times more about event . . .
L
IKE so many organisations, Tonbridge Philharmonic Society had to operate solely online during the 2020-21 season because of the Covid crisis. But the good news is its new season – the delayed 75th incidentally - is finally launching on November 20 when the orchestra will be performing at Tonbridge School’s chapel.
Exciting The evening will feature Naomi Butcher who is in fact the first female conductor in the society’s history. According to a Tonbridge Philharmonic Society spokesperson Naomi has made a ‘fantastic start’ with rehearsals for the society’s first concert post-pandemic. They go on to say the evening will be half a choral and half an orchestral concert with an upbeat programme featuring Parry’s ‘I was Glad’, Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’, Fanny Mendelssohn’s ‘Overture in C’ and Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 (Scottish).
Here we find out what Naomi is looking forward to about her debut performance and how the orchestra is tuning up for its first live concert in nearly two years…..
“Both the choir and orchestra are so responsive to direction and incredibly musically disciplined – it’s an amazing starting point for working on repertoire together!” What has been the most exciting thing about preparing for your first concert with Tonbridge Philharmonic Society (TPS)? Working with a new group is always exciting – it’s a fun (and important!) part of conducting, learning how the ensembles work together and respond to direction, and I’ve especially enjoyed that process with TPS. Both the choir and orchestra are so responsive to direction and
NEW ROLE Naomi Butcher
Arts
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
finish. And of course, the Fanny Mendelssohn Overture!
PITCH PERFECT Tonbridge Philharmonic
The Fanny Mendelssohn Overture is an unusual choice. Are you planning to programme more works featuring female composers during your tenure? Absolutely. The Fanny Mendelssohn Overture is such a tuneful and stylistic piece, there is no doubt in my mind that if it had been written by her brother it would be one of the classical overtures in the canon. Works by female composers have too long been overlooked in favour of their more mainstream, male-written counterparts, and budding female composers deserve to see themselves reflected in the programming of whichever orchestra they happen to come across!
incredibly musically disciplined – what an amazing starting point for working on repertoire together!
bad thing, and we will get a taste of the joint forces of the society when the choir are joined by a chamber orchestra for Vivaldi’s Gloria.
The programme is half choral and half orchestral. Was this to avoid having too many people together on stage, or to help re-establish skills after a long absence? To be honest it was a decision that was basically out of my hands. Not knowing what restrictions were going to look like at this stage really meant that it wasn’t an option to programme a large-scale choral and orchestral work, and, understandably so, there would have been many members of the society who may have felt uncomfortable suddenly being in such close quarters with so many people.
How did you go about choosing your first concert programme for TPS? For the choir, it was really important that all the singers had a chance to get used to singing together again without having to worry too much about learning extremely complicated repertoire. They hadn’t sung together for a year and a half, so we felt that choosing an accessible work that many of the members would have already sung would be the right way to go, and it has worked!
What are the positives of putting this type of dual concert on? Doing it this way has given us the flexibility to socially distance as much as we need to. However, the fact that each part of the society is able to present a mini-programme all of their own as part of the same concert is certainly not a
Which conductors have been key influences for you in your music career to date? So many: I have admired the career of Nicholas Collon for many years, especially for his approach to innovative outreach work that doesn’t compromise on quality. Marin Alsop has
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“Works by female composers have too long been overlooked in favour of their more mainstream, male-written counterparts” also been a huge influence, and watching her take a rehearsal of the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story in 2019 was a pivotal moment for me. In terms of my personal experience, Mark Griffiths is a choral conductor who I sang under as a teenager, whose voice I still consistently hear in my head when leading choir rehearsals myself. And, of course, my conducting professor and mentor David Corkhill continually influences and inspires me. The Tonbridge Philharmonic Society perform their first concert on November 20 at 7.30pm at Tonbridge School. For ticket information visit www.tonphil.org.uk
How are the singers and musicians sounding? They are sounding fantastic on the Vivaldi, particularly in the magnificent space of the chapel. For the orchestra, it was important for us to find a large enough work that all the players had something to really showcase their skills again in performance. Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony has everything: catchy tunes, a sentimental third movement and a rousing
Trinity’s director films indie group’s new single at theatre Trinity Theatre’s new Artistic Director Sean Turner is busy preparing for the venue’s first Christmas show, The Prince and the Pauper, under his tenureship. But he’s also found the time to co-direct a brand new music video with indie group Foals (pictured right). Here Sean tells Eileen Leahy how he came to shoot their new single called Wake Me Up came at Trinity Theatre in just one day ... So Sean let's start with you telling us how you came to co-direct the new Foals music video? Jack Bevan, Foals’ drummer got in touch with me via Twitter believe it or not! The power of social media... Have you worked with the band before? No, but Jack and I knew each other as kids so there was a link. I had met Yannis (the lead singer) a few times as a youngster too, and obviously I’ve followed all their musical successes. The indie band all came and shot the video at
SEAN TURNER
Trinity - how did that all go? It was mad! So much fun but really busy. The team at Trinity were incredible in making it happen - particularly our technical staff Harry Palmer and Bradley Rushmer who worked like Trojans throughout. When did they come to film and how long did it all take? We filmed it last month so it has been quite a quick turn around. It was just one day of rehearsals with the cast, and then one (very long) shoot day. It was really an incredible effort to get it all done in the timeframe. And I’d be lying if I said there weren’t a few rushed moments! The Wake Me Up video is all about celebrating live performance why do you think the band wanted to do this? I think we all, as artists, have missed the thrill of live performances so much that it felt like the perfect thing for us all to do. I am really grateful to the band for appreciating what a difficult time this has been for theatre as well as music. I think we all recognise how vital audiences are to the work we do and so there is something really powerful about the auditorium being empty in the music video. Are the dancers in the video local to the area? They are from all over the place. The dancers were just brilliant and worked so hard. We looked for actors who could move rather than pure dancers as we really wanted to try and tell a
MEET THE BAND Foals shot Wake Me Up at Trinity Theatre story through movement. Most of them were people myself or the movement director had worked with before and some of them were even still in training! How has the video been received so far? It’s going down well I think. I’ve had some lovely comments from friends and fans of Foals. The band are happy and I am really proud of the work. Most importantly, Trinity looks amazing! Is this the first time you've directed a music video? This is the first time I’ve worked in the medium of film at all! It was a real learning curve. I am very grateful for Dave East who was my co-director and works only in film for being so patient with me. I think it was a lot of fun for both of us learning about how each other work and the differences of our art forms. I like to
think we are both better directors for the experience. I know I am. What did you enjoy most about being involved in the project? The collaboration. That’s pretty much always my answer. Working with other artists is what it is all about. There was a terrific intersection of art, music, dance, film and theatre. It’s kind of what Trinity is all about really. Is this a sign of what’s to come under your watch at Trinity? Sure! It’s all about making our own work and getting Trinity’s name out into the wider world for the good of our region. I will shortly be announcing the Spring season at Trinity which will feel quite different to what people are used to from us and this feels like an exciting start to all that.
Food & Culture
food
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“A wonderfully relaxed and welcoming experience awaits you at this hotel….”
Following the news that the family-run Mount Edgcumbe Hotel is the only local establishment to make it into The Good Hotel Guide for 2022, Richard Williams decided to experience this charming restaurant with rooms’ hospitality first hand . . .
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LINK and you can quite easily miss the entrance to Mount Edgcumbe on Mount Ephraim in Tunbridge Wells. And that would be an incredible shame as it one of the town’s best kept secrets. The Grade II listed family-run hotel, restaurant and bar - which even boasts its own cave - sits nestled in Tunbridge Wells Common. Surrounded by greenery and the distinctive sandstone rocks that make this area of the High Weald such a draw for visitors, you can easily forget you are just a five-minute walk away from Tunbridge Wells town centre and the vibrancy of places such as The Pantiles.
Sleep This charming bijou hotel – technically a bed & breakfast due to it not having 24-hour service – is an absolute Georgian gem. The rooms match the standards of the town’s other top accommodation, being beautifully presented, clean, spacious, with every amenity the modern traveller expects, including air conditioning, TV, power shower—and in the room we stayed in—an ornamental bath that looks out over
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THE PLACE TO BE The Mount Edgcumbe Hotel in the Common
Food & Culture
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
the idyllic scenery. Yet, the distinctive touches, ranging from the quirky animal-themed objects d’art to the choice of décor, adds a character and charm that is all too often lacking in even the best establishments, and is only made possible by this hotel being a family-run affair. You would also be hard-pressed to find a friendlier and warmer team. Headed up by general manager Valentin Ostafi, the staff seem to take great efforts and pride in ensuring your stay is as relaxing as possible.
Eat and drink This warmth and uniqueness extends to the restaurant too. Boasting its very own cave – the perfect place to relax with an aperitif before dinner – and outdoor area that has unrivalled views of the Common, the Mount Edgcumbe restaurant could be forgiven if it were pretentious, but nothing could be further from the truth – it is a wonderfully relaxed and welcoming dining experience. When we dined there guests were as varied as the menu, with families, young couples and
“Whether you want a quick drink, a romantic break or somewhere relaxed for Sunday lunch the Mount Edgcumbe offers it all” more mature guests all enjoying the friendly atmosphere. While the bar is small, it is well stocked, and there’s a good selection of wines to accompany everything on the menu. The food on offer includes some of the UK’s best ingredients that head chef Lukasz combines with European flavours to provide a distinctive twist, and there is something for everybody, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, as well as a kids’ menu. It is not expensive either with favourites such as rib-eye steak [10 oz £23.95] and Harvey’s beer battered cod [£14.95] competitively priced with other restaurants in the area. The Edgcumbe platters [£13.50-£15.95] include seafood, charcuterie and vegetarian choices and are ideal to share with friends, and there’s plenty of nibbles on offer if you just want some light bites to accompany a few drinks. For those wanting the full dining experience, the Shetland mussels [small £7.95, large £14.95] are highly recommended and come in a variety of sauces. They provide and a wonderfully light and fresh way to whet the appetite, but the stand-out starter of choice on the Mount Edgcumbe menu when we visited was the chilli salted squid [£8.50]. The coated pieces of fresh squid have a gentle heat and subtle crispness. The dish is a wonderfully unique and a tasty way of presenting this seafood ingredient that can all too often be unimaginatively deep fried as calamari rings. The mains are just as wideranging and well-presented. The Edgcumbe beef burger [£15.95] enjoyed by my dinner guest was a towering feast that is sure to fill even the
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DELICIOUS DISHES The Mount Edgcumbe menu is very varied
heartiest of appetites. However, if you want an example of how fresh and local ingredients should be presented, try the lamp rump served with sautéed potatoes, peas, edamame beans, courgettes and feta [£18.95]; it was an absolute delight. Neither the meat nor vegetables are cooked for a second more than they need to be, and the result is a very simple but incredibly fresh and vibrant plate of food that will have you savouring every mouthful. If you still have room for pudding, there’s plenty of choice from vegan Eton mess [£6.95] to the belt busting rhubarb and apple crumble [£6.95] and banoffee pie [£6.50].
Explore Mount Edgcumbe manages to offer the best of both worlds, providing a quiet, tranquil retreat for those wanting to explore the Common and surrounding natural beauty. Or be near town...
MAKING THE GRADE The Mount Edgcumbe in The Common, Tunbridge Wells was the only hotel in the town to make it into this year’s Good Hotel Guide 2022, and was one of only nine in Kent. The leading guide authors praised the Grade II listed hotel for being ‘surrounded by greenery’ and its ‘perky bedrooms’. Good other hotels in the area that made the 2022 edition include Hever Castle B&B that was praised as being ‘fit for a Queen’ and for its ‘lavish’ breakfast. The ‘creatively decorated’ 16th century Queen’s Inn in Hawkhurst also made the cut. A night’s stay at Mount Edgcumbe varies from £90-£150 a night depending on room, dates and availability. www.the mountedgcumbe.com
O V E R 2 5 0 B E E R S | TA S T Y W I N E S | C I D E R S DR AUG HT BE E R FILLE D FRESH ON SITE C O C K TA I L S | T E A , C O F F E E & M O R E
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Food & Culture
Say ‘sí’ to Sherry
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
It’s currently International Sherry Week so what better excuse do you need to sample a little of the trademark Spanish tipple says Times Drinks Editor James Viner. Running until November 14 the global event, which is now in its eighth year, is the world’s largest celebration of sherry. Here’s our pick of the bunch...
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HERRY is a fortified wine made at both low latitude (36°) and low altitude (0–90 metres above sea level) in an area called the ‘Marco de Jerez,’ a triangle formed by the towns of Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María, and Sanlúcar de Barrameda between the cities of Cádiz and Seville in Andalusía, southwestern Spain. This area has a hot Mediterranean climate and a long tradition of growing grapes and producing wines that likely dates back to the Phoenicians, who founded Cádiz around 1100 BC. There are several different styles with the common denominator being the addition of grape spirit to the base wine to increase alcohol content. Although some sherries are dark in appearance, they are all made from white grapes. Made from the Palomino Fino grape and great with food, all four of my selections are dry. So what to eat? In general terms heed the following Andalusian adage: if it swims pair with Fino or Manzanilla; if it flies pair with Amontillado or Palo Cortado and if it runs pair with Oloroso. There are always exceptions though! But you can certainly enjoy sherry with those fiddly foods that defeat most still wines – anchovies, artichokes and olives, to name just three. Be sure to explore #sherryweek and visit https://www.sherry.wine/sherryweek for more information on online and offline events, plus great cocktail recipes, tips on food pairing and more. The event overlaps with Copa Jerez - the food and wine pairing competition – which takes place on 9-10 November. Salud to sherry, seemingly constantly keeping its low profile! 1) MUST-TRY CLASSICALLY BREADY AND YEASTY - own-label supermarket Fino sherry, matured slightly inland, in the cellars of Jerez de la Frontera Tesco Finest González Byass Fino Sherry Tesco, £6, 37.5cl, Alc 15% Bar some styles of Manzanilla, Finos are the palest and freshest styles of dry sherry made from low acid Palomino Fino grapes in the region’s famous, deep, whitewashed lime-rich albariza soils. They are fortified with neutral grape spirit to 15–15.5% abv, then aged ‘biologically’ under a bread-like film of humidity- and moderate-heat loving ‘flor’ yeast which protects the wine from oxidation, while reducing levels of glycerol (and therefore body), lending acetaldehyde-derived aromas of apple skin, bread dough, hay and nuts. Own-label supermarket sherries are still some of the best-value wines. Produced by the august family business González Byass, whose sherry production, which includes Tío Pepe, is overseen by debonair cellarmaster Antonio Flores, this is an almondy, yeasty, fresh bread dough-scented release of a six-year-old fino with remarkable depth and flavour. Drink chilled with young Manchego, shellfish, Iberico ham, baked fish, salted almonds, anchovies and many fish and seafood dishes. Of course, it’s also a stellar wine to drink with tapas – hello patatas bravas and pan con tomate with jamón. Makes a super ‘She & T’ (about 50:50 sherry and tonic water, topped up with some ice and a slice of lemon) too. Superb value.
2) BONE-DRY, PALE, LIGHT-BODIED SHERRY - from coastal Sanlúcar de Barrameda where the ‘flor,’ or carpet of yeast, grows more thickly than in Jerez with cooling, humid breezes. Valdespino, Manzanilla ‘Deliciosa’ Pago de Miraflores Lea & Sandeman/Whisky Exchange, £13.50£14.45/£6.95, 75cl & 37.5cl bottles (discount case price), Alc 15% Fino sherries produced in the port of Sanlúcar de Barrameda on the Guadalquivir River are called Manzanilla, the lightest, palest and driest kind of sherry (the alcoholic strength is 15-17% with a sugar content below 5 g/l). In Spain, over half the sherry drunk is Manzanilla; in the UK, where sweeter styles are preferred, it’s only around 2%. The maritime climate of Sanlúcar – whose bars are fuelled by Manzanilla – creates conditions that can support thicker layers of flor around the year than those in inland Jerez. Like Fino, but more delicate, this is the kind of sherry that makes a tangy, lissom aperitif that can happily be swapped for white wine at mealtimes. Grupo Estévez-owned Valdespino is one of Jerez’s oldest bodegas (wineries). This vivid, single-vineyard, benchmark wine was aged biologically under the flor – averaging around five years of age when bottled – and is lighter and fresher than the above Fino. Think sea spray, Mediterranean herbs, chamomile, almonds, hay, salty sea breezes and blue skies. A great aperitif, especially alongside olives, this is one to memorably sip with salads, raw oysters, fried fish, cured meats, salt cod croquetas, smoked salmon, pasta vongole, sushi, sashimi and fish and chips. Such refinement.
QUICK TIPS: • Once opened keep Finos and Manzanillas
in the fridge and consume them within a day or three. Amontillado will keep well for about a month and Palo Cortado will have around two months’ life, if properly stoppered. PX sherry could live for up to a year (but not in my fridge!)
• Finos (which includes Manzanillas) are at their best when drunk chilled at around 6-8°C
• Stored unopened bottles at cellar temperature, around 10-15 °C
• Serve all sherry in a regular white wine glass
3) A COMPLEX, LONG-AGED FINO - (8 years on average), half biologically (under flor) & half oxidatively Bodegas Lustau ‘Los Arcos’ Dry Amontillado Berry Bros& Rudd, WoodWinters & Whisky Exchange, £15.50-£18.25, 75cl, Alc 18.5% With the passing years, the flor veil over Finos starts to fail and oxidative features will develop like Oloroso, the only dry, full-bodied wine produced completely by oxidative vinification. Levels of alcohol increase slightly with ageing as water is lost from the barrel at a speedier rate than ethanol. Amontillado is only partially aged under flor, then re-fortified to 17% abv to kill the yeast, creating a darker, richer, bolder dry sherry
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which then ages oxidatively. With age, alcohol levels of sherries deliberately exposed to oxygen (typically by not topping up barrels repeatedly) rise to 22% abv as the water content evaporates. Aged for around eight years on average, this is a marvellous hazelnut, dried apricot and sweet tobacco of a (dry) Amontillado, with some vestigial yeasty undertones. One for smoked fish, braised/grilled/roast pork, artichokes, Pecorino, Brie, goat’s cheese, asparagus, paté, game, chicken curry and mushroom dishes. Serve around 13–14ºC. 4) SUPERB AGE-DESIGNATED PALO CORTADO SHERRY Bodegas Hidalgo-La Gitana, Palo Cortado Wellington ‘VOS’ The Whisky Exchange, Lea & Sandeman, Virgin Wines, Hedonism, Haynes Hanson & Clark, £26.95-£34.10, 50cl, Alc 17.5% The Hidalgo family came from northern Spain to Sanlúcar at the end of the eighteenth century and purchased a tiny bodega in 1792. It’s one of the oldest sherry producers, renowned for their celebrated La Gitana Manzanilla sherries (they do a cracking Vermouth too). To qualify as an age-qualified wine, either VOS (Vinum Optimum Signatum/Very Old Sherry), which requires a minimum age of twenty years or VORS (Vinum Optimum Rare Signatum/Very Rare Old Sherry), at least thirty, wines must be put through a laboratory test and then presented to a tasting board. Whilst its aromas and finesse resemble an amontillado, rare Palo Cortado sherry typically spends much less time under flor, with resultingly more glycerol, body and richness being preserved, like an Oloroso. Serve a little warmer than an Amontillado at around 14°C and savour this spectacular and rare aged wine’s notes of butterscotch, cardamom, toasted pecans, blood orange, sandalwood and walnut.
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NATURALLY SWEET SHERRY ANYONE? ENJOY these 3 top Pedro Ximenez (PX) sherries with dark chocolate, blue cheese or just pour over ice cream! All sherry begins dry. Naturally sweeter, oxidatively aged, sherries are made by adding sweeter wines based on overripe, dark, thin-skinned, sun-dried Pedro Ximénez (or light Moscatel) grapes. In the case of PX they produce an intensely sweet, dark, fortified elixir. Think roasted coffee, Christmas cake, raisins, figs, liquorice, Naturally sweet sherry anyone? Enjoy these muscovado. Most sherry 3 molasses top Pedroand Ximenez (PX) sherries with dark producersblue shipcheese PX wines warmer chocolate, or from just pour over ice Montilla-Morilles, just south of nearby cream! Córdoba, make and mature the wine in All sherryand begins dry. Naturally sweeter, the ‘Sherryaged, Triangle’ someare 200km oxidatively sherries madetobythe adding southwest. sweeter wines based on overripe, dark, Aside from Hungary’s these thin-skinned, sun-dried Tokaji Pedro Essencia, Ximénez (or powerfully rich,grapes. deep and dark wines arethey by light Moscatel) In the case of PX and large world’ssweet, sweetest wines. A produce anthe intensely dark, fortified dessert in their owncoffee, right and sheer cake, elixir. Think roasted Christmas decadence sipping with vanilla raisins, figs, when liquorice, molasses and /ice cream, darkMost chocolate blue cheese muscovado. sherryand producers ship (think PX Lanark Blue, StiltonMontilla-Morilles, and Roquefort). Seek wines from warmer just out the following three top PXand wines: south of nearby Córdoba, make and mature the wine the ‘Sherry • Williams & in Humbert, Don Triangle’ Zoilo some 200km to thePedro southwest. 12-year-old Ximénez The Wine Society, Aside from Hungary’s £8.50, 37.5cl, Alc 18% Tokaji Essencia, these powerfully and dark wines are by • Lustau rich, Pedrodeep Ximénez Murillo Waitrose, and large50 thecl,world’s £16.99, Alc 17%sweetest wines. A dessert in their own and sheer • González Byassright VORS Noé 30-Year-Old decadence whenSherry sipping with vanilla iceMix Pedro Ximénez Majestic, £22.49 cream, dark South chocolate and blue cheese Six, 37.5cl; Down Cellars, £27.95,(think Alc Lanark 15.5% Blue, Stilton and Roquefort). Seek out
Books
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
Times book reviewer
HANNAH KIRSOP
WILD WEST
ANCIENT CRIME
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths
(published by Pan, priced £10.99) Augustus McCrae and Woodrow Call are unlikely partners – the former, a lazy yet talented Texan ranger who thrives on a chat with a glass of whiskey in hand and the latter, a hardworking and hard-natured man, driven by work. Despite this, their friendship has endured over many years so when a former compañero suggests, or challenges the pair to, a cattle drive to Montana, Call recruits a character filled crew, assembles the remuda and cattle, and the story begins. This novel is epic in both nature and length. It’s not a nail-biting page turner – although there are tense and bloody set pieces contained within – but it beautifully depicts the undulating highs and lows of the long and arduous journey, featuring the hardships, joys, horrors, fears, humour and grief the cowboys encounter as well as describing their characters and relationships in huge and varied detail. With a whole host of supporting characters thrown in, be prepared to be whisked off with them – just make sure you bring your saddle. A brilliant book.
10/10
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… We hope you also enjoy these other books we’ve picked for you to read this week…
Peaces by Helen Oyeyemi
Published in hardback by Faber & Faber, priced £14.99 (ebook £8.99). Available now It feels almost ridiculous to describe the plot of Peaces – any attempt won’t do this bizarre, beautiful novel justice. But we’ll try: it’s (largely) about a newly married couple on their honeymoon (but they’re not really married and it’s their not-honeymoon – bear with us) on a surreal train ride. The train itself is hundreds of worlds within one – it contains everything from a greenhouse carriage to a bazaar, all owned by the mysterious Ava Kapoor. As the ‘newlyweds’ Otto and Xavier Shin (with their pet mongoose) learn more about their host, things get stranger and stranger, and you are lured into all manner of stories and sub-stories. It’s confusing and you may have to read pages more than once – but you won’t regret it, because the writing is otherworldly and transcendental. It’s totally unlike anything you’ll read this year, in the best way. (Review by Prudence Wade)
9/10
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(published by Quercus, priced £8.99) When local detective Harry Nelson discovers some human bones out on the Norfolk salt marshes, he hopes local archaeologist, Dr Ruth Galloway, will be able to help determine if they originate from her ancient world or belong in his modern, criminal one. Although the bones end up dating from the Iron Age, Ruth quickly becomes embroiled in Harry’s present-day investigation whose roots are embedded in the past with links to a pre-historic henge that Ruth uncovered ten years previously. Despite the focus on the ancient world, this is a contemporary crime novel with a unique slant and enough intrigue to encourage you to page turn quickly to the denouement. The burgeoning relationship between Nelson and Galloway will also ensure you return for the sequel.
7/10
We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza Published in hardback
by HQ, priced £14.99 (ebook £7.99). Available now Set in Philadelphia, this timely dual-authored novel is a thoughtprovoking examination of an interracial friendship in a divided America. Jen, white, pregnant and married to a police officer, and Riley, a black local TV reporter, are lifelong friends. When Jen’s husband is involved in the shooting of an unarmed black teenager, their relationship is thrown into crisis. The story alternates between the women’s compelling
perspectives as they confront divided loyalties and unaddressed differences, exploring head-on how race and class divisions can polarise communities, traumatise generations and influence the media and justice system. There are moments of real poignancy – a grieving mother’s memories or Riley’s tragic family history – and overall this is a moving book. (Review by Tom Pilgrimy Brooks)
7/10
My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson
Published in hardback by Harvill Secker, priced £12.99 (ebook £9.99). Available now A city under siege from violent terrorists, the power grid down and residents forced to run to safety – it sounds like something out of a post-apocalyptic nightmare. And yet My Monticello is loosely inspired by true events:. The fictional Da’Naisha has to flee with her sickly grandma, boyfriend and some neighbours, ending up in Thomas Jefferson’s old house – Monticello. It’s also part of Da’Naisha’s heritage, as a descendent of Jefferson and his relationship with a slave. This, along with much of the symbolism in the book, can be quite heavy-handed – particularly as Da’Naisha is pregnant and doesn’t know who the father is: her white college boyfriend or an old black flame from the neighbourhood. Da’Naisha doesn’t make for a particularly original or well-drawn character – but the cast of characters around her brings this book to life. (Review by Prudence Wade)
6/10
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Travel
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
travel
Is a camper van trip the best way to experience Iceland?
I
The freedom of being on the road isn’t restricted to summer months, says Sarah Marshall...
T’S HARD to imagine a vehicle weighing more than two tonnes could be tossed like an autumn leaf in a gust of wind. But as I lie awake in my camper van, rocking back and forth, I’m considering all eventualities. More of a washing machine spin cycle than a relaxing lullaby cradle, the movement has been keeping me awake for some time. Extreme weather patterns are to be expected in Iceland as the Nordic country edges towards its winter season, sending most travellers scurrying towards log-fired lounges or spa-quality hot springs. But hardier types prepared to brave the outdoors can take advantage of crowd-free campsites and prices that are a fraction of hotelbased holidays. Camper van road trips have been popular with summer visitors for years, focussing mainly on
SKOGAFOSS WATERFALL
‘Mount Fagradalsfjall, which after a 6,000-year hiatus, has been erupting for the last six months...’ Iceland’s Route 1 Ring Road – a neat, scenic loop covering some of the country’s most impressive waterfalls, volcanoes and hot springs, easily completed without the need for a 4×4. But recently, low season road trips have been increasing in popularity. Many campsites remain open throughout the year, main roads are largely accessible, and spiked winter tyres make it safe to drive through snow. My main concern had been the cold, but my
Happy 1 Auto van from Happy Campers is as snug as any boutique hotel room, with a heater powered by the car battery and a full duvet and pillow set supplied.
Equipped The family-run, eco-friendly company, who plant a tree for every booking, have seen a steady rise in the number of people taking advantage of quieter shoulder season and winter periods. Although it’s the smallest model they rent – and perhaps, at times, a little on the cramped side – our two-person van is equipped with everything we need: a small kitchen with running water supplied by a tank, refillable at petrol stations; a gas stove; and a bed that folds
up into a seat during the day. By law, every camper must book into an official campsite every night; expect to pay between £8-£12 per person, generally including use of washrooms, showers and cooking facilities. During the low season, there’s no need to book in advance, adding to the sense of spontaneity that’s at the core of a truly enjoyable road trip. My partner and I have a plan to literally go where the wind takes us, using Iceland’s official meteorological service, vedur.is, to direct our travels. A handy list of winter campsites available on the Happy Campers website (happycampers.is) helps us map out where we can stay. But one sight we are determined to visit, whatever the weather, is Mount Fagradalsfjall, the volcano which, after a 6,000-year hiatus,
MOTORING ON Sarah Marshall and her camper
Travel
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
has been erupting for the last six months – the longest the country has seen in the past 50 years. When we arrive at the Reykjanes Peninsula, not far from Keflavik airport and the Blue Lagoon, the monster is sleeping. But hiking across solidified lava fields, still coiling with smoke, is an opportunity to witness the almighty strength of forces gurgling at our planet’s core. Taking the steep, challenging route (currently, there are two pathways), I find myself almost at eye level with the main cone, shredded at the edges and stained with an atomic palette of chartreuse and mustard streaks.
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XXXXXX Xxxxxx x xx x x xxxxx x x x x x
DIAMOND BEACH Is a stunning location to pitch up at for a few days
HIKER’S DREAM Yellowstone is America’s most popular national park
Savage The wasteland ahead of me is perversely inviting. Coils of brittle rope lava twist like taut sinews, expressing a violent anger responsible for shaping Iceland’s beautifully savage landscape. Small fishing village Grindavik has the closest campsite to the site, one of the newest and best equipped in the country. At night, hungry strategists fill the large kitchen with clattering pans, whirring laptops and crumpled paper maps, creating a scene that sits somewhere between the Cabinet War Rooms and MasterChef. Looking for clear patches of sky and sunshine symbols, we decide to head south to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach the following day. Its basalt column cliffs and solitary sea stacks found fame in Game Of Thrones, but in October – when temperatures are much cooler – fewer set-jetting location fans have turned out. Alone, I sit and watch waves fail to wash the onyx sand clean and take shelter in a cave with a rocky roof shaped like tubular bells. Another popular black sand stretch lies further east at our next stop, the Jokulsarlon glacier lake. Backed by steep, serrated mountains forging into the sweeping snow scenes of Vatnajökull National Park, this is one of the most scenic sections of the Ring Road.
BEAUTY The coastline has STUNNING SCENERY stunning sights Unforgettable views as you travel through the Colorado River
‘One of the main pleasures of camper van trips is the freedom to change plans at the last minute – staying longer in a destination if the mood takes you, or making a rapid exit if situations turn sour’
A holding bay of bergs and floes preparing to make their final journey out to sea, the glacial lake is a spectacle. But even more impressive is Diamond Beach opposite, where sculpted blocks of ice shimmer like gems on the shore. One of the main pleasures of camper van trips is the freedom to change plans at the last minute – staying longer in a destination if the mood takes you, or making a rapid exit if situations turn sour.
Showers LAVA FIELDS
REYNISFJARA BLACK SAND BEACH
GULLFOSS WATERFALL
When the weather map indicates a whiteout is on the way, we prepare to return west. And it’s during a night spent at Camping Hofn, where cooking is done on our own stoves outdoors and coin operated showers cost £1.70 for six minutes, that our van starts to rock – but fortunately not roll. Paying attention to the elements is essential in Iceland. A tablet uploaded with live maps and a chat room service sits on our dashboard, ensuring we’re aware of any warnings, road closures and possible travel delays. Driving back towards capital city Reykjavik, cars abandoned in sidings hint at the dangers of driving carelessly and too fast. Take it slowly and sensibly, however, and there’s nothing to worry about. In fact, during our six-night trip the only vaguely life-threatening episodes involve arguments about duvet hogging and who can get into their pyjamas first. (Realistically, only one person can perform a manoeuvre at a time.) But if you’re willing to compromise on sleeping space, the benefits of winter camper-vanning are manifold: fewer crowds and greater freedom signpost the perfect road trip. How to plan your trip: PLAY(flyplay.com) is an Icelandic low-cost airline that offers flights from Stansted to Iceland Reykjavik four times a week from £30 one way, inclusive of taxes. Happy Campers (happycampers.is) offer a Happy 1 Auto from €115/£97 per day in low season.
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Motoring news
Wednesday November 10 | 2021
Motoring News Audi unveils refreshed A8
This week… n
New look A8
n
MG ZS launch
n Toyota’s first EV
Revised MG ZS EV hits the road from £28,495
BOLD The exterior has been revamped
AUDI has updated its flagship A8 saloon with a new exterior design and upgraded technology. Currently sat at the top of the firm’s saloon range, the A8 now has a front end that incorporates a wider grille than before, while the side intakes have been made upright and sit close to the newly designed headlights. The rear of the car retains a full-width light bar, with rear lights utilising digital OLED technology sat either side. Buyers can now opt for a new S line exterior package, too, which gives an appearance similar to the sporty S8. Five new matte colours have also been added to the A8’s choice of exterior shades. Inside, the A8 keeps the same 10.1-inch infotainment display and 8.6-inch digital
cockpit, controllable either via touch or voice control. There are now new screens in the rear of the car – measuring 10.1-inches apiece – attached to the backs of the front seats. They can be used to relay content from the passenger’s smartphones, as well as receive streams from all major platforms.
Kick off Four engine options are available with the updated A8. Things kick off with a 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel V6 and a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol, rising to a 4.0-litre V8 with cylinder on-demand technology. A plug-in
hybrid remains available too in the A8 TFSI e model. Separate to the main line-up is the S8, which uses a twin-turbocharged V8 engine with 563bhp and 800Nm of torque. It’s capable of pushing the S8 from 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds. A notable addition to the new A8 is predictive active suspension. When in comfort+ mode, it uses a front camera capable of recognising unevenness in the road ahead. If it sees something, the car can actively change the suspension accordingly, providing a smooth and comfortable ride. Sales of the revised A8 in the UK commence on December 2, with prices starting from £73,375.
Priced from £28,495 – inclusive of the government’s plug-in car grant – the ZS EV has been kitted out with a larger, 72kWh battery, bringing a range of up to 273 miles between charges. MG claims that the ZS EV’s 76kW rapid charging capability means that a full charge could take just 42 minutes when hooked up to a rapid charger or 10 and a half hours via a standard 7kW home wallbox. The exterior of the ZS EV has been revised too, with a stamped-effect grille fitted to help improve aerodynamics, while a side-opening charge port has been added too. There are new LED headlights as well, alongside a redesigned rear bumper and new wheel designs. Inside, the ZS EV boasts a new infotainment system. Accessed via a 10.1-inch touchscreen, the system has been given new graphics and ‘improved functionality’, according to MG. A new digital instrument cluster has also been added alongside wireless phone charging. The ZS will also benefit from the ability to accept over the air software updates, enabling owners to keep their cars up to date without having to visit a dealership. Entry-level SE cars feature automatic air conditioning as standard as well as bi-function LED headlights, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking camera. The Trophy model – priced at £30,995 after the plug-in car grant – incorporates a panoramic roof and leather-style seats, as well as roof rails, electric driver’s seat adjustment and rain-sensing wipers. The Trophy Connect, priced at £31,495 incorporates iSMART which brings live services such as weather, traffic and Amazon Prime.
This is the bZ4X – Toyota’s first purpose-built electric vehicle TOYOTA has revealed the bZ4X, the firm’s first purpose-built electric vehicle and the opening model in its new Beyond Zero sub-brand. It’s the first in a series of ‘bZ’ models built on a new, dedicated electric vehicle platform co-developed with Subaru. The bZ4X is an SUV with bold styling that previews the design language of further models in the range. The front end has a new ‘hammerhead’ signature that incorporates slim headlights and ‘an emphasis on the front corners that communicates the car’s strong stance’. It has chunky wheel arch mouldings that give it a more robust look, while at the rear, there’s a sleek, sloping roofline and full-width light bar. Inside, the design is said to be inspired by the Swedish word ‘lagom’, which means ‘just right’. The cabin aims to give off the ambience of the living room with soft, woven trim textures. There’s a slim and low instrument panel to create a more spacious feel, while the instrument display is set above the steering wheel to keep it closer to the driver’s eyeline. Toyota reckons the bZ4X has class-leading
It has chunky wheel arch mouldings that give it a more robust look, while at the rear, there’s a sleek, sloping roofline and full-width light bar. legroom, while the boot is spacious at 452 litres. The line-up starts with a front-wheel drive model that’s powered by a motor that makes 201bhp and 265Nm, providing a 0-60mph time of 8.4 seconds and top speed of 100mph. An all-wheel drive version makes 215bhp and 336Nm of torque, sprinting from 0-60mph in 7.7 seconds. When it comes to range, the bZ4X has a 71.4kWh battery that is expected to provide a range in excess of 280 miles. It can be charged at speeds of up to 150kW, providing an 80% charge in 30 minutes. Pricing and specification will be confirmed closer to the on-sale date, which is expected to be in summer 2022.
HIGH VOLTAGE Toyota is known for hybrids but this is the company’s first all-electric vehicle
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Wednesday November 10 | 2021
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