Times of Tunbridge Wells 26th October 2016

Local, National and International

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

COMEDY BLOG QUEEN LAUGHS ALL THE WAY TO MUMSNET FINALS

SUPERB BREAK SETS UP THE WELLS’ GOAL: SEE SPORTING TIMES

Page 6

Pages 86-87

ON PATROL Officers with the red body cameras

From page 7

Campaigners warn against assuming that ‘battle is won’ adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

Full story on page 2

Pages 10-11

ICONIC REMAIN CARTOON IS ACQUIRED

BY TOWN’S MUSEUM FOR POSTERITY

Heathrow chosen over Gatwick for runway

By Adam Hignett

Behave – you are now being filmed on police cameras

BACKLASH AS OFFICE SPACE IS CONVERTED INTO RESIDENTIAL USE

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All the news that matters

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Wednesday, October 26, 2016

PROTEST groups yesterday gave a cautious welcome to the news that Heathrow has been named over Gatwick as the most suitable site for the next runway. They also urged people not to be ‘complacent’.

The government ended 14 years of controversy and arguments when it named the West London airport as its preferred option yesterday [October 25].

Campaigners had argued that another runway at Gatwick would ‘double’ the number of aircraft over Tunbridge Wells and establish ‘a major motorway above our heads’.

But despite what can be seen as a victory for the numerous grassroots campaigns that have sprung up to oppose expansion at the West Sussex airport, those leading the groups remain wary about future developments.

They argue the current issues with noise from Gatwick-bound aircraft has yet to be resolved, and the Government’s decision to let Parliament debate the runway issue means it is not completely off the table.

Irene Fairbairn, Chairman of the Tunbridge Wells Anti Airport Noise Group (TWAANG), said: “We are of course relieved that the Gatwick option has been rejected.

“However, the announcement is merely the start of what promises to be a long, acrimonious and legal minefield before a new runway is operational at Heathrow.

“We cannot afford to be complacent,

or to assume that the battle is won.

“TWAANG continues to make the case to Gatwick that its current flight paths at all times of the day and night are unacceptable. We will be looking to Government to force similar environmental restrictions on Gatwick as will be applied to Heathrow. Kent and Sussex residents are not second-class citizens.”

‘It would be wrong to support an airport that specialises in exporting UK citizens’ Her sentiments were echoed by Sally Pavey, head of the Wealden-based Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE) group, who said the issues surrounding the airport ‘won’t go away’.

“The year or so debate, and eventual MP vote, leaves the door open for Gatwick to continue lobbying. We are concerned that, as a ‘cop-out’, some expansion will be allowed at Gatwick, which would be totally unacceptable.

“It would be fundamentally wrong to support an airport that specialises in exporting UK citizens overseas on lowcost holidays, which brings the least into the UK economy… Gatwick is quite simply the wrong side of London to benefit all of the UK, to grow cargo movements in and out of this country, or to allow the UK to be seen as open for business post Brexit.”

Martin Barraud of Gatwick Obviously Not, said while his Penshurst-centred group were ‘relieved’, they were still sympathetic with those who would now be ‘blighted’ by noise around Heathrow.

GOOD NEWS No runway at Gatwick means no extra planes overhead

Continued on pages 2 & 16

2 ■ LOCAL NEWS

Weather Wednesday

October 26, 2016

A dull start with mist and fog patches, which may be slow to clear in places

15 C

Visibility: Good

Pollution: Low

Humidity: 86%

Sunrise: 07.40am

Sunset: 17.45pm

Wind: 8mph

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Thursday

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13ºC

14ºC

13ºC

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Monday

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Spooky skies over Camden Road

Police hand cameras to all officers in a bid to cut down the complaints

By Murray Jones murray@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

EVERY police officer on patrol in Tunbridge Wells will be wearing a body camera within the ‘next few weeks’, enabling them to record all their interactions with the public.

National studies have shown police receive 93 per cent fewer complaints when they wear the equipment, suggesting the technology helps to cool down potentially volatile encounters.

And Kent Police are anticipating the cameras will pay for themselves within two years. They estimate a £900,000 annual saving just from the reduction in time spent looking at complaints.

The £1.8million scheme was first piloted with 400 cameras in Maidstone, Medway and Thanet in late 2014. Due to its success in evidence-gathering and complaint reduction, a gradual rollout to all frontline officers, including police community support officers, began in September 2015. The distribution of 2,150 ‘Body Worn Video’ units should be

completed before the end of the year.

Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, whose predecessor Ann Barnes approved the policy last year, talked exclusively to the Times on a visit last week to West Kent.

“It’s a great innovation.

We’ve had some fantastic results on cutting down frivolous complaints.

“They are particularly useful in monitoring incidents, moderating behaviour and providing crucial evidence,” he said.

Accountability As well as reducing costs, the cameras have been linked to an increase in guilty pleas from offenders in court.

In turn they provide a better service to victims of crime, as they can reduce the likelihood of having to give evidence in court.

Officers must inform members of the public

FOR THE RECORD Cameras are set to improve interactions that they are being filmed, although there is room for ‘professional judgement’, said a Kent Police spokesman, explaining that ‘officers can’t inform everyone at a protest attended by 200 people’.

The cameras are expected to increase accountability in the town, for both police officers and members of the public.

Evidence suggests that when both parties know they are being filmed, they think twice about what they do or say.

Protesters win the day Continued from page 1

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CONTACTS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615 CHIEF REPORTER ADAM HIGNETT adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 576051 DESIGN/PRODUCTION LEE SMITH lsmith8@markerstudy.com SALES GEMMA HAK ghak@markerstudy.com | 01892 779580 FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/timeslocalnews timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk twitter.com/timeslocalnews IF YOU HAVE A STORY WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU Contact details above

“This is a very sad day for the south east,” he added.

A spokesman for Gatwick expressed ‘disappointment’ at the government’s decision.

“We do not believe this is the right answer for Britain. Gatwick has put forward a credible financeable and deliverable plan for expansion.

“It is a plan that can guarantee growth and guarantee certainty for Britain. We look forward to studying the full reasons behind the government decision in detail.

“The challenges facing Heathrow have not changed. Our message today is that Gatwick stands ready to proceed when the time comes.”

Political reaction Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark: “I’m very pleased that the decision has now been made and the Government has made its preference for the expansion of Heathrow clear.

“It was a privilege to be a member [as Business Minister] of the Cabinet sub-Committee

IT WORKED Campaigners demand ‘no runway at Gatwick’ which made this decision, and we considered all the evidence, including the Davies Commission report, very closely.

“A third runway at Heathrow will help us ensure we have the modern infrastructure we need so that the UK remains a major player in global trade and industry, and air passengers will benefit from an ever greater range of flights and destinations.

“As the Secretary of State for Transport has said, there will be a vote in the Commons next year following a period of statutory consultation, which I hope will confirm the Government’s desire for expansion at Heathrow.”

Tonbridge & Malling MP Tom Tugendhat: “I am pleased that the Government has recognised that Gatwick Airport is not a suitable location for airport expansion. The Airports Commission, led by Sir Howard Davies, made very clear in July 2015 that better options were elsewhere.

“When I met with the Prime Minister as she launched her bid for the job, I asked her for confirmation that she would follow an evidenced-led approach when taking this decision.

“As expected, she has been as good as her word and has taken the right approach that will provide welcome relief to communities around Tonbridge, Edenbridge and surrounding villages.”

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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 ‘Informed decision-making comes from a long tradition of guessing and then blaming others for inadequate results’ Scott Adams, American cartoonist

Wednesday 26th October 2016

THERE’S probably only one word to describe the way East Sussex County Council have handled the closure of Frant Road – fiasco.

Some smart person somewhere thought it would be a good idea to close the A267 for nine days, in both directions and for 24-hours a day. Job done; resurfacing complete. Councillors themselves also knew what was about to happen.

When they sent out letters to local residents and businesses in Frant itself, where the half-mile stretch was to be shut down, guess what? Outrage. Businesses looked at the impact and talked of losing up to 60 per cent of their trade. In the case of the Abergavenny Arms, landlord Richard Burrell stood to lose up to £35,000.

Naturally, no losses could be claimed back from the county council because they are legally required to maintain the highways

and are therefore protected. i.e. cannot be held responsible.

This newspaper received numerous calls of protest from retailers and commuters who faced long detours and delays; more than 16,000 cars, vans and lorries would have been diverted through already congested villages.

Following the protests, and within hours of the Times highlighting the story on its front page, there came a U-turn.

The council announced the road would not be totally closed for nine days. It would be open at the weekend and for certain hours during the half term, plus access to businesses would be maintained.

It’s a victory for common sense, but why, oh why, did East Sussex County Council not consult with local people before issuing its dictate? Why did elected councillors at both

Wealden borough and county level not talk to those who elected them? This is pretty basic grassroots stuff.

In its own, very small, parochial way, it’s another example of how out of touch those ‘in power’ have become. How some officials and elected representatives do not consider themselves accountable. Have they learned no lessons from Brexit? Have they learned no lessons from the rise of Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn? Have they not seen what has happened in America, where Donald Trump is one vote away from the Presidency?

There’s a new wind blowing through politics and it’s called accountability. Not that anyone at East Sussex County Council will be held to account for the fiasco. But will any lessons be learned? We can only hope.

Richard Moore, Editorial Director

LOCAL NEWS 

NEWS IN BRIEF

Council plan savings with cuts to benefits THE family premium which is given to people with children on housing benefit looks set to be cut, as the borough council seek to make savings.

The measure is one of 13 recommendations that is set to annually save £76,000 – a small step towards the £1.1million savings target.

Overall, from the council’s public consultation, 47 per cent were in favour of scrapping the premium although, as a group, women were against the policy. The changes will be discussed at a cabinet meeting tomorrow morning (October 27) at 10.30am, which the public are welcome to attend.

Hub faces more criticism A NEW petition objecting to the current plans for the Southborough Hub was launched on Saturday.

Organised by the town’s Environmental Action Movement, the online protest has been entitled with the demand: ‘Southborough Deserves Better’. They list seven objections to the current plans, including the ‘poorly designed’ architecture and the loss of two football pitches.

Man charged for robbery A MAN suspected of holding up the Thomas Cook travel agents on Mount Pleasant Road on July 9 has been charged with robbery.

Robert Darling, 30, of Strickland Street, London, was arrested in the Rotherhithe area of south London on Friday, October 21, by officers from the Metropolitan Police.

Darling appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Monday, October 24. He was remanded in custody to appear at Central Criminal Court on November 22.

Call for stamp duty cuts ACCOUNTING firm Crowe Clark Whitehill has called for stamp duty cuts after a survey of construction firms shows fears of a commercial property price slump in South East.

The firm, found approximately 43 per cent of construction companies surveyed expect the value of commercial premises to fall in the next six months unless the Government take action. They claim cutting stamp duty will help fuel growth and investment.

Mental health funding KENT is to receive £59,000 to improve local mental health services. It is part of £8.4 million in funding set aside for the Department of Health aimed at supporting 47 projects across the country, three of which are based within Kent.

These include the opening a Crisis Café in Tonbridge aimed at reducing the number of people detained under the Mental Health Act by providing an alternative and more appropriate place of safety.

3

U-turn on Frant roadworks’ closure that retailers described as ‘madness’

By Adam Hignett

COMMON SENSE Businesses back compromise

adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk EAST SUSSEX County Council has had second thoughts about its plan to close Frant Road round the clock, in both directions for nine days.

The partial U-turn came less than a day after the Times carried a front page story on retailers as businesses along the A267 described the idea as ‘madness’.

Originally, the half mile stretch of road – that acts as the main access point to the village and as one of the main commuter arteries into Tunbridge Wells – was going to be closed in both directions for 24 hours a day during the prolonged period from Saturday (October 22).

Local business owners, who had only learned about the plans two weeks before they were supposed to be implemented, had expressed their dismay at the proposals, fearing they would lose ‘thousands of pounds’ in trade.

Despite this, East Sussex County council confirmed that as they had a ‘statutory obligation’ to carry out the maintenance, no compensation for businesses set to lose thousands of pounds would be considered.

Richard Burrell, owner of the Abergavenny Arms said the scheme was ‘madness’ and threated to sue for ‘undue hardship’ which he believed could result in the loss of up to £35,000.

However, shortly after the Times ran the story, the authority announced that it will be softening its stance and said work would begin two days

later on the Monday (October 24) instead.

A spokesman for the authority also confirmed work will cease at weekends – in order to reduce disruption for businesses at their busiest time of the week. In addition, during the second week, when the schools will be back after the holidays, work will take place in the evenings to avoid disruption to school traffic.

The spokesman said: “We will maintain access to local businesses where possible throughout the works and will be displaying signs indicating to motorists that local businesses remain open.

“We hope this goes some way to allaying concerns and would like to thank residents and businesses for their patience and understanding

while we carry out these essential repairs.”

The partial pull back on the plans was welcomed

by Roger Keen, the proprietor of Frant Stores, who was worried he could lose over half of his business under the original plans.

Mr Keen said: “These changes are good and will help restore our weekend trade but most of our business is still conducted during the working week.

“But there is no use moaning and groaning, so we just have to crack on with it now.”

The roadworks still threaten huge disruption for commuters when they get underway, as the 16,000 vehicles which use that stretch of road each day will be forced to find alternative routes.

Arrivaderci: bus depot replacement unveiled IMAGES of what will replace the Arriva bus depot on St John’s Road went on public display for the first time on Thursday (October 20).

They formed part of a public consultation run

by PegasusLife who plan to redevelop the depot into a complex comprising of 94 residential units and communal areas, including a gym and swimming pool.

PegasusLife, who specialise in ‘assisted living’, bought the 47,114 sq ft (4,376 sq m) site in June for an undisclosed sum.

However, a condition of the sale means Arriva will be leasing the bus garage back from PegasusLife for at least 12 months.

The proposed development will see a six storey building – a height the company believes is ‘comparable’

with architecture that also reflects the historic nature of the town.

In total, 68 parking spaces are proposed to be provided for residents, visitors and staff, which will be accessed from the existing entrance on Woodbury Park Road.

Community areas will occupy the entirety of the ground floor and will include a hydrotherapy pool, treatment rooms, a gym, social kitchen and communal lounge.

In addition, a smaller separate building constituting a four storey block of apartments will be built facing Woodbury Park Road, behind the main redevelopment.

This smaller building will reflect its neighbouring buildings while ‘reinforcing’ the residential appearance and character of the road by: “filling in the existing large and unsightly gap between properties.”

IN KEEPING The planned development

with other buildings in the area – partially set back from the road, with trees planted along the frontage to ‘soften’ its appearance.

A variety of materials will be used with the intention of creating a ‘varied’ appearance to the building by blending contemporary styles

Wednesday 26th October 2016

4 � LOCAL NEWS

Foyer renamed to honour theatre’s beloved founder

By Adam Hignett

adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk TRINITY THEATRE has renamed its lobby ‘The Caroline Elliott Foyer’ in honour of its late founder, who passed away in May this year.

A plaque marking the occasion was unveiled

by Michael Elliott, Caroline’s husband, who attended the ceremony alongside their children Gregory and Sophie.

In addition to the unveiling, the lights outside the building were dimmed for an hour in her memory, fittingly on the night of a Trinity

FAMILY REMEMBERS (L-R) Gregory, Michael and Sophie Elliott

Theatre Company production, as Caroline had been a key member who had appeared in and directed many productions with them over the years. In 2011 she was awarded the MBE for services to theatre in the town.

Michael, himself a well-known actor in the area, made a short speech during the unveiling.

He said: “Caroline was always modest about her achievements, even crediting her colleagues for her MBE, so I know she would have regarded this as a tribute to all her box office volunteers, and indeed to all the volunteers who have enabled this theatre to survive and flourish.

“But with all her modesty I think she would have felt a glow of satisfaction to know that all her efforts had been recognised and commemorated in this splendid way, and here in the place she graced for so many years.”

Caroline passed away on May 28 aged 86 following a short illness and had been the box office manager at the theatre for almost four decades.

John Martin, Artistic Director of Trinity Theatre, said: “We thought long and hard about the best way to have a permanent memorial to Caroline.

It seemed that renaming our foyer in her memory was the most appropriate as that was the place where she spent most of her time volunteering for us and where all of us and our audiences would have seen her almost on a daily basis. It is a permanent reminder of an amazing lady who represented the spirit of volunteering on which Trinity is built and without which we would simply not be here.”

ICE COOL Tickets to go on sale

Skating into town TUNBRIDGE WELLS is set to skid, glide and wobble its way into the festive season when the Calverley Grounds ice rink returns next month.

From November 18, people of all ages and abilities will be able to don their skates in the 250 capacity area.

Cllr Jane March expressed her anticipation for the opening: “It’s a sign Christmas is coming. If you haven’t visited the rink in Calverley Grounds you really should, it’s a lovely thing to do with a truly festive feel.”

Open seven days a week, main sessions will run from 11am-9pm, with dedicated parent and toddler periods taking place from 9.45am-10.15am.

Adult tickets cost from £10.50 with child tickets from £7. An unlimited access season ticket is available this year for £150. Booking for peak times is essential.

Shortage of school places means ‘drastic action’ is needed KENT is suffering from a serious lack of classrooms - a problem set to get worse as the number of children entering primary school surges - despite a record spend on school places of £120 million forecast for this year.

‘The pressure on school places will soon transfer to the secondary population’ A study conducted by Scape Group, a public sector organisation that provides government bodies with consultation on ‘built environment’ projects, found an additional 581 new classrooms need to be provided in the county by 2020.

Using Department of Education figures, the group estimates an additional 17,442 new school

Wednesday 26th October 2016

places will be required by the end of the decade.

Mark Robinson, Scape Group Chief Executive, warned the current system will be ‘overwhelmed’ in less than five years unless ‘drastic action’ is taken.

He added: “As the growth of the primary school population gathers pace, the pressure on school places will soon transfer to the secondary population, requiring a new wave of advanced school-building. In a post-Brexit economy, with all of the uncertainty this brings, the construction of new schools must sit high on the government’s agenda, and local authorities must be given the necessary tools and funding required to deliver extra places in time.”

County council documents reveal a mixed picture in Tunbridge Wells. The authority, noted

in its ‘Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent’ that a ‘significant need’ for additional secondary school provision will be required in the borough between now and 2020.

It also states the scope for future primary school expansion is ‘limited’ due to the nature and location of available sites, although the reception year intake is forecast to ‘fluctuate’.

However, while the authority believes the borough has ‘sufficient capacity’ to accommodate total pupil numbers, it states this fact ‘masks’ areas of localised pressure with rural areas having a surplus of places and ‘urban’ areas facing deficits – driven primarily by new housing projects and demand for selective education from pupils outside of the borough.

Kent County Council also identified ‘significant pressure points’ within Tonbridge and Malling district, driven by ‘sustained indigenous population growth’.

It adds: “Small but significant pockets of housing developments and inward migration around the Tonbridge town area have created localised pressures.” The report predicts shortfalls in secondary school provision within Tonbridge from 2018-19. It also forecasts £119.7 million will be spent on schools in 2016/17, up from £86.7 million last year and in excess for the predicted spend of £87.1 million next year.

A Kent County Council spokesman told the Times the authority has plans to meet the demand through expanding existing schools.

LOCAL NEWS 

Long lost sisters find each other after a lifetime

Survey puts Swedish bank top when it comes to customer satisfaction

By Phil Spacey

newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

By Murray Jones newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

A PENSIONER from Tunbridge Wells received the ‘shock of her life’ last week after meeting her sister for the very first time.

Mary Hunter, 88, said she felt ‘absolutely incredible’ after her sister, Olive Busby, 76, arrived in the UK on Monday October 17.

After being offered up for adoption in 1928, Mary never met her mother, or even knew her name for much of her life. Then she discovered a previous address for her in Portsmouth and went to see if anyone knew of her. She learned that her mother had remarried with children and emigrated to Australia many years previously.

Knowing that she must have a sibling down under, Mary decided to ‘let it lie for a while, since I didn’t want to just turn up and give her such a shock at that age’.

‘When I was speaking to her for the first time, I couldn’t quite believe it’ But earlier this year, her daughter Catherine discovered a phone number and address for Olive online and they decided to call.

“When I was speaking to her for the first time, I just couldn’t quite believe it. She wanted to come over immediately,” said Mary who lives in Pembury Road.

Since arriving, Olive said she and Mary had ‘an immediate connection’ and have since been ‘catching up on all the family news’.

And from their first conversation, the younger sibling had no doubt in her mind that they were related: “I asked how tall she was and when she said 4ft 11in, that’s when I knew we must be siblings because I’m 4ft 6in,” said Olive.

Living in Byford, a suburb of Perth, since 1969, Olive said she has enjoyed being shown around ‘beautiful Tunbridge Wells’ during her visit.

SO GOOD TO SEE YOU Sisters Mary and Olive

5

HANDELSBANKEN has been rated top for customer satisfaction for the eighth year running, in an independent survey of British banks’ personal and business customers.

The 145-year-old locally-focused bank, with branches in Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks, has outstripped its British banking competitors for both customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Handelsbanken has enjoyed a similar situation in its home country of Sweden since surveys began in 1989.

The survey – conducted by European research institution EPSI Rating – confirms that Handelsbanken maintained its top rankings.

The results build on the bank’s recent standing in the government-backed Business Banking Insight survey (BBI), where Handelsbanken was ranked top by its SME customers.

Run by the British Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses, the BBI survey found that Handelsbanken’s SME customers were more willing than customers of their competitors to recommend their bank.

As well as the Tunbridge Wells branch, Handelsbanken now serves individual and corporate customers in another 206 communities throughout Great Britain. The bank believes local branches are best placed to make all decisions relating to their customers. Tunbridge Wells branch staff

have full power to advise customers and agree individual product terms and pricing, free from targets or bonus incentives.

Nick Green, Manager of Handelsbanken’s Tunbridge Wells branch, said: “It is always encouraging to see that the work we

have put in to providing a truly bespoke banking service is recognised by our customers.

“This has given us, here in Tunbridge Wells, the confidence to invest in and expand our branch in the last year, having moved into new premises and taken on two new members of staff.”

YOU CAN BANK ON IT: Bank Manager Nick Green (fourth from right at the back) and his local team

Army veteran is spared prison after threatening to shoot a noisy builder

By Andrew Tong

newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk A FALKLANDS veteran has been spared a jail sentence despite threatening to shoot a builder who woke him up in his Tunbridge Wells home.

Judge Philip Statman admitted that awarding a non-custodial sentence in relation to such an incident was ‘exceptional’.

Peter Bailey, who now works in construction himself, had been resting after a night shift when he was awoken at 9.15am by the noise of a gas nail gun.

The 55 year old fought at Goose Green in the Falklands in 1982 and served in Afghanistan and on three tours of Northern Ireland during his seven years in the Army.

The building site had been in operation for four months and he was said to have ‘flipped’ when he heard the sound of the nail gun next door to his home in Chenies Close.

Mr Bailey took his .22 calibre air rifle, complete with telescopic sight, from the wardrobe and went to remonstrate bare-chested from his

bedroom window. Maidstone Crown Court heard that he told the Site Manager Sean Stanton: “If you fire one more shot, I will shoot back.”

He then went back to bed.

‘Clearly petrified’, Mr Stanton called the police, who sent an armed response unit to the scene and arrested Mr Bailey.

Firearms Mr Stanton said: “I was extremely concerned that either myself or two colleagues would be shot. I believed the male to be holding a real gun and wanted to get to safety as soon as possible.”

Judge Philip Statman told Mr Bailey: “We live in troubled times, and when individuals have firearms in the manner described, the consequences are profound because immediately there is a response team armed.

“He is someone who has served in the armed forces. He would have appreciated approaching firearms with the utmost caution.”

The court was told that Mr Bailey, who has two children, had been a project manager for three months in Colchester, Essex, working

18 hours a day, seven days a week.

He had bought the air rifle two years earlier to carry out target practice in the garden, but it had not been used and was unloaded.

He admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 180 hours unpaid community service.

Although Mr Bailey could have been handed a ten-year prison term, Judge Statman pointed out that the gun was not pointed at anybody, and said: “I am satisfied it happened spontaneously.”

Of his decision not to impose a jail sentence, he said: “I want to make it absolutely clear I have had to think long and hard about the right sentence in this case.

“I am just persuaded to suspend the sentence.

It may well be a lenient sentence, but in my judgment it is not one that is unduly lenient.

Referring to Mr Bailey’s career in the Armed Forces, the judge added: “A man who has served in that way is entitled to put his service career as a mitigating factor going towards his character before the court.”

Wednesday 26th October 2016

6  LOCAL NEWS

Westerham brewer takes over Chiddingstone pub

By Andrew Tong

newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk THE historic Castle Inn, which helps draw visitors to Chiddingstone, is set to reopen next month after a summer spent in the doldrums.

The well-known pub, which is owned by the National Trust, shut its doors on April 17 after former landlord John McManus decided to move on. The sudden closure caused controversy among local residents, who feared a loss of revenue in the tourist trade as well as the demise of a community favourite.

Now the Castle, which dates from 1420, will be run by Nick Naismith, who also turned around the ailing Wheatsheaf pub in Bough Beech, near Sevenoaks.

Mr Naismith is a director of Westerham Brewery, which could lead to a fascinating conflict of interests with local brewer Bob Dockerty.

His Larkins Brewery, which is a staple provider for many rural pubs in the region and is used to supply 80 per cent of the Castle’s draft beer, is based in Chiddingstone – less than half a mile from the pub.

It is understood that there will be significant set-up costs, in the region of £250,000, after Mr McManus stripped the Castle of all its fixtures and fittings.

Picturesque Chiddingstone, regarded as a jewel in the crown of south-east heritage sites, was featured in the Merchant Ivory film Room with a View in the 1980s and is highly sought after as a place to live.

The National Trust has owned the freehold on the Grade I listed pub since 1939, as well as many other properties in the ancient village.

These include the Chiding Stone itself (a large rock behind the school), the village hall, Post

CASTLE TO KEEP The iconic Chiddingstone pub reopens in November Office, five residential cottages and the Old Manor.

The latter, a medieval hall, has also stood empty for more than a year despite various interested parties approaching the organisation.

‘Our first priority has always been to find the right person to care for the historic building’ Richard Henderson, the Trust’s Assistant Director of Operations responsible for the upkeep of the village, said: “We’re delighted to have found a new tenant for the Castle Inn pub after a period of temporary closure.

“Our first priority has always been to find the right person to care for the historic building, as well as having a successful plan to turn the pub back into a thriving business once again.

“This took time, but we are confident that the

thorough selection process will ensure its place at the heart of the village for years to come.

“We look forward now to working in partnership with our new landlord to prepare the pub for reopening and welcoming locals and visitors back in the near future.”

Mr McManus, who had worked as a chef at Le Gavroche in London, abandoned the tenancy after six years in charge.

He had taken over from Nigel Lucas, who owned the lease for more than 40 years. Mr Lucas had found the rent charges meant his business was no longer viable.

It is understood that the National Trust offered Mr McManus considerably more affordable terms.

It is unknown what deal has been struck with the new tenant.

But the reappearance of this iconic hostelry will come as a relief to village regulars and thirsty tourists alike.

Forest Live is ‘never gonna let you down’ BRIT AWARD winner Rick Astley is the first act to be announced for Forest Live, a series of summer concerts which sees top artists performing in woodlands around the country.

The global star will arrive in Bedgebury Pinetum on Friday June 16 for two nights of live music.

The announcement continues the high profile headliners of the concerts. Tom Jones and the Kaiser Chiefs hit the stage last year and Paloma Faith and Tom Odell have entertained previously.

Astley, a star of the 1980s pop scene, has stumbled upon a resurgence of popularity after becoming an internet phenomenon in 2007, when one of his videos went viral as a meme (which can often be a humourous poke at celebrities).

His 1987 song Never Gonna Give You Up charted at No 1 in 25 countries. Thirty years later, the video for the song became part of an online prank called ‘rickrolling’ making him a so-called meme. The prank, designed to infuriate or irritate, involved disguising a link to the video as important information.

Astley has used the joke to relaunch his career, with his most recent album, titled 50, debuting at No 1 in June.

Income from the concerts, which have spanned 16 years, is spent by the Forestry Commission on expanding England’s woodlands and introducing improvements for both people and wildlife.

RICK ’N’ ROLL Forest headliner Rick Astley is back in the charts

Queens of comedy blogs through to Mumsnet finals LOCAL bloggers Hattie Harrison from Southborough and Fran Taylor from Tonbridge have both made it on to the shortlist of three for the final of the Mumsnet Best Comic Writer of the Year award.

The pair featured in the Times earlier this month.

Hattie, 31 and a mother of three, describes her parental experiences in That Mum Blog, while Fran, 32, a mum of two, is the author of Whinge Whinge Wine.

Hattie reacted to the news by FINALIST HATTIE That Mum Blog

Wednesday 26th October 2016

saying: “I feel ridiculously grateful to everyone who voted and I’m beyond pleased to be a finalist.

I guess being ‘that mum’ is not so bad after all.”

She had been writing her blog for exactly one year to the day when the news of her progress came through on a Friday night. Not surprisingly, she went out to celebrate, leaving her husband Mark to put the children to bed – and frequenting Moos Moos nightclub into the early hours.

She described the resulting devastation the next day on Facebook: “Bad mum alert: when you bid your good intentions fare thee well and end up rolling in at two in the morning and have to borrow some of your daughter’s birthday money to pay for the taxi… And then you’re too over the limit to drive to boot camp in the morning and take your daughter to ballet.”

Meanwhile, Fran joked in response to the news: “My reaction is, ‘In your face, husband

[Doug] who says I’m not funny in the slightest’.”

She added: “I’m afraid I haven’t had a chance to ‘celebrate’ yet, although tomorrow is my birthday so you never know… Ah, that’s right, I’m taking the kids to Peppa Pig World. Maybe next year.”

‘It makes me so, so happy to know that I have you laughing along with me’ She wrote to her followers: “It’s not all about awards (but it helps).” And: “I sometimes read blogs that make me howl with laughter; tears streaming. Ones that have ‘got me’ so perfectly, I’ve saved them to read again and again.

“In comparison, I’m just a bit silly. So yea, I might not win. But even if I don’t, and even if my blog doesn’t make it to a year old, if I run out of steam, it makes me so, so happy to know that in this moment, on this ridiculous journey,

when I’m laughing at myself, I have you laughing along with me.”

The Mumsnet Blogfest ’16 awards ceremony will be held at Kings Place in London on November 12.

Their only rival among the comedy nominees is a blog called Eeh Bah Mum,

by Kirsty Smith from Brontë country – Haworth, Yorkshire.

The category will be judged by comedian Sara Pascoe.

FINALIST FRAN Whinge Whinge Wine blog

LOCAL NEWS 

It’s history in the making Tunbridge Wells was the only district in Kent, and the surrounding area, to ‘stand alone in a sea of blue’ when the referendum took place in June.

Voters in the borough supported remain by 54.9 per cent to 45.1 per cent, while just 40.7 per cent of those in the county as a whole voted Remain.

Nationally 48 per cent voted to Remain with 52 per cent voting to Leave.

including creating the album cover for Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence with David Bowie.

Ian Beavis, Curator for Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery said: “The original cartoon being part of the permanent collection means it’s preserved for posterity as part of our ongoing documentation of the town’s history.

“We were interested in acquiring it because it illustrates an interesting moment when Tunbridge Wells made its mark on a notable national event. We have no plans to display it currently – it’s archived for some future time when it becomes history rather than current affairs.”

See our Arts and Culture section on page 82 for more on the work of cartoonist Chris Burke

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

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OF TUNBRIDGE WELL S

PAPER

LONDON MAYOR SAYS THERE SHOULD BE NO SECOND REFERENDUM Page age 21

VOTE MAKES THE TOWN STAND OUT FROM THE REST…

TODAY this newspaper breaks with tradition and publishes on the front page toon that illustrates the stand-alone a carposition that Tunbridge Wells took in last week’s EU Referendum.

The borough was the only one in Kent to come out in favour of Remaining in Europe and was one of only a handful in the south east, outside of the capital, to take that route.

Countywide the vote was 59 per cent with 41 per cent Remain. In Tunbridge Leave Wells it was very different with Remain on 55 and Leave on 45.

Yet again Tunbridge Wells demonstrated that on certain levels it has little in common with its neighbours and reinforces its dia entry ‘as being the archetypal Wikipeconservative Middle England town’.

THOUSANDS SIGN UP TO PUPILS’ PETITION FOR LOWERING VOTING AGE Page 5

TRIBUTES PAID TO ‘OUTSTANDING’ FORMER MP WHO HAS DIED Page 8

F OF LE % A 75 r S -3 TO e ges 2 m m e pa Su Se

YOUR

UP

THE cartoon published on the front page of the Times commemorating the borough’s defiant Remain vote during the EU referendum has been acquired by Tunbridge Wells Museum.

Although it will not go on display for several years – until it is ‘history not current affairs’ – the acquisition means a seminal moment in the town’s distinguished legacy will be immortalised for future generations.

The cartoon was drawn by Chris Burke who was commissioned for the project by this newspaper to mark the historic occasion.

Mr Burke, who has 30 years of experience as an illustrator, has an impressive portfolio of work,

AT FOURTEEN HE STARTED AN AWARD WINNING INTERNET BUSINESS Pages 12-13

INSIDE WEDDING DAZE

Eight page special with tips from happy couples. Pages 79-86

BLOOMING GARDENS

Why every outdoor space should have a few… roses. Pages 98-99

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

COMMENT Residents know it as an affluent place more readily identified today with London, where there was also an overwhelmi ng vote to Remain, than with its Kent neighbours. The tag ‘Little London’ might now be more appropriate for the town.

Twitter lit up when the results were announced. Andrew Steadman declared: “It’s so Tunbridge Wells to be different from the rest of Kent.”

Patrick Thompson said: “We’re building a wall. Becoming an independen t state, introducing a new currency and waiting for all this to blow over.”

Bobby Bewl wrote: “There’s something about Tunbridge Wells that makes it different to its neighbours.”

There certainly is something different about our town. But whichever way any of us voted, let’s remember one thing: To survive we have to live in harmony with our neighbours. It’s good to vote but not to gloat.

THE LEGACY: Ian Beavis with our front page cartoon

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7

Elite squads disbanded as emphasis placed on recreational gymnasts CHANGES at the Next Dimension Gymnastics Academy (NDGA) in Tunbridge Wells, will see the emphasis switch from elite squads to developing the skills of its recreational gymnasts.

Markerstudy Leisure, which owns and operates NDGA, has announced that after undertaking a review of the gym’s operations, a decision had been taken to disband its elite squads, that take part in nationwide competitions, and to focus resources ‘on bringing recreational gymnastics to as wide a number of local children as possible.’

A spokesman said: “While we understand that this news will be disappointing to the 80 members of the elite squads, we would like to thank them for their commitment to the sport here at the NDGA. “However, the changes will increase access to the floor and equipment, and also time with higher level coaches, for our large number of recreational gymnasts.”

Improving the facilities British Gymnastics had been kept informed of the decision to disband the squads and supported the principle of extending and improving the facilities and coaching available to recreational gymnasts that the changes allow.

“We remain strongly affiliated with British Gymnastics and operate in accordance with all of its guidelines,” said the spokesman.

“The members of the former elite squads will still be able to enjoy the advanced recreational gymnastic classes and, where we have been asked, we have provided help with identifying appropriate alternative clubs.”

Changes come into effect on Monday (October 31).

Wednesday 26th October 2016

8  LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS

Tsunami orphans fashion the future

By Murray Jones

murray@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

They achieved a major breakthrough this year when they were stocked by John Lewis, with Gandys becoming the department store’s most popular swim-short brand.

This success has emboldened them to expand into more areas of clothing, including shirts, jackets and trousers.

The brothers are aiming to pull off ‘a completely new concept’ with the design of the Tunbridge Wells store. The theme will be based around ‘building’, with faux-brickwork and concrete slab items alluding to the brand’s project of building a second children’s home in Malawi.

On arriving in town, Rob is hoping they will be well received, adding: “We get a lot of online orders from Tunbridge Wells, so I’ve got a good feeling about it.”

A NEW fashion retailer, who commits ten per cent of its profits to building orphanages, arrived in Royal Victoria Place this week.

Gandys was started by brothers Rob and Paul Forkan, who tragically lost their parents in 2004 when the Boxing Day tsunami hit the coast of Sri Lanka. They were just 17 and 15 at the time.

Speaking to the Times, older brother Rob explained how after ‘only just escaping ourselves’ they were determined to turn such a traumatic experience into something positive: “It gives us our drive. We know you can take nothing for granted, because we know how short life can be.”

They committed to supporting fellow orphans in the small island nation by starting Gandys in 2012. One part retailer, selling patterned flip-flops; one part charitable foundation – supporting children in Sri Lanka.

After generating revenue on both fronts, they managed to open their first ‘Orphan for Orphans’ home in 2014, the tenth anniversary of the tsunami.

Moving on from footwear, the brand quickly expanded to sell ORPHAN FOR ORPHANS: Paul (left) and Rob with boys in Sri Lanka summer clothing and swimwear.

Wednesday 26th October 2016

FLYING HIGH MD Stuart Mulholland

Firm takes off with new top of the line jet purchases A KENT-based private jet operator has shrugged off fears that Brexit will impact its industry after unveiling the latest additions to its fleet.

Zenith Aviation’s two new luxury Learjet 75s were put on display at its Biggin Hill Airport base last week, at a time when it has experienced a 250 per cent surge in demand for charter flights this year alone.

The latest additions bring the total number of aircraft operated by the company up to nine.

Managing Director Stuart Mulholland said the investment showed business aviation was having a ‘resurgence’.

“We are just responding to the market and have

been incredibly busy this year,” he added.

The company is now eying up expansion opportunities, with the possibility of locating one of their aircraft in Manchester.

However, the plunging value of the pound has led to some pressure on the company, as it buys its fuel and runs its maintenance programme in dollars.

But Mr Mulholland is still upbeat about the general direction of the industry, and Zenith’s prospects in particular.

“We are dealing with high-net worth customers and providing a business tool which won’t go away.

“We are unconcerned by Brexit.”

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10  LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS

Backlash as more office space is converted for residential use The end of an era for a former high street gem WORKMEN were seen taking down the signage of former jewellers Payne & Son in Tunbridge Wells High Street last week after the shop was forced to close at the beginning of the year.

It marks the end of an era for the store, which has been occupied by the same business for 146 years and was known for having the honour of making the Tunbridge Wells’ mayoral chain.

The shop had starred in a number of advertisements over the years, the most famous being one for BT’s Talking Pages, when comedian John Cleese popped his head round the door and said: “Got any antique diamond rings?”

Michael Payne, the seventh generation of the family to still be linked to the business, still owns the building, which is set to reopen as the latest store in the Cornish clothing chain Seasalt.

Sigh of relief as Kent workers are spared THE UK’s largest builders merchant, Travis Perkins, is to spare its Kent staff the axe as it aims for efficiency savings on the back of an ‘uncertain UK outlook’.

The firm has a total of 18 outlets across Kent, with a further ten stores trading under its subsidiary company, Wickes.

Of these, two Travis Perkins outlets are in Tunbridge Wells, alongside the Wickes store on Longfield Road in the industrial estate. There is also a Travis Perkins depot in Tonbridge.

Other brands owned by the company that are also under threat include Benchmarx, BSS and PTS. Across the county, 600 employees of the firm have been notified that their jobs are at risk.

The company’s share price has suffered heavily since the referendum over fears of a slowdown in the UK’s housing and construction industry, with shares down 22 per cent when the restructuring was announced on Thursday [October 20].

Analysts expect Travis Perkins to make sales of more than £6billion this year and core profits of just under £415million.

Wednesday 26th October 2016

By Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk THE economy of Tunbridge Wells could be at risk if ongoing losses in office space are not reversed leading business figures have warned.

The fact that changes to planning laws which make it easier to convert office space to residential use were made permanent has helped exacerbate the shortfall, meaning firms are finding it harder to move into Tunbridge Wells or relocate within it, they claim.

Successful applications for a ‘change of use’ to convert offices into housing within Tunbridge Wells remained steady at around ten per year from 2013 – when the government said it would ‘temporarily’ relax Permitted Development Rights covering office to residential conversions – until the end of 2015.

However, in May this year the government said it would make these rights, which allow building owners and investors to effectively skirt the majority of planning criteria, permanent.

One surveyor told the Times that since the rules were made permanent, his firm has seen: ‘an increase in the number of property owners converting offices into residential units’.

Figures suggest this is indeed being borne out, with ten applications that have either been permitted or are pending permission being submitted up to September 1.

The most notable of these is the plan to convert Calverley House into 112 housing units.

This alone would result in the loss of 37,081.67 sq ft (3,445 sq m) of office space in CONCERNS the heart Ron Roser of the town,

which is currently home to around 60 businesses.

And local business leaders are beginning to worry it could be starting to impact the ‘vibrancy’ of the town’s economy.

Ron Roser, Chairman of chartered surveyors Caxtons Commercial and Langton Business Services, said what was going on in the market was the reversal of earlier trends.

“The pendulum which a decade or two ago had swung decisively in favour of converting residential property into offices – at which point

TIP OF THE ICEBERG Offices like those in Calverley House are fast disappearing

TYSON SHEPPARD: CHARTERED BUILDING SURVEYOR AT BRACKETTS “The nature of town centres is changing as property owners are taking advantage of relaxed planning legislation and converting otherwise vacant, and sometimes derelict, office space into residential use.

“Young adults are living with parents longer, the age of first-time buyers is increasing, and house prices continue to rise. The conversion of office buildings to residential therefore increases the supply of much-needed housing.

“Profitability, as well as planning policy, continues to affect the decision-making process of property owners considering how to best utilise their real estate assets.

“Historically, fully-leased commercial buildings generally yielded higher returns on investment than residential. However, some landlords have struggled to let their offices, particularly in town centre locations, resulting in properties being vacant for months, and sometimes years.

“Tenants often prefer out of town business estates, and the large floor areas of the vacant town centre offices are too large for small companies.

“Given recent changes in planning legislation, which now allows B1(a) office units to be converted into class C3 residential properties without full planning permission, these vacant premises may now have a better future as their owners are being provided with the flexibility of considering conversion to

residential. This can provide part of the answer to the lack of construction of new houses.

“The conversion of office units to residential brings otherwise vacant properties back into use, which has a number of advantages.

“There is a boost to the local economy as more people are using the local shops, bars, restaurants and facilities, it increases the vibrancy of town centres during evenings and weekends, and results in increased footfall in town centre locations.

“The conversion works are still subject to the Building Regulations, which means the thermal efficiency of the building fabric is increased, which has a positive environmental impact.

Since Permitted Development Rights for office buildings were made permanent earlier this year, we have seen an increase in the number of property owners converting their offices to residential units.

“We have been involved with several schemes within the last 12 months, and are due to commence another two shortly.”

LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS 

there was concern about the town centre becoming a ghost town outside office hours – has now swung to the opposite side,” he said, adding: “The present major demand by investors seems to be for properties with residential

ANDREW METCALF: MAXIM PR Andrew Metcalf, a Director of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and head of Maxim, a Tunbridge Wells-based PR agency, said: “As a company that lost our offices for residential when our former landlord secured a change of use, we know first hand how difficult it is to find suitable office space for a small business like ours.

“The hard economic reality is that residential space is worth more than commercial property.

“If it’s easy for a landlord to switch uses, you can understand why they do it. This is an unintended consequence of changes in government planning policy.

“The economic imperative is that the town needs a thriving business community with companies of all sizes.”

potential, often including some retail element.”

Mr Roser believes the relocation of Cripps to its new site in Royal Wells Park could see ‘half the road’ returned to residential usage after permission to turn the law firm’s former offices into 21 flats was given prior approval in September.

‘The business community becomes fragmented and we lose our commercial focus’ Gary Jefferies, of Panoramic Wealth Management, said his own experience of moving his business into the town last year had revealed ‘precious little’ office space available.

This was due to a number of factors, he added.

“The growing trend of commercial property in Tunbridge Wells being converted into residential is reducing the stock of commercial units in the town. Coupled with this is the added problem that much of the available property offered was not for a sufficient period of time.”

He believes most established businesses need ‘at least’ three years or longer as the disturbance and cost of moving can prove prohibitive.

Furthermore, he suggested businesses with three or four staff are going to need an office of at least 500 sq ft, but much of the

offered space is ‘significantly larger’ and often landlords are not looking to split the area.

He continued: “In the modern world of the internet, the perceived need for commercial outlets is declining, making matters harder for smaller businesses to survive.

“Nationally, there is talk that the high street in towns will return to places where people live, as businesses are then based in out of town sites.

“My own concern for the town is that the business community becomes fragmented and we lose our commercial focus as businesses relocate out of town. This could reduce commercial activity, particularly Monday to Friday, and create an even bigger commuter base, leaving behind a midweek ghost town.”

Tyson Sheppard, a Chartered Building Surveyor at Bracketts in Tunbridge Wells, said the firm had seen an increase in the number of property owners applying for change of use.

But he believes the conversion of office buildings to residential increases the supply of ‘much-needed housing’ in the town.

“The conversion of office units to residential brings otherwise vacant properties back into use, which has a number of advantages.

“There is a boost to the local

Innovative firm honoured by Queen’s representative CROWBOROUGH firm Servomex was formally presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise this month, in recognition of ‘outstanding’ innovation and commercial success.

In a ceremony held at the group’s technical centre in Jarvis Brook, attendees heard how the firm’s division, Hummingbird Sensing Technology, won its award for its design and manufacture of specialist oxygen sensors used in medical and industrial applications.

Among those present at the ceremony were the High Sheriff of East Sussex, Michael Foster, as well as representatives of both Wealden District Council and the county council.

The award itself was presented by the Queen’s representative, Peter Field, Her Majesty’s LordLieutenant for East Sussex.

Led by Servomex Group President Chuck Hurley, the company’s current UK directors were on hand to witness the presentation, along with former managing director Chris Cottrell and former technology director Riad Kocache.

Mr Hurley said: “As worldwide leaders in innovation for gas sensing technologies, we are incredibly proud of our Hummingbird sensor brand winning the innovation award.”

11

economy as more people are using the local shops, bars, restaurants and facilities, it increases the vibrancy of town centres during evenings and weekends, and results in increased footfall in town centre locations.”

CRAIG STRONG: CAPITAL CURRENCIES “It is a tricky situation, and compounded by investors/developers able to achieve higher yields on residential rather than commercial.

“We have had first-hand experience in Lonsdale Gardens where the developer got ‘change of use’ and probably, quite rightly, decided that residential was the way to go forward.

“The trouble is that long term there will be an impact on the town centre, where business will be forced out to the periphery, resulting in decreased revenue for shops, restaurants, cafés and pubs.

“It is short sighted, but if the loophole is there then, as always, things will be exploited to the full – why wouldn’t you?”

Local jobless total has fallen more than 50 per cent since recession

By Andrew Tong

newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

BADGE OF HONOUR The Queen’s Award for Enterprise (L-R): Hummingbird Sales and Marketing Director Martin Cox, Chairman of East Sussex County Council Cllr Michael Ensor, group representatives Jo Hallas and John O’Higgins,

Lord-Lieutenant Peter Field, Servomex Group President Chuck Hurley, Mayor of Crowborough Cllr Ronald Reed, and Chairman of Wealden District Council Cllr Chris Hardy

THE number of people in Tunbridge Wells claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance has gone down by more than half since the height of the recession, figures have revealed.

Six years ago there were 1,104 local residents who were unemployed and looking for work, while today there are 535 – a reduction of 52 per cent.

In the youth category, the figures are even more impressive. Since 2010 there has been a fall of 65 per cent in the number of 18 to 24 year olds claiming unemployment benefits, according to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

“There is a lot more work about these days, but there is also a lot more support available from Jobcentres,” said Adam Sales of Maidstone Jobcentre.

“There are also plenty of recruitment drives and more work coaches to help people get back into employment.”

Wednesday 26th October 2016

12  LOCAL NEWS

‘I looked out of the window and thought I’ve got to do something’ On its 25th anniversary, the man behind Hospice of Hope reflects on helping those at the end of their life months because of the pain. The next day, he was sitting up in a wheelchair.

“Within a few weeks he was able to come home again. He lived another year, and the quality of his life after that was so much better.”

Despite the shock of his father’s situation, Graham already had experience of looking after those with terminal cancer.

By Murray Jones murray@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk ONE of the best known figures in the town’s charity sector is planning to step back from his work after dedicating the past 32 years to revolutionising end-of-life care.

Graham Perolls, 66, is the founder and CEO of Hospice of Hope, which is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary. It has a charity shop in Camden Road.

The charity provides care for terminally-ill people in and around Romania free of charge.

Its education centre also helps to spread the word about the approach to treatment to more than 12,000 hospice staff from 17 countries across central Europe.

From offering companionship to Swedish cancer patients as a teenager, to receiving royal honours in his 60s, Graham reflects on a long career helping those who are coming to the end of their life.

“My father developed cancer in 1978. That’s how I became interested in hospice care,” he said. “He had a lot of pain, but when they took him to the St Christopher’s Hospice in London it was like a miracle to us.

“He’d been lying flat on his back for three

Wednesday 26th October 2016

‘We have a truly fantastic health system in the UK. People moan about it, but they have no idea how lucky we are’

HONOURED Prince William presents Graham with an award

Visiting Sweden as a young man to see family friends, he found himself working on a ward in Gothenburg hospital.

“I remember a young patient who was dying.

She told me that I was the only person in the hospital who had spoken to her, besides ‘do you want this or that pill?’

“That drove home to me that communication is the most important thing. You can have all the drugs in the world, but if somebody doesn’t communicate with you and treat you like a human being then you suffer even more.”

But it was the experience after his mother’s

death in a private hospital in 1984 that really spurred Graham into action.

“They had not got a clue how to treat a dying person or their family. The first words spoken to me afterwards were: ‘Shall I call the undertaker?’

“I came from a close family who supported each other. For someone without that, the question would have been so devastating.

“After my mum died, I remember looking out of the window and thinking ‘now I’ve got to do something’.”

With this new, determined attitude Graham established his first charity, the Ellenor Foundation, in 1985.

He was chairman of the board for 20 years, eventually ‘handing over my baby’ to focus on the work in south-eastern Europe. He remains founder and Honorary President today, although he takes no active role.

Since then, ellenor has become one of the largest hospice charities in Kent, and was the organisation behind operations in Romania until 2000, when that part of it took on its independent identity, Hospice of Hope.

And it is Graham’s work in Romania over the last 25 years that has led to him receiving an OBE and the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) – awarded to those who provide extraordinary

LOCAL NEWS 

PROGRESS L-R: Carolyn, Graham and the Duchess of Norfolk at the opening of the Bucharest hospice non-military service in a foreign country.

His relationship with the country began in 1975 when he went as a tourist for a ‘bit of an adventure’. Years later, when the revolution came in 1989 and the regime of Nicolae Ceauescu fell, Graham flew straight over in the chaos to ensure the friends he had made there were safe.

Once out there, he was made aware of the terrible conditions that the terminally ill faced.

He asked his friend to take him to a cancer ward in Brasov, the country’s second biggest city, to see for himself.

“There was a young man dying in terrible pain and he told me they had no drugs and he couldn’t get any help. And that sowed a seed in my mind to do what I could to help.

“So we did a bit of research and found that terminally-ill people in Romania were just sent home to die. There was no pain control, no drugs, there was no care at all.”

Back in the UK in 1991, he asked the board at ellenor if he could raise money for Romania, although he adds: “I don’t think they really knew where it was at the time.”

Starting with just a team of one doctor and one nurse in 1992 as part of ellenor, they have now grown into an independent charity who receive the majority of their funds from Romania.

They began by conducting home visits to care for the dying. But they wanted to spread their expertise, and it wasn’t long before they set up an educational centre. It was named after Princess Diana, following Graham’s encounter with her.

“I was really fortunate to meet her,” he said.

“She asked me about the problems in Romania and pledged to make a donation. So we named the centre after her. Unfortunately, she died just before it opened.”

The charity grew from there, opening its first hospice in 2002. They had to raise a million pounds, and initially nearly all donations came from the UK. Graham admits people often question why he has raised money for Romania when the UK has its own problems.

“At the end of the day you can choose what you can support. I felt I had done both with ellenor. There are, of course, a lot of needs in the UK. But I saw the desperation in Romania and that’s what I felt I wanted to do.

“There is just so much need and they didn’t have a hospice movement at all. We provide out there completely free of charge and people are just so grateful.

“We have a truly fantastic health system in the UK. People moan about it, but they have no idea how lucky we are.”

With the second hospice opening in the capital, Bucharest, two years ago and now running at full capacity, the charity is continually looking to expand its operations. Next in line is Belgrade in Serbia.

Now, after 25 years as the head of the charity, Graham is looking to call it a day, enjoying more time gardening and travelling with his wife, Carolyn.

However, he insists he still plans to

13

NEWS IN BRIEF

ALL SMILES A young girl is cared for in Brasov

Thousands raise a glass at CAMRA ale festival

dedicate a few days a week to helping out.

“You learn such a lot from people who are dying. People in Romania have lived the most incredible lives. It’s a real privilege to be able to sit with people and just listen.”

Looking back over the last quarter of a century, he is proud of what the charity has been able to achieve.

“We made this revolution in hospice care.

We taught that you don’t treat the disease, you treat the person.”

Hospice of Hope presents Endurance: Shackleton’s Way Story-teller, Rob Caskie, discusses Shackleton’s famous attempt to make the first land crossing over the Antarctic continent over 100 years ago.

Friday November 4, 8am. One Warwick Park.

Tickets: £30 per person to include a full English breakfast. All funds raised will go to Hospice of Hope.

VISITORS from as far away as Norway, Qatar and Hong Kong could be found at the CAMRA green hop festival in Tunbridge Wells over the weekend.

Running from Friday until Sunday (October 23), the festival was primarily housed in the Tunbridge Wells West station, with guests then able to hop on the Spa Valley Railway to smaller pop-up beer venues in Groombridge and Eridge.

Iain Dalgleish, who heads the West Kent branch of CAMRA, estimated almost 5,000 people had attended, adding: “I am told the hotels in the town were full of people who came specially for the festival, and the town pubs reported that they were benefiting from people who had come to the festival making a special effort to visit them also.”

In total, 162 different varieties of real ale were stocked, and CAMRA claims that 11,000 pints were drunk.

A challenging year A 35-YEAR-OLD Kent mother is taking on 12 challenges in 12 months in order to raise money for post-natal breathing equipment for Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

Due to her daughter being born with breathing difficulties, Rachel Burns hopes to raise £10,000 to buy two new breathing units for the hospital.

Her completed challenges include a two-mile indoor swim, running, cycling and climbing around the country. She is next to cycle 50 miles from Kings Hill to Eastbourne next month.

Dowding Way fire

HOSPICE OF HOPE The Casa Sperantei in Brasov

THREE fire engines were required to put out a blaze which engulfed part of the recycling centre on Dowding Way, Tunbridge Wells, on Saturday [October 22].

Kent Fire & Rescue crews were called to the scene at 8.15am, leading to the closure of the road and tailbacks throughout the industrial estate, before leaving at just before 2pm.

Crews used positive pressure ventilation fans and a mechanical digger to create a fire break to help prevent fire spreading from the area that was alight, which had been used to store carpets and mattresses.

Wednesday 26th October 2016

14  COMMUNITY NEWS

Fifth birthday party for maternity care BARONESS CUMBERLEGE paid a visit to maternity services at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) to celebrate its fifth anniversary of integrated maternity care.

The Baroness is the independent Chair of the National Maternity Review, which was commissioned by NHS England this year to assess current provision and help shape future services.

She met staff at Tunbridge Wells Hospital and Maidstone Birth Centre as well as Crowborough Birth Centre, which the Trust took over in April.

The Trust has been selected as a ‘Maternity Choice and Personalisation Pioneer’ to help implement the recommendations from the review.

Jenny Cleary, Head of Midwifery, Gynaecology and Sexual Health at MTW, said: “Our philosophy is to ensure that each woman experiences the highest standard of care. We are committed to improving choice and personalisation for women accessing our maternity services.”

Baroness Cumberlege commented: “I have been impressed by maternity staff across Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust who are clearly committed to maximising positive outcomes – both physical health and mental wellbeing – for the mother, baby and the family as a whole.”

CAKE FOR ALL Baroness Cumberlege

Wednesday 26th October 2016

Grandmaster can’t beat young chess prodigies A GRANDMASTER was held to a draw by two local youngsters at a Tunbridge Wells Chess Club tournament at Salomons on Sunday October 9.

John Emms from Hildenborough, a former captain of the English Olympiad team, played a simultaneous match against 31 young players from 15 different schools in the Tunbridge Wells area in an event sponsored by Savills.

Isabel Webb, 12, and six-year-old Matthew Lieu held him to a draw and received cups in recognition of their efforts.

John, who did not lose a game in the same event last year, is heavily involved in supporting junior chess and coaches at a number of local schools.

The Grandmaster is also the No 1 board player for Tunbridge Wells’ first team, who were runners-up

in the County Championship last year.

“The standard of chess was very high and entertaining to watch in a wonderful environment,” commented Robert Jacobs, Head of Office at Savills Tunbridge Wells and a member of Tunbridge Wells Chess Club.

Andrew Daniells, Chief Operating Officer at Salomons, which provided the venue free of charge, said: “It was fantastic to see so many youngsters taking part in such a challenging event.

“We hope that it encourages them to continue playing the game, and perhaps one day some of them may return and play this event at Salomons as Grandmasters themselves.”

ALL SQUARE: Matthew Lieu, aged six CHECKMATES Grandmaster John Emms takes on 31 young players at once

FEEL GOOD Sevenoaks Day Service visits A&E

New toys for A&E and confidence for visitors A GROUP of people with learning disabilities have presented toys and equipment to the children’s A&E unit at Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

The donors, who attend Sevenoaks Day Service, delivered more than £350-worth of gifts after holding a coffee morning and quiz to raise funds.

The dedicated children’s A&E is the first of its kind in Kent, and its Matron, Stella Davey, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the wonderful new toys we have received from our friends at Sevenoaks Day Service.

“It’s such a generous and kind gesture, and we are extremely grateful to them for their hard work in raising the money to benefit our younger patients and their families.”

The donation came after the group attended a ‘Meet the Matron’ session to explain that many of them found the prospect of visiting A&E daunting.

They said they would all feel much more comfortable about going into the unit in future.

A&E staff at the Pembury hospital will now go to Sevenoaks Day Service to teach first aid.

COMMUNITY NEWS 

15

MOVING MOMENT Sue Beauchamp with friends and supporters of Two Bridges School at the Pagoda Centre

Fresh start for Two Bridges: ‘The students feel valued here’

By Andrew Tong newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

THE Two Bridges School has opened a new facility for pupils at the Pagoda Centre, off St John’s Road.

The Pagoda Centre will provide a permanent home for its 14-to-16-year-old Key Stage Four students, who have been based in several locations since the school opened in April 2015.

Two Bridges specialise in working with pupils whose challenging behaviour results in referral from mainstream education.

Their new classrooms were unveiled by Patrick Leeson, Director of Education and Young People’s Services at Kent County Council [KCC].

Also attending were local head teachers, including Rosemary Joyce of Tonbridge Grammar School, as well as KCC’s Area Education Officer for West Kent, Jared Nehra,

and representatives of Early Help and the Specialist Teaching and Learning Services.

Sue Beauchamp, Head Teacher at Two Bridges, revealed: “We’ve had a lot of support from KCC. They own the building and their property department has worked with me for two years.

“We secured the centre in May, and then it took us just 39 days from the moment we got in there to change it completely.”

She is thrilled with the development, adding: “The kids really enjoy working here, it feels like a proper school. They feel

CLASS ACT KCC’s Patrick Leeson

valued here, which is important for those who have fallen out of the schools system.

‘It feels like it’s been built for them, to get the best out of their learning’ “It feels like it’s been built for them, to get the best out of their learning.

“It has very big, bright classrooms, and it’s a good environment for them.”

The pupils will now be offered a broader curriculum, and will have extra subjects to study such as land-based learning and animal care.

Preparing for a BTEC in sport will be vastly improved because the school has struck up a relationship with the neighbouring Sports Centre.

There will be swimming sessions and PE lessons at the Fusion leisure centre, while Key Stage 4 students will be able to use the fitness room. Previously, the pupils had used the Skinners’ grammar school playing fields and the Ridgewaye recreation ground.

Key Stage Three students will continue to be based at the school’s existing Charles Street site.

Ball helps breast cancer detection

Bouncing babies are dancing for Tommy’s BABIES and toddlers from babyballet in Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks have been joining a national campaign to raise money for baby charity Tommy’s by taking part in a ‘Danceathon’.

Tommy’s funds four research centres which investigate causes and find treatments for miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.

Several venues took part, including the Camden Centre in Royal Victoria Place, Christ Church and St John’s Church. They raised more than £6,000.

Around 13,500 young children took part across the country, with £190,000 going to the charity.

For more information, contact Stephanie Seales Gabbitas on 07921 816925 or email: greenwich@babyballet.co.uk

BREAST CANCER KENT had a ball at Leeds Castle on October 8 which raised more than £18,000 to improve the lives of people diagnosed with breast cancer across the county.

The charity helps to fund stateof-the-art equipment for the breast care units at Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone Hospitals.

The technology helps with the detection and treatment of breast cancer, which the NHS

cannot afford to supply. The charity also funds wellbeing programmes for aftercare.

Its work is paving the way for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to become a centre of excellence in breast care.

Laura’s Ball is named after a committee member who came up with the fundraising idea in 2014. She organised the first ball while battling her second round of breast cancer. The

event is held in her memory.

The Chairman of the charity, Karina Cox, said: “We are absolutely thrilled and would like to thank all of those who supported us in some way.”

The consultant surgeon added: “This sort of money makes a real difference for the breast cancer patients of Kent and beyond.”

For more information, contact Helen Teare at helen@teare.eu or call 07736 649524.

Christmas shopping for Pickering Smile Fund THREE local businesswomen are launching an exclusive evening of ‘sipping and shopping’ to start the festive season and raise funds for charity.

The Christmas Collective will be held on Wednesday November 16 from 6-9pm at the Royal Wells Hotel on Mount Ephraim in aid of the Pickering Cancer Smile Fund.

Organised by Emma at Little Mole Boutique, Zoe at Ollie &

Roo and Emma at Peas-in-a-Pod, the event will feature a selection of 13 handpicked Christmas collections from top local businesses and designers.

Emma from Peas-in-a-Pod said: “Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding area are full of incredible independent businesses. The Christmas Collective will offer a social shopping experience

championing home-grown enterprise and beautifully made creations, whilst catching up with your friends over a glass of wine.

Polly Taylor, Pickering Cofounder, said: “This is amazing for Pickering in keeping our Smile Fund up and running and to keep the smiles coming through the tears.”

Visit the Christmas Collective on Facebook or Instagram.

Wednesday 26th October 2016

16  NATIONAL NEWS

‘We won’t change our minds’ over Heathrow runway TRANSPORT Secretary Chris Grayling has ruled out any rethink on the Government’s support for a third runway at Heathrow, which he announced in the House of Commons yesterday (October 25).

Mr Grayling insisted Prime Minister Theresa May’s administration is ‘not entering this process with a view to changing our mind’.

The decision is now set to go out to consultation, with a Commons vote on the matter not expected for a year.

Labour accused ministers of ‘dithering’ over the issue of airport expansion as they warned it could be a decade before the extra runway becomes operational. Mr Grayling said he hopes it will be open for business in nine years’ time.

There was criticism, too, from Conservative ministers and MPs, the biggest beast being Boris Johnson. A long-time opponent of the Heathrow option, he said the third runway is ‘undeliverable’ and ‘likely to be stopped’.

The Foreign Secretary added that the project would cause ‘inevitable degradation’ to the quality of life of people living under the potential new flightpaths.

The former Mayor of London, who once vowed to lie down in front of bulldozers to block construction, also suggested that his ‘Boris Island’

HIGH IMPACT An A380 flies over Myrtle Avenue near Heathrow

plan for a new airport in the Thames Estuary should be reconsidered.

He said: “No other great city would do this to its inhabitants. New York is going to be the city of beautiful skyscrapers, Paris the city of lights and London in the future, if we go ahead with this project, will be known as the city of planes.”

Mr Johnson’s successor as London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, said: “This is the wrong decision for Lon-

‘The Government has chosen a course that is not only wrong, it’s doomed’ don and the whole of Britain. The Government are running roughshod over Londoners’ views.

“Just five months ago I was elected as Mayor on a clear platform of opposing a new runway at Heathrow, a position that was shared by the Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Green and Ukip candidates in that election.”

And the failed London Mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith has vowed to ‘honour his pledge’ to resign as a Tory MP and force a by-election in protest at the decision.

Mr Goldsmith, whose constituency lies under

the Heathrow flightpath, has already informed his Richmond Park and Kingston North Conservative Association of the move.

In a brief address to the House of Commons after the announcement was made, he said: “The Government has chosen a course that is not only wrong, it’s doomed.”

Mr Goldsmith added: “It’s wrong because of the million people who’ll directly suffer on the back of the environmental harms this project unavoidably produces, and doomed because of the complexities, the cost, the legal complications that mean that this project is almost certainly not going to be delivered.”

Another Government minister, Education Secretary Justine Greening, whose constituency also lies under the flight path, said she is ‘extremely disappointed’.

According to a poll last month, 67 per cent of MPs are in favour of the Heathrow option. The way forward begins with a draft policy statement to be published in the new year setting out why the Government believes a third runway is the best option.

The public will then be consulted on the proposal and there will be a vote in the House of Commons in the winter of 2017-18.

The vote will be followed by a planning application submitted by the airport itself to the Planning Inspector, who will then advise the Government of the final verdict.

Reaction to the news from business leaders was almost entirely positive. Paul Drechsler, the President of the CBI, said: “The Prime Minister’s green light to expand the UK’s aviation capacity comes as an enormous relief to firms in every corner of the country.

“A new runway at Heathrow is really fantastic news, especially as the country has waited nearly 50 years for this decision. It will create the air links that will do so much to drive jobs and unlock growth across the UK, allowing even more of our innovative, ambitious and internationally focussed firms, from Bristol to Belfast, to take off and break into new markets.”

A Heathrow spokesman added his support to the economic argument, saying: “Expansion of Heathrow is the only option that will connect all of the UK to global growth, helping to build a stronger and fairer economy.

“Heathrow stands ready to work with Government, businesses, airlines and our local communities to deliver an airport that is fair, affordable and secures the benefits of RUNWAY SUCCESS expansion Chris Grayling for the makes his statement whole of to the Commons the UK.”

THIRD RUNWAY IN NUMBERS  £17.6billion: The cost

of the scheme, which will not be met by taxpayers.  783: Homes that will be

demolished as part of the construction, including the entire community of Longford and much of Harmondsworth.

Wednesday 26th October 2016

 125%: The proportion of market value that people with homes subject to compulsory purchase orders will receive, plus stamp duty, legal fees and moving costs.  77,000: New local

jobs that will be generated by 2030.

 138

million: Passengers who will use the expanded airport each year by 2050, up from 75 million in 2015.

6

1/2: The number of hours that flights will be banned during the night subject to a consultation.

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Wednesday 26th October 2016

18  NATIONAL NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF

Mosley’s press watchdog receives official approval THE Press Recognition Panel, set up under a Royal Charter after the Leveson inquiry into the media, has given its backing to a new press regulator.

Impress, backed by the former motorsport mogul Max Mosley, has few members.

Most national newspapers signed up to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), a voluntary independent body not backed by the Government.

NHS ‘gross misconduct’ THE chief executive of a north-west hospital trust has been dismissed on seven counts of gross misconduct.

Jonathan Parry was sacked by Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust after a disciplinary hearing. None of the allegations is said to relate to patient care or safety.

Female MD at John Lewis PAULA NICKOLDS has been appointed managing director of John Lewis, becoming the first woman in the role in the department store chain’s 152-year history.

Ms Nickolds has been promoted from her current role as commercial director and replaces long-serving chief Andy Street.

Legal aid cuts ‘damaging’ CUTS to legal aid are ‘damaging the reputation’ of Britain’s justice system, a former Lord Chief Justice warned the House of Lords.

Independent crossbencher Lord Woolf said judges across the country were finding it ‘difficult to administer justice’.

CLOSING TIME The Jungle demolition began on Tuesday

Sevenoaks dithers over refugees as PM’s council turns its back on children ONLY two local authorities in Kent have yet to commit to accepting any Syrian refugees and one of them is Sevenoaks District Council – according to its own report.

It is understood that Sevenoaks has not managed to agree on how many refugees it is prepared to accommodate.

The report reveals how many refugees are being taken in over a five-year period between 2015 and 2020 as part of the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme (SVPRS).

The Sevenoaks impasse comes amid news that one in four local councils – including Prime Minister Theresa May’s local authority – has not accepted unaccompanied refugee children following the closure of the Jungle migrants camp in Calais this week.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, which contains the Prime Minister’s constituency, is one of at least 38 councils in England which have so far not taken part in the Government’s voluntary National

Transfer Scheme (NTS) for minors.

The initiative was introduced to ease pressure on the ‘gateway authorities’, such as Dover, where many of the unaccompanied asylumseeking children will arrive.

‘The Royal Borough is currently taking in four children. We are not able to take further people’ A spokesman for Windsor and Maidenhead council said: “The Royal Borough is currently taking in four children under the Syrian resettlement programme and has committed to house another eight Syrian refugee families.

“We are not able to take further people at this point.”

The NTS scheme was launched in July to ‘encourage all local authorities to volunteer to support unaccompanied asylum-seeking children so there is a more even distribution of caring responsibilities across the country’.

One other Kent council, Medway, will not take anyone in. Its Leader, Alan Jarrett, said last year: “Medway is not able to house refugees until central government can guarantee long-term funding for local authorities to cover the additional cost this will inevitably bring.

“We cannot let vital services for local people suffer.”

The report by Sevenoaks District Council lists the county’s quotas: Ashford’s council has agreed to take 250 people – approximately 50

families – over a five-year period; Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge & Malling have both pledged to take 10 families each, as have Canterbury, Shepway and Swale.

The SVPRS is based on the needs of individuals and prioritises those who cannot be supported in their homeland, including women and girls at risk, survivors of violence and torture, and refugees with medical needs.

Those who are accepted on to the scheme are able to bring their immediate family with them, and the local authority arranges housing and school places.

So far 43 people have been resettled in Kent since last year, the equivalent of 10 families.

The Government will provide £8,520 per person, plus £4,500 in education costs for children aged five to 18, for a refugee’s first year.

Then the sum will drop annually and be stopped after five years.

Demolition of the Jungle camp began yesterday (October 25) with heavy-duty machinery tearing down the ramshackle buildings.

Workers in orange jumpsuits and white helmets helped by dumping the pallets, fabric and plastics which once housed migrants into an industrial container.

Scuffles broke out after French authorities began ‘processing’ migrants for relocation around France or into Britain.

Refugees believed to be minors had to crouch down by metal barriers while police formed a protective circle around them until order had been restored.

U-turn over cuts to apprentice scheme THE Government has made a U-turn on cuts to apprenticeship funding which critics said would harm the chances of workingclass children.

The planned changes were sneaked out by the Government during the summer recess and would have seen cuts of up to 50 per cent in apprenticeships for the most deprived teenagers, Labour said.

More than 50 Labour MPs wrote to apprenticeships and

Wednesday 26th October 2016

skills minister Robert Halfon calling for a rethink.

And now Education Secretary Justine Greening has announced a series of measures effectively reversing the cuts by giving extra cash for apprenticeships for deprived teenagers.

In a written statement, Ms Greening said she would introduce an extra 20 per cent of funding for training of 16 to 18-year-olds, while those from disadvantaged areas would continue to get extra support.

Tottenham Labour MP and former skills minister David Lammy, who led a campaign for the Government to reverse the cuts, said: “Apprenticeships have always been seen as the poor relation of higher education but if this Government is serious about social mobility they must stop damaging the life chances of working-class kids by slashing support for apprenticeships and skills training.”

The announcement

comes as the Government prepares to introduce a new apprenticeship levy next April which will be set at 0.5 per cent of the pay bill and apply to employers with a pay bill of more than £3million.

Announcing the funding arrangements, Ms Greening said she wanted to ensure apprenticeships were ‘open to everyone, no matter where in England they live, their background or family circumstances’.

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20  BUSINESS NEWS BUSINESS IN BRIEF

Whitbread wakes up to sweet smell of success COSTA COFFEE owner Whitbread has reported a rise in half-year profits.

The group, which also owns Premier Inn, said pre-tax profit in the period rose 3.4 per cent to £263.6million while revenue grew 8.1 per cent to £1.56billion.

Like-for-like sales at Costa continued to bounce back, growing 2.3 per cent in the period, while Premier Inn saw a comparable sales increase of 2.4 per cent.

Cheap energy for more CUSTOMERS in vulnerable situations are to receive extra help from their suppliers under changes announced by Ofgem.

The new system will start in January.

Around 3.6 million electricity and three million gas customers are signed up to the Priority Services Register.

Currently, only consumers who are disabled, chronically sick, or of pensionable age have access to the services.

Intu’s growth targets up SHOPPING centre owner Intu has shrugged off the closure of BHS and cheered the strength of Britain’s commercial property sector after securing a higher price for its Bromley site after the Brexit vote.

Intu has maintained its growth targets after reporting occupancy rates above 95 per cent. The company said like-for-like net rental income is set to reach 3 to 4 per cent this year.

Wednesday 26th October 2016

New phone boxes with free calls and fast Wifi BT is to roll out a phone box fit for the 21st century offering free calls and ultrafast Wifi.

The ultramodern Link kiosks will open on major high streets across London next year complete with charging points, access to maps and tourist information.

BT said the rollout marked ‘the next evolution’ of its public payphones and would bring digital innovation to the streets of London.

Hundreds of BT’s existing phone boxes will be replaced by the new Links, which will take up less space on the pavement, the telecoms giant said.

However they will be installed in smaller numbers than the payphones they replace, with ‘at least 750’ appearing across central London and other cities over the next few years.

Users within range of a Link will be able to access free Wifi with speeds of up to 1Gbps, and the kiosks will offer free UK landline and mobile phone calls, mobile device charging via two USB charging ports and a touchscreen tablet for accessing maps, directions and local services.

The Links will also have sensors to capture real-time data relating to the local environment, such as air and noise pollution, outdoor temperature and traffic conditions, with potential for the information to be fed into smart services.

BT said the service would be funded by revenue from advertising on the Links’ digital displays.

Rajesh Agrawal, London’s deputy mayor for business, said: “I welcome this exciting new addition to London’s streets.

“Expanding London’s digital infrastructure is a priority for the Mayor, and Links can play a big part in improving connectivity for Londoners and visitors to our city, while reducing street clutter by upgrading and reducing the number of phone boxes.

“London is already widely regarded as one of the technological capitals of the world but the Mayor is determined to improve connectivity across the city to ensure we maintain that position.”

BT’s chief executive for wholesale and ventures, Gerry McQuade said: “We’re evolving the phone box to make it relevant in the 21st century by offering people ultrafast Wifi and a range of digital and information services entirely for free.

“London is one of the greatest cities in the world and it’s entirely fitting that it becomes the first UK city to benefit from the Links. But we will be rolling out many more Links to the other great cities across the UK over the coming months as we look to transform the look and functionality of our public payphones.”

PAVING THE WAY How the Link will look

The rising cost of eating after Brexit FOOD prices are ‘very likely’ to rise as a result of Brexit, the chairman of Tesco has warned.

John Allan said the plunge in the value of sterling would have a knock-on impact on customers.

Asked about whether Brexit would increase the price of food, Mr Allan told BBC Radio Four’s Today programme: “I think it’s probable, it obviously depends on currency, where the pound settles. If it stays where it is, it is likely.”

‘We are trying to defend our customers from unjustified price increases’ Mr Allan insisted he wanted to protect customers as much as possible after Tesco had a high-profile dispute with a supplier who tried to use the fall in the pound to increase prices.

“Everyone who wants to increase prices will get scrutiny. We are trying to defend our customers from unjustified price increases.

“But, that it is likely there will be some price increases going forward - I think is very likely.”

Mr Allan also warned that suppliers are ‘very concerned’ about restrictions on migrant labour after Brexit, as he insisted Britain could not just take highly skilled immigrants.

“We have about a million, for example, EU citizens living in London, and many hundreds of thousands elsewhere in the country.

“And industries like the agricultural industry, picking and packing fruit and veg, and meat, and so on, are heavily dependent on migrant workers - not just seasonal migrant workers, but people who are here 52 weeks a year.

“And I know our fresh food suppliers are very concerned that is properly taken into account.”

WORLD NEWS �

Vatican: Don’t take funeral ashes home THE Vatican has said that Catholics who want to be cremated cannot have their ashes scattered, divided up or kept at home.

In newly published guidelines, it said cremation remains should instead be stored in a sacred, church-approved place.

For most of its 2,000-year history, the Catholic church only permitted burial, arguing that it best expresses the Christian hope in resurrection. But in 1963, the Vatican explicitly allowed cremation.

The new document from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith repeats that burial remains preferred, and seeks to counter ‘new ideas contrary to the church’s faith’.

It stipulates that ashes cannot be kept at home, since that would deprive the Christian community as a whole from remembering the dead.

Nor can they be divided among family members, put in lockets and other mementoes, or scattered in the air, land or sea.

Four dead in water ride at theme park FOUR people have been killed after a river rapids ride malfunctioned at a popular theme park on Australia’s east coast.

Two men and two women died at Dreamworld on Queensland state’s Gold Coast.

The Thunder River Rapids ride has circular rafts moving along a fast-moving, man-made river.

A malfunction caused two people to be ejected from their raft while two others were caught ­ inside the ride, said Gavin Fuller of the Queensland Ambulance Service.

It has not been established whether the two victims who were caught in the ride were trapped underwater, or caught up in the machinery.

‘We are deeply shocked and saddened by this ’ Park staff administered first aid to the victims, but their injuries proved fatal, Mr Fuller said.

Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson said the park is working with police to try to determine what went wrong.

21

SPORT IN BRIEF

Doubling up as Murray rewarded for services JAMIE MURRAY has been awarded an OBE for services to his sport and charity.

Murray, 30, the older brother of Wimbledon champion Andy, has during the past 12 months won the US and Australian Open men’s doubles titles and helped Great Britain clinch the Davis Cup. After meeting the Queen at Buckingham Palace, he said: “I never expected this, and it’s not something you think about.”

Ashton goes to France TRAGEDY Park workers examine the damage “We are ­deeply shocked and saddened by this, and our hearts and our thoughts go out to the families involved and to their loved ones,” he said.

One witness to the tragedy, Lia Capes, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp that she was just about to go on the ride when she saw people running away from it in tears.

She said: “I was speaking to one of the guys and he said that it was the raft or the boat thing in front of him.

“The whole thing flipped and

everyone was screaming.”

Thunder River is considered one of Dreamworld’s tamer, more family-friendly rides, and is open to children as young as two years old.

The park, which has been open since 1981, also features several roller-coasters and the free-fall ride The Giant Drop, where passengers plunge from a height of nearly 400ft.

In April, the park’s Rocky ­Hollow Log Ride was temporarily shut down after a man fell from the ride.

CHRIS ASHTON will join Toulon next season in a move that is likely to signal the end of his England career.

The wing, who is currently serving a 13-week ban for biting, has spent the last five years with Saracens.

The move will mean he becomes ineligible to represent his country since all players must be at home-based clubs.

Hornets set up probe WATFORD have launched an investigation following allegations that they supplied false financial documents to the English Football League.

The allegations focus on Gino Pozzo’s sole takeover in 2014, when he took complete control from his father Giampaolo, and the alleged use of a forged banking letter.

Watford are now under investigation from the EFL and could face a hefty fine and/or a points deduction.

Wednesday 26th October 2016

22 � LETTERS

And another thing…

This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going on in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk or write to the Editor at 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU

Mental health: Why we need to give our young people the tools to cope with today’s world It is worrying that, as a nation, we are failing to arm our children with a basic understanding of their own mental health – one of the most necessary tools for navigating the adult world – and it is encouraging to see [October 12] that the Self-Esteem Team are visiting schools to address the issue.

The school curriculum has become better in recent years, implanting courses for financial education and bettering the compulsory physical classes.

We may finally be realising that poor awareness has an impact on the whole of society, and can now acknowledge that financial classes and physical health are both conducive to the wellbeing of the next generations.

All encouraging progress, yet why are these sectors deemed worthy of the attention of greater education when mental health is left almost non-existent?

There is freedom of choice, high competition for jobs, more pressure than ever to decide what you want to do in life, incredibly early in life, and on top of that a million different information sources plus stimuli that could overload even the most mature brain.

Immigrants: Another point of view

Your correspondent Nigel Wallace is correct [October 12] that Britain has welcomed many immigrants in the past.

However, quite apart from the problem of finding sufficient employment, housing and health resources to deal with a large influx of people, he is overlooking the fact that the vast majority of earlier migrants were prepared to accept the cultural norms of our society and make every effort to integrate with the host community.

Unfortunately, what we now have is a large number of people from countries with very different cultural assumptions to ours, many of whom are not prepared to make the compromises necessary to fit into our culture.

If, within their own societies, they wish to treat women as second-class citizens, criminalise those of a different sexual orientation, and apply savage penalties to those who break their laws, then – while we may not approve – we have no right to tell them that they may not do so.

However, we do have the right to expect that anyone coming to live in the UK is willing to abide by our fundamental beliefs of equality, and we should not be expected to allow parallel systems of law to be set up to accommodate the religious beliefs of those arriving from abroad.

Since the stigma of mental ill-health is still an issue, we should be teaching all children to understand the problems from a young age, and how to deal with them.

A one-off assembly on mental health simply isn’t enough. It is essential we give children and young people the tools they need to cope with a world that is constantly conspiring to find new ways to squander their self-esteem and mental health.

Lauren Jones Via email OVERLOAD Are the young trying to cope with too much?

Fireworks: The scourge of our pets

I would like to make a plea to your readers to help protect our pets from the scourge of fireworks, which scare the living daylights out of them.

This time of year, of course, there are displays everywhere to coincide with Bonfire Night, and pet owners know perfectly well to keep an eye on their animals and be sensible. But please, don’t keep it going night after night. Aren’t the big public displays sufficient?

It’s bad enough that New Year has become a firework festival these days, with every Tom, Dick and Harriet letting off a few desultory bangers in the garden. But now it seems everyone has to light up the skies to celebrate their birthday or barbecue or buying a new mower, or whatever. Stop it! You’re giving our cats and dogs the flaming heebie-jeebies simply so you can enjoy some ridiculously small-scale personal thrill.

It’s not that great, is it? So why bother? As pet owners, we shouldn’t have to protect them from selfish individuals every day of the year.

Peter Robinson Via email

Roy Bullock: Deserves some respect

I suspect that those of a liberal persuasion who advocate open borders would be horrified if they found that the underlying assumptions of our modern society were to be replaced by the norms of the Middle East.

Colin Bullen Via email

Council: Why still drilling in Calverley?

What exactly is going on with the expensive and capital intensive [civic complex] plan for our Tunbridge Wells? Scrutiny by some ‘in the know’ voters has questioned the basis and viability of the plans, leading to our councillors making major ‘u-turns’ and cancellations – even though some contracts appear to have been awarded with preliminary work started.

The £50million cost is planned to be paid by ratepayers and the doubling of car parking fees – measures that have questionable support.

And why is there still drilling in Calverley Grounds when the plans for an underground car park there have been abandoned? Does this mean our representatives are continuing to drill in the hope of striking oil or gas to pay for these overlyambitious plans for our town?

Edward La Coste Lamberhurst

It’s astonishing that the current Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [David Jukes] suggests that any letter he disagrees with [October 12] should be trashed.

Roy Bullock [a former leader] played a key role in local government and his current views deserve to be treated with respect.

This is more than a just a journalistic brouhaha.

It perfectly illustrates the arrogant and dismissive attitude of the council to ordinary citizens.

I have written two letters to the council in the last six months concerning a petition I ran about community ownership of the Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons. I have received no reply, merely one acknowledgement.

I assume that my letters have been binned.

Terry Cload Pembury

FSB: Wrong impression about my role I read your article [October 12] re the Federation of Small Businesses and would like to point out that most of the regional offices will be closing due to restructuring.

I took voluntary redundancy from my position as ROA [Regional Office Administrator] alongside a few other colleagues. Your article seems to imply that I was part of the goings-on within the regional team, and as a staff member I was not even aware of such things.

I was employed by the FSB as ROA to support members of the Kent and Medway area.

Sue Waldock Via email

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

Wednesday 26th October 2016

Calverley HIMSELF likes to keep an eye on government announcements, and a good thing, too. Last week he spots the fact former ASDA boss Archie Norman has been named Lead Non-Executive Director at the Department for Business. He was appointed by Greg Clark, the Business Minister. Mr Clark is also, of course, the current Tory MP for Tunbridge Wells.

The previous Tory MP, the man he succeeded in 2005, was Archie Norman. Small world isn’t it?

THAT august body the Civic Society held its annual awards ceremony the other day, and Calverley managed to gatecrash the evening.

Much time was devoted to members telling the assembled that the society is often ‘wrongly’ attacked for being too negative about Tunbridge Wells and it’s buildings, which it is charged with protecting.

It was a good message, slightly spoilt when the society declared that it would not be making an award in the Best Shop Window category. There were no worthy candidates. It then attacked the Metro Bank frontage [above] as being the ‘antithesis’ of good taste.

(You can look the word up yourself.)

WHAT a wag. One of Calverley’s friends happened to take a picture of the drilling in Calverley Grounds in preparation for the new civic centre. (How nice to name the most popular park in town after this column.) He then put it out on social media claiming it was the council fracking for gas. People believed him. Calverley’s views on those who take social media seriously are well documented.

WALKING near the Adult Education Centre in Tunbridge Wells, Himself spots a car parked across two bays. Surely this must be illegal and worthy of ticket? In the spirit of generating cash flow for the council, Calverley beckons a nearby traffic warden. Red faces all round: It’s her car. She mumbles something about a motorbike being badly parked when she pulled up. Sorry, no excuses. Rules are rules.

Chin, chin readers

Education in association with:

www.right-tuition.co.uk

EDUCATION SPECIAL ■

23

EDUCATION Times WITH THE

Creative thinkers are tomorrow’s innovators

This is what Benenden School Headmistress Samantha Price believes. In her regular column for the Times, she explains more about this line of thinking – and how it will benefit students in the future AS SCHOOL leaders, we are frequently told that the pace of technological change is such that the children in our care will be performing jobs that haven’t been invented yet. In some respects, this means schools are working blind, trying to equip young people for jobs we can only imagine.

Yet there is no cause for concern. Schools need to be – and on the whole already are – preparing pupils for these future jobs as best we can; by giving them the foundations for life of a strong education, and by providing all the myriad opportunities schools offer, so they can hopefully discover a passion they wish to pursue.

However, there is something else schools need to be doing: Encouraging pupils to be creative.

Creativity was a key theme of the recent FORWARD Headmasters’ and THINKING Headmistresses’ Samantha Price Conference (HMC).

Whatever today’s generation end up doing, they will need this skill. Machines cannot be creative.

They help humans to be more creative, but the spark of creativity will always come from people.

To thrive in any walk of life, people need to be imaginative. They need to generate new ideas, look at things differently and try new things. That is something that will not change because of advances in technology.

This capacity for creativity should be harnessed at schools. True creativity stems from sound depth of knowledge. With the knowledge secure, the mind is then free to use this in an innovative and creative way; whether it be in Maths, Science, Art, History or English, the principle remains the same.

Creative thinkers are tomorrow’s innovators and it is our responsibility to give young people the freedom to use their knowledge, to try new things and to be creative. If the role of a school is to prepare young people for life, then creativity must be a key part of their education.

The constant technological evolution is also influencing a changing employment landscape.

Entrepreneurship is increasingly being favoured by young people instead of pursuing the

MASTERS OF INVENTION Students at work traditional route of university followed by a career in a traditional profession in one or two firms or places of work for the duration. Today, graduates increasingly want to take a different path where they can be creative: Turn their ideas into businesses, make a difference and be the masters of their time through flexible working hours.

This is creativity in action, and schools need to be the harvesting ground for these future entrepreneurs. We should be encouraging them to start their own businesses while at school, to have ventures that fail, to learn from their experiences and to grow. Creativity may well become the most vital skill a school can teach.

Wednesday 26th October 2016

24 � EDUCATION SPECIAL

Education in association with:

www.right-tuition.co.uk

Making a song and dance of fundraising ARTS Week took place at Dulwich Preparatory School in Cranbrook last week.

Every child was involved in the activities, which ranged from African drumming, mindfulness and film score composition to art workshops and puppet making. Also on offer were jazz trumpeting, author talks, poetry workshops and zumba sessions.

The children even performed in their own flash mobs in the school playground.

The pupils, who are in years 1 to 8, also took part in a School Stomp for the charity Health Poverty Action in order to raise awareness and funds for poor and marginalised children across the world.

Dulwich Prep Headmaster Paul David commented: “It has

Wednesday 26th October 2016

been wonderful to see the children’s reactions to a whole range of exciting events that go beyond the school curriculum and open up a world of opportunity.”

He continued: “I am delighted our school has taken part in the School Stomp, which generates funds to help provide essential healthcare and a future to some of the world’s poorest children.”

Spokesperson for Health Poverty Action Mehmet Baylav said: “By taking part in the School Stomp, schools across the UK are actively demonstrating that they share our belief that everyone deserves the best chance at good health, regardless of the situation that they were born into. We are incredibly grateful for their support.”

FUN AND FUNDRAISING The pupils of Dulwich Prep were hands-on

Education in association with:

www.right-tuition.co.uk

EDUCATION SPECIAL ■

Skiing brothers race to regional success TWO brothers who are pupils at Bennett Memorial School in Tunbridge Wells raced to end of season success in the London and south east regional dry slope skiing series on Sunday October 16.

Ollie Turner-Moore, 12, was crowned the Male U14 Overall Champion for 2016 in the London and South East Regional Snowsports Association event.

In the five races this year, Ollie placed

POLE POSITION Ollie receives his gold medal

ADVERTORIAL

Spanish made easy

on the podium at each race, winning a gold medal, two silvers and two bronzes.

He clinched the title by two points at the final slalom race of the season on the Brentwood dry ski slope.

Older brother Seb, 14, grabbed third place overall in the Male U16 category with a determined display in his three individual timed runs and head-to-head dual slalom runs.

“Both Ollie and Seb started skiing at the age of five, initially on family holidays,” commented their father, Ben. “They love it and took up racing a few years ago. They are members of the Bowles Ski Racing Club and train for two hours every Friday night on the slope at the outdoor centre just outside Tunbridge Wells.

“What they’ve achieved this season is brilliant, and a great reward for their dedication and hard work at training.”

‘They love it and took up racing a few years ago.

They are members of the Bowles Ski Racing Club and train for two hours every Friday night’

25

OH, BROTHER! Medals all round

There’s a staggering amount of tutors out there when it comes to private lessons for your children but Henny Broderick is a little different.

Not only does she have firsthand experience of learning a language in situ she also teaches students on a daily basis so has all the credentials to inspire those who are seeking to either improve their linguistic skills or grappling with the first year of learning a foreign language.

After gaining A grades in Spanish and French A-levels, she studied Modern Languages at Newcastle University. As part of her studies, she spent three months working in Barcelona and five months travelling around and carrying out voluntary work in Bolivia, Colombia and Peru.

Her travels allowed her to understand each country’s culture and values by conversing with its natives, and developing her interpersonal skills whilst working in a busy office in Barcelona. Henny says: “Spanish has opened up the world to me.”

Soon after graduating, she decided to pursue a career in teaching languages to share her passion with others. She has spent the last five years teaching Spanish at Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School at KS3, KS4 and KS5 level.

She is now focusing on tutoring, both in terms of private lessons and small groups, and hopes to be able to help and enthuse a wide range of adults and children. Henny offers lessons designed to help students pass their Spanish GCSE or A-level examination, or classes to enable people to use the language confidently abroad.

For more information: www.spanishwithhenny.com

Wednesday 26th October 2016

26  WEEKLY COMMENT

Peter Lidstone

Tunbridge Wells councillor

The youngest member of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Peter Lidstone, aged 32, is a Liberal Democrat councillor and was the only candidate to successfully dislodge a Conservative opponent at the last local elections. With a full-time job as part of the charity Build Africa, the former law student of the University of the West of England is also fluent in French. His interest in politics came after attending a conference on the subject at Christian Aid about why Christians should get involved

How cross-party collaboration secured a good deal for cyclists I HAVE a confession to make… I am a cyclist.

In some quarters, that can attract a certain degree of ire for, among other sins, jumping red lights, hogging lanes and inflicting middle-aged spread in lycra on a world that never asked for it.

For the record, cyclists who jump red lights infuriate me, and I personally have no desire for lycra.

There are bad cyclists, just as there are bad drivers. The vast majority of the time both coexist peacefully. But as a cyclist, you are vulnerable.

There is very little protecting you from the tonne of metal a metre away, or the HGV that whistles past, other than the attentiveness and skill of their drivers.

For all of the joys and benefits of cycling, Tunbridge Wells is currently not a cycle-friendly town. If we are to tackle the toxic air pollution levels and chronic congestion on St John’s Road, we must improve.

Last week there was excellent news, not only for

Wednesday 26th October 2016

TWENTY IS PLENTY St John’s is set to slow down

colleagues, and local interested volunteers such as the 20’s Plenty group. It is so encouraging to see groups of volunteers donating hundreds of hours of their precious free time, and resources, towards something they believe in.

A number of questions have already been raised about how this will be enforced.

Not everyone will respect the new 20 MPH limit.

But evidence from across the country shows that 20 MPH zones consistently bring average speeds down. And of course, one can only travel as quickly as the car in front!

‘Speeding traffic, rat runs and use of the pavement as road are issues raised regularly by residents’

cyclists but for families, schoolchildren and the residents of St John’s, as the largest 20 MPH zone in Kent was given the green light.

Work will now begin on creating a single continuous 20 MPH zone covering the residential

roads bordered by St John’s Road to the west, Powder Mill Lane to the north and Upper Grosvenor Road to the east.

This is the result of years of campaigning and fighting from Lib Dems and Conservative

Speeding traffic, rat runs and use of the pavement as an extension of the road are issues raised regularly by residents on the doorstep.

A 20 MPH zone alone will not solve Tunbridge Wells’ congestion, rat-running and parking woes.

But it is a step in the right direction.

My Lib Dem colleagues and I will keep fighting for better provision for pedestrians, vulnerable road users and a better public transport offering.

The Lib Dems aspire for Kent to become a pioneering county for road safety. This is one of the first steps in a long journey.

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

The Times is proud to work with:

WITH THE

Available in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks

Rooftop view of the ‘village’

bracketts

est. 1828

INSIDE

in the heart of Tunbridge Wells

Period home close to town grammar schools Page 44

Rural gem said to be built from Battle Abbey stone Page 50

Follow in the steps of pop singer Gerry Rafferty Page 58

Wednesday 26th October 2016

28  PROPERTY SECTION PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

In my view…

Stephen Lightfoot Connells Tunbridge Wells

Your at-a-glance guide to SOUTH GROVE TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£965,000

Sell now and move by Christmas, says Connells Connells’ Six-Week Challenge to sell your home in record time…

Local estate agency Connells, in Tunbridge Wells, is urging homeowners to start marketing their properties now if they want to be moved by Christmas.

According to the branch, September is a good time to market your home, and by taking advantage of the company’s SixWeek Challenge customers can successfully sell their property in record time and for the best price.

“September is an ideal time to sell your home,” says Stephen Lightfoot, Branch Manager at Connells, Tunbridge Wells. “It’s traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for us with the summer holidays over and buyers returning to the market keen to purchase before the end of the year.”

“Our Six-Week Challenge – where we use all our expertise and knowledge of the local housing market to help sellers secure a buyer in less than six weeks – has been hugely successful for our customers over the summer months,” continues Stephen.

“With even more properties required to meet current buyer demand, we would urge those interested in moving to make the most of a buoyant housing market and put us to the challenge!”

If you are thinking of selling your home, keen to move by Christmas and would like to be considered for Connells’ Six-Week Challenge, Tonbridge 01732 350503 please contact the local branch on tonbridge@bracketts.co.uk 01892 547966

UNDER £250,000 BIRKEN ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£230,000 newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? Wednesday 26th October 2016

With two double bedrooms, and both a front and a back garden, this quiet ground floor flat, less than half a mile from High Brooms station, has an incredibly spacious feel to it. It is an elegant home boasting a homely yet refined

atmosphere, with the benefit of large windows and a well-lit finish, as well as a newly refurbished dining room extension, a modern fitted bathroom and kitchen and modern décor throughout.

CONTACT Andrews Estate Agents Tunbridge Wells 01892 515144 www.andrewsonline.co.uk

UNDER £350,000 FOREST GROVE, TONBRIDGE

£315,000-£330,000 This attractively presented twobedroom, extended, end-of-terrace family home is located in an enclosed cul-de-sac setting. It includes the bonus of a 19ft loft room and a ground floor shower room in addition to the first floor

bathroom. The generous living room, modern, well-fitted kitchen/ dining room and generous garden also contribute to the appeal of the property, which also has off-street parking for two cars.

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

PROPERTY SECTION 

29

great properties by price range…

UNDER £450,000 OAKMEAD, TONBRIDGE

£415,000-£430,000 A conveniently located semi-detached family home which includes a freestanding swimming pool and a large garden, as well as solar heating. It is well-presented with additional character features such as a period fireplace in the sitting room and wooden floors. Plus a fully-fitted 21ft kitchen/dining room, three bedrooms and a bathroom with a roll-top bath.

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

UNDER £600,000 THE RIDGEWAYE, SOUTHBOROUGH TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£550,000

This three-bedroom, split-level detached property features an architect-designed vaulted extension and is quietly located backing on to Brokes Wood. The generously sized rooms include the potential for a second reception room or study. In addition, it has a superb kitchen/dining room with a glass balcony, a master bedroom, two double bedrooms and both a front and a back garden, adding to the feel of a well-proportioned home.

CONTACT Sumner Pridham Tunbridge Wells 01892 516615 www.sumnerpridham.co.uk

UNDER £800,000 UNDER £1 MILLION

BEECHWOOD, PEMBURY NR TUNBRIDGE WELLS

SOUTH GROVE TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£795,000

£965,000 This beautiful Victorian townhouse is situated centrally in Tunbridge Wells’s popular ‘village’ area, and offers four floors of spacious family living complete with period features. With a drawing room, family room, kitchen/breakfast room, dining room and four bedrooms, it offers delightfully simplistic décor inside and a

charming south-facing rear garden and small terrace outside.

CONTACT Hamptons Tunbridge Wells 01892 597039 www.hamptons.co.uk

A six-bedroom home off Pembury village high street which offers not only spacious family living, but an attached, self-contained annexe. Built by Millwood Designer Homes in the 80s, the main house has an impressive kitchen/breakfast/dining room and French doors from the sitting room to the garden, which includes a terrace, a garden shed and a greenhouse.

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

Wednesday 26th October 2016

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Discreetly tucked away from the road:, surrounded by open farmland and undulating countryside:, this Grade II listed country home has retained its desirable farmhouse appeal and is bursting with original character and period features:, including a spectacular crown post vaulted ceiling:, exposed beams:, inglenooks and a country style kitchen. The well-proportioned rooms provide kitchen/breakfast room with AGA:, 4 reception rooms including a vaulted garden room:, boot room:, laundry/cloakroom:, principal bedroom with a dressing room and an en-suite bathroom:, 4 further double bedrooms:, 2 bathrooms:, 1 dressing room and a wine cellar.

Dating back to the 1200's, this family home is steeped in history and has been lovingly cared for and treasured.

Situated in some 4.9 acres of parklike grounds with vibrant colours throughout the seasons. Scattered with mature specimen trees, herbaceous borders, bluebell woodland and lovely lawns.

This unique property includes an oast with business consent, 2 garages, an open barn, a 2-storey stone barn and a summerhouse with views to buy for.

. .,._... . ÂŁ 1~650~ OOO freehold

South borough

£375,000

3 Bedroom Detached house in a cul-de-sac, adjoining fields to the rear. Porch, hall, L shaped lounge-diner, garage, garden. EPC D

Tonbridge

£275,000 - £300,000

End of Terrace House, 2/3 Bedrooms, only a few minutes' walk from the High Street.

Offers scope for ground floor 3rd Bedroom. Parking. EPC D

Tonbridge

£850,000 - £900,000

5 Bedroom Detached House with one Bedroom on the ground floor with adjacent shower room. Sought after area, I mile High Street. EPC D

Tonbridge

£750,000

5 Bedroom Extended Detached Family house with 3 bathrooms, large garden which adjoins the playing fields ofTonbridge School. EPC E

Tonbridge

£375,000

Luxury 2 Bedroom Ground Floor Apartment, just off the High Street. Open plan loungediner and fitted kitchen area. Parking. EPC D

Tonbridge

Offers In Excess of £295,000

3 Bedroom Semi-Detached House at the south end of the town. 2 separate reception rooms, First floor bathroom, garden and parking. NO CHAIN. EPC E

Promotional f eature

The British Property Awards decorate Tunbridge Wells Agent with the highest of accolades: Best Agent for The South East Region.

The awards are judged over an eight-week period by a panel of experts within the property field.

Here, agents are assessed on and scored against a rigorous 25 point criteria. These include, customer service, industry know ledge, local area know ledge and overall expertise in their field Agents within each Town are invited to opt-in to be judged and unlike the vast majority of awards, The British Property Awards are free to enter to all agents and unlike the majority of awards in the property arena, the awards are not for sale!

~

Le Grys

In July 2016, The British Property Awards announced LeGrys Estate Agents had won the Award for Tunbridge Wells. There is only one winner within each town.

Bill LeGrys, Managing Director, commented on winning the

Lll<rnl thinking dose to horn,

award "This is truly a fantastic achievement for all the Team and I am truly honoured and somewhat overwhelmed".

The awards are one of the most inclusive estate agency awards providers. A team personally mystery shops every estate agent that has entered against the same set of criteria to obtain a fair, balanced overview of their customer service levels. The judging criteria is both comprehensive and detailed to ensure that agents have been rigorously and fairly judged. Those estate agents who provide a superb service and go that extra mile for each and every one of their clients

are then rewarded and highlighted for the service they provide, acting as a beacon to highlight these attributes to their local marketplace.

But more extraordinary is what happened next. Every winner is then assessed using the same criteria against their pier group within their region. A lavish dinner was then put on with the host, Martin Roberts from BBC's Homes Under the Hammer presenting the awards. LeGrys Estate Agents went on to win Best Estate Agent - South East of England.

Bill LeGrys went on to comment" This was a dream come true for us

50-52 London Road, Soulhhorough, Tunbridge Wells. 1N4 OPT. I O1892 529 448 I info@lcgrys.com

Promotional feature

all and I have to thank not just my dedicated Team but also the local supporters of LeGrys. Around 80% of our business comes from referrals which I believe has afforded us the growth we have achieved. We have managed to open three branches in six years and will open our London City branch next month. The fact that these awards are designed to be attainable to all agents, removing common barriers to entry, such as cost, ensures that they are the most inclusive awards. There is no opportunity for bias or manipulation so yes, I am very proud to see LeGrys awarded Best Agent in the South East"

The team celebrate their success with Martin Roberts from "Homes Under The Hammer "

Hartfield Spacious and well-arranged house in the sought after village 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms. 2 bed guest annexe. Garage. EPC rating F. In all about 0.55 acre.

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

Earls Road, Tunbridge Wells A large and attractive period townhouse in a prime location 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms. Established rear garden. Cellar. EPC rating F.

Forest Road, Tunbridge Wells One of two stylish brand new detached family homes in a gated development 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms. Detached double garage. Rear garden. Conveniently situated for the town centre and mainline station.

EPC rating B. In all about 0.57 acres.

Well-appointed Victorian house in the heart of the 'Village' area

A spacious, purpose built apartment

3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 2 reception rooms. Courtyard garden.

EPC rating D.

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms. Balcony.

Communal gardens. Garage and parking. EPC rating C.

Little Mount Sion, Tunbridge Wells

Great Bounds Drive, Tunbridge Wells

An attractive Victorian townhouse in the sought after 'Village' area

A detached 4 bedroom family home

3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 2 reception rooms.

South facing rear garden. EPC rating E.

4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms. Rear garden.

Garage and off-road parking. EPC rating D.

Manor Close, Tunbridge Wells

Kingswood Road, Tunbridge Wells

A spacious family home situated in one of the town's premier locations

A well-configured family home in a convenient central position

5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms. Established gardens. Integral garage.

EPC rating D. In all about 0.3 acres.

6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms. Double garage. EPC rating D. Level plot of 0.29 acres with south west facing rear gardens.

40  PROPERTY SECTION

A superbly decked out farm favourite

‘Three sets of French doors lead out to the large, decked terrace – perfect for the lively family who are keen on outdoor living’

R

UGGLES FARM lies amid rolling green fields near the pretty village of Rotherfield, and is a roomy property that has been extended and updated over the years.

It now features a combination of both character features and state-of-the-art contemporary additions.

The welcoming entrance features a spacious reception hall with slate flooring and an attractive balustrade at the bottom of the stairs.

The kitchen/breakfast room combines modern luxuries such as underfloor heating with a breakfast bar formed of oak, and has a walk-in larder just off it.

The sitting/dining room is partly open plan and offers a versatile living space.

Three sets of French doors lead out to the large, decked terrace – perfect for

Wednesday 26th October 2016

the lively family who are keen on outdoor living.

There is a double guest bedroom with further French doors that lead out to a walled rear courtyard. En suite to this is a ‘Jack and Jill’ shower room which can also be accessed from the study/ optional fifth bedroom.

The other bedrooms include a dual-aspect, spacious master bedroom suite with a walk-in wardrobe and an en suite bathroom featuring both a bath and shower as well as two further double bedrooms, both also including en-suite bathrooms.

In addition to the decked terrace, the garden comprises areas of lawn, a south-facing courtyard, a tennis court and an extensive paddock.

The gardens and grounds extend to about 2.45 acres in total.

PROPERTY SECTION �

41

RUGGLES FARM ROTHERFIELD, EAST SUSSEX

£1,795,000

AT A GLANCE

n Reception hall n Drawing room n Kitchen/breakfast room n Sitting/dining room n 5 bedooms (including 3 en suite) n Bathroom n Utility room n Cloakroom n Detached triple garage and storeroom n Brick-built barn n Garden and grounds n Ornamental pond n Paddock n Tennis court n In all about 2.45 acres

£1,795,000 Available for sale from Savills Tunbridge Wells 01892 507000 www.savills.com

Wednesday 26th October 2016

� PROPERTY SECTION

OPEN DAY Saturday 12th November 10am -4pm

~

ortSit HOMES

*Based on a full purchase price of £420,000 and a 20% Help to Buy Equity Loan. Help to Buy is available subject to status, terms and conditions. This scheme is not available in conjunction with any other financial incentives. Written details available on request.

YOUR HOME ISAT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ONA MORTGAGE OR OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT. Image is computer generated.

Wednesday 26th October 2016

PROPERTY SECTION �

43

Attached four-storey Victorian home in Tunbridge Wells’ popular village area

L

OCATED just a short walk from The Pantiles, this charming home has retained many of its original features, with exposed timbers and sash windows, whilst being well equipped with more modern features, such as a built-in TV storage area, and a room on the lower ground floor that could be used as a home cinema, studio or additional bedroom.

On the ground floor is a doubleaspect sitting room with beams,

window shutters and some exposed brickwork.

The open-plan kitchen/diner comes complete with a wide range of fitted storage units, as well as tiled work surfaces and appliances.

The first floor hosts two bedrooms, one of which has a roof terrace that won an award in the Tunbridge Wells in Bloom competition in 2015, and a bathroom.

The en-suite master bedroom is on the top floor. Plus a single bedroom.

Outside, there is a small courtyard.

AT A GLANCE LITTLE MOUNT SION TUNBRIDGE WELLS n Entrance hall n Sitting room n Kitchen/breakfast room n Flexible lower ground floor room n 4 bedrooms (one en suite and one with roof terrace) plus family bathroom n Gas-fired central heating n Small courtyard with storage

£795,000 Available for sale from Hamptons Tunbridge Wells 01892 516611 www.hamptons.co.uk

‘The first floor hosts two bedrooms, one of which has a roof terrace that won an award in the Tunbridge Wells in Bloom competition in 2015’ Wednesday 26th October 2016

44 � PROPERTY SECTION AT A GLANCE WOODBURY PARK ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS n Significantly improved while retaining period features n Kitchen/day room n Drawing room n Recessed covered porch n Hall and cellar n Cloakroom n Conservatory n Utility room n Bathroom n Master bedroom with en suite n Dressing room n 4 further bedrooms n Family shower n Large rear garden with terrace n Garage n Off-road parking n Garden storeroom

£1,250,000 Available for sale from Sumner Pridham 01892 516615 www.sumnerpridham.co.uk

Magnificent late Victorian family home

A

BEAUTIFUL house in leafy Woodbury Park Road, handy for the grammar schools and the centre of Tunbridge Wells, which has undergone significant improvements to feature stunning rooms alongside a large garden, a terrace for entertaining and the convenience of off-road parking.

The entrance to the house has a wrought iron gate, long path and a deep recessed porch, as well as a separately

‘There’s a good sized kitchen/ dayroom with solid work surfaces, a shallow chimney breast and an Aga, as well as a limestone tiled floor’

Wednesday 26th October 2016

gated parking area and garage.

The period aesthetics continue inside, including a panelled staircase.

The impressive drawing room, with its detailed cornicing and working fireplace with marble surround, also enjoys large feature doors and a fitted bookcase.

The property offers a good sized kitchen/dayroom with solid wood work surfaces, a shallow chimney breast and an Aga, as well as a limestone tiled floor.

A door from the kitchen leads to a

fully-equipped utility/ pantry area, and there is also access to a conservatory with matching limestone-tiled floor, the large rear garden and terrace.

Upstairs, the en-suite master bedroom provides views over the rear garden through a sash window, and has a separate dressing room.

The second bedroom offers similar fittings, and there is a family shower room. On the top floor there are two further double bedrooms.

Tunbridge Wells

Andrews >

andrewsonline.co.uk

Culverden Park Road, TN4 9TR

Guide ÂŁ275,000

Well-presented modern apartment within this popular development built by Crest in the St. Johns area of town. Secure communal entrance lobby with lift to third floor.

Entrance hall, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and open plan living room/kitchen. Underground allocated parking.

Energy Efficiency Rating: C

Tunbridge Wells Sales 01892 515 11+1+

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

BIDBOROUGH,

BRENCHLEY,

KENT

KENT

Complete refurbishment + 5 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms + 2 receptions + kitchen/breakfast room + utility room + garage + garden + Council Tax=G + EPC=E

Detached family home + 5 bedrooms + 3 bathrooms + 4 reception rooms + off road parking for two cars + Council Tax=G + EPC=E

£2,950 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee. Other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

£2,600 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee. Other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

TUNBRIDGE WELLS,

KENT

LAMBERHURST,

KENT

Family home close to grammar schools + 5 bedrooms + dining room + sitting room + kitchen/ breakfast room + double garage + delightful gardens + Council Tax=G + EPC=D

Six month let only + village location + 4 bedrooms + kitchen/breakfast room + 2 reception rooms + conservatory + beautiful gardens + Council Tax=G + EPC=F

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

£1,500 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee. Other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

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

www.savills.eo.uk/fees.

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

MAYFIELD,

TUNBRIDGE WELLS,

EAST SUSSEX

TN4

Substantial family home with country views + 5/6 beds + 2 receptions + kitchen/breakfast room Bespoke contemporary house + 5 bedrooms + kitchen/breakfast/dining room + 2 receptions + landscaped garden + garage, driveway and allocated parking + 3,625 sq ft + EPC=C + 3 bathrooms + parking + pretty southerly-facing rear garden + 2,753 sq ft + EPC=C

Guide £1.05 million Freehold

REGENT PLACE,

Contact: Liz Devall

Guide £875,000 Freehold

FOREST WAY,

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Contact: Becky Card

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Attached town house + 4 bedrooms + 2 reception rooms + conservatory and study + enclosed rear garden + integral garage and driveway parking + 2,454 sq ft + EPC=D

Well placed for station, town and countryside + 4/5 bedrooms + 2 reception rooms + family room/bedroom 5 + study + garden + driveway parking + 1,786 sq ft + EPC=D

Guide £865,000 Freehold

Guide £695,000 Freehold

Contact: Becky Card

Contact: Becky Card

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

we open doors for you ...

BarnesKingsnorth

£650,000 TONBRIDGE MOST ATTRACTIVE AND SPACIOUS family home in quiet cul-de-sac position. Beautifully presented accommodation with 5 bedrooms, 2 stylish bathrooms, delightful sitting room, dining room, spacious kitchen/breakfast room, cloakroom and utility room. Outside there is a garage, parking, a fully enclosed courtyard garden and also the property benefits from an additional area of garden. EPC: D

Apply Tonbridge

£467,500 PEMBURY WELL PROPORTIONED AND IMMACULATELY PRESENTED 4 bedroom family home located in popular cul-del-sac within a short walk of the highly regarded village primary school. Comprising wide hallway, cloakroom/we, sitting room, open-plan kitchen/dining/family room with integrated appliances and plenty of storage, separate utility room and a modern bathroom. Outside there is a delightful secluded rear garden, detached garage and driveway parking for several cars. EPC: D

Apply Pembury

PRICE GUIDE: £339,950

TONBRIDGE

NEWLY AVAILABLE MODERNISED THREE BEDROOM COTTAGE IN FAVOURED CONSERVATION AREA OF TONBRIDGE convenient for Slade Primary School offering sitting room with feature fireplace, dining room, fitted kitchen, cloakroom and bathroom to ground floor and three bedrooms to first floor with fully enclosed cottage garden including decking area. Ideal location for town centre and mainline station. EPC: E

Apply Tonbridge

'B)Primelocatior

t.- rightmove.co.uk

Residential Sales & !Lettings

Pembury: 01892 822880 e.pembury@bkea.co.uk

Tonbridge: 01732 771616 e.tonbridge@bkea .co.uk

Lettings: 01732 771616 e. Lettings@bkea.co.uk

www.bkestatea1ents.com

Be with Belvoir! ' '

Personally, we would never use any other lettings agent to manage our property portfolio and I cannot recommend them highly enough ' ' - Mr F- Tunbridge Wells Landlord

' ' Belvoir have an acute understanding of their clients' needs and requirements and, in my opinion, deliver l 00% ' ' - Mrs L- Tunbridge Wells Landlord

01892 615333

I

www.belvoir.eo.uk/tunbridgewells

I OOO C

72 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TNl 2QP

50 � PROPERTY SECTION AT A GLANCE MARLEY HOUSE MARLEY LANE, BATTLE n Reception hall n Drawing room n Dining room n Kitchen/breakfast room n Snug n Garden room n Laundry room n Pantry and larder n Wine cellar n Cloakroom and boot room n Rear hall n 6 bedrooms (2 en suite) n Family bathroom n Separate WC n Circular driveway n Gardens and terraces n Office/workshop

A stunning country house with links to Battle Abbey

n Games/pool room n Walled swimming pool n Stable block and tack room n Workshop n Detached former squash court n Paddocks, woodland and pond

Guide Price

£1,750,000

Available for sale from Hamptons Tunbridge Wells 01892 516611 www.hamptons.co.uk

‘Tradition has it that the farmhouse was built with stone from parts of Battle Abbey demolished in the 16th century’

A

SUPERB, Grade II listed country home brimming with historical charm and enjoying far-reaching views over the adjoining and highly picturesque Sussex farmland.

Marley House lies approximately a mile from the historic and vibrant town of Battle. Built in warm, honey-coloured stone, it dates back to the 17th century and originally formed part of the Battle Abbey Estate.

According to Twenty Centuries in Sedlescombe

by Beryl Lucey, tradition has it that the farmhouse was built with stone from those parts of Battle Abbey which were demolished by Sir

Anthony Browne in the 16th century.

Further to this, it lies amid impressive gardens and grounds amounting to approximately 12.59 acres.

The house has been substantially enhanced by the present owners with modern living in mind, and includes character reception rooms, welcoming family areas, six bedrooms and a large, wooden-framed garden room which has an atrium ceiling and large windows giving a marvellous views

Wednesday 26th October 2016

of the gardens and countryside.

Outside, Marley House is approached via a gravel driveway leading to a large parking and turning area.

The extensive gardens that surround the house are peppered with tall, mature trees and many varieties of colourful shrubs.

The atmospheric walled courtyard has a brick built BBQ and provides a lovely area for outdoor entertaining.

This leads, via a brick and tile outbuilding containing an office and a games room, to a further walled garden, wherein lies the outdoor pool with surrounding terrace.

There is also a stable block, a tack room, a separate garage and a detached former squash court. The latter could present an ideal opportunity for conversion to a a larger office subject to any consents that may possibly be required.

Your local independent Estate Agent

~MJProperty

...contactable 7 days a week

consider ourselves part of the community. Having lived locally all our lives we immerse ourselves in the community and support local events throughout Tunbridge Wells, whether through advertising them, helping at them, donating to them or our children 'K', 'M' and 'J' being there on duty with St John Ambulance.

We are genuinely contactable 7 days a week, we don't tie clients in to a long contract and we always provide realistic market appraisals and advice and offer competitive fees.

Selling property throughout Tunbridge Wells and surrounding villages

So if you are thinking of moving now or in the future, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 01892 515188 for your free market appraisal.

www.kmjproperty.co.uk .-:I

Find us on

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MORE PROPERTIES URGENTLY REQUIRED

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EXCITING NEW DEVELOPMENT OF ONLY 16 LUXURIOUS HOMES

£845,000

HELLINGLY

A picturesque little village with a cluster of old cottages around an ancient church, just north of the old market town of Hailsham, which is a vibrant community with a diverse range of specialist shops, national stores and supermarkets including Waitrose. Recreational and leisure facilities include a privately owned cinema/theatre and a leisure centre.

Excellent road access to Eastbourne, Hastings and Brighton 12, 17 & 22 miles respectively. The nearest train stations are at Polegate (5 miles) and Battle ( 13 miles), both offering services to London. Running next to these homes is the Cuckoo Trail, a 14-mile traffic free track that runs from Eastbourne to Heathfield through beautiful countryside and ideal for walkers, horse riders and cyclists alike.

• Built to the highest possible specification and finish

• Extensive gardens

• 10 year NHBC guarantee

• Double garage

• High quality gas underfloor central heating

• Four bedrooms

• Designer radiators on the first floor

• 4 Bath/Shower rooms

• Stunning bespoke Kitchens

• Hand built Oak staircases

• Large paved patios

• Villeroy & Boch sanitary ware

lewes@rowlandgorringe.co.uk

heathfield@rowlandgorringe.co.uk

seaford@rowlandgorringe.co.uk

uckfield@rowlandgorringe.co. uk

01273 474101

01435 864233

01323 490680

01825 762132

.Market

£500,000 - £525,000

West Peckham

Set within the village of West Peckham with its lovely local pub, Saxon Church and surrounding grounds is this four bedroom extended semi detached house offering flexible annexe type accommodation.

Tonbridge

£300,000 - £325,000 Tonbridge

A stunning two bedroom penthouse in the exclusive Azure apartments block ideally located just off Tonbridge high street offered to the market chain free.

£325,000 - £350,000 A charming three bedroom period built cottage ideally located for Tonbridge station which is well presented throughout.

£250,000 - £270,000 Tonbridge

A two bedroom, third floor, modern apartment located in the

popular Whitefriars Wharf development just off Tonbridge High Street. Offered to the market chain free.

£415,000 - £430,000

An extended three bedroom semi detached family house boasting an 85' garden with freestanding swimming pool.

Conveniently located for local schools and amenities.

ELLIS&CO Sales & Lettings

HILDENBOROUGH - GUIDE PRICE £535,000-£595,000 - NO ONWARD CHAIN!

TONBRIDGE - GUIDE PRICE £525,000-£575,000

A well presented, detached chalet bungalow in a popular residential area. The property provides spacious and flexible family accommodation with four double bedrooms, with en-suite shower room to the master, a further shower room on the first floor and a ground floor bathroom with separate we. The ground floor has a large sitting room, dining room and kitchen. There is a driveway for several cars, a detached garage and the rear garden is of a good size. EPC D.

Situated in the ever-popular Meadow Lawn area within 10 minutes walk to the mainline station and High Street, this spacious and versatile house is set over 3 floors and has 4 double bedrooms and 3 large reception rooms. This well presented and substantial property even has the possibility to extend (subject to planning approval) to provide a large kitchen family room. The property is close to highly rated Primary and Secondary schools including 3 excellent Grammar schools. EPC E

GOLDEN GREEN - GUIDE PRICE £425,000-£435,000

HADLOW - GUIDE PRICE £315,000-£335,000

An extended 4 bedroom semi detached chalet bungalow that has far reaching countryside views, located down a country lane. This rural retreat has all the peace and quiet you require and yet only a short drive into Tonbridge. Accommodation provides a through lounge/dining room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, conservatory and family bathroom downstairs with 2 bedrooms upstairs.

Low maintenance front and rear gardens. EPC D

A well presented 3 bedroom end of terraced house in the picturesque village of Had low.

Accommodation provides a kitchen/breakfast room that is light and spacious, a living/dining room with patios doors out to the secluded rear garden. Upstairs there are 3 bedrooms, 2 of which are doubles, and a bathroom. The property has front and rear gardens and a garage en bloc. Early viewing is highly recommended to avoid disappointment. EPC C

TONBRIDGE -ASKING PRICE £285,000 - NO ONWARD CHAIN!

PADDOCK WOOD - GUIDE PRICE £280,000-£310,000 - NO ONWARD CHAIN!

A 3 bedroom semi detached house that requires updating and decorating but will provide you with a property that is conveniently located for schools, road networks, mainline station and High Street. The property has a good size reception room, kitchen and wetroom downstairs with 3 bedrooms (2 doubles) upstairs. Outside there is a good size rear garden mainly laid to lawn. EPC D

A spacious family home that is within walking distance of the mainline station and shops.

Although requiring some work to finish off what the current owners have started, this project will be worth your while. Accommodation provides an extended lounge/dining room, kitchen and breakfast area, ulitlity room and cloakroom downstairs with 3 bedrooms and family bathroom upstairs. Good size rear garden. EPC E

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

~ ~

'\ The Property ombudsman

0009

j[f _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _r

, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

WOOD & PILCHER

South borough

£325,000

South borough

£575,000

A two bedroom end of terrace property forming part of a small select development of 3 properties in a 'tucked away' idyllic location on Southborough Common benefitting from a living room, master bedroom with en-suite and dressing room, two parking spaces and overlooking woodland. EPC: C

A well presented and spacious family sized 4 bedroom detached house with a large garden backing onto local woodland and no onward chain. EPC: D

Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells

£185,000

£495,000

An attractive and well presented one bedroom apartment offered as top of chain in this period building in a pleasant central and convenient Tunbridge Wells location, within walking distance to a main line station. EPC: C

A bright, spacious and extremely well presented three bedroom house in this especially quiet but central location in a "hidden" part of Tunbridge Wells. EPC: C

Tonbridge

Five Oak Green

Guide Price £775,000

A handsome period semi, beautifully presented, many features retained and restored. Generous living space, stylish kitchen, bathroom & ensuite. Pretty rear garden, parking, walk to town, station and grammar schools. EPC: D Tunbridge Wells Office I 01892 511211 tun brid ge w e 11 s@ w ood and pi I cher. co. u k Southborough Office I 01892 511311 south bo roug h@ w ooda nd pi lch er. co. u k Tonbridge I 01732 351135 ton brid ge@ w ood and pi I cher. co. u k

Three bed semi with garage in quiet cul-de-sac, commutable from nearby Paddock Wood or Tonbridge, south-facing garden, plenty of parking, walk to the outstanding village preschool or recreation ground. EPC: C

woodandpilcher. co. uk rightmove

£370,000

~ nTheMarkelcom

Other offices in Crowborough , Heathfield & associated London Branch

56  PROPERTY SECTION DESIGN WITH THE TIMES

John Bullock

Architectural services

Having studied at Edinburgh College of Art and The Royal Academy of The Hague, John Bullock launched John Bullock Design in 2003. With offices in Tunbridge Wells High Street, John has won awards for his work and is committed to delivering the best outcomes for clients. www.johnbullockdesign.com

Our house is top-heavy – should we spend on moving or building?

With four bedrooms the Baldwins have plenty of sleeping space. What they need now is a much bigger living area on the ground floor – one that leads straight out to the garden YOUR QUESTION:

Dear Design with the Times, We live in a semi-detached Victorian house in central Tunbridge Wells, and would like to extend our home to accommodate our growing family.

The house is not listed and is not in the conservation area.

It has three floors, with four bedrooms set out on the first floor and attic levels.

The balance of house is top-heavy, and the area where we are lacking space is on the ground floor.

To improve this, we would like to create a large family kitchen/dining and sitting room leading out on to the garden, which is south facing.

Light is crucial to us and we want to make the most of this aspect, and also create something which has a contemporary feel.

We have a fixed budget and have been considering moving.

But to get to the next level in the market would incur some fairly large costs and stamp duty, and we wonder if it would be better spending this money on our current home to try and make it work for us?

If we wanted to add a relatively small extension, would this require planning permission, or could it be built under permitted development?

If so, what would we need in the way of drawings and input from a professional, and are there any other permissions necessary?

Fiona and John Baldwin Tunbridge Wells Kent

If you have a question you’d like John Bullock to answer, then please email it to: newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk Please mark the subject as: Design Team You can also write to us at: Design Team Times of Tunbridge Wells & Tonbridge 16 Lonsdale Gardens Tunbridge Wells TN1 1NU

Wednesday 26th October 2016

OUR ANSWER:

With the high costs involved in moving, and good family houses in central Tunbridge Wells being in high demand, extending could be a good option.

We work with many clients who have a similar dilemma to you. Using the funds that would otherwise be spent in tax, removal costs and fees and investing in works to your current home could reap rewards, not only because it would fulfil your family requirements and give longevity to the practicalities of staying in your home, but it could ultimately increase its intrinsic value.

When considering an extension, we always recommend working with the brief and taking a holistic approach to the design without being restricted to an extension within the restraints of permitted development.

If it fits within permitted development criteria then all well and good, but – as ever – it is crucial to ensure the design isn’t compromised. There has been a great deal of confusion over Permitted Development rights, and we asked Stephen Baughen, Development Manger of the Planning Department at TWBC, to clarify the position: “Permitted development rights are a national grant of planning permission which allow certain building works to houses (but not flats/apartments) to be carried out without having to make a planning application,” he explained.

“To be considered permitted development, the works must comply with certain conditions and limitations which are set out in government legislation known as the General Permitted Development (England) Order 2015 (as amended).

This legislation is usually referred to as the GPDO. “Most houses have ‘permitted development’ rights, although these rights are sometimes removed when planning permission is originally granted for the house, so it is always necessary to check whether this has occurred at an early stage.

“The conditions and limitations (for example in terms of height, depth, etc) of permitted development are used to control impact and to protect local amenity, and vary if a building or land is in a Conservation Area or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“The best starting point to find out more about these conditions and limitations is to take a look at the Planning Portal website at: www.planningportal.co.uk “This website provides general information on whether common projects require permission, and also has very useful ‘interactive houses’.”

Regarding your home, Mr Baughen confirmed: “The conditions and limitations for a single storey rear extension at this semi-detached property are as follows:

CORNERING THE VIEW A glazed ‘wraparound’ option for the kitchen

1. The extension cannot extend more than three metres from the rear wall of the original house.

Proposals for extensions between three and six metres would require the submission of a ‘larger householder extension’ Prior Notification to the Council.

2. The height of the eaves of the extension cannot exceed the height of the eaves of the main house. If the extension would be within two metres of the garden boundary, then the eaves cannot be more than three metres high. The overall height of the extension (including any ridged roof) cannot be more than four metres.

3. The extension cannot exceed 50 per cent of the total garden area, and materials used in any exterior work (other than those used in the construction of a conservatory) must be of a similar appearance to the main dwelling house.

“If any of these conditions and limitations are exceeded, then planning permission would be required. This will require the submission of a planning application that would be assessed against local and national planning policy.

“If the proposed works meet the conditions and limitations in the GPDO, then there is usually no requirement to apply to the council for permission to carry out the work.

“However, we find that many people now want written confirmation that works can be carried out

as ‘permitted development’, as this is often asked for by solicitors when they go on to sell the house in the future, and not having this paperwork can cause delays to house sales/purchases.

“The council can provide an informal view in writing through its Pre-application Advice service (available through the council’s website).

Alternatively, you may wish to submit an application for a Lawful Development Certificate, which will provide formal confirmation that the works can be carried out without planning permission. More information on Lawful Development Certificates are available on the Planning Portal website.”

So, looking at your floor plan, it seems that a really good family space could be created within the criteria Permitted Development.

But you will have to keep your extension to less than three metres deep, and – because you are close to the boundary – it will need to have a ridge of less than four metres.

We would suggest removing the wall between the existing kitchen and dining room and extending to the rear of the existing kitchen, which would keep the extension away from the adjoining boundary.

Because the garden is private, we would suggest a large glazed area to the rear, wrapping around the side return. This can be achieved either by sliding or bifold doors and this is a personal choice.

Over the past year, we have seen a revival in larger sliding glass panels and a move away from bifolds. The beauty is that you can open up the whole area of the rear of your house in the

PROPERTY SECTION 

TAKING ANOTHER ANGLE An overview of the kitchen idea

‘Permitted development rights are a national grant of planning permission which allow certain building works to houses (but not flats/apartments) to be carried out without having to make a planning application’ summer, but when closed they are more visually impactful on the aspect out.

Here we would suggest a two-panel sliding system where you will be able to open up 50 per cent of the rear elevation, but during the colder months you will have a fairly uninterrupted view of the garden beyond.

We could achieve a ‘vanishing corner’ where the structure is cantilevered, so when the doors are open there is no structure on the corner.

The garden is as important to consider as the extension, and it’s worth planning and designing this. Especially a terrace and seating area hand-in-hand with the extension, as this outside area will ultimately extend the living space further.

The only issue with large panels of glass is that if they are not dressed with curtains or blinds, in the winter and at night they become a very large black reflective surface. To negate this impact we always

recommend introducing some form of subtle lighting in the garden beyond, which will visually increase the feeling of space and add drama.

Whilst planning permission is not necessary for this scheme, it is worth investing in a good set of design drawings in order that the space is properly considered and the best results are obtained.

To produce these, it will initially be necessary to undertake a measured survey of the house. This set of drawings will become the basis for all further design and detail drawings.

Once the design is agreed, then building regulations would need to be obtained.

Stephen Baughen explains: “If you choose Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s Building Control Service as your building control provider, you have the option of two types of Building Regulations applications.

yourself and your builder can have the confidence that the plans have been approved, and this could reduce the likelihood of defective work occurring on site.

“2. A Building Notice application avoids the preparation of detailed ‘full plans’ and is designed to enable some types of building work to get under way very quickly, and is best suited to small minor works. If you decide to use this procedure, you will need to be confident that the work will comply with the Building Regulations or you will risk having to correct any work you carry out if it is defective.

“Once you have submitted your application, you are responsible for notifying the council at certain stages of building work during the construction phase. These inspections are necessary to ensure works carried out on site are compliant with the Building Regulations. It is essential that these inspections are undertaken, and failure to provide notification to inspect may prevent a Completion Certificate being issued at a later date.

“Whether you decide to use Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s Building Control Service or an Approved Inspector, we strongly urge you to arrange a pre-commencement meeting to discuss your project with your Area Surveyor prior to works commencing on site. This is a great opportunity

57

not just to meet your surveyor, but also to be given valuable guidance on the Building Control process.”

We would always advocate making a full plans submission as it defines from the start what needs to be undertaken to meet the requirements of the Building Inspector.

Some buildings can be exempt from regulations, but for an extension to a dwelling it will be necessary, and because structural walls are being removed an engineer will be required to make calculations for any steelwork.

When all the information relating to the work has been gathered and specified, then it can be sent to tender. We like to send projects to a minimum of three contractors and obtain fixed prices for the works. Having three prices ensures best value and enables you to budget for the completed project.

At present, we are seeing an array of prices returned at tender.

Choosing the right builder for your project is not only about price but also about personality. It is crucial to feel comfortable with your builder as they will be in your home for several months, and communication is key to the successful outcome of a project.

Our grateful thanks to: Stephen Baughen, Development Manager, TWBC Planning Department

“1. A Full Plans application would need to contain plans and other information showing all construction details. If your plans comply with the Building Regulations, you will receive a notice stating that they have been approved. If necessary, you will be asked to make amendments or provide additional information.

Plans are usually vetted within seven working days of the application being received. The benefit of this type of application is that both

FULLY EXTENDED How the ground-floor addition might look

Wednesday 26th October 2016

58 ď Ž PROPERTY SECTION

Luxurious property that was once home to a pop star

STONEWALL SPELDHURST ROAD, LANGTON GREEN

ÂŁ1,650,000

S

TONEWALL is the major portion of a substantial Grade II listed house with 14th-century origins and an interesting history with a number of notable former residents, including singer Gerry Rafferty, famed for his single Baker Street in the 70s.

It is beautifully presented and boasts tall ceilings with wellproportioned rooms and provides excellent family accommodation.

This includes a large bespoke farmhouse kitchen with an adjoining vaulted living room, and a games room that has potential as a granny annexe/home office.

There is a substantial front door, with an early iron peephole.

The spacious dining hall with wood-burning stove provides the perfect blend of space and cosiness.

While the impressive drawing room features a stone fireplace, lead light bay window and oak floor.

Wednesday 26th October 2016

The well-equipped kitchen has granite surfaces below the bespoke cabinets, and includes a four-oven Aga. A wide staircase with polished oak joinery leads to the first floor landing.

Here, the large master bedroom has a fully fitted dressing room and a large en-suite wet room-style shower.

The second bedroom suite also incorporates a dressing room and shower.

Three further delightful bedrooms and a luxurious bathroom are also on this floor.

Outside, the brick-built detached garage block has the benefit of a first floor games room and a ground floor gym/swimming pool changing room.

This has potential to become a home office or granny annexe, subject to the usual consents.

The rear garden is well tended and beautifully arranged with a large terrace, a heated swimming pool and a lawn surrounded by mature shrubs and flowers.

PROPERTY SECTION �

59

AT A GLANCE n Grade II listed period house n Entrance hall and cloakroom n Dining hall n Drawing room with stone fireplace n Bespoke kitchen, utility and boot rooms n Living room n 5 bedrooms, two en suite n Bathroom n Garage block offering potential for home office or granny annexe n Heated swimming pool

£1,650,000 Available for sale from Sumner Pridham 01892 516615 www.sumnerpridham.co.uk

‘It is the major portion of a substantial Grade II listed house with 14thcentury origins and an interesting history’

Wednesday 26th October 2016

Independent Family Estate Agent based in Southborough, Tunbridge Wells - covering Kent & Sussex

FLYINGFISH . properties making a splash in the property market

Hylands, Tunbridge Wells, Kent Substantial, exceptionally renovated 4-bedroom family home Tucked away on a quiet leafy private road and neatly concealed behind wooden in and out gates, the beauty of this home is immediately apparent as you approach.

Within walking distance of Southborough' s picturesque cricket green, woodland walks and local village shops, Hylands sits on one of the village's most sought after roads.

With open countryside on its doorstep and being a stone's throw from easy access to the M25, fast rail connections to central London and first class schools, it is the perfect home for families with professional needs.

This is a home that has been sympathetically renovated and modernised by the current owners whose attention to detail has ensured stunning decor and fittings of the highest quality throughout. It really does offer a luxury family lifestyle that you could move straight in and enjoy.

The beauty, however, is that an expanse of loft space running the entire width of the home would enable you to add considerable value and space by the creation of a second floor of bespoke rooms.

Double fronted detached 1950s house 4 double bedrooms, 2 en-suite Vast main reception room with panoramic garden views Separate utility room Landscaped rear garden stretching to over 100 ft Stunning decor and fittings throughout Master bedroom suite with walk in wardrobe Stylish bespoke kitchen Off road parking for several cars Extensive development opportunities Offers in the Region of ÂŁ1,250,000

.Let's foe soctvil: l(j facebook.com/ftyingfishproperties

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twitter.com/ftyingfishuk

FLYING FISH properties

Independent Family Estate Agent 01892 514 189 I flying fish properties.co.uk 55 London Road, South borough, Kent, TN4 OPB

Happiness is,

~

/ \ The Property

~Ombudsman

Selling or letting, let us put a smile on your face

HAMMILL

PARKG

18 Exquisite self-build housing plots situated near Sandwich in the heart of the Kent countryside

Grafty Green MAIDSTONE

Incredible opportunity to self-build your dream home in the idyllic and brilliantly located village of Grafty Green Maidstone

I

HELP TO BUY AVAILABLE AT KNIGHTS WOOD

Owning your first home should feel like a dream come true.

With just a 5% deposit now is a great time to purchase a new home at Knights Wood with Help to Buy. Knights Wood offers a variety of exceptional new homes in a peaceful woodland setting in Royal Tunbridge Wells . Our marketing suite is open daily, 10am to 5pm , Thursdays until 7pm, so come and visit us to see how Help to Buy will get you the home you want for less. Alternatively, call us on 01892 800580.

Two, three and four bedroom homes available with Help to Buy from £355,000 to £599,000.

KNIGHTS WOOD ROYA L TU NBR I DG E W ELL S

5% DEPOSIT 75% MORTGAGE 20% GOVERNMENT LOAN Example of a Victoria two bedroom house priced at £355,000

5% Deposit £17,750 20% Loan £71,000 75% Mortgage £266,250

Knights Wood , Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UW YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. This example is provided for guidance only; Dandara does

Call us to discuss how Help to Buy will work with your property purchase

not offer mortgage advice. Subject to full affordability checks, you may qualify for a higher equity loan amount from the government. You should take advice from a suitably qualified adviser before agreeing to a mortgage. Prices correct at time of print and are subject to change without notice .

. . Knight ia.4111 Frank

dandara

new homes

Balh1mrrn ,§,prcialn AVAILABLE SATURDAY TO MONDAY - A LA CARTE MENU WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE DURING THIS TIME

,@,furfrrn BLOODY MARY CRAYFISH AND LOBSTER COCKTAIL WITH BLOOD ORANGE SAUCE & PICKLED BLACK CUCUMBER. BLACK AND WHITE SCALLOPS WITH BLACKENED CAULIFLOWER PUREE, CRISPY SHARDS OF PARMA HAM & RED PEPPER COULIS. DEVILLED KIDNEYS ON TOAST WITH BRANDY AND WHOLEGRAIN MUSTARD CREAM SAUCE.

iluinn COFFIN CHICKEN WITH TOMATO AND CHORIZO REDUCTION, BLACK OLIVES, CAPERS & CABBAGE. SILENCE OF THE LAMBS - TRIO OF LAMB WITH BEETROOT PUREE, PURPLE KALE & PURPLE POTATO MASH. ZOMBIE MONKFISH - MONKFISH WITH PISTACHIO CRUMB, SPINACH, HERITAGE POTATOES & SPINACH HOLLANDAISE.

mrnnrrtn DEATH BY CHOCOLATE - DARK CHOCOLATE & ESPRESSO MOUSSE, CHOCOLATE BROWNIE, CHOCOLATE & RUM TART AND WHITE CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM. FOR 2 TO SHARE. JACK-O'- LANTERN PIE - PUMPKIN PIE WITH DULCE DE LE CHE CREAM.

®

The Abergavenny Arms, Frant Rd, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 9DB 01892 750 233 I 750 933

abergavennyarms.co.uk

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64 n FOOD AND DRINK

The trick to serving up ghoulish gourmet treats this Halloween…

In his regular food column for the Times, Bruce McMichael celebrates the history and versatility of the humble pumpkin and explains why it, along with its culinary cousin the squash, should take centre stage on your table on October 31

M

ISTY mornings, chilly days and leaves turning into rich oranges and reds announce the arrival of autumn.

The change in the seasons sees our Kentish orchards full of colourful crops, with farms and vegetable plots brimming with ripening pumpkins and squashes. The knobbly squashes and beautifully coloured and shaped pumpkins are now ready for picking and carving for display on your porch in time for Halloween.

Famous for being the vegetable at which Cinderella’s fairy godmother waved her wand to magic up a carriage fit for a princess to get the ball, pumpkins have always had an enchanted feel.

The tradition of carving Halloween lanterns actually originates from Ireland a couple of hundred years ago, although back then they used turnips and potatoes. It was only later, when many Irish people migrated to the USA, home of the pumpkin, that the idea of carving these larger vegetables came about.

A huge variety of pumpkins and squashes are now available to gather at local Kent Pick-YourOwn farms. Some, like the traditional orange globes, are ideal for carving, while varieties such as Crown Prince and Onion are more suited to eating. Pink, blue, white, green, yellow and multicoloured varieties are available at outlets such as the Groombridge Farmshop (www. groombridgefarmshop.co.uk) and the Tunbridge Wells Farmers’ Market (www.kfma.org.uk).

Pickers can choose whatever size they like – fun-size mini pumpkins the size of tennis balls, or huge beach ball-sized varieties. A pumpkin can weigh up to 20kg or more, so borrowing a wheelbarrow is a wise move. Prices per pumpkin start at £1, with most pumpkins costing £4 or less. A wheelbarrow-load can cost as little as £20.

Wednesday 26th October 2016

PLACES TO PICK YOUR OWN PUMPKINS There are plenty of farmers’ markets and farm shops where you can choose your own. So support your local shops and producers and pick your own pumpkin from a local supplier PYO Farms Dan Mackelden Cheesemans Green Lane, Sevington, Ashford, Kent Just off JCT 10 of M20 Sat Nav use TN25 7HY Tel 07786 261706 In the last two years, this farm has welcomed thousands of people pulling on their wellies and stomping through the Now in its seventh year, PYO Pumpkins at Beluncle Farm is one of the UK’s biggest such farms. A staggering 250,000 pumpkins and squashes have been grown this year, and more than 50,000 pumpkin pickers were expected throughout the October harvesting season.

Verity Batchelor, who helps run the farm, adds: “Families relish the chance to visit a working farm and walk the fields where the pumpkins have grown. It’s become a Halloween tradition for hundreds of local families. Most spend a few hours here filling up their barrows. We advise people to wear wellies or boots, especially if it’s been wet. Gloves are a good idea, too, as the stalks can be prickly. And strong bags make the pumpkins easier and cleaner to carry to the car and home.”

mud in the quest to find the largest or ugliest pumpkin PYO Pumpkins Beluncle Farm Stoke Road Hoo, Rochester Kent ME3 9LU Tel 07526 734293 October only www.pyopumpkins.com Two fields full of gloriously orange-coloured pumpkins ready for picking Pumpkin Moon Old Chatham Road Sandling Maidstone, ME14 3BE

Pick your treat from 13 different varieties of pumpkins and squashes planted over 15 acres Stanhill Farm Dartford DA2 7HD Tel 01322 669711 www.stanhillfarm.co.uk Pick your own pumpkin from the colourful pumpkin patch, or buy one from the farm shop Pumpkins are available now, but contact the PYO farm or farm shop before you leave home, or check Facebook and website pages for up-to-date information on picking days, opening hours and stock levels

FOOD AND DRINK �

ROAST PUMPKIN AND SWISS CHARD RISOTTO Serves 4 Prep time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes

What you need: 600g of pumpkin 4tbsp of olive oil 1tbsp of maple syrup A pinch of cinnamon powder 50g of blanched almonds, chopped 225g of trimmed leek, finely chopped

250g of Arborio or Carnaroli risotto rice 100ml of vegetarian dry white wine 900ml-1litre of light vegetable stock 150g of Swiss chard (leaves only) roughly shredded 1 ½ tbsp of single cream Seasoning to taste To serve: A squeeze of lemon juice to taste

What you do: Heat oven to Gas 5/ 190C/ 375F Cut the pumpkin into quarters, peel and de-seed. Then cut into thick slices/ segments (approx 12-15cm) and place in a roasting pan. Mix together 2tbsp oil, maple syrup and cinnamon and drizzle over the pumpkin. Roast for 2530 minutes until tender, take out of the oven and cut into large dice.

In a small frying pan, heat 1tsp oil and lightly toast the almonds until golden.

Set aside.

Heat the remaining oil in a large frying pan and sauté the leek until soft. Add the rice and stir until the grains are well coated and slightly golden. Pour in the wine and stir until it is absorbed.

Add 1 ladle of hot stock and simmer until absorbed. Repeat. After 10 minutes add the chard and let wilt. Continue to add stock at intervals and cook until absorbed into the rice (you may not need all the stock). Season well with salt and pepper.

PHOTOS: The Vegetarian Society

Once rice is tender but still very slightly al dente, add the cream and cook for a further minute before adding the pumpkin. Remove from heat, cover and rest for 2 minutes. When ready to serve, sprinkle over the roasted almonds and a squeeze of lemon juice.

65

PUMPKIN SEED CROUSTADE CUPS WITH RED BUTTERNUT SQUASH Serves 4 Prep time: With fresh chestnuts 1½ hrs With canned chestnuts 45 minutes Cooking time: 1 hour

What you need: 175g wholemeal sliced bread, made into crumbs 1½ tsp mixed dried herbs 30g pumpkin seeds 75g unsalted butter (or use hard margarine) 700g butternut squash, peeled and cut into 2cm cubes 1 very small onion, peeled and finely chopped (about 50g prepared weight) 160g cooked and peeled chestnuts, chopped 2 bay leaves 120ml vegetarian red wine 200g cranberry sauce (fresh home made is best!)

What you do: Preheat oven to 200C / 400F Gas mark 6.

Grease 4 x Yorkshire pudding tins with margarine or butter.

Line a baking tin with foil.

To make the crust: Put breadcrumbs, mixed dried herbs and the pumpkin seeds into a large bowl.

Melt 50g butter (or hard margarine) and pour on to the breadcrumb mixture.

Mix well, then divide equally between the four prepared Yorkshire pudding tins.

Using the back of a spoon and your fingers, press evenly into the tins to form shallow cups. Pinch the edges between your fingers and thumb to make them firm – the edges should not be crumbly.

Put in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes until crisp.

Cool in the tins for about 5 minutes, then remove carefully and put on a cooling rack until ready to serve.

To make the filling: Melt the remaining 25g butter (or hard margarine) in a small saucepan.

Put the prepared butternut squash in a bowl and toss it with half the melted butter and 2tbs water.

Put the butternut squash into the foil-lined baking tin and bake in the oven for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft. It should stay moist – if it seems to be drying out, add a very little more water.

Meanwhile, make the chestnut paté: Sauté the onion in the remaining butter for about 5 minutes until soft.

Add the chestnuts, bay leaf and 4tbs of red wine, together with 4tbs water. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove the bay leaf and mash the chestnuts to a moist spreading paté. If it is too dry, add a little more water.

Put the cranberry sauce in a small saucepan with the remaining red wine.

Bring gently to the boil, stirring, then simmer for about 5-10 minutes until the sauce has reduced a little but is still runny.

To serve: Divide the warm chestnut paté between the croustades, pile the butternut squash on top. Drizzle a little of the cranberry jus around the plate, then serve the rest separately.

Wednesday 26th October 2016

66  ADVERTISING FEATURE

There may be truffle ahead Real Italian food has to be fresh, and no one knows that better than La Follia. Here, Daniella Gavin sits down with owner Sara Velutti to discuss the café’s mission to bring authentic and locally-sourced Italian food to Tunbridge Wells – with the help of Chef Antonio Padalino…

WHERE DID YOUR LOVE FOR ITALIAN FOOD BEGIN? I love to eat! I grew up in the north of Italy with parents who were always cooking.

As they say, it’s ‘like mamma used to make’. Antonio, our Chef, does the majority of the cooking here in Monson Road, whilst I assemble the food and look after our customers. The beauty of Italian food is that it’s so different wherever you go in the country. Everyone loves food in Italy, yet we all do it so differently.

you can come here to chill out – it feels like family. It’s the same vibe as when you invite friends round to your house for a dinner party, except we do the cooking.

The focus is on the good food and relaxed atmosphere.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO OPEN YOUR RESTAURANT IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS? I started as an au pair in Tunbridge Wells.

It was the first place I came to after leaving Italy. I have travelled a little within England, but ultimately you return to what you know. And I’ve known Tunbridge Wells since I arrived in 1992.

The original plan was to go to Australia, but I ended up in England as it was much closer and I fell in love with the place.

WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES THIS SO DIFFERENT TO OTHER ITALIAN RESTAURANTS? Often, Italian restaurants are not all that authentic. We actually have the knowledge of Italy and the passion for it. Not many restaurants can say everything is fresh, but we pride ourselves on that. People are used to a kind of Italian food that isn’t real Italian – real Italian food needs to be fresh.

Also, the atmosphere here is different. We are a relaxed café.

You can come here with friends,

Wednesday 26th October 2016

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN FOOD Sara and Antonio

‘I love to eat! I grew up in the north of Italy with parents who were always cooking.

As they say, it’s like mamma used to make’

WHERE DO YOU SOURCE YOUR We are a small restaurant and it’s easy PRODUCTS TO ENSURE THEY to know that if we run out of vegetables or ARE SO FRESH? nice bread, I can quickly cross the road to Everything is sourced within a five-mile source it, rather than go to the freezer. radius. As I’ve said, good Italian food must be HAVE YOU fresh, and fresh ESTABLISHED needs to be local.

ANY REGULAR Pembury CUSTOMERS? Farm is great, We have a particularly in family from the summer, Gatwick who and for fish I travel all the go to Sankey’s. way here for The meat we us, and have get from Fuller’s done a fair few butchers is times. They say they Chilli prawns and fresh particularly amazing. appreciate the quality of the cherry tomatoes

EAT AND SHOP La Follia is full of Italian treats

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

67

Pasta with fresh black truffle

A REAL TASTE OF ITALY In Monson Road food. So many restaurants drop their prices to be the cheapest meal, but I’d rather make sure we maintain a good quality of food that people want to travel for. You get what you pay for, and my customers tell me not to change a thing.

I have had a few people from London, too. I just hope they enjoy it and want to come back.

WHAT PATTERNS HAVE YOU NOTICED IN TRADE SINCE YOU OPENED? We get a lot of passing trade in the summer, when people are out and about more, which is great. It’s been really strange actually – once we are busy, we continue to get even busier, but if it’s quiet it can be challenging to get people in. The winter is a little different, as we are pretty tucked away here. Being hidden actually makes us a really chilled-out and quiet spot to dine, but it’s getting people to hear about us first! Some potential customers probably don’t realise we are here offering real Italian food so close by.

HOW DID YOU DEVELOP YOUR MENU? We constantly change our specials board,

and a lot of people choose to order from those. We have a lovely couple that come every Sunday specifically to try our new specials. Similarly, if you want something, ask. Sometimes people request a meal, and we will make it if it’s feasible.

Other than that, meals like seafood pasta are always popular. People love truffle with gnocchi, and then there are the easier dishes like carbonara, bolognaise and lasagne, which we always offer.

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIALITY DISH? Actually, the truffle I mentioned is very popular – no one else around here has it.

We are trying to do the white truffle more, but it’s such an expensive item to source, especially with the drop in the sterling, so we have to make sure it’s what the customer wants first.

Truffle is the ultimate Italian ingredient.

We do the truffle pasta as a special sometimes and that never fails to impress.

We have to ask for a deposit sometimes for a bottle of truffle that we sell. It’s currently £71 in Harrods, which we sell for £35. You can save the train ticket to Harrods if you come to us, and we offer

guidance on how to cook it the Italian way, so you don’t need to worry about wasting any of the exquisite flavour.

DO PEOPLE OFTEN BUY FROM YOU? I NOTICE THE BOTTLES OF TRUFFLE, BISCUITS AND CHOCOLATES ON DISPLAY… I think people don’t realise we sell these products. Saying this, we do get customers after the chocolates, or a bottle of truffle oil to take away. They make excellent Christmas presents. I love to sell these little tastes of Italy. Anyone who wants to cook specialist Italian food at home after visiting us is great!

LOOKING AT YOUR TRIP ADVISOR PAGE, YOU HAVE SOLELY ‘EXCELLENT’ AND ‘VERY GOOD’ REVIEWS – WHAT’S YOUR SECRET? I’m so pleased with those! I won’t ever ask anyone to write me a review, so they are based on genuine customer opinion, which make them really special. I hate not knowing who posted the reviews, though, when they’re all so positive. I can’t thank them personally, which is a shame.

‘Often, Italian restaurants are not all that authentic. We actually have the knowledge of Italy and the passion for it.

Not many restaurants can say everything is fresh, but we pride ourselves on that’

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR LA FOLLIA? I just want to be an Italian restaurant with a difference! I don’t necessarily want a big restaurant, I like the intimate feel here, but a bigger kitchen would be nice.

I’d like to finally bring proper Italian pizza to Tunbridge Wells, but I’d need a bigger oven because, at present, it would take half an hour for every pizza.

I’d like to do more parties as well in the future. We had one before that was really successful, and we are fully licensed to sell alcohol.

I just want to encourage more people to come and enjoy our food.

LA FOLLIA 3B Monson Road Tunbridge Wells TN1 1LS 01892 278309 www.facebook.com/La-Follia

Wednesday 26th October 2016

68  TRAVEL POLE POSITION Stilt fishermen at Galle Fort beach

The spice of life in Sri Lanka

By Lisa Haynes NEWS that we’re about to release a batch of three-day-old sea turtles into the ocean incites squeals of excitement from my group of travellers, followed by heated debate about the naming ceremony.

“Tina, Tupac, Tyrone?”

But when a fierce Sri Lanka monsoon breaks at dusk, just as we’re about to launch the 5cm-long wriggling shells, our enthusiasm is rapidly replaced by concern.

We have vital minutes to ensure the 40-plus hatchlings head straight for the sea, to give them the best chance of survival. As torrential rain lashes down, we steer wayward shells into the waves, while somebody in the group loses a flip-flop in the angry tide.

Founded in 1978, Kosgoda Sea Turtle Sanctuary on Sri Lanka’s south coast is one of several hatcheries working with local fishermen to protect vulnerable turtle eggs from predators like monitor lizards and crows, and poachers who illegally sell the meat and shells.

The hatchery-come-visitor centre incubates rescued eggs from Green, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley and Leatherback turtles for around 32-40 days and, once hatched, babies are released at three days old so they have optimum survival instinct.

Tourists can even take part in their own hatchlings launch for a small donation (usually around £30 per couple).

We leave the centre drenched but grinning like turtle superheroes after our successful release of the babies – made even more dramatic by the erratic monsoon.

Wednesday 26th October 2016

“Here in Sri Lanka, we see nature putting on its finest displays,” says our local tour guide, Richard Pieris, smiling.

Frequent tropical storms, especially in the monsoon period of May to September, are responsible for the

‘Here in Sri Lanka, we see nature putting on its finest displays’

vibrant greens of Sri Lanka’s palm tree-fringed coastlines, so we really can’t complain.

It’s humid, too. At every stop, we’re offered orange King Coconuts (sweeter than traditional ones) for refreshment. Richard tells us TURTLE LOVE Lisa Haynes with a rescued adult turtle

locals sup it from roadside stalls all over the island, and the indigenous fruit has become Sri Lanka’s welcome drink (and hangover cure, apparently).

Tourism boomed in Sri Lanka after three decades of civil war ended in 2009. The number of visitors has been growing and, from November, Thomson will launch a direct 12-hour flight, bringing a new wave of wanderlusters to the tropical island.

Along with nature, tradition and culture are key attractions.

We visit Galle Fort beach in the Bay of Galle to see stilt fishermen in action.

Scrambling up three-metre wooden structures in seconds, they dangle basic rods to catch fish – a method unique to Sri Lanka.

I appreciate their skills even more when I try it myself. I take forever to perch safely on the branch ‘seat’, and catch just one microscopic fish in 15 minutes.

It all feels pretty stable and fun, until a more ferocious wave wobbles my precarious stilt a fraction.

Another tradition Sri Lanka is fiercely proud of is tea production, specifically pure Ceylon, described as the ‘Drink of Kings’ on billboard posters.

Dressed in white lab coats and masks, we enjoy a tour of Raigam Tea Plantation in the lush hills of Ingiriya.

ALL TUCKED UP A tuk-tuk makes its way through a busy Colombo bazaar

TRAVEL 

AL FRESHCO Fresh seafood is served at the Vivanta by Taj hotel’s S.H.A.C.K restaurant in Bentota

The aroma of fresh tea inside the factory is so potent it makes me feel dizzy.

The scene outdoors, 350ft above sea level, is similarly breathtaking.

Sloping hillsides are carpeted in tea leaves as far as you can see, and the air’s punctuated by plucking sounds as traditional tea pickers expertly throw leaves into mesh back sacks. We pass a truck heaped with 1,500kg of green leaves and I’m told it takes almost 5kg of the stuff to produce just 1kg of black tea.

Seeing first-hand the meticulous processes involved in producing such high-grade tea – starting with stalk extraction and ending with a sophisticated tea colour sorting machine, I vow to never to settle for cheap tea bags again.

Not everything in Sri Lanka is so high-tech.

We visit a family-run farmhouse in Bandaragama, where we see a large bull being led in a circle to grind coconut oil using a traditional wooden mill.

More than 100 varieties of fruit and veg are grown on the farm (including some of Sri Lanka’s 60 banana varieties), but the head of the family tells us endemic Ceylon cinnamon is one of their bestsellers.

The dried-out potent sticks taste like intensely sweet but spicy pieces of bark.

We encounter the distinctive spice in countless seafood, curry and dessert dishes throughout our stay on the island.

As the matriarch of the family prepares a buffet feast of curries, peppery eggs fried into heart shapes, and fresh fruits, I notice

an absence of any cutlery. Fortunately, our guide demonstrates how to eat curry fork-free, mashing it with rice using thumb and forefinger. It’s messy but deliciously satisfying.

Leaving the scent of cinnamon and tea behind, we travel along highways shared by cattle, dogs and rainbow-bright tuktuks blaring raspy horns every 20 seconds.

“It’s not quite India, but it is a bit chaotic,” Richard laughs, as we overtake another goat.

Umbrellas are also commonplace on streets – fanning open to protect against monsoon showers and strong sun… or to shield courting couples.

“Kissing in public is considered taboo for locals,” Richard tells us. “So if you spot one umbrella with two pairs of feet, that’s probably what they’re doing.”

It strikes me as incredibly romantic when we pass an entire beachfront of umbrella-clad Sri Lankan lovers hiding from prying eyes.

Tucked away in sleepy Bentota town, our hotel, the Vivanta By Taj, is flanked by beautiful beaches on either side.

Dotted with rock pools, one is perfect for sunset strolls; the other, slapped by more ferocious waves, is scattered with coconut shells and burnt-out banana leaves, like something out of a Bond film.

Chill-out levels hit their peak after a visit to the hotel’s zen Jiva spa, which draws on Indian Ayurvedic rituals and has koi carp hypnotically swimming around a relaxation room pond.

After a Vishram body massage, I pad through the spa’s magical canopy of sacred temple trees (still wearing my bamboo spa slippers) and head to the beach to catch sunset.

TRAVEL FACTS Lisa Haynes was a guest of Thomson (thomson.co.uk; 0871 230 2555) who offer seven-night holidays at 5-star Vivanta By Taj (B&B) from £953pp (two sharing). Includes direct flights departing from London Gatwick airport on November 21, 2016

69

Covered in sandalwood oil and full of (more) Ceylon tea, I watch as the pink sun burns out over the horizon and can’t help wondering how Tina, Tupac and Tyrone, aka our turtle hatchlings, are getting on in their new Sri Lanka home…

‘The scene outdoors, 350ft above sea level, is similarly breathtaking.

Sloping hillsides are carpeted in tea leaves as far as you can see’

READY, NOT SO STEADY, GO… Turtle hatchlings heading to the sea

TAKE YOUR PICK Fields of tea leaves at Raigam Estate in Kiriwattuduwa

Wednesday 26th October 2016

70  ADVERTISING FEATURE

Mother Goose offers doorway into a thriving community Southborough has grown in popularity significantly over recent years. With popular chains like Costa Coffee opening and the area becoming a hub for new businesses, it seems no surprise that the property market is booming too. We sit down with independent estate agent Jenny Ireland from Mother Goose to find out what makes them, and Southborough, tick Tell us how it all began…

Mother Goose Estate Agents started in January 2009 and has grown in strength, year on year, building and developing our brand and gaining an enviable reputation in the local area and beyond.

Our ethos is based on our many strengths as an independent, culminating in teamwork, commitment, customer care and a passion for what we do to provide a very personal bespoke service to all clients at a very high level.

Southborough seems to be constantly on the rise with a stream of companies, such as Costa, opening up on the high street. What makes Southborough a desirable place to live?

Southborough has gained popularity with buyers every year and continues to be a very desirable place to live with its own thriving community. There are excellent rail and road links, and affordability factors, combined with well respected junior and senior schools, ensure its

INDEPENDENT Your agent should be on your team

continued popularity with buyers from London and the Home Counties.

If you moved to Southborough, who would your neighbours be? Who are the typical buyers for the area?

Southborough has a thriving community, and as a result has a heart which spills out to all areas to include local schools, the library, the Cricket Club and more.

There is a wonderful community spirit among the local people, and many families will move again within this area to benefit from the good range of local amenities. We also attract a large number of London buyers.

What challenges do you face as an independent estate agents?

Mother Goose is in a fortunate position to have built up a very strong and solid reputation, with the majority of our business coming from client referrals.

If the market is challenging, then as an independent we are in a stronger position to overcome these challenges, as we have proved in the past.

Our success in winning an award for The Best Independent Estate Agents in Tunbridge Wells is proof of this.

How does being such an intimate team affect your company and services?

Working together as a team is definitely a factor of our success. In this profession, what we do for our clients very quickly changes from being a ‘job’ to being a ‘responsibility’ where we will all go above

MEET THE TEAM (L-R) Sarah Bolger, David Waight and Jenny Ireland

Featured Properties from Mothergoose

78 Knowsley Way, Hildenborough A fantastic opportunity to acquire a stunning three double bedroom, two bathroom, spacious converted bungalow completely renovated to a very high standard.

This delightful property boasts a

Wednesday 26th October 2016

generous plot and is situated in a very popular residential area bordering beautiful rolling countryside, and within walking distance of a railway station. The accommodation comprises a large open-plan living area with wall-to-wall bifold doors, kitchen and dining area.

Guide Price £525,000

31 Charles Street, Southborough A beautifully presented, recently modernised three double bedroom late Victorian family home in the heart of Southborough village.

The bright and airy accommodation consists of a living room,a large open-plan

dining room/kitchen and a family bathroom downstairs. Upstairs are three generous sized bedrooms. Other benefits are a large family-friendly garden and off-road parking for several vehicles.

From £350,000

ADVERTISING FEATURE �

GOLDEN EGG Find your dream home

and beyond the call of duty to ensure client satisfaction, and more importantly our clients’ happiness going forward with their lives.

Landlords benefit hugely from this as they rarely have the time to deal with the many issues which relate to letting.

How have you navigated the business through the turbulent year of 2016 – following Brexit and an increase in stamp duty on second homes?

In our opinion Brexit has ultimately had little or no effect on our business to date.

Buy-to-let investors were quiet for a while post stamp duty changes, but were replaced with first-time buyers who now have the freedom to go forward with more affordable properties. Before, they were unable to compete and were ‘pipped to the post’.

Gradually, a recent noticeable trend is the return of the buy-to-let investors, which is real proof that Brexit was ineffectual to our market.

What advice would you offer to someone looking to sell their home?

Our advice to anyone selling their home would be to always choose an agent who they feel comfortable with and who they can trust.

Selling one’s house is probably one of the biggest and most expensive transactions that will take place in their lifetime, so the experience should be a positive one.

A question sometimes asked is ‘why would we choose Mother Goose to sell our home?’ The answer is simple, we care hugely about our clients, which is reflected in the huge rate of repeat business. Our passion and integrity goes far deeper than most.

What benefits are there of using an estate agent as oppose to selling or letting privately?

As an independent we have a vested interest in ensuring that all of our vendors sell their properties and maximise their return on what is, after all, most people’s biggest asset.

Qualifying all of our buyers, and being available and contactable seven days a week for our sellers, contributes to the high volume of successful properties that we list sell and let.

What advice would you offer to someone looking to buy or rent?

For buyers, stock levels still remain relatively low, so our advice would be if they have a property to sell, firstly secure a buyer. This will strengthen their position going forward with a purchase.

For tenants stock is also low, which is reflective of the market we are in. Tenants need to be in a position to ‘pounce’ on new lets as they come to market.

Higher pricing of lets is reflective of poor stock levels generally.

‘Mother Goose is in a fortunate position to have built up a very strong and solid reputation, with the majority of our business coming from client referrals’

In what way are you unique compared to the competition?

We are unique in our brand and approach to business generally. Our presence is growing rapidly throughout Tunbridge Wells as a result of our good reputation as a caring and wholly dedicated team who work well and always go beyond the call of duty with a non-aggressive approach. Customer care is paramount!

Can clients expect a personalised approach from you?

Our personal approach to all clients is our core value, which we are all extremely proud of.

If our clients need our help and support

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after hours then we make it a priority to be there for them. Our growing list of client testimonials displayed on our website reflect this. Personalised ‘For Sale’ boards displaying our faces also reflect how important it is to maintain a solid personal approach.

What does the future hold for Mother Goose?

We have plans to provide continued support and sponsorship for the local community, schools and sports clubs.

We are all extremely proud of our ‘local agent’ status, and as the market develops and expands we will develop and expand alongside it without liquefying our unique customer service at any level.

Describe Mother Goose in five words: Passion, empathy, dedication, loyalty and integrity.

Mother Goose

144 London Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 0PJ www.mothergooseestates.co.uk Call: 01892 521611 properties@mothergooseestates.co.uk

ATTENTION TO DETAIL Mother Goose has an excellent reputation

Wednesday 26th October 2016

72 n LIFE AND STYLE

GRAND OPENING On Saturday 15th October, Jamie and Ayshah Edney opened the door to their new boutique opticians in Monson Road. Edney & Edney source artisan frames from around the world including Orgreen, Mykita, Face a Face and Vinylize. These sit alongside luxury fashion collections from the likes of Tom Ford, Givenchy and Jimmy Choo.

RURAL CRAFTS ASSOCIATION: Step into a creative world and rediscover the art of enjoyable Christmas shopping at the Maidstone Exhibition Hall!

The new practice has a state of the art consulting room including the super advanced Triton OCT allowing image capture even through cataracts.

Talented creative and designers from all over the UK will be gathering in the Maidstone Exhibition Hall will on the Kent County Showground November the 4th to 6th for the Rural Crafts Association event. Indulge yourself, friends and family with stunning accessories- from leather bags and belts to graceful diamonds and scarves in lustrous velvets and satins.

A selection of festive cakes, wines, cheeses, meats and honey will similarly be available throughout to accompany additional live entertainment.

The practice was officially opened by their 5 year old daughter Inaaya, with Elias (9mths) looking on.

The event promises easy, free parking as well as wide aisles for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The event times are 9am – 5pm Friday and Saturday 9am – 4pm on Sunday.

For more information, visit www.ruralcraftsassociation.co.uk

LA COSA NOSTRA CAFE Since opening in August, owner Bruno and his team have enjoyed welcoming new customers daily to their fully licensed 30-seater venue in the heart of the thriving St John’s Road area, La Cosa Nostra Café. Their strong attention to detail, relaxed dining experience and takeaway options, has led to a growing number of customers coming back for more.

WEALDEN TIMES MAGAZINE MOVES FESTIVE SHOPPING EVENT TO THE HOP FARM On the 17th-19th November the South East’s largest and most prestigious Christmas shopping event, Wealden Times Midwinter Fair, is moving to The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood.

So why is everyone talking about La Cosa Nostra Cafe? Is it because they handpick the fruit from their family orchard or very carefully select their specialist suppliers for the best fresh produce or because all of the food served is cooked to perfection and to order? Or maybe people are interested to see the 370 year old natural spring water well discovered during renovations...

The tented village of seven heated, linked marquees attracts stand-holders hand-picked for their unique qualities- rivalling any of the big London shows. Enjoy browsing luxury gifts for all the family, exquisite Christmas decorations, vintage and contemporary homeware, boutique fashion and jewellery, alongside food and drink for gift hampers and your Christmas table.

Pause to refuel with friends and family in the Street Food Café and Tea Tent, while you take in the twinkling lights, fir trees and carol singers.

Julie Simpson, Wealden Times Managing Director says; “As our growing number of visitors testifies, Wealden Times Midwinter Fair is an inspirational day out with family and friends, in a magical setting.”

Wealden Times Midwinter Fair will be at The Hop Farm, Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6PY on Thursday 17th, Friday 18th & Saturday 19th November, from 9am-4.30pm.

Tickets are £8.50 in advance at www.wealdentimes.ticketsrv.co.uk with a promotional code of TWT1MWF16 (expires 3/11/16) for Times of Tunbridge Wells readers. Children age 5-12 are £3.50, under 5’s free.

To buy tickets, watch last year’s video or for more information, visit www.wealdentimes.co.uk/events or call 01580 714705 Wednesday 26th October 2016

TOULSON JONES JEWELLERS Toulson Jones Jewellers are welcoming a range of new designs, from diamond rings to silver pendants, in time for Christmas. The independent jewellers, with 15 years’ experience, specialise in diamonds and bespoke design, and pride themselves on their wealth of suppliers from around the globe. Their diverse approach to jewellery means the ‘never say no’ to any job and will always strive to create the customer’s dream piece, with the help of their in store design systemallowing them to view your end design before creation. Whether it’s a new watch, bracelet, eternity ring or wedding ring, Toulson Jones Jewellers have got the perfect gold, white, pearl or silver design for every design. People travel far and wide to visit Toulson Jones, and the jewellers are encouraging anyone looking for the perfect sparkle this Christmas to pay them a visit.

Visit www.toulsonjonesjewellers.co.uk for more information.

The all-day breakfast, lunch and takeaway panini menu uses simple and fresh produce, lovingly combined to offer classic and contemporary dishes. Chef Erminio, who hails from Naples, and Bruno, whose family is from the same region of southern Italy, have dissected authentic favourites to create even healthier variations, so that all who visit leave less guilty from indulging!

“An Italian serving great Italian food. Pasta was great and I was naughty and had two deserts just to check the first one wasn’t just a myth.” 5 Star Trip Advisor review Whether you hanker for a cup of roasted coffee, slice of a gooey brownie, scoop of refreshing gelato, a glass of wine or a hearty lasagne, let the hours pass as your taste buds enjoy exploring.

La Cosa Nostra Cafe is based at 77 St Johns Road and is open Monday to Saturday 7.30am to 4.00pm. 60 yards from Johns Road Car Park, free for the 1st 30minutes and 40p for 2hours!

One special wedding three perfect venues Contemporary Elegance

Victorian Grandeur

Unique Waterside Setting

ONE WARWICK PARK HOTEL

bewlwater l Warwick Park, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5TA

Broomhill Rd, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 OTG

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01892 520 587 info@onewarwickpark.co.uk www.onewarwickpark.co.uk

01892 515 152 reservations@salomons-estate.com www.salomons-estate.com

01892 890 OOO info@bewlwater.co.uk www.bewlwater.co.uk

74 ■ WEDDING FEATURE

We combined a traditional church wedding with a tipi festival theme Having grown up together, childhood sweethearts Becky Mahoney and Steve Bassett returned to their home village of Staplehurst for a mixture of elegant tradition and handpicked personal touches…

How did you and your husband meet?

Steve and I grew up together on virtually the same street in Staplehurst. We had been childhood sweethearts, then went our separate ways, but still remained best friends through uni, etc.

Usually, one of us would be coupled up with someone else (typical Ross and Rachel stuff!), but when we both found ourselves single we decided to give things another chance, and, nearly six years later, here we are!

Everyone else around us knew we’d end up together long before we did.

‘From the posh barbecue food to the handpicked cocktails, the hilarious speeches and the laid-back atmosphere, we managed to pull off exactly the feel we wanted’

RELAXED ELEGANCE Becky Mahoney

Wednesday 26th October 2016

Tell us about the proposal It happened on a Tuesday evening in December.

After dinner I had jumped in the bath, then put my pyjamas on. I went downstairs to find a vase with 12 huge white roses. Steve got down on one knee and had a big speech prepared, but didn’t manage to get through it as we were both in floods of tears. When he finally asked, ‘Becky, will you marry me?’

I answered: ‘Of course I will, you idiot!’

Where did you get married and how did you choose the venue?

We grew up in Staplehurst, so it wasn’t hard to choose the beautiful church on top of the hill. We had already chosen tipi tents in planning for a festival wedding, but luckily a family friend allowed us the use of her gorgeous back garden as well.

Thankfully, our wedding day was 28 degrees and everyone really enjoyed spending a day in the beautiful sunshine. It was even handier that the house was only 50 yards from the church, so our guests could just stroll down the hill from one to the other.

Tell us about your big day and some of its key highlights It’s hard to pick because it was all amazing.

From the posh barbecue food to the hand-picked cocktails, the hilarious speeches and the laid-back atmosphere, we managed to pull off exactly the ‘feel’ we wanted – to be surrounded by our loved ones, celebrating our happiness, and having a damn good time. All the photographs captured the day brilliantly,

WEDDING FEATURE ■

we can’t thank Lynsey Grace enough!

Our band (Roxxon – based in Tunbridge Wells) also provided a brilliant soundtrack – quite handy that my husband is the bass player, really!

How did you start your married life together? If you went on a honeymoon, where did you go?

We stayed in the UK for a couple of weeks, but jetted off to Italy for our honeymoon. We visited six of the major cities, eating, drinking all the delights it had to offer. The whole trip was booked with Allan Alderson at Travel Counsellors, and we couldn’t fault a single bit of it. If you’re headed to Florence any time soon and like steak, make sure to visit

Il Latini – make a reservation, you won’t regret it!

Talk us briefly through some of your key suppliers and brands and how they helped make the day special A lot of the elements for the wedding were supplied by friends and family offering us their time and skills. The mums made the cake between them, our friend Greg mixed all of our signature cocktails, and the fabric for the decorative bunting was donated by loved ones.

Our gorgeous tipis came from Holmsted Events (Sutton Valence), who were amazing from start to finish. The beautiful flowers were provided by a family friend (Sandra at Orchidstrated Blooms in Battle) and catering was from Cucumber Catering in Sittingbourne.

SEALED WITH A KISS And with family and friends checking!

TENDER MOMENT Between the bride and groom

75

ROXXON ROLL Steve’s band played at the wedding

THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS

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Don’t be afraid to ask for what you REALLY want from your suppliers. You are paying them for a service, and they know it’s for the most important day of your life Where possible, DIY or delegate – If you know someone with a skill, make sure you use it to your advantage. You’ll find that people are more willing to help than you think Remember it is NOT the end of the world if things don’t go perfectly, and that too much Pinterest can be detrimental to getting the wedding you REALLY want It REALLY doesn’t matter if the place cards don’t match the napkins – as long as you are married at the end of the day and you can spend the rest of your lives together Take a step back every once in a while (during planning and on the big day) to take it all in.

Grab your other half and remind yourselves why you’re doing all this. Remember that life isn’t perfect and there are likely to be a few bumps, but they will make you stronger and give you some brilliant stories to tell the grandchildren

Wednesday 26th October 2016

BOOK BEDROOMS DIRECT FOR A STAY IN NOVEMBER AND RECEIVE £.20 CREDITTO SPEND AT ONE WARWICK PARK

ONE WARWICK PARK HOTEL

01892 520 587

WITH THE

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

FIRST DRIVE

By Laura Thomson WHAT’S NEW? At first glance, not much appears to have changed in the Mazda 6 – apart from a few styling tweaks, it is near identical to its predecessor.

So, having been first introduced for the 2014 model year, before being updated for 2016, you could be forgiven for wondering why, exactly, Mazda has once again modified the 6?

The answer, in this instance, turns out to be that it is very much what’s inside that counts.

Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control (GVC) – the manufacturer’s own torque distribution kit – makes a debut on the D-segment model, promising to smooth corners and improve driving satisfaction.

Meanwhile, new systems within the pre-existing Skyactiv-D powertrains deliver added responsiveness, while reducing engine noise.

LOOKS AND IMAGE Following an image revamp in 2015, little remained to be updated on the 6.

From the outside, it is an eye-pleasing model, with flowing lines joining together in Mazda’s signature grille, which is flanked by a sharp LED lighting signature.

On the inside, similar to its previous guise, the cabin of the Mazda 6 boasts a premium feel which belies its

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

MAZDA 6 TOURER

reasonable price. And here several cabin enhancements can be seen, including a redesigned steering wheel, fresh instrument dials, and chrome effects on tactile components such as the glovebox.

One of the enhancements likely to go unnoticed, but which shows Mazda’s appreciation of customer feedback, is the improved quality of the front seatback pockets, which aims to prevent wear.

difference – the powerful diesel sounds like a completely different powerplant altogether.

The hotly anticipated GVC system uses engine torque to generate deceleration g-force, which in turn shifts the load to the car’s driven front wheels, increasing front tyre grip to boost responsiveness.

As long as the driver maintains a constant angle through a bend, the GVC then restores acceleration engine torque, transferring the load back to the rear wheels. Effectively, it gives the Mazda 6 a smoother and more stable drive than ever before.

There is no option to disable the system on the 6, so it could be argued that we don’t actually know if it is working or not. However, one thing that can be said is it takes a lot of persuasion to convince the car to understeer on even the tightest of turns.

Another thing the GVC will do, Mazda claims, is improve passenger comfort at high speeds, as fewer steering corrections are required to stay on path.

We can’t help but agree that the model does feel noticeably stable on the motorway, which, combined with the comfortable ride, makes it an ideal longdistance wagon.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

PRICE:

£24,795 MODEL:

Mazda 6 Tourer SE-L Nav GVC

VALUE FOR MONEY

ENGINE:

SPACE AND PRACTICALITY Space is plentiful with the 6, both in sedan and wagon form. Front and rear passengers can sit in comfort, and while the estate’s 522-litre boot may not be able to compete with other models in its class, it is, nonetheless, adequate.

A host of technology comes as standard – much of which was available on the previous model – making the 6 not only comfortable to drive, but safe and practical as well.

This includes a forward-sensing camera, through which the car’s advanced smart city brake support and smart brake support operate.

Meanwhile, a clever system monitors the driver’s condition at speeds above 40mph, and alerts them to take a rest if it detects a behaviour change.

BEHIND THE WHEEL Hop behind the wheel, and the first thing you will notice in the updated Mazda 6 is the reduced cabin noise. This is thanks

2.2 Skyactiv-D producing 148bhp and 380Nm of torque TRANSMISSION:

Six-speed manual, driving the front wheels

‘A clever system monitors the driver’s condition above 40mph, and alerts them to take a rest if it detects a behaviour change’

to the Natural Sound Smoother, a small damper placed in the hollow part of each piston pin which works to reduce noise from the diesel powertrain.

While not new technology, it is the first time it has been seen in the 2.2-litre Skyactiv-D unit, and it certainly makes a

On looks alone, the 2017 Mazda 6 would not be worth the premium over any previous guise. However, when the extensive engine tech is taken into consideration, the model becomes one of the most technologically equipped in its price range. The Mazda 6 starts at £19,795 for the saloon, and £24,795 for the 2.2 Skyactiv-D Tourer in SE-L trim.

PERFORMANCE:

0-62mph in 9.2 seconds, top speed 130mph ECONOMY:

67.3mpg EMISSIONS:

110g/km

WHO WOULD BUY ONE? Drivers looking at the Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia and Volkswagen Passat could be tempted by the Mazda 6. With a host of standard equipment, especially in SE-L Nav trim, it provides an eye-catching alternative to the much more commonplace models.

Wednesday 26th October 2016

78 n MOTORING

Model Shown Jeep Renegade 1.6 E-torq 110HP Longitude 5Speed Manual. Including Special Pastel Paint at £600. OFFICIAL FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURES FOR JEEP RENEGADE RANGE MPG [L/100KM]: EXTRA URBAN 47.9[5.9] - 70.6 [4.0l. URBAN 32.5 [8.7] - 55.4 [5.1]. COMBINED 40.9 [6.9] - 64.2 [4.4]. C01EMISSIONS: 160 - 115 G/KM. Fuel consumption and CO, figures are obtained for comparative purposes in accordance with ECdirectives/regulationsand may not be representative of real-life driving conditions 'Customer deposit is£5.613. Optional Final Payment is £9.157. Contract Term is 14 months. Promotion available on new Renegade longitude versions between 1st October and 31st december 1016. Jeep Deposit Contribution only available in conjunction with Jeep Horizon PCP. With Jeep Horizon you may return the vehicle instead of making the final payment. It must be in good condition and if you exceed the agreed annual mileage. you will be charged 9p per mile for exceeding 10.000 miles p.a in this example. Subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Ts&Cs apply. At participating Dealers only. Jeep Financial Services, Sll ORW. We work with a number of creditors including Jeep Financial Services. Jeep®is aregistered trademark of FCA US LLC.

We invite all new and seasoned enthusiasts to visit us today to find out more about our classic and vintage 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.

~

l!l) Copyript All pictures and designs are own

by Morgan Hansford Art. For any enquires please contact morganhansford.art@ outlook.corn

Wednesday 26th October 2016

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Numbers are substituted for letters in the crossword grid. Above the grid is the key with two letters solved. Try to complete the first few words to give you more letters, or look for a frequent number that might reveal a common letter. As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid. Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

Codeword:

9

5 2 1

R A B B I E M E D A A C R EW O U N I P P S H O V E R N M A R I E N S T I M E

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

2 7 6 3 1

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In this Sudoku, the normal 3x3 boxes are now strangely odd shapes – but all the rules and logic of normal Sudoku apply.

Fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and box contains every number uniquely.

Puzzle solutions will be published in next week’s paper

I D I E L E D I S N S K L E T I T F E A S L E Q U X

Sudoku:

1 4 7 6 2 5 8 3 9

3 5 9 8 7 1 4 2 6

8 6 2 3 9 4 1 7 5

J A P A N GO U A U Z B E K T S L E T H I R D Y C N E N T I C E T T S A B Y S S I E D A U N T Y I P E O T I T A N Jigsaw Sudoku:

9 2 4 7 5 3 6 8 1

5 7 1 2 8 6 9 4 3

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7 1 6 5 3 8 2 9 4

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© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

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© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

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SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU

DIFFICULTY RATING:

CODEWORD

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Wednesday 26th October 2016

80 n RECRUITMENT

WITH THE

FIND YOUR PERFECT JOB TODAY – A MUST READ FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR WORK LOCALLY

“

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

After just one day of the newspaper being out, our recruitment advert had received a great

“

response from potential candidates; three of which we had at interview stage.

We will certainly use the Times of Tunbridge Wells for future recruitment adverts.

John Haynes, Partner, Belvoir Tunbridge Wells

Wednesday 26th October 2016

RECRUITMENT n

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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PLACE AN ADVERT CONTACT OUR SALES DEPARTMENT ON 01892 779624

Fill your vacancy now in print or online.

For more information contact Jordanne Reville on 01892 576049

Wednesday 26th October 2016

82 ■ ARTS & CULTURE

It’s only rock and roll but he likes it…

Singer Steve Harley of Cockney Rebel, whose hits included Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) and Mr Soft, is coming to town on November 2. Eileen Leahy caught up with the musical legend to find out all about his new acoustic tour – and why Rod Stewart will always be a friend for life…

IS THAT ONE OF THE PLUS SIDES OF TOURING, THEN? It’s all pluses really, there are no downsides for me. We travel well, we stay in comfortable, decent places, and on these acoustic tours I’m just playing with two other musicians: James Lascelles on piano and Barry Wickens on guitar and violin.

They are both virtuoso musicians, but more than that they love a bit of culture, which is right up my alley.

HITTING THE HIGH NOTES Steve on stage

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH TUNBRIDGE WELLS? Oh gosh yeah, I must have played here at least 20 times over the past 45 years. I had the great pleasure last November of being at the Assembly Hall playing with my big rock band – there were ten of us on stage doing Cockney Rebel numbers.

Before playing, we had a quiet afternoon off so we decided to go down to The Pantiles. Now in our band are two young female twin sisters who

are Austrian, and we took them there for a stroll and they’d never seen anything like it!

But I have to say that I remembered being down there sometime in the 1990s and drinking the spa waters from an iron cup for, like, ten pence and being disappointed this time around not to have been able to do that as it was off! I said to them: ‘Come and taste the water’ and they couldn’t! I like a bit of adventure on tour.

REBEL ROUSER Steve Harley

YOU’RE ON TOUR QUITE A LOT – IS THERE ANYWHERE ELSE YOU ENJOY? I’ve seen Britain from Inverness to Penzance, and from Dover to Newcastle.

I’ve been to every little pocket over 40 years and it’s an amazing country.

We were recently in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire. There were weirs and rushing brooks, it was just beautiful.

The cartoonist who’s drawing your attention to politics through punk Tunbridge Wellsbased cartoonist Chris Burke, who was commissioned to do the Times’ cartoon for its front page post the Brexit vote, has now been involved in another political piece – the new album artwork for local band Insane Society. Here, he tells us how he got involved in the project and why he believes the art of illustration will always be vital

Wednesday 26th October 2016

I GOT involved with the artwork for the latest Insane Society album (Too Far Left To Be Right, Far Too Right To Be Wrong)

because the band’s front man Paul (known as Wag) found me on the Professional Cartoonist Organisation website (PCO).

Touring in the UK is a bit of a good experience all round…

From where you are in Kent and Sussex you move away from the hopfields and just that little bit further west you’re on the Dorset coast. Each place is different.

Then 60 miles north of there you’re in the Cotswolds. It’s just so amazing as a country.

WHEN DOES YOUR TOUR START? We start on November 1 in Wavendon, near Milton Keynes, and Tunbridge Wells is our second date.

All summer we played outdoors at festivals, but this tour is a far more intimate affair. Throughout the summer months we averaged an audience of between five and six thousand people a time with ten of us on stage, and then there’s only three of us with much smaller audiences. We rock out a little bit because that’s the nature of some of the songs, but James and Barry are such a joy to play with.

you, you can afford to duck and dive, mess about. Eight people don’t know what you’re doing – here it’s only two!

COULD YOU SAY WHICH STYLE OF GIG YOU PREFER OR IS THAT IMPOSSIBLE? No, it’s all music to me. The year before last we did a series of shows which finished at the Royal Albert Hall with a 50-piece orchestra, and I was in the wings one night and I said to my guitar tech: ‘What format are we in tonight?’ And he thought I was for real. I replied ‘I’m joking!’ but it’s because we have played so many different styles of concert over the past few years.

WHAT CAN AUDIENCES EXPECT FROM THIS MORE INTIMATE SERIES OF GIGS? We go out with a set list but there’s a lot of improvisation. They watch my back a lot as I’ll start playing a song on the guitar and they’ll think ‘well that’s not on the set list’ or ‘it’s ten songs down the line’ – but that’s how I am with those sorts of audiences, it just gets a bit more relaxed. When there’s only three of

DO YOU STILL PLAY A LOT OF YOUR CLASSIC HITS, SUCH AS MAKE ME SMILE (COME UP AND SEE ME)?

Yes, I’m not one of those singersongwriters who is churlish or gets grumpy about having to play old hits. I’m proud of most of them, I wish there were many more of them, actually, but there’s enough and it’s an interesting way of learning about your own songs when you’ve got this acoustic format with three voices. I do restructure them ever so slightly, but not so much for an audience to think ‘what was that?’ Then there’s the big album tracks, a few new songs I’ve done.

Rod Stewart has one of my tracks on his new album.

To his surprise, he found out I also lived in Tunbridge Wells, so he rang me and we got on straight away.

Paul wanted to do a political album cover with caricatures like Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage and said that my particular style was just what he’d been looking for. Although it was Insane Society’s initial idea, they were more than happy for me to add some ideas and put my own style to it.

This is my favourite way of working: A client’s idea of what they want to convey and my visual solution. Firstly, I did a rough of what I thought Paul was after, then I sent him a copy for approval before I inked it in.

I didn’t know the band up until then, but my 18-year-old son and I have been impressed with their music.

They sent us an advance copy and we played it twice in a row. It’s punk

PULLING A POLITICAL PUNCH Chris Burke’s album artwork

ARTS & CULTURE ■

83

NOTE WORTHY Steve tours most of the year with his band DID YOU WRITE THAT FOR HIM OR DID HE DISCOVER IT IN YOUR CANON OF WORK? Good question. I wrote it about nine years ago. It’s called A Friend For Life and I gave it to Rod as my mate and said to him: ‘This is right up your street, you’ll love this and do such a good job of it’, and he kept it for seven or eight years, saying: ‘Oh I don’t know, I can’t quite understand it’, and in fairness it is quite a complicated lyric.

Then last Christmas he emailed and said ‘I’ve done it at last’ and his management sent

me a copy of him singing the song, and it just made me cry because he’s got such a great voice. I’ll be doing my version of it on tour so people will have to put up with me singing it!

but it’s easy on the ear, full of soundbites and clever stuff with great lyrics, too.

In terms of how I describe my own work, I would say it was social and satirical as opposed to political. If you can draw caricatures you end up drawing everyone, including politicans!

I started as an Advertising Director then moved on to being

an Editorial Illustrator, so I enjoy taking a piece of text or a problem and creating a visual solution.

I have been doing this for over 30 years now and consider myself to be an illustrator, artist and cartoonist.

The world of magazines and newspapers is really in a state of flux so us pencil squeezers have to find pastures new, but the

DO YOU HAVE TO LOOK AFTER YOUR VOICE? Oh dear, yes you do! I go to sleep at night saying ‘Dear God, please give me a voice when I wake up.’

I don’t go out after a concert any more. I’ll go back to my hotel room and have a sandwich and a glass of wine or two.

The idea of shouting to be heard over music, it’s such a stress on the vocal chords. It’s an instrument after all, and you get quite precious about it, but that’s too bad. I’ve got 35 minutes of warm-ups I do backstage every day. It’s learning how to sing up from the diaphragm and not shout.

I’m pretty lucky though as it’s strong.

Steve Harley plays at the Assembly Hall on November 2 at 7.30pm for tickets see www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk main thing is I enjoy the variety that comes with what I do.

Last week I drew on the walls of Sopranos on the High Street; started illustrating a children’s book about a dancing mouse; finished drawing a piece on shoes for an Italian magazine; did a massive board for the first Hastings Cartoon Festival; and completed a picture of my barber Robert on Camden Road.

Have I ever worked with anyone famous? Well yes, I have done tour posters and children’s books with Lenny Henry, and also the album artwork for Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence with David Bowie. The likes of Richard Curtis, Joan Collins and Jeffrey Archer all have cariactures of themselves done by me – probably hanging up in their loos!

I would rather paint musicians over politicans, so it wouldn’t be Trump it would be Dylan for me.

Find out more about Chris Burke at www.caricaturechris.com And visit www.insanesociety.com for details on their latest album

Wednesday 26th October 2016

84  WHAT’S ON SEVEN DAYS OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE

WHATS ON WITH THE

Eileen Leahy

If you would like to see your events featured in our weekly What’s On pages please email eileen@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

Local events IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS TODAY… Burn the Curtain play out the Company of Wolves at Bedgebury

>> WEDNESDAY The Woodland Trust is holding the Hargate Forest Festival today. As well as activities such as learning woodwork, fire-lighting skills and archery, there will also be plenty of fun to be had exploring this stretch of local woodland, which is in full beauty now thanks to all its autumnal leaves turning. The event runs from 10am to 3pm and costs £1 per person to enter.

The People’s Theatre Company puts on their charming production of Don’t Dribble on the Dragon at the Assembly Hall at 2.30pm. The story, based on the book of the same name by Steven Lee, sees toddler Tom having lots of problems with his constant dribbling, which is threatening to ruin his relationship with his cool older brother – until a secret dragon steps into help him courtesy of some magic! Tickets are priced £11 for adults and £9.50 for children. www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk All week, Bewl Water is hosting a Spooktober Kids Club, which promises to be great – and just a little bit scary! So if you’re stuck for childcare or want to treat your children to a day or two of nonstop activity then this is the perfect solution.

It’s aimed at children aged five and upwards, who can enjoy a range of amusements, including water safari, treasure hunting, Halloween-inspired games and Ranger Car Experiences. It’s a must do this half term. The half day club, which runs from 9am to 1.30pm, costs £19.99 per child, while the full day one, which runs until 5pm, costs £29.99. For more, visit www.bewlwater.co.uk >> THURSDAY Today and tomorrow sees the second half of the Half Term Forest School taking place at Grosvenor and Hilbert Park. This event is open to children aged over seven, and the range of activities on offer will be practical, fun and include things like making camping mallets and pirate swords out of wood, and learning lots of tips on how to survive the wild.

Tickets

Wednesday 26th October 2016

cost £35 per child. To book, or to find out more, email: steff.dagorne@tunbridgewells.gov.uk The Pantiles Decorative and Fine Arts Society (PDFAS) will be meeting at Holmewood House School at 7.45pm for an evening’s lecture entitled Sicily: The Kingdom of the Sun. The group regularly holds meetings and discussions which cover everything from painting, textiles and ceramics to gardening and music. PDFAS current annual membership subscription is £45. Visitors pay £7. For more information visit www.pantilesdfas.org.uk Angela Carter’s classic story The Company of Wolves is being staged by theatre company Burn the Curtain in Bedgebury Forest. Their version of this dark and dramatic collection of stories, based on folklore and fairy tales, will be acted out around the pinetum, and audience members will follow either a walking or running route for three or five miles where the story will be performed by two different troupes. The event starts at 7pm each evening until Saturday, and visitors are requested to wear appropriate attire for the route and weather. >> FRIDAY During half term there’s plenty to keep your little – and larger – ones amused over the course of the week. The National Trust properties in our area have lots going on, including the pumpkin trail at Emmetts Garden, which is on daily until Sunday and promises to be lots of fun thanks

to all the eerie clues that have to be found. See www.nationaltrust.org.uk/emmetts-garden.

The Play and Display exhibition is currently on at Sissinghurst Castle. Featuring a range of paper cards and toys, the collection shows how popular and charming paper dolls, model theatres and puppets have been over the centuries. Normal National Trust admission charges apply. See www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst The Hop Farm fireworks display is on tonight and tomorrow. This popular event literally lights up the sky thanks to the huge array of rockets, Catherine wheels and bangers that are let off to celebrate Halloween and November 5th. Tickets cost £8 per person in advance or £12 on the gate. Underthrees go free. Visit www.thehopfarm.co.uk The Violet Jive will be at the Spa Hotel this evening from 8pm playing a variety of jazz standards and contemporary numbers. You can enjoy dinner until 9.30pm, or simply sit and sip a drink. See www.spahotel.co.uk >> SATURDAY From 2 until 4pm there will be a Halloween children’s party at the Hub in Grosvenor and Hilbert Park. Organisers will put on an afternoon of fun face painting, activities and games to celebrate this spooky seasonal event, and children are encouraged to come along dressed as pumpkins, ghosts, witches or ghouls.

From 7pm, there will be a bonfire and fireworks display in Rusthall. Now in its 38th year, this free community event includes a musical band, with majorettes leading visitors up to the main bonfire on the common by torchlight.

Professor Brian Cox is coming to town for an evening of ‘high science’. His talk at the Assembly Hall will delve into the complicated concepts of cosmos, space and time – making them easier to decode and understand. He will be joined on stage

by Radio 4 presenter and journalist Robin Ince for a special Q&A session. Tickets cost from £30 and are available through the box office.

To get you in the mood for Halloween, the Mercure Hotel at Pembury invites you to a ghostly feast with the Addams family family.

Morticia, Gomez, Uncle Fester and Lurch will meet and greet their ghoulish guests

LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING… Professor Brian Cox and Robin Ince tell all at the Assembly Hall

SHE’S BACK! And she’s not alone.

See Bridget Jones’s Baby at Trinity

before serving up a series of comedy sketches followed by a three-course meal and disco. To book tickets, which cost £38 per person, email: events@mercuretunbridgewells.co.uk >> SUNDAY The London Ballet Company performs Olympic Dream, their take on the games in Brazil this summer, at 2.30pm at Trinity Theatre today. As well as reflecting its history through the medium of dance, this unique piece of theatre also charts the story of this year’s athletes, from their individual journeys to Rio to how they trained and ultimately performed. Tickets cost £8 and are available from Trinity’s box office.

The Magic of Kentish Opera continues this evening at the Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks. It’s a collection of famous operatic extracts which includes work by Mozart (The Magic Flute) and Gounod (Romeo and Juliet) performed by a group of professional soloists, who sing these famous foreign works in English. Robyn Sevastos conducts and Terry John Bates directs this magical montage of music. Tickets start from £15 and can be booked by visiting www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk >> MONDAY Older ones can be spooked one final time this All Hallows’ Eve by Grimm’s Scary Halloween Tales, which is on every day until next Sunday at Groombridge Place. It’s an event inspired by some of the Grimm brothers’ most ghastly stories, with witches and ghouls acting out extracts of some of their classic stories, and also includes pop-up eateries, fire pits and ghost boat rides. Tickets cost £14.95 per adult and £10.95 per child. A family ticket is priced at £45. Visit www.groombridge place.com

WHAT’S ON 

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A ROUND-UP OF THIS WEEK’S MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS >> TUESDAY Wealden District Council will be bringing their Coffee, Cake and Computers digital skills event to Crowborough Community Centre. Running from 10am to 2pm, it aims to get those lacking in computer skills online and learning all about the digital world. The event is free and volunteers will be on hand to give one-to-one support. To prebook an appointment for up to 30 minutes, call 01323 443322.

Bridget Jones’s Baby has two screenings at Trinity Theatre today, at 2pm and 8pm. If you didn’t catch this box office hit, which sees Renée Zellweger’s eponymous character moving on from the failure of her ‘happy ever after’ relationship with Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), earlier this summer then this hilarious feelgood comedy is a must-see.

Tickets are priced from £8.

PICK OF THE WEEK: Bateman’s, Burwash East Sussex Open Daily from 10am to 5pm

Paul Dunton

THE ROYAL OAK

The must-read guide to what’s on musically for the week ahead… www.paulduntonandguests.com

Live music THERE are some great gigs this week. Thursday includes a night of electronica and dubstep at The Forum, while the superb Lee Mead is at the Assembly Hall with his show of Broadway songs, Some Enchanted Evening.

On Friday, Violet Jive are at The Spa Hotel with their unique blend of retro swing sounds and feverish Latino curves, and Local & Live Electric returns to The Forum for a rocking night featuring a trio of fantastic local indie/alternative groups: Dull Knife, Silent Crowd and Catching Mangoes.

Meanwhile, the enchanting St Alban’s Church in Frant will be hosting the incredible John Ethridge, Chris Garrick and Vimala Rowe.

With the Halloween weekend upon us, you can catch the legendary Blockheads at The Forum on Saturday, and renowned blues pianist Ian Rae at The Grey Lady with Hard Lines, while Local & Live Sessions return to Trinity Theatre featuring Marie White and her band with Sophie Janes supporting.

For a lovely way to round off the weekend, TW3 are at The Bedford on Sunday and The Varlies headline The Grey Lady.

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM

Doors 7.30pm, price variable, tickets www.twforum.co.uk

THURSDAY Code: Marla, Spire Cranes, Tangerinecat, Speaker Louis FRIDAY Local & Live Electric: Dull Knife, Silent Crowd, Catching Mangoes SATURDAY The Blockheads THE ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE

TUESDAY Simon Crabb, James Medhurst, Quentin Holway THE CROSS KEYS

St John’s Road, open all day, free entry, music from 8pm, website www.crosskeystw.co.uk

WEDNESDAY Sonny’s Jazz: Lynne Jackaman Trio MONDAY TWUNT – Ukulele Jam THE VELO HOUSE

5 St John’s Road, tickets 01892 554 500 www.thevelohouse.com, shop@thevelohouse.com

WEDNESDAY Velo House Music Club: Gerry McAvoy’s Band of Friends presents A Celebration of the Music of Rory Gallagher CASSIDY’S BAR

Castle Street, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm

FRIDAY Between Giants

Prospect Road, open all day, free entry, music from 8pm

SATURDAY Toxic Rock Disco MONDAY Open Mic Night THE BEDFORD

2 High Street, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm

SATURDAY Halloween Party: Fean Fennessey & Friends SUNDAY The Sunday Night Sessions – TW3 THE BEAU NASH INN

Mount Ephraim, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm

FRIDAY Soul Night SATURDAY Jack Leon Mackey THE SPA HOTEL

Mount Ephraim, free entry, music from 8pm-10pm Dinner reservations@spahotel.co.uk

FRIDAY Live Jazz: The Violet Jive ST ALBAN’S CHURCH

Frant, see www.frantmusic.org.uk/upcoming-concerts

FRIDAY John Ethridge, Chris Garrick, Vimala Rowe

NO.9 SMOKEHOUSE

THE PUNCH & JUDY

9 Nevill Street, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm

11 St Stephen’s Street, Tonbridge, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm TUESDAY Also Known As

SATURDAY Halloween Party featuring Riff Raff and Cockroach Squad TRINITY THEATRE

SCALLYWAG CAFE

Church Road, info and tickets www.trinitytheatre.net

45 Mount Ephraim, open all day, music from 8.30pm, music cover charge may apply

SATURDAY Local & Live Sessions: Marie White (+ full band) + Sophie Janes + The Paul Dunton Orchestra

WEDNESDAY Cabaret Open Mic Night FRIDAY Ed Watts Jazz Piano

Crescent Road, information and tickets at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

The Wild Garden is the focus of autumn colour at Bateman’s, with a range of stunning ornamental trees and shrubs to enjoy in their glorious gardens. The family home of Rudyard Kipling is also renowned for its wonderful orchard, which turns vibrant shades of red, green and auburn as the apples, pears, plums and greengages ripen.

Their Halloween activities this year include pumpkin carving, apple bobbing and minibeast hunting. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans

THURSDAY Lee Mead – Some Enchanted Evening FRIDAY The Solid Gold Show SUNDAY Magic of Motown THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE

The Pantiles, doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7, websites www.pdag.co.uk + www.thegreylady.co.uk

WEDNESDAY Higgs & The Bosons, Ashley Evans, Mystery Clarke, Sarah Tonin FRIDAY Salsa Camina SATURDAY Hard Lines SUNDAY John McLane, Katy Virgoe, Lucy Jarrett, The Varlies

Wednesday 26th October 2016

86  SPORTING TIMES

CONTACT US:

If you have a sports story or you would like to see your club’s reports and results featured in these pages…

Maidstone turn on power after Wilkin strike halts goal drought Tunbridge Wells men’s 1st XI 1-2 Maidstone

By Brandon Begg HOCKEY: FOLLOWING Tunbridge Wells’ failure to score in their last outing, they were unable to maintain a lead gained against a strong Maidstone side.

The match played at Tonbridge School had a similar flavour to the team’s previous game in the first period – in that Tunbridge Wells held much of the possession yet were again unable to convert their chances.

There was no question that Wells were suffering from the absence through injury of coach Ben Allberry and captain Callum Wood, who have notched almost a dozen goals between them already this season. However, there were welcome returns for James Beck and Matt Wilson.

The game remained goalless until

ROCK AT THE BACK Man of the match Dan Barnaby

shortly before half-time, when a wellworked short corner routine saw Louis Wilkin deflect the ball neatly into the bottom corner to give Wells the lead.

The second half was a lot more open with Maidstone having to chase the game. But the discipline of Wells’ marking was less rigorous than in the first half, meaning that when their attacks broke down, Maidstone always looked threatening on the break.

Ultimately, two short-corner strikes of their own allowed Maidstone first to level the scores and ultimately to snatch the three points despite a man of the match performance at the back from the home side’s Dan Barnaby.

Wells will look to find their scoring boots again when they travel to Crawley next Saturday and recover their early-season winning momentum.

CS charge into early lead as Campion joins injured ranks despite a fine try-saving tackle earlier in the move by Kyle McGarvie, good hands put speedy replacement winger Mike Griffiths away for an unconverted try, making it 15-10.

Mike Hathaway’s tackle turnover earned wells a penalty that Reynolds used to drive Wells into the CS half. Matt Cook secured the line-out and the forwards drove it on through Chris Goodyer and Nick Blacklock.

With the home side’s defence sucked in, Spence switched the direction of play and Lewis-Donaldson scythed through the defence for the try. With Reynolds converting, Wells went ahead by two for the first time on 61 minutes.

CS responded with 10 minutes to go when Griffiths crossed again for another unconverted try to set up a grandstand finale, with the scores set at 20-17.

CS deservedly went ahead on 15 minutes A late Wells chance was denied when an through Tom Hodgson’s long-range attacking passing move was broken down penalty. They were soon back on the by a defender’s outstretched arm which attack with Toby Guyett scoring under the appeared to knock the ball forward for a posts and a conversion from Hodgson seeming penalty. However, the referee making it 10-0 after 18 minutes. adjudged it to be no more than a knockHowever, Wells eventually responded on and the game was over. with Chaz Spence becoming much more Graham Withers, Tunbridge Wells’ prominent at scrum-half, and he launched President, said: “We picked up several an attack from inside his own half. injuries including Lee Campion and Matt The ball was moved to Ollie LewisCook, who suffered concussion in a game Donaldson, and the centre is in great against a very good team. form at present. He beat two men before “CS Rugby came at us strongly and it putting Charlie Dagwell away and the was a tough day at the office, finding replacement wing showed great pace and ourselves 10-0 down. We upped our power to score in the corner. game for the second half, but we had a With a fine conversion by Frank Reynolds decision that went against us late on, Wells were finally in the game at 10-7. which cost us the game.

Then in the final play of the half, CS were He added: “We’ll hopefully have a few penalised and Reynolds made no mistake people recovered from previous injuries to bring the scores level. for our game against Cobham at home Yet it was the hosts who took the lead this weekend, so it will be an opportunity again after the break. On 56 minutes, for them.”

PHOTO: Bruce Elliott

LOST LEADER Lee Campion (left) disclocated his shoulder early on

CS Rugby 20-17 Tunbridge Wells

By Brandon Begg RUGBY: TUNBRIDGE WELLS were left with a sizeable injury list after their defeat to CS Rugby, including captain Lee Campion.

Having made a significant impact since signing from local rivals Tonbridge Juddians – who halted Wells’ 40-game unbeaten run last weekend – the new skipper has quickly become established to help place Wells in contention among the division’s leading pack.

But Campion’s dislocated shoulder, which he suffered early on during the away match against CS at Chiswick, proved a major blow for the visitors as they suffered another defeat.

The host squad looked young and fit, and it was clear from the outset they were intent on a quick and expansive game, placing Wells on the back foot for the first 10 minutes with no respite.

Wednesday 26th October 2016

Wilson breaks through defences but league leaders show top form Tunbridge Wells ladies 1st XI 1-4 Sevenoaks

By Brandon Begg HOCKEY: A HOME encounter against top of the table Sevenoaks proved a frustrating challenge for Tunbridge Wells ladies.

The game was one of high intensity from the start, with end-to-end hockey, skill and pace.

Sevenoaks were the first to see one of their attacks come to fruition with a well-worked counter-attack giving them the lead. Wells were not disheartened and worked hard to bring the game back level.

Some superb work saw Ele Cairns break away down the right flank before working the ball out to Jemma Stephenson.

She drove it along the back line and after a slip back to captain Jen Hunt, Wells found themselves right in front of goal. With Sevenoaks blocking a direct shot on goal, Hunt kept her composure to reverse-flick pass to Annie Wilson.

She was poised on the far post and

slammed the ball into the goal to level the scores before half-time.

Wells were less able to maintain their influence on the game in the second half. More often than not they found themselves on the wrong end of the umpire’s whistle, much to their frustration.

The home side found it hard to repel the counter-attacks and short corners which Sevenoaks continued to build up.

Despite player of the match Ollie Gerrett’s efforts, and some superb keeping from Ali Playle, the end result was decisive. Wells had succeeded in scoring against the league leaders, who hadn’t previously conceded a goal this season, but were disappointed with the final scoreline.

The return fixture between these local rivals will definitely be a game to watch after Christmas.

ON THE CHARGE Ele Cairns produced a superb break to set up Wells’ goal

Confident Juddians climb up table with dominant display Colchester 16-47 Tonbridge Juddians

By Adam Hookway RUGBY:

A CONVINCING win at Colchester saw Tonbridge Juddians move up the National League Three league to occupy third place.

Their hosts had yet to secure a win and TJs, confident after their narrow win over Tunbridge Wells in the Kent Cup, quickly asserted themselves.

Tries from Ben Ashmore, Tom Nicoll (two) and Richie Bent, plus three conversions from Liam Prescott, gave TJs a 29-6 lead at the break.

The second half followed the same pattern of dominance as James Copsey, Dave Irvine and Hugo

Watson all crossed for tries, with Prescott adding three conversions.

Late yellow cards for Richie Nauer and Steve Nelli did, however, lead to a penalty try for Colchester.

Pete Dankert, TJ’s Head Coach, said: “We were really pleased to have got another bonus point win under our belts at Colchester today.

“Every game is as tough as the last and the squad is having to dig deep, so to have the ‘twos’ putting in such a positive shift [they beat Dorking 55-10] we know the pool of players we can call on is up to the task with more tough games to come.”

TJs now welcome Chichester to The Slade on Saturday.

Frankish is rewarded for fine form with shot at junior title GOLF: KENT ace Cloe Frankish from Chart Hills Golf Club will be hoping to emulate the feats of European Ryder Cup stars Justin Rose and Matthew Fitzpatrick next week after qualifying for the final of the 2016 Telegraph BMW Junior Golf Championship at Portugal’s prestigious Quinta do Lago resort.

Rose and Fitzpatrick are just two of the famous players to have triumphed in the event’s 30-year history, and Cloe will be one of 12

boys and nine girls aiming to add their names to the winners’ list when the tournament takes place in the Algarve from October 31 to November 4.

The 17-year-old from Tonbridge, who plays off plus four, claimed her place in the elite line-up after receiving a sponsors’ invite following a memorable season which included winning the English Girls Amateur Championship at The Nottinghamshire Golf Club.

SPORTING TIMES 

…or on our website at www.timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk please email them to sport@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or sport@timesoftonbridge.co.uk

Jota crowned in Estoril

LINE DANCE Harry Tincknell completes the victory for Jota in Portugal

Local team wins European Le Mans series MOTORSPORT: FRANT race team Jota Sport were crowned this year’s European Le Mans Series champions following their dramatic victory in Portugal.

It was a make-or-break race for the team, who had come to the Estoril circuit lagging 14 points behind championship leaders Thiriet TDS Racing.

However, skilful driving by the three drivers Harry Tincknell, Simon Dolan and ex-Formula One racer Giedo van der Garde meant Jota took the lead early on during the four-hour race.

They also benefited from the misfortune of their rivals which resulted in the Thiriet car spending 20 laps in the pit due to

Kuwertz shows skills in hills to round off strong campaign Association Hill Climb event on the Firle Borstal, near Beddingham, Lewes, the SDW

PHOTO: Kieran Fitzpatrick

CYCLING: SOUTHBOROUGH & District Wheelers were well placed in the Catford Hill Climb on Yorks Hill, near Ide Hill.

The event dates back to 1886, making it the oldest continuing cycle race in the world.

A total of 150 riders took part, and Matt Kuwertz (2 min 10 sec) was the best-placed rider from Southborough, finishing in 25th place overall.

Keith Henderson (2:16), Rory Barrett (2:29), Omar Malik (2:45), Miles Baker Clarke (2:46), Chris Duffy (2.58), Sam Gibbs (3.01), Kieran Fitzpatrick (3.08) and Carlos Martinez (3.30) were all well placed. The winner was Richard Bussell (AeroCoach) in 1 min 50 secs.

In the East Sussex Cycling

TOP EFFORT Matt Kuwertz powers up Yorks Hill

team of Henderson, Kuwertz and Barrett won the hotly contested team event.

This wrapped up a successful season for Kuwertz, who won the SDW hill climb trophy after a good result in the club event held on Kidds Hill, Ashdown Forest.

SDW riders have also been competing in the London Cyclo Cross League, which was held on the Preston Park course near Brighton.

Glen Whittington finished ninth in the senior race, with Cameron Preece in 46th place and Simon Millar 51st.

Bruce Sandell finished 53rd in the Vet 40 race and Paul Greer 14th in the Vet 50 race. Pip Jenkins achieved a personal best finish of sixth place in her event.

Angels face fall-out from heavy defeat Wingate & Finchley 4-0 Tonbridge

By Jim Rowe FOOTBALL: A HEAVY defeat at Wingate & Finchley left a depleted Tonbridge Angels with five of the team’s senior players out with injuries.

Manager Steve McKimm said the defeat was down to the team failing to take their chances and

87

revealed he held them back for a 45-minute team talk afterwards.

Wingate’s left winger Rob Laney set up the opening goal after 36 minutes with a cross to Luke Ifel, who slotted home neatly.

The game started to slip away just four minutes into the second half. Tommy Tejan-Sie slid a fine ball through to Steve Wales, who doubled the home side’s lead.

Despite plenty of possession Tonbridge were unable to match their opponents, but Tom Phipp headed just over and Damian Scannell’s shot produced a fine save by keeper Shane Gore.

But it wasn’t enough, and on 78 minutes substitute Reece Beckles produced an audacious lob to round off a key run.

Then deep into stoppage time Jerrome Sobers conceded a penalty to complete a miserable afternoon for the Angels.

electrical issues, ensuring Jota reversed their deficit to finish the season with 103 points to Thiriet’s 94.

It was the first championship victory for the team, which last year won the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans on which the European series is based.

‘Fantastic car’ The title win also represented a fitting send-off for the team’s Gibson car, which they have run since 2012.

The ‘Mighty 38’, as it was affectionately nicknamed by commentators, will be retired by the end of the year as rule

changes to the series have led to a ban on open-cockpit cars.

Tincknell, who took the car to the finish line, said: “We’ve been trying to win this race for three years, we’ve been trying to win the championship for three years and each previous year we’ve come close. I think we’ve deserved it, but it didn’t quite come our way before.

“This year we knew we just needed to be a little bit more consistent and make fewer mistakes. We did it in style by winning the final race and the whole team were magnificent.”

He added: “This is a sweet victory and such a great end to the career of this fantastic car.”

CROSS TO BEAR Returning keeper Steve Lawrence fends off another attack

Wells’ Vase dreams ended by impressive Rangers win Abbey Rangers 3-0 Tunbridge Wells

By Scott Bartlett FOOTBALL: TUNBRIDGE WELLS bowed out of the FA Vase with a 3-0 defeat at Combined Counties’ side Abbey Rangers.

They reached the final in 2013 but Jason Bourne’s small squad is now stretched to breaking point. Ryan Crandley and Josh Biddlecombe were unavailable, while Jason Barton has returned to Crowborough.

Steve Lawrence returned in goal

after recovering from a broken thumb but Wells’ misfortunes grew on 19 minutes when Tom Bryant twisted an ankle.

A well-drilled Rangers side hit the post twice before taking the lead after 25 minutes, Patrick Rusicka firing home calmly after the defence failed to clear.

After 75 minutes, the hosts went two up with a finely worked goal. A couple of neat passes in the box left Paul Hodges in on goal to knock it past Lawrence.

From there, Hodges put the tie

to bed with three minutes left as Wells were chased the game.

A diagonal ball saw the Abbey winger drive to the by-line and cross for Hodges to fire in from the edge of the six-yard box.

Manager Bourne said: “This was a disappointing performance from the team. We’ve an away match against Sheppey next weekend, which will be another tough one, but I think that’s what we need right now, and I’m hoping we’ll get a reaction from the boys.”

Wednesday 26th October 2016

By Appo int men t to Her Majesty The Queen Jewell er G. Colllns&Sonsltd Royal Tunbridge Wells

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