Times of Tunbridge Wells 21st February 2018

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

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By Jonathan Banks ONE of the most colourful characters on television, Michael Portillo, will be handing out the honours at this year’s Times Business Awards... a gala night that has become one of the leading social and networking events of the year.

It will be the third time that the event has taken place. In the first two years nearly 400 companies and individuals put themselves forward across ten categories ranging from start-ups to Outstanding Business of the Year.

Local, National and International

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Gingerbread Man spices up half marathon HITTING THE ROAD: More than 1,400 runners took to the streets of Tunbridge Wells at the weekend for the town’s 35th half marathon.Setting the pace was Steve Chivers in his colourful costume. Full story with pictures pages 8,9,10

NEW SIGNS OF LIFE Work finally begins on the old cinema site Page 2

MURDER SHE WROTE

Agatha Christie’s timeless thriller is on at Trinity Page 58

Footsteps This year’s host is Michael Portillo the former MP and defence Secretary who is today more focused on his television documentaries. He filmed his first Great British Railroad Journeys for the BBC in 2009 and is known to viewers for his brightly attire.

In presenting the awards he follows in the footsteps of the former MP and Minister Edwina Curry and BBC 2 DJ Ken Bruce.

The awards ceremony will be held at Salomons in Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday June13.

For more details see page 4

INSIDE

PHOTO: Blue Pig Photography

Former Tory Minister on track to present this year’s business awards

Times

All the news that matters

Police defy national trend by recruiting 200 extra officers

By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk KENT POLICE will boost the force by an additional 200 officers next year – against a backdrop of swingeing cuts to other forces nationwide.

This is on top of the 200 normally recruited each year to replace officers who have left the police for various reasons.

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, has given the green light for the Chief Constable Alan Pughsley to embark upon what he called Kent Police’s ‘most significant recruitment drive for a generation’.

The extra officers along with 80 additional backroom staff, will cost £9million a year and will be paid for by increasing council tax by £1 a month following support from the general public for the idea of more bobbies on the beat.

‘The most significant recruitment drive for a generation’ Commissioner Matthew Scott

According to Home Office figures published last summer, since Theresa May became Home Secretary in 2010 the number of officers across the UK has fallen by 21,500.

After his funding proposal for the next 12 months was approved, Mr Scott told the Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel: “This will boost the front line quite substantially.

“We’ll be able to recruit up to 200 new police officers next year, with a commitment from the Chief Constable that a substantial number of those will go into supporting local policing.”

In addition to any cutbacks, the county loses around 200 police officers every year to retirement, transfers to other forces, career change, injury and ill health.

Continued on page 2

SPRUCE UP SALADS Treat yourself to a taste of the winter season Page 64

TACKLING PROBLEMS Wells fight back but it sadly comes all too late Page 78

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999 calls have been increasing Continued from page 1 ON THE BEAT Commissioner Matthew Scott pays a visit to the Times offices

Kent Police routinely aim to recruit a similar number to replace them. But the latest intake will be in addition to this figure, meaning 400 new officers in total.

They will be targeted at rural areas and road traffic, and the force will also be employing a further 80 staff dedicated to responding to emergency calls.

The demand for 999 calls has been increasing, which has had a knock-on effect on call-handlers’ ability to answer the 101 non-emergency service too.

Community The waiting time for an answer to a 101 call is a subject that residents have often raised with the Commissioner and he said: “The 101 service is something I have regularly held the Chief Constable to account over and the recruiting more than 80 members of police staff, a substantial number of which will go into the Force Control Room, will hopefully improve this.”

The council tax rise will see the police precept for an average Band D property rise to £169.15 a year, representing a 7.6 per cent increase.

Mr Scott revealed: “During my Annual Policing Survey around 68 per cent of people said they would be prepared to pay a little more towards policing if it was necessary.”

Cllr Don Sloan of Tunbridge Wells’ Culverden ward, who is a member of the Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel, welcomed the news.

He said: “It’s good that you’ll be able to divert some extra funds to community safety, and it is good that you’ve got the public endorsement for that.”

In 2017-18, Kent’s council tax precept for policing was £157.15 for an average band D) property, which is the seventh lowest of any police area in the UK. By comparison, in neighbouring Sussex an average household pays £224.57, and in North Wales it contributes £249.21.

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Sainsbury’s joins objectors to the Civic Complex development

TALKING POINT Plans for the Civic Complex in Tunbridge Wells

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk THE BBC’S concerns on how construction of the Civic Complex will impact their studios are the ‘subject of discussions’, according to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC].

Last week a lawyer representing the broadcaster shared objections to aspects of plans to build a 1,200-seat theatre and council offices costing a gross £90million on land bordering Calverley Grounds, Thaddaeus Jackson-Browne, of Lambert Smith Hampton, said noise and loss of car parking space, during the construction phase, had the potential to ‘jeopardise’ BBC Radio Kent and South East News – based on Mount Pleasant Road.

Sainsbury’s Local, also based in the Great Hall arcade, which backs onto Calverley Grounds has added its voice to the protests.

TWBC members voted by 30 to 13 in December to approve advanced plans for the complex and

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say how many spaces it has been allocated. When a replacement car park is built it will provide 261 spaces, compared to the current 254.

A TWBC spokesman said: “This construction management plan sets out how the impact of the project will be addressed and it covers noise, vibration, dust etc.

“It directly refers to the BBC and their specific requirements.

“We will have discussions with the owners of Great Hall Arcade about alternative parking arrangements for their tenants.

“We know the BBC needs to charge their outside broadcast vehicles and this is something that will be taken in to consideration for the proposed scheme.”

‘BATTLE LINES ARE NOW CLEARLY DRAWN’ PRESSURE group TW Alliance, established primarily to oppose the Civic Complex, said Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has ‘ignored’ traders’ views Commenting on opposition logged by the BBC, Sainsbury’s and Hoopers, Alliance chairman Robert Chris accused the authority of ‘Trumpian Style half-truths’ in saying the town’s public and business community backed the project.

Speaking to the Times, Dr Chris said: “Battle lines are now clearly drawn: the council, supported by a small band of those with vested commercial interests, against most of the people in the borough now supported by leading SPEAKING businesses.

OUT “The Council needs the silent Robert majority to come to its rescue, or Chris, TW maybe it’s silent because others Alliance are speaking for them.” chairman

At last! Preparation work begins on old cinema site IT may only be for early assessments but the presence of workers on the old cinema plot in Tunbridge Wells is a welcome sight.

Yesterday [Tuesday, February 20] teams from civil engineering firm Bam Ritchies started ground investigations on behalf of developer Altitude, which are set to last one week.

This will precede building work for the £80million Belvedere project, which will see a boutique cinema, shops and at least 99 apartments on site.

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615

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Provision

Writing on the online consultation Sainsbury’s’ Transport Manager Matthew Lawes said: “The proposals remove the existing delivery solution and there is no provision of an alternative.”

His opposition was shared by department store Hoopers and Metro Property, who own The Great Hall, as well as the majority of comments from residents.

A major part of the BBC’s opposition was the temporary loss of car parking space.

Mr Jackson-Browne wrote: “The proposal to demolish the existing car park to make way for the development, with no alternative during the construction phase, is unviable and hugely harmful.”

The BBC negotiated parking with Metro and is understood to occupy around 26 spaces in The Great Hall car park although the corporation itself declined to DIG IN The drilling will reach 35 feet

CONTACTS

CHIEF REPORTER WILLIAM MATA will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 240626

council leaders are now seeking planning permission. If it is granted this year construction could begin in 2019 and the complex could open in 2022.

As part of the process, the authority is required to allow local residents and businesses the chance to comment on plans before a decision is made.

In the 18 years since the ABC multiplex closed the site has become a much-deplored ‘grot spot’ and this is clearest sign yet that change is finally on the way.

Bam Ritchies will be completing assessments of the properties of the soil.

It’s understood that workers would be drilling down 35 metres and five metres in two different sections, Building work on The Belvedere is likely to begin in early 2019.

WHY ALL SIDES IN THE CIVIC COMPLEX DEBATE NEED TO REACH AGREEMENT THE Great Debate over the plans for the £90million Civic Complex and theatre has been reignited with the news that the BBC and Sainsbury’s have joined the line up of protestors. And their reaction is not unexpected or indeed unreasonable.

Both are housed within The Great Hall in Tunbridge Wells that backs onto Calverley Grounds and the site of the development. Both are concerned about the impact of the project on their operations. The department store Hoopers, next door, is also none too happy.

The Great Hall is home to BBC Radio Kent and South East News.

Much of the concern is about access, parking, noise and dust of which, one suspects, there will

be lots.

In turn the borough council declares that its ‘construction management plan’ sets out how the impact of the project ‘will be addressed and it covers noise, vibration, dust etc.”

The fact is that both sides of the argument have a point.

The council believes that the initiative, in the long term, will breathe much needed fresh life into the town.

The BBC, Sainsbury’s and Hoopers believe their interests are being put at risk.

The challenge for all those involved, is to find a solution that enables the objectors to continue in business with as little impact as possible in the short term while allowing the council to

underpin the long term future of the town that voters have placed in their care.

No one says it will be easy but it surely must be achievable - for all our sakes.

The Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon took place at the weekend and yet again showed a touch of style and class that sets us apart. Or not, depending on your view about alcohol.

Only in TW could runners be offered a free glass of ale on the last stretch of the 13 mile event. Good on you Fuggles beer café and a big ‘thanks’ to all the volunteers who make the annual event happen.

Editorial Director, Richard Moore

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Wednesday February 21 | 2018

NEWS IN BRIEF

Minister pays tribute to ‘no blame culture’ HEALTH Minister Jeremy Hunt was at Tunbridge Wells Hospital earlier this month in a low-key flying visit. He spoke to staff on February 2 as part of his nationwide Patient Safety Tour.

In a comment issued yesterday [Tuesday] Mr Hunt said: “I saw first-hand how well established the no-blame culture is at Tunbridge Wells—the single most important factor to patient safety. Staff were enthusiastic about their continuous effort to lower rates of infection which underpins their dedication to patients.”

Trust Chief Executive, Miles Scott, said: “His visit gave us the opportunity to highlight the excellent work we’ve been undertaking across our Trust to continually improve the care and treatment we provide to our patients.”

House prices rise THE OFFICE of National Statistic Figures have shown how average house prices in local towns are rising. Data revealed last week indicates prices rose by 6.3 per cent in Tunbridge Wells from 2016 to 2017, and by 6.7 per cent in Tonbridge.

This means it now costs an average £392,600 and £370,300 to buy a property in the towns respectively, both up £23,000 from the previous year.

Town’s flower power FLORAL displays in Tunbridge Wells will be considered by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) for an award in the ‘large town’ category of the Britain in Bloom competition.

RHS judges will inspect arrangements in August. Cranbrook has been entered in the ‘small town’ category. Britain in Bloom winners will be announced in October.

KFC in a bit of a flap CUSTOMERS at Kentucky Fried Chicken [KFC] were still able to eat at two Tunbridge Wells outlets in Royal Victoria Place and Fountains Retail Park yesterday [Tuesday, February 20] despite nationwide delivery problems.

The fast food chain temporarily closed 646 of its 900 eateries, including the branch in Tonbridge High Street, after running out of chicken.

Branches started to be closed on Monday evening, but a spokesman said teams were working ‘flat out’ to clear a backlog of supplies.

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Zebra crossing causes headaches for town’s drivers MOTORISTS travelling in and out of Tunbridge Wells experienced long delays during peak times this week as two major road work schemes continued.

Major York’s Road has been completely closed by Kent Highways, a division of the county council, as a zebra crossing is installed and carriageway either side is resurfaced.

Work began on Monday [February 12] and is set to continue until Sunday [February 25], causing congestion on the A26.

Major York’s joins The Pantiles with Langton Road where, just half a mile away, there were stop/go signs and more road-

works from Friday [February 16] until yesterday [Tuesday].

This road connects to Major York’s and puts further pressure on the network during peak hours.

Motorist Dorothy Nevill lives near Sainsbury’s supermarket at the bottom end of town and uses the Frant Road.

Delays “Normally it takes me ten minutes driving into the town centre,” she said yesterday [Tuesday]. “This morning traffic was just inching along and it took me almost half an hour to cover

NO ACCESS New crossing closes Major York’s Road until Sunday less than two miles.”

A County Hall spokesman said of the Major York’s closure: “Kent County Council is installing this crossing to assist safer pedestrian movements in the area.

“Kent County Council has been working alongside Tunbridge Wells Borough

Council and the relevant groups connected to the Tunbridge Wells Commons, to help provide safer access to local amenities.

“The scheme will seek to encourage slower vehicle speeds and assist in improving road safety in the vicinity of the town and local businesses.”

Budget voted through despite dismay at council tax increase

By William Mata

COUNTY HALL Where the decisions are made

will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk OPPOSITION members of Kent County Council [KCC] have criticised the authority’s leaders for passing plans to raise council tax by 4.99 per cent.

County Hall, ruled by a strong Conservative majority, voted through their 2018/19 budget yesterday [Tuesday].

This included the tax hike, which means owners of a band D property in Tunbridge Wells will pay an extra £80 a year with a total bill of £1,718.

Outcry Liberal Democrat Councillor Rob Bird, Leader of the Opposition, criticised KCC for cutting funding for Early Help & Preventative Services by more than £1million.

His party also argued that KCC had ‘no plan’ to deal with supporting children into specialist education

and that the authority is facing a ‘backlog’ of highways problems it is not financially prepared for.

Meanwhile, County Hall has also come under fire for paying its lowest earning staff £8.10 an hour, which is below the £8.50 offered by many other authorities. An amendment to

rectify this was voted down.

Last July KCC members controversially voted to award themselves a 15 per cent allowance rise.

Cllr Bird said: “This budget demonstrates that they have learnt nothing from the massive public outcry the allowance rise caused.

“Even with the extra monies found since the draft was published a few weeks ago, we are being presented with a budget which fails to meet current needs and heaps up problems for the future.”

With Conservative members occupying 67 out of 81 KCC seats, including all of those in central Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge, the result was never in doubt and the budget was passed by 59 votes to 13. No councillors abstained.

The Lib Dems have seven seats, Labour has five while both the Green Party and an independent group have one.

Council Leader Paul Carter has long-since blamed cuts to central government grants for KCC needing to implement cost-cutting measures.

He said yesterday: “This is a fit for purpose, intelligent and well thought through revenue and capital budget for the County Council.

“The opposition needs to accept there is no money tree.”

Labour councillor Karen Constantine saw her amendment proposal to spend an extra £175,000 on mental health services voted down.

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Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Business awards are back and set to be bigger and better than ever Jonathan Banks

bu aw sine ar ss ds

exceptional retail acumen and expertise.

The judging process culminated in a sold-out gala night at Salomons that saw the work of local entrepreneurs celebrated along with the achievements of businesses of every size.

In March 2016, Times Local Newspapers added the Times of Tonbridge to its publishing portfolio, and as a result even more businesses and enterprises were attracted to the awards in 2017.

Some 200 finalists and guests enjoyed a night of celebration at the 2017 gala awards ceremony, which was an ideal platform for networking and building new business partnerships.

THE TIMES BUSINESS AWARDS 2018, announced this week, are set to be an even bigger and better event this year, with new categories alongside some old favourites.

There are ten options, ranging from Young Entrepreneur of the Year to the Service Excellence award and Employee of the Year, all celebrating the wealth of talent in our local area from established businesses to start-ups.

The guest speaker at the gala night in June at Salomons in Tunbridge Wells will be the political com-mentator, broadcaster and former Cabinet Minister, the Rt Hon Michael Portillo.

He filmed his first Great British Railroad Journeys for the BBC in 2009, and is known to millions of viewers for his eye-catching coloured blazers and trousers.

He follows in the footsteps of former MP and minister Edwina Currie and BBC Radio 2 DJ Ken Bruce, who have also presented the awards.

In 2016, the Times’ first Business Awards proved to be a considerable success, attracting more than 150 entries from some of the most innovative and CELEBRITY GUEST successful companies, Former Cabinet Minister both big and small, Michael Portillo recognised for their

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Celebrate Editorial Director Richard Moore said: “We are absolutely delighted with the support that these awards have rec-eived from the local business community, without whom such events would obviously not be possible.

“Both those who sponsor the evening and those who put themselves forward as entrants have helped create a gala night that is now acknowledged as one of the leading social and networking events of the year.

“This is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate all that’s good about the businesses in and around Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge.

And there is a lot to celebrate.”

bu aw sine ar ss ds

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Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Why enter your business?

THIS is a unique opportunity to showcase yourself and your company alongside some of the outstanding businesses and business people within the boroughs of Royal Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge & Malling.

You can be part of a vibrant annual awards ceremony that recognises, celebrates and promotes local business excellence.

Winning a prestigious business award will add credibility to your company, raise your profile through valuable media coverage, generate new business, inspire your staff and provide an exclusive networking opportunity for you at the awards ceremony, which takes place in June at Salomons in Tunbridge Wells.

THE CATEGORIES: 1. Start-Up Business Award – This award recognises new start-ups under two years old at the closing date for entries, May 9 2018, that have

JUST CHECKING… Edwina Currie with George Smith of Childrensalon

translated an idea into a successful business venture. They must be able to detail growth so far and show plans for the continued development and success of the venture.

2. Creative Business of the Year – Is your business success based on innovation and creative thinking in your strategy and every day operation? This category is for any company over two years old, in any sector, that can demonstrate creativity as well as adding value to the success of their business.

3. Employee of the Year – This is the chance for businesses to recognise exceptional individuals within their company. They can be any age but must stand out from their peers when it comes to ‘professional’ and personal development, both within the business and the wider community.

4. Young Entrepreneur of the Year – This award is open to dynamic individuals aged 30 or under by the closing date, May 9 2018, who are running their own business and are able to demonstrate significant success and drive in growing their company.

5. Service Excellence Award – The winner of this category will be giving outstanding assistance and advice to those who buy or use their business or organisation’s products or services.

They will be able to provide customer testimonials to support their entry.

6. Business Person of the Year – Entrants for this award will need to show they have a clear vision/strategy for their business and are committed to growing it. Areas such as increasing headcount, developing and inspiring staff and involvement in the local business community are all good examples of this.

7. Export and International Award – This will go to the company that has demonstrated significant and sustained international growth, along with a clear understanding of overseas markets. You

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business awards

LOVING IT Top Radio 2 DJ Ken Bruce

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10. Outstanding Business of the Year – The ultimate award of all the categories will go to the business that can show outstanding initiative, boldness and imagination in the enterprise, as well as sound management practices. The winner must also be able to demonstrate they have a clear strategy to invest in the skills and development of their staff. They will be expected to prove sustainable growth combined with a degree of commercial success that is exceptional for the size of the business.

HOW TO ENTER…

will be able to show commercial success and outline any benefits in terms of investment, job creation or supply-chain benefits to your UK operation.

8. Best Business 1-25 employees – Here we recognise owner-managers and small businesses employing up to 25 people that have maintained consistent growth and strong financial performance. They must understand customer expectations, have an engaged workforce and be continually innovating to support future growth.

9. Best Business 25+ employees – This category recognises larger businesses employing more than 25 people, and again looks for consistent growth and strong financial performance alongside an engaged workforce and a business plan supporting innovation and future growth.

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To register your interest and receive an application form, or to find out more information, please email us at info@timesbusinessawards.co.uk leaving your full contact details and an indication of which category you might like to enter. You can also call Lara Milan on 01892 739764.

THE TIMEFRAME… The closing date for entries to the Times Business Awards is 6pm on Wednesday May 9, 2018. Each category will be shortlisted to three entries. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by email on Wednesday May 16, 2018. Winners will be announced at the gala dinner. Tickets are available priced at £95 per person or £850 for a table of ten.

Numbers are limited, and in the previous two years the award dinners were a sellout. To book please call Lara Milan on 01892 739764.

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Wednesday February 21 | 2018

All change on the buses after passenger feedback on routes

PARENTS of children caught playing truant from school could face legal action in a new crackdown.

Kent County Council [KCC] officers have teamedup with Kent Police for their first anti-truancy operation in ten years.

After launching the operation in Folkestone last week, the authorities will work in other towns across the county this year but have not yet confirmed where.

KCC said on day one of the scheme 16 school-age children were stopped in Folkestone during school hours, seven of whom were with their parents.

Reasons given for missing school included illness and medical appointments.

By Andy Tong andy@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk ARRIVA has announced a raft of changes to its local bus services, which will come into operation from March 11.

The company invited members of the public to suggest improvements to the networks when it conducted a review at the end of last year, and the consultation period ended on January 7.

The changes include the reintroduction of a number of services in rural areas, including the No 6 linking East Peckham with Maidstone, and connecting Five Oak Green with Tunbridge Wells, Paddock Wood and East Peckham.

There are also new services between Tonbridge and Knights Park and North Farm on Tunbridge Wells industrial estate, and additional buses to Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury.

Attainment

INSIDE LANE Arriva is making changes

Provision Arriva are opening a new multi-million pound bus depot on May 27 in Kingstanding Way, North Farm. It replaces the former one in St John’s Road, which closed last October after 80 years.

An extension to town centre routes will now serve Sainsbury’s at Tunbridge Wells West station and nearby Showfields and Ramslye, and a more frequent No 285 to Hawkenbury, including a new Saturday provision.

To simplify the numbering of buses to Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells schools, some services will now include letter suffixes to denote which school the bus is serving.

The renumbering is part of an exercise by Kent

Operation to tackle truancy across county

County Council to reduce the large number of service numbers used on school buses by a variety of local bus companies.

In Sevenoaks, they are introducing minibus routes replacing the 452 between Kemsing, Seal and Sevenoaks and the 402 that covers the section between Sevenoaks, Riverhead and Dunton Green.

Commuters from Chipstead will benefit from direct links with the station during the morning peak period and in the evening.

Oliver Monahan, Area Managing Director of Arriva Kent and Surrey told the Times: “I wanted to thank your readers for taking the time to give their

thoughts and feedback on Arriva’s bus services.

“It really is important to me that we listen to customers and ask for their comments and feedback wherever possible.

“Thanks to you and your neighbours in the areas we serve, we received lots of feedback covering a range of subjects, including suggestions for new routes through to suggestions to reintroduce routes that have been withdrawn in the past.”

For full details of the bus route changes, visit www.arrivabus.co.uk/new-bus-times

A Year 12 student told officers he was excluded from his school. The authorities are now considering legal action against his parents as exclusion forbids students from being within a public place during school hours.

In the past three years, school attendance rate in Kent has improved with an overall primary attendance rate of 96 per cent and secondary schools of 95 per cent.

Matt Dunkley, KCC’s Corporate Director for Education, said: “Maximum attendance is key to benefiting from the good teaching and learning opportunities.

“Government research indicates a significant negative link between overall absence and attainment, with every day missed associated with lower attainment outcomes.

“We believe children’s good attendance record is integral to enabling children to fulfil their potential.”

Rise in hate crimes being reported not all bad news

By William Mata POLICE believe that a rise in reported hate crimes across Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge reflects national trends and is ‘likely to be down to positive factors’.

Last week the force revealed that the two boroughs received more calls for hate crimes last year than in 2016.

Hate crimes are acts of hostility or violence towards someone based on a prejudice, typically towards a disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Awareness Incidents reported in Tonbridge & Malling rose from 83 in 2016 to 152 in 2017. Tunbridge Wells recorded a smaller rise from 134 to 144.

Detective Inspector Maxine Martin of Kent Police told the Times: “The increase in reports reflects a national rise and is likely to be down to positive factors.

“This includes improved recording of crime together with a greater awareness of hate crime and greater confidence amongst victims to come forward.”

Police are looking to make it easier for people to report hate crimes by launching drop-in centres and introducing a new website called True Vision.

Steve Goodsell, Southern Regional Manager for the awareness charity Show Racism the Red Card, said that with its ‘affluent and deprived areas’, Kent typically sees more reports than surrounding counties.

“There have been spikes in certain towns.

Some of that is down to greater awareness, which has led more people to report it, which is positive.

“But it does show there are more incidents taking place and I do not see any signs of these decreasing.

“Some of it is because of Brexit, and there is a ramping-up of ill feeling. Some of it is to do with uncertainty – there is a lack of clear vision of what Brexit is going to mean.

“The figure for Tonbridge seems high, which could be to do with lots of factors, including a negative feeling towards immigrants.”

Aliya Mohammed, Chief Executive of the charity Race Equality First, said: “We have seen a huge increase in calls since Brexit.

“The most common reports are of racism and Islamophobia through verbal abuse.

“There has also been a rise in abuse aimed at people who are transgender.

“Every time there is a terrorist incident, we see an influx of reports of verbal abuse towards people who are Muslim.

“Awareness has been raised and that is something to be pleased about, but there has certainly been a rise,” she said, adding that the charity has taken calls from people who may previously have been unsure of approaching the police.

“I know a German lady who said a man came up to her and made a derogatory comment just because she was speaking a different language to English. The man said because she is European she should not be here.

“But there are still a lot of people not reporting it as a hate crime because they do not feel they have proof of it happening.”

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Wednesday February 21 | 2018

THEY’RE OFF The runners on St John’s Road

Half marathon brings out the best in town’s runners and supporters

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk GOOD weather, enthusiastic support and the hard work of volunteers enabled a successful 35th edition of the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon.

More than 1,400 runners completed the 13.1-mile challenge on Sunday [February 18], which started and finished at Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre in St John’s Road.

Jazz Mark Taylor, organising the race for the fifth time with Tunbridge Wells Harriers club, said: “It was a good day with nice weather and great running conditions.

“We got a lot of positive responses and we had a great team of volunteers. I started at 5am and I got back home at 4pm after the setdown.”

On a circular course, runners passed through Southborough and turned into Bidborough before dropping into Penshurst.

The toughest section came between mile six and eight, where the road leads up Spring Hill to Fordcombe and on towards Langton Green, before turning back towards town.

Roads were closed throughout the route, with water stops positioned on the course, and The New Orleans Jazz Band played, as per tradition, in Penshurst.

Simon Goldsworthy was the first of 1,417 finishers

‘We have come a long way from when only 54 people did the first Tunbridge Wells Half’ in 1hr 11.21, while Tonbridge & Malling councillor Maria Heslop won her third successive women’s title, and her fourth in five years, in 1hr 22.25.

Mr Taylor continued: “We had 1,700 people sign up to enter the run but there are always some who do not turn up on the day.

“We had a Dutch guy taking part and people from up north and all over the country. They all said it was well supported.

“There was only one casualty but I understand it was not serious.”

The race was also considered the second Kent Grand Prix road race of 2018, which allowed clubs to score points in a league. Tonbridge AC won both the men’s and women’s team event ahead of Tunbridge Wells Harriers.

The Hendy Ford dealership was the

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Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Bob Hughes and Ciaran Osborn run up Spring Hill

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Greg Tytherleigh jumps for joy

Blue Pig Photography www.bluepigphoto.co.uk • www.bluepigphoto.co.uk/f383198065 Alan Quinn begins the race lead sponsor of the event, while town beer café Fuggles handed out glasses of of the frothy stuff to runners inside the final mile.

The number of runners was some way below the largest field on record of 2,500, which was set in 2013, but the number of running events has significantly increased since the Tunbridge Wells Half started.

Mr Taylor said he is likely to be at the helm again next year. He added: “I want to thank the volunteers, for the event would be impossible without their help.

“We could probably look to build the event a little more, it is something we are going to look at doing as the numbers have dropped.

“There are so many more running events now, but we have come a long way from when only 54 people did the first Tunbridge Wells Half.”

Michael Dowling

Tej Gill nears the end

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Local News

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

‘HOW I SET ONE OF MY BEST TIMES BUT NEARLY LOST TO THE GINGERBREAD MAN’ More surprising was to see a runner wearing a full gingerbread man outfit hot on his heels. I couldn’t believe he would keep it up, but the fairy-tale character remained well in front of me until mile nine, and must have clocked an amazing time considering his costume.

It was a lovely day for running and the sunny weather made for some great views from Bidborough Ridge.

Another highlight was the many residents who offered jelly babies outside their homes as runners passed.

Around the 12-mile mark, one lad held out a homemade poster reading ‘touch here to power up’ for all to high-five!

The atmosphere was fantastic coming back towards the town with so many people turning out to cheer.

Tunbridge Wells is not considered a fast course, due to the severity of Spring Hill, but I managed to cross the line in my second fastest time ever of 1hr 30.52.

I’d like to thank the organisers Steve Chivers crossed and everyone who came to watch the line in 1hr 33 what I’m sure all would agree was a great event.

Times reporter William Mata carried the flag in the half marathon and shares the experience.

The Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon offers a tough test for runners, but the fantastic scenery and brilliant support made the 13 miles easier.

In their 35th event, the Harriers club has the format down to the T. The club was supremely well organised in getting the runners on to the start line, both in the preparation and on the day.

A nice feature was having pacer runners, which helped those taking part gauge how fast or slow to attack the opening stages based on their target time.

I watched the pacer waving a giant ‘1hr 30’ flag speed in front of me, and by the time I got to halfway it was out of sight.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED Times runner Will Mata

Richard Smith

Mike Abousselam (left) Miles Roper (right)

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BUSINESS

Local Business News

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

NEWS IN BRIEF

Finance firm advertises jobs away from town

Stockbroker reports rise in managed funds

STOCKBROKER AJ Bell is currently advertising 22 jobs in Manchester, with their Tunbridge Wells office set to close in October.

The Times reported in the autumn that the firm is to leave Calverley House, with their management citing a lack of suitable office space in the town.

INVESTMENT firm Brooks Macdonald [BMD], who have an office on Mount Ephraim Road in Tunbridge Wells, have posted a 12 per cent rise in their ‘funds under management’.

BMD, who also have offices in London and Edinburgh among other cities, recently published the figures in their Half Year Trading Results.

The firm saw the funds they manage rise by 12.3 per cent from £10.5billion in June 2017 to £11.7billion last month.

Convert It is understood the building’s owner applied for planning permission to convert the town centre block into residential apartments.

AJ Bell confirmed last week that 100 roles will be transferred from Tunbridge Wells to their Manchester office and 20 to London.

A spokesman said: “We are still up and running until the lease expires.”

LOVE ON THE LINE: Rail firm Southeastern livened up the commute for many last week by reading out and displaying Valentine’s Day messages. Staff along Kent lines also handed out chocolates. Shrove Tuesday was also marked with screens showing trains departing for ‘London St Pancake’.

Fears for the local economy as interest rate rise is predicted

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk SHOPS, businesses and individuals could all feel the squeeze if, as predicted, inflation remains at high levels.

Tunbridge Wells-based financial experts feel another rise in interest rates could be around the corner to keep inflation in check.

This follows data released last week which shows that in January the Consumer Price Index [CPI, a method used to measure inflation] held at a high 3 per cent.

Gary Jefferies, Director of London Road-based Panoramic Wealth Management, said a rise of two

separate interest rises of 0.25 per cent are possible.

“Consumers will start to have less disposable income,” he commented.

“In addition, many employees contributing to workplace pensions will also notice, potentially, a threefold increase in their personal contributions from April.

Problem “If inflation occurs locally, this could worsen the position for local businesses, restaurants and shops, with even more closing, which is already occurring at a high rate.

“The other problem is that in order to earn

increased income more people may decide to commute, which will actually make the local position worse.”

The CPI rating was higher than the 2.9 per cent predicted and only slightly down from the sixyear high of 3.1 per cent reported in November.

This prompted the Bank of England to comment that the interest rate could rise ‘earlier than expected’ in a bid to halt inflation.

Pam Beith, Head of investment management firm Brooks Macdonald’s Tunbridge Wells office, said: “We expect interest to be raised this year, but only expect one hike in 2018.

“The fact that inflation has been stronger than wage growth has meant that real incomes have been in decline.

“For individuals with floating rate mortgages, changes to the base rate may have resulted in higher monthly payments.

“These effects are weighing on consumption and, hence, on broader economic growth, a trend we expect to persist in the medium term.”

Supermarket on top BUDGET retailer Aldi, which is set to open new shops in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells, has been named the UK’s favourite supermarket.

A survey compiled last week by Which? magazine scored the German firm above more established brands, including Waitrose, which was knocked off the top spot to fourth place.

Bank records growth ANNUAL results published by Handelsbanken in Tunbridge Wells show the bank, based in Oakhurst House, Mount Ephraim, recorded a 12 per cent rise in lending in 2017.

Branch Manager Nick Green said data released week shows growth – which he partly put down to the rise of household and corporate deposits.

“Our ever-growing presence in Tunbridge Wells is evidence of how our distinct personal, bespoke approach to banking is valued,” he said.

Local Business News

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

BUSINESS

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Tonbridge firm Rise in online food deliveries celebrates a ‘not a concern’ for restaurants double victory

By William Mata

will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

CASTLE Corporate Finance capped off an ‘amazing’ year by winning two prizes at the Insider South East Dealmakers Awards.

The Tonbridge-based firm, who specialise in business sales, received the honours in a ceremony on February 1 in The Copthorne Effingham Park Hotel in Gatwick.

Castle was named Corporate Finance Advisory Firm of the Year for the third time since 2014.

Record Managing Director Stuart Stepney was also named Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year – a title he has now won four times.

He said: “This year saw a record attendance, so we were pleased to win two of the most soughtafter accolades on the night.

“We had an amazing 2017, completing more than £60million of deals and raising more than £35million of debt and equity for clients.

“We are most grateful to our clients and professional contacts who continue to support us and made it possible to be on stage once again – it is very much appreciated.”

TWICE AS NICE: Castle Corporate Finance team

NEW figures have shown how customers are increasingly looking towards online services to order food.

Just Eat, who now provide a delivery service from around 20 outlets in both Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge, announced last week their share prices have risen by 4 per cent.

The rise of takeaway apps was also highlighted when Deliveroo recently announced a 400 per cent growth in Tunbridge Wells in a 12-month period. The company tripled its regional workforce in that time and is valued at £1.5billion.

A Just Eat spokesman said: “In recent years we’ve seen a transformation in how we eat, enabled by technology, and this is a trend that has fuelled Just Eat’s phenomenal growth.

“The busy nature of modern life means that, with competing priorities for time, people are using technology to ensure they can get quality products and services quickly and conveniently.”

Unique The continued growth of takeaway delivery services has come at a time when several restaurants have closed in Tunbridge Wells, including Strada and Jamie’s Italian.

But on whether the takeaway service could replace eating out, restaurateurs told the Times that they were not concerned, and focused on offering customers ‘something unique’.

Magdalena Szczerbova, Manager of The Warren in Tunbridge Wells, said: “We are quite an upmarket restaurant and [the growth of delivery services] does not really affect us.

“We have been open for two years and people

have become more aware of the quality of our food.

“The customers are now looking for something unique. We have our own produce and we are getting more specialist food as people become more sophisticated in their tastes.”

She added: “The big issue in Tunbridge Wells is there are too many chains. Independent restaurants cannot compete with them on money.

“But we have got clever customers who appreciate independent places.

“I think because of the post-Brexit economy people have been scared to spend money.”

Fran Gillat-Smith, Co-Manager of The Greyhound in Charcott, near Tonbridge, said the quality of her pub’s food would tempt customers to leave their homes for a meal.

“We have had very positive feedback about our locally-sourced produce – but we offer that as our personal goal rather than a business decision.

“I think it is an important role of a pub to give customers a good experience and make them feel welcome.”

POSITIVE The Warren’s Magdalena Szczerbova

Hadlow tower opens as luxury holiday option THE Grade I listed Hadlow Tower has reopened as a luxury holiday cottage after a £4million restoration.

Prices start at £700 to book the Victorian Gothic tower for a two-night stay. There are three bedrooms and six guests can be accommodated.

Holiday Cottage Compare company is in charge of running the 170ft tall tower for holidays.

Managing Director Paula Alexander said: “We have a number of historic buildings available to rent as holiday cottages, but the Hadlow Tower has to be one of the most special.”

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NEWS

Community News

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

TAKE THE LEAD Dogs can tackle agility courses

Wet noses all round at Bewl Water’s dog day BEWL WATER has a treat lined up for your canine companion when it stages its Big Dog Day Out on Sunday March 18.

The event is being hosted in collaboration with pet company Beco, the eco-friendly pet food and accessory supplier.

It will feature a treasure hunt, with prizes waiting to be sniffed out on paths around the reservoir.

There will also be groomers, agility courses and

professional photographers as well as familyoriented activities such as mini golf and face painters.

A range of charities and rehoming organisations will be on hand to raise awareness about adopting pets or supporting those in need.

Tickets are free. Additional charges apply for car parking £3 and ferry trips £3.

To register for the day, please visit www.bigdogdayout.com

Top marks for Hilden Oaks HILDEN OAKS SCHOOL and Nursery in Tonbridge are celebrating an inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate [ISI] – the private sector’s equivalent of Ofsted – which rated the school as ‘excellent’ in all areas and ‘outstanding’ for the under-twos provision, The ISI report noted: “The overall effectiveness of the early years provision is outstanding. Staff demonstrate commitment to delivering the best possible care and learning for the children, treating each child as an individual.”

It continued: “The quality of

SPELL IT OUT The children at Hilden Oaks celebrate their rating

pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent.

“Pre-prep and prep pupils make significant progress and attain very highly, particularly in English, Mathematics, Science and PE.”

Ethos Headmistress Katy Joiner said: “I am absolutely delighted with this outcome, and particularly pleased that the inspector’s report highlights how successful we have been at continuing our drive to achieve the highest academic standards at

the same time as protecting the family-centred ethos, which makes Hilden Oaks such a wonderful school.”

The children in Year 6 added their comments, saying: ‘The report reflects the brilliance of the school perfectly’, ‘The school is very good and makes me feel safe’, ‘Hilden Oaks feels like my second home’, ‘The teachers are very supportive and helpful’ and ‘I’m very happy that we got such a fantastic report from the inspectors’.

For more information, and to read the inspection report, visit www.hildenoaks.co.uk

Community News

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

NEWS

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It’s all going swimmingly as Tonbridge pool scoops second outstanding award TONBRIDGE SWIMMING POOL has retained its ranking as one of the top performing centres in the country last week, with the unveiling of a Quest Stretch plaque.

The facility, which is operated by tmactive on behalf of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, was rated ‘outstanding’ for a second time by Sport England’s national quality scheme.

It is one of only 16 centres nationally to achieve this award, along with Larkfield Leisure Centre, which is also operated by tmactive.

The advanced award shows

that Tonbridge Swimming Pool is delivering the highest standards in all aspects from hygiene and cleanliness to the quality of its programmes and general service.

Credit It underwent a meticulous two-day assessment and an additional mystery visit.

Managers were not informed when either the assessor or surprise visitor would be arriving and customers were consulted.

“This is a truly excellent achievement and all credit goes

to Gary Littlejohn and his team for all of their hard work in ensuring that Tonbridge Swimming Pool is one of the best performing centres in the country,” said Martin Guyton, Chief Executive of tmactive.

Cllr Maria Heslop, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “Congratulations to all the staff at Tonbridge Swimming Pool for their continuing efforts to ensure that customers can expect the very highest standards every time they visit this much-loved facility.”

BUOYANT MOOD: The plaque is unveiled by General Manager Gary Littlejohn, Cllr Maria Heslop, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services, Alan Nicholl, Chairman of Tonbridge & Malling Leisure Trust (tmactive) and Operations Manager Samantha Watson

Hospital Radio secures £1,000 Aviva fund for remote controls

SHOWTIME: The Hospital Radio Tunbridge Wells team outside Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury, one of the two hospitals it serves along with Tonbridge Cottage Hospital

HRTW [Hospital Radio Tunbridge Wells] has been awarded £1,000 from the Aviva Community Fund after its Votes for Remotes campaign reached the national finals.

This funding helps to replace TV remote controls so that patients who cannot access the radio station through the charity’s online link or via their TuneIn app will be able to do so via channel 705 on their bedside television.

When the hospital was built in 2011, each room was fitted with a plasma TV which also gave patients access to radio stations, including HRTW. However, many of the remote controls have gone missing and the Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust does not have funds to replace them.

Station Manager Chris Manser said: “The volunteers at Hospital Radio Tunbridge Wells

have worked hard to raise the funds needed to keep the radio service running.

“We’re really grateful to all the people that voted for our Votes for Remotes submission to the Aviva Community Fund. Enabling more patients to listen in and enjoy our service is important.

Hospital radio is a proven aide to recovery.”

The NHS Trust is currently working on a solution to the TV remotes issue, and in the meantime the money will enable it to purchase some devices.

Mr Manser added: “We were concerned about reports from request collectors that a number of patients who wanted requests were unable to listen to our radio shows. Having worked so hard to maintain the service, we felt we needed to do more to ensure people could listen.” www.hrtw.org.uk

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County News

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Heartfelt messages smash world record

NEWS IN BRIEF

Recycling sites could close under proposals

A WORLD record for the longest chain of paper hearts was broken on Valentine’s Day with the help of South East residents.

The British Heart Foundation [BHF] thanked the 2,976 people in the region who wrote messages on the decorations for the appeal last week.

In total 17,939 hearts were joined together for the campaign, which saw all involved make a donation inside a charity shop alongside adding their name to a heart.

The BHF paper chain is long enough to line 25 football pitches, and smashed the previous record of 11,288.

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of BHF, said: “Bringing together so many tender yet powerful messages of love, support and hope through this Guinness World Records title attempt shows that we’re standing united against heart and circulatory disease.”

PROPOSALS to close recycling centres at Wadhurst and Forest Row have sparked a campaign led by Nus Ghani.

The Wealden MP said she is lobbying East Sussex County Council, who have launched a consultation into the future of the sites.

Ms Ghani said she was ‘surprised’ by the plan, which can be viewed and commented on by visiting the council website address: consultation.eastsussex.gov.uk

Cash boost for homes STRENGTH IN NUMBERS Children with world record length chain

Anger as county town is given ‘back of queue’ rail treatment THE Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, has come under fire over proposals to scrap high-speed rail services from Maidstone West to London.

The county town’s MP, Helen Grant, has led calls for the link to St Pancras, which runs six times a day, to be maintained.

The Department for Transport outlined proposals in January to replace this with a stopping service to London suburb Abbey Wood – to allow commuters a connection to London’s new Crossrail line.

Mr Grayling fielded questions in a meeting with Mrs Grant last week.

The Maidstone MP said: “This service is a crucial part everyday lives, getting people into work

quickly and conveniently. Now that we have it, we simply cannot do without it.

“Mr Grayling is now, without doubt, clear about the impact that this would have upon local people and has offered reassurance that the people of Maidstone will not be worse off under the new franchise agreement.

Impact “I made the importance of the service clear to the Secretary of State and told him of my anger that it once again feels like Maidstone is being put to the back of the queue.”

This motion follows the planned Thameslink

service, set to link Maidstone East with Cambridge, being put back to the end of 2019.

Rob Bird, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Kent, said: “Yet again the Government has demonstrated that they do not understand that good public transport is critical for the residents and businesses of Kent.

“We hope Kent MPs will support our call for the Secretary of State to think again.”

Sir Michael Fallon, MP for Sevenoaks, added: “Kent commuters, businesses and families need more certainty.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Passengers on the new South Eastern franchise will benefit from modern trains with more space, as well as a more punctual and reliable service.

“The winning bidder must run at least two peak trains between Maidstone West and London St Pancras – however, they are urged to introduce more services, as well as bring in other benefits, such as shorter journey times.”

A £16.7MILLION government funding boost could see more than 1,000 homes built in East Sussex.

Lewes, Eastbourne, Battle and Hastings have been earmarked by East Sussex County Council, who take their share of the £2.3billion Housing Infrastructure Fund.

Eurostar not stopping ASHFORD and Ebbsfleet International railway stations are not part of Eurostar’s plans for a service to the Netherlands.

Direct trains to Rotterdam and Amsterdam will begin in April from London.

However, unlike the services to Paris and Calais, the trains will not stop in Kent.

Airport could reopen MANSTON AIRPORT in East Kent has a chance of reopening for passenger and cargo flights four years after it closed, subject to planning applications.

Talks are ongoing about reintroducing services, with budget airline Ryanair and KLM reportedly showing an interest.

National News

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Police chiefs call for new officers to carry Tasers

‘First’ craft beer hotel BREWDOG has announced plans to open the ‘world’s first’ craft beer hotel in Scotland next year.

The Aberdeenshire-based brewery’s project comes as part of an expansion at its headquarters in Ellon.

Plans had been put forward to open the DogHouse in America, but new land bought by the company has led the first to be opened in Scotland.

Aherne award winner BOLTON comic Sophie Willan has been named the first winner of the BBC’s Caroline Aherne bursary.

It was launched last year in memory of The Royle Family creator, who died in 2016.

Willan said: “I look forward to continuing that legacy with my own updated take on the northern, working class experience as part of this bursary and hopefully inspire the next generation, just as Caroline inspired me.”

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Corbyn hits out at media for publishing ‘smears’

NEWS IN BRIEF

CHIEF constables are calling for a ban on new recruits carrying Tasers to be lifted because forces are having to confront rising levels of violent crime and an unprecedented terror threat.

Currently officers in their first two years of service are not permitted to be equipped with the weapons.

But the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) is supporting proposals for selected ‘probationers’ to be allowed to carry Tasers after completing a rigorous application and training process.

NEWS

TRANSPARENCY Mark Goldring arrives at Portcullis House

26 new claims against Oxfam – and 7,000 cancel donations OXFAM has received 26 allegations of misconduct since the Haiti sex scandal erupted two weeks ago, charity chiefs have revealed.

Mark Goldring, Oxfam GB’s Chief Executive, said 16 of the claims stemmed from abroad, while 10 came from the UK. Giving evidence to the Commons International Development Committee at Portcullis House in London, Mr Goldring said around 7,000 people have cancelled regular donations to Oxfam over the past 10 days, adding that corporate sponsors appeared to be ‘reserving judgement’.

Apology Mr Goldring publicly apologised for the actions of charity staff who sexually exploited female victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

And he also issued an apology for his own comments which appeared to play down the seriousness of the scandal, when he told a newspaper that the charity was being attacked as if it had ‘murdered babies in their cots’.

Asked if more revelations had come to his notice

since reports of ‘sex parties’ involving prostitutes in Haiti emerged, Mr Goldring said: “Across Oxfam Great Britain we have had about 26 stories, reports come to us which were either new reports come out as a result of the stories, or earlier stories where people said, ‘I didn’t necessarily report this at the time’. Over an extended period of time, I am not talking about recent cases.”

He told the committee Oxfam made the wrong call at the time of the original investigation into events in Haiti when it issued a press release revealing its findings of ‘serious misconduct’ involving bullying, intimidation and breaches of the charity’s code of conduct, but did not go into details about the fact that sexual exploitation was involved.

“At the time, people thought that was being transparent,” he said. “We know now that that was not enough.

“My colleagues at the time made a set of decisions about how public to go. With hindsight, they made the wrong call. If we were culpable which we were – we should have been completely transparent.”

JEREMY CORBYN has launched an attack on the right-wing press and warned “change is coming” after a series of stories about his Cold War past.

The Labour leader had earlier flatly denied that he was a spy for communist Czechoslovakia during the Cold War. He said claims, which originally appeared in The Sun, that he passed information to a Czech intelligence agency in the 1980s as ‘nonsense’.

Mr Corbyn then released a video on social media attacking Conservative supporting newspapers for publishing ‘lies and smears’.

“In the last few days, The Sun, The Mail, The Telegraph and The Express have all gone a little bit James Bond,” he said.

“It’s easy to laugh, but something more serious is happening. Publishing these ridiculous smears that have been refuted by Czech officials shows just how worried the media bosses are by the prospect of a Labour government.

“They’re right to be. Labour will stand up to the powerful and corrupt – and take the side of the many, not the few.”

PM will stop automatic peerages for top officials LEADING judges, police officers and cabinet ministers will no longer be ‘automatically’ given seats in the House of Lords after they leave high office, Theresa May has said.

The Prime Minister pledged to end the convention of an automatic entitlement to peerages for senior public servants as part of efforts to reduce the size of the bloated upper chamber from 792 members.

She also pledged to exercise continued restraint in making appointments and said all parties should encourage more peers to retire to reduce the size of the Lords.

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National News

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

MPs order publication of ‘disgraceful’ RBS claims

AN INFLUENTIAL group of MPs has branded the findings of a report into the Royal Bank of Scotland’s mistreatment of small businesses ‘disgraceful’ after wielding Parliamentary privilege to publish the controversial dossier.

The Treasury Select Committee (TSC) said there was ‘overwhelming public interest’ in shifting the Global Restructuring Group (GRG) report into the public domain after it was widely leaked online and through social media.

failure in the hope of picking up their assets on the cheap.

In a statement, committee Chair Nicky Morgan said: “The findings in the report are disgraceful.

“The overarching priority at all levels of GRG was not the health and strength of customers, but the generation of income for RBS, through made-up fees, high interest rates, and the acquisition of equity and property.

“The committee has not taken the decision to publish lightly. Normally, reports prepared under section 166 are confidential, but there is overwhelming public interest in bringing transparency to what happened at GRG, given the earlier leak of the report, and in ensuring that everyone can see, and know that they are seeing, an authentic and verified copy of Promontory’s original report.”

Failure The move came after Andrew Bailey, head of the Financial Conduct Authority, was ordered by the committee earlier this month to publish the document on GRG, the banking giant’s much-criticised restructuring arm.

RBS has been dogged by allegations that GRG intentionally pushed small businesses towards

PUBLIC INTEREST Committee chair Nicky Morgan

Doctors told they can turn off Alfie’s support

ONLY JOKING Damian Green

Green says corset text was not ‘inappropriate’ DAMIAN GREEN insists he did not behave inappropriately when he reportedly texted a woman saying he felt ‘compelled’ to ask her for a drink after seeing her in a corset in a newspaper.

The MP for Ashford told BBC Radio 4’s Today: “That was a joke, I had political discussions with her over a number of years which continued afterwards; at no stage was there any inappropriate behaviour.

“If I, on any occasion, made her feel uncomfortable, I’m sorry about that.”

Responding, Ms Maltby tweeted: “I said on Day 1 that I could tell DG didn’t think his behaviour was wrong. That is the problem. Why we need change.”

Probe into pensioner dragged into tunnel AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after an elderly woman was dragged along a London Underground platform and into a tunnel.

The 78-year-old woman suffered serious injuries after her bag became trapped between the doors of a train at Notting Hill Gate station in west London on January 31.

Passengers activated alarms and the driver applied the brakes. But six coaches were already in the tunnel when the train stopped.

THE parents of a seriously ill boy have lost their fight to keep him on life support, against the advice of doctors.

Specialists at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool had asked a High Court judge to allow them to stop providing life support treatment to 21-month-old Alfie Evans.

Alfie’s parents Kate James and Tom Evans wanted treatment to continue.

Mr Justice Hayden ruled in favour of hospital chiefs, saying he accepted medical evidence which showed further treatment was futile.

Unique Roman boxing gloves go on display

ROMAN boxing gloves discovered during an archaeological dig near Hadrian’s Wall have gone on public display.

Researchers at the Vindolanda site near Hexham in Northumberland claim they are ‘probably the only known surviving examples from the Roman period’.

The gloves, which were excavated from a former cavalry barracks last summer, are made of leather and act as a protective guard for the knuckles.

They date from around 120AD.

National Business News

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

NEWS IN BRIEF

Holiday Inn to make cuts but launches new brand THE owner of hotel chains Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza has outlined plans to make savings of £90million to reinvest in new brands and acquisitions as it posted a hike in annual earnings.

InterContinental Hotels Group’s recently appointed Chief Executive, Keith Barr, praised a ‘strong performance’ last year and unveiled a new strategy to speed up growth, with plans to launch a new premium brand in 2018.

Dunelm feels pressure HOMEWEAR retailer Dunelm has seen shares come under pressure as surging sales failed to provide a boost to its half-year profits.

The chain posted an 8 per cent fall in underlying pre-tax profits to £60million for the six months to December 30 after hefty discounting and lower margin sales from its recently acquired Worldstores business offset soaring trade.

Bottom-line profits were largely flat, up 0.7 per cent higher at £56.3million.

Melrose urges takeover TURNAROUND specialist Melrose has reported another annual loss but has issued an assurance that its takeover target GKN would still ‘gain significantly’ by accepting its £7.4billion bid and joining the business.

Melrose reported a statutory loss of £27.6million for the year to December 31, having narrowed from a loss of £69.3million a year earlier. That was on flat revenues of £2billion.

Manufacturing boost from weaker pound is starting to fade, says CBI BRITAIN’S manufacturing sector has continued to expand at a healthy pace, but new figures show weaker growth in order books in the latest sign that the boost from the weak pound is ­beginning to fade.

The latest industrial trends survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) showed a balance of 10 per cent of firms reported an increase in order books over the three months to February, down from 14 per cent in January, although still above the long-run average.

Moderate Export order growth eased back significantly, with a balance of 10 per cent against 19 per cent in January.

The CBI added that a balance of 24 per cent of firms reported an increase in overall output volume for the quarter to February, up from 21 per cent in January.

This is also expected to moderate in the next three months, the survey found.

It comes after another closely watched survey showed output in Britain’s manufacturing sector unexpectedly slipped at the start of the year as the industry grappled with a double-whammy of slowing growth and escalating costs.

The Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) reported a reading of 55.3 last month, down from 56.2 in December and drifting to a six-month low after a booming recent performance.

Economists said while the sector’s output remains robust, the CBI figures add to evidence that its recent pound-inspired rally may be easing off, which could see wider economy growth ease back in the first quarter.

Samuel Tombs, Chief UK Economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said: “The further decline in the CBI’s total orders balance in February indicates that the support to growth in manufacturing output from sterling’s depreciation is beginning to fade.”

He added that rising price pressures, particularly from higher oil prices, could mean that ‘last year’s strong upward momentum in the manufacturing output likely won’t be sustained’.

The CBI survey of 397 manufacturers showed that growth was broad-based with output growing in 16 out of 17 sub-sectors, predominantly driven by food, drink and tobacco and motor vehicle and transport equipment sub-sectors.

PUMP ACTION Rising oil prices are a threat

BUSINESS

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Focus on Asia hands HSBC massive profit HSBC has thanked its pivot to Asia for helping more than double annual profits in 2017.

The lender said pre-tax profits rose to £12.3billion in the year to December 31, marking a whopping 141 per cent jump compared to £5.1billion a year earlier.

The bank said its focus on the Asian business ‘again contributed a substantial proportion’ of group profits – driving around 75 per cent of both reported and adjusted earnings – particularly in commercial banking, retail banking and wealth management.

But results were also flattered by comparably lower figures in 2016 which were knocked by a loss on sale and trading results from the Brazilian operations it offloaded that summer.

While the figures marked growth from a year earlier, they came in below analyst consensus forecasts, sending shares down nearly 4 per cent.

ASDA remains bullish after slowing growth ASDA saw its sales growth slow markedly over its Christmas quarter, but cheered further progress in its recovery.

The group, which is owned by US giant Walmart, posted a 0.5 per cent rise in like-for-like sales for the final quarter of 2017 - down sharply on the 1.1 per cent growth seen in the previous three months.

Asda is the last of the Big Four supermarkets to report festive trading figures, with Tesco having emerged as the winner with a 2.3 per cent rise over its Christmas quarter.

Sainsbury’s posted a 1.1 per cent quarterly increase and Morrisons saw a 2.1 per cent hike in retail sales over the 10 weeks to January 7.

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World News

Students march in show of solidarity PUPILS from several Florida high schools have taken to the streets in a show of solidarity with students from a nearby school where 17 people were gunned down in their classrooms on Valentine’s Day. Video footage taken from TV news helicopter crews showed several dozen students walking out of West Boca Raton High School, bound for Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School 11 miles away, where the shootings took place.

Dozens more students gathered outside Fort Lauderdale High School, holding signs bearing messages such as ‘Our blood is on your hands’.

Former Stoneman student Nikolas Cruz, 19, is charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder.

Actor George Clooney and his wife Amal are donating $500,000 (£356,000) to students organising nationwide marches against gun violence, and have pledged to attend protests planned for next month.

Israeli prime minister in fresh bribery claim POLICE in Israel said they suspect a close confidant of Benjamin Netanyahu of offering a sitting judge a top post in exchange for dropping a corruption case against the Israeli prime minister’s wife.

It is the latest scandal to engulf the beleaguered Israeli leader’s inner circle, with Mr Netanyahu already standing accused of bribery in two other cases.

Nir Hefetz, a former spokesman of the Netanyahu family, is suspected of suggesting to Judge Hila Gerstel that she could be appointed attorney general if she halting a case against Sara Netanyahu’s excessive household spending.

The offer never materialised.

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Burma agrees to resettle 6,000 Rohingha stuck in border region NO MAN’S LAND A refugee camp near the Cox’s Bazar Tumbru area

SPORT IN BRIEF

Christie bows out after fall and disqualification ELISE CHRISTIE’S hopes of a medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics ended when she was disqualified in her 1,000m short track heat.

The 27-year-old Scot, who appeared to be in significant pain because of an ankle injury, finished second after her fall on the first lap led to a restart.

But the judges deemed her to have committed an offence during the race which resulted in her disqualification.

Christie damaged her ankle during Saturday’s 1500m semi-final.

West Ham doping woe

BURMA has struck a deal with Bangladesh to resettle more than 6,000 Rohingya Muslims who have been stranded in a no-man’s-land between the two countries.

The move comes as plans for the repatriation of hundreds of thousands of other Rohingya Muslims have been delayed over concerns for their safety if they return to Burma, officials said.

About 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled army-led violence in Buddhist-majority Burma since August and are living in refugee camps in Bangladesh.

Some, however, became stranded at the Tombru border point after Burma reportedly began building bunkers and

told the refugees to leave and enter Bangladesh, which denied their entry.

Duty Ali Hossain, the top government administrator in Cox’s Bazar district, said officials from the countries agreed that Burma would identify the stranded refugees and then resettle them.

He said Burma invited Bangladeshi officials to visit a Tombru border point and talk to the refugees.

“There was a dispute about who will verify them. We said that is the duty of Burma as they have not entered Bangla-

desh territory,” he said. “Burma has agreed to list and resettle them.”

Bangladesh Relief and Refugee Commissioner Abul Kalam said they went to the site to “encourage the refugees” to go back voluntarily.

“The refugees told us they want to go back and get settled in their homes. We pressed the Myanmar authorities to create a congenial and safe atmosphere to resettle them,” Mr Kalam said by phone. “The Burma side has agreed to take that responsibility.”

Mr Kalam said their return must be voluntary under the terms of a November agreement between the two countries.

WEST HAM have been charged by the Football Association in relation to antidoping regulations.

“It is alleged the club failed to ensure ‘club whereabouts’ information was accurate on three occasions within 12 months,” the FA said.

The London club has until February 27 to respond to the charge.

A West Ham spokesman said: “We would like to make it clear that the breach is a club administrative matter and does not concern any of our players.”

Neville includes Asante THE new England women’s football head coach Phil Neville has named Chelsea’s Anita Asante in his first squad to take part in the SheBelieves Cup in the United States next month.

Defender Asante, who was last called up in 2015, was one of several players who said they were poorly treated by the previous manager, Mark Sampson.

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Letters

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

And another thing…

This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going on in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk or write to the Editor at 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU This ‘silent majority’ is lying low – and it seems the objectors are, too

And the local Conservative Party’s response…

Regarding your article [February 7] concerning Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s consultation on the new civic development, it should come as no surprise that one of the few people in the consultation strongly in favour is a prospective Conservative council candidate.

The first question that was asked of candidates being interviewed by the selection committee to become Conservative candidates in the May elections was to establish their views on the new civic development.

Any candidate expressing doubts about the scheme was rejected as unsuitable. I should know as I was one of them. Conservative candidates opposed to the scheme are likely to prove a little thin on the ground.

We are told that there is a silent majority of the public in favour of this scheme. If anyone has had a sighting of this ‘majority’ perhaps they can let the rest of us know, although a search for UFOs or the Loch Ness Monster might prove a bit more fruitful.

Robert Mayall Tunbridge Wells

The Times invited comment from Andrew Kennedy, the Conservative Party Campaign Director for West Kent: “What happens at an interview is confidential,” he said, “and quite rightfully we would never disclose what was said or why.

“This protects the applicant and the integrity of the process.

“However I can confirm that each applicant was asked a series of questions, and these questions were the same for all applicants.

“The applicant’s view of any specific policy (including their view on the proposed Civic Development) was not one of these questions.

“To state that the applicants’ view on the Civic Development was the first question asked is simply not true.

“Nor were candidates stating opposition to the Civic Development rejected.

“In fact, a number of incumbent councillors and new applicants who have expressed doubts about the plans were reapproved and will be standing for election as Conservative Candidates in May.”

COMPLEX NEEDS Part of the council plan

It’s our own little Brexit right here Can you spot the similarities? An incoherent and ill thought through, largely Conservative ideology forcing hard Brexit upon us nationally and, coincidentally, a local Conservative cabal forcing the expenditure for an unwanted new Civic Centre upon us locally.

Well, they say you get the politics you deserve. Don’t be asleep at the wheel!

Wake up and lobby your councillor with your common sense.

Martin Dawes Via email

I was amused to read in your recent article ‘Criticism of Civic Complex continues with consultation’ [February 7] that only one response was in favour of the project, and he is a prospective conservative councillor.

Rumour has it, after the last round of selection meetings, that there is not a single new Conservative candidate who opposes the plan.

Kay Williams Via email

BBC is a waste of parking space So the BBC is objecting to the building of the Civic Complex and theatre on land adjoining Calverley Grounds, claiming the plans for the £90million development are ‘simply unworkable’ [February 14].

The corporation, through its lawyer Thaddaeus Jackson-Browne, says it does not oppose the plan in principle but believes the impact on the studios of BBC Radio Kent and South East Today will be considerable with lack of parking and noise and other pollution.

It declares: “The amount and level of disruption to the BBC’s day to day operations in respect to the logistics of deliveries, servicing and car parking for staff and visitors is simply unworkable and jeopardises the entire BBC operation at The Great Hall.”

Yes there will be some considerable disruption, there might be some dust, and you might have trouble parking – welcome to the real world.

I believe the BBC has around 30 parking spaces that will be temporarily lost, which means staff will have to do the same as hundreds of other local workers – find another parking space.

Many people use the car park on Major Yorks Road and walk the few hundred yards into town.

Would that really be so bad? Plus the BBC would probably pay for the parking. Sorry, the licence payers would foot the bill for the parking.

It all begs the question as to what does having the BBC contribute to the local community?

Very little when put up against the benefits of having a new Civic Complex and theatre.

Michael Poulter Via email

Wonder Will

Tonbridge council for me any day The Boundary Commission is proposing that the village I live in, Bidborough, changes from the constituency of Tunbridge Wells to Tonbridge & Malling.

I hope that this will also mean our borough council will change to Tonbridge, so that I and my family will not be burdened with our share of the £90million debt the borough council wishes to spend on the Civic Complex.

I can see what the borough of Tonbridge & Malling spends some of its money on; if you walk down Tonbridge High Street, you can see evidence of that.

We have lived in the borough of Tunbridge Wells for over 20 years, and I am struggling to think of a single thing the council has actually improved in that time.

All I see is a cinema site that has remained derelict for 17 years, roads that are more congested than ever, and shops closing down everywhere.

I cannot imagine an extra £90million of debt will improve things in the borough.

Ian Lash Bidborough

Bobbies know when they’re beat

Candidates are not so candid?

Calverley

Observations on life and more important things

Reading that Dave Pate is set to step down as Chief Inspector for Tunbridge Wells [February 14], he might have chosen a good time to go.

Severe budget cuts to the force have seen an estimated reduction of 20,000 officers since 2010, when a certain Theresa May became Home Secretary.

When Mr Pate started out in 1988, he had a foot patrol in The Pantiles, and the fact he said the idea now sounds ‘alien’ sums it up.

As new types of crime trend develop, such as the horrific drug gangs he mentioned, the police have less and less manpower to deal with it.

Unfortunately, the police are now less able to respond to calls and have to resort to spreading reassurance through posts on social media rather than having a physical presence.

It shocked me to read that the police are now considering bringing in more volunteers [January 24], presumably to make up the numbers.

The replacement for Mr Pate is yet to be named, but he certainly has a very tough job on his hands. I wish him the very best of luck.

Terry Campbell Tunbridge Wells

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

WILL BAYLEY: What a lovely chap. He’s the one raised in Groombridge who took up the bat at Byng Hall Table Tennis Club in Tunbridge Wells and went on to win gold at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Anyway, Calverley was backstage at the SO [Magazine] Lifestyle Awards at Trinity Theatre (no he did not win anything), where Will was the ‘inspirational’ speaker. Himself asked Will, who now lives and trains in Sheffield, if he did many such gigs: “Hardly any, but I wanted to come back here tonight as a way of saying thank you to all the local people and businesses who have supported me over the years.” See – nice guy. And his mum, who runs a shop in The Pantiles, was in the audience.

SOMETIMES you just don’t feel appreciated.

Take the case of the young woman who works at a TW business. She is standing in the office lobby searching through her handbag to make sure she has her purse when the Big Boss walks in, sees her standing there and offers to help, asking who she has come to see. The business has 30 employees. She has worked there for two years. Guess she’s not going to make Employee of the Month.

IMPOSSIBLE not to chuckle at the sight of our very own celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager on television. She was back on screen as part of The Real Marigold on Tour series, where older folks go abroad in search of the ideal place to retire. This time round it was Thailand where, ever the good sport, Rosemary volunteered to spend a couple of hours in a dentist’s chair having her teeth whitened.

Trouble is, Calverley’s old friend – as she has said countless times – can nod off anytime, anywhere, which she duly did in the dentist’s chair… only to start snoring loudly, much to the amusement of the staff and millions of viewers. Talk about relaxed.

CHANGING TIMES: Remember when people used to go down to the shops and work their way through the High Street buying everything they thought they needed to survive, and then went home to relax with a cup of coffee? Today those same people spend hours online at home doing the shopping, and then go down to the High Street for a coffee to relax.

Chin Chin, readers

Education

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

EDUCATION Times WITH THE

Education will empower our future female generations After celebrating a century of women having more political power, and ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, Benenden Head Samantha Price shares her thoughts on the importance of empowering females from a young age WHAT IS DADS4DAUGHTERS?

SAMANTHA PRICE Pleased at how far we have come since the suffragettes

AS THE country celebrated 100 years of women having the vote, I feel indebted to the three women who had the vision, independence and means to found Benenden School in 1923 – just a few years after the suffragettes’ campaigning was successful.

I am equally proud that almost a century on, the legacy of such visionary women is very much evident at Benenden and in schools across the country. I see young women who are confident, motivated and skilled to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Protest I hope that if today’s young women ever feel compelled to protest in the future, they know their voices will be heard without them having to resort to breaking windows, storming Parliament, going on hunger strikes, chaining themselves to railings or running in front of a horse to be taken seriously.

Thank goodness this will never be the case again.

There is no doubt that our daughters are growing up in a world where they see no limits to the aspirations of women, inspired by strong female role models – regardless of one’s politics – such

as women holding the positions of UK Prime Minister, Scottish leader of the Conservative Party, Scottish First Minister, and having seen a woman competing for the American Presidency.

All of these would have been far-fetched fantasies in 1918.

Whilst recent headlines about BBC pay imbalance and sexual harassment issues in Westminster and Hollywood are reminders that there is still some way to go to achieve gender equality in the workplace, there has been enormous progress in every walk of life, and this will only continue with the next generation.

It has been said that until there is an equal representation in the House of Commons of men and women (32 per cent of current MPs are female), there will not be true equality in the country. That may, indeed, be the case but the climate is increasingly moving towards this.

There is an acceptance that boardrooms have not kept up with the pace of societal change, and that significant work is to be done to achieve gender equality at the top of UK business.

This journey is, however, very much underway, and Benenden is pleased to be involved in the Dads4Daughters movement, in which schools are working with the fathers on their parent bodies to, AIMING HIGH where necessary, Benenden girls change workplace cultures.

Last year, St Paul’s Girl’s School in London launched a new campaign: Dads4Daughters.

Partly inspired by the UN’s recent HeForShe initiative, the campaign seeks to achieve greater gender equality in the workplace by enlisting fathers directly and by raising awareness amongst men of the key feminist issues faced by contemporary working women.

Prompted by years of anecdotal evidence from ex-students, it is based on the firm belief that fathers, not just mothers, are in a strong position to effect change.

A spokesperson for Dads4Daughters said: “We envisage a culture where men are proud to support equality, no longer feel worried about calling each other out for unconscious bias, and where feminism is no longer seen as a female preserve.

‘When men become fathers of daughters, many report that their perspective on gender equality dramatically changes’ “Never has the achievement of workplaces free from bias, pay inequality and glass ceilings for young women seemed more relevant. We have decided to make March 15 national Dads4Daughters Day, a day on which all fathers of daughters everywhere will be asked to pledge themselves to achieving greater gender equality in the workplace – the future workplace of their daughter.

“When men become fathers of daughters, many report that their perspective on gender equality dramatically changes.

“They also become acutely aware of the challenges of achieving a work-life balance both for themselves and the women around them. As such, the programme also calls for recognition of modern ‘working fathers’ and the pressures placed upon them by gender expectations.

“When directly asked to consider if they would be happy for their daughters to work in a particular organisation, this can strike a real chord and motivate them to take real action. Moreover, many men are uniquely placed to take action and should be actively encouraged to do so.”

There may well still be a long way to go in many fields in this country, but the suffragettes would be rightly proud of the progress that has been made in the past century. Together, we will continue this progress until gender inequality is as outdated a concept as women not being allowed to vote.

NEWS

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Weekly Comment

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Carol Wilson Tunbridge Wells Labour Party Women’s Officer

Carol Wilson is a keen advocate for women having a bigger say in decisionmaking and is the local Labour Party Women’s Officer and Chairperson of the Labour Women’s Forum. She has a public service background and is qualified in nursing, social work and management. The Times also includes comment from the Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Green parties.

Celebrate votes for women and International Women’s Day COME and join us on March 8 in Tunbridge Wells when women from across the borough will be marching from The Pantiles to Royal Victoria Place to celebrate International Women’s Day. The day will be a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, and will be a call to speed up the time when women have true gender equality.

‘The fight for women’s equality is ongoing, and Tunbridge Wells Labour Women’s Forum continues to use its voice to raise awareness of injustice’ This year, the centenary of (some) women getting the vote, we also pay tribute to the heroic women, suffragists and suffragettes who led the campaign here in Tunbridge Wells for votes for women.

More than one hundred years ago, the women of Tunbridge Wells were marching for equality and social justice – and they have never stopped.

Women from our town campaigned in the 70s against violence to women through the ‘Take back the Night’ campaign, and in the 80s joined the women of Greenham Common to protest against the siting of cruise missiles.

Tunbridge Wells women have led the way in supporting refugee families and unaccompanied refugee children to find new safe homes in which to rebuild their lives.

Today, when the call to action comes, women are there doing what women do, providing a small volunteer army to fill the gaps caused by cuts in public services.

The fight for women’s equality is ongoing and Tunbridge Wells Labour Women’s Forum continues to use its voice to raise awareness of injustice.

Women bear the brunt of austerity, domestic violence is on the rise, women’s refuges are underfunded or closing, food bank demand has increased massively, child poverty levels are up and so-called affordable housing is out of reach for many.

Social care is in crisis. More than 60 per cent of carers are women, and 80 per cent of the Government’s tax and welfare savings have come at the expense of women.

In Tunbridge Wells, despite there being more women than men of voting age, women seem a long way from achieving equality.

We have a male MP, Council Leader and Chief Executive, and only a third of our councillors are women. We have 42 commemorative plaques across the town, of which only seven are of women, and among those only one a suffragist, Amelia Scott.

CHANGING TIMES? Women will march again in Tunbridge Wells on March 8

The fight for empowerment and equality is still not won, and will only be achieved when women realise the importance of their vote – and use it.

We owe much to those brave women who led the fight for us. We want better for our daughters and granddaughters.

This year the International Women’s Day pledge is #PressforProgress, a call to action in the fight for parity to transform women’s lives.

Local women from all parties and organisations, young and older, respecting all identities and faiths, will walk together from The Pantiles to Royal Victoria Place starting at 4pm on March 8.

Many will be in period costume.

As women, we will proudly walk for change in the footsteps of our suffragist sisters in their 1913 local Pilgrimage March for votes for women.

Come with us and make the pledge!

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

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To suit your budget

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Your at-a-glance guide to WITH THE

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Pick up your edition at the following stations Tunbridge Wells Tonbridge Wadhurst Hildenborough Paddock Wood High Brooms

To feature a property or to place an advert please call: Patsy Kelly 01892 774781

Alternatively, you can contact the Times of Tunbridge Wells in the following ways: Call 01892 779 624 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1NU newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

UNDER £300,000

n 2 bedrooms

UNDER £500,000

BORDYKE, TONBRIDGE

n En-suite shower room

LEASEHOLD

n Allocated visitor parking and

REDLAND AVENUE TUNBRIDGE WELLS

additional visitor parking

f facebook.com/timeslocalnews

£299,950

k twitter.com/timeslocalnews

n Upper ground floor flat

n Communal grounds

n Central location not far

n No forward chain

L timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

from High Street

n Open-plan lounge/dining/ room/kitchen

n Family bathroom

GUIDE PRICE

n Bike shed

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

£425,000

n Well-presented modern townhouse in a cul-de-sac on the Rusthall/Langton Green border, with a delightful outlook over a green community space

n 3 floors n Cloakroom

n Living/dining room n Kitchen n 2 bedrooms (one with en suite) n Bedroom 3/study n Bathroom n Landscaped garden n Car port and parking space CONTACT Bracketts Tunbridge Wells 01892 533733 www.bracketts.co.uk

To suit your budget

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

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great properties by price range…

BEULAH ROAD

UNDER £600,000 MILL STREAM PLACE TONBRIDGE

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

GUIDE PRICE

GUIDE PRICE

£850,000£895,000

£550,000-£575,000 n Detached house n Lounge n Study n Dining room n Kitchen/breakfast room n 4 bedrooms n En suite and family bathroom n Garden n Garage and parking

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

UNDER £750,000 THE VIOLETS, PADDOCK WOOD

GUIDE PRICE

£695,000 n Detached modern family house n 3 floors n Entrance hall n Lounge n Dining room n Large kitchen/breakfast room n Master bedroom with en suite n 4 further bedrooms n Family bathroom n Rear garden

CONTACT Firefly Properties Paddock Wood 01892 838363 www.fireflyproperties.co.uk

UNDER £800,000 UNDER £1MILLION

LOWER GREEN ROAD, PEMBURY

BEULAH ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS

GUIDE PRICE

£850,000-£895,000 n Period features

£750,000 n 4 further bedrooms

n 3 reception rooms

n Bathroom

n Conservatory

n L-shaped garden with double

n Kitchen/breakfast room

width rear

n 4 bedrooms

n Entrance hall

n Office/games room/workshop

n Bathroom and en suite

n Sitting room

n Ample off-road parking

n Gas-fired central heating

n Kitchen/dining room

n Gas central heating

n Utility room n Downstairs cloakroom n Ground floor bedroom/ reception room

CONTACT Wood & Pilcher Tunbridge Wells 01892 511211 www.woodandpilcher.co.uk

n Fireplaces and double-glazing n Gardens n Garage and parking

CONTACT Thompson Spare Tunbridge Wells 01892 531199 www.thompsonspare.com

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Wellington House

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AT A GLANCE WELLINGTON HOUSE ASHGROVE ROAD, SEVENOAKS n Built by Wedgewood Homes n Three floors n Entrance hall n Sitting room n Study n Dining room n Large kitchen/breakfast/family room n Main receptions all have bifold doors opening to the garden n Utility room n Cloakroom n Galleried landing n Master bedroom with Juliet balcony overlooking the garden, plus a dressing room and en suite n 5 further bedrooms (3 en suite) n 2 family bathrooms n Integral garage n Driveway n Garden with patio

GUIDE PRICE

ÂŁ1,995,000

Available for sale through Savills Sevenoaks 01732 789700 www.savills.co.uk

State-of-the-art six-bedroom house on a private road in leafy southern Sevenoaks

The Poult House

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

AT A GLANCE THE POULT HOUSE ASHES LANE, HADLOW n Drawing room n Dining room

theknme w yourh

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Full of style and character, the house dates from the mid-17th century with later additions, and has been modernised

n Sitting room n Study n Orangery n Kitchen/breakfast/family room n Larder, utility room, boot room and cloakroom n Master bedroom suite n Guest bedroom with en-suite toilet n 4 further bedrooms n 2 bathrooms n Wet room and storeroom n Self-contained 3-bedroom cottage n 2 garages and threshing barn n Workshop, gym and storeroom n Wine store and plant room n Tennis court and swimming pool n Formal gardens with greenhouse, fields and paddocks n Approx. 15.5 acres

GUIDE PRICE

ÂŁ3,650,000 Available for sale through Savills Sevenoaks 01732 789700 www.savills.co.uk

Stunning listed country home boasting a cottage, swimming pool, tennis court and threshing barn

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Holmewood Ridge

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AT A GLANCE HOLMEWOOD RIDGE LANGTON GREEN n Located in a private road a short walk from Holmewood House School n Entrance porch n Dining hallway n Drawing room n Sitting room n Open-plan kitchen/breakfast/ family room n Cloakroom and utility room n 6 bedrooms (4 with en suites) n Shower room n Gas-fired central heating n Garage and parking n Gardens n All-weather tennis court

ÂŁ1, 895,000 Available for sale through Thompson Spare Tunbridge Wells 01892 531199 www.thompsonspare.com

A detached family property close to preparatory school

There a lovely south-facing views to the rear to the countryside beyond

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Advertising

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Interiors

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

PHOTO: Wilkinson

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Home comforts Create a cosy and calming ambience in your home courtesy of a warm and inviting decorating scheme, says Eileen Leahy

W

hat better way to escape the late winter drizzle and biting chill than retreating to a calm and cosy sanctuary in your very own home? Just the thought of snuggling into a comfy sofa and relaxing by a roaring fire while the weather wreaks havoc outside is enough to have you scrambling for a paint brush and honing your technique of layering luxurious textures.

But while you may think soothing snugs are only found in country hotels or croft cottages, the good news is they couldn’t be easier to create – wherever you live.

The key to getting things right is to keep your colour palette soft and subtle and weave in plenty of gorgeously tactile textures.

Not only will these up the comfort factor tenfold, they’ll also make it a much more dynamic space and add that all-important touch of luxury.

But before you start seeking out swatches of velour, butter soft leather and wool with which to enhance your scheme, you need to think about your colour combos. Winter whites mixed with subtle natural tones – clotted cream, honey and taupe are classic.

But how about mixing things up by weaving in a soft pink or a tonal grey for a more contemporary scene?

A sliver of copper metallic here and there will also keep it looking fresh, and this can be done courtesy of some statement

‘This season’s must-have – a sheepskin rug or two flung on the floor or over the backs of occasional chairs will help to boost your cosy look’ lighting, cushions or a collection of mercurial glass.

Francesca’s Paints (www.francescaspaint.com ) has a wonderful selection of limewashes as well as eco-friendly emulsions in an array of chalky calming colours, while Sanderson (www. sanderson-uk.com ) boasts a very sophisticated collection of more traditional paint tones – its Driftwood Grey for example would suit. Remember you want shades that work equally well in natural daylight as they do when enhanced by lots of low level lighting at night.

If you want to put a little print into your scheme, then add some

courtesy of curtains, cushions or footstools. There are myriad styles to choose from, including classic blousy florals, funky checks for a Highland fling feel, or a more directional geometric feel.

The high street stores, including Next, John Lewis and Marks and Spencer all carry designs to please most palates, but it’s worth having a look at smaller independents, too.

Have a google around online or visit the array of local interiors shops in the high street to gain further inspiration.

Furniture and accent accessories, such as candle sconces, photo frames and lighting should reflect a similar colour theme, and also boast plenty of varying textures.

And this season’s must-have – a sheepskin rug or two flung on the floor or over the backs of occasional chairs will help to boost your cosy look. Just about everywhere is doing this statement piece at the moment, but be mindful of the quality.

Seek out these in traditional cream or slate, and if you want to embrace the darker side of things, how about an inky accessory or two?

You really don’t have to spend a fortune, as the current collections at Tesco, B&Q, Dunelm and Sainsbury’s will testify, but if you want to splash out on super-soft cashmere, quality linen and silk, then head to The White Company, Graham & Green or Toast.

Nothing quite beats an antique leather chair piled high with deliciously soft throws and cushions, but if you can’t afford to buy an original one then take a look at the excellent reproduction styles available from Laura Ashley and Dunelm.

Other statement pieces of furniture, such as ottomans and footstools, also help to add character and also double up as great storage and display items.

Homesense is a treasure trove for all these, as well as other essentials such as lanterns to help create ambient lighting and log baskets so you’re never short of fuel for your flickering fire.

This kind of look will also see you into spring.

All you need to do to switch things up is peel off a few layers, add fresh flowers and fling open the windows when that much anticipated finer weather decides to show up.

Interiors

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

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THE BIRDCAGE LOOK Broste Copenhagen Wire Lantern in Champagne, £72, Amara, www.amara.com

SO CLEAN AND PURE Hydrangeas in glass vase, £55, Kelly Hoppen Home, www.kellyhoppen.com SINK INTO SOFT PINK Oyster shimmer rug, from £69.99, www.very.co.uk

You’ve read all about how you can make your home more inviting and cosy, now take a look at the items which will you get the look…

GOING FOR THE BURN Paddywax Tobacco & Patchouli Large Triangular Candle, £50, Paperchase, www.paperchase.com VERY STYLISH Michelle Keegan Pink Ombre Glass Table Lamp, £49.99, www.very.co.uk

SLIGHTLY RETRO Set of 2 Franky Chairs in Brown PU Leather, £418.00, Cuckooland, www.cuckooland.com

SUBTLE AND SOFT Pair of cushions in dove grey, £6 per pack, Primark, www.primark.co.uk

ULTIMATE DECADENCE Sheepskin Rug Stone £80, Oliver Bonas, www.oliverbonas.com

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Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Henrietta House

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AT A GLANCE

HENRIETTA HOUSE LONDON ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS n Reception/cinema room n Reception/family room/bedroom n Dining room n 2 kitchens (one also a family room) n Bathroom n 2 master bedrooms with en suites n 2 further bedrooms (one with en suite) n Family cloakroom n Roof terrace

GUIDE PRICE

£1,375,000

Available for sale through Bracketts Tunbridge Wells 01892 533733 www.bracketts.co.uk

Enjoy a roof garden with all-round views by Tunbridge Wells Common This Grade II listed Victorian villa has been refurbished to a high standard, yet retains many character features

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Advertising

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Gardening

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

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Purple reigns in the garden this summer

Small Summer Gardens by Emma Hardy, CICO Books (£14.99) Photography by Debbie Patterson © CICO Books. Small Summer Gardens is available from all good bookshops, or call 01256-302699 quoting NP2 to purchase a copy at the special price of £10.99 including free p&p

Although the finer weather might still be a few months away, it’s never too early to start planning a colour scheme in your garden. Why not go for popular purple by following this easy to achieve planting idea?

6 1

Soak the rootballs of all the plants in water for about ten minutes, or until they are wet through. Use the hammer and nail to make drainage holes in the bottom of the bowl. Cover the holes with drainage crocks, to prevent them becoming blocked with potting mix

2 3

Half-fill the bowl with potting mix, making sure you level off the surface

Blue enamel bowl with purple flowers The allium flowers will fade before the other plants, but they look beautiful at all stages and will continue to add structure and shape to the planter long after the flowers have gone over. Read on to find out how to create one

YOU WILL NEED

PLANTS:

Large enamel bowl

3–4 Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ (Dutch garlic)

Hammer and heavy-duty nail Drainage crocks Potting mix Fine gravel

1 Baptisia Decadence Series ‘Dutch Chocolate’ (false indigo) 1 each of Delphinium ‘Highlander Flamenco’, D. ‘Magic Fountains Blue/

Remove the alliums from their plastic pots and plant them in the bowl. Press the potting mix firmly around the rootballs, adding a few more handfuls if necessary so that they stand upright

4

Take one of the delphiniums from its plastic pot and plant it towards one side of the bowl in the same way, firming the potting mix around it

White Bee’, and D. ‘Magic Fountains Lilac Rose’ (larkspur)

7 5

Remove one of the salvias from its plastic pot and plant it on the other side of the bowl, again pressing down the potting mix firmly to keep the plant in place

6

Repeat the process for the remaining plants, arranging them among the first plants to form a pleasing display. Again, as all the plants are tall, firm them in well so they stand upright

7

Use a few trowel-fuls of potting mix to fill any gaps between the plants, press down firmly, and level off the surface. Water the bowl and let drain

8

As a decorative finishing touch, sprinkle fine gravel around the plants to cover the surface of the potting mix completely. The gravel also serves a practical purpose in helping to retain valuable moisture

2 Hesperis matronalis (dame’s violet) 1 each of Salvia sylvestris ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ and S. sylvestris ‘Viola Klose’ (wood sage)

1 8

2

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AFTERCARE

The plants in this display are all sun-lovers, so position the finished bowl in a sunny spot. Ensure you keep the potting mix damp. Stake the plants with garden twine tied to garden canes, or twiggy branches pushed into the potting mix. This will help keep them upright

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

thekn w ARTS AND CULTURE | LIFE & STYLE | MOTORING TECHNOLOGY | DREAM DESTINATIONS | SPORT

Beatnik chic

Shop the look locally

Page 68-69

FOOD & DRINK

Prepare to bare

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We highlight the must have skin products Page 68

SWING INTO ACTION

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Magical matrimony

Childhood sweethearts tie the knot Page 70-71

A FRESH APPROACH

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Death becomes her

SUMMER SUNSHINE

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See Murder on the Nile at Trinity Theatre Page 58-59

HIT THE ROAD

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Arts & Culture

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

PHOTOS: Symon Hamer

arts

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Cruising to achieve a

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hy did you decide to do Murder on the Nile as a production and what is the play about?

The play is set on a cruise on the Nile and we meet the usual mix of Christie characters.

We renamed it Murder on the Nile instead of Death on the Nile because the stage play is quite different to the book and film. There’s there’s no Poirot for a start.

As the play develops tensions build between the three main characters and in a drunken argument one of them is shot in the leg.

What we don’t know is that at the same time somewhere else on the boat, someone has been murdered. With most people appearing to have an alibi and it being proven that no one could have come on board, they realise that someone amongst them is a murderer.

The hunt is on with one of the characters taking control and trying to solve the crime before the police arrive in the morning. It soon transpires that someone did see something and very subversely tries to blackmail the guilty party, this as in any Christie play means only one thing: Another murder!

Are you a fan of the famous film version that starred Peter Ustinov, David Niven, Bette David and Maggie Smith?

Absolutely! I have always loved the film and when I was growing up we always had the books in the house. You could say I was brought up on Christie’s novels. My mother even directed this play a lifetime ago, so I have always known of it.

How does the play version of this Christie classic differ from the original book and numerous TV adaptations?

Hugely so as Agatha Christie cut out over half the book’s original characters when adapting it for the the stage and screen. The main story and plot remain the same as the original book but with the reduction in the number of characters the body count is slightly less too!

murder mystery masterpiece moments, some you shouldn’t laugh at but I’m sure you will!

We have decided to be different and have set the action on the sun deck of the boat. So we will, in effect, be building part of the boat and this will be on a 45 degree angle on the stage. This means that we have had to work with a smaller acting space and allow for a different playing area.

Here’s a brief synopsis of Agatha Christie’s dazzling, exotic story of passion, jealousy and retribution.

The beautiful young heiress Kay Ridgeway and her newly-wed husband Simon board an Egyptian cruise-ship for their honeymoon. But among the other guests aboard is Simon’s ex-fiancée, determined to follow the couple everywhere they go, wreaking a silent, unnerving revenge. When Kay is suddenly murdered, suspicion naturally falls on her rival – but what if she wasn’t the culprit?

How often do you work with Trinity?

This is my third production in a row for Trinity. I was the producer and production manager for both Sleuth and The Crucible but Murder on the Nile is actually my directoral debut for the theatre. Trinity have incredible high production values and produce excellent pieces. It is always a pleasure working with such a talented theatre group.

What do you like about directing in general?

Are the cast who star in your production all from the local scene?

Most are from the Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge area. So, yes very local which makes it easier to rehearse.

Do you have any other plans to work with Trinity again in the near future?

I think that they will love the usual Agatha Christie story, but with the change in staging and the cast volume it will feel different to what they are expecting. There is, as always with this type of classic thriller, plenty of comic relief as well as tension. There has to be a balance to thrill the audience, two particular characters have some very funny lines and

Plot spot

Were there any tricky elements in staging it?

It’s the challenge of taking an existing piece that someone else has written and being creative with how the play should be stage and produced. The rehearsal period is the manifestation of months of pre-work and meetings with all the back stage teams to create what we feel is the best for the production. Also, the chance to work with some incredibly talented people and see how they use their skills to bring the characters to life.

What do you think audiences will enjoy most about your interpretation of the story?

Trinity Theatre Club puts on its production of Murder on the Nile next week. Here its director Chris Howland tells Eileen Leahy why they decided to take on this famed Agatha Christie classic… and rename it

I will most probably have a bit of a break. I have a special birthday coming up and am getting married at the beginning of 2019, so will need to focus on that particular production! I will, of course, help on the Trinity Theatre Club committee, but won’t be taking on any big commitments.

Murder on the Nile runs at Trinity Theatre from Tuesday February 27 until Saturday March 3. Tickets and timings vary. See www.trinitytheatre.net

Why Murder on the Nile still is relevant today “This play was written and set just before WWII and has a very European cast and a sense of the tensions that were happening in the world at the time. And so to today and with feelings currently running high in this country with regard to Brexit and the EU (and certainly in the South East), some of the stronger nationalistic views expressed in the play could easily be in our national newspapers tomorrow morning.”

Chris Howland, director

Arts & Culture

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

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Bringing local theatre to a national stage Trinity Youth Theatre enters the National Theatre Connections festival with their production of When They Go Low. Its director Jess Horley reveals what it is all about TRINITY Youth Theatre is entering into the largest youth theatre festival on the planet: the National Theatre Connections Festival. Every year, the National Theatre commissions ten plays from established playwrights to be performed by hundreds of youth theatres, groups and schools up and down the country at their home theatres or other venues, and then at a professional partner theatre. One chosen group per play will then perform at the National Theatre itself at the end of the festival later this year.

The festival was founded in 1995 and all plays are written to be performed by young people.

Previous plays include DNA by Dennis Kelly,

‘The play, set in the modern world, is naturalistic with some stylised elements, including a chorus which never leaves the stage

Citizenship by Mark Ravenhill, and Burn by Deborah Gearing, all of which have gone on to be produced professionally at the National Theatre.

Trinity Youth Theatre’s cast of 20 will be performing When They Go Low by Natalie Mitchell. Directed by Jason Lower and Jess Horsley, the premiere performance will be at the Stag Theatre Plaza in Sevenoaks, where the play will be assessed by an adjudicator. Following this are two home performances at Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. After the home performances, the cast and directors will get to meet a director or writer representing the National Theatre Connections Festival, who will give them some useful feedback to polish their performance with for the final show at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.

When They Go Low focuses on the current struggle to define feminism, exploring all types of female and male perspectives. The title itself, When They Go Low, is an extract from a Michelle Obama quote. The play, set in the modern world, is naturalistic with some stylised elements, including a chorus which never leaves the stage.

The chorus represents the wider world of the play, and comments, verbally and non-verbally, on the main events that are happening on stage.

This makes it an exciting and dynamic play which is not only interesting for a youth audience, but also a wider audience, given its political relevance today.

TO BOOK TICKETS: Go to www.trinitytheatre. net under ‘Youth Theatre’ or call 01892 678678.

Tickets for performances at the Stag Theatre and the Marlowe Theatre can be booked via the relevant venues

PERFORMANCE DATES: n Sun 4 Mar, The Stag Theatre Plaza, Sevenoaks n Mon 26 Mar, Trinity Theatre n Wed 28 Mar, Trinity Theatre n Sat 21 or Sun 22 Apr (TBC), The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

EYE ON THE PRIZE Cas Edwards plays the lead role of Louise

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Going Out

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

going ut Seven days of activities at a glance WEDNESDAY Tonight over at the EM Forster theatre in Tonbridge there is a production entitled Wisdom of A Fool. This is well-received and clever oneman show reveals the life and talent of the legendary slapstick comedian Norman Wisdom.

Starring Jack Lane in the title role of Wisdom, playing him in his fifties heyday, tickets cost £16 per person and can be booked at www. emftheatre.ticketsolve.com

By Eileen Leahy

All this week until Saturday you’ll have the opportunity to catch the Oast Theatre’s performance of The Game’s Afoot (or Home For the Holidays) by Stuart McCreadie. This comedy spoof meets a good old who-dun-it is set on Christmas Eve in 1936 at the home of an actor famous for portraying Sherlock Holmes. Try to keep up as you work out who is dead and who might be as the hilarious plot unfolds. Tickets cost £10 and £7.50 for members and can be LOG ON See The View from Nowhere by Gxjacques

purchased at www. oasttheatre.com BoostFit classes are now being held on Wednesday evenings at 7pm at St Gregory’s school. The classes cost £5 for a one hour session. See www. boostfit.com for more details.

THE HISTORY BOYS Visit the current exhibition about Fegans

THURSDAY Trinity’s latest art exhibition is entitled A Cut After The Rest and showcases the work of local photographer Claire Dominic. As well as a selection of her photos she will also be exhibiting lino cuts. For more details see www.trinitytheatre.net The Big School’s Birdwatch is on until tomorrow and it’s been an event which encourages children to get out and about and look out for different varieties of bird then submit their findings to the RSPB. If you haven’t got involved then you have the next two days to do so. For more information visit www.rspb.org.uk Every third Tuesday of the month (apart from August) the Kent & Sussex Poetry Society hold meetings at the Camden Centre in Tunbridge Wells. At each event there is a reading by a published poet and a discussion afterwards. All are welcome and admission is £3. The society’s members hold workshops every first Tuesday each month (except August) to discuss their poetry. They also hold an annual open poetry competition and publish an annual folio of members’ work. New members are always welcome. For more information visit www. kentandsussexpoetry.com Café Manna on Tunbridge Wells High Street will be hosting a talk entitled Empowering Women Discover the UK Parliament, from 7pm until 8.30pm. Introduced by Mayor Julia Soyke it will feature guest speaker Charlotte Dobson, the

Senior Community Outreach Officer for Parliament in London and the South East. The discussion is aimed at women but everyone is welcome along. Topics discussed will be how to find out more about how national issues and decisions affect individuals, especially women, and how they can make their voice and opinions heard.

Tonight at 7pm both the EM Forster Theatre and Odeon cinema will be screening the National Theatre’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Starring Sienna Miller and Jack O’Connell this is a captivating production of Tennessee William’s classic play set on a steamy night in Mississippi. Tickets cost £14.

FRIDAY The latest exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery is Seasons of Change: The Fegans’ Story. Running until June 9, it focuses on the work of Fegans, a local charity which has been championing childhood and transforming mental health since 1870. Admission is free and the show is on Tuesday to Sunday.

Muslim stand-up Shazia Mirza pitches up with her new show With Love From St Tropez which features her unique brand of controversial comedy at Trinity theatre tonight from 8pm.

Tickets cost £18 and can be booked via

Going Out

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

STRETCH YOUR STYLE Try visiting a BoostFit class

www.trinitytheatre.net Late last year Thompson Spare estate agents on the High Street in Tunbridge Wells launched an art gallery. Currently it is exhibiting a show entitled The View From Nowhere by artist Gxjacques. Although she is from St Leonard’s some of her work features local scenic spots such as Powdermill Woods. The idea behind her work is to ‘paint uncharted or unmapped places that you can’t see on Google or any other visual maps’. Drop into Thompson Spare during working hours to see the show.

COMEDY VALUE Jack Lane plays SATURDAY Norman The Tunbridge Wells Wisdom Farmers Market returns to the town centre today so if you need to stock up on any specialist products, store cupboard basics or local epicurean treats make sure you get down to the town hall where it’s on from 9am until 2pm.

Go Ape at Bedgebury has reopened for spring and it’s a perfect weekend activity to get stuck into. Children must be aged at least 10 years old and be a minimum of 1.4m tall, in order to participate in this tree top adventure.

For tickets and timings visit www.goape.co.uk Bore Place, located in Bough Beech, launches its field trail walk from today. The trail has been renovated and much improved with new signage, picnic areas, information boards, walking maps and two new routes.

There will be a choice of three circular walks all boasting beautiful views, ancient woodlands and interesting wildlife. After your ramble why not drop into the pop-up café for tea and cake?

Visit www.boreplace.org Stuck for something to do this weekend with the children? Then why not take a pleasant trip along the Spa Valley Railway line which this weekend is treating little ones to a ride along its steam trains for just £1! That means a whole family (two adults and two children) can enjoy the day out for just £26. To book visit /www. spavalleyrailway.co.uk Southborough Library will be hosting a talk by local author Molly Green today from 4pm until 5.30pm. Molly, who also writes as Fenella Forster, will be talking about how her varied career provides her with inspiration for her beloved historical novels. Her latest one is called ‘An Orphan in the Snow’ and is set in World War 2 Liverpool. Tickets £2. To book a place contact Southborough library 03000 41 31 31 or email southboroughlibrary@kent.gov.uk

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PICK OF THE WEEK:

Snowdrop walk at Hever Castle Selected days throughout February The recent winner of the So Lifestyle Awards Best Family Fun Day Out was Hever Castle and it’s a deserved recipient as there’s so much to do at this beautiful stately home and its glorious gardens. At this particular time of

year it’s all about the wonderful snowdrops that are currently in season so make sure you pay it a visit to see the 70,000 plus varieties that are currently in bloom. Visit www.hevercastle.co.uk for further details

SUNDAY One Warwick Park Hotel will be hosting another of its Support Local pop-up events today from 10am. If you haven’t been along to one yet then it’s an opportunity for local independent suppliers to showcase their work and the general public to browse and buy from them. For more information visit www.supportlocalpopup.co.uk St John’s Yard runs an occasional cinema club and tonight from 7.30pm it will be screening the popular Kingsman Golden Circle.

Directed by Matthew Vaughn who also co-wrote the screenplay with Mrs Jonathan Ross – Jane Goldman, it stars Colin Firth, Mark Strong and Julianne Moore.

The plot follows the members of Kingsman who need to team up with their American counterpart known as Statesman, after the world is held hostage by Poppy

Adams (played by Moore) and her drug cartel, The Golden Circle. See www.saintjohnsyard.com for more information.

MONDAY The Shelved exhibition is now running at Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery until April. It’s a collaborative project between bookbinder Tracey Rowledge and silversmith David Clarke. Funded by Arts Council England as part of the second development stage of the Cultural & Learning Hub in Tunbridge Wells, the artists have spent time going through the museum’s collections and library archives as well as various items sourced from charity shops and townsfolk reworking items to give them new aesthetic value. For more details see www. tunbridgewellsmuseum.org Missed The Post starring Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep recently? Then worry not as you can still catch this brilliant film, inspired by the true events of a government cover-up that spanned four US presidents and was eventually exposed

by America’s first female newspaper publisher (Streep) and her hard-driving editor (Hanks). On at the Hop Farm in Paddock Wood’s Moonlight

Drive-in Cinema every night this week at 6.30pm tickets cost £25 per vehicle. See www. moonlightcinema.com for more details.

This evening and every alternate Monday is an Italian class for beginners at St Dunstan’s Church in Southborough. On from 8pm until 9.30pm each session will cover a different topic and there will be a brief refreshment break.

Entrance costs £5 with proceeds going to the church fund. To book your place contact Diana Mancini on 01892 537 017.

TUESDAY Head on over to Trinity Theatre this evening where you can catch the first performance of the Trinity Theatre Club’s Murder on the Nile. Running all week it promises to be a riveting production of this classic Agatha Christie whodunit. See our exclusive interview with the show’s director on page 58.

Every Tuesday at Christ Church on Tonbridge High Street Les Puces French speaking classes take place. Aimed at pre-schoolers and primary pupils, the lessons are an hour long and are held at 9.30am and 4pm. Fees for half a term cost £60 per child. Visit www.lespuces.co.uk

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Going Out

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Clea Llewellyn will be at The Bedford Pub and Velvet Goldmine will be at The Royal Oak Pub. The Swinging Little Big Band return to The Grey Lady and you can catch the Local & Live Sessions at Trinity Theatre with Infrared, Steve Hewitt and The Eliza Lewis Band.

Sunday is also jam packed with TW3 at The Bedford Pub, Arcelia will be at The Grey Lady. Lady Bird will be rockin’ The Sussex Arms and Dream State headline The Forum supported by Chapter and Verse, Orestea, She Is Defiant, Doghouse Outhouse and Silence Falls.

Looking ahead to next week The superb Stark Brothers are at The Punch & Judy in Tonbridge on Tuesday evening.

live music With Paul Dunton

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S WE move towards the latter part of February the local music scene is in full swing with an abundance of excellent gigs and concerts to be enjoyed. Make sure you venture out to one of your local venues and catch some fantastic live music! My top recommendations for this week are as follows: There are some great mid-week outings on offer and this Wednesday night there is a host of excellent local original bands in action at The Forum with Dove House, The Secret Crowd, The Unknown and The Ryan Fairport Convention

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

Weeks Band all performing. Local acts Hannigan, James McMaster and Storm Engine will all be performing at The Grey Lady on the same evening.

Thursday night see’s Legendary Folk/Rockers Fairport Convention return to The Assembly Halls Theatre this Thursday evening and for something a touch more alternative the excellent Paceshifters are at The Sussex Arms basement.

There are lots of other excellent local acts in action on Saturday night including Kharma & The Devil at The Beau Nash Tavern,

THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE The Pantiles, Doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7, websites www.pdag.co.uk + www.thegreylady.co.uk Wednesday Hannigan, James McMaster, Storm Engine Friday Salsa Just Salsa Saturday The Swinging Little Big Band Sunday Alina, Arcelia, Monday Open Singers Night Tuesday Jack Mackey, Mangetout Recovery, The Ackerleys, Rob Picazo

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM Event information at www.twforum.co.uk Wednesday The Stable: Dove House + The Secret Crowd + The Unknown + Ryan Weeks Band Thursday Sikth + Special Guests TBA Sunday Dream State + Chapter and Verse + Orestea + She Is Defiant + Doghouse Outhouse + Silence Falls

Storm Engine

THE BEDFORD PUB 2 Highstreet Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late Saturday Clea Llewellyn Sunday TW3 Prospect Road Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late Saturday Velvet Goldmine

THE SUSSEX ARMS BASEMENT

THE GEORGE PUB

Sussex Mews Open all day, entry charge may apply, music from 8.30pm more information at www.twforum.co.uk Thursday Paceshifters Sunday Lady Bird

29 Mount Ephraim Open all day, free entry music from 8pm Monday TWUNTS Ukulele Jam session

THE ROYAL OAK PUB

THE TRADING POST 5 Culverden Down Open all day, free entry music from 8pm Tuesday Open Mike night with Gez Gold

THE SPA HOTEL

Mount Ephraim Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late Saturday Kharma & The Devil

Mount Ephraim Road Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm, booking for dining

Crescent Road Details of all events and tickets available at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Thursday Fairport Convention Friday Faith: The George Michael Legacy Saturday Someone Like You: The Adele Songbook

TRINITY THEATRE Church Road Details of all events and tickets available at www.trinitytheatre.net Saturday Local & Live Sessions: Infrared + Steve Hewitt + Eliza Lewis Band

SCALLYWAG CAFÉ 45 Mount Ephraim Rd Open all day, entry charge may apply, music from 8.30pm Visit www.scallywagcafe.co.uk for more information Wednesday Open Mic Night Friday Ed Watts Jazz Piano Saturday Scallywag Swing Jive Night

THE BEAU NASH TAVERN

THE ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE

recommended on 01892 520331 Friday The Violet Jive

THE DUKE OF YORK The Pantiles Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late Monday Open Mic Night

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

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food

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Food & Drink

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Serve up a plate of

natural goodness

inter dishes are supposed to be hot, wholesome and nourishing with little in common with the light, green leafy salads of summer. Well, oranges and lemons are at their zesty, juicy best and when combined with sautéed Brussels sprouts, roasted beetroots or crumbled goats cheese it’s possible to brighten up even the most unloved vegetables and create delicious, and yes, warming, nutritious salads. So it’s time to rethink winter salads.

Blood oranges, lemons, tangerines full of juice and vitamin C and can pump up our taste buds and battle the flu by giving a zinging boost to our winter meals. Combined with shredded, sliced and chopped winter fruit and veg, citrus fruit is just one ingredient that offers the perfect building blocks for a seasonal salad, all healthy and hearty.

Winter salads are great as a cold side dish or a warming main meal. When mixed with fresh, earthy vegetables and salads available from farmers’ markets or farm shops, these seasonal Mediterranean culinary jewels give us a much-needed freshness on our plates.

Mingle with freshly sliced red onion, tart apples or, perhaps add chopped olives, some nuts or seeds to add crunch creating a vibrant plate of tempting colour and texture and sprinkle herbs and spices to add extra layers of flavour to your plate.

Bitter leafs such as chicory, radicchio and Treviso are in season and when pared with cooked ingredients such as a roast pumpkin or sweet potato, sweet-griddled scallops, slivers of pears or a touch of Kent honey are both tasty and healthy.

Many of the vegetables in season at this time of

‘With more people opting for vegetarian and vegan food, chefs and home cooks are choosing to add winter salads and veg to their repertoire’

Bring a little summer sunshine to your plate courtesy of a winter salad, says Times food writer and Tunbridge Wells Farmers’ Market manager Bruce McMichael

r Sourcing Bruce’s Top Shopgrs Fo Nutritious In edientssalads, especially if

1

on to Celeriac is a great additi apple and walnuts, bothmers’ ed slic inly th paired with far and available at variousFar which are grown in Kent m, ash Pot m ps. Walnuts fro markets and farm shoorc r nea s tt Pla as hards, known which farms its nut in man g n i clud n i s farmshop Tonbridge are available r Tonybri dge. nea , low Haywoods in Had place small chunks of For a really colourful plasomte,e roc ket alongside broken roasted beetroot on perhaps fro m local supplier , up pieces of goat’s cheese rs are regula at Tonbridge and Chillies Farm Dairy whs’ommar Tunbridge Wells farmer kets. deli on Tunbridge Wells’ High Fromage and French, a che eses from smaller, Street, source theiross Fra nce and have an acr independent suppliers ing Cher, a naturally intriguing range includ e LoSelirelesVallsur wit ey h a dense rinded cheese from thnt lemony tan g. texture and a pleasa to place for micro Tru Simplicite is the newbs.goFind them at various salads, greens and herst Ke we nt including farmers’ markets across Penshurst, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.

2

year are delicious and nutritious, but can look a bit drab, and cold. But with more and more people opting for vegetarian and vegan food, chefs and home cooks are choosing to add winter salads and veg to their repertoire.

It’s easy to spice up salads. Use, for example, a bowl of couscous with lightly sautéed garlicflavoured tomatoes, slices of courgettes or little chunks of aubergine with a side dish of some preserved lemons for added zest and a taste of North Africa. Warmed Brussels sprouts with pear and a sprinkle of plump raisins is another comforting winter salad.

Oranges, lemons, grapefruit and limes all complement winter salads made with seasonal vegetables including the knobbly, underrated celeriac, vibrant beetroot or the ever-popular carrot. Look out for purple carrots in the shops, offering an intensely sweet, sometimes peppery flavour.

Winter salads often need a bit of spice and heat to lift them onto a home cook’s winter repertoire.

3

4

INGREDIENTS: (Serves 4)

Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 35 minutes 30ml/2tbsp olive oil 450g/1lb sweet potatoes, peeled and diced 450g/1lb turkey fillets, sliced 2 orange peppers, deseeded and sliced 1 clove garlic, crushed 2.5cm/1in piece root ginger, grated zest and juice 1 orange 30ml/2 tbsp soy sauce 15ml/1 tbsp honey 1 (145g) bag watercress, spinach and rocket leaves salt and freshly ground black pepper

Now try making a winter salad at home…

METHOD:

1 2 3

Preheat the oven to 220°C/Fan 200°C/Gas Mark 7. Place the oil, sweet potatoes, turkey and peppers in a large roasting tin and toss together. Roast for 20mins.

Add the garlic and ginger to the turkey and vegetables and roast for a further 15mins or until the turkey is golden and the potatoes tender.

Add the orange zest and juice, soy and honey and mix well. Cool slightly.

Season to taste. Empty the salad leaves into a large bowl, add the turkey mixture and lightly toss. Serve straight away.

Food & Drink

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

The versatile tomato can be pepped up with a blanched and roasted lemon, a fragrant twist to the traditional tomato salad. It’s a fun change of pace from the expected caprese.

Tru Simplicite is a new name on our region’s culinary map, growing micro salads, greens and herbs, and manning a colourful stall at various farmers’ markets across west Kent including Penshurst, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.

Run by Ben Lewis, the micro herbs are gaining approval from chefs around the county who like to finish salads and dishes with a pair of tweezers to create a tempting look. “We’re talking with lots of local chefs,” says Ben, “who are seeing demand growing for our salads both as decorating topping and as part of the main course. Our micro herbs and salads are grown in water, hydroponically and are packed with vitamins,” adds Ben. So it’s time to getting zesting and pepping up your winter salads. Healthy, nutritious and as colourful as their summery cousins, they’re just what we need to get through these remaining dark and wet days.

INGREDIENTS: (Serves 4)

40g butter, soft 1 lemon 1 clove garlic, crushed 4-5 sprigs thyme 2-3 sprigs sage, leaves finely chopped 1 whole chicken approx 1.7KG

6 spring onions 2 bags herb salad 1 carrot, grated 4 slices bread torn into chunks 2tbsp olive oil 1tbsp whole grain mustard 2tbsp red wine vinegar

Courtesy of www.makemoreofsalad.com

Herby lemon chicken salad with croutons

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METHOD:

1 2

Heat the oven to 190C/ 170C fan. Beat together the butter, zest of the lemon, garlic, thyme leaves and sage.

Use your hands to ease away the skin over the breast of the chicken and spread the butter mixture under the skin. Put half the remaining lemon inside the chicken (keep the other half for the dressing) and season the chicken skin with salt and pepper.

3 4

Cook the chicken for 1 ½ hrs, basting regularly.

When the chicken is almost done cut the bread into small squares and cook in a frying pan with a drizzle of oil and salt and pepper.

5 6 7 8

Mix together the oil, mustard, vinegar and a squeeze of the reserved lemon and season.

Slice the spring onions and spread over a large serving platter with the herb salad and grated carrot.

Cut the chicken into portions and lay on top of the salad.

Sprinkle over the croutons and drizzle everything with the dressing.

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Travel

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

This ancient Cypriot mountain village

could hold the secret to stress-free living One man’s mission to breathe new life into a decaying part of Cyprus has created a retreat beneficial to body and soul. Celia Paul visits Casale Panayiotis in the Troodos Mountains

B

etween shadows cast on the water from the overhanging boughs of mature trees, I can see glimpses of my prey, lazily swimming in the deepest stretch of the stream.

I can hear the murmuring of running water and the sound of cicadas chirping away. The only thing disturbing this tranquil idyll is the excited shrieking of one of my companions, who’s just landed her first ever fish.

As she hauls in a glistening trout, I’m filled with admiration and a tiny bit envious of her luck, but as I half abandon my fishing rod to take a photo of her prize, it starts to twitch and then violently shake. I try to remember my instructions and pull the line through the water, before dragging a monster of a fish up to the surface, triumphantly, and towards a waiting bucket.

A couple of hours later, once the last of the light has gone and I’ve reluctantly accepted this will be my only catch of the evening, my prize is served to me. It’s been seasoned, simply grilled and dressed with a garlic sauce and local vegetables – and I can’t remember the last time I felt this connected to my food or the natural world around me.

Casale Panayiotis, tucked away in a tranquil valley in the northern Troodos mountains, is a rare find – a boutique hotel that encourages guests to celebrate its past and immerse themselves in local culture.

It’s the brainchild of business mogul John Papadouris, who was born and raised in the rural mountain village of Kalopanayiotis, before moving on to London and the Middle East to make his fortune in the engineering industry.

‘History is entwined with modern life in every aspect of Cypriot culture, and that becomes abundantly clear after a short stroll around Kalopanayiotis’ When he returned to his home country decades later, he found a sad state of affairs. The division of Cyprus following the Turkish invasion in 1974 and an exodus of adults from the remote Troodos area to work in bigger towns and cities, had left Kalopanayiotis a shell of a village.

Most houses were empty and derelict, just a tiny population of elderly people remained; the village lacked even a café.

So Papadouris decided to restore Kalopanayiotis to its former glory – but with a 21st-century twist.

He used his own money and European funding to improve infrastructure, build paths and lighting, encourage locals to build their own businesses and, most ambitiously, create a luxury hotel integrated into the heart of the village.

There are now 43 individual rooms scattered through the hillside community and three topnotch restaurants – not to mention a world-class spa which reflects the ancient spa village’s history.

For thousands of years, pilgrims and hunters

have been drawn to the valley for the sulphur springs, bathing in its healing waters. And while Casale’s Myrianthousa Spa might have brought that tradition bang up to date, it incorporates Cypriot culture at every step of the way.

Traditionalists can opt for bath rituals like the ‘Theouha’, an immune-boosting soak in healing water (E30/£26), or the ‘Goat Milk and Rose Ceremony’ (E35/£29), while romantics might prefer a couple’s ritual in a private treatment suite, complete with sparkling wine and fresh fruit (E280/£250).

As for me, I never turn down an opportunity to work out the stresses and strains of urban life with a massage, and after a blissful 55-minute full-body treatment (E80/£70) at the expert hands of therapist Irene, I feel my usual veil of tension begin to lift.

By the time I’ve lounged in the hydro-pool looking out over the cherry, almond and apple trees that line the steep valley (and inspired the Myrianthousa’s name – it means ‘many blossoms’), sweated out any toxins in the steam room and refreshed in the icy confines of the innovative snow cabin, I’m ready for anything.

Casale offers experiences for everyone from foodies to adventure seekers, and newly revitalised, I’m ready to learn the ways of traditional Cypriot life. I throw myself into learning how to make classic Cypriot cheese halloumi (an experience which can be booked as part of a hotel package), and pay a visit to the nearby Tsiakkas Winery (tour costs E55/£49).

There, former bank manager Costas Tsiakkas is making a name for himself reviving forgotten local grape varietals and creating world-class wines – apt in a country that claims to have been the first wine producer in Europe five-and-a-half thousand years ago.

History is entwined with modern life in every aspect of Cypriot culture, and that becomes clear after a short stroll around Kalopanayiotis.

One of the 14 villages of the mountainous Marathasa area, it’s home to the Byzantine Saint John Lampadistis monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site just a few steps from Casale across the Setrachos river. It houses stunning frescoes, icons and carvings and still attracts streams of pilgrims, while next to it, in what was once John Papadouris’ primary school, a museum contains dozens of intricate icons from other local churches.

A sense of peace seems to exude from the ancient walls of the village, and Papadouris is keen to keep it that way, even as the hotel expands.

Plans are afoot to build a swimming pool, begin

How to get there Sunvil (020 8758 4758; sunvil.co.uk) offers a seven-night trip from £1,563pp (two sharing), including flights from Gatwick, four nights’selfcatering at Villa Spilio in Paphos, three nights’ B&B at Casale Panayiotis (studio) and car hire.

pressing olive oil and introduce a few more rooms – but at its heart, Casale Panayiotis is about restoring the village, not making it unrecognisable to the families who made their homes here. And it’s the perfect antidote to the stress and pollution of modern life.

Travel

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

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through the water under a blanket of stars with our free mud masks slathered over our faces.

It’s a little piece of heaven – especially when we discovered the bar in the middle that serves drinks to enjoy without ever leaving the water.

It is a necessity to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

5

GET SOME WHEELS

selection of burgers, as one would expect from a burger bar, but it was the starters that caught our attention – grilled puffin, fin whale in a jar, and six pieces of fermented shark.

I opted for the puffin – a dark meat served rare and cold – and although I perhaps wouldn’t add it to my repertoire of dishes, I’m glad I tried it.

These delicacies may seem a little taboo, but when in Reykjavik…

Trip of the iceberg 3

THERE’S COLD, THERE’S COLD AND THEN THERE’S ICELAND

After visiting Reykjavik in Iceland, Hannah Patterson shares five lessons she learned…

1

SAVE THE PENNIES

Never has this rung more true than now.

Reykjavik is expensive.

Although it can be done relatively cheaply if you’re savvy enough. We struggled to find a bottle of house wine for less than £40.

It’s worth the money, just don’t expect the same cost-effectiveness you’d get heading to the continent with your wad of pre-Brexit euros.

And perhaps stock up at duty free…

2

EAT STRANGE THINGS

On the first night, we ate at a burger bar named Islenski Barinn. There is a varied

The clue is in the name. Iceland is very cold. Reykjavik is on the western coast and is subjected to a very chilly sea breeze. At summer’s peak, you’re looking at an average of a toasty 11 degrees. But if you’re hunting for the Aurora during winter, January drops to an average of zero degrees.

4

PACK A SWIMSUIT

You’ll want it for the Blue Lagoon – one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations.

The lagoon is a body of geothermal water that originates 2,000 metres below the ground. It’s created from the combination of fresh water and seawater at extreme temperatures.

It is during its journey to the surface that the water picks up silica and minerals and maintains a general temperature that’s between 37 and 40 degrees. It’s the perfect natural spa.

We visited the lagoon at night, and waded

You’re going to want to leave the city, as some of the true wonders of this part of Iceland are outside the city walls.

The Golden Circle – one of the absolute must-sees – is only accessible by road.

There are multiple companies that offer bus day drips for around £80 to £100 per person, but as we were a group of six, hiring a car from one of the many rental companies was a far more cost-effective option.

A whole day was set aside for the Golden Circle. It is a 300km loop into the southern uplands of Iceland that is filled with spectacular sights.

Points of particular note that you will not want to drive by include: Gullfoss waterfall, where you can witness torrents of water plummeting down 32 metres in two stages; The Geysir in the geothermal field that sprouts water high into the air; and Kerio, the extinct volcano crater.

Iceland possesses a jaw-droppingly spectacular landscape, so take your time when witnessing it. It’s not every day you get to stand amongst miracles of nature like this.

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Look Good, Feel Good

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Exfoliating facial A lot of home exfoliators won’t be able to tap into that salon feeling and truly blast away all your years of dead skin cells, so it’s worth investing in a specific exfoliating device like the Braun Face Spa (currently reduced to £41.99, Argos), which offers multiple treatments in one

4

DIY pampering products With spring just around the corner it’s time to start thinking about getting beach body ready so you can look and feel cool and confident this summer. But if the thought of baring all – whether it’s your complexion or your limbs – fills you with dread then don’t worry as we have discovered four great products that will ensure you look in shape

Maison Scotch Detailed cuff leather biker jacket in black, £399.95 from Fenwick

Wildfox Twinkle sommers sweater in black, £125 from Kitch Tunbridge Wells

Five easy pieces Want to look super stylish but not have to trek too far for spring’s must-haves? Then you’re in luck as these fashion essentials are all available locally, says Lauren Towner

Look Good, Feel Good

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Facial massage Celebrity facialist and Nivea skin coach Abigail James recommends using the Q10 Plus Vit C Skin Sleep Cream (£12.99, Boots) when massaging the five main areas of your face

Waxing If paying through the nose for a stranger to rip the hairs out of your follicles is like adding insult to injury for you, at-home waxing might be the answer.

Try Nair Cherry Blossom Body Wax Strips (£6.99, Superdrug)

Epilation If you can’t face the thought of DIY waxing, epilation offers a gentler alternative as each hair is plucked out individually using a handheld device rather than tearing out one patch at a time.

The treatment will require a more significant investment to begin with, but over time will be far more cost-effective than that of salon hair removal.

The micro tweezers of the Braun Silk-Epil 9 (£164.99, Boots) can capture hairs as small as a grain of sand

Bella Freud Samsoe & Samsoe

Royalty in navy blue, £350 from The Changing Room

Kimberly dress, £149.95 from Hoopers

Maison LaBiche Bonjour sweatshirt in grey, £90 from Bod&Ted

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Weddings

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

eleven for childhood

Lucky number

sweethearts How did you and your husband meet?

Inigo and I met through a mutual friend when we were just 15 years old. We have been together ever since. Our schools in Tunbridge Wells were just across the road from each other and we used to meet every morning before registration outside the local sweet shop.

to let me where we would be going next. We started the day off by seeing my favourtite show Phantom of the Opera, and ended it with a proposal in the pouring rain in Covent Garden. Our friends and family were so excited - the day had finally arrived!

Tell us about the proposal…

Where did you get married and how did you choose the venue?

It was our 11 year anniversary, and Inigo had arranged a day out in London. He gave me envelopes throughout the day

We were lucky enough to get married at Chiddingstone Castle. We had visited the grounds many times before as

Inigo had grown up nearby, and we have built our home very nearby. As soon as I saw the orangery, with its high ceilings and beautiful structure, I knew that was where we had to tie the knot. We were so concerned about the weather and not being able to get married outside, so I will never forget the moment when my dad messaged me two hours before our wedding to say that the venue was all set up for an outdoor ceremony and the sun was shining- I couldn’t hold back my happy tears.

After meeting at just 15 years old, Claire Shorrick finally said ‘yes’ to Inigo Martin-Quirk after a surprise London proposal. With two creative minds at the helm, they created the perfect wedding day at Chiddingstone Castle…

Weddings

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

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Bride’s Top Five Tips

1

Enjoy every moment of the wedding planning process!

Planning your big day can be stressful and somewhat daunting, but put on your creative hat and have fun!

2 the day before. We waited a couple of weeks before heading off on our greatest adventure so far; Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Sri Lanka was so colourful and exciting, and we think we found our happy place in the Maldives.

Talk us through some of your key suppliers, and how they helped make the day special…

We had so many wonderful local suppliers to make our day as magical as it was. My dress was a Martina Liana Dress from Isabella Grace in Tunbridge Wells. As soon as I put it on, I fell in love and knew it was the one for me. People still talk about our gorgeous flowers by Florist in the Forest, and our large greenery hoop in the marquee was the perfect last minute addition.

Urban Pantry served the most delicious food, and Rebecca Douglas captured our day in the most wonderful and natural style. We wanted to make our day as personal as possible, so Inigo, who is a carpenter, made all of our weddings favours, the cake topper, our light up letters and our photobooth, which was so much fun.

Tell us about your big day and some of its key highlights…

It’s true what people say, our wedding day was the happiest of our lives. There are too many highlights to pick just a few, but what was so special was being in the same space as all of our close family and friends. You realise afterwards that this will probably never happen again, so it is important to take a look around at all of the happy faces. Those memories will last a lifetime. From

laughing our way through the ceremony, to our pug Lola joining us for photographs, and then dancing the night away with our guests, we feel very lucky to have had the day we had.

How did you start your married life together?

After staying at One Warwick Park Hotel, we returned home the next day where many of our friends and family had gathered to have lunch and catch up on all of the events of

It’s all about who you know. Think about all of the people who may be happy to help you out. A family friend made our beautiful cake, my husband’s cousin played the cello as I walked down the aisle, one of my Bridesmaids used her calligraphy skills on our many

chalk boards and our table plan and my sisters fiancé created our magical wedding video.

3

Keep your wedding dress a surprise! When I bought my dress from Isabella Grace I took my Mum and Sisters to the appointment. I decided not to show anyone else what it looked like as it made it even more special on our big day.

4

Plan where you’d like all of your photographs to be

taken beforehand and who you’d like to be in them. It can be overwhelming on the day and although the moment is about you and your new husband/wife you can’t wait to get back to your guests and it’s easy to miss out people or forget about a perfect backdrop.

5

Make lots and lots of lists!

Being organised is key and so important especially when you are nearing your wedding day. The logistics can get the better of you!

Advertising Feature

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Where there’s a will, there’s an easier way forward for all For many people, planning for later life is a difficult task that is often avoided, but when it comes to ensuring a trouble-free future both for you and your loved ones, it’s best to take the right advice as soon as possible. The Times caught up with Peter Barrett of Wills & Lewis to talk about what you may need to consider Please tell us a little about your background and your role within Wills & Lewis I started in investment banking and money broking. The work took me all over the world and I travelled to many cities, including Singapore and Hong Kong. Afterwards, I made a move into the recruitment industry in London before retiring in Spain for two years.

But retirement didn’t suit me. I was drawn back to London, and it was then that I became involved in estate planning. It was when I was meeting with an estate planner to manage my own affairs that I became interested in the industry. Now, I am the director of Wills & Lewis.

What does estate planning involve?

Later-life planning includes anything from wills through to lasting Power of Attorney and Trust funds. When these worries start to settle in, it can be the source of immense stress.

Sitting down and having a chat with someone about such plans is the first step to putting their mind at ease. It is so important to organise your affairs, and yet the common statistic regarding wills is that only 30 per cent of people actually have them, and I can bet only half of those actually know where they’ve put them.

It’s free to come and have a chat with us.

Aside from wills, what are some of the other main services you offer?

Anyone over 50 is recommended to organise their Lasting Powers of Attorney. These LPAs READY TO HELP Peter Barrett

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cover health and welfare and financial matters.

Also, anybody running a small business should organise a Business LPA to ensure the smooth running of their company should they suffer an accident. Staff and suppliers still need paying.

Using simple Trusts, we can also ensure that people don’t lose their homes to care home costs in later life. Also, we can protect their children’s inheritance from future threats such as divorce and bankruptcy/creditors claims should a business deal go sour.

In addition, we work with one of the country’s leading Pre-Paid Funeral Plan Providers.

It makes a great deal of sense to leave your affairs in order and to minimise the amount of stress caused to your loved ones at one of the most difficult times of their lives..

How does an LPA work?

SURPRISING STATISTIC It’s thought that only a third of people have wills

This is a very important legal set of documents.

Basically, you appoint someone you trust to take control of your affairs should you lose the capacity to do so.

There are many built-in safeguards, and the LPAs are registered with The Office of The Public Guardian to afford protection against abuse.

‘I think the main issue is that people bury their heads in the sand about it and avoid it all, hoping it will sort itself out’ We like to sit down with as many members of the family as possible when preparing an LPA to avoid any misunderstandings that could arise in the future.

What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about estate planning?

I think the main issue is that people bury their heads in the sand about it and avoid it all, hoping it will sort itself out. People also don’t realise that you need to change your Will when things in your life change – if you remarry, have children, or even if you have a big dispute with a family member. Also, if you get married, your current Will is instantly void, but if you divorce, your Will won’t change until you change it.

How do you keep abreast of any changes in the law affecting Estate Planning?

We work very closely with the UK’s leading Tax and Trust Corporations and undergo constant training.

All of our Trust proposals are signed off by the lawyers, thus ensuring accuracy and efficiency.

Our wills are prepared subject to the strict STEP code of conduct.

Do you offer set packages, or do things vary from client to client?

It’s all based around each individual client and we never push a sale. I’m happy to visit people in their homes to just have an initial chat with anyone who needs our guidance. We also always give cooling-off periods to ensure people don’t feel pressured into hasty decisions. You can’t do pressure selling in this industry, and some of the companies that advertise quick, cheap services often have an abundance of add-ons hidden in their small print.

For further information, please contact Peter Barrett Wills & Lewis Tel: 020 3865 7168 Mobile: 07504 902501 Email: info@willsandlewis.com www.willsandlewis.com

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Motoring

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

FIRST DRIVE:

The new

Motoring News

Audi A7

By Darren Cassey

WHAT IS IT?

Audi has overhauled its executive class five-door coupé for 2018, bringing with it a refreshed look both inside and out, plenty of technology, and the promise of improved driving dynamics.

With the A7 Sportback, the German carmaker is hoping to bring the flashy design of a coupé, and marry it to the comfort of an executive saloon and the practicality of an estate. It was incredibly successful in achieving this goal with the old model, so the new model has a lot to live up to.

WHAT’S NEW?

Audi says the ‘rakish silhouette’ is just about all that’s carried over from the previous generation Sportback. Engineers have worked to reduce rolling road noise, there are fewer vibrations throughout the body, and acoustic glass helps to keep the cabin ever quieter.

Electrification has also made its way to the new A7 Sportback, with a mild hybrid set-up included on both diesel and petrol variants.

It’s only a small battery and motor and the car won’t drive on electric alone, but it offers slight economy and performance gains.

Other new features include a suite of driver assistance aids, such as a semi-autonomous cruise control system and parking pilot, so you can leave the parking to the computers.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?

There’s a choice of two engines, one petrol and one diesel, both three litres in size.

They’re denoted using Audi’s new naming structure, with the diesel badged as 50 TDI and the more powerful petrol known as 55 TFSI. Audi reckons about 80 per cent of sales will be diesel, but with the 50 model we found it to be noisier and less refined than you’d expect from an executive cruiser.

But it is surprisingly spritely – 0-60mph takes just over five seconds. Hard acceleration is accompanied by a satisfying ‘whizz’ from the mild hybrid’s electric motor, which is present in both petrol and diesel variants.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

The ideal driving scenario for the A7 is out on the open road, cruise control set to 70mph. Particularly in petrol guise, it’s quiet and serene, and the ride is generally exquisite.

Opt for the sport suspension and you sacrifice some quality – the ideal option is the adaptive air suspension, which provides the carpet-like ride you expect.

That’s not to say the A7 isn’t fun on a back road. Our test route took in winding mountain passes and it performed admirably, helped by the all-wheel steering.

In corners, the improvements over the old model are night and day.

FACTS AT A GLANCE: MODEL AS TESTED:

MAX SPEED: 155mph

Audi A7 Sportback 55 TFSI S line

0-60MPH: 5.1 seconds

ENGINE: 3.0-litre V6 petrol POWER: 335bhp TORQUE: 500

Sportback

HOW DOES IT LOOK?

To us, the previous model looked more athletic than this new version, which replaces the old angular design with a softer approach.

The result is a slightly frumpier appearance that lacks some of the purposefulness of the old car.

One big advancement is the lighting signature. There’s LED technology used at both the front and rear, giving the car a seriously modern look.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?

One criticism that’s often levelled at Audi is that its interiors feel largely the same whether you’re in an A3 hatchback, A8 saloon or R8 supercar. However, the new generation cabin debuted in the A8 and continued here in the A7 feels futuristic and a big step up.

A larger wheelbase means there’s more cabin space, too, while a pair of large central touchscreens declutter the dashboard.

However, with almost all functions taken away from physical buttons it can be a bit of a faff trying to navigate even basic menus, such as climate controls and radio.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?

There are two trim levels at launch – Sport and S line. The former is distinguished by LED front and rear lights, 19-inch alloy wheels and twin-leather upholstered seats,

while S line models get HD Matrix LED headlights, 20-inch alloys, sports suspension and an S line-specific body kit.

Features common to both trims include Audi’s digital instrument binnacle called Virtual Cockpit, wireless smartphone charging, and driver aids such as front collision warning and automatic parking.

Pricing for 50 TDI diesel models is to be confirmed, but 55 TFSI petrols start at £55,140 in Sport trim and £58,040 for S line models.

VERDICT

While Audi is keen to point out the new A7 Sportback is an overhaul of the old model, previous owners will be quickly familiarised with the general driving experience – it’s quiet, comfortable and spacious.

However, where the German carmaker has really moved the game on is the interior and handling. The cabin feels futuristic, while the cornering ability is seriously impressive for a car this size.

With the vast majority of buyers expected to opt for diesel, it’s perhaps a shame the 3.0-litre unit doesn’t feel quite as refined as you might hope, but it’s by no means a deal-breaker – and the lower running costs should offset any qualms about the gruff noise.

The petrol feels like the true A7 Sportback experience, though.

Motorists just can’t ditch their mobiles THE number of new drivers who lost their licence for using a mobile phone at the wheel rocketed by 356 per cent in 2017.

Following new laws introduced in March 2017, which saw drivers handed six penalty points and a £200 fine for using their phone while driving, some 533 new drivers lost their licence for breaching the rule – up from 117 the year before.

New drivers will lose their licence and must retake their test if they accrue six points or more in the first two years of driving.

Those banned for driving without due care and attention – another charge used by police for mobile phone use at the wheel – was also up to 447 in 2017, compared with 401 the previous year.

AA President Edmund King said: “Part of the rise in new drivers losing their licences is due to the one-strike-and-you’re-out increase to six penalty points… We know from our own research that young drivers in particular say they can’t bring themselves to turn their mobile phones off before driving.

Drink-driving on the up THE estimated number of collisions and accidents where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit, rose by 7 per cent between 2015 and 2016 to 6,080, the Department for Transport has revealed.

The provisional estimate for drink-drive deaths was between 200 and 280, up from between 180 and 220 in 2015.

However, this puts 2016’s figures on a par with those recorded between 2010 and 2014.

Pete Williams, road safety spokesman for motoring organisation the RAC, said: “While a final figure won’t be available for a number of months, the picture that emerges from the latest drink-drive statistics is a disturbing one.

MPG: 39.8 EMISSIONS:

161g/km CO2 PRICE: £58,040

Senna to drive at 211mph MCLAREN has revealed its eagerly-awaited Senna supercar will be capable of reaching 211mph and hitting 60mph in 2.6 seconds.

The carmaker released specifications ahead of the Senna’s public debut at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 6.

The £750,000 limited-run supercar – of which all 500 have already been sold – is to be powered by McLaren’s 789bhp 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8, making it the most powerful engine McLaren has ever put in a road car, producing 800Nm of torque.

The British carmaker also revealed that the body design – in the rear wing, and both the front and rear active aero – have been designed to generate 800kg of downforce when the Senna hits 155mph.

The car, named after legendary Formula 1 racer Ayrton Senna, has several different modes, including Comfort, Sport and Track. A special Race mode is also available.

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

Motoring

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Recruitment

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

WITH THE

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

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

Recruitment

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

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A B C D E F G H I J K L MNO P Q R S T U VWX Y Z 3

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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.

6 8 1 9

6

6 7 1 2 3

5

6

9 7 6 3 1 8

8 6 2 6 3

4

7

1 5

1 7

4

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1

3

9 3 4

CLASSIFIEDS

Codeword:

8

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

6 12

4

6

8 9

3 10

2

12

2

20 10

11

5

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12 18

3

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9

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

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DIFFICULTY RATING:★★II

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© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

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DIFFICULTY RATING: ★★★★

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LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU

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

G R E E C E A L H Z E A L O T E P R B A S Q U E O E S N I J T P R O B H A R L E Y R E L A F F A I R S I V H U X L E Y

E R U A D O A L F F O O T T A X E M A I N

R A N D N E ON I S E I E X I S E T A A L L OW K A B A R K L E D I A N

Sudoku:

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Sporting Times

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

Yarnold slides her way into history books – then practises her knitting TASTE OF SUCCESS Lizzy Yarnold with her gold medal

compete in an equestrian sport, but the governing body identified her as a skeleton prospect.

She moved to Bath, where the GB team is based, and two years ago married James Roche, an engineer who helped to design her sled.

After her success in Sochi, Yarnold completed the grand slam by becoming European and world champion in February and March 2015.

But she decided to take a year off in order to be in peak condition for the South Korean Games, missing an entire season because of burn-out.

By Andy Tong WINTER OLYMPICS: LIZZY YARNOLD became West Kent’s second double Olympic gold medallist when she defended her skeleton title at the Winter Games in Pyeongchang on Saturday (February 17).

The 29-year-old from Sevenoaks joins distance runner Dame Kelly Holmes of Hildenborough, who won two golds in Athens in 2004.

Yarnold had already been awarded an MBE after her success in the previous Winter Olympics in Sochi four years ago – and is surely in the running to become a dame too.

As the first to win back-to-back gold medals, she became Briton’s most successful athlete in the history of the Winter Olympics.

She grew up in West Kingsdown and attended St Michael’s Prep School in Otford before going on to study at Maidstone Grammar.

She tried her hand at the heptathlon and was a keen horse rider. At the age of 20 she took part in UK Sport’s Girls4Gold talent scheme hoping to

Infection Her remarkable performance in South Korea was all the more remarkable because she had a chest infection and considered withdrawing halfway through after suffering dizzy spells.

“After the first run yesterday I was almost at the point of pulling out. My chest infection was stopping me from breathing,” Yarnold said.

“I just tried to get the second run down and

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

then fight another day today. If it wasn’t for my physio Louise Turner telling me to go down again, I’m not sure I would be here today.”

Her mother Judith, who was watching in the stands as part of the ‘Yarny Army’, told the BBC how worried she was about the illness.

“I got really scared after her first run, you might have noticed that it really wasn’t right,” she said.

“She had trouble standing up... and she just wasn’t able to breathe, to get the air in. We were trying to smile, trying to look relaxed.

Lizzy revealed she celebrated with three hours sleep followed by a knitting session in front of the TV, watching Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.

“I was knitting this morning and that was quite calming,” she said after receiving her gold medal on Sunday. “I woke up really early as I’m not sleeping very well at the moment.

“I didn’t really know what to do but Netflix and chill and do a bit of knitting. I’m only doing strips because I can’t do a pattern, it’s too complicated.

“It’s a nice thing because my nan taught me how to knit years ago and she passed away a few years ago so it’s something I can do and feel connected to her.”

Judith says a damehood would be ‘fantastic’ but her father Clive is hoping for more: “Dame Lizzy and a gold postbox is what we need. We didn’t actually achieve it last time, so a gold postbox please sir, to the people who paint them.”

Watson hat-trick as TJs return to winning ways

By Adam Hookway RUGBY: HUGO WATSON grabbed a hat-trick of tries against Worthing Raiders as Tonbridge Juddians rediscovered the winning formula.

The visit of the Sussex rivals came as a relief after TJs had faced the top three sides in National Two South in successive weeks, a challenge which had halted their five-game winning streak.

Worthing started brightly and TJs were opened up twice in quick succession as the visitors raced into a 14-0 lead.

Wasteful But they were rather wasteful with their chances and should have scored at least two more tries before TJs found a foothold through their pack.

Rory McHugh stole a lineout inside TJs’ half and slick play put Finlay Coxon-Smith through the gap to feed opposite wing Watson. He scampered home, with Nathan Holmes converting.

Worthing’s defence kept out a scrum penalty

and TJs settled for a kick to make it 10-14. That allowed Worthing back into TJ territory and they crossed with ease for their third try, taking a 21-10 lead in at half-time.

After the break Worthing seemed to go into their shell as they tried to pin TJs back with kicking.

TJs’ scrum looked to the short side for openings and Charlie Edwards put McHugh away down the left, who fed Watson for his second score. Holmes converted to reduce the deficit to 17-21.

The next score would be crucial and it came from TJs as both sides continued to lack any real accuracy and fluidity with the ball.

Another break down the left found Watson again and he duly completed his hat-trick as TJs edged in front 22-21.

Worthing seemed to have run out of ideas and TJs were tireless as they finished strongly, a Holmes penalty giving them a little breathing space in the closing stages.

The win took TJs up to eighth in the table above Worthing. They have a weekend off before the visit of Broadstreet on March 3 (kick-off 2.30pm).

PHOTO: Adam Hookway

Tonbridge Juddians 25 Worthing 21

RACE FOR THE LINE Hugo Watson runs in one of his three tries

Debutant Williams shines but Wells fightback comes too late Hertford 43 Tunbridge Wells 17

HEAVY DUTY Nick Doherty puts in a strong tackle

By Roger Clarke RUGBY: PROMOTION candidates Hertford produced their finest half of rugby of the season to put Wells on the back foot. Though they recovered well in the second half, they were unable to claw back the deficit.

Hertford, who are fourth in the London and South-East Premier Division, were set on their way by man of the match Ben Creasey, the scrum-half scoring on eight minutes after a burst through the middle for a converted try.

PHOTO: Bruce Elliott

Gaps Tries then came at regular intervals as Wells struggled to gain ball and plug gaps in midfield.

Full-back Sean Taylor was also having an outstanding game and he added the second try on 15 minutes, though he could not convert it.

The home side then scored three times in as many minutes to take the game away from Wells.

Flanker Jack Elston scored, then a rolling maul try after a penalty to the corner handed Hertford

their try bonus point. Second-rower James Keens charged through to make it 31-0 on the half-hour.

The score remained the same until half-time to leave Wells staring down the barrel. But debutant Ben Williams brought more aggression when he came on in the second period.

Wells’ pack began to exert more influence, and Christian Earle made a 40-metre line break but could not find support to finish the move.

Finally after 55 minutes Mike Hathaway showed real physicality to get over the line, with Frank Reynolds adding the conversion.

Hertford were not finished, however, and Creasey dummied his way over from a breakdown in front of the posts on the hour, then repeated the dose out wide for his hat-trick.

But left wing Matt Spicer went in for Wells after a good interpassing movement on the left, and then from a similar move the other side of the pitch Max Hobbs scored on his return to the side.

Wells remain in sixth place and now face a vital game against Dorking, who are only two points behind them, at St Marks on Saturday (March 3, kick-off 3pm).

Sporting Times

Wednesday February 21 | 2018

DOUBLE TROUBLE Ben Brandt scored twice in the second half

Second promotion in a row beckons as men run riot Tunbridge Wells Men 8 West Hampstead 1

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All change as board makes cuts in Angels budget FOOTBALL: THE Board of Tonbridge Angels has decided to reduce the first team’s playing budget because of a fall in income from sponsorship, advertising and events, which have coincided with a downturn in bar revenue linked to mixed results on the pitch.

Manager Steve McKimm has already begun implementing changes and said: “Of course it’s going to be challenging but I can assure everyone connected with Tonbridge Angels that we will work through this together and come out the other side a stronger club.

Difficult “The last few weeks have been difficult and not just because of results on the pitch but the suggestion that there would probably need to be changes.

“I now know the parameters and can formulate a plan. I’m also heartened by the fact that the board

are not simply carrying out a slash-and-burn policy but are formulating some very credible projects to increase revenue coming into the club.”

Three leading players, Dan Thompson, Tom Jelley and Ryan Worrall have already been released from the club.

McKimm added: “I want to make it clear that these players have never let me down since they have been at Longmead, and have always given 100 per cent for the team and the club.

“I thank them for their efforts and wish them the very best of luck for the future.”

Interim chairman Steve Churcher commented: “We would be failing in our duties and responsibilities if we as a board failed to take the necessary action in preventing the club falling into a serious financial situation.

“Most of our costs are fixed and the player budget remains a significant area where there is some degree of flexibility. Nevertheless it’s not a decision taken lightly.”

NECESSARY ACTION Interim Chairman Steve Churcher

By Francis Bridgeman

Confident But Wells were confident after a good win at Bournemouth the previous weekend.

They quickly set the tone with Sam George scoring after combining well with Harry Roberts.

A second goal soon followed with George hitting a superb reverse stick strike from the top of the circle.

Ben Allberry found the net from an acute angle with another reverse stick shot to put Tunbridge Wells three up inside 15 minutes and leave West Hampstead well and truly on the back foot.

The visitors managed to pull a goal back after some confusion at the back for Wells allowed a loose ball to find its way to the back post for a tap-in into an open net.

The home side responded in the best possible fashion with two more goals from Roberts and Allberry and they went in at half-time 5-1 up.

In the second half Wells continued to control the game through Simon Hare in the middle with Conor Poulain, David Hemsley and Chris Smith looking very solid at the back.

Two goals from Ben Brandt and another for Roberts allowed the hosts to see out the rest of the second half in comfort.

Wells now travel to fourth-placed London Academicals on Saturday (February 24).

The Ladies will be back in action, too, with a visit to Bromley & Beckenham.

Kwayie steals victory off bench as defence keeps Penney at bay Merstham 0 Tonbridge Angels 1

By James Rowe

PHOTO: Brendan Kemp

HOCKEY: TUNBRIDGE WELLS’ Men moved a step closer to securing promotion from South Premier League Division Two at the first time of asking after thrashing West Hampstead at Kent College.

Elsewhere Banbury, who are second in the table, beat third-placed Guildford so while Wells’ lead at the top is still six points, the latter are now 12 points behind with just five games left and the top two going up.

Wells aim to secure promotion then push on to be crowned champions. Since they play Banbury and Guildford in the last two games, they hope to have achieved that goal before then.

The reverse fixture before Christmas was a narrow 3-2 win for Tunbridge Wells so the expectation was that it would again be a very tightly contested game.

NEAT FINISH Steve Smith dinks the ball over keeper Adam Malloy

Smith on target to end Rustics’ run of defeats Rusthall 1 Erith Town 1 FOOTBALL: RUSTHALL’S first home game since Christmas – after a spate of abandonments at Jockey Farm – saw them finally bring to an end their five-game losing run.

The Rustics had to do without Dan Mitchell, who will not be playing for the rest of the season due to work and family commitments.

Fresh from their 2-1 midweek win at league leaders Sevenoaks Town, Erith created the first chance through former Tunbridge Wells player Steve Ite in the 19th minute.

Steph Harper’s shot was comfortably saved by the visiting keeper and then Erith again tested Callum Christie when Osman Prone hit a shot from just inside the area.

The deadlock was broken on 37 minutes when Erith attacked down the right and Ollie Milton met the cross well. Christie managed to palm the

shot away but the ball fell to the feet of young striker Sidney Warden, who calmly slotted home.

In the last minute of the first half Rusthall found the equaliser. They caught the visitors on the break down the left and the ball was played into the feet of Steve Smith.

A fine first touch saw the striker beat his marker and he dinked the ball over the diving Adam Malloy for his seventh goal of the season.

After the break Smith looked to run at the defenders at every opportunity and a clearance fell to Nathan Moseley, whose first-time effort went narrowly wide with the keeper beaten.

Both sides began to tire and the game became very open and a draw was a fair result.

Rusthall remain in the bottom three of the Southern Counties East League Premier Division.

Next they face a crucial home game against bottom of the table Hollands & Blair on Saturday (February 24, kick-off 3pm).

Dylan holds nerve to beat ‘Whirlwind’ professional, has received coaching from World Tour player Leo Fernandez and practises with Ben Sizer, five-times Kent Under-21 champion.

Dylan was given a 75-point lead and eventually won 91-89 by calmly potting the final difficult black into the middle pocket.

The league’s most consistent performer Anthony Buss also beat the six-time World Championship finalist. He produced a break of 45 to win 62-39.

The night was dedicated to the memory of Vic Barnes and raised more than £200 for Prostrate Cancer UK. Jimmy donated a cue signed by stars of the game, to be put up for auction.

PHOTOS: Lucy Shaw

JOIN THE CUE: Dylan Smith with new friends Jimmy White and walk-on girl Jade Slusarczyk

SNOOKER: YOUNG tyro of the baize Dylan Smith pitted his burgeoning talents against the mighty Jimmy White when the whirlwind blew into town at the Tenterden Snooker Club for a charity evening organised by the Hurst Green Snooker & Billiards League.

Jimmy agreed to play nine frames, which were introduced by the evening’s MC Jonny Barren, a presenter with BBC 5 Live radio and the Sky walk-on girl Jade Slusarczyk.

One of them was against 10-year-old Dylan from Tunbridge Wells, son of the league Chairman Lee Smith. Dylan, who is hoping to become a

FOOTBALL: TONBRIDGE ANGELS kept another clean sheet and Tashi-Jay Kwayie came on to break the deadlock and continue the revival on the field as financial problems mounted off it.

After four defeats out of five in the Bostik League Premier, Tonbridge had been boosted by the win over Staines and also a 2-1 victory at Whiteleafe in a midweek friendly.

Their best chance of the first half came from a well-constructed move, Joe Turner slipping the ball through to Sam Bantick.

He found himself through on goal from the right but his effort was brilliantly blocked by Merstham keeper Ashlee Jones.

The hosts upped their game after the break and the Tonbridge defence had to work hard as Charlie Penney went close for a third time.

But Tonbridge started to turn things around after the hour-mark with some sustained pressure on the Merstham goal.

The decisive moment came in the 71st minute when Alex Akrofi chased down what looked like a lost cause, slipped the ball through to the unmarked Kwayie and he placed the ball smartly to the right of Jones.

Merstham kept exerting pressure but with Craig Stone protecting the back line superbly all through the game it proved a frustrating afternoon for the hosts.

Manager Steve McKimm said: “I thought everyone did well today and followed their instructions against a good side in Merstham, who pushed us all the way.

“It reminded me of the home game against them when there was only the one goal in it, which of course went to them on that occasion.”

Angels host Metropolitan Police at Longmead on Saturday (February 24, kick-off 3pm).

COOL HAND Dylan potted the final black into the middle pocket to win the game