Times of Tunbridge Wells 21st June 2017

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

All the news that matters

YOUR

Local, National and International

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

FREE PAPER

Cladding business caught up in tower block blaze tragedy

INSIDE COMEDY VALUE

See David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny live on stage Page 74

Material was a ‘commonly used product in the refurbishment industry’

By Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk A CROWBOROUGH-based family business has been drawn into the controversy over the Grenfell Tower disaster that resulted in at least 79 deaths when the building went up in flames last week.

Firefighters at the scene had reported flames ‘shooting up’ the side of the West London building as the fire rapidly spread, adding weight to claims that the cladding on the exterior of the building helped exacerbate the resulting inferno.

Theresa May has since ordered a full public inquiry into the devastating fire.

larger £8.6million deal to renovate the block.

A statement released by Harley Facades acknowledged its role in the refurbishment, but stated the type of panel selected for the installation was a ‘commonly used product in the refurbishment industry’.

In a further statement Managing Director, Ray Bailey, described the incident as ‘incredibly tragic’.

“Our thoughts are with the residents

and their families who have suffered such a personal loss,” he added.

‘Shock’ Mr Bailey stated the firm ‘fully support’, and will co-operate, with investigations into the fire but that it would ‘not be appropriate’ to comment or ‘for others to speculate’ on its cause, adding: “At this time, we are not aware of any link between the fire and the exte-

rior cladding to the tower.”

Mr Bailey was born and bred in Crowborough, he was a pupil at Beacon, and is said by those who know him to be ‘well liked’. His wife Belinda is company secretary.

Robert Bond the Chief Executive of Rydon in Forest Row spoke of his ‘shock’, stating his company ‘welcomes’ the public inquiry into the

NEW CULTURAL HUB How you can have your say on it. For details see Page 5

Continued on page 2

HOP TO IT NOW

We review the gourmet fare at The Kentish Hare Page 58

Subcontracted One of the businesses behind the installation of the cladding during recent renovation work was Harley Facades Limited, which is based in the Brooklands Park commercial estate near Crowborough Station.

Harley Facades confirmed it purchased the cladding from the Worcester-based manufacturer Omnis.

It has since been reported that Omnis had offered two types of panels for the task, Reynobond PE (polyethylene) and Reynobond FR (fire resistant). The type eventually used were the former which were £2 cheaper per square metre.

Harley Facades’ role in the refurbishment, which was completed last year, was valued at £2.6million. The company itself had been subcontracted by the neighbouring Forest Row firm Rydon Maintenance as part of a

VINTAGE APPEAL

Visit Hever Castle’s Home Front show this weekend Page 76

COMPANY HOUSE Ray Bailey, MD of Harley Facades and his Crowborough office

2

NEWS

Local News

‘Fire regulations were met’ Continued from page 1 blaze and will help all ‘relevant authorities’ in the investigation.

He added: “Rydon Maintenance Limited completed a partial refurbishment of the building in the summer of 2016 for Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation [the landlord] on behalf of the Council, which met all required building regulations - as well as fire regulations and health & safety standards.”

It is understood that Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council’s preferred bidder for the refurbishment contract was a company named Leadbitter but it later dropped the company when it said the required works would cost £11.27million.

Residents had previously raised concerns about the absence of sprinklers in the building, that only one inner staircase was available as an escape route, and there had not been a fire drill for five years. In addition the alarms are said not to have worked and the fire extinguishers were labelled ‘condemned’.

English law requires only buildings constructed since 2007 and which are taller than 30m to have sprinklers fitted, and the law was not applied retroactively. Grenfell Tower was built in 1974.

INFERNO The cladding on Grenfell Tower fire is being investigated

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

School turf war takes a twist as sporting body objects to pitch

By Murray Jones murray@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk THE proposed development of an all-weather sports pitch at Tonbridge Grammar School has faced criticism from a leading sporting watchdog.

Sport England, who state that their overarching aim is ‘to increase the number of people doing sport and activity’, have officially objected to the development of the artificial turf as it will ‘lose roughly a third of the [current] playing field’.

Their statement accepts that the new pitch would improve hockey facilities at the school, but ‘would be to the detriment of most other sports that could be played on this area of playing field where natural turf is a more suitable surface’.

The development has split opinion, with surrounding residents protesting about the high levels of illumination from the floodlights

as well as the increased traffic levels the new pitch would create through the single access road to the school in Deakin Leas.

Ironically, the commitment to no Sunday use, which was brought in to appease concerned neighbours, was criticised by Sport England.

‘The school has made an application for an all-weather pitch that will significantly enhance sports’ “It is unfortunate that the community use has been completely omitted from the proposals now as this would have the potential to provide a wider sporting benefit and could have been considered to outweigh the harm to the playing field,” said the statement.

It concludes: “While Sport England welcomes the school’s ambitions to provide a good

quality facility… in this circumstance it is difficult to conclude that the proposed development, which also includes a car park on the playing field (which is for the main school’s benefit rather than sport) is of such benefit to sport to outweigh the loss of playing field, which is a finite resource [sic].”

The school declined to comment on Sport England’s specific objection, but said: “Tonbridge Grammar School has made an application for an all-weather pitch that will significantly enhance sports opportunities for TGS students. The plan is focused on school use in recognition of the concerns of residents about the impact of opening this facility up to the wider community.”

In 2014, similar plans were rejected by the borough council’s planning committee on the grounds that the increased traffic level would cause an ‘unacceptable level of disturbance to the surrounding residents’.

The committee is set to meet again on June 29 to decide whether to approve the project.

Nursery faces closure due to chronic lack of volunteers

By Andrew Tong

CONTACTS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615 CHIEF REPORTER ADAM HIGNETT adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 576051 DESIGN/PRODUCTION LEE SMITH lsmith8@markerstudy.com SALES ENQUIRIES sales@onemedia.co.uk | 01892 779650 FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/timeslocalnews timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk twitter.com/timeslocalnews IF YOU HAVE A STORY WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU Contact details above

16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU

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

If you would like to make a comment on any aspect of the newspaper, please write to the editor at 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU, or email newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

Markerstudy Leisure is a trading name of One Media and Creative UK Limited registered in England and Wales under company number 5398960 with registered office at 45 Westerham Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2QB.

PRINTED BY NEWBURY NEWS LTD Newspaper House, Faraday Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2DW

A NURSERY based in Chiddingstone Castle is facing closure because it cannot find a volunteer to run its committee of trustees.

Chiddingstone Nursery School, sited in stunning surroundings, has been given ‘outstanding’ reports by Ofsted twice in the last eight years.

The loss of the valuable rural resource would mean nine jobs lost and see 40 toddlers having to be relocated further afield.

However, there is hope on the horizon. The job vacancy for Chairman has been running for nine months and was set to expire on Friday (June 23).

At the last minute three candidates put their names forward, and the pre-school is hoping more applications will arrive before they vote on candidates on June 29.

The predicament they find themselves in is one that is becoming more common as the public appe-

tite for voluntary work diminishes.

The outgoing Chairman, Zoe St Pierre, has been in the post for five years. She said: “The way the charity is set up, the trustees have full financial liability for the nursery.

“When we started 15 years ago, it used to be squash and a biscuit and mum came back after a couple of hours. We had a turnover of £20,000 a year and very limited liability.

“We used to be under the umbrella of the village’s primary school, but we transferred to charitable status to have more independence.”

Now, ironically, that freedom has proved to be a burden. “The nursery has morphed into a business run on a voluntary basis,” added Ms St Pierre. “The Chairman is an employer of nine staff and responsible for payroll, pensions, many things.”

The 49-year-old mother of two added that regulations had also changed the role: “In addition, the requirements of Ofsted have changed enormously in terms of safeguarding the children.

HANDS UP Pre-school youngsters answering questions “It’s a lot of responsibility now, for a voluntary position, and young mothers are only with us for two years.

“In the wider community we have experienced the same problem.

We have tried to recruit from among the primary school’s parents but with no luck. People are reluctant to take on the role.”

The nursery’s trustees want to avoid having to remodel it and

change its status once more for fear of losing prospective customers.

“We could close down the charity and set up a new one, but that would mean we would lose our Ofsted status. Our two ‘outstanding’ awards are our USP.” If you would like to enquire about the role, call the nursery on 01892 871315 or email chiddnursery@ btconnect.com

WHY WE NEED TO LOOK BEHIND OFSTED REPORT HEADLINES Education is today, like many aspects of our lives, the subject of rules and regulations, tests and timetables, tick boxes and targets. And quite rightly. Few things are more important than caring for young minds and inspiring them.

One way to ensure best practice is with the regular inspection of schools through the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills - better known as Ofsted.

These inspections are viewed by teaching staff with some trepidation. They can reveal weaknesses and tarnish reputations.

This week we carry a story about the outcome of the latest Ofsted visit to Temple Grove Academy in Tunbridge Wells. The inspectorate advised that the school ‘required improvement’ in three out of five recognised areas.

On the face of it this would appear pretty damning for Head Teacher Sam Linton and her staff. But this is a classic case of where you need to look behind the headlines.

Ms Linton took over the helm at the troubled academy some three years ago. She came from a London school so she was quite streetwise and no stranger to dealing with challenging youngsters.

She was surprised though at what she found in a town that is viewed by many as epitomising middle England. She was in her words ‘taken aback’ by some of the issues she faced including the ‘awful behaviour’ of some pupils.

What’s really important though and what you have to take into account, is the other comment she made when talking to this newspaper: “The

fact is a lot of the children are still facing the impact of years of poor teaching.”

And there you have it.

For whatever reason it would appear that it is us, society, who have repeatedly let down these pupils. Not all of them, because there will always be those who do not want to learn and take advantage of a free education.

Not then the perfect Ofsted report, but it is getting closer. As Ms Linton told us: “They [the pupils] come in now and they want to do well.

They’ve got aspirations.”

That for us almost outweighs any Ofsted report.

Editorial Director, Richard Moore

Local News

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

NEWS IN BRIEF

Public display for new medical centre plans NEXT month the public will have a chance to see the plans for a new medical centre in Tonbridge.

If approved, the facility will be built on the site of the former Teen and Twenty club in River Lawn Road and it will provide considerably more space than the Tonbridge Medical Group’s existing premises in Higham Lane and Pembury Road.

The plans will be exhibited at the Angel Centre, Tonbridge on Wednesday, July 5 from 4-8pm.

Buy a bit of the old Vic THE bricks from the demolished Royal Victoria Hall have been put on sale by a Kent reclamation company.

Tony Caudwell’s firm of East Farleigh are selling the estimated 20,000 bricks – understood to have been manufactured locally at the High Brooms brickworks around 120 years ago – after they finished demolishing the much-loved cultural centre last week.

For more information call T Caudwell on 01622 746 225

Teen joyrider detained A TEENAGER has been arrested after a car was crashed and abandoned in the grounds of a Speldhurst church.

The collision, which was reported shortly after 9pm on Sunday, left a trail of debris along the path towards the entrance of St Mary’s.

The driver attempted to flee, but following a search of the area the police detained a 17-year-old boy from Woolwich following a search of the area. The teenager remains in custody.

3

Micro horse melts hearts NOT even the nimblest jockey would be able to saddle up onto this newly-born Tonbridge horse.

Named Microboo, the three-week-old filly currently measures just 16inches tall – slightly more than the height of this newspaper.

The Falabella x American breed was an unexpected arrival at the Tonbridge stable yard, on May 30, as previous pregnancy tests on her 33inch mother, Rockstar, had come up negative.

Two years ago the new-born foal’s brother, MicroDave, grabbed national headlines for being the ‘world’s smallest horse’. He was 11inches tall at birth.

Their tiny statures are down to more than a century of selective breeding. They are named after the 19th Century Argentinian Juan Falabella. To officially be called a Falabella, a horse must be 34inches or less.

Owner Jen Baldwin-Murphy, who is a show-horse trainer by trade described the new arrivals as ‘scaled-down horses rather than ponies’, adding: “They are a bit like designer dogs. But there is a cult following of them now. MicroDave gets recognised all around the country.”

Another miniature mare, named Microdot was born a week later [June 8] but is much shyer than the ‘playful and inquisitive’ Mircoboo [pictured].

‘16inches tall – slightly more than the height of this newspaper’

MINIATURE MARE Microboo with owner Jen Baldwin-Murphy

Parties join forces in the spirit of Jo Cox

Scout archery theft POLICE are calling for witnesses after 60 archery bows were stolen from a shed belonging to Scouts.

The burglary was reported to have happened between 9pm on Friday and 9.30am on Saturday at a camp site in Broom Lane, Langton Green, near Tunbridge Wells.

Anyone with information can call Kent Police on 01622 604100 quoting crime reference YY/016084/17.

NEWS

UNITED FRONT: Members of the community and political parties at Calverley Grounds

SUPPORTERS from across the political parties forgot their differences and enjoyed a ‘Picnic in the Park’ at Calverley Grounds at the weekend in celebration of the life of Jo Cox, the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, who was killed last year by an extremist.

In her maiden speech to parliament the MP had said: “We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.”

Amanda Turner of the Women’s Equality Party said: “The event was particularly significant in showing how, in these very divided and politically turbulent times, and in the light of recent terrorist attacks and the shocking fire at Grenfell Tower we can stand together cross-party, as Jo Cox would have wished.”

The Tunbridge Wells event was part of a nationwide ‘Great Get Together.’

4

NEWS

Local News

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Pupils fighting to overcome the ‘years of poor teaching’

WORKING HARD: Headteacher Sam Linton with pupils

By Eileen Leahy FOLLOWING its second Ofsted inspection in three years, the Temple Grove Academy in Sherwood has been told it ‘required improvement’.

The primary school, which is based in Friar’s Way, Tunbridge Wells, received the news last week after the inspection in April.

The inspectorate found that the school, which became an academy in 2013, needed to improve in three out of five areas: Teaching Quality, Pupils’ Outcomes and Effectiveness of Leadership.

Issues The school did, however, gain ‘good’ ratings for its Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare and Early Years provisions. It was also noted for its support for pupils with special needs.

There are four Ofsted category ratings: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement and Inadequate.

Temple Grove Academy is now the only school in Tunbridge Wells not to have a ‘good’ rating.

Headteacher Sam Linton told the Times there was ‘nothing in the Ofsted report that was a surprise’.

Ms Linton took over at the school three and half years ago and has been credited with turning it around – last year it gained its highest SATS results [primary school exams sat by Year 6].

“When I arrived here it was a completely different place,” she said. “We’ve gone through such a journey, and I have always made my high expectations for the quality of teaching and leadership clear to the staff.

“When I first started, behaviour was awful. I’d come from a school in London so I was used to the barriers for learning, but even with that experience I was taken aback by some of the issues we faced. So the first thing we had to focus on was behaviour for learning.”

This included putting an emphasis on professional development in order to improve teachers’ subject knowledge ‘as they are passing that on to the children’.

Ofsted’s main criticism was poor literacy, but Ms Linton said the academy, which has 260 pupils, is still very much working to improve this subject area.

“We were aware that writing was our development for this year so it wasn’t a surprise. We are incredibly proud of what we’re doing at the school and we know we’re not there yet.

“We carry out regular monitoring sessions and now have two Assistant Heads leading our literacy programme across the school, but the fact is a lot of the children are still facing the impact of years of poor teaching.

“All of my teachers have to work incredibly hard for all of the children to make accelerated progress and catch up to where they should be.”

She added that the fact two teachers left their classes mid-year hadn’t helped.

“Unfortunately, as in all walks of life, there will be people who don’t want to be part of, or can’t meet, our high expectations so the teachers that have come in now are having to make up for previous teaching. And while we were able to show [Ofsted] that the children were making rapid progress, we couldn’t demonstrate that pupils had made consistent progress.

“It’s frustrating because you see the work that the children are doing and their behaviour for learning. They come in now and they want to do well.

They’ve got those aspirations,” Ms Linton said.

This, she added, will be reflected in this year’s SATS results, which she believes will be ‘better than last year’.

The school reports directly to the Department for Education, which is ‘closely monitoring its progress’.

Parents’ bad language ban Temple Grove Academy Headteacher Sam Linton has also had to tackle the issue of some parents swearing in the playground, and has threatened to issue them with a temporary ban if they continue to do so.

“There’s a time and a place for that sort of language, but when there are children around it’s inappropriate,” she said. “I spoke to a few parents and they have had the chance to think about their behaviour.

“We have to stand firm on issues like this as we want our children to go out into the community and not be reliant on that kind of language.”

PARLIAMENT PLEDGE Nus Ghani is sworn in

MP swears allegiance to The Queen in Urdu to honour her parents

By Jonathan Banks newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

THE Conservative MP for Wealden made history after she repeated her oath to The Queen in Urdu when she was sworn into Parliament – the first time this has happened.

Nus Ghani was born in Birmingham to parents from Kashmir. In 2015 she became the first Conservative Muslim woman to be elected to Parliament.

She told the Times: “I first swore allegiance to The Queen in English. I had to ask permission from the Speaker and the Clerks of the House if I could also repeat the oath in Urdu.

‘I’m so proud of Nus Ghani, a great patriot and great MP’ Tom Tugendhat “My motivation is simple. My parents are incredibly proud that I have been elected to serve as an MP and I wanted to honour my mother by speaking in a language she understands, and my mother tongue.

“I wanted to do it back in 2015 when I first took the oath, but was nervous and overwhelmed by the whole experience.

“I really didn’t expect so much feedback, but I am pleased that it has moved other women and men to consider engaging in politics – our Parliament is open to everyone.”

The move was welcomed by Tonbridge & Malling MP Tom Tugendhat, a fellow Conservative, who Tweeted: “I’m so proud of Nus Ghani, a great patriot and great MP. “Our country has room for all languages, they enrich us and help us know our world.”

Urdu is spoken by roughly 100 million people and is the official language of Pakistan. It is also used in parts of India, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Local News

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

5

Honours for former head and volunteers

STEPPING UP TO THE CHALLENGE Royal Marines meet the Mayor on their charity run

Band on the run for the Marines THE Band of the Royal Marines marched into town last Thursday (June 15) in support of those taking part in the regiment’s 1664 Mile Run. They were greeted on the steps of the Town Hall

by Mayor Julia Soyke and her Escort, husband Peter Soyke.

Servicemen are running 16.64 miles a day for 100 days to complete the challenge of covering a total of 1,664 miles. Tunbridge Wells was day No 52, when they reached the 865-mile mark.

NEWS

The daily yomp is the first part of the 1664 Challenge, which sees 100 challenges being undertaken in 100 days to raise £1million for injured Royal Marines.

The personnel deploy away from the UK on a regular basis to protect the nation’s interests.

Royal Marines are considered a highly effective and flexible force trained to survive and operate in the harshest conditions.

The fact that they can intervene anywhere in

the world often comes with a price. Injuries occur and sometimes those injuries can be life changing; that is where the Royal Marines Charity steps in to help. The RM Charity needs to raise a significant amount each year to continue providing support on an enduring basis to the Royal Marines’ family.

For details of upcoming events and how to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/teams/ RMGlobalChallenge

THE Queen’s Birthday Honours list, released last week, features three local people.

Those bestowed an honour are Henry Austin, Vice President of the Boys’ Brigade for North West Kent, the CEO of the Tenax Schools Trust, Ian Bauckham and police volunteer Christopher Barmby.

Mr Austin, 70, has lived in Hildenborough and Tonbridge since 1969 and began volunteering with the 2nd Tonbridge Boys’ Brigade a year later.

On receiving his British Empire Medal [B.E.M] Mr Austin said: “I’m humbled and so grateful to be recognised for something I’ve dedicated my whole life to. It really has been my vocation.

Mr Ian Bauckham has been named as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire [CBE] for services to education. He is the CEO of Tenax, a Church of England multi-academy trust that run Bennett Memorial Diocesan secondary school in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge’s new Bishop Chavasse Primary school. They also run four other primaries in the surrounding area.

Formerly Head Teacher at the Ofsted Outstanding Bennett Memorial, Mr Bauckham also serves on the Trustee Board of the National Foundation for Educational Research and is Chair of Trustees of the Sabre Charitable Trust, a group that is working to build a brighter future for school children in Ghana.

Reacting to news Mr Bauckham said: “I am honoured personally and on behalf of those with whom I have had the privilege to work to be given this recognition.

“I have been fortunate to have had many wonderful colleagues both at Bennett and in other organisations, and am profoundly grateful for their hard work and support.”

Mr Christopher Barmby was recognised as a Member of the Order of the British Empire [MBE] for services to policing and the community.

6

NEWS

Local News

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Courtyard and ‘shop window’ will tempt visitors to new Cultural Hub JOIN THE HUB Museum Manager Jo Wiltcher addresses the public meeting

By Andrew Tong newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

DRAMATIC innovations are being finalised for the town’s new Cultural Hub – a £12million complex that will unite the library, museum and art gallery with the adjacent Adult Education Centre.

The changes were revealed last week at a second public consultation. Most striking of the updated designs is a double-height glass entrance connecting the two separate public buildings on Monson Road, with a vaulted, half-barrel shaped roof.

This will act as a ‘shop window’ for passers-by and will include a Mass Display Wall providing ‘a snapshot of everything – but playful and lively’.

Floor walkers will be on hand to help those entering the building, and inside the atrium there will be a dedicated Tunbridge Wells Experience room which will incorporate a tourist information desk and be sited next to a gift shop.

The ‘Experience’ will describe the history of the town – although the designers said it would ‘not

tell a standard story, but the emphasis will be on collections that are Tunbridge Wells’ USPs’ – such as the works of Henry Peach Robinson and the craft of Tunbridge Ware.

The other ‘major intervention’ will be a large openair courtyard to the rear of the complex which will act as ‘the heart of the building’. There was widespread support for a glass ceiling to make the area all-weather but the cost proved to be prohibitive.

At the first airing of the plans, the ‘overwhelming response’ of local residents was the importance of community, according to Museum Manager Jo Wiltcher. She said: “It’s not just about design – activity and what goes on in this building are just as important.”

She added that the fresh approach would allow the hosting of ‘new activities that we absolutely wouldn’t be able to do in the current site’.

All the facilities are set to be rolled into one fluid experience which people can wander through on a ‘circular route’ – though members of the public expressed concern that navigating their way through all the sections might prove confusing.

Waymarking was picked out as something which still required a lot of work.

The library will be spread over two storeys, with a ‘quick picks’ area on the ground floor for popular books and other items, and the rest of the collection upstairs. It will comprise the same linear and square footage as before.

A new children’s library will house historic toys such as Subbuteo, the table football game invented in the town. It will be within sight of a café so parents can keep an eye on their children.

Exhibitions Other innovative areas include a Community Treasure Box for temporary exhibitions and various galleries based on oral history, portraits and costumes, folk art, photography and a ‘Change the World’

JOINED UP Plans for uniting the buildings include a glass entrance

theme. There will also be a large reading area in the library adorned with museum artefacts.

The existing entrance to the library and the staircase leading up to the museum and gallery would remain, but with a ‘lightbox’ glass structure installed in the roof space to allow more light in.

The council also has government funding set aside for external landscaping to add emphasis to the existing frontage along Mount Pleasant Road, which will allow for more pedestrianisation.

The Adult Education Centre will retain its triple- height spaces open to the roof for art classes, while the staircase, described as a ‘heritage gem’, will be stripped back to its former glory.

The project, designed by interpretative design company Purcell and Metaphor, will be partfunded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Arts Council. The build dates are mid-2018 – 2020.  You can drop in and chat to the Museum &

Library team between 10am and 12noon on June 29, July 5 and July 17. See www. tunbridgewellsmuseum.org/cultural-hub/ get-involved

8

NEWS

Local News

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Sculpture inspires children’s poems about battle against climate change

CAITLIN’S WINNING POEM The polar bear raises its magnificent head, Its strong paws ahead, in the snow it does tread, As its frozen home tumbles into the sea, All humans, hear my plea.

By Andrew Tong

If man and beast could work side by side,

newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk THE winner of a poetry competition surrounding the new Polar Dance sculpture on The Pantiles was announced at a special ceremony last week.

The theme of the poems, penned by primary school children, was the plight of the Arctic creature and the perils of climate change.

Caitlin Taylor, in Year 6 at St Mark’s Primary School in Tunbridge Wells, was chosen as the winner from among 87 entries.

The 11 year old was congratulated by Mayor Julia Soyke and Tessa Campbell Fraser, sculptor to The Queen, who created the piece.

Ms Campbell Fraser’s husband, the impressionist Rory Bremner, also brought the house down with his impersonations of US President Donald Trump and other celebrities.

Maybe we could turn the tide.

This icy world will disappear,

COOL FOR SCHOOL (L-R) Poetry winner Caitlin Taylor with Rory Bremner, Mayor Julia Soyke, Tessa Campbell Fraser, Susan Beumée and Peter Soyke

If only you knew what destruction is near.

So now let’s take a stance, So we can always see the polar bears dance.

The 300kg bronze artwork, which is estimated to be worth £60,000, will reside in the town for six months after being loaned from the Natural History Museum in London.

Depicting a human dancing on top of a polar bear, it symbolises the symbiotic relationship between mankind and nature.

The sculpture highlights the effects of global warming and the fact that mankind is now taking action to prevent it, so that ‘we are truly at one with nature, embracing and offering it our protection’.

Tessa Campbell Fraser explained her creative

PHOTO: David Bartholomew

Symbiotic

process behind the bear status. “If we don’t get this balance right, they could become extinct.

“I think because I’d had [second daughter] Lila, I was more aware of global warming – having a child makes you think about the planet and how we’re going to leave it.

“The polar bear was the obvious symbol and I wanted to express its relationship with man, how the relationship is harmonious.”

Susan Beumée, who runs the Beumée Contemporary Fine Art gallery on The Pantiles and was instrumental in having Polar Dance installed there, helped to set up the poetry competition.

“It was a brilliant poem,” she said. “Caitlin really deserved to win. It captured exactly what the sculpture was intended to portray. She’s clearly a very talented girl.”

She added: “There’s a real flow to the sculpture.

We went for the kids’ poems because it’s a piece that doesn’t just appeal to adults.

“It’s a perfect sculpture for community because it’s for all ages.

“People were coming up to the Mayor and asking her, ‘can we buy it?’”

All 87 poems were put on display in the windows of the adjacent Woods restaurant.

10

NEWS

Countywide

Battle for Manston Airport heats up PLANS to reopen Manston Airport have taken a tentative step forward after a public consultation was launched on the issue.

RiverOak Strategic Partners [RSP] is currently working to obtain a compulsory purchase order for the site through a development consent order. The group believes a functioning airport will create around 30,000 jobs over the next two decades.

Its current owners, Stone Hill Park, have their own plans to deliver 2,500 homes and leisure facilities on the site, while reassuring nearby residents that the areas heritage will be preserved.

They also hit back at RSP by claiming that their proposals have undermined RSP’s reassurances that no night flights will be required.

George Yerrall, Director of RSP, said: “The consultation is very important to us as it allows the local community to scrutinise our proposals and share their views and thoughts with us. This, in turn, will enable us to refine our proposals further before submitting the DCO application to the planning inspectorate later this year.”

The consultation began on June 14 and will end on Saturday June 24.

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

4x4 volunteers given new powers to fill police roles after law reform

Trust ‘irregularities’ A TRUST which ran five schools throughout Kent and Sussex before the government was forced to step in last year breached compliance rules, according to its annual accounts.

The defunct Lilac Sky Academy Trust ran up more than £1million in debt and has been heavily criticised in an auditor’s report.

The report, in the Trust’s overdue accounts for the year to August 2016, reveals a net deficit of £1.3million and lists a catalogue of ‘irregularities’ during the period when it was run by its founder, Trevor Averre Beeson, and his family.

Among the discrepancies was money intended for new academies being used ‘inappropriately’, leading to emergency funds being released from the Department for Education, and public money being used to buy drinks for an awards event.

Other concerns include the links between the Trust and some of its service providers, ‘extortionate’ consultancy costs amounting to almost £1,000 a day, and costly ‘settlement agreements’ for staff who were then immediately rehired as consultants.

The nine primary schools run by the Trust were situated in Greenhithe, Sheerness, Folkestone, Hailsham and Newhaven.

A FORCE FOR GOOD ACC Tony Blaker (left) and PCC Matthew Scott with 4x4 emergency responders

By Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk KENT POLICE have given volunteers unprecedented powers to direct traffic on the county’s roads in order to free up resources.

The new powers will be handed to the charity organisation South East 4x4 Response. Kent Police is believed to be the first force in the country to make such a move, by utilising reforms which only came into effect in April.

Announcing the new powers at police headquarters, Assistant Chief Constable Tony Blaker said: “Our partners at South East 4x4 Response have been working with Kent Police for a number of years, steadily increasing the numbers of incidents they assist us with. They are instrumental in helping Kent Police and our partners conduct searches over land and in areas hard to reach.”

Utilising Section 38 of the new Policing and

Crime Act gives police the ability to confer a wider range of powers on volunteers, resulting in a more flexible workforce.

“This crucially enables our police officers to focus on the work in our communities which only they can do,” said ACC Blaker.

Support Using designated powers, South East 4x4 Response is now able to place cordons on roads – excluding motorways – and direct traffic. This will enable its 100 volunteers to deal with incidents such as fallen trees, broken down vehicles and vehicles trapped in adverse weather conditions.

Until they were granted the powers, the organisation had only been able to assist police in responding to incidents.

Specially-trained volunteers will now be able to be deployed to certain incidents without police having to attend as well.

The move has the full support of Kent’s Police & Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott, who pledged to back volunteering in Safer in Kent: The Community Safety and Criminal Justice Plan.

Speaking at the end of Volunteers’ Week, Mr Scott said: “I am very pleased that South East 4x4 Response has been granted these additional powers, and on behalf of the people of Kent I’d like to thank these volunteers for all their hard work in helping Kent Police keep us safe.

“In my first year as Kent’s PCC I helped fund the reintroduction of a Volunteer Police Cadets programme in Kent and provided money to Kent’s Special Constabulary, but I am equally keen to support those who support Kent Police but who do not formally wear a police logo.

“Without the extensive support of groups like South East 4x4 Response, and a great number of other charities and volunteers, there would be extra costs and resources that Kent Police would need to find.”

Countywide

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Deal struck for theme park accommodation

ROOM FOR FUN Another step forward for the Paramount theme park A MAJOR hotel deal has been struck over the proposed new Paramount theme park between Holiday Inn and the developers, which will result in 4,000 guest rooms at the resort.

Holiday Inn owners, InterContinental Hotels Group, has 320 hotels in the UK, and reached the agreement with the theme park developer behind the £3.2billion project, London Resort Company Holdings [LRCH].

The rooms will be spread throughout numerous planned hotels which will be operated under a range of brands owned by InterContinental, including Crowne Plaza, Kimpton and Staybridge Suites.

The proposals will be part of a planning application to be sent to ministers – known as a development consent order – which is expected to be submitted in November.

Humphrey Percy, CEO of LRCH, said: “This head of terms agreement with IHG is a key piece in our jigsaw puzzle of infrastructure operations which sets an important standard for the resort.

“This arrangement is a further example of our commitment to creating a truly global destination and entertainment resort in, and for, the UK.” The theme park, to be situated in Swanscombe, is expected to be completed by 2022.

The Bluewater beach experience KENT’s largest shopping centre is planning to bring the beach to its customers by transforming a car park with water, sand and rides.

The Beach opening will take place on July 22, to recreate the summer seaside experience.

A spokesperson for the Greenhithe centre said: “There’s no need to go all the way to the coast as we’re bringing the beach to you.

“You will see everything you might find at the seaside, including the water, sun and sand.

“There will be rides and fun attractions, and you can expect to see some of your old favourites, as well as some exciting, new rides.

“With so much entertainment and fun in store, we hope to get you into the summer holiday spirit.

“Come on down and enjoy a day out at The Beach with us.”

Entry to The Beach will be £3 per person.

NEWS

11

12

BUSINESS

Local Business News

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Corinthian move is a vote of confidence in the town

By Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk TUNBRIDGE WELLS has retained its reputation as an attractive place to do business after Corinthian chose it as the new base for its headquarters The pensions, investments and employee benefit firm brought 20 jobs to the town after relocating from Croydon at the start of the month, and has selected Windsor House in Mount Ephraim Road for its offices.

Corinthian will provide its pension advice to small businesses around the country.

Growth

THE SECRET’S OUT OF THE BOX Firm Corinthian have moved to Windsor House

Law firm’s top talent LEADING law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore has announced a raft of new promotions to mark the start of the new financial year, including the appointment of five new partners.

“We would like to extend huge congratulations to everyone for their well-deserved promotions.

“This is a testament to the hard work and dedication demonstrated by all our staff, and signals an incredibly positive start to the new Well-deserved financial year.

In total, 20 individuals are in line for “As we approach our 450th promotion which, in addition to the anniversary we place more new partners, includes one Senior emphasis than ever on investing in Associate, five Associates, five newly the organic growth of our legal qualified solicitors and four Business talent who will become the future Services staff promotions. They span leaders of Thomson Snell & the firm’s Private Client, Corporate Passmore. Our generations of and Commercial practices. clients have complete trust that the James Partridge, Senior Partner at firm continues to serve their Thomson Snell & Passmore, said: commercial and personal needs.”

Managing Director Rob MacGregor said: “We have grown rapidly since we were created in December 2012, and had outgrown our previous offices. Having lived in Tunbridge Wells for more than 20 years, I knew what the town had to offer.

The senior management team and staff saw the potential and were very happy to move from Croydon.”

“Since we took the decision to move to Tunbridge Wells we have recruited five people locally, and have plans for a further 15 more staff over the next couple of years.”

Mr MacGregor, also Chairman of the Linden Park Cricket Club, said the rapid decline of office space in the town had forced a speedy decision.

“We knew high quality office space in Tunbridge Wells was in short supply and so moved quickly when Windsor House became available.

“With our significant growth, we needed a longterm head office,” he said.

Summer party celebrates the triple success of Markerstudy MORE than 100 men and women from local businesses gathered at One Warwick Park last week for a summer party to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the hotel near The Pantiles.

Since launching 12 months ago, the venue has welcomed more than 10,000 guests and a number of celebrities – including Denise Van Outen and the rock band Thin Lizzy.

The occasion was also used to highlight other success stories within Markerstudy Leisure.

Bewl Water, home to sailing, cycling and fishing, was acquired

by the group in 2015, and it has owned Salomons Estate, the largest conference and events venue in the area, for the last four years.

14

NEWS

Community News

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Mary’s special date for National Carers Week

By Andrew Tong newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

TONBRIDGE pensioner Mary Porch celebrated National Carers Week by going out to lunch with her Bluebird Care Coordinator, Louise Farmer.

Mary, 88, has been a customer of Bluebird Care for six years, receiving daily visits to help her with her morning routine, weekly visits to help her clean the house and regular phone contact.

“I really enjoyed myself over lunch and feel that I have been spoilt with the privilege of being invited out,” said Mary.

“It was lovely to go out, particularly as I do not get the chance to do so very often.”

Louise added: “I really enjoyed taking Mary out and we had a lovely time chatting about her fascinating history.

‘Our incredible and skilled team work with many local families to relieve some of this pressure’ “As I am usually in the office, but speak with our customers all the time, it is always really good to be able to spend time getting to know them in person.”

Bluebird Care is a company based in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. The agency carries out 20,000 visits every day across the UK. National Carers Week, which ran from June 12-18, promoted awareness of the role of carers

and the challenges they face.

Three in five people in the UK will become carers at some stage in their lives, and yet threequarters of them feel their role TABLE FOR TWO: Mary Porch is not with Bluebird’s Louise Farmer appreciated or understood by their local community.

Half of carers say their profession has made their mental health worse, 55 per cent have struggled financially, and 71 per cent have experienced stress, anxiety or depression because of their job.

Nathan Brown, Bluebird’s Community Liaison Manager, said: “There are thousands of dedicated, devoted and loving family, friends and neighbours who provide tremendously valued support every day. At Bluebird Care we know the impact both emotional and physical that it can have on carers’ lives.

“Our incredible and skilled team work with many local families to relieve some of this pressure, meaning those caring can continue being heroic family, friends and neighbours without the added stress of needing to be carer also.”

A LOT OF HARD WORK The teenage team at the Waveney Road allotment

Volunteer Police Cadets happy to get hands dirty A TONBRIDGE drop-in centre which supports people who feel lonely or anxious has been given a helping hand by members of the Volunteer Police Cadets.

Well-being The teenagers helped tidy a community allotment on Waveney Road, which will now be used by the Listening Ear.

They were helped by local PCSOs and members of the Trench Partnership, which runs the Listening Ear. PCSO Linda Baker said: “The Listening Ear is an important local resource aimed at helping people with their general well-being, and the cadets were determined to do their bit to help this worthy cause.

“They have worked tirelessly to

dig over these allotments, which will now be used to help teach users how to grow their own fruit and vegetables.”

The Volunteer Police Cadets scheme for young people aged 13 to 17 started last year, and is supported by Kent Police.

The cadets are able to gain qualifications, enhance their personal skills and support community policing.

Community News

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Dig out your family treasures for Lions’ Antiques Roadshow THE Gala Day of Southborough and District Lions Club will take place at Meadows School, Southborough Common, on Sunday June 25 at 1pm.

This 36th annual day will feature a new attraction, based on the BBC’s popular Antiques Road Show. Members of the public are invited to bring their possessions and have them valued by the experts for a fee of £2.

Also taking part for the first time will be Tigers Gymnastics team and Razzamataz Theatre School from Tonbridge.

The public are additionally invited to spend £1 for a chance to win the valuable contents of a large wheelbarrow.

Other attractions include heavy horses, classic cars and birds of prey, plus the TS Brilliant sea cadets band and a Punch and Judy show.

The Lions’ President, Sylvia Fuller, will preside over her second Gala Day, before handing over her chain of office in the company of the new Southborough Mayor.

HOOFING IT: Heavy horses will be on display

CooperBurnett go out of their way to help ellenor conditions in the comfort of their own home.

When ellenor was CooperBurnett’s charity of choice, the company raised more than £15,000.

“I should probably commit to doing a bit more training,” said Victoria Sampson, ellenor’s ambassador.

“But I am hopeful that, by applying ‘mind over matter’ I will complete the walk.

“I am so inspired by the vital work which ellenor does – so I am hoping that will encourage me along the way.”

READY FOR THE WALKATHON: (L-R) Lisa Connolly, Katie Hilsdon, Gareth Warner, Charlotte Richardson and Victoria Sampson SIX members of staff at Tunbridge Wells-based law firm CooperBurnett are undertaking a marathon 26-mile walk next month to raise money for the hospice charity ellenor.

The Walkathon challenge on Sunday July 2 involves trekking from Tower Bridge back ellenor’s adult hospice in Gravesend. ellenor is known for providing hospice care to children with life-limiting and life-threatening

Twiddle mitts galore in sunny Hildenborough THE Tonbridge branch of Dementia Friendly Communities unveil their stall of ‘twiddle mitts’ at the Hildenborough Farmers’ Market.

The display of 82 knitted items were made by the market’s customers and Leigh Women’s Institute.

The mitts are designed to help people living with dementia to remain calm, keep restless hands busy and reduce anxiety.

The collection was passed on to Carers First, who will distribute them to those who need them in the community, and at Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury.

Popular Hayley Brown, Events Manager at ellenor, said: “This is a hugely popular fundraiser for our charity, and we are expecting 100 people to take part this year.

“The funds raised will make a huge difference to families facing terminal illness across Kent. In the Tunbridge Wells area all our children’s hospice care is provided in the sanctuary of the family home.”

To sponsor the CooperBurnett team, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ cooperburnettwalkathon

NEWS

15

16

NEWS

Local News

Exam board apologises after A-level blunder A TOWN grammar school has complained to an exam board after they failed to provide the correct materials for students to complete an exam.

Cambridge-based examiner OCR did not provide a formula sheet for standard deviation for an A-level biology paper last Tuesday [June 13]. Pupils would have been expecting the sheet and therefore would have been unlikely to have committed it to memory.

In a letter to parents, Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School Headteacher Linda Wybar wrote: “We have raised a complaint with OCR regarding this issue, which will, of course, have affected all schools taking this paper.”

A spokesman from OCR said: “For one question on OCR’s A Level Biology paper H420/01 (Question 20a, worth 3 marks out of a total of 100), the formula for standard deviation was not provided.

“Some of OCR’s guidance to schools and teachers about the syllabus indicated that candidates would be provided with this. OCR apologises and will address any impact of this during marking.”

It is the third time OCR have had to apologise this exam season after, in an English Literature exam, they suggested Romeo and Juliet character Tybalt was a Montague when he was a Capulet.

And in a GCSE Psychology exam, students were asked to calculate the mean percentage of a series of words – something that can only be achieved with numbers.

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Gig in the forest proves perfect pitch for Elbow

By Abi Moore AS ELBOW’S anthemic best seller One Day Like This tells us: ‘It’s looking like a beautiful day’ and it certainly was at Bedgebury Pinetum on Saturday. On one of the warmest days of the year so far, as the sun set over the trees surrounding the arena, it was the perfect setting for Elbow’s

WOODLAND WINNERS The crowds cheer Elbow (below) at Bedgebury

PHOTO: Sarah Bond

‘One day like this a year would see me right’ gig for Forest Live – a series of concerts staged by the Forestry Commission in woodland around the country.

A jovial 8,250-strong crowd seated on picnic chairs and rugs with home-made picnics, wine and jugs of Pimm’s eagerly greeted the band with cheers as they opened with Any Day Now, a single from their first album. They soon got the crowd singing along with more recent singles The Bones of You and

Fly Boy Blue before playing a few songs from new album Little Fictions, amid other classics.

Lead singer Guy Garvey (centre left), arguably one of the most good-natured men in rock, chatted easily from the stage, leading the crowd in a chorus of Happy Birthday to a 16-year-old fan, and

reflecting somberly on the recent terrorist attacks in London and Elbow’s home town of Manchester.

An amiable and balmy evening came to a close with the aforementioned hit One Day Like This before a welcome encore featuring the tranquil Lippy Kids and rockier Grounds for Divorce.

It was the perfect recipe for an outdoor summer gig; as Guy Garvey and the crowd sang out: ‘One day like this a year would see me right’.

National News

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Mosque attacker had been living in woods near family THE family of the man being held by police after the Finsbury Park attack have said he had been ‘troubled for a long time’.

Darren Osborne was arrested after worshippers were targeted by a man driving a van near Finsbury Park Mosque in north London early on Monday.

The 47-year-old father-of-four from Cardiff was described as an ‘ordinary’ family man.

But it was revealed he has been living in a tent in woodland near the family home, a semi-detached house on a quiet estate in Glyn Rhosyn, Pentwyn.

The son of the man who runs the hire company which provided the van involved in the attack has been arrested for comments on social media.

South Wales Police detained 37-year-old Richard Evans, son of Len Evans who is co-director of Pontyclun Van Hire, after he posted abusive tweets.

Mr Evans Snr, who runs the company in the Rhondda valley, south Wales, with four brothers, said: “I want to condemn in the strongest possible terms these ill-considered Twitter comments, which in no way reflect my own view or indeed those of anyone else in the family.”

SUPPORT A girl adds a message to the poster outside Finsbury Park Mosque

DUP deal is ‘not imminent’ as Queen’s Speech looms AS ONE DOOR OPENS… Theresa May’s legislation is in jeopardy

THERESA MAY’S hopes of a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party to shore up her minority government have hit a setback, as the Northern Irish party warned last night (June 20) that a deal was ‘certainly not imminent’.

A DUP source revealed talks with Mrs May’s Conservatives ‘haven’t proceeded in a way that the DUP would have expected’ and cautioned that the party ‘can’t be taken for granted’.

The development came just a day ahead of the Queen’s Speech, and threatens to leave Mrs May uncertain of her ability to secure a Commons majority for her Government’s legislative programme for the coming two years.

But the source said agreement before today’s State Opening of Parliament could not entirely be ruled out if there was movement in the talks between the parties.

The DUP is urging the Government to give ‘greater focus’ to the negotiations.

A Conservative source said: “Talks are ongoing with the DUP and we continue to work towards a confidence and supply arrangement.

“As we have said, both parties are committed to

strengthening the Union, combating terrorism, delivering Brexit and delivering prosperity across the whole United Kingdom.

“While our discussions continue it is important the Government gets on with its business.

“That is why we are putting forward a Queen’s Speech which the whole House of Commons can get behind: Securing a Brexit deal that works for every part of our country, strengthening our economy, making our society fairer, and keeping our country safe.”

Mandate It is thought the DUP is asking for more investment for Northern Ireland as part of the price of its support, and the party also wants the retention of the triple lock guarantee on pensions and winter fuel allowances for older people.

Arlene Foster’s party backs Brexit, but wants to avoid any disruption to movements across the border with the Irish Republic.

Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said: “After one week of talks, we are no closer to finding out what the DUP have asked for and what concessions are being made.

“It’s time for the Conservatives to come clean and tell us: Is no deal better than a bad deal?

Theresa May has no mandate for the direction she is taking the country.

“This is the first time in decades that a Prime Minister will propose a Queen’s Speech without a Commons majority.”

He added: “Her failure to reach a deal in time with the DUP doesn’t bode well for the tough Brexit talks ahead.”

NEWS

17

NEWS IN BRIEF

Monarch loses crown as pomp is scaled back THE usual pomp and pageantry of the State Opening of Parliament by the Queen will be watered down this year.

She will deliver her speech wearing a day dress and hat, rather than the Imperial state crown and ceremonial robes.

This year’s ceremony will take place four days after the Trooping the Colour, as it was deemed infeasible for the military and the Royal Mews to stage two major events in such a short period.

It means the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will travel to and from the Palace of Westminster by car.

Hottest June since 1995 THE BRITAIN is facing the longest spell of hot June weather for more than 20 years as the country is gripped by a heatwave.

Highs of 34C (93F) are forecast in west London today (June 21), which would make it the fifth consecutive day that temperatures have topped 30C (86F) in the UK. The last time the country saw a similar run of hot June weather was in 1995.

But thundery rain is forecast for Thursday.

Tories’ donors on top DONATIONS to the Conservatives were almost three times higher than to Labour in the General Election campaign.

Theresa May’s party received £12,703,791 from May 3 to June 8, according to the Electoral Commission, while Labour was given £4,547,410 over the same period.

18

NEWS

National News

Belfast bomber who posed as model is jailed for 16 years A WOMAN who posed as a Swedish model to entrap a man into taking part in her bid to murder police officers has been jailed for 16 years and four months.

Christine Connor, 31, gasped as Belfast Crown Court Judge David McFarland imposed the ­sentence for the attempted murder of a police officer and other terror offences.

Judge McFarland told Connor he believed she was dangerous and was ‘committed to a violent philosophy to achieve political objectives’.

Connor attacked police in North Belfast with blast bombs on two occasions in May 2013 after luring them into the area with hoax 999 calls. The officers escaped serious injury.

The court heard that Connor enticed Stuart Downes, from Shrewsbury, into her plot by using a fake online profile – including a fictitious name and photo of Swedish model Sanne Alexandra Andersson.

Mr Downes sourced and bought the explosives before shipping them to Connor in Belfast.

He was arrested, questioned and charged with a series of offences linked to the May 2013 attack but took his own life last year.

Police said Connor had also enticed American Zachary Gevelinger online using her fake identity.

Mr Gevelinger was arrested and questioned by police after he visited Connor in Hydebank Prison in July 2013. He later took his own life.

Neither men had any TERROR OFFENCES previous connections to Christine Connor Northern Ireland.

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Britain should not ‘shut down’ its borders, argues Hammond IMMIGRATION to Britain will be managed but not ‘shut down’ after a ‘jobs first’ Brexit, Chancellor Philip Hammond has said.

He also signalled that the UK would try to maintain the ‘frictionless’ border arrangements of the European Union’s customs union for an ‘implementation period’ after leaving the bloc.

In a keynote speech to City leaders at Mansion House, the Chancellor again signalled his ‘soft Brexit’ credentials by stressing Britain would leave the EU ‘in a way that prioritises ­British jobs and underpins Britain’s prosperity’.

The address will be interpreted

as a fresh marker in an internal Cabinet battle over Brexit, with Mr Hammond apparently favouring an approach that puts businesses first while colleagues, including Theresa May, have made immigration controls a red line for negotiations.

Benefits Mr Hammond said he is not turning a ‘blind eye’ to a ‘growing tide of hostility’ against globalisation and mass immigration, and stressed he would push for a new phase of world trade that ‘delivers clear benefits for ordinary working people’.

CROSSED SWORDS Philip Hammond puts business first

But he added: “We are not about to turn inward. But we do want to ensure that the arrangements we have in place work for our economy.

“Just as the British people understand the benefits of trade, so too they understand how important it is to business to be able to access global talent and to move individuals around their organisations.

“So while we seek to manage migration, we do not seek to shut it down.”

Mr Hammond outlined his three priorities for a Brexit deal – a comprehensive free trade agreement for goods and services, transitional arrangements ‘to avoid unnecessary disruption and dangerous cliff edges’, and ‘frictionless customs arrangements’ for cross-border trade, including ‘crucially’ to maintain the ‘open and free-flowing’ Irish border.

He said: “It will almost certainly involve the deployment of new technology. Therefore we’ll almost certainly need an implementation period, outside the customs union itself, but with current customs border arrangements remaining in place, until new long-term arrangements are up and running.”

TRACK OF TEARS ‘Another night of chaos’

Report on Southern service into Victoria has been postponed A REPORT for the Government on Southern Railway was ready for publication in April and covered important health and safety-related work that has been postponed, it is being claimed.

The Department for Transport received the report into the Southern network from Chris Gibb, an executive at Network Rail, last year but has not given a date for its release.

Senior Network Rail managers highlighted to Mr Gibb on a visit to London Victoria station last year that there were problems with severe congestion.

Images showed the layout at Victoria, where most Southern trains arrive and depart from, alongside a computer simulation by Network Rail of work that should have already been carried out to ease the overcrowding, according to the Association of British Commuters (ABC).

The computer images show fewer retail outlets, giving more space for passengers.

Emily Yates of the ABC said yesterday (June 20): “Commuters experienced another night of chaos on Southern Rail last night, with an unusually high number of issues contributing to the breakdown of service, including a trackside fire.”

20

BUSINESS

National Business News

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Internet shopping suffers from election and rise in inflation

Barclays to face first criminal charges from financial crisis

ONLINE retail sales in the UK have suffered their lowest growth rate in more than 18 months as the General Election and rising inflation took their toll on consumer spending, figures suggest.

Sales were up 10.2 per cent year-on-year in May, the lowest growth rate recorded by the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index since October 2015.

Clothing suffered badly with growth of 7.6 per cent, the lowest figure for May recorded by the index. The gifts sector was at its lowest growth rate since 2009 for May, at 5.5 per cent, while electricals experienced a dip in growth at minus 8.6 per cent, the only negative year-on-year change the sector has seen for the month since tracking began in 2003.

The report said the months preceding an election tended to see a lower rate of growth. Rising costs may also be having an impact, with ONS figures showing that inflation grew to 2.9 per cent in May. Capgemini consultant Bhavesh Unadkat said: “As spending warms up with the start of summer, May and June are usually two of the strongest months of the year. With ongoing economic and political uncertainty, however, this month’s results show a clear reversal of that trend.”

BARCLAYS and four former top bankers, including former Chief Executive John Varley, have been charged with fraud over side-deals struck during the bank’s emergency fundraising at the height of the financial crisis.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) said it had brought charges of conspiracy to commit fraud

HSBC jobs boost for Scotland

BANK OF ENGLAND Governor Mark Carney has said interest rates should not rise while wages continue to stagnate and the impact of Brexit on the economy is unclear.

Speaking after three Bank policymakers called for a rate rise amid warnings that Brexit-fuelled inflation is set to surge, Mr Carney said ‘now is not yet the time to begin that adjustment’.

In his Mansion House speech, he said: “From my perspective, given the mixed signals on consumer spending and business investment, and given the still subdued domestic inflationary pressures, in

HSBC is creating 500 new jobs in Scotland as it expands its operations north of the border.

It is creating roles in its global risk business, which was established in Edinburgh in 2015, and its centre of excellence for customer contact in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire.

The recruitment will also boost staff numbers in other areas of the business, bringing the total in Scotland to 4,500. It is HSBC’s third expansion programme in Scotland in the past three years.

against the bank, Mr Varley, Roger Jenkins, Thomas Kalaris and Richard Boath after a fiveyear investigation into the events of 2008.

It marks the first criminal charges to be brought in the UK against a bank and its former executives for activities during the crisis.

The SFO said the charges relate to the bank’s emergency fundraising from Qatari investors as the group sought to avoid a government bailout amid the banking sector meltdown.

Qatari investors pumped £6.1billion into Barclays during two fundraisings in June and October 2008.

In November that year, Barclays agreed to issue a $3billion (£2.4 billion) loan made available to the State of Qatar.

The bank, Mr Varley and Mr Jenkins face the same charge relating to the second funadraising in October

No hike in interest rates says Carney particular anaemic wage growth, now is not yet the time to begin that adjustment.”

The Canadian said he would like to wait and see if falling consumer confidence is offset by other components of demand, if wages begin to ‘firm’, how the economy reacts to ‘tighter financial conditions’, as well as the reality of Brexit talks.

Last week interest rates were held at 0.25 per cent, but Ian McCafferty, Michael Saunders and Kristin Forbes all voted for a rise to 0.5 per cent, marking the first time three members have dissented for more than six years.

HEADS MAY ROLL Former Barclays CEO John Varley 2008 – and have also been charged with providing unlawful financial assistance.

The defendants and a bank representative will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on July 3.

Mr Varley, the bank’s CEO from 2004-11, headed the bank at the time of the fundraising, while Mr Jenkins is also said to have played a key role in orchestrating the deal.

Barclays said it is ‘considering its position in relation to these developments’. It added: “Barclays awaits further details of the charges from the SFO.” Investigations have focused on two ‘advisory services agreements’ worth £322million, which Barclays agreed to pay the Qatar Investment Authority, as well as the US dollar loan.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) slapped a £50million penalty on the bank in 2013 after finding it had failed to disclose arrangements and fees it paid to the Qatari investors.

Barclays contested the fine and the challenge was put on hold while the SFO conducted its investigation, but the FCA is now understood to be reviewing new evidence.

World and Sport News

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

He was sentenced in March 2016 to 15 years in prison with hard labour. His family said it was told he had been in a coma since soon after his sentencing.

North Korea said Mr Warmbier went into a coma after contracting botulism and taking a sleeping pill.

Doctors in Cincinnati said they found no active sign of botulism or evidence of beatings.

In a White House statement, President Donald Trump said: “A lot of bad things happened, but at least we got him home to be with his parents.” He called North Korea a ‘brutal regime’.

SPORT IN BRIEF

Murray is humiliated at Queen’s by world No 90 ANDY MURRAY crashed out of Queen’s in the first round last night, losing to the world No 90 Jordan Thompson, who had already been eliminated from the tournament.

The Australian was reinstated after the defending champion’s original opponent, fellow Briton Aljaz Bedene, had to withdraw because of a wrist injury in London.

Thompson, who had never played Murray, won 7-6 6-2 in an hour and 43 minutes.

British No 1 Johanna Konta beat Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko 6-3 7-6 to reach the second round of the Aegon Classic in Birmingham.

Liverpool £39m in red LIVERPOOL are close to spending a club record £39million on Roma and Egypt winger Mohamed Salah.

The 25-year-old, who played for Chelsea and almost joined the Merseyside club in 2014, could cost more than the £35m Liverpool paid for Andy Carroll in 2011.

Salah could become the most expensive African player ever, eclipsing the £34million Liverpool spent on Sadio Mane last year.

Weir reveals suffering FORMER Scotland rugby union international Doddie Weir has revealed he is battling motor neurone disease.

The 46-year-old lock says he has decided to announce his diagnosis to raise awareness of the condition.

He is now joining forces with researchers to help tackle the degenerative condition.

HARD LABOUR Otto Warmbier was detained for almost 18 months

Coroner to probe death of student A CORONER’S office in Ohio is investigating the death of a college student who died less than a week after his return to the US after nearly 18 months in North Korean detention.

A spokesman for Hamilton County Coroner Dr Lakshmi Sammaraco said the office ‘accepted the case’ of Otto Warmbier, 22, who died on Monday (June 19) in a Cincinnati hospital.

Mr Warmbier’s parents did not state a specific cause of

death, but cited ‘awful, torturous mistreatment’.

Doctors had described Mr Warmbier’s condition as a state of ‘unresponsive wakefulness’ and said he suffered a ‘severe neurological injury’ of unknown cause The University of Virginia student, from the Cincinnati suburb of Wyoming, was accused of trying to steal a propaganda banner while visiting with a tour group and was convicted of subversion.

Warplanes The US flew two bombers over the Korean Peninsula shortly after Mr Warmbier’s death.

America sends warplanes there in times of heightened tension with North Korea, and flew B-1B bombers several times this year as the North conducted a series of banned ballistic missile tests.

The US military said the flights demonstrated solidarity among South Korea, Japan and the United States ‘to defend against ­provocative and destabilising actions in the Pacific theatre’.

The organisers of Mr Warmbier’s trip said they will no longer take US citizens to the country.

Young Pioneer Tours said on Facebook that his death shows that the risk American tourists face in visiting North Korea ‘has become too high’.

NEWS

21

REAL DEALINGS Jose Mourinho coached Madrid for three years

Mourinho is latest target of Spanish tax prosecutors JOSE MOURINHO has been accused of tax fraud worth ¤3.3million (£2.9million) by a Spanish state prosecutor in Madrid.

A statement said investigations had indicated that Mourinho committed two counts of tax fraud in 2011 and 2012. Information provided by Spain’s Tax Office claimed that Mourinho used shell companies in the Virgin Islands and Ireland to ‘hide profits made from image rights’. A judge will decide whether to take the matter to court.

Mourinho, 54, coached Madrid from 2010-13. The accusation against him comes a week after the Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo was alleged to have defrauded Spain’s tax office of ¤14.7million (£12.9million).

The prosecutor said Ronaldo also used a shell company in the Virgin Islands to avoid paying taxes. Ronaldo has denied any wrongdoing.

Last year, Barcelona;s Lionel Messi and his father were found guilty on three counts of defrauding tax authorities of ¤4.1 million (£3.6million) from income made from image rights.

They were given 21-month sentences but neither is expected to serve prison time.

22

NEWS

Letters

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

And another thing…

This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going on in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk or write to the Editor at 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU Cricket week combines community with a boost to our town’s economy Tunbridge Wells is blessed with one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the country. It is a short stroll from the station along the old High Street with all its shops, cafes and businesses, and past The Pantiles, our historic centre.

Cricket week is an advert for the town and provides both an immediate and long-term boost to local businesses in the shape of visitors and people looking to move here.

The numbers bandied around about the cost of the event are unclear, but whatever the true number, it will be less than the boost to the local economy it provides.

More important than that, the matches themselves are wonderful community events with a strong history.

The council and my fellow residents should be fighting to keep, strengthen and capitalise on cricket week rather than argue over the cost.

Whilst we’re at it, the council should consider and protect similar events in the town – such as the jazz, the markets, food festival, the music festivals and anything to do with theatre.

All of these combine business opportunity with community, and should be the ethos of our wonderful town.

Toby Brandon Tunbridge Wells

We need more room for events Lionel Hanmore [June 7] comments on the council’s apparent lack of interest in maintaining sports facilities, in contrast to its enthusiasm for enormously expensive and chancy capital schemes.

This is the way of the world now: Capital expenditure is good (kudos for the politicians) but maintenance expenditure is bad (boring).

Look at Dunorlan Park. The Lottery-funded refurbishment raised it to an excellent state,

Abuse services charity needs help too Thank you for drawing my attention to the important work done by the Domestic Abuse Volunteers Support Services, otherwise known as DAVSS [June 7].

I had no idea an organisation like this existed locally. Although I am not a victim of domestic violence myself, it is good to know that charities like this one operate on a local level, working with both female and male victims.

It is also encouraging to learn that DAVSS are fully supported by the Kent Police & Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, and are receiving vital funding, although it is probably nowhere near enough.

That is why coverage such as yours will hopefully help to raise further awareness of

FEATHER IN TOWN CAP Tunbridge Wells cricket but clearly maintenance expenditure has been insufficient to keep it in such good condition since.

On the western side, where the events field is located, the path surfaces are in disrepair, the paths and accesses are obstructed by overhanging vegetation, and scrub remorselessly encroaches on to the sward.

The walked paths that have not been surfaced are poached by heavy foot traffic, exacerbated by regular running events for large numbers putting far too much wear on the grass.

I am not against running (I go for the occasional stagger myself), but Dunorlan is not the Ashdown Forest, and does not have the size or resilience for constant intensive pounding by large organised events.

Instead of speculating millions of our money on the gamble of a fantasy theatre project, why doesn’t the council maintain its existing assets properly, and indeed acquire more land to meet the need for recreation space for all the residents of the town, and provide a venue where large events could be accommodated?

Call it a country park, if you like.

Unless priorities change, Grosvenor & Hilbert Park will follow the same pattern as Dunorlan, and all the good work and efforts of staff, contractors and volunteers will be wasted as it goes backwards once the Lottery effect wears off.

John Telling Tunbridge Wells DAVSS’ important work and, of course, shine a spotlight on the ongoing issue of domestic violence, whether the victims are men or women, and encourage more people to speak out about it.

Sally Evans Via email

Clark paid for letting his town down I am not surprised that more than 6,400 people in the borough of Tunbridge Wells decided not to vote for [MP] Greg Clark this time around.

Many people in this town are proud to represent the silent 48 per cent who did not want Brexit.

The fact that we were the only part of Kent that chose to stay in the EU makes us feel different – and in this day and age I’m happy with that.

But Mr Clark is such a toady to the Tory elite, he

refused to back the views of his constituents.

How can he expect them to keep supporting him?

And just before Parliament went into recess, there was the small matter of Mr Clark voting to scrap the Dubs Amendment, which Lord Dubs – who was given sanctuary in this country after fleeing the Nazis – set up last year to provide protection for 3,000 unaccompanied child refugees.

I don’t know what kind of people Mr Clark thinks live in our town, but I’m not one of them.

Bring on the next election! And the one after that.

David Sharp Tunbridge Wells

Some concerns you just can’t spin What a mess we’re in – the unattractive offer of heartless strength and stability under the Maybot has been rejected by the British electorate.

Why, even the Labour movement is seeing a resurgence in Tunbridge Wells, the best in 43 years according to your front page [June 14].

That’s right, the middle of Middle England saw more in Jeremy Corbyn than they did in even Tony ‘Don’t worry vote for me, I’m actually a Tory’ Blair.

What could it all mean? I would suggest that the offer of still more austerity for schools and hospitals was just something that even the best Conservative campaigners found hard to sell.

It is all well and good to say there is more funding than ever, but when your elderly relative is stuck in A&E for hours and your child’s school is asking you to pay for textbooks then that spin just isn’t going to work.

The middle class has a heavy tax burden placed upon them, but they want to see something in return. When fundamental services appear to be crumbling in front of your eyes, the pretence that everything is fine and dandy just won’t cut it – even if you are the disgusted of Tunbridge Wells.

Francis Stone Via email

Support Brexit till the bitter end Last week Brexit was placed at risk by a weak, unstable and incompetent Conservative Government, propped up by the DUP, who are only looking out for the interests of Northern Ireland and not the country as a whole.

It’s been pointed out, and will be several more times over the next few weeks and months, that UKIP is done, it no longer has a place.

Those people are wrong. The events of the last week have only strengthened our position. UKIP are the only ones that will hold the government to account to deliver Brexit.

Make no mistake, we are still here and we will campaign to the bitter end. I urge those who voted to leave, or those who have changed their mind, to hold the government to account.

Naz Mian Chairman, UKIP Tunbridge Wells

We do our best to publish letters in full. However, the Editor reserves the right to edit any letter. Please ensure that letters do not exceed 250 words

Calverley

Observations on life and more important things

VARIOUS descriptions have been used to describe Tunbridge Wells, but the one Calverley heard the other day takes the biscuit. It came from comedian Stewart Lee, who trooped into town for his show at the Assembly Hall and then, after enjoying our hospitality, later wrote in his column for The Guardian newspaper that Tunbridge Wells is ‘a town so solidly middling it has been twinned with Carluccio’s’. The man also told the audience that he much preferred performing at the nearby Trinity Theatre than the Assembly Hall. Just wait till we have our new council theatre, you won’t get an invite.

Stewart Lee

ANOTHER thing that caused Himself to chuckle last week was an encounter with Health and Safety. His newspaper colleagues were invited to set up a table at an Assembly Hall event they were ‘partnering’, whatever that means.

Nothing to it really, you might think. Wrong.

Along came the request for them to carry out a Risk Assessment. People were deeply worried about ‘the long hours’ people might have to stand up if ‘they are not used to this’. It would never enter their heads to grab a chair and sit down. Happily, the newspaper did not accept the invite to put up a table. Hey ho.

CALVERLEY noted a comment by Kent’s new top-ranked spin bowler, Pakistan’s Yasir Shah, who said how much he was looking ‘forward to playing in front of the Kent supporters at Canterbury and Beckenham’. No mention of Tunbridge Wells, where the row rolls on over the state of the pitch and the possibility of no more county games in town. Maybe he knows more than we do. Not too hard, that.

ONE more sign of inflation. Himself was forced to call at the Esso garage at Cross in Hand to put some air into the old Silver Cloud. Imagine his shock when he was required to deposit £1 in the slot just to get the air pump working. It used to be 20p. One despairs.

Chin, chin readers

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

EDUCATION Times

Education

NEWS

23

WITH THE

Primary pupils brought to book

Students from St James’ CE Junior School had the privilege of appearing at the East Sussex Children’s Book Awards last week. Here, Eileen Leahy finds out more about their literary-inspired performance PUPILS from Years 5 and 6 at St James’ Junior School were invited to perform at the East Sussex Children’s Book Awards ceremony last Wednesday [June 14].

The Tunbridge Wells students put on a performance inspired by author Ally Sherrick’s Black Powder, one of the featured short-listed books.

Thrilled Ms Sherrick’s story mixes the facts of the infamous Guy Fawkes gunpowder plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 with the fictional tale of a young boy named Tom, who is trying to save his Catholic father from being executed.

The 14 Book Club students who took part in this special dramatisation of Black Powder have been rehearsing it for the past month.

Pupil Imogen Thomas, who played the Falcon, said: “We’ve had to work

really hard at rehearsals!”

Meanwhile, Sophia Dennett, who played Tom and won the competition’s Creative Writing prize, said: “I think Black Powder is one of the best books I’ve read.”

Fellow St James’ pupil Esme Thomas scooped the Review Writing Award.

After watching the children’s performance, Ms Sherrick Tweeted: “A wonderful thing happened yesterday. I saw my book turned into a play by the super talented St James CE Junior Book Club. Bravo!”

The school’s English and Vocational Media teacher, Vicky Dennett, told the Times: “It was a superb event!

Ally Sherrick gave our performance a standing ovation. We were all totally thrilled.”

As part of the East Sussex Children’s Book Awards, which were held at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, participating pupils were given copies of the short-listed authors’ books to

GROUP EFFORT St James’ pupils performed Black Powder

NEWS IN EDUCATION

Student in race for life A YEAR 11 student from Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys has successfully completed a 10K run for charity.

Matt Hooper ran in the Vitality London 10,000 at the end of last month in order to raise money for the Evelina Hospital, after he underwent a heart procedure there last year. He raised just over £400 and finished in 50 minutes 25 seconds.

It’s question time A FUNDRAISING quiz night for St George’s Community Children’s Project is being held at Jean’s Kitchen, St John’s Road, tomorrow [Thursday]. Tickets cost £23 and include entrance to the quiz, a drink, burger and fries as well as a £5 donation to St George’s, and a chance to win some great prizes. To book, email: ellie.stewart@stgeorgesproject.co.uk

Stay safe online read and write a review on.

The authors were Christopher Edge, Julia Green, Linda Coggin, Tania Unsworth and Ally Sherrick.

The children were also encour-

aged to pen their own stories, inspired by the authors’ books.

The Many Worlds of Albie Bright

by Christopher Edge was judged the winning book at the ceremony.

THE NSPCC have recently updated their #ShareAware campaign with a raft of new resources which will help parents and carers to teach their children to stay vigilant and safe when going online. For more information, see www.nspcc.org.uk

24

NEWS

Weekly Comment

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Tom Tugendhat

MP for Tonbridge & Malling

Tom Tugendhat, MBE, left the British Army in July 2013 after a career in which he served on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and as the military assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff. As a Territorial Army officer, he worked on everything from those ops to establishing the Armed Forces Muslim Association. He also worked for the Foreign Office.

He was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2015

This result means we must rekindle our cooperative spirit WELL, that wasn’t the answer most of us expected! Of course I’m pleased that two years of hard work was recognised and I am honoured by the trust our community has placed in me, but nationally it’s a different story. Without the majority so many predicted, the Prime Minister can’t command the outcome of decisions.

What we got was an answer that forces our political system to remember what it is for, why Parliament matters and why cooperation is at its heart. It will now be impossible to dominate the political space as Blair and Thatcher once did with majorities in the Commons of more than 100 MPs. Instead we must talk.

The orders we got are clear – a Conservative government without a majority. That’s what we have to deliver. That means cooperating to get matters through Parliament. Brexit, for example, which has so many possible variations and intricacies, will be decided by the whole House of Commons, not just the government, and that gives everyone across our country a say on the outcome, through their representatives. I will be listening for your views and hope you will share them with

me. But representing a community like ours isn’t just about major national questions like leaving the EU, terrorism or fire safety. It is about issues that matter to us here in Tonbridge. Better trains, flood protection and a regenerated High Street.

Each one of these is important to improving the lives of everyone in our community.

‘She was right when she said we have much more in common than that which divides us’ And that, too, will require cooperation because we need to work together. We are lucky in our town that we already do so much across the political spectrum and with many different groups.

Many of the people I was campaigning against only a fortnight ago were at the Chequerboard on Saturday for a day of events held across our country in memory of my friend, Jo Cox, who was murdered by a far-right extremist. Jo was a Labour MP and we didn’t agree on

everything – sometimes it felt as if we agreed on very little – but we could always talk and that meant we could work together for the benefit of our communities and our country.

She was right when she said we have much more in common than that which divides us.

That’s why the answer we got a fortnight ago, although unexpected, is good for the country. Before the election I asked people to tell me what matterd to them. Now other

HOUSE DIVIDED Parties need to work together

MPs will also have to do the same and really listen to their community and to others in Parliament so we can chart a way through the most complex peacetime negotiations this country has ever undertaken.

And more than that, we will have to be truly democratic and balance the competing interests of everyone in our society to reach the best

answer that recognises our nation doesn’t have a single will, but rather there are millions of voices, all of which must be taken into account and which vary over time.

The truth is there’s no such thing as the will of the people.

We’re much too complex for that and this election confirms it.

WEST KENT’S ULTIMATE PROPERTY GUIDE – FREE EVERY WEDNESDAY A MUST-READ FOR THOSE LOOKING TO BUY, LET OR SELL

The Times is proud to work with:

WITH THE

Available in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks

bracketts

est. 1828

Make the most of a manor to let

in a lush location with views

26

PROPERTY

To suit your budget

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Your at-a-glance guide to

ST LUKE’S ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£299,950

GUIDE PRICE

UNDER £250,000 LONDON ROAD, SOUTHBOROUGH

£200,000

GUIDE PRICE This beautifully designed apartment offers the perfect balance of village life with the nearby convenience of town, as well as easy access to the M25 and fast rail connections to central London. Consisting of two double bedrooms, a kitchen, a

bathroom and a living area, this property is immaculately presented, spacious and bright, making it ready to buy and move into, or rent, straight away. It is perfect for first-time buyers, investors and professionals alike.

CONTACT Flying Fish Properties Southborough 01892 514189 www.flyingfishproperties.co.uk

UNDER £450,000 GREENFRITH DRIVE, TONBRIDGE

£375,000

Believed to have been built in the 1970s, this three-bedroom semidetached family house is in an established residential area. The acommodation comprises a porch, entrance hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen and side lobby/utility room, as well as three bedrooms, a

bathroom and a well-screened, enclosed rear garden. There is a door from the side lobby leading to the outside area – which includes a paved patio and brick path, timber shed, lawn with well-stocked borders and established hedges.

CONTACT Bracketts Tonbridge 01732 350503 www.bracketts.co.uk

To suit your budget

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

PROPERTY

27

great properties by price range…

UNDER £600,000 PLANE WALK, TONBRIDGE GUIDE PRICE

£450,000-£475,000 A well-presented property that offers ample living space for the family. The ground floor comprises a hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, utility room, shower room, and a room that could be used as a fourth bedroom or study. The first floor has three bedrooms and a family bathroom. Outside there is a good sized rear garden, predominately laid to lawn, a covered area and two large sheds with power available.

CONTACT Bracketts Tonbridge 01732 350503 www.bracketts.co.uk

UNDER £800,000 HAMPTONS, PARK ROAD, HADLOW GUIDE PRICE

£795,000 A superb, updated, three-bedroom character apartment in a striking Grade II listed Georgian mansion. Boasting a private garden and far-reaching countryside views, it also has the benefit of a share of freehold and a single garage. The accommodation is on the first floor, and comprises an entrance hall, drawing room, sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, a master bedroom suite, two further bedrooms and a shower room.

CONTACT Savills Sevenoaks 01732 789700 www.savills.co.uk

UNDER £350,000

UNDER £1Million

ST LUKE’S ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS

YOPPS GREEN, PLACTOL, SEVENOAKS

GUIDE PRICE

GUIDE PRICE

£850,000-£875,000

£299,950 A modern, two-bedroom, end-of-terrace house in a cul-de-sac, with its own private garden and parking. The living room has wood flooring and patio doors to the rear garden, the kitchen is fitted with a range of units, and both bedrooms have wardrobes. There is also a loft hatch fitted with a loft ladder. At the rear of the

property there is a delightful garden with an area of decking, a hot tub (included in the sale), and large garden shed. There is also a circular patio and an attractive area of lawn.

CONTACT Bracketts Tunbridge Wells 01892 533733 www.bracketts.co.uk

A bungalow sitting in approximately 8 acres, incorporating garden, drive, pasture and woodland. There is also the potential to convert the substantial roof space, subject to permissions.

Constructed in 2015, the property is set back from the road and has a living room, kitchen, dining room, utility room, three bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as outbuildings.

CONTACT Bracketts Tonbridge 01732 350503 www.bracketts.co.uk

42

PROPERTY

The Willows

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

AT A GLANCE

Substantial family home enjoys an orangery and a swimming pool THE WILLOWS SHIPBOURNE ■ Gated development ■ Reception hall ■ Drawing room ■ Dining room ■ Study ■ Cinema/games room ■ Kitchen/breakfast room ■ Utility room & 2 cloakrooms ■ Orangery ■ Storage/changing room ■ Master suite with bathroom, dressing room and balcony ■ Guest bedroom en-suite ■ Three further double bedrooms ■ Family bathroom ■ Au pair/teenage suite ■ Integral double garage ■ Boiler room ■ Established landscaped gardens ■ Swimming pool ■ Approximately 0.5 of an acre

GUIDE PRICE

£2,350,000 Available for sale through Savills Sevenoaks 01732 789700 www.savills.co.uk

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Advertising

PROPERTY

43

48

PROPERTY

Advertising

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

52

PROPERTY

Broadfield Manor

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

AT A GLANCE

BROADFIELD MANOR OLD SOAR ROAD PLAXTOL SEVENOAKS ■ Period manor house built around 1700 ■ 3 reception rooms ■ Kitchen ■ Cellar ■ 4 bedrooms ■ 3 bathrooms ■ Courtyard garden main garden, mainly laid to lawn ■ Tennis Court

Manor house to let enjoying spacious gardens

■ Double garage ■ Secure parking

To let £3,950 pcm (UNFURNISHED) Available through Savills Sevenoaks 01732 789700 www.savills.co.uk

58

FEATURES

Food & Drink

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

A true taste of Kent

INN KEEPING The Kentish Hare

Will one of the area’s best dining destinations live up to the hype? Eileen Leahy hops along to the Kentish Hare, in Bidborough, in order to find out…

T

CATCH OF THE DAY Seared scollops and maple bacon

HE KENTISH HARE occupies a scenic little spot in the picture-perfect village of Bidborough, just a few miles north of Tunbridge Wells. It offers a comprehensive list of local ales and craft gins and both a bar and fine dining menu. So far, so country gourmet pub you might think but that’s where any similarities technically end with its nearest competitors as this establishment is run by two of the country’s top celebrity chefs, brothers James and Chris Tanner, who have put Bobby Brown, a Gordon Ramsay protégé and star of BBC Masterchef: The Professionals, in charge of its kitchen.

Since it launched in 2014 The Kentish Hare has also garnered two AA Rosettes and is now listed as one of the country’s top 50 gastro pubs. So, does such impressive culinary pedigree result in an extra enjoyable dining experience? Well in the interests of investigative journalism I’m about to find out…

It’s a warm summer’s evening when my husband and I arrive at its pretty rural location, just a few minutes by car from Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells and a stone’s throw from the stunning vistas of Bidborough Ridge.

Situated on the former site of The Hare and Hounds pub, its smart painted tongue and groove exterior and manicured window boxes certainly

make it look very different to its predecessor.

The inside of the building, which the Tanner brothers saved from being demolished, is a similar stylish story. Boasting a colour palette of tasteful on-trend sage green and putty tones with exposed floorboards, stag heads and vintage leather sofas dotted around it certainly looks like it means business when it comes to providing its customers with a memorable drinking or dining experience.

Our friendly Maitre D’ Eamon, ushers us into the inviting snug bar for a drink while we check out the menu. As we jostle past a group of cricketers quenching their thirst with an early evening

‘Run by two of the country’s top celebrity chefs, brothers James and Chris Tanner, The Kentish Hare also has Bobby Brown, a Gordon Ramsay protégé in charge of its kitchen’

Food & Drink

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

FINAL FLING Vanilla bean cheesecake with poached rhubarb and sorbet

pint and throngs of lively locals chatting and drinking, it’s fair to say that the ambience here is positively buzzing.

My husband Steve opts for a glass of Chapel Down’s Curious Brew lager while I decide that a refreshing G&T is in order on this warm summer’s evening. I’m told by one of the bar staff that The Kentish Hare stocks 15 different types of gin. I choose local tipple The Silent Pool which comes served with a Fever Tree Mediterranean mixer over ice and a sprig of coriander. “This complements all those wonderful juniper berries” the barman says and with just one sip of its ice cold, sweet and spicy flavours I think I just may have found my favourite new summer drink.

We’re soon taken through to the very busy vaulted dining room towards the back of the pub which overlooks a pretty, wisteria festooned decked area outside. The aesthetic attention to detail is again immediately evident here with its exposed brick walls, wooden flooring and each table boasting posies of fresh flowers and glimmering mercurial glass candles.

We’re spoilt with a window spot and promptly offered a box of crusty artisan breads with marmite flavoured butter – a simple idea which gives added depth and a salty kick to the selection of fresh focaccia, sour dough and baguette.

For starters there’s a strong emphasis on seafood and fish and our friendly, knowledgeable waitress Julia tells us that the Kentish Hare team try to source every ingredient as locally as possible. After pondering the salmon ceviche served with slivers of pink grapefruit, jalapeno and coriander (£9.95) I decide upon the crab salad with pickled cucumber, pomegranate and brown crab mayonnaise (£10.95). It’s deliciously fresh, generous in size and beautifully textured.

Steve is also impressed by the crustacean offerings and decides to dine on the seared scallops, curried cauliflower purée and maple bacon (£12.95). The scallops are plump and creamy and artistically presented on glazed quenelles of curried cauliflower with the shards of bacon giving the dish good crunch.

Our sommelier’s choice of Hush Heath’s Skye’s Chardonnay (£4.95 125ml) to accompany our food choices is a perfect pairing thanks to its clean, citrus character.

As we await our ‘main events’ as they’re so called on the restaurant menu, we catch a glimpse of head chef Bobby through the exposed kitchen window working his gastro magic alongside his team. He cut his culinary teeth at Gordon Ramsay’s Breadstreet Kitchen in London and Age & Sons in Ramsgate before moving to The Kentish Hare in 2014. Just visible are the Green Egg barbeques Bobby cooks on to ensure the meat is cooked to perfection.

After sampling a slice of Steve’s filet steak (£26.95) which he further enhances with a Kentish Blue sauce and a serving of healthy ‘stealth’ fries (£4.50) I can attest that the Green Eggs are definitely doing their job. The meat is beautifully tender yet boasts that delicious chargrilled texture and taste.

My main of curried hake with onion bhaji, carrots, chicory and cucumber (£17.95) is very delicately spiced but as I’m such a heat fiend I have to admit I’d have liked it with just a little bit

FEATURES

59

COUNTER CULTURE The stylish snug bar

MEAT FEAST Fillet steak with mushroom brandy cream more of a hit but for what the fish lacks in exotic seasoning the aromatic bhaji makes up for.

Again, the presentation is outstanding and Julia tells me this is one of the dishes Bobby created for his stint on Masterchef.

By now the sun has long gone and so have our

appetites but after a short break we do sneak a peek at the ‘Final Flings’ dessert menu. We decide that we want to leaving feeling with our appetites perfectly sated, not saturated so opt to share the clotted cream parfait with English strawberries, balsamic, olive oil and strawberry sorbet (£7.95). It’s like a traditional British summer on a plate thanks to its perfectly ripe, refreshing flavours which are cleverly tempered from being too sweet by the balsamic and olive oil drizzle. It is quite simply the perfect ending to a perfect evening.

James Tanner will be hosting a pop up restaurant based on The Kentish Hare in the Queen Anne Enclosure at Royal Ascot all this week until Saturday June 24.

For more information see www.ascot.co.uk

60

FEATURES

Food & Drink

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

The ‘secret hideaway’ that brings fresh food from local farm to table With its kitch interiors, a menu to make the mouth water and the new addition of a scrumptious High Tea, The Warren restaurant is one of Tunbridge Wells’ tastiest gems. Hannah Patterson met up with Head Chef Sam Spratt and Restaurant Manager Magdalena Szczerbova to talk about the eatery the town’s foodies will be eager to visit, if they haven’t rushed there already…

T

EVER HELPFUL Manager Magdalena

here is a single door nestled between the shops in Tunbridge Wells High Street that leads to the The Warren. Despite being in the very centre of town, and only a stone’s throw from the railway station, the restaurant feels like a secret hideaway.

Up a flight of stairs from the street, you enter a stunning restaurant enjoying a wholly individual style – with floor-to-ceiling windows, ornaments that would look at home in a high-end antiques shop and impressive wall hangings.

It is here that I meet Restaurant Manager Magdalena – a ball of boundless energy and infectious smiles without a smidgeon of pretention about her. The love she has for the restaurant is immediately evident.

“I come from a media and theatre background, so I never imagined I’d be managing a restaurant like this one day – and I love it!” she says.

Known as Magda, she came here from the Czech Republic, and if this wasn’t her original dream, how did she find herself in charge of The Warren?

“When I first came to England, I worked at Chez JJ in Camden Road,” she explains. “Chris Fitt and Martin Haymes, who are joint owners of the Warren Estate in Crowborough, were regulars there and we became friends.

“Sadly, owner Jean Jacques became ill and the restaurant had to close, but I remained close to Chris and Martin. When the idea of The Warren came up, I jumped at the chance.”

The restaurant has recently overhauled its branding in an effort to further define its offerings to the public. One of the major qualities it boasts, is the link to the owners’ Estate in Crowborough, the Warren Estate, where the majority of the produce is sourced.

“We were concerned that the ties between the restaurant and the estate were getting a little lost in the message we were putting out there, and that is what motivated the rebrand,” says Magda.

“Something needed to change. And the timing was perfect as Sam became our new Head Chef in January.”

Warren wild boar The new Head Chef is certainly something to shout about, as Sam Spratt has had an impressive culinary career so far. He trained at Thanet College before taking a job at Tanners Restaurant in Plymouth, a venue that has two Rosettes and an AA Award for Restaurant of the Year. He has kept the standard of his employers high – all can boast Rosettes, AA Awards or Michelin Stars.

“I have learnt a great deal from all the places I have worked,” he says, “and each experience has provided me with the knowledge and techniques that I use day to day in the running of the kitchen.”

Food & Drink

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

FOOD PHOTOS: Jez Timms

‘There’s a real opportunity for the chefs to spread their wings and create something truly spectacular’

Sam thoroughly enjoys his role, especially his working relationship with sous chef Raul Savi.

“Raul is a very accomplished chef and has lots of experience,” says Sam. “He has worked for Marco Pierre White and has gained amazing knowledge which he shares with the kitchen and front of house.

“We work closely together to produce our menu, and we both share the same passion for local seasonal produce.”

The menu has evolved significantly since Sam took over. He is keen to create lighter options for

the summer months, bringing modern techniques into the kitchen and combining them with Raul’s richer flavours, creating a perfect balance.

“Sam focuses on creating dishes that enable people to eat all three courses without it feeling like a heavy meal,” says Magda.

“It’s far more sophisticated, and it changes every day. They have complete creative licence in the kitchen. There’s a real opportunity in there for the chefs to spread their wings and create something truly spectacular.

“Even our younger chefs will sometimes suggest a dish, and then it will be on the menu if it tastes incredible – and it usually does!”

The menu constantly changes because The Warren is a seasonal restaurant, so it is dependent on whatever produce is available at the time – which can seem like a lot of pressure for a chef.

“Not at all,” says Sam. “I love to get creative in the kitchen!”

The estate has very much shaped the ethos and drive of the restaurant. It has a large focus on game, but still serves a range of fish dishes from a local sustainable source, and forages the local flora and fauna from the estate – which is utilised for all it can offer, from wild garlic and stinging nettles to chestnuts and plums.

“Mine and Raul’s approach is fronted by simplicity,” adds Sam. “We use classic, simple ingredients but bring in modern interpretations. We both believe flavour comes first and visuals second. Everything we add to a dish is there for a purpose.

“We both believe local and seasonal is best and try to work closely with our suppliers and the Warren Estate to bring in the highest quality produce.”

The obvious assumption that could be made after listening to Sam talk about food is that a menu of this calibre cannot possibly be affordable.

“I worry that we are seen as exclusive, when we want our food to be enjoyed by everyone,” says Magda.

“That’s why we always offer an Express Menu as well as the à la carte. You can have one course for under £10 and an additional course for only £5 extra. I love that customers can ‘pop-in’ at lunch and experience fine dining without the damage to the bank balance.”

The express menu doesn’t disappoint. Among the more notable options is the scrambled Warren duck egg on brioche, and Warren wild garlic potato dumplings served with Roscoff onion and tenderstem broccoli.

FEATURES

61

Magda’s eyes light up whenever she talks about the food. “Everything here is about authenticity,” she says. “We butcher all the meat on site and we dehydrate our own raisins. The delicious sourdough bread is also baked on site.

“Since the jazz has kicked off again on The Pantiles, we’ve begun a summer offer on Thursdays to replace our previous winter pie nights – sausages! They’re totally gluten free, simply because there are no extras in them and so no flour. We know this because we make them from scratch here in the kitchen.

“And then there is our High Tea. As well as the usual cakes and scones, it has a savoury twist with sausage rolls and Scotch eggs using wild boar from our estate. One day it was so hot that we offered frozen macaron sandwiches at the last minute – anything for our customers!”

The Warren Tunbridge Wells 5a High Street, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1UL 01892 328191 www.thewarren.restaurant

Elderflower cheesecake

High tea

62

FEATURES

Travel

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Tour the Med on a new luxury liner – without lifting a finger Eager to combine a little culture with a lot of pampering and gourmet food, Laura Ivill and her mother Sonia hop aboard newly-launched cruise ship Silver Muse in Santorini

STUNNING Whitewashed Santorini

P

EERING through my binoculars, I study anchored catamarans and motorboats skimming across the water. The star of the show is Silversea’s new ship Silver Muse, looking sleek, modern and majestic.

With 400 staff and crew for its 596 passengers, nine dining venues and all-butler suites, I’m expecting a very different cruise experience for my holiday ahead.

I am joining a ten-day voyage through Greece (the islands of Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes) and Turkey (for the ancient ruins of Ephesus and Pergamon). Right now, I’m on Santorini – a photographer’s gift with its ancient whitewashed onestorey buildings and red-streaked volcanic cliffs.

I flew in a day early with my mum Sonia to enjoy the croissant-shaped island’s beauty, staying at Canaves Oia Suites

in the picture-perfect town of Oia on the northern tip. Part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection, they’ve played host to actress Jennifer Lawrence in the past.

We have enough time to explore the stylish shopping of Oia’s car-free lanes (I should have packed less and bought more), before taking a taxi ride to the old port and a cable car down over the cliffs to the old quay. We speed across to our waiting ship, eager to explore the passenger decks [floors five to 11].

Launched in April in Italy (Silversea is Italian), Silver Muse is the largest in the company’s fleet. Silversea ships are comparatively small-scale, uber-luxury experiences, either expedition ships for nature lovers, or cruise ships for eating, drinking, being entertained, relaxing by the pool and seeing the daily-changing sights ashore.

SOAKING UP THE SIGHTS Laura and her mother

ROOM WITH A VIEW The ultimate in comfort

‘Early morning arrivals in port are a highlight of my day.

Sliding open the patio doors, I’m greeted with soft morning light, islands on the horizon and a pilot boat from our destination port to bring us in’

Our Superior Veranda Suite is gorgeous – a marble bathroom (with bath and separate shower), dressing room, sitting room and bedroom with blackout curtains. Every suite has butler service, turndown and a terrace.

Early morning arrivals in port are a highlight of my day. Sliding open the patio doors, I’m greeted with soft morning light, islands on the horizon and a pilot boat from our destination port skimming up alongside to bring us in.

A call to my butler, Pedro, brings a fresh pot of tea – no fiddling with kettles here.

The ship’s decor is a triumph. With nods to the golden age of the cruise liner, the central staircase is curved and sensual. Woods give warmth, and tones throughout are whispers of champagne, caramel, whipped cream, chocolate and oatmeal, with a dash of lime.

Modern artworks add colour and personality, and a glittering azure pool (flanked by two Jacuzzis) is a perfect match for the sea. An attentive waiter makes sure you are NEVER without a drink. Pommery is the house champagne, or choose anything from the cocktail list – a liquid menu so inviting you could start upon arrival and just keep going.

Travel

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

63

TRAVEL FACTS

SIZZLING The on-board grills BREAKFAST On Laura’s balcony

Despite the overflowing alcohol, everyone is well behaved. The emphasis with Silver Muse is on the genteel gourmet experience. Nine dining rooms all have their own ambience and menus, and guests are invited to experiment. After dinner, a first-rate song-and-dance troupe provide entertainment, enhanced by state-of-theart sound and lighting.

For five glorious days, we eat and drink like queens, laze on sunloungers, giggle in Jacuzzis, and dress up in our glad rags to be serenaded by jazz.

We’re pampered in the spa, take turns around the jogging track, and even find time to soak up the Aegean’s rich ancient culture on guided tours – all without lifting a finger. I could easily get used to this way of life.

FEATURES

EAGER TO BOARD Laura embarks on her adventure

 Next year, Silver Muse will be operating a seven-day Mediterranean trip from Rome to Venice, calling at Sorrento, Taormina, Katakolon, Sarande, Dubrovnik and Split.

Departing on May 29, fares start from £3,900 per person, based on double occupancy of the Classic Veranda Suite. The price includes gourmet cuisine, the personalised service of a butler, a generous selection of amenities, complimentary beverages, wines and spirits, a stocked in-suite fridge, on-board gratuities, and complimentary Wi-Fi for each guest.

Flights extra. Book via Silversea or call 0844 2510837. www.silversea.com

COFFEE AND CULTURE The ship’s Arts Café

 B&B at Canaves Oia Hotel, doubles from 350 euros. Call 0800 0482 314.

64

FEATURES

Advertising Feature

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

An active lifestyle is the basis of a new, vibrant approach to living life well in advancing years

FUTURE HOME A CGI image of what the new home will look like upon completion

An active, independent lifestyle is not something often associated with care homes. However, a new care provider coming soon to central Tunbridge Wells – the Chamberlain Court Care Home – is working very hard to transform such beliefs…

SITUATED in Mount Ephraim Road, Chamberlain Court is a new luxury care home offering residential and dementia care which is not only beautiful, but is dedicated to delivering high-quality relationship-centred care to the residents. This means that the individual needs of each resident are at the very heart of the care provided.

General Manager Mark McDonald explains: “We will build a relationship with every resident in order to truly connect with their personal histories and personalities. It is something that we are very passionate about.

“One way we do this is by giving every new Chamberlain Court resident an ‘About Me’ booklet to complete when they move in. This helps team members to understand their routine, family history, what

makes them happy or sad, and what support they need in their daily lives.”

The home recognises the need for delivering more than just good care. Residents will be encouraged to help out in the garden, cook and carry on with the kind of everyday routines which make their lives individual.

Residents will be empowered to go outside of the home regularly, for example to pick up their newspaper from the newsagent each morning, or pop to out to the weekly coffee morning at the church hall that they’ve been going to for years.

‘We will build a relationship with every resident to truly connect with their personal histories and personalities’ Mark McDonald, General Manager

Advertising Feature

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Residents living with dementia can have different care needs. Chamberlain Court will run a range of sensory activities which will include visits from ‘mobile zoos’, arts and crafts and reminiscence sessions, all of which will be incorporated into the home’s weekly calendar of engaging activities.

Meanwhile, residents with more care needs will be supported to participate in meaningful one-on-one activities, such as massage therapy and chair yoga, and be introduced to group activities if they wish to participate.

“Our care team will have the skills to support the individual needs of the residents,” explains Mark. “And it’s important that residents who are more dependent are encouraged to make friends and have the choice to participate in activities where possible.”

Market-leading facilities

INDEPENDENCE Residents can prepare their own meals with the support of the care team if required.

Other communal areas comprise a café, a celebrations room and the unique Buckingham Suite on the third floor with an adjoining terrace, which will enable the community to come together for celebrations and other events.

Outside, there will be an activities room for residents and landscaped gardens with raised planters, offering the opportunity to get involved in the gardening at the home.

The garden will also feature an aviary and number of water features.

Investment in employees Chamberlain Court is among Royal Tunbridge Wells’ highest-paying care providers, and is proud to be as part of their commitment to improving the standards of social care in the area.

Care assistants over the age of 25 with no experience will be paid £8.75 an hour – £1.25 an hour more than the compulsory rate.

This will rise to £9.50 an hour if they have an NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience, or complete such training with the care home provider. Ancillary team members will be paid £8.45 an hour.

To attend one of the community open days, please contact Customer Relationship Manager Darren Hill on 01892 629154, or email Darren.Hill@hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk Chamberlain Court Care Home is part of Hallmark Care Homes, an award-winning care provider established in 1997 with 16 care homes across England and Wales.

Hallmark Care Homes’ registered nurses and trained carers are highly qualified and we take pride in delivering 20 years of excellent relationshipcentred care. Chamberlain Court will provide residential and dementia care and will have its official grand launch event on Tuesday July 11, opened by television presenter Fiona Phillips.

For further information, please visit www.hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk

GREEN FINGERS Residents can get gardening outside

COSY An example bedroom

65

“As a new employer to the area, we are proud to offer our team members significantly more than the National Living Wage of £7.50 an hour,” says Mark.

“Carers, lifestyle assistants and ancillary team members do a great job, and we feel they should be rewarded for the meaningful work that they do on a daily basis.

“We also understand the importance of investing in our team, which is why all of our employees will have access to free training and qualifications, in addition to a rise once they have passed their probation period.”

Chamberlain Court is hosting a community weekend on Saturday and Sunday July 1 and 2, between 10am and 4pm.

The purpose of the community weekend is to offer a guided tour of the home to those who may be considering care for themselves or a loved one, and for those interested in learning more about what is offered at Chamberlain Court.

Meeting residents’ care requirements

Chamberlain Court is part of Hallmark Care Homes, which is proud to have been recognised nationally for the facilities they provide, having been awarded ‘Best Care Home’ at the prestigious Pinders Healthcare Design Awards from 2010-2015.

At the home, each of the bedrooms is elegantly furnished with bespoke furniture and has its own en-suite facilities, while several rooms on the ground floor enjoy direct access on to a private patio garden area.

Facilities at the home include a cinema, hairdressers, barbers and therapy room, as well as a choice of spacious lounges and interactive kitchen/dining rooms for those who wish to help prepare their own snacks or drinks.

All of the bedrooms have their own TV and telephone point and Wi-Fi access so residents can stay in regular contact with their loved ones –

FEATURES

FEELS LIKE HOME The spacious accommodation

66

FEATURES

Motoring

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

FIRST DRIVE

Fiat 500L Urban 1.4 T-Jet 120HP Lounge WHAT’S NEW? Good question. The Fiat 500L is a car we’re pretty familiar with by now. Take one regular 500, pump it full of growth hormones, and what you’re left with is the 500L – a far more practical take on the hugely popular little supermini.

With the latest 500L, not a whole lot has changed. There’s a slightly revised exterior, a more minimalistic interior and a greater focus on technology – the new seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system and improved driver assistance systems grab headlines here.

On the whole, though, the latest Fiat 500L is much the same as its predecessor. The engine line-up is the same, as is the car’s overall image.

However, slight alterations to the exterior, as well as a redesigned interior, help to keep it looking relatively fresh – if a little awkwardly proportioned.

LOOKS AND IMAGE Where the regular 500 is a car that is well-loved for its cute, retro-inspired image, taking that same aesthetic and blowing it up to a larger scale doesn’t really work for the 500L – at least not in our eyes.

What you’re left with is a rather ungainly-looking thing. Contrasting

colours on the roof do go some way to spicing up the exterior, but for the most part it suffers the same fate as the vast majority of people-movers.

Inside, the updates are similarly minor.

There’s a new dash layout, which is more minimal in its design, and proceedings are dominated by that seven-inch touchscreen.

There are a fair amount of scratchy plastics used in the cabin, which may not look great, but should be capable of taking the beatings that young children can often send their way.

SPACE AND PRACTICALITY The Fiat 500L is a car that has been designed with family use in mind, and for the most part it will be incredibly successful in this department.

Small children will find they have plenty of room in the back, even when sat three abreast.

However, adult-sized passengers may not be as happy with the rear seats. They

The latest Fiat 500L sees minor styling updates introduced, while engine line-up and driving dynamics remain largely unchanged

By Simon Davis

vehicle, as you wouldn’t want to scratch any paintwork.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

sit higher than those in the front, meaning that those who are of an average height will find their heads touch the roof. And being forced to slouch isn’t a massively pleasant experience when faced with a long journey. Sure, you could always do so, but be prepared to say goodbye to a considerable amount of knee room.

Boot space is a respectable 455 litres with the rear seats in their forward position, and can be increased to a cavernous 1,480 litres when they are folded down.

While the boot does offer a decent amount of luggage space, the sill is quite wide with a significant amount of bodywork exposed. Bear this in mind when loading heavy items into the

FACTS AT A GLANCE: MODEL: Fiat 500L Urban 1.4 T-Jet 120HP Lounge ENGINE TESTED: 1.4-litre four-cylinder T-Jet petrol POWER: 118bhp TORQUE: 215Nm MAX SPEED: 117mph 0-60MPH: in ten seconds MPG: 42.2mpg EMISSIONS: 155g/km

To drive, the 500L is inoffensive and predictable, but far from exciting. The 1.4-litre T-Jet petrol that was fitted to our test car, driven in Italy, was relatively smooth under hard acceleration, but did make quite a racket towards the top end of the rev range.

It also didn’t offer up much puff lower down, and struggled with the often steep hills on the outskirts of Turin.

Around town, however, the engine was more than capable of getting the 500L moving. The six-speed manual gearbox was also surprisingly slick to use.

Being a mini-MPV, driving dynamics were never going to be mind-blowing. While there was a good deal of lean through the corners, the nicely-weighted steering was communicative enough that you knew where the car’s limits were at all times.

Where the 500L really impressed was on the rutted roads around Turin. Up front, you didn’t really notice the shuddering or crashing as the Fiat drove over the frequent bumps and craters that populated the road surfaces wherever we went – which will certainly be a welcome characteristic when it hits the road here in Britain.

VALUE FOR MONEY

PRACTICAL The aptly-named ‘Urban’ is zippy round town

UK pricing for the 500L has not yet been announced, but Fiat told us at the launch that pricing hadn’t changed.

This means that a 500L Lounge like the one we tested will probably cost around the £20,000 mark.

The Lounge specification will act as the flagship trim for the 500L in the UK. Equipment levels are generous enough, with a panoramic sunroof, 16-inch alloys, rear parking sensors, cruise control and that seven-inch touchscreen with Live services all included as standard.

However, while the infotainment system is a welcome feature, it does manage to feel rather outdated and slow compared with the solutions offered by rival manufacturers.

WHO WOULD BUY ONE? Where the Fiat 500 is aimed at young city dwellers, the 500L is aimed at young families who still want the flair and personality of the 500, but in a more practical package.

Well, that’s what Fiat claims.

VERDICT

‘You didn’t really notice the shuddering or crashing as the Fiat drove over the frequent bumps and craters’

At the end of the day, as I said at the top, the Fiat 500L isn’t really that different from the old one. It still has those divisive looks, and it doesn’t drive any better than it used to.

That said, it offers a decent amount of practicality, and young families in the market for a more left-field wagon could find the 500L an appealing proposition.

Beauty

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Ready, set, glow!

What with our unpredictable weather, your best bet for catching a tan is by applying it yourself. Katie Wright selects summer’s best bronzing buys We all hope by the end of summer we’ll be bronzed to perfection, but somehow the reality - not enough holidays, the good old British weather - always scuppers our plans.

Thank heavens, then, for the self-tan saviours that will turn lacklustre limbs from pale to golden, even when it’s pouring outside.

Even better, this year there are a whole heap of innovations making the bottle-bronze process easier than ever.

Whether you’re a fake-tan fanatic or a newbie to the DIY game, these are the products that will have you glowing in no time...

FEATURES

69

STEAL OF THE WEEK Missguided’s new fragrance, Babe Power, has become the fastest seller ever at The Fragrance Shop, beating luxury brands like Paco Rabanne and Dior. The unashamedly gourmand juice has proved a massive hit with beauty bloggers and consumers alike, and at only £27.50 for 80ml, it’s seriously good value too.

MISSGUIDED BABE POWER £27.50 for 80ml (TheFragranceShop. co.uk)

THE MAN TANNER Another Aussie import, Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Foam For Men, £13.99, is a foam tanner formulated with a fresh masculine scent, for all those bronzing blokes out there (www.bondisands.co.uk).

THE PHOTOSHOP FAKER THE SUPER SHEET MASK Love a weekly sheet mask? Switch your regular treatment for St Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Face Sheet Mask, £15 for a pack of two, Boots, for a powerful dose of hyaluronic hydration and light tan in five minutes, or a darker glow in 10 (www.boots.com).

Like an Instagram filter you spray on, ModelCo Tan Airbrush In A Can, £15, is a glow-giving spray-on self-tan. The beloved Aussie brand has just landed here in the UK bringing that Gold Coast glow to our shores, - hurrah (LookFantastic.com).

THE CLEAR WINNER Not only is Tan Luxe Hydra Mousse, £33, QVC, packed with nourishing raspberry oil and vitamins, it’s also the first completely clear tanning mousse, meaning no more stained clothes or bedsheets. Genius (www.qvcuk.com).

Puzzles

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

14

15

16

17

C

5

6

7

8

9

18

19

20

21

22

X

10

11

12

13

23

24

25

26

A B C D E F G H I J K L MNO P Q R S T U VWX Y Z 5

13

16 14

22 22

5

13

9

4

X C

18

23

15

22 23

7

13

14

14

13

3

17

13

25

11

17

4

6

1

2

24

3

17

17

23 22

C

16

17

25 23

4

3

3

26

21 16

1

17

16

25 26

24

1

17

8

26

17

13

13

14

17

25

25

1

22

3

3

1

12

25

23

23

14

23

23 6

23

13

23

22

24

10

22

17

1 16

24

25

4

C C

14

1

16 3

6

13

17

26

23

23 6

19

22

6 13

1

22

C

16

22 17

23

4 16

9 7 2

10

13 18

26

1

12 23

20

22

Numbers are substituted for letters in the crossword grid. Above the grid is the key with two letters solved. Try to complete the first few words to give you more letters, or look for a frequent number that might reveal a common letter. As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid. Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

5

1

5

6 7 2 6 3

4

6 5 5 6

3

9 9

2

Codeword:

8

3

8 1 2

I N S I D E N N O F R E E Z E R L E A T L A N T R P D E C K H A O A N N U M L G P S A L L L N A E X E R O X

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

7

8 6 7

4 5

5

1

3

4 3 6

4

9 8 1

8 9 5

2

In this Sudoku, the normal 3x3 boxes are now strangely odd shapes – but all the rules and logic of normal Sudoku apply.

Fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and box contains every number uniquely.

Puzzle solutions will be published in next week’s paper

3 6 5 9 8 4 7 2 1

1 4 7 6 5 2 9 3 8

V OW E L E H E S H E R A R R P H I A C L E A N T L O E R R E E F A M R E Q U E S T I U L O A B I L I T Y N O E E J E C T E D Jigsaw Sudoku:

Sudoku:

8 9 2 1 7 3 4 6 5

R

4 3 1 2 6 7 8 5 9

6 7 9 5 3 8 1 4 2

2 5 8 4 9 1 3 7 6

9 2 4 3 1 6 5 8 7

7 1 6 8 4 5 2 9 3

5 8 3 7 2 9 6 1 4

6 1 4 9 7 2 3 8 5

3 8 7 5 1 9 4 6 2

9 4 5 6 2 8 1 3 7

1 7 2 4 3 6 8 5 9

4 3 8 2 5 7 9 1 6

5 2 9 3 8 1 6 7 4

7 6 3 1 9 4 5 2 8

8 9 1 7 6 5 2 4 3

2 5 6 8 4 3 7 9 1

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

4

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

3

DIFFICULTY RATING: ★★II

2

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

1

SOLUTIONS (FROM LAST WEEK)

SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU

DIFFICULTY RATING: ★★★★

CODEWORD

71

FEATURES

72

FEATURES

Life & Style

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

KENTISH OILS EXPAND WITH NEW BRAND Following on from the success of their Kentish Oils and Marinades and their Plain Mayonnaise, which was awarded two stars in the prestigious Great Taste Awards last year, Kentish Oils are pleased to launch their new brand, Kentish Condiments.

JUMP TO IT! I always love staying ahead of my game before anyone and we are so happy to introduce our Bounce and Burn classes at the studio! The only workout which is going to make your burn more calories than running.

Kentish Condiments will be the brand that their condiment products are presented under. The first to transition is the range of handmade, quality mayonnaise which is launching this week and includes two new exciting flavours just in time for the BBQ season, Garlic and Chilli.

As an ex competitive runner I always loved cardio but safety has always been my priority with classes at the studio. This workout is amazing on your joints so suitable for anyone with injuries. When Dame Kelly Holmes invited me and my team to support her charity, I did not realise that I would fall in love with the rebounder. I am so happy to get that feeling back and to properly sweat, releasing those feel good hormones! It is not a trampoline and the jumps are different. Great for pelvic floor! yesss! If I can do it after 5 children, so can you!

The new brand is the starting point of a whole suite of products, including other variations of sauces and dressings, that will be launched under the company’s new owner, Laura Bounds, who acquired the company in March of this year. Back in March, Bounds asserted her plans to grow the company. Plans include new product development for Kent Crisps, new diversification and factory growth for Kentish Oils and a continued push for new markets, including the launch of the Kentish Condiments range. These plans are well underway given the new products have taken less than two months, from concept to product delivery, almost unheard of in the food production industry.

www.sandrinespilates.co.uk

Bounds, said: “We are very excited to be launching our new brand.

Our company ethos is to create products that use local ingredients and support local producers in Kent. Our decision to rebrand the products has come from our desire to grow our range of products and expand into the condiments market with distinctive new products. We are so proud to have earned not one, but two stars, for our original plain mayo at the Great Taste Awards 2016, and the new additions are adding a new dimension to a product that has been exceptionally well received.”

All of the flavoursome mayonnaises are made using Kentish Oils signature rapeseed oil, and the new brand has stayed true to its roots of using local, Kentish products with the garlic mayo using local sourced Kentish garlic, and the chilli mayo utilising chillies grown at Kent Chilli Farm in Dartford.

Steve Weller, owner of Kent Chilli Farm, has been working with the company for 3 years and supplies the chipotle chillies that flavour the Kent Crisps Smoked Chipotle Chilli crisps. Steve said: “We’re delighted to be working on the new venture that is Kentish Condiments. Kent is a hotbed of agricultural activity and it’s great knowing that we’ve helped to create a local product that has worldwide potential.”

As with the Kent Crisps and Kentish Oils range, the Kentish Condiments range is made using the finest, local ingredients, and is also gluten free, dairy free and contains no artificial flavourings or preservatives.

The new products are launched today (14 June) and are also available to wholesalers. Kentish Oils and Kentish Condiments can be found in local farm shops and independent retailers across the South-East, including Quex Barn, Birchington and Macknade Fine Food, Faversham.

www.producedinkent.co.uk

CARE FOR A NEW LEASE OF LIFE? Rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Southlands Place have been praised for their wonderful, kind carers who always have a friendly smile. The CQC found that people were treated with dignity and respect and that they felt safe and well cared for. Residents are encouraged to be themselves and to do as much as possible, always being given options to allow them to make informed decisions.

Designed with the residents needs in mind, the new purpose built care home in the quiet seaside town of Bexhill-on-Sea has a welcoming light and spacious environment where residents are at the heart of everything.

An Activities Co-ordinator provides a varied programme of events suited to residents’ wishes and needs. From trips to local sights and shows, coffee mornings to quizzes in the lounge, there is always something to do at Southlands Place.

There is a beautiful landscaped garden, as well as verandas and balconies which offer residents a place to relax or take part in the regular outdoor activities. Additionally, residents can spend time with new friends in one of our many lounges, dining rooms or choose a pampering session in one of our hair salons.

Southlands Place, Hastings Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN40 2HJ 0808 223 5401 | info@caringhomes.org www.caringhomes.org/southlands

A CELEBRATION OF TALENT AND ART Hillview Festival of the Arts, fondly knows as ‘Hillfest’ will be held on July 21st, celebrating an incredible year of talent and success across the wider spectrum of the Arts: from the Performing and Visual Arts into creative writing, poetry and media. This event will celebrate everything that we do so well at Hillview on an even larger scale and bring the extended Hillview community together.

In light of cuts in funding to the arts and regardless of the government’s drive to lessen the Arts focus by making continued cuts to the subject areas, which impact schools and students greatly, we want to showcase the huge amount of talent that our students have and the enormous importance of these subjects to their futures. We are determined that they will remain and be central to who we are now and in the future.

Hillfest will feature an Art & Fashion Gallery, Media tent and hugely exciting full size outdoor stage, where our students (Dance, drama, singing, instrumental and cheerleading) will perform to around 1200 visitors throughout the event. There will be merchandise (including the Hillview CD) and food vendors including wood fired pizza, a hog roast and an ice cream van!

Tickets now on sale from www.hillview.kent.sch.uk

Recruitment

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

NEWS

WITH THE

FIND YOUR PERFECT JOB TODAY – A MUST READ FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR WORK LOCALLY

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

73

74

FEATURES

Arts & Culture

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

A very funny family affair Going from performing comedy to writing children’s literature has proved to be sheer child’s play for David Walliams. As the stage adaptation of his hugely successful book Gangsta Granny comes to the Assembly Hall today [Wednesday], Diane Parkes asks the entertainer about the secret of his literary success

W

HEN actor, writer and comedian David Walliams was a boy he used to sit captivated at the knees of his two grandmas as they span him tales of their lives. The youngster was amazed at how dramatic and exciting their experiences of World War II had been.

Decades later, when the adult David was a successful author, he decided to return to those days of his childhood and recreate that special bond between children and their grandmothers.

His best-selling novel Gangsta Granny was the result. Published in 2011, it went straight to number one in the children’s book charts and has gone on to be the most successful of all his novels so far.

The hugely acclaimed Birmingham Stage Company recently launched the first theatrical version of the book, and this week it comes to Tunbridge Wells for a run of five nights, with two shows daily, starting from today [June 21].

If you’re not familiar with the story, then here’s a quick recap: Gangsta Granny opens with Ben having to visit his ‘boring old grandma’. Ben has to spend every Friday night with his gran while his parents go ballroom dancing – and it’s always an ordeal that involves bowls of cabbage soup and Scrabble.

Then one day he finds a tin filled with gems which leads to the amazing discovery that his

granny was once an international jewel thief! Encouraged by Ben, she agrees to take on the biggest heist ever to steal the Crown Jewels – and the adventure of their lifetimes begins.

While David’s grannies were no mobsters, he admits that he did take a touch of inspiration from them.

“When I was a child, I would spend lots of time with my grandmas,” he reveals.

“Sometimes I would selfishly think spending time with them could be boring, but when I got them on a subject like living in London during World War II, when bombs were raining down, they would become very animated and I would be enthralled. I realised everyone has a story to tell.”

Born in Surrey, David studied drama at Bristol University before joining with Matt Lucas to create the television show Little Britain. Initially a radio show, Little Britain became a television sensation, gaining a host of

HILARIOUS HEIST Ashley Cousins, left, and Gilly Tompkins awards, including three BAFTAs, and has been screened in more than 100 countries.

Now a well-known actor, David decided to try his hand at fiction. “Ten years ago I had an idea for a story,” he recalls. “What if a boy went to school dressed as a girl? I thought it would be a thought-provoking children’s book.

That became The Boy in the Dress, my first of eight children’s novels.”

His novels, including Ratburger, Demon Dentist, Mr Stink and Billionaire Boy, have all topped the charts, winning a host of awards.

David now has more than six million book sales to his name, and has had his stories translated into 40 different languages.

David Walliams

‘Children love to be scared, but it can’t be too horrifying. Children love to laugh, but it can’t be too rude. You always have to be the right side of the line’

Writing for children has proved to be a real passion for him.

“The only limitation in a children’s book is your imagination,” he says. “You can take children on magical journeys in books that many adults would be reluctant to go on.

“Children love to be scared, but it can’t be too horrifying. Children love to laugh, but it can’t be too rude. You always have to be the right side of the line.”

David has frequently been compared to Roald Dahl, his own childhood writing hero.

“I think Dahl’s books always feel a little bit forbidden. He manages to balance the humour and scary elements in his stories perfectly.

“My favourite is The Twits, which is utterly hilarious, and I love that it is a children’s book with no child characters.”

Keen to ensure his own novels prove to be just as memorable for children, David believes his popularity is down to the fact they are laced with humour and never patronise youngsters.

“I deal with quite big topics – cross-dressing, homelessness, grief, etc,” he says. “I know children are a lot smarter than most grown-ups think.”

Two years after it was published, the BBC made a film version of Gangsta Granny which was shown as part of its Christmas schedule. With Reece Buttery as Ben and Julia McKenzie as

Arts & Culture

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Granny, its star-studded cast also included Joanna Lumley, Rob Brydon, singer Robbie Williams, Miranda Hart as Ben’s mum and David Walliams as his dad.

After the success of the television film, it seemed only natural that Gangsta Granny should become a stage show. David was approached by the Birmingham Stage Company, whose string of Roald Dahl adaptations, including James and the Giant Peach and George’s Marvellous Medicine, made it an obvious contender.

“It’s a huge thrill seeing Gangsta Granny have this whole new life on the stage,” says David.

“There is lots of action in it, especially when they try to steal the Crown Jewels. The challenge was bringing those scenes to life. But having seen the production I think it’s a fantastic show, so much better than the book!”

David also loved watching some of his characters take shape. “I especially like the characters of Ben’s mum and dad. They have an obsession with ballroom dancing which is very funny live on stage. The great thing about seeing Gangsta Granny in the theatre is the audience gets to share the fun together.”

David is hoping Birmingham Stage Company’s Gangsta Granny will be the perfect outing for families – and that a granny or two are in the audience. And, casting his mind back to his own childhood, he says that in all the craziness of Gangsta Granny, at its heart is a very special relationship.

“The moral of the story is ‘don’t assume old people are boring just because they are old’,” he says. “In fact, they are likely to have had a much more interesting life than yours.

“Talk to old folk, listen to their stories. They are bound to be full of magic and wonder.”

Gangsta Granny runs from June 21-25. Tickets start at £16.50 per adult and £12.50 per child.

For more information on prices and performances, see www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

FEATURES

75

Choir ready to sing their way around the world As the Paddock Wood Choral Society prepare for their final concert of the season, Eileen Leahy talks to Musical Director Kevin Ashman about the origins of the group – and how you can get involved in it Please can you tell us a little bit about the Paddock Wood Choral Society?

We began in 1980, when Graham Dibbens became Head of Music at Mascalls School in Paddock Wood. His remit included using music to reach out to the community, so the Paddock Wood Choral Society stemmed from that as an evening class at the school. The first concert was in March that year. Graham was the first of the five musical directors that the choral society has had so far.

How long have you been in charge?

I was appointed in May last year and took over as Musical Director in September – but I’m still the new boy, really!

What attracted you to the role?

I have always loved music. My principal study at Trinity College of Music was the trumpet, but my secondary studies were singing and conducting. I was fortunate to have singing lessons from James Gaddarn, who directed the London Orpheus Choir for many years. My conducting tutor was Bernard Keefe, who was an excellent conductor, teacher and extremely knowledgeable musicologist as well as a frequent broadcaster on BBC Radio 3.

What do you think being part of the Paddock Wood Choral Society gives members?

How often do you rehearse and perform?

Can you tell us about your forthcoming concert Around the World in 80 Minutes?

Rehearsals are every Tuesday evening during term time. We rehearse at St Andrew’s Church, Paddock Wood, and generally have three concerts there each year. We are also involved with local community events each season, such as the Fairtrade Christmas one, and this December will also be guest singers at The Salvation Army’s annual Community Charity Concert in Maidstone.

I would like to think that the members of the choir gain a rounded experience of a diverse vocal repertoire and some useful insights into vocal technique. They are an enthusiastic crowd and work very hard in rehearsals. However, they also enjoy being in one another’s company. The social aspect of a group like this is vitally important.

It will take the form of a whistle-stop trip around the world. We won’t quite manage to hit every country, but it’s a pretty good list! Alongside the variety of nations represented, there are also many musical styles – from madrigals to musicals and opera to oratorio. I hope there will be something for everyone! We also have a superb

soloist in tuba player George Harrington, and a few soloists from the choir, too.

Do you welcome new members, and if so how do they go about joining?

We certainly do. Ideally it would be at the beginning of a season so they can start preparing the repertoire with the rest of the choir, but we can be flexible! Individuals are welcome to just turn up on a Tuesday evening for a 7.45 pm start. We are a full four-part Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass choir, so there is room for everyone whatever their voice range – and we do not audition new members!

Around the World in 80 Minutes will be performed at 7.30pm on June 24 at St Andrew’s Church, Paddock Wood. Tickets cost 12.50 (under-19s free).

Call 01892 836250 to book

76

FEATURES

What’s On

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

SEVEN DAYS OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE

WHATS ON WITH THE

Eileen Leahy Local events

>> WEDNESDAY There will be an organ recital at St Augustine’s RC Church, Crescent Road, this evening given by James O’Donnell, the Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey, who is in charge of all royal and state musical arrangements. The recital starts at 8pm. Tickets cost £10 and proceeds will go to Hospice in the Weald and Mary’s Meals.

The latest big-screen blockbuster, Wonder Woman, is showing today and tomorrow at the Hop Farm’s drive-in cinema at 9.45pm. Starring Gal Gadot, it tells how Diana, Princess of the Amazons, who lived on a sheltered island paradise, came to arrive in the real world and transform herself into a suphero. Tickets cost £25 per vehicle.

To book, visit www.moonlightcinema.co.uk >> THURSDAY Grosvenor & Hilbert Park will be hosting a Waggle Dance event from 10am until 3pm to survey the bees on the bee beds, as well as other insects.

Volunteers interested in helping should meet at the Hub and dress appropriately. See www.fogh.org.uk Bella Heesom brings her debut play My World Has Exploded A Little Bit to the EM Forster Theatre tonight and tomorrow from 7.45pm. Part memoir, part fiction, it’s a 3D-style performance about love and loss that includes live music and projected illustrations. Tickets: £14, or £12 for concessions. www. boxoffice.tonbridge-school.co.uk

If you would like to see your events featured in our weekly What’s On pages, please email eileen@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

At 7.45pm, the Pantiles Decorative and Fine Arts Society will host a talk at Holmewood House School on Gustav Klimt: KLIMT’S THE KISS Craftsmanship Hear about the Austrian and Sensuality. artist at Holmewood House Speaker Frank Woodgate will be looking at the artist’s rich imagery, techniques, radical symbolism and influence. Tickets for nonmembers cost £7. See www.pantilesdfas.org.uk >> FRIDAY Three of the country’s finest young student musicians will be performing in the Lamberhurst

ROARING GOOD FUN Go Jurassic Borassic in Groombridge

Music Festival.

Soprano Helen Lacey, who hails from the village, will be joined by clarinettist Luke Holman and pianist Alexandra Sterling at St

Mary’s Church for Music for a Summer Evening. Tickets cost £20 per person (children go free) with proceeds going to the church fund. www.lamberhurstmusic.co.uk Over at Trinity Theatre, there will be a performance of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations from 7.30pm. Adapted and directed

by Michael Whitmore, this is a new ‘fun, pacey and accessible’ version of Dickens’ classic tale of high drama and duplicity. Tickets cost £18 per person and can be booked at www.trinitytheatre.net >> SATURDAY Bewl Water hosts its Welcome to Summer extravaganza. The beautiful country park will be celebrating the arrival of the summer season from 11am until 6pm with a raft of activities, including cruises on the Bewl Belle, a BBQ, bouncy castle, penalty shoot-outs, pedalos and rowing boats (individual prices apply). With parking at just £2 per vehicle, this is an event not to be missed!

Rusthall is hosting its annual fête today on Southwood Playing Fields from midday until 5pm.The RNLI Tunbridge Wells branch will be present, and there will also be fun and games for children of all ages and plenty of stalls. It will also see the launch of a community poetry experiment.

To get involved, visit the Rusthall Arts Festvial stand.

From midday until 4pm, Pepenbury’s Family Fun Day will take place. As well as delicious treats, including pizzas and lashings of ice cream, there will be activities for people of all ages, such as

cake decorating, a bouncy castle and face painting as well as live music, storytelling sessions in Pepenbury’s woodland, and an appearance by the charity’s Ambassador, GB Paralympian Table Tennis player Will Bayley – a true local hero. >> SUNDAY The Chiddingstone Castle Summer Vintage Fair takes place today in the venue’s glorious grounds from 11am until 4.30pm. Organisers have ensured there will be lots to delight the vintage fashion and home lover. Visitors will also have the opportunity to listen to the dulcet tones of Miss

PICK OF THE WEEK Hever’s Home Front, June 24 & 25

Step back in time to experience a taste of wartime Britain courtesy of Hever Castle’s Home Front event to mark Armed Forces Day. Actors attired in the fashion of the period will be demonstrating what it would have been like to live and work in the countryside during the 1940s. A Spitfire and double decker bus will also be present, with the latter containing reconstructions of a 1940s living room, shop, bombed-out street and air raid shelter. On the lighter side of things, there will be a tea dance tent with the Sweetheart Swing duo. Normal admission prices. See www.hevercastle.co.uk

What’s On

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

Vintage, dance along to the Cinque Ports Lindy Hoppers, and be intrigued by the magic turns of Tony Charles.

Entry costs £5 per adult and £1 for 5-13 year olds.

Visit www.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS chiddingstone At Trinity Theatre castle.org.uk Groombridge Place’s special dinosaur-themed event Jurassic Borassic is on all weekend from 10am until 5.30pm.

Bring along your little ones to meet the event’s experts and explorers, and find out about the dinosaur that once walked through Groombridge!

There’ll also be the opportunity to dig for fossils and have a bounce on the bouncy castle. Tickets and more information are available from www.thelittleboxoffice.com/groombridge >> MONDAY Over at the Oast Theatre in Tonbridge is the production Murder, Margaret and Me by Philip Meeks. It tells the story behind the casting of Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple – much to the annoyance of her creator, Agatha Christie, who disapproved of her in the role as the ‘exuberant’ actress was ‘nothing like her bird-like creation’.

What unfolds is a dark secret being discovered, and Miss Christie turning sleuth to find out the truth. Tickets cost £7 for Oast members or £10 for everyone else. See www.oasttheatre.com >> TUESDAY Hever in Bloom is on all week. As well as seeing the rose garden in all its glory, visitors will also have the opportunity to participate in a floral workshop.

For prices and timings, visit www.hevercastle.co.uk

FEATURES

A ROUND-UP OF THIS WEEK’S MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Paul Dunton Live music THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE The Pantiles, doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7, websites www.pdag.co.uk and www.thegreylady.co.uk

WEDNESDAY Matt Falloon, Jennie Worthley, Josh Renton SUNDAY Ant & Fie, Tony Moore, Elias Kopp TUESDAY Ollie Thomas, Vispers, Megan Jordan, The Frampton Sisters WEDNESDAY Will Watson, Lui Peng, Sorrel Nation THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM Event information at www.twforum.co.uk

THURSDAY Joseph SUNDAY Unfest Sunday Sessions (1pm start)

The must-read guide to what’s on musically for the week ahead… www.paulduntonandguests.com

THE PANTILES BANDSTAND Open all day, donations welcome, music from 8pm

THURSDAY Jazz On The Pantiles with Marc Parnell and Liz Fletcher SATURDAY Soultrain with Dave Ital & Friends THE CROSS KEYS St John’s Road, open all day, free entry, music from 8pm. Website www.crosskeystw.co.uk

MONDAY TWUNT: Ukulele Jam Session TRINITY THEATRE Church Road, information on times and tickets at www.trinitytheatre.net

SATURDAY Local & Live Sessions: Youth, Suncharmer and Steve Hewitt

THE BEDFORD 2 High Street, open all day, free entry, music from 8pm till late. More information at www.thebedfordtw.co.uk

Suncharmer THE SUSSEX ARMS Sussex Mews, free entry, music from 8pm till late.

For more information, visit www.twforum.co.uk

FRIDAY All The Above, Inceptions Dawn and Sunken Crown SATURDAY Demob Happy, Wax and We are Bandicoot RUSTHALL CLUB 5 St Paul’s Street, open all day, free entry Music from 8.30pm onwards

SATURDAY Sean Fennessey & Friends SUNDAY Amber Anderton

FRIDAY Rusthall Arts Musical Evening THE BEAU NASH TAVERN Mount Ephraim, open all day, free entry Music from 8.30pm till late

THE DUKE OF YORK The Pantiles, open all day, free entry Music from 8pm onwards

SATURDAY Fiddle Fit

MONDAY Open Mic Night THE ROYAL OAK Prospect Road, open all day, free entry Music from 8.30pm till late.

SATURDAY Toxic Rock (DJ set) MONDAY Open Mic Night

Youth

THE PUNCH & JUDY 11 St Stephen’s Street, Tonbridge Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm

TUESDAY The 3 Amigos

77

78

NEWS

Sporting Times

CONTACT US:

Please send your sports stories to newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

JOTA and Jackie Chan’s team come close to pulling off biggest shock in Le Mans history

By Andrew Tong MOTORSPORT: THE JOTA racing team narrowly missed out on a remarkble victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans last weekend in partnership with Jackie Chan’s DC Racing.

The Frant-based outfit were beaten into second place by Porsche, who recovered from a huge setback to pip them to the flag and win the iconic World Endurance Championship race for a third successive year.

But DC Racing’s runners-up berth for the 38 Oreca car was hailed as a stunning result.

And after the late disqualification of Rebellion Racing in third place – for a violation of bodywork regulations – the team’s other competing car, 37 Oreca, was promoted on to the podium in third place.

The result also meant that they took both winners’ and runners-up spots in the LMP2 class – almost upstaging the more powerful LMP1 cars.

The legendary martial arts

ON THE LINE David Cheng enjoys the closing stages with Jackie Chan watching by video link

DARK HORSES 38 Oreca moves into the lead with three hours to go at Le Mans movie star Chan contemplated making a last-minute flight to France after his team moved into victory contention.

They came close to a huge upset when they were ­promoted into the overall lead with three hours to go as a high attrition rate struck the remodelled LMP1 field.

In a year that saw the LMP2 class lapping upwards of 10

seconds faster than last year following an overhaul of the regulations, the 38 Oreca emerged clear in the class battle thanks to the combined efforts of drivers Oliver Jarvis, Thomas Laurent and Ho-Pin Tung.

Staying out of trouble despite the ‘brutally’ hot conditions, the trio climbed to second as LMP1 cars fell by the wayside.

They took the lead when the

No 1 Porsche, which was ahead by 13 laps, came to a halt.

The fairy tale was ended by the fast recovering No 2 Porsche 919 as it retook the lead with just over an hour to go despite having spent an hour in the pits.

Tung crossed the line in second position, just a lap away from outright victory.

Team owner David Cheng,

who finished on the podium in third place in the 37 car, said: “This is absolutely an incredible day for the entire team.

“The challenge was going to be for class victories and LMP2 victories so to make it on to the overall podium is incredible.

He added: “Jackie is not with us today as he has other commitments in China but he has been supporting us all the

way with calls and right before the chequered flag he was on the phone cheering on with all of us as part of the team.”

Chan bought a stake in Cheng’s team last year, and the 63-year-old sent a message from Shanghai saying: “How exciting! It’s exactly like when I got an Oscar. Really, watching it on video, I’m just sorry I could not be there.”

Rusthall Juniors show the right spirit Sandwich’s strength in depth

leaves Wells with heat stroke

FOOTBALL:

RUSTHALL FC Under-8s have earned the sportsmanship award for their campaign in the Tandridge League last season.

Coach Scott Dean was presented with the accolade at the league’s AGM following a vote by other team ­managers and administrators.

Jamie Poole said: “We would like to congratulate Scott and his Under-8s on an excellent achievement – you should all be very proud of yourselves.”

CRICKET: TUNBRIDGE WELLS rued to absence through injury of opening bowler Paddy Sadler as they were put to the sword by Kent Premier League leaders Sandwich at The Butts in sweltering heat.

Dave Smith shared the new ball with Nick Sale, and Zack Fagg, who is noted for his partiality to any Wells attack, blasted a 57 off 48 balls with three towering sixes.

He put on 78 in an opening stand with Tom Chapman, who then took over the aggressive role. When he fell a boundary hit short of his half-century on 47 off 54 balls, the visiting attack managed to take a grip,.

The hosts’ powerhouse middle order was swept aside as four wickets fell for 49 runs. But Sandwich bat deep, and Grant Stewart and Rory Smith posting 57 for the sixth wicket.

Stewart notched a crucial fifty

off 64 balls and then Ashleigh Cox unleashed a boundary blitz which saw the No 8 score 33 off 19 deliveries as Sandwich closed on 261 for 8.

Wells’ chase prospects were harmed by two cheap ­dismissals but Charlie Russell-Vick (26) stood firm and supported his captain Alex Williams (23) as the visitors passed the 50-mark.

Important But Russell-Vick offered a return catch to Jan Gray, and then a match-turning spell of 3 for 34 from Alex Smith saw the reply the score drifted to an undistinguished 118 for 8.

The ninth-wicket pair of Nigel Keess (20), and wicketkeeper Ed Hyde (21 not out) gained some respectablity and earned an important batting point to keep Wells above local rivals

­ evenoaks Vine in the table, S but Wells subsided to 161 for 9, losing by 100 runs.

In Division One, Linden Park’s in-form Freddie Hulbert (3 for 27) wreaked havoc among The Mote’s top order after the visitors were inserted.

But a match-saving stand for the sixth wicket between Chris Back (52 not out) and Richard Coles (38) enabled The Mote to post 205 for 8 off their 50 overs.

Driaan Brewer stood firm with 50 but received little support as the hosts’ reply fell away to 143 all out, losing by 62 runs.

In Division Four, Cowdrey lost by one wicket in a thriller at Addington. The Tonbridge side made 153 thanks to late heroics

by Jason Carver (42). Ross Pilkington (3 for 23) and Glen Warner (3 for 26) kept the reply in check but Addington sneaked it on 154 for 9 despite suffering two run-outs at the death.

Sporting Times

Wednesday June 21 | 2017

The new Brownlee brothers?

MacAuley sisters crowned IAPS national champions TRIATHLON: THE MacAuley sisters from Kent College in Pembury excelled at the National IAPS Championships at Dulwich Prep School.

Their sibling success is reminiscent of the Brownlee brothers Alistair and Jonathan, who won Olympic gold and silver medals in the triathlon at the Rio Olympics last year.

Children from Years 5-8 competed at various distances according to their age groups.

After swimming 140 metres, cycling 2km and running 1.2km, nineyear-old Grace MacAuley won her race in time of 16min 20 sec to take home the Under-10s title.

Later her sister Ellie,

aged 11, won the Under-12 category – she swam 200m, cycled 4km and ran 1.8km – in a time of 22min 67sec.

The Independent Association of Prep Schools triathlon had 440 competitors overall from 67 schools.

Alice Elmer was also competing on behalf of Kent College.

The Headmistress of the independent girls school, Julie Lodrick, said: “What an extraordinary achievement from Alice, Grace and Ellie.

“We are extremely proud of them, and TRYING HARD delighted that we have Ellie MacAuley been able to support runs the last leg their sporting development.”

THREE CHEERS (L-R) Kent College’s Alice Elmer, Ellie MacAuley and Grace MacAuley

PETER GIBSON (M25) and Judith Hagger (F40) represented Team GB Age Group in the ETU European Triathlon Championships in Kitzbuhel.

Competing over Olympic distances – 1500m swim, 42km bike and 10km run – against top competitors from across the continent at the Austrian resort.

Judith exited the water in 22 minutes after a superb swim. On challenging bike course she was able to maintain consistent splits despite the numerous 180-degree switchbacks.

She stayed strong on the run to finish in 2hr 45min – 25th in Age Group – while Peter continued this

Tatum’s ready to put you through your paces at Tigers’ Boot Camp AS PART of Women’s Sports Week, Tiger Gymnastics in Tonbridge will be hosting a female boot camp with local fitness expert Tatum Nelson.

The session runs from 8.30-9.15am on Sunday (June 25) and is open to any female aged 11 or over.

Tigers Gymnastics can be found at the JumpIn trampoline park in Morley Road, Tonbridge. Admission costs £5. Booking is essential – email chris@tigersgymnastics.co.uk Tatum, who is former Olympic hurdler Colin Jackson’s personal trainer, has also acted as a fitness instructor for two pop groups, The Saturdays and The Wanted.

She has competed for Great Britain in the sprint events and is among the top 10 fastest British women over 100 and 200 metres.

JUMP TO IT Tatum Nelson is ex-hurdler Colin Jackson’s trainer

For details of free taster sessions over a wide variety of sports being offered by Tonbridge & Malling Borough

Council to coincide with Women’s Sports Week, visit www.timesoftunbridgewells. co.uk.

79

Henderson reigns after bunch sprint thrills on line

Gibson and Hagger take on Euro elite

RIDING HIGH Judith Hagger with TWTC club chairman Eric Perrier in the Alps

NEWS

season’s fine form to finish 20th in Age Group, crossing the line after 2.15.

A team of seven took on the endurance challenge Chase The Sun. Setting off from Sheppey at sunrise (4.39am), they cycled 205 miles in scorching heat to reach Burnham-on-sea by nightfall (9.31pm).

The first group, consisting of David Bagge, Neil Couchman, Mike Cardell and Lloyd Collier, arrived with just 45mins to spare.

The second group – Carol Tsang, Steve Austin and Suzannah Kinsella – pedalled through the night to arrive, exhausted but elated, at 1.40am.

CYCLING: THE Southborough and District Wheelers (SDW) Criterium Championships came down to a thrilling bunch sprint climax in very windy conditions at the Cyclopark in Gravesend.

Keith Henderson emerged victorious with Matt Kuwertz in second place, followed by Rory Barrett and Richard Poole.

In the Category 4 race, Tom Jones finished first in only his second race, and is now promoted to Category 3.

The club also held their AJ Bathurst 25-mile time trial on the Maresfield course.

Out of 75 starters, Chris Walton completed the course in 57min 54sec, while Andy Quye recorded a personal best (PB) time of 1hr 0min 47sec.

The event was won by P Tadros (In Gear) for the third running in 52.55.

Kieran Fitzpatrick also achieved a PB in the Kent Cycling Association 100-mile time trial on Romney Marsh.

He completed the distance in 4:13.57 to finish 11th overall.

The race was won by C Fennell (Thanet RC) in 3:34.49, out of 67 riders.

The SDW youth section was also well represented at the Spring in the Park event at the Cyclopark.

There were some excellent results: Emily Bowyer finished sixth in the under-8s race, while Jasper Simpson took second place and Theo Sandell was 11th in the under-10s.

Toby Edward finished 12th in the under-12s section and Reubin Edwards was 18th in the under-14s.