Times of Tunbridge Wells Issue 2, March 11th 2015

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Wednesday, March 11, 2015

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MAN FROM THE PRU

Tidjane Thiam stepping down Pg 14

MATURE AND MEASURED The Peugeot 308 GT Pg 62

DOWN AT THE FARM SHOP How they beat supermarkets Pg 54

COUNTDOWN QUEEN She becomes a record-breaker Pg 20

TUNBRIDGE WELLS MURDER INVESTIGATION

DAUGHTER IN TRIBUTE TO HER ‘DOTING DAD’ • Julie Rae THE daughter of a man who was fatally injured at work told the Times: “You couldn’t find a kinder or more loving man”.

Speaking the day after James Wallington died in tragic circumstances, Sophie Wallington paid tribute to her father.

She said: “My dad has left behind four children who love him so much. This couldn’t have happened to a more kind or loving man.

“It’s just so unbelievable and cruel that he could be taken from us like this.”

Sophie posted on Facebook: “Can’t even put into words how devastated I am at the death of my one in a million Dad taken from us in such a cruel way. RIP James Wallington you will be missed. Thank you for bringing me up as your own I’m so proud you are my dad. I just wish I could have seen you one last time. I love you forever.”

Mr Wallington, who worked as a refuse collector for Cory Environmental, died at the North Farm waste depot.

A private ambulance removed his body in the early afternoon of Monday, (March 9).

A 48-year-old man from Paddock Wood has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident. He was in custody but had not been charged as the Times went to press.

Mr Wallington, who was liked by everyone who met him according to friends, was described as a “fun-loving doting dad”, who started work at 4am at the waste depot. He had previously worked as a van driver and for a furniture company.

A family friend said: “He was a lovely fun-loving guy who liked to go to the pub with his mates. But the thing he loved to do most in the world was spend time with his kids.

He raised his stepdaughter like she was his own.”

“He was a doting dad. A really fun guy with a great personality.”

Mr Wallington had three children with his wife Carly – seven-year-old George, Joe who is 12 and Maisy, 15. He raised stepdaughter Sophie, 21, as his own child.

FATHER OF FOUR James Wallington with daughter Sophie as a child

INSIDE GATWICK

The man who wants thousands more planes over our town

PAGE 2

BUSINESS

More investment needed to boost poor broadband

PAGE 17

PARKING

Motorists angry over season ticket ‘rip-off’

PAGE 9 The 44-year-old, who was born in Pembury and raised in Tunbridge Wells, was separated from his wife and living in a bedsit in Somerset Road.

Neighbours were devastated by the news of Mr Wallington’s death. One described it as a “tragedy”, while another neighbour said: “It’s terrible. What a tragic thing to happen to a father.”

A police spokesman said: “Kent Police were called to an incident in North Farm Lane just after 6am on Monday, March 9 as a man had sustained fatal injuries. The two men are believed to be known to each other.

“This is being treated as a murder investigation. A man in

his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of murder and he’s currently in police custody.”

Former Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar pupil Miss Wallington was happy for the Times to use photographs of her father posted on Facebook.

Tributes poured in on social media including: “So sorry to hear this very bad news…your dad was a top man.”

“He was the kindest, best man I ever knew, he was always happy and brought warmth to my family when we needed it the most. Never will I forget his smile.”

“This world is such a cruel place. Always the best taken first.”

76/78, High Street, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1YB Telephone: (01892) 534018 Fax: (01892) 510536 email: info@gcollinsandsons.com www.gcollinsandsons.com

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2 � NEWS

WEATHER THE WEEK IN VIEW

WEDNESDAY CLOUDY MARCH 11 2015

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

11 C

Councillor faces calls for his resignation

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Pollution: Low Sunrise: 6:22am

Visibility: Good Wind: 12

THIS MAN WANTS AN EXTRA 260,000 FLIGHTS OVER THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS AREA • By David Jarvis

Humidity: 68% Sunset: 5.56pm

THURSDAY

12OC

FRIDAY

9OC

SATURDAY

8C

SUNDAY

7OC

MONDAY

9OC

TUESDAY

11OC

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INVESTIGATIONS by this newspaper show that the crucial initial decision

by East Sussex County Council to back a second Gatwick runway was taken by just one man – Councillor Rupert Simmons.

A second runway would put thousands of more planes above Tunbridge Wells. There are calls now for his resignation.

The Times can highlight an extraordinary set of circumstances in which the leader of ESCC, Cllr Keith Glazier, delegated powers to Cllr Simmons that enabled him alone to establish council policy on the second runway. A second

CONTACTS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615 DEPUTY EDITOR ELEANOR JONES eleanor@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 576037 HEAD OF SALES JOE STONER jstoner@markerstudy.com | 01892 779624 GENERAL INQUIRIES newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/timesoftunbridgewells timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk twitter.com/timesoftw

runway could mean a doubling of planes to more than 500,000 per year.

There was no meaningful consultation with groups opposed to the expansion plan.

It is now being suggested that Cllr Simmons “should seriously consider his position” and resign.

An e-mail exchange between this paper and ESCC, which defended Cllr Simmons’ actions, shows how he consulted with council officers and then took the decision himself at a lead member meeting in November 2013.

Only two other councillors spoke at the meeting and there is no public record of any other councillors attending. There was no vote.

Pressure groups opposed to the expansion said Cllr Simmons’ conduct had “mired” the democratic process.

Following protests from pressure groups over the decisionmaking process, along with written questions from this newspaper, the council did a U-turn and agreed that the full council would take a vote. At a meeting on January 27, expansion plans were approved 27 votes to 19 on the grounds of job creation and improved infrastructure.

Richard Streatfield, chairman of the High Weald Councils Aviation Action Group, which represents 17 parish and town councils in Surrey, Sussex and

IF YOU HAVE A STORY WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU. Contact details above 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU

DECISION Cllr Rupert Simmons

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.

Last week in a report on the Swedish bank Handelsbanken we stated that business lending across its 189 UK branches in the UK rose to £9.6million and that lending to personal customers jumped to £4.4million in 2014.This should have read £9.6billion and £4.4billion. We apologise for the error.

We also published a picture with the caption “Darrell Barber Partner at Bracketts Chartered Surveyors”. In fact it was an image of Conrad Chant from Blue Pelican recruitment company. Our apologies to both men If you would like to make a comment on any aspect of the newspaper, please write to the editor, 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU, or email newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

Markerstudy Leisure is a trading name of One Media and Creative UK Limited registered in England and Wales under company number 5398960 with registered office at 45 Westerham Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2QB.

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Wednesday 11th March 2015

The fact one man has the power to make that call is completely at odds with the huge significance of the issue

Kent, said: “Mr Simmons should seriously consider his position.

“His performance has left people with a feeling that they are not being properly, or democratically represented.

“He may not have broken any rules and may even have felt he was doing the right thing but that one man has the power to make that call is completely at odds with the huge significance of the issue.

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions, or maybe it’s the flight path to hell, but did Cllr Simmons really consider what the night noise will mean for people’s long-term health? There is no evidence he has.

“Opposition is growing, and that is reflected in the council vote but it is lagging behind other councils and that is because the process was mired in the early stages and lacked proper consultation.

Continued on opposite page

THE FUTURE? How a second Gatwick runway could look

THE TIMES OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

WHY COUNCILLORS MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BEING an elected councillor for a local authourity can often be a pretty thankless task. If the rubbish bins are not collected, it is obviously your fault.

If my street lights don’t work, I am going to blame you. If there’s a pot hole in the road, again it’s your fault.

We lay many things at the feet of councillors when, in fact, they often have little control over what happens. The final say might not even rest with their authority.

Why anyone would wish to be a councillor defeats me – unless it’s about power and ego.

And there’s little doubt, some seek election for just those reasons. Many though stand because

they are “encouraged” by a political party or because they genuinely want to serve their local community and do good things.

Most are soon disillusioned.

Whatever the reason we expect, quite rightly, that those we elect will be part of an open, transparent decision-making process. Sadly, over recent years, that decision-making process has changed. Vital, key decisions have been handed to something called cabinets which in turn have delegated responsibility to individual lead members of that cabinet which means one person can today make a decision that can adversely impact tens of thousands of lives.

And you just have to ask: “Is that right?”

There’s been a quiet revolution in local councils and how people decide what happens and the vast majority of us have not batted an eyelid.

Why? Because most people see council elections as an irritant, something of little consequence to them as individuals. On average only one in three bother to vote.

But what happened at East Sussex County Council with one man setting the policy of backing a second runway at Gatwick, should serve as a wake-up call and a reason why all of us should turn out and vote.

Richard Moore, Editorial Director

LOCAL NEWS �

How the Gatwick decision unfolded…

The following is an exchange of emails between the Times of Tunbridge Wells and the press office of East Sussex County Council.

Times: Has there been a full vote of the council to support growth at Gatwick? If so when? If there has been no full council vote, where and when was the decision taken and by whom?

ESCC: There has not been a full vote of the council on this - the decision to give our support in principle to a second runway at Gatwick was taken by our lead member for economy, Cllr Rupert Simmons, at his lead member meeting in November, 2013. A council response to the Airports Commission consultation will be discussed at our next cabinet meeting on January 27.

Times: Thanks. Just so we are clear. You are

saying that one man with responsibility for the economy, not the environment, took what will probably be the most important decision in decades in terms of social impact on community life? Is he up for re-election by the way?

ESCC: Are you asking us to comment on that or stating an opinion? Cllr Simmons, along with the rest of the council, will be up for election in 2017.

Times: Morning...to clarify. Those who oppose growth plans at Gatwick claim that one man with responsibility for the economy took the decision to support growth and that it was not therefore a democratic decision.

What’s your response to that claim?

ESCC: Like many other councils, we operate a system where the majority of decisions are made either by cabinet or lead members.

Lead members are appointed by the leader and tasked with making certain decisions within their area of responsibility. Aviation

falls within the remit of the lead member for economy.

Cllr Simmons made his decision having considered a wide variety of factors, including the potential environmental impact of the scheme.

We believe a second runway at Gatwick has huge potential economic benefits not just for East Sussex but the south east a whole, but our support is on the basis that the necessary infrastructure is in place and any environmental effects are mitigated.

The council’s cabinet will consider our formal response to the Airports Commission consultation at its next meeting on January 27.

Times: Thanks. With whom did Councillor Simmons consult prior to taking that decision?

ESCC: He would have had a full briefing from officers in our economic development team.

Times: So that’s a yes to the fact that one person, elected that is, took the decision?

ESCC: Yes, as previously stated, the decision

was taken by Cllr Simmons, having taken advice from officers.

Times: Thanks. Does this decision now have to be agreed by the full council?

ESCC: No this doesn’t have to be agreed by the full council - the decision of Cllr Simmons that the council supports the second runway in principle has already been made and cabinet will be discussing an official response to the Airports Commission consultation on January 27.

Like most councils, we operate a cabinet system which means not all decisions have to go through full council.

ESCC later announced a dramatic u-turn and said there would be a vote in full council. That vote endorsed Cllr Simmons’ decision by just eight votes. The majority of the councilors who voted for a second runway represent areas that would not be significantly impacted by the runway.

WHERE IT NOW STANDS IT’S a straight choice between Heathrow and Gatwick for a new runway by 2030 as the Airports Commission killed off the “Boris Island” scheme last year.

Those who want to see it at Gatwick claim only an additional 18,000 people will be affected, compared to 320,000 at Heathrow, making it the best choice for the environment.

Some 120,000 new jobs, 22,000 airport related, will

be created, it is claimed, with an extra £1.73billion a year pumped into the local economy by 2050.

But numerous pressure groups oppose the plan claiming noise levels, pollution and huge pressure on local transport infrastructure would be catastrophic for many communities.

With 5,000 extra flights per week by 2050, noise levels, particularly at night, could

Continued from page 2 “Cllr Simmons has not covered himself in glory and has left people feeling they have not been properly represented.”

And Kevin Chandler a member of East Sussex Communities for the Control of Air Noise (Esccan), also called on Cllr Simmons to resign.

Mr Chandler, from Buxted near Uckfield, East Sussex, said he was expressing a personal view but that many people felt Cllr Simmons had failed in his duty.

He said: “Although perhaps in line with his responsibility as given by ESCC, I feel due to the sheer scale of the issue and the catastrophic potential on those living in the north of the county, Cllr Simmons has acted way beyond his moral duty by taking the decision alone to support a second runway

FLIGHT PATH The route taken by inbound Gatwick planes in 2014

affect quality of life.

West Sussex and Kent county councils have both switched from supporting the second runway to opposing it as local groups have fought tirelessly to protect their communities.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is also opposed as are many other authorities in the region.

A final decision on where to locate the runway is expected this summer.

without full consultation with the council nor engagement of specialists in understanding Gatwick’s proposal in full detail.

“In my opinion, he has acted improperly and continues to do so and he should resign as he is clearly compromised in his ability to represent those negatively impacted by Gatwick’s current behaviour and future plans.”

Kent and West Sussex county councils are opposed to the expansion, as is Crawley Borough Council.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council also opposed the plans by a vote of 40 against one at a public meeting on January 7.

There are fears the dramatic increase in flights would have a serious impact on the environment and the local economy.

Mr Streatfield, who lives in nearby

Chiddingstone, added: “Gatwick keeps talking about the economic advantages but if the second runway goes it ahead, it will be like killing the goose that laid the golden egg.

“People visit Tunbridge Wells and live here because it is a beautiful place, a beautiful environment, but they won’t want to be here if flights overhead virtually double to 560,000 a year which is what this means.

East Sussex County Council rules state that Cllr Simmons acted within his delegated powers which allow him to make “key” decisions, that is decisions which are likely to have financial implications of £500,000 or more per year or, and it is the clause which applies in this case, have a significant effect on communities living or working in an area comprising two or more electoral divisions of the council.

A council spokesman said: “We operate a cabinet and leader system where full council elects a leader who has responsibility for most of the decisions of the council, but delegates many of these powers either to individual cabinet members or to cabinet to decide collectively.

“The leader decides which area each cabinet member, also known as a lead member, have delegated powers for.

“These tend to be quite wide-ranging and in the case of Cllr Rupert Simmons, lead member for economy, his delegated powers are specified as strategy and policy for all economic development, regenerations projects and Trading Standards.”

Councillor Simmons made his decision at a lead member meeting in November 2013 and

3

THE MEN BEHIND THE POLICY… David Glazier leader of ESCC, represents Rye and Eastern Rother and was elected to the council in 1997.

The Conservative council leader is chair of the health and wellbeing board which is committed to improving health and wellbeing in the county and aims to create a clear strategy to meet the health needs of local residents by understanding their needs. He is also member of a number of other council committees including strategic management and economic development where he is lead for the group.

Mr Glazier gave up his plumbing and heating business when he was elected as a councillor. His allowances for 2013/14 totalled £38,879.15.

Cllr Rupert Simmons says of himself: “The best thing about being a councillor is the feeling you get when you have represented a cause and succeeded.”

First elected as the Conservative candidate for Heathfield in 2001 he declares his financial interests on the council website as “publisher of Investment Trusts magazine” which specialises in the investment trusts sector of the London stock market.

He started life as a surveyor after graduating from Reading University but says he moved into the music business when green belt laws hit planning.

He claimed allowances of £24,138.10 from ESCC in 2013-14. On top of that he received a further £1,659.15 in car allowance.

such meetings do not record who attended though the minutes show only three councillors spoke - Cllr Simmons and Cllrs Rosalyn St Pierre (Lib Dem) and Cllr John Hodges (Lab).

A council spokesman added: “The Gatwick Airport issue was discussed by the lead member Cllr Simmons on two separate occasions in November 2013 and again in June 2014. Both meetings were open to the public.

“All councillors were aware of the meetings and the reports that were to be considered and all councillors were able to speak at the meetings if they wished to do so.”

A spokesman for Gatwick said a second runway would mean: “There would be an additional 260,000 flights per year by 2050.”

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Wednesday 11th March 2015

4 � INTERVIEW

Meet the candidate

KEVIN KERRIGAN HOPES TO WIN TUNBRIDGE WELLS FOR LABOUR

AS THE clock counts down to the General Election, the Times has been speaking to those hoping to win your vote and represent Tunbridge Wells in Parliament.

This week, we meet the Labour candidate.

“I wouldn’t be standing if I didn’t think it was worth it”

GENERAL ELECTION 2010: TUNBRIDGE WELLS PARTY

CANDIDATE

Votes

%

+/-% +5.5

� CONSERVATIVE

Greg Clark

28,302

56.2

� LIBERAL Democrat

David Hallas

12,726

25.3

+0

� LABOUR

Gary Heather

5,448

10.8

−9.6

� UKIP

Victor Webb

2,054

4.1

+0.6

� GREEN

Hazel Dawe

914

1.8

+1.8

� BNP

Andrew McBride

704

1.4

+1.4 +0.3

� INDEPENDENT

172

0.3

MAJORITY

Farel Bradbury

15,576

31

TURNOUT

50, 320

69.8

+3.9

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Wednesday 11th March 2015

TEENAGE ZOMBIE

›› MORE than 100 teens and their parents packed

Waterstone’s for the “amazing” experience of meeting an author. Darren Shan came to the Tunbridge Wells branch to sign copies of the tenth instalment of his teenage zombie novel, Zom-B Bride. The author took time to chat with his fans and signed every book with a personal message.

Reader Eve Rae, 16, said: “It was amazing to meet Darren, I’ve read all his books. He made my book-signing feel really personal and answered all the questions I fired at him. He was lovely.” Mr Shan’s Zom-B books follow teenager B as she lives through a zombie apocalypse.

• By Eleanor Jones NAME: Kevin Kerrigan AGE: 53 LIVES: Horsmonden DAY JOB: IT HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN POLITICS AND WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED? I was a parish councillor in Horsmonden for about six years from the early 1990s. It wasn’t really party political – there’s no point getting caught up in ideological arguments when you’re all trying to do the same thing – but I’ve always been engaged.

I’ve got a passion for local communities and issues, things don’t happen unless people get involved, and I guess that’s what got me started.

I like working within the community and with people, I like to feel I’m making a difference.

I brought up four children in the village and set up a youth club because there was nothing available and I wanted to get something off the ground for them – if you want a good environment for you and your family and friends, you’ve got to get your finger out.

I believe Labour has the right idea.

We live in an area that’s got Conservative borough and county councils and I don’t know that they always represent what communities want.

I’ve been Labour all my life. In the 1980s and 90s, there was a particular approach being taken in this country and I didn’t think it was the right way – the Labour way. I believe there’s another way of doing politics that’s inclusive and fair and I don’t think that’s what’s happened. There’s an arrogance and a slight out of touch aspect, and not just to the Government, to the councils as well.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH? The first obvious one is the NHS, as it is nationally.

November 23, 2014 was the last time Pembury Hospital hit its A&E target, which is 95 per cent of people to be seen within four hours – we’re seeing about 80 per cent. That’s a lot of people waiting, perhaps in pain or distress, and I can’t help thinking it’s related to top-down reorganisation which cost billions nationally and hasn’t done much but demoralise people in the NHS. There’s cost of living – nationally, people are worse off and in Tunbridge Wells too. The “bedroom tax” has affected hundreds of people in the borough, there are more than 1,000 on the housing list and thousands on long-term disability benefit – they’re all worse off.

The Royal Victoria Hall is something people are getting upset about locally.

The county, borough and town councils are working together to push through their plans which local people don’t seem to want. They should sit down with the people and work with them to see if their ideas could be realised.

There are issues with transport. Kids who are 16 are being charged for buses to school even though they’ve got to go and it’s not cheap.

People think Tunbridge Wells is well off and it is, relatively, but that’s not to say a lot of people aren’t struggling very much.

WHY SHOULD TUNBRIDGE WELLS PEOPLE VOTE LABOUR? I believe Labour has a different approach.

Looking at the NHS, we’re committed to 20,000 more nurses, 8,000 doctors and 5,000 care workers. But the service isn’t just about treating people in hospital, if you’ve got someone who could leave but can’t free up the bed as there’s no one at home, there’s an issue.

Labour has a different approach to the economy – it hasn’t got to be about cutting left, right and centre and people being worse off.

The national debt has gone up since 2010, that’s not a successful economic approach by any stretch of the imagination.

We listen, we get involved, we’re prepared to work with local people and local communities and not brush them off because we think we know better.

These are communities – Southborough, Rusthall, Hormonden – they’re all communities with people living in them with local interests at heart and they can’t and shouldn’t be ignored.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE VOTE FOR YOU PERSONALLY? I’ve got energy, enthusiasm, drive and passion to do something about these things.

I work long hours, 65 miles away round the M25 but I come back in the evenings and get on with doing other things. I’m committed, I don’t just sit about and moan, I get out there and do something.

I’ve been campaigning locally for years. We had a campaign to save our local library when Kent County Council tried to close it – I led the parish council campaign and worked with local people, we got hundreds out protesting but for the sake of £5,000, KCC closed it and people are still suffering.

That was unsuccessful but there have been other campaigns. When the parish council wanted to close the public toilets in the village, I organised the local petition and managed to keep them open.

I think what I’m trying to say is that I get out there, get involved and get things done.

ARE YOU HOPEFUL OF VICTORY? You’ve got to be hopeful. I don’t know how many years there’s been Conservative MPs here but I wouldn’t be standing if I didn’t think it was worth it. People have to have the chance to vote for the party they believe in.

Historically, this is a Conservative seat but there are a lot of people here who don’t want a Conservative MP. I’m standing to change things. There’s too much complacency and arrogance in the way things are done and that needs to change.

WHAT REACTION HAVE YOU HAD ON THE DOORSTEPS? I’m getting a lot of support out canvassing and doing street stalls, communicating with people.

We knock on doors, and do street stalls every weekend in various parts of the borough and you’d be amazed – it’s very encouraging when people come up and are pleased to see us out there, they’re supportive.

I can take negative as well as positive comments though, I’m old enough not to be phased by what people throw at me. I’m passionate and prepared to argue my corner. You’re always going to get negative comments, even Conservatives campaigning here, but people are very good, even those of other political persuasions like to chat and engage – you can have a lot of fun campaigning, believe it or not, I quite look forward to it.

COMEDIAN’S TUNBRIDGE WELLS SHOW SOLD OUT IN ONE DAY A SCOTTISH comedian’s one night warm-up gig in Tunbridge Wells sold out in one day.

Scotland’s biggest export Kevin Bridges has taken to the road to test new material prior to embarking on his biggest tour to date.

And tickets for his A Whole Different Story pre-tour gig at the Trinity Theatre on March 30 were snapped up by local fans despite the warning that he may perform using notes.

Mr Bridges smashed box office records with his epic 136-date tour in 2012 with a sold out nine-show run at Glasgow’s SECC Arena.

In the last 12 months, he has hosted three BBC1 shows and performed stand-up gigs at the Commonwealth Games and the Scottish referendum.

His autobiography We Need to Talk About… was published by Penguin last year.

LOCAL NEWS �

Citizens Advice Bureau could close from lack of money

Teen plunges 40ft from town roof A TEENAGER who plunged 40 feet from a town centre roof was practising Parkour, it is believed.

The boy suffered serious head injuries in the fall, from the roof of a building on Lime Hill Street, on Saturday night.

Three ambulances, a paramedic car and an air ambulance car with a specialist team were at the scene and the youngster, who has not been named, was taken to Kings College Hospital in London.

It is believed the boy was performing Parkour, a method of physical training which helps develop the ability to overcome obstacles. It involves movement that would help in an escape or emergency situation and includes jumping across rooftops.

Staff fear thousands would have nowhere to go without service • By Times reporter THE Tunbridge Wells Citizens Advice Bureau could be forced to close owing to a funding shortfall of thousands of pounds.

The independent charity is facing a deficit from the 2015-16 financial year as a result of cuts to its Tunbridge Wells Borough Council grant and the end of two years’ Lottery funding this September.

Training supervisor Merrie Carlton said the branch works with some 5,000 people every year, on issues including illness, debt and redundancy.

She added: “If we weren’t in the town any more I don’t really know where people would go for help.

“Will we be forced to close? I don’t know, we might pull a funding rabbit out of a hat.

We take it day by day.”

Mrs Carlton said the branch has also lost its Legal Services Commission contracts.

She explained: “These were legal aidfunded services in particular advice areas (housing, employment, debt and benefits) which, while they did not contribute to profit, did contribute to overhead costs.

With the virtual abolition of legal aid for civil cases. this has also cut a potential area of funding.

“With the abolition of legal aid, a large tranche of the local community would have no support where injustice or mistreatment has occurred.”

The bureau bids for grants for specific projects and receives some money from parish councils but its income from TWBC

has decreased by 28 per cent in the last ten years.

Mrs Carlton said her aim was to set up a page on easyfunding.org.uk, a website which donates to customers’ chosen charities every time they click through the site to make an online purchase.

She added: “Tunbridge Wells Citizens Advice Bureau was 75 years old last year, having been one of the first bureaux to open, in September 1939. Apart from the evacuation of children, we deal with exactly the same problems now as we did then. The borough needs us.”

A TWBC spokesman said that by April, the council’s grant from the Government will have been cut by £3.2m or 47 per cent since 2010, adding: “There will be continuing pressure on the council to make efficiencies and find savings, especially if central government funding continues to be cut at the same rate in future. However, we will continue to work with TWCAB to discuss how we can continue to support them under any new agreement.

“There are a number of organisations in the voluntary sector, as well as statutory providers, who can provide advice and support to vulnerable people, many providing specialist advice services. TWBC also provides community grant funding to some of these, including, Paddock Wood Community Advice Centre, West Kent Mediation and Relate.” newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

5

FEELING GOOD Scott Richardson can now compete in the championships

Triathlete gets chance to pursue his team GB dream Scott Richardson can now compete in the championships

• By Julie Rae A BRITISH triathlete has the chance to go for gold in Europe thanks to the Times.

Last week, we reported that Scott Richardson needed to raise cash to fulfil his dream of competing for team GB in May’s European championships. The personal trainer from Tunbridge Wells had resorted to a crowd-funding attempt to get him to Italy.

Two days after the first edition of the Times hit the streets, an anonymous benefactor called us offering to fund the full outstanding amount to take the talented triathlete all the way to Rimini.

The generous local backer has given Mr Richardson the £600 he needed to fulfil his ambition of competing for his country. In return, his tri suit will carry the logo of the Institution of Engineering Technology, of which the anonymous sponsor is a supporting member.

“That’s awesome. I’m gobsmacked,” said Mr Richardson. “I can’t quite believe it.”

The 34-year-old fitness fanatic will now travel to Rimini to compete in the Middle Distance Triathlon European Championships on May 24.

He added: “I can’t wait to get to Rimini.

I’m training six days a week in the runup to the competition. I’m in week eight of training and getting excited about competing.

“I’m feeling pretty good. In fact, after receiving the donation, I’m feeling pretty damn good. I’m ready for Rimini.

“This time I’m going to bring home gold.”

The Institution of Engineering Technology is a professional body “working to engineer a better world”.

The body aims to “inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community”. It supports technology innovation to meet the needs of society.

Camden Park death a mystery A POLICE investigation into the mysterious death of a man in one of Tunbridge Wells’ most exclusive housing estates is continuing.

After last week’s post mortem, police are now treating the 44-yearold’s death as unexplained but not suspicious. Officers are continuing their enquiries into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The man’s body was discovered at a house in the Camden Park estate on Monday, March 2.

Axe to fall at Morrisons store?

A QUESTION mark now hangs over reported plans by the supermarket Morrisons to open an express store in Crowborough.

New chairman Andy Higginson is set to slash dividends and halt the opening of convenience stores when the company posts annual results next Thursday, March 12. He is expected to say dividend payouts could fall by up to 60 per cent over the next 12 months.

The struggling Bradford-based retailer already has main stores in Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells.

Turners Hill, East Grinstead, RH10 4QD Wednesday 11th March 2015

6 � LOCAL NEWS

The making of a newspaper…

More than 1.5million people followed the launch through the broadcast media TWITTER SAID:

FACEBOOK SAID:

THE NEWSROOM

#twtimesnews

timesoftunbridgewells

Callum Porritt @callum_porritt @timesoftw In a time of technological growth, Tunbridge Wells gets a new newspaper and its a whopper!

Well done!

Sue O’Reilly Excellent new paper! Love the new paper! Really fresh and interesting layout plus great content. Especially love the food & travel items.

La Roche @LaRocheTW @timesoftw yes ! Yes! At last a newspaper that supports the people of TW. love it. Great paper.Read it from front to back.keep up the good work and thanks for the great support for small business

Bonnita Moaby Whoop well done!

MCM Net @mcmnet The whole team is enjoying the first edition of @timesoftw this morning! you’ve done a great job, looking forward to reading every week!

Jez® @MisterJez Well done @timesoftw - 1st class job, that’s more like it.

Tim Arthur @TimArthurTO @timesoftw Great first edition guys. Welcome to the ‘free’ market. Really enjoyed reading it on my commute from High Brooms this morning.

Bob Smith Congratulations on your launch. I have just finished reading your first edition and I found it of high quality throughout WHAT a day it turned out to be, the launch of this newspaper.

The first of the 30,000 copies arrived in the town by road just after 5am on Wednesday, (March 4) hot off the presses at our Newbury printers.

Within hours more than 10,000 had been handed out across the town, with commuters snapping them up before grabbing their coffees and stepping aboard London-bound trains.

Teams of hawkers distributed

more newspapers to other people heading for local offices and businesses. Copies were also delivered to individual homes and made available at 154 outlets including newsagents, supermarkets and shops within a ten mile radius of the town centre.

By Friday morning, 24,000 copies of the Times had been put into the hands of readers And the reaction?

Over whelmingly positive!

Harpist / Singer ELLEN Thoroughly enjoyable browse of your paper in my favourite coffee shop this morning, so I was very pleased to see a copy through the door later this afternoon and an opportunity to read it properly! Perfect combination of local issues and national news. And good to see the RTW Symphony Orchestra getting some coverage. Look forward to the next edition...

Hardman & Hemming @HardmanHemming Well done @timesoftw with your first edition. I’ve had a look online as I’m not in TW today, still a great read. Keep up the good work!

OVER 1.5 MILLION REACH:

 As well as extensive social media activity, the Times of Tunbridge Wells reached an audience of over 1.5 million through the broadcast media.

This included coverage on BBC1 South East, ITV Meridian, Radio Kent and Heart FM.

Maxim @Maxim_PR Tracked down a copy of the @TimesofTW and it’s now being passed round the office.

Congrats on your first edition!

Mandy Brooker @ItsJustMandyB I saw a copy of @timesoftw yesterday. Looks like a quality publication. Thanks!

Cloud9 SkinSolutions @Cloud9skin @timesoftw Congratulations, a lot of people talking about the success of your launch...

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Ability Plumbing and Heating Call 0800 889 015 or 01892 514 495 Quoting reference TWTIMES

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In the months leading up to its launch, the new paper generated coverage in a range of printed and digital media too, including The Independent, Marketing Week and holdthefrontpage.co.uk

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LOCAL NEWS �

7

Small business champions welcome £5million fund

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the sort THE Federation of Small Businesses of thing believes that news of the Times of that Tunbridge Wells Investment Fund “could help local not have come at a better time” for the companies, town. and local people, Kent and Medway FSB has 6,000 members who in turn employ about 23,000 thrive. people.

“With nearly a third Working with high net worth individuals, of Kent’s businesses being less than three years old and the the Times has launched a £5million fund economy beginning to recover, this to help businesses across Kent. fund couldn’t have come at a better time Commenting on the fund, FSB regional for Tunbridge Wells.” treasurer Sue Nelson said: “We know that just under 90 per cent of businesses SME businesses make up 99.9 per cent of the economy in Tunbridge Wells. There in Kent employ less than ten people. It’s are just ten businesses with more than 250 not the big corporations, but these small employees and 80 with between 50 and companies that drive our local economy 249 employees. and create jobs.

Applications are being invited from “We also know that Tunbridge Wells is businesses that might benefit from the a hotbed for new and exciting businesses investment fund, which is designed to with about ten per cent of the county’s help limited companies from starts-ups companies based in the area. It’s great looking for seed capital news that they can get a to businesses needing cash boost to take them to • I N D VE N money to expand. the next level.

S FU T Successful applicants “It could be that it’s will not only receive time to take on more staff, financial help from high develop a further range of net worth investors, products or move to bigger they’ll also benefit from premises. The type of advice and support on a investment fund offered by range of issues, including the Times of Tunbridge Wells business strategy, legal and the invaluable advice and financial. that goes with it, are just

• IN

D

IN

BACKING OUR FUND FSB Treasurer Sue Nelson

T FUND •

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

TUNBRIDGE WELLS IMAGE Craig Saunders

Tunbridge Wells is a hotbed for new and exciting businesses with about 10 per cent of the county’s companies based in the area

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ENT F

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TO APPLY APPLICATIONS and business plans must be received

by July 1 2015, after which a shortlist will be chosen to present their ideas to a panel of experts. Funding to those selected will begin from autumn 1 2015.

Successful applicants will be followed during the course of the next 12 months through the pages of this newspaper or sister publications such as So Tunbridge

Wells magazine.

They will be required to take part in any other PR or promotional activity to help profile the fund and must also agree to mentor other successful applicants should the scheme be carried forward into another year.

Applications for funding will be considered by a panel of principal investors or their representatives.

The process will involve equity investment, although the investors reserve the right to use other financial structures. Funds will be released as the business demands and in line with an agreed structure. There is no limit on the amount of funding to any individual business.

Those interested in applying for funds should send

A “SPRING spectacular” at the home of some of the best bluebells in the country gets under way this weekend.

Hole Park Gardens, which is also renowned for 1829 its rhododendrons and wisterias, is famous for its “spectacular” bluebell displays, with a circular walk showing them off to their best advantage.

And although the flowers will not be out until late April, a “bluebell barometer”, which provides updates as to when they will reach their peak, will feature on the gardens’ website.

Visitors to the spring spectacular, which involves the venue’s being open daily from Saturday until June 7, can also see the results of a major bulb-planting programme,

MOTHER'S DAY LUNCH SUNDAY 15TH MARCH 2015

Three-course carvery and family portrait £24.95 per person, £12.50 for children under 12 (children under three free of charge) Also take the opportunity to let your child’s imagination run wild and create the perfect Mother’s Day card. £3 per child.

their full business plan together with a covering letter about themselves and their company to: Times of Tunbridge Wells Investment Fund, Longford House, 19 Mount Ephraim Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1EN. Applicants must be 18+ and operating a limited company within the boundaries of the county of Kent.

Closing date is July 1 2015.

including Queen of the Night tulips, narcissus and crocuses.

A spokesman said: “The bluebells at Hole Park are simply stunning with the most amazing scent. There is a very pretty circular walk through them, which takes you past a renovated ice house and back through the pretty white garlic. There are wooden benches along the way for a rest and to take in the view. The bluebells at Hole Park have featured on The One Show and on the BBC’s national weather during BBC Breakfast.”

The gardens are open every day from 11am to 6pm. For more information, and to see the bluebell barometer from next month, visit www.holepark.com

EASTER WEEKEND

SUNDAY 5TH & MONDAY 6TH APRIL 2015 THREE-COURSE CARVERY & EASTER EGGSPLORER TOUR

£22.50 per person, £11.25 for children under 12 (children under two free of charge)

Full details can be found on our website • Book now to avoid disappointment: 01892 515152 • reservations@salomons-estate.com • www.salomons-estate.com SALOMONS ESTATE, BROOMHILL ROAD, SOUTHBOROUGH, ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT TN3 0TG

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8 � LOCAL NEWS

Garden dream for eyesore cinema site • By Julie Rae ANOTHER week, another idea to transform the former cinema site - as a councillor calls for the “grot spot” to be grassed over and given back to the public.

The land on which the ABC cinema stood may soon be back on the market as current owners The Carlyle Group have admitted this is an option.

But when a proposal to value the site with a view to buying it was voted down at a Tunbridge Wells Borough Council meeting, Cllr Len Horwood suggested it be “made pretty” instead.

He said: “I would like to see the hoardings taken down and the site grassed over. Maybe the council could find the money to put forward a proposal to make the site look a little prettier?”

But TWBC leader David Jukes said a valuation would cost about £50,000 and ridiculed the idea of the council buying the land.

He added: Over the past 13 years, some of the best developers haven’t been able to make money with it.

What makes you think we can?”

The cinema closed 14 years ago and the building gradually fell into disrepair, eventually being demolished in 2014.

Lib Dem councillor Ben Chapelard, who put forward the original motion to value the eyesore, agreed with Cllr Horwood.

He said: “The council should tear the hoardings down and put the site back to public use.”

Cllr Hugh Patterson agreed TWBC should do something about the situation.

He said: “I think the borough council has to take some responsibility for what’s there. I actually agree it might be nice to see green grass there.” julie@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

KENT URGED: GET READY FOR CHINA TOURISM businesses across the county are being urged to “get China-ready”, in a bid to attract more tourists from the Far East.

Since 2004, when the process of applying for visas to Europe from China was made simpler, Chinese tourists have flocked here, with numbers increasing every year. In response, Visit Kent has launched a three-year campaign marketing the county to China.

Visit Kent chief executive Sandra MatthewsMarsh MBE, who visited China last year to gauge tourist interest in Kent said: “The UK is a top destination for Chinese tourists and Visit Kent has the right product to appeal to the market.

“Kent has a heritage appeal with historic sites and the full gamut of shopping options from boutiques in quaint towns and cities to highend designer outlets and malls.”

Visit Kent’s fact-finding mission revealed that Chinese visitors want to come to Kent to see the countryside, and that prospective tourists from the People’s Republic expect events such as morris dancing and the Dickens Festival, while they want to stay in the quirky accommodation Kent offers such as treehouse hotels.

Shopping is also an attraction, as British high street brands are expensive in China, says Visit Kent, while golf, cathedrals and historical characters are also crowd-pleasers.

Young people’s juice bar

THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF SUGGESTIONS OVER THE YEARS ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE OLD CINEMA SITE. Those ideas have included a spa, a nightclub, offices, shopping centre with supermarket and even a new cinema. Have you got any new ideas on how to make the best of a bad job? We’d like to hear from you. Contact details can be found on page 2.

“JUICE bars” for young people run by young people is the aim of the West Kent YMCA. Held in the Pagoda Centre, St John’s Road, on Mondays from 5pm to 7.30pm and in Ryder House, Belgrave Road, on Wednesdays from 4pm to 7pm, the youth clubs offer a safe space, with hot chocolate and toast, events and activities. Young people at the juice bars have previously learned how to make pancakes, completed a first aid course and visited Camber Sands. For more information, email JuiceBars@WestKentYMCA.org.uk

COMPETITION

Win an all inclusive holiday for 2 sponsored by and LAST week, we told you all about the spectacular beauty of the romantic island of St Lucia. Now the Times, with Baldwins Travel Group and Kuoni, is offering readers the chance to win an allinclusive getaway for two, worth £4,200, to the paradise island.

The seven-night dream holiday includes return flights for two to St Lucia, a stay in the beautiful 4.5* Rendezvous boutique hotel and a meet and greet with BBC Caribbean series presenter Simon Reeve, at Salomons on Wednesday, April 29.

Rendezvous is an all-inclusive couples-only resort on the beautiful island of St Lucia. On the northwest of the island, the resort is fronted by two miles of dazzling sands courtesy of Malabar beach. St Lucia offers the beauties of nature, rainforests, palm beaches and those worldfamous Caribbean landmarks, the Grand and Petit Pitons.

The Rendezvous resort has a wealth of activities for guests to enjoy, such as water sports including sailing, windsurfing, snorkelling and waterskiing. There is also a scuba diving centre for novice or experienced divers.

The hotel’s pools offer a break from the beach and sea with two to choose from. Near the beach there is a pool with a swim-up bar and the pool near the water garden is a quiet place to have a dip before relaxing on a sun lounger. As well as the two pools there is a man-made river which wanders lazily through the gardens, creating little havens for guests to curl up on a day bed with a book or just develop their suntans.

The Spa in the Water Garden is the place to go for relaxation. With a large menu of treatments ranging from facials to massage it is available for

both men and women. Getting the body in shape in a different way is also important and the resort offers classes in toning, stretching, yoga, Pilates and tai chi. More vigorous workouts are available at the fitness centre and tennis, including instruction, is also offered.

The Terrace Restaurant

The main venue for eating at the Rendezvous.

Breakfast can be a simple affair with local fruit or a full-blown English breakfast chosen from the buffet. Lunch and dinner menus are a mixture of local and international dishes.

The Trysting Place

Dinner is served here six evenings a week and guests are assured of fine dining and fine wines, based on the best of Caribbean and French cuisine. Music is provided by the resort’s resident guitarist.

There are three bars in the resort, each with its own ambience. The Champagne Bar is open until the early hours, the Terrace Bar serves a range of cocktails and the Pool Bar is a swim-up near the pool serving cooling drinks during the day.

To be in with a chance of winning this incredible all-inclusive 4.5* Caribbean holiday, all you have to do is visit www.timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk/ st-lucia/ and provide us with your details to be automatically entered into the random draw.

Alternatively, send your details to the Times of Tunbridge Wells, 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1NU. The closing date for entries is 6th April 2015.

COMPETITION TERMS: ONE PERSON WILL BE CHOSEN AT RANDOM TO WIN AN ALL-INCLUSIVE STAY FOR TWO PEOPLE AT RENDEZVOUS RESORT VALID ONLY FOR STAYS JUNE 1 TO OCTOBER 31 2015 OR JUNE 1 TO OCTOBER 31 2016. RENDEZVOUS IS A COUPLES-ONLY PROPERTY (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ONLY).

ALL STAYS ARE ON REQUEST AND SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AT TIME OF BOOKING. FLIGHTS – TBC BASED ON ECONOMY FLIGHTS, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. NON-REFUNDABLE OR TRANSFERRABLE. ALL ENTRANTS AND GUESTS MUST BE OVER 18. PRIZE VALUE £4,200. THE EDITOR’S DECISION IS FINAL. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO BE CONTACTED IN THE FUTURE BY THE TIMES OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS OR ANY OTHER AFFILIATED BRAND, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL STATING THIS TO INFO@TIMESOFTUNBRIDGEWELLS.CO.UK WITH THE SUBJECT LINE “RENDEZVOUS RESORT COMPETITION”.

Wednesday 11th March 2015

LOCAL NEWS �

Call for change to ‘rip-off ’ parking permits

Bus routes change through road works

• By Julie Rae

MOUNT Pleasant Road is to remain closed for a further six weeks owing to improvement work at Fiveways.

As a result, Stagecoach bus services will not stop at Mount Pleasant Road or Grosvenor Road and the 251, 252 and Hastings 254 services will be diverted away from the area.

Kent County Council will be placing temporary bus stops in Church Road opposite and next to Trinity Theatre.

Passengers are advised that bus stands at Meadow Road and Grosvenor Road (next to Tesco) will operate as normal.

All northbound services will be use temporary stops on Church Road, while southbound will be serving the war memorial at bus stop Q. A Stagecoach spokesman said: “We regret any inconvenience caused by this closure which is completely beyond our control.”

ANGRY town centre workers are calling on the council to make “rip-off” parking season tickets more fair and flexible.

Employees based in Tunbridge Wells have accused the borough council of using the permits, for council-owned car parks, as revenue raisers, and say they are not fit for purpose.

The annual tickets are available either full or part-time at a cost of up to £850. But as the full-time permit covers seven days and the part-time four, neither meets many workers’ needs.

Ian Jervison, 58, who lives in Tunbridge Wells and works in the town centre, said: “It’s an absolute rip-off. Who works seven days a week? It’s terrible you can’t just buy a permit for five days. People work five days not seven.

“But of course we all buy the season tickets because they’re cheaper than paying the daily rate. The council’s taking liberties by charging us for seven days – they’re getting paid for two days’ parking that most of us aren’t using. And I bet those spaces are filled on weekends and being paid for again by shoppers.”

Alison Thomas from Tunbridge Wells also believes the council needs to introduce a five-day permit.

The 53-year-old said: “I have a full-time ticket but I only ever use it on the five days I work. Nobody works seven

Running addict’s 12-month epic charity challenge A SELF-CONFESSED running addict is planning 12 challenges in 12 months to raise £12,000 for Barnardo’s.

Father of one Alex Cole, from Tunbridge Wells, ran the town’s half-marathon last month and is due to complete another such race in Kingston, London, this weekend.

The 33-year-old works as a manager for John Lewis, which has been supporting the children’s charity since last year, but had not exercised regularly for ten years before he started training for his first challenge.

He said: “Understanding how John Lewis has backed Barnardo’s amazing work with children really motivated me to push myself physically and raise as much money as possible.

“I feel mentally and physically great and I’m doing this for such a great cause. I had a good upbringing and wanted to give something back. As a father it really strikes a chord when you know that other children really need your help.”

Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan said: “It’s fundraisers like Alex who enable us to help those children and families who need it the most.

We rely on their generous commitment, creativity and motivation. Barnardo’s will be cheering Alex along all the way and hoping he reaches his fundraising target.”

Mr Cole is also planning a Dirty Dozen mud run on April 18, a triathlon in Scotland in June a sky dive in the summer, an Everest base camp trek in November and a Santa run in December.

For more information, search “12 months 4 charity” on Facebook or visit www.justgiving. com/12-4-Charity

days. I have colleagues who work part-time across five days and they either have to buy a seven-day season ticket or the part-time one and top it up by paying for a full day of parking at a cost of nearly £6 a time. It’s a disgrace.”

Clare Mills, 28, who travels in from Hildenborough every day, thinks the permits are expensive and do not take into consideration the real needs of workers: She said: “It would be better if the permits were more flexible and they’re expensive at £850 a year for full-time parking. They should offer five-day season tickets at a slightly reduced rate to make it more flexible and suitable.

“Let’s be honest, nobody works seven days week.”

Sharon Woods of Colonnade Florists felt the scheme works – but she shares her permit with a colleague so it is used on all seven days.

She said: “I use it five days of the week and she uses it on the other two, making it cost-effective for both of us.”

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council recently rejected recommendations from the Town Forum to replace the seven-day with a five-day permit. They also ignored the forum’s recommendations to introduce parking discounts for commuters.

A seven-day annual permit costs £850, while the four-day option is £486 and the buyer can select for which four days it is valid. But owning a parking permit does not guarantee a space.

In 2014, the authority made £2m from parking charges.

The town centre permits are currently more expensive than those in Ashford and Sevenoaks town centres and Tonbridge and Malling car parks.

A recent council report said: “The income raised from car parking is important. It is used to maintain the car parks and also helps fund key services…The council’s funding has been cut by almost half…Income from car parking plays an important role in maintaining a balanced budget and continuing the levels of service the council provides.

The council wants to promote alternatives to cash, such as pay by phone and season tickets.”

A spokesman for TWBC said: “Tunbridge Wells’ car parks raised £5,451,685 in total gross revenue (before costs) in 2013/14. This is an increase of nearly £35,000 on 2012/13.

“We get many suggestions from many places, we didn’t ignore the Town Forum recommendations. The 2015 parking strategy is reviewing all such ideas.“We are currently asking for people’s views for the 2015 draft parking strategy. This consultation is open until March 15 and everyone is welcome to submit ideas for further consideration.”

To have a say, visit consult.tunbridgewells.gov.uk julie@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

Spring spectacular at home of best bluebells

9

Golf day in aid of good cause BOOKINGS are being taken for a golf day in aid of brain injury charity Headway.

The west Kent arm of the organisation, which provides support to people who have suffered head injuries as well as their parents and carers, is hosting the event, at Nizels Golf and Country Club in Hildenborough on May 22.

Tickets, priced £60 or £220 for a group of four, include breakfast, a two-course lunch, the golf, a raffle, a speaker and more.

To book, email info@headwaywkent.org or call 01892 619001.

FARMERS’ MARKET COMING UP BLOOMING Annabella in the bluebells

A “SPRING spectacular” at the home of some of the best bluebells in the country gets under way this weekend.

Hole Park Gardens, which is also renowned for its rhododendrons and wisterias, is famous for its “spectacular” bluebell displays, with a circular walk showing them off to their best advantage.

And although the flowers are not yet out, a “bluebell barometer”, which provides updates as to when they are expected to look their best, will feature on the gardens’ website from next month.

Visitors to the spring spectacular, which involves the venue’s being open daily from Saturday until June 7, can also see the results of a major bulb-planting programme,

including Queen of the Night tulips, narcissus and crocuses.

A spokesman said: “The bluebells at Hole Park are simply stunning with the most amazing scent. There is a very pretty circular walk through them, which takes you past a renovated ice house and back through the pretty white garlic. There are wooden benches along the way for a rest and to take in the view. The bluebells at Hole Park have featured on The One Show and on the national weather during BBC Breakfast.”

The gardens are open every day from 11am to 6pm.

For more information, and to see the bluebell barometer from next month, visit www.holepark.com

Monday – Friday 7:30am to 5pm Saturday 8am - 4pm

PICK up some fresh produce in the centre of town this weekend.

The Tunbridge Wells Farmers’ Market runs from 9am to 2pm on Saturday in Civic Way, outside the town hall.

SHOW AREA IS OPEN

Forstal House, Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, TN12 6PY 01892 833325 www.smallloads.co.uk BUY ONLINE Wednesday 11th March 2015

10 � NATIONAL NEWS

Infant mortality rate ‘lowest ever’ • By Nina Massey THE infant mortality rate in England and Wales for 2013 was the lowest on record, new figures reveal.

The numbers from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show there were 3.8 deaths per 1,000 births, down from 4.0 in 2012, and 10.1 in 1983.

Overall 2,686 babies aged under one died in England and Wales, down 226 from the total in 2012.

Infant mortality rates among babies with mothers aged 25 to 29 were the lowest, with 3.4 deaths per 1,000 births, while it was the highest for mothers under 20, at 6.1 deaths.

The ONS cause groups showed that immaturityrelated conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular disorders, were the most common

Becky forensics ‘to last for weeks’ SPECIALIST forensic examinations will continue for several weeks to establish the “full circumstances” surrounding the death of Bristol girl Becky Watts, police have said.

Becky, 16, described as “wonderful” by her family, vanished from her home in Crown Hill at 11.15am on February 19.

A huge search operation was launched, leading to Becky’s body parts being discovered at a house in Barton Court, Bristol, on March 2.

Becky’s stepbrother, Nathan Matthews, 28, was arrested and later appeared at Bristol Crown Court charged with her murder.

His girlfriend, Shauna Hoare, 21, has been charged with perverting the course of justice by lying to police to help Matthews evade detection.

Karl Demetrius, 29, Donovan Demetrius, also 29, Jaydene Parsons, 23, and James Ireland, 23, have been charged with assisting an offender by helping to dispose and hide Becky’s body parts.

All six defendants, who remain in police custody, will next appear before Bristol Crown Court for a hearing on March 26.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said Becky’s laptop, tablet and mobile phone - which went missing with the teenager - had been recovered.

Detective Superintendent Liz Tunks, the officer leading the investigation, said: “There is likely to be ongoing police activity at properties in St George and Barton Hill for the next couple of weeks as part of our investigation into the murder of Becky Watts.

“There are specific forensic examinations which we need to complete to help establish exactly what happened to Becky.

“We’d like to reassure the local community that our primary aim is to conduct a meticulous and exhaustive inquiry into Becky’s death and even though there have been charges brought in this case, it continues to be an active investigation.”

BEE NOVEL UP FOR WOMEN’S PRIZE A DEBUT novel told from the perspective of a lowly worker bee is in the running for this year’s Women’s Prize For Fiction.

Laline Paull, 50, has been longlisted for the Bailey’s Women’s Prize For Fiction for her “thriller”, The Bees.

It tells the story of a beehive from the point of view of Flora 717, a female “mutant” bee and sanitation worker.

Paull penned her first novel at the age of seven but went on to build a career as a screenwriter and playwright and did not attempt another until she “became obsessed” with bees.

H p

ILDEN ARKING

@ The Cinnamon Square

Wednesday 11th March 2015

She began reading about the subject after a beekeeper friend she had met at a community choir died at a young age from cancer.

The Bees took its author 14 months to write.

“You could honestly not invent the world of the beehive. It’s like a hall of mirrors of our society,” the London-born author said.

“As I read, I discovered that the truth really is stranger than fiction, that a beehive is a matriarchal society that hasn’t changed in 40,000 years.”

Twenty authors have been longlisted for the award, previously known as the Orange prize and now in its 20th year.

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reason for infant death in 2013, causing 44 per cent of cases.

As well as the age of mothers, the statistics revealed the infant mortality rate was higher among babies whose mothers were born outside the UK, with 4.2 deaths per 1,000.

The highest rates were for babies of mothers born in the Caribbean, 9.0,and mothers born in Central Africa - 8.3 deaths per 1,000 live births.

The statistics also revealed a drop in the number deaths among one to 14-year-olds.

In 2013, 946 children in England and Wales died before they turned 15, compared to 993 the previous year.

Between 1983 and 2013, the age-specific mortality rate for children aged one to 14 years fell by 66 per cent, from 29 deaths per 100,000 population in 1983 to 10 deaths per 100,000 in 2013.

Campaigner wins wind turbine fight Battle decided by High Court judge A woman who complained that a 60-metre wind turbine in Northamptonshire would diminish the appearance of a village church has won a High Court fight.

Jane Mordue took legal action after a planning inspector gave permission for the building of the turbine on a farm in Wappenham.

And a judge has ruled in her favour - saying the decision must be quashed - following a High Court hearing in London.

Mrs Mordue, chairman of the Wappenham Wind Turbine Action Group, said the proposed turbine would dominate the landscape for “miles around”.

She said many local listed buildings would be affected -

including the Church of St Mary in Wappenham, which dates back to the 13th Century.

Deputy High Court judge John Howell said inspector John Braithwaite had thought that the environmental benefits of the “renewable energy development” would outweigh its “adverse impact on the landscape”.

But Judge Howell said the inspector had “failed to give reasons” demonstrating that he had “given considerable weight” to the harm caused.

The judge said ministers asked an inspector to decide after local councillors failed to decide on the planning application within a “prescribed period”.

Omagh bomb accused ‘has an alibi’ A MAN accused of murdering 29 people in the Omagh bombing has an alibi, his lawyer has told a court.

Seamus Daly is charged with the 1998 Real IRA car bomb attack.

His defence barrister Peter Corrigan called for full disclosure of mobile phone records by police ahead of the “biggest murder trial in British criminal history”, which is expected to centre on calls made at the time.

He said: “My client has put forward an alibi in 1999 and he is saying he was not in Omagh with any mobile phones and he is anxious that all voice analysis would be compared in relation to each phone.

“We are asking for all audio in relation to mobile phones.”

Flight attendant was ‘hounded’ by the press THE flight attendant exgirlfriend of footballer Rio Ferdinand sobbed as she told the High Court that the hacking of her voicemails had left her feeling “hounded” by the press.

Lauren Alcorn, who is on maternity leave from her job with Virgin Airways, told Mr Justice Mann at the hearing in London to decide the amount of compensation to be awarded in eight representative cases brought against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), that she was 19 when she first started going out with Ferdinand.

Ms Alcorn, who complains about five articles - three of which are admitted to be the product of phone-hacking - said she was “completely shocked and disgusted” by the illegal activities at MGN between 2002 and 2006. She was seeing Ferdinand, secretly as he also had a long-term lover at the time.

NATIONAL NEWS �

SCHOFIELD HITS OUT AT OFCOM BONDAGE PROBE

Watchdog received 120 complaints about This Morning sex interview THIS Morning host Phillip Schofield has hit out after communications watchdog Ofcom launched an investigation into the show’s report on “bondage for beginners”.

The report was inspired by the Fifty Shades Of Grey movie and featured an interview with a “sex expert” about a range of sex toys including an eye mask, a leash and collar and a bodywand.

Ofcom received 120 complaints about the issue and “opened an investigation into whether an item about ‘bondage for beginners’ was suitable for broadcast before the watershed”.

Schofield, who presented the item with Christine Bleakley, told the Press Association that people complained to Ofcom over “any minor outrage” and that “behind those closed, outraged doors of middle England”, the raunchy items featured were snapped up online.

“I think for me, and it’s my own personal belief, but in the old days, people would pick up the phone and complain or they’d write a letter.

“But now they go to Ofcom and they must be sick to death of all of this.

“Any minor outrage that anyone’s got, they go to Ofcom. They must be inundated with minor complaints.”

He added: “As far as I’m concerned, This Morning has always pushed the boundaries.

“Richard and Judy did it when they launched Viagra for the first time, the first time we did a testicular examination, the

first time we did an examination to hopefully safeguard yourself against breast cancer, people were outraged, up in arms. This was shocking, shocking television.

“Since the first day This Morning did that, we’ve saved countless lives.”

Schofield, who presents new ITV show You’re Back In The Room, added: “Obviously I’m not saying the bondage is going to save anyone’s life but what we did was

RESTRAINT URGED OVER CRASH DRIVER POLICE have asked for restraint on social media following a car crash in Leeds which left two teenage boys dead and two others in a critical condition in hospital.

Tributes have been paid to George Wharton, 14, and Rhys Baker, 13, who died on Saturday night when the blue Peugeot they were in crashed on the A62 Gelderd Road, in Morley.

Two other teenagers, Kameron Walters, 14, and 15-year-old Joshua Van Veen, remain in a critical but stable condition in hospital following the collision and the driver of the car - a 21-year-old man - is also undergoing treatment for serious injuries, West Yorkshire Police said.

George was a pupil at Morley Academy and Rhys was studying at Bruntcliffe School. Both schools

paid tributes to the teenagers as scores of their friends visited the scene of the tragedy to lay flowers and console each other.

As the tributes mounted, West Yorkshire Police issued a warning, asking people commenting on social media about the fatal crash to “show restraint”.

Officers said they have been made aware of derogatory comments about the 21-year-old man involved, who remains in hospital.

Superintendent Sam Millar said: “This has been an appallingly tragic incident and it is understandable that emotions will be running high.

“That said, we would ask people to think very carefully about the nature of any comments they make on social media in relation to this incident.”

11

HORSE ACCIDENT NURSE IN TRAINING FOR RUN A woman who was told she might never walk again after a horse riding accident is now preparing to take part in a half marathon

• By Charlotte Birch JENNIFER Ireland, a clinical nurse specialist in cardiac rehabilitation at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, was training a new horse nearly four years ago when it threw her off and fell on top of her. She broke her pelvis in three places, snapped her sacrum and sustained multiple internal injuries.

She said: “I was working on the hospital’s acute medical unit at that time, so I was just concentrating on not listening to what the paramedics were saying.

I just kept thinking, ‘I can feel my legs so I’m not paralysed’.

“Because of being a nurse, I knew I was becoming unwell as my heart rate increased and blood pressure dropped. I started being sick and it took the paramedics an hour and 40 minutes to stabilise me before I could be airlifted to Preston. It was there that I was told the significant state of my injuries.”

Doctors told Jennifer, 47, there was a possibility she would never walk again as she was just 1mm away from being paralysed. She spent three months in a wheelchair but after intense physiotherapy,

she started using a Zimmer frame and then crutches to rebuild the strength in her legs.

“I don’t like to be told I can’t do something,” she said.

“I just kept on going until I could walk. There are still a lot of on-going problems because of my injuries, but I believe it’s a case of mind over matter.”

Jennifer said it is this mantra that has kept her going. She has completed two 10km races this

year and is now in training for the Fleetwood Half Marathon in August.

Jennifer, who started running in December, added: “I have a great network of support from my family, and they make me believe I really can do anything. My partner - who asked me to marry him six months after the accident - was there at the time, and I think if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Jennifer is running the half marathon in aid of Blue Skies Hospitals Fund’s Heart Of Gold Charitable Fund, which supports the Lancashire Cardiac Centre at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

She said: “Just running that distance will be a huge achievement for me, and if someone can benefit from what’s happened to me, then I will do this for them.

“I wanted to raise money for the cardiac centre as that’s where I work now and I want to raise awareness of the good work it does. I also want to show people that life is not over after an accident like mine, and maybe give patients I see a little bit of hope.”

To support Jennifer, visit www. justgiving.com/Jennifer-Ireland2.

reflect on what everyone else was doing or talking about at the time.

“Everyone went to see the movie and if you look at the stuff we had on there, it was very innocent and also, spectacularly, when the item had finished, the things we had were all sold out in moments.

“So behind those closed, outraged doors of middle England, what they were secretly doing was going to buy this stuff online.”

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12 � NEWS

Hundreds of sex offenders missing

HUNDREDS of convicted sex offenders have gone missing across the UK, police have revealed.

New figures have shown 396 registered sex offenders are wanted because their whereabouts are unknown, including some who have been missing for more than a decade.

One convicted sex offender in Gloucestershire has been missing since the year 2000, another in Northumbria disappeared in May 2002, while Humberside Police said the whereabouts of one registered sex offender had been unknown since September 2004.

Registered sex offenders including rapists and paedophiles are required to inform police and probation officers of their addresses and are supposed to be monitored.

But in response to a Freedom of Information inquiry responses 39 forces revealed there were missing registered sex offenders in their areas in February or early March.

None of the police forces would name those missing because of feas of vigilante attacks or because the information was protected under data protection laws.The Metropolitan Police said 167 registered sex offenders were wanted in London alone, including one offender who had been missing for 14 years.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said London’s “diverse multicultural population” meant a large percentage of sex offenders were “either known or believed to be living abroad, having returned to their country of origin”.

Last month the force issued an appeal to trace convicted rapist Patrick Mosekwe Kanda who had been living in Dagenham, east London, but failed to report to authorities in February 2013 following his release from prison. West Midlands Police said 39 registered sex offenders were missing, including one since 2006 and nine between 2010 and 2012.

Greater Manchester Police said 25 registered sex offenders were missing, including one who disappeared in September 2005 and three others who went missing in 2006.

Essex and Sussex Police each said 11 registered sex offenders were missing in their areas, while Cambridgeshire Police said 10 registered sex offenders were wanted because their whereabouts were unknown. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said three sex offenders were “currently wanted” but did not reveal when the offenders went missing.

Police Scotland said none of the 4,775 registered sex offenders in the country was missing as of February 16.

Sara Payne, whose daughter Sarah was abducted and killed in 2000 by convicted paedophile Roy Whiting, said: “It’s completely unacceptable that any registered sex offenders have disappeared from authority management, putting the public at risk.

“It’s time to bring them back under the police radar .”

The Metropolitan Police said 167 registered sex offenders were wanted in London alone

TEACHER SENT ‘INAPPROPRIATE’ TEXTS • Lucy Christie AN ENGLISH teacher who sent “inappropriate” texts and emails to two girl pupils has been deemed unfit to practice.

Michael Hendry addressed a student at Glasgow’s John Paul Academy as “sweetie” and signed off with kisses, a hearing was told.

In messages presented to a General Teaching Council for Scotland panel, he asked what the girl was wearing on a night-out and told herr “you’re very beautiful”.

Mr Hendry, who was employed by

Wednesday 11th March 2015

Glasgow City Council, was not present at last month’s fitness-to-teach hearing.

The complaint related to inappropriate communication with two students, Pupil A and Pupil B, between April 1 and June 13 2013.

One of the girls reported her concerns to another teacher, who in turn raised them with the school head.

Mr Hendry discussed Pupil A’s personal relationships and did not alert the school when she wrote that her boyfriend was “aggressive and has hit me a few times”.

The teacher added later: “I know I’m already over stepping the mark in a big way but here’s my number. If u want to get together for a coffee or whatever at

some point later this week to talk it over u do that.”

In another exchange, Mr Hendry told Pupil A he was out having a couple of beers and asked how her night was going and “was there a planned outfit of choice this eve?”

He also asked the under-18: “What’s ur drink of choice this eve? Vodka, soda and lime by any chance?”

The hearing was told Mr Hendry “didn’t appear to show any remorse or embarrassment” when asked about the messages. Mr Hendry has the right to appeal the panel’s decision within 28 days. After that he will be removed from the register.

Fridge run fundraiser denies ‘assaults

Autism linked to higher intelligence

• South Tyneside

• John von Radowitz

A SERIAL fundraiser from South Tyneside famed for running with a fridge strapped to his back has appeared in court charged with assault.

Tony Phoenix-Morrison, better known as Tony “The Fridge”, appeared at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court facing five charges.

The 50-year-old grandfather, from Hebburn, has completed numerous challenges including running the length of Britain with the 42.5kg fridge on his back in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

He has also completed back-to-back London Marathons for Cancer Research and was named fundraiser of the year at the Pride of Britain Awards 2014.

Last year he said he would be retiring his fridge after one last endurance race that will see him run across America.

Court officials confirmed that he faces four charges of assault and one of using violence for the purposes of securing entry into a home.

He denied the charges at his appearance and will return to the court in September after being granted conditional bail.

AUTISM genes may be linked to higher intelligence, a study suggests.

Genetic factors thought to play a role in autism are associated with heightened mental ability in people who do not have the developmental condition, scientists found.

Almost 10,000 people from Scotland had their DNA analysed and were put through intelligence tests for the study.

Those carrying genetic variants linked to autism had slightly better test scores on average than those who did not.

Further evidence of the association emerged when the same tests were carried out on 921 teenagers who were participants in an Australian twin study.

The nature of the relationship between autism and intelligence is not clear, said the researchers.

Although up to 70% of people with autism have a mental disability, some individuals with the disorder can exhibit higher than average non-verbal intelligence.

This form of intelligence allows complex problems to be solved using reasoning skills requiring little or no use of language, which is impaired in people with autism.

SPORT

Van gaal criticises di Maria LOUIS van Gaal hit out at Angel di Maria after the Argentinian was sent off for grabbing referee Michael Oliver’s shirt in Manchester United’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Arsenal.

The Gunners set up a semi-final meeting against either Reading or Bradford thanks to a 2-1 win over 10-man United at Old Trafford.

Former United striker Danny Welbeck returned to haunt Van Gaal by scoring the winner after Wayne Rooney had equalised Nacho Monreal’s opener.

After di Maria was cautioned for simulation the former Real Madrid midfielder remonstrated with referee Oliver and then grabbed the back of his shirt and yelled at the official when he had turned his back on him.

Replays showed the first booking on Di Maria was harsh and Aaron Ramsey had pulled the player back, but the £59.7million man’s actions thereafter deserved sanction, according to Van Gaal.

“I think he’s touched the referee and that’s forbidden in every country, so he has no excuses,” the United manager said.

Matic available for Chelsea

Saracens swoop Druids delivers for Rhodes in real style

NEMANJA Matic is available for Chelsea’s Champions League last-16 second leg with Paris St Germain today after serving a two-m atch suspension.

The midfielder is poised for an immediate return after missing the Capital One Cup final defeat of Tottenham and Premier League win at West Ham for his sending off against Burnley.

John Obi Mikel (knee) is the only definite injury absentee for the contest, which is poised at 1-1 following the first leg three weeks ago.

SARACENS have announced the signing of forward Michael Rhodes from the Stormers.

The 27-year-old, who plays predominantly in the back row but can also play as lock, will join the club at the start of next season after agreeing a deal to join from the Stormers and Western Province.

Rhodes tweeted: “Very excited 2 be joining @Saracens at the end of SRugby and thank you for the warm welcome!

Still got a big job to do for @ THESTORMERS 1st!”

THE DRUIDS Nephew enhanced his claims for the Crabbie’s Grand National when striding out a ready winner of the Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

Brought into the 25-furlong contest on the final circuit The Druids Nephew (8-1) hit the front two out.

Barry Geraghty kept the eightyear-old galloping strongly to score by three and three-quarter lengths from Grand Jesture (25-1) and give Neil Mulholland his first Festival winner.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS �

Stop the time wasting on reforms, Greeks told •

GREECE

GREECE and its creditors must “stop wasting time” and speed up ongoing talks on the reforms the country should make to get more rescue loans, the head of the eurozone’s 19 finance ministers has warned.

Greece is hoping to persuade eurozone creditors at a meeting in Brussels that its proposed economic reforms are enough for them to start giving out rescue loans again.

The country got a four-month extension on its European bailout at the talks but chances of a further extension appeared slim.

Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the Dutchman who heads the meetings of eurozone finance ministers known as the Eurogroup, said Greece is being too

slow in detailing its plans He said: “We have offered to support them but that goes hand in hand with conditions. If discussions about the conditions don’t start, then the support won’t be released.”

Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis outlined the reforms in a letter last week. Mr Dijsselbloem said the reforms would first have to be discussed on a technical level, and only then could they be discussed by all the eurozone states.

“It is taking way too long,” he said.

“We have lost over two weeks in which very little progress has been made - real talks have not started yet.

There has been no implementation, so we have to stop wasting time and really start talks now seriously.”

Mr Varoufakis, normally happy to speak to waiting cameras, did not

French sport stars die in mid-air copter crash

make any comment as he arrived at the meeting.

Over the weekend he said in an interview to Italy’s Corriere de la Sera newspaper that if the creditors do not eventually approve the reforms, his government could call new elections or a referendum. The government later clarified any referendum would be on the content of reforms and fiscal policy.

Among other reforms, Mr Varoufakis’s suggestions include using “non-professional inspectors” such as students, housewives and tourists to crack down on tax evasion, according to a leaked copy of the letter.

The country has been kept afloat since May 2010 by rescue loans from the other 18 eurozone countries and the International Monetary Fund.

Up and away for sun kings A SWISS made solar-powered aircraft has taken off from Muscat in Oman bound for India on the second leg of its historic round-the-world trip.

The Solar Impulse 2 departed just before dawn for the 910-mile journey to Ahmedabad, a trip that will take an estimated 16 hours.

Pilot Bertrand Piccard was at the controls of the plane, which has a wing span larger than that of a Boeing 747 jumbo jet. He is being accompanied by fellow pilot Andre Borschberg, who founded the aircraft company.

13

SOUTH KOREA

Knifed US envoy leaves hospital THE US ambassador to South Korea, Mark Lippert, has left a South Korean hospital after five days of treatment following a knife attack by a man screaming about Korean unification.

Mr Lippert told reporters he felt “pretty darn good.”. An anti-US activist slashed his face and left arm during a breakfast forum in Seoul.

ITALY

• ARGENTINA TWO helicopters carrying French sports stars filming a popular European reality show have crashed in a remote part of Argentina, killing ten people, including two Olympic medal winners and a sailing champion.

The helicopters apparently collided in mid-air near Villa Castelli in La Rioja province 730 miles north west of Buenos Aires.

All ten people on board - eight French nationals and two Argentine pilots - were killed. “An explosion occurred and it’s believed that the helicopters collided,” said regional security minister Cesa Angulo.

Among the dead were French

Olympic gold medal swimmer Camille Muffat, Olympic boxer Alexis Vastine and sailor Florence Arthaud.

The news of the deaths during the filming of the reality survival show Dropped sent the French sports world into mourning. French president Francois Hollande said in a statement: “The brutal demise of our compatriots is an immense sadness.”

Muffat, 25, won the gold medal in the 400m freestyle at the London Olympic Games in 2012, adding a silver medal in the 200m freestyle and a bronze in the 4 by 200m freestyle relay.

Former France and Arsenal striker Sylvain Wiltord was among those taking part in the show but was not involved in the accident.

Court hears Berlusconi appeal ITALY’S highest court is hearing what could be the final appeal in former premier Silvio Berlusconi’s infamous “bunga-bunga” sex case.

The Court of Cassation will decide whether to make final Berlusconi’s acquittal on charges of paying for sex with an under-age prostitute during sex-fuelled parties at his villa and using his influence to cover it up.

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Wednesday 11th March 2015

14 � BUSINESS NEWS Credit and Debit Card transaction fees to be capped THE FEES retailers pay to process credit and debit card transactions are set to be capped within months under a deal that it is hoped will lead to savings for consumers.

The European Parliament voted in favour of a cap at 0.2% of the transaction value for debit cards and 0.3% for credit cards.

The cap will apply to all purchases paid for with a card in the EU, whether abroad or on the internet, and is expected to significantly reduce the charges paid by consumers for card payments.

It is expected to take effect in October.

Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder said: “For too long, banks have got away with charging retailers excessive card fees and it is consumers who end up paying the price.

“This move will make card fees cheaper, fairer and more transparent for shoppers, whether buying at home or abroad in the EU. “It will also lower the cost of internet payments and help to create a level playing field for online shopping across Europe.”

However commentators questioned whether the savings would be passed on to consumers, or if banking fees would rise to offset the cap.

KPMG head of retail David McCorquodale said: “The amount retailers pay out in merchant fees, where interchange fees are a key component of this cost, has risen exponentially over the last decade as shoppers have shifted from cash to card.

“Capping interchange fees will help to alleviate a significant financial burden, which has been weighing heavily on retailers’ shoulders.

“It remains to be seen whether or not merchants choose to pass these savings on to consumers or take this opportunity to reinvest the cash back into the business”.

Thiam steps down Tesco sales reach 18-month high as Prudential boss

• By Graeme Evans

• By Graeme Evans PRUDENTIAL paid tribute to “one of the most exceptional leaders” in its history after boss Tidjane Thiam announced plans to leave the insurer.

Ivory Coast-born Mr Thiam, who became the first black chief executive of a FTSE 100 Index company when he was appointed to the role in 2009, is to become the new boss of banking group Credit Suisse.

Plans for his departure later this year were announced alongside annual results in which the Prudential posted a 14% rise in annual operating profits to £3.2 billion.

Mr Thiam oversaw the company’s response to the financial crisis and shaped its successful Asia-focused strategy, where Prudential has tapped demand for savings among the region’s rapidly growing middle classes.

He joined the Pru from rival Aviva in 2008 and served as its chief financial officer for a year before taking on the role of chief executive.

Prudential chairman Paul Manduca said the company will be sorry to see Mr Thiam go, adding: “Tidjane has been one of the most exceptional leaders in Prudential’s long and illustrious history.”

Mr Thiam survived calls for his resignation in 2010 when shareholders railed at the Prudential’s failed bid worth 35.5 billion US dollars (£23.5 billion) to buy Asian insurer AIA. It would have been one of the biggest ever overseas takeover deals by a British company.

Prudential has gone on to more than double its size and profitability in Asia since 2009 and is also regarded as a robust performer in the UK life insurance market.

Mr Thiam said: “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to lead one of the iconic companies.”

G4S UPBEAT AS PROFITS RISE • By John-Paul Ford Rojas OUTSOURCING giant G4S has posted its first improvement in profit in four years, despite a fresh £45 million hit from its troubled UK Government contracts.

Pre-tax profits rose to £148 million from a loss of £190 million the year before, when there was a £136 million hit from a review of contracts that included an offender tagging deal at the centre of an overcharging scandal.

The group is being overhauled by chief executive Ashley Almanza, having taken the helm in 2013 following the tagging scandal and a previous debacle over its deal to supply security for the London Olympics.

It has not posted a rise in pre-tax profits since annual results for 2010.

For 2014, it was hit by a £29 million restructuring charge as well as the £45 million

Wednesday 11th March 2015

hit related to UK Government contracts but gained £71million on the sale of businesses in Canada, Sweden, Norway and the US. Underlying profits were up 7.9% to £424 million and the final dividend rose 5% to 5.82p per share, cheering shareholders as the stock rose 3%.

It has now risen more than 20% compared to a year ago and is around levels last seen in 2013.

Mr Almanza said: “The group made good progress with its strategic plan, delivering commercial, operational and financial progress during 2014.

“There remains much to be done to realise the full potential of our strategy and we expect to make further progress in 2015.”

The group grew revenues by 3.9% to £6.75 billion, although in the UK and Ireland they fell by 1.3% to £1.59 billion. An improved performance for the group’s UK cash transit

A RESURGENT Tesco has outperformed its Big Four rivals in the latest phase of a price war that has seen record low grocery deflation, research showed today.

The UK’s biggest grocer posted its strongest performance in 18 months with sales up 1.1% in the 12 weeks to March 1 compared with a difficult 2014, the latest till roll figures from Kantar Worldpanel reveal.

By comparison, nearest rival Asda’s sales were down 2.1% and Sainsbury’s and Morrisons posted declines of 0.5% and 0.4% respectively.

Kantar added that deflation reached a new low of minus 1.6% in the period as price competition between the supermarkets continues to impact the market, saving shoppers £400 million in the past 12 weeks Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel, said: “All of the major supermarkets are cutting prices to win shoppers, especially within everyday staples such as eggs, vegetables and milk.

“Retailers are focusing their efforts on simple price cuts

rather than complicated ‘multibuy’ deals.”

Aldi’s growth of 19.3% was its slowest since June 2011 but it was enough to take the discount retailer to a new record market share of 5%. Fellow German chain Lidl saw growth of 13.6% and a market share of 3.5%.

Sales at Waitrose increased by 4.9% in the latest period, with its market share remaining at its highest level of 5.2%.

Increasing sales have helped Tesco arrest its falling market share, which is down 0.1 percentage points compared with last year at 28.7%.

Asda’s share has fallen to 17% from 17.5% a year earlier, while Sainsbury’s is down to 16.8% and Morrisons stands at 11%.

Bradford-based Morrisons is expected to post a sharp drop in annual profits on Thursday but it may also show signs it is starting to get to grips with falling sales days before its new chief executive arrives.

David Potts, who has more than 40 years’ retailing experience at Tesco, takes up his post on Monday.

Tesco’s fortunes have improved since the arrival of new boss Dave Lewis.

MARKETS SLIDE ON US RATES OUTLOOK THE PROSPECT of higher US interest rates and the latest drop in oil prices combined to leave European markets sharply lower yesterday.

The FTSE 100 Index slumped by more than 1% - off 84.3 points to 6792.1 - as it continued a poor run of form that has taken the top flight more than 170 points away from its recent record high.

Markets have been spooked by the possibility of higher US interest rates ever since figures emerged on Friday showing strong employment growth.

Greece also needs to convince European finance ministers in Brussels that the country’s economic

reform plans are sufficient to merit the latest tranche of bail-out cash.

With the European Central Bank this week launching its 1.1 trillion euro (£790 billion) stimulus programme with the purchase of government bonds, the euro has continued to weaken.

The pound set a new seven year high against the single currency after passing the 1.40 barrier for the first time since late 2007, even though it was down by more than a cent against the US dollar at 1.50.

IT system working, says Post Office THE Post Office has insisted there are no widescale problems with its computer system after announcing it has settled a number of complaints from subpostmasters.

The company said it had completed investigations into 136 cases involving the Horizon system, with 56 now closed through mediation or other means.

The remaining cases will be put forward for mediation, apart from those which have been the subject of previous court rulings, while a working group set up to assess whether cases move forward for mediation will be closed.

Some MPs have criticised the Post Office for how it has handled

claims that the IT system caused sub-postmasters to be wrongly accused of false accounting and fraud.

But the Post Office said nothing had been found in any of the 136 cases to suggest that Horizon has not worked as it should.

The system was introduced in 2001 and is now in use across 11,500 branches, processing more than six million transactions a day.

Angela van den Bogerd, Post Office head of partnerships, said: “This has been an exhaustive and informative process which has confirmed that there are no system-wide problems with our computer system and associated processes. We will now look to resolve the final outstanding cases as quickly as possible.”

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16 � BUSINESS NEWS

Crowdfunding an alternative for small business investment

“Since the beginning of 2014, more than £1,700 has been raised every hour through crowdfunding” � OPPORTUNITY

Entrepreneur Denis Renty

• By Steve Hemsley TUNBRIDGE Wells’ entrepreneurs seeking alternative forms of finance could consider crowdfunding, it has been suggested.

Since the beginning of 2014, more than £1,700 has been raised every hour through crowdfunding, which is now one of the fastest-growing areas of business financing.

Crowdfunding is an alternative to traditional ways to raise money such as trade credit, asset-backed finance, invoice discounting or venture capital. It involves offering an interest in the business in return for investment.

The growth of this different method of funding start-ups and business expansions shows no sign of slowing down. The Crowdfunding Centre reveals that the UK market is now worth about £1.5bn, partly because traditional banks are more riskaverse to lending to small businesses.

Thanks to social media, companies can raise the money they need from a number of potential investors and create a community of owners who often want to be involved in a particular brand, business or sector.

Manufacturing and retail are the two most popular industries currently using crowdfunding.

According to the UK Crowdfunding Association, more than 600,000 projects and businesses have already been funded.

Chair Julia Groves says about 44 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

Wednesday 11th March 2015

have heard of crowdfunding but so far only 9 per cent have used it.

She said: “Before finding your investors you need to work out exactly what your business pitch is. Can you get it down into a two minute video?

“Then you need to choose a suitable crowdfunding platform and calculate an accurate valuation of your business. Finally, warm up family, friends and even customers who might want to become investors.

“You can raise significant sums in a few days and pitching a project or business through crowdfunding can be a valuable form of marketing and you receive ideas on how to improve your business.”

SMEs must decide which crowdfunding platform is best for them.

• Debt crowdfunding, known as peer to peer lending, is similar to getting finance for a business or project through traditional means. Investors will expect a financial return • Equity crowdfunding gives investors shares or a stake in the business in return for their financial investment. SMEs should give away as little equity as they can and ideally not more than 25 per cent. Investors are usually experienced funders • Reward crowdfunding is where an investor’s contribution is acknowledged with a reward, such a free entry to an event or free product Kent winemaker Chapel Down is one of the best -known crowdfunding success stories.

England’s biggest wine producer began a funding campaign last September and

reached its target of £3.9m by early October.

Its shares are traded on the ISDX market.

Investors with more than 2,000 shares receive a range of benefits including a 33 per cent discount on Chapel Down wines, 25 per cent off Curious beers, a free tour and tasting for two people at the Chapel Down Winery and a 25 per cent discount when dining at the company’s restaurant.

Of course, crowdfunding is not for everyone. Businesses must set a target amount to generate, and if this isn’t reached, the money is returned to the investors and the SME is left emptyhanded. Failed crowdfunding projects can also damage a business’s reputation.

For investors there are risks too.

Investments and donations can be as low as £5, with no ceiling on the amount you invest and it can come down to the risks you are prepared to take with your money.

There are never any guarantees that you will get the returns or rewards indicated.

Debt investments tend to carry lower risks than equity investments for example, but all investments have different risk profiles and you should always read offer documents in full and do plenty of research before investing. Also, most crowdfunding opportunities fall outside the Financial Services Compensation scheme.

As a crowd funder you make your own assessment of opportunity and risk.

See also page 7 for details of The Times of Tunbridge Wells Investment Fund of £5 million.

CASE STUDY WHEN Tunbridge Wells entrepreneur Denis Renty decided to launch his Belgian craft beer brand Van Bulck last June he took on the alternative investment route.

He wanted to raise £30,000 and achieved his target within 48 hours through specialist funding business Angels Den. He settled for just two investors who each have a seven per cent equity stake in his business.

The trained chef is about to start a new round of non-equity crowdfunding next month offering free bottles of his beer for individual donations of about £50 to help him design a beer app.

Based on Tunbridge Wells High Street,

Van Bulck Beers negotiated a six-month deal with distributor Love Drinks in February. It means his organic craft beers are now supplied to Waitrose, Oddbins, Majestic Wine and, from the end of March, designer store Harvey Nichols. Mr Renty is also selling beer to Hong Kong and the Philippines.

“By choosing crowdfunding you get some great marketing opportunities as well as funding and it attracts people who are really interested in what you do,” said Mr Renty.

His other business, also based in the town, is F&B Premium Brands which is an import agency for Belgian delicatessen.

BUSINESS NEWS �

17

‘Poor broadband threatens economic recovery’ • By Steve Hemsley UNRELIABLE broadband coverage in Tunbridge Wells is threatening the town’s economic recovery, says the Kent and Medway branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

FSB development manager Alison Parmar says smaller companies and home workers are losing out and she has called on national and local politicians to do more to tackle the situation.

Broadband Delivery UK, part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, has promised to deliver superfast broadband to 90 per cent of the UK by 2016 as part of a £1bn investment.

But Miss Parmar says this does not go far enough.

The Kent and Medway FSB has commissioned telecoms consultant Roger Williams to undertake in-depth research into exactly how local companies are suffering.

Miss Parmar said: “We want business owners across Tunbridge Wells to tell us how unreliable their broadband can be and the impact this has on their work.

“Williams is also talking to all broadband suppliers in the town including BT, Talk Talk, Virgin Media and Sky to collect evidence to present to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and to Kent County Council.”

Mr Williams, a director with Maidstone-based consultancy Intelligent Linking, is due to complete his research by the end of March. The FSB will present the findings at the Kent 2020 Vision Live business to business event at the Kent Event Centre in Detling on Wednesday, May 13.

“We want to show councils how by investing in better broadband for businesses, the local economy and employment is boosted,” Miss Parmar said.

Among the Tunbridge Wells businessmen frustrated by poor broadband coverage is Richard Simm, chairman of the Association of Pantiles Traders and director of music venue The Forum.

He said: “The local broadband speed connection is a problem.

“At The Forum we would love to offer free wi-fi to customers but it’s impossible given the speed we

have down here. Sell-out nights mean an audience of 250, plus bands and the venue staff, and many people want to be online at the same time.

“One of the great things with going to a gig now is the ability to share the experience with friends which contributes to the night itself.

We need better infrastructure to be able to make this happen.”

Baldwins Travel Group has branches in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tenterden, Cranbrook and Uckfield and managing director Nick Marks says poor broadband is a frustration in all of his shops.

He added: “There is no consistency because it is either fast or slow, but we need reliable broadband because the tour operators and travel suppliers we use are based online,” he said.

“We are in the process of installing two different broadband lines in each shop but KCC must realise how integral broadband is to the success of all businesses these days.”

BELOW IS A LIST OF THE TOP AVERAGE BROADBAND SPEEDS IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS BY POSTCODE

newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

1

TN1 1

34.5Mbps

2

TN4 0

31.6Mbps

3

TN4 9

27.2Mbps

4

TN1 2

25.5Mbps

5

TN4 5

22.3Mbps

6

TN4 8

20.1Mbps

7

TN2 5

19.1Mbps

8

TN2 4

18Mbps

9

TN2 3

17.8Mbps

10

TN4 6

13.1Mbps

Bridal shop’s hopes for the future

PROPERTY MARKET

Property boom continues THE property market in Tunbridge Wells continues to boom despite uncertainty over the result of May’s General Election, which could affect housing policy.

National research by estate agent Savills reveals that £1.6 trillion of the UK’s £5.7 trillion housing stock is located in seats where the majority was less than ten per cent at the last election.

These seats could be crucial in May, with the different political parties having specific policies on house-building, first-time buyers, the private rental market, planning and a “mansion tax” on homes worth £2m or more.

But Robert Jacobs, head of residential at Savills based in Tunbridge Wells High Street, says the improving national and local economy and low mortgage rates means Tunbridge Wells buyers and sellers remain confident.

“So far the market is shaping up normally for the year, with good activity in the sub-£1m market in the first few weeks and promising signs that the £1m-£2m market will pick up in April,” he said. “Activity above £2m has also been encouraging, with one or two off-market deals already this year.”

The housing market is often considered a barometer of the electorate’s satisfaction and in 2014, house prices ended the year up 7.2 per cent, according to the Nationwide.

Some Tunbridge Wells homeowners would be hit by an annual “mansion tax” planned by the Liberal Democrats and the Labour Party although the Conservatives have stated their opposition to such a levy.

The Labour Party wants to double the number of first-time buyers by 2025 by giving them access to housing within growth areas, while the Lib Dems support shared ownership and rent-to-buy. Rent-to-buy is also a Conservative policy.

BEST BROADBAND POSTCODES IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS

DESIGNS Brides travel to the shop from across the world

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AN AWARD-WINNING bridal shop which attracts customers from Abu Dhabi and Oman hopes to secure more exclusive deals with dress designers this year.

Isabella Grace on Mount Ephraim, set up by former corporate finance lawyer Rebecca Doyle in 2011, already has local exclusivity on dresses by Naomi Neoh and Alan Hannah.

“We have a very exciting couture designer in the pipeline who we very much hope to be adding to our collections later this year,” Mrs Doyle said.

Top designers want to work with the Tunbridge Wells boutique, which is spread over four floors of a Regency town house, owing to its reputation.

Isabella Grace has been crowned the UK’s best

Last Apple Ducks THE Apple Ducks Pop-Up Emporium Craft Fair at Royal Victoria Place this Friday and Saturday could be the last in the town for some time.

The first emporium took place at Trinity Theatre in 2012, moving to RVP a year later, but Apple Ducks co-founder Jo Roberts is undecided about the events business’s next move.

“There are a lot of kitchen-top businesses in Tunbridge Wells and the pop-up events have been a great success but I am not sure what I will do next,” she said.

“I want to develop Apple Ducks by looking at other towns and venues and different kinds of events and I have a few loose ideas. I would still like to hold another pop-up emporium at RVP at Christmas.”

The organiser has about 300 artists and makers on her books but she cherry-picks about 20 for each craft fair. The makers pay Apple Ducks for stands and to fund marketing for each event, which includes paying for advertising around RVP. The 18 Kent craft makers attending the event this Friday and Saturday include children’s illustrator Alex Petkovic, painter Grenville Allen, flavoured gin and vodka business Nip from the Hip and jewellery and handmade books maker Snapdragon Designs.

bridal retailer three times, at The British Wedding Awards 2015, You & Your Wedding Bridal Retail Awards 2015 and the Wedding Ideas Awards 2014, Mrs Doyle said: “We try to do things differently with each bride getting her own private fitting suite and bridal consultant during her visit.”

Other plans to grow the business include services for bridesmaids, selling more bridal accessories and organising styling events.

The company is currently recruiting for another bridal consultant to work with the 700 women who visit the shop each year.

“We have brides travelling long distances to come and see us, some flying in from Abu Dhabi and Oman,” Mrs Doyle added.

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18 � LOCAL NEWS CONCERNED Katie Baillie wants the rules to be changed

Taxi driver turns away two women at 3am as journey was ‘too short’ • By Julie Rae

A driver can’t refuse a fare from the rank because they think the journey is too short Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

A WOMAN who was turned away by a taxi driver at 3am because her journey home was “too short” is calling for a rule change to protect others in the same situation.

Katie Baillie and a friend tried to get a cab from the Church Road rank to her home near Grosvenor Bridge, about 1.5 miles away, in the early hours of a Sunday morning but the driver refused to take them.

The 28-year-old said: “He said it was too short a journey, he got quite angry about it.

“I pointed out we were two vulnerable women and it would take us 25 minutes to walk home but he refused.

“He just flipped out, getting more and more irate until some other men came to find out if we were ok.”

Despite the intervention, the driver refused to change his mind, and Miss Baillie says that when she tried to photograph his licence plate, he became angrier.

She said: “He got back out of his cab and was ranting at me. Thankfully one of the other drivers let us into his taxi, and he eventually took us home.

“I think something needs to be done to stop this

happening to other women after a night out.

It’s a safety issue. Women should not be forced to walk home at night because a driver refuses their fare because it’s too short a distance.

“I’d like to see the council create a minimum short journey fare so taxi drivers can be guaranteed a minimum amount when the journey isn’t too far.

“I could understand him not wanting to take us if we were drunk or out of order, but we were calm, we just wanted to get home after our night out.”

A spokesman for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, which licenses the town’s taxis, said: “A driver can’t refuse a fare from the rank because they think the journey is too short. Whilst we cannot comment on this incident as we do not have full details, we would be very happy to investigate it further if the passengers would like to contact us and we are pleased another driver was able to ensure the passengers were taken home safely.

“Making a note of the taxi registration number and/ or licence plate number would help us with any investigation.”

CAUGHT PSA secretary Katrina Ray finds Maggie Read with a book

PUPILS’ CHANCE TO WIN PRIZES FOR BEING ‘CAUGHT’ READING PEMBURY School staff and parents are on the hunt for any children “caught” reading – in unusual ways.

The Get Caught Reading competition is one of a series of events and activities making up the primary’s two-week Read-AThon 2015, which runs from World Book Day, March 5, until March 19, organised by the Pembury School Association (PSA), the parents’ fundraising committee.

A school spokesman said: “Perhaps the most exciting of all the events is the Get Caught Reading competition.

Spotters are patrolling the school playgrounds and surrounding areas, keeping an eye out for children with their heads in books. Any pupils ‘caught’ will go into a weekly raffle to receive a prize.”

Other events include sponsored

reading and competitions for poetry, cover design and the funniest photograph of a child reading in an unusual place or fashion, as well as storytelling sessions and a book fair.

Pembury School head Peter Wibroe said: “The Read-A-Thon is a wonderful way of encouraging children to further improve their reading, and to raise vital extra funds for the school. Children are really enjoying all the competitions and hopefully the event will help instil a lifelong love of literature.

“I would like to thank the PSA for all their hard work in putting this together, and to all our kind sponsors whose generosity has made the event possible.”

For more information, visit www.pemburypsa.com

Fuggles to expand by opening second outlet

LONDON TREND Alex Greig wants to expand Fuggles

Wednesday 11th March 2015

THE owner of Fuggles Beer Café is looking to open a second outlet in Sevenoaks after a successful first 18 months in Grosvenor Road.

Alex Greig set up the bar, which specialises in British and Belgian craft beers, in a former pound shop in 2013 and he is now looking for a similar site to convert from scratch.

The 30-year-old said: “It’s all about finding the right location, and choosing a former shop rather than an existing pub or bar means my set up costs are a lot lower.”

Mr Greig grew up in Tunbridge Wells and started his career working in the Pitcher & Piano when he was 18. He got the idea for Fuggles - named after a local variety of hop – while working London bars which specialised in craft beers.

He funded the business using his own money, funds from his family and £15,000 from the Government scheme School for Start-ups. He now employs ten people.

“This is a niche bar in Tunbridge Wells but I just had a gut feeling it would work in this town. My 12 years in the industry helped convince people to back me,” he said.

“We have bought into a London trend which appeals to locals and the many people who have moved here from the capital.”

Fuggles stocks more than 100 beers and a selection of gin and whisky. It has a minimal food menu which focuses on meat and cheese.

Mr Grieg added: “We are following a European feel of serving food that goes well with beer.”

LOCAL NEWS �

RUNNERS’ WORLD RECORD MARATHON CHARITY CHALLENGE

19

ON THE RUN Greg Clark (centre) with the NP Jogle team

.

CROWDS! Tremendous! Buying Fast!

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It’s for a very good cause and I’m sure they’ll get great support all the way

STORE CLOSED WEDNESDAY TO MARK DOWN PRICES! BUY… THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY 9.00AM-5.30PM

MP Greg Clark

•

By Eleanor Jones

A GROUP of runners is training hard for a world record attempt in aid of a children’s charity.

Businessman David Morgan, who lives in Tunbridge Wells, is organising the non-stop relay run from John O’Groats to Land’s End on April 28, in aid of the Niemann-Pick Research Foundation.

Mr Morgan came up with the challenge when he heard of a 13-year-old who suffers from NiemannPick disease, type C, a rare and progressive condition referred to as childhood Alzheimer’s.

He said: “On April 28 at 6am, 12 runners and three support crew will set off to run in a non-stop relay in under six days covering 1,487kms. If we succeed we will set a world record.

“The distance is equivalent to running eight times round the M25 and covers a total altitude gain greater than three times the difference between Everest base camp and the summit. None of the runners are Olympians but we are dedicated to the cause, touched by the plight of those suffering from NPC and motivated by the difference we know the money we raise will make. All participants are covering their own costs.”

MP Greg Clark joined the NP Jogle team for a training session.

He said: “Having been out on a Sunday morning with the NP Jogle team, I know - to my cost - that they are going to set a blistering pace from John O’Groats to Land’s End. It’s for a very good cause and I’m sure they’ll get great support all the way.”

All money raised from the run will go to the Niemann-Pick Research Foundation.

For more information or to donate, visit www.npjogle2015.co.uk

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Wednesday 11th March 2015

20 � PEOPLE

SHE’S A TUNBRIDGE WELLS TEMP WITH A TASTE FOR TRAVEL – BUT SHE’S ALSO A COUNTDOWN QUEEN.

J

ENNIFER steadman has not only scored more points than any other woman on Countdown, she was picked to represent the show on comedy quiz 8 Out of 10 Cats, is hopeful of appearing on the Champion of Champions grand final - and even met her current boyfriend when she was pitted against him in the quarter-final.

The 22-year-old from Paddock Wood notched up eight wins in two days in 2013, smashing records aplenty and winning her now treasured Countdown teapot, and only lost to the eventual winner in the series final.

She says: “I genuinely thought I was going to throw up when I walked on set for the first time.

“But as soon as I got an eight in my first letters round, I was fine. By my seventh game, I was so relaxed, I did an air-drum solo during the introductory music, much to the amusement of my friends in the audience.”

Jennifer only became a regular viewer of the programme, which features two contestants battling it out to create words from nine random letters as well as numbers rounds and an anagram challenge, when she was studying English at Exeter University - but she was a fan from a young age.

“I don’t remember but my nan told me she took me to the park when I was two or three and I started crying my eyes out”, she explains.

“I was beside myself. Apparently, when I calmed down, it turned out I was upset because I was missing Countdown.”

Jennifer remembers occasionally watching the show as a sixth form student but when she went to university, it became a habit.

She then discovered Apterous, an online forum on which contestants chat and practise with each other.

“I wasn’t planning to apply for the show immediately because when I got on Apterous, I realised I was a bit rubbish. I was so bad, I got demotivated and only kept playing as I’d paid £15 membership and didn’t want to waste it”, she laughs.

But slowly, Jennifer’s practice began to pay off, helped by another member who had lost in a semi-final and who took her under his wing until she felt confident enough to apply.

“There are live tournaments, the main one being Countdown in Lincoln. I went to

that and beat the best player of all time. I thought ‘now I’ve beaten him, I’m not scared of anyone.’”, she says. “I applied in February 2013 and had to audition over the phone.

“They gave me letters rounds, numbers and conundrums. I did terribly by my standards because I’d freaked out so badly – but they told me I’d passed.”

Jennifer’s television debut was in midJuly, by which time she had graduated, with first-class honours, and so had had time to practise.

“I was confident I’d win eight games (the maximum run for any contestant) which is pretty presumptuous but I didn’t think I’d score amazingly highly. I was hoping to get more than 800, which is the benchmark of a

COUNTDOWN CHALLENGE YOURSELF

Find the longest word available from these nine letters:

WELFGAHNO Get to the target of 518 in the quickest time using these six numbers - 75 10 3 5 9 8 Jennifer solved this in four seconds

good player. Only ten people had then ever got more than 900 before I did.

“I was so nervous when I went onstage, but as soon as the first letters came out, I had an eight-letter word and that calmed me down.”

Jennifer won that game with 104 points, her lowest total of the eight games, and as five matches are filmed per day and hers was the third, she took part in three the first day and five the second.

“A lot of people are shattered by the end of the fifth game but I never felt that”, she says. “I just felt more pumped up for it, I was absolutely buzzing.

“After my last game, when they told me my 952 points was the highest ever scored by a woman and the third-highest ever, I cried my eyes out and my friend who’d tutored me gave me a hug and said: ‘Isn’t this the best feeling in the world?’ and I said yes.”

After the high of the show, it was “back to reality”, as Jennifer planned to travel in

Each episode of Countdown, which was first broadcast in November 1982, features ten letters rounds, in which contestants have to find the longest possible word from nine letters picked at random; four of numbers for which a target answer must be reached by using six others and the first-on-the-buzzer conundrum, a nine-letter anagram.

Europe and look for a job.

But by November, the series final was looming and Jennifer knew she could be facing her then 17-year-old “nemesis” as an opponent.

“He was terrified of me – and he ‘didn’t want to lose to a girl’, in his words – so he started playing mind games”, she says. “He’d take my bad performances and nominate them for game of the week online to bring them to people’s attention, which didn’t help.

“There was so much pressure, people wanted a female champion and I’d just got back from travelling so hadn’t played for months.”

Jennifer lost her first game in the finals, but by three points and to the eventual winner Callum Todd – who not only beat her nemesis in the final, he also became her boyfriend.

“We became friends after that, on and off, then the following year, we chatted a lot on Skype and when I found out he’d never properly experienced London, I planned a route around the city, showing him the landmarks. We’ve now been together two and a half months and we do play Countdown!

I think the last two normal games we’ve played, we’ve won one each, so we’re pretty evenly matched.”

And more stardom was in store for Jennifer, who was invited to appear on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, the comedy panel show’s take on the format, which was

screened last month.

“I was nervous being with Jonathan Ross, Sean Lock, Jason Manford, Sarah Millican and Jimmy Carr but it was a great experience.

It gets about two million viewers, it’s pretty massive to think two million people saw me!”

Having helped Sean Lock’s team to victory over Sarah Millican’s, Jennifer’s next goal is to be picked for the Countdown Champion of Champions edition. And although she was told by a series producer that she would be chosen, along with recent series champions, it has not yet been revealed when the next grand final will take place or who will take part.

“If I won that, I’d be a legend”, she grins.

“But I’m not thinking about it because it would raise expectations too high and I know it’ll be extremely difficult to win – but if I did, it would be absolutely amazing.

“Countdown has changed my life. If anyone had told me five years ago I’d be on the show ten times, travelled the country to play it with weird and wonderful people, had a relationship as a result, and been recognised on the street for being able to spell and count, I’d have thought you were on something.

Sometimes I think I’m on something because it’s so crazy how things have turned out, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

• CINEMA • LIVE ENTERTAINMENT • LIVE MUSIC • COMEDY • DRAMA • MUSICALS • OPERA • BALLET Search Stag Sevenoaks Wednesday 11th March 2015

ANSWERS: Halogen 518 – (75-(9-8)) x (10 – 3)

Eleanor Jones met Jennifer Steadman, the most successful female contestant the Channel 4 gameshow has ever had

“After my last game, when they told me my 952 points was the highest ever scored by a woman and the thirdhighest ever, I cried my eyes out and my friend who’d tutored me gave me a hug and said: ‘Isn’t this the best feeling in the world?’ and I said ‘yes’.”

EDUCATION �

21

The pressure is rising on Tunbridge Wells school places – and pupils Last week, the Times reported that people are moving to Tunbridge Wells for its schools. This week, we hear that popularity is putting massive pressure on school places in a town praised for its educational excellence

In February, the Government promised £1.6 billion to help ensure every child has a school place – but where?

EXPERT VIEW Angela Culley, head of The Mead School

GOOD START Children at The Mead School

• By Sarah Bond WHEN it comes to education, the London influx could be in danger of taking over Tunbridge Wells, putting increasing pressure on school places as well as housing.

Last week it was reported that 700 families in Kent – the largest remaining grammar school area in England – got none of their secondary school choices for September.

There are currently 33 schools with Tunbridge Wells postcodes, some incorporating preps and/or nurseries, but more state schools are needed. Are our children being served in the right way?

One head believes that the more children who take the 11+, the more pressure there is on state school places and the more they have to restrict entry. This means standards get higher and higher, so more pupils may not make the grade.

Added to that, many children specifically tutored to get to certain schools may find they are not actually the right ones once they get there. All of which amounts to growing pressure on children as well as schools.

Angela Culley is not only the woman who created the independent Mead School, Frant Road, in 1987 when she spotted a gap in the market between prep and primary, she is also an inspector for the Independent

Schools Inspectorate (ISA), headteacher mentor, school troubleshooter and former chair of the Independent Schools Association.

Mrs Culley approves of the controversial changes in the Kent Test. She said: “The trouble with the old 11+ is you were creating monkeys who jumped through hoops and when they got to grammar school, they couldn’t all cope.”

She has an expert view of all the establishments in and pressure on our town, which could be becoming a victim of its own success.

She said: “Tunbridge Wells is blessed with grammars, church comprehensives and an excellent academy, meeting the needs and pockets of the wide socioeconomic mix.

“There is something here for everyone and every child deserves a jolly good education. But there are not enough schools in the Tunbridge Wells area for the Tunbridge Wells children. No doubt about that.”

Kent County Council claims to predict future number of pupils to within one per cent accuracy, to which Mrs Culley responded: “Good. I look forward to them making sure all my children get their first or second choice schools – without any appeals and the traumas that go with it.

“All our schools are different, and every school should

have a soul. We are really lucky, we have not got a bad school in Tunbridge Wells. It’s extraordinary. The only other pocket similar to it is London.

“But Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar, for example, has reduced its catchment to 1.6 miles. If you live in Tunbridge Wells town, you should be entitled to a grammar place if you pass the exam but you’re not any more. The state schools here are way oversubscribed.”

In February, the Government promised £1.6 billion to help ensure every child has a school place – but where?

Mrs Culley said: “I’ve got a child this year who passed her 11+, born and brought up in Tunbridge Wells, who has to go to Maidstone to school. How KCC thinks she’s going to get from here to Maidstone at the age of 11 defeats me.”

Some of our primary schools have had to abandon plans to increase places because they can’t expand due to lack of government funding, Claremont and Bishop’s Down among them.

Mrs Culley knows how being at the wrong school can affect a child, which can then affect his or her whole life.

“I was a complete disaster area in my school life until I was sent to Wadhurst College. It was probably the best thing that ever happened to me,” she said. “That’s what turned my life around.”

It not only saved her, but made her passionate about all aspects of schooling.

She explained: “My vision at The Mead was to provide an excellent education at a more affordable price. It is very much a community school. I don’t believe I’m doing the children any favours if they’re growing up in a bubble with silver spoons in their mouths.

“It’s also about giving children boundaries, routines, study skills and a work ethic that probably nobody gave me at that age. It’s about feeling success, I didn’t ever feel success until I went to Wadhurst College.

“You can make a difference, and if you put the individual child at the heart of any decision, you’re never going to go wrong.

“Teaching has to be a passion or you might as well give up, and I’m not a head who will spend all her time sitting in her gilded office. The interesting part, however, would be if I was looking to become a teacher today, under current qualifications I wouldn’t be good enough because it’s now a graduate profession.

“But not all of us are suited for university. My son works in universities and he says: ‘Actually Mum, it’s dreadful because every year we have students arriving who shouldn’t be there.’

But wherever they end up, Mrs Culley says she loves to see how her former pupils flourish. She added: “The aim is that they look back, glaze over and think those were really good days, thank you. You’ve set me up.”

An independent day school for boys and girls aged 2-13.

For more information, please contact Clare Harrison: admissions@theprep.org.uk 01732 762336 www.theprep.org.uk

CHALL ENGE • CREATIVITY • COMMUN ITY Wednesday 11th March 2015

50 SHADES OF COLOUR

22 � FASHION, HEALTH AND BEAUTY

How much difference do the colours you wear make to your image? Charlie Bond visits colour consultant Jane Osborn to find out…

• Image Makers IT TAKES me a really long time to decide what to wear when I meet Jane, a colour consultant for Colour Me Beautiful. I don’t want to choose something too colourful and it get it totally wrong, but on the other hand, I’m worried if I wear all black she’ll tell me off for being too boring. In the end I settle on jeans and a t-shirt and wear a new, oversized grey jumper over the top. New clothes always make a good impression right?

Wrong.

When I get to Jane’s studio, the first thing she does is sit me down in front of a mirror and put a white bib on me. This is to create a blank canvas so she can see which colours work and which don’t. The first colour

swatch she holds up to me is an oatmeal, which I quite like until it’s next to my face.

“Can you see, this doesn’t work because it makes your face look yellow,” she explains.

The next she drapes me in is black. As soon as she puts it next to my face, it creates a dark shadow and I look a bit ill. I start mentally throwing away half my wardrobe as Jane reveals I should steer clear of black if possible.

“It makes you look tired,” she explains. “You’re going to need light colours.”

Jane tells me I’m “draping” as predominately light, with warm undertones. This means my palette is a lot of pastel and spring shades, with the darkest being “light navy” and “pewter”. I do tend to be drawn to navy over black, so it’s a relief to hear I won’t have to ditch the

CITY CHIC Charlie Bond

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

BAREMINERALS COMPLEXION RESCUE TINTED HYDRATING GEL CREAM £26

MAKER Jane Osborn in dramatic shades

Wednesday 11th March 2015

This handy cream comes in ten shades and is a step above a beauty balm or colour correction cream. With hydrating properties and mineral infused water, it really does make your skin glow and keeps moisturising long after application. It’s perfect for those in a hurry or for use on tired skin, and with an SPF of 30 it’s the only thing you’ll need throughout the spring and summer to give you that healthy, fresh-faced look every day. Available April www. bareminerals.co.uk

MOVE

THE TOWN’S NEW PROPERTY GUIDE – A MUST READ FOR THOSE LOOKING TO BUY, LET OR SELL

If you have a family home to rent we would always recommend marketing it between May and August

WITH THE

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Situated in one of the most desirable areas, its size and style are rare Oak Cottage Warwick Park Pg 26

Kate Boyes Alexandre Boyes Pg 24

THE RED HOUSE This is a double-fronted neo-Georgian style property in the hidden oasis of Camden Park and is just one of the properties listed for sale or to let across the area in this week’s Move with the Times. For full details, see page 24.

Wednesday 11th March 2015

24 � PROPERTY

Substantial neo-Georgian property set within one of the town’s private parks In my view…

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Kate Boyes FARLA MRICS Partner at Alexandre Boyes

This is where we find out what’s happening in the property market. Providing the comment this time round is Kate Boyes, partner in charge of lettings and estate management at Alexandre Boyes.

AT A GLANCE RED HOUSE, CAMDEN PARK, TUNBRIDGE WELLS Neo-Georgian style Private park situation Flexible accommodation Four bedrooms One-bedroom annex Large attractive kitchen and orangery Double glazed sash windows Character features TV room Two bedrooms with en-suite facilities and a family bathroom Bike store Garden store room Parking for several cars Landscaped gardens Outdoor entertaining space £1,350,000 For sale through Wood & Pilcher: 01892 511211 www.woodandpilcher.co.uk

THE HIDDEN oasis of Camden Park, set within easy walking distance of the town centre and the mainline station, is unique in that its houses are a mix of different eras and styles.

Although the original Victorian villas remain, they have been joined over the years by more contemporary properties in this private estate.

The Red House is a double-fronted neo-Georgian style property which has been improved and extended by its current owners to create a four-bedroom family home with an attached one-bedroom annex.

With the scope to combine the two, creating a number of large reception rooms, or with the option of using the annex as a home office or guest suite, the possibilities with this adaptable accommodation are almost endless.

To the front, a unique feature is the central pillared entrance which has the cabling for power and communications for anybody wishing to install electric gates. Offroad parking is provided for several vehicles and although the garage has been converted into another reception

room, the remaining front portion of the garage can be used as a bike store.

Downstairs, the family home features a spacious reception hall, with a cloakroom leading from it, as well as access to a large sitting room with double doors to the gardens and to both the kitchen/orangery and the formal dining room. Off the sitting room, which features an open fire, is also a cosy TV room.

The dining room is accessed by a grand set of double doors and is packed with character features including a decorative fireplace, oak herringbone wood block flooring, fitted cupboards and shelves, and a ceiling rose.

But it’s the kitchen that is the real heart of this home. Beautifully fitted with a range of panelled wall and floor units, a butler’s sink and a fitted range cooker, there is Karndean flooring with underfloor heating throughout. Opening out into the stunning orangery, used as a breakfast room and entertaining space, it has triple-aspect windows

providing views of the garden, two sets of French doors and an impressive glass lantern feature.

Upstairs, the master bedroom features a superb en-suite with underfloor heating and a Velux window. Bedroom two boasts its own en-suite wet room. There are two further bedrooms and a contemporary family bathroom on this floor.

The single-storey annex, which has its own entrance porch at the back of the property, has a spacious sitting room, a kitchen with fitted range cooker, a double bedroom and an ensuite shower room.

To the rear of the property there is a fabulous walled garden with two areas of sandstone paved patio and pathways bordering a central lawn area. There is also a small raised pond and a mature cherry tree with a charming tree swing.

For fans of outdoor entertaining, this home is a dream come true. As well as the two patio areas, there is an enclosed area of decking with outdoor lighting, which can be remotely controlled.

THE ‘spring’ lettings market in Tunbridge Wells has started early this year, with the majority of new instructions letting within two days of marketing.

The middle market, between £800 pcm to £1600pcm, is particularly active. If you have a family home to rent we would always recommend marketing, if you can, between May and August to make the most of the impact of the new school year in September.

There is generally a lead time of six weeks from commencement of marketing to the start of the tenancy, so if you are thinking of renting your family home this summer, start talking to us now to discuss procedure, strategy, processes and value.

Interestingly, we are also seeing a trend of ex-pats purchasing in Tunbridge Wells to rent out for two to three years before returning to live, which is a good sign for the spring sales market, combined with the changes to pensions.

The lettings market in Tunbridge Wells is extremely competitive and as a team, we benefit from many years of experience letting and managing property in and around Tunbridge Wells. Alexandre Boyes are proud members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors & Association of Residential Letting Agents. I have been letting and managing properties in Tunbridge Wells for 12 years; this combined with our awardwinning team of our lettings manager Emma Child, two experienced property managers, three negotiators and our in house chartered accountant enables us to offer a difficult to rival service to our landlords and tenants.

2015 has also seen the introduction of our own in-house property maintenance team providing a reactive response to repairs and maintenance, including, but not limited to general repairs, decorating, carpentry, plumbing, kitchen and bathroom fitting, and roof repairs.

If you are thinking of letting in Tunbridge Wells, please contact me: 01892 525 522 kate@alexandre-boyes.co.uk

CAMDEN PARK ONE OF the most desirable locations in Tunbridge Wells, Camden Park was first thought up in 1847 by Lord Camden, who wanted to build a private park along the lines of the successful Calverley Park. At the centre would be an area of open land of about seven acres and he intended to build “a number of first-class residences” around it. Unlike Calverley Park, the construction took place over many years. By the census of 1851, only two lodges had been built. It now has a total of 74 dwellings and is one of the best addresses in Tunbridge Wells. With very little traffic and an abundance of nature, you would never suspect this oasis was hidden away so close to the centre of town.

Wednesday 11th March 2015

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

PROPERTY �

25

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Detached Victorian lodge house with swimming pool in an exclusive setting

AT A GLANCE WEST LODGE, NEVILL PARK, TUNBRIDGE WELLS Detached Victorian lodge house Private park setting Three bedrooms Family room Contemporary kitchen/diner Downstairs cloakroom Sitting room Family bathroom Garage Decked courtyard garden Swimming pool £850,000 For sale through Knight Frank: 01892 515035 www.knightfrank.co.uk

FRESHLY renovated and boasting its own swimming pool, West Lodge is stylish and modern, and set in one of the most sought-after areas in Tunbridge Wells.

Nevill Park, one of several private parks which were intended to provide quality homes in a setting that brought the countryside into town, is situated near Tunbridge Wells Common and has some of the finest properties in the borough.

This example is a Victorian lodge house which is situated on a private drive

between two of the main villas. It was once part of one of these properties and during the 1881 census, it was recorded as being the home of the villa’s coachman and his family.

Used as a second home and updated by its current owners, the property also features a detached garage, which could be converted for another use subject to the necessary planning permission. On the ground floor there is a spacious family room with a fireplace and double doors to

the garden. There is also a sitting room/ TV room with stairs to the first floor, a downstairs cloakroom and a utility room.

The modern and well-appointed kitchen/diner is a particular feature of this home. With a contemporary finish, a striking work surface, wood floors, a central island and doors out to the courtyard garden, it provides a fabulous entertaining space.

Upstairs, the property offers three bedrooms and a family bathroom.

But it is the decked courtyard garden that provides the highlight. With a Mediterranean feel and well screened with established hedges, there is a beautiful decked area with an inset swimming pool. It is perfect for barbecues and pool parties and even features an outdoor shower.

Victorian in build but updated to provide a modern and comfortable space, West Lodge is beautifully decorated in white with washed-out seaside tones.

Designed courtyard garden makes this a hidden gem AT A GLANCE 10 GUILDFORD ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS 4 double bedrooms and 1 single bedroom/study Character features Stylish design Sitting room Open-plan family area/breakfast room and kitchen 2 bathrooms Cellar Courtyard garden £795,000 or to let for £681 per week unfurnished For sale or to let through Savills: 01892 507000 www.savills.com

SET in a wonderful central position, between Calverley Grounds and The Grove, this stylish town house in Guildford Road is perfectly placed for the station and the centre of town.

A superb example of a classic, three-storey Victorian terrace, the property has been refurbished with a contemporary finish while

retaining many of the character features, including an original front door with stained glass panels, high ceilings, sash windows, generously proportioned rooms and fireplaces.

The rooms being spread out over three floors makes this accommodation readily adaptable for modern family needs.

On the ground floor there is a spacious and modern kitchen/breakfast room with bi-fold doors opening on to the landscaped courtyard garden. There is also an open-plan family area and a sitting room at the front of the property.

The first floor boasts two large bedrooms and a modern family bathroom, with a further three bedrooms and a bathroom on the second floor. A useful storage area can be found in the cellar.

To the rear lies a hidden gem for a property in the centre of town – a private and attractively designed courtyard garden. With a deck and paving providing an outdoor eating area, as well as outdoor seating, it is a great space for entertaining.

Wednesday 11th March 2015

26 ďż˝ PROPERTY

An impressive detached family house within a short walk of The Pantiles

Not only is it situated in one of the most desirable residential areas of Tunbridge Wells but its size and style are rare in this part of town AT A GLANCE OAK COTTAGE, WARWICK PARK TUNBRIDGE WELLS Period detached property Six bedrooms Five reception rooms and a reception hallway Six bathrooms Private garden Ample parking and triple garage Temperature controlled wine cellar 4,400sq ft of accommodation Double height conservatory Utility room ÂŁ2,000,000 For sale through Winkworth: 01892 519600 www.winkworth.co.uk

Wednesday 11th March 2015

ONCE owned by the Weekes family of department store fame, Oak Cottage is a substantial property in Warwick Park, built in the early 1900s, which provides more than 4,400sq ft of accommodation over three floors.

Not only is it situated in one of the most desirable residential areas of Tunbridge Wells, but its size and style are rare in this part of town.

Further rare finds this close to The Pantiles are its ample parking, private gardens and triple garage.

A programme of refurbishment and extension has been carried out over the last 14 years by the current owners. Planned sympathetically to the original style of the property, the work all ties in with the attractive sandstone walls and the oak joinery.

The living and entertaining space comprises five reception rooms which are linked by a central reception hallway and a stunning double height conservatory. There is a large country

style kitchen/breakfast room, a utility room and temperature controlled wine cellar, and part of the charm of this property is the working fireplaces in many rooms.

The extension has created a lovely master suite with dressing room, shower room and bathroom. There are four further bedrooms on the first floor, three with en-suites, and a separate family bathroom, and there is a further bedroom on the second floor.

Although its address is Warwick Park, the generous corner plot allows entrance from Rodmell Road, where it has a wide frontage with picket fencing and a five-bar gate, as well as hedging enclosing the parking area and the garages.

The established hedges and trees to the rear create a completely secluded garden which has been beautifully landscaped with a large lawn, pathway and terracing.

PROPERTY �

27

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Semi-detached with character features in the heart of Pembury

AT A GLANCE 28 HIGH STREET, PEMBURY Victorian semi-detached 4 double bedrooms Character features Sitting room Dining room Kitchen/conservatory Utility room Downstairs cloakroom 2 bathrooms Long garden Central village location

Four-bedroom terraced property close to the centre of Tunbridge Wells

£450,000 For sale through Barnes Kingsnorth: 01892 822880 www.bkestateagents.com

AT A GLANCE

SET near the centre of town and with four double bedrooms, this property in the peaceful, no-through road of Grosvenor Park is arranged over three floors and is beautifully decorated.

On the ground floor, the accommodation is open-plan, with a sitting room to the front boasting a large bay window which floods the living space with light. A wood burner provides a comfortable feel to this well-presented room and there are bookshelves on either side of the fireplace. There is a dining room opening on to a kitchen, which again uses light to its greatest effect with a skylight and double doors to the courtyard.

On the first floor, there is a lovely spacious master bedroom with a feature fireplace, a second bedroom and a family bathroom. Up another flight of stairs, there are two further bedrooms and a shower room.

Outside, the owners of this property have made the most of the paved courtyard space by plastering and painting the high surrounding walls and creating a Mediterranean feel.

But what sets this property apart is certainly its finish, which is fresh and modern while remaining homely. Not far from town and all its amenities, it’s also near a delightful park and feels peaceful and comfortable.

39 GROSVENOR PARK, TUNBRIDGE WELLS 4 bedrooms 2 bathrooms Open plan sitting room/dining room/kitchen Courtyard garden Set over three storeys Character features Superbly presented £535,000 For sale through Alexandre Boyes: 01892 525522 www.alexandre-boyes.co.uk

THIS handsome Victorian property, located in Pembury High Street, boasts four double bedrooms and a wealth of character features.

Set within yards of the centre of the popular village, with its shops, takeaways and pubs all close by, and within a short drive of Tunbridge Wells and the A21, this village home is ideally located.

Decorated to a country and vintage theme, the property boasts sash windows and attractive fireplaces. The entrance hall leads to a sitting room at the front of the house and a dining room at the rear, which in turn leads into a kitchen which opens to an unusual wrap-around conservatory, housing a utility room and cloakroom. The kitchen is currently made up of freestanding units and there is a large

larder. The conservatory provides extra reception and entertainment space and has double doors which open on to an attractive decked area.

On the first floor there are three double bedrooms, one with an en-suite bathroom, and further stairs up to another double bedroom and family bathroom on the second floor.

The rear garden is deceptive as it is longer than average and split into sections. After the initial decked area, there is a lawn and further paved seating area beneath a pergola. Enjoying a good degree of sunshine and perfect for barbecues and family get-togethers, the garden is a particular feature of this mature and individual home.

Wednesday 11th March 2015

Savills Tunbridge Wells 53 High Street Tunbridge Wells TN1 1XU

01892 507050 tunbridgewells@savills.com

savills.co.uk

LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY

New Instruction

New Instruction

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

Three bedroom semi-detached house ø double aspect sitting room ø kitchen ø conservatory ø family bathroom ø single garage and driveway ø front and rear garden ø EPC=C £1,150 pcm + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply*

1 double bedroom apartment ø kitchen ø dining & sitting room ø en suite bathroom ø large entrance hall ø cloakroom ø allocated underground parking space ø lift ø EPC=B £1,300 pcm + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply*

MAYFIELD, east sussex

BRENCHLEY, kent

Contact: Katrin Olander

Contact: Katrin Olander

Mayfield Grange development ø 2 bedroom apartment ø drawing room ø 2 en suite bathrooms Grade II listed farmhouse ø 5 bedrooms ø 3 reception rooms ø 2 bathrooms ø kitchen/ ø landscaped grounds ø 2 allocated car spaces ø EPC rating = D breakfast room ø garage ø swimming pool/tennis court ø EPC exempt £1,950 pcm + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply* £2,750 pcm + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply*

Contact: Katrin Olander

Contact: Katrin Olander

*£36 inc VAT for each additional tenant/occupant/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, visit www.savills.co.uk/fees.

Renting or letting this spring? Talk to Savills.

Savills Tunbridge Wells 53 High Street Tunbridge Wells TN1 1XU

01892 507000 tunbridgewells@savills.com

savills.co.uk

BIDBOROUGH RIDGE, kent

PENSHURST, kent

Well placed for schools and station ø 2 reception rooms ø kitchen/breakfast room ø study ø 5 bedrooms ø pp for garage and attic ø about 0.40 acres ø 2,997 sq ft ø EPC=C

Sought-after village ø stylish open plan living space ø kitchen ø 4 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø workshop/garden store ø garden ø about 0.42 acres ø 1,982 sq ft ø EPC=E

Guide £1.25 million Freehold

Guide £925,000 Freehold

Contact: Amanda Wyatt

Contact: Liz Devall

ASHURST, NR TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

Ashurst MLS about 150 m ø 3 double bedrooms ø 3 bathrooms ø 2 receptions ø kitchen ø courtyard garden ø garage and parking ø 1,804 sq ft ø EPC=D

Town centre and station within 1 mile ø opposite Dunorlan Park ø 1 reception room ø 4 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø garden ø integral double garage ø 1,334 sq ft ø EPC=D

Guide £595,000 Freehold

Guide £550,000 Freehold

Contact: Charlotte Melrose-Cantouris

Buying or selling this spring? Talk to Savills.

Amanda Wyatt Negotiator 01892 507009 acwyatt@savills.com

Liz Devall Negotiator 01892 507060 ldevall@savills.com

Charlotte MelroseCantouris Negotiator 01892 507001 cmcantouris@savills.com

Contact: Charlotte Melrose-Cantouris

With 600 offices globally, we put your property within the world’s reach.

Savills Tunbridge Wells 53 High Street Tunbridge Wells TN1 1XU 01892 507000 tunbridgewells@savills.com

Savills Sevenoaks 74 High Street Sevenoaks TN13 1JR 01732 789700 sevenoaks@savills.com

Savills Cranbrook 53-55 High Street Cranbrook TN17 3EE 01580 720161 cranbrook@savills.com

Move than you’re looking for. savills.co.uk

Winner 2010

Winner 2010

Winner 2010

Team of the year award

Customer Service award

Office of the year award

NORTH TONBRIDGE

£625,000

STUNNING GARDEN at this immaculately presented 1930's detached home. Ideal for a growing family with 4 double bedrooms, bathroom, 2 spacious receptions rooms, kitchen/breakfast room and cloakroom.

Integral garage & super large rear garden. EPC: F Apply Tonbridge

CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE MARKET APPRAISAL SOUTHMANY TONBRIDGE BUYERS £245,000 WAITING

IDEAL FIRST HOME/INVESTOR Well presented mid-terrace just a short walk from town centre and mainline station. New kitchen and bathroom, 2 receptions and 2 double bedrooms, Good size rear garden. EPC: C Apply Tonbridge

NORTH TONBRIDGE,

£410,000

EAST PECKHAM

£569,995

PEMBURY

£470,000

LAMBERHURST

£175,000 L/H

PEMBURY

£475,000

PEMBURY

EXTENDED FAMILY SEMI WITH ANNEXE in favoured position near local shops & amenities. Spacious accommodation with 3/4 bedrooms, 2/3 receptions, kitchen/breakfast room, bathroom and ground floor wet room.

Gardens to front, side & rear, parking and garage. EPC: D Apply Tonbridge

SOUGHT AFTER CUL-DE-SAC close to popular primary school. A 5 bedroom detached house with stunning open-plan kitchen/dining, sitting room, playroom, utility room, downstairs cloakroom. Master bedroom with shower, 3 further double bedrooms, bed 5/ study, family bathroom. Tandem garage, driveway for 3 cars, lawned rear garden. EPC: D Apply Pembury

SOUGHT AFTER LOCATION. 4 bedroom detached family home in Woodhill Park, with good size, west facing garden. Beautifully presented and maintained. Kitchen/ breakfast room, utility, large sitting room, dining room, conservatory, cloakroom, modern bathroom and useful attic room. Driveway parking and garage. EPC: D Apply Pembury

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

STYLISH BARN CONVERSION on village outskirts, offering flexible & generously sized rooms. Dining/reception hall, living room with feature mezzanine level, contemporary styled kitchen, 4 bedrooms and stylish bathrooms. Enclosed courtyard garden and parking. NO CHAIN EPC: C Apply Tonbridge

HEART OF THE VILLAGE. A well maintained 2nd (top) floor, 2 bedroom apartment. Sitting/dining room with balcony to the rear, fitted kitchen with appliances, bathroom and en-suite. Telephone entry system. Allocated parking space and small communal garden. NO CHAIN EPC: D Apply Pembury

OIRO £285,000

REFURBISHED BUNGALOW READY TO MOVE STRAIGHT INTO. Detached 2 bedroom bungalow with sitting/dining room, stylish kitchen and contemporary bathroom. South facing garden to the front and parking and views to the rear. NO ONWARD CHAIN. EPC: D Apply Pembury

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

Residential Sales & Lettings

NORTH TONBRIDGE

£695,000

CENTRAL TONBRIDGE

£199,950

SOUGHT AFTER LOCATION Offering generous and versatile living space this substantial detached family home has 4/5 bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms, 3/4 receptions, cloaks & utility. Elevated position with large rear garden, double garage and parking. NO CHAIN EPC: C Apply Tonbridge

CONVENIENT LOCATION Move straight into this modern one double bedroom retirement flat in the heart of Tonbridge with far reaching views.

Well proportioned accommodation, emergency assistance and communal sitting room. laundry and grounds. NO CHAIN EPC: C Apply Tonbridge

PEMBURY

OIEO £540,000

SOUTHBOROUGH

OIRO £395,000

LARGE FAMILY GARDEN. A substantial, Edwardian semi-detached house, offering scope for further improvement. Entrance porch and hallway, sitting room with archway through to dining room, modern kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory, cloakroom, 5 double bedrooms, large bathroom and separate shower room. Gated driveway parking and integral garage. Internal viewing recommended. EPC E. Apply Pembury

WOODLAND VIEWS WITH TOWN CONVENIENCE! Detached, modern family home set in sought after cul- de- sac with rear garden overlooking woodland. Kitchen, utility/ shower room, sitting room, dining room, 4 bedrooms and family bathroom.

Garage en-bloc and unrestricted parking to front of property. NO CHAIN. EPC: D Apply Pembury

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

www.bkestateagents.com

WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY To find out how we can help you please contact us KnightFrank.co.uk/tunbridge-wells tunwells@knightfrank.com 01892 310269

@KF_TWells KnightFrank.co.uk Guide price: £2,450,000

Hartfield

U O ND FF E ER R

A beautifully presented country house, in a sought after private estate Entrance hall, reception hall, drawing room, dining room, family room, study, kitchen / breakfast room, utility room, cloakrooms. Master bedroom suite with balcony, guest bedroom suite, 3 further bedrooms, 2 further bathrooms. Gym. Games room. Triple Garage.

Summer house. Immaculate gardens and grounds. Direct access to the Ashdown Forest. EPC rating C. In all about 2.1 acres.

Guide price: £1,150,000

Guide price: £1,750,000

Guide price: £600,000

High Hurstwood

Buckingham Road, Tunbridge Wells

An enchanting period house in a sought-after village setting 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 4 reception rooms. Separate 1 bedroom flat. Garaging.

Greenhouse. Heated swimming pool. Pool house. Lovely gardens and grounds.

EPC rating E. In all about 3.13 acres.

A Victorian family house in a highly sought after position 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 2 reception rooms. Private courtyard garden. EPC rating C.

Guide price: ÂŁ6,750,000

Old Heathfield An immaculate manor house in a beautiful rural setting at the centre of a rolling sporting and farming estate Reception hall, drawing room, dining room, kitchen / breakfast room, 2 studies, boot room, utility room, butler’s pantry, cellar. Master bedroom suite with dressing room, 4 en suite bedrooms and 4 further bedrooms with 3 bathrooms. Beautiful landscaped gardens. Walled kitchen garden.

Swimming pool and gym. 4 Cottages. Further outbuildings. Pasture and extensive mature woodland. Established pheasant and partridge shoot with shoot hut. EPC rating D. In all about 387.94 acres.

To find out how we can help you please contact us KnightFrank.co.uk/tunbridge-wells tunwells@knightfrank.com 01892 310269

@KF_TWells KnightFrank.co.uk

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS • SOUTHBOROUGH • CROWBOROUGH • HEATHFIELD • PARK LANE

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE

PROUD OF OUR REPUTATION AS ONE OF THE MOST PROFESSIONAL INDEPENDENT GENERAL PRACTICE ESTATE AGENTS IN THE AREA.

www.woodandpilcher.co.uk Residential Sales: 01892 511211 • Residential Letting & Management: 01892 528888 • Commercial: 01892 511711

Pembury O.I.R.O. £285,000

Tonbridge £1,200pcm

• 2 Bed Detached Bungalow • Vacant Possession, No Chain • Extensively Refurbished Interior • Parking to the Rear • GFCH, Double Glazing • Energy Efficiency Rating: D

• 2 Double Bedrooms • Security Deposit: £1,800 • Council Tax Band: D

Southborough £295,000 • Semi-Detached House • 3 Bedrooms • 2 Reception Rooms

• Well Presented • Off Road Parking • Energy Efficiency Rating: D

Tunbridge Wells, Guide Price £415,000 – £425,000

Crowborough £2,100pcm

• Attached Period Property • Intriging Layout • St James’ Location

• 5 Bedrooms • 2 Reception Rooms • En-Suite Shower Room • Good Sized Rear Garden

• 3/4 Bedrooms, 2 Receptions • On Street Parking • Energy Efficiency Rating: D

• Energy Efficiency Rating: D • Agent’s Fees Apply • Double Garage • Gas Central Heating

Tunbridge Wells £179,995 • 1 Bedroom Apartment • Small Courtyard Garden • Central T/ Wells Location

Rusthall £265,000 • 2 Bedroom Victorian Cottage • Popular Village Location • Kitchen/Dining Room

• Rear Courtyard Garden • On Street Parking • Energy Efficiency Rating: TBA

• Well Presented Throughout • Allocated Parking Space • Energy Efficiency Rating: D

Southborough £250,000 • Semi Detached House • 2 Bedrooms • Requires Updating

• No Onward Chain • On Road Parking • Energy Efficiency Rating: D

Tunbridge Wells £1,400pcm • 3 Bedrooms • Newly Refurbished • Private Roof Terrace • Central Location

• Energy Efficiency Rating: C • Walking Dist to MLS • Gas Central Heating • Agent’s Fees Apply

woodandpilcher.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells Office 01892 511211 tunbridgewells@woodandpilcher.co.uk Southborough Office 01892 511311 southborough@woodandpilcher.co.uk OTHER OFFICES Tonbridge Office 01732 351135 tonbridge@woodandpilcher.co.uk Crowborough Office 01892 665666 crowborough@woodandpilcher.co.uk Heathfield Office 01435 862211 heathfield@woodandpilcher.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells £320,000 • Ground Floor 2 Bed Apartment • Beautifully Presented Throughout • Under 1 Mile From MLS

Tunbridge Wells £1,100pcm • GfCH/Double Glazing • Allocated Parking Space • Energy Efficiency Rating: C

• 2 Bedrooms • Security Deposit: £1,800 • Council Tax Band: C • Available late February

• Energy Efficiency Rating: D • Recently Refurbished • Gas Central Heating • Agent’s Fees Apply

• Available April • Energy Efficiency Rating: B • Agent’s Fees Apply

LeGrys Tunbridge Wells 66 London Road Tunbridge Wells TN4 0PR twells@LeGrys.com Call FREE on 0800 320 2012 or 01892 529448 LeGrys.com

St John’s Road, Tunbridge Wells

Freehold

Modest Corner, Southborough

Guide Price £700,000-£750,000

Guide Price £265,000-£275,000

• Five Bedroom Detached Family Home • In Need Of Renovation • Large Rear Garden • Plenty Of Off-Road Parking • Walking Distance To Some Of Kent’s Most Highly Regarded Schools.

• Chain Free

• Semi-Detached Victorian Cottage • Two Double Bedrooms • Two Reception Rooms • Set Across Three Floors • Lovely Rural Location • Beautiful Countryside Views

Freehold

• Five Minute Drive From A21

Vale Road, Southborough

Freehold

Guide Price £650,000-£700,000 • Four Bedrooms • Three Reception Rooms • Newly Fitted Kitchen Open-Plan To Dining Area • Downstairs Cloakroom • Spacious Conservatory/Sitting Room With A Newly Tiled Roof • Generous Sized Study • Upstairs Bathroom And Shower Room

Holden Park Road, Southborough

Freehold

Guide Price £400,000-£430,000 • Excellent Additional Attic Space With Eve Storage • Large Landscaped South-Facing Garden with Patio Area • Fantastic Garden Room Currently Used As A Gym/Office and Separate Storeroom • Off-Road Parking and Garage • Superb Peaceful Location Close To Local Amenities And Schools

• Detached Family Home • Three Double Bedrooms • Off-Road Parking For Three Cars • Good Sized Garden With Lawn And Patio • Great Location For Primary/Secondary And Grammar Schools • 15/20 Minute Walk To Mainline Train Station

Tunbridge Wells | Edenbridge | Rotherfield | Lewes | Associated London Office

In 2011, LeGrys opened its first office in Tunbridge Wells and has since gone on to open three further offices. LeGrys offer comprehensive Sales, Lettings & Property Management Services.

• Our Offices Are Open 7 Days A Week, maximising Viewing Potential • Free Professional EPC, Floor Plans and Photography on Sales Properties • No Tie-In Contracts • Highly Experienced Team of Staff

• Customer Service Led – Offering Totally Transparent Service • Extremely Competitive Fees • Members of The Registered Landlords Association & The Property Ombudsman • Offering Landlords Fully Managed, Let Only or Rent Collection Services

Coomb Field Road, Edenbridge

St James Road, Tunbridge Wells

Priced At £795 Per Calendar Month

Priced At £825 Per Calendar Month

• Beautifully Decorated One Bedroom House • Bright & Airy Sitting Room • Pretty Private Garden • Garage • Walking Distance to Edenbridge Station

• Modern One Double Bedroom Home • Magnificent Detached House • Central Town Location • Neutrally Decorated Throughout • Secluded Private Garden with Decking • Nearby Mainline Station

London Road, Southborough

Longbow Court, Tunbridge Wells

Priced at £850 Per Calendar Month

Priced At £625 Per Calendar Month

• First Floor Apartment • Two Bedrooms • Large Bathroom with Bath & Shower • Oozing with Natural Light • Set Across Two Floors • Close to Local Amenities & Southborough Common

• First Floor Flat • Good Sized Kitchen/Sitting Room • One Double Bedroom • White Goods Included • Close to Mainline Train Station

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Agents' Mutual Limited - A company limited by guarantee. Company No: 8381458. Registered in England & Wales. OnTheMarketcom and the associated logo are registered trademarks of Agents' Mutual Limited.

Registered Office: 3rd Hoor Connaught House, 1-3 Mount Street, London W1K 3NB, England.

“MAKING MOVES”

ESTATE AGENTS

McAuley Miller Estate Agents provided the best service in the buying selling and letting process.

I will certainly use them again the next time I need an estate agent for any of these services.

They are a knowledgeable, friendly, approachable team who I would absolutely recommend to anyone I know – EXCELLENT customer service! RESIDENTIAL CLIENT

MEET OUR TEAM Residential Sales | Residential Lettings | Property Management Kevin Miller

Belinda Lee

Mary McAuley Miller

Andrea Harold

Mig Bennett

Charlotte Knight

Chloe Newell

25 – 27 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8AE 01892 614777 sales@mcauleymiller.com lettings@mcauleymiller.com

UN D O FF ER ER

CROWBOROUGH £975,000

SA LE FO R

UN D O FF ER ER

FO R

SA LE

Located on the doorstep of the Ashdown Forest is this handsome five bedroom substantially built Victorian house within its own secluded grounds. Large entrance hall. Two main reception rooms, study and games room, kitchen and utility room, five bedrooms, three bathrooms (one en-suite). This lovely family house has been tastefully modernised and retains many period features such as original windows, parquet flooring, good ceiling heights and a grand staircase. The top floor has potential to extend further as a staircase is already in place. The grounds of this property are well established with trees, shrub borders and lawned areas.

Langton Green £625,000

Tunbridge Wells £250,000

Groombridge £310,000

This delightful four bedroom detached property property has been totally refurbished and now presents excellent sized accommodation throughout.

Spacious lounge with bi-fold doors opening onto the terrace. Kitchen/breakfast room. Further reception.

Four bedrooms (two en-suite). The rear garden is terraced and landscaped.

First floor period apartment in a prestigious building located just off Mount Ephraim. Well presented apartment retaining many original features. Two large double bedrooms. Sitting/dining room. Kitchen/ breakfast room. Large family bathroom. Separate cloakroom. Communal gardens.

Beautifully presented three bedroom cottage in sought after location. Presented over three floors.

Well equipped kitchen and open plan living/dining room. Newly fitted large family bathroom. To the rear of the property there is pretty courtyard garden with ample space for entertaining.

lettings@mcauleymiller.com

Tel: 01892 614777 www.mcauleymiller.com

sales@mcauleymiller.com

At KMJ Property you will find an honest and realistic approach to selling your property and good old fashioned customer service coupled with modern technology to sell your home.

Based in Rusthall, we are family owned and run and have sold houses in Tunbridge Wells centre and many of the surrounding villages including in our office location of Rusthall, where we 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.

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

Meet The Team From left to right

Sarah Cameron, Suzanne Johnson, David Johnson, Sarah Piper

01892 515188

sales@kmjproperty.co.uk

ALEXANDRE BOYES The Tunbridge Wells property specialists offering dedicated teams in Sales, Lettings and Block & Estate Management

2014 allowed the Alexandre Boyes sales team to show their versatility and 2015 will continue to show that we no longer just â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; houses; we have become all round property professionals. We have advised on development sites, large and small scale renovation projects, investment purchases, sales of listed property, sourced specialist homes and worked alongside national auction companies. The sales market has been swift-moving over the last 12 months with key advice and client relationships being at height of importance in what we offer. Working across a broad range, selling studio investment properties through to stunning country estates the sales team are able to offer the widest range of services required to any client.

ben@alexandre-boyes.co.uk Ben Carey BA (Hons) PG Dip Senior Negotiator

Emma Child MARLA Lettings Manager

The lettings market in Tunbridge Wells is extremely competitive and as a team we benefit from many years of experience letting and managing property in and around Tunbridge Wells.

Alexandre Boyes are proud members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors & Association of Residential Letting Agents.

I have been letting and managing properties within Tunbridge Wells for 7 years; this combined with our award winning team of two experienced property managers, three negotiators and our in house chartered accountant enable us to offer an exemplary service to our Landlords and Tenants. 2015 has seen the introduction of our inhouse property maintenance team reactive to repairs and maintenance, including but not limited to general repairs, decorating, carpentry, plumbing, kitchen and bathroom fitting, and roof repairs. With an ever expanding portfolio, we are trying to evolve the multi-disciplined approach that has become the ethos of Alexandre Boyes.

emma@alexandre-boyes.co.uk

Residential Block Management at Alexandre Boyes is going through a re-structuring exercise and 2015 looks to be an exciting year ahead. The team now consists of 7 staff members comprising two experienced property managers who are both members of IRPM, two service charge bookkeepers, a surveyor, a landscape manager, and an assistant. We are proud to say that Alexandre Boyes are the only Residential Block Management company in Tunbridge Wells with a Chartered Surveyor as Partner. The department will be moving into new block management offices at 43 Mount Ephraim as we have outgrown our offices at 48. The new premises will benefit from a meeting room for clients and will be ready mid March.

kevin@alexandre-boyes.co.uk Kevin Guthrie AssocRICS MIRPM Estate & Block Manager

SALES | LETTINGS | ESTATE MANAGEMENT 48 MOUNT EPHRAIM, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, TN4 8AU 01892 525522 | www.alexandre-boyes.co.uk

DE VELOPMENT

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We have a proven track record in successfully selling properties in and around Tunbridge Wells and would simply love to help you make your next move. So please, call us today.

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Royal Victoria House, 51-55 The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5TE Telephone: 01892 514100 Email: info@maddisonsresidential.co.uk

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When experience counts...

Mayfield – Guide Price £720,000

• Highly individual brand new detached residence • 5 bedrooms / 4 bathrooms • Convenient semi-rural position • PP granted for car port/store

Groombridge – Guide Price £169,000

• A well appointed first floor maisonette • Updated modern kitchen and bathroom • Private Garden • EPC: C

Pembury – Monthly Rental of £1,550

• Immaculately presented detached house • 3/4 bedrooms / open plan living/dining room • Garage and large rear garden • EPC: D

Tunbridge Wells – Guide Price £630,000

• 3 bedroom Duplex Penthouse apartment • Large wrap-around terrace • 2 secure allocated parking spaces • EPC: D

Ticehurst – Prices from £295,000

• Brand new retirement apartments • 2 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms • Village location • Communal landscaped gardens

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Wednesday 11th March 2015

50 � PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

THINKING OF MOVING HOME THIS YEAR? You’ve made the decision to move, found your dream home and your offer has been accepted. Feelings of excitement and apprehension set in and all you want is the whole process to end with you safely ensconced in your new home. So what steps can you take to ensure that the process will run smoothly and costly mistakes are avoided? Well, skimping on surveys and conveyancing can cost you dearly in the long run. So here are some top tips to help your move go as smoothly as possible.

the property ladder. You should also make sure you know who you are instructing and that the firm is registered with a regulatory body such as the Solicitors Regulation GET YOUR MORTGAGE Authority. There are bogus law firms out there AGREED FIRST who will take your money and then close up Although borrowing from banks and shop which means you lose the money and building societies has improved recently, it your dream home. That is why it is essential is not a given. So to avoid disappointment, that you get the advice and guidance you check you can get the mortgage you need need every step of the way from a known before starting the process. You can reputable law firm. They are there get a mortgage agreement in to help you avoid the pitfalls of principle secured first, but what can be a murky area. remember that this is an The cheapest option indication and not a may not always legal agreement.

You wouldn’t buy a car prove to be the best.

Remember, this may DECIDE without the knowledge well be the biggest WHETHER purchase you’ll YOU ARE of a service history, so make and you want HAPPY TO to be sure that you RELY ON THE why would you run this know what you are MORTGAGE buying. You should LENDER’S financial risk when be able to contact VALUATION OR DO your conveyancer and YOU REQUIRE A FULL buying a house? fully understand what is SURVEY. happening at each step of A lender’s valuation is an the move. If you are not sure, assessment carried out by and ask! One further point to bear in for the benefit of the lender in order to check that the property presents adequate security for its loan should you default and the property has to be sold. However, it does not report on actual faults in the property.

For many, a Home Buyer’s Report, which will expose problems such as damp, dry rot and subsidence, is adequate but if you are buying an older house or unusual home a full structural survey will be a wise investment.

You wouldn’t buy a car without the knowledge of a service history, so why would you run this financial risk when buying a house?

• By Deborah Miller

1

2



mind is that your conveyancer will not visit the property themselves, so should there be something you feel uncertain about bring it to their attention and they will provide you with the options available in order to try to resolve the issue.

5

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

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

For further support and advice regarding your home buying/selling experience contact our office and speak to one of my property team today on 01892 539 379 or email times@maxbarford.co.uk

For further information or to request a quote for your move cut out the coupon and post to the address below. Alternatively call or email us today quoting reference MBCT0403 Telephone 01892 539 379 or Email times@maxbarford.co.uk Name Address

Tel.No Email Max Barford & Co 16 Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1QU www.parfittcresswell.com

3

REMEMBER TO FACTOR IN THE TRUE COST OF MOVING. Mortgage arrangement fees, survey fees, legal costs and removal costs are all substantial costs of moving. However, the often overlooked but most expensive cost is Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) which varies dependent on the value of the property purchased. If you purchase a property above £125,000 SDLT becomes payable. Recent changes to SDLT have been introduced to try to make the tax fairer.

Under the old regime the SDLT percentage rates increased at various thresholds. Under the old rules SDLT was payable at a single rate on the whole transaction value. From 4 December 2014, SDLT is payable on a sliding scale depending on the portion of the purchase price that falls within each rate band. Where contracts have been exchanged on or before 3 December 2014, and the transaction is completed on 4 December or later, you can choose whether to use the old or the new rules.

There is no doubt that the SDLT changes will be of benefit to many home buyers. For example, under the old regime, Stamp Duty Land Tax payable on a purchase price of £350,000 would be £10,500 and under the new regime it would be £7,500 - representing a saving of £3,000.

4

CHOOSE YOUR CONVEYANCING SOLICITORS WITH CARE If you take the risk of buying without the support and guidance of an expertly trained legal conveyancer, you run the risk of walking into a financial booby trap which can seriously hamper your progression up Max Barford & Co. is a trading name of Parfitt Cresswell. Parfitt Cresswell is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. No. 71480

Wednesday 11th March 2015

FASHION, HEALTH AND BEAUTY �

blues just yet. The “light” palette is my basic colours, then the “warm” brings in further options that can also work with my skin tone and hair colour.

Next, Jane explains about my final undertone, which is “clear”. “This is all about your eyes,” she says. “When you have a dramatic eye colour, you get a clarity within you, so the moment you put a contrasting colour on it makes your eyes sparkle.”

After Jane’s shown how the different colour combinations work on me, she tells me it’s time to assess my personality, in terms of my style. She asks me questions about my shopping habits and the clothes I favour to determine what advice she should be giving.

“This helps to determine how far I can push people,” she explains. “People who are natural and tend to live in comfy clothes don’t like to be pushed too far out of their comfort zone. That’s why you see makeover programmes that look great but when they revisit the person a few weeks later, they’ve gone back to how they were.”

At the end of the quiz my results show that I’m mostly a “city chic”, which according to Jane is the easiest personality to work with.

“City chic is the best place to be!” she says.

“It’s all about accessories and looking the part.

Kate Middleton is a good example of a city chic – because she always updates her accessories, even if she wears the same dress twice, it looks different.”

Having determined my style personality, it’s time for Jane to assess my body shape. This is the part I’ve been dreading, so when she tells me “You’re perfect!” it’s definitely a relief. Apparently my

body shape is a ‘neat hourglass’ which means I’m the same size top and bottom with a small waist. “The only thing I would say is show it off!” says Jane. “I know the top you’re wearing is fashionable but it makes you look bigger than you are, so get more things that are shaped.” That’s the new jumper relegated to indoor wear then…

To demonstrate what she means, she puts me in two different gilets. One isn’t fitted at the waist and the other is, and I can definitely see a big difference in how they alter my shape.

“The pink is a better colour for you but it makes you look like a sausage!” Jane says with a laugh. I can’t take offence because I agree. Jane then asks me to put my hand on my waist and we discover I’m a little highwaisted, so I should avoid anything that makes my top half look too short.

The last assessment we do is on my face shape, which is oval with a square hairline, so Jane tells me my side fringe is a good move because it creates the illusion of a more oval face.

Then Jane talks me through the kind of clothes and accessories I should be going for, so I’m told shapeless and boxy clothes (which I wear a lot) are a no-no, while dainty jewellery (which I rarely wear) would work well for me because I’m petite so I need to keep what I wear in proportion with my body shape and size.

Verdict: I absolutely loved having my colours done and spent the next day rooting through my wardrobe, relegating anything black or boxy to the back. On Jane’s advice, I bought some more fitted clothes too, although I have to admit, I have worn my grey jumper in public again…

51

Meet the image maker

TOP TIPS JANE SHARES HER COLOUR COMMANDS… • Buy things when you see them if they’re in your colours.

• It’s worth investing and spending more on things that are the right colour for you – the chances are you’ll end up keeping them longer.

• You need to hear what people are saying to you. If they’re telling you your hot pink suit is fab, that’s not a compliment. You want them to be saying you look fab.

• There are ways of cheating, like wearing lighter colours over black if black is too harsh for you.

• If you look in the mirror and the first thing you see is the item of clothing then it’s wearing you, rather than the other way round, so change it.

• I’d hate anyone to drive themselves mad trying to find the exact shade – you’re looking for your best option!

Name Jane Osborn Age 48 Lives Southborough How did you get into colour consulting?

“12 years ago my best friend said to me “let’s go and get our colours done for our birthdays,” so we went to see a consultant nearby. She was very brutal with me, even telling me my hair was the wrong colour, but I loved the experience. The next day I decided to train and I’ve been doing it 11 years now.”

What’s your background?

“My background is actually in finance and I used to run a nanny agency in London. I never thought this would be what I would end up doing, but I love it and I love the difference wearing the right colours can make to someone.”

Can you spot instantly if someone’s in the wrong colours?

“I can pretty much tell straight away but I don’t walk along making judgements and I wouldn’t say anything unless I was asked. I’m honest, but I’d never just blurt out “that is so not your colour!”

What difference can wearing the right colours make to someone’s look?

“When the colour’s right it makes your skin look great and it lights your face. You might not have a scrap of make-up on, but someone will say “you look well”. The right colours lift you.

How easy do you find shopping as a colour expert?

“Everything in my wardrobe I can wear now and if I go into a shop I’ll only pick up the colours I know work for me. I once bought a really expensive silk dress but it was the perfect colour and shape so I justified it!”

Who’s your colour icon?

“I love Fearne Cotton. She does fashion without looking ridiculous and embraces colour. I also love Davina McCall’s look, but I did her colours...!” www.imagepotential.co.uk

THINK PINK Charlie should avoid garments which aren’t fitted

SNUG A better look

“I have said that black has it all.

White too. Their beauty is absolute.

It is the perfect harmony.”

Coco Chanel

O F TUNBR IDGE WEL LS

30,000 COPIES ACROSS A TEN MILE RADIUS A unique new media platform for those reaching out to a more affluent, sophisticated target audience of decision makers and potential customers. timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

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Wednesday 11th March 2015

52 � RECRUITMENT

RECRUITMENT MAKE THE CHANGE Working in partnership with jobsinkent.com, The Times of Tunbridge Wells recruitment team is proud to work with local businesses and agencies alike to bring you your next career move

recruitment solutions building teams that build businesses and careers that reward

Recruitment Solutions

2 St John’s Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9QW Tel: 01892 540 054 Fax: 01892 542 054 Web: www.recsol.co.uk E : robert.dutton@recsol.co.uk And… great roles for graduates, A level trainees, Legal Secretaries and sales people! Call us now

Motivation HR Motor Trade Recruitment

Great jobs with Great Clients for Great Candidates!

Media Officer £30-35K Rare?… you bet! Liaising with radio and tv, as part of the press team! Delivering engaging newsworthy responses internally externally, use press, media and social media!

You will have relevant press relations experience, and be looking to work locally

Telesales Executive £20,000 Base + comms

IT Support Person £19-22,000

Purchasing Executive £17,000

Exciting, growing co with fresh approach! Gaining sponsors and building sales for Uk events! Good prospects.

Super role! Dual site support for 60 users with all practical day to day issues.

Lovely role, based in Hildenborough; busy company, negotiating price, delivery and service

Event Marketing Manager £28,000 New co! creative role, developing and driving event strategy for Uk events. CIM useful.

Finance Asst £16-18k Super role, ideal for grad with a little experience seeking long term career

And finally! We are expanding – Service Delivery Consultant - if you are confident, serviced driven, and motivated by success, please give me a call!

We are looking for candidates with previous automotive experience

Jobs Available: Body Shop Paint Sprayers Body Shop Panel Beaters Strip & Fitters Estimators Smart repair Technicians Alloy wheel Technicians

Vehicle Technicians LCV Technicians HGV Technicians Car Sales Executives Body Shop Manager Sales Manager

Service Manager Service Advisors Parts Advisors Workshop Controllers Aftersales Managers General Managers

Business Manager Master Technicians / NVQ Level 4 Administrators Call Centre Operatives

Contact www.motivationhr.com or send a CV to laura@motivationhr.com for further information on the positions we have available.

Wednesday 11th March 2015

RECRUITMENT �

53

WOULD YOU MAKE A GOOD

CARE WORKER?

Audit Semi-Senior, Orpington £25,000 + Study Support Friendly 4 Partner accounting Firm based in Orpington is seeking to recruit an Audit & Accounts semi-senior to join their growing Practice.

The role itself will be split 70% Audit, 30% Accounts and the portfolio of clients will include charities, professional partnerships and sole traders.

Accounts Senior, Tonbridge £32,000 Following an internal promotion an Accounts Senior is required by this friendly and progressive accounting firm.

This opportunity will suit an ACCA part qualified or QBE accountant with practice based experience of accounts preparation, statutory accounts, VAT returns and tax computations. There will be plenty of client contact across a diverse portfolio of SME buisnesses.

The firm has 5 offices in various locations and this one is centrally located with close access to a main line station.

Motor Claims Handler, Sevenoaks £27,000 Motor Claims Negotiator/Handler required for this smaller but rapidly growing insurance company.

The company offers a progressive, empowering environment with state of the art, modern offices close to a mainline station and with parking facilities.

Focussing on a high degree of customer satisfaction, you will handle a portfolio of claims involving personal injury, credit hire, liability disputes, accidental damage and recovery achieving settlement at the optimum level.

To be suitable for this opportunity you will have a minimum of two years relevant experience.

NQ-2 year PQE Corporate/Commercial Solicitor, Tunbridge Wells £DOE + benefits Corporate/Commercial Solicitor required to join busy and dynamic law firm in Tunbridge Wells.

Working closely with the head of department, you will be advising on interesting corporate deals such as M&A, MBO etc. as well as developing new business. You will be commercially minded and a keen team player with a good attention to detail.

Paralegal – Commercial Property/Plot Sales, Tunbridge Wells £18,000-£20,000 A Legal 500 firm are currently seeking an experienced Paralegal to join their Property department to assist and handle their own case load of commercial property plot sales/ purchases.

The successful candidate will have experience gained from a regional or city law firm, within their property department (residential or commercial). You will have a good understanding of the processes involved and be able to work to strict timescales.

Commercial Property Legal Secretary, Hastings £18,000-£23,000 An experienced Legal Secretary is required to join a very successful and growing law firm based in East Sussex close to the main line station.

To be considered, you have experience of residential or commercial property. Genuine career prospects are on offer.

£7.50 ph permanent part-time role As a frontline, reader facing member of our team, you will be interacting with the general public, handing out our copies of the paper at key geographical points across the Borough of Tunbridge Wells. Working from high quality branded trolleys, carrying 450 copies, it will be your responsibility to ensure the paper gets into the hands of our readers.

Hours 6am-12.30pm every Wednesday morning.

To apply, please contact: kawcock@markerstudy.com

Commercial Account Manager – Publishing As part of a small but very successful ambitious team, you will be responsible for developing and implementing a successful sales strategy achieving the agreed revenue targets on a monthly basis from your allocated categories.

Ensuring targets are exceeded and maintaining successful relationships with key accounts through clients direct and agencies. You will make yourself and your brand famous within the relevant agency and lifestyle brand world, establishing and maintaining strong commercial relationships and maximising revenues. This role requires a highly structured and proactive approach to ensure revenues are generated everyday within the agreed guidelines from the relevant markets. It is 100% results focused.

For more details and to apply for this exciting role please contact: kawcock@markerstudy.com

Magazine Designer These roles are to help with the design and page layout for a monthly regional lifestyle magazine based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

You should have good communication skills, be a flexible team player and happy to work under your own initiative when the department is busy on tight deadlines.

The role will include design and page layout, creating and amending adverts, preparing files for press and supporting the design and production team.

We are looking for candidates who have: • 5 + years in magazine design

Bluebird Care provide high quality care to individuals within their own homes. We are looking for Care Workers to assist our Customers with personal care, shopping, domestic tasks, day trips out, appointments and much more.

WE WILL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING: Very flexible working hours • Excellent rates of pay • Mileage pay NVQ Qualification • Full training WANT TO JOIN OUR PASSIONATE TEAM? Drivers essential • A willingness to care for those who need it No experience necessary If you would like to enquire about this role please contact Emma on 01732 373024 or alternatively email your C.V tunbridgewells@bluebirdcare.co.uk

BORED AT WORK? LOST YOUR SPARK? NO LONGER FEELING CHALLENGED? LET US HELP...

Every week the Times of Tunbridge Wells is full of great local and national jobs, we can help find the right fit for you.

16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU jobs@gerrardwhite.com 01892 55 33 55

Newspaper Distributer

Bluebird Care is one of the leading provider of professional, high quality home care based in Tunbridge Wells.

O F TUNBR IDGE WEL LS

To book a recruitment advert please contact Alice Harding: Recruitment Manager Tel: 01892 774 794 Mobile: 07917 090 668 Email: alice@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

Top agency looking for a Mid-weight c# .Net developer

• A high level of experience in a publishing environment • Excellent InDesign & strong Photoshop and Illustrator skills • A keen eye on trends and designs and have an idea of what the competition is doing • Confidence and excellent attention to detail and typography • Experience of preparing, proofing and artworking files for press • The ability to manage your workload so that deadlines are met while maintaining good, clean working practices under pressure Previous experience working on magazines would be a distinct advantage for this role, as would any experience of page layout and repro for print.

Please send PDF examples of your work to: rcremer-price@markerstudy.com

Sub-Editor (Newspaper) We are looking for a sub-editor with significant experience of working on a daily or weekly newspaper. The successful candidate will have a flair for design and the ability to write punchy, eye-catching headlines – equally adept at working on serious news stories, health and beauty and arts and culture. He or she will thrive under pressure, be capable of working to strict weekly deadlines and have a good eye for detail.

This full-time position is based in the centre of Tunbridge Wells offering a competitive salary + benefits. For more details please contact: kawcock@markerstudy.com

We’re one of the leading marketing agencies in Kent working with an exceptional list of clients on a very wide variety of sophisticated projects.

Now due to continued growth we are looking to expand the digital team with a mid-weight c# .Net developer.

This is an ideal position of someone with a minimum of 2 years’ experience to join a demanding and challenging environment that will allow you to develop you skills.

You will be expected to work using: • MVC • WebForms • Microsoft SQL Server • JavaScript/JQuery • CSS3 • Responsive methods (CSS/JS) Projects vary but will include • Back end site and system development • CMS • E-commerce

job ad3.indd 1

You will need to enjoy the pressures of working in an agency which is very demanding and requires the ability to work on multiple tasks and to very tight deadlines. However, we always strive to create a great and rewarding working environment in our newly converted offices in Ashford.

To apply for this position, please send your CV including current salary details to hr@visarc.uk.

We would like to see examples of your work prior to any potential interviews, so please provide links to sites you have worked on and also explain your input to the site. If your work has predominantly been for restricted access sites, please provide the list along with an explanation of what your role was. If you do not supply a list of sites your application may not be accepted.

Visarc, Unit 11, Connect 10, Ashford Business Park, Ashford TN24 0FE, 01233 500222

Wednesday 11th March 2015 02/03/2015 13:02

54 � FOOD AND DRINK

Fascinating food facts

DOWN ON THE FARM SHOP

TONIC WATER GLOWS BLUE Quinine, a natural white crystalline alkaloid, is used in tonic water, causing it to glow blue under ultraviolet light. This is because quinine has a high fluorescence quantum yield and is particularly sensitive to UV, so much so that it can appear fluorescent in direct sunlight.

GINGER IS A PAINKILLER According to a 2010 study in the Journal of Pain, ginger can reduce muscle pain by up to 25 per cent. Researchers found raw and heated ginger to be a natural anti-inflammatory, as its antioxidant effects break down existing inflammation and acidity in the fluids within the joints.

ALMONDS AREN’T NUTS Contrarily, the almond is not a nut, but a drupe.

Like the peach, it consists of a thick, leathery outer ‘hull’ surrounding a shell that contains a seed. A nut, meanwhile, is a hard-shelled fruit that doesn’t open to release its seeds, like an acorn or chestnut.

BREAD IS COLOUR CODED The coloured twist tie on a loaf of bread, far from being randomly assigned, is actually a simple yet effective colour coded system. It was introduced to ensure that shelf stackers know which day the bread was made on and therefore how old each loaf is.

RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS Chillis contain a chemical compound called capsaicin, which bonds to sensory nerves and tricks them into thinking your mouth is being burned. The brain also tends to release endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller, as a result, causing the diner to experience feelings of euphoria and bliss.

HONEY DOESN’T SPOIL Due to its unique composition and chemical properties, honey is the only foodstuff that doesn’t go off in an edible state. It has a sufficiently high sugar content to prevent moisture and humidity, thereby avoiding fermentation. So, in theory, a pot of honey could last an eternity.

A GREAT example of a local farm shop diversifying and encouraging new customers is Downingbury Farm in Pembury. Well-known for its pick-your-own offerings in the summer, the farm itself grows fruit including strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, plums and apples and the shop stocks all kinds of fresh produce and handpicked local food and drink.

Run by Peter Jervis, the main shop was set up 23 years ago and branched out two years ago, opening a town centre sister store called Locality in Camden Road.

“People’s shopping habits have changed,” says Mr Jervis. “I think it’s due to a lot of factors. The recession changed things, for a start. A few years ago, people were doing big weekly shops in the supermarkets, spending £300 a time, but I don’t think they do that any more.

There’s always been a niche for farm shops but I think recently people have also become more cynical about supermarkets and cottoned on to the way some of them treat their suppliers. Their trade is really beginning to drop now.”

Mr Jervis is a fruit and vegetable expert, growing his own as well as hand-picking imported produce from

DOWNINGBURY FARM, Maidstone Road, Pembury, is open every day. Call 01892 824282 or visit www.downingburyfarm.co.uk Locality is also open every day, at 15 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells. Call 01892 616632 or visit www.localitytwells.co.uk

Covent Garden market, which he visits three times a week. If anyone knows about the business, it’s him.

“The produce in supermarkets is fine but it looks so uniform and almost like it’s made out of plastic,” he says. “It’s too perfect in a way; it looks like it’s been manufactured. People like a bit of imperfection because it’s real.

“I also think there is much more awareness about local food. It’s fresher and it has fewer food miles, which can only be a good thing. You can get British fruit and veg in supermarkets but what people forget is that it goes through a massive transport system first. Even fruit from Kent will have been picked half-ripe, stored somewhere, then packed and sent halfway up the country for distribution, only to be sent back down to Kent. We can pick something ripe from the tree and have it on the shelf ready for you to buy that afternoon. That’s the difference and people appreciate that.”

He does admit though that the supermarkets have set a high standard. Able to bring in produce from every part of the world, they have opened consumers’ eyes to global food. Farm shops and independent businesses

Free food and drink apps KEY INGREDIENT

By Key Ingredient Corporation (Free) Feast your eyes on one of the fastest growing recipe collections in the world. Featuring more than 1,500,000 recipes from online users worldwide, this is a great way to broaden your cooking horizons.

Beautifully photographed dishes can be streamed directly to your iPhone or iPad, complete with simple cooking instructions to follow. You can also contribute your own culinary delights, so your meal can be enjoyed the world over.

FOODLE – NUTRITION FACTS

Best Indian Restaurant in the South East Region Kent Awarded by The BCA 2014 RINGS HILL | HILDENBOROUGH | KENT | TN11 8LX | 01732 832944 thecinnamonsquare.co.uk

Wednesday 11th March 2015

can’t rely on people using them out of goodwill, he says, their products must be of the highest quality.

“One of the best ways to encourage customers, especially at our town centre shop where we get a lot of footfall, is to put things in people’s faces,” Mr Jervis says. “Especially in the summer, with strawberries for example. People love that, as they don’t see them usually - we display the strawberries outside so you can smell them as you walk by. ” One of the other ways the farm shop is branching out is through its new box scheme. Delivering weekly to about 30 customers in the area so far, Mr Jervis assures only the freshest produce makes it into the box and offers a great deal of flexibility when it comes to the contents.

“It’s going great. We use as much local produce as we can and delivery is free. I usually do the deliveries myself. Nearly all our box scheme members ring up each week and order just what they want and that’s something the national companies can’t offer.

“It’s that kind of personal relationship with the customer that we’re trying to nurture, and we have it with all our lovely local producers too. We’re all in it together.”

By Pomegranate Apps (Free) Get food smart with this nourishing and insightful app. Displaying nutrition facts on over 8,000 foods, you can discover the vitamin and mineral content of your preferred nibbles, including fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, seafood, nuts, seeds, spices, herbs and more.

Additional in-app purchases will allow you to hide certain food types and create a list of your favourites, so you can get to know exactly what you’re eating.

BAR TRICKS

By Dan Raine (Free) Wow your friends while propping up the bar with this unique collection of tricks. Showcasing crafty sleights of hand like the Bottle Lift, the Coin Trap and Lose the Card, each trick is demonstrated in a high quality video, complete with close-ups of the final secret so you can master them easily. Simple to use and loads of fun, this will have your mates scratching their heads for hours.

FOODGAWKER

By gawkerverse (Free) Experience a visually stunning collection of foodie photos like no other. Featuring shots of mouthwatering dishes from online bloggers all over the world, this is truly a haven for food lovers. You can gain direct access to recipes you like the look of by simply tapping the image and being taken to the relevant blogger’s site. New images are added every day and you can even post your own, providing they’re of a high enough standard, that is – remember, this is a high-end community for budding chefs and photographers, so the competition can be pretty fierce!

FOOD AND DRINK �

QUALITY FOODS

Local suppliers AMONG THE MANY LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK OFFERINGS ON DOWNINGBURY FARM SHOP’S SHELVES, WE FOUND… Free range meat from Pembury Porkers Butcher Tim Lear supplies free range pork from his outdoor-reared rare breed pigs in Pembury. As well as traditional sausages and dry-cured bacon, Pembury Porkers also supplies carefully and locally sourced meat and poultry, including chicken, lamb, beef and locally shot game.

Downingbury Farm Shop is the prime retail outlet for this meat. Search Pembury Porkers on Facebook.

Game from VJ Game in Broad Oak A well-established and family-run business, VJ Game uses only local game, prepared by master butcher and owner Vincent Elliot. Selling mainly at farmers’ markets, it provides venison, wild boar, rabbit and game birds in season. Popular products include wild boar sausages and rabbit burgers.

Search VJ Game on Facebook.

Fruit juice from Owlet in Lamberhurst Launched in 1983, thanks to the purchase of an ancient three-wheeled cider press from Normandy, Owlet grows apples, pears and cherries at its Owl House Fruit Farm in Lamberhurst. Having invested in modern juicing technology, it is now one of the biggest juice producers in Kent and has won numerous regional and national awards.

Visit www.owletfruitjuice.co.uk Ice cream and sorbet from Taywell in Goudhurst Aiming to offer much more than the boring ice cream flavours we are all used to, Taywell sets out to innovate and excite. Packed with interesting combinations of flavours but leaving out all artificial additives, colours and stabilisers, Taywell uses locally sourced fruit for its ice creams and sorbets.

Visit www.taywell.co.uk

55

Local produce gives the feel good factor supermarkets can’t match

Chocolate from Simpsons in Goudhurst Using a family recipe, Simpsons’ small team hand-produces the chewy chocolate confection called Goupie.

Made fresh to order each week and then cut into its distinctive triangular pieces, Goupie is made from quality natural ingredients and topped with fine dark chocolate containing a minimum of 50 per cent cocoa solids.

Visit www.goupie.co.uk Milk and cream from Hinxden Farm Dairy in Benenden As well as delivering dairy products to homes within a ten-mile radius of the farm, Hinxden also supplies several restaurants, hotels and even schools in the area. Priding itself on the freshness of its products, the dairy farm has been around since 1930 when it started with just five milking cows. Visit www. hinxdenfarmdairy.co.uk Craft beers from Tonbridge Brewery in East Peckham Established in 2010 in Tonbridge, the heart of Kent’s old hop-growing country, the company expanded in 2013 and moved to bigger premises in East Peckham. It produces distinctive, quality ales with mainly Kentish ingredients. Tonbridge Coppernob and Tonbridge Union Pale are two of their popular varieties.

Visitwww.tonbridgebrewery.co.uk Smoked fish and meats from The Weald Smokery in Flimwell One of the biggest smokehouses in the country, The Weald Smokery uses the traditional method of preserving food by smoking it over oak logs.

Using brick-built kilns, it offers smoked meats, fish and cheeses. The famous smoked salmon is a big seller and the smoked eel, smoked venison and smoked ox tongue are all awardwinners.

Visit www.wealdsmokery.co.uk

THERE was a time, not so long ago, when the supermarket was king. The humble local farm shop was just a roadside shack selling whatever fruit and vegetables were ripe in the fields to people who didn’t mind irregular shaped carrots and having to wash their potatoes. But times have changed and farm shops have changed with them, appealing now to a new kind of grocery shopper.

Having existed firmly within the age of supermarkets for 30 years, the public, far more aware both environmentally and nutritionally, has started looking elsewhere to a more traditional way of shopping for their fresh produce.

According to the National Farmers’ Retail and Markets Association there are now more than 4,000 farm shops in the UK, with annual turnovers ranging from

£1,000 to more than £6million. And in 2013, independent farm shops selling traceable meat reported a 75 per cent increase in sales following the horse meat scandal.

People wanted to know where their food came from again and farm shops and local farmers’ markets were the way to go.

Like most sectors, agriculture has struggled over the last few years but it’s thanks to the farmers’ willingness to diversify and to reconnect with their customers that farm shops have risen in popularity. Far from just a stall offering a few dusty vegetables, modern farm shops are more like food halls. With all the seasonal, locally-grown fruit and vegetables that you would expect, most shops also now supply some imported produce, as well as local meat, milk, fish, bread, honey, preserves, beers and spirits.

For shoppers, there is an excitement that comes from visiting a farm shop. Often set among fields and orchards where you can actually see the produce growing, they remind consumers where food really comes from and gives them a feel-good factor that supermarket shopping just can’t match.

There is also the inexplicable buzz that comes from discovering a small local supplier. In a supermarket, you can choose from a dozen different kinds of honey, from a dozen different countries. But pick up a jar of honey at a farm shop and you could find it was produced by a neighbour - made by bees that could have visited flowers in your own garden. And with food a hot topic these days, what better way to kick-start conversation at a dinner party than by serving food which was grown in a field you drive past every day?

Be SO Tunbridge Wells every month Out now in print and online

www.somagazine.co.uk Wednesday 11th March 2015

56 � FOOD AND DRINK

On the menu at...

Carrot cake

Salmon, dill and spinach quiche

Basil, 1-3 Lime Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells www.basil-online.co.uk

The Basil “own made” sausage roll

Green beans and beetroot with crumbled goat’s cheese and a honey mustard dressing

White chocolate raspberry slice

Chocolate digestive cake

Roasted spiced carrots with honey, pomegranate, pine nuts and cumin seeds Fresh raspberry Bakewell tart

Millionaire’s shortbread

ROMANCE

The prices are comparable to London but worth it THACKERAY’S 85 London Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1EA 01892 511921 www.thackerays-restaurant.co.uk

Wednesday 11th March 2015

We find out why Thackeray’s is still in a league of its own…

• By Leslie Reckless NOTHING says romance like splashing the cash on a loved one and treating her to a sumptuous meal, which is why, for her birthday, I whisk my girlfriend away…to Tunbridge Wells.

With hindsight, the money I spent on a meal for two could probably have bought a weekend in Paris but Thackeray’s definitely involved less packing, and there was Champagne involved so I don’t think she minded too much.

Formerly the home of writer William Makepeace Thackeray, since 2001 the Grade II listed building has homed one of Kent’s finest eateries. Established by TV chef Richard Phillips, the restaurant, which boasts one Michelin star, has been receiving rave reviews so, having waited for a special occasion as an “excuse”, I book a table.

From the start, it’s evident this place is special. We’re greeted by two staff and are shown to our table. We’re the second couple to arrive - Thackeray’s has just one sitting - and within ten minutes, the place has filled.

To whet our appetites, we’re presented with an amuse bouche of sweet potato and cauliflower. We treat ourselves to a glass of Champagne (£10.50) and then get down to choosing our food.

Deciding is arduous, because everything looks delicious. The starter

menu has everything from monkfish cheek to rabbit, but we both go for spiced Scottish langoustine (£15.95), which consists of confit pork belly, onion bhaji, lime, mango, pine nut crunch and parsnip espuma. We order a bottle of red, a Malbec, which at £38 I think is extremely reasonable. Unlike some restaurants, compared to the price of the food, the wine list isn’t overly expensive.

We’re not disappointed by the starters.

The spices are delicate but add a kick and the espuma complements the flavours, bringing a subtle creaminess.

The waiting staff nearby ensure service is seamless. They are instantly aware when we finish, so as soon as we’re ready, the plates are whisked away.

For my main, I chose the roasted loin of Chart Farm venison (£27.95) and my guest the assiette of aged beef bourgignon (£29.95). We share dauphinoise potatoes with confit garlic and rosemary (£3.75), buttered Kentish spinach with nutmeg (£3.75) and mixed steamed veg (£3.75). It’s divine and we relish every mouthful. The presentation is impressive too. Every detail has been considered and the food is arranged artistically, presented with finesse. The portions are far from pretentious too.

This is fine dining at its best – filling and finely executed.

While we consider dessert, we pick cocktails (£10.95 each). The extensive list includes classics such as Mojitos and

Cosmopolitans but we choose something less ordinary – a Hemingway Special, white rum, cherry brandy, grapefruit and lime juice - and a Manuka Mule – a blend of manuka honey vodka, lime and ginger beer. The latter is like a delicious health drink – just what the doctor ordered.

After the rich main course, I’ve selected a pudding with a fruit element, the bitter chocolate and clementine jaffa cake (£11.95), a wonderfully flavoursome rich chocolate cremeux with orange zest confit, with clementine gel and sorbet and poached kumquats. My guest has the Thackery’s black forest, beautifully presented on a cherry and marshmallow “mushroom”, with kirsch and white chocolate parfait, wild sorrel sponge, bitter chocolate bark, amarina

cherries and borage flowers. Both are so exquisite, we’re reluctant to dig in, but needs must and we’re soon rendered speechless by the fantastic flavours (and not just because our mouths are chocfull of chocolate).

After coffee (£4) it’s time to pay up.

While the evening has been spectacular, the prices are comparable with or exceed London’s. I’m surprised a Tunbridge Wells establishment can charge as much for a Friday night, but the service, food and general ambience make it worth paying for. I would definitely return, but at over £250 for two, I would not exceed one guest unless I was dining on one of their a la carte weekday menus, which are much lower in price. That said, I think my girlfriend was suitably impressed, so was it worth it? Probably.

PUZZLES �

DOUBLE CROSSWORD

WORD SPIRAL Starting from 1, fill in the grid clockwise with four-letter words. The last letter of each word becomes the first letter of the next to reveal the key word in the shaded boxes.

Down 1. International organisation is a burden Communists have to bear (3,5) 2. Leer can upset char (7) 4. Get one’s own back from broken vane, for example (6) 5. Put on a social occasion to present a political group?

(4,1,5) 6. On its own amongst the usual ones (5) 7. Bird on the end of a string? (4) 10. Rider in a record event? (4,6) 12. Jam to put in front of the diner beforehand? (8) 15. She puts heaters out (7) 16. A quick look from the batsman? (6) 18. Concerning a sailor who is not at home (5) 19. Lies about Man, for example (4)

1

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

U 14

15

16

17

18

15 11

13

4

12

7

QUICK CLUES: Across 1. Exhibit (4) 3. Buy (8) 8. Cook (4) 9. Conceit (8) 11. Unevenness (12) 13. Middle (6) 14. Stick (6) 17. Tightness (12) 20. Submissive (8) 21. Heap (4) 22. Longer (8) 23. Magnifier (4)

Down 1. Pithy (8) 2. Infest (7) 4. Powerless (6) 5. Gainsay (10) 6. Prevent (5) 7. Relaxation (4) 10. Belligerence (10) 12. Enthusiasm (8) 15. Building (7) 16. Caper (6) 18. Manifest (5) 19. Additional (4)

6

5

9. Above 1. Metal 10. Back 2. Hair-styling device 11. Street 3. Occupied 12. Moist 4. Unit of length 13. Fruit 5. Ruminant mammal 14. Post 6. Garden tool 15. Den 7. Every 16. Ladder section 8. Ring of light Keyword clue: A European country

SUDOKU

N

1.

2.

3.

Which Irish journalist recently presented a BBC2 documentary on The Secret World of Lewis Carroll?

Which BBC2 sitcom about women’s suffrage was written by and stars comedian Jessica Hynes?

L.A. Love is the title of the current single from which member of the Black Eyed Peas?

4. Which new film comedy stars Kevin Hart as Jimmy, who provides best man services for men who don’t have the friends necessary for a wedding?

5.

Comedian brothers Paul and Barry Elliot starred in which children’s comedy TV show from 1987 to 2009?

6. Modern Nature is the title of the twelfth and latest album from which alternative rock band?

7.

Tom Cruise starred as Harvard law graduate Mitch McDeere in which 1993 film adaptation of a John Grisham novel?

8. Who is presenting a new BBC2 series entitled The Great Antiques Map of Britain?

9. What was the title of US singer Pat Boone’s only UK Number One hit in April 1956?

10. Which actress is playing Claire, a bereaved mother living with chronic pain in the new film Cake?

SOLUTIONS

11. Which Sky1 sitcom, starring Ruth Jones as the titular mum, has returned for a fourth series?

12. By what stage name is singer Alison Clarkson, whose hits of the 1990s included Where Are You Baby? and Doin’ the Do, known?

13. Which 1989 film comedy starred Steve Martin as sales executive and father Gil Buckman and Mary Steenburgen as his wife?

14. Who is presenting a new series of The Great British Sewing Bee on BBC2?

15. Which instrumental single by Jet Harris and Tony Meehan, former members of the Shadows, topped the UK charts in January 1963?

CODEWORD: 1=Y, 2=R, 3=M, 4=W, 5=B, 6=Q, 7=A, 8=K, 9=X, 10=U, 11=D, 12=V, 13=I, 14=F, 15=S, 16=H, 17=E, 18=J, 19=L, 20=P, 21=G, 22=Z, 23=T, 24=O, 25=N, 26=C ENTERTAINMENT QUIZ: 1 Martha Kearney; 2 Up the Women; 3 Fergie; 4 The Wedding Ringer; 5 ChuckleVision; 6 The Charlatans; 7 The Firm; 8 Tim Wonnacott; 9 I’ll Be Home; 10 Jennifer Aniston; 11 Stella; 12 Betty Boo; 13 Parenthood; 14 Claudia Winkleman; 15 Diamonds SUDOKU:

4

10

14

DOUBLE CROSSWORD: Cryptic:Across: 1 Rock; 3 Hang back; 8 Drew; 9 Leave out; 11 Running water; 13 Struck; 14 Matter; 17 Man of letters; 20 Shocking; 21 Gear; 22 Entry fee; 23 Pale. Down: 1 Red Cross; 2 Cleaner; 4 Avenge; 5 Give a party; 6 Alone; 7 Kite; 10 Disc jockey; 12 Preserve; 15 Theresa; 16 Glance; 18 About; 19 Isle.

Quick: Across: 1 Show; 3 Purchase; 8 Chef; 9 Vainness; 11 Irregularity; 13 Centre; 14 Adhere; 17 Constriction; 20 Obedient; 21 Pile; 22 Extended; 23 Lens. Down: 1 Succinct; 2 Overrun; 4 Unable; 5 Contradict; 6 Avert; 7 Ease; 10 Aggression; 12 Keenness; 15 Edifice; 16 Prance; 18 Overt; 19 More.

WORD SPIRAL: 1 Zinc; 2 Comb; 3 Busy; 4 Yard; 5 Deer; 6 Rake; 7 Each; 8 Halo; 9 Over; 10 Rear; 11 Road; 12 Damp; 13 Plum; 14 Mail; 15 Lair; 16 Rung.

Keyword: HUNGARY

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 3

9

ENTERTAINMENT QUIZ

Codeword is the crossword puzzle with no clues. The number in each square corresponds to a letter. Work out the words in the grid using the letters provided. Fill in these known letters first, then use skill and judgement to work out the others.

2

3

16

13. Impressed with industrial action? (6) 14. Such stuff does have importance (6) 17. Literary correspondent?

(3,2,7) 20. Currently offensive? (8) 21. An ‘in thing’ when driving? (4) 22. Charge to admit, so to speak (5,3) 23. Faintly coloured stake (4)

CODEWORD

1

2

8

Scribble pad CRYPTIC CLUES: Across 1. Use a stone to put the baby to sleep? (4) 3. Be reticent to suspend footballer (4,4) 8. Played an attractive game which ended all square? (4) 9. Omit that a break from work cannot be considered (5,3) 11. Where athletes can expect to get wet? (7,5)

57

Wednesday 11th March 2015

58 � WHAT’S ON

The best of live music & events Tunbridge Wells music guru Paul Dunton reveals his guide to what’s on musically for the week ahead…

Times

PAUL’S GIG OF THE WEEK IS…

O F TUNBR IDGE WEL LS

MUSIC DO YOU HAVE A GREAT BAND OR EVENT YOU FEEL SHOULD BE LISTED? If so then drop our editor a line at: Times of Tunbridge Wells, 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1NU 01892 779 650 newsdesk@ timesof tunbridgewells .co.uk

Friday, 8pm Kim Churchill live at The Tunbridge Wells Forum.

Kim Churchill matches his lyrical artistry with fierce vocals; he is a sonic architect, using his instruments to create landscapes to animate his lyrics. Live, he is a true virtuoso.

Tickets £7.50 from www.twforum.co.uk artist website www.kimchurchill.com

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM

Doors 7.30pm, entry price varies, event information and tickets at www.twforum.co.uk Wednesday - Word Up! Rob Auton and Spliff Richard Friday - Kim Churchill and Ché Aimee Dorval and Sean de Burca

THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE The Pantiles

Doors 7.15pm, entry £5/£7, websites www.pdag.co.uk + www.thegreylady.co.uk Wednesday - Alice Rose, Ellie Wade, The Knockities (full band) Friday - Javajam (9.30pm till late) Saturday - Into The Blue (9.30pm till late) Sunday - Jacob Norris, Jake Boyle, The Ackerleys, The Paul Dunton Orchestra Tuesday - Jennie Worthley, Ash Evans, Billy Jupp & The Black Market Wednesday - Lucy Jarrett, Roberto Picazo, Declan Foster, Funke & The Two Tone Baby

TRINITY THEATRE

Church Road Doors 7pm, ticket prices vary, event information and tickets at www. trinitytheatre.net or 01892 678678 Wednesday - ENO: La Traviata Tuesday - ROH Cinema: Swan Lake

THE BEDFORD PUB

2 High Street Free entry, music from 8pm.

Thursday – Acoustic Reverb Collective Open Mic Saturday – Reyes (full band)

THE CROSS KEYS

St Johns Road Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Thursday – Sonny’s Jazz; Alex Hutton Trio Friday – Blues with Bottle Club; David Migden Trio Saturday – Bluegrass Plus Club; picking session.

Monday – TWURPS; Beginners Ukulele Jam Session Wednesday – Cross Keys Open Mic

THE BEAU NASH

Mount Ephraim Open all day, free entry, music from 9pm.

Saturday – Alex Gold

SEVEN DAYS OF EVENTS AT A GLANCE DAVE BARNETT makes a selection from the next seven days of events featured on tunbridgewellsevents.co.uk. For full details of these and more events or to contact Dave about future events, please check the website www.tunbridgewellsevents.co.uk This week begins as last week ended with the continuation of the Assembly Hall run of The Full Monty, baring all (I assume) until Saturday. For the culturally hungry among you, there are several screenings of top class performances at Trinity, the Odeon and the Hawkhurst Kino so there is plenty of choice.

>> WEDNESDAY First up on the culture front is an ENO

performance of La Traviata (Trinity/Odeon/Hawkhurst).

>> THURSDAY The culture continues with a National Theatre screening of Behind The Beautiful Forevers featuring Meera Syal. A story of life in the Mumbai slums. Showing at all three cinemas. >> FRIDAY There’s a chance to get something a little different for your mother at the Apple Ducks pop-up Emporium, today and tomorrow at Royal Victoria Place.

THE ROYAL OAK

Prospect Road Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Saturday - Duvet Dogs Sunday - The Harveys (duo gig)

THE SCALLYWAG CAFÉ, 45 Mount Ephraim Thursday – Quentin Holway

In the evening Cartoon de Salvo bring their show The Powercut Compendium to St Barnabas in Camden Road, expect it to be dark!

While at Trinity, stand-up comedian Andrew Lawrence performs his critically acclaimed show.

>> SATURDAY This week the farmers’ market is in Civic Way with

plenty of choice and lots of free samples to taste. While there, why not take the chance to check out the Material Obsessions exhibition at the museum. A small but interesting collection including an excellent example of a Crimean War quilt.

At Kent College in Pembury today and tomorrow is the Tunbridge Wells Arts Festival, in which budding performers compete in a range of music, speech and drama classes.

Today’s Odeon cultural performance moves across the pond to the Met Opera’s production of Rossini’s La Donna Del Largo, while Trinity goes a little dark with a contemporary (and live) production of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde.

>> SUNDAY It’s Mother’s Day, but you knew that didn’t you? So lots of places have special offers and deals including a family portrait with lunch at Salomons or a cream tea on the Spa Valley Railway.

And why not give mum a break and take the kids to Mrs McMoon’s Teaparty at Trinity in the afternoon?

Rounding off the weekend at the Assembly Hall is the popular comedian Milton Jones with his show The Temple of Daft.

>> MONDAY Monday is traditionally a quiet night, but if you want to take up the ukulele, head up to the Cross Keys for a warm welcome and a bit of instruction from the people at the Tunbridge Wells Ukulele Night Thing. >> TUESDAY The last cultural screening of the week, again at LYRICAL ARTISTRY Kim Churchill

Trinity, Hawkhurst and the Odeon, is a Royal Ballet performance of Swan Lake. Back at the Cross Keys there is their weekly quiz.

March? How can it be March already?!

Here’s a thought, in three weeks’ time, we’ll be quarter of the way through 2015!

WE CATCH UP WITH HEART KENT BREAKFAST PRESENTERS JAMES AND BECKY BECKY here, I can’t believe how unbelievably quickly the year is flying by… Another action-packed week here at Heart, which saw numerous callers, hilarious topics of conversation and the return of ‘James and Becky’s Selfie A-Z of Kent!’

It’s pretty self-explanatory. We know how much we all, secretly or not-sosecretly, love selfies, the word even appears in the Oxford English Dictionary!

Our mission is simple, go out and about in the county and take selfies next to

Wednesday 11th March 2015

people, places and objects, all suggested by the listeners. I think this is now one of my favourite features on the show.

Nobody knows the county better than Heart listeners so it’s great to hear your hidden gems and discover new adventures and places.

Michelle from Dover suggested we visit Dover Castle. This is such an iconic landmark, we felt we couldn’t miss out, so James, producer Matt and I set out in the Heart car, basking in glorious sunshine, for a mini road trip. Discussions

on the way took over and we decided to take a lot more selfies than just one at the castle. After driving off the beaten track, we ended up on top of the White Cliffs of Dover. We really didn’t think this one through and quickly realised that standing ON TOP of the cliff wasn’t going to help the selfie situation! After some quick thinking, a short walk, kneeling down and producer Matt ensuring health and safety was maintained at all times, we happily snapped away! Make sure you check out the collection of Kent selfies so

far online at heart.co.uk Not only that, we would really love to hear your suggestions of where we should go for the next letter on our selfie trail!

Where’s your favourite spot in Tunbridge Wells? Get in touch and let us know…

We think our boss is pretty cool, letting us go out on day trips… and talking of bosses, I wonder if he’s been taking tips from Mark Zuckerberg recently. I found something he said at an event this week really interesting – somebody asked him what’s the main thing he looks for

in a potential employee. His answer was simple. ‘I will only hire someone to work directly for me, if I would work for that person.’ What a genius response! Have a look around the office…would you work for the people around you? There’s a topic of conversation to take with you to lunch!

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE �

59

AT WORK WITH MAX BARFORD

TUNBRIDGE WELLS VERY OWN KING OF THE DIVORCE COURTS

Spring is coming and what better time to talk to Max Barford aka King of the Divorce Courts.

I CATCH UP with Max on a cold bleak winter afternoon at his Tunbridge Wells office to find out a little more about how a local boy from Tunbridge Wells has got where he is today and it soon became clear. “I’ve always been passionate about what I do. Back in 1977 when I set up Max Barford & Co many firms didn’t see separation and divorce as a service they wanted to offer their clients. I wanted to fill this vacuum,” he explains.

But what was the draw of family law giving legal advice to those considering or going through a separation or divorce - a service many of his peers were reluctant to offer?

“Appearing in court is a daunting task in itself and much more stressful when you’re going through a relationship breakdown,” explains Max. “You really don’t know where to turn or what to do, let alone think clearly

about important issues such as how your finances are going to look like post divorce or whether you’ll have to sell the family home; and then there are the children to think about for many. There are so many issues and so many myths and misconceptions out there you know.”

He continues. “Many people will rely on friends to help them through this stressful time or try to do it themselves to save on costs but it really is a false saving. Separation and divorce is a journey.

To make sure you get it right you need someone who wants to walk that journey with you and has the ability to advise you throughout; they really need to be experienced and know what the courts are likely to order at the end of the day” With Max, you get a sense of a man very much aware of the problems couples go through when they separate and with

around half of marriages in England and Wales ending in divorce, not to mention cohabiting couples separating, his services are highly sought after. Max’s clients span the length and breadth of the country and far beyond and he has most certainly earned his title as King of the Divorce Courts.

Despite his passion and commitment to family legal services, Max is acutely aware of its current and future challenges.

“Couples are faced with complex situations when they separate. It has never been easy but I think separating couples need a lawyer now more than ever. Cut backs have made access to the courts very difficult for many. In addition, there are other alternatives to consider such as mediation, collaborative law and arbitration which are good but it’s certainly not for everyone and should not be promoted as the answer to all family problems as the government seems to think with its compulsory mediation agenda. All these things can add a level of stress and confusion. An experienced family lawyer understands what is required and can advise on the options that are available

allowing you to make an informed decision about how to proceed.”

So what’s your advice to someone faced with a relationship breakdown? “The secret is to get the right advice right at the beginning before costly mistakes are made. With the right advice you can take control of your situation and plan ahead

rather than leave things to chance. In this situation ignorance is certainly not bliss.”

If you would like help and advice regarding separation, divorce or children matters please contact Max Barford & Co today on 01892 539379 or email times@maxbarford.co.uk Please quote reference MBCT0403

Max Barford & Co. is a trading name of Parfitt Cresswell. Parfitt Cresswell is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. No. 71480

CONTESTING A WILL

Claims against Deceased Estates on the Rise Losing a loved one is always a traumatic time for those left behind. There are just so many things to deal with – from arranging the funeral to sorting out the estate. It’s not surprising that many simply don’t know where to start.

• By Anne Chambers For further information and to apply for a free consultation just complete the coupon and post to the address below. Alternatively call or email us today quoting reference MBCT0403 Telephone 01892 539 379 or Email times@maxbarford.co.uk Name Address

Tel.No Email Max Barford & Co 16 Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1QU www.parfittcresswell.com

The first step after the funeral will be to tackle the estate and depending on whether there is a Will or not will dictate how you proceed. Matters can of course get more complicated if you or another family member or friend believes that they should be provided for from the estate and provision has not been made. This is happening now more than ever, and can frequently cause enormous upset in the family resulting in a dispute which may tear families apart.

So what can you do if you feel that you haven’t been provided for after the death of a loved one, or you’re dealing with the estate and someone is threatening to bring a claim as they believe they haven’t been provided for. The key things to remember are that a Will can be challenged in court by spouses, former spouses, civil partners, cohabitees, children or other dependants. It is also important to consider claims other than for redistribution of an estate. These can include the validity of the Will; whether there has been any undue influence on the Willmaker to leave assets in a particular way; if there are concerns that the Will-maker was

door demanding payment from you! not of sound mind or lacked mental capacity There are also important new rules that when the Will was signed; or the Will wasn’t relate to intestacy (that’s when someone signed properly in accordance with English dies without having made a valid Will), law. These are all potential claims that effective from 1 October 2014. In a nutshell should be considered at the same time. these say that, rather than just a proportion, I’ve seen many families torn apart by the entire estate of a deceased person will disputed inheritance claims, a number of pass to his or her surviving spouse or civil which could in all likelihood have been partner. If there are children the survivor will avoided if the parties had taken legal still receive more than under the old version advice from an experienced lawyer at of the intestacy rules. In either case the start of the dispute. Expert others, such as your Mum and Dad, advice will allow you to would receive nothing. understand the merits of To avoid situations such as any potential claim, and these you need to get advice enable you to make an from an experienced solicitor informed decision on If you are the who has specialised in how to proceed. The Executor you can contested probate. I head big mistake is to drift up the Dispute Resolution on blindly hoping the be held personally department and my team problem will go away and I regularly advise on and before you know it liable contested probate matters. you’ve either lost your We have many years experience opportunity to claim as the advising on the merits of a case, and time limit has passed, or you routinely work with leading barristers in settle needlessly when the claim this area if necessary. has little or no chance of success.

This month we are offering 10 initial You must remember, if you are the complimentary consultations with one Executor you can be held personally liable to of our expert contested probate team. all of the beneficiaries for any loss suffered If you wish to apply for an initial by the estate when you manage consultation just complete the and distribute the assets. So if you pay coupon and return it. out to a disgruntled family member or Alternatively telephone 01892 539 379 or friend when you shouldn’t have, then the email times@maxbarford.co.uk beneficiaries can come knocking on your



Max Barford & Co. is a trading name of Parfitt Cresswell. Parfitt Cresswell is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. No. 71480

Wednesday 11th March 2015

60 � YOUR TV

OUR PICK OF THE WEEK

TODAY

FILMING MY FATHER: IN LIFE AND DEATH

Channel 5, 7pm In 2010, Steve Isaac was a fit 51-year-old father of three when he was diagnosed as having motor neurone disease and given two years to live. This film, to which his 22-year-old son Fraser contributed footage, documents the details of Steve’s progressive condition and the decline in his health as muscles wasted away, as well as revealing the effect it has had on his family, who have been pushed to the brink by his desire to live at almost any cost. Four-and-a-half years on, Steve has defied medical expectation, but his only method of communicating now is blinking.

Channel 5, 8pm In his lifetime, Jimmy Savile was a popular DJ and TV personality who raised £40million for charity and it was only after he died in October 2011 that his dark side was exposed.

In October 2012, an investigation into his activities began, prompting hundreds of people to come forward with allegations of sexual abuse dating back to 1955. This programme investigates one of the most notorious scandals in modern British history, and features testimony from alleged victims, as well as recollections of Savile’s family members and former colleagues

CUCUMBER

Channel 4, 9pm Everyone gets caught up in Henry’s grand scheme, and life appears to be perfect, but only Freddie realises the truth. As events of the past catch up with them all, Henry reaches out to family, friends and lovers in an attempt to survive, and yet he still has to face the greatest challenge of all. Vincent Franklin stars in Russell T Davies’ drama. Last in the series.

FRIDAY

COMIC RELIEF – FACE THE FUNNY

BBC1, 7pm Red Nose Day returns with an evening of entertainment live from the London Palladium. 7pm Lenny Henry and Davina McCall kick off the first hour of laughs. 8pm David Walliams joins Davina as co-host, and introduces a special Vicar of Dibley.

9pm Davina and John Bishop present a brand new Little Britain sketch featuring David Walliams as Lou and his new friend Professor Stephen Hawking. Continues at 10.40pm. Times and details may vary.

YOU’RE BACK IN THE ROOM

ITV, 8.20pm New series. Phillip Schofield is joined by renowned illusionist Keith Barry in a game show where five strangers team up to win a potential £25,000 by completing apparently simple challenges. The only things standing between them and the money are their own minds – because they have all been hypnotised. Over the course of four rounds, the tasks get much harder as their hypnotic triggers cause the players to inadvertently sabotage their chances of winning. This week, celebrity chefs Lesley Waters, Paul Rankin, Ed Baines and Aldo Zilli join in the fun.

MR SELFRIDGE

ITV, 9pm Harry is thrown when Nancy suddenly announces they should keep their relationship professional, at least until the Selfridge Estate is finished. A grieving Mr Grove is keen to carry on as normal, but continues to shun Miss Mardle, while Grace and Gordon have an embarrassing encounter with Mr Crabb. Victor and Elsa come up with a new idea for Colleano’s, Violette catches the eye of a visiting French count, and a huge ‘Britain at Play’ promotion is launched in the store to keep the shareholders happy.

BBC2, 9pm The journalist investigates how economic stagnation is threatening France’s way of life. In the wake of the financial crash of 2008, the French shunned austerity and voted in a left-wing president who promised tax rises and a continuation of high public spending, but now Francois Hollande has had to perform a U-turn, leading to a surge in support for Marine Le Pen’s Front National and its anti-EU agenda.

BBC2, 9pm Premiere. Documentary exploring the career of acclaimed artist David Hockney.

The film uses previously unseen home movies and photographs taken from his personal archive to create a visual diary of Hockney’s life, and examines his upbringing in working-class Bradford, his relocation to America, the influences on his work and his desire to escape categorisation.

BRITAIN’S RACIST ELECTION

Channel 4, 10pm When maverick Conservative Peter Griffiths won the West Midlands seat of Smethwick in the 1964 General Election following an anti-immigration campaign, it triggered one of the worst chapters in the history of British race relations. Violence, assassination attempts, and even the creation of a British Ku Klux Klan tore a community apart – and took a single street to the brink of official racial segregation. This documentary tells the story of what happened when a small town gained international notoriety.

KEW ON A PLATE

MONDAY

RAISED BY WOLVES

Channel 4, 10pm New series. Following on from the success of the 2013 pilot, Caitlin and Caroline Moran’s comedy begins a six-part series. Set on a Wolverhampton council estate, the story is a modern-day reimagining of their childhood. As survivalist mum Della Garry takes her kids to the local common to forage for food and learn important skills, eldest child Germaine devises a way of getting closer to the boy of her dreams. Meanwhile, younger sister Aretha gains a disturbing insight into her grandfather’s sex life. Starring Rebekah Staton, Helen Monks and Alexa Davies.

Wednesday 11th March 2015

QUELLE CATASTROPHE! FRANCE WITH ROBERT PESTON

HOCKNEY

SATURDAY

TUESDAY

BBC1, 9pm It’s the moment of truth for the six nominees who, after the excitement of being chosen and weeks of training, finally perform. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman present as the hopefuls and their professional partners take to the floor. At the end of the show the phone lines will open for the public to choose their favourite.

JIMMY SAVILE: BRITAIN’S WORST CRIMES

TOMORROW

SUNDAY

THE PEOPLE’S STRICTLY FOR COMIC RELIEF

ORDINARY LIES

BBC1, 9pm New series. Ensemble drama following the workers at a car showroom, revealing what happens when moments of desperation lead some of them into telling big lies – spur-of-the-moment deceptions that quickly spiral out of control. The first episode focuses on salesman Marty, played by Jason Manford, who is on his final warning for being late – so when he sleeps through his alarm after a heavy night of drinking, he panics and comes up with a drastic excuse. His colleagues are all sympathetic – but now he has to live with the lie that his wife is dead.

BBC2, 9pm New series. Chef Raymond Blanc and broadcaster Kate Humble spend a year at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Richmond upon Thames, south-west London, to try to re-establish the long-lost fruit and vegetable plots that once provided produce for the royal table. In the first episode, spring has arrived and Raymond harvests rhubarb and plants asparagus crowns, while Kate discovers how war with France turned Britain into a nation of potato eaters.

LIFE AFTER SUICIDE

BBC1, 10.45pm The leading cause of death in men below 50 is suicide, yet people still seem reluctant to talk about it.

Birkenhead woman Angela Samata, whose partner Mark took his own life 11 years ago, meets others who have suffered a similar loss, asking why some people choose to take their own lives and whether those left behind can ever come to terms with their bereavement.

YOUR TV �

SUFFRAGETTES FOREVER! THE STORY OF WOMEN AND POWER

DCI BANKS

ITV, 9pm Part two of two. The officers are dismayed to learn the arson attack on the Osgoods’ house has injured Michael and killed his son Robbie, and local bully Gary McCready is soon questioned. As the investigation into Katrin’s murder continues, the body of an older man who died of natural causes is found buried near her grave, and when Banks suspects Jason McCready abducted missing Annika, he uncovers a shocking secret. Meanwhile, the detective gives a moving speech at his mother’s funeral, and the ceremony brings him closer to his father.

BBC2, 8pm Amanda Vickery explores how the Edwardian suffragettes started to employ violence to ensure their message was heard, examining what they achieved with these tactics and arguing they are best understood as part of a war still going on today. The historian also looks at the enemies of women’s rights, from prime minister Herbert Asquith to the furious anti-suffrage societies and their mass meetings in the Royal Albert Hall. Last in the series.

BANISHED

COMIC RELIEF: OPERATION HEALTH

BBC2, 9pm James Freeman is nearing starvation and has to tackle bullying blacksmith Marston, who is persisting in stealing his food. He decides that drastic action is required and goes to see Tommy Barrett to see if his friend will help him finish things once and for all. Jimmy McGovern’s drama, starring Russell Tovey, MyAnna Buring, Julian Rhind-Tutt and Ewen Bremner.

BBC1, 9pm As part of this year’s Comic Relief, Lenny Henry leads a team of celebrities, including Dermot O’Leary, John Bishop, Richard Hammond and Doon Mackichan, on a mission to rebuild a decrepit rural health centre in Uganda.

THE GREAT COMIC RELIEF BAKE OFF: AN EXTRA SLICE

BEAR GRYLLS: MISSION SURVIVE

ITV, 9pm As the remaining six celebrities pass the halfway point of the 12-day mission, they are starting to toughen up, but with one suffering from mosquito bites and another requiring treatment for trench foot, life in the jungle is beginning to take its toll.

Arriving at a two-mile cave system, the contestants have to eat tarantulas’ legs for breakfast, before using their rope skills to navigate the tight spaces and waterfall descents ahead, keeping a lookout for snakes and bats.

BBC2, 10pm Jo Brand chats to the four celebrity Star Bakers about their experiences on the show, before one of them is announced as the overall winner. Jo is also joined by Great British Bake Off judge Mary Berry, comedian Frank Skinner and former GBBO contestant Howard Middleton, who reflect on the shenanigans in the tent, sample the audience’s wares and comment on pictures of viewers’ creations.

THE JONATHAN ROSS SHOW

ITV, 9.20pm A Madonna special in which the Queen of Pop talks about her career, and performs two tracks from her new album Rebel Heart. Having last interviewed the music icon in 2003, the host has plenty to ask her about – not least her infamous fall on stage at last month’s Brit Awards. The 56-year-old star also discusses family life, relationships and her forthcoming world tour.

THE VOICE UK

BBC1, 7.15pm Emma Willis and Marvin Humes present the first of two knockout rounds this weekend, in which Rita Ora and Will.i.am reduce their teams down to the three acts that will perform in the live shows. The vocalists each step into the spotlight for what could be the final time, knowing that five out of each group will be leaving.

GREAT CANAL JOURNEYS

POLDARK

BBC1, 9pm Period drama, based on the novels by Winston Graham. The closure of the local tin mine leaves hundreds out of work and desperately poor, so Ross considers reopening his family mine with a view to bringing prosperity back to the area.

He takes time out to accompany his cousin Verity to a ball, where she falls in love with Captain Blamey – a man who turns out to be hiding a dark secret.

GOTHAM

Channel 5, 9pm Double bill. The return after a mid-series break of the crime thriller based on characters from the Batman comics. Having been reassigned to guard duty at Arkham Asylum, Jim Gordon investigates a series of attacks on inmates with the help of Dr Leslie Thompkins, while Oswald Cobblepot flexes his muscles over the fishermen on the docks, but oversteps the mark. Ben McKenzie stars.

LIVE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

ITV, 7.30pm Monaco v Arsenal (Kick-off 7.45pm). Coverage of the last-16 second-leg match from Stade Louis II, where the Gunners will need to score at least three goals to progress. Arsene Wenger’s side have it all to do if they are to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010, having suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat at home last time out. Presented by Mark Pougatch, with commentary by Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend, and analysis from Lee Dixon, Paul Scholes and Emmanuel Petit.

Channel 4, 8pm New series. Timothy West and Prunella Scales embark on a waterway adventure, starting in Oxford, where they began their courtship many years ago. They follow the Oxford Canal through the Cherwell Valley, where they meet novelist Philip Pullman and are joined by their son, fellow actor Samuel West. Tim and Pru follow in the footsteps of author Tom Rolt, whose vivid account of his journey down this canal in 1939 ignited a campaign that went on to save Britain’s canals from extinction.

ARTHUR & GEORGE

ITV, 9pm Determined to prove his critics wrong and find out whether George has been hiding anything, Arthur attacks the case with renewed fervour, uncovering fresh evidence that suggests a very different explanation to the one found by the police. However, he and Woodie are led into further danger when it seems the Wyrley Ripper is still at large. Will Arthur be able to show the world that the young solicitor is innocent? Martin Clunes stars. Last in series.

BACK IN TIME FOR DINNER

BBC2, 8pm New series. A couple and their two children embark on a six-week experiment to discover how a revolution in food transformed the British way of life, guided by records of what people ate for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the decades after the Second World War. Under the guidance of journalist Giles Coren and food historian Polly Russell, they begin by sampling meals from the early 1950s, when rationing was still in effect and staples included dried eggs, national bread, dripping and liver.

61

LIVE CRICKET WORLD CUP 2015

Sky Sports 2, 6am Scotland v Sri Lanka. A Scottish victory would come as a huge surprise even if the Sri Lankans have already booked their place in the last eight, and the only previous meeting took place in Edinburgh when the visitors won by 183 runs in 2011.

FOREVER

Sky1, 9pm Henry and Jo investigate the murder of a financial investment genius. When it emerges that the victim was the son of one of Abe’s old army buddies, Henry recalls how he let his adopted son go to fight in Vietnam as a teenager.

THE BLACKLIST

Sky Living, 9pm The task force mounts a rescue mission in Uzbekistan when an undercover CIA agent is kidnapped by a band of separatists. However, Keen and Ressler soon learn who they are up against when they too are taken hostage by a man with a strong political cause.

LIVE FORD SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Sky Sports 1, 4.45pm Burnley v Manchester City (Kick-off 5.30pm).

Coverage of the Premier League match.

WILD THINGS

Sky1, 7pm New series. Kate Humble and Jason Byrne present this game show in which contestants dress as woodland creatures to tackle a tricky obstacle course, while their partners guide them to the end. Along the way they have to find a treasure trove of coins – and those at the top of the leader board get a chance to play for £10,000 in a final forest challenge.

CRIMINAL MINDS

Sky Living, 9pm The team hunts for a serial killer who reports his crimes before he commits them. Leaving his victims for dead outside hospitals and churches, the ‘unsub’ wants emergency services on the scene just seconds after he shoots.

ELEMENTARY

Sky Living, 9pm Sherlock throws himself into a missing persons case as he begins to feel the absence of Kitty. However, when the case turns into a murder investigation, the detective is faced with countless suspects. The victim had been lying to his wife about his job for months, and had acquired a long list of enemies in his secret role as a debt collector.

Wednesday 11th March 2015

62 � MOTORS

THE MATURE AND MEASURED APPROACH TO PERFORMANCE MOTORING IS REFRESHING While this generation of 308 might still be regarded as a relatively new model, until now there’s not been a performance version to emulate Peugeot’s past hot-hatch glories. This 308 GT goes some way to plugging that gap, although don’t get too excited as this is GT is missing the allimportant ‘i’ because it’s a warm hatch not a truly hot one.

“The subtle styling cues plus the combination of smooth power delivery make the car an appealing and well-rounded proposition.”

One careful owner...

Times of Tunbridge Wells

Buy and sell cars; petrol, diesel or key powered CALL OUR CLASSIFIED MARKET SALES TEAM To book your advert please call 01892 779650 or Email: production@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

Wednesday 11th March 2015

MOTORS �

• By Iain Dooley

“The ride is fluid at speed and the steering pleasingly accurate and direct making the car an appealing proposition”

DESPITE being the precursor to a highly anticipated GTi variant, this Peugeot 308 GT boasts some pretty impressive credentials in its own right. For family types there’s an estate model to complement the de rigour hatch, plus you can also choose between petrol and diesel power to exploit the car’s tweaked ride and handling over a regular 308.

LOOKS AND IMAGE If it wasn’t for the 308 GT’s rather flash alloy wheels, it would be an easy car to miss on the road. Subtle is the keyword here, with Peugeot’s warm 308 opting for a low profile that will likely please buyers seeking to go about their (brisk) business without generating any unwanted attention. And hopes are high for this particular 308, as it can’t have escaped you that Peugeot has a rich heritage of driver-focused performance hatches large and small.

SPACE AND PRACTICALITY In five-door hatchback guise, the 308 GT offers a good level of cabin space and overall versatility. Purists will bemoan the lack of a three-door model, but if you’re practically minded, you’ll welcome the ability to transport the family with ease and still have fun. And if the five-door isn’t enough, there’s also the SW estate boasting even more room without compromising the driving experience.

BEHIND THE WHEEL Things have moved on since the heady days of raspy, carburettor-fed petrol engines

sufficient confidence to push on when conditions allow.

when it comes to performance Peugeots.

This hi-tech 308 GT boasts, in petrol guise, a trick twin-scroll turbo 1.6-litre engine delivering 202 horsepower. For sensible types, the 2.0-litre diesel outputs a healthy 180 horsepower and is noticeably the more laid-back of the two models.

Sticking with the petrol 308 GT, the car’s slick six-speed manual gearbox

helps deliver a rewarding time behind the wheel. Key to the GT’s ability to serve up a polished and confident performance on even some pretty rough and demanding roads is its reconfigured suspension settings. In a nod to Peugeots from the past, the 308 GT’s ride is refreshingly fluid at speed and the steering pleasingly accurate and direct, which results in giving drivers

63

the combination of smooth power delivery

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CITROEN PEUGEOT 308 GT, £24,095 ENGINE 1.6-LITRE PETROL UNIT PRODUCING 202BHP TRANSMISSION 6-SPEED MANUAL DRIVING THE FRONT WHEELS

VALUE FOR MONEY There’s no denying that the 308 GT is well equipped, and this does much to enhance its appeal over and above the car’s basic performance proposition. However, if you care to delve a little deeper, you’ll see that Peugeot’s combination of “soft power” and decent real world economy will be worth way more than any fancy alloy wheel design or trick audio feature. Opt for the SW variant and the extra space combined with that added pace will put you in an exclusive ownership club.

PERFORMANCE TOP SPEED 145MPH, 0-62MPH IN 7.5 SECONDS

WHO WOULD BUY ONE? If you’re a fan of sweet handling cars that put the emphasis on driver involvement over masses of unusable power, Peugeot’s 308 GT could prove to be a winner. The 308 GT’s mature and measured approach to performance motoring is refreshing, and a world away from the flash, brash competition shouting their wares from the rooftops. The 308’s subtle styling cues plus

the combination of smooth power delivery - petrol and diesel - make the car an appealing and well-rounded proposition.

ECONOMY 50.4MPG COMBINED EMISSIONS 130G/KM OF CO2

THIS CAR SUMMED UP IN A SINGLE WORD Polished.

IF THIS CAR WAS A...

Nod to the popular 306, it would be wearing an XSi badge on its rump.

Perfectly sculptured.

From 7–22 March, local sculptor Guy Portelli will be exhibiting his work, The Sculptured Arts of Audi.

Each Tuesday evening, he’ll also be discussing his works, their inspiration and his life as an artist.

As seen on BBC Twos’ Dragons’ Den. Guy Portelli, RBA, ARBS, Guy Portelli Sculpture Studio 125 St Mary’s Road Tonbridge Kent TN9 2NL

To reserve your exclusive pair of exhibition tickets contact Tunbridge Wells Audi today.

Tunbridge Wells Audi North Farm Industrial Estate Dowding Way Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UY 01892 703000 tunbridgewells-audi.co.uk Part of the Inchcape Group

15_0322 AUDI TW TOTW Sculpture.indd 1

24/02/2015 Wednesday 11th March17:38 2015

64 � GIFTS

Gardening gifts for Mum this Mother’s Day WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK � Plant stored dahlia tubers in pots of potting compost in a frost-free greenhouse to give them a good start. � Sow radishes and thin them when they are big enough to handle. � Pot up lily bulbs for a summer show, keep them in a frost-free greenhouse at first. � Sow seeds of busy Lizzies in a heated propagator. � Prick out or pot up pelargonium seedlings grown from seeds sown last month. � Apply a top dressing of gravel around rockery plants to suppress weeds and ensure free drainage. � Sow seeds of tomatoes for growing in a cool greenhouse. � Bring strawberries in containers into the greenhouse for early fruit. � If you haven’t yet sown peas, round seeded varieties such as Feltham First or Meteor can be sown now under cloches. � Cultivate ground for an annual border, so no time is lost when conditions allow sowing.

TEA FOR TWO The Dobbies set is available at centres across the country

BEST OF THE BUNCH

DIGGING IN This Fiskars fork comes in two lengths

• By Hannah Stephenson AS SPRING arrives, so do new gardening tools, sundries, gadgets and seeds, timely additions to the wealth of possible presents to give your gardening mum on Mother’s Day March 15th.

I broke my old garden fork last year, so if my children are reading this, can you get me a new one, preferably from the new Xact range from Fiskars (www.fiskars.com), as they are lightweight but have heavy duty forged steel forks and come in two lengths? Priced £34.99 for medium or £39.99 for large, they are available in garden centres, DIY stores and online.

Wednesday 11th March 2015

The winter inevitably leads to cracked terracotta pots, so now’s the chance to find some stylish replacements. Homebase (www.homebase.co.uk) has a 30cm owl planter which will look great planted with rockery stalwarts, or summer favourites. Available in selected stores now or online, priced £19.99.

There are so many gardening gloves on the market, the mum who needs a new pair will be spoilt for choice, but Burgon & Ball’s new Love The Glove collection will take some beating. They feature advanced two-way stretch, breathable mesh and ultrasoft yet hard-wearing cushioned fabric. Available in 12 styles and colours, priced £12.95 to £14.95, from good garden centres and www.burgonandball.com.

Those who love to grow from seed should look at

Johnsons Designer Garden Collections, a new “border in a box” concept, with collections including cottage garden, fragrant and cut, and wildlife-attracting designer garden collections. Each contains 12 packets of annual and perennial flower seed varieties, plus an easy-to-follow sowing and planting plan, and is presented in a beautiful box with border designs by illustrator and printmaker Hannah McVicar. Priced £9.99, from garden centres, supermarkets and leading DIY stores and at www.johnsons-seeds.com.

Mum can store seeds in one of Suttons’ new collectable tins for 2015, in six designs including chillies and pepper, pea and bean and scented flower.

The range costs £4.99 (apart from the large pea and bean, which is £6.99). From www.suttons.co.uk.

HARDY CYCLAMEN I’ve always found cyclamen quite difficult to grow in pots, particularly if they become waterlogged, their leaves droop quickly and don’t recover. However, hardy cyclamen can be more successful if grown in moderately fertile, well-drained soil, ideally beneath a canopy of trees or shrubs, to protect them from excessive summer rain when dormant. Cyclamen coum Pewter Group are particularly good winter flowers, with pretty silver and green marbled leaves and reddish pink flowers. They self-seed freely and can form impressive colonies in time.

GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT PREPARING BEDS FOR BRASSICAS If you’re planning to grow members of the brassica family - Brussels sprouts, cauliflowers and cabbages - be aware they like alkaline soil, so if yours is acid, you’re probably going to have to add lime. Invest in a soil-testing kit to assess just how much lime you’re going to need. About seven is neutral, less than seven is acid and higher is alkaline.

for Outdoors & Indoors turn to page 70�

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66 � TRAVEL PROMOTION

Be sure you don’t miss the WHEN considering a trip to sunnier climes or a cultural break to the Continent, many of us think of air travel as the easiest option. But what some people don’t take into account are the limited luggage allowances, lengthy journeys to airports and extensive check-in queues.

Then, there’s the price. How often have those “budget” airlines turned out to be a pricey affair?

For a more relaxed, convenient and affordable alternative, why not consider sailing away rather than dashing for the departure lounge? Ferry travel in the UK is one of the easiest ways to reach your chosen destination fast, whether that’s a hop over the Channel to Calais or a beach break in Bilbao.

Now in its seventh year, this month sees the return of Ferry Fortnight – until March 15 all 13 ferry operators in the UK are supporting the Discover Ferries campaign by offering great deals while demonstrating

how easy it really is to embark on the trip of your choice. With more than 75 routes available across the country, it’s never been easier to sail anywhere from the Isles of Scilly to Santander.

In 2014 alone, more than 39 million passengers travelled by ferry. Each year more and more choose to jump aboard due to the freedom sea travel gives them.

Rather than being restricted to a seat, there’s room to roam. Instead of limited food and drink options, there are restaurants, bars and cafes to cater for your every need. Then, there are the great shopping options, where you can pick up everything from fragrances to fine wines, all at a fraction of the onshore price.

FREEDOM This year, Ferry Fortnight is all about the freedom and flexibility travelling by boat can bring, which is

DOVER CALAIS to

Car and 7 passengers enjoy a free flexible ticket upgrade worth £20* and Kids Eat Free† this Easter. Book now at myferrylink.com

Celebrate ferry freedom with National Ferry Fortnight!

SEA TRAVEL Why not board a ferry for a trip to the Continent this spring? why many of the offers available during this twoweek period will benefit you whenever you travel in 2015. Myferrylink is offering a free upgrade to flexible tickets when you book to travel before May 10, while Brittany ferries has a ‘kids go free’ offer if travel is booked by March 17. There are also many other great deals to take advantage of before the fortnight is out, including 20 per cent off sailings until December between Dover and Calais with P&O and free foot passenger day return deals with Red Funnel ferries.

It’s not just the fantastic offers that make ferry travel the obvious choice, there’s the convenience too.

Choosing to go by sea means many of the restrictions with train and air travel disappear, so it’s much easier to take the whole family and even pets away. Also, the added bonus of being able to take your own vehicle means you don’t have to fork out for car hire when you reach your destination.

DESTINATIONS Speaking of destinations, there’s now an extensive and ever-expanding list of locations so your dream

The only

D O V E R

CALL US ON 0844 2482 100

T O

C A L A I S

F E R R Y

recommended by ferrets

Terms and conditions apply. Book between 28/2/15 and 15/3/15. *For travel between 1/3/15 and 10/5/15. †For travel between 27/3/15 and 10/5/15.

Wednesday 11th March 2015

holiday could be closer than you think. Brittany ferries now sail to Spain, so those seeking sun can enjoy a two-day luxury cruise before disembarking on Spanish shores, while both DFDS Seaways and Stena sail to Holland. Whether you’re looking for a classic day trip to Calais to stock up on French delicacies or something further afield, you’ve got the freedom to explore with ferry travel.

Ferry companies have invested millions in making their fleets contemporary and upgrading their services to ensure passengers have a seamless sailing with all the added luxuries they desire, so if it’s opulence you’re after, don’t think business class on a jet is your only option. Many ships now have spas, cinemas and fine dining restaurants on board, as well as first-class lounges, so you’ll be catered for no matter what your wish.

Don’t just take our word for it, book a trip and see the sea for yourself. With so many great ways to enjoy ferry travel, your journey will be plain sailing all the way.

TRAVEL PROMOTION �

67

boat this Ferry Fortnight Take advantage of the freedom to explore like never before

Plymouth

Poole Portsmouth Le Havre Cherbourg Caen

Roscoff

St Malo

better way to take off to Spain?

If you’re looking for something a little different for your next holiday, then take a look at northern Spain with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth.

Within a 2 hour drive – but far less hassle than the airport – you’ll drive aboard and enjoy a mini cruise experience with fine dining, stylish bars, tax free shopping, movie lounge, entertainment and comfortable en suite cabins.

When you arrive, you’ll quickly realise the magnificent landscapes and coastline of this lesser known region offer a truly authentic Spanish experience, with delicious food and wine, and chic shopping. You’ll also find a choice of places to stay – here’s just a taste of what’s on offer.

Santander

Bilbao

Luxurious Paradores 4 nights from £219pp

5-Star Santander 4 nights from £234pp

Once castles, monasteries and palaces, Spain’s Parador hotels now offer guests unique surroundings coupled with the modern luxuries you’d expect from a high class hotel. Enjoy two nights at a choice of hotels in coastal, countryside or bustling town locations.

If you love classic style, opulence and character, you’re sure to the love Hotel ‘Real’ – a grand building overlooking the bay of Santander.

Stay here for two nights and you’ll also enjoy a complimentary drink at the hotel, 2-hour water therapy session and entrance to the casino.

This break includes:

This break includes:

✓ Return overnight cruise from Portsmouth with your car ✓ 2 nights on board with en suite cabin ✓ 2 nights at your choice of hotel with breakfast

✓ Return overnight cruise from Portsmouth with your car ✓ 2 nights on board with en suite cabin ✓ 2 night stay at the Hotel Real with breakfast

Departs Fridays, returning on Tuesdays between 27 March and 30 June*

Departs Fridays, returning on Tuesdays between 27 March and 30 June†

For these and more great offers to northern Spain visit brittanyferries.com/tunbridge or call 0871 244 0149 Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras. Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing. New bookings only, subject to availability. Conditions apply. *Excludes departures on 3 April 2015. †Excludes departures on 3 April and 1 May 2015. See website for full details.

Wednesday 11th March 2015

68 � ARTS & CULTURE

Galleries like this come along once in a Bluemoon COLOUR STORM by Karen Birchwood BORN in 1965 in Kent, Karen gained a BA Hons in printed textiles at Middlesex Polytechnic in 1989.

She worked for years in London for one of the leading design studios in the UK, establishing herself as one of its top-selling designers and becoming head designer. Karen produced work for fashion and furnishing fabrics for companies including Laura Ashley, Miss Selfridge, Monsoon and Marks & Spencer and also worked on projects for ceramics and tableware with the home store Habitat.

Having moved back to Kent in 2004 with her family, Karen has been able to follow her longheld desire to paint. She works mainly in acrylic and mixed media, on canvas, board or paper. The main inspiration comes from the landscape, the coast, her garden and home. Karen creates an impression of what catches her eye, a response and reflection of her surroundings. Karen’s paintings have a strong sense of movement as well as a sense of abstract patterning. Karen exhibits in a number of galleries and shows in the southeast and Devon.

OWNER Dominic Gunn of the Bluemoon Gallery 18 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2PT 01892 540 100

CONTINUING our coverage of Tunbridge Wells culture, we’ve been chatting with some of the movers and shakers of the local art world. This week, we catch up with Dominic Gunn, owner of Bluemoon Gallery on Camden Road, who shares his thoughts on the way the town’s art scene is going, how the council can help and just what should be done with that infamous cinema site.

Wednesday 11th March 2015

• By Fred Latty Tell us about the background of the gallery and how you got involved It existed already and has been here for 12 years. It has gone through various changes during that period, but it was always involved in selling arts and crafts. I took over in August 2014 and we’re coming along in the same sort of style. The theme is modern, contemporary artwork within a range of subject matter. My background is in painting and teaching, so I’ve come into this as a practitioner rather than a businessman. I taught in south London and Hastings quite a lot and still do a bit of part-time teaching to subsidise the gallery.

How has business been since you took over?

A lot of people thought it had closed, so it was very quiet at first, then it gradually came back. Its strongest success has been through word of mouth and social media.

Having a good shop window has increased the footfall a lot – it’s definitely a centre where people come for handmade, quality gifts, which you can’t seem to get too much elsewhere. Tunbridge Wells is good for shopping, but things made by craftspeople and artists are harder to get hold of.

Where do you find your artists?

It’s varied; some I’ve known through having a painting background. I might have known them at college or met them since through mutual friends. In the art world, having personal contacts is the strongest way. Some artists were already in with this gallery and wanted to stay here, so I’ve sort of inherited them. There’s a range of different ways, so it’s a good mixture.

What have been some of your biggest challenges?

Letting people know that we’re here and welcoming them in to have a look. After 12 years as a gallery, we still get many customers who don’t know we’re here, which is a bit of a surprise I’ve had to pick up on.

Galleries can be quite unnerving for people who aren’t already art collectors and most people are a bit cautious.

We want to reach out to the sorts of people who might not have bought original artwork in the past and need to come in and see it to realise how exciting and enjoyable it is. We’re looking at supporting charity events and maybe teaming up with other galleries to promote jointly.

Where do you receive your funding?

Almost all the artists are on commission – I represent them rather than buying their artwork. We’re in a start-up period, so I fund it privately as well to make sure it’s working. It’s a lifestyle for me; wanting to have it on show, come in every day and be around it is part of the reward.

If it was purely financial, I’d do something else.

How does your business and client base differ from other galleries in the town?

Compared to The Pantiles, we have a lot more footfall, which is where our display window and gift-buying work well; we’re still testing it out and keeping our options open.

In The Pantiles, people who are looking for expensive pieces of artwork will go there because they think that’s where the galleries are.

It’s much quieter there a lot of the time, but you’ll probably make bigger painting sales reliably, whereas here we have a lot more chat, a lot more conversation and we’re much more a part of the community.

ARTS & CULTURE �

VIBRANT Ensete and Crocosmia by Dominic Gunn

69

COLOURFUL Helenium by Dominic Gunn

HAVING completed his degree in fine art at Maidstone College of Art and Design, Dominic continued to pursue his interests in the meeting between real, remembered and invented scenes.

The semi-abstracted flora series is part of a wider body of work, often drawing on descriptions from the epic poems, and other literature. From intense studies of small observations to expansive views, the work can help us see more about ourselves, and how we fit into a physical, historical and dynamic environment.

Is there a big market for culture in the town?

I like Tunbridge Wells very much, but it’s a strange town that lacks a cultural centre or a cultural history apart from architecture. There’s no university, there’s no cathedral; we had the first art fair last year, which will continue and get better, but that’s still a transient thing rather than a hub. People round here want to spend their money on cultural experiences and they’re starved of opportunities to experience that. Because we’re so close to London, it’s really easy to get on a train and go and see your theatre and your opera. People don’t come to visit Tunbridge Wells for the culture, they come to go high street shopping and for the restaurants. It’s a social town, but it’s not a cultural one, and I don’t think that will ever change unless the council gets behind it.

Any ideas for what you’d like to see?

Either they’ll support a gallery and build up a collection, or fund something like a sculptural outdoor art project – if we want the town to be known for something, the council will need to decide to take this on. They’ve got a prime opportunity with the old cinema site; there must be space there for something cultural and I really hope it won’t just be financially based like expensive flats and expensive shops. I’m not against that, but if that’s all there is, it’s a missed opportunity. If I was a councillor, I would be embarrassed if I didn’t promote a bit of the cultural interests of the town.

Does your clientele tend to vary?

It seems to be a wide range. This is a generalisation, but in the younger and middle ages, it has been very middle class.

As you get into an older group, it seems to be more varied.

I’m slightly concerned about that because I don’t see what it is about art that should be class based; it’s only pictures and visual images. The cost can be exclusive to people on low incomes, but visiting and looking at it can be free. I don’t think there’s an age issue, but I do think there’s a class issue.

Has the recession had an impact on the art community?

I haven’t got first-hand knowledge of this, but I get the feeling that people have become more cautious. There’s easily as much money around being spent on art, but it’s less speculative and is being spent in less varied ways.

People want the security of something they think will go up in value, but that’s probably not true of many things in the decorative art world.

Do you get many investors coming in?

It’s a smaller number and I don’t really meet them in the shop. I’ve spoken to them over the phone and I do get fairly regular contact from people about that. But they don’t come in and browse; if they do come in, they want me to be a sourcer. They know I can get them a better deal than they’ll get over the internet. I can guarantee a better price, and even if they get a similar price somewhere, they can see it here. It’s a much smaller group.

How much repeat business do you get?

Most people are decorating their houses and a lot have bought one piece and come back saying they would like another one by the same artist. There’s a rumour that people tend to buy three pieces by the same artist, which I think is true. They do know what they want though; they don’t come in saying they don’t know anything about art. They might say they want a landscape, but not one that’s so obviously a landscape – one that’s suggestive of a landscape, which is a good artistic background for a non-practitioner to have. They’ve got an idea in their head of what they’re after.

Is Tunbridge Wells culture in crisis or are things looking more promising?

I’ve only lived here for eight years, so to say it’s in crisis sounds a bit of a panic to me. But it’s slow work getting it to change. I feel like it must be one of the slowest towns to change in the southeast. To say it’s in crisis would suggest that it has cut itself off and I think the demand from the people who live here will prevent that happening. They’ll probably always generate it themselves because they want it here. So it’s not in crisis, but a bit of investment would be nice.

What are your hopes for the future of the gallery?

I quite like it the way it is. I think it’s a nice gallery and I knew it before I took it over. So many people come in and say that it’s nice to have somewhere to go and see; the galleries at the other end of town don’t have crafts elements to this extent. I’d like to see it continue and would like to bring in more of a London feel to it. Because I’ve got two floors, I could always have local and regional artwork by unknown people that fits in with the decorative market. I’d like to have a collectors’ area for buying and selling, which is something a lot of London galleries specialise in – either that or another branch on the coast would be nice!

Wednesday 11th March 2015

70 � COUNTRY MATTERS

“It’s the most recent newcomers who seem to be the most vociferous in opposing new development”

NOMGF-not on my green field!

• By Kent Barker NOT long ago, you had to go to the town hall or local council offices to see details of planning applications.

Now it’s all online. Of course you have to be a bit of an anorak to spend time searching the database. But I justify it in my capacity as chairman of my parish council planning committee.

This is a rather grand title for a not-very-influential role. Basically we have no power to decide applications.

Although we can make recommendations to the planning officers or councillors at borough level, it’s they who make the final decisions.

Wednesday 11th March 2015

Here endeth the lesson in local government. The point is that I get to see the applications for planning permission that come up in my village and, more importantly, to read the comments others make on them.

In a nutshell, no-one particularly welcomes new buildings near them. But some accept that, without new homes, the village will wither and die. And those are generally the people who have lived here the longest.

It’s the most recent newcomers who seem to be the most vociferous in opposing new development.

One application that came before us was for a fairly sizeable house extension in a little lane on the edge of the village. The name of the applicant rang a bell and then I remembered he’d recently put in an objection to a

small development of affordable houses that the parish council was promoting.

Now, the council considers affordable housing absolutely vital, and surveys repeatedly show there is a real local need. Villagers often find it impossible to compete with commuters to buy anything around here. Old farm workers’ cottages have been bought up and knocked together for incomers. Council house building stopped with Thatcher in the 1980s. Housing associations have struggled to find enough land to build on. Young people who want to stay in the village near their parents (and possibly care for them in their old age) find they have to move to Maidstone or Hastings for any sort of home they can afford.

Anyway, the parish council effectively owned this field on the village periphery. Twenty years ago they sold off a segment for half a dozen affordable houses.

Now they were proposing to lease another tranche to a housing association to build on. All six new affordable homes would have to be offered to people with direct connections to the village. And an allotment would be built for other residents. It seemed a no-brainer. Yes, it was regrettable that an attractive, if relatively small, green field complete with grazing sheep would be built on, but it is in the High Weald so there’s really no shortage of pretty countryside around here.

But the level of ire was something to behold. There was a public meeting packed with people making a broad range of objections. One woman who had recently moved in was overheard saying of affordable tenants: “we really don’t want those sort of people living here do we?”

And the people down the lane wrote a letter you can see on the planning website: “Any development on this rural countryside area will… have a very significant negative impact on the aesthetics of this area… and will significantly increase noise, light and traffic pollution.

We seek to protect and conserve the rural nature of this area and are therefore strongly opposed to any further housing development within this area of (the village)”.

Yes, but hang about, you are applying for a sizeable house extension. Doesn’t that sort of constitute ‘further housing development’ which was the very thing you were objecting to? And what about when your house was built? If residents had taken the same view back then, you wouldn’t be here at all.

And, talking of traffic pollution, I guess you drive to one of the towns five or ten miles from here to do your shopping. You can’t do it in the village any more because everything’s closed. I remember when there were three shops and two pubs in your little hamlet alone. Now there’s just the one pub left. In the main village a mile away, only the butcher’s shop seems secure. A hardware shop closed last year. The village grocer’s is up for sale and could close. The post office and toy shop shut years ago. One of the two pubs has just closed its doors.

That’s the point. Young people are forced out of the rural areas where their families have lived – often for generations. More affluent newcomers arrive and buy up homes and extend them, making them even less affordable to locals. And then… then they object to any further development in case it has a detrimental effect on the “rural nature” of the area. It does seem a bit of a case of pulling up the drawbridge!

Read more at KentCountryMatters.Blogspot.com

FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH

• By Eleanor Jones I NEVER meant to have more than one horse.

As anyone in this situation will tell you, owning one alongside a full-time job is plenty. It means getting up at quarter to Far Too Early and getting home at half-past Much Too Late. It also means bringing that distinctive aroma to the office and scattering hay round your desk – but I digress.

In December 2013, having had a few less than perfect equine matches, I bought Squirrel.

It only took a few weeks to realise this then five-yearold Belgian warmblood was my horse of a lifetime.

Although she’s a whisker off 17 hands and a big stamp – I call her the Bus – she’s light on her feet, very careful over her jumps and the most honest and genuine horse I’d ever had the pleasure of riding.

Squirrel has never refused or run out, however wrong I’ve got her, however much my trainer has put the jump up while my back’s turned. She’s never been bothered by the brightest-coloured fences, even jumping at last year’s Kent County Show in front of some 200 people without turning a hair. I’d like to leave it at that and imply we were competing at 1.30m but it was only a riding club teams class at about 95cm. But still.

It was all going well then in August, Squirrel came in with a slight graze and a puffy fetlock. It seemed like nothing so I hosed and rested – and a couple of weeks later, she was still lame.

Eventually, in October, she had an MRI scan and it was confirmed, she’d torn the deep flexor tendon in her foot. And for those who don’t know, that’s an injury which prompts such sympathetic faces from anyone who hears about it, it has to be bad news.

Squirrel had four months’ box rest, ie she was confined to her stable apart from the ever-increasing time for which I led her round and round, and round, the small yard every day. The prognosis wasn’t good; she was given at most a 50 per cent chance of returning to full work.

So when I saw that a quality stud was selling a few horses at very good prices and I happened to have a day off work, I just went down to “have a look”.

A week later, and a great deal more in debt, I brought five-year-old dapple grey mare Panther home. Oops.

Anyway, three weeks later, Squirrel had a second MRI (luckily the insurance has been coughing up) and the improvement was “remarkable” according to my amazed vet, who gave me the all-clear to start riding her, albeit in walk only, for now.

So there we are. Squirrel has a long road ahead of her, and still may not come completely right, but thus far, it’s good news.

As for Panther, she’s smaller, lighter and sharper but seems to have a temperament to match that of her “sister”… watch this space.

INDOORS & OUTDOORS �

71

World Cup glory for top young gymnasts WINNERS From left: Florence Sheppard, Annabel Jack, Chris Rogers, Sam Large and Hector Kinghorn

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Times reporter newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk TWO Tunbridge Wells acrobatic gymnasts have pulled off the extraordinary feat of winning MIAC World Cup gold in their first international competition.

Hector Kinghorn, 11, and 13-year-old Sam Large took the men’s pairs title for their age group in Portugal on Sunday, having been training together at the Next Dimension

Gymnastics Academy (NDGA) in Tunbridge Wells for two years.

The pair have spent the past 12 months taking part in regional and national competitions, winning critical acclaim along with trophies and gold medals. A week before their Maia International Acro Cup win, they had taken gold at the South East National Qualifiers.

Head coach Chris Rogers, also the current European acrobatic champion, said: “While

this win is a phenomenal achievement, in many ways it represents just the beginning for Sam and Hector. There are lots of exciting challenges ahead for them and we must now work towards the European Championships.”

Also from the NDGA and taking part in their first international competition were women’s pair Florence Sheppard, 11, and 14-year-old Annabel Jack. They finished a creditable ninth out of 26 in the notoriously

CRICKETER’S TWO YEARS OF ‘HELL’ FROM CORRUPTION CHARGES KENT all-rounder Darren Stevens went through two years of “hell” before he was cleared of corruption charges.

Stevens, who faced a possible career-ending ban if charges against him had been proven, is featuring in a DVD which will be shown to all county cricketers in a bid to raise awareness of corrupt activities in the sport.

His mistake, while playing in the Bangladesh

Premier League, was failure to properly recognise a suspicious approach for what it was – and immediately report it.

Stevens, 38, was finally cleared by a Bangladesh Cricket Board anti-corruption tribunal in February last year.

He was playing for Dhaka Gladiators when his problems began with one such exchange over the telephone. He was asked by the owner to

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captain the team but told captain Mohammad Ashraful, since banned for his transgressions, would still “run the game on the pitch”.

Stevens declined, but months later took another call – from an official at the International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption unit.

He said: “It wasn’t too bad at the start, but then it got worse and worse and worse.”

All Stevens could do was keep telling the truth.

competitive category.

NDGA operations manager Chantelle Harman said: “Last year we were so proud that four of our gymnasts had qualified to compete at the MIAC World Cup. But the fact that they performed so magnificently, with Sam Large and Hector Kinghorn being placed first, and Florence Sheppard and Annabel Jack coming in the top 35 per cent of their chosen category, has surpassed even our high expectations.”

In the DVD, he says: “I wouldn’t wish it on anybody – it was brutal.

The stakes could hardly have been higher, with Stevens’ reputation and livelihood on the line in the latter years of a successful career which began in 1997 with his native Leicestershire and had brought him England Lions recognition.

“It was really hard. Cricket is my life and has been for 25-30 years. Every day I was playing, it just felt it was going to be my last game.”

Stevens, who might easily have lost so much

Golden girl Lizzy Yarnold does it again LIZZY Yarnold has won gold at the Skeleton World Championships to complete a career grand slam of major titles.

The 26-year-old from West Kingsdown added the world crown to her Olympic, World Cup and European golds by setting a new track record at the German resort of Winterberg.

Speaking after the race Lizzy said: “I wanted this win so badly and was extremely nervous before the start of the race, all the other athletes had been so fast, so I’m just so pleased I was able to dig deep and step it up a few notches.”

“It’s unusual for me to be that nervous before a race, but I knew this was the one – the ultimate goal. After I won the Olympics last year, my mind switched to this race, I wanted to win the World Championships to complete the set – it was the last one left.

And now I am the world champion – it is so cool just saying it!”

“I had a great result at the World Championships in 2012 and that helped me meet the criteria to receive funding to be able to train full-time – so I know how much this event means, for me personally as it helped push me along early in my career, but also to our sport, good results help to boost the team morale, particularly during the long summer training months.”

“I couldn’t believe how many spectators are here – the noise is incredible and you can hear it all the way down the track. I’m so lucky my family have come out to support me, there are so many of them and I couldn’t do what I do without them.”

Having smashed the track record on Friday, Yarnold lowered it again in the last of her four runs to clinch victory in a combined time of 3:49.95.

She finished 0.67s ahead of Germany’s Jacqueline Lolling, with Canada’s Elisabeth Vathje completing the podium.

more, is trying to make sure no one else pays the price.

“It was horrific,” he said. “Because I didn’t report at that time a suspicious act, I have gone through hell.”

He would still encourage colleagues to take opportunities offered to further their careers playing abroad, but added: “In any of these tournaments, anywhere around the world whatever tournament you are playing in, if you do come across anything suspicious, just report it immediately.”

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