Times of Tunbridge Wells 10th May 2023

No clear majority for Council

By Victoria Roberts and Lilly Croucher

DESPITE some hard-fought campaigning, last Thursday’s local elections have resulted in Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) continuing with No Overall Control (NOC), as parties prepare for the ‘all out’ vote expected next May.

This year’s vote saw 16 seats – onethird of the total of 48 – up for grabs in the Borough elections.

Despite national reports of significant Labour and Lib Dem gains at the expense of the Conservatives, the effect was muted in Tunbridge Wells.

After the ballots were counted in

Tunbridge Wells on Friday, no party had gained or lost more than two seats, and just six out of the 16 seats had changed

If proposals for new ward boundaries and councillor numbers are approved, next year’s election could see much more drastic changes, with 48 seats being squeezed to 39, and 20 wards giving way to just 13.

Though all parties in the governing Borough Partnership – Liberal Democrat, Tunbridge Wells Alliance and Labour –made small gains, no majority emerged, so at the time of writing, the Borough Partnership looks set to continue.

In another local exception, only the non-national Tunbridge Wells Alliance took seats from the

party colour, with only the Conservatives seeing a net loss of seats.

Continued on page 2

INSIDE: Coronation celebrations in pictures – pages 8-11

Despite national reports of significant Labour and Lib Dem gains at the expense of the Conservatives, the effect was muted in Tunbridge Wells

SINGING IN THE REIGN: Residents from Crowborough joined the crowds in London to watch the Coronation on Saturday.

(L-R) Julie Petit, Christine Singer, Melissa Lewis and Sarah Dorrell

Picture: Melissa Lewis

WEDNESDAY MAY 10

Low 5° High 16°

Light showers & sunny intervals

THURSDAY MAY 11

Low 6° High 15°

Light showers & sunny intervals

FRIDAY MAY 12

Low 7° High 16° Light cloud

SATURDAY MAY 13 Low 7° High 17° Light cloud

SUNDAY MAY 14 Low 7° High 17° Light rain

MONDAY MAY 15 Low 5° High 15° Light rain

TUESDAY MAY 16 Low 7° High 15° Light rain

EDITOR MICHELLE WOOD michelle.wood@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 240626

DEPUTY EDITOR

EILEEN LEAHY eileen.leahy@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 576037

CHIEF REPORTER

VICTORIA

Vote ends in No Overall Control

Conservatives, not the national parties.

The Alliance stood in 10 out of 16 wards, and did not lose any of the three seats it was defending. Leader Cllr David Hayward was returned to Pembury and Cllr Nancy Warne held her Benenden & Cranbrook seat.

Meanwhile, in Speldhurst & Bidborough, where in 2019 Cllr Lucy Willis unseated Conservative Council leader David Jukes, she stepped down this year and Paul Curry, Chair of Speldhurst Parish Council, re-won the seat for Alliance.

Meanwhile, Alison Webster took another rural seat from outgoing Conservative Cllr Dr Linda Hall, turning Goudhurst & Lamberhurst into an Alliance stronghold.

Result

The other ward councillor, Cllr David Knight (Alliance), commented: “Not to have a Tory in Goudhurst is quite something.”

And Siobhan O’Connell took a third Park seat from Conservative Cllr Christian Atwood, joining Alliance’s first councillor Cllr Nick Pope.

Cllr Pope told the Times: “The results were as

ST JOHN’S candidate Alex Puffette (Conservative) was the youngest candidate in the Borough Council election, at just 19 years old. He came in third place, with 321 votes.

“It’s been a great experience but was an expected result. I’ve lived in St John’s all my life and I think we absolutely need more young people represented in local councils.

“The result was expected but I am glad we [the Conservatives] kept our core vote as I think it’s interesting to note the gap in Lib Dem and Labour votes.

“I think there is a desire for young candidates

across the country, where councillors are making decisions on housing and anti-social behaviour – all things that affect young people.”

On being criticised for standing while heading to university, Mr Puffette said: “Most young people are at university and don’t finish until they are in their twenties.

“They [the electorate] want young people in politics – until they are in politics, and I think it’s a cheap shot to say I can’t represent my residents whilst I am at university.”

we were expecting. We held three and won two more. It was a good result for us.”

These gains gave the party 11 councillors, the same number as the Conservatives, a party which only lost control of Tunbridge Wells in 2022.

However, although the Conservatives ended this election with a net loss of two seats and no gains, it held commanding leads in two seats it was defending.

Cllr Andy Fairweather polled 429 in Frittenden & Sissinghurst, in what Conservative leader Tom Dawlings called “a ringing endorsement”, noting that none of the challengers for the single-member seat had reached over 100 votes.

Meanwhile, outgoing mayor Cllr Godfrey Bland secured 800 votes in Hawkhurst and Sandhurst, over 500 more than his nearest Alliance rival, despite the vote being split by six candidates for the seat.

In yet another difference from the national scene, the Liberal Democrats remain the largest local party and not Labour.

In Tunbridge Wells, the Lib Dem bloc won three seats and lost one, for a net gain of two,

Just one independent, Cllr Rodney Atkins, now remains on the council, after defending Paddock Wood East against five challengers

leaving it comfortably ahead of all other parties with 17 seats.

However, it remains well short of a majority in the 48-seat Council, and it is worth noting that two of the seats it won this year had been held by former Lib Dems sitting as independents, who both stepped down this election.

With David Osborne’s win in Culverden, and Pamela Wilkinson’s win in Pantiles & St Mark’s, both wards have now reverted to Lib Dem strongholds, with three councillors of the same party – joining Broadwater, Southborough North, St James’ and St John’s.

Cllr Marguerita Morton easily kept her St John’s seat, polling 1,018, with the nearest challenger, Labour’s Dariel Francis, polling 670.

And Joe Opara kept the Southborough North seat for the Lib Dems after incumbent Cllr Trevor Poile stepped down.

However, Lib Dem Mark Munday won in Paddock Wood West, taking the seat vacated by Cllr Matthew Bailey – formerly a Conservative and now standing for the Residents Party –when the latter moved over to target Paddock Wood East.

Drug dealer pleads guilty after raid

A drug dealer has pleaded guilty in court within a day of almost 9kg of cannabis being seized in Tunbridge Wells.

On Thursday April 27, officers from the Tonbridge Community Policing Team searched a property in Culverden Park Road.

The constables seized 8.922 kg of cannabis,

The Lib Dems confirmed on Friday that the party group would “commence discussions with other parties on possible configurations to create a stable majority on the Council”.

The party’s prospective parliamentary candidate, Mike Martin, added: “No speculation at the moment on the Borough Partnership.”

Yet the party did not have it all its own way. Though it put up a candidate in all seats available, it made a net gain of just two, and saw Rusthall Lib Dem Cllr Dave Funnell lose his seat to Labour’s Jayne Sharratt.

“Rusthall was a Labour target,” confirmed Labour campaign co-ordinator Bjorn Simpole.

The Sherwood ward was a tighter race, with the Labour group leader Cllr Hugo Pound

JAYNE SHARRATT

83 cannabis vapes and £1,280 in cash. A mobile phone was also recovered and a man was arrested and taken into custody. The seized drugs had an estimated street value of about £34,650.

Cameron Wade, of Culverden Park Road, Tunbridge Wells, was later charged with possession of cannabis with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of cannabis between January 17 and April 27, 2023, and possession of criminal property (namely the cash seized).

He appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Friday 28 April, where he pleaded guilty to all the charges. He was remanded to be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on a date to be confirmed.

Hunt for man wanted on recall to prison

Police are searching for a wanted man from Tunbridge Wells.

Peter Harlow, 36, from Pembury, is sought on recall to prison, having breached the terms of his licence.

Harlow also has links to Hastings.

Sussex Police, who initially launched the search for Harlow, have now shared the search with Kent Police owing to his Tunbridge Wells connections.

Police appeal for missing man

A man from Tunbridge Wells has been missing for more than a month. Officers from Kent Police have now launched an appeal to help locate 64-year-old Francis Smith. Francis, also known as Frank, has links to Medway and it is believed he had most recently been visiting Chatham. He is described as being white, of large build, and around five feet, six inches tall. He sometimes wears reading glasses.

Francis was last seen on Sunday March 26. He was wearing a khaki green anorak with black leggings and was carrying a bag containing a sleeping bag. It is thought that since his disappearance, Francis may have dyed his hair.

Investigating officer, Sergeant Alan Mullen said: “There are growing concerns for Francis’ wellbeing, who also has connections to other parts of Kent, including Canterbury, East Sussex, Devon, and Cornwall.

JAYNE Sharratt (Labour) won her seat in Rusthall from the Lib Dems, a result which met with loud applause from the Labour party group.

She said: “I feel elated. Really excited. I am very pleased that Labour as a group now has gender parity.

“We need more women and equality in the council, and I am proud of Labour, and Rusthall which is now represented by two women.”

One of Ms Sharratt’s election issues was children’s centres.

“Children’s centres are vital. It would be so terrible to lose them in Rusthall and other areas of Tunbridge Wells. Parents need not to feel isolated.”

defending his seat against four other candidates, winning with 643 votes, while his closest challenger, the Conservatives’ Nasir Jamil, won 545.

Increased

John Francis was the new Labour councillor successfully defending Southborough & High Brooms after Cllr Luke Everitt stepped down.

As Labour increased its share of councillors from seven to eight, Cllr Pound said: “We have gone from two councillors to eight in five years.

“I am very pleased with the result.”

More broadly, he said, ‘Labour is having a fantastic day. Medway [which Labour flipped from the Conservatives] is a fantastic result.”

Results were not so positive for the smallest party-groups.

Just one independent, Cllr Rodney Atkins, now remains on the Council, after defending Paddock Wood East against five challengers.

One of those challengers was Cllr Matthew Bailey, formerly a Conservative who had quit to become an independent after the

‘partygate’ scandal of lockdown parties in Downing Street.

This election, he stood for the newly-registered RTW Residents Party, changing ward to Paddock Wood East, while Linda Store stood for the Residents Party in Cllr Bailey’s old ward of Paddock Wood West.

Yet neither won a seat.

Meanwhile, the Green Party fielded a candidate in all 16 wards, yet came away with none.

The Greens’ Goudhurst & Lamberhurst hopeful, Geoff Mason, told the Times: “We had two main targets – myself in Goudhurst & Lamberhust and Trevor Bisdee in Paddock Wood West. And also Sue Lovell in Southborough North.

“But we wanted to give everyone the chance to vote Green in Tunbridge Wells. It has never happened before. It is the first time we have done it. We’ve put the Greens on the map.” However, he acknowledged, “It did spread out our resources a bit.”

Outgoing Speldhurst & Bidborough Cllr Lucy Willis unseated Conservative council leader David Jukes in 2019. She stepped down this year and Paul Curry, Chairman of Speldhurst Parish council, stepped up to defend it for Alliance and won. He said: “I’m very pleased and very excited for what comes next.”

Traffic ban petition compromised by ‘fake’ councillors

By Lilly Croucher

AN online petition against traffic restrictions in Tunbridge Wells has been compromised after the names of some Borough Councillors had been “fraudulently” signed.

Last week an e-petition was created on Kent County Council’s (KCC) website to protest against the controversial traffic restrictions on Mount Pleasant Road.

However, shortly after the petition went live, it was infiltrated by someone falsely using the names of councillors who would otherwise not have signed the petition.

One of those whose name appeared was Cllr Nicholas Pope (Alliance, Park), who said on Twitter last week: “Can anyone explain how my name has appeared against a KCC petition that I haven’t signed?

Consent

“Essentially, someone has fraudulently signed a KCC petition with my name and email address. How have they managed to do that? It shouldn’t be possible.”

Cllr Justine Rutland (Lib Dem, Culverden), whose name was also added to the petition, said: “This is really a KCC issue to address, and I understand they are looking into it.

“It's not ideal having one's name added to a petition without consent, but Tunbridge Wells politics is full of shenanigans, unfortunately.

“This is just another example, and you get used to it. I'm focused on working with KCC to resolve the issues raised in the petition.”

After KCC was made aware of the situation, the petition was suspended and the names of those councillors who didn’t sign it were removed.

A Kent County Council spokesperson said: “We

are aware of a petition relating to the public realm scheme on Mount Pleasant in Tunbridge Wells. “Petitions submitted to KCC are processed in accordance with the Petition Scheme, which is published on our website.

“Specialist officers scrutinise all petitions we receive. Fraudulent signatories are removed from petitions as we are made aware of them.”

The petition, ‘Scrap traffic restrictions and enforcement on Mount Pleasant, Tunbridge Wells (Public Realm 2), with immediate effect’ was created by Culverden resident Sally Atkinson, who started the petition after her social media post garnered local attention.

“I created the petition because these restrictions are ridiculous,” she told the Times. “They serve no purpose at all, and it has created more traffic along the roads like York and Dudley, where it is now impossible to park.

“The public have been given no proper evidence and had no consultation on this. I think the Council have gone beyond the scope of what they can do.

“After my post on Nextdoor, I had lots of messages from councillors and residents asking me to start a petition, which I did, but someone was able to sign the petition as councillors when they [the councillors] never signed it, which was very annoying.”

Meanwhile, residents have been struggling to sign the e-petition as some have been unable to log into the website or haven’t received a confirmation email after they have signed. KCC said they are aware of users experiencing issues and are working with their suppliers to investigate further.

Ms Atkinson added: “The ability for the public to express their democratic voice is severely compromised. I have canvassed support from Monson Road businesses to hold paper signature sheets so that those who wish to sign, can.”

At 1,000 signatures, the petition will be debated at the next relevant Council meeting.

The petition is now live again on the KCC website and currently has 236 signatures.

LONE PROTESTER: Richard Segall Jones stands outside Claremont Primary to make a stand against ‘voter suppression’

PAUL CURRY

COUNTY HALL IN MAIDSTONE

Kent Police ‘over-delivers’ on its officer target despite competition

Pub closes after landlady’s death

By Lilly Croucher

TRIBUTES have poured in for the much-loved landlady of a popular pub in Tunbridge Wells who passed away last month, resulting in the pub’s sudden closure.

Julie Wilson, 56, who had been running the Cross Keys pub on St John’s Road since 2017, died at King’s College Hospital on Saturday April 1.

Announcement

The pub announced on March 26 that it would be “closing the pub tomorrow for unforeseen circumstances”, but on April 2, the day after Ms Wilson’s death, the pub confirmed online that it would be “closed until further notice due to unforeseen circumstances”.

Below the second announcement people had posted hearts and kisses for the late landlady, with others commenting: “RIP Julie”, “You will be missed” and “The world will definitely be a bit darker without her”.

Customers from St John’s and Southborough know the family-friendly pub for its regular

events, good food, and community focus.

The pub had a full calendar of bingo nights, pub quizzes and live music performances, with it having celebrated St Patrick’s Day on March 17 and Mother’s Day on March 19, just before it closed.

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Ms Wilson and her team cooked up delicious buffets, three-course menus, and traditional Sunday roasts.

In its true community spirit, The Cross Keys was a dog-friendly pub and welcomed everyone who visited the venue.

The pub also had a children’s play area and wooden benches in its large beer garden.

The premises licencing for the Cross Keys was transferred to EI Group Ltd, previously Enterprise Inns, the largest pub company in the UK, on April 4, 2023.

From the licencing documents, it appears that the pub will remain closed until a new designated Premises Supervisor is found.

An inquest into Ms Wilson’s death will be held at County Hall, Maidstone on June 8, at 2pm.

The Times has contacted the pub and is still awaiting comment.

By Victoria Roberts

KENT Police has recorded its highest number of officers as a result of recruitment drives, despite competition last year from the Met.

Kent Police recorded 4,203 full-time equivalent (FTE) officers in March 2023, which Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Scott called “a record high”.

The FTE term is used to account for part-time employment and overtime, rather than counting individual officers.

Austerity cuts since 2010 saw police numbers across England and Wales fall, with Kent numbers falling from 3,787 FTE officers at the end of March 2010, to just over 3,180 FTE at the end of March 2016.

However, Kent officer numbers have now reached a record high, thanks to a Kent Police recruitment campaign from 2018, funded by the precept on Council Tax bills, and an “uplift” campaign across England and Wales announced by the government in July 2019.

Mr Scott said: “I am pleased to say that Kent hasn’t just met its [uplift] target, but we have over-delivered.”

Success came despite controversy last year when PCCs of force areas around London –including Kent – criticised the Metropolitan Police and London Mayor Sadiq Khan for using

bonus payments to “poach” experienced officers for the Met.

As reported by the Times (June 8, 2022), Mr Scott and the other PCCs wrote an open letter calling out the Met’s tactics during the government’s recruitment drive.

Target

“All forces have their own uplift target to achieve and we are all operating in a competitive employment market within the South East that presents challenges for us all,” they stated.

“As Police and Crime Commissioners for forces where we all met our uplift target last year, it is notable that the Metropolitan Police failed to hit its recruitment target and yet still received full funding from the Home Office.”

According to the latest figures, the Metropolitan Police was the only one out of 43 forces in England and Wales to miss its recruitment target by March 2023.

Stresses remain in Kent, with crimes having increased over the period compared to officer numbers.

Kent recorded 177,400 crimes of all types in 2022, up 65.5 per cent from 107,203 in 2010, dwarfing the rise in officer numbers and thereby increasing caseloads.

Stop the commute, I wanna get off!

In the last month we have seen an influx in candidates approaching us for local job opportunities as they have been told to come back to their London offices five days a week. The post pandemic flexi-working is alive and kicking for lots of our local businesses but a number of larger companies in the city are now insistent that their productivity is better with a full office-based team. There’s lots to be said for a good working atmosphere, some of our best days at TN Recruits are when we have a full house. It’s particularly beneficial for more junior members of staff to learn from those around them and also to share ideas and information which may otherwise remain a best kept secret. However, for a number of people, one thing covid has

brought is a desire to enjoy family life and home comforts and that’s why some are turning their back on the daily commute. We recently placed a working Dad with a local law firm and in an aftercare call he said “Of course I had to make a salary sacrifice but I can’t put a price on being able to put my kids to bed at night. I’m also delighted not to have to sit on a train for 3 hours every day, I should’ve worked locally years ago”.

If you’d like to discuss professional opportunities with fantastic employers in and around the ‘TN’ postcode, please feel free to get in touch and we can tailor your search to companies that match your requirements.

neil@tnrecruits.com

01892 571105 www.tnrecruits.com

PC PARADE: Trainee officers at Kent Police College

THE CROSS KEYS PUB

Local Priory not named in damning BBC investigation

By Sarah Carter

ALTHOUGH a BBC investigation revealed concerns about patient and staff safety at the Priory Group, the local facility, based in Ticehurst, was not named in the investigation and has an overall rating of ‘good’.

Former senior managers from the mental health care provider told the BBC that they felt pressure to cut costs while keeping bed occupancy high.

They claimed that patients were placed on wards without staff who were equipped with the right skills to handle patient conditions. They also said they had experienced difficulties recruiting or retaining staff owing to poor pay and conditions.

Criticism

The Cheadle Royal in Stockport, the largest of the company’s 63 hospitals, received the lion’s share of criticism in the investigation.

A spokesperson for Priory told the Times: “The BBC report does not reflect the current reality at Priory. We care for more than 25,000 people every year, including the most complex and acutely ill, and the vast majority have positive outcomes.

“We admit patients based on strict clinical criteria, and it is the joint responsibility of Priory and NHS commissioners to place patients in the hospitals best suited to their needs.

“Most of our 300+ sites are rated ‘good’ or better, by independent regulators, and since 2022, we have seen a 41 per cent reduction in self-harm incidents.

“Under new leadership, nurse turnover is at an all-time low, staff turnover has reduced significantly, and we hired 726 more nurses and healthcare assistants in the last 12 months, while investing heavily in pay.”

Locally, the Priory Ticehurst Hospital is an independent hospital providing both inpatient and outpatient services.

The Care Quality Commission inspected the hospital in April 2021, and gave Ticehurst House an overall rating of “good”.

The facility’s effectiveness was marked as “requires improvement”, a rating meaning “the service isn’t performing as well as it should and we have told the service how it must improve.”

Ticehurst House also had an “outstanding” rating for “caring” in the child and adolescent mental health wards.

However, the inspectorate said Ticehurst House closed the two child and adolescent mental health wards later in 2021, citing “issues recruiting enough nursing and medical staff for this service”.

The spokesperson told the Times:

“In addition to the Care Quality Commission, Priory Ticehurst House maintains a strong relationship with Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust, which regularly inspects the site to ensure the highest quality of care.

“Their recent inspection noted the positive feedback received from patients about their care.

“A strong safety culture also recently allowed Ticehurst House to successfully provide care for patients as part of the NHS London Winter Surge initiative.

“This allowed the hospital to provide rapid access to acute care, for those in most need.”

Familiar name for newest Freeman of the Borough

THE FREEDOM of the Borough has been awarded to a long-standing resident with a past family connection to the honour

Dr Philip Whitbourn, 90, was a founding member of both the Town Forum and the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society, serving three terms as the Society’s Chairman and as President from 1995 to 2007.

Ceremony

He is also the only person to have received both the Freedom of the Borough and a Civic Medallion, according to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Chief Executive William Benson, who spoke at the ceremony last week.

In 1917, The Freedom of the Borough was also awarded to Charles Whitbourn Emson, a relative of Dr Whitbourn and a former mayor.

After presenting the award, the Mayor, Cllr Godfrey Bland, said: “Over sixty years, Dr Whitbourn has quite simply conserved, preserved

and improved the town of Tunbridge Wells.

“We can do no less than present him with the Freedom of the Borough, for which he has done so much.”

Dr Whitbourn thanked the Mayor and Council for presenting him with the honour and he thanked people who were there to see him accept it, including the representatives from the voluntary organisations he has been involved with.

He said: “This is the first time the highest award has been given to someone who wasn’t part of the Council in some way.

“No council can do everything it would like to do and that is where the voluntary sector comes in.”

He was accompanied by his wife Anne and his daughter Ms Katherine Gregory and his son Dr James Whitbourn.

The honour was proposed by John Forster, past chair of the Civic Society, highlighting Dr Whitbourn’s involvement in local architectural issues and planning matters, particularly his work in preserving Trinity Theatre.

GOOD RATING: The Priory Hospital at Ticehurst

Company director takes on charity Highland hike

By Lilly Croucher

A DIRECTOR from Tunbridge Wells is hiking 96 miles across the lowlands and Highlands of Scotland this month for a mental health charity closer to home.

Mark Foxwell, 40, a Director at Sharp Minds communications, is walking the West Highland Way from Glasgow to Fort William in aid of the suicide prevention charity, PAPYRUS.

According to the Office of National Statistics, the suicide rate for Kent in 2022 is above the national average, with 11.7 per 100,000 people compared to the UK’s average of 10.4 per 100,000 people.

With the continued cost-of-living crisis and continued instability, Mark wants to give back to those who might be struggling.

Struggles

“I wanted to support Papyrus and raise awareness of suicide prevention in Kent. I have had my own personal struggles over the years. However, bad times do pass, and things do get better,” said Mark.

The ambitious hiker hopes the solo expedition will take him seven days, starting on May 29 and ending with a climb up Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK at 4,411 feet.

Mark said: “I deliberately chose the walk because you have to travel across the lowlands and into the highlands. This is to remind people that low times in your life do end, things do pass, and you’ll soon find yourself in a higher and better place.”

“More needs to be done to help. My hope is that we, as a community, join together to work towards a zero policy. I hope that my hike builds

further awareness and unites us to prevent suicide in Kent,”

Ged Flynn, CEO of Papyrus, said: “We are delighted to have Mark showing his support and raising money for Papyrus.

“It’s people like Mark who can really make a difference to those that need help and support.”

To support Mark’s hike which starts on Monday, May 29, visit, bit.ly/markpapyrus

For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice please contact PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org

Baby unit at local hospital wins highest service award

By Alice Reece

THE neonatal unit at Tunbridge Wells Hospital has achieved the highest level of service as they were awarded the Platinum Bliss Baby Charter accreditation.

An assessment carried out on February 21, showed that staff at the unit are dedicated to providing the best possible service in line with its family-centred principles outlined in the Bliss Baby Charter.

Bliss was impressed by many aspects of the units’ care, including parents being actively encouraged and supported to be part of their baby’s care, availability of dedicated expert staff

in bereavement, family support, safeguarding and development care, extra support for parents including accommodation, free parking, food in the parent kitchen, and bereavement services.

Giulia Bonacalza, Bliss Baby Charter Programme Lead, said: “Achieving the Platinum Award on our recent re-audit of the Bliss Baby Charter Principles reflects our unit philosophy of believing that every baby and their family is special and deserves individualised familycentred care.”

Parent, Louisa Menzel, said: “Even though having a premature baby is scary, the team at Tunbridge Wells supported us through every step of this challenging time.

MARK FOXWELL

PLATINUM SERVICE: Staff at the neonatal unit receive their charter

Tunbridge Wells autism charity to unveil sensory garden at Chelsea Flower Show

Mandatory mental health first-aid in every business is a step closer to becoming law. Loch Associates Group, the South East’s leading multi-service law and HR business, delves deeper and highlights the benefits during Mental Health Awareness Week.

A new Bill that would make ‘mental health first aid’ (MHFA) training in the workplace a legal requirement has moved onto its second reading in Parliament, says Amy White, Head of Training and Wellbeing at Loch Associates Group.

By Lilly Croucher

LOCAL charity Aspens will be revealing their show garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show in hopes of raising awareness around autism and mental health.

Pembury-based Aspens is a social care charity supporting people on the autism spectrum and with learning difficulties. It will be unveiling ‘The Natural Affinity Garden’ at the London show running from May 23-27.

The sensory garden aims to highlight the therapeutic value of nature by engaging the senses in each planting zone, creating a calming space for those with hypersensitivity (sensory avoidant) and stimulating for those with hyposensitivity (sensory seeking).

Nature can help boost mood and gardening can help improve confidence, resilience, and self-esteem, providing people with an opportunity to connect with others.

Spectrum

Seven out of 10 people who are autistic also experience mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, while 35 per cent of people with eating disorders like anorexia, are on the autistic spectrum.

Kent-based garden designer Camellia Taylor has a background in psychology, and having worked with autistic children, understands the positive impact of nature. She has incorporated

this into the charity’s garden.

Ms Taylor said: “I have always felt passionate about the benefits of nature on the human condition and working with Aspens on this project has only reinforced this belief.

“Seeing first-hand the impact Aspens horticultural area has on so many is hugely overwhelming, and The Natural Affinity Garden for Aspens will only add to this positive experience.

“Engaging with our senses can have a huge benefit in any outdoor space and I hope the garden really helps to illustrate this.”

After the show, the garden will be relocated back to the charity’s site in Pembury, where those supported by the charity will be able to maintain the garden and benefit from its therapeutic design.

Aspens Chief Executive Robert Shanahan said: “When the garden is relocated to our site it will provide us with an inclusive and inspiring space and will provide our staff and the wider community with a space where they can relax, recharge and feel safe.”

Tunbridge Wells-based law firm Cripps will be a corporate supporter of The Natural Affinity Garden and will co-host two entertainment events from the garden during show week.

Mike Scott, Senior Partner at Cripps, commented: “We are thrilled to be supporting Aspens at the Chelsea Flower Show.

“We are looking forward to attending the show and helping Aspens sustain the garden to provide long-term benefits for the community.”

West Kent Mind to beat the blues with new workshops on Mental Health Awareness Week

LOCAL mental health charity West Kent Mind (WKM) has set the dates for its annual ‘Wear it Blue’ fundraiser and is hosting a series of creative workshops across Tunbridge Wells.

Between May 15 and May 21, residents are encouraged to show their support for the charity’s wellbeing and mental health work by wearing blue on one or more days.

The charity’s marketing manager, Louise Griffiths, said: “We are appealing to everyone in our community to help us turn West Kent into a sea of blue for Mental Health Awareness Week.

Support

“We want everyone to feel comfortable talking about mental health and seeking support when they need it, and by wearing blue, our West Kent Mind colour, you will help us to raise awareness and to create a supportive community.”

Supporters can tag the charity @westkentmind on social media and use the hashtag #wearitblueforWKM.

The charity has also announced its new, three-year project, Creative Minds, which sees a variety of six-month creative programmes, from music and creative writing to painting and puppetry to improve mental health.

Mind’s workshops kick off on Monday May 15, with ‘Explore Printmaking’ with Nell Price at Arty Farty Retreat, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells from 1.30pm to 3pm.

There will also be ‘Beginners to Knitters’, led by Laura Olley from Yarns of Anarchy starting on Thursday May 18 at the Foyer space, Christ Church, Tonbridge from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, the professionally-led adult workshops aim to develop creative skills, increase positive emotions, and help to reduce stress.

Donations can be made by text (text 70085 with ‘WKM’ and the amount, for example ‘WKM5’ to donate £5) or online at JustGiving.com/campaign/WKMWearItBlue

The Bill was introduced into the House of Commons on 23 March by Dean Russell MP, who wants a new law to ensure that every workplace has a Mental Health First Aider. Russell told the House that it is already a legal obligation to provide first aid training for injuries or illness and that mental health should be given the same parity of esteem.

Amy says that some businesses already have voluntary mental health first aid programs, which Loch Associates Group has implemented. This includes training members of staff to be frontline support, in the same way as for physical first aid. Amy recommends that businesses train at least 10% of their workforce as Mental Health First Aiders.

“The focus of mental health first aid does not require employers to train employees to become therapists overnight; the aim is to train the Mental Health First Aider so that they can be a point of contact to support and be able to signpost employees to resources that can help them,” says Amy.

The Bill, if passed, would be a significant step to improving mental health in the workplace, which will also benefit a business too by reducing absences and improving productivity.

“You would have somebody in the organisation that can spot the signs of deteriorating mental health and somebody who can step in if there’s an immediate crisis. For example, if someone had suicidal ideation and they mentioned that in the workplace, the Mental Health First Aider would have the necessary training to know how to step in and handle the situation sensitively and appropriately.

“First Aiders would also help to open up dialogue around mental health in the workplace. Your employees then know that you care about their mental health and are prepared to invest in training people within the business,” adds Amy.

Mental health first-aid in every workplace could be made compulsory

AMY WHITE

GREEN HELP: Camellia Taylor with Peter at the Aspens centre in Pembury

STAFF AT GINGER MAY

Tunbridge Wells hails the King in

By Victoria Roberts & Michelle Wood

RAIN or reign? As King Charles III was crowned on Saturday May 6, the joyousness of the celebration was felt not only in the nation’s capital, but right here in Tunbridge Wells, where despite the weather, communities came together, and businesses went all out to celebrate the momentous occasion. Here’s a round-up of the weekend’s celebrations in pictures…

Photo: PA Media

Photo: Sarah Mott Photographer and Flic Roberts of Colley Raine & Associates

Photo: Sarah Mott Photographer and Flic Roberts of Colley Raine & Associates

WOOL WORKED: Knitted figures on Pembury post boxes

Photo: Sarah Mott Photographer and Flic Roberts of Colley Raine & Associates

Coronation weekend celebrations

YOUNG PRINCES: Dressed up for the weather, 20-month-old Otis and his older brother Curtis (right) were wearing the crowns given out as part of the RTW Business Improvement District’s (BID) treasure trail across town. Otis’ mother told the Times: “He usually doesn’t keep a hat on, but he’s had the crown on all day!”

Meanwhile, acrobats George (below) and Sukey (above) brought a taste of medieval-style entertainment to the courtyard of the park, with a hula-hoop and a ‘diabolo’ on a string.

put together a ‘Right Royal Weekend’ of events in celebration of the new King and Queen. Alex Green, CEO of RTW Together BID, said: “It was absolutely lovely to see the town full of smiling faces, enjoying what Tunbridge Wells has to offer. Despite the weather, businesses across town pulled together to enable thousands of people to enjoy free activities and events over the Coronation weekend.

Licensing Act 2003Application for the variation of Premises Licence/Club

Premises Certificate

An application to vary the Premises Licence/Club Premises Certificate at Pierre Loti Café, 283 Upper Grosvenor Road Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent TN4 9EX has been made by Mr Ibrahim Usta

A summary of the proposed licensable activities and the proposed hours of opening:

Add OFF sale of alcohol – Every day – 10:00 to 23:00

Open to the public – Every day – 07:00 to 23:00

Any person wishing to view details of an application can contact the licensing team on 01732 227004

Any person wishing to make representation about the proposals should make them in writing by 1st June 2023 to:

Licensing Partnership, Council Offices, PO Box 182, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, Kent. TN13 1GP licensing@sevenoaks.gov.uk www.sevenoaks.gov.uk

It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. The maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary of conviction for the offence is Unlimited.

THE RIGHT ROYAL SELFIE STATION IN RVP

THE KNITTED KING: Created by the Battle Yarn Bombers working with 1066 Community Rail Partnership, he started his journey from Battle on Saturday with Southeastern Railway and arrived at Tunbridge Wells Station on Monday, where he remained until the end of the bank holiday.

Photo: Sarah Mott Photographer and Flic Roberts of Colley Raine & Associates

Photo: Sarah Mott Photographer and Flic Roberts of Colley Raine & Associates

Photo: Sarah Mott Photographer and Flic Roberts of Colley Raine & Associates

HATS IN UNION: These Crowborough residents were among those determined to be in London to celebrate the coronation.

ON MONDAY, the Hawkenbury Recreation Ground came alive with the Coronation celebrations. Organised by the Friends of Hawkenbury, the event featured live music, including Clayton Schlimper and Kayleigh Knight, as well as a host of activities, from archery to dog agility competitions and demonstrations. Serviced by a host of street food and drinks vans, the community came out in force to celebrate with dancing and picnics, while reconnecting with their neighbours.

Photo: PA Media

Photo: Christine Singer

Boss builds foundations for mental health at work

By Victoria Roberts

A CONSTRUCTION boss who has battled through anxiety has called for an improvement in mental health in the construction industry, by involving employers and staff alike.

Joining forces with West Kent Mind for Mental Health Awareness Week (May 15-21), Andrew Mann urged people to understand and address the symptoms of anxiety and develop coping mechanisms to support their mental wellbeing.

Support

The founder of Clarity Homes and Commercial said: “Having suffered with anxiety myself, I am fully aware of the effect it can have on people and have seen first-hand how some of the dated attitudes within construction can make it a challenging industry, due to mental health being a hard topic to talk about, and difficult for people to find the support they need.”

The local mental health charity had helped him with his own difficulties, he said.

“Since addressing the issues I was facing I have enjoyed great personal and professional growth and I cannot thank the team at West Kent Mind enough.

“I’m now keen to encourage other leaders within the construction industry to start a positive dialogue about the sector’s culture and how we can change this to create better outcomes for individuals and businesses.

“After all, happy teams are productive teams.”

In his own company, Mr Mann has offered Clarity colleagues access to West Kent Mind’s mental health awareness training and has organised fundraising events.

The charity’s Training and Development

Manager, Ceri Hodgkiss said: “Working with Andrew is a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on the construction industry in particular – especially given the relatively high risk of poor mental health within this sector.

“We are grateful to have Andrew’s support and experience to help us to create mentally healthy workplaces within the construction industry.”

The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week (May 15-21) this year is anxiety, with a focus on preventing anxiety from getting out of control and becoming a mental health problem.

West Kent Mind offers local services and support, including affordable counselling and training at: westkentmind.org.uk

Dedication is the key to dealing with dementia

By Sarah Carter

DEDICATED resources are the key to dealing with dementia, according to a local care home that is spreading awareness ahead of Dementia Action Week (May 15-21).

With 900,000 dementia sufferers in the UK, local care home Chamberlain Court caters specifically to the demographic, said Customer Relationship Manager Emma Andrews.

Solution

“My role involves meeting with families to understand the dementia care needs of their loved ones and offer them a solution,” she said.

“I work closely with our full-time Dementia Care

Manager, Natasha Perks.”

The care home has also been able to build a relationship with the local independent charity Age UK Tunbridge Wells to create a Memory Support Café based in the home and incorporate carers who get together and support one another.

Ms Andrews stressed: “It is important as a care provider that we get the word out there and as a community, we become more dementia friendly.

“The café offers a support network for carers – a safe place they can come together and share knowledge and life experiences.

“It’s also a great opportunity to enjoy coffee and cake!”

Memory Café sessions at Chamberlain Court are held on the third Thursday of every month.

‘Flexible working is critical to our success’

A SURVEY has shown concerns over flexible working are not shared by most UK managers, as three-quarters agreed it improves productivity.

The study, involving 597 managers across the country, was conducted by the Equal Parenting Project, which is jointly run by the University of Birmingham and the University of York.

The research suggests that managers no longer stigmatise flexible working, with 51.8% agreeing that working from home improves employee concentration and 62.8% agreeing that it increases motivation.

Productivity

An even larger proportion of managers (76.5%) believe flexible working generally increases productivity.

One local company, Elite Leisure Collection, believes that flexible working is critical to their future success.

The group, which owns Salomons Estate, Bewl Water and One Warwick Park Hotel said:

“Easing the rigidity of the standard 9 to 5 has been transformative for our teams”.

“From parents to apprentices, being able to support remote arrangements has resulted in higher job satisfaction and productivity”.

Elena Van Leeuwen, who is taking a Digital Marketing apprenticeship at Elite Leisure Collection said:

“I have a few months left until I complete my course, and working from home once a week has really allowed me to concentrate and get my head down as I reach the final hurdle”.

Another employee, Sunisa Avery, added:

“I love working from the office, but when you have small children, it’s not always possible.

Knowing I have the option to finish my working day from home allows me to pick my children up at

3 o’clock when after-school clubs are not an option

– it really takes the pressure off”.

But it’s not just the leisure group’s employees making the most of their flexible mindset.

Operations Director of One Warwick Park

Hotel, Nick Moore, said:

“Over the past three years, the remote and hybrid model has come out on top, and due to its growing acceptance, there is a greater demand for coworking spaces.

“Working from home isn’t always an option, improper desk set-ups, busy households, or simply the lack of human interaction can make this option difficult for many, which is why we’ve been working hard to adapt our offering to the corporate market”.

Just a 10-minute walk from Tunbridge Wells Station and in the heart of The Pantiles’ thriving business community, the hotel launched a new corporate concierge service last month, which it hopes will give remote workers and travelling entrepreneurs more support.

As part of the service, guests will benefit from a

reserved space in the hotel’s coworking lounge, which is well equipped with free, high-speed Wi-Fi, priority car parking, and 10% off in the all-day dining Brasserie and bar.

Exclusive discounts on meeting and event spaces are also on offer, which can cater for 2 – 180 delegates. The three different-sized function rooms come with bespoke breakfast and working lunch menus, sophisticated AV equipment and a dedicated events manager to help meetings run smoothly.

Those looking for overnight options can also take advantage of the best and lowest hotel rates, bedroom upgrades, and late check-out or early check-in.

The new offering is headed up by Zoe Ward, One Warwick Park’s Reservations Manager and Corporate Concierge.

She said: “We have always been a serviceorientated business, and we want to deliver that in every aspect of what we do.

“But Covid-19 upended all of it. And as remote working has become the norm, our new corporate concierge service will play a vital role in enhancing our guests’ experience that one step further.”

To take advantage of One Warwick Park’s new corporate concierge offering, guests should contact Zoe at: zoe.ward@onewarwickpark.co.uk

ANDREW MANN

THE GARDEN AT CHAMBERLAIN COURT

ADVERTORIAL

Expansion plans for local developer

Local law firm takes up royal running challenge

By Lilly Croucher

A TEAM from a Tunbridge Wells law firm is taking on an ultra-marathon this summer to raise money for their chosen charity.

By Sarah Carter

BIGGER developments and strategic growth are on the drawing board for a Bells Yew Greenbased property developer, which has appointed its first Finance Chief.

Joining Beau Property from Halsbury Homes in Norwich, Alex Gray brings nine years of experience in property and finance, in both residential and commercial property.

Bringing financial insight into the decisionmaking process at the management level will help the Kent-based housebuilder expand its area of operation across Kent, Sussex and Surrey within range of Tunbridge Wells, according to managing director Chris Hammond. The firm will now look at taking on ‘larger and more complex sites’, he added.

“As we look to grow, his experience will be

crucial, delivering muchneeded infrastructure and robust financial processes to underpin the company’s new and existing activities.”

Service

Beau Property’s business also includes interior design, a ‘home staging’ service and a ‘design and build’ arm.

Mr Gray said: “Beau Property has a great track record and is looking to grow strategically over the next few years with both new residential and commercial developments on the cards.”

Beau Property is currently developing the former Laura Ashley building in Calverley Road, as well as a seven-home joint venture site in Southborough and three homes off Hungershall Park.

Seven employees at CooperBurnett LLP, have signed up for the challenging ‘Dulux Race to the King’ in June to raise money for Demelza, the children’s hospice charity.

The brave team members are Partners Victoria Sampson, Joseph Oates, Gemma Gillespie and Sarah Strong; Head of Accounts, Gareth Warner; Associate Solicitor, Ayla Clissold and PA to the Commercial Property Team, Hannah Mashford.

The event will cover 100km, the distance of two ultra-marathons, starting from Goodwood then along the coast to Bosham, then past the mighty Arundel castle and back to Goodwood.

Course

Incredibly, Ayla has opted to run the entire 100km in just one day, while Sarah and Hannah will be walking the course in one day. In the meantime, Victoria, Joseph, Gemma, and Gareth will be completing it over two consecutive days on June 17 and 18.

Victoria Sampson said: “Some might argue

that those of us tackling it in two days are getting off lightly – but I disagree!

“We will be camping out in the wilds on the Saturday night – with no hot bath, massages or any luxuries at all – and getting up to face 50km all over again!”

The firm hopes to raise £5,000, with every pound being matched by the Partners at CooperBurnett for children facing life-limiting conditions throughout Kent, southeast London, and East Sussex.

“As a firm, we’ve taken on a number of charity challenges before – such as conquering the three peaks and cycling from London to Paris in 24 hours,” says Joseph Oates.

“However, I believe this is our biggest challenge to date. For those doing it in either one or two days – completing 100km is going to be unbelievably tough.”

Victoria Sampson added: “What we will have to face is nothing compared with the struggle the families which Demelza supports have to endure, and that’s what will drive us on. Demelza believes in care that doesn’t back down and #TeamCB will not be backing down either.”

To support CooperBurnett’s fundraiser visit: justgiving.com/page/cooper-burnett1680778322560?utm_term=rx7Mx7E3W

GOOD MEWS: Beau Property’s development near Hungershall Park and (inset) Alex Gray

RUNNING FOR THE LAW: (L-R) Victoria Sampson, Hannah Mashford, Sarah Strong, Ayla Clissold and Gemma Gillespie

Coronation arrests defended by Met chief

METROPOLITAN police chief, Sir Mark Rowley has defended the arrest of six protestors at the King’s coronation on Saturday, calling the situation “unfortunate”, and has blasted the ‘ill-informed commentary” amid fierce criticism.

In an article in the Evening Standard, the police chief said: “While it is unfortunate that the six people affected by this were unable to join the hundreds of peaceful protesters, I support the officers’ actions in this unique fast-moving operational context.”

Disruption

The six anti-monarchists were the first to be arrested under the Government’s new protest laws, 2023 Public Order Act, which gives police more powers to arrest protestors who commit acts of “serious disruption” and search people for “locking-on” equipment like super glue. In total, 64 people were arrested over the weekend, of which 52 were over police concerns that the coronation may be disrupted. The six campaigners from Republic were arrested early on Saturday morning and detained for 16 hours.

They were released without charge after police conceded it could not be proved whether the protesters intended to lock-on.

The Met police expressed “regret” over the arrests after a review found there was no proof that the protestors were planning to use “lock-on” devices.

Republic’s Chief Executive Graham Smith, who was among those arrested, is considering legal action against the Met after officers personally apologised to him over what he called a “disgraceful episode”.

He said three “rather embarrassed” officers apologised to him at his home in Reading, Berkshire, before handing back the straps for the placards they arrested him over.

“I said for the record I won’t accept the

apology. We have a lot of questions to answer, and we will be taking action,” he told the PA news agency.

Protest

Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak told broadcasters during a visit to Southampton: “Of course people have the right to protest freely but peacefully, but it is also right that people have the ability to go about their day-to-day lives without facing serious disruption.

“What the Government has done is give the police the powers that they need to tackle instances of serious disruption to people’s lives.

“I think that is the right thing to do and the police will make decisions on when they use those powers.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has asked for further information about why the Republic supporters were arrested, as well as volunteers for charity Night Star, which hands out rape alarms.

Former Greater Manchester Police chief Sir Peter Fahy said the Public Order Act used to detain the protesters was “very poorly defined and far too broad” whilst former Brexit secretary, MP David Davis said the arrests show the legislation is “too crude, too poorly defined”.

UK behind Ukraine after Putin parade speech

PRIME MINISTER , Rishi Sunak has responded to the Russian President’s Victory Day parade speech where he claimed “a real war” had been unleashed against Russia by the West.

In the Moscow’s Red Square yesterday, Vladimir Putin claimed the world is at a “turning point” and blamed the West of spreading “hatred and Russophobia”.

Celebrations

Eight thousand troops took part in the parade flanked by just 51 vehicles with just one solitary tank in the scaled-back celebrations.

Mr Putin, speaking at the country’s annual Victory Day celebrating the Soviet’s defeat of Nazi Germany in WWII, said: “A real war has been unleashed against our Motherland.”

In his speech, Mr Putin insisted that the West’s “untamed ambitions, arrogance and impunity” are to blame for the conflict.

Rishi Sunak, rejecting Vladimir Putin’s claims, said: “There is only

one person who is responsible for the illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and that is President Putin. The crimes that are being committed are appalling.

“The suffering that is being inflicted on the Ukrainian people is appalling.

“That is why it is right that we remain steadfast in supporting the people of Ukraine to stand up to that aggression. That’s what I and the United Kingdom will continue to do.”

On Monday night, the Kremlin launched 25 missiles over Ukraine in a wave of attacks, saying that air defences had successfully destroyed 23 of them with no casualties reported.

Europe Day, which falls on the same day as Russia’s Victory Day, May 9, was marked in Kyiv, with a visit by EU Commission Chief, Ursula von der Leyen.

At a press conference, Von der Leyen and Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky discussed his countries desire for EU membership and the need for faster deliveries of ammunition.

Former

Pakistani PM’s arrest in Islamabad sparks protests

IMRAN Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, was arrested yesterday after he appeared in a court in the capital, Islamabad, to face corruption charges, his party officials said.

According to senior official Fawad Chaudhry, the Pakistani Tehreek-eInsaf party said the Mr Khan was arrested in court by the National Accountability Bureau, the country’s anti-corruption body.

The 72-year-old was dragged out of the high court and into a police vehicle where he was driven away and held in custody by security forces, according to Mr Chaudhry.

Mr Khan has denounced the arrest as “an abduction” calling it politically motivated as he claimed the move was an illegal western conspiracy and has campaigned against the government of his successor, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

His party immediately complained to the high court, which requested a report explaining the charges for Mr Khan’s arrest.

On the streets of the capital, hundreds of protestors have blocked the main roads, pulled

down street signs and started fires in reaction to Imran Khan’s arrest. Video footage emerged of protestors breaking into the military corps commander’s house and destroying the inside furnishings.

Injured

Police in Islamabad said on social media that five police officers had been injured and 43 protestors arrested, while at least 10 people including six police officers were injured in Quetta City, at the time of reporting.

Last year the former leader was ousted from his position after a no-confidence vote in April and has been campaigning for early elections since then.

General elections are due to be held later this year.

Officials from the anti-corruption body said Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau issued arrest warrants for Mr Khan last week in a separate corruption case, for which he had not obtained bail – something that would protect him from arrest under the country’s laws.

SIR MARK ROWLEY

IMRAN KHAN

Photo: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire

Photo: PA

Final results of England’s local elections released

AFTER a third recount in Longbeck ward in Redcar & Cleveland yesterday, the final election results of the 230 councils have been announced, with Labour in the lead.

The northeastern council remains under no overall control after Labour gained eight seats and the conservatives six.

Votes

No further action over release of information in Nicola Bulley case

ENFORCEMENT action will not be taken against Lancashire Police by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) over its disclosure of personal information in the case of missing mother, Nicola Bulley, the force has confirmed.

Criticism

The force came under heavy criticism after the 45-year-old’s body was pulled from the River Wyre in Lancashire on February 19, more than three weeks after she was last seen on January 27.

MPs and campaign groups voiced their disapproval after police elected to put elements of her

private life into the public domain during the search – including her struggles with alcohol and perimenopause.

Announcing their conclusions on Tuesday, ICO’s Deputy Commissioner of Regulatory Policy, Emily Keaney said: “This was an important piece of work around a high-profile case.

“We wanted to reassure the public that there are rules in place to protect how personal information is used and shared, and we wanted to be clear that while police can disclose information to protect the public and investigate crime, they would need to be able to demonstrate such disclosure was necessary and proportionate.”

Tesco Chairman denies inappropriate touching

A REPORT by the Guardian newspaper alleges

that Tesco Chairman John Allan, 74, touched two female employee’s bottoms at the supermarket’s shareholder meeting last year.

It also claims Mr Allan, who at the time was president of the CBI, had “grabbed” a women at one of the events in 2019.

JOHN ALLAN

Mr Allan said the claims are “simply untrue” and Tesco said it had not received any complaints. The supermarket giant acknowledged that Mr Allan, who has been Chairman for eight years, had “received no complaints or concerns formally or informally, including through our confidential Protector Line service” about his conduct in the meeting last year.

Complaint

They noted that Mr Allen strongly denies the allegation and his conduct has “never been the subject of a complaint during his tenure as chair of Tesco”.

The Guardian also claims that Mr Allan commented on a CBI employee’s dress and bottom in 2021 – an incident that he said he

Labour’s Luke Meyer and Independent Vera Rider were elected with just four votes ahead of Conservative candidate, Andrea Turner.

The final results from all councils, saw Labour gain 643 seats to become the biggest party in local government since 2002, while the Lib Dems gained 415 seats, the Greens gained 200 and the Conservatives lost 957.

The Conservatives lost 48

councils, while Labour gaining control of 22, the Lib Dems 12 and Greens one, while an additional 16 are now under No Overall Control.

Following the Tory defeat at the local elections, Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said: “Obviously it’s disappointing to lose hard-working Conservative councillors. I know that the country wants us to focus on their priorities.

“I have set out five very clear priorities – to halve inflation, to grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats,” he told broadcasters.

Sir Keir Starmer has told newlyelected Labour councillors they have been given a “mandate to deal with the cost of living” and delivery of this on a local level will act as a “blueprint” for their party in power.

“People are crying out for change and we can now start delivering that change.”

DCI Banks Actor denies punching drunk man

does not recall.

He does, however, admit to making a comment to a female CBI worker in late 2019 about a dress suiting her figure.

Mr Allan said he was “mortified after making the comment in 2019” and immediately apologised.

“The person concerned agreed the matter was closed and no further action was taken,” a spokesman said.

“Regarding the other claims, they are simply untrue. Even so, Mr Allan requested that Tesco and Fox Williams [law firm] – who were instructed by the CBI to conduct an investigation following various allegations – investigate them.

“Fox Williams decided not to, and Tesco are not aware of and have not received any complaints about Mr Allan’s conduct either at the 2022 AGM or over the eight years that he has been chairman of Tesco.”

The allegations come a month after the former Director General of CBI, Tony Danker was sacked after accusations of misconduct which led to dozes of the UK’s biggest companies leaving the organisation.

ACTOR Stephen Tompkinson has told the Newcastle Crown Court that punching a drunk man outside his home would have been ‘career suicide’.

The 57-year-old is accused of punching Karl Poole, in Whitely Bay on May 30, 2021 outside his home because he was drunkenly making noise.

Newcastle Crown Court has heard Tompkinson came out of his house at around 5.30am, wearing pyjamas and a dressing gown, to challenge Mr Poole and his friend Andrew Hall, who were both “heavily intoxicated”.

being charged with grievous bodily harm, and that while the legal proceedings are hanging over him, “any association with me is put on hold”.

Respect

“I’m not trying to compare my situation with the injury Karl suffered – they don’t compare,” he told the court.

Asked by his barrister Nicholas Lumley KC if he had anything to gain by assaulting Mr Poole, Tompkinson said: “Absolutely not. Any member of the public is potentially a member of your audience, and you have to treat them with respect at all times.

“After we got 15 million viewers for Ballykissangel, my father, who was alive at the time, said: ‘You have been invited into people’s living rooms and you must always treat them with respect’, and I always try to.

On Tuesday the Ballykissangel actor told the court he did not punch Mr Poole and was “not responsible” for the double skull fracture he sustained when his head hit the pavement.

Tompkinson said he had had acting work “taken away” since

“It would be career suicide to do something as outrageous as assault someone.”

He said he put his hand out to stop Mr Poole coming towards him and made contact with his face but that it “wasn’t enough to knock a sober man off his feet”.

Tompkinson said he had had acting work ‘taken away’ since being charged with grievous bodily harm

STEPHEN TOMPKINSON

Photo: Aaron Chown/PA Wire

Photo: PA

Photo: PA

Matthew Scott

Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent

Optimism about new Neighbourhood Policing Model

WHEN I was elected Police and Crime Commissioner, I pledged to increase police numbers and now I’m delighted to say we have more officers in the county than we’ve ever had before.

Some of this has been achieved with the help of the government’s Police Uplift Programme, but some is a result of your Council Tax.

In 2010, we had 3,787 officers in Kent, now we have 4,203. Kent Police has over-delivered on the national requirement and we are seeing the benefits, with crime and antisocial behaviour (ASB) falling.

Investigations

Additional police presence is bringing down burglary rates, shutting down county line gangs, improving investigations of crimes like domestic abuse and stalking, while arresting and charging more people.

In the coming months, as part of the new Neighbourhood Policing Model, you will see many of these new recruits deployed in your local wards and schools, and I hope that will help drive crime and ASB down further.

I know antisocial behaviour in its many forms continues to blight some local areas, and there is a discussion nationally about

Nick Pope The Alliance

how best we tackle it, making it quicker to deal with persistent offenders.

The government has already announced tougher fines for things like fly-tipping, littering and graffiti. There are also plans to make those responsible clean up the communities they mess up more quickly.

Responsibility

Many issues associated with antisocial behaviour are the responsibility of the local council; some are the responsibility of the police. I know you often think low-level crime is not treated seriously enough, my postbag tells me that.

But we are listening. There are several pilot projects underway in other parts of the country to test various remedies, and in Kent we’re optimistic about the new Neighbourhood Policing Model.

However, so we can target resources more effectively and come up with the correct strategies for different problems, I’d like to know more about the issues you are having in your local neighbourhoods.

So I would urge you to fill in this very short anonymous survey: smartsurvey.co.uk/s/AntisocialBehaviour/ Thank you very much.

Cllr Nicholas Pope was elected to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in 2018 and was the first member of the Alliance to become a councillor. He represents Park Ward, where he was re-elected in 2022 and is an active member of the Friends of Calverley Grounds

We always work to give residents reliable information

I HOPE you enjoyed the long Coronation bank holiday weekend, whether you went to a street party, celebrated the event at home, or spent the time doing something else. Whatever your views, it was a major historic event for our country.

As I am sure you are aware, the Borough Council elections took place on Thursday last week, and the count on Friday. These were the culmination of several months of gruelling campaigning, delivering leaflets, knocking on doors, and speaking to residents.

Service

Although the Coronation and the local elections are very different events, they are both about service. The new King and your new and existing councillors are here to serve. Your Borough councillors are here to focus on local services, issues and concerns.

I spent most of my adult life being cynical about politics and never had an interest in being more involved than reading about it in newspapers and voting. I have always used my democratic right to vote in both general and local elections. In local elections, however, I often struggled to know how to vote because I did not know about the political makeup of the

Council, what services the Council was responsible for, or whether councillors were making good decisions.

The Alliance, which has, again, won more seats on the Borough Council, was formed five years ago in the Borough to better represent residents and help them understand the Borough Council and what it is doing. Better informed and more engaged residents are a good

thing for local democracy; it helps residents make better decisions at the polling station and helps councillors make better decisions in the council chamber.

I am sure many readers are cynical about politics, like I was, and still am. In the run-up to last week’s local elections, I saw leaflets and newspaper articles that provided useful and accurate information. I also saw examples that

were designed to misinform or confuse readers. One party presented policies that were the opposite of almost everything they had delivered or had been delivering over the last decade. Other examples include deliberately omitting parties from bar charts, not presenting a party as an option in a survey question about voting intentions, and telling voters the only choice is between two parties when the reality is that there were three or more strong options and there were five or more candidates on the ballot paper.

Democracy

How can politicians expect residents to be well informed about the Council and what the Council is doing if we distribute leaflets and write articles that are designed to misinform?

The Alliance is always working to inform residents by providing useful and helpful information, to listen to issues and views, and to make the best decisions in the council chamber on behalf of residents. I believe this is why The Alliance won two further seats on the Council last week.

If you would like to support our work for greater honesty and integrity, write to nick@twalliance.com.

Matthew Scott was first elected the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent in 2016 and re-elected in 2021. He sets policing priorities, commissions services to support victims, sets the Council Tax precept, manages the force’s budget, and holds the Chief Constable to account. He serves as the national PCC lead for Mental Health, and is chair of the board for the BlueLight Commercial organisation

Photo: Shutterstock

And another thing…

It’s time to have a national conversation around anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems in the UK. In fact, a survey commissioned by Mental Health Foundation in late 2022 found that a quarter of adults in the UK feel so anxious that it stops them doing the things they need, or want to do, most or all of the time. Six in 10 adults feel this way at least occasionally.

That’s why, this Mental Health Awareness Week (May 15-21, 2023) we will be focusing on anxiety. We will be encouraging people to share their experiences, and what has helped, with the hashtag #ToHelpMyAnxiety.

By having a national conversation about anxiety during Mental Health Awareness Week, we hope people will better understand how anxiety is affecting them, what they can do to calm feelings of anxiety, and feel more comfortable in seeking support.

We invite people to find out more about anxiety and how to get involved in Mental

Linguistics lesson

As an old hack – well perhaps not that old – Calverley should know his way around the English Language. He may be familiar with Fowler and his sage advice on the matter, so it’s on to the naughty step again for his misuse of “begs the question”.

As Fowler put it: “The fallacy of founding a conclusion on a basis that as much needs to be proved as the conclusion itself”.

Or, more simply put, here’s an example: “Why do so many people watch Eastenders?” Answer: “Because it is so popular.” So, naughty step it is, and early to bed with no supper.

Charlotte Steerpike

Tunbridge Wells

Royal reputation

Just as with Brexit, it is apparent that a significant number of us are easily swayed!

We [have just heralded] a man who was unwilling to safeguard his first wife, the mother of his two young sons. He has admitted to an adulterous affair and now defies the wishes of his late mother, who wanted the title of Queen Consort for his new wife – herself a marriage breaker! Is this the best we can do?

Martin Dawes

Tunbridge Wells

Another brick in the wall?

Thank you, Mr James Rands for explaining about the monies Mr Scott says he left behind for the next Council, which in fact was a fixed asset risen in value. As I say to my friends in London, you can’t take a brick out of the wall and take it to the pub.

R Bell Culverden Park Road

Council surplus

Cllr Rands (ex Lib Dem) ignores the realities of the Council’s financial results and appears unaware of the impact of Covid when income crashed, with initial losses of £1million per month! The government paid 70 per cent of this.

Calverley

Health Awareness Week by going to our website www.mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw.

There are several resources available including a downloadable publication with expert guidance on how to manage anxiety.

Alexa Knight Director for England Mental Health Foundation

By reprioritising staff, we created surpluses in both Covid years.

The actual figures (details available):

• 2020/21 Covid Year Surplus £211,000

• 2021/22 Covid Year Surplus £35,000

• 2022/23 Management Budget set in Jan 2022 based on continuation of Covid with contingency drawdown should no assistance from central government be forthcoming.

We knew, once Covid ended we would see a recovery of income from fees and charges (but not allowed to budget for). Actual published major income over the first nine months (post-Covid) 2022/23: car parking £493,000, planning £192,000, waste performance receipts £220,000.

With higher interest rates, our high cash balances, and no debt, produced an additional £1,150,000. All creating plenty of head room for post Covid recovery.

During the Lib Dem alliance administration there was a haemorrhaging of staff, reducing net costs by £923,000. Other changes impacted the

SAYS...

Dear

sir

Council. The largest being increases in energy cost £820,000, car park costs, £240,000, waste contract £215,000. The overall result: £1,294,000 surplus.

The net worth of the Council increased by £14.2million in 2021/22, primarily because we continued the development of the Amelia Scott, creating a fantastic building. We continued to spend large sums on the roofs and windows of the Town and Assembly Halls – not simply a change in values. No debt and a healthy net worth.

Hence financially, during Covid, the Conservatives managed a massive shortfall in income and set aside £900,000 should Covid continue in 2022/23 and created the potential of substantial headroom for post-Covid recovery.

The Lib Dems Alliance benefited from the post-Covid recovery in income, but experienced a substantial reduction in staff costs but increases in other costs, particularly in energy.

It is up to the public to judge whose performance excelled. I am confident in what we achieved.

David A Scott

Former Dep Leader 2021/22

Tunbridge Wells

It’s a waste asking the Council to help

With reference to the letter from George Randell W (April 26) regarding food waste bins in Tunbridge Wells, when I moved into my apartment four years ago, I mentioned to the agents that I didn’t have a waste bin. I was told that they were unable to get them from TWBC.

Thinking nothing more, I contacted recycling at TWBC for the first two years post moving in, to be told each time the bins would be delivered “next year”.

Finally, last year I telephoned TWBC and was advised the council had no plans to issue bins to apartments and further more place all food waste into the general bins! All of the flat owners in our block would love a food bin, but trying to assist TWBC is impossible!

Kay Nightingale Tunbridge Wells

VOTE OF THANKS. Calverley salutes all those who ran for office in the council elections last week particularly those who stood no chance (think Tory). He might not agree with all the misguided policies but admires the fact people are prepared to put themselves forward, take abuse and suffer more insults if they are elected. It’s called democracy. Long may it last. Big thanks to all those believers. (Mischief makers claim TW TORY MP Greg Clark is already packing his bags. The rascals.)

HAIRY TALE. To the hairdressers to collect Management (Mrs C). The dozen chairs were full of ladies having root and a reboot jobs (can one still say that?) Every single client was on their mobile phone and, according to Mrs C, had been from the moment they sat down. Some had been there two hours. What happened to a visit to the hairdressers being a bit of a social occasion? Come on, guys. Calverley needs the gossip.

WHAT A LAUGH. Chap on the next bar stool was drowning his sorrows. His wife bought tickets for a touring show by his favourite comedian, Peter Kay. She told him they were for October. Bit of a wait, he thought, but well worth it. When tickets showed up they were for October right enough – 2024. It’s the thought, Mr Ungrateful! It’s the thought.

VEGAN BEEF. Calverley could not help but stifle a chuckle on hearing that the latest figures for the supermarket sale of meatfree products had fallen by £37million. No big surprise. They taste awful, particularly the ones with quinoa and beetroot in them. And Calverley says that as a strict vegetarian of some decades. (No dead animals in his mouth.) He just hopes that restaurants will now stop replacing all veggie dishes with vegan mush. The dishes are not similar, and vegetarians are not automatically vegans. Chefs, please note.

GOBBLEDYGOOK? Joe Biden, at the age of 80, is running again to be US president because he can’t rely on Vice President Kamala Harris to take over, as hoped. She has become, it seems, a political flop. Here’s part of her own re-lection speech –unedited: “I think it is very important for us at every moment in time, and certainly this one, to see the moment in time in which we exist and are present, and to be able to contextualise it. To understand where we exist in the history and in the moment as it relates not only to the past but the future.” She’s probably making a valid point, but getting the message across? Makes Boris look eloquent.

FINAL THOUGHT. Some Borough Council staff want to work four days a week and be paid for five. Fine, so long as residents can pay four-fifths of their Council Tax.

Chin chin dear reader

‘Every aspect of our school life contributes to each pupil’s personal development…’

Louise Payne, Deputy Head of

The biggest challenge that I believe schools across the country are facing is how can we help our pupils become confident and resilient, when nationally we are seeing young people affected by low self-esteem and lack of confidence.

At Kent College, we want to equip our pupils with the skills they need to go through life, and we ensure they are building these skills from the minute they step foot in our school: from mental wellbeing and physical health to global citizenship and financial literacy.

Flourish

Our focus is on embedding knowledge and skills that will enable students to flourish in the ‘real world’ once they have moved on. This does not just take place within designated curriculum time – every aspect of school life and our ethos contributes to each pupil’s personal

development. Extracurricular clubs, speakers and lectures are all focused on teaching skills for life and the real world. Additionally, in our Sixth Form, we are one of a handful of schools offering the Ivy House Award – a life skills and leadership programme designed to give pupils the knowledge, skills and confidence to take ownership of their future. These activities are likely to help our children flourish, at university, in the workplace and their daily lives. They are intended to develop the interpersonal skills that help teamwork and other social interactions and to build the confidence and motivation to seek challenges throughout their lives. Our pastoral team are a consistent, nurturing part of this journey, ensuring that pupils are supported throughout their time here.

To discover how we help Kent College pupils become confident and resilient young people

ready to face the future come along and visit us. For girls currently in Year 5, we are running ‘Fearless Girls’ – a morning of fun activities to give a flavour of life at Kent College on Saturday June 10, from 9am to 1pm. To find out more about the school, book a visit at: kent-college.co.uk or email admissions@kentcollege.kent.sch.uk

Pastoral at Kent College explains why the independent girls’ school in Pembury is focused on equipping students not just with knowledge, but life skills, too

‘Our focus is on embedding knowledge and skills that will enable students to flourish in the ‘real world’ once they have moved on’

LOUISE PAYNE

KENT COLLEGE

Life &Times

The definition of fine dining Gastronomic delights at The Warren… P26

Arts

Film

For the love of literature

Tunbridge Wells author Leonora Langley tells the Times about the Local Writers Fair on Friday May 12. Part

literary festival, which runs from May 11 to

THE second Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival takes place later this week and this year during the four-day event you can hear everyone from former TV chat show host, Sir Michael Parkinson and actor Russell Tovey to comedian-turned-children’s author David Walliams discuss their latest tomes in a variety of venues across town, including the Assembly Hall and The Forum from May 11 to 14.

For the first time, the Amelia Scott cultural centre will be hosting a Local Writers Fair to coincide with its main bill of celebrity guest speakers. The event will take place on May 12, from 11am to 4pm and admission is free.

Throughout the day there will be something for everyone with children’s books, fiction and poetry being discussed as well as thrillers, non-fiction and history. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet with local writers like myself, discover new books and also purchase signed copies.

It promises to be a fun event with other local writers including Michael Waterhouse, Gary Bridges, Sophie Kersey and Carol Anne Skipper all involved. I will be appearing at 11am alongside Deborah de Satgé and Paul Bright to discuss children’s literature.

As a Tunbridge Wells resident and author of

the book, ‘Let The Souls of Our Children Sing’, which is about the vital importance of nurturing emotional wellbeing in the young, I am delighted to be part of this new event. This is especially because the welfare of mothers and children was a subject dear to the heart of social reformer and campaigner Amelia Scott whose name lives on in the new integrated cultural building, The Amelia.

Culture

As a peace-loving suffragist, Amelia’s early social and philanthropic work included teaching Sunday school classes and mothers’ meetings, as well as Poor Law work which opened her eyes to the needs of new mothers, both married and unmarried, leading to the refurbishment and opening of a former inn, reinvented as the Crown Hostel for Women and Children in 1913. By 1931, it was reported to house 100 women and 50 children in a week.

I believe local authors can play an important role in bringing a specific neighbourhood or city to life with their unique understanding of the culture, stories and challenges of the environment in which they live and work. A good part of the content of my book was based on thirty years’ experience as a teacher in the South East, most recently as a peripatetic piano teacher at Bennett Memorial Diocesan School in Tunbridge Wells from 2013 to 2019. I have also

worked as a counsellor and psychotherapist for 15 years, most significantly as a support worker and supervisor with Cruse Bereavement Care. In ‘Let the Souls of Our Children Sing’, which has taken me a lifetime to bring to fruition and is the only book I ever wanted to write (described by one critic as ‘a small book with a big message’), I highlight the increasing amount of pressure we are placing on our children. As a result, this leads to unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety and depression. With one in six children now suffering from an identifiable mental health issue and 12.3% with a special

need, I would go further in my belief that most children in our present society have a special need to a greater or lesser degree.

In my book, I argue that a large part of the problem is that since the 1870s, mainstream education has mainly focused on academic achievement, a 19th-century model emphasising cognition and logic because it can be counted and measured. The existing anachronistic structure desperately needs a new paradigm placing greater emphasis on children’s emotional wellbeing and soul development, which is beyond measure. I believe parents and teachers need to work together in raising their consciousness to help children increase their self-awareness, self-esteem, self-compassion and self-love with the ultimate aim of them reaching self-actualisation as described by humanistic psychologists Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.

I do hope you’ll come along this coming Friday to The Amelia to discover more.

Get your team ready for quiz nights at Salomons Estate

THINK you know your Wimbledon legends from your Disney trivia? Salomons Estate in Southborough invites you to test your general knowledge at their quiz night on Thursday May 25 – the first of a monthly series set to take place at the 36-acre country house. The estate welcomes anyone who wishes to participate on the last Thursday of every month. Starting at 7.30pm, trivia fans will be quizzed over five rounds for the chance to win a generous cash prize.

Categories

With a maximum of six players, teams can enter for just £5 per person and try their hand at the themed categories, which include music trivia and a picture round, plus three other topics that will change each month.

Events Manager Fiona Owens said: “We look forward to seeing lots of people for a great night of quizzing. We have a delicious menu on offer as well, so don’t forget to book a table prior to the quiz taking place.”

‘We look forward to seeing lots of people for a great night of quizzing. We have a delicious menu on offer as well, so don’t forget to book a table prior to the quiz taking place’

The Salomons Estate pub and dining rooms serve everything from classic pub favourites, such as gastro beef burgers and 8oz steaks to grazing plates, like charcuterie boards, nachos and mac and cheese bites.

Tables can be booked on OpenTable. Wine, spirits and draught beers can also be enjoyed from the bar, and for those who arrive early, all drinks are half-price between 5pm and 6pm.

To register, teams should email MSLevents@ salomons-estate.com

of the town’s

May 14, it aims to shine a spotlight on some of our talented wordsmiths…

‘I believe local authors can play an important role in bringing a place to life with their understanding of the culture in which they live and work’

PRE-QUIZ DINNER

THE LIBRARY AT THE AMELIA

An Italian dream

Giovanni Pernici is something of a ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ legend. With more than one million followers on Instagram and having won the show with Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021, despite a miserable crash out last year while dancing with Richie Anderson, his popularity among his devoted fans has never waned.

The Italian Stallion is not only smouldering hot, but he can dance like it’s no one’s business. And it turns out, he can sing, too. Above all, Giovanni is a brand. Oozing stereotypical Italian machismo, and a great sense of humour, he doesn’t take himself too seriously. He knows exactly how to play up to his legions of female fans – and it was those fans that he set out to entertain at a sold-out Assembly Hall on Sunday evening with the last show in this year’s tour: ‘Giovanni Pernici: Made in Italy’.

Amusing

As the name suggests, this show is a celebration of Pernici’s home country, while constantly making amusing parallels to Britain – his newly-adopted home over the last eight or nine years.

While the excited crowds streamed in, the company were already on stage. Backed by typically Italian village scenery, the performers went about their business while the crowds took their seats. Several of the dancers, including Lauren Oakley, a newcomer to Strictly last season and Giovanni’s leading lady in this show, mingled with the audience, taking selfies and handing out silk roses smothered in Giovanni’s

own bespoke perfume.

“This is for you,” Lauren smiled, handing my eight-year-old daughter a rose. “It’s from Giovanni.” My daughter’s face lit up and she clutched it tight, not quite believing her luck. I saw similar looks on the faces of some far older women who received roses, as they pressed their faces into his scent, eyes closed, savouring their fantasies.

And so the show started with a charismatic tribute to ‘La La Land’, and the cast broke out in song to ‘Another Day of Sun’. They may have been singing about LA, but the atmosphere of a Sicilian village was well and truly set.

From the outset, Lauren Oakley commanded the stage. Her strength, form and discipline as a dancer are astounding, and it is no wonder that she is back yet again to tour with Giovanni. Best of all, she shared the news during the show that she will return to Strictly this year, along with Giovanni. Although she kept mum about whether she would have a partner, she did hint that Giovanni would possibly face some competition.

Also among the company is Michelle Andrews, whose vocals carry the show, and the ensuing blend of singing, dancing and live music is masterful, comparable to any West End show I have ever seen.

Giovanni’s charisma and personal voice clearly shine through – it is the Giovanni show, and he interacts with the audience with ease, poking fun at himself with likeable charm. When he took to the stage to sing Puccini’s ‘Nessun dorma’, the crowd erupted. It seems singing has indeed been his hidden talent.

The production moved at pace, with a precise and intense Argentinian tango by Giovanni and Lauren, displaying tricky ganchos and the sharp, staccato moves. Sultry and seductive, it turned the heat up a few notches, before the company launched into a rousing crowd-pleaser with ‘Greased Lightning’.

If the first act was superb, the second was sublime, as Giovanni took to the stage in a

dressed me up like a warthog… It’s hard to do an emotional speech dressed like that.”

The self-effacing honesty won him even more points with an audience already lapping up his presence.

Exquisite

In the remainder of the second act, the show returned to the theme of love, offering up exquisite choreography in contemporary dance, and the inclusion of British sign language during one of the songs in a touching homage to Rose, followed a breakneck mambo. All the dancers excelled, but Lauren’s extensions and lines are simply mesmerising.

The show built to a crescendo and then concluded with a series of outstanding group numbers that had the audience on their feet clapping along, before begging for an encore.

same-sex dance with a male company member. That stand-out number embodied all the power of the paso, the tenderness of the ballroom and sultriness of the tango. It was then that he took the opportunity to address the tabloid rumours surrounding his reportedly bad relationship with his partner, Richie, in the last season of Strictly. “There is nothing wrong with two men dancing together,” he said, “but please, if you are ever to go on Strictly, avoid dressing up like a warthog and dancing to this…” The crowd roared as a snippet of “Hakuna Matata rang out.

“After I won with Rose, I was on the edge of a precipice… I thought I was untouchable… and then the producers had other ideas… they

As Giovanni ended his four-month tour with this show Tunbridge Wells, he took the opportunity to thank his entire crew, before whipping off his shirt as a final gift to the gaggles of women who seemed certain to rush the stage.

Giovanni Pernici is not just an outstanding dancer – he is a showman who seems set for longevity. His show skilfully played out a series of fantasy scenarios to fulfil the desires of any Giovanni-lover. The Assembly Hall crowds did not leave disappointed.

The people of Tunbridge Wells are indeed lucky to be able to watch this calibre of production locally, and the Assembly Hall is to be commended for this great booking.

Giovanni Pernici sells a fantasy through outstanding dance and surprisingly good singing, writes Michelle Wood

…

Giovanni’s charisma and personal voice clearly shine through – it is the Giovanni show, and he interacts with the audience with ease, poking fun at himself with likeable charm

Why writing popular books for kids is child’s play for this author

IN December 2021 Alex Brooks took what she describes as a ‘leap of faith’ and decided to self-publish her first children’s book entitled ‘Why, Oh Why Am I a Crocodile’.

“It’s fair to say it has been quite the adventure since then,” smiles the Tunbridge Wells mother of three young children.

“I very quickly learned that to stand a chance in the highly competitive industry that is publishing, you need to work incredibly hard, be annoyingly persistent and have seriously thick skin. It’s certainly not been plain sailing but despite the rejection and the lows, the highs have been phenomenal.”

Shortlisted

As well as seeing her book sell out locally, ‘Why, Oh Why Am I a Crocodile’ is now stocked nationwide in libraries and independent bookshops. It has recently been shortlisted for a prestigious competition, but more on that later…

When Alex published her first book, she describes herself as being more of a “travelling saleswoman” than an “esteemed author”.

“When the Crocodile book was published at the start of 2022, I had 100 freshly-printed copies in the boot of my car and I just drove around offering them to local bookshops. One kind owner listened to my rather shaky pitch and agreed to take a copy,” explains Alex.

“She then asked how she could acquire more if needed. After I confidently informed her that it

was available through a distributor, she scanned the barcode that I thought linked directly to them, but after two failed attempts, nothing! My heart sank – it turned out that I had forgotten to swap in my unique barcode! Nevertheless, the bookshop owner put one of my Crocodile books on her shelf and the following day emailed to say that it had sold and that she’d like to take some more. So that was it; the dream of my book being displayed in a bookshop had come true!”

“Doing that has definitely been the pinnacle of my journey so far. It is a fabulous competition in which schoolchildren choose the winner after industry experts whittle the initial entrants down to a small shortlist of just four books.

Alex says that despite the fact she is not naturally pushy, she managed to find the confidence to approach everyone she could think of.

“I took a copy of the book everywhere I went and slowly ‘Why, Oh Why, Am I a Crocodile?’ became available in more and more bookshops, libraries and schools up and down the country, including several branches of Waterstones and WHSmith.”

That success led Alex to enter the annual children’s SPARK! Book Awards, which are held in association with the Open University.

“To find out recently that my book had been shortlisted was utterly surreal and real vindication of my perseverance and belief. Fingers crossed for June when the final result is announced,” beams Alex. She goes on to say that her success to date with the SPARK! Competition has led to some unexpected developments, with school visits and live online Q&As now forming part of her weekly routine.

“They all fill me with complete dread, of course, but when you are proud of something, as I am with my first book, suddenly all of these fears feel a lot more manageable – even, dare I say it, enjoyable!”

Alex is now concentrating on promoting her latest book, ‘Insects, Bugs & Rock and Roll’. “Like my first one, it has been illustrated by the very talented Hannah Worsley, who is also from Tunbridge Wells. It seemed only natural to

publish another book. This story is about a mean spider whose life and attitude change when he meets a funky fly and they form a band. The strong moral theme is that of a bully-turnedgood Samaritan. It is a tale of redemption, friendship and an exploration into the myriad uses of web material.

“Hannah has really excelled herself with this one; her attention to detail and use of colour is just extraordinary. I am so impressed by her talent! Our collaboration works perfectly and who knows, there may already be talk of a third book!”

“I like to think my books offer something a bit different with quirky twists, fun characters and imaginative storylines, that hopefully appeal to the big reader nearly as much as the little listener.”

Parents campaign for clean air for London’s children

Mums for Lungs founder Jemima Hartshorn is calling for clean air for all as evidence shows air pollution’s effects on the health of children growing up in the capital.

The grassroots parents’ group has welcomed the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) across all London boroughs later this year, a targeted scheme to help take the most highly polluting vehicles off London’s streets, as part of their campaign to help protect babies and children. 9 out of 10 cars seen driving in outer London already meet the emissions standards, based on monthly

average compliance levels, so most people will not need to pay a charge.

Air pollution can result in respiratory illnesses and exacerbate asthma attacks – children are particularly vulnerable to its effects because they breathe faster than adults therefore absorb more pollutants. They are also often pushed in buggies or

prams, putting them closer to the pollution emitted by cars.

“No two-year-old has any influence on whether everyone drives, or whether they are in a car themselves,” says Jemima. “But they will never have the lung growth that they would have had if they had grown up in a less polluted place.”

For more information and details of support available go to tfl.gov.uk/ ULEZ-2023

Jemima Hartshorn Mums for Lungs founder

“Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.”

Alex Brooks had her first book ‘Why, Oh Why Am I a Crocodile’ published just over a year ago. With her second book just out, she tells Eileen Leahy about her journey as a self-published author…

‘To find out that my book had been shortlisted for the nationwide SPARK! award was utterly surreal and real vindication for my perseverance and belief’

BOOKS BY BROOKS: ‘Why, Oh Why Am I a Crocodile’ and ‘Insects, Bugs & Rock and Roll’ are available to order from WHSmith, Waterstones, Amazon and all good bookshops, priced at £6.99

What to watch at the cinema this week...

From an eccentric road movie and a powerful sports biopic, to a British-Asian family comedy, these films showcase the resilience of the human spirit, says Michelle Wood

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

Directed by Hettie Macdonald, starring Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton.

Harold Fry is an unremarkable man who has lived a life without purpose. Recently retired, he is well into his 60s and content to fade quietly into the background of life. His marriage to his wife, Maureen, has soured, owing to a conflict surrounding the absence of their son. Then, one day, everything changes.

Harold learns his old friend, Queenie, is dying. He sets out for the post office to send her

a letter, but then decides to keep walking all the way across England to her hospice, 450 miles away. He believes that somehow, his journey can keep her alive. Of course, this adventure happens much to the chagrin of his wife, Maureen.

The film, shot sequentially on locations across the UK, mirrors Harold’s own pilgrimage beautifully. Based on Rachel Joyce’s 2012 award-winning bestseller of the same name, with a screenplay written by Joyce herself, this original take on the ‘life-stage crisis’ narrative will resonate with audiences of all ages.

As a story of rediscovery and transformation, this film is a reminder that you are never too old to take a chance and that kindness still prevails.

The heartfelt narrative is anchored by poignant performances from Academy Award-winner Jim Broadbent as Harold, beautifully supported by Penelope Wilton.

The film is a magnificent directorial debut from Hettie Macdonald and was developed with the support of The British Film Institute, Film4 and National Lottery funding.

Big George Foreman

Directed by George Tillman Jr, starring Khris Davis, Forest Whitaker, Jasmine Matthews and Sullivan Jones.

Rods at the ready

ANGLERS could reel in something different from their average catch at Bewl Water in Lamberhurst, as the reservoir releases 10 blue trout into its waters.

The latest restocking of the fish took place at Hook Straight, and those lucky enough to catch one will win an eight-trout fishing ticket and boat hire for one.

Sports

The species, which can range from light to dark blue in colour, is a genetic mutation of both the brown and rainbow trout and is often stocked in various lakes, reservoirs, and trout fisheries for sports purposes.

Head Ranger Daniel Baker said: “The competition has created a lot of excitement

among our fishing community. Blue trout are known to be exceptionally hard fighting, so this will be the ultimate angling challenge.”

To claim their winnings, anglers will need to take a picture of their prized catch and show a ranger on duty.

“So far only one blue trout has been caught, so there’s still plenty of opportunities for our fishermen to put their skills to the test,” Daniel continued.

The reservoir is open every day from 8am to 5pm and encourages both pros and those new to fishing to try any method, fly or kayak fishing – a new activity Bewl Water launched last month.

Fishing permits and boat hire at Bewl cost from £25-£50 and can be booked at: bewlwater.co.uk/activities/fishing

This uplifting sports biopic focuses on the life of world heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman.

Overcoming a childhood marked by poverty to become one of the most promising young boxers in the world, George Foreman suffers a near-death experience in the ring and vows never to fight again after deciding to become a Baptist minister and preacher. Years later, with bankruptcy looming over his struggling gym, he gets back in touch with his former trainer and sets out to become the oldest boxer in history to win the heavyweight championship.

Polite Society

Directed by Nida Manzoor, starring Priya Kansara, Ritu Arya, Nimra Bucha, Akshaye

Khanna, Seraphina Beh, Ella Bruccoleri, Shona Babayemi, Shobu Kapoor, and Jeff Mirza. Polite Society is an action comedy-drama that premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim.

London-based Pakistani teenager Ria Khan aspires to become a movie stuntwoman, just like her idol, Eunice Huthart. Under her alter-ego, ‘The Fury’, Ria creates martial arts movies, aided by her older sister, Lena. When she finds out her sister is destined for an arranged marriage, Ria is determined to ‘save’ her. This fun film offers a mash-up of action, comedy and family drama, as it follows Ria’s attempts to rescue Lena from her impending marriage.

With the help of her friends, she attempts to pull off the most daring wedding heist – all in the name of independence and sisterhood.

All films reviewed are showing at the Odeon Tunbridge Wells

JIM BROADBENT AS HAROLD FRY

From field to fork, to fabulous food

With its iconic orangery windows, eclectic, exotic decor and adventurous gastronomic menu, The Warren has proved to be one of the most exceptional places to dine in the area since it opened in 2016.

Located right at the top of Tunbridge Wells High Street, opposite the train station, it boasts an enviable location in the heart of town, but its beating culinary heart is actually located in the countryside at its 650-Crowborough Warren Estate, where so much of the fantastic produce that appears on its impressive, ever-changing seasonal menu is sourced.

The estate is rich in livestock, from Sussex cattle and venison to wild boar and lamb, so there is always a variety of cuts of meat to enjoy. Owners Martin Haynes and Chris Fitt opened the restaurant seven years ago to ensure the farm’s fantastic freerange produce could be showcased on a menu that puts hyper-locally sourced goods right at its heart.

Spectacular

The first-floor restaurant, which is on the former site of the legendary Signor Franco’s, seats around 60 people in its three adjoining dining rooms and bar area. And during the finer weather, you can escape outside to its pleasant roof terrace with a glass of something chilled.

Stepping into The Warren is almost like arriving on the set of a Fellini movie thanks to its exotic décor, which includes spectacular oversized glass chandeliers suspended from the ceiling, ornately carved wood throne-like chairs, a baby grand piano, marble-topped tables, and a slew of eye-catching artefacts, including a stuffed boar’s head. So far, so spectacular…

The restaurant’s general manager Magdalena Szczerbova greeted us warmly and then showed us to our table – an intimate spot in the establishment’s stunning orangery. The atmosphere was incredibly lively with most tables occupied; ranging from large groups of

friends happily drinking and dining to cosy couples enjoying an intimate soirée.

To kick the evening off, Magdelena suggested we sample a glass of Busi Jacobsohn, which is produced at Busi’s Eridge Vineyard. Bubbly and aromatic, it was the perfect accompaniment to the selection of homemade fresh breads which arrived with a couple of quenelles of salted butter.

First up on the menu, which has a good selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes, was a selection of ‘pre-starters’ which included Maldon oysters (£3.60 each) and Dorset snails with toasted sourdough, and a choice of homemade garlic butter or blue cheese (£9.45).

We decided on a selection of oysters, which came with a trio of Tabasco sauces, lemon and vinaigrette. They were salty and silky and the perfect way to commence our epicurean adventure at The Warren.

Starters included unique choices, such as a venison meatball with cream cheese, coleslaw and brioche (£9.95) and slow-cooked pork cheek, with sweet potato purée & Port jus reduction (£9.50). But I decided on the tasty smoked salmon, avocado, crispy filo pastry & salmon caviar (£9.50).

My guest went for one

of The Warren’s signature dishes: a goose egg, from their estate, which is served with wild mushrooms, Eridge Beal’s Farm Mangalista pork loin and parmesan (£12). I’m pleased to report it was a taste triumph – a kind of super-elevated bacon and eggs, but 10 times more flavoursome.

We enjoyed a glass of crisp white Picpoul from France with our first dishes and will award Magdelena top marks for her wine pairing choice. Next up were the main courses. Again, the choice was extensive and super-tempting, courtesy of plates such as duck breast with carrot and potato rosti, red cabbage, French beans and Kirsch jus (£28) and chicken supreme with wild mushroom risotto (£24). Ultimately for us though it was the beef Chateaubriand, which you choose by the ounce, that won out.

Magdelena suggested we go for the 26oz to enjoy alongside a selection of sauces which included a Marchand de Vin and Brighton Blue cheese – oh and just for pure decadence a lobster tail. The ultimate gourmet surf n’ turf… When the platter arrived, the meat was

cooked to perfection and served with salty French fries, tenderstem broccoli, pan-fried mushrooms and a sticky, sweet caramelised onion confit. Every bite was a delight and reflected how good quality produce, done fairly simply, can far outclass any complicated dish overloaded with fussy ingredients.

After a little post-dinner sojourn, finishing our wine and watching customers starting to drift off back downstairs into the drizzly evening, we took a look at the dessert menu.

Feeling rather full we decided we’d share an Affogato, which is an Italian-style vanilla ice cream, served with a nip of Frangelico, almond Amaretti and double espresso (£11.50). Totally vegan and delicious, it was the perfect way to finish our hugely enjoyable dinner.

After experiencing this wonderful restaurant, where the food is classic yet innovative, we promised Magdelena we’d return as soon as possible. After all, there are so many more dishes on offer to enjoy alongside The Warren’s warm welcome and alluring ambience.

THE WARREN

5A High Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1UL 01892 328 191 www.thewarren.restaurant

Eileen Leahy experiences the taste of The Warren, which provides its customers with some of the area’s most delicious and inventive food – most of which comes from its own 650-acre estate in Crowborough…

‘Stepping into The Warren, it’s like we’ve arrived on to the set of a Fellini movie’

WARM WELCOME: The team at The Warren

Six sensational rosés for summer sipping

Times Editor Michelle Wood channels

the warmer weather with these top pink drops…

Beautifully fresh, this is your quintessential Provencal pink to drink with salad Niçoise or prawns in garlic butter. Fragrant aromas of wild strawberries, citrus and white peach are flush, with citrusy accents riding on the rounded fruit, and a well-balanced acidity and touch of orange blossom on the finish.

4. AIX Rosé 2022, Coteaux D’Aix En Provence, France, £19.99, Selfridges, selfridges. com

5. Whispering Angel Rosé 2022, Côte de Provence, France, £23.99, Majestic

Who can resist the silky styling of a pink wine?

While we’re seduced by the strawberry, peach and redcurrant flavours, it’s not always easy to pin down exactly what you’re tasting – apart from the fact it’s downright delicious.

The perfect accompaniment to blue skies and sunshine, these pinks are far from run-of-themill, and will bring smiles with every sip…

1. Groot Constantia Rosé 2021, £11.55, strictlywine.co.uk

This delicate shell-pink rosé shows wonderful complexity on the nose, with notes of jasmine. The fruit flavours are echoed on the refreshing

and beautifully balanced palate through to a clean, dry finish.

2. Pur Azur Côte de Provence Rosé 2022, France, £15.50, Amathus, amathusdrinks.com

An elegant rosé, proving how the wines of Provence exhibit a beautiful fruity intensity contrary to the pale wash of colour. Pretty aromas of apricot, wild strawberry and florals cheer the first sip; then you’ll be smitten by its fruity mid-palate of creamy peaches, strawberries and redcurrant, with a mouthwatering finish.

3. MIP 2021 Classic Rosé Made In Provence, France, £15.50, Lea & Sandeman, leaandsandeman.co.uk

BAFTA WINE COMPETITION

The BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises, hosted by Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan, take place on Sunday May 14…

AS THE official Champagne Partner and Official Wine Partner to BAFTA, Taittinger and Villa Maria are offering a prize to celebrate the awards:

Taittinger Brut Réserve NV, Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc and Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir with a prize value of c.£100

Taittinger Brut Reserve (BAFTA label) NV

RRP £68.25 | Exclusive label to BAFTA (non-vintage without BAFTA label available

Asda, Ocado, Tesco, Waitrose, Coop, Fortnum and Mason, John Lewis, Luvians, Amps, champagnedirect.com, thechampagnecompany. com, Just Champagne, The Wine Press)

Villa Maria Cellar Selection

Sauvignon Blanc

RRP £14.65| Stockists: Majestic, Sainsbury's

Villa Maria Cellar Selection

Pinot Noir

RRP £17:30 | Majestic, Sainsbury's, Waitrose

Question: Who are the two hosts for the BAFTA TV awards this year?

Email answers to: competitionttw@protonmail. com by Wednesday 17 May

Champagne Taittinger and Villa

Maria are two of the Awards Partners in their 21st and 14th year respectively.

VILLA MARIA: OFFICIAL WINE PARTNER

This is now the 14th year that Villa Maria’s wines have been served and enjoyed at all BAFTA award ceremonies. Villa Maria wines are, effortlessly balanced, elegant and approachable, the wines are the perfect accompaniment to all of the Academy’s prestigious events.

CHAMPAGNE TAITTINGER: OFFICIAL CHAMPAGNE PARTNER

Champagne Taittinger has been the Official Champagne Partner to BAFTA for 21 years and is proud to support the Academy.

Taittinger Brut Réserve is the celebratory toast for all the Academy Awards and is available by the glass in BAFTA’s home at 195 Piccadilly. With Vitalie Taittinger at the helm, it is one of the few top Champagne houses to remain owned and actively managed by the eponymous family.

Entrants must be over 18 years of age and UK residents. Please drink responsibly. More information at www. bafta.org/television/awards

Another stunner, this tastes delightfully fresh and fragrant, with a captivating mix of red berry fruits, stone fruits and cranberry taking the front seat. Ripe peaches are flanked by a touch of pink grapefruit to add depth, with a streak of minerality keeping everything right on point.

In a word: ethereal. This blushing beauty may be the poster girl for Provencal pinks, and it is the standard-bearer that nails it every time. Perhaps it’s the exquisite bouquet of summer fruits with hints of rose petals, or flavours of fleshy white peach which unfold on the rounded palate. Whichever way you look at it, the silky, long finish feels pure, fluid and softly refreshing.

6. Château Galoupet Cru Classé Rosé 2021, Provence, France, £46, Clos 19, clos19.com

Rich and showy, this is a complex rosé with a higher ABV (14%) than some others on offer. With layered and lifted aromas of florals, blossom and creamy fruit, it tastes of peaches and cream and apricot accents, with fine minerality adding texture and silkiness to the lasting finish.

If you have an individual problem which you think I can help with or you would like to have a chat about a more general issue, please do get in touch.

I am holding regular advice surgeries – by zoom or telephone. To make an appointment, please call: 01892 519854 or email:

I am holding regular advice surgeries – face-to-face, online or by telephone. To make an appointment, please call:

‘The perfect accompaniment to blue skies and sunshine, these pinks are far from run-of-the-mill’

Number 1 for fun!

BEWL WATER AQUA PARK

SCANHere toBook

REVIEWS

“Really good fun. An hour flew by and my kids aged 12 and 15 loved it. Proper work out as well! Thought staff and organisation was excellent. Will definitely go back.”

SCANHere toBook

“Really brilliant day out, loads of facilities and everything we needed was provided.”

“A place for fun and joy. Had a blast in the summer with the kids and would definitely recommend.”

Bringing football to the table…

Pushkin Antiques’ new Gallery Manager, Rudolph Hamilton explains the history of table football, or ‘foosball’, and its special connection to Tunbridge Wells

enthusiasts and helped to popularise the game in the UK.

Today, Tunbridge Wells is still home to many foosball enthusiasts, and the town has a rich history of foosball tournaments and competitions. The game has become a beloved pastime in the town, with several local clubs and groups dedicated to playing and promoting the game.

As foosball continues to grow in popularity around the world, Tunbridge Wells remains an important part of its history. The town’s connection to Peter Adolph and the early days of foosball manufacturing has helped to cement its place in the annals of the game’s history.

Pushkin Antiques is proud to introduce its newly-appointed gallery manager, Rudolph Hamilton. Rudolph brings youth to the antiques industry and is eager to share his newly found enthusiasm for antiques with our clients.

Rudolph’s favourite item in our gallery is this beautifully mid-20th-century Swiss foosball table. This week he would like to give you a brief history of the game of foosball and its connection to our town…

Foosball, also known as table football, is a beloved game enjoyed by people all over the world. The game’s origins can be traced back to the late 19th century, when it was invented in Europe as a way to simulate a game of soccer on a table. Today, foosball tables can be found in homes, offices, and bars around the globe. One of the most significant figures in the history of foosball is Peter Adolph. Adolph was a

British inventor and entrepreneur who revolutionised the game in the 1940s by introducing a new type of player figure that could spin on its axis. Adolph went on to found the popular brand, Subbuteo, which became synonymous with foosball and other tabletop sports games.

Interestingly, Tunbridge Wells played a crucial role in Adolph’s success. In the 1940s, Adolph set up a factory in our town (now the building houses the One Warwick Park Hotel) where he

produced his new spinning player figures. The factory quickly became a hub for foosball

HOUSE CALLS DURING MAY IN YOUR AREA

‘Tunbridge Wells is still home to many foosball enthusiasts, and the town has a rich history of foosball tournaments and competitions’

LEAGUE

OF

ITS OWN: The Swiss foosball table

RUDOLPH HAMILTON

Motoring News

Defender range broadens with new specifications

The Defender line-up has been expanded with the introduction of new trim levels and engines. Central to the new additions is the Defender 130 Outbound. Only available with five seats –as opposed to the standard 130’s eight – the Outbound has been designed for adventures and is priced from £80,390.

Practical

Thanks to the removal of those rear seats, there’s up to 2,516 litres of storage space. At the same time, the exterior is separated from the rest of the Defender range by a matt finish to the bumpers and grille insert, alongside anthracite-finished vents. There are also 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels, while 22-inch versions can be added as an extra. There are practical touches, too, such as a durable rubber floor mat which can be rolled down to protect the rear bumper when loading heavy items, while extra stowage areas mean you can keep valuables out of sight. There are

extra lashing points and a new cargo net, too. As with the rest of the Defender range, the 130 Outbound gets JLR’s full Terrain Response off-road system.

The 130 line-up has also gained a new engine in the form of a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine. Previously only available on the 90 and 110 variants, the 493bhp unit allows the 130 to go from 0-60mph in 5.4 seconds.

All versions get V8 exterior badging, matrix LED headlights and 22-inch alloy wheels. Inside, there are 14-way heated and cooled electric seats, alongside four-zone climate control and a variety of other touches. Prices for the new Defender 130 V8 start from £116,845.

Finally, there’s a new County exterior pack for the Defender 110. Inspired by the original Defender County, this gets County graphics along the doors, alongside model-specific illuminated treadplates and 20-inch alloy wheels. The County pack adds £1,855 to the cost of the Defender 110.

GWM Ora to introduce new electric model to the UK

GWM Ora has unveiled a new car set to arrive in the UK early next year.

The as-yet-unnamed model – which follows on from the Funky Cat that went on sale in November 2022 – is a fully electric saloon that will help “cement” the Chinese firm’s position in the “premium EV space”.

Range

No official pricing has been announced as yet, but GWM Ora says that the new car’s cost will be similar to models from competitor firms such as Tesla, Hyundai and Kia. It’s already been on sale in China for around a year under the name ‘Ora Good Cat’.

GWM Ora states that the new model will also

have a range of over 300 miles. Plus, both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions will be available, with the latter bringing 394bhp and the ability to go from zero to 60mph in 4.2 seconds. Features such as a panoramic sunroof, synthetic leather seats and multi-colour interior lighting are all said to come as standard.

Toby Marshall, managing director, GWM Ora UK said: “The reveal of our next premium electric vehicle in the UK is a really momentous occasion for the brand.

“It signals the high level of commitment and investment from GWM Ora to establish itself as a leader in multiple segments across the UK. We always knew our first model, ORA Funky Cat, was just the start. There are lots more exciting things to come.”

BIFFA has started a new partnership with electric vehicle firm Lunaz to help electrify some of its large bin lorries as the firm looks to lower its emissions. Both British firms are working together to help ‘upcycle’ some of Biffa’s bin lorries, replacing their diesel engines with electric powertrains. A signed agreement will see Lunaz commit to “supporting the transition of Biffa’s existing diesel refuse trucks over the next decade” with the ”multi-year” programme expected to see “growing numbers” of vehicles converted and delivered.

Emissions

Maxine Mayhew, COO, Collection and Specialist Services, said of the partnership: “I am thrilled to announce Biffa and Lunaz’ fleet electrification and upcycling partnership. As the UK’s leading sustainable waste management company, we are committed to enabling the circular economy while reducing emissions and carbon expenditure in every aspect of our business.”

Things kick off with an initial order of up to 10, 26-tonne Upcycled Electric Vehicle (UEV) refuse trucks which, Lunaz says, saves up to 210 tonnes in embedded carbon. Lunaz says that its Silverstone facility has the capacity to upcycle more than 1,110 industrial vehicles each year. First deliveries of Biffa’s new trucks will take place this year, and they’ll be operating both commercial and municipal waste routes. David Lorenz, Founder and CEO of Lunaz, said: “Biffa has led from the front in pioneering more sustainable waste management practices here in the UK. At Lunaz, we are proud to assist in delivering Biffa’s sustained commitment to leading the waste management industry’s transition to net zero.”

Football icon David Beckham, who is an investor in Lunaz, commented on the announcement, stating: “This deal is a strong endorsement of Lunaz’ innovative approach to finding sustainable solutions and I’m delighted to be an investor in this fast-growing and exciting British company.”

Your Local Funeral Services

Our

Tunbridge