Times of Tunbridge Wells 23rd March 2016

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

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OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

COMMUTERS angry with the ‘depressing’ rail service are being encouraged to join a new pressure group to highlight failures and to raise travel standards.

The call to action came as almost 100 disgruntled passengers gathered in Tunbridge Wells Town Hall on Thursday to quiz the directors of Network Rail and Southeastern face to face. It was hosted by MP Greg Clark following the sharp deterioration in the service since Christmas.

The MP’s commitment to set up a new action group came as:  Passengers heard how London Bridge redevelopment works were responsible for the majority of the hold ups.  Southeastern’s MD David Statham said it was ‘not possible’ to pass on compensation they received from Network Rail for track problems in the form of reduced ticket prices.  Network Rail was accused of being ‘18 years behind’ where it should be in providing services for those who are visually impaired.  Southeastern admitted there has been no new rolling stock since 2009.

Mr Clark said he would set up a mailing list and formalise regular meetings of the new group.

He said: “Together we can pool our collective expertise to analyse the problems in the railway to hold the franchise, network controller and Government to account.”

See pages 8-9 for more

Developers unveil new design for The Pantiles

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ACTION GROUP TO FIGHT FOR BETTER RAIL SERVICES…

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INSIDE BUSINESS

How Cripps became one of the leading law firms

Revised plans for shops and flats at Union House site go on display to public A community gallery room will feature as part of the development, which can be used to host exhibitions and other events, and a water feature for the front will be commissioned.

‘The new development will deliver an economic boost’

GRAND DESIGNS The new look for the Union House site

Adam Hignett

adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk DEVELOPERS last night [Tuesday] unveiled their plans for changing the face of The Pantiles after previous proposals were rejected by residents.

Dandara, the company undertaking the redevelopment of Union House, is hoping its new design will pacify critics, who described the original plans it put on display in November as a ‘gulag’ and a ‘cross between a prison and a hospital’.

The new design incorporates a mix of flats and retail units as well as ‘community space’ and has been made to incorporate the aesthetics ARCHITECT of both The Pantiles and Andy Theobald the wider town.

Architect Andy Theobald of Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios said: “It will have several different frontages to reflect the character of The Pantiles, and will reflect the informal nature of its direct neighbours.

“It will still be contemporary in nature as we do not want to be accused of making a pastiche of The Pantiles.”

Retailers will benefit from having units situated at the front of the new development facing the promenade, instead of being ‘hidden’ out back, as they are currently.

The design of the residents’ entrance in the centre is deliberately set much lower than the two buildings either side in order to let the sunlight into a residents’ garden in the centre, which will replace the current square.

Managing Director of Dandara’s Southern division Andrew Wagstaff hopes the development will begin early next year and be completed by 2020.

He said: “We are looking to submit our application this spring and will hear back by autumn. Then we should be able to start demolishing Union House.”

“We have been consulting with Historic England and the South East Regional Design Panel and their feedback has been positive.”

A total of 127 housing units will be created, ranging from one room to three, with prices to be determined once work is underway.

The new development could provide an economic boost for The Pantiles, which has been knocked recently after plans for a Curzon cinema in the Corn Exchange.

Expressing his support for the scheme, Matthew Sankey, head of the Association of Pantiles Traders said: “Anything which goes there will be better than what is there now.

“The new development will one hundred per cent deliver an economic boost to the retailers and business owners on The Pantiles.”

PAGES 10-11

MEDICAL

Hospital staff hope new ward will ease bed crisis

PAGE 2

EVENTS

Paxman upsets WI as he pulls out of engagement

PAGE 3

FOOD AND DRINK When are free-range chickens not free range?

PAGES 80-81

2 � LOCAL NEWS

Weather Wednesday Some early sunny intervals, once any mist or fog clears.

March 23, 2016 Tunbridge Wells

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11 C

Visibility: Good

Pollution: Low

Humidity: 53%

Sunrise: 05.53am

Sunset: 18.17pm

Wind: 5mph

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

9ºC

10ºC

11ºC

10ºC

Monday

COPING WITH DEMAND (L-R): Sister Elias, Dr Hafeez, Dr Agarwal, Angela Gallagher

Tuesday

10ºC

10ºC

New ward provides much needed respite for the embattled hospital Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

Enjoying the afternoon sun in Calverley Grounds by: Lisa Smith Send your weather pictures into... newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

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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 ‘A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty’

Winston S. Churchill

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

STAFF at Tunbridge Wells Hospital are hoping that a new 38-bed ward will help them in the fight to cope with an ‘unprecedented’ demand on services with close to 100 per cent bed occupancy.

Some reports suggest that an 85 per cent occupancy is the maxim level considered to be safe.

The £3.3million ward opened this week and will provide care for short stay and ambulatory patients – those who are not bedridden and need treatment typically lasting a few hours, such as blood and iron transfusions. Patients will not be expected to stay overnight Earlier this month the Times highlighted the fact that the Pembury hospital has been forced to cancel 400 operations since the start of the year.

A trust spokesperson said yesterday (Tuesday): “We, along with most other trusts are operating at 95 – 98% occupancy the majority of the time with demand for beds often exceeding our capacity. We manage the situation through our escalation policy and by opening additional beds when possible.

“The NHS as a whole is currently facing unprecedented demand for services and we

are regularly seeing many acutely unwell patients. We anticipate that the new 38 bed ward should help to ease the pressure over the next few weeks.”

The idea of the ward is to ensure patients can get home more quickly rather than taking up bed space meant for longer term stays.

There are 56 nurses assigned to the ward in a 24 hour period. They are overseen by ward manager Emma Elias, who completed her nursing training at the old Pembury Hospital.

She said: “A lot of procedures do not need to result in overnight stays and this will help change the mind-set of people so they no longer feel they need to be here for days to get the right treatment.

“Things like infusions previously required in-patient beds before wards like this.”

This will provide a massive relief for day-to-day patient capacity Dr Agarwal Gaurav is one of three consultants assigned to the ward, along with one middle-grade doctor and five junior doctors.

He said: “This is the best way to use the resources we have in the most efficient manner.

It is beneficial for the patients, as many do not want to be in hospital all night.

“This way, they can take their antibiotics in the morning, go to work and come back in the evening and still have a full day.

“Patients deteriorate if they just lie in bed, especially the elderly.”

As well as doctors and nurses a host of support staff, such a physiotherapists and porters, will be available to ensure it all runs smoothly.

The layout marks a departure from the hospital’s previous practice, when it became the first hospital of its kind to consist entirely of single-bed rooms when it opened four years ago.

Instead, there are around four beds or trolleys per room, depending on how long each patient is expected to stay. The short-term nature of the ward means individual rooms would be inefficient.

Each room is colour coded, to help dementia patients recognise where they are.

Planning for the ward began in March last year, with building work starting in August.

Its development was overseen by Chief Operating Officer Angela Gallagher, who said an entire floor of offices was gutted to make way for the ward, with previous administration staff now occupying multiple sites around the hospital.

“We have been extremely economic on space considering we moved 380 people from the floor, but it will provide a massive relief for dayto-day patient capacity.”

THE MORNING AFTER EXPERIENCE OF COMMUTERS EJECTED FROM A TRAIN THEY came... they saw... and they failed to convince. That was the outcome of a visit last week to Tunbridge Wells by the top brass from Southeastern and Network Rail.

Southeastern’s Managing Director David Statham and his Network Rail counterpart Alasdair Coates entered the lion’s den at the Town Hall for a face-to-face with nearly 100 rail passengers, mainly commuters.

It was a organised by MP Greg Clark who himself has described the service provided by the operator as ‘appalling’. The majority of those attending were in total agreement. Indeed it would have been hard to find anyone with a kind word to say about Southeastern who are facing calls for them to be stripped of the franchise.

Pushing 20,000 frustrated commuters have already signed an online petition supporting

such a move.

The hall was assured that things are getting better and that mechanisms have been put in place to ensure a marked improvement in services including the recruitment of more drivers.

Few were impressed and whatever sympathy might have been garnered by the rail men it did not take long for any goodwill to evaporate. Just a matter of hours, in fact.

The following email arrived the next day at the offices of the Times from reader Ian Rennardson: “This morning, I and many other attendees [of the meeting] were ejected from the early morning train to London after 10 minutes ‘as the driver had finished his shift’. You couldn’t make it up.”

No Mr Rennardson, you could not make it up.

And nor should you and your fellow travellers be

forced to accept the daily farce, nay pantomime, that is offered by those responsible for providing rail services.

As a whole we are a nation of tolerant individuals. We stand in queues, we hold our tongues, we open doors for others and we try to look for the positives. If a landslip blocks a track then we’re pretty understanding. We even grin and bear it when told about leaves on the line or even sunlight causing delays.

But when a service appears to be badly managed; when passengers are too often taken for granted; and when commuters are left with few travel options because of a rail operator’s monopoly, then it is probably time for change.

All in favour....

Richard Moore, Editorial Director

LOCAL NEWS 

Paxman’s popularity suddenly plunges after he pulls out of WI annual event MEMBERS of the West Kent Branch of the Women’s Institute were delighted when broadcaster Jeremy Paxman agreed to be the guest speaker at their annual council meeting in Tunbridge Wells.

He had already built up quite a local following after visiting the Nevill group previously while researching the WI for an upcoming TV project.

The 1,000 ladies attending the event were less than pleased, though, when they heard a few days before the event that Mr Paxman would not be joining them at the Assembly Hall ‘due to work commitments’.

“Jeremy was summoned to Spain to film a documentary for the BBC,”

explained Linda Styles, West Kent’s WI Federation Secretary.

“He gave us less than a week’s notice but there wasn’t a lot we could do. We found an excellent replacement speaker. We have moved on.”

The replacement was the esteemed cricket commentator Henry Blofeld.

“He was absolutely fabulous,” said Linda Styles. “He was funny and charming and our members really enjoyed listening to him.”

Paula Bates, President of the Hawkenbury branch said: “Jeremy Paxman cancelled on us at short notice and we had Henry Blofeld, the cricket commentator, instead.

“He was an excellent speaker, a charming raconteur, telling stories

and anecdotes of his life, including some about Ian Fleming, Noel Coward and The Queen.

“No one felt they missed Paxman, who has gone down in all our estimations.”

Another WI member who asked not to be named, said: “Henry Blofeld was really worried appearing in front of 1,000 women but we all

welcomed him saying:‘We are very glad you are NOT him! We would much rather have you, we can assure you.’

“His stories were marvellous, though some were a little near the knuckle, probably more suited to a male audience, but the women still erupted with laughter just the same, so it was fine.

“And we were even more intrigued when we heard how the Bond villain Blofeld was named after his father.”

DISAPPOINTING Jeremy Paxman

Minister briefed on need for stage two of the A21 dualling Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk ROADS Minister Andrew Jones has been urged to throw his weight behind plans to dual the traffic-clogged A21 between Kippings Cross and Lamberhurst.

His commitment was sought last week after he paid a flying visit to assess the situation for himself.

He was accompanied by MP Greg Clark and the MP for Hastings and Rye, Amber Rudd. The pair are hoping to eventually see the road dualled all the way to the coast.

Mr Clark successfully secured a government commitment to fund the current dualling taking place on the 2.5 miles stretch of road between Tonbridge and Pembury in 2014 at an estimated cost £70 million.

Mr Clark has always seen dualling as a two phase project although he was cautious about providing any timescale for when work might begin on the second stage.

He said: “I am very optimistic that we are going to get the plans and money approved by the end of this parliament [2020] but to get the project from plan to completion before the election would be unlikely.

“What I am keen to get it into the programme during this parliament is for the groundwork to start in the next parliament.

“As your readers will know it took a lot of planning to get the current dualling underway, so we want to get on with this.

“It is a very important piece of road and it is our next target.”

UNDER REVIEW Amber Rudd, Andrew Jones and Greg Clark check out the route

3

NEWS IN BRIEF

Air ambulance base grounded after U-turn PLANS for a new air ambulance base near Paddock Wood have failed to get off the ground after a U-turn by town council planners.

The decision to vote against the helipad at Old Hay airfield on Willow Lane comes despite a previous unanimous vote endorsing the idea.

Planners are said to have backtracked following objections from neighbours concerning ‘unacceptable’ levels of noise and traffic.

Objectors questioned the speed at which the original commitment had been made.

The Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust has been looking to relocate from Morden since last year.

Murderer gets 22 years

THE man who stabbed his colleague 14 times in a knife attack at a Tunbridge Wells recycling centre has been jailed for life. David Squelch, 49, denied murdering James Wallington but admitted manslaughter.

The jury found Squelch, of Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, guilty and rejected his defence that he was not in control because he suffered from a paranoid personality disorder.

He was jailed for a minimum of 22 years.

Pro EU group sets up A campaign aimed at keeping the UK in Europe has been launched in Tunbridge Wells. Britain Stronger in Europe held its first public meeting at the Cleverly Road precinct with MP Greg Clark lending his support.

The group has since been running an information stall on Saturdays and has plans to leaflet commuters outside the railway station.

Buses routes face axe UP TO 17 bus services operating in or around Tunbridge Wells could see their subsidies scrapped in a bid to save £400,000 for the cash strapped Kent County Council.

Routes faxing the axe include the Tunbridge Wells to Grassley section of the 217 and the Monday shopper 203 Behove to Paddock Wood.

For further information can be found at www.kent.gov.uk

Refugee claim rejected The Minister said the 3.2 mile journey between Kippings Cross and Pembury had made him aware of the bottlenecks faced by drivers along the road and the high volume of traffic.

Mr Jones said the Government was about to embark on planning for its second road investment strategy.

He warned, however, there was no guarantee the project would be chosen.

“There are a very large number of schemes that we need to do across the country and we have to priori-

ties them,” he explained.

“How we do this will be on the business case and what the public will get for their money.

“We will look at time saved, congestion saved and about what it will open up in terms of commercial and residential development.

“Transport has to be help solve a problem and bring economic regeneration to an area. We are not building roads and tunnels and bridges for the sake of it.”

Tunbridge Wells was singled out for criticism on the migrant issue by Labour MP Keith VA, who accused the town of not taking in enough refugees. He made the comments on BBC Radio Four’s Today programme. The borough refuted the suggestion and said it plans to provide homes for ten Syrian families prior to Christmas.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

4 ■ LOCAL NEWS

This week, as part of our ongoing EU debate, we talk to two South East MEPs who represent your views at the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg. There are ten MEPs in total collectively speaking for the region. None of them represents an individual ‘constituency’ ANNELIESE DODDS – Labour MEP who lives in Oxford. Born and raised in Scotland, Anneliese worked as a Senior Lecturer in Public Policy at Aston University before becoming an MEP in 2014. Her main focus is on creating jobs and areas of sustainable economic growth, and campaigning for a higher level of investment from the EU for the South East

Anneliese Dodds

DAVID Cameron’s recent announcement confirmed what many had suspected: The referendum on whether the UK should stay a part of the EU will be held on 23rd June. This referendum is a once-in-alifetime event – a chance to determine the future of the UK, and decide how we, as a nation, want to act towards the rest of the world. As an MEP for the South East of England, I’ve travelled across Kent, speaking to families, business owners and workers, and seen again and again how being in the EU benefits the whole South East. I’m going to be voting to remain in the EU on 23rd June, because our membership of the EU creates jobs in Kent, helps our economy grow and keeps Kent an attractive tourist destination.

Being a part of the EU means that small businesses in Tunbridge Wells can export goods to the largest single market in the world, made up of 500 million customers. Nearly half of all UK exports are sold into the EU, with the figure even higher for small and medium businesses which sell overseas – 88 per cent of their exports go to the EU! Over 3,000 businesses in the South East export goods to the EU, and if we were to leave, these businesses could be hit by tariffs and taxes, driving prices up and profits down. With so

IN

many businesses benefitting from the Single Market, it’s not surprising that the vast majority of British businesses want us to stay in the EU. It’s not just business owners in Kent who would be hurt if we turned our back on the EU. One in ten jobs in the UK depend on our membership of the EU, and the Office of National Statistics figures suggest that over 5,400 jobs in the Tunbridge Wells constituency alone are dependent on trade from the EU. These jobs would all be at risk if we left. This is because the UK’s membership of the EU makes it an attractive location for European businesses to expand and invest in. Foreign Direct Investment into the UK from Europe is worth over £500billion – a colossal amount of money. By leaving the EU, the UK would become a far less appealing place for business, and companies might consider going elsewhere, leading to loss of investment in the UK, and damage to our economy.

Kent is famous for its natural beauty, and it’s often described as the garden of England – so no wonder it was voted Europe’s top family holiday destination

by Lonely Planet in 2015. Tourism makes up a large part of Kent’s economy, with tourists from the EU contributing £1billion to the South East’s local economy last year. We need to keep Kent open for tourism – and that means keeping it open to the EU. A vote to stay in the EU is a vote for a growing economy, trade and prosperity, not just in Kent, but across the UK.

DANIEL HANNAN – Conservative MEP who lives Hassocks, West Sussex. Daniel has been a Conservative MEP for the South East since 1999 and is the Secretary General of the Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists. The former speech writer for Michael Howard and William Hague is a Eurosceptic, believing that being part of the EU is making us poorer and less democratic OUR annual tribute to Brussels now stands at £19bilion a year. If we kept that money at home, we could give the entire country a two-thirds cut in council tax.

Or we could build and equip 200 state-of-theart hospitals.

To put it another way, during the last Parliament, we saved £36billion through the entire domestic cuts programme.

Yet, over the same period, we gave Brussels £85billion.

The EU, in other words, wiped out our austerity savings twice over.

It’s true that some of the £19billion is spent in Britain. Around half of what we hand over dribbles back to us.

But a chunk of that goes on advertising the EU, or on hiring pro-Brussels consultants and contractors.

Some goes to professional associations, charities and non governmental organisations in the hope that it’ll make them more pro-EU. Oxfam, for example, got more than £35million last year.

And what does Britain get for its £19billion?

Amazingly, that vast sum buys us membership of the world’s only stagnant trade bloc.

North America will grow by three per cent this year, Africa by four and a half per cent, Asia by five per cent. But the Eurozone, after six years of flatlining, will grow by less than one per cent: Its economy today is no bigger than it was in 2008.

As long as we’re in the EU, we can’t sign independent trade deals with booming countries like India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand which are among our oldest friends.

Remember those Mercator maps of the world we had on our classroom walls at school, which showed

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

Europe in the middle?

Well, times have changed.

Just as the 18th century saw an economic shift from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, so our own age is witnessing a shift from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Back in 1973, when we joined, Europe looked like the future. Since then, the EU has shrunk from 36 per cent of the world economy to 17 per cent.

No one is suggesting that we give up on our trade with Europe; only that we also lift our eyes to more distant horizons.

You don’t have to be in the EU to be part of the Common Market.

The European free trade area stretches right across the continent, from non-EU Iceland to non-EU Turkey. No one – no one I’ve ever met, at any rate – is suggesting that we will leave that Common Market when we leave the EU. We will, though, regain our voice at the World Trade Organisation and our right to sign trade deals with non-EU states.

Iceland and Switzerland, for example, while retaining full access to the European market, have signed free trade agreements with China.

We can’t do that: We lost control of our trade policy when we joined.

That wasn’t all we lost. We lost our fishing grounds, which should be a great renewable resource. We lost our farming policy, and are now paying more into the Common Agricultural Policy, and getting less out of it, than any other EU state.

We lost our special relationship with other English-speaking peoples.

Many Britons from Commonwealth

backgrounds find that they can’t bring auntie over for a wedding because we’ve had to crack down on non-EU visas so as to free up unlimited space for EU nationals with no connection to Britain.

It has become clear that the EU is losing control.

Losing control of the economic crisis. Losing control of its borders. Losing control of its security. It’s time for Britain to take back control: To strike a new deal with the EU based on trade and co-operation, not political union.

That’s why we should vote to leave. It’s the safer choice.

OUT Daniel Hannan

LOCAL NEWS 

How ‘free’ are our chickens?

By Eileen Leahy A LOCAL organic farmer has welcomed a campaign to raise awareness that your ‘freerange’ eggs may not be as ‘free’ as you think.

It follows the publication by the Hillside Animal Sanctuary of shocking images showing poultry being kept in extremely cramped conditions with very little daylight on a farm run by UKIP MEP Stuart Agnew, who is also the party’s official agriculture spokesperson.

But when the RSPCA investigated Agnew’s Norfolk farm, they found no regulations had been contravened.

Jeremy Davis, who rears a free-range flock of approximately 150 hens on Lynne’s Organic Farm, a 40-acre High Weald smallholding, told the Times: “The definition of free-range eggs is very loose.

RESTOCKING 40,000 fish arriving

OUT IN THE OPEN Free-range hens and, inset, at Stuart Agnew’s farm

Country park reopens in time for Easter break

Guidelines “The hens only have to be ‘out to pasture’. What that means is they could be in a huge barn – say 15,000 chickens – and if there’s a door at the end and it goes on to green stuff then that’s classed as ‘pasture’. Chickens near the doors will be able to go out but those further inside will never do so.”

Mr Davis’s own chickens run free in large fencedoff open spaces on his farm and his organic eggs are stamped with a label so they can be traced back to his farm should any problems occur.

But current guidelines say chickens can still be classed as ‘free range’ if there are no more than 16,000 in a shed as long as there is some kind of access to outside.

5

Every year British people eat 11.5 billion eggs.

The free-range market accounts for almost half of all supermarket egg sales.

To help meet this demand commercial food producer Fridays Ltd have submitted plans to put 64,000 chickens on an area of outstanding natural beauty in Horsmonden. But the proposal has been met with opposition from local residents.

The British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) policy director Robert Gooch told the Times: “British free-range egg

producers make hen welfare their number one priority.” He also advises shoppers to look for the British Lion Mark or the RSPCA’s Freedom Food logo on egg packaging.

“This means that the egg has been produced to higher animal welfare requirements than required by law,” he said.

See p80 for our full interview with organic farmer Jeremy Davis

MORE than 200 anglers took to their boats or cast from the banks of Bewl Water to mark the first day of the fishing season on Monday.

Owners Markerstudy Leisure have begun a major restocking of the 770-acre reservoir, with 40,000 fish to be introduced over the coming weeks and months.

The restocking of Bewl, alongside reinstating the fishery, was one of the key priorities for the company when it took over the site in January.

The beginning of the fishing season comes at the same time as the formal reopening of country park in time for the Easter break.

As well as the walking and cycling around the largest piece of open water in the South East, visitors can now hire recreational rowing boats and bikes or take a ride on the land train.

New for 2016 is the Boathouse Bistro, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It offers a simple coffee and cake to a gastro-pub menu, as well as magnificent views over Bewl Water itself.

Andrew Daniells, Chief Operating Officer at Markerstudy Leisure, said: “We are very excited about the progress to date and there are many more new things coming in the next few weeks, including water taxis that will help visitors to access the whole country park.”

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

LOCAL NEWS 

War of words takes off over flightpaths Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk SPLITS have emerged among anti-Gatwick campaign groups ahead of the airport’s response to the Arrivals Review at the end of the month.

A war of words between Gatwick Obviously Not (GON) and Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE) has gone public, with each group accusing the other of only looking out for themselves.

The argument concerns whether or not to widen the flightpaths of planes on arrival, a proposal that affects residents living in villages surrounding Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge.

An independent review of arrivals was carried out by Bo Redeborn, Principal Director of Air Traffic Management for Eurocontrol. It followed pressure from several campaign groups set up by residents of Sussex, Surrey and Kent after Gatwick made a

Sally Pavey

decision to narrow the flightpaths in 2013.

This ‘sky superhighway’ narrowed incoming flightpaths from five nautical miles to around two nautical miles. The campaigners argued that this had resulted in high levels of concentrated noise pollution for those living under it. The protest groups are also determined to thwart current proposals to develop a second runway at the airport.

‘This is about the tens of thousands of people who are affected by noise’ The review recommended ‘thinning out’ approaching planes, which would reduce the noise impact on people living under the flightpath and spread aircraft noise over a wider area.

Writing to members of GON, which represents several local villages, group founder Martin Barraud described the proposal as the ‘first step’ in restoring ‘some tranquillity’ for those affected.

He states that this insistence on a ‘fair and equitable dispersal’ of noise has: ‘Near universal support… across all the campaign groups, east and west.’

But he goes on to accuse ‘one sole group’, CAGNE, of sabotaging the proposals by objecting to the rewidening plan through their own lobbying efforts, which appear to be under consideration by Gatwick Chairman Roy McNulty.

His concerns came after a statement by Mr

McNulty in which he said ‘particular consideration’ would be given to GAGNE’s objections to moving the meeting point for easterly arrival aircraft closer to the runway.

Mr Barraud fears that if GAGNE get their way, the full rewidening will not go ahead as Gatwick could use the campaign group’s opposition as an excuse to ignore Redeborn’s recommendation that there should be a six-mile wide flightpath.

He said: “We do not understand why Gatwick has singled out this one objection to the plan when the other ten to 11 groups are all willing to share the pain. It could be that Gatwick is playing games.

“This is about the tens of thousands of people who are affected by noise and it is more important than any one group.”

Sally Pavey, who heads CAGNE, hit back saying: “There is a problem in that the review is being led by groups trying to move noise from them on to others and we do not seek to do that.

“Currently what works for Kent may not be suitable for other areas.

It may be all right for Martin and his chums but have they consulted Lingfield or Martin Barraud East Grinstead?”

7

ON SCREEN Owner Benjamin Stonehouse

Film fans take to their cars for the big screen A NEW open-air drive-in cinema called Moonlight opens at The Hop Farm on Friday showing new release films and those muchloved classics seven days a week.

Film fans will get a cinema experience that they can enjoy from the comfort of their own cars, with sound transmitted directly into the vehicle’s in-car audio system. Drinks and food can, of course, be delivered to the vehicle’s window.

Founded by entrepreneur Benjamin Stonehouse, the cinema has capacity for 100 cars. He’s hoping moviegoers will appreciate the clear and bright image from the powerful digital cinema projector capable of using a screen up to 30 metres wide.

“Unlike other regular cinemas, inside their car film fans can chat to their friends, even take a call, and no-one gets bothered by hearing others rustling sweets and crunching popcorn,” he said. “People can even bring their young babies or dog.”

The cinema will launch with a showing of Grease, followed by London Has Fallen and Dirty Dancing. Three out of four of the first showings have already sold out. Tickets cost £20 in advance or £25 on the gate.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

8 � LOCAL NEWS

Commuters angry at impact of poor UNDER PRESSURE Commuters put questions to rail directors David Statham and Alasdair Coates

ensure all sections of the operator were giving ‘the same message’ this was pointless when it was ‘the same wrong message’.

Another woman said she had lost three days of holiday as she was ‘unable to get to work’ and had to claim them off her holiday allowance. She added: “Who is going to compensate me for that when all I get is £4 in delay repay, which I have to spend my time claiming for?”

Among the points raised were the failure to declassify first class seating forcing people ‘to sit on the floor’, unhappy employers due to late starts, rude staff and poor levels of compensation compared to other operators.

‘I stopped commuting because of always being late home to put my child to bed’

Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk JOBS lost, bonuses missed and family moments wiped out – those are the consequences of travelling on Southeastern, according to frustrated commuters.

The damning verdict on the operator’s performance was delivered by nearly 100 rail users gathered in Tunbridge Wells Town Hall on Thursday after taking up MP Greg Clark’s invitation to quiz the directors of Southeastern and Network Rail on why the service has been so ‘abysmal’.

Tempers ran high as an embattled David Statham, Managing Director of Southeastern, bore the brunt of the passengers’ anger as he tried to defend the record of the franchise.

Commuters heard a joint presentation from Mr Statham and his Network Rail counterpart, Alasdair Coates, about what had been causing much of the significant decline in performance since Christmas.

Despite promises of improvements in the pipeline and ongoing investment, including more staff and better information, Mr Clark was determined to

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

hold both directors to account.

He said: “It seems that day after the day the service has been regularly, and depressingly, delayed and disrupted. Why suddenly since Christmas has it got so much worse?”

Mr Statham said: “We know it has been a really difficult period for people since Christmas and we are sorry for the impact it has had.”

The redevelopment of London Bridge, which is ‘on track’, was cited as the biggest cause of disruption, with just eight miles of track around the station causing 42 per cent of delays.

Each minute of delay in this section has a knock-on effect of up to 200 minutes throughout the network as rail capacity around the station is reduced by almost 50 per cent.

Mr Coates, Route Managing Director at Network Rail, cited a recent series of points failures, circuit failures, weather issues and trespassing that had all led to significant delays.

Their role is to provide ‘a safe and reliable railway’, which means these issues must be addressed, he said, adding the infrastructure firm was spending money on upgrading the ‘Victorian network’.

Mr Clark then asked if Southeastern was making a ‘surplus’ from the compensation it receives from

delays caused by Network Rail, adding that instead of ‘profiting’, shouldn’t any surplus be used to ‘reduce ticket prices?’

However, when Mr Statham explained this was not possible, the audience started to get restless with frequent interjections before the floor was opened up to questions.

One woman said despite Mr Statham claiming passenger information had been improved to

Another passenger said she had decided to stop commuting as it constantly led to her being late home to put her child to bed. Other members of the audience said they had similar experiences.

With so many wanting to speak the scheduled hour-long session was extended by 20 minutes.

There was an outbreak of applause when one member of the audience declared: “I listened to your presentation and I thought I was in the wrong meeting, I thought I was in a meeting to give you an award.”

Mr Coates was not spared either, when a member of the audience with a guide dog said the network in the south east was lagging ‘18 years behind’ requirements to help the visually impaired comparing it unfavourably with the London underground.

But in a scathing verdict of what he had heard the audience member added: “I will be going away from here not at all encouraged and in fact quite a bit depressed.”

LOCAL NEWS 

rail services on their lives UNCONVINCED MP Greg Clark chairs the meeting

Mr Clark brought the issue back to finances, claiming Tunbridge Wells had often been singled out for steeper ticket price rises than elsewhere, while nearby stations such as Eridge enjoyed season tickets ‘half the price’.

“My view is that this gap needs to be closed by reversing these increases,” he said.

Mr Statham replied the way fares were set had been dictated by government policy which emphasised shifting rail funding away from the taxpayer and on to the consumer.

His own position and his ability to run the franchise was then called into question by mem-

AND FINALLY…

Last night our MP, Greg Clark, moderated a Town Hall meeting between concerned commuters and the bosses of Southeastern Trains and Network Rail to discuss the continuing inadequate performance of Southeastern. We were told the situation is getting better and mechanisms, including the recruitment of more drivers, have been put in place to ensure we can expect a marked improvement in train performance.

This morning, I and many other meeting attendees, were ejected from the early morning train to London after ten minutes ‘as the driver had finished his shift’.

You couldn’t make it up. bers of the audience after he claimed some issues predated his tenure which started in 2014, with irate passengers saying ‘it is your job to know’.

Despite a fraught meeting, Mr Clark hailed it as a success and encouraged those who attended to help him set up a new pressure group to ensure standards continued to be raised.

Even though many later said they left with ‘more questions unanswered’ than when they arrived, the session ended with a polite round of applause, largely in recognition that neither director had

Ian Richardson Via email

been obliged to attend the event.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Clark said: “The level of frustration in the room was very clear, but also there was a lot of passion among people to get things done and see change, with many audience members showing a high degree of expert knowledge.

“Of course a meeting lasting just over an hour is not going to cover all the problems but hopefully it will help get future improvements off the ground.”

9

NEWS IN BRIEF

Rail stations unite in push for passengers TONBRIDGE Station has now joined the Medway Valley Line Rail Partnership, which covers all stations between the town and Strood in a bid to boost the number of passengers.

Members from both Kent and Sussex Community Rail Partnerships, and Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat, met at the station on Friday (March 18) to officially announce the news.

A new community noticeboard was also unveiled which will highlight the opportunities for shopping, leisure and work along both the Medway Valley and Tonbridge to Reigate routes.

Easter road closures DRIVERS using the A21 over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend are being warned of potential delays. Ongoing works and repairs mean that the northbound entry slip from the A26 is set to be closed every day this week between 8pm and 6am until 25 March.

Get your dog chipped DOG owners can take their four-legged friends for a free microchipping session at Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground on Wednesday (March 30) between noon and 2pm. Under new regulations coming into force next month, all dogs in England have to be microchipped and registered to an approved database by the time they are eight weeks old.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

10 � LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS

The days of the old boy network How does a Tunbridge Wells law firm compete with the big London rivals and grow to become a leading provider of legal services in the south east? That’s one of the questions Adam Hignett put to Gavin Tyler, Managing Partner at Cripps Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk WITH around 200 legal professionals, plus offices in Tunbridge Wells, Kings Hill, Sandwich and London, Cripps has transformed itself over the decades from the stereotypical law firm of the old boy network to a thriving company which commercialises law.

Having joined in 1984, after following his father into the business, Managing Partner Gavin Tyler has both witnessed and overseen the many fundamental changes which have affected the firm and the industry at large.

“There have been several big changes over the past 30 years,” he explains.

“When I first started, it certainly was how people imagine law firms to be.

‘Clients were not objecting because they saw value in it’ “I remember in the 1970s, after my father became a lawyer and travelled to London, he would don his pinstripe trousers and took a bowler hat.

“Back then law firms were not even allowed to advertise. That was not until the late 1980s.”

This restriction on marketing meant those in the legal profession were left with little choice but to find clients through personal networks.

“That led to the perception of the old boy network and that was just the way it was,” continues Mr Tyler.

“It was not peculiar to the profession, it was the way the whole business world worked back then.

“But I think the pace of change since the early

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

1990s has been phenomenal.”

One of the major changes came about when lawyers started to diversify and looked at how they dealt with litigation – the process of settling disputes between parties – which had traditionally been done as a favour for clients, before the penny dropped.

“Suddenly we said, hang on a minute, we are providing the client a service, we have got them out of a spot of bother and we were adding something. So we said ‘why don’t we start charging for that?’

“When we did we found the clients were not objecting because they saw value in it.

“That really took off during the 1990s,” he says.

“During this time, the mentality of the profession also began to change. Modern lawyers realised they were part of a broader business world and could no longer focus on purely the intellectual aspects of the law.

“If they want to do that they should teach law or do a PHD in it,” he adds.

Their ability to capitalise on litigation led Cripps to receive another boost in the middle of the decade, when it was appointed to the Solicitors Indemnity Fund Panel, effectively letting it represent other lawyers in legal trouble.

The fund itself is paid for through contributions from legal firms proportional to their size, and helps provide insurance for participating members.

“That was a tremendous credibility boost for us as we were then representing the big City firms and very much holding our own,” says Mr Tyler.

“And we got quite good at it because of our approach, which is about fixing things rather than seeing the law as an end in itself.”

The success was not unnoticed, however, with Cripps taking a big market share in the field and

RINGING THE CHANGES Gavin Tyler of top legal firm Cripps

LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS �

are thankfully long gone deriving a large portion of its business from it.

“So in 2000 the profession decided, in its wisdom, to put it to the open market as some of the bigger London firms felt they were subsidising the smaller players.”

Cripps suffered a setback as it lost its position, but other opportunities had come along for the firm, which moved into property law surrounding large infrastructure projects such as the Docklands Light Railway and HS1.

In 2010 another threat to the profession loomed, when areas previously classed as ‘reserved services’ – those which only solicitors were legally allowed to do – were opened up to outside competitors.

‘We realised it was essential to build a sustainable brand’ “The business world began looking at how they could make money out of the law and apply to it commercial thinking as opposed to evolved legal practices,” says Mr Tyler.

“Many large companies, ranging from the ‘big four accountancy firms’ to the Co-op and even Eddie Stobart, the haulage company, became involved.”

While not every venture has been successful, it did change thinking in the legal profession.

Another major shift in the legal sector has been an increased focus on marketing, particularly around branding.

“Back in 2014, we realised it was essential to build a sustainable brand and to move on from the

core values we had developed about ten years ago.

“We had also undergone the merger with Vertex and grown significantly. We had become a very different legal practice.”

The firm hired professional branding consultants to help them articulate what sort of business Cripps is and what it wanted to be known for.

“We recognised that many of our future clients are more likely to be economically active people in their 40s or 50s with both personal and business needs, so we needed to adapt in order to service all their requirements.”

The new brand encapsulates how Mr Tyler believes the firm approaches its client base.

“We very much offer advice and don’t treat the law as a process, as that is not what clients are looking for.

“It’s about working with them to help get them where they want to be.”

Looking ahead, he said that technology and automation was likely to have a major impact on the profession.

“Some of the more extreme predictions suggest that by 2020 the role of junior lawyers will be obsolete due to artificial intelligence,” he comments.

“I do not believe that will be the case, but it will certainly being doing some of their work.

“If you think about reviewing a whole load of documents, you can either put them through a scanner to search for certain words, key phrases and names, or give them to an individual who will take days and charge fees.

“But you have to ask ‘do lawyers really like

wading through paper?’ It gets hours on the clock for them but it is not very appealing.

“That’s why it’s important for lawyers to get back to giving advice and spending time building relationships with clients.”

THE BACKGROUND…

Who is Gavin Tyler?

Mr Tyler attended Skinners’ School, where he was a member of The Cadets, and decided he would go to Sandhurst Military College if he was unable to study law.

However, he attained good A levels, to the ‘surprise’ of his teachers, allowing him to study law at Manchester University and in London.

He followed his father by joining Cripps in 1984 and mainly focused on litigation, before later retraining in employment law.

Mr Tyler was made a partner in 1990, aged 29, and managing partner in 2013.

About Cripps…

Cripps was founded in Tunbridge Wells in 1852 and now has offices in Kings Hill, Sandwich and London, and is due to move into new offices on the former Kent and Sussex Hospital site.

In 2013 the firm merged with Vertex Law, doubling the size of its corporate and commercial practices.

Cripps recently won the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award.

11

BUSINESS IN BRIEF

County council to set up comercial legal firm KENT County Council (KCC) is commercialising its legal service department in a new venture designed to deliver ‘a significantly increased’ and ‘sustainable income stream’ for the taxpayer.

The department, named Kent Legal Services, has over the years provided a range of legal assistance to more than 600 public sector bodies and employs more than 125 specialist lawyers. All legal services staff will transfer into the company except those in the KCC client side commissioning team, who will remain employed by the council.

Workers compensated A LARKFIELD-based newsprint company has been forced to award £750,000 to the 98 workers it made redundant without consultation between February and April last year.

The decision was made by an employment tribunal which found the employees were not given their statutory eight weeks’ pay when dismissed. Aylesford Newsprint closed last year, resulting in 300 job losses and a hole in its pension fund which could be partially plugged through sale of the site, valued at £30million.

New local charity CEO TUNBRIDGE WELLS-based charity Tree of Hope, which offers help to families of sick or disabled children, has appointed a new Chief Executive.

Gill Gibb, who previously held the role of Managing Director of the Charity Employees Benevolent Fund, has spent 18 years in retail financial services.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

12 � LOCAL NEWS

The unbalancing of those books with a budget of ‘little substance’ One week on from the budget which plunged the Tories into civil war, it can be easy to forget that beneath the headlines Chancellor George Osborne’s announcement could have a real impact on your finances. Adam Hignett spoke to some of the professionals about what they make of the budget now they have had time to study the detail and how it will affect you and your business.

KAREN VIDLER

Managing Director at AV Trinity, Tunbridge Wells WHAT BUDGET? IT HAS been a while since we had a budget statement with so little substance; window dressing is probably the best description, and with the economic outlook as it is, there was always going to be little room for manoeuvre.

So who will be most affected?

The elderly and others on low incomes will be hit by the 10% increase on car, house and pet insurance premiums.

The under 40’s could have their heads turned by the Lifetime ISA. The difference is the ‘bonus’ of 25% - but you have to retain it until aged 60 to benefit and is viewed by many as an alternative to pensions.

Capital Gains Tax for many categories has improved,

SPENCER HUMBLE

Partner at Robinson Jackson Estate Agents, Tonbridge FIRST-TIME BUYERS THE Chancellor’s latest Budget didn’t contain many property shocks but firsttime buyers do have a new way to save for a deposit.

The Lifetime ISA will add £1 for every £4 saved by the ISA owner. Savers must be under 40, with a maximum of £4,000 allowed annually earning the saver a £1,000 cash bonus.

The Government’s contribution is designed to get first-time buyers to their deposit goal more quickly. Once they have found a property to buy, they can withdraw the cash to put down as a deposit. Any initiative designed to help first-time

particularly for those willing to invest in smaller companies, accepting the risks therein.

Not a lot was on the agenda, hence the somewhat odd schools announcement. But look at the detail and there are some points worth investigating.

PAUL HODGE

buyers is welcomed and we urge people to sign up when they are young to benefit from the maximum amount of Government ‘top ups’.

CRAIG HARMAN

Tax Partner at RSM, Tunbridge Wells LOOK AT THE DETAIL THE budget contained lots of good news for the party faithful. However, there were some important revenue raising announcements which weren’t immediately apparent that will affect individuals and businesses in Kent.

During his speech, the Chancellor talked about the positive impact of the introduction of the new commercial stamp duty regime.

Yes, the new system will mean a tax cut for small companies buying low cost properties but the charge will begin to bite for companies purchasing commercial properties costing more than around £1million.

Another big revenue raiser is the plan to tackle loans made by Employee Benefit Trusts - an attack on both historic and

Tax specialist at Perrys Chartered Accountants, Tunbridge Wells

not to include an exemption from the higher rates for significant investors owning more than 15 properties.

LANDLORDS TARGETED THE budget was good news for low and middle income taxpayers with the tax free personal allowance set to rise to £11,500 and the higher rate threshold to increase to £45,000 from April 2017.

Small businesses look to be the other big winners from the budget with the corporation tax rate set to fall to 17% by 1 April 2020 and an increase in the small business rate relief thresholds.

However, it did mean further bad news for landlords with the higher stamp duty land tax rates to go ahead as planned.

After consultation, the government have decided

GARY JEFFERIES

Chartered Financial Planner at Panoramic Wealth Management SAVE FOR THE FUTURE AND RENT A ROOM ALL the 2016 pre-Budget rhetoric in the financial services world had been in respect of dramatic changes to pensions post 6th April 2016. The suggestions had included ceasing the 25% tax free lump and an overall reduction of pension tax relief neither of which have materialised.

The 2016 budget will however be remembered for the sea change to ISAs with an emphasis on assisting the next generation to save and plan for their future.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

new schemes used by employers to avoid tax. Essentially, the Chancellor’s message was ‘settle now, or expect significant penalties on all outstanding loans’.

As well as the introducing the Lifetime ISA, the annual general ISA limit is being increased to £20,000 from 6th April 2017 up from £15,240.

However, the reduction now of the current rate of Pension Lifetime Allowance from £1,250,000 to £1,000,000 means many individuals will be they will pay a significantly higher level of tax when they retire than they would have expected.

Given current low Interest rates one area that people may be worth condensing is use of the Rent a Room Relief Scheme.

From 6th April 2016 the level of Rent a Room relief, allows tax-free income that can be received from renting out a room or rooms in an individual’s only or main residence of up to £7,500 per year.

ADVERTISING FEATURE �

13

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

BY STEPHEN WILMOT Almost 50% of all marriages end in divorce and for many it can be the most traumatic time in their lives. Months and sometimes years are spent deciding whether to separate and then, when the decision has been made, it can take an age to pluck up the courage to take action. Emotions run high and delays are usually down to fear of the unknown and what life will be like after the separation. Not to mention how you’ll cope financially and what you’ll tell the kids.

The truth is there is no easy way out.

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For a limited period I am offering a selected number of potential clients an opportunity to meet with one of the family solicitors in my

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Alternatively, call or email us today quoting reference TWT200116 Telephone: 01892 526442 or email – times@keenemarsland.co.uk Appointments are also available in London, Windsor, Reading, Edenbridge and Haywards Heath.

The truth is, there is no easy way out. However, the actions you take now and the choices you make will have a big impact on your new life.

The right legal team is key to your emotional and financial future. Family Law Solicitor Teresa Payne.

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Keene Marsland Solicitors, 6 Clanricarde Gardens, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1PH www.keenemarsland.co.uk Keene Marsland is a trading name of Parfitt Cresswell. Parfitt Cresswell is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . No 71480

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

14  WORLD NEWS

Terror at the airport

Belgian Prime Minister brands bombers ‘blind, violent and cowardly’ after more than 30 die in terrorist attack on major European capital

A

T LEAST 34 people have been killed and nearly 200 injured as terrorists inflicted a new outrage on a European capital.

Coordinated bomb attacks on the main airport and Metro system in Brussels left a major city in lockdown once again less than five months after Paris was hit by a wave of deadly strikes.

The atrocities yesterday [Tuesday], condemned as ‘blind, violent and cowardly’ by Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, came after the arrest last week of terror mastermind Salah Abdeslam, who plotted November’s massacre in the French capital.

The terror group Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said: “We are at war. In Europe we have been subjected to acts of war for several months.”

A suicide bomber struck first near the American Airlines desk at Brussels airport, with local media reporting that shots were fired amid shouting in Arabic. A US official claimed a suitcase bomb was also detonated.

The explosion on the Metro was near European Union buildings and the US embassy.

Two Kalashnikov rifles and an unexploded bomb belt were found at the airport after the attacks.

Downing Street said one British national is

known to have been injured.

First news of the attacks came when the airport was rocked by a double blast around 7am UK time.

The attack on the Metro came about an hour later.

Footage from inside the airport building showed a scene of devastation with ceiling tiles strewn across the floor and suitcases abandoned.

Images of passengers climbing from a Metro train into a smoke-filled tunnel near Maelbeek station were reminiscent of scenes following the July 7 attacks in London.

Other images showed the injured from the Metro being treated in the street, while at the airport people could be seen fleeing in terror in video footage shot from an airport car park.

As the army was deployed and the transport system was locked down, Mr Michel said: “In this tragic and dark moment for our country, more than ever I call on everyone to show calm but also solidarity. We are faced with a challenge, a difficult challenge, and we have to face this challenge being united, showing solidarity and being together.”

International leaders united in support for Belgium, with David Cameron branding the atrocities ‘appalling’ and US president Barack Obama condemning the ‘outrageous attacks against innocent people’.

RUNNING FOR COVER A passengers flees after the airport explosion

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

RUNNING FOR COVER A passenger flees after the airport explosion (far right) Inset: Some of the devastation in the terminal

WORLD NEWS 

Police tighten up security in London POLICE numbers have been stepped up at key locations around the UK in the wake of the terrorist bomb attacks on the main airport and Metro system in Brussels.

In an interview with the media London Mayor Boris Johnson said: I want to stress we have no intelligence that suggests there’s any imminent plan against this city. We are stepping up a presence at transport hubs and major airports, but that is purely for the purpose of reassurance and does not reflect any intelligence we have about a threat to London.”

The country’s most senior counter-terrorism officer, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, of the Metropolitan Police, said: “As a precaution forces across the UK have increased policing presence at key locations, including transport hubs, to protect the public and provide reassurance. This is not in relation to any specific information or intelligence.

“In London specifically, the Metropolitan Police Service has mobilised additional officers who will carry out highly visible patrols at key locations around the capital.

SECURITY MEASURES More police on duty in UK

15

Travel plans from UK disrupted as Belgian capital goes into lockdown ALL flights between the UK and the main airport in Brussels were cancelled after the attacks in the Belgian capital.

Brussels Airport announced that it would remain closed until at least Wednesday following two explosions in the departure hall.

Eurostar suspended all of its trains to and from Brussels following explosions in the Belgian capital.

Services from London to Brussels have been terminating in the French city of Lille, a spokeswoman for the crossChannel train operator said.

Security has also been stepped up at transport hubs in the UK. A spokesman for Heathrow said: “In the light of events in Brussels Airport we are working with the police at Heathrow who are providing a high-visibility presence.”

Gatwick issued a statement which read: “As a result of the terrible incidents in Brussels we have increased our security presence and patrols around the airport.”

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) updated its travel advice for Britons in Brussels, urging them to “stay away from crowded places and avoid public transport at this time”.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

16 � NATIONAL NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF

Police arrest man on suspicion of murder A 50-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a woman found at an East Sussex village property.

Police were called to the address in West End, Herstmonceux, East Sussex, at 11.30am on Monday, where the body of the 48-year-old victim was discovered following concerns raised about her welfare.

The suspect, who was known to the victim, was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton with serious injuries, but was later arrested when discharged by doctors.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death, but have renewed an appeal to anyone who noticed anything suspicious in West End, Herstmonceux, over the past 48 hours to contact them.

“A post-mortem examination is due to take place today [Wednesday] to determine the cause of death. The coroner has been informed.”

Airshow crash delay THE police investigation into the Shoreham Airshow plane crash which killed 11 people is being delayed because detectives are being forced to seek permission from courts to gain access to key information from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), a pre-inquest review has heard.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Rymarz, of Sussex Police, said officers already had 330 statements, 3,500 documents and had obtained images or video from more than 200 members of the public. The full inquest is expected to be held in March 2017 and will last an estimated eight weeks.

Property prices rise PROPERTY prices in the south east have hit a new peak according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and together with London have skewed the figures for the UK. Average prices surged by 7.9 per cent annually in January to reach a new record high of £292,000 but the ONS said if London and the south east were taken out of the figures, the uplift would be just 5.1 per cent.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

Osborne ignores calls to resign as he faces up to hostile Commons GEORGE Osborne has insisted he will not cut the ‘generous’ state pension as he seeks to deal with a multi-billion pound black hole in his Budget.

The Chancellor faced a hostile reception from Opposition MPs in the Commons as he made his first appearance since being forced into a U-turn on cuts to disability benefits, and the dramatic resignation of work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith.

A £4.4billion hole is expected to emerge in the Budget by 2020 due to the decision not to implement cuts to personal independence payments (PIP).

Speaking on the fourth day of the Budget debate, Mr Osborne told the Commons: “By not proceeding with the PIP changes it means spending on disabled people will be just over £1billion a year higher by the end of the decade than was set out in the Budget.

“This will be an important factor, but only one of many that will affect the overall forecast for welfare that the OBR will make in the autumn, and at that point we will assess the level of the cap and what Stephen Crabb [the new work and pensions secretary] said yesterday,

HOSTILE RECEPTION George Osborne

with my full support, is that we don’t have further plans to make welfare savings to replace the billion pounds more we will spend on PIP. “We made very substantial savings in the Welfare Reform and Work Act that has just passed through Parliament, so we’ve now legislated for £12billion a year of working-age welfare savings – the £12billion we committed to in our manifesto – and we’re going to focus now on implementing that.”

‘Spending on disabled people will be just over £1billion a year higher’ Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell attacked Mr Osborne over his ‘grubby, incompetent manipulations’ and said he was a ‘political chancellor’ who must now resign.

After thanking Mr Osborne for turning up to the debate, he said: “Let me make it clear from the outset that, in my view – and, I believe, that of many others – the behaviour of the Chancellor over the last 11 days calls into question his fitness for the office he now holds.”

False paedophile claims ruined my life says former MP FORMER Tory MP Harvey Proctor claims allegations that he was part of a VIP paedophile ring have ruined his life.

The 69 year old was recently told that he will face no further action following a police investigation when he was twice interviewed under caution and his home was raided as part of the historical abuse probe Operation Midland.

The operation has now been closed and in an interview with The Sun Mr Proctor dismissed it as being based on solely the ‘ramblings of a liar and a madman’.

He said: “Nothing the Metropolitan Police do or say, no weasel words of regret, can remove that indelible stain. I hope they are proud of themselves for irreparably ruining my life.”

The inquiry looked at claims that boys were sexually abused by a number of public figures more than 30 years ago, and focused on allegations made by a man known as ‘Nick’, and two other complainants who came forward later.

It also saw raids on the homes of 92-year-old D-Day veteran Lord Bramall and the late Lord Brittan, but not one arrest.

Mr Proctor’s comments come at the same time as the head of the National Crime Agency (NCA) has said that the police should prioritise current cases over allegations of historical sex abuse.

Speaking to the national Times, Lynne Owens said the police had a responsibility to catch current offenders.

She said: “Our priority has to be offending that is happening today because that’s the only way that we can protect future victims.”

She added that the police still needed to find a way to support victims of historical abuse.

BUSINESS NEWS 

Cheaper secondhand cars keep inflation down INFLATION remained at 0.3 per cent last month as the falling cost of second-hand cars was offset by rising food prices, according to official figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the cost of second-hand cars fell 5.6per cent year on year in February.

Food prices were down by 2.4 % compared with February 2015, but the fall was smaller than the 2.8 per cent annual drop seen in January 2016, driven in part by the rising price of potato crisps.

The cost of food has been dropping for more than a year, as the rise of German discounters Aldi and Lidl forces the big four supermarkets to slash prices.

Despite February’s 0.3 per cent rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), inflation still remains historically low, with the Bank of England predicting it to stay far below the Government’s target for some time.

Sharply lower oil prices have also kept a lid on inflation, leaving the central bank in no hurry to raise rates above 0.5 per cent, where they have remained for nearly seven years.

ONS statistician Phil Gooding said: “CPI is unchanged and remains around historically low levels.

“Although most prices remained stable, we have seen falling prices for second-hand cars and bicycles, offset by rising food prices.”

February’s unchanged level of inflation comes after three months of rising CPI.

Is the Royal Bank of Scotland moving closer to privatisation?

THE Royal Bank of Scotland has taken control of its dividend payments. The bank – which is 73 per cent owned by the taxpayer – has paid the Government £1.2billion to bring to a close the Dividend Access Share scheme (DAS), which gave Her Majesty’s Treasury a priority over dividends.

The DAS was enforced by the Government in 2009 after the bank received a £45billion bailout in the wake of the financial crash.

The Government aims to sell its stake in RBS over the next five years, but was recently forced to delay plans to sell its ten per cent stake in Lloyds Banking Group following increased market volatility.

Shares were down two per cent.

Group Chief Executive Ross McEwan said: “This is another important milestone in our plan to resume capital distributions to our shareholders, and represents one less hurdle in our path to build the number one bank for customer service, trust and advocacy.”

RBS racked up its eighth year in a row of annual losses when it announced its full-year results in February.

The group posted a loss of £2billion, although this is down on the £3.5billion deficit it reported a year earlier.

The bank said it has set aside £3.6billion in conduct charges.

This includes £2.1billion to cover expected legal action on US residential mortgage-backed securities, as well as £600million extra for payment protection insurance (PPI).

Since then, the bank has moved to cut costs, announcing earlier this month that it would slash 550

jobs and replace some face-to-face advisers with an automated system.

The high street lender said 220 staff would be shed from its investment advice team as part of a shake up which will see face-to-face advice only offered to customers investing £250,000 or more.

The bank said it will also scale back its protection business to a telephone-only service, triggering the loss of 250 jobs from its protection products team.

BANKING ON IT RBS chief Ross McEwan

17

BUSINESS IN BRIEF

Working mothers face discrimination THREE out of four working mothers have been affected by pregnancy and maternity discrimination, a ‘worrying’ new study has revealed.

Research among 3,000 mothers showed that many were not told about promotion opportunities, were denied training or even threatened with dismissal.

Only one in four women affected by discrimination raised it with their employer, the survey by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission found.

BT told to cut prices BT MUST ‘significantly’ cut prices charged for high-speed lines and improve business services under detailed plans outlined by the communications watchdog.

Ofcom confirmed plans to force BT to install business lines more quickly and start to reduce prices from May 1.

Cheers to charity tipple A NEW craft beer brand which will donate 100 per cent of its profits to clean water projects, including Oxfam and WaterAid, has been launched.

Entrepreneurs behind the Social Bite sandwich shop chain have teamed up with Aberdeenshire-based BrewDog to supply clean drinking water to one million people.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

18  LOCAL NEWS

Spiffing stuff as Fluff finally wins Spoofing title showdown If you’re confused then read on to find out about this strange ancient game in which players have to earn their stripes Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk IT WAS East versus West in what was proving to be a dramatic showdown in the 30th Kent Spoofing Championship. All eyes in the room were focused on the two players left standing.

The entire afternoon had been building up to this moment, with a trophy and reputations on the line.

Those who had fallen by the wayside eagerly await the outcome.

It was a Friday, and spirits were high as 20 Spoofers congregated at Sankey’s in Tunbridge Wells from across the county, with a token Sussex player thrown into the mix as well as one individual from ‘no fixed addresses’.

Many were adorned in their multi-coloured blazers, having ‘earned’ the cloth to have them tailored by representing their country at world championships overseas.

The game itself is said to trace its

MAKING A GOOD FIST OF IT Matthew Sankey

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

roots all the way back to Ancient Rome, but the Kent players use the Hollywood Rules.

These rules were not created by famous actors, but by a group of public school old boys at the Hollywood Arms in London, who began playing the game between sips of port.

They never wrote the rules down, although the game is normally played by around five players, each with three coins ‘of equal size’ in their pockets.

They then select between none or all three and hold them in a closed fist out front as each player has a go at guessing how many concealed coins there are in total.

The caller knows how many they have in their own hand as a reference point.

The first player to guess or ‘deduce’ correctly wins five points and leaves the table, and the game continues for four points down to zero as players leave.

“It isn’t just luck… but it mostly is,” said host Matthew Sankey, who added one has to also ‘make their own luck’ while not getting too drunk.

“When you put a group of men in a room full of beer getting drunk is a frequent side effect, and often it is the most sober who win.”

A wide array of Spoofing slang, incomprehensible to the outsider, is used to describe the guesses being made,

with calls such as ‘General Belgrano’, ‘flowers’, ‘Steffi Graff’ and ‘German virgin’ being belted out.

After three rounds, including one called the ‘Repechange’ the players were sufficiently whittled down to the final two in a ‘Spoof-off’.

Each finalist then selected their ‘second’ to declare their calls as a way to ‘take the pressure off bit’ and help raise morale with theatrical announcements.

Representing West Kent was Ian ‘Fluff’ Chapman of the local Chalybeate School. ‘The debutante’ exclaimed his chosen speaker Mr Sankey, who declared his ‘privilege’ at being nominated.

“Representing East Kent, two-time world champion, Mr Dom Graham,” announced Ed Vant, Mr Graham’s chosen speaker.

“It’s like the West Side Story,” remarked one spectator, “More like Brokeback Mountain,” exclaimed another in response – to much laughter.

Daring calls were made by the speakers on the instruction of their players in this battle of wits, which unfolded as the best of seven.

After a close-run fight there was one call left to be made on behalf of Mr Chapman to decide who would walk away with the trophy, the honour and, most importantly, the respect of his peers.

“The absent friend,” challenged Mr Sankey on behalf of his player, a call which states there are only two coins in play.

Silence fell on the room as both Mr Chapman and Mr Graham opened their hands, each revealing one coin.

Mr Chapman, or ‘Fluff’ to his friends, had won, with a burst of cheers erupting from the tipsy onlookers, many of whom come from the same

‘At the end of the day, it is just about a bunch of mates getting together and having fun’

THE HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN Matthew Sankey Guy Sankey Stuart Haughton Ian ‘Trendy’ Doolan David ‘Double Dog’ Durell Liam McLaughlin John Kett Stephen ‘Bunter’ Jackson Steve McMillan Aggy Price Ed Vant Nick Poynton John ‘Bumble’ Pemble Phil ‘The Power’ ‘Digital’ Dave Hayward Ashley Silverton Dom Graham Mike Chapell Ian ‘Fluff’ Chapman Perry Walton school of Spoofing as the victor.

Speaking after the event, Mr Sankey, who has played for almost a decade and hosts the Chalybeate School every Thursday, described the event as a ‘huge success’.

“Everyone enjoyed themselves. At the end of the day, it is just about a bunch of mates getting together and having fun.”

LOCAL NEWS 

19

Make an ‘impossible call’ and you have to purchase a bottle of port GLOSSARY OF CALL TERMS 0 Spoof 1 Joe Two Pie 2 The Edacott Two or The Absent Friend 3 Flowers three 4 Skins 5 The General Belgrano, The Sea Tractor 6 The Axsis 7 Jimmy Bond, Mission from Heaven 8 Harry Taite 9 The German Virgin, Steffi Graff 10 The Kiwi Tin 11 Legs 12 Imperial 13 Bakers 14 Cat Whores 15 Film Festival FIRST CHOICE Guessing game

THE HISTORY: The game of Spoof has been around for years in one form or another. People used matchsticks, beer caps or anything else close to hand. Then, one fog-bound night at the Hollywood Arms in London, a group of public school old boys of the posh and toff type were Spoofing in between nips of port. The conversation turned to the camaraderie they shared as gentlemen and lovers of sport and they decided to form a few looselyknit spoofing rules to foster good fellowship. Nothing was written down at the time but, as befits a game for gentlemen, certain customs were developed to which people adhere the world over.

THE HOLLYWOOD RULES: The names of those participating are randomly drawn and formed into ‘schools’ of the requisite size, with each Spoofer standing to the left of the person chosen before them, forming an approximate circle. A dead match is then spun to decide who goes first before each Spoofer displays a clenched fist containing from zero to three coins, of any value but must always, etiquette states, be of the same size. The person chosen may either guess themselves or nominate who to guess or ‘call’, with the aim of correctly determining the number of coins currently held by all the players. Every player gets to call, with play continuing in a clockwise fashion, however they are not allowed to call a number already announced. When all Spoofers have had their turn, the coins are revealed and the total counted in a clockwise direction. The Spoofer who called correctly then drops out and takes the maximum amount of points, which is determined by the number of people playing. The game continues until all players are out.

‘Jimmy Bond’ (7) while in a school of three, as the maximum which could be out there is six.

The penalty for making an impossible call and being caught is to buy a bottle of port for the other players, but if wrongly accused the Spoofer who made the false accusation will also pay the same penalty.

A special note for the Haughton Six. When in a school of three and holding three coins in your hand you may call the Haughton Six. You would only do this if you believed the total coins in the school to be six. You would also declare your coins. This is a Bravado call.

GLORIOUS HONOUR The coveted Spoofing trophy

TRAIL BLAZERS You must earn your stripes

THE IMPOSSIBLE CALL: No Spoofer is allowed to make ‘an impossible call’ – an impossible call is one which has either previously been made, or is not feasible due to the number of players left. For example, calling ‘The Kiwi Tin’ (10) with three players left is impossible. Another example of an impossible call is the player not holding any coins, but calling

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

20  LETTERS

And another thing…

The Times of Tunbridge Wells always wants 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 Guns: Police chief ‘exasperating’

There is a cost to keeping the public safe and it’s called policing; part of that is the issuing of gun licences, so it is absurd of the Police Commissioner to say that gun users are being subsidised for a hobby. By her same token it could be argued that the taxpayer is subsidising the lifestyle of Ann Barnes.

She would not want that cost/benefit to come under scrutiny, and it’s probably not possible to analyse the cost/benefit of licensing guns. If she believes costs aren’t being covered she should

AXA jobs: Project Fear

It must have been heartening for the town’s AXA employees to read in the Times [March 9] the head of AXA nailing Greg Clark’s canard about falling investment and job loss, if we vote to leave Europe, and linking this to AXA as the town’s largest employer. It’s obvious that he’s joined the Project Fear camp despite his earlier calls for a respectful campaign.

We know where he stands on Europe; does he know how his constituents stand, I wonder.

It is clear, though, that he doesn’t play cricket – he doesn’t know what a straight bat is.

Ralph Steerpike Via email

Weddings: The little touches

It was my sister’s wedding anniversary on March 8; one year has passed since she and her husband tied the knot and had their reception at The Barn in Tunbridge Wells.

The food on the day was amazing – everything was cooked to perfection. The staff were friendly and pleasant, the venue is just over the road from Calverley Grounds and my sister and brotherin-law had their wedding pictures taken there, absolutely beautiful gardens.

Anyway, one year on The Barn invited them back for an anniversary dinner – three courses, £20 a head. They had (yet again) beautiful food and my sister had no complaints, she is quite fussy and not easy to please when it comes to dining out.

It is the little things like this that make a business successful. The manager said they hold a wedding every single weekend and one couple hadn’t even visited the venue and had booked their weekend on the basis of what they had heard and the reviews they had seen.

Miranda Brady Via email

Hadlow College: Delights of lambing

My family and I attended the 2016 Hadlow College Lambing Weekend event [March 14] and it was delightful. There was so much to do like tractor rides which were obviously for the children but I think I enjoyed it more than them.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

examine the efficiency of the process, but it’s not a revenue earner, it’s not the TV licence.

The office of Police Commissioner is soon up for election [she has just announced she will not be standing] so I hope someone will put up a packet of cornflakes to contest her. We will, at least then, be blessed with some restraint.

I am not a gun owner and never have been, and I’m not overly enthusiastic about them either but, like many people, I have found Ann Barnes’ tenure in office very exasperating.

Edward Baker, via email The weather was gorgeous with no cloud or rain in sight; which was a relief because last year’s Lambing Weekend was dampened by the rain and wind.

The atmosphere of the event was family friendly and warm, it was buzzing with the feel for all things British. It was an amazing learning experience for my children to be able to see the baby lambs and being able to hold them as well – this was the highlight of the day!

The landscape around the college was well kept and immaculate, there was no rubbish in sight to be seen and there were so many activities to do.

The countryside marquee was great for adults and children – there were interactive games for the children to keep them occupied and mine loved them.

The whole event is an amazing experience which I would recommend to anyone and everyone because it is perfect to welcome in spring. We have been attending this family friendly event for many years and it never fails to impress – it allows one to really experience horticulture in a fresh new light and there is so much to see and learn.

Without a doubt the best way to step into spring!

Charlotte York Via email

Junior doctors: For them

Thank you for publishing the picture and story [March 16] about the junior doctors going on strike in Tunbridge Wells. I have nothing but sympathy for them as they are expected to do so much for relatively little. Surely it cannot be right that they are expected to work ridiculously long shifts – how can they possibly diagnose things clearly if they are exhausted? Also, I find it outrageous that they are then given sole responsibility for a few hundred patients at night while their more experienced – and better paid – colleagues take a rest? I fully support the young doctors’ campaign and hope Jeremy Hunt sees sense very soon. This alarming situation cannot continue…

Deborah Green Via email

GUNNING FOR LICENCES Outgoing PCC Ann Barnes

Junior doctors: Against them

I read with much interest your report [March 16] on the junior doctors who walked out on a 48-hour strike because they don’t want to sign a new employment contract. While I have some sympathy for them having to work long hours in a demanding job it is surely not unreasonable for the Health Secretary to want to bring the NHS into this century and offer seven-day ‘opening’. He might not be going about it in the right way but he will be left with no choice but to impose the new contract if the doctors refuse to sign up to the package.

Your story drew attention to the fact that one of those you spoke to earned around £30,000 with, no doubt, healthy bonuses on top for unsocial hours. Most would consider that a pretty good salary, remember many of these same doctors will learn their ‘trade’ in the NHS and later move on to clinics in the private sector making considerable amounts of money. Will they then refund the NHS for training them?

Jeffery Johnson Via email

Traffic chaos: The fork lift truck

I am worried that there are too many new flats turning up in our town. Do the planners and developers not take into account that we have plenty of smart apartments already? Also, have they not thought that offering predominantly expensive accommodation will just push young locals looking to buy in their home town off the property ladder altogether?

Oh, and don’t get me started on the traffic chaos all this construction is causing! The other day I had to make a ten-minute detour as Culverden was closed due to a large fork lift truck sitting across the top half of it. I ended up on St John’s Road which has basically now turned into a car park at rush hour – either ends of the day. This sort of lengthy diversion is incredibly infuriating when you are trying to get to an appointment on time and not what our town needs more of.

Vanessa Collins Via email

Calverley STRANGE things often happen in TW. Take last week when the Kent Spoofing Championships surfaced at the establishment of Mr M Sankey.

Not quite sure what it involves aside from guessing how many coins a player has in their hand. More fascinated by the rules, one of which reads: “In the event of a spoofer being unable to call a valid total… he must call the ‘Cawood Pass’; failure to do so will result in the fine of a bottle of wine.” Sounds fun.

INTERESTING to note Twuddle and Twuttle have been wound up and replaced by TWMeetup. If that all makes sense to you then you must be a member of the Twitterati. The social media crowd apparently now meet every Wednesday to ‘chew the cud’ at Scallywags. Calverley was minded to pop along until he saw it all kicks off at 10am. Sadly, like most others, he is hard at work earning a crust at that time of day. How do they all get away?

WHAT have a chiropodist, optician, postal worker and an undertaker got in common?

They’re all considered to be of a higher moral calibre than a newspaper editor. Calverley knows this because his colleague was asked to provide a reference for a friend offered a job by Essex County Council (why would you move there). He duly provided said reference to be told they do not accept them from editors.

Journalists and all those listed earlier are perfectly fine. But not editors. Suspect many might agree with that policy.

EVERYONE’S at it these days, offering convenient ways to return unwanted or faulty products ordered online. Sometimes though things don’t go according to plan. Calverley cleverly orders a clothes steamer (not for him but for ‘she who must be obeyed’) and has it delivered to his office. It leaks and needs to be returned. He takes it 200 yards to a post office place. Job done relax. One week later the steamer, like a boomerang, arrives back at his office. They return it to the returnee.

CALVERLEY is a pretty sceptical sort of chap and particularly so when it comes to those testimonials you read on social media about businesses. And a fine example he comes across online. A certain new media company boasts about an endorsement from one of its clients who runs a bakery. However, when he delves a little deeper he finds, lo and behold, they are both owned by the same person. What a coincidence.

Chin Chin

SWAROVSKI TUNBRIDGE WELLS 204 ROYAL VICTORIA PLACE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, TN l 2SS.

Miranda Kerr

22  WATCH FEATURE

Baselwor ld 2016

As the most important marketplace and trendsetting platform for the world’s luxury watch and jewellery industry, Baselworld distinguishes itself as the only show to regroup all the key players. We profile some of the biggest brands and most breath-taking timepieces on display at this year’s event EACH spring, the city of Basel in Switzerland plays host to Baselworld, far and away the most prestigious event on the international watch and jewellery industry’s calendar. At this sparkling showcase, around 2,100 exhibitors from over 45 countries present some of their latest and greatest pieces to over 94,000 visitors.

This year’s event was certainly no exception, celebrating the innovation and creativity that has gone into the most

remarkable collections on Earth over the last 12 months.

Over ‘eight days of brilliance’, the momentous occasion – inaugurated by Swiss Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga – introduced some trendsetting ranges that have well and truly set the tone for the coming year.

Such was the case with 2016’s watch displays, which boasted cutt ing-edge timepieces from the likes of Patek Philippe, Tudor, Chopard and Breitling. Together, these

Chopard L.U.C Perpetual Chrono

Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860

AN AUTHENTIC collector’s watch for modern gentlemen, our new L.U.C Perpetual Chrono combines a hand-wound chronograph and a finely crafted perpetual calendar within an unprecedented L.U.C movement. The L.U.C Perpetual Chrono flaunts one of the most sophisticated styles and constructions in the world of haute horology. www.chopard.com

OUR L.U.C XPS 1860 pays homage to the first watch in the L.U.C collection, the L.U.C 1860, launched 20 years ago.

This model, with its hand-guillochéd dial and ultra-thin case, is a contemporary interpretation of a great classic, combining discreet elegance and sobriety with our first Chopard Manufacture movement. www.chopard.com

Jeweller’s comment, G. Collins & Sons: “A powerful collector’s model, this is Chopard’s first perpetual calendar chronograph to be released, with only 20 pieces made. This watch displays a moon phase that only needs adjusting once every 122 years! A marvellous complication in an 18ct white gold case.”

Patek Philippe Annual Calendar THE second debut is the Annual Calendar, which very tastefully recalls the 20th anniversary of the patented Annual Calendar (its successful career began in Basel in 1996, and was voted Watch of the Year a few months later). Since then, the Annual Calendar has been crafted in 21 versions. www.patek.com Jeweller’s comment, G. Collins & Sons: “1996 saw the release of the annual calendar mechanism for Patek Philippe, so to celebrate its 20th anniversary, this piece has been launched with two beautiful new dials: grey with white gold breguet numerals, and cream with rose gold breguet numerals.

Pure elegance.”

Georg Jensen Koppel Grande Date THE Koppel Grande Date adds a new dimension to Henning Koppel’s design, incorporating content without disrupting the clarity of the original, as a result of the space offered by the 41mm. Featuring a large date between the central axis and the twelve o’clock position, the watch retains its classic Scandinavian elegance. www.georgjensen.com Jeweller’s comment, G. Collins & Sons: “The Koppel Grande Date small seconds displays perfect finesse. The watch has a sleek, minimalist face, mixed with the fluent lines of the case.

Beneath this classic exterior lies a Swiss-made, automatic movement, giving this watch the perfect balance between style and precision.”

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

industry leaders captivated audiences and unveiled their most recent ranges, many of which featured contemporary twists on classic designs.

For a taste of which models were on display, we’ve rounded up a selection of the market’s biggest players – along with some expert commentary from Her Majesty The Queen’s jeweller, G. Collins & Sons – to find out more about the chronometers you won’t want to miss throughout 2016…

Jeweller’s comment, G. Collins & Sons: “Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the LUC collection, this is a limited edition watch with only 250 pieces being made. With a handguillochéd dial and 18ct rose gold case, this watch oozes sophistication.”

Patek Philippe World Time Chronograph AFICIONADOS, collectors and connoisseurs of mechanical timepieces will be awed when they see the new Patek Philippe World Time Chronograph. It combines the Geneva manufacturer’s patented World Time mechanism with a proprietary self-winding chronograph movement, which comes in a round white-gold case and a dial with a blue, manually guillochéd centre. www.patek.com Jeweller’s comment, G. Collins & Sons: “A brand new model from Patek Philippe this year, combining the famous world time complication and a chronograph in this 18ct white gold case. The centre of the dial is hand-guillochéd, which catches the light beautifully. Definitely one of our favourite pieces at the show.”

MILLE MIGLIA GTS POWER CONTROL (168566-3001 ). CHOPARD MOVEMENT, CALIBRE 01 .08-C

~. (!Collin~ & ~on~ -----------••----------By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Jeweller G Collins & Sons Limited Royal Tunbridge Wells

63 High Street, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TNl lXU Tel. 01892 534018 I Fax. 01892 510536 Email. info@gcollinsandsons.com I www.gcollinsandsons.com

MILLE MIGLIA

24 ď Ž WATCH FEATURE

Baselwor ld 2016 Tudor Heritage Advisor Cognac THE Heritage Advisor is a reinterpretation of the famous Tudor alarm watch from 1957. An up-to-date version of a classic, the watch retains the original shape and proportions of its case, lugs and glass, its dauphine hands and bevelled markers, as well as the design and colour of its red alarm hand. www.tudorwatch.com

Breitling Avenger Hurricane ITS name sets the tone: with the Avenger Hurricane, Breitling is launching a new chronograph that pushes all existing boundaries in terms of instruments for professionals. Extreme power, with a 50mm XXL diameter, a sturdy construction equipped with lateral protective reinforcements and an all-black look, enhanced by tallow accents and aviation-inspired, stencil-type numerals. www.breitling.com

Tudor Style Fluted Bezel TUDOR is adding a range of new aesthetic features to its Style line of classic watches with the introduction of a fluted bezel and coloured dials. The Style line provides a contemporary take on the classic and elegant wristwatch, a form of expression that Tudor has continued to tap into throughout its history. www.tudorwatch.com

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

26 n CAMDEN ROAD FEATURE

Having a laugh at Camden Quarter If you fancy giving your funny bone a workout, you won’t want to miss the next comedy night at Camden Quarter on March 31, which features a variety of upcoming talent and seasoned stand-up acts. We find out how the venue will be bringing laughs aplenty to the town at the end of the month Tell us the background of Camden Quarter’s comedy nights There used to be comedy nights here a couple of years ago, when the restaurant was Relish.

We refurbished our upstairs function room last year, adding another bar and a small stage, so it seemed like a good time to bring back comedy; it’s a good-sized space that can seat between 70 and 80 people. We did some research online and came across Pulp Comedy. Bobby, who runs the company, has been fantastic and steered us in the right direction. He arranges the PA system and organises all the comedians.

How often do you put the evenings on?

Comedy nights are the last Thursday of every month. The first one was back in September 2015, and the next one will be on March 31, which will be our sixth. So far we’ve sold out on every night!

And how many acts perform on each night?

There are four acts each time. The MC or compère starts the night and introduces the three other acts.

There are two intervals during the night, and then the headliner is the last act of the evening. The whole thing takes about two hours. Each month they’re completely different comedians, so you’ll never see the same act twice here.

Are the acts local, or do they come from further afield?

Pulp Comedy is based in London, so most of the comedians appear to be based around London and the South East, but they’re all doing the comedy circuit and travelling around the country touring. We’ve had comedians who’ve been doing this job for 20 years and some who are just starting out, so there’s always an element of surprise.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

Is the event ticketed?

It’s £8 a ticket in advance and £10 on the day. To book, either phone the restaurant on 01892 544 522, or pop in and buy your tickets from us. We sell out pretty quickly, so it’s always best to buy in advance, particularly if you don’t want to sit in the front row and be bait for a quick-witted comedian!

Who are some of the acts performing on March 31?

This month we have Stuart Laws, who’s the MC and made his debut at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2013. Pierre Novielle was a member of Cambridge Footlights and nominated for Best Newcomer in the 2014 Chortle Awards. He was also a finalist in the 2012 Chortle Student Comedy Awards and won the 2013 Amused Moose Laugh-Off. There’s also George Lewis, winner of the Amused Moose Laugh Off and Comedy Knights Comedian of the Year in 2015, and the headliner David Whitney is an actor/comedian, who was involved in the BAFTA-winning comedy Fonejaker and has performed comedy both in America and the UK. Do you do special dishes or set menus for the evenings?

Our restaurant is open as normal, where we have our evening menu, which is served from 6pm until 9.45pm. Booking is again advisable if you would like food before you head upstairs at 8.30pm for the comedy. The bars upstairs are open from 7pm if you just fancy a drink.

What are your hopes for the future of the comedy nights at the Camden Quarter?

We’ll continue to run the comedy nights for as long as they’re popular and we continue to get the great acts. The other exciting thing we have is Northern Soul nights, which have come back

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 PROPERTY SECTION

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

In my view…

Your at-a-glance guide to

Richard Smith Associate Strutt & Parker, Sevenoaks.

‘The Price is right’… or is it?

You can understand why some house owners and property watchers are puzzled, these are indeed interesting times. Some houses fly of the shelf and others are just not selling at all.

Whilst we all hear much talk about ‘The Property Market’, in reality there are markets within markets. Some areas are performing well, others are clearly not. The varying fortunes of houses can be partly explained with the current schism between Town and Country and in part the punitive rates of stamp duty, not forgetting ‘Brexit’ – Estate Agents really are not short of excuses for the poor performance of the market.

However, whilst I could talk about such things endlessly there is something more fundamental that affects the fortune of sellers and that is pricing. Setting the correct guide price is tricky stuff and not something you can readily ‘Google’; too high and you could face ‘death by a thousand cuts’ and end up getting less for the house than you might have done had it been priced correctly from the start. Too low and you might get lots of early offers and not know if you might have got more, had you hung on. In reality, houses are rarely undersold but plenty are overpriced - so much so that some estate agents specialise in this! – Beware of flattery.

Mainstream Estate agents with their highly visible offices in Towns and Cities will usually have considerable experience in pricing strategies and whilst the offer of a ‘Free Market Appraisal’ can be used and abused by some to put their homes on with ‘boutique’ or purely online estate agents, that conversely are often inconspicuous by their absence on the High Street and may be a front for someone with a poor or small track record in the industry.

There is no formula to set a guide price, just sound advice and plenty of experience.

For more information, contact sevenoaks@struttandparker.com or 01732 807801

THE OLD ORCHARD, LONDON ROAD, TONBRIDGE

£180,000

(share of freehold)

newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? Wednesday 23rd March 2016

UNDER £200,000 Ideal for a first time buyer or as an Investment purchase, this lovely first floor flat, located on the Tonbridge/ Hildenborough borders, offers spacious accommodation with one

double bedroom, a living/dining room, kitchen and bathroom. Set well back from the road, the property has a communal entrance with entryphone system. Pleasant communal gardens and the added benefit of an allocated parking space.

CONTACT Barnes Kingsnorth Tonbridge 01732 771616 www.bkestateagents.com

WHITEFRIARS WHARF, TONBRIDGE

£310,000-£330,000 UNDER £350,000

Located within walking distance of Tonbridge station is this three-storey modern house, set in the desirable Whitefriars Wharf and offered to the market chain-free. Well presented throughout, there is a partly open-plan living room/kitchen on

the ground floor, a double bedroom and family bathroom on the first floor and a master bedroom with en-suite shower room and a further single bedroom on the top floor. It also has communal grounds and allocated parking as well as visitor parking.

CONTACT Robinson Jackson 01732 757300 www.robinson-jackson.com

In association with EJ FINANCIAL LTD

Impartial Investment, Pension and Tax Planning

• Call 01892 655973 today for a FREE appointment

PROPERTY SECTION 

great properties by price range…

HATMILL LANE BRENCHLEY

£895,000

BUTLER CLOSE, CROWBOROUGH

£485,000

UNDER £500,000 This beautifully presented detached house is approximately half a mile from the centre of Crowborough. It has two reception rooms, a country-style kitchen, a cloakroom, utility room and conservatory. Upstairs there are four bedrooms, one with en-suite facilities, and a family bathroom. There is a good sized garden to the rear and a driveway and garage at the front.

CONTACT McAuley Miller 01892 614777 www.mcauleymiller.com

HORSMONDEN ROAD, BRENCHLEY OFFERS IN EXCESS OF

£600,000

UNDER £650,000 Semi-detached home between Brenchley and Horsmonden, with plenty of character. There is a sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, garden room, bathroom, utility room, three bedrooms and a first floor shower room. Plus a gated driveway for several cars and a detached car port. Set in 0.9 of an acre with gardens, woodland and large workshop. Has lapsed planning consent for two-storey extension.

CONTACT Barnes Kingsnorth Pembury 01892 822880 www.bkestateagents.com HATMILL LANE, BRENCHLEY

SHERENDEN PARK, GOLDEN GREEN, TONBRIDGE

£895,000

£715,000

UNDER £1MILLION A beautifully presented Grade II listed detached home, circa 1541, which is believed to be one of the oldest houses in the attractive village of Brenchley.

The accommodation comprises two reception rooms, a large kitchen/breakfast room, a cloakroom, a storage area, three bedrooms – including a master bedroom on the first floor with an en-suite, a family bathroom, and a fourth bedrooom on the second floor.

Outside, there is a parking area

UNDER £800,000

for three cars. In all, this picturesque property is set in approximately 0.75 of an acre of grounds, which also include an enchanting mill stream.

CONTACT Firefly Properties 01892 838363 www.fireflyproperties.co.uk

Attractive detached home. The ground floor comprises a generous reception room, an adjoining dining room, study, cloakroom and kitchen with breakfast area, utility room and access to conservatory. On the first floor there are four bedrooms and a family bathroom.

The master bedroom has an en-suite shower and dressing area. Plus There is a double garage and off-street parking.

CONTACT Hamptons Sevenoaks 01732 280801 www.hamptons.co.uk

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

Oak Avenue, Sevenoaks

Guide Price ÂŁ1,695,000

At Strutt & Parker, we know the importance of teamwork and experience gained through local knowledge.

Sevenoaks Station 1.5 miles, Sevenoaks 0.9 miles, Junction 5 M25 4.9 miles A charming characterful family home offering scope to update and situated in a delightful private road on the south side of Sevenoaks Reception hall I Dining room I Sitting room I Drawing room I Kitchen/breakfast room I Family room I Utility room I Two downstairs WC's I Integral double garage with wine store I Store room I Master bedroom with en-suite I Four double bedrooms I One single bedroom I Shower room I Family bathroom I EPC rating D I In all about 0.38 acres

Sevenoaks 01732 807801

Your local team

sevenoaks@struttandparker. corn

Four Elms, Kent Oxted Station 6 miles, Edenbridge 1.5 miles, Sevenoaks 8 miles, Tonbridge 9 miles

A handsome period house with planning permission to extend and remodel situated in the most attractive gardens and grounds of 2.8 acres.

Entrance Hall I Cloakroom I Drawing Room I Dining Room I Study Kitchen/Breakfast Room I Second Cloakroom I Five bedrooms I Two bathrooms I Attached outbuildings I Attractive gardens I Hard Tennis Court I Paddock I About 2.83 acres

Guide Price ÂŁ1,295,0000 Sevenoaks 01732 807801

sevenoaks@struttandparker. corn

Stansted, Kent Borough Green station 3 miles, Ebbsfleet International station 8 miles, Sevenoaks 8 miles, M20/ M26 3 miles, M25 6 miles

A substantial and extremely well presented family house situated within approximately 3.6 acres of gardens and grounds in a truly rural location Entrance vestibule I Reception hall I Cloakroom I Drawing room Dining room I Sitting room I Conservatory I Study I Kitchen/breakfast room I Utility room I Six bedrooms I Four ensuite I bathrooms I Family bathroom I Large loft suitable for conversion I Integral double garage

Guide Price ÂŁ1,395,000 Sevenoaks 01732 807801

sevenoaks@struttandparker. corn

Hadlow Road, Tonbridge I 6 Bedroom Detached House - Offers in excess of £600,000

Brook Lane, Tonbridge I 4 Bedroom Detached House - £579,500

Unique opportunity to purchase a large and versatile

An attractive 4 bedroom detached house set in a

grade II listed home with an abundance of exposed

quiet cul-de-sac within walking distance of the High

beams and inglenook fireplaces. Situated in the

Street and mainline station. Situated on a good

heart ofTonbridge and within walking distance to the

size plot, this light and spacious property has the

station, the property boasts two separate annexes,

benefit of a large master bedroom with en-suite

ideal for a growing family, a courtyard garden and

shower room, a utility room, a study and downstairs

parking for several cars. Subject to the relevant

cloakroom, plus outside it has a landscaped garden,

planning, the house may be divided into 3 separate

garage and off-street parking for 7-8 cars. EPC D

dwellings, each already having their own entrance.

Shipbourne Road I 2 Bedroom Semi Detached Cottage - £385,000

Shipbourne Road I 2 Bedroom End Terrace OFFERSINEXCESSOF£24~000

Rare opportunity to own a period property within

ceiling, 2 double bedrooms, a secluded garden and a

NO ONWARD CHAINI A newly refurbished 2 double bedroom end of terrace house that is within walking distance of the High Street and mainline station. The brand new kitchen has a hob and oven, dishwasher and fridge/freezer with a utility area. The bathroom has a shower over the bath, shower screen and a vanity unit. Upstairs there are 2 double bedrooms with access to a large loft. The ground floor has low maintenance laminate flooring whilst upstairs there are new carpets. Outside there is a secluded walled

parking space. EPC G

courtyard garden with newly laid patio. EPC D

easy walking distance of the High Street and mainline station. This grade II listed cottage has a wealth of period features and has been sympathetically refurbished, retaining exposed beams and stripped wooden floors. Accommodation comprises a lounge that boasts an inglenook fireplace with log burner, a spacious kitchen/breakfast room with a vaulted

Please contact us for Sales, Rentals and Valuations • • t: 01732 770077 I e: tonbridge@ellisandco.co.uk I 93 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1 DR

~

The Property

r..__::, Ombudsman

O O 'WI W

~ ~

In association with EJ FINANCIAL LTD

Impartial Investment, Pension and Tax Planning

• Call 01892 655973 today for a FREE appointment

PROPERTY SECTION 

AT A GLANCE

Victorian magnificence and a fabulous indoor pool complex

■ Character country house ■ Well-proportioned accommodation

B

ELVIDERE HOUSE is an impressive Victorian property that has a blend of both character and contemporary styling. Features include high ceilings, sash windows, picture rails, attractive fireplaces, inset LED lighting, in-ceiling speakers and contemporary bathroom suites. The grand exterior is enhanced by a portico entrance.

On the ground floor is a generous reception hall with an attractive central staircase and an elegant fireplace. The main reception rooms comprise a sitting room with a superb outlook over the rear garden, a dining room and a drawing room. A study has a range of fitted bookshelves and access to a storeroom.

The impressive kitchen/breakfast/ family room has two sets of double doors to the rear terrace and boasts a range of integrated appliances. There are two utility rooms, one of which has direct access to the enclosed courtyard to the front, and a shower room and cloakroom. Additionally, the basement has a cinema room.

Upstairs, the master suite comprises a triple-aspect bedroom with an adjacent dressing room and an en-suite bathroom which is yet to be fitted. Two of the remaining five bedrooms are served by en-suite shower rooms. One has a ‘Jack and Jill’ bathroom and dressing room and another is currently being used as a treatment room.

Accessed via a spiral staircase in the study is a games room with a door to a balcony. A family bathroom completes the accommodation.

The house is approached over a

WATERINGBURY ROAD EAST MALLING

■ Blend of period features and contemporary styling ■ Reception hall ■ Drawing room ■ Sitting room ■ Dining room ■ Cinema room ■ Games room ■ Study ■ Kitchen/breakfast/family room ■ Two utility rooms ■ Boot room ■ Numerous storerooms ■ Cloakroom ■ Shower room ■ Master suite with bedroom, dressing room and bathroom (currently unfitted) ■ Three en-suite bedrooms ■ Two further bedrooms ■ Family bathroom sweeping drive via electricallyoperated gates. To the front is parking for a number of cars and there is a triple garage, gym and storeroom. The superb swimming pool complex has sliding doors to the rear terrace, a plant room, kitchen, shower and steam room.

The established gardens and grounds are principally laid to lawn with an all-weather tennis court, a charming folly and a timber implement store.

There is also a paddock with a timber cabin. In total the grounds amount to around ten acres.

■ Indoor swimming pool complex ■ Tennis court ■ Tennis pavilion ■ Folly ■ Timber cabin ■ Paddock ■ Established gardens and grounds ■ Around 10 acres in all

£2,850,000 For sale through Savills Sevenoaks 01732 789700 www.savills.co.uk

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

RYE, EAST SUSSEX

FRANT,KENT

Luxury country living + 5 bedrooms + 4 bathroom + 6 reception rooms + substantial garden and woodland + tennis court + Council Tax=H + EPC=F

5 bedrooms + 3 bathrooms + 4 reception rooms + kitchen/breakfast room + lovely gardens + superb views + triple garage + pets allowed + Council Tax=H + EPC=E

£7,500 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee and other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

£3,950 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee and other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

BRENCHLEY, KENT

CRANBROOK, KENT

Sought after rural setting + 5 bedrooms + 3 bathrooms + kitchen/d ining room + triple bay open garage + patio and garden + Council Tax=G + EPC=C

4 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms + kitchen/breakfast room + dining room + drawing room + playroom and study + utility room + gardens + parking + Council Tax=G + EPC Exempt

£3,750 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee and other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

£2,500 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee and other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

*£36 inc VAT for each additional tenant/o ccupant/gu aranto r reference wh ere required. Inventory check o ut fee - charged at the end of o r ea rly termination of th e tenancy and th e amount is dependent on the property size and wh ether furnished / unfurni shed. For more details including example inventory fee, visit

www.savills.eo.uk/fees.

Hunting for a new home?

Buying, selling, renting or letting, talk to Savills this Easter.

WOODBURY PARK ROAD,

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

MOUNT EPHRAIM,

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Well-placed for grammar schools + 2 reception rooms + studio + kitchen/breakfast room + 5 bedrooms + garden + off-street parking + views to rear + 2,460 sq ft + EPC=E

Stylish Penthouse apartment + MLS 0.5 miles + secure gated grounds + 2 receptions + gallery with study + 2 bedroom suites + roof terrace + 2 parking spaces + 1 ,933 sq ft + EPC=C

Guide £1 million Freehold

Guide £975,000 Share of Freehold

ST JOHNS ROAD,

Contact: Liz Devall

RUSTWICK,

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Contact: Amanda Wyatt

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Substantial terraced Victorian townhouse + 2 reception rooms + kitchen/breakfast room + 6 bedrooms + summerhouse + rear garden with deck + 2,515 sq ft + EPC=D

Tunbridge Wells MLS about 1.5 miles + well-placed for schools + 2 reception rooms + study + 4 bedrooms + view over golf course + garden + 1 ,593 sq ft + EPC=E

Guide £850,000 Freehold

Guide £750,000 Freehold

Contact: Becky Card

Hunting for a new home?

Buying or selling, talk to Savills this Easter.

Contact: Becky Card

 PROPERTY SECTION

ABBOTSMERRY BARN SALMANS LANE, PENSHURST

£1,850,000

Stunning conversion has far-reaching views

A

BBOTSMERRY BARN is an attractive Grade II listed building which has been sympathetically converted to provide extensive flexible accommodation while retaining a wealth of period features. Set in a delightful elevated position on the outskirts of Penshurst, the barn boasts vaulted ceilings, exposed timbers and brick fireplaces with woodburning stoves, as well as a galleried reception room.

Accessed through an entrance hall, the ground floor features a vast open-plan kitchen/breakfast room with sitting room area.

There is a Rencraft kitchen with integrated appliances, a central

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

island, walk-in pantry, log burner and doors to the garden. The ground floor also has a family room, storeroom, cloakroom, utility room and guest suite – which has potential to become an annexe thanks to having an exterior door. It features a bedroom and en-suite shower room.

The first floor has the superb galleried drawing room with brick fireplace and wood-burner, vaulted ceiling and views over the surrounding countryside. The master suite also benefits from a vaulted ceiling and from an en-suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe. There are two further bedrooms on this floor and a

shower room. Stairs rise from the gallery area in the drawing room to a mezzanine study area and on to a further bedroom.

The property is approached via a private road, and a five-bar gate opens on to the driveway leading to a parking area and three-bay garage, one of which incorporates a store and outside WC. There are two stables and a hay barn which is currently used as a third stable, a tack room and a sand school.

The gardens and grounds are a real feature. To the rear is a brick terrace with far-reaching views, and a west-facing terrace adjoins the kitchen garden. There are around six and a half acres in all.

In association with EJ FINANCIAL LTD

Impartial Investment, Pension and Tax Planning

• Call 01892 655973 today for a FREE appointment

PROPERTY SECTION 

AT A GLANCE

■ Grade II listed barn conversion ■ Elevated position with views ■ Very well presented ■ Character features ■ Entrance hall ■ Storeroom ■ Family room ■ Sitting room ■ Open-plan kitchen/breakfast room ■ Utility room ■ Cloakroom ■ Ground floor guest suite with bedroom and shower room ■ First floor galleried drawing room ■ Master suite with walk-in wardrobe and bathroom ■ Two further first floor bedrooms ■ Family shower room ■ Mezzanine study ■ Top floor bedroom ■ Drive and parking area

‘ Set in a delightful elevated position on the outskirts of Penshurst, the barn boasts vaulted ceilings, exposed timbers and brick fireplaces’

■ Triple garage ■ Stable yard with stables, tack room and sand school ■ Grounds of approximately 6.5 acres

£1,850,000 For sale through Batcheller Monkhouse Tunbridge Wells 01892 512020 www.batchellermonkhouse.com

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

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

THESUNDAYTIMES

THE . . .T IMES

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Tunbridge Wells £1,495,000 A substantial and beautifully presented 6 bedroom Edwardian house approaching 4,000 sq ft with spacious and versatile accommodation and many fine period features. No onward chain. EPC: E

Wadhurst £795,000 An outstanding 4 bedroom attached country house with light and spacious accommodation forming part of this attractive rural hamlet within easy reach of the station and village centre. EPC: C

Tunbridge Wells £749,950 A substantial 3 bedroom ground floor garden apartment of an attractive Victorian building, offering versatile and very well proportioned accommodation with 2 garages and a private garden. EPC: E

Lamberhurst £799,950 A unique, individual and charming 4 bedroom Grade II listed house converted from a Victorian stable block and forming part of a historic courtyard within the majestic grounds of the Bayham Estate.

Collier Street £785,000 Originally dating from about 1860 and converted in 2005, this exceptional 4 bedroom barn conversion with its delightful interior is Grade II Listed and is attached to the converted oast house creating a very typical Kent scene.

Tunbridge Wells £675,000 A very well presented 4 bedroom townhouse set in a quiet development on the highly regarded south side of town. The accommodation is arranged over four floors and has two balconies. EPC: C

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

Wadhurst ÂŁ1,999,500 Situated along a private no-through road on the edge of the village with far reaching southerly views, this is a very impressive 6 bedroom 1930's house that has recently been substantially extended in keeping with the original character to create an outstanding family house of exceptional quality, set in gardens of about 1.25 acres. EPC: C

Rotherfield ÂŁ1,695,000 Situated off a sought after country lane in rural surroundings and with countryside views, this outstanding character country house has a pretty detached cottage and is set in beautiful park-like gardens and grounds with a swimming pool, stables and is bordering a lake. In all approximately 4 acres. EPC: D

DCJ

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

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THESUNDAYTIMES

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11

INTERNATIONAL

THE . . . .TIMES

Golden Green, Nr Tonbridge. 拢715,000 An attractive spacious detached family home located in the village of Golden Green. The property offers spacious and flexible accommodation, with three reception rooms, four bedrooms and a study, arranged over two floors and extending to 1827 sq. ft. in total. EPC: D

Borough Green Road, Wrotham. 拢575,000 A delightful 1930's detached family home which has been extended to provide four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a small shower room. There is an attached garage and off-street parking for at least five cars and garden with a separate office. EPC: D

Sevenoaks Office Sales. 01732 423127

I

sevenoaks@hamptons-int.com

Drl

In association with EJ FINANCIAL LTD

Impartial Investment, Pension and Tax Planning

• Call 01892 655973 today for a FREE appointment

PROPERTY SECTION �

Extended house with yet more possibilities

S

ITUATED along a highly regarded private road on the edge of Wadhurst, this well presented property dates from the mid-1900s and has been substantially extended to create an excellent family house with further potential. Planning consent is in place for a three-bay garage and further enhancements to the house.

The ground floor accommodation comprises an entrance hall, reception hall, dining room, generous triple-aspect drawing room, family room and two cloakrooms. A well fitted kitchen/breakfast room, with adjacent utility room/larder, has two sets of French doors opening to the terrace and garden.

The kitchen has an extensive range of units and a central

island with black granite work surface and induction hob.

On the first floor, the principal bedroom suite has a walk-in wardrobe, an en-suite bathroom and double doors opening to a Juliet balcony. There is a further en-suite guest bedroom and the remaining four bedrooms are well served by a bathroom and shower room. A large attic area offers even more scope.

The property is approached via wooden gates to a large gravel driveway with parking for several cars.

A large terrace adjoins the back of the house and the garden is mostly laid to lawn, backing on to surrounding fields with wonderful countryside views. In all it sits in about three quarters of an acre.

AT A GLANCE

CASTLE WALK WADHURST

n Master suite consisting of a bedroom, Juliet balcony, walk-in wardrobe and bathroom

n Extended family home n Sought-after private road

n Guest bedroom with en-suite bathroom

n Extremely spacious

n Four further bedrooms

n Further potential and planning consent in place

n Family bathroom

n Entrance hall

n Gardens with views

n Reception hall

n Drive and parking area

n Dining room

n 0.75 of an acre

n Separate shower room

n Drawing room n Family room n Two cloakrooms n Kitchen/breakfast room n Utility room

£1,395,000 For sale through Hamptons Tunbridge Wells 01892 516611 www.hamptons.co.uk

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

� PROPERTY SECTION

A beautiful executive home that’s perfect for outdoor entertaining

AT A GLANCE GLENMORE PARK TUNBRIDGE WELLS n Executive family home n Popular location n Raised position with views n Beautifully presented n Entrance hall n Cloakroom n Open-plan kitchen/dining room with utility area n Sitting room n Master bedroom with en-suite shower room n Three further bedrooms n Family bathroom n Drive and parking for two cars n Detached double garage with studio over n Tiered rear garden

£895,000 For sale through Wood and Pilcher Tunbridge Wells 01892 511211 www.woodandpilcher.co.uk

T

HIS executive family home sits within the prestigious Glenmore Park on the desirable south side of Tunbridge Wells.

The property enjoys a raised position with enviable views across the town. It is modern, yet has added character thanks to having beamed ceilings through much of the ground floor and a feature inglenook fireplace containing a gas fire in the sitting room.

Beautifully decorated throughout, the ground

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

floor comprises an entrance hall with cloakroom, a spacious open-plan kitchen/dining room with a utility area and a sitting room, both with bifold doors leading out to the tiered rear garden. There are four double bedrooms offering generous accommodation, with the master having an en-suite. Plus a well-appointed family bathroom.

To the front of the property is a shared drive with private off-road parking for two vehicles.

There is a detached double garage which has a

large studio above with a kitchenette and shower room – which could be used for a number of purposes, including a home office, hobby room or gym. To the rear is a tiered garden ideal for entertaining, which the current vendors have enjoyed greatly over the years.

It is divided into several seating areas, including a large decked section, covered barbecue and bar, and additional patio – all surrounded by a range of mature trees and shrubs.

‘A detached double garage has a large studio above which could be used for a number of purposes’

Underriver, Nr Sevenoaks A beautifully presented family house in a sought-after village location Sitting room, family room, kitchen/breakfast room, cloakroom. Master bedroom suite, 3 further bedrooms, family bathroom.

Raised decking area. Established gardens. Stunning views. EPC rating C. In all about 0.18 acre.

Stone Street, Nr Sevenoaks A wonderful central-house with views overlooking the countryside Entrance hall, sitting room, dining room, family room, kitchen I breakfast room, cloakroom. Master bedroom suite, 2 further bedrooms, family bathroom. Driveway offering parking for several cars. Attractive rear gardens. EPC rating D. In all about 0.24 acre.

Goudhurst An attractive Grade II Listed cottage within walking distance of the village centre Entrance hall I boot room, shower room, kitchen, utility room, sitting room, drawing room, dining room. Master bedroom, 3 further bedrooms, 2 family bathrooms. Mature gardens and grounds. Attached store room. Garden store.

Gardener's WC. In all about 0.35 acre.

Kingswood Road, Tunbridge Wells A well-configured detached family home in a convenient position Entrance hall, cloakroom, family room, dining room, impressive 28' drawing room, utility room, kitchen. Master bedroom with en suite and dressing area, 5 further bedrooms (1 with WC), family bathroom. Balcony overlooking the rear garden. Established south west facing rear garden. Integral double garage.

EPC rating D. In all about 0.29 acres.

� PROPERTY SECTION

AT A GLANCE HADLOW PARK HADLOW n Extended family home n Exclusive parkland setting n Outskirts of popular village n Versatile accommodation n Entrance porch n Entrance hall n Sitting room n Study n Music room n Conservatory n Kitchen/breakfast room n Cloakroom n Utility room n Inner hall

‘This superb detached family home includes the potential for a self-contained annexe’

Appealing family house in exclusive parkland setting

S

ET within the grounds of exclusive Hadlow Park is this superb detached family home, which includes the additional potential for a self-contained annexe, which would offer exceptionally flexible living.

Lying on the outskirts of the popular village of Hadlow, Tonbridge station is only four miles away.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

The extended ground floor living space comprises an entrance porch, entrance hall, dual-aspect sitting room, study, music room, large conservatory, cloakroom, utility room and kitchen/breakfast room. An inner hall leads to the potential annexe part of the house, which is not currently used as such. It features a living room, bedroom with

en-suite shower room and a room which might lend itself to becoming a kitchen.

Upstairs a spacious master suite has a bedroom which is partly open-plan to a dressing area with fitted wardrobes, and a shower room. There are three further bedrooms and a family bathroom.

The property is accessed via a wooden gate over a

n Annexe with sitting room, bedroom, shower room and potential kitchen (unfitted) n Master suite featuring bedroom, dressing area and shower room n Three further bedrooms n Family bathroom n Gated gravel drive with parking n Two garages currently converted into storeroom and playroom n Large gardens n Property is subject to an annual development maintenance charge

£850,000-£900,000 For sale through Robinson Jackson 01732 757300 www.robinson-jackson.com

gravel drive with plenty of parking. There are two garages, which are currently converted into a playroom and storeroom.

It is a large plot with a front lawn and gardens to the rear and side. The large level grounds are interspersed with mature trees and shrubs, and there is a terrace across the rear of the house.

WITH THE

GARDENING OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

Invest some green into your greenery

I will give you shelter from the storm

Time to turn your garden into a perfect paradise

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

ď Ž GARDENING

GARDENING BEST BUYS FOR MARCH

Best buys and top tips for your very own Eden CHILSTONE: THE RICHMOND FOUNTAIN A Chilstone Richmond Fountain which can be used in a pond or as a self-contained fountain. The running water creates this lovely brass colour which replicates natural stone. This display can be seen at Chilstone show gardens near Tunbridge wells which features over 16 working fountains.

CHILSTONE: CLASSICAL POPES URN A Classical Chilstone Popes urn and pedestal that will create a strong focal point in any medium to large garden

CHILSTONE: ITALIAN URN A Chilstone Italian Shell fountain featuring a large clam shell bowl, creates some atmosphere for any garden with the sound of running water.

specialists in design and installation, providing an extensive range of decking solutions from PVC, hollow board composite to solid composite, including stylish railing and balustrades in glass or steel. Our experienced teams work closely with our clients, providing guidance and tips on how best to get the garden of their dreams.

CHILSTONE: BALUSTER SUNDIAL A Chilstone baluster sundial can create a timely focal point in a sunny area of any garden large or small.

THE COMPANIES YOU NEED Chilstone | office@chilstone.com | www.chilstone.com | 01892 740866 Coolings | www.coolings.co.uk | 01959 532269 Jacksons Fencing | www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk | 0800 4084754 Lux Exteriors | www.luxexterior.co.uk | 01892 782836 Sussex Timber | sales@sussextimber.co.uk | www.sussextimber.co.uk | 01892 654480 Westminster Outdoor Living | www.westminsterfurniture.co.uk | 01892 584337

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

LUX EXTERIOR: ARE YOU WANTING TO BRING YOUR OUTDOORS SPACE TO LIFE? If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking to revolutionise your outdoor space, be that better utilising your existing outdoor area, creating a seamless extension of your home or just creating your own private sanctuary then our range of decking is a fantastic means of achieving the look you desire.

At Lux Exterior, we are the leading

SUSSEX TIMBER: A HOME OUTSIDE OF HOME Create the perfect outdoor working space from your own garden with one of our bespoke custom designed garden offices. Individually designed and handcrafted to suit every function and taste, we offer the complete start to finish job, from initial free site survey and quote, through to design, ground works and delivery and installation of your building of choice.

ROUNDWOOD MAYFIELD: KEEP THE OUTSIDE FIRES BURNING...

For a best buy that can be used throughout the year, it has to be Corten Steel Fire Pits! They provide a source of heat and an outside area for friends and family to gather around, and in addition to the warmth benefits these fire pits provide a striking garden feature, courtesy of the natural Corten Steel finish. All garden and patios are catered for with this range as they are available in a choice if sizes (60cm, 80cm, 100cm, 120cm and 150cm), and can all be purchased with a free 10kg bag of burning briquettes online.

GARDENING 

JACKSONS FENCING: RAISED BEDS AREN’T JUST FOR GROWING FLOWERS AND VEG… At Jacksons we know GYO (growing your own) is gaining popularity because we’ve noticed an upturn in interest for our raised beds, which are more often than not used for growing fruit and veggies in.

They are perfect for creating the right growing conditions, if the type of soil in your garden isn’t suitable, i.e. too lime or acid, or if drainage is poor, you can choose which soil or compost to fill the raised bed with to suit the crops you want to grow.

However, not every raised bed we’ve sold recently has been specifically for GYO, surprisingly many have been used imaginatively in customised garden designs, another growing trend. The beauty of using them like this, is you can create areas of interest and different levels, which can even include water features, or Alpine gardens, like the one in the photo here, from a clever customer who used Jakwall landscaping timbers to make raised bed structures. I think anyone would agree the end result is very impressive.

WESTMINSTER OUTDOOR LIVING: CURVED CORNER UNIT This stylish outdoor modular sofa combination is manufactured from all-weather resin wicker and fitted with easy clean Sunbrella fabric and quick drying foam for all year round use.

Available in 3 different frame and fabric colours.

WESTMINSTER OUTDOOR LIVING: FABRIC SOFAS The revolutionary fabric lounge suite is made from Sunbrella easy clean fabric with quick drying foam filling. Available in 2 different colours, the fabric lounge collection can be cleaned with water, bleach and even by a pressure washer. After the heaviest of downpours the furniture is ready to use within the hour.

If you are looking to plant a great evergreen shrub why not consider ‘Cistus x pulverulentus ‘Sunset’ (AGM)’.

TOP TIPS FROM COOLINGS  Move or plant evergreen shrubs.

WESTMINSTER OUTDOOR LIVING: WEAVE ARMCHAIRS The synthetic resin weave set featured consists of high back dining armchairs, circular table and double pulley parasol. Each chair is supplied with a reflex foam seat pad as standard. The table is complimented with a toughened, chamfered glass top.

WESTMINSTER OUTDOOR LIVING: WHITE ALUMINIUM A change in outdoor trends has seen a shift toward modern, maintenance free furniture.

Manufactured from powder coated aluminium and textilene, the armchairs stack for ease of storage. The cantilever parasol features integral LED lights that are controlled by a simple dimming mechanism.

This can be done in late March if the weather is not too harsh.  This month is a good time to split perennials and stake any early on before they come into growth.  It’s not too late to sow sweet peas, although they will flower slightly later than autumn ones.  Keep an eye on climbing plants and tie in any new shoots that appear.  pray roses with Rose Clear Ultra as soon as new growth appears to keep on top of black spot and other diseases.  Any self-sown seedlings in the border can be carefully transplanted.  If growing runner beans prepare a trench and add lots of manure for good crops in summer.

For a good all round climber nothing beats ‘Clematis montana ‘Elizabeth’ (AGM)’

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

 GARDENING

GARDENING TIPS FOR SPRING

Victoria Truman

Garden designer

Kent-based garden and landscape designer Victoria Truman www.victoriatruman.com offers her advice and tips for making the most of your plot

Spending money on your garden could be the best investment you ever make

A

S A GARDEN designer, one of the most frequent questions I get asked is: “Will spending the money on my garden add value to my house?”

So, I decided to look into this as everyone likes value for money plus nobody wants to throw money down the drain.

A new survey has found that four per cent of homebuyers look for 20 per cent off the asking price of a property if they are unhappy with the exterior.

According to Barclays Mortgages, sellers could lose on average £57,600 if the property doesn’t have ‘kerb appeal’ – what a buyer thinks it looks like on first glance.

For homes in London this figure goes up to as much as £107,400 knocked off the resell value.

The survey of over 2,000 homeowners found that the majority of house hunters take just ten seconds to decide whether they like a property from the outside.

One in three property buyers make their decisions purely on a home’s exterior and won’t even go inside if they’re unimpressed.

Meanwhile, over half (53%) admit they would buy a

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

property that looked appealing on the outside even if the interior needed extensive redecoration.

MOST DESIRABLE KERB FEATURES If you’re looking to impress a buyer, the most desirable kerb appeal feature is a well-manicured garden (69%) followed by double glazing.

So that answers the question of whether it’s worth spending money on the garden – a resounding yes.

Now it comes down to how far you want to go with the design of your garden and whether hiring a designer is going to provide you with value for money.

It is commonly accepted that harmonious and thoughtful garden adds between five and 15 per cent to the value of your property and even more after some years. The more mature your garden, the more value it will give to your home. Designing a new garden is then a worthwhile investment in monetary terms, in addition to the pleasure it brings. So setting a budget which is equal to or below five to ten per cent of the value of your home is a sensible starting point.

KERB APPEAL First impressions are important

GARDENING 

‘One in three property buyers make their decisions purely on a home’s exterior and won’t even go inside if they’re unimpressed’ Now the question is, what do you want from your garden? Not an easy question, particularly if it’s a bit of a blank canvas.

Have you considered using a garden designer? ‘That’s too expensive’ I hear you cry. However, they may not cost as much as you think.

More importantly, a designer can actually save you a lot of money in the long run by helping you spend your budget in the best way possible while maximising the value of your home at the same time.

Some garden designers charge by the hour and rates can vary between £60 to £200 depending on where you are in the country.

The designer can undertake the design and drawing work, planning and surveys, planting and managing construction as required.

When you are deciding on a designer pick someone you feel you will connect with and with whom you could have a good working relationship; first and foremost it is your garden not theirs. Personally, I love clients

who give me loads of input and I like to design with them at the drawing board as well.

A good designer should be able to make you see your garden in a different light, giving you ideas you wouldn’t have thought of yourself.

Designers need to be multi-skilled, putting their clients needs first, managing builders, landscapers and nurserymen and being able to negotiate and coordinate so the garden develops

into a multi-functional space.

Your garden designer can either work to a strict maximum budget or could offer you ideas according to different budget options. It is also common to work on a garden in stages as the garden matures.

As long as you have a solid overall set of designs/plans to work towards, you could split the budget into smaller affordable amounts over a few years.

So, bearing all that in mind, choose your garden designer wisely.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

IN

How to create a stylish hideaway in your garden Early spring is the perfect time to start planning a garden makeover. It's exciting thinking about what changes you can make to your outside space. Something to keep in mind is making sure you move fast, so you can complete your project in plenty of time to fully enjoy the summer.

One of the things that can make a huge difference to the time you spend in the garden is to create a structure or shelter. This not only adds an interesting visual element, but obviously has a use as a handy outdoor room.

TV programmes like George Clarke's 'Amazing Spaces' and 'Shed of the Year' have broadened our minds to the potential of existing structures like chalets, caravans, sheds and even shepherd huts, that can be 'up-cycled' to make a quirky haven in the garden, where we can relax, entertain friends and family, or spend time on our own hobbies and pastimes.

However, not everyone has the time, money or imagination to conceive of renovating a shed that's already in situ, or making something from scratch. Perhaps this is where the smart choice is investing in a ready-made structure like the Retreat or the fantastic new Curve from Jacksons Fencing.

The Curve is a sleek and simple structure - one continuous curve arching gracefully from the ground. There's no need for posts, with this seemingly gravity-defying contemporary garden shelter. It's fastened securely to the ground with three strong steel blades that are dug in on each side.

The generous interior space is big enough to set up a dining area, leaving ample

Win ÂŁ300 of Jacksons vouchers ...

room for a chill out zone. This is enhanced by the unusual effects produced by sunlight shining through the horizontal slats, which creates a calming setting for relaxing in.

The clear polycarbonate sheets covering the panels, lend the Curve a shower-proof quality, and this also adds some protection from the wind.

If you are looking for something a little smaller the Retreat is available in two styles; one with the original Venetian-style infill panels, the same as Jacksons very popular panels of the same name and the other version has the new woven infill panels, which gives it a very different look (shown below).

As with all their products,Jacksons garden shelters are hand made in England from Jakcured timber guaranteed for 25 years, so you can enjoy them for many years to come. Find out more by going to your dedicated page: www.jacksons-fencing.eo.uk/ ashfordlocal where there are links to these and many other products and features. louise@jacksons-fencin9.co. uk

To enter the free prize draw and be in with a chance to win ÂŁ300 of Jacksons vouchers simply log on to your dedicated page, address below and follow the easy instructions on how to enter. The draw closes 30.4.16.

To enter go to: www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/ashfordlocal

For info on any of Jacksons products or brochures, please call 0800 408 4754 to talk to your local Jacksons Fencing Centre.

Tunbridge Wells

Andrews >

andrewsonline.co.uk

Silverdale Road, TN4 9HY Guide £295,000-£315,000 Victorian cottage set over three floors, offering living room with feature fireplace, 3 double bedrooms and enclosed rear garden.

Energy Efficiency Rating: TBC

Beulah Road, TN1 2NR £184,950 Set in St James, ground floor apartment with parking for one car, own garden space, living room, double bedroom, kitchen, bathroom. No Chain.

Energy Efficiency Rating: E

St Lukes Road, TN4 9JH £415,000 Three bedroom detached home in the St Lukes area, sitting on an interesting part- secluded plot and includes a twin garage.

Energy Efficiency Rating: D

._ Post Office Square, TN11BQ £2600pcm Luxurious apartment in the prestigious Post Office Square development with secure parking for two cars, This apartment is ideal for commuters because of its close proximity to Tunbridge Wells Mainline Station with trains running every 50 minutes to London, property also benefits from being within 0.3 mile walk of The Historic Pantiles.

Energy Efficiency Rating: C

Tunbridge Wells Sales 01892 515 11+'+ Tunbridge Wells Lettings 01892 525 551

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

Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells

£750,000

• We ll Maintained Detached Family Home • 4 Bedroo ms, Bath roo m & En Suite • Small Exc lusive Developm ent • Garage & Driveway • Energy Efficiency Rating: D • Popul ar Village Locati on

Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells • 4 Bedroo m Detached Home • Popular Village Locati on • 2 Recepti on Rooms

Lamberhurst • Substantial 4 Bed Semi Detached Cottage • Op en Plan Kitchen Dining Family Room • Utility Room and Downstairs WC

Southborough • Extended Detached House • 4 Bedrooms • 3 Recepti on Roo ms

£650,000 • Updating/Redecorati on Required • Double Garage • En ergy Efficiency Rating: D

£475,000 Southborough • En Suite Shower Room • Driveway t o Garage • En ergy Efficiency Rating: D

• First Fl oo r Purp ose Built Fl at • 2 Bedrooms • Popul ar Locati on

• Semi - Detached House • 3 Bedroo ms • Double Glazed Co nservat ory

Tun bridge Wells Office 01892 511211 tun bridgewel ls @wooda ndpi lcher.co.u k Southborough Office 01892 511311 South boroug h @woodandpilcher.co.u k

NAEA

• 2 Doubl e Bedrooms • All ocated Parking Space • Exc lusive Gated Developm ent

£1,500 PCM • Ava ilabl e April • En ergy Efficiency Rating: C • Age nt's Fees Apply

£225,000 Tunbridge Wells • No Onwa rd Chain • Off Road Parking • En ergy Efficiency Rating: D

£550,000 Tunbridge Wells • Beautifully Presented Throughout • Driveway Parking fo r Numerous Ve hicles • En ergy Efficiency Rating: D

Tunbridge Wells

£365,000 • We ll Presented • Off Road Parking • En ergy Efficiency Rating: C

~ / \ The Property ~Ombudsman

(i)nTheMarket,om

woodandpilcher.co.uk

• 3 Bedrooms • Off Road Parking And Garage • Sought After Location

£1,450 PCM • Ava ilabl e April • En ergy Efficiency Rating: E • Age nt's Fees Apply

South borough • 1 Double Bedroo m • Op en Plan Living • Al located Parking Space

£675 PCM • Ava ilabl e April • En ergy Efficiency Rating: D • Agent's Fees Apply

Other offices in Crowborough, Heathfield, Tonbridge & associated London Branch

we open doors for you ...

BarnesKingsnorth

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

OIEO £485,000

ST JAMES' PARK. OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 2ND APRIL - CALL NOW TO ARRANGE YOUR TIME . Handsome semi-detached house in favoured St. James's Park with driveway parking for 2 cars and only 0.4 mile walk to St James' primary school. Bay-fronted sitting room with open fire, opening to the dining room. Stylish, contemporary-style kitchen with breakfast bar, 3-4 bedrooms and modern first floor bathroom. Attractive split-level garden. Well-presented and scope for further improvement. EPC: E Apply Pembury

TONBRIDGE

£795,000

SITUATED IN HIGHLY DESIRABLE NON-ESTATE LOCATION. on the northern outskirts of the town, close to open countryside yet within a short walk of local shops, schools and amenities, this appealing family home offers 5/6 bedrooms, airy reception rooms, re-fitted kitchen/breakfast room, integral garage and large garden. Whilst this property has already been extended there is still considerable scope to add an additional reception room and conservatory to enhance the living area and increase value. NO CHAIN! EPC: D Apply Tonbridge

PEMBURY

£635,000

LARGE, SUNNY REAR GARDEN. A detached chalet bungalow set on a sought after road in the village and within approx. 0.24 acre. Spacious rooms and flexible accommodation that has recently been updated and improved. Sitting room with woodburner, conservatory, modern kitchen/ dining room, 2 ground floor double bedrooms, ground floor shower room, first floor principal bedroom with en-suite, 2 further first floor double rooms and family bathroom. Parking for several cars and spacious patio leading onto the !awned rear garden with outbuildings. EPC: C Apply Pembury

Q} Primelocatior

Residential

t i'rightmove.co.uk Sales & !Lettings

Pembury: 01892 822880

Tonbridge: 01732 771616

Lettings: 01732 771616

e.pembury@bkea.co.uk

e.tonbridge@bkea.co.uk

e. Lettings@bkea.co.uk

www.l,kestatea1ents.com

Tunbridge Wells £550,000 An extensively refurbished ground floor duplex apartment situated in sought-after location with 3 double bedrooms, 16' I I drawing room, kit/dining area, 2 bath/shower rooms. New private landscaped gardens and private parking area. EPC: C

Tunbridge Wells Monthly Rental £1,250 A well presented and spacious 2 bedroom first floor apartment located within a gated development. Kitchen/breakfast room, living room, 2 double bedrooms & 2 bathrooms. Walking distance to the main line station. Lift to all floors & allocated parking. Available now. EPC: C.

1 r

£425,000 - £445,000 Wadhurst A charming Dutch-style timber framed home, set back down a private road, in need of some updating/extension (STPP), 2 receptions, kitchen, 3 bedrooms, bathroom. Pleasant gardens, parking, views to the horizon. EPC: D

Tunbridge Wells Monthly Rental£ I, 150 A newly converted warehouse-style 2 bedroom apartment located in the centre of town.

Split level entrance hall, high spec fully integrated kitchen, open plan living room, 2 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Luxurious fixtures & fittings. Permit parking. Available now. EPC: D.

Tunbridge Wells £225,000 A delightful newly refurbished I bedroom first floor apartment, situated on the first floor, located close to the town centre and mainline station. No onward chain. EPC: C

Tunbridge Wells Monthly Rental £1,050 A light and spacious 2 bedroom second floor apartment located in the popular St Johns area.

Modern fitted kitchen, open plan living room, master bed with en-suite, further double bedroom & bathroom. Offered part or unfurnished. Allocated secure parking. Available now. EPC: C.

ď Ž PROPERTY SECTION

MANDERLEY THE STREET PLAXTOL

ÂŁ950,000

Pretty period living in a house full of character

M

ANDERLEY is a most attractive Grade II listed property set within delightful gardens, and occupying a sought-after location in the heart of Plaxtol village.

The house has been renovated and extended by the current owners, subtly combining the beautiful character features with a modern touch. Features include an inglenook fireplace, parquet flooring, exposed timbers, brickwork and stonework, leaded light casement windows with secondary

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

glazing throughout and wooden panelled thumb-latch doors.

Also of note is the oak framed garden room by David Salisbury, and the detached open-bay garage by English Heritage with attached workshop and additional accommodation above.

The ground floor comprises an entrance porch, sitting room, dining room, bespoke kitchen by Rencraft, utility room, cloakroom and garden room.

Upstairs, the spacious master bedroom features a part-vaulted

ceiling and enjoys charming views.

There are two further double bedrooms, as well as a wellappointed family bathroom and separate shower room.

The house has a shingle driveway which leads to the double open-bay garage. This has a workshop attached and a versatile storeroom above.

The pretty cottage gardens are predominately laid to lawn, interspersed with trees, shrubs and roses.

In association with EJ FINANCIAL LTD

Impartial Investment, Pension and Tax Planning

• Call 01892 655973 today for a FREE appointment

PROPERTY SECTION 

AT A GLANCE ■ Grade II listed home ■ Character features ■ Extended and renovated ■ Entrance porch ■ Sitting room ■ Dining room ■ Kitchen ■ Utility room ■ Cloakroom ■ Garden room ■ Master bedroom ■ Two further bedrooms ■ Family bathroom ■ Separate shower room ■ Open-bay garage with workshop and storeroom over ■ Gardens of 0.2 of an acre

£950,000 For sale through Savills Sevenoaks 01732 789700 www.savills.co.uk

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

lbbett Mosely. (~R•cs A nan:ie you can trust.

ibbettmosely.co. uk

-'' \,

sales • lettings • management • surveys • auctions • planning • commercial

Tonbridge - £845,000 - In favoured Ridgeway area 5 Bedrooms 2 Reception Rooms Feature Garden with total plot of about quarter acre

Hadlow - £395,000 - At end of cul de sac close to amenities 3/4 Bedrooms 2 Reception Rooms Study/Bedroom 4 South facing Rear Garden

Call Tonbridge 01732 351323

Call Tonbridge 01732 351323

FOR SALE

Had low - £379,500 - Within walking distance of village centre 3 Bedrooms 2 Reception Rooms Conservatory Attractive Garden

Tunbridge Wells - £645pcm - In sought after Village area within easy walk of High Street and Station

Call Tonbridge 01732 351323

Call Tonbridge 01732 351323

Studio Flat Residents Parking

ADVERTISING FEATURE �

Thinking of moving home soon?

You’ve made the decision to move, found your dream home and your offer has been accepted. Feelings of excitement and apprehension set in and all you want is the whole process to end with you safely ensconced in your new home. So what steps can you take to ensure that the process will run smoothly and costly mistakes are avoided? Well, skimping on surveys and conveyancing can cost you dearly in the long run. So here are some top tips to help your move go as smoothly as possible. will not visit the property themselves, so should there be something you feel uncertain about bring it to their attention and they will provide you with the options available in order to try to resolve the issue.

5

REMEMBER TO ARRANGE BUILDING INSURANCE FROM THE DATE OF THE EXCHANGE OF CONTRACTS. From exchange of contracts you will be legally responsible for the structure of the property. This is often overlooked and can potentially have serious consequences. Make sure you have buildings insurance cover in place from this date.

With this being said and the potential risks of buying a home with hidden problems amounting to thousands of pounds in potential outgoings, why would you cut corners for the sake of a few pounds when the risks are so large?

For your FREE copy of The Kent Guide to Buying and Selling your Home, or for further advice regarding your buying/selling experience, contact Max Barford Solicitors in Tunbridge Wells today and speak to one of my property team on 01892 539 379 or email times@maxbarford.co.uk

2

DECIDE WHETHER YOU ARE HAPPY TO RELY ON THE MORTGAGE LENDER’S VALUATION OR DO YOU REQUIRE A FULL SURVEY. A lender’s valuation is an assessment carried out by and for the benefit of the lender in order to check that the property presents adequate security for its loan should you default and the property has to be sold. However, it does not report on actual faults in the property. For many, a Home Buyer’s Report, which will expose problems such as damp, dry rot and subsidence, is adequate but if you are buying an older house or unusual home a full structural survey will be a wise investment.

You wouldn’t buy a car without the

4

3

E ID EERS GU FRE MOVE

1

GET YOUR MORTGAGE AGREED FIRST Although borrowing from banks and building societies has improved recently, it is not a given. So to avoid disappointment, check you can get the mortgage you need before starting the process. You can get a mortgage agreement in principle secured first, but remember that this is an indication and not a legal agreement.

CHOOSE YOUR CONVEYANCING SOLICITORS WITH CARE For a free copy of the Kent Guide to Buying and Selling If you take the risk of buying without Your Home or for further advice regarding your home REMEMBER TO FACTOR IN the support and guidance of an buying/selling experience just complete and cut out this THE TRUE COST OF MOVING. expertly trained legal conveyancer, you coupon and post to the address below. Alternatively call Mortgage arrangement fees, run the risk of walking into a financial or email us today quoting reference MBRTO104 survey fees, legal costs and removal booby trap which can seriously hamper costs are all substantial costs of moving. your progression up the property Telephone 01892 539 379 However, the often overlooked but most ladder. You should also make sure or Email times@maxbarford.co.uk expensive cost is Stamp Duty Land Tax you know who you are instructing (SDLT) which varies dependent on the and that the firm is registered with a Name value of the property purchased. If you regulatory body such as the Solicitors purchase a property above £125,000 Regulation Authority. There are bogus Address SDLT becomes payable. Recent changes law firms out there who will take your to SDLT have been introduced to try money and then close up shop which to make the tax fairer. Under the old means you lose the money and your regime the SDLT percentage rates dream home. That is why it is essential increased at various thresholds. Under that you get the advice and guidance the old rules SDLT was payable at a you need every step of the way from single rate on the whole transaction a known reputable law firm. They are value. From 4th December 2014, SDLT there to help you avoid the pitfalls of is payable on a sliding scale depending what can be a murky area. on the portion of the purchase price The cheapest option may not always Tel.No that falls within each rate band. There prove to be the best. Remember, this is no doubt that the SDLT changes will may well be the biggest purchase you’ll Email be of benefit to many home buyers. For make and you want to be sure that you example, under the old regime, Stamp know what you are buying. You should Duty Land Tax payable on a purchase be able to contact your conveyancer Max Barford & Co price of £350,000 would be £10,500 and fully understand what is happening 16 Mount Pleasant Road and under the new regime it would at each step of the move. If you are Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1QU be £7,500 - representing a saving not sure, ask! One further point to www.maxbarford.co.uk of £3,000. bear in mind is that your conveyancer Max Barford & Co. is a trading name of Parfitt Cresswell. Parfitt Cresswell is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. No. 71480 knowledge of a service history, so why would you run this financial risk when buying a house?

M HO

BY DEBORAH MILLER

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

OPEN THROUGHOUT THE BECKLEY, £649,000

STAPLEHURST, £665,000

A CHARMING GRADE II LISTED, DETACHED FAMILY HOME. ON THE EDGE OF A QUAINT VILLAGE WITH 5 BEDROOMS AND 3 PERIOD RECEPTION ROOMS.

A STUNNING, DETACHED ......:c-"11~1.a FAMILY HOME. WITH 4 RECEPTION ROOMS AND 4 DOUBLE BEDROOMS. 0.2 ACRES INCLUDING A GLORIOUS GARDEN AND GARAGING.

A "CHOCOLATE BOX" DETACHED COTTAGE IN A QUIET, RURAL LOCATION. BOASTING 4 DOUBLE BEDROOMS. IN THE CRANBROOK SCHOOL CATCHMENT AREA.

~

A BEAUTIFUL, DETACHED OAST HOUSE SET IN 6 WONDERFUL ACRES WITH A STABLE BLOCK. 4 BEDROOMS AND 3 RECEPTIONS. STROLL TO THE VILLAGE.

EASTER BANK HOLIDA~ MATFIELD, £725,000

-

GOUDHURST, £750,000

IN THE CENTRE OF THIS !'l SOUGHT AFTER VILLAGE, THIS DETACHED FAMILY HOME OFFERS 4 LIGHT AND BRIGHT RECEPTIONS WITH 5 BEDROOMS AND GARAGING.

THROUGHOUT.DETACHED VICTORIAN LODGE HOUSE IN 0.3 ACRES. 4 BEDROOMS AND 3 RECEPTIONS. CRANBROOK SCHOOL CATCHMENT.

RURAL EQUESTRIAN HOME IN 7 ACRES. 4 BEDROOM FAMILY HOME WITH A DETACHED 2 BEDROOM COTTAGE. BARN WITH STABLES, MANEGE AND EXCELLENT HACKING.

IN 10 IDYLLIC ACRES WITH ELEVATED SOUTHERLY VIEWS. RENOVATED FAMILY HOME. 2,895SQ.FT WITH PLANNING PERMISSION FOR MUCH MORE.

� PROPERTY SECTION

REDWOOD PARK CAPEL

£875,000 - £925,000

All the mod cons in rural location plus a paddock

F

ORMING part of a small rural development on the outskirts of Five Oak Green, this attractive modern house offers flexible, well laid out accommodation over three floors.

On the ground floor there is an entrance hallway, double-aspect sitting room with working fireplace and doors to the garden, a dining room which opens to a magnificent conservatory/family room, a cloakroom and a study.

The kitchen/breakfast room has an island unit, granite worktops and inset appliances, and is open to the conservatory. There is also a useful utility room with access to the garden.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

On the first floor there are four double bedrooms, of which two are en-suite, and a family bathroom.

The top floor has a further double bedroom with en-suite shower room and lovely gable-end window giving excellent views over the surrounding countryside. A dressing room completes the accommodation on this floor, although it could easily be used as a sixth bedroom.

The property is accessed via a driveway which leads to a double garage and provides ample parking for several cars. The gardens to the rear of the house are mainly laid to lawn, enclosed by panelled fences and mature hedgerows. Beyond the garden there is a grass paddock interspersed with trees and enclosed by mature hedgerows. In all there is approximately an eighth of an acre.

In association with EJ FINANCIAL LTD

Impartial Investment, Pension and Tax Planning

• Call 01892 655973 today for a FREE appointment

PROPERTY SECTION �

AT A GLANCE n Well presented modern home n Small rural development n Set over three floors n Entrance hall n Cloakroom n Sitting room n Dining room n Study n Conservatory/family room n Kitchen/breakfast room n Utility room n Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom n Three further first floor bedrooms, one en-suite n Family bathroom n Top floor bedroom with en-suite shower room n Dressing room/bedroom six n Double garage n Driveway n Gardens and paddock n 0.8 of an acre

£875,000-£925,000 For sale through Batcheller Monkhouse Tunbridge Wells 01892 512020 www. batchellermonkhouse.com

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

Peter Wright Property Search Solid sound advice in an ever changing marketplace Your home is likely to be the largest financial transaction in your lifetime. With tales of guzumping or guzundering, complex litigation and unforeseen structural or planning problems to name but a few, the purchase or sale of your property can be immensely stressful and can lead to additional unexpected expense. The question to ask yourself should not be “can I afford an independent advisor”, but should be, “can I afford not to take the advice of an independent expert”. Peter Wright Property Search is a new advisory service which enables individual and investment clients across London and the South East to successfully find their ideal residence or sell an existing property. Peter has worked in the property industry for 32 years, and worked for a major national estate agent for 17 years becoming the South East Managing director. He has unquestionable expertise and in-depth knowledge of the area of this fast moving industry and desirable area.

WANTED All development opportunities- sites both large and small. Joint ventures welcomed.

I have a client looking to invest in development opportunities within the South East and London. I have put together a professional team of builders, Architects and Planning consultants and we are therefore in a position to make genuine offers and decisions. My client is very happy to consider joint venture projects with other developers or builders.

Please contact me, in strictest confidence,on 07710237199 or email me on pw@ peterwrightps.co.uk. I am fully retained and do not require fees.

His personalised service delivers independent, impartial, informed and invaluable advice, and he works to attain the best possible price, maximise potential profit and ensure a smooth transaction.

For buyers, he finds their dream home or building project (sometimes even before the property has appeared on the market), and then guides them to a successful completion. When acting for vendors, he informs them how to attain the best possible price and achieve a quick sale. If you are in the midst of a purchase/sale which is proving difficult or has stalled, Peter will take the stress from you and can work as a go-between to deliver a successful solution for all parties. All first consultations are free and as he puts it, “An opening conversation costs nothing, but making the wrong decision can cost tens of thousands. I hope to hear from you soon.” Peter is a proud sponsor of the Heathfield Show, 23rd May 8am-5pm and will be present to answer any queries you may have.

WANTED Properties or sites refused planning permission within the Ashdown Forest exclusion zone.

Please contact me if you own a property or site which has been refused planning permission solely for the above reason. I have a client, fully funded, who has the ability, in most cases, to unlock these refusals. Please call me on 07710237199 or email me on pw@ peterwrightps.co.uk in strictest confidence if you would like to talk this through. I am fully retained by my client so do not require fees.

Peter Wright 07710237199 pw@peterwrightps.co.uk 32 years experience - 17 in London, 15 in the country www.peterwrightps.co.uk

WITH THE

NEW HOMES AND LETTINGS The country life with city access

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND SEVENOAKS

Family Homes for a fresh start

Exceptional builds in Sussex and Kent

Modern and rural come together perfectly in dream cottage Wednesday 23rd March 2016

ď Ž PROPERTY SECTION

Charming country cottage offers a contemporary open-plan feel

S

ITED in a most desirable lane in the popular village of Penshurst, this detached cottage has been extensively renovated throughout and now offers stunning accommodation finished to the highest standards. The property has a covered porch at the front, leading to the entrance hallway, generous utility room, downstairs cloakroom and wet room.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

The ground floor living area is semi open-plan, divided by a double-sided wood burner within the fireplace. The sitting room is double aspect and has solid oak flooring with underfloor heating, and the beautifully fitted kitchen/dining room is also bright and spacious, with country-style units and butler sink.

The first floor is accessed via a newly installed oak

staircase and comprises an impressive master bedroom with spacious en-suite bathroom and fitted wardrobes, while the second double bedroom also benefits from an en-suite shower room. The property is approached via a driveway providing off-street parking for two or three cars, and is surrounded by its own private garden.

It is available to let this week and is unfurnished.

In association with EJ FINANCIAL LTD

Impartial Investment, Pension and Tax Planning

• Call 01892 655973 today for a FREE appointment

‘The first floor is accessed via a newly installed oak staircase and has an impressive master bedroom with spacious en-suite bathroom’

PROPERTY SECTION �

AT A GLANCE

SMARTS HILL PENSHURST n Modernised detached cottage n Very well presented n Sought-after location n Contemporary feel n Entrance hall n Utility room n Cloakroom/wet room n Semi open-plan living space n Sitting room n Kitchen/dining room n Master bedroom with generous en-suite bathroom n Second bedroom with en-suite shower room n Driveway with parking n Rear terrace and garden n To let unfurnished

£1,750 per month To let through Hamptons Lettings 01892 313000 www.hamptons.co.uk

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

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Whether you're expecting the patter of tiny feet or waving goodbye to your grown-up children, Knights Wood is the perfect place to begin that next stage in life's journey.

Knights Wood offers a variety of exceptional new homes in a peaceful woodland setting in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Our marketing suite is open daily from 10am to 5pm, so come and visit us to see for yourself the possibilities.

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

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new homes

CAMDEN ROAD FEATURE n

Apart from Comedy, do you have any other evenings we should know about?

The other exciting thing we have is Northern Soul nights, which have come back and booked their dates for the rest of the year. It’s a really fun night for age range of 18 to 80, with some great music and fantastic dancing.

Northern Soul is a music and dance movement that emerged predominantly in the north of England in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. It grew out of the Mod movement, with followers exploring ‘lesser-known’ soul records recorded by American groups/singers who were trying to emulate the Motown/ Atlantic/Stax music of the time.

Often, they would’ve just had one shot at trying to record a ‘hit’, so they put everything into that one recording, which can be felt in their records.

A typical Northern Soul record mainly consists of a heavy beat and fast tempo, and can range from an early ‘60s R&B record, to a late ‘70s funky disco recording, which encompasses that special Northern Soul beat.

Kim Styles attended nights at the famous Wigan Casino in the ‘70s and has been largely responsible for the success of Northern Soul here in Tunbridge Wells. At our bi-monthly nights, you’ll be guaranteed a fantastic night listening and dancing to fabulous Northern Soul records upstairs at The Camden Quarter.

CAMDEN QUARTER

26-28 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2PT 01892 544 522 www.camdenquarter.co.uk marketing@camdenquarter.co.uk

TIME TO CHILL The space is perfect for a relaxed beer

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BIG SMILES Comedy nights at the Camden Quarter held monthly

Here are some comedy dates for your diary at the Camden Quarter…

Thursday April 28 Headliner: Steve Day

Thursday May 26 Headliner: Kelly Kingham

MC: Ben Van Der Velde Opener: Mark Cram Middle: Phil Lucas

MC: Stephen Bailey Opener: Johnny Pelham Middle: Ian Lane

Steve Day

Thursday June 30 Headliner: Andrew O’Neill MC: Grainne Maguire Opener: Harriet Kemsley Middle: Alexis Wieronieyl

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

80 ■ FOOD AND DRINK

Living the good life In the first of a special two-part series on Lynne’s Organic Farm in Eridge we talk to its owner Jeremy Davis about his hands-on approach to pigs and chickens and what he thinks about the furore over free-range eggs

By Eileen Leahy

W

HEN Jeremy Davis wakes up in the morning he isn’t buzzed into the day by an aggressive alarm clock.

He naturally stirs when daylight breaks sometime around dawn through the blind and curtain-free windows of his oakframed eco home.

Instead of squeezing on to a packed commuter train or sitting in stress-inducing lines of traffic in order to get to work, Jeremy simply pulls on his muddy wellies and heads outside to his 40-acre farm where he is greeted by chickens clucking and pigs happily snorting as they forage around the surrounding picturesque Eridge countryside.

It’s clear that Jeremy is living the ‘Good Life’ – one that many of us can only dream about.

Yet Jeremy knew it was something he always wanted to do in life, so ten years ago he made his dream a reality by giving up his successful career in the City to embrace his love of farming. But unlike those who are born into it, Jeremy had to start from scratch.

“I don’t have that background, I didn’t have

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

that knowledge,” he states as we wander around his small fruit orchard, checking that the black grease paint marks he has put on to the tree barks are doing their job of stopping any disease reaching the apples and plums.

“I haven’t grown up fixing tractors since I was three,” he reveals. “When I started I didn’t know one end of a tractor from another. But you learn and sometimes you learn more because you come from a background where you don’t know anything about it. It’s an advantage in a lot of ways.”

Jeremy says he’s not a traditional farmer in terms of his thinking either. “I don’t do things because it’s been done that way forever or because my dad or granddad did it like that.”

So why did he and his wife Lynne, who also works as a part-time clinical research analyst, choose to farm organically?

“I wanted our stuff to be different to what you buy in the shops,” Jeremy explains. “It’s fresher and there are no chemicals used. There is a massive difference between what we produce and what you buy commercially.”

Jeremy’s strong ecological and ethical principles have seen his farm accredited with

POULTRY IN MOTION Jeremy tends to his organic flock

Soil Association status since 2007 and are also reflected in the fact the farm is powered courtesy of wind turbines and solar panels.

He is happy to admit that they just ‘break even’ but the last thing he would consider is farming on a commercial basis to make money.

FOOD AND DRINK ■

So instead of putting his 20 or so pedigree Saddleback pigs in a barn like most he lets them roam freely around the 16th-century ancient woodland that flanks the farm.

CRACKING STUFF Jeremy’s eggs are free-range and organic

‘The difference is marked and the reason for that is because the chickens are outside.

They’re pecking away at the soil and producing a 60g egg every day’

And instead of running a profitable poultry operation in a huge shed, he encourages the chickens he keeps to strut about in the fresh air on verdant patches of grass.

So what does he think of the current furore on whether you can class thousands of hens cooped up in cages with only a small amount of daylight as ‘free range’?

“There is a definition of free-range eggs but it is very loose,” he comments.

“The hens only have to be out to pasture. What that means is they could be in a huge barn – say 15,000 chickens – and if there’s a door at the end and it goes on to green stuff then that’s classed as ‘pasture’. Those near the door will be able to go out but those at the back will never do so.”

Jeremy’s flock couldn’t be in more different surroundings and certainly fit the proper definition of free range given their sizeable external accommodation.

“That’s why our eggs are a completely different colour,” Jeremy confirms. “The yolk is a much deeper yellow and the white is incredibly clear.

“The difference is marked and the reason for that is because the chickens are outside. They’re pecking away at the soil and producing a 60g egg every day.”

Jeremy and Lynne stamp each egg sold individually so its provenance can always be traced right back to them. He keeps the flock for approximately 18 months and their numbers vary depending on the seasons.

“Currently we’ve got 170,” he says. “But that varies over the course of the year. Last week we had nearly 260 chickens because we keep the old girls until the younger ones are in production. Then we rehome the older ones.”

In keeping with his hands on, micro-management approach, Jeremy sends all the ‘girls’ who are no longer able to lay as frequently to the charity Fresh Start For Hens. They are then able to offer

the poultry to people who want to have a couple roaming around in their back garden so they can enjoy fresh, properly free-range eggs at home.

“We used to rehome them individually,” says Jeremy. “They can last until they’re nine or ten years old but they could keel over at any point which is why I always said ‘take a friend or two – don’t take just one’.

Would he ever consider giving his High Weald farm over to just eggs?

“No,” he replies. “If you’re going to do chickens then you’d have to have a lot bigger numbers and all of our fields would be given over to them with an electric fence and metal wire.”

This would obviously go against Jeremy’s farming ethos and take away from the fact you’re pretty much guaranteed eggs that have been freshly laid that day.

They, along with the organic bacon, fruit and vegetables the couple produce, are sold in their small farm shop – just next door to the stunning home Jeremy built on his land in 2009.

Unlike most typical farm shops it is a genuinely rustic one with sawdust on the floor and not a hint of jaunty bunting or shelves filled with imported products.

“The vast majority of what we produce is sold in the farm shop,” explains Jeremy. “The chances are the spinach you’re buying was picked that morning at 10am and if you want to see the chickens or meet the pigs you can.”

This proves that the couple have achieved their goal of creating a smallholding which

81

harvests and sells great tasting, properly organic foods – without a cramped chicken coop in sight.

Next week Jeremy tells the Times why he is so passionate about organic pig farming and how you can really taste the difference…

HEN CHECKED Jeremy and a much-loved chicken

Lynne’s farm shop is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from midday until 4pm For more information see: www.lynnesorganicfarm.org or visit Lynne’s Organic Farm, Limekiln Forest Road, Eridge TN3 9LQ

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

82 � TRAVEL

Exploring Western Australia’s

By Sarah Marshall

L

ISTENING to calcified coral cracking underfoot, I can almost hear the fragile cries of lost souls buried metres below me.

Nearly four centuries ago, 126 men, women and children were massacred during one of the most bloodthirsty episodes in Australia’s maritime history, and many of their bodies were laid to rest here, on Beacon Island.

A local fisherman named Chook tells me he once spent the night on this ‘island of angry ghosts’, awaking to the sound of panic-stricken, squawking seabirds.

For now, the windswept, barren coral mound is calm, although a fringe of blood-red fish spawn along the shoreline unintentionally nods to a sinister past.

It’s not an obvious sightseeing attraction, nor even one that’s easy to reach, but I’m visiting as part of a small cruise through the relatively unknown Abrolhos Islands. This archipelago of 122 coral and limestone islands strung along the world’s most southerly reef system, 60km offshore from west coast town Geraldton, welcomes only a handful of tourists each year, yet it occupies an important place in Australia’s history.

In 1629, the Dutch merchant vessel Batavia was shipwrecked after hitting Morning Reef, which sailors had mistaken for ‘moonshine on the water’. Of the 322 passengers on board, most managed to swim to shore, although a mutiny reminiscent of Lord of the Flies ensued.

Hero Wiebbe Hayes eventually reclaimed peace, and the stone forts he erected on West Wallabi Island are considered to be the first European buildings on Australian soil.

Providing tidal conditions are favourable, tourists can snorkel or dive to the Batavia shipwreck, although up until recently it’s only been possible to reach with expensive charters or by hitching a ride with a fisherman.

A crayfishing industry developed here in the 1920s, with settlements springing up over the course of subsequent decades. But communities collapsed when a quota system was introduced in 2010, meaning it was no longer feasible to fish for more than a few months a year.

Jay Cox, 54, lived on Rat Island for 14 years with his wife, Sonia, and their children. He’s since swapped crayfishing for tourism, and purchased the Eco Abrolhos vessel six years ago, after seeing it for sale in a magazine.

The 38-passenger ship, which formerly operated in the Whitsundays, becomes my cosy home for the next five days. I’m joined on board by a group of 15 hardy, nature-loving Australians, mainly retirees escaping the east coast winter on long caravanning trips.

During our bumpy four-hour sailing from Geraldton, I hear about a 70-year-old vet’s attempts to reintroduce a rare breed of pheasant to New South Wales, and learn how one couple manage to survive for six months a year camping on a beach with just a couple of fishing rods and a biodegradable toilet.

All the while, I’m distracted by migratory humpbacks breaching on the horizon.

Lying in the stream of the Leeuwin Current, the Abrolhos Islands are surrounded by a mixture of tropical and temperate waters – making conditions extremely favourable for marine wildlife and a healthy coral reef.

Belts of turquoise and indigo wrap around the islands, softly melting into each other like butter in a pan.

Using the gentle current to carry me, I snorkel off the shores of Wooded Island, admiring some of the 100 different types of coral found here.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

TRAVEL 

intriguing archipelago

83

TRAVEL FACTS

Sarah Marshall was a guest of Western Australia (westernaustralia.com) A five-day cruise with Eco Abrolhos (www.ecoabrolhos.com.au) costs 2,175 AUD (£1,135) pp twin share for a stateroom, including food and tours. A three-day cruise is 1,305 AUD (£681).

‘More than 90 species of seabird can be found here, including the threatened Australian Lesser Noddy’ Clownfish eyeball me suspiciously from beneath the writhing tendrils of blue-tipped anemones as I float below a rooftop of large plate corals.

Those who prefer not to get wet take a scenic trip in glass-bottom boat, the King Diver, while others fish for squid. That evening, Chook and Jay’s son, Bronson, fillets snapper and coral trout for dinner as the watery silhouettes of salivating reef sharks gather around the boat.

While sitting at the top deck bar, built by Jay, I learn more about the local fishing community’s opposition to tourism in the Abrolhos. A story emerges, almost as cut-throat as the Batavia mutiny 400 years ago.

Three days before we’d set off, Jay had received a phone call warning him not to visit any inhabited islands as part of the ship’s itinerary. Local fishermen, it appears, would prefer to keep their idyllic kingdoms to themselves.

It would probably be much easier and more profitable for Jay and Sonia to spend more time in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, where Eco Abrolhos also operates itineraries.

“We put the Kimberleys into a Google algorithms search engine and in a month there were 122,000 searches,” explains Jay. “In the same period there were just 80 for the Abrolhos.”

But a combination of passion and anger spurs them on.

Defying threats, we land on Pigeon Island where one of the few receptive fishermen, Al, has been living since he was 15. At one time the population swelled to 70.

Faded artwork decorates a schoolroom which closed in 2008, and freshly chalked cues still lie across a pool table in the community centre.

I tiptoe into a corrugated iron ‘museum piece’ house, where a vintage TV set glares at a ripped, monochrome art deco sofa and dirty tea cups sit on a Formica table imprinted with an image of the Venetian lagoon.

Jay reminisces about a carefree past, and I wonder if an element of his determination to set foot on these forgotten islands is bound up with personal nostalgia.

In reality, he shouldn’t be so concerned. While dwindling communities are a point of interest, their rundown shacks, strangled in a mass of electrical cables, are, for the most part, depressingly ugly.

For me, it’s the remote, unsullied spots that prove to be the biggest draw.

More than 90 different species of seabird can be found here, including the threatened Australian Lesser Noddy. We go in search of the diminutive

birds (which weigh just 100g) on Leos Island, although after lifting up a few bushes, Jay shrugs his shoulders and concludes “they’re not here today”.

Instead, we sit on the banks of a lagoon and watch cormorants skim the water as osprey flit back and forth to their nest.

On East Wallabi Island, one of the few limestone islands with access to fresh water, I spend an afternoon trying to spot timid Tammar wallabies in the dense thickets, while other members of our group attempt to prize free oysters clinging tightly to rocks at Turtle Bay. Not a single – even lost – soul could disturb the peace.

Tourism in the Abrolhos Islands is admittedly in its early stages, and there’s no denying the Coxes have a challenging ride ahead.

“Sometimes I think this is too hard,” admits Sonia, during a low point.

But their love for the destination is too great to ignore.

Jay recalls a group of visiting scientists who he guided 10 years ago as part of a charter tour.

“They were visiting 40 reef systems around Australia and claimed this was one of the best,” he says proudly.

They also said to him, reassuringly: “Just keep doing what you’re doing – this could be the next Great Barrier Reef.”

Cathay Pacific (www.cathaypacific. co.uk; 020 8834 8888) flies from London Heathrow to Hong Kong five times daily, and from Manchester to Hong Kong four times per week, and onwards to over 190 destinations globally.

The economy return price from London Heathrow to Perth, including taxes, starts from £759.

Quantas (quantas.com) flies to Geraldton from Perth for £136 return.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

84 n WHAT’S ON

Cracking Easter ideas for the little ones Easter can occasionally be daunting with two weeks to fill up with fun activities for the kids.

To help all the families in need of some bright ideas, we have gathered together four pages brimming with activities and ideal spots to visit that you’d be hopping mad to miss out on…

SALOMONS ESTATE CASTLE The Easter Bunny will be visiting Salomons on Sunday, with fun Easter egg hunts running from 10:30 until 13:30. Intrepid explorers will be able to hunt for eggs by following clues and searching high and low in the beautiful grounds of the estate. After decorating their bags to collect eggs in, then starting at the magical fairy garden, tiptoeing through the toadstools, across the Bunnies’ Crossing and completing a mini obstacle course, successful explorers will be rewarded with a delicious chocolate egg. Visitors can also make and decorate their own Easter cards to take home to their families.

Broomhill Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 0TG www.salomons-estate.com

BEWL WATER Bewl is reopening just in time for the school Easter holidays. There will be a range of activities and facilities for you and your family to enjoy, including the country park with a kids’ adventure playground, electric ranger cars, cycle and boat hire and train trips.

You will be able to enjoy a meal at the Boathouse Bistro, a gastro-pub quality restaurant with stunning views across the lake, or a coffee and a snack at the pop-up café will also be open, to keep you and your family nourished for a bracing walk around the reservoir!

And don’t forget, we’ve reduced the parking charge from £8 to £2!

Bewlbridge Lane, Lamberhurst TN3 8JH www.bewlwater.co.uk

FLOAT YOUR BOAT Paddle your way to fun this Easter

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

WHAT’S ON �

PUT ‘EM UP! Let the kids loose at Manic Monsters

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MANIC MONSTERS Manic Monsters, an exciting children’s soft play centre based in Edenbridge, is the best in the area. It’s huge with loads of fun for children and a comfortable area with a good restaurant for accompanying adults. Activities in the play frame include slides, go karts and a football pitch.

Come for an ‘un-booked’ session or use their extensive party facilities. Party options include ‘Build a Soft Toy’ parties, and ‘Laser Tag’.

Parties include food and an enthusiastic host! Also on the site is Monty’s Day Care, an all-day nursery, set in our beautiful rural location with a ‘good’ OFSTED rating. See the web site for further details, www.montysdaycare.co.uk Unit 1-4 The Gardiner Business Park, Little Browns Lane, Edenbridge, Kent. TN8 6LH.

THE LINDT GOLD BUNNY HUNT AT HEVER CASTLE Every day until April 10 For some magical family moments this Easter, hop through Hever Castle Gardens on the trail of the Lindt Gold Bunny to win a chocolatey treat. There’s also plenty of family entertainment throughout the Easter holidays designed to put a spring in everyone’s step.

Besides following the Easter trail to hunt for Golden Bunnies, children can make their own Easter bonnet at

daily craft workshops*. There’s an opportunity to parade their creation in the Best Easter Bonnet competition in front of the castle each day with treats for the winners. Enjoy more family fun with an Easter themed quiz in the castle.

For further information, prices and opening times please visit the website: hevercastle.co.uk |or call Hever Castle on 01732 865224. (*small additional charge)

CHOCOHOLIC The giant Lindt bunny at Hever

Hever Castle & Gardens, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

86 � WHAT’S ON

THE Times has teamed up with Tunbridge Wells Kids On The Go to provide an at-a-glance guide for things children - and their parents - can do in the local area and around the county. For more listings, click onto:

WITH THE OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

www.tunbridgewellskidsonthego.co.uk

BUMPER EASTER – SPECIAL ROUND-UP The buds are peeping through and the sun is desperately trying to shine, Spring is finally on its way so it’s time to come out of hibernation and venture outside! By the looks of it, the Easter bunny is going to be exceptionally busy this year, so we have summarised his schedule and included it in our Times Of Tunbridge Wells Easter Pull Out Guide. Stick it on your fridge and be inspired from start to finish of the Easter Holidays.

ON A ROLL The annual Easter egg roll at Calverley Grounds

ê CAVERLEY ADVENTURE GROUND EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Old Bowling Green, Calverley Grounds 25th March, 2.00pm – 4.00pm Come and join the endless fun and raise money for the new, proposed Adventure Playground in Calverley Grounds. There will be egg and spoon races, traditional egg rolling on the hill, decorating an egg for the Easter Tree and a visit from the Easter Bunny plus the opportunity to learn about the proposed Calverley Adventure Grounds. Let the fundraising begin! Suggested donation of £3.00 per child.

Wednesday 23rd March 2015

ê HAWKHURST FISH FARM EASTER TRAIL Hastings Road, Hawkhurst, Kent TN18 4RT March 18th, 10.00am – 4.00pm. £2.50 per person to join the Easter Trail around the Fish Farm in search of bunnies which give you the clues to solve the quiz. Easter offer includes 10% off Slap ‘n Dash Crafts and Gifts and a free drink when you buy a meal over £7 from The Waterside Café. With 3 junior ponds suitable for both adults and children for all fishing abilities, it really is a brilliant day out with the kids! Nets and rods available to hire.

ê DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE AT PENSHURST PLACE AND GARDENS Penshurst, Tonbridge TN11 8DG, March 25th, 10.30am – 5.00pm For a fortnight of fun outdoor activities including a Garden Trail and nature-themed crafts. Dive down the rabbit hole and embark on an entertaining garden trail to uncover interesting facts about animals and plants that thrive in a life spent underground. Then hop on over to the Old Coach House to craft a pop-up rabbit puppet and a nature-themed mask! For smaller visitors, and the young at heart, talented storytellers from Aardvark Productions will be in The Buttery at Penshurst Place on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday to share a very silly tale about the Easter Bunny. ê FUN AND FROLICS AT THE RARE BREEDS CENTRE HIghlands Farm, Woodchurch, Kent TN26 3RJ March 25th, 10.30am – 5.30pm So much eggcitement at The Rare Breeds Centre this Easter including: Choccy Hunt, Meet the our Easter Bunny, visit the newest arrivals in the lambing tunnel and many other babies, Pig Washing, ‘The Tortoise & the Hare’ Easter show, Face

Painting, Meet the Animals ….all day, Trailer rides, Falconry Displays, Start of the famous Pig Racing season. ê TRINITY THEATRE Church Road TN1 1JP We are the proud sponsors of the Trinity Youth Theatre. There is so much going on under one roof for children to relish this Easter, including the Film - Star Wars: The Force Awakens - 12AFilm, March 28th ,Time: 8pm.

The Youth Theatre for 10 years+ is hosting a Short Film Workshop on Tuesday 29th – Thursday 31st March 10.00am – 4.00pm, Create and star in your own short film, taught by professional film maker Samuel Marlow, you will be taught the basics of story boarding, script writing and filming, as well as creating your own short film in a small team.

For those 3 years upwards there is a the performance of How The Lion Became King of Tinga Tinga Land Wednesday 30th March at 2.00pm & Thursday 31st March, 11.00am

WHAT’S ON �

87

PAINT IT PERFECT Easter Egg painting is a both creative and traditional activity for the kids. & 2.00pm. A fun-packed performance that will transport children and their families to a high-octane adventure on the African Plain. A new children’s stage show from the creator of Tweenies.

Another Trinity delight is the opportunity of a Comedy Masterclass, April 1st 10.00am – 4.00pm for 10 years + One jam-packed day of fun and laughter. Professional comedians and writers Sarah and Lizzie Daykin invite you to a day of improvising, character work and sketch writing. Build your confidence in performing and develop your creativity in a welcoming environment. ê GROSVENOR AND HILBERT PARK, Dorking Road TN1 2HU Easter Festivities, March 28th, FREE of charge.

There will be lots of Easter themed activities from decorating your own Easter egg to going on an Easter egg hunt around the park. Easter egg competition winners will be announced at 2.00pm in the Pavilion/Hub. ê KHWP EASTER TASTER FOREST SUMMER SCHOOL Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest, Bedgebury Road, Goudhurst TN17 2SL April 5th 10.00am – 3.00pm This Easter date is an introduction to what is on offer over the summer. Join this taster day of den building, fire lighting, mud fun, crafts and tool use.

Let’s be a wild child for the whole day, NO parents allowed! ê PORT LYMPNE RESERVE WILD ANIMAL PARK Lympne, near Hythe, Kent CT22 4PD from 25th March Dinosaurs are due to hatch in Spring at Port Lympne, Kent’s largest wild animal park. Preparations are underway to welcome some epic arrivals! Visitors will be invited to step into a prehistoric world, as one of the largest collections of life size dinosaurs in Europe hatches. There will be over

100 totally authentic and anatomically correct models, including the favourites the T-Rex, Diplodocus and Pterodactyl. hour from 11am. ê TRACK N’ TRAIL BIKING Sevenoaks Primary School, Bradbourne Road, Sevenoaks TN13 3LB 29th, 30th March and 5th, 6th April Run by Ollie Ireland, trained mountain bike and BMX coach. These sessions are designed for young people who can ride bikes but want to learn new skills.

It is about enjoying biking with other young people, in a safe environment.

ê SAMA SOUTH EAST EASTER KARATE AND KICKBOXING CAMP, St John’s Primary School, TN4 9EW, 4th and 5th April, 9.00am – 4.00pm Exciting 2 days of martial arts training games and plenty of activities to keep the kids moving safe during the Easter holidays. Children will need to bring their own drinks, lunch and snacks. êTHE OBSERVATORY SCIENCE CENTRE ROCKETRY CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP Herstmonceux, Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 1RN April 5th, 10.30am – 1.00pm How does a rocket actually get off the ground? Come and find out! It’s fun, fascinating and you even get to build and launch your very own water rocket. ê KINO DIGITAL HAWKHURST, Victoria Hall, Rye Road, Hawkhurst, Kent TN18 4ET March 28th, 4.00pm cinema screening of The Railway Children (PG) 125mins. This is York Theatre Royal’s Olivier award-winning production of E Nesbit’s classic

family drama featuring the original locomotive from the much-loved 1970 film. The Railway Children tells the story of Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis, three children whose lives change dramatically when their father is mysteriously taken away. They move from London to a cottage in rural Yorkshire with their mother, where they befriend the local railway porter, Perks, and embark on a magical journey of discovery, friendship and adventure.

But the mystery remains – where is Father, and is he ever coming back?

Running time 125 minutes including a 15 minute interval. Ticket prices: £15.00 adults/£10.00 under 16’s. ê THE LLAMA PARK Wych Cross, Forest Row (on the A22) RH18 5JN ‘Keep It Local Craft Fairs’ will be held on 27th and 28th March, 10.00am – 4.00pm. Set in the beautiful Forest Row and is home to some 30 llamas and 15 alpacas, reindeer, horses, sheep, donkeys, pigs, peacocks, guinea fowl and a lovely bunch of funny chickens! Enjoy a lovely day out from £6.00 per adult and £5.00 per child which also includes use of the adventure play area.

êTHE HORNIMAN MUSEUM 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ If the thought of going to London to the Natural History Museum gives you anxious thoughts then The Natural History Gallery at is your next best thing. Also free of charge, it is packed full of taxidermy, skeletons and specimens preserved in fluid including a walrus, and there is also an aquarium. êJILLY AND MARY’S HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHT - NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTIES IN KENT AND SUSSEX, www.nationaltrust.org.uk Whether it be deer spotting in Knole Park, being a wannabe, sword thrashing knight at Bodiam Castle, tree climbing at Sheffield Park, or having a nosey in Winston Churchill’s bedroom at Chartwell, the National Trust have got it covered.

There is always so much for the whole family to do and each property is unique. With the thrills of the Easter goings on too, the National Trust will certainly be a definite on our to do list this holiday.

Wednesday 23rd March 2015

88 n LIFE AND STYLE STORE ANYTHING Just opened between Frant and Bells Yew Green Store Anything is a new, independent self-storage centre catering for both private and business users with the emphasis on ease of access, customer service and competitive pricing for storage requirements from Tunbridge Wells, Crowborough and the surrounding villages.

We offer immaculate, new shipping containers in the yard and individual storage boxes in the warehouse giving direct, unlimited access to occupiers from their vehicles without the need to travel up and down corridors, stairs and lifts.

The site has 24 hour infra-red CCTV, flood lighting and is security alarmed. We have staff on site during working hours and forklift assistance if required. The office is manned so we can receive goods on your behalf and, with prior arrangement, facilitate dispatch if you cannot be in attendance personally.

We also have office space to rent on flexible terms with high speed broad-band and personal telephone numbers for which we can offer an answering service as part of the package. Why not base your business here?

NEW VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME UNDERWAY AT BETTESHANGER COUNTRY PARK Betteshanger Country Park, near Deal, embarked on a new programme of volunteer activities. On Thursday, March 17th a small number of enthusiastic volunteers started work on a permaculture landscape that will develop and thrive over the coming years.

Conveniently situated between Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells, we guarantee no traffic delays or parking issues in accessing our site and that you will find us clean, friendly, convenient, and competitive.

For more information please call, visit or browse our website www.storeanything.co.uk

Lorraine Cheesmur, General Manager, Betteshanger Country Park said: “We recently put a call out for volunteers from the local area.

We have been delighted with the response received and our first volunteer day saw our new recruits planting areas of the car park under the supervision of local designer Imogen Jenkins.”

She added: “Planned future projects for our volunteers include woodland restoration, development of a foraging area and reed clearing to improve our lake areas for visitors. We will be growing our base of volunteers and they will become a crucial part of our team as Betteshanger goes through its exciting developments.”

Betteshanger Country Park is undergoing a major development project, which will see £30 million invested across the site. Work on a new state-of-the-art Visitor Centre, encompassing a Green Energy Centre, Kent Mining Museum, Cycle Centre, café and retail has now commenced on site and is due to open in 2017.

As the transformation of the Park gathers pace, volunteers will be at the core of the passionate and dedicated team, working to ensure ongoing success of the project. Volunteers will become a vital part of the visitor experience, being a constant presence on, or around, the Park and a reassuring and friendly face that helps guests make the most of their visit.

Volunteering at Betteshanger gives people the chance to join the friendly team working to create, plan, deliver and support many activities across the Park. The opportunities are perfect for people wanting to learn new skills, those who enjoy meeting people from all walks of life and who like making new friends. Volunteer positions include Park Guiding, Activities, Events, Office Administration, Visitor Services or Practical Site Maintenance.

All opportunities are purely voluntary and are not intended to be legally binding arrangements, or employment contracts.

To become a Betteshanger volunteer or to find out more information about the programme see www.betteshangercountrypark.co.uk or call 01304 619227.

STARJUMPZ CHILDREN’S CENTRE Starjumpz Children’s Centre in Tunbridge Wells, has been offering intensive therapy to a five-year-old boy with autism from Gibraltar.

Jay Ritchie and his family have been visiting the centre on a daily basis so he can receive combined Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and pioneering Neurofeedback treatment.

Jay, whose autism and strong sensory needs affects his ability to communicate and interact with people and his surroundings, first came to the centre last August after his parents came across Starjumpz on the internet. They believe the Neurofeedback treatment that caught their eye whilst researching the centre, has been hugely influential in the astounding developments witnessed in their son.

Starjumpz Director Joanna Brett, commented: “We’ve been using Neurofeedback to calm and regulate Jay’s nervous system, stimulate language development and improve sensory and auditory processing. As well as being calmer, Jay is more able to make sense of sensory input and engage in communication and learning. He can now spontaneously say a few words to communicate, count to ten and identify body parts.”

Neurofeedback teaches the brain to function more efficiently and helps a variety of childhood problems including ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. It is also available at the centre for adults struggling with anxiety and depression, migraines or PTSD. For more information on Starjumpz and the pioneering services and treatments on offer to children with learning, developmental, motor and behavioural challenges, please visit www.starjumpz.com or call 01892 510 257.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

CATCHPOLE & RYE BATHROOMS Opening Of New Workshop Premises at Saracens Dairy, Pluckley, Kent by The Hon Damian Green, MP Catchpole & Rye Limited was pleased to welcome The Hon Damian Green, MP for Ashford, to the official opening of their new workshop facility on Friday February 19, 2016.

The new premises will double the production capability of the leading British bathroom manufacturer at Pluckley and provide a huge opportunity for growth and employment in rural Kent.

The dedicated building will house engineering and polishing workshops alongside an enhanced product development facility.

Allied to the imminent opening of its newest showroom in Tunbridge Wells, this represents another milestone in the company’s continued commitment to business development within Kent, and its future market development both at home and overseas.

For more information, please contact Rita on 01233 840840 rita@catchpoleandrye.com pr@catchpoleandrye.com

WITH THE

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

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

DS 3 is French for alternative luxury

‘There are more than three million combinations of colour, trim, wheels, interior fabrics, etc’ Motoring with John Silcox The new DS 3 is a great alternative for drivers wanting a stylish premium hatchback without having to go down the well-trodden path of buying a Mini Hatch or Fiat 500. Not only does the DS offer a striking exterior and good performance it is also very competitively priced, despite boasting plenty of equipment as standard. It also rewards buyers who like to stand out with a heap of options and plenty of freedom to personalise their vehicle, giving each car that extra ‘je ne sais quoi’.

STYLING Although it was originally launched with a Citroen badge back in 2010, the success of this car played a large part in the French manufacturer’s decision to set up a stand-alone premium DS brand. In its latest incarnation the DS 3 sheds the last of its Citroen styling identity and thanks to a redesigned grill as well as bold new LED headlights, it’s looking sharper than ever. Nevertheless, its elegant proportions and flowing lines remain very similar to before and the DS 3 is still offered in either a three-door hatchback or cabriolet body style.

Inside the car reveals a very upmarket cabin. The dashboard is nicely detailed, with glossy black plastics and polished metal highlights that frame a state-of-theart seven-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay.

The seats also stand out and appear borrowed from an executive-class car. As standard they already offer bestin-class refinement but those with a taste for luxury can even indulge in luxurious variants such as Napa Watchstrap leather.

PERFORMANCE AND HANDLING On the road DS engineers have taken a more comfortorientated approach to dynamics rather than full-on performance with this model. Regular versions have a firm but comfortable suspension set-up that offers decent shock absorption on bad surfaces. As for handling, the DS 3 retains good body control in most situations and delivers an engaging driving experience. It turns in neatly and the car’s overall balance and stability inspires confidence.

Where the DS 3 really stands out though is in terms of fuel economy, no matter which engine you look at – there are three petrol and two diesel engine choices in the range. The 1.2-litre PureTech engines are particularly impressive average more than 60mpg, both in an 82PS or 110PS power output as well as five-speed manual or four-speed automatic versions.

EQUIPMENT Expect high levels of equipment on every single DS 3, even the basic Chic version. As standard all models have cruise control, speed limiter, front electric windows, tyre pressure monitor and front fog lights and even LED interior mood lighting. But it’s not all for show, safety features like Active City Braking figure across the range and the DS 3 also has a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating.

However the real differentiator is the vast amount of customisation options that are available on purchase. There are more than three million combinations of colour, trim, wheels, interior fabrics, etc – more than enough to make sure that you never see someone drive past in exactly the same car as you.

First drive: DS3 Cabrio see overleaf Wednesday 23rd March 2016

90  MOTORING

FIRST DRIVE: DS3 CABRIO Ed Wiseman WHAT’S NEW? The DS brand is one of the youngest and least understood on British roads. Intended as an upmarket spin-off from Citroen, DS began life selling upgraded versions of existing models from the popular French carmaker.

Now, though, it has truly begun the process of building its own name, identity and style – the latter being immensely important to this fledgling carmaker.

One of the company’s aims is to tap into the idea of French luxury. It does this by using high-end materials, including innovative aesthetic features, and emphasising individuality and customisation. The latest addition to their stable is the DS3 Cabrio, a stylish little roll-top that will compete with the likes of the Mini Convertible.

LOOKS AND IMAGE It looks like nothing else on the road, let alone the supermini segment. Strong, assertive lines and in-your-face decorative touches make this one of the only small cars guaranteed to turn heads. The fact that this is a cabriolet (albeit not a fully-open convertible) gives this car a bold attitude.

The ability to personalise your DS is something the company is proud of. With millions (literally) of possible combinations across the whole DS3 range, you’re likely to build yourself a unique car if you delve into the almost-endless options list. Fun little additions like a basic sketch of some Parisian architecture on the dashboard give you something to look at – valuable in a world dominated by underwhelmingly grey car interiors.

SPACE AND PRACTICALITY It’s a small car, but the DS does let itself down a bit in the practicality stakes. The firm claims that the DS can transport five adults, but they’d all be fairly cramped. The driver sits in an unusual position, which might not suit taller (or wider) individuals. A lack

TOP DOWN The stylish DS3 Cabrio

of cupholders is noticeable, and the £100 optional arm rest obstructs the handbrake and, to an extent, the gear stick.

Still, the boot is larger than that of the Mini Convertible, and as an urban runaround the DS presents a good combination of style and space. If you want out-and-out functionality, look elsewhere.

BEHIND THE WHEEL The petrol DS3 Cabrio is an immediately likeable car with a pretty engine note – important in a car with a folding roof. The steering is light and responsive, enough to rival the Mini’s handling. Opening the roof almost entirely eliminates the already meagre rear visibility, though.

The ride quality is adequate around town, but on high-speed roads with potholes, you begin to notice that this is a small car rather than the old-fashioned French saloon it sometimes feels like.

DS uses the word ‘hypercomfort’ to describe the trade-off between driving pleasure and conventional physical ease. On the tatty, pockmarked surfaces of British motorways, there’s nothing hypercomfortable about the DS3.

VALUE FOR MONEY Some say pricey, others say premium – the fact remains that the fit and finish of the DS3 is superior to most other cars in the segment.

Throw in the open roof and you have a fun, sophisticated, upmarket car which you can expect to pay more than £20,000 for. Prices start at around £18,000, but can soar above £26,000 if you tick all the options.

That puts it broadly in line with the Mini Convertible, but twice as pricey as non-cabrio cars of comparable sizes. If you’re looking for a practical city car for less, perennial favourites such as the Ford Fiesta might be attractive alternatives.

What’s more, the DS3 doesn’t deliver the most scintillating driving experience. The Mazda MX-5 is a far more engaging car to have fun with if you can sacrifice those paltry rear seats, and costs around the same.

WHO WOULD BUY ONE? Anybody looking for a compact, stylish car that stands out against the ubiquity of supermini staidness should at least try to find a DS dealer. As the retail network expands, expect to see more from this fashionable little brand – it’s a refreshing antidote to a segment that has become a bit boring.

The DS3 is a luxury product, though, so anyone looking for a bargain (as many buyers in this area of the market are)

will be tempted by well-priced rivals.

This is a young person’s motor, and wouldn’t suit a family apart from as a second (or third) car. That said, 94-year-old fashion icon Iris Apfel has endorsed the DS3, proving that you’re never too old to be chic.

THIS CAR SUMMED UP IN A SINGLE WORD: Fancy.

IF THIS CAR WAS A... meal, it would be the most exquisite croissants in Paris, with a price tag to match.

FACTS AT A GLANCE PRICE: DS3 Cabrio Prestige Puretech 130, from £21,095

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

PERFORMANCE: Top speed 109mph, 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds

ENGINE: 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 130bhp and 230Nm

FUEL ECONOMY: 58.9mpg combined

TRANSMISSION: Fivespeed manual gearbox

EMISSIONS: 110g/km of CO2

MOTORING n

91

THAMES MOTOR GROUP TUNBRIDGE WELLS, LONGFIELD ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT TN2 3EY. TEL: 01892 256075 WWW.THAMESMOTORGROUP.CO.UK

5.4% APR REPRESENTATIVE

Fuel consumption figures for Fiat 500X Range in mpg (11100km): Urban 32.5 (8.7) - 61.4 (4.6); Extra Urban 49.6 (5.7) - 74.3 (3.8); Combined 42.2 (6.7) 68.9 (4.1). C02 emissions 157 - 107 g/km. Fuel consumption and co, figures based on standard EU tests for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Model shown is a 500X 2.0140hp MultiJet AWD Auto Cross Plus. Uconnect™ LIVE system s, where available, require a data enabled smartphone to use. Promotion available on new Fiat models registered from 15th February to 31st March 2016. *Up to £2000 deposit contribution on Fiat 500X models. This promotion cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion. Retail customers only. With Fiat i-Deal 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 6p per mile for exceeding 10,000 miles per annum) and being in good condition. Deposit Contribution is only available in conjun ction with ' Fiat i-Deal No Pay Drive Away'. Finance subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Terms and Conditions apply. At participating Dealers only. Fiat Financial Servi ces, PO BOX 4465, Slough , SL1 ORW. All vehicle images are for illustration purposes only and may include options or body paint colours, which incur an additional cost. We work with a number of c reditors including Fiat Financial Services.

MODEL SHOWN JEEP RENEGADE 1.6 E-torO llOHP JUSTICE 5SPEED MANUAL 2WD AT £19,495. OFFICIAL FUEL CON SUMPTION FIGURESFOR JEEP RENEGADE RANGE MPG [L/lOOKM): EXTRA URBAN 47.9 [5.9) - 70.6 [4.01. URBAN 32.5 [8.7) - 55.4 [5.1). COMBINED 40.9 [6.9) - 64.2 [4.4). C01EMISSION S: 160 - 11 5 G/KM. Fuel consumption and CO, figures are obtained for comparative purposes in accordance with ECdirectives/regulations and may not be representative of real-life driving conditions.

'Customer deposit is £1.548. Jeep Deposit is £1.150. Total Deposit £4.798. Optional Final Payment is £10.110. Contract Term is 14 months. Promotion available on Jeep Renegade 1.6 E-torO 110hp Justice 5 Speed Manual 1WDat £19.495 registered by 31st March 1016. t Jeep Deposit Contribution only available in conjunction with Jeep Horizon PCP. With Jeep Horizon you have the option to return the vehicle and not pay the fi nal payment. subject to the vehicle not having exceeded an agreed annual mileage [a charge of 6p 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. Sll ORW. Jeep'" is a registered trademark of FCA USLL C.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

92  MOTORING

Rare chance to bid for a Lagonda owned by The Duke of Edinburgh A CHANCE has arisen to own a completely unique car with a direct connection to the British Royal Family.

A world-record selling price is set to be smashed by a 1954 Lagonda Three-Litre Drophead Coupe (DHC) that was specially ordered by The Duke of Edinburgh and personally driven by him until 1961.

It is the very car that won Aston Martin

“When the policeman saw who was in the Lagonda, he did a double take and swiftly waved them on”

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

Lagonda its first Royal Warrant. It is also believed to be the only one of Prince Philip’s personal cars ever to be sold publicly.

The stunning Lagonda was used for regular trips to The Thursday Club in Soho, Cowdray Park and Cheam preparatory school to drop Prince Charles off at the start of the day.

It also went with Prince Philip and The Queen aboard the royal yacht Britannia on a tour of the Commonwealth during 1956 and 1957, leading to numerous photos of the car at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and elsewhere.

It is expected to sell for £350,000 to £450,000 when it goes under the hammer at H&H Classics’ sale at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford on April 20.

That makes it worth around three times what a normal Lagonda Three-Litre DHC would sell for.

It has its original leather upholstery, a radio telephone and extra vanity mirrors that were fitted to allow The Queen to check her hat.

After 50,000 miles, the car has been repainted in its original Edinburgh Green hue, which at the time of its build was a special order made by the Duke.

Damian Jones, H&H Sales Manager, said: “This car is part of our history. The accompanying paperwork beggars belief.

“There is an amusing story about Prince Philip driving Her Majesty through London in this car and being held up by a policeman on point duty directing traffic.

“When the policeman saw who was in the Lagonda, he did a double take and swiftly waved them on.”

Icy road repair bill BRITISH drivers are responsible for a £20billion repair bill durring just one year’s worth of wet and icy driving conditions – an average of £173 each.

Almost a quarter of us (24%) have been involved in a winter ding on the roads, says insurance specialist 1st Central, with 23 per cent of those people left with a £250 bill or more.

And it’s men who do more damage than women, where overconfidence and under-preparedness result in them being involved in around a third more winter accidents than women.

Seven in ten drivers blame icy roads for their crash. The insurer recommends leaving extra time on wintry mornings, keeping a ‘survival kit’ in the car and using gentle control inputs to reduce the chances of skidding.

Hired car was cloned A DRIVER has avoided prosecution after anti-motor fraud specialist APU used telematics data to prove the car he had hired had been cloned.

The driver from Wembley in London received a fixed penalty notice of £100 and three penalty points after the car in question, a BMW 2 Series, was caught by a speed camera in the Lincoln area – despite the vehicle still being in Wembley.

However, the BMW hire car was fitted with a telematics device, with subsequent analysis of the data proving that the vehicle was elsewhere in the country when the offence took place, proving that the car had been cloned.

MOTORING n

93

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 restaratian ta summer check aver • Specialist mig and tig welding Full engine and gearbax rebuilds • We can lacate hard ta find parts, • In hause machining facilities • Vapaur blasting • Everything yau need ta care far yaur classic car ...

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Contact details: H-Engineering Unit 12, 2, Kingstanding Way, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3UP 01892 549 042

I

www.h-engineering.com

The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for all-new Mazda2 range: Urban 43.5 (6.5) - 74.3 (3.8). Extra Urban 68.9 (4.1) - 88.3 (3.2). Combined 56.5 (5.0) - 83.1 (3.4). C0 2 emissions (g/km) 117 - 89.

The mpg fig ures quoted are sourced f ro m off icial EU-regula t ed test res ult s obt ain ed t hrough laboratory tes t ing. These are provided for co mparability purposes only and m ay not refl ect your act ual driving results .

Retail sal es only, subj ect to vehicle availability for vehicles registered between 22.12.1 5 and 31.03 .16 at pa rticipa t ing dealers. T&C apply. * Oo/o APR Mazda Per sonal Cont ract Purchas e available on all all -n ew Mazda2 models over 24, 30 or 36 mon t hs wi t h no mini mum deposit r eq uired. At t he end of t he ag re ement t here are 3 op t ions: (i) Renew: Part excha nge t he vehicle . (ii) Retain: Pay th e Opt ional Final Paym en t to own the ve hicle or (iii) Ret urn t he vehicl e. Fur t her charges m ay be made subject t o t he condi t ion or mileage of the ve hicle. Excess mil eage cha rge of 14.9p per mile applies. You will not own the vehicle until all payments are made. Finance subject t o sta t us, 18s or ove r. Guarantee/i ndemn ity m ay be req uired. Mazda Financial Services RH11SR . Model shown : all-n ew Ma zda2 75 ps SE, OTR fr om £11,995. Model shown fea t ures op t ional Soul Red Metallic pai nt (£6 50). OTR price i ncl udes VAT, number plates, delivery, 12 mon th s' road fund licen ce, f irst regist ration fee, 3 yea r or 60,000 mile wa r ra nty and 3 yea r s' European Roadsid e Assistance . 0 Tes t drives subjec t to applicant st at us and availability. Det ails co r rect at t ime of going to pri nt . Not available in co njunction with any othe r offer un less specified . Calls to 0844/0845 numbers will be cha rged at 7 pe nce per minut e plus yo ur st andard network charge .

Cambria Automobilies PLC, trading as lnvicta Tunbridge Wells Mazda is a credit broker not a lender for this financial promotion. We can introduce you to a limited number of carefully selected finance providers and may receive a commission from them for the introduction.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

94 � MOTORING

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Parking Aid

£8,495 Now £6,995

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2007 BMW 118 Diesel Service History, Climate Control, Alann,

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£6,995

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2010 (60)Vauxhall lnsigniaSRi CDTi Estate 73,619 miles,S/H, cambeltChanged,CllmateControl,AdJustablesteerlngColumn, Cruise Control, Power Steerlng,ABS, Child Locks,Automatlc. Electric Windows, Remote Central Locking, CO Player

Was £7,995 Now £6,295

Was £7,995 Now £5,995

2008(08) Mazda MX·S I Roadster(Conwrtible]

2006 (56) Subaru lmpreza WRXTllrbo Sdr 54,000 m!tes,Alr Condltlonlng,RemoteCentralLocklng,CrulseControl,Power steerlng,ABS, Twin Air Bags, ElectrlcWlndows, Electr1c Mirrors, Rad!oCO Player, 4x4 Hatchback

£5,995

2005 (05) MINI Convertible 1.6 Cooper S 63,503 miles, MOT,

2012 (12) Peugeot Sipper 1.3 HDi 68,000 miles, Diesel, Nice

ABS Alarm, Alloy Wheels, Drivers, Passenger and Side Airbags PowerSteerlng,Radlo/(assetteRad!o/CDMultlchanger,Reverse Parking Aid

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£4,995

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Wednesday 23rd March 2016

RECRUITMENT �

95

WITH THE

FIND YOUR PERFECT JOB TODAY – A MUST READ FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR WORK LOCALLY

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND SEVENOAKS

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96 n RECRUITMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PLACE AN ADVERT CONTACT OUR SALES DEPARTMENT ON 01892 779624

WORK WITH US Commercial Account Manager – Publishing (Tunbridge Wells)

One Media UK Ltd, part of the award-winning Markerstudy Group, is currently looking to attract experienced and proven commercial talent to work with new and existing clients across its publishing portfolio.

Experienced Brand Ambassadors/Promotional Models As part of a small, but very successful and ambitious team, Tunbridge Wells and

you will be responsible for developing and implementing a successful sales strategy, achieving the agreed revenue targets Tonbridge, Kent £10 both weekly andp/h monthly in allocated categories. You will ensure targets are exceeded and will maintain successful relationships with key accounts through clients directly and via agencies.

requirements for the role are: We are looking for stars to join Selling our team across both newspaper andThe magazine publications,

you will make yourself and your brand famous within the local • Outstanding and lifestyle brand world, establishing and maintainingcommunication strong commercial relationships and maximising revenues. interpersonal skills

• Comfortable working outside • Able to interact and engage with people

One Media and Creative UK Ltd are an exciting, • Well spoken This role requires a highly and proactive approach • Enjoy early mornings innovative, creative publishing company based in structured to ensure revenues are generated every day within the agreed • Confident likeable personality • Punctual and reliable Tunbridge Wells. We are looking for experienced, guidelines from the relevant markets.

It is 100%and results focused.

• Smart and well presented enthusiastic, hard-working and For intelligent Willing to travel the right individuals, we offer a•highly attractive salary benefits package, along with strong career progression promotional people to join our and team as Brand (branded jackets provided) • Enthusiastic and energetic opportunities.

Ambassadors and Promoters. The job will involve weeklyrole, hours/projects available along with additional hours at For more details this exciting please engaging with the public in a confident and and to apply forRegular contact Lara Milan: lmilan@markerstudy.com short notice. comfortable manner, you will need to embody One Media UK Ltd is part of the Markerstudy of companies. our corporate identity in appearance, demeanour, If you feelGroup you have the right attributes to become an addition to our values and ethics. team, then please apply now by sending a covering letter, as well as your CV to info@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

Fill your vacancy now in print or online For more information contact

Jordanne Reville jreville@markerstudy.com 01892 576049 Wednesday 23rd March 2016

RECRUITMENT n

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IT Recruitment Solutions

IT Recruitment Solutions

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Cooper Tunbridge Wells BMW Receptionist-BMW

BMW Motorcycle (Motorrad) Technician - Tunbridge Wells

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Vehicle Technician

Role Requirements

Role Requirements

Role Requirements

Role Requirements

To be a success in this role, you will

To be a success in this role, you will have:

To be a success in this role, you will have:

To be a success in this role, you will

have: • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal • IT literacy • Incredible customer service skills • The ability to multi task and work under pressure • A friendly and approachable manner.

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Gareth Cornell I Head of Business

I

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Tel: 01892 548877

I

have: • The knowledge to use modern diagnostic equipment • The capability of working to the highest quality standards • Great team player and communication skills • Maintain high standards of housekeeping • Prior experience of working to efficiency targets • A full UK driving license • Main dealer experience preferable but not essential • Experience in the brand would be an advantage • VOSA approved MOT tester also an advantage but not essential • Time served or hold NVQ qualifications to Level 3

Gareth.Cornell@inchcape.co.uk Wednesday 23rd March 2016

98 � WHAT’S ON SEVEN DAYS OF EVENTS AT A GLANCE

Dave Barnett of TW Events Here are my picks for the week. This is just a small selection of events available in and around Tunbridge Wells. For more details visit my website or follow me on Twitter or Facebook >> WEDNESDAY Catch Bulgarian film Urok (The Lesson) at Trinity Theatre, which tells the story of a small-town teacher who is driven to desperate measures as a result of financial and other pressures.

The Hawkhurst Kino has the prize-winning Icelandic film Rams on today and tomorrow in its Arthouse season. >> THURSDAY It’s a good week for dance fans. First this week Ballet Central features a sparkling programme of ballet, neoclassical, contemporary and narrative dance. The company’s young and dynamic dancers showcase their talent at the EM Forster Theatre in Tonbridge this evening with a diverse performance of newly commissioned works and celebrated revivals.

Comedian Simon Evans regularly performs on TV and radio but heads to Trinity this evening with his show In the Money. >> FRIDAY (GOOD FRIDAY) Groombridge Place is celebrating Easter with an immersive Alice in Wonderland experience, featuring a cast of 17 actors which is on until the 10th April.

Penshurst Place also takes its inspiration from Alice with a Wonderland theme but there’s a different sort of rabbit at Hever Castle courtesy of a Lindt Chocolate Bunny hunt.

Today, the team behind Calverley Adventure Grounds have organised an Easter Eggstravaganza to raise funds and awareness for this very worthwhile project.

At the Assembly Hall this afternoon the Northern Ballet perform a child friendly production of the Aesop classic The Tortoise and the Hare.

To mark this week’s World Water Day event Grosvenor and Hilbert Park are celebrating. So slip on your wellies and head to the park’s new hub and meet the rangers. >> SATURDAY It’s time again for the monthly Saturday Craft Club at the Tunbridge Wells Museum, where the theme is Terrific Tunbridge Ware. There are sessions at 12 noon and 2pm and it’s free to attend. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the Polish Wycinanki exhibition which is coming to an end soon.

The Assembly Hall is hosting Champions of Magic which showcases five world-class magicians. They ALICE IN WONDERLAND At Groombridge Place

A selection of events in Tunbridge Wells.

For more details visit: www.tunbridgewellsevents. co.uk/thisweek

will all be performing clever and mind-boggling illusions. Prepare to be astounded.

Bardolph’s Box is at The Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks this afternoon. It’s a lively, engaging introduction to Shakespeare’s stories for children and their families.

Today sees the spring reopening of the magnificent gardens at Hole Park, near Rolvenden.

There’s lots to see including the renowned bluebell walks, which may be a few weeks yet, so make a note on your calendar to head down to have a look. >> SUNDAY (EASTER SUNDAY) Trinity is showing the film Radiator, in which a teacher’s life is turned upside down when he is summoned to his parents’ remote farm.

It’s a darkly comic exploration of family life and relationships.

There are repeat screenings of the Royal Opera House’s Boris Godunov at the Odeon cinema and Trinity today.

In addition to their Easter themed events, Penshurst Place has storytelling from Aardvark Productions today and tomorrow. >> MONDAY (EASTER MONDAY) The theatre-on-screen phenomenon moves on to the National Railway Museum in York this afternoon, where a stage production of the classic E Nesbit story The Railway Children is performed. The star of the show is undoubtedly the original train from the 1970 film which is used in the performance.

The production is on in several places locally including the Odeon and Trinity as well as the Uckfield Picture House and Hawkhurst Kino.

At Trinity, Star Wars film The Force Awakens is being shown this evening. So if you missed it when it was in the mainstream cinemas or you just want to see it again this is your chance. >> TUESDAY One of the great things about these culture-onscreen events is that you get a chance to see performances that normally you wouldn’t be able to. There’s an example of this at the Odeon today where the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater [sic] is your chance to witness Revelations, an iconic masterpiece of American dance. It has been described by The New York Times as ‘one of the great works of the human spirit’. This stunning, soulful tour de force draws on African-American spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs and holy blues.

Trinity is showing three films today. This morning it’s Star Wars again, then this afternoon it’s the Australian film Paper Planes, then in the evening it’s the Oscar-winning Room starring Brie Larson.

A ROUND-UP OF THIS WEEK’S MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Paul Dunton Live music Easter week is here and it has to be one of the busiest weeks of the year so far.

Here are my top four recommendations of the week: For singer/songwriter and acoustic fans I highly recommend local groups Lt Leek & Lights on The Mountain at The Grey Lady this Thursday night.

The Tar Babies will be strutting their stuff at No.9 Smokehouse this Friday evening. The band are renowned for their funky and infectious pop/rock sounds covering an array of iconic bands from the 60s to the present day. Not to be missed.

Local & Live is out in force this Easter weekend with Local & Live Electric at The Forum taking place this Friday night. The event features a stellar-line up of groups including popular indie rockers Youth and Dull Knife + Zeffry. On Saturday night the Local & Live Sessions take place at Trinity Theatre with the superb Jazzy/blues laced pop songs of Phoebe Katis and her band. There will also be a set from the Kate Bush/Jeff Buckley inspired Mistress & The Malts and an opening set from the wonderfully atmospheric piano and voice of local artist Frances Yonge.

The excellent TW3 are at The Bedford Pub this Sunday night and look out for Mike Hatchard & Shane Hill at The Cross Keys next Wednesday March 23.

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM The Common Doors 7.30pm, entry price variable, event information and tickets at www.twforum.co.uk THURSDAY – The Skints, General Roots FRIDAY – Local & Live Electric: Youth, Dull Knife + Zeffyr SATURDAY – Best Foot Forward

Youth THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE The Pantiles Doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7, websites www.pdag. co.uk + www.thegreylady.co.uk WEDNESDAY – Becky Copsey, Jack Clarke, TYN, Julius Cowdrey THURSDAY – The Alamo, Becky Briggs, Lights On The Mountain, Lt. Leek FRIDAY – Salsa Camina SATURDAY – David Ital & Friends SUNDAY – Code: Marla, Riff Raff, Mystery Clarke Band TUESDAY – MusicStation Presents, Alana Hazzard, Tides, Tom Harvey WEDNESDAY – Peter Taylor, The Gallerys, The Diarys, The Creatures of Habit THE BEDFORD PUB 2 High Street Open all day, free entry music from 8.30pm till late SUNDAY – The Bedford Sunday Night Sessions: TW3 SCALLYWAG 45 Mount Ephraim Open all day, music from 7.30pm, entry charge for music may apply FRIDAY – Jazz Piano with Ed Watts

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

The must-read guide to what’s on musically for the week ahead… www.paulduntonandguests.com

TRINITY THEATRE Church Road Show times and ticket information at www. trinitytheatre.net SATURDAY – Local & Live Sessions: Phoebe Katis + Mistress & The Malts + Frances Yonge Phoebe Katis

THE BEAU NASH Mount Ephraim Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late SATURDAY – Kharma and the Devil NO.9 SMOKEHOUSE 9 Nevill Street Open all day, free entry music from 8.30pm till late FRIDAY – The Tar Babies THE CROSS KEYS St John’s Road Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm, www.crosskeystw.co.uk WEDNESDAY – Sonny’s Jazz: Jazz Funk Giants FRIDAY – Sonny’s Blues & Groove: refer to venue website (see above) MONDAY – TWURPS: Ukulele Practice WEDNESDAY – Sonny’s Jazz: Mike Hatchard & Shane Hill THE SPA HOTEL Mount Ephraim Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late.

Dining available, booking advised on 01892 520331 FRIDAY – Live Jazz at Zagotas: Ray Rich Duo THE ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE Crescent Road Show times & ticket prices vary, visit www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk for more details SUNDAY – Let’s Hang On (The music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons) CASSIDY’S SPORTS BAR Castle Street Open all day, free entry, music from 9pm till late FRIDAY – On Edge THE DUKE OF YORK The Pantiles Open all day, free entry, open mic from 7.30pm till late MONDAY – Open Mic Night with Nick Wilton & Sophie Mullan THE ROYAL OAK Prospect Road Open all day, free entry, music from mid-afternoon onwards SATURDAY – Shine MONDAY – Open Mic/Jam Session

WHAT’S ON �

99

An African adventure comes to Tunbridge Wells

How Lion Became King of Tinga Tinga Land comes to Trinity Theatre this Easter and audiences are in for a tropical treat ANIMAL KINGDOM Banjoko the toucan with his friends

By Eileen Leahy BOLD, bright and loud would be three perfect words to describe the latest children’s theatre show penned by Tweenies’ creator Iain Lauchlan, which comes to the Trinity Theatre at the end of this month.

But you could easily throw colourful, fun and memorable into the mix, too, as this highly animated musical about life in the African plains is nothing short of a visual treat which will appeal to audiences of all ages.

How Lion Became King of Tinga Tinga Land begins with Banjoko the toucan warning his chums of a danger that could threaten their beloved homeland.

Deciding they need a king to help them ward off any possible dangers, the group starts to compete for the top regal job.

On Banjoko’s African adventure she meets the cheeky monkey Maliki, a kind but goofy giraffe named Gowon, a groovy zebra named Zalika and a very proud lion called Lutalo.

When they are chased by a pack of hungry hyenas one day and only one of them is brave enough to stand up to them then the royal title is swiftly decided upon by Banjoko.

The sought-after crown is handed

to Lutalo the lion, who has shown his fierce strength in the face of danger and is therefore made king.

During the show lots of exciting adventures ensue and we discover the personal stories of each animal against a backdrop of stunning sets, colourful costumes and lots of audience participation.

There’s also plenty of music, with classic nursery rhymes being fused with traditional African songs throughout the show. Children can come along dressed as an animal if they wish or simply bring their favourite toy.

Everyone is encouraged to get stuck in and we guarantee you’ll leave the theatre with a spring in your step.

TICKETS TO BE WON We have two sets of four tickets to be won for the performance on Thursday March 31 at 11.30am. To be in with a chance of winning simply email info@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk SHOW INFORMATION How Lion Became King of Tinga Tinga Land tour comes to Trinity Theatre on Wednesday March 30 and Thursday March 31. All shows start at 11.30am & 2pm and ticket prices start at £11.50 (concessions £9.50). Visit www. trinitytheatre.net and www.kingoftinga tinga.com

OUT OF AFRICA Zalika Zebra and Gowon giraffe

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

100 n ARTS & CULTURE

Performing a service As part of Tonbridge School, the EM Forster Theatre offers a programme of productions for both students and the wider community. Theatre manager Kat Portman and director Gavin Bruce chat to Fred Latty about bringing a diverse cultural offering to local pupils and the public all year round TELL US HOW YOU BOTH GOT INVOLVED AT THE THEATRE

Gavin: I arrived as head of drama five years ago, having worked at a day school in London.

At the time I took over as head of drama, but a couple of years in the head asked me to take over as director of theatre and bring the internal and external factions of the theatre together. We have a lot of things coming in, but we’re also a producing house and the boys create a lot of theatre in-house.

Kat: I come from a producing background and was interested in working in a theatre rather than outside one. I was aware of the theatre because I’d had a couple of shows that toured here in the past. What’s exciting for me is the combination of the quality of the boys’ work, plus the external work and letting external audiences know about the theatre and what we do here. It’s that combination that’s quite unique.

IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU PROMOTE THE SPACE FOR USE BY THE WIDER COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE SCHOOL?

Gavin: We try and broaden our horizons and include the community wherever we can. A lot of the school is hired out for public use, but the theatre really is the hub of the community. We’re

DOUBLE ACT Kat Portman and Gavin Bruce

trying to encourage more of the community to come in to use the facilities and enjoy the things we’ve got coming in.

DOES THE THEATRE HAVE THE LATEST EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES?

Kat: Absolutely. When you produce your own theatre, you’re working in small fringe venues, so coming here to a 370-seat theatre, which keeps up to date and is ready for when a show comes in, was fantastic. Also, the studio theatre seats around 90 people and is completely flexible, so for me coming from a producing background, the facilities are amazing.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RECENT AND UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS FROM YOUR PROGRAMME?

Gavin: Internally, we’re preparing for our junior production of The Grapes of Wrath, which features a cast of 45, the Colorado River, live fire and a full-size Hudson Super-Six car onstage, which we’re building in-house. We’ve just had a production of Jerusalem, which was fantastically staged with a full-size caravan, and last term we produced a version of Hamlet which went down very well. Externally, we’ve had NT Live screenings here, which are gaining in popularity and have had several sell-outs. Because we’re a theatre, we can screen these performances direct

from the National, which people like to watch in a theatrical space, so they’ve really taken off.

Kat: The theatre’s built up a great audience for children’s work, which often sells out. We’ve got a mix of stuff coming up this summer, like a couple of smaller kids’ shows in the studio and an Edinburgh show preview. For me, it’ll be interesting over the next year to really feel out what people want to see, what we can sell and what’s good to bring in. It’s always a good balance between being appropriate for the pupils and an external audience.

LIKE A LOT OF THEATRES, HAVE YOU HAD TO DIVERSIFY YOUR OFFERING IN RECENT YEARS?

Gavin: It’s different for us because we have an in-school audience, so we’re in a luxurious position. It’s more to do with what we’re going to put on to attract more people into our venue, rather than what we have to put on. We’ve invested over the last couple of years in a lot of very high-quality music, so we’re now a professional music venue as well.

WOULD YOU SAY THERE’S A LOT OF VARIATION IN THE PROGRAMME THROUGHOUT THE YEAR?

Gavin: Each season is very different in flavour.

We tend to do a big autumn production internally

‘This year we’ve had professional workshops on War Horse and a movement workshop, as well as some Shakespeare, puppetry and mask work’ and a lot of productions in the spring, but less in the summer, which is when we pack it with external providers. We work a lot alongside other local schools as well. We invite a lot of the local girls’ schools in to audition for our internal productions, but also have schools visiting to do their productions at the venue in the summer.

ARE PUPILS VERY HANDS-ON IN CREATING THEIR OWN WORK?

Kat: The students are involved at every level, which is great. We go under the umbrella of Tonbridge Arts, which includes the music department, the English department and the art department, so there are two galleries that are very often used for outside artists putting exhibitions on. They are open at the weekends to the public and often free as well. It’s just about trying to get the word out there.

DO YOU ALSO OFFER CULTURAL EXCHANGES TO THE STUDENTS?

Gavin: We have a group that goes to Edinburgh every summer and puts together a piece to take up to the Fringe, which is quite an exciting venture. We also take a production up to Riverhill Gardens as part of the Sevenoaks Festival. I’m looking at the moment to take a show out to Sri Lanka next summer, where we’ll support CAL (Child Action Lanka) and all the orphan children in Sri Lanka who have been affected by the war and tsunami.

HOW ABOUT CREATIVE WORKSHOPS? Gavin: In the last couple of years we’ve worked with the National, which has a scriptwriting competition. We’ve had a finalist in two of the last three years who have had their plays read professionally in a rehearsed performance, which has been very exciting. We also run a series of workshops throughout the year, for which we target some of the younger boys and some girls from local schools. This year we’ve had professional workshops on War Horse and a movement workshop, as well as some Shakespeare, puppetry and mask work.

We’re looking to build on that and really offer professional workshops to our boys and the local community.

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

ARTS & CULTURE 

101

CULTURAL CALENDAR Some events to look forward to at the EM Forster Theatre over the coming months Ballet Central 2016 Thursday March 24, 7.30pm Tickets £14.50, £12.50 concessions, £10 dance school groups Ballet Central 2016 features a sparkling programme of ballet, neoclassical, contemporary and narrative dance. The company’s young and dynamic dancers will showcase their talent with a diverse performance of newly commissioned works and celebrated revivals.

NT Live Encore – Hangmen Thursday April 21, 7pm Tickets £14, £12 concessions Following a sell-out run at London’s Royal Court Theatre, Olivier and Academy Award-winner Martin McDonagh (The Pillowman, The Cripple of Inishmaan, In Bruges) returns to the West End with Matthew Dunster’s award-winning production of his deeply funny new play Hangmen, broadcast live to cinemas by National Theatre Live.

OPEN DOOR The theatre is used by the whole community IN YOUR OPINION, IS LOCAL THEATRE AND CULTURE THRIVING?

Gavin: Absolutely. One of our challenges is that we’re so close to the West End, and a lot of our clientele work in London, so we’re competing with the West End sometimes. It’s about putting things on that are exciting and attracting people in with different types of shows. We often go to the Edinburgh Fringe to look at new work and bring it back to try and introduce local audiences to things that are a bit newer.

FINALLY, WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE EM FORSTER THEATRE?

Kat: It’s about developing and building on

what’s already here, and trying to have enough of a body of work that people know, or that they might want to take a look at. We need to develop and build on that to try and find out what the community wants and what we can draw them in with.

Gavin: From my point of view, it’s about getting our name out there and the awareness of the theatre. We’ve got a fantastic facility here that’s very well-equipped, and I’d possibly like to see in the future a theatre company that has a residence here, using the facility to write and create its own work, which can then feed into the work we do here at the school.

The Curious Adventures of Pinocchio Sunday May 1, 3pm Tickets £8, ages 4+ Crickets, cats, foxes and, of course, the world-famous puppet, will spring out of our collection of dusty, old magic books, while Patrick Lynch from CBeebies pulls all the strings and turns all the pages to bring you the true story of Pinocchio. Who nose? He might even find his father and become a real boy. Come and join him on his incredible journey – you’ll have a whale of a time.

The Day it Rained in Colours Friday May 6, 7.30pm and Saturday May 7, 3pm and 7.30pm

Tickets £8, £6 concessions (children under 16 and seniors) The Day it Rained in Colours is a musical

by Roy Etherton, based on his bestselling children’s book of the same name. The award-winning Absolute Gospel Company will be staging this production. The company has performed locally, nationally and internationally, and their work has also been presented on television and radio.

NT Live – A View from the Bridge (Encore) Thursday May 12, 7pm Tickets £14, £12 concessions The great Arthur Miller confronts the American dream in this dark and passionate tale. In Brooklyn, longshoreman Eddie Carbone welcomes his Sicilian cousins to the land of freedom. But when one of them falls for his beautiful niece, they discover that freedom comes at a price. Eddie’s jealous mistrust exposes a deep, unspeakable secret – one that drives him to commit the ultimate betrayal.

EM Forster Theatre High Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1JP 01732 304 241 www.tonbridge-school.co.uk

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

102 ■

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Kent Barker Country matters

Happy cows win prizes

W

E HAD a wonderful milkman when I lived in Greenwich in the 1980s. His name was Doug Mullins, known to all as Dougie, and he followed his father into the trade, eventually replacing their old red and white handcart with one of those new-fangled electric milk floats.

I was thinking of Dougie just the other day and reflecting on how rare doorstep milk deliveries have become. When he died in 1991 there was no one to take over his round. But even as late as 1995 doorstep deliveries accounted for 45 per cent of all household purchases of milk. Now it’s less than three per cent.

The trend has been largely driven by the big supermarkets. The average price of homedelivered milk is currently 81p a pint, against 24.8p from retailers. The downward pressure on prices has meant that milk production is simply uneconomic on its own. The average price paid to the farmer is 21p per litre. The average cost of production is 27p.

So when I visited our local dairy farmer I was expecting a catalogue of woes, and predictions of imminent demise. But not a bit of it, they’re busy expanding their animals along with their product range. The Manfords have been running a dairy herd at Hinxden Farm for 85 years. Now they have two. Holsteins and

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

Guernseys – 250 cows in milk and another 150 younger stock waiting to be put into calf. The Holsteins are the more productive, each giving an average of 9,000 litres a year, while the Guernseys come in at around 6,000 litres – though many think it’s a creamier, tastier product.

‘The Manfords have been running a dairy herd at Hinxden Farm for 85 years’ The point is that they are only losing money on about half of their production. That half they sell to a wholesaler. Milk taken away by tanker from any dairy farm will be mixed with produce from a number of other herds. It may sit around for several days before it gets to the supermarket shelf. And prior to that it will have been homogenised. A process where the fat droplets are broken down under pressure so the cream doesn’t separate. But some worry that smaller fat molecules bypass the digestive system and instead are absorbed into the bloodstream.

The remainder of the Manfords’ milk has a rather different story. It is simply pasteurised – heat treated – and then bottled immediately. It leaves the farm within 24 hours and is delivered

to local shops, schools and homes straight away. The Channel Island brand comes from the Guernseys alone.

Then there are three types of cream, two cheeses and a clutch of different yoghurts.

It’s quite labour intensive with 14 employees including drivers for the four vans that do the milk rounds. And, naturally, it’s a bit more expensive, averaging 68p a pint delivered.

But Dee Manford, who’s married to one of the three Hinxden Dairy partners, says that people are becoming increasingly aware of what they are eating and are prepared to pay a premium for better, fresher products. “We have happy cows. And if they’re happy and well fed and well cared for, they produce better milk, she says”.

Now you may think this is bunkum. How can you tell a happy cow from an unhappy one?

Well, all I can say is that, walking round the farm, it’s hard to avoid the impression that they are pretty content. It’s too wet for them to be turned out to pasture so they’re still in roomy cattle sheds or wandering freely around the yard munching silage. And they keep coming up to nuzzle or lick your hand. There’s a nursery where the young calves are raised with nanny caring for both black and white or tan-brown wards.

Dee would say the results speak for themselves. At the International Dairy Festival in Cheshire, their Guernsey Whole Milk won first prize and their Holstein Whole milk took

HERD AND SEEN Calves in the nursery

second. Then at the recent Taste of Kent awards their Channel Islands (Guernsey) cream won the Dairy section.

So the point of this story is that it’s really rather nice to be able to report something positive in farming and to see a small business buck the trend and find a niche that enables them not just to survive but grow. The herd started with five cows on 35 acres. Now they’re expanding beyond 400 cattle, with more than 700 acres available. Nationally we have a million fewer dairy cows than we did 20 years ago – a 27 per cent reduction.

Mind you, it’s hard work. At Hinxden they milk at 4am and 3pm 365 days a year. Dee says she sometimes finishes calving around 1am, just in time to greet the early shift arriving to prepare the milking parlour. Such discomforts are quite clearly compensated by the huge pride in their achievement – and in the quality of their product.

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