Times of Tunbridge Wells October 13th 2021

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Wednesday October 13 | 2021

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Electrician admits bedsit killings but denies murder VICTIM: Caroline Pierce

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ACCUSED David Fuller at an earlier hearing FUEL FRENZY: Queues at Sainsbury’s in Tunbridge Wells at the weekend

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PHOTO: Steve Finn/KentPolice

VICTIM: Wendy Knell

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By Richard Williams A 67-YEAR-OLD electrician charged with two murders in Tunbridge Wells 34 years ago last week admitted the killings but has denied murder.

In a major development involving one of the UK’s longest unsolved homicide cases, known as the ‘bedsit murders’, David Fuller from Heathfield in East Sussex admitted responsibility for the killings of Wendy Knell (25) and Caroline Pierce (20) at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday [October 8].

The women lived about a mile apart and worked on the same street in Tunbridge Wells but did not know each other. They were both attacked in 1987.

Shop manager Ms Knell was found dead in her ground-floor bedsit in Guildford Road on June 23 after failing to turn up for work. She had been dropped off at her home by her boyfriend.

Crimewatch Restaurant worker Ms Pierce was attacked five months later outside her bedsit home in Grosvenor Park. She had last been seen at about midnight on November 24 when she was dropped off by a taxi.

Her body was found three weeks later in a water filled ditch on Romney Marshes.

The killings became a high-profile

unsolved case and were featured on the BBC programme Crimewatch.

It was revealed in court that Fuller, who is married, had admitted the killings in August this year but is claiming ‘diminished responsibility’.

In court he wore spectacles, a blue face mask and a grey prison-issue sweatshirt.

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson QC said: “The defendant admitted responsibility for both killings subject to the potential issue of diminished responsibility.”

No formal charges in respect of the killings were put to Fuller who has denied murder.

He was remanded in custody ahead of his trial on November 1. Medical experts are preparing psychiatric reports.

• 25 police officers in sex assault claims P2 • One-off garden waste collections start P3

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this week…

WHAT A PERFORMANCE: One of the town’s most loved events, the Puppetry Festival, has returned this week, alongside some new annoucements. P6

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Police report 23 sexual assault claims against serving officers very high standards of professional conduct and we do not hesitate to take action when someone’s behaviour falls short of what is expected of them.

Allegations of a sexual nature including rape, other sexual assaults and the harassment of colleagues or members of the public are rare but among the most serious we deal with.

By Richard Williams

A FEAST FOR THE SENSES: Why Cellar Head Brewing and Balfour join forces with a beer and cider brand. P9

TWENTY-FIVE serving officers in Kent Police have been at the centre of sexual assault claims over a five-year period.

The figures were released following a Freedom of Information [FOI] request by the RADAR media group, compiled in the wake of the Sarah Everard murder.

The group received responses from 31 forces in Britain after asking for the number of sexual assault claims against serving police officers recorded between 2016 and 2020.

Kent Police said there were 23 claims made in that time, relating to 25 officers (24 male officers and one female officer).

Harrassment

OUR FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT: Students from Rose Hill School have been representing their school colours by competing in football and hockey matches.

P14 INTERVIEW WITH THE EVIL QUEEN: Strictly star Shirley Ballas talks about her debut performance at this year’s Christmas panto at The Assembly Hall Theatre. P26

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

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Wednesday October 13 | 2021

Some claims related to more than one officer, though an officer could also be involved in more than one case.

Kent Police stressed that allegations of a sexual nature ‘including rape, other sexual assaults and the harassment of colleagues or members of the public are rare’ but among the most serious they deal with.

Figures from all 31 forces show hundreds of allegations of sexual misconduct were made against serving police officers across Britain over four years.

RADAR’s FOI revealed at least 750 accusations

Disciplinary TRAGEDY: The Sarah Everard case sparked the FOI request made against officers between 2016 and 2020.

It comes after an independent inquiry was announced by the Home Secretary Priti Patel to look into the ‘systematic failures’ that allowed Sarah Everard’s killer, Wayne Couzens, to be employed as a police officer. Sarah was abducted, raped and killed by the serving police officer.

Greater Manchester Police, one of the largest forces that responded to the FOI request, had the highest number of claims, with 158.

A publicly available response to a different freedom of information request revealed the Met – the UK’s largest police force – recorded 530 allegations of sexual offences against officers and staff members between 2016 and 2020.

Commenting on the recent FOI request, Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Armory, Head of Professional Standards at Kent Police, told the Times: “Kent Police officers and staff are held to

MP says lessons to be learnt after damning Covid report

By Robert Forrester TUNBRIDGE Wells MP Greg Clark was this week involved in the publication of a report from MPs heavily criticising the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Clark is chair of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, which along with the Health and Social Care Committee, headed by former health minister Jeremy Hunt, published a study yesterday [Tuesday] saying that ministers waited too long to push through lockdown measures in early 2020.

MPs from the committees said the UK’s pandemic planning was too ‘narrowly and inflexibly based on a flu model’ that failed to learn the lessons from Sars, Mers and Ebola.

The report brands the government handling of the Covid crisis, particularly the slow lockdown, ranked as ‘one of the most important public health failures the United Kingdom has ever experienced’ and led to more deaths than was necessary.

Isolation Once Covid-19 emerged in China, MPs said UK policy was to take a ‘gradual and incremental approach’ to interventions such as social distancing, isolation and lockdowns.

In their study, they said this was ‘a deliberate policy’ proposed by scientists and adopted by UK governments, which has now been shown to be ‘wrong’ and led to a higher death toll.

The MPs said the ‘decisions on lockdowns and social distancing during the early weeks of the pandemic – and the advice that led to them – rank as one of the most important public health failures the United Kingdom has ever experienced’.

On the issue of whether the Government was pursuing a policy of herd immunity, which has proved controversial, MPs said that while it was not an official Government strategy, there was a policy approach of fatalism about the prospects

“The Professional Standards department carries out full and thorough investigations into such matters, and during these investigations every effort is made to support the complainant and obtain the highest quality evidence.

“Police officers are entitled to the same objective and fair process of law which is received by the wider public but, unlike the public, they can be made the subject of disciplinary proceedings when it is not possible to pursue a criminal case.

“Every allegation is approached with an open mind, and when there is evidence to suggest an officer has committed sexual misconduct they are made subject to disciplinary proceedings that may result in them being dismissed from the force. Equally when there is insufficient evidence or evidence that an allegation is false, then no further action is taken.

“There is no place in Kent Police for misconduct of any kind and the most robust and proportionate course of action will always be taken.”

First time local buyers face largest stamp duty tax bill FOLLOWING the end of the stamp duty holiday, first-time buyers in Tunbridge Wells now face the largest tax bill of any location in the UK where stamp duty had previously not been paid, research by a leading estate agent indicates.

Having paid zero stamp duty on the average purchase in the borough before the tax holiday was introduced, first-time buyers (FTBs) will now see an average charge of £1,339 in the tax due to the rise in property prices in the area.

This is the largest amount of stamp duty in the UK where the average FTB had previously paid none at all.

Values

CRITIC: Greg Clark during the committee hearings for Covid in the community’.

MPs concluded it was ‘astonishing’ it took so long for Sage to say a full lockdown was needed and for the Government to implement one, adding they thought the evidence showed a lockdown was ‘inevitable’.

In other criticisms in the 151-page report, MPs said the UK also implemented ‘light-touch border controls’ only on countries with high Covid rates, even though 33 per cent of cases during the first wave were introduced from Spain and 29 per cent from France.

Mr Clark told the Times: “Our test and trace system took too long to get going and did not have the foresight, organisation, and energy of the vaccine programme.

“As a result, for much of 2020 we had shortages and delays in testing, which meant that we lacked information on how the virus was spreading, and people with infections - but without symptoms were unwittingly spreading this deadly disease wherever they went.”

For more on the report see Greg Clark’s column on page 16 and national news page 12.

Estate agents Benham and Reeves analysed how the average price paid by first-time buyers has changed since the introduction of the stamp duty holiday.

The research revealed that rising property values will now see the average first-time buyer in places usch as Tunbridge Wells now pay stamp duty on their purchase as a result of house prices exceeding the threshold of £300,000.

The estate agents found twelve areas across the UK where average house prices bought by FTBs have now exceeded the threshold.

The hardest hit has been Tunbridge Wells.

In 2019 before the pandemic, the average cost of a home bought by first time buyers in the Borough was £280,000 but this has now risen to £326,820 according to Benham and Reeves’ figures, landing them a £1,339 tax bill.

But buyers in Tonbridge & Malling haven’t fared much better as FTBs now face tax bills for the first time of £1,119 .

Wealden is also an area where buyers will now begin to pay stamp duty, although the research found it stood at just £11.

The stamp duty holiday was introduced in July 2020 to protect the housing market during the Covid crisis and was extended until 30 June 2021.

First-time buyers now have to pay five per cent on purchases between £300,000 and £500,000.

Other buyers face sliding tax rates from 2-12 per cent for all properties priced above £125,000.

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

NEWS IN BRIEF

Council resurfaces 127 miles of county’s roads THE county council has resurfaced 127 miles of roads – the equivalent of the distance from Kent to Bristol, as part of the 2021 road surface preservation season.

Kent County Council said their highways department has treated 1.1 million square metres of Kent’s roads, extending the life of a large volume of the highway network.

The resurfacing is part of a wider £50 million annual road maintenance programme, of which £11 million is set aside to prevent potholes from forming.

KCC’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, David Brazier, said: “Our specialist treatments are critical in sealing the surface of our roads to preserve their structure for the future and prevent potholes forming.

“This also has vast environmental benefits and is more cost-effective, delivering on the aims of KCC’s Highways Asset Management Plan.”

Rail ramp reversal A FEASIBILITY study has ruled out a new passenger ramp at High Brooms Station, despite more than £785,000 having been earmarked for improved disability access at the station.

Following extensive work by National Rail engineers, it has been concluded that any ramp could be constructed from the Clifton Road entrance to Platform 2 would be too steep to meet safety requirements and access for disabled people.

Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark, who has pushed for changes at the station, has said that he is ‘disappointed’ by the decision but welcomed plans by Network Rail to install a lift and footbridge instead.

He said: “I won’t give up until we have step-free access to both platforms and so I am pleased that Network Rail and the Department for Transport have agreed with my request to transfer the funding to design a lift and footbridge solution.”

Station launches on FM A VOLUNEER-run radio station is to launch at the end of the month.

West Kent Radio, which has evolved this year from Hospital Radio Tunbridge Wells, has begun FM test transmission this week ahead of its launch on the October 28.

The new station will be found on the FM radio frequency 95.5 and 106.7.

The station will cover Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Southborough, and surrounding areas with charitable aims including the promotion of health and well-being as well as all things community.

Its output will include a variety of music from across the decades, regular local news, weather, events, sport, causes and business bulletins.

To get involved, including being featured in West Kent Radio’s Local Good Causes features please get in touch at studio@ westkentradio.co.uk

Tap water concerns SUPPLIES of tap water in Tunbridge Wells are unaffected by an E. coli scare at a treatment works.

SES Water issued a ‘boil water’ notification to a number of postcodes in the Kent and Surrey area last week after the deadly bacteria was picked up following tests at a water works.

Around 443 postcodes were affected, including the TN8 and TN16 postcodes of Westerham and Edenbridge, and thousand of households were told to boil water.

The warning has now been lifted.

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

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One-off garden waste collection is being offered from next week

By Richard Williams

RUBBISH SERVICE Garden waste hasn’t been collected since July

THE Council is going to undertake a one-off collection of garden waste bins from next week, following the suspension of the service in July.

The paid for service, which costs £52 a year, has been suspended due to the HGV driver shortage that is affecting contractor Urbaser.

The Spanish waste carrier handles bin collections for both Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge.

While the full garden waste service cannot yet be restarted as the contractor doesn’t yet have the resources in place, the Councils in both boroughs have announced an ‘interim measure’ to clear the waste that subscribers have accumulated over the summer.

Equivalent Both councils will conduct a one-off collection to clear people’s bins given that they have been full for some time.

This service will start Monday (October 18) when crews will empty garden waste in Tunbridge Wells and then, once complete, move to the Monday collections in Tonbridge.

The same process will then progress to Tuesday collections and through each weekday until all rounds are complete.

The Council says this collection will not count as one of the 26 collections subscribers have paid for in their annual subscriptions.

Residents will still be credited in full for the collections missed since the suspension of the

service and their contracts will be extended accordingly.

Cllr Matt Bailey, head of sustainability at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council told the Times: “We thank residents for the incredible patience they’ve shown so far during the forced suspension of the service. But we appreciate that many subscribers have full bins from their

summer gardening and waste has been sitting in their bins for some time. So it needs to be collected.

“This one-off collection is a step in the right direction and will help alleviate the immediate problem. But we’re still pushing the contractor to get the resources in place to resume the normal fortnightly collections as soon as they can.”

Foodbank is ‘very concerned’ for families after Universal Credit cut

Fuel fears fading as forecourts report ‘normal day at office’

By Taylor Catton

TUNBRIDGE Wells appears to have put the petrol shortages in its rear-view mirror as garage attendants say the fuel crisis looks to be over.

Last week, the Times reported how the town was feeling the impact of a lack of petrol or diesel with companies such as BP, ESSO and Shell having limited amounts of supply or none.

A number of petrol stations were either closed of had lengthy queues of drivers waiting for fuel.

One week later, stations are now seeing an increase in stock, and forecourt managers have told the Times that while supplies are not at previous levels, it is ‘like a normal day at the office’.

THE foodbank that provided nearly 100,000 meals to families in Tunbridge Wells during the pandemic has said it is ‘concerned’ over the impact of the cut to Universal Credit.

Nourish Community Foodbank say the benefit cut comes just as fuel bills are increasing and at the end of the government’s job retention scheme that finished on September 30.

The £20 increase in universal credit was first introduced at the start of the pandemic in March last year as a temporary measure at the same time as the first lockdown was introduced.

By Robert Forrester

Crisis

Queueing

The reduction to the benefit came into effect last Wednesday (October 6) and is expected to affect around six million people across the UK. The government has insisted the £20 additonal benefit was always temporary due to the pandemic.

Operations Manager at Nourish, Dawn Stanford, told the Times: “Whilst Nourish is an independent, non-political and non-religious affiliated charity, we are clearly very aware of the impact that the £20 reduction in universal credit will bring, especially combined with an increase in fuel bills.

“For households who are struggling on a low income, add this to furlough ending and we are very concerned for many of the families in our community.

“Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, we have seen a steady increase in service users at Nourish, hitting a peak in Spring 2020 where we saw a 150 per cent increase in demand—to put this into context, we provided over 91,000 meals in 2019-2020.”

She added: “Whilst that peak is behind us, we are still managing referral numbers week in, week out that we only ever used to see around

Alan Brown, a BP attendant in St John’s Road, told us on Monday: “It’s been a bit better, people are getting less panicky now. Everyone has probably filled their tank up, we’ve got people who don’t need fuel at the moment.

“We have two or three delivers during last week. Let’s just hope it stays like this.

“Queues have not been too bad, last week we had a bit of queuing. But today (October 11) we haven’t had that at all. It looks like a normal day at the office.

“I am hearing that some stations do sometimes have fuel missing, so there is obviously still a bit of a problem. Just hopefully it has been sorted out to a degree with drivers sorted.

“We’ve had some moments where we have run out of fuel but then a delivery has come in the same day. Compared to when we last spoke, it has been better.”

The news comes as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told reporters on Monday that the UK was ‘right at the tail end’ of the fuel shortage.

He said in ‘most parts of the country’ problems have ended, and that London and the South East are the only two areas ‘where we’re seeing any continued problems’.

COMMITTED Nourish manager Dawn Stanford

our busy period pre-Christmas.

“Nourish remains committed to being here for this crisis and the next, and with the incredible support of our local community, we will do everything we can to support households living in food poverty who need our help.”

Nourish Community Foodbank was founded

by Olga Johnson in Tunbridge Wells nearly ten years ago.

Since then, it has gone on to provide thousands of meals each year to needy families.

Last June Olga was awarded the MBE for founding Nourish and for her other charity work, while operations manager Dawn was recognised with a BEM (British Empire Medal).

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Council rejects public demand for its numbers to be slashed

By Richard Williams COUNCILLORS at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC] have voted down changes to the election cycle and the makeup of the authority.

TWBC had been contacted by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England [LGBCE] in December last year. The local elections watchdog called for a review of the Council after discovering a disparity between the number of electors and councillors at TWBC. Currently, the council, which is under no overall control, has 48 elected members who represent the Borough’s 50,000 voters in 20 wards.

[Wednesday, October 06], councillors voted down a motion put forward by the Conservative member Cllr Sean Holden to move the elections to once every four years.

He said the move to ‘whole council elections’ were ‘more democratic’ and meant voters could hold the entire council ‘to account’ at the ballot box.

Cllr Holden said: “We elect our MP every five years, our county council every four years. We stand alone in Kent so let us get with a sensible way of doing this as it will save money and it will make running the council more solid and certain but most of all it will restore democratic power to our people.”

The motion, which would have required two thirds of the chamber to vote for it to pass, was

backed by the majority of Conservatives in the chamber but rejected by the opposition – the vote was lost 21 to 18 with 3 abstentions.

Cross-party

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

PLAUDITS FOR FINANCE TEAM AS CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH SIGNED OFF Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC] is one of the first in England to get a clean bill of health for its accounts for last year.

Because the pandemic has taken its toll on public finances across the country, The Local Government Association has reported that many external audits have been delayed and dozens remain uncompleted from 2019/20.

However, TWBC has already had its 2020/21 accounts signed off – one of the first to do so in the country - and the authority received a clean, unqualified audit, without any recommendations for management.

The Council says the accounts for last year included over £50million in funding that had to be channelled to support local businesses under various government-funded schemes during the pandemic.

Council Leader Tom Dawlings said: “I can only reiterate the comments I made at a recent Cabinet meeting.

“I think the finance team has done an outstanding job in coping with the extra work from the pandemic. Dealing with the auditors remotely, administering the applications, the grants, the funding and the audit trail for the Government grant schemes has been remarkable.

“A clean audit in those circumstance is a triumph. The financial challenges will remain for some time, but the borough is fortunate to have such a professional and dedicated finance team to advise and support the Council.”

The LGBCE say the authority needs to have an equal number of councillors especially as voters elect members a third at a time, with elections held three years out of four.

If changes are not made in the Council makeup or boundary of the authority the LGBCE can impose them, and the council was tasked to propose a recommendation as to what the changes will be.

A public consultation was launched to hear the electorate’s views and found 62 per cent who responded wanted the Council to keep the current election cycle.

At a Full Council meeting last week

Soon after, the Full Council debated a proposed cross-party cut to councillor numbers from 48 to 39 put forward by Conservative Leader Tom Dawlings and backed by Labour’s Hugo Pound.

Cllr Dawlings told the chamber that services such as the Gateway, technology-like tablets, and a 45 per cent reduction in meetings meant there was less need for as many councillors.

He argued: “The Council’s government grant has also been reduced to zero and with other sources of income restricted or cut we have far fewer resources to deploy.”

His views were backed by a public consultation that showed around 50 per cent of voters believe there should be fewer councillors, with 40 per cent thinking there should be the same number, and around 10 per cent believing the borough needed more elected members.

The motion was voted down 20 votes against and 19 for (with three abstentions].

Councillors have been told their vote would only be taken as a ‘recommendation’ by the LGBCE, who could yet overturn the decision and force the Council to reduce its councillors or change its election cycle.

Poohsticks bridge stays local after being sold for £130,000

No escape after boyfriend pops question in locked room

Consultation

By Robert Forrester

A BRIDGE NOT FAR Poohsticks bridge will stay in East Sussex

By Taylor Catton A BRIDGE that provided inspiration to the author of Winnie the Pooh has fetched more than double its asking price after it was auctioned off last week, but it will be staying near to its original home.

Posingford Bridge was built in 1907 and used to be in Ashdown forest, near to Crowborough, which provided the inspiration for children’s author AA Milne’s stories about Winnie the Pooh and the Hundred Acre wood.

The bridge was where the author played with his son Christopher Robin - a game that later became Poohsticks.

Restoration Renamed ‘Poohstick Bridge’ in 1979, it was removed from the forest in 1999 after the carved oak crossing had become worn down and degraded over years of activity.

Following restoration, the original bridge was put up for sale by sealed bids at auction last week [Thursday October 7] and was expected to

fetch between £40,000 to £60,000.

It eventually sold for £131,625, including fees.

New owner Lord De La Warr, who owns Buckhurst Park estate in Withyham, East Sussex, said: “I am delighted to have been able to purchase the original bridge. It will take pride of place on the estate close to its original position.”

He added: “I hope that many children (and adults) will be able to admire the original bridge which inspired one of the most famous games still played by children in the UK and abroad ‘Poohsticks’.”

James Rylands, specialist in charge of Summers Place Auctions that sold the bridge, added: “We were absolutely delighted that we could sell a piece of literary history which has given pleasure over the generations to millions of children around the world. We were thrilled by the interest the bridge received globally, but are pleased that the bridge will stay in this country.”

The auction coincides with the 100th year of the original Winnie the Pooh, who was given to Christopher Robin Milne as a fluffy companion on his first birthday in 1921.

A WOMAN who came to Tunbridge Wells to take part in an escape room challenge got more than she expected when her boyfriend got on one knee and proposed while they were locked-in.

Ben Henson and his now fiancé, Laura Small, were playing at St John’s based Clue Cracker, an escape room centre where people have to uncover clues to get out of a locked room.

The pair, from Herne Bay were playing jewellery heist game ‘The Diamond Dogs’, the object of which is to break into a jewellery shop, avoid the cameras, dodge lasers, steal a rare diamond from a vault before escaping.

Instead of stealing the rare diamond prop after they broke into the vault, Ben produced an engagement ring from the vault containing a real precious stone.

He said: “I didn’t feel too nervous, it just seemed right.

“As soon as we got in the van to do the heist I was in game mode. I enjoyed the room so much I didn’t think about it until I saw and opened the vault door. It truly was a cracker of a day!”

It was the pair’s 30th escape room game together. Laura, who had no idea of the proposal added, agreed to be his wife.

Shock She said: “I was in complete shock as I never expected the game to end in that way.

“It was so well done, and I am so amazed Ben managed to come up with such a memorable and unique proposal. It really was perfect.”

The inventive boyfriend had tipped off staff at Clue Cracker that he was going to pop the question and the team had a bottle of champagne at the ready.

“He was on his knee for about two minutes,” said Clue Cracker Manager, Becky Haygarth. “We were watching on CCTV, just hoping she would say yes.

“I knew Ben was nervous but somehow he managed to keep his cool throughout the whole game and they played brilliantly together. It was such a special moment when he opened the box, Laura just froze in disbelief, I think she thought it was part of the game.”

BENDED KNEE The moment when Ben asked girlfriend Laura to marry him

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Wednesday October 13 | 2021

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NEWS

AHT RESIDENCIES

NO STRINGS Xxxx xx x xxxx xx x x xxxxx xxx xxxx xxxx

FUN FOR ALL Xxxx xx x xxxx xx x x xxxxx xxx xxxx xxxx

COMEDY | TUE 19–SUN 24 OCT COMEDY | THU 4 NOV

MUSIC | FRI 5 NOV

COMEDY | SAT 6 NOV

SPOKEN WORD | FRI 12 NOV

FAMILY | SAT 13 NOV

AMADIGI MUSIC | SUN 7 NOV

OPERA | TUE 9 NOV

S I M P LY SCHUBERT

MUSIC | SAT 13 NOV

CLASSICAL | SUN 14 NOV

COMEDY | WED 17–THU 18 NOV VARIETY | FRI 19 NOV AHT RESIDENCIES

ICE SKATING | FRI 19 NOV–MON 03 JAN `22

COMEDY | SAT 20 NOV

PANTO | FRI 17 DEC–MON 03 JAN COMEDY | WED 19 JAN `22

MUSIC | SAT 22 JAN `22

MUSIC | FRI 28 JAN `22

COMEDY | SAT 4 DEC

COMEDY | SUN 5 DEC

MUSIC | THU 20 JAN `22

MUSIC | FRI 21 JAN `22

COMEDY | SAT 29 JAN `22

MUSIC | WED 02 FEB `22

assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk T U N B R I D G E W E LLS for fullFACE details and toIT book tickets visit our website ROCKING OFF The festival is family friendly

Local act All Of The Above on the main stage

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Wednesday October 13 | 2021

From puppetry and a musical

PUPPET PERFORMANCE Pupeteers in Royal Victoria Place on Saturday [pictures David Bartholomew and Ed Simmons]

Festival returns with new directors pulling strings

By Richard Williams ONE of Tunbridge Wells’ quirkiest and most loved events began at the weekend, with the return of the Puppetry Festival.

Following a year off, the biennial festival that celebrates the world of puppets, marionettes and street theatre returned on Saturday [October 9], with two new creative directors at the helm.

The Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival has been running in the town every other year since 2015.

Now in its fourth outing, the extravaganza is a mixture of free to attend performances, some paid for events that cost up to £8, as well as workshops and online shows, all aimed at families and people of all ages.

During the third festival in 2019, between 10,00-15,000 people attended the various shows and attractions across Tunbridge Wells.

Puppeteers also came from around the world.

LUNAR LIGHT The Museum of the Moon will be in Calverley Grounds on Friday

Founder of the two-week event, Linda Lewis, retired last year, handing over the reins to Ailsa Molyneux and Alison Bundy, who have previously worked together putting on Hever Castle’s popular annual festival.

‘What I am so thrilled about is the amount of backing we have had from the local community’ But Ailsa Molyneux told the Times that putting on this year’s event in the wake of the Covid pandemic has been a challenge.

“It certainly hasn’t been easy, but what I am so thrilled about is the amount of backing we have had from the local community,” she said.

“It will be a similar range of acts for all ages at this year’s festival that includes everything from shows for toddlers to performances for the whole family.

“But other than an online performance from South Africa, there are not any puppeteers coming from abroad as it was too difficult to get them here because of Covid.”

Venues She said the festival launched with a new gentle, interactive musical adventure for toddlers and their families in Royal Victoria Place called The Moose on the Moon, performed

by Sussex-based Rust & Stardust.

“We have a lot of local performers this year,” added Ailsa. “These include Strangeface, from Southborough, who are putting on a brand new show called Ely and the Golem, but are also working with Visual Elements, a production company from Aylesford.

“We also have more venues getting involved this year. Along with Royal Victoria Place, we have our centrepiece Museum of the Moon,

CHILD’S PLAY Young fans at the puppetry exhibition at the weekend

which is a seven-metres and features NASA imagery. It will be in Calverley Grounds from Friday at 7pm and we expect hundreds will want to come and see it next weekend.

“Also the Assembly Hall Theatre are getting involved, as well as Trinity Theatre, The Forum and the Camden Centre.”

Ailsa added that The Pantiles will also play host to a number of free street performances.

Other attractions over the next two weeks include Eggs on Legs at the Camden centre (Saturday, October 16 £8), based on a Dr Seuss story – ideal for youngsters and Seeing Red, a modern retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, which is a free 25 minute show on The Pantiles (Sunday October 17 from 11am).

The Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival is on until next Sunday [October 17]. Tickets and more information can be at twpuppetryfestival.org For a full run down of all the shows at this year’s festival, see Going Out page 33.

TURTLE POWER Models of Red Rover on display

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to a new family friendly event

STAGING A COMEBACK Members of TWODS gather on The Pantiles

Crowborough handed £60,000 for a new festival of family fun TOWN councillors in Crowborough have voted through plans to host a weekend of music and fun with a new festival.

‘Crowfest 2022’ is to be a weekend long event in the summer to incorporate music and the town’s usual summer fair.

The event, which will take place at Goldsmiths recreation grounds from July 16-17, is expected to attract up to 10,000 people.

It will be free to attend and aimed at all ages as well as people from nearby towns and villages.

Caroline Miles, Clerk at Crowbrough Town Council wrote in her report to councillors: “Crowfest, will be a great opportunity for local business to display and sell their products.

“Many small businesses like these have been significantly impacted by the pandemic.

“The expected large footfall will greatly contribute to these businesses, as well as boost the wider local economy. It’s also important to remember the positive influence an event like this can have on the local community and everyone’s wellbeing.”

The festival will see a stage located on the top field in Goldsmiths where there will be a wide range of food and drinks available from pop up stalls and food vans.

There will also be tents for face painting for the kids to enjoy as well as pony rides, bouncy castles and assault courses.

The Council has secured a budget of £60,000 to put on the festival.

The news comes as the town prepares celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, as well as planning the annual fireworks display on November 5 that was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid. This year it will be Bond themed.

Drama group makes a public song and dance over new show TWODS (Tunbridge Wells Operatic & Dramatic Society) turned heads and raised smiles when characters from its new show paraded around the town centre.

The brightly costumed cast – featuring cowboys, French onion sellers, Spanish dancers, skiers, a pilot and glamorous air hostess – delighted shoppers and diners on Saturday (October 6) to promote their latest performance.

The new show entitled Destination Anywhere: A Musical Journey will be performed by the amateur dramatic group at The Assembly Hall Theatre from November 24-27.

The troop posed for pictures in various locations in the town including The Pantiles and outside the Assembly Hall.

West End The musical travelogue includes numbers from over 40 different West End shows, including Cabaret, The Producers, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Shrek, Mamma Mia, The Lion King, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Copacabana, Footloose, Hairspray, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Wicked, and Miss Saigon.

As well as bringing joy to audiences in the town since its first musical in 1890, the award-winning Society has a long history of supporting charitable causes and has raised thousands.

Its latest show will support the local Nourish Community Foodbank. To purchase tickets for Destination Anywhere please visit twods.org or call the Assembly Hall Theatre box office on 01892 530613.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN The cast outside the Assembly Hall Theatre

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Delays in court system is driving up cost of divorce

By Richard Williams LAWYERS from two of the leading solicitor firms in Tunbridge Wells have said the Covid pandemic has created a backlog in the court system that is driving up costs in family cases.

With the judiciary moving back from remote and virtual hearings to physical proceedings, local solicitors say the backlog is likely to worsen, especially as new figures show a 14 per cent increase in family court applications that includes divorce and custody hearings.

Participants The Family Court Statistics Quarterly for April to June 2021 released last week also shows a ‘startling’ 76 per cent rise in financial applications being made to the courts.

Susi Gillespie, Head of Family at Thomas Mansfield Solicitors on Mount Pleasant Road, told the Times: “The court system continues to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic but the effects

SUSI GILLESPIE

of the three national lockdowns have caused significant delays in the family justice system affecting the disposal of cases.

“Since the last quarterly review there has been an increase in the number of cases commenced in the Family Courts generally with a startling rise of 76 per cent in financial remedy applications.

“There has been a small but welcome decrease in domestic violence (4 per cent), likely due to the release of restrictions.”

She added that remote hearings introduced during the pandemic had the effect of driving down costs as they eliminated travel and waiting delays.

‘There have been some very long delays in cases in some courts being progressed’ But she added: “The court is gradually returning to face-to-face hearings so the upshot of the rise in financial applications is that the additional hearings required to meet this increase will exacerbate delays. Clients’ costs will also increase.

“For those couples unable to reach an agreement through dispute resolution methods, such as mediation and collaborative law, private hearings are highly recommended as an efficient and cost-effective way of obtaining a binding decision.”

Joanna Pratt, Head of the Family team at Thomson Snell & Passmore based in Vale Avenue added that despite the lifting of restrictions delays at court hearings were not improving.

Guide praise for hotel ROOMS WITH A VIEW Mount Edgcumbe in Tunbridge Wells

JOANNA PRATT She said: “When the pandemic initially started, the Family Courts struggled to adapt.

“They are however now fully geared up for remote hearings, and hybrid hearings – the latter being where some of the participants are physically in the courtroom, and some attend remotely by video. Indeed, the courts are beginning to move back to more hearings being fully in person.

“There have been some very long delays in cases in some courts being progressed. And we have had a number of cases which are vacated the day before a hearing because of lack judicial availability. This issue is not really improving yet.

“In England and Wales, the number of new family cases which were started between April to June 2021 was 14 per cent up on the same quarter in 2020.

“During the initial lockdown periods, there was certainly a decrease in the number of new family cases being initiated, but we are back to prepandemic levels now.”

A FAMILY-RUN hotel has made it into one of the industry’s leading publications.

Mount Edgcumbe in The Common, Tunbridge Wells was the only hotel in the town to make it into this year’s Good Hotel Guide 2022, and was one of only nine in Kent.

The guide authors praised the Grade II listed hotel for being ‘surrounded by greenery’ and its ‘perky bedrooms’.

Celebration Other hotels in the area that made the 2022 edition include Hever Castle B&B that was praised as being ‘fit for a Queen’ and its ‘lavish’ breakfast, as well as the ‘creatively decorated’ 16th century Queen’s Inn in Hawkhurst.

Co-editor of the Good Hotel Guide, Adam Raphael said: “This year’s guide is a celebration of some of the UK’s finest independent hotels which have shown unbelievable resilience during the past 18 months.”

Gigabit boost for local internet users A BROADBAND provider has said users in Tunbridge Wells, Southborough and Tonbridge will see their connection speeds increase by 24 times, following an upgrade rolled out last week.

Virgin Media O2 say their nextgeneration Gig1 broadband service being rolled out from last week offers average

download speeds of 1,130Mbps and is the fastest available from any of the major broadband providers in the UK. Lutz Schüler, Chief Executive Officer said: “Our continued investment means more than three-quarters of our network, including Tunbridge Wells, is now gigabit ready, offering millions of households

across the country access to future-proof services and the fastest broadband available from any major provider.

“We’re continuing with our mission to upgrade the UK and connect our entire network to gigabit speeds by the end of the year – a pace unrivalled by other providers.”

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Drinks deal for craft brewers

CHEERS [L-R] Julia McKenzie, of Cellar Head Brewing Company and brewer Joe Dann, with Chris McKenzie and Jake Balfour-Lynn

By Robert Forrester A WADHURST brewery has formed a strategic partnership with a Kent beer and cider brand to help it boost its craft beer production.

The Cellar Head Brewing Company has sold a 25 per cent share to Jake’s Drinks, a beer and cider brand from Balfour Winery based in Staplehurst.

The partnership has been formed after Cellar Head helped to develop the Jake’s Drinks beer range for Balfour earlier this year, which includes Jake’s Lager and Jake’s IPA. The investment will allow the brewery to bring forward its expansion plans, with new state-of-the-art equipment including a new canning line and tanks,

doubling its capacity into a 20-barrel brewhouse.

Jake Balfour-Lynn, who manages Jake’s Drinks, said: “We can’t think of a better brewer to join us as we take the next step in the Jake’s Drinks journey and look to introduce our beers to a wider audience.

Authentic “Like us, Cellar Head is an independent, family-run and proudly Kent-based craft drinks business with a mission to produce the highest quality drinks from mainly local ingredients.

“We are delighted with the quality of the beers Cellar Head have brewed for us, and our decision to cement

that relationship by investing in their business, speaks volumes for our confidence in them, and in our continuing success together in future.”

Chris McKenzie, Cellar Head co-founder, added: “Backing from Balfour Winery, as an established drinks and hospitality business, is most welcome, and makes it possible for us to pursue our growth ambitions earlier than we’d anticipated.

“Just as importantly, it makes the partnership between us more permanent and authentic, which is important to both us and to Balfour, as well as to our customers. We’re far more than just the brewer, we’re at the heart of the Jake’s Drinks story.”

Expansion for vineyard

MEREWORTH Wine, which only produced its first bottle last year, is already set to expand in the lead-up to this year’s harvest.

The winery based in Tonbridge Road, Mereworth, says they have expanded into the central corridor of their Oast, to increase its production and storage space, thereby also freeing up more room for events, following a series of successful pop-up dining experiences hosted at the winery.

Time “It has been an extremely busy few months, getting the works completed in time for this year’s harvest,” owner William Boscawen said, adding, “but the expansion of the winery gives us more space for our newly increased tank capacity, and extra storage.”

Partnership secures £5.6million of funding THE county’s Chamber of Commerce and a local Further Education group have joined forces to secure millions in government funding to help plug the local skills gap.

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce with North Kent College, which operates West Kent College and Hadlow College, secured £5.6m for Kent’s further education colleges to implement schemes to bring forward new courses tailored to the needs of business.

Under the Skills Accelerator Programme, the further education

colleges will focus on three key sectors: agriculture, construction and engineering, with a shared thread of decarbonisation.

Businesses The remaining funding will create a Local Skills Improvement Programme (LSIP) with the Chamber of Commerce by working with Kent companies and other business groups to identify immediate skills needs and solutions.

Jo James, Chief Executive of Kent

Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said: “The LSIP will help businesses shape the curriculum delivered by the local further education colleges.

“It will ensure the county’s skills priorities are aligned and that the workforce has the skills needed to enable businesses here in Kent to grow.

“This partnership will strengthen the relationship between business and education, ensuring Kent’s students learn the most appropriate skills for the county and increasing their employability.”

HIRED Martina D’Avino and [left] AmeliaMontgomery

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Student nominated after saddling up to find UK’s best full English

By Taylor Catton A FORMER local pupil has been nominated for a national award for raising nearly £40,000 for charity by traveling the length and breadth of Britain to find the country’s best cooked breakfast.

Jeremy Daubeny, who attended Bethany School, spent 57 days cycling 2,550 miles up and down the country in search of Britain’s best fried breakfast whilst updating his followers along the way with mouth-watering pictures on his Instagram account.

Jeremy, 19, started his charitable work after losing both his parents. His father Giles passed away from a brain tumour in 2018 and seven months later, his mother died of motor neurone disease (MND).

PLANS to construct a new artificial pitch have been submitted in Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC] with the aim to improve sporting activities in the community.

Tunbridge Wells Rugby Club (TWRC) on Frant Road have proposed a planning application to construct a new 3G artificial grass pitch to go alongside their current first-team pitch.

Community

‘I am overwhelmed and humbled, I was not expecting this. It really is amazing’ The university student raised £37,562.52 in aid of two charities: the MND Association and the Brain Tumour Charity.

After cycling from Tunbridge Wells as far as Scotland, he would judge a breakfast based on tradition, portion size, quality of the egg, chef’s touch and the ambience scoring each category out of 20 with an overall score of 100.

The quest for the best full English was awarded to a small café in Wales, Pembrokeshire called Café Ragna which scored 85.

Jeremy was nominated by his friends for the

New pitch for the rugby club

ON YOUR BIKE Jeremy on the road [picture: ITV Meridian] East Meridian Pride of Britain awards category and was presented the award when cameras surprised him at Exeter University, where he now studies.

Speaking to ITV Meridian who sponsor Britain’s Fundraiser of the Year award as part of Pride of Britain, said: “I am overwhelmed and humbled, I was not expecting this. It really is

amazing. It really did help me the whole process.

“I absolutely loved the trip. It was using a bad set of cards for good, and I suppose that’s what you can do in this situation. It’s all just overwhelming really.”

Jeremy has now been invited to attend the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards 2021 which takes place on October 30.

A 3G pitch is a synthetic surface which can be used for rugby and football and is able to withstand extreme weather conditions compared to typical grass root pitches.

TWRC also aims to expand their parking facilities, relocate the cricket square and install a new storage building.

Squad numbers have been expanding each year at TWRC, which has seen intakes double inside five years at under 6 level.

The club is now contacting schools, including those with special educational needs, to encourage them to take advantage of the new pitch to promote more active sport in the community.

Mike Rigby, the club’s chairman, said: “This is a hugely exciting moment for the club.

“The proposed development will transform the facilities at St Marks, allowing the club to move forwards but also giving opportunities to local schools, clubs and other community groups to be able to benefit from the facilities.

“The club is committed to improving facilities and being at the heart of the community, this application represents our ambition.”

He added: “Should a person or business that is focussed on corporate social responsibility, be interested in our project, we are open for partnerships. Please contact us.”

Snapping up the big chance to show off ‘Edible England’ and the great outdoors AFTER last month’s highly successful series of local Heritage Open Days, the winners of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society’s Photographic Competition for Students, which was linked to the events, have been revealed.

The Civic Society invited students living in the Borough of Tunbridge Wells to get out and about with their cameras to enter a free competition reflecting the theme of the 2021 open days – ‘Edible England’.

Enjoyed There are prizes for the winners and runners up of each of two highly contested entry groups, and a spokesperson for the society said: “Congratulations to everyone who entered. We really enjoyed the difficult judging process.”

The results are: Entry group Years 4-6, with first prize of £50 and two runner-up prizes of £25: Winner: Harrison Giles ‘Bugwarts Hotel’ Runners-up: Joseph Lunnon ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillars’ Poppy Easterbrook ‘Home Grown Entry group Years 7-13, with first prize of £100 and two runner-up prizes of £50: Winner: Evie Tharmaratnam ‘Fields of Gold’ Runners-up: Oscar Sanders ‘ Delicious Hen of the Woods’ Olivia Campbell ‘ Flowers make the most eye catching treats’ Highly Commended: Daya Oogarah ‘Carrot Pick’ (Yr 3). The judges commented: “This was sadly outside the entry criteria but beautifully presented.”

The Judges were: Paul Avis, Chairman Royal

Tunbridge Wells Civic Society; Sarah Hamilton, Kent County Council Member for Tunbridge Wells Rural and Deputy Cabinet Member for Education and Skills; Caroline Auckland, President of Soroptimist Tunbridge Wells & District; Ellen Montelius, Artisan Flower Grower of Town Flowers Tunbridge Wells; and Esther Leigh-Hollands, Youth Hub Delivery Manager, Tunbridge Wells/Children, Education and Young People’s Service.

All the winners live in Tunbridge Wells, with the students attending St Marks’ Broadwater Down Primary School, St John’s CoE School, Holmewood House School, Battle Abbey and Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School.

The judges were delighted to have been asked to take part in the assessment, and said that there were lots of talented entries. Commenting further, they said of the winning entry pictured: Harrison Giles: “Good composition and humorous.”

Successful The society spokesperson said the competition would be repeated in the future, adding: “We would encourage all students to enter again next year.”

The winning entries will be displayed on the Civic Society’s Heritage Open Days website and social media: tunbridgewellsheritageopendays.org People have become such big fans of the great outdoors during the last 18 months that the Wild Child forest schools on the Common were among the most successful new Heritage Open Days events this year.

Caroline Auckland, one of the organisers of the

IT’S A BUG LIFE The winning Bugwarts Hotel

local events, said: “We were delighted at the number of events which went ahead this year for Heritage Open Days, many of them outdoors for obvious reasons.

We would like to thank all of the volunteers who put on the events and all those who attended.

“The Wild Child events were extremely successful, with reports of some people travelling from London to explore the Commons and experience archaeological digs.

“All ages embraced the outdoor events and we were heartened by the number of visitors to the area as well as the support we received from our community.

“We are now looking to next year when we hope more buildings will be open and we may have some new events to offer.

“One venue has already come forward wanting to take part, but more of that next year.”

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Crafting a comeback for the Women’s Institute THE West Kent Federation of Women’s Institutes (WI) has held its first ‘in-person’ event since the Covid pandemic with two art and craft days.

With three speakers as well as stalls, more than 400 women attended the two days, which were branded a huge success.

The two-day event, which was held in Ditton Community Hall last week, was organised by Tunbridge Wells resident Paula Bates, who is the Chair of the West Kent Art & Craft Team, along with Jennifer Way and other valued members of the team.

“After all the lockdowns we were keen to go ahead with the hugely popular Art & Craft Annual Days. And although the WI has very much stayed in touch online throughout the pandemic, we had no idea how many members would attend our first live event,” said Mrs Bates. “But we need not have worried – the requests for tickets came flooding in as soon as they were announced!”

Painting The headline speaker was watercolour artist Matthew Palmer, a member of the Society of Artists of Great Britain, who appears on TV on the Craft Store Channel and has taught the likes of Jenny Eclair and Penny Smith how to paint.

He has additionally appeared in the series Time Team and A Splash of Paint, and his books are published by Tunbridge Wells-based Search Press.

He painted a landscape on stage while he gave his talk, pointing out many clever watercolour techniques.

Also speaking were TV producer Rosie Geiger from the Great British Sewing Bee, who has also worked on Bake Off among many other shows and had many entertaining behind-the-scenes

stories to tell, and quilting queen Pascale Michalski, who revealed how she became hooked on the intricate art.

Among those attending were members from around 80 branches in West Kent, including several from Tunbridge Wells’ Nevill branch.

“Wednesday started with the sun shining and the queue quickly forming in anticipation of the day. It was as if the last 18 months was a bad memory,” added Rita King, a Member of the Board of Trustees.

“Ladies were eager to return to the ever popular Art & Craft Days. Everyone was cheerful and smiling and after a very busy hour perusing the retail stalls took their seats ready for the first of the speakers.”

Afterwards, she said she received many ‘glowing reports’ on how the members enjoyed the two days, and meeting up in person again.

THE ART OF SUCCESS: WI’s Paula Bates with Matthew Palmer

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Mayor to open Aspens’ first ‘real-life’ event since lockdown

By Sarah Bond THE social care charity Aspens is inviting the community to join them in Pembury during October half-term for their first ‘real-life’ fundraisers since the lockdowns began – the Pumpkin Patch and Halloween Spooky 5KM. The Mayor and Mayoress of Tunbridge Wells, Cllr Chris Woodward and Mrs Jenny Woodward, will start off proceedings when they open the Pumpkin Patch at Aspens’ stunning Cornford Lane site on Tuesday October 26 at 10am.

Morning and afternoon sessions will run here on both Tuesday and Wednesday and will include a range of activities for all the family, such as a scavenger hunt, crafts, games and scarecrow display. Pumpkins will also be on sale, and the charity’s Bluebell Café will be serving a Spooktacular selection of drinks, snacks and meals.

Scary The Halloween fun will continue with the Aspens’ Spooky 5KM, which kicks off at 11am on Saturday October 30.

Participants are invited to wear their scariest costumes and walk or run the route through fields and woodland (on an accessible path) at the site. All those who take part can set up a fundraising page through Aspens’ website and finishers will receive a Spooky 5KM certificate

and keyring.

Those who live further afield can also take part virtually, completing their course at their local park, in their garden or any space of their choice.

Tickets are required for both events and there is limited availability, so Aspens advise booking early to avoid disappointment.

Both events will raise funds for the charity, which supports people with learning disabilities and on the autism spectrum through a wide range of services, including residential care, supported living, community outreach, specialist family support and a live chatline.

Aspens’ CEO Robbie Shanahan said: “We’re very excited to be welcoming people to our site once again this October half-term. Both events will be great fun and perfect for families looking for something to do during the school break.

“We held our Spooky 5KM virtually last year and it was brilliant to see the photos of runners dressed up in their costumes. It will be even better to see everyone in person this year as they run the route together.

“Most importantly, these events will be a chance for us to re-establish our fundraising efforts after a very tough year. We hope you can join us for some spooky fun and help us continue supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”

Tickets for the Pumpkin Patch and Spooky 5K events can be purchased at: aspens.org.uk TIME TO GET SPOOKY: Join the Aspens Halloween events

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Call for PM to apologise over damning report into Covid LABOUR leader Sir Keir Starmer has said Boris Johnson should apologise after the release of a damning report into the handling of coronavirus.

His words come following yesterday’s [Tuesday] report from MPs on the Science and Technology Committee and the Health and Social Care Committee that said the UK’s preparation for a pandemic was far too focused on flu, while ministers waited too long to push through lockdown measures in early 2020.

Speaking to broadcasters on a visit to a HGV training provider near Oldham, Greater Manchester, Sir Keir said: “The Prime Minister should take responsibility because the responsibility is his, and he should apologise.

“But I’d like to just start by acknowledging just how difficult a day this will be for the bereaved families learning what they will learn in this report, which is a damning indictment of the Government and the flaws and errors and failures of the Government running down the NHS before the pandemic, being far too slow to respond, with the price being paid by those bereaved families, chaotic track and trace.

“And I think the least the Prime Minister could do is address the families, apologise, and bring for the public inquiry just as quickly as possible.”

The PM’s former advisor Dominic Cummings branded the PM a ‘joke’ following the publication of the report.

Emergency The station is at the end of a line connected to Liverpool Street, making it a popular route with commuters who work in the City of London.

Rory O’Neill, Transport for London’s general manager for London Overground, described the incident as “a low-speed collision”, adding that “there will be a full investigation to establish how this happened”.

More than a dozen emergency services vehicles were deployed to the scene.

HEAD DOWN The PM is yet to respond to the report

Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Cummings said: “The government system for dealing with crises is a disaster, as I wrote in 2019.”

He added: “The system was bad for many years before Covid. Me and others put into place work to try and improve the system in 2020 after the first wave, unfortunately the Prime Minister – being the joke that he is – has not pushed that work through.

Decisions “Now we have a joke Prime Minister and a joke leader of the Labour Party and we obviously need a new political system.”

The PM, who is currently on holiday in Spain, has not responded to the publication of the report, although one of his ministers has defended the Government’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis.

Minister for the Cabinet Office Stephen Barclay said the Government ‘did take decisions to move quickly’, including on vaccines, and that both scientists and ministers were acting on information they had at the time.

However, he admitted he had ‘not had chance to read’ the MPs’ report, which was circulated to the media under embargo on Monday morning and also seen by Government departments, including his own Cabinet Office.

Mr Barclay, who was repeatedly asked to apologise for Government failings but did not,

Two injured as a train crashes through buffers TWO people were injured when a train carrying around 50 passengers crashed through buffers at a station.

The eight-carriage London Overground train derailed and came to a stop just short of hitting the ticket hall at Enfield Town in north London at around 8.20am on Tuesday.

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

London Fire Brigade station commander Jim O’Neill said around 50 people were evacuated from the train, which had “gone up over the top” of the buffers.

A British Transport Police spokeswoman said the driver and another person were “checked over by paramedics”.

She added that the driver was breathalysed “as is routine”, and “blew negative”.

Network Rail said the driver was treated for shock.

London Ambulance Service said two people were assessed at the scene for minor injuries but were not taken to hospital.

A worker from a nearby postal sorting office said he was “shocked” by the sight of the crashed train.

Rail regulator the Office of Rail and Road said it sent two safety inspectors to the crash site to ‘help establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident’.

said: “It was an unprecedented pandemic, we were learning about it as we went through and of course, with hindsight, there’s things we know about it now that we didn’t know at the time.

“Of course there are going to be lessons to learn, that’s why we’ve committed to an inquiry, but the Government took decisions at the time based on the scientific advice it received, but those scientists themselves were operating in a very new environment where they themselves were learning about the pandemic.”

In the wide-ranging study stretching to 151 pages, MPs criticised the fact community testing was abandoned in March 2020 as a ‘seminal

error’, said NHS test and trace was too slow and failed to have a big impact, and that thousands of people died in care homes partly due to a policy of discharging people from hospital without testing.

After hearing evidence from people including the Prime Minister’s former adviser, Dominic Cummings, and former health secretary Matt Hancock, the MPs said it was only in the days leading up to the March 23 lockdown that people within Government and advisers ‘experienced simultaneous epiphanies that the course the UK was following was wrong, possibly catastrophically so’.

Record jump in employment sees workers on payrolls rise above pre-pandemic levels

THE number of UK workers on company payrolls has surged above pre-pandemic levels after a record jump in September, as vacancies also hit another new high.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the number of payrolled workers rose by 207,000 between August and September to a record 29.2 million.

This was 122,000 higher than levels seen before the pandemic struck in February 2020.

The ONS figures showed the rate of unemployment fall further to 4.5% between June and August, down from 4.6% in the quarter to July and the lowest level for a year, the ONS added.

The data also showed another record leap in job vacancies, estimated to be up by nearly 1.2 million in September.

Rebound Britain’s jobs market rebound has sparked speculation that the Bank of England may raise interest rates faster than expected, as it looks to cool soaring inflation, with fewer unemployment fears to hold it back.

While furlough came to a close at the end of last month, the data showed vacancies almost matching those left on the support scheme, raising hopes the UK will avoid any spike in unemployment.

Darren Morgan, director of economic statistics at the ONS, said: “The jobs market has continued to recover from the effects of the coronavirus, with the number of employees on

payroll in September now well exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

“Vacancies also reached a new one-month record in September, at nearly 1.2 million, with our latest estimates suggesting that all industries have at least as many jobs on offer now as before the onset of Covid-19.”

But the ONS flagged the impact of the mounting recruitment crisis in the UK, with vacancies rising 318,000 above levels seen before Covid and recent analysis showing a raft of sectors struggling to fill posts.

The hospitality sector is finding it the most difficult to recruit, according to the ONS, with nearly a third (30%) saying it is harder than normal to fill vacancies.

In another sign of the buoyant recruitment market, the ONS said the biggest rise in vacancies was seen in the administration and support sector, in particular temporary employment agencies, with a 165,000 increase.

Hospitality firms were looking to fill 32,000 jobs in September.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “As we move to the next stage of our support, it’s encouraging to see our Plan for Jobs working – the number of expected redundancies remained very low in September, there are more employees on payrolls than ever before and the unemployment rate has fallen for eight months in a row.”

The figures showed unemployment fell 126,000 in the quarter to August to 1.5 million, while employment rose 235,000 to 32.4 million.

Wages enjoyed another steep rise, with average weekly earnings up 7.2% with bonuses or 6% without bonuses, in the three months to August.

But the ONS stressed that the earnings figures continue to be skewed by certain factors, with lower-paid jobs being hit hardest by the pandemic.

Financial markets are now pricing in a rate rise by the end of the year, although many economists think 2022 will see the first move.

Samuel Tombs at Pantheon Macroeconomics said the labour bounce-back was “not strong enough for the Monetary Policy Committee to hike rates in November, before it has assessed the post-furlough landscape.”

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

Northern Ireland protocol could be suspended as agreement ‘not working’ BRITAIN is ready if necessary to suspend the Northern Ireland Protocol in order to safeguard the peace process, Brexit Minister Lord Frost has warned.

In a keynote speech in Lisbon, Lord Frost said the protocol, agreed with the EU as part of the UK’s divorce settlement, was not working and that fundamental change was necessary if it was to survive.

He said the UK was prepared to trigger Article 16 of the protocol – which allows either side to override large parts of the agreement – if that could not be achieved.

“It is this Government, the UK Government, that governs Northern Ireland as it does the rest of the UK,” he said.

“Northern Ireland is not EU territory. It is our responsibility to safeguard peace and prosperity and that may include using Article 16 if necessary.

“We would not go down this route gratuitously or with any particular pleasure but it is our fundamental responsibility to safeguard peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland and that is why we cannot rest until this situation is addressed.”

Among the changes the UK is seeking is replacing the role of the European Court of Justice in policing the protocol

with a system of international arbitration.

Lord Frost said reform was essential, because the way the protocol was operating had “shredded” the balance between the two communities – unionist and nationalist – in Northern Ireland.

Protect He said there was now a “short but real opportunity” to defuse the looming political crisis that threatened the peace process in Northern Ireland which the protocol was supposed to protect.

“We now face a very serious situation.

The protocol is not working. It has completely lost consent in one community in Northern Ireland,” he said.

“It is not doing the thing it was set up to do – protect the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. In fact it is doing the opposite. It has to change.

“The fundamental difficulty is that we are being asked to run a full-scale external boundary of the EU through the centre of our country, to apply EU law without consent in part of it, and to have any dispute on these arrangements settled in the court of one of the parties.

“The way this is happening is

Queen uses walking stick at Westminster Abbey Legion service THE Queen used a walking stick when she attended a Westminster Abbey service marking the centenary of the Royal British Legion.

The 95-year-old was handed the stick after stepping out of her state limousine, and appeared to be moving freely as she walked to her seat for the start of the service.

She used the stick again as she left. It is believed to be the first time she has used a walking aid at a major public event.

Surgery The Queen, who is the Royal British Legion’s patron, did not arrive by the traditional Great West Door but via the Poet’s Yard entrance, a shorter route to her seat.

Both developments are understood to have been tailored for the Queen’s comfort.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment.

The Queen was pictured using a stick in 2003, but this was after surgery to remove torn cartilage from her right knee.

In his address, the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend David Hoyle, celebrated the Royal British Legion’s ability to stitch “together our shattered experience” and make us “whole”, and said it has become the bridge between ordinary men and women and those “who have been set apart by serving in the forces”.

He also questioned whether the tendency of crowds to cheer departing troops but be absent when the wounded returned meant “if we will really learn lessons from this pandemic” or give in to the voices “that want to turn the page”.

Retired Lieutenant General James Bashall, the Royal British Legion’s national president, took part in a re-dedication, reaffirming the charity’s commitment to its work, and the Princess Royal gave a reading from the Bible.

The charity was founded on May 15 1921 and brought together four national organisations established to care for military personnel and their families after the First World War.

National News

NEWS

13

BREXIT CHIEF Lord Frost on Tuesday

disrupting ordinary lives, damaging large and small businesses, and causing serious turbulence to the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement within Northern Ireland.”

He said it would be a “historic misjudgment” by the EU to argue that the arrangements in the protocol – which were drawn up in “great haste” – could never be improved upon.

“It would be to prioritise EU internal processes over relieving turbulence in Northern Ireland; to say that societal disruption and trade distortion can be disregarded as mere background noise; perhaps even that they are an acceptable price for Northern Ireland to pay to demonstrate that ‘Brexit has not worked’.”

The protocol is intended to ensure the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic stays open while protecting the single market, which Northern Ireland remains a part of.

But the need for checks on goods crossing to Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK has led to growing tensions both between London and Brussels and within Northern Ireland.

Unionists have been pressing for change, fearing their place within the United Kingdom is being undermined.

CANE Her Majesty at the service on Tuesday

Line closure Tunbridge Wells to Hastings Saturday 23 – Friday 29 October 2021 For seven days buses will replace trains while we carry out essential work to strengthen the railway cutting at Wadhurst tunnel.

Please plan ahead and check before you travel.

Find out more at networkrail.co.uk/Wadhurst

14

NEWS

Education

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Thomas Mansfield Employment law specialists

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

EDUCATION Times Prep school pupils celebrate national sporting success...

Rose Hill School congratulates two teams on their recent performances

Our lawyers are experts in every aspect of employment law. We are dedicated to providing prompt and practical legal advice to employees, directors, sole traders, SMEs and multi-national companies.

Dismissal • Redundancy • Discrimination • Disciplinary Employment contracts & policies

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS U-13 Boys Football team

By Eileen Leahy ROSE Hill co-educational prep school was celebrating two recent key match wins in both the football and hockey arenas.

Firstly the school’s U13 Boys’ Football Team were crowned IAPS National Football Champions at the IAPS National Football Finals at the end of last month.

On September 27 the team travelled to Charterhouse School in Godalming, Surrey to compete in a new tournament, focused on smaller schools from the independent sector.

The format of the tournament meant all teams had to play each other.

Research

Call us today on

01892 337541

For more information visit our website:

www.thomasmansfield.com TUNBRIDGE WELLS

LONDON SEVENOAKS TONBRIDGE MAIDSTONE

“Losing their first match the boys reflected on the defeat and were determined to prove to the other teams that they were a force to be reckoned with,” a Rose Hill spokesperson told the Times. For the remainder of the tournament the team didn’t lose another game and only conceded one more goal. After a thrilling final match the boys were crowned IAPS National Small School Champions.

Simon Hinchliffe, Head of Boys’ Games at Rose Hill said: “To win any tournament is a fantastic achievement but to win one on a national level TEAM SPIRIT Fantatstic achivement from Rose Hill Girls’s U-11 Pink Team

is truly exceptional. The boys were a credit to themselves, their families and the school. We are so proud of the team, and they should be extremely proud of themselves.”

Following on from the boys’ success in Surrey, Rose Hill School’s Girls’ U11 pink team were also praised after they reached the semi-finals of the Sutton Valence hockey tournament.

‘To win any tournament is a fantastic achievement but to win one on a national level is truly exceptional’ “Ten teams battled hard, with Rose Hill progressing to the semi-finals,” explained the school’s spokesperson.

“After some fast and fabulous hockey with the majority of possession, a fast breakaway allowed for Derwent Lodge to score the winning goal in the final minutes.”

Amanda Wren, Head of Girls’ Games at Rose Hill School said “I was delighted with the quality of hockey from the girls, which was also recognised by staff from other teams. It was a fantastic afternoon and we are extremely proud of the whole squad. Well done girls!”

2021 Christmas at Salomons Estate Tunbridge Wells OnE nighT in VEgaS

a VEry BuBlÉ ChriSTmaS

This December Salomons Estate is staging a number of Las Vegas themed party nights so you can celebrate in style with friends, family and colleagues.

make it a Holly Jolly Christmas with the show that has Everything in it and will definitely leave you Feeling Good.

‘One Night in Vegas’ Party Nights include: Glass of prosecco on arrival.

3 course choice festive menu.

Casino tables.

Disco and dancing until 1am.

Dress to impress / Vegas Vibes.

£45

One night only Thursday 9th December 2020

Available Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays throughout December

Glass of prosecco on arrival.

2 course choice festive menu (main and dessert).

Live singing from the ‘Bublé Experience’ tribute act.

Disco and dancing until 1am Dress to impress.

TimiNGS Arrival from 7pm, 1am finish.

Dinner service time will be confirmed nearer the time.

£49.50

per person Available for groups of 8 people or more.

TimiNGS Arrival from 7pm, dinner served 7.30pm, live entertainment 9.30pm-11pm disco and dancing until 1am finish.

per person

FESTiVE aFTErnOOn TEaS Afternoon Tea is a special treat, and what better time to treat yourself and your family and friends during the Christmas season.

Available 20th November-23rd December Traditional

£21.50 per person

Prosecco

£26.50 per person

Children’s

£11.50

(smaller portion, available for children aged 12 and under only)

24hr advance booking required, bookings cancelled on the day will be asked to pay 50%.

FESTiVE lunChES

DinE WiTh SanTa

Gather your friends, family, neighbours or colleagues and enjoy a festive lunch within our stunning country house, set within 36 acres of picturesque landscape, the perfect way to get into the festive spirit.

Sunday 12th December Enjoy a three course Sunday roast suitable for the whole family as Santa makes his way round to hear all your stories and Christmas wish lists.

Available 20th November-24th December Enjoy a two course or three course lunch from our festive lunch menu.

2 courses

£24.50 per person

3 courses

£29.50 per person

minimum numbers and venue hire charges apply for private dining.

Drawing room (minimum 45 people) Theatre (minimum 70 people) Conservatory (minimum 20 people) Gold and Leighton (minimum 20 people)

COUNTRY HOUSE

Adults

£29.50 per person

Children

£16.00 per person

includes a gift from Santa for every child.

Tables available between 12pm-4pm

To book please email reservations@salomons-estate.com or call 01892 515152

16

NEWS

Weekly Comment

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Greg Clark Conservative MP for Tunbridge Wells

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

Greg Clark was first elected MP for Tunbridge Wells in 2005.

He has held a number of positions in Government, including Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. He is currently Chair of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committe.

There are lessons to be learnt from the pandemic AS MANY readers know, I chair the House of Commons Science and Technology committee. Throughout the Covid pandemic we have been taking evidence from the leading scientists, policy makers and Government officials in this country and around the world.

Our sessions, which have been held jointly with the Health Select Committee, have attracted huge public audiences – not least our marathon 7-hour session with Dominic Cummings.

Yesterday we published our report on the lessons learned from the UK’s response to the pandemic so far. Its purpose is to learn lessons that can help us improve our performance now and in the future – not to point the finger of blame.

Vaccine There are lessons from success, and lessons from mistakes – though it is worth saying that such was the fog of uncertainty that no country got everything right.

By far the biggest achievement was

the UK’s vaccination programme.

At the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 most witnesses to our inquiry doubted we would ever see a vaccine against Covid.

Yet only 9 months later, my constituents here in Tunbridge Wells were being vaccinated with a vaccine that is strongly effective. We were the first major country to licence a vaccine, and within weeks the majority of Britain had been jabbed.

That success came from bold choices and thinking ahead. We placed orders for vaccines, which paid for them to be manufactured, even before they received regulatory approval.

The Government backed Oxford University to accelerate its research and did a deal that required the Oxford/Astra Zeneca vaccine to be made available at cost-price around the world. This extraordinary achievement has saved millions of lives already.

The way our NHS responded too was impressive. Covid patients needing intensive care treatment received it, thanks to the extraordinary work of many NHS professionals.

CRITICISED: The report identified failures in both the government and its advisors But mistakes were made too. Our test and trace system took too long to get going and did not have the foresight, organisation, and energy of the vaccine programme.

As a result, for much of 2020 we had shortages and delays in testing, which meant that we lacked information on how the virus was spreading, and people with infections - but without symptoms - were unwittingly spreading this deadly disease wherever they went.

We need to apply the lessons of the vaccine programme in future: meticulous organisation, anticipating future demand and working with others rather than trying to centralise the programme in a few hands.

Another mistake was that we were too slow to lock down initially.

We thought – perhaps understandably – that British people would not follow orders to stay at home for more than a few weeks and so shied at imposing a lockdown until weeks after Covid

was rife. But it turned out that given the danger, people recognised the importance of protecting their family and friends.

We also, looking back, should have been more sensitive to the needs of people in care homes and people receiving care at home.

Too many infections were spread into care homes from people being discharged from hospital without being tested.

Our report is a substantial one – 150 pages with 38 recommendations to the Government and public bodies.

Every line was agreed unanimously by our committees comprising 22 MPs – 12 Conservative and 10 opposition members.

If the Government put into practice what we recommend we will have made a big step forward in making sure that for all the tragedy and heartache of the last 18 months, we are better placed to withstand any future national emergencies.

Any Times readers who would like to read the full report can find it on the homepage of my website: www.gregclark.org.uk

PUBLIC NOTICE

Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence T & R FORMWORK LTD of THE OLD NURSERY, THE HOLDINGS OLD UCKFIELD ROAD, RINGMER, LEWES, BN8 5RY is applying to change an existing licence as follows

SALES TEAM COORDINATOR An exciting opportunity to begin a career within Savills and to join this busy team in Tunbridge Wells, providing administrative support and helping to market beautiful properties along the Kent and East Sussex borders.

For further information or to forward your CV, please contact Sue Siddall at : ssiddall@savills.com

To add an operating centre to keep 2 goods vehicles and 0 trailers at NORTHERN COMMERCIALS LONDON ROAD, HILDENBOROUGH TONBRIDGE, KENT, TN11 8NN Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating Centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice.

Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office.

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Letters

NEWS

17

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 you can write to the Editor, Times Local News, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG

Glad to see one of our local MPs, Tom ‘of Tonbridge’ Tugendhat, was able to let his hair down at the Conservative Party Conference last week in Manchester, Pictures of him dancing the night away at one of the fringe events were splashed across some national newspaper pages.

But it was his dancing partner that caught the eye. No less a person than Housing Secretary Michael Gove who was seen some weeks ago dancing solo in an Aberdeen night club. PM Boris referred to him at conference as Jon Bon Govey. Hilarious!

Time to restore garden waste I wonder if the lovely Times could help in some way to have our Garden Waste Disposal restored.

It has been out of action since mid-July, in a year of unusual growth of everything to do with Nature and it is difficult to know if there is serious action to solve the problem.

Many other areas in Kent and Sussex haven’t ever ceased their collections and others who have are now reinstated.

I have personally written twice to the Council and received a negative reply, with no promise of when or if it will return. I know that the Council and the Country have many problems to solve but it is not easy if one is on one’s own, not young or that agile, to fill bags and load into the car then drive to the tip at a ‘booked’ time and empty it all over the high wall there.

It needs almost weekly trips to clear it. I personally have had to leave a lot of cutting and trimming which is necessary. My garden is not suitable either for the suggested compost heap or digging it in.

After being patient for 3 months; frustration is now raising its head in all areas of the Town.

Maybe I expect too much from you but I know that you have previously helped with a ‘brick wall‘ situation and I thought it worth asking.

Judi Best Tunbridge Wells Thank you Times I just want to thank you, The Open afternoon for Tonbridge U3A was extremely well supported by both members and non-members.

I spoke to a number of group leaders and participants. The enthusiasm generated made the afternoon a great success.

We could not have generated the numbers who turned up without you. Many thanks.

Ollie Tonbridge U3A

We always knew that Tom was quick on his feet. You don’t become Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee without being able to jig around a bit but this latest stunt puts him in a whole new light. Quite a mover and shaker.

Could there be any truth in the rumour that Tom and Mike are being lined up for a spot on Strictly?

And where was the Member for Tunbridge Wells Greg Clark? Toe tapping on the sidelines no doubt!

Timothy Downes Tunbridge Wells

Fracking no answer John Ward Moorhouse [October 6] claims that fracking is the solution to the UK’s energy problems. I disagree.

The arguments against fracking have been well documented: increased CO2 and methane emissions, earthquakes, noise pollution, consumption of vast quantities of water, pollution of the water table, release of toxic chemicals into the environment, diversion of resources from renewable energy, etc. In 2019, the UK government announced a moratorium on fracking and, as the risks have become better understood, more and more nations have banned or suspended the practice.

Mr Moorhouse sees the roots of the current crisis in the ‘rush to embrace a green agenda’.

Again, I disagree. Surely, it was the Thatcher government’s rush to embrace a privatisation agenda that has left us at the mercy of the international energy traders and Vladimir Putin?

Didn’t Thatcher and her free marketeers see that the sell-off of this strategically vital industry could one day lead to the collapse of so many companies, huge increases in bills for consumers and an existential threat to our economy?

I must also throw some rotten fruit at the Cameron government. They allowed Centrica to close the UK’s largest gas storage facility without planning for any kind of replacement, which has left us with a much-depleted reserve.

I wonder if Mr Moorhouse is aware of the wildfires, floods, melting ice sheets, droughts, extinctions and famines sweeping the planet? If he is, maybe he might make a connection between these apocalyptic events and the fossil fuel burning he espouses so enthusiastically?

Paul Stepto Tonbridge

No clue at Council Seldom – if ever – in the seventy-five years since I was first taught the alphabet have I read such a load of wiff-waff and twaddle as the piece from the deputy leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough, Councillor David Scott, in last week’s edition (October 6, 2021) of the Times of Tunbridge Wells.

A classic example of how to write four hundred and fifty-seven words and say absolutely nothing apart from suggesting the way forward

for Tunbridge Wells is to spend more of the local taxpayers’ money on more consultants and more pointless committees.

His piece could be summarised in in six words—’we have not got a clue!’

Victor Bethell Tunbridge Wells

Brexit was a minority With regard to Mr Goodenough’s letter in the October 6 issue, I would remind him that I said in mine of September 22 that Brexit was achieved by a minority of the electorate, 37 per cent of them in fact, so although 63 per cent did NOT vote to leave the EU, 100 per cent have to bear the burden of leaving. In more democratic countries, elections are decided on proportional representation and referenda on two thirds majorities!

It is understandable why many did not vote at all since the referendum question “should we leave the EU?” was a bit like asking ‘Should the circumference of the Large Hadron Collider be extended?’

People did not know what was involved despite the subsequent repeated references to “..the will of the people” by the Brexit zealots.

This fact can, I think, be demonstrated by the letter of Mr Taylor in your columns in the issue of October 6th, where he asserts, and I am sure that he is right, that many people (of whom I am one) are totally unclear about the individual responsibilities of Town/Parish Councils, Borough Councils and County Councils.

The EU is a much more complex organisation and clarity was not brought to bear by the Leave organisations who spoke of almost unlimited sums being made available to the NHS after Brexit and that thousands of Turkish citizens would arrive here unless people voted for it.

Now that Brexit has’ been done’ we must all bear the consequences.

Alexander Magnus Tunbridge Wells

Cinema site is not ‘too difficult’ It’s a bit rich of the apologist for the theatre

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

PEPPY SAYS

CARTOON BY PEPPY: (Follow her on Twitter @Peppyscott)

Twinkle toes Tom Tugendhat

scheme to write ‘We need to find better ways to socialise, move around, and reduce pollution to enable us to continue to enjoy our towns and rural area’ (Times Oct 6). Ground Control to Councillor Scott: Earthlings have already discovered socialising, shopping and working on Netflix, Amazon and Zoom; it’s the 21st century down here now.

But for him to also appear on television claiming that the cinema site is too difficult to deal with, and the Borough couldn’t possibly spend money on it with only £8million council tax receipts per year, is, frankly, breath-taking.

Never mind the £11million already down the drain on preliminaries, how was the £108M theatre scheme going to be financed? By borrowing most of it, of course. And how difficult, congesting and polluting was it going to be to excavate a car park, build a vast auditorium, and top it off with a suite of new council offices - in Calverley Park, one of the town’s iconic green spaces?

Still, repentance is a virtue. We do need “more activity in our town centres that’s not based on traditional shopping”. Encouraging conversion of redundant shop and office space into some affordable housing would be a start. A partner might even be found to develop the cinema site - but since that’s been rotting in the “too difficult” box for twenty years, I’m not getting my hopes up.

Mrs Dariel Francis Labour Southborough Town Councillor

WE’RE GROWING! Crossways Community is a growing and dynamic local charity which provides housing and support for adults living with a wide range of mental health conditions. We also run a number of community based projects including Reboot which offers mental health awareness training in schools, churches and businesses; The Kitchen Table, our café on Camden Road and Flourish, our new gardening project in Tunbridge Wells.

As a result of our expansion, we are currently recruiting for a number of vacancies across our organisation.

Maintenance Manager (4/5 days per week) – you will oversee, coordinate and carry out maintenance and repairs for all Crossways properties including gardens and outbuildings, taking into account health & safety issues and the needs of residents & staff. Salary £22,689 (FTE).

Deputy Manager at Culverdale (4/5 days per week) – you will assist the House Manger in the overall management of our supported accommodation for adults and will be fully involved with supporting residents and managing staff. Previous experience in the mental health sector is essential.

Salary £27,564 (FTE).

Support Worker at Moxham House (Full-time and part-time) – you will be working alongside our residents who are living with mental health conditions, helping deliver emotional and practical support. We provide a comprehensive training program. The care home is staffed 24/7 so there is a variety of shifts to cover weekends/ nights etc. Salary £19,377 (FTE) plus allowances for weekends, sleep-in shifts and pager duties.

HR/Office Administrator (3 days or 22.5 hours per week) – you will be a calm, experienced and confident HR/Office Administrator with high levels of attention to detail, strong proficiency in Word and Excel, and an ability to multi task. Salary £20,739 (FTE).

We offer a competitive benefits package including pension and private health insurance.

Head to the jobs portal on our website www.crosswayscommunity.org.uk for full job descriptions and to apply!

“Working for better mental health in the community” Crossways Community – registered charity number 1007156

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

Life&Times

HOMES • INTERIORS FOOD • DRINK • HEALTH WELLBEING • ARTS CULTURE • TRAVEL • BOOKS MOTORS and MORE...

Dancing Queen

Strictly’s Shirley Ballas on playing the Evil Queen in the Assembly Hall’s panto

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20

Homes & Interiors

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

Property Focus

Sevenoaks ranked for its million pound homes but Tunbridge Wells falls short

By Richard Williams SEVENOAKS has more streets containing million-pound houses than anywhere else in the county, analysis has found.

The Kent town has 133 streets where all the homes are valued at more than £1million, the third highest in the country outside of the capital.

Only Guildford in Surrey (176) and Reading (137) have more streets where the homes cost in excess of a million, according to research by Zoopla, which ranked the top ten towns outside of London.

‘The South East is also home to some of the highest-value addresses’ Tunbridge Wells didn’t make the top ten, although other towns that did included Harpenden in Hertfordshire (115), Altrincham in Greater Manchester (105) and Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire (98).

London has the most million pound streets in the UK. The online estate agent says it has identified nearly 1,800 more streets in

Britain where the average home is valued at £1million or more plus compared with a year ago.

Some 11,673 streets in September 2021 had an average property price of a million or more, which was 1,782 more than the 9,891 streets identified in September 2020, Zoopla said.

Sevenoaks has seen the number of streets where the homes cost more than seven figures increase by 20 compared to last year.

Research The South East of England has 4,366 streets with homes priced over £1million, the next highest to London which has 4,544.

The region accounts for about half of the increase identified by Zoopla, with 942 more million pound streets having been created over the past year, compared with just 262 more in London.

Kensington Palace Gardens in London remains Britain’s most exclusive street for the thirteenth year in a row with average property prices fetching £29.9million.

Grainne Gilmore, head of research at Zoopla, said: “London comes top when it comes to the UK’s prime markets, but the wider commuter zone in the South East is also home to some of the highest-value addresses, reflecting the size and type of housing stock in these regions.”

ROAD TO FORTUNE This Kent town holds the most value

What £10million buys you in the area

ONE of the most expensive properties on the market in the area is a Grade II listed stucco country house.

Ashurst Manor near Fordcombe in Tunbridge Wells is up for sale for £10million. The Georgian/Regency mansion sits in the in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the civil parish of Penshurst, around seven miles from Tunbridge Wells and used to belong to Lord Wykeham Stanley Cornwallis, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent who died in 1982.

Stunning Savills estate agents who are selling the property say its boasts over 96 acres of land, two gyms and 11,532sq ft of accommodation, including a dog room.

Robert Jacobs, property agent, said: “For me this grand, yet comfortable house really has it all, with a fine classical look and an abundance of style and set just a short distance outside of town, in a beautiful semi-rural setting.

“A big plus is the convenient location for both trains and schools, which is key for lots of buyers, as is the 96 acres of land securing ownership of the stunning view, all the way down to the road.”

STATELY SPRAWL Ashurst Manor near Penshurst has 96 acres of land

Record house price highs following end of stamp duty UK HOUSE prices are now at a record high, according to the latest Halifax House Price Index.

The building society’s figures show that prices rose by 1.7 per cent in September, equating to an increase of £4,400 to the value of the average property.

This means that average house prices in the UK are at their highest ever level of £267,500.

This month-on-month rise is the strongest increase since February 2007 and ups year-on-year house price inflation up to 7.4 per cent.

The South West remained the strongest

performing region in England, with annual house price growth of 9.7% (average house price of £276,226).

The North West saw the next biggest increase, with house prices up by 9% yearon-year (average house price of £201,927), marginally ahead of Yorkshire and Humber at 8.9% (average house price of £186,815)

Increase The weakest performing regions in terms of annual house price inflation are all to be found in the South and East of England, though these are also the areas with the

highest average house prices.

Russell Galley, managing director of Halifax, said: “While the end of the stamp duty holiday in England – and a desire amongst homebuyers to close deals at speed – may have played some part in these figures, it’s important to remember that most mortgages agreed in September would not have completed before the tax break expired.2 He continued: “Against a backdrop of rising pressures on the cost of living and impending increases in taxes, demand might be expected to soften in the months ahead, with some industry measures

already indicating lower levels of buyer activity.

“Nevertheless, low borrowing costs and improving labour market prospects for those already in employment are likely to continue to provide support.

“Perhaps the biggest factor in determining the future of house prices remains the limited supply of available properties.

“With estate agents reporting a further reduction in the number of houses for sale, this is likely to underpin average prices – though not the recent rate of price growth – into next year.”

VISIT US

TUNBRIDGE WELLS OR CROWBOROUGH BRANCHES

To meet increasing demand in our services, we are adding to our Tunbridge Wells branch and opening a second branch in Crowborough. So, whether you are buying or selling your home, we have up to date local knowledge of house prices and the housing market in your area. KMJ Property is a family run independent Estate Agency combining good old-fashioned service with cuung edge technology to ensure all our clients receive the best possible service. That’s why people are preferring to choose KMJ Property.

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Contactable 7 days a week, even outside of office hours

Contact us: 01892 515188 www.kmjproperty.co.uk

22

Homes & Interiors

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

11 ways to style a Scandi setting this winter ...

Calm and serene, neutral interiors and Scandinavian-inspired homewares are so easy to live with, says Sam Wylie-Harris

SCENT OF PINE Scandanavian themes are perfect for autumn and winter

Homes & Interiors

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

I

F YOU live by the mantra less is more and covet Scandi style, chances are you’re surrounded by natural shades, your furniture echoes craftmanship and nature, there’s a clever mix of beauty with utility in your decor choices and you can’t stand clutter.

This is the Scandi way – and it’s a timeless combination.

But if you’re looking to start afresh, open up your space with a light pale palette and add more natural elements such as sheepskin, wood and earthy tones – or you’re still curating your Scandi scheme, there’s always a way to add a new twist or update. Here’s how to shop this timeless trend right now…

1 HANDLE CERAMIC VASE, £28; Artificial Foliage in White Vase, £38, Next Pottery is right on point, and artisan pieces such as these distinctive vessels will contrast beautifully with a monochrome scheme.

2 GAIA CANDLE BY SAINTÉ IN BLUSH, £36, Iamfy.co With her shapely silhouette and soft, rounded edges, this gorgeous Gaia candle is almost too good to burn. But if you can’t resist striking a match, she’ll cast a beautiful shadow.

3 CLARENCE DESK, £795 (other items from a selection), Graham & Green Even if you’ve nailed working from home and have your space sorted, this utilitarian desk, crafted in mango wood with industrial-inspired pipework, will sit in perfect harmony with modern rustic decos. Plus, there’s the added bonus of four roomy drawers to clear the clutter.

4 COSY SHEEPSKIN CHAIR, £1,600 (other items from a selection), The White Company Soft and luxurious, elegant and timeless, this curved accent chair upholstered in curly sheepskin evokes thoughts of fireside cocktails and lounging around in your favourite cableknit sweater.

5 URBAN PARADISE SIDEBOARD – BLACK, £120, B&M Simple and neutral with enough natural elements to suit the Scandi aesthetic, this sideboard boasts attractive cane doors and the storage capacity to help you keep work surfaces sparse… apart from your sculpted vase on top, of course.

6 SET OF 6 COX & COX SPECKLED DINNER PLATES, £128, Next Finished in a blush pink glaze, this ceramic tableware is inspired by the Japanese tradition of Wabi-Sabi – finding beauty in imperfection, such as bowls used for tea ceremonies and appreciating their uneven surfaces – fused with Scandi simplicity. The palette provides the perfect backdrop for gravadlax with mustard and dill sauce, too!

7 ROUND SHEEPSKIN SEAT PADS, from £32, Graham & Green Ideal for spindle dining chairs or an occasional stool, we love these sumptuous sheepskin seat

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COMFORTING Working from home has never felt so good

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8 pads in ivory, rose, vole and steel. Luxe and ‘lagom’ (that’s Swedish for ‘just right’).

8 INES SIDE TABLE IN BLACK MARBLE & BLACK, £99 (was £149; other items from a selection or part of room set), Cult Even when you’ve made a clean sweep and gone minimal, you still need to introduce an object of desire – such as this art deco-inspired side table with A black metal base and marble top. Styled with a designer coffee table book and geometric candle holder, it will bring everything bang up to date.

9 WOODWICK SMOKED WALNUT & MAPLE CANDLES WITH PLUSWICK: MEDIUM HOURGLASS, £19.99 and Large Hourglass, £26.99, WoodWick With a wooden wick, dancing flame and sound of a crackling fire, these WoodWick candles fire the senses with base notes of smoked vanilla, patchouli and sandalwood topped with burnt sugar, toasted walnut and roasted cinnamon. A warm welcome for anyone coming in from the cold.

10 MIKI CANE ROCKING CHAIR, (£149, Dunelm) If you really want to rock the Scandi look, this contemporary rocking chair inspired by mid-century design is sure to be a big hit. Super stylish, its clean lines are complemented by the cane seating, giving it an airy, timeless look.

11 MALMO RUFFLE WHITE DOUBLE BEDDING SET, (£115 Silver Mushroom) This ruffle-edged bedding set in 200-thread-count tumbled washed cotton has that lovely restful, relaxed feel about it, and works like a dream when styled with crochet cushions and chunky knits. Stoneware accessories in soft greys and bleached wood furniture will play up the vintage charm.

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1 ELEGANT AND TIMELESS Just what you need for those cold, winter nights

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Arts & Antiques

antiques

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Wednesday October 13 | 2021

Ship shape ...

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OSSIBLY the most fascinating modes of transportation is sailing. Although we always associate the invention of the steam engine with the advent of the railroad, it is important to remember that it was also applied to navigation.

Thanks to the new technologies it became possible to build colossal ships capable of carrying people en masse across the oceans.

Exterior Incredible amounts of money were spent to decorate them with luxurious interiors, fine details, silver tableware, the most popular artists and designers were employed and although the exterior of the new 20th century steamships was not as appealing as the one of the antique wood ships.

Silver sails Silver galleon models are called ‘nefs’

Sometimes sailors brought onboard some souvenirs from the countries they visited, some memorabilia of their difficult and long journeys in exotic lands, unusual items and in many cases unique. The late 19th Century “blond” turtle shell pictured on the right comes from South America.

Collecting exotic curiosities became a popular pastime among the high British society, these extraordinary objects would make in fact wonderful conversation pieces and at the same time would represent the power and vastness of the British colonial Empire.

The flourishing of the maritime transport gave a new impulse to another classical branch of collecting connected to sailing: the ship models. With such a strong sailing and naval industry tradition, it goes without saying that many were the collectors of boats and yacht models in England.

Nonetheless, ship models were not a 19th century invention: wood replicas of ancient boats were found in Egyptian pharaohs’ tombs, clay, wood and iron models belonged to ancient Greeks and Scandinavians since the Bronze Age. During the Middle Age, the art of making ship models continued in Europe, they could be toys,drinking cups, reliquaries or gift offerings. They were made for worship, decoration, recreation: whatever purpose they were built for, the tradition of ship modelling continued through the Renaissance and the following centuries until today.

For thousands of years these models

Alexander Pushkin, of Pushkin Antiques in Tunbridge Wells High Street, talks about the souvenirs picked up on the high seas ... shared a common aspect: whether they were made of clay, bone, silver, wood, they were all individually handcrafted.

The new technological acquisitions of the naval industry were not immediately welcomed by shipmodellists, who preferred to copy and reproduce the old wood sailing ships.

Silver This early 20th century silver model of a 16th century war galleon is an extraordinary example of how, while the huge transatlantic ships crossed the oceans, people still dreamt about incredible and difficult adventures across unknown waters, when men were forced to fight with an unfriendly nature and to face adversities. The hull, supported by four grotesque birds, is decorated in relief and the deck is armed with seven cannons.

This type of ship model, generally made of silver or other precious metals are called ‘nefs’.

Nefs were table-ornaments, sometimes used either purely for decoration, to store table-linens, eating-utensils or to hold some sort of condiment or beverage and they were considered an important part of Continental elegant dining. Some nefs have wheels that allow them to be rolled from one end of the table to the other, however most of them stand on pedestals. Such pieces were popular in Europe during the 19th century, most of the surviving nefs - such as this fine

example - were made in Germany at the end of the 19th century.

Ship models are an incredibly vast field and – as we said above - they could be made for several purposes. From 1716 the Navy Board established that all drafts for new vessels produced within the United Kingdom must be accompanied by a scale model, a totally exact replica of the ship – whether steamship or sailing ship - on a small scale.

Valuable A prized turtle shell

Arts & Antiques

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

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Weekly sale wonders at Gorringe’s

Gorringe’s auctioneer Joseph Trinder tells the Times about some of the treasured items that regularly come up for offer in their popular sale rooms and auction house

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HOSE who have read my recent weekly articles will have learned of the highest selling lots in our latest quarterly fine sales, culminating on the 28th of September as we sold a small but impactful work by Canaletto for £300,000.

However, this celebrated quartet of fine sales annually is not the only opportunity to buy and sell with us - we hold over 50 other sales a year.

With one of the largest and most popular

Investment Prince of Wales Investiture chair

weekly auctions from across all of the UK, of the screen and own a real piece from that each Monday sees around 800 lots offered for remarkable world, estimated at £400-600. sale at Gorringe’s – featuring everything from From this, to lot 126 where we see an Italian furniture, decorative arts, antiques, collectibles, stitched and buttoned leather dog’s bed, fine art, silver and jewellery being sold under something for those of us that really want to the hammer. With lots typically ranging in price pamper man’s best friend. This ultimate pup’s between £80 and £1,000 this variety is matched pad is expected to fetch an approachable £100by its appeal to any budget. £150.

Here, I’ve picked a few favourite lots from our upcoming October 18th auction to illustrate the Figure variety and intrigue on offer every Monday.

First for some furniture. Lot 123 is an early Another favourite of mine from the sale is 20th century Anglo Indian rosewood two-part lot 578. An atmospheric 19th century study military or ‘campaign’ chest of drawers with of a Cavalryman on horseback, I love the inset brass handles. A concept which dates back stillness and contemplation of this piece. to the time of the Romans, campaign furniture Painted in profile, the figure is presented quite was made to be transportable and durable anonymously. A well-painted snapshot in time, as it accompanied officers on global military this original oil painting is estimated at just £80campaigns and expeditions. This example, in 120, a perfect example of the uniqueness and a sumptuous rosewood is estimated at £500-700.

A very different piece of furniture a SEALING THE DEAL few yards away in the saleroom comes Chalcedony fob seals in the form of lot 128, a Prince of Wales Investiture chair, commissioned for the investiture ceremony of HRH The Prince of Wales which took place at Caernarfon Castle on 1st July 1969. Designed by Antony Armstrong-Jones, Lord Snowdon, this striking red chair reflects a real piece of British Royal history. If you’re anything like me, you’ve watched (and maybe even re-watched) Netflix’s The Crown. Here is an opportunity to transcend the limits

quality which can be bought by any budget in our weekly sales.

Lot 892 is a group of four gold overlaid chalcedony fob seals. Made from this and other precious stones and often mounted in gold and other precious metals, such pieces were also often carved with armorial shields, family monograms and monikers and used as signatures in sealing wax throughout history for securing letters and important documents. Estimated at £200-300, such pieces are still very popular and collectable.

So here are just 5 of over 700 lots, from just one of our weekly sales which I hope to illustrate the diversity and intrigue on offer with us every Monday. They say that variety is the spice of life and we definitely have that here at Gorringe’s!

If you would like to discuss viewing or taking part in our sales, bidding or consigning, please contact me directly via josepht@gorringes.co.uk

WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU IS IMPORTANT TO US At NFU Mutual we can look after you, your family and your business.

Our insurance products and financial services include: • Home • Travel • Income Protection • Car • Equine • Financial Planning • Business • Fleet • Pensions NFU Mutual Financial Advisers advise on NFU Mutual products and selected products from specialist providers. When you get in touch we’ll explain the advice services offered and the charges. Financial advice is provided by NFU Mutual Select Investments Limited.

For a real conversation about your insurance call us or pop in NFU Mutual, 55 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1XU | 01892 321461

M J Webber, P G Bowring & S Joubert is an appointed representative of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No. 111982). And an introducer to NFU Mutual Select Investments Limited, a member of the NFU Mutual group of companies.

Arts

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Wednesday October 13 | 2021

Why audiences can expect a perfect ten from Strictly star Shirley’s panto performance This year’s pantomime at the Assembly Hall stars BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing Head Judge Shirley Ballas as the Evil Queen. Eileen Leahy met the former professional Latin dancer recently to find out why she’s so excited about playing mean to the people of Tunbridge Wells this Christmas

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TRICTLY Come Dancing Head Judge Shirley Ballas is positively fizzing with excitement when we meet to exclusively discuss her role as the Evil Queen in the Assembly Hall’s Christmas pantomime Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs.

“I’m sooo looking forward to playing someone nasty!” she laughs, rubbing her hands - which are bedecked with numerous shiny cocktail rings - with visible glee as we sit down to chat all things panto.

“I’ve only done pantomime twice before and I played the good fairy type characters both times so now I’m extremely excited to be taking on the role of the Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Being nasty is far more me,” she winks before throwing her head back and laughing heartily.

be the Strictly final and she will obviously have to be handing out tens in Elstree that night as the show is totally live.

And as she’s such an organised person who likes to plan how does Shirley feel about having to embrace the spontaneous spirit of pantomime?

“The first year I did it I was a bit concerned about that aspect but I think if I get enveloped within the cast and the storyline it will be fine. And hey if something goes wrong then I just need to go with the flow!”

And how does Shirley feel about having to sing in panto. Is she anxious about that?

“Oh yes! I suggest that when the audience buys their tickets they know to bring a pair of earphones and so when I sing they can put them on!”

Shirley’s previous career as a world famous professional dancer will certainly provide her with the necessary experience when it comes to delivering a stellar performance in front of a live audience night after night. How will Shirley ensure she ensures the audience feel like they’re the first people to hear all the funny jokes, boos and she’s behind yous?

“You have to give a fresh performance every time. And remember the audience will only be as good as we as a cast are. If we’re not on top of our game then don’t expect the laughs - you have to work hard.”

THE EVIL QUEEN Strictly’s Head Judge Shirley Ballas is in the Assembly Hall’s panto of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Character The Times of Tunbridge Wells has been granted a special interview with former World Latin Dance Champion and TV star Shirley during the panto cast’s official photo call at Salomons Estate. It’s the first time they have all met one another and the excitement is positively palpable as Shirley poses up a storm in her glitzy purple velvet and gold Evil Queen costume and the seven dwarfs high five one another.

“When I played the Good Fairy in Jack and The Beanstalk in 2019 everything was sweet and kind so I’m thinking this one is going to be a lot of fun - I’ve even perfected my cackle,” she reveals before letting out a shrill, high-pitched laugh that’s perfectly laced with just the right amount of naughtiness and cunning.

Shirley, who has also appeared on Dancing With The Stars in the US and is a regular on ITV’s Loose Women, may well be dressed in character for our interview but she still manages to exude the glamour she is well known for possessing as Head Judge on Strictly which she joined in 2017, replacing Len Goodman. However, Shirley does admit that she’s no seasoned panto performer and that’s pushing her out of her comfort zone somewhat.

“I think I’m definitely still on the beginner’s step when it comes to doing panto but hey, I’ll give it a go. I’m extremely easy to work with and I’m good at taking direction so that works in my favour but oh my, remembering all those lines! Well now that might be a bit of a challenge. And I may just be relying on the audience to help me!”

Shirley goes on to say that her boyfriend Daniel Taylor, an actor, has been giving her a helping hand with her lines and that it was her fellow Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood who convinced Shirley to give pantomime a whirl in the first place.

“He said ‘just go for it, you’re an extrovert so I think it might suit you’. So yes he gave me a little bit of a push of which I’m glad because I do enjoy it

Honoured

– despite all the line learning but my boyfriend Daniel is great at helping me with that aspect. Apparently I’m very good at rhyming couplets!”

And given that Shirley will still be judging on Strictly when the panto’s run kicks off on December 17 how will she manage both I wonder?

“Oh I’m used to juggling!” she shrugs.

“I’m a woman so I will multitask.

Tunbridge Wells is only an hour and a half from where I live and Elstree Studios (where Strictly is recorded) is an hour and a half away from me so it’s not like I’m hundreds of miles away. I was doing lots of

commuting the last time I did panto as it was up in Darlington in County Durham but this time around it’s going to be a lot easier. So much of it is down to good planning and I am an organised person so I want to know what I’m doing.

“I’ll come into rehearsals for two weeks before we launch the show – I just need to make sure as many of my lines are learnt!

But I’m good with direction so if you show me what you want I’ll do it.

I’m a good mimic so I’m relying on that a little too.”

However Shirley will not be appearing in either the panto’s matinee or evening performance on December 18 as that will

‘I am looking forward to meeting and greeting the good people of Tunbridge Wells’

And will the audiences in Tunbridge Wells be treated to one of Shirley’s trademark cha cha chas or sambas?

“Well let’s put it this way, the Evil Queen will showcase a little of my Latin Queen,” she teases.

Up until the cast’s first photo call Shirley tells me she had never been to Tunbridge Wells. Is she excited about discovering the town a little I wonder?

“Oh yes! I think we’re staying over a few nights here and there so I’m looking forward to going out for a dance after the performance. Do you know of any good 80s style clubs?”

I tell her that sadly the famous spa town is lacking in that particular musical genre but there are plenty of nice places to eat and drink.

“Well I’m not a drinker so I won’t be going out to pubs but I am looking forward to meeting and greeting the good people of Tunbridge Wells when I’m out and about. I think this is going to be a lot of fun and just a great experience. I’m humbled and honoured that I’ve been asked to play this role. People won’t know what to expect from me when I hit that stage!”

Tickets for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs are available now from www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk The show runs from December 17 - January 3 2022 and ticket prices start at £32.50. Please note Shirley Ballas won’t be appearing in either show on December 18.

Arts

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

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“We promise to bring our Trinity audience a fantastic combination of real suspense and humour…”

Trinity Theatre Club will be back treading the boards at their beloved theatre next week with their production of The Hound of the Baskervilles. The Times finds out more about their long awaited return

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F YOU’REa regular at Trinity Theatre then you’re bound to have seen one or two of the shows put on by Trinity Theatre Club (TTC).

The club, which was founded in 1946, would stage approximately four productions a year but then of course like everyone else they were thrown a Covid-shaped curveball last year when the pandemic hit and consequently saw all their plans ripped up due to Trinity being shut during the numerous lockdowns.

Fast forward nearly two years and the group, which boasts many members and describes itself as ‘a vibrant, energetic, amateur theatre company’ is back with a production of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles which starts on October 19 and runs until October 23.

‘After the restrictions of the last 18 months we’re excited to present this gripping play’ “We pride ourselves on our ambitious programming, high production values and reputation for excellence,” a TTC spokesperson

tells the Times. And it would seem that their latest show is no exception.

“After the restrictions of the last 18 months, TTC are excited to present this gripping play and invite you to join us as the mystery unfolds on Dartmoor,” continues the spokesperson.

“We promise to bring audiences a fantastic combination of suspense and humour!”

Consults TTC will be taking on Clive Francis’s ‘ingenious and lively adaptation’ of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic adventure. Not familiar with it?

Then in brief the plot revolves around an ancient family curse, a cold and desolate moor, a demonic, spectral hound and a deranged killer on the loose all of which provide the perfect chemistry to fascinate the great detective, Mr Sherlock Holmes.

“Immediately, he consults with his trusty friend Dr Watson to discuss the strange, possibly supernatural goings-on at Baskerville Hall and the surrounding dark, foreboding moor,” explains TTC’s spokesperson.

“Can Sherlock and Watson solve the mystery before another victim is gruesomely claimed?

Who are the mysterious but handsome Stapletons? Does the dour Barrymore, trusted

CLASSIC ADVENTURES The TTC rehearse a key scene Butler to generations of Baskervilles, hold the key to the mystery? Join Dr Watson on the terrifying and gripping journey from 221b Baker Street to Dartmoor and the eerie Baskerville Hall, while Holmes uses his intellect and powers of deduction to unfold the mystery.”

Did you know that Conan-Doyle attempted to dispose of his creation of Dr Sherlock Holmes in 1894, but his readers would not allow it?

Consequently, he wrote The Hound of the Baskervilles bringing this character back to life in a tale of horror and suspense. Conan Doyle includes many of his own interests and beliefs in the story; his fascination for the supernatural, his understanding of botany and, of course, his training as a doctor.

“Clive Francis’s Baskervilles adaptation uses the characters to drive the pace of this dark tale,” says the TTC spokesperson. “Watson is played by four actors, representing one person,

and the result is a fast-paced dialogue with humour and energy. Holmes is the same, flawed character created by Conan-Doyle with a weakness for addiction.” We can’t wait to see how TTC brings this infamous story back to life at Trinity theatre next week.

75 YEARS OF TTC THEATRE TTC was founded in 1946 as the Tunbridge Wells Drama Club. When Decimus Burton’s beautiful Holy Trinity Church was decommissioned in 1977 the Drama Club was at the forefront of the move to convert Trinity into a theatre, and by 1981 the Club had established itself as Trinity’s resident amateur theatre company. The club has a deserved reputation for producing amateur drama to a professional standard.

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Food & Culture

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

Time to Rioja and roll...

This week Times drinks editor James Viner says Salud to Rioja Wine Month….

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CTOBER is Rioja Wine Month, a countrywide fiesta taking place across independent retailers, wine bars and restaurants to promote Spain’s flagship wine region. Following a flurry of spellbinding press tastings in the capital, this week I’m shining the spotlight on three Riojan corkers…

Making probably the best-value fine wines in the world, Rioja is undeniably Spain’s most well-known wine region. Spread across three autonomous communities and flanked to the north and south by mountains, it is about 350 km (210 miles) north of Madrid and 100 km (60 miles) south of Bilbao, with Spain’s second-longest river, the Ebro, running through the region from west to east.

Its unique setting is a crossroads of topographies, cultures and climates, and this variety is replicated in its wines. These range from region-wide blends to more artisanal productions that showcase a specific place, vineyard, or

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‘Rioja is undeniably Spain’s most well-known wine region. And its unique setting of topographies, cultures and climates is perfectly replicated in its wines’’

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Tell your dog to clear their diary At Bruce’s Tunbridge Wells we’ve packed all our expertise into designing a doggy day care dedicated to unleashing happiness and enriching the lives of dogs and their families.

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The new centre features a Puppy Preschool, Sniffing Safari, Curiosity Corner and Zen Garden.

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Call Bruce’s on 0345 835 7000 or visit www.bruces.dog

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Food & Culture

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

variety. Acting as the corner¬stone of many of the region’s wines, the most planted grape variety is tempranillo, occupying nearly 80% of the vineyard surface.

While most traditional blends are based on this early-ripening variety and supplemented by cariñena (aka mazuelo), graciano, and/ or garnacha (aka grenache, the dominant ingredient in Châteauneuf-du-Pape), it’s be¬coming increasingly common to find singlevarietal examples. Although red wines dominate production, the historically important viura (aka macabeo)-based white wines have latterly seen renewed interest.

Now you know a little more why not try these…

1. Tiptop white Rioja 2019 Cune/Cvne Barrel Fermented Rioja Blanco (£8.99-£9.50, Majestic mix six & Co-op) Don’t forget about white Rioja. Only around 10% of Rioja’s vines are lightskinned and viura is far and away the most planted white grape – around 70% of the total of this figure, with tempranillo blanco a distant second place.

One of Rioja’s great names, Compañia Vinícola del Norte de España (pronounced “coo-nee”), founded in 1879 in the iconic Barrio de la Estación railway station of Haro (the first town in Spain to have electric street lighting), is the producer behind this deftly-oaked white,

which was fermented for around three weeks in new American oak casks. Think beeswax, apple peel, citrus and pear with light oakderived notes of nutmeg, vanilla, sandalwood and toast. Try it with main course vegetable dishes, roasted white meats, pork belly with Asian spices, risotto, seafood and creamy pasta dishes. A very good buy. 100% viura.

2. 2020 Muga Rioja Rosado (£8.25 offer, down from £9.50, The Wine Society) Must-try discounted pale rosado (pink wine) from the calcareous & ferrous clay soils of the upper Najerilla valley 2020 Muga Rioja Rosado (£8.25 offer, down from £9.50, The Wine Society) Cling on to summer with a bottle of this top-value, cut-price rosado. Alluring wild strawberry, pink grapefruit, rose petal, peach and redcurrant aromas lead onto the tangy, succulent and gently creamy palate of this mouth-watering, fashionably pale pink garnacha tinta-viura blend, which was fermented for around four weeks in small wooden tanks of about 2,000 litres. Would match nicely with rice dishes, salads, seafood, bouillabaisse, brie/ camembert or aubergine parmigiana. An exquisite weekday rosado that over-delivers for the price.

Get in there quickly as it’s a steal now on the offer at The Wine Society, the much-deserved, newly-crowned winner of ‘Outstanding Retailer of the Year’ at The Decanter Retailer Awards 2021.

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3. 2018 Rioja Sierr a de Toloño Tinto ‘Raposo,’ Rioja Alavesa (£19.50-£21.95, Lea & Sandeman) Fresh, elegant, high-altitude, artisanal red from two old vineyards & a brilliant young winemaker There is more to Rioja than oaky reds. Sourced from two deep-rooted, 60- and 100-year-old organic vineyards situated around 500M above sea level in Villabuena de Álava, this pristine, unfined, unfiltered, small production (just 6500 bottles) field blend of tempranillo and graciano was made by Sandra Bravo, one of the youngest members of the so-called ‘Rioja ‘n’ Roll’ collective of nine brilliant winemakers from seven boutique wineries. Made without ageing certification, this characterful red is spicy, floral, crunchy, refined and complex with bags of bright, refreshing, brambly, red berry fruits, framed by fine, sweet, caressing tannins and supported by a light chocolate note.

Fermented and then aged in 3000-litre oak foudres (not the standard 225L oak barrels).

Irresistibly good with cod with butter beans in a chorizo and tomato sauce, slow-cooked pork shoulder and pink lamb cutlets. This is fresh, elegant, modern Rioja at its outstanding best.

It only gets better when left open for a day or two. Superb stuff from a soulful winemaker and winery on song.

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RIOJA: THE FACTS • Planted area: 65,811ha: 59,855 red grapes & 5,956 white grapes (Great Britain has just 3,800ha under vine) • Main grapes: Red Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo (Cariñena); White Viura, Tempranillo Blanco, Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc • Main soil types: Clay-limestone, clay-ferrous & alluvial • Rioja is the oldest Designation of Origin in Spain (1925) & the first to earn Calificada or DOCa status in 1991 (joined by Priorat in 2003) • Rioja has circa 14,800 growers, 28 co-ops and 576 wineries with a bottling licence, and its DOCa holds the highest number of registered quality wineries (Spain has an estimated 4000 in total) • Nine out of ten bottles are red, with around 10% a mix of both whites & rosados • Rioja has the largest number of 225-litre oak barrels in the winemaking world: 1,371,679 on 31 December 2020

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

health & wellbeing

Finding help with your mental health Following World Mental Health Day on Sunday (October 10), GP Dr Rhianna McClymont offers her advice on the best ways to raise psychological issues with your doctor, to try and encourage people to ask for help whenever they need it 1. When should I seek help?

You should look for help if your mental health starts to impact your everyday life, or if you feel that you’re struggling to manage the problem by yourself. In these cases, you can book yourself into a GP for an appointment.

In more severe cases, and if you have any thoughts about harming yourself or others, you should refer yourself to a local mental health crisis team, or consider checking in to A&E, where there are psychiatric liaison teams onsite.

Dr McClymont says: “Getting help early can limit the impact that a mental health problem has on you, quality of your life and your mood.

“If you need specialised help for mental health, a GP can refer you to a psychiatry team. Anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns are common, and nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about.”

2. Should I prepare?

Whilst you won’t need to do any in-depth preparation for your appointment, it’s a good idea to know in advance what you want to talk about, what particular issues you want to address, and whether you want a friend or family member to join the

appointment with you.

Dr McClymont says: “Knowing what you want to talk about can make your appointment much more effective when it comes to dealing with the issues. It can also be a good idea to record your feelings in a journal before your appointment. This will give you much more information to share with your GP that you might otherwise forget.

“You should also be prepared to inform your GP of any drugs or medication that you’re taking, as these can sometimes impact your mental health. Being honest with your GP will help them to address the problem.”

3. What will happen?

Your GP will ask you a series of questions about how you’re feeling and what issues you’re experiencing due to the mental health problems. They may also ask you about your family’s medical history to determine whether that could be a factor.

Dr McClymont says: “Sometimes, talking about your feelings, traumatic events in your past, or your own triggers for mental illness can be difficult. Take your time, but do try to bring up anything you feel could be important, as it will help you get the right treatment.”

4. What will the GP recommend?

The first step your GP will take is to determine whether there are any lifestyle changes that can be made to address the problems.

If further treatment is needed, then your doctor might suggest that you begin taking antidepressants, refer you to counselling

or other therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and may recommend a nearby charity or organisation that can help.

Dr McClymont says: “Sometimes a change in lifestyle is all that’s needed to improve your mental health. Things like smoking or drinking can start as a coping mechanism to deal with things like stress at work, but they can quickly become contributing factors to the deterioration of your mental health. In other cases, we may find that direct treatment, whether through medication or counselling, is the best option.”

5. Are there other forms of help?

There are lots of groups and organisations that have been set up to help people with mental health problems, and to allow people suffering to be able to

communicate their experiences to others who have faced similar issues.

You can also talk about your mental health with friends and family or write about your experiences in a journal. These techniques can often help you deal with mental health problems by relieving some of the burden through confiding in others.

Dr McClymont says: ‘There are many different mental health charities available that are excellent at offering advice and further support if needed. If you have health problems that are affecting your work, it may also be helpful to talk to your manager or HR department. You don’t need to disclose more than you’re comfortable with.

For more information on about your mental health, visit: livi.co.uk/your-health/

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

31

Spotting psychological issues in children and youngsters

With children’s mental health referrals at record levels, former school teacher Becky Cranham, the founder of education resource experts PlanBee, has some ideas on how parents can best help youngsters experiencing distress

C

hildren and young people are shouldering much of the pain of the Covid pandemic. Isolated from their friends during lockdowns, faced with new Covid regulations at school, and worried about their futures, it has taken a huge toll on their mental wellbeing.

In England, more than twice as many children and adolescents were referred to mental health services year on year, as cases

“Whatever your role, try to see the child, not their emotion and not their behaviour. Really see the child.” hit a record high. And this is a UK-wide crisis: in Scotland, too, CAMHS (Child Mental Health Services) waiting lists have hit their highest point on record, with almost 12,000 young

people waiting to be seen at the end of June.

In Wales, children and young people are waiting as long as nine months to access professional mental health support.

Many parents are desperately worried about deteriorations in their children’s condition as they wait up to a year for their first appointment.

Becky says: "Change can be unsettling.

Changes out of our control can make us feel like we are being ‘done to’. When we feel ‘done to’, we can hold on tight to things that make us feel safe. We might see children becoming upset when the day's snack isn’t what they expected, or when a game with their friends isn’t going the way they want.

"When a child is experiencing big emotions, when they have 'lost the plot' and cannot regulate, the adults around them need to share their calm. If you can separate the child from the feelings and share your ‘warm fuzzy feelings’ with them, you can calm them.

"Whatever your role, try to see the child, not their emotion and not their behaviour. Really see the child.”

REMAIN CALM There is always a reason why children are upset

TIPS IF YOU THINK YOUR CHILD IS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES Make time as a family Turn screens off and tune into each other. You could go on a walk, play a board game or draw together. This time doesn’t have to involve spending money, often the free simple things are best.

Have fun Play lowers stress levels, relaxes us and helps us connect. Be spontaneous wherever possible

and make the mundane fun. Remember the play should be fun for everyone, so take turns deciding what you will do and set boundaries you all keep to.

time to pause and think: this time is so important for our mental health and general wellbeing.

Be relaxed

The more you practice naming and explaining feelings the better you and your children will become at regulating your emotions. Give your children the vocabulary and skills to name, recognise and understand their emotions.

As life slowly starts to return to normal try to hold on to some of those moments of calm stillness we experienced during lockdown.

When lives are overly scheduled, we lose the

Model your behaviour

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Going Out

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

goingout 7 days of activities

T

HE DELIGHTFUL Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival begins this weekend until Sunday (October 17), starting with Eli and the Golem for older children (age 10+) at Trinity Theatre today (Wed) and Dig! – a garden tale for the very young ones (and we suspect a lot of older ones, too!) at the Assembly Hall tomorrow (Thursday). While Friday brings the launch of the giant, literally unmissable Museum of the Moon installation in Calverley Grounds at 7pm – a sight truly to be seen to be believed!

Also running every day for free online are the short films Red Rover, a stop-motion sci-fi adventure, and The Lonely Sailor Weather Report, a curious exploration into amphibious living (age 10+). To watch them go to: twpuppetryfestival.org Plus there’s An Exhibition of Puppets by Astrid Goldsmith of Mock the Duck Studios scattered through Royal Victoria Place.

Tickets for the various events can be booked through the different venues. Details of all the puppetry events are below, some of which are also free.

WEDNESDAY 7.30pm Eli and the Golem, Trinity Theatre.

Strangeface Theatre Company stage another of their virtuoso pieces of Bunraku-style puppetry.

The setting is 1938. In the smoke, noise and steam of Liverpool Street Station, an anxious father awaits the arrival of his daughter as part of the Kindertransport. As he waits, he relives the terrifying events that drove him to flee his family and home in Prague, and wonders if he may, in fact, be a ghost. (Age 10+). Followed by a 30-minute Q&A. 7.30pm The Professionals (Paul Cook from Sex Pistols) and Desperate Measures, The Forum. (Age 16+). B THURSDAY 10am & 11.30am Dig!, Assembly Hall Theatre.

The Pied Piper Theatre Company bring a gentle story designed for children to enjoy their first experience of the theatre, with music, rhythm and singing. As the sun comes up on a new day, the garden wakes up and we see a world of growing plants, busy bugs, wriggling worms and ever-changing weather… then stay on afterwards to play amongst the plants! (Age 6 months to 3 years).

8pm Rich Hall's Hoedown Deluxe, Trinity Theatre. A combination of keen acerbic stand-up combined with spit and sawdust alt-country lyricism.

FRIDAY 10am & 11.30am The Hug, Trinity Theatre.

SPECIAL DELIVERY Bird in the Hand Theatre will be performing by the Millennium Clock in Fiveways

By Sarah Bond

Long Nose Puppets’ new show is based on the book of the same name by Eoin McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar. The story stars a hedgehog and a tortoise, both in search of a restorative hug, but they face many rejections along the way… Watch out for a very special hug at the end. Includes signed language. (Age 6 months -4 years).

7-9pm (until Sunday) Museum of the Moon, Calverley Grounds. An amazing free touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram. The suspended Moon is seven metres in diameter and features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. The entire installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and a surround sound composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer Dan Jones. The Moon will shine brightly at night but the park is unlit, so bring a torch if visiting after dark.

7.30pm Pete Firman: Bag of Tricks, Trinity Theatre. A blend of comedy and jaw-dropping magic live on stage. (Age 14+).

15-24 Oct West Kent Mind’s Online Auction Fundraising Spectacular. For details see: westkentmind.org.uk

from Pembury, to Dunorlan Park and back. Sign up to join in and reserve your event T-shirt and lantern at: hospiceintheweald.org.uk

SATURDAY 11am, 1pm & 3pm Aardman Model-Making Workshops, Upper Mall, Royal Victoria Place (opposite Istore & Oliver Bonas). Fun hands-on sessions run by a member of the famous Aardman team where you can get creative with clay and discover how to make your own Gromit (11am), Feathers McGraw (1pm) or Shaun the Sheep (3pm) character to take home. Enjoy lots of great anecdotes about the studio. Adults must stay at the workshop with their children. (Age 8+).

11.30am & 2pm Eggs on Legs, Camden Centre.

Garlic Theatre conjure up a poetic Dr Seuss world full of eggcentric puppets and music. A cracking family show that will leave you never looking at an egg in the same way again! (Age 3 -8).

3pm & 4.30pm SeedHeart, The Forum. Indigo Moon Theatre, who have worked for Take That and Peaky Blinders, present a story reflecting the human impact on the environment. It unfolds from a suitcase as we follow a character’s journey to a better future with puppetry, magical pop-ups and interactive chaos in a laboratory.

6pm & 8pm The Parachute, Trinity Theatre. A funny story about youth, love and confronting old age. Armed with Sebastian Castagna’s music and an armful of white tipped wands, puppeteer Stephen Mottram magics up his characters from nowhere. So strap on a parachute for that final leap into the unknown…

6pm Hospice Starlight Stroll, Hospice in the Weald, Pembury. A six-mile fundraising walk

SUNDAY 11am, 12.30pm & 2pm The Lost Colour, Trinity Theatre Gardens. A free outdoor show by Half a String played out two metres in the air.

Join Malcolm Brushell, a professional painter and amateur alchemist, on his quest to find the pinky-est pink paint on the planet through cracking rocks, mashing vegetables and more.

11am, 12.30pm & 2pm Seeing Red, The Pantiles. Frolicked’s free modern reworking of the fairy tale Red Riding Hood which tells the tale of a girl who learns how to control her own fate.

11.30am, 1pm & 2.30pm Buzz, The Pantiles. A free show by Smoking Apples following a young boy’s bee-rillant journey of discovery as he shrinks down to bee size, meets Buddy the Bee, and learns of the troubles that bees face.

11.45am, 1pm & 2.15pm Special Delivery, Five Ways, under the Millennium Clock. A free story by Bird in the Hand Theatre about the delights of trying something unexpected, centering upon a postman.

12noon, 1.30pm & 3pm The Punjeet and Judy-Gee Show, The Pantiles. Professor Patel’s free Bollywood Punjeet and Judy-gee Show is Punch and Judy with a modern-day twist as Punjeet tries to be a good husband and father, failing miserably. A satire for all the family with special appearances from Boris, The Clown From London Town, Donald Trump and Sylvester Stallone.

12.15pm, 2.15pm & 3.15pm The Juke Boxes, Royal Victoria Place. Sing and dance along to a free show by Bootworks as two 1950s jukeboxes

LUNAR LAUNCH Museum of the Moon is in Calverley Grounds from Friday

FUNNYMAN Comic Pete Finnan is on at the Trinity Theatre

33

MUSEUM OF THE MOON xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

spring to life recreating classic pop videos featuringThe Beatles, Sinead O’Connor, Miley Cyrus, Stevie Wonder and Adele.

2pm and online from 17-24 Oct Unlocked, Royal Victoria Place. The free screening of a festival competition to identify new young talent among recent arts graduates.

2.30pm The Magic Shoe, Trinity Theatre Gardens. Bloomin’ Arts tell the free tale of a fisherman who pulls a magic shoe out of the sea that takes him on a journey through time. A multimedia performance developed by a group of very talented adults with learning disabilities.

3.15pm & 4.30pm The Insect Circus, The Forum. String Theatre breathe new life into Victorian trick marionettes techniques as they invite the audience to become immersed in the strange and beautiful world of insects.

TUESDAY Tue-Sat 7.30pm, Wed, Sat & Sun matinee 2.30pm Oct 19-24 The Play That Goes Wrong, Assembly Hall Theatre. A multi-award-winning hit comedy by Mischief Productions that sees The Cornley Drama Society putting on a 1920s murder mystery – but, as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong does! (Age restriction: 8yrs+).

See also our SO magazine special features at timeslocalnews.co.uk – Interview: Jonathan Sayer – The Play That Goes Wrong & Meet Trinity Theatre's new Artistic Director: Sean Turner.

7.30pm Oct 19-23 Trinity Theatre Club: The Hound of the Baskervilles, Trinity Theatre.

Clive Francis’s ingenious and lively adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock Holmes adventure surrounding an ancient family curse, a desolate moor, a demonic hound and a killer on the loose. More on page 27....

ELEMENTARY Hounds of the Baskervilles by Trinity Theatre Club begins Tuesday

34

Travel

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

Is Helsinki the new small-scale city break we are all craving?

Brimming with art, architecture and nature, the Finnish capital of Helsinki offers culture without crowds, says Sarah Marshall ...

travel

S

everal months ago, the idea of a city break might have seemed like a bad idea. Crowds and concrete weren’t top of anyone’s agenda.

But as we gradually tip toe back to some degree of normality, the cultural void left by months of lockdown is becoming more pronounced. Theatres, galleries, shops and restaurants have been noticeably absent from our lives.

While it might take some time before we’re ready to embrace a metropolis again, smaller cities have greater appeal.

Easily navigable on foot and populated by more trees than people, Finland’s capital Helsinki strikes a perfect balance between space and social activity. Mornings can be spent admiring Art Nouveau architecture,

This angular building has become a trendy hangout for locals who prefer a modern take on the

Finnish tradition sauna.

LÖYLY SAUNA Breathtaking birds-eye view of the complex

while sunny autumn afternoons are ideal for a sauna and bracing sea swim.

Any double vaccinated travellers can enter without a PCR test, and most restrictions on venues have been lifted.

Not that overcrowding is ever an issue in a city where there’s always enough space to freely roam. The only stressful decision is deciding what to do…

TAKE A SAUNA AT LÖYLY As much a piece of art as a place to relax, this angular building has become a trendy hangout for locals who prefer a modern take on the Finnish tradition sauna.

Named after the metal ladle used to throw water on coals and increase steam, the site is set on the waterfront in a former industrial area a little out of town.

Bathing suits are worn in the communal saunas which can reach up to 90C if overzealous Finns are in the room. Cool off by going outside and taking a dip in the sea, accessed via a ladder. An outdoor restaurant provides a relaxing space to chill and chatter between sweat sessions.

In the winter, drink beer around an indoor fire. A two-hour session costs €19 (around £16), including a towel and seat cover. Visit loylyhelsinki.fi/en/

AMOS REX This Art Nouveau masterpiece built for the 1936 Olympics

Travel

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

35

HIKER’S DREAM Yellowstone is America’s most popular national park

‘Bathing suits are worn in the communal saunas which can reach up to 90C if overzealous Finns are in the room. Cool off by going outside and STUNNING SCENERY Unforgettable views as taking a dip in the sea’ you travel through the Colorado River LÖYLY SAUNA The cold water surrounding the sauna

WALK AROUND THE AMOS REX Originally built for the 1936 Olympics, which only happened several years later, this Art Nouveau masterpiece has been lovingly restored and given a new lease of life. Climb a spiral staircase to find a cinema with striking red leather seats and head downstairs to an art gallery built in the basement. Perfect for showcasing largescale installations, the cavernous area hosts several shows throughout the year.

Light streams through windows built into cones rising from the marketplace square outside. Cherished by locals, the futuristic structures have been a particular hit with skateboarders. The gallery even has a stash of spare skateboards behind the counter should any tourists like to have a go. Pop into the

DESIGN CLASSIC Helsinki Railway Station

neighbouring Lasipalatsi cafe to admire the frescoes and more 1930s design. Visit: amosrex. fi/en DINE AT CHERI View this post on InstagramA post shared by Chéri (@cheri_helsinki) The latest venture from adventurous, trendsetting chef Richard McCormick only opened a few weeks ago, but it’s already causing a stir.

Overlooking Esplanade Park in the centre of Helsinki, the unabashedly pink parlour is a playful mix of plush dining booths and tacky Eighties antiques.

Once the Instagram frenzy is over, however, it’s worth sticking around for the food. Using local Finnish ingredients to transform French and European favourites, the menu is a delight.

A tartare of foraged mushrooms is rich in earthy,

SWISH Scandic Grand Hotel forest flavours; a lobster linguine is a sweet and salty nod to the sea.

If you’re lucky, Richard’s mum, Nisa, might be on waitress duty. A flamboyant character with a background in singing musicals, she’ll happily share stories of her colourful life. Visit cherihelsinki.com SLEEP IN THE NEW SCANDIC GRAND HOTEL View this post on InstagramA post shared

by Scandic Grand Central Helsinki (@ scandicgrandcentralhelsinki) So much of Helsinki’s architecture deserves attention. One of the most iconic structures is the train station, built in the early 20th century.

An example of Art Nouveau splendour, its pistachio-hued clocktower rises above two pairs of lantern-bearing statues flanking the entrance.

Designed by the same architect, Eliel Saarinen, the neighbouring railway administration building has been transformed into a hotel.

Inside, long corridors are laid out in a grid system, with wide staircases connecting each floor. Highlight features include original murals signposting different departments and a wooden boardroom table scarred by the imprint of a speaker’s hammer.

The breakfast buffet is one of the city’s

finest offerings. Find three types of porridge, a seasonal apple crumble with custard, and egg soufflé served with a chimichurri sauce.

From €102 per night (around £87), including breakfast. Visit scandichotels.com SHOP WITH A CONSCIENCE Living so close to nature, Finns have an inbuilt desire to live as sustainably as possible. Mindful of the waste generated by over-consumption, citizens are changing their habits and finding new ways to eat and shop.

Alongside popular charity stores featuring furnishings and bric a brac, several designer clothes shops aim to give used items a new home. A cut above any jumble sale, clothing hangs neatly from rails and accessories are displayed in glass cabinets at Flea (Iso Roobertinkatu 11), which also doubles as a champagne bar. It’s a similar set up at Relove (Fredrikinkatu 25), where a section is set aside for a trendy café serving elaborate cakes and pastries.

Go one step further and start from scratch with an excellent collection of yarns sold at multiple knitting shops in the city. Part of the school curriculum, the popular pastime is taught to boys and girls.

Arts & Antiques

antiques

24

Wednesday October 6 | 2021

Russian silver

R

USSIAN silver of the pre-Revolution Imperial period is famed for superior quality and a wide variety of fine designs. The earliest pieces, dating from the 12th century forward, embody Old Russian styles and forms like regal crowns, caps, sceptres, charkas and kovshi (traditional drinking vessels).

Many feature restrained niello work — delicate, ornamental lines accentuated with black metal enamel.

Caviar During the reign of Peter the Great (16821725), the tsar who westernised the Russian Empire, local silversmiths began exploring more modern forms. Over time, the Russian Imperial family, along with members of the aristocratic and wealthy classes, dined from fashionable, solid silver Baroque, Rococo, then Neoclassic-style goblets, platters, caviar urns, serving dishes, bread ‘baskets’, wine ladles and cutlery.

Since they were ardent tea lovers as

well, many also commissioned stunning silver samovars and tea sets comprised of caddies, tea glass-holders, sugar cube boxes and cream jugs.

Scores also acquired traditionally-shaped silver charkas or kovshi, modernised with gilt-gold ornamentation, chased scrolling foliage, or engraved inscriptions like ‘Drink to your Health and Happiness’.

Sets of small silver treasures, like thimbles, vodka cups, demitasse spoons, and cup and saucers, were probably displayed in grand ‘vitrine’ glassed cabinets, while gilt-silver cigarette cases, snuff boxes, jewelled cigar cases and tankards likely graced sumptuous drawing rooms and libraries.

Silver hand mirrors, perfume bottles, powder boxes, servant bells, and caskets (for storing rubles and jewellery) adorned stylish ladies’ dressing tables.

Alexander Pushkin, of Pushkin Antiques in Tunbridge Wells High Street, details prized items from the reign of the Russian Tzars

Faberge Solid Silver & Glass Jardiniere – £5,595

are also avidly sought at auction and treasured by collectors.

Although it’s very difficult to sum up Fabergé in a few words, what I admire most about his work is its uncompromising attention to detail and his priority to aesthetics over function.

The opulent lifestyle of the Russian upper classes drew to a close during the political upheavals of the early 20th century.

Troves of precious silver pieces seized from silversmiths, jewellers, wealthy merchants, aristocrats and the Russian Imperial Family were melted down for coinage or indiscriminately destroyed.

Some pieces were sold internationally for hard cash or smuggled west by fleeing Russian refugees. As Russian silver flooded the European market, prices fell. In times of economic hardship, people often raised cash by melting pieces down.

The break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the subsequent rise of a wealthy oligarchy have inspired a new generation of Russian collectors. pushkinantiques.com

cane handles, pipe stems, bowls, napkin rings, sugar tongs and ‘throne’ salt cellars.

Many of these objects were further adorned with opulent gilt silver or delicate, transparent plique-à-jour accents. Others featured bolder champlevé-enamel designs, formed by filling decorative recesses with vitreous enamel before firing.

The Late Imperial Era – when Russian Kremlin silversmiths like Khlebnikov, Ovchinnikov and hundreds of others designed exceptional, Many Russian nobles also sought award-winning silver objects – was the most silverwork religious items, like crosses or finely painted icons with shining protective prolific production period of all. But it is the creations of the Karl Fabergé workshop covers, for personal prayer. Russian that have attained legendary status.

Orthodox monasteries and churches, on Fabergé silver has always been a synonym the other hand, favoured more impressive for opulence and quality. The combination pieces, like silver censors, chalices and of precious materials and supreme tabernacles for public veneration. craftsmanship applies both to practical Niello solid-silver creations, many objects and non-utilitarian ones, such as depicting Biblical scenes or architectural his ‘eggs’, miniature animals and flowers. wonders like the Kremlin, were beloved Nowadays, some of Fabergé’s most classics. As time went by, however, bright, their long-time friendfloral andorhighly experienced treats, such as Beef Wellington Friday, that famous decorative pieces, dating between colourful cloisonné-enamel 1885 and 1917, are displayed in the most geometric patterns came into favour and Silvertwo & Shaded Enamel Kovsh, professional chef, Bobby, resulted important in a newinternational already sold out onSolid its first airings. museums. They enhanced items such as picture frames, Vasily Agafonov – £895

The George & Dragon Pub Welcomes its New Chef in Shining Armour

T

he George & Dragon pub in Speldhurst has Solid Silver-Gilt & Plique-a-jour a new Chef Patron, Bobby Brown, ready to Enamel Kovsh – £4,595 breathe new fire into the pub’s menus. Bobby unveiled his new a la carte and traditional pub menus on October 1st, with the beautiful Kent pub as their backdrop.

The George and Dragon reopened in May 2021, under the new ownership of The Country Pub Collection, a company set up by some locals with the specific aim of reinvigorating this Grade II Listed pub. With its stunning location, beautiful outdoor garden space and revamped

traditional interior, the George and Dragon has quickly re-established itself as a firm favourite among locals and Kentish folk from further afield.

Despite some tricky Covid restrictions, the George and Dragon has gone from strength to strength, gaining a reputation for its delicious food. The pub partners knew there was an opportunity to explore more exciting gastronomic options and so a conversation with

01892 338549

partnership and a new food vibe for the pub.

Bobby will be familiar from MasterChef: The Professionals and to locals from The Kentish Hare, which he opened in 2014 with James and Chris Tanner. He has worked with Gordon Ramsay and most recently at Bank House in Chislehurst with Gordon Ramsay’s ex-CEO, Stuart Gillies. After leaving Bank House, he was going to help out his old friends at the George and Dragon for a few weeks until his role at the

The George and Dragon also hopes to welcome wedding parties in 2022. It really is the perfect location in a typically picturesque Kentish village.

Of his new venture, Bobby says, “I am thrilled to be working in partnership with my great friends in this wonderful setting. I’m looking forward to offering some fabulous menu choices to all our guests and making the most of all the incredible food we have in and around Kent.”

George and Dragon became permanent, and Bobby joined the partnership as Chef Patron.

Bobby will have full management of the kitchens and menus. He is introducing a finessed a la carte menu to sit alongside the firm favourites on the updated traditional pub menu.

His passion is to use local, seasonal produce so the menus will change and adapt to reflect that.

Bobby is also introducing some special gastro

What can you expect to see on Bobby’s new menus? To tempt your tastebuds, his launch dishes include his legendary chicken wings, as well as scallops with cauliflower, crab salad, lamb shoulder hash brown, and roast hake with mussels.

To sample Bobby’s gastro delights, call the George and Dragon on 01892 338549 or book via email : bookings@ganddspeldhurst.com.

bookings@ganddspeldhurst.com

Books

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

Times book reviewer

HANNAH KIRSOP

ADULT WARTIME HEROES

Hannah Kirsop grew up in Kent and now lives in Horsmonden with her family. She loves to read and share recommendations and runs Bainden Book Club for a group of local women to discuss interesting fiction and non-fiction in a range of genres. You can find www.baindenbookshelf.com online or on Instagram: @baindenbookshelf

TEENAGE WARTIME HEROES

Facing the Mountain by Daniel James Brown

The Edelweiss Pirates by Dirk Reinhardt

(published by Viking, priced £25.00) This is a fascinating account of the Japanese American soldiers who formed the US Army’s 442nd Regimental Combat team in the Second World War, serving with enormous valour against the backdrop of mistrust and antipathy at home, and division within their own communities.

Indeed, it is the description of the domestic situation - that resulted in the detention of 120,000 Japanese Americans in rudimentary internment camps in the US (and civilians) – which is most striking with many of those serving at the front having family members resettled and incarcerated in the camps.

The book also tells the story of conscientious objectors such as the young student Gordon Hirabayshi who campaigned against the camps and was imprisoned for his stance. The main story though is that of the regiment itself and with evocative description of the battles in which they served, notably the heroic rescue of the so-called “Lost Battalion” of Texan soldiers from a Normandy hill. Facing the Mountain tells a largely unknown and inspiring story with verve and readability.

7/10

The bookcase…

(published by Pushkin Children’s Books, priced £7.99)

8/10 ONE YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

Where the God of Love Hangs Out by Amy Bloom

(published by Granta Books, priced £7.99) Bloom opens her eclectic narratives observing love in many different forms with a four short stories about the relationship between William and Claire, two middle-aged friends who begin an affair. This section acts as a bellwether for the thought-provoking, touching and sometimes challenging collection of stories which follow, focusing on the joy, sadness, loss, power, destruction and benevolence of different relationships and the impact they have on one’s life.

The short story writer’s skill in engaging the reader with the characters and their lives in a few sentences without the luxury of the pages a novelist has is really brought to the fore here as each story window she offers into a particular life is both immediately immersive and captivating. An absorbing, occasionally emotional and occasionally stretching read.

8/10

Published in hardback by Puffin, priced £14.99 (ebook £10.99). Available now If you thought doctors would never be crazy enough to blow smoke up your bottom if your heart stopped, or pluck a chicken’s bum and stick it in your armpit to cure the plague, then think again. As Adam Kay’s hilarious new children’s book shows, humans have taken a long time to get their heads around how bodies work and how to fix them when they go wrong. Kay’s Marvellous Medicine – a follow-up to his 2020 children’s debut, Kay’s Anatomy – takes a look at all the weird and

The Magician by Colm Tóibín

Published in hardback by Viking, priced £18.99 (ebook £9.99). Available now

9/10

The Edelweiss Pirates were a loosely organised group of teenagers who emerged as an alternative movement to the Hitler Youth in late 1930s Germany.

Set in the modern day, this fictionalised story of courage and rebellion tracks the activities of one small group of ‘pirates’ throughout the war years via a series of diary entries which have been given to sixteenyear-old Daniel to read when he is befriended

by Joseph Gerlach, one of the original pirates.

Targeted for age 12+, this is a powerful and gripping read packed full of content and action with some harrowing story lines as the pirates respond to increasingly severe threats and punishments from the police, the SS and the Gestapo. A brilliant example of the triumph of good over evil.

Kay’s Marvellous Medicine: A Gross And Gruesome History Of The Human Body by Adam Kay, illustrated by Henry Paker

We hope you also enjoy these other books we’ve picked for you to read this week…

The Magician is prolific Irish author Colm Toibin’s 10th novel, and is an expansive yet deeply personal exploration of the life of exiled German writer Thomas Mann. Ranging from Mann’s childhood in conservative Lubeck, Northern Germany, to his life in liberal Munich, Bavaria, and his family’s flight to America to escape the Nazis, the novel is almost biographically thorough.

It paints a detailed portrait of Mann, encompassing everything from his sedate daily routine and fatherly misgivings, to his hidden longings and desires. The book’s opening is slow, but following the advent of the First and Second World Wars and its devastating impact on the Mann family, it becomes gripping, imbued with a sense of dread. Containing beautiful observations on life and literature, and a sweeping sense of historical scale, The Magician remains tightly written and wryly funny.

Review by Jessica Frank-Keyes

37

9/10

wonderful treatments through the ages, with a lot of facts about the body and modern medicine thrown in along the way. It is a ridiculously funny read that will delight, gross out and educate all at the same time. While Kay’s adult books (This Is Going To Hurt and Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas) have gone down a storm, his chatty tone and perfectly silly humour make him a natural children’s writer who can keep young readers engaged and giggling throughout.

Review by Holly Williams

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr Published in hardback by Fourth Estate, priced £20 (ebook £9.99). Available now It has been quite a wait since Anthony Doerr’s last novel in 2014, the Pulitzer Prize winner, All The Light We Cannot See – a tear-duct buckling World War II saga.

And so, Cloud Cuckoo Land has some pressure on it, not helped by how huge it is. Ignore the 600+ page count though and let the tides of five characters take you to present-day Idaho, Constantinople in 1453 and to a spaceship in the future, whose inhabitants are searching for a new planet to call home. Doerr manages to knit together three very different trajectories, using the legend of a man turned

into a donkey, a fish and a bird, as a (slightly irritating) anchor. Yes, it sounds fantastical, and at times it is, which can jar against some of the more distressing themes (climate change, war, abuse, poverty, terrorism) – but Doerr’s expansive look at freedom, the value of the natural world, and the importance of storytelling, is captivating. There are moments that are a tad worthy, but they don’t detract from the imagination at play, and the endearing, brilliantly wrought protagonists – particularly Omeir and his oxen, and Konstance and her AI. Review by Ella Walker

7/10

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Motoring News

Wednesday October 13 | 2021

Motoring News

This week… n

Rolls Royce’s first EV

n The new Mazda CX-5 n Brits’ motoring beliefs

Rolls-Royce reveals its first electric vehicle called Spectre ROLLING WITH THE TIMES The electric car is expected to pull up in 2023

ALMOST half of British drivers believe they’re a better driver than an autonomous vehicle.

A survey by Volkswagen Financial Services found 46% believe their driving skills would outperform artificial intelligence.

Of the 2,012 respondents, it was the Scottish who were most confident, with 54% saying they’d be better than a self-driving car, followed by northern England with 48%.

At the other end of the scale, it was just 40% of drivers in Wales and the south-west of England.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, 18-24 year olds were the most confident in their own skills at 52%, compared with just 39% of over-75s.

Earlier this year, the Department for Transport revealed self-driving vehicles could be on UK roads by the end of this year, with automated lane-keeping systems the first technology to be legalised.

DRIVING TOWARDS A KINDER FUTURE Volvo is creating a whole new ethical car family

LUXURY car manufacturer Rolls-Royce has revealed its first electric vehicle and pledged to phase out combustion engines by 2030.

The car will be called Spectre and is expected to go on sale in late 2023.

Through teaser images released this week, it’s clear the Spectre will be a two-door coupe with a very similar body shape to the current Wraith.

However, details of its design are hidden by a graphic with a famous quote from company co-founder, Charles Rolls.

As part of the BMW Group, the company could have accessed the new electric vehicle platform being developed by the German firm, but instead it has stuck with its own architecture.

Rather than build bespoke EV underpinnings, the aluminium architecture that debuted on the Phantom in 2017 – and also used on the Cullinan and Ghost – will be adopted by the Spectre.

It was developed from the outset to be able to

Nearly half of Brits think they could drive better than an autonomous car

Fascinating

accommodate combustion engines as well as alternative forms of propulsion.

Powertrain details have not yet been revealed.

However, because Rolls-Royce doesn’t like to share parts with other manufacturers, it’s unlikely it will directly borrow the latest electric motors and batteries developed for the new BMW iX SUV.

History That being said, it’s likely that these will form the basis of the Spectre’s powertrain system, but with Rolls-Royce-specific software settings. The top-spec iX makes 516bhp and 765Nm of torque, with a range of over 340 miles.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chief Executive Officer, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, said: “Today is the most significant day in the history of Rolls-Royce

Motor Cars since May 4, 1904. On that date, our founding fathers, Charles Rolls and Sir Henry Royce, first met and agreed that they were going to create ‘the best motor car in the world’.

“Today, 117 years later, I am proud to announce that Rolls-Royce is to begin the on-road testing programme for an extraordinary new product that will elevate the global all-electric car revolution and create the first – and finest – super-luxury product of its type. This is not a prototype. It’s the real thing, it will be tested in plain sight and our clients will take first deliveries of the car in the fourth quarter of 2023.”

Rolls-Royce has been experimenting with electric powertrains in recent years, building the 102EX and 103EX concepts. It says these prompted questions from clients asking when a production version would come, as electric power is the ‘perfect fit’ for Rolls-Royce.

However, Brits don’t appear too confident that autonomous vehicles are coming any time soon. Of those surveyed, just 24% think the first models will come in five to 10 years, with 8% not confident they’ll ever go on sale.

Just a fifth of people said they’d consider buying a driverless car if they become available. Of those who said they would consider one, a quarter said they’d use their time watching TV or a film, with the same number saying they’d like to read, and 20% saying they would sleep.

Mike Todd, CEO at Volkswagen Financial Services UK, said: “I think our study offers a fascinating insight into the collective psyche of British motorists as it confirms that we’re a proud nation of drivers and that we’re very confident in our own driving abilities.

“It speaks volumes that so many of us would rather be in control behind the wheel as opposed to being chauffeured by highly sophisticated technology.”

The new Mazda CX-5 is open for orders now, priced from £27,845 MAZDA has opened orders for the new CX-5 SUV ahead of deliveries beginning in January.

The stylish SUV has been given an exterior makeover, upgraded interior technology, new trim levels and a wide range of powertrain choices.

There are 20 variants available in the UK, with five trim levels called SE-L, Newground, Sport, Sport Black and GT Sport. For the first time, each will have its own unique styling tweaks to make each stand out from the rest.

Lifestyles SE-L is the entry point to the new CX-5 range, starting at £27,845, and is available with a 163bhp petrol engine or 148bhp and 181bhp diesel engines. Newground is a new trim level and is only offered with the aforementioned petrol engine, starting at £28,845. It’s designed for people with active lifestyles and comes with rear silver underguard trims, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a reversible waterproof boot floor.

Sport is expected to be the biggest seller in the UK, coming with the same choice of petrol and diesel engines as above. However, here, the higher-powered diesel is available with a choice of front- or all-wheel-drive. This trim starts at £30,945.

Important Sport Black is only available with the petrol engine and adds gloss black styling touches to the exterior, as well as bringing black leather upholstery, with prices starting at £32,945. GT Sport tops the range, priced from £33,345, and has a choice of 163bhp or 191bhp petrol engine or 181bhp diesel engine.

Equipment-wise, the CX-5 gets a new wireless phone charger in the centre console and improved standard-fit safety systems, while the adaptive LED headlights have been enhanced.

Jeremy Thomson, managing director of Mazda Motors UK, said: “The Mazda CX-5 is an incredibly important car in Mazda’s history.”

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