Wednesday September 14 | 2022 Times OF ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS All the news that matters Local, National and International QUEEN ELIZABETH II 1926-2022
Cranbrook Town Council also said it was ‘saddened’ to hear of the passing of Her Majesty, while residents left floral tributes at the front of the Younghayes Centre.
“She has been our great constant. Throughout her 70-year reign, while every aspect of our lives has changed, her dedicated duty, her decency and her dignity have provided an unending source of stability, reassurance and comfort.
Council Leader Ben Chapelard spoke of Her Majesty’s lifetime of dedication and service saying: “We send our most sincere condolences to the Royal family.
“There is a vast amount going on across the county and across the world, but this was our own quiet moment. We are all of us, in our humble way, public servants, and Queen Elizabeth was, I think, the greatest public servant in the country.
WHEN the news broke that The Queen had died last week, condolences and tributes from across Tunbridge Wells and the wider area began flooding in.
THE Chair of Kent County Council, Mrs Lesley Game, also expressed the deepest sympathy of the Members and officers of Kent County Council (KCC) to the Royal Family on the sad passing of Her Majesty the Queen.
Meanwhile the Mayor of Southborough Town Council, Cllr Dianne Hill (Labour), issued a statement on behalf of the Town Council saying: “Queen Elizabeth II was our longest serving monarch and will always have a special place in the hearts of many.
“Her Majesty The Queen will be remembered for her dignity and her dedication to a life of service as Head of State of our country and the Commonwealth.“Itisremarkable to think of how much the world has changed during The Queen’s long reign. She has been a constant presence throughout my life. In times of national crisis her responses so perfectly matched the public mood; she united the nation.”
“She has been a constant figure in a changing world. The enormous crowds
It is with deep sadness we have learned of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. Our thoughts are with her loved ones during this difficult time, but also with all of those who cherished and adored Her Majesty The Queen.
‘She has been a constant figure in a world’changing
Wreaths were laid by Council Members, including the Leader of Kent County Council Roger Gough, who said: “It was really important for Members, officers and staff to be able to commemorate the Queen in this way.
“I think it is entirely right that we, for ourselves, find that moment to reflect, to commemorate and to recognise all that The Queen has done for the country and for Kent,” Mr Gough added.
“God bless you, Ma'am, and thank you.”
How Royal Town reacted to news of Her Majesty’s death
This was followed by a statement from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, with the Mayor, Councillor Godfrey Bland saying: “It is a sad day for us, for the Country, and the Commonwealth, that our dearly loved Queen has passed away.“For more than 70 years, the first British monarch to achieve this extraordinary milestone, Her Majesty, The Queen, served her peoples with grace and dignity.
THE TIMES OF ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS
“We offer our most sincere condolences to the Royal Family at this most difficult time and will mourn the loss of our Head of State, great Ambassador for the United Kingdom, unifier of the Commonwealth and a remarkable leader admired and revered across the globe. Her place is surely secured as one of the greatest monarchs in history.”
Remarkable
“On behalf of the staff of the Council, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and to express our gratitude for the contribution she has made to the life of the nation.”
County Hall pays its respects
2 NEWS Queen Elizabeth II Wednesday September 14 | 2022 EDITOR RICHARD richard.williams@onemediauk.co.ukWILLIAMS | 01892 240626 DEPUTY EDITOR EILEEN eileen.leahy@onemediauk.co.ukLEAHY | 01892 576037 CHIEF REPORTER VICTORIA newsdesk@onemediauk.co.uROBERTSk | 01892 779615 DESIGN/PRODUCTION JASON jason.stubbs@onemediauk.co.ukSTUBBS ADVERTISING 07557 robin.singer@onemediauk.co.uk847841 FIND US ONLINE twitter.com/timeslocalnewswww.timeslocalnews.co.ukfacebook.com/timeslocalnews CONTACTS One Media and Creative UK Limited is registered in England and Wales under company number 5398960 with registered office at 45 Westerham Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2QB. Salomons Estate, Broomhill Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0TF PRINTED BY MORTONS PRINT LTD Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR CLARIFICATIONS AND CORRECTIONS HERE at the Times Local News we strive to deliver fair, accurate and balanced reports. When we don’t meet our own high standards we will accept the responsibility and publish clarifications and corrections. If you would like to make a comment on any aspect of the newspaper, please write to the editor.
PARISHES EXPRESS THEIR ‘DEEP SORROW’
Following the announcement of Her Majesty’s death on Thursday night (September 8) at 6.30pm, Tunbridge Wells MP, Greg Clark tweeted: “Her Majesty the Queen’s life was one of constant, devoted and selfless service to our nation and the Commonwealth, and to generations of her subjects.
The chair of Paddock Town Council, Cllr Meryl Flashman issued a statement. It read: “On behalf of Paddock Wood Town Council, I should like to express our deep sorrow at the death of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96 and to send our deep condolences to her family.”
Cllr Game (Thanet, Conservative) said: “I know that the Members and officers of KCC and the people of Kent will share the sense of deep loss and sorrow being felt all over the world at the passing of such an eminent patriot. Her Majesty’s life has been devoted to the service of her country and the Commonwealth as well as an abiding advocate of peace and the importance of nations working together.
Contribution
While the Chief Executive of the Council, William Benson added: “Her Majesty The Queen has made an enormous contribution over the past seven decades as our longest-reigning monarch.“Asa‘Royal’ Town, Royal Tunbridge Wells and the wider borough have hugely appreciated her tireless work as the longest-serving female head of state in world history, figurehead for the UK and commonwealth, patron and supporter of countless charities and public service organisations and in leading the nation in remembrance and celebratory events.
HALF-MAST The Union Flag flying above the Town Hall
WREATHS Cllr Roger Gough (second left) and members of Kent County Council
at her Platinum Jubilee celebrations were but a small indication of the love and respect we have felt for her.
“I, along with Southborough and High Brooms, send my sincere condolences to the Royal Family at this very sad time.”
By Richard Williams
Her words were followed by a quiet act of remembrance that took place in the Stone Hall at Sessions House on Sunday.
MOST of the town and parish councils in Tunbridge Wells also paid their respects. Around the Borough, parish and village councils opened books of condolence and identified churches and monuments where flowers could be left.
“She was an inspirational woman, who dedicated her life to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Admired and loved across the world, we could have asked no more from her – she was ‘Our Queen’.
“How blessed we are that she reigned over us. May she rest in peace.”
By Victoria Roberts
Commons was in shock after the news of the Monarch’s death
THE Royal Town of Tunbridge Wells was eerily quiet when it woke on the morning after Her Majesty’s death.
THE TIMES OF ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS
It felt like a shock, even so, and everyone in Parliament was full of emotion. Such was the impact of a 70-year reign that was as close to perfection in devoted service, quiet leadership and constant reassurance as it is possible to attain.Itisvery hard to adjust to a world without The Queen, and to speak of The King still takes the mind back to history: black and white images of The Queen’s father and grandfather in the early years of the last century, not this one.
It was tinged with sadness knowing that, no longer being in the Cabinet and with her advancing her age, I would never meet her in person again.
Queen’s jeweller pays tribute
RECOLLECTIONS
As we remember and celebrate the life of Her Majesty, we greet our new King.
His Majesty’s moving speech to the nation on the night after his mother died showed that we should look forward with hope and confidence to his reign.
Flags fly at half-mast as Tunbridge Wells mourns
On greeting me on the third day, she said to me a laconic aside, “We should think about getting you a bed here!”
By Greg Clark, Tunbridge Wells MP
But there was to be a very happy surprise on July 7. The then Prime Minister, Boris Johnson,
Across Tunbridge Wells, church bells tolled at midday, but by noon on Friday (September 9), one single floral tribute had been laid outside the Town Hall.
An estimated 8,000 people had descended on Royal Tunbridge Wells for the Jubilee celebrations in June, but just three months later, the streets were almost empty on Friday morning.
There is a rehearsal kindly provided for new members of the Privy Council, but even so, such is the enormity of meeting the Sovereign for the first time while doing all this, that some men have been known to forget themselves and suddenly curtsey to The Queen, while others – perfectly competent most times – have nearly toppled off the footstool.
Mr Collins was appointed personal jeweller to
In the National Anthem, during the whole of my life, we prayed for the Queen ‘long to reign over us’. We have been exceptionally blessed that she did.
Treasure
‘Through serving the people of Tunbridge Wells, I was privileged to meet Her Majesty many times and I am grateful to my constituents for that’
It involves simultaneously balancing on a footstool on one knee in front of The Queen, and holding a bible in your right hand while swearing a rather complex oath and kissing the Queen’s hand.
Her Majesty in 2000 and was also crown jeweller from 2007-2012.
RESPECT G Collins & Sons’ display
Through serving the people of Tunbridge Wells, I was privileged to meet Her Majesty many times and I am grateful to my constituents for that.One of the first times I met Her Majesty was when I was appointed to the Privy Council in 2010. Although, as the name suggests, its proceedings are private, enough is known publicly for me to be able to say that the first time a new member attends the Privy Council it
The streets were sombre, with few people in the town centre, which seemed like an era away from the throngs celebrating the Platinum Jubilee in June.
When I saw, on TV, The Queen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during her wonderful Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, I reflected on those times when I had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty and how lucky I had been.
Many shop windows marked the monarch’s death with pictures or statements, including Walsh Bros and Oxfam. The charity shop also assembled books about her and her reign in their window display.
Queen Elizabeth II NEWS 3Wednesday September 14 | 2022
we sensed was coming.
THE most prominent window display was in the High Street at G. Collins & Sons. Founder of the family business, Harry Collins, was the Queen’s personal jeweller.
In addition to closing the shop after the news, the family business also closed its website, replacing it with a single black and white page, bearing the message: “It is with deep sadness we have received the news of Her Majesty the Queen's passing.
As I told the House of Commons on Saturday, one of my lifelong memories will be the dazzling beam of a smile she gave me, her eyes sparkling with life as we shook hands. I am perfectly sure it wasn’t because she had been hoping for the last three years to see me back in the Cabinet!
“It has been a true honour to serve her for the past two decades.”
is a hair-raising experience.
appointed me to the Cabinet to steady the Levelling Up department during the Summer. So on the afternoon of July 8, I found myself not, as I planned, meeting sixth form students at TWGGS and the Boys’ Grammar School in Tunbridge Wells, but at Windsor Castle meeting Her Majesty the Queen once again to swear the Oath of Office as Secretary of State, and for her to present me with my Seals of Office.
The website reopened on Monday, and visitors can read a history of the Queen’s tiaras written by experts in the care of the royal jewels.
TRIBUTES Hoopers’ flag at half-mast and (right) a display in Oxfam
Mr Clark speaking about the Queen in the Commons on Saturday (September 10)
Honour
The Queen had a lovely sense of humour, which she used to put people at their ease, even in the most intimidating circumstances.
The truth is that, in my experience, The Queen always greeted people like that. She knew that meeting her was an unforgettable instant in the lives of everyone she met. And even at the age of 96, on a blisteringly-hot summer afternoon, she still showed the personal kindness and insistence on the highest of standards to make it a moment to treasure.
Empty
As a Cabinet Minister I frequently attended meetings of the Privy Council and other functions with The Queen. One time, in July 2016, I did so at Buckingham Palace on three successive days, being presented to Her Majesty and shaking her hand each time.
Numerous places including Hoopers department store on Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells railway station, as well as G Collins and Sons and the parish church of King Charles the Martyr also lowered their flags out of respect for The Queen.
I WAS in the House of Commons last Thursday lunchtime when a chill spread across the Chamber as it became obvious, through whispered words to the new Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, that something grave was happening.
By the time the BBC had confirmed the news that Her Majesty had died, early that evening, the thoughts of all of us had been with The Queen for hours, dreading the announcement
The shop had removed all items from the window display, in favour of pictures of the monarch and several decades’ worth of Christmas cards that The Queen had sent to the family business over the years.
On Sunday morning the Mayor and I were invited to a service at the oldest church in Tunbridge Wells, named of course after another King Charles, King Charles the Martyr. One of the most stirring moments of that service was at the end, when the choir and congregation sang the National Anthem ending with for the words, for the first time in my life, ‘God save the King!’
Sadness
The flag on the top of Tunbridge Wells Town Hall was one of many lowered to half-mast.
One read: ‘Your Majesty, we are very sad to hear of your passing. We will miss you. Thank you for your service’.
“I remember having to form a guard of honour of officers as she was leaving, but because of the delay, we had to wait around longer. I was shepherding brigadiers into the open air on a cold November night to stand on the red carpet.
The Mayor of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council was the first to sign the book of condolence when it was opened at 9am on Friday, September 9.
HUNDREDS of residents in Tunbridge Wells have now paid their respects to Her Majesty since the news of her death broke, from signing books of condolence, to leaving floral tributes.
Residents lay flowers and sign the book of condolence at the Amelia
“She has served us well over the last 70 years and I think King Charles will step up to the mark, he has a sensible head on his shoulders. It’s very exciting now we have three kings to come.”
Quietly paying his respects, Roger Tanner, semi-retired from Sherwood also came to the centre to sign the book.Heremembered Her Majesty mostly for her ‘radiant smile’ as he spoke about the time he saw the young Queen.
TRIBUTES: Abigail Smith and Jenny Francis laid flowers (inset above)
TUNBRIDGEROYALWELLS
“She attended the dinner, and it gave us the opportunity of repainting the inside of the officer’s mess. There is a special budget to use for these occasions, to repaint the area she would be in,” Mr Parsons added.
“She was ‘The Queen of the World’ and everyone I knew loved her. Next Monday I will be sat with my tea and biscuits watching the funeral on the
She said: “I remember being at a party in my local village hall. We had blue, red and white ribbons in our hair and we were watching her on the black-and-white television.
At the King Charles the Martyr Church, they also opened their own book of condolence with more than 100 signatures since Friday.
Friday. From 9am-8pm on Thursday, from 9am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sundays.Floraltributes to Her Majesty were also beginning to be laid on the green on Civic Way in front of the Town Hall.
Lynn in Norfolk.
MORE than 1,000 people have signed a book of condolence opened at the Amelia in Tunbridge Wells following the death of The Queen.
Melanie Knight, 54, from Tunbridge Wells, was in tears outside Buckingham Palace when she told reporters on Saturday morning: “I’m really emotional. We just needed to be here. She’s the one constant that’s always been and it’s really strange.”
“I live in King’s Lynn and have been to Sandringham many times but I have never met The Queen. I think she’s been brilliant and I think King Charles will be fine. He is a much more modern king than we are used to, more open to the public and I think that is a good thing.”
They can sign the Amelia’s book of condolence from 9am-6pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and
Abigail told the Times: “I signed my name in the book. I said thanks for her years in service.”
Jean said: “She was like a grandma to me. I was only about 10 when she came to be Queen and she has been there for 70 years, so when I heard that she had died I was in lots of tears.
He said: “She was among fellow officers, and thoroughly engaged with them, so she stayed later than planned.
Tears and memories from Royal Town’s people
By Lilly Croucher
Also signing the book of condolence at The Amelia on Monday morning was Mrs Jean Flowers, 82, who was visiting Tunbridge Wells from King’s
Around 30 bouquets of flowers were placed there by the beginning of the week, including a range of messages.
CHURCH The book of condolence at King Charles the Martyr
CONDOLENCE The Mayor was the first to sign
TV,” he Richardsaid.Parsons and his wife, Jan also took time out to pay their respects. Mr Parsons said he had met Her Majesty while organising a dinner for her at the Royal Artillery officers’ mess in Woolwich.
Visiting
Jenny added: “It is very sad. It is nice to have somewhere local we can pay our respects for The Queen that isn’t in London.”
Also paying their respects at The Amelia was Mrs Jones, 79, who could remember Her Majesty’s coronation in 1953.
“Growing up I collected every photo of The Queen I could and put them into scrap books, in the end I had five full books of just The Queen.”Sheadded: “My friend was her teamaker for 22 years at Buckingham Palace and Her Majesty always had a separate tray with Earl Grey every morning.
A book of condolence is also available at the Southborough Civic Centre just inside the main entrance by Southborough Library, so that residents can share their thoughts and feelings at this difficult time. The book will be available from 9am-5pm, Monday to Saturday.
“We even got a new toilet. It had to be a disabled one because of regulations, but she didn’t even use it.”Some residents even ventured to London to say goodbye to Her Majesty.
At the church, residents are able to say a prayer, leave flowers and light a candle to pay their respects to Her Majesty.
LOVED
TUESOPENDAY4OCT PLEASE BOOK A SLOT BETWEEN 9.30 - 12 NOON
Richard Parsons and his wife looking at the tributes in G Collins & Sons’ window
By Monday, Amelia said said more than 1,000 signatures had been made in the book, with touching tributes and messages from local residents.
Bouquets
After hearing the news on the radio, Abigail Smith and Jenny Francis visited The Amelia on Monday (September 12) to sign the book and leave a bouquet of roses on the green outside.
4 NEWS Queen Elizabeth II Wednesday September 14 | 2022THE TIMES OF ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS THE MEAD SCHOOL
OUR GENERATION is in uncharted waters now. The Queen has been the quiet, harmonious soundtrack to our individual lives and now the music has stopped, the silence is ringing in our ears.
The Queen has been the soundtrack to our lives but now the music has stopped
By Richard Williams
Queen Elizabeth II NEWS 5Wednesday September 14 | 2022 THE TIMES OF ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS The home of expert financial advice Tunbridgein Wells • Mortgages • Pensions • Business Loans • ExchangeForeign • Insurance • Wills • www.thefinancehub.money01892Let’sPlanningFinancialtalk280000
The Union Flag was also temporarily raised to full-mast when the new sovereign King Charles III was proclaimed at County Hall.
ALTHOUGH Charles became King automatically on the death of his mother, a formal proclamation was made in London at the weekend, which was also read out in most districts and boroughs around the country.
TWO-MINUTE SILENCE PLANNED
woman carries echoes of the scriptures Elizabeth II believed in, where God’s power is made perfect in human weakness.Manyofus are grateful for her Christian faith, which she spoke openly of each Christmas. Part of this was her kindness to the people she met. I would encourage us to reflect this in the weeks ahead.
A collective bereavement like this triggers emotions round other losses in our personal lives.
In attendance was the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, Chief Executive of the council, William Benson, The Mayor’s Mace Bearer, Mark Callaghan as well as Mrs Georgie Warner, Kent’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant who represents Tunbridge Wells.
King’s proclamation read out on the steps of the Town Hall
The flags remained at full-mast until Sunday afternoon when they were once again lowered to half-mast, where they will remain until the day after Her Majesty’s funeral.
The Queen was a big, unifying presence. She exercised resolute self-discipline, keeping her opinions to herself, carving out a public space for us to walk in together, free from political argument.
CROWD People gathered outside the Town Hall to hear the King’s proclaimation
This is already a fragile moment, coming out of the pandemic, with war in Europe and a cost-of-living emergency. Attending to these needs in each other would be a fitting tribute to the late Queen.
In a special message for the Times, the Right Reverend Simon Burton-Jones, the Bishop of Tonbridge, reflects on the role Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, who was also head of the Church of England, had on all our lives...
A crowd of around 300 people gathered – the first people to witness a proclamation in the town for 70 years – while Cllr Godfrey Bland, the Mayor, read out the formal proclamation.
We do not rally round a big ideology, because ideologies tend to divide. Instead, we gather round a person. And she was an icon in a fascinating way.
Elizabeth II showed astonishing levels of fidelity to the nation and Commonwealth and one of the images that will come to define her reign was found at the very end, as she met with the new Prime Minister to ask her to form a new government.
A woman, in a global world where females are less visible in public life.
TWBCofcourtesyPhotograph
King Charles III was formally proclaimed by the Accession Council ceremony at St. James's Palace on Saturday, officially marking the start of his reign following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
A TWO-MINUTE silence is expected to take place on the steps of Tunbridge Wells Town Hall on Monday to coincide with The Queen’s funeral. A separate national silence is planned for 8pm on Sunday night. The day of the funeral on Monday, September 19, has now been confirmed as a Bank Holiday. The funeral service begins at 11.00 am.
Full-mast
LONG LIVE THE KING! Mayor Godfrey Bland reading the proclamation
And as time wore on, an old person, in a culture which venerates youth.
International politics are dominated by strongmen, who throw their weight around. For power to be expressed in a frail old
Standing up, to receive her, working at the age of 96. Two days later she was dead. Public service isn’t an especially fashionable concept today, but a good society is founded on it, and she embodied this. The values of kindness, fortitude and humour so typical of
the war generation she was a part of.
Proclamation ceremonies then took place across the country following the formal accession, where the same text is read, declaring the new monarch.
In Tunbridge Wells, the flag on the Town Hall, which had been lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect for Her Majesty’s death, was temporarily raised again for the proclamation ceremony, which took place on Sunday at 3pm.
Astonishing
It is an unusually large, shared bereavement, and like all losses, the first instinct is for gratitude.
Bus and train strikes called off and local events are cancelled Outgoing Chief Constable speaks of ‘special affection’ for sovereign
That strike action would have seen little or no bus services in Tunbridge Wells on the planned dates. A bus strike planned for September 30 is still going ahead.
In a statement, organiser Julian Leefe-Griffiths said: “Following the sad news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II it is with regret that we have to announce the postponement of the Pantiles Harvest Food festival.
Pandemic
STRUCK OFF Unite members striking in Tunbridge Wells earlier this month
By Victoria Roberts
“Over the next two weeks the Union Flag will fly in accordance with Royal protocol to mark Her Majesty’s death,” he added.
CHIEF CONSTABLE Alan Pughsley
Cranfest, on September 9-10, also went ahead, while ‘acknowledging and mourning the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II during the festival’.TheForum in Tunbridge Wells confirmed that its shows would also go ahead as planned, saying in a statement: “We appreciate your understanding. The artists mentioned below need to continue to work and perform...and people will want to continue to watch and dance.”
Postal strikes last Friday were also cancelled by the Communication Workers Union (CWU). The Harvest Food Festival in The Pantiles was cancelled last weekend, as was last week’s Jazz on the Pantiles scheduled for Thursday, September 8 – the day The Queen died.
nation in the happiest of times and the darkest of days, a symbol of all that’s best about Britain.
Royal Family, adding: “We are very proud that, as a Crown Badge organisation, HM the Queen and the Royal Family are an integral part of our identity.”
Before her ascension to the throne in 1837, the young Princess Victoria was a frequent visitor to Tunbridge Wells, visiting with her mother, the Duchess of Kent and Strathearn, and staying at Mount Pleasant house (now the Hotel du Vin) on Crescent Road, and Boyne House on Mount Ephraim.In1835, then aged 16, Princess Victoria attended worship at the church of King Charles the Martyr with her mother, and their visit is still commemorated with a brass plaque.
“Our hearts go out to His Majesty, assuring him of the support of our county in his new demanding role. As we mourn the loss of our Queen, the county pledges loyalty to our King. Long may he reign.”
While Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II never made an official public visit to Royal Tunbridge Wells, the town has a long history of royal visitors.Thetown has carried its Royal prefix since 1909 when it was granted the title by King Edward VII who recognised the popularity of Tunbridge Wells with many royal and aristocratic visitors, including his mother, Queen Victoria.
Mr Pughsley, who is soon to step down from his position with the force, said: “The Queen has been a steadfast servant of this and many other countries as head of state for decades; the stability she has provided and her extraordinary strength of character will be sorely missed.
Meanwhile, the South East Coast Ambulance Service also expressed its condolences to the
The Kent Youth League said on Friday that the Football Association (FA) and Kent FA had cancelled all grassroots football over the weekend, with games postponed until later.
“The Queen encouraged us, supported us, guided us, led us across the decades. We listened to her Christmas broadcasts and who can forget her reassuring words in her ‘We’ll Meet Again’ broadcast at the height of the devastating Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
LADY COLGRAIN
Protocol
A post on Facebook said: "It is with great sadness that as we mourn our late Queen we cancel [today's] concert on River Walk.
“In the program you will see we will be holding our annual Remembrance Service at 7pm, where we will be dedicating this service to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll.”
A HISTORY OF REGAL VISITS TO ROYAL TOWN TIMES OF ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS
“We will be in contact to discuss the details of this postponement, but we ask you to bear with us during this difficult time. In the meantime our condolences to The Queen’s family and friends,” Mr Leefe-Griffiths added. However, he said a raft of other events on the
In Crowborough, the annual carnival went ahead as planned at the weekend, with the Bonfire and Carnival Society saying: “After a lot of consideration and seeing everyone’s views, we have taken the decision to go ahead with the carnival events. There will be several alterations to the program this year.
The Royal Opera House in Tunbridge Wells was later opened to mark Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1896.
Industrial action at Kent bus company Arriva, planned for September 16 and September 20 by the union Unite has also been scrapped due to the death of Her Majesty.
Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott said: “Her Majesty The Queen gave us a lifetime of unfaltering service, which I will always be forever humbled by and grateful for. May she rest in peace. God Save The King.”
iconic promenade were going ahead as planned later this month.
“The organisers look forward to welcoming you back to The Pantiles if not immediately at Jazz, then on the weekend at the Antiques Market.”
6 NEWS Queen Elizabeth II Wednesday September 14 | 2022
A walkout scheduled for September 15 and 17 by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has been cancelled, as has industrial action by the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association planned for September.
“While the events will take place, they will take into account these exceptional times and be a little more muted than previously.
THE
Postponed
A free live music festival that was set to be held in Tonbridge was also cancelled last week.
"We will make further announcements regarding the next year's season in due course."
“We do feel in this time of mourning that it would be inappropriate to run the festival in any format. We have considered all the options but our decision is that we must postpone to a later date.“We do realise this will cause some inconvenience and disappointment to many of our producers, supporters and traders.
PLANNED strikes by rail and bus companies have been called off as a mark of respect, unions have confirmed.
West Kent Radio suspended normal programming, in favour of ‘a mix of softer songs to keep you company during this time of reflection’.“WestKent Radio wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and gratitude to a Monarch whose life has been spent serving the country.”
Her Majesty’s representative in Kent calls Queen ‘most exceptional’ woman
THE Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, the monarch’s official representative in the county, spoke of Queen Elizabeth’s ‘inspirational presence’ in all ourLadylives.Colgrain said: “As the longest-serving British monarch, she has been a constant, and much-loved presence in all our lives. She honoured her declaration on April 21, 1947 – her 21st birthday – that ‘my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service.’ She did her duty to the very end.
“The police service has a very special affection for The Sovereign, as office holders under The Crown, and this sad news unites the policing family in grief.
THE Chief Constable of Kent Police Alan Pughsley said he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the news from Buckingham Palace last week.
“Throughout her long reign, whatever the uncertainty in the wider world, whatever personal sadness she was facing, Her Majesty has been a rock of stability. She inspired the
“We remember her visits to Kent and Medway, often accompanied by her late husband His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh; the cheering crowds and happy children waving Union Flags in Medway, Margate, Dover, Gillingham, Canterbury, Aylesford and wherever they went in the county. Her Majesty had the innate ability to make everyone feel special.
Organiser
He added: “Moving forward, Jazz will now recommence from Thursday, September 15 and the weekend Antiques Market will operate as scheduled on September 17-18.
“We remember her devoted service to the people of the Commonwealth, and the numerous ways her worldwide endeavours enhanced the reputation of the United Kingdom.
“It has been my honour and privilege to serve Her Majesty since my appointment in April 2020. On behalf of the people of Kent and Medway, I have conveyed our condolences to the Royal Family. All our thoughts and prayers are with them in these saddest of days, sharing with them a deep sense of grief and loss.
But the first Royal visitor was Queen Henrietta Maria in 1630, the mother of Charles II. In 1663 Charles II and his Queen came, and camped nearby, and in 1678 the Chapel of King Charles the Martyr was built. Queen Anne, who as a
Princess, visited in 1698 with her son.
OFF The Harvest Food Festival in The Pantiles was cancelled
VAT Deferral: The deferral will apply from 20 March to 30 June 2020. There is a lack of clarity on the Gov. uk website and we are interpreting this as payments due by 30 June rather than quarters ended 30 June. This means that May quarter VAT Returns, where payment is due by 7 July, will still be payable as normal. Any payments deferred will become payable by the end of the tax year (31/3/21 Company or 5/4/21 Unincorporated)
Thousands of members of the public had moved solemnly past the oak coffin through the night as it stood on public view for 24 hours at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.
It was set to remain in the Bow Room overnight before a procession on Wednesday morning to Westminster Hall for the start of the lying in state.The Bow Room has played host to a number of high-profile figures, including King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, former US president George Bush, and representatives of the Arsenal football team.
Down, the royal residence in Northern Ireland. Camilla received a posy of flowers, from schoolgirl Ella, with the blooms taken from Hillsborough Castle.
Income Tax Deferral: The self-assessment second payment on account, due by 31 July 2020, will be deferred to 31 January 2021. No penalties or interest will be charged.
Time to Pay Arrangements: In addition to the deferral schemes noted above, if you have outstanding tax liabilities (Corporation Tax, VAT or Income Tax) due to coronavirus, you may be able to agree a time to pay arrangement. Arrangements will be agreed on a case by case basis. To discuss your options, contact HMRC on 0800 0159 559.
LAST night, the body of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was en route to London.
King and Queen Consort visit Belfast as part of nations tour
present from Art on a Tin, a business set up by couple Bill and Caroline Skillen to promote local artists, and filled with truffles made by the Chocolate Manor from the Northern Ireland seaside village of Castlerock.
After touching down in Belfast, Charles and Camilla travelled to Hillsborough Castle in Co
THE
He said he gave Charles ‘a little box of chocolates’ with ‘King Charles III, Your Majesty’ written on them, and that the King replied: “Oh, are these for me? Thank you.”
Trains will run through the night and major road closures have been paused to ease journeys for mourners visiting London to pay their respects to The Queen.
On the emotion of meeting the new King, Lucas said: “I felt quite anxious but when it was over, quite happy.”
At the castle, The King asked two children ‘are you enjoying your day off school?’ as they presented him and the Queen Consort with chocolates and flowers upon their arrival in Belfast.Onmeeting
Charles, on his Operation Spring Tide tour around the UK with the Queen Consort, left Belfast last night to return to London to meet his mother’sMemberscoffin.ofthe public were already queueing for The Queen’s lying in state at Westminster Hall, which opens today (Wednesday), and thousands were still placing floral tributes in Green Park last night.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: HMRC will reimburse 80% of wages paid to workers who have be laid off due to the coronavirus crisis. This is capped at £2.5k per employee per month.
Lying in state is usually reserved for sovereigns, current or past queen consorts, and sometimes former prime ministers, such as Winston Churchill.
It is important to note that this must be a single design and build contract and care should be taken if professional fees have been incurred without a design and build contract already in place.
96 soldiers from The King’s Guard will be mounted in the Quadrangle.
Her coffin was flown from Edinburgh Airport to London on an RAF Globemaster C-17 flight, accompanied by her daughter the Princess Royal.
The Queen departed Scotland for the last time at 6pm last night.
VIEWCOUNTER with
The King looked pleased and tapped the
The coffin is to be carried by a bearer party to the Bow Room where a sovereign’s piper will play a lament.
Queen Elizabeth returns to London to lie in state
Network Rail said limited trains will operate overnight from Wednesday night while Her Majesty is lying in state in Westminster Hall. There will also be extra daytime trains with around 200 daily services added to timetables. They will be displayed on online journey planners.TheQueen’s lying in state will be open 24 hours a day until it closes at 6.30am on Monday, September 19 – the day of her funeral.
Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill also met the new King yesterday at Hillsborough Castle and said she was sorry for his deep loss.
Darren Austin at Synergee
Charles, Lucas Watt, 10, said: “He said it’s a pleasure to meet us and that we are getting a day out of school.”
Military commands, usually shouted, will be given as quietly as possible in honour of the solemn occasion.
The queue route is understood to stretch from Victoria Tower Gardens across Lambeth Bridge down to Westminster Bridge, before veering right then left down Belvedere Road, through Jubilee Gardens back to South Bank and along to the Tate Modern.
She said she was ‘shocked but happy’ to meet Charles, and she gave Camilla a bouquet of flowers from Hillsborough Castle.
TRIBUTES The King and Queen Consort looking at flowers left outside Hillsborough Castle, Co Down TIMES OF ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS
One example relates to construction projects. The construction of new residential buildings usually attracts zero rate VAT on the build costs whilst a conversion from a commercial to a residential building is 5%. If the resulting buildings are to be rented out, the owner will not be able to recover the VAT on the costs. If this is 0% or 5%, this may not be a deal breaker. However, professional fees, such as architects and surveyors, are subject to 20% VAT regardless of the nature of the construction project,
FUNERAL Troops rehearsing for the procession of Queen Elizabeth's coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall
Business Rates Holiday: There is a 12-month business rates holiday (April 20 to March 21) for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England.
THE King visited to Northern Ireland yesterday (Tuesday) ahead of a trip to Wales later in the week.Thevisits are part of his and the Queen Consort’s Home Nation tour, where they plan to visit all the countries in the UK ahead of The Queen’s funeral on Monday.
Anxious
People will not be allowed to camp and will be given numbered wristbands to indicate their place in the queue so they are able to leave and come back.
Darren Austin is a director of Synergee Limited, a firm of Chartered Accountants & business advisers based in Tunbridge Wells.
If you have any questions you'd like to ask Darren he can be contacted on 01892 772960 | www.synergee.org.uk
Queuing
One way around this is to enter a single design and build contract with the main contractor. The main contractor then engages with the architect and/or surveyor, pays their fees and recovers the 20% charged on them. When the main contractor charges the developer, the professional fees are part of the design and build contract and are treated as part of the supply of construction services. The VAT will therefore be charged at 0% or 5%, dependent upon the nature of the build project.
Charles and Camilla then travelled to St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast where they attended a service of reflection for the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
Further info and updates can be found here: www.synergee.org.uk/press-releases/coronavirus-updatehttps://
The King will be joined by Camilla as he receives his mother’s coffin at Buckingham Palace, where she spent so many of her decades asAsovereign.guardofhonour formed of three officers and
Royal visits usually prompt gifts and, despite the solemnity of the occasion, schoolboy Lucas, drawn from a local cross-community primary school, presented the King with a tin featuring an image of the famous Giant’s Causeway.
Cash Grants: A grant of £10k will automatically be provided to all businesses currently entitled to Small Business Rates Relief. A grant of £25k can be claimed for businesses in the retail, hospitality or leisure industry if their rateable value is between £15k and £51K.
During the formal occasion, the closed coffin is placed on view, as thousands of people queue to file past and pay their respects.
The Queen’s coffin was making a poignant journey to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday (September 13) as the King travelled to Northern Ireland for the first time as Monarch.
The couple’s jet touched down at George Best Belfast City Airport, where the new Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris was waiting to greet the King and his wife.
In place of the usual Q&A, the following are some of the support packages that have been made available to help businesses deal with the Coronavirus:
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT:8 NATIONAL NEWS Queen Elizabeth II Wednesday September 14 | 2022 AS K
and this can eat into the expected return.
VAT is quite a complex tax and can have a nasty sting if you are not careful. The only thing worse than paying it, is paying it when you don’t legitimately need to. Before undertaking any new project, it is worth taking some advice to ensure it is being structured in the correct way.
Ella Smith, also 10, who attends the same local primary school, said Charles told her: “It’s a pleasure to meet you, and are you enjoying your day off school?”
When interviewing for a job, just as you will do your research into the company, its employees and the brand, it is getting more and more common practice for interviewers to do the same back for candidates prior to meeting. And this includes your social media.
The leaders of most Commonwealth countries are expected to attend, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying she will make the nearly 24-hour journey.
And remember, Tweets show up in Google search so watch what you tweet as you don’t know who might read it.
No guest list has been published yet, but US President Joe Biden was among the first to declare he will be flying in with his wife, Jill.
It comes after a raft of supermarkets and high street chains already confirmed closure plans for theM&Sday.said
Guests partway through seven-day holidays – which generally cost more than £1,000 for a family-of-four at this time of year – will be forced to spend the night elsewhere or go home early.English Heritage, which cares for historic monuments and buildings including Stonehenge, Dover Castle, Eltham Palace and the Roman forts on Hadrian’s Wall, said all of its sites would be closed on Monday for The Queen’sMeanwhile,funeral.National Trust houses, gardens, cafes and shops will also be closed on the day of theThefuneral.organisation said coast and countryside car parks and pre-booked holiday cottages and campsites will still remain open for visitors.
Invitations were sent over the weekend to the heads of state of nations with which the UK has diplomatic relations. For most countries, that means the head of state plus one guest.
The event will see around 500 dignitaries from around the world descend on London to pay their last respects to the long-reigning monarch.
NHS hospitals in England have been urged to contact all patients with appointments on Monday, whether or not their appointment has beenSomepostponed.hospitals have said they will be operating as usual, while others have said that they will postpone some non-urgent appointments.Hospitaltrusts are expected to make their own decisions around appointments based on local staffing levels and whether or not local transport will mean patients and staff are unable to attend.Some patients have expressed concern about their appointments being postponed online.
THE TIMES OF ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: Queen Elizabeth II NATIONAL NEWS 9Wednesday September 14 | 2022
It presents a huge logistical, diplomatic and security challenge, with practice runs taking place in the dead of night.
holidaymakers to leave its UK sites on the day of theThefuneral.company is being inundated with complaints after it revealed that its five parks will close for 24 hours from 10am on Monday.
What to do and not to do on Social Media when job hunting
They will join members of the royal family, UK prime ministers past and present, and key figures from public life at Westminster Abbey – the historic church which can hold around 2,000 people – at 11am next Monday.
The source compared the logistical task to organising ‘hundreds of state visits’ within a matter of days. Normally, there might only be two or three a year.
Retailers are not required to shut their doors on the day of the funeral, and others may choose to open for reduced hours, as many regularly do on other bank holidays.
Center Parcs has announced it will order
it will also halt deliveries to customers on Monday September 19, which will be a bank holiday as The Queen’s state funeral takes place.
Russia, Belarus and Myanmar are snubbed
Doors
To start with, bear in mind that you are probably connected or are friends with colleagues on social media sites, so anything you may post about a new job search may be read by your employer or co-workers.
Heritage
For any more advice on searching for a new role, get in touch: 01892 571105 or email neil@tnrecruits.com
MARKS & Spencer and Asda have become the latest retailers to confirm they will shut stores next Monday for The Queen’s funeral.
King Felipe of Spain and his wife, Queen Letizia, are among the European royals who will attend.
Guest
INVITATIONS to The Queen’s state funeral have not been sent to Russia, Belarus or Myanmar, while Iran will only be represented at an ambassadorial level, Whitehall sources have said.
“This is the biggest international event we have hosted in decades,” a Whitehall source said.
So how can you make sure you are not damaging your chances of landing the job before you’ve even stepped into the interview?
However, the leaders of Russia, Belarus and Myanmar have not been invited.
The Government guidance is: “Some
Asda said it will shut all its stores until 5pm on the day to allow employees to watch the funeral.
Mr Albanese announced that he will not be travelling alone, tweeting that at Buckingham Palace’s invitation, he and Governor-General David Hurley will be accompanied by ‘10 Australians who have made extraordinary contributions to their communities’.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service saw a 1,800-strong congregation featured around 30 foreign royals.
A number of hospital appointments have been called off due to the bank holiday on Monday to mark The Queen’s funeral.
Emperor Naruhito of Japan is also expected to travel to London in what would be his first overseas trip since ascending the throne in 2019.
FLOWERS Members of the public viewing floral tributes in Green Park, central London on Tuesday
If you share company business - good or bad - or post inappropriate content, not only could this get you in to trouble with your current manager, but possible hiring managers will also see it too.
businesses may wish to consider closing or postponing events, especially on the day of the state funeral, however, this is at the discretion of individualHowever,businesses.”otherplanned closures for the Queen’s funeral have caused outrage.
Her Canadian and Australian counterparts, Justin Trudeau and Anthony Albanese, have also confirmed their presence.
Hospitals cancel appointments while supermarkets and heritage spots close
France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s FrankWalter Steinmeier, Italy’s Sergio Mattarella, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro are among the presidents attending, along with the European Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen.
Google Yourself!
profile settings or delete the individual posts. Be careful what you say… or Tweet
It comes a day after Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Aldi all confirmed they would shut their supermarket stores for the day of the funeral, with fashion retailers such as Primark also confirming closure plans.
When embarking on a job search it is always worth using Google to see what shows up when you search your name – that way you will know if there are any photos or posts that could handicap your chances. It’s quite easy for employers to find information you may prefer to keep private – if anything like this does show, make sure that change your
AS PREDICTED in the Times last week, Tonbridge MP Tom Tugendhat has landed his first official government role following the succession of Liz Truss to PM, while Greg Clark was replaced.
East Cleveland MP, Simon Clarke.
But as also predicted by the Times last week, Mr Clark has been nominated for his former role of Chairman of the Science and Technology Select Committee.TheTunbridge Wells MP, who had to stand down from the post after accepting the Cabinet position as Levelling Up Secretary in July, is the only nomination for the role and is expected to be announced in the position by the Speaker of the House today (Wednesday), although due to the death of The Queen, there may be some rescheduling of parliamentary affairs.
MTW, which runs the oncology centre, hit the target despite a significant post-pandemic increase in the number of referrals.
Another event for healthcare support workers will be held at 9am-3pm on September 17 at the Academic Centre, Maidstone Hospital. It comes after official figures released earlier this month show that ten per cent of NHS vacancies in the South East were unfilled at the end of June, with 18,538 of the 132,000 advertised jobs not having any takers.
CovidBeforepandemic.coronavirus hit the UK in March 2020, there were just 30,407 waiting for treatment at MTW, showing that July’s figures are an increase of more than a third on pre-pandemic levels.
Analysts had predicted that Ms Truss would hire Mr Tugendhat as Security Minister when she took over from Boris Johnson last week. It followed an impressive run for Prime Minister by Mr Tugendhat, who lost out in one of the earlier rounds.
After leaving office last week, Mr Clark tweeted: “It’s been such a privilege to be at the helm at @ luhc [Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] these last 8 weeks.
While there are no patients having to wait more than 12 months on MTW’s waiting lists, waiting times have been on the rise since the
CANCER patients at Tunbridge Wells Hospital are receiving some of the fastest access to treatment in England as the that runs the oncology department has hit its government targets for three years running.
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT:10 NEWS Local News Wednesday September 14 | 2022
The Trust treats people from sites at Maidstone Hospital and Kent and Canterbury Hospital, and also runs outpatient clinics across Kent and Medway.
A RECRUITMENT drive by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) is steadily adding staff to the organisation, with six nurses having received job offers at the oncology nursing event on August 17, MTW confirmed last week.
It comes just three years after MTW was ranked bottom in the country for its cancer performance.
PREDICTION The Times’ story last week
This has the potential to significantly improve treatment times while providing a more comfortable experience for patients.
This now puts Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) in the top three performing trusts in England.
The latest figures come amid a backdrop of rising waiting lists across England, with the number of people waiting to start routine hospital treatment climbing to a new record high.Atotal of 6.8 million people were waiting to start treatment at the end of July, NHS England said.This is up from 6.7 million in June and is the highest number since records began in August 2007.Nobody was available to comment at MTW on the non-urgent waiting lists rises when the Times approached them last week.
The Government insists that 85 per cent of patients should be seen for cancer treatment within 62 days of a GP referral.
This is highest that waiting lists have risen to in MTW’s history.
congratulate them all for making this happen. Together they have introduced a range of patient-centred improvements that have enabled us to change the way we deliver care and treatment.”PhilippaMoth, MTW’s Chief of Cancer Services, added: “We are very proud of our progress but the priority going forwards is to build on our success so existing and new patients can continue to access world-class cancer care and treatment.”MTWisthe fifth-largest cancer centre in the country and provides specialist cancer services to around 1.8 million people across Kent, Medway and East Sussex.
nurses (excluding paediatrics) and midwives are at Tunbridge Wells Hospital at 9am on September 10.
THE number of patients waiting for non-urgent treatment at MTW has hit new record levels, according to NHS figures released last week.
He was replaced by Middlesbrough South and
Hospital’s cancer record goes from worst in country to one of the best
On Tuesday night, after the Times went to press, Mr Tugendhat was announced in the role, which will see him work out of the Home Office.
“I’ve enjoyed it enormously.
…But waiting lists in other areas rising at record levels
HOSPITAL PLUGGING RECRUITMENT GAP
“Levelling Up is in able hands with my good friend and fellow Teessider @SimonClarkeMP. I wish him, and the Government, great success.”
Cancer care is one of MTW’s success stories, as it is one of only a handful of NHS trusts to have met national cancer standards for almost threeFutureyears.recruitment events for registered
This means at least 85 per cent of all patients at the Kent Oncology Centre started treatment within 62 days of seeing their GP.
Further investments in staffing have also been made, with a recent recruitment campaign growing the Trust’s oncology consultant team by 20 per cent and this has been supported by additional training for specialist oncology nurses.
MTW has also invested in diagnostic equipment, recently treating the first patients on a new £2million state-of-the-art Halcyon machine to deliver radiotherapy.
The largest waiting lists at MTW are for Ophthalmology Services (6,739), General Surgery Service (5,611) and Gynaecology (5,275).
Treatment
There were 43,192 people still waiting for procedures such as knee and hip operations or eye surgery in July, up from 41,162 in June, official NHS England figures show – and a rise of more than 2,000 patients.
Tonbridge MP gets his first government job
Announced
Miles Scott, MTW Chief Executive said: “Hitting our targets means we are seeing and treating our patients more quickly, ensuring people who have been diagnosed with cancer are given the care and treatment they need quickly.
By Richard Williams
In 2019, MTW was ranked 131 out of 131 NHS trusts in England after only achieving 63.3 per cent, and it hadn’t hit the target in almost five years.
The Trust continues to invest and develop the service, recently opening a new Oncology Outpatients Suite and introducing ‘super clinics’ where specialist multi-disciplinary teams work together to provide treatment quickly.
IMPROVING Radiotherapy services at MTW
“This achievement involves so many teams across our Trust and I want to thank and
Highest
Target
But last week, MTW announced they had hit the 62-day target for 36 months in a row – one of only three trusts in England to reach the target every month over the last three years.
On taking the job, Mr Tugendhat has now stepped down from his backbench role as Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. His promotion came after Greg Clark was replaced as Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary – a job he had taken just two months earlier following mass resignations from Boris Johnson’s department.
“Thanks to superb teams of ministers, civil servants, colleagues in local govt and partners in business & voluntary sector we’ve done the job and delivered a lot more besides.
THE number of people out of work in Tunbridge Wells remains at a stable level, new figures show, despite record job vacancies in the area.
Jobless figures stay stable despite record vacancies
Last year, Retirement Villages Group (RVG), which is part of insurance giants AXA, took over the land with plans to build a £72million retirement village, consisting of around 150 apartments plus ground-floor shops in the site opposite the Town Hall.
fact that it has only been seven months from the Times of Tunbridge Wells’ announcement that RVG was buying the site to the planning submission, are we in danger of rushing to make a decision that is not in the interests of the town out of fear of losing the opportunity to see the site developed at any cost?” they said.
In conclusion, the organisations urged residents to consider whether there had been enough time for planners and the community to scrutinise the plans.“We should all ask ourselves, in the light of the
Backdrop
RESIDENTS still have a chance to influence the plans for a retirement village at the old ABC Cinema site in Tunbridge Wells, as the crunch date it goes before town planners approaches, two civic organisations have said.
The latest figures come amid a national backdrop of 1.29 million people unemployed, which former Boris Johnson claimed last week in his final speech as PM were at their lowest levels in more than 40 years.
Residents can still have their say on the ABC site say Civic Society
The former site of the ABC Cinema in Mount Pleasant Road has sat abandoned for more than 20 years after successive developers pulled out of building on the 1.5-acre site.
Village
By Victoria Roberts
According to the ONS, the national unemployment rate increased to 3.8 per cent for the quarter, compared with 3.7 per cent for the previous period. There were 1.29 million unemployed people in the UK in the three months to June.
The figures were falling month on month since they peaked during August 2020 at the height of the pandemic.
Figures by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released last week, show there were 1,640 people claiming unemployment in Tunbridge Wells in July, a rise of just five people.
The RTW Town Forum (TF) and RTW Civic Society (CS) have released a joint statement on the proposed plans, encouraging residents to have their say to the Council’s planners before the consultation period ends on Friday this week (September 16).
The groups have also released images of some of the aspects they feel are the most controversial.“Weseeour role as providing the public with additional information and views on the proposed development to enable them to make an informed decision as to whether the proposals are in the best interests of the town,” the two groupsDrawingsaid.on RVG’s views of the site, taken from different angles, the two civic organisations asked: “Do you want a seven-storey building on
Anyone interested in commenting on the application can do so at twbcpa.midkent.gov.uk/ online-applications and search for application 22/02304 or ‘ABC cinema’.
Back then, unemployment rates in the borough were at 3,325 – the highest levels in more than 25Despiteyears. record vacancies being reported in the town, the unemployment rate has still not returned to pre-pandemic levels, when around 1,100 people were recorded as claiming out of work benefits.
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: Local News NEWS 11Wednesday September 14 | 2022 01892 341 367 | denise@deeairey.com|@deeairey Come in and book your wedding photography for 2023/2024 and get 15% Discount. Flick through albums and view wedding photography work on display Welcome Celebration Drink Discounts & Giveaways DEE AIREY PHOTOGRAPHY | WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY for more information please contact Dee Airey Official Opening | 18 September 10am-5pm Celebrate the opening of Dee Airey Photography on the Pantiles This15%OFFDayOnly!
this site, when the adjacent Côte and Lloyds Bank buildings are only three storeys high?”
It is expected the long-awaited development will go before Council planners next month.
They also stressed the lack of affordable housing provided by the complex in a town centre location.Pointing out that the retirement village site was next to the Pitcher & Piano nightclub, they also suggested this ‘could be an issue for the residents and nightclub alike’.
has a good success rate in employment tribunals. Based in the firm’s London office, family law practitioner Louise Minifie has become head of family law at the firm.
“Jenna, Julie and Louise have been integral to the firm's success and these promotions are a direct result of their hard work, and fully reflect their commitment and their achievements at Thomas Mansfield.”
By Victoria Roberts
Ms Loch, managing director of Loch Associates Group, said: “Joe has shown admirable dedication, shares our ethos and values and is a credit to our team. We are thrilled to be promoting him to director.
“I am also looking forward to working with our team members, to develop their career paths with the Group in the same way I benefited all those years ago,” he added.
Former apprentice becomes law firm’s newest director
With the additional qualification, he became what is known as a solicitor advocate, a fully-qualified solicitor who can carry out advocacy in court or at a tribunal, similar to a barrister.Asadirector at Loch Law, Mr Milner will be responsible for developing the firm’s corporate, commercial, litigation and employment law services.Attributing his success to the firm’s
Jenna Ide, who joined the Tunbridge Wells firm in 2012, advises on work-related matters involving various disabilities, and has a particular expertise in neurodiverse conditions, such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia.
JENNA IDE JULIE GOODWAY LOUISE MINIFIE
Thomas Mansfield creates three new partners at firm
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: Wednesday September 14 | 202212 BUSINESS Local News adviceDementiafromtheexperts Let’s talk about dementia should know If you’re considering care 01732 Wealdcareuk.com/weald-heightsamelia.moore2@careuk.com809663Heightscare home, Sevenoaks
“His commitment to our clients, attention to his personal development and mentoring staff is exactly what we strive for at Loch Associates.”
Much of her work includes an international element, such as families with overseas assets or whose children travel across borders.
Everyone’s dementia journey is different. Uncover lesser-known facts from our dementia experts to help you navigate caring for a loved one. At Weald Heights care home, we’re here for you every step of the way.
Dedication
She joined the firm in 2019.
‘collaborative and supportive’ atmosphere, he said: “I’m delighted to be appointed as a director of Loch Law and to now be working in partnership with Pam [Loch] who has played such an important and supportive role in my career and success.
DIRECTORS Joe Milner and Pam Loch
Trusted to care.
SOLICITORS Thomas Mansfield have created three new partners in its employment and family law business sectors.
Expert
Neill Thomas, managing partner at Thomas Mansfield said: “It is extremely satisfying to be able to recognise and reward the contribution and dedication of our people.
A TUNBRIDGE Wells-based lawyer who gained a dual legal qualification after starting as an apprentice has now been named as a director of theJoefirm.Milner joined Loch Associates Group as an administration apprentice in 2013 and studied while working, first gaining a law degree from Canterbury Christ Church University and later being called to the bar.
Download our free dementia guide, Let’s talk about dementia, 21 things everyone should know or call 01732 809663 to request a printed copy.
Ms Ide is also an expert on legal issues connected with mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
Julie Goodway, who has been at Thomas Mansfield since 2014, is known for advising and negotiating for both employees and employers,
A CAFÉ run by a local business group and set up at the former site of a Post Office in Tunbridge Wells has taken its inspiration from one of Britain’s rarest stamps.
Owner Dee Airey already coaches photography students across the world, but said the shop gave her a space to expand this locally.
Photographer@twopennybluetwopens the shutter on Pantiles shop
When they open this October, the converted potting sheds will become three of the four self-catering holiday units will each have a spacious bedroom, fully-equipped kitchen and
Any visitors over the launch weekend will be offered a free mini-shoot in September and the possibility of winning a free full portrait session, or a £100 credit for the studio.
By Sarah Carter
The larger fourth cottage has two bedrooms and sleeps up to six.
The architect’s plans are part of a wider heritage conservation plan to generate the funds necessary to restore the Grade II listed Salomons House and to promote local tourism.
Dee Airey Photography opened on August 1, and plans its official launch weekend on September 17-18, when it will give a discount of up to 15 per cent to any engaged couple who books a wedding photography package before the end of September.
Her specialisation is natural, un-posed, relaxed images. “I’m camera-shy myself, so I understand how much of a challenge a lot of people find it to ‘switch on’ for the camera,” she said.
“We’ve converted the basement into a fabulous space where I can run photography classes for professionals and those wanting to take their hobby to the next level.”
Around 90 per cent of the food and drink to be served at the new café comes from Kent and Sussex, with a ‘strong emphasis on food-miles andOperationssustainability’.director Clare Singer said: “We’ve even managed to find a red wine, which isn’t usually produced in England. It’s from Meopham Vineyard.“Wehave a lovely bunch of staff who will be able to tell customers all about the food and the history.“It’sgoing to be more of a destination place,” added Ms Singer, saying that the café’s catchment also included High Brooms station commuters, work-from-home residents, mothers meeting around the school run and more.
The brick-built potting sheds at Salomons Estate in Broomhill Road were part of a large glasshouse built in 1888-90, and were originally a place for gardening staff to nurture seedlings and re-pot plants for the estate’s extensive fruit and flower gardens.
It is the second such development planned for the estate, which is run by Elite Leisure Collection, owner of One Media, that also publishes the Times
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT:Wednesday September 14 | 2022 Local News BUSINESS 13
DESIGN Digitally-rendered artists impresssions of how the ‘Garden Cottages’ will look
PICTURE PERFECT Dee Airey outside her Pantiles shop
At their height, Salomons gardeners cultivated sixty varieties of apple, forty-five of pears, and many more exotic types, including peach and melon.Now, planning permission has been granted by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to turn them into ‘Garden Cottages’, a holiday apartment development, following designs by architect Gaby Higgs, a specialist in the restoration and conversion of Georgian houses.
Restoration
The Garden Cottages can be booked for shortor long-term stays, from October 12.
A WEDDING and portrait photographer who has opened a studio in The Pantiles is hoping to click with customers by offering free portraits and wedding discounts.
A COUNTRY estate in Tunbridge Wells plans to turn some under-utilised outbuildings into holiday cottages as part of a wider plan to grow revenues for the future.
bathroom, a lounge area with TV and its own outdoor bistro-style table and chairs.
Martin Wood of the construction company Dark Projects said: “The newly-appointed rooms, with exposed original brickwork, Shaker-style kitchens and quarry tiles, will harmonise with the existing outbuildings, and complement David Salomons’ original vision for the“Wegrounds.areworking closely in conjunction with the estate’s team and architect to restore and convert the commercial units, while sympathetically honouring the design and layout of the original Victorian buildings.”
By Robert Forrester
Last month the Times revealed how the former stables at Runcie Court on the estate are also being redeveloped into visitor accommodation.
County estate plan potting shed project to grow future revenues
New café set to stamp its mark
Do you have any pictures of 155 Silverdale Road when it was a Post Office that you are willing to share? Get in touch with Clare Singer and her team through Facebook or Instagram
Package
Founded by The Rexaus Group, which runs a raft of businesses in the South East, Two Penny Blue, opening on Silverdale Road on September 20, takes its décor and colour scheme from the rare two-penny stamp, a reference to the Post Office that once stood on this spot.
Harmonise
KentKerriePicture:Picture:KerrieKent
Yet the drumbeat of this important charitable
This year’s race, which took place on September 10, was won by ‘Hunta’, beating ‘Snogard’, ‘DJ Civil’ and ‘Mogs’.
‘we have done exceptionally well in the fundraising this year.’
THE FAMOUS Dragon Boat Race returned to Kent’s Bewl Water at the weekend as around 60 crews raced over a 250-metre course in the bid to raise money for charity.
The event has taken part on the reservoir – the largest stretch of inland open water in the South East – since 1998.
Another boat, the ‘Neon Ninjas’, was crewed by those supporting four separate charities, The Brompton Fountain, Parkinsons UK, Motor Neurone Disease Associaion and the Young MindsTheirTrust.crew’s total of £2,240 would be split between the four, The Brompton Fountain supporter Kerrie Kent said.
Fundraising
‘Teamwork and enthusiasm are as important as fitness in order to be a winning crew, but the fundraising goes on all year round.’
The event is a magnet for those raising money for various good causes.
The colourful event sees each crew nominate a charity, with all the proceeds from their team’s efforts going to that cause. Crews of 16 paddlers and a drummer race in Chinese-style dragon boats over a 250-metre course.
Chartwell Cancer Trust had six boats in the event, and a spokesperson told the Times that although none of the crews made it to the final,
Enter the dragons – boat races
Over the last 20 years, more than £2.7million has been raised for more than 400 local, national and international charities from the Dragon Boat races at Bewl.
Teamwork and enthusiasm are as important as fitness in order to be a winning crew, but the fundraising goes on all year round.
The victorious team paddled an orange and purple boat across the water, raising money for the Bone Cancer Research Trust. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT:14 NEWS Community Wednesday September 14 | 2022
VICTORIOUS TEAM ‘Hunta’ brings home the prize for the Bone Cancer Research Trust
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: Community NEWS 15Wednesday September 14 | 2022
On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, superstitious villagers would set out to awaken the hibernating heavenly dragon –the symbol of water, encouraging rainfall
ORIGINATING in China, dragon boat racing is one of Hong Kong’s most colourful, competitive summer events and has a rich history that dates back over 2,000 years.
Tom Tugendhat MP presented the trophy to the winning side.
The finalists battle it out to the finish in the grand final
School team is victorious in Tonbridge
“So, not to host this special charity fundraising
and bringing good luck to the coming crop season.Overthe years, the event soon became associated with the myth of Qu Yuan, a great warrior and poet who threw himself in the river Mi Lo as an act of protest.
body and splashed their oars in the water to warn off the dragons that occupied them.
Thrilling
KentKerriePicture: KentKerriePicture:KentKerriePicture:
CHARITY CREW The ‘Neon Ninjas’ supported four separate charities
Bewl Water, which is run by Elite Leisure Collection, which also owns One Media, publisher of the Times, played host to the annual race on Saturday (September 10).
Dragon boat racing has become the world’s fastest growing water sport and is now practised in over 60 countries around the world including in the UK, where events are organised by the British Dragon Boat Racing Association (BDA).
The winning team Claremont Komodos celebrate their success with local MP Tom Tugendhat
It is said that villagers went out in the river with boats and drums to try to rescue his
On Sunday, September 4 the Tonbridge Lions Club Annual Dragon Boat Race took place on the River Medway in the centre of Tonbridge. The crowds took advantage of a beautiful day and lined the banks of the river throughout the day to watch and support 22 teams take part in a series of competitive races with the three fastest teams going through to the grand final at the end of the day.
The organising committee led by Bob Taylor said: “We are extremely pleased with the way the day went. The population of Tonbridge turned out in droves to enjoy very competitive racing throughout the day, which was conducted in a great spirit. We look forward to organising next year’s“Tonbridgerace.
Lions Club would like to thank everyone for their support, especially Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, Tonbridge Town Team, Nick on the chequered flag, Martin & Co and Tonbridge School for providing contributions towards the event,” they added.
event was nearly lost in 2018, when organisers Funraisers announced that that year’s races would be their last.
The grand final did not disappoint with a close and thrilling race, ‘Claremont Komodos’ made up of parents of pupils from the school, beat ‘Imperial Bidborough Dragons’ with ‘Mums and Dads Army’ coming in third. ‘Tonbridge Welcomes Refugees’ won the ‘Best Dressed’ competition.
However, Bewl Water’s operational team stepped in to organise the event.
A TEAM of parents from Claremont Primary School beat 21 other teams to win the 2022 Tonbridge Dragon Boat race earlier this month.
return to Bewl and the Medway
ORIGINS OF THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
Operations director at Bewl Water, Andrew Daniells said at the time: “Funraisers have developed the Bewl Dragon Boat Festival over many years.
“We will again be working alongside the team at [equipment suppliers] Dragon Boat Events adding other attractions to this great annual family occasion.”
day, marked on so many peoples’ calendar, would be a great shame.
Would you like to be an integral part of an organisation whose employees consistently report feeling valued and supported?
What are the rewards?
Competent with financial activity, with a confident and compassionate style to leadership.
All this with the aim of recognising potential, encouraging independence, and promoting self-worth.
Government guidelines, relevant legislation, and any appropriate Regulatory Authorities’ guidance and best practice
Do you feel passionately about supporting people in your community who are experiencing poor mental health?
Community is committed to safeguarding and will always recruit all personnel in line
Head of Finance & Operations
CROSSWAYS COMMUNITY ARE HIRING!
Annual starting salary between £44,000 and £50,000 (FTE), reviewed annually.
• Company events
Our Support Workers are not typically required to provide any ‘personal care’ to our residents.
If the answer is YES! then we would love to hear from you.
• Ongoing career development
salary of £22,474 (FTE), reviewed annually. Plus extra allowances for weekends/ sleep-ins/pager duties.
• Free onsite parking
An experienced business manager who works closely with our CEO, to ensure the ongoing success and growth of the residential services and community projects that we operate.
Crossways is a Christian charity and winner of the ‘Wellbeing Award’ for our commitment to and promotion of the wellbeing of our staff. Further details and application forms can be found on our website: www.crosswayscommunity.org.uk/jobs
You do not have to have formal accountancy qualifications.
Support Worker
No previous experience necessary, as full training is Annualprovided.starting
• £250 refer a friend bonus scheme
ND4790 Crossways Full Page Ad_264x340_FINAL_NEW.indd 1 23/08/2022 11:03
• Annual leave entitlement that increases with your years of service
(Permanent, full time role in Tunbridge Wells)
Provide moral and practical support to those in their care. We help individuals to access the health and social services they need, as well as facilitate activities such as trips out, arts & crafts, cooking, sports and much more.
(Permanent, full or part time roles in Tunbridge Wells)
• Company Pension; Health Insurance; Blue Light Discount Card; Sick Pay
Crossways with (eg CQC regulations).
Ashdown is UK’s fifth most ‘Instagrammable’ forest
The analysis of data from the photo-sharing
A TONBRIDGE day service for young adults with learning disabilities has opened a coffee shop to help boost their employability.
The new café at the Upz and Downz day centre has recruited its young adults to assist in the running of the venue, taking on tasks from wiping down tables and loading the dishwasher, to helping bake cakes and serving hot soup in the autumn and winter.
to appreciate and share natural spaces and their effects on wellbeing.
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: Community NEWS 17Wednesday September 14 | 2022 01892 341 367 | denise@deeairey.com|@deeairey
By Lilly Croucher
YOUNG people are visiting England’s woodlands and open spaces more than ever before, as a new appreciation for natural spaces sweeps across Instagram, with Ashdown Forest reaching the top five of the most-snapped woodland spots.
PERFECT PICNIC Ashdown Forest attracts fans of Winnie the Pooh
Escape
By Sarah Carter
InstagramPicture:
The day centre and café at the Longmead Stadium in Tonbridge are open seven days a week, from 8:45am to 4:45pm on weekdays and 8:45am to 4pm at the weekend.
Community café opens at centre for young adults
for more information please contact Dee Airey Official Opening | 17 September 10am-5pm Celebrate the opening of Dee Airey Photography on the Pantiles Mini£FREEShoots Pop in and book a free mini shoot for you and the family and have the chance to win a full family shoot worth £360 Welcome Drink Charity Raffle & great prizes Discounts & Giveaways
app was commissioned by waste removal company ClearItWaste, which showed Ashdown in fifth place behind Epping Forest in Essex, Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, the Royal Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire and, in first place, the New Forest in Hampshire.
Visitors to the ancient area of heathland in East Sussex have shared photos and posts of the forest more than 58,000 times on Instagram under the #AshdownForest hashtag.
Ashdown Forest is famed as the inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood, the setting for A. A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh books.
While restaurants, leisure centres and indoor spaces closed during Covid restrictions, the nation’s 1,500 national forests remained open to visitors.Fordog walkers, runners and families, the forests became a space to relax, exercise and escape, while for young people it became a place
Customers
|
“We are also dog-friendly and provide water bowls and ice cream for dogs. We also have a range of kids' board games and a drawing competition which takes place every week.”
DEE AIREY PHOTOGRAPHY FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY
The day centre also runs craft, carpentry, cooking and art sessions, and many of the students’ creations have been used to furnish and decorate the coffee shop, from wooden tables to wall art and a planter.
Manager Daisy Jeffery said: “We appreciate all of our customers that have supported us since the opening of the coffee shop and we love welcoming new customers in every day.
Visits continued increasing last year, with 296 million visitors to the nation’s forests, up 77 million from the year before, according to Forestry‘IncreasingEngland.visitor numbers and decreasing levels of funding’ were factors cited by the Conservators of Ashdown Forest last year, when they announced plans to introduce parking charges.Parking charges are set to be introduced at 47 car parks across Ashdown Forest, with fees ranging from £2 an hour to £5 for all day, with annual passes available at £80, or £50 for a six-month winter pass.
How you feel tomorrow starts with choosing the right hospital Some of our key services include: • Orthopaedic • Weight loss • Spinal surgery and pain management • Diagnostics • Men’s and women’s health. Search Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells Hospital or call 01892 888199 J12025-79 So Mag June edition Advert 340hx275w.indd 1 17/05/2022 16:10
TIONEDUCA Times
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: Education NEWS 19Wednesday September 14 | 2022
For further information about Duolingo and Agatha and Sarah’s campaign visit giveduolingoahand.com
To address this issue they have created a video asking viewers to join in the cause, with hopes of getting Duolingo’s attention.
Alongside their social media activity, they have also taken to the streets of London and Tunbridge Wells, putting up posters with the hashtag #GiveDuolingoAHand to raise awareness.Thecampaign, which is so far receiving a positive response, asks people to visit a dedicated website and sign the pledge. Instead of a written signature, however, the duo has provided instructions for how to sign every letter of the alphabet and invites users to record themselves signing their own name. Those who sign the pledge are then encouraged to share the info on their own social media platforms in order to spread the message far and wide.
Agatha reveals she had taken BSL lessons a
“British Sign Language became a legallyrecognised language in the UK in April 2022, but the number of people who know how to sign is very limited,” explain Agatha and
Duolingo, which was founded in 2011 by Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker and has over 40 million users around the world, teaches 41 languages for free, but Agatha and Sarah quickly discovered that BSL isn’t currently an option on it.
wo students are campaigning for Duolingo to introduce British Sign Language (BSL) lessons. School of Communication Arts (SCA) students Agatha O’Neill and Sarah haveLisgostarted a new campaign called ‘Give Duolingo a Hand’, which is asking the general public to sign their name in BSL in order to show their support for the introduction of the BSL language on the popular app.
“The idea first came to us in 2022 when we were doing research and discovered that BSL had only just become a legally-recognised language! We were shocked that it wasn’t already considered a real language.”
Worried About Your Energy Bills? The Answer Could Be Closer Than You Think…
Campaign
‘Give Duolingo a Hand is calling for the general public to sign their name in BSL so it can be included as a language on the popular app’
Sign your name and have your say
T
while ago but these classes were in-person. The pair say they feel that in today’s digital age, a system that helps people learn a new language – as Duolingo encourages – needs to be convenient and at your fingertips. Which is why they thought the app would be such a perfect vehicle.
Two students are lobbying popular language app Duolingo to include British Sign Language on it after it was recognised as an official language in the UK earlier this year. Eileen Leahy finds out more about Agatha O’Neill and Sarah Lisgo’s ‘Give Duolingo a Hand’ campaign...
Sarah who met at SCA in 2021.
“With a population of 11 million deaf or hard of hearing people in the UK, and just 151,000 people knowing the language, there is currently a huge communication gap between the Deaf community and the wider
population,” they add.
It’s at times like this that I am so immensely proud of our nation
I also think about my fellow councillors on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT:20 NEWS Weekly Comment Wednesday September 14 | 2022
But I’m also reminded of others who take important and varied roles in public service.
The Queen really was our head of state, we all looked up to her in admiration and felt that she was smiling back at us. She will be truly missed but we must now look to the future.
It was one of those moments where I dare not look my wife in the eye because I would have broken. Alas when Margot asked where Peppa had gone I tried to explain, the dam broke and the entire household was in tears.
I was quietly playing with my daughter, Margot, when Huw Edwards politely interrupted Peppa Pig to break the news.
THE NEWS we were all dreading came to us on Thursday at around 6.30pm. I guess no-one was surprised, but at the same time there was a real sense that it would never come to it.
In our local communities we have thousands of volunteers in all sorts of areas working hard to make life better for all of us. The range is astonishing, from those who stand for our parish and town councils to the litter pickers, hospital drivers, those who operate food banks and so many others playing their part.
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: Local News NEWS 17Wednesday April 7 | 2021 Times of Tunbridge Wells Largest circulated newspaper in the area Out every Wednesday Total weekly reach – 57,000 + 01892 779 580 or email advertising@onemediauk.co.ukLOCALNEWSPAPERS Advertisewithus...
It’s quite astonishing explaining to a 3½-year-old girld why this lady meant so much when we didn’t even know her, and she didn’t know us, but that’s the thing, we did know her, and we genuinely felt like she knew all of us.
No matter what you may think of their politics, they have all given up their time to serve the Borough. It’s natural that councillors have differences of opinion. This is not something to lambast. It is something to be celebrated. It is by listening to other viewpoints and having healthy debates that we reach the best consensus.Ofcourse, what matters most of all is that we listen to the views of our communities and that we represent our residents to the best of our ability. They have put their trust in us, and we must do our utmost to repay that trust.
possibly could. The gravity of the whole thing is starting to set in, and I find myself overwhelmed with emotion again.
Matthew Sankey The Alliance
Celebrated
I write this at my desk with the BBC on in the corner and King Charles has just arrived at Buckingham Palace. His first instinct was to greet the well-wishers that made their way to pay their respects, shaking as many hands as he
Matthew Sankey was elected as a Borough Councillor for the Tunbridge Wells Alliance, serving the Speldhurst and Bidborough Ward in November 2021. He has lived in Tunbridge Wells all his life, growing up in Speldhurst and now with his own young family.
It’s at times like this that I am so immensely proud of our nation, despite all the turmoil of
‘It's at times like this that I am so immensely proud of our nation, despite all the turmoil of the last few years, this really is Great Britain.’
the last few years, this really is Great Britain. As our new King commits himself to his new life serving our country, it’s time to reflect upon the Queen’s life of service.
How you paid your respects on hearing of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
She has been an enduring presence throughout all our lives. A strong and dedicated leader; but also a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, whose commitment to her country and her family will forever serve as an inspiration to me.
Dear sir Where music matters Musical BrittensInstrumentSheetinstrumentsmusicrentalsServicing&repairsMusicSchool www.brittensmusic.co.ukTel:(01892)526659@brittensmusic
PEPPY
Markerstudy send condolences
Our thoughts and condolences are with the Royal Family at this incredibly sad time.
Kevin Spencer CEO Markerstudy Group
PEPPY:BYCARTOON
When the news broke of Her Majesty’s death on Thursday, September 8, many business, residents and organisations took to social media to pay their respects. Here are some of those messages:
@Peppyscott)TwitteronherFollow(
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: Letters NEWS 21Wednesday September 14 | 2022
I’m sure the news will have already reached you, but I wanted to share our deep sadness at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Our experience allows us to guide you on some important steps you can take to help alleviate the impact on you of the process:divorce/separation
today to talk about your situation.
TUNBRIDGE WELLS LONDON SEVENOAKS TONBRIDGE MAIDSTONE Call us today on 01892 337540 For more information visit our website: www.tmfamilylaw.co.uk TUNBRIDGE WELLS LONDON SEVENOAKS TONBRIDGE MAIDSTONETUNBRIDGE WELLS LONDON SEVENOAKS TONBRIDGE MAIDSTONETUNBRIDGE WELLS LONDON SEVENOAKS TONBRIDGE
two people are able and willing to work together to agree the terms of their divorce, mediation can be a great way of achieving a settlement. The mediator
acts as an independent third party, helping a couple work through their issues and reach a resolution. The parties remain in control, as opposed to a judge imposing terms. It can be quicker and less expensive than court.
Surround yourself with people who’ll help and support you. Friends and family really come into their own at times like these, so lean on those that truly have your back. Seek out
BE PREPARED
ACCEPT THAT DIVORCE WON’T BE EASY
understanding what the process will involve, as well as what divorce will mean for you and your family. It also means getting your financial affairs in order. While divorce settlements are sometimes based on a ‘broad brush’ division of assets, time will need to be spent documenting those things owned jointly (the house, for example), and those owned separately - investments and valuables, perhaps. The earlier you can get your paperwork organised (and don’t be afraid to ask for help), the better able your solicitor will be to start working towards getting you the best outcome.
CONSIDER MEDIATION
Divorce doesn’t always need to be fought in the courts. Where two people are able and willing to work together to agree the terms of their divorce, mediation can be a great way of achieving a settlement. The mediator acts as an independent third party, helping a couple work through their issues and reach a resolution. The parties remain in control, as opposed to a judge imposing
HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE AROUND YOU
Divorce is the stepping stone to getting there.
ENQUIRY@THOMASMANSFIELD.COM
Go into divorce with your eyes wide open. That means
HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE AROUND YOU
The introduction of “no-fault” divorce earlier this year has removed the necessity to play the blame game, but there are still some important steps you can take to help alleviate the impact of the divorce/ separation process on you and your family:
Go into divorce with your eyes wide open. That means understanding what the process will involve, as well as what divorce will mean for you and your family. It also means getting your financial affairs in order. While divorce settlements are sometimes based on a ‘broad brush’ division of assets, time will need to be spent documenting those things owned jointly (the house, for example), and those owned separately - investments and valuables, perhaps.
Clients tell us that, during the most difficult parts of their divorce, they were spurred on by remembering ‘why’. That really is key. No one embarks on divorce lightly. They do it because their relationship is irreparable, despite best efforts. And they do it to find happiness elsewhere.
the right legal and financial help, too. Divorce can be a long and intense process, so it’s worth investing time in finding professionals you click with.
One common myth we’re always keen to dispel is that divorce will be an entirely negative and hostile experience. The truth is that it doesn’t have to be.
Most separated parents are conscious of their children being caught in the middle of their breakdown.relationshipButthe reality of divorce is that children’s needs and wishes are not always met; parents can be easily and unintentionally distracted by fighting their own corner. Our advice is always to try to step into the shoes.child’s
terms. It can be quicker and less expensive than court. And the emphasis on collaboration can even begin to build bridges, which can be particularly important for those who need to maintain a more positive ongoing relationship with each other.
TUNBRIDGE WELLS LONDON SEVENOAKS TONBRIDGE MAIDSTONE Call us today on 01892 337540 For more information visit our website: www.tmfamilylaw.co.uk TUNBRIDGE WELLS LONDON SEVENOAKS TONBRIDGE MAIDSTONETUNBRIDGE WELLS LONDON SEVENOAKS TONBRIDGE MAIDSTONETUNBRIDGE WELLS LONDON SEVENOAKS TONBRIDGE Advertisement feature
PUT YOUR CHILDREN FIRST
Most separated parents are conscious of their children being caught in the middle of their relationship breakdown. But the reality of divorce is that children’s needs and wishes are not always met; parents can be easily and unintentionally distracted by fighting their own corner. Our advice is always to try to step into the child’s shoes. What would he or she want? What would be in his or her best picture.ofkeephard.thatwantyoudownbackingthisSometimesinterests?meanswhendon’tto,andcanbeButsightthebigger
Divorce is difficult, on so many levels. But, as lawyers who help families untie bonds and reshape their future, we see the opportunity it brings for people to move on, equipped for the next phase in their lives. One common myth we’re always keen to dispel is that divorce will be an entirely negative and hostile experience. The truth is that it doesn’t have to be.
CONSIDER MEDIATION
PUT YOUR CHILDREN FIRST
THOMAS MANSFIELD FAMILY LAWYERS
We’re family lawyers who focus on helping clients get ‘good’ divorces - good outcomes and good experiences. We’ll listen to what you want to achieve. We’ll find ways of getting what’s needed. And we’ll be alongside you, every step of the Contactway.us
Surround yourself with people who’ll help and support you. Friends and family really come into their own at times like these, so lean on those that truly have your back. Seek out the right legal and financial help, too. Divorce can be a long and intense process, so it’s worth investing time in finding professionals you click with.
Contact us today to talk about your situation.
BE PREPARED
Divorce is difficult, on so many levels. But, as lawyers who help families untie bonds and reshape their future, we see the opportunity it brings for people to move on, equipped for the next phase in their lives.
Wednesday September 14 | 2022 Life&Times ARTS • BOOKS • GOING OUT • FOOD • EVENTS • ANTIQUES • TRAVEL • PROPERTY • LIVE Arts P24 Antiques P37 Food – P30 A spaceman came travelling Tim Peake at the Assembly Hall P26
HE SEVENOAKS Literary Festival first launched in 2002 and has grown in popularity and cultural stature with every year. Its initial aim was to bring the best authors and writers to the local area and having hosted the likes of Hilary Mantel, Kate Mosse, Sebastian Faulkes and Jonathan Coe over the past decades, it has certainly achieved that – and then some.
The 21st Sevenoaks Literary Festival takes place from September 26 to October 9.
Boasting another stellar line-up – which includes author Peter Bradley, poet Hannah Lowe and TV presenter Susannah Constantine – it promises to be something very special this year. Eileen Leahy finds out more…
Acclaimed
In addition to a slew of esteemed novelists, the Sevenoaks Literary Festival has also hosted many other types of speakers including biographers, activists, poets, historians, politicians, political commentators and journalists.
T
BoltonSerenaPicture:
24 Wednesday September 14 | 2022Arts arts
(Clockwise from top) Peter Bradley, Annabel Abbs, Felix White, Bonnie Garmus, Kat Farmer, Hannah Lowe, Ben Dark, Susannah Constantine
A local literary festival with so much more than words to write home about
Recent festival highlights include events with acclaimed actress Dame Eileen Atkins, journalist Bryony Gordon, crime novelist William Shaw, barrister and author Marina Wheeler and the actress, comic and television presenter Mel Giedroyc.
On the lighter side of things, Sevenoaks-based style guru and TV presenter Kat Farmer (AKA @ Does My Bum Look Big in This on Instagram) joins bestselling author Christie Watson to explore the ‘messy magic’ of midlife with their books ‘Get Changed’ and ‘Quilt on Fire’.
You’ll also have the chance to catch Peter Bradley discussing the haunting story of his family’s fate in the Holocaust – ‘The Last Train: A Family History of the Final Solution’ – with
This year’s event kicks off with best-selling author Bonnie Garmus. She will be talking to journalist Marianne Jones about her book ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ which has been one of the year’s biggest hits.
For more information visit sevenoaks-literary-festival-2022ticketsource.co.uk/
local historian Professor David Kilingray.
It’s worth noting that as well as written words, Sevenoaks Literary Festival also celebrates music.
bill you’ll find Elodie Harper and Jennifer Saint in conversation about their
25Wednesday September 14 | 2022 Arts
‘Sevenoaks Literary Festival continues to develop, and no two years are the same’
See you in Sevenoaks…
Ben Dark and Leif Bersweden discuss plants in urban and country settings in their books ‘The Grove’ and Where the Wildflowers Grow. The Festival closes with Susannah Constantine of ‘What Not to Wear’ fame discussing her memoir, ‘Ready for Absolutely Nothing’.
Once again, the long-term partner and sponsor of the festival – the award-winning Sevenoaks Bookshop – will act as book retailer. And of course the festival, supported as always by Sevenoaks Town Council, will organise its free annual literary event for over 450 local primary school
Annabel Abbs will talk about her book ‘The Language of Food’, which explores the life of Victorian cookery writer Eliza Acton.
LEADING LIGHT Sebastian Faulks in 2018
Over the years it has welcomed The Milton Consort who accompanied ‘Shakespeare’s Sonnets’ on period instruments, Mercury-prize nominated Kathryn Williams soundtracking Laura Barnett as she discussed her novel ‘Greatest Hits’, and poet and photographer Virginia Astley who read from ‘The English River’ accompanied on the harp by her daughter.
Run by a small group of volunteers and entirely almost self-funded, the festival takes place across a number of different venues in Sevenoaks including Walthamstow Hall School and Sevenoaks Bookshop. The festival runs from September 26 to October 9.
Mel Giedroyc
Poet Hannah Lowe makes her debut at the Festival to discuss her Costa Book of the Year, ‘The Kids’ while in the non-fiction arena, visitors can hear Lucy Ward considering her book ‘The Empress and the English Doctor: How Catherine the Great Defied a Deadly Virus’.
Music and cricket fans will enjoy the former Macabees musician and broadcaster Felix White’s talk on his new book ‘It’s Always Summer Somewhere’ which was a recent Radio 4 Book of the Week and is described as a ‘love letter to cricket – and much more’.
“Sevenoakschildren.Literary Festival continues to develop, and no two years are the same,” explains a spokesperson for the annual event.
POET Lemn Sissay in 2019
retelling of ancient myths and history in novels, ‘The Wolf Den’ and ‘Elektra’.
How wonderful to have such an incredible festival welcoming the country’s most prolific artists happening right here on our doorstep?
Former cabinet-minister-turned-writer Alan Johnson returns to the Festival to discuss his latest crime novel, ‘One of Our Ministers is Missing’ with journalist and photographer MatthewElsewhereStadlen.onthe
For the first time the Festival is being held in association with Wildernesse House which will host the penultimate event when nature writers
SMILES Gina Miller and fans in 2018
Partner
OPEN BOOK Children’s author Michael Rosen in 2017
‘This year’s event includes author Bonnie Garmus, musician Felix White and stylist Kat Farmer’
26 Books Wednesday September 14 | 2022 Scan here to findyour nearest stockist Get a FREE copy of your local luxury lifestyle magazine while stocks last! out now… The September edition of SO Maggazine is
Competed
The book has been published by a Granthambased company Performance Publishing and is available direct for them.
He believes he was the youngest-ever person to report on a Formula 1 race for a national publication and now the oldest person to regularly report from the pit lanes of Le Mans,
“I think I have interviewed every Formula 1 World Champion bar three, have worked in over 40 countries and at almost 150 tracks,” he continued.“Ihavealso competed in car rallies as far a field at Paraguay and South Africa so there is quite a lot to tell. I like Bill Bryson’s style so I have to admit that I have copied that a bit.” In the past, Andrew has ghostwritten books for
MOTOR MEMORIES Andrew Marriott at his book launch
Education Special: everything prospective pupils and their parents need to know taste test the delicious menu at Roddy Burger on Camden Road
Photographer Dee Airey reveals why she is so focused on being the best in the business
Life in the fast lane with Tunbridge Wells producer’s reminiscences of motor racing
“The book is sub-titled ‘Tales from Track, TV and Travels’ and that about sums it up.”
Essays
“I reported on my first Formula 1 race when I was 18; the other weekend I flew to Spain for the Barcelona 24-hour race – that’s 60 years later.
ANDREW Marriott moved to the Tunbridge Wells area two years ago. He has just finished work on a new motor racing film, ‘Villeneuve Pironi’ about the intertwined lives of two of Ferrari’s drivers in the 1980s.
He has been driven across Buenos Aires by Fangio, starred in a hilarious TV blooper episode with Mario Andretti, judged competitions with James Hunt, provided a flat floor for Jody Scheckter to sleep on, played charades with Jochen Rindt, persuaded Denny Hulme to go truck racing, covered up for Alan Jones after an altercation with a van driver and door-stepped Alain Prost as he came out of a Monaco portaloo. Along the way he has also interviewed
We
thousands of competitors and, indeed, show business personalities including Formula World Champions.
various racing drivers, and also the actress Hannah Gordon. This is his first book written under his own name.
CLAIM A DISCOUNT
Tunbridge Wells TV and film producer Andrew Marriott has spent many years both producing and presenting events like the Indianapolis 500 and Le Mans Hours race for Sky TV and now talks to the Times about this new book ‘Is There Much More of This?’ based on his motor racing travels…
Daytona and Silverstone.
Former British Grand Prix winner John Watson was one of the first to receive the book.
Times of Tunbridge Wells readers can claim a discount quoting the code ARM2022 from performancepublishing.co.uk
But his book, ‘Is There Much More of This?” has been a passion project for the last 12 years.
Andrew has covered every aspect of car and bike racing from Formula 1 to NASCAR, as well as World Championship motorcycle racing, plus inshore and offshore powerboat racing.
“This is effectively a book of mainly humorous essays I have written in the past for the British Racing Drivers Club’s quarterly magazine, which have been updated and altered for a wider audience, plus new material including a couple of autobiographical chapters,” he said.
Launched at Silverstone’s annual Classic event in the prestigious British Racing Drivers Club Suite last month, Andrew tells the Times what drove him to put pen to paper.
F1 CHAMPION John Watson
His earlier film ‘Steve McQueen – The Man and Le Mans’ was nominated at the Cannes Film Festival and won several awards.
Content &Calm From contemporary club rooms to sumptuous suites One Warwick Park Hotel is the perfect combination of comfort & luxury for the ultimate relaxing getaway in the heart of Tunbridge Wells Prices from £125pn inc. Breakfast onewarwickpark.co.uk01892520587 @onewarwickpark *applicable on new direct bookings only, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers SCAN TO PlusDeluxewithbottleComplimentaryBOOKofProseccoallExecutive,orDeluxebookingsthisSeptember*
Have some floaty fun this Saturday (September 17) at The Bubble Show (E.M. Forster Theatre, Tonbridge School), 2:30pm (doors at 1:45pm). Artist-storyteller The Highland Joker produces bouncy bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, smoke bubbles, square bubbles, giant bubbles, and even fire bubbles for his audience of 3 to 12 year olds.
The Spa Valley Railway is running steam engines and heritage diesels to and from Tunbridge Wells West this weekend, with tickets from £20 for a family of four. Special services include cream teas and fish and chip lunches.
As an ambassador for the Scout Association (whose website offers a ‘Peake Performance’ activity to teach members how to survive in space), he was delighted to wave to the local 17th Tonbridge Air Scouts group in the audience.“Thefirst person to set foot on Mars has already been born,” he told us. Now that was an amazing thought to go home with!
indie-rock band A Year in Provence play their rescheduled gig at The Forum this Friday (September 16) at 7:30pm. Supported by Another Day, Torque and Citrus Blue. Tickets for the earlier date still valid. Age 16+ unless accompanied by an adult.
Tunbridge Wells musician Biddle headlines a lineup of young and up-and-coming artists this Saturday (September 17) in an inclusive event that promises pronoun wristbands and tickets at just £5. Mimi Rae, Katie Kittermaster, Amber Titchener, Lauren Sofia and Sofia Lovell play. Age 16+ unless accompanied by an adult.
BRITAIN’S first European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut and the seventh person from the UK to blast into space delivered an out-of-this-world experience to Tunbridge Wells last week.
THE PADDOCK Wood Proms continue, with musicians of the Tier3 trio performing at St Andrews Church, Paddock Wood, tonight and Saturday (September 14 and 17). All concerts start at 7pm. Tickets from TicketTailor.com
ROCK OF AGES
THE BUBBLE SHOW
Matthew, aged 11, had been eager to meet the astronaut ever since Major Peake blasted off to the Space Station in 2015.
Please note: events may be subject to change or duringcancellationtheperiod of National Mourning.
‘You can do whatever you want to do’ was Tim’s mantra as he told of his very normal, boy-next-door childhood in Chichester and revealed how he wasn’t very good at maths at school – only scraping a D at A-level. He wasn’t academic or sporty but he loved adventure. As Tim said: “I knew even then that I wanted to fly. I knew I wanted to be up in the air.” He excelled in the local Cub Scouts and school Cadet Force, which pointed his way to joining the Army Air Corps. There, he flew more than 30 types of
If you prefer your drama live and rocking, a five-night run of the musical ‘Rock of Ages’ has just begun at The Assembly Hall. Weaving together rock anthems, the plot follows the lives of Hollywood dreamers and schemers revolving around the setting of the Bourbon Room nightclub. Shows at 7:30pm and Saturday matinée at 2:30pm. Until September 17.
By Sarah Bond
Astronaut’s Tunbridge Wells visit sends young fan ‘over the Moon’
More bubbles at the ‘That’s Not My…’ storytelling and sensory experience for 1 to 3 year olds at Knole Park (Sevenoaks) on members.non-Nationalparkingsession10:30-11am.in‘snow’Expect(SeptemberWednesday14).bubbles,and‘hail’theOrangeryatTheisfree,butis£5forTrust
helicopters and planes – including on a secret mission in Afghanistan – before applying to fly a rocket into space.
Matthew, who has complex medical issues, said he ‘was over the Moon’ after meeting hisThehero.Heathfield Community College schoolboy added: “It was really exciting to get to talk with him about space. He is such a nice, normal person, though, and made it really easy.
Brighton/Kent-basedForkgen.
THE TIER3 TRIO
PRESCHOOLERS can spend mornings at the Amelia in Tunbridge Wells, with Storytime on Mondays at 11am and Rhyme Time on Tuesdays (at 10am and 11am) and Thursdays (at 10am). All sessions are held in the Children’s Library underneath the ‘night sky’. No need to book.
But if your taste turns to period drama as the nights draw in, ‘See How They Run’ (12A) will install you cosily into the stalls of the West End in 1950s London, where plans to turn a play into a film are thwarted by murder.
And one fan of Major Tim’s, young Matthew Sharples from Heathfield, was lucky enough to meet his space-faring hero.
Meanwhile, there is ‘Music for Two Pianos’ this Sunday (September 18) at the E.M. Forster Theatre (Tonbridge School) at 8:15pm (doors at 7:45). Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and other pieces, played by David William and Mark
STAR MAN Heathfield schoolboy Matthew Sharples with his hero, Major Tim Peake at the Assembly Hall
IT’S STILL summertime at the cinema, with family films like ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ (U), ‘DC League of Super-Pets’ (PG) and…‘Jaws’ (12A) on at the Odeon
28 Going Out Wednesday September 14 | 2022
“He told me that that anyone can now apply to join the space programme and might become the first person on Mars. He said you should never ever rule anything out. Nothing.”
Visiting the Assembly Hall on Monday, September 5, Sussex-born Major Tim Peake was his turbo-boosted, affable self as he told the fascinating story of ‘My Journey to Space’. This starry-eyed tale of his mission to the International Space Station was incredible to hear and a huge encouragement to children everywhere. The audience was enthralled as Major Tim described travelling at ‘10 times the speed of a bullet’, seeing ‘16 sunrises and sunsets each day’ and doing an ‘amazing and unnerving’ spacewalk.
The times they are a-changing with people’s approach to music lessons
Louise Carr is a music teacher at Brittens Music shop in Grove Hill Road. Here she speaks to the Times about how people’s approach to music lessons has changed over the last few years...
With this role at Brittens Music School, I get to develop educational solutions that can make a difference to children and set them up for the future.
People are more concerned about the teachers and are vetting teachers in more detail. They are now more concerned about issues around safeguarding and value for money. I believe this is down to the greater financial pressures everyone is facing with the cost of living.
My background and training is in the education sector, rather than music. I have a degree in Education and Applied Linguistics and ESOL (English for speakers of other languages).
For example, I’ve created a trial lesson option, where students (of all ages) pay £25 for an initial lesson. There’s no obligation to continue with a contract. This really helps the student to see if they like the teacher and the class, before making a bigger financial commitment.
LOUISE’S QUICK THREE:
I’ve noticed a real shift in consumer habits.
29Wednesday September 14 | 2022 Music Matters
What is your background?
Before Brittens Music, I worked for local further education colleges, leading teacher training, and as an Advanced Learner Practitioner.
to develop patience, uses lots of different areas of your brain, and is fun!
Favourite artist: Kip Moore
Even though I don’t play an instrument, I really believe in the value that a musical education can offer.Learning an instrument offers so many different rewards – it reduces stress, helps you
Have you noticed any changes in people’s approach to music lessons?
Favourite opera: Madame Butterfly
MUSIC IS THE KEY Louise Carr of Brittens Music
Day to day, I liaise with prospective and current students (or their families) and manage availability across all instrument lessons. I help to find music teachers – this involves checking their educational background and approach to music teaching to ensure they reach our high standards.Ialsodeal with admin, such as coordinating DBS checks and I work closely with Ali Rycroft, our ‘Colourstrings’ teacher for preschool children.
Essentially, I make sure that Brittens Music School offers the best range of lessons and ensure that everything runs smoothly.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Favourite ballet: Sleeping Beauty
Find out more about Brittens Music School by visiting the Brittens Music Shop on Grove Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells or online at brittensmusic.co.uk
Tell us about your role at Brittens Music School.
These financial struggles mean I need to find out-of-the-box solutions – different to the traditional lesson offering.
My granddaughter is enrolled onto the ‘Colourstrings’ classes which we enjoy together.
SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF JOINING OUR TEAM:
Experience of working in a high quality bar operation/catering environment
To apply please send your CV to Lisa.McVickers@salomons-estate.com
JOIN OUR TEAM
SALARY: Up to £28,050 PA LOCATION: One Warwick Park Hotel, Tunbridge Wells
FOOD & BEVERAGE SUPERVISOR
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Trinity Theatre is a great culture hub but did you know it also serves up delicious lunches and snacks too? Eileen Leahy was invited along to sample its epicurean offerings…
30 Food & Drink Wednesday September 14 | 2022
Company pension Company perks
L
You will be well presented with a flexible attitude
First up on the special showcase menu was a Julienne Bruno burella salad which was served with an autumn vegetable caponata. For those not familiar with burella, it’s a dairy-free vegan
A good team player
‘The burella and caponata combo was the perfect palate pleaser’
Local foodies, networkers and journalists were in attendance to sample a special four-course taster menu served up in order to reflect the wholesome and tasty options that will be available to diners when the Clocktower Bistro opens in the next few weeks.
version of a burrata – firm on the outside and deliciously creamy on the inside.
Caponata meanwhile is a hearty Sicilian dish packed full of chopped and fried aubergine, peppers and tomatoes, which is further enhanced with the addition of capers, celery and pine nuts and seasoned with olive oil. This Italian classic given a healthy vegan twist was the perfect palate pleaser and would be an ideal lunch if you wanted something lighter or didn’t have time to linger a while.
Please scan the QR code for all vacancies at One Warwick Park Hotel onewarwickpark.co.uk
“We hope we’ve created a friendly, welcoming vibe for casual but elevated lunchtime dining”
ast Wednesday, Trinity Theatre hosted a special lunch in order to showcase its delicious and diverse menu – and to also announce it is renaming its café area as the Clocktower Bistro.
An opportunity has arisen for Food & Beverage Supervisors to join our professional and friendly team at One Warwick Park Hotel, Tunbridge Wells. The hotel comprises 39 bedrooms, meeting rooms, event spaces, restaurant and bar. You will be playing a vital role in the everyday operation of the hotel and will be responsible for creating a great first impression.
Employee discount 30 days holiday Healthsheild
| @onewarwickpark SCAN HERE FOR OUR VACANCIES
FOODIES FEAST Diners sample the delights of the Clocktower Bistro
Numerate and familiar with stock rotation & control, & cash procedures
Clocktower menu will attract even more hungry foodie guests.
‘THINGS fall apart; the centre cannot hold’. The great Irish poet, W B Yeats’ premonition of disintegration had grander themes than the puny ‘coalition of chaos’ trying to run Tunbridge Wells’ council, but the words fit.
Coalition claims that Conservatives reinforced the budget from the council’s healthy £32 million savings during the pandemic are not true. Council borrowing was nil.
Bits have started falling off the puny coalition of chaos already naturalfit.co.uk 01892 267530 Ask about our September reset Personal Training offers! AGILITY & STRENGTH WEIGHT LOSS & NUTRITION RE-AWAKEN YOUR BODY BOOK TOUR Develop stability in your every-day functional movement to confidently ensure a long, active life. Learn key techniques to improve posture and strength, fine-tune your muscular system and activate your core for every step of the way. Excel in unique video-led Personal Training studios any time or guided by highly-trained One-to-One Personal Trainers. Elite-level Metabolic & Performance Screenings: discover the foods and exercise suited to your personal needs. From Yoga to innovative strength-cardio, choose from a range of classes to restore your natural fitness potential. Combine Mobility and Stability to build your individual programme of movement and rediscover moving how you were born to. TUNBRIDGE WELLS’ FINEST MEMBERS’ CLUB DEDICATED TO YOUR HEALTH & WELLNESS GYM | CLASSES | SPA | CAFÉ | LOUNGES
The hastily concocted, biased consultation finished this week, but still there’s no assurance the coalition will listen to the thousands of voices already raised, or even to the (probably far fewer) raised in the consultation should they also reject price rises.
Next up at our special lunch was a flavourladen cream of vegetable soup which was served with nuggets of artisan bread and vegan butter. In short it was the epicurean equivalent of having a big old hug: it was comforting and reassuring – and perfect for the inclement wet weather we’d escaped on arrival at Trinity. The venue, which celebrated its 40th anniversary over the summer, has always been popular for lunchtime meet-ups and cake and coffee, but Sean says he hopes the new
tranche of warm naan bread and a bowl of crispy sauté potatoes – which were incredibly moreish – the dish was declared a taste triumph and proof that a good curry doesn’t have to include meat.
“I am really excited about the pending launch of the Clocktower Bistro – it’s named after our heritage attraction which will open before the end of the year. The project is all about sustainability. The food is locally and responsibly sourced. The new furniture in the restaurant is all re-purposed from local charity stores and even the hand wash is carbon
For dessert, an ‘English-style’ rice pudding was presented to each diner and came with a sliver of spiced seasonal plum compote which cut through the creaminess of the old-school rice pudding perfectly.
‘The venue, which celebrated its 40th anniversary over the summer, has always been popular for meet-ups’lunchtime
Hotchpotch
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT:16 NEWS Letters Wednesday September 7 | 2022
The TWA is a hotchpotch in its own right. Its activists, of various political hues, have the improbable air of doing this council thing for a bet. Its leader David Hayward, a cabinet member, made it clear to Cllr Chapelard, writing in The Times of Tunbridge Wells that he is a ‘titular leader’– a leader in name only, who ‘definitely has no say or control over anything to do with the Alliance’. Nonetheless, Cllr Hayward lined up behind the Lib Dems, voting for parking increases.
made themselves from budget documents they probably didn’t well understand. Parking increases which will sting us all in this cost-ofliving crisis, are supposed to help to fill a supposed budget black hole they supposedly inherited from Conservatives.
The coalition’s planned parking fees rise potentially harms recovery, jobs and businesses who say they’ll lose footfall.
neutral.“Wereally hope that we’ve created a friendly, welcoming vibe for casual but elevated lunchtime dining and of course, the public are welcome to just pop in for coffee and cake or to buy a ticket to a show!” he added.
Of course, now Putin’s war and the related inflation have upended things. Maybe they’d like to, but the coalition can’t blame Conservatives for that. Go Ukraine!
Bits started falling off the coalition jalopy when it chugged into its first major policy disaster – the unconsulted plan to raise car park charges by 25-75 per cent. A hasty, retrospective consultation ended on September 5 and is being assessed.Butalready, the coalition’s centre is not holding as the Liberal Democrat Leader Ben Chapelard grapples with the hotchpotch of his own party, Labour, a smattering of independents and the Tunbridge Wells Alliance (TWA). It took power only in May, though it seems like years ago.
parking. The Lib Dems suddenly remembered their PR stunt of staging cabinet meetings across the borough was meant – said Cllr Chapelard – to ‘show our face and that we are listening to all parts of the Borough’. Cabinet Member Justine Rutland admitted to the council’s scrutiny committee that not listening to any residents was a ‘terrible and regrettable oversight’ though apparently not regrettable enough for any formal apology.
Shortfall
31Wednesday September 14 | 2022 Food & Drink
Sean
Holden Tunbridge Wells Conservatives Cllr Seán Holden has been the Conservative councillor for Benenden and Cranbrook since 2008 and the county councillor for Cranbrook Division since 2013. He runs a property business with his wife Corinna and before that he was a television reporter working for TV-am, ITV Meridian and ITN. In 2001 he was the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Chatham and Aylesford. ´ PROTESTS Proposed price hikes have prompted outcry
The coalition’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Andrew Hickey, ducked out early – leaving the Lib Dems and going independent over parking charges. Three elected Lib Dem councillors now sit outside the party. Labour’s rank and file are turning against leadership decisions, especially that to end free parking in Labour-held Southborough.Apredictable u-turn and a belated, cobbled together consultation has followed the huge public outcry from residents, businesses and town councils like Paddock Wood and Southborough about their views being completely ignored. Five petitions emerged with thousands of signatures. Rumblings grew within the coalition. The Alliance suddenly remembered its election promise to keep free
In truth, the coalition fears a paper tiger they
Feeling sated but satisfied, it was time to leave Trinity and head back out into the rain but that was no hardship after such an enjoyable – and healthy – lunch in such a welcoming environment.Sosetyourwatches and keep an eye out for the official Clocktower Bistro launch!
But back to the food…after we’d scraped the soup bowls clean, our charming waitress Mimi announced the next course: a ruby vegetable curry. Generous in portion size and served with a
It’s fake news. Conservatives presented a budget shortfall in February because income levels were still below normal after the pandemic. But they were clearly recovering so it was necessary to see where they would go before deciding on further action. In Tunbridge Wells, vacant shops were being filled, benefiting from the Amelia Scott’s 100,000 visitors since it opened in April. There is growing income from business rates and the Conservative scheme to rent spare Town Hall space to businesses.
18 Education feature Wednesday September 7 | 2022In association with winkworth.co.uk bewlwater.co.uk | @bewlwater SCAN HERE TO YOURPLANDAY SummerEndofActivitiesSale Up to 20% off Aqua Park £21.00 £18.00 Laser Tag £15.00 £12.00 Child Cycle Hire £10.00 £5.00 Camping: 20% off activities this September BOOK ADVANCEINORONTHEDAY
If you’re ever in Bruges, I highly recommend visiting the brewery itself, where you can try this beer in its unfiltered version – it’s delicious!
Brouwerij Huyghe – Melle
Welcome to the wonderful world of Belgian beer
B
In his monthly column Alex Greig of the Fuggles bars and bottle shop picks his top Belgian brews for you to try…
Located just outside Antwerp, The Musketeers are best known for their Troubador range of beers. One of the more modern producers of Belgian beer, they produce a great array of styles, from the classic Blonde, through to their Magma – a big and bold Triple IPA alongside lots of modern, hop-forward IPAs.
De Halve Maan is now the only brewery located within the historic city walls of Bruges. Producing several beers, including Straffe Hendrick, Blanche de Bruges and of course, the famous Brugse Zot. But the Brugse Zot Blond is my pick of the bunch. It’s got a wonderful
Brasserie De La Senne – Jambe de Bois
The Musketeers – Sint-Gillis-Waas
Featuring 30 spacious one, two, three and four bedroom homes, offering modern country living in an enviable setting for first-time buyers, downsizers and growing families alike.
My pick of the bunch is their Black IPA –‘Westkust’. It’s dark, big and bold, with notes of chocolate and coffee alongside a long bitter finish with plenty of citrus flavour coming through.
fruitiness to it, with pear and apricot coming through, balanced out by the characteristic spicy notes that are typical of the classic Belgian styles.
elgian Beer Weekend has recently taken place in Brussels. It’s a weekend-long celebration of the wonderful world of Belgian beer. Held in Grand Place, the event features over 500 beers from 50 brewers over the weekend.
may differ.
I fell in love with Belgian Beer over 10 years ago while I was on a trip around Europe. Not only does Belgium produce some of the most unique styles of beer around, it also has a unique flavour profile across so many of its beers. Add to this a little dash of intrigue and mystery behind some of the country’s breweries and it’s easy to understand why so many people love Belgian beer!
This beer, with its pronounced notes of pear drops and a slightly spicy, dry finish, is an all-time classic.
The Musketeers – Troubadour Westkust Brouwerij Huyghe – Averbode De Halve Maan – Brugse Zot Blond
33Wednesday September 14 | 2022 Food & Drink
the most famous Belgian brews of all – the legendary Delirium Tremens!
De Halve Maan – Bruges
SHOWHOMELAUNCHING
Located a short drive out of Ghent is one brewery that will be familiar to all fans of Belgian beers, mainly because they brew one of
I recently featured some of my favourite Trappist breweries, so this month I’m focusing on some of my favourite Belgian breweries that don’t have monks at the helm but are still a staple in our fridges:
Brasserie De La Senne – Brussels
*Images are indicative only, exact plot
Located in the heart of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Hillbury Fields is an exciting new development in the charming village of Ticehurst, East Sussex.
I’m a long-time fan of this ‘modern’ Belgian brewery. They produce some really excellent beers and modern takes on Belgian classics. Taras Boulba is a brilliant, citrus-forward Belgian pale, and Zinnebir is their take on the traditional Belgian blonde. Smoother and fruitier than the classics such as Zot or Duvel, but with lovely bitterness and balance. However, the beer that got me hooked on Yvan de Baets beers was ‘Jambe de Bois’ – a truly delicious beer in the Tripel style. It’s got a wonderful drinkability for the 8% abv, with notes of ripe banana, apricot and pear rounded off with a refreshing bitterness.
The brewery also produces another (and in my opinion, superior) Blonde beer – Averbode. The original recipe from the Averbode Abbey was rebrewed by Huyghe several years ago and it was an instant crowd pleaser, with a zingy citrus note on top of some lovely biscuity notes from the malt and of course – that classic Belgian spicy twang!
SAT24th&SUN25thSEPTEMBER Register your interest today: @fernham-homes.co.ukhillbury.fields Telephone 01580 230332
KENT
35Wednesday September 14 | 2022 Property
“The typical house price reached another record high in August – as it has done in seven out of the eight months so far this year.
The South East saw growth of 12.1 per cent over the last 12 months, which sees average house prices in the region now at £400,528, breaking the £400,000 barrier for the first time.
Investment into property has long been something that has been used to generate an income – some have even made a ‘business out of it’ and others use it as a stream of pension income. Not only is it important to choose a good property to invest in, but also to ensure that you are aware of the tax implications, since these have changed over recent years.
Stamp Duty Land Tax is payable on the purchase of a property and can be payable if a property transfers to a company or family member. On second or third properties, this is at an increased rate than buying your own home to live in.
Halifax announces another record housing price high
Overseas landlords: To make sure that tax is collected on rents, HMRC imposes an obligation on the letting agent to withhold income tax at 20% from rents paid to an overseas landlord, unless the landlord has registered for tax in the UK and has applied to HMRC to be paid without deduction of tax.
Ms Kinnaird added: “With house price-toincome affordability ratios already historically high, a more challenging period for house prices should be “However,expected.thisshould be viewed in the context of the exceptional growth witnessed in recent years, with average house prices having increased by more than £30,000 over the last 12 months alone.”Across the regions, Wales house prices increased by 16.1 per cent annually in August, marking the strongest level of growth since early 2005.The South West of England also continues to record a strong rate of annual growth, with house prices up by 14.5 per cent, with an average property value of £313,003.
“As a result, sellers are still accepting offers at an alarming speed, but there remain some lengthy delays when it comes to getting a sale through to completion,” Mr Short added.
Increase
This discount also sits at almost £70,000 in the South West (£69,063) and the East of England (£68,945).TheNorth East is home to the lowest pounds and pence reduction, although a cash buyer can still bag a discount of £35,599. At 32 per cent, this is also the highest percentage reduction in asking price for a cash buyer of all regions of Britain.
newsproperty
Capital Gains Tax: Unless the property is your main residence, you will have to pay Capital Gains Tax on the amount the property has appreciated when you come to sell it. You will also need to pay this within a specified time frame and not simply at the end of the tax year as some may expect.
The research shows that those wanting a cash buyer only had listed for an average asking price of £186,768 versus an average asking price of £256,373 across the rest of the market. That’s a discount of almost £70,000 (-27 per cent) for those ready to purchase with cash versus those funding their transaction with the help of a mortgage.
Co-founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short said: “Although the market has showed signs of cooling after what has been a manic pandemic property boom, the current landscape is still frantic to say the least, and there remains a very high level of buyers looking to transact.
www.maddisonsresidential.co.uk
TAX PITFALLS FOR LANDLORDS TO AVOID
“One way of bypassing this to an extent is with a cash buyer and it seems as though some sellers are willing to dramatically lower their asking price in order to secure this easier path to completion.”
The rate of annual growth in Northern Ireland stood at 12.5 per cent, with a typical home now costing £185,505.
Email: info@maddisonsresidential.co.uk
THE average house price increased by 0.4 per cent month-on-month in August to hit a new record high, offsetting a 0.1 per cent dip in July, according to an index.Across the UK, property values were up by 11.5 per cent annually in August.
Tempted to invest in rental property? Becoming a landlord is a great way to generate an income stream, but you need to know your way around the tax pitfalls that could reduce your net profit. James Richards, Partner at award-winning Tunbridge Wells sales and lettings agent, Maddisons Residential, outlines what you need to look out for.
Think about tax brackets: One of the key changes in recent years has been the withdrawal of higher rate tax relief for mortgage interest paid on a residential property (commercial property, furnished holiday lets and properties held within a company are exempt). This can push your total income into the higher or additional-rate tax brackets depending on your income from other sources – for example your salary or pension.
Cash buyers are also able to secure some substantial discounts in the South East, where the average home advertised for cash buyers only is listed for £82,690 less than the wider average asking price.
“While house prices have so far proved to be resilient in the face of growing economic uncertainty, industry surveys point towards cooling expectations across the majority of UK regions, as buyer demand eases, and other forward-looking indicators also imply a likely slowdown in market activity.”
The biggest cash buyer discounts currently available on the market are in London. The average asking price for homes listed in the region is currently £486,931, but those looking for a cash buyer are listing at an average asking price of £335,680 - That’s a huge saving of £151,250 for those paying with cold, hard cash.
Kim Kinnaird, director of Halifax Mortgages, said the latest monthly increase is ‘relatively modest’ compared with recent times, adding: “Over the last year the rate of monthly house price inflation has averaged around 0.9 per cent.
A home in Scotland now costs a record high average of £204,362.
A typical property now costs a record £294,260, Halifax said – but its report warned that ‘a more challenging period for house prices should be expected’.
Sellers offering £150k reductions for cash
BRITISH homebuyers are willing to cut their asking price expectations by as much as £150,000, in order to attract a cash buyer for a smoother sale in what remains a frantic property market, research has found.Estate agent comparison site GetAgent.co.uk analysed current property listings across the major property portals, comparing the asking price for sellers only willing to deal with a cash buyer with the asking price in the rest of the market.
Discounts
“However, the annual rate of growth dropped to 11.5 per cent, from 11.8 per cent in July, the lowest level in three months.
18 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5TN Telephone: 01892 514100
In London, average house price has increased by 8.8 per cent annually, marking the strongest growth there in more than six years. With a typical property costing a record £554,718, London’s average house price has risen by £44,669 over the past year.
Inheritance Tax: If a landlord dies or makes a gift, their assets may be subject to Inheritance Tax, which is chargeable at 40% above a certain value. This can however be planned for and we work closely with TN Accountancy in such cases.
With the right professional advice you can capitalise on some of the tax planning opportunities available to private landlords to ensure you maximise your net profit.
Meet the expert: James Richards is a Partner at Maddisons Residential - a leading, customercombinedofexpertTunbridgelettingsindependentaward-winningsalesandagentbasedinWells,offeringadviceonallaspectssalesandlettings,withexcellentservice.
Station Road, Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5DG | 01580 880567 Visit Culverwells for all of your Autumn Garden Tool needs. Stihl, Husqvarna and Mountfield essentials in stock to help you with your seasonal garden chores! Don’t forget to ask us about servicing your lawn mowers and tools ready for next spring!
Objects of superb quality, they always demand the attention of collectors internationally. We estimate this set at £600-£800 but I would not be shocked if it surpassed this.
Next, a real love of mine: lot 59, a William
My final choice and perhaps one of
josephtrinder@gorringes.co.uk
monasteries under Henry VIII’s reign.Ichoose this piece as I cannot help but be humbled by its age and the history it will have sat and patiently witnessed – a millennia spent as a silent witness to the advances and changes seen in the human and natural world around it. The years rending the smiling face simplistic and playful – it could almost be a work of modern art.
Firstly, we see lot 22, a Victorian mahogany-cased field surgeon’s set by Salt & Son of Bull Lane, London. The brass-bound mahogany case houses saws, scalpels, trepanning tools and other instruments. Looking to be fully complete, it is perhaps a grisly choice for some, but a remarkable object of medical history all theTosame.compare the clinical calm of a modernday surgeon’s theatre with the gritty reality behind this field set, neatly cased in mahogany as to be easily transported to attend patients in situations of emergency is a rather chilling consideration.
antiques There is NO obligation to sell so let Clive offer you is advice for FREE. He will advise you personally on your items & absolute discretion is guaranteed.Clive Attrell and his experienced team ensures waiting times are kept to a minimum AVERAGE 5-15 MINS WAITING 111 The 1.00pmME13Boughton-under-BleanStreet9BH-4.00pmQueensBOUGHTONHead High 1.00pmCT3CanterburyQueen’s9.00amCT6Herne281.00pmCT9MargateWestwood9.00amCT12RamsgateStreet4BU-12.00pmIndEstate4JX-4.00pmArkleyRoadBay5SL-12.00pmRoad2BG-4.00pmFri 16th Sep (AM) VillageMINSTERHall Wed 14th Sep (PM) Fri 16th Sep (PM) Thu 15th Sep (PM) Thu 15th Sep (AM) TheHERNEWESTWOODBAYHornbyVisitor Centre Arkley Studio VillageASH Hall SEPTEMBER 227 Hereson Road 1.00pmCT9CliftonvilleNorthdown9.00amCT5Whitstable321.00pmCT7BirchingtonGrenham9.00amCT11Ramsgate7EX-12.00pmBayAve9NN-4.00pmChurchStreet1PH-12.00pmParkRd3LN-4.00pmMon 12th Sep (AM) TheRAMSGATERacingGreyhound Tue 13th Sep (PM) TheKearnsWHITSTABLEBIRCHINGTONHallMonument Wed 14th Sep (AM) Tue 13th Sep (AM) Mon 12th Sep (PM) TheTheMARGATEFAVERSHAMWheatsheafElephantPub 31 The 9.00amME13FavershamMall8JN-12.00pm CASH OFFERS WATHCESWANTEDJADE MEDALSWANTED RINGSWANTEDCOINSWANTED SILVERWANTED Keep this advert for future reference by TV’s Clive Attrell from ITV and BBC Television Clive Attrell has a well-established and successful antiques warehouse on the High Street in Hastings Old Town. You may also recognise him from Dickinson’s Real Deal, on which he was an appraiser for over two years, and numerous other television productions. VALUATION ROADSHOW Hastings Antiques Warehouse, 54 High Street Old Town, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3EN Clive Attrell is Kent County Council Trading Standards Approved: Reg No 15618 “ I wanted to get around £200 for my items, when Clive gave me £500 cash I was over the moon.” Mrs Kelly from Crowborough “ Clive was very interesting to talk with, he clearly has a genuine passion for antiques which helped him identify my items. He offered me a very good price and I am very happy indeed.” Mr J. Peters from Rye WHAT THE PUBLIC SAY... WANTEDGOLD Remember Clive is always ready to make you a genuine no obligation offer.FREEOFFERS www.freeantiquesvaluations.com For general enquiries call Polly on: 07824 359169 Clive Attrell is always in the area and FREE private/home valuations are also available by appointment. TOP •••••••••PAIDPRICESFOR:•DIAMONDS•PRINTS/BOOKS•TOYS/GAMES•POSTCARDS•OLDCOINS•JADEITEMS•SOVEREIGNSSWORDSMILITARIACLOCKSPAINTINGSBRONZESFIGURINESMEDALSWATCHES(workingornot)SILVER(inanycondition)•GOLD(inanycondition)•OBJECTSOFINTEREST•COSTUMEJEWELLERY•CHINESECERAMICS•KRUGERRANDS A
RARE Anglo-Saxon mask
de Morgan ruby lustre dish. Dating from circa 1880, the unmistakable design is painted on a Staffordshire earthenware blank dish in ruby lustre with a grotesque dragon headed bird in mirror image. One of the pioneering fathers of the English Arts & Crafts movement, William De Morgan (1839-1917) also worked within the iconic Morris & Company from favourite1863-1872.Arealstylisticofmine, this work is heightened by the ideals that shaped the theology behind the arts and crafts movement – an object of beauty and depth. This rare example is estimated to fetch £3,000-£5,000 when offered for sale later this month.
Favourites from our September sale
Auctioneer Joseph Trinder reveals soon going
Alterations
under the hammer...
TrinderJoseph
37Wednesday September 14 | 2022 Antiques
One of the wonderful things about the broad church of objects represented in a typical sale at Gorringe’s is that there is always something for everyone, regardless of one’s interests, preference of style or indeed budget…
Houses
s yet another fine sale approaches at Gorringe’s, I am delighted to once again take the reader through a trio of favourites to feature within our September 27 autumn fine sale.
Anglo-Saxon stone masks can be seen at the tower of St Peter’s Church, Barton-uponHumber and to the Church of St John the Baptist, Barnack, the latter re-located following alterations around 1150. It is likely the corbel stone in this lot was once part of an abbey destroyed during the dissolution of the
the oldest pieces from within the sale is lot 31 – a rare Anglo-Saxon limestone mask corbel, dating all the way back to the 10th or 11th century. The smiling face carved in bas-relief into a cube-shaped block of stone, probably from the Barnack Quarry in Cambridgeshire.
Chosen not for being the highest value pieces within the sale, but because of their fascinating history and beauty.
Estimated at £1,000-£1,500 – a little over £1 for each year it has smiled at the world.
some items
As always – I would be delighted to hear from readers with any questions and am here to assist if you ever wish to have items valued or sold. I would love to hear from you.
as the door handles and windows. All Ami Tonic models come with a number of standard accessories such as a smartphone cradle, three storage bins, a central separation net and a special dongle that can connect the Ami with a smartphone using the My Citroen app.
Motoring News
MINI has announced that a new limited-edition version of its Electric hatch will be heading to theLimitedUK. to just 200 examples, the Multitone Edition has been designed to ‘symbolise the diversity within the Mini community’ and comes equipped with many bespoke touches that help it stand out from the rest of the range.
Equipment
Alongside these new engines, Cupra has introduced more value-focused trim levels. These V1 and V2-badged models still bring plenty of standard equipment including 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, keyless entry and a 12-inch infotainment screen.
As the Multitone Edition is based on the Mini Electric Level 2, it also benefits from heated front seats, automatic dual-zone air conditioning and an 8.8-inch central display housing Apple CarPlay and navigation as standard.
Cupra has yet to reveal pricing for these new Leon models, but it’s expected that they’ll bring a considerable saving on the £33,100 starting price of the current five-door hatchback and £37,980 for the Estate. Cupra has stated, however, that orders will open from early in October.
The Ami Tonic acts as a replacement for the Ami Vibe, bringing a 5.5kWh battery that can be charged in three hours.
Citroen’s new Ami Tonic brings eye-catching colour scheme
“With the introduction of these engines, our ambition is to achieve big success with the Leon, as we have done with the Formentor.”
Accents
sun visor, floor mats and steering wheel, while all buyers of the Multitone Edition will also get a 3D printed car key in Sage Green.
Priced at £33,200, the special edition model features a multitone roof which transitions from a white colour at the front of the car to grey and then to black. It is created through a special wet-on-wet paint process applied at Mini’s plant in Oxford. Three colour shades are applied directly after one another while due to changing weather conditions, changes in the pattern may occur making each model unique. This design is complemented by a white rainbow on the roof which is also used throughout the rest of the car. Contrasting the roof shades is a Sage Green
Unique
Mathieu Wandon, Citroën head of graphic design, said: “The Citroën Design team wanted to bring a touch of freshness and vitality to this new version. The combination of yellow and khaki, combined with clever technical features gives Ami Tonic a playful edge, making it a toy for grown-ups aged 16 and up.”
CUPRA has introduced a new, more affordable range of engines for its Leon hatchback and estate.TheLeon will now be available with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 148bhp, equipped with either an automatic or manual gearbox. There’s then a second new engine option, with this 187bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol available with a sole automatic gearbox option.Upto this point, Cupra had only offered the Leon with a series of performance engine options, including a choice of 2.0-litre petrol engines with either 242bhp or 296bhp, as well as a 242bhp plug-in hybrid setup.
Metallic paint colour. It’s the first time that this has been available on a Mini Electric, having previously only been available on Mini’s Countryman. The usual black or chrome surrounds for the headlights and Mini badge have been replaced with white versions, while all cars get 17-inch two-tone wheels. Inside, the rainbow logo can be found on the
CITROEN has introduced an even more striking version of its tiny Ami electric car.
and growing its sales targets.
Called the Ami Tonic, it brings a new khaki and yellow colour scheme alongside a number of other external features. New headlamp bezels – said to have been inspired by sunglasses –come alongside bespoke wheel trims and decorative roof rails.
New plus and minus stickers on the A-pillars reference the Ami’s electric powertrain, while the yellow accents are continued to the inside of the car with the door pulls, bag hook and two front panel recesses finished in the eye-catching colour. The dashboard storage bins and door nets surround are finished in khaki instead.
38 Wednesday September 14 | 2022Motoring
Yellow directional arrows are used to guide passengers on how to use certain functions, such
When coupled with a 6kW electric motor, this allows for up to 46 miles of range and a top speed of 28mph. Prices for the Ami Tonic start from £8,695.
This week… New engines for Cupra Leon n Ami Tonic gets new colours n Limited edition Mini n Mini’s Multitone Edition adds an exclusive touch Cupra introduces lower-priced range of petrol engines to the Leon hatchback and estate Call us for immediate support, advice or to arrange a home visit. We are here to help 24 hours a day. Your Local Funeral Services Our Funeral Directors are here to support and guide you. We offer a friendly and professional service to families. T W Boorman Funeral Services www.tw-boorman.co.uk Tunbridge Wells 01892 884 195 31 Mount Ephraim TN4 8AA W F Groombridge Funeral Directors www.wfgroombridge.co.uk Tunbridge Wells 01892 884 224 49 St John’s Road TN4 9TP Call us for immediate support, advice or to arrange a home visit. We are here to help 24 hours a day. Your Local Funeral Services Our Funeral Directors are here to support and guide you. We offer a friendly and professional service to families. T W Boorman Funeral Services www.tw-boorman.co.uk Tunbridge Wells 01892 884 195 31 Mount Ephraim TN4 8AA W F Groombridge Funeral Directors www.wfgroombridge.co.uk Tunbridge Wells 01892 884 224 49 St John’s Road TN4 9TP
Kai Vogler, vice-president for sales and marketing at Cupra, said: “The Cupra Leon is already a king on the road, but we’re always developing the vehicle to maximise the offering for our customers, making it more customisable
H Engineering Ltd, Little Cacketts Farm, Haymans Hill, Horsmonden, Kent, TN12 8BX info@h-engineering.com | 01892 549042 WWW.H-ENGINEERING.COM RESTORING THE WORLD’S MOST ICONIC CARS
GOD SAVE THE KING!
