Times of Tunbridge Wells 26th October 2022

Middle

By Richard Williams

GREG CLARK has said he is ‘proud’, ‘delighted’ and ‘relieved’ that Rishi Sunak has become the country’s new Prime Minister following weeks of chaos in the Tory Party.

The Tunbridge Wells MP, who was made Levelling Up Secretary towards the end of Boris Johnson’s premiership, came out in support of Mr Sunak on Friday and nominated him for the job.

Mr Clark was pictured with Rishi Sunak during the last leadership election when the former Chancellor visited Tunbridge Wells in July during his unsuccessful former run to be PM against Ms Truss.

During that visit, Mr Sunak caused a furore when a leaked video of him at the Tunbridge Wells Constitutional Club in

man

WELLS

Times

Sandrock Road suggested he had begun moving funding from deprived areas of the country to places such as Tunbridge Wells.

became the UK’s fifth PM in just six years after meeting the King yesterday (Tuesday), was a man ‘of intelligence, decency and capability who I am proud to support’.

He said: “During the Summer leadership campaign, Rishi Sunak showed that he understood what was needed.

At the time, Mr Clark refused to say who he wanted to be the next PM, but this time around, the Tunbridge Wells MP openly backed Mr Sunak and was among the 165+ Tory members who nominated him for the leadership job.

Now exclusively writing for the Times, Mr Clark says Rishi Sunak, who officially

“It came at considerable detriment to his own electoral prospects because people are never keen on whoever is the bearer of tough news. But he was right, he refused to be intimidated into hiding the truth, and he has been vindicated by events.

“Rishi Sunak also got things right during Covid. I vividly recall asking an Urgent Question in the House of

FILM CREW:

by

‘I hope that, as

start as he means to go

‘Rishi Sunak understands what is needed’

from

Commons during the first days of the pandemic to bring the then Chancellor’s attention to the concerns of local businesses in Tunbridge Wells that they were facing imminent bankruptcy and that thousands of people would be made unemployed.”

Mr Sunak’s election as new PM follows weeks of turmoil in the Conservative Party that saw not only newly elected Prime Minister Liz Truss resign after just 44 days in office, but also saw the sacking of Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and a U-turn on his minibudget when it caused consternation in the markets.

Backers

But Mr Clark believes the best way to unify the party now will be to ensure the new PM does not just give jobs to his own backers.

He said: “I hope that, as our new Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak will start as he means to go on. Everyone is fed up of division and tension. There is a yearning for us to come together, to be respectful of each other and to lay differences aside to work for the common good.

“I hope that Rishi will bring together into his Government people from across the breadth of the Conservative Party and not do as his predecessor did, appoint virtually exclusively

their own supporters.

“And that team should work hand in hand, united in pursuing the national interest.”

He has also thrown his support behind the decision to make Jeremy Hunt Chancellor adding: “Jeremy Hunt’s appointment as Chancellor has already calmed the financial markets substantially.

“But that was not sufficient – to get back on track we needed a Prime Minister who understands what is needed to bring inflation under control and keep interest rates as low as possible consistent with that.”

Read Mr Clark’s column page 18.

MELA ORGANISER CELEBRATES ‘HISTORIC DAY’

The man who organises cultural festival The Mela in Calverley Grounds, has said the election of Rishi Sunak as the country’s first Asian PM was an ‘historic day’.

Gurvinder Sandher MBE, of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council told the Times: “This is an historic day for the country as we now have the youngest Prime Minister and the first of British Asian heritage.

“For someone like me, who was born in Kent, the son of immigrants who came from Punjab in the North of India, I never thought I would see this day. It should be a proud day for the nation - regardless of politics and backgrounds, this

For more on the PM see National news page 14.

this week…

COOL RUNNINGS Bewl Water

for

Tunbridge Wells women among protestors arrested in London

By Lilly Croucher

TWO Tunbridge Wells women, one a grandmother, were among activists arrested in London last week after blocking roads and attacking a department store as part of the protest group Just Stop Oil

Rosie Sauvage, 64, a grandmother from the town, was arrested on Thursday (October 20), for being part of a group of activists that blocked traffic in Knightsbridge in London and sprayed orange paint on the outside of Harrods.

Climate

She said she travelled to London to take part in the protest because ‘I want my three-year-old grandson and all of his generation and generations to come to have a liveable climate and enough food to eat’.

She added: “They don’t deserve to suffer because of the indifference and inaction of our current leaders. We demand that the UK government stops granting licences for new fossil fuel exploration which is in direct contradiction to stated government Net Zero policy."

Another local activist, who called herself ‘Danielle’ as she spoke to reporters last Tuesday

(October 18), was part of the group that were arrested after blocking Talgarth Road near Barons Court Tube station around 7.30am.

She said that she had travelled to the capital because she was ‘terrified’ of the future.

“The reason I am terrified today is because I don’t know what our future looks like at the moment and the government keep making

decisions that not only affect them but affect the global community and everything living on earth,” she said.

The Tunbridge Wells activist is believed to have been arrested by the Met along with the other protestors in Talgarth Road that morning.

A spokesperson for the Met told the Times that both women were later bailed.

Lord of the Rings prequel being shot on the Commons

SCENES for the new season of Amazon’s prequel to Lord of the Rings are currently being shot in Tunbridge Wells.

A production company set up in Hollands Farm near to the Hare pub in Langton Green this week.

Film crews have been spotted in the Common in Tunbridge Wells, filming around Harrison’s Rocks, as well as in Groombridge on the East Sussex border.

While the production team remained tightlipped when the Times paid them a visit on Monday, it is understood they are shooting scenes are for the second season of the

streaming services’ The Rings of Power.

The Amazon show outlines how the eponymous ring in Tolkein’s books came to be forged in Middle Earth and follows the rise of Sauron – the villain in Lord of the Rings.

Locations

While much of the first season was filmed in New Zealand, showrunners visited the area while scouting for additional filming locations in June this year.

Amazon has not revealed the release date for Season 2 of Rings of Power, but TV insiders say they expect the show to air at some point in 2024.

theatre at

School opens to

adding to

scene

The Assembly Hall Theatre reveals its cast for Jack

THE BIG REVEAL The Business Improvement District unveils its plans for the town’s Christmas lights P36

CLARIFICATIONS AND CORRECTIONS

moment serves to show that there is an opportunity for all to reach the highest office in the country with hard work, opportunity and some luck."

Continued from front page

GURVINDER SANDHER

ACTIVIST

‘Danielle’ from Tunbridge Wells

SCENE Harrison’s

County Hall goes ahead with bus subsidy cuts

By Lilly Croucher

KENT County Council (KCC) has voted to cut nearly 40 subsidised bus services, mainly in rural areas across the County as the authority attempts to save money.

Among the subsidies that have been cut are six routes serving the Tunbridge Wells area, which are now likely to stop running following the axing of the cash help to the bus operators.

Initial plans by KCC had been to save £3million pounds by withdrawing subsidies to 48 services by 2022, but a following public consultation, the cuts were reduced to include 38 services, saving County Hall £2.2million.

Isolation

Last Thursday (October 20) councillors at KCC voted in favour of defunding the routes with will see money to providers Autocar, Arriva, Stagecoach, Go Coach, Regents, Nu-Venture and Chalkwell bus operators cut.

Routes 6, 255, 277, 293, 296 and TW9 are among the subsidised routes that serve Tunbridge Wells that will be cut. The axing of these six routes alone is said to save KCC £120,403 a year.

But KCC’s proposed plans to cut the subsidies have received wide-spread backlash for disproportionately affecting those in the most rural areas of the county with fears of isolation and loss of independence to local residents.

A public consultation, which ran for eight weeks from February 24 to April 20, received 2,562 responses. The Council also received three petitions, surveys by Kent Karrier operators and a parish council and four MPs letters.

During the debate held at County Hall in Maidstone last week, Cllr Rich Lahmann (Green

Party), said: “The cuts would have an enormous impact across rural parts of Kent.

Nonsense

“This decision essentially places a premium on rural living across the county for the sake of a saving equivalent of 0.2 per cent of our annual budget, although I’d question whether the saving would even be that high.

“[It] would immediately become harder to live in for elderly and disabled residents as well as for families with no alternative means to get to work or school.”

Cllr Richard Streatfield (Lib Dem), added in an impassioned speech: “The Council, the administration hasn’t listened and is not listening

“There [was] a child yesterday that, because of the overcrowding on the bus services that is continuing, was taken ill in Tunbridge Wells.”

He continued: “The argument that the commercial decisions were entirely separate from the supported service is absolute nonsense.

“The managing director of Go Coach put it to me that this was a ‘perfect storm’, that the reduction post-pandemic, when the bus services needed our support the most, was made incomparably worst by the decision to reduce the supported service.”

Kent Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, David Brazier, had previously defended the cuts, saying: "The council is under no obligation to support unviable bus services.

"This is subject to the availability of funding," he said, adding: "Effectively the £2.2m is no longer in my budget and I cannot spend money I do not have."

Of 53 Kent County councillors, 37 voted for, 15 against and one abstained.

AXED: Dozens of bus routes are now set to be scrapped

...as services are cancelled all week due to drivers’ strike

THERE are no bus services running in Tunbridge Wells from Kent’s main operator this week after a pay offer was turned down by union members.

Drivers and workers at Arriva have walked out over pay and conditions during half term at depots in Northfleet, Gillingham, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.

Disappointed

The strike, which is set to end on Friday (October 28), comes after Unite the Union cancelled planned walkouts last Wednesday to Friday (October 19 – 21) after receiving the pay offer from Arriva.

After balloting their members, workers voted last week not to accept the bus operators pay deal, which has not been made public, although Union leaders have asked for a 12.3 per cent pay rise.

Arriva says it is ‘incredibly disappointed’ that the union rejected their offer and says they will attempt to ‘resolve this dispute as quickly as possible.’

A spokesperson for the bus operator added: “We understand the detrimental impact this situation is having on our customers, our communities, our local economy – we urge the unions to reconsider their position, act in good faith and show a genuine willingness to resolve this dispute for the benefit of their members and our customers.”

The industrial action on the buses comes as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will walk out on November 3, 5 and 7 next month.

The railway walkouts will likely see Tunbridge Wells station close as Southeastern, which operates trains in the, effecting Network rail services including Southeastern Railways that serves Tunbridge Wells.

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group

that represents the train operators in the UK, said: “We are frustrated that the RMT leadership has decided to take further strike action.

“Given their recent call for ‘intense negotiations’ we had hoped they would give our staff and customers a much-needed break from the disruption and lost pay of the last five months.

“Instead of inflicting more unnecessary long-term damage to the industry we all want to

see thrive, we ask the RMT to recognise the very real financial challenge the railway faces, and work with us towards a fair deal that both offers a pay rise and includes the long overdue changes we need to make to improve services for our customers.”

The news comes as the main train line from Tunbridge Wells to Hastings has closed this week until October 30 as Network rail conduct upgrades to the line.

A change of season brings new activities to Bewl Water

The Times visits Bewl Water where Business Director Andrew Daniells explains some of the changes they are making to bring more people to the beauty spot this autumn…

BEWL WATER is the largest body of fresh water in the South East and the man-made reservoir straddles the boundary between Kent and East Sussex.

Privately owned by Southern Water but leased to Elite Leisure Collection (ELC), which runs several businesses in Tunbridge Wells, including One Media, publisher of the Times, Bewl covers more than 900 acres.

Leisure facilities such fishing and the aqua park help to fund the more than £1.3million it costs each year to run and maintain the beauty spot.

Routes

And while the water is often the main attraction during the warmer months, recent changes have been aimed at making Bewl the perfect place to enjoy some healthy outdoor family fun in both the autumn and winter.

“It’s a beautiful time of year, and if you get out regularly enough, you’ll get to see the beautiful changing colours of the leaves,” said Andrew Daniells, business director of Bewl Water.

He said surrounding the reservoir are 12.5 miles of walking trails and cycling routes that follow a collection of forest paths and country lanes and in November, Bewl are introducing a series of new self-guided routes.

Designed to help visitors navigate their way through the extensive landscape, the guided walks will operate using three colours: red, blue, and green, ranging from easy-going strolls to longer distances allowing walkers and cyclists to see the reservoir at their own pace.

“The new walking trails will allow those looking to get outdoors this autumn the opportunity to explore the unique and unusual trees we have here as well as our beautiful wildlife,” explained Mr Daniells.

Just a short walk from Wards Lane, visitors can

explore the bird hide which was built by the Sussex Wildlife Trust.

Species such as Great Crested Grebe and Little Grebe are present all year as well as Canada Goose, Mallard and Common Pochard, with further birds occupying the surrounding woods and farmland.

Encourage

If you prefer cycling, Bewl’s bike hire shop can be found in the car park in front of the Waterfront Café offering a range of good quality mountain bikes for adults and children.

Andrew told the Times that the reservoir wants to encourage more families to get outside and make the most of their cycling routes.

“It's socially oriented, fun, and great value for money,” he said. “Families can bring their own bikes, but if they need to hire some, we are

offering 50 per cent off throughout November and December.”

The special offer means families can enjoy adult bike hire for £10 whilst a child’s bike will cost just £5.

On the southern side of the reservoir the trail borders a nature reserve which is irregularly shaped with many quiet inlets. Its multiple roles include the conservation of species and biodiversity and the conservation of ecosystems.

Hire

“Establishing these areas remains one of the most effective efforts for protecting our endangered species and their natural environment,” said Mr Daniells, explaining that the reserve is ‘out of bounds’ for water sports users including the 3,500 fishermen that occupy

the reservoir each year.

He added that the lower autumn water temperature sees the start of the fishing season for pike and perch predator fishing and those experienced or new to the sport can hire one of the 50 boats available on site.

“We’ve made Bewl a lot more accessible to everyone who likes getting out on the water, whether fishing, paddleboarding or sailing’. added Mr Daniells, but there continues to be plenty to do for younger visitors.

“The two outdoor play areas are open year-round. One is for children up to six years old, where they can be supervised by adults, and the other - a large adventure play area - with a life size wooden galleon - is for older children. We think it’s one of the longest outdoor slides in the South East,” he continued.

Bewl Water are kicking off the autumn season with a photography competition which will encourage both amateur and professional photographers to get outdoors and capture everything from wildlife, flowers, and landscapes through to woodland creatures.

The reservoir wants those of all ages to get creative and capture their ‘natural world’ giving the winner an annual parking pass worth over £300.

Those wanting to enter have up until the end of the season and can submit their photographs via Instagram, Twitter or Facebook @bewlwater

(Terms and conditions apply see social media posts for more details)

Date for parking charges at Ashdown Forest revealed

By Lilly Croucher

ASHDOWN Forest has revealed it will be implementing parking charges at its car parks from November 21 after years of financial difficulty.

The Forest confirmed the start date of the scheme after receiving planning permission to install signs in the car parks and two parking machines at the Forest Centre in Wych cross.

Funding

As revealed in the Times last year, the Wealden beauty spot needed to raise money to sustain the forest following cuts to its funding and announced it was considering introducing

parking charges.

In September, Ashdown Forest confirmed it would be employing parking charges across all 47 car parks with fees ranging from £2 an hour to £5 for all day and annual passes available at £80, or £50 for a six-month winter pass covering two cars per household.

Those receiving universal credit or other benefits can get a day ticket for £1 and an annual pass for £5 while Blue Badge holders will be allowed to park for free.

Horizon parking will be managing the parking scheme with visitors being able to pay by mobile phone, by card at the machines at the Forest Centre, via Apps, by cash at the Forest Centre during office hours or purchase a longer pass online.

The open heathland is a place of outstanding natural beauty which covers 2,400 acres of land across East Sussex and served as the inspiration for the Hundred-acre wood in AA Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories.

Experience

According to Forestry England, visitor numbers increased last year with 296 million visitors to the nation’s forests, up 77 million from the year before.

Ashdown Forest has continued to experience increasing numbers of visitors and decreasing amounts of funding.

Last year the forest lost £150,000 in funding from East Sussex County Council resulting in a

significant annual deficit despite organisational changes and continued fundraising by the forest.

To conserve the forest and improve facilities, Ashdown Forest has decided that parking charges would help to generate the income needed to protect the forest and keep it open for the public.

Ashdown Forest Chief Executive James Adler said: “Introducing parking charges was a difficult decision.

“We hope that people will understand that without this income we cannot protect this unique landscape now or for the future.

“We want our visitors to enjoy everything the Forest has to offer and, by making their parking payment, they will make a really valuable contribution to maintaining this beautiful place.”

WIN AN ANNUAL PASS TO BEWL

SEASONAL COOL Andrew Daniells (inset) is aiming to attract more people to Bewl during the autumn

Town centre traders BID for stardom in a frightfully fun Halloween video

By Lilly Croucher

A NEW promotional short film has been released by the Royal Tunbridge Wells Together Business Improvement District in time for October’s spooky season.

The Business Improvement District (BID), the town centre promotional company that is paid for by local firms via an annual levy attached to their business rates, released the video via YouTube last week (October 20).

Creatures

It was filmed by local videographer Simon Cossons, a resident of Camden Road.

In the film, visitors and residents are greeted by Sleeping Beauty villain ‘Maleficent’ roaming The Pantiles; The Phantom of the Opera playing to the death in a piano showroom; and the Demon Barber of the High Street.

Businesses that are in the video include Good&Green, HiTech Aesthetics, James|Munro hairdressers, Brittens Music, The Green Duck Emporium, Stampede, TN1 Bar and Kitchen, The Body Shop, Office Tribe, Glass by Claudia, Bubba & Me and Larratt & Co Butchers, while kooky characters also visit Calverley Grounds and The Pantiles.

Sarah-Jane Adams, BID Director, said of the film: “It’s that time of year when unusual creatures are coming out of the shadows, and we managed to capture some of the sightings in our tongue-in-cheek promotional video.

“Our seasonal short films usually attract lots of views, and we hope that residents and guests to the town are enjoying these fun ways to get to know the faces behind their town

centre businesses. Watch it if you dare!”

RTW Together, which runs the local BID, is now planning for its Christmas advert ‘A Very Royal Christmas’.

To watch the film, search YouTube for Royal Tunbridge Wells Together BID or visit: youtu.be/qUnxEprfczE

Sell with Gorringe’s this Season

Agency offers sustainability sessions free

A DIGITAL design agency from Tunbridge Wells is offering free sessions for businesses that want to become more sustainable.

The award-winning Yoyo Design is providing sustainability support for local businesses through one-hour drop-in sessions with their CEO, Jenny Kitchen.

Grow

Starting this month, the sessions are being held at the Yoyo office at 77 Mount Ephraim in Tunbridge Wells once a month.

Jenny Kitchen is leading the sessions, which will involve a short presentation followed by a group Q&A.

The sessions are open to anyone who works in or runs a business and wants to learn how to grow their business sustainably.

The next session will be held on November 17 at 10:30am.

To sign up for the sustainability sessions, search for Yoyo Design at eventbrite.co.uk

JENNY KITCHEN

SPOOKY STORES ‘Maleficent’ (above) in The Pantiles, Pumpkins (left) at The Body Shop and (below) two terrible (Times-reading) twins

Wedding team make the finals at county’s awards

Jeweller commissioned by BBC Children in Need

By Lilly Croucher

TWO wedding venues in Tunbridge Wells have been shortlisted in three categories for The Kent Wedding Awards.

Elite Leisure Collection’s (ELC) Salomons Estate and One Warwick Park Hotel are finalists again at this year’s wedding awards, after an ELC venue won ‘best events team’ last year.

Proud

The Tunbridge Wells-based venues are now finalists in three categories, including ‘Heritage Wedding Venue of the Year’ (Salomons Estate), ‘In-House Events Team of the Year’ (Salomons Estate) and Wedding Venue of the Year’ (One Warwick Park Hotel).

Fiona Owens, Events Team Manager at ELC, which also runs One Media Creative UK Ltd, publisher of the Times, said: “The team are feeling incredibly proud and grateful

after what has been a very busy year.

“The wedding industry has made its comeback in 2022, and we can’t wait to celebrate with so many fantastic local businesses.”

The news comes after a successful win last year for the events team at Salomons Estate, who took the prize for ‘Best Events Team’.

The county sees over 7,000 couples get married each year using local venues and suppliers.

The Kent Wedding Awards, now in its 10th year, celebrates the best wedding professionals and services the county has to offer.

The winners of the awards will be announced on November 17, 2022, at the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel during a black-tie ceremony.

By Sarah Carter

A FAMILY-OWNED jeweller in Tonbridge has revealed a limited-edition Pudsey collection in partnership with BBC Children in Need.

F. Hinds, in the town’s Pavilion shopping precinct, was one of the brand’s many stores that launched the collection across the UK on October 21.

It features an Alarm Clock (£16.99), Trinket Box (£14.99) and a Pudsey-shaped Money Box (£14.99).

All items will be available in store and online with 35 percent of the sale from each product being donated to BBC Children in Need.

The independent jewellers, which opened in 1856 and now has over 115 stores across England and Wales, first partnered with BBC Children in Need in 2021, selling Pudsey pins and taking donations.

Project leader and Head of Marketing Natasha House said: “We are so excited to be releasing

our very first range of products for BBC Children in Need.

“The charity is close to all of our hearts, and we are so happy to give it the focus that it deserves.

“We can’t wait to see how the funds from this partnership will go on to support the lives for children and young people across the UK.”

Inspire

Speaking of the partnership, BBC Children in Need Commercial Director Claire Hoyle said:

“Together with partners like F. Hinds and Chapelle, BBC Children in Need can inspire the nation to come together and support our work to provide a better and more positive future for children and young people.

“The 2022 Pudsey Collection captures the spirit of BBC Children in Need and will make a great impact on the high street.”

For more information, please visit: fhinds.co.uk

Mortgages that work for

without the hard work

WINNING TEAM The ELC events team (inset) and One Warwick Park’s banquet hall

NEEDED Greg Hinds and Natasha House from F Hinds

By Victoria Roberts

Legion seeks veterans for Remembrance Service Village celebrates Memorial Hall’s finished renovation

A CALL has gone out for Armistice and Remembrance ceremonies in Tunbridge Wells this November, which are expected to attract thousands to the town but which could be missing some important faces.

John Cohen, Chairman of the Royal British Legion’s (RBL) local branch is currently reaching out to veterans who are not in touch with the RBL to ensure they can join in.

“It is important the town is able to recognise the contribution of such veterans and has a good understanding of the size of that group in the community,” he said.

“We hope this year to attract more veterans so that their service can be better acknowledged.”

In addition to church services, Tunbridge Wells holds different acts of remembrance across three outdoor locations in mid-November.

Wreaths

This year, the first events will take place on Armistice Day. On Friday, November 11, the RBL will lead a short Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial outside Town Hall, starting at 10:45am, with Tunbridge Wells Mayor Cllr Godfrey Bland and RBL local branch honorary president David Wakefield laying wreaths.

Then, at approximately 11:30am on the same day, RBL will also lead a ceremony at the Victoria Cross (VC) Grove on the Bayham Road side of Dunorlan Park.

“The VC Grove provides the perfect setting for smaller, more intimate acts of Remembrance and all are welcome to attend both ceremonies,” said Mr Cohen.

Gurkha Rifles veteran Rorie Evans will play a bagpipe lament before both events, and the names of the 10 holders of the Victoria Cross will be read out in the grove before the ceremony. The town’s largest outdoor event of the

commemorative season starts at 10:45am on Remembrance Sunday (November 13) at the War Memorial, a multi-faith service of remembrance, parade and march-past organised by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

Hundreds of cadets from the town’s cadet forces, as well as representatives from many youth and civilian organisations, take part.

“In pre-Covid years, the service has been attended by thousands, and we expect a similar number this year,” said Mr Cohen.

“The town’s Salvation Army Band and the Royal Tunbridge Wells Orpheus Male Voice Choir will again be taking part, and bagpiper Rorie Evans for the first time will be playing a lament.”

The third outdoor remembrance location is at Tunbridge Wells Cemetery, Hawkenbury, with a civic ceremony taking place on Sunday, November 13.

Starting at 12:30pm, the service will see the

Mayor, veterans’ organisations and the Friends of Tunbridge Wells Cemetery lay wreaths at the World War II Garden of Remembrance, and then at the Civilian Memorial, the World War I Memorial, and the RAF Memorial.

On a national level, RBL’s focus this year is on the concept of service.

“The Royal British Legion Service, the act of defending and protecting the nation’s democratic freedoms and way of life, is rarely without cost for those who serve,” said the organisation.

“Physical, mental or emotional injury or trauma; the absence of time with family; or the pressures and dangers that come from serving, highlight why the Remembrance of service is so important.”

Those who wish to get in touch with the Royal British Legion in Tunbridge Wells can email: johncohen@tiscali.co.uk

By Lilly Croucher

VILLAGERS at Frittenden celebrated the ‘muchneeded’ renovation to the Memorial Hall with a drinks event on October 14.

The renovations to the hall included a new meeting room, kitchen, toilet facilities, a stage and performance equipment.

Guests at the event included Tim Bull DL, Helen Grant, MP for Maidstone and The Weald, Kent Community Foundation and many residents, who were all treated to a performance on the new stage by local ABBA tribute band ‘Shabba’.

Facilities

Mr Keith Piper, 92, who built the original hall in 1963, was also in attendance and spoke fondly of building it in honour of the villagers lost in WWII.

The hall, supported by Kent Community Foundation, received £6,500 from The Lawson Endowment Fund and The Brissenden Fund as well as £9,700 from The Queen’s Jubilee Fund.

Rosalind Riley, Chair of the Frittenden Hall Trustees, said: “Frittenden Memorial Hall provides essential space for our community to meet and hold events, clubs and entertainment.

“The evening celebrated the completion of the improvements which will give the village high quality, flexible and modern facilities which have a lower ecological footprint. It was wonderful to see so many people come together.”

She added that the new meeting room has been named the ‘Sixty-Four Room’ in memory of the 64 Frittenden residents who served during WWII.

“We are very grateful to all our fundraisers and funders, including Kent Community Foundation, the Heritage Lottery Fund and DEFRA, as well as several other charitable funds and many private donors.”

M id winter

WAR MEMORIAL SERVICE

First ‘warm spaces’open in town centre

Shoe repair shop is thanked

A FAMILY-RUN shoe repair shop has been branded a ‘true local star’ after it began offering free engravings on memorial pendants for families of terminally-ill children.

Taylor Made Dreams, a charity that supports the families of children with life-limiting conditions, presents families with a silver pendant in the form of a dragonfly, the charity logo, after the loss of a child.

Sue Brereton, of Crowborough Shoe Repairs in The Broadway, offers a number of services including shoe repair and engraving for trophies, house signs and watches.

Sue said: “Taylor Made Dreams came in one day to have a name engraved. When I found out what it was for, I said I wouldn’t charge. It’s the little things that I can do to help.

Difference

“They are a good local charity and what they do is wonderful.”

Taylor Made Dreams said: “This permanent keepsake is a way to remember their loved one long after they have gone. This kind of gift makes a big difference, as it helps us to deliver a high-quality service without an added cost.

By Lilly Croucher

A CAFÉ and town centre shops in Tunbridge Wells have registered as ‘Warm Spaces’ to support those who find themselves struggling to heat their homes during the winter months.

Refreshments

The Kitchen Table in Camden Road and Zero Waste in The Pantiles have joined a national scheme that provides a warm, welcoming and safe space with basic refreshments of tea and coffee at no cost to those needing the service. As the cost-of-living crisis continues, the Warm

Welcome Campaign claim that 16.4 million people will be plunged into fuel poverty this winter, with elderly people, children, people with disabilities, and those from ethnic-minority communities and low-income households being the most vulnerable.

There are over 1,600 registered ‘warm spaces’ across the UK, but only three are so far located in Tunbridge Wells, with the other space being St Philip’s Church, Birken Road.

The Kitchen Table has urged more organisations in the town to sign up and support the local community. Registered spaces will have a ‘Warm Space’ poster in their window and can be found online at: warmwelcome.uk/#find-a-space

Over-50s urged to book Covid jabs

COVID-19 booster vaccines are now available for those over 50.

Pharmacy2U, the UK’s largest online pharmacy, is supporting the NHS by urging those who are now eligible to get their Covid-19 booster and flu jabs ahead of the winter months.

Vaccinations

With 1.5 million vaccinations already given out, Pharmacy2U has appointment slots available now at its local clinic in the Royal Victoria Place Shopping Centre, Tunbridge Wells.

From October 14, those eligible for a Covid-19 booster vaccination now includes people aged 50 years and over; carers aged 16-49 years old; anyone aged five years or older with a weakened immune system; people living with others who have weakened immune systems; and frontline health and social care workers, including care home staff.

The rollout of the booster jabs comes after masks were recently reintroduced at Tunbridge Wells Hospital due to a rise in Covid cases.

To see clinic operating hours and book an appointment, visit pharmacy2u.co.uk

“We deeply appreciate Sue’s support, we couldn’t do what we do without people in the community like Sue. A true local star.”

SUE BRERETON

County Hall ups Homes for Ukraine payments

PEOPLE hosting Ukrainians as part of the Kent County Council (KCC) Homes for Ukraine Scheme are set to receive more money every month as part of a county-wide increase.

Fears

The Government continues to set host payments at £350 month per accommodation, but KCC has decided to increase this to recognise

‘the generosity and kindness’ of Kent hosts, but also the challenges they currently face from increasing costs in energy and rising inflation.

KCC say they have taken the decision to increase the payments after fears many people wouldn’t be able to afford to extend their current six-month agreements as winter approaches.

The increased payments will begin at the end of October and will continue until March 2023, when the current Government scheme ends.

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Sunak vows to fix Truss’s ‘mistakes’ as he becomes UK’s first Asian PM

RISHI Sunak has been appointed Prime Minister by the King after he accepted the resignation of Liz Truss after just 49 days in office.

The new Prime Minister then warned the nation is facing a ‘profound economic crisis’ as he pledged to fix the ‘mistakes’ of Liz Truss’s leadership.

The freshly-appointed Conservative leader warned there are ‘difficult decisions to come’ as he made his first speech from Downing Street after meeting the King.

Mr Sunak, 42, is the UK’s first Hindu PM, the first of Asian heritage and the youngest for more than 200 years.

Farewell

The new Conservative leader was invited to form a government by Charles when they met at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday after Ms Truss departed as the shortest-serving prime minister in history.

The King and Mr Sunak were pictured shaking hands as they met in Buckingham Palace.

The former chancellor was expected to address the nation from Downing Street a short while later.

Ms Truss used her farewell speech to stress the need to be “bold” as she defended the taxcutting agenda that sparked economic chaos and led to her downfall.

After seven chaotic weeks as prime minister, Ms Truss celebrated reversing the national insurance hike imposed by Mr Sunak when he was chancellor.

She warned from Downing Street that the nation continues to “battle through a storm”,

but insisted she believes “brighter days lie ahead”.

“From my time as prime minister, I’m more convinced than ever that we need to be bold and confront the challenges we face,” she added.

“We simply cannot afford to be a low-growth country where the Government takes up an increasing share of our national wealth and where there are huge divides between different parts of our country. We need to take advantage of our Brexit freedoms to do things differently.”

Ms Truss made no apologies for the disastrous mini-budget and continued to stand by her tax-cutting ideals, despite being forced to reverse most of her policies when new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was brought in to clear

up the mess.

She cited one of Brexit’s benefits as “lower taxes, so people keep more of the money they earn”, before wishing Mr Sunak “every success, for the good of our country”.

In the speech lasting three minutes and seven seconds, Ms Truss quoted Roman philosopher Seneca to say: “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare. It is because we do not dare that they are difficult.”

Ms Truss thanked her family and her shortlived Downing Street team during the speech in front of a relatively small crowd of supporters that included her daughters Frances and Liberty, husband Hugh O’Leary and Deputy Prime Minister Therese Coffey.

“We continue to battle through a storm but I believe in Britain, I believe in the British people and I know that brighter days lie ahead,” she ended her speech by saying.

The King was “graciously pleased to accept” her resignation, Buckingham Palace said.

Mr Sunak will look to build a new Cabinet that might unite a fractious Tory party.

He won the Tory leadership contest on Monday without a vote after rivals Penny Mordaunt and Boris Johnson dropped out of the race.

Allies hope he will stabilise the party following Mr Johnson’s dramatic downfall and his successor’s fleeting but tumultuous tenure.

Mr Sunak is expected to quickly begin assembling a top team to portray a measure of stability to both the Conservatives and the country.

Treasury

Long-time backers Dominic Raab, the former justice secretary, Commons Treasury Committee chairman Mel Stride and ex-chief whip Mark Harper have been tipped for jobs.

While not confirmed, Mr Hunt, who replaced Kwasi Kwarteng as Chancellor amid economic turbulence, is expected to remain at the top of the Treasury.

Mr Hunt has been working towards a highlyanticipated Halloween statement on the Government’s medium-term fiscal plans, complete with independent forecasts.

Mr Sunak has ruled out allowing the early general election demanded by opposition parties as the Tories move on to their third prime minister on the mandate won by Mr Johnson in 2019.

Haze and clouds obscure partial eclipse of the sun

AROUND 25 per cent of the Sun was blocked out on Tuesday as the Moon passed between it and the Earth.

But many Skygazers across the UK were disappointed that their view of the celestial phenomena was spoiled by poor weather, with those in northern Scotland having the best views.

In the South East, the eclipse began at 10:08am on October 25, with the maximum eclipse occurring at 10.59am, when the Moon covered close to 15 per cent of the Sun.

Lerwick in the Shetland Isles is expected to have a better view, with 28 per cent of the Sun obscured at mid-eclipse.

Cost of household basics has risen up to two thirds

THE UK’s most squeezed households are seeing the price they have to pay for some of the cheapest food in the supermarket soaring by nearly two thirds, new data has revealed.

The price of the least expensive pasta that under-pressure shoppers can get has risen by 60% in the last year, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The cheapest vegetable oil on supermarket shelves has jumped by 65%.

Understand

Statisticians have collected more than a million prices from supermarket websites over the past year to compare the cost of the cheapest available produce.

It allows them to better understand the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on poorer households.

They said that the cheapest tea had risen in price by 46%, chips rose 39%, bread was up 38% and biscuits up 34%.

“While the recent spike in inflation began with energy prices, today’s fresh insights using a new innovative data source show they are now filtering through to other important items, with the cheapest price of some staple food items rising by around two thirds in the last year,” said national statistician Sir Ian Diamond.

Earlier this year, campaigner Jack Monroe called on the ONS to update the way it measures

inflation to better understand what impact rising prices have on the poorest households.

Some items also decreased in price. Orange juice dropped 9%, and minced beef was down 7%.

The ONS also published separate data showing that 72% of people with prepayment energy meters are finding it difficult to pay their bills.

A survey also found that seven in 10 (69%) of black adults are finding it difficult to afford their energy bills, compared to just 44% of white adults. The survey showed that 59% of Asian adults were struggling with energy bills.

The figures show over half (55%) of disabled adults reported finding it difficult to afford their energy bills and around a third (36%) found it difficult to afford their rent or mortgage payments – compared with 40% and 27% of non-disabled people respectively.

“Figures from our near real-time survey of people show that while rises in food and energy costs are affecting many people across the country, those who are disabled, from certain ethnic minority backgrounds and renters are among those struggling the most,” Sir Ian said.

“With rises in the cost of living at the forefront of many people’s minds, our new, almost real time, data showing just how prices are changing and shining a light on how different groups are affected have never been more important.”

Thomas

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Tonbridge wins a national award for its role in the local community

A leading local public school is recognised by the Talk Education Awards for its invaluable year-round collaborative and fundraising work, reports Eileen Leahy

TONBRIDGE SCHOOL has been named as a winner in the prestigious Talk Education Awards for Innovation in Education 2022.

TIONIts recognition is for ‘Community Engagement and Charity Fundraising’, with Tonbridge being one of just nine schools across the country to collect a top prize awarded by the Talk Education global schools guide.

Projects

Talk Education’s CEO, Joanna Parry-George, said: “All our judges were hugely impressed by Tonbridge’s year-round, dedicated work, from its Community Action programme to the annual Giving Day, not forgetting the huge impetus behind Foundation Awards and the countless fundraising initiatives the School devotes time and energy to.

“This is a much-deserved success earned by boys and staff across the School.”

Giving Day, held at the end of June, raised the extraordinary sum of £509,000, which will help the school’s mission of doubling its number of Foundation Award recipients.

As part of Giving Day, around 600 children from local primary schools took part in a range of sporting, artistic and academic activities at Tonbridge, and there were also a dozen off-site projects, from digging ponds to running sports festivals, as the pupils and staff ‘gave back’ to the local community.

The public school’s Tonbridge Community Action programme sees more than 120 boys volunteering each week.

The school has strong partnerships with 10 primary schools, and pupils help in various ways, including in the classroom and with after-school clubs. First Year boys, for example, run a ‘book buddies’ scheme, working with other pupils to develop a love of reading.

The popular Science for Schools programme

offers inspirational, hands-on experiments for primary school children in the Barton Science Centre at Tonbridge School.

The annual Pink Day, a whole-school event, raises awareness of all forms of cancer.

The school works with a range of charity partners throughout the year, including Child Action Lanka, and runs an annual ‘Sleepout’ for First Years in support of Porchlight, a Kent charity for homeless and vulnerable people.

SCIENCE FOR SCHOOLS

SLEEPING UNDER CARDBOARD One of Tonbridge School’s ‘Sleepout’ charity events

TOP TEAM (l-r) Tonbridge School Headmaster James Priory with Juliet Burnett, Kat Portman-Smith and James Fisher

Greg Clark

I am relieved we have a PM I am proud to support

I AM delighted and relieved that Rishi Sunak is now Prime Minister. I nominated him for the role as soon as Liz Truss announced her resignation because I am certain that he can steer us through the difficult economic times we are going through and lead our nation with integrity and experience.

I know how worrying the last few weeks have been for everyone. We all know that inflation has been rising since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and interest rates on loans and mortgages have been increasing.

Borrowing

When seas are turbulent, maintaining confidence as we chart a course through our troubles is essential. It was a misjudgement to take for granted that confidence and to spring the surprise of tax cuts that had to be paid for by borrowing.

The reaction of investors was instant. No British government – of whatever party – for a generation will now make that mistake again.

When the wrong turn has been taken, it should be acknowledged and put right.

That is now happening. Jeremy Hunt’s appointment as Chancellor has already calmed the financial markets substantially. But that was not sufficient – to get back on track we needed a

Prime Minister who understands what is needed to bring inflation under control and keep interest rates as low as possible consistent with that.

During the Summer leadership campaign, Rishi Sunak showed that he understood what was needed. It came at considerable detriment to his own electoral prospects because people are never keen on whoever is the bearer of tough news. But he was right, he refused to be intimidated into hiding the truth, and he has been vindicated by events.

Rishi Sunak also got things right during Covid. I vividly recall asking an Urgent Question in the House of Commons during the first days of the pandemic to bring the then Chancellor’s attention to the concerns of local businesses in

Tunbridge Wells that they were facing imminent bankruptcy and that thousands of people would be made unemployed. Within days Rishi responded with the Furlough scheme and extensive business support payments. They were without precedent either in this country or around the world. Together they ensured that most businesses survived and that, far from having mass joblessness, unemployment is now at is lowest for 50 years.

That is a record of bold, decisive action when it was needed.

I hope that, as our new Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak will start as he means to go on. Everyone is fed up of division and tension. There is a yearning for us to come together, to be

respectful of each other and to lay differences aside to work for the common good.

I hope that Rishi will bring together into his Government people from across the breadth of the Conservative Party and not do as his predecessor did, appoint virtually exclusively their own supporters. And that team should work hand in hand, united in pursuing the national interest.

Commitments

It is important too, that the new administration respects that democratic mandate of the 2019 manifesto which is the Government’s contract with the electorate.  Two years of Covid delayed the achievement of some of the commitments – the next two years must see them delivered.

The next two years, with discipline, energy and care taken to protect the vulnerable, can see us navigate safely through exceptionally difficult times for Britain and the world. As we do so, confidence can steadily return – as it has begun to already – and we can see inflation falling again, and with it our prosperity rising.

After a chaotic period during much of which I have not seen eye-to-eye with aspects of the national leadership, I am relieved that we have a Prime Minister of intelligence, decency and capability who I am proud to support.

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Conservative MP for Tunbridge Wells

Greg Clark was first elected MP for Tunbridge Wells in 2005. He has held a number of positions in Government, including Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. He is currently Chairman of the Commons’ Science and Technology Committee

NEW PM Rishi Sunak in Tunbridge Wells earlier this year

And another thing…

sir

This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your

or you can write to the

Are extra cabinet positions more important than Community Fund?

I was disappointed to read that Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s (TWBC) Community Support Fund stands empty five months after it was announced – with great fanfare – by the new Lib Dem, Labour and Tunbridge Wells Alliance coalition.

I represent Paddock Wood, an area with pockets of social and economic deprivation where many local people are struggling.

Myself and other borough councillors representing similar wards, were hoping TWBC would offer something more meaningful this winter than ‘advice’ or Cllr Chapelard’s helpful referral to the TWBC website.

While the new Lib Dem-led coalition struggles to find money to help deprived households, it has managed to find the funds to expand its own Cabinet. It created three new Cabinet posts, arguably to ensure there are enough plum jobs to keep the various coalition parties happy.

These new Cabinet posts cost local taxpayers nearly £40,000 per year.

This money could have been transferred to the Community Support Fund and used to support residents in our borough who urgently need help.

Cllr Matt Bailey (Independent)

Paddock Wood West

No need for night-time lights

It’s not often I am awake at three o’clock in the morning these days. But this week I had to take my son through the centre of Tunbridge Wells for a school trip with a very early start and was amazed to see how many businesses and shops are lit up like proverbial Christmas trees in the dead of night.

Nearly a third of premises had some sort of light on but many places looked fully lit, presumably for twenty-four hours a day. Estate agents, cafés (Pret being a particular offender), clothes boutiques -- no category of business seemed immune to the lure of pointless illumination.

At a time when energy bills are rising and in the grip of a growing climate emergency, what possible justification can there be for this unnecessary display?

It can’t be for advertising purposes; the only living things we saw were a man fixing a drain and a badger. Even refrigerated display cabinets must have an off switch (I am fairly sure that when I close my fridge door, the light inside goes out).

It’s time for Tunbridge Wells to take the lead and start a national campaign to Go Dark. Streetlamps for safety, of course, but businesses should be compelled to do their bit and switch off.

Andrew Gordon Tunbridge Wells

or

on what’s going on in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at

Picture puzzle feedback

Thank you for including our picture in the Times (October 19). I thought you would like to know I did have a phone call about the photo from a local Historian, who works with the Friends of Tunbridge Wells Cemetery.

She couldn’t identify where it was taken or who the people were. She did give me a bit of history about the photographer, Edwin Mark Skinner.

He had a photography shop in the High Street in Tunbridge Wells, in partnership with George Glanville from 1899 to 1903.

He was then a sole trader until 1922 when the business closed. He died in Uckfield. So at least we got a bit of feedback and I have sent the photo to Ann for her archives.  As she said, too many of these pieces of history are discarded into a skip these days.

Teresa Luckhurst Secretary, Skinners’ School

PEPPY SAYS...

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

Calverley

Observations on life and more important things

TEETERING TORIES. It matters not that Rishi Sunak will now lead the Conservatives into the next General Election - they are doomed. The party faithful, MPs and members alike, put Terrible Truss in office and must now live with the consequences. The pain they have inflicted across all levels of society will not be forgotten at the ballot box where votes will be cast within the next two years, if not sooner. And here’s just one example of why they are on the edge of the cliff. Days before a house sale was to be completed Calverley received the following text from his buyer, an English woman looking to relocate from abroad and be reunited with her family:

“I am pulling out of the purchase of your property. Nothing untoward in the report from the surveyor which I read yesterday but the whole economic climate in the UK, as a result of the so called mini budget, presents a country I scarcely recognise.

“The exchange rate has plummeted. All our pensions and wealth originates from the UK and something that started out as a joy is now turning into a cause for anxiety. I am so very sorry.

“I thank you and your wife for your patience and generosity [they were getting a really good deal] but we feel now is not the time to proceed with the purchase. We wish you all the very best” Calverley tells the story not to evoke sympathy but to further illustrate the depth of despair with the Tories and the party’s impact on daily life. It’s estimated that 25 per cent of property deals have fallen through which means you can multiply this case by hundreds of thousands. That’s a lot of resentment to overcome.

NOT ALL BAD NEWS. Feel some joy for legendary rockers Slade who will be topping up their pensions to the tune of half a million in the coming weeks. The money comes from royalties on their blockbuster Merry Xmas Everybody (Calverley can hear you all singing). Each year since 1973 it’s been hitting the charts. Not all fairy lights though.

Frontman Noddy Holder admits : “When bands break up its usually to do with egos, money, drink and drugs, women or musical differences. In Slade’s case it was all of the above.” Bubble burst.

FINAL THOUGHT. Moaning Meghan complains about being made to look like a bimbo during her 34 episodes on US game show Deal or No Deal. She eventually quit and went on to meet and woo Prince Harry. The Duchess of Sussex should not feel too bad, had she not appeared on the show she would never have married into Royalty. How different the Queen’s life might have been… Chin, chin dear reader…

Advertisement feature

Capturing Cranbrook: A celebration of Cranbrook’s creative community

Capturing CranbrookWildlife Photography Competition

Reminding all budding photographers to pick up their cameras and capture Cranbrook

Berkeley invited budding artists from the local area to enter a competition celebrating Cranbrook and its glorious countryside and wildlife

Between July and October, Capturing Cranbrook saw budding artists and photographers come together to celebrate Cranbrook and its stunning surrounding countryside and wildlife.

Last week saw the launch of –Capturing Cranbrook, an art-led programme looking to celebrate the natural landscape of the treasured Kent town. Hosted by local developer, Berkeley, it is calling creatives of all stripes to showcase Cranbrook through their eyes –– through lens or on canvas – and have a chance to feature in a special exhibition later this autumn.

Amateur photographers and painters of all ages were invited by Kent-based developer, Berkeley, to celebrate the town and its surroundings through lens or on canvas.

work seen by renowned photographer David Jenner, and if shortlisted benefit from his expert feedback and receive his top tips on how you could hone your photography skills – so don’t hold back!

The lucky winners across the two competitions will be awarded some great prizes to indulge their artistic passions. Furthermore, to help younger people get involved, Berkeley hosted a summer workshop at Pied Piper Summer Camp, also run by Claire Murthy.

The competition features two age categories with winners receiving a £300 Jessops voucher to purchase specialized photography equipment.

Be inspired by David Jenner himself, with his five ‘Top Tips’

1. Do what you love

The programme kicked off with a photography competition in partnership with award-winning wildlife photographer, David Jenner. Offering his top tips on how to capture the perfect photo, aspiring snappers captured everything from flowers and landscapes to woodland creatures.

The programme has kicked off with a photography competition in partnership with award-winning wildlife photographer, David Jenner. And, already, aspiring snappers of all ages have been coming forward with their best photographs, capturing everything from animals, flowers, landscapes and woodland creatures.

It’s not too late to take part and everyone is encouraged to share their work regardless of experience or skill level. Whether the result of years’ old passion or a lucky shot, it could well have that something special. Submit your photo and you will get the opportunity to have your

Next up was the nature art competition, which invited enthusiastic artists of all ages to get creative and capture Cranbrook’s natural world, landscapes, fauna and flora. Berkeley partnered with Claire Murthy, a Kent-based painter and illustrator specialising in capturing the wildlife residing in Kent’s gardens and local countryside, who shared her expertise on how to enhance drawing skills.

The competition will be judged by a panel of three judges including David Jenner himself, a Berkeley representative and a figure from Times of Tunbridge Wells.

Categories

Mary O’Sullivan, Sales and Marketing Director, Berkeley says: “We were delighted to be able to run the Capturing Cranbrook campaign over the last few months to help inspire the local community to get creative. We have seen some wonderful entries and it has been a tight competition for the winning spots.

• 11-15 year olds: open to those with a fledgling interest in photography and/or nature

My first piece of advice to any aspiring photographer is to find the genre of photography that motivates you the most. Whether that be wildlife, sport, cityscapes, macro (close ups), portraits or street photography the list is almost endless. But to stay engaged with the process you need to be motivated by the love of the craft. Every genre demands a different set of skills, equipment and discipline and discovering all those facets will make you fall in love with it. Find your photographic love and pursue it!

YouTube or an expert in the field and start to get to grips with the numbers.

4. Make the effort

• 16+: open to those with basic experience looking to develop this further

How to enter

Many congratulations to our winners - John Hunt, who won the photography competition with his entry of the ‘Common Frog’ and Megan Ramsay, who won the art competition with her entry of ‘Cranbrook North Walk in Autumn’.

Submit your entry via this dedicated website, where full competition T&C’s can also be found. The final submissions to be sent by Wednesday 14th September.

2. Hone your craft

No matter what aspect of picture taking you do always do your best to give you the best chance of taking the best image. Perfection will only come from months and years of photo shoots but sometimes you strike gold, and you find yourself in the right place at the right time to get the killer shot.

Regardless of your experience or ability it is really important to make the effort. Whether that be getting up early or staying out late to get the good light or researching good locations to go and shoot the things you love there are a whole host of elements that go into making the effort.

5. Enjoy the game

https://bit.ly/CapturingCranbrook

“The workshops we ran in partnership with the Pied Piper Summer Camp and Claire Murthy were a huge success and a great example of Berkeley’s commitment to the local Kent community.”

3. Learn your numbers

A modern day DSLR or mirrorless camera can appear daunting at first. All those knobs and buttons not to mention an endless myriad of menu options that seem to go on forever. Whilst it might be easy to stick it in Auto and let the camera do all the work you will feel much more invested in the process if you can shoot in Aperture priority or Manual modes. Try and learn a few settings via

It is so important to enjoy the process of image making. There are plenty of failures along the way but the highs of capturing one of your best can’t be beaten. Find other people to motivate you, join a camera club, read photography magazines and go online to look for other photographers who will inspire you to go out and take more pictures. More importantly do it for yourself, because you love it, be proud of your pictures and never stop wanting to improve.

Cranbrook North Walk in Autumn by Megan Ramsay

The Common Frog by John Hunt

The stage is set for this magnificent new performance venue in Benenden

arts

Last month the prestigious independent girls’ school Benenden revealed its new Centenary Buildings development, which is now able to host touring theatre companies and external events for the first time. The Times finds out more…

BOOKINGS are now being taken for the first public events in a new performing arts venue at Benenden School. The completion of the stunning new Centenary Buildings at the world-renowned independent girls’ school has enabled Benenden to open up its performance venue to public performances for the first time.

The inital show will be a professional touring production of A Christmas Carol on December 2 and 3. The intimate, purpose-built venue will host two performances of the Dickens favourite by the highly regarded company Chapterhouse.

The following weekend, the Centenary Buildings will be brought to life by the Len Phillips Swing Orchestra, who will be performing on December 10 and 11.

opened ones and those that are more established, are a stunning addition to the Kent arts scene and we are proud to welcome the public to come and enjoy them.

“We are putting together an exciting and wide-ranging programme of events that audiences will love, and it’s an incredibly exciting time for us and for the public.

Sean Holden

Tunbridge Wells Conservatives

“With its beautiful grounds, outstanding views and purpose-built facilities, Benenden is a hidden gem that we are confident performing arts enthusiasts will be delighted to return to time and again.”

Upcoming Events at Benenden School

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.

the hearts of even the sternest of Scrooges.

chaos

A Christmas Carol 2 and 3 December, 7:30pm

Now in its 11th year of touring A Christmas Carol, Chapterhouse returns to wonderful venues with this most beautiful family-friendly rendition of one of the most memorable Christmas stories ever written.

Both events are accessible to the public and tickets can be booked via the school’s website.

Exciting

‘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. 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.

“The Centenary Buildings, which have recently been completed, are an outstanding addition in one of the most beautiful areas of the school grounds,” a spokesperson for Benenden School tells the Times

Adults £18, under-18s £12

On Christmas Eve, the most magical night of the year, the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is whisked away on a terrifying journey through the past and into the future, accompanied by three fearsome ghosts determined to make him realise the true meaning of Christmas.

Len Phillips Swing Orchestra

10 and 11 December, 7:30pm. Tickets £25 Nothing says Christmas like Bing Crosby, Michael Bublé and the classic sound of a big band.

This year, the Len Phillips Swing Orchestra is back to celebrate in style with A Swingin’ Christmas. Dance the night away with some of the best-loved Christmas tunes of all time.

The Len Phillips Swing Orchestra have an international reputation with dancers for getting the tempo just right; playing everywhere from the Blackpool Tower Ballroom to London’s Ritz Hotel.

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.

Shortfall

“They comprise a light and airy atrium, smaller recital room, a Music School and the main Centenary Hall – a 750-seater multipurpose space that has established one of the foremost concert halls in the South East.

But already, 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.

Hotchpotch

“The events in these wonderful spaces will be the first of many, with a full programme of public performing arts events due to be released next year.”

Benenden’s Commercial Arts Director, Frankie Denton, added: “Our buildings, both the newly

‘The space comprises a light and airy atrium, smaller recital room, a Music School and a 750-seater multi-purpose space’

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.

Charles Dickens’ classic ghost story is brought alive in this wonderfully traditional production, complete with beautiful period costume, song, dance, and a magnificent original musical score.

PROTESTS Proposed price hikes have prompted outcry

Join Chapterhouse Theatre Company and celebrate Winter 2022 with the most heartwarming production imaginable to melt

The coalition’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Andrew Hickey, ducked out early – leaving the Lib Dems and going independent over parking

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

THE NEW CENTENARY BUILDINGS

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.

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.

It’s fake news. Conservatives presented a budget shortfall in February because income

This really is the most wonderful time of the year, so put on your dancing shoes and bring in the holiday season with this iTunes Jazz Charttopping orchestra for a ‘swinging’ Christmas. Full details and booking is available at: benenden.school/events

was necessary to see where they would go before

inflation have upended things. Maybe they’d like

‘The completion of the new Centenary Buildings has enabled Benenden School to open up its performance venue to public performances for the first time’

THE LEN PHILLIPS SWING ORCHESTRA

Leek, potato & chestnut soup with feta cheese & thyme croute (v) (can be made vegan & gf on request)

Duck liver parfait, spiced clementine chutney, toasted spring onion & sesame seed bread Hot smoked halibut, radish, cucumber ribbon, sautéed pearl onions with dill crème fraiche (gf) (can be df on request)

MAIN COURSE

Roasted free range turkey breast,

stuffing, pigs in blanket, roast

seasonal

&

(gf,

Roasted haddock fillet, cumin

potato

with a fennel &

(gf, df) Butternut squash, leek & spinach gratin, celeriac ribbon, sunflower seed purée with wilted

& rosemary

(v) (vegan on

Delayed Harvest Festival proves a feast for the eyes

THE Pantiles’ Harvest Food Festival saw foodies

‘turn out in force’ despite the event having been postponed from its usual slot following the death of the Queen.

The celebration of food and local ingredients returned to Tunbridge Wells’ iconic promenade on Saturday and Sunday October 15 and 16, running from 10am to 4pm.

Thousands descended on The Pantiles over the course of the weekend, where they were able to see local chef Will Devlin from The Small Holding restaurant in Kilndown, Scott Goss from The Beacon, Alex from the new Pantiles start-up Kumquat and Dan Hatton from Hattons, as well Matthew Sankey from his eponymous fish restaurant, in action.

“Wow we were lucky with the weather,” said Julian Leefe-Griffiths, organiser of The Pantiles Harvest Food Festival. “We rescheduled the festival due to the sad death of Queen Elizabeth II. We normally run the event in the second week of September but chose to put it off for a month.

“Running an outdoors festival in the middle of

October wouldn’t be my natural choice, but we got so lucky with the weather and had two fairly warm sunny days.

“The lovely Tunbridge Wells residents came out in force and were really receptive to the wide variety of foods and products on offer.

Succulent

“There were lots of delicious treats to eat, from tasty German sausages to lovely home-baked bread and succulent olives. One of the great hits was the Kombucha stall, which gave tasters and sold bottles of fruit infused fermented Kombucha. Sounds crazy but it was delicious.

“There was local gin, Italian cheese, Riverford organics and tasty macaroons! And as well as lots to eat there was also a lot to see.

“The demonstration kitchen featured superstar Will Devlin from The Small Holding restaurant, Dan Hatton of Hattons and Alex Boyd from Kumquat on The Pantiles. It finished off with a great performance from Matthew Sankey, the

PANTILES HARVEST FOOD FESTIVAL

Christmas Menus

festival sponsor and Tunbridge Wells’ fish impresario.

“It takes a huge amount of work to organise and run this event and we would really love to thank everyone who came down and took part – the chefs who put a lot into the demonstrations and the traders who braved the risk of the weather to bring us those tasty treats.

“So a massive thank you to all who took part in or visited the festival.”

THE new breakfast brasserie at One Warwick Park Hotel welcomed more than 50 local businesses and influencers to brunch on October 14 as they celebrated the launch of their new ‘Bottomless Brunch’ weekend menu.

Guests included the Director of the TN card, Jess Gibson, Fitness Coach Sarah Gorman and author and entrepreneur Jo Wimble-Groves among local suppliers – all enjoying an afternoon of drinks and canapés.

The new offering at the hotel, which is run by Elite Leisure Collection, owner of One Media, publisher of the Times, sees

ON-STAGE HOST

dishes, including vegan and vegetarian, available between 11am and 2pm every Saturday and Sunday, costing guests just £34 for 90 minutes of Prosecco, bellinis, mimosas, and Bloody Marys plus one dish from the breakfast menu.

Food and beverage manager Sham Madys said: “The afternoon was a success – the atmosphere was buzzy, and it was so great to see local suppliers, businesses and influencers come together and celebrate.

“We even saw a host of business relationships flourish over networking, which was a bonus.”

Supporting local has never been so rewarding

BRASSERIE’S BOTTOMLESS BREAKFAST LAUNCH CAUSES A BUZZ

Julian Leefe-Griffiths (right) and Daniel Hatton

one

these corks

this

Times drinks editor James Viner

FRANCE’S iconic fizz is pricey but dizzyingly celebratory. Peter the Great seemingly took four bottles of the stuff to bed every night, and rapper Jay-Z adored one brand so much that he purchased the company and then sold half of it to luxury goods company LVMH.

Coco Chanel avowed: ‘I only drink Champagne on two occasions – when I am in love and when I am not’, while Napoleon held that ‘in victory you deserve it; in defeat you need it’.

Respect is due since making Champagne requires an intellectual acuity that can be daunting. All Champagnes are blends of dozens of separate still wines. Indeed, the art of blending is considered THE paramount skill that a winemaker in Champagne must possess. Such are the sensory demands involved that big Champagne houses employ a team of winemakers. Try this dazzling selection…

1. Always bargainous, Tesco’s own-label Champagne is now even cheaper (until October 31, when buying mix 6+ selected bottles). Tesco Finest Premier Cru Champagne NV (£23, Tesco, Alc 12.5%)

For budget Champagne, Aldi’s Veuve Monsigny Brut NV (£14.99) ticks all the right boxes (Aldi also lists a decent Crème De Cassis de Dijon to make a Christmassy Kir Royale, £5.99), but you’ll have to go to Tesco and Co-op if you want the best own-label Champagnes on the high street. Tuck into this elegant, lemon mousse, biscuity and creamy blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Union Champagne (the top quality Avize-based co-op). It is unfailingly one of Tesco’s best ‘Finest’ wines and always a highlight at the Tesco press tasting. Incredible

value here on or off the offer (a steal now with the current offer, above). You have the scoop. Carpe vinum!

2. Toasty and creamy vintage Champagne Les Pionniers Vintage Champagne 2013 (£27, Co-op, Alc 12%)

Made from a glorious blend of still wines from a single harvest year that’s considered exceptional (and from first-class vineyards), vintage Champagne spends a much longer time than non-vintage Champagne on its lees, or spent yeasts, which adds complexity and a sense of creaminess. The minimum ageing ‘sur lie’ for vintage bubbly is three years, as opposed to 15 months for NV. Admirably energetic, great-value, 60:40 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blend made

by Émilien Boutillat, Chef de Cave at on-song Maison Piper-Heidsieck, all savoury, buttered toast, subtle almond, acacia and lemon charm. A lot going on from extra bottle age, and it’s all good with the promise of uncoiling excitingly over the coming decade. Finishes long and satisfying. A savoury and wonderful thing – hail the vintage and price!

3. Stupendous top-tier (very dry) aged non-vintage Champers Ayala Brut Majeur NV (£34.99 mix six, Majestic, Alc 12%)

All class from the reborn Bollinger-owned Champagne house in Aÿ. It makes me think of freshly baked apple tart, with peach, poached pear, nougat, toast, and a little dab of hazelnut at the very end. The mousse is fine, energetic and delicate. Runs fine, lingers well and is just so impressive from extra ageing. Top quality by any measure.

Chapeau to energetic Chef de Cave Caroline Latrive! Well worth seeking out and deliciously flavoursome. Refreshing low dosage, too.

4. An accomplished Pinot Noir

forward rosé, boldly launched by the classic house of Bollinger in 2008 Bollinger Rosé NV (£46-£55, Waitrose, Ocado, Majestic & Asda Alc 12%)

Wow! Founded in 1829, family-owned Bollinger is one of the most storied of the historic illustrious Champagne houses – and the wines are always rich, round, vinous, opulent and toasty. This is a sophisticated joy of a rosé, always rich, mineral and powerful yet elegant, with notes of redcurrant, rosehip, cherry, strawberry shortcake and a little spice. Extremely persistent, too. As reliable as the sun is burning. A tiny measure (between 5 and 6%) of Pinot Noir is vinified as red wine, serving to add a potent element to the Pinot Noir-forward blend. Would be fantastic with cold meats, lobster and salmon. Drink it in the short term to catch that vibrancy and drive.

5. Planning a party? Try this celebratory magnum from a family-run estate in Épernay that’s managed by sixth-generation brothers Magnum of Champagne Boizel Brut Réserve NV (£71.50-£73, The Champagne Company and The Wine Society, Alc 12%)

Go on, splurge on this swanky, bone-dry, Pinot Noir-led Champagne in a magnum with gorgeous, concentrated, floral, acacia honey, orchard fruit and satisfying light brioche-laden finesse. Plenty of charm. Long and of such precision that it pulls the saliva from the mouth in readiness for the next flute – and the following one. Pair it with seafood and grilled fish. What a treat for celebrations (hello Christmas and New Year’s Eve). This magnificent magnum will likely make you stop and think as you partake… a wonderful thing.

FESTIVE FEASTS

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

PARTIES

Day

Time to set your clocks to comedy as longer nights drive people inside

AS HARVEST season events wind down, is it time for us to seek our pleasures in the Great Indoors?

Comedy is popping up on bills from venues from the pubs and clubs where performers literally ‘stand up’, such as the Sussex Arms – to the 1,000-seat venue of the Assembly Hall Theatre.

Previews

At Tunbridge Wells-based Dark Horse Digital, producer Paul Daniels said: “There is a definite shift every year.

“We went out on a high with Zoe Lyons before the summer break but knew from experience that Tunbridge Wells goes away for the summer.

“This works for us as our comedians are also busy with previews and the Edinburgh Fringe. Tickets (at the Sussex Arms) for Terry Alderton (23 October) and Angela Barnes (20 November) only really started to move when the kids went back to school.”

Tonbridge Comedy Nights have begun again at the E.M. Forster Theatre in

Tonbridge, back in the Studio Theatre space. If you missed last week’s gig, try again next month (November 11), when the headliner is Russell Hicks, supported by Ignacio Lopez, with Michael Fabbri compèring.

Road-testing

The genre even fills the town’s largest venue, the Assembly Hall Theatre, which recently saw seats for Ricky Gervais sell out in minutes – even though the comedian was only ‘road-testing’ material for a future show.

Other comedy stars who have appeared at the Assembly Hall recently include Jenny Eclair, Harry Hill and Russell Kane.

German comic Henning Wehn appeared here in March, and proved so popular that he has been re-booked to do the same show – ‘It’ll All Come Out In The Wash’ – again next week (October 28).

Meanwhile, Jimeoin – who is Irish by way of an international career – comes on November 3 to be the talk of the town with ‘Jimeoin: The craic!’

THE Council-run Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells has revealed the stars for its upcoming panto of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Star of Call The Midwife and EastEnders, Cliff Parisi will be leading the cast as the villainous Walter Waltzer.

This year’s production is by Little Wolf Entertainments and also features the award-winning Dame, James Peake, who will playing Dame Trott alongside CBBC’s Stewart McCheyne from Andy and the Band as the Simon Trott!

Jack and the Beanstalk runs from Saturday, December 10 to Saturday, December 22.

Tickets are available via: assemblyhalltheatre.co. uk/whats-on/jack-and-the-beanstalk

PART-TIME OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Tunbridge Wells Office

Thomas Mansfield Solicitors Limited are a rapidly expanding firm of solicitors specialising in employment, family, private client law and dispute resolution. Currently based in London, Kent, and Surrey we have built an enviable reputation for the provision of legal services to businesses and individuals based on employing an experienced team of professionals delivering excellent client care.

We are looking for a part-time office administrator based at our office in Tunbridge Wells. The successful candidate will mainly undertake scanning, distributing post and DX and preparing post for dispatch but also a range of administrative and support duties.

The right person for this position will have attention to detail and be responsible, diligent, willing to be flexible and a team player.

Hours of work are 10am – 2pm, Monday to Friday.

The role requires attendance at our Tunbridge Wells office. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package

In the first instance, please send a covering letter together with your CV for the attention of Sarah Wood at sarah.wood@thomasmansfield.com or telephone 01892 354721

HELLO AGAIN Ricky Gervais has visted Tunbridge Wells three times to try out his new comedy material

ASSEMBLY HALL PANTO LIFTS THE CURTAIN ON ITS CAST

guidegig

October 26 to November 8

FRIDAY 04/11 Carradine’s Cockney Sing-along!

SANKEY’S BAR & RESTAURANT MT EPHRAIM

Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm THURSDAY 27/10 Sean Fennessy

SAINT JOHN’S YARD, (ST JOHN’S ROAD) Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm

MONDAY 31/10 - TWUNT Ukulele Jam session

GEOGRAPHY WINEBAR, HIGHSTREET

Open all day, free entry music from 3.30pm to 6pm

SUNDAY 30/10 Steffan James

SUNDAY 06/11 Sarah-Jane Hassell

THE BLUE ANCHOR PUB, CROWBOROUGH

Open all day, free entry, music from 8.15pm

SATURDAY 29/10 The Varlies

THE ROYAL OAK PUB, PROSPECT ROAD

Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm

SATURDAY 29/10 Local & Live Fundraiser:

THURSDAy 03/11. Open Mic Jam Session

FRIDAY 04/11 The Patinas Unplugged

THE MASONIC HALL, ST JOHN’S ROAD

All event information and tickets available at www.twjazzclub.co.uk

FRIDAY 04/11 Tunbridge Wells Jazz Club: The Gambit Jazzmen

THE FORUM BASEMENT AT THE SUSSEX ARMS

All information and tickets available at www.twforum.co.uk

FRIDAY 28/10 Murder on the

THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE,

PANTILES Doors 7.15pm,

SATURDAY

from

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM Event

WEDNESDAY 26/10

THURSDAY 27/10 ELO Again

SATURDAY 29/10 Switch Presents ‘Shake it’ - A celebration of house music

SUNDAY

Higgs & The Bosons, Kharma & The Devil, The Airstreams, Velvet Goldmine.

FRIDAY 04/11 Acoustic Session: The Harveys

THE RED LION PUB, RUSTHALL

Open all day free entry music from 8.30pm

The Hearthside Sessions: SATURDAY 29/10 Code: Marla SATURDAY 05/11 Matt Falloon

THE GUN & SPITROAST INN, HORSMONDEN

Open all day, free entry, music from

single

from Landfill

FRIDAY 28/10

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

THE

FRIDAY

FRANT CHURCH, FRANT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY 27/10 The Masqueraders Duo

FRIDAY 28/10 Craig Minto

THURSDAY 03/11 Gez Gold

FRIDAY 04/11 David Mumford

SATURDAY 05/11 Owen Donavon

THE ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE, CRESCENT ROAD

All event information and tickets available from assemblyhalltheatre.co. uk

WEDNESDAY 26/10 Michael starring Ben

dancefloor (Halloween Disco)

SATURDAY 29/10 Bloodhounds + Black Gabanza + Unfunfair

MONDAY 31/10 Word of Nod + All the Above

THE GREEN DUCK EMPORIUM, 53 GROSVENOR ROAD

All event information, tickets and bookings at thegreenduckemporium. com/events

8pm

WEDNESDAY 26/10 Jam Session all welcome

WEDNESDAY 02/11 Jam Session all welcome

THE BEDFORD PUB, HIGHSTREET

Open all day, free entry music from 8.30pm

SATURDAY 29/10 Seamonkeys

HEVER CASTLE

Paul Dunton

KHARMA & THE DEVIL

THE GAMBIT JAZZMEN

KAROBELA

HIGGS & THE BOSONS

Groombridge author’s debut ‘Starling’ creates a murmuring in the book world

By Richard Williams

SARAH Jane Butler is an author to watch. She has previously published short stories and poems in numerous literary journals and anthologies, and her story ‘The Swimmer’ was included in Best British Short Stories 2011.

She has also twice won the 26 Project Writer’s Award, most recently in 2021 for her poem ‘Flow’.

She has now penned her first novel, Starling, and the author – who grew up in Tunbridge Wells and now lives in Groombridge – says her debut book took nine years to write.

She said: “I love the act of writing – it’s like really serious playing. Life is so surprising, complex, scary and beautiful, and each of us lives it in our own way –writing is how I explore and try to understand it.

Home

“And fundamentally, I’m a writing geek – I love grammar, syntax, every aspect of language. I’m deeply happy when I’m messing about with words.

“I had an image in my mind of a girl trying to find her way home – wherever that was – alone, cross-country, on foot.”

She added: “I made my first notes about Mar and Starling in 2013, though it took me ages to work out how to tell their story.

“I’ve learned about my writing process along the way – no matter how much time I have, I rarely write more than 500 new words a day; I’m

more interested in characters than plot; and it’s fine to take a break from writing –essential even. I had to have a year off, in fact, because I was ill.”

The result is a debut novel that has received plaudits from around the book world.

Katherine May, author of Wintering, called it a ‘beautifully written debut’. She went on to say: “Sarah Jane Butler explores the challenges of treading lightly in this modern world, the power of community and the process of recovering from a difficult mothering.”

While Zoe Gilbert, author of Mischief Acts, praised the title as a ‘A beautiful tale of wandering and searching, full of gorgeous nature writing that illuminates our complex and varied relationships with the natural world’.

Locally, Mr Books in Tonbridge also tweeted his support for the novel, saying it was one of the bookshop’s ‘stand-out fiction books of the year’.

Starling is deeply embedded in the landscape of the High Weald, and local readers will recognise its hills, woods and fields even if they are never directly named.

It is the story of a young woman who has grown up ‘off-grid’, travelling in a camper van with her unconventional mother, Mar.

Nomadic

Starling can trap a rabbit, cook a meal from a hedge and hear a bailiff coming from a mile off. All she has ever known is a nomadic existence with her strong-willed mother.

But Mar has cut them off from their community, and this winter they’re stuck in deep mud in a wood with no fuel, no money and no friends.

One morning, without explanation, Mar leaves and doesn’t come back.

Utterly alone, Starling must suddenly learn to survive without her mother and build a life on her own terms.

An offer to stay with an old friend draws her into a more conventional way of living – but can rootless Starling ever find a place where she truly belongs?

The novel explores themes of belonging, alternative lifestyles, climate change and respect for the natural world.

Starling is published by Fairlight Books and is available in bookshops and online from £14.99 for the hardcover and £3.99 as an e-book.

For further details, visit:

fairlightbooks.co.uk/starling

NEW STAR

Sarah Jane Butler from Groombridge

When it comes to your joints, age is never kind

Sussex-based broadcaster and health and wellbeing expert Monica Price talks to the Times about the best ways to look after your joints – and you – as you grow older…

AS THE autumnal weather descends and the days start to feel colder, our habits with food and exercise start to change, too.

If your joints become stiffer and start to ache in the colder temperatures, then this would be a good time to look at your food and drink. The colder weather can cause our muscles to tighten up, increasing the pressure and pain in any inflamed joints, so it’s important to look after yourself.

If you are one of over 10 million people in the UK that have the common condition arthritis, then you will understand how painful and inflamed your joints can become. Arthritis causes inflammation and pain in the joints, and it can affect your hands, knees, hips and spine, making any movement difficult and painful.

Eating and drinking the right foods can help with the inflammation in your body, and taking daily outdoor exercise also benefits you, too, and keeps your immune system healthy.

Try adding some of these anti-inflammatory foods to your diet every day to help reduce your joint pain:

Omega-3 fatty acids

These are what we call essential fats as our body can’t make them and we must get them from our food. They are called a polyunsaturated fat, and may help lower the risk of arthritis, as well as heart disease, dementia and depression. Foods that are high in Omega-3 are oily fish (salmon, mackerel or sardine) nuts (especially walnuts) and flaxseeds.

Dark green leafy vegetables

Anything dark green and leafy should be a daily

SAT5THNOVEMBER

addition to your diet. Green foods such as cabbage, kale and spinach are all packed with phytonutrients, which help prevent disease and keep your immune system healthy. Remember to steam your vegetables to ensure you keep more of the nutrients in them during the cooking process.

Nuts and seeds

These nutritionally rich foods and can help reduce inflammation and are packed full of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals. Brazil nuts are a great source of selenium, which helps to reduce inflammation and boost your immune system. Try adding a handful every day to your diet.

Antioxidants

Foods high in antioxidants are garlic, onion, any red berries and blueberries. These are often known as superfoods because of their ability to boost your immune system. We need these daily to help lower the risk of diseases and inflammation.

Beans and lentils

These little powerhouse foods are packed full protein and fibre and are low in fat. Research has shown that adding these to your diet can help reduce inflammation. Try different types of beans, such as black beans, black-eyed peas, chickpeas or edamame for variety.

So, we have talked about the foods – now what about drinks? Let’s talk about the humble cup of tea. Tea is one of the best drinks for anyone suffering with joint pain or arthritis as it has many health benefits.

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These are the top six teas I would recommend – all high in antioxidants and rich in anti-inflammatory compounds such as polyphenols.

Green • Ginger • Turmeric

Chamomile

Fennel

Rose Hip

Water is another important drink, to keep your body hydrated and for fighting inflammation. We take it for granted how important water is for the body, and it is vital for flushing out those toxins. Try starting your day

with a cup of hot water, and add some lemon. You will start to feel the benefits if your body stays hydrated.

Whilst eating and drinking antiinflammatory foods can help, it is important to go to your GP and seek medical advice if you are experiencing prolonged pain in your joints or you are finding it increasing difficult to move around.

Now, time for that cup of green tea…

Monica Price is a qualified nutritional therapist, writer and broadcaster. She is a go-to expert for health and wellbeing on national TV and radio stations across the UK. For more details, visit: monica-price.co.uk

MENTAL Health Resources, a charity in Tunbridge Wells, is appealing for help after it was burgled on World Mental Health Day earlier this month, on October 10.

The charity reported on Twitter that their allotment shed was broken into, with everything from power tools to gardening equipment being taken.

The charity says the incident will hugely affect their clients’ wellbeing, who view the allotment as a ‘safe space’.

The charity asks those who can to support them at: mentalhealthresource.org.uk

Your

Your Local Funeral Services

Our Funeral Directors are here to support and guide you. We offer a friendly and professional service to families.

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

T W Boorman Funeral Services www.tw-boorman.co.uk Tunbridge Wells 01892 884 195

31 Mount Ephraim TN4 8AA

31 Mount Ephraim TN4 8AA

W F Groombridge Funeral Directors www.wfgroombridge.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells

W F Groombridge Funeral Directors www.wfgroombridge.co.uk Tunbridge Wells 01892 884 224

49 St John’s Road TN4 9TP

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.

hours a day.

property news

Growth continues to slow as house prices hit another high

THE average UK house price reached a record high of £296,000 in August after jumping by £36,000 annually, according to official figures.

But experts commenting on the data said expectations have changed significantly in recent weeks amid mortgage rate rises, with the likelihood of a dampening effect on house price growth.

Volatility

Annual house price growth slowed to 13.6%, easing from 16.0% in July, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

It added that there had been volatility in house prices a year earlier due to stamp duty changes.

Average house prices in the UK increased by 1.1% between July and August this year.

ONS prices division deputy director Matt Corder said: “House prices increased slightly on the month, with the fall in the annual rate of growth due to the large price rises seen at this time last year at the end of the stamp duty holiday.”

The average house price in Scotland increased by 9.7% over the year to August, hitting a record level of £195,000.

In Wales, the typical house price also hit a record high of £220,000, after increasing by 14.6% over the year.

A record high was additionally hit in England, at £316,000, after house prices increased by 14.3% annually.

Meanwhile, the average house price in Northern Ireland increased by 9.6% annually, reaching £169,000.

Within England, the south west

had the highest annual house price growth in August at 17.0%.

The lowest annual house price growth was in London, where average prices increased by 8.3% over the year to August.

London’s average house prices remain the most expensive of any part of the UK, with a record average price of £553,000 being hit in August.

The north east continued to have the lowest average house price, at £164,000 in August, although this was also a record high for the region.

Stamp duty was cut in the recent mini-budget. However, mortgage rates have jumped in recent weeks amid the recent economic turmoil following the fiscal event.

According to figures from moneyfacts.co.uk on Wednesday, the average two-year fixed-rate mortgage on the market has a rate of 6.52%, and the average five-year fix is at 6.36%.

Bank of England base rate rises

have also been pushing mortgage rates upwards.

Back at the start of December last year, two and five-year fixed mortgage rates averaged 2.34% and 2.64% respectively.

There are around 900 fewer mortgage products available than there were on the day of the mini-budget.

Barrier

Chris Druce, senior research analyst at Knight Frank, said: “Current activity in the housing market is being shaped by mortgage status.

“Those that can are pushing on and securing deals ahead of further increases, while others have paused plans to digest events.

“With affordability set to be a growing barrier for many homebuyers in the coming months, we forecast house price growth will slow from here, with price falls in 2023.”

Secret selling boom adds over £30billion to market

MORE than £30billion worth of ‘secret property market transactions’ took place last year, a report has found.

Research by investment management service The Alliance Fund found a number of properties that were sold off-market across Britain in 2021, as well as the market value of these sales.

The figures show that in 2021, 98,235 homes are estimated to have been sold off-market, a 51.4% increase on the previous year and the third largest annual total in off-market transactions in the last decade.

Sales

It was also the first annual increase in the number of off-market transactions since 2017, with off-market sales declining every year since, until 2021.

While the average house price across Britain at the time sat at £261,927, off-market homes are thought to attract a 20% house price premium due

to the hot demand from homebuyers.

With the average off-market property selling for £314,312 in 2021, this means Britain’s secret housing market contributed almost £30.9billion in market value – by far the highest total in the last 10 years.

So far in 2022, it’s estimated that more than 35,000 homes have already been sold off-market, equating to just shy of £12billion based on current market values.

The CEO of The Alliance Fund, Iain Crawford, said: “When we think of secret property sales, we think of ultra-high net worths completing on prime London mega mansions without wanting to draw attention to their latest acquisition.

“But this sort of market activity actually accounts for a very small percentage of off-market property transactions.

“In fact, many off-market sales are simply homes in areas with overwhelming levels of buyer demand, where stock is sold subject to contract before

a For Sale board is even erected.

“In these instances, agents will have a long waiting list of prospective buyers who are desperate to live within a certain postcode or development, so they needn't waste the money required to market a home on the open market.

Mortgage

“While this is a common practice, it’s certainly been turbocharged as a result of the pandemic property market boom, with buyers falling over themselves to secure what little for sale stock was available while mortgage rates remained very favourable.

“As a result, last year saw the third largest level of off-market sales in the last decade.

“But with house prices also heightened due to such high demand, the overall contribution these transactions made to total market value was by far the highest it has been in the last 10 years.”

MARKETING A PROPERTY DISCREETLY CAN BE HIGHLY REWARDING

Why consider selling your property discreetly through an estate agent? This used to be how all properties were sold; upon instruction of a new property to sell, a good agent would not just list it on the likes of Rightmove, but proactively contact all registered buyers listed in their roller deck, seeing if this could be their dream property. Deborah Richards, Managing Partner of award-winning sales and lettings agent, Maddisons Residential, explains why discreet marketing may rise again in popularity.

Over the busy sellers’ market of the past two years, many agents (including me!) have not had the time or luxury to undertake discreet marketing. However, it can be a helpful strategy, particularly as the market shifts, with a number of benefits for sellers.

Firstly, some sellers want a more covert approach to the marketing of their property, for a multitude of reasons. The property search portals reveal all on the more private elements of any home, alerting all and sundry that your property is for sale – and exactly what lies behind the front door.

Secondly, you can achieve a great price from this route. For discreet marketing to work, the property must be unique and highly desirable. Such properties will often attract a premium as buyers pay the seller’s named price to avoid the risk of losing it on the open market. This is particularly the case when a buyer knows that they are not in the strongest position.

Lastly, even if discreet marketing does not find you a buyer, the seller and agent will obtain some price feedback. Buyers will very candidly tell you if they feel something is over-priced, and as I stated in my last column, ignore buyers’ thoughts at your peril!

Discreet marketing is undoubtedly more work for an estate agent, but ultimately can be highly rewarding and beneficial for all, helping sellers to find the right buyer and helping buyers to secure their dream home.

www.maddisonsresidential.co.uk

18 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5TN Telephone: 01892 514100

Email: info@maddisonsresidential.co.uk

Meet the expert: Deborah Richards is the founder and managing partner of Maddisons Residential, leading independent estate agent in Tunbridge Wells offering expert sales and lettings with excellent customer service.

Photo © Penny Young Photography

Photo © Tom Jeavons

Photo © Tom Jeavons

Photo © Penny Young Photography

Fay Andrea Photography

Photo © Tom Jeavons

Photo © Fay Andrea Photography

Photo © Penny Young Photography

Photo

Tom Jeavons

Photo © Tom Jeavons

DID YOU know that the town centre’s Christmas lights are supplied and funded by town centre businesses via the Royal Tunbridge Wells Together Business Improvement District?

The Christmas season is fast approaching, and at RTW Together HQ we’re preparing to light up the town once more with a fantastically festive display of Christmas lights.

With last year’s Christmas lights proving a rousing success for town centre business and local trade, this year we’re going even bigger.

On behalf of the town centre businesses we represent, the BID is funding light displays in some brand new locations in 2022, putting on a dazzling show for people who come to visit the town throughout November and December.

Among the town centre locations getting a festive glow-up are Castle Street, where star lights will adorn the traditional cobbled walkway just off the High Street, and the precinct at Fiveways, where the trees will be dressed in beautifully simple twinkling lights.

Funded

Calverley Road will also see its trees glowing in festive lights, funded by your BID.

The entrance to the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre will also be dressed in a new frontage display, funded by RTW Together for the first time, ready for visitors and residents to enjoy as they finish their festive shopping.

RTW Together is additionally bringing The Pantiles into its main town centre scheme for the

first year, match-funding the display with Pantiles owners Targetfollow.

As for switch-on events, festive fans won’t be disappointed. RTW Together is organising not one but two Christmas switch-on events – in Chapel Place and The Pantiles.

Either side of The Big Reveal in The Pantiles, and also sponsored by RTW Together, are Carols in Chapel Place from 2pm to 4.30pm when you can join us for live music and free hot food and drink. Then Party in The Pantiles is from 8pm to 9.30pm on Saturday, November 19, with KMFM, Elf and the panto stars.

Forage in nature’s larder to improve your diet and boost immunity this autumn Did you know you can enrich your diet courtesy of mother nature? Vikki Rimmer spoke to Hever Castle’s head gardener Neil Miller to discover the power of rose hips, which can be 40 times more potent than Vitamin C and can also be made into lots of teas and jellies

We hope our 2022 Christmas lights display will leave you feeling merry and bright this festive season.

For more details, visit: rtwtogether.com or email: biddirector@rtwtogether.com

garden now and harvest your rose hips for all manner of treats and tinctures.

Blooms

I visited Hever Castle & Gardens recently and head gardener Neil Miller took me into the shrub rose garden inspired by American poet Emily Dickinson and her New England rose garden. The Damask roses and shrub roses in this beautiful border are laden down with what can only be described as ‘fruit’. In fact some of the rose hips are so big, they resemble tomatoes!

All roses produce hips if their blooms are left uncut. The best and most flavoursome varieties are the shrub roses like Rosa rugosa and the Damask roses. Again, ensure that you are only collecting hips from plants that have NOT been

DAZZLE

Last year’s lights that were supplied by the BID

HIP GARDEN Neil Miller selecting the crop at Hever

A century of symphony in Tunbridge Wells

THE ROYAL Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra (RTWSO) is marking its centenary year. What began in 1922 as a group of around 25 amateur musicians giving a first public performance locally has now grown to become widely recognised as one of the finest and most ambitious regional orchestras in the UK.

“This Kent-based orchestra is a real asset to our town,” says Andrew Collins, owner of Brittens Music in Grove Hill Road.

“It boasts a stellar line up of gifted local musicians and professional orchestral players from London and the South East.”

The RTWSO is a charity and receives no public subsidy. It relies on the generosity of supporters who are passionate about music and the arts to help them continue to bring the thrill of live music to audiences in and around Tunbridge Wells.

This year Brittens Music is proud to be one of the sponsors of this special centenary year.

Workshops

RTWSO shares Brittens Music’s philosophy of encouraging music at all levels. It launched an Educational Outreach programme in 2015 which is going from strength to strength, with exciting plans in place for workshops and projects in local schools every season.

They take great pleasure in performing an enjoyable and diverse range of orchestral concerts designed to inspire all music lovers.

“RTWSO share our passion for encouraging

people to explore and nurture their musicality,” explains Andrew. “We are really excited to strengthen our partnerships with them even more in the coming months as we ramp up our focus on music in the community.”

The orchestra has arranged a series of concerts and performances to mark this anniversary year.

There will be six concerts at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells.

Queen

The next is on Sunday November 6, when guest conductor George Vass presents a lively and entertaining programme acknowledging two key events.

The 150th anniversary of British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams is marked by the performance of two of his well-known works, Symphony No. 5 and Serenade to Music (Orchestral version). In addition, the vibrant Three Elizabeth’s Suite by Eric Coates celebrates our late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.

Long recognised as a great champion of contemporary music, George also conducts the orchestral premiere of the short tone poem Yuki-Onna by local composer Philip Le Bas.

Yuki-Onna (Snow Woman) is a traditional ghost story widely known in Japan, and Philip’s tone poem for orchestra, developed from a cross-cultural project to create a melodrama for piano solo and spoken voice, was performed in Northern Japan in 2019.

For event and ticket information, visit Brittens Music website at: brittensmusic.co.uk/rtwso

MAESTRO Andrew Collins