Times of Tonbridge 20th June 2018

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

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Double victory in Times awards for town businesses

Family values Mr Trailor said: “It’s great to be recognised in this way, particularly as we have just reached the milestone of being in business for 10 years.”

Newton Waterproofing Systems won the Family Business of the Year award.

The company on Sovereign Way was founded in 1848 and is celebrating its 170th birthday this year.

The firm’s Chairman, Christopher Newton, is the great grandson of the founder John Newton, and has held the post for more than 50 years.

Managing Director Warren Muschialli said: “It is a great pleasure to be recognised as Family Business of the Year, not only because it coincides with the celebration of our ­anniversary, but also because the award recognises the family values of the company, which are also echoed in the open and honest way that we like to do business.”

Full story, see pages 12-17

Bike ride to Paris raises huge sum to help Connor Page 2

PHOTO: Maurice Gilham

TWO Tonbridge companies were honoured at the Times Business Awards at Salomons Estate last week.

The Business Person of the Year title went to Oliver Trailor, Managing Director of Runway Training.

His company, whose headquarters are on the High Street, has helped more than 8,000 people earn nationally recognised maths and English ­qualifications through online courses, the classroom and onsite training.

The judges said of the achievement: “Set up originally to deliver adult maths and English courses, Oliver has taken a strategic role in ensuring the company meets the needs of its learners whilst maximising opportunities in national funding streams to diversify the services on offer.”

TOUR DE FRANCE

RURAL RHYTHMS

Black Deer promises a feast of country music Page 56

ON PARADE: Sahrudaya West Kent Keralites wow the crowds at the Tonbridge Lions’ Carnival on Sunday. Turn to page 2

480 homes at Haysden Country Park while brownfield sites stand vacant

By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk CONCERN is growing over the loss of greenfield sites after the new draft Local Plan for the borough identified an area in south-west Tonbridge next to Haysden County Park for the construction of almost 500 homes.

There are also worries about the need to install bring in infrastructure.

The site stretches from Hayesbrook School to the A21, and spreads either side of Lower Haysden Road. If the plan is approved, building will begin in 2022 and be completed in seven years.

A further 352 homes are mooted to be built on the site of Coblands Nursery in Trench Road near Tonbridge Angels’ Longmead stadium, from 2021 to 2026.

A public consultation on the draft Local Plan will be held later this year.

The council has had to revise its strat-

egy and revisit potential sites after the government revised its targets for house-building in November.

As a result, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council has had to increase the number of homes it builds across the borough every year from 696 to 859.

This constitutes an increase of 23.5 per cent on the number the council had

‘The council is in a difficult position but we believe it has taken the easiest option’ originally worked out for the previous Local Plan. Council Leader Nicolas Heslop has described the new requirement as ‘in simple terms undeliverable’.

Large numbers of houses have been allocated for Borough Green (1,720), Aylesford (1,oo0), Bushey Wood, Eccles

(900); and north of Kings Hill (825).

The area near the park had already been safeguarded to meet longer-term housing needs. The draft plan states: “Taking account of the evidence and the character of the area and the current level of activity, it is considered that approximately 480 dwellings could be developed at this location.”

Howard Porter, Chair of the Tonbridge & Malling Green Party, told the Times: “The council is in a difficult position but we believe it has taken the easiest option in identifying the green fields adjacent to Haysden Country Park for a development of 480 new homes.

“There are two enormous brownfield sites, the Old Colas Site in Vale Road and Southern Salads at Cannon Lane, which we believe should be redesignated for residential use.

Continued on page 2

HEAVEN’S SCENT

How to grow herbs and make life more fragrant Page 52

SIXES AND SEVENS Mixed fortunes for town’s top cricket teams Page 78

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The use of open fields is a last resort

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

Team Connor raises £76,000 on Duchenne Dash bike ride to Paris

Continued from page 1 “The benefits are two-fold: Using brownfield sites first would follow guidelines requiring the use of open fields only as a last resort.

“And preventing further retail development on the edges of town would safeguard the viability of our High Street as the primary retail area.”

The plan highlights the site’s ‘close proximity to the town centre and railway station’ and ‘existing cycle routes, for example the Tonbridge to Penshurst Place path.

Key infrastructure would be required including a primary school with two-form entry and an expansion of secondary school provision.

The junction of Brook Street and Quarry Hill would be upgraded to cope with the extra traffic.

No room

GREEN SCENE The land set aside for 480 homes

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TOWERING ACHIEVEMENT Team Connor’s 15 riders reach the finish in Paris

By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk THIS year’s sixth edition of the Duchenne Dash endurance bike ride from London to Paris has raised £850,000 – with £76,000 coming from Chasing Connor’s Cure.

The Hildenborough charity was set up by Matthew and Emma Crawford after their son Connor, who is now six, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy [DMD] in 2016.

There is no cure. But this year’s ride featured a scientist who took up the challenge because after a quarter of a century of working on the disease he is optimistic about making a breakthrough.

DMD is the most common fatal genetic disease in childhood, affecting one in 3,500 – mostly boys. Around 2,500 suffer from it in the UK. It causes a gradual deterioration of the muscles.

The children lose the ability to walk in their midteens, and it becomes fatal when it reaches the heart and lungs.

The Duchenne Dash began in 2013 with the aim of raising enough funds to ensure that a cure would be found within 10 years.

The ride takes 24 hours and covers 315km. A total of 160 cyclists took part on June 8-9, with 15 riders representing Team Connor paying £400 to take part and agreeing to raise £4,000 each.

Mr Crawford was their ‘ride captain’, and the

nies who have sponsored the charity, which has helped to boost their fundraising.

Another corporate partnership is with Tonbridge Brewery, who brewed a special beer for local pubs and contributed 50p from each pint sold to the charity. The Tonbridge Daily blog will also donate funds from the sale of its calendar.

Mr Crawford relates how the researcher who has spent 25 years working on finding a cure for Duchenne decided to part this year. “He told us it was the first time he has felt like raising funds because he feels that a breakthrough is imminent.”

Chasing Connor’s Cure works with Duchenne UK, who invest in projects that will accelerate treatments in order ‘to end Duchenne in ten’.

Mr Crawford said: “Duchenne UK provide the knowledge, research and expertise to allow us to make informed decisions on how the money will be spent. They give you a choice of specific projects to invest 100 per cent of what you raised.

“Last year it went towards a breast cancer drug which they were looking at ‘repurposing’ after lab tests. This can lead to a quicker clinical application, which we are awaiting the results of.”

Meanwhile Connor is ‘in the best shape he could be’, says his father. “Connor deals with the medication and hospital visits really well.

“He has a unique character, and he has a really good sense of humour, which helps him cope.”

To find out more and make a donation, visit www.chasingconnorscure.co.uk

local contingent managed to raise a remarkable £30,000 more than last year.

One couple, David and Suzie Rae, the parents of Connor’s best friends, took part on a tandem.

They were joined by Joe Endersby, a teacher at Stocks Green Primary where Connor goes to school, as well as other parents.

“It was an amazing weekend, an amazing experience,” said Mr Crawford, who was taking part in his second Duchenne Dash.

‘It’s an emotional journey.

The boys’ parents are all so passionate about finding a cure.

It’s like an extended family’ He said Connor was in his thoughts throughout the 24 hours – and many other riders had children with DMD. “You have to dig deep and it’s an emotional journey,” he said.

“The boys’ parents are all so passionate about finding a cure. It’s like an extended family.

“It’s been incredible this time. Last year we were exhausted, the diagnosis was still quite raw for us, family and friends.”

They left from Tonbridge Old Fire Station and travelled on the train to the official start at Twickenham Stoop, home of Harlequins rugby club.

The Old Fire Station is one of 27 local compa-

Keralites and Medway dancers dazzle during Carnival capers THOUSANDS of spectators lined the High Street to watch the procession of colourful floats, bands, majorettes, dancers, classic cars and walking groups that made up this year’s town Carnival on Sunday [June 17].

The theme of the event, which is organised by Tonbridge Lions, was Animal Capers and the winner of the Walking Juniors category was Cage Green Primary School. The pupils also won last year’s award, for their pirate display.

The runners-up were Medway School of Dancing with 1st Tonbridge Scouts Group coming third.

In the Walking Adults section, Pukka Ponies rescue centre came first followed by the Nepalese Community Tonbridge. Tonbridge Community Services and South Tonbridge Women’s Institute were tied for third place.

In the category comprising dancing, bands and clubs, first prize went to Sahrudaya West Kent Keralites, an organisation which celebrates the Malayalee community from the Indian province.

The 17th Tonbridge Scout & Guide Band came second with Eastbourne’s Stix Drummers in third.

In the commercial class, Deal, Walmer &

Kingsdown Carnival Court took the plaudits ahead of Utility Warehouse.

The Mayor of Tonbridge & Malling, Pam Bates, and Lions President Gordon Hill presented the prizes. After the parade the fete was held on Castle Lawn with bands, singers and dancers, and a falconry display by the Hawking Centre.

There was a variety of traditional stalls and a ‘Kiddies Corner’ including a magician and a Punch and Judy show. A favourite for Father’s Day was the ‘Soak your Dad in the Stocks’ stall.

All the money raised from the carnival and fete will go to local charities and good causes.

Spirit

PHOTO: Maurice Gilham

But Mr Porter says: “The current infrastructure simply cannot cope. There is no room for yet more roads and there are no plans to upgrade rail or bus services. In fact, Kent County Council are cutting the latter.”

Cllr Maria Heslop, Cabinet Member for ­Community Services, said: “We have a quota we have to fulfil that’s set by national government.

“All we can do is make sure these developments occur in the best possible places.”

“Tonbridge has a great community and you’re more likely to develop a community spirit here than sticking houses in the middle of nowhere.”

But she expressed concerns about the need to build GP surgeries to service these new estates.

“There is provision, when there’s a large-scale development, for a GP surgery to be attached to that, but the problem is you can’t get the GPs. “They will not sign up. They have to commit their own money to it. They’re private, not part of the National Health. We can’t force them.”

CAUGHT THE WINNING BUG Teaching assistant Catherine Armstrong and Cage Green pupil Imogen receive their award from Lions President Gordon Hill (left) and Mayor Pam Bates

Keith Bunyon of the Lions Club said: “We are extremely pleased with the way the day went.

“The participants entered into the spirit of this year’s theme Animal Capers.

“We were particularly pleased to have the Medway School of Dancing and the West Kent Keralites taking part this year. We have had very positive feedback from the local community.”

Tonbridge Lions Club would like to thank everyone for their support including Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, West Kent College, who were the major sponsor of the event, the Rotary Club of Tonbridge, Tonbridge Round Table – and especially the Tonbridge Air Cadets for their help.

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Wednesday June 20 | 2018

Sankey’s chef, 21, dies in A26 bike collision TRIBUTES have been paid to a 21-year-old motorcyclist who died in a collision earlier this month.

Ellis Overy, who lived in Tonbridge, formerly worked at Sankey’s-owned restaurant The Seafood Brasserie in Tunbridge Wells and dreamed of earning a Michelin Star.

He was involved in a fatal collision with a Skoda Fabia car at around 12.39am on Sunday, June 10, on the A26 Tonbridge Road in Wateringbury.

Kent Police is still appealing for witnesses and released a statement on behalf of Ellis’ family. This read: “Ellis loved life and lived it to the full. He was an outstanding chef.”

Violent crime survey VIEWS and experiences are being sought to help shape police policy in dealing with violent crime in Kent.

Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott this week launched a consultation, which asks for anyone with data or testimony of such offending to get in touch.

This forms part of the commissioner’s year-long Violence Reduction Challenge, which involves working with victims and charities to help reduce crime.

To submit evidence, please visit www. kent-pcc.gov.uk/VRC by the deadline of Wednesday, July 18.

Southern chief quits THE Chief Executive of the Southern rail franchise, which controls the Tonbridge to Redhill line, has quit.

Charles Horton this week announced his departure from the Govia Thameslink Railway group after being blamed for delays and problems involving timetables.

Passengers have complained of cancellations following the timetable revision, which was implemented on May 20.

Govia Thameslink, which also controls Thameslink and Great Northern services, has yet to name a successor.

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Paloma launches one-woman mission to spread an ‘epidemic of kindness’ Review by Abi Moore

TECHNICOLOUR Paloma Faith catches the eye on stage

AS the sun set over Bedgebury Pinetum on a sparkly metallic stage on Friday evening with a backing band turned out only in white, Paloma Faith launched forth in full technicolour. Wearing a rainbow dress with matching boots, the star joked that she had worn ‘something reasonably eyecatching so those of you at the back can see me’.

Showcasing many of the songs from her latest album The Architect, the set at Bedgebury was part of Faith’s summer tour. The tour includes four dates for the Forestry Commission’s Forest Live season which transforms their locations into music venues in order to celebrate the importance of woodlands and bring them to a new audience.

PHOTO: Rose Bainbridge

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Kindness Discussing her one-woman mission to spread an ‘epidemic of kindness’, Faith described The Architect as an observation on the socio-political world and linked to her commitment to the environment and the reason for performing as part of Forest Live.

Following a selection of pop ballads, she implored the audience to ‘shake what your mama gave you and a little bit more’ as she moved into more of a dance groove including her latest release, a cover of 1960s classic ‘Make Your Own Kind of Music’.

After telling the audience that there would be no encore as it is ‘hell to walk through the mud in these boots’ and it’s ‘all just theatre anyway’, she closed the evening with her earlier hits ‘Picking up the Pieces’ and ‘Only Love Can Hurt Like This’, to rounds of raucous applause.

Billy Bragg saves the day There was disappointment for fans of Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, who had to cancel their concert at Bedgebury on Saturday [June 16] due to illness.

Unfortunately the concert cannot be rescheduled.

Ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase to arrange a refund.

In a statement issued on Saturday for the band, Paul Heaton said: “It is with great regret that we have to announce the cancellation of tonight’s Bedgebury show. Jacqui is suffering with severe back pain and, despite struggling through last night’s concert, has been advised by doctors that any further travel and performances will exacerbate the situation.”

But all was not lost for a few determined fans who turned up at the Bedgebury campsite.

Billy Bragg, who had been due to support the pair with an opening slot, had seen his show officially cancelled. But after a twitter exchange, he drove down anyway.

The politically-charged performer was offered a sausage and a beer over the social media platform, and surprised fans by arriving on the site an hour later.

A small group of around 50 people gathered at the campsite to hear Billy perform seven or eight songs in a low-key acoustic set. Afterwards, a fansaid: “Thanks Bill for your impromptu gig. True Essex gent to do that after the gig got cancelled.”

Bletchley Park war hero and Hadlow’s ‘oldest man’ passes

By William Mata

Pick litter with Mayor

will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

A LITTER pick will be held in Trench, Tonbridge by the ward’s representatives, the Mayor of Tonbridge & Malling Pam Bates and Cllr Georgina Thomas.

The clean-up will begin at the Six In One Club on Northwood Road on Tuesday [June 26] at 5pm. Cllr Bates said: “We would love to see as many people as possible.”

INTELLIGENCE analyst Jimmy Thirsk, who worked with Enigma Code crackers at Bletchley Park during the Second World War, has died aged 104.

Tributes have been paid to the man, thought to be Hadlow’s oldest resident, who passed away ‘peacefully’ on Saturday, June 2.

Mr Thirsk is survived by his son, Martin, and daughter, Jane, and four grandchildren James,

and as well as his sister, Betty.

Born in Hull, Mr Thirsk spent his early life in East Yorkshire. In 1942 he joined the Intelligence Corps without knowing what to expect, after he responded to an un-ironically cryptic advert.

It turned out to be a good move. The analyst spent three years at Bletchley, where he tracked the movement of the German army and air force networks across Europe.

His clever detective work and analysis of German communication helped secure important information of how the enemy was operating.

In that time he met his wife Joan, who translated communications from German to English. The pair also assisted cryptographers.

After the war, Mr Thirsk worked for years as a librarian and, with Joan, moved into a converted part of Hadlow Castle, off Tonbridge Road, when he was 60.

Joan died in 2013 aged 91.

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Less than one in ten street crimes are solved by police HOME TRUTH Burglaries are often not followed up

ously and investigated thoroughly.

“Even when a crime remains unsolved we will still actively pursue those responsible and explore all opportunities to bring the offenders to justice.”

In 2013 police forces solved 19 per cent of all crime, which shows a national 10 per cent drop in five years.

From 2010 to 2017 the number of police officers in England fell from 134,354 to 111,714.

Uttlesford in Essex, where high visibility foot patrols have been introduced, topped the list for the percentage of street crimes solved with 26 per cent.

Matthew Scott, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “What is important is that Kent Police gives every victim a quality service.

“No matter where a crime takes place, I expect it to be investigated thoroughly but I don’t set numeric detection targets for the Chief Constable to deliver against.

“I recognise there are various reasons why a crime may go ‘unsolved’, such as a lack of witnesses or forensic evidence.”

He added: “For my part, I’m investing in the recruitment of up to 200 additional police officers this year and we’re retaining our 300 PCSOs.”

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk NEW figures show that just under 9 per cent of ‘street crimes’ reported in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge & Malling are being solved.

The Sunday Times released data this week which reveals how thousands of reports to Kent Police are apparently not ending with suspects being caught or punished.

Street crime relates to robbery, burglary, criminal damage and arson. In Tunbridge Wells last year there were 6,950 reports, of which 8.59 per cent were solved.

For Tonbridge & Malling there were more street crimes [8,585] with 8.76 per cent solved. Both dis-

tricts were below the national average of 9.1 per cent.

A similar situation was recorded across the country, with less than 5 per cent of burglary and robbery crimes being solved on average nationally.

Detective Superintendent Jon Armory, of Kent Police, said: “Tunbridge Wells has the lowest burglary rate in the county and both districts are very safe areas where the risk of becoming a victim remains low.

Effort “We appreciate that for victims, burglary is a very invasive crime and that is why we put a lot of time and effort into investigating it.

“Similarly, the districts both have low levels of robbery, but these offences are also taken seri-

Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire had the lowest percentage rate of crimes being solved at 3.99 per cent. This compares to Uttlesford in Essex, which at 26.14 per cent, had the highest.

The number of English police officers has fallen from 134,346 in 2010 to 111,714 in 2017. Matthew Scott, Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent, has pledged to recruit up to 200 new police officers for the county.

In Tunbridge Wells town centre, 394 crimes were reported last year. Of these 306 remain unsolved. In Tonbridge town centre, of the 497 crimes, 387 remain unsolved.

- Source The Sunday Times

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

NEWS IN BRIEF

Future of rural buses up for debate online THE Big Conversation consultation, launched by Kent County Council into the future of rural bus routes, is now online.

County Hall leaders are considering launching a ‘taxi-style service’ in some areas.

In addition to the 11 public meetings previously publicised, the authority is now encouraging passengers to head online.

The consultation, which runs until August 8, has been backed by Tonbridge MP Tom Tugendhat [see page 26].

To take part in the consultation, visit www.kent.gov.uk/bigconversation

Strawberry crop theft THREE men have been arrested in connection with the large scale theft of strawberries from fruit farms in West Kent.

Kent Police said that crops worth thousands from various farms in the Tonbridge & Malling borough had been stolen since the beginning of May. Three men, aged 40, 54 and 70, who were traveling in the car were arrested on suspicion of theft. A search was then carried out at a property linked to the men, where 38 fruit collection trays were seized.

Rape investigation A WOMAN was allegedly raped by a male dog walker in Tunbridge Wells, prompting a Kent Police appeal.

The force said the complainant was walking in Reynolds Lane between 6pm and 7.30pm on Thursday, June 7, when she was knocked to the ground.

Anyone able to assist should call 01622 604100, quoting YY/20327/18.

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Special school campus to provide additional support to youngsters

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk A NEW Barnardo’s school has opened in Pembury for children with additional special needs aged seven to 11.

Tunbridge Wells Mayor Len Horwood opened Meadows Junior School: Ravensdale Campus on June 8. It§ will provide an annexe facility to the existing Meadows Junior School in Southborough.

The facility has three classrooms, a hall, an atrium space and an outdoor play area.

It is designed to support children who need extra social, emotional and mental health support. The main Meadows campus in London Road offers education for 90 pupils aged seven to 19.

Purpose-built Vaughan Jackson, Principal at Meadows School said: “We very much enjoyed opening the new primary school site and welcoming the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells to cut the ribbon.

“We are sure the children are going to enjoy the new facilities and are excited to see their progress.”

Mayor Horwood joined pupils, parents and carers for the ribbon cutting, which also featured a barbecue, balloon modelling and a face paint workshop.

He said: “This bright, purpose-built school will provide an ideal environment for the Barnardo’s ethos of encouraging every child to develop to their full potential.

“I couldn't help being inspired by the dedication of the teachers, enthusiasm of the children and support of the parents. We wish them every success.”

See page 26 for Mayor Horwood’s column

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

NEWS IN BRIEF

World Cup plea for safe driving across county MOTORISTS have been warned to not drink and drive by Kent County Council in a seasonal appeal.

Statistics show the highest number of collisions involving a driver over the limit routinely happen during the summer months.

This has led the County Hall to launch their campaign this week, with England playing their first World Cup match.

The campaign will last until the end of August and will see publicity shared in pubs and through social media channels.

Open Studios invite IT’S OFFICIAL Mayor Len Horwood joins Vaughan Jackson, school Principal for the opening

ARTISTS hosting Open Studios will be holding their final weekend on June 23-24 as 35 local artists are showing work in 14 locations in Tonbridge, Hildenborough, Hadlow and Yalding.

The public can follow the Art Trail for free from 11am-6pm on Saturday and Sunday to view original art and talk to the artists.

Art Trail leaflets are widely available at local libraries, shops, galleries, tourist information and can be downloaded at www.artistsopenstudios.co.uk/art-trail

DAVSS name new CEO

LEARNING SPACE: The inside of the classrooms which will be used by children aged seven to 11.

DOMESTIC abuse charity DAVSS, which is based in Tunbridge Wells, has named a new Chief Executive.

Henu Cummins has now taken over from Mark Hutcheon in the role after having previously worked for homeless charity Porchlight.

One of her first engagements was to collect a cheque for £32,103 from former Mayor Julia Soyke.

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

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Council accused of making U-turns on new cycle route

By Adam Hignett A LIBERAL Democrat councillor has accused his Conservative colleagues on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council of back-peddling on key parts of the proposed A26 cycle route.

Cllr Peter Lidstone, of St John’s Ward, said the Tories ‘talk a good game’ when it comes to tackling congestion along the busy road but when it comes to it they are, ‘running from the big decisions’.

Argument At the heart of the argument are plans by the Joint Transportation Board – a committee made up of Kent County Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council members – to ignore three

‘essential’ recommendations made within a report on how best to implement the route.

The cycle path will run from Brook Street in Tonbridge to Grosvenor Road in Tunbridge Wells.

The report was published in February this year and has been going through various committee stages at the two councils, including the Joint Transportation Board, where Cllr Lidstone is the only non-Conservative member.

It is proposed the scheme is undertaken in three phases, with the first section between Grosvenor Road and Yew Tree Road, the second then heading to Bidborough Ridge before the final section finishes in Brook Street, Tonbridge.

A total of seven key concerns were raised during the consultation, including plans to scrap the bus lane adjacent to Southborough Common.

CROSS IF YOU DARE The A26 cycle path This proposal, criticised by drivers groups who told the Times in 2016 it was pandering to a ‘tiny vocal minority’, appears unchanged.

However, although no formal announcement

has yet been made, Cllr Lidstone said the committee have ‘rejected’ recommendations for a 20mph speed limit through Southborough town centre, and the use of a shared path.

He said: “This means anyone cycling from Tunbridge Wells to Tonbridge on the A26 must cycle alongside 40mph traffic, and cut across a slip road. This will do nothing to attract less confident cyclists onto our roads.”

Cllr Lidstone believes there are also plans to retain five parking spaces in St John’s despite the report stating their removal is necessary for ‘safety’ and to ensure a continuous lane.

“We are missing an opportunity to tackle chronic congestion and illegal air pollution levels on a road which runs next to schools,” the Councillor added.

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Wacky kart race wins thousands of fans as it gets off to roaring start…

TUNBRIDGE WELLS’ first soapbox kart race has been hailed ‘a roaring success’ with plans already underway for a similar event next year.

Around 5,000 people turned out to enjoy the Crazy Jean’s Kart Race on Saturday [June 16] and witnessed a display of wacky and wonderful karts going head-to-head on a track through Dunorlan Park.

IMAGES: Rose Bainbridge

Handalo A total of 40 local businesses and organisations took part, adding the finishing touches their karts, which had been made by students at West Kent College.

The teams also had to complete a lap around the lake in a handalo (a hand version of a pedalo) after driving the karts down a hill. A number ended up in the lake.

Henry Paul Funerals scooped first prize, while three further teams were awarded the Wackiest

Kart prize – an Only Fools And Horses van by Jack Upstone and team, Hospice Heroes’ army tank and Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys’ racing car.

Sponsored by Markerstudy, the event included a food village and a fun space for children.

Local celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager opened and closed the event, riding down the racetrack on a motorbike driven by local ‘superhero’ Ringpull Man [right].

Founded by Garry Jeffery of Jean’s Kitchen & Wine Bar, the all-day extravaganza raised ‘thousands of pounds’ for the two charities – Hospice in the Weald and ellenor.

Mr Jeffery said: “What an incredible day – it really was worth all the blood, sweat and tears that went into making what I’d always wanted to host in Tunbridge Wells – an event for the whole community to come together, have fun and to raise money for those amongst us who really need our help.”

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

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BUSINESS

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Wednesday June 20 | 2018

Groombridge Place rises from ashes with same man at helm

By Adam Hignett VISITORS taking a trip to historic Groombridge Place need not change their plans after all.

It was recently announced the company behind the popular attraction entered liquidation, owing thousands to creditors.

Groombridge Places Estates Ltd collapsed under debts of more than £352,000, but was immediately taken over by another company in a process described as ‘phoenixing’.

Statements reveal the business only had £500 in the bank as it went under, and out of the money owed, £179,112 was due to HMRC. GPE Management Ltd has taken over the estate, which was once home to the aristocratic Sackville family, and was used as a location for the 2005 film version of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

However, both companies are run by the same sole director, Eton-educated film producer Justin Bodle. The liquidator appointed to oversee the process, Menzies, said it was ‘highly unlikely’ those owed money would see any of it back.

MANOR REBORN Groombridge Place

Transfer Groombridge Places Estates Ltd was placed into liquidation on May 16, although the transfer of business and assets to GPE Management had been taking place since late last year.

Mr Bodle, who has worked on a host of major TV dramas, purchased the house in 2001.

Phoenixing is legal but frowned upon. The government’s Insolvency Service describes the practice as: “Carrying on the same business or trade successively through a series of companies

where each becomes insolvent in turn.

“Each time this happens, the insolvent company’s business, but not its debts, is transferred to a new, similar ‘phoenix’ company.”

UK law allows owners, directors and employees of insolvent companies to set up new companies to carry on a similar business as long as the individuals involved aren’t personally bankrupt or disqualified from acting in the management of a limited company.

BML2 railway proposal back on track with Canary Wharf plan

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk FRESH calls have been made for a new mainline train line at Tunbridge Wells West station.

Supporters of Brighton Main Line 2 [BML2] have long campaigned for the link to be brought back into mainstream use to offer an alternative route to London and a link to Brighton.

BML2 group member Brian Hart told the Times that the latest ideas for the development involve a tunnel link under central London to offer passengers a link to Canary Wharf, too.

The ambitious plan would see a new purposebuilt tunnel which would have the added benefit of connecting Canary Wharf to Gatwick Airport.

Meeting MP Maria Caulfield, whose Lewes constituency would also be linked to Tunbridge Wells by the line, previously told MPs that ‘a private investor’ was ‘willing to put up more than £15billion’ towards the project.

It has not been stated who the investor is, but it is understood there are several overseas backers involved.

Mr Hart said: “We need more track and more trains. Network Rail admits years of underinvestment has led to today’s problems SUPPORT for services.

Tunbridge Wells “Having warned MP Greg Clark

STEAM-LINED The Spa Valley heritage railway currently operates on the track five additional peak services will soon be needed, Network Rail has admitted there is little capacity for more services into London.

“The government is demanding councils build thousands more homes hereabouts while closed lines remain shut.

We cannot manage with the existing trainset. BML2 is overdue.”

The Department for Transport most recently said they are not currently developing BML2 but has encouraged those behind it to continue in their plans and say it could be considered in the future.

Mr Hart said the BML2 group is meeting with the government in July.

Tunbridge Wells West station closed to passengers in 1985 and, since

1996 has been the terminus for the heritage Spa Valley Railway line, which connects to Eridge.

This whole line would be brought back into mainstream use under plans for BML2.

It is unclear how this would impact on the Spa Valley Railway.

Presently, if a passenger wishes to get to Brighton by train from Tunbridge Wells or Tonbridge, it would involve at least one change and can take around two hours.

The journey could potentially be made in 40 minutes on BML2, and would take around 45 minutes to Canary Wharf.

Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark told the Times: “I would be delighted to see BML2 go ahead. The reopening of Tunbridge Wells West would be a real boon to the town – bringing greater choice and more services both to London and other parts of Kent and Sussex.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

Hush Heath winery aims to ramp up production STAPLEHURST winemaker Hush Heath is set to unveil its new winery later this summer as it aims to more than triple its production and double its visitor capacity.

As part of a five-year plan, the vineyard will be expanded to 130 acres, predominantly comprising of three sparkling wine grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. This will help the premium brand increase its wine production over the period from 150,000 bottles to 500,000.

The larger winery, which opens in September, will include a new shop, a 200-seater tasting room and an upstairs terrace bar.

It is hoped this will grow visitor numbers from 20,000 annually at present to around 50,000.

Crimson announces AGM TECHNOLOGY firm Crimson Tide will be holding its Annual General Meeting in Tunbridge Wells on December 31, when it will announce its final results.

It comes after a positive start to the year, in which the company has continued to expand its global contracts.

Executive Chairman Barrie Whipp said: “We will continue to invest in 2018, allowing us to be more ambitious for future growth in our core markets but also in new geographic locations.”

Free business advice THE National Centre for Micro Business is hosting one-to-one business growth sessions for small businesses across the area at West Kent College today [Wednesday June 20].

The sessions, which are funded by the West Kent Partnership, run from 10am-4pm and last for approximately one hour.

To book a future session, call 0300 030 9660, email: info@ncmb.co.uk or register online at www. thecentreformicrobusiness.co.uk/events/wkp

Muesli Mafia returns THE next Muesli Mafia business breakfast at the Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel will be held on Thursday, July 12.

Businesses are invited to the Pembury venue for networking in a ‘congenial and relaxed atmosphere’ from 7.30am. There is also a guest speaker.

Organisers also host Mafia events in Maidstone and Ashford on a three-month rotation.

To book, or see all the events, visit www.kentinvictachamber.co.uk/all-events

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Night to remember as we honour the very best of local businesses

William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk THE great and the good from businesses across West Kent gathered at Salomons Estate on Wednesday [June 13] to celebrate the Times Business Awards 2018.

More than 200 people attended the third annual black tie event, which has become one of the leading social occasions and networking evenings of the season.

Guests enjoyed a drinks reception followed by a three-course dinner, with many staying to enjoy dancing and live music from The Violet Jive band.

As well as swapping business cards with each other, guests were treated to an after-dinner speech by television personality the Right Hon Michael Portillo, who filmed his first Great British Railway Journeys for the BBC in 2009, and is a

regular on the BBC’s This Week sofa. He’s also known to viewers for his colourful attire.

The self-deprecating ‘former future Prime Minister’ told jokes and anecdotes from his time as a Conservative minister and on being Britain’s most famous commuter with his popular documentaries.

Winners “I am grateful to the Times Business Awards for bringing me in from obscurity,” he quipped.

“It is a great pleasure to be here and hand out these awards. There are some extraordinary businesses here and some extraordinary stories.

“We are here to celebrate them and what they have done in driving forward their communities.”

After his speech, Mr Portillo presented awards to winners of the ten categories, who had been chosen by a panel of judges from finalist shortlists.

It was a double whammy for Tunbridge Wells-

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

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based creative agency Yoyo Design, which was named Outstanding Business of the Year and also Creative Business of the Year.

Among the 51 names included on the shortlists were also those of companies and individuals from Tonbridge, Crowborough and Sevenoaks.

Alongside Mr Portillo was Jo James, Chief Executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. She highlighted the achievements of all those shortlisted and, in her position as Chair of the panel of judges, spoke about how close the decisions were.

It is the third year she has chaired the judges.

“The judging panel had the task of reading through all of the applications received,” she said. “That in itself was quite a challenge, with this year seeing a record number of entries.

“It may have been a challenge, but also it was a pleasure; a pleasure to see how much entrepre-

Continued on page 14

IMAGES: David Bartholomew/www.davidbartholomew.co.uk

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‘There are some extraordinary businesses here and some extraordinary stories’ Michael Portillo

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SOCIAL MEDIA: #TimesBizAwards & #TWBizAwards Thousands follow Business Awards on Twitter SOCIAL media was buzzing on awards night as businesses and guests Tweeted about and shared the best of the night’s action at Salomons, from the sparkling welcome drinks through to the tables and on to the stage.

Times journalist Sarah Bond live Tweeted from the paper’s @TimesLocalNews Twitter account as the great and the good partied, chatting with all around them in anticipation before VIP guest Michael Portillo gave his amusing speech and then presented the delighted winners with their awards.

There were hundreds of social media posts, shares, replies and likes right through the night.

The highest performing Tweet had an impressive ‘potential reach’ of 30,000, which is the number of users on the social media site who have seen it.

This was the announcement that Newton Waterproofing Systems was named winner of Family Business of the Year.

A later Tweet from their account read: “Smashed it! At the glittering Times Business Awards last night at lovely Salomons Venue.”

John Bullock Design was also prolific on the social media platform with the firm congratulating every winner.

Their final Tweet read: “A big shout-out to @Salomons Venue for hosting such a great event last night. The Science Theatre looked amazing, the food & service were excellent.

Thanks and congratulations to all involved.”

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Times Business Awards

neurial activity is happening across West Kent.”

A mixture of businesses and individuals were chosen as winners. The other eight to pick up an award were: Big Orange Media, Anissa Germain of Bora Studio, Oliver Trailor of Runway Training, Newton Waterproofing Systems, John Bullock Design, Infinity Group, GingerMay PR and Nick Humphrey of Sharp Minds.

Times Editorial Director Richard Moore was also on the judging panel and hosted the ceremony.

He paid tribute to the ‘most valuable’ contributions of Jo James and the organiser of the awards,

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT thekn w.guide Lara Milan. He also thanked the two Tunbridge Wells-based headline sponsors, law firm Cripps and jewellers G Collins & Sons, ‘without whom the event would not have been possible’.

The judging panel was completed by management consultant Martin Wilson, Darren Austin, Partner/ Owner at chartered accountants Synergee, Nicolas Heslop, Leader of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council and Gavin Tyler, Managing Partner at Cripps.

Before the awards were handed out, Mr Tyler told the audience: “Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge are fast-growing and vibrant business

communities. The long awaited A21 dualling is now open and has dramatically improved the local transport infrastructure.

“Large projects such as the new Civic Centre in Tunbridge Wells demonstrate the commitment to change and development of the town, which can only be good for business. Tunbridge Wells is home to some of the fastest-growing and most innovative businesses in the country as well as a number of long-established household brands.

“We are delighted to be celebrating them and their achievements at the ceremony.”

JUDGE Gavin Tyler of co-headline sponsor Cripps

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Times Editorial Director Richard Moore paid special thanks to those who sponsored the awards – particularly the headline sponsors, jewellers G Collins & Sons and law firm Cripps.

“Without sponsors this awards ceremony would not be taking place” Daniel Kenney, Party Doctors Oliver Trailor, Runway Training Christian Gane, Vince Media

CREATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Sponsored by John Bullock Design Yoyo Design Rencraft Furniture Craft School Vince Media Hardman & Hemming

FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Childrensalon The Spa Hotel Sussex Timber Products Abbey Funeral Services Newton Waterproofing Systems Max Oliver

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Big Orange Media Hollie O’Callaghan, Hollie’s Little Cakery Anissa Germain, Bora Studio Henry Clarke, Clarke Williams Max Hill, Max Oliver Attila Bogdan, Pasta Verdi

BEST BUSINESS 1-25 EMPLOYEES Sponsored by Gingermonkeys Yoyo Design Water Process Solutions John Bullock Design Olive Tree Building Services TN Recruits Loch Associates Group Runway Training HR Revolution

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Loch Associates Group John Whitlock, DMP-LLP

BEST BUSINESS 25+ EMPLOYEES Sponsored by Handelsbanken Hever Castle & Gardens Infinity Group

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The Times Business Awards 2018 winners

Winners of individual categories shown in bold

HEADLINE SPONSOR

Name of winning business:

Big Orange Media

SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD Sponsored by Castle Cars Rencraft Infinity Group Ansacom Abbey Funeral Services GingerMay PR John Bullock Design HR Revolution Chamberlain Court Care Home

OUTSTANDING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Stiddard Wealth Water Process Solutions Infinity Group John Bullock Design Yoyo Design

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Start-up Business of the Year

Ansacom Base Quantum Newton Waterproofing Systems

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Gerrard White Consulting Nick Humphrey, Sharp Minds Julie Nicholds, HR Advise Me Craig Libby, Strength and Conditioning

BUSINESS

ROLL OF HONOUR:

SHORTLISTS: Times Business Awards

START-UP BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Thomson Snell & Passmore Gray & Co Thompson Spare Twelve Yards Out Big Orange Media

Times Business Awards

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Description: Established in May 2016, Big Orange Media is already an award-winning, full service marketing agency based in Tunbridge Wells and servicing the South East and London area. This was the second Times award in two years for the firm, with founder Joe de Kwant Stoner last year winning Young Entrepreneur of the Year after launching the business.

Big Orange Media Tweeted afterwards: “Over the moon that we’ve done it two years in a row.”

Award sponsor: Thomson Snell & Passmore

‘Over the moon that we’ve done it two years in a row’ Big Orange Media

Creative Business of the Year Name of winning business:

Yoyo Design

Description: Based in Tunbridge Wells, Yoyo Design are a creative agency focusing on brand and digital services. This was far from Yoyo’s first success at the awards. The Calverley Road firm’s Managing Director, Jenny Kitchen, has previously picked up Young Business Person of the Year.

Award sponsor: John Bullock Design

Continued on page 16

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Business Person of the Year

Oliver Trailor, Runway Training

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Name of winner: Description: At her studio in Tunbridge Wells, Anissa Germain provides small, personalised Pilates and fitness classes. Bora came into existence in July 2016 as a new venture for Anissa, who was born in France, and business partner Maurizio Di Santo.

Anissa previously told the Times she is ‘always looking to expand’ Bora in terms of studio size and the brand.

Name of winner: Description: The firm was first set up to deliver adult mathematics and English courses, and Oliver has taken a strategic role in ensuring the company meets the needs of its learners while maximising opportunities in national funding streams to diversify its services. Last year, Oliver welcomed Tonbridge MP Tom Tugendhat to the office and explained that facilities like his are needed to avoid a ‘brain drain’ of talented young people moving to London.

Award sponsor: Big Orange Media

Award sponsor: Loch Associates Group

Anissa Germain, Bora Studio

Best Business 1-25 Employees John Bullock Design

Family Business of the Year

Newton Waterproofing Systems

Name of winning business: Description: Newton Waterproofing are a family-run business founded in 1848 and celebrating their 170th birthday today [Wednesday]. They provide damp-proofing systems, water control products and drainage products. Newton were last in the news when one of their staff, James Hughes, ran 812 miles last year – the distance from John O’Groats to Land’s End – to raise more than £2,400 for the Alexandra Sales Trust.

Award sponsor: Childrensalon

Name of winning business: Description: Set up in 2003 by creative director John Bullock, John Bullock Design is recognised as an award winning architectural practice with solid reputation for design and excellent service. The company was vocal on social media throughout the awards and tweeted their support to all winners. A spokesman said: “We are so delighted to have won ‘Best Business 1-25 employees’ at the Times Business Awards.”

Award sponsor: Gingermonkeys

‘We are delighted to have won Best Business 1-25 employees at the Times Business Awards’ John Bullock Design

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Best Business 25+ Employees Infinity Group

Name of winning business: Description: From their Head Office in Tunbridge Wells, Infinity Group provide a full integrated IT support service. Established for more than 15 years, and employing 40 specialists, they also provide Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation and a wide range of business telecom solutions to both national and local clients. The company has previously won Best Tech Business.

Award sponsor: Handelsbanken

Employee of the Year Name of the winner:

Nick Humphrey, Sharp Minds (The award was collected by colleague Siobhan Sterling, far left, on his behalf) Description: Nick was nominated for showing professionalism and maturity beyond his years.

He has shown commitment and determination to achieve positive results. Nick specialises in social media management, content creation, public relations, marketing research and administration.

Award sponsor: Gerrard White Consulting

Service Excellence Award GingerMay PR

Name of winning business: Description: Founded by Victoria Usher, GingerMay PR has become a multi-award-winning communications and PR consultancy. It now has a permanent presence in the capital and overseas, with offices in New York and Berlin. But the bulk of its operations remain at its Tunbridge Wells headquarters in Calverley House.

Award sponsor: Castle Cars

Outstanding Business of the Year Yoyo Design

Name of winning business: Description: Operating from Tunbridge Wells, Yoyo Design’s commercial focus is on brand and digital services. Having already won Creative Business of the Year its Managing Director Jenny Kitchen commented: “Both awards are a massive win for the whole agency. I love the fact that in the submission, each point referenced initiatives and ideas which originated from the team, not just the management.

This really is an award won by every single person in the agency.”

Award sponsor: Stiddard Wealth

For more pictures visit: www.timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

Times Business Awards

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Community News

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Wednesday June 20 | 2018

St Luke’s shows Cancer researcher’s friends artwork by 250 scale heights to raise £5,500 nursery children ST LUKE’S Nursery in Tunbridge Wells hosted an Arts Festival at Skinners’ School exhibiting artwork by more than 250 children.

The event on June 10 showcased drawings, paintings and craft pieces from eight local early years settings including St Luke’s, Nivan Lodge Pre-school, Green Cave Day Nursery, Pennington Park Pre-school and Kinderversity in Brenchley.

There were also submissions from children in the care of local childminders Sally Herlin, Lynne Edwards and Karen Steer.

The exhibition was followed by a performance of the Pied Piper by the Norwich Puppet Theatre.

St Luke’s Headteacher Marley Westell, who organised the event, said: “The event had a fantastic turnout. It was wonderful to give so many local families the opportunity to see art created by their very talented children.”

SHOW TIME: The artwork on display at Skinners’

A TEAM of eight climbers took on the National Three Peaks Challenge in memory of their friend James Morden, a talented young cancer researcher from Tunbridge Wells, raising more than £5,500 to fight the disease.

The endurance feat involves climbing over 23 miles in three countries inside 24 hours with a total ascent of over 10,000 feet.

The group started on Ben Nevis in Scotland on June 8, followed by Scafell Pike in Cumbria. They were joined by 10 more climbers including James’s sister for Snowdon in Wales.

Training They were raising money for The Institute of Cancer Research [ICR] in London, a charity where James was a senior medical statistician in the Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit.

James, who attended Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, died aged 31 when he was hit by a car while on a camping trip near Ringmer in East Sussex last September.

In his name the ICR has proposed a yearly Career Development Award, which would enable early career statisticians and clinical trials management staff to have extra training in new research methods.

The ICR has been carrying out

PEAK OF THEIR POWERS The reinforced team reach the top of Snowden

KNOW-HOW: The winners in the Hadlow Suite

Hadlow Manor’s hundred look for the answers pioneering research into cancer for more than 100 years and is a world leader at discovering new targeted cancer drugs, identifying cancer genes and developing new high-precision forms of radiotherapy.

Its Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit runs clinical trials of new advances in cancer research, so patients can benefit as quickly as possible.

Peter McNulty, who took part in the challenge, said: “James was genuinely one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. Everyone liked him, and we all miss him dearly.”

He added: “We wanted to do this because we think James would have been up for it, and we want to do things to remem-

ber him by and also raise money for a good cause and work that he cared about.”

Professor Judith Bliss, Director of the ICR Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit, said: “James was a truly valued colleague at the ICR – sharing his passion for science and working to improve outcomes for patients via the clinical trials on which he worked.”

“He was always keen to improve his experience and skills, including learning new methods. So the Career Development Award in James’s name will be a fitting and lasting tribute.”

To make a donation to Three Peaks for James, visit www. justgiving.com/fundraising/ threepeaksjoymes

A QUIZ night involving 100 local people at Hadlow Manor on June 8 raised more than £1,000 on behalf of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, the hotel’s chosen charity this year.

Following on from successful quizzes at their sister hotel in Reigate the staff at Hadlow saw the evening as an opportunity to engage with the local community as well as raising money for a worthy cause.

Competitive Giles Thomas, Group General Manager, said: “We really enjoy getting involved in the local community and hosting our quiz nights.

“The Hadlow Suite came alive with 100 locals enjoying a curry and getting competitive over the questions, all whilst generously helping us raise a fantastic £1,095 for The Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

“We also get a lot of support from local businesses who kindly donate raffle prizes,” he added. “It’s a real community effort.”

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National News

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

Big bouncing baby girl joins Tindall family ZARA TINDALL’S new baby daughter is believed to be the heaviest royal baby in recent years, weighing 9lb 3oz.

The record was previously held by Savannah Phillips, the daughter of Zara’s brother Peter Phillips, who weighed 8lb 8oz when she was born in 2010.

Heavily pregnant Zara, accompanied by husband Mike Tindall, was seen with a large bump at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding a month ago.

Her new daughter was born at Stroud Maternity Unit in Gloucestershire on Monday.

Heartbreak All three of the Duchess of Cambridge’s children have weighed more than 8lb, but less than 9lb.

The baby is 19th in line to the throne and the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s seventh great-grandchild.

The baby’s name has yet to revealed, but last time Mike Tindall unveiled his daughter Mia’s name via his Twitter account.

The baby is a second cousin to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The birth comes more than a year after the couple faced heartbreak when Zara suffered a miscarriage just before Christmas in 2016.

The new arrival is not an HRH and she does not have a title.

When Zara – who is the daughter of the Princess Royal, Anne – was born in 1981, she had no right to a title, having been born down the female line as the offspring of a daughter of a sovereign.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Homeless people have to ‘pull own teeth out’

A DRINK-DRIVING teenager who tried to go into a McDonald’s drive-though in a golf buggy has been banned from the roads for a year. Jamie Elliot, 18, took the golf buggy from Catterick Golf Club in North Yorkshire and drove more than a mile to the fast-food chain.

Plot to kill Prime Minister and blow up Parliament AN ISLAMIC State fanatic plotted to assassinate Prime Minister Theresa May in a suicide attack on 10 Downing Street, the Old Bailey has heard.

Naa’imur Zakariyah Rahman, 20, was encouraged to cause carnage in Britain by an uncle who had joined IS and died in a drone strike in Syria.

He allegedly thought he was just days away from inflicting ‘lethal violence’ with a blade and explosion before his arrest last November.

Fake But his plan was uncovered by an MI5 agent who posed as a senior IS official in Syria. Prosecutor Mark Heywood QC read out Telegram chat in which Rahman was ensnared by the fake Amir.

On September 14 last year, Rahman said: “Can

you put me in a sleeper cell ASAP? I want to do a suicide bomb on Parliament. I want to attempt to kill Theresa May.” The next day, he said: “My objective is to take out my target. Nothing less than the death of the leaders of Parliament.”

He is reported to have said he thought about wearing ‘a vest’, driving past Parliament and ‘pushing the button’ to ‘clear the entire block’.

Rahman allegedly said: “Getting outside Parliament when all the leaders are there is simple, you can walk right outside.”

On September 23 last year, he also reportedly said he had an idea based on what his uncle had told him about the IS development of poison.

Rahman, from Finchley, north London, has denied two counts of preparing terrorist acts.

ONE in six homeless people ‘pull their own teeth out’ as they are refused access to dental services, MPs have heard.

Labour MP Stella Creasy told the Commons that many homeless people ‘hit a brick wall’ whenever they try to access dental treatment.

The Walthamstow MP said: “It’s little wonder that one study shows that 15 per cent of homeless people have pulled their own teeth out because they can’t access services.”

Fracking ban is upheld PETROCHEMICAL giant Ineos has lost its legal challenge to the Scottish Government’s effective ‘ban’ on fracking.

Ineos and Aberdeen firm ReachCSG took Scottish ministers to court seeking a judicial review of their decision to convert a moratorium on the gas extraction technique into an indefinite, effective ban.

Lord Pentland denied the challenge after finding that there is no actual legal prohibition against fracking in Scotland.

Call for MP in Gibraltar THERE is a ‘very clear argument now’ to allow the people of Gibraltar direct representation in Parliament through the island’s own Member of the House of Commons, a Tory MP has suggested.

Craig Mackinlay, MP for South Thanet, said Brexit provided Britain with an ‘opportunity to build further on our relationship and to protect further the Rock’s rights and interests, and this is best guaranteed by a closer electoral bond’.

National & World News

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

Grayling survives no confidence vote over chaos TRANSPORT Secretary Chris Grayling survived a vote of no confidence yesterday [Tuesday], amid claims his credibility will ‘never recover’ following the rail timetable chaos.

MPs voted 305 to 285 against the motion after a debate which saw him heavily criticised.

Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald called on the Cabinet minister to ‘step up and shoulder the blame’ for his role in disrupting the lives of thousands of passengers, including those on Northern and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR).

Mr McDonald said he regretted having to table the motion, telling the Commons: “But given the totally unacceptable state of the railways, I felt I had a duty to passengers.

Blame “There comes a point where the publicly accountable politician in charge of the railways should step up and shoulder the blame.”

Sevenoaks MP Sir Michael Fallon called for Mr Grayling to ‘take stronger powers’.

He said: “Given that whatever the ownership, these are essential public services getting our constituents to work and getting their children to school, would he consider taking stronger powers for himself in times of disruption that would allow him to direct the rail operators to work more closely together or to put additional stops in to help those who simply can’t get to work in the morning?”

Mr Grayling agreed with Sir Michael’s comments, adding: “This is something we will have to look at very seriously indeed.”

MP Field demands abolition of Lord’s A LABOUR MP is appealing to ministers to back moves to abolish the House of Lords following the latest defeat in the upper chamber for the Government’s flagship Brexit bill.

Frank Field, who was one of a small group Labour MPs to campaign for Leave in the EU referendum, tabled a bill in the Commons calling for the Lords to be scrapped and replaced by a smaller ‘senate’ with limited powers to delay or amend legislation.

The move comes after peers voted for a second time for an amendment to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill giving the Commons a ‘meaningful vote’ on a final Brexit deal after it was rejected last week in the lower chamber.

WAITING TIME Hannah Deacon, mother of six-year-old Alfie Dingley

Javid announces review after granting licence for cannabis HOME Secretary Sajid Javid has announced a review of the medicinal use of cannabis which could lead to patients in the UK being prescribed drugs derived from the banned plant.

Mr Javid announced the move in a statement to the House of Commons in the wake of a series of appeals from parents who want their children to be able to access medications which can alleviate epilepsy and other illnesses.

The Home Secretary announced that he had authorised a licence to be issued yesterday [Tuesday] for six-year-old Alfie Dingley, after his mother said she had been waiting three months for Prime Minister Theresa May to fulfil a personal assurance that he would be allowed to receive cannabis oil.

‘Amazing’ Mr Javid told the Commons that the class B drug would remain banned for recreational use.

He said the review would be held in two parts.

The first, led by Chief Medical Officer Sally Davies, will make recommendations on which cannabis-based medicines might offer patients real medical and therapeutic benefits.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs will consider in the second part of the review whether changes should be made to the classification of these products on an assessment of ‘the balance of harms and public health needs’.

“If the review identifies significant medical benefits, then we do intend to reschedule,” Mr Javid told MPs. “We have seen in recent months that there is a pressing need to allow those who might benefit from cannabis-based medicines to access them.”

Mr Javid said that since becoming Home Secretary in April, it had become clear to him that the current legal position on medicinal cannabis was ‘not satisfactory for the parents, not satisfactory for the doctors, and not satisfactory for me’.

But he also insisted: “This step is in no way a first step to the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use.”

The announcement came after Mr Javid intervened to permit the use of cannabis oil to treat severely epileptic 12-year-old Billy Caldwell, who had been admitted to hospital with seizures after supplies his mother had brought from Canada were confiscated at Heathrow.

Billy’s mother Charlotte described it as ‘amazing news’ which she ‘applauded’.

She said: “The power of the mothers and fathers of sick children has bust the political process wide open and it is on the verge of changing thousands of lives by bringing cannabis laws in line with many other countries.

“We are on the threshold of the next chapter of the history book.”

‘THE BATTLE IS OVER’ William Hague, the former leader of the Conservative party, has urged Theresa May to legalise cannabis.

In an article in the Telegraph yesterday [Tuesday] he said the UK’s drug policy is ‘inappropriate, ineffective and utterly out of date’ and the ‘battle is effectively over’.

Lord Hague said issuing orders to the police to stop people smoking cannabis were ‘about as up to date and relevant as asking the army to recover the empire’.

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First Ladies unite to condemn Trump child separations ALL four former first ladies joined the current one, Melania Trump, in an unusual political unity expressing horror at children being separated from their parents at the US-Mexico border.

Michelle Obama said on Twitter, in support of Laura Bush: “Sometimes truth transcends party.”

The Democrat was retweeting Mrs Bush, a Republican, who first spoke out in an opinion piece Sunday in The Washington Post.

“I live in a border state. I appreciate the need to enforce and protect our international boundaries, but this zero-tolerance policy is cruel.

“It is immoral. And it breaks my heart,” Mrs Bush said on Twitter as she shared her column.

Hillary Clinton, speaking at a women’s event in New York, said the Trump administration’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy that has separated children and parents at the southern border was a ‘moral and humanitarian crisis’.

Their outrage and call for reforms come after nearly 2,000 minors were separated from adults in the six weeks following Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ announcement of the zero-tolerance approach to illegal border crossings.

In perhaps the most surprising response from a first lady, a statement from Mrs Trump’s office declared that she ‘hates’ to see families separated at the border.

Her spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said: “She believes we need to be a country that follows all laws, but also a country that governs with heart.”

But the statement did not reference the ‘no tolerance’ policy and instead said Mrs Trump hoped ‘both sides of the aisle’ can change immigration laws.

Saudi king acts over skintight circus suits SAUDI ARABIA’S king has sacked the head of the country’s entertainment authority after religiously conservative citizens denounced a Russian circus show in Riyadh that included female performers in tight costumes.

King Salman issued the royal decree relieving Ahmed al-Khatib of his post as head of the General Entertainment Authority.

An Arabic hashtag on Twitter which translates as ‘Naked Russian Women in Riyadh’ was trending in Saudi Arabia with people saying that they were upset by the Russian female performers, including a trapeze artist, in bodyhugging leotards.

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BUSINESS

National Business News

NEWS IN BRIEF

FRIDAY FRIGHT Visa saw 5.2million transactions fail

Debenhams announce third profit warning DEBENHAMS shares plunged after the retailer issued its third profit warning for 2018, saying market weakness and competitor discounting had hit sales.

The department store chain suffered 1.7 per cent drop in like-for-like sales over the 15 weeks to June 16.

The disappointing performance has forced the retailer to ‘reassess’ expectations, with full-year pre-tax profits now set to be £35-40million, down from previous estimates of £50.3million.

Poundworld job losses POUNDWORLD has axed around 100 jobs from its head office as administrators struggle to find a buyer for the business.

The budget retailer, which is owned by the private equity firm TPG Capital, collapsed last week, putting a total of 5,100 jobs at risk.

Its administrator Deloitte has now been forced to make 98 staff redundant at the company’s head office in Normanton, West Yorkshire.

Citigroup name change CITIGROUP is renaming its Frankfurt office as the Wall Street giant prepares to turn its German operations into its post-Brexit EU headquarters.

The bank is reportedly changing the name of the legal entity to Citigroup Global Markets Europe, replacing its previous Deutschland designation.

The move paves the way for an enlarged sales and trading operation to be set up outside London.

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

Visa promises compensation to customers for card failures VISA has pledged to compensate customers affected by its recent IT system failure after revealing 5.2million card transactions were impacted, including 2.4million in the UK. The group said it was working with issuing banks to assess ‘appropriate compensation’ for customers after the 10-hour debacle, which saw 9 per cent of all Visa’s UK transactions fail to go through on a busy Friday afternoon.

Unacceptable In a letter to Treasury Select Committee Chair Nicky Morgan, Visa laid bare the extent of the issue, revealing that more than a third of all UK transactions failed to process on the first attempt at the height of the disruption.

Visa Europe Chief Executive Charlotte Hogg said: “At its peak, the disruption affected people in the midst of returning home from work, socialising in restaurants and pubs and doing end-ofday shopping.

“A disruption to our processing that impacts consumers at any time is unacceptable, let alone during a busy Friday afternoon.”

Her letter to the cross-party group of MPs comes after Mrs Morgan demanded details on the June 1 debacle and the ‘chaos’ it caused.

In her response, Ms Hogg, a former Bank of England interest rate setter, said: “We failed to meet your and our own expectations and we apologise again unreservedly to everyone affected by the incident.”

Visa said the issue was caused by a ‘very rare partial failure’ of a switch in one of its data centres, which meant its back-up centre could not automatically process all transactions.

As well as compensating customers where necessary, Visa said it was waiving fees for merchants on transactions that failed to process and was working on a programme to mitigate any processing related fees incurred.

But it insisted cardholders will not have been charged for transactions that did not complete.

SPORT IN BRIEF

Murray shows fight on return from hip injury ANDY MURRAY put up a spirited fight but his competitive return to tennis ended in defeat to Nick Kyrgios at Queen’s yesterday [Tuesday].

The Scot, who last played 342 days ago at Wimbledon, showed his usual fight and took the first set before the Australian battled back to win 2-6 7-6 7-5 in London.

Murray was still limping and seemed to struggle with side-to-side movement.

He had chances to win but bowed out in the end on a double-fault after two hours and 39 minutes.

It allowed Kyrgios, who also looked to be struggling with injury, a first win over his close friend at the sixth attempt.

Konta falls to Kvitova JOHANNA KONTA lost in straight sets to Petra Kvitova in the first round at the Birmingham Open.

The world No 22, who reached the final in Nottingham at the weekend, paid the price for her drop in ranking after a poor start to the year by drawing the defending champion and lost a close contest 6-3 6-4.

Fellow Briton Heather Watson was beaten 7-6 7-5 by Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko.

England’s ratings win ENGLAND’S World Cup win over Tunisia was the most-watched TV programme of 2018.

An average audience of 13.7million saw the team open their World Cup campaign with a 2-1 win. Ratings peaked at 18.3million during the closing minutes, when more than two-thirds (69 per cent) of all TV viewers were tuned to the match.

24

NEWS

Letters

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT thekn w.guide

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

And another thing…

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

NO WAY An ambulance blocked Mabledon Road last week

Judd’s headmaster is not a town planner – and he has a duty of care to pupils The Headteacher of The Judd School, Jon Wood, is endeavouring to move a problem to our doorstep on Mabledon Road instead of ‘managing’ his problem of ‘a wave’ of his students leaving Judd each day [Times of Tonbridge, June 13].

Common sense says their entry is staggered in the morning with no problem to Brook Street, so why doesn’t he stagger the exit down Brook Street in the afternoon?

By allowing the sixth form to leave ten minutes before the fourth and fifth form, etc, he could easily solve his own problem and so relieve our community of it.

Of his idea, he said: “I do believe the management of traffic in the town overall would be greatly improved by this proposal.”

Gate will shift congestion, not stop it My wife and I have lived on Mabledon Road, peacefully, for the last 35 years. Along with the other residents of the road, and also people in the surrounding area, I’m strongly opposed to the proposal to put an access gate from the top of our road into The Judd School.

My main concerns are on the grounds of safety.

It would appear there’s going to be an increase in pedestrian and possibly vehicular traffic in an already congested area, which can barely support the existing volume of said traffic.

There’s a probability of litter and noise and a possibility of damage to vehicles and property.

I’ve been told parents won’t collect children from the Meadow Lawn area, but, as it’s a public highway, I can’t see that rule being enforceable.

I understand that it’s to reduce congestion in Brook Street, but all it’s going to do is to move the congestion to the Meadow Lawn area.

Peter Coulstock Tonbridge

Nothing sinister about Town Hall I was interested to see the letter from Jim Kedge in response to the move by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to stop the pre-development rights conversion of offices into residential [June 13]. The need for retaining and increasing office space in the town is important, in my view.

He is a headmaster, not a town planner, and that statement is irrelevant and unsubstantiated.

His duty of care is to his pupils, who are not going to be any safer exiting en masse into our narrow road, into our turning circle and down the centre of our road into traffic – in fact less so than by a staggered exit down Brook Street.

At schools-out time the other day, an elderly resident in our road required an emergency responder vehicle and an ambulance. It was also bin day. so the pavements were blocked by our bins. Both vehicles were there for an hour. How would Mr Wood’s 800 pupils have exited – unless he proposes a zip wire?

We invite him to come and speak to our local residents group at a time of his choice.

Anne McKenzie, Tonbridge From now on the offices safeguarded would need planning permission in order to convert to residential, which would be difficult for many of them to achieve. This was a necessary move, and whilst I can appreciate Jim’s concern, I am perturbed as to why he could not have called the council and ask why the Town Hall had been left off the list.

It’s equally unfortunate that Jim believes in conspiracy theories or stirring up false rumours, otherwise he would have found out that the simple reason is the Town Hall is a listed building and therefore pre-development rights do not apply. So any change of use would require planning permission for change of use.

Hopefully, Jim, you can see there is nothing sinister for you or others who read your letter to be concerned about.

Cllr Lawrence Heasman Vice-Chairman of Planning Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

Many will benefit, but it won’t be us I understand that Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is in the process of buying the former White Stuff retail premises in Tunbridge Wells, in addition to their proposed expenditure on the new council offices and theatre Civic Complex.

It must now be clear to all taxpayers of this borough that this council, and its Leader David

Jukes in particular, are simply property speculators, and less concerned with the provision of services to us, the undeserving.

When we can’t afford, it seems, more police, clean streets, better roads and pavements, and parking facilities which avoid vehicles crowding our pavements, they are content to spend regardless of public opinion.

Of course it is easier to spend liberally when it is not their money, and when they, presumably, won’t be around in 50 years! Hopefully, when the penny drops, they won’t be around in political terms a lot sooner than that.

There are, and will be, many who will benefit from this frivolous behaviour – their friends, the consultants, the architects, the builders and so on. The taxpayer will assume the risk and suffer from declining public services along the way.

Martin Dawes Via email

Calverley

Observations on life and more important things

THE sheer arrogance of some people. The other day Calverley popped into the garden centre at Mark Cross, just outside Tunbridge Wells, to buy some pansies. Being lunchtime, he joined a lengthy café queue to enjoy a bowl of soup (one of the best around). Suddenly a woman prances up to the front of the queue waving a piece of paper and trying to attract the attention of counter staff. Having done that, she handed said piece of paper over and declared: “There are eight of us, I’ve written down the orders and we’ll pay after the meal.” And with that she disappeared back to her table. Himself did later spot a staffer having a quiet word in her ear about the protocol of ordering. And rightly so.

‘Civic’ rebrand? Not in our name In Cllr Tracy Moore’s statement about rebranding the name of the Civic Centre, she states: “Some also associate the word ‘civic’ exclusively with the council.”

She’s right, we do: It’s the council’s project, it’s their baby, their vanity, their narcissistic looking-glass; the taxpaying public are merely required to pay for it.

Ralph Steerpike Tunbridge Wells

Lack of social housing is a scandal John Handley, CEO of The Bridge Trust, is right that the ‘drop in the ocean’ quote attributed to him was originally made in reference to the provision of affordable homes with three or more bedrooms. He did, however, say we need affordable social housing.

I wonder if he would agree that the provision

by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council of zero units of social housing for rent in the past three years, and the fact that none is scheduled in the draft Local Plan, is a complete scandal given the 1,145 households waiting to be homed?

I wonder if he cares to comment on the fact that homelessness has increased by 50 per cent and rough sleeping has doubled since 2010, yet locally nothing seems to be done to provide permanent solutions to the crisis?

Sevenoaks District Council has just launched Quercus, a housing company to provide social housing, shelter and income, while our council does nothing to resolve the core issues.

Mark Hood Tonbridge

Speed limit is a long time coming As a resident, I welcome plans to turn Oak Road and the surrounding streets into a 20mph safety zone. This is long overdue.

However, this will need to be properly monitored and enforced, as unfortunately our estate is still treated like a free overflow car park for High Brooms station commuters, despite a residential parking permit scheme.

Alan Bullion Via email

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

BEING a vegetarian (the non-preaching type), Calverley often quietly observes what others choose to place on their plates. Which is why he could not resist taking a snap of the kangaroo leg on offer at Lidl in Crowborough.

The store urges customers to give their dinners a ‘unique twist’. That’s one way of putting it. This is the same supermarket that offers reindeer at Christmas, which is enough to make poor Rudolph break out in a sweat.

SIPPING coffee outside Côte Brasserie in the centre of TW, Calverley could not help noticing a Lycra-clad chappie proceeding on his racing bike at some pace. As he neared the traffic lights, a pedestrian stepped off the pavement unaware of the speed of the cyclist, who shouted: “Please mind where you’re going.”

Actually his comment was more colourful, but this is a family newspaper. Himself has two thoughts: The cyclist should have been travelling much more slowly, and his outburst would have carried more weight if cyclists paid some form of road tax to share our highways. Why should they get a free ride?

ENGLISH is such a rich language. A commentator on BBC Radio 4 was talking about Jeremy Corbyn’s approach to Brexit and the fudge he has made (allegedly) over the single market. The journalist said he was guilty of ‘cakeism’. What next? Jellyism? And to which political figure might that apply?

Answers on a postcard, please, or email…

Chin Chin, readers

Education

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT thekn w.guide

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

NEWS

25

EDUCATION Times WITH THE

Students given food for thought Beacon Academy have been running exam breakfasts for a few years in an effort to combat their pupils’ pre-test stresses. Here, Eileen Leahy finds out if fuelling appetites serves up success

BRAIN FOOD Eating and prepping

STAFF at Beacon Academy in Crowborough have been running regular breakfast clubs for students before they sit their exams in a bid to calm their nerves. And given its success over the past few years, the signs are there that it seems to work.

“Exam breakfasts really help me to have a good mentality before an exam. They’re relaxing,” says Year 11 pupil Charlotte Long.

“They help to put us in a good mindset, and allow us to ask our teachers any last-minute questions about the exams,” add fellow students Charlotte Cooper and Kiera Best.

Cereals

BREAKFAST TEAM: Sue Layne and Janice Akehurst

For this year’s first breakfast of the exam season, Beacon invited Janice Akehurst, Team Manager Partner at Waitrose, also based in Crowborough, to join GCSE pupils to sit down and enjoy an array of muffins, cereals and fruit baskets just ahead of their English Literature GCSE. For the past few years, the supermarket has contributed various items to the breakfasts, and the school wanted to thank their representative.

The academy’s Head of Partnerships, Mrs Katie Harrison, told the Times: “The exam breakfasts are

incredibly important to our students, allowing them to give their very best at such a critical time.

Thanks to Waitrose, we have been able to offer particularly nutritious and tasty breakfasts to our Year 11 students, which has been a real pleasure.”

Ms Akehurst, agrees that the idea to fuel students’ stomachs certainly helps to fuel their brains, too – as well as calm their inevitable nerves.

“I really valued the time I got to spend with the students, and it was clear to me that they benefitted in many ways from this facility,” she says.

“I was also impressed with the devotion of the teachers involved, especially in the organisation, but also by making themselves available in this

relaxed environment for last-minute questions.”

One of those teachers is Sue Layne, Assistant Head of Years 10 and 11, who originally had the idea of hosting these beneficial breakfasts and recently won the Sussex Teacher of the Year award for her extra-curricular efforts.

Her involvement is greatly appreciated by students such as Callum Winn, who says: “Exam breakfasts help me to have a last-minute revise.”

Mrs Layne, who received her top teacher award at a ceremony in Maidstone last week, has also inspired pupils like Jake Beeson, who finds them ‘Relaxing, with useful encouragement from all teachers involved’.

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NEWS

Weekly Comment

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT thekn w.guide

Tom Tugendhat MP for Tonbridge & Malling

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

Tom Tugendhat, MBE, left the British Army in July 2013 after a career in which he served on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and as the military assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff.

As a Territorial Army officer, he worked on everything from those ops to establishing the Armed Forces Muslim Association, and also worked for the Foreign Office. He was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2015, and was elected Chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee in July 2017

Take part in the Big Consultation to save buses MANY readers will remember just a few months ago there was a proposal from Kent County Council [KCC] to make cuts by slashing funding to a number of bus routes in and around Tonbridge.

While many of the proposed funding changes addressed rural routes, our town was not left out.

After some pretty vocal campaigns, many of us were pleased that the county council chose to think again. Our bus services are a lifeline for many people in the community.

Whether you rely on a bus to get to school, use it to travel to the doctor, or from neighbouring towns, it isn’t just the only connection between our town and some of the most the beautiful villages that surround us, it is a lifeline for many and matters to all.

I understand that KCC has funding issues and needs to find innovative solutions to this. I know they have done a great deal so far and still have more to do.

But, with our council tax rising for a number of years now, it is only right that we expect the quality of core services to increase and the county council to look after the needs of us all.

In Richard Long and Michael Payne we are lucky to have two committed and dedicated advocates of Tonbridge at County Hall in Maidstone.

They have argued our case strongly, and I’m privileged to know and work closely with them.

They fight the corner of the town effectively and will continue to do so in the future.

That’s what I hope they – and all other county councillors – will do after KCC launched their ‘Big Conversation’ about the future of bus services locally.

Connectivity Until August 8, this new consultation is running aiming to maintain and improve rural accessibility for those without alternative means of travel.

This is our opportunity to make our views heard. It is also the time to be specific.

We need to identify the services, particularly those which are publicly funded, which we need to continue.

Connectivity between Tonbridge and its neighbouring villages is important for the vibrancy and prosperity of the town, and we need this to continue. Losing services would harm this.

That’s why I’d encourage everyone to respond before August 8.

There are also a series of public meetings being held, and the closest one to us is at Borough Green Village Hall on July 5.

But this isn’t just about today. The future of transport in Tonbridge is at stake at the moment.

As Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council devel-

Len Horwood Mayor of Tunbridge Wells

VITAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT Residents are invited to participate in a new consultation on bus services ops its Local Plan, it will need to do so mindful of where public transport serves. It can’t plan for the future without our vital bus routes remaining.

That’s why I hope everyone looks closely at this

consultation, and you make KCC aware of the bus routes which matter to you.

You can do so by visiting: www.kent.gov.uk/bigconversation

Cllr Len Horwood has been a Conservative councillor for Pantiles & St Mark’s ward, and for 2018 to 2019 is the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells. The septuagenarian is a fan of cricket and a former financial consultant. His chosen charity to support as Mayor is Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource [MHR]

We hoped to be busy and our wish was fulfilled THE month of May marks the start of the municipal year in local government, and after an enjoyable year as deputies, my wife Judy and I were looking forward to starting our year as Mayor and Mayoress of Tunbridge Wells.

We wanted this to be a busy year, and with ten events in our first two weeks we have not been disappointed.

It started on a sunny Bank Holiday with the Arriva Family Fun Day. It was a glorious event for the whole community, featuring buses old and new, and where I cut a massive cake made to look exactly like an Arriva bus.

Staff were amused that Judy’s dress exactly matched the colour of their livery.

Hats were much in evidence at the West Kent Federation of Women’s Institutes Centenary Garden Party on May 31, where we were made to feel very welcome, and unsurprisingly were treated to a spectacularly good tea with plenty of jam.

Each new mayor chooses a charity to support and fundraise for during their term of office, and I am delighted to be supporting Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource [MHR].

I have been involved with the charity for a number of years, and am Chairman of the board of trustees.

I am hoping that this year I can introduce MHR

to even more people in the borough and beyond, and let them know about the work MHR does.

At a time when one in four adults will experience mental illness over their lifetime, MHR is playing an important role in many people’s lives.

However, as a small charity, MHR relies on the support of the community so they can continue to help more than 500 people every year.

This week [June 18 to 23] is Small Charities Week, so why not lend your support and help raise MHR’s profile?

Follow them on social media using the hashtag #smallcharitiesweek • On Twitter @TWMHR • On Facebook @TunWellsMHR We were pleased to welcome members of the Wiesbaden Red Herald band [from Tunbridge Wells’ German Twin Town] to the Council Chamber, and to show one member his name displayed on a document from his visit in 1971.

We joined them for dinner at TS Brilliant, where I presented the Cadet Medal to Sub Lieutenant Matthew Vann.

“Never work with animals or children,” flashed through my mind when, with some trepidation, I agreed to join the judging panel for the Tunbridge Wells Junior Enterprise Challenge at Salomons Estate.

Judging competitions is always difficult where

children are involved, and this was no exception because the standard was so high.

Thirteen teams of children, totalling 110 pupils from local junior schools, had spent two days learning about project development and marketing, and were ready to give presentations on aspects of healthy eating.

It was difficult picking a winner from them all, but we eventually chose Southborough C of E Primary School with their ‘Dip Stix’ snack and ‘stay dipping’ strapline.

Princess

RIBBON CUTTING Mayor Len Horwood also opened the new Ravensdale Campus at Meadows School in Southborough

Volunteers Week ran from June 1 to 7, and so we visited The Forum on Tunbridge Wells Common to present certificates to some of the volunteers who look after the Commons, including picking up litter.

These volunteers do a great job, but wouldn’t it be even better if we all took our litter home with us?

The borough received a royal visit when HRH The Princess Royal visited Cranbrook School on Tuesday, June 12, to open the Sixth Form Centre (another new dress for Judy!)

It was a glorious afternoon, and we felt very honoured to represent the borough at this prestigious event.

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

yourh me INSPIRATION FOR MOVING

AND IMPROVING

AVAILABLE EVER Y WEDNESDAY – A MUST-READ

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PROPERTY, IN TERIORS, TOP TRENDS AN D GARDENING

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FIND AN OASIS OF CALM

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LOFTY IDEA FOR A BEDROOM

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INDULGE IN A BATHING BEAUTY

Sitting pretty Discover how to make your interiors bloom Page 50

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A POTTED HISTORY OF HERBS

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yourh me

To suit your budget

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

Your at-a-glance guide to ST MARY’S COURT LAMBERHURST

£298,000

UNDER £450,000 THE PRIORY, NEVILL PARK

GUIDE PRICE

£425,000 (SHARE OF FREEHOLD) n Ground floor apartment n Spacious entrance hall n Reception/dining room n Shower room and cloakroom n Kitchen/breakfast room

n 2 double bedrooms n Communal grounds n Driveway parking for 3 cars n Service charge approx. £250 per month n No onward chain

UNDER £550,000

n Dining room

STOCKS CLOSE, HILDENBOROUGH

n 3 bedrooms

£500,000

n Landscaped rear garden

n Barn-style corner house CONTACT Bracketts Tunbridge Wells 01892 533733 www.bracketts.co.uk

n Family bathroom n New timber fencing n Furhter communal adjoining land

n Built in 2009 n Large sitting room n Modern open plan kitchen n Downstairs cloakroom

CONTACT Bracketts Tonbridge 01732 350503 www.bracketts.co.uk

To suit your budget

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

thekn w

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great properties by price range…

UNDER £600,000 DORIC AVENUE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

GUIDE PRICE

£575,000 n 1930s family home n Entrance hall n Sitting room n Family room n Kitchen/dining room n Cloakroom n 3 double bedrooms n Family bathroom n Garden with large patio area n Off-road parking CONTACT Wood & Pilcher Southborough 01892 511311 www.woodandpilcher.co.uk

UNDER £800,000 WITHYHAM ROAD, GROOMBRIDGE

£750,000-£795,000 GUIDE PRICE n 1890s cottage with modern features n Solar panels n Dining room/reception room n Sitting room n Study n Spacious kitchen/dining room n Master bedroom with en suite n 3 further double bedrooms n Well-maintained gardens n Detached garage n No onward chain CONTACT Wood & Pilcher Tunbridge Wells 01892 511211 www.woodandpilcher.co.uk

UNDER 300,000

UNDER £1MILLION

ST MARY’S COURT, LAMBERHURST

£298,000 n Grade II listed former school conversion n Entrance hall n Bedroom with en suite and doors to garden n Stone staircase within clock tower n Open plan kitchen

MILL LANE, TONBRIDGE n Utility room n Living room n Landscaped rear garden n Paved patio and pathways n Single parking space

CONTACT Wood & Pilcher Tunbridge Wells 01892 511211 www. woodandpilcher.co.uk

GUIDE PRICE

£850,000 n Grade II listed renovated mill n Tonbridge Annual Design Award2006 n Contemporary kitchen/dining room n Vaulted staircase n Double aspect sitting room n Master bedroom with en suite n 2 further double bedrooms n Rear garden with pond CONTACT Barnes Kingsnorth Tonbridge 01732 771616 www.bkestateagents.com

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yourh me

The Pump House

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

AT A GLANCE

THE PUMP HOUSE VICTORIA ROAD, SOUTHBOROUGH n Detached house n Dating back to the 19th century n Period features n Kitchen/dining room n Separate home office n Utility room n Spacious sitting room n Study area n 2 double bedrooms n Bathroom and separate wet room n Rear gardens of 2/3rds of an acrea

Converted Victorian Pump House in woodland setting

n Off-street parking for 5 cars n Garage

GUIDE PRICE

£745,000

CONTACT Flying Fish Properties Tunbridge Wells 01892 514189 www.flyingfishproperties.co.uk

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

Advertising

thekn w

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yourh me

Calverley Park Crescent

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

Townhouse forming part of Grade II listed building created by famous architect

AT A GLANCE

CALVERLEY PARK CRESCENT TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT n Part of Decimus Burton designed building n Entrance hall n Drawing room with balcony n Kitchen n Dining room n 2 cloakrooms n Master bedroom with en suite n 3 further bedrooms n 2 bathrooms n Utility room n Cellar n Parking n Shared gardens

£995,000 Available to buy through Hamptons International Tunbridge Wells 01892 516611 www.hamptons.co.uk

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yourh me

Interiors

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

FLOWER POWER: 3 ways to make sure

your home is blooming beautiful this summer FILL THE GAP: Botanicals Mind the Gap Aquaflower Wallpaper in taupe, £150 a roll, The Longest Stay

No matter how your garden grows, anyone can enjoy a mass of flowers indoors with this year’s stunning floral designs. Gabrielle Fagan picks the best of the bunch…

N

ATURE’S best and brightest blooms inspire decor designs year after year, and the new season ranges are blossoming with a fresh, contemporary take on the trend.

“Florals never lose their appeal, but this year be brave and experiment with bold colours and eyecatching patterns to bring the outside in,” says Claire Hornby, Creative Stylist at Barker & Stonehouse.

“It’s such an easy way to inject colour and pattern into your home. For a pared-back, summer-inspired space, opt for smaller floral accessories such as patterned chairs or cushions, which will pair well with neutral hues,” she adds.

Whether you’re looking to create an attentiongrabbing feature wall in an all-over floral print, or add simple botanical-inspired accessories, you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to incorporate florals into a living space. Here are three ways to embrace petal-power right now...

1: Pick a posy of pinks for perennially pretty décor “Spring’s all about embracing brighter colours and bolder prints, so naturally, florals are an absolute shoo-in for the season,” says Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at Furniture Choice.

“Florals or tropical prints, especially in bright pinks from rose to fuschia, are excellent statement-makers. They can be used for pops of colour in a smaller room, or will anchor a scheme if used to create a striking feature wall.

“For a major style boost, opt for larger botanical prints in the form of murals or wall art,” she suggests.

“Experiment with light-coloured patterns for a relaxed natural look, or create a bold Bohemian space with darker hues and busier motifs.”

2: Let blues blossom in serene scenes “The trend for floral designs shows no signs of abating,” confirms Hannah Thistlethwaite, Textiles Buyer at Heal’s.

“Opting for botanical-inspired homeware is an easy way to introduce invigorating touches of nature to enhance the atmosphere in any room.

“For an understated theme, use soft floral prints in washed-out blue and white linens to create a refreshingly laid-back effect,” she adds.

“For an effortless update, look for cushions with a two-tone motif and pair with cool grey or blue fabrics to evoke a clean, Scandi-style aesthetic, which pays a subtle nod to the floral trend.

“Make a statement in a living room with bright pops of rich teal or blue blooms for fabrics or accessories contrasted with vibrant greenery, which will beautifully reflect nature’s palette.”

3: Bring a room to life with botanicals “Botanical and floral prints continue to be top of the list for freshening up our decor,” says Yvonne Keal, Head of Product at curtain and blinds specialists, Hillarys.

“They connect us to the outdoors, and if something works well in nature it’ll work in a room. But just as we wouldn’t have a wilting bouquet in our homes, any floral look we introduce should feel fresh and new, and this season doesn’t disappoint.

“Botanical motifs on fabrics are subtle and hand-drawn – straight out of an artist’s sketchbook. Small-scale florals, watercolour washes and fade-out prints are blooming in gently joyful neutral grown-up shades, while soft greens, pale blues and lavender are replacing the rich jewel tones and clashing patterns of 2017 to help us create the calmer haven we crave this year.”

IF A TOUCAN CAN… Toucan Wallpaper by Sooshichacha, £85 a roll, Woodchip & Magnolia

DISH IT UP Felicity Plate

by Zala Farah, From £15, Artwow

LIGHT UP YOUR FLORAL LIFE: Falling Leaves in Autumn Lamp, medium, £199, Anna Jacobs

CUSHION THE EFFECT Pinks Floral Embroidered Love Cushion, £12, Next

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yourh me

Gardening

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

HOW TO: Create your own mini herb garden Herbs come into their own in summer, added to drinks, salads, dips and sauces.

If you fancy having a go at growing some summer herbs at home, here are three of the easiest to grow – which will come back year after year if you look after them

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Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) These onion-flavoured perennials are among the prettiest herbs to grow. Their pocket-sized purple-pink globes flower in early summer, so are ideal as ornamentals in the front of a border or as additions to a rockery.

The snips from their slender, grass-like stalks have long been added to sour cream as a jacket potato filling, but you can also add them to salad leaves for a peppery taste, or sprinkle the cut stalks over creamy soups or sauces for flavour and use the edible flowers as colourful decoration.

Sow outdoors in spring where you want them to end up, in soil with added organic matter, and rake to a fine tilth before sowing.

You can also easily sow them indoors for planting in a sunny spot in late spring or summer, watering them in well. Keep them weeded and watered in dry spells.

Remove faded flower heads and stalks to keep them looking tidy, and divide clumps every few

years in the autumn, which should keep the plants healthy.

You can harvest them when the leaves are at least 15cm (6in) tall, cutting them off at the base with sharp scissors.

Thyme This easy-to-grow perennial herb offers so much more than flavour. You can inhale its delicious scent on warm, sunny days, enjoy its summer flowers and huge variety of leaves, which can cascade over walls or thrive in pots and herb borders.

There are many types, and some are not really culinary but are grown for their flowers, so be sure to pick the right type if you want it for cooking.

Thyme needs to be planted in a sunny spot in well-drained soil or in a terracotta pot filled with John Innes No 1 potting compost mixed with 50% potting grit to make a well-drained mix.

The best time to plant is early summer, after the last frosts, spacing busy, upright types 23cm (9in) from their neighbours and spreading varieties 30cm (12in) apart. Water them in and water again in dry spells until the plants become established, after which time you won’t need to water them much at all, and don’t feed them.

Good culinary thymes include T. vulgaris, which has strongly flavoured, short leaves and deep mauve-pink flowers in June and July, and T. x citriodorus, which has lemon-scented leaves and a slightly milder flavour. To harvest, snip young shoots from the tips of the stems.

Mint This is the go-to herb of summer, thrown in to pep-up delicious salads, or added to Jersey Royals, or for livening up a fruity Pimm’s on the patio.

There are so many uses for mint, and it is among the toughest of herbs.

Plant it in a pot, because if you put it in the ground with other herbs or flowers it’s likely to take over. If you want it in a border, contain it in a bucket by digging a hole big enough and then placing the container into the hole, leaving the rim above ground so shoots don’t escape.

Again, not all mint is good for cooking, so be careful with your choice.

Mint thrives in moist but well-drained soil – multipurpose compost will be fine when growing in pots – and many of them prefer some shade during the day.

Give mint plenty of water in hot, dry weather and avoid planting different types close together as they may lose their original scent and flavour.

Pick leaves regularly to stop them getting leggy – the flavour is also more intense if you harvest them before they flower.

But if you leave mint, when it’s finished flowering in summer, cut flowered shoots back to around 5cm (2in) above the base of the plant.

If plants become straggly, divide them and replant in new compost.

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

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Arts & Culture

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

A little bit country

Having studied at Sidcup’s Rose Bruford College, how does it feel to be back in the Kent area for the Black Deer Festival?

It feels great. To be performing at Black Deer is very exciting, and I feel a real connection to Tunbridge Wells, as I was born in Pembury.

Are there any favourite acts that you’re looking forward to seeing?

I’ve been a massive fan of Passenger for many years, and I got to know him at a festival in Canada a few years back. We’ve since become good friends, and we’ve been doing a songwriter session with Bob Harris in the build-up to Black Deer, which has been great.

Are your acting and music careers both equal passions?

Ahead of his appearance at this weekend’s Black Deer Festival at Eridge Park, which also sees the likes of Passenger, Hollywood’s Kiefer Sutherland and Ward Thomas all performing, Times music writer Paul Dunton sits down with Nashville TV star Sam Palladio (left) to discover whether life really does imitate art…

Yes, I grew up in Cornwall playing in bands and involving myself in youth theatre. This definitely gave me an initial experience of music and acting, which – looking back – really fuelled my desire to make a career doing what I love.

If you could collaborate with any musician in the world today, who would it be?

It would have to be James Taylor. He’s definitely a songwriting hero of mine, and it would be an absolute dream to collaborate with him one day.

Is there a song that you enjoy performing the most?

Fade Into You, from the first series of Nashville. It has haunting and lilting aspects to it, and I’ve performed it regularly with Clare Bowen [a Nashville co-star] and on my own.

What was the catalyst for your interest in music and acting?

My dad’s been a major influence for my interest in music as he’s played guitar most of his life, and is always listening to the latest music. Growing up, he introduced me to lots of new acts, including the likes of Muse and Biffy Clyro, which I went on to really love.

Can you share with us some of your most memorable live shows to date?

It has to be the O2 earlier this year, as part of the farewell Nashville tour. To perform in front of 11,000 Nashville fans was just out of this world, and the atmosphere was incredible.

Finally, what else can fans expect from Sam Palladio in 2018?

I’ll be in the studio soon, and plan to release a new single this summer. I also have several festivals coming up, and I am travelling to Romania for a few days for a new acting project, which is very exciting.

You play aspiring country singer-songwriter Gunner Scott in the hit TV series Nashville – do you

Ashley Campbell is also performing feel a natural synergy between you and your character?

There are a great deal of similarities between us. We both have a passion for Americana music, and in some ways, Gunner feels very much like me, but with a different accent!

As a musician, do you prefer playing in intimate shows or performing on a big stage?

I love both – however, there’s something special about an intimate gig, especially if it’s a solo show.

Find out more about Sam’s forthcoming activities by following him Facebook Twitter and Instagram @sampalladio For Black Deer Festival details and tickets, visit www.blackdeerfestival.com

Arts & Culture

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

How to thrive at life Chartered Psychologist Fiona Murden has just written her first book, which aims to unravel the often complicated world of analysis and self-reflection, making it easier to understand and ultimately achieve. Here, she reveals more about her new tome ‘Defining You’ – and how it can help everyone AFTER growing up in Tunbridge Wells and going to school here – Kent College, then Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar – I went to Warwick University to study psychology, followed by a business Masters.

I worked as a business consultant for four years, then returned to university to pursue my passion, completing an MSc in Occupational Psychology.

Since then, I have spent the past 16 years working with multinational companies, business leaders and prominent people from other fields. I moved back 12 years ago, having collected a lot of life experiences along the way.

My day job – which I’m privileged to also call my vocation – involves profiling senior leaders to assess if they are fit for roles, what the potential risks may be involved in hiring them and how best they can be supported in order to be successful. My job has seen me travel all over the world.

I also coach senior leaders and high-profile individuals from across different walks of life – from CEOs and board members of FTSE 100 companies to professors and surgeons – on how to understand themselves better. I help them to realise how to harness their strengths and passions, how to navigate politics and relationships, how to read others’ behaviour and how to improve their leadership.

I feel incredibly honoured to have heard the stories of many amazing people, but that isn’t my bigger aim as I look to the future. I’ve developed a new aspiration – making psychological tools accessible to all. Not the ad-hoc picking up of things that may or may not work, but the sharing of evidencebased techniques that can help people in day-to-day life.

Even senior leaders I work with have a lot to learn when it comes to behaviour – who hasn’t thought about how their

leadership could do things better? And this often is despite the fact they’ve usually had huge sums invested in their personal and professional development.

But what about the rest of us? Well, I believe that a better understanding of behaviour across society could not only enable us to live happier and more fulfilled lives as individuals, but at a collective level it could also go a long way to resolving a huge number of societal issues.

Potential My first book, Defining You, is for me a starting point to enabling this bigger objective. I wanted to start by writing something that opened up some of the tools and methodologies I use as professional psychologist to a wider audience.

Since its publication at the end of April, I’ve been lucky enough to have received some really positive feedback from a broad range of people, from established leaders to university students, mums who haven’t worked for a while and people looking for a career change.

I’ve also had the opportunity of talking about it in the online magazine The Pool, in July’s issue of Psychologies Magazine and now in my local paper!

Like any book, it’s not for everyone, but it will hopefully provide a starting point or a reminder for anyone who’s interested in human behaviour, and in particular fulfilling their own potential.

I’ve included a range of techniques with references to the original work for people who want to explore things in more depth.

There’s also access to a personalised psychometric – a tool used by psychologists to get more insight into who someone is and how they approach things from a cognitive perspective.

When this is carried out online, it provides every reader with a detailed personality report about their preferences, tendencies and how they operate at their best.

Isn’t that something we all want to achieve?

Available from all good bookshops priced £16.99 www.fionamurden.com

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How to learn more about who you are and how to operate at your best: Knowing about the world around you – a core component of self-awareness is understanding how our actions impact the world around you, not just looking inward.

Develop ‘External self-awareness’ by: Being curious – observing how your actions change and impact things. Also, note how other people alter interpersonal dynamics.

Knowing what you don’t know – approaching a situation accepting of your inexperience. Not presuming you know the answer, rather asking questions with an open mind and really considering the answers.

Asking people what they think – ask for feedback from those who know you well and you trust. Ask them to help you think through ‘What’s really important to me? What am I really good at? What makes me unique?’

Knowing about you –self-awareness is not purely about self-absorption, it’s knowing about our passions and feelings in terms of how they influence and are influenced by the context of the world we exist in. Ways to improve ‘internal self-awareness’ include: Writing lists or brainstorming – your strengths, weaknesses, what motivates you, what you stand for, what makes you happiest, what makes you mad.

Keeping a journal – not only does the process of writing allow time and space for reflection, but also the capability to look back and learn from mistakes, at patterns of behaviour and their outcomes, to capture what makes you happy and what takes that away.

Making reflection a habit – this could be in the form of a journal or it could be meditation, mindfulness, going for a walk or a run, saying a prayer – whatever gives you the space to focus on what you’re feeling, how you are, what’s going on for you.

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Going Out

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

going ut Seven days of activities at a glance

By Eileen Leahy

RELIVE THE WARTIME HOME FRONT At Hever Castle

wire, wax and stitch. The show is on until July 1 and the gallery is open from 10am until 10pm.

Further afield in Sevenoaks, Green Street Blues will be performing at The Big Community Sing event at the Stag Community Arts Centre, where they will be joined by 12 other choirs. Tickets cost £5 and proceeds go to various mental health projects across the district. On Saturday they will also give a free performance outside The Black Boy in Sevenoaks, so keep an eye out for them.

RTWskin will be holding an exclusive Red Carpet Event at 5.30pm at their clinic in Tunbridge Wells. The event is an introduction to their new Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Siva Kumar, who will offer complimentary consultations and also give a presentation. The event will feature a live demonstration of the Obagi Radiance peel and free skin analysis, and all attendees will be offered 30 per cent discount on treatments booked on the night. For more information, visit www.rtwskin.co.uk

FRIDAY

WEDNESDAY The popular Moonlight Drive-In Cinema, located at The Hop Farm in Paddock Wood, continues its run of Solo: A Star Wars Story this evening at 9.45pm. Directed by Ron Howard, it’s the tale of how Han Solo came to meet his future co-pilot, Chewbacca, and stars Beautiful Creatures’ Alden Ehrenreich, Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke and Woody Harrelson. Tickets cost £25 per vehicle.

See www.moonlightcinema.com A celluloid offering of a different kind is Un Beau Soleil Intérieur, or Let the Sunshine In, which stars the ever captivating Juliette Binoche as Isabelle, an artist and divorced mother who is looking for true love. This charming comedy concentrates on Isabelle’s dilemma between searching for ‘the one’ or just enjoying life

instead. It’s on at Trinity Theatre at 8pm and tickets cost £11. See www.trinitytheatre.net Every Wednesday from 7pm until 9pm, the Angel Indoor Bowles Centre in Tonbridge welcomes beginners to their Have a go at bowling evening.

There’s even a free drink on offer at the bar afterwards! For more information visit www.angelibc.co.uk

THURSDAY The current exhibition on at Trinity Gallery is a show entitled New Directions. The work is by artist Christa Corner, who takes her inspiration from many sources, including ‘perceptions of and emotional reactions to daily life, the natural world, travel, literature and the human form’. She works in a variety of materials, including paper,

There’s another of the EM Forster Theatre’s very popular Comedy Nights on this evening from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £12 and are available from www.emtheatre.com Over at The Hop Farm in Paddock Wood, the Moonlight Drive-In Cinema begins its screening of The Greatest Showman. Starring Hugh Jackman and Zac Effron, it’s the story of the American showman PT Barnum, founder of the circus that became the famous travelling Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus. A must-see for all fans of Jackman, big show tunes and lavish sets and costumes. Tickets cost £25 per vehicle at www.moonlightcinema.com Comedians Rosie Jones (8 out of Ten Cats) and George Lewis (Top Gear: Extra Gear) bring their Edinburgh preview show Work in Progress to Trinity Theatre this evening from 8pm. Tickets cost £10 and are available from www.trinitytheatre.net

SATURDAY Want to get fit for summer? Then why not join the

SMELL THE ROSES Take a Sensory Rose Tour popular weekly park runs which happen at both Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells and the Castle Street recreation ground in Tonbridge. They’re free to enter – all you have to do is register your details beforehand so you can participate in the 5k circuits, which start at 9am. For more information, see www.parkrun.org.uk The Tunbridge Wells Vintage Fair will be held from 10.30am to 4pm at King Charles the Martyr Church Hall in Warwick Park. Organised by Squirrel Vintage, it will be full of amazing and affordable vintage fashion (with clothes from the 1920s to 1980s), salvaged homeware, furniture, and original records. There are two rooms with over 20 traders, and there will also be a DJ playing Northern Soul and Motown all day.

Entry costs £1 and under-16s go free. For more information, see @squirrelvintage on Facebook and Instagram.

Speldhurst Fete is on today at the village’s recreation ground from 11.30am. The RNLI will be collecting vital funds as well as running a stall selling souvenirs, gifts and preserves.

Royal Tunbridge Wells Choral Society will be presenting A Concert for a Summer Evening at the United Reformed Church tonight at 6.30pm. It will feature a selection of choral classics, including works by Parry, Vaughan Williams, Mendelssohn and Haydn. The choir will be joined by soprano Eleanor Partridge and Chris Harris on organ and piano, and the concert will be conducted by Jamie Sperling. Tickets cost £12 or £6 for children, and are available at the door or at www.rtwcs.org.uk

Going Out

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

Alternatively, the Paddock Wood Choral Society invites you to their Music for a Summer Evening event, which features a varied selection of enjoyable light choral works, including pieces

by Vaughan Williams and Tippett. It takes place at 7.30pm at St Andrew’s Church. Tickets cost £12.50 (under-19s go free), and are available from members, on the door or online at www.paddockwood-choral.org.uk The Oast Theatre starts its run of the Henrik Ibsen classic Ghost this evening. Running for a week, with matinees on Sunday, it’s the tale of Helene Alving, who is forced to confront the lies she has been living since the death of her husband when her prodigal son, Oswald, returns.

She wants to try and save Oswald from repeating the same mistakes, but is it too late? Tickets are priced £10 or £7.50 for members. For further information, visit www.oasttheatre.com

SUNDAY

Step back in time to wartime Britain for Hever Castle’s Home Front at this two-day 1940s event.

Take part in a swing dance in the tea dance tent, tap your toes to music from vocalist Miss Annie, or browse stalls selling vintage wares and refreshments. See www.hevercastle.co.uk You’ve still got time to do some Fawn spotting at Knole Park today. Join this one-hour guided walk from 5.30pm until 6.30pm to the spaces and places where you are most likely to spot these SPOT THE FAWNS On a guided walk at Knole

beautiful animals. No booking is necessary, but a suggested donation of £2 is welcomed. Suitable for families. See www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole Join Chiddingstone Castle’s circular Purple 10k Castle Walk in support of Young Epilepsy. Enjoy afternoon tea in the castle’s tearooms, and stop for a refreshing drink at Hever’s Henry VIII Inn. There will also be a shorter walk option, along with some fun Tudor-style games to play. For more details, visit www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk West Kent ivc is a social group that meets on a regular basis, with members enjoying visits to historical places and the seaside as well as eating out and going ten-pin bowling and to the cinema.

For more information, please call 0844588482, email: contact@westkentivc.org.uk or visit www.westkentivc.org.uk.

MONDAY

For the 49th Sevenoaks Summer Festival, music, talks, recitals and more will take place over two weeks across the town. Standout events to look forward to until July 8 include Cara Dillon, Henry Blofeld, the FB Pocket Orchestra and The Big Chris Barber Band. Find further information at www.sevenoaksfestival.org.uk Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery has just unveiled its new exhibition. Entitled Staffages: 2018, it’s a new collection of photographic works which illuminate the connections between museum object, site and viewer. The work, by the artist Steffi Klenz, is the result of having spent time at the Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery and Adult Education Centre looking at their artefacts and architecture. The exhibition runs until Sunday September 8.

TUESDAY From today until Sunday July 1, Hever Castle will be conducting a series

PICK OF THE WEEK: A Necessary Woman Trinity Theatre Friday, June 29, 7.30pm

Clair Obscur Theatre present A Necessary Woman, a piece based on a true event to celebrate the centenary of the Representation of the People Act – or when some British women first got the vote. The action centres around Census Night on April 2, 1911, when the government is still ignoring the burning question of female suffrage. As a result, women up and down the land prepare to avoid and evade the

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census as a protest and challenge to authority.

Suffragette Emily Davison is hiding in a cleaning cupboard in the crypt beneath the Palace of Westminster. She is planning a daring act in Parliament for Monday morning, but with a greater police presence and security tighter than usual, will she achieve her ambition before she is caught and returned to prison? Written and performed by Deborah Clair and Phillipa Urquhart, and directed by Dominique Gerrard, this is a production not to be missed. Tickets cost £15.

For more details, visit www.clairobscur.co.uk and book at www.trinitytheatre.net

A TALE OF DARING AND DETERMINATION About Suffragette Emily Davison

of Sensory Rose Tours. Visitors to this year’s Hever in Bloom will be able to enjoy the rose displays in the gardens and in the castle itself. Pre-book a scented tour with one of the rose experts and take in the different scents and strengths of perfume as you traverse the gardens designed and built

by William Waldorf Astor at the turn of the 20th century. Visitors will be offered the opportunity to learn the basic principles of distilling rose oil, enjoy a tasting of various rose-inspired recipes,

peruse the rose collection and buy a locallysourced rose flavoured gin at the shop. Open from 10.30am until 6pm, the event is included in normal admission prices. www.hevercastle.co.uk There will be another Stroke Survivors meeting today from 10.30am until 12.30pm at Headway, 3 Culverden Park, Tunbridge Wells. The group is aimed at those who have suffered a stroke aged between 16 and 65 years old. See www.headwaywestkent.org

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Going Out

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE The Pantiles. Doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7 Websites www.pdag.co.uk & www.thegreylady.co.uk Wednesday Gronk, James & Grace Carroll, Leon Benson, Alex Beharrell Friday Private Party Saturday Groove Agents Sunday Iona, Alana Hazzard, Sam Firth Tuesday Jessica Johansson, The Alley Devils, Storm Engine

The Orange Circus Band

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM

live music With Paul Dunton

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FEAST of live music starts tonight [Wednesday] with four great local acts gracing The Grey Lady stage – Gronk, James & Grace Carroll, Leon Benson and Alex Beharrell.

The Forum’s Stable has excellent up-and-coming bands Jerry, Wild Horse, Dramalove and Burn The Tides.

On Thursday, Jazz on the Pantiles stars Protect The Beat with famed saxophonist Derek Nash, who performs regularly with Jools Holland.

My top tip for the weekend is the Black Deer Festival at beautiful Eridge Park, which offers a stellar line-up of world-renowned Americana, Folk and Country artists, including Passenger, Iron & Wine, Hollywood

The must-read guide to what’s on musically for the week ahead… www.paulduntonandguests.com

star Kiefer Sutherland, Eric Bibb, Jason Isbell, Ward Thomas, Sam Palladio, The Webb Sisters and many more. Local acts who will be performing there include The Noble Jacks, The Orange Circus Band, my Paul Dunton Orchestra, Dan Clews, Lt Leek and Mike Wilton.

On Saturday, my top picks include Move Over Dali at The Bedford, Grosvenor Road at The Beau Nash, Groove Agents at The Grey Lady and Lone-Ed at The Royal Oak. Plus the popular Local & Live Sessions return to Trinity Theatre with Suncharmer, I am Aquitaine and Jack Burns.

And on Tuesday, you can see Jessica Johansson, The Alley Devils and Storm Engine at The Grey Lady.

Event information at www.twforum.co.uk Wednesday The Stable: Jerry, Wild Horse, Dramalove, Burn The Tides Friday Dennis Alcapone Saturday Total Stone Roses (Stone Roses Tribute) Sunday Sunday Sessions (1pm start)

TRINITY THEATRE Church Road All event details, show times and tickets

are available at www.trinitytheatre.net Thursday Elio Pace presents Elvis Presley Saturday Local & Live Sessions: Suncharmer, I am Aquitaine, Jack Burns

THE BEAU NASH TAVERN

JAZZ ON THE PANTILES

THE BEDFORD PUB

The Bandstand Music from 8pm-10pm (donations welcomed). Bookable outdoor dining Thursday Protect The Beat featuring saxophonist Derek Nash

2 High Street Open all day, free entry Music from 8pm till late Saturday Move Over Dali Sunday Eva Jacobs

THE ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE Crescent Road All event details, show times and tickets are available at www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Friday The Rod Stewart Story – Some Guys Have All The Luck Saturday Big Girls Don’t Cry

THE BLACK DEER FESTIVAL Eridge Park. All festival details and tickets are available at www. blackdeerfestival.com Friday to Sunday

Mount Ephraim Open all day, free entry Music from 8.30pm till late Saturday Grosvenor Road

THE ROYAL OAK PUB Prospect Road Open all day, free entry Music from 8.30pm till late Saturday Lone-Ed

THE ULTIMATE TRIBUTE MUSIC FESTIVAL Colebrook Park For full event details and tickets, please see www.theultimatetributefest.co.uk Friday to Sunday

THE PUNCH & JUDY PUB 11 St Stephen’s Street, Tonbridge Open all day, free entry Music from 8pm Tuesday Kent Duchaine

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Food & Drink

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

A true taste of Italy Who needs to visit Puglia or Tuscany when we have a superb Italian culinary offering on our doorstep? Jon Bond heads to Il Vesuvio in Tunbridge Wells for a little slice of southern Italy

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AVING been in town for more than two decades, Il Vesuvio has a spectacular reputation among Tunbridge Wells’ residents, which is undeniably thanks to its authentic homely atmosphere and spectacular hosts Maria, Franco and their team.

It’s thanks to a long-running craving for a great fish dish that I have come to the

Camden Road eaterie, as their ‘Pesce’ menu instantly has my mouth watering.

Their menu is as Italian as you could hope for, and has so much on offer you struggle to pick just one thing.

When I sit down and open it, my classic indecision kicks in. And instead of fish, I venture to the pasta menu, and order the ‘Spaghetti Ai Frutti Di Mare’. I’m worried

it may have been the safe choice, but when it arrives, I am so pleased with the decision I have made.

Frutti Di Mare is not a first-date dish, that’s for sure! With the biggest prawn I have ever seen, delicately balancing above mussels, clams and squid, I send tomato sauce flying with my spaghettislurping and shellfish slinging.

THE ITALIAN JOB Maria and Franco Biscardi from Il Vesuvio

Seafood “Slow down!” demands my partner.

No chance. It’s so good I finish the lot in record time.

At £11.95, you get a good deal of fresh seafood for your money, and the dish cuts no corners when it comes to flavour.

To finish the meal, we enjoyed some coffee, which Maria assured us would absolutely be worth it: “It’s the best coffee in Tunbridge Wells!”

This town is full of coffee shops, but she might not be wrong. It’s good, strong stuff, and a small cup kept us going without the hint of an afternoon slump.

When we went, we were early for lunch on an uneventful Saturday, but the restaurant still buzzed with atmosphere.

The staff were friendly and extremely helpful – and no meal there would be complete without a chat with Maria, who is unbeaten in town for character.

ONE FROM SEVENTEEN Brought to you by Seventeen, One Warwick Park Hotel A career as a chef is one of the most challenging yet rewarding careers in hospitality. Our talented team in the kitchen at SEVENTEEN are a close knit department who thrive under pressure and enjoy the rewards that come with it. This week we speak to our Junior Sous Chef, Lukas Mitkas who tells us about his journey as a chef so far…

How long have you been in the industry?

I have been a chef for 17 years. I started working in the Czech Republic where I studied for three years. Shortly after finishing I decided I wanted to pursue my career in the UK. What made you decide to become a chef?

From a very early age cooking has been a big thing for me. My grandparents would always cook for the family and it was a great way to get everyone together to celebrate whilst enjoying some amazing dishes. Food is always the heart of any great event.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a chef? For me it would be making people happy and creating memories of some of the lovely dishes we produce. Whether it is a birthday meal, a meet up with old friends or a first date, food is always the focus and it’s great to be able to show off what you can do!

Do you have a key piece of advice for someone wishing to pursue a career as a chef?

If you are a hard worker this is the place for you – and you certainly get what you put in. Within the kitchen team you are always part of a family: You learn new things every day and are always able to implement these skills in everyday life.

We are looking for new talent to join our kitchen team, if you think you have what it takes send across your CV to leisuremarketing@markerstudy.com.

To enjoy some of the delicious dishes at SEVENTEEN call 01892 520 587 to make a booking or visit www.onewarwickpark. co.uk to view our menu.

Food & Drink

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

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Say ‘I will’ to these wonderful wedding day wines The nuptial season is upon us – and with tomorrow’s National Wedding Day looming [Thursday, June 21], Times Drinks Editor James Viner turns his attention to sourcing some good quality wines for your big day…

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ITH each couple inviting around 75 wedding guests, at an average cost of £25,000, brides and grooms are increasingly looking for ways to make their funds go further.

If you’re flummoxed by what to serve at your approaching celebration, then here are four Gallic purse – and bridal – friendly vinous proposals which are sure to receive a great reception.

1. BARGAIN RED WINE CHAMPION FROM BORDEAUX

2016 The Society’s Claret, Bordeaux (13%, £6.75, The Wine Society) Step back, this is how you do it: Get your seasoned buyer to blend a juicy, merlot-dominated bestselling house claret in the cellars of one of Bordeaux’s most respected merchants. The palate is medium-bodied and plush fruited with easy-quaffing notes of brambly blackcurrants, forest fruit and plums. It slips easily through the mouth but shows excellent intensity of flavour throughout. Tannin is supple and ultrafine; length doesn’t dissatisfy. Not especially complex, but this lip-smacking, unoaked crowd-pleaser offers brilliant value, and was one of this year’s Wine Society ‘Champions’. Bang on for beef, steak and the cheese course. Order by the case now as it will sell out very fast. Drink this year and next.

Membership of The Wine Society would make an outstanding wedding present (£40 for a lifetime).

2. A CRISP & DRY WHITE ALL-ROUNDER QUAFFER YOU CAN’T REFUSE

2017 Famille Perrin La Vieille Ferme Blanc, France (13%, £6.49, Co-op: offer until July 10, down from £7.49; £7.99, Waitrose) Bring a blast of sunshine to your wedding day with this bone-dry and breezy, almondblossom and yellow-peach scented blend from the fashionable undulating Luberon massif,

where the southern Rhône meets Provence: It’s a cracker. A quaffable fragrant bargain white with ripe Midi fruit blended from bourboulenc, grenache/ugni blanc, vermentino and roussanne.

Easy to enjoy on its own all summer long, or open for Mediterranean cuisine, chicken or fish. This canny négociant wine brand from one of France’s great winemaking families consistently ticks the boxes, and is down to £6.49 at the Co-op until July 10. Flaws (at this price) – it has none. The tangy, food-friendly Vieille Ferme rosé is also down to £5.99 at Waitrose until July 10.

You have the scoop. Act fast!

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3. STAR SUB-£10 PRISTINE & ELEGANT WEDDING RECEPTION FIZZ

2015 Exquisite Crémant du Jura Chardonnay, France (13%, £7.99, Aldi) Finding respectable fizz for around a tenner is getting more and more challenging, but this super-enticing traditional method bottle from cool Jura, which is drier than Prosecco, fits the bill. I love the delicately biscuity, citrusy palate and lemon-zest finish. Ultra-toothsome, stylish and compelling value, it makes a wonderfully welcoming wedding reception aperitif that’s perfect to pour with nibbles. Give it a whirl before you buy it by the case: I can’t recommend it enough. Say ‘I do’ to Aldi’s other star walletfriendly wedding fizz — the cracking Veuve Monsigny Brut NV champagne (£10.99) works out at just £2.00 a glass! Great value when you have a crowd. The discount grocer’s just launched a dedicated wedding wine advice website to help shoppers create a day fit for royalty, without the premium price tag. Go to www.aldi.co.uk/ weddings

4. CLASSY TOASTY TOASTING CHAMPAGNE

Piper-Heidsieck Brut NV Champagne (12%, £22 offer Sainsbury’s & Amazon; £30, Asda) If it’s got to be a big, historic champagne house, Piper-Heidsieck is the perfect choice and has been on a roll of increasing quality since it was sold by Rémy Cointreau in 2011. This is a stunning elite Non-Vintage champagne oozing surprisingly racy strawberry, red apple, pear, hazelnut and buttered brioche flavours — you should definitely consider raising a glass of it at your wedding. Complex and engaging, it’s a very satisfying black-grape dominated (mostly pinot noir), full-flavoured champagne of exceptional depth and class – you’ll be staggered by its bravura. Cheers!

Follow James on Twitter @QuixoticWine

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Wednesday June 20 | 2018

The masters of the trade After celebrating 12 years of Soprano Tapas and Wine Bar and one year of Coco Retro, the Di Santo brothers, Maurizio and Ivan, seem to only be going from strength to strength. Now able to add their newest venture, Le Cave, to their list of culinary successes, Hannah Patterson sits down with Ivan Di Santo to meet one of the faces behind two of Tunbridge Wells’ most popular eateries…

FAMILY TRADE Maurizio (right) and Ivan Di Santo (left)

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HERE have been many occasions when friends of mine from abroad have referred to me as ‘far too British’.

More often than not, they are referring to my unwillingness to flag exceptionally terrible service in any eating or drinking establishment, even when the food is inedible and I have no more than a bite.

Do I complain? Absolutely not. I’m sorry, I can’t help it.

Consequently, it’s always a great relief to enter a restaurant that understands truly outstanding hospitality. After all, it’s much easier not to complain when there is nothing to complain about.

Great service is an art form, a skill that needs to be mastered, and can often be hard to come by, so imagine my delight when I first visited Soprano Tapas and Wine Bar almost four years ago.

Soprano, the child of the gastronomy dream team (and brothers) Maurizio and Ivan Di Santo, is celebrating 12 years on Tunbridge Wells’ high street this year. Their move to Kent, following six years of managing London restaurant Paparazzi, was due to a wish for their own site.

But why did two brothers, who grew up

surrounded by the cuisine of their home in the southern regions of Italy, decide to throw their efforts into Spanish cuisine?

“We actually began with an Italian restaurant [located at what is now the Giggling Squid in Tunbridge Wells],” Ivan tells me, “and we were there for four years. But, at the time, there weren’t many large chains in town. When they began opening up, the Italian market became saturated.

“Although Italian cuisine was our first love, we have to live as well. So, we made the move to a quality Spanish offering.”

It’s always a relief to enter a restaurant that understands truly outstanding hospitality And quality it most certainly is. It is an extensive menu that caters for every requirement; from carnivores to vegetarians alike.

“Our menu is certainly popular. We tried to mix it up once,” he laughs, “but there was such an uproar when we made the changes that we stopped. If the customers love it, then we’re happy.”

However, it’s not simply the food that launched Soprano into the culinary stratosphere. It’s their expert mixology that serves up some of the best cocktails to be found this side of London; 16 delectable delights

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Wednesday June 20 | 2018

including classic cocktails and some new creations. There’s even one named for it’s home: Soprano – a dizzying concoction of Calados white rum, amber rum, Amaretto, mango juice and fresh lime, topped off with a cinnamon stick.

But in the spirit of true entrepreneurs, why have one success when you can have two?

Coco Retro opened its doors in 2017 and sought to provide a fresh take on modern French cuisine.

“This was, in part, inspired by Anissa,” Ivan says, referring to Maurizio’s wife, Anissa Germain – another local entrepreneur and owner of Bora Pilates Studio. “Her heritage is French, so it was a natural direction to evolve in.

“They are two completely different concepts.

Soprano has a large focus on the cocktails, whereas Coco offers a more relaxed and classic dining experience.”

The brothers clearly have staying power.

Perhaps this is due to their impeccable attention to detail and the little flourishes they add to the dining experience: From the famous quotes they pin to their cocktails and the interiors reminiscent of a jazz-age Parisian café, to the transformative soundtrack that makes you feel like you’re stepping out of Tunbridge Wells altogether when you set foot in the door.

Coco Retro has been steadily building momentum over the past year and is fast becoming another staple in the town.

Their secret?

“Passion.” Ivan answers. “The key is believing in what we do. Whatever we take on, we throw our all into.”

This passion is evident in a number of ways.

Both Maurizio and Ivan are almost always on site, and simply don’t believe in remote managing, even if it means seven-day weeks.

They are also dedicated supporters of local. Coco Retro’s unique look can be accredited to local interior designer Gina Furia Luigi from 32mq design studio in Tunbridge Wells, and their suppliers include Sankey’s, Fullers Butchers, Adams Wholesale and Sussex Kitchen: “We are a local restaurant, we use local suppliers.”

There’s also no denying they’re business savvy. Both keep their fingers on the pulse, keen to fill gaps in the Tunbridge Wells market, and their recent development is the newest answer to a suspected want and need.

“From our perspective, there seemed to be no private dining options that didn’t involve spending a lot of money or hiring out entire venues,” says Ivan.

Their solution? Le Cave.

Previously only serving as the Coco Retro wine cellar, the intimate space is now also a private dining area that caters for up to 16 guests. With an array of wine bottles lining the walls and an atmosphere nodding towards the secrecy of the Prohibitionera, Le Cave has proved extremely popular since its opening six-months ago and has been close to fully-booked since.

“We can cater to any budget and taste,” he says. “We don’t want set menus – that’s boring. We

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LE CAVE A new private dining area

want guests to meet our chefs.

We want them to discuss menus and taste the wine.

No two customers are the same and it doesn’t serve to be restrictive.

It’s also not exclusive – costs can range from £15.95 to £300.”

Like so many local success stories, word-of-mouth has been a friend to Maurizio and Ivan. They haven’t advertised Le Cave until recently and have been succeeding solely on requests for business cards by guests.

Perhaps it’s their life-long experience in customer service, or maybe it’s the fantastic food and dreamy cocktails; either way, the Di Santo brothers are here to stay, and I for one could not be happier about it.

SOPRANO TAPAS & WINE BAR 56 High Street, Tunbridge Wells 01892 535842 | www.sopranowinebar.co.uk COCO RETRO 7 Vale Road, Tunbridge Wells 01892 522773 | www.cocoretro.com

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Engineering a path to success Local man Nick Lawson is making his mark on the business scene with the launch of Blu Resourcing, a sister company to the already established Blu Coal. Here, the Times catches up with him to find out how he went from electrician to entrepreneur…

IN CHARGE Local man Nick Lawson

Where does Blu Resourcing fit into the current market?

Blu Resourcing seemed like a natural progression following the success of Blu Coal, an agency I set up over two years ago that recruits nationally in the construction and built environment. My employees are all local to Tunbridge Wells, as am I, and know the area and businesses well.

I like to think we can bring something new to the town as we have a really dynamic team who work by a strict code of practice and put a huge emphasis on building relationships.

Tunbridge Wells is such an exciting town to be a business owner in. There is a huge amount of talent locally, which is growing year on year. Our hope is to grow and employ more people from the area.

What is the mission of the company?

Our mission is to be an agency that local businesses can trust to provide the best candidates in the area for each role. We believe in long-term connections and taking the time to really listen to the needs of clients and candidates alike. We are the best at what we do nationally and are eager to roll out the same ethos locally.

In your opinion, what’s the key to finding the perfect candidate?

The key is listening: Getting to the bottom of exactly what a person wants from a job and not just ticking boxes.

People spend a huge majority of their time at work, so it becomes not just a job, but a lifestyle.

We want to send the right talent into the right roles so that they can thrive and be happy, and consequently do the best job for their employer that is possible.

Nick, tell us about your own professional history and how you came to be in the recruitment industry…

I was never one for school, so I left when I was 16 years old in order to do a four-year electrical apprenticeship to qualify as an electrician.

After a further four years of working on sites, I decided that I wanted to see a bit of the world and explore different opportunities. I’d set my mind to it, so I packed a bag, went to the South of France and walked the docks until I managed to blag a spot as an engineer on Roman Abramovich’s super yacht.

This led to further training in Germany and four years of sailing the Mediterranean.

Although the experience was incredible, I became bored of being surrounded by luxuries I couldn’t afford and made the decision to come home.

Having always been money-driven, I wanted to get into sales and it was Nick Moore who took me on to work for a Markerstudy start up, giving me an introduction to a sales environment and a bug for what that sort of career could offer.

An opportunity arose in London to be an engineering recruitment consultant, making use of my technical background, so I moved to London, joined Eden Brown and ended up being the highest-billing permanent consultant in the UK.

When you were younger, did you imagine this is the path your career would take?

Has it always been the dream to run your own company?

Well I can’t say that I grew up dreaming of being a recruiter, but I always knew that I wanted my own business and I have always enjoyed talking to people, so this sort of felt like the best of both!

What are the challenges you’ve faced in making your dream a reality?

It is always a big leap leaving employment to go out on your own, but I made the step before starting a family or taking on any big commitments. I also had the support of friends and family, which helped in a big way.

What advice would you give for budding entrepreneurs?

Do not listen to negative people. If you have conviction in your ideas then follow it through and don’t give up on the first hurdles. There will always be challenges along the way. More often than not, risks do pay off if you stick to it and put in the hard work.

Now that Blu Resourcing is established, what can we expect from the future?

Tunbridge Wells is such an exciting town to be a business owner in. There is a huge amount of talent locally, which is growing year on year. Our hope is to grow and employ more people from the area. We also want to continue to support local charities such as the Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre – a fantastic cause that we already work with and look forward to helping more in the future.

BLU COAL LTD. 15a High Street Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1UT www.blucoal.com 01892 234999 admin@blucoal.com

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Wednesday June 20 | 2018

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THE KEY TO SECURITY GET YOURSELF CONNECTED

tech

Whether you’re hiking, camping or travelling, this showerproof portable solar charger, which is IOS and Android compatible, is perfect for those tech enthusiasts who also love the wonders of the outdoors. Simply open it up and place in direct sunlight for optimum charging potential. The Foldable Solar Panel, £39.99, www.7dayshop.com

AN ILLUMINATING IDEA The Philips EcoPro50 provides a portable and powerful rechargeable projector lamp which lights up large dark areas when working on vehicles. It has a long-lasting battery providing up to six hours of continuous use, and delivers up to 1,000 lumen (10W) in boost mode, giving off a super-wide beam of consistently bright light. Prices start from £40, available from all major retailers.

The YubiKey is designed to protect you from cyber hacking. Its small USB-style stick enables users to employ a process known as Two-FactorAuthentication (2FA), which means you can log in using both your password and the YubiKey to securely access sites and online services.

YubiKey, £32, (including delivery). www.yubico.com

Must-have gadgets

State of the art technology Theknow brings you the latest tech and clever time-saving gadgets and widgets to make your life easier and more enjoyable. Eileen Leahy picks her top tech essentials

POWERED BY

SNAP HAPPY FINISHING TOUCH The Pro 3 stylus has a new precision disc that not only creates a precise contact point with the screen, but also has been engineered into one piece for added stability.

Featuring a textured grip etched on to the barrel of the stylus, it can work with apps such as GoodNotes along with drawing/ design apps. Adonit Pro 3 Universal Stylus, £29.99, www.amazon.com

Meet your new personal eyewitness on the road. Boasting excellent day and near night-vision quality, it will record your journeys so that if anything untoward should happen you will have it all taped. And in this day and age with cash for crash scams and irresponsible uninsured drivers at an all-time high, this is a handy piece of kit. Mio MiVue 792 WiFi Pro – Full HD 1080p at 60 fps In Car Dash Cam, £181.99, www.amazon.com

RECORD ACHIEVEMENT Isn’t it annoying when you go to look for your headphones, only to find them totally tangled in your bag or pocket? Well, let cable chaos be a thing of the past courtesy of this clever little gadget, nattily fashioned in the shape of a record,

which allows you to wind your listening lead around it. Vinyl record

earphone cable tidy, £2.95, Rex London, www.rexlondon.com

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Look Good, Feel Good

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

A floral tribute

TEAMWORK David and Julia Bridger

Husband and wife team David and Julia Bridger are behind the fine fragrance company Parterre, the only British brand that grows, harvests and distils its key ingredients here in the UK. Having just launched its triptych of artisan scents into Hoopers, Eileen Leahy spoke to them about their passion for perfume…

Please can you tell us a brief history of Parterre?

It was conceived approximately four years ago.

We bought Keyneston Mill in Dorset, the home of Parterre, specifically in order to grow, harvest and distil the key ingredients for our fragrances.

Our first oils were produced in the autumn of 2016 and the resulting perfumes, created by our Master Perfumer in Grasse, were launched at

Fortnum & Mason in October 2017.

What are your backgrounds?

Mine was in photography, design and luxury holiday destinations while David studied interior design as well as business and marketing.

David’s family have farmed for many generations, and we took over the family property and ran it together for several years after David’s father passed away. We then moved to Keyneston Mill where we started cultivating different botanicals and flowers.

What made you decide to launch a fragrance brand?

We both love perfume and we wanted to do something creative using our combined interests and expertise. It was a chance visit to Grasse while travelling in France that convinced us that perfume was the route for us!

What gives Parterre its USP? We believe we are the only fine

fragrance brand that grows, harvests and distils the key ingredients for its perfumes in the UK from seed to bottle. All our perfumes are limited editions because they contain our distilled oils.

We can only produce a limited amount of each oil per year and this dictates the number of bottles.

Each bottle and box is individually numbered by hand with the limited edition number.

How did you come up with the name Parterre?

Parterre literally means ‘of the earth’ which we feel is very relevant to our brand. As many garden lovers will know, it is also a term used in the UK as well as in France for a formal garden with symmetric paths and beds edged with low hedges, often of aromatic herbs or lavender.

And what’s the inspiration behind each individual fragrance’s notes and names?

Run of the River takes its olfactory cue from our home Keyneston Mill which lies alongside the River Stour and so the name also reflects the fresh, lively nature of the perfume. Root of all

Look Good, Feel Good

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

Goodness is named after the key perfume ingredient, vetiver root. Vetiver is usually grown in Haiti or Java, and we believe we are the only UK grower to produce vetiver. And finally A Tribute to Edith is named after the French singer, Edith Piaf, whose most famous song is called La Vie en Rose.

The idea was that it should be a sophisticated, quite edgy rose fragrance, reminiscent of the jazz era in Paris!

Whereabouts are Parterre fragrances stocked and how do you select each retailer?

Parterre perfumes are available at Fortnum & Mason and The Conran Shop in London and also in Paris. Hoopers in Tunbridge Wells is one of a few specially selected regional outlets.

Why did you decide to stock it in Tunbridge Wells and Hoopers specifically?

Tunbridge Wells is a really attractive town in a beautiful part of the world, with excellent cafés,

ALL IN THE MIX: Some of the key oils used

restaurants and shopping so it was an obvious choice for us. Hoopers were really enthusiastic when we approached them, and we are delighted to be in their store.

What are your future plans for the Parterre brand?

We have two new fragrances that we are working on at the moment which we hope to launch later this year - unfortunately we can’t divulge further details at this time so watch this space!

RICH PICKINGS Keyneston Mill, where Parterre’s ingredients are grown and harvested

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Travel

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

8 Things to do when you go Dutch by train

With a new Eurostar route to The Netherlands, Lauren Taylor discovers the cultural art of exploring The Hague and Delft…

MAKE YOUR OWN Lauren Taylor at Royal Delft Know where to look, and through several alleyways lie beautiful courtyards of hidden houses, originally almshouses built for maids who worked for aristocracy when they retired.

Today, the 115 homes in The Hague are still strictly women-only communities.

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Stroll around the pretty canals of Delft If it’s quintessentially Dutch canals you want, then Delft – a short tram ride from The Hague – is made up of 11 ‘islands’, 88 bridges and a canal system that’s over 750 years old.

A huge fire destroyed two thirds of this small city in 1654. Most of the wooden houses burned down, but some of the surviving stone buildings still remain – and the oldest house, dating back to 1548, sits opposite famed fish restaurant, Visbanken, that’s been serving since 1342.

Delft’s most famous resident was Vermeer, born here and buried at the Oude Kerk (old church), although his house (and Rembrandt’s) were knocked down in the 19th century because neither of the painters were well known.

Meanwhile, the Oude En Nieuw (new church) on Delft’s main square – a cattle market until the 70s – is where every member of the Dutch Royal family is buried.

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ISLANDS IN THE STREAM Delft city centre

W

HEN most people think of a minibreak in The Netherlands, they imagine the romantic winding canals, late-night bars and red light district of hedonistic Amsterdam.

But a 25-minute train ride from Rotterdam – now serviced by a new direct outbound Eurostar route from London – is The Hague, the home FAMED INSPIRATION Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring

of the Dutch Parliament, royal family and the International Court of Justice. Often overlooked by British travellers for being more understated in its glamour, it is in many ways The Netherlands’ most important city, and hosts some of the most significant Dutch art masterpieces.

Here’s how to explore The Hague, and it’s smaller neighbour, Delft…

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See the masterpieces at The Mauritshuis Many come for one painting only – the Girl with a Pearl Earring by Delft artist Johannes Vermeer – which inspired a novel in 1999 and a film with Scarlett Johansson in 2003.

It’s held at the world-renowned Mauritshuis art museum, home to some of the most famous paintings from the Golden Age of Dutch art, which spanned the 17th century.

There are three Vermeers, several Jan Steens and more Rembrandts than in Amsterdam, including The Anatomy Lesson (1632) – one of his earliest masterpieces, of leading physician Dr Nicolaes Tulp giving an anatomy lesson to an audience of surgeons – one in a series of group portraits made for the Guild of Surgeons.

The Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius – which found its way into pop culture with Donna Tartt’s novel of the same name – also hangs next door to the Mauritshusis Vermeers.

The 17th-century building is a masterpiece in itself, hailed as one of the world’s greatest small museums, and sitting next to parliament buildings on the Hofvijver pond.

Tickets: E15.50 (under-19s free) www.mauritshuis.nl/en

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Marvel at The Hague’s architecture Strolling between parliament buildings and the royal residences in The Hague, there’s a very real possibility of bumping into the Prime Minister outside the Gothic Binnenhof castle or (perhaps) catching a glimpse of royalty exiting Nooredeinde Palace.

“Amsterdam is beautiful, but it’s all the same,” says local guide Remco Dorr. But in The Hague you can get lost in the higgledy-piggledy streets, with medieval and art nouveau styles existing in harmony with the modern skyline, and where there are no straight lines, because the city was built on sand dunes. (Seriously – stumble across any building work and there’ll be sand underfoot).

Discover Dutch history at the Museum Prinsenhof The Prinsenhof began as a convent, then became the court of William of Orange – known as the founder and ‘father’ of Holland – and it’s now an excellent museum.

It was also the location of William’s murder in 1701 (the first political one in history), and visitors can still see the bullet holes in the wall.

William of Orange’s legacy was bringing the provinces together, standing for freedom of speech, and the right to choose one’s own religion (the Catholic faith was banned in the 16th century), and these values are still in the constitution.

There’s a portrait of each king or queen since William I (aka Prince of Orange), right up to the current head of state, King Willem-Alexander, and visitors can learn all about how the muchloved, uber-modern Dutch royal family came

HOFVIJVER POND Surrounded by the Dutch Parliament buildings and Mauritshuis Art Museum

Travel

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

about (today, many of them have normal jobs and send their children to comprehensive schools).

Tickets: E12, audio tours are E1 extra, and tours with a guide can be arranged for E80 per group.

Book at www.prinsenhof-delft.nl/en

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Make your own Royal Delft Aside from Vermeer, Delft’s most famous export is pottery – the exclusive Royal Delft with it’s trademark blue on white design.

The last remaining earthenware factory that has produced and painstakingly hand-painted original Delft Blue for 365 years is now also a museum. The real highlight, though, is an opportunity to make your own piece of pottery, or copy a traditional Delft blue design under the supervision of a Royal Delft painter. It will be fired in the same way as the professional earthenware, and sent back to you.

Tickets: E13.50, or tour plus vase workshop: E49.50. Book at www.royaldelft.com/en_gb

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Sample modern Dutch cuisine at 6&24 The Netherlands isn’t as well known for its cuisine as France or Italy, unless you count the world’s love of Gouda, but The Hague has a culinary scene that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Newly opened 6&24 is typically Dutch, with mid-century-style decor, an open kitchen and intricate, creative plates of food made with local ingredients. The tasting menus of four (E45), five (E55) or six (E65) courses change daily (vegetarian options are E5 less), and each à la carte meat or fish dish comes two different ways.

Try the langoustine with paprika, corn bread, tarragon and nashi pear starter, or the rhubarb, buttermilk and Thai green curry dessert.

Book at www.restaurant6en24.nl

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Go back in time at Hotel Des Indes For a trip bathed in history, staying in The Hague’s legendary Hotel Des Indes seems fitting. Built in 1858 as a palace for an adviser to the King, the grand marble pillars and circular inner court were once a horse and

carriage entrance, but now you can breakfast in the decadent red velvet-clad restaurant instead.

The rooms are opulent yet cosy, and high tea is something of an institution here.

The hotel also happens to be perfectly located for the Escher in Het Paleis, which features the largest collection of MC Escher works in the world – the great Dutch graphic artist known for ‘impossible’ lithographs and woodcuts, playing tricks on the mind with infinity and perspective.

The Queen Mother Emma’s winter residence is also across the street.

Prices start at E155 per night and breakfast costs E31.50pp. www.hoteldesindesthehague.com

DREAM DESTINATIONS…

SCHEVENINGEN Fun on the beach

How to get there Eurostar fares from London St Pancras to Rotterdam on the new direct three-hour service cost from E35 one way, (Business Premier from £260). Onward travel to The Hague is under E5. Currently, return journeys involve a change in Brussels.

For more information on visiting The Netherlands, go to www.holland.com

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Whether you go global or stay local, there are some amazing travel deals to be had this week

Escape to the country

Bel & The Dragon has launched a new Bed and Brunch Friday night package at its country inns across the South East, enabling guests to seize the weekend and start it in style.

Rather than the usual bed and breakfast experience, Saturdays begin with a leisurely lie-in before enjoying an indulgent two-course brunch with a bottle of Prosecco to share between two. The package is priced £150, based on two sharing one of Bel & The Dragon’s comfortable double en-suite rooms at its sites in Cookham, Churt, Reading, Odiham and Kingsclere until the end of July 2018. For more information, visit www.belandthedragon.co.uk

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Get seaside vibes at Scheveningen The shoreline of The Hague is a blend of old-school grandeur and nostalgic seaside holiday fun. It’s no Miami Beach, but there’s a retro charm to the endless sands and pleasure pier at Scheveningen, with its ferris wheel and zip line perched at the end over the sea. www.denhaag.com/en/scheveningen

thekn w.guide

Turning Japanese

If you love cycling and travel, then why not bike around Japan’s stunning Noto Peninsula?

This self-guided exploration takes in the Ishikawa Prefecture, which is known for its breathtaking Sea of Japan coastline and abundant nature.

It’s also home to the country’s finest seafood, and you can take a lovely coastal road to a hillside of 2,000 terraced rice fields overlooking the sea.

The seven-day trip costs from £1,550 pp (two sharing), including B&B, five dinners, all excursions and the services of a local guide.

International flights excluded. Call TravelLocal on 0117 3257898 or visit www.travellocal.com

Family fun

Need ideas for a summer break? Then how about this seven-night holiday to Tenerife. The price is from £3,399 per family of three, and will save you up to £748 (18%) in total.

Staying at the 5-star Hotel Bahia Del Duque on a B&B basis, the offer includes a 28% room discount, one free lunch with wine at the Beach Club per person, a bottle of wine in the room, one free spa entry per adult, a welcome gift for the children, UK airport security fast passes and access to N°1 Lounges, private resort transfers and return flights from London Gatwick with Norwegian Airlines. Based on departures July 24 2018.

Book at Sovereign Luxury Travel 01293 832 459 or visit www.sovereign.com

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Motoring

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

Motoring News

A look at what’s happening in and around the world of motoring

Formula One needs to be more unpredictable

E-Pace can do the thinking for you JAGUAR’S E-Pace SUV is now available with AI technology and adaptive suspension, as well as a new petrol engine.

The cutting-edge artificial intelligence system allows the car to ‘learn’ a driver’s habits and adjust the vehicle’s settings accordingly to make everyday life a little easier.

For instance, it’s able to tell when the driver is approaching by sensing the key fob and the user’s smartphone Bluetooth signal.

It will then adjust the seat, climate control and infotainment systems according to the driver’s normal settings. The system will adapt over time and will be able to turn on the heated steering wheel on a cold day, or play a certain type of media on any particular day.

In addition, the car can remind the driver if they’ve forgotten their smartphone.

Jaguar has also added adaptive dynamics suspension. This allows the car to better respond to changes in road surface, and therefore provide better control while reducing the amount of body roll.

A new 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine has also been added to the E-Pace’s drivetrains.

It’s the first time it has been available with the 197bhp unit, which is able to power the car to 60mph in 7.7 seconds while returning 34.4mpg on the combined cycle and emitting 186g/km of CO2.

Prices for the Jaguar E-Pace start at £28,500, with cars fitted with the new engine starting at £33,260.

A CALL has been put out by former F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg for the FIA [Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile] to cap team costs and simplify the cars to make the sport ‘as entertaining as possible’.

Rosberg, who won the title in 2016 and retired less than a week later, thinks Formula One’s Sporting Director, Ross Brawn, and the FIA need to bring the cost of running teams down to level the playing field.

He said: “The aerodynamics at the moment are too complex, so it’s too difficult to follow other cars and therefore more difficult to overtake.”

Adding that costs ‘have spiralled out of control’, he said: “The FIA

Nico Rosberg

should on focus on capping costs a little bit, or a lot, just to increase this unpredictability and to make the budgets the teams have a little less important.

“It would also give opportunities to teams with slightly smaller budgets to fight at the front and win some races from time to time.”

Campaign Rosberg did say, however, that the 2018 season has been very entertaining so far, with Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo sharing six race wins.

“We can all agree that it’s been a great season so far, you never really know who is going to win,” Rosberg said. “You need that unpredictability, and that’s fantastic.”

The Press Association spoke to Rosberg when he was promoting the ‘When You Drive, Never Drink’ campaign from Heineken.

When asked about the campaign, he said: “I hope I can be the perfect guy to portray this message as it’s all about no compromise, which is how I lived my life to win a World Championship.”

Vauxhall sets out its stall for going electric as new city car is named VAUXHALL is to call the upcoming all-electric version of its popular Corsa city car the eCorsa, it has been announced.

Parent company PSA also confirmed the zero-emissions vehicle will be produced at its Opel/Vauxhall plant in Spain from 2020.

Speaking at a Vauxhall press event in Russelsheim, Germany, Michael Lohscheller, Chief Executive of Opel Automobiles GmBH, said: “Our entire portfolio will be available with an electrified option by 2024. We will go electric and we will go global, and are leaving no stone unturned.”

The new model is being developed in partnership with the next-generation Peugeot 208. It comes as one of the first all-new models to be produced by Vauxhall while under PSA control.

The regular Corsa, which will be powered by a range of petrol and diesel engines, is set to arrive next year. Its powertrain options will likely be shared with the 208, with a more economical BlueHDi diesel offered alongside an updated PureTech petrol engine. The all-electric version, meanwhile, will follow in 2020.

Vauxhall will also be launching a plug-in electric version of its Grandland X SUV. Set to be produced in Eisenbach, Germany, it is another step in the brand’s plan to introduce four electrified models by 2020.

The manufacturer says this will share the production line with the regular Grandland X, and will be capable of hitting 60mph from standstill in just under seven seconds thanks to the additional punch brought by the electric motor. The Grandland X PHEV is also set to arrive in 2020 alongside the eCorsa.

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Recruitment

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

WITH THE

FIND YOUR PERFECT JOB TODAY – A MUST-READ FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR WORK LOCALLY

Fill your vacancy now in print or online

From just £99 For more information contact our commercial team on 01892 779650

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

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To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

1

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5 9

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14 4

4

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7 3

17

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Numbers are substituted for letters in the crossword grid. Above the grid is the key with two letters solved. Try to complete the first few words to give you more letters, or look for a frequent number that might reveal a common letter. As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid. Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

1 6 5 4 8 2 4

1 8 7

CLASSIFIEDS

Codeword:

6 2

17 26

6 7

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

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DIFFICULTY RATING:★★★I

3

4 8 7 6 4

2 3 5 6

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

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DIFFICULTY RATING: ★III

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LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU

In this Sudoku, the normal 3x3 boxes are now strangely odd shapes – but all the rules and logic of normal Sudoku apply.

Fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and box contains every number uniquely.

Puzzle solutions will be published in a forthcoming issue

P OM P E I A O M P E T R I U I T A D V I S E E J E S T E R E L Z E B R A E L P B R U I S E E F E L I F T S

I E X M M P A P R A R R E Q S T E S T M A C CO R A S R H H E Y AWN

A L T D R I K A E W U A L E H E R O U N T D H I NO N N I N G

4 5 3 2 1 7 6 8 9

6 8 2 4 3 9 1 7 5

2 3 4 1 7 8 5 9 6

8 6 9 5 4 2 7 3 1

9 5 8 7 1 6 4 2 3

2 4 3 5 7 1 8 6 9

4 2 9 6 5 3 1 8 7

Sudoku:

7 4 5 9 8 1 2 6 3

1 2 8 3 6 4 9 5 7

3 9 6 7 2 5 4 1 8

9 7 1 8 5 6 3 4 2

5 1 7 6 9 3 8 2 4

Jigsaw Sudoku:

7 6 5 3 8 2 9 1 4

8 1 2 4 9 7 3 5 6

6 9 1 2 3 4 5 7 8

3 7 4 1 6 8 2 9 5

5 3 6 8 2 9 7 4 1

1 8 7 9 4 5 6 3 2

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

CODEWORD

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Puzzles

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

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Sport

Jota’s new team are driven to limit of endurance at Le Mans

By Adam Hignett MOTORSPORT: A SERIES of unfortunate events prevented Jota Sport from repeating last year’s historic victory at Le Mans 24 Hours.

The Frant-based outfit, which runs two cars in the LMP2 class on behalf of Jackie Chan DC Racing, were left with two top 10 class finishes in a race which at one point was looking far worse.

However, they were later bumped up to fourth and sixth places after the G-Drive TDS Racing team were stripped of their victory for using an illegal device to speed up refuelling stops.

G-Drive, who plan to appeal the decision, produced a faultless run to win by two laps but the honours went to Signatech Alpine Oreca’s No 36.

The third place 28 TDS Racing entry was also stripped of its podium place for the same offence.

Last year Chan’s DC Racing came first and second in the LMP2 class – and second and third overall – an unprecedented achievement for a team competing in the junior prototype class.

But only one driver, Ho Pin Tung, remained from last season and there were persistent difficulties in optimising the two cars for a new line-up.

Hopes that the race itself would prove more fortuitous were dashed when the No 37 car suffered extensive damage as two LMP1 cars collided in front of it on the first corner of the race.

Bad luck also struck the No 38 after debris on the track resulted in two punctures within an hour, sending the car hurtling down the ranks.

Jota did, however, manage to avoid the general

RECOVERY VEHICLE Ho Pin Tung crosses the line for Jota and Jackie Chan DC Racing attrition of this ultimate endurance test, which this year saw 180 drivers in 60 cars battle it out over four classes. Around three quarters of these cars saw the chequered flag.

With determined driving and well-executed pit stops the two Jota cars fought their way back up to sixth and eighth places.

The result will keep Jota competitive in the World Endurance Championship, which now consists of a newly structured ‘super season’ that will include next year’s 24-hour race as well.

Sam Hignett, team principle and co-founder of Jota, said: “It was a highly emotional race, but unfortunately not for the same reasons as last year.

“It was always going to be hard to repeat the

Tonbridge 179 lost to Downham & Bellingham 180-7 by 3 wkts CRICKET: TONBRIDGE were full of confidence after a resounding win last week against local rivals Cowdrey but were brought back down to earth at Downing & Bellingham.

The bright spot for the visitors was a fivewicket haul for Chirag Patel, less than 24 hours after the birth of his new baby boy.

Visiting captain Matt Smiles won the toss and looked to capitalise on short boundaries and a good-looking pitch by choosing to bat.

But they lost both openers early, and Mike Topham (21) and Ben Salt set about rebuilding with a partnership of 42.

Clarke’s heroics help Cowdrey to reach big target High Halstow 267-6 lost to Cowdrey 268-6 by 4 wkts

By Stuart Clarke

same feat. We were realistic about our prospects.

“Endurance racing relies to a degree on luck, although you want to ensure you don’t have to rely on it too much. This year it was not on our side.”

He added: “The drivers and pit crew pulled out all the stops to overcome every adverse situation.

I am exceedingly proud of our final positions.

“We have not lost heart, we will assess what could be done better and learn from our mistakes. The super season is young and all eyes are now on 2019 and the races ahead.”

Toyota secured its first ever Le Mans victory in the LMP1 class and overall with Formula One icon Fernando Alonso making his debut for the Japanese team.

New dad Patel celebrates on Father’s Day

By Martin Batley

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

Please send sports stories to: newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk

Two more quick wickets left Tonbridge in a precarious position on 91 for 5 and Salt running out of partners.

It took a hard-fought season’s best of 29 from Chait Kurusala to put them back on course to post a reasonable target.

Below par After Kurusala and Salt (47) eventually fell, Smiles and Ben Peters raised the total to a competitive but below-par 179 all out. Dan Risk was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 23.

With Tonbridge needing a good start, Martin Batley thought he had taken a wicket with his

first delivery as the ball ricocheted between David Powell’s bat and pads on to the stumps, but failed to remove the bails.

Powell (31) took advantage of this good fortune and built a strong opening partnership of 79 with Joe Bumstead.

Smiles made a breakthrough, which led to a minor collapse as Patel (5 for 33) grabbed three wickets, leaving the home side on 97 for 4.

Ryan Turner went on the charge and cracked six boundaries in a quick-fire innings of 36 to bring Downing to the brink of victory.

The watchful Bumstead eventually fell for 55 off 101 deliveries but Downing & Bellingham eased to victory on 180 for 7.

Tonbridge will look to get back on track at home against Old Colfeians on Saturday [June 23].

CRICKET: AFTER last week’s derby defeat Cowdrey got back to winning ways with a trip to Rayners Meadow in Kent League Division Four.

The hosts High Halstow elected to bat on what looked a flat deck with a lightening outfield. Ryan Addison made the breakthrough, but that brought High Halstow skipper and danger man Chris Maurice to the crease.

The returning Thom Brown removed opener Steve Lapthorn for 35. But Maurice and Tyler Dockwray set about Ashley Borella, targeting the short boundary.

A huge chase looked in prospect until Brown ran out Dockwray from the boundary.

Maurice was then removed for 76 and Fenwick (2 for 39) was the pick of the bowlers as High Halstow were limited to 267 for 6.

A combination of wayward bowling and good batting from Borella (35) and Barney Scott (29) took Cowdrey towards three figures.

Momentum Three quick wickets changed the momentum of the game. But Addison was joined by skipper Stuart Clarke and they set about rebuilding.

Addison playing a watchful innings while Clarke went on the counterattack with a hard-hitting 55 off 53 balls, including 10 fours and a six.

With Cowdrey in control, however, a terrible mix-up left Clarke run out. Then spinner Andrew Maurice had Addison caught behind for 51, leaving the chase on a knife edge.

It was left to veteran Glen Warner, with 40 not out, to see the visitors to an impressive four-wicket win with 10 balls left.

Cowdrey, who move back up to second place in the table, now host Downham & Bellingham on Saturday [June 23].

ON THE COUNTER Hardhitting Stuart Clarke

Wednesday June 20 | 2018

Sport

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Overseas recruits Kuhn and Henry look to topple leaders

Debutant Bishnoi lays waste to Wells’ hopes

Kent raced to their target on 257 for 1. Daniel Bell-Drummond CRICKET: KENT County Cricket contributed 79 to an opening stand of 194 in less than 30 Club arrive at the Nevill overs and Joe Denly made 52 Ground today [Wednesday] for not out to guide the side home. the Tunbridge Wells Cricket June has proved a richly Festival in a rich vein of form. rewarding month for Kuhn, They are second in County who also registered scores of Championship Division Two 113 and 117 against Gloucesterand now face leaders Warwickshire and Surrey respectively in shire in the four-day contest the space of three days. with a chance to close the gap at the top.

Kuhn, from Transvaal, made They have reached their first his belated debut for South Lord’s final for a decade in the Africa against England at Lord’s Royal London One-Day Cup, last July and opened the batting and will face Hampshire on in all four matches in the series.

June 30 in an impressive turna- STARS WITH BAT AND BALL: Heino Kuhn (left) and Matt Henry The other hero of the Kent round after losing their first campaign this year is another two matches.

“I’m happy to have contributed for the new overseas recruit, New Zealand pace The hero of the hour is Heino Kuhn, a team, to get us to the semis and to Lord’s. bowler Matt Henry. veteran South African batsman who We lost a couple of early wickets and that The 26-year-old is the leading wicketarrived at the club as a Kolpak player at made it tough for me to get going but taker in the longer format this season the start of this season.

Blakey played a phenomenal innings. with 43 victims at a remarkable average The 34-year-old batsman has made “I was well broken when I got out. It of 11.04. The next nearest rival has 27. four centuries in his last five innings in was my job to take us through and to get Like Kuhn he has not been a major the limited-overs competition, the first out at that stage, I was in tears. player for his country, having appeared player ever to achieve the feat.

“I said when I signed here that I want in nine Tests in the last three years, but Kuhn made 127 off 118 balls in the to win trophies and everyone in that he is a more regular fixture in the onesemi-final at Worcester and Alex Blake changing room is the same,” he added. day international side. hammered 61 off 47 as Kent reached “Come Lord’s, we will be up for it.”

He has become a crowd favourite at their target on 307 for 8 with two balls to The quarter-final, again away from Canterbury, with four five-wicket hauls spare in a thrilling run-chase on Sunday. home at Trent Bridge last Thursday, was and 10 in the match in the defeat of “It’s definitely one of the better centu- a much-more one-sided affair as Kent rivals Sussex at St Lawrence.

A belligerent batsman down the order, ries I’ve scored,” said Kuhn, who was beat Nottinghamshire by nine wickets he also added to his growing reputation dismissed with three deliveries remain- with 14 overs to spare.

Kuhn remained unbeaten on 124 from with an astonishing one-handed catch ing – Harry Podmore struck the winning 114 balls, with 13 fours and two sixes, as in the semi-final. boundary off the very next ball.

By Alan Cutts

By Andy Tong

Lordswood 267-8 beat Tunbridge Wells 210 by 57 runs CRICKET: TUNBRIDGE WELLS’ impressive start to the season suffered a setback at Lordswood’s Peter Edmonds Ground as five of the visiting batsmen failed to capitalise on promising starts.

Wells captain Chris Williams won the toss and chose to field first but Linden Lockhart and Jack Laraman quickly settled in and brought up a half-century stand in the 13th over.

Finally the breakthrough came when Lockhart (32) fell to the off-spin of Marcus O’Riordan, but that merely brought Chaitanya Bishnoi to the crease for his Kent League debut.

It was to prove a superb start as he raced to a memorable 117 from just 94 balls with 13 fours and four sixes.

After the first wicket had raised 67, he and Laraman added a further 57 for the second before Laraman fell for 54 off 90 balls.

Skipper Chris Piesley (20) helped add 71 in fewer than seven overs before the bowlers suddenly snapped up five wickets in quick succession to reduce the hosts to 267 for 8, leaving Wells a surprisingly gettable target of 268.

Alex Williams performed nobly in the face of the onslaught to return 4 for 62 while the in-form Marcus O’Riordan picked up 3 for 56.

After suffering an early run-out

Wells showed their own attacking instincts, Chris Williams opening up with 38 off 31 balls including seven boundaries.

But they lost three quick wickets and were reduced to 82 for 4.

Alex Williams (23) and O’Riordan (24) set about rebuilding the innings but Bishnoi showed his all-round versatility as the middle order fell to his clever spin.

Stranded As the home side began to scent victory Graeme Francis found an ally in Dave Smith (24), and a belated rearguard assured the visitors of batting bonus points as the score topped 200.

Francis, however, was left stranded on 33 not out as Tunbridge Wells’ run-chase fell 57 runs short on 210 all out, Bishnoi returning 3 for 36.

The defeat sees Wells fall behind Beckenham and Sandwich Town into fourth place in the Premier Division, though only by one point.

Leaders Blackheath opened up a gap at the top, however, as they recorded their fifth victory of the campaign.

With Kent playing a four-day game at the Nevill ground this week, Wells are on their travels again, but only as far as local rivals Sevenoaks Vine on Saturday [June 23].