Times of Tunbridge Wells 15th June 2016

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with this paper See page 82

RAIN FAILS TO DAMPEN STREET PARTY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS Pages 10-12

LIB DEM WILL NOT DROWN IN A SEA OF BLUE Page 9

RETAIL GIANT CONFIRMS IT IS TAKING OVER MORRISONS Page 5

CROWD PUBLISHING PROVES A NOVEL APPROACH TO BOOKS Page 8

Primark sets its sights on Tunbridge Wells…

INSIDE BUSINESS

Baby brand booms for buggy entrepreneurs

Popular discount store is among those eyeing BHS site Adam Hignett

adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

BIDDING WAR PUSHES SALE OF THE CHURCH ONE of the town’s most iconic churches shattered expectations when it went under the hammer on Monday to fetch £900,000 at auction.

The final bid for The Vale Royal Methodist Church on London Road far exceeded even the upper guide price for the freehold property, which had been set at £600,000.

However, the council confirmed last month that despite the age and prominence of the building it is not listed, even though it is considered a local heritage asset.

The relative freedom to redevelop the 11,000 sq ft property which was originally put on the open market in 2013 – as it was falling into a state of disrepair – led to a ‘bidding war’ which inflated the price.

John Stockey, auctioneer at the auction house Clive Emson, said: “There was a great deal of interest in this lot and we had a number of bidders determined to buy it.

Continued on page 4

CLOTHING retailer Primark could soon be opening a store in Tunbridge Wells.

The Times understands the Ireland-based company has shown an interest in the BHS site in Royal Victoria Place (RVP).

When the news of BHS going into administration broke last month there was a great deal of uncertainty surrounding what would happen to the Tunbridge Wells branch.

The owners of the two-storey unit are M&G Real Estate – a division of the Prudential.

The BHS site is not owned by RVP, although it falls within the shopping centre.

At the time of the administration being announced, M&G Real Estate said they were ‘working with other retailers’ who had shown an interest in occupying any one of the 12 stores within their portfolio, including Tunbridge Wells.

Since then, sources within the sector said one of those who had expressed an interest in taking over part of the BHS unit was Wilko.

They said the discount homeware chain wanted to occupy one of the two floors, which they viewed as being a preferable alternative to the former HMV site currently earmarked for Wilko.

However, the sources told the Times Wilko ceased enquiries into the viability of moving into the BHS site after Primark made an offer ‘that couldn’t be refused’.

They said: “Wilko looked into the BHS site as soon as it was announced the company had gone into administration, as one floor would have been much better than the old HMV site they have at present.

“Primark, though, had been eyeing the site for a while and had made an offer that couldn’t be refused.”

A spokesman for Primark said last night [Tuesday]: “Unfortunately, the company doesn’t comment on speculation around store openings.”

Wilko said they will not comment on reports about being outbid.

A spokesman for M&G Real Estate said: “We’re currently in a period where different retailers are expressing an interest in one or more stores and while nothing is confirmed as yet we will

provide an update as soon as we can.”

Primark, a subsidiary of Associated British Foods, has expanded rapidly in the last 15 years. It bought the Littlewoods chain for £409m in 2005, selling 79 of the 119 stores.

But the company has come under fire over its working practices, with the charity War on Want criticising the low wages and dire conditions endured by clothing makers in factories in India and Bangladesh – and claiming that many of them are children.

PAGE 6

FOOD & DRINK

Busy Mum’s Cookbook author on local markets

More about Primark on page 4 PAGES 64-65

EDUCATION

Grammar school boys win Teen Tech Awards

PAGE 23

PROPERTY

36 pages of the finest homes on the market

THE VISION What our BHS store may look like in future

SEE PROPERTY SECTION

4 � LOCAL NEWS

Weather Wednesday Broken cloud will allow occasional sunny spells to form.

June 15, 2016

º

16 C

By Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

Visibility: Good

Pollution: Low

Humidity: 84%

Sunrise: 04.43am

Sunset: 21.16pm

Wind: 13mph

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

18ºC

17ºC

16ºC

17ºC

18ºC

Birthday honour for man who launched youth cadet force challenge

19ºC

BLOOMING LOVELY It was sunny in Tunny – until the rains came…

Tom Lawrence

THE founder of one of the UK’s leading youth engagement and leadership programmes said he was ‘deeply privileged’ to be awarded an OBE at the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Simon Dean, founder and Chief Executive of Challenger Troop CIC, is one of five residents in the borough to be honoured.

Mr Dean, of Langton Green, was awarded his OBE in recognition for his services to education. He established Challenger Troop in 2007 in order to

SUMMER LOVING A playsuit from Primark

CONTACTS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615 DESIGN/PRODUCTION LEE SMITH lsmith8@markerstudy.com SALES GEMMA HAK ghak@markerstudy.com | 01892 779580

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CLARIFICATIONS AND CORRECTIONS HERE at the Times of Tunbridge Wells 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 ‘How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon.

December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?’

Dr. Seuss

Wednesday 15th June 2016

ex-service personnel as instructors.

Other residents to be recognised include Martin Greenstreet of Tunbridge Wells, an employee of the Ministry of Defence who received an OBE for services to defence; Lea Ragsdell of Tunbridge Wells, who was awarded an MBE for public service in her capacity as a data manager at the Cabinet Office; Jacqueline Violet Clark, who received a BEM for services to young people in Goudhurst; and Thomas Fisher of Cranbrook, who was given a BEM for services to the community and under-privileged young people in London.

HONOURED Simon Dean

What makes Primark so appealing to the masses

Send your weather pictures into... newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

GENERAL INQUIRIES newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

improve life chances and outcomes for children and young people.

He said: “I feel deeply privileged to have been awarded an OBE. It is a wonderful honour in recognition of all my amazing team and their passion and hard work in transforming young people’s lives.”

The not-for-profit organisation, based in St John’s Road, is centred on a military ethos and provides full-time professional support for young people – particularly the vulnerable.

To date, 35,000 young people have been through its programme, which works closely with schools throughout the south east and employs mainly

Lifestyle Editor: Eileen Leahy PRIMARK – or ‘Primarni’ as it’s often dubbed by those in the know, thanks to its knack of pulling off brilliant designer style copies – is a savvy fashion shopper’s retail nirvana.

Owned by the Irish brand Penneys, it came to the UK in 1973, opening its first British store in Derby. But it’s only really been in the last decade or so that it’s really hit fashion’s hot spot.

The reason is simple. Its wealth of talented designers have a fantastic eye for spotting key trends and then making them their own – for a fraction of the catwalk price tag.

The brains behind the Primark brand, which now has stores in France and the States, counts cool

Continued from page 1 “There were half a dozen really serious bidders as well as others who never got a chance to raise their hand due to the speed of the interested parties’ increased bids.

“This led to a bidding war and a final sale figure that was £300,000 above the higher end of the guide price.”

stylists and celebrities such as pop band Little Mix among its ever-growing clientele, who all know it’s the place to shop for those fickle fashion items you fancy for a Friday night out as well as good quality basics.

In short, they successfully capture the style zeitgeist season after season without stinging their customers with a huge bill at the till.

So it really doesn’t matter if you’re into harem trousers or bejewelled kaftans one week and then go off them the next, you’ve still been able to trial a trend without spending a fortune.

But it’s not just female fashion that Primark excels in. It also sells cool, inexpensive casual clothes for men and good quality trendy items for children, not to mention brilliantly priced sports and beachwear.

Local architect John Bullock told the Times last month that there should be several development avenues for the successful bidder to explore, including a ‘multiple residential conversion’.

But the hugely successful auction will not result in a large financial windfall for the local Methodist congregation.

David Trainor, Treasurer for Methodist churches in the Tunbridge Wells area, said the

Then of course there is the huge variety of accessories. Whether you fancy a statement bejewelled bib necklace, a Peter Pan lace collar, an oversized tote or funky espadrilles, you’ll find them all in Primark and still have change left for a night out to wear them.

With over 160 stores nationwide in the UK, some of which offer different ranges depending on their locations, Primark is not content with just selling us the must-have fashion items of the day. They’ve also recently branched into homewear and are now offering shoppers a stylish array of things to instantly cheer up your pad, again without spending a fortune.

LED lights, super soft throws and funky crockery are just a few of the bargains you’ll pick up while you’re getting your fashion fix.

What’s not to like about that?

money will be sent to the denomination’s headquarters up north.

“Ultimately, the owner of the church was the Methodist Headquarters in Manchester.

They will redistribute a lot of the money to help with the upkeep of other churches around the country.

“Unfortunately we haven’t suddenly become rich.”

The final buyer is not yet known.

THE PENNY HAS DROPPED – WE ARE ALL LIVING IN LIDL BRITAIN ANOTHER week, another shop closes. But as British Home Stores is about to shut its doors, another opens – it being widely whispered that Primark is coming to Tunbridge Wells to fill the hole left by BHS. It is another sign of the changing times here. If the retail casualties of the recession are one side of the coin, the way we look for cheaper shopping opportunities is the other.

The clothing store would join the likes of Poundland, which opened in Grosvenor Road last October, and Aldi, which is due to set up shop in Eridge Road. We also have discount stores like The Range and Wilko opening.

The big question for many years has been: ‘Why isn’t there a Waitrose in Tunbridge

Wells?’ Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Paddock Wood and Crowborough all have one. It’s the perfect fit, almost like they were made for each other.

And it’s not so long ago that your average local resident would not be seen dead in Lidl. I once heard a lady at the tills there tell a friend on her mobile that she was in the queue at Waitrose.

But now it has become something of a middle-class badge of honour to eschew the Waitroses of this world and bring home the unknown brands sold by Lidl Britain instead.

And the fact of the matter is that we are all feeling the pinch in our pocket and trying to slice a little bit off the household budget.

Just as it seems rather naïve these days to

pay the full price for an air fare, we are chasing bargains in every last aspect of our lives.

A poll carried out before Poundland opened last year found that out of 761 people asked to choose between having the new store or a Waitrose, a total of 444 preferred Poundland.

There are plenty of residents who bemoan the preponderance of charity shops in our streets, too.

In for a penny, in for a pound. They need our help, don’t forget.

So let’s admit it, even in an affluent town like Tunbridge ‘Welloff’ – we just can’t resist a bargain.

Richard Moore, Editorial Director

LOCAL NEWS 

NEWS IN BRIEF

Council leader fined by his own wardens BOROUGH Council Leader David Jukes was this week fined for parking illegally outside the town hall.

He has a permit allowing him to leave his vehicle in one of the bays allocated to councillors on business.

However, Cllr Jukes forgot to switch the permit from his Land Rover to his Jaguar, which has been a familiar site outside the town hall for several years.

An eagle-eyed warden promptly slapped a ticket on the Jaguar – which the Council Leader also promptly paid, reducing the fine from £50 to £25. He has now taped the Penalty Notice to his office door – sending the message that there are no exceptions when it comes to parking.

Gateway service cuts TUNBRIDGE WELLS Gateway, the drop-in centre for council services, will cut short its opening hours according to proposals put to the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

The radical overhaul would involve closing the Grosvenor Road centre on Saturdays and ending its Thursday evening provision.

Instead the Communities Advisory Cabinet Board will consider operating an appointments-only system for more complex issues and focus more on online assistance rather than face to face.

Charity shop theft A CHARITY for the homeless is installing CCTV cameras in one of its Tunbridge Wells shops after a flurry of thefts. In the latest incident a thief made off with a collection tin that was chained to the counter of The Bridge Trust’s Camden Road store. It followed several other incidents in which items such as DVDs and books have been taken from the store.

Retail giant finally confirms it will move into Morrisons site newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

DISCOUNT retailer The Range said this week that it will be taking over the former Morrisons site opposite the railway station in Tunbridge Wells.

The confirmation ends weeks of confusion about the intentions of the home, garden and leisure giant.

The move was first revealed exclusively by the Times on May 11 in a front-page story.

However, following publication The Range issued a media statement that said: “We don’t currently have any plans to open a new store in the location mentioned [Tunbridge Wells].”

The denial was picked up and reported by other media outlets.

Following further exchanges of emails the company this week told the Times: “We are delighted to confirm that The Range will be opening a new store in Tunbridge Wells later in the year. It will be located at Vale Road, TN1 1BT.” The company, which already has more than 100 stores nationwide offering 65,000 products, did not disclose an opening date.

The Times, however, understands that the current target date is early September with scores of new jobs being created.

Sources close to the project said that at

one point it looked as though the purchase of the site might be put on hold because of difficulties recruiting staff.

Morrisons closed on April 2 and there were fears the site might be left empty and become an ‘eyesore’, as it did when it was previously left boarded up for six years.

Network Rail delays Bird feeding scare bridge traffic chaos is put to flight

A FIRE which destroyed a barn in Rusthall is being treated as suspicious. Crews used main jets and water from a hydrant when they were called out to the barn and stable block used as lock-ups in Lower Green Road in Rusthall at just after 2am yesterday (Tuesday). The barn was destroyed by fire but crews managed to prevent it spreading to adjoining properties.

PLANNING inspectors have given the green light to three developments in Paddock Wood which could see an additional 1,000 homes built in the town.

The report has endorsed proposals to build on developments in Badsell Road, Mascalls Court Road and Church Road.

The Chairman of Paddock Wood Town Council, Elizabeth Thomas, said the report was ‘not what we wanted at all’.

THE RANGE How they might brand Morrisons

By Jonathan Banks

Rusthall barn fire

Development go-ahead

5

THE proposed repairs to Grosvenor Bridge, which would have closed it for six months from last Sunday, have been put on hold indefinitely while work on the railway line is carried out.

The works on the bridge’s faulty concrete piers is set to cause major hold-ups since traffic using the busy access point will be redirected into the town centre’s one-way system.

A Kent County Council spokesman said: “Work has unfortunately been delayed whilst we wait for Network Rail to divert a high-voltage power cable located on their land.

“This was due to be done by Network Rail ahead of our work starting on June 12. Discussions with Network Rail continue and we have requested a revised date from them as a matter of urgency.

“Once a date for the cable diversion has been confirmed, the bridge works will be rescheduled and residents and local businesses will be updated.”

The Times approached Network Rail for comment yesterday, however, they had failed to reply by the time the paper went to press.

PROPOSED council powers are ‘not there to stop people feeding birds’.

That was the message from the Tunbridge Wells authority that said that the action, which is part of its plans to tackle anti-social behaviour would only apply to people putting out excessive amounts of food in their garden.

The council decided to inform the public of its position after it feared its original proposals had been misinterpreted.

In a statement posted on Facebook a spokesperson said the new powers had yet to be approved by the council’s Cabinet, with a decision to take place on June 22, adding: “If they agree at their meeting it will mean a Fixed Penalty of £100 can be issued to people who choose not to change their behaviour in response to a Community Protection Notice.

“The Community Protection Notice

can be used to help deal with a range of problems.

“An example of a problem that was raised by a local councillor is where someone is reportedly putting out excessive amounts of food in their garden on a regular basis which then attracts a lot of birds that cause a nuisance to their neighbours.

“The evidence that those problems are in existence will also be needed before any action will be taken.

“Where problems are identified, anybody involved will usually be contacted informally and given the opportunity to resolve the matter before any formal action is taken.

“The powers are not there to stop people feeding birds.”

Wednesday 15th June 2016

6  LOCAL NEWS

Entrepreneurs aim for big time as baby brand booms Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk IT HAS only been 18 months since Robert Hollander and Adam Phillips launched My Babiie, but already the brand can be found in Mothercare, Kiddicare, Babies R U and Argos.

Despite being described as the ‘UK’s fastest growing baby brand’, dominating the domestic market is not enough for the Tunbridge Wellsbased company which produces buggies for sale from £65 plus car seats, changing bags and high chairs.

“We are hoping to soon start exporting to the EU and the US and expand our presence abroad,” said Mr Hollander, who believes a reasonable price range and the ability to adapt quickly to changes in fashion lie behind the brand’s success.

Like many entrepreneurs, it was the joint experiences and combined expertise of both Mr Hollander (35) and Mr Phillips (33) that led them to start their venture.

‘We are a disruptive influence in the baby product market’ Mr Hollander said: “I have four children and am quite a hands-on dad so have spent the last ten years going in and out of places like Mothercare and buying baby products, plus I have a background in design.

Wednesday 15th June 2016

THE ONLY WAY Towie star Billy Faiers joins the My Babiie team “We analysed what competitors were doing and felt some of the long established brands were living off a name rather than a quality or design.

“We knew we could design better products and deliver quality at better retail prices so we did it and now we are a disruptive influence in the baby product market, which is what we set out to achieve.”

Mr Phillips, whose previous employment saw him supplying baby products to nurseries, brought the

industry connections, the links to manufacturers and also helped supply the start-up funds, Mr Hollander explained.

“Because we started debt-free but with only limited capital, we initially expanded slowly and have managed to maintain organic growth which has allowed us to avoid taking on debt.”

In order to break into a market Mr Hollander described as ‘quite saturated’, the pair sought to tie up with a celebrity in order to boost their profile.

They found the perfect match in Billie Faiers from The Only Way Is Essex who herself has a background in product design.

Mr Hollander said: “We contacted Billy when we heard she was pregnant. She had a designer background and was going to be a mother.

“We have collaborated with Billy on her signature range because she is quite stylish and has an insight into what young mothers want.

“This really helped when we launched as it gave us a platform to work on and she had a much greater reach online than we had.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

High business churn revealed in new data TUNBRIDGE WELLS borough has recorded the second highest rate of new business creation and business failures in Kent, recently released figures have revealed.

Kent County Council data shows that 815 new companies were founded in 2014 (the last year data was available), second only to Maidstone (920) and above Tonbridge (715). However, 660 businesses also folded in the town that year as opposed to 475 in Tonbridge.

Free pub support THE West Kent Partnership (WKP) is teaming up with the British Institute of Innkeeping and an independent and expert adviser from Pro-Actions to offer free advice and planning for local pub businesses.

Entitled ‘Not Calling Time Yet’, the programme is funded by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council via the WKP. Contact westkentpartnership.mailbox@sevenoaks. gov.uk for more details.

Jobs fair announced THE Education Business Partnership has announced plans to hold its 2016 SkillsFest at Salomons Estate in October alongside AXAPPP and a consortium of West Kent schools.

The event is aimed at 14-19 olds and seeks to provide information about careers and opportunities for further study. Companies wishing to attend are being asked to contact Anne McNulty at EBP on 01843 572520

LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS 

Polish pottery protest is a storm in a tea cup

By Adam Hignett

adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk THE company which owns the Upper Pantiles has responded to criticism from departing shop owners who said the historic promenade had ‘lost its way’ – leading to a downturn in their trade and forcing their closure.

The owners of Polkadot Lane, Paul Clarke and Anna Tattersley, had moved their shop to The Lower Pantiles from Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire three years ago. The couple sold Polish pottery, including tea sets.

However, last month the pair decided to return to their hometown and posted a letter in their shop window claiming the heritage of the area had been ‘forgotten and neglected’ and lacked ‘buzz and lustre’.

It went on to blame ‘high rents and rates’ as well as criticising the council for offering a lack of support to local businesses as reasons for their move.

But although the Lower Pantiles is owned by the Nevill Estate, Targetfollow – which owns the top of the promenade – has since published their own response stating: “Polkadot Lane has, in our opinion, unfairly painted The Pantiles and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in a negative and unflattering way.

“This year has seen complete com-

NEWS IN BUSINESS

Telecoms firm picks up two employee awards

mercial occupancy of the Upper Pantiles with many great new traders setting up shop alongside the already successful and well-known business.

“There have been extensive building renovations taking place in conjunction with a complete replacement of the gravel surrounding the bandstand.

The area had been ‘forgotten and neglected’ “Apart from maintaining and improving the visual appeal of The Pantiles, these works ensure numerous events scheduled take place in a fitting environment.”

They go on to add that 95 days of the 2016 have events scheduled, including fortnightly markets, weekly jazz and food fairs, with a new website being recently launched to attract visitors.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council said they offered a programme of free business support through the West Kent Partnership and promoted retailers through Royal Tunbridge Wells Together.

A spokesman for the Nevill Estate said the unit occupied by Polkadot Lane was currently on a long lease held by another company and therefore they have no control over the rents charged.

7

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION (L-R) Dame Judi Dench, Helen Whipp, Mark Perrett & Barrie Whipp

A day at the races TUNBRIDGE WELLS tech firm Crimson Tide celebrated its 20-year anniversary last week by sponsoring a race day at Lingfield Park Race Course with Dame Judi Dench on hand to award a prize to the owner of the winning horse.

Clients, investors, board members, directors, employees, friends and family joined company founder Barrie Whipp for the celebration, which also marked ten years since the firm listed on the Alternative Investment Market.

Hospice in the Weald were the charity of choice for the event and were invited to join and raise valuable funds to support their new cottage hospice project in Kent.

Mr Whipp set up the company in his garage with nothing more than three PCs and a phone in 1996, but

it has since grown to have a market cap of around £13million.

Key to this success was the release of the software mpro5 in 2014, which improves back office functions and logistics through the removal of paperwork and via its job scheduling, alerting and reporting capabilities. It already has over 15,000 sites in the UK, Ireland and Europe using it.

Mr Whipp said: “It was a pleasure to celebrate the success of Crimson Tide with those who have made major contributions over the years.”

The owner of the winning horse at the Crimson Tide 20th Anniversary Handicap Stakes was experienced jockey and trainer Mark Perrett, who is based at Coombelands Racing Stables in Sussex.

MOBILE communication firm Active Digital won two national awards at the UK Employee Experience trophies 2016 last month.

The Lamberhurst-based company won the ‘Business Change or Transformation’ and ‘Technology and Telecoms’ categories at the event, which took place at the Park Plaza Riverbank in London.

Winners of the awards were selected by a panel of independent judges made up of HR, customer and employee experience professionals.

Developer backs Brexit THE Managing Director for Tonbridge-based Millwood Designer Homes has come out in favour of Brexit, claiming EU bureaucracy is holding back the construction industry.

John Elliott said initiatives such as the EU Habitats Directive are ‘detrimental’ to the sector and can set projects back ‘months’.

Pro-Kent firm wins jobs ALMOST 3,000 jobs were brought to the county last year thanks to the efforts of business agency Locate Kent.

Nearly two thirds of the jobs were in the ‘high value, high growth’ sectors, including financial services, life sciences and IT. The organisation offers free advice to companies locating in the area and operate a commercial property database of available units throughout the county.

Wednesday 15th June 2016

8  PEOPLE

A novel approach to publishing PERSONAL JOURNEY Sophie Robehmed searches for her double

By Adam Hignett

adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk IT IS said that everybody has a book in them but, for most who wish this were true, publishing it often proves to be a prohibitive exercise.

However, while the traditional publishing houses still keep a tight grip on much of what eventually gets printed, one method has opened up which has the potential to cause waves within the entire sector.

The publisher Unbound, which operates under the slogan ‘books are now in your hands’, has taken the concept of crowdfunding to another level.

The Times has frequently documented examples of crowdfunding being used by local businesses to enhance their commercial activities, whether it is vineyards like Chapel Down or The Pantiles best craft firm, Dassie Artisan.

However, whereas investors in these companies expect a financial return, those who pledge for a novel with Unbound do so simply because they want to read what the author has to say.

One person using this method is Tunbridge Wells journalist Sophie Robehmed.

Although she is already an accomplished author through the traditional method, with her book Only in Dubai – a humorous exposé of the numerous expat ‘tribes’ found in the emirate – she opted for this new avenue as she felt it was an innovative option for her next book.

“Unlike with traditional publishers, you have a lot more freedom to pursue your ideas with Unbound and create the book you’d like to write, she said.

“It is a platform for those who really love books and are fascinated by the writing process and publishing,” she added, explaining that authors keep their supporters updated from start to finish.

Through Unbound, potential pledgers can scroll through hundreds of nascent authors, as well as established names and familiar faces, looking for subjects, ideas and concepts they would like to see published.

If an author meets their funding target, the book will go to print, with the publisher safe in the knowledge that there is a target audience and the costs have been covered. Shop copies are then published with Penguin Random House.

This allows for relatively small print runs of niche novels to be feasible, and all supporters get recognition by having their names printed at the back of the book.

Wednesday 15th June 2016

HOW DOES UNBOUND WORK? A step-by-step process: 1: Creators pitch their ideas. If it’s got the makings of a great book, Unbound will launch it on their site.

2: If readers like the idea they can pledge and support it for exclusive rewards.

3: The creator adds the finishing touches to the manuscript, and keeps supporters in the loop with regular progress updates.

4: The project gets funded – The average successful pitch raises £15,000 from around 500 supporters.

5: Unbound offers help and advice with editing and book design.

6: Book printed and can hit commercial shelves – with proceeds split 50/50 between author and publisher.

REWARDS FOR THOSE WHO PLEDGE: £10: An e-book edition of the book £20: A special hardback edition £30: A signed collectable hardback edition

‘Unlike with traditional publishers, you have a lot more freedom to pursue your ideas with Unbound and create the book you’d like to write’ Miss Robehmed hopes to do the same with her next book, titled Doppelgänger: My Search for Another Me. Five years in the making, the young author made waves on social media when, in 2011, her #doyoulooklikeme project – on which the book is based first went viral.

“I just found the thought that there may be someone out there who looks like each and every one of us – and whether this runs deeper than aesthetics – fascinating and I also enjoy a challenge.”

Written in a ‘dual narrative’ format, the book documents her search for her double and is interspersed with an examination of the doppelgänger phenomenon – looking at everything from how do

doppelgängers even exist to how likely is it that we all have one?

Since it started, the project – which is centred on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter – has transformed into a forum where people from all over the world seek their unrelated identical twin.

“I still get weekly messages from people asking me to help them find their doppelgänger,” she said.

Her journey has borne fruit with one person – Lauren – definitely featuring in the book.

“I don’t want to give too much away about what happens, but Lauren could be a younger sister of mine”.

WHAT IS A DOPPELGÄNGER? A doppelgänger is a lookalike or double of a living person and a literal translation from the German word is ‘double-goer’. The phenomenon has been well documented in fiction and mythology for hundreds of years and in some traditions seeing one’s doppelgänger is a harbinger of bad luck.

£50: Doppelgänger action plan with Sophie via email – including tips on how to go about looking for your own doppelgänger – plus a signed special hardback edition. £80: Two tickets to the launch party, plus signed first edition of the book. £200: Sophie has worked as a sub-editor and editor for various nationals and will edit up to three chapters of your work, plus a signed special hardback edition. £300: Sophie will come and give you a writing workshop on thinking creatively, writing from experience, coming up with original ideas and everything doppelgangers, plus a signed special hardback edition. £1,000: The pledger’s name is printed in the front of every edition of the book thanking there for their contribution, plus a signed special edition hardback. *All those who pledge get access author’s special blog and their name in the back of the book

PEOPLE 

Lib Dem victor determined not to drown in sea of blue Adam Hignett

adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk IT WAS one of the only upsets in an otherwise predictable set of results during last month’s council elections – Peter Lidstone winning in St John’s for the Lib Dems.

As the Conservatives swept all before them – eking out an even larger majority than before – Peter Lidstone proved that with enough determination and door-knocking it is possible to fight back.

The Liberal Democrat candidate managed to unseat Tory councillor David Scott, with a vote share of 43 per cent to the incumbent’s 29.

But what many residents of St John’s found most surprising when Mr Lidstone went door to door, handing out leaflets and making himself known, was his age.

At just 32, he is an anomaly in a town hall where the average councillor is around two decades older.

So what made him want to stand as a councillor when a large proportion of those in his peer group probably do not even vote at a local election, let alone seek a place on the council?

“I have always enjoyed a good debate and spend a lot of time thinking about why things are as they are.

“But it was not until early 2015 that I became active in politics after I had attended a conference run by Christian Aid about why Christians should get involved.

“The message was, ‘yes politics is messy but

unless you get involved in it you can never change it for the better.’”

Although he has been elected to represent the Liberal Democrats, St John’s Councillor Peter Hidstone that he has voted ‘for most parties’ in the past, but decided the Liberal Democrats represented him best.

‘Conservatives don’t consult people in their wards’ “I try not to be too tribal about it as I think the sort of tribalism seen in Parliament when people watch Prime Minister’s Questions is really off-putting.

“But the Liberal Democrats are a good progressive party and I feel Labour have lost their way a bit.”

Of course, it could be argued that if you want to exercise any meaningful power in the council to change things for the better, you would be better off standing as a Conservative.

However, Cllr Lidstone is adamant that is not the answer: “I wanted to stand for what I believed in and not get parachuted into a safe ward.

“But it is hard being in opposition and trying to get your voice heard in the council.

“I am on two advisory committees,

meaning I am already two steps away from where the real decisions are taken and even then I am definitely in a minority.”

Despite this, he believes he gets on well enough with his Conservative counterparts on a personal level and recognises they are doing what they think is best.

“Obviously we all want what is best for the town, but have different ideas on how to achieve it.

“In my opinion, the main problem with T the Town Hall being so dominated by Conservatives is that they don’t consult people in their wards as much as they should as they are always safe at election time.

“This decision making becomes opaque, and while I do not doubt they make choices they genuinely believe are for the good of the town, the people they represent may think differently.”

Cllr Lidstone’s community engagement came across during the local election campaign, with the Times receiving numerous letters from residents of St John’s saying they found his enthusiasm ‘refreshing’ – while lamenting the NEW VOICE Cllr Peter Lidstone

9

HIS FIVE KEY POLICIES ■ Improve current recycling service, include glass in doorstep collections ■ 20mph limit for residential roads (excluding main trunk roads) ■ Sort out condition of the roads – long-term repairs not short-term filling of potholes, which only last a few months ■ Safer cycling and walking – protect cyclists from traffic where possible. Good use of ‘shared spaces’ in the town centre ■ Work with new owners for action on the cinema site

ST JOHN’S – RESULTS Peter Lidstone David Scott Timothy Rich Christine Marshall Phyllis Leslie

Liberal Democrat Conservative Labour UKIP Green Party

43% 29% 14% 7% 6%

Composition of the council – number of councillors: Total 48 Conservatives 43 Liberal Democrats 3 Labour 2 lack of contact from other parties.

“It was exhausting”, he said, adding he was campaigning right after finishing work at the Tunbridge Wells-based charity Build Africa – where he is still employed – until late in the evening.

Holding down a job and taking on his new responsibilities as a councillor does mean he has less time to relax and see friends he admits, but he adds: “What surprised me is how sociable being a councillor is – in effect, I have just replaced one social scene with another.”

Wednesday 15th June 2016

10  LOCAL NEWS

Long to rain over us!

ONLINE VIDEO TRIBUTE

By Rotherfield’s Kings Arms pub

Wednesday 15th June 2016

THE Heavens may have opened in much of Royal Tunbridge Wells borough over the weekend, but that didn’t stop the locals partying to celebrate The Queen’s official 90th birthday.

Like those in London who endured a drenching in The Mall, Her Majesty’s fans in and around our town were made of hardy stuff, and quickly innovated to keep the long-planned revelries going.

Some events were moved indoors, including spontaneous clearing of all the seats at St Peter’s Upper Church, Pembury.

“It was brilliant; we don’t have pews any more, just chairs so it was easy to organise. The church was full of tea and cakes on one side and traditional games like fishing for ducks, bagatelle and shove ha’penny on the other, and we had the Pembury U3A ukelele band,” beamed the Rev Douglas Robertson.

“We were so pleased to have a government minister and MP there, too. Greg Clark delivered the reading at our Sunday morning service, and came back again later for the vintage tea party.”

Greg Clark said: “It was delightful to join the village of Pembury to celebrate The Queen’s birthday in style. The organisers deserve thanks.”

The Royal Picnic planned for The Grove took refuge at Christ Church in the High Street.

Elsewhere, marquees and gazebos seemed to appear from nowhere to shelter the street party venues and partygoers from the rain.

“Everyone seems to have one these days,” said organiser John Lines of Silverdale Road.

“People just rallied round, found them and contributed them so we could carry on despite the rain,” said Ann Hughes-Wilson of Mereworth Road.

And the Inner London Road Residents’ Association opened up a shed to act as a bar and haven from the rain.

But the sun shone on Groombridge & Withyham’s Now We Are 90 celebration on Saturday. They welcomed a very game MP – Wealden’s Nusrat Ghani, who donned a Union Jack hat, joined in a tug of war.

“Leading the adults against the kids in the tug of war was undoubtedly the toughest political contest I have ever been in, and it was a great way to round off a fun-filled and community-spirited day.”

She also Tweeted about the fun of the event.

And the story was the same throughout the borough as locals came out to party for The Queen.

LOCAL NEWS 

St Peter’s Pembury

Boyne Park Residents Association

ChristChurch

11

SPECIAL BUNTING Added illustrations from street parties

Wednesday 15th June 2016

12 ď Ž LOCAL NEWS

Pictures: Victor Bethell

Hopwood Gardens

Horsmonden

Wednesday 15th June 2016

Brenchley

www.lifestyleford.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells 01892739131

Tonbridge 01732 758 726

KentTN48AG

KentTN9 lTN

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14  NEWS ROUNDUP

A blooming marvel that just keeps on growing Andrew Tong newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

THE competition Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom has enjoyed a record number of entries so far this year.

But as the deadline looms to register, the organisers are eager for the numbers to grow – and they want more shops to get involved.

The event covers all things green and colourful from parks, pubs and the hanging baskets on The Pantiles to window sills and tubs outside people’s front doors.

Tunbridge Wells enters part of a nationwide competition run by the Royal Horticultural Society and the individual components of Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom are combined to boost its wider ambitions.

The front gardens, balconies, allotments, wildlife gardens, schools and business premises are incorporated into the judges’ two-and-a-half-hour tour of the town.

And in the last two years Tunbridge Wells has been awarded the gold medal in the category of ‘Best Large Town’

in the RHS South and South-East in Bloom section.

Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom was revived in 2010 by Katharina MahlerBech and her late husband Daniel with the Town Forum after a seven-year hiatus in order to create a ‘greener and cleaner town’.

The idea was to build on the Love Where We Live initiative at the start of the recession to hide all the ‘grot spots’ in the town by camouflaging them with flowers.

It coincided with the arrival of Mel Henley, a Britain in Bloom judge, as the borough council’s new Parks Man-

“We have to plan half a year in WAR MEMORIAL advance, like 8,000 bulbs planted the fashion industry, and it’s an all-yearager. Two years later the town was en- round thing so it’s very difficult to tered into the RHS’s competition. keep it up and we need some spon“All the planting we did in April and sorship,” she adds.

May is coming up at last,” says Mrs They have received more than 150 Mahler-Bech. “We have put a lot of ef- entries but she wishes more shop winfort in, so fingers crossed we get a bit of dows would become included besunshine now. cause it has proved a very popular “The new thing this year was plant- category in other participating towns. ing 8,000 bulbs around the War MeThe closing date for entries is June morial. It had never been done before 30, with the judges due to arrive on – and next year we must put more in!” July 11. You can take part by downThe smaller entries are just as im- loading a form from the website portant as the larger ones. “The judg- www.royaltunbridgewellsinbloom. es are looking for engagement with org.uk and the bloom team’s Facethe community, it’s not only about book page, or call in at the Gateway the flowers. on 8 Grosvenor Road.

All aboard the Bewl Belle for summer cruises

A NEW boat that will offer passengers the chance to relax on a cruise across Bewl Water is due to be launched this summer.

The 42-foot long boat is to be named Bewl Belle after the name was selected from a shortlist in an online competition.

The vessel, which will have a two-man crew, is now being refurbished before it is inspected by the Maritime Coastal Agency, who will license it to operate on the South East’s largest section of open water.

Competition winner Jill Wright from Wadhurst voted for Bewl Belle and will launch the boat and embark on the first cruise once it has passed its inspections. She will be joined by three friends and enjoy a lunch at the Waterfront, the restaurant and

Wednesday 15th June 2016

café adjacent to the Visitor Centre.

Bewl Belle beat Pride of Bewl, Bewl Beauty, Wealden Wayfarer and Weald Wavetime in the competition.

Andrew Daniells, Chief Operating Officer of Markerstudy Leisure, which owns and operates Bewl Water Country Park, said: “We asked our staff to come up with a shortlist of names and visitors have now made the final choice.

“The arrival of the cruiser marks another important step in our plans to put Bewl back on the map for families and coach parties.”

As well as the new cruiser, visitors will be able to spend time on the water aboard the Water Taxi, the pedaloes and rowing boats.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Hope for big turnout at annual bike ride THIS summer’s Royal Tunbridge Wells Bike Ride is introducing an 85-mile version for more experienced cyclists. Less challenging routes will be over 25 miles and 55 miles.

Now in its fourth year, it is hoped that 500 cyclists will take part in the event, which will start at Dunorlan Park on Sunday September 4.

The longer route will go Brenchley and Marden, then head south to Hawkhurst, Etchingham and down to Windmill Hill before returning via Heathfield, Eridge and Penshurst.

The organisers of the race are seeking corporate sponsorship. For more information, visit www.tunbridgewellsbikeride.co.uk

Wildlife art award ARTISTS Gill Brown of Tunbridge Wells and Ryan Poliak from Tonbridge have been shortlisted for the national Wildlife Artist of the Year Award, presented by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, and the £10,000 prize.

Gill Brown who studied sculpture at Liverpool College of Art, said that she was ‘thrilled to be accepted’ for the award, calling it a ‘great honour’.

Since 2007, the awards have raised £320,000, which has been used to help better protect some of the world’s most endangered species. The prizewinner will be named on Monday June 27.

Boot camp for charity MEMBERS of the Tunbridge Wells branch of British Military Fitness took on a 10-hour military training session in aid of the Royal British Legion last month, raising £3,000.

The team of 14 gathered on Tunbridge Wells Common on May 21 to take part in the boot camp-style challenge, which was run by former serving members of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.

Gruelling tasks included fitness tests, various military circuits with names like ‘The Devil’s Circuit’, ‘Pyramid of Payne’, ‘The Dirty Dozen’ and other army training exercises, including a gun run and log run.

LOCAL NEWS �

15

Blame shifts to county council as cost of dealing with travellers soars ‘We are recognised as a minority and councils have a duty to provide alternative sites’

By Andrew Tong

newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk TAXPAYERS are having to foot a bill of about £4,000 after travellers were finally moved on having occupied three sites in and around Tunbridge Wells.

The travellers, believed to be from the same family, set up camp in Tonbridge School late last month before moving to Cadogan Fields in St John’s Road and then, on Friday June 3, to the Lower Common in Tunbridge Wells.

After working with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, six police officers visited the camp at 1.30pm on Tuesday, June 7 and issued a Section 61 order with a deadline of two hours to comply or be forcibly evicted.

The travellers left later that day, but the council is now counting the cost. It has already confirmed that £1,000 will be needed to clean up Cadogan Fields, and at least £500 may be required to repair the cricket pitch on the common.

With bailiff costs of up to £2,000 and court fees reaching at least £400, the public purse will bear the brunt of the occupations. The total cost so far of £4,000 does not include any costs for Tonbridge.

Steve Budden, warden for Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons, said the travellers left behind a deer carcass, two large piles of garden waste and two fire pits on the lower cricket pitch.

However, the clean-up operation will be much easier than two years ago, when gypsies dumped a large quantity of items, including their own domestic waste, after occupying ‘The Bump’ – a piece of land in Rusthall east of the cricket pitch.

Regarding Tunbridge Wells Common, Mr Budden added: “They gained access to the site by moving a large tree trunk out of the way and driving on to the lower cricket pitch. This was against the bylaws.

“We asked them to leave on Saturday morning and with the help of the borough council tried to set a court date. But the police then moved in and by 3pm they were gone.

“This was a much less serious case than two years ago at Rusthall because this time the police

remained on site after issuing them with a notice to leave, meaning they were not able to dump large amounts of rubbish, so I am grateful.”

Making the commons more secure could prevent future incursions but Mr Budden said: “If they want to get on to the land they can cut posts, etc; I can’t turn the common into an armed camp because the public need to use it and our maintenance vehicles need access.”

Joseph Jones, spokesman for the Gypsy Council,

‘It’s enforcement-led. They just want to move the problem somewhere else’ blames councils for not providing temporary ‘transit’ sites for the travelling community. He told the Times the situation has deteriorated in recent years.

“We used to have meetings to discuss this,” he recalled. “I was part of a transit site study in 2009 with the academic and housing researcher Pat Niner and the South-East England Regional Assembly when it still existed [it was disbanded later that year].

“The study concluded that local authorities should provide a transit pitch when travellers were in the area. This was a sensible and logical approach to the situation.”

There are currently no temporary sites offered by councils in Kent, and the community has adopted a more opportunistic approach. Mr Jones said: “Now it’s a case of if someone has got nowhere to stop they are just going to look for a place that’s least likely to attract attention and see what the response of the local authority will be.”

In the case of Tonbridge School and the Lower Common, however, they chose high-profile surroundings to set up camp.

This only serves to stoke up antagonism from local residents – even if the attitude of landowners and the councils has not been heavy-handed.

But on a national basis Mr Jones argues that councils in general have a confrontational attitude.

“They should be more flexible,” he insisted. “It’s an enforcement-led approach, they just want to try and move the problem somewhere else.”

Mr Jones believes the future is not bright for travellers, who represent the largest minority community in Kent. Attitudes towards them will only be exacerbated by the spectre of rising, uncontrolled immigration.

“We are a recognised minority and councils have a duty to provide alternative sites,” he said. “We’ve been part of this country for hundreds of years and there were always traditional stopping places.

“In recent times the local authorities have closed these down and fenced them off. And they haven’t replaced them with anything else. But people have got to stop somewhere.”

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has said it is the responsibility of Kent County Council to offer transit sites.

The local body has a permanent site at Cinderhill Wood, near Matfield, while KCC operates a site at Heartenoak Road in Hawkhurst.

WHEN THE GYPSY FAIR CRIED FOUL HORSMONDEN’s Gypsy Horse Fair is one of the biggest dates in the travellers’ calendar.

The event, in September, sees up to 3,000 travellers descend on the village green to trade horses and drive their ponies and traps or ride bareback through the streets.

It was banned by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in 2000 with the approval of the then Home Secretary, Jack Straw, following incidents involving knives and firearms.

The council said the festival had ‘grown too big’, but the travellers claimed the decision was racially motivated and deprived them of their culture and heritage.

The fair was revived in 2006 after organisers took out public indemnity insurance.

RUB OF THE GREEN Council workers clear up the rubbish left on the common

Wednesday 15th June 2016

16  NATIONAL NEWS

British ‘spotters’ keep an eye on Euro hooligans THE Home Secretary has said Britain will give whatever policing support the French ask for in the wake of violence at Euro 2016.

The football tournament has been marred by trouble which has included Russian hooligans known as ultras attacking English fans in the stadium in Marseille.

Answering an urgent question on the subject in the House of Commons, Theresa May said British police officers known as ‘spotters’, who are trained to identify troublemakers, have been sent to France, while other British officers will also be helping police investigations into the violence.

She said: “Whatever the French have asked for we are willing to provide to them and that goes both for police and British transport police.”

There are fears there may be a repeat of the violence that erupted between England and Russia fans as the two teams are scheduled to play just 23 miles apart in Lille and Lens on Wednesday and Thursday.

Mrs May said Mark Roberts, the Assistant Chief Constable in charge of Britain’s police operation at the Euros, is meeting French officials to discuss the support Britain can give.

She indicated that security will be beefed up at the stadiums following criticism from the Football Association’s chairman, Greg Dyke, that stewarding levels at the Marseille match had been ‘unacceptable’.

Mrs May revealed: “The police are meeting – I believe they are still meeting as we speak – to look at the extra action that will be taken around Lille and Lens.

“My understanding is that there is an expectation that there will be a greater police presence in relation to the stadium, both for the security outside the stadium and also inside the stadium,” she added.

For ‘operational reasons’ she refused to reveal how many British police are being sent across the Channel to help with security.

HAT’S LIFE Anneka Svenska

A head for horses at Ascot CONSERVATIONIST and TV wildlife presenter Anneka Svenska turned heads in her bid to change opinions by wearing a hat made of more than 1,400 artificial red roses at Royal Ascot yesterday (Tuesday).

Each hand-painted foam bloom represented a horse which has died at British races since 2007.

Ms Svenska, who lives in Penshurst, is campaigning to improve the safety of racehorses with measures such as reducing the average race time and the length of races to less than 4.5

Wednesday 15th June 2016

miles, banning the use of the whip and stopping all National Hunt racing over hurdles such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National.

She said: “Sadly the hedonism of the Royal Ascot event is an intoxicating smoke screen to the reality of the death and suffering behind the sport of horse racing and it’s time we sat up, opened our eyes and realised that Royal Ascot is not simply just the glamorous event we perceive it to be.”

The hat was designed by milliner Louis Mariette, a judge of Britain’s Next Top Model.

NATIONAL NEWS �

Women artists conquer Tate Modern

LEG UP ‘Spider’ by Louise Bourgeois

THE number of artworks by women in the revamped Tate Modern in London has more than doubled as part of its £260million redesign.

Half of the solo rooms are now dedicated to female artists, while the number of works by women make up 36 per cent of the total.

The contemporary art gallery in Southwark is reopening to the public on Friday with a new wing, the Switch House, designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron. The 10-storey building is topped by a public viewing level offering a 360-degree panoramic view of London.

Seventy-five per cent of the artwork on display has been acquired since the gallery opened in 2000, with the Tate

Modern now featuring artists from more than 50 different countries.

Tate Modern director Frances Morris said the gallery wanted to to ‘acknowledge the contribution of women artists’.

She said: “Fifty per cent of the solo rooms in the Boiler House are by women artists, many of whom will be unfamiliar to people, but they’re great works.”

They include Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz, South African sculptor Jane Alexander and French-American artist Louise Bourgeois.

Ms Morris said: “You can rewrite history, but you can’t reinvent it. It wasn’t a level playing field, so we are finding great contributions of women but of course there is an imbalance in the history.”

Quietways ‘will improve quality of life’ THE first section of a £120million network of routes to enable cyclists and pedestrians to avoid busy main roads has opened more than a year later than planned.

Transport for London (TfL) announced yesterday (Tuesday) that the capital’s first Quietway is now open between the centre of the capital and Greenwich.

But in December 2014, then Mayor Boris Johnson said the first such route would be in operation from May 2015. TfL was unable to immediately explain the reason for the delay.

The 5.6-mile route linking Waterloo and Greenwich is marked with branded purple signs and covers back streets and traffic-free paths.

A further six Quietways are due to be completed in the capital by spring next year.

A TfL statement issued as part of Mr Johnson’s 2014 announcement said ‘around two dozen’ further routes in addition to the original seven will be delivered or in progress by 2016.

‘It is important that we make it safer and easier for Londoners to cycle across our city’ Cycling and walking charity Sustrans was awarded a three-year contract by TfL to help deliver the £120million network in partnership with local boroughs.

Current Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “It is important that we make it safer and easier for Londoners to cycle across our city and we want the first of

the Quietways to make a significant contribution towards that aim.

“I am already looking at what works best from the existing cycle schemes to ensure we deliver the best and safest road cycling network possible.

“Cycling leads to a healthier lifestyle, it helps to cut pollution and is a key part of my vision of the type of greener, more modern and affordable transport network we need in our city.”

Ben Plowden, TfL’s Director of Surface Strategy and Planning, claimed Quietway 1 will ‘open up a whole new area of London for people walking and cycling’.

Matt Winfield, Deputy Director of Sustrans, described the scheme as another important step in improving the quality of life and economic resilience in our world leading city.

17

SPORT IN BRIEF

Southampton search for a new manager SOUTHAMPTON are on the lookout for their third manager in three years after Dutchman Ronald Koeman confirmed his move to Everton on Tuesday.

The main contenders for the job are reported to be another Dutchman, Frank de Boer, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe and David Moyes, the former Manchester United boss who was in charge at Everton for 11 years.

Outsiders include Manuel Pellegrini, who recently parted company with Manchester City, and former Manchester United player Ryan Giggs, who is currently on the coaching staff at Old Trafford but whose future under Jose Mourinho remains unclear.

UEFA fine Russia RUSSIA have received a suspended disqualification from Euro 2016 and been fined ¤150,000 (£119,000) for crowd disorder by their fans during the 1-1 draw with England in Marseille. UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body charged the Russian Football Union in relation to crowd disturbances, use of fireworks and racist behaviour inside the Stade Velodrome.

Bonus for Bairstow JONNY BAIRSTOW’s impressive Test match performances with the bat have earned him the right to take his skills back into whiteball cricket as England prepare to switch formats against Sri Lanka, says Test team captain Alastair Cook.

Wednesday 15th June 2016

18 � BUSINESS NEWS BUSINESS IN BRIEF

Crest is riding the wave as it aims for £1billion HOUSE builder Crest Nicholson recorded a 25 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to £72.6million for the first half of the year. The firm also saw revenues rise 22 per cent to £408.1million.

Housing completions increased by 7 per cent to 1,206 and open market completions by 9 per cent. Forward sales stood at £520.8million, 19 per cent ahead of last year.

Crest said it is on target to deliver £1billion of revenue this year and 4,000 homes.

Inflation unchanged INFLATION remained unchanged last month as the rising cost of transport and eating out was offset by sliding clothes and food prices.

The Office for National Statistics said Consumer Price Index inflation was 0.3 per cent in May, unchanged from April when it fell for the first time since last September.

Inflation is predicted to rise gradually but remains below the Government’s 2 per cent target. The Bank of England is expected to keep rates at 0.5 per cent tomorrow (Thursday).

House price revamp HOUSE prices increased by 8.2 per cent in the year to April, according to figures in a revamped house price index.

It uses data from several sources and replaces reports by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Land Registry.

The average house price is £225,000 in England, £139,000 in Wales, £138,000 in Scotland and £118,000 in Northern Ireland.

Wednesday 15th June 2016

Virgin Active limbers up for luxury spa expansion plans VIRGIN Active is selling 35 gyms to rival Nuffield Health and will invest the proceeds in its range of exclusive luxury fitness clubs.

The group, which was sold to South African investment group Brait for £682million in 2015, said the deal would help fund investment in its range of Collection clubs offering spas and services such as shirt pressing, shoe shining and gym kit laundering.

The sale, for an undisclosed sum, will leave Virgin with 61 clubs across the UK under plans to focus on London and other major towns and cities.

All staff and members will transfer to Nuffield as part of the sale.

Virgin Active wants to focus on three styles of gyms in the UK – its exclusive Collection chain, big family clubs and racquets clubs.

It said the Nuffield sale will allow it to pump more cash into its Collection expansion, which is seeing the group upgrade another 10 London clubs over the next few years, adding to 11 already opened in the capital and 17 worldwide.

Virgin Active is opening a new £6.5million Collection club in London’s Mansion House later this year.

Paul Woolf, chief executive at Virgin Active, said: “This transaction is an acceleration of our global strategy to focus on high-end clubs in metropolitan areas.

“We will have a far more focused UK business with particular strength in London, the South East and bigger towns and cities.

“It will also help accelerate investment into our UK estate, particularly as we continue to grow our UK Collection portfolio of clubs.”

Details of the sale came as Virgin Active reported a 15 per cent rise in underlying earnings to £133.5million for 2015 on revenues 3 per cent higher at £630.5million.

The firm now has 276 fitness clubs around the world, with 1.5 million members, an increase of 3 per cent in 2015.

It added another nine clubs in the year, with recent overseas investment in southern Africa, Italy, Australia, Thailand and Singapore.

WORKING OUT A DEAL Nuffield Health gets Active

Brait bought an 80 per cent stake in Virgin Active last year, snapping up 51 per cent from private equity group CVC Capital Partners and 29 per cent from Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group.

Virgin Group retained a holding of around 20 per cent.

Brait, which is controlled by South African retail billionaire Christo Wiese, also bought a 90 per cent stake in the high street budget fashion chain New Look last year and increased its holding in the supermarket chain Iceland to 57 per cent.

Miranda Kerr

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Discov.er more at SWAROVSKI .COM

20  WORLD NEWS

Knifeman posts video of fatal attack on Facebook A MAN with a past terrorist conviction shot video footage during a fatal knife attack on two police officers outside Paris, according to French officials.

The assailant was said to have posted the video on Facebook Live, the social media site’s live feed.

His account has been suspended.

At one point during the attack, he puzzled over what to do with the couple’s three-year-old child, who survived.

An agency affiliated to Islamic State (IS) cited an unnamed source as saying one of their fighters

carried out the attack, but the extremist jihadist group has not officially claimed responsibility.

In the incident in the Paris suburb of Magnanville, Jean-Baptiste Salvaing was fatally stabbed outside his house. His female partner, also a police officer, was found dead after the knifeman was killed in a police raid on the property.

The suspect has been named as Larossi Abballa, a 25-year-old who had a past terrorism conviction for recruiting fighters for jihad in Pakistan.

Abballa was from the western Paris suburb of PAYING TRIBUTE A French police officer lays flowers at the scene where his colleagues were killed

Wednesday 15th June 2016

Mantes-la-Jolie, and was sentenced in 2013 to three years in prison, including six months suspended, for association with a terrorist enterprise.

French president François Hollande said the attack was ‘incontestably a terrorist act’.

Speaking at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris, Mr Hollande said France is facing a terror threat on ‘a very large scale’.

He said: “France is not the only country concerned (by the terrorist threat), as we have seen, again, in the United States, in Orlando.”

France has been on particularly high alert as it hosts football’s European Championship, and is still under a state of emergency after the November attacks.

Prime minister Manuel Valls said: “It’s a global threat, that is why we are fighting terrorism in Syria and Iraq, and on our soil.”

A Facebook profile with the name Larossi Abballa, which vanished from the internet early on Tuesday, showed a photo of a smiling, bearded man.

French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve said more than 100 people seen as potential threats have been arrested in France this year, including in recent weeks.

After a three-hour stand-off, elite police commandos stormed Mr Salvaing’s house, 35 miles west of Paris, after he was stabbed outside it.

France, like other countries in Europe, has seen a series of stabbings aimed at police officers or soldiers carried out by Muslim radicals.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Motives for Orlando massacre still unclear FEDERAL investigators are examining possible motives for the massacre of 49 people in a Florida nightclub, the worst mass shooting in modern US history.

The White House and the FBI said 29-yearold gunman Omar Mateen, an Americanborn Muslim, appeared to be a ‘homegrown extremist’ who had touted support not just for Islamic State (IS) but other radical groups that are its enemies.

Despite Mateen’s pledge of support for IS, other possible explanations for the attack have emerged. His ex-wife said he suffered from mental illness, and his Afghan-immigrant father suggested he may have acted out of anti-gay hatred. He said his son recently became angry about seeing two men kiss.

Stairway to court A COURT in Los Angeles is to decide whether members of rock band Led Zeppelin copied the beginning of Stairway To Heaven from guitarist Randy Wolfe from the band Spirit.

Wolfe drowned in Hawaii in 1997 but guitarist Jimmy Page and singer Robert Plant have been named as defendants in a lawsuit brought by a trustee who claims that their famous track, which was released in 1971, uses similar melodies from the Spirit song Taurus.

New planet found ASTRONOMERS have discovered the largest planet outside the solar system that orbits two suns. It is 3,700 light years from Earth.

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Wednesday 15th June 2016

22  LETTERS

And another thing…

The Times of Tunbridge Wells and the Times of Tonbridge always want to hear your feedback, whether on reports we have printed or any other issues you think we should know about. Email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or write to the Editor at 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU Ten famous Belgians: In fact there are many more Kent Barker (Country matters June 1) asks us to name at least ten famous Belgians. Without resorting to the internet, I did need to consult my bookshelves and record collection for some. I came up with: COMPOSERS AND MUSICIANS Josquin des Prez… Henri Viextemps… Eugene Ysaye – violinist… Django Reinhardt…

Arthur Grumiaux – violinist… Cesar Franck…

Andre Gretry… Philippe Herreweghe – conductor… Adolphe Sax – inventor of the saxophone… Guillaume Dufay ARTISTS Rene Magritte… Jan Van Eyck… Peter Paul Rubens… The Bruegels... Paul Delvaux… van Dyck

Eu debate: History lesson

OTHERS Maeterlink – writer… Victor Horta – architect…

Audrey Hepburn – actress (pictured below)…

Mercator – mapmaker: He of the Mercator’s projection. And finally Charlemagne and Clovis of Holy Roman Empire and Frankish Empire fame.

The first two groups betray my interests, the final group contains Maeterlink who wrote Pelleas et Melisande and inspired Faure, Sibelius, Debussy and Schoenberg to write music for it.

Sam Goodenough Tunbridge Wells Ed: We stand impressed.

Pater Bayliss in letters (June 1) claims that I said: “Europe has only been preventing wars since 1993”. I said no such thing because the EU hasn’t succeeded in preventing any conflict in Europe at any time: not the Balkans; not Georgia; not the Ukraine.

Mr Baylis gives us a history lesson in the foundation of the EU detailing its beginnings in the Iron & Coal Community and then its various mutations as a trading partnership, but that’s not a military union capable of intervention, that’s a trading bloc. An EU military force remains a dream of the French and a very dangerous one because if France succeeds in this – for all the wrong reasons, but mainly political, NATO will die.

Mr Bayliss then goes on to second-guess my thinking post Brexit and believes that our fellow Europeans will stand by idly if we are attacked, but we are and will remain members of NATO, the guardians of European peace post WWII. Pas de point Monsieur Bayliss.

John Ward Moorhouse Tunbridge Wells

are underpinned by the belief that each person counts and that each generation must defend freedom. Today, Britain is a multicultural society where identity is less about ethnicity than about these shared values. On the global platform, it is our values that we project and why we connect with other EU countries.

Britain has obligations within the EU and we are proposing to abdicate these by voting to leave. The world needs unity and we are in danger of creeping away into selfish isolationism.

Membership of the EU has brought economic advantages and social reform. The British believe in the EU because we know the benefits in employment relations and the defense of equality stem from European legislation. EU membership gives a capitalist society a human face.

Remaining within the EU furthers this reality and promotes a British identity we can be proud of.

Disengaging from the EU would be a signal to the world that Britain has a nationalistic agenda.

That is not who we are.

Ann-Frances Luther Via email

EU debate: Do Brits still exist?

EU debate: Extremely depressing

The British have been uncertain of their identity since the collapse of the Empire. The EU Referendum has prompted the question: Do the British still exist if we work, travel, legislate, trade, provide services and negotiate rights in a collective Union? Whilst Britons today differ from our forefathers of 70 years ago, our key competencies remain unchanged. Britain’s strength is in building institutions, defending democracy and the rule of law. These strengths

I have found the referendum campaigning extremely depressing because of what it has shown about some of our politicians.

So far we have been given a few real facts, a lot of projections and very sadly far too many lies, mostly by leaders of the Brexit campaign. For example: We don’t send £350m a day [sic] to Brussels. You can’t save what you have not spent, yet despite numerous public challenges Brexit leaders continue to repeat these lies, showing total

disrespect to the UK electorate.

Turkey is not joining the EU. Turkey has applied to join the EU and can only join when it has met some 37 conditions, only one of which has been met since its original application to join. When challenged, leaders stick to their guns despite the obvious untruths. Again, lack of respect for the electorate.

Similarly, recent claims by Brexit’s leaders about future financial black holes ignore the guarantees that have been secured. Such claims are not a ‘point of view’, they are factually incorrect and again lies. And there are many more examples of blatant untruths.

My depression comes from the fact that these lies are being openly touted as truths by people who would be our political leaders. One has to ask, is lying their standard form of behaviour?

Many of these people have never done a proper job in their lives and have used politics as way of furthering their own personal ambitions of gaining power and privilege.

Jeremy Stirling Via email

Civic centre: Major reservations

Thank you for providing more details about the borough council’s plans for the new civic centre.

Whilst some of these sound promising, I have significant reservations about the relocation of the Assembly Hall to the site of the existing Great Hall car park. Not only will this have a potentially detrimental impact on the historic fabric (the plans show a larger building overshadowing the Great Hall itself) but I also note the council only ‘may’ provide car parking at the new site.

One of the main attractions of the current Assembly Hall site is its ease of access owing to its proximity to the Crescent Road car park. Were the theatre to be relocated to a location where parking is more difficult I believe there would be a significant reduction in audience numbers.

Likewise its current position in the centre of town is excellent for advertising upcoming events. This advantage would be lost if the proposed move goes ahead, bearing in mind the Assembly Hall is likely to face competition from whatever is built on the old cinema site, which will continue to have a prominent town centre position.

As for the plans to have a university on the present Town Hall site, will this be another campus for an established institution or does the council intend to create a brand new university?

It is somewhat concerning that the plans do not appear to mention what will happen to the library (which will need to be enhanced to serve any university) or the museum and art gallery.

Catriona Robb 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 15th June 2016

Calverley OUR esteemed MP Greg Clark almost caused parents to have nervous breakdowns last week. Visiting local schools, as is his wont, he was at a primary and talked about the value of doing homework. He asked the youngsters to vote on whether they thought homework should be banned and said he would support the majority. Some excited, yet confused, eight year olds dashed home to inform mums and dads that the MP wanted an end to all homework. Parents were later reassured that was not the case. The pupils, by the way, voted to keep homework. You called that vote right, Mr Greg. Now for the referendum.

THIS might surprise the doubters but Calverley always checks his facts. Honest, and a good job he does. This week an informant whispered in his ear the tale about a chap who ‘had ferrets’.

On making inquiries it turned out it was nothing to do with keeping animals. The chap didn’t have ‘ferrets’ he had tourettes, the neurological condition.

IT promises to be an entertaining year with Cllr David Neve installed as Mayor of Tunbridge Wells. He being the Lib Dem who likes nothing more than cracking jokes and making puns.

Talking of his elevation to the office, he told a gathering: “I’m like a male cat for the next year – I have to stay neutered.” Under the rules of engagement, the Mayor has to bite his or her tongue and not take part in political debates.

Shame there can only be one Mayor each year.

TO the French street market in Crowborough.

(Why would anyone really want to buy a plastic model of the Eiffel Tower?) Anyway, at the market the burger van is doing its usual roaring trade. Calverley watches with interest as a lone young man pays for one of the delights, walks to the side of the van, prepares to take a giant bite out of the bun – and then whips out his mobile phone to snatch a selfie that he can share with his so-called friends, telling them what a wonderful time he is having (not). It’s a funny old world.

FINALLY, Calverley notes with interest that Mr Victor Bethell has advised his follower on Twitter that in Japan the phrase ‘chin chin’ stands for a certain male appendage. Yes, but that’s the slang interpretation, as in the Urban Dictionary. Himself prefers the Oxford English version where it is defined as meaning good wishes. Anyway…

Chin, chin readers

Education in association with:

www.brightyoungthings.co.uk

EDUCATION ■

23

EDUCATION Times WITH THE

Full marks for technological innovation TUNBRIDGE WELLS Grammar School For Boys (TWGSB) is celebrating another successful year at the Teen Tech Awards.

Three teams of students from the school, in St John’s Road, entered the nationwide competition with one of them making it through to the final.

This will be held at the prestigious Royal Society in London next week.

The Teen Tech Awards were established in 2012 and aim to help students aged 11-18 apply the science and technology skills they have acquired in the classroom and develop them further to make life better, simpler, safer or more fun. Participating schools are provided with a suggested structure for their work and are also given exclusive access to important business contacts.

The team that reached the Teen Tech Awards 2016 final from TWGSB are Thomas Rowley and Cameron Wardrop, both 15, who were nominated in their chosen category of Safety and Security.

The duo designed an innovative dual-purpose life jacket and are working alongside the Royal Navy to further progress the idea for their product.

Yet despite the fact only one of the TWGSB teams made it to the grand final, all three groups have been recognised by the organisation for their considerable efforts in developing design

EDUCATION IN BRIEF

A fair exchange LAST month 30 Year 10 students from The Judd embarked on the school’s 44th German exchange with the Adolf-Reichwein Gymnasium in Heusenstamm. The scheme has been running 12 years longer than the two towns have been twinned. The students also visited Heidelburg and Frankfurt and now await the visit of their German counterparts in July.

Riding high

TEEN SPIRIT (L to R) Henry Morrell, Ethan Turrell, Cameron Wardrop, Christopher Hawkins, Thomas Rowley, Louis Mayes, Gosha Maslovskis ideas with gold, silver and bronze certificates awarded to all boys who took part.

Teen Tech was founded by former Tomorrow’s World presenter Maggie Philbin in 2012 and gives secondary school pupils the opportunity to explore different career possibilities in the

science, technology and engineering industries.

If Thomas and Cameron’s lifejacket design wins at the overall final on June 20 then TWGSB will be awarded £1,000 and be presented with its prize

by HRH Duke of York at Buckingham Palace later this year.

MAYFIELD won the National Eventers Challenge Open Team and Individual Championships in Hickstead last Friday.

Competing against teams from across the country, the competition was fierce and the final positions were very close. Mayfield also came third in the Open and were runners up in the Intermediate teams.

Poetry in motion YEAR 5 pupils in Claremont were treated to a visit from a famous face last week. Brian Moses, one of the UK’s best loved children’s poets and author of rhyming books such as Walking with My Iguana, came to the school to perform a series of workshops with the students.

Wednesday 15th June 2016

24  TONBRIDGE FESTIVAL

We’ve got the whole world in our hands…

THERE will be music and dancing in the streets of Tonbridge this Sunday when a procession, big bands and other local groups take part in a procession down the High Street.

The Tonbridge Carnival has been held annually for more than 30 years, and for the past 27 years has been organised by the local Lions Club with support from Tonbridge & Malling District Council.

The theme for this year’s carnival is ‘Countries of the World’, which will ensure a colourful combination of cultures on display from all over the globe.

The carnival will get underway with the Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band playing by the Watergate entrance next to the river from 11.30am to 12.30pm.

The carnival procession will assemble in the Sovereign Way North car park, and the groups and charities taking part will start parading down the High Street at 12.30pm.

This will be followed by a fete on the castle lawn and along Castle Walk, during which there will be entertainment and a prize-giving ceremony.

Funds raised on the day will go towards helping disadvantaged people in the area.

Wednesday 15th June 2016

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 11.30am – 12.30pm Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band play at the Watergate 12.15pm – 12.30pm Southern England Marching Band Championship from Avenue Du Puy through the High Street 12.30 – 1.30pm Carnival Procession from Avenue Du Puy through the High Street 1.30pm – 4pm Fete on the Castle lawn and along Castle Walk

2.20pm – 2.30pm Popular Classics from Rosewood Drift

3.20pm – 3.35pm Popular Classics from Rosewood Drift

ENTERTAINMENT 1.30-2pm Popular Classics from Rosewood Drift

2.30pm – 2.50pm Display by winning Marching Band

3.35pm – 4pm Display by CC Dance Company

2.50pm – 3pm Popular Classics from Rosewood Drift

KIDDIES CORNER 2pm – 4pm There will be special entertainment for young children throughout the afternoon, including a Punch and Judy show and a magician

2pm – 2.20pm Awards ceremony for Marching Band and Carnival procession winners

3pm – 3.20pm Display by Cannon School of Irish Dancing

TONBRIDGE FESTIVAL 

25

SOUNDS OF SUMMER The Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band

Bands unite for grand finale in the castle

By Dave Mac THE entertainment at the annual Tonbridge Carnival and Charity Fair promises to be as varied as ever this year.

The day will burst to life at 11.30am at the Watergate entrance to Tonbridge’s Norman Castle, when the summer air will fill with the melodically wonderful sounds of the Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band. They will deliver an eclectic mixed repertoire of original works, arrangements of orchestral pieces, military band items and light music.

At 12.15pm the Southern England Parade Band Contest 2016 launches in Avenue Du Puy. Hosted by the town’s own 17th Tonbridge Scout & Guide Band, who have had a successful year following a complete change of instrumentation in January 2015. They are looking forward to a summer performing around the south east and

showcasing their talents on Sunday, as well as at Disneyland, Paris later the year.

Other bands competing are the Hertfordshire Showband, with around 60 performers playing a range of brass, woodwind and percussion instruments, Burgess Hill Marching Youth, who are a traditional, Light Infantry-style band with a distinctive Gurkha-inspired uniform, and The Haverettes All Girl Marching Band, who formed in 1965 and started out as a majorette troupe marching behind a Hornchurch boys’ band.

After leading the carnival procession through the High Street, the winning band will perform in the castle grounds, and an exciting new addition for 2016 is a magnificent massed band finale.

The procession itself is a vibrant and colourful array of local communities, clubs and charities who will sport a variety of costumes and themes to match this year’s main theme of ‘Countries of the World’.

The entertainment will continue in the Castle

Grounds from 1.30pm, with local band Rosewood Drift playing popular classics throughout the afternoon in amalgamation with other great entertainment, such as the Marching Band and Carnival awards at 2pm. The event culminates in

a musical performance by the winning band at 2.30pm, with a display from the award-winning Cannon School of Irish dancing in their beautiful national dress at 3pm. The day will finish with the CC Dance company at 3.35pm.

Wednesday 15th June 2016

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Wednesday 15th June 2016

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

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Wednesday 15th June 2016

 PROPERTY SECTION

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

In my view…

Robert Jacobs Director, Savills Tunbridge Wells

Your at-a-glance guide to FERBIES SPELDHURST

The gap between prices in London and prime regional areas such as Tunbridge Wells have started to narrow, however in historic terms the gap still remains wide.

£985,000

This has not gone unnoticed by buyers from London. Previously, they have been reluctant to trade out of the London market, given the extent to which its value has been rising but that is now much less of a concern.

The stamp duty costs of upsizing in the capital and limits on what can be borrowed are acting as catalysts for a greater flow of wealth into the prime regional housing markets.

During the last six months to a year, people are buying again more consistently at the high end, with sales at £2m to £4m looking better.

In the last year, we have sold a handful of townhouses in Tunbridge Wells between £3m and £4m, and outside of the town, we have seen good examples of the improving market from £2m, right up to the £3m-£4m range.

This market is not booming, because the prices are hardly an improvement over those ten years ago, and stock levels give buyers, to some extent, a reasonable choice. Nevertheless, we look good value as an area compared to other locations this close to London.

More generally, the relative value offered by prime housing in the commuter zone compared to London, and property beyond the commuter zone compared to that within in, is likely to underpin a more sustained ripple effect as sentiment improves.

A weaker economic outlook and uncertainty around our relationship with the EU indicates that it will take time for that sentiment to built. Subsequently, Savills Research is forecasting that prices in the prime regional markets will only increase by an average of 2.5% across 2016.

On the flipside, it appears that this will be against the context of interest rates staying lower for longer, allowing the ripple effect to spread wider as confidence picks up, and meaning that over five years, Savills forecasts average price growth of 22.2%.

For further information please contact: Hannah Adamec, Savills Press Office on 01722 426849 or 07807 999992 Or hadamec@savills.com

newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? Wednesday 15th June 2016

SILVERDALE ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£249,500

UNDER £250,000 A DUPLEX apartment half a mile from High Brooms Station which is being sold with no onward chain. It has a private front door, hallway, sitting room and kitchen/dining room on the ground floor, and two

bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. The accommodation, which has recently had a new kitchen and sanitary fittings installed, has fresh floor coverings, gas-fired central heating and double glazing, and there is a large, level garden to the rear.

CONTACT Bracketts Tunbridge Wells 01892 533733 www.bracketts.co.uk

BRADLEY STREET, TONBRIDGE

£340,000-£360,000 UNDER £360,000 SITUATED in the sought-after Slade area of Tonbridge, this end-ofterrace house offers a galleried entrance hall, a kitchen with integrated appliances, an openplan lounge/dining room with a bay side window and double doors

to a rear walled patio garden.

There are also two bedrooms (the master with en-suite) and a family bathroom. To the front of the house is a useful allocated parking space and the property still benefits from an NHBC building guarantee.

CONTACT Bracketts Tonbridge 01732 350503 www.bracketts.co.uk

PROPERTY SECTION 

great properties by price range…

ROEDEAN ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£435,000

UNDER £450,000 AN APARTMENT on the first floor of a prestigious gated development. The property is very well appointed and benefits from views over the wellmaintained communal gardens and allocated parking. The accommodation comprises a long entrance hall, spacious living/dining room with Juliet balcony, modern fitted kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite, a second bedroom and a family shower room.

CONTACT Knight Frank Tunbridge Wells 01892 515035 www.knightfrank.co.uk PUTTENDEN ROAD, SHIPBOURNE OFFERS IN EXCESS OF

£550,000

UNDER £600,000 A PERIOD semi-detached house on the edge of Tonbridge which stands in its own substantial plot. The property has planning permission to extend to a four-bedroom home. It currently has three bedrooms, a first floor bathroom, two reception rooms, a utility area and a kitchen. Outside there is ample parking for several vehicles and planning permission for a detached timber-framed garage. The gardens are predominantly to the rear and are laid to lawn. To the front there is a pleasant outlook over woodland.

CONTACT Bracketts Tonbridge 01732 350503 www.bracketts.co.uk LORDSWELL LANE, CROWBOROUGH

£795,000 FERBIES, SPELDHURST

UNDER £800,000

£985,000 UNDER £1MILLION THIS detached family house is situated in a quiet location at the end of a no-through road in sought-after Speldhurst.

The property is very well presented and offers flexible accommodation as well as a detached studio to the side of the house and an integral garage. On the ground floor there is an entrance hall, cloakroom, study, utility room,

impressive sitting room and spacious kitchen/breakfast/ family room. Upstairs are five bedrooms (two en-suite) and a family bathroom. The house has a good size garden to the rear and a gravel drive to the front.

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

LOCATED in a no-through private road on the southern edge of Crowborough, this attractive period house is set close to the golf course. Partly Victorian, it has been cleverly amalgamated with the 18thcentury chapel next door and is beautifully presented throughout. The accommodation comprises an entrance hall, sitting room, drawing room, study, garden room, cloakroom, boot room, kitchen/breakfast room and utility room on the ground floor, with five bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs. There is a pretty, mature garden to the rear and an integral garage.

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

Wednesday 15th June 2016

l_

 PROPERTY SECTION

AT A GLANCE

CROFT HOUSE FRANT ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS ■ The major part of an Edwardian house ■ Period features ■ Contemporary fixtures and fittings

‘The superb bespoke kitchen/dining room has a generous island/ breakfast bar and integrated appliances’

■ Beautifully presented ■ Accommodation over three floors ■ Sought-after location ■ Grand entrance hall ■ Sitting room ■ Study ■ Large kitchen/dining room ■ Utility room

Impressively updated principal portion of an Edwardian townhouse C

ROFT HOUSE is a striking period townhouse, in a good location in Tunbridge Wells, which has been extensively renovated with modern fixtures and fittings and extended by the current owners to create an impressive home with character features.

Comprising the major portion of an Edwardian house, the property is within half a mile of the mainline station, the historic Pantiles and the High Street.

Points of note include light and spacious accommodation with high ceilings and a mix of leaded light and picture windows enhancing the natural light, along with a modern colour scheme, period fireplaces and reconditioned wide oak flooring.

The house opens to a grand entrance hall which was originally the principal reception hall. It features restored oak joinery including wall panels, a balustrade staircase, carved architraves and a fireplace. There is a sitting room with a wide bay window to the front and a pretty Art Deco style fireplace, as well as

Wednesday 15th June 2016

a cloakroom and a utility room opening to a study.

The superb bespoke contemporary kitchen/dining room has wide bifold doors opening out to the garden and has a generous island/breakfast bar and integrated appliances.

The first floor master suite has a big bay window with louvred shutters to the front, a dressing room and a well-appointed shower room.

There are two further double bedrooms on the first floor, one currently fitted as a study, and a family bath/shower room.

A spacious second floor features an en-suite bedroom, a further double bedroom and a generous eaves storage room.

The property is set well back from the road behind a five-bar gate with a screen of mature trees, and the gravel driveway provides ample parking.

A pretty, enclosed garden lies to the rear, with a decked terrace creating excellent space for entertaining. Beyond the deck is a small area of lawn with a pretty pond and wendy house at the end.

■ Cloakroom ■ Master suite with bedroom, dressing room and shower room ■ Two further first floor bedrooms ■ Family bathroom ■ Two top floor bedrooms (one en-suite) ■ Attic storage room ■ Driveway parking ■ Pretty rear garden

£1,550,000 For sale through Savills Tunbridge Wells 01892 507000 www.savills.co.uk

Rectory Lane, Sevenoaks Launch Viewings: Saturday 18th June 1Oam - 1pm. By appointment only.

An immaculate semi-detached house set in a sought-after location in central Sevenoaks Sitting room, family room, kitchen/dining room, cloakroom. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Rear terrace.

Established gardens with delightful views. Parking space for several vehicles. EPC rating C.

Westerham Road, Sevenoaks A spacious and light family house of 2,706 sq ft 1 mile from Sevenoaks station Reception hall, drawing room, dining room, sitting room, study, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, cloakroom. 6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Garage, terrace and delightful gardens.

EPC rating E. In all about 0.25 acre

Wadhurst A spectacular conversion occupying a delightful setting in a quiet yet accessible hamlet Entrance hall, cloakroom, sitting room, library, kitchen / breakfast room, living room and dining room, utility, cellar, garden room, study area. Master bedroom suite, 4 further bedrooms, family bathroom, 2nd en-suite. Garage. Pretty gardens. EPC rating C. In all about 0.38 acre.

Staplecross An attractive detached period oast house with impressive leisure complex Cloakroom, study, kitchen/ breakfast room, utility, sitting room, family room. Master bedroom with en-suite, 3 further bedrooms, family bathroom. Leisure complex including gym, swimming pool, 1 bed annexe and 1 further bedroom. Gardens and grounds. Barn/ workshop. Quadruple open-bay garage. EPC ratings E & C. In all about 15.23 acres.

Cranbrook A charming detached 1920s family house, in a sought-after rural position, with planning permission to demolish and rebuild Entrance hall, study, shower room, sitting room, garden room, kitchen / breakfast room. Lower ground floor utility room and storage rooms. 3 bedrooms, family bathroom, we. Detached studio with bedroom and shower room. Attractive gardens and grounds. Terrace with pergola. Garden shed. Lapsed planning permission to demolish the rear extension and construct a new three storey rear extension. EPC rating E.

Speldhurst A beautifully presented Grade II Listed period house with a detached lodge cottage Reception hall, drawing room, dining room, snug, kitchen/ breakfast room, utility room, games room, guest cloakroom. Master bedroom with en suite-bathroom, 3 bedroom suites, 2 further bedrooms, family bathroom. Extensive cellar. Garage. Separate cottage comprising sitting room, study, kitchen, 3 bedrooms, bathroom, WC and extensive attic storage. Heated swimming pool. About 1.59 acres.

~Knight •41 Frank

 PROPERTY SECTION

Family house with potential near Tonbridge town centre AT A GLANCE FARM LANE TONBRIDGE ■ Detached family house ■ Cul-de-sac position ■ Overlooking open countryside to the rear ■ Close to mainline station ■ Entrance hall ■ Dining room ■ Sitting room ■ Modern kitchen ■ Cloakroom ■ Three bedrooms ■ Modern bathroom

‘ The refitted kitchen features granite worktops and a door to a useful area between the house and garage’

T

HIS detached family house is set towards the end of a small cul-de-sac with views over open countryside and is less than half a mile from Tonbridge mainline station.

With a good sized plot, there is also potential to extend, subject to the relevant planning consents.

The ground floor accommodation includes an entrance hall, partly open-plan to the dining room, an inner hall with stairs rising and a cloakroom with a window to the rear.

A recently refitted kitchen features granite worktops, integrated appliances and a door to a useful enclosed area between the house and

Wednesday 15th June 2016

■ Large drive ■ Garage with utility area ■ Rear garden and terrace

£500,000 For sale through Robinson Jackson 01732 757300 www.robinson-jackson.com

garage. There is also a spacious double-aspect sitting room with sliding doors to a rear terrace and garden.

Upstairs are three well-proportioned bedrooms – one with superb views from the back of the house, and a recently refitted bathroom with modern white suite.

At the front is a generous garden with a large driveway providing off-road parking. This leads to the garage, which has a utility area and a side door to the garden. The rear garden is of a good size, with a terrace and a level area of lawn with shrubs and flower borders. The garden is enclosed by fencing and backs on to open countryside.

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

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Hale Oak Road, Chiddingstone - £3,500pcm Modernised 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom detached cottage set within approximately 2 acres of grounds and surrounded by countryside. EPC: D

Philpots Lane, Hildenborough - £4,500pcm Well presented 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom detached house in a sought after location within a walk of the mainline station. EPC: D

Mere Road, Dunton Green - £2,250pcm 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom part-furnished terraced house, situated on the much sought after Ryewood Development, a walk of Dunton Green train station. EPC: B

Cobden Road, Sevenoaks, - £1,950pcm Beautifully and sympathetically renovated 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom mews style property with modern fixtures and fittings throughout. EPC: C

Sevenoaks Office Lettings. 01732 430291

I

sevenoaks@hamptons-int.com

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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells £1,395,000 A fine 1920's detached 5 bedroom family house on the popular southern outskirts of Tunbridge Wells, less than a mile from the famous Pantiles and enjoying far reaching views across the town. EPC: E

Groombridge £995,000 An excellent and superbly presented 5 bedroom detached family house situated in a tucked away private position behind electronic gates yet within walking distance of the village centre. EPC:C

Hartfield £850,000 An impressive character 4 bedroom detached house in the centre of this sought after village with a stunning interior and high specification throughout. EPC: D

Brenchley £850,000 A superb 16th century Grade II listed 4 bedroom village house set in one of the most desirable villages in the area with attractive outlooks to the church and beyond.

Tunbridge Wells £925,000 A distinctive and spacious 4 bedroom town house with well-arranged, beautifully presented accommodation over 3 floors in a convenient location for easy access to the town centre and Dunorlan Park. EPC:D

Tunbridge Wells £675,000 A modem Regency-style 4 bedroom townhouse situated in a small, popular and attractive development within close proximity of the grammar schools and town centre and offered with no onward chain. EPC: C

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

Wad hurst ÂŁ1,300,000 A detached Grade II listed 6 bedroom farmhouse with a wealth of period features on the outskirts of this popular village within easy reach of Wadhurst station and set in gardens and grounds extending to just under 24 acres with far reaching views.

Southborough ÂŁ1,250,000 A superbly improved, extended and renovated detached house located along a sought after private road with lovely mature gardens and outlooks and accommodation including 4 excellent bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms, 3 receptions rooms and a well fitted kitchen/breakfast room. EPC: C

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WOOD & PILCHER

South borough

£825,000

Rusthall

A well presented and quite unique, extended detached property, offering 4/ 5 bedrooms and flexible living accommodation. It is situated in an elevated position with far reaching views to the front looking across to the North Downs and Had low Folly. EPC: C

A superb brand new four bedroom detached home, finished to an exceptionally high standard, situated in a small development of only four properties within the village of Rusthall and close to open countryside.

SAP Rating: B

Bayham Abbey

Tonbridge

Guide Price: £850,000 - £900,000

offers over £550,000

A beautiful and most individual detached property located on the stunning Bayham Abbey Estate, situated between Bells Yew Green and Lamberhurst less than six miles from the larger spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells. EPC: E

4 bed semi with garage within a mile of town, station and 3 outstanding grammar schools. Great living and entertaining space with a contemporary kitchen. Master bedroom with en-suite, 2 further double bedrooms. EPC: C

Tonbridge

Tunbridge Wells

offers over £550,000

4 bed contemporary house with garage, parking and a two storey annexe, an abundance of space and light tucked away in an exclusive private gated development a walk away from town, station and some of the best schooling in the country. EPC: C

A well maintained four bedroom period property in this popular St James' location arranged over three levels and with the real advantages of particularly good size lounge and dining room/reception 2, with further garden room and pretty enclosed rear gardens.

Tunbridge Wells Office I 01892 511211 tunbridgew ells@w oodandpilcher.co.uk Southborough Office I 01892 511311 southborough@woodandpilcher.co.uk Tonbridge I 01732 351135 tonbri dge@w ooda ndpil cher. co. u k

(i)nTheMarketoom

Guide Price: £395,000

woodandpilcher.co. uk

r•M

Other offices in Crowborough, Heathfield & associated London Branch

ADVERTISING �

The Willows is an exclusive development with a selection of 3 and 4 bedroom detached

For viewings or more information please contact one of our selling agents:

houses set in the village of Rusthall , under two miles west of the historic Spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells. Each property benefits from excellent design and specification.

~

gardens. garaging and further off-street parking.

Prices from £520,000 viewings

~MJProperty

WOOD & PILCHER

by appointment.

01892 511211 www.woodandpilcher.co.uk

SAT NAV: TN4 SSU

01892 515188 www. kmj prope rty.co.u k Prices correct at time of going to press

WWW.CUBED HOMES .CO.UK

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT US VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

SPEAK TO US DIRECT

BY PHONE OR EMAIL:

www.rentlocally.co. u k

ka nds@rentlocally.co.uk

01892 841040

Locally The Better Letting People Wednesday 15th June 2016

eauti u y constructe

SISSINGHURST

HAWKIN GE

FOLKESTONE

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TERLINGHAM GARDENS

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[ TNl7 2JG ]

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1 bedroom luxury conversion duplex apartments and 3 bedroom homes.

2 bedroom semi-detached bungalows & chalet bungalows especially for the over 55s.

2, 3 &4 bedroom homes.

Showhomes available to view.

PRICES FROM £374,995

PRICES FROM £329,995

PRICES FROM £242,995

KENT S PREMIER NEW HOME BUILDER 1

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Pentland Homes

per ect y ocate Visit our website to book a viewing and to request a brochure, or call

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Incentives available on selected plots only. Subject to agreement.

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� PROPERTY SECTION

Deceptively spacious with annexe and orchard views

AT A GLANCE FOUR SEASONS STANFORD LANE, HADLOW � Spacious and flexible � Lovely rural setting � Entrance hall � Sitting room � Dining room � Kitchen � Rear lobby � Study � Three first floor bedrooms, one with en-suite � Family bathroom � Roof terrace � Attic bedroom and study/storage room � Annexe with bedroom/reception room, kitchen and shower room

F

OUR SEASONS is set in a beautiful rural location and benefits from the flexibility of an attached annexe. The property is arranged over three floors and offers spacious family accommodation and a stunning roof terrace.

Set two miles from the centre of Hadlow and five miles from Tonbridge, it is in a peaceful location overlooking orchards and fields.

The ground floor of the main house has an entrance hall, triple-aspect sitting room, large dining room, rear lobby, kitchen and study.

The first floor features a very generous master bedroom with en-suite shower room, as well as two further bedrooms and a family bathroom. One of the bedrooms gives access to the large roof terrace.

A further bedroom and a study/storage room lie on the top floor.

The ground floor annexe includes a kitchen, shower room and bedroom/reception room with access to the garden.

The garden wraps around the house on three sides, and is bordered by an established hedge that offers privacy. There is a patio area outside the sitting room, with raised beds, and a larger lawned area with mature trees and two sheds. The house also benefits from off-street parking for several cars.

� Attractive gardens � Off-street parking

£650,000 For sale through Hamptons Sevenoaks 01732 280801 www.hamptons.co.uk

Wednesday 15th June 2016

‘ The property is arranged over three floors with a stunning roof terrace’

we open doors for you ...

Q} Primelocatior

Residential

• t hightmove.co.uk Sales & !Lettings

BarnesKingsnorth

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.l,kestatea1ents.com

ELLIS&CO Sales & Lettings

,......,j

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-

Quarry Hill Road, Tonbridge £370,000 NO ONWARD CHAIN!

Cedar Crescent, Tonbridge, Guide Price £315,000-£345,000- NO ONWARD CHAIN!

Immaculately presented 4 bedroom town house

If you are looking for a 3 bedroom semi detached

situated in a superb location close to town centre

house that requires some modernising but has bags

and schools. The property also has the that has

of potential, then this property should be on your

the advantage of being easily accessible for the

viewing list. The property has good size bedrooms, 2

road links to London and Tunbridge Wells as well

receptions, kitchen, large secluded garden to the rear

as the mainline station within a 15 minute walk.

of the property, which is also accessed from the front,

The versatile accommodation includes a kitchen/

and detached brick built sheds. EPC applied for.

breakfast/family room, good size lounge and study areas. EPC E

Kelchers Lane, Golden Green £435,000 An extended 4 bedroom semi-detached chalet

Wincliff Road, Tonbridge, Guide Price £265,000-£285,000

bungalow that has far reaching countryside views,

Immaculately presented ground floor apartment

located down a country lane. This rural retreat has all

that is within easy walking distance of the mainline

the peace and quiet you require and yet only a short

station and High Street and has the benefit of a

drive into Tonbridge. Accommodation provides a

private patio, allocated parking and a communal bike

lounge, dining room, a modern kitchen, 2 bedrooms,

shed. This light and airy apartment, that is within

conservatory and family bathroom downstairs with

a gated development, has an open plan living area

2 bedrooms upstairs. Garage and low maintenance

with French doors leading onto the patio, a master

large garden. EPC applied for.

bedroom with an en suite shower room, a second bedroom and family bathroom. EPC B

Please contact us for Sales, Rentals and Valuations t: 01732 770077

I

e: tonbridge@ellisandco.co.uk

~ A

I

93 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1 DR

~

The Property ombudsman

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W W

Tunbridge Wells

Andrews >

andrewsonline.co.uk

Upper Grosvenor Road, TN1 2DZ

Guide £415,000-£430,000

With the freehold, a garden and parking for a number of vehicles, this maisonette is an opportunity to own a unique period home. The property has its own entrance, 3 bedrooms, a large kitchen/diner, living room, bath with jacuzzi jets and shower over and features including decorative cornicing, high ceilings and 2 character fireplaces.

Energy Efficiency Rating: D

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

• ROTHERFIELD •FRANT • CHIDDINGSTONE • GOUDHURST • LAMBERHURST • MAYFIELD

Contact us on: 01892 51511.tlt

lettings@andrewsonline.co.uk

J

PROPERTY SECTION �

Laid-back living at The Beach House

AT A GLANCE THE BEACH HOUSE FARMCOMBE LANE TUNBRIDGE WELLS

S

ET on a quiet no-through road in the desirable ‘village’ area of Tunbridge Wells, this truly unique architectdesigned house has a versatile layout over the three floors. Individual and beautifully presented, The Beach House is a rare find.

On the ground floor is an entrance hall with a wide staircase to a galleried landing overlooking the living room, with views through a tall arched window.

The superb open-plan kitchen has dining and living areas, and two pairs of double doors opening on to a spacious veranda. It is well fitted with an island unit and polished wood floors throughout.

The sitting room has panelled walls and double doors to the dining area. On this floor there is also a guest bedroom suite and a cloakroom.

The delightful master suite, with its beautifully fitted wet room, is on the first floor, along with a family bathroom and two further bedrooms.

The spacious garden floor has the potential to provide a self-contained suite of rooms. At present it is arranged with a fifth bedroom, a shower room, a studio, utility room and workshop.

The house is set on a peaceful lane and has a timber bridge to the front door and timber gates to the side leading to the drive and parking.

The large decked veranda has steps down to a further terrace and the garden, which is mainly laid to lawn with a pentagonal shed. Also in the garden is a superb summerhouse/home office which has a part-converted steam room and a further decked area. Beyond lies a small orchard with cherry, apple and pear trees.

� Unique architect-designed home � Sought-after location � Flexible accommodation � Entrance hall � Cloakroom � Sitting room � Kitchen/dining room/living room � Utility room � Ground floor bedroom with en-suite � Master suite with en-suite � Two further first floor bedrooms � Garden floor with potential to create self-contained annexe currently providing: Bedroom, shower room, utility room, studio and workshop � Summerhouse � Impressive veranda with views � Off-road parking � Attractive gardens and orchard

£1,325,000 For sale through Hamptons Tunbridge Wells 01892 516611 www.hamptons.co.uk

Wednesday 15th June 2016

� PROPERTY SECTION

AT A GLANCE HAYMANS HILL HORSMONDEN n Period farmhouse in stunning rural position n Grade II listed n Entrance hall n Drawing room n Dining room n Kitchen/breakfast room n Utility room n Laundry room n Shower room n Garden room with guest bedroom over n Study n Five bedrooms

Charming Kentish farmhouse in an idyllic rural location

n Two bathrooms n Double garage n Driveway parking n Beautiful gardens n In all 3 acres

£1,250,000 For sale through Bracketts Tunbridge Wells 01892 533733 www.bracketts.co.uk

O

CCUPYING an unrivalled rural location in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and enjoying an elevated position with far-reaching views across apple orchards and countryside, this period farmhouse offers spacious accommodation and around three acres of grounds. Close to the village of Horsmonden, this quintessentially Kentish property is Grade II listed and thought to date from the 18th century.

The house is bursting with charming period features, including deep sash windows to the front (secondary glazed), exposed

Wednesday 15th June 2016

beams, timbered fireplaces and plenty of decorative detail. It also has oil-fired central heating and plenty of potential.

The ground floor comprises a generous L-shaped hallway, a large triple-aspect drawing room, a dining room with inglenook fireplace, a kitchen with an Aga, a utility room, a laundry room, a downstairs shower room, a study and a garden room with fireplace and original bread oven.

A guest bedroom is accessed via stairs in the garden room – offering the possibility of creating a separate suite of rooms.

On the first floor are five bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a further flight of stairs to the loft space.

The property has a large gravelled driveway providing off-road parking for numerous vehicles and access to the attached garage.

There is an enclosed walled area of garden to the rear with a paved pathway opening to the remaining area of garden at the front, with mature hedges and boundaries, well maintained lawns, sweeping shingle paths and mature trees and shrubs providing year round colour. Further gates provide access on to Haymans Hill.

nearby Front Station.

Available with a range of incentives* to help make your dream move happen Priced at £1,150,000

DUKES GRANGE, BAYHAM ROAD, ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS TN2 SHU

CALL 01892 628 676 CALA.CO.UK

TWT l SJUN •Availability of other incentives/offers subject to lender's criteria and CALA's discretion. Our range of incentives are not all available in one purchase, they represent a choice of incentives and cannot be used in conjunction with each other and are available on selected plots only. Visit cala.co.uk/terms for full terms and conditions and purchasing criteria. Telephone calls within the British Isles will be charged at local rate. Telephone calls may divert to a mobile service in which case call charges may vary. Prices are accurate at time of going to print. Images shown are taken from previous developments and feature, fittings, d8cor, flooring and soft furnishings which are not included as standard in a CALA home. Images are used to suggest possible finishes which can be achieved in your home at an additional cost. Please consult a Sales Advisor for further details. Some images have been enhanced. •Availability of other incentives/ offers subject to lender's criteria and CALA's discretion. Our range of incentives are not all available in one purchase, they represent a choice of incentives and cannot be used in conjunction with each other and are available on selected plots only.

� PROPERTY SECTION

Improved Southborough home has wonderful views to the rear

H

YLANDS is an outstanding detached house dating from the late 1950’s that has been substantially extended and renovated to provide spacious family accommodation. Set in a private road on the edge of Southborough, it is well presented throughout and offers excellent views to the rear.

The entrance hall features a contemporary staircase which is part-glazed with solid wood balustrades. The elegant L-shaped drawing/dining room has a feature remote-controlled gas fire, oak flooring with underfloor heating on the drawing room side, and large sliding doors creating a bright room with a triple-aspect outlook over the garden and views beyond. The well-fitted kitchen/ breakfast room has numerous units with long black granite work surfaces, an island unit with gas hob, breakfast bar and a range of integrated appliances. The adjacent family room (currently used as a study) has oak flooring and double-aspect windows. There is also a utility room off the kitchen with a door opening to a terrace.

To the first floor is the delightful principal bedroom, with en-suite shower room and a dressing room. The guest bedroom also has an en-suite shower room with a walkin wardrobe. Both further bedrooms are well served by a family bathroom.

The property is approached via a private road and there is an in-and-out driveway with secure automated wooden gates and a garage.

The rear garden is well established with lawns, shrubs, trees and a shed. A terrace wraps around the back of the house and in all there is about a third of an acre.

‘The entrance hall features a contemporary staircase which is part-glazed with solid wood balustrades’ Wednesday 15th June 2016

AT A GLANCE

HYLANDS VICARAGE ROAD, SOUTHBOROUGH n Superbly extended family home n Private road location n Well presented n Views to rear n Entrance hall n Cloakroom n Kitchen/breakfast room n Utility room n Study/family room n Spacious drawing/dining room n Master suite with bedroom, dressing room and shower room n Guest suite with bedroom, dressing room and bathroom n Two further bedrooms n Family bathroom n Integral garage n Driveway n Attractive rear gardens n A third of an acre

£1,250,000 For sale through Hamptons Tunbridge Wells 01892 516611 www.hamptons.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells £725,000 A 3 storey Victorian town house situated in the 'village area' of the town, retaining

Tunbridge Wells

many character features. Hall, 2 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, 4 bedrooms, bathroom. Landscaped rear garden. EPC: D

road on the west side of the town. 16' I I drawing room, kitchen/dining room, master bedroom suite, 2 further bedrooms, bathroom. Private parking area and gardens. EPC: C

Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells

£499,950

A well presented detached family house, in need of some updating, located in a quiet

£525,000

A newly refurbished ground floor duplex apartment situated in a sought-after residential

£449,999

cul-de-sac in the popular St John's area of town. Hall, reception room, kitchen, cloakroom, 3 bedrooms, bathroom. Garage, south facing rear garden. EPC: D

Beautifully presented detached family home bordering the popular St John's area. 2 reception rooms, kitchen, 4 bedrooms, bathroom. Good sized front garden with parking for several cars, landscaped rear garden with timber log cabin. EPC: D

Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells

£274,500

Forming part of a select development in the Culverden area of town, a purpose-built top floor apartment in good decorative order. Open plan living room/kitchen, 2 bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom.Allocated undercroft parking space, communal gardens. EPC: C

£250,000

A first floor retirement apartment located in modern, exclusive complex for the over

60s within walking distance of the town centre. Lift, reception room, kitchen, 2 double bedrooms (one en suite), cloakroom. Communal gardens. EPC: B

HARTFIELD, EAST SUSSEX An impressive and well-proportioned family house available with early possession. Bright and spacious rooms throughout with many original features and an impressive staircase to all three floors. The house has been well maintained and sympathetically restored. NO ONWARD CHAIN

Old Church House was sympathetically renovated from an Anglican Mission Church in the 1970s to create a very high quality residence , Equestrian potential can be explored with a further 10.33 acres and stable block also available by separate negotiation. EPC- D64. NO ONWARD CHAIN.

COWDEN, KENT

ÂŁ775,000 Freehold

Little Hammer is a bright and spacious 5 bedroom chalet bungalow with flexible accommodation throughout.

The property sits within a large plot with off street parking for several cars and good size gardens to the front and rear. Fantastic rural location. EPC - D56. EARLY VACANT POSSESSION

EDENBRIDGE, KENT An opportunity to acquire a superb 5 bedroomed detached family residence , occupying a level mature garden of approximately a third of an acre , at the end of a small quiet private lane on the south side of the town. Level Rear Garden of approximately 225ft. EPC - C76. EARLY VACANT POSSESSION.

(~ RICS -ACOU TRY LIFE

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rightmove.OC)Jj( (e The UK .. number OM P'Ol*1Y w.t>ti~

ÂŁ280,000 Freehold

A two bedroomed mid-terraced house that has been updated to a very high standard ideal for a first time buyer or someone wanting to be close to Eden bridge Town Centre and Train Station. Newly fitted kitchen/ breakfast room , Spacious lounge/dining room , Garden with sun terrace, Family Bathroom with White Suite, Gas Fired Central Heating System, uPVC Sealed Unit Windows and Doors. EPC - C74

Primelocation.corn

11 High Street, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 SAB

PROPERTY SECTION �

AT A GLANCE

STUART COTTAGE LONDON ROAD, SOUTHBOROUGH n Grade II listed cottage n Dating from the 16th century n Character features n Drawing/dining room n Sitting room n Kitchen/breakfast room n Utility room n Cloakroom n Cellar n Three bedrooms on the first floor n Two staircases to second floor with attic room and bathroom

£769,500 For sale through Alexandre Boyes 01892 525522 www.alexandre-boyes.co.uk

Cottage dating from the 16 century lies just moments from a common th

S

TUART COTTAGE is a Grade II listed property believed to date from the 16th century. Deceptively spacious, it is arranged over three floors and offers a wealth of original features, including exposed wall and ceiling timbers and leaded light windows.

The ground floor has two reception rooms – a drawing/ dining room with an impressive inglenook fireplace and a sitting room. The fabulous country-style kitchen overlooks the garden and has a vaulted ceiling. A rear lobby gives access to a useful utility room and the garden.

Additionally, stairs lead down to a cellar room.

Upstairs, on the first floor there are three double bedrooms together with a spacious and beautifullypresented bathroom with a roll-top bath.

One of two separate staircases leads to a large dressing room with two storage areas either side. This space could be converted into a large master bedroom as there are windows at each gable end of the storage areas. This floor also has a bathroom with a vaulted ceiling.

The other staircase leads up to a room with restricted head height access.

The large, pretty, cottage-style garden is well stocked with an abundance of mature shrubs, trees and annual flowers. There is also an area of decking which is ideal for outdoor eating. The driveway provides plenty of off-road parking and leads to a single detached garage.

‘A wealth of original features includes exposed timbers and leaded light windows’ Wednesday 15th June 2016

UCKFIELD'

EAST SUSSEX

HORSMONDEN,

KENT

Grade ii listed barn conversion + 5 bedrooms + 4 bathrooms + garden + paddock + indoor swimming pool + separate dairy cottage + Council Tax=G + EPC Exempt

Well presented barn conversion + 4 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms + study/playroom + kitchen/ breakfast room + terrace + rear garden + private parking + Council Tax=G + EPC=D

£4,500 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee. Other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

£1,850 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee. Other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

HAWK.HURST,

TUNBRIDGE WELLS,

KENT

KENT

Carefully restored apartment + 2 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms + state of the art appliances + modern interior design + stunning surroundings + Council Tax=TBC + EPC=TBC

Sought after town location + ground floor + 2 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms + kitchen/breakfast room + reception room + two allocated parking spaces + Council Tax=E + EPC=C

£1,600 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee. Other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

£1,450 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 out 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.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS,

PENSHURST,

KENT

KENT

Well-placed for schools and MLS + stunning views + 2 reception rooms + kitchen/family/dining room + 5 bedrooms + garden + garage + 4,154 sq ft + about 0.21 acres + EPC = D

Penshurst MLS 3.2 miles + sitting room + kitchen/d ining/family room + 5 bedrooms + gardens to all sides with rural views + triple garage + 2,851 sq ft + about 1.06 acres + EPC=C

Guide £1,999,500 Freehold

Guide £1. 725 million Freehold

TUNBRIDGE WELLS,

Contact: Amanda Wyatt

TUNBRIDGE WELLS,

KENT

Contact: Liz Devall

KENT

Grade II listed attached cottage + prime position on the Common + MLS 0.46 miles + 2 reception rooms + 3 double bedrooms + mature garden + driveway parking + 1,692 sq ft

Newly-refurbished duplex apartment + well-placed for MLS + reception room + kitchen/ breakfast room + 3 bedrooms + private garden + allocated parking + 1 ,169 sq ft + EPC=C

Guide £1.2 million Freehold

Guide £525,000 Share of Freehold

Contact: Liz Devall

Contact: Becky Card

ďż˝ PROPERTY SECTION

High quality, hi-tech new build positioned on a private estate C

HARNWOOD is a superbly appointed newly-built home which has been finished to a high standard. The spacious accommodation successfully combines the clean lines of contemporary architectural design with the warmth of more traditional features, with locally-sourced materials and fittings.

The property is equipped for all mod cons, including cabling for an integrated sound system in the main reception rooms and kitchen, multiple access points for efficient WiFi and Cat 6 wiring.

There is zone-controlled underfloor heating throughout as well as remote-controlled windows in the hall, a whole-house ventilation system and provision for the installation of discreet solar panels.

A wide oak front door opens to a part-vaulted entrance hall. The

Wednesday 15th June 2016

partially open-plan kitchen, dining and family room is a superb space, with the kitchen area fitted with a range of SieMatic units and a central island complemented by Silestone quartz worktops and a range of Miele integrated appliances. Sliding doors by ID Systems open on to the terrace and garden.

Additionally, the kitchen is served by a well-fitted utility room.

The formal drawing room has French doors opening to the terrace and an open fireplace flanked by oak bookshelves.

This floor also has a boiler room and cloakroom, and is completed by a further reception room which would be ideal as a large study or cinema room.

There are five generous bedrooms on the first floor, lying off a

galleried landing with a lateral skylight over. The master suite comprises a vaulted bedroom with French doors to a private balcony, a dressing room and a luxurious en-suite bathroom.

Two further bedrooms benefit from dressing rooms, en-suite shower rooms and French doors with Juliet balconies, while bedrooms four and five are served by a large family bathroom.

Charnwood is surrounded by beautiful, mature gardens. The front has been landscaped to form a sweeping, gated gravel driveway which leads to the detached double garage and car port.

The south-facing rear garden is very well enclosed by mature hedging and trees, with an Indian sandstone terrace extending across the rear. In all, it lies in just over an acre of land.

PROPERTY SECTION �

‘There are five generous bedrooms on the first floor, lying off a galleried landing with a lateral skylight over. The master suite comprises a vaulted bedroom with French doors to a private balcony, a dressing room and a luxurious en-suite bathroom’

AT A GLANCE n Contemporary family home n Set within an established private estate n High spec n Entrance hall n Cloakroom n Boiler room n Kitchen/dining room n Family room n Utility room n Drawing room n Study/cinema room n Master suite with bedroom, dressing room, bathroom and balcony n Two guest suites with dressing rooms and shower rooms n Two further bedrooms n Family bathroom n Double garage n Gated driveway n Mature gardens n 1.1 acres in total

£1,850,000 For sale through Savills Haywards Heath 01444 446000 www.savills.co.uk

CHARNWOOD MIDDLE DRIVE, MARESFIELD PARK

£1,850,000 Wednesday 15th June 2016

If you're looking for a home that

Knights Wood offers a variety of exceptional new homes in

offers the very best in modern living - built to our exacting standards of impeccable design, quality and attention to detail you have reached your destination.

a woodland setting in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Our marketing suite is open daily from 1Oam to 5pm, so come and visit us to

. . Knight ~Frank

see for yourself what makes Knights Wood a cut above the rest.

Alternatively, call us on 01892 800580.

Two, three and four bedroom homes available now with prices from ÂŁ350,000.

Knights Wood, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UW

dandara

new homes

Extravaganza Evenings!

TUESDAY NIGHT BEER & BURGER FOR ONLY £10.00 A Choice Of 5 Different Toppings, All Served With Chips from 5.00pm. Includes A Free Pint Of Beer Or A Free Glass Of Wine.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ALL YOU CAN EAT MOULES NIGHT FOR ONLY £14.95

Come and celebrate

Fathers Day on Sunday 19th June

Choose Between A La Creme, Cider & Bacon, Thai Or Provern;al, All Served With Crusty Bread & Fries From 5.00pm

THURSDAY NIGHT ALL YOU CAN EAT SEAFOOD PAELLA FOR ONLY £14.95 Seafood Paella Served With Fresh Bread & Aioli From 5.00pm

FULL MENU ALSO AVAILABLE ON THESE NIGHTS

AWARD WINNING CASK ALES

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First drink is FREE for all Dads having a m,eal. Don)tforget to bring the kids) Introducing Curious Brew from Chapel Down Brewery, along with a large selection of premium Lagers

w.:ww.abergavennY,arms.co. UK

no m,atter how old they are!

64 � FOOD AND DRINK

Putting down some delicious Local food writer Mary Gwynn, author of titles that include The Busy Mum’s Cookbook and The WI 100 Years Cookbook, is a big champion of homegrown produce. Here she tells us why she is so passionate about sourcing good quality ingredients from the suppliers on her doorstep and includes some of her favourite seasonal and delicious recipes for you to create

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UNE is Kent Farmers’ Market Month and many in the county have been holding special events including tastings, cookery demonstrations, craft displays and much more so you can sample the very best the Garden of England produces.

As regulars will know well, Kent’s markets have far more to offer than just traditional fruit, vegetables and meat. Many sell fresh fish, game, handmade chocolates, cakes and an impressive range of ready-prepared dishes, homemade pasta sauces and vegetarian offerings.

And then there are the benefits of buying locally.

Not only will you get the chance to taste before you buy so you know exactly what you are getting, but by going directly to the source you can find out first-hand how the produce was grown or made.

Most producers will give you storing and cooking tips so you can really make the most of your purchase.

Remember that because you are buying locally and seasonally, pricing is likely to be competitive with the supermarkets – and often cheaper – so don’t fall for the idea that markets are an expensive luxury.

Wednesday 15th June 2016

The Kent Farmers’ Market patron is Michel Roux Jr, who was born in Pembury and grew up in Shipbourne. He says: “Markets don’t just offer fresh produce, meat and cheese, you’ll find stalls selling the freshest fish, speciality breads, delistyle pies, beer from the region’s growing number of microbreweries and a wide range of unusual jams and chutneys.”

Veg to look out for include crisp radishes, spring onions, spinach, and new potatoes. There are also early cucumbers, runner beans, spinach and courgettes, alongside all kinds of salad leaves.

The warmer weather also heralds the start of the great English soft fruit season. One of the great advantages of local markets is the chance to try some of the finer flavoured varieties, rather than the more robust berries grown to withstand the rigours of the supermarket supply chain which may not have the same flavour.

If your visit to the market coincides with a sunny weekend, plan the perfect picnic, with locallymade cheese, paté and a pie or Scotch egg. Then just add a freshly baked loaf of artisan bread, a bag of cherries, a bottle or two of a local beer, or chilled wine and you have all the makings of a feast….

Baked eggs with spinach Serves 2 or 4 (as a starter) Prep time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 10-12 minutes What you will need: 450g fresh spinach, washed 25g butter freshly grated nutmeg 4 large free-range eggs 4 tbsp double cream 4 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method: Preheat the oven to 190°C/fan oven 170°C/gas mark 5.

Tear the spinach leaves from their stalks and place in a large pan with any water from washing.

Cook, covered, for a couple of minutes until the spinach is wilted.

Drain thoroughly, pressing out any excess liquid, and then return to the pan with half the butter, nutmeg and seasoning.

Mix well.

Divide the spinach between two buttered shallow gratin dishes (or four large ramekins).

Make a well in the spinach, break in the eggs and season.

Spoon over the cream.

Sprinkle with the freshly grated Parmesan and dot with the remaining butter.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the eggs are just set.

Serve with crispy bread to mop up any juices.

FOOD AND DRINK 

Chicken pie Serves: 6 Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 1¾ hours What you will need: 1 good quality free-range chicken, about 1.5 kg stock vegetables (a carrot, onion, celery stick, leek all cut into chunks) a bay leaf, 6 peppercorns, sprig or two of fresh thyme 50g butter 1 medium onion, chopped 50g plain flour 50ml single cream or full-fat milk 3 tbsp chopped flat-leaved parsley 100g smoked ham, shredded 350g puff or shortcrust pastry made with butter beaten egg, to glaze salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method: Place the chicken in a large pan to fit snugly with the stock

vegetables. Pour over enough cold water to almost cover and a large pinch of salt.

Bring to the boil and then cover and simmer very gently for 45-50 minutes until the juices run clear when the thickest part of the leg is pierced with a skewer.

Cool in the stock for a really good moist finish. Strain the stock and measure out 600ml.

Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan oven 180°C/gas mark 6.

Melt the butter in a large nonstick pan and add the onion.

Cook gently for 3-4 minutes until soft and pale. Add the flour and stir for a minute to cook.

Off the heat gradually whisk in the hot stock then return to the heat and simmer, stirring until thick and smooth.

Stir in the cream, parsley and the seasoning.

Remove the chicken meat from the bones, discarding the skin.

Tear into pieces and mix with

the ham in the base of a 2-litre ovenproof dish or a roasting tin with a wide enough lip to hold the pastry.

Pour over the sauce (you can make the pie to this stage then cool and chill overnight).

Place an egg cup or funnel in the centre to support the pastry.

Roll out the pastry on a lightlyfloured surface to a rectangle 5cm larger than the dish.

Cut a strip of pastry about 1.5cm wide and place along the edge of the pie dish.

Brush the pastry edge on the dish with cold water then lift the pastry over and settle it gently over the filling.

Pinch around the edges to seal and make a hole in the centre to allow steam to escape.

Chill for 15 minutes to allow the pastry to rest then brush with beaten egg and bake for 45-50 minutes until crisp and golden.

Serve.

Gypsy creams Makes 16 Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 20-25 minutes

For the filling: 25g butter 50g icing sugar, sifted 1 tbsp cocoa powder few drops vanilla extract

What you will need: 50g butter

Method:

50g lard 50g caster sugar 100g self-raising flour, sifted 1 tbsp cocoa powder, sifted 50g rolled oats 2 tbsp golden syrup dissolved in 1 tbsp hot water

Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan oven 160°C/gas mark 4.

Cream together the butter, lard and sugar until pale and fluffy then slowly work in the flour, cocoa, oats and golden syrup.

Roll the mixture into balls the size of a large cherry.

Ensure your food has real market value THE theme for this year’s Kent Farmers’ Market Month is ‘bring a friend’ to encourage existing loyal shoppers to act as ambassadors for their local market by inviting along someone who has not yet experienced the joy of mooching around a market.

Michel Roux Jr says: “Word of mouth is the most credible marketing because who do you trust more than your own friends? So please invite someone who hasn’t been before to join you, and hopefully they will be converted by the quality of products and friendliness of producers.”

For details of special events plus locations and opening times visit www.kentfarmersmarkets.org.uk or follow @KentFarmers on Twitter.

Find your nearest market or one you’d like to go to by visiting: www.kfma.org.uk/FindAMarket.asp

Place on greased baking sheets and flatten with a fork dipped in water to stop it sticking to the dough.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until puffy and set.

Cool on the trays for 5 minutes then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

For the filling, cream the butter and work in the icing sugar.

Beat until light then beat in the chocolate powder and vanilla.

Use the filling to sandwich the biscuits together.

All recipes extracted from The WI Cookbook by Mary Gywnn (Ebury Press, hardback £20) Photography | Jan Baldwin

culinary roots

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Wednesday 15th June 2016

66 ■ ADVERTISING FEATURE

Tailored approach really works If you are looking to get your foot on the first step of the career ladder, or thinking about a change in profession, Office Angels can help steer you in the right direction. We find out how the recruitment consultancy on Mount Ephraim helps jobseekers securing the workplace roles they want Give us a brief history of Office Angels in Tunbridge Wells Office Angels has been established for 30 years.

The Tunbridge Wells branch opened in 2003 and provides companies in west Kent and East Sussex with temporary staff and permanent introductions. Although we’re part of a larger network of branches across the UK, we very much pride ourselves on working with local businesses, and the majority of our clients are SMEs. Our brand is very strong and we’ve always been very visual. This has ensured consistent candidate attraction over the years, and has certainly positioned us in the local market as the agency to go to.

What’s the appeal of temping or flexible working?

There are many reasons why people temp with us. They may be getting a new business off the ground and need additional income; students benefit from working for our clients in the holidays; or people wish to change careers and want to see what’s out there before committing to their next permanent step. As a temp, you provide us with your availability and we can offer relevant options. Some candidates only want to

Wednesday 15th June 2016

work a few days per week, while others may have external commitments and can therefore only work certain weeks, so it’s very flexible. As an Office Angels temp, you receive weekly pay and the dedicated support of a candidate consultant, which not all agencies have. We have incentives in place such as ‘Temp of the Month’ and temps’ lunches – activities that vastly improve our engagement with both our clients and our temps.

What services do you offer to the businesses you represent and the jobseekers who come to you?

We’re driven by quality, which is something that’s been a real breath of fresh air for jobseekers and local businesses who have previously received a ‘bums on seats’ service. We meet with every employer we work with to take the vacancy details, speak to the existing team and truly understand their business and working environment. We then advertise, telephone interview and interview all of our candidates face to face before submitting our shortlist, ensuring we’ve covered every single aspect of the role and the company with them.

And because every company and candidate is different, we’ll always take a tailored approach to everyone we work with.

MEET THE TEAM (L to R) Emma Harris, Melanie Harding, Rhiannon Whybra, Kristy Smith, Sarah Wise For someone who’s starting out or looking for a change, what’s the key to kick-starting a successful career?

If you’re just starting out, really think about what you want to do, and if you’re not sure, write down what you enjoy and what you’re good at.

Ensure your CV is clear, concise, easy to read and relevant. Highlight your achievements and add something that’s interesting to read, perhaps a little unique, but also relevant to the role you’re applying for. Submit a covering letter or supporting statement that matches the advert.

Highlight to that employer what skills you have that relate to what they need, and make it as easy as possible for them to receive your application and understand what you’ve done. Our biggest tip would be to talk to as many people in the

sector you want to work in as possible – ask questions, job shadow, or offer to temp for a particular company. Be open and flexible and gather as much information as you can about a job before making your decision on whether it’s right for you. Never overlook an opportunity, as you never know where it may take you.

When you meet with a candidate looking for a new position, how do you determine what sort of work they may suit so you successfully place them?

We spend a lot of time with our candidates, and this starts right at the beginning of their job search. First of all, we conduct telephone interviews to discover what they’re looking for and what experience and skillset they have

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

on-screen – your CV. Take the time to apply for the right things and craft a well-written covering letter or supporting statement. We often call candidates’ mobiles, but are unable to leave a message, so switch your voicemail on if you’re job searching and leave a personal voicemail message. At interview stage, lack of preparation and research lets people down; not being able to state some facts about the company, not thinking of examples to give in the interview such as teamwork, customer service or achievements, and not demonstrating why they’re interested in the role. Don’t go emptyhanded either – take the job description, notes you’ve made, employer references (if you have these) and questions you have with you in a neat folder and arrive suited and booted – dress for the job you want, not the job you’ve got!

SERVICE WITH A SMILE Melanie Harding

What can we expect to see from Office Angels in the future? How are you evolving in an ever-changing job market?

Office Angels constantly strives to be informative HEAVEN SENT and insightful, and has invested a lot of time Office Angel’s Tunbridge and research into the future of the workplace.

Wells office We speak to knowledgeable employers and candidates to listen to their predictions for the future, combined with our own understanding to ensure we can successfully place them. We of the changing recruitment market and then interview them face to face to draw out advances in working practices. We can give achievements, career highlights and areas they our clients and candidates the lowdown on excel in. We also establish what they want their virtual workplaces, offer employers some really next role to look like, which includes location, practical tips for keeping employees engaged salary, job responsibilities, team fit and training and motivated, and talk about the importance and progression. Different people want of maintaining communication skills in a future different things, but what’s really interesting that’s set to be heavily reliant on technology. is when someone walks through our doors; We’ve also looked at the freedom offered by that face to face meeting is crucial to flexible working, how this could spell the end understanding what makes someone tick of the traditional nine to five, and talk about and what type of opportunities we should the opportunities this opens up for a global be discussing with them. recruitment market. And because we’re big on the work/life balance, we also look at how all of In your experience, what are the these changes could mean you have to make a common mistakes people make during little more effort on the social side. the job hunt?

Only apply for roles that suit your skills Finally, what career is most in demand? and experience. With online applications The jobs market as a whole is becoming more being the most popular way to apply for candidate-led. Candidates in the IT, HR and positions, the selection process is based accountancy sectors are reported to receive on what the employer or agency sees multiple job offers during their search. We also see a demand for a well-thought-out recruitment process. This really determines your success in securing top talent, as candidates value speed and efficiency – for the modern-day jobseeker, it’s not uncommon to have multiple options, and

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‘Our brand is very strong and we’ve always been very visual. This has ensured consistent candidate attraction over the years’

WE CAN WORK IT OUT Rhiannon Whybra meets a client a slow and lengthy hiring process from one employer could point them towards another.

Candidates want a fast, flexible and fulfilling route to their next role, which also needs to offer job satisfaction, challenge, development and a good benefits package.

Office Angels Westcombe House, 2-4 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8AS 01892 614 242 www.office-angels.com tunbridgewells@office-angels.com

Wednesday 15th June 2016

68 n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Miramar make it an award-winning night to remember at national finals Team Miramar left sunny Kent and headed to the bright lights of Birmingham for the Great British Care Awards National Finals last month. Staff from the care home were in high spirits as this was the first time the Miramar had reached the National Finals

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ITH finalists in three categories hopes were high that at least one of the team would walk away with the title National Winner. The finalists were Darren Humby (General Manager) in Front Line Leader, Stephen VaughanAtkins (Hospitality Manager) in Nutrition and Hydration and Emma Berwick in Dementia Carer.

The team from Herne Bay arrived in Birmingham after a four and half hour journey. They were excited, nervous and confident. After a bite to eat in the hotel the team retired to their hotel rooms to meet up again ready for the awards.

The team eventually arrived at the International Convention Centre to join the other 792 guests for the Champagne reception.

Dinner was served and then the entertainment began. The tension in the room was palpable and rightly so, this was a big event with some extraordinary people in the room.

Just before 9.30pm the first award was announced and the national treasure, Christopher Biggins, was there to hand the awards out.

Stephen and Emma did not win the national final this time around and were both beaten by some very experienced and dedicated finalists. And so we were left with one. At 10.30pm the nominees for the award Front Line Leader were read out and all eyes were on the General Manager of the Miramar.

At 10.43 the announcement came that

Wednesday 15th June 2016

Darren Humby had won the National Final and as the presenter said, was deemed to be the best of the best Front Line Leader in the United Kingdom Care Industry. Naturally euphoria broke out, not just from the Miramar contingent, but all our colleagues at the event representing Signature Senior Lifestyle.

The award recognises all the hard work that Darren himself has put in at the Miramar along with massive team effort which all makes him proud to say that he is the General Manager of an Award Winning Care Home.

WINNING TEAM (L to R) Stephen Vaughan-Atkins, Emma Berwick and Darren Humby

ADVERTISING FEATURE �

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The Company SIGNATURE was launched in 2006 with a vision to create a superior alternative to the existing offering of residential and nursing care homes in the UK It aims to offer a select number of communities in which it provides a premium service that delivers a unique, thoughtful and sensitive response to the physical and emotional demands of needing both expert care and a happy, stimulating lifestyle in one’s senior years.

Most of its communities are registered care homes with nursing, but Signature sees them as communities where everyone enjoys luxurious accommodation, stimulating activities and amenities, excellent meals, reliable high-quality daily services such as housekeeping and laundry, care levels that are supportive but not institutionalised or clinical, and most importantly, the individual freedom to enjoy living independently, contentedly with friends and family close by.

The Signature group is expanding but never wants to be “big”. It wants to be the best at what it does, providing the highest standard in care home accommodation, services and resident wellbeing.

The final word goes to… Darren Humby Miramar’s General Manager There can be nothing more important than ensuring our most vulnerable in society are cared for in a manner which is kind, compassionate and offers them a safe and trusting environment which meets all of their needs. The role of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is to inspect services to reassure the public that this is exactly the type of care which is being delivered. The Miramar has recently been inspected and received an overall ‘Good’ rating which is a real testament to the hard work undertaken by the staff, and shows that we are providing just that type of service to our 70 residents. The Miramar has evolved beyond recognition over the decades from a pub, to a hotel then to a small care home right through to

the large and sophisticated care home that we are now.

The Miramar is not just a care home it is an experience, able to provide our residents, some who are still driving and live here as a lifestyle choice, couples who move in together to ensure that they experience the independence they desire whilst knowing that if needed there is a vast support network ready to react, through to residents who require nursing and dementia care.

The key to our success is that the residents have a massive say in how their care home is run and are able to let us know what they want to see happening. This at times is a real challenge for us, luckily my team are fully committed to solving any challenge laid

‘The key to our success is that the residents have a massive say in how their care home is run and are able to let us know what they want’

down. The key to overall success is believing that there is nothing more complicated in being able to provide care at the highest level than staff who are committed to delivering the kind of care that they would want to receive themselves, believing that good is in fact just not good enough and always wanting to be outstanding.

I took over as the General Manager of the Miramar in February of this year having been the Care Services Manager for over a year, having a varied and extensive nursing career I once upon a time could not have imagined working in a care home let alone feeling that this is the best job I have had in my career thus far. Achieving a ‘Good’ rating was great but now everyday our goal is to be ‘outstanding’ in everything we do.

Wednesday 15th June 2016

70 n LIFE AND STYLE NEW ITALIAN TRATTORIA We would love to invite you to visit us, you will find a variety of appetizers and drinks to welcome you to our establishment.

La Follia, where all our food is homemade and created fresh, every day, using only the finest ingredients imported from Italy.

We also have a great variety of cold cut meats and cheeses from different regions of Italy, all at reasonable prices.

All our pasta and sauces are made fresh on site every day just like mamma used to make.

Also, upon request, on top of our menu we can make any Italian dish that is not on the menu, with prior notice.

Myself, Sara, and Tony were both born in Italy and have grown up in the restaurant and hospitality environment. We will be there to greet you and give you an unbelievable experience every time.

NEW SOLUTION FOR HARD-TO-SELL PROPERTIES

We offer take away, private parties and functions upon request, lunches and dinner as well as party catering with prior notice. We support local businesses and producers in the area by using their fresh and seasonal produce .

Myself and Tony would like to welcome you and promise that everything here is made with passion and love.

Grazie from Sara and Tony!

QUESTIONS TO ASK ON SELECTING YOUR ESTATE AGENT When choosing an Estate Agent, Lynne Fermor from Ellis & Co, Tonbridge brings you the following suggestions and questions that should help you select the best Agent to sell your home.

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE! Let's put our love of grey on hold this summer and bring colour, light and vibrancy into our homes!

Everyone loves a good spring clean which often leads into decorating throughout the summer months. This time of year it is all about light, happiness and fun so lets incorporate these themes in your colour schemes!

The best things for letting in natural light are soft, floating voiles; as well as letting in the natural light they give the room an elegant and soft feel. These paired with a simple wave heading deliver a stunning look that is perfect for the summer months and will tease you with their slight Mediterranean feel.

Understandably people can be a little afraid of using colour but by daring to use coloured bottom edges or panels you can turn something nice into something extraordinary. This will also give you a colour to focus on when purchasing soft furnishings and accessories; completing the room and giving it that seamless look.

"My favourite collection's for summer are: -Cassano from Designers Guild -Landscapes from Harlequin -Saphira from Romo All three of these bring gentle colour into rooms without being too over bearing. Let's take a step back from the the plains, whites and greys and bring the sunshine into our lives everyday".

Design Manager expert Ross Watson, Teasel Fabrics and Interiors.

Wednesday 15th June 2016

A great incentive to use a particular Estate Agent is through personal recommendation.

Ask friends and family or neighbours what experiences they have had. Anyone who has had a good experience with an Agent is worth listening to, because this can cut out a lot of the searching and the mistakes that could be made.

It is likely that you will invite a few Estate Agents round your home for a valuation before you decide on which one to select.

During the valuations, make sure you ask each Agent how they have arrived at the valuation. They should be able to offer a detailed answer for the valuation with comparisons of other properties, and this level of detail will give you an indicator of their expertise and confidence in selling your property.

Always ask the Estate Agent if they have sold similar properties, have a good local knowledge and how they propose to market your home. Be sure to ask if it will be listed on the major national search portals, for example Rightmove and On the Market, to gain maximum exposure. Get the Agent to show you their brochure to judge the professionalism of their product.

Office positioning on a High Street can also play a part with advertising your property in their window.

The fees an Estate Agent charges is often based on local competition. Although one Estate Agent might have a lower fee, they may not be able to help you achieve the result you want.

Ask your Agent to explain the terms and the length of the contract, as you do not want to be tied into a protracted one.

Hopefully the above questions will have been answered to your satisfaction, then quite simply at the end of the day remember that you will be dealing with your Agent on a regular basis and you should be confident that they are knowledgeable and that you can trust in their ability to sell your home.

Trying to sell a rundown property or one with structural defects can be problematic. So SJD Estates have come up with a bespoke solution – and they don’t charge a selling fee!

THE PROBLEM Most people want a home they can move into straight away. If you’ve got a probate property, or one with structural defects or that simply needs a lot of TLC, trying to find the right buyer can be hard.

A UNIQUE SOLUTION SJD have come up with a solution that is set to change the estate agency sector for people with properties requiring improvement or redevelopment. And best of all: they don’t charge for the service!

ACCESS TO THE RIGHT BUYERS SJD Estates have a huge database of developers, investors and people looking for ‘projects’. Most of them are cash or well-funded buyers.

SAVING YOU TIME SJD Estates’ services mean you don’t have to waste your time and money doing up your property to put it on the market.

MAXIMISING YOUR RETURNS SJD Estates apply their wealth of experience to secure you the best buyer, to make your sale as simple as possible and help you get the best return from your property.

ESTABLISHED EXPERTISE SJD Estates is a subsidiary of SJD Projects, an established land and development consultancy acting on behalf of clients in the sale and acquisition of all development projects throughout the South East.

Saving property owners time.

Helping them make money.

0845 456 8969 steve@sjd-projects.com

WITH THE

THE TOWN’S TOP MOTORING GUIDE – FROM EVERYDAY DRIVES TO LUXURY SUPERCARS

By Matt Kimberley WHAT’S NEW? From the concept to the end product, the Edge is a new thing. It’s Ford of Europe’s first large SUV, based on Mondeo undergarments, but with fourwheel-drive, two powerful diesel engines (with more under consideration) and a new, premium shtick with which the American company wants to poke the German luxury brands.

It’s part of the OneFord programme, so it’s built in North America and exported all over the globe with minor changes to suit different markets. We awkward Europeans with our bumpy B-roads and our derestricted autobahns had a big say in how the suspension and handling were tuned.

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

FIRST DRIVE: FORD EDGE

LOOKS AND IMAGE If you’re thinking it looks a bit ‘’Murican’ (American) in the photos, you’re not alone. But the blocky styling and slightly in-your-face dark wheels and detailing of the range-topping Sport model sing a pretty good tune in the metal. The Titanium model is a bit more reserved; a bit more middle-of-the-road. It’s improbably wide, though, with a high and highly-shaped bonnet, so it looks even bigger than it actually is.

While the build and materials quality is for the most part a big step up for Ford, it’s competing with S line Audi Q5s and mid-grade BMW X3s.

Even the entry-level Jaguar F-Pace is a rival. Next to those badges, the Blue Oval can’t really compete.

SPACE AND PRACTICALITY Where the Edge scores points is for its clever design, which squeezes loads of usefulness into its 4.8-metre length. It has bag hooks in the boot, a spare wheel, a cabin wide enough for three kids to sit side by side on bean bags and enough clever storage spaces to make it a nightmare for customs officials at border crossings.

The amount of empty air around the front seats is amazing. Even the current Mr Universe wouldn’t have shoulders broad enough to fill the width.

Including the stubby mirrors, the Edge is well over two metres wide, and it feels it on the road, but it does create an implausibly spacious cabin.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

WHO WOULD BUY ONE?

Driven back-to-back, the more powerful diesel offers noticeably more low-down punch. The twinclutch automatic gearbox helps make the most of that, too, only kicking down when your throttle pedal inputs clearly ask for it. The 2.0-litre diesel might not be the most refined on the market, but Ford’s soundproofing and standard-fit Active Noise Control suppress wind and road noise like you wouldn’t believe. The quiet at motorway speeds (and beyond) is uncanny.

The Sport’s variable ratio steering is frustrating, as is every other system like it. Approach the same corner at different speeds and you’ll need two entirely different steering inputs to negotiate it.

The standard set-up is slower to turn the car, but feels more consistent, despite a strong urge to self-centre. Neither transmits any meaningful road feel.

Sport models have a harder suspension system that permits less body roll but rides with a jiggly edge on its 20-inch wheels that’s missing from the Titanium and its 19s.

As a trade-off, the Sport feels more planted in corners, and has the more supportive seats for the job.

Clearly a Ford enthusiast, of which there are many, will look at the Edge as a proper family car.

And it is. It’s America-big, so feels a bit wide for a lot of minor European roads, but the amount of space and practicality is incredible. If the German options just don’t light your candle, the Edge offers a new choice.

THIS CAR SUMMED UP IN A SINGLE WORD: Stable.

IF THIS CAR WAS A...: mythical figure it might be Hercules – broad, steadfast and boasting many strengths.

‘Where the Edge scores points is for its clever design’ VALUE FOR MONEY The model to go for is the Titanium with the Lux pack, the more powerful engine and the automatic gearbox, although to create it you also need to add the full-fat and rather bass-heavy Sony stereo system. All of a sudden it’s a £37,000 car. Add LED headlights for another £1,000 on top of that and the panoramic roof is £800. Suddenly, the £40,000 barrier is within fairly easy reach. Ouch.

FACTS AT A GLANCE PRICE: Ford Edge 2.0 Duratorq 210PS AWD Titanium, from £34,495

PERFORMANCE: Top speed 131mph, 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds

ENGINE: Four-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 207bhp and 332lb/ft

ECONOMY: 48.9mpg (19-inch wheels)

TRANSMISSION: Six-speed automatic driving all four wheels

EMISSIONS: 149g/km (19-inch wheels)

Wednesday 15th June 2016

MASERATI GHIBLI DIESEL. FROM £399 A MONTH +VAT.* You kno w you ha ve always wanted to own a Maserati. Now there is absolutely nothing to hold you back.

The Ghibli Diesel is every inch a Maserati, featuring a gorgeous, coupe-like silhouette, luxury leather interior and with its economical yet potent diesel engine, 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, there are also plent y of rational reasons to justify your decision.

MASE RAT I

MOTORLINE MASERATI MAIDSTONE BIR CHOLT ROAD, MAID STONE, ME15 9XY Phone : 0162 2 616 LQL,

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Web : www. motorline .eo .uk / ma s erati

www. ma s erati .co .uk

Offi cial fuel cons umpti on fi gur es for t he Mase rati Gh ibl i Di esel in mpg llitres/100 km] : Urban 36 .7 17.71, Extr a Urban 57.6 li.j .9], Comb ined l.j7_9 15.91. C0 2 em iss ions on comb ined cycle : 158 g/km . Fuel consumption and CO, figures are based on standard EU tests for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. *BUSINESS USERS ONLY. Model shown is Maserati Ghibli Diesel MY16 V6d ljdr Auto. Contract Hire payment profile of £/j,788 +VAT in advance, followed by 35 monthly rentals of £399 +VAT. Rentals shown above exclude maintenance and are based on 8,000 miles per annum. Excess mileage charge apply. Finance subject to status. Guarantees and indemnities may be required, we work with a number creditors including Maserati Financial Services. Vehicles must be registered with FCA Fleet Services UK Ltd by 30th June 2016. PO Box lj590, Slough, Berkshire SU OWU.

MOTORING NEWS ■

Volvo drives cars in a daring new direction VOLVO has revealed two new compact car concepts that show the company’s near-future return to form.

Built on a new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) specifically designed for smaller cars, Volvo claims the 40.1 and 40.2 concepts are forerunners to ‘bold and daring new directions’.

It is understood that the new series will use variations on the ‘40’ nameplate.

The 40.1 is a compact SUV, with hidden rear door handles hinting at a sporting ambition. Its sister car, the 40.2, is a four-door saloon that appears to ride higher than normal equivalents, suggesting that Volvo may be biasing towards crossover and SUV-inspired vehicles.

Among the forthcoming compact ranges will be a pure battery-powered car as well as plug-in hybrid options. The

73

CHECK YOUR TYRES For everyone’s safety

company wants to have sold a million electric and part-electric cars by 2025.

Plus Volvo is claiming that the cars will have ‘the world’s most advanced standard package of safety features’ – a bold claim given the competition.

“The new 40-series cars have the potential to improve our market penetration in an important growing segment,” said Hakan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars. “An electric powertrain program, including both a new compact Twin Engine plug-in hybrid and a pure electric car, are central to the CMA architecture.”

He added that the first new 40 series car is expected to go into production in 2017.

Get pumped for the holidays

ELECTRIC! The Volvo 40.1 Compact SUV

CARAVAN owners are being urged to check mobile homes tyres ahead of the summer holidays.

Bridgestone, the world’s largest tyre maker, has issued advice to caravan owners to help make sure they have a safe trip, wherever they’re going.

In particular, when a caravan or trailer tent is only moved once or twice a year, the tyres can develop ‘flat spots’, where the rubber deforms due to the weight pressing down on the same point for an extended period. This can severely impact safety at higher speeds.

Another consideration is that all vehicle tyres should be replaced after ten years from new, regardless of appearance, apparent condition or tread depth remaining. Rubber degrades over time and becomes less grippy.

Bridgestone’s Business Development Director Stuart Jackson, who is also Chairman of TyreSafe, said that motorists should look for any sign of age deterioration in the tyres such as sidewall cracking and carcass deformation.

He said: “Whatever tyres are fitted to the towing car, caravan, trailer tent or motorhome, it is essential to the safety and stability of the combination that all tyres are correctly inflated for the applied load.

“Tyres that are driven under-inflated for extended periods are more likely to suffer from rapid wear, which could lead to a sudden and rapid deflation, causing loss of control. Debris left on the carriageway after a tyre failure could prove hazardous for other motorists.”

Wednesday 15th June 2016

74 n MOTORING

£199 _ PERMONTW

£1,500 JEEP DEPOSIT CONTRIBUTION

0°/o APR REPRESENTATIVE Why live with a4x2 when you can drive a 4x4 from the original and mosf awar-ded SUV brand on tne planet? Crowned 4x4 of the year for 2016, the Jeep Renegade 4x4 can now be yours for the price of a 4x2 with acustomer saving of £1,390'.

Combine legendary 4x4 capability, along with cutting edge-technology and 5Star Euro NCAP safety rating for just £199 per month'.

4X4EVER

MODEL SHOWN JEEP RENEGADE 2. 0 LONGITUDE 4WD AT £24.495 INCLUDING SPECIAL PASTEL PAINT AT £600. OFFICIAL FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURES FOR JEEP RENEGADE RANGE MPG [L/lOOKMl: EXTRA URBAN 47.9[5.9] - 70 .6[4.01. URBAN 32. 5 [8.7] - 55.4[5 .1J. COMBINED 40.9[6.9] - 64 .2 [4.4 J. C01EMISSIONS: 16 0- 115 G/KM. Fuel consumption and CO, figures are obtained for comparative purposes in accordance with EC directives/regulations and may not be representative of real-life driving conditions. 'See jeep.co.uk for price comparison. tCustomer deposit is £4.455. Jeep Deposit is £1 .500. Total Oeposit £5 .955. Optional Final Payment is £11.573. Contract Term is 14 months. Promotion available on selected stock of Jeep Renegade 1.0 MultiJet 140hp Longitude 4WO at £14.495 including Special Pastel Paint registered by 30th June 1016. Participating dealers only. Jeep Oeposit Contribution only available in conjunction with Jeep Horizon PCP. With Jeep Horizon you have the option to return the vehicle and not pay the final payment . subject to the vehicle not having exceeded an agreed annual mileage [a charge of 9p per mile for exceeding 10.000 miles per annum in this example[ and being in good condition . Finance subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Terms and Conditions apply. Jeep Financial Services. PO Box 4465. Slough . SLI ORW. Jeep®is aregistered trademark of FCA US LLC.

Wednesday 15th June 2016

MOTORING n

75

THE ALL-NEW FORD GALAXY The All-New Ford Galaxy redefines the travelling experience, providing highly flexible seating for up to seven.

NEW FORD GALAXY TITANIUM 2.0 TDCI 5DR 150PS

- £385* PER MONTH - £1,865 SAVING ON RRP

- 2.9°/o APR LIMITED STOCK UNITS ONLY

Lifesty tf'.cio rd

V

Your journey starts here

www.lifestyleford.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells 01892 739131

Tonbridge 01732 758 726

KentTN 48AG

Kent TN 9 lTN

Offi cia l fue l consumpt ion f igures in mpg (11100km) for t he Ford Galaxy ra nge: urban 30.l (9.4) - 47.9 (5.9), extra urban 48.7 (5.8) - 57.6 (4.9), combin ed 39.8 (7.1 ) - 54.3 (5.2) . Offi cia l CO, em issions 189-l39g/km .

The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results, are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience. Based on limited stock vehicles only and must be ordered and registered between 01.04.16 and 30.06.16. *Finance example shown available over a finance period of 49 months with £2,000.00 customer deposit. Amount of credit £26,825.00. Charge for credit £2,163.88. Finance Facility fee £10. Purchase Fee £10. Total amount payable £31,008.88. Optional final payment £10,518.00. 2.9% APR, 6,000 miles per annum, excess mileage charged at 8p per mile. When financed with Ford Credit. Finance subject to status. Other charges for metallic paint and extra factory options. Must be over 18 and a full UK resident. Guarantees/indemnities may be required. Freepost Ford Credit.

Prices correct at time of going to print and are subject to change without notice. Subject to availability at Lifestyle Ford. Lifestyle Ford reserves the right to amend or withdraw offers at any time and without notice. Lifestyle Ford Head Office 3 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 SAG. Images for illustration purposes only, metallic paint available at an extra cost.

Our premises are lacated at Kingstanding Way Business Park in Tunbridge Wells.

We invite all new and seasoned enthusiasts to visit us today to find out more about our classic car restoration services.

We will use our experience to advise you on the best way to restore your classic, vintage or collectible car, and help you to revive its past glories.

• Fram full graund up reslaralian la summer check aver • Specialist mig and lig welding • Full engine and gearbax rebuilds • We can lacale hard la find parts, • In hause machining facilities • Vapaur blasting • Everything yau need la care far yaur classic car ...

moT

• Baak yaur

anline

with us

. -·, .,

Contact details: H-Engineering Unit 12, 2, Kingstanding Way, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3UP 01892 549 042

I

www.h-engineering.com

Wednesday 15th June 2016

-----

• MINI ONE 3-DOOR HATCH. MONTHLY RENTAL £189.99 (PLUS £189.99 INITIAL RENTAL 1) MINI COOPER CLUBMAN. MONTHLY RENTAL £259 (PLUS £259 INITIAL RENTAL 2) MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. MONTHLY RENTAL £269 (PLUS £269 INITIAL RENTAL 3) CONTACT COOPER TONBRIDGE TODAY. Cooper Tonbridge Brook Farm, Five Oak Green Road, Tonbridge TNl 1 OQN Tel: 01892 628646 www.coopertonbridgemini.co.uk Official Fuel Economy Figures for the MINI Range: Urban 26.4-72.4 mpg (10.7-3.91/lOOkm). Extra Urban 44.8-91.1 mpg (6.3-3.11/lOOkm). Combined 35.8-83.1 mpg (7.9-3.4 1/lOOkm). C0 2 Emissions 184-89 g/km.

Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.

1

Price shown is for a 48 month Personal Contract Hire agreement for a MINI One 3-door Hatch, with a contract mileage of 32,000 miles and excess mileage charge of 3.41p per mile. 2Price shown is for a 48 month Personal Contract Hire agreement for a MINI Cooper Clubman, with a contract mileage of 32,000 miles and excess mileage charge of 4.52p per mile. 3Price shown is for a 48 month Personal Contract Hire agreement for a MINI Cooper Convertible, with a contract mileage of 32,000 miles and excess mileage charge of 4.27p per mile. Applies to new vehicles ordered between 1 April 2016 and 30 June 2016 and registered by 30 September 2016 (subject to availability). Retail customers only. At the end of your agreement you must return the vehicle. Excess mileage, vehicle condition and other charges may be payable. Hire available subject to status to UK residents aged 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Terms and conditions apply. Offer may be varied, withdrawn or extended at any time. Hire provided by MINI Financial Services, Summit ONE, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 OFB. Inchcape Retail Ltd, trading as The Cooper Group commonly introduce customers to a selected panel of lenders including MINI Financial Services. We may receive commission or other benefits for introducing you to such lenders. This introduction does not amount to independent financial advice.

78 � PUZZLES DOUBLE CROSSWORD Down 1. What he learns is legal, of course (7,2,3) 2. Limb of learner, for example (3) 3. He has a chore to sort out (6) 4. Fail to get the ball back at tennis, but still show clear profit (3,6) 5. Rub out part of the answer as erroneous (5) 6. Close relative isn’t far from the story (4,8) 7. Boy takes the French spoon (5) 10. The compiler is a Communist - the dog!

(3,6) 13. Rat is on the move (5) 14. Make known that I am to have a role (6) 16. Talked of part of a wheel (5) 20. Going East on foot, perhaps (3) Scribble pad

CRYPTIC CLUES: Across 1. On one’s own but having unmarried workers? (6,6) 7. Kingly backing for drink (5) 8. Annoy 17 with directions (5) 9. Aim at the last moment (3) 10. Shady dealer playing tennis?

(9) 11. Finish in attempt to be fashionable (6)

Wednesday 15th June 2016

12. The dog made a meal of the cleric! (6) 15. Farm hen is used by angler (9) 17. Beverage made from chocolate and coffee (3) 18. Concerning a boxing match (5) 19. Following nearer the back (5) 21. Hush-hush striker (6,6)

WORD SPIRAL Starting from 1, fill in the grid clockwise with four-letter words. The last letter of each word becomes the first letter of the next to reveal the key word in the shaded boxes.

1. Vend 1 2 3 2. Ear part 9 10 3. Public school 4. Sheltered place 14 15 5. Pavement edge 8 11 4 6. Carry 7. Moneyed 16 8. Circular band 13 12 9. Poke 10. Information 7 6 5 11. Slightly open 12. Tear Keyword clue: A coarse fabric 13. Far down 14. Knitting stitch 15. Speech defect 16. Go by

SUDOKU

QUICK CLUES:

Across 1. Peerless (12) 7. Dissuade (5) 8. Amulet (5) 9. Observe (3) 10. Right (9) 11. Dislike (6) 12. Discard (6) 15. Handling (9) 17. Manage (3) 18. Frequently (5) 19. Insinuate (5) 21. Freedom (12)

Down 1. Drawing (12) 2. Rug (3) 3. Skilful (6) 4. Designer (9) 5. Depart (5) 6. Impudence (12) 7. Attire (5) 10. Contrition (9) 13. Premature (5) 14. Determine (6) 16. Consumed (5) 20. Cushion (3)

PUZZLES 

ENTERTAINMENT QUIZ

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 14

R

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

15

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O

1.

Historian Lucy Worsley and which Strictly Come Dancing judge hosted the recent threepart BBC4 documentary Dancing Cheek to Cheek: an Intimate History of Dance?

2.

Hermione Norris and Jill Halfpenny are among the stars of which drama about motherhood, now in its second series on BBC1?

3.

Magic of the Waltz is the title of the latest album from which famous violinist?

4. Which new film stars Josh Duhamel as lawyer Ben, who takes on a case against a large pharmaceutical company?

5.

Which 1990s TV drama was set in the 1920s and starred Louise Lombard and Stella Gonet as fashion designer sisters Evangeline and Beatrice?

6.

Panda is the title of the recent debut single from which US rapper?

7.

Which 1974 disaster movie starred Steve McQueen as San Francisco fire chief Mike O’Halloran?

8. Which celebrity railway enthusiast hosted a recent Channel 4 documentary series on Britain’s Secret Stations?

9.What was former EastEnders actress Martine McCutcheon’s only Number One hit, in April 1999?

10.Which actor is playing late track and field athlete Jesse Owens in the new biographical sports film Race?

11.Cillian Murphy has returned as gangster Tommy Shelby in a new series of which BBC2 drama?

12. Which family pop act’s hits of the 1970s included Wanted and The Chosen Few? 13. Which 1984 film was based on a novel by Bernard Malamud and starred Robert Redford as baseball player Roy Hobbs?

14. Who is the host of the BBC1 daytime show Neighbour-hood Blues?

15. What was the title of US singer Scott McKenzie’s only UK Number One hit, in July 1967?

WORD SPIRAL: 1 Sell; 2 Lobe; 3 Eton; 4 Nook; 5 Kerb; 6 Bear; 7 Rich; 8 Hoop; 9 Prod; 10 Data; 11 Ajar; 12 Rend; 13 Deep; 14 Purl; 15 Lisp; 16 Pass.

Keyword: HESSIAN CODEWORD: 1=R, 2=S, 3=H, 4=V, 5=N, 6=K, 7=L, 8=I, 9=T, 10=B, 11=D, 12=C, 13=O, 14=Q, 15=Y, 16=P, 17=G, 18=F, 19=U, 20=M, 21=W, 22=Z, 23=E, 24=A, 25=X, 26=J ENTERTAINMENT QUIZ: 1 Len Goodman; 2 In the Club; 3 André Rieu; 4 Misconduct; 5 The House of Eliott; 6 Desiigner; 7 The Towering Inferno; 8 Paul Merton; 9 Perfect Moment; 10 Stephan James; 11 Peaky Blinders; 12 The Dooleys; 13 The Natural; 14 Rav Wilding; 15 San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair); SUDOKU:

Codeword is the crossword puzzle with no clues. The number in each square corresponds to a letter. Work out the words in the grid using the letters provided. Fill in these known letters first, then use skill and judgement to work out the others.

SOLUTIONS

DOUBLE CROSSWORD: Cryptic: Across: 1 Single handed; 7 Lager; 8 Tease; 9 End; 10 Racketeer; 11 Trendy; 12 Curate; 15 Fisherman; 17 Tea; 18 About; 19 After; 21 Secret weapon. Down: 1 Student of law; 2 Leg; 3 Horace; 4 Net return; 5 Erase; 6 Near relation; 7 Ladle; 10 Red setter; 13 Astir; 14 Impart; 16 Spoke; 20 Toe. Quick: Across: 1 Incomparable; 7 Deter; 8 Charm; 9 See; 10 Privilege; 11 Resent; 12 Reject; 15 Treatment; 17 Run; 18 Often; 19 Imply; 21 Independence. Down: 1 Illustration; 2 Mat; 3 Adroit; 4 Architect; 5 Leave; 6 Impertinence; 7 Dress; 10 Penitence; 13 Early; 14 Decide; 16 Eaten; 20 Pad.

CODEWORD

79

Wednesday 15th June 2016

80 � RECRUITMENT

WITH THE

FIND YOUR PERFECT JOB TODAY – A MUST READ FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR WORK LOCALLY

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

Fill your vacancy now in print or online.

For more information contact Jordanne Reville 01892 576049

NOT REALLY FITTING IN? SOMETIMES YOUR CURRENT POSITION JUST DOESN’T FEEL RIGHT...

FIND YOUR DREAM JOB WITH THE TIMES

Junior Account Manager – OTE £30k per annum One Media UK Ltd, part of the award-winning Markerstudy Group, is currently looking to attract up and coming commercial talent to work with new and existing clients across its publishing portfolio.

As part of a very successful and dynamic team, you will be responsible for developing and implementing a successful sales strategy, achieving the agreed revenue targets both weekly and monthly in allocated categories.

You will ensure targets are exceeded and will maintain successful relationships with key accounts through clients directly and via agencies.

Selling across both newspaper and magazine, brands in print and online, you will establish and maintain strong commercial relationships and maximise revenues.

This role requires a positive, resilient, pro-active and often creative approach to ensure success. You will be working closely with more experienced team members to develop your career in advertising.

For the right individuals, we offer attractive salary and benefits packages, along with strong career progression opportunities.

For more details and to apply for this exciting role, please contact Anna Hawkins with your CV: ahawkins@markerstudy.com

One Media UK Ltd is part of the Markerstudy Group of companies.

Wednesday 15th June 2016

RECRUITMENT n

81

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PLACE AN ADVERT CONTACT OUR SALES DEPARTMENT ON 01892 779624

“

“

After just one day of the newspaper being out, our recruitment advert had received a great response from potential candidates; three of which we now have at interview stage. We will certainly use the Times of Tunbridge Wells for future recruitment adverts.

John Haynes, Partner, Belvoir Tunbridge Wells

Wednesday 15th June 2016

82  WHAT’S ON SEVEN DAYS OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE

WHATS ON WITH THE

Eileen Leahy

Local events >> WEDNESDAY The Tunbridge Wells Over Fifties Forum (TWOFF) is an organisation that exists to give a voice to the older people of the borough, keeping decision makers in touch with seniors’ needs and helping make improvements to local transport, healthcare and the public realm. They meet today at 2.30pm at St Augustine’s Church Hall on Crescent Road in order to celebrate their seventh anniversary and to commemorate The Queen’s 90th birthday – so members are encouraged to dress in red, white and blue! New Mayor David Neve will be present and cream teas will be on offer. If you’re interested in joining the group please call Denise Watts on 01892 518 951.

Graeme of Thrones is on at the Assembly Hall theatre at 8pm. This satirical take on the modern day phenomenon that is Game of Thrones follows avid fan Graeme as he tries to recreate his favourite fantasy drama with his best friend Paul and unrequited love Bryony – with a mere fraction of the TV show’s lavish budget and cast. Tickets cost £18 (plus booking fee) at: www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk In celebration of The Queen’s big birthday, the award-winning National Theatre production of The Audience is being screened at the EM Forster Theatre at Tonbridge School at 7pm. Starring Helen Mirren, the drama centres around what goes on in the weekly private meetings Her Majesty has with each current Prime Minister. Having been on the throne for 60 years, an impressive 12 of them have served under Queen Elizabeth II. Tickets cost £14 and are available from: www.boxoffice. tonbridge-school.co.uk >> THURSDAY Antiques Roadshow will be at Ightham Mote, near Sevenoaks, from 9.30am today so bring along your vintage treasures

Wednesday 15th June 2016

If you would like to see your events featured in our weekly What’s On pages please email info@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

and quirky car boot finds for a chance to have them valued by the popular BBC show’s team of experts. You might even catch its host Fiona Bruce.

Booking isn’t required, but to ensure entry get there in plenty of time.

The Moonlight Drive-in Cinema rolls into the Hop Farm tonight with a screening of the classic Patrick Swayze movie Dirty Dancing. Starting at 9.45pm, this celluloid classic will have you singing and dancing into the night. For ticket details visit: www.moonlightcinema.com Tonight at Trinity Theatre, art lovers will have the opportunity to enjoy a screening of the film Leonardo Milan It da Vinci: The Genius in Milan. focuses on the major exhibition put on by Milan’s Palazzo Reale last year which brought together all of the famous artist’s work, including La Belle Ferronniere (above). As well as examining the oeuvres of Italy’s most famous artist, who was also a botanist, scientist and architect, it features many experts discussing his world famous paintings and sculptures.

LADY IN RED Helen Mirren as The Queen

>> FRIDAY At 7.30pm the Tonbridge Art Group will meet at Tonbridge School sports centre. There will be a special talk by Bryan

Davies on the artistic influence of the Camden Town Group collection of pre-First World War impressionist painters. Tickets cost £5 to attend the event, or you can join the Tonbridge Art Group for an annual fee of £35. For more information visit: www.tonbridgeartgroup.pbworks.com IN TENTS >> SATURDAY EXPERIENCE Pembury School is hosting a Sounds of Summer Tonbridge open air concert this afternoon from 2 until 6pm Carnival is on in place of its usual summer fair. Supported

by The Acoustic Reverb Collective, which helps Community Centre, where the organisation houses to raise funds for various charities, the school five of its different organs. Fortnightly on Fridays will also welcome bands such as locals The Big it welcomes its members to come along and play a Squeeze and its very own drumming club and couple of pieces on them for a fee of £2, and once choir. Visitors can also browse the many stalls every two months it invites a professional organist offering everything from delicious food and drink to play. Tickets are available on the door from 2pm to tombolas and glitter tattoos. Entrance is free and cost £5 for members and £6 for non-members. but donations to the school are welcome.

The annual Tonbridge Summer Carnival takes Today at 2pm local natural history expert Dr Ian place today. Organised by the Tonbridge Lions Beavis will lead the first Bee Walk over Tunbridge Club, it has been going for 30 years and is always Wells Common as part of National Insect Week. a fantastic event that people of all ages enjoy.

This free event aims to help people to identify the Aside from the colourful parades and live music by different varieties of wild bees and their habitats musicians from all over the world, there will also and ways in which they can be encouraged into be lots of fun children’s activities, delicious our own gardens. The Common is the food stalls and classic cars on display. perfect environment for bees to frequent For more information visit: thanks to its variety of grassland, www.tonbridgelions.co.uk heathland and rocky terrain. The MONSTER’S BALL As it’s Father’s Day, why not treat walk begins at the Fir Tree Road car Oddly is on at dad to a steam train ride on one of park and booking in advance is St Luke’s Kent & East Sussex’s Railway’s vintage recommended. Call: 01892 554 171 beauties. Taking in the stunning for more details. scenery between Tenterden and Norwich Puppet Theatre are Bodiam stations, he can enjoy either a putting on a performance of Oddly hearty ploughman’s lunch or indulgent at St Luke’s Church Hall at 4pm. This cream tea. Tickets cost £27.50 and interpretation of the much loved include a surprise gift for each dad. Prechildren’s book by Joyce Dunbar booking is essential: www.kesr.org.uk promises to be a visual treat thanks to the imaginative sets, emotive >> MONDAY music and colourful puppets, who tell Every day until the end of this month there will the tale of four friends who find unusual ways to be a photographic exhibition at the Daily Bread make their hopes, wishes and dreams come true. bakery on Rusthall High Street, showcasing a Tickets cost £3 for adults and £2 for children. For cluster of photographers’ work. Most of them are more information visit: www.applause.org.uk from the village and some are also renowned for their photographic work all over the world. Artists >> SUNDAY exhibiting include Seamus A Ryan, Sam Christmas The Kent & Sussex Organ & and Denise Dallender, who is appearing in an Keyboard Club hosts a recital by official show for the first time. professional musician Chris Tonight the Tonbridge Folk Club meets at The Powell this afternoon at Foresters Arms in Tonbridge. The session, which 2.30pm. The concert takes features Na-Mara, runs from 8 until 11pm and place at the Southborough

WHAT’S ON 

See Lee Willz on Friday at The Forum

A ROUND-UP OF THIS WEEK’S MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS SPANISH SIREN See The Barber of Seville

all musicians and singers are welcome. For more information see the club’s official website at: www.tonbridge folkclub.org

>> TUESDAY Tonight at various venues in the area, including Trinity, Odeon cinema and Hawkhurst’s Kino, there will be a live screening from Glyndebourne of Rossini’s Barber of Seville. Conducted by Enrique Mazzola and featuring the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Glyndebourne Chorus, this famous comedic opera centres on Figaro, the cunning barber, who uses every trick he can to ensure his master gets his chosen bride, Rosina.

She, however, has other ideas… Transmission starts at 6.30pm at each venue.

The Beautiful Burrswood exhibition continues this week and visitors can expect to enjoy a selection of photos and paintings depicting the Groombridge scenic spot throughout the seasons.

Entrance is free but donations are welcome. To reserve tickets call: 01892 865 982.

PICK OF THE WEEK Chiddingstone Castle Summer Vintage Fair

Paul Dunton

The must-read guide to what’s on musically for the week ahead… www.paulduntonandguests.com

Live music There are lots of wonderful gigs to be enjoyed this week across the local area, and my picks of the week are as follows…

The superb Dino Baptiste (piano/vocals) & Darcy Todd (drums) will be at the Jazz on The Pantiles this Thursday evening. The duo offer a scintillating array of high-energy jazz and blues standards from the 60’s to present day, with an electrifying boogie-woogie funky twist. They’re one of the best live acts around.

Local & Live presents a six-act Hip-Hop Takeover at The Forum this Friday evening, with performances from popular local rappers Digit Davis, Lee Willz, Stuart Worsell, Will B, J.Rista and Laura Lamn. For all things alternative and creatively inspired, check out the superb Unfest Sunday Sessions – which utilise The Forum’s lovely back garden alongside indoor performances.

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM

Doors 7.30pm, entry price variable, event information and tickets at www.twforum.co.uk

THURSDAY Gnarwolves, Crows An Wra and Broadbay FRIDAY Local & Live Hip-Hop Takeover: Digit Davis, Will.B, Stuart James Worsell, Lee Willz, Laura Lamn and J.Rista SATURDAY Artist’s Gallery : DJ Sessions SUNDAY Unfest Sunday Sessions WEDNESDAY British Sea Power THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE

The Pantiles, Doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7, websites www.pdag.co.uk + www.thegreylady.co.uk

This annual event runs from 11am to 4.30pm on Sunday June 19. Expect lots of unique funky fashion, specialist food producers, live music from the Lindy Hoppers and a retro Punch and Judy show. Tickets cost £4 per adult and £1 per child aged from 5-13 years. For tickets see: www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk

83

WEDNESDAY John McLane, Fred Clark, Frances Yonge, Son Of Kirk FRIDAY Soul Kitchen SATURDAY Into The Blue SUNDAY Martin Stenning, Lucy Jarrett, Cacao, Mistress & The Malts TUESDAY Count Bouncy & The Beat, Kirsti Robinson, The Frampton Sisters, Marie White WEDNESDAY All The Above, Dan Sumner, James McMaster

JAZZ ON THE PANTILES

8pm – 10pm live music on The Bandstand, free to attend, donations welcomed

THURSDAY Dino Baptiste & Darby Todd Duo NO.9 SMOKEHOUSE

SCALLYWAG

9 Nevill Street, Open all day, free entry music from 8.30pm till late

45 Mount Ephraim, Open all day, music from 7.30pm, entry charge for music may apply, more information at www.scallywagcafe.co.uk

FRIDAY Triple Chicken Combo SATURDAY Jinnhouse THE CROSS KEYS

St John’s Road, Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm, website www.crosskeystw.co.uk

WEDNESDAY Sonny’s Jazz: Mike Hatchard & Scott Jenkins THURSDAY Open Mic Night FRIDAY Sonny’s Blues: Blues Business MONDAY TWURPS Ukulele Beginners Session WEDNESDAY Sonny’s Jazz: June Beckles & Roger Lewin THE ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE

Crescent Road, Show times & ticket prices vary, visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk for more details

FRIDAY That’ll Be The Day (30th anniversary special) CASSIDY’S SPORTS BAR

Castle Street, Open all day, free entry, music from 9pm till late FRIDAY Gez Gold

WEDNESDAY Open Mic with Tom Carradine & Champagne Charlie FRIDAY Ed Watts (Jazz Piano) WEDNESDAY Naked Jazz Jam THE SUSSEX ARMS

Sussex Mews, Nr The Pantiles Open all day, music charge may apply, music from 8pm onwards

SATURDAY The Sumerian Kyngs THE BEAU NASH INN

Mount Ephraim, Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late

SATURDAY Jack Leon Mackey TONBRIDGE FOLK CLUB

Ye Olde Chequers Inn, 122 High Street, Tonbridge Free entry music 8-11pm Hat collection (£7 recommended) Full details at www.tonbridgefolkclub.org

MONDAY Na-Mara THE PUNCH & JUDY

THE BEDFORD PUB

2 High Street, Open all day, free entry music from 8.30pm till late

SATURDAY Sean Fennessey & Friends plus support Coffea Strange THE ROYAL OAK

Prospect Road, Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm onwards

SATURDAY Velvet Goldmine MONDAY Open Mic/Jam Session

11 St Stephens Street Tonbridge, Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late

TUESDAY Stone Junction BEDGEBURY PINETUM

Goudhurst,Kent TN17 2SJ, Tickets range from £38.50 – £48.50 (plus variable booking fee) are available from the box office: Tel 03000 680400, or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music

FRIDAY Tom Jones and special guests SATURDAY Kaiser Chiefs and support from Vitamin

Wednesday 15th June 2016

84 � ARTS & CULTURE

Drawing on life’s dark experiences and turning them into a successful artform Local illustrator Matt Syms has just launched a new exhibition at Trinity Theatre entitled Ragnarök.

Eileen Leahy caught up with him to find out about his show and what motivates his artistic work Norse deities and the submersion of their world under water.

MAN BEHIND THE MYTHS Matt Syms

How did you translate this mythical tale into your own art?

I created a series of images which replicate a deck of Tarot-style playing cards in which a different character from Norse Mythology is represented, such as Odin, Thor and Loki. It is a unique perspective on a familiar subject which is executed in graphite pencil and then digitally remastered with colour.

Are you a full-time artist?

Like most creative individuals I have to do other jobs on the side, but I have been extremely fortunate to be involved with Trinity Theatre as one of their associate artists. This is an opportunity that allows me to create visual work for their shows, such as last Christmas’s Oliver!

Can you tell us a bit about the concept behind your latest show?

The body of work is called Ragnarök, named after the series of doomed events found in Norse mythology. It describes a great battle which results in the death of a number of

Which illustrators influence you and why?

I have always been greatly inspired by James Jean, especially his graphite and digital work.

He did the covers for the Fable comics and has beautiful line work. And then of course there’s the 20th-century American realist

painter Edward Hopper, he is simply THE man.

Where does your inspiration come from?

My mind usually wanders off into the realms of fantasy most times of the day. Films and music usually get me thinking. When working on this exhibition I listened to a lot of orchestral music and also David Bowie’s last album, Black Star.

Does inspiration come easily to you?

Yes, but not when I’m looking for it. As soon as I need a great idea, I can guarantee it won’t be there. Conversations with friends are usually the best places to find inspiration.

As well as illustration, do you practice any other artistic mediums?

I’ve played guitar for 16 years and I’m also an actor, but I don’t actively pursue it as a job as it’s such hard work. You have to really live that profession. I am toying with the idea of getting into painting again and I would definitely like to get back into life drawing classes.

How long does it take to complete one of your illustrations?

That’s a difficult question. It all depends on

Crochet-loving commuter tops Amazon book Millie Masterson, a mother of two from Tunbridge Wells, is currently experiencing a publishing phenomenon with her first book Ruby & Custard’s Crochet – ranked fourth in the top five books in this particular crafting category on Amazon. Pretty impressive given she only started her hobby five years ago. Here she tells us how she went from keen crafter to top-selling author

CROCHETING JUST CLICKED Millie Masterson

Wednesday 15th June 2016

I have always been crafty and as a child I learned basic haberdashery skills. I was an avid knitter for years but when I saw a beautiful crochet cushion while out shopping one day a few years ago and saw how expensive it was I thought to myself: ‘It really can’t be that hard to learn to crochet’.

So when I was expecting my first child in 2011 and had some spare time I decided to take it up, and with the help of a book and a few YouTube tutorials I taught myself. Needless to say I haven’t picked up a pair of knitting needles since!

The thing I enjoy most about crocheting is that it’s really relaxing and I get my inspiration from all sorts of places – the shops, the environment and even children’s books.

I set up my company Ruby & Custard in 2012 as a blog and initially as an online shop, but quite quickly I realised I wanted to spend more time designing rather than making and selling so now that’s what I do.

I share lots of free patterns on my website and get so much joy from seeing what people do with them. I hope they inspire keen crafters to adapt them and get designing themselves, it’s a hobby that’s very addictive.

The idea for doing a book on crochet came to me one morning about 18 months ago. I

just woke up and thought: ‘I should really write something about all this’.

The first publisher I approached was Ebury Press and they immediately commissioned the book, so I was lucky. Once I had agreed a brief with them I threw myself into it. I spent eight months creating patterns and ten months editing and producing.

The book was a labour of love as I had to combine it with my full-time job in communications in London and looking after two small children, but I loved the whole process.

I wrote huge parts of it on my commute to and from London, typing patterns up on my iPhone and crocheting.

People would often say they found the rhythm of me crocheting relaxing.

In fact, they got a thank you in the book credits!

Ruby & Custard is a real passion and I do it because I enjoy it and I hope that shows through.

Everything in it is something I would want to make and it was actually photographed in my house so it really is a reflection of me.

When the book was published this year it was amazing to see it ranked so highly, particularly when competition is so tough. It also has five-star reviews from customers, which is brilliant, and people have left lovely reviews.

The other great thing is that it’s not just the UK that likes it. Over half the visitors to my website are from America: I think they like the ‘Britishness’ of it all.

Since the book was published I have been working with local business Freckles & Fire in Tunbridge Wells running crochet workshops, and I am also doing some really exciting patterns with specialist TEENY TIARAS magazines.

Crochet crowns I would also like to look

ARTS & CULTURE �

how much detail is involved, and how well I get the drawing right from the start. It can be anything from two hours to four days, but I am usually pretty quick once I get going.

85

‘If you have something you love doing, then just do it, and keep doing it’

What’s next in the pipeline for you?

I have a comic book I am working on that I’ll be finishing once the exhibition is over. I’m also getting involved in a very exciting project with the London-based comedy duo The Twins Macabre, who have been writing a comedy musical called Gamechanger.

What advice would you give to any budding artists out there?

If you’re a sculptor; sculpt. If you’re a painter; paint. If you’re an actor; act. If you love playing guitar, then find a street corner or band and play.

If you have something you love doing, then just do it, and keep doing it. Don’t excuse yourself!

Matt Sym’s Ragnarök exhibition is on at Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells until June 26.

For more information visit: www.trinitytheatre.net

charts with her craft HOOKED ON CROCHET n

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at new ways to bring crochet to people, perhaps with some kits, and then of course more books are always a possibility. I just wish there were more hours in the day! n

Ruby & Custard is published by Ebury Press and priced £4.99. It contains over 30 stylish crochet patterns designed for beginners to more confident crocheters with clear step-by-step guidance.

Crochet is a process of creating fabric by interlocking loops of yarn and thread using a special crochet hook The term derives from the French word for small hook – un petit crochet The first published crochet pattern appeared in the early 1800’s During the Great Potato Famine of the 1840’s, desperate Irish women took to trying to sell their crochet work to feed their families Once Queen Victoria started to add intricately crocheted lace to her garments, crochet popularity soared Crochet was originally used for decorative and elaborate appliques and trims. The advent of World War I brought the ‘make do and mend’ mindset. During those years practicality was paramount and crochet and knitting became very popular Crochet uses about a third more yarn than knitting According to a recent survey by craft TV channel Hochanda, 52 per cent of men and women aged 18-34 are choosing to indulge in an hour of their favourite craft instead of watching TV or browsing social media The last 15 years has seen a huge upsurge in crocheting . According to the UK’s leading specialist title Simply Crochet, there are 24.7k followers on Instagram and 17.8k on Twitter

Wednesday 15th June 2016

86 ■ THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Kent Barker Country matters

After taking a leap from London, the plan was to start a new life in the countryside and a career as a famous author. Instead I acquired a dog and part-time work managing a community orchard. You can read these experiences on my blog: www.kentcountrymatters.blogspot.co.uk

Threatened by a slippery eel in a bad suit

R

ATHER testy meeting the other day, when a man in an ill-fitting suit tried to persuade our Parish Council that we needed 12 brand new houses on a small plot in the village. Needed, you understand, not because there is a crying demand for big private houses, but because unless we accepted them we could well have far more foisted upon us.

Have you, asked this Planning Consultant, seen what’s happening in the villages round you: 62 homes in Hawkhurst, plans for 65 in Sissinghurst, and 180 in Cranbrook? (It’s a bit like darts scores isn’t it: one hundred and EIGHTY….)

What we at the meeting objected to was not just the poor presentation and lack of specifics, but this implied threat. Unless we accept the developer’s plans, they’ll go to appeal and we could end up with far more houses than had been proposed in the first place. Which is pretty much what happened to Hawkhurst.

This all needs some context. There are some in our village who refuse to countenance ANY development at all: ‘The reason I moved here was because it was a quiet, sleepy country village, and I’ll fight any plans for change’. But there are others who recognise that to keep our shop and pub and primary school, the village needs to grow rather than fossilise, and they support a mixture of housing to enable the young, the old and the

Wednesday 15th June 2016

not so wealthy to remain. Indeed, it’s the policy of my Parish Council to encourage managed development and to favour starter and affordable homes where possible.

Which is why we were happy to listen to the Planning Consultant the developers sent along to outline their scheme for the field just down the lane from the Village Hall. Trouble was he appeared as slippery as an eel. (Now you probably have an image of a slippery eel in an ill-fitting suit – well it’s not wholly inappropriate.) He didn’t know – or wouldn’t say – what the mixture of the proposed properties would be. The strong suspicion is that the developers favour bigger three or four bedroom family homes rather than the smaller one or two bed homes that we actually need. Then there’s the question of density. It’s a relatively small field and we would prefer fewer homes with more room around them. Which would also mean fewer additional cars and less pressure on services such as sewerage.

Developers, however, prefer to cram as many homes as possible on to a site and quote national figures, which may be OK for town centre developments but are wholly inappropriate for small villages. So we sent the consultant away to report our views to his bosses in the hope and expectation that they’d revise the proposal downwards.

And then we began to consider what he’d said about our neighbours. Sissinghurst, which is a good deal smaller than us, is currently battling proposals for 65 homes. The plans were turned down by the Parish Council and by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on the grounds that such a development would overload the already congested roads, put strain on village infrastructure and ruin green fields. Did the developer heed local objections? Not a jot. He’s appealed against the decision and, for good measure, put in a fresh application for just five fewer homes on exactly the same site. And after Hawkhurst’s experience, Sissinghurst is by no means confident that the appeal procedure will back them.

In Hawkhurst, the borough council twice rejected plans for 62 new homes in an Area of Outstanding Natural

‘What we at the meeting objected to was not just the poor presentation and lack of specifics, but this implied threat’

Beauty (AONB) known as Circus Field, only for the Planning Inspector to overrule them, arguing the need for houses in the area far outweighed protection of a village beauty spot. Another great victory for localism then!

And Cranbrook is currently battling plans for a ‘top darts score’ development on a Greenfield site just outside the village. Again, it’s part of the AONB and residents have expressed fears the new homes would increase flood risk and change the ancient landscape beyond recognition. Like Hawkhurst, Cranbrook says that there are plenty of brownfield sites available but, as we’ve noted, developers would prefer to concrete over an unspoiled field with tens or hundreds of houses, rather than to slip in just a few homes here and there on smaller sites.

It’s rather depressing. We accept the need for more houses. We even identify suitable sites for them. Then along come the developers, ignore local wishes and mount costly appeals if their unsuitable applications are rejected.

So what happened in our village after the meeting with the Planning Consultant? We understand that far from reducing the density in the field, the developer is going to apply for 15 rather than the proposed 12 homes. And we should be jolly grateful it’s not more!

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