Times of Tunbridge Wells issue 7, April 15th 2015

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Wednesday, April 15, 2015

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EMBRACING EXCESS IN JAKARTA Page 66

MIRIAM STANDS BY HER MAN

THE PORSCHE -CHASING RANGE ROVER SPORT SVR

Page 10

IN THE PINK THIS SEASON Page 22

Page 62

INSIDE

CLOSE Kat Weston with Michael

TAXIS

Drivers call for action on illegal practices

PAGE 3

BUSINESS

Fears car park closure will affect trade

My number one son

PAGE 7

EVENTS

Food festival returns to The Pantiles

Mum’s tearful tribute after two young men die in road tragedy • By David Jarvis THE heartbroken mother of one of the two young men killed in a horrific car accident has paid a tearful tribute to her ‘number one son’.

Kat Weston, Michael Owen’s mum said: “My son, my friend, I won’t say goodbye you will always be around in my eyes, a dad, a friend, and although you’re gone, you will forever be my number one son.”

Michael Owen and Kyle Careford were killed when their car ploughed into a church wall in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Mr Owen, who had a fouryear-old daughter, was 21 and Mr Careford was due to celebrate his 21st birthday today, Wednesday.

Tributes have poured in to the men, both from Tunbridge Wells.

Lauren Molloy, the mother of Mr Owen’s child, wrote

TRAGIC Kyle Careford also died

on social media: “RIP to the most beautiful dad ever, you was an amazing daddy to our beautiful girl and I will make sure she remembers every amazing thing about you! We both love you! You was so perfect to both of us and Lily knows you’re with the angels now and you will be looking down on her watching her grow up.”

Mr Owen’s sister Rachel Weston added: “My family and I are devastated and

we’re all struggling to come to terms with this terrible injustice. Michael was not only my sweet little brother but he was a loving dad, caring son and a great friend to many.”

While Mr Careford’s heartbroken sister Louise Turner simply posted a photograph of her late brother holding a little girl believed to be his niece.

For full story, turn to page 5

PAGE 8

FARMERS’ MARKET Ever-growing popularity of local produce

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2 � NEWS

WEATHER THE WEEK IN VIEW

WEDNESDAY

Rare migrant bird stops off for a tasty fish supper

SUNNY, FEELING WARM TODAY APRIL 15 2015

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

20 C O

Pollution: Low Visibility: Moderate Humidity: 80% Sunrise: 06.05am Wind: 8 Sunset: 19.45pm

THURSDAY

14OC

FRIDAY

11OC

SATURDAY

12OC

SUNDAY

12OC

MONDAY

12OC

TUESDAY

12OC CONTACTS

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615 EDITOR SIMON FINLAY simon@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 576042 DEPUTY EDITOR ELEANOR JONES eleanor@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 576037 HEAD OF SALES JOE STONER joe@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779624 GENERAL INQUIRIES newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

Spectacular osprey seen hunting at Bewl A LARGE fish-eating raptor has been spotted hunting on Bewl Water, it was confirmed this week.

The impressive but very rare migrant osprey, also known as the fish eagle, has also been seen at various locations in Kent and East Sussex.

The ospreys are making their long and treacherous journey from Africa to Scotland and the north of England to breed this summer.

Bewl’s estate manager Howard Mackenzie said that the bird of prey was seen last Wednesday and Friday.

There have been further sightings near Hawkhurst and at the Arlington Reservoir near Polegate last Friday.

Ospreys will ‘stop off’ at locations en route from their home territory to refuel as they head to the nesting sites in places like the Highlands and Cumbria.

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CLARIFICATIONS AND CORRECTIONS HERE at the Times of Tunbridge Wells we strive to deliver, fair, accurate and balanced reports. When we don’t meet our own high standards we will accept the responsibility and publish clarifications and corrections.

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TO WHET YOUR APPETITE HERE’S A COUPLE OF CRYPTIC CLUES. • Firm politician is first on before he introduces acts (7) • He doesn’t do much to earn his reputation (5)

Wednesday 15th April 2015

They will often target well-stocked fisheries where there are easy pickings for the hunter, which makes dramatic feet-first lunges into the water to catch trout and other freshwater species.

The bird is so aerially proficient it is able to turn its catch in its talons so that the fish’s head faces forward to make it easier to carry.

Mr Mackenzie said: “One of the rangers saw them on Wednesday and Friday last week, which is slightly earlier than usual.

They normally stop off for a day or two before moving on.

“We might see them again in September when the adults and young start to make the return journey southwards.”

Lucas Stephens, 57, spotted an osprey at the weekend near Hawkhurst.

The father of two said: “I didn’t see it for very long but it was definitely not a

buzzard and way too big to be any other bird of prey. I went straight home and looked it up.”

The passage migrant has also been stopping over at the Arlington Reservoir where fly-fisherman have reported dramatic hunting expeditions by an osprey.

One said: “It circled around a bit and made a couple of unsuccessful attempts to get a trout. It tried a third time and succeeded.

“I watched with binoculars as it turned the fish round as it flew away. I’d never seen one before so it was a very special moment.”

Fewer than 500 birds make it to the United Kingdom each year and are regarded to have the threatened ‘amber status’ by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

The most famous nesting site is at Loch Garten in Scotland where pairs of ospreys have been returning for decades.

A RSPB spokesman said: “The arrival of an osprey can cause quite a stir among birdwatchers. If you’ve missed them this time round, then they’ll be coming through at the end of the summer.”

THE osprey is afforded the highest degree of legal protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to intentionally take, injure or kill an osprey or to take, damage or destroy its nest, eggs or young.

It is also an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb the birds close to their nest during the breeding season. Violation of the law can attract fines up to £5,000 per offence and/or a prison sentence of up to six months.

EDITOR’S COMMENT THE nominations have closed and our main political parties have been unveiling their manifestos, one by one, in recent days.

There can have been fewer more sterile or more stage-managed campaigns in the history of British politics, where the main parties control the message and often handpick the messenger.

It means the press or broadcasters are often excluded or kept at barge-pole length from anything even approaching controversial.

No party dares having its juggernaut forced off the road by having a ‘Gillian Duffy moment’ which so undermined Gordon Brown in 2010 when he was caught off camera (although with a mic still live) describing the Labour supporter as a ‘bigoted woman.’

Here in Kent, there has been little or controversy to speak of so far, either. Janice Atkinson, the Ukip candidate for Folkestone and Hythe, was given the order of the boot by

her party over an alleged expenses-fiddling incident in Thanet.

Other than that, nothing of note has happened so far.

This has been amply displayed in the slightly flat evening BBC Radio Kent election daily, Never Mind the Ballots.

The public service broadcaster has taken an undeniably safe and even-handed approach.

Unless something seismic happens between now and May 7, it is safe to assume that the Conservative Greg Clark will walk back into Westminster as MP with another thumping majority.

As an MP he is well-regarded and is seen as ‘one for the future’ albeit not in the next government, if current polls are to be believed.

It will be interesting to see if Ukip can make any inroads into securing a larger stake in the vote at the expense of the Labour Party.

Or will Labour benefit from the Liberal

Democrats’ expected crash and burn?

Perhaps the Greens can make capital from the current trend towards its environmental, left-of-centre stance and popular, straighttalking national leader.

The Times will, however, be analysing the results ward by ward in the borough elections to see where the interesting trends might be.

OUR hearts go out to the families of the two young Tunbridge Wells men who died in Crowborough at the weekend. The Renault Clio they were travelling in crashed into a church wall and both were declared dead at the scene.

The details of why they died will doubtless emerge in the days, weeks and months to come.

But for the moment our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones.

Simon Finlay, Editor

LOCAL NEWS �

Tunbridge Wells cabbies call for action on the rogue taxis which ‘flout the law’

Drivers want council to crack down on rule-breaking drivers

• By Julie Rae TUNBRIDGE Wells taxi drivers have called on the council to clamp down on private hire cabs they claim are picking up people from the street illegally.

They say these cabbies are putting the public at risk by making their insurance invalid when they flout the rules of their licences.

Only hackney taxis licensed in the borough can pick up fares from anywhere within Tunbridge Wells without being pre-booked and they are the only cabs which can be flagged down on the street.

They can also only do street pick-ups within the borough or district authority which licenses them, and a private hire taxi can only carry customers booked in advance through its main office.

One of the cabbies, 45-year-old Rob Weiss from Rusthall who has been a hackney taxi

driver in the town for 12 years, told the Times: “They’re not insured if they have an accident.

“God forbid they have an accident and injury occurs to the customer. They cannot claim as it’s an illegal hire. The council needs to put a stop to this.”

Local cabbies claim they have seen private hire taxis outside kebab shops and bars at weekends, asking revellers if they want a taxi and touting for trade.

Monty Altinbas, a 47-year-old hackney driver who lives in the town centre, said: “Some of these taxis have plates on them, they shouldn’t be here. You can only work in the borough you’re licensed in.

“I’ve watched them sit there from 11pm until 3am every weekend touting for fares. I’ve heard them ask people if they want a taxi.

That’s illegal.”

Ahmad Ahmadi, 30, of High Brooms said: “We’re very angry. We would just like the council to support us and put a stop to these

Mum beats injury to train for marathon A WOMAN who was knocked off her bike a year ago and could not run for six months is taking on the London Marathon next weekend.

Siobhan Stirling suffered serious back and knee injuries in the accident, four days after she had raised £1,300 for the MS Society by completing the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon last spring.

The 47-year-old from Langton Green was given the all-clear to start running last

September but found training difficult.

She said: “Every time I got beyond five miles, my back would become extremely painful again and I couldn’t see how I would ever manage long distances again. Then I got an email from the MS Society saying they had some spare places for London. I wasn’t sure what to do but decided to put my name in the hat, with a view that if I got a place it was a sign that my back would be OK.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Spa Meadows receives award for development THE Spa Meadows development has had a positive impact on its surroundings, according to judges at this year’s Placemaking Awards.

The Town & County Housing project was highly commended in the southern England category of the awards, which ‘seek to recognise best practice in the planning and delivery of placemaking projects’.

There were more than 200 entries to the competition, in which judges looked for evidence that projects had had a positive impact on physical or environmental quality, or the wellbeing of a local community.

Town & Country director of development Colin Lissenden said: “It’s a great achievement for Town & Country and for our residents who supported us in the design of the scheme.”

APPROACHED by the Times with the cabbies’ concerns, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council issued a statement.

It said: “The council would always advise people for their own safety to travel by taxi or pre-book with a private hire company as it is possible that illegal pick-ups would not be covered by insurance. Private hire vehicles licensed

by TWBC have a licence plate that is predominantly yellow and hackney carriage, or taxi plates, are white.

“TWBC has received a small number of complaints about private hire vehicles and has been sent photographs of vehicles licenced by neighbouring councils. A photograph of a private hire vehicle at a location is not evidence that the vehicle is plying for hire, it could be there to collect pre-booked passengers.

“The council carries out regular taxi and private hire enforcement operations with Kent Police to ensure that regulations are complied with and could prosecute if it is established that private hire drivers are plying for hire.”

Seminar on selling a business

taxis taking our business. I can’t earn enough to pay my rent. We’ve all phoned and emailed the licensing department repeatedly to make them aware of these illegal private hire taxis touting for business and the out-of-borough hackneys.

“I’ve sent them pictures of the taxis’ registration numbers, so have others. They haven’t even bothered to reply and don’t seem to be interested. Even though it’s putting the people of Tunbridge Wells at risk.”

In Tunbridge Wells both hackney and private hire taxis must display different coloured licence plates – yellow for private hire and white for hackneys – on the rear of the vehicle.

Every hackney cab must have a sign on its roof which is lit when plying for trade.

Private hire taxis should have stick on ‘pre-booked only’ signs on their back doors. julie@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

Then in November I got the call saying I had got a place.”

Mother of three Mrs Stirling, a former Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar pupil, has been training hard since.

She said: “My back has gone from strength to strength. I’ve managed to run 20 miles so hopefully I’ll make it round the full 26.

“My initial fundraising target for the MS Society was £2,000 but I’m already broken that and I’m up to £3,000.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/ SiobhanStirling1

A FORMER local estate agent who wrote a book warning of the risks when selling a company is co-hosting a free seminar this month on how to exit a business.

Denise Barnes wrote Seller Beware – How not to sell your Business after she lost money selling her Pembury-based estate agency chain. She blames the poor advice she received.

The How to Exit a Business – The Good the Bad and the Ugly seminar and breakfast takes place on Tuesday, April 28 from 8 to 9am at The Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells.

Miss Barnes will host the event with Philip Pilgrim and Chris Bushell, from business consultants Smart Support, and Filippa Connor, from insolvency and business rescue specialist RNF Business Advisory.

Crews battle five-acre fire THREE fire engines were called to a blaze across five acres of land in the Brenchley area last Friday. Crews were sent to the fire, in wood and grassland near Horsmonden Road, at about 2pm.

Firefighters spent two hours battling the blaze, while police were on hand to close the road and control traffic.

IN TRAINING Siobhan Stirling, pictured with son Eden and dog Honey

PHOTO: David Bartholomew

ACTION NEEDED From left, Ahmad Ahmadi, Yahya Nasir, Rob Weiss, Sachin Mandli, Beck Tadjibaev, Lek Smajlaj and Monty Altinbas

3

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4 � GENERAL ELECTION 2015

Ukip may come second in general election - poll Tory Greg Clark and Lib Dem dismiss Electoral Calculus prediction GENERAL ELECTION 2015: THE CANDIDATES

James MacCleary

Greg Clark

Colin Nicholson

Kevin Kerrigan

UKIP is set to become the main challenging party in Tunbridge Wells for the seat at Westminster, according to one polling prediction website.

The main challengers in 2010, the Liberal Democrats are forecast to be virtually wiped out into fourth place, says Electoral Calculus (EC).

Just six candidates have put their names forward to contest the Tunbridge Wells parliamentary seat at the general election on May 7.

But EC claims that MP Greg Clark will retain his seat with a 98 per cent likelihood of victory and a majority increased by six per cent to 37 per cent.

Ukip candidate Colin Nicholson would take his party’s share of the vote from four per cent to more than 15 per cent, to leapfrog into second spot.

PARTY

CANDIDATE

� CONSERVATIVE

Greg Clark

� LIBERAL Democrat

James MacCleary

� LABOUR

Kevin Kerrigan

� UKIP

Colin Nicholson

� GREEN

Marie Jones

� INDEPENDENT

Graham Naismith

But the Lib Dems, according to EC, could slump from 25 per cent to 11 per cent on polling day.

The polling prediction service takes a poll of polls, trends and analysis to make its findings.

Electoral Calculus does not take into account local issues.

Lib Dem candidate James MacCleary said: “I think it a little dangerous to draw conclusions from a national polling service.

“We don’t expect that result and it’s not what I am hearing on the doorsteps in Tunbridge Wells. It’s clearly not realistic.

“We are not detecting any backlash because of our involvement in the coalition and we’re getting some credit for what we have done in government in turning round the economy.

“People recognised the country’s need before our own.”

Labour is predicted to benefit according to

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the website, by rising from 11 per cent to 15 per cent.

Candidate Kevin Kerrigan said: “I’m getting a lot of support out canvassing and doing street stalls, communicating with people.

“We knock on doors in various parts of the borough. Historically this is a Conservative seat but there are a lot of people who do not want a Conservative MP. Mr Clark said: “Electoral Calculus is driven by national opinion polls not local factors.”

He said that since the election race started the issue of mental health provision has featured high in the issues expressed by voters.

12PM ONWARDS

LOCAL NEWS �

Sunshine over the floral tributes to the young men taken too soon Police appeal for witnesses to crash in which Michael and Kyle died

TRIBUTES Flowers and photographs have been left at the scene of the accident

• By Julie Rae MOVING tributes have poured in for two young friends who died in an early morning horror crash at a church on Sunday.

The young men, Michael Owen and Kyle Careford, both died when the Renault Clio they were travelling in hit the wall of St Michael and All Angels Church, Crowborough.

Both young men were from Tunbridge Wells.

Mr Owen was 21 and Mr Careford would have celebrated his 21st birthday today, Wednesday.

The men were driving along Rotherfield Road at 12.40am on Sunday morning when the car hit a stone wall surrounding the church. Locals called emergency services but both young men were declared dead at the scene.

Floral tributes appeared near the church on Sunday afternoon and there was an outpouring of grief and tributes on social media.

Friend Jackson Marshall, said: “I’m so glad I

got back in contact with you both before this happened you was [sic] both good men and Mike you was my little brother growing up I’m gutted I never did get to show ya how it done like I said I would r.i.p boys thanks for the memories I’ll hold on to them I’m gunna miss ya x” Jake Jenks wrote: “Tears falling from my face…

You got at me boys…I’d say rip but we know you’re up there having it out. I’ll carry this for life boys.”

Zac Garty added: “Another two lives lost rip Michael, it’s a shame we didn’t sort out our differences. I am going to miss you. Sleep well fella x.”

The vicar of St Michael’s, Rev Alan Weaver, did not hear about the accident until the police called at about 2.30am.

He said: “It is a terrible tragedy and my condolences go out to their families.”

Sussex Police are still appealing for witnesses to the crash. Anyone with information should call 101, quoting Operation Lapwing.

On Facebook, Danni Parker wrote: “Rest in paradise boys.”

Kyle Careford

5

NEWS IN BRIEF

Hotel expansion creates 20 jobs in the town centre TWENTY new jobs are to be created as a result of a £2.4m refurbishment of the Royal Wells Hotel.

The project, on which work started in January, includes a new orangery and courtyard garden, an extended Wells Bar and main ground floor function room and four new bedrooms, all en-suite.

Owing to the expansion of facilities, general manager Martin Lyall is recruiting for full and part-time positions, including chefs, front of house staff, supervisors and a receptionist.

He said: “We have been overwhelmed by the response to our recruitment adverts, and are delighted to be able to provide an economic boost for the area.”

Nigel Bunting, of Shepherd Neame which took over the hotel in 2012, added: “We are confident that our new-look hotel will prove a popular choice for customers.

“We can’t wait to unveil it to the public.”

The Royal Wells is due to reopen on Thursday, May 7.

‘Mallet attack’ teen in court

Michael Owen

A 16-year-old from Tunbridge Wells has appeared in front of a court after an alleged mallet attack on fellow pupils at the Bennett Memorial Diocesan School.

The alleged attack happened on March 19 and the youngster was remanded to a secure unit at his first appearance before magistrates.

He was charged with grievous bodily harm, attempted grievous bodily harm and having an offensive weapon.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court last Friday where his case was adjourned again in preparation for a plea and case management hearing on June 17.

Charity worker wants street lights back on A CHARITY worker is calling for Tunbridge Wells’ streetlights to be switched back on, claiming the situation is a danger to women.

Kent County Council turned the lights off, in a number of streets, for part of the night to save cash and energy.

Volunteer Sue Rose said: “The roads are pitch black once the streetlights go out.

“It’s definitely not safe. The darkness provides perfect places for people up to no good to hide. Victim Support advises women walking at night to stick to well-lit areas. How can they do that? The council has made the streets more dangerous.”

Miss Rose, a volunteer with Tunbridge Wells-based charity Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services, said she does not feel safe at home when the streets are dark.

The 61-year-old added: “My road becomes black and frightening. It makes it easier for burglars. I feel very unhappy and disappointed with the council. I understand they need to save money but I think they’re putting cash before safety.”

The KCC scheme was completed in Tunbridge Wells in February 2014. Lights were turned off completely in some streets, or from midnight to 5.30am in winter and 1am to 6.30am in summer in others. The scheme will be reviewed next month.

A KCC spokesman said: “KCC has not switched off lights in town centres, areas with CCTV, antisocial behaviour areas, at busy road junctions, roundabouts or sites with safety issues. KCC meets Kent Police regularly and they have indicated no overall increase in crime since the introduction of part-night lighting.

“Many residents want all-night lighting and this will be affordable LED technology that will reduce KCC’s energy and carbon tax spending by about 60 per cent allowing KCC to return to all-night lighting.

Conversion to LED could start late this year or early 2016 starting with residential areas.

This will take about a year.”

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6 � LOCAL NEWS

Teenage drug dealer jailed for two years A TEENAGE drug dealer who tried to hide class A drugs within his body has been jailed.

Ehsen Abdul-Razak was sentenced this month after police seized more than 30 wraps of heroin and cocaine from a car in Tunbridge Wells.

More of the drugs were discovered secreted in Abdul-Razak’s body by police after he was taken into custody.

The 19-year-old, from Strachan Close, Maidstone, was arrested on July 7 last year after police spotted him driving a Ford Puma and acting suspiciously. As they

Commuter anger as rail bosses give staff shopping vouchers

THE FUTURE An artist’s impression of London Bridge after the refurbishment SENT DOWN Ehsen Abdul-Razak approached his car, officers saw AbdulRazak making ‘desperate attempts’ to push his clenched fist inside his jeans. A package then dropped from his hand into the footwell of the car. This package contained 33 individual wraps of heroin and cocaine.

Police also seized almost £300 cash as well as further evidence of dealing from the car, including used wraps and cling film.

While in police custody, Abdul-Razak admitted to having more drugs secreted in his body, producing another package containing cocaine and heroin.

Abdul-Razak appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday, April 9 for sentencing. He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to supply heroin and a further count of possession with intent to supply cocaine.

He was sentenced to two years in a young offenders’ institution.

Tunbridge Wells chief inspector Dave Pate said: “It’s a successful outcome and yet another example of just how effective my officers continue to be in dealing with those who try to sell drugs in Tunbridge Wells.”

‘Where’s ours?’ ask Tunbridge Wells travellers affected by engineering delays

• By Julie Rae DISGUSTED commuters have called on Southeastern bosses to offer ticket refunds, after 4,000 staff were given shopping vouchers for their efforts during ongoing engineering works.

Each of the rail provider’s employees was given a £25 voucher in recognition of their efforts during disruption caused by the refurbishment of London Bridge station.

But travellers who have waited on trains and at stations, and been crammed into overcrowded carriages, have called on Southeastern to refund at least some cash.

Michael Clerke, who regularly travels by train from Tunbridge Wells to London, said: “Commuters are frustrated by the delays and overcrowding and it’s the bosses that are to blame. I hope the money for these vouchers came out of the pockets of the bosses.”

Emily Brown, a 28-year-old from Marden who works in Tunbridge Wells, praised Southeastern for the gesture to its ‘hardworking’ staff, but added: “It would nice if they also gave us a bit of money off our season tickets when there’s been delays or cancellations.”

The rebuilding of London Bridge began in January and is expected to be complete by summer 2018.

Southeastern trains to and from Charing Cross will not

stop there until next year.

Since the work started, passengers have experienced delays, cancellations and overcrowding.

Molly Hunt, a 25-year-old from Tunbridge Wells who travels by train to London regularly, said: “It’s a nice thing to do for the staff. But it’s not fair that I have to go on overcrowded trains and stand in stations on trains that have been cancelled. All commuters should receive discounts when trains are delayed.”

Tony Clayton, chairman of the Sevenoaks Rail Travellers’ Association said: “Passengers fed up by overcrowding and delays will say, ‘Where are our vouchers?’ It would be unfair for them to be angry at the staff; they should be angry at the company.”

A Southeastern spokesman said: “This one-off token of appreciation reflects the commitment of staff and the hard work in delivering large-scale changes. In particular it recognises efforts to assist passengers during our biggest timetable change for five years. We are proud to reward them for their efforts.

“We know our customers have had to change journey patterns…and are grateful for their patience …We continue to work to ensure all passengers are more satisfied…We have pledged £2m, over and above our franchise commitments to deliver a number of passenger focused initiatives.”

Emily Brown

Michael Clerke

Molly Hunt

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LOCAL NEWS �

Closing car park will hit businesses hard – John Street traders • by Adam Wells CLOSING the John Street car park will have a ‘disastrous’ effect on business, traders have warned.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is to close the 90-space facility for 12 months from August 1, to allow the construction of three retail units and five flats, as well as resurfacing the car park itself.

The plans were approved in November 2014 but the news has come as a surprise to some.

Georgia Smart, of independent art and craft store Glazy Daisy which offers activity sessions for children, said customers take advantage of the two hours’ free parking offered in the car park.

She added: “We had no idea.

“It’s definitely going to affect us the most. Everyone who comes here parks there.”

Angus Howard, assistant manager of The Trading Post Bar

CONCERNED Angus Howard thinks the closure will affect trade

and Lounge, added: “It’s a hot spot for people coming here on their way through town. It’s the lifeline of the St Johns area.

Without it you stop the entire top end of the area from being used.

“A lot of residents, customers and employees use it. Without it, it’s going to be difficult to find a place to park.”

Another trader, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s a disaster. It will definitely hit us.”

One business which will

not be hit by the closure is Stampede, a children’s shoe shop run by Andrea Afrifa.

Mrs Afrifa, who campaigned for years to improve parking facilities for retailers in the St Johns area, recently relocated to Camden Road, concerned about council plans for the facility.

“She fought so hard for customers to be able to use it,” said Dee Stanton, of the Paint and Paper Centre. “It’s a blow to everything she did.”

A council spokesman said: “We are making every effort to ensure that the work at John Street car park doesn’t have a detrimental effect on local businesses.

“A section of the car park will be open throughout the time the work is taking place.

“At the end, there will be a resurfaced car park and new buildings enhancing the appearance of the retail frontage which we hope will be of benefit to the area.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

Two charged over series of burglaries TWO men have been charged in relation to burglaries of petrol stations and shops across Kent.

Detectives investigating a series of break-ins in areas including Cranbrook, Ashford and West Kingsdown, where large numbers of cigarettes have been stolen, arrested two men and a woman on April 2 in Turner Avenue, Cranbrook.

Peter Fabri, 36, of Gables Close, Grove Park, London, and 38-yearold Peter Moore, of Holborn Road, Plaistow, London, have both been charged with conspiracy to steal, between 18 August, 2014 and 3 April, 2015, in connection with offences reported in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Bedfordshire. Both have been remanded in custody and will appear at Maidstone Crown Court on April 24.

A 36-year-old woman from Hornchurch, Essex, has been bailed pending further inquiries until May 6. A 19-year-old man from Canning Town, London, was arrested in January and remains on bail, pending further inquiries, until April 23.

TO CLOSE The John Street car park

“Sites such as Fulham Palace, Dyffryn Gardens and Chiswick House have already replaced large Victorian glasshouses with powdercoated aluminium and these glasshouses are now thriving.

The Davies want the vinery to become a 21st century glasshouse to support the survival of the 19th century glasshouses, making The Walled Nursery sustainable and keeping the site inclusive of the community.”

Carol Farley, who signed the petition, said: “This is an extraordinarily valuable part of our heritage.

“A small short-sighted decision not to allow this to happen will have a huge devastating effect. As there are precedents at other major heritage

PETITION Emma and Monty Davies want to rebuild a glasshouse as a restaurant

sites in the country there can be no possible reason not to allow this.”

A spokesman for TWBC said its head conservation officer had met the owners to discuss in particular the materials used for any renovation and that another issue would be the provision of additional ventilation to the vine house.

Paperweight fire A CRYSTAL paperweight magnifying the sun caused a house blaze, firefighters believe.

Kent Fire and Rescue were called to Conghurst Lane, Hawkhurst, on Sunday afternoon. It is believed the ornament had transferred the sun’s rays, setting curtains alight. The fire also spread to the ceiling.

A KFRS spokesman said: “This is not the first time a fire has started in this way, and KFRS is reminding everyone to take care when leaving anything on a window ledge that could magnify sunlight on to curtains or flammable materials.”

Hundreds back nursery’s glasshouse restaurant bid MORE than 600 people have signed a petition backing an application to convert a listed glasshouse to a restaurant.

The Times reported last month that Emma Davies, who runs The Walled Nursery in Hawkhurst with husband Monty, wants Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to permit a Victorian vinery to be rebuilt using powder-coated aluminium.

The glasshouse has been empty since it lost more than 300 panes in the storms of the 2013-14 winter.

Mrs Davies’ petition, which has been signed by 668 people, reads: “This glasshouse could earn a substantial amount of revenue as a restaurant and training and events venue.

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“This could be overcome with some careful thought. This needs listed building consent which, to our knowledge, has not been applied for,” said the spokesman.

“The council’s principal conservation officer has received information from the owners, which is being reviewed. TWBC hasn’t received any formal submissions in relation to the nursery.”

Child in car collision A CHILD was taken to hospital after an accident with a car in Southborough.

The eight-year-old boy had been knocked from his scooter in the collision, in Woolley Road last Thursday at about 6pm.

An air ambulance was called to the scene but the boy was taken to King’s College Hospital in London by road, with head and arm injuries.

STAR BUY

Wednesday 15th April 2015

8 � LOCAL NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF

Plastic rubbish fires spark two call-outs FIRE crews were called out twice in one night after youngsters set fire to piles of rubbish.

The incidents happened on Tuesday evening – the first in Calverley Grounds and then in Grosvenor and Hilbert Park.

Fire fighters went to Calverley Grounds at 8pm on April 7 where a group of teenagers had set a small pile of plastic on fire. No action was required.

The second call came at 2am on April 8 when the crew were sent to the Dorking Road entrance to the park.

Another small pile of rubbish set alight and no action was needed.

Drink thief jailed A MAN has been jailed for two months for stealing alcohol from a Tunbridge Wells shop.

Ricky Skilton, 28, of Colebrook Road, stole £12.80 worth of goods from a store in High Brooms Road on February.

He appeared before Mid Kent Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to the theft and failing to surrender to the court on March 5.

Magistrates sentenced him to 60 days in prison, fined him £50 and ordered him to pay £6 in compensation.

Community cash bid COMMUNITY projects in Southborough and High Brooms have the chance to bid for grant funding this spring.

Southborough Town Council has a £50,000 pot, made available as part of planning permission for a homes’ development.

The cash will be split between five projects in the area which have proved they can fulfil all requirements of the grant.

The closing date for applications is June 1.

Thousands of foodies expected to head for The Pantiles next month THOUSANDS of people are expected to flock to The Pantiles next month to enjoy the sixth annual festival of food next month.

Visitors are expected to come from all over Kent and Sussex to enjoy the cooking demonstrations at the bandstand and beer festival in the Corn Exchange at The Pantiles Food Festival.

There will also be more than 40 stalls street food (both local and international), comedy with the King Elvis Chefs, live music and entertainment for children.

The event runs on Friday May 15, Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17 and organised by the Market Square Group and supported by local sponsors Targetfollow, The Pantiles traders and the Lower Pantiles.

Event spokesman Paul Kennedy said: “It’s bound to attract a lot of people into Tunbridge Wells and is essentially a fun event for all the family to enjoy as well the serious foodies.

“Last year, there was an incredible turnout to The Pantiles Food Festival with estimates of upwards of 10,000 people having come to along to enjoy it. So we’re hoping to build on that.

“It’s a great celebration of local food and dishes from other parts of the world. There will be a massive selection of ales and beers to sample in the Corn Exchange.

“On top of that there will be more than 40 stalls, live music and plenty of stuff to keep the kids entertained.”

Last year’s event was blessed with stunning weather and Mr Kennedy is hoping the gods will be kind again this year.

It also marks the start of a yearlong schedule of events planned by the Market Square Group.

The Pantiles is due to host a vintage fair, September food festival and a Christmas market.

The group has also revived The Pantiles Saturday market, which takes place on the first third Saturday of the month.

‘It’s a great celebration of local food and dishes from other parts of the world’

FOODIES Pantiles traders attracted thousands last year

100 billion barrels of oil may lie under Gatwick UP TO 100 billion barrels of oil could lie untapped underground at Horse Hill near Gatwick Airport, it was disclosed last week.

The exploration firm UK Oil & Gas Investments (UKOG) claims the area could hold 158 million barrels of oil per square mile.

But only a fraction of the 100 billion total would be recovered and by comparison the North Sea has produced about 45 billion barrels in 40 years.

UKOG chief executive Stephen Sanderson said: “We think we’ve found a very significant discovery here, probably the largest (onshore in the UK) in the last 30 years, and we think it has national significance.”

The company claims it does not intend to ‘frack’ the oil, a process of pumping water, sand and chemicals into rocks at high pressure to liberate the oil and gas trapped within.

UKOG says most of the oil lies between

Wednesday 15th April 2015

2,500ft (762m) and 3,000ft (914m) under the surface.

It describes this as a ‘world class potential resource’ with ‘potential for significant daily oil production’.

Oil has been produced onshore in the South of England for decades. There are currently around a dozen oil production sites across the Weald, a region spanning Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire.

Last year British Geological Survey reported the region may have shale oil resources in the range of 2.2-to-8.5 billion barrels, with a central estimate of 4.4 billion barrels of oil.

Mr Sanderson added: “Based on what we’ve found here, we’re looking at between 50 and 100 billion barrels of oil in place in the ground.

“We believe we can recover between five and 15 per cent the oil in the ground, which by 2030 could mean that we produce 10 to 30 per cent of the UK’s oil demand from within the Weald area.”

LOCAL NEWS �

Green spaces firm to keep contract despite complaints Sodexo will be scrutinised by council to ensure it improves service “We don’t want to have matches cancelled again due to waterlogged pitches. We want to be sure by the end of the summer that we have everything in place.”

Cllr Dianne Hill added: “I think it’s probably the best way to go.

But obviously in October if things haven’t improved, it’ll need to be looked at again.”

At a meeting of the committee last October, concerns were raised about the contract and cabinet member Cllr Jane March said there had been a “dramatic improvement in performance and the overall quality of the service was better”.

But the following month, Foresters FC raised its concerns over pitches.

No one from Sodexo was available for comment as the Times went to press.

IMPROVEMENT Jane March

KENT-based insurance firm Markerstudy has reached an agreement to acquire Chaucer’s UK motor business.

From headquarters in Whitstable, Kent, and a further office in Nottingham, the business to be acquired from Chaucer provides motor, commercial property and liability insurance to more than 450,000 customers in the UK – via intermediaries and brokers, aggregators, and direct.

The purchase will extend the group’s gross written premium to in excess of £900m and swell employee numbers by 430.

Kevin Spencer, group CEO, said: “This acquisition will strengthen our core offering, and complement our strategy for growth and profitability.

“I am pleased that we were in the fortunate position to be able to reach agreement to acquire the business. It will add significant value, positioning us for further success.”

The Markerstudy group now employs about 3,250 staff.

The transaction is expected to complete in the third quarter, subject to regulatory approval.

The acquisition by Bessels Green-based Markerstudy includes the business written under the Chaucer Direct brand and REIS.

F1 legend buys track

tables, we’re attracting different people who like to drink and play snooker. There’s more of a pub atmosphere these days.”

The club has nine snooker tables and one pool table, as well

as dart boards and a screen showing sporting events.

Tickets for the Steve Davis exhibition evening are priced from £20. To book, call 01892 525833 or from the club.

County property services www.mycountypropertyservices.co.uk

PA TI OS BU IL DI LA NG ND SC AP IN G

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INTERNAL & EXTERNAL PAINTING SPECIALISTS

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GAME ON Graham and Liam Martin

OPPONENTS of a sex shop in Southborough have failed in their bid to have it shut down.

The business had applied to Sevenoaks District Council to have its licence renewed but met with strong opposition from a local school and worried parents.

They were unhappy the premises, called Shhh…, is on a route used by schoolchildren and claimed sixth formers might pass on porn to younger ones.

One objector, according to one report, told a public meeting her 12-year-old son had been traumatised after being shown pornographic images in a magazine by another child.

But a representative for Shhh… said that the shop, which is usually staffed by two women, did not stock magazines.

He said that there is far more extreme imagery available at the touch of a button on the internet.

A local school complained the premises may ‘undermine’ the work it does to counteract negative stereotypes.

The licence was granted with certain conditions applied.

A MOTORSPORT legend from Edenbridge has bought Buckmore Park, it was announced this week.

Former Formula One world champion John Surtees, who was previously part-owner of the Medway track, is to acquire the business and assets of the companies operated by Bill Sisley at Buckmore Park, Buckmore Park Karting Ltd and Buckmore Park Kart Club Ltd. The circuit, near Chatham, is where leading figures in motorsports including Lewis Hamilton started out.

Mr Surtees, 81, won the Formula One world title in 1964 and the 500cc motorcycle equivalent four times.

PA IN T

FLOODED One of the Foresters FC pitches last winter

Snooker exhibition at local club Sex shop row SIX-TIME world snooker champion Steve Davis will play at the Victoria Snooker Centre next month as the owners bid to increase membership and raise the club’s profile.

Owner Graham Martin and his 24-year old son Liam took over the Camden Road club in 2010 and have since increased the number of paying members from 86 to more than 350.

The appearance of Mr Davis, on May 7, follows a similar sold-out event in 2011 featuring Jimmy ‘The Whirlwind’ White.

Mr Davis will play against representatives from local sponsors, who are paying £250 each for the opportunity. He will also play the winner of a tournament held at the centre last month. Heineken is sponsoring the event and there will be a charity auction.

“A night like this will help raise funds to refurbish the club,” said Mr Martin. “Things have gone well over the past 18 months.

“With many pubs removing pool

Markerstudy acquires Chaucer business

FU

THE private firm responsible for maintaining Tunbridge Wells’ green spaces will keep its contract until at least October, despite the concerns of councillors and residents.

Sodexo will be ‘very carefully monitored’ to ensure it provides the standard of service expected, members of the borough council’s scrutiny committee agreed on Monday.

The discussion came in response to February’s scrutiny meeting, at which concerns were raised over grounds maintenance issues. These included the state of the Bayham Road pitches used by children’s football club Foresters FC, which members said were so waterlogged, matches had repeatedly been cancelled.

After the meeting, Cllr Tom Dawlings said: “The committee reviewed the grounds maintenance contract and agreed to very carefully monitor Sodexo’s performance and receive another update at our meeting in October.

“There have been some problems and we want to ensure these don’t

happen again. Things are better than they were, but we want to make sure that everything is in place, that the contract delivers the service we and the public expect.”

Cllr Dawlings said that in a bid to determine whether last year’s problems were caused by weather or maintenance failures, the committee will scrutinise the work carried out by Sodexo during the summer.

He added: “We want to see how the contracts are working.

“There are new people at Sodexo and they’re putting an awful lot of things right. We want to feel with confidence that it’ll work just as well during the winter.

NEWS IN BRIEF

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Wednesday 15th April 2015

10 � NATIONAL NEWS

Cameron vows to deliver the ‘good life’

GOOD LIFE David Cameron delivers his manifesto

PM promises tax cuts and to double free childcare • By Gavin Cordon and James Tapsfield DAVID Cameron held out the prospect of free childcare for working families and a ‘tax-free minimum wage’ as he declared his was the ‘real party of working people’.

Unveiling the Conservative election manifesto, the Prime Minister said that after years of recession, the ‘good life’ was finally at hand as he urged voters not to allow Labour to return the country to ‘square one’.

He said if the Tories returned to power, they would double existing free childcare provision for three and four-year-olds, saving parents £5,000 a year.

A Conservative government would also legislate to ensure no-one on the minimum wage would pay income tax.

With the extension of Margaret Thatcher’s Right to Buy scheme to 1.3 million housing association tenants and the promise to lift family homes worth over £1 million out of inheritance tax, this formed the centrepiece of the Conservatives’ pitch to voters.

“At the heart of this manifesto is a simple proposition,” Mr Cameron said at the launch in Swindon, Wiltshire. “We are the party of working

people, offering you security at every stage of your life.”

The Liberal Democrats dismissed the Tory plans as a ‘short-term political con’, while Labour leader Ed Miliband rejected their claims of being the workers’ party.

Mr Cameron struck a relentlessly positive note in his speech, referring ten times to the ‘good life’.

“We are on the brink of something special. These past five years have been a critical period. We have drawn on all the resources of our nation to turn a great recession into a great recovery,” he said.

“The next five years are about turning the good news in our economy into a good life for you and your family.

“They’re about realising the potential of Britain not as a debt-addicted, welfare-burdened, steadilydeclining, once-great nation – which is what we found – but a country where a good life is there for everyone willing to work for it.”

Mr Cameron said a Conservative government would take anyone earning less than £12,500 out of tax, raise the 50p tax threshold to £50,000 and invest £8 billion per year in the NHS. But Lib Dem Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander said the Tories’ spending plans would mean ‘massive cuts’.

Wife backs Clegg for re-election NICK Clegg’s wife has been out supporting the Liberal Democrats, predicting her husband will keep his seat at the election.

Miriam Gonzalez Durantez looked relaxed as she chatted to ranger Guides, photographers and reporters in Marple, near Stockport.

She was in the Hazel Grove constituency to support Lib Dem candidate Lisa Smart, who is fighting to defend the seat held since 1997 for the party by Andrew Stunell.

Wearing jeans, and a jacket in Lib Dem yellow, Mrs Gonzalez Durantez took part in activities including making lava lamps, and pigs from chocolate eggs, biscuits and fondant.

Asked if the campaign was a hard time for her family, she said: “It’s a busy time.

“I primarily focus on ensuring our children are ok and then I continue with my normal

Wednesday 15th April 2015

life and try to help as I see I can fit, without changing completely my life, but helping as much as I can.

“It’s an exciting campaign. Nobody’s going to have an outright majority and that makes it quite interesting.”

She said Mr Clegg was holding up, predicted he would hang on to his Sheffield Hallam seat and said she was committed to supporting women in politics and was proud to be in Marple to support Miss Smart.

She said: “She is exactly the sort of person we should see more of in Westminster. So if I can do anything to help her, I’m here to do that.”

There are five candidates standing in Hazel Grove on May 7: Darran Palmer (Ukip), Graham Reid (Green), Lisa Smart (Lib Dem), Michael Taylor (Labour) and William Wragg (Conservative).

“The Conservatives are now embarking on an unfunded spending spree that would make even Gordon Brown shudder - which can only be paid for by even more cuts,” he said.

“This manifesto is a desperate throw of the dice from a party that knows it can’t win the election.”

Mr Miliband said the Right to Buy offer would not work as the Tories had failed to find the money to fund it.

“The reality about the Conservative Party is that they are the party not of working people. They are the party of the richest in our society and that is absolutely the case with what they are saying today,” he said.

The Pre-school Learning Alliance questioned whether the promise of additional free childcare could be met in practice.

“At the moment, government funding does not cover the cost of delivering 15 hours of childcare for three and four-year-olds, and so it has been left to providers and parents to make up the shortfall,” said chief executive Neil Leitch.

“It is difficult to see, therefore, how plans to double the current offer without addressing this can be implemented without leading to even higher childcare costs, or risking the sustainability of the sector altogether.”

SUPPORT Miriam Gonzalez Durantez took part in activities with the Guides

NEWS IN BRIEF

Ukip housing policy to protect green belt land UKIP’S deputy chairman has insisted immigration is a bigger issue for Britain’s housing crisis than second home ownership.

Suzanne Evans said uncontrolled immigration had to be stopped to ensure there is ‘any countryside left’ and to relieve pressure on housing demand and services.

She also accused the Conservatives of showing more ‘hatred for the countryside’ than Labour as she unveiled the party’s housing plans.

Ukip has pledged to prioritise bringing back into use some 300,000 empty properties and ‘incentivise’ developers to build one million homes on brownfield sites by 2025.

Miss Evans said this would take place ‘long before we even begin to consider allowing the destruction of our precious green belt’. At this point, developments of between six and 12 houses on the edge of villages would be considered.

On major developments, a binding referendum would be offered if 5 per cent of voters in an area object.

Labour boost in poll A POLL of Conservative-held marginal seats has shown the Tories trailing or tied with Labour in five of the ten surveyed.

Finchley and Golders Green in north London – where Margaret Thatcher was once MP – is one of three seats where Labour is now ahead, according to the poll

by Tory peer Lord Ashcroft. The poll gives Labour a two-point advantage over the Conservatives – still well within the margin of error.

It puts Labour three points ahead in Crewe and Nantwich, two ahead in Milton Keynes South.

There were ties in Rossendale and Darwen, and South Ribble.

The Conservatives are ahead in the other five seats: Cleethorpes, with a narrow two-point advantage, Dover, Dudley South, Harlow, and North East Somerset.

The findings will hearten Labour amid contradictory polling evidence which suggests that so far neither of the two main parties has been able to make a decisive breakthrough.

Greens to create jobs THE Green Party is demanding an end to austerity and planning to create one million living wage jobs by raising public spending financed by big taxes on the rich.

Leader Natalie Bennett and the party’s only MP Caroline Lucas called for a ‘peaceful political revolution’ as they set out manifesto plans to create a ‘fair economy’.

Miss Bennett said: “It sees the end of the disastrous policy of austerity that is making the poor, the disadvantaged and the young pay for the greed and the fraud of the bankers.”

On more traditional ground for the party, Mrs Lucas set out £45 billion-worth of plans to tackle climate change, saying the environmental crisis was not “some luxury that is only possible when there are good economic times”.

NATIONAL NEWS �

Soul man legend Percy Sledge has died at 73

11

Frantic parents of missing student Karen appeal for help to find her Handbag found in local park as police hunt is stepped up

SOUL singer Percy Sledge, famous for the legendary When a Man Loves A Woman, has died at the age of 73.

Steve Green from talent agency Artists International Management Inc told the BBC he had died at his home in Baton Rouge on Tuesday morning.

Mr Green said: “He was one of my first acts, he was a terrific person and you don’t find that in this business very often. He was truly a standout.”

When a Man Loves a Woman reached the top ten twice in the UK. It topped the US Billboard chart for two weeks in 1966, when it got to number four in the UK chart.

On re-release in 1987 it shot to number two when it was re-released in the UK in 1987 and later this week it will be the 49th anniversary of the song’s release.

Sledge is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

He worked as a hospital nurse in the early 1960s before he became a singer.

Chip supper off menu?

WARMING seas will push traditional fish favourites off the menu, a new study has suggested.

Fish such as haddock, plaice and lemon sole will decline as the North Sea warms by a predicted 1.8 degrees over 50 years, say scientists.

But other species such as John Dory and red mullet will shift their range into UK waters, according to modelling work.

Consumers wishing to eat locally-caught fish will need to change their diet, say University of Exeter researchers.

The classic fish and chips enjoyed by previous generations could be replaced by the likes of sardines and squid, according to a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

The research combined long-term data on popular North Sea fish, including haddock, hake, lemon sole, plaice and dab, with climate model projections from the Met Office for the next 50 years.

THE parents of a student who went missing after leaving a Glasgow nightclub have appealed for help in finding her, saying they are ‘desperate’ for her to come home safely.

A search was launched for Karen Buckley, 24, after she was seen on CCTV footage in the early hours of Sunday morning talking to a man outside the Sanctuary in Dumbarton Road, Glasgow.

Late yesterday it was disclosed a handbag had been found in a local park.

The family of Miss Buckley, who is from Cork in the Republic of Ireland, have flown to Scotland to help with the search.

Mum Marian said: “We just want Karen home safely, we are desperate. She is our only daughter, we love her dearly.”

Miss Buckley arrived at the club with friends at about 11.45pm on Saturday and at about 1am, she told them she was going to the toilet. She failed to return and did not take her jacket.

She was seen outside on CCTV

talking to a man and then walking west along Dumbarton Road towards Church Street.

Friends of the Glasgow Caledonian University student raised the alarm on Sunday, saying it was ‘very out of character’ for her not to return home.

Detective Superintendent Jim Kerr, from Police Scotland’s major investigations teams, stressed that the male was ‘not a suspect’.

He said: “From what we can see, she does not appear to be under duress, there’s no signs of a struggle or reluctance on her part to leave the club.

“However, that does not mean that something untoward has happened to her at a later stage.

“There was talk of another man she had been seen with.

We’ve also traced him, we’ve spoken to him.”

Miss Buckley is described as white and about 5ft to 5ft 2in.

She has brown eyes and dark hair which had long black curly extensions.

Karen Buckley When last seen, she was wearing a black jumpsuit with red high-

heeled shoes and was carrying a black handbag. She speaks with an Irish accent.

She lives with three other student friends in a flat in Hill Street, Garnethill, Glasgow.

Mr Kerr said that after leaving the club, Miss Buckley and the man she was seen speaking to on CCTV travelled to his flat in Dorchester Avenue, in his car.

She was last seen when she left the flat at about 4am and was planning to walk home to her flat in Hill Street.

A handbag which police believe belongs to Miss Buckley was found in Dawsholm Park, near Dorchester Avenue, early this afternoon.

Man, 36, in court over the death of al-Asad critic

VICTIM Abdul Hadi Arwani

A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of Syrian-born preacher Abdul Hadi Arwani who was found shot dead in his car in north-west London earlier this month.

Mr Arwani, a British national, was found dead on 7 April in Wembley. He was believed to be a critic of Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad.

Leslie Cooper, 36, of Nightingale Road, Brent, appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Tuesday.

He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey by tomorrow.

Rob Davis, from the Crown Prosecution Service, confirmed earlier it had authorised the Metropolitan Police

to charge Mr Cooper following an investigation by counter-terrorism officers.

Mr Arwani was found with bullet injuries to his chest in a parked car at the junction of Greenhill and The Paddocks.

The father of six had been an imam at the An Noor mosque in Acton, west London, from 2005 to 2011, and is believed to have attended protests against the Assad regime outside the Syrian embassy in London in 2012.

In 1982, he claimed he was forced to flee Syria after being sentenced to death for photographing damage in his home city of Hama following government suppression of a rebellion.

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Fordcombe Road, Fordcombe, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0RD Wednesday 15th April 2015

12 � NATIONAL NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF

Low oil prices will ‘help growth’ in UK LOW oil prices will help sustain steady growth in the UK and other advanced economies – but they face a threat from low inflation and stagnation, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said.

In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF predicted world growth of 3.5 per cent this year, unchanged from its January projection.

Its forecast for UK growth this year remains at 2.7 per cent though for next year, it is cut from 2.4 to 2.3 per cent.

It said: “In the United Kingdom, lower oil prices and improved financial market conditions are expected to support continued steady growth.”

The IMF said global expansion this year “will be driven by a rebound in advanced economies supported by the decline in oil prices”.

But global prospects were ‘uneven’, with growth slipping back in emerging economies.

The IMF said that while risks to global growth are more balanced than six months ago, they ‘remain tilted to the downside’.

These included the danger of low inflation in countries saddled by high debt, with the warning coming on the same day that official figures showed inflation falling to minus 0.01 per cent in the UK.

Family’s tribute to tragic teacher

Paratrooper Joshua awarded Victoria Cross by the Queen

BGT viewer complaints BRITAIN’S Got Talent has defended a talking dog act after it sparked dozens of complaints.

Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has now received 30 complaints, while ITV had another 35 about Miss Wendy, a dog which appeared to talk.

The RSPCA said that it would be contacting the ITV show to see what methods French ventriloquist Marc Metral had used on the animal.

But a spokeswoman for the talent show said: “During the audition process we consulted the RSPCA’s guidelines for the welfare of performing animals and spoke to Marc in detail about his act.”

Ape birthday party A GORILLA which became a viral video sensation when footage emerged of him walking like a human has celebrated his 25th birthday.

Online video of western lowland gorilla Ambam aping humans with his unusual habit of walking upright has been viewed nearly six million times since 2011.

Normally gorillas get around on all fours, but Ambam has perfected balancing on his two hind legs at Port Lympne wild animal park near Hythe, Kent. Standing up has given Ambam a number of advantages including enabling him to look over obstacles and carry objects in his two free hands.

Wednesday 15th April 2015

TEACHER Alix Bussey was ‘devoted’ to the children she taught

Young woman hit by a car while on Mexico holiday • By Tom White THE family of a young teacher hit and killed by a car in Mexico said she was devoted to the children she taught and they have been devastated by her death.

Alix Bussey, 23, was on holiday with her boyfriend Jonathan Boyle, 23, in the resort of Riviera Maya and they were coming to the end of their first trip abroad together.

But tragedy struck when she was hit by a car as they made their way back to their hotel after a night out.

Miss Bussey, a teacher at Bowburn Infants School, Bowburn, County Durham, studied at Northumbria University before she secured her first job in teaching at the school.

Yesterday, her parents Colin and Penny, and younger sister, 21-year-old Leigh, spoke of their shock at her death and said she had lived life to the full.

Mrs Bussey, 50, said: “We’re absolutely devastated by what has happened and waiting to be given more information by the Foreign Office. Alix adored being a

teacher, it was all she wanted to do from the age of seven and she was devoted to the education and welfare of the children she taught.

“She lived life to the full, loved to party and she and Jonathan were besotted with each other. Although they had been away on several occasions, this was their first holiday abroad and they had been having a great experience.

“Only the night before, she had texted Leigh to say she was having ‘the bestest time ever’.”

Mr Bussey, 55, added: “Alix had a wide circle of friends and the support we have had from them, and members of both families has been unbelievable. All of our thoughts are with Jonathan and his family as they are going through this with us.”

The family said she had visited India as part of a school exchange last year and was also a season ticket holder at Newcastle United with her father and sister.

Durham Constabulary said it has been working with the family since the incident on Thursday and that an inquest would take place in due course.

A PARATROOPER who risked death on three separate occasions during a battle with the Taliban, and rallied his comrades in the process, has been awarded the Victoria Cross by the Queen.

Lance Corporal Joshua Leakey, the second member of his family to receive the armed forces’ highest gallantry medal, played down his actions and paid tribute to his regiment and the Army.

When a UK/US assault on a Taliban stronghold was pinned down by strong resistance, L/Cpl Leakey took command and risked enemy fire to survey the area before giving first aid to a wounded US officer, and leading his evacuation, then returned to the fight.

On two separate occasions, as bullets flew dangerously close, he retrieved machine guns and took the battle to the Taliban, rallying troops around him.

L/Cpl Leakey’s citation was read during the Windsor Castle ceremony.

It stated the paratrooper, from the 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment, showed ‘complete disregard’ for his own safety when his group came under attack from about 20 insurgents armed with machine guns and rocket propelled grenades.

The 27-year-old from Hampshire said: “It’s great for my family, my friends, my regiment - but it does for me highlight the sacrifice everyone’s made in Afghan, not just in terms of the loss of life and limbs but people going away for months on end.”

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

INTERNATIONAL NEWS �

Nigeria: No promises on missing schoolgirls

NEWS IN BRIEF

Golfer bitten on leg by crocodile at 11th hole

No sign of 219 students one year on THE Nigerian president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, has conceded he cannot promise to find 219 schoolgirls abducted by Islamic extremists a year ago.

He said their whereabouts are unknown, adding: “We do not know if the Chibok girls can be rescued.”

Activists are marking the anniversary of the mass abduction from a school in Chibok, a town in north-east Nigeria, with a change in their slogan from “Bring Back Our Girls - Now and Alive” to “Never to be Forgotten”.

Pakistani activist Yousafzai Malala, meanwhile, has promised the girls scholarships and says they must never lose hope.

Mr Buhari said yesterday: “As much as I wish to, I cannot promise that we can find them.”

The failure to rescue the girls has prompted criticism of Goodluck Jonathan’s government and the Nigerian military, which is accused of making false promises to bring them home.

Observers say the saga has

contributed to Mr Jonathan’s thrashing at the polls by former military dictator Mr Buhar.

He added: “We hear the anguish of our citizens and intend to respond accordingly.

This new approach must also begin with honesty.”

The kidnapping sparked a mass movement around the world around the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.

In New York City, the campaign said the Empire State Building will be lit up over the hours the girls were snatched, in its purple and red colours symbolising its call for an end to violence against women and girls.

At least 2,000 women and girls have been abducted by Boko Haram since the start of last year.

Many have been forced into sexual slavery and trained to fight, Amnesty International said in a report marking the anniversary.

Hundreds of boys and young men have also been kidnapped and forced to fight with the extremists, or slaughtered for refusing to do so, it said.

13

Nuclear court ruling in Japan A COURT has issued an injunction ordering two Japanese nuclear reactors to stay offline, rejecting regulators’ safety approval for the facility ahead of their planned restart later this year.

The Fukui District Court ordered Kansai Electric Power Co not to restart the No 3 and No 4 reactors at the Takahama plant in Fukui.

The court criticised the Nuclear Regulation Authority’s safety standards for being too lax.

It said meeting the new standards does not guarantee the safety of the Takahama reactors.

In the wake of the crisis, all 48 reactors in Japan were taken offline for safety checks.

A group of residents and their supporters requested the injunction, saying a massive earthquake exceeding the facility’s quake resistance standards could cause tremendous damage to the region, similar to the Fukushima crisis.

Kansai Electric said it planned to appeal against the ruling, calling it ‘extremely regrettable and unacceptable.’ It said the Takahama reactors’ safety had been endorsed by the regulators.

A GOLFER has been bitten on the leg by a crocodile while playing at an Australian tourist resort.

Police Senior Sergeant James Coate told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the man, aged in his 70s, received two puncture holes to his left calf.

He was bitten by a 4ft saltwater crocodile yesterday at the Palmer Sea Reef Golf Course at the tourist town of Port Douglas on Queensland state’s Great Barrier Reef.

The officer said the man, whose name has not been released, was taken to the Mossman Hospital in a stable condition.

He said the crocodile had been lurking in a waterway on the 11th hole. The department of environment will attempt to catch the crocodile, which is a protected species.

Giraffe birth cam success THE newest giraffe at Dallas Zoo has millions of fans just days after its birth thanks to a camera streaming live video of the calf playing and nuzzling with its mother.

The female calf was born on Friday afternoon - weighing 139lb and standing 5ft 10ins tall.

The zoo allowed US cable television channel Animal Planet to install the video, which has been operating since last week to enable viewers to watch for the birth and the calf.

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14 � BUSINESS NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF

Poundland: the billion pound business as sales still soar • By Roger Baird

Miliband claims Labour can handle economy

LABOUR would be a government of both change and ‘responsibility’, Ed Miliband said as he launched his party’s election manifesto centred on boosting voters’ faith in the party to handle the economy.

The Labour leader said it was the Tories making ‘unfunded, unfair and unbelievable’ promises.

But political rivals said “nobody will be fooled” by the Opposition leader’s commitment to cut the national deficit every year and not borrow any money to fund policy pledges.

Prime Minister David Cameron said it was ‘not a conversion, it is a con’ and George Osborne said the ‘small print .. confirms that he will run a deficit every year which means higher borrowing, more debt and higher taxes’.

And Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg compared Labour’s pledge on borrowing to a bottle-a-day alcoholic ‘saying they have no plans to drink more vodka.’

British Gas gets new MDs CENTRICA has announced the appointment of Mark Hodges as managing director of British Gas ending an 11-month search for a new leader.

The appointment follows the departure of Chris Weston, who announced he was leaving British Gas to join Aggreko last May. Mr Hodges joins British Gas from specialist insurance broker, Towergate.

He will take on his responsibilities from 1 June, and will also join the Centrica board.

Mr Hodges was a senior executive as Aviva for 20 years before leaving to become chief executive of Towergate in 2011.

He will be paid basic salary of £625,000 and received a bonus of up to 100 per cent of salary if all performance targets are met.

DISCOUNT retailer Poundland, which faces a probe into its takeover of rival 99p Stores, said its annual sales topped £1 billion for the first time.

The West Midlands-based firm, which has 547 UK stores and 41 outlets in Ireland, reported a rise in sales of 11.4 per cent to £1.1 billion for the year to March 29.

It said same store sales lifted by 2.4 per cent during the period, adding that it opened 60 stores in the UK and Ireland as planned, ten fewer than last year.

The group said its full-year sales growth was lower than last year’s 13.3 per cent rise due to strong trading the previous year and fewer stores opening.

The group faces a competition probe from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into its £55 million takeover of rival 99p Stores, which could see it having to sell off a clutch of outlets.

The planned merger, announced in February, would create a network of 800 shops.

Last week the CMA said the deal could mean ‘substantial lessening of competition in 80 local areas where the companies overlap’ and 12 wherethey would compete ‘in the near future’.

Today, Poundland said it continued to consider the CMA’s announcement and will make a further announcement in due course.

The retailer added that it has a strong pipeline of openings for the current financial year and it is on track to meet full-year underlying pre-tax profit forecasts of £43.8 million.

Success continues despite probe into 99p Stores takeover bid Chief executive Jim McCarthy said: “After a solid quarter of sales growth, Poundland’s revenue for the 2015 financial year was over £1 billion for the first time.”

The group said it was pleased with the progress of its Spanish trial format, which saw it reach a total of five stores in the final 13 weeks of its year.

House price growth slowing in 2015

Clydesdale PPI fine THE Clydesdale Bank has been fined £20.7m by the City regulator for ‘serious failings’ in the way it handled complaints about Payment Protection Insurance (PPI).

The fine is the largest of its type imposed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

As many as 93,000 customers may be entitled to refunds or additional compensation, the FCA announced.

The Clydesdale apologised, and said it had now changed its procedures.

Wednesday 15th April 2015

Lewis Sturdy, a dealer at London Capital Group, said: “Poundland has proved that if you look after your pennies the pounds will look afterthemselves - £1 billion worth of revenue for the first time.

“Investors may shrug off the competition probe into Poundland’s takeover of rival 99p Stores as operations are cashing up fine.”

HOUSE prices increased by 0.6 per cent month on month in February but the annual pace of growth in property values is showing signs of slowing across the majority of the UK, according to an official report.

Year-on-year growth in house prices stood

at 7.2 per cent in February, edging down from growth of 8.4 per cent recorded in the year to January, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

The average UK house price is £268,000 in February, meaning property values are now

0.8 per cent lower than the record levels seen last August.

The ONS report said: “Annual house price growth is showing signs of slowing across the majority of the UK.” Across England, prices have increased by 7.4 per cent over the last year, to reach £280,000 on average.

London house prices are now 2.4 per cent below an all-time high seen last August, but they are still more than one third (36 per cent) higher than average values there in 2008.

Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist at IHS Global Insight, said house price growth has been ‘reined in’ by a cool down in housing market activity compared with peak levels seen in early 2014.

He added:”We suspect that the weakening of housing market activity is bottoming out and we see it gradually picking up over the coming months.”

Mortgage lenders are continuing to cut the rates on offer on home loans.

A lack of homes for buyers to choose from is another factor which experts have said is helping to keep house prices up.

16 � BUSINESS NEWS BLUE-SKY THINKING Mark Ballett is a former geologist

‘ As all businesses grow, they eventually slow down. The challenge is what to do when you hit a roadblock’

Business coach keen to provide advice and fresh thinking to west Kent firms Former CEO says managers must ask tough questions and identify their market • By Steve Hemsley IN THE world of business, Mark Ballett has seen it all.

Over the past 25 years, the former BP exploration geologist, who has an MBA from Warwick Business School, has managed companies around the world in the food, building, and telecoms sectors. He has also raised millions of pounds of finance for various corporations.

Today, the 59-year-old is a successful business coach and

mentor. He recently moved to Wadhurst and is keen to provide advice and fresh thinking to large and small businesses in west Kent and East Sussex which are not reaching their full potential.

He will be a guest speaker at the Tunbridge Wells Mums in Business event at the Tunbridge Wells Hotel, The Pantiles, on Wednesday, April 29 and is already leader of the Wadhurst & District Business Association.

“As all businesses grow, they eventually slow down. The

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Wednesday 15th April 2015

challenge is what to do when you hit a roadblock,” said Mr Ballett.

“You might be struggling because of new competition in the market, a lack of resources or staffing issues. Can you reinvent yourself?”

He says people often start businesses because they have a particular skill, perhaps in sales or IT, but they can lack management skills. Crucially, he adds, they often do not have a clear marketing strategy to ensure the company does not just ‘muddle along’.

He added: “My experience of leadership and management of businesses of all shapes and sizes means I can provide west Kent companies with some objective input.

Ultimately I can give people back their confidence.”

Mr Ballett’s track record before he became a business coach is impressive.

After he left BP, he was appointed CEO designate of a 300-employee bakery producing a million loaves a week and supplying supermarkets. He then became a director of Laing Superhomes, the fifth largest housebuilder in the UK during the eighties’ construction boom, building 5,000 homes a year.

When the housing slump hit, he moved into telecoms. He turned around the iconic Mercury Payphones business within the Cable & Wireless group and became managing director of Norweb Telecom in the northwest.

He grew sales from £11m to £100m in two years.

He then raised £80m from Soros Private Equity, Madison Dearborn and Partners and the Toronto Dominion Bank to start the first business broadband company in the UK called OnCue Communications. Within 18 months, he took the company from a start-up to a £1m turnover business employing 150 staff.

• Why should someone buy from you?

• What do you have that makes you different?

• Is there still a demand for what you do? Have you evolved over time?

• Can you make enough money from your business?

• Do still enjoy it?

‘They often do not have a clear marketing strategy to ensure the company does not just muddle along’ He was later group CEO of EXI Telecom which had 1,400 staff and a turnover of £100m.

Mr Ballett, who has written a book Build Your Ultimate Business in 100 Days, is keen to share his knowledge and experience with local companies.

He says business owners and managers need to take a step back and ask themselves tough questions:

“People need to go through this analytical process if their business is struggling or is not growing as fast as it could be,” Mr Ballett said. It helps them identify a market for what they do and focus on what makes them different.”

Mr Ballett says we tend to buy products and services based on the emotional connection we feel for them and our perception of a national or local brand.

“A local business needs to ‘own’ its place in its particular market. Look at a big brand like Lucozade, which ‘owns’ the energy drinks sector, or Richard Branson, who has always ‘owned’ questioning the status quo in any industry.”

During an initial strategic business review, Mr Ballett will tell owners and managers to consider what knowledge and experience they have and do not have, so they can think about collaborating with others. Is there experience and knowledge outside the company which they could bring in?

He explains the potential future risks to their business and the opportunities they might be missing. He will also clarify why customer service, research and development and marketing must be aligned.

“Business owners must be openminded and set clear goals for the future. They also need a clear marketing and management strategy or they will just continue muddling through or eventually fail,” said Mr Ballett.

BUSINESS NEWS �

Playing to The Gallery over in Southborough

17

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CUTTING EDGE Lorenzo Colangelo is to expand his business

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• By Steve Hemsley THE owner of award-winning Southborough hairdresser The Gallery wants to upgrade the salon and introduce a male grooming business to celebrate its 20th birthday.

The company was named British Hairdressing Business Awards Salon of the Year 1 in the Hairdressers Journal awards and Business Salon of the Year by Salon Business magazine in 2014.

The national honours have been a massive boost for creative director and salon owner Lorenzo Colangelo, who is now looking to the future.

He wants to redesign the shop to accommodate more clients and open a male grooming business, at the Southborough premises or elsewhere.

“We invested a lot of time to win these awards and they are great recognition for the staff. It means we can attract more talented people and we have extra buying power with product

suppliers who want to work with the salon of the year,” said Mr Colangelo.

The Gallery was formed in 1995, when Mr Colangelo took control of the business from his father Toni.

“Turnover is up 15 per cent in a year and even during the recession, sales were rising by about eight per cent a year.

A 20th birthday party will take place at the Kentish Hare in Bidborough on April 27.

“We have thought about moving into the centre of Tunbridge Wells but commercially it has never been the right thing to do,” said Mr Colangelo.

“Our customer base and reputation have grown over the years. We are a destination salon which is not reliant on passing trade.”

His other plans for 2015 include doing more consultative work to help other independent hair salons and increasing the amount of time he spends assisting hairdressing industry charities.

Mums can take kids networking NETWORKING club to which parents can bring their children is being launched on Saturday mornings in Langton Green.

Networking4Parents is the idea of Becky Smith, a teacher on maternity leave who runs a network marketing business in her spare time.

“For many parents with small businesses, the networking groups are either too expensive or held at inconvenient times if you have another job or need to juggle childcare,” said Miss Smith.

“Mine will be an informal opportunity for anyone in west Kent, focussing on building new business connections without referral targets and, most importantly, you can bring your children.”

Langton Village Hall has been chosen as the venue as it has an outdoor play area. Miss Smith, who has two children, says parents can bring anything to keep youngsters entertained.

She explained: “The whole point is that we’re parents trying to build businesses for our children’s futures so to allow us to do this as successfully as we can, it will be a relaxed environment where interruptions from little ones,

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Wednesday 15th April 2015

18 � LETTERS

And another thing…

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

I FOUND a baby photo of me this week, and immediately spotted the resemblance to Steve McFadden, aka Phil Mitchell! Might we be related?

Victoria Pullen Via email I FOUND the 98p shop article in the paper on April 1 very amusing but not the several references to ‘MP Greg Clark’ in the article on Gatwick noise (Gatwick Airport noise: Pay up AND shut up, April 1). Although the article acknowledged he was stepping down as an MP there were three references still crediting him as being an MP in the article.

He has not been entitled to be called an MP since the dissolution of Parliament. He should therefore have been referred to as Greg Clark, former MP Greg Clark, ex-MP Greg Clark or something similar.

Terry Cload Pembury I FORGOT to congratulate your editorial team for the absolutely brilliant April fool (Future of former cinema eyesore settled at last? April 1). You stole a march!!

Spokesman Joe Kerr said the 98p Shop believes Tunbridge Wells is perfect for its debut store.

Does he indeed!! Joker more like it!!

We’d have not only lots of ‘Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells’, but lots of ‘Gutted of Tunbridge Wells’ if such a project made it through TWBC’s planning committee.

Have you got a picture you would like us to publish?

Drop us an email at… newsdesk@times oftunbridgewells.co.uk There would be a protest march on the site in favour of just keeping the hoarding boards, especially as Tunbridge Wells Borough Council leader Cllr David Jukes’ town hall office looks out on to the old cinema site! When the borough councillors leave the council chamber and come down the staircase to exit the town hall, ahead of them are the huge windows looking across to the site. A 98p store with a £16 million price tag - I think not! Even Waitrose appeared not to want to take up the challenge of the cinema site.

Hopefully not too many exclamation marks in this email, but think they probably are all warranted...

Brian Bissell Via email I KNOW this is probably an old chestnut for a local paper but the other the day I was in the Post Office in Tunbridge Wells waiting to make a very simple counter transaction. I was a little taken aback by the fact that the queue was almost on to the street at just before lunchtime. By the time I had got about halfway down the queue, there were people actually

on the pavement. There was one lady helping some folk with noncounter transactions on the shop floor and very helpful she seemed, too. But it did not seem to make any discernible impact on the counter queue.

What was the most galling part of the whole business was that at least two or three of the counter staff went off on breaks. There was a gap between them leaving their posts (only four of the six counters were open at any one time) and someone coming in to replace them. So the queue grew longer and longer.

No one seemed to be in the least concerned that people were growing impatient or that their lunch breaks were being severely eaten into to provide breaks for the counter staff when all of them should have been on duty.

My business took about a minute to complete but the lady beside me was taking an age sending parcels. I had been waiting nearly 20 minutes.

Much as I love the Post Office and would defend its presence in the high street, I have to say that in the towns I have visited where there is a branch inside WH Smith, they tend to offer quicker, more efficient and friendlier service.

I wonder if your readers have had the same experience as me.

Alison Macfarlane email (Editor’s note: have you had a similar experience to our correspondent? Get in touch, please) THANK you so much for bringing the issue of our disappearing natural heritage to the public’s attention (Don’t let the council destroy this ancient woodland, April 8).

If building continues at its current rate, England will have no more green and pleasant land, it’ll be dark Satanic mills from Land’s End to John O’ Groats.

I know houses are needed, but the government should offer developers incentives to build on brownfield sites – and proper brownfield sites which are already concreted over, not grassland which qualifies as brownfield because something may have been built on it 65 years ago!

At the moment, it’s of course cheaper to build on grass than it is a former industrial site, which is why the developers want to concrete over our countryside.

But brownfield sites are not only already lost, they’re more likely to be on better roads and be better connected to local amenities, which a field isn’t.

I’m so glad there are people like the Woodland Trust, standing up for the precious little natural beauty we have left, and so glad you’ve raised awareness of it.

Elizabeth Moorcroft, Via email I LOVE the sound of the new cinema! (Will new Curzon mean a return to old-fashioned cinema houses? April 8).

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to go into town to see a film, instead of travelling to a soulless out-oftown multi-screen monstrosity?

If you want to have a drink or a wander before or afterwards, you can wander around The Pantiles, have a drink or meal in an independent venue or pop into a shop run by a local trader.

I went to the cinema in Ashford a few months ago and although I couldn’t fault it, all that was outside was a vast car park and a range of national chain restaurants and bars, none of which you’d choose for atmosphere or any sort of individualism!

Long live our town centres, here’s hoping this comes about, that everyone benefits from it and that other towns follow suit.

Alan Roberts, Pembury

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

EDITOR SIMON FINLAY simon@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 576042

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

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

Calverley PADDOCK Wood parish councillor Ron Goodman was in the hot seat at the borough council, accused, and later found guilty, of inappropriate behaviour to a female employee.

It appears the good councillor spent a great deal of time at the start of the hearing querying various of the committee members’ independence and therefore right to be there.

“I wasn’t sure what his point was”, confides a source. “But as his own ‘independent witness’ was his partner, I don’t know if he knew either.”

IN RESPONSE to our April fool, a concerned resident asks Tunbridge Wells Borough Council: “According to the Times of Tunbridge Wells, a 98p superstore will be built at the former cinema site. Can you confirm?”

The good council replied: “Can’t comment on rumour but Mr Joe Kerr seems to think it would thrive in RTW!” Much respect.

ON THE same topic, one reader asked: “I wonder how many people spat out their Earl Grey over your April 1 article. Well played. Regards to Mr. Kerr!” while a third added: “We are sure you were bombarded with furious TW people wanting to sell their houses immediately?”

I SHALL not embarrass by naming the hapless local journalist who was unable to conduct her duties at the office over Easter by managing to lock herself into her own flat.

A colleague confides to Calverley: “Apparently, she has a rather complicated key arrangement and somehow got stuck inside.

“Journalists are adept at coming up with terrible excuses for not working, but you couldn’t make this one up!”

LEE Nelson, who apparently delighted fans at his RTW gig, said before his visit: “My tour is in Tunbridge Wells tonight. Apparently it is a spar town.

Big deal, there is a spar literally on my street.” He’s a comedian, you see.

SHOCK was the reaction when the borough council granted planning permission for a development near a listed property in Cumberland Gardens.

Not only is the site in a conservation area, pointed out the objectors, who were also concerned that the seven-page officers’ report was not circulated to councillors beforehand, it is also on a ‘tourist trail’.

The development in question is a garden shed.

Chin chin!!

Wednesday 15th April 2015

EDUCATION �

19

Taking on the cyberbullies How to battle schools’ biggest child e-safety worries

ONLINE SAFETY Skippers Hill pupils

SCHOOLS in the Tunbridge Wells area are doing more to protect children from increasing perils on the internet.

In the final part of our e-safety series, Sarah Bond talks to children’s charity Childnet…

ALARM about bullying – cyber and real – is increasing, and it has a major effect on selfesteem and studies.

“Cyberbullying is the number one issue schools are concerned about,” said Will Gardner, who runs Childnet International.

“It’s a hot topic for all schools.”

UK statistics from anti-bullying charity ditchthelabel.org reveal that 45 per cent of young people experience bullying before the age of 18, 26 per cent of those have experienced it every day and 39 per cent of children have never told anyone they are being bullied.

A significant number were bullied for disability, appearance, body shape, homophobia, racism or other discrimination, while 61 per cent of all victims reported being physically attacked. And of course bullying can lead to self-harming or worse.

But while Childnet International reveals that 30 per cent of 11 to 16-year-olds experienced ‘someone being mean’ online in the last year, three in four believed young people have the power to create a kinder online community.

Childnet, which helped launch the annual Safer Internet Day (SiD) four years ago, is helping schools promote e-safety.

SiD had 865 registered supporters this year including 511 schools. And many more took part who did not register, including Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar (TWGGS), Hugh Christie Technology College and Hilden Oaks School, Tonbridge.

This year there were 250,000 downloads of the SiD packs for schools, a ‘huge rise’ on last year, and Childnet is urging schools to start planning for next year’s event, February 9, 2016.

Childnet representatives have visited TWGGS and Skippers Hill Manor Preparatory School in the last year.

Jane Parkinson, who is in charge of e-safety and child protection at TWGGS said the school also took part in this year’s SiD. She said: “We published information on the intranet, had assemblies with relevant information and videos for pupils and covered material in PSHE. “I talked about safe use of the internet in assembly and we put posters around the school and emailed parents with helpful information.

“We aim to educate our pupils on how to use the internet safely, and we find it very useful to involve parents so we can work together.

“We will definitely take part in SiD next year. We continue to emphasise the importance of e-safety throughout the year with staff, pupils and parents.”

Skippers Hill Manor Preparatory School, near Mayfield, also had a visit from Childnet last month.

Deputy head Mark Hammond said: “On March 23, Skippers held a whole day of workshops for the children on internet safety.

This was followed by a presentation for parents by Childnet. It was a huge success.

The teachers learned a great deal about the children’s online lives and how to support them in staying safe.

“The children were very open about their experiences and gained a greater understanding of the potential risks. They certainly felt better equipped to manage their digital profile.

“The parents who attended the presentation left with a similar

understanding, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

“At a time when technology is evolving rapidly, it is essential that parents, teachers and children communicate about their online experiences.”

Mr Gardner, a father of five, is delighted at how successful SiD is becoming.

He said: “It has got bigger and bigger, and we want to really try and make this a regular fixture, and get more and more organisations involved because this issue affects everybody.

Then the effect of different information about the day from different places will inspire and hopefully encourage conversations.

“Our work is very much focused on education, and it is important we make sure children understand that if they come across something that makes them feel uncomfortable on the internet – including pornography – the message is to tell someone.”

Mr Gardner says many children are actually teaching their parents how to use social media, and about online safety.

He said: “When I started at Childnet in 2000, children were using chatrooms and parents didn’t know what they were. But now, with social media, there is the opportunity for parents and children to learn from each other. That can also get that conversation going. Then, if a child does get into difficulty, it makes it easier for them to talk to their parents about it.

“The online scene is ever-changing. In 2000, we were talking about grooming, then cyberbullying became more of an issue, and with social networking we had young people sharing information publicly about themselves in a different way.

“Then we had sexting, and now radicalisation and extremism are things we are having to look at, too. We are working with government departments, councils and relevant people to see what we can do, we’ve put a blog on our website in the interim.

“It’s about not trusting everything you see or everyone you talk to online. We know children have gone to meet strangers and been hurt.

“But when we go into schools we try to carry a positive message. The last thing we want to do is scare children so they don’t enjoy time online.”

But bullying remains a major issue.

Mr Gardner said: “I think cyberbullying has overtaken face to face bullying. But you can’t separate the two entirely because it might be that face to face bullying moves online. It’s also worth being aware that sometimes these things happen unintentionally.

“The picture is complicated. Clearly we want to try and encourage all young people to be good digital citizens. But if you paint too scary a picture, parents might mistakenly think ‘Well, this doesn’t apply to my children’.

“We are going to update the cyberbullying guidance for next year’s SiD and are soon to launch a programme to encourage pupils to become digital champions. We are really excited about that.”

EXPERT Will Gardner

‘ At a time when technology is evolving rapidly, it is essential that parents, teachers and children communicate about their online experiences’ TEN SIGNS A CHILD COULD BE A CYBERBULLYING VICTIM

Website www.uknowkids.com reports that 43 per cent of children have been victim to cyberbullying, and 58 per cent have not told their parents. One mum alerts other parents to look for the signs…

1) Appears nervous when receiving a text, instant message, or email 2) Seems uneasy about going to school or pretends to be ill 3) Unwillingness to share information about online activity 4) Unexplained anger or depression, especially after going online 5) Abruptly shutting off or walking away from the computer mid-use 6) Withdrawing from friends and family in real life 7) Unexplained stomach aches or headaches 8) Trouble sleeping 9) Unexplained weight loss or gain 10) Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts

Wednesday 15th April 2015

20 � PEOPLE

Tunbridge Wells’ link to the famous Bloody Butcher of fishing’s history Why not head to the Arlington?

THE first reservoir I fished was Barn Elms in south west London back in the late 1980s, an ugly concrete bowl under Heathrow’s flight path and stocked with flabby and unprepossessing rainbow trout.

It came a week after spending three weeks in the wilds of County Mayo catching salmon and native brown trout.

But not all still waters conform to those urban stereotypes.

Bewl Water is the county’s best known reservoir and beautiful it is, too, but never a happy hunting ground for me.

Just across the border in Sussex is the Arlington, run by South East Water, and its sister water Ardingly nearby.

The fishing is fantastic whether by boat or from the bank.

For the non-angler, it is a popular place for walkers and bird-watchers.

EXPERT Tunbridge Wells fisherman Andy Lush

With a slightly grisly name, the Butcher series of flies have established themselves as firm favourites in many anglers’ boxes. As SIMON FINLAY explains, the first-choice fly of fishers in Ireland and Scotland has its roots in Tunbridge Wells…

THE BUTCHER

Wednesday 15th April 2015

IT IS perhaps a little known fact that Tunbridge Wells has played a significant role in the history of fly-fishing.

The famous Butcher series of flies was, in fact, invented here.

There has been something of a misconception, even among flyfishers, that its name derived from its effectiveness in catching sea trout and brown trout on the wild upland rivers of Ireland and Scotland.

Its slim silver, blue/back and red colour scheme seemed to suggest a slightly sinister ability to do a great slaughter in keeping with its name.

But the real derivation is slightly less prosaic but just as interesting.

Originally created 170 years ago by a Mr Moon and a Mr Jewhurst in Kent, it was known as Moon’s Fly. Mr Moon was a butcher by trade in Tunbridge Wells and somehow over the years the name stuck.

According to the Northern Irish angler, Stevie Munn, who is a fly specialist with the top-end tackle maker Hardy, the colours of the Butcher ‘are supposed to represent the hallmarks of his trade, red blood and a blue apron.’

Mr Munn writes: “The Butcher still catches fish on still waters and on rivers to this day. There are a few flies in the Butcher series, including the great, Bloody Butcher, the Irish Butcher and a personal favourite of mine the Kingfisher Butcher.

“All these attractor patterns work well for sea trout and browns.”

The fly is meant to imitate tiny fry of other species of fish on which the trout will gorge at certain times of year.

Although, in theory, it should be a relatively easy pattern to tie, hamfisted amateurs like myself find it a tricky one to get right. Somehow the wing ends up scruffy and the ‘finish’ at the eye nothing short of embarrassing at times.

It does not seem to matter that much to the fish. I have used the Butchers in Scotland, Ireland north and south, Wales and even on Wiltshire chalkstreams. It seems to work well on both rivers and loughs.

When dollaghan – a migratory brown trout which live in the brooding, great expanse of Northern Ireland’s Lough Neagh – run into the feeder streams to breed from the summer onwards, it is the Butcher which many anglers will turn to first.

My first dollaghan came to a Bloody Butcher variant, a tatty concoction of pearlescent tinsel body tied flat on a long shank hook with dyed black squirrel hair instead of a traditional feathered wing.

The fish was nothing to write home about – they can grow to be 20lbs plus – but memorable nonetheless as it came from the Sixmilewater, where I learnt to fish as a boy. It was a skinny snake of a thing which behaved much like a sea trout when hooked and I

was happy to put it back to continue its journey to the spawning grounds.

Mr Munn seems to agree with its power as an essential for running trout.

He writes: “The Butcher and the Bloody Butcher are fantastic flies to use when fish are feeding on fry with their silver bodies and dark wing they look very fishy.

“As for the Irish and the Kingfisher Butchers I have found these great river flies in when fishing for migratory fish, like sea trout or lough-run browns like dollaghan, though I know quite a few anglers that tell me the Kingfisher Butcher also is a great in peaty lakes for brown trout and takes rainbow trout on still waters in early spring.”

CROSSED LINES Fishermen including Brian Harris, right, of Tunbridge Wells enjoy the Arlington

Water lovers can head to Ardingly Activity Centre, where expert teachers run courses on sailing, windsurfing and canoeing.

FACT FILE: ARLINGTON Address: Arlington Reservoir, Berwick, near Polegate, East Sussex, BN26 6TF Directions: Situated approximately half mile off the A27 Lewes to Eastbourne Road, signposted to Berwick.

ARDINGLY Address: Ardingly Activity Centre, The Lodge, Ardingly Reservoir, West Sussex, RH17 6SQ Directions: Situated off the B2028, Haywards Heath to Ardingly Road.

Follow the signs to the reservoir.

But Andy Lush, who runs the Friendly Fisherman tackle shop in Camden Road, says that his reservoir-fishing clientele have long since deserted the Butchers, in favour of modern entities with less than edifying names such Blob and Cruncher.

Mr Lush adds: “The traditional flies we sell are really only going to be bought by people heading off to Ireland or Scotland to do some sea trout fishing.

“If we sell a dozen Butchers in a year, that would be a good year. We stock them but we really don’t sell many at all.

“In fact they are almost redundant as far as the local still water scene is concerned.”

PEOPLE �

21

Artist who Paints with Love for any occasion Claire says every piece she makes has its own special story to tell • By Julie Rae AN ARTIST who creates gifts for ordinary people in extraordinary situations described their custom as a ‘leap of faith’.

Claire Witz paints hearts, signs and canvasses, for occasions from weddings to funerals to a thank-you from a teenage boy to the medics who saved his life.

The mother of two, who lives in the St John’s area, says hearing the stories behind the orders means she ‘paints more of me into the pieces’.

The 39-year-old said: “When people order, they tell me their stories because they’re so

personal, and they’re emotionally attached to the person they’re buying it for.

“What they’re ordering is so special, they want me to know the story behind it.

“Ordering something unique and personal can be nerve-racking. It’s a leap of faith for them to entrust me with something so special. Telling me their stories helps them take that leap.

“Hearing them makes it really special for me.

Knowing I’m painting something so significant makes a huge difference.

I paint more of me into these pieces, if that’s possible.”

Mrs Witz, a former

management consultant who took Arabic and Islamic studies at university, started Painted with Love six years ago, after the birth of her second child.

Since then, she has painted Union Flag hearts for Jack, a 13-year-old who had to have treatment in Canada for a serious brain injury, to give to his consultant and nurses. She created a canvas for a 15-yearold who had just met his father for the first time

and painted a woman’s response to a proposal of marriage.

Mrs Witz said: “I always wanted to work for myself and when my daughter was a baby, I had what I call my ‘aha’ moment when I painted a christening gift for a friend’s child, and it’s grown from there.

“I feel incredibly lucky to be doing what I love all day, every day. I love being asked to make something different and I love to hear the stories.

“I feel especially lucky to be entrusted to make such personal pieces.”

BOOT CAMP Free sessions will run on the common

Get fit Army-style in the park this spring ANYONE hoping to shed a few pounds or get fit for the summer can take part in free fitness sessions this month.

British Military Fitness is celebrating its 16th anniversary with sessions on Tunbridge Wells Common, from 9am every Saturday in April and all beginners are invited.

All instructors have military physical training backgrounds and a spokesman for the outfit said: “They are planning to offer a BMF experience packed full of serious fun and guaranteed to leave people wanting more.”

BMF founder and managing

director Harry Sowerby added: “We can’t believe it’s been 16 years since we started British Military Fitness.

“Since then we’ve gone from strength to strength and now have a presence all over the UK. I hope both newcomers and familiar faces will join us in celebrating this wonderful milestone by taking the first step and coming to the park.

Once that’s done, we’ll do the hard work for you and keep you motivated to achieve real results.”

Booking is not necessary for the free sessions but for more information on BMF, visit www.britishmilitaryfitness.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.

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 MBFT0104 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

Max Barford & Co. is a trading name of Parfitt Cresswell. Parfitt Cresswell is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. No. 71480

Wednesday 15th April 2015

22 � FASHION, HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Transform your wardrobe for the spring season • By Catherine de Crevecoeur, image consultant HAVE you ever flicked through a fashion magazine and browsed the trends section with a dreaded feeling of uncertainty? Have you asked yourself whether you could pull off the latest highlights from the catwalk in order to be fashionable? If this is the case, I have good news. You don’t need to be ‘trendy’ to look stylish or wear incredibly flattering outfits.

I always remind my clients not to feel under pressure to follow trends, but rather use them to inspire them to create and update their own personal style. By having an idea of the trends and what’s available before you shop, you won’t be too surprised at the multitude of fringed jackets or metallic skirts available on the rails. Also, trends don’t generally last that long; designers, and particularly our high street stores, continue to introduce a multitude of choice to their collections throughout the seasons. So how do you make fashion trends work for your work wardrobe?

If you work in a creative environment, the world is your oyster when it comes to creating outfits and applying trends. However, if you work in a more corporate environment, there are ways to inject fashion trends into your work attire, giving you that opportunity to put

your own signature style in place and step away from the boring trouser suit.

Depending on what industry you work in and your position in the company, there is likely to be a certain dress code in place. This unspoken set of rules can sometimes make it difficult, for women in particular, to find the right balance between wearing what is expected, fitting in, and standing out.

Some other companies will ensure the dress code is official and won’t hold back on clearly communicating that there is no room for any wardrobe mishaps. Some will even go as far as banning the ‘dress down Friday’ trend (a whole separate issue which I’ll address in the near future).

Now the clocks have changed and we are close to getting rid of our winter clothes, here are some examples of how you can start looking into current trends and transition your work wardrobe into the spring season. Start by updating your outerwear with a drapey trench coat, or a tried and true classic version.

Both are on trend and available in a variety of different colours. This one from LK Bennett will see you through for years to come.

Also look at adding some soft pastel separates like this top by Jaeger, which you can team with your go-to neutral navy or black staple items. Pastels are a big colour trend this

®

season, so find the right shade and tone that complements your skin. Additionally, look at swapping your dark handbag for a white or pastel tote like this one by Ralph Lauren.

Fiorelli and Longchamp have also introduced some great pieces for this season.

It is a little early to bare your toes for this spring trend, but do look at adding a pair of modern minimalist sandals, something similar to this pair from Office. This style was a big hit last season, and thanks to their midheight block heel, wearing them is a lot more comfortable than the traditional high-heeled shoe.

Add some seasonal prints such as polka dots to the mix too. This dress by Dickins & Jones is super flattering. And finally, invest in a spring jacket like this one from French Connection, in either a bright or pastel colour with cropped sleeves, a great way to make your wardrobe spring-friendly. www.stylepourmoi.com

Big s w Ne

PASTEL SHADES Holly Fulton

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.

DICKINS & JONES £150

Introductory Consultation Price £99 FRENCH CONNECTION £75

Call 01892 22 22 22 to book your appointment

JAEGER £125

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

LK BENNETT £375

Wednesday 15th April 2015

RALPH LAUREN £310

OFFICE £60

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

KILNDOWN HOUSE

THIS impressive former vicarage is Grade II listed, with park-like grounds in Kilndown.

It is also just one of the range of properties for sale and to let in this week’s Move with the Times.

See page 27 for full details.

Wednesday 15th April 2015

24 � PROPERTY

A Grade II listed converted oast house with wonderful views

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

In my view…

Debbie Cobbold, Associate with Colin Mackenzie Property Search

Here’s where we take a look at what’s happening in the property market. This week, we hear from Debbie Cobbold at Colin Mackenzie Property Search.

WITH opinion polls predicting a photo finish for the door of No. 10, will all those folk who have been sitting on the fence finally take the plunge and get on with selling their houses this spring?

You might think that such political uncertainty would pour cold water over the housing market – yet the National Association of Estate Agents (and our own enquiry levels) confirm high levels of pent-up demand from keen buyers, who are taking advantage of historically low interest rates to secure fixed rate deals before an inevitable rise in interest rates towards the end of this year.

Whilst the supply of quality, sensibly priced stock becomes ever more scarce, those frustrated buyers – many of whom were lucky enough to sell last year when property prices hit dizzy heights - are keen enough to secure their long term home to take professional advice from an experienced, qualified property search agent.

But why should even the keenest of buyers pay someone to do something that they could presumably easily do themselves? Well, the same question could be raised when it comes to selling a house! A reputable agent has contacts and experience that can open doors – thus creating opportunities that no-one could achieve on their own.

The key is to use someone with professional qualifications, long experience and the right contacts – not only to generate the right opportunities for their clients but also to achieve value for their clients that well exceeds their cost.

AT A GLANCE Property: Great Owl Location: Castlemaine Oast, Maidstone Road, Horsmonden Recently converted attached oast house Arranged over three floors Period features Modern kitchen/breakfast room Cloakroom Utility room Stunning drawing room with double ceiling height to half the room and mezzanine above Two bedrooms on the first floor Bathroom Mezzanine sitting room Large master bedroom on the top floor Two further bedrooms Shower room Gravel drive and parking Detached open-bay garage Gardens of 0.31 of an acre Guide price £750,000 For sale through Knight Frank 01892 772942 www.knightfrank.co.uk

Wednesday 15th April 2015

Do call the team at Colin Mackenzie Property Search to see what we can find for you.

GREAT Owl, in Horsmonden, is an attractive and spacious Grade II listed attached family house offering flexible accommodation on three floors. Converted in 2010, it has some interesting features including timber beams, an open mezzanine sitting room and a detached open-bay garage. With a clean, contemporary finish and fantastic views over surrounding countryside, it is a superb property in this pretty rural village.

Originally a square kiln oast, part of Castlemaine Farm, it was used to dry fresh hops before they were sent to the brewers. Thanks to its conversion, it is now a practical and beautiful modern home with high ceilings and unusual features.

The house is approached via a shared gravel driveway leading to its own private drive and

garage. The entrance hall leads to a large kitchen/breakfast room, cloakroom, utility room and a beautiful drawing room, half of which is double height, and which has doors to the garden with stunning views. On the first floor, there are two bedrooms, a bathroom and a sitting room which forms the mezzanine over the drawing room and is open to the room below. Finally, the top floor offers a very generous master bedroom, a shower room and two further bedrooms.

The gardens are mainly laid to lawn, and fenced and hedged on all sides. With some 0.31 of an acre in all, there is an open feel to the garden and wonderful views over the surrounding countryside and beyond.

01435-866988 www.cmproperty.co.uk IN ASSOCIATION WITH

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

PROPERTY �

Stunning Victorian villa bursting with character set over four floors THIS impressive Victorian villa, believed to date back to 1864, sits in a peaceful, private residential road within walking distance of all local amenities, schools and country walks. Bursting with charming period features and offering living accommodation set across four floors, it is stunning.

With features including the original timber-framed sash windows, stripped timber doors, butler’s pantry and servants’ bells, as well as original high skirting boards and cornicing, Stenson, in Vicarage Road, Southborough, is elegant and imposing.

The entrance porch opens into a grand hallway with original stripped timber flooring. To the front of the house is a storage room and a kitchen which is open-plan to a dining room. The bespoke kitchen, which has recently been updated, includes integrated appliances and Corian worktops.

The adjoining dining area is flooded with natural light and boasts the same timber flooring.

Completing the dining room is the original marble fireplace, in full working order.

To the rear, accessed via a door in the entrance hall, is the garden room, which has intricate stained glass windows. The sitting room, also at the rear, enjoys lovely views over the garden and benefits from its original marble

AT A GLANCE

fireplace. Finishing the ground floor is the butler’s pantry, which also has a WC. The first floor offers two double bedrooms along with the master bedroom, with a recently refurbished en-suite shower room and large bay window.

The large, newly refurbished family bathroom includes a bath, separate large shower and ‘his and hers’ basins.

The top floor comprises two double bedrooms and one generous single bedroom along with the second family bathroom.

The front two bedrooms have period chapel-style windows and all enjoy countryside views.

There are separate WCs on every half-landing.

The lower ground floor provides versatile accommodation. It is currently laid out with a laundry room, coal store, office, pump room and shower room. In addition there is a large games room which could make a superb cinema room.

In total the lower ground floor offers an impressive 1,050sq ft.

To the front, the drive and garage provide parking for several cars and to the rear, the garden is mainly laid to lawn, with mature fruit trees. There is a greenhouse, a large brick-built pizza oven, a shed, an unusual underground bunker and a fenced-off area with a heated swimming pool.

25

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

AT A GLANCE Stenson, Vicarage Road, Southborough Impressive Victorian villa over four floors Flexible accommodation Period features Games room Laundry room Office Kitchen/dining room Sitting room 1920s garden room Master bedroom with en-suite shower room Five further bedrooms Two family bathrooms WCs on every half landing Garage Swimming pool Between £1,400,000 and £1,600,000 For sale through LeGrys 01892 529448 www.legrys.com

A substantial detached property in a desirable area

22 Madeira Park, Tunbridge Wells Edwardian detached property Entrance hall Drawing room Dining room Kitchen/family/breakfast room Laundry room Downstairs shower room Cloakroom Five first-floor bedrooms Family bathroom Second floor bedroom with shower room Attractive gardens £1,250,000 For sale through Hamptons 01892 597601 www.hamptons.co.uk

ON THREE floors and with an attractive double front, this home in Madeira Park boasts six bedrooms and is beautifully presented.

One of its most impressive features is a double-aspect drawing room with feature stained glass windows to the front and French doors to the rear, a fireplace with fitted

bookcases either side, and high, corniced ceilings.

Also on the ground floor there is a dining room with feature fireplace, oak floor and bay window, a laundry room, a shower room and a cloakroom. The superb large kitchen/ breakfast/family room has French doors to the patio, a wide range of

elegant fitted units and ample space for table and chairs.

On the first floor there is a feature stained window on the landing and four good sized bedrooms, as well as a smaller bedroom which could be used as a study. The master bedroom has a double aspect with a lovely outlook across the garden and this

floor has a family bathroom. On the second floor there is a further bedroom with adjacent shower room.

Outside, there is a patio and the gardens, part of which are held on a lease, are mainly laid to lawn with a selection of mature plants, shrubs and trees. The property also has a share of four acres of woodland.

Wednesday 15th April 2015

26 � PROPERTY

A spectacular six-bedroom family home in a private road AT A GLANCE EASTBURY, VICARAGE ROAD, SOUTHBOROUGH Fully renovated family home with spectacular views Private, no-through road Open-plan layout to the ground floor Character features Three reception rooms Kitchen/dining room Large utility room Cloakroom Master bedroom with wet room Five further bedrooms Two bathrooms Large garage £1,450,000 For sale through LeGrys 01892 529448 www.legrys.com EASTBURY in Southborough is a beautiful detached period house which has undergone extensive work recently, resulting in a modern and spacious family home. Set in a private, no-through road within walking distance of amenities and close to the grammar schools, it benefits from the best of country and town living.

The current owners have transformed Eastbury and improved the layout and finish.

Offering more than 3,500sq ft, the property has ideal family accommodation as well as BRIDGEWAY House, in Tunbridge Wells’ highly regarded Upper Cumberland Walk, was originally built in 1974 but was greatly improved ten years ago, with a revised internal layout which has created a wonderful, modern family home.

Set in a leafy private cul-de-sac off Warwick Park at the south end of town, the house is close to the Nevill Cricket Ground and a short stroll from the shops and restaurants on The Pantiles and High Street, as well as the station. The wooded surroundings provide privacy and the property has gardens totalling about half an acre, which includes land rented from Network Rail.

The house is beautifully presented and with plenty of reception rooms and a downstairs shower room, there are options to alter the layout. Features include polished wood block flooring throughout most of the ground floor, double glazed windows, a wood-burner in the sitting room and double doors to the terrace from both the sitting room and dining room. The wood and glass staircase and large galleried landing are a particularly attractive feature.

An entrance porch leads to the spacious entrance hall. From it to the right are the sitting room and kitchen, which opens into a dining room. At the rear is a utility room with a door to the garden and a cloakroom. To the left of the entrance hall is currently a family room, with an en-suite shower room and storage cupboards, as well as a room used as a TV room.

Upstairs is a generous master bedroom with en-suite shower room, four further

Wednesday 15th April 2015

landscaped gardens and breathtaking views of the countryside. While it has undergone extensive renovations and now has a modern feel, the character has been retained with features such as leaded light windows, exposed brick walls and ceiling timbers.

The ground floor has an open-plan layout, cleverly designed to allow privacy within individual rooms. Leading from the generous reception hall is the vast kitchen/breakfast room with attractive slate flooring and stylish, hand-painted units with granite worktops.

Integrated appliances include a Rangemaster gas oven and an AEG combination microwave and oven with separate steam oven. Bi-fold doors from the dining area lead to the gardens, as does another set from the light and airy family room – making the area ideal for indoor/ outdoor entertaining.

The spacious main reception room has a beautiful beamed ceiling, a wood floor and an inglenook fireplace with wood-burning stove.

A utility room offers additional units and work surfaces and has direct access to the garden.

A cloakroom completes the downstairs accommodation.

On the first floor are six good sized bedrooms.

The master is dual-aspect and features an ensuite wet room with underfloor heating. There are two family bathrooms and plenty of walk-in wardrobes and cupboards.

There is a paved terrace at the rear and gardens, predominately laid to lawn with well-stocked beds, as well as a stream and a pond. Gently sloping away from the house, the far-reaching views are spectacular.

Delightful house within wooded surroundings AT A GLANCE BRIDGEWAY HOUSE, UPPER CUMBERLAND WALK, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

bedrooms, one currently used as a study, and a modern bathroom.

The property is approached by a gravel drive with parking area and a double garage – one bay is open-fronted, the other has double doors. The gardens have been landscaped and there is a paved terrace with wide steps, flanked by shrub borders. The lawn is well screened by mature trees and shrubs.

Part of the garden, about quarter of an acre and with an Edwardian summer house, is rented from Network Rail which owns wooded land at the rear.

Spacious and flexible family home in a desirable cul-de-sac Entrance porch Central entrance hall with feature staircase Sitting room Dining room Kitchen Family room with shower room TV room Utility room Cloakroom Master bedroom with en-suite shower room Four further bedrooms Family bathroom Detached heritage style garage Landscaped gardens Offers in the region of £1,250,000 For sale through Hamptons 01892 516611 www.hamptons.co.uk

PROPERTY �

27

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

An impressive 19th century country house with park-like grounds in Kilndown

KILNDOWN House is an impressive Victorian country property designed by the architect Richard Cromwell Carpenter in the Gothic Revival style and is Grade II listed as a property of architectural interest and historic note.

Built originally as the vicarage to Kilndown Church between 1849 and 1855, this beautiful home with its Ashlar sandstone elevations sits amid park-like grounds and enjoys an elevated yet private position with views towards the village of Goudhurst. Included in the property is a separate cottage – a charming listed former coach house – which benefits from separate access and a private garden.

Internally, Kilndown House features beautifully presented accommodation amounting to more than 5,000sq ft with the majority of well-proportioned rooms enjoying the far-reaching views. Points of note include high ceilings with ornate cornicing and ceiling roses, mullioned trefoil windows, moulded arched inner doors and flagstone flooring to the halls and kitchen/breakfast room. Of particular note are the beautiful

fireplaces which feature prominently throughout the house.

Elegant reception rooms, situated off the long reception hall, include a beautiful drawing room, a formal dining room, a south-facing morning room and a study with bespoke cupboards and book shelving. To the far end of the kitchen/breakfast room, accessed via double doors, is an excellent playroom/sitting room with wood flooring and an open fireplace.

The kitchen/breakfast room is fitted with a range of handmade cupboards and a central island in cherry wood. A door leads to a larder with extensive shelving and space for an American-style fridge/freezer. Off the rear hall lies a laundry room, equipped with further cupboards and space for a washing machine and tumble dryer, a boot room and a cloakroom. In addition, there is a cellar with a storage room housing the boiler, a wine store and a coal hole.

The principal stone staircase, overlooked by a superb leaded light window and featuring

a carved wood and stone handrail, leads to the first floor where there are six attractive bedrooms, two with en-suite facilities, a family bathroom and a separate WC. Kilndown House is approached from Ranters Lane via electronically operated gates. The drive, flanked by level lawns and an array of mature trees, leads to an area of parking and continues round to the triple garage, with a spur leading off to the separate cottage and secondary entrance.

To the north of the house lies a substantial York stone terrace with stone steps leading down to an expanse of lawn, with a yew hedge screening the rose garden and a shingle pathway continuing through to a lime walk. To the south, the gardens continue with Portuguese laurel hedging and further terraces, ideal for al fresco entertaining.

A heated swimming pool with electric cover and slate surround lies to the south east. A gate leads through to the kitchen garden with fruit cages and there is an orchard planted with varieties of apple, pear

AT A GLANCE KILNDOWN HOUSE, RANTERS LANE, KILNDOWN Victorian country house in four acres Former vicarage designed in the Gothic Revival style Period features Separate two-bedroom cottage Long reception hall Study Morning room Drawing room Dining room Playroom/sitting room Kitchen/breakfast room Pantry Boot room Laundry room Two cloakrooms Cellar Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom Guest bedroom with en-suite bathroom Four further bedrooms Bathroom Extensive grounds Heated swimming pool Outbuildings Guide price: £2,600,000 For sale through Savills 0208 0123130 www.savills.com

and cherry trees. Outbuildings include a detached triple garage block with two electric doors, a period weather-boarded store with tiled roof and a greenhouse. The stunning grounds total approximately four acres.

To the west of the main house, screened by a bank of rhododendrons and laurel hedging, lies a charming Grade II listed coach house with brick courtyard and private gardens.

Converted into a separate cottage to provide ancillary accommodation, there are two reception rooms, a fully fitted kitchen, a utility room, cloakroom, two first floor bedrooms, a bathroom and an integral garage.

Wednesday 15th April 2015

Savills Tunbridge Wells 53 High Street Tunbridge Wells TN1 1XU

01892 507050 tunbridgewells@savills.com

savills.co.uk

LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

FRANT, kent

Open plan kitchen/dining/sitting room ø two bedrooms ø bathroom ø en-suite shower room ø 4 bedroom stable conversion ø kitchen/breakfast room ø 2 reception rooms ø utility room and video entry system and lift ø EPC rating =B larder ø 3 bathrooms ø courtyard garden ø EPC=D £995 pcm + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply* £2,250 pcm + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply*

Contact: Katrin Olander

Contact: Katrin Olander

New Instruction BRENCHLEY, kent

FRANT, kent

5 bedroom detached house ø 4 reception rooms ø 3 bathrooms ø off road parking ø gardens Detached country house ø 7 bedrooms ø 4 bathrooms ø set in deer park ø parking for several ø EPC=E cars ø beautiful gardens ø EPC=F £2,600 pcm + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply* £4,250 pcm + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply*

Contact: Katrin Olander

Contact: Katrin Olander

*£36 inc VAT for each additional tenant/occupant/guarantor reference where required. Inventory check out fee – charged at the end of or early termination of the tenancy and the amount is dependent on the property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details, visit www.savills.co.uk/fees.

Renting or letting this spring? Talk to Savills.

Savills Tunbridge Wells 53 High Street Tunbridge Wells TN1 1XU

01892 507000 tunbridgewells@savills.com

savills.co.uk

Open House by appointment 18 april TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

CAMDEN PARK, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

Detached Victorian villa ø town centre and MLS within 0.5 miles ø currently arranged as a 3 bed Potential for re-modelling/replacement STP ø sought-after private road maisonette and two 2 bed flats ø garden ø parking ø 3,909 sq ft in total ø EPCs=E, E and C ø MLS about 0.6 miles ø garage ø 3,595 sq ft including self contained annexe ø EPC=C

Guide £1.250,000 Freehold

Contact: Amanda Wyatt

Guide £1.750,000 Freehold

Contact: Amanda Wyatt

SOUTHBOROUGH, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

4 bedroom detached house built in 2014 ø well placed for grammar schools ø MLS 1 mile ø garden ø off-street parking ø end of cul-de-sac ø 1,397 sq ft ø EPC=C

Modern 1st floor apartment ø 0.9 miles to MLS ø open plan sitting room/kitchen ø 2 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms, 1 en suite ø 2 parking spaces ø 796 sq ft ø EPC=B

Guide £495,000 Freehold

Guide £357,500 Leasehold

Contact: Liz Devall

Contact: Liz Devall

Savills only concentrates on one type of house.

Yours.

If it's time to sell, talk to Savills.

Frant Road, Tunbridge Wells A beautifully presented Victorian family house Entrance hall, cloakroom, drawing room, ante room, dining room, sitting room, kitchen / breakfast room, utility room, shower room, cellar. Master bedroom with en-suite, 6 further bedrooms, family bathroom. 2 storage rooms. Large attic. Garage and extensive off-road parking. Mature gardens. EPC rating D. In all about 0.45 acres.

Guide price ÂŁ1,750,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/TNW110130

Colemans Hatch A family house beautifully situated within the Ashdown Forest Reception hall, drawing room, dining room, kitchen / breakfast room, library / cinema room, study, games room, garden room, boot room, wine store room. Master bedroom suite with dressing room, 4 further bedroom suites, bedroom 6, laundry room, drying room. Garage.

Attractive formal grounds. Swimming pool. Pond. Garden sheds. EPC rating E. In all about 1.1 acres.

To find out how we can help you please contact us KnightFrank.co.uk/tunbridge-wells tunwells@knightfrank.com 01892 310269

@KF_TWells KnightFrank.co.uk Guide price ÂŁ1,750,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/CHO110144

(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.

bracketts est. 1828

When experience counts...

Ticehurst, Wadhurst – Guide Price: £615,000

Tunbridge Wells – Guide Price: £745,000

· · · · ·

Cul-de-sac position in St James’ area Substantially extended detached house Superb wrap-around garden 4 bedrooms, 2 with en suites EPC: D

Hever, Edenbridge – Guide Price: £495,000

· · · ·

Well presented 3 bedroom terraced cottage Unrivalled rural position opposite fields South-facing garden, driveway and ORP EPC: F

Paddock Wood – Monthly Rental of £2,200

· · · ·

Immaculately presented 4/6 bedroom house Large well maintained rear garden Available June EPC: D

· · · ·

Generously proportioned detached house Close to village amenities 5 bedrooms in total / 50’x50’ enclosed rear garden EPC: D

Tunbridge Wells – Guide Price: £369,000

· · · ·

Situated in popular ‘old village’ area 2 bedroom end of terraced cottage Walking distance station EPC: F

Groombridge – Monthly Rental of £995

· · · ·

Charming Grade II Listed 2/3 bed Walking distance of village amenities Set in a picturesque location EPC: F

Tunbridge Wells 01892 533733 tunbridgewells@bracketts.co.uk

bracketts.co.uk

LeGrys Tunbridge Wells 66 London Road Tunbridge Wells TN4 0PR twells@LeGrys.com Call FREE on 0800 320 2012 or 01892 529448 LeGrys.com

Holden Park Road, Southborough

Freehold

Guide Price £375,000 To £395,000 • Three Bedroom Family Home • Light and Airy Open Plan Lounge/Dining Room • Convenient Downstairs W/C • En-Suite to Master Bedroom • Kitchen Finished to a High Standard • Integrated Kitchen Utilities • Fabulous Sunny Garden

Edwards Street, Southborough

Freehold

Offers In Excess Of £280,000 • Semi-Detached • Two/Three Bedroom Family Home • Two Reception Rooms • Large Converted Loft/Bedroom Three

• Large Patio Area • Off Street Parking • Walking Distance to Primary/Secondary and Grammar Schools • Great Location for Local Amenities and Main Line Train Station • 10 Year LABC Guarantee

Holden Park Road, Southborough

Freehold

Guide Price £400,000-£430,000 • Downstairs Utility Room • Excellent Location For Close By Schools And Amenities • 15 Minute Walk To Mainline StationStorage

• Detached Family Home • Three Double Bedrooms • Off-Road Parking For Three Cars

• Good Sized Garden With Lawn And Patio • Great Location For Primary/Secondary And Grammar Schools • 15/20 Minute Walk To Mainline Train Station

Tunbridge Wells | Edenbridge | Rotherfield | Lewes | Associated London Office

In 2011, LeGrys opened its first office in Tunbridge Wells and has since gone on to open three further offices. LeGrys offer comprehensive Sales, Lettings & Property Management Services.

• Our Offices Are Open 7 Days A Week, maximising Viewing Potential • Free Professional EPC, Floor Plans and Photography on Sales Properties • No Tie-In Contracts • Highly Experienced Team of Staff

• Customer Service Led – Offering Totally Transparent Service • Extremely Competitive Fees • Members of The Registered Landlords Association & The Property Ombudsman • Offering Landlords Fully Managed, Let Only or Rent Collection Services

Marsh Green, Edenbridge Priced At £2650 Per Calendar Month The long approach through rolling fields sets the tone for this delightful character detached three bedroom cottage, set within its own garden and accompanied by amazing views whilst benefiting from a private and secluded location. There is the possibility of also renting six acres of grazing fenced paddocks.

• Detached • Four Bedrooms • Character Property • Stunning Views

• Music Room • Roll Top Bath • Rural Yet Accessible Location • Option Of Six Acres Of Paddock & Stables

T

LE

Coomb Field Road, Edenbridge Priced At £795 Per Calendar Month • Beautifully Decorated One Bedroom House • Bright & Airy Sitting Room • Pretty Private Garden

• Garage • Walking Distance to Edenbridge Station

Springfield Road, Southborough Priced At £1250 Per Calendar Month • Family Home Situated Over Three Floors • Newly Refurbished Throughout • Three Double Bedrooms

• Two Reception Rooms • Conservatory • Sought After Location

bracl<etfs

Batcheller Monkhouse -----------------

____,ft,____ WOOD & PILCHER

BROOKS PEACOCK Town & Country Propertzes

ellis

ESTATE AGENTS & CHARTERED SURVEYORS

and co

EST 1900

Lambert & Foster PART OF THE LOCAL LANDSCAPE

~MJProperty

"Knight WFrank

savills

Agents' Mutual Limited- A company limited by guarantee. Company No: 8381458. Registered in England & Wales. OnTheMarket.com and the associated logo are registered trademarks of Agents' Mutual Limited.

Registered Office: 3rd Floor Con naught House, 1-3 Mount Street, London W1 K 3NB, England.

NE W Southborough

£279,950

Tunbridge Wells Price Range £575 - £625 PCM

• ’Tucked Away’ Position • Southborough Common • Energy Efficiency Rating: C

• 4 Studio Apartments • Newly Refurbished • Parking By Negotiation

• Close To Mainline Station • Energy Efficiency Rating: D • Agent’s Fees Apply

NE W

• 2 Bedrooms • Superbly Presented • Bathroom & En-Suite

Tunbridge Wells • Attached Period Property • Intriging Layout • St James’ Location

Groombridge Extended 3 Bedroom Cottage Sought After Village Location Large Family Room/Kitchen Study & Downstairs Cloakroom

£359,950 • • • •

Tunbridge Wells

On Street Parking Fireplace to Lounge Low Maintenance Rear Garden Energy Efficiency Rating: D

• • • •

1 Bedroom Newly Refurbished Allocated Parking Space Private Courtyard

£700 PCM • Close To Tunbridge Wells Hospital • Close To Fountains Retail Park • Energy Efficiency Rating: D • Agent’s Fees Apply

NE W

• • • •

£415,000 • 3/4 Bedrooms, 2 Receptions • On Street Parking • Energy Efficiency Rating: D

• Semi-Detached House • 2 Double Bedrooms/1 Single • 2 Reception Rooms

Bidborough • • • •

Detached Chalet Bungalow 2 Bedrooms/2 Bathrooms Lounge/Dining Room No Onward Chain

£595,000 • • • •

Off Road Parking and Garage Delightful South Westerly Garden Gas Fired Central Heating, Double Glazing Energy Efficiency Rating: D

Lamberhurst • Grade II Listed Conversion • Attached House • Private Courtyard Garden

£295,000 • Well Presented • On Road Parking • Energy Efficiency Rating: D

O.I.E.O. £375,000 • Sought After Village Location • Off Road Parking • 3 Beds, Large Reception

woodandpilcher.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells • • • •

2 Double Bedrooms Modern Kitchen En-Suite Shower Room Allocated Parking Space

£900 PCM • Secure Gated Development • Popular Location • Energy Efficiency Rating: B • Agent’s Fees Apply

NE W

Southborough

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

Tunbridge Wells • • • •

Detached Period Town House St James’ Location 3 Bedrooms, 2 Receptions South Facing Courtyard Garden

£525,000 • • • •

On Street Parking Arranged Over Three Floors Beautiful Presentation Energy Efficiency Rating: E

Tunbridge Wells • • • •

1 Bedroom Open Plan Living Modern Kitchen Close To Town Centre

£725 PCM • Close To Mainline Station • Permit Parking • Energy Efficiency Rating: G • Agent’s Fees Apply

Knowledge is power...

We have learnt a thing or two, over the last 45 years.

The independent buying agency covering the South East.

Colin Mackenzie Ltd T. (01435) 866988 info@cmproperty.co.uk www.cmproperty.co.uk

T UE U EN O AV D E OL TH S

W O N

THE LANES

NEW PHASE - NOW RELEASED

Computer generated image indicative only

The Lanes, the next phase of contemporary homes at Knights Wood, is released for sale.

This charming collection of three and four bedroom homes are set amongst tree-lined avenues, enveloped in circa 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 ÂŁ425,000. Legal fees paid on selected homes, ask for details.

by

CALL NOW TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST knightswood.co.uk 01892 800 580

40 � INTERIORS

Finishing touches STUCK for inspiration on how to make your living room perfect?

Here is a selection of some of the products which could fit the bill…

Chaise zafara £680 www.groupdeco.fr

Chofa £2097.00 + 10m fabric www.rume.co.uk

Tiger side table £125 www.design55online.co.uk

Woodcroft bleached pine standing tray £172.50 www.one.world

Oriental butterfly sideboard – blue £450 www.4living.co.uk

Warwick floral azure sofa £675 www.alexanderandpearl.co.uk

Flame armchair £2,760 www.touch edinteriors.co.uk

Magis Proust Chair Multi £696 www.design55online.co.uk

Marie Antoinette side table £351 www.in-spaces.com

Wednesday 15th April 2015

andrewsonline.co.uk

Hopwood Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, TN4

£450,000

Semi detached family home sitting on a corner plot in the popular and desirable St. Johns area, with entrance hall, living room, kitchen, dining room, upstairs bathroom and three bedrooms. Call now to avoid disappointment!

Energy Efficiency Rating: E

Bell Court, Tunbridge Wells, TN4

£265,000

Beautifully presented two double bedroom apartment with bathroom and ensuite shower room to the master bedroom.

This home has been redecorated by the current owners to a lovely standard. A private parking space, curved bay window and residents lift are also features of this great home. Chain free!”

Energy Efficiency Rating: C

Modest Corner, Southborough, TN4

£425,000

Victorian semi detached house surrounded by trees on the edge of the Common in Modest Corner. With entrance hall, open plan living room/dining room/kitchen, family room which could be used as a bedroom, upstairs and downstairs bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, off road parking, double garage and garden.

Energy Efficiency Rating: E

Tunbridge Wells Sales 01892 515 144 tunbridgewells@andrewsonline.co.uk

Dudley Road, TN1

£675 pcm

One bedroom furnished flat located in the town centre of Tunbridge Wells. The first floor accommodation comprises entrance hall with fitted storage cupboard, lounge with dining table and chairs, coffee table, sofa and armchair, an open plan kitchen with appliances including fridge/freezer, integrated washing machine, oven and four ring gas hob. The bedroom has a built in wardrobe and double bed whilst the bathroom has an electric shower over the bath.

Energy Efficiency Rating: C

Grove Hill Road, TN1

£625 pcm

A studio apartment situated less than 0.1 miles from Tunbridge Wells mainline station, and offering easy access to both The Grove and Calverley Grounds. With a private entrance, the property comprises open plan living room and kitchen with breakfast bar and appliances, shower room, separate WC and a separate bedroom area with built in wardrobes. The property also benefits from a private courtyard garden and gas central heating.

Energy Efficiency Rating: F

Tunbridge Wells Lettings 01892 525 551 tunbridgewells.lets@andrewsonline.co.uk

Nassau Drive, TN6

£1,100 pcm

This three bedroom terraced house is located under 1 mile from Crowborough station. On the ground floor there is a kitchen/breakfast room with a range of integrated appliances, downstairs WC and a lounge/dining room which extends across the whole of the rear of the property. Upstairs there are three double bedrooms, all with built-in wardrobes, an ensuite shower room and a family bathroom with bath and separate shower cubicle. The rear garden is mostly laid to lawn and has a patio and shed storage, while to the side of the property there is a covered off-road parking space.

Energy Efficiency Rating: B

Sales | Lettings | Financial Services | New Homes | Surveyors Leasehold Management | Property Management | Conveyancing

42 � PROPERTY

A Grade II listed gem a short distance from beautiful Ticehurst

FORMERLY known as Gravel Pit Farm, the delightful Baber House, believed to date from the late 1500s, is Grade II listed, with its extensive period features and stunning Sussex farmhouse style of architecture.

Located a third of a mile from Ticehurst village, Baber House is approached via a sweeping driveway surrounded by lawns, mature hedging and shrub and rose beds.

The attractive grounds extend to just under an acre, with a pond and summer house at the front.

Inside is a wealth of period features, such as inglenook fireplaces and exposed beams, which really give this character home warmth and charm. The dining and drawing rooms are notably appealing spaces, plus there’s an excellent family room, sitting room and small study.

Integral appliances and a former inglenook are key features of the kitchen/breakfast room, and there are two downstairs cloakrooms and access to a cellar.

Upstairs, all five bedrooms are doubles and there are two good sized bathrooms. In the attic room, there is potential to create more accommodation if required, subject to the necessary planning consents.

Wednesday 15th April 2015

AT A GLANCE BABER HOUSE TICEHURST, EAST SUSSEX Entrance hall Four reception rooms Library area Study Kitchen/breakfast room Utility room Two cloakrooms Cellar Five bedrooms Two bathrooms Grounds of just under one acre Parking area Detached garage Garden store and summerhouse Offers in the region of £1,425,000 Hamptons International 01892 516 611 www.hamptons.co.uk

8am - 10pm every day

TIMELESS APPEAL

LOCATION LOCATION

A TOUCH OF CLASS

£615,000

GUIDE PRICE £895,000

£985,000

RURAL FLIMWELL

BURWASH

“AS SOON AS YOU APPROACH THE ENTRANCE YOU GET THE FEELING OF STEPPING BACK IN TIME. “

“THE LOCATION, LIGHT AND SPACE MAKES YOU FEEL YOU ARE ON HOLIDAY EVERY DAY.” INSIDE THIS HOME Detached Oast House; 4 Double Bedrooms; Potential for 5th Bedroom; Master with Dressing Room and En-Suite; 2 Reception Rooms; Large Kitchen; Rural Setting; Large Gardens and Grounds Extending to Approximately 0.5 of an Acre (Subject to Measured Survey); Detached Substantial Outbuilding with Potential for Variety of Uses (STPP); Far Reaching Rural Views over Countryside and Nearby Dale Hill Golf Course; Short Drive to Mainline Station; EPC Rating C.

INSIDE THIS HOME

Attached Victorian Country House ( Former Coach House) ; 4 Bedrooms; Master Bedroom with En-Suite; Family Bathroom; Character Features Throughout; Large Bespoke Kitchen/Dining Room; Elegant Sitting Room with Inglenook Style Fireplace with Woodburner; Garden Room; Large Mature Garden; Private Drive & Parking; EPC Rating F.

WADHURST

“WHEN I FIRST VIEWED THE HOUSE I FELT AN IMMEDIATE CONNECTION. IT IS SO QUIET AND BEING SOUTH FACING THE SUN STREAMS INTO IT.”

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.

NATURAL STYLE

GARDENER'S JOY

VILLAGE AND COUNTRY

£295,000

£410,000

£485,000

INSIDE THIS HOME Pretty Semi Detached Cottage; Well Presented; 4 Bedrooms; Master Bedroom with En-Suite; Luxury Bathroom; Stunning Landscaped Garden; Summer House; Close to Station and School; EPC Rating F.

“WE CHOSE THE HOUSE BECAUSE IT WAS EXTERNALLY ATTRACTIVE AND OFFERED LOTS OF SPACE INSIDE.”

WADHURST

ETCHINGHAM

LAMBERHURST

NEW PRICE

"EACH ROOM IS VERY LIGHT AND BRIGHT WITH A SIMPLE, NEUTRAL DECOR."

INSIDE THIS HOME Charming Attached 3/4 Bedroom Home; Master Bedroom with EnSuite; Spacious Reception Room; Large Kitchen; Family Bathroom; Set over 2 Floors; Private Walled Court Yard Garden; Off Road Parking; Leasehold; EPC Rating E.

"THERE ARE FAR REACHING VIEWS TO THE FRONT FROM THE SITTING ROOM, WHICH IS SOUTH FACING SO THERE IS PLENTY OF LIGHT AND THE SUN STREAMS IN."

Great British Homes in East Sussex & Kent The Service You Expect. The Result Your Home Deserves.

INSIDE THIS HOME Attractive Weather-Boarded Home; Bright and Spacious Adaptable Accommodation Over 3 Floors; 4/5 Bedrooms; Kitchen/Breakfast Room; Elegant Sitting/Dining Room; Pretty Rear Courtyard Garden; Garage; Quiet Location on the Edge of Lamberhurst; Lovely Views over Fields to the Front; EPC Rating C.

KENT & SUSSEX

01892 458 931 CHEWTONROSE.CO.UK/SUSSEX

44 � PROPERTY

The biggest private house in Tunbridge Wells?

THIS magnificent Decimus Burton-style property is thought to be the biggest private house in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

With rooms arranged over four floors, Fernclyffe House is an exceptional example of Regency living at its very best. A tenminute walk from the town centre, the property is Grade II listed and dates from the 1850s, retaining all the most elegant features of that period while functioning as an excellent family home in the 21st century.

The long gravel driveway leads past the attractive front gardens, complete with veranda and terrace perfect for enjoying the view. At the rear, a paved limestone terrace surrounds the outdoor swimming pool and there’s a colourful rockery.

Wednesday 15th April 2015

On the ground floor, the entrance and reception halls give access to the impressive reception rooms – a drawing room, morning room, dining room, study and conservatory. Steps lead to the lower ground floor where there is a Mark Wilkinson kitchen/breakfast room, wine cellar, utility room, playroom and cloakroom. A private entrance opens to an integrated apartment, which features a bedroom, sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room and bathroom, in addition to the main accommodation.

The eight bedrooms are on the first and second floors, with two bathrooms serving each level; the master bedroom on the first floor has an en suite shower room and there is a dressing room nearby.

AT A GLANCE FERNCLYFFE HOUSE, PEMBURY ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS Detached Regency villa Four reception rooms Games room, den and wine cellar Nine bedrooms Four bathrooms, plus shower room and WCs Conservatory Triple car port Attractive mature gardens, in total about one acre Outdoor heated swimming pool Terrace and veranda £3,600,000 Brooks Peacock - 01892 531 199 - www.brookspeacock.com

MOVING WITH THE TIMES TO PROMOTE YOUR PROPERTY CONTACT US

advertising@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779650 O F TUNBR IDGE WEL LS

Wednesday 15th April 2015

46 � PETS

Dog days

Nautilus leafed miniature bed, from £750 www.andsotobed.co.uk

It’s not just animal lovers who will want to snap up these fantastic pet-themed accessories white Scottie Billie, who obviously loves teatime and appears on biscuit jars that could double up as doggie treat containers.

AS A nation of pet lovers, we shouldn’t need an As for little Rover or Kitty, furnishing them excuse to shower love and attention on our furry these days doesn’t have to be all about practicality. friends - but just in case you do, National Pet If your pooch is your prince then a grand Louis Month, which runs until May 4, is the perfect XVI-style dog bed, complete with a velvet surface opportunity to spruce up your pooch’s pad or your treated with a water and dirt-resistant layer, would cat’s crib. certainly impress posh Almost half of UK paws and top cats. households have a According to a surpet, with dogs and vey by Astar Pets, one cats our most popular in six people admits four-legged friends – it’s to spending more on estimated that about 8.5 presents for a pet than million canines share for a partner, with 66 per our homes, along with cent buying their animals a similar number of birthday gifts. felines.

“Our dog is very much If you’re not a pet part of the family, and owner, however, you happily rests her gorcan still wag – sorry, geous head on a Louis bag – yourself some XVI bed which she was creature comforts, as given for her birthday there’s a whole zoo’s last month,” says worth of homeware interiors designer featuring dog and Joanna Wood. “This Westie cushion, £43 cat-themed prints elegant bed, featuring www.joannawood.co.uk and details. Not only are a carved solid oak frame pets proven to have a and luxurious navy velvet, positive impact on our is incredibly chic and fit health and wellbeing, it seems they offer a wealth for the most royalist of dogs!” of inspiration for decor and design, too.

Wayne Clarke, creative director at And So “As dog-lovers, we decided to To Bed, agrees: “Our beautiful launch a nationwide compeNautilus pet bed oozes style tition with Aga owners, and elegance, a minto find out what breed iature take on our of dogs are the most classic sleigh bed popular,” says inspired by the Caroline Smith, classic shape commercial of the nautilus manager at Aga shell, featuring Cookshop. carvings of fish “After receivscales, shells ing over 500 and scrolls. responses, in the “Crafted from form of beautisolid timber ful images and and finished stories from Aga in a luxurious owners up and silver leaf, this down the counis the ultimate try, the Top Dog pet bed to keep print was born your four-legged from the top prince or prineight breeds, incess content.”

Roberts Revival RD60 DAB digital radio cluding Labrador, Of course, your in the kitty design, from £159.95 spaniel and dachshund. pet might reign supreme www.johnlewis.com “This stylish and innoat home, but that doesn’t vative print is our latest mean you’ll necessarily addition to our range of kitchen textiles.” have a budget to match. That needn’t breed reThe charming range includes aprons, gauntlets, sentment, however, as there are plenty of smaller, oven gloves, tea towels and chefs’ pads. less expensive items, such as bright bowls and orIt’s not unusual for some designers to go one step namental bird cages (with or without a feathered further and create a tableware range that’s inspired friend), that will still please those animal instincts. by their very own new pooch. Cath Kidston has So don’t paws for thought; groom your home devoted a new china range to her much-loved with these paw-fect finds...

• By Sam Wylie-Harris

Wednesday 15th April 2015

Garden Bazaar backyard bird cottage, £49.99 www.petspyjamas.com

Alessi Pets dog food jar, £24 www.johnlewis.com

Butter dish, £15; medium sized jar, £15; large jar, £20; salt and pepper shakers, £18; singletier cake stand, £25, all from the Billie China range at Cath Kidston www.cathkidston.com

PETS �

47

Bowl and bone republic cotton toy basket, £80 www.petspyjamas.com

Posh Paws dog mat, £47.95 www.turtlemat.co.uk

Three cat mat, currently reduced to £10.40 from £14.95 www.housingunits.co.uk

Blue Louis XVI-style dog bed, £409 www.joannawood.co.uk

‘ As dog-lovers, we decided to launch a nationwide competition with Aga owners, to find out what breed of dogs are the most popular’

Tea Towel, £7.50; chef’s pad, £13; gauntlet, £22; apron, £25; double oven glove, £25, all from the Top Dog Textiles Collection at Aga Cookshop, available from April 25 www.agacookshop.co.uk

Dog tent (including the roof lining and walls, available to order in different colours), from £250; Cushion, £60; mat, £25 www.rajtentclub.com

Cat plaque £15 www.kaleidoscope.co.uk

Wednesday 15th April 2015

Louise McAllen, Connells Tunbridge Wells Letting’s manager has over 15 years’ experience in the letting s industry and an in depth knowledge of the local property market.

Louise and Lara Ovenden, Senior lettings Negotiator have been responsible for the letting department since June 2014 and the business has been steadily growing since this date. Louise and Lara strive to offer excellent customer service along with a professional and efficient approach in everything they do and always endeavour to exceed their customer’s expectations.

“We know how stressful it can be when letting your property , whether you are a first time landlord or an existing landlord. Louise and Lara aim to take that stress away and make the lettings process as enjoyable as possible” “We found the Connells letting team – Louise and Lara – to be very helpful, friendly and efficient.

Louise has long experience in the letting sector and knowledge of the Tunbridge Wells market in particular which she uses to good effect. Lara did an excellent job overseeing the viewings and keeping us informed of developments. We feel we are in safe hands and recommend the Connells letting team without hesitation.”

“I assumed that the process of letting my flat to tenants was going to be daunting and complicated.

I chose Connells because they were my estate agents when I originally purchased the flat, and I am very thankful I did. Louise and Lara have been nothing but efficient, reliable, kind and supportive.

I am very impressed with their professionalism and it made the experience not only easy, but also enjoyable. I would certainly recommend Connells to any person who is looking into have their property rented.”

01892 546441 – tunbridgewellslets@connells.co.uk

Woodlands View Crowborough 3 and 4 bed houses available as well as a large one bed apartment

Prices start from ÂŁ195K Help to Buy available!

For sales enquiries please call

01892 547966 tunbridgewells@connells.co.uk

50 � PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

THINKING OF MOVING HOME THIS SPRING? 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

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 your free copy of the Kent Guide to Buying and Selling Your Home or for further advice regarding your home buying/selling experience contact our office today and speak to one of my property team on 01892 539 379 or email times@max.barford.co.uk

For a free copy of the Kent Guide to Buying and Selling Your Home or for further advice regarding your home buying/selling experience just complete and cut out this coupon and post to the address below. Alternatively call or email us today quoting reference MBRTO104 Telephone 01892 539 379 or Email times@maxbarford.co.uk

E ID EERS GU FRE MOVE

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 wouldn’t buy a car without the knowledge of a service history, so why would you run this financial risk when buying a house?

options available in order to try to resolve the issue.

M

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.

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 with the

HO

• By Deborah Miller

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 Max Barford & Co. is a trading name of Parfitt Cresswell. Parfitt Cresswell is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. No. 71480

Wednesday 15th April 2015

FASHION, HEALTH AND BEAUTY �

Is plastic fantastic?

51

IS SURGERY BECOMING MORE COMMON?

Charlie Bond finds out what’s really involved in going under the knife…

MEETING Marc Pacifico at his Purity Bridge clinic in Tunbridge Wells is quite daunting. Not just because I’m playing patient and discussing body issues with him, but also because I’ve been told he’s very charming, so as well as being slightly concerned about discussing my hang-ups with him, I’m also worried I’ll be tempted to spend my life savings on a new body rather than paying off my mortgage.

As soon as my consultation begins, however, I don’t think this will be the case. Not because Marc isn’t charming, but because plastic surgery is actually a very considered and serious process, despite what some magazines and TV programmes may have you believe.

“For every ten people who think about having surgery, only one will come as far as having a consultation,” explains Marc, who over his 17 years’ experience has seen thousands of patients every year, both through his private practice and also as an NHS surgeon.

First we discuss what I’d like to change. Although there are plenty of things, surgery isn’t something I’ve ever seriously considered, so I ask Marc what my options would be.

“The most frequently requested procedures for someone between 25 and 30 are nose, breast and perhaps if they’ve had children, tummies,” he explains.

From those, we decide to go through the consultation as if I’m having a breast enlargement, so Marc tailors the questions to this type of procedure.

He asks about my medical history, whether I’ve ever been pregnant and whether I have a history of breast cancer in my family. Then, we discuss what size I’d ideally like to go up to, before Marc shows me the different types of implant. They’re heavier than I expected and also not as solid.

“An implant has to fit a breast like a hand fits a glove, but they can be flat, less or more projected,” he explains. “Some are rounded and some shaped and they have different textures.”

Next, Marc talks to me about the emotional side of surgery, asking me what my living situation is and what support I have at home.

“Aesthetic surgery should never be a journey you do on your own, so having a supportive partner, parent

or good friend there is important – it’s not just the predictable physical side of things, like needing help after surgery, it’s also quite an emotional journey,” he says.

Following the discussions, Marc would usually perform an examination, which luckily I don’t have to go through. Instead, he talks me through what would typically happen.

“I never forget what it must be like to have to bare the part of your body you’re most vulnerable about while I take pictures, measurements and do drawings,” Marc says. “I always have a female chaperone and I sit in front of the patient and do a drawing of the breasts, then take measurements using callipers so I can record things like the width of the breasts, the gap between them and the thickness of the breast tissue.”

After the examination, Marc sits down with the patient and discusses how the surgery will look, then gives them some home reading to do before their follow-up consultation.

“I’ll tell them my thoughts and ask whether they’d like a more natural or augmented look. 99 per cent of people say more natural, but what everyone means by that is widely variable!” he says. “As a rule, the smaller and less sticky-out the implant is, the more natural it’s going to be. In Tunbridge Wells most people are fairly discreet, they don’t want people to notice.”

VERDICT: Visiting Marc was a real eye-opener.

Surgery is a lot more complicated and there’s a huge amount of psychology involved – something reality TV doesn’t account for. Strangely, the consultation process actually made me feel better about myself, probably because it made me realise my body blues aren’t as huge as I felt they were. Perhaps one day I’ll consider going under the knife, but not any time soon. www.puritybridge.co.uk

MARC says: “The figures do go up and down, but it’s less taboo now. A couple of years ago there was a huge spike and now it’s gone down a bit but there’s a huge media interest and it’s being talked about much more.

“Ten years ago botox would have been a secret, whereas now it’s not ‘have you had botox?’ it’s ‘where do you have your botox?’

I don’t think there are trends, what changes is how technology changes which changes the options we’re able to offer. The range of what’s out there now is much broader. You should go to someone who can offer a whole range of things because the concern is, if you only go to someone who offers ten per cent of the range, they can only advise you within that ten per cent.”

‘Now it’s not ‘have you had botox?’ it’s ‘where do you have your botox?’

SURGEON Marc explains the process to Charlie

atmanclinic

atman clinic structural and cranial osteopathy for the whole family

call us on 01892 544783 or visit www.atmanclinic.co.uk

Wednesday 15th April 2015

52 � RECRUITMENT

RECRUITMENT MAKE THE CHANGE

Place an advertisement By phone: 01892 779650 By email: info@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk O F TUNBR IDGE WEL LS

in association with

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 to recruit a permanent part-time promotion/distribution team.

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.

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: • Friendly, approachable personality • Honest and trustworthy • Hardworking and reliable • 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

Your Local needs You! We are the multi award-winning Whiting and Hammond family pub group located throughout Kent and Sussex and are always in the business of Talent Spotting.

If you are looking for your first step on the career ladder as a paid Apprentice Chef we are always on the lookout for the type of character who will fit in with our passion for great food, great drink and great company; if you enjoy what we have to offer then you’re the right person for us! You don’t need to have experience, just a passion and dedication to create fantastic food.

Even if you are already in the hospitality business but looking for your first step on your career path as a paid Apprentice Chef, with on the job training and professional support that is second to none, we want to meet you.

To qualify for a fully funded apprenticeship, you will need to be under 25 years of age.

We make a point of promoting talent within our business so there is enormous potential for you to develop.

If you are excited by the prospect of working alongside passionate people, check out our locations then give us a call or send in your CV to… HR department, Whiting and Hammond Head Office, The Little Brown Jug, Chiddingstone Causeway, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 8JJ

Designer / Artworker 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 experienceof page layout and repro for print.

Please send PDF examples of your work to: rcremer-price@markerstudy.com

Wednesday 15th April 2015

Recruitment Resourcer, Tunbridge Wells Competitive salary and excellent rewards package.

We offer a fast moving, fun and supportive environment and a practical, structured training programme that will quickly have you established in the rewarding world of recruitment. Focussing initially on candidate generation and managing the ‘candidate experience’ longer term opportunities with us could include account management, internal recruitment, team leadership and search and selection.

To be seriously considered for one of the opportunities you will be a bright graduate (and/or have recruitment experience) with plenty of drive, commerciality and the ability to learn quickly. This is a target oriented career which requires energy and resilience as well as excellent communication skills.

NQ-3 year PQE Litigation Solicitor/ Experienced Legal Executive, Hastings £DOE Due to expansion, this well regarded Regional firm are currently seeking a Solicitor or experienced Legal Executive to join their friendly and professional team. The role will involve a large proportion of property litigation plus general civil litigation and will offer genuine career prospects and opportunities to develop.

16 Lonsdale GardensTunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU jobs@gerrardwhite.com 01892 55 33 55

RECRUITMENT �

FILL YOU VACANCY FOR £100 CALL OUR RECRUITMENT SALES TEAM

BUNNY RUN CHILDCARE LTD Are currently seeking two individuals passionate about early years childcare

SENIOR NURSERY NURSE The successful candidate will be experienced in early years childcare and committed to providing a high standard of care and education. They must be able to plan and ensure the EYFS is implemented to support children’s uniqueness and help them meet their full personal potential.

Salary dependant on qualification and experience TRAINEE NURSERY NURSE The successful candidate will be focused on both their personal development and that of the children who attend our setting.

Good literacy and communication skills are key to this position.

We have great opportunities for progression and an excellent support package available.

Continued employment is subject to relevant checks and a successful probationary period.

Please send a copy of your CV to info@eridgenursery.co.uk

To book your advert please call 01892 779650 or Email: production@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

CAMDEN ARMS HOTEL Full & Part Time Bar Staff to work in a friendly atmosphere at The Camden Arms Full training will be given All rates of pay will be discussed at the interview Please contact; Carol, Simon, or Ellie on 01892 822012

Dor2Dor.net are a Kent based innovative Direct Marketing Company specialising in Door to Door delivery of local advertising material including leaflets, newspapers, election and newsletters around Tunbridge Wells.

f po or l curr T st oca en he pe l t y op pe ly re are o T Tu he le an ple cruit on nb T d he to b ing we We rid im lp d ecom tra ek dn in , in es in ge es elive e th day g wi an eir a r W of th d o nd w go su n Th el od pp lo ur ls c ra ort al sda te is ar y s o p ea ea f p rov . F ch ay ide ull . d,

To find out more about becoming a postperson and getting paid to get fit, then call: 01233 820434 or call/text 07988 135136.

Applicants can also apply online: www.dor2dor.com/jobs

Andrew Frisby the MD of Dor2DorKent reports "Our postpeople include active retired people and people with spare time who want to deliver the marketing material so they can get fit and stay active. We are looking for very reliable people to help us get this great newspaper out in a quality and timely manner each week".

Sales Support Executive Overall responsibility to support the Sales and Publishing teams to ensure performance is maximised and customer satisfaction levels are maintained at an outstanding level.

• Monitor and collate lead data from various competitor sources, i.e. web, magazine and industry specific events.

• Assist in the resolving of customer queries and enquiries.

• Facilitate the distribution of leads to relevant sales teams that have been supplied by marketing and other sources.

• Ensure client data on CRM system is accurate • Process, upload and mail out client invoices when required.

• Assist in the administration of the distribution of all the titles and proofing of promotional leaflets, liaising with relevant third parties.

• Act as another effective point of contact for all clients forwarding on and or resolving any questions/queries.

• Keeping records of sales targets and actual figures and compiling them into reports for management.

• Answer calls and maintain a rapid response rate according to agreed standards.

• Liaise and attend meetings with other company functions necessary to perform duties and aid business and organisational development.

• Attend training and to develop relevant knowledge and skills.

• Communicate and liaise verbally and in writing between customers/suppliers/ visitors/enquirers and relevant staff, and interpret and respond clearly and effectively to spoken requests over the phone or in person, and to verbal or written instructions.

• Provide support to the roles Publishing Manager and Head of Leisure Sales when required.

• To undertake other reasonable responsibilities and projects as instructed by their line manager.

This role starts ASAP. For more details and to apply for this exciting role please contact: Kawcock@markerstudy.com

MAKE THE CHANGE

THE BLACK HORSE, PEMBURY Requires a CHEF/COOK For Sundays, Monday / Tuesday lunch and evenings & Friday evenings £370 per week TEL: 01892 822141

53

Commercial Manager – Publishing Sales As part of a small but very successful ambitious team, you will be responsible for developing and implementing a successful sales strategy achieving the agreed revenue targets for So Magazine and Times of Tunbridge Wells on a monthly basis from your allocated categories.

Ensuring targets are exceeded and maintaining successful relationships with key accounts through clients direct and agencies, you will make yourself and your brand famous within the relevant agency and lifestyle brand world, establishing and maintaining strong commercial relationships and maximising revenues. This role requires a highly structured and proactive approach to ensure revenues are generated every day within the agreed guidelines from the relevant markets. It is 100% results focused.

To apply for this exciting role please contact Kawcock@markerstudy.com

Teachers

Three R’s Teacher Recruitment are currently recruiting SUPPLY, LONG TERM & PERMANENT TEACHERS

Three R‛s Teacher Recruitment

To register for immediate work please contact us today Call Amy or Nicki anytime on:

0845 130 3338 email: amy@3rs-ltd.co.uk or nicki@3rs-ltd.co.uk www.3rs-ltd.co.uk

Wednesday 15th April 2015

54 � FOOD AND DRINK

FLOWER POWER It’s not just food sold at the market

From farm to fork –fresh produce is coming home to market twice a month The Tunbridge Wells farmers’ market runs twice a month in the town centre, bringing local produce to shoppers. Adam Wells met some of the faces behind the stalls…

FRESH, affordable, local produce. No need for refrigeration or long-distance transportation. Supporting local families and businesses. Guaranteed quality and traceability.

The list of positives goes on and on, so it’s something of a surprise to think that it was as recently as 1997 that the first UK farmers’ market was formed. Perhaps even more surprising, is the fact we borrowed the concept from the Americans.

The ever-growing popularity of farmers’ markets however, comes as no shock at all.

The Tunbridge Wells famers’ market, founded by the borough

Wednesday 15th April 2015

council in September 1999, can be found outside and around the town hall on the second and fourth Saturday of every month.

And though Civic Way, Mount Pleasant Road may be an aptly named place for such a positive community event to take place, you could hardly call the setting perfect.

As rain runs down her face and wind threatens to blow her words away, market manager Laura Flanigan confesses ‘we definitely have location envy up here.’

The object of this friendly envy is the Pantiles, whose food and craft market, which takes place on the

first and third Saturday of the month, is protected from the elements by its low elevation, and sheltered by its corridor of shop fronts and colonnades.

But once you’ve made your peace with the weather, it’s clear there’s nothing else to be jealous about. In fact, the enthusiasm of stallholders and customers here is all the more laudable given that the elements are so often against them.

One trader whose enthusiasm comes as no surprise is George Botterell. Running Botterell’s Fresh Fish with brother Jasper and dad John, George is a seasoned fisherman.

“This is our weather” he says.

Fishing out of Rye Harbour in a small day boat, George is no stranger to the wind and rain. He splits his time between catching fish and selling them, and they’ve had a stall here for 15 years.

“People’s approach has changed over the years,” he says. “They were used to seeing things in the supermarket and thinking they’re in season.

“We can only offer what’s in season.

This gives them an idea about what’s really available. We do scallops in the short season then don’t touch them.

That’s the way it should be.

“Sometimes we have a lot of different stuff here, sometimes we have less. You can only sell what you bring up in your fishing gear.”

One the stall are scallops, crabs, prawns, oysters and a selection of fish, varied but not too big, with the emphasis firmly on freshness.

Because George uses a small boat, the fish he brings up are never out of the water for more than eight hours. It’s an approach that’s proved popular.

He says: “We get quite a few customers coming in from outside town. They make a point of coming in on the certain days they know we’re here.”

A small, family business offering locally sourced, quality produce, Botterell’s Fresh Fish typifies the spirit of the farmers market.

With a similar approach, though not

‘We can only offer what’s in season.

We do scallops in the short season then don’t touch them. That’s the way it should be’

SEE FOOD The Botterell family has been trading at the market for 15 years

FOOD AND DRINK �

nearly as long in the game, is Green Apron UK. Run by Louis Robinson with the help of mum Josephine, Green Apron makes marmalades, curds and preserves, as well as most other things you can spread on bread or dip a cracker in.

“This is only our third time here”, says Josephine.

Until recently Louis was working as a chef at the luxury Langham Hotel on Regent Street. Fed up with the ‘mad hours’ and encouraged by the enthusiastic reaction he’d had to a homemade chutney, he started the business last summer.

“His granny Sylvia used to make jams for the WI”, says Josephine.

“She gave him some of her recipes.

A few years ago he made this chutney. Everyone said it was so wonderful, he had to go into business.”

“It was a slow building process”, explains Louis. “Recipe testing, finding the best suppliers for jars. It kicked on in January, we started to build the range. We waited for the marmalade season to have that as a cornerstone.”

The marmalade in question illustrates the effort Louis goes to, to ensure his products are of the best possibly quality.

“I try to get the best quality oranges you can get,” he says. I go to the big fruit market up in Spitalfields.

Everything else I try to source as locally as I can. We grow some ourselves and there are several big

fruit farms around us. We’ve got friends who grow fruit for us as well.”

“They all seem to have big gardens!” adds Josephine.

Like the Botterells’, the Green Apron range changes with the seasons, ensuring everything is fresh and at its best.

Louis says: “I’ve just done rhubarb as it’s the end of the season. In summer, there’s a greengage jam and a summer berry preserve.

“The range adapts and changes for the season. We had people coming and asking for some more summer berry preserve and we had to tell them to come back next year!”

One thing that’s never out of season is chocolate. It’s been a lifelong passion for Ira Harris, who’s been trading at the Tunbridge Wells market for a little over a year, as Patisserie Lingaud.

Long childhood summers spent with French godparents Monsieur and Madame Lingaud in the south of France, nourished a love of cooking and left a lasting impression. And as the couple didn’t have any children, she carried on the name with her business – but puts in all the work herself.

“It’s all me”, she says. “I make everything.”

Growing your own ingredients isn’t a realistic option when it comes to chocolate, but Mrs Harris uses UK suppliers and, for her delicious mint chocolate, home-grown mint.

Having established herself at the farmers’ market, Mrs Harris now also sells her wares online, and is active on Facebook and Twitter. The longterm dream is to use the market as a stepping stone to a shop of her own.

She says: “I’d really like somewhere to produce and sell from. Somewhere where people can see me making the chocolate.”

Someone who has already made such a step is Claire Forster. With business partner Sally Black, she runs award-winning gluten-free bakery Oast to Host, and, though she’s moved on from the market, she was full of praise for its qualities and its impact on their business.

“I joined the market on the back of an advert looking for a pudding stall”, Mrs Forster reveals.

“We found it a great platform to launch our products. You’re dealing directly with the public and we found them incredibly helpful with feedback on new or changed recipes.

“The market attracts a discerning group of foodies who appreciate talking to the makers and are interested in the processes getting from farm to fork.”

“We are now supplying more than 20 shops on the back of our start at the market.”

Rain or shine, the town hall farmers’ market is clearly a hit with the locals and the traders.

The only possible downside is that it isn’t on every week.

55

BOTTERRELLS FRESH FISH

• Founded in 1976 by former merchant navy seaman John Botterell.

• Based in Rye and run by John and his sons George, a former boat builder, and Jasper, a licensed fisherman.

• Goerge fishes out of Rye Harbour along the East Sussex/Kent coastline in a small day boat.

• They’ve been bringing their fish to the Tunbridge Wells farmers’ market for 15 years.

GREEN APRON UK

• Founded in 2014 by ex-chef Louis Robinson.

• Based in Crockenhill and run by Louis and his mum Josephine.

• Everything is made from scratch, using home-grown ingredients where possible, sourcing the rest from local farms, friends and markets.

• They’ve been bringing their jars to the Tunbridge Wells farmers’ market for just over a month.

PATISSERIE LINGAUD

• Founded in 2013 by Ira Harris.

• Based in Rusthall and run by Mrs Harris, Patisserie Lingaud specialises in all things chocolate.

• Ira makes everything by hand, using herbs from her garden and sourcing her ingredients from UK suppliers.

• She’s been bringing her treats to the Tunbridge Wells farmers’ market for just over a year.

OAST TO HOST

• Founded in 2012 by Claire Forster and Sally Black • Based in Five Oak Green, Claire and Sally make gluten-free, wheat-free and dairy-free treats.

• Having established themselves at the Tunbridge Wells farmers’ market, Oast to Host now supplies a large number of farm shops, delis, cafes, pubs and individuals.

On the menu at...

2

SOFIA’S COLUMBIAN KITCHEN sofiascolombiankitchen.co.uk 01892 524767 19 Pennine Walk Tunbridge Wells TN2 3NN

3

1 Pastel banana leaf wrap with meat stew 2 Beef and chicken soup with cassava yam and sweetcorn

1

3 Fried snapper with fried green plantain and avocado salad 4 Bisté a caballo Sirloin steak with ahogado salsa and fried egg 5 Arroz con coco frito Coconut rice with raisins 6 Empanadas de carne molida Turnovers with mince stew

4

5

6 Wednesday 15th April 2015

56 � WHAT’S ON

This little piggy went to a show in Tunbridge Wells A ‘QUIRKY folk tale’ about a pig with a long way to go is on stage in Tunbridge Wells this weekend.

St Barnabas School, Quarry Road, will host The Tale of the Pig by theatre groups Pericles Theatre Company from West Hoathly and Forest Row’s Atelier Community Theatre on Friday at 7pm.

Directed by award-winning Romanian director Vasile Nedelcu, with music and lyrics by David Brett, the production has been short-listed for the Camp Bestival Award at the Brighton Fringe.

Jasmine Quayle, one of the actors with disabilities, said “My best moment is being with Vasile and everybody. He has made my dream

to be an actress come true, and my parents and family are very proud of me.”

Pericles Theatre Company is “committed to helping adults with learning disabilities advance their social and artistic development”.The Atelier Community Theatre was founded in 2010. It has a professional theatre side and a community play side which work together.

The Tale of the Pig is an hour long with no interval and suitable for all ages.

Tickets, priced £7 for adults, £5 for children, £20 for a family of four, are available on the door or call 07966 190428 to book.

DOVER to CALAIS £45 from

PAUL’S GIG OF THE WEEK Harley & Woods

Car and 7 passengers, plus Kids Eat Free* and 10% off onboard shopping in La Boutique†.

Book now at myferrylink.com

Argentine tango part of ‘fantastic’ show at Trinity POPULAR Tunbridge Wells saxophonist Richard Melkonian is the special guest in a new show with an award-winning harpist, singers, the popular Canterburybased Leon String Quartet – and featuring Argentine tango dancers.

The Mirabai Project presents Chrysanthemums takes place at the Trinity Theatre on Friday at 8pm. The show includes two world premieres, including new piece Torch Songs by acclaimed Kent composer Barry Seaman.

Producer Jane Seaman said: “We are thrilled to be working with such brilliant performers, which celebrates some of Kent’s amazing musical talent, and can’t wait to share it with our audience. The show combines an unusual fusion of romantic and classical contemporary music, from Puccini to Piazzolla, offering a fantastic, unmissable experience.”

To book, call the Trinity box office on 01892 678678.

UNUSUAL Argentine tango dancers will feature in the show

Order is restored in the Heart breakfast show team

Two furry good deals!

WE CATCH UP WITH HEART KENT BREAKFAST PRESENTERS JAMES AND BECKY

ORDER is slowly being restored this week!

James is back on the show after his week off and we’re into the last week of the school holidays, which may be a relief to some of you! I have to say though, with the weather picking up and getting warmer, it’s nice to finally feel like we are in spring, and we can all start dreaming of the summer (too soon?).

There’s something I found quite astonishing recently which has a bit of a ‘really!’ factor.

Forget going for walks and fetching sticks, your pet has a new hobby! Apparently the average household pet watches 21 hours of TV every week, roughly three hours a day! This caused quite the debate amongst the listeners, which led to ‘Pets’ TV’ being born! You take a pet, mix it with the name of a TV show and there you have it, some ingenious names cropped

The only

D O V E R

CALL US ON 0844 2482 100

T O

C A L A I S

F E R R Y

recommended by ferrets

Terms and conditions apply. Book before 16/4/15. *For travel before 19/4/15. †For travel before 19/4/15.

Offer not applicable to alcohol, tobacco or sale items

Wednesday 15th April 2015

up. I think my absolute favourites were Moose Women, Ger-Bill and Through the Don-key Hole.

Although Dog-tor Who, The Antiques Toadshow and Collie-nation Street all came in a very close second. How many more can you think of? Have a go, I guarantee it’ll make you laugh!

Speaking of genius, we discovered a book this week which really makes you think. I love stuff like this, logical thinking and anagrams.

I always find they’re a winner at a family party.

If you get the answers correct, apparently you have the mind of a genius! No guessing that I wasn’t exactly the best at this, (I think my strengths lie in different areas) but have a go and see if you have the mind of a genius.

1) If it takes four men four days to build four boats, how many days will it take for one man to build one boat?

2) Which weighs more… milk or cream?

3) Can you rearrange the letters of the word ‘SLEUTH’ to make another word?

Take those into work with you, or round to family or friends and see how you get on!

Don’t forget you can keep up to date with all the goings-on with the show on our Facebook page, just search ‘Heart Kent’ and click ‘Like’.

You’ll find loads of pictures and videos of all the things we get up to! We also love you to be in touch with us for any reason via the breakfast pages on the Heart website, at www.heart. co.uk, leave us your comments, questions or suggestions… we read every single one!

Join us weekdays from 6am. It’s Heart breakfast with James and Becky!

WHAT’S ON �

Live music & events

Times

O F TUNBR IDGE WEL LS

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 01892 779 650 newsdesk@ timesof tunbridgewells .co.uk

POPULAR local singersongwriter James Kirby will be performing a lively mix of his own songs and standards at The Beau Nash Pub this Saturday.

James tours all over the globe and is regarded by many as one of Kent’s finest live solo acts.

He is an exceptional vocalist and guitarist and his clever use of the loop pedal and stomp box enables him to deliver a full, dynamic live sound. On another note entirely, if salsa is in your soul, the brilliant ten-piece Latin band Salseology are at The Tunbridge Wells Forum on the same night who are also thoroughly entertaining and will give you every reason to dance the night away!

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM Doors 7.30pm, entry price variable, event information and tickets at www.twforum.co.uk Wednesday – MassMatiks, Hows Harry, James Wood and Rachael Stalker Friday – Turbowolf, Dolomite Minor and Hyena Saturday - Salseology

PAUL’S GIG OF THE WEEK: James Kirby

THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE, The Pantiles Doors 7.15pm, entry £5/£7, websites www.pdag.co.uk + www.thegreylady.co.uk Wednesday - TBC, Zoe Deighton-Smythe, Sam Firth, Dan Clews Friday - (9.30pm till late) Soul Kitchen Saturday - (9.30pm till late) Dave Ital & Friends Sunday - The Days We Don’t, Anna Hogg, Table 15, Charley Blue Tuesday - Livy Jasmine, Milly McCarron, Luke Bacon, Corey Fox-Fardell Wednesday - Gronk, Karl Barton, Ian Knapp, The Breaks THE ASSEMBLY HALLS, Crescent Road Doors 7pm, event information and tickets at www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk or 01892 530613 Thursday - Illegal Eagles Tuesday - A TWODS Production: Sister Act Sunday - A TWODS Production: Sister Act TRINITY THEATRE, Church Road Friday - The Mirabai Project presents Chrysanthemums Sunday - Bolshoi: Ivan The Terrible

MUSIC

THE BEDFORD PUB, 2 High Street Free entry, music from 8pm.

Saturday – Vambo Band THE CROSS KEYS, St Johns Road Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Wednesday – Open Mic Night Thursday - Sonny’s Jazz: Frank Holder, Stan Robinson, Shane Hill, Geoff Castle Friday – Sonny’s Blues Sunday – TARC Open Acoustic Mic Monday – TWUNT Ukulele Jam THE BEAU NASH, Mount Ephraim Open all day, free entry, music from 9pm.

Saturday – James Kirby CASSIDY’S BAR, Castle Street off Tunbridge Wells High Street Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm Friday –Karma & The Devil THE ROYAL OAK, Prospect Road Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Saturday – Shine

57

SEVEN DAYS OF EVENTS AT A GLANCE DAVE Barnett makes a selection of events from around Tunbridge Wells during the next seven days. Full details of these and many more events are available from www.tunbridgewellsevents.co.uk THERE are just three films at Trinity this week, on Wednesday The Duke of Burgundy, on Sunday Aimer, Boire Et Chanter, a French version of Alan Ayckbourn’s Life of Riley and on Tuesday Still Alice starring Julianne Moore in her 2015 Oscar Best Actress role. >> WEDNESDAY The Easter-themed events are coming to an end so it’s the last few days to see Alice at Groombridge Place or King John at Penshurst Place on the Magna Carta Trail. Today is also the second, and last, day of Ben and Hollie’s Little Kingdom’s visit to the Assembly Hall.

This afternoon the museum has a talk by Dr James Gregory, lecturer in British history at the University of Plymouth on George Smart; a tailor and artist from Frant featured in the current exhibition, Material Obsessions.

Today in Sevenoaks is the monthly Outside the Box Comedy Club with TV’s Andrew Maxwell at The Stag Theatre while Roger Hubbard and Richard Studholme play at the Blues with Bottle Club at The Anchor. >> THURSDAY Looking for something fun and active? Then head off to Grosvenor & Hilbert Park and help Cally build a hibernaculum and take part in some fun activities and scavenger hunts in the Frog Fun Day. The next in the series of National Theatre Live screenings is on tonight at all three cinemas; the Odeon, Trinity and Hawkhurst Kino. The Hard Problem is a new play by Tom Stoppard, directed by Nicholas Hytner. On the eastern edge of the borough, the Cranbrook Operatic & Dramatic Society are performing Wind in the Willows at the Queens Hall Theatre, until Saturday. >> FRIDAY Comedy returns to The Assembly Hall with Dylan Moran. Star of Black Books, Sean of the Dead and Calvary, his new stand-up show, Off the Hook, is going to be good.

Early evening sees The Tale of the Pig at St Barnabas School. Adapted from a Romanian fairy tale, this looks like a great experience for all.

A magical mix of music and Argentine tango comes to Trinity where the Mirabai Project is performing Chrysanthemums, a semi-staged concert featuring some classic pieces by Monteverdi, Puccini, Philip Glass and others

Reginald D Hunter Thursday 30 April, 8pm

and some new compositions from Seaman and Al-Roubi. The series of concerts featuring internationally re-known performers at Frant Church continues where you can see the highly acclaimed pianist Alessandro Taverna. >> SATURDAY It’s a busy and active Saturday with Wheels around the Weald starting at Hospice in the Weald in Pembury. Riders start from 7.30am over one of three distances, if you see them give them your support and a wide berth, or register now to take part! And there’s the Dirty Dozen Races bringing mud, water, fire and huge obstacles to the Hop Farm and don’t forget the Parkrun at 9am in Dunorlan.

Today, and on Sunday, down at the Spa Valley Railway, the ever popular Thomas the Tank Engine and friends will be steaming their way to Eridge and entertaining everyone in the engine shed. If you’ve booked, you can even join the Fat Controller for a tea party.

This evening, for one night only, Claire Sweeney has co-written and stars in Sex in Suburbia at The Assembly Hall. A musical comedy about dating, men and finding Mr Right. With audience participation, one for the ladies perhaps?

The monthly Comedy Cafe is back at Trinity this evening. And the Oast Theatre in Tonbridge begins a short run of The Secret Lives of Henry & Alice, a story of marriage, fantasies and pet goldfish... >> SUNDAY On the culture on screen front, Hawkhurst is reshowing The Hard Problem from the National Theatre while Trinity and the Odeon are showing a performance of Ivan the Terrible by the Bolshoi Ballet. >> MONDAY The Easter holidays are over, so you could take advantage of the peace and quiet and head over to Sissinghurst Castle where the head gardener will be leading an exclusive early morning tour of the gardens. >> TUESDAY Today is the start of my pick of the week. TWODS’ production of Sister Act, this musical comedy is based on the 1992 film and although this is a relatively modern show, it will be of the high standard we expect from this long established society.

And don’t forget the quizzes at the Cross Keys and the Bedford.

‘A dangerous funny man’ Independent

assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Box office 01892 530613 Wednesday 15th April 2015

58 � PUZZLES DOUBLE CROSSWORD

Down 2. I get a number to follow through danger (5) 3. Regret being about to level out income (7) 4. Smooth tongue? (6) 5. He doesn’t do much to earn his reputation (5) 6. Mouth-organs (7) 7. They’ll let you have lots at knock down prices (11) 8. He’ll write for you - if the spirit takes him? (5-6) 14. Inject a cubic centimetre into a climber as a safeguard (7) 16. Hardly a full-blooded complaint (7) 17. They once held criminal funds (6) 19. It’s a crime, so ran when disturbed (5) 21. Lad that is treated right may become perfect (5) Scribble pad

15. Capital maxim in time of conflict (6) 18. Do some spelling? (7) 20. Bail arranged by one having a reason for innocence (5) 22. They fly or take a train (5) 23. Firm politician is first on before he introduces acts (7) 24. Sports clubs’ dances hard hit by rackets perhaps? (6,5)

3

9

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8

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16 13

12

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First man Manufacture Nefarious Idle Abominable snowman 6. Article 7. Trappist 8. Potter’s oven

QUICK CLUES:

Across 1. Dumbfound (11) 9. Prodigal (7) 10. Thick (5) 11. Spiral (5) 12. Diffidence (7) 13. Recourse (6) 15. Disclose (6) 18. Cravat (7) 20. Clear (5) 22. Malice (5) 23. Dexterity (7) 24. Ancestry (11)

Down 2. Lariat (5) 3. House-breaker (7) 4. Enrol (6) 5. Pious (5) 6. Genuine (7) 7. Clumsiness (11) 8. Vileness (11) 14. Part (7) 16. Detonate (7) 17. Folk (6) 19. Subject (5) 21. Vigilant (5)

5

9. Not any 10. Gaelic 11. Way out 12. Carpet nail 13. Eager 14. Undiluted 15. Stumble 16. Nuisance

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Keyword clue: A type of bird

SUDOKU

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5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

15

16

17

18

19

20

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A

10. Which actress is playing Fairy Godmother to Lily James’s Cinderella in the new film of that name?

SOLUTIONS

11. Which new three-part BBC4 sitcom stars Miles Jupp as food writer Damien Trench?

12. Which British singer’s chart-topping hits of the 1960s included Get Away and The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde?

13. What is the subtitle to the newly 3. Sweet Soul Music is the title of the released Spongebob Movie? current album from which London-based five-piece harmony group?

14. Who was Lenny Henry’s co-host for this year’s Comic Relief: Face the Funny on 4. Peter Bogdanovich directed Jeff Bridges BBC1? and Cybill Shepherd in which 1971 film, based on a novel by Larry McMurtry?

15. Which Czech 5. In what year did the Channel 4 soap musician had opera Brookside air its last episode? chart hits in the 1980s 6. With which new release have electronica with the TV trio Years & Years have topped the singles chart? theme tunes Miami Vice 7. Which actor played legendary film star Theme and Charlie Chaplin in the 1992 film Chaplin?

Crockett’s 8. Which actress is playing community Theme? psychiatric nurse Liz in the new BBC2 comedy drama Nurse?

Taking the time to smile

CODEWORD: 1=L, 2=F, 3=G, 4=W, 5=Y, 6=T, 7=C, 8=P, 9=Z, 10=E, 11=K, 12=U, 13=M, 14=O, 15=I, 16=B, 17=D, 18=R, 19=S, 20=X, 21=Q, 22=V, 23=A, 24=N, 25=H, 26=J

3

2. Which sitcom starring Oliver Chris and set in an Afghanistan bomb disposal unit has returned for a third series on BBC3?

9. What was the title of British soul band The Foundations’ only Number One hit, in September 1967?

ENTERTAINMENT QUIZ: 1 Eleanor Tomlinson; 2 Bluestone 42; 3 The Overtones; 4 The Last Picture Show; 5 2003; 6 King; 7 Robert Downey, Jr.; 8 Esther Coles; 9 Baby Now That I’ve Found You; 10 Helena Bonham Carter; 11 In and Out of the Kitchen; 12 Georgie Fame; 13 Sponge Out of Water; 14 Davina McCall; 15 Jan Hammer.

2

1. Which actress is playing Demelza Carne in the new BBC1 adaptation of Winston Graham’s Poldark novels?

SUDOKU:

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

14

2

DOUBLE CROSSWORD: Cryptic: Across: 1 Appropriate; 9 Unravel; 10 Lynch; 11 Talon; 12 Sprouts; 13 On view; 15 Warsaw; 18 Enchant; 20 Alibi; 22 Rails; 23 Compere; 24 Tennis balls. Down: 2 Peril; 3 Revenue; 4 Polish; 5 Idler; 6 Tongues; 7 Auctioneers; 8 Ghost-writer; 14 Vaccine; 16 Anaemia; 17 Stocks; 19 Arson; 21 Ideal.

Quick: Across: 1 Flabbergast; 9 Wastrel; 10 Dense; 11 Whorl; 12 Shyness; 13 Resort; 15 Reveal; 18 Necktie; 20 Plain; 22 Spite; 23 Prowess; 24 Antecedents.

Down: 2 Lasso; 3 Burglar; 4 Enlist; 5 Godly; 6 Sincere; 7 Awkwardness; 8 Beastliness; 14 Section; 16 Explode; 17 People; 19 Theme; 21 Alert.

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.

L

1

ENTERTAINMENT QUIZ

CODEWORD

1

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.

WORD SPIRAL: 1 Adam; 2 Make; 3 Evil; 4 Lazy; 5 Yeti; 6 Item; 7 Monk; 8 Kiln; 9 None; 10 Erse; 11 Exit; 12 Tack; 13 Keen; 14 Neat; 15 Trip; 16 Pest.

Keyword: KESTREL

CRYPTIC CLUES: Across 1. Take what is suitable? (11) 9. Sort out the middle of a tune with the composer (7) 10. Carry out an illegal suspension (5) 11. It is in fact a long claw (5) 12. Grows vegetables (7) 13. I’ve now become available for inspection (2,4)

WORD SPIRAL

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14:46

NATURE �

59

Spring beauty of our borough PEACEFUL The flock enjoying the spring sun

NICE TO MEET EWE Mum makes sure the camera keeps its distance

TIMES photographer Craig Matthews took these stunning pictures on a misty morning last week.

Send your pictures of our beautiful borough to newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

MISTY MORNING A pair of lambs take sedate steps

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SOLICITORS

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Keene Marsland, Max Barford & Co and Jevons Riley & Pope are trading names of Parfitt Cresswell Parfitt Cresswell is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority no. 71480

Wednesday 15th April 2015

60 � YOUR TV

OUR PICK OF THE WEEK

WEDNESDAY

THE DELIVERY MAN

MASTERCHEF

GIVE A PET A HOME

Comedy starring Darren Boyd as a policeman who leaves his job to train as a midwife. Finding himself in a predominately female world, Matthew is soon joined by best pal and ex-cop Ian (Paddy McGuinness), who is hired as the hospital’s security guard. In the first episode, a teenage dad tries to visit his pregnant girlfriend without her parents finding out his identity.

John Torode and Gregg Wallace ask the semifinalists to rustle up a dish using scraps, trimmings and leftovers. The ingredients include chicken giblets and skin, bones, pigs’ ears, fish heads and bones, potato peelings and stale bread.

Amanda Holden meets six celebrities as they volunteer to work at an RSPCA centre in Birmingham, helping to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome abandoned animals. Each week, viewers can apply to adopt the featured pets. The stars taking part are Peter Andre, Julian Clary, Kimberly Wyatt, Chris Kamara, Denise Lewis and Coleen Nolan.

ITV, 9.30pm

BBC1, 8pm

THURSDAY

COAST AUSTRALIA

THE SECRET LIFE OF THE PUB

The team focuses on northern New South Wales, with Neil Oliver exploring the town of Byron Bay’s history and Tim Flannery examining the story of a record-breaking raft journey in Ballina. In Woolgoolga, Brendan Moar investigates the historic roots of the largest regional population of Sikhs in the country, while Alice Garner learns about the society created by German internees during the Second World War at South West Rocks.

With the average British man spending 18 months of his life in a pub, a traditional boozer in London’s East End has been rigged with cameras to see what men really say when women are not around and they’re not on their best behaviour.

Contributors include Adam, Lou, Phil, Stu and Jackson, who met 22 years ago as students when they shared a flat. Now that three of them have become dads, they struggle to meet up more than a few times a year.

BBC2, 8pm

BANISHED

BBC2, 9pm

Dawn breaks on the day Tommy is due to be hanged and he shares a tender embrace with his wife Elizabeth in what could be their final moments together.

Meanwhile, James pleads with Governor Phillip to spare his friend’s life and Reverend Johnson beseeches Buckley to forgive his attacker and ask for mercy, while Spragg stirs up the convicts and they express their contempt at the fast-approaching execution.

FRIDAY

MASTERCHEF

WEEKEND ESCAPES WITH WARWICK DAVIS

New series. The actor and TV host takes his family on more mini-breaks across Britain, driving their camper van to some of the nation’s most famous holiday spots. This week, he’s determined to find out whether the Midlands can give St Tropez a run for its money. Starting at the Peak District, Warwick finds himself stranded 40ft up a pole during a stint with Derbyshire Mountain Rescue.

After a tough week, the best six amateur cooks remain, but there are only five places in next week’s finals. Now they face the last challenge to decide who will go through – a single dish to win over three of the country’s leading restaurant critics.

SATURDAY

Jason Mohammad presents coverage of the concluding session on the opening day of the ranking tournament at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, where the first-round match involving Mark Selby reaches a conclusion. Selby is given the honour of being involved in the first fixture of the tournament in his role as reigning champion.

Jason has been sentenced to death for his murderous act, and with the irrepressible might of the High Priests bearing down upon him, it appears there is little anyone can do to save him – even Ariadne seems powerless to secure his release. As Pasiphae tightens her grip on the city, the future looks bleak – until Hercules comes up with a plan involving Medusa that will require him to make a huge personal sacrifice. Mark Addy, Jack Donnelly and Sarah Parish star in the fantasy adventure.

FOR THE LOVE OF CARS

Channel 4, 8pm

New series. Life on Mars star Philip Glenister and renowned car designer Ant Anstead take another trip around the barns and lock-ups of Britain, returning classic motors to their former glory. They begin in Hertfordshire with an Aston Martin DBS - the model driven by George Lazenby in the Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

INDIAN SUMMERS

Channel 4, 9pm

It’s the end of the summer season and Ramu’s fate is left in Ralph’s hands. Now he knows the truth behind the murder, will he let an innocent man hang? A vote takes place at the club to lift the colour bar, and although Ronnie tells Cynthia it was on Willingdon’s orders, she knows it’s really an act of vengeance by Ralph following their recent argument. Alice and Aafrin go public with their relationship.

MONDAY

MASTERCHEF: THE FINALS BBC1, 9pm

SAFE HOUSE

After six weeks of tough competition, the five remaining hopefuls enter the last week – four nights of culinary challenges after which one of them will be crowned MasterChef Champion. They begin by cooking a fivecourse dinner in memory of Winston Churchill at Cambridge University’s Churchill College, trying to replicate a menu devised by leading chef Michael Caines.

After that it’s back to the kitchen to produce a dish inspired by a personal hero – and for one unlucky cook, this will be the last time they wear their MasterChef apron.

ITV, 9pm

Former policeman Robert and his wife Katy gave up their city lives after a witness in his care was shot dead, and he’s been struggling with his guilt ever since. In an attempt to put the past behind them, the couple now run a guest house in the Lake District. But when old colleague DCI Mark Maxwell suggests the building would work as a safe house, Robert takes in a family who are under threat.

Wednesday 15th April 2015

The recovery of a stolen gun leads the team to reinvestigate the death 40 years previously of Jacob Tarlow, a Jewish officer who was involved in recruiting black Americans into the navy in the 1970s. Tarlow had been targeted by Ku Klux Klan members and was found hanged from a tree, but the death was ruled a suicide. The reappearance of the victim’s sidearm is enough evidence to reopen the case and the team is led to Tom Hamilton, an ex-police officer who it is claimed was involved in the attack. Guest starring Dean Stockwell (Quantum Leap).

BBC2, 7pm

BBC1, 7.45pm

TUESDAY

Channel 5, 9pm

LIVE SNOOKER: THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

ATLANTIS

BALLOT MONKEYS Channel 4, 10pm

Comedy by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin, set on the campaign buses of the political parties in the run-up to the election. With much of the programme written just hours before transmission, there will be many topical elements as the candidates’ harassed teams desperately try to avoid gaffes and hold on to their sanity.

LATER LIVE – WITH JOOLS HOLLAND BBC2, 10pm

Channel 4, 10pm

NCIS: NEW ORLEANS

BBC1, 8.30pm

ITV, 8pm

SUNDAY

ITV, 8pm

Jools presents performances by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, with tracks from their latest album Chasing Yesterday, US rapper Kendrick Lamar, whose recent LP To Pimp a Butterfly received great acclaim, and funk legend George Clinton with Parliament Funkadelic. They are joined on the bill by London folk-rockers Mumford & Sons and Senegalese musician Cheikh Lo.

MATCH OF THE DAY LIVE BBC1, 5.05pm

Arsenal v Reading (Kick-off 5.20pm). Gary Lineker introduces coverage of the opening FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium. The Royals have not had to face a single top-flight club on their way to this stage, and there are few positive omens they can take into this match against the Gunners, with the defending champions having beaten Reading in each of their 12 meetings. final With commentary by Steve Wilson and Danny Murphy.

POLDARK

BBC1, 9pm

Ross is struggling to keep the smelting company afloat – not helped by George’s determination to crush it. Not only is his enemy outbidding him for vital copper at every turn, but he is also looking for ways of getting to his secret shareholders. And when Francis falls out with his cousin over Verity’s romance with Captain Blamey, it seems that George has finally found the ally he needs.

TRAVEL MAN: 48 HOURS IN MARRAKECH Channel 4, 8.30pm

Richard Ayoade is joined by comedy actor Stephen Mangan for a weekend in the Moroccan city. Wanting to experience its famous street food, the pair sample a local delicacy of steamed sheep’s head – an eye-opening culinary experience for them both. They then take a hotair balloon flight over the Atlas Mountains with breathtaking views, watch a traditional story-telling performance and visit the historic Saadian tombs, as well as Marrakech’s ancient tanneries.

ORDINARY LIES BBC1, 9pm

Sixteen months after Beth’s husband Dave went missing, she feels ready to move on – until she receives unexpected news that leaves her reeling. Leaving the kids with her mother-in-law, she travels to Margate – where she is forced to decide whether to leave her old life behind or move on with company boss Mike.

YOUR TV �

MILLION POUND PROPERTIES

LIVE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

NEWZOIDS ITV, 9pm

Channel 4, 8pm

Filmed over one of the most unpredictable years for the housing market, this documentary reveals what a seven-figure price tag actually buys across the nation and uncovers a council house millionaire.

BBC ELECTION DEBATE 2015

ICE RINK ON THE ESTATE

David Dimbleby hosts a debate at Westminster Central Hall, featuring leaders of five opposition parties in the General Election campaign, ahead of the poll on May 7. Taking part are Green Party leader Natalie Bennett, UKIP’s Nigel Farage, Labour leader Ed Miliband, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood.

Olympic icons Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have persuaded local teenagers to take part in their planned show, which they want to stage in a pop-up ice rink in the city’s deprived St Ann’s area. After taking part in their daunting first performance, this week the recruits pull together.

BBC2, 9pm

Diarmaid MacCulloch examines how the Christian Church took control of marriage in the 11th century and turned a civil institution into a sacred rite, as well as forbidding its own clergy from taking spouses – ending a thousand years of clerical marriages. The historian then explores how a sexual revolution took place in the 16th century when German monk Martin Luther started to rail against the power and corruption of the pope and the Catholic Church.

BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT

ITV, 8pm

The annual search for a star continues as more auditionees try to win over Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon with their talents. The acts all have their eyes on the prize of £250,000 and a slot at this year’s Royal Variety Performance. And with the return of the golden buzzers, the judges, as well as hosts Ant and Dec, each have the power to send one act straight through.

COAST AUSTRALIA BBC2, 8,10pm

The team focuses on the south-west corner of Australia, taking in the coastline from Perth to Augusta. Neil Oliver boards a replica of a 16th-century Dutch ship, the firstknown European vessel to visit the country, learns of the professional triumph and personal tragedy behind the construction of Fremantle Harbour.

ITV, 9pm

SLOW TRAIN THROUGH AFRICA WITH GRIFF RHYS JONES ITV, 9pm

The comedian attempts to zigzag his way 1,200 miles through Kenya and Tanzania, beginning his journey on a vintage steam locomotive designed in Glasgow.

LIVE FORD SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Sky Sports 1, 4.45pm

Chelsea v Manchester United.

Coverage of the Premier League match, where a victory for either team will aid their aspirations. The Blues are clear favourites to win the title, with none of their rivals able to put together a strong enough run to stop them.

ONE BORN EVERY MINUTE

Channel 4, 9pm

Elisha, 17, and Dylan, 19, talk about how they didn’t even realise they were expecting until she was six months pregnant. Gemma and proud Greek Kosta, both 30, are caught in a clash of cultures over their first baby, with Kosta hoping for a boy.

The Monte-Carlo Masters.

Coverage of the fifth day’s play. Eight-time champion Rafael Nadal sealed his place in the quarter-finals with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Andreas Seppi at this stage of last year’s tournament.

The teams head to the circus for a photoshoot as the competition narrows and the divide in the loft grows, but an unexpected event leads to the departure of one of the girls.

Sky Sports 3, 9.30am

Sky Living, 8pm

Norwich City v Middlesbrough (Kick-off 7.45pm). Coverage of the Championship clash from Carrow Road, where two of the promotion contenders face each other. The race for a place in next season’s Premier League is as open as ever, with the Canaries and Boro among the leading candidates for much of the campaign.

After new evidence proves Liz and Cooper lied under oath, Red and Ressler track down Liz’s ex-husband Tom Keen in a bid to make him take the fall for Liz and the FBI in court. They find Tom in the middle of an arms deal in Dresden, Germany, and their plan to cut his ties to his new drugs ring backfires.

Sky Living, 9pm

CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION

CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION

Channel 5, 10.10pm

The team learns the suspect in the Gig Harbour killings is being released from jail due to lack of evidence, and DB’s daughter Maya asks her father if she can return to Seattle because she has been having nightmares about the case. A planned airport escort goes awry when her assigned officers are drawn to a nearby shooting.

Sky Living, 8pm

The CSIs are called in when 16-year-old Debbie Logan is found dead, with evidence of sexual assault, in a car parked on a desert highway.

LIVE FORD SUPER SUNDAY

BONES

Sky Sports 1, 3.30pm

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur (Kick-off 4.00pm). Coverage of the Premier League clash from St James’ Park, where Spurs claimed a 4-0 win last season. The hosts will be keen to avoid their campaign ending on a quiet note as they occupy a comfortable mid-table position under coach John Carver, and they will need to be on form against Spurs, who are chasing a place in the top four.

THE GADGET SHOW Channel 5, 7pm

The Harlem Globetrotters help Jon Bentley test a range of Bluetooth in-ear headphones and Jason Bradbury attempts to breathe new life into an old bedside lamp and an FM radio.

LIVE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

BRITAIN’S HORROR HOMES

Barcelona v Paris Saint-Germain (Kick-off 7.45pm). Mark Pougatch presents coverage of the quarterfinal second-leg encounter. This is the third time in as many seasons that the Spanish and French giants have been drawn against each other in European football’s premier club competition.

A Lytham St Annes man reveals how his newly renovated property was left in an unrecognisable state by tenants who left him with a repair bill of £10,000. A woman in Essex discovers that the water continually flooding the garden of her 17th-century timber cottage is in fact sewage.

ITV, 7.30pm

THE FACE AUSTRALIA

THE BLACKLIST

New series. The Diversity leader heads to America to find out about his idol Michael Jackson, and the album that catapulted him to global superstardom in 1982. He meets engineer Bruce Swedien, keyboard player Greg Phillinganes, video directors Steve Barron and Bob Giraldi and choreographer Vincent Paterson, who talk about their experiences of working with the King of Pop.

New series. MasterChef meets The Apprentice as Alex Polizzi takes on the challenge of finding new head chefs for restaurants that have a desperate need to fill a vacancy. Over four nights, she offers up a total of nine candidates who are put through a rigorous interview and testing process, with only the very best making it through to the final. She begins her search at The Gilpin in the Lake District.

LIVE ATP MASTERS TENNIS

Sky Sports 1, 7.30pm

ITV, 10.15pm

ALEX POLIZZI: CHEFS ON TRIAL

The body of an ex-con is found in pieces, leading Booth and Aubrey to a local bakery that is known to employ former convicts. They then investigate suspects from the victim’s past when Brennan and the team discover that he had been involved in a botched robbery.

FL72 LIVE

PERSPECTIVES: MICHAEL JACKSON’S THRILLER WITH ASHLEY BANJO

BBC2, 8pm

Sky Living, 9pm

FC Porto v Bayern Munich (Kick-off 7.45pm). All the action from the quarter-final first-leg tie at the Estadio do Dragao, where Porto entertain the German champions. The hosts are undefeated in this season’s competition, but that record is about to be put to the sternest of tests of Pep Guardiola’s men, who are one of the favourites for glory and possess a frightening array of attacking talent. Paris Saint-Germain v Barcelona is avalaible to watch on Sky Sports 1 from 7.15pm.

BBC1, 8pm

SEX AND THE CHURCH

BONES

Sky Sports 5, 7.40pm

Satirical sketch show blending traditional puppetry and animation, poking fun at politicians in the buildup to the election, as well as the royals, stars from the worlds of sport, TV and music, and some international despots. Featuring the voices of impressionists Jon Culshaw, Debra Stephenson, Lewis Macleod and Simon Greenall.

61

Channel 5, 8pm

GOTHAM

Channel 5, 9pm

Gordon and Bullock investigate a series of bank robberies in which the thieves create a diversion by throwing money into the air in the streets and causing mayhem, while Alfred is visited by an old SAS comrade who is down on his luck.

ELEMENTARY

Sky Living, 9pm

Holmes and Watson suspect that professional jealousy is the motive when a driver for a ride-sharing company is deliberately run over by a city cab. However, Sherlock’s attentions are deflected away from the case when his casual relationship with Agatha Spurrell takes an unexpected turn. Crime drama, starring Jonny Lee Miller.

Sky Living, 9pm

The body of an ex-con is found in pieces, leading Booth and Aubrey to a local bakery that is known to employ former convicts. They then investigate suspects from the victim’s past when Brennan and the team discover that he had been involved in a botched robbery.

CRIMINAL MINDS

Sky Living, 9pm

The BAU joins the hunt for a serial killer operating in Wisconsin who has developed a deadly obsession with a raunchy best-selling novel. Drama, with Jennifer Love Hewitt.

FAMILY SECRETS & LIES

Channel 5, 10pm

Documentary examining the stories of people who have become involved in feuds with their nearest and dearest. In Hull, Melissa reveals how she has been cut off from most of her family since she announced that she was undergoing genderreassignment surgery.

Wednesday 15th April 2015

62 � MOTORS

‘If this car was a Top Gear presenter, it would be looking for a new job’

BY MATT JOY

Classic Car

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Wednesday 15th April 2015

This Porsche-chasing Range Rover Sport SVR is huge fun WHAT’S NEW? At first glance, the Range Rover Sport SVR should be recognisable, if somewhat different from how you remember it. This is the pumped-up, pimped-out Sport, and while that might seem a world away from a typical Range Rover, the reality is buyers want more - which the SVR supplies in spades.

So with an SVR, you get 20-inch wheels (with the option of 21s) and other modest external flourishes including more vents at the front, side skirts and a large spoiler on top of the tailgate. More importantly there’s more power under the bonnet from the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 and revised damper settings for better control. The interior also gets some smart new seats and a retrim.

LOOKS AND IMAGE If it’s subtle you’re after, the SVR might not be for you. Yes, finished in black you might mistake it for a standard car, but one brief blast from the exhaust will change all that. It squats on its huge wheels and the big front air vents – essential for cooling the engine and brakes – certainly give it some significant menace. It’s clear that Land Rover is going Porsche-chasing with the SVR, and although the name tag is new, it probably won’t be long before the SVR logo signifies business.

Space and practicality: Happily, the SVR doesn’t give away much in the way of practicality compared to the standard Range Rover Sport. The only concession is the reshaped rear seat, which while still offering three seat belts is really optimised for two.

However, there’s still plenty of space front and rear, and although it’s not as big as a full-size Range Rover, you should be able to deal with most eventualities.It even retains a useful amount of off-road ability; quite a lot more than anyone spending this much money would dare use in any case.

BEHIND THE WHEEL From the moment you start the engine, the SVR lets you know that performance is the name of the game. There’s a snarl from the exhaust that wouldn’t be out of place in something with two seats, and there’s the performance to back it up; the SVR has 543bhp to power it along and you hear every single one of them as it tears along. For a car weighing 2.3 tonnes, the SVR is hilariously fast.

MOTORS �

63

It doesn’t fall apart when you try to do anything other than go in a straight line either. It is tall, but the steering is sharper than that of the standard car which helps you accurately place it on the road. The suspension changes are modest but the SVR can be hurled about with impressive ease for something so large, and the brakes are more than a match for the performance. Ultimately it’s huge fun, but capable of being calm and controlled when you need it to be.

VALUE FOR MONEY Make no mistake, the SVR is an expensive car; £93,450 before options to be precise, but then you are in no doubt that you’re getting a lot for your money. The sporty new seats, leather everywhere, a slick infotainment system (although there’s a high-end Meridian system for another £5k), climate control, reversing camera - you name it. It’s worth remembering at this end of the market, price isn’t so much of an issue as it is a badge of honour.

WHO WOULD BUY ONE? Anyone who thinks the standard Range Rover Sport Supercharged – 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds and 155mph flat-out – isn’t quite fast enough will love the SVR, and while that might seem like a pretty small audience, the truth is the SUV market continues to grow whether you’re spending £10,000 or £100,000. It’s no harder to live with than any other Range Rover (with the possible exception of petrol station visits) yet is undoubtedly more fun than any other.

THIS CAR SUMMED UP IN A SINGLE WORD Grunty IF THIS CAR WAS A...

Top Gear presenter, it would be looking for a new job.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

RANGE ROVER SPORT SVR £93,450 ENGINE 5.0-LITRE PETROL UNIT PRODUCING 543BHP AND 502LB/FT OF TORQUE TRANSMISSION EIGHT-SPEED AUTOMATIC DRIVING ALL FOUR WHEELS PERFORMANCE TOP SPEED 162MPH, 0-62MPH IN 4.7 SECONDS ECONOMY 22.1MPG COMBINED EMISSIONS 291G/KM OF CO2

Wednesday 15th April 2015

Cooper Tunbridge Wells

The Ultimate Driving Machine

I

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BMW 4 SERIES CONVERTIBLE. IMPRESSIVE. FROM EVERY PERSPECTIVE. Elegant styling, aerodynamic details, sporty proportions- the BMW 4 Series Convertible delights your senses visually too. Inside, choice materials, elegant leather upholstery and atmospheric interior lighting are always a feast for the eyes.

The new BMW 4 Series Convertible accelerates through each bend and immediately captivates attention, from whichever angle. It exercises an irresistible aesthetic appeal with a distinctive design that expresses a readiness to leap in to action.

With the Retractable Hard-Top open or closed, the BMW 4 Series Convertible is prepared to take the world by storm. The state-of-the-art technologies from BMW Connected Drive and an interior perfectly tailored to the driver's needs make for a superbly comfortable drive and enhance the unique driving experience in the BMW 4 Series Convertible.

Every detail of this car evokes one thing above all: the irresistible feeling of pure freedom.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, AND TO ARRANGE A TEST DRIVE*, PLEASE CONTACT COOPER TUNBRIDGE WELLS TODAY.

Cooper Tunbridge Wells Longfield Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3UE 01892 629 503 www.coopertunbridgewellsbmw.co.uk

BMW EfficientDynamics Less emissions. More driving pleasure.

Official Fuel Economy Figures for the BMW Range: Extra Urban 26.2-83.1 mpg (1 0.8-3.4111 OOkm). Urban 14.664.2mpg ( 19.3-4.41/1 OOkm). Combined 20.3-7 4.3mpg ( 13.9-3.81/1 OOkm). C0 2 emissions 325-99g/km.

Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions. *Test drive subject to applicant status and availability. BMW EfficientDynamics reduces BMW emissions without compromising performance developments and is standard across the model range.

66 � TRAVEL

Embracing excess in Jakarta

HISTORY

Colonial buildings on Kali Besar canal

• By Andy Welch

TRAVEL FACTS � Andy Welch was a guest of Garuda Indonesia www.garuda-indonesia. com who offer flights from London Gatwick to Jakarta five times a week, from £528 return, per person, in economy class, including 30kg baggage allowance.

IMPOSING

The National Monument

JAKARTA is a relentless city.

Noisy, humid, traffic in gridlock - the Indonesian capital, on the northwest island of Java, is like nowhere else.

And now Garuda Indonesia, the country’s national airline, is flying there direct from London (with a touch-down in Amsterdam), it’s a city open to more visitors than ever before.

During the 1990s, Garuda didn’t have the best reputation. But thanks to a long break and new ownership, the airline has completely transformed.

From hitting rock bottom, it’s now one of only seven five-star airlines in the world, and in 2013 was named world’s best economy class

by Skytrax, providers of the industry’s top global benchmark.

It’s difficult to judge how far SoekarnoHatta airport is from the centre of Jakarta.

Conservative estimates suggest an hour, although my journey takes more like three.

So bad is the traffic in Jakarta that lateness to appointments is not just tolerated but factored in.

During peak hours, the city almost completely comes to a standstill, and there

aren’t many pavements so walking is normally out of the question.

In light of this, Jakartans have decided the best way of getting from A to B is by scooter.

There are about seven million of the twowheelers in the city, making every traffic light and junction look more like an off-road rally.

Tourists can hire scooters, but it’s not the most relaxing way of getting around. Instead, it’s best to plan carefully what you’re going to do and set off early.

One place you should visit is the Jakarta History Museum in the old town hall of Batavia. It’s a well-maintained colonial building dating back to the 17th century (when Jakarta was part of the Dutch empire), as beautiful on the outside as it is interesting on the inside.

There are multiple ornate rooms with maps, furnishings, weapons and artworks detailing the city’s colourful past.

National Monument is another spot worthy of your time. Not unlike Nelson’s Column in appearance, it was built to recognise Indonesia’s struggle for independence in the 1940s.

Here, you can sit, enjoy an ice-cold drink from one of the many vendors, and hopefully take in some rare quiet. During my

‘Tradition is a big deal in Indonesia, and there are many sites explaining the country’s rich and varied past’ Wednesday 15th April 2015

TRAVEL �

visit, there aren’t many people around here at all, giving the place an oddly tranquil feel.

Tradition is a big deal in Indonesia, and there are many sites explaining the country’s rich and varied past. But with a population of about 240 million, making it the world’s fourth most populous country, and a staggering 50 per cent of the inhabitants aged below 30, the future is going to be infinitely more exciting.

As a result of that youthful boom, Indonesia is in transition from slightly creaking former colony to world-leading technology hub. And as a stopover en route to the Indonesian islands or even Australia, it’s quietly fascinating.

WHERE TO STAY The Hermitage www.lhw.com/hermitagejakarta It’s among the most luxurious hotels in Jakarta, and is certainly one of the newest. Despite a recent extensive renovation and extension, the beautiful art deco building contains many nods to its former existence as a government office, a school and a telephone exchange.

A swim in the open-air rooftop pool provides the perfect start to a day, and soaking up the view at sunset, while sipping a gin and tonic, is about as relaxing as it gets.

The rooms, all marble and glass, are very tasteful, and the food in the restaurant is second-to-none, catering for any taste. The cheapest room is

about £140 a night for real five-star luxury and worth every penny.

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DRAMATIC

The Jakartan skyline

WHAT TO SEE Grand Indonesia Shopping Town www.grand-indonesia.com This is one of the largest malls in Asia, and whether you’re looking to pick up some bargains and visit the high-end boutiques or not, it’s worth seeing simply to experience how big and confusing a shopping centre can be.

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK Skye www.ismaya.com/skye The nightlife in Jakarta should be investigated. There’s a thriving ex-pat scene, so if you don’t want to venture too far into the city’s underbelly, you don’t have to.

Skye bar and restaurant is particularly popular with tourists and well-to-do locals. Situated on the 56th floor of an office tower, it’s easy to see why you get an incredible view of the city, with its neon towers and high-rise apartments.

Eastern Promise (epjakarta.com) This Jakartan take on a pub offers great food, dartboards and pool tables, and it’s nowhere near as seedy as the name suggests.

Cafe Batavia www.cafebatavia.com Opposite the National Museum in Old Batavia, this Dutch colonial restaurant is also the second-oldest building in Jakarta. The menu includes western, Japanese and delicious local cuisine.

An evening with Simon Reeve Baldwins Travel Group and Kuoni invite you to Salomons Estate Tunbridge Wells to hear Simon Reeve talk about his latest adventures in the Caribbean.

His latest series for the BBC which has been aired over the past 3 weeks has seen him explore the mainland territories as well the islands, to investigate the issues in the region.

Join us on Wednesday 29th April at 7pm for a glass of Fruit Punch before sitting down to hear about Simon’s travels.

A question and answer session will follow.

Simon Reeve travels around the edge of the Caribbean Sea, three part series – available now on BBC iPlayer.

Tickets are £15* per person and can be booked online www.ticketsource.co.uk/btg or contact your local branch of Baldwins Travel Group *booking fee applies

Thank you to everyone who entered our amazing St Lucia holiday competition!

Keep your eyes peeled for the winner announced in next week’s paper…

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Kent & East Sussex Award winning travel agency group

Wednesday 15th April 2015

68 � ARTS & CULTURE

How LAMPS are lighting up the town with their sing-along style LAMPS FACTS:

DANCE Lamps put on Pack up Your Troubles in September 2014

LAMPS (Local Amateur Musical Players) FOUNDED 1928 WEB www.lamps.org.uk TEL 0845 241 2573 EMAIL lampsarelit@gmail.com TWITTER @LAMPSTheatre ANNUAL NUMBER OF SHOWS 2 MEMBER OF Noda (the National Operatic and Dramatic Association) ANNUAL PATRON MEMBERSHIP £35 FORMER PERFORMANCE VENUE Royal Victoria Hall Theatre, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells SUPPORT Friends of Royal Victoria Hall – www.friendsofroyalvictoriahall.org.uk CONTACT friendsofroyalvictoriahall@gmail.com

WITH a wealth of amateur dramatic societies thriving in and around Tunbridge Wells, there’s plenty of singalong entertainment available on our doorstep. Here, Andrew Swann, chairman of the Local Amateur Musical Players (LAMPS), tells us how the town’s culture is changing and what the closure of the Royal Victoria Hall Theatre in Southborough has meant for this historic group…

• By Fred Latty Tell us about the background of the society Lamps was started in 1928 as a fundraising initiative for Tonbridge Juddians Rugby Club, but didn’t really form until 1949 when they did their first show. Originally, we only put one show on a year, but then moved it up to two in the late 80s and early 90s. I got involved ten years ago and have mostly been acting, singing or dancing. I’ve done set-painting, do all their graphic design artwork and have directed two shows myself. I then took over as chairman three and a half years ago.

What kind of productions do you put on?

We’re a solely musical society and we only ever put on musicals that are already in existence.

We’ve done three variety shows in the last three years and try and ride on the back of what’s going on in the world at the moment; there’s a demand for comedy, musicals and shows that are a bit more risqué. For a relatively small theatre group, we like to try and push the boundaries as much as we can and do interesting things. We perform at a small theatre and have relatively minor budgets, which can be anywhere between £5,000 and £25,000.

How did the closure of the Royal Victoria Hall in Southborough earlier this year affect you?

We’ve performed at the RVH for 59 years, so that’s where we’ve been for two-thirds of our

Wednesday 15th April 2015

life. We had to cancel our spring show and are looking for an alternative venue with a similar price range and flexibility. We’re in negotiations with the EM Forster Theatre in Tonbridge to hopefully perform there – because we’re a Tonbridge-based society, it would be lovely to go back. At the moment we’re very much in limbo and hoping that either the RVH will reopen or an alternative space will come along.

Can you tell us more about what went wrong with the RVH? I support the Friends of Royal Victoria Hall campaign and it’s our belief it’s been left to run down to the point where it’s now going to cost tens of thousands of pounds to repair instead of doing the running repairs as they need to.

They’re holding the reins a little too tightly and I think they see it as a noose around their neck.

It’s a lovely venue; it’s just a shame it has been dug into the ground.

Is LAMPS run professionally or voluntarily?

It’s solely run by volunteers. Sometimes it can be as low as 30, other times it’s as high as 100 members – it really depends on the type of show. The only people that get paid on a per-show basis are the directors, choreographers and musical directors, who usually get a nominal fee. We know they’re few and far between, so you have to provide a small financial incentive to certain areas. You can’t run everything on volunteers; it’s just not possible.

Where do you receive your funding?

Financially, we operate in two or three different ways. Principally, we’re self-funded, so a show we put on has to generate its own budget back.

That money would then be put into the next show. We’ve had grants from the council and we won a cash award a few years ago. You might get £1,000 here, £1,000 there, but principally, we work on our own funding.

Does being so close to London affect the society at all?

It has a very real impact in that we can’t perform any shows on in London. There’s an amateur licensing agreement that any show being professionally performed in London can’t be performed within a 50-mile radius.

What measures do you take to appeal to a younger audience?

It’s always fairly mixed. We generally put family shows on, as most musicals tend to be written for family audiences anyway. We try and make sure shows are well-rounded wherever possible.

Has the recession had an impact on you?

People are still reeling from not having huge excesses in their pockets to go and see a show.

It’s fine for a single person to go but when you’re talking about a family, they can easily splurge £50 and people don’t have that for an evening all the time. It’s tough and it really has impacted hugely.

ARTS & CULTURE �

69

PAST PRODUCTIONS: 2014 • A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum • Pack Up Your Troubles 2013: • Return to the

Forbidden Planet 2012 • Putting on the Blitz (won NODA Regional Award for Excellence) • Putting on the Glitz

2011 • The Pajama Game • The Producers

2009 • Seussical • Oklahoma

2007 • The Boy Friend • The Wizard of Oz

2005 • The Music Man • The Mikado

2010 • The Full Monty • Beauty and the Beast

2008 • Summer Holiday • Thoroughly Modern Millie

2006 • Much Ado about Musicals • How to Succeed in Business

2004 • Godspell • Annie Get Your Gun

2003 • Anything Goes • Fiddler on the Roof 2002 • Bugsy Malone • Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

2001 • Sweet Charity • Oliver!

2000 • Pirates of Penzance • Oklahoma

CAST A LAMPS performance of The Producers Have you come up with ways to combat this problem?

The reason we put on variety shows is purely fiscal-based. If we do a variety show, we don’t pay any rights and we don’t have to have an orchestra, so we reduce our costs. You also reduce rehearsal space because you might only rehearse once a week in a venue rather than three times. The first variety show we did came in somewhere in the region of £4,000 or £5,000 and it brought in a similar amount of profit, but that’s almost unheard-of and we were very lucky, so we’ll always bring the budget down accordingly if need be.

Can you elaborate on how you do that?

We’ve had to do analysis of budgets from the last five and ten years to see what shows are working. We plan accordingly and try and build up a programme for the next two years; if we see after a year that it’s not working, we readdress it. It’s an evolving catalogue.

Has Tunbridge Wells culture changed in recent years?

I’ve definitely seen an improvement in the diversity of the way Tunbridge Wells operates.

There’s a wider variety of things people can go to and don’t have to pay for. That’s quite key; people have recognised there’s a value in social interaction above and beyond ticket costs. People are trading things rather than money. When people donate something – a performance or a piece of art – those who watch it are much more likely to be generous with what they give.

What are your most profitable shows?

In the last five years, the shows that have made the most money versus cost have been the variety shows, but they also have cost because they’re hugely time-intensive.

You’re not only rehearsing for two or three months, you’re spending three or four months before that creating and putting the show together, and there are only so many

people with the experience and skill to do that well. It’s not just a case of putting a few songs in order and stringing them together – that doesn’t make a show anyone wants to watch – so you have to find the right person who wants to do that.

Where you would like the society to go in the future?

Every single person who does it loves being involved in a group effort. One of the reasons I do it is because you can turn a piece of paper into an emotion. If people come with absolutely no expectations and walk out beaming or wanting to tell their friends about it, we’ve succeeded. With a musical, you can make people laugh and cry; it’s like going into sixth gear in theatre.

With a play, you need to work the audience really gently to make them laugh or cry, but in musicals, there’s something about the way that you can sidestep and accelerate that process; you can have someone

laughing in one song and crying the next. From my point of view, I just want to be able to carry on doing that with our society.

What challenges do you face and how do you deal with them?

The challenge is engaging people’s imaginations. You have to engage your cast and get them on the same side as you, and then keep doing that. You have to make sure they’re giving you what you want and you have to get that through to the audience and engage with the public to come and see the show. It’s about engaging at every step of the journey, otherwise you’ve failed, because you won’t sell a show that’s not engaging.

Everything is shouting these days visually; it’s bigger, bolder and brasher and there’s more money available to spend, so you have to box clever and try and find an angle.

• CINEMA • LIVE ENTERTAINMENT • LIVE MUSIC • COMEDY • DRAMA • MUSICALS • OPERA • BALLET Search Stag Sevenoaks Wednesday 15th April 2015

70 � THE GREAT OUTDOORS

with Kent Barker

Own your village shop for a tenner THEY seem to have managed it in Ambridge.

The question is: can we do it here? Set up a community shop that is.

For some time a question mark has hung over the future of our little village grocers.

The current owners – mother and daughter – wanted to sell up and move on and, not unreasonably, needed to achieve a fair price for their premises known as the Poplars. This is an old and attractive detached building with accommodation above, located in the heart of the village. So it was on the market for a fairly high sum. High enough to make the idea of continuing to run a shop there uneconomic.

So the ‘for sale’ sign was up for more than a year with no takers. And that was of growing concern to a considerable number of residents. There are several reasons why a village shop is important. Tradition obviously – and convenience. But, to be frank, most people pop into the nearest town to Tesco or go slightly further afield to Waitrose for their shopping.

We are in a pretty wealthy area. Homes can change hands for around the million mark – especially if there’s a paddock attached for the ponies and room for the tennis court or swimming pool. But there are also quite a few more modest homes and quite a bit of social

housing. Not to mention the old council places which have been sold off but are still relatively affordable. So, hidden among the Range Rovers, BMW X5s and Porsche Cayennes are a number of elderly, down-at-heel Ford Fiestas.

And there are a surprising number of people who don’t have a car at all - for whom popping out to a nearby town isn’t really an option.

Now, of course, you can get your shopping delivered from the big supermarkets. But that assumes you are computer literate. And the trouble is that the very people who don’t have cars and might want the delivery service are likely to be the very same people most unable or unwilling to shop online.

There is another factor as well. Loneliness.

Elderly people living in the country often don’t have much social contact. A report from Age UK showed that half of Britons over 75 are living alone. And that 600,000 elderly people leave their houses just once a week or less. Proportionally, there are more elderly people living in rural communities than in towns. Half the population living in the countryside is over 45 compared to 36 per cent living in major urban areas. So the threat of closure of a village shop or post office – or both – is really serious for the elderly, the infirm or the poor, as it provides

Read more at KentCountryMatters.Blogspot.com

COMMUNITY The shop will be run by volunteers

Wednesday 15th April 2015

FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH

PHOTOGRAPH: Felbridge Showground

Country matters

not just goods and services, but social intercourse and support.

Now, I accept that a small business such as a shop cannot be run as part of our social services. (Well actually it could be, but not in our current political climate where individualism and self-interest seem always to trump communality and social caring.) But there are things that could be done. Using the Post Office to help hard-pressed local shops for instance. But, having privatised it, the government has watched the Post Office embark on a massive restructuring known as Network Transformation, with 2,000 sub-post offices due to become ‘locals’ over the next couple of years.

The ‘local’ will be stripped of many roles, including handling international parcels and domestic ones over 20kg. The ability to pay bills manually will go, as will passport, car tax and DVLA services. And, most importantly, the retainer paid to the shopkeeper will also disappear.

Anyway, to return to the more parochial problems of our own threatened village shop, a working party was set up and reported that a community venture might be possible, but not in the old premises. The parish council looked at alternatives, but couldn’t see any viable sites.

It was suggested that converting the public toilet block might be feasible – though the memory of its former use might have been a tad off-putting to shoppers seeking fresh produce.

And so things remained in abeyance until a chance discussion with one of our larger local businesses – Benenden girls’ school. It seemed they urgently need more residences for staff and were prepared to buy the Poplars for the accommodation above. A slightly altered shop premises is to be offered back to a community benefit society on a long lease at an affordable rent.

The new community shop will be owned by villagers who have bought £10 shares and who will elect a management committee to run it with volunteers and a few paid staff. It seems a win-win situation, and I think we’ve been extremely lucky to find a local benefactor.

Other equally deserving villages may not be so fortunate.

• By Eleanor Jones I DON’T think anyone can disagree that this time of year is wonderful.

For me, and other horse-owners, it means the mud has finally dried up. You might think you know about mud if you play football or if you’ve been to a Bonfire Night display in high heels but until your boot’s been sucked off by the force of the part-liquid calf-deep mire that a horses’ field gateway becomes in winter, and you lose your balance and put your socked foot firmly down into it, you ain’t seen nothing.

It’s also true that when most horses out in the field decide to have a good roll, they will choose the wettest, muddiest place possible, which means they come in resembling hippopotamuses, with mud in places you would think impossible.

(Squirrel manages to get it inside her ears and on her forehead, and then objects strongly when I try to brush it off).

But by now, not only is this but a memory, the ankle-breaking ruts said gateway dries into – it always seems to go from liquid to diamond-hard with no middle ground – are wearing down and, surely, the grass will start growing soon.

Spring means being able to ride in daylight during the week, rather than braving the less-than-brilliant floodlights, one of which is next to an overhanging oak tree so on a windy night, the shadows jump about enough to make riding even the sanest horse an interesting experience.

The longer days also mean I can see Panther instantly when I go to catch her in the evenings, so her winter game of hiding in the shadows with her black rug on, complete with innocent ‘oh, were you looking for me?’ face when finally tracked down, is at an end.

There are times when, I’m sure like other horse-owners, I seriously doubt my sanity for choosing this as a ‘hobby’ rather than knitting, for example. Such as when you’re ploughing through said mud at 8pm on a Friday, looking for said horse, while a howling gale razors the pouring rain into your face.

Or when you arrive at the yard in darkness and temperatures of -6C, knowing you’ve got to break the ice on the field troughs and fish it out – by hand – to stop them re-freezing.

At times like these, crocheting or stampcollecting seem entirely more viable options.

But when the daffodils and the blossom are out, when you’re covered in hair shed by the horses as they change into their shiny summer coats, when even the sprawling muck heap looks better in the occasional sunshine, that’s when you realise it wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

It’s also a good time to go searching for that lost boot buried in the gateway.

INDOORS & OUTDOORS �

71

Kent’s potential for a silver season 125 YEARS

OF GLORIOUS

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SQUAD Home-grown talent makes up much of this year’s team

Coach hopes county’s young guns will come good in 2015 HEAD coach Jimmy Adams believes Kent Cricket’s young prospects have the potential to come good and win silverware this year.

With the new season to start in earnest this weekend, as Kent head to Chelmsford to face Essex in the season opener of the County Championship, fans will be hoping this campaign is the one that sees the Kent young guns challenge.

Homegrown talents Joe Denly and Matt Coles have made a return to the county where they came through the system in the winter, bolstering a largely home-grown squad, with 14 of the 23 players having featured in Kent’s age groups.

Both players will complement the experience already in the squad with the likes of Rob Key and Darren Stevens to shoulder the burden of encouraging young talents such as Sam Billings, Daniel Bell-Drummond and Fabian Cowdrey.

For former West Indies batsman Jimmy Adams, this is the year that could see Kent challenge for titles.

He said: “We’ve got the nucleus of a very good squad and although it’s unlikely we’ll have an overseas signing, I believe we’ve got what it takes to go one further than last year.

“The guys are all a year older, a year wiser and they have developed as cricketers and as humans. If they all play to their potential, there is no reason we can’t do something special.

“We’ve got exciting young talents, with Sam Billings having been linked with playing for England, but it’s not all about one man as we have a team of talented individuals.

“We are rightly proud to have James Tredwell in the West Indies

playing for England and there are five or six in the squad who could easily play international cricket, either for the first time or to resume their international careers.

“Getting Joe Denly and Matt Coles back is like two overseas signings as Joe has played for England and Matt is one of the most talented bowlers in the country.

“If we get the best out of both of them, we won’t be worrying about why we haven’t had an overseas and in a way it could be a good thing for Kent Cricket as we will be giving opportunities to local lads.

“We’ve got competition for places throughout the squad and on paper we should be challenging, but there is a long way to go before the end of the season and we must make sure we start with a competitive appearance against Essex.”

One of the major advantages of having a largely home-grown squad is that fans will be able to identify with their stars and Adams hopes fans come out in their numbers.

He said: “We’ve got some fantastic fixtures to come and it’s nice that we get to play cricket all across the county in fantastic grounds such as Tunbridge Wells and Beckenham as well as Canterbury.

“It’s important we take cricket to all corners of the county, so as we inspire the next generation of cricketers as they could be the life blood of the team in many years to come.”

Kent’s first fixture within the county is against Leicestershire from Sunday, May 3 in Canterbury.

Almost perfect start for Frant motorsport team JOTA Sport got their 2015 European Le Mans series under way with an impressive second-place finish.

It was a great start for the team from Frant at Silverstone on Saturday. Simon Dolan, Filipe Albuquerque and Harry Tincknell brought their Gibson 015S Nissan home less than one second behind the winning car in the action-packed 433mile ELMS opener.

Albuquerque started the Gibson from the front row on the 31-car grid after Tincknell had set the second fastest time

in qualifying on the 3.667-mile Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.

The Portuguese Audi Sport driver moved into the lead within half an hour and handed over the Gibson to Dolan.

With the first driver change pit-stops completed, Dolan lay second.

Dolan pitted with 44mins remaining, with Tincknell resuming third. He did well to stay on the track when his rival made contact. Tincknell snatched second with less than 15 minutes to go and closed in to within three seconds of the leader but

then lost momentum when slowed by a GT class, was squeezed after further contact with the rival Gibson, spun and continued in third place.

The lead two cars then touched, promoting Tincknell to second, taking the chequered flag 0.370 seconds behind the similar Gibson. The trio will head to the next round in Italy on May 17 hoping for a repeat performance at Imola.

Dolan said: “We raced fairly and cleanly, it was an exciting race and it’s good to score solid points”.

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