Times of Tonbridge 5th October 2016

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Wednesday, October 5th, 2016

FREE PAPER INSIDE ADVERTISING FEATURE

Why separation and divorce

can still be a civilised affair IF you are experiencing the anxiety and loss of a relationship ending and suffering sleepless nights worrying about the future, you are not alone

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Almost so% of all marriages end in divorce and for many it can be the most traumatic time in their lives. Months and sometimes years are spent deciding whether to separate and then, when the decision has been made, it can take an age to pluck up the courage to take action. Emotions run high and delays are usually down to fear of the unknown and what life will be like after the separation. Not to mention how you'll cope financially and what you'll tell the kids.

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Children should always come first when a family separates

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LEGAL NEWS End of lease guide for business tenants What happens at the end of a lease can be more expensive to sort out than taking the lease in the first place!

You may or may not have 'security of tenure' depending on whether certain forms were served on you by the landlord before the start of the lease. Even if you have security the landlord can oppose the grant of a new lease if they can prove certain grounds for possession.

Sharing Property with the Elderly Sharing a property with an elderly relative may seem to be the perfect answer to rising property prices and concerns over care for the elderly, but people contemplating such an arrangement should be aware of the legal and practical problems which may arise. There are a number of different ways to share property, but an equal number of pitfalls, whether legal, financial or relating to tax.

Making an Inheritance Act claim to challenge a will or the Rules of Intestacy Generally, we are free to dis pose of our assets as we want to. However, the law does provide protection for people who have been financially dependant on the deceased. This protection comes in the shape of the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants Act) 1975, known as the Inheritance Act. The Act is there to help spouses, children, civil partners, cohabitees and other surviving dependants who have been left to cope without sufficient money to enable them to get by.

Only 1 in J Britons mal<e a Will Statistics show that only 3 in 10 Britons have a Will and in 2011 the Treasury coffers gained a massive £53 million because of this. So why would so many people take such a risk by not having a Will? Perhaps it's because there are many misconceptions, such as thinking everything will automatically go to your spouse or children when this is not always the case, or that it's too expensive to make, or simply intending to make a Will but not getting round to it.

So why make a Will?

When considering writing a Will two of the main issues considered are: Who do you want your assets and money to go to?

If you do not make a Will then the rules of intestacy apply, which may not necessarily be consistent with your intentions. For example, following changes to The Inheritance and Trustees' Powers Act 2014 which came into force on 1st October 2014, if your Estate is worth more than £250,000 and you have children, then your spouse is likely to receive the first £250,000 absolutely as well as all personal chattels and soo/o of the remainder of the Estate, with the other soo/o passing to your children. Previously the spouse would only have received a life interest in soo/o of the remainder.

Will my Estate be liable for Inheritance Tax? The current Nil Rate Band for each person for Inheritance Tax is £325,000, after which the rest of the value of the Estate is charged at 4oo/o rate. There are numerous ways to keep your Estate below £325,000, but if you are married and your spouse dies and transfers everything to you upon their death, your Executors may also use your spouse's nil rate band in addition to your own to effectively double your nil rate band to £650,000 at today's values.

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Failure to provide for your family and dependents in an adequate manner can result in claims by beneficiaries against your Estate after you have passed away.

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Keene Marsland's team of experienced Estate Planners are ready to help if you have any queries or need advice.

For further information and to book a free initial consultation telephone us today on 01892 526442 or email us at enquiries@keenemarsland.co.uk quoting reference WTTW1016.

Are we paying more Inheritance Tax than we need to?

Recently, there has been a significant increase in the amount of IHT people are having to pay from the estates of their loved ones Records show that the general public coughed up nearly £4.7 billion on IHT to HM Revenue & Customs - a significant increase of 22o/o and twice as much as ten years ago.

This dramatic increase could be put down to a number of factors, such as increased house prices. However, a less prominent theory is that families are not correctly utilising the financial estate planning tools to their full potential. Thus, resulting in significant loss to their inheritance.

With the Inheritance Tax Threshold currently stalled at £325,000 it may be advisable for families to start taking a closer look at their finances and begin to consider how best to utilise their assets in order to avoid paying out inheritance tax unnecessarily to HM Revenues & Customs.

Each person has what is known as the Nil Rate Band allowance ("NRB") of up to £325,000. For married couples and those in civil partnerships the NRB for both individuals can be combined on the second death taking the NRB allowance up to a maximum of £650,000 depending on particular circumstances.

The NRB is essentially the tax free threshold and estates valued up to the current NRB of £325,000 are not taxed. The current threshold of 325,000 is set to remain until at least the end of 2020/21. Therefore, if the value of your estate at Wednesday 5th October 2016

death is £325,000 or under, there will be no IHT payable. However, for many people in Thames Valley, London and the South East this will not be the case and other methods of tax and estate planning will be necessary in order to get the most value out of their estate for their loved ones upon death, and this begins with careful and well thought out life time planning.

From April 2017, legislation will come into force providing additional relief for home owners in the form of Family Home Allowance ("FHA''). The relief will also be transferable between married couples and those in civil partnerships even if one spouse/partner dies prior to April 2017.

There are also other tax saving steps you can take such as gifting an asset, creating a trust and, gifts to charity to name a few. Making a tax efficient Will is key to ensuring your loved ones receive as much of your estate as possible and avoid the tax man getting more than his fair share.

To arrange an estate planning consultation or if you require assistance with probate or administering a Will after the death of a loved one telephone us today on 01892 526442 or email us at enquiries@keenemarsland.co.uk quoting reference ITTTW1016.

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Wednesday, October 5, 2016

M O RO W O SH

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MOTHER’S TREK MARKS ANOTHER STEP FOR HER CHARITY

44 PAGES OF THE FINEST PROPERTY ON THE MARKET

TENNIS STAR MARIA SHARAPOVA WINS APPEAL TO REDUCE DOPING BAN

See inside

Page 20

Pages 12-13

WHISTLE BLOWER JULIAN ASSANGE THREATENS TO RELEASE MORE WIKILEAKS Page 17

Town runs up another half marathon success

INSIDE OLD AGE PROBLEMS Forum tackles issues facing the older generation Page 3

£65,000 to be distributed among charities in and around Tonbridge

UP FOR THE CUP

By Murray Jones newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk THE TOWN notched up another major triumph on Sunday when thousands lined the 13-mile route of the annual Tonbridge Half Marathon to cheer on the runners.

The weather produced near perfect running conditions for the record number of 1,117 competitors who took part in the event and it is estimated that between them they will raise around £65,000 for local charities.

There was just one last-minute glitch when the Race Director, Mick Barlow, decided that the medals supplied as mementos to all the runners were not up to scratch.

In his introductory speech to the huge crowd of runners and supporters who had gathered at the Race Village at West Kent College before the start, he announced: “I am afraid that the medals that everyone receives for taking part are of such poor quality that we are not going to give them out.

“I have an urgent meeting with the supplier and if I am not given guarantees that they can resupply them to an acceptable quality we will go to another supplier.”

Then with his voice cracking with emotion he added: “We will then send a medal to everyone so you will all get one.”

His speech prompted a warm round of applause from the crowd, which then made its way down the appropriately

Visiting football fans criticise town’s food and drink Page 3

ROAD RUNNERS The eventual winners of Sunday’s half marathon, Julian Rendall of Tonbridge AC (1024) and Maria Heslop of Paddock Wood AC (1089), lead the pack at the start of the race named Dame Kelly Holmes Way to the start in Brook Street. The race was started

by Tonbridge’s Mayor, Mark Rhodes.

The overall winner was Julian Rendall of Tonbridge Athletics Club and the first female was Maria Heslop, wife of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council Leader Nicolas Heslop.

Both have now won the competition three times since it started six years ago and there were cheers from the crowd when Chris Owen of DC Access Systems, one of the race sponsors, announced

during the presentation ceremony that he was adding another £100 to their prize money.

The Tonbridge Half Marathon, which this year incorporated the Kent Half Marathon Championships, is now considered one of the best half marathons in the national running calendar.

The Tonbridge Lions Club and Rotary Club jointly organise the race, which starts and finishes at West Kent College.

The Rotary Club President, Brian Piner, said: “I would like to thank the 220

volunteers who help out on the day as without them we simply wouldn’t be able to run what is now a major date in the town’s diary.”

After the race Mr Barlow said: “The medals that we received were of a very poor standard, and were small and flimsy. It would have been insulting to give them out.”

The full set of results and times are on: www.tonbridgehalfmarathon.co.uk.

For more photos from the event and more stories turn to page 2.

FACE TO FACE

US presidential debate at EM Forster Theatre Page 88

THE SPICE OF LIFE

Treat your taste buds at this great Nepalese restaurant Pages 70-71

2 ■ LOCAL NEWS

Weather Wednesday Generally breezy, some patchy cloud, especially later, but everywhere will remain dry.

October 5, 2016

Half Marathon runners ensure charities are the real winners

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Sunrise: 07.07am

Sunset: 18.26pm

Wind: 19mph

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TRUST FUND: Although no marathon medals were available on the day, The Bridge Trust handed out their own medals to all the people who ran to raise funds for the charity. Support Services Co-ordinator Lynne Mepham is pictured handing one to Tony Holbrook from Hildenborough

14ºC

BOX APPEAL: Tonbridge resident and Director of Operation Christmas Child UK, Nick Cole, completed the course dressed in a shoe box to help raise awareness of the charity

Blues skies and clouds will be a feature of the weather this week Send your weather pictures into... newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

CONTACTS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615 EDITOR AT LARGE FRANK BALDWIN fbaldwin@markerstudy.com DESIGN/PRODUCTION LEE SMITH lsmith8@markerstudy.com SALES GEMMA HAK ghak@markerstudy.com | 01892 779580 GENERAL INQUIRIES newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/timeslocalnews timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk twitter.com/timeslocalnews IF YOU HAVE A STORY WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU Contact details above

ONE group of determined local runners raised a momentous £16,000 for the charity Chasing Connor’s Cure at Sunday’s Tonbridge Half Marathon.

A 27-strong group took part in the event to generate funds and awareness for Hildenborough boy Connor Crawford, aged four.

In February, Connor was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a rare muscle disease that attacks the lungs and eventually leads to premature loss of life.

Many of the runners were raising money from sponsorship for their own chosen causes, additionally, the Half Marathon organisers always choose a selection of local charities to receive donations from the funds raised from the event.

This year they decided to adopt the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust into their group of charities as a display of appreciation after last year’s dramatic scenes, when a competitor went into cardiac arrest.

The air ambulance team were vital in saving the life of Barney Brurgess, who made a swift recovery. Barney said he was pleased that the air ambulance is to benefit from this year’s race as it is entirely funded by donations.

He said: “They are a fantastic organisation and attend getting on for 2,000 incidents a year. I had assumed they would get NHS funding, but that’s not the case, so they need our support to raise their annual running costs of over £8million.”

Other organisations who will benefit from the marathon funds include Tonbridge Cottage Hospital, which provides rehabilitative care for both inpatients and outpatients, and Compaid, who provide support services for disabled people in Kent.

ALMOST THERE The end is in sight

ROAD CREW Two young supporters

16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU

CLARIFICATIONS AND CORRECTIONS HERE at the Times of Tonbridge we strive to deliver fair, accurate and balanced reports. When we don’t meet our own high standards we will accept the responsibility and publish clarifications and corrections.

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QUOTE UNQUOTE ‘The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm’ Aldous Huxley

Wednesday 5th October 2016

ON PARADE: Army cadets from the Tonbridge area who provided assistance on the day

ON THE SPOT: Sonia Williams and Janet Sergison handed out the Tonbridge Rotary Club spot prizes

LOCAL NEWS 

Family pays tribute to kindhearted son THE family of a man who died following a road accident in Tonbridge have paid tribute to ‘a kindhearted son, brother and friend’.

Shaun Arthur Richards, aged 24 from Hildenborough, died after a collision in Shipbourne Road on Saturday September 24.

In a joint statement his family said: “Shaun Arthur Richards was a hard grafter. He took pride in his work and gained great satisfaction out of sculpting the best-looking hedges in Kent.

“As a friend you could not have wished for any better, and as a brother and son he took on the responsibility when, like Shaun, his father passed away far too soon.”

Position of strength THE Strength & Conditioning Institute (The SCI) in Tonbridge has been shortlisted for three national industry awards.

They are in the running for the Regional Gym of the Year (South), the Customer Service Award and the Gym Team of the Year at the 2016 National Fitness Awards.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony organised by Workout magazine on December 2 at The Athena in Leicester.

Tonbridge property values rise by close to £50,000 in one year

By Murray Jones newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk HOMEOWNERS in Tonbridge are seeing the value of their properties increase at a rapid rate, defying regional trends.

The latest figures released by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council through its updated household projections report show that the average price for a detached house in the borough has grown by £48,500 in just one year.

This constitutes an 11 per cent growth between 2014 and 2015 and the report notes that it is ‘much higher than the increase seen in other areas’.

Such a rise is a double-edged sword for Tonbridge residents, as renters are finding monthly rates becoming less affordable.

In September, the average rent was £850 per

calendar month, but by March 2016 this average figure had risen to £930.

The borough council report acknowledges that this is ‘notably higher than prices elsewhere in Kent’.

When compared to Maidstone and Ashford, Tonbridge has the least affordable rents when average income is taken into account.

The figures have come as no surprise to those who work in the Tonbridge housing market.

Robert Gordon-James, a Director of Martin & Co (Tonbridge), has noticed a shift in the demographics of people moving into the area.

He said: “The latest figures from Tonbridge & Malling have confirmed what we have experienced over the last couple of years.

“We have seen a rising demand for accommodation in the private sector as more people move out of London suburbs. They have been attracted here by the convenience of the

Was magazine’s attack on town a load of ‘Bull’?

Park jumps into town A TRAMPOLINE park with room for 140 jumpers at one time will open in Tonbridge on October 22. Jump In, sited in Morley Road, will have interconnected trampolines and foam pits in the 32,000 square-foot complex.

CONNECTION MP Tom Tugendhat at the Angel Centre

Golf sessions tee off POULT WOOD Golf Course is piloting new golf and coffee mornings for dementia sufferers.

The first two take place on Thursday, October 6 and 13, and these open sessions will include tuition on the driving range and a round on the nine-hole course. The morning costs £6 per person and carers go free.

Fireworks fizzle out THE SCOUTS’ annual firework celebrations in Ridings Lane, Hildenborough, have been cancelled after insurance cover was withdrawn and a search for alternative sites proved unsuccessful.

Around 1,500 people usually attend the event, which has been held in the village for more than 30 years.

Helicopter pursuit A DRIVER was arrested on Saturday night after failing to stop at the scene of a collision.

Police were called but the suspect fled, later crashing into a fence in Hadlow Road.

A police helicopter was used to locate the 18 year old, who had left the scene. He has since been bailed, pending further enquiries, until Friday December 9, 2016.

commute from Tonbridge to London, matched with greater affordability than locations nearer to the capital.

“As a result, we are seeing an influx of young professionals choosing Tonbridge as their home.”

John Handley, CEO of The Bridge Trust, the Tonbridge-based charity that houses homeless people with the aim of getting them into their own accommodation, is concerned by the recent developments in the town’s proprty market.

He told the Times that the increase in house prices is ‘extremely evident in West Kent’, with it becoming ‘almost impossible’ for their clients to afford to rent in Tonbridge.

“Often their only income is the Local Housing Allowance, which is significantly lower than the market rents.

“We have a perfect storm of rising costs in renting and people receiving less and less benefits. It is extremely worrying,” he said.

Meeting tackles obstacles facing our senior citizens MORE than 30 organisations gathered at the Angel Centre in Tonbridge on Thursday to offer advice to the town’s senior citizens.

Organised by the Tonbridge & Malling Seniors’ Forum (TAMS) for the fourth year running, the event saw more than 200 people attend to talk about the most pressing issues facing the older generation.

From loneliness and isolation to finding affordable later life care, there were stalls offering advice and suggestions on how all manner of issues could be tackled.

Cllr David Cure, for the Judd Ward, headed up the organisation of the event, which brought several services under one roof.

He stressed why these events are so important and argued that the

biggest obstacle facing senior citizens is the large number of disparate organisations that have to be dealt with for obtaining different services.

These, said Cllr Cure, often ‘aren’t very joined up and need to start talking to each other’.

Tom Tugendhat, MP for Tonbridge & Malling, also attended.

He told the Times: “There is such a wide range of issues that affect our senior citizens. Whether it’s loneliness or dementia care, we have such a diverse community.

Unfortunately there is rarely a silver bullet.”

Expressing his admiration for those that give up their time, Mr Tugendhat was clear in his views that senior citizens’ issues are best solved locally.

A 4-2 VICTORY against Hereford FC at the Longmead Stadium on Saturday saw Tonbridge Angels reach the fourth round of football’s FA Cup for the first time in nine years on Saturday.

The win also made up for a lighthearted attack the travelling ‘Bulls’ fans made on the town’s culinary tastes in ‘Talking Bull, an online magazine produced by some of the supporters.

An article claimed Tonbridge had ‘quite limited’ local refreshments and added: “This is the land of £4+ pints and gastropub prices in the wealthiest part of Kent and one of the most well to do parts of the country as a whole.”

The article was not completely dismissive of the local scene. The writer named his town ‘pub of choice’ as the

Punch & Judy, due to the availability of Harvey’s and other real ales.

But the article went on to warn: “Off duty police officers regularly frequent this establishment so mind your P’s and Q’s.”

Such detailed local knowledge was further exemplified by their suggestion for people to eat and drink in Sevenoaks before the game, since ‘the Wetherspoons there is fine’.

Tonbridge Angels’ spokesperson Jim Rowe was bemused by the Hereford fans’ culinary concerns.

He said: “I would have thought that the well-travelled Bulls supporters might have wanted to sample the delicious Angels burgers and hot dogs washed down with a refreshing pint of Tonbridge real ale. They may have missed a trick and could have saved some money at the same time!”

MAKING A POINT Nick Wheeler celebrates scoring the 9th-minute goal that put Tonbridge Angels 2-0 up against Hereford PHOTO: DAVID COULDRIDGE

NEWS IN BRIEF

3

Wednesday 5th October 2016

4  LOCAL NEWS

Sharp fall in immigrants seeking jobs

By Adam Hignett adam@thetimesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

Fresh start for renamed Camden Road restaurant THE previously known ‘Camden Quarter’ restaurant has unveiled a new name ahead of its scheduled opening at the end of this month.

Renamed Vittle and Swig, the change is intended to represent a break with the past following a turbulent year.

Describing itself at the time as an ‘eclectic modern European’ style restaurant, Camden Quarter was forced to close over the summer following the bankruptcy of its parent company Turners Fine Foods. The abrupt closure saw the staff and management forced to pack up and vacate the Camden Road premises just hours before a 30 person function was due to arrive.

Despite the closure, and a previous set back in the form of a one star hygiene rating earlier in the year, manager Gerry Smith remained adamant that the restaurant would open again for a ‘fresh start.’

At the time, Mrs Smith – who has since bought the premisses from the administrators – said the poor hygiene rating as being the result of “two cracked tiles and the lack of a painted vegetable area”, which had subsequently been resolved.

However, she admitted the review still had ‘a massive impact’ on trade before the collapse of Turners on July 26. The new restaurant is set to launch in the coming weeks, slightly behind the end of August opening that Mrs Smith predicted.

Wednesday 5th October 2016

TUNBRIDGE WELLS was just one of two districts in Kent to see a decline in the number of immigrants looking for work in the borough last year, new figures have revealed.

Data collated by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) showed a sharp drop in national insurance numbers allocated to overseas nationals in Tunbridge Wells.

The decline of 12.2 per cent far exceeds the only other fall, which was recorded in Dover, of 2.7 per cent. Across Kent as a whole during the year April 2015 to March 2016 there was an increase of just under three per cent.

ESSENTIAL WORKFORCE Many hospitality businesses would struggle without foreign workers

In total, 999 overseas workers were given a National Insurance Number in 2015/16 in Tunbridge Wells, down from 1138 the year before.

The majority of new arrivals came from EU accession states, with Romania the county of origin for 223 applicants, followed by Bulgaria (204), and Poland (125).

DWP data only records those seeking work, for which a national insurance number is needed.

Children and other dependents are not included in these figures. Once an overseas national has obtained a national insurance number, he or she is entitled to some benefits alongside the right to work and an obligation to pay tax.

These include income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, child benefit and child tax credit. However, Rob McNeil of The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford said the figures may not be indicative of a long term trend.

“One thing to consider is that the place where you apply for your national insurance number isn’t necessarily going to be the same as the place that you end up living or working – so it’s perfectly possible that the number of migrants in the population there may be stable or growing, even if there has been decline in applications in the area.

“Tunbridge Wells is an expensive place to live, so it may be that people are living elsewhere when they ap-

ply for their national insurance numbers, and then moving to Tunbridge Wells if they get a job there.

“In short, the answer is that the number of applications going up or down isn’t proof of the migrant population doing the same.”

Robert Hogben, General Manager of The Mount Edgcumbe pub, warned the hospitality sector in Tunbridge Wells could suffer if this was the start of a long-term trend.

He said: “Like many businesses which deal with hospitality and catering we are quite reliant on workers born outside of the UK to make up our staff, so if less are moving into the borough we could struggle to fill vacancies.

“We consistently pay above the minimum wage, so we don’t hire them as cheap labour, but they are simply more willing to work in an industry which can be quite demanding.”

THREEFOLD INCREASE IN TONBRIDGE The number of overseas workers applying for a national insurance number in Tonbridge and Malling rose to 723 during 2015/16 representing an above county average increase of four per cent on the previous year.

However, the district has seen the number of applicants increase threefold since 2002/3 – the earliest date available – when just 242 overseas workers were recorded.

Tunbridge Wells has seen just over double the number of applicants over the last 13 years.

In contrast, Swale has recorded the largest increase of any district in the county at 1051 per cent, with 1,704 applications for a national insurance number by overseas workers in 2015/16, up from just 148 in 2002/3.

LOCAL NEWS 

STAR ROLE Domhnall Gleeson is playing author AA Milne

Star Wars actor films in Winne the Pooh woods

By Daniella Gavin

newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk ACTOR Domhnall Gleeson has been spotted filming on Ashdown Forest for a new Hollywood movie.

Known for films such as The Revenant and Star Wars, the Irishman is taking the lead role of A A Milne in a film based on the life of the Winnie the Pooh creator. He was seen shooting scenes over the course of two days last week at the memorial plaque to A A Milne, near The Hatch Inn. The film, due to be titled The Unknown A A Milne Project, will follow the relationship between the author and his son, Christopher Robin, living on Ashdown Forest during post-war Britain. Milne moved to Cotchford Farm, Hartfield, in 1925.

Included in Simon Curtis’s film is Margot Robbie as Milne’s wife, Daphne, and Kelly Macdonald. It is suspected both may return to Ashdown Forest for further filming this year.

The filming comes during the 90th anniversary of the first Winnie the Pooh publication, which is being celebrated across the Ashdown Forest this month, and the publication of a new set of short stories titled The Best Bear in all the World.

5

Pantiles parking plan given thumbs down by councillor

By Adam Hignett adam@thetimesoftunbridgewells.co.uk PROPOSALS to redevelop the sole car park on The Pantiles have been labelled ‘unacceptable’ by the borough councillor representing the ward.

Lawrence Heasman, who serves on the council for The Pantiles and St Mark’s, said he would not support the plans to turn the car park into a four-storey block of flats as it would result in a lack of parking in an area ‘already devoid’ of spaces.

His reaction comes as the Finance and Governance Cabinet Advisory Board met last night [Tues-

MONEY-SPINNER The Linden Park Road car park is under threat

day] to debate the issue as the Times went to press.

The report presented to the committee recommends the council push ahead with a scheme to build 20 flats over three floors, alongside a single office suite at ground level, on the car park site.

However, despite also recommending a new two-storey car park with 40 spaces be included in the development, the report acknowledges that only 17 of them will be available to the public.

This represents a reduction of 37 parking spaces on the current number available, and even these may not be ready for up to two years while building work is undertaken. It is also likely to lead to the demolition the auction house on the site.

Acknowledging opposition to the plans from many of the businesses based on the historical promenade, Cllr Heasman said: “This proposal is certainly not acceptable in its current form. The area is devoid of car parking spaces as it is, a situation which is only going to get worse

with the redevelopment of Union House. I am really not happy and will not be supporting the plans.”

He added it was his hope the issue could be addressed with ‘further debate’ once more information has been disclosed.

The company behind the proposed development is the Abergavenny Estate, which has held a 150year lease on the Lower Pantiles since 1987, while the council still controls the freehold.

Reduction However, the council currently leases back the car park from the estate, allowing it to derive income from the facility.

The proposal favoured by the report will see the council enter a redevelopment agreement with the estate, including a new 250-year sub-lease for the new car park at a peppercorn rent – conditional upon the grant of planning permission.

This will allow for the development of the new building to go ahead, with the council ultimately still retaining the freehold and receiving a ‘cash payment’ from the estate in the process.

Regarding the reduction in parking spaces, the report acknowledges the potential for ‘a significant under-supply’ in future.

But it adds: “The long-term value of new buildings with an improved design outweighs the shortterm loss of car parking over 12 to 24 months.”

A second option which will also be considered would involve the council making its own planning application and selling this consent on the open market.

Wednesday 5th October 2016

6  LOCAL NEWS

The House offers a home for creative sector PROJECT LEADERS (L-R) Ian Elwick, Martin Bouette, Dominic Johnson and Simon McArdle

WHAT’S IN STORE? Boardings have come down at the old Morrisons site

The Range to open by start of December

WORK started this week in preparation for the opening of The Range, a new discount warehouse which has taken over the site of the old Morrisons.

The Times has learned that all renovations to the site will be completed by November 21, with the store scheduled to open on December 1.

This newspaper revealed in May that The Range was taking over the site, a story denied at the time by the retailer.

The Range was founded in 1980 by retail tycoon Chris Dawson, a former street vendor, and turned into a chain with more than 100 stores offering 65,000 products across 16 departments, including DIY, homeware, furniture, lighting, arts and crafts and garden.

News that the Vale Road location’s time as a disused ‘eyesore’ is nearing an end will come as a relief to residents who can remember when it was left derelict for six years after Morrisons first pulled out in 2006 – before later returning. They then closed the store for a second time on April 2 this year.

The furniture chain employs around 3,000 staff nationwide, with the closest shops prior to the opening in Tunbridge Wells located in Maidstone and Eastbourne.

Originally named CDS Superstores, the company is now one of the UK’s largest mid-sized private firms, recording profits of £56.9million last year.

Mr Dawson is the 77th richest person in Britain, with an estimated fortune of £1.65billion as of last year.

Council split talks THE splitting of Kent into eastern and western authorities will move a step closer on Thursday (October 6) when five local authorities will meet to discuss merging to form one ‘super council’.

Any moves to combine Thanet, Canterbury, Ashford, Dover and Shepway districts could result in the scrapping of Kent County Council.

It is an option supported by Thanet North MP Roger Gale, who wants to see the county council replaced by three unitary councils, with Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks likely to make up a West Kent authority.

Wednesday 5th October 2016

MEMBERS of the Tunbridge Wells creative sector were welcomed to the opening of ‘The House’ last week (September 30) – a new business which has been developed to rent out desk space to those within the rapidly growing industry.

Among those who also attended the launch were representatives from both the county and borough councils, as well as members of MP Greg Clark’s office.

In addition, project managers Simon McArdle, Dominic Johnson, Ian Elwick and Martin Bouette of Workspace Collaborations Ltd were on hand to showcase the project to potential clients.

The four leaders said that they aim to provide residence to small businesses, individual creatives and training events within Tunbridge Wells’ creative industry.

The two-year project has been a collaboration

between Kent County Council, private companies and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, who have said they will take on the role of ‘proactive landlord’.

A third of the desk space had already been reserved prior to the viewing, with representatives from companies Miramedia and dating site Free and Single among the guests at the launch who had already started to move in.

Nicola Billing from Miramedia explained that small companies were offered entire rooms upstairs, whilst the downstairs area was predominately a co-desk sharing area.

Cllr Jane March, speaking on behalf of the borough council, praised the new development, saying: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Workspace Collaborations Ltd and Kent County Council to develop workspace for local creative businesses.”

Ailing ambulance service placed under special measures after major failings

By Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

THE ambulance service that covers both Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge has been placed under special measures by England’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals after it was damned as ‘inadequate’ during a recent inspection.

It is the latest setback for the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAMB), following allegations of staff bullying in July and the resignation of former chief executive Paul Sutton in May for misreporting call-handling performance.

Last week, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) outlined numerous ‘areas of concern’ which had led to the ambulance service being rated inadequate overall.

They found the trust was failing to meet national performance targets for response times and had low staffing levels, a ‘lack of strategic leadership’ and inadequately maintained equipment.

In addition, the report described safeguarding arrangements within

the trust as ‘weak’ – made worse by a lack of accountability – and stated that the development of practice outside of national guidelines had ‘put people using the service at risk’.

Areas of good practice highlighted were the support of patients to

‘The leadership had not been supporting staff to do their jobs effectively’ manage their own health, close co-operation with other healthcare providers and provision of training to ‘enhance’ the role of paramedics.

In a statement released by the CQC, Professor Sir Mike Richards, the Chief Inspector of Hospitals, acknowledged the ‘significant upheaval’ at the service following changes in its senior leadership.

He praised the staff for ‘giving their best’ and treating patients kindly, with dignity, care and compassion while dealing with almost a million emergency calls a year.

But he added: “It was apparent that the leadership had not been supporting staff to do their jobs

effectively. Staff told us there was a culture of harassment and bullying.

We found in many cases there weren’t enough properly trained staff, or that the proper equipment wasn’t available to them.

“At the time of the inspection, we found evidence that senior executives were not always pulling in the same direction. However, improvements are being formulated by an experienced interim chair and the executive has been recently strengthened by new appointments.”

Sir Mike said he wished to provide ‘reassurance’, stating that once care arrives it is ‘of a good standard’ and SPECIAL TREATMENT Staff were praised for ‘giving their best’

adding that measures were now under way to address the concerns.

SECAMB said the organisation is ‘committed’ to improving the quality of its service but the Acting Chief Executive, Geraint Davies, acknowledged there had been failings at the service.

He said: “While we are pleased that the dedication and care of our staff is highlighted as ‘good’ in this report, we are sorry that we have not met the standards expected in a number of other areas.

“We are determined to implement the changes required to restore confidence in our service.”

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8  LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS

Success for jobseekers’ start-ups in south east A SCHEME designed to boost innovation by tapping into the creative talents of jobseekers has resulted in 6,830 businesses being established in the south east.

The New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) was established five years ago by the Jobcentre, and provides jobseekers who want to start their own firm with access to Government funding and ongoing expertise from dedicated mentors.

As a result, new ventures have been launched across a wide range of industries and sectors, including manufacturing, design, fashion and leisure, by people of all ages.

Figures revealed almost two thirds of those participating in the scheme are male, while just under 70 per cent are aged 25 to 49, with

21 per cent classed as disabled.

The high level of start-ups comes at a time when figures also show the number of workless households at a record low in the region.

‘We are determined to create a society for everybody’ Households in which no one works have dropped to 323,000 – down by 17,000 in the past year, and by 66,000 since 2010.

The Employment Minister, Damian Hinds, said: “We are determined to create a society for everybody, not just the privileged few, and I’m delighted that so many people across the south east have seized the opportunity to be their own boss.”

Charity sector boost to economy KENT’S voluntary sector recorded an income of over £377million, an analysis by County Hall has revealed.

In an extensive report on the sector, Kent County Council (KCC) identified 3,272 registered charities in Kent – excluding large nationals and multinationals whose main activity is outside the area.

The report, which is the first of its type to be undertaken by KCC, said the initial findings ‘show a positive picture’ about the contribution the sector makes to the local economy.

It described the charity sector as a ‘significant employer’, with

organisations operating on an income of more than £500,000 utilising the services of 7,025 employees.

The borough of Tunbridge Wells had the lowest concentration of charities per head, with just one registered per 1,000 people.

However, they still manage to account for 10 per cent of Kent’s charitable income – the third highest in the county.

Tonbridge & Malling had a slightly higher concentration per head, at 1.1, while contributing 7.9 per cent towards the total charitable income of the county.

Cyber Crime alert

protect themselves at a cybercrime seminar run by the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.

The event, in the Chamber’s headquarters in Ashford, will see talks from Barclays Bank on using analytics to improve business performance, ADM Computing on securing your business against attacks and Towergate Insurance Brokers on data insurance.

AS EVERY business becomes more dependent on the internet, the spectre of cybercrime is ever-growing.

In a nationwide survey conducted

by Aviva, more than a third of the country’s small businesses say they have experienced a cyberattack.

Businesses in Tunbridge Wells will have the chance to learn how best to

Wednesday 5th October 2016

ALL TEA’D UP Mike Turner and Krisi Smith

Are Fairtrade customers really getting a fair deal?

By Murray Jones

murray@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk MANY Tunbridge Wells shoppers make sure they buy Fairtrade products, confident in the knowledge that they are promoting ethical trading – but is it really making a big difference?

The Co-founder of Bluebird Tea Co, Krisi Smith, is sceptical, arguing it’s ‘not so black and white’.

Miss Smith opened her store in Royal Victoria Place (RVP) along with partner Mike Turner in April, selling original tea blends. But their products do not bear the Fairtrade logo, despite paying their suppliers above the body’s minimum price and visiting their farms to ensure working conditions are high.

While accepting Fairtrade’s ‘good

intentions’ by enforcing a minimum price per kilo of tea, she is concerned that the premium which consumers pay does not end up in the hands of the workforce, nor is it used to improve working or living conditions.

“From my experience within the industry I have seen the Fairtrade logo used as more of a marketing tool to allow Fairtrade teas to fetch a higher price on the supermarket shelf and that only benefits the brand selling it, not those producing it on the ground,” says Miss Smith.

She acknowledges that a minimum price for tea may help ‘the lowest grades and the lowest standards’, but she advocates a more direct

approach to achieve more ethical trading. “I think the best way of empowering change is to give control back to the producers, much like the ‘buy local’ movement I have seen growing in Tunbridge Wells,” she adds.

“If the producers and the farmers are able to bring their product direct to BLENDING IN Various teas on offer

LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS 

9

It makes a huge difference says Tunbridge Wells Fairtrade group market, we cut out the middle man and they get to take home a fair price for their goods. That is what I consider to be fair trade.”

‘I have seen the Fairtrade logo used as more of a marketing tool’ This countervailing view appears to be becoming more widely held in the town, with award-winning coffee blogger Henry Wilson telling the Times in August that he favoured a process of direct trade, as cutting out intermediaries results in a fairer price and a better working relationship between the purchaser and supplier.

Miss Smith insisted that she did not want to knock anyone in the town but encouraged residents to read around topics, to combat the way in which the Fairtrade brand encourages consumers to presume all is right in the industry.

“Fair trade is about more than having a sticker.

It’s about knowing exactly where your produce is from. With Fairtrade, do you actually know?”

BLUEBIRD TEA CO Bluebird Tea Co was started in 2013 by Krisi Smith and Mike Turner, who opened their first store in the Brighton Lanes in 2014.

After opening a pop-up in Tunbridge Wells in December 2015, they moved into their permanent premises near the entrance of Royal Victoria Place in April this year.

The pair describe themselves as ‘tea mixologists’, having created 150 flavours of the beverage over the last three years.

Miss Smith’s book – The World Atlas Of Tea – was released last month.

The book covers her and Mr Turner’s trips to Sri Lanka and Japan, and illustrates the ‘leaf to cup’ story behind the drink, detailing the way in which tea fits into the history, traditions and cuisine of various cultures.

THE Times took Krisi Smith’s comments to the Tunbridge Wells Fairtrade Group. Their chair, Mandy Flashman-Wells, gave us this response: “Contrary to what the local business owner claims, Fairtrade does indeed ensure that producers are paid properly. A minimum price, set to cover the cost of sustainable production, plus a Fairtrade premium.

“The minimum price provides a vital safety net for farmers and workers and protects them from fluctuations in the market, so they are ensured a stable income and can plan for the future.

‘The Fairtrade mark is a guarantee that the producer has been paid fairly’

marketing tool, she said: “One of the great things about buying products which have the Fairtrade mark on is that you are guaranteed, as a consumer, that the farmers and workers producing those goods have been paid a fair price. This is the basic tenet behind the Fairtrade mark.

“Whilst many people would like to buy directly from producers, this is not an option many choose. The Fairtrade mark is a guarantee that the producer has been paid fairly rather than

exploited by a multinational company.

She insists that consumers who demand ethically sourced products ‘can only be a good thing for the producers’, as there is still much left to be done.

“Over 165 million cups of tea are drunk in this country every day but only 7 per cent of that is Fairtrade tea. Buying Fairtrade is one of the most powerful ways to deliver positive impact for tea farmers and their families.”

TURN OVER A NEW LEAF Demanding ethically sourced tea ‘can only be a good thing’

“The premium is an additional sum of money used, as the producers see fit, to improve their social, economic and environmental conditions.

“The farmers and workers decide what is the most important to them and may include healthcare or education, business development or infrastructure. This is the best form of sustainable development.

“Our group is in regular contact with one such community in Malawi and we know at first hand how Fairtrade has improved the situation there.

“Recently Henry Matenda, a sugar cane producer from Malawi, visited Tunbridge Wells and spoke to us of the great difference that Fairtrade had made to his community.

“The Fairtrade premium benefits not only the farmers but often the local community as well.

Their future plans include a secondary school, a hospital and a sugar cane milling plant.”

Ms Flashman-Wells agreed with the sentiment that ‘the best way of empowering change is to give control back to the producers’, arguing: “This is exactly what Fairtrade does. The beauty of Fairtrade is that it is a partnership between producers and consumers.

“The global Fairtrade system is 50 per cent owned by farmers representing farmer and worker organisations. They have an equal voice in all decision-making processes both locally and also within the General Assembly and on Fairtrade International’s Board of Directors.”

On the subject of Fairtrade being used as a

Wednesday 5th October 2016

10  COMMUNITY NEWS

Running wild for Kids On The Go TUNBRIDGE WELLS Kids On The Go were celebrating after completing the annual Hospice in the Weald 10k race on September 25.

Eighteen participants signed up to be part of Team Kids On The Go and ran, walked and mingled their way round the unforgiving,

hilly route, grateful that the recent heatwave had cooled.

Competing in memory of family and friends, Jilly Thomas and Mary Stoner could not contain their emotion when the race was over as they were overwhelmed with relief and pride.

Huge thanks go to all the local people who lined the roads to cheer them on and gave money.

So far they have raised £2,925. If you would like to make a donation, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com and search for Kids On The Go.

ZOE BRITTON and Tracy Taylor took part in the Macmillan 5k All-Out Swim at Pells Pool in Lewes on September 17 in order to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The two Crowborough mothers swam the 109 lengths of the 46-metre pool in three hours because cancer survivor Zoe wanted to show her gratitude for the charity’s support.

Zoe was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2004, and was advised that she would never be able to have children. She has since given birth to two boys, Samuel and Kian.

The pair have so far raised £420. If you wish to make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/ Zoe-Britton

By Andrew Tong newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

LOCAL worthy causes are set to benefit from a charitable trust which has contributed £5million to the Kent Community Foundation (KCF).

The Raymond and Blanche Lawson Charitable Trust has made the huge donation to set up a new grant-making Endowment Fund for charities in Kent and Medway.

The trust was created in 1980 by Tonbridge-based property businessman Raymond Lawson and his wife Blanche.

When they died in the early 1980s, they bequeathed the majority of their estate to the trust, which has supported a wide range of charitable causes.

The trust wants to increase its support to local community groups, and has chosen KCF because of its extensive networks and experience working with the local voluntary sector.

The new fund will be called the Lawson

ON YOUR MARKS: Team Kids On The Go

Grateful mums give thanks to Macmillan

Lawson Endowment offers £5m in grants Endowment for Kent. Grants, which are typically up to £5,000, will be available to charities and groups ‘addressing genuine need in the local community’.

Priority will be given to volunteer projects, with those relating to homelessness or housing being particularly welcomed.

Philip Thomas, Chairman of The Raymond and Blanche Lawson Charitable Trust, said: “We wanted to do more for smaller community projects making a difference at the grassroots level.

“A little can go a long way for these organisations and we know the Lawsons would have wanted their legacy to work hard for local people in need.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Kent Community Foundation. They can help us reach these grassroots groups, who so often operate out of the spotlight.”

Community groups are advised that applications will be channelled via KCF’s Themed Programmes.

The next deadline for applications is Friday, November 25. For more information visit www.kentcf.org.uk/apply/funding-round

Barking Mad provides dogs with their own feelgood holiday home A COMPANY in Tunbridge Wells is giving people the chance to dog-sit while their owners are on holiday.

Barking Mad’s scheme will appeal to those who have always wanted a dog but have been concerned that they would not be able to devote the time to look after them, or the

‘There are also organised events for customers’ money to cater for their needs.

It also provides a solution for dog owners who do not wish to put their beloved pet in an impersonal kennel – or cannot afford the fees.

There are further benefits for the hosts, since the project can be an ideal way of tackling loneliness.

Not only does the dog keep them company, but there are also organised events for Barking Mad’s customers.

Paul Smith set up the project after travelling widely – and discovering how difficult it can be to find someone to look after your pet while you are away.

Paul will set up the ‘dog holiday’ himself, making sure it is safe, insured and easy to participate in without any cost involved.

As a dog holiday host, you provide a loving environment where your visitor relaxes and feels at home.

He will attend to the cost, administration and transport, while all the host has to provide is regular exercise and companionship. lf you would like to become a host for Barking Mad, contact Paul on 01892 800933 or email paul.smith@barkingmad.uk.com TAKE THE LEAD All a host has to do is provide companionship and exercise

Wednesday 5th October 2016

COMMUNITY NEWS 

11

Do a good turn for Big Learner Relay

STRAIGHT ON Last year’s Tunbridge Wells Relay learners and instructors

THE third year of the Big Learner Relay will see the Tunbridge Wells leg of the national charity event held on November 17, from 8am.

Driving instructors and their pupils get together for special lessons which cover the length and breadth of Britain.

The 3,000-mile marathon, which takes 15 days, raises money for Children in Need. Last year’s efforts generated more than £100,000.

The Big Learner Relay Pudsey Top Box will be carried from one driving school car to another, with Lou Walsh travelling the entire distance in the lead car.

Jonathan Turner, of Turner’s School of Motoring, will be driving the lead car out of Tunbridge Wells this year.

He will start from Homebase at Tunbridge Wells West Station, off Broadwater Lane, and hand over the Top Box at Lingfield Park Racecourse an hour later, at 9am.

He is calling on local residents to keep an eye out for spotty cars.

If you wish to make a donation, all you need to do is sign a spot on the vehicle.

For more information, or to donate online, visit www.biglearnerrelay.co.uk or contact Jonathan Turner on 07931 303528.

On the hunt for world record after Tom’s staggering feat…

By Andrew Tong newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

TEENAGER Tom Hunt is waiting to hear if he will secure a place in the Guinness Book of World Records after running from Land’s End to John O’Groats for charity.

The 18 year old from Crowborough hopes to discover if he can be officially registered as the youngest runner to perform the 900-mile epic.

He must provide the venerable tome with evidence of his route, as shown on a handheld GPS tracker he carried all the way.

Tom has raised almost £20,000 for the ME Association during his remarkable endurance effort.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is a condition that causes exhaustion.

It affects 250,000 people in the UK – of whom 20,000 are children.

The causes are not known and there is no cure.

The run took him 31 days, the equivalent of running 38 marathons back to back. He took on the last stretch of the odyssey alongside the teacher who gave him the idea to perform the extreme feat.

The former King’s School, Canterbury student, who took on his challenge after finishing his A levels, was inspired by Major Adam Vintner, head of the King’s Cadet Corp.

Major Vintner’s father, Fred, 66, has suffered from ME for 30 years.

Tom said: “Major Vintner supported me through my time at school, and when I was looking for a challenge it felt right to do

something to say ‘thank you’ to him.

“It was brilliant, a great experience and I enjoyed every minute – although it was painful and did feel very, very long. My knees are a bit sore, and I’ve torn a ligament, but I’m fine apart from that.

“People have been amazingly generous. I was leaning on a door, strapping my ankle up when two ladies stopped to ask if I was okay.

“We got talking and I told them what I was doing, and they each gave me £5. Along the whole route, people were so kind.”

FIRST PAST THE POST Tom Hunt arrives at John O’Groats with his former teacher, Major Adam Vintner

‘We need to help as much as we can until a cure is found’ Major Vintner said: “Tom is unique. In a world where ME is broadly considered a non-illness. It is all the more wonderful to encounter somebody who has no personal knowledge or experience of the consequences of the condition, yet is prepared to undertake an amazing physical and mental challenge.”

Helen Hyland, from the ME Association, added: “Tom is inspirational.

Not only has he completed the sort of physical challenge most of us could never dream of, he has done it at such a young age.

“The money he has raised will help us work towards supporting more people with ME through our ME Connect phone line and research.

“This is vital as we need to help them as much as we can until a cure is found for this debilitating and misunderstood illness.”

Next February, Tom will travel to Sydney to study for a degree in Marine Biology and Geology. After that he plans to join the Army.

But he also wants to keep putting himself to the test, saying: “I’m already wondering ‘what next?’ I’d

definitely like to set myself another challenge in the future.”

You can donate at www.justgiving. com/fundraising/Tom-Hunt-Run For more information, visit www.meassociation.org.uk

Wednesday 5th October 2016

12  COMMUNITY NEWS

Mother’s trek inspired by son marks another step for charity The 32-mile trek meant she could fulfil one of his dreams, while also raising murray@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk funds for the charity she later launched in his name, Taylor-Made Dreams.

CROWBOROUGH mum Suzi Mitchell has “When I wrote out Taylor’s bucket list just returned from a daunting trek along with him, two years before he passed one of the world’s most recognisable away, I didn’t expect to hear ‘I want to landmarks – the Great Wall of China. ride a motorbike on The Great Wall of But this was no ordinary sightseeing China,’ she told the Times. trip, it was to commemorate five years “I knew he was ambitious, but really? since the passing of her son, Taylor, who From a mother’s point of view, as you can died aged just 15 after battling with imagine, I was a tad worried about how I Neurofibromatosis type 2. was going to make this dream come true.”

Walking predominantly along the unrestored part of the Great Wall, Suzi hiked around nine hours each day for five days, much of it up and down hills. Towards the end of the trip, she found herself in a watchtower with 24 windows on one of the oldest sections of the wall: “There was something beautiful and spiritual about it. I decided then this would be the place that I would scatter some of his ashes.

“It was painful, but beautiful as well, to achieve one of Taylor’s dreams on his DREAM COME TRUE behalf. I felt like it was a Taylor swimming fitting place for him to lay.” with dolphins And fulfilling one of

By Murray Jones

Wednesday 5th October 2016

Taylor’s wishes has allowed Suzi to continue making other children’s dreams a reality. She is hoping to raise £5,000 for her charity.

Based in Crowborough, Suzi, along with a team of volunteers, works with children coping with life-limiting illnesses to give them a chance to realise their most cherished experiences. She works in partnership with six organisations, who refer children who they think she can help.

And after just two years, the charity is completing the bucket list for its 23rd child.

Bucket list “When I first meet the child, I explain to them exactly what we do as a charity, to enable them to fulfil their dreams,” explained Suzi.

“I ask them to brainstorm and think what they would like on their bucket list: Where they want to go, who they would like to meet, and what would they like to own.”

Once the team agree what is achievable on the list, they get to work on making it happen.

So far the charity has organised 16 holidays, as well as six celebrity meet-ups.

Recent wishes have included a pair of football-mad boys who managed to meet the Manchester United football squad, as well

FAMILY TRIP Taylor’s brother Spencer with David Beckham

‘It was incredibly difficult, the hardest thing I’ve ever put my body and mind through, other than losing Taylor’ MEET YOUR HEROES Wayne Rooney with one of the youngsters, Jacob

COMMUNITY NEWS 

as a comedy fan who got to meet his favourite actor, Rob Brydon.

Suzi is able to provide the family with transportation to these events in a seven-seat wheelchair-accessible vehicle that was donated by Blades Joinery.

The charity also offers holistic care for the whole family, with counselling schemes for parents and siblings. This is provided by fourth-year students from the Wealden Psychology Institute, who are able to complete a work placement.

The legacy Taylor and Suzi watched the film ‘The Bucket List’ together, and both were inspired to take action.

He decided to make his very own list, and she decided that, in the future, she was going to help other children live out theirs.

Two friends, Julie Little and Trudy Yardley, heard about his list and began a fundraising campaign entitled Taylor’s Bucket of Wishes.

‘When I meet the children, I’m not sad because they are just so full life. They are amazing to be able to cope with what they’re coping with’

Taylor-Made Dreams was born from the £250 that remained in the Bucket of Wishes fund after Taylor’s passing.

Suzi gave £50 to four charities which had supported the family, while Taylor was ill, and started the charity with the last £50: “I wanted to turn something so tragic into a beautiful legacy, where Taylor’s life would carry on in a beautiful way by creating smiles in the eyes of other children. And I see that with every child I work with. It’s a great source of healing for me to do the work that I do.

“When I meet the children, I’m not sad because the children I meet are just so full of life. They are amazing in the way they are able to cope with what they’re dealing with.”

13

AT HER PEAK Suzi takes in the view

Looking forward

THE GREAT CLIMB Suzi Mitchell in China

From operating the charity at her dining room table, Suzi and Taylor-Made Dreams have come a long way in two years, something she attributes to ‘the wonderful volunteers on board, who are just as passionate as I am’.

Although, for Suzi, there is a long way to go: “We are a small seed of a charity in its infancy, and it is difficult. I’m grateful for every penny that comes to us, which is all from local community support.

“The long-term vision is to have the Taylor-Made Dream Therapy Centre – which would be the hub of the charity – offering services to the children who are referred to us, along with their families.

“We also have the further ambition of offering bereavement counselling to the whole local community.” taylormadedreams.net Facebook: Taylor-Made Dreams Twitter: @Taysbucket

Wednesday 5th October 2016

14  LOCAL NEWS

Sparkling wit in battle of the blogs Humorous local parent bloggers Hattie Harrison and Fran Taylor have gained national recognition. Now they are competing for the Mumsnet comedy prize

By Andrew Tong newsdesk@thetimesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

HATS OFF Hattie and her three children

YOU might not want to get on the wrong side of a sleep-deprived mum of multiple toddlers, especially if she has a fine line in acerbic wit.

But what happens if such mums are scrapping with each other?

Cyberspace is bracing itself for what might be called the ‘Prosecco wars’, as two local bloggers compete for the title of Mumsnet Best Comic Writer of the Year. Remarkably, only six other writers nationwide have been nominated.

Sarcasm Hattie Harrison, 31, from Southborough, is the author of That Mum Blog, which she describes as ‘refreshingly honest parenting observations to make you feel better about your parenting abilities – you’re welcome’. She has three children – Lola, six, Frank, three, and Olive, one.

She’s up against Fran Taylor, 32, from Tonbridge, who writes a blog called Whinge Whinge Wine, in which she can be found ‘surviving two small sleep thieves through wine, tea and sarcasm’. She has two children, aged one and two, and prefers they remain anonymous.

Having noticed a local backdrop in a picture posted on Instagram, the pair met up for the first

Wednesday 5th October 2016

So what drives fatigued, harassed young mums to use up their invaluable downtime to get people interested in their lives and thoughts – and to try and make the readers laugh at the same time? A case of laugh – or you’ll cry?

Hattie relates: “It was after I had my third child that I started to do it. It came about out of frustration because I was spending more and more time at home. I had a deep desire to share my experiences of parenting and be honest about it.

“It’s a warts ’n’ all view – I wanted to offer a counterview to all the glossy magazines going on about how ‘it was the best Christmas of my life’.

“No it wasn’t, it was just like any other day – you didn’t get much sleep and one of the kids was probably ill.”

‘It was a good outlet for my stress and I thought it would help other people, too’ time this summer and managed to get through three bottles of Italian fizz. No doubt the repartee was in full flow, too. “We had a fun night but we had a bad day the next day,” reports Fran.

Like bubbles in a wine glass, both can be described as enjoying a heady rise in the blogosphere. Neither has been penning thoughts for a full year yet, but already the foremost internet forum for mums has recognised their efforts.

For Fran, it was a matter of filling the void of the small hours: “I started when my smallest was six months old and didn’t sleep for more than two hours. I did it when I was awake in the middle of the night with my son asleep on my chest.

“It was a good outlet for my stress and I thought it would help other people, too,” adds Fran. “But I found I just couldn’t be serious. So it quite quickly

morphed into something else.”

Sharing experiences and helping others are themes running through both writers’ work.

“It’s enough to make people talk, and it makes parenting much easier if you can talk it through,” says Hattie, “and that’s what it’s all about really.”

But there are a massive amount of parenting blogs out there. Fran reached the finals of the Mum and Dad (MAD) Blog awards in the best newcomer category last month – as one of more than 8,000 parenting blogs which were considered.

Honest So what makes these two West Kent mums stand out? “I don’t think people are interested in your day-to-day life, and it doesn’t even have to be about children,” says Hattie. “It really is a saturated market.

“I think I’m a little bit odd,” she adds. “I write about strange things, I’m more theme-based and I think I’m pretty honest. I like to just pick something up and run with it.”

Fran reveals: “I’ve got to be honest, I hadn’t read any parenting blogs when I started doing mine. I had no idea how many there were out there, and I probably wouldn’t have bothered if I had known.”

And the secret of her success? “I write the way that I speak. People like a laugh, and if they relate to it they might share it on to someone. You can’t fake it.”

LOCAL NEWS 

GLAM MUN Fran Taylor

TALE OF THE TAPE: HARRISON V TAYLOR Hattie Harrison 31 Southborough That Mum Blog October 2015 www.thatmumblog.co.uk 487 1,198

‘The mother of the fussy eater can often be found trying to keep her composure (it’s what the books told her to do) but then flicking a V at little ’Dink’s back before scurrying off and sobbing into her homemade fish pie’ Hattie Harrison The Mother of the Fussy Eater

Interestingly, both women have degrees in psychology – Hattie studied at Reading University, having attended The Mead School and Kent College; Fran, who moved to Tonbridge in 2007 after growing up in West Sussex, was a student in Cardiff.

Hattie spent six years working with special needs children, with autistic provision in mainstream education and as a teaching assistant in a special school, then at a children’s hospice in London called Shooting Star Chase.

Spicy Fran, meanwhile, used to work for one of the local councils until she recently parted company with her employers because of issues relating to childcare.

So there could be a spicy little blog on that subject coming to a small screen near you soon.

Both have been rewarded by recognition of their talents. “I knew I was doing

Name Age Lives Blog Began Website Twitter followers Facebook likes

okay when my mum and my mother-inlaw both said they liked it,” says Fran.

“And then I bumped into an old work colleague – he’s a single parent with a 16 year old – and he told me he’d read the blog as well, which was great.”

Hattie says: “A friend of mine went to a wedding up north recently, and one of the guests mentioned something they had read and my friend said ‘I know who wrote that’. That kind of thing is very exciting.”

Closer to home, both have found their husbands to be supportive.

“My husband, Doug, told me he’d spotted a spelling mistake the other day so he must read it,” laughs Fran. “He’s supportive because he knows it gives me something to do.

“And he’s also supportive because when I’m writing he can go and play computer games. He’s always told me, ‘Fran, you’re not funny’. So I guess I’m trying to prove him wrong.”

“My husband Mark totally backs it,” says Hattie. “He reads through it for me and thinks it’s a great outlet and an exciting thing for me to do. It’s organic,

Fran Taylor 32 Tonbridge Whinge Whinge Wine December 2015 www.whingewhingewine.co.uk 3,353 1,415

15

“And it’s hard to compete against someone you like. I might have to kill her, though it’s best to be diplomatic.”

For the sake of motherly love and sales of sparkling wine, let’s hope they both make it.

Read Hattie Harrison’s blog at: www.thatmumblog.co.uk and Fran Taylor’s blog at: www.whingewhingewine.co.uk You can vote at: www.mumsnet. com/events/blogging-awards

it’s quite creative, and it’s a very therapeutic process.”

She recently wrote a piece about her post-natal depression, which included a letter addressed to her eldest daughter describing how the experience had nothing to do with her feelings for her newborn child.

Dangerous “Lola is aware that I write a blog and that it is about the family,” she says.

“So I read the letter to her out loud describing why I felt bad after she was born. But her normal response to what I write is ‘what’s for tea, mum?’”

So what about the competition between them?

The awards will be held in November, but first the eight candidates will be whittled down to the top three on October 7.

“Tonbridge versus Southborough…,” muses Hattie. “It could get violent. I wonder who would win.”

“It would be good if we both get to the finals, but it could also be a bit dangerous with all that free booze,” adds Fran.

‘I’ve just spent half an hour knocking up a very decent salmon and courgette risotto.

Fancy right? Delicious, I’d say. Last week she thought so, too. She ate the lot.

Today it’s as if I am trying to feed her sewage’ Fran Taylor Toddler Tea-Time

Wednesday 5th October 2016

16  NATIONAL NEWS

Football boss to appear before MPs following ‘damaging’ revelations

GIVING EVIDENCE Greg Clarke

THE Chairman of the Football Association (FA) is being hauled in front of MPs amid claims that a recent newspaper investigation exposed ‘continuing major failings in the current system of football governance’.

Greg Clarke, who replaced Greg Dyke last month, will give evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport select committee in the wake of a series of damaging revelations.

The FA’s director of governance and regulation, Darren Bailey, will also be giving evidence.

Reports in The Daily Telegraph have sent shockwaves through the game, with Sam Allardyce leaving his job as England manager after undercover reporters filmed him giving advice on how to get around FA rules and negotiating a £400,000 personal appearances deal.

The Commons select committee has now issued a stinging

statement about the lack of action by the FA to get a grip on the game.

“Recent events have highlighted the continuing major failings in the current system of football governance in the UK, as well as internationally,” it said.

“The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has repeatedly urged the football authorities to improve self-governance.

“Although the committee’s recommendations have been backed by successive Sports Ministers and progress has been promised by the FA, in practice very little has changed: the governance of football is cumbersome, and power lies with the clubs, especially in the Premier League.”

The report adds: “Real reform in relation to the ownership of clubs, transfers of players, the influence of fans, the role of agents and investment in the grass roots – amongst other issues – has stalled.”

The statement also says it is ‘very unlikely’ that the FA would be found to comply with the Government’s ‘gold standard charter’ for the governance of sporting bodies.

In the last Parliament, the Committee had recommended introducing legislation to enforce good governance if no further progress had been made.

Mr Clarke and Mr Bailey will appear in front of MPs on October 17 at 11am, with the venue due to be announced next week.

No return to 11-plus for grammars says Greening CHILDREN will not have to sit the entrance exam to get into grammar school at a fixed age, Justine Greening said as she vowed not to bring back the 11-plus.

The Education Secretary defended the Government’s controversial policy to roll out a new generation of selective schools across Britain.

And she dismissed Labour opposition to the policy as the “rank hypocrisy” of ministers who have sent their own children to selective schools.

Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, Ms Greening said: “We all know children develop at different speeds, so let’s be flexible on which age children can go to grammars.

“So let’s be clear: this is not about a return to the 11-plus.”

She said Britain already has a ‘postcode

lottery’, with richer parents moving to areas with better comprehensives.

New grammars would help ‘level the playing field’ and give poor pupils the same academic chances as their richer counterparts, Ms Greening said.

“Grammar schools have a track record of closing the attainment gap between children on free school meals and their better-off classmates,” she said.

“That’s because in grammars, those children on free school meals progress twice as fast as the other children, so the gap disappears. And 99 per cent of grammar schools are rated good or outstanding.

“But in spite of this, Labour’s approach to grammars is to close these schools down. And conference, it’s rank hypocrisy, because Labour

shadow ministers send their children to grammars too. It’s classic Labour: Do as I say, not as I do.”

Russell Hobby, General Secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “We know that grammar schools do well for the children in them, but poorly for the children around them.

“Justine Greening is right to focus on delivering greater opportunities for the most disadvantaged pupils. She is wrong to believe grammar schools can do this.”

He added: “As the Government chases yet another structural reform, we know the real priorities in education will suffer.

“Grammar schools are a gamble for parents and pupils.

“Instead of this divisive and risky reform, we need a calm focus on the pressing issues within education.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

Wednesday 5th October 2016 w

Chain reaction to fire

Accused stays silent

Longest marriage ends

PEOPLE armed with buckets formed a human chain and used a garden hose to put out a blazing sports car after it crashed and burst into flames.

Members of the public rallied round when the Nissan 370Z Nismo left the road and collided with trees in Harrier Lane, Battle in East Sussex.

They helped free the trapped 49-yearold driver before the emergency services arrived. He was airlifted to hospital in a serious condition.

A passenger was taken by ambulance to the Conquest Hospital and is thought to be in a stable condition.

THE man accused of the terror-related murder of Labour MP Jo Cox refused to speak when he was asked to enter pleas at the Old Bailey.

Thomas Mair, aged 53, from Birstall near Leeds, has been charged with Mrs Cox’s murder on June 16.

He has also been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, possession of an offensive weapon and causing grievous bodily harm.

The judge ordered, in light of his silence, that ‘not guilty’ pleas be entered on all the charges.

A HUSBAND, who with his wife is believed to hold the record for the longest married couple living in the UK, has died at the age of 110.

Karam Chand, of Bradford, married his wife Kartari, aged 103, in India in 1925 during the era of the British Raj. They celebrated their 90th anniversary in December last year.

The couple moved to England 40 years ago and have eight children and 27 grandchildren.

Mr Chand would have celebrated his 111th birthday next month, coincidentally the same day as his wife’s birthday.

NATIONAL NEWS 

17

Assange announces release of further WikiLeaks secrets

WHISTLE BLOWER Julian Assange WIKILEAKS has more than a million documents to study and will release a series of publications in the coming weeks, its founder Julian Assange has revealed.

Speaking on the 10th anniversary of the whistleblowing organisation, he said some of the information

will relate to next month’s US presidential election.

Speaking via a video link to a press conference in Berlin, he said WikiLeaks had released an average of 3,000 documents a day for a decade.

The Australian has been living in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London for the past four years

to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over a sex allegation which he has always denied.

He was due to make a statement from the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy, but it was changed to a video link due to ‘recent security concerns’.

A man scaled a wall at the embassy in the early hours in August but was caught by security staff. The embassy complained that it was two hours before anyone from the British authorities arrived.

Asked about his health after spending four years inside the embassy, Mr Assange replied that he was ‘a bit pale’.

WikiLeaks has published 10 million documents, including top-secret US State Department cables, saying they revealed ‘covert operations and cover-ups’.

No sign of RAF man’s phone

MISSING Corrie McKeague POLICE searching for a missing RAF serviceman said a search of a bin lorry has failed to locate his phone, as they further extended an appeal for witnesses.

Corrie McKeague, aged 23, disappeared 10 days ago after going out for the evening in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Officers who examined mobile phone data believed Mr McKeague’s handset may have been lost or discarded and

ended up in a bin lorry.

But the Nokia Lumia 435 phone was not found in a refuse truck that was seized, and the vehicle has now been released.

Police will keep exploring the possibilities about where the phone may be and searches for it are continuing.

The investigation shows the phone was in Bury St Edmunds early on Saturday September 24 but then moved to the Barton Mills area.

It had been thought that this movement mirrored the journey of a bin lorry.

Police are studying hours of CCTV footage for further sightings of Mr McKeague and are appealing for people with private footage of the local area from September 24 to alert police if they think it may be of use.

Officers are also asking any market traders who were setting up in the early hours to come forward if they have not yet spoken to investigators.

The National Police Air Service helicopter was up in the Bury St Edmunds area on Tuesday morning. Suffolk Police continue to receive support from Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue volunteers and RAF personnel.

Mr McKeague’s mother, Nicola Urquhart, of Dunfermline in Scotland, faced the cameras on Monday to issue a public appeal for anyone with information about where her son might be to contact police.

Officers said they received a small number of calls as a result.

Temporary Superintendent Kim Warner said: “We would like to thank all those who have spoken to us and assisted with the inquiry to date. However, we still need anyone who can help to come forward.”

Mr McKeague, based at RAF Honington, was last seen on CCTV in Bury St Edmunds at about 3.20am on Saturday September 24. He was walking alone, eating fast food.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Rudd targets illegals

New river crossings

HOME Secretary Amber Rudd has announced a crackdown on illegal immigration and set out tough new measures to deport foreign criminals – but warned it will not happen overnight.

In her first speech to the Conservative Party conference as Home Secretary, she told activists the vote to leave the EU was a ‘clear message’ from the British people to tackle high immigration.

She said the Government will implement a three-pronged attack on illegal immigration by going after the landlords, employers and banks that allow them to function.

LONDON Mayor Sadiq Khan has given the go-ahead for three new river crossings in east London.

He announced alterations to the Silvertown Tunnel project, which will connect the Greenwich Peninsula with the Royal Docks, and approved a new cycling and walking bridge linking Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf and a Docklands Light Railway extension from Gallions Reach towards Thamesmead.

He instructed Transport for London (TfL) to examine a potential crossing between Barking Riverside and Abbey Wood and a ferry from North Greenwich to Isle of Dogs.

Wednesday 5th October 2016

18  BUSINESS NEWS

Pound plunges after Tory conference talk STERLING plunged to a new 31-year low against the dollar yesterday (October 4) as fears over a so-called ‘hard Brexit’ intensified.

Experts warned the pound could reach parity with the euro next year.

The pound fell 0.5 per cent against its American counterpart in morning trading to $1.277, its lowest level since 1985. It was also down 0.2 per cent against the euro at €1.14, its lowest since 2013.

John Wraith, Head of UK Rates Strategy at UBS, warned that the currency could suffer a fate similar to what happened during the financial crisis.

He said: “When the global financial crisis entered its acute phase, sterling resumed its rapid decline, falling a further 20 per cent by the end of 2008.

“Although different in its underlying causes, a similar pattern of decline, pause, and fresh falls

HARD LINE Theresa May’s speech has spooked investors

may be unfolding now,” he added.

Investors have been spooked by a series of announcements at the Conservative Party conference.

Prime Minister Theresa May said the two-year process of negotiating Brexit under Article 50 of the EU treaties will start by the end of

March, putting the UK on course for a ‘hard Brexit’.

This would see Britain lose access to the European single market as part of plans to clamp down on immigration.

Kathleen Brooks, Research Director at Forex.com and City

Index, said: “The Tory Party conference is turning into a sell for the pound, as foreign exchange traders get spooked by May’s apparent sanguine attitude to leaving the single market, preferring to focus on immigration and UK sovereignty rather than the economic fallout of Brexit.”

Ms Brooks also said Chancellor Philip Hammond’s comments, in which he warned Britain’s economy is heading for a ‘rollercoaster’ ride over the coming years, had compounded the sterling sell-off.

However, the further deterioration in the value of the pound has seen the FTSE 100 Index surge to within sight of its all-time high after smashing through the 7,000-mark.

Foreign companies listed in London have seen their shares rocket after the pound’s tumble as it boosts their earnings when they are translated back into sterling.

IMF warns against Brexit-style protectionist policies THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that a rise of protectionist rhetoric in countries such as Britain threatens global growth and increases the prospect of ‘political discontent’ in advanced economies.

The IMF said weaker growth rates in the US, UK and EU has sparked concerns about foreign competition for jobs and enhanced the appeal of anti-trade and anti-immigrant policy stances.

“These concerns can in turn spur a political

Wednesday 5th October 2016

backlash, as demonstrated by the current US presidential election campaign and the campaign preceding the Brexit vote in the United Kingdom,” the report said.

The IMF added that protectionist policies could have major consequences for global trade flows.

“Uncertainty about the evolution of these trends may lead firms to defer investment and hiring decisions, thus slowing near-term activity, while an inward-looking policy shift could also stoke

further cross-border political discord,” it warned.

One scenario it put forward illustrates how a unilateral increase in trade tariffs by one government could spark retaliation by another, hurting gross domestic product (GDP) growth, consumption and investment in both countries.

Another scenario shows how an increase in protectionism across the world, with governments increasing both import taxes and non-tariff trade barriers, would affect the global economy.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF

Ryanair hires thousands – but maybe not in UK BUDGET airline Ryanair is set to create more than 3,500 jobs next year – including pilots and cabin crew – as it plans to add 50 new aircraft to its fleet.

The Irish carrier reveaked that the major recruitment drive would see it take on some 2,000 new cabin crew, 1,000 pilots and 250 aircraft engineers.

Ryanair remained tight-lipped on how many of the roles would be based in the UK. The company warned in July that it would ‘pivot’ growth away from UK airports after the Brexit vote and house its 50 new aircraft outside Britain.

Amazon halts freebies AMAZON will no longer allow companies to offer free or discounted products in return for customer reviews.

The online giant will instead send out invitations to ‘trusted and helpful’ reviewers – rather than vendors – to post opinions about new and pre-release products.

Bargain for shoppers THE cost of a basket of groceries has fallen again as the supermarket price war overcomes inflation issues caused by the weaker pound.

A basket of 35 popular items cost 16p less last month than in August, at £83.19, and is more than 3 per cent, or £2.74, cheaper than it was at the same time last year, according to mySupermarket Groceries Tracker.

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20  WORLD NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF

BREWING STORM People watch out for Hurricane Matthew

Pope makes surprise visit to quake scene POPE Francis [left] made a surprise visit to the site of the devastating earthquake in central Italy, praying silently alone amid the rubble in the hardest-hit part of the ruined town of Amatrice.

The Vatican only announced the Pope’s visit to the quake zone shortly after his arrival yesterday [Tuesday] morning.

“I didn’t come earlier so as not to cause problems, given your condition,” the Pope told survivors, and added: “I didn’t want to be a bother.”

The quake, which happened on August 24, killed nearly 300 people and left another 4,000 people homeless.

Superheroes at funeral THE family of Jacob Hall, the six-year-old boy who died after being shot at a South Carolina primary school, by a 14 year old who opened fire on the playground, is planning a superhero funeral for the tragic youngster.

Pallbearers will dress as comic-strip characters and people attending are being encouraged to wear superhero costumes at the ceremony today [Wednesday].

His uncle, Johnny Bridges, said the family wanted to celebrate what Jacob enjoyed instead of focusing on negative memories.

Nobel for scientists BRITISH-born scientists David Thouless, Duncan Haldane and Michael Kosterlitz have been awarded this year’s Nobel Prize in physics, for work that ‘revealed the secrets of exotic matter’.

The three ‘opened the door’ to an unknown world where matter takes unusual states or phases, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said. The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on Friday.

Wednesday 5th October 2016

Haitians refuse to abandon flimsy homes despite hurricane warning TOWNS and villages on Haiti’s south-western peninsula are being battered by life-threatening winds, heavy rain and a storm surge unleashed by powerful Hurricane Matthew.

The dangerous category four storm is also dumping heavy rain on other parts of Haiti – the hemisphere’s poorest country, where many people live in flimsy shacks in areas prone to flooding – and on Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

Matthew has maximum sustained winds of 145mph, and forecasters said its slowly advancing centre will pass over the south-western tip of Haiti, with another landfall then expected in the lightly-populated eastern end of Cuba.

Richard Pasch, a senior forecaster at the US National Hurricane Centre in Miami, said: “We are looking at a dangerous hurricane that is heading into the vicinity of western Haiti and eastern Cuba.

“People who are impacted by things like flooding and mudslides hopefully would get out and relocate, because that’s where we have seen loss of life in the past.”

Haitian officials spent Monday trying to persuade shanty town residents to take advantage of shelters being set up. But some refused to do so, saying they feared their meagre possessions might be stolen.

“If we lose our things we are not going to get them back,” said Toussaint Laine, an unemployed man who lives with his family in a shack in Tabarre, a suburb of the capital Port-au-Prince.

Authorities also went door-to-door in the south

coast cities of Les Cayes and Jeremie to make sure people were aware of the storm’s threats. At least 1,200 people were moved to shelters in churches and schools.

“We are continuing to mobilise teams in the south to move people away from dangerous areas,” said Marie Alta Jean-Baptiste, Head of Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency.

Many Haitians live in frail houses set up in risky places. In an unregulated sprawl of shacks built on hillsides near the northern edge of the capital, some poor families did what they could to reinforce their tin-and-tarp home and hoped for the best.

“I know my house could easily blow away.

All I can do is pray and then pray some more,” Ronlande Francois said by the tarp-walled shack where she lives with her unemployed husband and three children.

Forecasters said the storm could dump as much as 40 inches of rain on some isolated areas of Haiti, raising fears of deadly mudslides and floods in the heavily deforested country, where flooding is common.

Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency reported one death – a fisherman who drowned in rough water churned up by the storm. That raised Matthew’s death toll to at least three. One man died in Colombia and a teen was killed in St Vincent and the Grenadines as the storm moved through the Caribbean.

Cuba’s government declared a hurricane alert for six eastern provinces, and workers removed traffic lights from poles in the city of Santiago to keep them from falling when the storm hit.

SPORT IN BRIEF

Minister’s aide arrested after Grand Prix stunt NINE Australians, including a government adviser, have been arrested in Malaysia for stripping down to their briefs and drinking beer from shoes after their countryman Daniel Ricciardo won the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix.

Government officials confirmed that Jack Walker, adviser to defence industry minister Chris Pyne, was among the men aged 25 to 29 who were arrested after they stripped down to Budgy Smuggler-brand swimsuits decorated with the Malaysian flag in full view of thousands of spectators at the Sepang race track on Sunday.

Murray back on form ANDY Murray proved his fitness as he advanced to the second round of the China Open in Beijing after defeating Andreas Seppi 6-2 7-5. The world number two was playing his first competitive match since his Davis Cup win over Guido Pella a fortnight ago, where he suffered a thigh injury.

Call up for Keane BURNLEY defender Michael Keane has been called up by England for the first time after injury prevented Glen Johnson’s longawaited return. The first squad of the Gareth Southgate football era met at St George’s Park yesterday [Tuesday] ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia.

Mustard on the move FORMER England wicketkeeper Phil Mustard has agreed a permanent move from Durham to Gloucestershire after the cricketer’s spell on loan during the summer.

Doping ban reduced MARIA SHARAPOVA’s two-year doping ban, for testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open,has been reduced on appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport from two years to 15 months, the International Tennis Federation has announced. The Russian tennis star will now be eligible to play again after April 25, 2017.

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22  LETTERS

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 newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk or write to the Editor at 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU

Where is the hidden figure on how big a subsidy a new theatre may need?

In a full debate at the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council meeting on the July 20, councillors were questioning the possible increase in subsidy the council tax payers of the borough would be liable for if a new theatre were to be built.

A senior councillor recorded that in the past year the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury was subsidised by the Canterbury tax payers to the tune of £1.2million pounds, whereas the Assembly Hall received a subsidy of some £240,000, paid for by the tax payer.

In a response to that councillor, Councillor Hamilton stated that the Marlowe was in competition with the Gulbenkian Theatre, hence the large subsidy.

For Councillor Hamilton’s information, the Gulbenkian is on the University of Kent campus, has 340 seats and is grant-funded by the Arts ASSEMBLY HALL Crescent Road

The Hub: A rightly robust riposte

I think your editorial [September 21] was a proper, and rightly robust, riposte to [architect] Ptolemy Dean’s altogether unsurprising [critical] comments on Southborough’s proposed Hub. Some people live only in the past and would condemn the rest of us to reside there, too, and what Dean fails to reference – as your editorial did – is cost.

Should one ask if Mr Dean’s practice submitted a bid for the scheme? As for him being ‘a favourite of the Royal Family’ – well, I rest my case – pass round the Poundbury Mint Royals, someone.

Edward Baker Tunbridge Wells

Gatwick: Was this a near miss?

At approximately 10.11 this morning [Sunday September 25], I witnessed a near miss between two passenger aircraft over Tunbridge Wells.

One was evidently circling on approach towards Gatwick, and at this point travelling in a

Council, and in all probability receives a subsidy from the university.

However, what the councillor completely forgot, or chose to ignore, is that in Tunbridge Wells there are also two theatres. The second one being Trinity. It has a seating capacity slightly less than the Gulbenkian at 280 seats, is not grant-funded by the Arts Council, but did have a small subsidy from the council, and hence is a far more commercial operation than the second Canterbury theatre, and hence greater competition to a new theatre in Tunbridge Wells than the Gulbenkian is to the Marlowe.

So congratulations Councillor Hamilton, you were on the side of the senior councillor all the time! The question still remains: How large a subsidy will a larger theatre need? There must be a figure hidden away in vaults of the Town Hall that will at least be an indicator.

Roy Bullock Lamberhurst TRINITY THEATRE Church Road

northerly direction, and the other was travelling in an easterly direction.

From my garden they appeared of similar size, giving the impression that they were at similar altitude!

I saw them cross paths at 90 degrees to each other – one, briefly, superimposed upon the other!

I was relieved that they must have had some clear air between them, but this must have been hair-raising for their passengers. I regret that I did not have a camera ready to capture this.

The incident occurred during a busy sky. I witnessed noisy plane after noisy plane circling over central TW at 90 second intervals, seemingly barely 1,000 feet above ground.

Is there an advisory, or regulatory, altitude for these craft as they approach Tunbridge Wells airspace?

I suspect that, should Gatwick get its second runway, such issues will magnify.

Martin Dawes Via email

Gatwick: Fence-sitting local MP

Your recent article [September 7] about cheap night flights from Gatwick, and the potential for increased traffic that could result, lists those local MPs who have signed a letter of objection.

Greg Clark, the local MP for Tunbridge Wells did not sign citing ‘collective Cabinet responsibility’.

This is pusillanimity on a grand scale: Boris Johnson is in the Cabinet, and he speaks loudly and strongly about airports; his boss, Mrs May, has expressed concern about night flights; his Cabinet colleague Justine Greening has expressed strong views about airport expansion, too, so what’s collective Cabinet responsibility got to do with an expansion of night flights?

We know he’s a notorious fence-sitter, but is saying ‘no’ to this going to rock anyone’s boat?

Sam Goodenough Tunbridge Wells

Local charges: The fundamental flaw

The fundamental flaw in extra local charges being levied on Tonbridge residents is that the services listed are enjoyed by residents from across the borough, not just Tonbridgians.

People from the locality come here to work and shop and enjoy the facilities.

Nicolas Heslop [leader of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council] blames the Government, yet he and Tom Tugendhat [MP] were elected on a platform of unnecessary austerity.

Cuts are in the Tories DNA, and now there is nothing left to cut council tax is being raised to plug the gaps.

What is the point in holding a public consultation if 74 per cent of respondents against these changes are going to be ignored?

If this isn’t enough, TMBC now proposes changes to Council Tax Reduction, which in line with the welfare cuts will leave the poorest even worse off, while the Government plan to cut Corporation Tax – is this what they call Compassionate Conservatism?

While we are denied a town council of our own, the 12 TMBC councillors responsible for the town will allow this hike knowing the town is against the plans. We have a democratic deficit.

Mark Hood Tonbridge and Malling Green Party

Fostering: Standardise all care

I was saddened to read of the lack of foster carers available in Tunbridge Wells, and the ‘crisis point’ we are now in as a community.

It seems that with such a jump in the amount of children needing care this year, it is time for the profiting fostering agencies to be stopped and instead all foster care to be standardised for the benefit all children.

Lorraine Holmes Via email

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

Wednesday 5th October 2016

Calverley STAND BY for the announcement this month of where the extra runway is likely to be sited – Gatwick or Heathrow. After years of wrangling and public slanging matches between the rival camps, PM Theresa May is expected to end the suspense by naming one or the other, with dire consequences for those living beneath flight paths. Calverley, though, hears rumours of a smart political option that will leave everyone unhappy – giving the go-ahead for a runway at both airports. Surely not.

CALVERLEY also hears that a head-to-head TV debate between the bosses of the two airports is not going to take off. Word is that Heathrow’s John Holland-Kaye has taken flight and will ‘not be available’. Rival Stewart Wingate should go solo.

TALK about putting the cats amongst the pigeons.

American bird expert Dr Peter Marra has been busy telling any journalist who will listen that he believes cats that stray outside should be put down because they’re killing too many wild birds.

That’ll ruffle a few feathers. But you should also know (big surprise) that he has just published his latest book: Cat Wars. Meow.

MATRIMONIAL happiness is always at the forefront of Calverley’s mind, and in that spirit he passes on the following exchange between a married couple out shopping. Him: “Look, I’m really sorry, it won’t happen again.” Her: “I don’t care about Christmas cards, but you just have to remember our wedding anniversary and my birthday, those are the really important ones.” They most certainly are.

HOW embarrassing. A friend of Calverley’s was last week bemoaning the fact that his most splendid of homes had been burgled.

Apparently, someone smashed the kitchen door window to get inside and have good look round the place for something valuable. And what did the intruder take away with them…?

An umbrella.

DON’T you just love it when those people who write menus can’t quite get their act together.

Himself spots the words ‘slow brained beef’ when they clearly mean ‘slow braised beef’.

Then again, maybe they didn’t get it wrong.

Chin, chin readers

Education in association with:

www.right-tuition.co.uk

EDUCATION �

23

EDUCATION Times WITH THE

Thousands more children to benefit from anti-bullying app A £4.4million government fund is being given to a project that will help schoolchildren report cases of bullying courtesy of a clever new device PUPILS experiencing acts of abuse can now report them anonymously using a special app which is being rolled out to hundreds of schools in the UK. Victims can screenshot abusive messages or even take photographs of bullies in action, and send them in via the innovative tootoot app. The reports will then be read by staff at the child’s school, but no one else.

The Department for Education recently announced that the tootoot app, which is an online platform that provides 24-hour support to young people, will benefit from the £4.4million government investment, along with nine similar apps.

As a result, 120,000 students across 300 schools will be able to use the programmes to report incidents such as cyberbullying, religious and homophobic abuse.

The scheme, run by Internet Matters, will also train 4,500 teachers and educate 60,000 parents about how to protect their children from cyberbullying. An online hub will provide thousands of children, parents and carers with

support around the clock, including in the school holidays, with advice on tackling bullying and tips on how to block and report abuse on a range of online platforms.

Education Secretary Justine Greening said:

SCHOOL REPORT Pupils can now report acts of abuse via a special new app

Skinners’ School announces the winner of its Senior Design award STUDENT Henry Smart has been awarded the prize and cup for Senior Design by The Skinners’ School in Tunbridge Wells.

The prize is sponsored by Tonbridge-based luxury housebuilder Millwood Designer Homes, as part of the prestigious Encouragement Pack initiative it runs with a number of schools in Kent and East Sussex.

Henry is currently studying for A levels in Product Design, Geography and Business Studies in his

“School should be a safe place where children can go to grow and learn. No child should ever be bullied, and apps like this now mean support for any child is only a click away.” � See www.tootoot.co.uk

final year of sixth form at Skinners’. The 18 year old from Sevenoaks is hoping to study Geography and Design at either Bristol University or Nottingham.

Edward Wesson, Headmaster at The Skinners’ School, said: “We are delighted that Henry has received a Millwood Encouragement Pack.

“This is a rich reward for his dedicated work in design this year, and I know that it will spur him on as he looks to develop a career in design and engineering.

“I am very grateful to Millwood Designer Homes for their contribution to education in this area.”

Henry was also grateful for the ‘generous’ donation from the housebuilder, and added: “I will look to invest the money into something that will further my interests in design.

“My passion for design was sparked

by Ms Spencer and Mr Edwards of the Design Technology Department GRAND at The Skinners’ School, DESIGNS and I can’t thank them Harry Smart enough for the support (left) receives they have given me. his award from “I hope that this year Millwood’s will be as successful as Rob Sisley the year just gone.”

NEWS IN EDUCATION

Top marks for nursery LITTLE RASCALS has been granted an Outstanding rating in all areas after a recent Oftsed inspection.

The nursery chain, which has two sites in Tunbridge Wells and was set up in 2011 by three local parents, said they were ‘extremely proud’ of what they had achieved.

Co-founders Esther Green and Felicity and Rob Merrick added: “The reports are amazing and comment on all our children being ‘exceptionally happy’, and that is the most important thing for us.”

Little Rascals pre-school is in Clanricarde Gardens and the nursery is in Lonsdale Road.

A hive of activity STUDENTS at the Mount Camphill Community College in Wadhurst can add beekeeping to the list of practical skills they can now learn.

Gas distribution company SGN has donated two special hives to the residential establishment, which offers specialist education for students with learning difficulties aged between 16 and 25.

The new ‘Golden Hives’ have a wax cloth covering the top of the frames, which minimises the impact of the hive being opened frequently. The bees are calmer as the inner climate of their hive is protected.

Pamela Goee, SGN’s Head of Community, explained why the company was keen to help the college: “It is widely accepted now that the UK’s bee population is in decline, and beekeeping is one area in which SGN, as a responsible company, can make a contribution.”

Wednesday 5th October 2016

24  WEEKLY COMMENT

Andrew Sharp Chairman of Tunbridge Wells Constituency Labour Party

Andrew Sharp is an experienced freelance Political, Communications and Organisational Adviser. He is a former National Officer of the Labour Party who specialised in Organisation, elections, legal and constitutional management and a former Borough Councillor in Essex. The Times also publishes regular opinions from Conservative and Liberal Democrat Party members

Changes to education must be evidence based TUNBRIDGE WELLS is one of the most popular towns in England because of range of schools it offers. Its close proximity to London, its facilities and beautiful surrounding countryside make it a very attractive place to move to for many parents who want their children to go into the best schools. For the few who get there, it is predominantly grammar schools. No one should knock parents for wanting to get their children into what they believe are the best schools.

Parents want their children to do well at school and have successful careers in adult life, therefore getting your daughter or son into the best state schools is seen as a passport to that goal. There is plenty of evidence to show that the competition for places at primary school level is where it starts. The catchment area of the most sought after schools can make house prices or rents to become disproportionately expensive. In areas such as Tunbridge Wells this is magnified as primary schools with the best 11 plus rates are the route to our grammar schools – and in turn to universities. For those who can afford it, there are many private schools who specialise in getting children through the 11 plus and a place in one of our local state funded grammar schools.

Wednesday 5th October 2016

The majority of children at 11 are segregated off to ‘non selective’ schools, where in Kent at least, the chance of getting into a good school is more of a post code lottery depending on which part of Kent you live in.

Traditionally grammar schools provided opportunities for a few children from poorer backgrounds to realise their full potential. By the 1960s a political consensus had been reached that Comprehensive (or non-selective) secondary schools provided a better answer in tackling the problems of social mobility and better exam results for children. Since the rise of nonselective education, record numbers are now going to University compared with a small fraction of that in the time of the Grammar school heyday.

Here are some local facts:  In Tunbridge Wells, St Gregory’s Catholic School and the Skinners Academy, have both received “Outstanding” Ofsted reports and are a couple of very good examples of non-segregated secondary schools providing an excellent education for all children regardless of their social or economic background.  Kent County Council admits that only 2.8% of Grammar school children get free school meals

NO TO SELECTION Grammar schools are not the solution

compared to 13.4% in non-selective schools.

(Free school meals are an indicator of economic background and social mobility).  It is believed that 13% of grammar school children are from private schools compared with very few who went on to non-selective state schools  Kent County Council is bottom of the class across the country when it comes to the number of failing secondary schools.

The best solution is to provide good state

education everywhere so that all children regardless of background, from between the ages of four to adulthood at 18, are able to realise their full potential and can be ambitious, aspire, attain success and go on to further education or apprenticeships as they face a rapidly changing world, particularly in the place of work. Segregation at the arbitrary age of 11 might have been a solution in the 1950s but is a world apart from a nation that needs to educate and prepare our children to compete and succeed in adulthood where the prospects for the next generation are possibly tougher than many of us have enjoyed.

Ultimately our education system must provide equality of opportunity where every child reaches his or her potential. Changes to the education system should be evidence based, with dynamic head teachers and high quality staff in all our schools. The education focus must be on each and every child – not just the few.

WEST KENT’S ULTIMATE PROPERTY GUIDE – FREE EVERY WEDNESDAY A MUST READ FOR THOSE LOOKING TO BUY, LET OR SELL

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WITH THE

Available in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks

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A Victorian lodge with a spectacular rural outlook

A stable property in the grounds of Bayham Abbey

Wednesday 5th October 2016

 PROPERTY SECTION

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

In my view…

Your at-a-glance guide to

Rupert Connell Partner, Office Head Knight Frank Tunbridge Wells

The Autumn market is now in full swing and, encouragingly, we are beginning to see the positive effects of renewed confidence and enthusiasm among buyers and vendors and less impact from the result of the EU Referendum. Over the last couple of months we have noticed a significant increase in the number of new buyers registering with us, viewings arranged and offers being made.

Added to this is a marked increase in the number of new instructions between July and August compared with this time last year, a clear sign that vendors, many of whom had delayed putting their houses on

DUDLEY ROAD

the market as a result of the referendum, are returning to the fray.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Prices continue to fluctuate across the

£185,000

market according to price band and location, the general pattern being a slight fall in top end prices, the mid-range holding steady and the lower end showing signs of a slight increase. Pricing still remains critical to the successful sale of a property however, and there is still a lot of overpriced stock in the market, something which is clearly evidenced by the number of price reductions currently being advertised.

If you are thinking of selling your property in the next 9 months, don’t fall into the trap of launching at an overambitious price. Take sensible advice and launch in line with current market conditions which will give you the highest chance of securing a sale at the best price achievable.

Please call Knight Frank and we would be delighted to discuss your property requirements.

01892 310997 www.knightfrank.co.uk

UNDER £350,000 DENBIGH ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£275,000 newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? Wednesday 5th October 2016

A pretty Victorian mid-terrace house which is well located for the town, High Brooms railway station and the recently refurbished Grosvenor and Hilbert Park. The property has been superbly maintained, with two reception rooms and two good

sized bedrooms. An additional bonus is the large, recently refurbished first floor bathroom.

A host of period features include cast iron fireplaces and a solid fuel burner. The house also has both front and rear gardens.

CONTACT Wood & Pilcher 01892 511211 www.woodandpilcher.co.uk

UNDER £450,000 REDLEAF CLOSE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£415,000-£435,000

Located between the villages of Frant and Wadhurst, this delightful character cottage offers well presented accommodation over two floors, comprising a sitting room, a kitchen/breakfast room, a bathroom and two bedrooms.

Additionally, there is a pretty rear garden with an ornamental pond, and a generous gated drive to the front offers ample off-road parking.

Two garden sheds and a car port provide adaptable storage space.

CONTACT Wood and Pilcher Tunbridge Wells 01892 511211 www.woodandpilcher.co.uk

PROPERTY SECTION 

great properties by price range…

UNDER £600,000 BROOMFIELD, BELLS YEW GREEN

OIRO £475,000 Freehold Built about eight years ago in a village about two miles south of Tunbridge Wells, this four-bedroom family house is set at the end of an attractive terrace with views over the countryside, and is within walking distance of Frant mainline station. The property enjoys well arranged accommodation over three floors and has been greatly improved and extended.

CONTACT Hamptons Tunbridge Wells 01892 516611 www.hamptons.co.uk

UNDER £800,000 BERKELEY ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£750,000 Freehold This elegant late Victorian townhouse is believed to date from the late 1800s and has stunning character features throughout, including arch windows in the master bedroom and stable doors in the kitchen leading directly to the garden. The property is situated within the highly sought-after ‘Village Area’ of Tunbridge Wells in the southern part of the town, near to The Grove park, the famous Pantiles and picturesque High Street, where there are a variety of boutique shops, cafés and restaurants.

CONTACT Hamptons Tunbridge Wells 01892 516611 www.hamptons.co.uk

UNDER £1MILLION ACER AVENUE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£875,000

UNDER £250,000 DUDLEY ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£185,000 A beautifully presented onebedroom apartment in a period townhouse lying at the very heart of Tunbridge Wells, conveniently placed between the Common and the shops, and just a third of a mile from the mainline railway station. Particular effort has been made by the vendors to show it to the very highest of standards, with

a number of contemporary design features and an especially impressive open-plan kitchen and living area with a breakfast bar and rooftop views.

CONTACT Wood and Pilcher Tunbridge Wells 01892 511 211 www.woodandpilcher.co.uk

No 22 Acer Avenue was constructed in the late 1980s and occupies a good sized plot in a no-through residential road on the southern fringe of Tunbridge Wells, very close to the Nevill Golf Club. The stylish and spacious kitchen and living areas, combined with five bedrooms, a study and a well stocked, fully enclosed rear garden with a superb circular rear terrace, provide a home well suited to the needs of the modern family. There is also a double garage and off-road parking.

CONTACT Savills Tunbridge Wells 01892 507000 www.savills.co.uk

Wednesday 5th October 2016

Goudhurst An attractive Grade II Listed farmhouse with a detached oast house 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms. Detached oast house. Garaging. Gardens, grounds and equestrian facilities.

In all about 3.76 acres.

Felbridge A delightful family house with substantial outbuildings, designed by Edwin Lutyens 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms. Substantial L-shaped outbuilding divided into living space, office accommodation and storage. Substantial Atcost barn. Open-bay garden store. Tennis court, gardens and paddocks. EPC rating E. In all about 17 acres.

Tunbridge Wells An imposing modern house situated in a desirable town location 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms. Integral double garage. Off-street parking. South facing rear garden. In all about 0.3 acres.

Tunbridge Wells A unique family house situated between Hungershall and Nevill Park and set within 8.7 acres 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms. Detached barn with planning consent to convert to ancillary accommodation. Attractive grounds. Double garage and paddocks.

EPC rating E. In all about 9 acres.

Tunbridge Wells Stylish family home within walking distance of the station 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 4 reception rooms. Detached 1 bed annexe. Carport. Established rear garden. EPC rating C.

Horam An idyllic period property with extensive equestrian facilities 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 4 reception rooms. Office, car port, tractor shed, workshop/machine store, double garage with storage above, two storey hay barn, games room/annexe. Gardens and grounds extending to approximately 12.35 acres. EPC ratings E and F.

Goudhurst A beautiful Grade II Listed village house 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms. South facing rear garden with raised patio. Off-street parking.

Cranbrook An interesting Grade II Listed country residence with impressive equestrian facilities 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms. 2 attached apartments. Gardens and grounds. Extensive stabling, wash bay, tack room, hay barn, manege, pony yard, dog kennels and paddocks. Numerous outbuildings including; 2 large barns, tractor shed, dutch barn, former chicken shed and concrete barn. In all about 68.38 acres.

 PROPERTY SECTION

A home fit for a princess

B

Wednesday 5th October 2016

ELIEVED to have been built for Queen Victoria’s daughter, Princess Louise, Dornden House is an impressive late 19th-century mansion, rebuilt in 1925, and now comprising three substantial portions.

These include the Middlehouse, which retains the principal reception rooms, as well as the striking entrance hall with its decoratively carved joinery and front porch.

The Middlehouse has been sympathetically updated with stylish contemporary fixtures and fittings which complement the lovely period features, and the well proportioned accommodation is arranged over three floors.

Further points of note include the stone steps leading up to the impressive gabled entrance porch with its wide, oak-panelled front door, and the reception hall’s high ceiling, oak flooring, and mellow oak-panelled walls.

Plus large stone mullioned windows with square leaded light panes and decorative wrought iron work, and a Jacobean-style oak staircase rising to the first floor.

On the ground floor, the drawing room has a moulded elliptical door with an oak frame alongside leaded light windows that opens out to the rear garden terrace. It also has oak wall panelling and a stone feature fireplace with a brick hearth and carved oak surround which is fitted with a contemporary wood-burning stove.

The contemporary-style kitchen/dining room has an outlook to the front, wood flooring, fitted twin electric ovens, a five-ring gas hob, fridge, dishwasher and a wide open fireplace with a gas fire.

There is also a charming study/family room with wood flooring, a built-in desk and cupboards.

On the lower ground floor is a utility room fitted with storage cupboards, a Belfast sink and space for an American-style fridge/freezer, washing machine and tumble dryer.

The first floor houses the master bedroom, which enjoys an outlook over the garden to the rear, a well appointed ‘Jack and Jill’ bath/shower room, a further bedroom and a family bath/ shower room.

On the second floor there is a generously proportioned landing encompassing a sitting area and giving access to two further double bedrooms, a smaller bedroom and another shower room.

Outside the drawing room is a paved terrace with a stone balustrade and a Judas tree providing a shady corner.

From here, steps descend to a good sized level lawn with planted borders under mature trees.

There are topiary yew features and low box hedging fringes a gravel path.

A private drive from Langton Road gives access to several properties. There is space here for car parking close to the gate, and a double garage.

‘It’s been sympathetically updated with stylish contemporary fixtures and fittings which complement the lovely period features’

PROPERTY SECTION �

MIDDLEHOUSE LANGTON GREEN, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£1,295,000

AT A GLANCE n Entrance porch n Reception hall n Drawing room n Study/family room n Kitchen/dining room n Master bedroom with en suite bath/ shower room n 3 double bedrooms n Family bathroom n Landing with sitting area n Child’s bedroom n Shower room n Utility room n Cloakroom n Enclosed gardens to front and rear n Garden studio n Double garage n About 0.40 acres

£1,295,000 Savills Tunbridge Wells 01892 507000 www.savills.com

Wednesday 5th October 2016

Loose £315,000 An enchanting terraced, period cottage set in the idyllic and quaint village of Loose. A delightful babbling brook at the bottom of the garden.

3 bedro01ns. EPC: D

Rolvenden £560,000 This wonderful, attached, single storey Grade II Listed country cottage c01nprises of 3 double bedrooms set in 0.4 acres, of1nature gardens with an oak cart shed.

Marden £425,000 'his beautifully presented 4 bedroom recently built fainily home. Located in the convenient village of Marden, within close mmrtro:o,,.\I,\\\\ proxi1nity of a mainline station. EPC: B.

Staplecross £650,000 This really channing . and deceptively spacious detached period country cottage has 10.27 acres.

Stabling and your very own woodland awaits you. EPC: D

Cross in Hand £680,000

Roberts bridge £775,000

This beautiful, detached and unlisted cottage has been transfonned into a wonderful, period fainily h01ne. Set with in 0.35 acres of glorious gardens. EPC: E

A wonderfully tranquil and well-proportioned fainily ho1ne. Externally this property offers off road parking, a double garage and a park like gardens. EPC: C

Ticehurst £850,000 A newly extended and refurbished 4 bedro01n attached cottage, set in a leafy lane within walking diatance of the village.

With off road parking.

EPC:F

Bidden den £950,000 Situated in 7 acres of fabulous grounds and paddocks, this detached 4 bedroo1n ho1ne occupies a leafy location within the Cranbrook School Catcmnent Area

Pluckley £1,250,000

Woodchurch £1,450,000

With all the curves in the right places and dressed to ilnpressed with no expense spared. This glorious 5 bedroo1n, twin roundel oast house can be found in a leafy location down a gravelled driveway lined with trees. This wonderful fainily ho1ne boasts original features with exposed brick work, stone flooring and exposed light oak ti1nbers.

A wonderful country h01ne filled with period chann.

Set back fr01n the road and locatedjust 9.41niles fr01n the Ashford fast train to London, this detached fainily ho1ne has been lovingly extended and renovated to an i1n1naculate standard. Boasting 5 bedro01n suites, 3 receptions, bespoke finishes throughout with a fine 1nix ofperiod features set within 2 .5 acres with multiple outbuildings. A further 3.4 acre paddock available separately.

Wadhurst £4,995PCM 4,410. ?sq.ft.: country kitchen with an AGA, 6

receptions, principal suite with an en-suite, guest suite, 4 further bedrooms, a shower and bathro01n.

Swim1ning pool and pool house spans 2,877 sq. ft. with a party roo1n, gy1n, kitchen, shower roo1n and bedroom. 4 workshops. 3 bay garage. In 37 acres!

� PROPERTY SECTION

Georgian gem is a renowned ‘Building of England’

T

HIS spectacular seven-bedroom property lies in a quiet location on the northern outskirts of East Hoathly and enjoys an elevated position with some splendid far-reaching views over the surrounding countryside towards the South Downs.

Belmont House is a magnificent Georgian home with later additions.

Its beauty is so astounding that it is mentioned in art historian Nikolaus Pevsner’s series of architectural guides The Buildings of England.

The property is exquisitely presented and has a wonderful sense of light and space It also retains many features characteristic of the period, including some fine fireplaces.

Expertly refurbished by John Minshaw Designs, the interior of the house includes two murals by the well-known endangered bird artist Emma Faull, as well as a kitchen with a luxurious range of bespoke oak units with granite worktops, two fridge/freezers,

and a six-oven Aga. Another feature is the electrified picture rails, while the kitchen, breakfast room, bathrooms and conservatory, enjoy the benefit of underfloor heating.

There is also satellite TV and a music system on the ground floor.

The reception rooms are ideally arranged for formal entertaining, and are complemented over the first and second floors by a particularly spacious principal bedroom suite, which includes a balcony, two further suites, four additional bedrooms and another bathroom.

Incorporated within the house, and approached via a secondary staircase, is a one-bedroom apartment, which provides ideal accommodation for staff.

Attached to the southern side of the main house, and approached from either the courtyard or the walled garden, The Coach House provides excellent secondary accommodation for the extended family.

Additionally, approached from a spur of the main entrance drive, the single storey Gardener’s Cottage provides well arranged two-bedroom accommodation with its own area of parking.

‘Expertly refurbished by John Minshaw Designs, the interior of the house includes two murals by the well-known endangered bird artist Emma Faull’ Wednesday 5th October 2016

PROPERTY SECTION �

AT A GLANCE n Drawing room n Dining room n Sitting room n Study n Conservatory n Media room

BELMONT HOUSE EAST HOATHLY, EAST SUSSEX

£4,500,000

GUIDE PRICE

n Kitchen n Breakfast room n Laundry room n 2 cloakrooms n Extensive wine cellar n Principal suite n 2 further bedroom suites n 4 further double bedrooms n Further bathroom n Pool house n Swimming pool n All-weather tennis court n Greenhouse n Paddock n Additional apartment n Coach House n Gardner’s Cottage n 7 acres

Guide Price

£4,500,000

Knight Frank Tunbridge Wells 01892 515035 www.knightfrank.co.uk

Wednesday 5th October 2016

TUNBRIDGE WELLS,

KENT

TUNBRIDGE WELLS,

KENT

Saint John's area + open plan kitchen/reception + 2 bedrooms + bathroom + allocated parking space + communal garden area + bicycle store + Council Tax=C + EPC=C

Apartment in Royal Wells development + double bedroom + open plan kitchen & sitting room + bathroom + entrance hall + allocated parking space for one car + Council Tax=C + EPC=B

£1,200 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee. Other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

£1,100 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee. Other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

TUNBRIDGE WELLS,

TUNBRIDGE WELLS,

KENT

KENT

First floor apartment on Pembury Road + kitchen + sitting room + 2 bedrooms + en suite shower room + bathroom + balcony + 2 allocated parking spaces + Council Tax=C + EPC=B

Mezzanine apartment + one bedroom + open plan/kitchen reception room + bathroom + communal gardens + allocated parking + EPC=D

£1,100 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee. Other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

£700 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee. Other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

*£36 inc VAT for each additional tenant/o ccupant/guarantor reference where required. Inventory check o ut fee - charged at the end of o r early termination of the tenancy and the amount is dependent on the property size and whether furnished / unfurnished. For more details including example inventory fee, visit

www.savills.eo.uk/fees.

With a UK-wide network, wherever you're moving, we'll be local to you what can we do for you?

ROTHERFIELD'

HADLOW,

EAST SUSSEX

KENT

Scope for improvement + Eridge MLS 3.2 miles + 2 reception rooms + 6 bedrooms + 2 attic rooms + stables + gardens + fields + 4,682 sq ft + about 17.85 acres + EPC=E

Beautifully presented family home + private gated road + 4 receptions + 5 bedrooms + gardens & paddock + swimming pool + 2,989 sq ft + about 1.3 acres + EPC=E

Guide £1,599,950 Freehold

Guide £1.25 million Freehold

GROOMBRIDGE,

Contact: Amanda Wyatt

MAYFIELD'

EAST SUSSEX

Contact: Amanda Wyatt

EAST SUSSEX

Immaculate and substantial family home + 2 reception rooms + kitchen/d ining/family room + 5 bedrooms + 2nd fioor bedroom/games room + 3,642 sq ft + about 0.99 acres + EPC=B

Character house on village edge + 3 reception rooms + impressive kitchen/d ining room + 5 bedrooms + car port + mature gardens + 2,667 sq ft + about 1.1 acres + EPC=E

Guide £1.195 million Freehold

Guide £1 million Freehold

Contact: Liz Devall

Contact: Becky Card

With a UK-wide network, wherever you're moving, we'll be local to you what can we do for you?

PROPERTY SECTION �

Bringing autumn home Enjoy some warming tips as the nights close in…

PALE & PALATIAL Follow the trend for full-on luxe, or its more informal cousin shabby chic, and conjure up an elegant, understated neutral palette, including pale grey, embellished with decorative details from vases to mirrors.

“Our palatial look takes inspiration from an elegant French townhouse style, with a soft color palette emphasising the clean look,” says Sainsbury’s Print Designer Joanna Branson.

“We’ve featured greys and dusky pinks and, to give it a modern twist, added touches of glass, or a delicate linear floral print for a vintage look.”

DECOR TIP Sensual textures will ramp up the comfort, so add fur rugs, velvets and silks, and bring sparkle with vintage mirrors, candlesticks and hurricane lamps. House of Fraser’s Casa Couture collection has pieces made for this.

GET THE LOOK The glamorous palatial collection from by Sainsbury’s features many of the decadent touches needed for this style. They are available in its stores over the next few months.

Debenhams’ silver and grey Embroidered Deco Cushion, £35, available in October, is another stylish buy. (www.debenhams.com)

‘Follow the trend for full-on luxe, or its more informal cousin shabby chic, and conjure up an elegant, understated neutral palette, including pale grey’

WILD & WILDER Designers continue to be inspired by the great outdoors, and there’s a choice of interpretations this season – woodland or the exotic jungle look.

“We’ve chosen a look, Enchanted Forest, which conjures both a dark and mysterious forest with deep green tones as well as a magical woodland with fanciful creatures,” says Julie Varma, Senior Design and Buying Director for George Home.

“Nature’s still ruling in interiors, ranging from botanical prints and countryside charm, through to more of a walk on the wild side with leopard prints and a safari focus.”

print) wallpaper, £85 a roll, is striking (www. houseofhackney.com) Graham & Green’s rug range includes a Black and White Cow Skin Rug, £265 (www.grahamandgreen. co.uk)

DECOR TIP If a pastoral scene – quirky or otherwise – is too tame, prowl through a selection of wild animal designs and print wallpaper at House of Hackney. Their Wild Card Butterscotch (leopard

GET THE LOOK George Home avoids cute and captures chic with its Enchanted Hybrid collection, including a Hybrid Animals Duvet Set, from £13 (www.direct. asda.com/george)

Wednesday 5th October 2016

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk '*"·

THESUNDAYTIMES

THE . . . .TIMES

Ticehurst £1,200,000 A delightful Grade II listed 5 bedroom barn conversion is set at the end of a country lane with views over Bewl Water and gardens and grounds of just under 3 acres.

Tunbridge Wells £780,000 A period 4 bedroom town house with excellent accommodation arranged over four floors presented in excellent order throughout with many original features including exposed timbers, beams and sash windows and enjoying outlooks of the 'Village Area'. EPC: D

Tunbridge Wells Office Sales. 01892 597607 I tunbridgewells@hamptons-int.com

Tunbridge Wells ÂŁ1,195,000 An enchanting and secluded 4 bedroom Victorian coach house set down a long driveway in the much favoured southern end of the town with beautifully laid out south westerly facing gardens. EPC: D

Langton Green ÂŁ1,750,000 A fine Victorian 6 bedroom detached former lodge substantially extended with partly walled gardens of just under three quarters of an acre in a rural setting with views close to both Speldhurst and Langton Green. EPC: E

Drl

� PROPERTY SECTION

Former lodge full of fine features

Wednesday 5th October 2016

PROPERTY SECTION 

AT A GLANCE ■ Reception hall ■ Cloakroom ■ Drawing room ■ Family room ■ Sitting room ■ Dining room ■ Kitchen/breakfast room ■ Utility room ■ Principal bedroom with en suite bathroom ■ 5 further bedrooms ■ 2 further bathrooms ■ Gas-fired central heating ■ Home office/summerhouse ■ Double carport ■ Partly-walled gardens about ¾ Acre

£1,750,000 Hamptons International Tunbridge Wells 01892 516611 www.hamptons-int.com

‘There is a long, central brick walkway with a pergola covered in an abundance of climbing plants and flanked on either side by shrub borders’

SHIRLEY LODGE LANGTON GREEN, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£1,750,000

A

FINE former Victorian Lodge with a spacious interior nestled in rural surroundings with countryside views.

The original building was substantially extended in the 1980s, and again more recently, and now provides outstanding accommodation.

This includes a lower ground floor with its own entrance, which could provide a self-contained suite if required. It is used at present as a further guest bedroom with bathroom and sitting room.

A games room could be another option here.

There are many notable features throughout the house, including a delightful reception hall that creates an excellent first impression.

The drawing room is nearly 30’ in length with a high ceiling and, at one end, a curved wall with tall floor-to-ceiling casement doors to the south terrace. There is a carved surround fireplace with bookshelves with cupboards to one side.

The dining room has an open fireplace and polished wood floor, which continues into the well fitted open-plan kitchen/breakfast room.

An attractive glazed hallway leads to a large utility room, which has the benefit of fitted

worktops and cupboards, an inset sink and plumbing for appliances.

Adjoining the kitchen/breakfast room is a family room with an open fireplace, polished wood floor and outlook to the front.

On the first floor, a spacious landing leads to the large principal bedroom, which enjoys wonderful countryside views. It has built-in wardrobes and a superb en suite bathroom with large walk-in shower, panelled bath with shower attachment, pedestal basin and underfloor heating.

The gardens provide a beautiful setting, and comprise wide expanses of sweeping lawns. Plus there is a long, central brick walkway with a pergola covered in an abundance of climbing plants and flanked on either side by shrub borders.

This leads to a summerhouse/home office.

The house is approached from Leggs Lane, and there is a long high brick wall leading down to the entrance gateway and driveway, which has parking for several vehicles and a timber-frame double car port. There is a secondary drive to the front. The property sits in just over three-quarters of an acre in all.

Wednesday 5th October 2016

l"-~AMPTONS

Beyond your expectations

11

www.hamptons.co.uk '*"·

THESUNDAYTIMES

INTERNATIONAL

THE . . . .TIMES

Old School Mews, Sevenoaks - £1,900pcm Beautifully and sympathetically renovated, 2 bed, 1 bathroom mews style property, walking distance of Town Centre and Mainline Station. EPC: C

Woodside Road, Sevenoaks - £2,500pcm Well appointed, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom family property situated within walking distance of Sevenoaks Mainline Station. EPC: C

REDUCED PRICE

Sundridge Road, Ide Hill - £2,000pcm A well presented and spacious 3 bedroom ground floor apartment within walking distance of the primary school. EPC: E

Hale Oak Road, Chiddingstone £3,000pcm Modernised 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom detached cottage set within approximately 2 acres of grounds and surrounded by countryside.EPC: D

Philpots Lane, Hildenborough Well presented 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom detached house in a sought after location within a walk of the mainline station. EPC: D

French Street, Westerham £5,000pcm A beautiful 5/6 bedroom detached house, tennis court, swimming pool and gardens.

EPC:E

Sevenoaks Office Lettings. 01732 430291

I

sevenoaks@hamptons-int.com

DC

PROPERTY SECTION �

AT A GLANCE BAYHAM ABBEY ESTATE LAMBERHURST n Sitting room n Reception/dining hall n Kitchen/breakfast room n Utility room & WC n Bedroom/study with en suite n Master bedroom with dressing room and en suite n 1 further bedroom n Family bathroom n Bedroom/study n Walk-in loft n Patio/decking n Lawned garden with pond

£775,000 Wood & Pilcher Tunbridge Wells 01892 511 211 www.woodandpilcher.co.uk

‘Converted from a Victorian stable block on the Bayham Abbey Estate, it has a host of period features and varied mature private gardens’

Be part of the Abbey in Grade II listed treasure

A

GRADE II listed home converted from a Victorian stable block on the Bayham Abbey Estate. Offering especially individual and versatile accommodation, it has a host of period features and varied mature private gardens to the rear.

The accommodation is spread over two levels, with the ground floor offering a lounge, a kitchen/dining area, a utility room and two bedrooms that could be used as studios. There is also a WC and a further WC/shower room.

The dining area has a feature cast iron

wood burner, tiled floors, a wood-framed window to the rear and a further wood framed window to the side.

Fitted with wooden base units, the kitchen enjoys amenities of a high standard as well as tiled work surfaces and a partially-glazed door leading to the rear garden.

Upstairs is the master bedroom with adjoining dressing room and en suite bathroom, one further bedroom and a family bathroom.

In addition to this, there is a bedroom that could be used as a study, with access to the walk-in loft above.

Outside is a low-maintenance patio area with raised decking and shrub beds. Steps lead up to a good area of lawn with mature retaining hedges, while another set of steps lead down to a lower lawn with a large rectangular pond (formerly a local reservoir) and footpaths through to a further area of lawn with seating areas.

There is also a private garage and parking.

Wednesday 5th October 2016

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WOOD & PILCHER

I

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Tunbridge Wells

-

£550,000

Tunbridge Wells

£785,000

Avoid the waiting list with a chance to buy this brand new three bedroom detached home set within the Knights Wood development which itself is set within circa 200 acres of mature ancient protected woodland on the fringes of Royal Tunbridge Wells. SAP: B

A most attractive four bedroom terraced period property arranged over three floors and with the real advantages of a southerly facing courtyard garden. garage en bloc (in Grove Hill Gardens). excellent proximity to the lower town. railway station and well regarded local schools. EPC: F

South borough

Tunbridge Wells

£495,000

£425,000

This four bedroom detached new build house which is one of just two properties situated in a popular residential road of Southborough. This property is of a contemporary design, offering all the benefits of a newly built property and is an ideal family sized home. PEA: B

An attractive and welcoming, well cared for three bedroom. semi detached period home in the St Johns quarter of Tunbridge Wells. This property has been well cared for over the years and we do encourage an early appointment to view. EPC: E

Tonbridge

Tonbridge

£425,000

Spacious contemporary home situated in a historic area by Tonbridge Castle. the town centre and an outstanding primary school. Appreciate the convenience of bathroom. en-suite and downstairs cloakroom. Leave the car in its allocated parking space while you walk to the station. EPC: C Tunbridge Wells Office I 01892 511211 tun brid ge w e 11 s@ w ood and pi I cher. co. u k Southborough Office I 01892 511311 south bo roug h@ w ooda nd pi lch er. co. u k Tonbridge I 01732 351135 ton brid ge@wood and pi I cher. co. u k

Newly renovated ground floor two bed maisonette within walking distance to Tonbridge Station.

Perfect for commuters. first time buyers and investors alike. EPC: C

woodandpilcher. co. uk rightmove

Offers Over £250,000

~ nTheMarkelcom

Other offices in Crowborough , Heathfield & associated London Branch

Tunbridge Wells

Andrews >

andrewsonline.co.uk

31 Green Way, TN2 3HY

Guide £339,950

Sit proud on this elevated position - is this your complete family home? Views towards woodland, double aspect dining room with sliding doors to garden, 3 bedrooms, garage and driveway.

Energy Efficiency Rating: TBC

Tunbridge Wells Sales 01892 515 11+1+

LANDLORDS WANTED

To view more properties available from all 85 of our offices, visit andrewsonline.co.uk

Andrews

REQUIRED FOR PROPERTIES IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Contact us on: 01892 51511.tlt

lettings@andrewsonline.co.uk

 PROPERTY SECTION

AT A GLANCE

CROOK BARN CROOK LANE, BRENCHLEY ■ Grade II listed ■ Drawing room ■ Kitchen/breakfast room ■ Sitting room ■ Additional sitting room/study ■ Master bedroom with en suite bathroom ■ Double bedroom with adjoining dressing room ■ Third double bedroom

Stunning rustic barn with great views

■ Family bathroom ■ Garage ■ 0.53 acre garden

£950,000 Country Property Group 01580 211888 www.countrypropertygroup.com

‘This impressive home exudes charm and character, boasting both style and substance’

Wednesday 5th October 2016

T

UCKED away amongst pretty flowerbeds and shrubs, Crook Barn is a commanding Grade II listed conversion on the rural fringes of Brenchley – one of the most sought-after villages in Kent, and it has potential for further development.

Located just under three miles from Paddock Wood mainline station and its adjacent Waitrose supermarket and excellent schools, this impressive home exudes charm

and character, boasting both style and substance.

For instant impact, enter the barn through the solid wooden door with mullioned doors either side and ascend the stairway to a spacious, double-aspect drawing room that provides an exceptional living space. It has a feature gasburning stove, exposed decorative timbers, a striking 3.93m vaulted ceiling, and also offers fabulous views of the rolling countryside.

Beyond the drawing room is a sitting room with a WC, and triple-aspect kitchen fitted with an intergrated gas hob, NEFF oven, dishwasher and an inset enamel sink – everything needed

to cook up a storm, and enough room for a breakfast table, too.

The master bedroom is on the ground floor, with an en suite bathroom, two further bedrooms, a family bathroom, a laundry room and a garage.

This property has nearly an acre of garden featuring established borders and mature trees.

The Barn’s elevated position makes the private terrace the ideal, sunlit spot for alfresco dining with family and friends. There is also an outbuilding for additional storage and plenty of space on the front drive for parking.

Tunbridge Wells

£895,000

Charming 4 bedroom Grade II Listed Georgian town house in the heart of the 'village area', away from traffic and with off road parking. Elegant accommodation over three floors.

Delightful walled garden.

Tunbridge Wells

£750,000 - £775,000

A delightful and beautifully presented 3 bedroom detached period lodge, quietly located in one of Tunbridge Wells' premier locations, open plan kitchen/living areas, southerly facing garden with large deck and plunge pool. Parking and garage. EPC E

Crowborough Hill

£475,000

A substantial 4 bedroom period house with versatile accommodation, good sized mature garden, small garage with potential to create further parking. Requiring updating and modernisation. No forward chain. EPC E

[6Jilllll ~

Bells Yew Green

£1,240,000

Delightful period property (4,600 sq ft) of immense charm with adaptable accommodation including studio/office plus separate annexe if required (currently producing income of £18,000 p.a), short walk of Frant station. EPC F

Tunbridge Wells

£835,000

Fine example of a restored 4/5 bed period town house with views over Calverley Park, beautifully proportioned, versatile accommodation, 2/3 receptions, kitchen/breakfast, 2 bathrooms. Landscaped walled garden. Close to station. EPC D

Tunbridge Wells

£550,000 - £560,000

Significantly improved, extended 2/3 bedroom semi-detached character bungalow. Benefiting from open plan kitchen/reception room with doors out to garden, in quiet cul-de-sac, walking distance of station. No forward chain. EPC C

01892 516615 www.sumnerpridham.co.uk

Tonbridge

£179,950

Luxury Retirement I Bedroom Apartment within the popular 'Castle Court' development.

Facilities include a waitress service Restaurant, residents lounge etc. EPC B

Tonbridge

£410,000

4 bedroom Semi-Detached House at the south end of the town, Cloakroom, 2 reception rms, conservatory, garage, parking, large plot. EPC D

Nr Leigh

£650,000 - £675,000

Spacious 4 Bedroom Semi-Detached Family House. 2 reception rms, cloakrm, utility, master bedroom suite, garage, parking, communal woodland/meadow. EPC C

Tonbridge

£400,000 - £425,000

Extended Bay Fronted 4 Bedroom Semi-detached bungalow in a cul-de-sac, few minute's shops, bus service etc., Conservatory, Study. EPC D

Central Tonbridge

£375,000

2 Bedroom Luxury Ground Floor Apartment, a few minutes of the High Street, Tonbridge Castle & its grounds. Private garden, parking. EPC

Tonbridge

£375,000

Brand New 3 Bedroom Semi-detached house at the north end of the town, Master Bedroom suite, 17ft Kit-diner, lounge, cloakroom, enclosed garden, parking.

Tunbridge Wells

£499,950

An extensively refurbished ground floor duplex apartment situated on sought-after west side of town.

16' I I drawing room, kitchen/dining room, 3 double bedrooms, 2 bath/shower rooms. Private garden area and gardens. EPC: C

Tunbridge Wells

£485,000 - £499,950

A modern detached family home, in need of some modernisation, located in favoured St John's area in quiet cul-de-sac. Reception room, kitchen, 3 bedrooms, bathroom. Off road parking, garage & south facing rear garden. EPC: D

Tunbridge Wells

£489,000

Occupying an unrivalled central position within the 'old village' area, a late Victorian terraced town house, over 4 floor with flexibility of use. 2 reception rooms, kitchen, 3 bedrooms, bathroom. Courtyard garden. EPC: D

Tunbridge Wells

Monthly Rental £1,350

A recently refurbished 2 bed apartment situated on south side of the Pantiles. Reception room, modern kitchen, master bed with en suite, bed 2/office/dining room, shower room. Patio area, communal gardens.Avail now. EPC: C

Tunbridge Wells

Monthly Rental £775

A modern I bedroom apartment within walking distance of town centre and High Brooms station.

Open plan living room/kitchen, good size double bed, luxury bathroom.Allocated parking for I car, Avail: mid-October. EPC: B

Tunbridge Wells

Monthly Rental £725

A light and spacious I bedroom flat located in the centre of the town very convenient for the town centre and station. Large living room, modern kitchen/bkfst room, double bedroom, shower room.

Residents' permit parking.Avail: now. EPC: C

 PROPERTY SECTION

MAYFIELD GRANGE MAYFIELD, EAST SUSSEX

£995,000

Wednesday 5th October 2016

PROPERTY SECTION 

‘Part of a gated development set in 20 acres of communal grounds and woodland’

Plenty of room to breathe in prestigious family home

T

HIS exceptionally spacious modern detached home has luxuriously appointed accommodation enjoying fine rural views from its rear elevation.

It forms part of Mayfield Grange – an awardwinning gated development set in 20 acres of communal grounds and woodland in the heart of the East Sussex countryside, a short distance from the varied local amenities of picturesque Mayfield village and prestigious Mayfield School.

The accommodation is generously split over four levels, with the ground floor consisting of a cloakroom/WC, a front-facing dining room, sitting room and a kitchen/breakfast room.

The living room has a feature fireplace with brick inlay and a twin set of double doors that lead out to a spacious and well-lit balcony.

The L-shaped kitchen/breakfast room has been exquisitely fitted with granite worktops, Smeg appliances and concealed fridge/freezer, and enjoys twin aspects with windows to the front and side.

Stairs lead down to the generous hallway of the lower ground floor as well as a shower room/ WC, gym and a family room with access to the rear garden.

On the first floor there are four bedrooms – two of which being en suite – plus a family

bathroom decorated with ceramic tiling.

The master bedroom is on the top level, where there are fine views over the neighbouring countryside. There is an en suite bathroom as well as a separate WC. The outside area has a rolled golden grit driveway providing excellent off-road parking in front of a garage that also offers ample storage.

To the side of the garage, a gate gives access to the rear garden, which is predominantly laid to a level central lawn with established curved beds and borders.

Additionally, there is the use of the vast area of communal grounds and woodland.

AT A GLANCE ■ Cloakroom ■ Sitting room with balcony ■ Dining room ■ Kitchen/breakfast room.

■ Shower room ■ Gym/store ■ Family room ■ 4 bedrooms ■ 2 en suite shower rooms ■ Family bathroom ■ Master bedroom ■ En suite bathroom ■ Separate WC ■ Attached garage ■ Front and rear gardens ■ Use of communal grounds and woodland

£995,000 Bracketts Tunbridge Wells 01892 533733 www.bracketts.co.uk

Wednesday 5th October 2016

Mi{fer

McAufey

Estate Agents

Coniston Avenue

£550,000

This charming property opens into a spacious hallway. On the ground floor is a kitchen/breakfast room and double aspect sitting/dining room. Upstairs, there are four bedrooms, one with en-suite, and a new~ fitted family bathroom. Outside, a single garage to the front of the property, whilst the rear has a large garden. Underneath the property there are two large storage areas.

Bretland Road

£245,000

A chance to buy this converted apartment located close to the village of Rusthall. Situated on the lower ground floor, this immaculate property comprises: spacious sitting/dining room, kitchen with integrated appliances, two double bedrooms and stunning bathroom. Outside, there are communal gardens and one allocated parking space to the rear.

First Street

£395,000

A chance to acquire this beautiful~ presented, house located in Langton Green. Presented over two floors this property opens into a hallway, which leads to the open plan sitting/dining room.

There is a spacious kitchen with French doors opening onto the garden. On the first floor there are three bedrooms and a family bathroom. Outside, is an attractive rear garden with a patio area.

Te(: (ettin3s@mcau(eymiffer.com

Mount Ephraim

£390,000

This fabulous, two bedroom, second floor apartment located within two minutes of Tunbridge Wells town centre. This period apartment opens into a spacious hallway. This character property comprises: sitting room, fully integrated kitchen, two bedrooms, one with en-suite facilities, and a newly fitted bathroom. Outside there is an allocated parking space.

Dunston Road

£179,950

NO CHAIN! A spacious, one bedroom converted apartment.. Situated on the first floor this beautifully presented property consists: sitting room with feature sash windows to the front, galley style kitchen with breakfast bar to one end, double bedroom with views over the communal garden and shower room. Outside, there are communal gardens.

Culverden Park Road

£260,000

This two bedroom, purpose built apartment is located within a moment's walk of the town centre.

This charming apartment opens into a spacious hallway with plenty of storage. There is an open plan sitting/kitchen with integrated appliances. There are two double bedrooms, one with fitted wardrobes and a white suite bathroom. The property comes with a car parking space.

01892 614777

www.mcaureymiffer.com

sa(es@mcaureymi((er.com

NEW SHOW HOME OPENING 22ND OCTOBER

JOIN US FOR THE LAUNCH OF OUR NEW SHOW HOME

THREE BEDROOM SUNBURST SHOW HOME OPEN SATURDAY & SUNDAY 22ND - 23RD OCTOBER

01892 800 580 knightswood.co.uk

KNIGHTS WOOD ROYAL

TUNBRIDGE

WELLS

Knights Wood offers a variety of exceptional new homes in a peaceful woodland setting in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Our marketing suite is open daily, 1Oam to 5pm, Thursdays until 7pm, so come and visit us at the launch event to see for yourself.

Two, three and four bedroom homes available with Help to Buy from £355,000 to £599,000.

Knights Wood, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UW

 PROPERTY SECTION

KINGS OAST LEES ROAD, LADDINGFORD

£1,500,000

Crowning glory – an oast with five roundels

K

INGS OAST is an enormous converted oast and barn boasting five roundels, and offers impressive and flexible accommodation over three floors.

Internally, character features include thumb latch doors, exposed ceiling timbers, wooden flooring, vaulted ceilings, open fireplaces and a very striking imperial staircase.

There is also a detached pool house with a heated swimming pool and gym, and the delightful landscaped gardens, orchard and paddock provide a pretty backdrop.

On entering the property, a covered porch with double doors leads to the vaulted reception hall.

The principal reception rooms offer generous areas for formal entertaining

Wednesday 5th October 2016

and comprise a drawing room with a wood-burning stove, a sitting room and an imposing dining room with a double-height vaulted ceiling in the larger roundel.

A games room and breakfast room lend themselves to more informal living and are both located in roundels, with stable doors to the rear garden.

The study is also within a roundel and is fitted with a range of bookshelves.

The kitchen is fitted with bespoke units

by Harvey Jones, and in addition to the appliances has a very useful larder cupboard, a matching island unit and granite work surfaces.

The first floor galleried landing has a Juliet balcony to the rear.

There are six well-proportioned bedrooms with en suite bath/shower

rooms – four of which are located in roundels and two within the barn.

The imperial staircase continues to the second floor, where there is a generous galleried landing with exposed rafters and a seating area with a Juliet balcony to the rear.

The roomy master suite also has exposed rafters, built-in wardrobes, a Juliet balcony and access to an attic store. The dressing room is in a roundel with fitted hanging rails, and the en suite bathroom, also round, features a claw and ball roll top bath.

There are two further bedrooms on this floor, both within roundels and served by en-suite facilities.

Finally, in the larger roundel, there is a cinema room with a part-vaulted ceiling which is currently being used as

PROPERTY SECTION �

‘Features include thumb latch doors, exposed ceiling timbers, wooden flooring, vaulted ceilings, open fireplaces and a striking imperial staircase’

AT A GLANCE n Substantial oast and barn conversion n Versatile accommodation over three floors n Reception hall n Drawing room n Dining room n Sitting room n Games room n Study n Kitchen n Breakfast room n Utility room n Cloakroom n Master suite

an occasional bedroom and is served by an adjoining wet room.

The house is approached via a pair of electric gates over a gravel drive culminating in a parking area and garaging which comprises a garage, gardeners WC, workshop, implement store and further storeroom.

The detached pool complex has an indoor heated swimming pool, a hot tub, a gym area, a shower, a WC and a changing room, together with a sauna.

The landscaped gardens have many varieties of trees and shrubs, with the rear garden being part wall-enclosed with an attractive timber arbour adorned with a variety of established climbing plants.

There is an orchard enclosed by a fence and an adjacent paddock. The gardens and grounds provide a high degree of privacy and in total amount to about 2.44 acres.

n Eight further en suite bedrooms n Cinema room n Wet room n Indoor swimming pool with sauna and hot tub n Landscaped gardens n Orchard n Paddock n Garaging n 2.44 acres

£1,500,000 For sale through Savills Sevenoaks 01732 789700 www.savills.co.uk

Wednesday 5th October 2016

ELLIS&CO Sales & Lettings

Stephens Road, Tunbridge Wells

*Price Range £625,000-£650,000*

A four bedroom halls adjoining semi-detached character property situated in this sought after road in Tunbridge Wells. Conveniently Located for Local primary and secondary/Grammar schools in the area.

Third Street, Langton Green

Standen Street, Tunbridge Wells

£535,000

This character detached property is situated in the popular St Johns area with-three bedrooms, two receptions, kitchen/diner, cloakroom, bathroom and shower room. Off Road parking and Garden.

Withyham Road, Groombridge

View to see the potential! Set in this pleasant position towards the rural fringes of this picturesque village, an extended detached bungalow with mature rear gardens and views to the rear. Some modernisation required.

Sherwood Road, Tunbridge Wells

£390,000

£625,000

*Price Range £300,000-£325,000*

CHALLENGE US TO SELL YOUR PROPERTY IN JUST 6 WEEKS

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jal SEE WINNING RESULTS!

A detached three bedroom family home centrally Located in this pretty village. The accommodation comprises of Lounge/ diner, kitchen, utility area, conservatory, Loft room. Garden and Off Road Parking.

Bayhall Road, Tunbridge Wells

*Price Range £325,000-£350,000*

SOLD Subject to contract-We have applicants Looking for property in the St Peters area. If you are considering selling either a house or apartment- challenge us to the 6 Week Challenge to sell your home!

See variation to standard agenc y terms and conditions.

Whitefield Road

SOLD subject to contract. We had many applicants who missed out on this well presented three bedroom family home with conservatory, garden and parking. More properties required in and around the High Brooms area. Call today and challenge us to the 6 week challenge.

*Price Range £160,000-£180,000*

SOLD Subject to contract-We have first time buyers and buy to Let investors Looking for one and two bedroom apartments in the St Johns area. Call us for a free market appraisal.

01892 547 966 tunbridgewells@connells.co.uk 5 Vale Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN11BS

Addison Road, Tunbridge Wells

Price £200,0000

Investors only. A purpose built one bedroom apartment with open plan Living space situated within the ever popular Connaught Park development. Allocated Parking.

� PROPERTY SECTION

Enjoy the quieter life in an extended bungalow

AT A GLANCE KELCHERS LANE GOLDEN GREEN, HADLOW n Entrance hall n Living room n Dining room n Kitchen n Conservatory n Family bathroom n 2 bedrooms on ground floor n 2 further bedrooms on first floor with built-in storage n Garage

£435,000 Ellis & Co Tonbridge 01732 770077 www.ellisandco.co.uk

‘This home is perfect for the rural life yet it is just 3.5 miles from the bustling market town of Tonbridge on the River Medway, which is steeped in history, including its 13th-century castle’

A

CHANCE to buy a skilfully extended four-bedroom semi-detached chalet bungalow enjoying far-reaching views of the surrounding countryside.

Located in Kelchers Lane, this home is perfect for the rural life in Golden Green – a hamlet in the Parish of Hadlow. Yet it is just 3.5 miles from the bustling market town of Tonbridge on the River Medway, which is steeped in history, including its 13th-century castle.

Education in the area is amongst the finest in the country, and transport links are also excellent. Journeys from Tonbridge mainline railway station take you to London in approximately 40 minutes, whilst the A21 has

Wednesday 5th October 2016

direct links to both London and the M25.

You enter the house through a front porch that leads to an entrance hall, which in turn gives access to a bedroom, a family bathroom and an open-plan living/dining area with a large window looking out over a sizeable rear garden.

A further ground floor bedroom can be entered from the living room, as well as the fitted kitchen and an airy conservatory.

There are two further bedrooms upstairs with built-in wardrobes and eaves storage.

Outside there is a paved driveway leading to the garage.

The front and large rear gardens are low maintenance having been laid with slate.

we open doors for you ...

BarnesKingsnorth

PEMBURY £620,000 OPEN HOUSE 8TH OCTOBER - CALL NOW TO BOOK YOUR VIEWING. 1930s 4 bedroom detached family house situated in sought after Romford Road with views to The Downs set within 0.2 acre approx. The spacious accommodation comprises sitting room, dining room, kitchen and downstairs cloakroom/we, 4 double bedrooms and family bathroom. Driveway parking for 3 cars leading to an attached garage. Large !awned rear garden with summerhouse, shed and greenhouse. Potential to extend SIPP. EPC: D.

Apply Pembury

TONBRIDGE £465,000 ATTRACTIVE AND WELL PRESENTED EXTENDED FAMILY SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE on favoured Weald Park Development in North Tonbridge with sitting room, dining room, stylish kitchen/ breakfast room and a delightful family room with wood burning stove, utility room, shower room and three bedrooms and bathroom to first floor. Good sized family south facing garden with landscaped patio, lawn, workshop and garden shed. EPC: C

Apply Tonbridge

PEMBURY

£480,000

WELL PROPORTIONED AND IMMACULATELY PRESENTED 4 bedroom family home located in popular cul-de-sac within a short walk of the highly regarded village primary school. Comprising wide hallway, cloakroom/we, sitting room, open-plan kitchen/ dining/family room with integrated appliances and plenty of storage, separate utility room and a modern bathroom. Outside there is a delightful secluded rear garden, detached garage and driveway parking for several cars. EPC: D.

Apply Pembury

'B) Primelocatior

Residential

t f rightmove.co.uk Sales & !Lettings

Pembury: 01892 822880

Tonbridge: 01732 771616

Lettings: 01732 771616

e.pembury@bkea. co.uk

e.tonbridge@bkea .co .uk

e. Lettings@bkea.co.uk

www.bkestatea1ents.com

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iJl1iFLY PROPERTIES

BY CAROL PRIER

Enticing three bedroom se mi-detached cottage within wa lking distance of Matfield village centre and green, offering the added advantage of off road parking with driveway to the side. Accommodation comprising sitting room with fireplace, se parate dining room, fitted kitchen and bathroo m/utility room. To the first floor, three good size bedrooms, shower and cloakroom. Outside, secluded garden to the rear with rural views. EPC: G

PADDOCK WOOD This attractive and su rprisingly spacious detached family home with 3 double bedrooms, en-suite to master, kitchen/diner, living room with open fireplace has been well designed and tastefully decorated. Situated in a most popular residential area on the edge of Paddock Wood within wa lking distance to Paddock Wood main line railway station. EPC: D

PEMBURY

£1,100,000

Stunning 5 bedroom detached family home which has been renovated to the highest specification offering open plan living space and a 200ft rear garden.

The versatility of this contemporary design floods daylight into every room. In the rear garden is a vast outdoor dining space with plunge pool, wine cellar and a room which is attached to the garage. The spacious accommodation, which includes 5 Bedrooms and 4 En suites, is beautifully presented throughout. EPC: D

Beautifullyextended detached family home situated in the heart of Brenchleyvillage within walking distance of village centre.

Accommodation comprising stunning kitchen/family room with oak and glass staircase, large sitting room, utility and separate shower room, large master bedroom with en-suite three further double bedrooms and family bathroom. Beautifully landscaped south/ south west facing garden principally laid to lawn with extensive artisan patio area and mature planting. Off road parking. EPC: E

Beautifully presented, extended 4 bedroom famil y home situated in a popular location within walking distance of main line station and town amenities.Accommodation comprising stylish entrance hall, ground floor shower/cloakroom, well fitted kitchen, 21'6" x 20'3" Sitting/dining room and contemporary famil y bathroom to first floor. Garage and south facing garden. EPC: C

Beautifully presented 4 bedroom, detached 1930s family property situated in the heart of Pembury village.

Accommodation comprising 2 reception rooms, large kitchen/ breakfast room, ground floor cloakroom, garage with electric door and utility area to the rear. Beautiful master bedroom with en-suite, 3 further bedrooms and family bathroom. Garden room to the rear which is ideal for alfresco dining. Viewing highly recommended. EPC: D

Sitting centrally in its large south facing garden, this impressive 3,200 sq ft (approx) family home offering an elevated location within the soug ht after Brenchley village. The property has stunning views across orchards and countryside. The house benefits from having annex potential and offers 2 kitchens, 3/4 receptions, 2 master bedroom su ites, 2 further double bedrooms, outbuildings, electric gates, NO CHAIN. EPC: D

OFFER IN THE REGION OF £1,000,000 Beautiful 1950s family home offering in excess of 1 acre of grounds plus an additional 2.2 acres of communal land. 4 bedrooms all with en suite bathrooms, 3 receptions to include conservatory, kitchen/breakfast room, utility and cloakroom. Detached annex building with services and triple bay garage. NO CHAIN

Sought after Hunters Chase-5 bedroom Edwardian style detached family home built byCountryside circa 1999 with accommodation set outoverthieefloors to provide spacious entrance hall,three receptions, large familykitchen/bieakfast room, utility room and conservat01y. To the first floor, master bedroom with en suite and dressing area, two further double bedrooms and fami~ bathroom. The top floor provides two large double aspect bed10omswhich wou ld also be ideal for teenage su~e or gym/hobbies room and shower100m. Detached double garage.

Enclosed walled garden offering south facing orientation. EPC: C

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01892 838363

I

www.fireflyproperties.co.uk

carol@fireflyproperties.co.uk

� PROPERTY SECTION

PLANNING DECISION NOTICE Description: Good use of underdeveloped land Type:

Any size and number of units

Location:

Anywhere in the South East

If you have been refused planning permission for what on the face of it would seem a reasonable application, SJD Projects may be able to assist.

Through our network of developers and investors, we have been instrumental in achieving planning on sites that otherwise have not achieved their full potential.

For a no obligation assessment please contact our offices on our freephone number 0845 456 8969.

Mobile: 0773 951 4350 Website: sjd-projects.com

LAND & DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

Freephone: 0845 456 8969 Email: steve@sjd-projects.com

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HOMES

*Based on a fu ll purchase price of £420,000 and a 20% Help to Buy Equity Loan. Help to Buy is available s ubject to st atu s, terms and cond itions. This scheme is not available in conjunction with any other financial incentives. Written details available on request.

YO UR HOME IS AT RISK If YOU DO NOT KE EP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAG E OR OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT. Image is computer generated.

Wednesday 5th October 2016

Be with Belvoir! ' '

Personally, we would never use any other lettings agent to manage our property portfolio and I cannot recommend them highly enough ' ' - Mr F- Tunbridge Wells Landlord

' ' Belvoir have an acute understanding of their clients' needs and requirements and, in my opinion, deliver l 00% ' ' - Mrs L- Tunbridge Wells Landlord

01892 615333

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www.belvoir.eo.uk/tunbridgewells

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72 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TNl 2QP

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BLOCK MANAGEMENT Frustrated with your Managing Agent?

Call 01732 740789 to arrange an appointment to discuss your Block and Estate Management

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70 ■ FOOD AND DRINK

The specialist Nepalese restaurant that’s serving up the spice of life…

If you’re tired of eating the same dishes, then your tastebuds are in for a treat at the gastronomic gem that is the Gurkha Planet. Eileen Leahy went along to find out why this small eaterie is such a big hit with discerning diners WALKING down a quiet back street in Tonbridge town centre, passing numerous shops with flashing neon signs advertising takeaways and games arcades, doesn’t instil a great deal of

confidence that I’m about to discover a restaurant that’s creating a big buzz in local foodie circles, and garnering five-star ratings on Trip Advisor.

But on arriving at the Gurkha Planet, halfway

down Avebury Avenue, I quickly realise that perhaps location isn’t actually everything.

Stepping inside this small but smartly appointed restaurant, its less than salubrious setting all but evaporates thanks to the divine aroma of fragrant Asian spices wafting through from the busy kitchen, and the ambient Himalayan guitar music playing softly in the background.

Then there’s the big warm welcome my family and I are given by the Manager, Dinesh, who smiles, puts his hands together and reverentially bows to us before showing us to our table.

The restaurant, which seats approximately 35, is packed when we visit one Saturday evening, and spying a few of the contented customers tucking into their exotic looking dishes, I immediately see why it holds such appeal for discerning diners. I suddenly feel very hungry…

My husband, two children and I sit down at our table which, like the others, is beautifully dressed with a crisp white tablecloth, posh red napkins and gleaming

TOP TABLE The restaurant is smart and spotless

TAKE THREE CHEFS Dinesh Maharjan (centre) with Head Chef Daya Ram Giri (left) and Assistant Chef Pasang Lama

Wednesday 5th October 2016

silver cutlery, and start browsing the menus.

Dinesh explains that in Nepalese culture the diner is ‘akin to a god’ and so is treated accordingly.

‘We’re in for a good night then,’ I think, as I wonder whether a divine deity would plump for the spicy squid (£4.95) or the garlicky salmon tikka (£5.25) to start.

We soon discover that much of Nepalese cuisine

FOOD AND DRINK ■

‘In Nepalese culture the diner is akin to a god and so is treated accordingly’ Chocolate Mousse and Raspberry Sorbet

is a variation on other Asian styles of cooking due to its geographical location.

Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Himalayas, Nepal neighbours India, Tibet, Bhutan and Bangladesh, and as a result has distinctive hints of each country’s cooking characteristics swirling through its culinary roots.

The Gurkha Planet’s menu is certainly reflective of this and has something for everyone to enjoy, whether it’s chargrilled seabass or pork vindaloo.

The restaurant, which Dinesh runs with his two co-chefs, Daya Ram Giri and Pasang Lama, opened a year and a half ago and its name gives a nod to the fact all three served in the Gurkha regiment before coming to England to work in the hospitality industry.

Having trained under the famous Roux brothers, the trio have worked in some of London’s top hotels, including the Mandarin Oriental and Le Méridien, so it’s no wonder the specialist food they’re serving down here is getting so much attention.

The first thing we savour is a bowl of Chana Chatpat (the Nepalese version of a Bombay Mix), which is brought along to enjoy with our drinks –

passion fruit juice for the children and refreshing Gurkha lager for the grown-ups.

Chana Chatpat is made from crispy puffed rice, coriander, red onion and diced cucumber and tomato. It usually has a good chilli kick to it, but due to the younger, tenderer tastebuds at our table the chef holds back on too much heat.

It still tastes great, and is far fresher than its Indian counterpart – and therefore very moreish.

When our stack of starters arrive They are a visual feast. Momo (£4.95) is a typical Nepalese street food and comprises a plate of delicate dumplings filled with pork and fragrant herbs and served with a tomato and sesame chutney. It’s deliciously light, packed with aromatic flavour and gone in seconds.

The spicy, crunchy deep-fried courgettes (£3.95), dipped in a glossy sweet and sour tamarind sauce, are quickly made light work of, too – with even my usually hesitant daughter Isabelle merrily tucking in.

A little bit of tabletop ceremony comes courtesy of the arrival of the Pani Puri (£4.95), which is four dinky, hollowed-out stacks of herby potato mash stuffed with coriander chutney.

Accompanying them is a small jug of tangy mint-flavoured water which you pour into the stacks and then eat all in one go. This proved to be my son Alex’s favourite – not because of the zingy flavours, but thanks to the challenge involved in not letting any of it fall out of your mouth!

When some sticky aubergine pakoda (£3.95) – a

71

It’s also great value for money.

As we walk back down Avebury Avenue, leaving the relaxing ambience of the Gurkha Planet behind us, it’s fair to say that it certainly achieves its aim of serving adventurous Asian food that’s good quality and appeals to all types of tastebuds.

But what sets it apart is the rather charming idea of treating its diners not just as clients but also ‘gods’ – and that is something that really does make Gurkha Planet totally other-worldly.

Himali Squid

GURKHA PLANET 16 Avebury avenue, Tonbridge TN9 1TN 01732 352074 www.gurkhaplanet.co.uk

kind of onion bhaji-style treat – is delivered to the table, we’re all starting to feel quite full. It’s a good job, then, that Dinesh advises us there will be a minimum 15-minute wait for the main courses as all the meat is cooked from scratch.

We decide it’s probably a good idea to share just a couple of plates between us, and when our generous portion of rich lamb Rogan Josh curry (£7.95) and creamy chicken Nepal (£7.95) – a type of Korma – arrive with a multitude of different accompaniments, including egg fried and pilau rice, plus some sag aloo spinach potatoes and Gurkha green vegetables doused in soy sauce and garlic, it seems that was a wise choice as there’s now very little room left on our table – or in our tummies. We’ll have to try the tempting house special chocolate dessert next time.

Dinesh returns, kindly asking if everything is OK. “It’s more than OK,” I reply, as it really has been a delightful, different and certainly filling dining experience with interesting food flavour combinations and careful consideration to not make our children’s meals too fiery.

Duck Choila

Wednesday 5th October 2016

72 ■ FOOD AND DRINK

Hayden’s recipe for a calmer life

By Kate Whiting

W

E COOK on so many levels, not just to feed ourselves,” says Georgina Hayden, taking a sip of tea.

As part of Jamie Oliver’s ‘Food Team’, the bubbly brown-eyed Londoner cooks for a living, dreaming up and styling recipes for Oliver’s books, magazine and TV shows.

But she also cooked her way through a traumatic maternity leave, after her son Archie died just before birth two years ago.

“I can’t remember what happened for the first few months. I think we must have lived off food from nice people. I don’t think I cooked for a while. I really scared myself. I thought, ‘I just don’t care, I actually don’t care about food or anything’,” she recalls. “You feel really vulnerable and I didn’t want to go out... Then it sort of went full circle.”

Fearing she’d lost her love of food, Georgina gathered all her cookbooks together including Honey & Co’s book, the Middle Eastern cafe where we

meet today - and started thinking about food for her and husband Pete.

“After a few months of calming down, I thought, ‘Let’s start again... You’re going to sit down and start making a weekly meal plan’. Then I would drive myself to the supermarket and do the shop, and that’s actually what got me out again - having a purpose got me back into doing something and being a bit more confident.”

The familiarity and routine of cooking was like therapy and slowly eased Georgina, 34, through her bereavement, while the meal plans gave her a sense of control.

“In those early days, I was convinced Pete was going to die [too]. I was absolutely terrified. I thought, ‘If I can feed us really nice food, at least I know we’re OK’.”

What started out as a simple project has been gently nurtured into Georgina’s first cookbook, Georgina Stirring Slowly: Recipes To Restore + Revive.

With chapter titles such as ‘A Sunny Start To The Day’, ‘Bowl Food’, and ‘Bake Yourself Better’, it’s a book to turn to when you’ve had a long, tough day - full of warming, comforting and revitalising recipes.

While Hayden tries to eat well, she thinks we’ve all become a bit too obsessed with health food.

“What’s healthy for me is taking the time to cook something and sit down and actually eat it properly.”

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER AND COCONUT SOUP Serves: 4-6 What you need: 2 onions 600g cauliflower 4 garlic cloves 1tsp (heaped) ground cinnamon 1tsp (heaped) ras el hanout (available in the spice section at most supermarkets) Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Olive oil A handful of unsweetened coconut flakes (available from Sainsbury’s) 1 x 400ml tin of reduced-fat coconut milk 600ml vegetable stock 2-3tbsp chilli oil

What you do: Preheat your oven to 180C/gas 4. Peel and cut the onions into 1cm wedges and trim then cut the cauliflower into even-sized florets. If it has the leaves on, don’t cut them off, roast those too. Place it all in a roasting tray with the unpeeled garlic cloves and sprinkle with the cinnamon and ras el hanout. Season well, and drizzle everything with a good glug of olive oil. Toss it all together and pop into the oven for 25-30 minutes, until cooked through and a little charred.

Scatter the coconut flakes onto a small tray and pop into the oven for the last few minutes to toast - they should only need three to four minutes. When the veg are ready, remove the garlic cloves and scrape all the veg into a large saucepan. Squeeze the garlic out of its skins and add them too. Pour in the coconut milk, add the stock and gently bring to the boil.

Reduce the heat a little and simmer for five minutes, then remove from the heat. Using a stick blender, blitz the soup until creamy and smooth, adding a splash more water if it is too thick. Taste and adjust the seasoning, and serve topped with the toasted coconut flakes and a drizzle of chilli oil.

HERE ARE SOME OF HAYDEN’S COMFORTING RECIPES TO TRY AT HOME...

BOMBAY OMELETTE Serves: 2 What you need: 1/2 a red onion 2 small vine tomatoes 1/2 a bunch of coriander 1 green chilli 4 large eggs 1/2tsp ground turmeric 1/2tsp garam masala 1/2tsp ground cumin Salt and freshly ground black pepper 50g baby spinach leaves 1/2 a lemon 2 knobs of butter

Wednesday 5th October 2016

What you do: Peel and finely chop the onion. Halve the tomatoes, scoop out the seeds with a teaspoon and discard, then finely chop the flesh. Finely chop the coriander stalks and leaves. Halve the chilli, deseed and finely slice.

Whisk the eggs together until well combined, then season generously and whisk in the onion, tomatoes, coriander, chilli, turmeric, garam masala and cumin. Put the spinach leaves into a bowl, squeeze just enough lemon to coat, toss together,

then leave to one side.

Melt half the butter in a medium non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and ladle in half the omelette mixture. Swirl the eggs around for two minutes, pushing them to the middle and tilting the pan so that all the mixture has a chance to set. Leave it for a minute, then slip the omelette on to your serving plate. Top with half the dressed spinach and fold the omelette in half. Serve straight away, and repeat with the remaining butter, omelette mix and spinach.

FOOD AND DRINK n

WHOLE ROASTED MISO AUBERGINE What you need: 3cm piece of ginger 4 garlic cloves 2 small green chillies 2 aubergines Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Groundnut oil

200g vine cherry tomatoes 4 spring onions 1/2 a bunch of coriander 1 lime, juiced 1tbsp tamarind paste 1/2tbsp honey 3tbsp white sweet miso (available from Waitrose and Holland & Barratt) Preheat your oven to 180C/gas 4.

What you do: Peel the ginger and garlic, and finely slice the chillies. Pierce the aubergines all over with a paring knife, as if you were making incisions into a piece of meat.

Grate the ginger into a large mortar and pestle, and bash together with the garlic, chillies and a good pinch of salt until you have a thick paste. Mix in just enough oil to make it spoonable, then spoon the mixture over the aubergines and massage it into the incisions, really getting the flavours inside.

Place the aubergines in a large roasting tray, dot the cherry tomatoes around, and pop into the oven for 40 minutes, turning a couple of times. While the aubergines are cooking, trim and finely slice the spring onions

and roughly chop the coriander, stalks and all. Put into a bowl, squeeze over the lime juice to coat and mix all together. Leave to one side.

Mix together the tamarind, honey and miso and add enough water to make a thick glaze.

Remove the roasting tray from the oven after 40 minutes, turn the oven up to 200C/gas 6, and drizzle the miso glaze over the aubergines. Pop back into the oven for a further 15 minutes, to caramelise, then remove and leave to cool a little.

Working carefully, remove the stalks from the aubergines and discard them, then roughly chop the flesh in the tray into coarse chunks. Stir in the dressed spring onions and coriander and serve right away.

Serves: 4

73

‘What’s healthy for me is taking the time to cook something and sit down and actually eat it properly’

STIRRING SLOWLY Recipes To Restore + Revive by Georgina Hayden is published in hardback by Square Peg, priced £20. Available now

Wednesday 5th October 2016

74  TRAVEL

THE RIVER WILD Karen is dwarfed by the mountains as she boldly goes… kayaking

Fjord focus in Norway

By Karen Bowerman IT’S an odd situation – anticipating intergalactic warfare from a sun lounger in the Norwegian fjords. In front of me, Stormtrooper Finn sweats his way through the desert. Around me, snowtopped mountains tower over the bars, pools and Jacuzzis of Emerald Princess.

I’m at a screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, as part of a Movie Under The Stars night. But the cliffs of Norway’s Nordfjord are so colossal – and so close – that there’s drama everywhere.

The fjords, carved by glaciers in the Ice Age, are Norway’s greatest tourist attraction. My seven-day voyage with Princess Cruises takes in two of them.

Our round trip from Southampton calls at the small town of Stavanger on Norway’s southern tip, before heading north to Nordfjord, then south to Sognefjord,

Wednesday 5th October 2016

before stopping at Bergen on our return.

In the mornings, I sit on my balcony, as the mist draped over the mountains drifts off to reveal pine-covered slopes and shores dotted with fishing huts and timber-clad houses. Later, as we glide through seemingly bottomless waters, the brilliance of the sky matches the blueness of the pools on our decks, and narrow inlets shine green with glacial deposits.

But I’m not here to be whimsical; I’ve come to explore the fjords, the active way.

My schedule includes plenty of hiking and kayaking, although I’m lobbying to be actively involved in the ship’s spa, too.

After a rainy day in Stavanger (not known for fine weather), we arrive, on day four, at Olden – a hamlet in the heart of Nordfjord.

It’s a short drive to Brenndal Valley, past rowing boats on the glassy Olden Lake and camping sites at the edge of the water.

Roofs of houses are covered in grass (a throwback to the days when it served as

‘The fjords, carved by glaciers in the Ice Age, are Norway’s greatest tourist attraction.

My seven-day voyage with Princess Cruises takes in two of them’

TRAVEL 

TRAVEL FACTS Karen Bowerman was a guest of Princess Cruises (www.princess. com) who offer various sevennight Norwegian Fjords trips from Southampton, calling at Stavanger, Skjolden, Olden and Bergen.

Prices from £899pp (based on two people sharing an inside stateroom). Excursions are extra.

insulation) and ancient barns painted ox-blood red balance on stones, which was how farmers once deterred rats.

“Of course, there was a time when all this area was ice,” our guide, Paul Poland, says, which makes us think.

Today, around 500 people live in Olden; our ship deposits 3,000. Paul says the atmosphere’s very different out of season.

“In winter, when a cat crosses the street, it’s a big thing,” he says dryly. “Life is quiet here.”

We hike into the hills as the fast-flowing river rages below, our path lined with wild strawberries, linden trees (whose wood was once used to make Viking shields) and issoleie or glacier crowfoot, whose white petals turn pink after pollination.

After about an hour’s climb we spot Melkevoll glacier. We’re lucky, as minutes later it’s lost in cloud. As we wait for another glimpse, I spot a bothy. Its slatted, birch wood walls are weathered and moss has overrun the grass on its roof, but inside it’s remarkably homely. A bed is wedged against the wall; there are pots and pans, a wood-burning stove and a candle on the windowsill. It’s so cosy, I feel as if I could be an intruder.

Our second hike takes us to Briksdal Glacier in Jostedalsbreen National Park.

It’s one of the arms of Jostedal Glacier, the largest in continental Europe, covering an area 500km square. The ice is 600m thick in places. If it melted, it’s said it would give Norway enough fresh water for 100 years.

The trek takes us over a waterfall to a glacial lake where fragments of ice bob across the water. The glacier, wedged between peaks, is shot with blue. It seems as if it’s been solid for centuries, but as I wander back to our meeting point, markers show how much it’s melted. In 1760, it took ten minutes to walk there. Today, it’s 50.

Back on the Emerald Princess, I slip away to the spa, where a stone Buddha presides over an adults-only pool. The Jacuzzis are my personal port of call every evening, plus treatment rooms, a steam room and sauna.

The next day, we stop at Skjolden in Sognefjord. At 127 miles, it’s the longest fjord in Norway. It’s also the deepest, dropping to 1,300m. But it’s still not as deep as the height of the Jotunheimen mountains around us. Dubbed ‘Home of the Giants’, they seem even more enormous when you’re paddling a kayak below them.

As we dip our oars into the water, the fjord, which from the decks of the ship seemed so narrow, appears to morph into a lake. Astonishingly, we paddle 12 miles.

That night, the ship’s Salty Dog gastropub seems an appropriate dining venue, and we perch on stools over jumbo crab cakes, charred asparagus and halloumi, before finishing with chocolate cocktails.

Our final stop is Bergen, Norway’s second largest city, but not before I’ve dined on black Angus beef and bittersweet chocolate mousse in the Michelangelo Dining Room, at the chef’s table, and enjoyed The Voice

‘We hike into the hills as the river rages below, our path lined with wild strawberries, linden trees (whose wood was once used to make Viking shields) and glacier crowfoot’

75

of the Ocean show, complete with revolving chairs and eager contestants.

In keeping with my active remit, our last day at sea gives me the chance to sample some of the on-board activities, too.

Throughout the cruise, there have been stretch and body toning classes, dance lessons and discos. But as we sail home, I stumble across a Zumba class in one of the bars, led by Amparo from Chile.

“You need to pretend you are in a Bollywood movie!” she exhorts, her black plaits bouncing up and down her tiny back.

Buoyed by her enthusiasm, I abandon my coffee and join in. I’m not alone. The class gradually grows from 30 to 60. We’re a motley group, hopeless at rhythm, but keen to give every move a go.

“Wave like a Bollywood star!” Amparo exclaims. With our arms swaying over our heads, it’s a ridiculous way to say farewell to the fjords – but it keeps me active and entertained, right to the end of my holiday.

CRUISE WITH A VIEW Sailing towards the peaks

Wednesday 5th October 2016

76 � GARDENING GARDENING TIPS

Apples in a pot

By Hannah Stephenson

W

HETHER you’re into a crisp crunch, a sweet, juicy flavour or the tart tang that makes a crumble or pie a dessert to savour, the apple is among the gardener’s favourite.

We grow more apples both commercially and in the garden than any other fruit tree. But you don’t have to have a massive space to get to the core of success, because you can grow apples in pots, although you’ll need to give them more tlc than you would to trees in the ground.

Pot-grown trees may produce fewer fruit than those grown in the ground, but they can be grown on paved areas and courtyards in the smallest gardens.

Many apple trees can be grown in a pot, provided they are bought on the appropriate dwarfing rootstock, supplied with pollinating companion trees and kept well fed and watered.

Free-standing trees or upright cordons are best for growing this way, trained as pyramid or bush trees. Dwarf pyramids are conical in shape and trained to produce tiers of branches all the way up the main trunk, starting around 60cm above the soil surface.

Cordons are vertical ‘poles’ with short branching spurs along their length. Similarly, ‘minarette’ fruit trees, slender, columnar trees, bear their fruits on short spurs all the way up a vertical stem rather than on long, spreading branches.

Six to eight feet tall (1.8m-2.4m) when mature, minarettes are perfect for container growing, and can be planted as close as two to three feet

Wednesday 5th October 2016

apart in open soil.

Apples on dwarfing rootstocks such as M26 or M9 can be grown in large tubs or pots (38-45cm diameter) filled with John Innes No. 3 compost. These rootstocks keep the tree small and slow-growing, as well as bringing it into cropping early on in life, which means you may be picking your first apples within two years of planting.

Fill the pot to a level where the graft union of the fruit tree will be above the surface of the compost once it is planted. You will need to anchor a thick bamboo cane into the bottom of the container to support the tree.

You will also need to make sure the container is stable since, particularly when the tree is in leaf, it can act like a sail and get blown over in a strong wind, potentially damaging both the tree and the container. Containers with a narrow base are therefore best avoided. If you put a stake in the pot, then you may be able to anchor it from the top to a nearby fence.

The RHS recommends the following culinary apples for growing in containers: ‘Arthur Turner’; ‘Bountiful’; and ‘Howgate Wonder’, while its dessert apple recommendations include ‘Alkmene’, ‘Discovery’, ‘Falstaff’ and ‘Fiesta’.

With any pot-grown tree, don’t make the mistake of potting into too large a planter too soon. A snug pot will not only keep the tree small and manageable, it should also force it into producing a good crop of fruit long before a similar tree that is planted in open soil.

According to fruit tree specialists Ken Muir (www.kenmuir.co.uk) it may be tempting to put a small plant into a large container straight away, but this is not advisable, as the volume of compost in relation to the roots is too

great to create water movement and air circulation through the soil, which will result in stagnant compost and may in turn cause root death.

Apple Day is on October 21. A series of events will be held nationwide during that month, including family days with the National Trust (www.nationaltrust.org.uk)

The vital thing is to keep container-grown trees well-watered, particularly during hot summers.

Add water-retaining granules to

the soil and mulch or underplant with spring bulbs or shallow-rooted plants that will keep weeds down and moisture in.

GARDENING 

GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT – Planting garlic

Most gardeners plant their garlic in the autumn, as it needs a period of cold weather the grow well. Buy bulbs that have been cultivated for planting, breaking each bulb into individual cloves. You can start them off in modules with large cells in well-drained potting compost, keeping them in a cold frame for the winter, or in a sunny site in well-drained soil. Plant cloves 8-10cm apart with 30cm (24in) between rows, so the tips are just below soil level.

What to do this week ■ If the lawn is in poor condition, apply an

autumn fertiliser to boost root growth.

■ Cut back the stems of Jerusalem artichokes.

■ Replace summer bedding with plants for

winter and keep newly planted bedding watered.

While many gardeners will now be planting their spring-flowering bulbs, others will be sitting back to enjoy the nerine, a perennial bulb whose stout stems bear umbrellalike clusters of flowers from early to midautumn. N. bowdenii produces beautiful pink funnel-shaped flowers ahead of its strap-shaped leaves in September, bringing a welcome splash of colour to fading borders and patios. Nerines need plenty of heat in early summer while they are dormant. They should be placed in a very sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil - ideally by a house wall - and just be left alone to multiply undisturbed. Plant them in spring with the tip of the bulb at, or just below, the soil surface. In winter, cover them over with a mulch of leaf mould or bracken.

■ In cold areas, pick the last of your tomatoes

and bring them indoors for ripening. Placing them in a paper bag and putting them in a drawer will help. Putting a banana in with them should help speed up the ripening process.

■ Cut down asparagus foliage once it has

turned yellow.

■ Plant and move conifers and evergreens.

BEST OF THE BUNCH – Nerine

77

■ Start a new compost heap when you are

autumn clearing.

■ Plant rockery bulbs such as Iris reticulata and

dwarf fritillaries in pots, with gravel or crocks in the base and gritty compost on top of it.

■ Sow pots of herbs including basil and parsley

indoors.

■ Make new lawns from seed.

SOFTLY SOFTLY Smaller S tenuissima

Wednesday 5th October 2016

78 n LIFE AND STYLE BATTLE, EAST SUSSEX THE BIRTHPLACE OF MODERN ENGLAND! The year 2016 is momentous for Battle as it marks the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings on the October 14. The town where it all happened has many events planned to celebrate this historic event, including Concorde 1066, which will take place on Friday October 14, Battle Arts & Music Festival, which runs throughout October, and the prestigious Pure Autumn Art Fair, which will take place between October 22 and 30 at the beautiful PowderMills Hotel, Powdermill Lane.

CONCORDE 1066 – OCTOBER 14, 2016 Concorde 1066 is a programme of events designed to commemorate the bloody events which took place 950 years ago in 1066, and all those who fell in this great and decisive battle between two cultures, Saxon and Norman.

Commencing at 1pm on Friday October 14, the town of Battle will welcome representatives from Caen, Falaise, Bayeux and Arromanches in Normandy, and from Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, which is twinned with Battle. Between 2pm and 5pm, various parades and activities will take place in the town. At 6.10pm, the ceremony of the Lowering of the Flags at Sunset will take place in the presence of the official saluting party and trumpeters on the Abbey Gatehouse and will signal the end of the performance.

For further details and timings: www.concorde1066.co.uk

KENT HOME LOANS WHY EQUITY RELEASE? Are you one of the four million people with an interest-only mortgage?

It is a fact that debt is becoming an ever increasing worry for an ageing population.

It is predicted that by 2020, 2.5 million homeowners will face having to move, sell or remortgage their property as a result of mortgage debts in excess of £155,000; one million pensioners account for £70,000 of this sum.

If this concerns you, then now is the time to do something about it. If you can’t afford to pay it off today, how will you pay it off tomorrow?

Now is the time to make a change.

A lifetime mortgage is one option; using the money already within your property to pay off debts whilst still owning your home. Lifetime mortgages are now considered a credible aspect of a retirement plan, having developed in interest since 2009.

MCDONALD’S ANNOUNCES RECRUITMENT DRIVE IN TONBRIDGE AHEAD OF NEW RESTAURANT OPENING Ahead of the opening of the new Tonbridge McDonald’s drive-thru in December, Local franchisee Surjit Manger is recruiting for new staff, with 100 full and part time positions to be made available at the restaurant. The restaurant chain is seeking hardworking people from the local community who may be looking for a new opportunity.

Local McDonald’s franchisee Surjit Manger: “We believe in creating an outstanding customer experience and investing in local people through our industry-leading training programmes and career opportunities.

“It might not seem like the most obvious place to start your career however with more than 100,000 employees in the UK and £43 million being invested into training programmes each year, we have a lot to offer job seekers in Tonbridge. Whether you’re looking to keep busy for a few hours a week or for a long term career, I believe we have just the right opportunity for you.

We have a diverse workforce, ranging from students and full time mums, to career orientated graduates. All with the common goal of making every customer visit a special one, and to have fun!”

“More than 40 per cent of the McDonald’s executive team started their careers in restaurants and 95 per cent of restaurant managers started off as crew members. All McDonald’s employees have a chance to progress through the business. It is something we put a lot of emphasis on and invest heavily in.”

All McDonald’s staff have access to McDonald’s nationallyrecognised accredited qualifications, such as the McDonald’s Level 2 Apprenticeship in Catering and Hospitality, and the Foundation Degree in Managing Business Operations.

Apply online today by visiting www.mcdonalds.co.uk/search-jobs/Tonbridge Wednesday 5th October 2016

All money within Equity Release remains fully tax free, unlike the average pension pot of £30,000, which is taxed.

Lenders are changing their attitudes, too. Available now are interestonly mortgages, tracker mortgages and fixed rates as low as 3.83% (3.9%) APR fixed for life. Many people are buying second homes, paying off debt or using these mortgages to trade both down and up.

Anyone over 55 can apply, and unlike more conventional mortgages, age is no longer a hindrance. Nowadays, it is possible to have an interest-only mortgage for the next five or ten years, and then proceed to pay it off and move to a new property, or stop making payments completely – allowing you to enjoy your retirement income.

Under The Equity Release Council guidelines, most schemes provide you with the security needed to look into this solution.

Tel: 01233 220267 | Mobile : 07789 885611 Email: howard@kenthomeloans.co.uk

BORN TO BECOME… Every child has only one chance of a childhood and an education. Primary school days are extremely precious and need to be treasured by everyone A month into the new school year, I reflect on The Mead community; 30 reception infants, so tiny, still babies, appear to have grown and matured a year in a month. They walk confidently around the school, taking messages and thriving in their extended world.

Swimming each week is a current highlight!

We live together as one big family, under one roof in a large house with all the security, fun and wonder that brings. Our fabulous new entrance ensures everyone who visits enters through a proper front door into a welcoming hall. In front of them is a very moving painting by talented ex-Meadite artist Piers Muiry entitled ‘Treat others as you would like to be treated’ – his overarching memory of his years as a Meadite.

Further on in their educational journey, we were absolutely thrilled to hear that three ex-Meadites – friends since Reception – have each won coveted Oxbridge places.

Year six, their first major external exams under their belt, are off on their three-day Isle of Wight study course – excitement knows no bounds!

Nobody should live in a bubble; we are certainly not doing our children any favours if we do, for when that bubble bursts – and it will – they will not have the necessary skills, resilience and life values to survive and thrive.

From the heart of an inspirational, aspirational and loving community children can grow, flourish and find themselves, in confidence moving out into the greater world to forge their futures – and become the people they were born to be. Double languaged – we teach, they learn, both French and Mandarin, Mead children are open-minded, grounded, confident in themselves and their ability, thoughtful to the needs of others and very aware of their place in the local and global world.

All is well at The Mead. Treasured memories are being made – Headmistress Angela Culley. The Mead School’s Open Day is on Thursday 13 October. Please call 01892 525837 to book your place.

WITH THE

THE TOWN’S TOP MOTORING GUIDE – FROM EVERYDAY DRIVES TO LUXURY SUPERCARS

FIRST DRIVE

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI CLUBSPORT S

which would be useful for attaching your shopping (or helmet) to in order to prevent it slopping around or fetching you a smack on the head while using the car to its full potential.

‘Push the car too far – which is difficult on the very sticky Michelin Pilot Cup tyres – and you’ll get understeer as you’d expect’ BEHIND THE WHEEL

By Andrew Evans Volkswagen’s Golf GTI Clubsport S sits at the very top of the GTI range. But how good is it?

WHAT’S NEW? In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Golf GTI, Volkswagen had to find a way to make the GTI king of the hot hatch pack again, and the Clubsport S is just that.

The most powerful Golf ever available, the GTI Clubsport S is a limited-edition special that’s taken the Nurburgring record for front-wheel drive production cars back to Wolfsburg.

LOOKS AND IMAGE At first glance, it’s incredibly easy to mistake the GTI Clubsport S for any other Golf GTI. From the twin exhausts to the classic red styling line and through the headlights, there’s not much to mark this out as something special.

Even looking at the inside won’t reveal much. The classic golf ball manual gear shifter tells you it’s a GTI, and the part-Alcantara seats suggest performance, but otherwise it’s pretty much a standard Golf.

Glance further back and you’ll spot that the rear seats have been replaced

with a mat, a faux strut brace and a cargo net, while a build number is printed ahead of the gearstick – the only hints that something is amiss.

It’s a carefully cultivated image in many respects. The Clubsport S presents itself as something of a Q-Car, shielding the true extent of its performance unless you know where to look.

SPACE AND PRACTICALITY The fact that the rear seats are completely absent will be something of a black mark in the practicality stakes. The famously

versatile hatchback body style has had to give a little up in Volkswagen’s pursuit of ultimate performance and balance.

For front-seat occupants, there’s no difference from the regular Golf other than the body-hugging seats. Head, leg, knee and elbow room is identical and you’ll find the same storage spaces and cubbies.

The absence of rear seats does mean there’s plenty of luggage space, should you choose to take a trip to the local DIY store. The full ‘seats down’ boot space of the regular Golf GTI is available at all times, at 1,270 litres. There’s a luggage net dividing the boot and the rear cabin area,

FACTS AT A GLANCE PRICE: From £33,155 MODEL: Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S ENGINE: 2.0-litre twincharged petrol producing 306bhp and 280lb/ft TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual, driving front wheels PERFORMANCE: Top speed 165mph, 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds ECONOMY: 40.4mpg combined EMISSIONS: 172g/km

With extra power from the turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-litre engine, reduced weight from stripping the rear seats and sound deadening, and a Nurburgring lap record in its pocket, the Clubsport S is all about the driving. As with all GTIs (and Golfs), it’s easy to find a good driving position to enjoy the experience.

The adaptive suspension comes with a number of modes that vary from Comfort to Race, but it’s worth avoiding the latter unless you’re actually on a track, as it’s a little firm for less pleasant road surfaces and sleeping policemen.

In fact, Comfort mode enables the Nurburgring specification, which provides just the right damper settings to cope with the famously savage kerbs at the track and are more than good enough for your favourite B-road as a result.

Push the car too far – which is difficult on the very sticky Michelin Pilot Cup tyres – and you’ll get understeer as you’d expect.

Also expected is a slight hint of torque steer in low gears if you make a lot of demand on the accelerator, but it’s really rather minimal. All-in, the Clubsport S makes for a very benign car to drive extremely fast.

VALUE FOR MONEY The specification is relatively high considering the effort Volkswagen has gone to in order to shuck excess weight.

All cars come with the Discover navigation system equipped as standard, packing in a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen with navigation and reversing camera and sensors. But to get DAB radio you’ll need to upgrade to the Discover Pro system at £1,325.

Climate control isn’t standard fit, but fortunately it’s a no-cost option should you choose to specify it. Cruise control isn’t available at all, though, as some of the sensors have been removed.

This also means that some of the safety systems, like post-collision braking, are also not available.

But as it’s a highly limited-run model – 150 UK cars from a 400-vehicle run in total – you’re unlikely to lose much money through depreciation if you’re one of the lucky UK buyers.

WHO WOULD BUY ONE? The lap-time chasing performance car enthusiast who loves the shape of the Golf, but wants a two-seater sports car.

Wednesday 5th October 2016

80 n MOTORING

Model shown is Alfa Giulietta 1.4 TB 120 hp at £19,225 OTR including metallic paint at £525. Range of official fuel consumption figures for the Alfa Giulietta range: Urban 29.7 - 60.1 mpg (9.5 - 4.7 lf100km); Extra Urban 54.3 - 88.3 mpg (5.2 - 3.21/100km); Combined 41.5 - 74.3 mpg (6.8 - 3.8 l/100km). Co 2 emissions 157 - 99 g/km. Fuel consumption and Co 2 figures are obtained for comparative purposes in accordance with EC directives/ regulations and may not be representative Of real-life driving COnditiOnS. ' Customer deposit is £1,999. Optional Final Payment is £5.373. Contract Term is 48 months. Promotion available on Alfa Giulietta 1.4 TB 120 hp at £19,225 OTR including special paint at £525 registered between 1st October and end of December 2016. Alfa Deposit Contribution only available in conjunction with Alfa Romeo Preferenza PCP. With Alfa Romeo Preferenza you may return the vehicle instead of making the final payment. It must be in good condition and if you exceed the agreed annual mileage, you will be charged 6p per mile for exceeding 6,000 miles p.a in this example.

Subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Ts&Cs apply. At participating Dealers only. Alfa Romeo Financial Services, SL1 ORW. We work with a number of creditors including Alfa Romeo Financial Services. We reserve the right to change any offer without prior notification.

Wednesday 5th October 2016

MOTORING NEWS ■

81

A hearty explorer VOLVO has revealed its new V90 Cross Country, which now sits alongside the rest of the 90 series range. First introduced nearly 20 years ago, the Cross Country has become synonymous with rugged and dependable driving, and the new car looks to offer a similar experience.

Featuring technology shared with its V90 and S90 stablemates, the V90 Cross Country comes with a host of entertainment and comfort features, such as a premium sound system by Bowers and Wilkins.

Extensively tested in the freezing Swedish winters, the Cross Country is designed to deal with the worst conditions imaginable, while also providing a comfortable and relaxing driving experience.

Hakan Samuelsson, President and CEO of Volvo Car Group, said: “The V90 Cross Country

takes the elegance of the V90 and transforms it into an all-road car that delivers safety, comfort and performance in a capable and adventurous package.”

Dr Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Volvo Cars, added: “Our cars are well known for their safety, strength and durability. With all-wheel drive, increased ride height, and a chassis optimised for comfort and control in all weather and road conditions, the new V90 Cross Country takes our versatile V90 estate and adds the heart of an explorer.”

Not only was the new Cross Country tested in harsh winters, but it has also seen runs in the Arizona desert.

UK prices for the V90 Cross Country are yet to be announced, but first deliveries of the car are expected to take place in early 2017.

DRIVEN TO EXTREMES The V90 Cross Country

TOYING WITH THE MARKET The Lego 620R

Hot off the bricks – Caterham unveils a model Lego car kit CATERHAM has revealed its newest model, but it’s not quite how you’d imagine.

Far from being a high-powered sports car crafted from steel and aluminium, this 620R is created from something slightly different – Lego.

It is the first time that a Caterham has been made from the iconic plastic bricks, with this model standing 10cm tall and 28cm long. All-in-all, it is made up of 770 pieces, making it a challenge for even the most experienced modeller.

The kit even includes a replica Caterham engine and gear stick. There’s also a removable nose cone and engine cover, as well as a functioning axle and a working steering wheel.

The car was originally submitted to the Lego ideas platform, where it gained 10,000 votes. The 620R was then chosen to go into full production.

David Ridley, Caterham Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Caterham has always prided itself on producing bespoke, hand-built cars for its customers.

“Our army of fans who build their own Caterham Sevens are equally discerning when it comes to the detail and craftsmanship which is central to Caterham, and we worked closely with the Lego team to ensure the model replicated that.

“The Lego 620R has various unique features – the intricately-designed engine was certainly a surprise when we lifted the bonnet for the first time.

It’s really satisfying to know that fans can recreate and build their own 620R with Lego bricks.”

Priced at £69, the Caterham Lego 620R will be available to buy from October 1.

Wednesday 5th October 2016

82 � PUZZLES

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P U N J A B L U R O T R OO V E R Y O E I S K R U B B L E U U B A N I S H U A H O C A L F L K S E GM E E E T H E S I S

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

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Numbers are substituted for letters in the crossword grid. Above the grid is the key with two letters solved. Try to complete the first few words to give you more letters, or look for a frequent number that might reveal a common letter. As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid. Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

Wednesday 5th October 2016

8 1

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In this Sudoku, the normal 3x3 boxes are now strangely odd shapes – but all the rules and logic of normal Sudoku apply.

Fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and box contains every number uniquely.

Puzzle solutions will be published in next week’s paper

Sudoku:

4 3 6 9 2 7 1 8 5

2 1 5 8 6 3 4 7 9

8 9 7 1 5 4 2 6 3

L I P S T I E R G T L A E N D S

I Q U H I Z R E S L A L Y W T A R I N

U O R A P I E U S R E I N S N A X Y T E A I L L L E E A D

Jigsaw Sudoku:

1 5 9 7 8 2 6 3 4

7 4 3 6 1 5 9 2 8

6 8 2 3 4 9 7 5 1

9 6 4 2 3 8 5 1 7

3 7 1 5 9 6 8 4 2

5 2 8 4 7 1 3 9 6

1 2 9 4 7 5 3 8 6

5 1 2 6 8 9 4 7 3

7 6 1 2 9 3 5 4 8

6 5 3 8 2 7 9 1 4

3 8 4 1 5 2 7 6 9

9 4 6 5 1 8 2 3 7

8 9 7 3 4 6 1 2 5

2 7 8 9 3 4 6 5 1

4 3 5 7 6 1 8 9 2

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

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DIFFICULTY RATING:

4

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

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SOLUTIONS (FROM LAST WEEK)

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

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SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU

DIFFICULTY RATING:

CODEWORD

RECRUITMENT n

83

WITH THE

FIND YOUR PERFECT JOB TODAY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A MUST READ FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR WORK LOCALLY

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

Wednesday 5th October 2016

84 n RECRUITMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PLACE AN ADVERT CONTACT OUR SALES DEPARTMENT ON 01892 779624

Wednesday 5th October 2016

RECRUITMENT n

85

C J GALLARD'S ALMSHOUSES, SOUTHBOROUGH, TUNBRIDGE WELLS CLERK TO THE TRUSTEES

We have a part-time vacancy for a Clerk to the Trustees to work at an almshouse charity providing independent living for 25 elderly, local people of limited financial means in their own flats. Ideally we are seeking someone who lives locally as occasionally they may have to respond to emergencies at the flats.

Pay according to skills and experience.

We are looking for someone who: • is computer literate • has good people skills • has experience of writing clear minutes • can manage the charity's finances, and • has an understanding of dealing with property maintenance issues .

Will suit someone looking for rewarding part time work.

Training will be available as well as a handover period as required.

Someone who also has : • excellent organisational skills • the ability to juggle multiple tasks, and • an understanding of legislative matters relating to the running of a charity.

INTERNATIONAL EDITOR KHL Group, the multi-media international publisher, is looking for an Editor for its market-leading magazine, International Rental News - the monthly magazine covering the world's equipment rental sector.

The editorship requires professionalism, enthusiasm, good writing skills and the ability to comm unicate easily with people at all business levels. This market-leading print magazine is also available on-line. in digital formats. and through social media channels. The title also produces its own e-newsletters, videos and podcasts. The magazine's coverage is international, so the editor will be required to undertake travel to exhibitions and events around the world .

KHL offers attractive long-term prospects. a good salary, car. and a great modern office close to Tunbridge Wells.

• Please send yo ur CV to Mr Murray Pollok, e-mail: murray.pollok@KHL.com

A flexible working pattern is offered, based on an average of 15 hours a week, which includes essential attendance at bi-monthly and occasional other trustees ' meetings, availability to answer queries from time to time and occasional attendance at the almshouses in emergency situations - particularly if the Manager is away or on holiday. You can work from home if you prefer, as long as you are available to attend the almshouses when required, or there is an office on site where you can work.

Applications via letter plus CV, including details of financial expectations as well as explaining motivation in applying to work for a charity, to The Chairman, C J Gallard's Almshouses, 27 London Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 ONB or by e-mail to chairman@gallards.co.uk.

Closing date: 31 October 2016

TrLnLt:

khO www khl corn

FIR ST FOR GLOBAL CONSTRU CTI ON INFORMATI ON

Excellent rates of pay,

!

Wednesday 5th October 2016

86 � ARTS & CULTURE

Meet the talented group of artists who have creative collaborations down to a fine art Last year a number of talented individuals formed The Creatives group, a collective that helps support one another, share ideas and swap artistic skills. Here, one of its co-founders, Elaine Gill, tells the Times all about the project and previews the group’s latest exhibition at Trinity Theatre “In 2015 a group of local artists across all disciplines got together in order to provide a focal point for those wishing to meet fellow creatives.

The aim was to share ideas, support one another and have the opportunity to collaborate.

Working as an artist can be quite a lonely existence, and one of our co-founders, Julia Stockwell Hamid, ART HOUSE recognised this, so invited a few Some of the creative friends for an informal meet creatives over coffee at Woods Restaurant. outside Six people turned up, and from Trinity that meeting the Woods Artisan Market was organised, and so our project began.

We named ourselves The Creatives Group and had an exciting first year with most of us getting opportunities we could have only dreamed of it if weren’t for the collective.

Our monthly meetings at Woods generated other enterprises, too, including a pop-up gallery in Ely Court at Royal Victoria Place, as well as a rolling exhibition in Woods.

We also secured wall displays for our artists in various cafés and

Wednesday 5th October 2016

shops in town and oversaw the creation of the White Wall campaign, where people can exhibit their work at Royal Victoria Place.

From that initial meeting back in June 2015, we now have over 90 members.

It’s quite amazing the amount of talented artists who are based in and around Tunbridge Wells, but as we grow and take on exciting opportunities and meet like-minded people, our demographic widens.

We now have representatives in Dartford and Brighton as well as Julia, who has moved out to Tanzania. So I guess you could almost say we are now international!

We represent a huge number of different creative disciplines, which range from watercolour painters to sculptors, jewellery makers, animators, fashion designers, silk screen printers and photographers.

In June, a number of our artists opened up their homes to the South East Open Studios, and then took part in the Tunbridge Wells Art Fair.

‘It’s quite amazing the amount of talented artists who are based in and around Tunbridge Wells, but as we grow and take on exciting opportunities and meet like-minded people, our demographic widens’

From both these events many opportunities have arisen, with one of our members being represented by galleries in Wiltshire, Sevenoaks and Brighton, and another being accepted for the upcoming Graphic and Illustration show at the Menier Gallery in London.

Someone else is just back from a sixweek art residency in Beijing, and others have had positive reviews in national magazines, general commissions and book illustration work.

ARTS & CULTURE �

87

It’s so exciting to see the Creatives growing in confidence, too, and we’re delighted that some of them will be exhibiting at Trinity.

We were contacted by Jocelyn Cheek, from the venue, who asked us if we’d like to collate a show.

The beautiful gallery space has now been transformed into an exhibition that features two pieces of work each by 15 of our artists.

There should be something on display there for everyone to see, as the art ranges from mixed media collages to traditional pastel paintings.

It’s on until October 30, and on Thursday, October 6, there will be a Meet the Artists event from 5-7.30pm, so if you’d like to see what we do please do come along.

Alternatively, people can drop into our monthly meetings, which take place on the first Thursday of every month at Woods from 10am to midday.

We’re hoping to bring in a variety of speakers over the next few months who can guide us on subjects such as social media, good printing techniques and how to write a personal artistic statement.

The Creatives is a voluntary group and our main goal is to share the love of art.

We only ask for a mutual respect, so if this sounds appealing to you then you’re more than welcome aboard!”

For more about The Creatives Group go to www.creatives-tunbridgewells.com Their current show is on at Trinity Theatre until October 30 and can be viewed daily from 10am-10pm

WORKS OF ART A selection of The Creatives’ paintings currently on display at Trinity. Clockwise from left: Anna-Marie Buss, Suzy Phillips, Lynda Bell-Mann,Chris Burke, Jane Swannell & Gayle Shapton

Wednesday 5th October 2016

88  WHAT’S ON SEVEN DAYS OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE

WHATS ON WITH THE

Eileen Leahy Local events

If you would like to see your events featured in our weekly What’s On pages please email info@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

>> WEDNESDAY discuss the upcoming US Presidential Election Each Wednesday until the end of November there and its impact on the UK. Tickets to the event will be a Rock Choir session happening at the cost £15 per person, with proceeds going to the Camden Centre in Tunbridge Wells. Go along to Hopsice in the Weald. the Victoria Suite at 11.30am and let your hair www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk down at this popular singing session.

Alternatively, you could always go along to the If you live in Tonbridge, then the sessions are Artspring Gallery on Tonbridge High Street and on every Thursday at 8.15pm at Juddians Rugby enjoy a glass of Prosecco while you browse the Football Club. For more details visit paintings and sculptures on display. This is the www.rockchoir.com first open evening the gallery has put on, and if Manchester musicians 10cc will be performing at it’s a success there will be more similar events. the Assembly Hall tonight from 7.30pm. Loyal fans www.artspringgallery.co.uk of the band will enjoy this concert as the first half Over in Sevenoaks, popular stand-up comedian sees them playing their first album, Sheet Music, Stewart Lee will be delivering his trademark released 40 years ago, in its entirety. The second acerbic wit to the audience Out of the Box at the half will be dedicated to them playing all their Stag Theatre. Tickets are selling out fast, so if you classic hits, including Dreadlock Holiday and I’m want to see the man responsible for the bestNot in Love. To book tickets, which cost £32.50, go selling Comedy Vehicle series and the Alternative to www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Comedy Experience, then get booking! Tickets cost Un Homme A La Hauteur (Up for Love) is being from £16. www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk screened at Trinity Theatre this evening. This A talk on The Green Man in English Churches French-Belgian romantic comedy stars The Artist’s will be given by Imogen Corrigan as a fundraising Jean Dujardin and tells the story of his alter ego event for St Denys’ Church, Rotherfield.

Alexandre, a lovable character who finds the Refreshments will be served from 7pm, and the mobile of a beautiful woman called Diane and talk will begin at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £6 on the wants to return it to her. The pair hit it door or £5 in advance. Call 01892 852 196 to book. off when they talk on the phone, but when they meet in person Diane >> FRIDAY has immediate reservations…

Today is the last day of ROCK ON go along to find out why. the Sevenoaks Literary 10cc play the www.trinitytheatre.net Festival, so if you Assembly haven’t been over to the Hall town and dropped >> THURSDAY in on one of the At 7pm, Daily many Telegraph leader writer and historian Tim Stanley will be in conversation with MP Tom Tugendhat at the EM Forster workshops, readings and Theatre, recitals, this Tonbridge School. The pair will is your last

Wednesday 5th October 2016

chance to do so. For more information visit www.sevlitfest.com The Assembly Hall welcomes Dr Hook this evening. With original front man Dennis Locorriere touring with the band again it promises to be a good night, packed full of their fabulous hits, which include When You’re In Love With a Beautiful Woman and A Little Bit More.

If you didn’t get round to seeing it at the cinema then Bridget Jones’s Baby is on at the Hop Farm’s Moonlight Drive-in Cinema from tonight until next Wednesday. Beginning at 7.30pm, tickets cost £25 per car. For more information visit www.moonlightcinema.com >> SATURDAY Free 5k parks runs happen in Dunorlan, Tunbridge Wells, and Castle Road, Tonbridge, every Saturday morning from 9am, and now they take place at Bedgebury Pinetum, too. For more information about running around this glorious wooded area of Kent visit www.parkrun.org.uk Tunbridge Wells Farmers’ Market is on today from 9am to 2.30pm outside the Town Hall.

Visitors and foodies can expect the usual mix of specialist suppliers, local produce and seasonal gourmet goodies.

Nina Conti brings her latest tour, In Your Face, to the Assembly Hall from 7.30pm. The famous ventriloquist is sure to delight with this new show, which sees her cleverly using a variety of different voices and masks to interact with the audience and present a really spontaneous event.

Rusthall’s Community Cinema Club will be screening the Oscar-winning Bridge Of Spies this evening. Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance star in this slick political spy thriller, which will be screened at the village’s Sunnyside Hall from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £2 for members and £7 for visitors. For further information visit www.rusthallcinema.club >> SUNDAY There will be a Memory Walk, organised by local charity Caremark, at Dunorlan Park today to help raise money for dementia research. If you’re

ON TRACK Enjoy a day out with Thomas interested in taking part, then go along to www.caremark.co.uk You can enjoy a Day Out with Thomas today courtesy of the Spa Valley Railway. Journeys start at Tunbridge Wells West Station and run through the beautiful Wealden countryside along to Eridge.

Children will have the opportunity to meet the Fat Controller and take part in various Thomas-themed fun activities. Ticket prices start at £11. www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk The improvisation theatre group, The Claquers, are holding a workshop at St Barnabas’s School Hall on Camden Road for anybody who may be interested in this dynamic form of theatre.

They recently put on two performances alongside the Restrisiko Improvisations Theater company from Wiesbaden (our German twin town) and had around 100 people attend over the two evenings.

The workshop is from 10am-5pm. Tickets cost £10.

Friends of the Earth and Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council have organised a Climate Action community event which runs from 1-4pm today at the Angel Centre, Tonbridge. As well as providing visitors with lots of information on green and environmental issues, there will be children’s activities and live music, too. Call the organisers on 07875 086592 for more information. >> MONDAY Grosvenor and Hilbert Park hosts The Big Draw this afternoon from 4 until 6pm. Open to children aged four to 16 years, it’s a fun event that encourages young minds to explore the worlds of science and technology through the medium of art.

The Creatives exhibition at Trinity Theatre continues all this week, so if you’re an art lover or

WHAT’S ON 

89

WORTH A TRIP:

fancy purchasing something new for your home, then make sure you get along to see the work of this group of local artists. It’s on until the end of the month.

See pages 88-89 for our special interview with Creatives co-founders Elaine Gill and Chris Burke.

Sandhurst Hospice in the Weald Tuesday October 11, 3pm

Fans of classical music shouldn’t miss this performance by Adrian Bradbury on cello and Oliver Davies on piano. The duo will be playing at a private residence in Sandhurst.

A donation of £15 minimum per person is requested and places must be booked in advance by calling 01580 850384.

>> TUESDAY At 5.30pm, The Hub at Grosvenor and Hilbert Park will be showcasing the Weird and Wonderful Show, which highlights some of the quirkier treasures found at the Tunbridge Wells Museum.

There will be an expert on hand to discuss these unusual pieces and talk visitors through the history of each artefact.

The event is free but booking is required. To reserve your place, email Steff D’Agorne at: steff.dagorne@tunbridgewells.gov.uk Another attraction at the Tunbridge Wells Museum is the Grunts and Grapples show.

Running until January 14, it has been curated by historian Kerry Purcell and showcases the golden age of British wrestling, which ran from the 1950s to 1990s. Profiling famous names such as Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks, and with all kinds of nostalgic posters, photos and memorabilia on display, it’s proving to be an enjoyable exhibition.

Open Tuesdays to Saturdays during the usual museum opening hours.

A ROUND-UP OF THIS WEEK’S MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Paul Dunton

The must-read guide to what’s on musically for the week ahead… www.paulduntonandguests.com

Live music AS WE head into autumn, there’s still lots of brilliant live music to go out and enjoy listening to. Below are my top picks for this week – from smaller venues like The Cross Keys, where Paul Malsom and The Nocasters play this Wednesday, to bigger ones such as the Assembly Hall, which welcomes 10cc, Dr Hook and The Three Degrees over the next few days.

And if you want to have a go at performing live yourself, then The Duke of York and The Royal Oak are both hosting an Open Mic evening this coming Monday night.

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM Doors 7.30pm, entry price variable, event information and tickets at www.twforum.co.uk

WEDNESDAY Blood Youth, ZOAX, Cove THURSDAY Wire FRIDAY High Focus presents: Dead Players + Will.B + Tenbag Banditz + Ashmore X Motormouf SATURDAY Boogie Nights THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE The Pantiles, doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7, websites www.pdag.co.uk + www.thegreylady.co.uk

FRIDAY Volare Trio SATURDAY Into The Blue SUNDAY Caleb Howard-Almond, The Alley Devils, Riff Raff TUESDAY Niamh McSmith, Josh Renton, Fred Clark WEDNESDAY Leanie Kaleido, Searching For Pie, The Gallerys KING CHARLES THE MARTYR CHURCH London Road, near The Pantiles, ticket information and concert times at www.kcmtw.org

SCALLYWAG CAFE 45 Mount Ephraim, open all day, music from 8.30pm till late, music cover charge may apply

FRIDAY Ed Watts Jazz Piano WEDNESDAY Cabaret Open Mic Night THE CROSS KEYS St John’s Road, open all day, free entry, music from 8pm, website www.crosskeystw.co.uk

WEDNESDAY Malsom and the Nocasters FRIDAY Blues with Bottle: Nightshift MONDAY TWURPS: Ukulele Beginners’ Session WEDNESDAY Sonny’s Jazz THE DUKE OF YORK The Pantiles, open all day, free entry, music from 8pm onwards

MONDAY Open Mic Night THE ROYAL OAK Prospect Road, open all day, free entry, music from 8pm onwards

SATURDAY Between Giants MONDAY Open Mic Night MASONIC CENTRE St John’s Road, information on times and tickets at www.twjazzclub.co.uk

FRIDAY TW Jazz Club: The Pedigree Jazz Band ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE Crescent Road, information on times and tickets at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

SATURDAY Archaeus String Quartet

WEDNESDAY 10cc in concert FRIDAY Dr Hook starring Dennis Locorriere MONDAY The Three Degrees

THE BEAU NASH INN Mount Ephraim, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late

THE PUNCH & JUDY 11 St Stephen’s Street, Tonbridge, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm

SATURDAY The Nigel Bagge Band

TUESDAY The Tuesday Night Specials

Wednesday 5th October 2016

90 ■ BOOKS TIMES REVIEWS

Book some time off…

Time to unwind and relax, and what better way than with a great book. Here are a few suggestions for your autumn reading…

The Ethical Carnivore: My Year Killing To Eat

by Louise Gray Hardback, Bloomsbury £16.99 (ebook £10.79)

Could you spend a year eating only animals that you had killed yourself? This was the brave project undertaken by Louise Gray and detailed in her fascinating new book The Ethical Carnivore. Told in beautiful, descriptive prose that shows her

Razor Girl by Carl Hiaasen Hardback, Sphere £18.99 (ebook £9.99) If you like a kooky read, or crime thrillers which are a little different, you wouldn’t go far wrong by picking up Razor Girl. Following his previous novels for grown-ups and younger readers, including Bad Monkey and Hoot, he has based the action in the Everglades of southern Florida. Merry is the Razor Girl of the title, a conwoman who arranges a car accident in

love and knowledge of nature, we are taken on a journey as Gray grows from a shaky novice taking a bad shot at a wild rabbit, to proudly feeding her friends animals she has hunted or foraged. She even ventures into eating roadkill, as well as serving up satay squirrel. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to know more about where the meat and fish they eat comes from, exploring in depth how the animals live and how they die, and the environmental and social impact along the way.

8/10

(Review by Margaret Davis) a very novel way. The mystery all revolves around an abduction gone wrong. Merry takes a Hollywood talent manager called Lane Coolman for a ‘ride’, which in turn leads to the downfall of a famous reality TV star, Buck, who kills his reputation with some ill-judged anecdotes before disappearing into the night. Now Coolman must find Buck to save his own life. But where has he gone?

Razor Girl is an absorbing book that shows you the dark side of Florida and its quirky locals.

8/10

(Review by Rachel Howdle)

The Storm Whale In Winter

by Benji Davies Hardback, Simon & Schuster £6.99 (ebook £4.99) Lonely little Noi has already experienced his first adventure in The Storm Whale, in which he befriends a baby beached whale, and it became an instant classic.

Now it’s the following winter, and Noi has not

Transit

by Rachel Cusk Hardback, Jonathan Cape £16.99 (ebook £9.99) Canadian-born Rachel Cusk’s last novel, Outline, was shortlisted for a slew of awards, including the Baileys Prize for Women’s Fiction – and this follow-up will undoubtedly draw similar acclaim. It’s once again narrated by Cusk’s watchful writer Faye, who, following the breakdown of her marriage, has moved to London with her two sons.

Her new life involves an ex-

Wednesday 17th August 2016

Wednesday 5th October 2016

forgotten his whale friend, in fact, he thinks he sees it sometimes, but it’s ‘always something else’. When his fisherman dad goes on one last wintry fishing trip and doesn’t return, Noi sets off into a blizzard across the frozen sea, only to discover his dad’s abandoned boat. Just as he curls up on board and starts to feel afraid, there’s a bump from the watery depths below and Noi is guided to safety by... you guessed it. Just as spine-tinglingly beautiful as The Storm Whale – and with several more opportunities to try and spot all Noi’s six cats – this is a must-read for little ’uns and grown-ups alike.

9/10

(Review by Kate Whiting)

boyfriend on the school run, the ‘evil’ neighbours in the flat below, the Polish workmen who are gutting her new home, and two other writers speaking alongside her at a book festival – Faye listens intently to each one, and delves deeper into their psyches through her questions, though we rarely hear much from her. Cusk has an incredible ability to mine universal truths from everyday mundanity. Underlying it all is the idea of transit, that our lives are constantly changing and each moment and encounter is simply a passageway to the next.

9/10

(Review by Kate Whiting)

Out now in print and online www.somagazines.co.uk

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Keene Marsland Solicitors, 6 Clarnricarde Gardens, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN11PH I www.keenemarsland.co.uk Appointments available in Tunbridge Wells, Edenbridge, Haywards Heath, Reading, Windsor and London

Wednesday 5th October 2016

ADVERTISING FEATURE.

Thinl<ing of 01oving honte soon?

You've made the decision to move, found your dream home and your offer has been accepted. Feelings of excitement and apprehension set in and all you want is the whole process to end with you safely ensconced in your new home. So what steps can you take to ensure that the process will run smoothly and costly mistakes are avoided? Well, skimping on surveys and conveyancing can cost you dearly in the long run. So here are some top tips to help your move go as smoothly as possible. understand what is happening at each step of the move. If you are not sure, ask!

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Wednesday 5th October 2016