Times of Tunbridge Wells Issue 3, March 18th 2015

timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk @timesoftw

All the news that matters

Local, National and International

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

YOUR

FREE PAPER

SARAH PATTEN

JEREMY CLARKSON

Rusthall mum writes Asperger’s food guide Pg 20

Former Stig says ‘show must go on’ Pg 10

CITROEN C4

Metro Man is coming to town...with his dog AMERICAN IS CUSTOMERS’ CHAMPION AS HE TAKES ON “BROKEN BANKS OPERATING A CARTEL” IN THE UK THE face of high street banking in Tunbridge Wells is about to change with the arrival of Metro Bank. It will open from early until late seven days a week and will siphon off customers from every other local bank.

That’s according to Vernon W Hill II founder and chairman of Metro which is using the same business model that took his operation in America from a $1.5million start-up bank to one that eventually sold for $8billion.

Talking exclusively to the Times Mr Hill said: “Somehow I became pretty good at managing the financial side of banking and looked at it as a retailing business, not as a bank business.

“We are running the identical model we had in America.

Everything we did in New York works better here, because banks are old and stale.”

The outspoken 69-year-old, described as the ‘PT Barnum of banking’, said that when he looked at British banks he found the market was served by “five broken banks that had operated a cartel here for years, both on the commercial side and the consumer side, where customer dissatisfaction was very high.”

He added: “There is nothing I like better than to compete with big broken models. And the British banks’ philosophy was and is, they are doing you a favour by letting you bank with them.”

His approach to banking embraces people’s love of animals, particularly dogs. At his bank customers are

positively encouraged to bring dogs through the doors.

He said: “We give dogs a treat, we give them a bowl of water and here’s why this is important. Customers take that to mean that ‘if you love my dog you must love me.’”

And Mr Hill practises what he preaches.

His Yorkshire terrier Duffy travels the world with him aboard his luxury jet and even sleeps on a pillow between Mr and Mrs Hill.

Mr Hill told the Times that if anti rabies regulations had still been in place in the UK then Metro Bank would not have happened. He would not have left Duffy home alone in America from where he commutes to London.

Whatever the thinking behind Metro Bank it appears to be a success. The Tunbridge Wells ‘store’, which is opposite the main entrance to Royal Victoria Place and opens its doors in May, will be the 33rd branch in the UK. And the numbers are also looking impressive.

Mr Hill said: “At the end of the year just passed, our results showed: 450,000 people bank with us already in a market where you all believe you won’t switch banks.

“Our deposits year to year are up 118 per cent and our loans year to year are up 112 per cent, so it’s gone amazingly well, amazingly well, and the customers really get it.”

Turn to pages 6 and 7

The British banks’ philosophy was and is, they are doing you a favour by letting you bank with them

ADRIAN QUAIFE-HOBB

The strong family appeal of this car Pg 62

New challenge for Pembury driver Pg 71

INSIDE POLICING

What stinging budget cuts will mean for our town

PAGE 2

METRO BANK CHAIRMAN Vernon W Hill II

MOTORING

Woman writes off £800 deposit on second hand car

PAGE 5

EDUCATION

The challenge of dealing with grammar schools

PAGE 21

BALLOONING

Newspaper finds fan 200 miles away near Paris

PAGE 3

76/78 High Street &63|63 High |Royal Royal Tunbridge Tel: 534018 www.gcollinsandsons.com 76/78 High Street & 63 Street |& Royal Tunbridge | Tunbridge Tel: 01892 | Royal www.gcollinsandsons.com 76/78 High Street & 63 High Royal Tunbridge | 01892 Tel: 534018 |01892 76/7876/78 HighHigh Street & 63& High Street | High Royal Tunbridge |Street 534018 |High www.gcollinsandsons.com 76/78 High Street & 63 High Street | Street Royal Tunbridge Wells | Wells Tel: 01892 | Tunbridge www.gcollinsandsons.com 76/78 High Street Street &63 63 High High 76/78 Street Street High |Street Street Royal Tunbridge Tunbridge 63Wells High Wells Wells |Wells |Tel: |Wells Tel: Royal 01892 Tunbridge 534018 534018 |534018 |Street www.gcollinsandsons.com www.gcollinsandsons.com Tel: 01892 534018 | www.gcollinsandsons.com www.gcollinsandsons.com 76/78 High Street &01892 63 |www.gcollinsandsons.com | Tel: 01892 534018 | www.gcollinsandsons.com 76/78 High Street & 76/78 63 High 76/78 High Street Street High | |Royal Royal Street & Tunbridge High & 63 Street High Wells Street | Tel: | 01892 |Tel: Tunbridge Royal 01892 534018 Wells Wells |Wells ||Tel: www.gcollinsandsons.com 01892 ||534018 Tel: 01892 534018 534018 | |www.gcollinsandsons.com |Wells

2 � NEWS

WEATHER THE WEEK IN VIEW

WEDNESDAY CLOUDY MARCH 18 2015

9C O

•

Visibility: V Good Wind: 10

FOOD

District commander reveals the ‘stark reality’ of Government cuts

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Pollution: Low Sunrise: 06.07am

KENT POLICE TO LOSE £61M FROM BUDGET OVER FOUR YEARS

Humidity: 69% Sunset: 18.08pm

THURSDAY

7OC 10OC

FRIDAY SATURDAY

7OC

SUNDAY

7OC

MONDAY

8OC

TUESDAY

8OC

By Eleanor Jones

A FURTHER £61m cut to the Kent Police budget will lead to frontline job losses and a “threat to core policing”, according to Tunbridge Wells’ district commander.

Chief Inspector Dave Pate told the Times that the £50m reduction since 2011 had led to the loss of 500 officers and 720 support staff, including crime scene investigators and PCSOs, across Kent.

In an exclusive interview, he added that the lack of money caused a “real problem” for the force.

He said: “The other stark reality is, we’ve got to plan for further budget reduction of £61m by 2019.

“When you’ve got an organisation where 85 per cent of cost is staff and supplies, it’s inevitable that at some point, you have to reduce numbers – that’s a threat to core policing.”

Mr Pate said that Tunbridge Wells is the safest district in Kent, with the lowest recorded crime rate in the county, thanks to “a lot of hard work from everyone – not just the police, the public and housing and residents’ associations, for example”.

But the quality of the retail offer in the town

makes it a target for shoplifters and, as the Times reported on March 4, members of London gangs coming to Tunbridge Wells to sell class A drugs has become “the most significant issue currently facing this town”, according to Mr Pate.

Since June 2014, 17 members of London gangs have been arrested and brought before the courts, and 41 local dealers or users have been “dealt with”.

Mr Pate said: “It’s about the partnership, of having the problems identified and us addressing them with professional partnerships to tackle them. It’s acknowledgement of the person who stands up and is counted, and tells us.

“And it is a bit pessimistic but a problem we’re encountering is the reduction in our budget. It is a real problem which has presented Kent Police, and me in Tunbridge Wells, with significant challenges around matching demand on us as a service to the resources we’ve got.

“It’s a genuine issue we’re working on. I can’t avoid it, it’s not a political point, it’s the reality we have to face.”

PAGE 54 FASHION

PAGE 22 COUNTRY MATTERS

eleanor@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

PAGE 70 TRAVEL

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

PAGE 66

GENERAL INQUIRIES newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/timesoftunbridgewells timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk twitter.com/timesoftw

WORTH WATCHING

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

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.

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.

PRINTED BY NEWBURY NEWS LTD Newspaper House, Faraday Road, Newbury, Berkshire. RG14 2DW

JUST TEASING… CHECK OUT OUR CROSSWORDS, PUZZLES AND QUIZ ON PAGE 57.

TO WHET YOUR APPETITE HERE’S A COUPLE OF CRYPTIC CLUES. • Push domestic newspapers as far as possible? (5,4) • Set of people who don’t quite reach adulthood (5)

Wednesday 18th March 2015

See our pick of the week’s TV highlights 60 – 61

GENUINE ISSUE: Chief inspector Dave Pate

THE TIMES OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

WHY EVERY BANKER SHOULD TAKE A DOG TO WORK EVERY now and again, you meet someone who is actually larger than life. Such a person is Vernon W Hill II, the founder and chairman of Metro Bank which opens in Tunbridge Wells in May. Having watched the closing of the Body Shop on the corner opposite Royal Victoria Place and seen the hoardings appear announcing that the prime site was to become a Metro Bank, I thought it would be interesting to sit down with the man himself and have a chat.

Now, bear in mind this is a chap who is probably a billionaire twice over and head of a successful bank. Forget the size of the bank; it’s making money. And here’s the local paper seeking a face-to-face. What are the chances of him saying “yes”?

These days, you can have trouble getting to see your own local bank manager in person (the dozens of assistant managers/account

managers/customer service managers are easy and a given) but the man/woman at the very top?

There’s one big difference, though, with Metro; it’s an American-owned bank and we all know how our US cousins take a different approach to business. They’re approachable, in touch and genuinely consumer focused.

That’s not just a bland phrase for use on TV ads, it’s a reality; they really work hard to provide customer service.

So, Vernon W Hill II said he’d be delighted to sit down with the Times of Tunbridge Wells. We met at his London store, they don’t call them branches, and chatted for an more than an hour, even though we were advised by his people (not talking to my people as in the movies, because I am my people) that it would be 40 minutes or something like that.

No questions were ruled out and he was passionate and effusive about serving the customer. He calls them fans, by the way, not customers. He is also more than happy to talk about his dog Duffy and the fact that all dogs are welcome at his bank, where they are fed and watered.

His approach to banking and his love of our four-legged friends might cause some in the industry to snigger and joke. They would do well, though, to remember that British Airways once refused to take seriously another new entrant to an industry (airlines) because he didn’t fit the traditional image and (horrors) wore jumpers instead of shirts and ties. That person was Richard Branson. Or Sir Richard ‘Virgin’ Branson as he is today.

Richard Moore, editorial director

LOCAL NEWS �

Motorist writes off £800 deposit on used car Customer’s warning to others who buy second-hand • Julie Rae A DRIVER who lost £800 when she pulled out of buying a car which she discovered had previously been written off is warning others of the perils of buying second-hand.

One Media journalist Charlie Bond had paid a deposit on a Volkswagen Polo being sold by the South East Trade Centre, in Dargate, Faversham. But just before she was due to collect the car, she ran checks which proved it had been a category D insurance write-off.

The 26-year-old pulled out of the deal, as she says this fact had not been made clear, but the dealer is refusing to return her money.

She said: “I’m devastated. It’s been months now and despite lots of correspondence they still refuse to give me my money back.

They claim I was told the deposit was non-refundable and that they sold cars previously written off, both of which are untrue.”

Miss Bond first became aware of Anton Stankevicius’ dealership when she was searching for cars on eBay last September.

Having noted its location, she visited the premises while in the area.

A salesman told her that although there were no diesel Polos in stock, one was due to arrive in the near future.

She said: “Because I live 25 miles away, near Tunbridge Wells, I was worried I’d miss out on the car. So I offered them a holding deposit to ensure I would be the first person to see it.

“I thought I’d get my money back if I didn’t buy it.”

The trader took £800 from her debit card call when the £8,000 and told her he would

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU GUIDANCE WHEN you buy a car, it should match the description the seller gave it. If it doesn’t, the seller has broken their contract with you, even if they made a genuine mistake.

If a written-off car was properly repaired before it was sold to you, you can’t claim your money back just because it was a write-off. But if the seller misled you, for example said it had never been in an accident, you may be able to argue you’re entitled to your money back on the grounds that the car does not match its description.

car arrived. A receipt was promised but the day Miss Bond was supposed to collect it, she ran an HPI search, which showed the two-year-old Polo had been written off.

She called the dealer to say she would not be buying the car. She was later told her deposit was non-refundable and that she had been told this at the time. The trader also said his website and eBay page clearly stated all the cars he sold were insurance write-offs.

But Miss Bond said: “I assumed that if I decided not to take the car, the money would get refunded. And because I hadn’t seen that car ad on eBay or visited the website, I never saw their terms and conditions. I’ve since looked on eBay and they’re nowhere to be seen in the description - and can only be found in the About Us section.

“I just want others to be aware that dealers can and do sell previously written-off cars.

Check the status before you hand over any money.

“I took the company at face value and believed what they told me. And I’ve paid for that.”

Mr Stankevicius declined to make a statement to the Times but in emails to this newspaper, he said he disputed Miss Bond’s story.

He wrote: “We are a transparent business and work with government bodies such as Tradings (sic) Standards and they fully accept our terms and conditions and references to such are in place and that our contact of sale is written fairly and

acceptable. Everything we have done has been checked and run through with a professional team of solicitors and overseen by a barrister.

“If she thinks she is correct we kindly suggest this is put before a district judge through the courts the correct way rather the trying to damage our good company name via the media. We will seek legal action against any false or inaccurate statements against the company that damages our business.”

As the Times went to press, the Polo was still for sale on eBay. The description does not highlight that the car is a write-off. This information is within the About Us section.

The dealer’s one-page website links to eBay to view all cars for sale. It makes reference to non-refundable deposits and written-off cars at the bottom of the page.

INSURANCE WRITE-OFF CATEGORIES A - A vehicle which should have been totally crushed, including all its spare parts B - A vehicle from which parts may be salvaged but the body shell should have been crushed and the car should never return to the road C - A vehicle that can be repaired, but where the insurer’s repairs cost more than the value of the car before the accident D - A vehicle that can be repaired, where the insurer’s repairs don’t cost more than the value of the car before the accident.

KCC Trading Standards manager Richard Strawson said: “The majority of second-hand car buyers will have a trouble-free experience - but too many are left with unresolved issues or thousands of pounds out of pocket.

“Before buying, do research, look for reviews of the dealership online.

Ask questions about the car and for copies of paperwork. And consider paying for an inspection.

“We know complaints about second-hand cars are one of the biggest issues people take to Citizens Advice. Last year alone, Citizens Advice received more than 60,000 enquires and complaints about second-hand cars, their biggest reported issue.”

3

GATWICK COURT CASE

Legal action over Gatwick flights takes off Last week saw the start of a High Court battle over plans to put a “super highway” flight path over Tunbridge Wells.

Penshurst photographer Martin Barraud, chairman of the action group Gatwick Obviously Not, is leading a judicial review action against the Civil Aviation Authority.

Campaigners argue that the proposed change to flight patterns would lead to an “intolerable” noise for residents.

They believe the CAA acted unlawfully by failing to carry out a public consultation before advising the Transport Secretary on alterations to planes arriving from the south and southeast.

Inbound traffic would be funnelled into a narrow swathe, more than doubling the rate of low-level aircraft over Tunbridge Wells and the High Weald.

The CAA takes the position that it has no legal authority to intervene in “tactical operational decisions” by air traffic controllers. It believes the action is “without merit”.

The question of a “super highway” at Gatwick is a separate issue to that of a proposed second runway.

NEWS OF THE TIMES SPREADS TO FRANCE

SURPRISE Sarah with her discovery

THE Times has been making waves not just in Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas, it appears – the French are also taking an interest.

One of the balloons handed out to promote our launch edition on March 4 was discovered five days later and 200 miles away in the village of Friaize, 75 miles southwest of Paris.

Marine Chiang and her seven-year-old daughter Sarah found the balloon in a tree in their garden. Having spotted our logo and read about the paper online, Mrs Chiang contacted industry website Hold the Front Page about her find.

She said: “We were surprised to find a balloon (last) Monday, and it was only on

Thursday that we managed to get it from the tree.

“When we did, it was a surprise that they came from Tunbridge Wells.

“By searching the internet, it seemed a new newspaper was the cause of these balloons. Well, it’s a promising start because it is already known in France. Sarah is delighted with this discovery and thinks to repeat the experience, but in reverse.

“Happy like Ulysse who made a long journey.”

Times editorial director Richard Moore: “Word of our launch has reached all corners of the United Kingdom, but we didn’t realise it had crossed the Channel too. I’m just baffled as to how the balloons got that far.

“We are certainly not full of hot air.”

JOURNEY The balloon travelled 200 miles

Sue and Brian are now £1,000 a year better off…

up to

If you are a homeowner, you could qualify for

tax-­‐free income plus enjoy FREE electricity *

14%

annual return

Slash your bills by using free electricity from solar panels with EnergyMyWay

01892 59 70 50 0

energymyway.co.uk

Call our experts today and find out if your house is suitable

Earn tax-­‐free income from the Ofgem Feed-­‐in-­‐Tariff, index-­‐linked over 20 years ü ü ü ü

Home solar costs less than you might think Most systems installed in just one day Suitable for south, east or west facing roofs Planning permission is not usually required

* Example given for south facing 4kWp system with limited shading in Tunbridge Wells area with savings plus high Feed-­‐in-­‐Tariff. Ofgem FiT homes must achieve EPC Level D or above to qualify.

Wednesday 18th March 2015

4 � INTERVIEW

Meet the candidate 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 Liberal Democrat candidate.

• By Eleanor Jones NAME: James MacCleary AGE: 34 LIVES: Lewes, East Sussex, but in the process of moving to Tunbridge Wells DAY JOB: National literature and messaging manager for the Liberal Democrats HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN POLITICS AND WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED? I did a politics and international relations degree at the University of Kent and ever since then, I’ve taken an active interest. I joined the party in 2004, when I was doing a post-graduate degree in Russian foreign policy, and was then elected to Lewes District Council.

I’ve always had an interest in international relations, diplomacy and economics, and more to do with how politics affects people’s day-to-day lives and how communities can take ownership and drive the political agenda. That’s something I’ve got much more interested in as I’ve become more involved – empowering people to take political action themselves rather than waiting for councils or governments to do it.

I think of a councillor as a community leader.

I’m happy to do whatever it is but can you help?

We need to get people involved because otherwise, there becomes a space between politicians and everyone else and that’s part of the problem with politics at the moment, people don’t feel they own it.

I joined the Lib Dems in a very simple way. I decided before the 2005 election that I should be a member of a party but had no previous affiliation. I read all their manifestos and found the Lib Dems’ internationalism, belief in individualism, grass-roots politics and devolution of power, things that agreed with what I thought. I marry most closely with their views on social policy and economic policy. It was a positive decision, I wanted to join a party I believe in.

KEVIN KERRIGAN HOPES TO WIN TUNBRIDGE WELLS FOR LABOUR

GENERAL ELECTION 2010: TUNBRIDGE WELLS PARTY

CANDIDATE

Votes

%

+/-%

� CONSERVATIVE

Greg Clark

28,302

56.2

+5.5

� 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

� INDEPENDENT

Farel Bradbury

172

0.3

+0.3

MAJORITY

15,576

31

TURNOUT

50, 320

69.8

+3.9

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH? The biggest issue is the future of the town centre and in particular, the cinema site.

We seem to get a new version from the council every few months and often, the key development site in town isn’t included.

There’s the seemingly never-ending chronic traffic problem in Tunbridge Wells. The upgrade to the A21 was welcome but we need a lot more done.

I don’t think there’s any magic bullet but the least we can do is fill in all the pot holes, to help traffic flow and stop people’s cars getting damaged.

One which gets overlooked quite often is things

for young people in the town, and there are the people who don’t get noticed in society, the poorer and homeless people – those who don’t have a lot in what’s considered a wealthy town. The soup kitchen closed last year and that was one of the few facilities for homeless people.

WHY SHOULD TUNBRIDGE WELLS PEOPLE VOTE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT? Firstly, simply because we provide a genuine alternative to the Conservatives. This town has been dominated by the party, at council and Parliament level, for a generation or more and the Lib Dems are the only party which presents a serious alternative.

Secondly, it’s a coherent vision for Tunbridge Wells, campaigning on issues people care about, and thirdly, our national policies should be adopted again, including building on the tax cuts we’ve already achieved, investing £8bn in the NHS, half a billion for mental health care, and ensuring we protect people’s pensions and get more support for carers, I think that’s hugely important.”

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE VOTE FOR YOU PERSONALLY? If I were elected, they would be guaranteed a very hard-working campaigner, who would be genuinely interested in their day to day concerns of people in this town and who would put Tunbridge Wells first and hold the council to account on their behalf, no matter who was running it.

I’d like to encourage investment in the town and get improvements to local roads and infrastructure and I’d strongly challenge the rail companies over fare structures, for commuters to London in particular.

I’d make the former cinema site a high priority, and make sure the needs of everyone in Tunbridge Wells were listened to and pushed up the agenda with council or government where necessary.

ARE YOU HOPEFUL OF VICTORY? I think it’s a very challenging political environment for Lib Dem candidates everywhere. The Conservatives have a large majority here but we’re hoping we can at the very least reduce that majority and make sure we give the Conservatives a hard fight – so they don’t have a free run of it like they have in the past.

WHAT REACTION HAVE YOU HAD ON THE DOORSTEPS? It’s been really, really positive.

The only frustration is, we can’t get out and talk to absolutely everyone. A lot of people we’ve spoken to have said they’re just pleased to see someone other than the Conservatives.

People have also said they don’t bother voting as there’s no point because the Conservatives always win so they’re glad to see an alternative. That’s really what we’re trying to present, we’re trying to give people that alternative, to say there is something other than the Conservatives in this town.

LAST CHANCE ANIMAL RESCUE CENTRE

Raj Pavilion Fine Indian Cuisine

WELCOME TO

RAJ PAVILION THE BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Sunday & Tuesday banqueting night - £9.99

Any starter, any main course (tradition and old friend), Rice or Naan, plus tea or coffee.

Conditions apply.

20 Grove Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 01892 533435 www.rajpavilion.net Raj Pavilion Tunbridge Wells @RajPavilion1

Wednesday 18th March 2015

Follow the Yellow Brick Road and TV’s Pudsey this Easter THE first canine winner of Britain’s Got Talent is set to be the star of the show at an Easter performance at the Assembly Hall Theatre.

Crossbreed Pudsey, who won the talent show in 2012, will be starring as Toto in the Wizard of Oz, with owner Ashleigh Burton as Dorothy, on April 5 and 6.

Shone Productions’ modern take on L Frank Baum’s classic includes current popular songs and also stars Lloyd Hollett as the Scarecrow and Hollyoaks actress Laura Handley as the Wicked Witch of the West.

As part of a charity initiative involving Shone Productions and Kent’s Last Chance Animal Rescue Centre, a local dog in need of a home will make an appearance on stage at the end of each performance.

Miss Butler said: “The Wizard of Oz is one of my favourite films, I remember watching it on repeat when I was a little girl. We can’t wait to work alongside a great cast and entertain everyone with this classic story. So come and join us on our journey along the yellow brick road.”

To book, www.assemblyhalltheatre. co.uk or call 01892 530613.

LEAD ROLES Ashleigh Burton and Pudsey star in the Wizard of Oz

LOCAL NEWS �

Parking wars: Row over bins highlights ‘major issue’ in town Motorist claims resident blocked the road with wheelie bins

• By Julie Rae A ROW between a motorist and a homeowner has highlighted the “major issue” of parking in Tunbridge Wells town centre, according to those involved.

A driver claims she had an exchange of words with a resident, who had placed her wheelie bin in the road in an attempt to stop anyone parking there.

The motorist, who did not want to be named, said roads in the Molyneux Park area, where parking is free, fill rapidly with cars every morning, as town centre workers circle for up to 20 minutes trying to find somewhere to park for free.

One day last week, she found bins at the kerb.

She explained: “I actually watched a woman put both her wheelie bins on the road in front of her house - it wasn’t even bin day.

“I asked if she could move them so I could park and told her it wasn’t legal to put the bins out to take up a public space. She reluctantly moved them but told me she needed to park there so could I get as close to the car behind as possible. Which I did.”

The following day when the motorist pulled up in the road, a member of the same family came out and told her how hard it was for them to park there.

“This woman went on about how she’s lived there 20 years and how parking is difficult,” the worker said. “I said that may well be the case but they couldn’t put bins in the road to stop other people parking there.”

Another town centre employee said: “Some mornings, there are actually orange cones in the free spaces. If they’re not police cones, I get out and move them. It’s not right or fair for people to do that. The on-street free parking is there for a

COLLISION COURSE Wheelie bin versus car

reason.”

But a resident of the area in question added: “This is a huge issue in Tunbridge Wells and something needs to be done about it. This is my road and I should be able to park outside my own house but I never can because the road’s full of people who have driven to work, it’s ridiculous.”

A spokesman for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council said: “If there are issues with parking in a residential area, residents could contact the council to enquire whether a residents’ permit scheme is viable.”

Man in court on murder charge A MAN accused of killing another man at the Tunbridge Wells recycling centre made no plea when he appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court last week.

David Squelch was not represented by a solicitor or barrister. He appeared at the court hearing via a TV link from Elmley Prison, Sheppey on March 11. He spoke only to be identified and to indicate he understood the proceedings.

The 48-year-old from Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, was charged with murder after Tunbridge Wells father-of-four James Wallington, 44, died following fatal injuries at Cory Environmental Ltd recycling centre, North Farm Lane, on Monday March, 9.

Mr Squelch’s next court appearance will be a preliminary hearing on March 27, at Maidstone Crown Court. Judge Jeremy Carey said a likely trial date would be towards the end of August or early September.

A bail application was not made and Squelch was remanded in custody.

5

away on March 4. She was an elected Conservative councillor for 20 years.

Mrs Sandford was also a founder member of the International Young Concert Artists Competition – a “prestigious” competition held every two years in Tunbridge Wells, attracting young musicians from across the globe.

Current mayor Cllr Julian Stanyer will be among guests at a funeral and service of thanksgiving for Mrs Sandford’s life, at King Charles the Martyr, Tunbridge Wells, on Friday, March 27 at 3pm.

Don’t forget the eclipse this Friday THE weather is forecast to be cloudy on Friday but that shouldn’t stop you putting on the goggles, to protect your eyes, and watching the solar eclipse.

The southeast should start to become a twilight zone at 8.40am on Friday, March 20, the key time being 9.31am, when the moon will cover the middle of the sun. It should all be over at 10.41. Remember, do not look directly at the sun.

Former mayor passes away A FORMER mayor of Tunbridge Wells who served the town for two decades has died at the age of 90.

Barbara Sandford, who served as civic leader from 1981 to 1982, passed

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

Would you like to become a trustee?

Town & Country Foundation, the charitable arm of Town & Country Housing Group, are entering an exciting phase of growth and development; supporting, training and inspiring the community in which our residents live. We are currently recruiting new Trustees for the Foundation Board with specific expertise in Education and Training, Fundraising or with a background in regional / national charities.

AWARD WINNING HOMES SOLD OUT THE first phase of the North Farm housing development has been sold out – before any of the houses have been finished.

Known as The Avenue, the homes are within the Knights Wood development, in nearly 200 acres of “ancient, mature and protected” woodland, and all 38 threebedroom houses were snapped up in under a year, having been released to market in June 2014.

Knights Wood scooped two gold, four-star, highly commended accolades, in the Kent residential development and Kent property single unit categories at the UK Property Awards last November.

Susie Bennett, sales director at developer Dandara said: “The Avenue was extremely popular with young professionals and families who were attracted to the style and excellent value of these low-maintenance homes which are set out in attractive character areas at this superb location.”

The company is now preparing for the launch of the second phase of the development, The Lanes, featuring two, three and four-bedroom homes. They will be released for sale on the weekend of March 28 and 29.

Two bedroom homes will go from £295,000

Can we interest YOU in joining us or do you know anyone who is looking for a new challenge, who is passionate about making a sustainable difference to the community and has talents and experience in the areas we are looking for? We would be delighted to hear from you either by email or telephone.

CLOSING DATE: 18 May 2015

For more information about become a Trustee please contact Helen Bushby on 01892 501480 Ext 1674 or email helen.bushby@tchg.org.uk Town & Country Housing Monson Way Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1LQ www.tchg.org.uk

Wednesday 18th March 2015

6 � LOCAL NEWS

The not so quiet American with a

He begged and borrowed $1.5million to launch the bank that he later sold for HIS name is Vernon W Hill 11 and he’s causing quite a stir in banking circles as he heads for Tunbridge Wells. The American entrepreneur is the driving force behind Metro Bank, which will open seven days a week in its bid to lure customers away from rivals.

Work is almost complete on the Metro store – “we don’t call them branches” – which occupies a prime spot – “we only ever take corner sites” – opposite the main entrance of Royal Victoria Place.

Vernon W Hill (his middle name is William) made his name when he launched Commerce Bank in the States in 1973 with practically no money and sold it 34 years later with a price tag of $8billion. He has been described by Fortune Magazine as a ‘…flamboyant, tradition stomping American billionaire…. the PT Barnum of banking.’

Intrigued by this unique style of retail banking where ‘dogs rule’ and the goal is ‘to eliminate every stupid bank rule’ we asked for a sit down with the bank’s founder and chairman.

Back came the response: ‘Vernon would be delighted to meet the Times of Tunbridge Wells.’

And that’s how we found ourselves at his office above the Holborn store, the first of his enterprises to open in the UK in 2010. On the wall behind his desk is a picture of Yorkshire terrier Duffy, the pet that travels the world with him in his luxury jet.

Richard Moore: Your motto is ‘Fans, not customers’ and you’re obviously doing something right because a customer satisfaction survey consumer group Fairer Finance put Metro top with a 93 per cent rating. Bottom was Royal Bank of Scotland with just 6 per cent. But tell us first how it has all come about.

Vernon Hill: They gave me a bank licence in New Jersey when I was 26, we are not quite sure why.

At the time there were 24,000 separate banks in America. The joke is we (Commerce Bank) were number 24,001. How are we going to compete against the other 24,000 and create a growth company? Well, when we sold in ‘07 we were the 18th largest bank in America. We looked at banking from the reverse side of the business, that this is a retailing business, and we developed a service and convenience model.

RM: Wasn’t that based on how you saw car sales handled?

VH: No, one of my businesses when I got out of college was developing new sites for chain stores and McDonald’s was my first client.

I was going out in the countryside and buying sites for McDonald’s. And the magic of McDonald’s is they created this brand, could deliver it, and could make money on every client, selling at very low prices.

They built this great brand. So I set about turning Commerce Bank into a retailing business based around service, and the banking part followed. It took us a long time to get it right, because I was a kid I was learning how it all worked.

RM: And the bank took off.

VH: It grew slowly, then the momentum picked up and we were a very successful, what we call a regional bank with about $8billion in assets by the year 2000.

Then we went into New York City and for a suburban American bank that’s very similar to going to Mars!

RM: That big a difference?

VH: It would be like a company based in Tunbridge Wells coming to central London. It’s a different world, for example the rents are much higher, and our model went off like a rocket. We went from

Metro Bank chairman Vernon W Hill

$8billion in assets to $48billion in six years, and at the end of ‘07 we had 450 stores. As Commerce Bank we were always the high growth company in the retail banking business; in fact one of the high growth retail businesses in America. But we always saw ourselves as a retailing company that happens to be a bank. I sold the bank in 2007 at a very high multiple, everybody made lots of money.

RM: Where did the original seed money come from?

VH: Well, I had to raise $1.5million to start it in ‘73 and that was the hardest million and a half I ever raised in my life. I went around and begged and borrowed to get to $1.5million. When we sold out in ‘07 the price was $8billion. If you invested in the beginning and stayed until the end, your investment went up 470 times, not per cent, if you invested in ‘91 and stayed to ‘07 your investment went up 47 times, now that shouldn’t happen. That shouldn’t happen.

Forbes Magazine puts out every year a 20-20-20 report on the CEOs of public American companies that have had a 20 plus percent compounded shareholder return over their 20+ years. There are only seven that meet that criteria in this year, and

somehow this guy Warren Buffett got one notch above me on that list.

RM: That’s not bad though being one below Warren Buffett is it?

VH: I guess you are right!

RM: You then turned your eyes towards Britain.

VH: What happened, I sold my bank in America and I had nothing to do for a week, literally.

RM: A week?

VH: Yes a week, and I had a friend of mine in Britain that had been on at me for years to bring this American service model over here. He told me the big five banks were stale and dead and the customers ... well you know. I had literally retired for a week when he called me up and said ‘you have no excuse now’ so I flew over, I shopped the banks, I talked to the Government…

RM: What did you see though, what did you find when you landed here?

VH: A very large urban market like the greater New York market, served by five broken banks that had operated a cartel here for years, both on the commercial side and the consumer side, where the customer dissatisfaction was very high. There is

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

Wednesday 18th March 2015

I was here for a few days and thought ‘what the hell, let’s go try it and start a bank nothing I like better than to compete with big broken models. And the British banks’ philosophy was and is, they are doing you a favour by letting you bank with them.

RM: And charging you for the privilege!

VH: And they attack you all the time. That is not the American way and that was certainly not my American way. This is an American story so I am going to tell you a little joke. I was here for a few days and thought ‘what the hell, let’s go try it and start a bank’. They claim we are the first new high street bank in Britain since 1840 so the risk was, could we get a licence, could we build it, could we put in modern IT, could we recruit, could we raise the capital to do it, and then finally would the Brits accept it?

Now the American business philosophy, generally, is let’s start with the result and work backwards from there. The British philosophy is, let’s start at the beginning and go through the process and see what happens, and my joke – and if you use this make sure you say this is a joke – I get asked all the time, why did it take an American to do this?

RM: And your answer is?

VH: If a conventional Brit did this he’d get ten friends who’d find ten consultants, who’d find a hundred reasons why it wouldn’t work!

RM: But that’s not just a joke!

VH: It’s a half joke. Anyway, I had to raise money and I ended up with £100million, almost all American, but to be fair it’s the big funds in America and I had made them a lot of money. Their question was ‘can you make this happen again in Britain?’ When we tried to raise money in Britain from the British investors, if you put the words ‘banking’ and ‘growth’ in the same sentence they go running out the door.

RM: How are people reacting to you? You have been described as ‘quirky’ and a ‘maverick’ and now you are over here and, forgive me, you are very brash, you are very in your face!

VH: American!

RM: You are American!

VH: I am American, exactly.

RM: And this is the British establishment you are dealing with.

VH: Generally people have been fine. I am giving a speech down in the City, and the Brits, when they are in an audience, are very reluctant to get up and ask questions. I sort of have to prompt you. A guy stands up and says to me ‘we know you like to travel with your dog, what would you do if we took your dog and wouldn’t give him back until you’d fixed the retail banking at Lloyds TSB?’ Now there’s an odd, British question right?

I just looked at the guy, sort of grinned and said ‘I guess my dog’s dead because there is no hope!’ They [Lloyds TSB] are very big and they are very broken and their IT is antique, and it’s just a major problem.

FREE

System Health Check worth £65* *See www.ability.co.uk for terms & conditions

NEWS �

7

refreshing approach to retail banking

$8billion and that enabled him to target ‘five broken banks’ here in the UK They have got much bigger problems than me.

RM: How well is Metro Bank working?

VH: Unbelievably.

RM: If the bank had a stress test?

VH: You are talking like a Brit!

RM: That’s because our readers would expect me to!

VH: I am going to teach you to talk American! At the end of the year that just passed, our results showed; 450,000 people bank with us already in a market where you all believe you won’t switch banks. Our deposits year to year are up 118 per cent and our loans year to year are up 112 per cent, so it’s gone amazingly well, amazingly well, and the customers really get it.

RM: Who are you attracting, where are your customers coming from?

VH: Every other bank. There are people that want service and convenience that are tired of being abused.

RM: And the profile of your customer?

VH: It’s all over the place. I don’t even do all that stuff, even when in America we had very large scale banks I could never figure out that, so I just ignored it. It’s people who want to change, who are tired of being abused and want more choice.

RM: Where are you going with the bank?

VH: Well, in 2020 we expect to be a £25billion asset bank. The sky is the limit. We have now raised £650million in capital. Over $1 billion US, 95 per cent American, and you could say this is a $1billion American investment that is changing British banking.

RM: How does that make you feel?

VH: Great!

RM: Gives you something to do!

VH: Gives me something to do.

RM: How do you pick your sites and why Tunbridge Wells?

VH: Actually, I approve them all. I have been to every one of the sites, I know every one.

RM: You’re a really hands on guy?

VH: I approve every site. In America I had 500 of them, and my wife Shirley does the architectural design and the construction management. I know the Tunbridge Wells site extremely well. We like Royal Tunbridge Wells because it’s a great town centre with a great mix of commercial and consumer and we had to have, like we do in every town, the perfect corner.

RM: In America, when you were the Commerce Bank, you offered each member of staff a $5,000 bonus if a rival bank closed down after you

opened. Are you going to do that in Tunbridge Wells?

VH: I haven’t thought about that but I think I will [think about it] now that you have reminded me!

RM: Did that work by the way?

VH: It was an incentive for the staff to poach customers. Remember, when you start with zero in a new town, you have got to go find people to switch.

Not only that it made the other banks really mad! That might even be too American for over here, I will have to think about that one!

RM: Your staff don’t necessarily come from a banking background, at least the teller staff?

VH: The teller staff right. We have 1,500 people and are adding 500 people a year, they come from all kinds of retail backgrounds. My job is to find good people trapped in broken bank models.

THE STORY OF DUFFY AND OTHER DOGS…

GETTING PERSONAL...

RM: How do you relax?

VH: I play golf.

RM: Your handicap is what?

VH: Four!

RM: An American four or a British four?

VH: Ours are more reliable. We have to post all of our scores.

RM: Yes I know.

VH: And it’s on a public website! You guys only post your scores in a competition. Not only that, I built a golf course outside Atlantic City from scratch, so I got it pretty bad.

RM: How often do you get to play?

VH: On the weekends when I am home.

RM: And are you home most weekends?

VH: I spend about half my life here. A couple of weeks here, couple of weeks in America.

RM: What was the last holiday you had?

VH: Palm Beach in December for a week.

RM: What car do you drive?

VH: Let’s just skip that question!

RM: You don’t drive!

VH: I absolutely 100 per cent drive!

RM: What are you reading now?

VH: Business Breakdown! No! I am reading Boris Johnson’s book about Winston [The Churchill Factor].

RM: That’s a great read. Have you met Boris?

VH: Yes sure. He loves to tell me he is an American.

RM: He is not.

VH: He was born in America, that’s what he is telling me.

Of course he is not American!

Timbered Floors & Accessories Stockists & Importers of all Wood Floors & Accessories Trade Wholesale Prices for the Professional and the DIY Full Advice from Experienced Staff NEXT DAY DELIVERY - FREE UNDERLAY WITH EVERY FLOOR SOLD IN MARCH!

EUROPEAN OAK LACQUERED - 1860 x 189 x 15/4mm £29.50 ex vat Wood Flooring • Underlay • Adhesives • Thresholds • Wax Oils • Lacquers

01892 537 945 Unit 21 Colebrook Ind Estate Longfield Road Tunbridge Wells Retail Park TN2 3DG

Opening Hours Monday - Friday 9.00 - 17.00 Saturday 9.00 - 12.30

DUFFY: THE ADVERT FOR METRO BANK

RM: You clearly have a deep affection for dogs.

You’ve had your Yorkshire terrier Duffy since he was born eight years ago and one of the bank’s policies is that Dogs Rule.

VH: Our banks allow you to bring them in and we want you to bring them in. We give them a treat, we give them a water bowl and here’s why this is important. Customers take that to mean that ‘if you love my dog you must love me’. Now how did it happen? An incredibly strange story.

I was on the board of directors to trustees of the University of Pennsylvania and they have the best vet school in the world called Penn Vet, the first in America. They asked me to be on the board. I had never had a dog in my life and I would never let my kids get a dog although I really got engaged with this school. I was really excited about what they did.

At the same time my last kid went away to school and the dog [Duffy] came along. We called it an upgrade! Those two combinations of events got us all engaged with the dogs RM: Then where did it go?

Well, two British kids [Chris and Natasha Ashton] moved to America with four suitcases and a cat called Bodey. The cat got really sick and they ran up big vet bills, $5,000. That was when they looked at insurance and were distressed by the lack of choice compared to the UK. RM:That eventually led to the creation of Petplan in the US and today you’re its chairman.

VH: Correct, I am a chairman of Petplan in America.

In Britain one third of the pets have insurance, in America it’s under 1 per cent. So dogs have become part of our lives. Duffy is way more well known than me in Britain. Every meeting I go to, somebody will ask me about the dog, where is the dog.

RM: It’s a great icebreaker as well.

VH: It really has resonated here, because I think the bank executives here are so remote, right?

RM: Out of touch?

VH: Exactly.

RM: But it’s a genuine love from you for the dogs?

It’s not just great PR, something commercial?

VH: We are way too deep in it, for it just to be a façade! And Duffy goes to work with my wife every day, all day. She is giving a speech tonight and he will be sitting right there with her, and the Brits are brilliant about it.

RM: What about travelling around?

VH: Quarantine has gone since 2000 so he travels with me back and forth every month. I have an aeroplane. You can come commercial with your dog, but he can’t sit in the cabin with you, he has to go in baggage. There is a better chance of me going in baggage than this dog going in baggage. If dog quarantine hadn’t ended in Britain, then Metro Bank would never have happened.

RM: Seriously?

VH: 100 per cent, 100 per cent.

RM: Word is that Duffy actually sleeps with you?

VH: Absolutely!

RM: Between you and Mrs Hill?

VH: Correct! The media once took three or four photos of me and mum [Mrs Hill] and then other photos with the dog. The newspapers run the dog ones every time.

SUBSCRIBE NOW RECEIVE THE FREE DIGITAL EDITION OF TIMES OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS IN YOUR INBOX EVERY WEEK

timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk @timesoftw

All the news that matters

Local, National and International

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

YOUR

FREE PAPER

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.”

COMPETITION

Win a trip for two to paradise worth £4,200

PAGE 8

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

WWW.TIMESOFTUNBRIDGEWELLS.CO.UK/SUBSCRIBE Wednesday 18th March 2015

8 � LOCAL NEWS

Health fears as rubbish piles up

HEALTH FEAR The pile of rubbish

TAKEN SERIOUSLY Town & Country staff at a recent clear-up event

Housing association says it ‘takes issue very seriously’ • By Eleanor Jones A HOUSING association which found itself at the centre of a Twitter storm over rubbish says it “takes fly-tipping and litter very seriously”.

The Times was contacted on March 4 by Neighbourhood Watch representative Naz Mian, who lives near Irving House and was concerned about the amount of rubbish “dumped” outside, which he said is an ongoing problem.

A Times photographer was due to capture the scene on March 5 but just before he arrived, the litter was cleared.

But Mr Mian says the piles of filth have been a recurring issue over the years.

He said: “It looks utterly disgusting.

“This has been going on for years. It gets cleared and then another pile gets dumped there. Then the foxes come out and there’s rubbish all over the road. It makes the whole area look bad.

“That pile had been there two and a half weeks and I worry about rats.”

On March 6, Twitter user Queen Bee contacted Town & Country Housing, which manages the flats.

She asked the Times whether we could cover Town & Country “being antisocial neighbours” and on Monday, March 9, the association replied to say the area had been cleared.

Queen Bee tweeted: “Thank you, shame it took going to the press for you to respond and act. How will you stop happening again?”

Town & Country said it was looking at long-term solutions and would maintain the area in the short term.

A statement released by the association on March 9 read: “Following on from a recent Twitter conversation about fly-tipping at Irving House, Town & Country Housing would like to make the following statement.

“The area around Irving House currently has open access and has become a site that occasionally

encourages fly-tippers. We had already been looking into this to find a long-term solution. Our properties are regularly checked and we ask customers and local residents to contact us if a problem is identified so we can quickly resolve it.

“The area was cleaned on March 3 and by Friday, more rubbish had been dumped, which the foxes had rummaged through, leaving litter strewn along Albion Road, Granville Road and Chandos Road. The area was cleaned again on Friday.

“We take fly-tipping and litter very seriously and regularly monitor and check problem areas and identify long term solutions.

“A team of Town & Country staff recently held a “skip-it day” and litter pick in Showfields, Tunbridge Wells, to tackle a similar issue. We are planning more of these clear-up days in other areas.” eleanor@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

FU

ND • I NVE

S

EN

V E STME

T

TM

N

BUSINESSES APPLY FOR FUNDING IN

• IN D

T FUND •

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

VE

STM

ENT F

UN

THE first applications for financial support from the Times of Tunbridge Wells Investment Fund have started to arrive.

Working with high net worth individuals the Times has created a £5million fund to help boost businesses across the county. It is designed to help limited companies from start-ups looking for seed capital to businesses needing cash to expand.

Think Dragons’ Den. The only stipulation for applicants is that they must be 18+, be operating through a limited company that is based within the boundaries of Kent, and have a viable, solid business plan.

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 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.

Wednesday 18th March 2015

They will be required to take part in PR or promotional activity to help profile the fund and they 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 their full business plan together with a covering letter about themselves and their company to: Times of Tunbridge Wells Investment Fund 16 Lonsdale Gardens Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1NU Applicants must be 18+ and operating a limited company within the boundaries of the county of Kent.

Closing date is July 1 2015. All business plans will be received and viewed in strictest confidence.

LATEST

RUBBISH RETURNS Despite assurances

by Tuesday morning the litter was back

Park fun day’s cash hope ANY money secured by the Friends of Grosvenor and Hilbert Park through a community funding scheme will go towards a family fun day this May. The group is one of three good causes chosen by the Tunbridge Wells Asda for its green token initiative, which invites shoppers to vote for their favourite.

The organisations will each be given a share of £300 at the end of the month, determined by the number of tokens each has been given.

Carolyn Gray of the Friends said “We were very pleased to be selected. Any money we get from this will go towards our fourth Family Fun Day, on the May 4 bank holiday. Together with the sponsorship we already have from Town & Country Housing, this will be incredibly useful as the event has grown beyond our wildest dreams.”

The fun day will start with a dog show at 10.30am, followed by a range of attractions including bouncy castles, donkey rides, live music and community stalls.

Anyone who could contribute to sponsorship, offer tombola prizes or volunteer to help organise the day is asked to email events@fogh.org.uk

Designed to help limited companies from start-ups looking for seed capital to businesses needing cash to expand

LOCAL NEWS �

Century not out for town centre Marks & Spencer Store celebrates 100th anniversary with day of activities • By Julie Rae A CENTURY ago, Marks and Spencer opened a penny bazaar – with free admission – in Tunbridge Wells town centre.

This Friday, staff, customers and former employees will enjoy a day of celebrations to mark the Calverley Road store’s 100th anniversary. The centenary festivities on March 20 will include a special presentation celebrating the role of the store.

The exhibition will take customers on a stroll down memory lane from the shop’s humble beginnings to an international retailer via everything in between.

The presentation comes courtesy of the exclusive M&S Company Archive exhibition.

Collette Marsh, manager of M&S Tunbridge Wells said: “So much has happened to M&S Tunbridge Wells over the past 100 years. We’ve grown in size and developed such a fantastic and loyal following of local customers. As one of the longest-standing retailers in the town, this is an important milestone for both the store and our customers. We are very excited to be welcoming customers to visit us and enjoy our special celebrations with us as we mark this historic occasion.”

The day-long free event is open to everyone and will also feature free wine and food tasting, free beauty treatments and children’s face-painting.

Marks & Spencer first opened its doors in Calverley Road in 1914, moving to its current larger premises in the same road as demand grew.

Staff in the town centre shop are “passionate about supporting the local community” and fundraise for a local charity every year. In 2015, workers are aiming to raise more than £1,000 for the League of Friends of Pembury Hospital, with bake sales and sponsored walks.

The permanent M&S Company Archive exhibition, of which Friday’s presentation is a part, at the University of Leeds’ Michael Marks Building, charts the evolution and development of the iconic British retailer from its roots in Kirkgate Market to the present. It walks visitors through the chain’s 131-year history, charting the company’s progress from the first buttons sold on Michael Marks’ penny bazaar stall to the international retailer we know today.

The exhibition offers an insight into products past and present and includes clothing, toys, books, homeware and food packaging.

9

BOOK OF THE DEAD TO GO ON SHOW AN ANCIENT Egyptian Book of the Dead is among more thousands of books due to go on display for the first time at Chiddingstone Castle next month.

The funerary text, which boasts spells designed to help the dead in the afterlife, is one of more than 5,000 which will be on show from April 1.

The collection, which has been cleaned and catalogued under the guidance of a conservator this winter, spans hundreds of years, from the 1600s to the 20th century. Owing to their delicate nature, the books in the library can only be viewed by appointment.

Visitors to the castle will also be able to see Denys Eyre Bower’s study complete with letters and his collections of Ancient Egyptian artefacts, Japanese swords and Stuart, Jacobite and Buddhist items. The gardens boast a grade II listed orangery, a rose garden and a new “fields of eternity” Egyptian garden.

For more information or to book a group tour, call the castle on 01892 870347 or visit www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk

Foiled again at fencing club AS IT WAS The penny bazaar in 1914

YOUNGSTERS and adults looking for an alternative sport to take up can join fencing sessions three times a week.

The Royal Tunbridge Wells Fencing Club, which has members aged between six and 83, is based at the Army Reserve Centre, St John’s Road, meeting on Monday and Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings, with sessions for different age groups.

All equipment is provided and all abilities are welcome at the club, which was established in 2008 by three-time Olympian Steve Paul.

For more information, visit www.rtwfencingclub.com

MORE MODERN The store in the 1960s

Anti-social splash driver

CHANGING TIMES The 1970s view

A MOTORIST who splashed pedestrians after he had let them cross the road has been ordered to attend a training course.

The Kent man stopped to let the walkers cross in front of him and then drove straight through a puddle, soaking them.

He is one of 10,000 drivers who has been caught since August 2013 under new powers aimed at reducing anti-social driving.

The legislation allows police to issue on-the-spot fines and add three points to a driver’s licence.

AS IT IS The store today

The Fenwick spring home event STARTS 9.00AM THURSDAY 19 MARCH 2015 a new season, a fresh start!

Whether you are setting up home for the first time or feel it’s time for a change.

The Fenwick Spring Home Event is the perfect opportunity to fill your home with beautiful accessories and SAVE up to 50%* at the same time.

Add character and personality to your home this spring Plus, whilst in store, enjoy up to 50% off* Luggage throughout the Home Event too!

Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2SR Telephone: 01892 516716 www.fenwick.co.uk

Save up to 50%* at the Spring Home Event 19 March-12 April 2015 Great for all the essential items you cannot afford to do without! *50% off on selected lines Wednesday 18th March 2015

10 � NATIONAL NEWS

PM urged to help ‘abused’ witnesses • By Alex Diaz THE Prime Minister is facing calls to guarantee that police and intelligence officers who give evidence over an alleged VIP paedophile ring in Westminster will not be prosecuted.

It emerged that Scotland Yard is being investigated over claims that it covered up child sex abuse because of the involvement of influential MPs and police officers.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is looking into 14 referrals with details of alleged corruption in the Metropolitan Police relating to child sex offences from the 1970s to the 2000s.

New claims were also made on the BBC’s Newsnight that officers who arrested Liberal MP Sir Cyril Smith (left) on suspicion of hosting sex parties with teenage boys were warned to keep quiet about the investigation or face prosecution under the Official Secrets Act. Tom Watson, the Labour MP who first spoke out in Parliament about a Westminster paedophile ring in October 2012, yesterday called on David Cameron to shield whistleblowers from that law.

Mr Watson said: “It is now clear that the Prime Minister must guarantee that former police and intelligence officers who wish to help the IPCC with their inquiries will have the threat of the Official Secrets Act lifted.

“With this new inquiry it is also clear that the duty of all former police officers, intelligence officers and civil servants who have knowledge of a cover-up to come forward.”

The call was backed by Simon Danczuk, the Labour MP for Rochdale, Smith’s old seat.

Mr Danczuk also called in November 2012 for an inquiry into a potential cover-up of his predecessor’s alleged abuse.

TOP GEAR ‘DOESN’T NEED CLARKSON’ BEN Collins, the racing driver who was The Stig on Top Gear for eight years, has said that the BBC show could thrive without Jeremy Clarkson.

The stuntman fell out with the broadcaster when it launched legal action – which it failed to win - over his decision to reveal his identity and publish his autobiography.

Collins told Radio Times magazine that the embattled presenter was not supportive of him in his own clash with the corporation.

And he said that the BBC2 show could continue to succeed without him. “Top Gear has achieved huge status and Jeremy has certainly been part of that because he’s got such a big personality... he’s an unstoppable force.

“But fans of the programme love it for lots of different reasons. Jeremy is certainly one of them, but not the only one,” Collins, who was The Stig until 2011, said. “The Bond franchise.... changes and moves forward. Top Gear will always continue.... It will carry on and continue to be successful because millions of people watch it.”

Collins said that it had become harder for the show “to reinvent itself”, as it was “possibly starting to strain under the weight of its own success”.

He said: “Things will evolve one way or the other. I don’t think it can be only anchored in one person.”

He added: “I was there for eight years but it came to a natural conclusion. I handed in my notice and had discussions with the BBC and

Wednesday 18th March 2015

they decided to go to court, which was a real shame and not what I wanted.

Was Jeremy supportive? No, he wasn’t.

We haven’t spoken since.

“But I get on really well now with the guy that hired me (executive producer and Clarkson’s close friend Andy Wilman) and I’m really delighted about that.”

Meanwhile, Perry McCarthy, who was The Stig from 2002 to 2003, said that Top Gear without Clarkson would take “the fire out of it” and “won’t work”.

“I think you’re going to have a diluted product. I don’t think it will have the value that it did, here and overseas”, he said. “And God help any soul who takes his place, because that’s like signing up for your own firing squad.

The only person who could take it on would be somebody who has nothing to lose.”

He told the Press Association: “There has to be a more formal response from Government which says that former police officers who cooperate, give evidence and share their knowledge of what went on with regard to this alleged cover-up should not be disciplined in any way, with regard to the Official Secrets Act or in any other way.

“They should be given the freedom to speak out.

That’s what the public will expect and that’s what Government have to ensure.”

Among the allegations being investigated by the IPCC is a claim that a Houses of Parliament document found at a child sex offender’s address linked a number of “highly prominent individuals” including MPs and senior police officers to a paedophile ring but no further action was taken.

Another allegation is that an abuse victim’s account was altered to omit a senior politician’s name, while it is also alleged that no further action was taken into claims of child sex abuse involving a former senior Met Police officer and “further members of the establishment including judges”.

An investigation into young men being targeted in Dolphin Square, an apartment complex near the Houses of Parliament popular with MPs, was also allegedly stopped because officers were “too near prominent people”.

Last July Theresa May, the Home Secretary, announced a major public panel inquiry into whether paedophiles were sheltered in Government, the NHS, police, the courts and the BBC. It has since been rocked by the resignations of two people selected to be its chair - Baroness ButlerSloss and Fiona Woolf - following accusations that they were too close to the Establishment to be independent.

The inquiry is currently being chaired by Justice Dame Lowell Goddard, a New Zealand High Court judge.

Kanye slot divides the Glastonbury regulars KANYE West’s headline slot at Glastonbury has angered some fans of the famous festival - who have launched a petition.

The rapper has been confirmed as one of this summer’s headline acts.

He follows in the footsteps of fellow hip-hop superstar Jay Z, whose Saturday night slot in 2008 caused huge controversy before it was deemed a big success.

Now a petition has been launched in an attempt to derail plans by organisers for the US star to perform.

“Kanye West is an insult to music fans all over the world. We spend hundreds of pounds to attend Glasto, and by doing so, expect a certain level of entertainment,” the change.org petition, which has so far attracted over 1,100 supporters, says.

“Let’s prevent this musical injustice now!”

Emily Eavis, daughter of the festival’s founder Michael, revealed on Twitter on Monday night that the rap superstar will top the Saturday bill at Glastonbury in June.

Headmaster ‘disputes escort claims’ A HEADTEACHER of a school in Hampshire is reportedly under investigation amid allegations he used his work email to arrange to meet an escort dressed in a schoolgirl uniform.

David Nicholson, principal of The Costello School in Basingstoke said he is “mortified” by the claims and disputes them, the Sun newspaper reported.

The paper said Mr Nicholson, who took up his role at the school last year, sent a message to an escort saying: “I love this” when she suggested dressing up like a schoolgirl, later adding that he was “looking forward to putting u over my knee” (sic).

The headmaster and Ofsted inspector, who describes himself as a husband and father on his Twitter

account, then cancelled the meeting with the escort and her colleague, the paper said. Carol Bode, head of the school’s governors, said she would be working with the board of governors to investigate and would take any action “deemed necessary”.

She added that Mr Nicholson, who the paper reported has not been suspended, is seeking legal advice.

He said: “I’m mortified by the allegations. I am disputing them. Until I know the full details of what is alleged I can’t comment further.”

Leigh Adams, head of school, said: “At the moment the school are following their own internal investigation procedures and until this has concluded will have no further comment.”

looking forward to putting u over my knee

Ski worker charged over boy’s death A SKI lift operator and his employer have been charged with involuntary manslaughter over the death of a British teenager after a school trip to the French Alps.

Kieran Brookes, 14, was strangled when the straps of his backpack became entangled as he tried to get off a ski lift in the Alpine resort of Chatel in February 2011.

Richard Cettour, 50, of Bonnevaux, France, who was supervising the lift at the

time of the tragedy, and operator SAEM Sports et Tourisme a Chatel, will face a criminal trial in October accused of a series of serious health and safety breaches.

Kieran’s parents, Nick and Cindy Brookes, have said they want to establish the sequence of events that led to his death so no other family will suffer a similar tragedy.

They hope the trial will provide answers to lingering questions surrounding their son’s death.

NATIONAL NEWS �

Kate’s ex-bodyguard sues police • Nina Massey A FEMALE police officer whose duties included guarding the Duchess of Cambridge is suing the Met for race discrimination and wrongful dismissal.

Ricky Haruna says she was sacked for gross misconduct from the country’s biggest police force last June after making claims of racism against an officer.

It is alleged that after she alleged that PS Laurence Boyle had racially harassed her, calling her the “n-word”, he convinced an elderly and impressionable dementia sufferer to make false claims of fraud against Ms Haruna.

This then led to her “malicious arrest”, her appearing before a misconduct panel and being dismissed, it is alleged at the preliminary hearing at the Central London Employment Tribunal.

Despite the Crown Prosecution Service saying the fraud allegation was untenable, Ms Haruna was disciplined and sacked for it, she claims.

The 39-year-old also said that although the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) was aware of the race allegations she had made, these were not put before the police misconduct board.

Lawrence Davies, representing Ms Haruna, said in his skeleton argument: “Prior to her dismissal, the claimant had complained of racism on several occasions. She also claimed that she was being harassed and victimised... The DPS were aware of that allegation. “However, the DPS failed to put this relevant evidence before the Police Misconduct Board.”

He added that Ms Haruna did not raise these claims herself because of “bad advice” from the Police Federation, the DPS had a “clear duty” to do so.

Mr Davies also drew attention to the employment tribunal of black police officer PC Carol Howard in which the Met admitted it had a written policy to ensure that no discrimination complaint was successful.

NEW GUIDELINES ON DANGEROUS DOGS COURTS are encouraged to use their powers to ban irresponsible people from keeping dogs and order compensation to be paid to attack victims, under new guidelines.

People who train dogs to be aggressive, use them as a weapon or to intimidate people, and whose animals go on to kill someone, could face the toughest penalties.

Under new proposals from the Sentencing Council, which are out for public consultation from today until June 9, people are being asked for their views on the factors that should be taken into account when punishing someone whose dog attacks and injures or kills a person.

At least 21 people, including 13 children, have died in England and Wales in the past ten years from dog attacks.

11

Rail staff to strike over worker

Woman denies bank fraud

WORKERS at Hull Trains are to stage a 24-hour strike in a dispute over the redundancy of a colleague.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union will walk out at noon on Sunday.

The union claims one of its members is being “forced out” of her job after challenging a senior manager for “verbally abusing” a worker.

RMT leader Mick Cash said: “We will not tolerate any member being removed from employment by underhand means.”

The union represents guards, catering staff and some drivers.

A WOMAN has pleaded not guilty to carrying out a fraud in which more than £100,000 was withdrawn from someone else’s bank account.

Stacy Banner, 40, spoke in hushed tones from the dock at Guildford Magistrates’ Court to confirm her name and address.

Banner, of Oldbury, West Midlands, is charged jointly with John Lowe with fraud by false representation.

Lowe, 84, appeared by video link, and did not enter a plea.

The pair are accused of withdrawing more than £100,000 from the bank account of Susanna Wilson, Lowe’s dying partner.

TORIES PLAN TRAVELLER EVICTION MOVE CHRIS Grayling has indicated that the Conservatives will seek to speed up evictions of illegal traveller encampments if they win the General Election.

The Justice Secretary said he had spoken to Communities Secretary Eric Pickles about the issue and stressed they both feel strongly about it and think it requires attention early in the next parliament.

The treatment you urgently need - delivered by specialist consultants A range of advanced procedures for private patients There’s no need to sit at home waiting for treatment a minute longer. You can receive a wide range of treatments, including hip and knee replacement, varicose vein treatment or cataract removal, as a private patient at benenden hospital.

For many procedures you will be treated as a day care patient, but if you do need an overnight stay, you will stay in a comfortable, well equipped single private room.

We offer specialist treatment and care Why Benenden? We’re well established as a centre of excellence for a range of procedures as we perform thousands of surgical treatments every year. Our safety record is second to none. Our facilities are modern and

comfortable. Our staff are friendly and welcoming.

And, however you choose to travel, we’re easy to find.

You’re in safe, expert hands for a variety of treatments including: • Orthopaedics – such as hip and knee replacement

• ENT Surgery

• Cataract removal

• Paediatrics

• Varicose vein removal • Hernia repair

• Gynaecology • Physiotherapy • Urology

As we’re not-for-profit, we can offer highly competitive rates too.

For more information or to book a consultation call 01580 242 521 (quote TTW) or visit us online at www.benendenhospital.org.uk The Benenden Hospital Trust is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England, number 3454120. Registered charity number 1065995. Registered office, The Benenden Hospital Trust, Goddard’s Green Road, Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4AX

Ask your GP to refer you

Wednesday 18th March 2015

12 � NEWS

Judges sacked for watching porn THREE Judges who allegedly viewed pornography on official IT equipment at work have been sacked and a fourth has resigned, the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) has said.

The body has announced that District Judge Timothy Bowles, Immigration Judge Warren Grant and Deputy District Judge and Recorder Peter Bullock have been removed from judicial office. Recorder Andrew Maw resigned before the disciplinary process ended.

The material did not involve children or any other illegal content, but viewing it at work was “wholly unacceptable”, the JCIO said in a statement.

A Judicial Conduct Investigations Office spokesman said: “Three judges – District Judge Timothy Bowles; Immigration Judge Warren Grant; and Deputy District Judge and Recorder Peter Bullock – have been removed from judicial office following an investigation into an allegation that they viewed pornographic material on judicial IT equipment in their offices.

“The Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice were satisfied that the material did not include images of children or any other illegal content, but concluded that this was an inexcusable misuse of their judicial IT accounts and wholly unacceptable conduct for a

judicial office-holder.

“A fourth judge, Recorder Andrew Maw, was also found to have viewed similar inappropriate material via his judicial IT account.

“The Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice would likewise have removed Recorder Maw had he not resigned before the conclusion of the disciplinary process.

“The judges were not linked in any way.”

The JCIO said Judge Maw worked at Lincoln County Court, District Judge Bowles at Romford County Court, Judge Bullock on the northeastern circuit and Judge Grant at the Immigration and Asylum Chamber, First Tier Immigration Tribunal, based at Taylor House

in London.

The JCIO said it would not reveal further details of its investigations into the judges’ conduct, nor how the allegations against the men came to light, stating this was also confidential.

One of the ex-judges said he had been suffering from “severe and undiagnosed depression” at the time of the allegation.

Mr Grant, who now works as an immigration law specialist at a firm of North London solicitors, issued a statement asking for privacy.

He said: “I do not wish to comment save to say that for some years before, and during, the period covered by the conduct which formed the subject of the complaint laid against me I was suffering from severe and undiagnosed depression.

“I request that the privacy of my family and myself be respected so that we are allowed to continue with our lives.”

According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Grant was educated at the Royal Newcastle Grammar School and Cambridge University, and has an interest in jazz.

Recorder Maw’s retirement, was announced on the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary website last year. It said he became a solicitor in 1973 and ten years later was appointed a deputy district judge. He was promoted to recorder in 2000.

Stars turn out to pay tribute at Lord Attenborough’s memorial service • London A MEMORIAL service took place in London yesterday for actor and Oscar-winning film director Richard Attenborough.

Film veteran Lord Attenborough, who dominated the British film business for more than half a century, died last August at the age of 90.

The service of thanksgiving in Westminster Abbey was attended by his brother, TV wildlife presenter Sir David Attenborough; Sir Ben Kingsley, the star of Gandhi - which Attenborough directed - and Dame Judi Dench.

A host of politicians, Hollywood stars and industry leaders reflected on the life and times of Lord Attenborough after his death last year.

Born in Cambridge in 1923, he championed the British film industry through its triumphs and trials, enjoying success as one of Britain’s leading actors before becoming a celebrated director and prolific movie-maker.

His career highlights included appearing in 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park and clinching eight Oscars for 1982 film Gandhi, including best film and best director.

As an actor he was respected enough for top directors Satyajit Ray and Steven Spielberg to lure him out of self-imposed retirement to appear respectively in The Chess Players and Jurassic Park.

Spielberg, who chose Lord Attenborough to be “the perfect ringmaster to bring the dinosaurs back to life’’ in the films, said he was just one person in a long line of “Dickie’s’’ fans.

Lord Attenborough married the actress Sheila Sim when he was 21. His son Michael was born in 1949, followed by two daughters,

TRIBUTE Michael Caine and his wife Shakira arrive at Westminster Abbey in London

Jane and Charlotte.

Tragedy struck on Boxing Day 2004 when his elder daughter Jane Holland, and her daughter Lucy and her mother-in-law, also named Jane, were killed in the south-Asian tsunami. Michael is a theatre director and former artistic director of the Almeida Theatre in Islington, north London, and Charlotte is an actress.

Lord Attenborough struck up a friendship with Diana, Princess of Wales, after the Prince of Wales asked him to help her write speeches.

First hedgehog safety area planned • Environment A PROJECT to create the UK’s first dedicated hedgehog conservation area in the West Midlands is being launched, as part of efforts to reverse declines in populations of the prickly creature.

A “hedgehog improvement area” is being established in Solihull, centred on a 90-hectare (220-acre) reserve for hedgehogs, which are under threat nationally from development and the loss of hedgerows and other habitat.

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s scheme, funded

by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, will also work with the local community to raise awareness of the animals’ plight and bring in hedgehog-friendly measures such as small holes in their fences.

Surveys of the hedgehog population will also be carried out, with residents trained and encouraged to conduct surveying in their own gardens using hedgehog footprint tunnels and remote cameras loaned by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.

The reserve will incorporate the Trust’s Elmdon Manor nature reserve and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council’s Elmdon Park.

SPORT

Advocaat eager to get going • FOOTBALL DICK Advocaat is looking forward to the challenge that awaits at Sunderland after agreeing a shortterm deal to become the embattled club’s head coach.

Last weekend’s embarrassing 4-0 home defeat to fellow strugglers Aston Villa proved the catalyst to Gus Poyet’s departure, with the northeast outfit bringing his 17-month reign to an end on Monday.

The Black Cats wasted little time in naming a replacement, with the vastly-experienced Advocaat announced as successor just 18 hours later.

The 67-year-old has been given the reins at the Stadium of Light for the remainder of the season

Wednesday 18th March 2015

and is charged with halting Sunderland’s slide as just one point separates them from the drop-zone with nine matches remaining.

“Sunderland is a big club and I am very much looking forward to the challenge ahead,” Advocaat said upon his appointment this week.

“We must now concentrate on Saturday as a priority and I can’t wait to get started.”

A trip to West Ham lies in wait for Advocaat as Sunderland look for a much-needed win which would be only their second in 13 top-flight matches.

Avoiding relegation will be a big ask but the Dutchman looks as well placed as any to do so, given he has more than 30 years’ management experience.

AURIER APOLOGISES FOR CHELSEA COMMENTS

EX-ENGLAND BOWLER APPLEYARD DIES

PARIS St Germain full-back Serge Aurier has apologised for his comments about referee Bjorn Kuipers after his side’s Champions League clash with Chelsea.

Aurier is the subject of UEFA disciplinary action after posting a video on Facebook in which he labelled the Dutch official a “dirty son of a b****” in response to the dismissal of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

He will learn his fate on Thursday and showed remorse for his outburst in a series of posts on his Twitter account.

“I beg the pardon of Mr Kuipers, his assistants and all match officials for my reaction after the match at Chelsea,” Aurier wrote.

“My team-mates and myself are working to reinforce the image of Paris and France in European football. This negative image is obviously not what we want to send out.”

FORMER Yorkshire and England bowler Bob Appleyard has died at the age of 90.

Appleyard played just nine Tests but took 31 wickets in them, at a remarkable average of 17.87, and is regarded by many as one of the world’s all-time greatest medium-pace bowlers.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club announced yesterday that Appleyard, who had been ill for several months, had died.

He did not begin his first-class career until he was 27 and then played for just eight years, between 1950 and 1958.

In that time though, he was prolific taking 708 wickets at 15.48.

Bradford-born Appleyard’s statistics are unmatched by his contemporaries, and stand comparison with the very best from any era.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS �

JAPAN

USA

Nintendo to develop phone games JAPANESE gaming firm Nintendo is linking up with a mobile firm company firm to develop games for mobile devices.

The announcement from Nintendo Co comes after years of scoffing at the threat from smartphones.

The tie with DeNa Co means that Nintendo’s trademark game characters such as Super Mario and Pokemon could finally feature on smartphones and tablets.

Such characters have been fiercely protected by Nintendo, appearing only on Nintendo platforms such as the Wii home console and 3DS mobile machines.

Both sides said they will build a membership service for global consumers for various devices.

They said the mobile games will not be mere adaptations of the games already out for the Nintendo machines but developed especially for the smartphone experience.

13

JOE COCKER’S RANCH UP FOR SALE

Durst may face murder death penalty LOS ANGELES prosecutors have filed a murder charge against real estate heir Robert Durst that could carry the death penalty.

Prosecutors said Durst was charged with first-degree murder in the killing of his friend, Susan Berman.

Durst was arrested in New Orleans over the weekend on a murder warrant and waived extradition to return to Los Angeles to face the charges.

Ms Berman had acted as Durst’s spokeswoman after his wife disappeared in 1982. She was shot in the back of the head in her Los Angeles home in December 2000 just before New York authorities planned to interview her about Kathleen Durst’s disappearance.

Prosecutors say Durst would be eligible for execution under special circumstances alleging murder of a witness and lying in wait with use of a gun.

THE US home of the late Joe Cocker is on the market for £4.7 million.

The nearly 16,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion in the small town of Crawford, Colorado, was on the market fully furnished for 7.9 million US dollars (now £5.3 million) last year, before the British singer’s death. The mansion was taken off the market and then relisted at the end of February for 7 million dollars (£4.7 million).

It has eight bedrooms and nine bathrooms and sits on 243 acres. The property includes an acre-sized swimming hole and two greenhouses where Cocker used to grow tomatoes.

Aid workers report widespread ‘devastation’ on island • VANUATU RELIEF workers saw a flattened landscape and widespread destruction in Vanuatu’s outer islands yesterday after struggling for days to reach the areas of the South Pacific nation hardest hit by a fierce cyclone.

Radio and telephone communications with the outer islands were just beginning to be restored, but remained incredibly patchy three days after Cyclone Pam hit.

Australian military planes that conducted aerial assessments found significant damage, particularly on Tanna Island, where it appears that more than 80% of homes and other buildings were partially or completely destroyed, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said.

“We understand that the reconnaissance imagery shows widespread devastation,”

Ms Bishop said. “Not only buildings flattened – palm plantations, trees. It’s quite a devastating sight.”

Teams of aid workers and government officials carrying medical and sanitation supplies, water, food and shelter equipment managed to land on Tanna and neighbouring Erromango Island, said Colin Collett van Rooyen, Vanuatu director for aid group Oxfam. The two islands were directly in the path of the storm, which packed winds of 270 kilometres (168 miles) per hour when it hit on Saturday.

The destruction on Tanna was significantly worse than in the nation’s capital of Port Vila, where Pam destroyed or damaged 90% of the buildings, said Tom Perry, spokesman for CARE Australia.

“The airport was badly damaged, the hospital was badly damaged but still functioning ... there’s one doctor there at the

moment,” he said. “It’s obviously a pretty trying situation.”

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that 11 people were confirmed dead, including five on Tanna, lowering their earlier report of 24 casualties after realising some of the victims had been counted more than once. Officials with the National Disaster Management Office said they had no accurate figures on how many were dead, and aid agencies reported varying numbers.

The confusion over how many died in the storm reflects the difficulty officials face as they try to deal with a disaster spread across many remote islands amid a near-total communications blackout.

“Vanuatu is a challenging place at the best of times, in the sense of getting around and logistics,” Mr Perry said. “So a situation like this is pretty testing.”

Burma jails two men for ‘insult’ to Buddha Berwick Devoil Healthcare, based at Lamberhurst Vineyard has launched a new and dedicated International Health Insurance arm and brand BD Global Medical, www.bdglobalmedical.com A newly focused employee benefits team has been created to further develop Berwick Devoil Healthcare’s strong reputation in the International markets.

BD Global Medical is an Insurance Broker specialising in worldwide Health Insurance, Group Income Protection and Critical Illness as well as Group Life. Its expertise is not limited to private and company clients but extends to specific industries including Aviation, Marine, Oil & Gas.

Caroline Weiss-Jones, Director “We will tailor solutions for high net worth private clients and companies with specific on shore & off shore International Health & Risk Insurance requirements. Working with leading insurance providers from around the world allows BD Global Medical to provide the best available and the most comprehensive range of products and services.”

BD Global Medical has a London base in the City’s Devonshire Square but will work hand-in-hand with BDHL’s Kent base for its administration.

Contact our Kent office +44 (0) 1892 891900 for further information

• BURMA A BURMA court has jailed a New Zealand bar manager and his business associates for insulting Buddhism over a flyer that showed a psychedelic depiction of Buddha wearing headphones.

Philip Blackwood, 32, Tun Thurein and Htut Ko Ko Lwin were given two years of hard labour for insulting religion and six months for disobeying an order from a public servant.

The trial of V Gastro manager Blackwood, bar owner Thurein and employee Lwin came as the predominantly Buddhist nation grapples with a surge of religious nationalism - including violence

against members of the minority Muslim community.

The three were arrested in December after the image was used to promote a tapas bar and lounge, and have been detained in Burma’s notorious Insein prison. The online ad was removed and an apology was posted.

After the sentencing, Blackwood told reporters as he was getting into a police van that he would appeal.

About half a dozen monks and hardline Buddhists gathered outside the Yangon court to hear the verdict.

About 90% of Burma’s people are Buddhist. Perceived insults to the religion are taken seriously, especially in the context of the religious-based violence in the past few years pitting Buddhists against Muslims.

BD Global Medical is a trading name of Berwick Devoil Healthcare Limited who are authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to arrange general noninvestment insurance products. Our registration number is 304127. You can check this on the FCA register by visiting the FCA’s website www.FCA.gov.uk/register or by contacting the FCA on 0845 606 1234. Berwick Devoil Healthcare Limited is also regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) registration number: GIMB0012

Wednesday 18th March 2015

14 � BUSINESS NEWS

‘Immoral’ tax dodging condemned • By James Rothwell CAMPAIGNERS dressed as George Osborne, Ed Balls and Danny Alexander have staged an anti tax-dodging protest outside Parliament.

Members of Oxfam’s tax-dodging campaign posed in rubber masks and with red budget boxes inside a glass dome blowing fake bank notes everywhere.

The stunt represented the amount of money the Treasury lost each year due to tax dodging, they said.

The protest called on the main political parties to pledge a new bill to stop large companies exploiting tax loopholes.

A spokesman for Oxfam said the practice was “immoral”.

Nick Bryer, head of campaigns for Oxfam, said: “Corporate tax dodging is on the increase and 85 per cent of the UK have accepted that even if it’s legal, it’s immoral and it is not fair. Everyone should pay their fair share.

“We believe a tax-dodging bill would save the Treasury £3.6 billion, and that poorer countries could save billions as well.

“Any sensible person who looks at the tax laws will say they are overcomplicated and need more transparency. They can see it’s of no benefit to society and should be illegal.

“This is about transparency and it’s not just about the UK, it’s about poorer countries too.”

SAINSBURY’S SALES SLIDE AS CONDITIONS REMAIN TIGHT • By Graeme Evans SAINSBURY’S has reported a fifth successive quarter of falling sales and said it expects conditions to remain challenging for the “foreseeable future”.

The UK’s third biggest grocery chain, which has 597 supermarkets and 707 convenience stores, posted a 1.9 per cent decline in like-for-like sales for the ten weeks to March 14, compared with a fall of 1.7 per cent in the previous quarter.

The company is about to report the first drop in annual profits in a decade and chief executive Mike Coupe warned today there were no immediate signs of a let-up in the price squeeze facing the sector.

He said: “Food deflation is likely to

£67M FUND TO FIND MORE BRITISH PARTS USED IN DEMENTIA CURE UK-BUILT CARS

• By Jennifer Cockerell

MORE than 100 million US dollars (£67.5 million) is being invested in a pioneering global Dementia Discovery Fund to discover a cure for the disease.

Pharmaceutical giants including GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Lilly and Pfizer have all committed in principle to investing in the project, along with Alzheimer’s Research UK, while the amount includes £15 million previously pledged by the Government.

Despite being one of the world’s biggest health and care challenges, only three dementia drugs have come to market in the past 15 years.

Dementia affects more than 47 million people worldwide at a cost to the global economy of more than 604 billion dollars (£408 billion) each year.

Speaking at the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) first conference on dementia, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is expected to say: “Dementia is a global threat and we have taken enormous steps in putting this condition firmly on the international health agenda.

“But there is still much more we need to do to give people with dementia hope for the future.

“That’s why I am delighted to announce today that we have secured commitments from major partners to develop a new global fund to make sure that innovative research turns into the development and manufacture of new drugs.

“This is another significant step forward in our fight against this condition.”

Wednesday 18th March 2015

• By Peter Woodman THE British content of cars made in the UK is growing. Domestic carparts makers sold 19 per cent more products to UK-based producers last year than in 2013, according to figures from Government/industry body the Automotive Council.

But the “Britishness” of cars manufactured in the UK is still far less than it was about 40 years ago.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said that about one third of the components in a UK-built car are domestically sourced, compared to more than 90 per cent in the mid-1970s.

But opportunities are there, as British car production has increased by more than 50 per cent since 2009.

The Automotive Council figures will be presented at an SMMT event in Leicester tomorrow.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes will tell senior industry executives at the event: “A strong domestic supply chain is critical to the success of the UK automotive sector.”

TRINITY MIRROR SETS SIGHTS ON EXPRESS • By Graeme Evans

persist for the rest of this calendar year, and competitive pressures on price will continue.”

Mr Coupe pointed out that sales volumes were growing across its food business and there had been an average uplift of more than 3 per cent on the 1,100 products where the retailer has made price reductions.

Shares opened 2 per cent higher today as the latest sales figures were in line with City expectations.

Britain’s big four grocers - Tesco, Morrisons and US-owned Asda are the other three - are engaged in fierce competition as they scramble for market share, which is being gnawed away by discounters Aldi and Lidl.

Sainsbury’s will report full-year profits in May for the first time under Mr Coupe since he succeeded Justin King, who stepped down last year following a successful decade in charge of the supermarket.

They are expected to show their first fall after nine years of growth, with City analysts expecting a 17 per cent decline to £659 million.

NEWSPAPER publisher Trinity Mirror today confirmed it is weighing up a possible deal to buy assets from the owner of the Daily Express.

The disclosure follows speculation that the company has opened talks with Richard Desmond’s Northern & Shell media empire about buying the Express.

Trinity Mirror said in a statement to the London stock market: “The board of Trinity Mirror notes the recent media speculation and confirms that it is at an early stage of evaluating certain of Northern & Shell’s assets.

“There is no certainty that any agreement will be reached in respect of the range of outcomes currently under consideration. A further announcement will be made if and when appropriate.”

Northern & Shell acquired the Daily Express in 2000 in a deal with United News & Media that also included the Sunday Express and the Daily Star.

The business also owns the celebrity magazine OK! and the Health Lottery, having sold Channel 5 to MTV owner Viacom in a deal worth about £450 million last year.

The Times newspaper said today that dialogue between Trinity Mirror and Express Newspapers was at an “informationsharing” stage. It also quoted another source as saying Mr Desmond could bank as much as £100 million if the sale goes ahead.

It is not known if the Daily Star would be part of any deal with Trinity Mirror, whose titles also include the Sunday Mirror, Sunday People, the Daily Record and the Sunday Mail.

Any deal for the Express would have to consider a pensions deficit of £85 million as well as potential competition issues, the Times reported.

Warning over spam texts with new pension freedom • By Vicky Shaw PEOPLE could find themselves being bombarded with a fresh wave of spam texts and calls about the new pension freedoms - just as they have received nuisance messages in the past about payment protection insurance, the privacy watchdog has warned.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) fears that the new retirement flexibilities, which will start on April 6 and give people aged 55 and over more freedom over how they access their pension pots, could prompt a spate of “snake oil salesmen” seeking to get their hands on people’s cash.

It warned that unsolicited messages about the reforms could be the “next PPI”, with people finding themselves receiving spam urging them to take part in pension schemes.

The ICO said it has warned a Swansea-based financial services call centre, called Help Direct UK, to stop sending spam texts asking people if they want a review of their pension.

An enforcement notice has been issued after 659 complaints were made. The ICO discovered that nearly 188,000 texts were sent by the company over nine months covering subjects such as PPI, payday loans, pension reviews and debt management.

People said they had received the unsolicited marketing text: “As you have over 10k in your pension, your pension has lost £3219.43 over the last few years, to get back & find out your payout reply REVIEW.” It is a breach of the privacy and electronic communications regulations to send text messages to people for marketing purposes without their prior consent. The ICO said that anyone who receives an unsolicited message should avoid replying and report it to the ICO. Spam texts can also be reported to the network operator by sending them free of charge to 7726. The ICO said the networks are working to block the worst offenders.

Andy Curry, enforcement group manager at the ICO, said: “This enforcement notice should send out a strong message to all companies who use unsolicited marketing text messages to stop and think about what they are doing.”

The Government’s reforms mean that instead of being forced to buy a retirement annuity with their pot, older people will be able to take money out in one go or in a series of slices.

People using the new freedoms will be charged their marginal rate of income tax.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has already said it is alert to the possibility of scams as the first tranche of pension savers look to take up the freedoms.

DOVER CALAIS ÂŁ45 to

Car and 7 passengers

*

myferrylink.com

Ferret out a great deal!

The only

D O V E R

T O

C A L A I S

CALL US ON 0844 2482 100 Terms and conditions apply. *Each way, price subject to availability. Price includes a ÂŁ5 fuel supplement.

F E R R Y

recommended by ferrets Wednesday 18th March 2015

16 � BUSINESS NEWS

Town can compete with Bluewater Steve Hemsley met RVP centre manager Nicky Blanchard to find out what makes the place tick WHEN former interior designer Nicky Blanchard took over as manager of Royal Victoria Place, she was determined to smarten up the jewel in Tunbridge Wells’ retail crown.

The 46-year old replaced Laurie Barton Wright in May 2014 and one of her first actions was to install more colourful signage and indoor plants and repaint many areas in more vibrant colours. The result is a 316,600 sq ft shopping centre which is noticeably brighter, airier and cleaner.

Behind the scenes, her office is drab by comparison. It is hidden from public gaze at the end of a maze of nondescript corridors on the eighth floor in what is flatteringly described as the management “suite”. The corporate dreariness is interrupted only by pink blinds on the window.

But Mrs Blanchard spends as little time as possible behind her desk. She prefers to tour the centre, visiting the nearly 100 retail tenants and talking to shoppers.

On most days, she arrives before 9am for a staff “huddle”, at which any issues or concerns from the previous day are discussed.

Her tours of RVP certainly keep her fit, as does her passion for running. She completed the London Marathon a few years ago and has not ruled out a second attempt.

Naturally, Mrs Blanchard loves shopping, but there is more to one of the town’s most influential businesswomen than a passion for retail. With her professional manner and well-groomed exterior, she oozes confidence fuelled by a successful career.

She made her name in facilities management at Howard of Effingham School in Surrey and at two shopping centres in Slough. When she became manager at St George’s Shopping Centre in Gravesend, she increased income by 300 per cent in her first year. She went on to manage a retail centre in Victoria,

MOVING FORWARD Royal Victoria Place manager Nicky Blanchard

London, moving to Tunbridge Wells on the hunt for a better work/life balance and good schools for her daughter.

Today she lives in the village of Mark Cross but during the day is responsible for a shopping centre which is the jewel in Tunbridge Wells’ retail crown and attracts about 10.6m shoppers every year.

RVP is owned by Hermes Real Estate, which took control from Westfield in 2012.

It is managed by commercial property adviser CBRE and Mrs Blanchard is in charge of about 50 staff, from security personnel to cleaners. RVP as a whole employs some 2,500 people.

The centre is popular with big retail brands because 35 per cent of potential shoppers in its catchment area fall into the social demographic classification

AB. This means they are middle class and in higher managerial, administrative or professional roles with money to spend.

Last year, sales at RVP were up in ten of the 12 months (apart from August and September) and in the eight weeks around Christmas, 2.2m people visited.

“I don’t like to see queues but then again I do, because it means we are being successful,” Mrs Blanchard said.

Many of the logjams occurred in the car park which has 1,750 spaces controlled

by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Mrs Blanchard wants post-payment – people paying at the end of their stay – introduced as soon as possible. Five machines are currently being trialled elsewhere in the town.

She commissioned extensive research in November to discover more about RVP’s

visitors, including where they come from, how they travel to the centre and what media they consume. The results are currently being collated and the findings will mould future marketing and strategy.

“You have to listen to your customers to understand them,” Mrs Blanchard said.

“We’re introducing more click and collect, for instance, because people want it and for us it is a way to get people into the centre even if they’ve started to shop more online.”

Other initiatives already introduced following customer feedback include PlayWorld, a free facility for parents of young children. There are now plans for a lounge area for those who want a break from shopping and Mrs Blanchard says that as the RVP is not part of a large shopping centre group, it can be

French lessons are paying off A WOMAN whose pre-school French language clubs for parents and their young children only started this year is expanding her business at a rapid rate.

Mandie Davis, who owns Les Puces and lives in Tunbridge Wells, held her first classes in January and already has nine teachers taking 14 sessions across Kent and Sussex, having added more teachers during February half-term.

She has also self-published bilingual stories and developed a series of audio books to help parents and children learn together.

“Parents and carers in Tunbridge Wells are open to new ideas and willing to spend time with their children,” she said. “The ethos of Les Puces is a very traditional and gentle way of learning through song, stories and games.

“The adult learns with the child which gives an interesting viewpoint for the child. They understand the adult doesn’t know everything and there are things that can be done in partnership even from a young age.”

All Les Puces teachers are native French speakers or people who have studied the language to a high standard and have a passion for France. They work on a freelance basis, with classes currently running in Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Tonbridge, Folkestone, Tenterden, Cranbrook, Worthing and Brighton.

Mrs Davis plans to start classes in other towns over the next few months, including Canterbury, Ashford and Sevenoaks as well as Chicester, as she moves the business further into Sussex, and hopes to launch her business in France to teach French children English.

Wednesday 18th March 2015

more individual in its approach.

Mrs Blanchard has also tried to ensure the mix of retailers within RVP appeals to the widest number of shoppers. New arrivals include Smiggle, The Body Shop, Oliver Bonas and Jessops.

Mrs Blanchard also wants to be an integral part of the Tunbridge Wells retail community.

She chaired a steering group at Christmas which raised about £6,000 from a variety of organisations including Hooper’s, Fenwick, The Pantiles traders, TWBC and Markerstudy as well as RVP itself. The group negotiated benefits for traders and residents, including free parking for late-night shopping dates.

She said: “I’d like to see the steering group become a year-round initiative, although it was a lot of work for the RVP staff involved.”

Mrs Blanchard is also keen on any ideas that can join up the different ends of the town. She believes the development of the old cinema site will be crucial to this, although she does not think having a supermarket there is the answer.

“We have to do more to link the different parts of the town,” she says. “There are strengths and weaknesses throughout Tunbridge Wells. The Pantiles is great for food and beverages, the High Street for boutique shops and RVP for the big brands. As a whole, Tunbridge Wells has everything and can compete with Bluewater - but we have to work together.”

HANDELSBANKEN On March 4 we published a report on the Swedish bank Handelsbanken which said 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.

THREE APPLY FOR KENT HEALTHY BUSINESS AWARD TO BOOST WELLBEING  AXA PPP, Royal Victoria Place and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council are the first three town organisations to apply for a Kent Healthy Business Award.

The awards, commissioned from Kent County Council Public Health and designed to boost employee wellbeing, reduce staff sickness and boost productivity.

Companies assess themselves against nine standards including attendance management, mental health and wellbeing, smoking, healthy eating and physical activity.

A panel of external judges decides whether they have met the required standard.

EVENING ROUND TABLE SEMINAR EXPLORES ‘THE FINANCIALS’  THE second in a series of evening seminars for small business owners takes place at the offices of law firm Cripps in Mount Ephraim Road on Wednesdady, March 25.

The evening – called “What About… The Financials” – is supported by Cripps and accountants BSR Bespoke.

It will cover budgeting and forecasting, management accounts, VAT schemes, credit control and business finance. The What About series of round-table events is being organised by Tunbridge Wells-based coaching and learning business, About Talent Group.

Managing director Belinda Raitt comperes the events and says the roundtable format means people benefit from sharing their experiences.

Tickets cost £20 and the evening starts at 6pm.

BUSINESS NEWS �

Chamber launches new group to give business a greater voice

NEWLY APPOINTED DIRECTOR: Andrew Metcalf THE Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce is setting up a group to give businesses in and around Tunbridge Wells a greater voice in helping influence economic development and success in west Kent.

Invicta, the county’s only chamber officially accredited by the British Chambers of Commerce, has successfully established a series of economic development groups. It is now in the process of setting one up to “champion the cause of business growth” for west Kent companies As a newly appointed director of the chamber, Andrew Metcalf of Maxim, the Tunbridge Wells-based PR and marketing communications agency,

has been tasked with establishing and running this representational group.

With more than 1,300 members, Kent Invicta sees its job as ensuring that business not only has a voice at a local level, but also at a county and national level.

The chamber has played an active role within the West Kent Partnership and views the local economic development group as the next stage in providing support at town level in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks.

Invicta’s chief executive Jo James said: “For businesses to continue to grow and create wealth, they need to have an environment that is conducive to business growth and enterprise.

The role of the new group will be to proactively work alongside the public sector and other key stakeholders to ensure that the voice of business is taken into account in all key decisionmaking that impacts on the business community.”

Mr Metcalf added: “West Kent is a significant, but arguably often overlooked part of the county’s economy when it comes to securing government investment.

“By mobilising the business community to help shape plans for the area’s growth, we can hopefully secure support to help local firms attract and retain skilled employees, improve transport infrastructure and provide more business support.”

The Chamber currently has a network of economic development groups across Kent and Medway, each made up of a cross-section of the local business community. Through this network, the Chamber achieves countywide input directly into the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership, the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, and the British Chambers of Commerce.

“Having the right environment to grow a business is a key element to success although the Chamber recognises that for many companies they need other support and assistance,” Mrs James explained. “Through the work of the Chamber’s membership department, businesses can access a range of products and services designed to increase business turnover and reducing overheads, as well as networking events.

“The International Department provide a comprehensive range of export documentation service along with international trade advice, support and training. The business support department offers a range of free and paid-for packages to start-up and existing businesses.”

Working with the West Kent Partnership, the Chamber provides a free one to one business advisory session for any Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks based business.

17

THE NUMBER OF MEN USING COSMETIC CLINIC HAS DOUBLED STRONG demand from local people to look good in order to boost their personal and professional lives has led to the expansion of the No6 medical cosmetic clinic in St John’s.

Managing director and aesthetic nurse practitioner Samantha Clarke set up the clinic eight years ago and she has now opened The No6 Shop across the road from the Clayfield Mews centre.

The number of men using its services has doubled in the last two years, since permanent hair removal treatments were introduced, and they now account for ten per cent of customers. There has also been an increase in clients aged under 30.

“This is not about people having an obsession with youth but about looking the best you can for your age so you are successful in life,” said Mrs Clarke.

The clinic provides advanced facial treatments and aesthetic injectables to treat wrinkles, antiaging treatments, permanent hair removal and care for skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. The most popular treatment is the 45-minute “power facial”, which Mrs Clarke says is very popular with busy professionals.

She added: “Since I opened the business I have tried to bridge the gap between beauty and medicine when maintaining the skin and I now employ five permanent and five freelance members of staff.

We have invested in rejuvenation machines worth about £100,000.”

This year Mrs Clarke wants to introduce more skin and makeup events and launch bespoke packages for the bridal and school prom markets.

www.kentinvictachamber.co.uk

CHAMPIONING GROWTH: Jo James

A reason to drive off into the sunset?

Promising cuts in petrol prices, pension incentives and tax breaks?

Will today’s budget give cause to change direction or map out a more tax-efficient strategy?

BSR Bespoke is a people business first and foremost. Contact us to arrange a free initial consultation.

Ensuring your compliance •Archive storage • Confidential shredding • Data protection planning consultancy • Cloud based document management • Computer/hard media destruction

01892 514514

Linden House, Linden Close, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8HH

www.bsrb.co.uk

BSR BESPOKE C H A R T E R E D

A C C O U N T A N T S

For more information on our services please contact Information Protection Solutions Ltd, Unit 4 The Fruitshow, Pattenden Lane, Marden, Kent TN12 9QL Tel: 01892 771 464 www.information-protection-solutions.co.uk info@information-protection-solutions.co.uk

Wednesday 18th March 2015

18 � LETTERS twitter.com/timesoftw

And another thing…

The Times of Tunbridge Wells always wants to hear your feedback, whether on reports we have printed or any other issues you think we should know about. Write to or email us using the contact details on page 2, or search for us on Facebook and Twitter.

Kent Test – writing off ten-year-old pupils?

Make site a garden

THOUSANDS of ten or 11-year-olds were told recently whether they had failed or passed the gruelling 11+, an outcome of two days’ toil but this will inevitably shape their lives. What a burden. What I would like to challenge is the justice of this system and could two days really conclude what is to come? How is it moral to write off someone at ten based on three exams over two days?

The difference between grammar and non-grammar education can be stark. Then there is the controversial issue of tutoring, an arduous process I have personally experienced. Many think of this as a way to buy yourself into a grammar school, purchase a success, however it demonstrates that the student can be educated with pleasing results, which is what schools are hunting for. A work ethic, in my opinion, is a key portion of triumph.

Regardless of whether you have sessions and papers to assist you, a grammar school position can still be obtained.

A close friend of mine had no tutor, a few practice sheets to study and yet she is presently a “twiglet” (pupil at Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School). However, ultimately, tutoring is only available to the more fortunate.

It presents you with a significant advantage over peers and equality can only be restored if all or none have it.

Much like drug consumption in cycling.

One question I often ponder, in relevance to grammar schools, is how justified is the requirement to pass each individual paper – verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and maths. Could the next Shakespeare pass the maths paper? An aspiring Brian Cox the verbal reasoning? One example, yet another friend, had a broken arm and hence a significant disadvantage, although was denied a computer. The upcoming Alan Sugar, maybe, but he did not pass.

The principles of grammar schools are fine and I do agree with them, I even go to one. Nonetheless, I do not agree with the method of getting into one. The system continues because some of the fish can climb the tree, somehow.

Hannah Naismith, 13, Year 9, TWGGS

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY welcome the suggestion that the site of the former ABC cinema be turned into a green space that locals and visitors could use (Garden dream for eyesore cinema site, March 11).

The hoardings are as bad an eyesore as the cinema was when it was falling down and it is such a waste of what could be something so good for Tunbridge Wells.

I say, get the monstrosities down, dig up all the rubble and lay some lovely green grass. It would be particularly pretty if the council were to plant some blossoming trees, which would make the area look beautiful in the spring, and put in a few benches to encourage passersby to stop and take in our wonderful town. If they started now, something at least could be ready in time for summer.

And once the “park” is ready, it could be used for farmers’ markets possibly or maybe family fun days - anything that requires a smallish outdoor space. It could also be used by workers in the area as a place to sit and relax in their lunch hour.

A great idea from Councillor Horwood.

His colleagues at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council would do well to listen to him.

Eve Samuel Via email

Activity centre plan I THINK a large activity venue would be ideal for this town. There could be a soft play area for the younger kids, and an adventure area for the older kids and adults with a cafe and a bar in separate areas. During school term time, the facilities could be open to all ages and people with mental health issues or disabilities, for example autism etc as there are no facilities for any of these groups around here. Just an idea :)

The site would make a fantastic film studio. It would bring a wealth of good interest to Tunbridge Wells.

There’s a massive media presence already in Tunbridge Wells, ranging from cameramen to VFX Artists, VFX supervisors, sound artists, writers, directors and producers.

To have a film studio so close to such beautiful locations would be a powerful entity and surely attract new business to Tunbridge Wells. Our very own little Ealing Studios.

off ’ parking permits, March 11).

Parking in town centres is one of the great all-time problems which no one ever seems to bring to others’ attention.

If you are not lucky enough to be allocated a parking space at work (and many who work in Tunbridge Wells aren’t that lucky), the options are either spending up to 20 minutes circling the streets like a vulture every morning waiting to pounce on a space and then walking another 20 minutes to the office, or paying through the nose for a rip-off permit which isn’t fit for purpose.

Motorists are already hit hard enough by the cost of petrol, tax and insurance (especially younger drivers) that adding an extra £850 per year makes a huge difference, especially as it doesn’t even guarantee you a space and involves paying for two days you aren’t going to use!

This is one of those “how on earth could the council possibly think that’s a good idea?” situations, ie no common sense has been used at all.

Or maybe it has, because of course, those paying for seven days and using their permits on five conveniently leave spaces free on weekends, allowing the council to take even more money from Saturday and Sunday parkers, so they’re quids in and we’re quids out.

It’s time this ridiculous situation came to an end and five-day permits, as well as flexible options for part-time workers, were sold at a reasonable price.

Marcus Millichope Via email

Ukip response I AM writing in response to your article about Ukip in Tunbridge Wells (Meet the candidates, March 4) as I would like them to increase their vote at the 2015 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council elections.

Julian Branson

Keeping an eye on councillors HOW REFRESHING to read in your newspaper last week an investigation into how a council takes decisions and in your case, how East Sussex County Council took the decision to support a second runway at Gatwick. To most people, what happens behind closed doors at a town hall is a mystery. The idea you exposed in that one man could take it upon himself to decide such a big issue is outrageous.

Can we look forward to your newspaper investigating a few more local councils?

The mere thought of having a journalist looking over their shoulders might help some councillors better remember that they are elected to look after the interests of their community.

Crystal Jones Via email

Workwear ban THE OPENING of the Wetherspoon pub Crowborough Cross has caused a few funny incidents. The pub has what they call ‘bouncers’ who walk round the bars keeping an eye on drinkers. At 8pm, people who are wearing workplace clothes are often asked to leave. When this happened when we were there one of the workmen pointed over to some businessmen in their suits and asked if they were also being asked to get out as they were in work clothes. The bouncers were a bit lost for words. Clever think!

Jonathon Walters Via email

Ann-Marie Taylor Via email

Parking permits

Keep a cinema on old site IN MY opinion, the old cinema should stay within the world of the big screen.

I AM so pleased someone has finally spoken up about the ridiculous parking permit situation (Call for change to ‘rip-

Peter Reckless Via email

CONTACT US EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615

DEPUTY EDITOR ELEANOR JONES eleanor@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 576037

GENERAL INQUIRIES newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU facebook.com/timesoftunbridgewells timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk twitter.com/timesoftw

Matt Stabeler @mattstabeler Pleasantly surprised at the quality of the @timesoftw local paper - it’s not just ads! :) Dan Fahy @DanielJoeFahy @timesoftw papers are flying out in Southborough outside our office at LeGrys! #popular #TunbridgeWells #times new release Wednesday!

Pembury School - PSA @ PemburyPSA Great feature on our Read-AThon in today’s edition of @ timesoftw #makingheadlines Thank you!

La Roche @LaRocheTW @timesoftw Any way we can get extra copies of your wonderful paper. Cannot stop people pulling it from each other to read...Had to stop someone sneaking it away in their jacket!

Steve Wolfe @steveksn Great to see the 2nd edition of @timesoftw is out today. Pick up a copy & follow them if you live in #TunbridgeWells Royal Victoria Place @Royal_ Shopper We’ve just picked up our copy of today’s @timesoftw...

Have you got your copy yet?

Available FREE @Royal_ Shopper Victor Bethell @VictorBethell @timesoftw Really great edition of the Times of Tunbridge Wells today! Very impressed.

No6 Clinic & Shop @no6clinic Thank you to @timesoftw for coming and taking photos of us at The No.6 Shop today! Sitting down with this week’s edition now, fab read!

Ladies Who Launch... @ LadeezWhoLaunch @ timesoftw Top notch, great stories, fab design. Huge congrats to all :-) Amy Lucioni @mimimacaroni @FugglesBeerCafe @ GreigAlex I’ve just picked up @ timesoftw...SO EXCITING!

facebook.com/ timesoftunbridgewells Lindsey Hebborn Managed to get a copy of this one, now must find the time to read it!

Ross Marketing Ltd Great new local paper, 2nd edition out today. Clients of mine are already getting interested in advertising and writing editorial for this exciting new venture.

Taylor-Made Dreams Good luck TWT, we look forward to reading you!

Wednesday 18th March 2015

LOCAL NEWS �

19

MOTHER’S DAY FUN AT BUNNY RUN FUN: Mums, grandparents and children worked together

.

SATURDAY IS POSITIVELY

THE LAST DAY!

GETTING CRAFTY: Children enjoyed getting creative

It was about giving ideas for things children and parents can do which aren’t computer-based

BUY… THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY 9.00AM-5.30PM

NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSED! on all items marked with a green dot

• By Eleanor Jones MUMS, grandmothers and children enjoyed cooking and crafts in time for Mother’s Day at Bunny Run Childcare in Eridge Green.

The nursery welcomed 22 parents and grandparents last Friday, to make couscous, strawberry custard tarts and jewellery.

Manager Tracey Sturtivant said the day was a great success.

She added: “We’ve had some great comments from parents.

“It was about giving ideas for things children and parents can do which aren’t computer-based.

You get two and three-year-olds who have iPads but don’t necessarily know about playing and sharing with others – this was a really good way of doing that.

“One comment said the mum had had an amazing morning and she’d got some really good ideas to take home. It was all really good fun.”

BEDDING AND INTERIORS

44 High Street • Tunbridge Wells • Kent TN1 1XF Tel 01892 535555 • www.wellsinteriors.co.uk

THE GREAT £428,000 STOCK SELL-OUT! SELLING OUT ENTIRE & COMPLETE STOCK! DON’T MISS OUR GREATEST SALE EVER!

RELYON

SELECTED DISPLAY BEDS

OVER 70% OFF R.R.P. STRESSLESS PARADISE CORNER GROUP CREAM LEATHER RRP £8,946 NOW £3,897 OVER 55% OFF

VI-SPRING REGAL SUPREME 5'0” KINGSIZE DIVAN RRP £6,250 NOW £2,895 OVER 50% OFF

WILLIS GAMBIER IVORY DRESSING TABLE/MIRROR/STOOL RRP £1,587 NOW £595 OVER 60% OFF

SALE ENDS THIS SATURDAY 21ST MARCH AT 5.30PM R.R.P. = RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICES

ALL ITEMS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

© LSC 2015

TASTES GOOD: The group made strawberry custard tarts

Wednesday 18th March 2015

20 � PEOPLE

Mum ‘cures’ son’s Asperger’s symptoms by changing diet WHAT IS ASPERGER SYNDROME? INDIVIDUALS with Asperger syndrome have been described as “having a dash of autism” by renowned autism expert Professor Uta Frith of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London.

What distinguishes Asperger’s from autism is the severity of the symptoms and the absence of language delays. It was recognised by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a separate disorder in 1994.

Children with Asperger’s may have good language and cognitive skills, excellent rote memory skills and appear just to behave differently to others. But they may also:

LIFE-CHANGING: Sarah Patten

Sarah Patten hopes her book will help other families A MOTHER who cured her son’s Asperger’s symptoms with diet has written a book to help other families fight the battle with food. Julie Rae met Sarah Patten in her Rusthall home.

BY the time Sarah Patten’s son Henry was a toddler, he would eat only three white foods.

He was anxious, obsessive and neurotic. He had excellent language skills and above average intelligence and appeared normal but behaved differently to other children his age as he was socially awkward, could not control his emotions, had poor concentration and focus and did not understand the give and take of a conversation.

He was soon diagnosed with Asperger syndrome but refused to eat anything other than those three foods and found mealtimes stressful and upsetting. By the time her son was six, Mrs Patten had reached breaking point and was so low she believed she was a terrible mother.

But instead of giving up, the former scriptwriter took matters into her own hands and five years ago, she changed her son’s diet.

Henry is now 12 years old and eats more than 300 different foodstuffs.

Mrs Patten’s book, What to Feed an Asperger, has been translated into 20 languages and is flying off the shelves in

Wednesday 18th March 2015

America and the UK. Until he was two and a half, Henry ate everything. But almost overnight, the toddler began to carefully assess all food and very quickly he pared down his menu choices to white bread, dried white cereal and chicken breast. When faced with any other food, he would refuse to eat and throw temper tantrums that could last up to two hours.

Mrs Patten said: “When he first cut out food I thought it was the terrible twos and he’d grow out of it. But that soon turned into the psychotic sixes.”

It was the worst time of Mrs Patten’s life and she hit rock bottom believing she was failing her son, who doctors said would never attend a mainstream school.

She said: “It was a horrible time. We couldn’t sit down and have a family meal.

Henry found mealtimes so stressful and I found them frustrating and upsetting.

“I reached a complete crisis point. I couldn’t take it any more. I just felt so low. I felt I was doing a terrible job as Henry’s mother.”

But when Henry was seven and he described how hideous an orange tasted to him and how terrible it felt in his mouth, Mrs Patten realised she could help. She believes his Asperger’s makes him so hypersensitive, the taste, texture and even temperature of any food can feel like an assault on his taste receptors.

The 49-year-old explained: “Henry told me that food didn’t taste nice in his mouth.

He said that when he put the tiniest piece of orange in his mouth it was so sour and sharp,

it actually hurt his mouth. He described the texture as being too spongy with stringy bits and when he bit into it, slimy sourness oozed into his mouth, hurting it.

“That’s when I worked out how I could help him. I took Henry to the supermarket and we bought every kind of food you can imagine. Then we separated them into three piles – one was food he’d never ever eat like oranges and tomatoes, another was items he might consider eating in the distant future such as potatoes which are single textured and finally foods he could cope with having on his plate and might eat in the future such as carrots and French beans.

“From then on, every week I put a new food from the third pile on Henry’s plate, just a tiny portion in the corner. But it was there and it stayed there. He understood he was expected to eat it and he did eventually eat it.

He now eats more than 300 different foods.”

Mrs Patten discovered that when she stopped trying to encourage Henry to eat by “acting like a bad children’s TV presenter” – she demonstrated the gestures and highpitched voice she had resorted to in her desperation - and instead became a matterof-fact no-nonsense mum, she reduced the stress of mealtimes for both of them. And she used her newfound pragmatism and resourcefulness to create protein-filled food which looked just like Henry’s favourite high-carbohydrate options - and persuade him to eat it.

“Henry loves carbs but he needed more

protein so I created a five-star bread that included quinoa flour, oats and cream. But I made it look like his favourite white bread so it passed his careful assessment and he eats it, no problem.

“When I hand him a pear, I tell him it’s a kind of apple. When he asks what kind of apple, I tell him it’s a kind of pear apple. And he eats it. I tell him lamb and fish that look like chicken are just other types of chicken.

And he eats them.”

The change in Henry has been astonishing, says Mrs Patten, who believes it is a result of his getting more choices, and therefore more nutrients, into his restricted menu of colourless, textureless foods.

Mrs Patten added: “Improving his diet and getting more protein and more vitamins into him has made Henry a completely different child. He goes to mainstream school and is in control of his emotions. He’s no longer neurotic or hyperactive. He’s focused and concentrates in school where he’s thriving educationally.

“I looked back over Henry’s life and realised I had a story to tell which might help other mums. This has changed all our lives.

Writing this book made me realize just how far Henry has come.”

Mrs Patten and her husband Dave’s other son William (ten) is ‘neuro-typical’ and has no health issues.

The book, What to Feed an Asperger, (£12.99) contains recipes, but also the tips and methods she used to extend his diet.

It is available in bookshops and Amazon.

• be socially awkward • be unable to understand conventional social rules • lack empathy • appear to be unengaged in conversation • be obsessive about a particular subject • be clumsy or awkward • have delayed motor skills • not understand irony or humour • not understand the give and take nature of a conversation The excellent language skills often shown by children with Asperger’s are highlighted because they use language differently. Speech patterns may be unusual or have a rhythmic pattern and tone may be too high-pitched or too loud. Language may be formal in style and they may not understand subtleties such as irony or humour or understand social conventions of conversation.

The first step to diagnosis is by assessment and observation by medical professionals experienced in autism.

EDUCATION �

21

The challenge of grammar schools taking top pupils AS PART OF OUR ONGOING EDUCATION SERIES, SARAH BOND SPOKE TO ROSE HILL HEAD DAVID WESTCOMBE

• By Sarah Bond THE Government’s new-style 2014 school league tables sent shockwaves through the private sector in January.

Prestigious schools such as Eton plummeted – but Tunbridge Wells and west Kent are still bobbing along happily at the top.

So what makes our education so special?

The simple answer is, forget league tables. Education gurus put far more value on quality and parents struggling to comprehend the taxing tables are only too happy to agree.

The secret to a first class education is to come to Tunbridge Wells and start as early as possible, especially with the pressure on places. A good prep or primary is a vital step towards independents and grammars, then a healthy chance of getting to top universities.

In Kent, 71 per cent of primary and 85 per cent of secondary pupils attend good or outstanding schools.

And Kent is the highest-achieving local authority for early years.

It’s not all about money or privilege either. With good schooling, the brightest should achieve their best whatever their background, and Kent ranks highest for the poorest children achieving well. The proportion of disadvantaged students achieving the benchmark five A* to C grades at GCSE has improved more in the southeast than in any other region.

Whether state or private, Tunbridge Wells is all about quality, one example being Rose Hill.

The independent prep was rated ‘excellent’, the rank Ofsted-accredited Independent Schools Inspectorate uses instead of ‘outstanding’ in 2013.

David Westcombe, who has been headmaster for 17 years, explained just why our town is so special.

“Tunbridge Wells has a name for itself in terms of being a beautiful place to live, and it combines that with good academic and free secondary education,” he said.

“We have two church schools and three grammars on our doorstep, and that makes Tunbridge Wells very attractive to parents.

“But you have to start early. Most of our children start at three, otherwise it’s hard to get places.”

Parents are keen to get children through the allimportant Kent Test.

“The majority of children who take the 11+ pass, and the take-up rate in year six is about 70 per cent. If they fail they can appeal,” said Mr Westcombe.

“We go to years seven and eight, biting into the first two years of secondary education. That means I have graduate teachers, each with a specialist area.

“So children in years five and six, key years leading to

SALE League tables can be used to suggest the school seems to be doing well but you need to dig further and meet the children DAVID WESTCOMBE Rose Hill head

SPEECH DAY From left Emily Skottowe and Amelia Faure Walker, both nine

grammar entry, are receiving specialist teaching.

“The 11+ has changed this year, and become more difficult. Now the testing is all on one day, it’s become more of an ordeal for children. But our children are very used to the idea of assessment and exams. It starts young, in year three very informally, but they get used to the idea.

“When it comes to the real thing, they’re used to exam conditions - many aren’t, and it throws them completely.”

Exams are now more important than ever, owing to changes brought in by former Education Secretary Michael Gove. Bad for anyone not good in exams, but good for grammars which were previously finding some children coming in with poor literacy skills.

“The system at Rose Hill prepares the children very well for the new GCSEs, but I didn’t think Michael Gove was doing the right thing,” said Mr Westcombe.

“GCSEs are becoming more traditional, rather than having coursework, which allows access to children not so well suited to an exam situation. They go through all the pressure and if they fail they fail, whereas you could at least achieve something through coursework.”

Mr Westcombe also believes it has become harder to tutor youngsters for the Kent Test.

He said: “The 11+ is now a third reasoning, a third maths and a third English. Before, it was two-thirds reasoning, which you can more easily coach towards, a third maths and no English.

“As a result, the grammars were finding children coming into year seven had poor literacy. They could do maths and reasoning, but the schools were putting in booster classes to catch them up on English.

“Again, the test has been redesigned and now includes spelling, punctuation, grammar and comprehension.

In the past, the only English would be a piece of writing that wasn’t assessed unless there was an appeal.”

About 90 to 95 per cent of Rose Hill pupils come by word of mouth. The same goes for many schools in this area, so personal recommendation is clearly far more important to parents than league tables.

“League tables are notoriously unreliable,” said Mr Westcombe. “In primary schools, they’re based on how many children achieve Level 5 in English and maths.

But does that tell you how great the school is?

“You don’t know what the children’s ability was when they came into the school, and it doesn’t take any account of creative arts, sport, drama - tables can be used to suggest the school seems to be doing well in English and maths, but you need to dig further

and meet the children – look for character, look for manners, look for a sense of right and wrong, look for a calm atmosphere in school.

“Pupil-teacher relationships are absolutely paramount to a child’s success. Those are the key things to look for.

League tables are one part of it, but unfortunately they are over-egged.

“I think you get a gut feeling over whether you can see your child at a particular school or not.

“The challenge in this area is that the grammar schools are creaming off the top 21 to 25 per cent. We also have good church schools – such as Bennett Memorial, and St Greg’s on the Southborough border.

“The alternative is Skinners’ Academy (formerly a local authority secondary school) and, with great respect, it’s very hard to attain a balanced, achieving environment when you’ve lost the top 25 per cent of the academic cohort, and you’ve lost a lot of children to church schools.

“So it’s hard for the Skinners’ Academy, which is fabulous. The building is brilliant, they’re building numbers up, the principal is great, but my experience is, parents are not yet convinced it’s what they want for their children. So they tend to go independent secondary if they are not going to the grammars.”

In Sussex, if pupils fail the 11+, the alternatives are the comprehensive schools, which could give them a better chance than Kent’s state secondary system.

“That’s a fair comment,” Mr Westcombe said. “There’s an argument that the grammars actually mean the 75 per cent who aren’t there are worse off.

“The thing I find particularly wrong is, we have Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar, which is a strong catchment school so the majority of the pupils live within a mile and a half. Then you have The Skinners’ School opposite, which is non-catchment. It’s a local grammar, but the average travel to Skinners’ is seven miles, and you have children coming from Hastings on the train.

“To me it’s wrong that if you live in East Sussex you can still access Kent grammars purely through ability.

That’s a complication.”

Many parents realise that in the early years, quality of care is also part of good teaching, to build children’s confidence. Mr Westcombe agrees.

“The key thing is knowing the child,” he said, adding that the right comment can make a child feel great, the wrong comment –accidental or not – can shatter them.

“We work very hard on that,” Mr Westcombe said.

“That’s down to my own school days, because I can remember what it felt like to be on the receiving end of the wrong words.

“That’s why it’s such a powerful, wonderful job, full of enormous responsibility.”

SALE NOW ON 25% OFF SELECTED Jackets, Saloppetts and Sorel Boots Many Childrens Items Reduced MENTION TIMES OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND GET 10% OFF ANY OTHER PURCHASES Please visit us in store at 51 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells Wednesday 11th March 2015

22 � FASHION, HEALTH AND BEAUTY

This season’s work fashion trends This season, the high-waist pencil skirt has made a huge comeback, with designers giving a modern take on the Mad Men inspired garment. It’s all about longer hemlines, edging the skirt length below the knee and keeping things fresh by teaming with nude tights, ladylike shoes and a clean-cut shirt.

Hobbs, £89

Marks & Spencer, £39

IMAGE MAKER Catherine de Crèvecoeur

Jaeger, £125

Fenn Wright Mason, £120

LEFT PENCIL IT IN Skirt from Amanda Wakely’s SS15 collection IM1

WHAT YOUR STYLE SAYS ABOUT YOU • By Catherine de Crèvecoeur

®

Big s w Ne

Introducing Dermatology Tunbridge Wells rtwskin are delighted to announce the launch of Dermatology Tunbridge Wells

Dr Nicola Meschino with over 20 years experience in practical and cosmetic dermatology, will lead the department, assisted by Dr Fatima Ahmed.

Dr Meschino is one of Italy’s most well regarded Consultant Dermatologists. GMC registered and recognised as an expert in skin cancer surgery. He will offer a comprehensive range of treatments for skin conditions including moles, acne, eczema and psoriasis.

Introductory Consultation Price £99 Call 01892 22 22 22 to book your appointment

The whole face approach

www.rtwskin.co.uk 01892 22 22 22 @rtwskin

support@rtwskin.co.uk rtwskin

Royal Tunbridge Wells Skin & Laser Clinic, Cobden House Medical Centre, 25 London Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1DA

Wednesday 18th March 2015

BOOKS are judged by their covers, houses appraised by their postcode appeal and people are initially evaluated on how they choose to dress and behave. In a perfect world this is not fair, what is inside should count significantly more. Eventually, it usually does but in the meantime, opportunities are lost, particularly in a work environment.

The good news is that we can take control of how we portray ourselves to the world. With the right wardrobe, grooming and non-verbal communication, you can say exactly what you want to say about yourself. This is an essential step towards creating your personal brand. Your personal brand is how people perceive you, from how you build relationships to how you gain people’s trust, to how you portray yourself. But first and foremost it is what you stand for, and therefore it is important that the brand you create for yourself is real, genuine and authentic. Whatever you do to improve your image, be yourself.

In this column, I will provide some easy, useful tips which you can apply to yourself and your wardrobe. But first, before I guide you through redefining your personal brand, you need to know how others see you. From a work perspective, if you don’t already have a professional relationship with a mentor in your company, seek the advice of someone you respect and trust, or the services of an image consultant. Having an understanding of how others perceive you will go a long way in helping you portray the personal brand you want.

The next step is to take a moment to understand who you are and what makes you exceptional.

What are you passionate about, what are your personal values, what motivates you? What are your greatest strengths and skills and what makes people interested in you? What are your greatest accomplishments and what are your goals?

The interesting part is finding out how this translates into your wardrobe. Whether you want to appear more competent, knowledgeable, elegant, powerful, or approachable, you can define your style based on who you are, what you value, what makes you stand out and what you want to achieve.

For example, if you are an executive business woman, the most powerful thing you can wear is a suit with matching jacket and trousers. In her bid to become the Democratic presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton wore the now infamous trouser suit. While her colour and style were sometimes questionable, and certainly not cutting-edge fashion, it was the right choice, given that she wanted to project an aura of authority.

That said, the matching suit can appear too dated.

Mismatched suits are much more contemporary, but make sure that the skirt or trousers complement the jacket.

While women are always being judged on looks, men who choose the right attire can make a favourable first impression as well, which is important in these highly competitive times. If you work in an environment which requires a suit, it’s all about fit. A badly fitted suit will be obvious.

Shoulders should sit square and trousers break just before the shoe. If in doubt, think classic rather than trendy by avoiding loud suit colours or shirt patterns. And finally pay attention to detail, clothes should be clean, ironed and fresh.

What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick.

Fashion is instant language MIUCCIA PRADA Fashion designer

MOVE

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

WITH THE

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

LAMBERHURST MANOR This stunning arts and crafts manor house, complete with lake, swimming pool, tennis court and more than ten acres of grounds, is just one of the exclusive properties featured in this week’s supplement. Turn to page 27 for full details.

Wednesday 18th March 2015

24 � PROPERTY PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

In my view…

Helen Whiteley COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR OnTheMarket.com

Here’s where we take a look at what’s happening in the property market. This week we hear from Helen Whiteley at OnTheMarket.com an exciting new homes portal that is backed by a consortium of high street agents

An elegant four-bedroom detached Victorian property close to The Pantiles AT A GLANCE 21 FRANT ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS Detached Victorian home Close to The Pantiles 0.45-acre plot Double garage and parking 4 double bedrooms 2 large reception rooms and reception hall Study Kitchen/breakfast room Utility room Cellar Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom 3 further double bedrooms Heated swimming pool £1,395,000 For sale through Batcheller Monkhouse 01892 512020 www.batchellermonkhouse.com

Wednesday 18th March 2015

SET half a mile from the High Street and within just a few minutes’ walk of Tunbridge Wells station, this detached Victorian home on Frant Road is a substantial property with gardens of 0.45 of an acre and a swimming pool.

Packed with character and with generous rooms, this home is elegant and imposing, without being too modern or losing any of its original charm.

A gravel driveway and parking area leads to the entrance, positioned to the side of the property, and to the detached double garage. The entrance porch is accessed through a pair of double doors, currently painted a cheerful purple, and the front door has a stained glass panel, with further stained glass windows inside the entrance hall.

On the ground floor, which has stripped wooden floors throughout, there is a large drawing room with a bay window to the front and a feature fireplace, and a sitting room at the back of the property with double doors opening out to the garden. The large entrance hall, with its attractive wrought-iron balustrade, also leads to a

study, a cloakroom and to the kitchen.

At the back of the house and with wonderful views of the garden, the kitchen/breakfast room features an Aga, large butler’s sink and a range of fitted units and shelves. With plenty of room for a kitchen table and a door into the garden, this is the real heart of the home and perfect for family dinners and entertaining. There is also a walkin pantry, a separate utility area and stairs down to a cellar providing useful storage.

The staircase has a large half-landing with a feature stained glass window leading up to the first floor, which has the master bedroom with en-suite at the rear of the house, a further three double bedrooms and a family bathroom. All the rooms are large and bright with attractive fireplaces and sash windows.

To the front of the house, the parking area is enclosed by mature hedges offering a good degree of privacy and there is a side gate leading to the rear.

There is a paved terrace, perfect for summer entertaining, leading to a lawn area with a luxurious heated saltwater swimming pool.

Packed with character and with generous rooms, this home is elegant and imposing, without being too modern

LAUNCHED in January, OnTheMarket.com is the new and simple way to search for property.

We aim to provide all potential buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants with an exceptional property search service.

The technology is state-of-the-art and our website will seamlessly adapt to fit all screen sizes.

We hope, when you search OnTheMarket.com, you’ll enjoy our cleaner, fresher, more focused approach. No irritating ads, no unnecessary information, no spam mail and no nonsense.

Just hundreds of thousands of beautifully presented homes for sale or for rent at all price points across the UK. What’s more, as a mutual business without external shareholders, we will ensure that our focus remains on continuously improving the search experience.

More and more estate and letting agents have been moving all their properties from other websites to advertise at OnTheMarket.com and are choosing to launch their new properties exclusively here first.

If you’re looking to buy or rent, give yourself a head start and make sure you don’t miss out on properties you won’t find anywhere else, set up a property alert today.

And if you’re selling or letting a property, choosing an agent who is a member of OnTheMarket.com means that your property will not be mixed in with homes being marketed by remotely located, part service “internetonly” operators or directly by private sellers or landlords.

Every property you see at OnTheMarket.com is on the market with full-service, office-based estate or letting agents who are experts in their local area.

So whether you’re looking to buy or let or rent or sell, we’re in business to improve the way you search.

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

PROPERTY �

25

Character family home with stables enjoys a stunning rural setting IN ASSOCIATION WITH

AT A GLANCE BLACKDON COTTAGE, BLACKDON HILL, ERIDGE GREEN Equestrian property Country house with versatile accommodation 3 reception rooms Country kitchen/ breakfast room Bespoke oak kitchen Oil-fired Aga with electric module Study Cloakroom Master bedroom with dressing area and en-suite shower room 3 further double bedrooms Single bedroom Family bathroom Stables Garage and games room Land of 5.8 acres Option to buy further equestrian facilities located opposite £1,295,000 For sale through Savills 01892 507000 www.savills.com

BLACKDON Cottage in Eridge Green is a beautiful family home offering an uninterrupted rural outlook. With 5.8 acres and its own stables, this equestrian property also gives the buyer the option to purchase an area of additional land, stabling and a manège.

Far from a stereotypical cottage, this well presented country home has five spacious bedrooms and has been thoughtfully extended and improved by its current owners who are moving on after 20 years.

Perfect for horse-lovers and for those whose ideal location is rural yet close enough to town, good schools and mainline stations, it is both charming and practical with large, bright rooms and plenty of versatile accommodation.

The property and its outbuildings enjoy

a lovely secluded setting, enclosed by mature hedging and trees. It is approached by attractive entrance gates leading to a generous brick driveway with parking for several cars and has a beautiful open bay garage with a games room to the side. The grounds comprise a garden of about 0.7 of an acre with a paved terrace for outdoor dining, a large lawn and pretty gazebo with seating. Two stock-fenced fields lie beyond and are visible from the house.

The superb equestrian facilities are accessed via a separate entrance from the lane and include a detached timber stable block by Scotts of Thrapston with three loose boxes and a tack room, enclosed in a concrete yard with gates to the turnout area, and all within easy reach of the house.

The cottage itself boasts three spacious reception rooms, a study, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room and cloakroom on the first floor. The country kitchen is a particular feature with an oil-fired Aga, which also benefits from an electric module with two ovens and a halogen hob, and a bespoke fitted oak kitchen by Edmondson Interiors of Goudhurst.

Upstairs there is an attractive master bedroom suite with a dressing area and a Victorian-style shower room. There are three further doubles, a single and a wellappointed family bathroom.

There is also the option to buy a second lot, available by separate negotiation, for those requiring enhanced equestrian facilities. The separate block of land, including stables, manège and further

grazing land, are located on the opposite side of the lane. The self-contained unit has its own entrance gates, with power and water supplied via Blackdon Cottage – although private metering could be arranged if it were sold separately.

Quirky and characterful detached house in popular St Johns AT A GLANCE 9 RIDDLESDALE AVENUE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

BURSTING with character and located in one of the most sought-after parts of Tunbridge Wells, this 1930s house in Riddlesdale Avenue has great curb appeal. A detached four-bedroom property with generous rooms, a good size garden and offroad parking, it is already a perfect family home but also offers the opportunity to extend as its neighbouring properties have.

The house has an entrance porch and a spacious entrance hall which has a cloakroom off it and leads through to a comfortable sitting room with character features including a wood-burning stove, picture rails and shutters to the wide window.

Located at the back of the property, the large dining room has double doors to the rear garden and wooden flooring.

The kitchen is big enough for a central breakfast table and is fully fitted. It is double-aspect and has a door to the side and garage.

Upstairs, there is a master bedroom with fulllength wardrobes and an en-suite shower room, as well as two further doubles, a single bedroom and a family bathroom. There are also two large linen cupboards on the landing and access to the substantial loft area, which is ripe for conversion subject to planning permission.

Outside, there is a driveway parking area to the side of the house with gates leading to the garage/ workshop. To the rear, there is a paved terrace which provides a great area for barbecues and outdoor entertaining, with the rest of the garden laid to lawn.

Detached character home Period features Entrance porch Sitting room Dining room Kitchen/breakfast room Cloakroom Master bedroom with en-suite Two further double bedrooms Single bedroom Family bathroom Off-road parking and garage/workshop £725,000 For sale through Freeman Forman Country Homes 01892 599809 www.freemanforman.co.uk

Wednesday 18th March 2015

26 � PROPERTY

Five-bedroom converted oast house for short let in Ashurst village AT A GLANCE STONE CROSS OAST, ASHURST ROAD, ASHURST EConverted oast house Semi-detached Parking and double garage Gardens to rear and side Kitchen and utility Sitting room with inglenook fireplace Dining room Master bedroom with new en-suite shower room Two further bedrooms on the first floor Family bathroom Two large bedrooms on the second floor Second floor shower room Unfurnished £2,250 per month To let through Alexandre Boyes 01892 525522 www.alexandre-boyes.co.uk

AVAILABLE from April for a short term let, Stone Cross Oast is a well-presented property in the village of Ashurst. Only four miles from the centre of Tunbridge Wells, the home is one of Kent’s iconic oast houses which was used to dry hops as part of the beer-brewing industry. But with an unusual square design, this property has none of the layout problems associated with the round rooms of most oast conversions.

Arranged over three floors, the semidetached family home is approached via a shared gravel drive with parking to the front and there is a detached double garage. Inside there is an entrance hall with downstairs cloakroom, a dining room with stairs to the first floor and a large sitting room with feature inglenook fireplace and wood burner.

Double doors lead out to the terrace.

There is also a beautiful, modern kitchen and utility area, with Silestone worktops and integrated appliances.

Upstairs there is a master bedroom with wood flooring and a newly fitted en-suite shower room. This floor has two further bedrooms and a family bathroom. On the second floor, there are two large bedrooms and a shower room.

The garden, which is perfect for families, wraps round the side and rear of the property. Mostly laid to lawn and with a terrace, the gardens are as flawless as the rest of the property.

Picture postcard Penshurst is detached property backdrop AT A GLANCE THE GARDEN COTTAGE, FORDCOMBE ROAD, PENSHURST

THE GARDEN Cottage, in the picture postcard village of Penshurst, is a spacious and surprising property offering a stylish, modern interior. With vast openplan living areas, the house will appeal to families and is easily adaptable to suit the buyer’s needs.

The traditional exterior to the front gives little away but this deceptive home has been improved and extended over the past 12 years by its current owners.

Contemporary fittings combine with wood flooring and a neutral colour palette to give a real sense of calm, and the large windows and both bifold and French

Wednesday 18th March 2015

doors to the rear maximise the natural light. And if that wasn’t enough, there is a striking lantern rooflight to the landing.

The open-plan living area on the ground floor includes a generous reception hall, sitting room, dining area and kitchen, while a cloakroom and study completes the accommodation downstairs. On the second floor, there is a fabulous master bedroom with an ensuite and sliding doors out to a balcony at the rear. Another double bedroom also benefits from a balcony and there are two further bedrooms and a family bathroom on this floor.

There is underfloor heating throughout the property and solar panels fitted on the rear roof provide quarterly electricity feed-in tariff payments. Bifold doors to the sitting area and dining area really bring the outside in and the two bedrooms with doors to a decked balcony offer a stunning view of the garden.

To the front, there is driveway parking for several cars and access to a garage now used as a workshop and garden store. A large slate terrace spans the back of the house and the mature garden of about 0.42 of an acre is mainly laid to lawn with an attractive wall forming the northern boundary.

Extended and improved with a contemporary interior Open-plan living Reception hall Living area Dining area Kitchen Study Cloakroom Master bedroom with en-suite and balcony to the rear 3 further double bedrooms, one with access to the balcony Family bathroom Driveway parking Garden store £925,000 For sale through Savills 01892 507000 www.savills.com Penshurst Place and Gardens, once owned by King Henry VIII, were used as a filming location for the recent BBC historical drama Wolf Hall

PROPERTY �

27

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

AT A GLANCE LAMBERHURST MANOR, FURNACE LANE, LAMBERHURST Arts and Crafts country manor house with 8,051sq ft of accommodation Set in 10.8 acres 2.5 acre private lake with boat shelter, rowing boat and summerhouse 2 garages and plenty of parking Character features and stunning views Large reception hall 4 reception rooms contemporary kitchen/ breakfast room, pantry, utility room Large basement with storage rooms and wine cellar Master suite with bedroom, dressing room and bathroom Second bedroom with en-suite 4 further double bedrooms plus a study/bedroom and dressing room Self-contained onebedroom apartment to the first floor Swimming pool and tennis court £2,450,000 For sale through Savills 01892 507000 www.savills.com

Arts and crafts manor house nestling in picturesque private grounds in Lamberhurst SET in the rural outskirts of Tunbridge Wells and with grounds of more than ten acres, Lamberhurst Manor is a substantial and unique country residence.

Built on the site of an earlier 18th century manor house, and still incorporating its original basement, this arts and crafts property has been improved and modernised in recent years by the current owners, who have brought it into the 21st century to create a comfortable and modern family home.

The property is at the end of a long shared driveway and through a set of electric gates. Overlooking a stunning private lake, complete with a boathouse, it has unspoilt views over its garden and

an area of private woodland – all set in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Inside, the property boasts a wealth of bespoke oak joinery, including panelled walls, parquet flooring and a balustrade staircase, and natural light floods the home thanks to its large leaded light windows and high ceilings. Spacious and airy reception rooms, including a stunning reception hall, a drawing room, dining room, music room and library, have charming fireplaces and character features, while the kitchen/ breakfast room has a contemporary feel with a Bulthaup kitchen in cherry wood, granite work surfaces and quality builtin appliances. There is also a large walk-

in pantry, a utility room, boot room and two cloakrooms on the ground floor.

On the first floor there is a master bedroom suite with wonderful views, as well as a dressing room and a contemporary bathroom. There are four further double bedrooms, a bedroom with en-suite shower room and an upstairs study/bedroom, together with two family bathrooms, a dressing room and separate cloakroom.

The versatile accommodation continues with a self-contained, onebedroom apartment. Accessed either from the first floor of the main house or via its own private entrance, a path at the front of the property, it allows for a great deal of flexibility with its own

bedroom, dressing room, bathroom, sitting room and kitchen.

Another impressive feature is the vast basement with its exposed ancient brickwork. Believed to have belonged to a much older building which was destroyed by fire, it now houses three separate store rooms, a boiler room and a large wine cellar.

But it is the grounds of this property which are the real focus. Wrapping around the building and giving it splendid views from every window, the gardens, lake, terraces and woodland create a truly idyllic setting. The 2.5-acre lake is thought to have originally been a ‘hammer pond’ used during the production of cannonballs, a staple industry in this

area in the 16th century. Surrounded by a lakeside walk through mature woodland, and with a delightful summer house en route, it is a serene spot to enjoy the natural environment. There is even a boat shelter complete with rowing boat if you feel the need to take to the water.

Topping off this fascinating property is a swimming pool and a conservatory fitted with kitchen facilities and used as a pool house and area for entertaining. There are also two garages, plenty of parking and a tennis court.

Although rurally situated, the property is one mile away from the village of Lamberhurst with its shops, post office, pubs and restaurants, with Tunbridge Wells just six miles away.

The South-East’s Favourite Award-Winning Self Storage Company!

Terms and conditions: Free move in service is non-combinable with any offer, subject to a minimum 12 week rental period.

Wednesday 18th March 2015

Savills Tunbridge Wells 53 High Street Tunbridge Wells TN1 1XU

01892 507050 tunbridgewells@savills.com

savills.co.uk

LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY

BRENCHLEY, kent

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

Grade 2 listed mid terrace house ø kitchen/dining room ø 2/3 bedrooms ø shower room ø bathroom ø sitting room ø small garden ø open bay garage ø EPC exempt £1,500 pcm + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply*

5 bedrooms ø open plan kitchen/breakfast room ø front and rear gardens ø double garage ø access to communal private park ø EPC rating = E £3,250 pcm + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply*

MAYFIELD, east sussex

HARTFIELD, east sussex

5 bedrooms ø drawing room ø dining room ø sitting room ø kitchen/breakfast room ø detached triple garage ø 2 bedroom annexe above garage ø EPC rating = F £4,250 pcm + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply*

Kitchen/breakfast room ø master bedroom suite with his and hers dressing rooms ø 4 further bedrooms ø triple garage ø direct access to ashdown forest ø EPC rating = C £5,000 pcm + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply*

Contact: Katrin Olander

Contact: Katrin Olander

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

Open House by appt. 21.03.15, 10.00am-2.30pm HOLMEWOOD RIDGE, LANGTON GREEN, kent

CAMDEN PARK, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

Bespoke Millwood Designer home ø 4 reception rooms ø 6 bedrooms ø 5 bathrooms ø triple garage ø South-facing garden ø about 0.71 acres ø 4,310 sq ft ø EPC=C

Potential for re-modelling/replacement STP ø sought-after private road ø MLS about 0.6 miles ø garage ø approaching 1 acre ø 3,595 sq ft including self contained annexe ø EPC=C

Guide £1.75 million Freehold

Guide £1.75 million Freehold

Contact: Amanda Wyatt

Contact: Amanda Wyatt

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

Well placed for schools ø MLS about 1 mile ø 3 reception rooms ø playroom/study ø kitchen/dining room ø 6 bedrooms ø garden ø off street parking ø 4,256 sq ft ø EPC=E

Town centre and MLS within 1 mile ø private road ø 2 reception rooms ø kitchen/dining room ø 5 bedrooms ø 3 bathrooms ø garden ø about 0.26 acres ø 2,030 sq ft ø EPC=C

Guide £1.35 million Freehold

Guide £1 million Freehold

Contact: Amanda Wyatt

Buying or selling this spring? Talk to Savills.

Amanda Wyatt Negotiator 01892 507009 acwyatt@savills.com

Charlotte MelroseCantouris Negotiator 01892 507001 cmcantouris@savills.com

Contact: Charlotte Melrose-Cantouris

~I

Tunbridge Wells A stunning Grade II* Listed Regency house by Decimus Burton Situated within the much favoured Calverley Park. Entrance hall, drawing room, dining room, sitting room, kitchen / breakfast room, study. Master bedroom with en suite, 4 further bedrooms, family bathroom, cloakroom, shower room. Lower ground floor comprising cinema room, games room, wine cellar and utility room. Detached garage with car stacking system. Delightful secluded gardens to both front and rear. Double entrance from either Calverley Park or Prospect Road.

Guide price: ÂŁ2,850,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/TNW140189

Tunbridge Wells Elegant period home situated in a highly sought after private park Reception hall, cloakroom, 2 sitting rooms, kitchen / breakfast room, family room, study. Master bedroom with en suite, guest bedroom with dressing area, 3 further bedrooms (all en suite, 2 with dressing areas), family bathroom. Lower ground floor comprising gymnasium, cinema, wine cellar, utility room and shower room. Wonderful views. Large level garden.

Swimming pool. Detached garage. EPC rating E.

Guide price: ÂŁ2,500,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/TNW150062

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

(From Left): Sheila Bartlett, Tracy Plowman, Simon Biddulph, Daniel Aldred, Rupert Connell, Rachel Hill

KNIGHT FRANK KNOWS TUNBRIDGE WELLS It’s been a busy start to 2015 for the team at Knight Frank and there is much optimism for the year ahead.

Rupert Connell joined as Office Head just before Christmas, having been with Knight Frank for over 10 years. Living within the Tunbridge Wells patch, Rupert has unrivalled knowledge of the local area and the property markets of Kent & Sussex.

Rupert is joined by Simon Biddulph, who specialises in the sale of property within the popular Cranbrook School Catchment area and Daniel Aldred, dealing in the fast paced Tunbridge Wells town market.

With over 110 years’ experience and 335 offices globally, coupled with expert local knowledge, there can be no better agent from which to seek advice when contemplating a move.

00

bracl<ettss

Batcheller Monkhouse

~STAU

AGfNTS & CHARTf~E'D S.,JRVFYORS

Ill• '

· · Til l

Howard

-"-'-·w ooD & PILCH ER

BROOKS PEACOCK luu·n t_:. ( 'mmtrv P10f't'Plle'

ell is

lt' I~ • l!'t

J ,._

and eo

. •r.r

EST 1!00

Lambert & Foster UlnOr Tllf lOCAl l &NDSCAP'E

~MJProperty

"Knight WFrank

savills

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.

ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY PA RS ON A G E C ROF T

•

e

•

c

s on

ag

pa r

H IG H S T R E E T, E TC H I NG H A M T N 1 9 7 A D

r oft

A collection of 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes in the picturesque village of Etchingham. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, yet only 15 minutes from Battle and just 90 minutes from Charing Cross, living here you benefit from the best of both worlds.

Reservations Being Taken - Prices from £350,000

PEA = B

Show Home Open Thursday - Monday 11am - 5pm

For all enquiries please call 01580 388007 | www.parsonagecroft.com

Tunbridge Wells, Guide Price £350,000

Westminster £375 pw

• Semi Detached Bungalow • Cul De Sac Location • 2 Bedrooms • Top of Chain

• 1 Bedroom • Private Balcony • Concierge Service

• Extended Lounge • Garage and Off Road Parking • Generous Rear Garden • Energy Efficiency Rating: C

Tunbridge Wells £185,000 • 1 Bed First Floor Apartment • Dressing Room to Master Bed • Sought-After Pantiles Location • Residents Permit Parking • Open Plan Sitting/Dining/Kitchen • Energy Efficiency Rating: C

Tunbridge Wells £399,950 • Detached House • 3 Bedrooms • St James’ Location • Pleasingly Quiet Location

Tonbridge £1,200 pcm • Ground Floor WC • Large, Southerly Facing Garden • Garage En Bloc • Energy Efficiency Rating: D

• 2 Double Bedrooms • En-Suite Shower Room • Attractive Garden • Allocated Parking

• Close To Town • Walking Dist to MLS • Energy Efficiency Rating: B • Agent’s Fees Apply

Tunbridge Wells £245,000 • 3 Bedroom Mid Terrace Home • Approx. 1 Mile from MLS • Refitted Kitchen/Diner • Garage En Bloc Opposite • Downstairs Cloakroom • Energy Efficiency Rating: C

Tunbridge Wells £495,000 • • • •

3 Bed Semi Detached Home Sitting Room With Open Fireplace Separate Dining Room GFCH/Double Glazing

• Popular St James Location • On Road Parking • First Floor Bathroom • Energy Efficiency Rating: D

Southborough £325,000 • Semi Detached House • 3 Bedrooms • Sitting Room

• Kitchen / Dining Room • Integral Garage • 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 Letting & Management 01892 528888 lettings@woodandpilcher.com 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

Southborough £450,000 • Link Detached House • Set Well Back From Main Road • 4 Bedrooms • Sitting/Dining Room

Tunbridge Wells £1,100pcm • Conservatory/Rear Garden • Off Road Parking • Ideal Family Home • Energy Efficiency Rating: E

• 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

• Fully Furnished • Energy Efficiency Rating: C • 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

Vicarage Road, Southborough

Freehold

Offers In The Region Of £1,700,000 • Victorian Villa Set In Beautiful Grounds • Five Double Bedrooms With The Master En-Suite Plus A Generous Single Bedroom • Seven Reception Rooms • Packed With Period Features Throughout • Beautiful Sunny Garden With A Heated Swimming Pool

Edwards Street, Southborough

Freehold

Offers In Excess Of £280,000 • Private Road With Fabulous Country Walks Nearby • Walking Distance To All Local Amenities, Primary, Secondary And Grammar Schools • Off-Road Parking For Up To Five Cars • Seven Minute Drive To Mainline Train Station

Brian Crescent, Southborough Guide Price £460,000-£480,000 • Detached Family Home • Three Bedrooms • Upstairs Bathroom • Planning Permission Previously Granted For Double-Storey Extension • Garage • Off-Road Parking • Set In A Quiet Residential Location

Freehold

• Semi-Detached • Two/Three Bedroom Family Home • Two Reception Rooms • Large Converted Loft/Bedroom Three • Upstairs Family Bathroom • Downstairs Utility Room • Excellent Location For Close By Schools And Amenities • 15 Minute Walk To Mainline Station

Brookfield Court, Springfield Road

Leasehold

Priced At £104,995 • One Bedroom Apartment In A McCarthy & Stone Development • Exclusively For The Over 60’s • Communal Lounge On Ground Floor • Communal Laundry Room • Off-Road Parking • Communal Gardens • Great Location For Local Shops, Bus Services And Amenities

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

LANDLORDS DO YOU HAVE A PROPERTY TO RENT IN THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS AREA THIS SPRING? LeGrys Lettings can provide a service that is right for you; whether you are a home owner looking to rent out your property, a vendor who can’t sell and needs to move, or a buy to let investment landlord with one or one hundred properties!

If you are considering letting your home or investment property please do not hesitate to contact us to arrange a FREE, no obligation Market Appraisal or pop in and meet our Lettings team for an excellent cup of coffee!

INTRODUCTORY OFFER – FIRST MONTH RENTAL FEE FOR FREE! PLUS FREE RENT GUARANTEE (terms & conditions apply)

Coomb Field Road, Edenbridge

Springfield Road

Priced At £795 Per Calendar Month

Priced At £1,250 Per Calendar Month

• Beautifully Decorated One Bedroom House • Bright & Airy Sitting Room • Pretty Private Garden • Garage • Walking Distance to Edenbridge Station

• Family Home Situated Over Three Floors • Newly Refurbished Throughout • Three Double Bedrooms • Two Reception Rooms • Conservatory • Sought After Location

open day saturday 21 s t m ar ch 10 a m - 4 p m A U G U S T U S H O U S E , s w i s s l a n d H i l l , D o r m a n s Pa r k R H 1 9 2 N H

EPC = B

A 5 bedroom, 5 en suite, 5 reception room family home | Priced at ÂŁ1.975m | T: 01892 507005 | E: chscanlon@savills.com | www.millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk

bracketts est. 1828

When experience counts...

Tunbridge Wells – Asking Price: £245,000

· Superbly presented first floor Edwardian apartment · Views to Dunorlan Park · Off street parking & communal garden · EPC: E

Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells – Guide Price: £459,950

· Recently constructed detached house · 3 bedrooms & 2 bath/shower rooms · Fitted kitchen/family room · EPC: B

Tunbridge Wells – Monthly Rental of £2,850

· Refurbished Edwardian 5 bedroom town house · Superb location – close to RTW station · 5 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms · EPC: E

Southborough, Tunbridge Wells – Guide Price: £335,000

· Extended semi-detached 3 bedroom house · Corner plot with gardens to the front, side and rear · Attached garage + off road parking · EPC: D

Mark Cross, Rotherfield – Guide Price: £770,000

· Detached Sussex Farmhouse-style family house · 4 bedrooms & 2 bath/shower rooms · Detached garage & attractive south facing gardens · EPC: D

Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells – Monthly Rental of £2,400

· Detached 4/5 bedroom house · Secluded location · Large garden, driveway and open fronted car port · EPC: C

Tunbridge Wells 01892 533733 tunbridgewells@bracketts.co.uk

bracketts.co.uk

ti right move the UK's number one property site

Primelocation.com ~

Rl"iiOnline

ZoopiC.co.uk

Smarter property search 1.,hc ~

THE SUNDAY TIMES

I~TDEPE~TDEN1.,

~he Dnily ~elegrnph

TIMES NLINE

Hontes& Property COUNTRY LIFE

We will market your property with the strongest online exposure.

Not all agents market properties in the same way. We work with all the leading property websites including Rightmove, Zoopla and PrimeLocation to ensure your property secures the most exposure and as a result, the best possible price. With 93% of customers beginning their property search online*, can you afford not to work with an agent that advertises on all the most popular websites?

Contact us today on 020 7265 6595.

HALIFAX

Aol. '~Zoopla/PrimeLocation Figures 20I4

BARCLAYS

TalkTalk Group

L!AMPTONS 11 INTERNATIONAL

www.hamptons.co.uk

TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS TUDELEY

A TOUCH OF C~S WADHURST

POA

£985,000

•THE NAME LITTLE SCRUMPIES SAYS IT ALL! I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS APARTMENT FOR ITS UNIQUENESS. IT'S CUTE, COSY, QUIRKY, BEAUTIFUL AND FULL OF CHARACTER."

"WHEN I FIRST VIEWED THE HOUSE I FELT AN IMMEDIATE CONNECTION. IT IS SO QUIET AND BEING SOUTH FACING THE SUN STREAMS INTO IT."

PARADISE FOUND HIGH HURSTWOOD £1,495,000

"WE ARE GOING TO MISS ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS PLACE WHEN WE MOVE."

INSIDE THIS HOME Stunning House In Prestigious Setting; 5 Bedrooms/3 En-Suites/Family Bathroom; 3 Reception Rooms; Stylish Spacious Interior; Beautiful Large South Facing Garden: Own Gated Private Entrance: Double Garage and Parking: Shared Private Parkland Setting: EPC Rating E.

INSIDE THIS HOME Stunning Setting; Detached Country Home; 4 Bedrooms; 2 B<rthrooms; Elegant Drawing Room: Dining Room and Study; Bespoke Kitchen leading intn Conservatory. Garage with Workshop/Studio Over; Wealth of Character Features including Beams and OakMoulded Doors with Sussex Latches: Approximate~ 7 Acres (Subjectto Measured Survey) ofGardens, Grounds and Woodland: EPC Rating D.

FAMILY APPEAL

ELEGANT STYLE

WARMTH AND CHARM

WADHURST £425,000

WADHURST

NUTLEY

£799,000

£675,000

INSIDE THIS HOME Unique and Btou Grade IllJstBd Apartment; Ideal as Fh;t Home or LstPotentlat Open Pl~n Uving with Mezzanine Bedroom: Feature Ceiing HeightWindows; Prestigious Rural Setting on FormerF!l'm: Sul'l'OI.Jnded l;1f Countryside; Westerly Facing with Beautlfui&JnsetV!evtS; Own Parking.

INSIDE THIS HOME Substantial End Of Terrace Cottage: Situated In ASemi-Rural Location: 4 Bedrooms: Kitchen/Breakfast Room; Sitting Room: Set Within Good Sized Gardens: Lovely Rural VIews From First Floor: Potential To Extend Subject to Planning Permission: OffRoad Parking: Easy Access Wadhurst VIllage and Malnllne Station; EPC Rating D.

•THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR SOMEONE TO PUT THEIR OWN STAMP ON.•

INSIDE THIS HOME Substantial Detached Period Family Home; Victorian with Jacobean Origin; 6 Bedrooms rNf!l' 3 Rool'S: Elegant Reception Room tram Entrnnce Hall: CountJy Style Kltd1en: Sho.Ner Room: Family Bathroom: 2 Staircases: Large Gan::lensv.tth Orchard. Small Paddock ApproXImately'/• ofan Acre (Subject to Measured Survey); Garage: Rear Entrance Driveway with Extensive Pa111ing: Located in Favoured CousleyWood: No Chain: EPC Rating F.

IHE HOUSE OFFERS SO MUCH SPACE AND FLEXIBILITY LARGE GARDENS, VEGETABLE PATCH AND SMALL ORCHARD WORKS WELL FROM ALL PERSPECTIVES FOR FAMILY LIFE." AND'TOG~ERWilHTHE

"THIS HAS BEEN A VERY PRACTICAL HOUSE, WITH PLENTY OF VERY USEFUL SPACE. N

INSID 'f'-11. OME Handsome Detached Family Home: 4 Bedrooms; 3 Reception Rooms: Conservatory; Lovely Gardens: Prtvate Drive. Parlc!ng and Garage: Semi Rural Location: Great Commuting Unks: EPC Rat1ng D.

EST 1900

Successfully selling, letting, auctioneering, planning & surveying, for over 100 years

Lambert & Foster PART OF THE LOCAL LANDSCAPE

A professional service for all your property needs.

Because we know everyone~ home is their castle.

RICS REGISTERED VALUERS. PROFESSIONALS IN PROBATE, TAXATION AND EXPERT WITNESS VALUAnONS.

O

SO

T UE U EN O AV LD

W

E TH

N

NEW PHASE

THE LANES - COMING SOON

DE VELOPMENT

BEST RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT & BEST PROPERTY

The Lanes, the next phase of contemporary homes at Knights Wood, shortly to be released for sale.

This charming collection of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes are set amongst tree-lined avenues, enveloped in over 205 acres of established woodland.

Each home features the high level of specification and attention to detail that is fast becoming synonymous with this landmark development.

Register your interest now to avoid disappointment!

Prices from ÂŁ295,000. Legal fees paid on selected homes, ask for details.

by

CALL NOW TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST knightswood.co.uk 01892 800 580

Savills Tunbridge Wells 53 High Street Tunbridge Wells TN1 1XU

01892 507000 tunbridgewells@savills.com

savills.co.uk

UPPER HARTFIELD, east sussex Character farmhouse set in an idyllic rural position ø Cowden Station 5.8 miles, London Bridge from 45 minutes ø 4 reception rooms ø study ø kitchen/breakfast room ø 5 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø ground floor guest suite/office ø gardens, fields and pond ø about 6.71 acres ø additional land may be available ø 3,270 sq ft ø EPC=F

Guide £1.695 million Freehold

Contact: Amanda Wyatt

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent Substantial country property on the rural fringe of Tunbridge Wells ø 4 reception rooms ø study ø kitchen/breakfast room ø 6 bedrooms ø 4 bathrooms ø double garage ø about 0.77 acres ø 4,263 sq ft ø EPC=E

Guide £1.5 million Freehold

Contact: Amanda Wyatt

Buying or selling this spring? Talk to Savills.

Savills Tunbridge Wells 53 High Street Tunbridge Wells TN1 1XU

01892 507000 tunbridgewells@savills.com

savills.co.uk

SOUTHBOROUGH, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

MAYFIELD, east sussex

3 reception rooms ø kitchen ø conservatory ø 4 bedrooms ø 1-2 bedroom annexe ø 3 bathrooms ø garden ø double garage ø parking ø 3,378 sq ft ø EPC=C

Off the beaten track ø rarely found rural position ø potential for replacement STP ø Mayfield Village 2 miles ø about 3.40 acres ø 2,522 sq ft inc. garage ø EPC=E

Guide £1.295 million Freehold

Guide £895,000 Freehold

Contact: Amanda Wyatt

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

Contact: Charlotte Melrose-Cantouris

ASHURST, NR TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

MLS about 1.1 miles ø grammar schools under 1 mile ø scope for improvement ø 5 bedrooms 3 double bedrooms ø 3 bathrooms ø 2 receptions ø kitchen ø courtyard garden ø 2 receptions ø garden ø garage and parking ø 1,434 sq ft ø EPC=E ø garage and parking ø Ashurst MLS about 150 m ø 1,804 sq ft ø EPC=D

Guide £725,000 Freehold

Contact: Liz Devall

Guide £595,000 Freehold

Buying or selling this spring? Talk to Savills.

Amanda Wyatt Negotiator 01892 507009 acwyatt@savills.com

Charlotte MelroseCantouris Negotiator 01892 507001 cmcantouris@savills.com

Liz Devall Negotiator 01892 507060 ldevall@savills.com

Contact: Charlotte Melrose-Cantouris

A Beautiful, contemporary home Ready for immediate occupation This sleek and modern 5-bedroom new build home by Portfolio Homes offers versatile accommodation of more than 2400sqft, located in a quiet cul-de-sac, within half a mile of Edenbridge High Street. This home benefits from: • Spacious and light open-plan kitchen/family/dining room • South-West facing rear garden with sun terrace • Separate double garage • Master bedroom with en suite shower room • Bi-fold doors onto the garden.

T h e G r a n a ry

Pr ic ed at £ 7 5 0,0 00 T: +44 (0) 1883 712375 | W: jackson-stops.co.uk

Mill Hill, Edenbrid ge

Country living at its finest k e e pe rs cot ta g e , I de H i l l R oa d , B o u g h B e e c h A luxury 5 bedroom family home in a rural setting amidst gardens and grounds of about 6.7 acres, yet only 7 miles from Sevenoaks Guide Price £1,825,000

|

T: +44 (0) 1883 712375

|

W: jackson-stops.co.uk

I M P R E S S I V E HO M E S TO C O M P L E M E N T TOD AY â&#x20AC;&#x2122;S M OD E R N L I F E S T Y L E

Hom e s

A previous Fernham Homes development

With over 60 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience in the housebuilding trade, Fernham Homes are renowned as a premium Kent developer, having grown from strength to strength by providing unrivalled customer service, consistent build quality and meticulous attention to detail within their specification. Each of their superb new homes, built in desirable and well-connected locations, offers the latest in technology and modern conveniences for a home to be proud of and a superb lifestyle to match.

THE KENTISH COLLECTION

Computer generated image

Computer generated image

WOOLHOUSE PLACE, STONE, DARTFORD

HOP GARDEN CLOSE, EAST PECKHAM, KENT

Nine, 3 bedroom homes at the end of a cul-de-sac, all with parking and just minutes from Bluewater Shopping Centre

Four elegant detached 4 bedroom family homes located in the heart of the village

FARLEIGH HEIGHTS, TOVIL

PEARSALL PLACE, BOROUGH GREEN

Twenty seven 3 & 4 bedroom homes being built on elevated land located to the south east of Maidstone town centre

Coming in late 2015 Fernham Homes flagship site of forty one houses and apartments close to Borough Green station

T: 01732 379940

|

E: sales@fernham-homes.co.uk

|

www.fernham-homes.co.uk

3 o 0

% e

rr

se so r v ld ed

The Old Coachworks Ticehurst Village

Prices from £295,000 NO to worrying about:

YES to having:

• Blocked drains • Roof repairs • Clearing gutters • Boiler breakdowns • External decorating • Window cleaning • Buildings insurance • Grass cutting • Isolation • Security • Going away leaving property empty • Having to rely solely on family for help • Arranging care or support services

• Beautiful new spacious apartment • Two double Bedrooms • En-suite Bathroom • Wet room with drench shower • Good size fitted kitchen • Bosch Appliances • Sit out balcony or terrace • Landscaped gardens • Ample private parking • Community internet lounge • Concierge/Night Porter • Housekeeping/Support on site • Managed Gardening & Maintenace

A superb development of just 25 very spacious two bedroom apartments and penthouses, designed exclusively by Court Royal for those aged 65 and over with comfort, security and peace of mind built in, so worrying about the annoying things in life can all be a thing of the past at The Old Coachworks.

For a private appointment to view this spectacular development please call Bracketts Estate Agents - 01892 533733 or email courtroyal@bracketts.co.uk. Sales office & show apartment open from 10am - 4pm, Thursday to Sunday The Old Coach Works, High Street, Ticehurst, East Sussex, TN5 7EX

01892 838363 carol@fireflyproperties.co.uk

www.fireflyproperties.co.uk

new home with Firefly this Spring!

HORSMONDEN £559,995 Character Home 4 Bedrooms , 2 receptions Cranbrook School Catchment EPC E

4 Bedroom detached character home EPC D

..,

£595,000

YALDING (upper ground) £649,995

GRADE I! listed 4 bedrooms, 3 receptions Many character features

Fabulous Grade 11 listed home Must be viewed to fully appreciate!

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 • By Deborah Miller

1

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

2

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

You wouldn’t buy a car without the knowledge of a service history, so why would you run this financial risk when buying a house?

you are instructing and that the firm is registered with a regulatory body such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

There are bogus law firms out there who will take your money and then close up shop which means you lose the money and your dream home. That is why it is essential that you get the advice and guidance you need every step of the way from a known reputable law firm. They are there to help you avoid the pitfalls of what can be a murky area.

The cheapest option may not always prove to be the best. Remember, this may well be the biggest purchase you’ll make and you want to be sure that you know what you are buying. You should be able to contact your conveyancer and fully understand what is happening at each step of the move. If you are not sure, ask! One further point to bear in 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 wouldn’t buy a car without the knowledge of a service history, so why would you run this financial risk when buying a house?

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.maxbarford.co.uk

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 the property ladder. You should also make sure you know who

Wednesday 18th March 2015

Max Barford & Co. is a trading name of Parfitt Cresswell. Parfitt Cresswell is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. No. 71480

FASHION, HEALTH AND BEAUTY �

51

TOP OF THE SHOPS

Could the solution to stressful shopping trips be to hire someone to do it for you? Charlie Bond finds out…

FOR many, shopping is a nightmare. The struggle of trudging round and trying on outfits which make you feel fat, frumpy or frightful is a regular reality. While some women breeze through the checkout with fabulous and fashionable finds, the rest of us are stuck in a bright changing room struggling to do up a pair of skinny jeans.

And that’s if we make it to the changing room – many of us would rather do it at home, but that’s probably why the average woman has 22 unworn items in her wardrobe and it’s estimated that every year, women waste £30billion on clothes they never wear.

So how to combat the ‘I shop but have nothing to wear’ cycle? Hire someone, that’s how. Enter Lynne Meek, personal stylist, image consultant and “wardrobe editor” who runs Tunbridge Wells-based www.stylingmatters.co.uk. Her days are filled with helping women de-clutter closets while helping them find their unique style. She’ll even go shopping with you and choose what she knows will work.

I enjoy shopping, but my approach is besieged with bad habits. I’m a panic purchaser; I buy because I suddenly need a dress/handbag/ shoes, so tend to pick something on a lunch break that’s inevitably ill-fitting. I’m also quite into fashion but tend to buy separates from which I can’t make outfits. Cue a wardrobe full of things I love but have never worn. I’m hoping Lynn can give me some pointers to avoid these mistakes.

Usually Lynne meets a client and filters their wardrobe to make space for purchases but today we’re just on a whistlestop tour of Tunbridge Wells High Street where she finds me outfits for three needs – daytime/work, a glamorous evening and a casual occasion.

BOD & TED We meet in Bod & Ted, a boutique selling everything from jewellery to jeans. Lynne asks me to take off my coat to get an idea of my shape, then she finds me an outfit. “I want you to love it,” she says, rifling through the clothes.

It doesn’t take long for her to pull out a grey and pink tunic dress, (£74) a grey jersey biker jacket with metallic lining (£74), both Marie & Sixtine, and some H by Hudson grey suede boots (£99). I love ankle boots but often find they make my short legs look even shorter, so I’m surprised these don’t. I’m seriously impressed with this outfit – a great start!

UNIQUE STYLE Lynne helps Charlie choose

PAST & PRECIOUS Our next stop is Past & Precious, a dress agency specialising in second-hand designer clothes. Lynne picks a dress which I definitely would not have chosen. It’s a wardrobe staple of the fashion elite, everyone from Victoria Beckham to Kate Winslet has worn the figure-hugging Hervé Léger number and I definitely didn’t have myself down as one of those people. “Wow…it looks tight,” is all I can muster as Lynne

ushers me upstairs to try it on with a pair of stilettos by Lucy Choi London. I’m apprehensive but surprisingly, it does up with ease and more surprisingly, it doesn’t look bad. I still think it’s one best left to the Victoria Beckhams, but as I tend to veer towards looser clothes, it’s nice to see I could wear something tighter.

ILSE JACOBSEN Our last stop is Ilse Jacobsen, which sells luxury casualwear.

Lynne selects a pair of patterned harem pants which I love, but they’re not right. “I wanted them to fit differently,” says Lynne, finding me a pair of jeans instead. She then layers a lace vest over a silk camisole and adds a long necklace, blue jacket and pair of rain boots. I would wear this outfit and love the lace and silk which make it more feminine.

VERDICT I loved my day discovering styles but think the first look was a winner–I’m tempted to go back and buy the whole thing!

I’ve learned a lot about my shopping habits and from now on, will always try before I buy.

LYNNE SHARES HER SHOPPING SECRETS… 1. Always try things on, that’s when money gets wasted.

2. We’re all a bit optimistic and think we’ll slim or might wear something - be honest with yourself.

3. Only buy something if you really like it. Quite liking something isn’t good enough, go away and if it’s still nagging at you later, go back and get it.

4. I don’t generally advocate buying more than two of the same item in different colours. You’re probably only going to wear the first and maybe the second.

5. Be realistic about your size. A lot of people tend to buy bigger, then it doesn’t fit right and it’s not very flattering.

6. When someone puts a jacket on and it does up, they think it fits but it’s usually miles too big, I would say go down a size.

7. Ignore the size, it’s so variable, just wear what looks best.

8. One of my biggest tips is not to do much internet shopping, that’s where so much money is wasted. You can’t tell what the quality or colour is like.

FROM LEFT TOP PICKS Bod & Ted Charlie’s favourite outfit LITTLE BLACK DRESS Past & Precious The designer number FEELING BLUE The Ilse Jacobsen outfit

Wednesday 18th 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

Distribution Supervisor

• Friendly, approachable personality

£9.50 ph Permanent Part-Time: Every Wednesday 5am – 2pm

• Honest and trustworthy

The role of Distribution Supervisor is integral to the success of the newspaper. The role requires you manage and oversee the delivery of the newspapers to our town centre storage unit every week at 5am onwards, ensure all collections by our distribution partners are achieved as agreed and oversee the management of our town centre team of 4 hawkers on a Wednesday.

• Hardworking and reliable

The ideal candidate for this role displays the following traits: • Friendly, approachable personality • Honest and trustworthy • Hardworking and reliable • Happy to lead our small distribution team • Take pride in their work • Able to problem solve quickly and calmly • Happy to work as part of a team or alone • Flexible and happy to accept additional hours if need be • Car driver preferred but not essential This role starts ASAP full training given.

For more details and to apply for this exciting role please contact: kawcock@markerstudy.com

Distributor £7.50- £8.00 ph Permanent Part-Time: 11 days per month (22hrs per week) Due to continued growth across our five companies we now need recruit a permanent part-time promotion/distribution team of six friendly, outgoing and reliable people to help us promote our brands to the general public. As a frontline, customer facing member of our team, you will be interacting with the general public, handing out flyers, newspapers etc across the Borough of Tunbridge Wells and slightly further afield i.e. Sevenoaks, distributing our magazines and newspapers through residential letter boxes, attending gymnastic displays with our local gymnasts and offering samples from the menus of one of our restaurants. The role is varied and mostly outside, an element of walking will be required. Some of the regular projects require staff to be operation from 6am, so ‘morning’ people are essential.

The ideal candidate for this role displays the following traits:

• Take pride in their work • Happy to work as part of a team or alone • Flexible and happy to accept additional hours if need be • Car driver preferred but not essential This role starts ASAP. For more details and to apply for this exciting role please contact: kawcock@markerstudy.com

BORED AT WORK? LOST YOUR SP 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.

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 • 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

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

Wednesday 18th 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.

Bluebird Care is one of the leading provider of professional, high quality home care based in Tunbridge Wells.

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

16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU jobs@gerrardwhite.com 01892 55 33 55

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

Account Manager Integrated creative communications agency, Kent

Salary up to £35k plus benefits (neg.)

We urgently need another experienced Account Manager to join our client service team, currently based in Lords Wood, Kent.

The agency’s client list is broad and varied, including brands like ebookers, Kent County Council, Leeds Castle, Virgin Racing, Canterbury Christ Church University, Southeastern and TNT International. The successful candidate will be able to provide a track record of working on fully-integrated programs for a similar diversity of clients in the business-to-business, consumer and public sectors.

Our Account Managers need to be bright, personable, passionate about what they do, and committed to furthering a career in this exciting and rewarding industry. As well as an ability to manage client accounts, we need people who can manage the other members of their team, inspiring colleagues to deliver the highest quality outputs and client service.

If this sounds like you, please call Belinda Collins, our Client Service Director, on 01634 671167 or 07712 049 443 and tell her why we should consider adding you to our team.

You can download a full Job Description from our website at www.thinkzest.com/contact-us

Zest TW Times Recruitment ad 159x140.indd 1

Wednesday 18th13/03/2015 March 2015 11:45

54 � FOOD AND DRINK

Fascinating food facts TOMATOES CONSIDERED POISONOUS Until the 19th century, most Europeans were under the misconception that eating tomatoes could be fatal and avoided them due to their resemblance to deadly nightshade berries. Prior to this time, they were grown in European countries almost exclusively for curiosity, ornamental and decorative purposes.

On the menu at...

La Roche www.larochetw.co.uk 7 London Road Tunbridge Wells TN1 1DG

DINNER USED TO MEAN BREAKFAST The English word ‘dinner’ comes from the French word “disner”, which means “breakfast”. Traditionally, dinner was eaten about noon as the first meal of the day. Earlier meals to “break the fast” gradually became the norm, so dinner was subsequently moved to a later time.

MULTIGRAIN DOESN’T MEAN WHOLEGRAIN The term “multigrain” should not be confused with “wholegrain” or “whole wheat”. The latter two are often associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes and digestive problems, whereas the former simply means the food is made from several grains, but not necessarily unrefined ones.

LOLLIES INVENTED BY 11-YEAR-OLD BOY Popsicles were created accidentally in 1905 by a Californian boy named Frank Epperson.

After leaving a mixture of powdered soda, water and a stir stick outside overnight, he found it frozen the next morning and patented his invention as the Epsicle in 1923.

TEABAGS WERE CREATED BY ACCIDENT In 1904, a New York tea merchant named Thomas Sullivan began sending samples to his customers in small silken bags. Rather than empty the contents as intended, however, patrons brewed their tea using the entire bag instead. And thus, the humble tea bag was born.

ASSORTED DANISHES PISTACHIO SLICES AND ASSORTED FRUIT TARTS, CHOCOLATE TARTS AND MERINGUES

CRUMBS! BREAD ‘IS BAD FOR DUCKS’ It is a spring tradition to feed the local ducks bread - but it is potentially destroying their habitats and causing stress and misery.

Instead of “junk food”, the Canal and River Trust says that oats, corn, or defrosted frozen peas should be fed to our feathered friends.

The trust claims that six million loaves of bread are thrown into canals and rivers every year, damaging hundreds of thousands of ducks’ homes.

Offal recipes ARNAVUT CIGERI

Take enough lamb’s liver for your guests and cut into approximately half-inch cubes, discarding any membrane and tubes. Toss the liver in well seasoned flour and shallow fry in oil. You ideally want a slightly crisped exterior with a faintly pink centre but can cook for a bit more if you like it well done. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon on to kitchen paper then scatter on to a salad of finely shredded raw onion tossed with lots of flat-leaf parsley and sprinkle with sumac (a lemony scented crushed dried berry, easily found in the spice section at the supermarket), a little sea salt and perhaps a lemon wedge.

KIDNEYS TURBIGO

Sauté sliced lamb’s kidneys, button mushrooms, baby onions and cocktail sausages then dress with a sauce of homemade stock, a splash of Madeira, and a bit of tomato purée. Warm through and season then pile on toast made from the best bread you can afford.

CERVELLE I ZUCCHINI FRITTI 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 18th March 2015

Recipe borrowed from Trattoria Leonarda di Naldi Dante, Bologna Make a poaching liquid of water, a glass of white wine, an onion, a carrot, peppercorns and lots of bay. Poach one calf’s brain per diner for 20 minutes and leave to cool in the liquid. Peel off the fine membrane and any

obvious blood vessels. Cut into inch-sided dice and dip into a thin batter (if you need a recipe, look for a tempura batter) and fry in deep oil to crisp up. Cut some courgettes into sticks and likewise batter and fry. Serve together with a glass or so of Vino Novello di Lambrusco (the real thing, not the sweet fizzy rubbish from the supermarket). It’s also nice if you grate some Parmesan into the batter mix.

FOOD AND DRINK �

55

There’s an offal lot of ways to cook your lamb kidneys

APPLE TART

Properly prepared, there is nothing that cannot be rendered delicious

RHUBARB TART

ASSORTED QUICHES

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

these are subtle and delicate meats that need brief contact with heat

There is a range of ways to cook offal

OFFAL ON OFFER

Mark Barker, manager at J.C.Rook butchers

• By Damian Cotton I AM an unapologetic omnivore. While I have the utmost admiration for those who are vegetarian for ethical reasons, and indeed have many veggie and vegan days each week, I really enjoy eating animals because they are made out of meat. However, it must be meat from a good source: free range, organic to a point (proper veterinary drugs are necessary from a welfare point of view) and preferably a traditional breed that has characteristics like flavour and some fat content.

What I also insist on is the eating of the whole beast - what Fergus Henderson calls “nose to tail eating”. I do think that if one is going to raise an animal for food, then it is disrespectful and foolishly wasteful not to consume all of the carcass. I do appreciate that offal (or the amusing American term “variety meats”) can be intimidating to the squeamish, but properly prepared, there is nothing that cannot be rendered delicious. Indeed, once one has embarked on a course of lovely organ meats, the idea of fillet steak or chicken breast will become somewhat dull.

Possibly, school dinners and workplace canteens are to blame for our cultural reluctance to consume organ meats. I recall with great loathing the pig’s liver and onions served at school – great slabs of tough liver with a greyish gravy

– and I once worked at a place that had kidneys turbigo as a regular canteen lunch - potentially a fine dish, but not if monstrously overcooked and left under hot lamps for a couple of hours. Indeed, overcooking is the greatest sin committed against offal. Remember that these are subtle and delicate meats that need brief contact with heat.

Consider the humble kidney. Lamb is probably the easiest to start with, being of a milder taste than pig and cheaper than calf. There is a mythology about soaking them in milk to remove any aromas arising from their primary function, but in my experience this is rarely needed be guided by your nose and soak away if you wish. There are so many ways to prepare: the great British devilled kidney with mustard and a pinch of cayenne; the wonderful Spanish riñones al Jerez, simply sautéed with garlic and onion and then bubbled with a glass of sherry.

Or why not try just seasoning halves of lamb’s kidneys and maybe adding some crushed garlic and cooking on the barbecue on skewers? If you do splash out on calves’ kidneys, the classic French rognons de veau is a good start, a bistro dish where veal kidney chunks are seared in hot butter, flamed with cognac and sauced with a little cream and Dijon mustard. One tip worth noting is that most kidney dishes can be bulked up with ordinary mushrooms for an agreeable contrast of texture and boost of flavour.

Or perhaps some liver? Sautéed chicken

livers, well seasoned, make a fabulous topping for dressed salad leaves, or as a starter on toast with grilled goat’s cheese. Calf’s liver is so delicate and tender, it needs to be cut very thin and flash-griddled or seared in a pan and accompanied by some crisp pancetta.

Pig’s liver has a stronger flavour and works best with onions and garlic, or as liver and bacon with a good meaty gravy - and is also the best base for a coarse pâté. Lamb’s liver works well in almost any recipe, but my personal favourite is the Turkish arnavut cigeri (see recipe) which is considered almost medicinal in its stimulating tonic properties. There are restaurants all over Turkey that open in the late afternoon for a few hours and only sell this preparation - I have a fond recollection of such a place in Edirne where I sat munching succulent liver amidst multigenerational family groups.

Then some brains. Not only for zombies, you see. Meltingly soft with a flavour that is an echo of the taste of the animal it’s from. Hard to find–you’ll need to befriend your butcher–but quite simple to prepare.

Wash well in several changes of water, peel off the membrane and gently poach for about 15 to 20 minutes. Then serve with noisette butter and parsley or cover in breadcrumbs or a light batter and deep fry then add a salsa verde. The bite through the crisp crumb into succulent flesh is one of the finest things you can do with your mouth.

If you are a little more adventurous, ask your butcher for lamb’s fry. Treat like brains, poach, peel and finish. Try them tossed in seasoned flour, fried gently in a little butter and olive oil and scattered with capers or caperberries. I once organised a works jolly for about thirty at a Lebanese restaurant with these as one of the many mezze and I’ll never forget young Carl’s reaction when he found he’d just eaten a lamb’s testicle.

Let us not forget sweetbreads, the pancreas and thymus gland: possibly the finest of all organ meats. Delicately flavoured yet with a decent chew, these little nuggets are regularly found in top end restaurants, and are a simple treat at home. Then there are gizzards from poultry, although these are really just meat, as they are a hunk of muscle that operates the crop (a gastric pouch that grinds seeds with grit before digestion).

You should never come back from France without a few vacuum packs of gesiers confit to heat through and add to slams or as a cassoulet ingredient. Hearts are also muscle, just like any regular meat, and are best handled like squid: Cook hot, hard and fast, or long, gentle and slow - a favourite of mine is heart cut into bits and skewered, marinated in oil and garlic and plenty of pepper then cooked over hot coals - drop in a pitta with salad and you’ll never go to the kebab van again.

Likewise tongue - a powerful muscle that produces a surprisingly sweet meat when cooked.

You could also try pig’s ears and tails, wonderful calf’s tripe, chitterlings and andouille, scratchings and fried rinds, cowheel and pigs trotters. Each with its own flavour palette and some intriguing textures. And then the beasts will not have died in vain, only to be served as boneless skinless fillets.

Wednesday 18th March 2015

56 � FOOD AND DRINK

Head to Madeira for ‘astoundingly good’ family food from Portugal FAMILY-STYLE Madeira chef/manager Elio Virissimo

This is a lovely restaurant, staffed by some smashing people, and is terrific value. I’ve booked for next week RESTAURANT MADEIRA Wine from £3 a glass Starters from £3.50 Mains from £10 Desserts from £5 155-157 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2RF 01892 544144 restaurantmadeira.co.uk

CATAPLANA SOL MAR Mussels,clams, king prawns & langoustines served in a traditional hinged copper pot

Wednesday 18th March 2015

• By Damien Cotton PORTUGAL and England have a very old history together.

Both nations have periodically ruled vast chunks of the world via naval prowess and trade. Officially, the alliance was created in 1373 by treaty but it actually dates back to the middle of the 12th century, when English crusaders assisted with the Reconquista. In fact, Gilbert of Hastings was rewarded for his efforts by being made bishop of Lisbon, something one would struggle to imagine nowadays. The closeness between the nations had been increased by trade–since the beginning of the 18th century, when politics and conflicts prevented the import of French wines and brandies, the English have enthusiastically consumed the fortified wines of the Douro.

Given this closeness, it is a little odd that we have relatively few Portuguese restaurants in the UK. Obviously London has a few, mostly round the Stockwell and Brixton border, and there’s a fair number of Madeiran cafes where one may enjoy uma bica (like an espresso but not. Remember that there is an awful lot of coffee in Brazil, that Brazil used to be a colony of Portugal and so the Portuguese do tend to get the best beans) and a couple of pasteis de nata, the traditional intensely sweet and rich custard tart, but the main part of Portuguese cuisine is under-represented.

Except in Tunbridge Wells, where we have Madeira at the far end of Camden Road, past the mosque and most of the way to Orpington. I am guilty of not having visited here until recently, out of a sadness at the demise of the previous occupant, the excellent Preedee who served what was at the time the best Thai in the area, but lost out because we were all too lazy to travel that extra few yards out of the town centre. However, having told myself to stop being petulant, I ventured incognito, in for lunch.

The interior is little changed, a homely family style place with basic and comfortable furnishings (like we need anything else?) Its national allegiance is made clear by the photographs of people and food and by the

ornaments, especially the multiple representations of Barcelo’s cock. (Barcelo was a chap from Portugal who was famous for his cockerel, which had saved his life, and it has become a ubiquitous symbol of good fortune to the extent that most Portuguese businesses have at least one graven image of Barcelo’s cock - that’s why horrid (ie not free range chicken and the chips are rubbish) Nandos has paintings and models of black roosters everywhere as they too have a Portuguese influence via Angola.

There is some fado music playing softly, which is appropriate and actually rather pleasant, bringing back memories of good nights in the Alfama in Lisbon. The welcome is genuine and friendly and yet again, I must say that this is why little independents are better than chains, because all the people involved really care and are wholly committed. It is a refreshingly short menu, suggesting fresh not frozen, and although pretty much useless for vegetarians (who are nearly extinct on the Iberian peninsula anyway) there is an even split between flesh and fish.

On being seated and ordering a half-litre jug of house red (only £7.50, a Capataz red that is technically a mere table wine, but in glass is fragrant and fruity, and very drinkable with plum and sour cherry on the palate), I am given a small plate of fried potato skins - as the restaurant makes its own chips from scratch, the skins are washed and fried and served with sea salt - which are crisp and deliciously potatoey.

As a fat man, I pick two starters; pasteis de bacalhau, salt cod fritters; hot and crisp with a melting interior, a gentle cod flavour and a hint of onion, these are as good as you’ll find anywhere, and come with the usual mesclun salad and some quality black olives. But the outstanding charcuterie puts them in the shade: we all know about Italian prosciutto, Spanish jamon, French charcuterie and so forth, but one of the best kept secrets of the western world is how astoundingly good Portuguese cured meats can be. There is ham as good as any jabugo Iberico, rich and meaty salted air-dried loin, subtle chourico that is less dominated by paprika than its Spanish cousin, and a truly memorable salami, dark, deep pork and rich fat, fully aged dark slices made from

a really happy animal that has eaten incredibly well. The home-made pickled carrot and cauliflower garnishes are superb, although the garlic croutes, like Angel di Maria, could be dropped without impact. These are meats of the highest standard, which have never been plastic-wrapped and cool-chained. I could eat this every day and never get bored.

Although there is frango a piri-piri, the chilli-spiked chargrilled chicken I love so much when made with non-industrial birds, and also porco a alentejano, the curious surf and turf collision of pork and clams which is a Portuguese mainstay, the restaurant’s speciality is meat espetada, barbecued on a skewer. I ask for lamb, but you can also have chicken or sirloin of beef. The meat is a generous portion, basted with garlic, olive oil and fresh rosemary: the gimmick is that it is served on a wrought iron hook with the skewer hanging down so you fork off chunks as you want them. It’s pretty and harmless and it does mean you can stick your carbohydrate side dish under it to catch the juices. Now the home-made chips are tempting, but the other option is fried maize, and I don’t really like maize/corn in other cuisines as it is too powerful a flavour, but I’d be a poorer critic not to try something unknown. Boy was I pleased: a very pale cornmeal boiled up into a polenta-like mush, cooled, cubed and flash deep-fried- one of the nicest things yet invented. The paler than usual corn has a delicate taste and the textural contrast between soft inside and crunchy outer works and it soaks up the lamb juices just right.

I asked for the lamb to be cooked slightly pink, which it is but with a good char and very tender and every inch edible. There’s a decent salad with oil and vinegar provided and a happy, full diner. Simple, deft cooking of good ingredients at a very good price point.

Too full for dessert, but just enough room for one of those fabulous small smooth coffees, and a shot of aguardente–to my huge joy, they stock the Branca brand from Madeira, which is an unaged sugar cane rum, and in the premium 50 per cent proof version. I thought it must be my birthday. I’m glad I bothered, Madeira is a lovely restaurant, staffed by some smashing people, and is terrific value. I’ve booked for next week.

PUZZLES �

DOUBLE CROSSWORD

14. In such a trip, Englishmen may mature (5) 15. I hurried round in bad weather (4) 16. Set of people who don’t quite reach adulthood (5) 18. A trial of brute strength (4) 20. A ray of light at right-angles to the ship (5) 21. Not easily obtainable - too closely held (5) 24. The colour of an explosive

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 A

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

R 14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

1

2

3

9

10

14

15

8

11

4

16 13

12

7

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

QUICK CLUES:

Across 3. Purpose (9) 8. Lazy (4) 9. Cowardly (9) 10. Parcel (6) 11. Inhuman (5) 14. Extent (5) 15. Weed (4) 16. Bring up (5) 18. Fling (4) 20. Unrestrained (5) 21. Rascal (5) 24. Represent (6) 25. Behaviour (9) 26. Hinge (4) 27. Wretched (9)

Down 1. Incongruity (9) 2. Laxity (9) 4. Thrash (4) 5. Penetrate (5) 6. Goal (6) 7. Base (4) 9. Discourage (5) 11. Clear-cut (5) 12. Toilsome (9) 13. Contrite (9) 17. Senior (5) 19. Plan (6) 22. Craze (5) 23. Fairy (4) 24. Overcast (4)

6

Crustacean Seethe Molten rock Dull pain Heroic Cook Standard Metal

5

9. Aquatic bird 10. New Zealand bird 11. Lazy 12. Jug 13. Grass 14. Information 15. Elderly 16. Entrance

Keyword clue: A U.S. state

SUDOKU

22

23

24

25

26

1. Which actress is playing new recruit Barbara in the BBC1 drama Call the Midwife?

2. Nick Helm and Elliot SpellerGillott have returned as Andy and Errol for a new series of which BBC3 sitcom?

3. Which British songstress recently topped the singles chart with Love Me Like You Do? 4. Judi Dench and Dev Patel are among the stars of which new film sequel, set in India?

5. Which TV sitcom of the 1960s and 70s was set in the fictional Fenn Street School, and starred John Alderton as teacher Bernard Hedges?

9. What was the title of Jamiroquai’s only Number One single, in July 1998?

10. Which actress is playing a woman whose affair with her neighbour takes a dangerous turn in the new film The Boy Next Door?

SOLUTIONS

11. Stars including Jennifer Saunders and Dame Edna Everage are competing in a new series of which celebrity TV talent contest for Red Nose Day? 12. Come Live with Me and Temptation were Top Ten hits of the 1980s for which Sheffield band?

13. Neve Campbell starred as Bonnie, one of four teenage witches, in which 1996 film?

14. Who is Barging Round Britain in the new ITV1 series of that name?

15. Which British disco group’s hits of the 1980s 6. Shadows in the Night is the 36th and latest studio album from which US included singer?

Substitute and Dance 7. Which 1992 film was the first to star Yourself Harrison Ford as CIA analyst Jack Ryan?

Dizzy?

8. Who cooked up a Recipe for Romance in a recent Channel 4 cookery special?

Door.

Keyword: GEORGIA CODEWORD: 1=H, 2=O, 3=A, 4=P, 5=J, 6=U, 7=Y, 8=Z, 9=N, 10=G, 11=T, 12=S, 13=X, 14=W, 15=I, 16=D, 17=Q, 18=F, 19=L, 20=K, 21=V, 22=B, 23=M, 24=R, 25=E, 26=C ENTERTAINMENT QUIZ: 1 Charlotte Ritchie; 2 Uncle; 3 Ellie Goulding; 4 The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel; 5 Please Sir!; 6 Bob Dylan; 7 Patriot Games; 8 Heston Blumenthal; 9 Deeper Underground; 10 Jennifer Lopez; 11 The Great Comic Relief Bake Off; 12 Heaven 17; 13 The Craft; 14 John Sergeant; 15 Liquid Gold SUDOKU:

Codeword is the crossword puzzle with no clues. The number in each square corresponds to a letter. Work out the words in the grid using the letters provided. Fill in these known letters first, then use skill and judgement to work out the others.

2

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.

ENTERTAINMENT QUIZ

CODEWORD

1

WORD SPIRAL

DOUBLE CROSSWORD: Cryptic: Across: 3 Press home; 8 Trap; 9 All at once; 10 Nicely; 11 Fleet; 14 Ripen; 15 Rain; 16 Group; 18 Test; 20 Abeam; 21 Tight; 24 Maroon; 25 Sensation; 26 Bent; 27 Appealing. Down: 1 At any rate; 2 March past; 4 Rely; 5 Stall; 6 Hooter; 7 Mice; 9 Along; 11 Float; 12 Take cover; 13 In a minute; 17 Pagan; 19 Tissue; 22 Hotel; 23 Keep; 24 Moan.

Quick: Across: 3 Objective; 8 Idle; 9 Dastardly; 10 Packet; 11 Cruel; 14 Range; 15 Tare; 16 Raise; 18 Toss; 20 Loose; 21 Scamp; 24 Depict; 25 Demeanour; 26 Turn; 27 Miserable. Down: 1 Disparity; 2 Slackness; 4 Beat; 5 Enter; 6 Target; 7 Vile; 9 Deter; 11 Crisp; 12 Laborious; 13 Repentant; 17 Elder; 19 Scheme; 22 Mania; 23 Peri; 24 Dull.

WORD SPIRAL: 1 Crab; 2 Boil; 3 Lava; 4 Ache; 5 Epic; 6 Chef; 7 Flag; 8 Gold; 9 Duck; 10 Kiwi; 11 Idle; 12 Ewer; 13 Reed; 14 Data; 15 Aged; 16

CRYPTIC CLUES: Across 3. Push domestic newspapers as far as possible? (5,4) 8. Ambush meant that only some got back (4) 9. Suddenly everybody appeared at the same time (3,2,4) 10. Agreeably - like at a French resort? (6) 11. A lot of ships are fast (5)

device (6) 25. Feeling it is something that will create enormous interest? (9) 26. A propensity for being crooked (4) 27. Trying to get judgment changed is attractive (9) Down 1. Whatever may happen, the speed doesn’t matter, apparently (2,3,4) 2. April, perhaps, is when the salute may be taken (5,4) 4. Initially report even local youths have confidence (4) 5. Come to a standstill in the stable? (5) 6. Horny owl? (6) 7. I.e. interspersed with 1100 rodents (4) 9. From end to end of a journal on gardening (5) 11. Keep one’s head above water when there’s nothing in the tenement (5) 12. Assume control of 100 and seek shelter (4,5) 13. Shortly part of an item of the records of the meeting (2,1,6) 17. Heather horse gets up after father! (5) 19. Fabric from which suites may be made (6) 22. The French put up with very warm inn (5) 23. Don’t surrender this part of the castle (4) 24. Complaint means the fellow has eaten nothing (4)

57

Wednesday 18th 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

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

PAUL’S GIG OF THE WEEK IS… SPRINGFEST 2015 - A superb weekend of local music entertainment at The Cross Keys pub, raising money for The Kezi Silverstone Trust, with 27 acts performing from the Acoustic Reverbs Collective.

Free entry, music from 1.30pm till late on both days.

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM Doors 7.30pm, entry price varies, event information and tickets at www.twforum.co.uk Thursday - Common Ground: Dull Knife, Jack & George, Kid Bookie, Jack Leon Mackey and Jessica Simpson Friday - Lonely The Brave and Hannah

01892 779 650 newsdesk@ timesof tunbridgewells .co.uk

Lou Clark Saturday - Local & Live Electric: Creatures of Habit, Eden, Audiowhores, Chameleon Sunday - Live but not as we know it: Bert, Monkey Trap, Higgs and the Bosons THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE The Pantiles Doors 7.15pm, entry £5/£7, websites www.pdag.co.uk www.thegreylady.co.uk Wednesday - Lucy Jarrett, Roberto Picazo, Declan Foster, Funke & The Two Tone Baby Friday - Soul Kitchen (9.30pm till late) Saturday - (closed for private party) Sunday - The Frampton Sisters, The Good Ship Band, Dan Clews Tuesday - Lucy Evenden, Liam Hannigan, The Reverend Eli Finnegan, The Logan Wilson Band

FESTIVAL: Millie Manders will be playing at Springfest

Wednesday - Calafia, Aaron David Frith, Hannah Haynes, Kyla and Nat TRINITY THEATRE Church Road Doors 7pm, ticket prices vary, event information and tickets at www. trinitytheatre.net or 01892 678678 Wednesday - Crash, Bang, Wallop!

Sunday - GEMS Concert THE ASSEMBLY HALLS Crescent Road Doors 7pm, event information and tickets at www.assemblyhalltheatre. co.uk or 01892 530613 Thursday - The Platters live in concert Friday - Benjamin Grosvenor piano recital THE BEDFORD PUB 2 High Street Free entry, music from 8pm.

Wednesday - Sean Fennessey & friends Thursday - Lucky Jackson + support act THE CROSS KEYS St Johns Road Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Wednesday - Cross Keys Open Mic Thursday - Sonny’s Jazz Friday - Sonny’s Blues with Dave Jackson Saturday and Sunday - Springfest Sunday - Acoustic Reverb Collective Open Mic Monday - TWUNT Ukulele Jam THE BEAU NASH Mount Ephraim Open all day, free entry, music from 9pm.

Saturday - The Charlie Monroe Band THE ROYAL OAK Prospect Road Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Friday - Folly Wildlife Rescue Trust Saturday - No Strings Attached THE SCALLYWAG CAFÉ 45 Mount Ephraim Doors open 7.30pm Thursday – Hannah Coles + James & Grace Carroll and Holly Stanford

SEVEN DAYS OF EVENTS AT A GLANCE DAVE BARNETT makes a selection from the next seven days of events featured on www.tunbridgewellsevents.co.uk. Full details of these and more than 700 other events are available on the website.

>> WEDNESDAY The week in Tunbridge Wells starts with the first of a string of interesting films at Trinity; Tim Burton’s Big Eyes starring Amy Adams. >> THURSDAY The films continue at Trinity with the classic Withnail

and I, a rare chance to see this on a big screen (with a glass of wine if you like). Who says we don’t have a cinema in the town centre?

While at the Assembly Hall we have a different sort of classic, The Platters. First formed in 1952, they were early pioneers of rock and roll with numerous hit singles both here and in the USA. A different line-up of course but the same great sound.

>> FRIDAY The Trinity films keep coming, this evening it is Oscar/ Bafta winner The Imitation Game with Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley. So if you missed it during the original run, here’s an opportunity to catch it.

There are several piano recitals in town this week, this evening is Benjamin Grosvenor at the Assembly Hall. Now aged 22, Benjamin has been winning competitions and awards since he was ten, so it should be good.

>> SATURDAY Today is The Pantiles food and craft market day, worth a trip if only for the lunch options. Don’t forget it’s only on Saturday these days.

At Trinity in the afternoon there is Crash, Bang Wallop; this looks an excellent way to introduce your children to classical music with some magical performances. In the evening, Trinity transforms into a Comedy Cafe (if you want to eat you’ll need to book today – Wednesday).

Talking of food, this evening sees the first (I think) of this year’s Fish & Chip Specials on the Spa Valley Railway, a pleasant way to spend an evening.

There’s more piano performances at Kent College Pembury with Nigel Clayton and James Lisney performing at CODA (Concerts Originaux Des Amis). Or maybe you’d prefer to do-si-do along to the King Charles church hall, where the Zydeco Diamonds will be playing their footstomping Louisiana tunes.

>> SUNDAY This afternoon, the Lamberhurst School of Theatre Dance performs the Nutcracker at the Assembly Hall, twice. I’m sure the 130 children involved would love your support. >> MONDAY Both the Odeon and Hawkhurst Kino are showing a

performance of the all-female cast production of Hamlet from the Royal Exchange in Manchester, starring Maxine Peake in the title role. This should be popular so get your tickets while you can.

>> TUESDAY Rounding off Trinity films for this week is another Oscarwinner, The Theory of Everything, the biopic of Stephen Hawking starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones.

And the final piano recital of the week is Anthony Zelpa Falcon and his wife Jong Gyung Park performing Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring and more at Holmewood House School.

Here’s a problem that only British people would understand WE CATCH UP WITH HEART KENT BREAKFAST PRESENTERS JAMES AND BECKY

I MEAN, we’ve all been there haven’t we; when you find yourself in a bit of an awkward situation and you’re wondering what you need to do to get out of it. I find it’s a problem only British people would understand! Here’s a good example. There I was, minding my own business, striding down the road with the crowds in Tunbridge Wells, when it dawned on me that I was suddenly going in the wrong direction.

Now instead of just being able to turn and walk the other way, I became very selfconscious that I was going to upset the

Wednesday 18th March 2015

flow of people walking around me. How they would stumble and tut at me for being in the way. So, to have a purpose for turning round, almost to find an excuse to walk the other way, I reached into my bag, pulled out the mobile phone, pretended to tap a few buttons, rolled my eyes like I had just read something and then proceeded to turn and walk in the direction I actually needed to go!

This is just one of those awkward everyday situations that happen but you never really talk about. This got James and me thinking, we wondered if our listeners

had had the same. Some really funny ones came in which are so true when you sit and think about it… James said once, at a party, he was introduced to someone but missed his name. He asked again but nope, still missed it. From now on, said person shall now only be known as “mate” or “buddy”, as it’s just plain awkward to ask again!

Ladies, something I feel we can all relate to is this one from Carol in Folkestone.

She said: “When you’ve been for a haircut, you’ve sat there for hours and the hairdresser asks if you’re happy with the new cut. You stare in the mirror and think ‘I really hate it!’, but ‘Yes, lovely, thank you’ comes out of your mouth!” Why do we do

that? Others were “paying for things in a shop, placing the items you want on the counter and saying ‘just these please’” and I think my personal favourite came from Jake in Chatham who said: “Every time I go over a zebra crossing, I have to do a little jog and a pathetic little wave,” so unbelievably true!

Now, something is happening this Friday!

Parts of the country will disappear into darkness for a couple of minutes from about 8am, for a total solar eclipse! I love space and find all these sort of things fascinating, so James and I will make sure we are out there in the Heart garden ready and waiting… I’m sure James will have

his binoculars ready! These things don’t happen too often so make sure not to miss it in Tunbridge Wells and let’s keep our fingers crossed it’s not cloudy… as, well, that would just be such a typically awkward “British” situation!

Listen to James and Becky weekdays 6am – 10amFollow Heart Breakfast on Twitter: @heartkentradio Or find on Facebook: Heart Kent

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE �

59

AT WORK WITH NIGEL HARPER CEO OF PARFITT CRESSWELL SOLICITORS If you’re a lawyer and I asked whether you’d ever heard of Parfitt Cresswell in Tunbridge Wells you’d probably say no. But if I mentioned Max Barford & Co, Keene Marsland or Jevons Riley & Pope the chances are they’re familiar names to you WELL, did you know that Parfitt Cresswell are trading names of Max Barford & Co, Keene Marsland and Jevons Riley & Pope?

They have their head office in affluent London SW6 just a stone’s throw from Chelsea football ground along with offices in Berkshire.

And their expansion is ongoing with new offices opening in soon Reading.

We catch up with their CEO, Nigel Harper, to find out a little more about the firm’s growth and their plans for the future. “Parfitt Cresswell has been around since 1908 but my involvement goes back to 2007. Back then we were working out of one office in Fulham Broadway but even then the firm’s potential was clear and after mapping out our vision over the next twelve months our expansion plans have

been achieved year on year.”

Now that’s some achievement bearing in mind that for the past six years the recession has hit businesses hard and many law firms have struggled to survive let alone thrive and expand tenfold like this law firm. Nigel is clearly a man who knows how to manage a law firm. He’s a chartered accountant and has spent many years in industry and the legal profession and his passion shines through. So what is the biggest challenge to growing a law firm?

“A law firm is a business and managing cash flow is always a top priority with any business - but the real key to its success is finding the right staff.” Nigel face breaks into a grin as he continues. “Our focus on providing

an excellent services means that we’re not just looking for a lawyer who can deliver the legal advice; we want lawyers who deliver the legal advice, a great service and who understand the commercial realities of business life. Basically they have to want to stand out and be prepared to go the extra mile and they can then expect to be rewarded accordingly. If they don’t they’re simply not for us” he states without reservation.

We’ve heard a rumour that Parfitt Cresswell plan a further expansion in Tunbridge Wells. When asked Nigel confirms that they are actively recruiting and looking for solicitors, legal executives and licensed conveyancers to join them in their offices in Tunbridge Wells and at their Edenbridge office. We probe a little further and ask what is their ideal type of lawyer? His response is clear. “We’re a progressive law firm and are very clear on where our specialities are. We are experts in family law, private client and property work.

We focus on working with individual clients who want a personal service.

We are very good at what we do and the thing to remember when running a professional services firm is to focus on your strengths and find the right people to deliver it and that’s just what we do.”

So what would be the ideal candidate?

“We look for dynamic and self motivated lawyers who have good communication skills, commercial awareness along with sound technical knowledge and experience. They must be keen to develop and to want to reach their full potential. We offer the support and structure to foster and encourage

this approach to personal development.

At the moment we’re particularly looking for experienced family lawyers, private client lawyers and property lawyers for our various offices in Kent”.

So there you have it, a law firm that is well and truly leaving its footprint in the Tunbridge Wells area and definitely one you’ll be hearing a lot more about in the future.

If you would like further information about recruitment at Parfitt Cresswell please send your C.V and covering letter to nigel.harper@ parfittcresswell.com

SEPARATION AND DIVORCE

WHY SEPARATION AND DIVORCE CAN BE A CIVILISED AFFAIR If you are experiencing the anxiety and loss of a relationship ending and suffering sleepless nights worrying about the future, you are not alone Almost 50% of all marriages end in divorce and for many it can be the most traumatic time in their lives. Months and sometimes years are spent deciding whether to separate and then when the decision has been made it can take an age to pluck up the courage to take action. Emotions run high and delays are usually down to fear of the unknown and what life will be like after the separation, not to mention how you’ll cope fi nancially and what you’ll tell the kids.

The truth is there is no easy way out.

However, the actions you take now and the choices you make will have a big impact on your new life.

Your future is in your hands. You can choose to be reactive to your situation or you can be proactive, take the lead and put a stop to the fi ghting, anger and hurt.

Divorce and separation is a life changing event and mistakes can be costly both emotionally and fi nancially, you must be prepared to invest to secure your future.

To take control you need information and advice from an experienced and trusted advisor, which will allow you to make informed decisions about your future.

My dedicated team are handpicked for their experience working with people who are going through a relationship breakdown. They are all members of

Resolution, which means that they have the legal experience required to give you the best advice and are committed to solving your problem in a conciliatory way if possible – saving you the emotional drain of the legal court battle and the legal fees that go with it. They understand the emotional pressure and stress you are going through, they can help ease the pain and will work with you to achieve the best outcome possible for you to move on with your life.

Our service is confi dential, discreet and bespoke to each client and we will never disclose your information to others. Out of hours appointments are available.

For a limited period of time I am offering a selected number of potential clients the opportunity to meet with one of the family solicitors in my team for a free consultation to discuss the options available.

Due to high demand my team are only able to offer 20 appointments this month and I know that the appointments will book up very quickly.

Choosing the right legal team is key to your emotional and fi nancial future. So contact us today to see how we can help you achieve the outcome you want.

Max Barford & Co. is a trading name of Parfitt Cresswell. Parfitt Cresswell is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. No. 71480

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.maxbarford.co.uk

Wednesday 18th March 2015

60 � YOUR TV

OUR PICK OF THE WEEK

TODAY

NEIGHBOURS 30TH: THE STARS REUNITE

Channel 5, 10pm A celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Australian soap, which launched the careers of stars Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce, Margot Robbie, Delta Goodrem and Jason Donovan, who all reflect on their time in Neighbours. Hosted by Stefan Dennis and Tim Phillipps, who play Paul Robinson and his nephew Daniel respectively, the programme brings together an array of cast members who played some of the series’ most popular and controversial characters, including Ian Smith and Anne Charleston (Harold and Madge Bishop), Mark Little (Joe Mangel) and Craig McLachlan (Henry Ramsay).

THE TRIPLETS ARE COMING!

ITV, 9pm First of a two-part documentary following the highs and lows of life during a multiple pregnancy. Filmed over eight months, the programme meets two sets of parents-to-be in London – Paul and Tracy, who conceived naturally, and Chris and Steph, who succeeded through IVF treatment after seven years of trying.

Meanwhile, in Liverpool, Miraz and Selma celebrate when their triplets are delivered, and Selma’s mother flies over from Turkey to help take care of the newborns.

FRIDAY

ALAN CARR: CHATTY MAN

Channel 5, 10pm New series. The NTA-winning host returns with a 14th series of celebrity-fuelled antics, mischievous chat and music. Tonight, he’s joined by all four coaches from The Voice UK – Rita Ora, Will.i.am, Ricky Wilson and Tom Jones – who talk about the forthcoming live shows, as well as Hollywood star Antonio Banderas, who appears in The SpongeBob Movie: A Sponge Out of Water. Plus, Gogglebox’s posh tipplers Steph and Dom Parker drop in to discuss the new series.

SATURDAY

RICHARD III: THE PRINCES IN THE TOWER

LOUIS THEROUX: BY REASON OF INSANITY

BBC2, 9pm The journalist immerses himself in the world of Ohio’s maximum security state psychiatric hospitals, meeting patients who have committed crimes – some horrifically violent – while suffering from severe mental illnesses. In the first of a two-part programme, Louis spends time with patients who are attempting to come to terms with what they have done and talks to the clinicians entrusted with delivering the treatment it is hoped will one day lead to their reintegration back into society.

THE MUSKETEERS

BBC1, 9pm After the Queen’s run-in with Rochefort, he provides evidence of a letter she wrote to her brother, the King of Spain – as a result of which she is suspected of treason. Fearing for her safety, the Musketeers steal her away from the palace while searching for evidence that Rochefort is a Spanish spy. But it seems nobody is safe from the count’s grasp, not even the King – with devastating consequences. Swashbuckling adventure, starring Howard Charles.

BBC1, 7.15pm Emma Willis and Marvin Humes present the first live round of the singing contest, in which the 12 remaining acts perform for a place in the semi-final. After all three acts in each team have performed, Tom Jones, Will.i.am, Rita Ora and Ricky Wilson will choose one to progress straight through to the next stage of the competition – leaving the remaining two on each team to go head to head in a public vote.

POLDARK

BBC1, 9pm Ross puts on a brave face at the christening, where he is angered to hear people gossiping about his relationship with Demelza. Wheal Leisure mine opens and the workers immediately hit ironstone, requiring funds for gunpowder. Zacky reveals his daughter Jinny has fallen pregnant to Jim, so Ross offers the couple a cottage rent-free so they can marry.

KEW ON A PLATE

MONDAY

TREVOR MCDONALD MEETS THE MAFIA

ITV, 9pm The broadcaster embarks on an eye-opening journey inside the world of the American Mafia, talking to people who have experienced first-hand the money, glamour and violence of the US’s most famous organised crime network. In the first of two programmes, Trevor arrives in New York, where he meets John Alite, a former multimillionaire drug dealer who was also one of the most ruthless Mob killers in modern times. He also talks to Michael ‘Mikey Scars’ DiLeonardo, who became an FBI informant as he faced life in prison.

Wednesday 18th March 2015

ITV, 8.30pm New series. A look at the competitive world of trainee London bus drivers, following hopefuls on an intensive six-week course to learn how to negotiate these 36ft-long vehicles through the city’s busy streets. Single mum Claire Carter is prone to nerves, but determined to pass the programme and inspire her teenage children. However, on her first day out on the roads she has a close encounter on a pedestrian crossing. Meanwhile, former recovery driver Yasin Cassim must prove to his instructors that he has the discipline to be approved for his test.

THE VOICE UK

Channel 4, 9pm In the week of the reburial of Richard III at Leicester Cathedral, this dramadocumentary explores the events of 1483, when he put 12-year-old Edward V and younger brother Richard of Shrewsbury into the Tower of London. Weeks later, he pronounced himself king and the boys were never seen again. For more than 500 years it has been thought by some that the monarch killed his own nephews to take the throne, while others believe no crime took place – and that the youngsters lived anonymously into old age. Hearing from experts including David Starkey and Philippa Gregory, the programme tests the competing theories.

TUESDAY

BBC1, 9pm New series. Documentary providing an insight into the daily operations of staff at KFC, from those making the decisions in the boardroom to those in the kitchens of some of the 850 restaurants around the country. They include company ‘policeman’ Brian, who carries out spot-checks to scrutinise cleanliness and standards.

DOUBLE DECKER DRIVING SCHOOL

TOMORROW

SUNDAY

THE BILLION DOLLAR CHICKEN SHOP

DARA AND ED’S GREAT BIG ADVENTURE

BBC2, 9pm New series. Comedians Ed Byrne and Dara O Briain embark on a 4,000-mile pan-American adventure as they retrace a journey originally undertaken during the 1940s by three men from Detroit. They begin in Arizona before heading over the border into Mexico, where they see lucha libre wrestlers, visit a state-of-the-art coffee farm, and explore the remains of the ancient Zapotec civilisation of Monte Alban. They also witness the stream of migrants risking their lives to reach the US as they ride a freight train know as La Bestia.

BBC2, 9pm Summer has arrived at Kew and Raymond Blanc tries to protect his carrot crop to ensure he has a good supply for a stew, while Kate Humble learns how the vegetable was once used in medicine. At Hampton Court, food historian Marc Meltonville makes Kate a cup of hot chocolate as the Georgians would have prepared it, while Raymond prepares a vegetable bean chilli, complete with raw cacao. On the Isle of Wight, Kate discovers how a clandestine wartime operation was responsible for Britain’s introduction to garlic.

ORDINARY LIES

BBC1, 9pm Fun-loving receptionist Tracy longs to escape her mundane life. It seems she has found the answer when she starts dating local DJ Jimmy, who offers to whisk her and her workmate Viv off on an all-expenses-paid trip to the Caribbean. A free exotic break seems too good to be true – and sure enough, it soon becomes clear there is more to the holiday than meets the eye.

YOUR TV �

THREE IN A BED

Channel 4, 8pm New series. Three sets of B&B owners take turns to stay with one another and pay what they consider a fair price.

The first edition features visits to Norfolk House B&B in Newmarket, Suffolk – the home of Brent Noble and his wife, WI president Lynne – the Cromwell Arms Pub with Rooms in Romsey, Hampshire, part-owned by Annaliese Hughes, and Full Circle Yurts in the Lake District, run by Ben Atkinson – a man so at one with nature that he never wears shoes. The week includes poetry writing, a lapse of hygiene in the bathroom and a run-in with a razor.

EAT TO LIVE FOREVER WITH GILES COREN

BANISHED

LIVE PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS

Sky Sports 1, 7pm Round seven from SSE Hydro in Glasgow, where matches include James Wade v Adrian Lewis, Peter Wright v Stephen Bunting and Raymond van Barneveld v Phil Taylor.

BEAR GRYLLS: MISSION SURVIVE

Channel 5, 9pm A body is found in the bayou and is identified as naval counterintelligence officer William Reed, who Wade and Lund ascertain had been waterboarded and then dumped. The discovery of fungus on Reed’s fingers points the team to a house belonging to the victim’s brother-in-law Oliver Huntington, but he has no recollection of purchasing any property.

Pride soon turns his attention to Huntington’s lawyer Bernard Lanier.

FLINTOFF: LORD OF THE FRIES

ITV, 9pm In the penultimate stretch of their journey, the four remaining celebrities must find and eat the fruits of the forest, carefully separating nutritious treats from any potentially deadly dinners. After that, they endure another stormy night and face their most extreme challenge yet – crossing a 200ft ravine one by one on a rope. Bear also tests their ability to start a fire using only bamboo poles, knives and flints, before deciding which three he will take through to the final.

SELLING OFF BRITAIN

Channel 4, 7.05pm Will Hutton presents an impassioned argument on the British economy, claiming that business leaders and politicians are selling off some of the nation’s best companies for quick and easy profits, and that this is creating a dumbed-down, low-wage Britain. He reveals that in the past 10 years, £440billion of British firms have been sold to new overseas owners.

Channel 4, 5.10pm On Thursday, the remains of Richard III, discovered under a car park in Leicester in 2012, will be buried in the city’s cathedral, and Channel 4 is broadcasting three programmes covering the event, presented by Jon Snow with Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Arthur Williams and Sonali Shah. The first captures the climax of the procession of the king’s remains to the site of his death at Bosworth Battlefield.

RAISED BY WOLVES

Channel 4, 10pm When Germaine’s underwear situation traumatises seven-year-old Wyatt, Della is forced to take the children on an emergency shopping trip. Meanwhile, Grampy is tasked with making Wyatt feel good about being male, though his choice of suitable activity is questionable. In town, frenzy sets in when the kids realise their mother requires some urgent care and attention if they want to avoid her wrath. Comedy, starring Rebekah Staton.

Channel 4, 8pm New series. Fast-food cooks with no formal training are taught by some of Britain’s most refined chefs, before posing as seasoned professionals working in worldclass kitchens. Burger-van owner Carl is paired with notorious perfectionist Daniel Clifford at the two Michelin-starred restaurant Midsummer House in Cambridge. Enduring 18-hour days, intense pressure and time away from his family, will Carl be able to pass himself off as one of Daniel’s best chefs at the renowned Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy?

Sky1, 8pm The end is in sight for the lads as they head to Lancashire – but not before making a frying visit to Liverpool, so that Rob can track down his cycling heroes Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish, who are taking part in the Tour of Britain.

LIVE FORD SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION

Channel 5, 10pm The team investigate a murder at Clark County Jail after a prisoner stumbles upon the body of fellow inmate Bruce Grady, who had recently received a note calling him a liar. The CSIs learn the victim was not only an informant for the district attorney, but had also been enlisted by the FBI.

CARIBBEAN WITH SIMON REEVE

RICHARD III: THE RETURN OF THE KING

BURGER BAR TO GOURMET STAR

Sky Living, 9pm A special 200th episode set in 1950s Hollywood and paying homage to the films of Alfred Hitchcock. LAPD detective Brennan teams up with notorious jewel thief Booth to investigate the murder of a socialite – a crime for which Booth has been wrongly accused.

BBC2, 9pm The marriage of Elizabeth and Tommy is blessed by Reverend Johnson, but the clergyman is brought down to earth when Governor Phillip orders work to cease on the building of the partially constructed church. Captain Collins and Mary begin literacy classes for those convicts they think are worthy of the chance of bettering themselves, while Kitty suffers from the attentions of Major Ross and her increasing despair propels her to an extreme bid for freedom. Period drama, starring David Wenham.

BBC1, 9pm New series. In the first of four documentaries focusing on health matters, Fiona Phillips investigates what sugar does to the body, finds out why some people have more of a sweet tooth than others and how sugar is added to many supermarket favourites believed to be purely savoury.

NCIS: NEW ORLEANS

BONES

BBC2, 9.30pm The food critic takes up three extreme regimens in an effort to push the limits of life expectancy and meets people from around the world whose pursuit of longevity is an obsession that dominates every aspect of their lives. He undertakes the calorie restriction diet, before going on one that consists only of foods hunted, fished or gathered by mankind’s Paleolithic ancestors and ends with another made up almost entirely of fruit.

THE TRUTH ABOUT SUGAR

BBC2, 8pm The adventurer travels around the islands and mainland coast of the Caribbean Sea, beginning on Hispaniola. He joins the Dominican Republic police’s anti-narcotics division, before crossing the border to Haiti to see the tented slums of Cite Soleil, while also discovering a vibrant, colourful and thriving side to the country. He ends this leg of his journey in Puerto Rico, an archipelago that is a territory of the United States.

Sky Sports 1, 4.45pm West Ham United v Sunderland (Kick-off 5.30pm). Coverage of the Premier League encounter at Upton Park.

LIVE FORD SUPER SUNDAY

Sky Sports 1, 12.30pm Liverpool v Manchester United (Kick-off 1.30pm). This afternoon’s Premier League double bill gets under way with a clash between the fierce rivals at Anfield. Liverpool suffered a 3-0 defeat in December’s reverse fixture, but their form has improved considerably since then, leading to them becoming challengers alongside their opponents for a place in the top four.

PERSON OF INTEREST

LIVE NETBALL SUPERLEAGUE

Channel 5, 10pm New series. Return of the drama about a supercomputer that predicts crimes and the team that tries to prevent them. The Machine’s whereabouts remain unknown, but it is still issuing social security numbers, while at the same time expanding its artificial intelligence. Former ISA operative Sameen Shaw is now part of the unit and joins Reese and Finch as they try to track down naval officer Jack Salazar among thousands of sailors on shore leave in New York. Meanwhile, Root is still being held in a psychiatric unit.

TEENS

Channel 4, 10pm New series. Documentary following a group of friends over the year they turn 17, exploring the highs and lows of life on the cusp of adulthood in a world of round-the-clock social networking.

Jess and Harry D have recently started sixth form. They share a sense of humour, but their approach to life turns out to be quite different, and their bond is tested when she invites the ‘No More Page 3’ campaign to host a debate at their school.

61

Sky Sports 1, 7.30pm Team Bath v Manchester Thunder (Centre-pass 7.45pm).

Coverage of the topflight match at the Sports Training Village at the University of Bath.

FL72 LIVE

Sky Sports 1, 7.30pm Luton Town v Wycombe Wanderers (Kick-off 7.45pm). All the action from the League Two clash between the promotion contenders at Kenilworth Road. Boxing Day’s reverse fixture ended in a 1-1 draw, with Paris Cowan-Hall opening the scoring for Wycombe after just three minutes and Jonathan Smith restoring parity for Luton five minutes later, and this is likely to be another closely fought encounter.

Wednesday 18th March 2015

62 � MOTORS

FAMILY COMFORT ON OFFER IF YOU’RE IN THE MARKET FOR A SECOND FAMILY CAR, THIS COULD BE THE ONE FOR YOU. WE GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE 2015 CITROEN C4.

Citroen is doing everything it can to make its brand identity synonymous with comfort

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 18th March 2015

MOTORS �

63

IN THE ALL NEW CITROEN C4

WHAT’S NEW? The C4 has a lot going for it, but upgrades were needed for it to stay with the pack. Tweaks to the headlights and styling details are more or less the extent of the exterior changes, but quality is on an upward trend with new technology and media interface options.

Citroen is quickly rejuvenating an identity: comfort. The press release accompanying the car’s launch is crammed full of the word. Citroen is really beginning to feel like a different brand from its sister company Peugeot and that’s good news for both.

SPACE AND PRACTICALITY You can’t argue with the numbers: the C4 has comfortably the biggest boot among its direct rivals at 408 litres. That’s 7 per cent or 28 litres bigger than a Volkswagen Golf’s. The Skoda Octavia’s is bigger again, but that’s a much longer car.

In the front door pockets you’ll find space for those chunky 1.5-litre drinks bottles you find at motorway service stations and takeaways. The glove box can fit many gloves in it, too, and the only real oversight is that when you pull the floor-mounted luggage net in the boot upwards, it can bring the whole floor with it.

LOOKS AND IMAGE The C4 has what you might call an aggressively French front end. Steeply angled headlight clusters give off an angry vibe, but the rest of the shape is pretty warm and fuzzy. It’s a goodlooking car but you’d have a tough time arguing that it matches class leaders for image.

On the other hand, Citroen is doing everything it can to make its brand identity synonymous with comfort. Soon enough, the French firm hopes, anyone looking for a comfortable everyday car will make Citroen their first stop.

BEHIND THE WHEEL The petrol and diesel models are surprisingly different to drive. The lighter petrol engine links to an over-light, elasticfeeling steering set-up that doesn’t inspire confidence, but the diesel’s calibration is more linear, more predictable and gives you the impression of more feel.

In total opposition to Peugeot’s approach with the 308, the C4’s steering is snail-slow.

It takes more turning action to get this car turned in - an impression exaggerated by the huge steering wheel.

The new automated manual gearbox is, thankfully, a vast improvement over

previous units. You’d seriously consider buying one, now.

This C4 rides very well, too, especially over smoothly undulating folds in the road. Flex in the suspension means that sharper bumps can knock it slightly off its line, especially in corners, but not by an exceptional amount. The C4 is a decently refined cruiser, especially for such a relatively reasonable asking price.

VALUE FOR MONEY Seeing the range top out at a whisker over £20,000 is a surprise. Rivals cost significantly more and you’d argue that there’s not much about the C4, in high-end Flair trim at least, that feels particularly cheap. You get a lot of space for your pound, too and especially in the case of the diesel, you get super-low running costs.

WHO WOULD BUY ONE? A family that prioritises comfort and budget would love the C4. Five useful seats, lots of standard safety equipment and even more on the options list make it a very handy family bus. But it’s also a confident cruiser and will return decent fuel economy if driven steadily, so company car buyers might want to take a look.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

The new automated manual gearbox is a vast improvement over previous units

CITROEN C4 1.2 PURETECH 130 FLAIR FROM £18,245 ENGINE TURBOCHARGED THREE-CYLINDER PETROL PRODUCING 128BHP AND 170LB/FT TRANSMISSION SIX-SPEED MANUAL, DRIVING THE FRONT WHEELS PERFORMANCE TOP SPEED 124MPH, 0-62MPH IN 10.8 SECONDS

THIS CAR SUMMED UP IN A SINGLE WORD Sanguine.

IF THIS CAR WAS...

A contestant on Countdown TV, it wouldn’t worry itself about not winning the words rounds because it would do so well with the numbers.

FUEL ECONOMY 58.9MPG EMISSIONS 110G/KM

Wednesday 18th March 2015

Mercedes-Benz and smart of Tonbridge Mercedes-Benz and smart of Tonbridge ADVERTISING FEATURE

2015 promises to be a very happy new year for continue with their work. There will also be an impressive selection of Mercedes-Benz and smart of Tonbridge customers, who can 75 Approved Used Mercedes-Benz and smart cars to peruse whilst, behind-the-scenes, a new 14-bay workshop will utilise the latest look forward to fantastic, newto facilities their local retailer.

2015 promises be a atvery happy new year for continue with their work. There will also be an impressive selection of diagnostic technology for servicing, MOTs and repairs.

The Vale Rise operation is going to be of totally transformed as who Mercedes-Benz and smart Tonbridge customers, can 75 Approved Used Mercedes-Benz and smart cars to peruse whilst, part of a major that got early this look redevelopment forward to fantastic, newunderway facilities at their local retailer. behind-the-scenes, a new 14-bay workshop will utilise the latest We would like to apologise in advance to you for any inconvenience that month andThe willVale provide antoenhanced Rise customers operation iswith going be totallyretail transformed as diagnostic technology for servicing, MOTs and repairs. may be caused during the transformation, valet parking is currently experience.part of a major redevelopment that got underway early this

available, please pull onto the site and our staff will park your vehicle We would like to apologise in advance to you for any inconvenience that may be caused during the transformation, valet parking is currently minimise disruption and when finished the new building will be entirely available, please pull onto the site and our staff will park your vehicle The transformation will be complete in March 2016 and the new eco friendly incorporating systems like greywater to minimise our for you.

The transformation is going to take place in 3 stages to help building will be opened by a celebrity. In the meantime thank you for impact on the environment. It will also feature roo op fixing bays and minimise disruption and when finished the new building will be entirely your patience and for coming with us on a journey to an improved increased parking.

The transformation will be complete in March 2016 and the new eco friendly incorporating systems like greywater to minimise our Mercedes-Benz and smart of Tonbridge. building will be opened by a celebrity. In the meantime thank you for impact on the environment. It will also feature roo op fixing bays and A contemporary showroom with a more spacious feel will showcase your patience and for coming with us on a journey to an improved increased parking.

18 cars and feature interactive, digital displays, comfortable customer Mercedes-Benz and smart of Tonbridge. waiting areas and a business lounge, where visitors can utilise Wi-Fi to A contemporary showroom with a more spacious feel will showcase 18 cars and feature interactive, digital displays, comfortable customer waiting areas and a business lounge, where visitors can utilise Wi-Fi to

month and will provide customers with an enhanced retail for you.

The transformation is going to take place in 3 stages to help experience.

57561

Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

From just ÂŁ299 per month no customer deposit and ^ with 3 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; free servicing *

For more details, visit www.lookers.co.uk/mercedes-benz Mercedes-Benz of Ashford Monument Way, Orbital Park, Ashford, Kent TN24 0HB 0844 6593307 Mercedes-Benz of Maidstone Bircholt Road, Parkwood, Maidstone, Kent ME15 9YN 0844 6593307 Mercedes-Benz of Tonbridge Vale Rise, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1TB 0844 6593307

6.1% APR

Official government fuel consumption figures in mpg (litres per 100km) for the A-Class range: urban 32.1(8.8)-67.3(4.2), extra urban 48.7(5.8)-88.3(3.2), combined 40.9(6.9)-78.5(3.6). CO2 emissions 165-92 g/km.

Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd, Tongwell, Milton Keynes, MK15 8BA are the firm responsible for making this financial promotion and will act as introducing agent. Whilst this offer is only available through Mercedes-Benz Finance, we do arrange finance on behalf of other finance companies as well. Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd may receive commission from the lender for acting as introducing agent. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Please contact your Retailer for availability. Offer may be varied or withdrawn at any time. *Terms and conditions apply. ^Participating retailers only, on a Mercedes-Benz Service Contract. Free servicing based on 3 services over 36 months. For eligible A-Class models only (excluding AMG versions) registered between 1 January 2015 and 31 March 2015. 57560

R E P R E S E N TAT I V E

66 � TRAVEL

TABLES ARE TURNING IN NASHVILLE

• By Jez Smadja

T And then there’s Tootsie’s, where stars like Hank Williams and Johnny Cash piled in through the back door after playing the Ryman Auditorium across the alleyway Wednesday 18th March 2015

here’s a reason why it’s called the Music City. I’ve just cleared customs at Nashville International and I’ve already spotted Keith Urban (country music superstar, American Idol judge and Nicole Kidman’s husband). He’s every bit the chisel-jawed heart-throb in real life but when I later mention my sighting to local residents, they shrug and say seeing Keith Urban round these parts is no big deal.

What else would you expect in Nashville, this genteel and unhurried yet proudly cosmopolitan city, reared right in the middle of the Bible Belt? It’s a place where Southern hospitality is doled out in super-sized portions, and where the Tennessee accent, sweet like honey molasses, is strung with phrases like “y’all” and “sure is”. Counting a population of 609,000, Nashville surely has more music professionals per capita than anywhere else in the world - and every one has a celebrity tale to tell.

This is, after all, the town that launched the careers of Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn, a town where Elvis recorded Are You Lonesome Tonight? in the wood-panelled RCA Studio B. It’s

where Bob Dylan made Blonde on Blonde, and where countless artists have slipped their demo tapes to the execs along Music Row, a place that is to country music what Madison Avenue is to advertising.

One of them was Taylor Swift, the biggestselling artist of 2013, who’s so fond of Nashville, she’s bought four apartments in Downtown.

If you’ve come here for country music, bluegrass or folk, you won’t have to look too far. Seven days a week, the flashing neon lights of Lower Broadway – Lower Broad to the yellow taxi drivers – alert you to the honky-tonks where down-ontheir-luck pickers once came to make their dreams come true. On this stretch, you’ll find Legend’s Corner a few doors down from locals’ favourite Robert’s Western World, with its famous wall of cowboy boots. And then there’s Tootsie’s, where stars like Hank Williams and Johnny Cash piled in through the back door after playing the Ryman Auditorium across the alleyway.

But on a Monday night, there’s only one place to be, and that’s 3rd & Lindsley.

It’s a Nashville institution, thanks to the Time Jumpers, a loose association of seasoned studio musicians. The band’s line-up changes, but tonight, is country legend Vince Gill. The audience

is made up of professional musicians in ten-gallon hats and country music aficionados, all sipping beers and Tennessee bourbons. The crowd laps up Gill’s swing and blues standards, and he repays them with a barnstorming version of Trouble in Mind.

Nashville is uniquely set up to market its rich music heritage to tourists. There’s a new Johnny Cash Museum off Broadway, the astonishing Hatch Show Print, where they’re still making posters on hand-cranked letterpress machines a century later, and the restored Ryman Auditorium, former church and home of the legendary Grand Ole Opry radio show, before it moved to the more 0spacious Grand Ole Opry House.

Yet at the same time, Nashville seems to be on the cusp of something genuinely fresh and exciting, with not a rhinestone or Acme cowboy boot in sight. It’s why artists like the Kings of Leon, the Black Keys and Jack White from the White Stripes, as well as top chefs, fashion designers and film-makers, are making Nashville their home. The Music City has undergone a creative renaissance; GQ magazine dubbed it Nowville and in the New York Times it’s been called “It” City.

A few blocks south of Broadway is Third Man Records, the record label set up by singer/producer Jack White, whose

move to Nashville sparked the city’s artistic rebirth. The brick warehouse lies in former industrial district Sobro, where the Union Pacific freight train rattles on towards Chattanooga. The operation, which opened in March 2009, combines a record shop with a recording studio and a 250-seat venue, the Blue Room. Here, fans have been treated to performances

by The Shins, The Kills and even Jerry Lee Lewis. (The shows are recorded direct to acetate and vinyl copies sold to attendees.)

Behind the record shop counter, a gaptoothed girl with a passing resemblance to Sissy Spacek puts the needle on the latest Third Ear record by The Haden Triplets. “Nashville’s kinda quiet this week. Everyone’s in South By,” she says, meaning SXSW, the annual indie music and film festival in Austin, Texas.

Just down the street is Peg-Leg Porker, a BBQ restaurant flying its true Southern colours. It’s a relatively recent addition to the neighbourhood but already a solid favourite, thanks to its paprika-rubbed dry BBQ ribs, tender pulled pork and smoky pulled chicken. Peg-Leg Porker also produces its own Tennessee bourbon.

Outside, on the sun-soaked terrace, the restaurant owner is talking to a couple deliberating over which car to get Carrie

TRAVEL �

Underwood for her next video - just another typical Nashville pastoral.

The food scene in Nashville is also hotter than a poker. While you can eat yourself a belt-buckle larger with Southern staples like fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, and cherry pie, there’s also a lot of forward-thinking, homespun cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients. You can witness this first-hand across the Cumberland River in the enclave of East Nashville.

Unlike the big skyscrapers in Downtown, East Nashville has long avenues of brightly-painted bungalows, with clipped lawns and rockingchair porches, interspersed with Baptist churches, a sign of the historic African-American community. Not surprisingly, artists have moved in en masse.

Five Points lines up restaurants like Marche, a market and bistro banking on its farmyard-to-table formula, and The Pharmacy, where the burgers

67

made from Tennessee beef have been drawing serious critical attention.

But it’s not just Five Points experiencing an injection of energy.

12South is a neighbourhood boasting shops such as Las Paletas Gourmet Popsicles, which sells lollipops in bizarre flavours such as chocolatedipped avocado, and imogene+willie, a former service station selling custom-made jeans. In Marathon City, on the north side of town, a converted car factory now houses boutique fashion, a craft whiskey distillery, and The Old Time Pickin Parlor, where you can buy banjos and custom-made Boo Ray straps.

Outside in the street is a huge mural seen in strategic locations all over Nashville.

It has red and white vertical stripes, three stars on a blue circle, and in large capitals the words: I Believe In Nashville.

Though I’ve only been here 48 hours, I can safely say I’m a believer too.

If you’ve come here for country music, bluegrass or folk, you won’t have to look too far.

 Jez Smadja was a guest of Brand USA. For more information, visit www.DiscoverAmerica.com For more information on visiting Nashville, Tennessee, visit www.visitmusiccity.com and www.tnvacation.com

Your chance to win!

An evening with Simon Reeve

A beautiful 7 night holiday for two at Rendezvous, St Lucia!

‘Caribbean’

Enter online at www.timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk/st-lucia

“

“

Fringed by largely unspoilt beaches, Saint Lucia – often touted as one of the world’s most romantic destinations – is scattered with sprawling banana, cocoa, coconut and mango plantations which are nestled in thousands of acres of pristine rainforest.

Brought to you by

& Conditions: Valid only for stays: 01 June – 31 October 2015 or 01 June – 31 October 2016 Free nights cannot be used in more than 7 room night blocks 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

Baldwins Travel Tunbridge Wells Baldwins Travel Tonbridge Baldwins Travel Uckfield Baldwins Travel Maidstone

01892 511999 01732 351223 01825 760488 01622 762141

Listen to Simon Reeve talk about his new BBC series.

Wed. 29th April - 7pm Salomons Estate Tunbridge Wells

Tickets are £15pp* inc. Welcome Drink Book online www.ticketsource.co.uk/btg or contact your local branch of www.baldwinstravel.co.uk Simon Reeve travels around the edge of the Caribbean Sea for a stunning new three-part series!

Starting Sunday 22nd March at 8pm on BBC2.

Sevenoaks Travel Travelux of Tenterden Grace Travel of Cranbrook

01732 458255 01580 764344 01580 714411

www.baldwinstravel.co.uk

Kent & East Sussex Award winning travel agency group

Wednesday 18th March 2015

68 � ARTS & CULTURE

Showcasing to the world the best of Tunbridge Wells

ROCKING The museum houses permanent exhibits as well as shows

LOOKING FORWARD Museum manager Jo Wiltcher

CONTINUING our look at the town’s cultural standing, this week we’re taking the pulse of the Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery. Museum manager Jo Wiltcher and Tunbridge Wells borough councillor Jane March tell us what makes the town’s centre of historic interest tick and expand on a new cultural development initiative currently in the works

Exciting £12million cultural and learning hub initaitive

• By Fred Latty Tell us about the background of the museum Jo: It started as a local history society and was adopted by the council about 1900. The museum opened to the public in its current building in 1954 and the first paid curator came in about the 1970s, so there’s an ongoing history of the collections becoming more professional – it starts as amateur enthusiasts in the very early days then gradually, the collections get streamlined as professionals come in.

So is it professionally run today?

Jo: It’s all professionally run now. We’re one of the larger museum services in Kent and have professional staff, as well as a large number of volunteers and funding from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

Are there many unpaid volunteers?

Jo: We have about 20 to 30 volunteers, the majority working on collections, projects, inventories and cataloguing. We have a Friends of the Museum group and a lot of them will help at various museums.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced?

• CINEMA • LIVE ENTERTAINMENT • LIVE MUSIC • COMEDY • DRAMA • MUSICALS • OPERA • BALLET Search Stag Sevenoaks Wednesday 18th March 2015

Jo: I actually don’t think there have been any challenges in getting people involved and coming along. Museums are quite popular and our events programme is particularly aimed at engaging people; we have workshops, school programmes, evening events, meet the artist sessions - through the programming we do, hopefully there’s lots of people engaging. I think the challenge is more in our resources and how much we can do.

In what ways do you combat these problems?

Jo: There are infinite things we could do with time, space and advertising! In 2013, we did as much refurbishment as was possible without really extending, and that’s made a huge difference but that’s really as far as we can get, so now the challenges are about space.

Jane: We’re planning on launching a joint project with Kent County Council for a cultural and learning hub, which is dependent on a Heritage Lottery Fund application, but TWBC and KCC are also going to put in substantial amounts of money to make it happen.

If that’s successful, we would have the adult education building, library, museum, art gallery, Gateway, visitor information centre, café and creative workspace, all on one site.

ARTS & CULTURE �

comes out at times like this, when we need to come together and be inspired and uplifted. It’s by going to a gig or a theatre, taking part in a course or learning something new in a museum; they all give us that important wellbeing buzz, and I think the cultural sector is getting better at articulating that.

GOING FORWARD: Cllr Jane March

How will this new project benefit the town?

Jo: We’re hoping it will meet two needs: to make a really fantastic facility for people to get information and feel inspired, creative, safe and comfortable, but also to do the thing it doesn’t do well, which is be part of the tourist economy. We have fantastic collections that originate from Tunbridge Wells but if you were looking for an exhibition and you were based in London, you really wouldn’t come to our site, we think we can do much more to contribute.

Can you talk us through how Heritage Lottery Fund works?

Jo: It’s a two-stage process. You do a certain amount up to stage one, which tells them your ideas, that you are committed and that it makes business sense, but you start the real work if you get stage one passed, thinking about what it might look like and what it might do. If we submit in April, we will find that out late July.

Jane: It costs money to get to that point, but it’s 50/50 KCC and TWBC. If we get the HLF grant, we then have to go to the full council for a consultation to agree the money to spend on it.

Do you have an exact figure in mind?

Jane: We’re looking at £4m from the HLF and the total cost is estimated at about £12m. There will be community fundraising, as well as TWBC, Arts Council and KCC funding.

Jo: There will probably be a number of trusts, foundations and smaller grants involved but the key ones are HLF and the two councils. It can’t go forward without those.

Does TWBC support other local culture in the town?

Jo: Jane wrote a cultural strategy which has a long-term aim to sit alongside the vision of the council, which is about growing our creative industry. As part of that, I chair a consortium of the cultural leaders in the town and have a small budget, so we can fundraise together.

Is it all about giving money?

Jo: We support not just through direct funding, but also through enabling and bringing people together. The cuts to the Arts Council are starting to be felt, so it’s really by partnerships, by joining up, that we can all strengthen our own cases for funding. I think that’s a really important role of the council going forward.

Jane: There are also things like public art; whereas we don’t actually put any money into that, our staff are very much leading on it. Our resources are ourselves and we’re happy to give advice.

Has the recession had an impact on the museum?

Jo: There’s obvious pressure on resources, which is difficult for everybody, but there are definite benefits in that. The importance of culture really

What are your thoughts on Tunbridge Wells culture in general?

Jo: I think we’re on the rise. We’re not there yet, which is why we have the cultural strategy, and it’s not because we don’t have the quality, it’s that it needs to be more visible. That’s in helping smaller organisations raise their profile and do more, but it’s also things like the museum being able to reach its potential because, while the collections are fantastic, its environment isn’t. My experience is that, politically, there’s a definite interest in using culture to realise its potential and benefit the town.

Jane: I like to say “culture is the driver of Tunbridge Wells’ economy.”

Jo: The Tom Fleming report, which is the basis of our cultural strategy, said people come out of London to work here because of the open space, schools, shopping, nice buildings and the heritage. But actually there’s a lot more to it that’s not yet visible, and that’s what we’re trying to do. We want to make it visible – we know it’s here, we know it’s great, but the world doesn’t yet, so that’s what the cultural strategy is about.

Being so close to London must pose a problem…

Jo: It’s absolutely a challenge and a bonus and it comes up a lot when you survey people. It’s not just London, it’s Brighton – we’re sort of half-way between two major cultural capitals.

It’s good in that people feel they can work here and still have access to the great things in the capital. I find from the point of view of visual arts and the museum that a lot of people in town who are interested and involved in culture probably go to London; I don’t know if they would think to come to the gallery here. However, when they’ve got young families, they use local resources.

Things like the redevelopment of the museum and gallery to show people how great the collections are and what they have on the doorstep will really help.

Where does your audience come from?

Jo: We tend to draw a circle which goes into the High Weald area but other than that, we draw actually from quite a large area –in the town, but also rurally and into East Sussex. Quite a lot of our schools come from just over the border, as well as in the towns.

EXHIBITION Visitors enjoy the current show, Material Obsessions – British Folk Art

exhibition panel, an external group of people including local artists and a KCC arts officer who act like a sounding board, so we seek advice on our programme. But our driving core is really about showcasing the best of Tunbridge Wells to the world and trying to bring the best of the world to Tunbridge Wells.

Is there much variation in your audience?

Jo: My audiences at the museum are probably different to those of some of the other arts and we try obviously to programme to our audiences. A big part of our exhibition space and what we do is about audience development, so we try to think about who might come before we programme it. As well as showcasing collections, we’re driven by developing audiences; we want to keep our regulars happy, but we also want to bring new people in. All that goes into the decision-making process. Part of what we do is try to pick up on current trends and then programme for people’s interests.

What’s your vision for the museum?

Jo: I’m so excited about this I almost can’t get it out! It’s about using heritage and our collections to really bring everything else to life. Our collections and history are so inspirational and relevant to the present; they tell a really interesting and exciting story and the big change of direction is in being able to reassess the preconceptions of Tunbridge Wells.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS MUSEUM FOUNDED: 1885 ADDRESS: Civic Centre, Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1JN TEL: 01892 554 171 WEB: www.tunbridgewellsmuseum.org EMAIL: museum@tunbridgewells.gov.uk TWITTER: @TWBC_Museum

‘Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells’ is a fairly ingrained image…

Jo: If you look back at the history of the town, before the term ‘disgusted’ was coined, it’s a place of innovation, of change. Some of the big firsts happened here in terms of photography, science, politics, particularly around women’s suffrage, all here in Tunbridge Wells. It attracts innovators and people who want to change. That’s the big story we want to tell and I really hope that’s inspiring to people who live here and want to come and work here – to know they live somewhere people did make a difference.

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ TunbridgeWellsMuseum OPENING TIMES: Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5pm; Sundays, 10am to 4pm ADMISSION: Free SUPPORT: The Friends of Tunbridge Wells Museum, Library & Art Gallery CURRENT EXHIBITION: Material Obsessions – British Folk Art (until May 31) UPCOMING EXHIBITION: A Walk on the Wild Side – Social History of our Relationship with Animals (June 11 to September 20)

HOLIDAY LEISURESH

Packed with great ideas from Days Out to wonderful holidays there is something for everyone!

w

Sunday, 22nd March 2015 Dover Cruise Termlna/10am • 4pm

How do you compare to other art galleries in the town?

Jo: We’ve got lots of visual arts represented in the town, but I think we all fit a different niche, and when we’re developing the learning hub, we’ll be developing our gallery to be part of a wider network rather than trying to dominate it. The museum has quite a specific role, about showing our collections and bringing in nationally known artists. We’re not competition, we’re complementary.

Do you use the gallery for just art?

Jo: We have an exhibitions policy that dictates how we choose to programme our exhibition space. For me, the gallery is an exhibition space as opposed to primarily an art gallery, so we might show local history exhibitions, not always fine art. We also have an

69

V I SIT

KENT

Sponsored by:

~

Fred.Oisen Cruise Lines

3AAOEN.y'£NGLAND

_.,..ton< TOU Rl SM "'· · • SOUTH EAST KENT . ~

~

~""""'

Baldwms Travel Group Baldwln> .,.,.,..,/ TN!ve!ux

$·- ·· •·····

0

For Full Information and to Register for "Fast Track" passes v isit:

www.theholidayandleis ureshow.co.uk

01233 661890

P.9.Y~~

Wednesday 18th March 2015

70 � COUNTRY MATTERS

FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH

• By Eleanor Jones

UNDER THREAT: Boxal Bridge

An environmental bridge too far • By Kent Barker THERE used to be a beautiful brick hump-back bridge over the river at the bottom of the hill by my house.

It was rather narrow. Doubtless when horse-drawn carriages, ox carts, hay-wains and the like met on its approach, one would give way to the other with cheery wave and friendly conversation as drivers passed slowly by.

With the coming of motor vehicles, things changed.

Brakes would have to be applied and one or other driver would be forced to back up, with possible imprecations, to let the other through. But as cars got faster and the lane became busier, accidents became more frequent. My sister and I, playing in the garden, would hear the squeal of rubber on tarmac and lay bets on whether it would be followed by the sound of crumpling metal and breaking glass.

Once a car lost control, and ended up halfway through our hedge with its front wheels in the rose bed.

Eventually, the council deemed it prudent to replace the bridge with a modern concrete structure, wide enough to accommodate two vehicles at once.

The result is that cars and vans now travel at ten times the speed but we seldom, if ever, face the prospect of the roses being demolished.

I was put in mind of our old and much-missed bridge when I read about a petition to save a similar structure in West Sussex. Boxal Bridge is an even lovelier stone-built single-lane affair which is threatened with demolition by the county council.

And why? Because of fracking.

Wednesday 18th March 2015

The bridge is just 400 meters from the entrance to a proposed drilling site operated by Celtique Energie. This multi-national company has an exploration and development licence covering 1,000 square kilometers of southern England –from Liphook and Petersfield in the west to Copthorne, Horsham and West Grinstead in the east. The company is currently appealing against the county council’s refusal of planning permission for drilling at Boxal Bridge. If they win, the bridge goes.

I think it’s important not to be too emotional over things like fracking. After all, wouldn’t it be good for Britain to be far more self-sufficient in energy?

Especially as up to 15% of our gas probably comes from Russia! Certainly Shale has transformed the United States’ economy and means that their petrol is about a third the price it is here. Just imagine, less than 40p a litre! If – and I know it’s a big IF – the UK was self-sufficient, how much extra money we’d have available to spend on the NHS or schools. What’s a pretty bridge or two compared to those benefits?

And if the only downside to Shale gas extraction was wider access ways and a bit more concrete on the countryside, then I might be in favour. The trouble is it’s not quite that simple.

Fracking involves drilling down vertically about 2km, then horizontally outwards for as much as 3km. (Possibly under your house!) On a typical well, up to 10 million litres of water containing sand, lubricating fluids and chemicals are pumped into the borehole under extremely high pressures. This opens up cracks in the Shale for the gas to escape.

Some 60 different chemicals are used in the process including, crucially, Hydrochloric Acid to dissolve minerals and initiate the cracking. There

is a lively debate as to whether these chemicals are the source of pollutants – including Arseni –found in ground water near US wells.

So, let’s summarise the potential downsides of fracking: pollution or poisoning of aquifer water, release of methane gasses, chemical spills, seismic disruption, a vast increase in heavy traffic near wells, and concreting over parts of the countryside.

Oh, yes, and one other. The carbon dioxide ‘green house gas’ emissions that will result from burning it. Surely if we are to invest large sums in creating or harvesting new energy supplies we should be promoting renewables and not fossil fuel hydrocarbons. Even the government’s own report

by Professor David Mackay concluded: “without global climate policies … new fossil fuel exploitation is likely to lead to an increase in cumulative carbon emissions and the risk of climate change”.

Yet the same government continues its selfavowed policy of a ‘dash for gas’ while more environmentally friendly schemes such as renewables are left behind in the race. The recently announced tidal lagoons in Wales are a welcome exception. And some of the renewable heat incentive grants are, despite unbelievably labyrinthine bureaucracy, helpful. But where is the legislation to require builders to make new homes genuinely self-sufficient in energy? Where’s the serious research funding for electric cars?

It makes the citizen feel powerless in the face of corporate momentum and apparent governmental indifference. The best we can do is sign petitions to save sentimental structures like Boxal bridge.

Read more at KentCountryMatters.Blogspot.com

THE FIRST time I got on Squirrel after what turned into four months’ box rest, I didn’t stay on very long.

In hindsight, it wasn’t a great idea to get on a horse which hadn’t been ridden for nearly six months, owing to a bad tendon injury, in the yard, with a tempting expanse of open space between her and the enclosed sand school. It also wasn’t very intelligent to stop half-way over and ask my friend to take a picture of me. That was the point at which Squirrel made her feelings very clear.

In direct contrast to her reluctance when I’d tried to teach her to rein back last year, she reversed at top speed and sat down on the grass.

She then lay down, tipping me neatly out of the saddle. To her credit, she looked round to make sure I wasn’t in the way, as I sat open-mouthed on the ground, before she threw her heels up to the sky in an almighty buck and galloped off towards the horizon.

After some ten minutes of trailing up and down the field, alternately laughing at Squirrel’s antics and muttering oaths, I managed to catch her and lead her over to the school where, gate closed, we went for take two.

She was supposed to be doing 20 minutes’ calm walking but even without her light fantastic at the start, that wasn’t what it turned out to be.

Have you ever been on one of those bucking bull rides at a party? Yep, that was it. She wasn’t trying to get me off, and didn’t, but that wouldn’t have been much consolation if I had hit the deck again.

Twenty minutes achieved, I got on again (in the school, gate closed) the following day, hoping it would be less exciting this time, but it was just about a repeat performance.

Call me a wimp but I didn’t fancy that much excitement every day for the following weeks of “walking” so that afternoon, and on the vet’s advice, I let Squirrel go back into the field.

Once she’d done the obligatory flat-out galloping, with her hind legs seeming almost to have a mind of their own as she bucked and bucked, and bucked, she settled down to eat grass. It almost brought tears to my eyes to see her looking so happy to be out after a whole winter confined to her stable.

That was a month ago and she’s spent every day since out in the field, as had always been her routine before the injury.

With her excess energy from being in burned off, and her now contented state caused by being allowed her freedom, she hasn’t put a toe out of line. Spending 25 minutes a day just walking round and round a 20mx40m school can’t be very exciting for her, and I have to admit doesn’t do much for me either, but she’s out in the field and being ridden so she’s happy.

Of course, she’s also making up for the past four months by every day finding the wettest, muddiest piece of land possible to roll in and plastering it everywhere possible from ears to toes – I have never seen a horse manage to get filthier – but on balance, if that’s the alternative to being flung merrily into the air every time I get on, I’ll take the mud.

INDOORS & OUTDOORS �

71

Coles bowls for Kent once more

NEXT STEP Adrian Quaife-Hobbs will be racing with Ayrton Senns’s nephew

New challenges ahead for racing driver A YOUNG racing driver from Pembury is embarking on a new challenge this season – as he is set to race with Formula One legend Ayrton Senna’s nephew Bruno.

Adrian Quaife-Hobbs will be making the move to take part in the Blancpain Endurance Series in a McLaren 650S GT3 for Von Ryan Racing as he looks to make the next step in his highly successful career.

The 24-year-old will have some top quality teammates for the season with Rob Bell, Kevin Estre, Alvaro Parente, Shane van Gisbergen and Bruno Senna who have all confirmed they will return to the team.

Quaife-Hobbs is a winner in GP2 and has significant experience in singleseater racing. He dominated the 2012 AutoGP World Series to become the first driver in the series history to take five wins in one season, three consecutive pole positions and three successive race wins.

His move into sportscar racing follows a successful career during which he also competed in Formula BMW, Formula Renault, and Formula 3, before moving into International competition in GP3 and more recently GP2. The talented Kent race ace now turns his attention

to the world of endurance racing, with arguably one of the highest profile names in motorsport.

Quaife-Hobbs has already experienced his new 3.8 litre McLaren, having tested it at Silverstone and followed that up with a two-day test at Snetterton recently.

He said: “I’m extremely excited to be embarking on a new adventure in sportscar racing with VonRyanRacing and the McLaren 650S, which I believe will be a front-runner from the first race.

“We enjoyed a very successful test programme at Silverstone and Snetterton and I’m really looking forward to getting into the car for the first round.”

Dave Ryan, team manager for Von Ryan Racing, is delighted to have Quaife-Hobbs on board.

He said: “Adrian is a very exciting talent, who has shown himself to be one of the most promising young stars in some of the most competitive singleseater championships.

“With these six drivers we have put ourselves in a very strong position for the season and we are confident of 2015 being another exciting year.”

The Von Ryan Racing team has been a McLaren GT customer team since its

15% OFF

BRING YOUR COPY OF

TO CLAIM

YOUR NEXT PURCHASE

FROM RUNNING HUB

QuaifeHobbs dominated the 2012 AutoGP World Series to become the first driver in the series history to take five wins in one season

formation in 2011 and during the winter has worked closely with McLaren GT on an intensive testing programme ahead of the opening round of the Blancpain Endurance Series.

The 650S GT3 made its competitive debut last year at the 2014 Gulf 12 Hours,securing a podium finish.

BLANCPAIN ENDURANCE SERIES Adrian Quaife-Hobbs will be appearing 11&12 April, Monza (Italy); 23&24 May, Silverstone (England); 20&20 June, Paul Ricard (France); 25&26 July, Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium); 19&20 September, Nürburgring (Germany).

FAST bowler Matt Coles is looking forward to making his mark, having resigned for Kent Cricket 18 months after he left for Hampshire.

The 24-year-old Kent Cricket Academy graduate made his first-class debut aged 19 in 2009, having come through the age group squads, and received his county cap in 2012, when he was also called up for the England Lions.

He left Kent in August 2013 to join Hampshire on a three-year deal and looked to have settled into life on the south coast.

But somewhat out of the blue, Coles left Hampshire by mutual consent, has rejoined the club where he made his name - and can’t wait to get going again.

He said: “I’m delighted to be back at Kent. I am looking forward to joining a talented group of lads and making a real go of my second spell here.

“To come through the age groups to play for your home county was a dream come true. I can’t wait to get started and rekindle my love for the club.”

Kent captain Rob Key, who was instrumental in sealing Coles’ return, is delighted to have him back for the Spitfires this season: He said: “Matt is a cricketer with undoubted potential with both bat and ball.

“It’s fantastic he has returned to the county that brought him up through the youth system.”

The good news for fans is that there will be plenty of cricket to enjoy this summer: Kent Spitfires will be taking on Glamorgan in the Natwest T20 Blast on Friday, July 17, with the County Championship game against Essex beginning two days later in what should be a fantastic Festival week.

On Friday, July 26, Kent Spitfires will face Essex Eagles in the Royal London One Day Cup at The Nevill Ground with fans set to flock to the idyllic venue in their numbers.

OPEN

FOOTWEAR 0 CLOTHING 10-5.3 0 I .3 R ACCESSORIES 5 F 9 MONURDAY G VIDEO GAIT ANALYSIS SAT ARKIN REE EP RD (OPP) IN-STORE TREADMILL 2HREF E TR 0559D IN Y W GIFT VOUCHERS 2 53R 9 A 8 1 0 : TEL L O N D O N TNO FRIENDLY ADVICE OPJ 8 BOROUGH 4 4 1 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE SOUTH

At the Heart of Running

ONLY ONE VOUCHER PER CUSTOMER PER ISSUE

Wednesday 18th March 2015

··--------

~. Oinllins & ~nns -------76/78, High Street, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1YB Telephone: (01892) 534018 Fax: (01892) 510536 email: info@gcollinsandsons.com · www.gcollinsandsons.com Patek Philippe Grand Exhibition 2015J Saatchi GalleryJ London 27 May- 7 June 2015 ·Open to the public· Free admission www.patek.com/London2015

Chronograph Re£ 5170G