Local, National and International
OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Company faces online shaming following email interview fiasco
Charities love local lotto launch INSIDE The town’s new lottery will benefit good causes
PHOTO: BBC South East
By Adam Hignett
adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk
THE reputation of a small ventilation company has been left in tatters this week after an insulting email chain that was accidentally sent to a job applicant, made national headlines. Anna Jacobs, from Horsmonden, had applied for an office administrator position at Tecomak Environmental Services, based in Hadlow Road, Tonbridge.
Furious The company invited her along for an interview by sending her an email. However, attached to the formal response was a series of derogatory comments meant only for internal distribution. Among the comments was a suggestion any interview would only be worth the business’s time ‘for a laugh’. Speaking to the BBC Ms Jacobs said she was ‘furious’ at the ‘absolutely awful summary’, which read: “Home educated oddball. Can’t get a job since leaving uni. Forages for mushrooms. “Difficult to assess from her CV - might be very good but equally could be a biscuit short
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Wednesday May 17 | 2017
THE countdown is underway for the first numbers to be drawn in the Tunbridge Wells Lotto that will raise thousands of pounds each year for local charities. The opening draw for the £25,000 jackpot that the public can win, will take place on July 8. Tickets will go on sale June 14. Last week saw dozens of people from the charity sector gather at the Town Hall to celebrate the new online initiative. The idea for a local lotto on Saturdays was announced by the council in October as cuts to community grants meant more inventive ways of channelling money to good causes needed to be found. Charities are now being urged to sign up for the online lottery by setting up their own page on the website; 60p in every £1 will be going to local good causes.
Among the first to join last week was John Martin, the director of Trinity Theatre, who told the audience: “Most of us in this room are facing a future where funding is becoming tighter and we need to look for innovative ways to raise money.” He said setting up the theatre’s profile on the site was ‘incredibly easy’ and encouraged others to follow their example.
‘The effort you put in will determine what you get out’ Giving an overview of the concept was Ben Spear of Gatherwell, the company contracted by the council to run the scheme. Mr Spear said the lottery would allow individual players to select the good cause of their choice when buying a ticket. He said it was up to the organisations themselves to make the most of the opportunity.
“The effort you put in will determine what you get out,” he told those at the Town Hall. Those causes that sign up are given their own page on the website outlining what they are all about. They have the option of publicly displaying funding targets – similar to those found on websites such as Justgiving – so that donors have a target to aim for. The model is similar to that used by the Tonbridge and Malling, who launched their Hive Lotto in September. Estimates for their first full year of operation suggest they will raise around £7,500 for good causes in the area. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council believe their own lotto will raise between just under £9,000 and £27,600 in the first year – figures based on a range of factors regarding the number of players and the number of tickets they buy.
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JUST THE TICKET: Charity workers, council officers and lottery staff celebrate the unveiling of Tunbridge Wells Lotto last week.