Times of Tunbridge Wells October 11 2023

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council acquires the RVP shopping centre

By Grace Corcoran

THE FUTURE of Royal Victoria Place (RVP) is in the hands of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) since it struck a deal to acquire the lease from the current owners.

The Council has owned the freehold of the town’s shopping centre since it opened in October 1992, but has now acquired the leasehold from current holders British Land, who have owned the site since taking it over from Hermes in 2018.

The local authority believes owning both the freehold and lease will give it greater control over RVP’s future, viewing the deal as a “commitment

by the Council to the town centre and its future prosperity”.

The cost of the deal, which was given the go-ahead by Full Council on April 26 is not yet public knowledge, but the Council has stated that no money has been borrowed nor have cuts to services been planned in acquiring the lease of the largest retail location in town.

Positive

The news was announced on the TWBC website last Thursday (October 5) at 5pm and reaction so far has been fairly positive.

Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark told the Times: “Everyone wants

the RVP to thrive and I wish the Borough Council every success in its ownership.

“Clearly, it will be important to be transparent about how much council taxpayers’ money is being spent on the RVP both now and on any works that might be needed during the weeks and months ahead now that the council is responsible for them.”

Council Leader Ben Chapelard (Lib Dem), commented on X (formerly known as Twitter): “I’m excited for Tunbridge Wells as TWBC takes control of RVP. We’ve listened to residents & invested in the heart of

Leadership bid fails after KCC budget plan revealed This week…

by Archie Lawrence

DEPUTY Leader of Kent County Council (KCC) and Councillor for Tunbridge Wells North, Peter Oakford, insists KCC is not heading towards bankruptcy despite financial challenges.

The Budget Recovery Plan, which aims to address the £37million budget gap in 202324, was discussed at a cabinet meeting last week (October 5) at County Hall in Maidstone.

The plan looks at the actions needed to balance this year’s budget and a strategy to “secure the provision of services for Kent’s residents”, but as the Times previously reported (August 2), £86million of efficiency savings still need to be found for the following year.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance Peter Oakford addressed speculation ahead of the meeting insisting that the Council is “most definitely not” on the brink of being issued an S114.

“When you manage an annual budget of £1.3billion, a gap of £37million, although a very substantial amount, is something that I know we can control.”

Significant pressures on local councils have been evident nationally following the S114 notice that was issued most recently to Birmingham City Council. The largest local authority in Europe revealed that it could not balance its books and issued a S114 on September 5. For KCC, the most significant pressures are in adult social care, home-to-school transport, and children’s services. The Times reported on August 30 that

£10million is set to be cut from the adult social care budget.

Leader of KCC, Roger Gough, who survived a leadership challenge at the end of last week, echoed Oakford’s calls to central government, saying:

“As a local authority we are having to direct funds away from the areas that residents tell us they most value, in order to fund social care and all the other services that we legally have to provide.

“We are doing the very best that we can, and I am confident that the actions being taken in every part of the Council will ensure we manage to balance the budget into 2024/25 and beyond.”

At the KCC annual meeting on Friday October 6, Mr Gough faced a backbench revolt after Sarah Hudson, who represents the Malling Rural East ward, challenged his leadership.

According to sources she “declared her hand” saying that Mr Gough should include councillors who aren’t in the Cabinet circle in everyday business. Ms Hudson believed she had the support of 24 members but lost the vote, falling short of the 31 needed to win.

Borough Council takes on RVP lease

Continued from front page

RAISE A GLASS: Tunbridge Wells pubs and craft breweries recognised in CAMRA’s annual national beer guide P8 our town. The future is full of exciting possibilities for the centre, town & borough.”

at Squerryes vineyard P34

Prospective Liberal Democrat MP for Tunbridge Wells, Mike Martin, told the Times: “The purchase of RVP is good news for the town. My Council colleagues have taken back control of the biggest shopping centre in the Borough, protecting its future.”

The 99-unit shopping centre, which is already home to industry giants including Marks & Spencer, JD Sports and Boots, as well as a number of independent retailers, will be hoping to attract a range of new businesses to its units. RVP currently has a vacancy rate of 33 per cent, including Ely Court and the food court.

Conversations with potential occupants including retailers, leisure operators and food and beverage providers have been kept under wraps for now, however, the Council said it has received advice that there are “retail and leisure names who want to come to Royal Tunbridge Wells”. Ely Court, the arcade linking RVP with Camden Road, will be open for business and looking to attract new tenants.

Project management experts

RivingtonHark have been appointed by the Council to run RVP. The company has seen national success in revitalising shopping centres like The Galleries in Bristol and Clayton Square in Liverpool and also has experience of working with councils including Cheshire West and Chester Council. Jobs will be kept as the current management at RVP will be brought over with the new deal and will report into the shopping centre advisors.

It is not unusual for councils to take over failing shopping centres. Canterbury City Council bought Whitefriars shopping centre in 2018, and more recently, Fareham

Borough Council near Portsmouth, acquired its shopping centre on October 3, with RivingtonHark appointed to advise too. A combination of online shopping, the pandemic and recent challenging financial conditions have impacted traditional retail, though the Council believes the prospect of expanding the tenant mix away from retail towards a wider leisure offer presents real opportunities.

Footfall

Following the recent success of civic centre The Amelia on Mount Pleasant Road, which sees over 900 visitors a day, the Council hopes that RVP will contribute to the larger project of revitalising the town centre and increasing footfall.

The Royal Tunbridge Wells Together Business Improvement District’s (BID) objectives also align with the RVP’s plans to improve the trading environment. The shopping centre is currently home to 10 per cent of the BID levy payers.

BID’s Chief Executive Officer, Alex Green said he is “delighted” with the news and “excited” for its future.

“One of the more regular comments I hear from both businesses and residents, is that the shopping centre needs new investment and direction.

“It is therefore heartening that Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has responded to this feedback from its constituents and has taken decisive action to expand its ownership of the freehold to additionally acquire the leasehold and thereby fully take over the custodianship of this key strategic element of the town’s offering.”

He went on to add: “TWBC have local knowledge and so will come into this with a realism that to be successful the centre may need to be a ‘hybrid destination’, a growing trend in many town centres,

which will include more leisure-focused operations that will bring people, businesses, and investment to the town.”

A recent Retail Study and Health Report commissioned as part of the Council’s work to develop a Town Centre Action Plan recognised the RVP shopping centre as having the potential to be “transformational” in resetting the town’s vitality and viability. A Council spokesperson said that changes to the centre will happen gradually, and that repair work has already started to ensure the whole of the Royal Victoria Place car park will be open in time for Christmas.

Royal Victoria Place is a purpose-built covered shopping centre located within Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre. It provides around seven acres of floor space across three levels and 99 units. The centre was built by MEPC.

Construction began in 1989 and the centre was opened to the public in 1992 by the late Princess Diana. Since then: 2007 – Westfield acquired the lease 2012 – Hermes

2018 – British Land

2022 – RVP celebrated its 30th anniversary

The majority of the freehold of Royal Victoria Place, including car parks, is in the ownership of the Council. Car parking is provided within the two multi-storey car parks adjoining the centre which together offer around 1,680 car parking spaces.

Existing tenants include anchor store Fenwick, Hotel Chocolat, The Body Shop, Oliver Bonas, and French Connection. Popular discount chain Savers has also recently opened in the centre.

‘As a local authority we are having to direct funds away from the areas that residents tell us they most value’

PETER OAKFORD ROGER GOUGH

Police charge burglary and fraud suspect

DETECTIVES have charged a suspect with a burglary at a house in Tunbridge Wells.

Last month, items including jewellery and bank cards were reported stolen from a property near Forest Road, while the resident was absent. Following the break-in, it is alleged the cards were used fraudulently at two businesses in Gravesend.

Detectives from West Kent CID began an investigation and on Wednesday October 4, a man was arrested. Officers also recovered several bank cards.

The following day, Christinel Ivanciu, of Beaumont Drive, Northfleet was charged with burglary and two frauds.

Special trains tackle leaves on the line

SPECIALIST ‘leaf-busting’ trains will be passing through Tunbridge Wells station as part of a larger effort to keep passengers moving this autumn.

The trains use high-pressure water jets to clear compressed leaves that have built up, creating dangerous rail conditions during wet weather.

A spokesperson for Network Rail told the Times: “The trains won’t impact services from Tunbridge Wells. The leaf-busting trains will run in between gaps of services to clear the tracks. The train station will be running reliably.”

Pavement repairs on Sandhurst Road

KENT Highways started work yesterday (October 10) on Sandhurst Road, where temporary traffic signals will be in place for up to four days from 7am to 5pm. Kent County Council ordered the repair works between Brook Road and the Sherwood Road lower junction. Maintenance will be carried out in order to improve the footway surface of Sandhurst Road.

Council sends out electoral roll notices

THE Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) Elections team, who maintain the electoral register are currently sending out more letters to households.

If you receive one and you need to make changes, please do so as soon as possible. If there are no changes to be made, there is no need to respond.

Grand Max fishing event at Bewl Water

FLY fishermen will gather next week for the annual invitational Grand Max competition at Bewl Water on October 18, organised by the Bewl Bridge Flyfishers Club. This will be the 36th year for the competition. It attracts teams from all over England and even one from Belgium. The competition was originally called The Partridge following sponsorship from a company of the same name. Fishing equipment manufacturers Fordham & Wakefield have supported the match for many years, with the Tony Fordham Cup going to the top angler on the day.

Covid vaccination boosters available in Tunbridge Wells

By Grace Corcoran

A double-decker bus offering Covid vaccines to eligible patients has arrived in Tunbridge Wells.

The NHS ‘Health and Wellbeing’ bus, which started operating at the Notcutts garden centre in Pembury on October 2, will be offering eligible patients the opportunity to protect themselves from Covid-19.

Up until now, many of the town’s residents had complained they were unable to get a Covid jab locally, with the nearest vaccination point in Crowborough. Many locals had contacted this newspaper expressing frustration at having to travel further afield (Times, October 4).

Christina Pagel, Professor of Operational Research at University College London, said that a new wave of Covid appeared to be underway, which was possibly driven by waning immunity and new variants of Omicron, the most common strain of Covid.

According to the most recent government data, between September 17 and September 23, 12,187 people had a confirmed positive Covid test result. This was an increase of 13.7 per cent on the previous seven days.

A spokesperson for NHS Kent and Medway said: “The Covid-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.

“Eligible patients can have a vaccination at

our Health and Wellbeing bus at Notcutts garden centre. No appointment is necessary.”

It was also revealed that another site will be offering vaccines elsewhere in the town later this month.

“We will make an announcement with details soon,” the spokesperson said.

The bus is managed by NHS Kent and Medway’s Vaccination Programme Team and is part of the NHS plan to provide

BOOSTER

Tunbridge Wells residents can now get a Covid jab locally

vaccination services for all areas.

No appointment is needed as long as you’re eligible for the Covid-19 autumn booster jab.

The converted double-decker bus will be open at Notcutts six days a week (Monday to Saturday) from 10am to 4pm, until November 4.

For eligibility details, see: nhs.uk/ conditions/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination/ getting-a-covid-19-vaccine/

Historic Penshurst pub announces new landlord and major refurbishment

By Archie Lawrence

LAST week, The Leicester Arms Hotel in Penshurst announced that it would be closing for refurbishment and reopening under new management.

The popular pub on Penshurst’s High Street will have its last hurrah under its current landlord, Laurence Bowes, on Sunday October 22. It will then close for six to eight weeks to complete necessary structural work. Speaking exclusively to the Times, he said: “The exit from a tied tenancy agreement at the Leicester Arms with the Brakspear pub company is based solely on the cost of operations.

“With the cost-of-living crisis negatively impacting hospitality businesses the hardest, it appears to us to be impossible to operate the Leicester Arms and also turn a profit. So, it’s with an incredibly heavy heart we leave the pub and pursue other directions,” he added.

Under Mr Bowes’ custody, investments included renovating the 13 bedrooms and building a garden bar and barbecue.

The experienced landlord says he will be kept busy running his two other popular local establishments.

“Our award-winning mentality will continue in our other two pubs, The Rock Inn, Chiddingstone and The Royal Oak, Hawkhurst.”

Yesterday (October 10), The Leicester’s new landlords, Little & Large Pub Company, were announced by the pub’s owners Brakspear, which also owns The Claremont, in Tunbridge Wells and The George and the Dragon in Speldhurst.

Little & Large founder Manu Bhatt says: “We’re excited to be taking on The Leicester Arms; it’s a fantastic pub with huge potential and ticks all the boxes for us. Our goal at all our pubs is simple – every day, we strive to give our guests the best possible experience, whether they’re dining, drinking or staying with us.”

A Brakspear spokesperson confirmed that the refurbishment programme will include redecorating the pub’s bedrooms.

“The pub’s 13 en-suite bedrooms will also be revamped to give them a more contemporary, boutique hotel-feel,” they told the Times

“It’s great to be refurbishing the pub at the outset, so that the design can reflect the way we want to run it: informal, friendly and flexible” added Mr Bhatt.

Brakspear Chief Executive Tom Davies said: “We couldn’t be happier about Little & Large taking on The Leicester Arms. Under their management, The Running Horses [near Dorking] has gone from strength to strength, thanks to their focus on high standards and outstanding customer service. We’re happy to be working with them on their second Brakspear pub and confident it will also be a huge success.”

BUS:

NEW MANAGEMENT: The landlord of The Leicester Arms, Laurence Bowes (pictured left), is moving on

Fancy dress order of the night at tribute to popular singer

By Jonathan Banks

GUESTS gathered at the Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells on Saturday (October 7) for a night of music to honour the memory of a well-known local band member.

David Keighley, who was a singer and guitarist with the Heartbeats, wanted his last gig to be for the Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre. He had been a regular visitor to the centre for four years up until his death last year, which robbed him of the chance to fulfil his wish.

In memory

However, David’s bandmates joined with Pickering to organise the dine and dance event which was attended by 150 people –many of them visitors to the centre.

Alongside them on the night was the band Shine, headed by Paul Whitehorn –a centre visitor and “great friend” of David.

Pickering, which is located on Monson Road, is run entirely by volunteers providing help and support to those whose lives are impacted by the condition, including families – all free of charge. “This was a fun-raiser not a fundraiser,” said co-founder Polly Taylor. “And it was all done to honour the memory of our dear David.”

Music on the night came from the 60s through to the 70s.

Heartbeats leader Kevin Rendall said: “We wanted to do this gig in David’s memory and to honour his bucket list.”

Also on stage was Dave Goldberg, a member of the group Rumours of Fleetwood Mac and brother-in-law of David, who should have been on tour in America. He said he had stayed behind to honour David through his music and support Pickering “which he loved and which in turn loved him”.

Remote Work and the Skills Gap: Is Osmosis Learning at Risk?

Remote work has revolutionised the way we work, offering flexibility and convenience. However, a question has emerged: Does remote work lead to a skills gap by limiting osmosis learning?

Osmosis learning occurs informally in office environments. It involves learning from colleagues through casual interactions and observation. Here’s why remote work’s impact on osmosis learning is a growing concern:

Reduced Interaction: Remote work often means fewer face-to-face interactions with colleagues. The lack of daily office encounters can impede the exchange of knowledge and skills that naturally happens in physical settings.

Mentorship Challenges: Mentorship is vital for professional growth. Remote work may limit mentorship opportunities, making it harder for junior employees to learn from experienced colleagues.

Collaboration Barriers: Collaboration is essential for skill development. Remote work can hinder collaboration compared to

THE WE ARE POP-UP

Sustainable shopping comes to RVP

WE ARE, a pop-up thrift clothing store, is currently occupying a space at Royal Victoria Place (RVP) for shoppers to purchase pre-loved items. The idea is to encourage fashion fans to shop more sustainably.

The circular fashion brand, which has a zero-waste policy, has a range of one-off clothing items to buy, from vintage flannel shirts to faux fur coats, retro T-shirts and denim pieces.

Change

Items are priced by weight – the clothing costs £25 per kilo, with a T-shirt typically costing about £4.

Launching in June 2021, We Are has run pop-ups all over the UK including Truro, Oxford, London and now here in Tunbridge Wells.

A spokesperson for We Are said: “Sustainability is about more than just slapping an eco-label on something and calling it a day. A truly sustainable business has to be constantly pushing for change and trying to make the world better.”

Shoppers should note you cannot haggle down the cost as organisers say the clothing is already reasonably priced, and of a high quality. It is also checked and cleaned before being hung on the rails. We Are is located on the lower mall of the RVP, just outside M&S. The Times has been told that the shop expects to be trading for the next few weeks.

in-person settings, affecting teamwork and problem-solving skills. Isolation and Distraction: Remote work can lead to isolation and distractions at home, potentially reducing an employee’s focus on skill development.

However, remote work alone doesn’t cause a skills gap. Many organizations have adapted by implementing virtual collaboration tools, mentorship programs, and online training resources.

In conclusion, while remote work may impact osmosis learning, it’s not the sole factor contributing to the skills gap. Organisations and individuals can counteract these challenges through virtual collaboration, mentorship programs, and self-directed learning. With the right strategies, remote work can be a platform for continuous skill development and career growth.

For all your recruitment needs, please call TN Recruits on 01892 571105 or email neil@tnrecruits.com

FUN RAISERS:

(Left to right) Pickering co-founder Polly Taylor, Dave Goldberg, Roz Keighley and Paul Whitehorn

All pictures: David Bartholomew

SARAH AND CHARLOTTE BARTHOLOMEW

KATRIONA CHROUAKI AND PAUL CHAPMAN

KEVIN RENDALL (right)

LUCY AND CHRIS HUNTER

Graffiti to be removed from popular Commons landmark

By Grace Corcoran

A GRAFFITI vandal has been ordered to clean up a much-loved natural landmark during the latest enforcement action by Kent Police, which is aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour in Tunbridge Wells. As previously reported in the Times (September 27), residents across the town had raised concerns over a rise in graffiti, particularly about the ‘tagging’ of Wellington Rocks.

Damage

A 31-year-old man, who was arrested after local patrols caught him spray-painting an area of Wellington Rocks on Tunbridge Wells Common, has been ordered to remove the damage.

District Commander for Tunbridge Wells, Chief Inspector Stuart Paul, said: “While criminal damage is never acceptable, the offender appears to have expressed genuine remorse, and after discussing the matter with those who manage the land, he was made the subject of a conditional caution. This required him to complete reparation work under instructions from a park ranger, and he has also had to write a letter of apology.”

Over the past year, there has been an increased focus on tackling anti-social behaviour in Tunbridge Wells. This has included enhanced patrols aimed at

deterring and reducing offences, which include shop thefts, assaults, and criminal damage.

This enforcement action has seen charge rates rise for several offences linked to anti-social behaviour. Between October 2022 and September 2023, there were 49 charges made for criminal damage, compared to 27 in the previous corresponding period – a rise of more than 80 per cent.

Charges relating to offences involving the use of violence have also increased, to 230 from 204; while at the same time, the number of reported incidents involving the use of violence in the Borough has fallen. Tackling shoplifting also remains a key target for officers in Tunbridge Wells, as well as in surrounding areas including Paddock Wood. During 2022 and 2023, the detection rate for shoplifting offences increased by 35 per cent (from 174 to 236) compared to the previous period. Charges also rose, from 132 to 180.

Chief Inspector Paul added: “Anti-social behaviour can lead to thefts, assaults, and mindless damage to property. We are more than aware of several concerns raised by residents and businesses over the past year, many of which we believe are related to a small minority of young and often juvenile offenders. We know who most of them are and have been working hard to ensure that positive and robust action is taken.”

CRUNCH TIME: Morris Dancers joined in the fun of the Cranbrook Apple Festival which took place in the historic town on Saturday October 7. The theme for this year’s event was Spain, so in addition to the traditional Morris Dancers there was also live Flamenco dancing and delicious Spanish food available, including portions of paella for visitors to enjoy. The much-loved annual event celebrates the humble British apple at harvest time and this year marked its 20th anniversary.

TAGGED: The graffiti on Wellington Rocks

Active Digital reveals its new app at autumn launch

SPECIALIST b2b mobile telecoms company

Active Digital recently hosted its Autumn Customer Event at the new Apple European HQ, located at Battersea Power Station in London. The firm welcomed its local clients and ambassadors to the showcase in order to unveil its new iOS app.

Expertise

Active Digital, which has offices in both Tunbridge Wells and London, was started by Richard Groves in 1993.

A year later, his sister Jo Wimble-Groves joined and the business became a limited company in 1996. It was launched after the siblings expressed difficulty in finding a “best in class” telecoms provider. Since then, the multi-award-winning company has helped hundreds of organisations transform their business through its digital expertise. These include the likes of Crew Clothing, Saracens Rugby

Club and Premier League football clubs. The company is also a leading partner of Virgin Media O2.

Active Digital co-owners Jo and Richard invited thirty guests – who included representatives from Fulham FC, Lindner Group, Reinsurance Group of America, Hearst Magazines, and Onwatch Plc – to join them for their Autumn Customer Event on September 29. Active Digital company ambassadors, the Olympians, Steve Backley OBE and, Michelle GriffithRobinson were also present.

After a panel talk by Jo Wimble-Groves, the company then revealed its new customer app named Active Insight to its guests. The free iOS app gives Active Digital customers full access to their mobile account online, with instant access to change or edit account information, including instant SIM swaps or the ability to update account usernames, live chat and place orders.

Local lawyer recognised in Legal 500 rankings

By Archie Lawrence

A SENIOR Associate from a local law firm has been recognised in the latest international legal rankings.

Katie Hilsdon, a Senior Associate in the Corporate and Commercial team at CooperBurnett LLP, has been recognised as a ‘key lawyer’ in the latest rankings from The Legal 500. This accolade comes as Katie returns to work after the birth of her second child.

She joins Partners Victoria Sampson and Russell Brinkhurst in being highlighted by the organisation.

The Legal 500’s research is based on feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms and interviews with leading private practice lawyers, and a team of researchers who have unrivalled experience in the legal market.

On receiving her recognition, Katie said: “I was really delighted and surprised to hear about my inclusion in The Legal 500. “We’ve got a fantastic team here – who I’m looking forward to continuing to work with – and really great clients.”

The Legal 500 rankings are based on a series of criteria, but they highlight the practice area for teams who are providing the most “cutting edge and innovative advice” to corporate counsel.

Partner and Head of Corporate and Commerical at CooperBurnett LLP, Victoria Sampson said: “Katie has been a fantastic member of our department at TeamCB for eight years now and I am not at all surprised that The Legal 500 has recognised her input.

“She is a dedicated lawyer and her hard work and friendly approach is always appreciated by our clients.”

Since Katie has been on maternity leave, the Corporate and Commercial team has welcomed experienced lawyer Russell Brinkhurst as a Partner, Natalie Lai as an Associate Solicitor (Hong Kong qualified) and Paralegals Joshua Hayes and Iola Palmer-Stirling.

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KATIE HILSDON

‘We’ve got a fantastic team here – who I’m looking forward to continuing to work with – and really great clients’

APPY FAMILY:

Richard Groves and Jo Wimble-Groves (second and third left) pictured between Olympians Steve Backley and Michelle Griffith-Robinson

Thriving local beer scene sees pubs listed in CAMRA guide

By Elena Percy

A NUMBER of local businesses have made it into the UK’s bestselling beer and pub’s annual guide, whose 51st edition has just gone on sale and is a must-read for beer enthusiasts.

Five pubs and two breweries across Tunbridge Wells are included in the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide. Every year the organisation surveys 4,500 of the best pubs across the UK to create its annual beer guide.

Recognition

Included in this year’s line-up is The George on Mount Ephraim, The Grove Tavern on Berkeley Road, The Royal Oak on Prospect Road and The Sussex Arms on The Pantiles.

Fuggles, who have premises on both Grosvenor Road and Tonbridge High Street, and are also featured –for the ninth consecutive year.

Alex Greig, owner of Fuggles told the Times: “It’s just great for us to get recognition for the work we put in to looking after our beer selection.

“It’s especially nice to be recognised by a group who are passionate about our industry – and also to be included for so

many years when we have such a great range and depth of pubs in the local area.”

Also included in this year’s guide are two local craft breweries: Fonthill Brewing Company, which is located in the Old Stables building next door to The George pub, and the Pig and Porter whose premises are on Chapman Way in High Brooms. The latter told the Times that it “combines traditional brewing techniques with contemporary ideas”, creating a range of session beers and IPA from its Tunbridge Wells site.

This year the brewery received the Taste of Kent Silver Award for its popular craft beer, Caravan, which is made with local Kentish hops.

Pig and Porter’s founder Robin

Wright added: “As we mark ten years of brewing in Tunbridge Wells, we are delighted to once again be listed in The CAMRA Good Beer Guide which is a wonderful resource for all beer lovers.”

The Good Beer Guide, which is published annually by CAMRA, helps beer lovers take a barometer of the local beer scene. As well as covering 145 of the very best pubs across Kent, it keeps track of brewery numbers, noting a net loss of five breweries across the county. CAMRA is a not-for-profit consumer group with over 150,000 members that has been operating since 1971.

The Good Beer Guide is available at: shop1.camra.org.uk/product/ the-good-beer-guide-2024/

Entrepreneurs make it their business to share their own inspiring stories

The recent news that Nationwide Building Society was ordered by a tribunal to pay a former manager close to £350,000 in damages for unfair dismissal and discrimination, has highlighted the risks employers face when managing the return to the workplace and changes to work patterns.

Jayne Follows had been allowed to only come to Nationwide’s office two to three times a week so she could care for her elderly disabled mother but then the building society decided it wanted to eliminate ‘home working’ contracts. Pam Loch, Solicitor and Managing Director of Loch Associates Group, explains the risks employers face when trying to change employees’ working arrangements, especially those with caring responsibilities, and what can be done to counter these.

Ms Follows brought a claim for indirect disability discrimination by association and unfair dismissal. The Employment Tribunal upheld her unfair dismissal claim and concluded that she was subjected to indirect disability discrimination, despite the fact it was her mother who was disabled and not Ms Follows. The Tribunal found that employees caring for disabled people are less likely to be able to satisfy a requirement to be office-based than non-carers. As such, the requirement to be office based put Ms Follows at a substantial disadvantage. The Tribunal found that Nationwide had failed to discuss alternatives to being office based and could not show that their decision was based on legitimate evidence or rational grounds but was based on ‘subjective impression’.

The outcome of this case highlights several issues for employers to consider, particularly with a growing number of organisations looking to return to pre-Covid office based working arrangements. Employers need to consult with any employees affected by changes in terms and conditions of employment and consider any legal obligations, for example make reasonable adjustments and consider alternatives that could accommodate their needs, such as part-time office working, flexible hours, or remote working. Employers should review their policies and practices on flexible and hybrid working and ensure that they are applied consistently and fairly across the organisation and that no one group of people, particularly those with caring responsibilities, is negatively affected otherwise they can face successful unlawful discrimination claims. Employers must also remember that caring responsibilities do not only extend to people with children, but also to those with disabled relatives, even if the employee themselves is not disabled.

THE FINANCE HUB, on The Pantiles was the location of another Make It Your Business event at the end of last month which saw Teresa Wickham, the Director of Convent Garden Market Authority, the largest flower, fruit, and veggie wholesale market in London, as its keynote speaker.

Make It Your Business is a nationwide organisation that holds seminars across the country, providing opportunities for women to connect with like-minded businesswomen and gain knowledge from each other’s experiences. At the most recent Tunbridge Wells event, Teresa Wickham, who feels passionate about food, agribusiness and the retail sector, shared her insights

and top tips for success. She said: “I put my success down to three things: passion, networking and mentors. Passion in what you’re doing is very important, networking helps build credibility and drives you forward, mentors are there for guidance – never be afraid to ask for help! There is always an element of luck involved in business but it is all down to how you treat that luck, make sure you’re creating opportunities for yourself.”

Journeys

Three Tunbridge Wells-based entrepreneurs also shared their business journeys at the event, which was chaired by Siobhan Stirling, Managing Director of

marketing and PR agency, Sharp Minds Communications.

They were: financial planner Lynne Gadsden of Grovewood Wealth, solicitor Jane Bennett of JE Bennett Law and former business analyst-turned-artist Lucy Ames.

The Make It Your Business event was founded by entrepreneur, writer and broadcaster Alison Cork, who serves as the representative of the British library business and IP centres.

“There is something so powerful about women sharing their business stories with one another and providing each other with ideas, support and inspiration,” commented Siobhan Stirling after the event, which was held on September 29.

If an employer does have legitimate reasons for implementing a change to working terms and conditions, they must ensure they document the reasons and the steps taken to avoid or minimise any disadvantage. An example of this could be allowing employees a trial period, to see if any alternative working arrangements are feasible, rather than reaching the conclusion they are not without having objective evidence to support that conclusion.

It is also essential that employers provide training and guidance to managers and staff on disability discrimination, including indirect and discrimination by association, and the duty to make reasonable adjustments. It may not always be obvious that an employee is protected under the Equality Act (as was the case of Ms Follows) because that individual may not be disabled but they may be associated with someone who is.

www.lochassociates.co.uk

Unfair dismissal for ‘home working’ manager costs Nationwide nearly £350,000

GROUP HUB: (Left to right) Jayne Bennett, Gillian Palmer, Lynne Gadsden, Siobhan Stirling, Teresa Wickham and Lucy Ames

TOP OF THE HOPS: Fuggles Beer Cafe and (inset) two Pig & Porter brews

Charity runners smash fundraising target at Royal Parks Half Marathon in London

Last weekend, Taylor-Made Dreams

By Elena Percy

A TEAM of over 60 runners took on the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London on Sunday October 8 to raise funds for TaylorMade Dreams (TMD). The participants ran a total distance of 13.1 miles and have raised a total of over £45,000 to date – more than double the £20,000 target.

The team included parents of children supported by Taylor-Made Dreams, volunteers and corporate ambassadors, including a group of runners from Heston Blumenthal’s renowned restaurant The Fat Duck, which has recently supported one of the charity’s ‘TMD Warriors’.

Runners were delighted to be joined by the charity’s CEO, Suzi Mitchell who also completed the run.

Participants who completed the Half Marathon had times ranging from 1hr33 mins to 3hr30 mins, and took part in group training sessions to be race-ready on the day.

Suzi Mitchell said: “It was an incredible day and I was so proud to see a wave of purple-branded TMD running shirts making their way along the run.

“It was a privilege to run alongside some

of our incredible family members, volunteers and corporate supporters and I personally want to thank each and every one of them for taking part and helping to raise such a huge sum to support our TMD warriors and their families.”

Taylor-Made Dreams make dreams happen for children with life-limiting illnesses and provide the family with financial, emotional and practical support alongside their difficult journey.

The charity operates throughout the

counties of East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent and Surrey, receiving referrals from a wide range of pathways, including Children’s Hospices, the County Council Social Services Disability Teams and schools.

The children currently supported have the

following diagnoses amongst others: Battens Disease, cerebral palsy, Pulmonary Valve Atresia, Infantile Pompe Disease, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and severe development delays.

To date, the charity has provided over 2,000 bucket list items for children in need in our community.

saw its team of runners raise over £45,000 – more than double its target – in charity race to support children with life-limiting illnesses…

DREAM TEAM: The TMD runners

NICOLA WITHERS AND PAUL READER

MICHELLE MCILVENNY

All pictures: Anthony Elvy Photography

Artist brings a splash of colour to town

By Archie Lawrence

LOUISE DEAN recently left her art studio in Langton Green to take up residency on the streets of Calverley Road, where she has been transforming two green utility boxes into public pieces of art.

Louise told the Times that she has been “surprised” by the amount of attention her work has received.

“The level of engagement has been overwhelming. I’ve never done such a public art project. From day one, so many people just had such a positive response,” she added.

The artwork has been created to inspire adults and children alike, and follows a “playful and whimsical” brief, with influences from Tunbridge Wells’ architecture and heritage.

Engage

Louise recognises how the community plays into this particular piece of commissioned artwork. She explained: “It’s important to talk to people when they engage with it. People have really appreciated watching the process of how it develops.

“It’s also made me realise there are so many friendly people in our town, and how thrilled everybody is that there is something pretty.”

The pedestrian area in Tunbridge Wells town centre certainly needed a bit of a boost, but several people have expressed

concern that the newly painted boxes might attract graffiti. To combat this, Louise has used ‘graffiti proof’ paint and varnish so it can be easily washed off.

Refresh Tunbridge Wells, the local charity behind this initiative, aims to rejuvenate and ‘refresh’ the town by encouraging the provision of public art.

The funding for the scheme, which was initiated by RTW Town Forum working group member and former councillor Matthew Bailey, has come from a variety of sources. Donations have been given by South East Water, the BID, and the charity itself in order to pay for this creative make-over project.

Professor Michael Holman, Chairman of Refresh told the Times that this artwork is “just the beginning” of a larger project to make the centre of Tunbridge Wells more

exciting and inviting.

The next phase – the date of which is still to be confirmed – requires more money, so Refresh will be putting out a public appeal for further donations.

The charity, which was set up in 2016, is behind two other schemes in Tunbridge Wells: the time-line mural on Tunbridge Wells Station by local cartoonist Chris Burke and the restoration of the ‘Love Fountain’ in St John’s Park and Meadows (previously reported in the Times July 13, 2023).

If you would like to get in touch with Refresh Tunbridge Wells, you can contact Michael at michaeldekholman@gmail.com.

You can also find Louise, who regularly runs art workshops, at @louisedeanartist on Instagram, or book an art workshop at: artescapes-louisedean.eventbrite.co.uk

Young learners host another pop-up gift shop

A NOT-FOR-PROFIT college for young adults with learning disabilities and complex needs returns to Tunbridge Wells with their pop-up shop in Royal Victoria Place (RVP).

The Oaks Specialist College, based in Tonbridge, has returned to the town with the ‘Love That!’ gift shop. It is located just outside French Connection on the Upper Mall in RVP, and aims to develop the learners’ enterprise skills and build their confidence and independence.

Projects Lead Jackie Thurtle told the Times: “We are extremely proud to be able to showcase the incredible talents of our young people by running the ‘Love That!’ pop-up again this year. We are very grateful to Royal Victoria Place for having us back.”

The college, which is located on Cage Green Road in Tonbridge, runs business partnerships with large corporates as well as local organisations and charities.

The Oaks has around 120 young adults, aged between 18 and 25 years old, and offers training and support to prepare young people for adulthood.

The ‘Love That!’ pop-up will be in RVP until October 15, from 10am-2pm (Sunday from 10.30am).

To find out more about Oaks or to get involved contact: office@theoaks.ac.uk

ARTIST AND RESIDENTS: (From left) Mike McGeary, Louise Dean, Matthew Bailey and Michael Holman

Starmer promises ‘fire of change’ with plan to build a new Britain

SIR Keir Starmer promised to “bulldoze” his way through restrictions to build a new Britain, with new homes and businesses and an NHS “back on its feet”.

The Labour leader, who was confronted by a glitter-throwing protester before he could deliver his speech to the party’s conference, praised the spirit of the British people despite the “Tory project to kick the hope out of this country”.

Infrastructure

Promising to reshape the country with 1.5 million homes, including new towns, modernised infrastructure and support for green industries, Sir Keir said “the fire of change still burns in Britain” and it “lives on in Labour”.

With a general election next year and Labour enjoying double-digit poll leads, Sir Keir warned that the “dangerous” Tories would “scorch the earth just to get at us”.

And if he did win the keys to No 10, the scale of the challenge would be immense compared with his predecessors.

“If you think our job in 1997 was to rebuild a crumbling public realm, that in 1964 it was to modernise an economy left behind by the pace of technology, in 1945 to build a new Britain out of the trauma of collective sacrifice, then in 2024 it will have to be all three.”

Sir Keir put reforming the “restrictive

planning system” at the core of his plan to secure economic growth.

The system was “a blockage that stops this country building roads, grid connections, laboratories, trainlines, warehouses, windfarms, power stations” and is “an obstacle to the aspirations of millions”.

The plan to “get Britain building again” would “fight the blockers who hold a veto over British aspiration”.

The promise of 1.5 million homes would involve new development corporations with powers to cut through red tape and the creation of the “next generation of Labour new towns”.

He insisted his plans would not mean “tearing up the green belt” but building

Mayor begins High Court fight with Home Secretary over Bibby Stockholm

A LOCAL councillor has begun a High Court fight with Home Secretary Suella Braverman over the housing of asylum seekers on a barge.

Carralyn Parkes wants a judge to conclude that she has an “arguable case” and give her the go-ahead to challenge the lawfulness of the use of the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland Harbour, Dorset.

Mrs Parkes, a member of Portland Town Council and the Mayor of Portland, says she is “deeply concerned” by the Government’s “planned accommodation” on the Bibby Stockholm.

Lawyers representing Ms Braverman say Mrs Parkes’ challenge should be dismissed.

Mr Justice Holgate is considering arguments at a High Court hearing in London, expected to last a day.

“She is deeply concerned by the planned accommodation of around 500 asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm barge by the (Home Secretary), especially by the fact that the (Home Secretary) proceeded on the basis that she did not require planning permission and without any adequate consultation with the local community,” Alex Goodman KC, who is leading Mrs Parkes’ legal team, told the judge, in a written case outline, on Tuesday.

“The public importance of the claim is self-evident.”

Mr Goodman said Mrs Parkes argued that the housing of asylum seekers on the barge was a “breach of planning control” and that

there had not been “compliance” with environmental impact assessment duties. He said she had an “arguable case”.

Paul Brown KC, who is leading Ms Braverman’s legal team, said the challenge was made to a decision, taken in April, to house “destitute asylum seekers on a specially adapted” barge “temporarily moored” in Portland Port.

He argued that Mrs Parkes’ claim was “out of time”, “without merit” and said the judge should refuse to give permission for the challenge to proceed to a trial.

Mrs Parkes is also arguing that Ms Braverman has not complied with duties under the 2010 Equality Act.

Mr Goodman said “segregating non-British people” raised links to “racial segregation” that was “so obnoxious”.

could take place on areas where that protection was “clearly ridiculous”.

Sir Keir was forced to take off his suit jacket after the glitter-throwing incident, but insisted it showed why he had changed his party from one of protest to one ready for power.

The protester who stormed the stage was wearing a T-shirt which appears to tie him to a group called People Demand Democracy.

The man was removed from the conference building through a rear exit by two police officers before being placed in a police van. He has since been arrested on suspicion of assault, breach of the peace and causing public nuisance, Merseyside Police have said.

Britons killed in Hamas attack

AT least two Britons have been killed after Hamas fighters attacked Israel, with more feared dead and missing.

One Briton, Nathanel Young was serving in the Israeli army when he was killed in the surprise attack by Hamas.

His brother, Eliot Young, said in a statement released to the media: “Nathanel was full of life and the life of the party. He loved his family and friends and was loved by everyone.

Jack Marlowe, 26, who went to the same London school as Mr Young, is believed to be missing, while photographer Dan Darlington is feared to be dead.

A post on social media from Mr Darlington’s sister Shelley said he had been “murdered” at Nir Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel. However, his death has not been officially confirmed.

Bernard Cowan, who grew up in Glasgow, also died in the attack on southern Israel.

Mr Cowan’s family told the media: “We are grieving the loss of our son and brother, Bernard Cowan, who was horrifically murdered on Saturday during the surprise terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas.

Mr Marlowe was reported missing while providing security at a music festival near Kibbutz Re’im, close to the Gaza border. His mother Lisa told the Jewish News on Sunday that the last message she had from her son was one saying he loved her.

The UK government believes up to 60,000 British nationals are in Israel or Gaza.

SPARKLING SPEECH: A protester throws glitter over Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer

Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Holly Willoughby has told ITV she will not return to This Morning, after presenting the show for 14 years. On a social media post she said it has been an “honour to just be part of its story”, but “I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family”. This follows news last week that a shopping centre security officer had been remanded in custody over an alleged plot to kidnap and murder the This Morning presenter.

Amazon warehouse workers set to strike

WORKERS at online giant Amazon are to stage a series of fresh strikes over pay, including on Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Members of the GMB union based at the company’s Coventry site will walk out on November 7, 8 and 9 as well as on November 24, known as Black Friday.

The union said it will be the biggest day of strike action in Amazon’s history, involving more than 1,000 workers.

Boy breaks Parkrun global world record

A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy has set a Parkrun world record.

Louis Robinett, from Poole, completed the 5k course in 17 minutes, 40 seconds, breaking the world record for his age. He managed to beat the previous world record set in California in October 2017 by 13 seconds.

“I’m on top of the world right now! It’s a huge deal to break a world record,” he said.

Warm weather delays Christmas food sales

RETAIL analysts Kantar said the warm weather has meant festive products have not sold as well.

Ice cream and burgers saw an increase while sales of Christmas food such as puddings saw fewer early sales.

Tom Steel, strategic insight director at Kantar said: “Christmas seemed further away for many with fewer people buying Christmas puddings and seasonal biscuits as volume sales were down by 14 per cent and 29 per cent versus this time last year,” said Mr Steel.

TFL plan to tackle bedbug tube threat

THE THREAT of France’s bedbug outbreak spreading to London’s public transport network is “a real source of concern”, the capital’s mayor Sadiq Khan said.

Bedbugs have been reported across France, with many cases in Paris.

Mr Khan said Transport for London (TfL) is “taking steps” to prevent the insects spreading across the city on its services.

Oldest red kite found in Llanybydder, Wales

A RED kite has been identified as the oldest to survive in the wild in Britain and Ireland at 26 years of age.

The bird was spotted by a member of the public in Llanybydder, Carmarthenshire in July in a poor condition and unable to fly.

An examination of the ring on the bird’s leg found it was 9,518 days old, having been ringed as a nestling in June 1997.

RSPCA wildlife officer Ellie West said: “This was such a beautiful bird… but Unfortunately, due to the extent of the kite’s condition, it meant that the bird could not be helped and was put to sleep to prevent further suffering.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales meet Alex George (right) and Nadia Jae, a radio presenter (second right) during a visit to Factory Works in Birmingham to mark World Mental Health Day.

Picture: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA

Picture: Lucy North/ PA Wire

Hugo Pound

Tunbridge Wells Labour Party

Which party will deliver real change?

I HAVE lived in Tunbridge Wells for over 30 years and have never felt that it lives up to its reputation of ‘true blue’. Yes, we’ve always had a Conservative MP but I think that is about to change.

On the doorstep the overwhelming mood is that this government must go. Most people are genuinely appalled by the behaviour of its most senior members past and present, its priorities, its harshness, its corruption and financial incompetence. They know that Labour is the only party that can provide a practical alternative. Many like or are prepared to listen to what Labour is offering but some are unsure about our leader Keir Starmer. And there are some who would consider the Lib Dems, but who know they are not a serious party of national government.

I have Conservative-voting friends who are now considering voting Labour or simply not voting at all in a General Election. Our party has moved more to the middle ground politically in recent years as the Conservatives have lurched

significantly to the right. Labour has already communicated, in broad terms, its five missions for Britain when it gets into government with a focus on growth –making Britain a clean energy superpower, building an NHS fit for the future, making Britain’s streets safe and breaking down barriers to opportunity.

These missions are supported by the seven Labour Councillors on the Borough Council, where two have responsibility for housing and planning and for local efforts to tackle climate change. They are missions that resonate across the country and in our

Borough – from Matfield to Hawkhurst, from Paddock Wood to Southborough, from Cranbrook to Rusthall. Politics is about deciding where to put your focus, driving initiatives forward and getting things done. We have in Keir Starmer a man who has been the Director of Public Prosecutions, was voted QC of the Year and knighted for his service –a man with integrity. He is a leader who has taken charge of a previously badly defeated party and – in four years –completely reinvigorated it and set it on a path to victory at the next election.

Leadership is not just about charisma or being loud, boastful and full of selfimportance. It is about being purposeful and inspirational. That describes Keir Starmer better than any other political leader in Britain today.

I work successfully with the Lib Dems locally and understand their appeal to some people, but on a national stage, after a general election, they are unlikely to have any more influence on government than they have now. Most people haven’t a clue what they stand for, which is why it is important to elect a Labour MP in Tunbridge Wells who will support a new government.

So, as a General Election looms, I urge everyone to seriously examine the parties’ missions and ambitions, to weigh up which is most likely to be able to deliver and be the real party of change. Which party is really going to make a positive, long-term difference to most people across Tunbridge Wells and across Britain?

To me it’s obvious – it’s Labour.

Hugo Pound is the leader of the Labour group of councillors on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Housing & Planning. He has lived in the town for over 30 years. He is a business psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society

And another thing…

This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going on in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or you can write to the Editor, Times of Tunbridge Wells, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG

Response to Cllr Holden’s column

I read with irritation Sean Holden’s column in last week’s Times claiming TWBC was a “do nothing” authority. Only some of that irritation was the result of his sophomoric abuse of the English language. One day we will no longer be subjected to his McGonagallese rambling, wrongly attributed quotes and mixed metaphors disguised as intellect. When I was still a councillor, we decided in closed session to embark on a major investment, which would make significant progress towards renewing the town centre and the council’s abysmal finances. All present signed an NDA for commercial sensitivities, and it has been frustrating not to be able to talk about a great opportunity for Tunbridge Wells. I am so pleased it was finally made public that TWBC has bought the leasehold for Royal Victoria Place. This is a huge step forward and one which Cllr

Do a little more, Cllr Holden

I write in response to Conservative Cllr Holden’s article, “The Dolittle Coalition”. In a quarter century of Tory administration, we have seen our town centre suffer through a lack of investment in basic maintenance and our finances hit by an expensive theatre folly.

In the last 18 months of the partnership, the Council finances have been stabilised and we have made investments in our Town and Borough’s future. As just one example only recently we confirmed that Great Hall Car Park will have an £850k refresh along with EV charging points.

It is somewhat ironic since the May election and despite volunteering to work on the lowest number of committees of any party-affiliated councillor, Cllr Holden has attended just 1 out of the 6 meetings where he was expected.

Perhaps he needs to reflect on his own words “Do Little” and do a little more to contribute to our Borough’s success.

Mark Ellis

Liberal Democrat Cllr representing St John’s Ward

Voting age question opens debate

Last week’s letters from Charlotte Steerpike and Edward Baker opened a can of worms about Ellen Neville’s debating agenda for 15- and 16-year-olds and voting.

Can I add the following to this agenda?

(1) Unless you’re in full-time paid employment you don’t get the vote – retirees

Holden opposed. The great irony of his column being that he doesn’t want the Council to actually do things. He is ideologically opposed to councils investing in and shaping their towns.

Cllr Holden knew full well TWBC had embarked on a major project when he wrote that article, just as he knew when he complained about motorists being fined that the town centre road layout (which I vociferously opposed) was brought in by a Tory-led KCC on behalf of a Tory-led TWBC whilst he sat on both.

James Rands Tunbridge Wells

get an exception if they’ve worked.

(2) Having a tax-paying threshold or qualification.

(3) Knowledge and understanding of the election and parliamentary process – how local and national politics work.

Of course, these are debating points –there’s no need for the legions who take offence to pick up their quills.

If they’re debating disenfranchisement, nothing should be off the table!

Sam Goodenough Tunbridge Wells

PEPPY SAYS...

Taxi drivers need to move with the times I fully support the move to make taxi drivers in Tunbridge Wells take cards as well as cash, but they should also be compelled to keep their meters running and visible to passengers to avoid the wide variance in fares charged.

Also, in view of the recent attacks on women at local railway stations it would be good to see more female taxi drivers on our streets as well as waiting taxis in the evenings at High Brooms.

Dr Alan Bullion

Southborough and High Brooms Town Councillor

Pedestrian nightmare

As residents and very frequent walkers my wife and I are finding walking on many pavements and footpaths in Tunbridge Wells a ‘Pedestrian Nightmare’.

1. Pembury Road: The footpath next to the cycleway from Blackhurst Lane towards town has become overgrown and nearly impossible to use. One has to walk on the cycle path most of the way. I reported this to KCC on 21st June, but no cutback or maintenance has as yet taken place.

2. Pavement on Lamberts Road: There are months, maybe years of moss from a water leak that is still ongoing.

3. Footpath towards Tonbridge Road leading from the footbridge over the A21 from Blackhurst Lane: Over the past year this path has only been partly cleared once. It becomes extremely slippery when it rains or snows.

Ole Dideriksen

Tunbridge Wells

THE DAY HE WENT TO LONDON…

LUNCH IN TOWN with media friends and a re-run of glory days. After advising station staff he hoped Rishi failed in his bid to close the TW ticket office, Calverley bounced onto the platform to hear warnings of upcoming rail strikes and – oh yes – there were no toilets available on the next train to London. A measurable shifting of the crowd towards the loos. CALVERLEY ENTERED the coffee shop in search of newspapers: “We don’t sell them anymore – who reads them anyway.” (The many thousands who pick up the Times each week for a start!) The Americano was promptly handed back and no payment offered.

THE FINAL MILE into Charing Cross revealed office after office of empty desks. The staff all working from home –they are missed in so many ways. BEING EARLY Calverley could not resist popping into a pub. (When can he!) Half an hour later he came out staggering. Not through drink but in shock. He was £14 lighter for two small bottles of some French lager. (Never really been fond of the French.)

OXFORD STREET revealed another societal change. Calverley remembers its heyday; upmarket stores making it the busiest shopping street in Europe. And it is still the place to go – if you’re looking for vapes or sweet shops…

ARRIVING AT the restaurant, Calverley had forgotten it was French! He is vegetarian. Oh, the irony! Several bottles of excellent red later (some of it shared) Calverley was feeling somewhat warmer towards his Continental cousins. And who’s bothered about the food bit of lunch anyway?

WALKING BACK down Oxford Street

Caverley met a tsunami of mobile phones surging towards him. Each phone held within inches of the face that was daring others to get in the way. Tourists are back. Fed up being buffeted Calverley reached for his own phone to retaliate. He’d left it in the restaurant, so back up the road he went with the tide.

SETTING OUT AGAIN for Charing Cross he grabbed a cab. Big sigh of relief. He’d sighed too soon. Roadworks brought the taxi to a standstill. For 10 minutes! The driver waived the £5.90 on the meter and encouraged Calverley to get out and walk to the station. What a nice man.

BACK HOME Calverley popped into The Bedford opposite TW station for a nightcap. Recalling moments of fun in a crowded boozer, this time there was one man and his dog. WFH means no more commuters. He ordered a double. It was a strange end to a strange day… so surreal.

Staff and students enhance their learning experience with new state-of-the-art tech

NORTH Kent College has unveiled a series of immersive classrooms that will connect its four campuses Tonbridge, Hadlow, Dartford and Gravesend.

This means staff and students can now share their experiences across a number of groups, including specialist teachers and businesses.

“Each campus hosts its own hi-tech classroom, which allows for a seamless learning experience with teachers and students in other immersive classrooms, and to connect with employers at remote locations,” a North Kent College spokesperson told the Times.

“The classrooms are fully interactive, with digital whiteboards that students can use to answer questions or tasks set and engage in lessons as if they were in the room with the lecturer,” the spokesperson added.

The classrooms were showcased last week by North Kent, Mid-Kent and East Kent Colleges, who received funding for them as a result of a joint funding bid.

Each classroom also allows ultra-highdefinition video presentations to be shared, and features motion tracking cameras with high-quality two-way audio that allows for natural conversations between rooms, no matter where the participant is standing.

No technical knowledge is needed by staff to use the classrooms as they simply connect their laptop and are ready to broadcast their lesson.

Students also don’t need to download any software to join the lessons remotely, as it is all browser-based.

Other advantages of immersing students in this ground-breaking technology include the fact that external lecturers and guest speakers will no longer have to attend a specific campus to give a presentation or talk as they can do so remotely.

Practical demonstrations can be broadcast straight to the classrooms rather than students having to be taken out on trips to industry-specific locations.

And finally, students can connect remotely

if they are unable to make it to a campus due to illness or bad weather.

Mark Andrews, Deputy Executive Principal, Strategy and Curriculum, for North Kent College said: “I was delighted that Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, as the lead employer body for our regional skills improvement plan, enabled us to host a broad range of businesses and forge valuable connections with employers who are keen to engage with educating the talent of the future.

“It is exciting to connect similar groups across campuses at the three Kent college groups, and using our brand-new immersive classrooms, show how interactive tasks and team-teaching works across them.”

Lucy Druesne, Skills Programme Manager, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, added: “It was a privilege to showcase our region's College group facilities to employers from the Kent & Medway Manufacturing Focus Group and build meaningful relationships to support the development of our future workforce. The immersive classrooms across the campuses of the three colleges demonstrated how interactive and collaborative learning can take place across different locations, maximizing the learning experience.”

‘The classrooms are fully interactive, with digital whiteboards that students can use to engage in lessons as if they were in the room with a lecturer’

North Kent College in Tonbridge has launched some exciting new immersive technology to benefit both its students and teachers. The Times finds out more about this new way of learning and sharing information…

Our seminar to assist family conversations about Inheritance Tax

Panoramic Wealth are hosting an event to help you protect your family’s legacy, reduce any Inheritance Tax liability and approach one of life’s trickiest conversations.

Sometimes the hardest questions to ask are the most important. For many families, the topic of how the next generations will inherit wealth is often a taboo subject. The conversation is usually deferred to a time where it may be too late to act or potentially never addressed at all. The conversation to be had is typically between parents and children but has equal importance for couples who are unmarried or those not in a Civil Partnership.

Where are you with your conversations?

A typical reaction is that Inheritance Tax (IHT) won’t affect me or my family. In reality, the largest single beneficiary of an Estate is often not your family, or your favoured charity but HMRC.

Traditionally speaking, people find it quite difficult to speak about money. However, by engaging in conversation and forward planning this could avoid beneficiaries losing out on hundreds of thousands of pounds.

At our seminar (see details below), we will be looking to help you start that all important conversation. As such, our day would be suitable for all family members, be they grandparents, parents or adult children. We will be aiming to give you an idea on what is practically possible in IHT mitigation.

Make sure you are not sleepwalking into leaving an Inheritance Tax Liability that could have been avoided.

What is the extent of the problem?

Currently, married couples or civil partners can, in the right circumstances, pass on assets of up to £1 million to the next generation. However, with property values the

way they are, the value of a house alone can absorb this £1 million “threshold”. So, the family of a couple with an estate of £2 million could be faced with an IHT bill of £400,000.

Remember that passing on assets is not just about money. Much of these will be treasured assets or heirlooms that make up part of your family history. Most of these items will not be exempt from IHT and their values will therefore increase the overall IHT liability on your death, potentially needing to be sold to fund the liability.

So, what questions should you be addressing?

● How much IHT is your Estate likely to suffer?

● Have I left it too late to do any IHT Planning? (It is never too late to consider IHT planning.)

● What action can be taken now to increase the amount my heirs inherit?

● How long do I have to live for funds to be out of my estate?

● What issues should I consider before making lifetime gifts to the family?

● Can I give money away but still retain control and decide who benefits?

● Can I give away assets yet still enjoy access or income from them?

● Why is there likely to be a dramatic increase in IHT if you sell a private business?

● How are pensions treated for IHT purposes and how can they effectively be passed on to the next generation?

● Can I leave funds to charities and also benefit my other beneficiaries?

● Should I even think about giving money away if I might require later life care?

The seminar will be provided on a no charge basis. Its main objective is to provide you with relevant information on which you can make decisions. It will be hosted by Gary Jefferies, Chartered Financial Planner, and MD of his family-owned financial planning firm; Panoramic Wealth based in Tunbridge Wells. He will be alongside John Woolley, a consultant who has a number of legal and tax qualifications including being a qualified TEP, a barrister, a fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute and a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

Together, they will not only explain how it all works but highlight planning opportunities through a real-life case study. In addition to this, they will be able answer any questions you may have.

This will leave you in a position to understand how IHT works and, where appropriate, protect your Estate and greatly reduce the IHT your family will need to pay on your death.

GaryJefferiesJohnWoolley

is a show that celebrates our marine environments and brings them to life’

Steve Backshall is back on the road with his 2023 UK tour, Ocean, which he describes as a love letter to the most exciting environment on our planet. He comes to the Assembly Hall on October 18 and here, the renowned explorer tells James Rampton that it is a great way to learn more about saving our seas. Stunts, experiments, props, cutting-edge science and big-screen footage from his two decades in TV will all help Steve to bring the icons of the Big Blue to life…

Following a sold-out tour in 2022, you are bringing your highly successful Ocean live show back to theatres across the UK.

Are you excited to get back on the road and what should audiences expect?

I am so excited to be back touring the country with my live show Ocean. I’m bringing the ocean’s aquatic environments and marine creatures to life on stage by using a giant screen featuring lots of amazing footage from my encounters with sharks, whales and dolphins over the years. There will be on-stage science experiments, using props, stunts and tricks plus some out-takes and bloopers, too. There will also be some life-size scale ocean giants that we’ll be bringing out on stage, which I think really helps because it’s very, very difficult to get a sense of how big these animals really are. Being able to replicate that on stage is a big part of the show.

Why did you choose the ocean as your subject?

First of all, the ocean and the animals that live there are my absolute passion. Secondly, it’s a part of the world that is a mystery to most people. There are so many of the secrets of the seas that people just don’t begin to know anything about. And thirdly, it’s probably the part of our planet that’s the most at risk right now. The show is very much based around the most iconic animals in our oceans and how they

function and what makes them special. But I will also be talking a bit about the challenges that they face and the broader environments in the oceans face as well. All of those things together made it seem that this was the perfect topic for a stage show.

Do you have a favourite marine animal?

I think the Orca would be my favourite. There is so much about them that we don’t understand, and yet they have an awful lot in common with us. They’re obviously an air-breathing mammal that breastfeed their young. But they’re also an animal that has culture and language and community, that grieves for its dead and fears for, cares for and educates its young. They’re a creature that can be apparently cruel, but also altruistic. There’s so much about them that I find fascinating. And I know that I could study them for a lifetime and I still would not really understand them.

You also love sharks. Can you describe the delight of swimming with them?

As much as anything else, it turns our own expectations on their head. ‘The J Word’ – Jaws – has had such an allpervasive effect on the way that people see sharks that so often you get in the water with them and people shout, “Oh my god, he’s going to get eaten instantly!” That was probably somewhere in the back of my head as well when I started off. But it’s amazing to turn that expectation around

and find that not only are sharks not malicious man-eating monsters that are out to get you, but actually they are completely ambivalent to your presence, they could not care less if you’re there or not. In the right situation at the right time, with the right shark, you can swim alongside them, as safely as you would swim alongside a dolphin or seal. Each individual shark will show off the way it’s feeling, whether it’s going into predatory mode or getting territorial, you can see that from the way they look in the water. It’s a question of assessing that. The shark is this

‘There are so many of the secrets of the seas that people just don’t begin to know anything about. It’s probably the part of our planet that’s the most at risk right now’

streamlined, supercharged predator that’s been around for at least 400 million years, which is a masterpiece of evolution. That is quite transfixing and beautiful.

What do you perceive as the major threat to the oceans?

Plastic pollution is the one that probably is most heavy in people’s minds, and it is unquestionably a massive problem,

particularly for marine wildlife. Overfishing, mass-scale trawling, longlining, and dredging are extraordinarily destructive, too. They are probably the biggest threats of all. And then beyond that is climate change, and the things that come with it: ocean acidification, sea ice melting, and sea levels rising. I will be delving into all of those things in the show, but they are not going to dominate the narrative. I want this to be a show that is all about positivity, that is empowering, that places the tools of change in people’s hands, and gives everyone an idea of things that they themselves can do to make the oceans better.

Do you hope that audiences come away from Ocean in a very positive frame of mind?

Absolutely. I think that’s critically important, particularly in something like this. I don’t want people leaving depressed – that would be a disaster. I want people to be engaged and filled with emotion. I want them to feel love and passion and excitement, and to be charged to go out and make a difference themselves. This is a show that is embracing the natural world, celebrating our marine environments, and finding ways of bringing them to life. Tickets for Steve Backshall’s new show, Ocean, are available from: stevebackshall.com or assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

‘This

Star turns

October sees a slew of stars appearing at the Assembly Hall Theatre. They include comedians Dawn French and Phil Wang alongside TV stars Gareth Gates, Steve Backshall (see left) and Gyles Brandreth. Here’s a brief bit of information on each one…

Phil Wang – Wang in there Baby!

October 12

Hot off the heels of his critically acclaimed Netflix special, David Letterman appearance, and role on Life & Beth with Amy Schumer, Phil Wang is bringing a brandnew standup show to venues nationwide including our very own Assembly Hall. He’s chatting race, family and everything else that’s been going on in his Philly little life. Described by The Guardian as ‘stand-up dreamland’ and by The Times as ‘unique and properly funny’ this is one not to miss for comedy fans!

(£28.75)

The Best of Frankie Valli starring Gareth Gates

October 12

Former Popstars winner Gareth Gates joins cast members from the smash-hit Tony

award-winning musical Jersey Boys to bring you The Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons! This must-see show for musical lovers features all-time favourite songs including Sherry, My Eyes Adored You, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Walk Like A Man, and many more.

(£32.50)

Dawn French is a Huge Tw*t

October 14 & 15

“This show is so-named because unfortunately, it’s horribly accurate,” teases comedian Dawn French.

“There have been far too many times I have made stupid mistakes or misunderstood something vital or jumped the gun in a spectacular display of twattery. I thought I might tell some of these buttockclenching embarrassing stories to give the audience a peek behind the scenes of my

work life. So roll up! Book early to see the telly vicar lady be a total twat on-stage, live-in front of your very eyes. And ears.”

(£44.25)

Steve Backshall’s Ocean

October 18

Steve Backshall’s Ocean is a love letter to the most exciting environment on our planet – and a great way to learn more about what we need to do to save our seas. Stunts, experiments, props, cutting-edge science and big screen footage from his two decades in TV, will all help Steve to bring the icons of the Big Blue to life. From Great whites to Great whales, seals to sardine shoals, Orca to the oddities of the deep: this is a fantastic opportunity for fans of all ages to dive deep into the wonderful world beneath the waves. A must-see for all the family! (£30.25)

Gyles Brandreth Can’t Stop Talking!

October 20

He’s back – and he’s unstoppable. Gyles Brandreth just can’t stop talking. The jumperloving This Morning star, who keeps popping up on Pointless, QI, Would I Lie To You?, Sunday

Brunch, and The One Show, has been burbling and babbling since he was a baby, and in his hilarious new one-man show the award-winning raconteur (and holder of the world record for the longestever after-dinner speech – 12 and a half hours!) is trying to work out why. (£29.25)

Paul Young – Behind the Lens

October 21

He’s been a major star for four decades and now singer Paul Young is celebrating that with a new live show. He broke into the big time 40 years ago when his debut album No Parlez went to number one and spawned iconic hits like Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home). More success followed with the number one album The Secret Of Association and the worldwide hit Everytime You Go Away, not forgetting an appearance at Live Aid and more. His fans have a treat in store…

Meet and Greet Tickets: £83, VIP Tickets: £48 and Full Price: £33. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

Revealing the next chapter for this popular local literary festival…

This Friday and Saturday (October 13 and 14) the Cranbrook Literature Festival returns for its fourth edition. Its Director Christine Newman tells Eileen Leahy more about the event, which was once biennial, but thanks to its success will now be held annually. She also reveals the authors on the literary bill for 2023…

The Cranbrook Literary Festival was established in 2016 by Christine Newman, who created this community-led, not-for-profit event in order to promote the joy of reading and writing to Cranbrook and the surrounding area.

Since then it has become a popular, local literary event welcoming a slew of highprofile writers including Lisa Jewell, Deborah Moggach and William Nicholson to Cranbrook where ticketed talks are given in the town’s Vestry Hall.

The festival has been a biennial event ever since and is run entirely by volunteers.

“The aim of the festival is to cover the cost of bringing authors into local schools so children can then experience meeting an author and be enthused by reading and writing for pleasure,” explains the festival’s director Christine.

Sponsorship

When the Times spoke to Christine at the time of the last festival she told us how the idea for it came about: “As a librarian, creative writer, book geek and a life-long lover of attending literature festivals like Cheltenham, Charleston and Hay, I decided Cranbrook was the ideal place to hold our very own festival. I gathered a few likeminded friends together to see if the idea had legs… and it turns out it did!

“The festival is financed entirely by sponsorship, and the revenue from ticket sales for the adult events allows the free events for schools to take place.

“The events have proved so popular over the last few years that the committee is now hoping to make the festival an annual event,” reveals Christine.

This year children from schools including primaries Cranbrook, Sissinghurst, Hawkhurst, Horsmonden, Colliers Green and Dulwich Prep School, St Ronan’s, Cranbrook School and Snowfields, plus 1st Cranbrook Brownies will have the chance to hear from a variety of authors, at no cost to them.

“These include Joshua Seigal, Ben Miller, Eve Wersocki Morris, Natasha Farrant, Helen Peters and Gianna Pollero,” adds Christine.

For adults there will be events with popular authors including Elizabeth Buchan, William Shaw, E Hannavy-Cousen, Alex Preston, Vanessa Nicolson, Christy Lefteri and Nicci French.

For non-fiction fans there will be an event with food writer Jenny Linford plus poetry from the Kent and Sussex Poetry Society and a creative writing workshop with Lulah Ellender over the two-day event.

“This year’s festival highlights the work of

‘The festival, which this year welcomes authors including Elizabeth Buchan, Nicci French and Christy Lefteri, is financed entirely by sponsorship and the revenue from ticket sales allows the free events for schools to take place’

some of the great local writers we have in the South East”, says Christine.

“Established writers such as William Shaw, Alex Preston, Vanessa Nicolson and new to the publishing world, E HannavyCousen will be appearing alongside authors from further afield, with Elizabeth Buchan, Nicci French and Christy Lefteri all taking part in events.

“We are very excited by this year’s programme, which has something for

everyone whether your preferred genre is romance, thriller, crime, historical or contemporary”, concludes Christine. “And of course all ticket sale revenue goes straight back into providing author experiences for children in the area.”

For more information, you can email: cranbrookliteraturefestival@gmail.com or visit: cranbrookliteraturefestival.com

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13

12.00pm

ELIZABETH BUCHAN will talk about her writing and in particular her latest novel ‘Two Women in Rome’. Tickets £10

2.00pm

WILLIAM SHAW in conversation about his crime detective series featuring DS Alexandra Cupidi set on the Kent coast.

Tickets £10

5.00pm

E HANNAVY-COUSEN will speak about her newly published novel, ‘Of No Consequence’. Tickets £8

7.30pm

ALEX PRESTON talking about his bestselling novel ‘Winchelsea’. Tickets £10

SATURDAY OCTOBER 14

10.30am

GIANNA POLLERO and her ‘Monster Doughnut’ books. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Ticketed free event

10.30am to 1.00pm

LULAH ELLENDER. Creative Writing Workshop at Cranbrook Town Library. Tickets £15

12.00pm

Kent and Sussex Poetry Showcase with Christopher Horton, Jess Mookherjee and Karen Smith. Free event for all in the Cranbrook Bar of The George Hotel

12.30pm

CAT BLACK AND JENNY LINFORD Food journalist Cat Black and food author Jenny Linford (The Kew Gardens Cookbook) in conversation. Tickets £8

2.30pm

VANESSA NICOLSON will discuss memoir writing and her new novel Angels of Mud

Tickets £10

5.00pm

CHRISTY LEFTERI author of ‘The Book of Fire, ‘The Beekeeper of Aleppo’ and ‘Songbirds’ discusses her writing.

Tickets £10

7.30pm

NICCI FRENCH Husband and wife writers, Nicci Gerrard and Sean French, discuss their best-selling psychological thrillers by Nicci French. Tickets £10

ALEX PRESTON

NICCI FRENCH

CHRISTY LEFTERI

Dartford: Tuesday 17th October

Gravesend: Thursday 19th October

Tonbridge: Tuesday 7th November 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Hadlow: Saturday 4th November 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

northkent.ac.uk/events hadlow.ac.uk/events

Tuning up for an exciting new season of music concerts

This coming Saturday (October 14), Tonbridge Music Club’s 61st season gets underway. Here, member and spokesperson Rachel Davies tells the Times what’s on the bill…

THE nights are drawing in and autumn is here, and happily that means that Tonbridge Music Club’s 2023/24 Season, is about to begin.

This year is its 61st and as ever, Tonbridge Music Club’s (TMC) long-held aim of bringing first-class music to the town is still very much alive and well. The first concert of the new season takes place on Saturday October 14. Between then and the final concert, which takes place in June of next year, the club has a mix of musical offerings to appeal to all tastes and ages. There really is something for everyone – from full-length formal evening concerts, to short, intimate Sunday morning ‘Coffee Concerts’ and relaxed daytime events suitable for younger ears. We begin this coming Saturday, with Ensemble 360 playing for us in the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul. Four string players and a clarinettist will bring us an exciting and varied programme of music by such composers as Dvorak, Josef Suk and Coleridge-Taylor. The Ensemble has been praised by The Guardian as “one of the most adaptable chamber groups in the country.” This will be followed by something

OPENING ACT: Ensemble 360 kick off TMC’s new season on Saturday

completely different on November 5: a Sunday morning Coffee Concert at Somerhill School, where several young prize-winners of TMC’s Award Scheme for local, under-18 musicians, will delight us by displaying their extraordinary talent.

Then, on Saturday December 9, Papagena – comprised of five singers and a harp player – will bring us an evening of music and song entitled ‘A Winter’s Dawn’. This is a programme specially designed for a winter’s evening and will include carols, lullabies

and songs of hope.

In the New Year, there is much to look forward to. There will be two more Coffee Concerts which take place in January and April and two events for young children: Sir Scallywag and the Golden Underpants at the EM Forster Theatre in February for children aged 3 to 7 and their families; and another in May for toddlers and their parents or carers. There will also be three rather more conventional concerts given by Ensemble Molière playing a programme of Baroque

World Menopause Awareness Day Drop-In Event

music; the brilliant young pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason giving a piano recital including pieces by Chopin, Scarlatti and Prokofiev; and Connaught Brass performing a colourful and varied programme, including works by Vivaldi and Bernstein.

We do hope you will come along and enjoy hearing some live music with us… If you would like to find out more about TMC’s new season or its membership programme, visit: tmc.org.uk

Did you know that World Menopause Day is just around the corner on October 18th?

It's a day dedicated to raising awareness about the impact that the menopause has on the lives of women. At The Amara Clinic on Wednesday 18th October, we are holding a drop event from 10am to 5pm.

Dr Anne Henderson will be available for a chat on Menopause and Gynaecological health between 12 noon and 2pm.

We are also pleased to have Zoe Cottrell from Provytl50+ on hand to offer advice on diet and nutrition.

Whether you're a woman going through this phase of life or someone who wants to support the women around you, this event is for you. Let's break the silence surrounding the menopause and empower ourselves with knowledge.

‘TMC has a mix of musical offerings to appeal to all tastes and ages’

Step into our enchanted Christmas, where a tale of magic unfolds…

Santa’s Grotto Special gift from Santa Gingerbread decorating in Mrs Claus’ Bakery

Make your own Christmas decoration Festive storytelling performances

Letters to Santa Reindeer food making Magical photo opportunities …and so much more in our enchanted wonderland!

Times Reporter Archie Lawrence picks three reads for your week

On the bookshelf this week, an anthology of ‘lost’ stories from the beloved fantasy author Terry Pratchett, legends of Greek goddesses are brought to life by Natalie Haynes, and Francis Spufford explores racial tension in an alternate version of 1920s America…

A Stroke Of The Pen: The Lost Stories by

Terry Pratchett

Published in hardback Doubleday, priced £20

‘A Stroke Of The Pen’ contains 20 short stories written by Terry Pratchett in the seventies and eighties under a pseudonym, which have since been unearthed and collated, eight years after his death. This delightful collection is inventive, entertaining and a little quirky, often with a twisty end. Imaginative stories include characters like Og the caveman inventor and ghosts that have been evicted from their home. Several characters and settings make later appearances in the novels that established his career. The comedic fantasies that shape this book make for a fun read. The wit, wisdom and intelligence are interspersed with a lively dose of naivete, with entertaining results.

Review by Amanda DeBeer

Divine Might by Natalie Haynes

Published in hardback by Picador, priced £20

You’ve likely heard their names – Hera, Demeter, The Furies – and you may think you know their story. But Natalie Haynes’ ‘Divine Might’ will shed new light on the goddesses whose stories have been told countless times, but perhaps never in this way. Haynes, whose other popular titles include Stone Blind and Pandora’s Jar, manages to give these well-known Greek goddesses a new voice by telling their story from a different perspective, and it’s one that really leaves an impact. Author Haynes is no stranger to focusing her lens with a female gaze and with great success. Her 2019 novel, ‘A Thousand Ships’ – a re-telling of the Trojan War from a female perspective – earned her a shortlist spot for the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2020, and Divine Might is no different. It’s a powerful read that really opens a new dialogue on the Greek goddesses and will leave you feeling like you understand their stories in a way you haven’t before. It will definitely leave you feeling like you want to know more.

Review by Kerri-Ann Roper

Love Script Pendants

G. COLLINS & SONS are a jeweller based in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent that provide the highest standard of quintessentially British jewellery making, repair work and commissions.

We follow the creation of your bespoke piece from the very beginning to the final polish. Our team works closely with clients to capture their preferences and then a meticulous design process begins. Our Love Script pendants are designed and crafted in-house by our highly skilled team

Cahokia Jazz by Francis Spufford

Published in hardback by Faber & Faber priced £20

Imagine an America where the indigenous people were not entirely decimated and marginalised by European settlers, but instead thrived and enjoyed social and cultural dominance in many pockets of the nation. Francis Spufford – author of the superb ‘Golden Hill’ – sets this noir-ish mystery in the fictional US city of Cahokia, in a violent but strangely familiar version of 1922, where ‘takouma’ – Native Americans, ‘takata’ – Europeans, and ‘taklousa’ – AfricanAmericans, share an uneasy peace. A grisly sacrificial murder of a Klansman seems engineered to set these tribes against each other, and ‘takouma’ detective Joe Barrow, also an aspiring jazz pianist, and his wisecracking partner Phin Drummond, are at the heart of the action. Race is a clear theme in this gripping crime thriller, and although the exposition can bog the plot down, Spufford’s imagination and darkly humorous dialogue will keep you enthralled.

Review

by James Cann

of jewellers. As soon as you have decided on what name you'd like us to create for you, the process begins.

Our master jewellers embark on the creation process with a sheet of metal, the choice from Platinum, 18ct Rose Gold or

18ct Yellow Gold. The pendant is filed and buffed with the chosen name before going to our head setter. This next endeavour, the diamond setting process, demands technical precision and an acute artistic sensibility to ensure that every diamond of varying size is placed and set in the correct place.

After the setting process, our master expert polisher removes the imperfections and enhances of the metal and the diamond’s brilliance. With precision and

skill, he takes great care to ensure that every facet of the pendant is perfectly polished, allowing the diamond to radiate its maximum brilliance and sparkle. The polishing process marks the culmination of a journey that reverberates with skill and dedication, bringing the pendant to life in all its resplendence.

At G. Collins & Sons, our in-house team include some of the most talented jewellers in the country, many of whom have worked on famous and historic jewellery collections. Having our own team of expert jewellers on site allows us to create exceptional masterpieces, crafted to perfection in line with your unique vision. Contact our sales team on +44 7951 426007 or sales@gcollinsandsons.com for more information.

‘We follow the creation of your bespoke piece from the very beginning to the final polish’

‘Having our own team of expert jewellers on site allows us to create exceptional masterpieces, crafted to perfection’

Affordable sunshine destinations to banish the midwinter blues

It’s been proven by science: a dose of Vitamin D makes us feel healthier and happier.

With shorter days on the horizon, snatching sun rays becomes far trickier in Europe. But head further afield on a long-haul trip and fine weather is (almost) guaranteed.

The Caribbean has typically been a go-to for winter holidays, but destinations like Sri Lanka and Senegal are being tipped as good options with some great value deals. Here’s what the experts are saying…

Be surprised by Sri Lanka

“Since mid-July, we have witnessed a huge increase in enquiries and bookings for Sri Lanka, both for the upcoming winter season and for Summer 2024,” says Neil Dobbs, director of Travel Gallery.

“Availability remains for Christmas and New Year 2023, and although prices are

higher during this period, they provide excellent value compared to, for instance, the Caribbean. Several hotels, including the Rosyth Estate House, have introduced offers with discounts of up to 20 per cent on winter season prices. It is gratifying to note that airfares have also decreased in recent weeks for the January to March season, now ranging from 15-20 per cent below their previous levels.”

How: Set within 64 acres of private plantation in the Kandyan foothills of Sri Lanka, The Rosyth Estate House is offering 20 per cent off low-season rates for stays of three nights or more, until November 30. Rooms from £330pp per night (two sharing). Visit rosyth.lk or call +44 (0)7767 290 870.

Jam with Jamaica

“SNO has seen a 300 per cent increase in traffic on the Jamaica section of its website, and an increase in enquiries for last-minute

holidays and October half-term travel to the island, since prices dropped in the last week,” says Richard Sinclair, CEO of SNO. “Jamaica can be so much more than fly-and-flop, especially cruising around the island on a rented motorbike or in the crazy

How: A six-night B&B stay at Grand Port Royal Hotel Marina & Spa in Kingston costs from £989pp (two sharing), including flights. Visit sno.co.uk/holiday or call +44 (0)20 7770 6888.

Marvel at the Middle East

“We have added some great new Middle East tours to our winter programme for 2023/24,” says David Kay, Middle East Product Manager for Ramblers Walking Holidays.

minibus taxis. Rather than an all-inclusive beach resort, book a cheaper central spot and visit top spots, including walking up the Dunn’s River Falls, tasting the famous rum at Appleton distillery, and ‘feeling irie’ at the Bob Marley museum”.

“For clients wanting to enjoy a step change in cultural experiences – with minimum travelling – the Middle East is the place. Minarets and pyramids of Egypt, a camel ride through the Sahara desert, the biblical sites and stories of Jordan, and ancient Arab villages in the mountains or Oman – these are not experiences to be enjoyed if one chooses to stay in Europe. Add in the warm winter sun away from cold

‘Jamaica can be so much more than fly-and-flop, especially cruising around the island on a rented motorbike or in the crazy minibus taxis’

From Indian Ocean islands to West African coastlines, there are some sizzling options for long and mid-haul breaks, says Sarah Marshall…

grey skies, and it is hard to see why we would choose anywhere else for our winter breaks.”

How: A nine-night guided walking tour through the villages and wadis of Oman, visiting the Jebel Akhdar plateau and staying at a tented desert camp in the Wahiba Sands, costs from £3,699pp (two sharing), including half-board accommodation, guides, transport and flights. Visit ramblersholidays.co.uk or call +44 (0)1707 331 133. Departure dates: November 8, 2023, January 24, 2024 and November 6, 2024.

Be awed by Africa

“This winter, we are seeing strong bookings to various mid-haul destinations, particularly to West Africa, including the likes of Cape Verde, Gambia and Senegal,”

says a spokesperson from TUI.

“With exclusive direct flights to these mid-haul destinations, customers can enjoy jet-lag-free holidays on shorter durations. The Canaries continues to be another popular holiday option for our customers, as well as long-haul options in the Caribbean, Mexico and Thailand.”

The travel company will be introducing Marsa Alam on Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula into their portfolio, with two weekly flights from London Gatwick launching from November 1.

How: A seven-night all-inclusive holiday at the Coral Sea Holiday Resort in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt, costs from £722pp (two sharing), including flights from London Stansted and transfers. Departs December 10. Visit tui.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 3451 2688.

The Times of Tunbridge Wells is seeking a talented Reporter to join our dedicated team.

As a talented journalist, you will have previous experience writing news content. You will also know how to generate leads to get the best stories.

The ideal candidate will preferably:

● Live locally and have an understanding of how Tunbridge Wells works.

● Be a newshound with a nose for a story and have great general knowledge.

● Be able to work to tight deadlines while juggling multiple tasks and stories.

● Have an understanding of newspaper and online media processes.

● Be a team player.

● Have a sense of humour!

If this opportunity interests you, please forward your CV to: newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk, along with examples of your recently published work.

MARSA ALAM, EGYPT

OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA

All pictures: Alamy/PA

Sensational sparkling wines to fall for this autumn

Buckle up, as it seems that we wine drinkers will have to dig deeper into our pockets for our favourite bottles this autumn. The price of wine with alcohol content between 11.5 and 14.5 per cent will increase by 44p per bottle, while sherry prices will jump by 97p; port by a staggering £1.30 and spirit duty by 76p per bottle.

It’s important to note that when you add VAT at 20 per cent, the actual amount of duty rise on an average bottle of wine is 53p, which is a double whammy and discouraging for many oenophiles

However, there’s a silver lining –sparkling wine between 11.5 and 14.5 per cent will fall by 19p (a 7 per cent reduction) per bottle, and inexpensive fizz, such as Cava and Prosecco, containing less than 11 per cent alcohol, will decrease by 51p per bottle.

Unlike many retailers, The Wine Society continues to help its members by holding prices in the face of the headwind of alcohol price increases. Notably, they have reduced prices on all their sparkling wines in line with the duty changes in August (see wine number 3 below). That is definitely something worth raising a glass to!

1. Aldi Contevedo Cava Brut, Spain (£5.45, Aldi, groceries.aldi.co.uk, 11.5%)

Spain’s traditional method (whereby the secondary fermentation, creating the bubbles, takes place in individual bottles) Cava sparkling wines are often good party buys. It’s an enigma, though, how Aldi succeeds in selling its fruity,

lip-smacking, green apple peel and lemon zest of a Cava Brut, with only 7.5 grams of residual sugar per litre (half that of most Prosecco) for only £5.45 a pop. Lovely with a tortilla and a great option for a French 75 cocktail. Salud!

2. NV Graham Beck, M&S The Rhona Brut Rosé, Western Cape, South Africa (£14, Marks & Spencer, instore, 12%) Nab this ravishing, cut-price Méthode Cap Classique (traditional method) South African sparkling rosé, which overflows with elegant, cranberry and raspberry charm. It’s a stunning bargain with an impressive sense of charm and elegance. The perfect host.

3. NV Crémant d’Alsace Cuvée Brut Julien Dopff, Alsace, France (£14.31, The Wine Society, thewinesociety.com, 12%)

Made by the same painstaking traditional method as champagne but usually only half the cost, Crémant is the bottle to buy for parties and, dare I say, the upcoming festive season. This is a textbook Pinot

DID YOU KNOW?

We love our fizz in this country! Of the 12.2 million bottles of wine produced in 2022 in Great Britain, 68 per cent were sparkling, with 78 per cent white and 22 per cent rosé.

Blanc/Auxerrois blend from a pioneering bubbly specialist in Alsace, delivering notes of dried fruit, apple strudel and flowers with a nourishing, toasty kick on the finish. A lot of fizz for the price. Bring on smoked fish, shellfish and seafood.

4. Bird in Hand Sparkling 2022, Adelaide Hills, Australia (£15.99, Waitrose, waitrose.com, 12.5%)

Red-fruited, floral, pale, blush pink South Australian aperitif-style sparkling hit: 64 per cent Pinot Noir, plus a dab (15 per cent each) of Chardonnay and Shiraz. Stylish, refreshing and appetising, it gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

5. NV Langham Estate Culver Classic Cuvée Brut, Dorset, England (£28.50, mix six, or £30.50 per bottle, Lea & Sandeman, leaandsandeman.co.uk, 12%)

Impressive from the word go, this rich, round, youthful but complex Dorset sparkler has a creamy mousse and attractive aromas of toast, butter and red apple. Langham is one of just a few homegrown estates that can rival Champagne. This is their Pinot Noir-dominant blend, mainly from the 2020 base vintage (with 23 per cent reserve wine). Magnificently crafted. The hits keep coming!

Follow James on Instagram @ QuixoticWines

Times Drinks Editor James Viner toasts the change of season, by picking the best affordable sparklers to guarantee a corking autumn – especially as the duty on sparkling wines has now been reduced. We’ll drink to that!

Celebrate Christmas

Christmas Day Lunch

A delicious festive spread served at the Brasserie, including a glass of complimentary bubbles.

12:00pm & 2.45pm 25th December 2023

£99 per person and £49.50 for children

Christmas Getaway Package

A 2-night stay, commencing on 24th December including breakfast, festive dining and Christmas lunch.

Prices start from £595 with upgrades available

Festive Jazz Night at The Brasserie

Taste our festive 3 course set menu, before enjoying the sounds of timeless hits.

Thursday 14th December 7pm-11pm

£44 per person (£10 deposit per person required)

Private Celebrations

Whether you’re indulging in The Brasserie or dancing the night away in our beautiful Function Room, our event team promises a tailor made celebration. Bespoke packages available

Christmas Party Nights

Our shared Christmas party nights at One Warwick Park Hotel include festive dining, a Christmas cocktail and a live DJ.

£54 per person

Breakfast with Santa

Join us for a delicious breakfast with Santa Claus at One Warwick Park Hotel.

9:30am – 11:30am on 16th, & 24th December 2023

Tickets £18.50 per adult and £9.25 for children

Bookings can be made via our website onewarwickpark.co.uk

Grape expectations to be found at this stunning local vineyard

Squerryes hosts its October Oyster Festival this Saturday (October 14) and is also offering wine lovers the opportunity to participate in a harvest tour. Eileen Leahy finds out more about these special events…

Squerryes Vineyard will be throwing open its doors to visitors this coming Saturday (October 14), between 12pm and 5pm to enjoy a relaxing gourmet afternoon on its glorious terrace.

It’s the first time the successful winery, which is based near Westerham has joined forces with Oyster Buoys, a Whitstablebased seafood specialist, to serve up a Saturday afternoon feast with a difference.

This new event is a partnership between Squerryes and Westerham Brewery, which is located on the same site as the vineyard,

‘Oysters and drinks can be pre-ordered to collect from the terrace of The Winery Restaurant at Squerryes before you take a seat overlooking the Rosé vineyard to relax and enjoy the afternoon’

and sees Oyster Buoys welcomed to provide wonderful fresh oysters, which can be paired with chilled Squerryes Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine or Westerham Brewery’s dark beers.

“Oysters and drinks can be pre-ordered to collect from the terrace of The Winery Restaurant at Squerryes before you take a seat overlooking the Rosé vineyard or outside Westerham Brewery to relax and

enjoy the afternoon,” explains a Squerryes spokesperson.

“Additional food and drink options will be available from Westerham Brewery, including buttermilk fried chicken and loaded hotdogs from the mobile kitchen of Meat the Chef. Seating will be available outside the brewery on a first come first served basis.”

They add that visitors can also watch the Rugby World Cup on the big screen later in the afternoon if they so wish.

“Booking a table is advised and a bar will be available on the terrace to purchase additional drinks or extra oysters.”

On the menu you will find a number of dining options. They start with six oysters priced at £14 and move on to offers such as three oysters and a glass of Squerryes Blanc

de Blancs sparkling wine for £17.50 per person. Or you could enjoy a dozen oysters and a bottle of Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine for £76. If you fancy something just a little different then how about three oysters and a stout-tasting flight for just £14 per person?

This weekend is also the final chance to enjoy one of the Harvest Tours at Squerryes.

“This is the best time to come and see the vines,” continues the winery’s spokesperson. The harvest tours, which last approximately 90 minutes, have been running on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays all this month so if you want to experience one then now’s your chance!

You start with a guided tour of the vineyard and will learn about the 300-year-

old Squerryes estate, the fascinating history of the spirit of the house, and the story of how a disagreement with a French Champagne house led to the Warde family planting vines on the North Downs at the ‘Gateway to the Garden of England’. Having learnt about the spirit of the famous ‘terroir’, you’ll then discover more about what makes Squerryes so well-placed to make exceptional, award-winning sparkling wine in a tutored tasting of three of their vintage sparkling wines.

Your tasting will include a signature vintage Brut release, a vintage Blanc de Blancs and the latest vintage rosé.

Tickets cost £32pp and pre-booking is essential. To find out more, visit: squerryes.co.uk/vineyards-tour-andtasting

Restaurant returns for a pizza the action

One of the town’s longesttrading restaurants has recently reopened after an extensive refurbishment.

PizzaExpress on Tunbridge Wells High Street opened 27 years ago and has long been a firm favourite with residents and visitors.

After a thorough refit, which took place over the summer, the popular pizzeria has reopened for business.

Artwork

Inside, the stylish new décor pays homage to notable former Tunbridge Wells resident and renowned playwright, William Makepeace Thackeray, with artwork referencing his ‘Vanity Fair’ novel throughout the restaurant.

In addition, new artwork can be seen adorning the walls, including of PizzaExpress founder Peter Boizot.

Ready to provide a meal and service for both new and returning customers, PizzaExpress Tunbridge Wells General Manager, Anna-Mai Seaward and her dedicated team members are excited to show off their remodelled pizzeria.

Anna-Mai said: “I’ve been at PizzaExpress for almost ten years. With the restaurant’s updated layout, our team can’t wait to show off our new look – they love nothing more than serving up perfect pizza to our customers and providing a memorable dining experience.”

We are delighted that our son had the opportunity to work with Stuart... we would wholeheartedly recommend his services –

Irene Santineer

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SLICE OF LIFE: PizzaExpress Tunbridge Wells has reopened after a major refurbishment

Celebrate at Salomons Estate this Christmas!

Christmas Wreath Workshops

Thursday 30th November from 6.30pm – 8:30pm £68 per person

Tickets include a mince pie and mulled wine

Christmas Day Lunch

Monday 25th December

Indulge in the ultimate Christmas Day feast in the stunning surroundings of our picturesque estate.

£97.50 per adult

£45.00 per child (12 and under)

Breakfast with Santa

Sunday 24th December

Enjoy a delicious full English breakfast on Christmas Eve! Experience a magical morning as he makes his way around to each table.

£20.00 per person (adult or child)

Christmas Parties

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and what could be merrier than a tailor-made Christmas party for the ultimate festive do? Whether you’re in charge of making sure the office party is the best one yet or rounding up your nearest and dearest, our beautiful event spaces, delicious feasts and dedicated team promise an unforgettable Christmas celebration!

Friday 1st and Sunday 3rd December

Morning session 10:00am– 12:00pm £90 per person

Tickets include a glass of Buck’s fizz followed by Festive Afternoon Tea

Join the fabulous Rare Nature Design at their festive workshops at Salomons Estate. Design your very own wreath and tablescapes using provided equipment, foliage, and beautiful decorations.

Dine with Santa

Sunday 10th December

Join us for a delicious 3-course Sunday roast. Enjoy tales from Santa and his elves and a special surprise…

£35.00 per adult

£17.50 per child

Tables available from 12.00pm – 3.00pm (includes an early Christmas gift)

Festive Afternoon Teas

27th November – 16th December

Indulge in the spirit of Christmas with a delicious afternoon tea and savour a selection of seasonal delights.

£25.00 Traditional Tea

£30.00 Prosecco Tea £17.50 per child

Experience

Thursday 14th December

7.00pm – midnight

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas…!

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas and join us for an evening of festive hits made famous by the one and only Michael Bublé! Enjoy an indulgent two course spread and live performance from our tribute singer!

£48 per person, includes drink on arrival and a 2-course menu

Salomons’ Jingle Ball

1st, 15th and 16th December

7.00pm – 1.00am

Our spectacular shared party nights will return this Christmas and we invite you to join us! Dress to impress and get ready to celebrate in style. For £56 per person, Salomons’ Jingle Ball includes:

A welcome drink

3-course festive menu

DJ and dancing

Photobooth and casino table

Merry Christmas!

Wednesday 25th October

Thursday 26th October

11.00am

Children: £21.50

Adults: £27.50 – includes complimentary tea and coffee during the activities For more information, please visit our website salomons-estate.com

The timeless elegance of Anthony Redmile

Rudolph Hamilton, Gallery Manager of Pushkin Antiques explores the extraordinary form of these one-of-a-kind treasures from the renowned British designer…

pieces are a testament to his creativity and passion for blending artistry with functionality.

When it comes to interior design, the ability to transform a space from ordinary to extraordinary lies in the details. And few designers have mastered the art of crafting exquisite, one-of-a-kind interior pieces quite like Anthony Redmile. With a career spanning several decades, Anthony Redmile left an indelible mark on the world of interior design, and his pieces continue to captivate and inspire.

Anthony Redmile was a British designer known for his exceptional craftsmanship and unique design sensibilities. Born in 1938, he honed his skills in the world of interior design over the years, becoming a prominent figure in the industry. His

What sets Anthony Redmile apart from other interior designers is his ability to infuse his pieces with a sense of whimsy and eclecticism. He was renowned for repurposing unconventional materials, turning them into stunning works of art that often defy categorization. His creations range from decorative sculptures and lighting fixtures to furniture pieces, all of which bear the distinctive mark of his creativity.

One of Redmile’s notable design influences was the natural world. He often incorporated elements from the animal kingdom into his pieces. From tables featuring ostrich eggshell inlays to chandeliers adorned with antler horns,

his designs effortlessly merged the organic with the opulent. These nature-inspired creations brought an element of the exotic into the interiors they adorned.

museums, a testament to his enduring legacy. Each piece is a conversation starter, a fusion of art and function that demands attention and admiration.

One of the remarkable qualities of Redmile’s work is its timelessness. His pieces have an ageless quality that transcends trends and styles. Whether it’s a glamorous brass and glass coffee table or an intricately carved chair, Redmile’s creations seamlessly fit into a variety of design aesthetics, making them a coveted addition to any interior.

Though Anthony Redmile passed away in 2016, his influence in the world of interior design lives on. His pieces continue to be sought after by collectors, and his design philosophy continues to inspire contemporary designers.

As we seek to create spaces that are not just functional but also a reflection of our personalities and tastes, Redmile’s work reminds us of the power of creativity in design.

Anthony Redmile’s interior pieces have graced the homes of celebrities, royalty, and discerning collectors around the world. His work can be found in some of the most prestigious residences and

In the world of interior design, Anthony Redmile’s legacy endures through his captivating, eclectic, and timeless pieces. Each of his creations is a testament to his unmatched craftsmanship and artistic vision. As we continue to seek unique and extraordinary interior pieces, we can’t help but appreciate the enduring elegance and charm of Anthony Redmile’s work.

HOUSE CALLS FOR OCTOBER IN YOUR AREA

RUDOLPH HAMILTON

Pair of ostrich eggmounted silver plate squirrels by Anthony Redmile c.1970

Motoring News

Skoda announces pricing of new Scala and Kamiq models

This week…

Prices revealed for new Skodas ◆ Mazda2 Hybrid gets an update ◆ Nissan launches self-driving car test ◆

Nissan autonomous car project to test technology on rural and residential roads

SKODA has announced the prices for its updated Scala hatchback and Kamiq crossover, both of which are set to reach UK roads in 2024.

The Scala and Kamiq are two of Skoda’s smaller models, with the Scala being a Ford Focus-sized hatchback, while the Kamiq is a compact crossover that rivals the Nissan Juke.

Both were introduced in 2019 and have now had updates to keep them fresh next to their rivals. They’ve each had a light facelift with a newly-shaped grille and headlights, along with interior quality improvements and technology enhancements.

Both cars are only available with a choice

of petrol engines, with a 1.0-litre petrol engine available with either 94bhp and 114bhp, as well as a 148bhp 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol. Automatic DSG gearboxes are available on the two most powerful engines, too.

Equipment

Prices for the Scala start from £22,095 – an increase from £20,800 on the outgoing car, though more equipment is provided. Standard features include full LED headlights, an 8.25-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring and dual-zone climate control. The mid-range

SE L costs from £23,895 and brings 17-inch alloy wheels, a larger touchscreen and a fully digital instrument cluster

At the top of the range, the flagship Monte Carlo brings a sporty bodykit, black detailing and a panoramic sunroof, starting from £27,795.

The trim levels and equipment are broadly mirrored on the Kamiq, which starts from £24,030 in SE guise (up from £22,780), £27,175 in the SE L grade and £29,275 for the flagship Monte Carlo model. Orders open for the Skoda Scala and Kamiq on October 3, with the first UK deliveries not expected until the second quarter of 2024.

Mazda 2 Hybrid given a more distinctive look

MAZDA has revealed an updated version of its 2 Hybrid to make the supermini stand out from its Toyota Yaris sibling.

The Mazda2 Hybrid was introduced last year as essentially a rebadged version of the Toyota Yaris, with no noticeable styling changes. However, to help separate the two cars, the Mazda version has now been given its own front-end design.

Thanks to a new front bumper and grille design, the Mazda is now far more distinctive than before. The rounded-off grille also helps the supermini to slot more neatly into Mazda’s existing line-up, whereas previously it looked like an outlier. Around the back, the 2 Hybrid also features a new tailgate garnish to further differentiate it.

Not to be confused with Mazda’s own ‘2’ supermini, which remains on sale as a more affordable petrol-only model, the Hybrid uses Toyota’s efficient 1.5-litre petrol-electric setup, delivering particularly strong fuel economy.

The new Mazda model will also benefit

from an improved hybrid system, as well as a larger infotainment system and additional technology – changes that are also being introduced to the Yaris.

Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director of Mazda UK said: “The Mazda 2 Hybrid is a popular addition to our line-up in the UK and we have good demand for the car in our dealerships.

“With the Mazda 2 Hybrid sold alongside

the recently updated Mazda 2, we are giving customers in the supermini segment the choice of two distinct models, depending on their needs.”

The updated Mazda2 Hybrid will be available in a range of trim levels, with full pricing yet to be announced, though expect a small increase on the outgoing model’s £23,730 starting price. The new model is expected to arrive in the UK in March 2024.

NISSAN has launched a new research project which will see how autonomous vehicles deal with residential and rural roads.

The new evolvAD project – which is backed both by the Japanese carmaker and the UK Government – will put Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAZ) through a variety of challenging road tests, in areas such as busy residential roads and tighter, twisting rural sections. For instance, autonomous cars might have to navigate sections of roads without markings, or in areas with single-lane traffic and vehicles parked on either side.

Research

Nissan – alongside various partners –will conduct the research project, which is jointly funded by the Government through the £100million Intelligent Mobility fund. This is administered by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. The 21-month project will see autonomous cars use CCTV in residential areas to improve their awareness of the surroundings, while also testing how vehicle-to-infrastructure technology could make autonomous vehicles better in the future.

Each autonomous vehicle is based upon the electric Nissan Leaf, with the vehicles already being tested on private test tracks before they head out on the public road.

Nusrat Ghani, Minister for Industry and Economic Security, added: “Self-driving vehicles have the potential to transform how we get around, making journeys safer, cleaner and more accessible, while also helping grow the economy by creating highly skilled jobs.

“This research project will help develop this technology and show that the UK is at the cutting edge in developing automated technology that is not only innovative but, crucially, has safety at its heart.”

THE NEW KAMIQ Picture: Skoda

Picture: Mazda

Picture: Nissan