Times of Tunbridge Wells 2nd September 2020

Wednesday September 2 | 2020

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NO WAY: Council admits the new one-way system in the High Street is not ideal and has been rushed through because of the need to spend the money allocated by government. The one-way system went into operation on Thursday [August 27] Full story page three.

Men at centre of minibond firm collapse are sued for £32million

By Richard Williams FOUR men connected to a failed Tunbridge Wells minibond firm are to be sued for £32million after it was alleged that they received the money owed to investors through a web of interconnected companies.

Eridge-based London Capital & Finance [LCF] fell into administration early last year, owing around £237million to more than 11,500 bondholders.

LCF’s collapse followed an investigation by the Finance Conduct Authority [FCA] into the marketing of minibonds, which led to the firm’s bank accounts being frozen.

Investors had been told the money they paid for the bonds, which offered interest rates as high of eight per cent, would be spent on low-risk loans to small compa-

nies, but according to administrators it went to just four men in what they termed ‘highly suspicious’ transactions.

Last year five men were arrested by the Serious Fraud Office in connection with LCF’s collapse, but no charges have yet

‘It has taken over a year of litigation to get to this point’ been brought.

But now a High Court judge has paved the way for administrators to sue four of these men.

LCF was originally set up in 2012 by for Tunbridge Wells Conservative chairman Simon Hume-Kendall, under the name South Eastern Counties Finances.

The company changed its name and directorship in 2015, but 66-year-old Mr Hume-Kendall went on to become the largest borrower of money from LCF. Through his company London Oil & Gas [LOG], he borrowed £91million from the bond firm. LOG also fell into administration last year.

The High Court judgement granted last week means Mr Hume-Kendall, along with fellow LOG director Elten Barker of Hadlow Down, LCF Director Andy Thomson, and Crowborough businessman, Spencer Golding, can now be pursued by LOG’s administrators, CMB Partners, for £32.6million.

Administrators say money LOG borrowed from LCF was lent to another firm called London Group, which handed the

Continued on page 2

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Local News

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Wednesday September 2 | 2020

this week… Guests begin to check in as town

centre hotel reopens its doors

By Robert Forrester

UP, UP AND AWAY The Tonbridge mother who started her own business during lockdown p7

A TUNBRIDGE WELLS hotel closed for more than five months due to the coronavirus outbreak has now reopened.

One Warwick Park at the bottom of the High Street was forced to shut like most other hotels across the UK when lockdown was introduced on March 23.

But now, after ‘months of hard work’ to ensure the hotel is Covid safe, guest began checking in

again yesterday [Tuesday, September 1].

The hotel, which has been accredited with Visit Britain’s ‘We’re good to go’ Covid safety certification, has introduced a number of measures including deep cleaning of all its 39 bedrooms, function rooms and sympathetic partitioning of its popular restaurant, The Bistro, which reopens with a new menu on Thursday [September 3].

New operations director, Martin Garner, who has more than 25 years of experience in the

hospitality sector said:“Following months of hard work and preparation, we are pleased to open our doors again to welcome our regular guests and new customers.

Celebrate “To celebrate, we are offering all the guests this week a complimentary cocktail upon purchase of another to toast the reopening. We look forward to welcoming you.”

WELCOMING Guests are returning as One Warwick Park reopens after five months of being closed

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION Rusthall’s Community Cinema is back p10 CHAPTER AND VERSE The Oxfam book shop celebrates its 21st birthday p32

LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE James Viner tells about his favourite Rosé wines p35

NEW MANAGER Martin Garner

Two die on Tunbridge Wells roads in separate crashes on same day

By Richard Williams

CONTACTS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615 DEPUTY EDITOR EILEEN LEAHY eileen@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 576037 CHIEF REPORTER RICHARD WILLIAMS richardwilliams@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 240626 DESIGN/PRODUCTION LEE SMITH lsmith8@markerstudy.com SALES ENQUIRIES RSinger@markerstudy.com | 01892 739763 FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/timeslocalnews timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk twitter.com/timeslocalnews

Salomons Estate, Broomhill Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0TF

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

If you would like to make a comment on any aspect of the newspaper, please write to the editor at David Salomons Estate, Broomhill Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0TF, or email newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.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.

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A MOTORCYLIST and the driver of a Land Rover were last week both killed in separate road incidents less than a mile from one another and in the space of an hour.

Just before 11am last Thursday [August 27] a white Iveco Daily van travelling south on the A21 hit a parked blue Land Rover Discovery between the junction of the A26 and Longfield Road.

LCF men sued for £32million Continued from front page cash to Hume-Kendall, Thomson, Barker and Golding.

Mr Hume-Kendall and Mr Barker were directors of London Group, which is also now in administration.

The administrators also claim Mr Hume-Kendall tried to shield himself and the three other men

Bypass The driver and the passenger of the Land Rover were taken to King’s College Hospital in London where the driver, who has not been named, was later pronounced dead.

The passenger was said to be suffering ‘serious injuries’.

Around 40 minutes later and less than a mile away in Pembury High Street, a grey BMW 335 and red Honda VFR800 motorbike crashed at the junction with Woodsgate Way. The rider of the Honda, a man in his 30s from West Malling who also has not been named, died at the scene.

The deaths mean there have been four fatalities on the area’s roads in as many weeks.

On Tuesday, August 11, a man in his 50s from Tunbridge Wells died after a four vehicle pile-up involving a Mercedes, Mini, Land Rover and a lorry on the Pembury Northern Bypass.

While on the evening of August 6, 52-year-old Anthony Gower was killed in an alleged hit and run incident on Pembury Road in Tonbridge while out walking his dog. A man has since been arrested and released on police bail.

Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01622 798538.

from legal action, by signing agreements which made it appear as though they did not owe investors any money.

But Judge Mark Mullen last week declared these agreements void, saying Mr Hume-Kendall and LOG’s company secretary, Robert Sedgwick, a former partner with Tunbridge Wells law firm Buss Murton Law, had produced ‘misleading documents’.

He said: “I am unable to accept Mr Hume-Kendall and Mr Sedgwick’s account in the absence of independent corroborating evidence, given their willingness to produce misleading documents.”

Lane Bednash, of CMB Partners and joint administrator to LOG, said: “Because of the legal obstacles placed in our path it has taken administrators over a year of litigation to get to this point.

“This is an important judgment in the course of unravelling the big picture and is significant in clearing the way for administrators to recover monies for the ultimate benefit of the LCF bondholders.”

CO-DIRECTOR Elten barker

SIMON HUME-KENDALL Pictured with his wife Helen

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Wednesday September 2 | 2020

NEWS IN BRIEF

Police chief has his contract extended THE Chief Constable of Kent Police has had his contract extended.

Alan Pughsley who took the reins in 2014 will remain in the position until 2025 after Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott renewed his contract.

In June, the police chief made national headlines after being pictured taking the knee in deference to the Black Lives Matter movement at an event in Gravesend.

But Mr Scott said under Chief Constable Pughsley, Kent Police has more ‘outstanding’ independently assessed policing inspection gradings than any other force.

Latest Covid cases TWELVE positive tests for the virus that causes Covid-19 were recorded in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge last week.

The latest figures for the seven days ending August 25 show that seven people tested positive for coronavirus last week in Tunbridge Wells and there were five cases in Tonbridge & Malling.

The new cases take the total number of positive cases for Tunbridge Wells up to 514, or 432 per 100,000 head of population. and 384 in Tonbridge & Malling, or 290.6 per 100,000 – the lowest figure in Kent.

The total number of cases in Kent is now 8,460 in Kent and 1,121 in Medway. This equates to a rate per 100,000 of population – 534.29 for Kent and 402.4 for Medway.

High Street art theft POLICE are looking for three thieves who walked out of an art gallery in Tunbridge Wells with a bronze statue [pictured].

The figurine, which measures around 39cm in height and is part of a pair valued at around £4,500, was taken from Castle Fine Art on the High Street earlier this summer.

Police say three men entered the shop on July 25 and after distracting an employee, removed the statue.

Officers believe the suspects will be attempting to sell the item and are urging members of the public, collectors and dealers to contact Kent Police on 01622 604100 if they are offered the item.

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By Richard Williams THE COUNCIL admit barriers erected on Tunbridge Wells High Street as part of the Council’s one-way system are not ‘very attractive’ and the scheme was rushed through due to the money having to be spent quickly.

Last Thursday [August 27], plastic barriers were erected down the High Street to widen the pavement as the road became a one-way system.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC] say the scheme is ‘only a trial’ and is being funded

by Kent County Council [KCC] as part of the government’s ‘active travel’ initiatives.

County Hall was allocated just over £8million by the Department for Transport to invest in schemes across the county to encourage walking and cycling in the wake of the Covid pandemic, but it is dependent on the first round of funding – £1.6million – being spent by mid-September.

While TWBC say there is no fixed date on how long the trial will last, Kent County Council placed an order on the road that could mean it could stay for up to 18 months.

Initially, the Council had wanted the one-way system to run down the hill, with traffic entering from Mount Pleasant, but KCC had told the Council the no right turn sign at the bottom of the High Street would lead to congestion, so TWBC changed the direction of the one-way scheme.

But the changes have caused concern with residents, traders and disability campaigners.

Businesses in the area argue the changes were done with no consultation with local businesses in the area.

Karen Webb who runs children clothing shop,

‘NOT VERY ATTRACTIVE’ Tunbridge Wells High Street Polarn O Pyret on the High Street said: “We have had absolutely no consultation about this. We have heard nothing from the Council about it.

“What happens when we have a delivery? It will block the entire road.

Consultation “I’m worried about the effect this is going to have on trade, but I will have to just see.”

While Chris Jeffery, a former Trustee at Shop Mobility, is also worried the changes could cause issues for wheelchair users.

He told the Times: “The One Way sign halfway down actually blocks the pavement for anyone in a wheelchair or mobility scooter and this should have been taken into consideration by those who instigated this plan.”

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council admit the scheme is not ‘very attractive’ and that they have been unable to ‘carry out the levels of

engagement and consultation that we would usually expect to do’ because of the short timeframe KCC had to implement the changes.

Council Leader Alan McDermott told the Times: “The Government told councils that the money for the Emergency Active Travel schemes must be spent by September 18 and as a result KCC has implemented this scheme in a very short time.

“My view is that it isn’t very attractive but it is temporary and the barriers mean it is flexible so can be adapted to different requirements if needed.

“The scheme creates a safer environment and the wider pavement on the barrier side of the road means people can more easily stay social distanced, and hospitality businesses have the option to place extra tables outside their premises.

“Council officers are keeping the scheme under review and they are very happy to hear from residents and businesses who may have a view about it.”

Staff at castle are under attack from abusive visitors VISITORS frustrated by queues due to social distancing at one of the area’s top tourist attractions have been physically and verbally abusing other sightseers and staff.

Hever Castle say they have had a ‘high volume’ of incidents since the 13th century childhood home of Anne Boleyn reopened on June 1.

Adapt A number of visitors to the castle and gardens have become annoyed at having to wait in queues due to coronavirus safety measures and have lashed out.

Head of visitor services at Hever, Faye Kelly, told the Times: “The castle was obviously not built to have social distancing in mind, so people are having to wait and take their turn.

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“There are some people that are used to coming and perhaps do not like the fact they are having to adapt to some of the measures we have implemented and seem quite taken aback by it.

“This is causing some frustration and people are aiming quite colourful language at our staff and there have been some physical gestures.

“Some visitors have also got physical, but this has been aimed at other visitors.”

Ms Kelly added: “We have explained on our website about all the measures we have had to implement.

“We have over 150 acres of some stunning grounds so there is plenty of room for everybody, but some of the most popular areas like the castle, maze and children’s playground, there are queues.”

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Wednesday September 2 | 2020

Private hospitals continue to help the NHS meet treatment targets

By Richard Williams INDEPENDENT hospitals and clinics have renewed contracts with the Trust that runs Tunbridge Wells Hospital to provide elective care to NHS patients as the health service tries to overcome the backlog of non-urgent operations and treatments.

Most elective operations were cancelled throughout the Covid lockdown, but Maidstone and NHS Trust [MTW] began seeing non-urgent cases again from July.

Diagnostics However, social distancing measures put in place at the Pembury hospital to protect patients and staff from coronavirus has meant capacity has been dramatically reduced.

As a result, MTW has renewed contracts with private hospitals in the area as they attempt to get on top of the backlog of hip operations and other elective treatments.

Penny Pontet, Hospital Director at Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells Hospital, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for everyone.

“Our hospital team is looking forward to welcoming people from our local communities who have been waiting patiently for access to our hospital services during the pandemic.

“The agreement between the independent sector and the NHS allows our hospital to offer access to more of our hospital services including outpatients, diagnostics, oncology treatment, day case and inpatient surgery for specialties that include orthopaedics, general surgery, bariatrics, gynaecology and urology, to people

with health insurance or who are paying themselves, as we did before the pandemic.

“We are also continuing to care for NHS patients, working closely with the fantastic teams at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to reduce waiting times and free up capacity within the NHS.” Benenden Hospital in Cranbrook is also set to continue its arrangement to support NHS trusts in Kent and Sussex.

Jane Abbott, Chief Nurse and Director at Benenden Hospital, said: “As responsible members of the Independent Healthcare Provider Network we’re continuing our support of the NHS and have begun a programme of work that will see us undertake a number of treatments and procedures on behalf of local trusts, including ENT, orthopaedics, urology and imaging work.

“At the same time, we’re opening up our services to members of Benenden Health, to patients wishing to self-pay and to those with

private medical insurance (PMI).”

The new contracts come after newspapers reported last week that 15 million patients were on waiting lists for treatments at hospitals across the UK. The figure was later described as ‘rubbish’ by Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

A spokesperson for MTW told the Times the Trust was ‘on track’ to meet its elective targets.

She said: “To keep our patients and staff safe and prevent the spread of the virus we have introduced additional infection control and social distancing measures in our hospitals.

“As part of this, we are working in partnership with the independent sector to ensure certain types of surgery, including hip and knee replacements, continue to be undertaken.

“This has enabled us to quickly recover towards pre-Covid-19 elective (planned operations) activity levels and we are on track to achieve the targets set by NHS England and NHS Improvement.”

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Touching tribute for Dunorlan boatman

By Jerome Bowman A TUNBRIDGE WELLS park is planning a special remembrance day for a man who worked there for 70 years.

Great grandfather Norman Matchett became one of the town’s best known figures, having worked in Dunorlan Park since the 1950s. He passed away on July 14 aged 98.

Norman and his brother Ron were well-known for running the boat hire on Dunorlan Lake, which Norman continued to do after his brother’s death in 2006 – right up until last year, when he finally retired.

His funeral took place in July but due to Covid restrictions, only 22 mourners could attend.

But Dunorlan Park Boats [DPB] will now be holding a tribute on Saturday [September 5].

There will be a display of photos and memorabilia from Norman’s life, as well as a visitor’s book for people to write their thoughts and memories.

All profits from the boats that day will go to The Hospice in the Weald and the RNLI. A spokesman for DPB said: “A number of people expressed regret that they couldn’t attend Norman’s funeral due to the current restrictions, so the family hope this is a suitable alternative.”

Norman leaves three children, six BOATMAN grandchildren, Norman and four greatMatchett grandchildren.

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DINNER JAZZ A BIG THANK YOU

A letter of thanks to a few companies in Tunbridge Wells that have helped us out in difficult times.

Jazz on The Pantiles has been running in its current format since 2013. We’ve had some fantastic Jazz bands and some great times. Over the years the festivals and events have brought the Pantiles and the town much success. This year however looked very different and the possibility of running any sort of event looked unlikely.

But, in stepped some fantastic local companies to fund and support Jazz on The Pantiles and get it back on its feet.

So a massive thank you to all who helped support and promote Dinner Jazz on The Pantiles.

Dandara New Homes

Great developments at Knights Park and at 1887 The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells.

Thomson Snell & Passmore

Tunbridge Wells best law firm & certainly its most established - 1570!

Tunbridge Wells Together

Our local business improvement group - whose support during Covid has been invaluable.

NFU Mutual insurance

On the high street - insurance with a local and personal service.

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The Tunbridge Wells Hotel who organise & coordinate the Jazz evenings.

Targetfollow who own the land and give permission and facilities.

Times of Tunbridge Wells who help with media and advertising.

BDP Media who take care of all event artworking and print.

And last but not least - a super thank you to all you tunbridgewellians for attending the events down here and helping get Jazz on the Pantiles back on, safe, seated and civilised. How very Tunbridge Wells.

Thank you one and all!

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More businesses have let us know they’re bouncing back LAST month, the Times launched its own initiative called Back in Business to help local companies trying to bounce back from the ravaging impact of Covid-19.

We offered to start profiling them on these pages by way of support and free of charge and have had scores of local firms contact us. Here are some of these profiles and we would urge readers to support them along with all other local businesses – together we can get through all of this.

If you would like your business highlighted, particularly if you are a smaller independent, then see the details on this page.

Carpet shop was not floored by Covid BACK IN BUSINESS: A FAMILY run carpet shop that has been trading for 30 years is back in business following the coronavirus lockdown.

Like many non-essential retailers, Fashion Carpets on the High Street was forced to close in March.

While owner Eric Woodruff says he was able to take some orders by phone, they were unable to go to people’s homes to fit carpets.

Now, with a strict Covid safety regime, the store is back not just selling its carpets, vinyls, rugs, laminate, and wood flooring in the shop, but also back measuring, laying and fitting them in people’s homes.

“We got a few orders in lockdown so it wasn’t too bad for us, but the shop was closed, and we couldn’t fit carpets obviously,” Mr Woodruff said.

“When we first reopened, we were very busy as there was a backlog of people wanting new carpets and flooring, but things have settled down now.”

Wednesday September 2 | 2020

He added: “Social distancing is not a problem for the shop as we limit the number of people that can come in at any time, but we have made sure we are doing all the right things when it comes to the virus.”

He continued: “All staff are temperature checked in the morning, and when we go to customers’ houses we ask them to leave doors and windows open and move as much furniture as possible, and our clients seem very happy with the procedures we have in place.”

ARE YOU BACK IN BUSINESS?

We’re

BACK in

BUSINESS

Here’s how to sign up for our initiative aimed at helping businesses, particularly smaller independents, bounce back. Just send us the background details of your company, in no more than 400 words, telling us: Who you are ... where you are... what you offer... and how you believe raising your profile in the Times might help. Relevant images of you and your product will also be appreciated.

We’ll do our best over the coming weeks to profile your business along with your website site, at no cost to you.

Details to: newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

OPEN Fashion Carpets are back to selling and fitting flooring

WHO ARE THEY? Fashion Carpets WHAT DO THEY DO? Provide quality flooring including carpets, vinyls, rugs, laminate, Amtico and wood flooring.

HOW TO CONTACT THEM: Visit their store at 42 High Street or call 01892 528676

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Wednesday September 2 | 2020

NEWS

7

Media team adapt after virus wipes out live entertainment

FIT TO BURST Louise Buet and her new balloon business

Furloughed worker is having a gas with new balloon company BACK IN BUSINESS: A TONBRIDGE mother who found herself furloughed started her own business providing helium balloons for special occasions.

Louise Buet was put on furlough from pub chain Shepherd Neame back in March when the government closed all pubs and restaurants.

Not wanting to sit around and do nothing, Ms Buet says she decided to flex her creative side.

She said: “I was struggling not working and being a creative person I noticed the country being scared, sad and birthdays/occasions becoming non-events – with no guests and shops shut to buy decorations and balloons. I wanted to provide a way that people could still enjoy birthdays and balloons are such a key part.

“My mum would always decorate the rooms with beautiful balloons everywhere. It was these

Back in Business

decorations that made me so excited and made me smile from ear to ear. I have gone on to continue this with my own children – the excitement when they rush downstairs in the morning and see balloons everywhere is priceless. The presents are often the afterthought.”

Based from her home in East Peckham, Louise says her ‘balloon styling company’ provides balloons for all occasions.

BACK IN BUSINESS: A CREATIVE content and PR agency in Tunbridge Wells has had to adapt after being ‘seriously hit’ by the Covid pandemic.

Copper Leaf Media based on Mount Ephraim found much of its business had ceased to exist following the coronavirus crisis.

The agency’s background is the entertainment industry, and most of their clients were heavily dependent on that industry for their survival.

With many live music venues and theatres closed, ‘it’s a sector that is currently in crisis’ says Director Roland Hemming.

He continued: “You’ll all be aware of the recent #lightitinred and #wemakeevents campaigns that have attempted to draw attention to the plight of the hundreds of thousands of men, women and companies whose livelihood is currently at risk.

“We are right at the heart of it and even organised the recent awareness events at The Forum.”

He added that fortunately, Copper Leaf’s skills were entirely transferrable so have adapted.

“We are looking at new business sectors, widening their circle of contacts, looking beyond out traditional horizons,” says Mr Hemming.

The agency has now picked up work from a diverse number of companies including a local games manufacturer, a legal firm, an estates management company and more.

“In the absence of face-to-face contact, the world is increasingly coming to rely on digital communication – a quick video or animation for Instagram or YouTube, digital sales tools, and of course websites which is the window to the world for most companies,” he said.

“Maybe it’s time for a logo redesign, or perhaps your brochures and other sales materials are starting to look a little out-of-date? Possibly a Facebook campaign might be good for you right now? We are all looking for ways to boost our business at the moment – and Copper Leaf are discovering ways to survive by boosting other people’s businesses.”

WHO ARE THEY: Copper Leaf Media WHAT DO THEY DO: Creative content and PR agency HOW TO CONTACT THEM: www.copperleaf.media or telephone: 020 8123 6813

RED WARNING Roland Hemming speaking at The Forum last month

WHO ARE THEY? Helium Ever After WHAT DO THEY DO? Provide helium balloons for special occasions.

HOW TO CONTACT THEM: www.facebook.com/ heliumeverafter or at www.heliumeverafter.com

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Local News

Wednesday September 2 | 2020

Quarter of former BHS sites vacant after four years

Shopping centre’s flagship department store braces itself for a ‘sizeable loss’

ONE IN FOUR of the stores occupied by failed retailer BHS remain vacant four years following the company’s collapse.

The former Royal Victoria Place site in Tunbridge Wells has been empty since the 88-year-old high street chain closed all stores in 2016.

A report by the Local Data Company (LDC) found that of its former 160 sites across the UK, fewer than half have been re-occupied, with the rest reconfigured or demolished.

LDC said the Covid-19 pandemic has intensified the search for occupiers due to a lack of demand for new units.

In 2015, a year before BHS collapsed, Arcadia tycoon Sir Philip Green sold the business to businessman Dominic Chappell for £1.

By Richard Williams

Locations Most of the former BHS units are large-sized with multiple floors, and fast fashion retailer Primark has occupied 20.9 per cent of its stores since its administration, but the fashion giant pulled out of a deal to take over the Tunbridge Wells site, which is owned by M&G Real Estate, after expressing interest shortly after BHS closed its doors.

Next has also taken on four former BHS sites, while B&M, H&M and Poundland have also bought up some locations.

Some sites are being completely repurposed, such as plans in Stevenage’s town centre to convert an old BHS site into 277 new flats.

In Telford, BHS has been replaced by a new indoor inflatable theme park.

Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, a former BHS store is due for a £40million redevelopment early next year.

DEPARTMENT store Fenwick is bracing itself for the impact that coronavirus will have had on its finances after posting a loss of nearly £50million in its annual accounts for last year.

The retail giant, which has nine branches, including the Royal Victoria Place store, says it is predicting a ‘sizeable loss’ this year due to lockdown.

But tough trading before the pandemic has already seen the department store report losses of £49million for the financial year ending on January 31.

The company says 2019 proved to be ‘extremely challenging’ for the family-owned business due to ‘increased online competition and discounting on the High Street’.

Turnover dropped from £246.3million to £218million last year, while net sales fell by 9 per cent to £271.5million, with gross margin falling by a similar percentage.

The firm, which launched its own website in 2018, has said its online presence will now have ‘growing importance’ but it expects to suffer this year due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Fenwick’s nine stores were closed for almost three months before reopening on June 15 when non-essential retail lockdown restrictions were eased.

The company has now put in place a two-year borrowing facility to secure it over the next 24 months.

On the release of their accounts, Fenwick said: “Due to the impact of Covid-19, we anticipate that the business will make a sizeable loss in the coming year.

“The group has put in place a two-year secured borrowing facility as part of its contingency

planning and to ensure sufficient funding.”

The firm’s directors added that: “Increased online competition and discounting on the High Street placed great pressure on the business with the result that the group recorded an operating loss of almost £11.8million, before exceptional items and the increase in the value of investment properties.

Resignation “The ability of the business to maintain gross margin as a percentage to turn over in such a difficult trading environment reflects the actions taken in earlier years to centralise certain functions.

“The group’s transactional website was launched towards the end of 2018 and is growing in importance as more products are introduced.

The group will continue to focus on this channel to deliver future sales growth.”

In April, while its stores were closed former Harrods chief financial officer, John Edgar, was appointed CEO of the family-run department store, with non-executive director Steve Barber promoted to chairman.

It followed the resignation of former CEO Robbie Feather, chairman Richard Pennycook and non-executive director Andy Doyle.

A Fenwick spokesperson said: “These results reflect the difficult trading environment which retailers faced even before the pandemic.

“While sales declined, there were a number of positive areas including in beauty and food, and we continued to roll out our online offer, which has since grown significantly.

“Covid-19 has brought huge challenges for Fenwick and the sector.”

TOUGH TIMES Fenwick at Royal Victoria Place

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FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Gatwick to axe a quarter of staff following impact of coronavirus GATWICK Airport is to lose up to 600 staff members – around 24 per cent of its workforce – following the ‘devastating’ impact the pandemic has had on the airport industry.

The Airport, which is owned by VINCI Airports and Global Infrastructure Partners, said in a statement last week that it was only operating about 20 per cent of last year’s flights and would now start formal consultations on job cuts.

Around 75 per cent of its workers are on the UK government’s job retention scheme which is due to end in October.

Gatwick has been restructuring its business to

BUSINESS

9

Fuel depot leaves Hawkhurst site

GROUNDED Flights at Gatwick are only at 20 per cent of 2019 levels

By Robert Forrester

Local News

reduce operating and staff costs in light of ‘the dramatic impact COVID-19 has had on its passenger and air traffic numbers’.

The Airport, which last year announced plans to expand – converting its emergency runway into a second useable runway – secured a £300million bank loan in March to help protect jobs.

Announcing However, August, which is usually one of its busiest months for the airport industry, saw passenger numbers down by more than 80 per cent compared to the same month last year.

On announcing the job losses last Wednesday

[August 26] Chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “If anyone is in any doubt about the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on the aviation and travel industry then today’s news we have shared with our staff, regarding the proposed job losses, is a stark reminder.

“We are in ongoing talks with Government to see what sector-specific support can be put in place for the industry at this time, alongside mechanisms which will give our passengers greater certainty on where and when they can safely travel abroad.

“This support will not only help Gatwick but the wider regional economy which relies on the airport.”

A NATIONWIDE fuel supplier has closed its Tunbridge Wells depot in favour of a new purpose-built facility elsewhere in Kent.

Watson Fuels was based in the village of Hawkhurst but in order to ‘broaden its customer base’ the company decided to build a new facility in Headcorn.

Scott Roberts, operations and logistics director at the firm, which has 35 depots across the UK, said: “Our new depot enables us to reach more customers across the region, helping businesses and families in the South East to manage their fuel supply easily and cost-effectively.

“The new site further supports our desire to be our customers’ number one choice in Kent. And, for our colleagues, the new site investment demonstrates our commitment to them ensuring they have the facilities to operate safely and efficiently as we grow our business further.”

AXA collaborate to treat addiction TUNBRIDGE WELLS health insurance provider, AXA, has teamed up with the UK’s leading addiction treatment firm UKAT to offer funding for those with substance abuse problems and mental health disorders across the South East.

The UKAT facilities accepting AXA clients for treatment are Primrose Lodge in Guildford, Surrey, Banbury Lodge in Banbury, Oxfordshire, and Recovery Lighthouse in Worthing, West Sussex.

The move is set to support ‘functioning addicts’; those who are in employment but who are struggling with a hidden addiction or mental health disorder.

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NEWS

Community News

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Community cinema re-opens with first film since lockdown

Wednesday September 2 | 2020

By Jerome Bowman RUSTHALL’S popular community cinema has reopened thanks to the efforts of members to ensure it follows government Covid-19 guidelines.

Sanitising chairs, a one-way system and contactless payment were among the measures taken by the volunteer-run group so that they could open on Sunday August 23 with a showing of the 1984 classic Paris, Texas.

Rusthall Community Cinema (RCC) Trustee Anne Goldstein said: “We’re all thrilled to be back. RCC can only function with volunteers willing to donate some time to make it happen, so the credit has to go to our volunteers for helping to bring this back.”

The film club has been running since 2016 and is a non-profit charity run entirely by volunteers from the community.

It differentiates itself from other clubs with a showing of a short film, often an Art House or foreign production, prior to the main feature, as well as an open discussion after the screening.

“We try to make cinema COVER UP accessible to those who Rosemary Romano would otherwise find it hard demonstrates the to get to the commercial new measures cinemas – whether due to

age, infirmity, or financial constraints,” added Ms Goldstein.

“Because of this, we felt it was especially important to ensure the venue was safe to re-open and that people would have something to break up the isolation we all experienced in lock-down.”

Mrs Lowery and Son, starring Timothy Spall as troubled artist L.S. Lowery, will be the next film screened on September 12 and is open to non-members.

Tickets cost £5 and are on a first come, first served basis. For more information, go online to www.rusthallcinema.club

Hever Castle hosts first post-Covid craft fair THE only major craft fair so far this year in the South East is being held at Hever Castle later this month.

Craft in Focus will be holding the event in the gardens of the castle and are running a strict advanced booking system along with other measures to ensure the safety of visitors.

Delighted Organiser Rob Chapman said, “We are delighted to be able to stage our first mixed craft event of the year after so many events having been cancelled this year.

“Our event is a high quality contemporary craft fair and exhibitors and visitors appreciate the fact that we keep our standards high and have stuck with our principles of only allowing work made by the exhibitor to be presented.

“This has really set us apart from many other events. We hope that people will come and enjoy the event and see and purchase work from some of the many talented designer makers we have in the UK.” Rob set up Craft in Focus 20 years ago and they are now considered the best in the business by many, according to The Independent.

The organiser has a strict policy of not allowing any bought in or imported work.

A number of the exhibitors are based in Kent including The Little Etching Studio, various ceramic artists, Canterbury Pottery and Hannah Dowding, a furniture maker from Folkestone.

Kent-based sculptor Steven Ritchie

Carer stayed in hotel to keep her patients safe A CARE worker from Tunbridge Wells has described how she had to live in a hotel away from her family for two months to shield both her patients and her vulnerable husband.

Community Nurse and Primary Care Network Lead in Tunbridge Wells Karen Flory had to make the ‘hard’ decision to isolate in the hotel near Pembury during lockdown to protect her vulnerable husband.

Supporting Karen said: “It’s been hard. We’ve all had meltdowns at some point, worried about our patients who we might have looked after for years, or worried about ourselves or our families.

But we’re all there for each other.”

With only limited cooking facilities available Karen ate microwave meals for most of the period and did not return to her home on a farm in East Sussex at all for the duration.

The story is one of many relayed by care workers to NHS Kent Community Health, all of who report on the difficulties of wearing PPE, supporting isolated patients and working for long periods away from their family.

will also be showing pieces at the fair, having recently appeared on BBC One’s Where The Art Is. Rob added: “The UK has a wealth of individual and talented professional designer makers and artists who produce wonderful original items that simply cannot be found amongst the mass-produced and imported goods on the high street.”

The event will run from September 10-13.

STONE ME Sculptures, ceramics and furniture will all be on display

OWL MADE IN THE UK The craft fair is unique in only showing wares made in Britain

MP gives award to village heroes

TWO residents of Groombridge were given the Wealden Heroes Award by Wealden MP Nus Ghani for their work during lockdown.

Sarah Merriman organised the village’s community response to Covid-19. She mobilised a network of volunteers, which has since grown to about 60.

Volunteers were strategically organised around the village to cover every resident in need.

They have been regularly checking in with the elderly, collecting prescriptions, doing the shopping, running errands and walking dogs.

Sarah liaised with local supermarkets to ensure that volunteers were not refused buying multiple items, and worked with local church, surgery, and the Parish Council throughout the pandemic.

She delivered gifts and flowers from wellmeaning local businesses, distributed medication and regularly checked on the vulnerable.

Chrissie Litchfield founded ‘Scrubbers United’, a group who has been making and supplying PPE to local nurses, surgeries, hospitals, hospices and nursing homes, as well as services in Crowborough, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Edenbridge and Sevenoaks.

Scrubbers United have been relying on

donations from the community to purchase materials. They have also raised over £12,000 for more supplies.

Contribution The group includes around 55 volunteers of all ages and abilities, some shielding from Covid-19 themselves.

The group has made over 650 scrubs and laundry bags, head coverings, and they are still

ABOVE AND BEYOND [L-R] Sarah Merriman and Nus Ghani

continuing to make face coverings. They have also sourced locally made visors and delivered them to local surgeries.

Nus Ghani said: “Sarah and Chrissie have made a huge contribution to Groombridge residents. It takes exceptional effort to coordinate such a robust network of support and Sarah has done a tremendous job.

“I am delighted to present them both with the Wealden Hero Award and to celebrate their efforts.”

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National News

Pupils return to school but one in six could be kept off SCHOOLS across England and Wales welcomed back pupils yesterday [Tuesday] after nearly six months of no classes for most children.

Around 40 per cent of schools were expecting to welcome back students for the start of the autumn term.

Schools that did not reopen yesterday will welcome back pupils between now and next Monday.

Ministers voiced their confidence that schools would be safe for children and staff given the host of protective measures now in place.

BACK TO SCHOOL Pupils at Charles Dickens Primary School in London yesterday [Tuesday] and those of key workers.

But a YouGov survey suggested one in six (17 per cent) parents were seriously considering not sending their children to school this month over Covid-19 fears.

In the Commons, the Education Secretary said welcoming pupils back will be a ‘massive milestone’ for schools and highlighted a letter from the four UK chief medical officers about the

‘low-risk of long-term harm from Covid-19 due solely from attending school in comparison to the higher risk of long-term from not attending school’.

Mr Williamson said pupils are returning to a ‘safe environment’, adding: “I know that these past few months have been some of the most challenging that schools, parents and, most of all, children have faced.”

Marcus Rashford heads a taskforce into child poverty FOOTBALLER Marcus Rashford is spearheading a taskforce on the issue of child food poverty and is warning of ‘devastating’ effects on the stability of the country if action is not taken quickly.

The Manchester United and England striker was successful in campaigning for free school meal vouchers to be provided to pupils over the summer period.

He had spoken about his own experience of using a food voucher scheme as a child and was praised after pressing the Government into making a U-turn on the issue.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, the 22-year-old said he knew the free school meal vouchers over the summer would not be the end of his campaigning.

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Each month Thomson Snell & Passmore will be answering frequently asked questions from across the practice. If you have a legal question you would like featured in this monthly Q&A please submit it to info@ts-p.co.uk.

REACTIVATION OF POSSESSION CLAIMS FOR LANDLORDS PRACTICE DIRECTION 55C (PD55C)

Bubbles Pupils will be confined to year group bubbles, within which they do not have to socially distance from one another, and are prohibited from mixing with children from other years.

There are staggered start and finish times, one-way systems in places, and classrooms have been rearranged with desks facing forwards. There are also new washing stations at most schools.

It will be the first time many pupils in England have stepped into a classroom since March, when schools were closed except to look after vulnerable children

Wednesday September 2 | 2020

MARCUS RASHFORD

He added: “I think we pretty much knew straight away we had found a short-term solution but that wasn’t going to work in the long run.

“We had to think about how’s the best way to do it so these families can eat long term and not have any issues.”

Rashford has now teamed up with the food industry to shed light on the issue of child food poverty in the UK. He said the task force is endorsing three national food strategy policy recommendations, including the expansion of free school meals to every child from a household on Universal Credit, the expansion of holiday provision, and increasing the value of the Healthy Start vouchers to £4.25 per week (from £3.10).

NEWS IN BRIEF

Arrests at London climate protests

Pensioner killer may not be freed

Speaker asks MPs not to name suspect

SEVERAL people were arrested as Extinction Rebellion protesters kicked off two weeks of civil disobedience outside Parliament.

Thousands of campaigners descended on Parliament Square on Tuesday afternoon where they blocked roads, bringing traffic to a standstill, chanted, banged drums and made a range of speeches.

At least 10 were carried away by police after the group refused to move from the roads around Parliament Square.

Last year, more than 1,700 arrests were made during Extinction Rebellion’s 10-day ‘Autumn Uprising’, which saw major disruption across the UK.

A GILLINGHAM man who murdered his wheelchair-bound neighbour in a ‘truly horrific attack’ has been told he may never be released from prison.

Michael Bryant bludgeoned frail pensioner Alan Wyatt to death with a hammer, a meat cleaver and a knife on Valentine’s Day last year.

The attack came after 68-year-old father-of-three Mr Wyatt had complained about drug dealing in Bryant’s flat in Firethorn Close in Gillingham.

Bryant appeared at Maidstone Crown Court yesterday [Tuesday] and pleaded guilty to murder. He was jailed for life with a minimum term of 28 years and told by the judge he may never be released.

A CONSERVATIVE former minister arrested on suspicion of rape must not be named

by MPs, the Commons Speaker has urged.

MPs returned to the House of Commons yesterday [Tuesday] but Sir Lindsay Hoyle claimed any move to name the MP in question would be ‘wholly inappropriate’ while police are investigating.

Parliamentary privilege grants certain legal immunities for MPs and peers when speaking in the Commons and Lords, and has been used previously to identify people subject to legal proceedings and misconduct allegations.

Sir Lindsay confirmed the Conservative MP has ‘voluntarily agreed’ not to attend the House for the period of his bail.

1. What does PD55C mean for possession proceedings?

PD55C came into force on 22 August 2020 and governs possession proceedings from the 20 September 2020 until the 28 March 2021. It separates all existing possession claims in two groups, those issued before 3 August 2020 and those issued on or after 3 August 2020.

The practice direction sets out the process to get cases up and running again. This will be done through the filing and service of a reactivation notice. Confusingly, PD55C refers to ‘stayed claims’ (brought on or before the 19 September 2020) and ‘new claims’ (brought after the 19 September 2020).

2. Is there a standard form of reactivation notice?

There is no prescribed form. It must inform the Court whether the case is to be listed, relisted, heard or referred and set out what knowledge the party has to the effect the pandemic has had on the defendant and their dependents.

There is no suggestion that a fee will be payable.

Where the claim includes non-payment of rent, landlords must provide in their claim any information about a tenant’s circumstances.

Where the claim is based on rent arrears, the landlord must provide an updated rent account for the previous two years If case management directions about the possession proceedings were made before the 20 September 2020, the reactivation notice must include a copy of the last directions order, new dates for compliance with directions taking into account the stay in proceedings before the 20 September 2020.

3. What happens after?

Once a reactivation notice has been served, the receiving party has 14 days to file a response. The party responding must state whether there is anything contained within the reactivation notice that it does not agree with.

If a reactivation notice is not filed by 4pm on 29 January 2021 then the claim will be automatically stayed, and an application to the Court will be required to lift the stay.

4. What if a hearing date was set before lockdown, do you still need to file a reactivation notice?

Yes - If a trial date had already been set before 27 March 2020, that trial date will now be vacated and stayed unless a reactivation notice is filed and served within 42 days of the trial date. A copy of the last directions with new dates for compliance must also be included as well as, a draft order for new directions with a new hearing date or confirmation that the existing hearing date can be met, and a statement saying whether the case is suitable for remote hearing.

5. What about new possession proceedings and stayed possession claims started on or after the 3 August 2020 The requirement for a reactivation notice does not apply to stayed claims brought on or after 3 August 2020 or stayed claims in which final possession order has been made.

The claimant must tell the Court anything they know about the effect of the pandemic on the defendant and their dependants.

This also applies to accelerated possession claims.

That notice must be served on the defendant not less than 14 days before the hearing.

If you have any questions regarding the above, please contact Grace Mercer on 01892 701177 or grace.mercer@ts-p.co.uk or visit our website www.ts-p.co.uk

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday September 2 | 2020

National News

NEWS

FATHER Jacob Blake Snr won’t meet the President

Remote Working and Office 365

Father of Jacob Blake ‘refuses to play politics’ THE father of a black man shot by police last week has said that he will not politicise the shooting of his son ahead of a visit by Donald Trump to the city of Kenosha.

Mr Blake’s father, Jacob Blake Snr, said his son’s life was more important than a meeting with President Trump who was visiting the town where his son was shot.

Blake Snr said: “I’m not getting into politics. It’s all about my son, man. It has nothing to do with a photo op.”

Jacob Blake, 29, was shot on August 23 several times in the back by a police officer during an arrest, as he tried to get into a car where his three children were seated.

He is reported to be paralysed from the waist down and in a critical condition.

The president’s visit to the area comes as part of his campaign for ‘law and order’. He will meet police officers on the visit, but not the Blake family.

But the President has refused to condemn a teenager accused

of fatally shooting two people during protests sparked by Blake’s shooting, saying he ‘probably would have been killed’ if he had not opened fire on demonstrators.

At a news conference, Trump said: “That was an interesting situation.

“He was trying to get away from them, I guess, it looks like, and he fell. And then they very violently attacked him… He was in very big trouble. He would have been – you probably would’ve been killed.”

Charlie Hebdo reprints cartoons ahead of trial FRENCH satirical paper, Charlie Hebdo, has reprinted caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed that were cited by the gunmen who opened fire on its editorial staff in 2015.

The January 2015 attacks against Charlie Hebdo, and two days later a kosher supermarket, touched off a wave of killings claimed by so-called Islamic State across Europe.

Seventeen people died – 12 of them at the editorial offices – along with all three attackers.

Thirteen men and a woman

accused of providing the attackers with weapons and logistics go on trial on terrorism charges on Wednesday.

In an editorial this week accompanying the caricatures, the paper said: “The drawings belong to history, and history cannot be rewritten nor erased”.

The caricatures republished this week were first printed in 2006 by the Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten, setting off sometimes violent protests by Muslims who believe depicting Mohammed is

blasphemy.

Charlie Hebdo, famous for its irreverence, regularly caricatures religious leaders from various faiths and republished them soon afterwards.

The paper’s Paris offices were firebombed in 2011 and its editorial leadership placed under police protection, which remains in place to this day.

Laurent Sourisseau, the paper’s director and one of the few staff to have survived the attack, named each of the victims in a foreword to this week’s edition.

Heatwave threatens to leave ‘wound’ in Arctic

Rwandan humanitarian ‘kidnapped’ by authorities

THE UN has warned that rising temperatures and a heatwave this year have severely damaged sea ice in the Arctic.

This summer’s heatwave will leave a ‘deep wound’ in the cryosphere – the planet’s frozen parts. The United Nations weather agency reported that sea ice is shrinking, and that the Canadian Ice Shelf has collapsed.

“The rapid decline of sea ice in turn contributes to more warming, and so the circle goes on and the consequences do not stay in the Arctic,” Ms Nullis said during a regular UN briefing in Geneva.

“The summer of 2020 will leave a deep wound on the cryosphere,” the World Meteorological Organisation statement said, pointing to a ‘worrisome trend’ of floods resulting from the outburst of glacier lakes across the world.

A MAN portrayed in the film Hotel Rwanda as saving the lives of more than 1,200 people from genocide was ‘kidnapped’ while in Dubai by Rwandan authorities, his daughter has claimed.

The 2004 Oscar-nominated film Hotel Rwanda showed Rusesabagina, a Hutu married to a Tutsi, as using his influence as a manager of the Hotel des Mille Collines to allow more than 1,200 Tutsis to shelter in the hotel’s rooms.

But the Rwandan government disputes Rusesabagina’s story.

He had been living outside Rwanda since 1996, first in Belgium and then in Texas in the US. Rusesabagina is a Belgian citizen and a permanent resident of the United States.

Rwandan authorities have said they issued an arrest warrant for Rusesabagina.

Remote working during the pandemic has made businesses look more closely at what IT tools are best for the job. Here is a look at what Microsoft’s Office 365 has to offer.

Remote Working ONS figures show that 53 per cent of those in the information and communication industries (for an example ) had the opportunity to work from home using IT and the Business Impact of Coronavirus Survey (BICS) showed that between 23 March to 5 April, 48 per cent of the workforce was working remotely from their normal place.

Platforms and Remote Working Solutions There have been many reports in recent months about how video conferencing and collaborative working platforms such as Zoom enjoyed a boom in user numbers, particularly at the beginning of the pandemic in Europe. For example, at the beginning of April, Zoom’s daily user numbers were reported to have jumped from 10 million to 200 million.

Microsoft Teams, which is part of Microsoft 365, also emerged as an extremely popular option and, at the end of April, reports indicated that daily user numbers had jumped 70 per cent to 75 million.

Office 365 Office 365 is a subscription SaaS from Microsoft that gives users access to the latest Office apps, can be installed on PCs, Macs, tablets, and phones, and offers 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage as well as a variety of feature updates and upgrades.

Remote Working and Office 365 Some of the features and benefits that have made Office 365 a good option for remote working include: Teams, Real-time document co-authoring (e.g. through SharePoint), Microsoft To Do, OneNotem, Security Features.

Looking Forward One key aspect of why these many tools work well is because they all integrate and are very compatible with the entire 365 environment.

The pandemic has taught many businesses that they can still work and function effectively through remote working in a way that they may not have imagined was possible before.

Microsoft’s 365 and especially Teams has proven to be very valuable to many businesses that will, no doubt, consider how they can keep using it to leverage its features to create value and a cohesive approach as we move forward into less certain future, where lockdowns could come again at any time.

For more help and advice For any more help and advice on saving your business money on IT, particularly through the use of a hosted desktop, contact Host My Office today on 01892 267200 or email simon.luck@hostmyoffice.co.uk

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National News

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Wednesday September 2 | 2020

Shoppers receive their first M&S delivery as Ocado service launches MARKS and Spencer has launched its new delivery service, offering their full food range to online shoppers for the first time.

The British High Street retailer officially replaced Waitrose on the Ocado website yesterday [Tuesday], with the delivery company unveiling a fleet of limited-edition Percy Pig vans to mark the occasion.

The supermarket acquired a 50 per cent stake in delivery service Ocado in a deal worth around £750million.

Ocado had exclusively operated for rival supermarket Waitrose, but the supermarket chain has now cut ties with the delivery company.

Crucial The launch comes at a crucial time for M&S, which is cutting 7,000 jobs.

Shoppers can now choose from 6,000 M&S food items, alongside Ocado own-label goods and big-name branded items.

M&S has vowed that all its

replacement products will be the same price as, or cheaper than, the equivalent Waitrose items.

However, Covid-19 has exacerbated existing problems for M&S, which has struggled to restore the fortunes of its hard-hit clothing and home goods divisions since shops reopened after lockdown.

At the height of lockdown, M&S boss Steve Rowe said customers might ‘never shop the same way again’ after the coronavirus crisis.

Government extends emergency agreement with Great Western THE Department for Transport (DfT) has extended its Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA) with Great Western Railway (GWR) until June 26 2021, the train operator’s parent company FirstGroup has announced.

This means the DfT will continue to take on all revenue and cost risks from the rail firm due to the collapse in demand

caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

FirstGroup chief executive Matthew Gregory said of the agreement: “We welcome the news of the extension of the EMA for GWR. “This demonstrates the essential nature of GWR’s services to the communities it serves, and provides important clarity and continuity for our

customers, employees and wider stakeholders.

Network “Across the network we are increasing service levels to provide more capacity as schools recommence and work and leisure facilities reopen, and we are taking all necessary steps to ensure our passengers continue to travel safely.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

STV fails to profit on boom

Manufacturing Samsung heir grows in August merger charge

SCOTTISH broadcaster STV saw its TV audience figures soar 12%, and growth continued even as lockdown slowly lifted.

But a bigger audience has not translated into more money, as advertisers have pulled their commercials from screens and newspapers.

Chief executive Simon Pitts said: “Our record audience growth in the first half – up 12% on TV and 86% online – illustrates the enduring power and relevance of public service broadcasting, particularly STV’s local news, which has been a vital lifeline for millions of Scots during this crisis.”

Lockdown viewing increased 24%, and daytime TV watching was up 48%, while 40% more TVs were switched to the news.

Online revenue was 5% higher than the same period last year.

UK manufacturing output expanded at the fastest rate for more than six years in August, as companies restarted operations following the pandemic.

However, firms also continued to slash jobs as they look to reduce costs and stabilise their finances, according to new figures.

Rob Dobson, director at IHS Markit, said: “The recovery of the UK manufacturing sector gathered pace in August.

“Output expanded at the fastest rate in over six years as new work intakes rose to the greatest extent since November 2017, led by an upturn in domestic demand and signs of recovering exports.”

He added that the survey showed that business optimism also remained ‘encouragingly robust’, and close to July’s recent peak.

SOUTH KOREAN prosecutors have indicted Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong on charges of stock price manipulation and other financial crimes.

The move sets up what could be a protracted legal battle to determine whether the 52-year-old billionaire illegally cemented his control over the business giant.

Lee’s lawyers rejected the charges.

They maintain that a controversial 2015 merger between two Samsung affiliates that helped Lee increase control over Samsung Electronics was “normal business activity”.

A Seoul court earlier rejected the prosecutors’ request to arrest Lee, who stepped into his leadership role after his father, Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Kun-hee, fell ill in May 2014.

Wednesday September 2 | 2020

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

EDUCATION Times Pupils’ safety will be of premium importance when returning back to school say Southeastern and KCC Rail company Southeastern and Kent County Council have both recently published details of how they will ensure children are safe when travelling to and from school by public transport for the new academic year. The Times finds out about their plans AFTER six months of not attending school due to the coronavirus crisis, pupils who take the train or bus are being told by rail operators and also Kent County Council (KCC) that their safety is of the utmost importance.

Last week Southeastern announced that they would put on an additional 50,000 seats for returning school pupils and have also issued a ‘Back to School safety checklist’ which a spokesperson for the rail network says will contain useful information for parents, guardians and schoolchildren.

Exemption “As most students will not have been on public transport since March, we are increasing our timetables to 98% of pre-Covid rates adding an additional 50,000 seats per day from September 7 to facilitate social distancing and taking additional steps to help students navigate the return safely,” confirmed the Southeastern spokesperson to the Times.

“All children aged 11 and over, that do not have exemption, are currently required to wear a face

mask on public transport, making masks the new ‘Back to School’ essential for students.

Southeastern are committed to ensuring no child will be prevented from travel and will therefore have a supply of face masks in the instance that a child forgets to bring their own.”

The company is also launching a Back to School Safety Checklist so every child travelling to school on trains will know how to do so safely.

The rail network, which covers over 1,000 miles of track in Kent and East Sussex and includes 164 managed stations, has also hired

additional staff at key student stations, such as Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge, specifically to guide students through one-way systems and encourage social distancing.

Students will also be encouraged to use ‘The Key’ a contactless smartcard to purchase tickets.

There will also be designated hand sanitisation points and a comprehensive Back to School checklist on Southeastern’s website which consolidates all the key information into one place www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/ backtoschool David Statham, Managing Director of Southeastern said: “At Southeastern, we realise what a big moment the return to school will be for the students; and as a father, I understand how important the safety of their children is to parents.

“The Southeastern network provides a lifeline for students in accessing their education, and we take our responsibility for getting them there safely very seriously. That is why we have been working with schools across the county, as well as reaching out to all of our existing customers, to share our safety guidelines widely.”

Education

NEWS

15

KENT COUNTY COUNCIL ALSO ANNOUNCES NEW MEASURES FOR SCHOOL TRANSPORT SERVICES Kent County Council (KCC) has revealed plans that will allow pupils to travel to and from school safely when they return to the classroom this week and next: n Bus services will observe social distancing guidelines and have seating plans in place n A number of school-day-only services have been restricted to be used only by school children so more space is available n Children are encouraged to travel by alternative means where possible n KCC is working with operators to provide extra vehicles on busier services and will continue to do this so that everyone who needs to can travel n The use of face coverings has been made a requirement for all passengers, where possible, and for all transport staff unless they are separated by a Perspex screen n KCC will work with schools to cater for staggered start and end times where possible - arrangements will be individual to each school, so parents should contact their child’s school directly if they are unsure what adjustments are in place n KCC will continue to monitor all services and any new government guidance so it can continue to make schools transport as safe as possible n 1m social distancing is not a requirement on these services but should be maintained where possible n Try to ensure that different schools are not mixed on transport n Children to use the same seat on the vehicle each time they travel For the latest information, visit www.kent. gov.uk/backtoschool

BURSAR AND CLERK TO THE GOVERNING COUNCIL The Governors of the school welcome applications for the position of Bursar and Clerk to The Governing Council, which becomes available on 1 January 2021.

Whilst this position encompasses all of the usual responsibilities of a school Bursar, we are seeking someone who is a broad general manager in every sense of the word. For further information regarding this post please visit the school’s website: www.rosehillschool.co.uk/Information/Vacancies Closing date for applications 16 September 2020

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Local News

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday September 2 | 2020

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, Times Local News, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG

What is being done to this town?

OVER the last few years some decisions have been made that have changed the demographic of the town and the access for vehicles.

For example, at the now 20 year empty cinema site (where they have actually cut the town in half), a new arrangement has been made for traffic flow whereby anyone travelling from The Pantiles heading north towards the centre of the town, there are no signs to guide you to the London Road, avoiding the new layout.

We are now talking about more bike lanes, wider pavements for pedestrians when we know that Tunbridge Wells is in a valley and very un-bike friendly as well as not great for walkers.

The one-way system introduced should surely be going South to avoid congestion outside Hoopers if at all.

I notice that the plastic barriers have been placed in the road apparently to widen the pavements.

Unfortunately they haven’t realised that they have created a wall so if you wish to visit a shop you have to hurdle over or walk many metres around it. What are they trying to do to this town?

Surely, a little common sense, if they wish to widen the pavements, all they need to do is simply remove the iron bollards. It would be lovely if the footfall was so great that we needed wider pavements.

Regrettably, nationally this is not the case, businesses are finding it incredibly difficult to operate and these measures will make it even more difficult. If a commercial vehicle stops to unload, the traffic will come to a grinding halt.

It seems the powers that be no longer wish to listen and they don’t live anywhere near Tunbridge Wells so all of these plans to them are just pieces of paper like a monopoly board.

Lionel Shell Tunbridge Wells

WRONG WAY The one-way system in Tunbridge Wells

Green view is anti-motorist The article by West Kent Young Greens coordinator Archie Mitchell [August 26] made interesting reading not only for its narrow anti-motorist views but also for the many questions it raised.

For example, how many of his fellow sixth formers has he persuaded to give up their cars?

Has he persuaded any of the parents waiting outside school in their 4x4s with the engine running to make their children walk to and from school instead?

The reduction in the volume of motorised traffic in Walthamstow has been achieved, as in Tunbridge Wells, by moving that traffic on to other roads thereby increasing the congestion and the pollution.

When I was young there were very few privately owned cars around but four thousand people a year died from asthma. Now the number is one thousand a year. Using his logic it could be claimed that increased volume of traffic has reduced the incidence of asthma deaths.

Obviously this is not true.

Marking out ‘Cycle Only’ lanes will make little if any difference as cyclists ride where they like anyway. The 20mph limits will continue to be ignored until they are monitored. Has he considered how much the installation of speed checking equipment on every road would cost?

Over six thousand pupils attend the five secondary schools in the St John’s & Culverden area of Tunbridge Wells. Does he seriously believe it is possible for that number of children to cycle to and from school, day in and day out, in all weathers?

Victor Bethell Tunbridge Wells

We need a change of direction The Americanisation of our language continues apace and it’s disappointing to see this esteemed publication being complicit in it.

The (interesting) article on August 26 about a solar space jump talked about ‘meters’ rather than ‘metres’.

Come on Times of Tunbridge Wells – you’re better than this.

Dave Sanders Tunbridge Wells [Ed: This would normally be a sackable offence but in this instance the story was from a national media agency]

Conservatives should look in the mirror I read with some interest the ironic letter in the Times by David Elliott [August 26]. David a former Tory Borough Councillor twice defeated

by Liberal Democrat candidates in 2019 decided to provide the Tunbridge Wells Liberal Democrats advice on how we should run our local party.

I feel that Mr Elliott should spend a little time looking at the Tunbridge Wells Conservative group who during a time of national crises have spent their time infighting with two attempted

coups to depose Alan Mc Dermott as leader of the council in the last 3 months.

The Conservative group remains hopelessly split with zero vision of the future of Tunbridge Wells run by a Cabinet that lacks a single member representing a Tunbridge Wells Ward.

If it were not for a group of hard-working and under-resourced officers nothing would be happening in our town.

I and fellow opposition councillors invested a considerable amount of time working collaboratively moving forward in a more sustainable vision for our town as we were well aware that the conservatives lacked any vision of their own. I give credit to Cllr Scott for organising this initiative when he was in the Cabinet, however, Tory infighting has put a halt to any progress here.

Having spent two years as a member of this council, the biggest overriding lesson I have learned is that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. The only way to breathe new life into our council and our town is to remove the dysfunctional Tory rump from power.

Cllr Mark Ellis, Liberal Democrat representing St. Johns Ward

Finance in local government is tight. The future is still difficult to predict but we will recover

It is the EU that is depriving people No, Cllr Mike Tapp, it was not the Tory Government that deprived young people of the opportunity to travel, live and work in 27 other countries (letter, August 26).

If such restrictions are imposed, it will be as a result of the intransigence of the representative of those countries, which are not permitted to be individually involved in the negotiations.

The electorate democratically voted to leave the European Union and subsequently elected a government which campaigned to ‘get Brexit done’. Sadly for him, he was on the losing side.

Whether or not the EU 27 walk away from negotiations with the UK, we will still be free to trade on our own terms with the other 168 countries in the world, something that EU members are not permitted to do.

John Brandon Tunbridge Wells

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

Stop this Americanisation

from this crisis and it will take investment.

It should be a source of shame for the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Conservative leadership wasting over £11 million pounds prior to this crisis on a hugely unpopular project.

Despite residents’ objections they pushed ahead and did not listen.

This is money that could have contributed to our recovery but we will not be getting it back.

I am positive about the future; our Council has excellent staff and our borough is a fantastic place to work and live. But I do have grave concerns for our Council’s political leadership.

The Conservative leadership has failed to learn from past costly mistakes and as pointed out by opposition and back bench Conservatives, they are lacking in vision. We need a change of direction and leadership to face up to the challenges ahead.

Cllr Luke Everitt Labour Southborough and High Brooms

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

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Local firm Thy Will Be Done takes national stage with best Will Writer nomination in The British Wills and Probate Awards To protect its most vulnerable older clients in the last few months, Worthing-based will writers and estate planners Thy Will Be Done have worked hard in arranging telephone consultations, setting up video witnessing and offering heavily discounted products and services in exchange for small donations to the NHS COVID-19 appeal. The company has also provided a fully Covid compliant office for their clients to drop their paperwork into while passing. As a result, they have been recognised in this year’s prestigious National British Wills and Probate Awards in the category of National Will Writer of the Year.

Thy Will Be Done Director, Paul Blackmoore has a priority to communicate with clients in a straightforward, jargon-free and friendly way - and to provide upfront transparency on fees, which really helps less confident clients to forget any nervousness they may otherwise have about visiting a slightly foreboding solicitor’s office in order to arrange what can in fact be a fairly simple piece of estate planning, confident in the knowledge that they will always know in advance the precise amount that their work will cost.

It is a rare achievement indeed for a small family-run firm from Goring to be in the final 3 of a prestigious national will writing award along with household names Farewill and Co-op legal services.

Paul Blackmoore is very proud of the way the company he bought out of administration just over 3 years ago has, with the help of its hardworking staff and loyal customers, turned its fortunes around to become known locally for exceptional value and friendly service and now since lockdown, and the transition to holding all consultations remotely, to be competing for business on the national stage also.

Paul with Benny on the left and ‘’one eyed’’ Frankie on the right

Paul regularly appears in the local media with his two rescue French Bulldogs Frankie and Benny by his side. Paul says, “Frankie and Benny are a big hit with our clients, many of whom have reported that their presence in the shop helped them to quickly settle and relax.’’

Paul goes on to say that, ‘’wider recognition as one of the UK’s best will-writing companies in the British Wills and Probate awards is of special value to us because the awards are voted for by our industry colleagues and peers.”

The finals of the awards will this year be held online on 22nd October and will once again be hosted by TV celebrity Jenny Bond.

We wish Paul and his team at Thy Will Be Done all the very best of luck this year.

www.thywill.co.uk Brighton 977385 • Chichester 278303 • Crawley 278453 • Dorking 898089 • Eastbourne 364029 East Grinstead 457006 • Hastings 532029 • Haywards Heath 682047 • Horsham 458042 Pulborough 368003 • Redhill 423001 • Tunbridge Wells 278109 • Uckfield 278373 • Worthing 649021

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paying e after Thy Will Be Done is a trading style of Thy Will Be Done (Spain) Ltd Registered in the UK at 36a Goring Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN12 4AD. Companies House number 10791190

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Weekly Comment

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Cllr Matthew Bailey Cabinet member for Sustainability Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

Wednesday September 2 | 2020

Matt Bailey is a borough councillor for Paddock Wood West and the portfolio holder for sustainability on the cabinet. Matt is also a Chartered Tax Advisor and Chartered Management Accountant, and runs a software and accountancy business in Tunbridge Wells.

Life in Tunbridge Wells continues to edge back towards a sense of normality OUR town centre has been getting busier, particularly on days when the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme was running. In case you missed it, this government scheme gave eat-in customers an automatic 50% discount on food and soft drinks at most pubs, cafes and restaurants on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in August.

Nationally, the scheme was a big success. In the first three weeks it was used 64 million times in 87,000 outlets. And, according to consultancy firm CGA, sales in participating businesses rose 31% in the first week of operation compared to the week before.

And it has clearly helped local businesses.

Many cafes and restaurants have been packed, with long queues spotted outside popular outlets. And the boost to trade - and queues increased as the month went on.

Normality is returning in other ways too. The three council-owned sports centres in St Johns, Paddock Wood and Cranbrook were scheduled to reopen yesterday, with the swimming pools due to open this coming Friday

Initially, members can book 50-minute slots in the gym or pool using either the website (www. fusion-lifestyle.com) or the Fusion mobile phone app.

Traffic activity in Tunbridge Wells has also recovered. In the depths of lockdown parking transactions in the Council’s town centre car parks were down by 95%. But they have rebounded and now stand at over 80% of pre-lockdown levels.

Facilities As a result, the operating hours of the Royal Victoria Place car park have been extended and the Meadow Road car park will reopen as soon as the facility can be made Covid-safe.

Other Council facilities are also being brought back on stream. The Town Hall is open in a limited way and the Gateway, located near the entrance of Royal Victoria Place, is open to the public after being accessible only via an intercom during the crisis.

Tom Tugendhat Conservative MP for Tonbridge & Malling

OPEN Meadow Road car park is now open The TN2 centre in Sherwood is also partially open, and is likely to be fully operational in a week’s time. And the Camden Centre in Market Square should reopen later this month, initially

on Mondays and Thursdays (from 8:30am to 10pm) and on Saturdays (from 7:45am to 5pm).

Sadly the Assembly Hall Theatre will not reopen for the time being due to continued government restrictions on indoor theatres. But there is better news for the Council-supported Trinity Theatre and Arts Centre on Church Road.

The venue has adapted and moved events to the garden. A variety of shows have already taken place, including popular Friday comedy nights and a performance of Twelfth Night.

There has also been a long-awaited return of live music from acts including Cafe Society and The Paul Dunton Orchestra.

Looking ahead, it has been announced that the ice rink will go ahead in Calverley Grounds later this year. The event is due to start in the middle on November, with tickets going on sale later this month via the Assembly Hall website.

So, slowly but surely, life is getting back to normal. And the Council is doing what it can to reopen facilities and get the town back to where we all want it to be.

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, and also worked for the Foreign Office. He was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2015, and was elected Chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee in July 2017.

We need more flexibility than ever in school transport arrangements EVERY September, our public transport network is tested. As our children return to school, the buses we rely on for travel take a new year group on the important journey from Primary School to Secondary.

This step for many families is happening this year, as so much is, against the background of COVID19. The new travel patterns and variations in school catchment areas always make this a difficult time, but this year will be tougher than ever.

This year, the ability to plan is even more complicated. Social distancing on public transport means we need more flexibility than ever in school transport arrangements. Some will walk, cycle or drive to reduce the risk to families. But for many – often children of key workers, and those living further away – the bus is the only option.

This Government has recognised that challenge and the impact it will have on families around the county and funded an extra £40million in additional school transport. The bus operators have also taken risks to invest in their own fleets and I’m grateful to all the businesses who are investing in our children’s futures. While capacity on each bus is limited, many routes will have more buses running than

BUSSED IN Operators have also taken risks to invest in their own fleets

Kings Hill to south Tonbridge schools and the T3 (former 200s) from Hildenborough to Weald of Kent. For some of our other routes which are heavily used outside of school time, such as the 7 to Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone and 218/219 towards North Farm, they will not become school only services. Instead, many operators will run two or more buses at the same time.

Demand

we’ve ever had before.

To cope, many operators have transferred their services into school bus services only. This is an important change. Under Government guidance school bus services can carry more students than a public bus, but it means limiting who can use the service. This will help reduce social contact and make it as safe as possible for those who have to travel.

This will happen on some of our most well used routes, including the 771 which comes from

I spend a long time each year working with schools, bus operators, and Kent County Council to help make sure as many buses work for our children each September. We’ve seen a significant improvement in recent years. Much of this is down to detailed planning, sharing information on who is buying a pass, where they live, and which school they attend. It’s a long process and the slightest change can affect many students.

With social distancing requirements, this has been harder than ever. The numbers buying a pass has understandably reduced, so it’s harder to predict where demand will be each day in advance. But now we’re into the first week of term I know Kent County Council will fill the gaps where capacity lets us down.

Under the proven leadership of Tonbridge County Councillors Richard Long and Michael Payne, Cabinet Members for Education and Transport respectively at KCC, we have the best advocates Tonbridge could ask for to resolve any problems in the first few weeks, showing how important it is to have a strong voice for our town in the County Council.

Often problems are caused by things schools can’t control. I’m disappointed that SGN have not finished the gasworks by Tonbridge School before term starts – they’ve known as long as anyone else that all students would return this week. The decision by GTR to change the time of trains from Edenbridge, and Southeastern to end the Medway Valley Line at Paddock Wood will put more students on to the roads, at the expense of a train journey they could make.

Getting our children to school is a question for every parent. In a town like Tonbridge with six Secondary Schools, five south of the railway, there’s no easy solution. Getting this right takes careful planning. Bus operators and KCC have worked hard on a timetable they think will work, and keep our children safe. If you’ve any concerns, please let me know and I’ll continue my campaign to make school buses work in Tonbridge.

Wednesday September 2 | 2020

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Wednesday September 2 | 2020

Property Focus NEW HO MES

SUPERB SETTING Plot 13 at Aspect Wood is ready to be snapped up

ASPECT WOOD High Street, Flimwell The new three, four and fivebedroom village homes at the aptly-named Aspect Wood blend inspirational design, luxury and style to offer a taste of 21st-century countryside living. Here, traditional tile-hung and weatherboard exteriors mix with contemporary layouts within.

Built by Quantum, these homes lie just off the A21, and you can watch a video of the development as well as take a 3D virtual tour online.

n Plot 13 is the last five-bedroom

£550,000 to £925,000

HEATHERLANDS Fallow Drive, Cross in Hand

For further details of all three developments featured here, please call Wood & Pilcher, Tunbridge Wells, on 01892 511 211

A new development of 23 terraced, semi-detached and detached homes ranging from one to five bedrooms on the outskirts of the popular market town of Heathfield.

Built by Millwood Designer Homes, these thoughtfully designed properties are backed by woodland in a beautiful rural countryside location, and are in keeping with the

environment while also offering spacious, modern accommodation.

Each home blends into their own neatly landscaped setting.

detached home available, at a price of £675,000, and comes with the Stamp Duty incentive plus carpets, flooring and two parking spaces

n Plot 3 is a three-bedroom semi-detached home available at £395,000, and also comes with two parking spaces, plus the benefit of being in the Cranbrook School catchment area

n More properties available. Show home open Fri-Mon, 10am-4pm

Country living with all the mod cons

T

HE confines of lockdown, and the way our lives have changed in extraordinary ways since March, has inspired many people to

move out of London or the bigger towns to find spacious new havens in the countryside. The appeal is even greater for those now spending much of their week working from home.

Here we focus on three leafy developments being marketed by local agents Wood & Pilcher – plus a very useful rural office ‘Hive’ on the way for hot-desking, and more…

HUDSON PLACE Crowborough A collection of five four and five-bedroom homes conveniently located in this popular small town near Tunbridge Wells, each with gardens and garaging.

Built by Cubed Homes, the ceiling heights are generous and the windows are large to achieve the correct proportions, thereby increasing the view and the amount of natural light.

n Prices on plots still available range from

ENJOY A RURAL OFFICE HUB, TOO!

Even before the challenges of 2020, there were predictions that up to half of the UK workforce would be working remotely from home or handy hubs by the end of this year.

To satisfy local demand, opening this autumn in Flimwell is The Hive – a new woodland workspace just off the A21 which promises to be a welcoming place to work, network, socialise, eat and drink.

With wellbeing in mind, it mixes a natural environment with a community atmosphere, and each workspace has views over the trees.

Co-working, dedicated hot desks, private boutique booths, small office spaces, private offices and meeting rooms are all on offer for those who would like to work in the sociallydistanced company of others away from home – but not too far.

Additionally, The Hive – which has a sister site in Stone Street, Cranbrook – promises hyper-fast secure internet connectivity, on-site hospitality in the gallery café, cycle hire and electric car-charging points.

For further information, or to book a tour, call 0800 0129 555 or 01580 715 772, or visit hivehubs.buzz

n Prices on plots still available range from £775,000 to £850,000 n Travel into London by train from Buxted Station or Stonegate Station n Book a private viewing by calling 01435 220 435

STUNNING NEW HOMES

T U NBRID G E WELLS COMMUTE TO LONDON IN UNDER AN HOUR KNIGHTS WOOD

Stylish new 3 and 4 bedroom homes Prices start from £490,000

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New luxury apartments and 2 bed mews homes Prices start from £299,950

Our new homes offer you the comfort, style and quality you deserve - reserve now.

Assisted Move Available* | Help to Buy Available* SAVE UP TO £15,000 WITH THE STAMP DUT Y HOLIDAY Contact our sales team for full details.

FIND YOUR DREAM HOME - CONTACT US TODAY SHOW HOMES OPEN 7 DAYS - BY APPOINTMENT ONLY: KNIGHTS WOOD - Knights Park - just of Knights Way - Call: 01892 800 580 1887 - The Wells Building, Lower Pantiles, off Linden Park Road - Call: 01892 726112

For full details visit dandara.com *Available on selected plots, subject to house type and purchase price. Specification may vary subject to house type and build stage. Full details available on request. Price and details correct at time of going to print. Images shown are indicative only. Stamp duty saving dependent on purchase price. Stamp duty holiday ends 31st March 2021.

n o t a e h e h t p u n r Tu t n u h y t r e p o r p r u yo th i w r e m this sum rty e p o r P J KM

WADHURST

£500,000

LANGTON GREEN

£825,000

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£400,000

Fantastic semi-detached country cottage with recently fitted hardwood sash windows, set in semi-rural location and within 1/2 an hour walk from Wadhurst Station (*according to Google). Double aspect living room with log burner, dining room with log burner, country kitchen with butler sink and sun room. Two double bedrooms with built in storage cupboards, and a family bathroom. beautiful front and rear gardens, detached garage and a workshop EPC D

Substantial 5 bedroom detached family home with garage and driveway; Entrance hall, living room open through to the dining/family room with vaulted ceiling, rooflights and bifold doors onto the rear garden, fully fitted kitchen and utility area with integrated appliances, downstairs cloakroom and guest suite. Master suite, 3 further bedrooms and a family bathroom. Extensive rear garden and insulated home office. EPC D

A chain free character 3 bedroom end of terraced house, that has been lovingly maintained by it’s current owners and is situated within a short distance of shops, schools and the mainline stations. Accommodation comprises : Cosy living room with fireplace, dining room, modern kitchen and bathroom and 3 bedrooms.

Outside offers a garden to the front, and a rear lawn garden with patio area and timber shed. Floorplan and EPC to follow.

CRANBROOK

LANGTON GREEN

RUSTHALL

OIRO £375,000

A charming Grade II listed 2 bedroom cottage, close to shops and cafes. This beautiful home with exposed beams is within a short walk of Cranbrook School and comprises : Entrance lobby, cloakroom, spacious living room with inglenook fireplace, generous modern fitted kitchen, two double bedrooms one with en-suite shower room, bathroom, and large top floor landing with space for a desk. Garden to the front, and a good size courtyard style rear garden. There is a free car park opposite the property. EPC E

£436,000

Would you like to live in Langton Green? Are you looking for something a bit quirky? Then this could be the property for you! In the same ownership for the past 30 years, the current owners have loved living here. Period family home with detached garage, lounge with bay window, dining room with a charming inglenook fireplace, fitted kitchen, downstairs shower room and downstairs W.C., 3 double bedrooms and a family bathroom. Pretty garden to the side with a paved patio area for alfresco dining, EPC D

www.kmjproperty.co.uk

01892 515188

£550,000

Extremely well presented detached family home with garage and driveway. Lounge, dining room, newly fitted kitchen with crushed glass worktop, conservatory, downstairs shower room, 4 bedrooms and upstairs family bathroom. Garage and driveway giving plenty of off road parking.

Compact but well maintained garden with raised paved patio area and lawn with areas of planting with mature shrubs and plants. Double glazing and gas fired heating. EPC D.

sales@kmjproperty.co.uk

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Wednesday September 2 | 2020

This week’s best property buys…

Since estate agents were told they could start selling properties again after the government eased lockdown measures, the housing market has experienced a bounce – both in terms of buyers and sellers. Here are our top picks of what’s on the market locally this week

Somerville Gardens Tunbridge Wells ASKING PRICE

£1,950,000 CONTACT

Hamptons International, Tunbridge Wells 01892 516 611 • hamptons.co.uk An extremely handsome seven/eight-bedroom detached Victorian property in a no through road just off Mount Ephraim, within walking distance of the town centre and The Common.

In the past the house was split into three apartments, and is now divided into a main four-bedroom home and three-bedroom selfcontained top floor apartment. The two could easily be integrated, but the existing flexibility could prove very useful.

The property retains many period features, enjoys colourful gardens and has the benefit of extensive off-street parking.

n Large, well-proportioned rooms with exceptional features such as original fireplaces, decorative cornices and ceiling roses n Spacious entrance hall n The elegant drawing room has a wide bay window and a fine marble surround fireplace within an attractive archway with windows either side n There are three further reception rooms n The large kitchen/breakfast room is exceptionally well fitted and equipped n In addition to the bedrooms, there are several excellent bath/shower rooms n On the top floor, the self-contained apartment enjoys far-reaching views towards the North Downs n Outside, the landscaped gardens include a patio, lawned areas, mature trees, seating areas, a summerhouse and a shed n There is a detached garage, and the generous drive provides space for several vehicles

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Hurstwood Park Tunbridge Wells GUIDE PRICE

£1,150,000 CONTACT

Jackson-Stops, Tunbridge Wells 01892 521 700 • jackson-stops.co.uk An elegant five-bedroom neo-Regency-style detached family home in an exclusive cul-de-sac off Bishops Down Road, near The Common and The Spa Hotel.

Built in 1993 by Berkeley Homes, the property offers excellent accommodation and lies within an exceptionally large plot of just under a third of an acre.

The superb landscaped gardens have a woodland view and are an outstanding feature.

n The traditional detailing includes decorative coving and cornicing and double-glazed sash windows n A canopied portico entrance leads to the entrance hall n The impressive double-aspect drawing room has a Victorian-style fireplace with marble surround and granite hearth. French doors open to the terrace n An archway leads to a further area currently used as a music room n The dining room also looks out over the rear garden n There is a good-size study with an extensive range of bookshelving, ideal for use as a home office n The well-arranged kitchen/breakfast room has black and white tiling, plus a utility room off n The Master bedroom has built-in wardrobes and an en-suite bathroom n Four further bedrooms are served by a family bathroom n The wonderful gardens include a terrace, a raised circular patio, a level lawn, roses, shrubs, a beautiful honey locust tree (Gleditsia), a vegetable bed and a wooded area. Plus there is a greenhouse, garden store and ‘secret path’ n A block-paved driveway provides plenty of parking and leads to a detached double garage/workshop

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A D V E R TIS IN G FE ATU R E

WELCOME TO OUR NEW FORTNIGHTLY COLUMN

“ASK ANDY”

“I have a set budget and only want my architect to design what I can afford. What happens if I get planning permission and then when the builders tender, I can’t afford to do the work?”

Mrs J. Tunbridge Wells Chicken and egg spring to mind.

There is nothing more disappointing than committing time and money to the planning process and then finding out you can’t afford to take on your project. Then you have to commit more time and money to additional fees and submissions, having just wasted precious funds on a project that was aborted before it even began.

All very disappointing.

I think the first thing to clear up is that industry square meterage pricing charts are a guide ONLY. Unfortunately they do not allow enough details to be entered to throw up anything other than a very loose price estimate. They have value but be mindful that they are not specific, they are a guide.

Our advice would be to meet several reputable builders, shortlist one or two based on their references and past work. If they are recommended, all the better. Do your homework, check them out.If they are local and have done similar work to your proposed project, perhaps directly in your neighbourhood, fantastic ! They may have even done very similar work on similar properties. In which case they can give you a very good idea of how much your project should cost based on real work completed on your doorstep.

Once you have established what your money can buy you, then involve your architect. At this point if you have decided which builder you are using, get your architect and builder together. Invite open communication. Work together. Use your team effectively. Never lose site of your budget and remember a sensible contingency.

We are inviting any building related queries that you may have to be directed via our contact page on our website: amann buildingcontractors. co.uk. or on 0330 128 1021.We will endeavour to answer any industry related queries that you might have.

Discretion is the Better Part of Valour The property market has changed astronomically

At SJD we work to source the right developers for

in the past few decades, bringing in a new era

your site - all of our sales are made confidentially

of off-market and private sales.

thus protecting both your identity and your

Unlike conventional methods, we offer discreet

individual interests.

marketing where details of your site are not openly marketed. Private sales generate a sense of exclusivity, boosting the likelihood of a quick and hassle-free transaction.

If you have a development opportunity that you would like to sell off-market, please contact us for a free appraisal.

Contact Stephen Donnelly on

07739 514350 or 0845 456 8969 Web: sjd-projects.com email: steve@sjd-projects.com

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ARTS & CULTURE LIFE & STYLE FOOD & DRINK MOTORING SPORT and MORE...

IN PRINT AND ONLINE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK timeslocalnews.co.uk

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xx new chapter A Page xx

The bookshop xxx turning 21 xx

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JAZZ ON THE PANTILES RETURNS

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TOAST THE END OF SUMMER

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ISLAND ESCAPE

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BACK TO THE BOOKCASE

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Out & About

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out&about 7 days of activities

By Jerome Bowman

Following the ongoing easing of the Coronavirus lockdown many of our favourite beauty spots, galleries, museums and places of interest are now open. Here’s where to go this week...

DINO DISASTER Jurrasic Park is on at the Odeon

CASTLE CAPERS Kick in the Head productions are returning to Chiddingstone Castle on September 5 for two plays. The first play, Wind in the Willows, starts at 2.30pm, and will be perfect for children aged four and up. This is an interactive performance, with social distancing measures in place of course, and promises to tell the classic tale of concerned mammals Mole, Ratty and Badger as they try to keep their amphibiously-inclined and adrenaline-addicted friend Mr Toad in check.

Later in the day, Three Men in a Boat will be continuing the theme of messing about in watercraft in Jerome K. Jerome’s classic comedic adventure. Tickets to either play start at £10.51.

For more information and to book, go online to chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/whats-on CINEMA-SAURUS The Odeon cinema are showing plenty of new films and some classics, including the beloved reptile long-play Jurrasic Park. An ambitious

Wednesday September 2 | 2020

billionaire has harnessed scientific advancements and technology to bring dinosaurs back to life through advanced cloning, and he has built a theme park to show them to the world in.

The adventure that ensues is probably not covered by travel insurance, but whether you’re looking for the nostalgic experience, or hoping to introduce the young ones to a classic this is the best way to watch. The film is showing on September 3 and starts at 7.45pm.To book, go to odeon.co.uk PICTURE PERFECT The Fairfax Gallery will be holding its 25th Summer Exhibition at its gallery on the Lower Walks of the Pantiles. The exhibition will feature original contemporary art by established, award-winning and emerging artists. In accordance with current Government guidelines, special care has been take to ensure that the gallery is extra clean and well ventilated, and any art depicting crowd scenes has been retouched to express proper social distancing guidelines.

Attendance is free, and the gallery is open, from 11-4pm on Thursdays and Fridays and 10-5pm on Saturdays. The exhibition runs until September 8.

For more information, go to fairfaxgallery.com

MOTOR MADNESS The Wind and the Willows comes to Chiddingstone for the children to explore, including the giant swings, pirate ships and the Board Walk, and the grounds and gardens make for a pleasant stroll.

The cafe will be open and the birds of prey display will also be on twice each day and the birds will be wearing PPE. You will need to pre-book to visit, so for more information on available time slots and tickets, go online to groombridgeplace.com

PLEASANT PENSHURST The historic manor and gardens of Penshurst Place are open again, and there’s plenty to see and do for all the family. The Baron’s Hall in the main house is open to visitors, as well as the formal gardens, woodland trail and the adventure playground. When you are done exploring, you can stop at the Porcupine Cafe for a hot drink and a snack. You will need to pre-book for the day you want to visit, and choose a morning or afternoon arrival. For more information on what’s available, visit penshurstplace.com

HISTORY AND HERITAGE We have so many beautiful National Trust properties on our doorstep and most of their gardens and grounds are open again. Bodiam Castle, Igtham Mote and Emmetts Garden are just some of the places you can visit. Like most places of interest though you have to book your slot before going along. Visit nationaltrust.org.uk to see the relevant details for the aforementioned as well as other National Trust places of interest in Kent and Sussex.

A GRAND DAY OUT Enjoy the distinctive gardens and play areas in Groombridge Place, which is now open every day.

Except for the tree-top walk and the maze, the whole site is open. There are plenty of fun areas

JAZZ IT UP The town’s favourite summer event, Jazz on the Pantiles, is back in a new socially distanced format. You must book to attend Dinner Jazz, but at just £5 per person you get seating, service and

The most exciting craft event in the South East

Special Reader Offer

£10

using Discount Code

CRAFT2020*

10 – 13 September

Hever Castle & Gardens TN8 7NG

Purchase direct from the very best makers in the UK

Putting the WOW back into Craft Fairs

Advanced Booking is required as tickets are being limited due to Covid-19 precautions. See website for full details and admission costs. *Offer codes valid for adults and seniors on dates of craft fair only.

9.30am – 5.30pm Daily (Garden open until 6pm daily)

Admission to garden also gives admission to the craft fair.

Free entry for Hever Castle Annual Members but advanced booking required.

CIF_Hever_20_160x284.indd 1

30/07/2020 09:23

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Out & About

to see entertainer and master keyboardist Dino Baptiste. With an eclectic repertoire of blues, boogie woogie, rock & roll, mainstream classics and current cover songs, this performance is bound to have something for everyone. The Tunbridge Wells Hotel, The Kirthon Indian and the Casa Vecchia are all taking part, so grab some dinner and enjoy the Jazz. The fun starts at 7pm on Thursdays. For more information, visit facebook.com/JazzOnThePantiles

MUSIC TO OUR EARS Dino Baptiste is playing on The Pantiles

STEAM AND GIN The Victorians enjoyed both trains and juniper-flavoured distilled alcohol and you can too on the Spa Valley Railway’s Gin and Steam day [Saturday September 5]. Get on at Tunbridge Wells West at 2pm for a return trip to Groombridge, and enjoy the scenery whilst being served a selection of gins from the Marden-based Anno Distillery. Three drinks are included in the price of the ticket and you purchase gin cocktails from the carriage bar. For more information and to book tickets, which cost £30 per person, go online to spavalleyrailway.co.uk

A DAY IN THE COUNTRY Enjoy a tipple on the train at The Spa Valley Railway

COMEDY CHAOS Live from Trinity Theatre’s sociallydistanced garden venue comes comedy foursome The Noise Next Door. These impish improvisers will be hitting the town on Thursday at 7.30pm [September 3], and promise to bring their anarchic blend of songs, scenes and silliness in full force.

They have sold out their Edinburgh Fringe 12 times, so they are clearly really good. Tickets cost £17.50 and can be booked online at trinitytheatre.net GARDEN GAGS If you fancy a more local laugh, Trinity Theatre’s Friday Comedy Club has been resurrected, this time in their own secret garden

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(don’t tell anyone we told you about it). The club has a mystery line-up of three cracking comedians and a ticket will get you seating, table service and a delicious meal. This week, choose from two different tagines, a great summer dish, and enjoy your meal while trying not to laugh with your mouth full. Tickets cost £22.50. To book, visit www.trinitytheatre.net

PYRAMID SCHEME The Noise Next Door is coming to Trinity Theatre

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Wednesday September 2 | 2020

“The joy of a secondhand bookshop is that you never know what you’ll find” The Oxfam bookshop in Chapel Place is one of Tunbridge Wells’ most cherished places.

It may be small in size but it’s certainly big on content, boasting both rare and popular tomes. This year it celebrates its 21st birthday so Eileen Leahy spoke to its manager Sandra Cousins about the secret of its success and how they coped during lockdown

VALUABLE VOLUNTEERS The Oxfam bookshop on Chapel Place is run by a lot of different volunteers

How many work in your team of volunteers?

In ordinary times we have a team of about 40, most of them doing one morning or afternoon a week, ranging in age from 14 to over 80. Many have been with us for many years, one since the year we opened. They are a very loyal group and many lasting friendships have been formed.

We hold regular shop meetings so that those on different shifts can meet each other and once a year have a meal in a local restaurant by way of a thank you to the volunteers for their hard work.

So Sandra, let’s start with you telling us a little bit about the shop’s history…

It opened at 6 Chapel Place 21 years ago in May 1999 and was an immediate success with the booklovers of Tunbridge Wells. Over the years the level of donations and quality of the stock has gone up and up and the shop has become something of a Tardis, squeezing more and more shelves into its tiny space!

Do you have lots of regular visitors to the shop?

Customers are very loyal and we make sure we have new books out all the time so there’s always something different to find. It’s a huge wrench for some donors to part with books but they know that we value what they give us and trust us to raise as much money as we can, whilst still keeping prices fair.

How long have you been at the shop and what do you enjoy about your role there?

I joined the shop as a volunteer shortly after it opened in 1999, when my children were still at primary school. Now I’m a grandmother and celebrated my tenth anniversary as Manager during lockdown. I have always loved books but also enjoy the challenge of constantly striving to increase sales and meet targets, which I am proud to say we have always achieved.

“Tunbridge Wells is a reading town, full of book groups, poetry societies and creative writers” Why are they so loyal to you?

We get to know our customers’ likes and can look out for books they will want. We love seeing children sitting quietly in the corner, totally absorbed in a book. Over the years we have hosted poetry evenings, quiz nights and shop takeovers – we’d love to do more but space is ever more restricted by the sheer number of books.

Given digital and downloading is now so common why is it so important to have a proper bookshop presence?

Tunbridge Wells is a reading town, full of book groups, poetry societies and creative writers. People like to be able to pop in, have a chat about books, get ideas from our volunteers and from each other. The joy of a charity

or secondhand bookshop is that you never know what you will find – forgotten childhood reads, long-lost favourite novels, or beautifully bound books that are a joy to handle.

Do you receive regular donations from both residents and publishers or could you do with receiving more?

We are very lucky here – Tunbridge Wells has great taste in books and is very generous with donations so we rarely have more than a temporary shortage of stock.

Over the years we have been given some real gems, selling for hundreds, occasionally thousands, of pounds.

We would, though, love to receive more rock, pop and jazz vinyl and suspect that there is a lot of it hidden away, forgotten, in people’s homes! We have customers queuing up for it.

What makes selling books on behalf of Oxfam so special?

It’s great to know each book you sell gives pleasure to the buyer but also makes a real difference to someone in difficulty somewhere in the world. You often see the best of people here – I still remember the huge number of cash donations we took after the 2004 tsunami and only last week someone dropped in to donate a cheque for £100 for Oxfam’s Coronavirus appeal.

What are the benefits of being a volunteer?

Working with so many volunteers, all of whom have chosen to give their time and energy to Oxfam, is inspiring, though they would know I was fibbing if I didn’t say that it can also have its challenges! We are all always learning, finding markets for things we hadn’t thought valuable, and getting better at spotting true treasures.

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Our volunteers have many reasons for joining but all are united by a commitment to Oxfam’s work and values. The shops really are the public face of the charity and I think our volunteers are proud of that.

n We actually get the best return for space

in our music section, particularly CDs and rock, pop and jazz vinyl records– clearly our customers have not all converted to streaming! n Children’s books sell very well, as do modern paperback fiction, art, esoteric, cookery and travel. n Less popular are sport and, perhaps surprisingly, biography. We sell things you won’t find easily elsewhere in town, like foreign language books, and we have a very well curated stock of sheet music.

“We would love to receive more rock, pop and jazz vinyl and suspect that there is a lot of it hidden away, forgotten, in people’s homes!”

How have you managed to continue trading since the new social distancing and safety measures came into place?

I had not visited another shop between March 23 and my return to the bookshop in early July, so I was a little apprehensive about reopening.

Before opening we deep cleaned the shop, removed some fittings and rearranged others to increase space. About half our volunteers have returned so far, and we are putting safety first in

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READ ALL ABOUT IT: CHAPEL PLACE OXFAM BOOKSHOP’S MOST POPULAR PICKS

How did lockdown affect you and were you still able to keep a presence in people’s minds?

Lockdown was a shock to us, as to everyone. I was very impressed with the work that Oxfam did to keep in touch with and support volunteers throughout. A very small team mostly working

from home put out a weekly volunteers’ newsletter and ran training sessions via Zoom on topics from social media to online selling to climate change. They also phoned volunteers living alone to check on their welfare. One of our volunteers, Sally, kept our shop’s Twitter feed going throughout lockdown, while I was furloughed, and did a great job of reminding people how important Oxfam’s work is in times of global crisis.

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everything. Social distancing is important and we, like our customers, all wear face coverings and are getting through litres of sanitiser. There is a protective screen at the till, and a rigorous cleaning routine each day.

And how are you able to sustain your fundraising during this time?

Obviously, the coronavirus crisis has an impact on sales so we are putting a lot of effort into boosting our income through the Oxfam Online Shop. Our Deputy Manager, Laurie Palmer, devotes much of his time to this. We see this as being a huge growth area for us as a shop and for Oxfam and a way to both recoup some of the vital funds lost in lockdown and to make us more resilient to any future limits on shop opening.

What will you be doing for your special 21st anniversary?

It was the shop’s 21st birthday and my 10th

anniversary as Manager during lockdown. Sadly, it’s not really possible or appropriate to celebrate until our whole team can gather together again so we are just hoping for a really huge Christmas party this year! Or maybe we can start a trend for celebrating 22nd birthdays!

Why is it so important for people to support their local charity shop?

Charity shops have never been so important – the financial consequences of lockdown to all charities, large or small, are huge. Beneficiaries of charitable funds and support in this country and others are really suffering and will continue to suffer into the future. In so many of the countries where Oxfam works, Coronavirus is having a devastating effect on families who already have limited access to proper sanitation, clean water and soap. In places like Yemen, Syria and Rohingya refugee camps, people have lost incomes and are struggling to feed their children.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IF YOU WANT TO DONATE BOOKS – OR YOUR TIME Like most charity shops, Oxfam asks people to book before bringing donations as they need to be sure they can be safely stored and quarantined for 48 hours before sorting them. We have fewer staff in the shop because of social distancing, so would easily be overwhelmed by large post lockdown donations not planned in advance.

And if you’d like to volunteer then please do get in touch.

Check out Oxfam’s online shop at https:// www.oxfam.org.uk/shop or you can donate to Oxfam’s Coronavirus Appeal at https://donate.oxfam.org.uk/appeal/ coronavirus

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Wednesday September 2 | 2020

La vie en rosé R Toast the last days of summer by treating your tastebuds to these perfect rosé wines from Provençe says Times Drinks Editor James Viner

ANGING south and east from the Luberon massif and rich in flora and fauna, sunny Provence is the most Mediterranean wine district of mainland France with stunning vineyards sweeping across roughly 120 miles. 2019 saw 170 million bottles of AOP wines produced, 90% of which were rosé, 6% red and just 4% white.

Pink Provence was the first Roman prefecture outside of Italy but before that it had been settled by Phoenicians and Greeks (and the rest). Winemaking goes back over 2,500 years and it seems that from the beginning, pink wine was the order of the day.

Centuries later pink wine sales are booming with a 40 per cent surge in global consumption between 2002 and 2018 while other still wines

hardly achieved single-digit rises.

Global pink-wine production has tripled in the past twenty-five years.

Provençal rosé now alone accounts for nearly 10% of the world’s pink wine output with France by far its largest market (pink wine sales have eclipsed white in France since 2009).

The main grape varieties are Syrah, fruit-bringing Grenache, light-skinned Cinsault, Tibouren and Mourvèdre. Synonymous with sunshine and the summer, Provence’s exceptionally versatile pale rosés are a perfect match for grilled meats, moussaka, seafood, salads and chèvre — ideal for chic, socially-distanced, late summer alfresco gatherings involving picnics, beaches, barbecues and gardens. Whatever the early September weather brings, with a glass of Provence rosé in hand, sophisticated summer ambience is just a sip away!

September at Salomons It’s back!

Salomons Sunday Lunch

Traditional English Afternoon Tea

To celebrate the return of the Great British Sunday Lunch, you can now enjoy our traditional three course lunch for the price of two courses, just £24.50 pp. Includes a delicious choice of three dishes for each course.

Children always welcome, just £13.50 per child* for three courses.

Reservations available on Sunday 20th September only, midday to 5pm.

overlooking our picturesque grounds Just £17.50 pp, available every Monday in September only midday to 4pm.

To book please visit www.salomons-estate.com call 01892 628187 or email reception@salomons-estate.com *Children’s menu available for guests aged 10yrs and under.

To book please visit www.salomons-estate.com

or call 01892 628187 or email reception@salomons-estate.com

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Last days of summer selection 1) MAJESTIC QUAFFING ROSÉ THAT’S CHIC POOLSIDE SUNBATHING IN A GLASS: Château Peyrassol, Cuvée Réserve des Templiers Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2019; Majestic, £10.49 Alc 12.5% There is a real joy to this crisp, medium-bodied, Grenache/Cinsault-forward rosé, which dances dazzlingly and pungently out of the glass, a mass of crunchy red berries, citrus, florals and watermelon, with a zing of pink grapefruit acidity on the finish. It makes for a very quaffable summer garden pink for deckchair drinking either solo or with a bowl of bouillabaisse, garlic prawns, grilled fish, tapas or Mediterranean vegetables. Seize it when you place your order for six bottles (with free delivery).

2) ORGANIC, PREMIER OWN-LABEL ROSÉ FROM THE FORMER EXPAT OWNER OF CHATEAU. MIRAVAL (TOM BOVE): Berry Bros & Rudd [BBR] Provence Rosé by Château la Mascaronne, Côtes de Provence 2019; BBR, £15.95 Alc 13.5% Château la Mascaronne rosé is superb – and (for now) still fairly under the radar.

It’s all tastebud-tingling, herbal, blossom and savoury notes with layers of red fruit, saline mineral grip and a crisp, leafy acidity.

The word impeccable springs to mind.

Refreshing, organic, food-friendly and ready to go, this is

brilliant with pissaladière, charcuterie, camembert, sushi and salade niçoise. A fantastic buy offering more than just refreshment. It always sells out fast, so act quickly. Delicious drinking!

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3) COMPLEX, FULL-BODIED, ORGANIC & BIODYNAMIC EPICUREAN ROSÉ FROM A 208HA VINEYARD ADJOINING A LUXURY SPA HOTEL COMPLEX: Château La Coste, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence 2019; Jaded Palates, Quercus Wines, WineBuyers & HonestGrapes, £17.95£20.80 Alc 13.5% This is a mid-pink coloured, biodynamic and organic marvel of peaches, pears and earthy red fruits, alongside a hint of pink peppercorn. Three grapes fermented in stainless steel here: grenache (60%), syrah (30%) and cinsault (10%).

Gastronomic and textured, this is a tangy showstopper that can tackle everything from soft cheeses, aïoli with crunchy crudités, Thai cuisine, grilled red mullet/tuna, shellfish, salmon with potatoes or ratatouille to a roast leg of lamb (hot off the BBQ perhaps?) with ease. It has plenty to offer and yet it feels immaculate.

Not cheap but long, seamless, flavoursome and VERY classy.

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Follow James on Twitter @QuixoticWine

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SPLASH OUT: PROVENÇAL ROSÉ ANYONE? ‘Garrus’ is the most expensive wine at Sacha Lichine’s elevated Château d’Esclans, which is well known for its triumphant Whispering Angel brand.

Lichine’s wines actually make up a whopping 6.5% of the entire output of the massive Côtes de Provence appellation.

Garrus has astonishing gracefulness and length; acidity the key to its realm.

Masterful winemaking. Just £94.99-£148 a bottle for the 2018 vintage at North & South Wines/Hedonism Wines! The latter sells the 2015 and 2018 vintages in a double magnum (300cl) for a snip: £495. Wallow in sybaritic splendour. www.hedonism.co.uk

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Is it worth taking a punt on winter sun bargains in the Canary Islands?

Quarantine restrictions may currently apply, but if you’re prepared to book ahead there are some great deals on offer in Lanzarote. By Sarah Marshall.

WINTER SUN Spanish destinatons are looking ahead after a troubled summer

HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST DEALS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE

I

T WAS one of the early travel corridor beneficiaries, but when Spain was removed from the UK’s safe travel list after only a few weeks, despondency within the travel industry set in.

A rise in coronavirus cases across Europe has resulted in quarantine restrictions being slapped on multiple destinations, forcing travellers to cancel holidays.

Spain’s summer season may almost be over, but resorts and hotels are now looking towards the months ahead.

Michelle Braddock, who runs holiday home rental company Lanzarote Retreats (lanzaroteretreats.com) with her partner Tila, relies on UK tourists for 60-70% of her business.

“Whilst a small percentage are still coming, it is a very challenging time for our business,” she admits. “Luckily we have welcomed more Spanish guests this summer, who tend to book later than Brits. Many Spaniards have their holidays in August, so the challenge will come in September. Feelings for the future are very mixed” Favoured as a winter sun destination, the Canary Islands still have a chance of boosting booking later this year, once concerns around a second wave of the

pandemic have subsided.

Oliver Horton, who runs Wine Tours Lanzarote (winetourslanzarote.com), offering experiences and tours of the island’s vineyards and craft breweries, is upbeat.

ATTRACTIONS “We are all trying to remain positive, and many of us have been working behind the scenes to improve and expand our offerings when the market picks up,” he says. “The vibe on the island is, of course, very quiet at the moment, but there are a selection of bars and restaurants open and the main attractions have now reopened too. The sun, of course, is still shining!”

Always check the latest travel updates (and your travel insurance cover and any other relevant booking information) before making plans. But if you’re prepared to book ahead, there are some great deals to be found – particularly on the island of Lanzarote.

Most operators now offer free cancellations and flight amendments, making it possible to book in advance without the worry of potentially losing out financially. Make sure your holiday is ATOL protected for even greater peace of mind.

Teletext Holidays (teletextholidays. co.uk; 0208 729 3153) offer seven nights at the Occidental Lanzarote Playa hotel, overlooking El Ancla beach in Costa Teguise. Price from £245 per person (two adults sharing) on a half-board basis, including flights from London on December 2.

The trip is ATOL protected and free room cancellations available (T&Cs apply).

Love Holidays (loveholidays.com) offer seven nights at the Blue Sea Costa Bastian hotel, located just a short distance away from five Blue Flag beaches. Price from £313 per person (two adults sharing) on an allinclusive basis, including flights from London on December 2. The trip is ATOL protected and free flight amendments are available (T&Cs apply).

Last Minute (lastminute.com) offer seven nights at the Grand Teguise Playa Hotel, situated directly on the beach promenade. Price from £396 per person (two adults sharing) on a

EXPERIENCES Tour providers are looking to the experience and hiking market

half-board basis, including flights from Manchester on December 2. The trip is ATOL protected and a free hotel cancellation is available (T&Cs apply).

Jet2holidays (jet2holidays.com; 0800 408 0778) offer seven nights at the adults-only Hotel Club Siroco, located in the quietest area of Costa Teguise. Price from £338 per person (two adults sharing) in a onebedroom, self-catering apartment (two adults sharing), including flights from Newcastle on December 2 and coach transport. The trip is ATOL protected.

TUI (tui.co.uk; 0203 451 2688) offer seven nights at the Riu Paraiso Lanzarote Resort, a vast property with four pools. From £482.39 per person (two adults sharing) on an allinclusive basis, including flights from Manchester on November 26.

TUI’s Holiday Promise includes the Holiday Guarantee insurance policy and free amends for new bookings (T&Cs apply).

38

Life&Times

Books

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

The bookcase…

Life in lockdown has given many the chance to fall in love with reading again. Here’s our pick of this week’s top tomes to enjoy…

FICTION

Summerwater by Sarah Moss

Published by Picador in hardback, priced £14.99 (ebook £8.99). Available now

8/10

Being stuck inside while it rains relentlessly can bring about a reflective frame of mind, and Summerwater is just that.

It follows 12 characters whose lives converge in a Scottish cabin park on a wet summer’s day, with Sarah Moss giving us a glimpse inside each miniature bubble of family life.

Every character is so completely relatable, the novel becomes almost sentient, with Moss’ pensive and eloquent descriptions flowing throughout.

Evocative, with deft touches of humour, sadness and cruelty, Summerwater perfectly encapsulates a cross-section of modern British society.

(Review by Rebecca Wilcock)

The Honey And The Sting

by EC Fremantle

Published by Michael Joseph in hardback, priced £14.99 (ebook £9.99). Available now EC Fremantle’s historical novel follows three sisters in a maze of twists and turns in 1628 England.

The narrator, Hester, carries much of the weight of the story, as she’s left to raise her illegitimate son to the Duke of Buckingham. The pacing of the plot, the tension that oozes and the occasional flirt with the supernatural grabs your attention, and Fremantle highlights the many issues women faced in the 17th century.

It’s an engaging read, however Melis – the most interesting of the sisters, who has eerie and often accurate visions of the future – lacks the development she deserves. (Review by Charlotte Kelly)

Published by Michael Joseph in hardback, priced £14.99 (ebook £7.99). Available now In Alex Pavesi’s debut novel, young book editor Julia Hart travels to a remote village in the hopes of convincing Grant McAllister, a reclusive writer, to republish his collection of detective stories.

McAllister knows the rules for murder mysteries: there must be victims, suspects, detectives and a murder, and all his stories follow this formula. However, Hart is quick to spot inconsistencies within his work, which point to a real life murder.

Eight Detectives is a clever premise, but one that doesn’t quite get off the ground and lacks the suspense of a memorable murder mystery.

Mini mysteries throughout the book pay homage to some of the best in the genre, however the stories feel rushed and the main two characters are rather underdeveloped, leaving the ending a little unsatisfying. (Review by Megan Baynes)

7/10

Published by Square Peg in hardback, priced £14.99 (ebook £9.99). Available now Mohsin Zaidi’s autobiography sets a scene where coming out seems inconceivable. It chronicles the author’s coming of age in a devout Shia Muslim community in east London: a community where the expression

of his sexuality would lead to instant ostracisation from family members and friends.

That Zaidi won the fight is evident in the way he became the first pupil from his school to attend Oxford University, going on to become a distinguished barrister working at The Hague on a war crimes trial.

A Dutiful Boy details in a delicate and highly engrossing fashion the battles he was forced to wage every step of the way – both with those around him, and deep within himself. (Review by Mark Staniforth)

AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NON-FICTION) 1. Untamed by Glennon Doyle

7/10 Eight Detectives by Alex Pavesi

A Dutiful Boy: A Memoir Of A Gay Muslim’s Journey To Acceptance by Mohsin Zaidi

8/10

Wednesday September 2 | 2020

2. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig 3. Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE WEEK

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

Published by Atom in hardback, priced £20 (ebook £10.99). Available now The latest installment in the world-famous Twilight saga, Midnight Sun, is a book 12 years in the making. For all its hype, Bella and Edward’s romance finally re-told from the vampire’s perspective is, disappointingly, a little uninspiring.

Though filled with nostalgia for avid Twilight fans, Edward’s lengthy and often repetitive narrative may not be enough to hold the attention of a more casual reader.

The book, previously leaked as an unfinished draft in 2008, shows an insight into Edward’s intense, verging-on-obsessive behaviour, that may have been better left to the imagination of its young fans. The young adult novel will satisfy readers itching for more from the vampiric saga, but isn’t quite filled with enough untold backstory from the 104-year-old protagonist to make Edward’s re-telling of the romance a must-read (Review by Emily Chudy)

4. Hysteria by LJ Ross 5. Ayoade On Ayoade by Richard Ayoade 6. Fing by David Walliams 7. Mythos by Stephen Fry 8. Where The Crawdads Sing

by Delia Owens 9. Becoming by Michelle Obama 10. Disobedience by Naomi Alderman (Compiled by Audible)

6/10

CODEWORD 4

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SPORTS COVERAGE SUSPENDED Because of restricted local sport due to Covid-19 the decision has been taken, with much reluctance, to temporarily suspend the regular sporting news that would appear on these back pages. Normal service will be resumed soon.

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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.

9 4 5

2 4

7 6 2 4

6 2

Codeword:

4 2 8 6

6 7 2 5

8 3 1

9 7 6

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

1 3 5 6

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© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

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DIFFICULTY RATING:★★✩✩

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2 8

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2 9 7

3 2

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

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39

LAST EDITION’S ANSWERS

SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU

DIFFICULTY RATING: ★★★★

CLASSIFIEDS

Life&Times

Puzzles

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 a forthcoming issue

T S H A I N K S Y O T U E D R B U M

M W O I O N A V O M R E J E C T O R N I T S T E M S A C E R B O G A R U P R AM I N D O P Q I R E A U F R R E F

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

Sudoku:

4 6 2 1 3 9 8 5 7

1 8 5 2 7 4 3 6 9

9 3 7 8 6 5 2 1 4

2 7 4 6 9 8 1 3 5

8 5 1 4 2 3 9 7 6

3 9 6 7 5 1 4 8 2

7 4 3 9 1 6 5 2 8

1 9 5 3 8 4 6 7 2

7 8 3 6 1 2 9 5 4

3 1 9 8 4 5 7 2 6

5 2 8 3 4 7 6 9 1

6 1 9 5 8 2 7 4 3

Jigsaw Sudoku:

2 7 4 1 9 3 8 6 5

5 4 8 7 3 6 2 9 1

6 3 1 9 2 8 5 4 7

4 2 6 5 7 9 1 8 3

8 5 7 2 6 1 4 3 9

9 6 2 4 5 7 3 1 8

We could save you £129* on your car insurance in Tunbridge Wells Not only will our expert advisors at our Tunbridge Wells branch help find you the right price, we’ll also make sure you’re fully covered.

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AP2008/06

www.aplan.co.uk/tunbridge-wells * 67% of new car clients saved money, with an average saving of £129 between August 2019 and January 2020. A-Plan Insurance is a trading style of A-Plan Holdings who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 2 Des Roches Square, Witney, OX28 4LE. Registration number 750484.

AP200806_Car savings tunbridge wells.indd 1

04/08/2020 16:42:48

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday September 2 | 2020

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