Wednesday June 21 | 2017
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Tea room trio stir up a storm as they rebel over land sale
COMEDY VALUE
See David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny live on stage Page 74
By Jonathan Banks IT WAS good news for Keep River Lawn Green protesters on Monday [June 19] as three borough councillors met to begin their official opposition to the sale of the town centre land. Cllr David Cure, of Judd Ward, had previously stood alone as the only Conservative opposed to the planned disposal of River Lawn. But now, after a discussion at Nancy’s Tea Rooms in Lambert’s Yard, with Cllr Sarah Spence, of Vauxhall ward and Cllr Georgina Thomas of Trench, there’s an organised element of dissent within the 54-member council. “We are putting pressure on the council to reconsider. We want to see the land retained as a nice green area” Cllr Cure told the Times after the meeting. “We are not opposed to the building of the medical centre. And even the property on River Walk could be developed but we think it should be a joint venture so that we can receive a regular income, rather than just one big sale.” Campaigning from the Keep River Lawn Green group, including a ‘protest picnic’ on Saturday [June 17] has forced the borough council to debate the issue at a Councillor meeting on David Cure July 11.
TINY PRANCER
Meet one of the world’s smallest horses born in Tonbridge Page 3
MUSICAL YOUTH 17th Tonbridge Scout & Guide Band
Town turns out for carnival and enjoys fun in the sun By Murray Jones murray@timesoftonbridge.co.uk THOUSANDS lined the streets of the town at the weekend on the hottest day of the year so far to watch the annual Tonbridge Carnival and Fête. Organised by the Tonbridge Lions Club, Sunday’s [June 18] event saw more than 30 colourful floats, bands, majorettes, dancers, army vehicles, classic cars and walking groups embrace this year’s theme of ‘Famous Families’ under the glorious summer sun. After the parade, the crowds made their way to Castle Lawn where the Mayor of Tonbridge
and Malling Roger Dalton and the Mayoress Hazel Dalton handed out prizes alongside Lions’ President Bob Bartlett and his wife Jan. There was entertainment aplenty for the rest
‘The whole thing was just outstanding in the way it was run’ of the afternoon as bands, singers and dancers all contributed to the vibrant atmosphere with crowds enjoying a variety of stalls and tombolas. And for the younger visitors there was a
dedicated ‘Kiddies Corner’, which featured a magician and a Punch and Judy. The clear favourite on this scorching Father’s Day was the ‘Soak your Dad in the Stocks’ stall, allowing children to get their own back on their parents while providing their puffed-out patriarchs with some welcome relief from the 30C/86F heat. It was the first major event in the town for the new Mayor Dalton, who took to his role with aplomb. Coming from Burham, he had never attended the Carnival before but was immediately enamoured with the event.
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ONE DAY LIKE THIS
Elbow’s big Bedgebury concert is a musical triumph Page 16
HOP TO IT NOW
We review the gourmet fare at The Kentish Hare Page 58