Times of Tunbridge Wells issue 8, April 22nd 2015

timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk @timesoftw

All the news that matters

Local, National and International

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

YOUR

FREE PAPER

FATHER’S LOVE FOR MILLIE

PERKS OF THE COFFEE JOB Page 54

THE NO-NONSENSE SUBARU OUTBACK

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE AT TRINITY

Page 62

Page 20

Page 68

INSIDE

RATES: don’t drive me under

POLITICS

What should be done with the former cinema site?

PAGE 4

PEOPLE

Alex wins an Emmy award in Cannes

PAGE 6

COMMUNITY

Residents are doing it for themselves

MP steps in to support mum of five over business tax concerns • By Julie Rae AN ANGRY entrepreneur is calling for changes to business rates before the ‘crippling’ cost forces her to close down.

Alison Hazell of Temper Temper Chocolate claims the almost £8,000 she pays annually is too high and that her payments are subsidising ‘preferential rates’ for start-ups.

Mrs Hazell, 44, said: “My business rates are extortionate, they’re crippling me. If something isn’t done soon I might not be able to keep my business going. They need to change how it’s worked out.

“This is the reason our high street shops are lying empty. Small traders are cash poor and simply cannot afford business rates on top of rent and wages.”

GREG CLARK Offered support

“It seems like a good idea for the government to give start-ups heavily discounted preferential rates but it’s people like me who are making up the financial difference. And that’s not fair.”

The Federation of Small Businesses says Mrs Hazell is just one example of many entrepreneurs suffering the high cost of business rates.

Greg Clark, Tory parliamentary candidate, agrees changes to business rates should be considered by the new government.

He said: “If a small business needs large premises and, because of that, it is then faced with very high business rates then that’s something the new government should definitely look at.”

Full story, page 17

PAGE 8

EDUCATION

Young entrepreneurs are on a winning streak

PAGE 19

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

2 � NEWS

Rusthall Newton take the league

WEATHER THE WEEK IN VIEW

THE under-15 Rusthall Newtown football team successfully won the points needed to take Division A of the Crowborough league last weekend.

Just four weeks after winning the Crowborough and District Junior cup final the side needed only one point to secure the win.

In their last league game of the season and against a stubborn performance from their opponents finally broke the deadlock five minutes before half-time.

Rusthall Newtown took the match with a 3-0 win.

WEDNESDAY

COOL WITH SUNNY INTERVALS APRIL 22 2015

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

13 C O

Pollution: low Visibility: excellent Humidity: 40% Sunrise: 05.50am Wind: 13 Sunset: 20.06pm

THURSDAY

14OC

FRIDAY

15OC

SATURDAY

13OC

SUNDAY

12OC

MONDAY

11OC

TUESDAY

11OC CONTACTS

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 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615 GENERAL INQUIRIES newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/timesoftunbridgewells timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk twitter.com/timesoftw

Broomhill Bank saves a failing special school from closure A SCHOOL for students with special needs in Tunbridge Wells has thrown a lifeline to children in another part of the county whose failing school was due to be shut.

Broomhill Bank School will take over the day-to-day running of Furness School which was placed in special measures in May 2012.

The Swanley school will act as a satellite of Broomhill Bank, which caters for students with autism, Asperger’s syndrome and other disorders.

The decision was taken by Kent County Council last week and is due to be ratified by education chief Roger Gough tomorrow.

Furness was shut for a short time between May and June 2012 in the interests of pupils’ health and safety at the time and then suffered financial problems caused by low pupil numbers and high staff ratios.

According to a Kent County Council report, despite being re-designated as a school specialising in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) its ‘previous poor reputation’ meant

IF YOU HAVE A STORY WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU. Contact details above

Jill Howson pupil numbers did not increase.

The report says: “At the same time, mainstream secondary schools hosting ASD unit provision in Meopham and

Malling are oversubscribed.

“Despite high levels of ASD need, the school has been unsuccessful in increasing the pupil numbers to a level that makes the school financially and educationally viable.”

The latest OFSTED inspection in December last year found Furness to be requiring improvement.

No one was available to comment at Broomhill Bank School in Broomhill Road which was judged to be a ‘good’ OFSTEDrated special needs school.

It takes in up to 136 students aged 11 to 19 organised into classes of eight to 12 with its own teacher.

Furness School’s current principal is Jill Howson who has been managing it for Lilac Sky Schools in a partnership agreement with KCC. The recent OFTSED inspection praised the head’s leadership and management contributing to the school’s ‘dramatic improvement…with unwavering determination.’

No one at Furness School was available for comment.

EDITOR’S COMMENT

16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU

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

If you would like to make a comment on any aspect of the newspaper, please write to the editor, 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU, or email newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

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

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

QUOTE UNQUOTE

“Rome wasn’t built in a day.

But I wasn’t on that particular job.”

Brian Clough football manager

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

THE sight of several dozen cyclists staging a recreation of a Dutch demo from the 1970s to highlight issues faced by modern bike riders was certainly spectacular.

Whether it persuades the powers that be to give over the highways to cycle lanes, one way streets and a cut to a 20mph speed limit in urban areas is another matter.

The Tunbridge Wells Bicycle User Group certainly seem to be a group with the public’s and its members’ interests at heart.

Of course there should be cycle lanes and places where the cyclists can practise their hobby safely.

For those who choose to take their life in their hands to take the bike to work or school along busy roads, especially in the outer urban areas, they shouldn’t expect any change soon.

For a start, Kent County Council has no money, or so it would have us believe.

Who would enforce the violation of cycle lane infringements?

You can’t get the police to attend the scene of real crimes, so what would be the chance of successfully prosecuting offenders? More speed cameras?

The idea of providing routes which riders can use, can only be seen as a good thing.

The TWBUG should be lauded for that, especially if it can tackle childhood obesity or better health in adults.

And with population expected to increase, roads are likely to become even more congested.

We have to accept the cyclist as a road user of equal worth as motorists, farmers aboard tractors or lorry drivers.

We all recognise antisocial drivers who speed, overtake dangerously or put others in peril with their ways. Motorcyclists

sometimes do not realise that their riding style is reckless bordering on stupid.

The same applies to some sections of the cycling fraternity who pour themselves into lycra costumes and stand accused in some quarters of arrogance and discourtesy on the road.

It is time we changed gear on this issue, for sure, but let’s not lose sight of what is achievable.

MANY thanks to all those of you who have been writing and phoning in with contributions to the Times. We appreciate every single one and try to answer all the questions you might have as swiftly as possible.

Keep in touch.

Simon Finlay, Editor

LOCAL NEWS �

Mum’s educational placemats win award STEALTH LEARNING Hannah Gee with, from left, Joe, Fred and Sam, and the place mats

Ukip pulls out of hustings over candidates’ questions Parliament hopeful believes format was not fair • By Eleanor Jones THE Ukip parliamentary candidate for Tunbridge Wells has dramatically pulled out of a hustings event over concerns the ‘smaller’ parties would not get a fair hearing.

Colin Nicholson has withdrawn from the

candidates’ questions session, at St James’

Church next Wednesday, as he had been told the three ‘main parties’ would be asked more questions than himself, the Greens and independent Graham Naismith.

The 48-year-old said he was disappointed.

He explained: “Effectively, three of us were being put at a disadvantage.

“I’m not doing this just for myself but for the Green Party and the independent too. I believe all of us standing, who have gone through the process of being selected and paying the deposit, should get the same chance.”

Mr Nicholson, a window cleaner who lives in Pembury, was told by organiser Canon Jim Stewart, chairman of Churches for Tunbridge Wells, that the share of questions had been determined by the percentage gained by each party at the last general election.

But Mr Nicholson said: “We’ve come a long way since 2010. We got 4.1 per cent then but at last year’s local election, we came second with 23 per cent.

“But regardless, it should be the same for everyone. It should be democracy and free speech and put no one at a disadvantage.”

In an email to Mr Stewart, Green candidate Marie Jones said: “The Green Party has more members in Tunbridge Wells than the Lib Dems or Ukip.

In Tunbridge Wells we are the third party. As I am sure you are aware the political landscape is changing – people do want to hear from the ‘other’

CONCERNS Colin Nicholson thinks the hustings format is undemocratic

A MUM who designed educational placements to help her children learn ‘by stealth’ has won an award for her creations.

The A3 mats, which feature letters or numbers to help children subconsciously learn at the table, were created with help from a teacher.

The products sold out in designer Hannah Gee’s town centre pop-up shop but she is in negotiations to have them stocked at large department and independent stores.

Mrs Gee said: “Like most mums, I’m always trying to come up with ways to help my children learn without knowing they’re learning. And mealtimes are perfect for children to learn by stealth.”

The Boyne Park mother of three was delighted when the placemats won Mumpreneur magazine’s M:UK silver product award in January.

She added: “I got 500 placemats made and sold out in three months. Mums in Tunbridge Wells loved them so I thought others would too.

“Customers have told me mealtimes are much calmer as children focus on learning in a fun way.”

For more information, visit www.loveincltd.co.uk “I consulted the Electoral Commission to make sure it wasn’t breaking any regulations. I was delighted all the candidates said they’d attend, and disappointed when the Ukip candidate withdrew.

“Based on the number of votes at the last general election, and that in an hour we’d have time for about six questions, the three who’d had most support would answer them all and the other three only half.

“If we had more time, it would be even between them and in case I didn’t ask a candidate something that was his or her hot topic, they could answer that on top of the three questions.

“This seemed the most objective method available of approaching things.” eleanor@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

parties, and our independents.

“I would hope your objective is to show the real choices voters have, rather than a situation where some are present but gagged. For your parishioners, to have only half the facts seems to be a precarious situation from which to want them to make a decision.”

Mr Stewart said Churches for Tunbridge Wells held hustings at every general election.

He added: “As there are six candidates, when I invited them, I said this was how it would work.

A CONSERVATIVE candidate has come under fire for standing in elections to a Tunbridge Wells council seat and a parliamentary constituency in south Wales at the same time.

Ed Hastie, a 30-year-old financial adviser, is defending his Goudhurst and Lamberhurst position while simultaneously fighting the safe Labour Neath seat, which enjoys a near 10,000 majority.

Mr Hastie, who grew up in Wales, said: “Wales is not that far away, two or three hours’ drive. It’s perfectly possible to deal with constituents’ queries.”

The Welsh seat has been in the hands of former Labour cabinet minister Peter Hain, who is standing down.

The Tories came fourth in 2010 and are not expected to do any better next month.

Green Party candidate Marie Jones said: “Couldn’t the Conservatives have chosen someone from Wales to stand there? They could have found somebody a bit more local than Tunbridge Wells.

“How can Ed give focus and passion and be willing to give his all if he is split between two places?”

3

NEWS IN BRIEF

Inconsiderate parking could cost blaze lives FIREFIGHTERS are calling for Tunbridge Wells drivers to park more considerately to prevent a ‘tragedy’.

The call came after a fire engine was unable to get to a washing machine blaze in Stratford Street on Monday owing to double-parked cars.

Watch manager Mark Havell said: “We arrived within five minutes of receiving the fire call on Monday but because vehicles had been parked on either side of the street, the nearest we could get with the fire engine was over 20 metres away. We had to wait until residents moved their vehicles.

“Had this incident been more serious, perhaps involving someone who was trapped, the obstruction would certainly have forced us to change our tactics at a time when every second counts.

“We need people to be considerate when parking their cars. Take a quick look around and make sure you’ve left enough space for emergency vehicles to get through. One day it could be your home we’re trying to get to.”

Doctors’ death charges TWO Tunbridge Wells Hospital doctors have been charged with gross negligence manslaughter following the death of a teacher.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust will also face a charge of corporate manslaughter after an investigation by Kent Police.

Frances Cappuccini, 30, died after a caesarean section on October 9, 2012, suffering a haemorrhage.

Anaesthetists Dr Errol Cornish, 67, of Holmbury Park, Bromley and Dr Nadeem Azeez, 52, formerly of Chestnut Avenue, Tunbridge Wells, have both been charged with gross negligence manslaughter. The first hearing is at Sevenoaks on Friday.

Prison term for driver A MAN who drove while he was banned from the road has been given a prison sentence.

Matthew Hobden, of Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, was caught driving a Rover 25 in Cranbrook while he was disqualified.

The 22-year-old pleaded guilty to driving while banned and without insurance, at West Kent Magistrates’ Court on March 24.

He was sentenced to 70 days in prison, suspended for 12 months, and was fined £165. He must also pay £300 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Marathon trains TUNBRIDGE Wells marathon runners will benefit from extra trains to London.

Southeastern services are to be extended or have additional stops to help athletes get to the race on April 26.

Runners will also get free travel to the start lines from some London stations.

Paul and Sarah are now £1,000 a year better off with Solar Panels Slash your bills by using free electricity from solar panels with EnergyMyWay

up to

15% *

annual return

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

Call us today for a free no-­‐obligation survey and expert advice

* Example for south outherly 4kWp system with limited shading in Tunbridge Wells area on present Feed-­‐in-­‐Tariff rates. Ofgem FiT homes must achieve EPC Level D o r above to qualify.

01892 59 70 50 | energymyway.co.uk Wednesday 22nd April 2015

4 � ELECTIONS 2015

Picture this! Candidates offer views on old ABC cinema site • By Simon Finlay THERE can be few more emotive issues to stir the passions of voters than the future of what is now known as the ‘old cinema site’.

We learnt earlier this year it would be put on the open market and last week it emerged it is officially up for sale by the Carlyle Group.

The demolished ABC picture house and has been described as ‘a prime mixed use town centre development opportunity’.

We asked some of the six candidates to put on the record their view…

CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE GREG CLARK SAID:

“This a prime, iconic site in Tunbridge Wells so we should look for a very high quality building and not accept any compromise.

“It’s privately owned so it will be a commercial development and must be something that the owner can make pay. It’s quite a significant chunk of Mount Pleasant and should draw people from the Pantiles and the High Street into the top end of the town.

“Some people have said that the council should buy it. That would be a big mistake as I wouldn’t want tax-payers’ money

Graham Naismith speculated on this. It will attract substantial interest.”

INDEPENDENT GRAHAM NAISMITH SAID:

“The cinema site is a big issue in some people’s eyes for sure.

Can’t see why because if this is a big issue, we must be doing really well in Tunbridge Wells.

“Aesthetically it’s rather unpleasant at the minute and I suppose it could end up as a park or have some nice shops.”

GREEN PARTY CANDIDATE MARIE JONES SAID:

“The council could use this central location for the benefit of all, built around a home site for the farmers’ markets

and local products shops, council out-reach and drop-in services, advice centres such as the CAB and Relate, and a creche for mothers working in the centre.

“A ‘nursery’ for establishing small and medium-sized enterprises, supported by affordable housing and solar power generation, could form a commercial core with Bike Safe storage and showers for commuters, and charging points for electric cars to reduce congestion and pollution.”

LABOUR’S KEVIN KERRIGAN SAID:

“There has been 15 years of no action at all. I’d like to see it as a community asset, not just a supermarket but some sort of facility for the public to enjoy and make use of. It was a horrible eye sore in the centre of town and I can’t believe £20,000 was spent on putting photos up on the hoardings.

“I think we all accept that there has to be a commercial aspect to the site and its use but it can have a mixed purpose.”

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT JAMES MACCLEARY SAID:

“Firstly the council should take the lead by consulting with the public on what they want to be there. It is such an important asset for Tunbridge Wells and it’s

Kevin Kerrigan

Marie Jones of enormous importance to the town.

“From what people have said to us, they tell us there should be a public square or an open shared use. Other people have suggested a new cinema which might be a bit of

James MacCleary

problem with the new one opening up in The Pantiles.

“We went into Claremont Primary School recently and the pupils there said they’d like to see a sports’ hall. So that’s a younger perspective.”

Clark defends £70k expense claim

Greg Clark

TUNBRIDGE Wells MP Greg Clark has been named by the London loves Business website as a member who claimed tens of thousands of pounds in accommodation expenses despite living within commuting distance from the capital.

The site says: “The MP for Tunbridge Wells lives approximately

THESE ARE THE LOCATIONS OF THE POLLING STATIONS ON MAY 7 St Matthew’s Church

Brenchley Memorial Hall Pembury Village Hall

Southborough Community Centre

Matfield Village Hall

St John’s Methodist Church Hall

Arnold Cooke Hall

St John’s Methodist Church Hall Bidborough Village Hall Langton Green Village Hall Speldhurst Village Hall

Capel Village Hall Horsmonden Village Hall Lamberhurst Memorial Hall St Andrew’s Church Hall - (Winter Hall) Day Centre Dowding House

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

St Barnabas Hall

Pembury Baptist Church

St Philip’s Day Centre

Goudhurst Parish Hall Kilndown Village Hall

The Salvation Army Hall

The Function Room, Royal British Legion

United Reformed Church Hall

Hawkhurst Sports Pavillion

St Mark’s Church Hall

Sandhurst Village Hall

St James’ Church Hall

Claremont CP Primary School

an hour away from Westminster.

“He can jump on a train every 30 minutes from Tunbridge Wells which takes 55 minutes to get to Charing Cross, walk to Embankment and get the District Line one stop to Westminster, the station of which comes out adjacent to parliament.

“This takes roughly 59 minutes (though we haven’t factored in the

time it takes to get to Tunbridge Wells station, from his home in the town).

“Clark has claimed £70,169.57 in accommodation expenses since 2010.”

Mr Clark said: “I hadn’t seen it. It’s basically a re-run of stats that were published last year. The new figures are due out in July.”

GENERAL ELECTION 2015: THE CANDIDATES

PARTY

CANDIDATE

� CONSERVATIVE

Greg Clark

� LIBERAL Democrat

James MacCleary

� LABOUR

Kevin Kerrigan

� UKIP

Colin Nicholson

� GREEN

Marie Jones

� INDEPENDENT

Graham Naismith

LOCAL NEWS �

NEWS IN BRIEF

CINEMA SITE TIMELINE 2000 The ABC cinema closed down in December

Deadly infection rates fall at local hospitals

2001 GLN Copenhagen Southern Ltd bought the site

THE number of cases of the deadly Clostridium difficile (C. Difficile) infection at Tunbridge Wells Hospital has tumbled by a fifth in the past 12 months.

Between April 2014 and the end of last month, the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust reported 28 cases.

These were across the Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone sites and compared favourably with the Department of Health maximum target of 40.

Dr Sara Mumford, the trust director of infection control, said: “We are very pleased with these figures which represent significant further improvement in the care we give our patients.

“We have a new, lower target to achieve next year and are continuing to drive down healthcare-associated infections in our hospitals.”

2005 Rydell Properties purchased the derelict building 2010 Rydell Properties put the cinema back on the market in May 2010 In August the borough council put in a bid to buy the site 2010 TWBC’s bid failed in September.

As did the Waitrose bid.

2011 Receivers were appointed for site owners Rydell 2011 Carlyle Group bought the site for £10m in a joint venture with Bellhouse Joseph 2014 Demolition of the derelict cinema building began in July 2014 Demolition of the cinema building was completed in September 2014 December saw photographic hoardings erected around the eye sore site

Drunk driver banned

2015 Carlyle Group put the cinema site back on the market

I can make eyesore cinema site a pop-up park, says architect Forcing demolition of the derelict cinema In a bid to force the Carlyle Group to demolish the cinema and clear the site TWBC started legal proceedings in late 2013. The owners subsequently advised the council that it would be demolished.

By January 2014 this had still not happened and the abandoned cinema building continued to rot. The council served a section 215 notice giving the Carlyle Group six months to demolish all the buildings and leave the site in a safe and tidy state.

The council did not take legal action forcing demolition before 2013 as guidelines advise legal action only as a last resort. After negotiations between the owner and the potential occupier of the site broke down in 2013 legal action became necessary.

Old cinema site

5

• By Julie Rae AN architect has drawn up plans to show the Mount Pleasant eyesore cinema site could be turned into a temporary community pop-up park.

The plans, designed by architect James Robson, show how the area could look if it was turned into an interim green space.

James Galpin, partner at Hazel McCormack Young LLP where he works with Mr Robson, said: “While we are waiting for the site to be sold it could be turned temporarily into an area of real value for the town.

“There are some lovely hidden parks in Tunbridge Wells but there are limited open green spaces within the main thoroughfares. It would be a great lunch spot and also provide an excellent social space for the town.”

As reported in the Times in March Cllr Len Horwood suggested the former ABC cinema site should be grassed over and turned into a park.

The cinema building was first decommissioned in 2000 when the former three-screen ABC cinema closed down and spent the next 13 years rotting away on the corner of Mount Pleasant Road and Church Road.

The building was finally

James Galpin knocked down in September last year and enclosed in hoardings featuring photographs of the area.

The troubled site has been owned by several developers and has been the focus of many proposals including hotels, retail premises, bars and restaurants. None has come to fruition.

The site is currently owned by the Carlyle Group who reportedly bought it for £10 million in 2011. The site was officially put back up for sale last week marketed as having ‘significant scope for a large comprehensive retail/leisure led scheme’.

Mr Galpin believes all previous plans have fallen through because of cost.

The 44-year-old architect said: “The original selling price of the cinema site made

it unsustainable. Now anyone looking to buy it would have to do lots of expensive redevelopment to make even a small profit. The cost of engineering works required due to the railway tunnel that runs under the site will also push up costs and make it harder to make a profit from redevelopment.”

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council declined to comment.

No one for the Carlyle Group was available for comment.

In January, a spokesman told a newspaper: “We are reviewing a number of options for the site, one of which is a possible sale.

We expect appoint agents in the near future to help us explore this option further.”

‘It would be a great lunch spot and also provide an excellent social space for the town’

A DRIVER caught at nearly three times the legal alcohol limit has been banned from the roads for two years.

Tomasz Szramkowski, of Nursery Road, Tunbridge Wells, was stopped in a Seat Ibiza, in Quarry Hill Road, Tonbridge, on March 8. The 27-year-old gave a breath test showing 102 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml breath, the legal limit being 35.

Szramkowski pleaded guilty to drinkdriving, at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court on March 24. He was banned from driving for two years and ordered to carry out 120 hours’ unpaid work within that time.

Addict given jail term A DRUG addict who stole clothes from a shop in Royal Victoria Place has been given a prison sentence. Steven Paul Underwood, of Oak Road, took items worth £22.99 from a shop on March 7.

The 39-year-old was sentenced to 180 days’ jail, suspended for 12 months, at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court on March 19, having pleaded guilty to shoplifting.

Raj Pavilion Fine Indian Cuisine

WELCOME TO

RAJ PAVILION

THE BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS Sunday & Tuesday banqueting night - £9.99

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

Conditions apply.

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

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

6 � LOCAL NEWS

Cancer-fighting phone game wins an Emmy

TEAMWORK From left, commissioning editor Colin MacDonald, Alex Hryniewicz, game lead Donnie Kerrigan and executive producer Claire McArdle

Reverse the Odds players screen cells in order to help research • By Julie Rae A MOBILE phone game which could help beat cancer has won an Emmy award for its Tunbridge Wells creator.

Reverse the Odds took the Digital Program: Children & Young People category at the 2015 International Digital Emmys last week.

The game, which involves players analysing real cancer cell slides to win in-game currency, was devised by Alex Hryniewicz with Maverick TV, Chunk Digital and Cancer Research.

Mr Hryniewicz, of Hawkenbury, said: “Channel Four asked us to make them something that would allow kids to donate time not cash to fighting cancer. And Cancer Research UK told us their biggest problem was getting cancer slides screened as they can only be done by the human eye, not computers.

“We created the free app that allows players to move up the levels when they analyse slides. It’s amazing we’ve won an Emmy for it.”

The game features characters called The Odds as well as real images of cancer cells for players to

scrutinise, with their answers to simple questions providing data for researchers.

Mr Hryniewicz added: “Before we launched the game we did a test where 500 slides were analysed by the public before being screened by pathologists. The results showed the ‘citizen scientists’ were more accurate than the professionals.”

The game was launched in October last year to coincide with Channel Four’s Stand Up for Cancer fundraising show with the aim of players screening a million cancer slides.

In less than a week, the target was reached and six months later, players have analysed more than three million cancer slides.

The 32-year-old said: “We can’t believe how many slides have been screened. It blew our minds how quickly gamers responded. And it looks like we succeeded in creating a great game that young people want to play.”

The Reverse the Odds team was presented with the Emmy in Cannes last week. The game has also been nominated for a digital creativity Bafta, the winner of which will be announced in London on Sunday.

Mr Hryniewicz said: “It was surreal. When they

read out the name, my colleague and I looked at each other and shouted ‘we won’. We couldn’t believe it. It would be amazing to also win a Bafta.” julie@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

HOW IT WORKS To progress in the game ‘citizen scientists’ have to analyse slides. Players are asked questions such as whether they can see cells of certain colours, and how intense the colour is.

This allows researchers to spot patterns in and similarities between cancer cells, which helps with future diagnosis and treatment.

Checks are in place to identify faulty analysis and owing to the number of people who see each slide, an overall pattern can be identified and more cells can be examined.

No individual’s diagnosis or treatment is affected by a gamer’s actions.

Michael’s devastated family to keep his memory alive THE devastated family of one of the young men killed in a horrific crash in Crowborough has vowed to keep his memory alive for the sake of his young daughter.

Passenger Michael Owen, 21, and driver Kyle Careford, 20, died after their Renault Clio smashed into the wall of St Michael’s Parish Church and overturned at 12.40am on April 12.

Nearby residents woken by a loud bang in the middle of the night rushed outside to find the vehicle ‘folded in half’ by the impact of the collision.

The death of Mr Owen, of Southwood Avenue, came just after he had secured a new job and a fortnight before his beloved daughter Lily-Rose’s fifth birthday.

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

VICTIMS Kyle Careford and Michael Owen

Lily-Rose’s mother Lauren Humble, 21, who lives in Crowborough, said: “Michael was the best dad to Lily-Rose that anyone could have asked for.

“She knows her dad has died and it really hits her sometimes, but I don’t think it has fully sunk in yet with her. From now on I’m going to do everything I can to make sure she remembers her dad.”

One Crowborough resident, who was first on the scene, said: “I was in bed and there was an enormous bang outside and I ran out to see what happened. The car was literally folded in two.”

A light-coloured estate car, believed to be a taxi, was seen to turn right from Burdett Road next to the Sainsbury’s Local and drive along Crowborough Hill at around 12.30am.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Gym academy to create new elite facility ONE of the highest-achieving gymnastic academies in the south east is expanding to create a new elite training facility.

The Next Dimension Gymnastics Academy (NDGA), says it is ‘investing in the superstars of the future’ by extending its main gymnasium.

The scheme, which was granted planning permission last month, includes a new space dedicated to training and performance for the academy’s top gymnasts complete with beams and bars.

In response to the rise in popularity of men’s gymnastics, the existing gymnasium will house new men’s equipment, enabling the academy to encourage more men into the sport NDGA operations manager Chantelle Harman said: “This extension represents the beginning of an exciting new phase for our academy. We will now have the space to progress our talented gymnasts even further. Plus it will also provide extra space and more equipment for our freestylers and male gymnasts.”

NDGA has produced a succession of medal-winning gymnasts, including Hector Kinghorn and Sam Large, who took gold at the MIAC world cup in March.

Work is due to start on the extension in May and expected to be finished

by September.

£1.5m payout for disabled child A YOUNG boy left disabled for life after brain damage at birth in Tunbridge Wells Hospital has been awarded £1.5million in compensation.

The unnamed six-year-old was left a quadriplegic, suffering cerebral palsy and seizures, after his birth in 2009.

His parents, claiming clinical negligence, sued the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust for damages.

The trust denied liability but settled the case at the High Court on Monday.

David Heaton QC, for the family, said the case revolved around whether the baby should have been delivered sooner.

The court heard how there were signs of foetal distress and a Caesarean section or other delivery method should have been considered. The trust’s own expert disputed this.

Mr Justice Spencer, awarding the payout, said the sum was appropriate and in the boy’s best interests.

Enjoy singing with the Combo ANYONE who enjoys singing and would like the chance to perform is invited to join the Combo Choir.

Members meet every Tuesday at 7pm in the St Johns Wine Bar and Restaurant, to sing a variety of music, from rock to show songs to classical.

Spokesman Tony Gosling said: “It’s open to everyone of all ages (children and adults together) so anyone can come along and bring the family.

“There’s no auditions and no musical knowledge is necessary. The aim is to enjoy singing, not to produce a professional result, though there will be opportunities to perform.”

Anyone interested can turn up at the wine bar, any Tuesday in school term time.

LOCAL NEWS �

Lucy puts experience to good use in digital world •

Adam Wells

EXPERT As a mum herself, Lucy Hall knows networking can be hard for parents

AN ENTREPRENEUR and digital media expert is coming to Tunbridge Wells to show small local businesses how to grow.

Lucy Hall, who runs various online businesses as well as being a writer, speaker, trainer and consultant, will be hosting digital marketing workshops from next month.

From selling printed T-shirts at school and running an eBay business at 18, to operating several successful ventures today, Mrs Hall knows what it takes to get established.

Determined to put her experience to good use, she draws on her success to help others. One of her projects, Kent Social Media, is a small business dedicated to helping other small businesses, which was chosen by The Kent Foundation as its April star business of the month.

With strong ties to Tunbridge Wells, it’s no surprise Mrs Hall is bringing her philosophy here.

Mrs Hall’s first appearance will be in conjunction with 1230 at Sankeys restaurant on Wednesday, May 13. For more information, visit www.kentsocialmedia.co.uk

Daughter fights for war hero father who ‘died in agony’ at Pembury Campaign steps up despite inquiry clearing NHS staff of wrong-doing Julie Rae

A HEARTBROKEN daughter has vowed to continue her fight for justice for her war hero father who died ‘in agony’ - despite NHS staff being exonerated in an investigation.

Last year her 93-year-old blind and deaf father died in Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury from a brain tumour.

Following his daughter’s complaints of negligence an independent report was commissioned by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS trust.

The report cleared the medical staff of negligence during her father’s hospital stay and his death.

Joanne Fowler, however, continues to claim that the hospital did not give her father, Frank Foster, the right care and he died screaming in pain on June 13, 2014.

Now the 58-year-old widow is asking the Parliament and Health Service Ombudsman with the help of a patient advocacy service to force the trust to re-investigate her complaint.

Mrs Fowler who lives in the town’s Moat Farm said: “My dad died screaming in agony. I want the NHS to reopen the investigation into his care and his death at that hospital. I want them to admit the mistakes they made.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Man and woman bailed after Rusthall death TWO people have been arrested and bailed on suspicion of manslaughter after a man died in Rusthall at the weekend.

His death, according to unconfirmed reports, may have been drug-related.

Police attended an address in a block of flats in Rusthall Grange after concerns were raised about his welfare.

A 30-year-old woman from Ramsgate and a 36-year-old man of no fixed address were subsequently arrested and later bailed until June 9.

The man was named locally as ‘Starbuck’ has reportedly been homeless until recently.

Police and forensics vehicles were at the scene over the weekend.

Delay to gran death trial

newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

•

7

Joanna Fowler

Frank Foster

NHS COMMENT: A SPOKESMAN for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust said: “The report states that Mr Foster received appropriate care from staff who acted professionally and found no evidence to support allegations of neglect.

“It also states that there was a short period, during the whole of Mr Foster’s entire stay in hospital where he could have been given additional pain control.”

“I also want the NHS to change procedures to ensure no other elderly person dies in agony.

Patients should be given enough medication in enough time to help them be as pain free as possible.”

Mrs Fowler claims that in the few days before her father died she repeatedly asked nurses and doctors to get her father pain relief.

“By the time my dad got pain relief it was too late, it couldn’t help his pain. I want to see every single person be able to die with dignity and free from pain.”

A spokesman for patient advocacy service Support Empower Advocate Promote (SEAP) said: “Mrs Fowler is unhappy with the outcome of the original investigation. Therefore we are supporting her application to the Parliament and Health Service Ombudsman to have her complaint reinvestigated by the Trust.”

While Avey Bhatia, chief nurse, said: “We are sorry we did not help Mrs Fowler better understand her father’s changing condition and sudden deterioration in a way that could have aided her family at such a difficult time.

“The investigation has shown that while our staff acted professionally, and provided Mr Foster with the appropriate care and attention, we could have done more to meet the needs of his family and we are sorry this was not the case.

“We will always do our absolute utmost to safely control a patient’s pain.”

THE trial of a man accused of killing a Southborough grandmother has been delayed due to ‘psychiatric matters’.

After the body of 58-year-old Yvonne Tapp was found in Lady’s Gift Road, Southborough in December, Keith Solly was arrested wearing a pink tutu.

The 62-year-old was expected to enter a plea at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday, April 16 but prosecutors said there was unresolved pathology and psychiatric matters to be dealt with before the accused would enter a plea.

The trial date has been put back until June 8.

Missing man found dead A MISSING Tunbridge Wells man has been found dead in a field.

The person, who has not been named, was reported absent on Saturday morning and was discovered off Hawkenbury Road in Tunbridge Wells by a member of the public on Sunday.

The man’s family have been informed.

Police were called to the scene but say the death is not being treated as suspicious.

Vandal pavilion attack VANDALS have smashed up the Linden Park Cricket Club pavilion.

Members of the Tunbridge Wells’ club are fearful the repairs will cost thousands pounds.

The attack last Thursday caused damage to the pavilion, gutters being ripped off and roof tiles being dislodged and follows earlier incidents where beer cans and broken glass were strewn on the pitch.

The club was hit by an arson attack nine years ago when the old pavilion was destroyed.

STAR BUY

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

8 � LOCAL NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF

Benenden residents do it for themselves

Prison sentence for games console thief A MAN who stole electronic equipment worth more than £1,200 has been given a prison sentence.

Sean David Ayres, of Wood End, Swanley, pleaded guilty to stealing a games console handset worth £44.99 from a shop in Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells, on November 7 last year. Five days later, he took headphones and MP3 players worth £1,254.84 from a shop in Maidstone.

The 24-year-old admitted both counts of shoplifting and on March 18, appeared at West Kent Magistrates’ Court for sentencing.

He was given a 28-day prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work within the next year. He was also ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge.

St George’s Day

VILLAGERS From left, Paul Leek, Steve Simmonds, Nancy Tolhurst,Martin Pexton, Robin Dalton Homes and Paul Tolhurst

School buys shop premises for village to run Post office and cafeteria • By Eleanor Jones THE handing over of a village shop to the people it serves will bring every part of the community together, according to those behind the project.

The Poplars, currently home to the Benenden store, is to be sold to Benenden School, to provide accommodation for staff, and the commercial premises leased to a newly formed community benefit society, run by a village committee. All residents will have the chance to buy shares in the scheme.

The shop is to undergo a refurbishment before it reopens, complete with a café area as well as all the current facilities including a Post Office, and run by paid management and volunteer assistants.

Paul Leek, a member of the committee behind the project, said: “We’re looking forward to getting started.

“It’s the usual blend of hard work and

enthusiasm about getting things up and running.

“I think the shop will become a real social centre. This is a great social parish anyway and we’ve got centres like the church and the pub but with friendly volunteers and the café, it’ll become a real place to meet.”

Mr Leek explained that some 18 months ago, a survey was sent to all residents, asking what they thought was good and bad about the village.

As a result, working groups were set up and it was the business group which discovered the school’s need for accommodation, and linked it

to the current shop owners’ desire to sell.

Mr Leek said: “This will be an enterprise owned by the community.

“The start-up committee is all volunteers and once things get going, they’ll all resign and we’ll have an elected committee to run it.”

The shareholders’ initial cash will be used as start-up capital, then Mr Leek says money made in the shop should cover all costs, including that of the staff who will be responsible to the elected committee. Any extra profit is likely to be given to good causes.

Mr Leek said: “A lot of people responded to the initial survey, and now they’re starting to see some benefits, not just responding and nothing happening.“People know their time and trouble hasn’t been wasted, which is important. There are a number of different communities in the village but this project brings them all together.”

eleanor@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

MORRIS dancing, a maypole and a family barn dance will all be on offer at Rusthall’s St George’s Day celebrations this weekend.

The fun starts at 12.30pm, when a parade, led by the town crier and including the youth band and sea cadets, will leave St Paul’s Church hall and make its way through the area.

From 1pm there will be a barbecue and drinks outside the hall, followed at 1.15pm by morria and maypole dancing on the green. The barn dance runs from 2.30 to 5pm in the hall. Tickets for this are £2 each or £5 for a family of four. To book, call 01892 548366 or 01892 533493.

Free internet tasters THE council is holding a free internet ‘taster’ event to help ratepayers learn more about using computers and the web.

The sessions are being held at the Tunbridge Wells Gateway in the town centre this week. Anyone interested can call the Customer Services team on 01892 526121 or visit the Gateway for more information or to book a place on a session.

Young film stars to appear on Official Chart Show The Pantiles TapSerious about brilliant beer A real ale and craft beer paradise in the heart of the Pantiles 6 ever changing cask ales & 6 keg craft beers, including the best UK micro breweries, plus cider, wine and speciality bottled beers

01892 530397 @thepantilestap Lower Pantiles, outside the Corn Exchange main entrance

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

MORE than 60 youngsters from Tunbridge Wells recreated a Maroon 5 music video for the forthcoming Official Chart Show.

Children from the Italia Conti Associates performing arts school starred in the Sugar video, which features a ‘bride and groom’ being surprised by the pop band, on April 16.

Children’s channel CBBC is joining forces with Radio 1 to put on the chart show, which will be broadcast from the Radio 1 Live Lounge on Sunday evenings from May 10.

The digital television programme will be produced by Steve Wynne, of Pretzel Films from Tunbridge Wells which recorded the video at Salomons Estate last Thursday.

Mr Wynne said: “Salomons Estate was a perfect location and the kids were really up for the day. The band, who we dubbed Maroon 6, were fantastic, and the staff at Salomons were a joy to work with. Plus it was a delight to take the crew down to Tunbridge Wells and show off the town where I live.”

FUN More than 60 children recreated a Maroon 5 music video

LOCAL NEWS �

Lycra-clad rebels who played dead THIS was the scene which greeted pedestrians and motorists last week in the centre of Tunbridge Wells.

Dozens of lycra-clad bike riders staged a short demonstration in a bid to get cyclists more rights on the road.

They lay on the floor near the bus stop outside the town hall war memorial as if they had been struck by another vehicle.

The protest in Mount Pleasant was organised by the local Bicycle Users Group.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Have you got the heart to help hospice shop?

The crowd heard how in Holland, 50 per cent of youngsters are regular bike riders while research showed less than one per cent of local children are likely to pedal anywhere.

Paul Mason, who helped organise the demo last Wednesday lunchtime, said he hoped it would be like the peaceful protest held four decades ago in Amsterdam where cyclists played dead in an effort to make the government take notice.

Tories urged to replace houses sold under new right to buy home scheme PM David Cameron’s pre-election pledge to the country gets cool reception • By Simon Finlay THE Prime Minister’s manifesto pledge to extend Margaret Thatcher’s ‘right to buy’ housing policy has received a cool reaction from one of the area’s biggest social housing providers.

David Cameron faced criticism over the offer of discounts to around 70 per cent of the 1.3m families currently in housing association accommodation.

But the National Housing Federation said the subsidy - which will be funded by forcing councils to sell off their most expensive properties - will cost taxpayers £5.8billion, or £100,000 to each family who benefited.

Tunbridge Wells-based Town &

Bob Heapy Country Housing chief executive Bob Heapy said: “It is our view that anything that gets a public debate on social housing matters is a positive move.

9

“Initial review indicates that housing associations would receive the full market value from homes sold, with the discount available to tenants paid by the government.

“The cost of the government paying the discount would be funded by requiring local authorities to sell their most expensive homes and replace them with less expensive ones.

“Housing associations would then be required to replace homes sold on a one for one basis which means overall there would be no loss of social affordable homes which is also a positive.

“Right to buy is not new to Town & Country Housing Group, we have been managing ‘Preserved Right to Buy’ for our tenants who transferred to us from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council when we were formed. We

also manage Right to Acquire which is similar to Right to Buy but for housing association tenants.

“We will be tracking developments and emerging detail of this election manifesto promise as the election progresses.”

Town & Country Housing, of Monson Way, has more than 5,000 homes on its books.

Green Party parliamentary candidate Marie Jones, who echoed Mr Heapy’s sentiments, said: “In principle, the right to buy scheme is a fine idea as long as the stock is replaced.

“That replacement stock would have to come from which ever means seems more realistic, be it unused housing, brownfield or other development.”

HEART of Kent Hospice has appealed for volunteers to help run its new charity shop in London Road, Southborough.

The premises has been fitted out in the style of a high street Boutique and is the hospice’s second shop to open in the Tunbridge Wells area.

The shop will be stocked with a range of quality donated items including clothes, accessories, collectables, books and DVDs, the shop also has a dedicated children’s play area with a blackboard and selection of toys.

If you are interested in helping please pop into the shop or contact Karen Dockwray, Voluteer Services Development Office on 01622 792200 ext 225 or e-mail Karen. dockwray@hokh.co.uk

Robbery: hunt still on DETECTIVES are still looking for the man who robbed a teenager was robbed in broad daylight in Tunbridge Wells.

A 16-year-old boy was forced to hand over a small quantity of cash after he was stopped by the suspect who claimed to have a gun. The robbery happened between 2.25pm and 2.50pm on Monday, April 13 in the alleyway leading from Grosvenor Park to Vernon Road in Tunbridge Wells.

The suspect is described as being a black man aged 17-20 years old, around 6ft tall, of medium build with short black hair. He was wearing a blue tracksuit, black bomber jacket and Nike trainers.

Jailed for car damage A MAN who caused £1,040 damage to a car in Mount Pleasant Road has been sent to prison. Simon John Boughey, of Park Road, Tunbridge Wells, vandalised the Peugeot 306 in a car park, on December 30 last year.

The 36-year-old appeared at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court on March 19 and pleaded guilty to criminal damage. He was jailed for eight weeks and ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge.

FATHER’S DAY AT SALOMONS ESTATE SUNDAY 21ST JUNE 2015 • 12PM ONWARDS

BBQ & Hog roast • Live acoustic music on the terrace For more fun take part in some of our exciting activities!

Laser Clay Shooting • Rowing Boats • Zip Wire • Pedal Cars • Train Ride • Penalty Shoot Out FULL DETAILS AND PRICES AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE 01892 515 152 • WWW.SALOMONS-ESTATE.COM

reservations@salomons-estate.com, Salomons Estate, Broomhill Road, Southborough, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0TG Totw Father's day advert.indd 3

21/04/2015 13:40 Wednesday 22nd April 2015

10 � GENERAL ELECTION 2015

SNP a danger to Britain warns ex-PM John Major WARNING Sir John Major

Sturgeon would ‘create merry hell’ FORMER prime minister Sir John Major has warned that the Scottish National Party represents a ‘real and present danger’ to the future of Britain, as he pleaded with voters to turn their backs on a minority Labour government propped up by Nicola Sturgeon’s party.

A partnership between Labour and the SNP would be a ‘recipe for mayhem’, with Ed Miliband subjected to ‘daily political blackmail’ from nationalists who would ‘create merry hell’ in the hope of promoting the break-up of the United Kingdom, Sir John added.

Mr Miliband dismissed the warning, accusing David Cameron and the Conservatives of ‘threatening the integrity of the UK’ by talking up the prospects of Scottish nationalists in the May 7 general election.

The Labour leader insisted there would be no coalition with the SNP and denied that Ms Sturgeon’s party would hold the whip hand

on policy, telling BBC1’s Breakfast: “A Labour government led by me, what happens in that Labour government will be decided by me, not by the SNP.” Entering the election fray with a high-profile speech in Solihull, Sir John said any form of cooperation with the nationalists – even an informal and unacknowledged partnership – would leave Labour ‘in hock to a party that, slowly but surely, will push them further to the left’.

“And who would pay the price for this?” he asked. “You would. We all would. We would all pay for the SNP’s ransom in our daily lives – through higher taxes, fewer jobs, and more and more debt.”

Current polls suggest the SNP could boost its tally of MPs to more than 50, holding the balance of power in the House of Commons.

Sir John predicted they would use the position to demand policies favouring Scotland at the

expense of the rest of Britain, and would aim to ‘drive a wedge’ between the UK nations, manufacturing grievances hoping to win the 2016 election to the Scottish Parliament and paving the way for a second independence referendum.

“They will ask for the impossible and create merry hell if it is denied,” he warned. “The nightmare of a broken United Kingdom has not gone away. The separation debate is not over.

The SNP is determined to prise apart the United Kingdom.”

Sir John said it would be ‘perverse in the extreme’ for the Conservatives to be thrown out of office at the point when recovery was taking hold.

He issued a plea to voters: “However disaffected, disengaged, downright fed up many may be with politics and politicians, let me repeat the very simple choice in front of you all on polling day: do you vote for the party that presided over economic chaos, or the party that has now led us out of it?”

Mr Miliband said Labour had ‘fundamental differences’ with the SNP, such as the party’s desire for a second independence referendum within five years, adding: “I’m not having that.”

In Canterbury, Kent, Ukip leader Nigel Farage said: “The English have had a completely rotten deal out of devolution.

“Rotten because we continue to shovel money over Hadrian’s Wall, rotten because Scottish MPs can vote on English-only laws – and the SNP make clear they will do that in Westminster after May 7 – and rotten because our politicians are saying we should be ashamed to be English.”

Miss Sturgeon added: “John Major’s comments are silly, over the top and, frankly, don’t show him in a particularly good light.

“My message to John Major is Scotland’s voice deserves to be heard in whatever way the Scottish people choose, and voting SNP means Scotland’s voice will be heard more loudly and strongly at Westminster than ever before.

“But it will also be a voice for better and more progressive politics at Westminster, so perhaps it’s not surprising John Major doesn’t like that.

But what he is saying disrespects democracy - it’s up to people in Scotland how they choose to vote and make their voice heard.”

Ukip the ‘champion of small businesses’ NIGEL Farage insisted Ukip was a champion of Britain’s small businesses as more than 100 traders came forward to declare their support for the party.

The Ukip leader said there was no-one speaking up for small firms who were being ‘put upon’ by a ‘massive’ burden of regulation imposed mainly by Brussels.

In a letter published in a national newspaper yesterday, more than 100 small business owners said they supported Ukip’s policies to help small traders.

They backed proposals to cut business rates, improve access to finance and crack down on late payments by big companies.

They also claimed Labour risks being perceived as anti-business and the Conservatives as the party interested in big business.

The authors wrote: “As people engaged in running some of the small enterprises that

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

will create the bulk of new employment in this country in the years ahead, we are greatly encouraged to find a political champion in Ukip.”

Yesterday, Mr Farage met one of the letter’s signatories, Debbie Barwick, at her vintage clothes shop Revivals in Canterbury – and tried on a few hats.

He said: “There are five million small businesses, all of whom have been severely put upon by a massive burden of regulation over the past few years.

“They have got no one speaking up for them in government. Over 75 per cent of business law doesn’t come from Westminster, it comes from Brussels.

“It’s the big corporate businesses that rule the roost and have the big parties in their pockets. There is no one speaking now for small businesses.”

ELECTION BRIEFS

Last-minute surge in registering to vote THE number of people registering to vote surged to almost half a million this week, as they rushed to apply before the deadline.

Some 469,047 applications were made online and just under 16,000 on paper, according to Cabinet Office figures.

It was the busiest day since the introduction of the new online system, the Electoral Commission said.

A large number of people also registered in the days running up to the Monday night deadline; a total (online and on paper) of 118,505 last Thursday, 104,403 on Friday, 66,986 on Saturday and 124,284 on Sunday.

Alex Robertson of the Electoral Commission said it was ‘absolutely fantastic’ that more than two million people had applied to register to vote over the last few weeks.

Lib Dems target

OWNERS of second homes in rural beauty spots could face paying double council tax under Liberal Democrat plans to ensure local residents are not priced out of the property market.

The plan will allow local authorities to charge 200 per cent council tax in an effort to curb high rates of second home ownership in some areas.

The measure forms part of a ‘countryside charter’ launched by the Lib Dems, as Nick Clegg claims his party will create 300,000 new jobs in rural areas if in government after May 7.

On a campaign visit to St Austell, Cornwall, Mr Clegg said the double tax could help “particularly in such a wonderful part of the country as this where there are so many people with second homes and where prices because of that are way beyond the reach of many young people”.

Labour nurse pledge

LABOUR says it will launch a drive to get a thousand more nurses into training this year if it triumphs on May 7.

The party’s leader Ed Miliband said the move formed part of Labour’s aim to recruit 20,000 more NHS nurses.

Half of nurses said wards are dangerously understaffed, he told BBC Breakfast.

The Conservatives say they inherited a nursing crisis from Labour, with staff shortages contributing to the Stafford hospital scandal between 2005 and 2008.

They have pledged an extra £8bn a year by 2020 for the NHS in England if they win the election.

Mr Miliband said: “We are going to have a Budget within the first month of a Labour government.”

School poll revolt

OFF THE CUFF Ukip leader Nigel Farage

SCORES of schools have sought to be removed from duty as polling stations because of the disruption it causes.

Under election law, schools can be forced to act as polling stations.

Those managing elections say the reluctance of schools to act as polling stations has been a “challenge”.

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said concerns ranged from safeguarding to parental anger at closures.

NEWS �

Eleven years for the hit-and-run driver who shouted ‘watch this’ Grandfather killed by man who had been drinking and taking drugs AN UNLICENSED driver who shouted ‘watch this’ before killing a grandfather on his paper round has been jailed for 11 years.

Tykeran Hamilton, 25, borrowed a rented black BMW 3 Series and drove it through Gloucester after a night drinking vodka and taking cocaine.

He spotted a friend, leaned out of the window and shouted ‘watch this’ before accelerating up to 70mph on a residential road at 7am.

Bristol Crown Court heard Hamilton overtook ‘recklessly’, narrowly avoiding a central reservation and other traffic.

Moments later, he crashed into cyclist Alan Knight, 64, who was crossing the road, then drove away at high speed.

Former factory worker Mr Knight, a father of four and grandfather of 14, died instantly at the scene, Stroud Road in Gloucester.

Hamilton abandoned the car then fled and denied any involvement in the crash, on September 26 2014.

His trial was due to start yesterday but he admitted causing death by dangerous driving, driving without a licence, driving without insurance and failing to stop after a road accident.

Judge Graham Cottle said Hamilton ‘could not have cared less’ about the safety of others.

He said: “In the early hours of September 26, Mr Knight was doing a paper round on his bicycle.

“What had you been doing for the past 12 hours?

The evidence paints a picture of you spending a night drinking, taking cocaine.

“You were, uninsured, you were unlicensed.

You went to a garage and as it happened you saw somebody nearby who you knew.

“You said ‘watch this’. The inference that can be drawn from that statement is that you attempted to show off to him what this car could do.

“You took off up the road at about 60-70mph. You were overtaking recklessly and just managed to avoid colliding with a central island.”

Hamilton spotted Mr Knight and immediately

“Alan was a great husband, father and grandfather. We didn’t want for anything. If we needed the moon he would get us the stars as well.”

The judge sentenced Hamilton for ten years for causing death by dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and failing to stop, and 12 months, to run consecutively, for five drugs charges relating to possession with intent to supply Class B drugs.

Hamilton had been on licence for the charges at the time he killed Mr Knight.

Representing Hamilton, of Moor Street, Gloucester, Joe Maloney, said: “He is an immature man. He panicked, drove off and did all the wrong things.”

Squirrels ‘host Lyme disease bugs’ GREY squirrels are in the dock again – for harbouring a serious infection that can be spread to humans by ticks.

The American immigrant rodents already have previous convictions for decimating native red squirrel populations and damaging woodland.

Now scientists have discovered they host the borellia bacteria responsible for Lyme disease, which can lead to a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the joints, nervous system and heart.

In the UK, Lyme disease is caused by four species of bacteria carried by deer or sheep ticks, transmitted to humans through its bite.

Birds and rodents are thought to be the most important wildlife hosts of the bugs, but until now the role played by grey squirrels was unknown.

Scientists who tested 679 squirrels from Scotland and northern England in 2012 and 2013 found grey squirrels

frequently carried ticks and could be infected by all four bacteria species.

Some 12 per cent of the squirrels collected were infected.

Lead researcher Caroline Millins, from the University of Glasgow, said: “Frequent infection of grey squirrels with bird strains of borrelia was unexpected, and challenges our current understanding of host pathogen interactions for this pathogen.

“We can’t say from this study whether grey squirrels lead to an increase or decrease in the number of ticks infected in an area, but we have produced comprehensive data that future studies could use to investigate this.”

The most common symptom of Lyme disease is a rash resembling a target or bull’s eye.

People infected may experience flu-like symptoms, including headaches and muscle pains.

The infection can be successfully treated and only proves serious if

NEWS IN BRIEF

Miliband attacks Europe boat migrants plan A EUROPEAN Union plan to cut the number of deaths of migrants crossing the Mediterranean does not go far enough, Ed Miliband said, warning it will be a ‘stain on the EU’ if proper action is not taken.

EU leaders including David Cameron will meet in Brussels tomorrow to discuss the ten-point plan drawn up on Monday in response to the tragic deaths of an estimated 900 people when a boat sank near the Italian island Lampedusa last weekend.

The EU aims to strengthen its Triton patrolling service and seek a military mandate to seize and destroy people-smugglers’ boats, backed by increased budgets for Frontex, which manages its borders.

Mr Cameron described the incident as a ‘dark day for Europe’ and said Britain ‘can do more’ to help deal with the crisis.

Labour leader Ed Miliband said on BBC1’s Breakfast: “We haven’t really got to a situation, have we, where we just let people drown because saving them is somehow a price not worth paying? We cannot do that.

“Frankly, it is a stain on the EU if we don’t take proper action.”

Plus size comment fury

TRAGEDY Alan Knight died at the scene braked but could not stop, the court heard.

“You drove straight into Mr Knight, doubtless killing him instantly” the judge said. “You left him in the road and drove off at equally high speed.”

Hamilton drove back to a friend’s house before running to see his girlfriend, who he asked to provide him with an alibi, then left Gloucester.

The court heard Hamilton told friends: “I’ve licked him” – street slang for “I’ve killed him”.

He was arrested on October 21.

Prosecuting, Rupert Lowe read a statement from Mr Knight’s wife, Linda.

“My life just isn’t the same since he was taken from us by such a show-off person like you, Mr Hamilton,” it said.

11

unrecognised and allowed to spread.

Ticks can be found in woodland, heathland, moorland and parks, and sometimes gardens.

They are most often picked up by walkers or campers. Experts advise the best way to prevent infection

is to check for ticks straight after walking or cycling through high-risk areas.

Ticks should be removed carefully with tweezers, or ideally a tick remover, available from veterinary clinics.

LOOSE Women panellist Jamelia sparked controversy by saying shops should not stock clothes for bigger women.

In a discussion about overweight teenagers, the former singer, 34, said she was ‘all for celebrating people as they are’.

But she added: “I do not think it’s right to facilitate people living an unhealthy lifestyle.

“In the same way I don’t believe size zero should be available, it’s not a healthy size for an average woman.

“I don’t believe they (high street stores) should provide clothes for below or above that range.

Viewers criticised her comments on Twitter.

Katie Angharad Jones wrote: “Used to love Jamelia but after today’s Loose Women I’ve lost all respect! There’s enough pressure to be a size eight as it is! #disgusting.”

Queen’s birthday salute GUN salutes have been fired to mark the Queen’s 89th birthday.

The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery rode past Buckingham Palace to Hyde Park to stage a 41-gun royal salute using six First World Warera 13-pounder field guns at noon yesterday.

The Band of the Royal Artillery played as crowds gathered to watch the annual display.

An hour later, the Honourable Artillery Company started firing a 62-gun royal salute from the Thames riverbank at the Tower of London, overlooking HMS Belfast.

The Queen spent the day privately at Windsor Castle, where she has been staying for the past month for Easter Court.

Three terror suspects held THREE people have been arrested in Coventry on suspicion of terror offences.

West Midlands Police said two 17-yearold boys were detained at about 6am on suspicion of preparing to travel to Syria to engage in terrorism.

Scotland Yard later said a 39-year-old man was being held on suspicion of fundraising for the purpose of terrorism.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the arrests were part of two separate investigations.

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

12 � NATIONAL NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF

Pennie Davis

Service delays in the Channel Tunnel PASSENGERS using the Channel Tunnel suffered delays yesterday after a power failure problem.

Part of one of the tunnels has been closed due to the electrical supply problem.

A Eurotunnel spokesman said yesterday technicians were on site trying to fix the problem, but there was no information as to when power would return.

He said the biggest impact was on freight traffic, however, there is an estimated three-hour wait for cars.

Eurostar said: “Our apologies to everyone affected by today’s delays - this is due to one tunnel being closed.”

A limited service was maintained with delays at both ends and the ferry services in Dover remained unaffected.

A P&O Ferries spokesman said: “We have been made aware of problems, but so far has not impacted on our operation.”

DUP ‘vital’ after May 7 THE Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has said its votes may be vital in the formation of the next UK government.

Launching its manifesto, the Northern Irish party – once led by Rev Ian Paisley - again ruled out taking part in any future coalition.

But its deputy leader Nigel Dodds said it would be prepared to support a party whose proposals would be in the best interests of Northern Ireland and the UK in general.

It calls for a budget settlement to enable real increases in health and education spending over five years.

Mr Dodds told Radio 4 that the party had worked with both Labour and Conservatives in the past on important issues.

Diver wins £117k A SCOTTISH diver has won one of the world’s most prestigious environmental awards.

Howard Wood from the Isle of Arran is to receive the Goldman Environmental Prize at a ceremony in San Francisco later.

It is in recognition of his work over 20 years to protect the island’s marine environment and allow it to recover.

The prize, worth £117,000, can be spent by the winner ‘to pursue their vision of a renewed and protected environment’.

Funeral costs to soar THE death rate in the United Kingdom has reached a tipping point with mortality rates expected to rise sharply after falling for decades, says a report.

The oldest of the post war baby-boom generation, born in 1945, will turn 70 this year says the International Longevity Centre.

The number of deaths is likely to rise 20 per cent over the next two decades, suggests an analysis of official figures.

The increase is likely to push up funeral prices, say the authors.

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

Pair face life for stabbing former stepmother as she tended horses Hitman paid £1,500 to silence woman over wedding plan fears A MAN faces life in jail after being found guilty of stabbing a woman to death in a field where she had been tending her horses.

Justin Robertson, 36, was paid £1,500 by Benjamin Carr, 22, to ‘silence’ his former stepmother Pennie Davis over fears she would disrupt his father’s wedding to his new partner.

Co-defendant Samantha Maclean, 28, of Beech Crescent, Hythe, was found not guilty of the same charge.

Mother-of-five Mrs Davis, 47, was found dead by her new husband in a field at Leygreen Farm near Beaulieu in the New Forest.

She had been stabbed 14 times in an attack described by trial judge Justice Andrew Popplewell QC as ‘particularly brutal’.

During the trial, jurors heard Carr, the son of Mrs Davis’ ex-lover, hired Robertson to kill her.

She had threatened to go back to police over

Benjamin Carr sexual assault allegations first made against him when he was 14, the court was told.

It was part of a long-running feud beween the pair.

The court heard Mrs Davis had been caught having sex with a former partner by Benjamin Carr while she was in a relationship with his father.

Carr’s father Timothy was due to marry last summer and Mrs Davis messaged his fiancée on Facebook, telling her about the allegations she had first made almost 10 years before.

His son feared Mrs Davis would go back to police about the historical sexual abuse and conspired with Robertson to kill her.

Robertson had denied the murder on 2 September last year, but was convicted by a jury at Winchester Crown Court.

Carr, from Shirley, Southampton, was found guilty of conspiracy to murder.

Robertson’s girlfriend, Lian Doyle, 24, also of Beech Crescent, Hythe, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.

Distraught mother urges to avoid online slimming drug THE distraught mother of a young student suspected of dying after consuming ‘highly toxic’ diet pills has urged others not to buy them online.

Eloise Aimee Parry, 21, from Shrewsbury, died in hospital on 12 April after becoming unwell.

Police said the tablets were believed to contain dinitrophenol, known as DNP, an industrial chemical.

Eloise’s mother, Fiona, said it was ‘an awful way to die’ and people should not take the drug ‘in any quantity’.

An inquest has been opened

and adjourned until 2 July by Shropshire coroner John Ellery after a hearing in Shrewsbury.

Glyndwr University student Ms Parry initially attended A&E after taking more than the recommended dose of the tablets.

Speaking to the BBC, her mother said: “This allowed her to achieve this super-slim appearance but it cost her her life.”

Mrs Parry said she had ‘absolutely no idea’ her daughter was taking the pills until after she died, describing them as ‘bad news’.

She added: “It only takes a small amount to kill you.

“It’s a really nasty drug. Once the drug is in your system it does a lot of damage. It doesn’t just burn fat; it destroys your muscles. It turns bodily fluids yellow.

“Doctors didn’t stand a chance of saving her, unfortunately.”

Miss Parry had walked into the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital herself and there was ‘no great panic’, she said, until a toxicology report had revealed how dire her situation was.

Eloise Aimee Parry

INTERNATIONAL NEWS �

AC/DC drummer Rudd’s whole lot of trouble AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has pleaded guilty on a charge of a threat to kill at a New Zealand court.

The court heard Rudd, 60, had asked for a former employee to be ‘taken out’ after his solo album had not performed well.

Rudd, who had denied the charges, also pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and methamphetamine.

One second charge of a threat to kill has been dropped for lack of evidence.

Australian-born Mr Rudd, pictured, was arrested at his home in the coastal town in November last year and has since been out on bail.

The court heard yesterday how he had fired a number of employees in August after his solo album, Head Job, flopped in the charts.

A month later, the court heard, he telephoned an associate saying he wanted one of the people he had fired ‘taken out’.

He later offered the associate £100,000 as well as ‘a motorbike, one of his cars or a house’, which the person assumed was payment ‘for carrying out his earlier request’.

He has been released on bail until another hearing in June.

13

NEWS IN BRIEF

Morsi faces 20 years for protest killings AN EGYPTIAN court has sentenced former president Mohammed Morsi to 20 years in prison over the killings off protestors while he was in power.

It is the first ruling he has faced since he was ousted and is one of several trials he faces in the future.

He was deposed by the army in July 2013 following mass street protests against his rule.

Since then, the authorities have banned his Muslim Brotherhood party and arrested thousands of his supporters.

Migrant disaster captain on charges THE captain of the fishing vessel which sank off Libya on Sunday killing up to 800 migrants has been charged with ‘reckless multiple homicide’, it emerged yesterday.

The Tunisian national and another member of the boat’s crew also face people trafficking offences.

They were among only 27 survivors who arrived in Sicily after a desperate search and rescue mission on Sunday.

The charges came after the European Union set out measures to try to ease the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean.

The United Nations’ refugee

agency said that about 800 people had died in Sunday’s disaster, higher than the original estimate of 700.

Carlotta Sami, of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Italy, said: “There were Syrians, about 150 Eritreans, Somalians... They had left Tripoli at about 8am on Saturday.”

Mr Salvi said hundreds of passengers had been locked below deck and hundreds more were crammed on to its upper deck.

It is believed the boat capsized when an attempted rescue by a Portuguese merchant ship caused panic.

Earlier, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the

10-point package set out at talks in Luxembourg was a ‘strong reaction from the EU to the tragedies’ and ‘shows a new sense of urgency and political will’.

“We are developing a truly European sense of solidarity in fighting human trafficking finally so.”

The measures include an increase in the financial resources of Frontex, which runs the EU’s Mediterranean rescue service Triton, and an extension of Triton’s operational area.

The EU had been criticised over the scope of Triton, which replaced the larger Italian operation Mare Nostrum at the end of last year.

Three dead in storms THREE people have died in New South Wales as storms battered the Australian state.

The two men and a woman were found dead in Dungog north of Sydney, one of the worst affected areas, where homes have been washed away by flooding.

Some 215,000 homes are without power in Sydney and across New South Wales.

Nazi guard goes on trial THE trial of a former SS guard at Auschwitz has begun in Germany.

Oskar Groening is accused of being an accessory to the murder of at least 300,000 Jews at the concentration camp.

Known as the ‘Bookkeeper of Auschwitz, the 93-year-old admits his role of counting money confiscated from new arrivals and says he was aware of mass killings, but denies any direct role in the genocide.

ORDER ONLINE www.f irezza.com

Phone 01892 52 10 50 42 Mount Ephraim Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8AU

l ea r n , o t e m i t e f i l A u te s ju s t th r e e m i n n o less , e r o m o n , k o o to c

£9.99 12" PIZZA DELIVERED Code TWCOLL Valid until 29/04/15

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

14 � BUSINESS NEWS

Payday loan firm Wonga slumps deep into the red ADVERTISING Wonga has said it will not use characters such as these in future

Boss says business can survive £100m slide PAYDAY loan company Wonga slumped into the red following a £100 million slide in revenues – but insists it can survive.

The controversial business posted a loss of £37.3 million due to a significant reduction in UK consumer lending while it attempts to clean up its image.

Revenues declined to £217.2 million in the period.

Wonga said its number of active customers has fallen to 575,000. The company previously had more than one million active customers.

The company reported that lending

volumes fell by 36 per cent to £732 million last year. It made 2.5 million loans in the UK last year against 3.7 million in 2013, but its default rate improved from 6.9 to 6.6 per cent.

The lender’s reputation has been battered by scandals, which emerged as a stricter regime was imposed on the industry, to prevent people being trapped in spiralling debts.

In January, payday loan customers saw the fees and interest they pay capped, meaning borrowers who cannot pay debts on time will never repay more in charges than they

initially wanted to borrow.

Wonga, which earlier this year announced plans to cut 325 jobs, has reviewed its business to ensure it is lending only to customers who can reasonably afford to repay the loans.

It now accepts about 50 per cent of loan applications from new and existing customers, compared with 80 per cent previously.

Asked if it is still possible to run a profitable payday loan business, Wonga’s executive chairman Andy Haste said: “Yes. Our issues are legacy issues... Could you start a payday

business today within the cap and be profitable? Yes.” Wonga said that as part of plans to build a ‘sustainable and successful business’, it plans to launch new products to reach out to more customers, details of which will be revealed in due course.

The lender’s research suggests that about 13 million people across the UK are ‘cash and credit constrained’, and under-served by mainstream financial services.

Mr Haste, who joined Wonga last July, said that in the past, bosses had discussed the possibility of the company’s changing its name as part of moves to repair its reputation.

But he said: “It’s hugely important we can demonstrate that Wonga can change from within. What the results show is that we have made real change.”

Wonga, which previously suspended all UK advertising, is planning a relaunch. But the company said it will not bring back anything resembling the puppet characters previously seen on television and that it will ensure its advertising addresses the ‘right type of customers’, reducing the risk of attracting people who are very young or vulnerable.

Last June, Wonga was ordered to pay compensation of £2.6 million by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) after sending fake legal letters to 45,000 customers, in a case described by campaigners as a “shocking new low” for the industry.

In October, Wonga wrote off a total of £220 million debt belonging to 330,000 customers as a result of carrying out inadequate affordability checks.

Having come under FCA supervision in April 2014, payday lenders were banned from rolling over a loan more than twice, and can now only make two unsuccessful attempts to claw money back from a borrower’s account.

Which? targets supermarket pricing BRITAIN’S supermarkets are facing calls for a competition inquiry after Which? accused firms of ripping off shoppers with misleading and confusing prices.

In its super-complaint to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the consumer group said retailers were creating illusions of savings through the use of multi-buys, shrinking products and baffling sales offers.

Which? said 40 per cent of groceries are sold on promotion so consumers could be collectively losing out to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds if only a small proportion of offers is misleading. It added that it is virtually impossible for people to know if they are getting a fair deal, particularly when prices vary frequently.

The group is one of a handful of bodies with

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

the power to make a super-complaint on behalf of consumers about poorly functioning markets to the CMA, which must now respond within 90 days.

Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: “Despite Which? repeatedly exposing misleading and confusing pricing tactics, and calling for voluntary change by the retailers, these dodgy offers remain on numerous supermarket shelves.”

Which? said an example of a misleading offer was Asda’s increasing the price of a pizza twopack from £1.50 to £2 last year as it went on to multi-buy at two for £3. It went back to £1.50 after the offer ended.

The consumer body also criticised an example this year, when a selection of Waitrose hot cross buns was advertised at £1.50 for 12 days

before going on offer at “£1.12 was £1.50” for 26 days. In this instance, the item was available at the lower price for longer.

Mr Lloyd said: “We’re saying enough is enough and using one of the most powerful legal weapons in our armoury to act on behalf of consumers. We want an end to misleading pricing tactics and for all retailers to use fair pricing that people can trust.”

Waitrose said the Which? example was a ‘genuine and isolated error’ as it did not ‘price establish’ the hot cross buns for long enough.

A spokesman added: “We would never deliberately mislead our customers. Although this mistake was actually in customers’ favour and led to us selling this item for less than we should have done, we’ve taken steps to ensure we are accurate in future.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

Strong Primark trade fails to boost AB Foods STRONG trading at Primark failed to boost Associated British Foods yesterday after the Silver Spoon-to-Ovaltine conglomerate warned annual earnings will fall due to the strong pound and weak sugar sales.

The FTSE 100-listed firm, which employs 118,000 people in 47 countries, said operating profit at Primark jumped 8 per cent to £322 million in the 24 weeks to February 28, driven by an 11 per cent increase in retail space.

But overall Associated British Foods said its adjusted operating fell 4 per cent to £450 million. It added that the strength of the pound, particularly against the euro, and its weak sugar business would lead to a ‘modest decline’ in annual earnings per share at the group.

EU sugar prices have fallen by about 40 per cent per tonne over the last two years, which led the sugar unit to swing to a £3 million operating loss, compared to a £64 million operating profit in the same period a year ago.

Chief executive George Weston said: “This is a sound trading result.”

Managers ‘bogged down’ MANAGERS spend an average of 15 hours a week on unnecessary admin tasks, according to a new report.

A survey of more than 300 managers in firms with over 500 staff found that most spent time on work outside their core job function, including filling in forms or updating spreadsheets.

One in five were spending up to three days a week on routine admin work, leaving many with no time for strategic initiatives, said the report by service management firm ServiceNow. Chief strategy officer Dave Wright said: “Email was never intended to run a company’s business processes.”

Bank set for £1bn float METRO Bank, which is due to open its Tunbridge Wells branch next month, is reported to be looking at a £1billion stock market listing.

The lender is said to have held talks with the London Stock Exchange just five years after launching in this country in a challenge to the established high street banks.

Metro, founded by US investor Vernon Hill, now boasts 500,000 accounts at 35 branches around the London area.

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

www.chanel.com 210 Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2SS, Tel: 01892 618618, enquiries@burrellsjewellers.co.uk

www.burrellsjewellers.co.uk

16 � BUSINESS NEWS

‘I have discovered I need to be patient and that what I might want to happen in the business does not always happen straight away’ MAHBOD MOHAMMADI McDonald’s franchisee

Big Mac and flies for the double Tunbridge Wells franchise owner Father with dream of being a pilot now controls two McDonald’s restaurants • By Steve Hemsley IT’S THE early 1980s and teenager Mahbod Mohammadi is working at McDonald’s in Croydon, but his heart is set on becoming a pilot for British Airways.

Unfortunately he never realises his dream. The demise of budget airline Laker Airways in 1982 means the job market is flooded with experienced pilots and BA recruits fewer trainees.

Although disappointed, Mr Mohammadi completes his A levels and goes full-time at the world’s largest fast-food chain.

Looking back, it was the best decision he ever made.

Now 52, he owns and operates the two McDonald’s restaurants franchises in Tunbridge Wells. The

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

Royal Victoria Place and Dowding Way outlets employ 126 staff, serve about 15,000 people every week and contribute an estimated £2m to the local economy.

Mr Mohammadi may not have become a pilot but he has always been one of McDonald’s high flyers.

He surged through the ranks, becoming a restaurant manager in Wimbledon, the area supervisor for London’s West End restaurants and oversaw the chain’s first airport restaurant at Gatwick.

In 1992 he was asked if he would like to become a franchisee. Within a year, he had bought McDonald’s in Tonbridge for £275,000 and, as an employee, he enjoyed preferential payment terms. He sold Tonbridge in May 2010 to concentrate on the two Tunbridge Wells branches.

Today, 70 per cent of McDonald’s 1,200 UK restaurants are owned and operated by franchisees.

“It was a tough decision to become a franchisee because my first child had just been born and I worried about my family’s security,” said Mr Mohammadi. “But I knew the business well and had the knowledge needed to make a McDonald’s branch work.”

In September 1998, he was offered the new Dowding Way restaurant and he grasped the opportunity. The branch was forecast to take £15,000 in its first week but demand was much higher than expected and staff numbers had to be increased from 73 to 90. This branch is now open 24 hours a day and takes about £65,000 every week, with the drive-through accounting for up to 63 per cent of sales.

On March 28, 2015, the branch broke its record for sales in a single day (£14,000) and the Sunday before, March 22, it had its best drivethrough performance, when 128 cars used the service in one hour.

Mr Mohammadi puts both records down to its being pay day for many customers, and the return of the Monopoly promotion.

At the RVP branch, which he took over in 2003, sales average more than £95,000 per month, with business significantly busier in December.

“I am involved in both restaurants most days of the week and I do serve burgers. This is a great way to get customer feedback,” he said.

Mr Mohammadi understands that the food is not to everyone’s

taste and that the brand comes in for significant criticism. He answers questions about food quality and the impact on childhood obesity with confidence. It is a debate he has obviously had many times before.

“This is all about choice and we have changed the menu over the years,” he said. “When we started selling salads in 2004, we quickly became the second biggest seller of salads after Marks & Spencer.”

He also points out that the company sources about 55 per cent of its ingredients from 17,500 British and Irish farms.

Looking ahead, he is excited about plans to refurbish the two Tunbridge Wells branches in 2017.

There will be digital screens where people can order a wider range of personalised products. It costs about

£500,000 to refurbish each restaurant with the latest technology, says Mr Mohammadi.

He is also keen to talk about the company’s community work. Staff can be seen cleaning the roundabout near the Dowding Way store and there is also support for local hospices and sponsorship of junior football teams.

So what has he learned over the years about managing such a huge global brand at a local level?

“I have discovered I need to be patient and that what I might want to happen in the business does not always happen straightaway,” he said. “I have also learned not to get defensive when McDonald’s is criticised but to understand that some people do have other views about what we do.”

Would he like a third franchise?

After all, there used to be a third branch in Tunbridge Wells town centre but this closed in 2007.

“I don’t think so. I am not as young as I used to be and you need to take on a 20-year franchise.”

In reality, Mr Mohammadi has different priorities for the future.

His son, who currently works in the RVP branch, is on the verge of becoming a professional golfer.

Yet he is not ready to retire quite yet. He still loves the buzz he gets from working for such a well-known brand. Although, despite his own personal love of the occasional Big Mac, there will always be a small part of him that would have loved to have been a pilot.

BUSINESS NEWS �

MELTING POINT Alison Hazell fears high rates could put her out of business

17

The Definitive High-Tech Flat Roofing Solution

Flat Roofing

Guaranteed for Life

‘Unfair business rates could bankrupt my firm’ • By Julie Rae AN ENTREPRENEUR claims ‘extortionate’ business rates of almost £8,000 a year could close her firm down – claiming some start-ups pay as little as £27 per month.

Alison Hazell, who runs Temper Temper Chocolate in Southborough, wants the government to help keep established small businesses on the high street and put a stop to ‘unfair’ preferential start-up rates that longer-established small businesses are subsidising.

The mother of five said: “I run a small business that requires me to work in a large space. My rates are so high because they are worked out from the value of the property.”

Business rates are set by the government and collected by the borough council. All businesses pay them for premises they operate from such as shops, offices, kitchens and factories.

Mrs Hazell said: “My turnover is not that high because I do the chocolate-making parties and workshops at weekends mostly.

It’s not a full-time business but I have to pay extortionate rates.

“They are cripplingly high and could put me out of business. They need to be changed to help established small firms.

“I know of a new company paying £27 per month in business rates because of special new start-up rates. I feel like I’m subsiding that new business and that’s unfair.”

The 44-year-old chocolatier understands

business rates are a necessity but feels more could be done to keep small firms on the high street.

Mrs Hazell, who lives in Langton Green, said: “No wonder there are so many empty shops in the town centre, small businesses can’t afford to pay rent, wages and crippling rates.

“Unfortunately, just giving out start-up discounts doesn’t help in the long run, within a couple of years these new businesses will also be faced with high rates.

“The government and the council should be looking at better ways to help established small businesses and keep them on our high streets.

Federation of Small Business development manager Alison Parmar said: “Unfortunately Mrs Hazell is just one example of small businesses suffering under the cost of high business rates.

“We are asking whoever takes power and moves into Number 10 on May 8 to make a temporary doubling of small business rate relief permanent. Then when they’ve unpacked their briefcase, we want them to commit to fundamental business rates reform including an ‘enterprise tax’ framework for small businesses.”

Greg Clark who is standing for re-election as MP for Tunbridge Wells, said: “I would be happy to help Mrs Hazell, £8,000 is a lot to pay for a small business. If you’ve got a small company that needs bigger premises because of the nature of that business, it would be a good thing for the next government to look at that, to see if another definition can capture these circumstances and help.”

High-Tech Roofing have installed and guaranteed over 8,000 domestic projects – every roof we install comes complete with a LIFETIME guarantee, to give you absolute peace of mind.

100% resistant to algae & moss No stone chippings Will never blister or crack 100% maintenance free Proven in all climates Storm resistant Never leak Can be walked on Unique anti-slip finish

wants to develop gift boxes to sell at airports and in high-end retailers.

Mr Renty, who last year raised £30,000 through alternative equity crowdfunding, has chosen reward-based

crowdfunding to reach his target, using the Crowdfunder online platform.

Those who invest will be given branded polo shirts, key rings and gift boxes, depending on the amount paid.

Are retir you ed?

Extr a sa

Aesthetically pleasing

now

vi avai ngs lable

We are licensed installers of Protan single-ply flat roofing systems Protan, based in Norway, have a pedigree in the design and manufacture of waterproofing materials dating back to 1939. Today, they are Scandinavia’s largest producer of thermoplastic membranes and are at the forefront in the technology and design of roofing membranes.

Brochure and free sample available on request

Belgian organic craft beer’s crowdfunding hopes A BELGIAN organic craft beer brand based in Tunbridge Wells is seeking between £5,000 and £50,000 in additional crowdfunding to extend its range.

Van Bulck, run by Deni Renty,

Life Gua time r App antee rove d

www.flatroofs.net

For a Free Quotation

Call: 01892 882690 Head Office: Linden House, 30 Linden Road, Benfleet, Essex SS7 4BA

Wednesday 22nd 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.

Many thanks to Times reader Miriam Walsh who snapped this discerning gentleman outside the Costa coffee house in Tunbridge Wells.

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

Drop us an email at… newsdesk@times oftunbridgewells.co.uk

I DOUBT I am the only reader somewhat saddened by the reaction to the April fools’ joke about a ‘98p Store’ coming to the cinema site. Whilst this is probably not the ideal site for such an outlet, having one in the town (rather than on a less-accessible trading estate) would undoubtedly provide residents with a wide range of sensiblypriced household items, not easy to source locally these days after the demise of Woolworths and a number of smaller shops. Contrary to popular belief (within the town and otherwise), Tunbridge Wells is not the exclusive preserve of the wealthy or pretentious, despite having a fair number of retailers whose products and prices suggest otherwise. And the town must be losing out to Tonbridge, with its two pound shops and Lidl, clearly fulfilling a popular need but hardly on our doorsteps. An Aldi supermarket, on the cinema site or otherwise, would go a long way to filling the void; the nearest ones at Maidstone, East Grinstead and Lewes are too remote for a special shopping trip.

Nick Stanbury Via email IT WAS surprising to see that, in your interview with him (Meet the candidate, April 8), Greg Clark states that people vote nationally on local issues when in fact, as anyone who has been involved with campaigns

knows, the reverse is true for much of the electorate. Although there may occasionally be a local matter which overrides national loyalties, it is generally the case that voters support those candidates from the party which attracts their support nationally.

That this should be so at a general election is only right as, although, MPs must represent their own constituents, they are elected to the national forum where such matters as the defence of the realm and the preservation of our democracy are of primary importance.

It is probably because Mr Clark knows that his party fails on both counts they he chooses to over-emphasise local matters at the expense of the great issues of state.

Colin Bullen Via e-mail TERRY Cload ‘s letter (April 15) comments on your April Fool article but then tries an April Fool joke of his own by saying I am ‘stepping down as an MP’.

During an election campaign, of course, there are no MPs. But I hope very much that the residents of the Tunbridge Wells constituency will back me to carry on my work for – and with – our community by re-electing me on May 7.

Greg Clark Conservative Party candidate

YET another post-weekend engineering works Monday morning meltdown has severely disrupted the journeys to work and study of many west Kent commuters, with the usual accompanying information systems failure.

Southeastern is deservedly dishing out vouchers to its staff who struggle to give accurate advice to disgruntled customers in such challenging situations.

But what about the plight of the hardpressed commuters who also continue to suffer from the London Bridge chaos on a regular basis?

The Conservatives have belatedly called for a freeze in fare rises in real terms, just ahead of the general election.

But local Lib Dems have consistently advocated an actual reduction in fares paid from west Kent stations, in recognition of above average increases seen over many years now, combined with the current additional stress and strain of travelling to London and back.

Surely the commuter deserves a much better service, lower ticket prices and adequate compensation when things go badly wrong with their journeys?

Alan Bullion Via email WE ARE a small committee of only seven, but the aim of the RNLI Royal Tunbridge Wells Branch is to raise as much money for the Lifeboats as possible. We are all involved with full/ part time work or other commitments so our fundraising takes place in our ‘spare’ time. We have collections at all the major supermarkets in Tunbridge Wells; coffee mornings; sales; sponsored walks; stalls at local fetes and fairs; an annual outing and much more. We have a small but very dedicated band of supporters without whom our events would not happen. It costs around £140m annually to keep the RNLI afloat nationwide so every penny we raise helps. The majority of RNLI crew members are volunteers so some of the money raised goes towards ensuring they have the best possible equipment available to keep

them safe whilst they are risking their lives at sea to help others. In 2011 we had our best ever fundraising year since the branch was founded in the early 1900s, cracking the £20k barrier. That shows the generosity of the people in Tunbridge Wells and surrounding area. We are always looking for people to help us, so if anyone would be willing and able to spare just a few hours a year, call Joan on 01892 539551 or email cjay13@ hotmail.co.uk. As an inland branch we are proud of what we do and hope to continue fundraising well into the future. Come and join us, you will be made most welcome!

Joan Hamilton-Smith I AM a mum on the committee of the nearby Frant Nursery School, which is a not-for-profit pre-school for children aged two to five years. We receive no government funding and rely solely on fundraising and school fees to survive.

We are holding an open day on Thursday, May 14, from 10am-12pm to invite all parents and their children to come and visit us and see what we do. We have produced a leaflet that we will be delivering to the surrounding areas. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Leyna Craven Via email I WAS interested to read about the osprey hunting over Bewl Water.

Although I have seen one a few years back at Bewl, I haven’t been down that way this year to be lucky enough to glimpse the bird in action. I do remember my mother and father taking us to Scotland in 1976 – that scorching summer – where we’d splash about in Loch Garten all day. Or rather my brother and sister did. I trekked all the way up to the RSPB hide which looked out to the osprey site. It was so nice to read your piece on page two and be reminded of a happy time in my childhood and why I ended up taking up bird-watching in the first place!

Keep it up.

Trevor Wills Via email

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 SPARE a thought for the candidates gravel-crunching this month in a bid to gain election to the borough council.

The Liberal Democrat candidate for St John’s ward Trevor Poile was hospitalised the other day after being attacked by a dog.

Says a pal: “It got his fingers and I think he needed stitches. Perhaps it was a UKIP attack hound.”

THE Lib Dem parliamentary candidate James MacCleary has limited sympathy for his comrade, seeing savaged digits as not only a badge of honour but an occupational hazard. Mr MacCleary’s party is famous for winning elections, able to whizz across doorsteps quicker than a milkman.

He tells me: “The Lib Dems are well-known for their campaigning but if you put a hundred members in a room, the chances are they’ll all have stories to tell about getting bitten by dogs. It goes with the territory.”

TALES of derring-do from the doorstep puts Calverley in mind of Fleet Street crime reporter James Nicholson, better known as The Prince of Darkness. Stalking the press room at the Old Bailey in dark shades, a black cape and silvertopped cane, the Prince would speak to one and all in a classic B-movie gangster patois. Over a convivial half, he’d tell young reporters: “Listen, boys, you might well be the hit men from Mothercare but I’ve been on more doorsteps than a milk bottle and attended every siege since Troy.”

ONE has to admire the blind optimism of Graham Naismith, the affable and no-nonsense independent candidate in the parliamentary elections on May 7. The second part of his email address reads ‘grahamnaismithmp’.

The former Thames Valley copper tells me: “I have my daughter helping me and my mate’s doing Twitter for me.”

NOTE to self. Addition to the Calverley Christmas present list. One dictionary for the estimable Southborough Tory councillor Nasir Jamil who misspells ‘constituency’ as ‘constituancy’ on his otherwise excellent website.

GLANCING through the candidates’ list for the borough election on May, I rather expect most to be named after Greek philosophers or Roman gods. Sadly not but we do have the gloriously exotic Liberal Democrats Marguerita Gladys Morton, Thomas Camille Deacon and Tannice Noami Pendegrass and the slightly more earthy Tory Thelma Rosemary Huggett.

Chin chin!!

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

EDUCATION �

19

Can anyone hold a candle to Tunbridge Wells’ schoolgirl business go-getters?

A team of sixth-formers are displaying good heads for business by winning the Young Enterprise scheme’s West Kent Company of the Year. Sarah Bond reports…

ENTREPRENEURS Front, from left, Miranda Slater, Clara Page, Eloise Thallon. Behind, from left, Rachael Parker, Abigail Sykes, Freya Templeman, Alice Howey and Laura Barrett

ALAN Sugar, eat your heart out. The BBC may have dropped The Young Apprentice, but Britain’s young entrepreneurs are still out there and proving a huge success – with Tunbridge Wells producing some of the best.

Last year, a team from Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys reached the national finals of the Young Enterprise Company Programme, with eco-friendly company UpRaw, which upcycles furniture made from wooden pallets, and is still going strong today.

This year, a team from Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar (TWGGS) is hot on their heels with Lilla Home, which makes environmentally-friendly scented

MENTORS From left, George Mullis and Harvey Osbourn

soy wax candles and lavender bags, and plans other eco-friendly items for the home. The company is ripe for expansion and has proved popular at local markets and fairs with its green theme.

As part of the scheme, the UpRaw boys have been helping mentor them.

The boys finished in the top five last year, so the pressure is on the girls to match or even beat them.

“Last year we were the first nonprivate school to get to the national finals for about 30 years, and one of the top five in the whole country out of about 2,000 companies, but we wish the girls well,” said George Mullis, 18, who runs UpRaw with 17-year-old Harvey Osbourn.

Young Enterprise is the UK’s leading enterprise and finance education charity, and so far, a million young people nationwide have run a real business for a year under the flagship company programme.

With the support of business advisers, teams of 15 to19-year-olds make all the decisions about their companies, from raising the initial share capital to designing the product or service to selling.

At the end of the academic year, they must wind up the companies and pay their taxes. But they can start the business up again afterwards, as UpRaw did.

A series of heats leads to the national finals, at the British Film Institute in London on July 2, when the winners will receive £1,000 and a place at the JA Europe Company of the Year competition in Berlin.

Both the local and European finals are hosted at the home location of the previous year’s winners.

TWGGS’ 22-strong Lilla Home team passed the first hurdle by beating ten others to win the west Kent final at the boys’ grammar on March 23, with Tonbridge Grammar as runners-up.

Now the girls are preparing for the Kent and Medway final, in Maidstone on April 30. If they win, they go on to the southeast heat on June 17, hoping to qualify for the final.

Lilla Home’s managing director Freya Hempleman, 16, deputy MD Rachael Parker, operations director Hettie Morgan-Jones and Alice Howey,

IT director, all 17, spoke about the company.

Freya said: “We’ve had professionals advising us, and we elected people for the different roles. Then we brainstormed ideas and researched to see what was best financially and for commercial appeal.

“We also had to produce a business plan. Then there were three criteria for judging – our presentation, our company report and our trade stall, to show what we had done so far.

“Originally we identified ourselves as a homeware company, but then we thought specialising in scented candles would probably be easier. It’s been quite difficult because we have so many ideas, but they don’t all have the profit margins we need.

“The candles are our main product, we changed scents through the year, so at Christmas we did mulled wine and cinammon. We did special scents for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day and adapted the packaging for Christmas and Valentine’s Day, too.”

Initial ideas included cushionmaking, frames, chalkboards, dried cake mixes, gluten-free food and even dog collars and dog-walking.

“But candles were the most popular idea by far,” Rachel said. “None of the other companies did candles so it was lucky we chose those in the end, and there is a huge market for them.

“We did market research and saw most people were using paraffin wax, and when we looked deeper into paraffin, we realised it was a petroleum product from crude oil which really wasn’t sustainable. So we looked for alternatives and found a niche in soy, which is also more affordable than beeswax.

“We had to train everyone to make the candles, in a controlled area of our common room. We had to experiment

with colours and scents while keeping an eye on costs.”

Freya added: “From there we found other ways of being eco-friendly, such as using ribbon made from wood pulp, part of the glass for the jars is recycled, and the shipping for the jars is carbon neutral. We also use paper bags instead of plastic because we really want to keep it eco-friendly, so everything has kept to that ethos.

The girls knew they would need a unique selling point in a large and diverse market and they believe the environmentally-friendly theme helped their company stand out.

“Then we chose the name,” Freya said. “We couldn’t find any home-style names that weren’t already taken so we started looking up names in other languages.

“One of our advisers, David Westphal, suggested Swedish and we liked the idea of a Nordic influence. In Swedish, Lilla Home means little home, which we really liked and it sounded cosy. It also went with our idea of minimal-style branding.”

Lilla Home is looking into a range of summer scents, and possibly candlemaking kits to branch out further.

But the business has already been a success, with profit levels up to 70 per cent on some products. They started with £180, with the girls buying five shares at £1 each, and others including parents also buying in.

The girls face burning the candle at both ends by competing in the next heat while exams loom, but earlier in the year, they coped with running a stall for judging at Tonbridge Farmers’ Market before their mocks, so they seem more than capable of shining at both.

For more information, visit www. lillahome.weebly.com or search for Lilla Home on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

WINNERS The Lilla Home team at the west Kent heat

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

20 � PEOPLE

Father’s letter of love to his precious daughter

TREATMENT Millie responded well to the chemotherapy and radiotherapy

DEAR Millie is a book unlike any other. It is a father’s letter to his daughter; the diaries he wrote as she was diagnosed with, treated for and recovered from a malignant brain tumour.

ELEANOR JONES met Marco Previero, his wife Vanessa and Millie May herself…

“I HOPE you will always remember the love of a father who never doubted his commitment to get you out of the grips of cancer and who will always carry your heart in his heart.”

Marco Previero starts Dear Millie with a letter to his daughter, “in the hope that life has afforded you the opportunity to grow old enough to read it”.

Two years ago, this hope may have seemed slim.

A week after Good Friday 2013, then sevenyear-old Millie May woke complaining of ‘fuzziness’ in her eyes.

Two days later, she had her first brain operation; two days after that, by which time she was blind, she was diagnosed with brain cancer, a very rare secreting germ cell tumour.

“The diagnosis of its being malignant didn’t actually mean that much,” Marco says quietly.

“By that time, we’d been kicked so hard, so many

times, that we were on the floor unconscious.

“You go numb to protect yourself. It’s a survival mechanism you put in place because what matters most is your daughter. It’s not brave or courageous, just a parent’s instinct.”

Before that Friday morning, there had been little to hint at what the future held for the Previero family.

Millie had been demonstrating an excessive thirst for about a year but tests had proved inconclusive.

She had also suffered from headaches and as she had felt below par for a couple of days, an appointment had been made with the family’s paediatrician on that very day.

From the moment the doctor realised the extent of Millie’s loss of vision, he and his colleagues, at the Portland, Moorfields and Great Ormond Street hospitals, ‘moved heaven and earth’ to diagnose the little girl’s condition, and carry out her first major brain surgery.

“It was brutal,” says Marco. “I asked whether Millie had a growth and he said he was going to call it what it was, a brain tumour.

“As a parent, you’re used to being able to protect your children but you realise this is a situation you know nothing about.

RECOVERY Millie with Vanessa and Marco

“At first, they thought it was a benign tumour and the surgeons believed the best option was to operate, to preserve what was left of Millie’s sight.

Time had never been more of the essence, as her sight was deteriorating every second.”

The Previeros, who have another daughter, Ellie Rose, and son Luca Jack, had to trust the surgeons who took their daughter away, although the risks inherent in even this surgery were manifold.

“The maternal instinct kicks in and you think ‘that’s my baby’,” Vanessa says. “She’s lying there on the table and all you can do is hope she’ll come back, as Millie, and you think about all the things they’ve mentioned – I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

The eight-hour operation, to remove the part of the tumour putting pressure on Millie’s optic nerve, was a success. But it was only the start of a long and dark journey.

Told their daughter had a 65 per cent of survival – “which is meaningless because for the last 15 years, there have only been ten cases of this per year,” says Marco – the Previeros had to agree to two more brain operations and four sessions of intense chemotherapy over the next few months.

“I hope you will always remember the love of a father who never doubted his commitment to get you out of the grips of cancer and who will always carry your heart in his heart” Wednesday 22nd April 2015

PEOPLE �

“For each session, or cycle, she’d be an inpatient for a week, as seven to eight litres of chemicals were pumped into her,” explains Marco, “Then three weeks at home to recover. And so on, over four successive cycles.

“They had to take her to the brink. It’s dramatic – she had acute kidney failure during the second cycle. You realise the cure itself is almost as damaging as the cancer and you have to accept long-term consequences as a result of getting rid of the tumour because there’s no alternative.

“Millie’s getting the tumour was astronomical bad luck, that’s all it was. But then we were lucky, to be in the right place at the right time, and during the treatment, because everything that needed to go well, went very well.”

Millie’s tumour responded well to the chemotherapy and in August 2013, the whole family moved to Oklahoma City, America, for three months of NHS-funded proton beam radiotherapy.

“It’s an amazing thing, the NHS,” reflects Marco.

“Millie fell ill on Friday, was admitted to Great Ormond Street on Saturday and operated on on Sunday.

“The people at Gosh were absolutely fantastic.

They went above and beyond in their care of Millie, then they paid for the treatment in America.

You hear so much negativity about the NHS but they were truly amazing.

“There’s been a lot of misleading publicity about proton beam therapy. It isn’t a miracle cure but it should reduce long-term side effects and lessen the chance of cognitive decline or reduced quality of life, which is so very important.”

Millie’s treatment ended in November 2013 and the family was able to return to the small village they call home, just outside Tunbridge Wells.

Recovery has been – and still is – a long and slow process but a scan in February was clear and on a sunny morning in April 2015, two years almost to the day after her diagnosis, this nine-year-old girl,

drawing in a sunny kitchen, looks like any other.

“The significant period for this not coming back is a year from the end of treatment and it hasn’t so she’d be very unlucky now if it did,” says Marco.

“She’s not quite there yet but she is making really good progress – if we’d been offered this situation a day after diagnosis, we would have signed up straight away.”

Millie still has regular hospital appointments and will have to take medicine every day for the rest of her life. Her weight has become an issue, as a result of hormone therapy and possible damage to an area of her brain as a result of the treatment.

But her sight has returned, as has her hair, and she is back at school.

“We were very lucky,” says Marco, gazing at his daughter. “So many people had so much worse.

We saw parents who had to make the decision on whether to put their children through two more years of intense, harmful treatment, with no guarantee of quality of life at the end of it. How do you make that decision?

“Our perspectives have definitely changed. We don’t sweat the small things now. To see Millie having a good day is what gives me a high and just for her to go back to normal school. English and maths and whether she’s in the netball team don’t seem as important – although she is in that team!

“She will have to take medication every day for the rest of her life but when you think about it, everyone has to take in food and drink every day to survive. That’s a limitation in a similar way. Millie will have an independent life and quality of life, that’s what’s important.”

Marco kept his diary throughout Millie’s treatment and part of the reason he published the book, apart from raising money for Great Ormond Street and trying to make sense of a horrific situation, was to preserve the story for his daughter.

“Millie’s character made things so much easier,” he explains. She was amazing throughout. I

PROTON BEAM RADIOTHERAPY

LETTER OF LOVE Marco wrote Dear Millie for his daughter

wanted to preserve what happened so she can read it when she’s at an age to understand how extraordinary she was. For her to come to terms with some of the limitations she has and take ownership of her own story.

“I also wanted to raise awareness of and support for Gosh. It’s difficult to find a way of saying ‘thank you for saving my daughter’s life’. This is my very small way of beginning to say it.”

Vanessa adds: “Until you go through something like this, you can’t understand it. Please buy the book, you don’t even have to read it but that £10 will go to something no one ever knows when they’ll need.

“You think ‘it’ll never happen to me’ but it did and if this book helps one other family, it’s worth it.”

21

Traditional radiation therapy used to treat cancers employs radioactive energy rays called photons.

When radiation is directed at a tumour, the photons must pass through normal, healthy cells, which are often harmed by the radiation.

Proton therapy uses minute particles, protons, instead of photons. Moving at incredibly high speeds, the charged particles deliver a very high dose of radiation to the cancer but release very little radiation to normal cells in their path, which in theory minimises damage to healthy tissue.

‘It isn’t a miracle cure but it should reduce long-term side effects and lessen the chance of cognitive decline or reduced quality of life’ Dear Millie is available now, priced £9.99. To order a copy, visit Amazon, or www.troubador.co.uk All proceeds go to Gosh

WE’RE LOOKING TO RECRUIT THE NEXT GENERATION OF BRIGHT, EXPERIENCED AND AMBITIOUS

SOLICITORS

TO JOIN OUR BUSINESS WHERE THERE ARE NO GLASS CEILINGS AND YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP YOUR FULL POTENTIAL AND TO REALISE YOUR PERSONAL ASPIRATIONS. SO, IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A NEW CHALLENGE IN

PRIVATE CLIENT, FAMILY OR PROPERTY AND THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE WHAT IT TAKES THEN SEND YOUR CV BY EMAIL TO nigel.harper@parfittcresswell.com AND WE’LL BE IN TOUCH STRAIGHT AWAY

MAX BARFORD & CO

JEVONS RILEY & POPE

PARFITT CRESSWELL

KEENE MARSLAND

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 22nd April 2015

22 � FASHION, HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Making it all up It’s brushes at the ready as Charlie Bond heads to a make-up masterclass IN PROGRESS Jane Mather at work

BEFORE Charlie au naturel JANE’S TOP TIPS HAVE A good cleansing routine and drink lots of water. If you can get that bit right, it gives you a better base to start applying your makeup.

DAY-TO-DAY, get your concealer right and have a good mascara and you don’t need loads of extra products, especially if you’re in a rush.

THE OLDER you get, the advice is to wear more colour, so rather than darker colours use brighter shades and blusher.

TO KEEP make-up on as along as possible, you need a good primer. Get one that’s right for your skin, whether that’s minimising pores or covering wrinkles.

IN recent years, interest in make-up and beauty products has risen massively. Now, with beauty bloggers all over the internet and millions of makeup tutorials on YouTube, what we put on our faces has never been more talked about.

I have a love/hate relationship with make-up.

I love trying out new things and am forever searching for the wonder product that will fix every flaw on my face, but equally I loathe applying it in a rush every morning and feeling disappointed with the results. I’m also very easily persuaded (or conned) by the girls on make-up counters. One recent trip to Fenwick set me back £70 when I was persuaded to buy a foundation I didn’t want and a ‘special’ brush to go with it.

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

Today, rather than searching for a wonder product, I’m visiting a wonder woman – Jane Mather, who runs Image Trees in Tunbridge Wells. Jane is trained in image consultancy, colours and make-up, so I’m signed up for one of her ‘make-up masterclasses’ to see what wisdom she can impart.

Before I meet Jane, she asks me to send a picture of myself with my ‘everyday’ make-up on, and fill in a questionnaire about the makeup looks I like, whether there’s anything I’m selfconscious about and whether I have any skin allergies. When I arrive at her studio in Lonsdale Gardens, the first thing we do is go through my make-up bag so she can see the kind of products I’m currently using. She says my make-up is all

about the right colour for me, and agrees that my skin tone is warm, which I was told during my visit to colour consultant Jane Osborn a few weeks previously.

“We’ll go for a more natural look today,” she tells me as I sit down in front of the mirror and she starts to match the make-up. “I’m going to leave it so some of your freckles are showing through – I think it’s nice and it’s different. Not many people have a spring colouring like yours.”

After using a primer on my face so the makeup will last, I’m surprised that Jane begins by working on my eyes, whereas I tend to do my eyes last.

“I’m doing it that way because when you’re doing something like a smoky eye some of the

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

RUSTHALL PLACE

A chance to buy part of this distinctive Victorian mansion, complete with commanding views, is on offer this week.

2, Rusthall Place is one of a range of homes for sale and to let in the following pages.

See page 27 for full details.

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

24 � PROPERTY

A stunning and substantial seven-bedroom family home

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

In my view…

Kate Boyes FARLA MRICS Partner at Alexandre Boyes

Capital gains tax – impact on lettings This last week, we have seen an increase in overseas/non-resident landlords asking for sales valuations on their residential rental properties. A few factors could be at play here. In April 2014, the last 36 months of property ownership previously exempt from capital gains tax was reduced to 18 months, so some landlords may be looking to cash in on the gain. The prospect of a change in government and possible tax treatment for non-resident landlords may also be making people nervous. Capital gains tax roll-over relief is not available to private landlords as it is to businesses, regardless of where in the world they reside. Capital gains tax impacts the first time buyers’ market. The oversupply of rental properties at the lower end of the property chain cannot be released for first time buyers without landlords facing large tax bills. David Cox, managing director of ARLA, commented recently: “ARLA is calling for simple changes to tax policy, such as reduced rates of VAT on property improvements and being able to offset works against income tax rather than capital gains tax (CGT) as well as changes to CGT such as roll-over relief and taper relief, (tax benefits already available to businesses) will allow landlords to costeffectively churn their portfolios to meet local housing needs and better resource their maintenance budgets.”

“Recent tax changes, such as the abolition of the Landlords Energy Savings Allowance (LESA), have actually made it more difficult to finance maintenance and improvement works to their properties.”

Our advice to landlords is always to seek professional advice from a chartered accountant. Our in-house chartered accountant works closely with our clients providing taxation advice on all aspects of property ownership, something quite unique to Alexandre Boyes.

AT A GLANCE Property: 91 Frant Road, Tunbridge Wells Detached Victorian property Period features Popular residential area Parking and garage Grand entrance hall Formal dining room Sitting room Drawing room Anteroom Cloakroom Ground floor shower room Cellar Utility room Stunning kitchen/breakfast room with huge ceiling lantern Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom Three further bedrooms on the first floor Family bathroom Three further bedrooms on the second floor Two attic storage rooms (one being converted to a bathroom) Attic Attractive rear garden 0.45 of an acre £1,750,000 For sale through Knight Frank 01892 515035 www.knightfrank.co.uk

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

THIS property in Frant Road is an imposing and extremely spacious Victorian house with seven bedrooms. Set in a popular part of Tunbridge Wells with easy access to the station, the High Street and The Pantiles, it is beautifully presented and has a particularly attractive kitchen/breakfast room.

The property boasts many of the period features you would expect of a Victorian residence, such as high ceilings, ceiling covings and roses, cornicing, picture rails, fireplaces and feature windows. The well-proportioned accommodation is arranged over three floors and provides, on the ground floor, a large and bright entrance hall with a formal dining room and a double-aspect sitting room with a large bay window, part-panelled walls and a beautiful fireplace.

To the rear is a stunning drawing room with French doors to the garden, a fireplace with woodburning stove, an intricate plaster ceiling and a useful anteroom. A cloakroom, utility room and shower room are also on this floor, as well as a staircase to a cellar area, which is currently divided into two store rooms and a wine cellar.

But it is the magnificent L-shaped kitchen/ breakfast room, with grey Mark Wilkinson kitchen, black granite work surfaces, a gas-fired double oven Aga and a central island/breakfast bar, that really forms the heart of this house. Flooded with natural light thanks to the four sash windows with views of

the rear garden and a huge ceiling lantern skylight, it is bright and welcoming.

On the first floor, the spacious master bedroom has a large feature bay window, a pretty fireplace and an en-suite bathroom. There are three further bedrooms and a family bathroom on this floor. The second floor features three bedrooms, two storage rooms and a large attic space. The vendors are currently in the process of converting the larger storage room to a bathroom.

Outside, the property is approached via electronic gates to an ample parking area and garage. To the rear is a decked area and mature gardens, laid mainly to lawn with a multitude of trees, shrubs and plants. In all there is about 0.45 of an acre.

01892 525 522 kate@alexandre-boyes.co.uk www.alexandre-boyes.co.uk

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

PROPERTY �

Beautifully presented town house over five floors is available to let THIS stunning family home, arranged over five floors, is available to let from this month. In Woodbury Park Road, a popular location with good access to primary and secondary schools, it is within a short walk of the town centre and station.

On the basement level is a large family room with underfloor heating, a woodburner and large bi-fold doors to the courtyard garden, creating an amazing entertaining space.

This floor also has a shower room and storage. The lower ground floor boasts a lovely modern kitchen/dining room with underfloor heating, integrated appliances and a Smeg fridge-freezer, as well as a breakfast bar and room for a table and chairs. The dining area features a Juliet balcony over the garden.

On the ground floor is a comfortable sitting room with original fireplace, and a study/ bedroom to the rear. The first floor has a double bedroom with fireplace, a family bathroom with claw foot bath, and a separate WC. The top floor has two further bedrooms.

The rear garden is paved, with a log store, shed, raised flower beds with mature shrubs and small trees, and a rear gate.

AT A GLANCE Maryland, Innhams Wood, Crowborough Spacious and versatile detached house in private lane Entrance hall Dining room Study Stunning sitting room Cloakroom Kitchen/breakfast room Utility room Boot room Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom Guest bedroom with en-suite bathroom Two further bedrooms Family bathroom Attic family/games room Garage and parking Rear terrace and woodland garden of about two-thirds of an acre £875,000 For sale through Hamptons 01892 516611 www.hamptons.co.uk

25

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

AT A GLANCE 32 Woodbury Park Road, Tunbridge Wellsh Attractive town house over five floors Large basement family room with bi-fold doors Basement shower room and storage Kitchen/dining room with integrated appliances Sitting room Study/bedroom Master bedroom Family bathroom Separate WC Two further bedrooms Landscaped rear garden To let unfurnished £2,250 per month To let through Alexandre Boyes 01892 525522 www.alexandre-boyes.co.uk

Outstanding and flexible family home in a private lane MARYLAND is located in a tree-lined no through road on the west side of Crowborough, close to open countryside. In a lovely private setting, the property boasts an area of private woodland to the rear.

The substantial detached house provides flexible accommodation with four or five bedrooms, over three floors. As well as plenty of parking, it also has a garage.

The entrance hall leads to a study, cloakroom and dining room with a limestone floor, wood-burning stove and openings to the impressive sitting room, down a short flight of stairs. The sitting room is double height with a part vaulted ceiling and Velux windows. There is underfloor heating and the rear wall is floor to ceiling sliding doors to a terrace.

The modern kitchen/ breakfast room has an excellent range of units, integrated appliances, a central island and double

doors with steps to the terrace. A utility room and useful boot room, with its own entrance, complete the accommodation on the ground floor.

On the first floor is a large master bedroom with ensuite bathroom, two further bedrooms, a family bathroom and a guest bedroom with en-suite bathroom. A staircase leads to a converted attic room, currently used as a family and games room but which could be used as a spacious bedroom. With underfloor heating and Velux windows, it is a long room with a feature Juliet balcony, providing views over the garden.

Outside is a large southfacing terrace and an area of private woodland garden with timber sheds. With tree swings and plenty of space for climbing frames and trampolines among the trees, it’s an idyllic garden for children.

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

26 � PROPERTY

A chance to remodel this large double-fronted villa

AT A GLANCE 7 LANSDOWNE ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS Victorian villa ripe for remodelling Currently split into three dwellings but with draft plans to create a single sevenbedroom residence 3,909sq ft of accommodation Arranged over four floors Character features Driveway parking Three-bedroom maisonette over the ground and lower ground floors Two-bedroom flat on the first floor Two-bedroom flat on the top floor Enclosed garden of about 0.22 of an acre £1,250,000 For sale through Savills 01892 507000 www.savills.com

AN ATTRACTIVE double-fronted Victorian house with accommodation arranged over four floors, 7 Lansdowne Road presents a fantastic opportunity. Currently divided into a threebedroom maisonette and two self-contained two-bedroom flats, the property offers the chance to reconfigure the layout, creating a substantial seven-bedroom home.

Although planning permission has not been sought, draft plans and pre-application advice are available from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, indicating that it is unlikely the conversion would require planning permission.

However, external alternations may require permission in their own right.

Attractive character features of the period remain, such as the well-proportioned rooms with high ceilings and some bay windows,

ONLY five years old but in keeping with the cottages surrounding it, 12 Benhall Mill Road offers the best of both worlds. With a Victorian style but modern fittings and a sleek, contemporary design, it is an ideal family home in a lovely location.

Close to Tunbridge Wells but on the edge of the countryside, the house has been thoughtfully designed to make the most of the plot and provides useful family accommodation. It benefits from an entrance hall and cloakroom at the front, with an attractive sitting room that features wood floors, a bay window and a fireplace with wood-burner.

But the space at the rear of the property is the real highlight. A superb kitchen/dining/family room with a spacious, modern kitchen area with integrated appliances and a vast dining/family area, it is ideal for entertaining.

Triple-aspect, there are skylights and Velux windows to ensure it is bright and inviting, and two sets of double doors open to the garden. A utility room completes the

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

accommodation on the ground floor.

On the first floor are two bedrooms and a study/third bedroom, as well as a modern family bathroom. On the second floor, the impressive master suite can be found. A lovely bright bedroom with dormer windows and sloping walls, it has an en-suite shower room.

To the front of the property, an area of offroad parking is provided, and a useful garden store.

At the rear is a lovely landscaped garden with a paved patio and level lawn, well screened with hedging on one side and fencing to the rest. There is a log store and double doors into an internal store area at the back of the kitchen, which acts as a garden shed without taking up any of the garden space.

A particular feature of this property is the contemporary garden studio/office. Approached by a path of slabs, it features a large sliding glass door.

It would make an excellent office, an artist’s or writer’s studio, a summer house, play house or den.

fireplaces, sash windows, balustrade staircase and folding wooden shutters in the principal reception rooms.

The maisonette currently takes up the ground and lower ground floors - a total of 2,079sq ft. It includes an entrance hall, open-plan kitchen/ breakfast room/family room, drawing room, study, cloakroom, three bedrooms, utility room, two shower rooms and a rear porch to the garden.

The flat on the first floor provides 905sq ft of space. It shares a communal entrance and hallway, and has a sitting room, two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom. The second flat, on the top floor, has a sitting room, two attic bedrooms, a kitchen and a shower room.

The accommodation totals nearly 4,000sq ft.

There is driveway parking and an enclosed garden, providing grounds of about 0.22 of an acre.

A superb, recently constructed family house AT A GLANCE 12 BENHALL MILL ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS Modern detached family home in a Victorian style Immaculately presented Off-road parking Sitting room with log-burner Cloakroom Utility room Stunning kitchen/dining/family room Two bedrooms Further small bedroom/study Family bathroom Attic master suite with large bedroom and en-suite shower room Landscaped garden Garden office/studio £580,000 For sale through Alexandre Boyes 01892 525522 www.alexandre-boyes.co.uk

PROPERTY �

Part of a distinctive Victorian mansion with commanding views

IN AN elevated position above Nevill Park, close to the Common and Tunbridge Wells Golf Club, 2 Rusthall Place is an impressive town house forming a major portion of a Victorian mansion. Beautifully presented and with spectacular views, it is a spacious and flexible home.

Approached via a shared gravel drive, which ends in a large shared courtyard providing ample parking for residents and visitors, the property is constructed of Calverley sandstone and boasts spacious rooms, high ceilings and large windows. The principal rooms all have views of the south-facing rear garden.

The first impression is the superb partpanelled entrance hall with a feature fireplace, parquet flooring and sweeping staircase. A very generous reception room itself, it has doors to the cloakroom, kitchen/breakfast room, formal dining room and an elegant drawing room.

The kitchen/breakfast room, which has a useful utility room, is large and bright. With a range of cream hand-painted units, extensive granite work surfaces and a gas-fired Aga, it’s a modern and practical space flooded with natural light through double doors to the rear terrace. With plenty of room for a table and chairs, and decorated in a contemporary neutral style, this room is perfect for entertaining.

For more formal dining, the large dining room, accessed from the kitchen or entrance

hall, is impressive. The oak-panelled room features a barrel vaulted ceiling, with high relief plaster mouldings, parquet flooring, a large fireplace with intricately carved surround and full height windows to the garden.

Beside it, with striking French doors and windows, is an elegant drawing room. The focal point is an antique marble fireplace with recessed bookcases to either side. Stepping out on to the terrace from here, you are protected by a large, ornate Victorian glass canopy veranda.

On the first floor is a master bedroom with stunning views over the valley and access to an en-suite dressing room or study. Two further bedrooms and two bathrooms complete the accommodation on this floor, with a staircase to a vast and versatile converted loft space.

Currently used as a studio space with shower room, it could easily be divided into several smaller rooms.

The established private gardens are a real highlight of this property. South-facing and looking out over the valley, there is a substantial paved terrace, with steps down to a second tier with well-stocked borders, an area of lawn and a second, more shaded, terrace with a pond and fountain. A path leads down to the final tier of garden which is mainly laid to lawn with a summer house and a variety of mature trees and shrubs. There is half an acre in total.

27

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

AT A GLANCE 2 RUSTHALL PLACE, LANGTON ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS Part of a Victorian mansion in a highly desirable location Shared gravel drive and large parking courtyard Period features Beautifully presented Large grand entrance hall Drawing room out to covered veranda Formal dining room Kitchen/breakfast room Utility room Cloakroom Master bedroom with en-suite dressing room/ study Two further bedrooms on the first floor Two bathrooms Huge studio space in the converted loft, with shower room Beautiful terraced gardens Exceptional views 0.5 of an acre £1,495,000 For sale through Knight Frank 01892 323036 www.knightfrank.co.uk

The South-East’s Favourite Award-Winning Self Storage Company!

Terms and conditions: Free move in service is non-combinable with any offer, subject to a minimum 12 week rental period.

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

Savills Tunbridge Wells 53 High Street Tunbridge Wells TN1 1XU

01892 507000 tunbridgewells@savills.com

savills.co.uk

AWARD WINNING PERIOD STYLE MANSION CAMDEN PARK, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

Favoured park location ø newly built in 2002 ø 6 reception rooms ø study ø 6 bedrooms ø 5 bathrooms ø 1 bedroom staff flat ø integral double garage ø driveway parking ø mature South facing garden backing onto meadowland ø 7,661 sq ft overall ø about 1.2 acres ø EPC=D Guide £4 million Freehold

Contact: Robert Jacobs

Savills only concentrates on one type of house.

Yours.

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

Savills Tunbridge Wells 53 High Street Tunbridge Wells TN1 1XU

01892 507000 tunbridgewells@savills.com

savills.co.uk

ROOMS WITH A VIEW

CROWBOROUGH, east sussex Elevated South facing position ø MLS 2.1 miles ø 2 reception rooms ø family room/snug ø open plan kitchen/dining/family room ø 4 bedrooms ø 4 bathrooms ø wine cellar ø detached garage with studio flat/gym above ø garden ø swimming pool ø 4,180 sq ft ø about 0.88 acres ø EPC=D Guide £2 million Freehold

Contact: Amanda Wyatt

Savills only concentrates on one type of house.

Yours.

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

Savills Tunbridge Wells 53 High Street Tunbridge Wells TN1 1XU

01892 507050 tunbridgewells@savills.com

savills.co.uk

LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

Three bedroom semi-detached house ø double aspect sitting room ø kitchen ø conservatory ø family bathroom ø single garage and driveway ø front and rear garden ø EPC=C £1,150 pcm + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply*

1 double bedroom apartment ø kitchen ø dining & sitting room ø en suite bathroom ø large entrance hall ø cloakroom ø allocated underground parking space ø lift ø EPC rating =B £1,150 pcm + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply*

Contact: Katrin Olander

Contact: Katrin Olander

New Instruction LAMBERHURST, kent

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, kent

Semi-detached 3 bedroom house ø open plan kitchen/breakfast room ø sitting room ø conservatory ø family bathroom and cloakroom ø gardens and paddock ø EPC rating = D £1,850 pcm + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply*

4 bedrooms ø 2 reception rooms ø kitchen/breakfast room ø conservatory & study ø 3 bathrooms ø garage & parking ø EPC rating =D £2,750 pcm + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply*

Contact: Katrin Olander

Contact: Katrin Olander

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

Renting or letting this spring? Talk to Savills.

Savills Tunbridge Wells 53 High Street Tunbridge Wells TN1 1XU

01892 507000 tunbridgewells@savills.com

savills.co.uk

DANEGATE, ERIDGE, east sussex Character country home in an AONB ø MLS 2.5 miles ø 3 reception rooms ø kitchen/breakfast room ø 5 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø study ø English Heritage garage with games room ø gardens ø paddocks and stables ø 2,624 sq ft ø about 5.8 acres ø further land, stables, manège and outbuildings available by separate negotiation ø EPC=E

Guide £1.295 million Freehold

Contact: Amanda Wyatt

Open House by appointment saturday 25 april 2015 MATFIELD, kent First time on the market for over a century ø 4 bedroom family house in need of modernisation ø rural position with delightful views ø MLS 2.1 miles ø Matfield village under half a mile ø 2,594 sq ft with 558 sq ft of outbuildings ø double garage ø extent of acreage to be verified and agreed with purchasers ø EPC=F

Excess £750,000 Freehold

Contact: Liz Devall

Savills only concentrates on one type of house.

Yours.

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

Phase One Now Released

St James Court is a collection of three and four bedroom homes set within a private courtyard in the sought after town of Royal Tunbridge Wells • Custom designed German kitchens with integrated appliances • Allocated private parking • Landscaped rear private gardens • 10 year LABC warranty • Great transport links • Prices from £495,000

Call Savills on 01892 507005 savills.co.uk

or email tunbridgewellsrds@savills.com to book your personal appointment to view

www.purelake.co.uk

bracketts est. 1828

When experience counts...

Tunbridge Wells – Guide Price: £579,950

Southborough – Guide Price: £785,000

· · · · ·

A substantial detached 1930’s house Retaining many original features 4/5 bedrooms, 2/3 reception rooms, 2 bathrooms 0.4 acre plot and parking for approx. 8 cars EPC: E

Groombridge – Guide Price: £459,950

· · · · ·

A modern detached 3 bedroom house Situated towards the rural fringes of village Off street parking No onward chain EPC: B

Tunbridge Wells – Monthly Rental of £1,395

· · · ·

A 2 bedroom end of terrace house Located in the popular ‘village’ area Private rear courtyard garden EPC: E

· · · ·

A spacious 3 storey 4/5 bedroom modern town house Located in popular St James’ area 55’ long landscaped garden and 2 garages EPC: D

Hurst Green – Guide Price: £220,000

· · · · ·

An attractive end of terrace Victorian house Well presented 2 bedroom accommodation Good sized front and rear gardens Off road parking for 2 vehicles EPC: D

Rusthall – Monthly Rental of £995

· · · ·

A 2 bedroom end of terrace house In immaculate order throughout Good sized courtyard garden and single garage EPC: D

Tunbridge Wells 01892 533733 tunbridgewells@bracketts.co.uk

bracketts.co.uk

Benenden A beautiful small Country Estate, situated in an idyllic rural location Charming detached Georgian farmhouse comprising: 3 reception rooms, kitchen / breakfast room with Aga. Master bedroom with dressing room and en suite bathroom, 4 further bedrooms (2 en suite shower rooms), family bathroom, playroom. 4 self-contained 2 bedroom cottages. 1 bedroom flat. Heated swimming pool. Outbuildings and equestrian facilities.

Garden and grounds. EPC ratings D, E & F. In all about 25 acres.

Guide price ÂŁ2,000,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/CHO120156

Norfolk Road, Tunbridge Wells A Victorian family house

U O ND FF E ER R

3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 2 reception rooms. Private courtyard garden. EPC rating E.

Guide price £895,000

U O ND FF E ER R Guide price: £1,150,000

Mark Cross Victorian wing of a country house

4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms. Wonderful gardens.

EPC rating E. In all about 1 acre.

U O ND FF E ER R

U O ND FF E ER R Guide price: £585,000

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 £600,000

Matfield / Brenchley

Buckingham Road, Tunbridge Wells

A beautifully presented detached family house

Family house in a sought after position

4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms 3 reception rooms. Gardens and grounds. Detached double garage. EPC rating D. In all about 0.4 of an acre.

GLOBALLY KNOWN LOCALLY DRIVEN

3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 2 reception rooms. Private courtyard garden. EPC rating C.

Guide price £1,795,000

Guide price: £725,000

Lake Road, Tunbridge Wells

Rock Villa Road, Tunbridge Wells

Architect designed contemporary family house on a private road

Exceptional penthouse apartment

5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms. Lawned gardens with wooded area and patio / BBQ area. Garage. Games room. EPC rating C.

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms. 2 balconies. Garage parking for 2 cars.

Far reaching views. EPC rating C.

Associate Office (Park Lane) Tel: 020 7079(Park 1568Lane) Associate Office

Tunbridge Wells Tel: 01892 511211 Tunbridge Wells

Tel: 020 7079 1568

Tel: 01892 511211

Tonbridge Tel: Tonbridge 01732 351135

Commercial Tel:Commercial 01892 511711

Tel: 01732 351135

Tel: 01892 511711

Real London Office, Real London Buyers.

Associate Office (Park Lane) Tel: 020 7079 1568

Tunbridge Wells Tel: 01892 511211

Tonbridge Tel: 01732 351135

Commercial Tel: 01892 511711

Southborough Tel: 01892 511311 Southborough

Residential Letting & Management Tel:Letting 01892 528888 Residential & Management

Heathfield Tel: Heathfield 01435 862211

Crowborough Tel: 01892 665666 Crowborough

Tel: 01892 511311

Tel: 01892 528888

Tel: 01435 862211

Tel: 01892 665666

Southborough Tel: 01892 511311

Residential Letting & Management Tel: 01892 528888

www.woodandpilcher.co.uk Heathfield Tel: 01435 862211

Crowborough Tel: 01892 665666

B U Y YOU R DR EA M HOME WITH JU ST A 5% DEPOSIT USING HELP TO BUY* s on

•

e

•

c

H I G H S T R E E T, E T C H I N G H A M

ag

pa r

PARSONAGE CROFT

r oft

TN19 7AD

3 bedroom family homes priced from £350,000 *(Example: £350,000 less Help to Buy at 20% equals just £280,000)

Over 50% Reserved - A delightful collection of 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes in the picturesque village of Etchingham Show Home Open Thursday - Monday 11am - 5pm Call 01580 388007 | www.parsonagecroft.com

Help To Buy is subject to scheme rules

andrewsonline.co.uk

Hazelwood Close, Tunbridge Wells, TN2

£360,000

*Open day* Saturday 18th from 3pm. Four bedroom detached home with detached garage on a corner plot nestled at the end of a cul-de-sac. Living room, separate dining room, kitchen & entrance hall with cloakroom. Upstairs there are 4 bedrooms (the master with an en-suite shower) & a family bathroom.

Energy Efficiency Rating: D

Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, TN4

Guide Price £350,000

Spectacular views over Tunbridge Wells - this 2 bedroom apartment has to be seen to be believed, the views are incredible!

The bedrooms are a great double size with high ceilings & sash windows. The living room has the wow factor with a curved bay window & cast iron fireplace. Parking & no chain.

Energy Efficiency Rating: D

The Greenways, Paddock Wood, TN12

£415,000

Three bedroom, detached home located in a cul-de-sac on the outskirts of Paddock Wood. The ground floor accommodation comprises lobby, hallway, living room, family room, kitchen, utility room and bathroom. Upstairs there are two double bedrooms and a further single as well as an en-suite. Outside, there is a garage and driveway parking. Planning for an extension has been granted.

Energy Efficiency Rating: D

Tunbridge Wells Sales 01892 515 144 tunbridgewells@andrewsonline.co.uk

Green Way, TN2

£695 pcm

One bedroom house located 1 mile from High Brooms train station. The ground floor accommodation comprises lounge, and a separate kitchen with storage cupboard under the stairs and some appliances. On the first floor you will find the bathroom, with a shower over the bath and a double bedroom, which has a fitted triple wardrobe. Other benefits include double glazing, allocated parking, communal garden and a private decking area.

Energy Efficiency Rating: C

Knowles Walk, TN12

£950 pcm

This three bedroom, terraced house is under 2/3rds of a mile from Staplehurst mainline station. Downstairs, there is an entrance porch, lounge, kitchen/diner with breakfast bar and patio doors leading to the rear garden. Upstairs, there are two double bedrooms, a further single bedroom and a family bathroom with shower over the bath. Outside, there is an enclosed rear garden, and a garage en-bloc.

Energy Efficiency Rating: D

Tunbridge Wells Lettings 01892 525 551 tunbridgewells.lets@andrewsonline.co.uk

Southfield Road, TN4

£975 pcm

Located in the St Johns area, this recently upgraded, purpose built flat is located less than one and a half miles from Tunbridge Wells mainline station, while there is also a footpath opposite the property leading to St Johns Park. The second floor property now offers a modern kitchen with granite worktops and integrated appliances, a family bathroom with a shower over the bath and two double bedrooms. The flat also comes with an en-block garage, communal grounds & views to the rear across TWGGS’ playing fields.

Energy Efficiency Rating: E

Sales | Lettings | Financial Services | New Homes | Surveyors Leasehold Management | Property Management | Conveyancing

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

Lady’s Gift Road, Southborough

Freehold

Offers In Excess Of £299,950 • Semi-Detached Family Home • Three Bedrooms • Two Large Double Bedrooms With A Generous Single Bedroom • Light And Airy Lounge Opening Into The Dining Room

Forge Road, Southborough

Freehold

Guide Price £265,000 To £285,000 • Downstairs WC With Separate Storage Area • Beautiful Gardens To The Front And Rear Of The Property

• Semi-Detached Family Home • In Need Of Internal Modernisation • Three Bedrooms • Modern Shower Room

• Quiet Location • South-Facing Garden • Excellent Position For Local Amenities, Shops And Schools

LD

SO

Ramslye Road, Tunbridge Wells

Leasehold

Guide Price £200,000 To £220,000 • Ground Floor • Beautiful Garden Flat • Two Double Bedrooms • Generous Size Living Room Overlooking Garden • Modern Kitchen

Holden Park Road, Southborough

Freehold

Guide Price £375,000 To £395,000 • Large Sunny, South-Facing Garden • Three Sheds • Excellent Close-By Bus Links • Walking Distance To Tunbridge Wells Centre & The Pantiles • Must See Property

• 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

• 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

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

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

Meadow Road, Southborough

Available Shortly

Priced at £950 Per Calendar Month • Two Double Bedrooms • Newly Decorated Throughout • Good Sized Sitting Room • Recently Modernised Kitchen • Original Fireplaces

• Pretty Garden • Close To Primary, Secondary And Grammar Schools • Five Minute Drive To Mainline Train Station • Excellent Location For Local Amenities.

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 • Three Bedrooms • Character Property • Stunning Views

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

42 � DÉCOR

Rock-a-royal baby style PRINCE George will soon have to abdicate his nursery to make way for a brother or sister. The new prince or princess will most likely take up residence in the young prince’s Beatrix Potter-themed room at Kensington Palace, and will also enjoy a brand new nursery, currently being completed at the Cambridges’ country home, Anmer Hall in Norfolk. No expense will have been spared to make it royally spectacular, and Kate and William may soon also be thinking of creating a ‘big boy’s’ bedroom for toddler George.

Of course, all parents, whatever their budget, lavish care on nurseries and children’s rooms. Here’s how to give your own little one’s space the regal touch...

PETITE PALACE

“It’s a room on which parents lavish a lot of thought and care, and second time round, if they want a decor change – perhaps because of a different-sex sibling – are often more confident about opting for a specific style and bolder in their colour choices,” says Lucinda Croft, owner of Dragons of Walton Street, who created nurseries for princes William and Harry and their cousins, Beatrice and Eugenie.

“A space which is functional but stylish is always the most successful, and after a first baby,

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

REGAL STYLE

British company Ercol started in the 1920s, and its nursery pieces at Marks & Spencer retain their timeless appeal, like this cot bed, £749, and rocker chair with seat pad, £499.

Unless you live in a royal residence, space is often at a premium in a nursery; a Laura cot bed, incorporating a storage unit with drawers, £599, Cuckooland, is a clever solution. Simultaneous nursing and rocking soothes both baby and parent, and a Mo-Ma Glider nursing chair, £975, Olli Ella, could be a perfect gift from doting grandparents.

A night nursery needs a soft light, and a rabbit Miffy light, £114, Maiden, is sweet as well as practical.

BABY BARGAINS

Silver Cross, a byword for prams, nowadays impresses with its furniture. A Notting Hill threepiece set in white-painted wood, £1,200, (not pictured) includes a cot bed, wardrobe, and changing unit and dresser. Grey star wallpaper, £25 a roll, Great Little Trading Company.

people are aware of the must-haves and the pieces which took up space needlessly.

“Warm cream, antique white and dove grey are still classic choices for walls, but there’s a growing enthusiasm for brighter colour. We’re seeing deeper blues, bright pinks, sharp, citrus yellows and vivid greens coming through this year. Wall murals, which are enjoying a huge revival, are becoming more dramatic in vivid, rich colours too.

“Since the London 2012 Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, we’ve also seen an increasing demand for traditional icons of Britishness, from

our design depicting Terry’s Soldiers, which resemble the red uniformed Guardsmen at Buckingham Palace, through to London landmarks.”

DÉCOR TIP

Two By Two, a parade of Noah’s ark animals, is one of the delightful designs in Little Sanderson’s Abracazoo fabric and wallpaper collection, along with a treasure map theme. It’s reportedly being considered by the Duchess of Cambridge, who chose furniture and furnishings decorated with Beatrix Potter illustrations for George’s nursery.

DÉCOR �

43

REGAL STYLE

ROYAL REVAMP TODDLER’S KINGDOM

When a little one moves out of the nursery to make way for a new baby, he needs to be given his own little kingdom, reflecting his personality.

“Be inspired by your toddler’s favourite books or TV programmes to help you decide on a scheme, which will also help your child feel involved in the choice,” says Toks Aruoture, designer and founder of online nursery specialists The Baby Cot Shop.

“A simple rule to follow is ‘less is more’.

Children love colour, but an excessive amount of bright colours can over-stimulate, so reserve those for a playroom.

Grey is ultra-fashionable and can be paired with reds, yellows or oranges for an adventurous scheme, or consider on-trend geometric prints, which would work well picked out on rugs, bed fabrics and pictures.”

bed upstairs in the turrets. Starting from £13,630, The Baby Cot Shop.

Provide a bedroom ‘camp’ with a kids’ tepee cabin bed in white solid pine, £399, and matching teepee bookcase, £165, Cuckooland.

Even little rulers need a grand place for toys, and a royally decorated crown and orb trunk, £170, Milly Green, could be perfect for their treasures.

TODDLER TREAT

An Egmont Toys mushroom lamp, £56.70, Smallable, would add a fantasy woodland touch.

After your toddler’s grown out of the nursery, you may find it needs a right royal makeover to get it ready for a newcomer.

“Simply turning one wall into a feature, by painting it in a deeper, more striking version of a shade which complements your existing furnishings, may be all that’s needed,” says Marianne Shillingford, creative director of Dulux.

“Alternatively, give a neutral scheme new life by painting the bottom half of the walls in another shade. Beauty Cream and Honest Touch [available from the Dulux MixLab Him + Her range, £24.99 for 2.5L] are super emulsion shades which are warm and gentle, and tone with most versions of white.”

Snuggling up with a new baby and a toddler in the nursery is bonding, and especially important in the early days when there may be jealousy, so sumptuous seating is a must.

White Rabbit England’s cream or white leather furniture - scaled down versions of stately home style - includes a baby Sheraton Sofa, £2,500, and baby wing chair, £1,500.

Children’s wall stickers, once confined to garish cartoon characters, have evolved into works of art. There’s a fabulous collection of 75, including elephants, giraffes, flowers and fish, in the new Millie Marotta’s home sticker book, £20 (Batsford; published in May).

If you simply can’t wait to get started, one of my favourite wall stickers at Kokokids is a subtle watercolour-effect winter branch with stars wall sticker, £32.

BABY CHIC

Andy Hau’s irresistible cushion collection, entitled Tales From The War & Other Short Stories, comprises four foxy designs with a charming fairy tale quality. They’re £30 each, and available from Not on the High Street.

DÉCOR TIP

Accents of colour in accessories and pictures put zing into a room. Frame an older child’s paintings, so they feel they’ve helped decorate a room, and bring in further colour with a decorative blind. G-Raff jungle fever blackout blind, from £31.50, has a parade of different coloured giraffes, Direct Blinds.

DÉCOR TIP

Make an engaging focal point in a room by repainting a key piece of furniture, such as a chest, and stencilling it with a pattern featuring nature, animals or flowers. There’s a wealth of designs to choose from at The Stencil Library (www.stencil-library.com).

REGAL STYLE:

Although you might need a king’s ransom to pay for it, you could give a prince or princess a bespoke castle bed, with a play area and bed in its base and another

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

44 ďż˝ PROPERTY

A hidden gem in a central location ST JAMES Court is a hidden gem, tucked away in a central location in Tunbridge Wells.

Consisting of 11 houses, with nine for private sale, the properties are set around an attractive landscaped courtyard.

All homes offer parking spaces, with garages available to selected plots. These three and four-bedroom luxury homes will appeal to a range of discerning buyers due to their close proximity to the town and its amenities, yet they still retain a quiet and tranquil feel.

Well designed and spacious, the properties have been finished to a high specification. They feature contemporary, custom-designed kitchens finished with quartz worktops and including AEG and Electrolux appliances. The kitchen/dining areas have been expertly designed to include under-floor heating. They provide an excellent entertaining and family area with bi-fold doors opening to landscaped gardens.

The bathrooms feature Porcelanosa tiles and have Villeroy

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

& Boch fittings for a distinctive luxurious feel. The lounges, located on the first floor, are light and airy with wooden flooring and Juliet balconies overlooking the private gardens.

The master bedroom suites have fitted wardrobes and en-suites featuring shower and bath.

St James Court lies under a mile from the mainline railway station for easy commuting. Dunorlan Park is also a short distance away for family walks and picnics.

The schools in Tunbridge Wells continue to attract families from a wide area, particularly from London where buyers look for a life/work balance.

The homes at St James Court will be ready for occupation early this summer and reservations are now being taken.

To make an appointment to view the show home, call Savills Tunbridge Wells on 01892 507005 or visit tunbridgewellrds@savills.com

Energise your imagination this spring through these refurbishment gems.

Erskine Park Road, Rusthall £275,000 This charming Victorian property occupies a pretty position within a tree lined road close to the village of Rusthall. The house retains many of its original features and is in need of modernisation. On the ground floor there are two reception rooms, kitchen, utility area and downstairs cloakroom. On the first floor there are three bedrooms and family bathroom. Outside, the delightful south facing garden is well stocked with a variety of plants and shrubs and has a large patio area.

VIEWING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Henley Close, Tunbridge Wells £375,000 Perfect for refurbishment. Spacious family house situated over three floors located in the sought after St. James’ area of town with its local primary school. The property is also within walking distance of the centre of Tunbridge Wells with its mainline train service to London in under one hour. There are four bedrooms a spacious sitting/ dining room, kitchen, family bathroom and shower room. Outside there are gardens to the front and rear and the driveway gives access to the single garage.

VIEWING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. NO CHAIN!

Common View, Rusthall £195,000 Charming Victorian end of terrace house located on Common View, Rusthall.

Presented over two floors, the ground floor has a double glazed porch, a through ‘sitting/dining room’, kitchen and shower room. On the first floor there are two bedrooms. Gas centrally heated and double glazed throughout. Outside, there is a small area of garden at the front which is enclosed with a picket fence. The rear garden measures approximately 30’ and is well stocked with a variety of shrubs.

VIEWING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. NO CHAIN!

lettings@mcauleymiller.com

Tel: 01892 614777 www.mcauleymiller.com

sales@mcauleymiller.com

46 � INTERIORS

Finishing touches Who doesn’t want a beautiful bathroom?

This selection could be the perfect addition to your home…

Original Style mosaics £349.95 www.originalstyle.com

Giddy Kipper gone to the beach sign £16.00 www.giddykipper.net

In-Spaces nickel ornate soap dish £17 www.in-spaces.com

Art Chateau Riverdale bambus leiter £43.13 www.artchateau.de

Reptile Tiles & Ceramics hand-painted sealife tiles, 100mm, 130mm or 150mm PoA www.reptiletiles.co.uk

Cook & Lewis Lanzo suite with Nadina shower enclosure PoA www.diy.com/cooke-and-lewis

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

William Garvey teak spa tub with lights, jets and bubbles PoA www.williamgarvey.co.uk

Glass coloured boxes on stand with lid PoA www.prelwayinteriors.com

At KMJ Property you will find an honest and realistic approach to selling your property and good old fashioned customer service coupled with modern technology to sell your home.

Based in Rusthall, we are family owned and run and have sold houses in Tunbridge Wells centre and many of the surrounding villages including in our office location of Rusthall, where we consider ourselves part of the community. Having lived locally all our lives we immerse ourselves in the community and support local events throughout Tunbridge Wells, whether through advertising them, helping at them, donating to them or our children ‘K’, ‘M’ and ‘J’ being there on duty with St John Ambulance.

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

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

www.kmjproperty.co.uk

Meet The Team From left to right

Sarah Cameron, Suzanne Johnson, David Johnson, Sarah Piper

01892 515188

sales@kmjproperty.co.uk

MOVING WITH THE TIMES TO PROMOTE YOUR PROPERTY CONTACT US advertising@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779650 O F TUNBR IDGE WEL LS

Introducing a new collection of townhouses

Three bedroom townhouses now available Two new three bedroom townhouses are now available at Royal Wells Park, ready to move into Summer 2015.

• Elegant design and contemporary specification • Close to the town centre • Less than one mile to the local main line station A collection of four bedroom townhouses coming soon.

Houses from £675,000 Apartments from £449,000 Call 01892 888 640 or email royalwellspark@berkeleyhomes.co.uk

www.royalwellspark.co.uk Sales and Marketing Suite, Culverden Park, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9QT

Prices and details correct at time of going to press and subject to availability.

Computer generated image depict the townhouses at Royal Wells Park.

Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

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 22nd April 2015

FASHION, HEALTH AND BEAUTY �

product will drop,” she explains. “It saves you having to take your foundation off again.”

Jane applies a primer to my eyelids, which she tells me will neutralise any veins that might be showing and add a good base for eyeshadow. Then she uses a neutral eyeshadow up to my socket, and a purple to create a subtle, smoky look “Your eyes are quite deep-set, so you won’t be able to do a full smoky eye,” she says.

“But if you keep the colour as close to your eyelashes as possible, it’ll start to define the shape.”

Having used mascara to open my eyes, Jane moves on to concealer. Because I have dark under-eye circles, this is a product I swear by, so it’s interesting to discover I’ve been applying it in the wrong way.

“I’m just adding an orangey colour under the eyes so it neutralises the blue,” says Jane. “Focus the concealer on the inside part of your eye, then come down in a V shape.

I’m adding the concealer anywhere there’s a shadow, like on the inside of the nose.”

Next, we move on to applying foundation. I use it because I have quite uneven skin tone, but Jane reckons I should adopt the ‘less is more’ approach by not using it over my whole face, just where I need it.

“For you, it’s your T-zone really, then just blend it out towards the edge of the face.

That’ll allow the freckles to show through,” she explains.

To make my eyes stand out, Jane suggests using a few individual false lashes, which is often a popular choice for the bridal make-up she does. After she applies them, she uses a cream blusher on the apples of my cheeks, which she advises I can also use on my lips.

The next step is contouring – something I’ve never mastered. While I tend to look less Kim Kardashian and more ‘help, I’ve dipped my face in gravy’, Jane shows me an easy way to create subtle contours. Having applied

a highlighter to my cheekbones, she uses a sculpting powder and a brush to draw a line on each cheek before blending.

She finishes my look by using a setting powder on my face and applying some lip conditioner and natural lipstick.

VERDICT: 90 minutes with Jane has undone a lifetime of bad make-up habits and errors I’ve been making. Before, I used a kohl eyeliner which always made me look tired and emphasised my under-eye shadows, but after Jane used an eyeshadow on my lower lash line, I’ve adopted that and my eyes look a lot brighter. I love the natural look she gave me and have been attempting to recreate it (albeit a much quicker version) every day. The only thing I still haven’t quite mastered is the contouring, although I’m now less ‘gravy face’ and more golden goddess…well, I hope anyway! www.imagetrees.co.uk

51

I have a love/ ‘hate relationship

with make-up.

I love trying out new things and am forever searching for the wonder product that will fix every flaw on my face, but equally I loathe applying it in a rush

’

THIS WEEK I LOVE… Jane used some great brands on me, one of which was Makeup Forever which she uses a lot on brides.

I’ve recently added the HD Foundation (£32), Camouflage Cream Palette (£25.75) and Skin Equalizer Hydrating Primer (£26.95 – all available from www.preciousaboutmakeup.com) to my make-up bag and they’re amazing, giving great, natural and long-lasting coverage.

AFTER Charlie was pleased with the results

Wednesday 22nd 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

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

Wednesday 22nd 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 civillitigation and will offer genuine career prospects and opportunities to develop.

16 Lonsdale Gardens Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU jobs@gerrardwhite.com 01892 55 33 55

FILL YOUR VACANCY FOR £100 O F TUNBR IDGE WEL LS

RECRUITMENT �

53

GREAT Hairdressing needs YOU! Amazing opportunity for Senior Stylists in our new salon in HOOPERS, Tunbridge Wells *competitive salary *on going training *busy clientele waiting *no late nights ALSO We have 2 new APPRENTICESHIP vacancies *2 year training program *get paid whilst you learn

Call Kimberley 07786 150267 or email kimberley@le-vine.com

FILL YOU VACANCY FOR £100 CALL OUR RECRUITMENT SALES TEAM

To book your advert please call 01892 779650 or Email: production@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

FOOD FROM A FARM, NOT A FACTORY We are looking for passionate chefs of all positions to help expand our growing company.

If you’re looking to widen your culinary knowledge and work hard in this rewarding industry, then please send your CV to

Dan@thetunbridgewellshotel.com or contact Daniel Hatton on 01892 530501

GreenThumb, the UK’s largest lawn care company, is looking for a strong pair of hands to help our team of lawncare operatives with important lawn maintenance.

This full time position will involve the application of lawncare products to domestic lawns and the use of lawncare machinery. A desire to work outdoors, a customer service focus and a UK driving licence are essential.

Full training will be provided.

Call: 01892 835808 for an application form or e-mail: weald@greenthumb.co.uk

MAKE THE CHANGE

Assert is a small team of advocates working as a project within the MHR Charity. We provide advocacy and IMHA services to individuals in the community and the acute mental health in-patient unit at Priority House, Maidstone.

We are currently seeking an Advocacy Manager to lead our team.

You will be IMHA qualified, or working towards accreditation, with knowledge of the Care Act and proven advocacy experience ideally at managerial level.

You must understand the needs of people with mental health problems. Car driver essential and willingness to work flexible hours.

The post is for 26 hours per week with an annual salary of £18,955 Contact Mrs Leigh Attwood on 01892 615552 or email leigha@twmhr.org.uk for further information or an application pack.

The closing date is 14th May 2015.

We are committed to equal opportunities and promoting diversity. Enhanced DBS checks will apply.

The Mead School Full Time Director of Music Required for September 2015 or January 2016 A vibrant, dynamic, creative and committed Director of Music to lead and further develop the flourishing Music Department of this successful prep school which enjoys a reputation for both high academic and performance standards within a caring, happy environment.

The successful candidate is expected to become fully involved in all areas of the life of a busy, family-orientated prep school. Experience of piano playing at performance level is essential.

The job description and application form are available from the school.

Please contact the Head’s PA, Miss Elizabeth Winter, The Mead School, 16 Frant Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5SN (01892 525837) or office@themeadschool.co.uk (The closing date is Friday 8 May at noon).

The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

The Mead School is committed to the protection and safety of its pupils.

Night Care Assistant Required at a small residential home in central Tunbridge Wells.

Please email: manager@beulahlodge.co.uk or call: 01892 539040

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 22nd April 2015

54 � FOOD AND DRINK

On the menu at...

Kitsu, 82a Victoria Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2PW www.kitsu.co.uk 01892 515510

Tempura sake avocado maki, spicy sake gunkan

Hamachi nigiri, sake nigiri, tekka nigiri, green dragon roll, spicy crab tempura prawn inside-out roll

Ebi chilli

Chicken katsu curry

Mixed sashimi

Yasai yaki soba

Vegetarian selection

Ebi tempura

Tea and coffee which will wake up the taste buds

The Hare Langton Green

Lucky to have a such a fantastic place close by.

Never let us down in terms of food or service. Top quality.

- Trip Advisor review

01892 862 419 | www.hare-tunbridgewells.co.uk The Hare, Langton Road, Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 0JA

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

NEAR the bottom of Grove Hill Road, a stone’s throw from the station and a short stroll from both The Grove and Calverley Park, is independent tea and coffee merchant Perk and Pearl.

“I just thought this was the perfect spot”, said owner Joe Lloyd. “And it felt like there was a gap in the market for this sort of thing.”

And what sort of thing is that? There are clues in the name: perk is a colloquial term for a percolator, pearl a type of Asian tea. But though we are dealing in caffeine here, this is not a café and it’s not a shop.

“It’s a shop with seats,” explained Joe. That might seem like a trivial distinction, but it’s really quite important. Perk and Pearl is all about offering the customer a slightly different experience to those they’ll find in mainstream coffee shops.

Perk and Pearl first opened its doors in 2013, the product of a life-long love.

“I’ve always loved tea and coffee”, said Joe. “There’s a box of old photos in the attic. In nearly every picture I’ve got a mug of one or the other in my hand.”

This love took Joe to the original Whittard of Chelsea via stints with Laura Ashley and the National Trust. Eventually earning the status of master barista, he set his sights on running his own shop.

Since November 2013, he’s been doing just that, and doing it alone.

From logo to layout, website to decor, Joe is behind it all. He’s also on his own behind the counter, from open to close, six days a week.

“It’s really nice,” he said. “I’ve got to know the customers, some of whom have become friends. And I’ve got to know my business. I’ve learnt so much. If I’d just stuck someone in here behind the counter it wouldn’t be the same.”

The personal touch appears to be paying off. Joe said: “We’ve built up a nice loyal following. And once they’ve discovered us and got to know us, they like to experiment.”

This experimentation is enabled by Joe’s commitment to helping customers find new favourites among the variety of beans and leaves on offer. He encourages visitors to breathe in any and

FOOD AND DRINK �

55

SOLE TRADER Joe Lloyd runs the business

all of the jars that line the shelves, and will brew up a cup of anything anyone wants to try.

The products themselves are all responsibly sourced, explains Joe, so it’s just the caffeine content that might keep a drinker up at night.

Joe imports his beans from India, South America and Vietnam, before sending them to an artisan roaster. This is a weekly process, which ensures the products in the shop are always fresh.

“It’s better to buy little and often with tea and coffee,” as Joe reveals.

But Joe sees Perk and Perl as more than just a seller of tea and coffee. “It’s an experience,” he said.

And like all the best experiences, it’s multisensory. The scent of the tea leaves to take a visitor to exotic shores. Coffee to wake the taste buds.

Music in the air to set the mood – and a miniature art gallery.

The aptly named, ‘Mind Your Head Gallery’ was the changing room of a women’s clothes shop in a past life. In its latest incarnation, it serves two of Perk and Pearl’s goals: To enrich customers’ experience, and to engage with the community by promoting and support local people.

Previously inhabited by puppets and interactive poems, the gallery is currently home to the work of Daniel Uckfield, a local abstract artist who, suffering with mental health issues, turned to painting as therapy.

As well as hosting local artists, Perk and Pearl also runs events. Joe recently stripped out its carefully assembled contents to make room for Last Word Suppers, a local supper club which champions local people and produce, with a caffeine-based five-course meal. Using ingredients from Mr Lloyd’s store, the courses included gunpowder green-tea smoked duck breast, coffee-brined roast haunch of venison and jasmine-cured mackerel.

Local businesses are also supported on the CommuniTEA notice board by the door, where

HISTORY OF THE COFFEE SHOP

SELECTION Perk and Pearl stocks tea and coffee from across the world

people are encouraged to advertise and share their ventures and events.

“I think it’s important to be part of everything,” Joe said.

“I try and get involved with local businesses and individuals, and actively promote what they’re doing on social media.

“I’m pretty prolific on Twitter. It really helps me get my message out there. I try to be natural with it. A

lot of business profiles are very dry and clearly not run by the people themselves. I try to be me. That’s the main thing.”

Another of Joe’s initiatives is coffee-making workshops. These are available to anyone, handson, three-hour sessions with the master barista.

Looking to the future, Joe is focussed on building the brand while retaining its independence.

He said: “When I was creating the store I wanted it

1475 The world’s first coffee shop, Kiva Han, opened in Constantinople. Coffee was so highly prized at this time that a woman could divorce her husband if he didn’t provide her with enough. Served strong, black and unfiltered.

1529 The Turkish army invaded then fled Vienna, leaving bags of coffee beans behind. Franz Georg Kolschitzky recognised their value and founded a coffee house. He introduced the concepts of filtering and of softening the drink with milk and sugar.

1652 The first English coffee house, The Turk’s Head, appeared. It was founded by two Turkish servants, who left the English trader of Turkish goods they worked for to go into business on their own.

• Known in England as ‘penny universities’ because of the cost of a coffee and the upper class demographic they attracted, coffee houses became a business and networking hotspot.

They spread throughout Europe and over the Atlantic to America.

• For centuries, coffee houses mainly served standard coffee. This all changed when Achilles Gaggia invented the commercial piston espresso machine in 1946. The modern coffee house was born with the Gaggia coffee bar in Italy.

to feel like there could be more than just one, while still feeling unique.

“Ultimately, I’d like to have one or two more shops.

And to develop a retail product so other places can sell Perk and Pearl.

And while he’s got this far on his own, he admits he may need a little help to go further in future, adding: “I suppose eventually I’ll have to train someone else up!”

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

56 � FOOD AND DRINK

Old-school Thai fits the lunch bill

BY Damian Cotton

I HAD a raging hunger the other day.

Spent a good part of the morning delivering a serious beating to the Times sub-editor who managed to spell my name wrong on the review for Madeira. How dare he? (Only kidding - as a restaurant critic I am resolutely opposed to violence, if only for reasons of self-preservation). But I was ravenous. So I thought I’d try Kai’s Kitchen opposite the station in Tunbridge Wells: the reports were good and it was overdue a visit.

From early morning, Kai’s opens as a cafe and breakfast joint, then adds

FRIENDLY WELCOME Kai’s Kitchen

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

a full Thai menu for lunch and also in the evening, Thursday to Saturday.

There is a very friendly welcome, the front of house team comprising Thai and European ladies, in competition for best smile. It is a cafe rather than a formal restaurant, but nowhere near a greasy spoon, and the display of cakes and Viennoiserie looked very nice if one were into such confections.

Your correspondent wanted Thai food, however and lots of it. There is a printed menu and a big blackboard of specials on which I saw something to gladden the heart of any gourmand: Thai sausages. These are a northern Thai speciality, probably Lao in origin, and fairly rare in most UK Thai restaurants (many of which are repurposed Cantonese, and most of the rest dependent on Chinese-owned wholesalers which seems to influence the direction of their menus). Smallish pork and ginger sausages are fried and served with shredded fresh ginger and slices of insanely hot red chillies to be wrapped in leaves and devoured. I’m happy to report that these were the real thing and, the waitress having checked that I was comfortable with chillies, substantially hot.

‘While eating Thai food is one of the few times in a man’s life it is acceptable to consume lager’

It was at this point I realised that I had boobed. Kai’s is not licensed and I had neglected to bring my own.

Although the iced tea was pleasant, the searing chilli needed the foil of cold beer – indeed while eating Thai food is one of the few times in a man’s life it is acceptable to consume lager.

Now I think about it, there is a strong case for a Thai food and craft beer tie-up. Someone should do something about that.

Alongside the sausages, a generous bowl of tom yum goong, the classic soup of refreshing sourness and, in this case, prawns and some bonus mushrooms. Pretty much a lunch in itself, this was an exemplary version – tart in the right way with lemon grass and galangal, and not too salty, which would indicate that it was properly home-made – most restaurants use a bought-in soup base that is so full of sodium, it makes one slightly unwell.

The prawns added at the end so just cooked enough, rather than the usual rubber bullets. Good stuff.

Since I’m still a bit Lee Marvin, I’ve ordered again: wings delight and pork Penang. The wings are fine – taste of chicken so acceptable provenance (cheap chicken tastes fishy from the meal pellets it is fed on), fried until crisp-skinned and soused in a sauce of soy, tamarind and a minor hint of sweetness. Absolutely super for what they are, but I would like to pay double for peek gai yat sai, chicken wings that have been boned and stuffed with mung bean thread

noodles, finely julienned vegetables and black fungus before being fried – they are to die for. Still, the wings at Kai’s are very good and possibly the ultimate male comfort food: fried, salty, spicy and you get to play with it and make a mess while you eat.

And finally, the curry. Penang curry is named after the island city off the Malaysian coast and is creamier and milder than most mainland Thai curries – which seemed a good idea after the hellfire chillies earlier.

Unfortunately, the waitress asked me if I’d like it hotter and, well, what would any man do? It was delicious, melting pork tenderloin noisettes in a rich, unctuous sauce so good I actually finished the rice, leaving me substantially less mobile.

All that food, easily enough for three normal sized folk, with a drink for just £27.55. Fantastic value. Kai’s doesn’t need a shout from me, it is already busy, but it is a super venture: authentic food, really lovely people who looked after everyone properly, especially where spicing levels are concerned (joking aside, some love chilli heat, some can’t bear it: Kai’s willingly accommodate both). Book in the evenings, take a group of friends and try lots of different things. And maybe take a beer or two...

A couple of days later, I had another experience in a different kind of Asian inspired place. Missed the bus, felt peckish, but it was school holiday and 4.30pm so everywhere was rammed or closed. What the heck, I’ll nip in to Wagamama. Now a prime rule of criticism is that one should not judge a restaurant on what it isn’t, only on what it is. (Which is why it was unfair of me to mention stuffed wings). But Wagamama is definitely not a restaurant. It looks a bit like one, but is in fact a mechanism to extract money from as many people as possible in exchange for starches and proteins that taste of fried onions.

The staff are amazing – mainly young people, energetic, well trained and patient – but the ‘food’ has lost its way. Twenty years ago, they were pioneering a new way of eating, and the broth the soup noodles came in was quality, but now it is all glutamic acid and allium flavours and that’s it. I can’t write about the wine as the editor won’t let me use the appropriate word, although the green tea was worth every penny. I ate yaki soba – stir-fried noodles with bits of animal and plant that tasted of salt and onion. Not bad as in send it back, but not good either.

And sides (they make a faux virtue of ‘it’ll come when it’s ready’ so you can forget having something as a starter) of squid and fried chicken which I ate with chopsticks in one hand, book in the other and found impossible tell apart without looking. They might as well have been polystyrene. I left feeling slightly grubby and very salty.

The staff, as charming as ever, bid me a friendly goodbye and I feel a bit sad to dislike the food when it’s served by such nice youngsters.

PUZZLES �

DOUBLE CROSSWORD

WORD SPIRAL

Starting from 1, fill in the grid clockwise with four-letter words. The last letter of each word becomes the first letter of the next to reveal the key word in the shaded boxes.

1 2 3

Down 1. The fellow is growing old but still coping (8) 2. Sympathetic relationship to strike with the left (7) 4. Can be utilised as blue (6) 5. Looking as if ready for a ring? (4-6) 6. Possibly large for a king (5) 7. Fruitful engagement? (4) 10. Getting bigger when being folded (10) 12. You and I will have trouble becoming rich (4-2-2) 15. To agree completely (7) 16. Made great efforts to get voters out (6) 18. The large jugs were broken before 1st September (5) 19. Care for a tree (4)

11

4

16 13

12

7

6

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Cougar Unfortunately Indian dress Golf club Immediately following 6. Discretion 7. Mountain lake 8. Amphibian

Across 1. Inform (4) 3. Reckon (8) 8. Notch (4) 9. Valuable (8) 11. Loving (12) 13. Pantry (6) 14. Suffocate (6) 17. Endless (12) 20. Fragrant (8) 21. Member (4) 22. Led (8) 23. Gala (4)

Down 1. Feeler (8) 2. A match (7) 4. Stress (6) 5. Fickle (10) 6. Around (5) 7. Simple (4) 10. Speed up (10) 12. Be like (8) 15. Feverish (7) 16. Absorb (6) 18. Loop (5) 19. Insect (4)

5

9. Therefore 10. Counterfoil 11. Financial institution 12. Brown seaweed 13. Mountain top 14. Osculate 15. Broth 16. Couple

Keyword clue: A capital city

SUDOKU

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

3.

Which new Channel 4 sitcom starring Rebekah Stanton was semi-autobiographically written by the journalist Caitlin Moran and her sister Caroline?

Lady Sings the Blues is the title of the third and current album from which British singer?

4. Which new film, set after the Battle of Gallipoli, stars Russell Crowe as an Australian farmer who goes to Turkey in search of his missing sons?

5.

The title of which TV sitcom of the 1970s and 80s, whose stars included Peter Bowles, was a deliberate pun on a phrase from Shakespeare’s Hamlet?

6. Which US songstress has entitled her latest album Rebel Heart?

7.

Enjoy life’s simple pleasures

Which 1995 film saw Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo and Morgan Freeman trying to find a cure for an Ebola-like virus spreading across a California town?

8. Which celebrity chef is Kate Humble’s co-host for the new BBC2 food series Kew on a Plate?

9. What was the title of boy band Bros’ only Number One hit single, in June 1988?

10. Which actor is playing the titular beer mogul in the new film Kidnapping Freddy Heineken?

SOLUTIONS

11. Jason Manford and Jo Joyner are among the stars of which new workplace drama on BBC1?

12. Which British singer had his only Number One hit with the single Out of Time in June 1966?

13. Which 1998 film starred Bruce Willis as renegade government operative Special Agent Art Jeffries, the designated protector of an endangered autistic boy?

14. Which comedian was Professor Brian Cox’s co-host for the recent series of BBC1’s Stargazing Live?

15. What was the title of Fatboy Slim’s only UK Number One single, in January 1999?

CODEWORD: 1=K, 2=U, 3=W, 4=V, 5=X, 6=R, 7=C, 8=Q, 9=D, 10=O, 11=I, 12=G, 13=F, 14=B, 15=P, 16=M, 17=E, 18=L, 19=S, 20=Z, 21=A, 22=N, 23=J, 24=T, 25=H, 26=Y

1

2.

Which awardwinning ventriloquist was Clowning Around in a recent BBC4 documentary about clown doctors?

ENTERTAINMENT QUIZ: 1 Nina Conti; 2 Raised

by Wolves; 3 Rebecca Ferguson; 4 The Water Diviner; 5 To the Manor Born; 6 Madonna; 7 Outbreak; 8 Raymond Blanc; 9 I Owe You Nothing; 10 Anthony Hopkins; 11 Ordinary Lies; 12 Chris Farlowe; 13 Mercury Rising; 14 Dara O’Briain; 15 Praise You.

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

1.

SUDOKU:

Codeword is the crossword puzzle with no clues. The number in each square corresponds to a letter. Work out the words in the grid using the letters provided. Fill in these known letters first, then use skill and judgement to work out the others.

E

15

ENTERTAINMENT QUIZ

CODEWORD

E

14

DOUBLE CROSSWORD: Cryptic: Across: 1 Mars; 3 Numbered; 8 Nips; 9 Fanlight; 11 Groundlessly; 13 Nature; 14 Mantle; 17 Departmental; 20 Creditor; 21 Also; 22 Resigned; 23 Tyro. Down: 1 Managing; 2 Rapport; 4 Usable; 5 Bell-shaped; 6 Regal; 7 Date; 10 Increasing; 12 Well-to-do; 15 Totally; 16 Strove; 18 Ewers; 19 Acer.

Quick: Across: 1 Tell; 3 Estimate; 8 Nick; 9 Precious; 11 Affectionate; 13 Larder; 14 Stifle; 17 Interminable; 20 Aromatic; 21 Limb; 22 Preceded; 23 Fete. Down: 1 Tentacle; 2 Lucifer; 4 Strain; 5 Inconstant; 6 About; 7 Easy; 10 Accelerate; 12 Resemble; 15 Febrile; 16 Imbibe; 18 Noose; 19 Wasp.

Across 1. Arms for the war-maker? (4) 3. Has this drum been counted?

(8) 8. Pinches small drinks (4) 9. Window provides illumination for the devotee (8) 11. Lacking land without good reason? (12)

13. Disposition of aunt changes again (6) 14. Lament having to change cloak (6) 17. Leave in mind for a division (12) 20. Director who is owed money (8) 21. In hospital soon, too! (4) 22. Handed in notice without complaining (8) 23. Some hefty Roman novice (4)

10

WORD SPIRAL: 1 Puma; 2 Alas; 3 Sari; 4 Iron; 5 Next; 6 Tact; 7 Tarn; 8 Newt; 9 Thus; 10 Stub; 11 Bank; 12 Kelp; 13 Peak; 14 Kiss; 15 Soup; 16 Pair.

Keyword: NAIROBI

CRYPTIC CLUES:

9

8

QUICK CLUES: Scribble pad

57

at Holmes Place, Crowborough To find out more or to book an appointment to see our show apartments please call Seraina Raleigh on 01892 662428 or visit www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/holmesplace Retirement apartments for the over 60s in Crowborough Crowborough Hill, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 2RS

Typical Master Bedroom

Club Lounge

Typical Kitchen

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

58 � WHAT’S ON

What a week we’re having in Kent WE CATCH UP WITH HEART KENT BREAKFAST PRESENTERS JAMES AND BECKY WHAT a week we’re having! This is the time where England once again unites and becomes over-patriotic once again! Yesterday was the Queen’s ‘official’ 89th birthday and tomorrow is St George’s Day! Let’s face it, we’ll take any excuse to have a little celebration, so I would take both these and use them as worthy reasons for an early finish at work and a cold beverage at the end of the day. But all kudos to Queen Elizabeth, not many can say that they are still ‘working’ at 89! Long may she reign!

Now we’re well into spring, maybe you’re having a little spring clean and getting rid of all those things you’ve had in boxes and haven’t used for years? Things such as all your old video tapes (remember the good old days of VHS!).

Well, before you discard them, thinking how useless they are… STOP! Apparently videos are becoming like vinyl and have been away long enough to inspire some good memories and become collectors’ items, some turning to cold hard cash to pick one up! They are becoming all cool, trendy and retro! This really reminds me of my childhood, getting very excited when I got

a new video, a personal favourite was always Cool Runnings. Remember that one about the Jamaican bobsled team? It turns out I’m not alone, as James was convinced he also has a copy at home. It’s like it’s a video must!

With the kids finally back at school after what seemed an eternity with the Easter holidays, we asked the question ‘What do you love now that you hated as a child?’ This all came about, as during the holidays I saw a child screaming to get out of the buggy. At that moment, I thought, ‘I really wish I could change places with her!’ I had been walking all day and would have loved nothing more than to sit down and be pushed around! We then asked you the question and complied our top five. Jan Jefferies went with the old classic of Brussels sprouts, whereas Sophie Hollis simply said her sister! The one that absolutely came out on top by pretty much the entire county… was napping! As a child you fight it and never want to sleep, but now, as an adult, there is nothing better than an early night or a cheeky afternoon nap. Have a think, what do you love now that you really hated as a child?

On a final note today, on behalf of me and James, if you’re running the Virgin London Marathon this Sunday, we are sending you a massive GOOD LUCK! What you’re doing is totally inspirational – I’m really not convinced I could drag myself around the 26 miles and we all know James wouldn’t get past the first two minutes! So keep going, hold your head high and wear your finisher’s medal for ever more as you definitely have earned the right!

Join us weekdays from 6am. It’s Heart breakfast with James and Becky!

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS CHORAL SOCIETY Music Director Rebecca Miller is to conduct the RTWCS spring concert when we present a performance of Bach’s wonderful St. Matthew Passion.

Photo Richard Haughton

Set for a double choir and orchestra, this magnificent work tells the story of Christ’s Passion according to the gospel of St Matthew, interspersed with moving arias and chorales. Although originally written in German, we are to perform it with the familiar English texts.

with

London Handel Orchestra – with period instruments Gwilym Bowen –Tenor (as the Evangelist) Robert Rice – Bass (as Jesus) Ruth Holton – Soprano Clare McCaldin – Mezzo Greg Tassell – Tenor James Birchall – Bass-baritone Ben Thapa (tenor) as Gerontius

Conducted by Rebecca Miller

Jeanette Ager (mezzo-soprano) as the Angel

Details overleaf

RTWCS chorus and Orchestra

www.rtwcs.org.uk www.rtwcs.org.uk

@RTWChoralSoc

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

RTWCS is a registered charity - no 273310

>> WEDNESDAY The first of two films at Trinity this week is Pelo Malo or Bad Hair, in Spanish. It tells story of a nine-year-old boy in Caracas whose obsession with taming his unruly hair for a school photo affects his hardworking mother.

Another theme developing this week is spring!

With several events outdoors in some of the fabulous gardens surrounding Tunbridge Wells.The first is at Pashley Manor near Wadhurst where the annual Tulip Festival runs form today until May 4. >> THURSDAY A short run by The Talentz Musical Theatre Company starts today at the Ship Theatre in Sevenoaks of Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods. Trinity gives us a final chance to see the Second Best Marigold Hotel on the big screen with its second film of the week. >> FRIDAY This week the regular museum/art gallery Friday Fun series is titled Perfect Pets. It’s free, suitable for ages two to five and there’s no need to book, just drop in at 10.30am.

The battle of the sexes comes to Trinity with Lysistrata. Physical comedy, puppetry and mask work feature in this scintillating modern update of Aristophanes’ famed comedy; described as an irresistible theatrical treat for ages 14 and upwards.

The 2015 Lamberhurst Festival continues at Finchcock’s Musical Museum this evening with a performance by London Baroque, one of the foremost exponents in their field. >> SATURDAY Continuing the spring theme, the National Trust at Sissinghurst Castle gives us the opportunity for a nice early start to the weekend with an Early Bird Walk, starting at 6am, it’s probably not for everyone!

But if you want an even earlier start, perhaps the 5am Bateman’s Dawn Walk would suit you more! At Bewl Water Country Park, there’s the Big Bug Hunt all weekend, grab a jar and join in.

Thomas the Tank Engine returns with his friends to the Spa Valley Railway for a second weekend of entertainment, on the trip to Groombridge/Eridge and in the engine shed.

At King Charles the Martyr today are three events.

First the Revolver Record Fair in the church hall, followed in the evening by Chanky Chank, recreating the sound of a 40/50s Cajun dance band. Round the corner, in the church itself, the Pentagon String Ensemble will play Mozart, Haydn and Arensky.

There’s more classical music at the Odeon with an operatic double bill on screen from the the Met in New York with Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci.

At Cranbrook’s Queens Hall Theatre this evening is The Unremarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe. A one-woman show with some really good reviews of Lizzie Wort’s performance.

At the Urban Soup gallery on The Pantiles is an interesting show this evening; Smiles and Upsidowns is a collection of art by Czee13 and Bunny Boiler with drinks, music and stickers. >> SUNDAY Two more springtime events today, first another early start with a bird walk around Grosvenor & Hilbert Park; meet at the Oast House at 8am. In the early afternoon at Sissinghurst, there is a guided bluebell and wildflower walk, the price includes a cream tea so what’s not to like...?

If you prefer your entertainment indoors and classical, the RTW Choral Society will be performing Bach’s St Matthew Passion at the Assembly Hall at 3pm. >> MONDAY CREATE brings some fantastic shows to St Barnabas. Tonight we have The Boy Who Bit Picasso, an interactive theatre show for ages four to eight. With storytelling, music and chances to make your own art, this hands-on family show introduces one of the 20th century’s most influential artists through the eyes of a young boy. Expect to get messy!! >> TUESDAY More theatrical performances at Trinity from tonight until Saturday, with Donkeys’ Years; a trouserdropping farce by Michael Frayn. >> WEDNESDAY An early warning for one of my favourites. Tom Carradine returns to Scallywag Cafe, with his piano for his Cockney sing-a-long. Great fun!

LAMBERHURST GOLF CLUB

will be visiting Lamberhurst Golf Club on Wednesday 29th April and taking part in an 18 hole Exhibition Match, expected tee off time 11.30am Gwilym Bowen (tenor) as the Evangelist

Robert Rice (baritone) as Jesus

Ruth Holton (soprano)

Clare McCaldin (mezzo soprano)

Greg Tassell (tenor)

James Birchall (bass-baritone)

The choir and soloists will be supported by The London Handel Orchestra, which is made up of some of London's finest professional baroque players, and uses period instruments.

Caddying for him on the day will be Jamie Lane (Darren Clarke’s caddy) and playing alongside will be Leigh Ferris our Club Champion, our Club Professional Brian Impett and John McKenzie the 2015 Club Captain.

Food will be available during the day.

Bucket collection for the Captains’ charities.

Tel 07506 557142

Generously supported by Burfields House Wealth Management Ltd (www.burfieldshouse.co.uk)

Michael Pearce (bass) as the Angel of the Agony

THERE’S bit of a theatrical theme running through this week’s events. Starting with TWODS’ production of Sister Act, which started last night (Tuesday) and runs to Saturday. Also in the middle of its run is The Secret Lives of Henry & Alice at the Oast Theatre in Tonbridge. There are currently more than 50 events on my theatre page - tunbridgewellsevents.co.uk/ theatre.

MULTIPLE EUROPEAN TOUR WINNING GOLFER ROBERT ROCK

Our Performers:

J.S.Bach St. Matthew Passion

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

Join us for our 125th Anniversary Celebrations!

The “St Matthew” is arguably one of the finest pieces of choral music ever written, and the favourite of many a music connoisseur.

Sunday 26th April 2015 at 3pm Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells

SEVEN DAYS OF EVENTS AT A GLANCE

Tickets: Rear circle £10, Front stalls £14, Front circle £14/£18, Tiered stalls £22 Children - half price Tickets can be purchased through the Assembly Hall Box office (note there is a booking fee of £1.25 per ticket), online: www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk, by phone : 01892 530613, or in person at the box office.

RTWCS is a Registered Charity no. 27331

All Welcome ~ Free Entry www.lamberhurstgolfclub.com Church Road, Lamberhurst, Kent TN3 8DT

01892 890591

We look forward to welcoming Robert to the club, and would love for you all to attend.

Directions to the Club can be found on our website.

WHAT’S ON �

Times

Live music & events

O F TUNBR IDGE WEL LS

MUSIC

Paul Dunton reveals his guide to what’s on musically for the week ahead…

Noble Jacks headline The Local & Live Sessions at Trinity Theatre on Saturday, April 25! Doors 7pm tickets £10 or in advance from www. trinitytheatre. net or 01892678678

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

NOBLE Jacks have a high energy footstomping alternative style and have individually specialised in different genres of music including folk, rock and pop which together allows them to write songs in a fresh contemporary style with hints/ influences of artists such as Seth Lakeman, Kings of Leon, Frank Turner and Mumford and Sons.

Look out for the brilliant fiddle playing of front man Will Page! Seth Lakeman eat your heart out! Great support from local six-piece Mercia on the night.

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM Doors 7.30pm, entry price variable, event information and tickets at www.twforum. co.uk Saturday - Hip Hop At The Forum Monday - Tim Vantol and The Gallerys

THE CHURCH HALL KING CHARLES THE MARTYR 3 Warwick Park Road, tickets £10 or call 01892 533495 Dance floor and seating available, bring own beverages and glasses.

THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE The Pantiles Doors 7.15pm, entry £5/£7, websites www. pdag.co.uk & www.thegreylady.co.uk Wednesday - Gronk, Karl Barton, Ian Knapp, The Breaks Friday - (9.30pm till late) Salsa Camina Saturday - (9.30pm till late) Glide Sunday - Zeffyr, Michael Wood, Elly O’Keefe, The Breretons Tuesday - Kirsti Robinson, Niamh CoshamElam, Hugh Kemp, Andy Twyman Wednesday - Raising Cain, The Ackerleys, Marie White, Goldie Reed

THE BEDFORD PUB 2 High Street Free entry, music from 8pm.

Thursday – Tom Haacke

THE ASSEMBLY HALLS Crescent Road Doors 7pm, event information and tickets at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk or 01892 530613 Sunday – (3pm start) Bach St Matthew Passion - RTWCS TRINITY THEATRE Church Road Doors at 7pm event information and tickets at www.trinitytheatre.net Saturday – The Local & Live Sessions with Noble Jacks, Mercia, The Paul Dunton Orchestra

THE CROSS KEYS St Johns Road Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Wednesday – Open Mic Night Thursday - Sonny’s Jazz: Richard Rozze & Perry White Friday – Blues with Bottle Club: David Ferra’s Blues Allstars Monday – TWURPS Beginners Ukulele Jam THE BEAU NASH Mount Ephraim Open all day, free entry, music from 9pm.

Saturday – Woodface THE ROYAL OAK Prospect Road Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Saturday – The Harveys

59

St Matthew Passion to be staged this Sunday “ARGUABLY one of the finest pieces of choral music ever written” is to be staged at the Assembly Hall Theatre this weekend.

The Royal Tunbridge Wells Choral Society presents JS Bach’s St Matthew Passion, supported by the London Handel Orchestra, on Sunday at 3pm.

A spokesman for the society said: “Set for a double choir and orchestra, the piece tells the story of Christ’s Passion according to the gospel of St Matthew.

“Although originally written in German, it is to be performed with the familiar English texts.

The infrequency of the performance of a work of this size is not the only draw for a fortunate Tunbridge Wells audience. In contrast to the usual concert setting, where the choir is up on the stage, far from the audience, on April 26 you will almost feel a part of them, as all performers will be on the area on the floor in front of the stage – within touching distance.”

Musical director Rebecca Miller added: “This is such a dramatic work. It is my aim for people to experience this emotionally-charged and highly human piece of music not at a distance, behind glass, as in a museum, but up close so that the impact of the music and the words can be felt to everyone in the room viscerally.”

Tickets, priced from £10, can be booked through society members or at www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk The concert is dedicated to the memory of Sir Derek Day, an “inspirational stalwart” and former patron of the choral society who died this year.

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 financial future. So contact us today to see how we can help you achieve the outcome you want.

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

For further information and to apply for a free consultation just complete the coupon and post to the address below. Alternatively call or email us today quoting reference 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

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

60 � YOUR TV

OUR PICK OF THE WEEK

WEDNESDAY

GIVE A PET A HOME ITV, 8pm

Amanda Holden reveals which of last week’s celebrity-championed animals have found a new home with viewers, and six more potential pets are put up for adoption at the RSPCA centre in Birmingham. Also in the programme, Chris Kamara and Coleen Nolan host a speed-datingstyle event for rabbits and Kimberly Wyatt throws a party for a pony.

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW DETECTIVES

BBC2, 6.30pm

Antiques and fine-art specialist Adam Schoon looks into one of the most incredible adventure stories of all time, led by polar explorer Ernest Shackleton.

THURSDAY

ITV, 9pm

W1A

FRIDAY

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF SHIELD

HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU

War comes to Coulson’s doorstep in a way he never expected as shocking revelations are brought to light. Skye struggles to control her new abilities, but she may soon have to make a decision that could irrevocably change her life. Guest starring Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess).

Another guest host rules the roost as regular team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton take potshots at the week’s silliest news stories, with the help of actorcomedian Miles Jupp and journalist Camilla Long.

Channel 4, 8pm

BBC1, 9.30pm

POINTLESS CELEBRITIES

SATURDAY

PLAY TO THE WHISTLE

BBC1, 6.55pm

Eight morning TV stars try to come up with the most obscure answers to win cash for their chosen charities. They include Good Morning Britain duo Kate Garraway and Richard Arnold and four BBC Breakfast anchors past and present.

ITV, 9.15pm

Team captains Bradley Walsh and Frank Lampard are joined by guests including football manager – and Lampard’s uncle – Harry Redknapp, The Last Leg’s Alex Brooker and broadcaster Piers Morgan in a headto-head contest featuring quizzes and physical games. Holly Willoughby hosts the sports-based comedy panel show, with Seann Walsh in the umpire’s chair.

POLDARK

BBC1, 9pm

Ross is reluctantly forced to fold the smelting company when he can no longer compete against George, who celebrates by buying a new ship.

However, when the vessel is wrecked on the rocks, Ross exacts his revenge by rallying the local poor to plunder its contents. Meanwhile, Dwight is consumed with guilt over his loss, and throws himself into work.

BBC1, 9pm

Kirsty Young presents a cold case review of the 1975 murders of a 22-year-old ‘bunny girl’ and a 16-year-old schoolgirl. At the time there was nothing to suggest the killings, on opposite sides of London, were linked.

However, modern DNA techniques show one man was responsible for both attacks. But who is he? The programme also features an investigation into the rise of so-called ‘sextortion’, in which gangs encourage victims to perform explicit acts online before blackmailing them with the threat of reposting the images for the world to see.

NCIS: NEW ORLEANS

Channel 5, 9pm

The team investigates the murder of a retired Navy Seal who spent his career tracking down people posing as military personnel. However, another mystery unfolds when their chief suspect is found to have in his possession the jacket of petty officer Zach Chase, who was presumed to have been killed while on active service overseas, but whose body was never found. Pride and LaSalle set off for Afghanistan in a bid to find Chase and hopefully bring his family some good news.

BRITAIN’S HORROR HOMES

Channel 5, 6.25pm

Ted Grayson is used to road traffic accidents taking place near his house in South Yorkshire as it is situated at the bottom of a hill on a dangerous bend, but nothing could prepare him for the day a car crashed into his kitchen. David and Sylvia Mason had their hopes of a peaceful retirement shattered when a large sinkhole opened up dangerously close to their Northamptonshire bungalow, while Bryony Nierop-Reading from the Norfolk village of Happisburgh was devastated when her house had to be demolished after coastal erosion left it suspended in mid-air on the edge of a cliff.

FOR THE LOVE OF CARS

VERA

Philip Glenister gets to fulfil an ultimate dream and drive some of Britain’s most iconic police cars. Alongside him is former cop Ant Anstead, who demonstrates how to master these versatile vehicles. The duo get to work restoring a Rover SD1, and push a 1959 Daimler Dart to the limit re-enacting the notorious ‘Liver Run’, accompanied by out-riders on the M11.

When dock worker Owen Thorne plunges from the roof of a multi-storey car park while picking up his daughter from her school prom, Vera immediately detects foul play. The team soon discovers a work dispute over the death of a young man, with everyone believing Owen was to blame, and the victim’s father admits he wanted revenge.

Channel 4, 8pm

MONDAY

SKINT

Channel 4, 9pm

GOTHAM

The final programme tells the stories of some of Merthyr Tydfil’s most deprived young people, who don’t have a place to call their own. Si and Nicola have a tent they pitch in the hills and they skip-dive for food, and Simon sofa-surfs at his brother’s bedsit while trying to hold down a zero-hours contract at a factory. Chrissy alternates between sleeping on the floor and on top of a washing machine in a shed. Last in the series.

Channel 5, 9pm

Gordon investigates Loeb’s past after the sudden release of Arnold Flass, and has to ask Cobblepot for a favour to find out more about the suspicious death of the commissioner’s wife. Meanwhile, Alfred recovers from the attack in hospital, but is evasive when questioned by detectives about the identity of his assailant, while Fish Mooney earns a promotion after impressing the founder of the institution where she is being held.

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

CRIMEWATCH

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have overseen the installation of a pop-up ice rink in a deprived area of their home city of Nottingham, and recruited local teenagers to help stage a major performance. Here, tension, excitement and even romance are in the air as the big show looms. Some of the skaters are chosen to demonstrate their talents as individuals and in pairs, but torrential rain ruins the dress rehearsal.

The return of the spoof documentary set behind the scenes at BBC Broadcasting House. One year on and head of values Ian Fletcher has finally got his own office, and he and the team have a new set of challenges, not least an impending visit from Prince Charles. The question is, which of the management team will get the honour of shaking the royal hand?

Hugh Bonneville, Jessica Hynes and Rufus Jones star.

TUESDAY

Ellie Harrison and Adam Henson explore the secrets of the Scottish Highlands. Adam climbs the north face of Ben Nevis, a spectacular rock ascent on which few tourists venture, and lives out his boyhood dream on a Wild West-style cattle ranch. Ellie probes a monster mystery in Britain’s deepest water Loch Morar and visits an ancient shrine to healing on the Black Isle.

ICE RINK ON THE ESTATE

BBC2, 9pm

SUNDAY

SECRET BRITAIN

BBC1, 9pm

KIRSTIE AND PHIL’S LOVE IT OR LIST IT Channel 4, 8pm

New series. Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer go head to head as they meet fed-up families whose homes no longer fit their requirements. After listening to their issues, Phil tries to persuade the owners to sell and upgrade on the property market, while Kirstie argues that investing, either by extending or redesigning, is the wiser move.

THE QUEEN’S BIG NIGHT OUT

Channel 4, 9pm

The story of the night when the future Queen Elizabeth II slipped out of Buckingham Palace with Princess Margaret to party in secret on the streets of London. It was May 8, 1945 – VE Day – the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Seventy years later, eyewitnesses reveal in detail what happened.

ITV, 8pm

THE GADGET SHOW

Channel 5, 7pm

Jason Bradbury and Amy Williams head to Stratford-upon-Avon to try out the newest ideas in transport, racing across Shakespeare country on everything from off-road trainers to horseracing simulators. Meanwhile, Jon Bentley examines whether the DSLR camera has had its day, former world superbike champion Carl Fogarty checks out the latest motorcycle technology and Ortis Deley tests an underwater remotely operated vehicle.

WASTEMEN BBC2, 9pm

New series. On average, every household in the nation throws away a ton of rubbish each year, for bin wagons to collect, and this documentary follows the people who work round the clock to cope with the vast swathes of waste produced by the residents of Newcastle upon Tyne.

YOUR TV �

THE RESTORATION MAN: GEORGE CLARKE’S RESTORATION HEROES

THE DELIVERY MAN ITV, 9.30pm

A father has to rush between the bedsides of two mothers carrying his children. Matthew’s best pal Ian is suspended from the police force and comes looking for a job, while the novice midwife realises he has landed Lisa’s boyfriend in trouble.

THE NIGHTMARE NEIGHBOUR NEXT DOOR

THE ISLAND WITH BEAR GRYLLS

THE LAST DAYS OF CHARLES I

Channel 4, 9pm

Channel 5, 8pm

The survivors are divided on food – when they find two pigs in the jungle, they simply cannot agree on their fate. But it’s creating a fire that proves to be the women’s biggest battle, and to make matters worse, a tornado appears to be heading straight toward them.

Writer and actor Mark Gatiss, academic Hannah Dawson and human rights barrister Geoffrey Robertson are among those giving their views on the life and death of Charles I, who ruled England, Scotland and Ireland for more than 20 years in the 17th century.

ITV, 9pm

Griff begins the third leg of his trip in Kasama, northern Zambia. His first stop is the town of Mpika, where he meets college students training to be locomotive drivers. Next, in the capital Lusaka, he reveals how the first railways were built to access the country’s rich mineral wealth, and watches craftsmen cutting emeralds and rubies – before being let loose on a pair of bejewelled cufflinks.

It’s high summer in the Falkland Islands, and as the Rev Richard Hines takes over as guest presenter on local radio – if technological gremlins will allow him – his wife Jen braves stiff competition from the resident bakers as she enters her homemade produce in the annual show.

ATLANTIS

Ant and Dec present the third audition show, as the judges – Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon – hope to uncover more of the nation’s talent.

Queuing up to take the stage, acts of all ages and abilities are determined to prove they are worthy of the £250,000 cash prize and a slot at this year’s Royal Variety Performance.

Pasiphae tries to force Ariadne to renounce the throne, and with Jason and Hercules powerless to help, Medusa and Pythagoras come up with a plan requiring an unimaginable sacrifice. Mark Addy, Jack Donnelly, Robert Emms and Jemima Rooper star in the fantasy adventure.

BBC1, 7.45pm

Sky Living, 9pm

BBC2, 8pm

HAWAII FIVE-0

BBC2, 8.30pm

Sky1, 8pm

Docu-drama telling the story behind the ‘Gallipoli Letter’, which was written in September 1915 by Australian journalist Keith Murdoch for the prime ministers of Australia and Great Britain, and exposed the harsh realities of the First World War campaign in the Turkish peninsula.

Featuring and interview with Keith’s son Rupert Murdoch.

A singer is killed at an Elvis convention, while Chin has a personal matter to deal with when Malia’s brother asks for help getting off the island.

BRITAIN’S BIGGEST DIAMOND HEIST? THE INSIDE STORY

Will Millard heads to the Indonesian village of Lamalera, which is one of the Coral Triangle’s most notorious communities as the inhabitants have survived for centuries by hunting manta rays, sharks and whales. Using hand-thrown harpoons, the fisherman are the last people on earth who continue to hunt whales in this manner.

The Strictly Come Dancing judge travels across America exploring t he extraordinary life of his hero. Finding out how and why Fred Astaire became one of the world’s greatest movers, Len heads to New York, where the star began dance classes at the age of six, and learns about the years he spent touring a vaudeville act through the US in the shadow of his sister.

Despite CCTV and security guards, a sixman gang spent the Easter weekend breaking into a vault in London’s Hatton Garden and made off with the contents of safety deposit boxes estimated to be worth millions. But how did they get away with it? In this film, Declan Lawn takes a journey into Britain’s criminal underworld in search of the secrets behind the job.

24 HOURS IN THE PAST

BBC1, 9pm

New series. Living reality documentary in which six celebrities travel back in time to the 19th century, spending four full days experiencing the relentless graft of Victorian Britain. Those taking part include Alistair McGowan, Ann Widdecombe and Zoe Lucker.

TEEN MODEL FACTORY: REGGIE YATES’ EXTREME RUSSIA BBC3, 9pm

The broadcaster travels to Siberia, and explores how girls as young as five are training to join the industry. Last in the series.

SICK NOTE SKIVERS EXPOSED

THE FLYING ARCHAEOLOGIST

Documentary featuring stories of people who have been signed off sick when in fact they were fit as fiddles, including sprinter Matthew Thomas, who was exposed as a fraud after racing in national competitions and coaching young athletes while he was on sick leave from his job.

Ben Robinson flies over the Thames to make new discoveries about the First World War. A network of trenches has been discovered on the Hoo Peninsula.

Invisible from the ground, they were found from aerial images of the area next to the former Chattenden Barracks.

Channel 5, 9pm

LIVE FORD SUPER SUNDAY Sky Sports 1, 3.30pm

BBC2, 10pm

ITV, 10.15pm

The final programme focuses on the practitioners on Harley Street who provide complementary and alternative therapies to their clients. May Lyang has been trying to have a baby for five years and visits Dr Zhai, who offers traditional Chinese medicine for fertility, while identical twins Luba and Irena Chmil attend the clinic of kinesiologist Dr Michael Culp to fend off the exhaustion of daily life. Last in the series.

Red announces his latest target is a scientist who is conducting a series of disturbing experiments in a bid to make himself immortal. However, it soon becomes clear that the criminal’s motives are even more sinister than he imagined.

Meanwhile, Tom is targeted by powerful new enemies who threaten to target Liz if he doesn’t help them.

GALLIPOLI: WHEN MURDOCH WENT TO WAR

PERSPECTIVES: LEN GOODMAN – FOR THE LOVE OF FRED ASTAIRE

BBC2, 9pm

Coverage of the 12th round from the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, including Stephen Bunting v Gary Anderson, James Wade v Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis. Van Gerwen was the star man in the opening rounds, and remained undefeated in his first nine matches.

THE BLACKLIST

HUNTERS OF THE SOUTH SEAS

INSIDE HARLEY STREET

Sky Sports 1, 7pm

Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker return with three shows culminating in an election night extravaganza. As well as the usual comic review of the past seven days, the trio look at the latest in the world of politics.

Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves (Kick-off 8.00pm). Eddie Hemmings and Mike Stephenson present coverage of the topflight game from Headingley. The Rhinos look set to challenge for silverware once again this season following an outstanding start to the campaign, and they will expect to triumph on home soil against one of their major rivals for title success.

ITV, 8pm

LIVE PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS

THE LAST LEG

AN ISLAND PARISH: FALKLANDS

Sky Sports 1, 7.30pm

Monaco v Juventus (Kick-off 7.45pm).

Coverage of the quarter-final second-leg encounter from Stade Louis II, where the French side host the Italian champions. Monaco lost here 2-0 to Arsenal in the last round, but had already done just enough to reach the quarter-final courtesy of a 3-1 win at the Emirates Stadium.

Channel 4, 10pm

LIVE FIRST UTILITY SUPER LEAGUE

BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT

BBC2, 9pm

Sky Sports 1, 7.40pm

In Shropshire, a man moves in to his parents’ home to help put a stop to a neighbour’s harassment, but events escalate into violence. In Essex, a mother and her daughter find what seems to be the perfect house, only for their lives to be made a misery after they object to a planning application for an extension. Two residents who feel they are the victims of noise have to deny any wrongdoing when the police arrive on their doorstep.

The architect chooses four of his favourite church conversions, featuring a couple who hoped their old fisherman’s church in Devon would bring them together, and a young father whose dedication to restoring a medieval Welsh chapel almost tore his family apart.

SLOW TRAIN THROUGH AFRICA WITH GRIFF RHYS JONES

LIVE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Channel 5, 8pm

Channel 4, 8pm

BBC4, 7.30pm

61

Arsenal v Chelsea (Kick-off 4.00pm).

Coverage of the Premier League match from Emirates Stadium, where a win for the Gunners could see them emerge as title contenders. Arsenal’s form has been outstanding in the league of late and they have gone from looking to finish in the top four to being outside challengers for the title.

MODERN FAMILY

SAFE HOUSE ITV, 9pm

Settled into the guest house, the Blackwells must pretend to be ordinary holiday-makers – with the aid of a script, it’s vital they all know their cover story.

When eldest son Sam’s car is found damaged and abandoned, there’s growing concern for his safety.

INSIDE MAYWEATHER V PACQUIAO Sky Sports 1, 6pm

Documentary series following the preparations for the unified welterweight title bout between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, set to take place in Las Vegas on 2 May 2015.

Sky1, 8pm

Jay and Claire butt heads while shooting an advert, Phil, Luke and Manny join forces to take down a creative Peeping Tom, and Cam worries about Lily when she enters a talent show. Ed O’Neill and Julie Bowen star.

HOLBY CITY

BBC1, 8pm

Guy presents his vision for the future of Holby City to the trustees, so the last thing he needs is Annabelle and Zosia disagreeing with him over a special case. Serena tries to hold things together as the future of the hospital remains uncertain – only for a pair of new shoes to get her a new admirer.

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

62 � MOTORS

The Subaru Outback: Classic Car

servicing & repair in Kent / Sussex

A no-nonsense personality and easy on the eye WHAT’S NEW?

All makes and models catered for, main / intermediate servicing.

MOT preparation General repair Modification advice Quotations on request Fixed price servicing available Call our Service Dept on 01622 817938

We also buy and sell Classic Cars & Motorcycles!

Sales Dept. 01622 814140

www.anthonygodin.co.uk

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

Look past the Outback’s modest visual updates and there’s clear evidence that Subaru has been busy making its crossover-style wagon more competitive.

The Japanese firm has made a number of welcome tweaks to the driving experience, with changes to the car’s steering and suspension resulting in sharper and more engaging on-road behaviour. Subaru has also been busy in the Outback’s cabin, as the overall ambience has been improved thanks to a significant uplift in quality.

New trim materials, a new fascia and seats help boost the car’s premium class credentials. And alongside revised engines, Subaru is rolling out a trick suite of active safety measures, including an auto-brake function, intelligent cruise control and a lane departure warning system.

LOOKS AND IMAGE

Admired among the Subaru faithful for its no-nonsense personality, practical cabin and easy on the eye looks, the Outback offers an interesting blend of (almost) go-anywhere abilities, plus durable mechanicals. This revised Outback is closer to its European rivals in the refinement and quality departments than ever before, although it remains a niche consideration for most buyers.

SPACE AND PRACTICALITY

The Outback’s generous size cabin ensures that all occupants benefit from a decent amount of head and legroom - especially in the back.

Oddment space in the cabin is also good, while the boot is large enough to cope with the demands of most owners. Thanks to the Outback’s elevated ride height and cabin entry, loading the boot is made that bit easier, too. And

it wouldn’t be right to omit reference to the car’s 4x4 system, which is likely to be just as useful in the dry as in the wet.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

As part of the Outback’s update programme, Subaru’s engineers have made some welcome improvements under the skin. Tweaks to refine how the Outback behaves on the road have resulted in a more engaging and refined driving experience, while the diesel-CVT auto combination proves to be a smooth and predictable combination. Factor in all-wheel drive and the Outback is a robust, all-weather package that’s also brisk, yet imparts a high level of confidence and security.

Aside from the basic act of driving, Subaru has pushed the boat out with an all-singing, alldancing active safety package, which combines intelligent cruise control, lane departure warning

MOTORS �

63

‘If this car was a dog, it would be the loyal, willing and able family Labrador IAIN DOOLEY and an auto brake function to better protect you from the outside world than many of the Outback’s pricier rivals.

VALUE FOR MONEY

No longer a cheap and cheerful alternative for rough and ready farmers, Subaru’s Outback delivers a high level of refinement, comfort and practicality on a par with its premium European rivals.

Although well-equipped in standard trim, you’ll need to pick an auto transmission car if you want to benefit from Subaru’s trick active safety package. Furthermore, diesel remains the smart choice if you want to reduce your tax and fuel outlay.

WHO WOULD BUY ONE?

If the current crop of fashion-led SUVs brings you out in a rash, Subaru’s polished, yet no-nonsense Outback offers a good blend of versatility, useful technology, all-weather practicality and understated style. It’s not the last word in sporty handling, but it’ll likely be more helpful when the roads are soaked or you need to tow a trailer than the latest soft-roader.

THIS CAR SUMMED UP IN A SINGLE WORD Loyal

IF THIS CAR WAS A...

Dog, it would be the loyal, willing and able family Labrador

FACTS AT A GLANCE

SUBARU OUTBACK 2.0D SE PREMIUM LINEARTRONIC £32,995 ENGINE 2.0-LITRE DIESEL UNIT PRODUCING 150BHP TRANSMISSION CVT AUTO DRIVING ALL FOUR WHEELS PERFORMANCE TOP SPEED 124MPH, 0-62MPH IN 9.9 SECONDS ECONOMY 46.3MPG COMBINED EMISSIONS 159G/KM OF CO2

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

Cooper Tunbridge Wells

The Ultimate Driving Machine

I

I (( (

(I I I I

I

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

Slow roads lead to Lefkas • Ellen Manning ASIDE from the hum of cicadas, punctuated by the odd dog barking and cockerel crowing, it is completely silent.

It’s the same on the empty roads, where all the signs are all in a foreign language, with very few of the English translations you so often expect to see in this part of the world.

There are no sprawling resorts and strips of neon nightclubs, just picture-perfect towns occupied by a few tavernas, shops and hotels.

It’s a far cry from the stereotypical image of a Greek getaway. Lefkas might be the fourth largest Ionian Island, but it’s the unspoilt stuff of imagination.

Our accommodation is the perfect example of the trademark seclusion of Lefkas.

From our private poolside terrace, we can sit with a glass of local wine, enjoying views of the capital, Lefkas Town, and across the water to the mainland.

Once a working windmill, the stone building has been transformed into the perfect hideaway: the top floor is dominated by a huge bedroom, and a kitchen, bathroom and dining area occupy the ground floor.

With the nearest neighbour a few hundred metres away, and the pool hidden from view, it’s the perfect place to relax and, literally, get away from it all.

But it’s not just the peace and quiet that makes Lefkas different from other islands.

Just 21 miles long and nine miles wide, Lefkas – which some people also refer to as Lefkada – was a peninsula of Arcanania until it was split by a 28m canal excavated by the Corinthians in 640BC. Now you come and go across a swing bridge which joins the mainland to the island, enjoying the feeling and culture of being on a Greek island with the freedom easily to explore further afield.

Not that there isn’t plenty to do on Lefkas.

Divided by the towering Mount Stavratos, each corner of the island has its own character - from the sheltered east coast with family-friendly beaches, to the crashing waves and steep cliffs of the dramatic west coast, with luscious rolling countryside dotted with deserted windmills and watermills in between. It’s here, inland, where you can really soak up the unbelievably slow pace.

Kavalos, the sleepy hamlet where our windmill lies, is the perfect example. From morning to evening, nothing seems to change, except the addition of a few Greek men sitting outside the one establishment that appears to be a bar, drinking coffee, watching the world go by.

Capital Lefkas Town is far from a bustling metropolis. We accidentally arrive during siesta time – still very much a thing here – and wander

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

around the narrow streets, thinking we’re in one of those films where the whole world has suddenly disappeared.

The low-key nature of the island brings its own low-key tourist attractions. Near the windmill, we hunt for the Melissa Gorge, a small gorge opened up by the local authority and given a paved route running past ruined watermills and windmills.

After three days of searching, we finally find it, directed from the road by a tiny sign.

On the other side of the island, just outside the tourist resort Nidri, a picturesque harbour filled with boats clamouring to take people on tours of the nearby tiny islands, are the Rachi waterfalls.

Don’t expect anything on Niagara levels, more a slow trickle with a small puddle at the bottom.

From Nidri, you can hire your own little vessel to enjoy a Swallows and Amazons-style adventure on the water.

Boating is just the start of plenty of waterorientated action on Lefkas for us. The southern

resort Vassiliki is internationally recognised as one of the leading windsurfing resorts in Europe, so we decide to have a go.

We spend an afternoon trying to get the hang of standing up, then moving and steering. A few hours later, our legs are aching, but I can see why people get addicted. There’s something about the joy of standing, sail in hand, feeling the wind propel you forward, without a clue of what happens next, that brings back childhood feelings of wobbling down the road on your bike for the first time.

The watery theme wouldn’t be complete without an exploration of the island’s beaches. A tour of the famous west coast takes in some of the most impressive sights such as Kathisma Beach, where tourists can paraglide from a nearby hill on to the shore, and Porto Katsiki, where steps lead down to perfect white sands backed by high cliffs.

We don’t quite make it as far as Lefkada Cape, described by Byron as the ‘lovers’ refuge’, where

TRAVEL �

67

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT Porto Katsiki beach The Villa Milos The Rachi waterfalls

DOVER to CALAIS £45 from

Car and 7 passengers

*

myferrylink.com

Book now fur summer!

white cliffs rise 60m out of the beautiful surf.

Known for human sacrifices in ancient times, it’s also said that it was here ancient poet Sappho threw herself into the sea after being spurned by lover Phaon.

There are many more historical sites on the mainland near Lefkas, from the ancient city Nikopolis, built in 31BC to commemorate the victory of Octavius over Antony and Cleopatra at the battle of Aktion, to Nekromanteion, on a hill above what in ancient times was the mouth of the River Acheron, the mythical River Styx, gateway to the underworld.

It’s clear there’s plenty to do and not enough time to do it all. So, our bodies aching from the exertions of windsurfing, we settle in for an evening lapping up the best of Lefkas. With some local fish on the barbecue and a chilled bottle from the local winery, we take up residence on the quiet windmill terrace admiring the twinkling lights of Lefkas Town with just the cicadas for company.

TRAVEL FACTS Ellen Manning was a guest of Greece villa specialist GIC The Villa Collection (www.gicthevillacollection. com; 020 8232 9780) which offers a seven-night stay at Villa Milos (sleeps two) on Lefkas from £802pp (two sharing). The price includes selfcatering accommodation, return flights (Gatwick), car hire and welcome pack. For early flights, stay overnight at the Gatwick Airport Travelodge (travelodge.co.uk 0871 984 6506) with doubles from £46 (room only).

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. *Each way, price subject to availability. Price includes a £5 fuel supplement.

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

68 � ARTS & CULTURE

Meet John Martin, the man who turned Trinity Theatre around TRINITY FACTS:

DIRECTOR John Martin

TRINITY THEATRE FOUNDED: 1982 REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1054547 ANNUAL NUMBER OF EVENTS: 350 NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS: 150 ADDRESS: Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1JP TEL: 01892 678 678 WEB: www.trinitytheatre.net EMAIL: enquiries@trinitytheatre.net FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/trinitytheatre TWITTER: @trinitytheatre

• By Fred Latty AS WE continue our look at Tunbridge Wells culture, theatre is of course an integral part of the artistic landscape. Since it opened in 1982, Trinity Theatre has gone from strength to strength, offering a wealth of varied entertainment.

We catch up with theatre director John Martin, who talks us through the initial challenges the venue faced, how he helped turn things round and what the future holds for one of the town’s iconic arts centres…

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

Tell us about how you first got involved with Trinity I first got involved five years ago. I was asked to come in when we had just lost our Arts Council funding and were facing a £40,000 deficit. I worked for a year and a bit as a volunteer to see whether we could turn things round, as it was pretty rock bottom. I’d been in theatre in some shape or form for most of my life, but I’d never run a theatre before.

My only consolation was that I certainly couldn’t make it any worse! It was very scary, because it’s all very well for me to step in as a volunteer, but people’s jobs and livelihoods depended on it. It was, as the Chinese curse goes, ‘interesting times’.

How did you go about reviving it?

First of all, it was looking at the financial arrangements and changing the deals we did.

In those very early days, it did mean cancelling some shows because they weren’t selling, it was firefighting there; looking at the deals, looking at the programme and trying to find stuff, because the building had lost contact with the artistic world.

The other thing was looking at costs and holding everything down, which is, to an extent, classic crisis management.

That seems to have done the trick…

It was a slow and difficult haul and I made loads of mistakes, but it was a learning curve.

It wasn’t a very pleasant period and it certainly wasn’t sustainable, but it worked and did the trick of actually turning things round in a slightly different form and with a slightly different ethos.

We did quite a substantial turnaround that first year – I’m in show business and I need to keep both elements balanced, but in that first year we were focussing more on ‘business’ than ‘show’.

Do a lot of volunteers get involved?

We’ve got a volunteer base of 150, which is absolutely fantastic. If we didn’t have that, we would be out of business in a heartbeat. Everybody in this building gives more time, which is something else I’ve been striving to do; to get the culture that we’re one team and we’re working together. The volunteers don’t take their jobs any less seriously.

As well as theatre, you also offer cinema, live music and comedy – have these different elements made a difference?

It’s certainly key for what we do, but it doesn’t dominate. The majority of stuff ’s here for one night, so sometimes it will sell and sometimes it won’t, but that has been an absolute lifeline to me and continues to be. It caters to a different audience, but it’s no substitute for a multiplex because we will never get first-run movies. The other thing that has made a massive difference to us is NT Live (National Theatre productions screened at different venues) and the Royal Opera House; they have proven very, very popular.

Where do you get your funding?

We’ve received core funding only from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. That’s going down over the next three years because they’re under enormous financial pressure. They’ve stuck with us through thick and thin and have been tremendously

supportive, but equally, we know what pressures they’re under, so we’re working with them and putting plans in place so we know in advance that it’s going down. We also get corporate support for the sponsor of a season and the Christmas show.

Has the recession had an impact on the theatre?

This is only guesswork, but it has a benefit, in that people can’t afford to go to London but they can afford to come here, in times of crisis is when entertainment can flourish – comedy thrives because people want to laugh and want escapism, so those conditions have helped us.

How has your audience changed?

We’ve seen our audience shift more to the young professionals in their 30s and 40s. That element has grown and we’ve encouraged that. We have a thriving youth theatre, but where we struggle is the gap in between. We’re not a university town; it’s a terrible cliché, but what tends to happen is that people leave Tunbridge Wells, go to university, then come back when they want to settle down and have a family. But we aren’t giving up, because youngsters are the theatregoers of the future, so it’s about finding that audience.

Is there a big market for content that people might not expect, or do you have to play it safe in terms of what you include in your programme?

Sadly, the edgier it is, the less likely you are to get an audience. It’s the same in the West End; if people are investing money, they want to know what they’re getting, which is depressing for new work to survive but on the other hand, you can understand it.

ARTS & CULTURE �

Being based in a former church must be quite a talking point…

This building is both a blessing and a curse in that you can’t see in from the outside. Churches weren’t designed to be open spaces – it’s happening less and less, but we still get people coming in wanting to know what time the service is. You were supposed to enter them with a sense of reverence and they were there to impose authority, which isn’t quite the image you want from a theatre and arts centre. But when you’re in here, it’s just a wonderful space to be in.

What are your thoughts on Tunbridge Wells culture in general?

Overall, it’s on the up. There’s a lot going on and there’s a strong community here of practitioners and artists in all disciplines and genres. With its cultural strategy, the council can be behind it. I’m

optimistic about what’s going on; you never know what’s round the corner and you’re always as good as your last show.

Are there specific events that are the most profitable?

The biggest money spinner now is alternative content like NT Live. That’s been a lifeline for us. But it isn’t just that, the shows and live performances are going up and up. We’ve been consistently selling out comedy, drama and music have been doing well. The one elusive genre is dance. Flamenco works and tango works, but I haven’t been able to get the companies to come and do contemporary dance. The challenge is to keep moving, keep inventing and finding new ways of doing things. The comedy cafés work, which is a prime example that we’re trying everything to make it work. There’s a lot of competition in the market.

And your vision for the future of Trinity?

We need to sustain and build on what we’re doing. We’ll be facing a very real challenge over the next three years to sustain where we are with our funding going down £15,000 per year. When we’re effectively £45,000 down, it’s going to be a real challenge, so we’ve got to come up with a strategy to maintain where we are and, if we can, grow while seeing that funding going down. For the first time ever in the last five years, we’ve been showing a surplus after depreciation, whereas if you go back before that five-year period, we were showing a loss, so that’s been a massive turnaround.

It’s still a struggle and what we need to do and have been doing is investing in the building. What I would also like us to do is create more, find other opportunities to work with local artists and, where we can, encourage and engage.

69

‘Without volunteers, we’d be out of business in a heartbeat’ JOHN MARTIN Theatre director, Trinity Theatre

JOHN MARTIN’S TOP FIVE TRINITY SHOWS: 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE I have loved this show ever since I saw it on Broadway - it is a little gem, witty and wise and a perfect fit for Trinity. It was also a number of firsts – the first time the musical was professionally presented in England following its very successful run at the Donmar Warehouse in London and the first time a professional musical with a live band had run for a week at Trinity. Also I was able to assemble an amazing cast, many of whom had West End credits. We had an amazing experience doing it.

PETER PAN This was the second Christmas show I produced and directed for Trinity. I was

working with professional principal actors and two teams of exceptionally talented local children who made up the company, dancers and lost boys. Technically this pushed us to our limits as it involved flying which my predecessors had deemed unfeasible. It was wonderful to see Peter Pan, Wendy, Michael and John in flight above London! It was also one of our most successful Christmas shows, attracting record audiences.

LEADING LADIES For my summer production this time, I produced the UK professional premiere of a play by the internationally renowned playwright Ken Ludwig – probably best known for his play Lend Me a Tenor and writing the book for the musical Crazy

for You. This was a delightful zany comedy and also gave me the opportunity to perform – and in a dress! I was also delighted to lure our volunteer box office manager Caroline Elliott out of retirement to appear as well!

BY JEEVES Another musical I have loved ever since I saw it in London – this time by the little-known duo Andrew Lloyd Webber and Alan Ayckbourn!

Again perfectly suited to Trinity and I was able to assemble another wonderful cast of professional actors – Jeeves had just appeared in the West End, for example! It was warmly received by large audiences and in particular we were paid a visit by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s PA who was fulsome in her praise!

A CHRISTMAS CAROL This was our latest Christmas show and again technically took us to new heights as it features extensive use of flying, projection and pyrotechnics! It also featured a ‘the show must go on’ moment when the actor we had cast as Scrooge had to drop out at the last minute and I ended up having to take over. Once I got over the initial shock, it was great to find myself in a musical and discovered that Scrooge is an amazing role in that you get a chance to be a baddie, do some ‘serious’ acting and then comedy! Again we had a cast of professionals and children, a wonderful company. We had tremendously responsive and enthusiastic audiences including a four-star review in The Stage –a wonderful Christmas present!

TRINITY THEATRE CAST

By Jeeves performance

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

70 � THE GREAT OUTDOORS FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH

Country matters with Kent Barker

Going green can be dangerous for dogs THE recent spring winds have pushed the green algae to one side of the lake revealing beautiful clear water. It’s a wonderful –and increasingly rare – sight. When the glorified pond was first built by my father in the 1970s, it was always clear. There’s a lovely picture of ducks swimming through a mirror-like reflection of the house. But then, year by year, pondweed started to grow up from the bottom and a thick green soup covered more and more of the surface.

It got so bad that visitors with dogs and small children had to be warned this was, in fact, water and not an extension of the lawn. An elderly and none too bright golden Labrador failed to heed the advice and took one step too far off the bank.

The result was comical to behold. Even once he had scrambled back on to dry land and shaken himself vigorously, he was still covered from head to tail in a glutinous green coat. How we laughed.

Well, when I say we, not his owners. They were less than delighted that their beloved pooch had changed hue and now smelt like a creature from a primeval swamp. I’m not sure the hound was too amused either, especially when he was being vigorously hosed down before being allowed back inside the house.

Father tried every method imaginable to clear what he always insisted on calling his ‘lake’. Each spring, vast quantities of expensive chemicals were cast liberally on the water. It certainly killed

BEFORE Clear water

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

the algae. Temporarily. But it also killed most other pond life. Permanently. By July though, the algae was again thick enough to conceal the dead fish floating belly-up on the surface.

So he had to resort to other methods. He constructed, from decommissioned rugby posts, a boom that traversed the water. To the wooden poles he fixed chicken wire and netting and dragged the contraption from one side to the other, sweeping the algae towards the corner where the water exited the lake into the river some feet below.

Oh, yes, I’d neglected to mention the river. That was the vital ingredient in Father’s grand design.

When he first mooted a moat for the – admittedly medieval – house, we mocked the idea. Even when he amended it to a pond (sorry ‘lake’) in what was, hitherto, a peaceful sheep-grazed meadow, we were sceptical. “Where are you going to get the water from?” we asked. “From the river, of course,” he replied. “But, Dad, the river is two metres below the level of the field. You’re going to have to do an awful lot of digging.”

“No problem, I’ll pipe the water under the road from the upper millpond opposite,” he said nonchalantly.

No argument would dissuade him. Huge mechanical diggers were employed; the field was turned into a quagmire and, whenever we asked how he was planning to dig up the road for his pipe, he just smiled enigmatically.

AFTER Green algae

Then his fairy godmother on the council announced the adjacent road bridge was to be upgraded and a sliver of our land would be required. To avoid a protracted compulsory purchase battle, they immediately agreed to run Father’s pipe under the road for him.

As I say, to begin with, the project was a great success. My sister and I bathed in the cool clear water. A dinghy was purchased and capsized regularly after drunken luncheons. Ducks were imported, but usually just swam across to the other side of the pond, waddled down to the river and disappeared off downstream, never to return.

After Father died, I rather let the lake return to nature. Trees grew up round it, depositing leaves, which further depleted the oxygen and aided the algae. I did, at one point, drain it and have a digger remove the organic matter on the bottom.

For the rest of that season the water remained clear but, by the following year, the surface again resembled an unbroken green carpet.

Then, by chance, I discovered that new technology had come up with a solution.

Apparently ultrasound kills off algae and, more importantly, prevents them coming back. So, I thought, rush me an ultrasound machine and let’s get going. But –and you just knew there’d be a ‘but’ didn’t you? –they are pretty pricey. And, frankly, I’d like to be sure that it would work before shelling out several thousand pounds on the off-chance. So I wrote to the manufacturer asking if I could have one on approval or for hire to make sure it was fully effective. So far I’ve had no reply and, day by day, the algae is spreading out. I’ve now seen that they are using the stuff for biomass. I wonder if my green lake could be harvested for green fuel?

Read more at KentCountryMatters.Blogspot.com

• By Eleanor Jones I TOOK Squirrel out for a ride on the roads the other day, for the first time since August.

She’d always been perfect to hack out, on her own or with others, unperturbed by the biggest lorries or tractors, unbothered by the most howling of gales, safe as houses. I was slightly concerned as to whether she’d find it all a bit too exciting after so long, but needn’t have worried.

The only thing which did make her bounce slightly was the new bird-scarer in the fields alongside the main road, positioned perfectly so the cannon-worthy explosion almost sent her flying, not to mention the scared birds, but other than that, she behaved perfectly.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for some of the drivers we met.

I drive myself so I understand people don’t want to be stuck behind slow-moving animals.

But whenever my friend and I are on the roads, we make sure we trot on if necessary, to reach more quickly a place in which it’s safe for the car behind to pass, we tuck in to gateways to get out of the way, we wave them past if we can see round a corner and they can’t. In short, we try to make passing us as painless as possible.

But some people just can’t be bothered to wait. They’ll roar past on blind bends, seemingly not bothered by being on the wrong side of the road, they’ll try to pass while there’s someone else coming in the opposite direction, they won’t wait for you to get into a safe place.

They often go past far too fast as well and it’s just not safe.

I’ve heard the arguments along the lines of ‘if the horse isn’t safe, it shouldn’t be on the road’, but even the most bomb-proof, mild-mannered animal can do something unexpected. If a pheasant flies out of the hedge under its nose, for example, or a litterbug’s plastic carrier bag is caught by a gust of wind, it’s a rare horse that won’t turn its head to have a look, swinging its back end into the road as a result. That happens far faster than I can write it and if a car’s driving past too fast at the time, it won’t have time to stop.

It’s fair to say I’ve become something of a big girl’s blouse when it comes to hacking on the roads now but I’ve had too many near-misses.

I’ve also seen a car which had collided with a horse – not by any means the driver’s fault on that occasion – and without going into too much detail, it was lucky there was no one in the front seat. The horse had hit it at the passenger door, and the roof ended up at gearstick level. No one in that seat would have survived.

There are, of course, riders who don’t help the situation, by not thanking those who do slow down or being inconsiderate of drivers who need to get past. I have to admit I don’t always raise my hand to thank everyone, but that’s only because sometimes I feel taking my hand off the reins wouldn’t be a great idea.

I do always smile and mouth a thank you though, and it’s not like they can miss me thanks to my comedy hi-vis tabard, complete with the legend “Does my bum look big on this?”

Luckily, I’ve never had an answer.

INDOORS & OUTDOORS �

West Kent batsman hopes for breakthrough season

Fabian Cowdrey believes trophies are ahead for Kent Cricket AT THE WICKET Fabian Cowdrey is hoping Kent will win silverware

BATSMAN Fabian Cowdrey is hoping 2015 will be his breakthrough season as he hope to become a regular in the Kent side.

The 22-year-old, who attended Tonbridge School, played for Sevenoaks Vine and grew up in west Kent, has a name familiar to any cricket fan, his father Chris having captained Kent and England, his grandfather Lord Colin Cowdrey played 114 Test matches for England while his uncle Graham Cowdrey also played for Kent.

Fabian Cowdrey said: “I’m looking to forge my own career and it’s everyone

else that makes a big deal of me being a Cowdrey.”

“Yes, I have a well-known name in cricket, but I’m keen to put my own stamp on the game and be known for what I do, not what my family have done before me. Your name counts for very little when you’re out in the middle and it’s important I cement a place in the side on merit alone.”

Cowdrey is one of a crop of youngsters who have forced their way into the side in recent years and he believes this could be the season in which success returns to the county.

He said: “Going into the next two to three years, we definitely believe we can get some silverware in the cabinet. We are certainly pushing hard for some trophies.

“We’ve got the talent in the squad with so many young guys having come through the system and they’re all desperate for us to do well.

“It’s about time we came good and started to deliver the results we’re all striving for.”

Cowdrey won into the Kent side last season, playing regularly in the Twenty 20 and oneday sides, and he hopes success in white ball cricket will lead to more action in the County Championship, having featured in this week’s season opener against Essex.

He said: “We’ve come into this season full of confidence and the likes of Sam Billings have shown us all we have to play that way.

“Being bold is something we have to do.

We’ve all got our own different ways of batting, but there are elements we can learn from Sam’s game and we need to look to score all around the wicket.

“I enjoy bowling too and it helps with my selection. I have to work hard on it and if I can make a difference and it helps us get to a final, that’s fantastic.”

Kent begin their second County Championship fixture of the season away to Lancashire on Sunday.

71

Runners on marks more than ever THERE has been a huge increase in the number of people across Kent pulling on their trainers and heading out for a run.

The number of people running across the UK has increased by 67 per cent in the past eight years, according to figures released by Sport England.

Almost 2.1 million people are now regular runners.

Meanwhile, the number of club athletes registered with England Athletics stands at just over 140,000 for 201415, more than 7,000 up on the previous record set in the year of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

There are also more than 2,500 groups registered with national body Run England, one being the Tunbridge Wells parkrun, which held its 50th event, another 5km run, at the weekend.

Former 5,000m world record holder and former UK Athletics chief executive David Moorcroft said it is ‘wonderful’ that more

people are turning to running: “One of the challenges teams sports have is that we’re busier. Running is also a way of getting fit for other sports,” he said.

The soaring popularity of the free 5km weekly parkruns is further proof of how running is taking off.

About 4,000 people would take part each Saturday in 2010, now more than 60,000 do so, with more than 650,000 registered runners and 5,135,983 runs logged in ten years.

Men and women come out in their numbers across Kent on Saturday mornings to be part of parkrun.

Andy Dixon, editor of Runner’s World UK, commented: “If you turn back the clock long enough, there was a male bias but recently, there’s been a big rise in female participation.

And the younger generation are getting into it more again.”

For more information, visit www.parkrun.org.uk/ royaltunbridgewells/

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Driving Your Golf Forwards

Looking to improve your golfing skills? Then a lesson with teaching professional, Sam Pitcairn, could be the answer. Helping you to understand the impact factors that affect ball flight, he will show you how to control them to maximise your performance against the backdrop of Hever Castle HEVER CASTLE teaching professional, Sam Pitcairn, believes the old adage of ‘drive for show, putt for dough’ just doesn’t stand up to close scrutiny – and he wants to prove it.

Sam joined the team of Castle Golf School Professionals, based at the impressive Hever Castle Golf Club, in March 2014.

He has given thousands of lessons throughout his career and has witnessed many golfers suffering frustration because they lack distance and/or accuracy off the tee. This leads to a lack of greens in regulation and poor performances on the course.

Recently published statistics confirm that driving is as important, if not more important, than the short game in terms of lowering scores.

“In his book, Every Shot Counts, American professor and golf writer, Mark Broadie, showed, through the strokes gained statistic, that a 20 yard gain off the tee can lead to a reduction of two or three shots a round, depending on the handicap of the player,” says Sam. Accurate assessment of a player’s technique is a critical part of the

coaching process, and Sam uses the latest GC2 launch monitor, with HMT manufactured by Foresight Sports, to ensure that he knows exactly what improvements are required for a player to improve their shots.

“Sometimes it’s a club issue and so, within the packages I’ve designed, there is a custom fit to make sure that you are maximising performance with the driver you are using, as well as your swing.”

He explains that a small adjustment to how a driver is set up, such as the correct length of shaft, can have a huge effect on performance.

In his initial 90 minute assessment (cost £50), he really likes to get an understanding of the player’s goals and, with this information, combined with data collected from the GC2 and video swing analysis, he then puts together a plan of action that will get the player where they aim to be.

For more details, email sam at either sampitcairngolf@icloud.com or sam@sampitcairngolf.com.

Alternatively, visit his website at www.sampitcairngolf.com

DRIVER PERFORMANCE COACHING

TIMES OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS READERS OFFER: £10 OFF

VOUCHER Save £10 on your initial driver assessment session with Sam Pitcairn. Call us to book your appointment and bring this voucher along to your session to receive your discount of £10.

To book, contact a member of the professional staff on 01732 700 771 or visit www.hever.co.uk

SAM

PITCAIRN

driver performance coach Wednesday 22nd April 2015

ONE MAN, ONE MACHINE. G.P.M.H. GRAND PRIX DE MONACO HISTORIQUE CHRONO