Times of Tunbridge Wells 22nd November 2017

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

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Fidelity closes office and leaves 650 staff in limbo as local job losses start to mount

Event proves real icebreaker as rink opens

INSIDE LIGHT UP ST JOHN’S Community project set to brighten our lives Page 15

By Andy Tong ONE of the largest employers in the area, Fidelity International, announced yesterday [Tuesday] that it is closing its offices in Hildenborough. Some 650 staff work at Oakhill House on Tonbridge Road.

The multi-national firm said it ‘plans to relocate the majority of employees and roles to its existing Kingswood site in Surrey’, but cannot guarantee to find a place for everyone.

Blow A consultation period will begin in January, when employees will be able to ‘get involved in helping shape Fidelity’s future plans for the office and role transfer’.

The news comes as another blow to the local economy following the demise of Tonbridge family firm Southern Salads in August.

The company went into administration after 31 years, with around 260 job losses.

The decline of the business was blamed on the pound’s devaluation and the cost of imports since the EU referendum.

Last month Tunbridge Wells stockbroking firm AJ Bell said it would be moving more than 100 jobs to London or Manchester because of a lack of office space.

And at the end of last year the largest private employer in Tunbridge Wells, AXA, decided to relocate up to 150 jobs from its

Continued on page 4

TIME TO DRESS UP

New approach to ordering your clothes online Page 8

BEING COOL: Snow Queen Fiona Tanner-Baldwin and skater Jake Jones help to launch the festive season at the ice rink in Calverley Grounds. It’s now one of the town’s most popular attractions and is open daily until New Year apart from Christmas Day. For details see page 5

Shopping centre sale could mean a more ambitious expansion plan

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

QUESTION marks this week hang over plans for the £70million expansion programme at Royal Victoria Place (RVP) after reports that the shopping centre is about to be sold.

The centre was bought by Hermes Real Estate in 2012 and looks to be on the verge of being bought by British Land for around £100million.

All parties yesterday [Tuesday] declined to comment although the Times understands the sale will proceed.

British Land is one of the biggest property

developers in Europe and states that its mission is to ‘provide places to shop, eat and be entertained’.

It is their focus on ‘entertainment’ that leads industry insiders to believe British

‘The expansion at RVP would hopefully still happen and might be even more imaginative’ Land will pursue a more ambitious expansion programme beyond the current plans for an eight screen cinema, shops and restaurants.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council leader David Jukes yesterday told the Times: “If

the sale goes ahead it can only be a good thing for the town.

“The expansion at RVP would hopefully still happen although not necessarily as planned and might be even more imaginative.”

News of the possible sale was first reported in the weekly commercial property magazine Estates Gazette.

It said Hermes’s ‘decision to sell forms part of a wider asset management and investment strategy’.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council owns the freehold on RVP and last year passed a plan that will see work commence on the corner of Camden Road and Calverley Road.

Continued on page 4

WHAT A CARRY ON

Brian Bissell celebrates 25 years of fundraising Page 66

COMPLEX MATTERS

Final arguments FOR and AGAINST civic project Page 10

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NEWS

Local News

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Fears hub might be downsized and end up costing more money DOWNSIZING? Artist’s impression of the planned hub

MISSED Royal Victoria Hall Theatre

By William Mata

will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk CONTROVERSIAL plans for a theatre and library hub in Southborough could be downsized and cost an extra £1million, according to documents.

The leader of the opposition Labour group on the town’s council (STC) is disappointed the authority voted through two Kent County Council (KCC)-proposed motions at a meeting.

Demolished Councillor Nick Blackwell said the replacement for the Royal Victoria Hall Theatre, which has been demolished as part of plans, is ‘a bare bones effort’.

This is after Conservative Councillor Ian Kinghorn put forward motions to subject the hub to ‘value engineering’ and ‘if further funds

are needed, contribute to KCC match funding to a maximum £500,000’.

The Tory-held authority passed both motions in a meeting on Monday, November 13, held behind closed doors due to confidentiality. However, documents in the public domain show

what the council were voting on.

Councillors previously ignored a 5,000 name petition in support of keeping the theatre and voted to proceed with the project, which will cost a gross £30million.

“Our residents were promised a state-of-the-

Closure will have ‘huge consequences’ Continued from page 1 motor claims division to Birmingham.

Fidelity has a total of around 2,500 staff across its three branches. It had already revealed in July last year that it would move 100 employees to Dublin, though it insisted that the move had nothing to do with the Brexit vote.

Collaborative Peter Horrell, Managing Director UK, said: “We have to work in different ways to deliver for our clients and that includes being more efficient, more collaborative and working with more flexibility.

“We believe it is much easier to achieve this with one suburban site rather than

Chance to add even more shops at RVP

have our infrastructure and our staff spread across two.”

He added: “Closing an office is never an easy decision to make but it is our clear intention and also our strong desire that the majority of people who work in our Kent office will come with us to Kingswood in Surrey.”

Tonbridge MP Tom Tugendhat said: “This decision will have huge consequences for Hildenborough, Tonbridge and the surrounding area.

“It is worth noting that the changes do not take place until 2020 so we have chance to prepare.

The company, founded 45 years ago, offers a range of financial services including investment accounts.

Continued from page 1

CONTACTS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615 FEATURES EDITOR EILEEN LEAHY eileen@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 576037 CHIEF REPORTER WILLIAM MATA will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 240 626 DESIGN/PRODUCTION LEE SMITH lsmith8@markerstudy.com SALES ENQUIRIES sales@onemedia.co.uk | 01892 779650 FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/timeslocalnews timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk twitter.com/timeslocalnews

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art theatre and community facility that would be the envy of other towns,” said Councillor Blackwell.

“We now face the very real prospect of a bare bones effort that could be nothing more than a series of non-descript concrete rendered boxes.

“We know we have got the local consensus about the poor standard of governance of this project and we will be pursuing the fight.”

All six combined members of his Labour group and the Liberal Democrat group abstained from voting.

Councillor Kinghorn said: “The additional sum is up to £500K and is not a net sum. It is simply a safety net which if needed will help to ensure that there is a suitable contingency to allow the project to proceed.

“Value engineering is a standard part of any major project and will ensure that the income and the costs balance across the scheme and that we can deliver a viable project.”

SALE TIME Royal Victoria Place might soon have new owners

This has led to several shops moving out to make way, with 16 units out of 88 units currently standing empty.

According to the Gazette, British Land has the opportunity to add at least ten shops and restaurants if it decides to go ahead.

A Hermes spokesman confirmed they currently own 100 per cent of the centre and said: “We do not comment on market speculation.”

Neither British Land nor Royal Victoria Place (RVP) management provided a comment when approached.

WHO OWNS ROYAL VICTORIA PLACE?

WHO ARE BRITISH LAND?

HERMES Real Estate became full-owners owners of RVP in 2012 after buying out Australian-based firm Westfield.

The £159million deal saw Hermes take control of three shopping centres, including the Tunbridge Wells mall. The company took full control of retail assets.

RVP was opened by Princess Diana in 1992 and has long been considered a bankable site with Tunbridge Wells’ position as the UK’s fifth most affluent town.

Hermes’ investment was reported at the time to be a show of faith in the UK retail industry.

The lease terms for the site, however, are a different story and grant a favourable deal to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, which owns the freehold.

Terms state the authority will be paid either 10 per cent of net rents or a minimum ground rent of £837,000 – whichever is greater.

AS ONE of the largest property development firms in Europe, British Land has had a long association with shopping centres.

Since its foundation in 1856 the company has acquired a portfolio currently valued at £13.4billion, which includes Meadowhall mall in Sheffield.

In addition British Land is listed on the FTSE 100, an index of the 100 largest companies on the London Stock Exchange.

Royal Victoria Place would complement a list of other shopping centres in their portfolio which includes Surrey Quays in Rotherhithe.

Another major asset is 122 Leadenhall Street, nicknamed The Cheese Grater, which became the third tallest building in the UK when it was completed in 2014.

A large amount of their property has been purchased from and then leased back to major retailers such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda.

COULD SALE OF ROYAL VICTORIA PLACE PROVE TO BE THE ICING ON THE CAKE? WITH much fanfare Royal Victoria Place (RVP) shopping centre unveiled at the end of October 2015 ambitious plans to build an eight-screen cinema as part of a £70million expansion. It was all, we were told, part of a move designed to ‘support the town centre by encouraging more people to visit more often’.

Who could argue with those words?

Sadly, that’s all they have been up until now; words. There has been very little action aside from seeing a number of shops closed to make way for the development. Today, 16 out of 88 retail outlets are shut and any queries in recent months about progress on the expansion have remained unanswered.

As, indeed, have questions asked over the last few days about the news that RVP is about to be sold. Current owners Hermes are said to

be on the verge of cutting a deal with British Land.

No doubt much has been going on behind the scenes and there are probably genuine reasons why the plans for growth have stalled and why those involved have been unable to comment. All very frustrating but not actually illegal.

The question is: If the sale goes ahead will it mean the end of the current expansion plans?

The probable answer is: Yes. But is that bad news? No, because it’s likely the new owners will come back with an even bigger, more ambitious expansion programme. After all British Land has publicly stated that its mission is to ‘provide places to shop, eat and be entertained’. Note that word ‘entertained’.

It would also make little sense for an outfit as big and ambitious as British Land to even consider putting millions into Tunbridge Wells unless it could see the potential for recovering its investment.

The fact it wants to come to Tunbridge Wells speaks volumes for how outsiders see our town in such a positive light.

When, if, the sale of RVP happens it could prove the icing on the cake. We have the diggers about to move onto the old cinema site and the council is close to signing off on the new Civic Complex and theatre, although the final vote is yet to take place.

Imagine how our town centre might look in five years’ time?

Editorial Director, Richard Moore

Local News

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

NEWS IN BRIEF

Thousands sign up to the beggar’s petition NEARLY 6,000 have signed a petition calling on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council not to introduce on-the-spot fines for begging.

A consultation is underway on whether to introduce Public Space Protection Orders one of which would target ‘professional’ beggars.

Childrensalon, one of the town’s largest employers, started the petition after reading a story in the Times. They oppose the move which they described as targeting the homeless.

To view the petition see www.change.org/o/ childrensalon

Crusader is injured RINGPULL MAN, the Tunbridge Wells superhero who collects can tops for charity, has been injured in a road accident. His injuries are not thought to be serious.

The anonymous caped crusader sends the ring pulls to the Philippines where they are made into crafts to be sold to help schools and children.

He was on his motorised unicycle when hit by a car and suffered broken bones and other injuries. His Twitter message said he would be out of action for an unspecified time.

Big bowling rebrand TEN PIN bowling in Tunbridge Wells has been given an A-list makeover, with £500,000 being spent on refurbishments.

The former Bowlplex in Knights Park has been rebranded as Hollywood Bowl with 24 lanes and a virtual reality gaming suite alongside a restaurant and bar area.

Angel films to close SOUTHERN CINEMA will show its final film – Hampstead starring Diane Keaton – in Tonbridge’s Angel Centre on Tuesday [November 28].

The owner of the company, Colin Hide, has been forced to close down due to rising costs for state of the art digital equipment.

Because of the advancing technology he has been forced to show DVDs in the Medway Hall which has meant he is unable to show the latest Hollywood releases.

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Ice rink set for record-breaking festive season of 40,000 visitors SKATERS are taking to the ice with the popular rink inside Calverley Grounds now open for its seventh season.

Over the next month more than 35,000 people are expected to enjoy the rink, now considered one of the ‘best-loved attractions’ in Tunbridge Wells.

Buzzing Deputy Mayor Len Horwood declared it open on Friday [November 17] at a launch event that included Tunbridge Wells Rock Choir. Local musicians are lined up for future weeks as part of a partnership with The Forum.

There were also performances on ice from the Gillingham Silver Blades Skating Team and Can-

AFTER DARK: Night time visitors at the ice rink

terbury Hellfire Wheelchair Rugby Team – in what was considered a UK first.

The Assembly Hall operate the rink and Antony Pickthall, sales and marketing director, said: “It was a fantastic evening’s entertainment and was really buzzing.”

He’s hoping ticket sales could approach 40,000 this year to set a new record: “Bookings are strong and way ahead of the figure at this point in previous years.”

How you can enjoy the ice… n The rink is open every day, except

Christmas Day, until New Year’s Day. n Bookings are in one hour sessions which

run from 11am to 8pm. This will change to 6pm on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. n Parent and toddler sessions are daily at 9.45am and 10.15am and last half an hour. n Including the cost of skate hire, it is £14 per session for adults aged 16 and over, £9.50 for children aged four to 15 and £5 for holders of a GO card. n Bookings can be made online at www.tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com or by calling 01892 530613.

COOL MOMENT Eliska Hooper and daughter Emilia (2) enjoying the ice

Protest group claims people have been ‘misled’ over the value of the proposed new civic theatre CAMPAIGNERS against the planed Civic Complex have accused the borough council of vastly over estimating the economic boost to the town of building a new theatre as part of the project.

Revealing TW Alliance spokesman Robert Chris told the Times: “By using the Shellard formula [that calculates economic impact] to claim a £14m economic boost to the borough, the Cabinet is either deliberately misleading other councillors and the public, or revealing that it doesn’t understand the economics of arts and culture.

“Applying Arts Council guidelines, we estimate the true figure to be closer to £4m.”

And he warned that if the scheme gets the go

ahead at a full council on December 6 the group would continue its opposition.

“If councillors continue to ignore our arguments and persist in meekly relying uncritically on assurances from those promoting this scheme

within the council, sadly there is every likelihood it will be approved.

“But there are many hurdles the council has yet to jump. The planning process and the May elections will become future battlegrounds.”

The council’s spokesperson for the project, Cllr Tracy Moore, said: “I realise that not everyone is going to be supportive but there are few projects, if any, that would get unanimous support from all quarters.”

And she added: “It is not just about today’s taxpayers but also our duty to plan for the future and invest for generations to come, in the same way councillors did in the 1930s with the existing civic complex.”

To read the full arguments FOR and AGAINST the development see pages 10,11,12 and 13.

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Local News

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Tory MP comes out fighting after being branded a ‘mutineer’ by his own party

By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk

clear that the result of the vote should be respected and that Brexit should go ahead as planned.

He is concerned that the government – which might be a Labour one under Jeremy Corbyn – should not formulate legislation without consulting Parliament, the so-called ‘Henry VIII clauses’ named after the autocratic 16th-century monarch.

TONBRIDGE & Malling’s Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat has stood his ground on his opposition to an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill after being criticised by fellow Tories in the Commons.

The Daily Telegraph put his picture on their front ‘This will restrict Britain’s ability page last week along with 14 other ‘Brexit mutito negotiate a deal with Europe neers’ after the first day of debate about leaving the European Union in Parliament. and avoid a hard Brexit’ Tory MP Bernard Jenkins said dissenters had laid themselves ‘open to the charge that they do not actually want us to leave the European Mr Tugendhat issued a statement clarifying Union’, while Bill Cash accused them of his position: “I am firmly of the opinion that ‘collaborating’ with Labour. our national interest is best served by The bone of contention is that Theresa keeping the maximum negotiating May’s Brexit team proposed the amendflexibility so that we can exploit every ment for the exact time and date of opening to see our economy go from departure from the union, 11pm March strength to strength, here in Tonbridge, 29, 2019, to be enshrined in law.

Edenbridge and Malling, and the country The traditionally Conservative newspaas a whole. per claimed the ‘disaffected mem“That’s why I am concerned that bers…held a “stormy” meeting fixing a precise time for our with the whips’. departure will give the EU Currently serving as chaircontrol over the timetaman of the Parliamentary ble and allow them to Foreign Affairs Committee, restrict our freedom of the MP has made no attempt manoeuvre.” to disguise his credentials He added: “We also NATIONAL INTEREST as a Remainer – though his need to consider the Tom Tugendhat wants constituents voted strongly powers we give the maximum flexibility in to leave the union. government’ to stop negotiations with the EU However, he makes it it from passing

‘Henry VIII clauses’, which bypass consultation with Parliament.

“Critics regarded the naming of 11pm March 29, 2019 as the moment of severance as placing an unnecessary and potentially harmful restriction on Britain’s ability to negotiate a deal with Europe, especially to avoid the pitfalls of a ‘hard Brexit’ or failing to strike a deal at all.”

As our straw poll of leading community stakeholders and local businesses large and small reveals, the approach of Mr Tugendhat has received broad support.

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT MP’S STANCE: Sensible position…

We’ve always been very clear that Brexit and choices around it were matters for the British people and we did not and do not take a position on Leave or Remain.

However, we have a view that leaving with no deal and crashing out on a fixed date would be damaging to our clients, our staff and our business. We are not alone in thinking this.

As a company, we invest in many sectors and industries in the UK and we fully support Tom Tugendhat’s very sensible position on not curtailing room to negotiate – not least to ensure free trade agreements can be completed.

The more certainty that can be provided for business and the better the transition plan, the easier it is for them to make investment decisions.

Pete Horrell Managing Director UK, Fidelity International, Hildenborough

Doing the job…

I voted to remain, but many of my friends and family voted to leave. Like Tom, I am now committed to Brexit because that was the democratic decision.

However, I would urge caution about fixing an exact date that may result in hurried and ill-advised decisions and which could be detrimental to Britain.

This is not rebellion, this is doing the job we elected him to do.

Christine Parker Managing Director Abbey Funeral Services Ltd

Secure the best outcome…

I maintain an excellent professional working relationship with Tom Tugendhat. A firm foundation for doing so is that he does not tell me how to run the Borough Council and I do not tell him how to vote in the Commons.

Tom Tugendhat has made clear that he supports the Government’s position on the principle of leaving the European Union and that he is keen to see Britain secure the best possible outcome in doing so.

Nicolas Heslop Leader, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council The Tonbridge & Malling Conservative Association was invited to comment.

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BUSINESS

Local Business News

NEWS IN BRIEF

Investors not worried by interest rate rise INVESTMENT company Brooks Macdonald said the Bank of England’s decision to raise interest rates earlier this month was foreseen.

The firm, who have an office in Mount Ephraim Road in Tunbridge Wells, has also predicted that the increase of the basic rate from 0.25 per cent to 0.5 per cent will not see a ‘tightening cycle’.

By this they mean they don’t consider the fact that interest rates have risen for the first time since 2007 to be the signal for a start of a series of rate hikes.

Millennial networking AFTER organising a successful first millennial networking evening, two young professionals are considering more events.

Trainee financial advisors Ross Jefferies and Rob Horsfall-Turner, of Panoramic Wealth Management in Tunbridge Wells, attracted 40 people aged 18-34 to the Vittle and Swig restaurant in Camden Road on Tuesday, November 14.

England Rugby Sevens player Will Edwards, who attended Skinners’ School, was the guest speaker.

Business helps charity ELLENOR, a West Kent children’s hospice, will benefit from a partnership with law firm Thomson Snell & Partners.

The charity, which provides end of life care, cancer and respite to children, has been chosen as it’s charity for two years.

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Click, order and try on clothes with new online shopping site

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk THE co-founder of a Deliveroo-style fashion startup has said Tunbridge Wells’ clientele makes it the perfect place to expand into.

Dubbed ‘a boutique on wheels’, the website www.yourfittingroom.com allows its customers to select clothes online and then try them on at home after they have been delivered by a courier.

Former London Underground engineer Liam Young founded the

APPAREL APPEAL Jessica Bishop models a dress available on the website

‘It’s a beautiful town and the traffic isn’t as bad as London, so it wasn’t a tough decision’ company alongside partner Sarah Martin after growing frustrated with how laborious ordering clothes on the web can be.

He said making Tunbridge Wells their first destination outside London, where they began their business last year, was inspired by requests from blogger Jane Dumas and stylist Lynne Meek.

“We spoke to residents and discovered that the benefits our service offers, namely convenience and the FASHION PASSION Model Julia Liewald wears yourfittingroom garments

introduction of exciting new brands, were amplified in Tunbridge Wells.

“Where there’s a smaller selection of shops, online shopping is even more laborious because there aren’t as many collection points or post offices as there are in London.

“Additionally, it’s a beautiful town and the local traffic isn’t half as bad as London, so it wasn’t a tough decision.”

Shoppers can select up to eight items to try on across a variety of styles and only pay for the ones they want to keep. This is done after selecting a one-hour time period for the courier to deliver.

There is also an option to simply order the items direct, but the offer of trying items on first makes it the first of business of this kind.

Mr Young said that, like Deliveroo, there is huge potential for a personalised online service to be successful in the current market.

He added: “For me, it’s simply convenience, not to be confused with speed.

“With something like food, speed is essential because hunger is immediate – but it’s different with clothing, especially for our customers, who tend to be discerning and buy well.

“Our customers love having the ability to choose the most convenient one hour of their week to carry out their entire [clothes] shop rather than having it delivered at a random time and dealing with the ever more common returns.”

Brands currently available include Traffic People and Kirei, with emerging designers Mariana Jungmann and Charlotte Zimbehl also showcased.

Local Business News

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

COMMON GOAL: (L-R) Nourish Foodbank volunteers Mark Lavenstein, Lesley D’arcy, Daniel Johnson, Dawn Stanford and Marianne MacDonald

Companies help the hungry in a drive to reduce food waste

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk SUPERMARKETS are donating unsold stock to a charity in a bid to cut the amount of produce that is thrown away.

Both Tunbridge Wells branches of Tesco and the Tonbridge branch of Marks & Spencer have struck up a partnership to support Nourish Community Foodbank as they look to cut waste and increase

the amount of food available for those in need.

With an estimated 4.4million tonnes of edible food sent to landfill across the UK every year, the arrangement benefits not only those involved, but also the environment.

The local supermarkets join a growing trend of businesses seeking to play their part in reducing a national problem which analysts have said is getting worse.

The industry has previously been criticised for being overly-selective with products, and Tesco

BUSINESS

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has recently made national headlines by selling ripe satsumas with an unusual green colour.

Nourish takes referrals for Tunbridge Wells and, since April, the south Tonbridge area, too.

A spokesman for M&S Foodhall in Cannon Lane, Tonbridge, said: “We want to make sure unsold food is put to the best possible use by redistributing it locally so people can benefit.

“The store provides unsold food to the charity, including fresh fruit, vegetables, baked goods and non-perishables.

“Reducing food waste remains a key priority, whether it’s across the supply chain, at distribution centres and stores, or helping customers to reduce food waste in their own homes.”

In June, M&S launched their ambitious Plan A project to try and ensure every piece of food unsold at the end of the day goes to human consumption.

They aim to have the plan fully in place nationwide before 2026.

Community fridge schemes have also started in some places across the country, where supermarkets can pass on unsold produce which can then be accessed by residents.

Some town house prices will rise even faster than London

Struggling

Lucian Cook, Head of Research at Savills, said: “Uncertainty over what Brexit means for the UK economy, and how it will impact household finances, will increasingly act as a drag on house prices.

“There is capacity for growth once we have greater clarity, but this will be constrained by rate rises and the corresponding ability to get mortgages, particularly in London and other higher value locations.

“Mortgage regulation, introduced in 2014, is likely to show its hand as interest rates rise. But by restricting the amount people can borrow, it will take the heat out of the market and so reduce risk now and in the future.”

Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks are also both predicted to see a greater rise in house prices than the South East average of 11.5 per cent.

Nourish Foodbank operate by collecting donated, typically non-perishable, food items, which are transferred to and stored at Big Yellow Storage in the North Farm industrial estate.

Residents and families who are struggling to put food on the table can be referred, and are able to collect a maximum of 12 bags in a 12-month period.

There are also initiatives in place to discourage dependency.

Dawn Stamford of Nourish said of the supermarket agreement: “It is a really good scheme as it means we can offer more items and can get things like bread [which aren’t generally donated].

“I think it is really positive to have this partnership. We have been having donations from Tesco for about a year.”

REVERSING the usual trend, house prices in some Kent towns will rise at a faster rate than in London, according to an international property advisor.

Analysts at Savills, who have an office in Tunbridge Wells High Street, predict growth in the number of homes built to be 14 per cent across the UK before 2022.

In the next five years, London is expected to see a growth of 7 per cent in house prices. This compares to 14.7 per cent for Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks in the same period.

With both towns attracting capital commuters, they are proving attractive destinations, which is causing the price of buying a home to rise.

Brexit

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NEWS

Civic Complex Debate

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Financial plan independently audited and verified as being both ‘sound and prudent’ On December 6 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council will vote on whether or not to give the go ahead to the building of the Civic Complex and theatre on land adjoining Calverley Grounds. It is probably the most important decision this borough has taken in decades and will shape our future for generations.

The debate between those in favour and those against has been fierce as is to be expected and indeed welcomed. A council dominated by one political party, in this case Conservatives, needs to be held to account. This week we put the relevant questions to both sides to help ratepayers make up their own minds on where they stand. Putting the case for the Civic Complex project is Cllr Tracy Moore…

plex: m o C c i Civ

FOR

What evidence have you that the majority of ratepayers support the project?

Since we started making this project a reality and taking it beyond being an objective of our Five Year Plan I have attended a lot of meetings with residents and other stakeholders. I’ve knocked on the doors of people living in my ward and I’ve been stopped in shops by people wanting to talk about it. From all of these conversations it is clear to me that there is growing support from residents. Many with young families, or those with children who are now young adults, have showed enthusiasm for an investment to maintain the town’s attractiveness and the business community I’ve spoken to understands the need for investment in culture and leisure in our town.

I realise that not everyone is going to be supportive but there are few projects, if any, that would get unanimous support from all quarters.

It is not just about today’s taxpayers but also our duty to plan for the future and invest for generations to come, in the same way councillors did in the 1930s with the existing civic complex.

Tell us the single biggest benefit it would bring to the town?

A new theatre would ensure that we are an attractive, financially secure and culturally-rich borough and not just a commuter dormitory for London. By investing in growth we can avoid decline.

What is the real downside of it not happening?

I fear there will not be another opportunity to deliver a new theatre for Tunbridge Wells and if it doesn’t happen then at least £31million will still have to be borrowed to refurbish the existing buildings and maintenance costs will continue to rise. Spending these millions and not taking advantage of this opportunity for growth seems

‘Construction would take place over a two to three year period with buildings completed by early 2022’ poor value for money. As I’ve said so many times the existing theatre would still not be fit for purpose and we wouldn’t be able to offer new office accommodation for businesses to grow in the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

This was brought home to me when I was in Canterbury recently and discussed their theatre project with a business leader. He said if your theatre is currently going downhill and backwards and you then look five years ahead where do you expect to be? – how true.

Civic Complex Debate

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

How will you judge it a success and how do you see it fitting into any bigger vision for the town?

A successful new theatre would be one where everyone in the community feels it belongs to them and that they belong there. When we see the borough thriving and when the projections made by leading experts in their fields are delivered.

How bad will the disruption to daily life prove, how will you deal with it and how long will it last?

Berkeley Homes are delivering hundreds of homes, a new office and a school on the old Kent & Sussex Hospital site and it has caused minimal disruption through careful planning and ongoing monitoring. We want to follow this example and keep the disruption to a minimum. We have prepared a construction management plan and we will ensure we keep people informed about what is happening. If the scheme goes ahead I expect we will see construction taking place over a two to three year period and buildings completed by early 2022.

Did you expect such organised opposition to the development?

Change is never without controversy but the degree of personal attack has surprised me. This is a project to invest in the future. It is a positive vision but those who oppose it have capitalised on fear and anger.

You’ve suggested the opposition is being led by so called NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard), what evidence of that do you have? And does it matter?

I was elected to represent the residents in my ward, the wider borough and to provide civic leadership. I must uphold a code of conduct and declare any interest I may have in any Council agenda item.

Residents are entitled to their own views and opinions but what can be challenging is when information is misrepresented in an attempt to sway opinion. If people have a self-interest in opposing this or any other project I feel strongly that they should declare it.

What lessons have you learned in selling this idea to the public and what would you do different the second time around?

I am not trying to sell the idea. It deserves to succeed on its own merits.

But you can never do enough. We have spoken to thousands of people - businesses, individuals, interest groups, parish and town councils. We’ve been talking publically about the progress of the idea since 2014 and we have tried to

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involve as many people as possible at different stages of the project.

What guarantees can you give ratepayers that it will not prove such a financial burden that cuts in council services will need to be made?

The financial plan to borrow £77 million has been independently audited and verified by experts as being sound and prudent. We have identified savings and efficiencies to service the debt from when we draw down the loan and some of these savings have already begun in anticipation of the project being given the go-ahead. We are putting these savings into a ring-fenced civic development reserve fund so we’re ready to start paying back the debt.

Give us five words that, in your view, describe the initiative?

Cultural investment for the future.

See following pages for the case Against the proposed complex…

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Civic Complex Debate

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Planning and council elections will be ‘future battlegrounds’ if Civic Complex goes ahead Leading the campaign against the planned Civic Complex and theatre on the edge of Calverley Grounds [see previous pages] is the newly formed TW Alliance. The Times put ten probing questions to their spokesman Dr Robert Chris…

How many people do you represent and what actual evidence do you have that the majority of local people are on your side?

The growing membership of TW Alliance, on-going donations from the public to fight this proposal, exit discussions with those attending the roadshows, social media comments, and petition signatories, plus two referendums by councillors are evidence that thousands are opposed to the scheme. There is no evidence of significant numbers in favour.

The council refuses to call a referendum because it suits them better to make unsubstantiated claims of support from the so-called

‘silent majority’. No one ever had the opportunity to express their view on this scheme at a local election. The council has rejected requests for this democratic deficit to be addressed. Perhaps the public’s voice could be heard by having all councillors standing for re-election in May clearly stating whether they support it or not.

Tell us about the single biggest downside of this going ahead?

This is a tragic lost opportunity.

The strategic objectives to build a 21st century theatre capable of hosting the top touring West End productions were never the subject of any public consultation or

ex: l p m o C Civic

T S N I A AG

‘Cabinet is either deliberately misleading councillors and public, or it doesn’t understand the economics of arts and culture’

HURRY!

BLACK FRIDAY SALE

Civic Complex Debate

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

in-depth independent analysis. The idea that a 1200 seat receiving theatre (without a resident production company) is sufficient to make TW a regional cultural hub flies in the face of much government research. In addition, far from a 21st century theatre, the auditorium is an unimaginative 19th century design looking to the past and not the future.

The council’s figure requires: n Ticket sales to increase 300% despite a 60% increase in average ticket price. n All the assumed £9.6m theatre revenues to be spent locally, and local residents’ ticket purchases not to reduce their expenditure on other local activities. n All the £3.4m salaries and subsistence allowances to be spent in the borough on goods and services produced in the borough.

These assumptions are self-evidently unsupportable. Both Shellard himself and the Arts Council recognise the formula does not apply to touring productions. Little of the economic

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requiring a 1200 seat theatre.

The detailed work needs to be done to understand how best to develop the local arts and culture offering as a central part of the economic and cultural development of the borough. To be a cultural hub, we need to build a hub, not a stand-alone fixed format theatre with its early obsolescence already designed-in. The public needs to be engaged in a comprehensive assessment of the options supported by advisers with an open brief, not one fettered by arbitrary political constraints.

Do you see any positives whatsoever in what the council is planning?

Making TW a regional cultural hub is positive, but a ‘hub’ implies multiple interconnected arts and culture activities that combine into a culture and wealth creating local economy. This project demonstrates that the council have no idea how to make that happen.

What do you consider to be the most ‘misleading’ statement the council has made on the initiative?

By using the Shellard formula to claim a £14m economic boost to the borough, the Cabinet is either deliberately misleading other councillors and the public, or revealing that it doesn’t understand the economics of arts and culture.

Applying Arts Council guidelines, we estimate the true figure to be closer to £4m.

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activity they generate remains within the locality of the theatres through which they pass.

Making the £14m central to their justification for this project, the council has opened itself to claims of gross dishonesty or ignorance, and possibly both.

Some say you are NIMBYS. How many of the Alliance organisers live within a quarter of a mile of the proposed site? And does that matter, anyway?

The long-term impact of this scheme affects every resident and local business. In truth, we’re all NIMBYs. The council invokes the NIMBY argument to discredit dissenters to avoid engaging with their concerns. None of our arguments addresses the narrow, and largely marginal, impact on the three Alliance organisers living close by, they all take a borough-wide perspective.

It’s time the council engaged properly with opposing views. We don’t need more propaganda, we need transparency, honesty and respect, and an end to secrecy on the spurious grounds of ‘commercial sensitivity’. There are many talented and knowledgeable residents who

really care about the borough. The council should engage with them rather than treating all dissenters as an ignorant biased enemy.

Do you accept we need a new Civic Complex and if yes where would you site it?

We need new facilities but the theatre and town hall need not be on the same site. New council offices could more cheaply be located elsewhere on council-owned land. The public facing functions of the council will be well served by the new town centre Gateway development.

Do you accept we need a new theatre and that it would be too expensive to stay at the Assembly Hall?

The studies carried out in 2014 were limited and do not provide a secure basis for conclusions today that it is neither feasible nor economic to refurbish the existing civic complex.

If TW is to be a regional cultural hub it needs support in the borough for the creative industries vital for the arts and culture economy to flourish.

It is an open question whether it makes sense to frame the entire project around a culturally questionable diet of top West End touring shows

Do you think it is likely to get the green light on December 6 and if it does what’s your next step?

If councillors continue to ignore our arguments and persist in meekly relying uncritically on assurances from those promoting this scheme within the council, sadly there is every likelihood it will be approved. But there are many hurdles the council has yet to jump. The planning process and the May elections will become future battlegrounds.

What’s your vision for how the town should be developed over the coming years?

A non-partisan, long-term approach to improving the quality of life for residents’ using joined-up thinking across the policy spectrum, drawing on the many talents within the borough through open and transparent public engagement, and retaining and building upon the town’s heritage.

Give us five words that, in your view, describe the initiative?

Terrible value for money.

Tragic wasted opportunity.

A town planning horror story.

A tale of arrogance and ignorance from a council elite increasingly isolated from its public.

(We know that’s more than five words.)

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Community News

Give up your fuel allowance to help elderly this winter THE KCF [Kent Community Foundation] is calling on elderly residents who do not rely on their Winter Fuel Payment to donate it to their Surviving Winter Appeal so they can support projects to help Kent’s elderly and isolated at the coldest time of year.

Isolated KCF Chief Executive Josephine McCartney said: “We want to make winter less lonely for older people as well as helping them stay well, healthy and independent.

“Our Elderly and Isolated themed programme support’s local projects that address the everyday challenges faced by elderly people in Kent and Medway. If just 1 per cent of OUT IN THE COLD Many older people are in need of help

everyone over 60 in receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment in the county were to donate their £200 to the Surviving Winter Appeal this winter, we would have a fund of more than £1million to help vulnerable elderly people in the county.”

The supportive projects include lunch clubs and other social events to help people stay in touch and keep active during the the season, workshops and advice, transport, befriending services and schemes helping elderly residents with tasks such as shopping or gardening.

There were an estimated 24,300 excess winter deaths in England and Wales in 2015-16. And that is only part of the story.

Josephine added: “Loneliness can often be accompanied by depression and cold wet weather and shorter days can make it more difficult for older people to leave the house, particularly those with mobility issues.

“This can mean that people opt to stay indoors, all alone, day after day. And the longer they are isolated, the harder it becomes to leave.”

Donations can be made by cheque to Kent Community Foundation [FAO Liz Tredget and marked on back for the Surviving Winter Campaign] to Kent Community Foundation, Evegate Park Barn, Evegate Business Park, Ashford, Kent TN25 6SX, or at www.kentcf.org. uk/give/general-giving/ survivingwinter

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Operation shoebox is underway as gift of free storage is wrapped up CHURCHES, schools and businesses have all played their part in filling a record-breaking 30,000 shoeboxes with Christmas gifts for less fortunate children around the world.

For a while, the charity Samaritan’s Purse thought their Operation Christmas Child might be in trouble as they had no centre to sort the thousands of wrapped shoeboxes containing presents.

But after Markerstudy Group offered them the use of the Gymnastics Club Kent at the former NDGA building in Tunbridge Wells, the annual appeal for shoeboxes went ahead.

The building, which is located in Longfield Road, is now the

temporary home of the West Kent part of the operation.

Since 1993, Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief charity, has sent 146 million gift-filled shoeboxes to Eastern Europe, central Asia and Africa. On Friday [November 17] Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark and Mayor Julia Soyke showed their support by joining the charity’s staff at the centre.

Nick Cole, Director of Operation Christmas Child, said: “This year has been one of the best ever in West Kent in terms of the number of donations. Thank you to everyone who has supported us by donating a shoe box.”

SORTED: Greg Clark, MP and Mayor Julia Soyke with Samaritan’s Purse volunteers

Community News

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

CHANCE TO SHINE Examples of how to put on a display

Christmas Collective returns to champion local designers

Treat The event promises a selection of 14 handpicked Christmas collections from top local businesses and designers, and will give Tunbridge Wells shoppers a great weekday treat.

Emma from Peas-in-a-Pod says: “Last year, we

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Help illuminate St John’s with your Wonder Lights

INDIE ENTREPRISE Some offerings from Mis En Scene, Little Mole and Fancy Tat

FOLLOWING the successful launch of the Christmas Collective last year, local businesswomen Emma Buchanan from Little Mole Boutique and Emma Donovan of Peas-in-a-Pod are bringing back their exclusive evening of ‘sipping and shopping’ to kick-start the festive season in Tunbridge Wells.

The Christmas Collective will be held on Wednesday November 29 from 6pm-9.30pm at The Spa Hotel on Mount Ephraim in aid of two local charities, The Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre and Taylor-Made Dreams.

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raised over £1,000 for Pickering, which blew us away – the support was fantastic, and we’re hoping to get a great reception for this year’s event, too.

“The Christmas Collective will offer a sparkly shopping experience championing indie enterprise, where you’ll find one-of-a-kind gifts for the whole family not found on the high street.”

This year’s line-up includes local businesses Love Inc, Freckles & Fire, Sketch Stitch Love and Temper Temper. There will be a £2 entry fee and a raffle, with all proceeds going to the charities.

Polly Taylor, co-founder of Pickering, says: “This is amazing for Pickering in keeping our Drop-In Centre up and running and to keep the smiles coming through the tears. Please support these wonderful girls in this venture.”

To find out more, ‘like’ The Christmas Collective Facebook page or Instagram account @thechristmascollective

By Andy Tong A NEW community-based art event will be launched on Sunday on the streets of St John’s in Tunbridge Wells.

Organiser Mat Waugh said: “As the evening falls, residents are being encouraged to transform their front windows using light, or even stage something more ambitious using their houses as a backdrop.”

Wonder Lights is inspired by similar events held around the UK. Mat, a children’s author who lives in Stephens Road, came up with the idea after see-

ing window displays on a visit to Lincoln.

“The Lincoln event takes place in a set of streets very similar to ours – lots of windows set close to the pavement, making it an ideal setting for a temporary art gallery.

“Some people had really pushed the boat out with home-made films or photos projected on to glass, and there was even a living installation with robots.”

However, it is not aimed at ambitious projects and local people are being encouraged to use stencils or lanterns.

“One of the most effective displays I saw in Lincoln was a beautifully lit picture on an easel, set against a shower curtain.”

Mat has three daughters and has written four books about a character called Cheeky Charlie. He has a new novel coming out called the Fun Factor, to be published on December 1.

He added: “The Lincoln event was so friendly – children were selling cakes, someone was serving mulled wine and everyone was out and about, talking and pointing.

“We have a great community in St John’s and I wondered if we could try something similar here.

“We hope that Wonder Lights could become an annual event, or even spread to other areas of the town.”

Residents can find ideas for their own displays and join in by visiting www.wonderlights.info or Facebook @wonderlightsevent There is also a map of participating houses.

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National News

Super-worker dies after retiring at 94 A ‘much-loved colleague’ thought to be the UK’s oldest supermarket worker has died at the age of 94, just two months after he retired.

Reg Buttress worked at Sainsbury’s in Cwmbran, south Wales, for over three decades and became a well-known figure in the store. He retired – for the second time – in September on his 94th birthday.

A spokeswoman for the supermarket chain said: “Reg was a much loved colleague and an inspiration to all of us.”

Having initially plied his trade as a collier’s help in the mines, Mr Buttress started working at Sainsbury’s in 1981 at the age of 57.

He retired for the first time aged 65 but asked to return part-time because he said he was bored.

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Six G4S employees sacked at Gatwick’s immigration base SIX members of G4S staff have been sacked following undercover footage showing abuse of detainees at the Brook House immigration centre near Gatwick Airport.

The dismissals were confirmed as it was revealed that an independent inquiry commissioned by the company into events at the centre will be carried out by barrister Kate Lampard.

She conducted an earlier investigation into allegations of mistreatment at Yarl’s Wood detention centre in Bedford.

Immigration minister Brandon Lewis told a committee hearing that the Home Office would look closely at the outcome of the review ‘to do everything we can to make sure that abhorrent situation can’t happen again either at Brook House or anywhere else’.

But the committee’s chair Yvette Cooper told him: “The issue for us is making sure there is a review of the Home Office practices and the Home Office responsibility for these detention centres and what the Home Office oversight is, because clearly it hasn’t worked in this Brook House case.”

Brook House is one of two immigration centres run by G4S in the UK and holds 508 adult men.

HARD CENTRE The regime at Brook House was ‘abhorrent’

Undercover footage broadcast in September by the BBC’s Panorama showed staff mocking detainees who were receiving medical treatment after self-harming or taking drugs, while one member of staff was filmed allegedly choking a detainee.

Mr Lewis told the hearing he acknowledged that the activities were not picked up by earlier inspec-

tions or by a Home Office official who was permanently based at the centre, but suggested the misconduct occurred only for a limited period of time.

But Ms Cooper said: “The evidence we have heard is that this had been going on for quite some time and there were failures in the system for quite some time. This wasn’t a recent problem.”

Lennon artefacts found in German raids GERMAN police have recovered around 100 items that belonged to late Beatles star John Lennon, that were stolen from his widow in New York.

The items include three diaries, two pairs of his

signature metal-rimmed glasses, a cigarette case eers two weeks later, and on Monday arrested a and a handwritten music score. suspect and raided his Berlin home and cars.

The retrieved possessions were displayed on During their investigation, police officers and Tuesday at Berlin police headquarters. prosecutors also flew to New York, where they met “This was a spectacular, unusual criminal case,” Ono to have her verify the stolen goods’ authenticity. admitted police spokesman “She was very emotional and we noticed clearly Winfrid Wenzel. how much these things mean to her and how German authorities first happy she would be to became aware of the items, have them back,” stolen from Yoko Ono at her prosecutor Susann New York home in 2006, Wettley said of the when a bankruptcy moment they showed administrator for the Berlin Ono some of the auction house Auctionata recovered items and contacted them in July. pictures of some others.

The administrator had Ms Wettley said that found the memorabilia in Ono’s former driver, the company’s storage. who is now living in WHAT A SPECTACLE Police confiscated the Turkey, is one of the A pair of John Lennon’s glasses items from the auctionsuspects.

National News

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

SKELETON CREW A family of four were on sale

Siberian mammoths fail to sell at Sussex auction A COMPLETE family of prehistoric mammoth skeletons have gone under the hammer for the first time – but failed to find a buyer.

The Ice Age forms were expected to sell for between £250,000 and £400,000 at auction in West Sussex yesterday [November 21].

Baby The highly anticipated lot included a one-yearold infant, only the second known complete baby mammoth skeleton in the world.

Summers Place Auctions in Billingshurst is keen for the skeletons to remain as a four and is continuing to invite offers from interested parties.

The infant, which is 155cm tall and 284cm in length, is joined by a slightly bigger young female,

aged around eight or nine. Her skeleton is 195cm tall and 325cm.

They are accompanied by an adult male and female. The male is 240cm tall and 400cm in length. The adult female, is 200cm tall and 328cm in length.

It is unknown exactly how the family died but their remnants were found together during building works near Tomsk, Siberia, in 2002.

Their relatively small frames indicate they lived in poor conditions and most probably died at the end of the Pleistocene period, around 12,000 to 16,000 years ago.

A spokeswoman for the auction house said: “Sadly, although there had been interest, none of the museums had managed to get the required funding in time and felt they were unable to bid.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

Star of The Likely Lads Rodney Bewes dies at 79

Budget to extend young person’s railcard to 30

ONE half of The Likely Lads, Rodney Bewes, died yesterday [November 21] aged 79.

The actor was best known for his role as Bob Ferris in the BBC sitcom, playing alongside his co-star James Bolam.

In a statement on Twitter, his agent Michelle Braidman described him as a ‘true one off’.

She added: “It is with great sadness that we confirm that our dear client, the much loved actor Rodney Bewes, passed away this morning. We will miss his charm and ready wit.”

Bewes would have turned 80 next week.

THE government has said people up to 30 years old will now be able to buy a £30 railcard for discounted train travel in a measure to be introduced in the Budget today [November 22].

The move is an extension of the current young person’s railcard for those aged 16 to 25.

The so called millennials’ card will be available from spring next year, and offer up to a third off non-peak fares.

The card is part of a series of measures to attract younger voters after a resurgence in 18 to 29-yearolds voting Labour in June’s general election.

English GP numbers fall

Branagh and Friel success

THE NHS in England has hundreds fewer GPs than this time last year.

The number of full-time equivalent GPs in England decreased from 34,495 in September 2016 to 33,302 in September 2017, according to figures from NHS Digital.

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “GPs across the country will be gravely concerned about these figures. We desperately need more family doctors.”

KENNETH BRANAGH has won the International Emmy for Best Actor and Anna Friel the award for Best Actress in New York.

Branagh won for his role as Swedish detective Kurt Wallander in the popular BBC drama series Wallander, which has won an American following on public television’s Masterpiece.

Friel was rewarded for her performance as Sergeant Marcella Backland in the British series Marcella.

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BUSINESS

National Business News

NEWS IN BRIEF

Drug firm accused of overcharging the NHS A DRUGS firm overcharged the NHS by millions for an essential thyroid treatment, the UK’s competition watchdog has provisionally found.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the NHS spent more than £34 million on the firm’s drug liothyronine - up from around £600,000 in 2006.

The amount it paid per pack rose from around £4.46 in 2007 to £258.19 by July 2017, an increase of almost 6,000 per cent.

Airline profits fall BUDGET airline easyJet has seen annual profits nosedive by 17 per cent after taking a £101 million hit from the weak pound, but confirmed a boost from the demise of rivals and recent woes at Ryanair.

In her last set of results before taking on the top job at ITV, Chief Executive Carolyn McCall said it had been a ‘difficult’ year for the industry as she posted headline pre-tax profits of £408 million, down from £494 million the previous year.

Shoppers feel pressure NEARLY one in four people feel under pressure to spend money on Black Friday, research suggests.

The study from Gumtree found 23 per cent of shoppers said they feel under pressure to buy something on the discount day, spending £59.06 each on average.

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Blow for Chancellor as state borrowing grows THE UK’s public finances unexpectedly worsened last month, piling further pressure on Chancellor Philip Hammond who is facing a potential growth downgrade in the Autumn Budget.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net borrowing, stripping out state-owned banks, jumped by £500 million to £8 billion in October.

The move was above economists’ predictions of £7.5 billion, as debt interest payments hit a record high of £6 billion for the month.

CHANCELLOR Philip Hammond

‘Interest payments on indexlinked gilts jumped, due to the rise in inflation’ Despite October’s rise, the deficit excluding state-backed banks for the current financial year - April to October - hit the lowest level for a decade, dropping £4.1 billion to £38.5 billion.

The update comes as Mr Hammond braces for the prospect of a gloomy fiscal outlook in today’s [November 22] Budget, with forecasts expected to show lower economic growth and higher borrowing.

Samuel Tombs, Pantheon Macroeconomics chief UK economist, said: “Public borrowing rose year-over-year in October, despite ongoing austerity measures, primarily because interest payments leapt by £1.2 billion.

“Interest payments on index-linked gilts jumped, due to the rise in inflation. Public sector investment also rose £0.5 billion year-over-year,

NEWS IN BRIEF

Outsourced workers seek a better deal A TEST case is being filed with the aim of giving hundreds of university staff increased rights over pay and conditions.

The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain said it will argue that 250 receptionists, security officers, porters and other workers at the University of London should have the right to collectively bargain directly with the university even though they are employed by a facilities management company.

The union said, if it wins the case at the Central Arbitration Committee, it would give new bargaining rights to workers across the country.

Eurotunnel name change

following weakness earlier this year.”

Mr Hammond would have been hoping for a boost going into the Budget following the dismal analysis dished by out Britain’s fiscal watchdog, which has already warned that it will cut its productivity predictions for the next five years.

Such a move would weaken the outlook for the public finances and hamper the UK economy at a time when the Government will be banking on robust economic growth as Britain hurtles towards Brexit.

However, the Chancellor still remains on track to undershoot the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) current forecast of £58.3 billion for the financial year ending in March 2018.

EUROTUNNEL has changed its name after 23 years.

The company which runs the Channel Tunnel between Folkestone, Kent, and Coquelles, near Calais, announced yesterday [November 21] it will now call itself Getlink.

The change to the group name is in a bid to promote other areas of its business.

Plans for Lotto changes NATIONAL Lottery operator Camelot has signalled changes to Lotto on the back of ‘feedback from players’ as it announced the appointment of Nigel Railton as its new permanent chief executive.

Camelot said it is currently testing a number of options for changes next year to its best-selling game to give players ‘a better winning experience’.

World News

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Putin indicates end of Russian operations to stop Syrian war RUSSIA is close to ending its military operation in Syria which tipped the scales in the government’s favour, President Vladimir Putin has said.

The Russian leader was speaking at surprise talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Mr Putin hosted Mr Assad in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Monday [November 20] ahead of a summit between Russia, Turkey and Iran and a new round of Syria peace talks in Geneva.

The meeting was unannounced and the Kremlin did not make it public until Tuesday.

“I passed to (Putin) and all Russian people our greetings and gratitude for all of the efforts that Russia made to save our country,” Mr Assad said.

Mr Assad has only ventured outside his war-­ ravaged nation twice since the conflict began – both times to Russia.

Summit This week’s visit to meet Mr Putin is Mr Assad’s second since the crisis began in March 2011, leading to a civil war that has killed some 400,000 people and resulted in millions of refugees.

The first was in October 2015, shortly after Russia launched its military campaign in Syria to shore up Mr Assad’s forces.

The meeting in Sochi, which lasted three hours, came ahead of a summit between the presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey.

Iran and Russia have been Mr Assad’s main backers while Turkey supports the opposition.

SHOCK TALKS Bashar Assad (left) with Vladimir Putin

US to announce fresh sanctions for ‘terror sponsor’ North Korea THE Trump administration plans to announce new sanctions on North Korea, after declaring the country a state sponsor of terrorism.

North Korea has joined Iran, Sudan and Syria on America’s terror blacklist, a largely symbolic step as the administration already has the authority to impose virtually any sanctions it wants on Kim Jong Un’s government over its nuclear weapons development.

As part of its ‘maximum pressure’ campaign, President Donald Trump said the Treasury ­department would impose more sanctions on North Korea and ‘related persons’, without hinting who or what would be targeted.

Isolated The move is part of rolling efforts to deprive Pyongyang of funds for its nuclear and missile programmes and leave it internationally isolated.

“It will be the highest level of sanctions by the time it’s finished over a two-week period,” Mr Trump said.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Monday

HIGHEST LEVEL President Trump is increasing the pressure

[November 21] the pressure campaign was starting to bite in Pyongyang, which is already facing unprecedented UN-mandated sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

Mr Tillerson said the North is now suffering fuel shortages, with queues at petrol stations, and its revenues are down.

In Tokyo, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe welcomed the move as a way to increase pressure on North Korea.

SPORT IN BRIEF

England draw women’s Time is running out for Ashes after rapid century slow-paced tennis aces ENGLAND made the highest successful run chase in a Women’s T20 International to draw the Ashes series with Australia at 8-8.

Danni Wyatt hit her side’s first T20 century to help England reach their target of 179 with four wickets and one over to spare.

Hosts Australia had already retained the Ashes.

A 25-SECOND ‘shot clock’ will be introduced in grand slam tennis tournaments starting at the Australian Open in January. The innovation is designed to speed up play.

Another change involves the potential fine for players who withdraw late or perform below what are deemed ‘professional standards’.

All Black – and swelling

Falcons fly in to St James’

NEW ZEALAND back-row forward Ardie Savea has been isolated at their Cardiff team base after contracting mumps.

But All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster said there was no concern that the highly contagious viral disease might spread before New Zealand play Wales on Saturday.

AVIVA Premiership club Newcastle will play a league game at the city’s St James’ Park this season.

The Falcons announced that their Premiership clash against Northampton on March 24 will take place at Newcastle United’s 52,000-capacity stadium, with a 5.30pm kick-off.

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Letters

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

And another thing…

This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going on in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk or write to the Editor at 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU common, caused such an outcry that the councillors were described as ‘reaching for their tin hats’.

The next was a similar-sized roundabout to be constructed in Pembury Road at the entrance to Dunorlan Park. The third was the plan to widen London Road to five lanes at its junction with Church Road. A petition was drawn up about this and a public meeting held by the objectors.

There was a council election shortly after this idea was proposed. The ruling party fielded 12 candidates and all 12 were defeated. Any connection? I don’t know.

Brian Lippard Tunbridge Wells

Sevenoaks council did not cut services – we invested well, improved efficiency and became financially self-sufficient In response to Cllr Michael Base’s letter [November 8], Sevenoaks District Council does pride itself on being a sector leader and innovator, but Cllr Base is not entirely correct with some of his assumptions.

We began the journey to becoming the first financially self-sufficient council in 2010 with a strategy that included not only property investments, but also efficiency, a culture of empowering staff, and taking calculated risks.

We did not cut services as suggested, but instead took decisions early to provide some services in different, more efficient ways.

In the last four years we have invested in a number of properties, including a petrol station and supermarket, a high street shop and a number of offices, and all are performing well.

But I would stress that our investment in the former Swanley Working Men’s Club was never intended to generate a quick return. This important site – a gateway to Swanley town centre – was purchased as part of our longterm plans to regenerate the town.

We fully expect this site to make a return for our residents when the time is right.

The funds from our property investments have in part come from the sale of land, such as small development sites and a farm, but none from public open spaces as suggested.

Garden waste charge isn’t green The council’s plan to charge for collecting garden waste is poorly thought out. It will inevitably be dumped into the household collection bin instead.

Along with garden waste will go food waste. I am not an expert, but if we have been asked to separate food from garden waste previously, why is it OK to combine them again now?

More importantly, it might discourage gardening and Tunbridge Wells will be less ‘green’ as a result. It will also place more pressure on the waste recycling centre, which is already at breaking point.

I’m not against a small charge for an improved or additional service. Why not charge for bottle collection instead? Or a small charge for those larger households that would like a second brown bin collected?

If the plan for the new Civic Complex really is a sound business plan for Tunbridge Wells, it should not be necessary to raise funds from completely unrelated areas.

Toby Brandon Tunbridge Wells

Canterbury is a world leader The success of the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury is always being used as an example by those who want to build a bigger theatre.

But this argument has to be balanced out by the fact that Canterbury also has a cathedral, a

UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE Sevenoaks’ Handy Heroes help Stella Baggaley prepare her home for her husband’s hospital discharge We are now in the fortunate position where we can invest more in our front line than ever, including our HERO [Housing, Energy and Retraining Options] service, helping people back into work, an expanded economic development team, and services to help our NHS partners tackle bed blocking.

We are also the only council in Kent to retain weekly rubbish collections.

Cllr John Scholey Sevenoaks District Council Cabinet Member for Finance

Are we being taken for a ride?

So, after the Don Sloan and Julia Soyke reselection debacle, we now have the spectacle of Peter Bulman, another Conservative councillor, sending emails from Norfolk to his ward.

It is easy to discern why the Tories don’t want a by-election in Park ward, as this is where the controversial new Civic Centre would be situated.

I also note a Conservative moved from Norfolk to Rusthall without resigning his seat, while taking a couple of train journeys a month, which can be claimed back from his council taxpayers.

Surely this is tantamount to taking the electorate for a long and costly ride? And we are being asked to pay more for our brown bins. What a waste!

Dr Alan Bullion Tunbridge Wells

New A21 can boost campus plan world-leading visitor attraction. Visitors to Canterbury who go to the cathedral will most likely visit the theatre, too, so that venue has a better chance of having more seats sold.

Tunbridge Wells just has The Pantiles, which is undersold and dead most of the week. The council did have a special all-year-round [tourist] location called A Day At The Wells, but it closed.

We are so close to London, one of the world’s major theatre venues, you only have to see the queues for tickets to see the pull of ‘theatreland’.

Let them test the water for a new theatre by having a professional polling firm take to the streets of this town, or go from house to house at random. Or better still, put an extra tick box below the candidates at the next local elections.

We cannot compare Canterbury with Tunbridge Wells however we might like to think so – a county town compared to a major city of great historical interest.

Peter Vincent Via email

We’re on the road to nowhere Unfortunately, my letter of November 1 was truncated so it gave a misleading impression. The last paragraph should have read: Over the years, three road schemes aroused numerous objections. The first, a large roundabout outside King Charles the Martyr Church which would require an acre from the

I have been proposing a new university campus in Tunbridge Wells since 1995. Meetings have been taking place with Kent County Council, who seem keen to establish a Centre of Excellence in West Kent using our successful schools as a common operating platform.

The proposals have the backing of our local MPs, Greg Clark and Tom Tugendhat, the Chief Executive of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and senior/headteachers.

Obviously the process is very slow, however with Canterbury Christ Church University now having facilities in Zurich House, Meadow Road, Tunbridge Wells, and wanting to expand within West Kent, we hope that young people will benefit with an iconic campus in the future.

Furthermore, with the completion of the A21 dual carriageway, we have an opportunity to site a new campus to take advantage of a transport infrastructure that is better than any other campus in the South East.

Plus we have, of course, the community benefits of both Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge.

Lastly, figures show that Kent and Canterbury Christ Church Universities made a £909million impact on the local economy in 2014-15, generating 16 per cent of all jobs in Canterbury– the equivalent of 9,900 full-time jobs. Can you imagine what a new campus would do for our local towns?

John Albiston Tunbridge Wells

Calverley

Observations on life and more important things

BIG thanks to all of Calverley’s Field Agents who sent him copies of the leaflet pictured, which was handed out by supporters of TW Alliance, who are leading the fight against the council’s controversial civic development. It’s a picture of a bomb as in ‘bombshell’ and is meant to press home the big spend. Trouble is it was handed out at RVP shopping centre on Saturday November 11. Of course, that’s Armistice Day, when there’s two minutes silence to honour those who fell in wars protecting this country. A tad inappropriate ? At the very least bad timing.

ANYTHING to do with the Civic Complex in this paper has, as ordered by the Esteemed Editor, to be fair and balanced. (Calverley is just not used to that approach.) Inside the above event, TW Alliance supporters who attempted to ask relevant, probing questions were ‘almost shouted down’ by Cllr Lawrence Heasman, who repeatedly (allegedly) told them: “If you don’t like the fact I’m not going to vote against the project, then sack me.” That’s paraphrasing. But you get his point. A tad inappropriate perhaps? There you go, balance.

TO the depths of the countryside and a visit to the newly opened (one year late) Heathfield Tavern in the town of its name. It’s had a lovely makeover, and Calverley is sure the staff will get the hang of it once there are enough of them. A one-hour, ten-minute wait for basically a baked spud (underdone) and prawn cocktail will not, though, lure folks back. And that’s if they’re prepared to pay £25 for a burger – one that has ‘everything’, but is still a burger.

ON behalf of all motorists delayed coming into Tunbridge Wells last week, Calverley would like to ‘thank’ the tractor driver who refused to pull over and let traffic past on the A21. The normal early morning journey from Newenden to TW is 45 minutes. Last week it took one hour, 15 minutes. As one driver told Calverley: “It wasn’t even a significant tractor, it was a tiny one.”

Chin Chin, readers

Education News

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

NEWS

21

EDUCATION Times WITH THE

Pupils should be stretched but not stressed As many students face the pressure of sitting mock exams this week, Samantha Price, Headmistress of Benenden – one of the UK’s leading independent schools – argues that academic success should not be pursued at the expense of children’s happiness BOTH sets of recent reforms for both A levels and GCSEs are aimed at raising standards, and you would not find a headteacher in the land who would object to that principle.

However, these changes come at a time when mental wellbeing among young people is at the forefront of the sector’s thinking.

We are all working tirelessly to help our pupils navigate their way through their teenage years, which are beset with pressures around body image, social media status, relationships, mobile phone addiction and so on. When so much progress is being made in this area, it is difficult not to conclude that the exam reforms risk making the situation worse.

By its very nature, an effort to raise standards piles even more pressure on pupils to perCARING FOR THE YOUNG form strongly in exams.

Samantha Price speaks In addition, unfamilas both a headmistress iar grades and what and a mother they mean can leave

HAPPY Students at Benenden

SHAPING THEIR FUTURE Just the right amount of pressure – greater even than exam results, which are scrutinised so relentlessly. An inspector recently described our school as offering ‘stretch without stress’ and I do hope that we will continue in this vein.

At Benenden we are in the fortunate position of also having excellent academic results, but where we have the choice we do not enter our results into national league tables, precisely because we do not feel they are a reliable way of judging a school’s performance.

Well-rounded

pupils confused about how well they have performed – uncertain how they have compared to siblings or peers and whether or not their grades are a cause for celebration.

None of this is helpful when working hard to ease the pressure on young people. A case of one step forward and two back, perhaps?

We all want the best for our pupils, regardless of what type of school we work in. This means that

they achieve their very best academically but that they are also confident, self-aware, resilient and, most importantly, happy. I fear that the transitional years as the exam reforms bed in could jeopardise the happiness of some of the country’s children.

We recently asked some of our parents to describe Benenden in a single word. The overriding response was ‘Happy’. I was delighted by this as I consider it the most important virtue of any school

It is a shame therefore that the Government doesn’t produce a league table which reflects more than simply academic attainment. All the time it fails to do so, it encourages the pursuit of academic results at the expense of all else. We all know that a balanced, well-rounded young person entering the workplace with drive and interpersonal skills will be the one to really succeed – all the better with good results, but results alone won’t make them either happy or successful!

As a parent myself, I would never value results above happiness, and I do not know any parents who would. Perhaps it is time for the Government to look more holistically at the development and evolution of our young people rather than what appears to be simply focusing on driving up standards.

22

NEWS

Weekly Comment

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Peter Lidstone

Tunbridge Wells councillor

The youngest member of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Peter Lidstone, aged 32, is a Liberal Democrat councillor and was the only candidate to successfully dislodge a Conservative opponent at the last local elections. With a full-time job as part of the charity Build Africa, the former law student of the University of the West of England is also fluent in French. His interest in politics came after attending a conference on the subject at Christian Aid about why Christians should get involved

The council is run as a business – and residents are paying the price LAST week, the council released a 300-page report on the plans for a new theatre and civic offices on the fringe of Calverley Grounds.

This is ahead of our vote at Full Council on December 6 on whether to proceed. If a majority of councillors vote for the scheme to continue, it will proceed to planning stage, with plans to be submitted early in the new year.

‘I, for one, will be disappointed if those grand buildings are turned into commuter flats’ Full Council is a public meeting, so please attend if you are interested in the future of the town.

The report contained some significant information that councillors have been asking for, such as the business plan for the theatre and intended uses for the current Civic Complex.

It also contained details of the savings the

My question is whether or not the real owners of the ‘business’ – i.e. the people of Tunbridge Wells, the ratepayers – agree with our plans.

Unfortunately, it seems that with our call for a borough-wide referendum being rejected, we may never know.

Many residents have been in touch with us to register their support for a new theatre in the town to draw in local crowds and rival the West End.

Concerns

CONTROVERSIAL PLANS The council is preparing to vote on a new Civic Complex and theatre council would need to make in order to repay the £77million loan which would be taken out.

These include: Charging (residents) £30 (each per year) for garden waste collection, £280,000 reduced funding to community groups and a saving from not replacing a director position.

Additional savings will need to be made for the

council to balance the books (the 2018/19 financial year currently has a £600k shortfall).

Against a backdrop of massive cuts from Conservative central Government, councils are being forced to run themselves as businesses, trying to use commercial schemes to balance the books.

An equal number have raised concerns about the scale of borrowing involved, the impact on Calverley Grounds and the future intentions for the current Civic Complex.

I, for one, will be disappointed if those grand buildings are turned into commuter flats.

Ultimately, this comes down to engagement with residents. There is a feeling that many have been told what the council is planning to do, and asked for their views, rather than them becoming involved in the decision-making process.

As a recent example of this logic at play, the Conservatives roundly condemned my suggestion that we should put the council’s new recycling contract – including a £30 charge for garden waste – out to consultation.

Maybe if the Conservatives want to run the council as a business, they should start by listening to their shareholders – the voters.

24

FEATURES

Tonbridge Special

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Light up your Christmas in Tonbridge this weekend

SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE The climax is a magnificent fireworks display over the castle

By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk THIS year’s eagerly awaited Tonbridge Rotary Christmas Festival will take place over three days from Friday November 24 to Sunday November 26.

The festivities start with a Family Fun Fair in Sovereign Way mid car park on Friday from 6-10pm; it will also be open on Saturday from midday to 10pm and on Sunday from midday to 8pm. Alongside the rides there will be sideshows, arcades, toffee apples and candy floss.

The big day is Sunday, with a packed programme of events starting at 1.50pm with the Sea Cadets

and Marine Cadets TS Brilliant Reunion Band marching through the High Street. They have won numerous awards at Area Band Competition, including Best Band, Best Dressed Band, Best Drum Major, Best Solo Bugler and Best Solo Drummer.

Singers The Cadets meet every Tuesday and Thursday at their hall on Albion Road in Tunbridge Wells.

There is also a Junior Cadets section on Thursdays, while band practice is on Wednesdays.

For more information, call 01892 522559.

At 2.25pm, the on-stage musical entertainment begins at the top end of town. The local Razzamataz

Theatre School will perform with students ranging from two years old to 18. Razzamataz holds singing, dance and drama lessons on Saturday mornings at Hayesbrook School in Brook Street, with free taster sessions available – call Eve on 07401 801318 for more information.

The Tonbridge Community Singers take to the stage at 3.25pm. The choir has been performing a wide repertoire of music for over ten years under the directorship of Helen Walker and accompanist Carolyn Cabrera.

They meet at the Delarue Hall on Shipbourne Road from 7.15-8.45pm every Wednesday during term time. Anyone with a passion for singing is welcome to join in and have fun. Search for

Tonbridge Community Singers on Facebook for more information.

Then comes this year’s celebrity appearance, by Courtney Hadwin, a finalist in the The Voice Kids UK. The 13 year old from Peterlee in County Durham is certainly coming a long way to sing for the town, and she will no doubt bring sprinkle some stardust on the celebration.

On the ITV show she performed hits like Dancing in the Street by Martha Reeve and The Vandellas and Tina Turner’s Nutbush City Limits.

Courtney will be followed at 4pm by a 40-minute set from Hobo and the Hippies with their

Continued on page 49

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PROPERTY

Advertising Feature

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Excellent self-contained office sold through Broadlands Commercial Property Agents Acting on behalf of The Administrators Broadlands Commercial Property Agents have sold Bank House 73/75 Calverley Road & 22/24 Garden Street Tunbridge Wells to a private company. The building which at one time had been occupied by Barclays Bank comprises an attractive Georgian Grade 11 Listed facade with an extension to the rear. The total area being approximately 11,600sq.ft together with 18 car parking spaces.

AT A GLANCE LEVEL 2 BROCKBOURNE HOUSE, MOUNT EPHRAIM, TUNBRIDGE WELLS TN4 8BS ■ (Preliminary details available soon) ■ 6814 sq.ft ■ New full repairing and insuring lease ■ 24 on site car parking spaces ■ Fully carpeted ■ Can be let in present condition ■ Male and female WC facilities ■ EPC = D

Further information available from SHANE RAGGETT 01892 512422 shane.raggett@broadlands.co.uk www.broadlands.co.uk Broadlands Commercial Property Agents – 52 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1XF

On behalf of BlackRock Broadlands are instructed to market 6800sq.ft of excellent office accommodation on Level 2 of Brockbourne House Mount Ephraim Tunbridge Wells. There are 24 car parking spaces and the space is available by way of a new FRI lease for a term to be agreed at £185,000pax.

It is well documented that there is a distinct shortage of good quality office space in Tunbridge Wells at present and here at Broadlands we have disposed of and acquired for clients a large amount of office space in Tunbridge Wells over the last few months. Brockbourne House represents an excellent opportunity to acquire good quality office space for those companies looking to expand or indeed come into Tunbridge Wells. shane.raggett@broadlands.co.uk www.broadlands.co.uk

AT A GLANCE CENTRALLY LOCATED RETAIL PREMISES CHAPEL PLACE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS ■ Available due to current tenant re-locating to larger premises ■ GROUND FLOOR RETAIL UNIT TOGETHER WITH GOOD USEABLE BASEMENT ■ Excellent Condition Throughout ■ Lease Expires June 2021[New lease available subject to terms] ■ Current Rent Passing £22,000pax.

■ EPC rating = C

Further information available from SHANE RAGGETT 01892 512422 shane.raggett@broadlands.co.uk www.broadlands.co.uk Broadlands Commercial Property Agents – 52 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1XF

28

PROPERTY

To suit your budget

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Your at-a-glance guide to BLUE COTTAGE GROOMBRIDGE GUIDE PRICE £600,000

UNDER £300,000 PETERSFIELD, PEMBURY

£280,000 A mid-terrace house entered via a handy entrance porch, which in turn leads to a kitchen/dining room with light wood wall and base units. This then leads to a bright sitting room.

There are two double bedrooms upstairs, one of which has views over

neighbouring orchards, as well as a family bathroom. The front garden is laid to lawn and the rear garden backs on to the orchards and woodland as well as having decking, timber fencing and a garage en-bloc with a parking space.

CONTACT Barnes Kingsnorth Tunbridge Wells 01892 822880 www.bkestateagents.com

UNDER £450,000 CROMER STREET, TONBRIDGE

£390,000 A four-bedroom semi-detached house in a convenient location.

Downstairs, there is a sitting room with a feature fireplace and a family/ dining room which opens to a good sized kitchen. On the first floor, there are two bedrooms with feature

fireplaces, as well as a bathroom and a further bedroom. There is then a fourth bedroom on the second floor with double-aspect views and a shower cubicle. Outside, the garden includes a decked terrace and a wooden shed.

CONTACT Wood & Pilcher Tonbridge 01732 351135 www.woodandpilcher.co.uk

To suit your budget

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

PROPERTY

29

great properties by price range…

UNDER £500,000 ANGLEY COURT, HORSMONDEN

GUIDE PRICE

£450,000-£475,000 A detached bungalow with garage set in quiet cul-de-sac. The sitting room has a feature fireplace and double-glazed doors to the garden.

The kitchen has part-tiled walls and a granite counter. There are three bedrooms, one of which is currently in use as a study, as well as a bathroom and further toilet. Outside, there is a driveway with off-road parking, a vegetable bed, shed and greenhouse.

CONTACT Wood & Pilcher Tonbridge 01732 351135 www.woodandpilcher.co.uk

UNDER £600,000 WHISTLER ROAD, TONBRIDGE

GUIDE PRICE

£550,000-£575,000 A four-bedroom detached property with a conservatory. The sitting room has a fireplace with fitted electric fire, and is double glazed, as is the rest of the property. There is a luxury Wren fitted kitchen, and also a bathroom, cloakroom and en suite. The outside includes a lawn frontage with off-road parking, a garage with power and light and a lawned rear garden with two wooden sheds and a paved terrace.

CONTACT Wood & Pilcher Tonbridge 01732 351135 www.woodandpilcher.co.uk

UNDER £800,000

UNDER £700,000

CULVERDEN AVENUE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

BLUE COTTAGE, GROOMBRIDGE

£785,000

GUIDE PRICE

£600,000 A Grade II listed period house with features that include exposed beams and an inglenook fireplace.

There are two reception rooms, a spacious kitchen with cream wooden décor, three bedrooms, a large bathroom and a guest cloakroom/utility room. There is also a double-aspect dining room

with views across the west-facing rear garden. Externally, there is additionally a gravelled driveway, a car port, an independent studio/office and a wooden summerhouse.

CONTACT Maddisons Residential Tunbridge Wells 01892 514100 www.maddisonsresidential.co.uk

An Edwardian detached family home with well-proportioned rooms and light, bright décor. Period features include ceiling cornices, tall skirting boards, stripped high ceilings and dual-aspect principal rooms. The sitting room has a working fireplace and double doors to the rear garden.

There is also a dining room. One of the four bedrooms has a balcony. On the second floor there is also a study and bedroom four with tree-top views.

CONTACT Barnes Kingsnorth Pembury 01892 822880 www.bkestateagents.com

34

PROPERTY

Down Farm Oasts

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

AT A GLANCE

DOWN FARM OASTS LAMBERHURST NR TUNBRIDGE WELLS n Grade II listed n Semi-rural position n Kitchen/breakfast room n WC & utility room n Spacious sitting room/dining room n 5 bedrooms (1 with en suite) n Family bathroom n Gardens n 2 designated parking spaces

£2,250 pcm + fees Available for let through Batcheller Monkhouse Tunbridge Wells 01892 502840 www.batchellermonkhouse.com

Rent one of a crop of oast houses – this one offering five bedrooms and pretty garden

Advertising Feature

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

PROPERTY

39

Celebrating the enduring appeal of Tunbridge Wells

By Ian Wilson, s senior estate agent at Andrews in Tunbridge Wells

I

F YOU’VE been born and bred in Tunbridge Wells, you’re likely to need little convincing of its many very special qualities. Similarly, if you’ve consciously chosen Tunbridge Wells as the place to put down roots, you’ll be familiar with its appeal.

If, on the other hand, you’re doing your research on Tunbridge Wells as a potential location to relocate to, you may be wondering what this town has that makes it so special.

‘Tunbridge Wells was recently named by Rightmove as the best place to live in Kent and the fifth best in Britain’ Well, first things first. Tunbridge Wells was recently named by property website Rightmove as the best place to live in Kent, and the fifth best in Britain. Around the same time, the BBC launched an online calculator that showed that in 58 per cent of council wards nationwide, residential properties are selling for less now, after accounting for inflation, than they were in 2007.

The good news, however, is that here in Tunbridge Wells that isn’t the case. Indeed, here we’ve seen price increases of varying levels across all suburbs of the town.

Having managed the Andrews branch of the estate agency in the town for almost 30 years, this doesn’t, of course, come as a surprise to me. Two such favourable pieces of data have, however, made me take a step back to consider what contributes to Tunbridge Wells’ enduring appeal.

For me, several key factors instantly spring to mind. Firstly, there’s the quality of the local schooling. The Skinners’ School, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys and Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School are all in the St John’s area and are all highly regarded. As grammar schools, they command a certain level of popularity which positively impacts property prices in the area, and both The Skinners’ School and Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar have been rated

‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, as have Bennett Memorial Diocesan School and St Gregory’s Catholic School (both comprehensives).

The primary schools which feed into each of these popular secondary schools also drive greater interest in the areas in which they are located, and it’s hard to imagine a town of a similar size to Tunbridge Wells boasting such a rich selection of schooling. In fact, it’s often one of the first factors people new to the area mention.

The town’s location is also significant. On the one hand, we’re within easy commuting distance to Charing Cross and other stations in London (under one hour by train), and we’re also conveniently located on the Kent/Sussex border.

This enviable mix of attributes means that those working in the capital continue to have access to their employment while also being in the heart of a beautiful part of the UK. Indeed, for those who want to experience a little more of the countryside, the outlying villages around Tunbridge Wells often command higher prices for properties than those in the town centre.

Then there’s the town’s vibrancy. If you live here, you’ll know exactly what I mean by that. If you don’t yet live here, then make sure you visit soon.

Quite simply, Tunbridge Wells is blessed with an appealing high street that boasts an eclectic mix of quality shops, cafés, bistros and bars, coupled with some of the UK’s best-known retailers.

The historic heart of the town, known as The Pantiles – located at the southern end, is

HISTORIC ATTRACTION The Pantiles

where it all started, when a spring water well was discovered there in the early 17th century. Nowadays, it is home to independent retailers and eateries and hosts numerous jazz bands in the summer months, as well as a variety of markets.

It is here where the greatest price increases in the town have been experienced, and it’s not hard to see why.

While some towns experience peaks in their popularity, my experience of Tunbridge Wells is that it remains consistently popular.

Certainly, we see no reason why this would change, and the St John’s and Pantiles Ian Wilson areas which

have, respectively, enjoyed 47 per cent and 54 per cent uplifts in property values in the last ten years, are unlikely to see any dip in their appeal.

The even better news for the town and its residents is that it’s not resting on its laurels, and there’s plenty of planning currently under consideration. Redevelopment of the old cinema site is at last moving forward and work could start there as early as the New Year. There is also talk of new council offices and associated development on the edge of Calverley Grounds.

So, while it’s sometimes easy to brush news reports, research and new data aside, in the case of Tunbridge Wells it is all most certainly justified.

It has consistently been a safe place to buy and keep property, and if you’re thinking about a move to, or within, this special town, make sure you come and visit the Andrews team at our branch in Grosvenor Road, or visit www.andrewsonline.co.uk

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Advertising

PROPERTY

41

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Lower Holywich Cottage

PROPERTY

Charming detached family house of character set in over five acres AT A GLANCE LOWER HOLYWICH COTTAGE COWDEN, EDENBRIDGE ■ Entrance hall ■ Cloakroom ■ 3 reception rooms ■ Kitchen/breakfast room with a bespoke range of fittings ■ Orangery ■ Cellar ■ Utility room ■ Master bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe and en suite ■ 3 bedrooms ■ Family bathroom ■ Landscaped gardens ■ Summerhouse ■ Paddock ■ Open twin-bay barn with storeroom ■ 2 gated driveways providing parking ■ Approximately 4.5 acres in all

GUIDE PRICE

£1,375,000

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

45

Tonbridge Special

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

THE STAGE IS SET: Razzamataz Theatre School will begin the festivities

Continued from page 24 trademark brand of original folk and country songs, banter and humour.

Look out for stomping numbers like Dead Man’s Eye, which will make you feel like you’re on board a rickety pirate ship, as well as the musicianship of Pale Lady and the three-part harmonies of Bolt Down the Hatches, a crowd favourite.

At 4.45pm, the cast of the Lions’ Tonbridge Community panto, Peter Pan, will join the party. They will be performing at The Angel Centre on Saturday December 9 and Sunday December 10 at 2pm and 6pm.

They will join the Mayor of Tonbridge & Malling, Cllr Roger Dalton, on stage to switch on the Christmas lights at 5pm. Courtney will then return to the spotlight to sing another of her hits.

Then it’s the turn of Roxxon, a Kent band who will provide a wide variety of contemporary pop and rock party hits that are guaranteed to get the crowds dancing.

The music will continue until 6pm, when there will be a spectacular firework finale over Tonbridge Castle.

The day’s events end at 6.15pm.

The Hartley Morris Men will be performing all around the event throughout the day, and there will be stalls

HIT THE HIGH NOTES Tonbridge Community Singers will fill the air with song and other street performers in the High Street.

The Morris Men are celebrating their 65th anniversary this year.

They are based in Wrotham and practice there in the village hall every Thursday evening from September to April. For more information, visit www.hartleymorrismen.org.uk Cllr Maria Heslop, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “As always, this year’s festival – with all the drama of the lights switch on, live music performances and the fireworks spectacular, looks sure to be a great afternoon out for the whole family.”

She added: “A big vote of thanks to the Rotary Club of Tonbridge for organising this fabulous event once again, and to the Times of Tonbridge, Shaw’s Leisure and KMFM, together with other High Street retailers, for sponsoring the event.

“I hope many people come along to join in with and enjoy the festivities throughout the weekend.”

For more information about the Tonbridge Christmas Festival, please contact Tonbridge Rotary Club by emailing: gordon.court301@ btinternet.com SCREEN STARLET Courtney Hadwin is this year’s celebrity visitor

BAND ON THE ROAD TS Brilliant will march down the High Street

HO HO HOBO Hobo and Hippies will get you stomping your feet

GET READY TO ROCK Roxxon will bring a raucous end to the music

FEATURES

49

ARE YOU HOOKED? The cast of the Tonbridge Community panto Peter Pan

FOLKLORE COMES ALIVE The Hartley Morris Men are performing all day

52

FEATURES

Food & Drink

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Countdown to Christmas With this Saturday marking a month to go until December 25, and Sunday being the official day to make your cake and Christmas pud, Times food writer Bruce McMichael offers some practical advice…

C

HRISTMAS is always hectic, so to ensure you’re not chained to the cooker over the festivities, it’s a good idea to get ahead.

A key date in the diary is Stir-up Sunday, the last Sunday before the start of Advent, when cooks and chefs make Christmas puddings and, nowdays, cakes, too. This year Advent begins on December 3 and ends on Christmas Eve. Dating back to Victorian times, the pudding would contain 13 ingredients to represent Jesus and his disciples and be stirred from east to west – representing the journey taken by the Three Wise Men. Silver coins (disinfect first with vinegar) or other charms can be added to the mix, hopefully bringing good luck to the finder on Christmas Day. Have a look at the delicious recipes here to get your inspired.

With a month to go before the big day, it’s also time to start planning menus and topping up the drinks cabinet.

There’s lots of food prep that can be done in advance. Local food writer and author Mary Gwynne advises making lots of lists. “Order your turkey, duck or beef a few weeks beforehand from a farm shop or farmers’ market,” she says.

“At the latter, you can meet the person who has actually grown and made the produce. They’ll often have some great ideas on how best to use their products.”

‘Friends and family visiting from out of the area love tasting regional foods’ Local cheesemakers with stalls at farmers’ markets such as Traditional Cheese Dairy at Penshurst, Chillies Farm Dairy at Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells or Kingcott Dairy at Penshurst can all offer advice on putting together a special cheese board to round off your meal.

“Friends and family visiting from out of the area love tasting regional foods, and drink and cheeses are a great way of introducing them to delicious local flavours,” says Mary.

If you have a freezer, make some space and get cracking on making gravy, stuffing and bread sauce, which all freeze well.

Patient shoppers famously queue for their turkeys, geese and joints of ham or beef outside Fuller’s Butchers in Hawkenbury right up to Christmas Eve. You can also find Kent Turkeys’ stall at Penshurst Farmers’ Market or Renhurst Farm’s at Tunbridge Wells’ Town Hall market.

A few days ahead of Christmas Day, braise some red cabbage and place in the fridge where its flavour improves, and use the blanche and refresh technique on sprouts. Boil sprouts until al dente, drain and put into a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process. Heat up the next day in the microwave in no time at all.

Chop up other vegetables the day before and store them in the fridge in a bowl of water. Brandy, or rum, butter can be frozen ahead of time alongside mince pies, cranberry sauce and chestnut stuffing.

Pickles, relishes and chutneys can also be made during the lead up and are great with Boxing Day turkey sandwiches, cured ham or cheese and crackers.

It’s also a canny idea to make familyfriendly dishes ahead, like shepherd’s pie, so you don’t have to panic if surprise visitors arrive. After all, it’s about enjoying the season and not stressing!

Stir in some Christmas cheer…

To celebrate Stir-up Sunday, when cooks around the country make their Christmas cakes and puddings, here are two recipes, which are also gluten-free GLUTEN-FREE CHRISTMAS CAKE SERVES 12-16

From start to serve: 24 hours l Prep: 25 minutes l Bake: 2 1⁄2-3 hours l Difficulty: ** (out of 5) You can actually make this cake at least three months before Christmas, but make sure you feed it with brandy every week. By the time the big day comes, it will be moist and fruity and ready for its marzipan and fondant party dress. A tot of sherry for the cook is also encouraged. n 750g/1 1/2 lbs (about 5 cups) mixed dried fruit (currants, sultanas/golden raisins, dark raisins) n 100g/3/4 cup chopped mixed peel n 100g/3/4 cup glacé cherries n 150ml/2/3 cup brandy n 250g/2 sticks salted butter, softened n 250g/1 1/4 cups dark brown soft sugar n 2 tablespoons black treacle/ molasses n 4 eggs n 250g/1 2/3 cups plain/all-purpose gluten-free flour n 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum n 2 teaspoons mixed spice/apple pie spice brandy, to feed

23-cm/9-inch springform round cake pan, greased and lined with a double layer of baking parchment

n

METHOD:

Put the dried fruit, peel and glacé cherries into a large mixing bowl.

Gently warm the brandy, then pour over fruit. Cover the bowl with clingfilm/plastic wrap and allow to sit for a minimum of 2 hours and up to 2 days in a cool, dark place.

Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F) Gas 2.

In a large bowl, or the bowl of a free-standing mixer, cream the butter, sugar and treacle/molasses together. Add the eggs, flour, xanthan gum and mixed spice/ apple pie spice to the bowl and beat again until combined. Add the soaked fruits with any remaining brandy and fold in using a large spoon or spatula.

Transfer the mixture into the prepared cake pan and level with a spoon or spatula.

Bake in the preheated oven for 21/2-3 hours until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake

Food & Drink

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

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CHRISTMAS PUDDING SERVES 6-8

From start to serve: 30 hours l Prep: 20 minutes l Steam: 5 hours l Difficulty: ** Easy enough to whip up, the labour here is in keeping a semi-watchful eye over the pudding as it steams.

Come Christmas, you will be heralded as the ultimate host for preparing your own from scratch.

It’s not essential to hide a coin in the pudding, nor does it have to be doused with brandy and flamed at the table, but both are rather fun.

comes out clean or crumbed but without any wet batter clinging to it.

Check the cake after 2 hours, and every 15 minutes thereafter. Cover with foil if the top is browning too much at any point.

When cooked, put the pan on to a wire rack and brush with a tablespoon or two of some more brandy. Allow to cool completely.

Once cooled, gently remove from the pan, wrap in a triple layer of baking parchment, foil and clingfilm/plastic wrap. Unwrap once a week and ‘feed’ the cake by brushing with a couple of tablespoons of brandy.

This fruit cake can be served plain (it’s wonderful served with cheese and fresh figs), or can be decorated with marzipan and fondant icing fixed with jam/jelly.

n 200g/1 1/3 cups sultanas/ golden raisins n 150g/1 cup dark raisins n 50g/1/3 cup dried Zante currants n 50g/1/3 cup mixed peel n 50g/1/3 cup glacé cherries n 100ml/6 1/2 tablespoons brandy n 3 eggs n 175g/3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons soft light brown sugar n 80g/2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon plain/all-purpose gluten-free flour n 5g/1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder n 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum n 1/4 teaspoon salt n 1 teaspoon mixed spice/ apple pie spice n 100g/1/2 cup Victoria Sponge Cake crumbs (see below) or gluten-free white breadcrumbs n 125g/1/2 cup vegetable shortening, frozen and coarsely grated n 1 medium carrot, finely grated n pouring cream, to serve

n 1.5-litre/50-oz. capacity pudding basin, greased

METHOD:

Soak fruits overnight – put sultanas/ golden raisins, dark raisins, Zante currants, mixed peel and cherries into a bowl and add the brandy.

Stir and cover with clingfilm/plastic wrap. Set aside.

Cover the bottom of the pudding basin with a disc of baking parchment.

Cut 2 discs of baking parchment the same size as the top of the basin.

In a large bowl, or the bowl of a free-standing mixer, whisk together the eggs and sugar until pale.

Add the flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, salt, mixed spice/ apple pie spice and cake or breadcrumbs, and whisk again.

Add the vegetable shortening, grated carrot and soaked fruits, along with any remaining brandy, and stir until everything is well combined.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pudding basin and level the top with the back of a spoon or spatula. Lay the extra discs of baking parchment over the top of the basin, followed by a piece of foil with a pleat in the middle to allow it to expand a little.

Secure the foil by tying with string.

To steam the pudding, position an upturned saucer at the bottom of a large saucepan and place pudding basin on top – foil side facing upwards. Fill the pan with boiling

water to almost halfway up the side of the basin, then cover pan and set over low heat for 5 hours. Check water regularly and top up as required.

After 5 hours, remove pan from heat and carefully lift out of pudding basin to cool. You can turn the pudding out and serve once it has cooled down slightly, but I would recommend baking the pudding ahead by about 4 weeks and intermittently feeding it with a little extra brandy.

To keep until required, allow to cool and, leaving the pudding in the basin, remove the foil and wrap the

whole thing in clingfilm/plastic wrap.

Set aside for up to a month, then remove the clingfilm/plastic wrap, re-foil and steam as before for 1 hour before serving with pouring cream.

This is also lovely served with brandy cream – whip together 250g/1 cup of double/heavy cream with 2 tablespoons of icing/confectioners’ sugar until soft peaks form, then whisk in 50 g/31/2 tablespoons of brandy.

Recipes from This is Gluten-Free by Victoria Hall, published by Ryland Peters and Small priced £16.99

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FEATURES

Advertising Feature

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

On top of their game Over the past year, the Rendez-Vous restaurant has continued to thrive in Tunbridge Wells – a town that always expects the best from its food. A year after they first met, Hannah Patterson sits down again with owner Mark Harper and chef John Boreham to find out why their Camden Road eaterie is still one of the best IT’S BEEN A YEAR SINCE WE LAST CAUGHT UP, HOW’S BUSINESS? MARK: Business is going really well.

We’ve definitely found and established a formula that works for us, and we are working at making that the best it can be.

We’ve been here four years now and there are a lot of new restaurants in Tunbridge Wells, so it’s really just about keeping on top of our game.

Our niche is perhaps intimacy, and because we are a family restaurant, it’s easy to get to know us.

READY TO MEET YOU! Mark Harper and John Boreham

HAS BEING A SMALLER RESTAURANT BEEN PART OF YOUR SUCCESS? MARK: Definitely! I would say around 80 per cent of our business is return customers – something that we are really proud of. There are always new faces, but mostly people are returning as they know what they get with us.

JOHN: Unusually for around here, lunchtime is our peak time. There’s a ‘dish of the day’ for £9.99, which

includes a glass of wine or beer. It’s always changing, but it’s always fresh, and goes down well. And it could be anything. For example, if we offer fish and chips you can guarantee our fish will be fresh sea bass from the fishmongers.

Whatever it is, from tuna steaks to lasagne, we will always make sure we prepare it in the best way possible. That must be part of the success as well, as people are coming here repeatedly for the fresh and changing menu, and as long as that keeps happening, we are getting people walking past, seeing us full, and coming to join us as well.

MARK: On that note, I would recommend booking with us. Even on a Tuesday, we are always busy around lunchtime.

EVER CHANGING The specials menu

YOU ARE VERY PROUD OF YOUR FRESH PRODUCE – WHO ARE YOUR SUPPLIERS? JOHN: We use a lot of local suppliers.

Penshurst Estate is the source of our game. That’s where we get our duck, partridge, pheasant, venison and boar.

Advertising Feature

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Not only do we make sure we source the meat locally, but we really focus on the preparation and presentation that follows. In my experience, any chef worth his salt should know how to butcher, and have an understanding of fish preparation, too.

It’s too easy to be lazy as a chef nowadays, but you need to have these skills to do meat of that quality justice. It also means you can offer quality at a reasonable price, as butchering the meat yourself keeps costs low.

‘We really want to educate the customer on the way game meat should be served’ WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOUR GAME SEASON MENU? JOHN: We’ve got a trio of game on at the minute, which is going down amazingly. It’s important to really cook the meat with absolute precision.

For example, pigeon is a red meat, so if it’s even slightly overcooked, it can easily become chewy and lose its flavour. However, you also don’t want to be serving it too rare, so it’s about getting that perfect balance between the two.

But it’s not just the meat that makes game dishes so flavoursome – I roast the bones for the stock and it’s truly quality stuff.

We really want to educate the customer on the way game meat should be served. I’ve been getting creative and you can expect to see venison scotch eggs which are lovely, and we’ve served up

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55

wild boar lasagne, too. We close Sundays and Mondays, which gives us the time and get it right for the following week.

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT PLANNED IN TERMS OF FESTIVE OFFERINGS? MARK: Our Christmas menu is particularly extensive this year. We have tried to offer a wide range of options and, while we are French-influenced, we are always looking at other kinds of dishes we can offer – we don’t want to limit ourselves to one cuisine.

JOHN: For example, our smoked haddock and emmental croquettes will be back on our Christmas menu. We did these before as we were inspired by the Belgian Food Festival we took part in, here in Tunbridge Wells. They were a great success with our customers.

MARK: There will also be a venison burger, treacle-glazed duck and mutton broth, and there will always be vegetarian offerings – the beetroot parfait, and a lentil, tomato and mozzarella stack are particular favourites.

NO TURKEY? JOHN: I find turkey a little overdone when it comes to Christmas, but we will always offer a dish that uses that meat.

This year it comes in the form of a turkey, ham and mushroom pie.

We don’t do roast turkey

as such because not only is it overdone at Christmas, but I find it a bit naff.

MARK: Of course, you can still order a steak or a stuffed aubergine – we couldn’t take the classics off the menu.

In terms of desserts, they are still in development for Christmas, but you can expect plenty of cherry flavours and brandy snaps!

WHAT WOULD YOU ORDER OFF THE MENU IF YOU CAME HERE TO EAT? JOHN: I’d definitely have to go for the smoked duck breast – easy choice!

Then I’d have the hake because I just love the thermidor sauce that it is served with.

Thermidor sauce is traditionally

associated with lobster, but it brings out spectacular flavours with the hake.

Then I’d finish with the tasty apricot and almond tart for dessert.

I know Mark would differ from me as he loves the haddock and emmental croquettes starter and the medallions of pork from the main menu.

I don’t think he’s got much of a sweet tooth, but I’m sure he would grab one of our cheeseboards!

THE RENDEZ-VOUS 86 Camden Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2QP 01892 525830 Twitter: @rendezvousrtw

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FEATURES

Travel

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Step away from tradition THAILAND Take a boat trip to nearby paradises

If you’ve made no plans for the festive season, it’s not too late to get away and enjoy an entirely different Christmas this year.

H

ERE’S the good news: there are places where festivities are largely overlooked and where sunshine is 100% more likely than snow. Dreaming of a golden, stress-free Christmas? Here’s a crop of last minute breaks...

THAILAND Christmas means very little in Thailand, with 95% of the population identifying themselves as Buddhist. Instead of roasting chestnuts by an open fire, singletons can escape the festive furore in Phuket, home to some of the world’s finest beaches, glittering seas, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Aside from soaking up the sun on Christmas Day with a cocktail in hand, solo travellers can also take advantage of speedboat trips to nearby paradises, including Phi Phi Island and Phang Nga Bay.

the historic capital, Santo Domingo, watching the world go by in the cafe-lined Plaza de Espana is the Alcazar de Colon palace or on an exciting trip to discover the island’s waterfalls.

DUBAI Dubai is the ideal destination to spend Christmas Day with a twist, complete with Christmas markets in the sun-soaked Versailles Gardens and open-air pantomimes. And whilst it may not snow in the popular emirate, Ski Dubai - an indoor ski resort - offers a fun alternative. Solo travellers can also treat themselves to a Christmas present from one of the designer stores in Dubai’s luxury shopping malls, which are given a festive makeover with Christmas trees and decorations.

INDIA Goa is a tropical blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures combined with sun, sea and sand.

Escaping the Christmas chaos in the UK, the festive period in Goa is time for relaxation with tai chi lessons, yoga and meditation sessions, interspersed with a bit of ‘me time’ on the beach.

Trading turkey for delicious Goan cuisine, including fresh seafood, Arabian spices and coconut, it certainly won’t feel like Christmas. from London Gatwick on December 20.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC The Dominican Republic has it all - sunshine, beaches and blue skies, with winter temperatures reaching 290C. Dusting down the summer wardrobe and swapping Santa hats for sun caps, it’s easy to forget Christmas when you’re in paradise. After a couple of hours on the beach, spend the afternoon on Christmas Day exploring

INDIA Swap Christmas chaos for ‘me time’

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC A different kind of Christmas

Travel

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

this Christmas…

DUBAI Christmas with a twist

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HAWAII Outrigger Waikiki Beach

HAWAII Hawaii is a dream destination, and getting there will set you back a few bob. It’s also a very long way away (direct flights might be a possibility in the future but for now, it’s an almost 24-hour journey, once you factor in a layover), so you want to get it right. Once your flight is sorted, however, this Polynesian paradise guarantees sunshine, surf and scenery straight out of Jurassic World (its lush landscapes feature in numerous blockbusters, including the hit dinosaur caper, plus Godzilla

and Snatched).

Hawaii state is actually an archipelago of more than 100 islands, but they’re not all inhabited and there are eight main ones, each with unique characteristics. Why not split your visit between both Oahu, home of state capital Honolulu, and Hawaii Island, aka ‘The Big Island’?

Alternatively, you could just as easily spend an entire holiday in one of the resorts complete with luxurious sleeping areas, spas and choices of bars, as well as swimming pools too big for a single Instagram shot.

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FEATURES

Motoring

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

FIRST DRIVE:

Jack Evans takes Hyundai’s eyecatching Kona crossover for a first spin on UK roads. Here’s his verdict…

Hyundai Kona

WHAT IS IT? In keeping with other manufacturers, Hyundai have released their own compact SUV – the Kona.

Going up against the likes of the Seat Arona and Kia Stonic, the Kona is aimed at younger families who want a little more space without sacrificing any ‘look at me’ styling touches.

We’ve already tested it abroad, but this is the first time we’ve been able to see how the South Korean company’s latest model deals with UK roads.

WHAT’S NEW? The Kona marks something of a different direction for Hyundai. While they admit that for the most part people buy their cars due to an impression of value for money and reliability, they hope customers will be opting for the Kona as a heart-led purchase.

With funky styling and a variety of different colours, it certainly stands out from the rest of the Hyundai range.

Available with both two and four-wheeldrive, the Kona is designed for a more active buyer, while a good amount of standard equipment – even on base specifications – should draw in more cost-conscious owners.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? The Kona is available from launch with either a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine or a 1.6-litre unit with all-wheeldrive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Our test car was the former, powering just the front two wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

The economy figures are good – Hyundai claim that the Kona will return 54.3mpg on a combined cycle and emit just 125g/km CO2.

And performance is brisk enough for the segment, with the benchmark sprint to 60mph taking less than 12 seconds.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? Ex-BMW M-Division head Albert Biermann is now overseeing all Hyundai car developments and, as such, cars from each company are being infused with a certain degree of ‘sporty’ characteristics.

This has already proved a huge hit with the Hyundai i30 N, offering hot-hatch thrills for a far smaller price than competitors.

You can certainly feel that the Kona has been well set-up. The steering has plenty of weight to it, and you can accurately place the car just where you want it. However, the suspension seems just a touch too firm for UK roads, with the car crashing through larger potholes and being upset by smaller ones.

But the biggest thing you notice is the amount of road noise generated, with dual carriageways sending a lot of sound into the cabin.

That said, the car’s six-speed gearbox is slick and easy to operate, while the 1.0-litre engine is punchy enough for the size of car – although it can be left a little out of puff during steep inclines or when overtaking on the motorway.

HOW DOES IT LOOK? The Kona is a funky-looking thing.

There are a variety of different colours

‘Available with both two and four-wheel-drive, the Kona is designed for a more active buyer’

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT? The car maker hopes buyers will be heart-led

available, as well as contrasting roof shades.

It certainly looks its best in brighter finishes, such as ‘Tangerine’ orange, which helps the car stand out.

However, even when finished in black it looks quite different to anything on the road at the moment.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE? The interior of the Kona is, in general, a nice place to be. There are a few harder plastics to be found in the cabin, but it’s worth remembering that prices for the compact crossover start at £16,695.

Our SE-spec car benefitted from a leather-wrapped steering wheel and electric driver’s seat lumbar support, which helped give the car a far more premium feel.

There’s plenty of room for those sat up front, too, with a large windscreen giving the cabin a spacious, airy feel.

Boot space is also decent. There are 334 litres available with the rear seats in place, rising to 1,116 with them folded down. In comparison, the Citroen C3 Aircross offers 410 litres.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE? Standard equipment levels are good throughout the specifications, with even base S-trim cars receiving 16-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning and automatic headlamps.

In addition, DAB digital radio and

FACTS AT A GLANCE: MODEL: Hyundai Kona SE ENGINE: 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol POWER: 118bhp TORQUE: 172Nm MAX SPEED: 113mph 0-60MPH: 11.8 seconds MPG: 54.3 EMISSIONS: 125g/km PRICE: £17,495

Bluetooth connectivity are standard across the entire Kona range, regardless of trim level.

Our test car, finished in SE specification, gained larger 17-inch alloy wheels and roof rails, adding to the car’s visual presence.

SE cars also get rear parking sensors with rear camera and a seven-inch colour touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for better smartphone integration.

Higher trim levels see the addition of features such as keyless entry and a premium sound system. In reality, most buyers will find the SE trim level more than adequate.

A fine range of assistance systems also feature across the range, including lane-keep assist, downhill brake control and hill start assist control.

VERDICT The Kona is a superbly well-rounded offering.

Competitively priced and featuring plenty of standard equipment, it’s let down only by a relatively harsh ride and a noticeable amount of road noise. With so many alternatives hitting the market, the Kona certainly has a fight on its hands, but it goes in well-armed and capable of taking on its more premium rivals.

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FEATURES

Books

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

TIMES REVIEWS

Book some time off…

Time to unwind and relax, and what better way than with a great book?

Here are a few varied suggestions for your reading…

BOOK OF THE WEEK

The Midnight Line by Lee Child

Hardback by Bantam Press, priced £20 (ebook £9.99) Jack Reacher, giant avenger, seeker of the truth – book number 22 and Lee Child shows no sign of flagging.

Reacher sees a West Point class ring from 2005 in a pawn shop window in a small Midwestern town. It’s tiny and must have belonged to a woman.

He pledges to track her down to find out who she was. Curiosity sends him on a quest involving stolen prescription drugs, a beautiful sister, a private eye, a drug operator who wants Reacher dead, and a man who died in the wilds of Wyoming, eaten by a bear. Only no one believes that story. Some Reacher mathematics: One plus seven equals one prime bruiser, and seven middle-aged bikers stand in his way as he sets off. The bikers emerge minus their dignity, plus bruises. Too many details here would spoil the plot, and Reacher is all about plot, as well as character – a character hewn from rock, as this ex-military cop rights wrongs and seeks answers. The writing is good, the scenarios swiftly executed and the pyrotechnics subdued. Reacher is back to his beginnings and Lee Child does him compelling justice.

(Review by Julian Cole)

8/10

The Dreams Of Bethany Mellmoth

by William Boyd

Broken Mirror by Jonathon Coe

Hardback by Viking, priced £14.99 (ebook £9.99) William Boyd’s first novel A Good Man In Africa was published in 1981 and his 14th, Sweet Caress, was published in 2015. In between he has written numerous screenplays, some of his own novels and three collections of short stories. A chance encounter leads a protagonist to rewind through the years of a past relationship, an art dealer called Ludo learns that a kiss is not enough, and a young German soldier fails to learn anything from his misguided attempts to save a chimpanzee in Africa. Bethany Mellmoth is a 24 year old who stumbles from one relationship to the next, stopping only to try out her lover’s surname with her first name, before hurrying on to the next encounter. This collection ends with a slow-burning, tongue-in-cheek thriller. An actor, whose speciality is roles where his character dies early in a film, uses knowledge gleaned on film sets to solve a murder mystery. William Boyd has said he enjoys the variety of writing short stories, and there is certainly variety here. He has played around with different forms, such as a collection of unsent letters and a series of diary entries. He is a skilled and humorous storyteller, and his pleasure in exploring life’s uncertainties is apparent.

(Review by Sue Barraclough)

Following a child’s point of view has always been a popular method of dramatising the way we make sense of a confusing world. Jonathan Coe’s best-known novel, The Rotters’ Club, in fact, told the story of children growing up in 1970s Britain. The Broken Mirror also employs this device but, for the first time, Coe has aimed it at children as well as adults. In keeping with this switch, the book features a number of hyper-real illustrations by Italian artist Chiara Coccorese which reproduce scenes from the story. When the book begins, we meet eight-year-old Claire, living – surviving – awkwardly in a world seething with social tension. (Strong intimations of ‘Brexit Britain’ here.) But when Claire finds a broken mirror that allows her glimpses into a magical world, will it allow her to change things? The book would certainly be a good way of engaging your child in a discussion about how – and whether – we can change the world. The characters, however, are slightly flat and unexciting.

The style is clear and is not condescending towards its readers, but you are unlikely to find many passages that you or your children will want to reread: The book is characterised by a rather sombre tone.

(Review by Rachel Farrow)

8/10

Hardback by Unbound, priced £9.99

5/10

Books

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

A Galaxy Of Her Own: Amazing Stories Of Women In Space by Libby Jackson

Heather, The Totality by Matt Weiner

6/10

BESTSELLER LISTS HARDBACKS 1. Bad Dad by David Walliams 2. La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman 3. Origin by Dan Brown 4. Ingredients – Quick & Easy Food

by Jamie Oliver

5. Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks

PAPERBACKS

6. The Secret Life Of Cows

by Rosamund Young

1. The Crow Girl by Erik Axl Sund

7. Guinness World Records 2018

by Guinness World Records 8. The Invisible Child and The Fir Tree: The Moomins Special Collectors’ Edition (Compiled by Waterstones)

2. A Gentleman in Moscow

by Amor Towles 3. The Polar Bear Explorers’ Club

by Alex Bell 4. Autumn by Ali Smith 5. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

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CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE WEEK

Hardback by Canon Gate, priced £14.99 (ebook £11.99) Heather, The Totality is the first novel by Sopranos writer Matthew Hardback by Century, priced 16.99 (ebook £9.99) Weiner, creator of hit series Mad Men, and tracks a loner from a The name Ellie Foraker may not be poor area in New Jersey and a wealthy Manhattan family, detailing familiar, but she and three other how their lives cross with brutal consequences. Heather is the women played a key role in NASA’s beloved daughter of the Manhattanites, the centre of her parents’ Moon mission. Foraker, Madeleine world, who is praised for both her beauty and empathy but who Ivory, Bert Pilkenton and Cecil creates fractures in her family as they compete for her attention.

Webb were among the expert Heather, The Totality is written in a mannered, distant style that seamstresses who designed and tends to make the characters feel like made the suits astronauts wore archetypes, intensified by them being during their lunar missions. A referred to at times as Father, Mother Galaxy Of Her Own is all about and Worker, making it difficult to contributions women have made become emotionally involved in the to advance scientific knowledge story, despite what should be – from mathematicians Ada gripping and shocking events taking Lovelace and Katherine place. Weiner displays an impressive Johnson to geologist Frances turn of phrase, particularly in Westall and aerospace engineer capturing the animal nature Anita Sengupta. Author Libby underlying the niceties of society, Jackson, an astronaut flight programme manager for and deftly crafts tension in this brief, the UK space agency, writes: “There are some thought-provoking novel, which common themes that run through the stories in this book. The skewers class assumptions and women, regardless of the period they were living in, refused to be limited by any barriers that society tried to place upon them.” These questions how well anyone really knows those closest women changed the world and will inspire trailblazers of all ages. to them.

(Review by Nilima Marshall) (Review by Laura Paterson)

9/10

FEATURES

Paddington’s London: The Movie Pop-up Book Hardback by HarperCollins Children’s Books, priced £25 Created to coincide with the release of Paddington 2 in cinemas, this pop-up book is light on words and story – Aunt Lucy visits from Peru, Paddington shows her around London’s top attractions, he eats a marmalade sandwich, they go home, the end. But the paper engineering is pretty impressive. Charming illustrations of London Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament by Joanna Bill and Olga Baumert have been intricately transformed into 3D card constructions that do threaten to tangle, but end up folding rather neatly. Little ones will enjoy spotting interesting characters – look out for the chimney sweep outside St Paul’s, the bathers on boats in the Thames and the ice-cream truck at Piccadilly – but it comes nowhere close to the joy of reading an actual Paddington story by Michael Bond.

(Review by Ella Walker)

6. The Sun And Her Flowers

by Rupi Kaur 8. Need You Dead by Peter James 9. Zog and the Flying Doctors

by Julia Donaldson (Compiled by Waterstones) EBOOKS 1. The Midnight Line by Lee Child

6/10

2. Sweet Little Lies by Caz Frear 3. Dark Skies by LJ Ross 4. The Good Samaritan by John Marrs 5. Broken Bones by Angela Marsons 6. Follow You Home by Mark Edwards 8. The Mistake by KL Slater 9. Why Mummy Drinks by Gill Sims (Compiled by Kindle

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FEATURES

Life & Style

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

LYMPHLINE FUNDRAISING STORY This year’s Firefly Properties Charity Golf Day was at Dale Hill Golf & Country Club on 20th October 2017 and their nominated charity was The Lymphoedema Support Network (LSN).

Chris and Carol Prier are Directors of Firefly Properties (Paddock Wood) and good friends of Trustee Matt Hazledine and his wife Vicki.

They were thrilled to support the LSN, with all profits from the golf day going to the charity.

The day was supported by local businesses of all sizes, from Land Rover, Porsche and Waitrose to Independent Pension Specialists, Goodwin Pest Management and Crabtree Consulting.

Firefly Properties were absolutely thrilled to announce that the total amount raised, of which 100% is donated to the LSN, was an amazing £8,106.00.

Matt Hazledine and the LSN would like to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to the Firefly Properties team for all their continued support and for the incredible amount raised at the golf day. People are amazing!

FUNUSUAL GIFTS IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The festive season is rapidly approaching, and the time to find that perfect present is running out. Take a breath before you go completely crackers, because Drusillas Park in East Sussex has the solution to all of your shopping woes!

Ideal for any gift occasion, Drusillas’ Keeper for the Day scheme is a unique treat for anyone who is mad about animals. Working side by side with one of the zoo team for a whole day, you can get nose to nose with nature as you feed, clean and care for a variety of furry and feathered friends.

For a shorter and sweeter look into zoo life, Drusilla’s’ Close Encounter experiences provide an amazing opportunity to meet some of the zoo’s most popular residents. You can have a picnic with a panda, take lunch with the lemurs, meet the meerkats, sip tea with the racoons, or even feed the penguins. For those who are feeling brave there is also the chance to snuggle up to a snake and tickle a tarantula!

Still not sure what to get? For all year around enjoyment, Drusillas Club Membership may be just the ticket. This offers access to the Zoo, Playland and rides for 362 days of the year. Gift Vouchers can also be purchased and redeemed against any one of the Drusillas Park experiences.

Located just off the A27 in Alfriston, Drusillas Park is open daily from 10am. For more information, please telephone 01323 874100 or visit www.drusillas.co.uk

A WARM WELCOME AWAITS VISITORS TO THIS YEAR’S FROST FAIR AT THE BELL IN TICEHURST HUNNI HOMES HAVE HIGH HOPES IN HIGH BROOMS A new independent estate agent, Hunni Homes, has opened and promises to bring a refreshing, friendly approach to the sales and lettings market. Their team are buzzing with enthusiasm and say they have been looking forward their successful launch. Branch Manager, Simon Waterman says that he and his team are excited about the opportunities in the area. “High Brooms is great area with huge potential and Hunni Homes have decided to launch their first office here. We know the area really well and look forward to helping our clients as well as making a positive difference in the local community.”

Simon and his team bring many years of experience to this exciting new agency. Furthermore, Hunni is also part of the JVIP family of companies, a local family business that have been established since 2002 and have been building ever since. This will also help to ensure that customers receive a comprehensive service and successful outcome to their property requirements.

In addition to sales and lettings, Hunni Homes also offers a range of advice and services to make the buying, selling and letting of property as enjoyable and successful as possible. This includes connections with approved service providers for de-cluttering, decorating, professional interior design and staging. They will also go as far as arranging the installation of a new kitchen or bathroom if it help add that extra bit of value. Hunni Homes will ‘go the extra mile’ and will even be holding free tutorials for first time buyers and sellers to help them navigate the oftenconfusing process of buying, selling and letting their homes.

Simon hopes that their friendly, helpful approach, combined with detailed local knowledge and expertise will make them the number one choice for the residents of High Brooms. If you have not seen the Hunni Homes office yet, their bright, new, LED honeycomb window display is hard to miss on the corner of Colebrook Road and High Brooms Road. The family-friendly office will also include tablets for children to play on to give the adults time to concentrate on the big decisions.

Simon says that ‘the kettle is always on’ said that “Everyone is welcome, and we look forward to meeting you soon. Please pop in and say hello!”. Give them a buzz (!) on 01892 888 333, email hello@hunnihomes. co.uk or visit www.hunnihomes.co.uk

Frost Fairs appeared in London between the 15th - 18th century when the Thames froze over and everyone came out to share and sell their produce in a collective effort to help each other out. In the spirit of helping excellent local artisans, The Bell in Ticehurst will be hosting their own Frost Fair on Sunday 3rd December where only the best local produce and crafts will be sold. The sweet sound of carol singers and general goodwill will emanate from the pub on this first Sunday in December from 11.00am to 3pm.

Inside and out, The Bell will throng with eager stallholders selling local, handmade and artisan wares - something a bit different to put under the tree this year. There will be warming barbecue food and mulled wine, and a visit from Santa to get you in the mood. Free entry.

With roaring log fires and cosy rooms, local ales on tap, heartwarming food and attentive staff, The Bell is the perfect place to hunker down after a brisk country walk or on a long winter’s night.

Secret suppers, celebrations and events can be hosted at The Bell, either in the Stable with a Table or in the glorious Big Room with its twin fireplaces and chandeliers. Visit the ‘what’s on’ page on our website for details of our Christmas Comedy with Andrew Maxwell on 14th December!

www.thebellinticehurst.com

DECEMBER 3RD RTWSO AT THE ASSEMBLY HALL, TUNBRIDGE WELLS 3PM Alexandra Wood, our violin soloist for this concert will be familiar to RTWSO audiences, having made several recent appearances in Tunbridge Wells. She will be playing Tchaikovsky’s ever-popular Violin Concerto: one of the best known yet most technically demanding concertos for the violin. She has won prizes at a number of international violin competitions and her dazzling virtuosity has been noted in many concert reviews.

To open the concert we are including Borodin’s exciting Prince Igor overture, full of Oriental colours and memorable melodies.

Performances of Victor Hely-Hutchinson’s Carol Symphony are unfortunately fairly rare nowadays but it is an appropriate piece to include in a concert during the lead up to Christmas. Its four movements have themes based on familiar Christmas carols, transformed with consummate musical skill into a delightful yet cleverly constructed symphony. Conductor: Roderick Dunk

Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2LU 01892 530613 | www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

Puzzles

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU 5

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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 5

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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.

7

Codeword:

9 8 3 5 1 7 4 8 7 2 3 2 7

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

G

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11 11

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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

W I E I N G H O T

S E S T E E C H E S T K O V E R R R E A P E Z J A C S T A C E Y T P R A P P R O X T E M E D D I E S

S C H K A N S T P S O O B F U R R E A Q U

E N I C E A I S E R S T R I P E E D M A M I N G L R C I T E E E E U E S

Sudoku:

9 6 1 4 5 3 8 2 7

8 7 2 1 9 6 3 4 5

5 4 3 2 7 8 1 6 9

3 8 9 7 6 2 5 1 4

2 1 6 3 4 5 7 9 8

7 5 4 8 1 9 2 3 6

4 9 8 5 2 1 6 7 3

7 4 9 2 8 3 6 1 5

6 9 1 7 5 4 2 3 8

1 3 7 6 8 4 9 5 2

6 2 5 9 3 7 4 8 1

Jigsaw Sudoku:

9 6 2 3 4 5 8 7 1

4 7 3 9 1 6 5 8 2

5 2 7 6 3 8 1 9 4

1 8 4 5 7 2 9 6 3

8 3 6 1 2 9 4 5 7

3 5 8 4 6 1 7 2 9

2 1 5 8 9 7 3 4 6

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

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DIFFICULTY RATING: ★III

3

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

2

CLASSIFIEDS

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

DIFFICULTY RATING: ★★★I

1

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

CODEWORD

FEATURES

63

Recruitment

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

NEWS

WITH THE

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

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

65

66

FEATURES

Arts & Culture

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

It’s showtime for Tunbridge Wells!

On Sunday, Brian Bissell performs in Carry On Wells at the Assembly Hall. Celebrating his 25 years of putting on these special fundraisers, which involve all the community, he tells the Times why he’s so excited about this particular one, which is being co-directed by the theatre’s artistic director, JJ Almond

I

’VE always been a showman, and first walked the boards at the Liverpool Playhouse as a juvenile actor. I love to entertain and have enjoyed performing in local amateur dramatics.

In 1992 I conceived the idea of putting on a charity fundraiser variety show and approached the Assembly Hall Theatre. However, unbeknown to me, the Mayor at that time, Cllr Dennis Smith, had come up with a similar plan!

Finding this out, we met up and decided to join forces. The Mayor’s Command Performance Show took place on September 26, 1992, and was a great success, showcasing local talent and raising funds for our chosen charities.

Since then, I have produced a series of fundraiser shows at Trinity Theatre, Royal Victoria Hall Theatre, the Assembly Hall Theatre and most recently at the Opera House.

The Carry on Wells show takes place this Sunday at 7.30 pm and is supporting The Mayor’s Charity, DAVSS [Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services] and TS Brilliant Tunbridge Wells Sea Cadets.

This particular show came about as a result of a conversation I had many months ago with the Assembly Hall’s (artistic director) JJ Almond, who is a great supporter of community theatre.

Consequently, I took up the challenge and I am

Carry On Wells is on Sunday [November 26] at the Assembly Hall. Tickets cost £20, concessions £18, plus booking fee, from the box office on 01892 530613 or at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

WHAT A CARRY ON! Brian Bissell and Mayor Soyke (centre), flanked by performers delighted that JJ Almond will co-artistically direct the show with myself.

We have an exciting line-up of performers, including singer and violinist Jennifer Maslin, local singer Oliver Tourle and magician and illusionist Jamie Povey. Plus LAMPS will be

reprising their show-stopping number from The Producers. Also appearing will be local guitar and singing duo The King & I, Studio ’N’ Dance, the West Kent Big Band and the fabulous Pearly Gates, who has toured with legends such as Stevie Wonder and The Four Tops, amongst

others. And I will be compering the show assisted by comedian Dave Mac. I do hope Times readers will come along and see it, and I look forward, along with my fellow performers, to providing a wonderful evening of top class family entertainment.

Arts & Culture

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

FEATURES

67

How an actor was brought to book Talented Ross Armstrong started out as a RADA-trained actor but is now also enjoying success as an author. Ahead of his Mr Books talk in Tonbridge this coming Sunday, Eileen Leahy chatted to him about juggling his two jobs, and why he thinks independent bookshops are still essential to our high streets thinking about writing. But after finishing a stint at the Royal Shakespeare Company [RSC], I had this idea and knew I had to write it.

Do you juggle the two or are you focusing on the writing side of things now?

I’m currently juggling those knives. I pop up in the new series of BBC2’s Motherland, my second book is out in January and I’m working on my third.

So Ross, please can you tell us how you got into writing?

I moved into a new-build apartment and realised I could see into neighbouring apartments just metres away, and while it made me want to look away, I wanted to create a character who couldn’t stop themselves from looking. About three months after I had the idea I’d somehow finished my first book, got a genius of an agent and HarperCollins were publishing it.

You are also an actor – which career came first?

Writing seemed like a terrible job to couple with acting. About as safe as juggling knives while riding a unicycle! So when I went to RADA and then started doing TV and plays, I stopped

What do you enjoy most about writing, and do you find it easy?

There’s far more time spent in my head than when I was purely acting and surrounded by brilliant actors. The writing comes quite easy, but then the process of editing and making it as effective, entertaining and absorbing as it can be is the great and exacting thing. But I feel I get better with every paragraph.

Can you tell us a little bit about the story of your latest book?

Lily Gullick starts watching her neighbours, making notes of sightings as if they’re birds.

Then, when an older lady from a flat marked for demolition dies, Lily thinks someone local killed her, and that she’s the only one who knows everyone well enough to figure out who did it.

Which authors do you admire and why?

Gillian Flynn and Dennis Lehane are thriller masters. Mick Herron who wrote the recent novel Spook Street is a terrific writer. I love everything

by Jonathan Franzen. George Saunders’ Lincoln In The Bardo and A Whole Life by Robert Seethaler are recent favourites.

What do you enjoy about acting?

Theatre has an incredible energy about it, so is a real contrast to writing, where I am essentially a brain in a jar. I’d probably like to do more TV comedy like Motherland next, or something on stage, hopefully with the RSC again.

You’re doing a reading for Mr Books bookshop in Tonbridge. What do you like about this kind of event, and why do you think real high street bookshops are still so important?

I’ve realised there’s this amazing string that links author to agent to publisher to bookseller to reader. I’ve never known anything like the way every element complements each other in this industry. Brilliant booksellers like Mr Books throughout the country are so integral to the world of literature and to creating community. And, luckily, I love going out and talking to readers, which is one of the best things about this incredible job I have.

Ross will be chatting about his dual career on Sunday [November 26] from 5.30pm at The Old Fire Station, Tonbridge, as part of Mr Books’ series of meet the author events. Tickets cost £6. To book, visit www.mrbooks.co.uk

68

FEATURES

What’s On

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

SEVEN DAYS OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE

WHATS ON

Eileen Leahy

WITH THE

Local events LET THERE BE LIGHT At the Tonbridge Christmas Festival

>> WEDNESDAY Bewl Water is hosting another of its special pike fishing events today with another one on Saturday [November 25]. It runs from 9am until 5pm and costs £60 for two anglers or £70 for three. Both prices include boat hire. To book, call 01892 890000.

This is the final evening of Shakespeare for Schools at Trinity Theatre. St Barnabas’, St Gregory’s and Benenden have all taken part in this festival, which aims to both promote and celebrate the work of the Bard for pupils. For details, see www. trinitytheatre.net Kenneth Branagh’s much talked about Murder On the Orient Express continues its run at the Moonlight Drive-in Cinema over at the Hop Farm tonight and tomorrow from 7pm.

Tickets cost £25 per vehicle and can be booked online at www. moonlightcinema.com >> THURSDAY An interesting Meet the Brewer beer event at the Duke of York on The Pantiles at 7pm offers a chance to meet famous female brewer Georgina Young, who has made great progress in a male-dominated world.

Just before the even chillier weather

sets in, how about taking an autumnal stroll around Penshurst Place’s beautiful arboretum?

There are two free-to-access estate walks offering enchanting glimpses of the stately home from all angles.

Local amateur dramatic group TWODS continue their run of My Fair Lady at the Assembly Hall all this week until Saturday, when there will also be a matinee.

Tickets cost from £18 at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

>> FRIDAY Every Friday, The Angel Flea Market takes place from 8am until 1pm at The Angel Centre in Tonbridge. Visitors can expect to see offerings from around 25 stallholders selling a huge variety of bargains. Entrance is free.

The hugely popular Paddington 2, starring Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins and Ben Wishaw, starts its run at the Moonlight Drive-in Cinema at the Hop Farm tonight from 6.30pm. Tickets cost £25 per vehicle. See www.moonlightcinema.com This is the final weekend of The Royal Tunbridge Wells Art Society Winter Exhibition, which showcases some of the group’s talented local artists. Pop along to 61 The Pantiles, Lower Walk, Tunbridge Wells. Admission is free, and it’s open from 10am to 4pm daily. >> SATURDAY There are two RNLI fundraising events happening in Tunbridge Wells today. From 9am until 2pm, fundraisers will be at the Farmers’ Market on Civic Way selling RNLI Christmas cards, souvenirs and gifts, and there will also be volunteers collecting at various points in Royal Victoria Place, so go along and show your support.

Over in Tonbridge, Corpus Christi Church is holding its annual Paddington 2 Christmas Bazaar today from 10am to

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

2pm in the Fisher Hall, Lyons Crescent. There will be a selection of stalls selling gifts and festive food, plus there will be a tombola and the chance to win some great prizes in the grand draw. Light refreshments will also be available. Entrance is free.

There’s bingo and a Christmas raffle at St Paul’s Church Centre in Rusthall today from 2pm. Raising money in aid of the Tunbridge Wells Winter Shelter, a recommended donation of £10 for 6 tickets is suggested.

The Dream of Gerontius will be performed by the Tonbridge Philharmonic Society at Tonbridge School Chapel from 7.30pm. Professional soloists include Linda Finnie, and Dawid Kimberg and Daniel Norman. Tickets are priced £16 and £8 for students. See www.tonphil.org.uk/etickets Chiddingstone Castle’s annual Christmas Fair also takes place today between 10am and 4pm.

Admission costs £5 and visitors will have a selection of over 70 stalls to browse around.

Mulled wine and mince pies will also be served.

Visit www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk >> SUNDAY Hever Castle gets into the spirit of the season by officially launching its Christmas offerings. Not only will you have the opportunity to learn all about the history of carols as you wander around the stunning castle and glorious grounds, you will also have the chance to do some Christmas shopping and sample some tasty bites in the café.

For further information, see www.hevercastle.co.uk

Tonbridge Philharmonic

Kicking off at 2.30pm today is the Rotary Club of Tonbridge’s Christmas Festival and High Street Lights Ceremony. Free to attend, and happening along the High Street, there will be live music, fireworks and spectacular stalls. The Voice Kids finalist and singing sensation Courtney Hadwin will be switching on the lights, and afterwards there will be an Advent festival service at St Peter & St Paul’s Church. All are welcome.

Local impresario Brian Bissell presents his 25th-anniversary variety show Carry On Wells at the Assembly Hall tonight. Tickets cost £20, with a special price for concessions, and will support The Mayor’s Charity DAVSS [Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services] and TS Brilliant Tunbridge Wells Sea Cadets & Royal Marines Cadet Detachment.

For more information, see www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk See also pages 66-67 >> MONDAY Today is the start of the Icon Painting Workshop at Burrswood Health and Wellbeing in Groombridge.

The five-day course will give participants the

CHRISTMAS COMES TO HEVER With a history of carols

What’s On

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

opportunity to paint a Christmas-themed Byzantine Icon of either the Archangel Gabriel or the Virgin Mary. Tickets cost £365. To find out about the ticket options and book a place, call 01892 865988 or visit www.burrswood.org.uk TUESDAY Pashley Manor’s Christmas Shop is now open for business, selling everything from horticultural to homewear items. So if you’re stuck for some festive gifting inspiration, look no further than this treasure trove nestled in the beautiful Ticehurst countryside. For more information, visit www.pashleymanorgardens.com

A Woman Of No Importance Tuesday, November 28, 7.15pm, Trinity Theatre, Odeon Cinema and Hawkhurst Kino Oscar Wilde’s A Woman of No Importance comes to Tunbridge Wells live from London’s Vaudeville Theatre. Featuring Olivier Awardwinning actor Eve Best as Mrs Arbuthnot and BAFTA-nominated Anne Reid as Lady Hunstanton, this is one West End production not to be missed on your doorstep. For more information, visit www.oscarwildecinema.com

69

THE SUSSEX ARMS BASEMENT

Paul Dunton Live music

The Sussex Mews, open all day, music from 8.30pm till late, music cover charge may apply

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

SUNDAY The Wytches, MUSH, Epona MONDAY The Wytches, MUSH, JC Palmer THE ROYAL OAK

Prospect Road, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late

SATURDAY The Fireflys

THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE

THE ASSEMBLY HALL

Doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7 Websites www.pdag.co.uk & www.thegreylady.co.uk

Crescent Road, for all event information and tickets visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

WEDNESDAY The Wonderists, Emanuel Hodgson, Fred Clark, I Am Aquitaine FRIDAY Salsa Just Salsa SATURDAY Into The Blue SUNDAY Spyplane, James Medhurst, Dan Sumner, Dave ‘Shep!’ Sheperd TUESDAY Steffan James, Alana Hazzard, Rob Picazo (trio)

TUESDAY That’ll Be The Day Christmas Show

Mount Ephraim, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm onwards

TRINITY THEATRE

MONDAY TWUNTS: Ukulele Night

Church Road, event information and tickets at www.trinitytheatre.net

SATURDAY Local & Live Sessions: David Migden & The Twisted Roots, The Diarys, The Harry Whitty Quartet

THE GEORGE

RUSTHALL CLUB

5 St Paul’s street, Rusthall Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm onwards

SATURDAY Be Sharp Steaming (guitar trio)

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM

THE SPA HOTEL

THE PUNCH & JUDY

Event information at www.twforum.co.uk

Mount Ephraim, live music from 8pm-10pm, free entry, bar and food available.

St Stephen’s Street, Tonbridge, open all day, free entry, music from 8pm till late

FRIDAY Live Jazz at Zagotas: Sue Rivers

TUESDAY We Ghosts

WEDNESDAY IDLES THURSDAY REWS, False Heads, Blackwaters FRIDAY The Pillows, All the Above, 13 County, Special Guests SATURDAY Tunbridge Wells Pride Disco Party

PICK OF THE WEEK

FEATURES

THE FORUM WINTER SESSIONS

at The Ice Rink, Calverley Grounds 6.30pm onwards (no admission charge for music)

THURSDAY Red Coast, Sean Fennessey, Laura Lamn THE BEDFORD

2 High Street, open all day, free entry, more information at www.thebedfordtw.co.uk

THURSDAY G.E.M SATURDAY Sean Fennessey & Friends SUNDAY Amber Anderton

THE BEAU NASH TAVERN

EM FORSTER THEATRE

Mount Ephraim, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late

Tonbridge School, full concert details & ticket information at www.boxoffice.tonbridge-school.co.uk/ whats-on/

FRIDAY Soul Night SATURDAY Woodface

SATURDAY Tonbridge Philharmonic Society Choral & Orchestral Concert

THE DUKE OF YORK

The Pantiles, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late

MONDAY Open Mic Night THE KING WILLIAM IV

Pembury, open all day, free entry, music 8.30pm till late

SATURDAY ATLAS

All The Above

70

NEWS

Sporting Times

CONTACT US:

Please send your sports stories to newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Wheelchair rugby takes to the ice hockey, handball and rugby - the first of which stood the players in good stead this time around.

The game combines speed, chair contact and tactics. Eight rolling substitutes make up squads of 12, with four players per team at any time. It is played on a hardwood court, and the aim is to drive the ball across the opponents’ goalline.

Excessive force

SLIDE RULES Wheelchair rugby may never have been played on ice before

By Andy Tong WHEELCHAIR RUGBY : THE opening of the Tunbridge Wells skating rink in Calverley Grounds was marked by a very special performance from the Canterbury Hellfire wheelchair rugby team taking to the ice.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council approached the club, which is part of Canterbury RFC, asking if they wanted to promote the sport – also known as Murderball – which is played at the Paralympics.

Veteran player Brian Pitchford relates: “We said yes and then took a couple of days to think about

how we could grab people’s attention. And I came up with the crazy idea of getting the chairs on the ice rink and trying to play a game.

“After a short discussion the organisers agreed – but I’m sure in the background there were a few heads shaking, thinking this will never happen, as there was among the GB rugby family.

Brian believes that this has never been done in the UK before, ‘indeed I can’t find any footage of it happening anywhere in the world’.

He adds: “Within our squad I was the only one who had ever taken my chair on ice when I was invited to the try curling at the Fenton’s centre in Tunbridge Wells.

“So I knew that it was possible to move around the ice but to have chairs hitting each other or passing a ball whilst on the ice was always going to be a gamble. I think it’s one that paid off.

“We tried to keep to the rules of the game but as there was no court lined out and no shot clock it was really played in the spirit of the normal game.

Brian hailed the evening as a great success. “We would love to try it again – and as a sport for the future. If the Winter Olympic committee would like to discuss it with me I would be very pleased to fly out anywhere in the the world for the meeting.”

Wheelchair rugby was invented in Canada in 1977 as a mixed sport combining elements of ice

Kent College pentathlete scoops silver for England PENTATHLON:

REBEKAH O’BRIEN, a Year 9 student at Kent College in Pembury, has won a silver medal at the Home Countries International Pentathlon in Glasgow on on November 10.

She competed in the hurdles, long jump, high jump, shot put and 800 metres in her first event representing England.

Her talent was noticed when she was 10 years old. She broke Kent College’s 800m and high jump records on the same day.

A talented all-rounder, Rebekah is also in the netball, swimming and hockey teams.

This year she was the South of England indoor and outdoor high jump champion and won the 800 metres for Kent, setting a new indoor record.

She told the Times: “After I won the silver on Friday I was feeling amazed and over the moon. I try to go into competitions, not getting nervous, just wanting to do my best as the other girls competing are also very strong.

“I was so happy to qualify for the Home Counties. The top four girls from each country compete so I knew I was up against the

best of the best. My goal is to compete in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.”

Rebekah is one of the college’s Sports Scholars. They are given performance programmes with mentor meetings to support the mental and physical wellbeing, one-to-one training sessions and performance analysis.

Mrs Georgina Hughes, Kent College’s Director of Sport, said: “Rebekah is a dedicated athlete with great potential. She will continue to succeed, as she has incredible resilience, determination and focus.”

Players use their chairs to block and hold opponents. As with ice hockey, they can be used to stop opponents who do not have the ball.

However, dangerous contact between such as striking another player from behind with excessive force is not allowed.

Canterbury is the only club in Kent which offers wheelchair rugby. They are coached by Steve Brown, who captained Team GB at the 2012 Paralympics in London.

Murderball was first demonstrated at the Atlanta Paralympics of 1996 and then became a competitive sport in Sydney four years later.

To be eligible, athletes must have a loss of function in both upper and lower limbs. Most athletes have a spinal injury but there are many others with a wide variety of medical conditions.

Canterbury Hellfire contested their first campaign in Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby’s Super Series in 2014-15, and won every game as they acheived promotion and won the National Shield.

Last season they won promotion to the top flight and were also runners-up in the cup competition.

One of their players, Ollie Mangion, has been chosen to represent Britain at the European Championships, and hopes to be selected for the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020.

David Barber and Harry Langley were also called up for the GB development squad.

Hellfire train on Wednesdays from 6-9pm and on Sundays from 1-4pm at the Canterbury High School. For more information, visit www.cantrugby. co.uk or email Brianpitch@btinternet.com

Prendergast and Holland in top form

ALL-ROUNDER Rebekah O’Brien has ‘incredible resilience, determination and focus’

SWIMMING: TONBRIDGE Swimming Club won 10 gold medals at Medway Park, Gillingham as members tried to achieve qualifying times for the county championships in January and February.

Every swimmer managed at least one personal best time, a sign that their hard work in training is beginning to pay off.

They also won a silver and a bronze, alongside 30 personal best times from 44 races in total.

Josh Prendergast took home four golds in the 100m and 200m as well as the 50m and 100m.

Maddy Holland won golds in the 100m free and 50m butterfly and took silver in the 50m freestyle.

The 50m breaststroke events were a great success for Tonbridge with Harry Bevan, Cleo Vanderlanh-McKeown and Mia Devey all winning gold in their respective age groups.

Ruben Cowley-Antelo also won gold in the 50m free and a bronze in the 50m butterfly.

Sporting Times

Wednesday November 22 | 2017

Prolific Janes ensures Angels progress to county quarter-finals Anchorians Development 1 Tonbridge Angels Ladies 6

By Dan Couldridge

LEADING SCORER Becky Janes has 16 goals already this season

PHOTO: David Couldridge

FOOTBALL:

TONBRIDGE ANGELS Ladies are through to the Kent County Plate quarter-finals after a 6-1 win at the Gillingham club.

The hosts are riding high in the Kent Division Two West, a division below Tonbridge.

But any concerns that they might prove a banana skin were put to rest in the opening quarter of an hour.

In the third minute Megan Akehurst’s shot was well saved by the home goalkeeper but top scorer Becky Janes was quickest to react, converting the rebound for her 15th goal of the season.

Janes increased that tally in the 14th minute when a shot from distance caught goalkeeper Davies by surprise.

Anchorians grew into the game and kept the score at 2-0 until the break, but a glut of goals

early in the second half secured the tie for Angels.

On 51 minutes Akehurst teed up Alex Weston to fire home for her first goal for the club.

Three minutes later Lauryn Underhill was put through on goal by Kelly Moran and produced a cool finish.

The score was 5-0 after 59 minutes when a long kick from goalkeeper Sam Wright beat the defence and Akehurst applied the finish.

The goal was marred by a head injury to Anchorians’ Ellen Ellis, who could play no further part in the match.

The home side pulled a goal back through Zoeanne Pound in the 70th minute but the best goal of the match was saved until last.

Underhill picked up a pass from Maisie Gibb on the left, beat two players and rifled a shot into the roof of the net for her 12th goal of the season.

The Ladies are back in league action this Sunday [November 26] when they visit Teynham Gunners.

Kwayie steals in to snatch victory in nine-goal thriller Tonbridge Angels 5 Needham Market 4

By James Rowe FOOTBALL: THE ANGELS and the Marketmen served up a nine-goal thriller in the Bostik League premier with the result in doubt until the very end.

The home side opened the scoring in the ninth minute. After strong run down the left, Alex Akrofi cut in and was brought down in the penalty area.

Joe Turner converted the spot-kick giving ­Needham Market keeper Daniel Gay no chance.

In a game of ebb and flow the lead only lasted eight minutes, however, with Diaz Wright scoring following a free kick for the Suffolk side.

Despite chances falling to Akrofi and Nathan Elder, it was Needham Market who took the lead on 31 minutes when Callum Harrison poked the ball past Jonny Henly.

Parity was restored in the 41st minute when a through ball caught the visitors’ defence napping and Elder ran through with a clever shot past Gay that crept in at the far past.

Three minutes into the second half Angels were once again in the lead when Akrofi got his head to a Turner cross. And the game appeared to be won for the home side when 12 minutes later Elder headed in at the near post from a corner.

Needham Market had other ideas and their

Rusthall pay penalty for giving away possession Rusthall 1 Chatham Town 4

By Richard Smith FOOTBALL:

THE Rustics are learning a hard lesson, that if they switch off against any team in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division you will be punished, and Chatham

Town certainly did that last weekend.

The home side made a dream start when, straight from the kick-off, they attacked down the left and Ryan Waterman was brought down in the area.

Leading scorer Steph Harper made no mistake from the penalty spot

pressure brought rewards through another penalty on 69 minutes, converted by Daniel Morphew.

When Jamie Griffiths made it 4-4 in the 84th minute they looked perhaps the favourites to take all the points.

But in the 90th minute it was the home side that won the game through an angled shot by young Tashi-Jay Kwayie.

Angels manager Steve McKimm said: “This evening myself and the players will enjoy the win.

“Allowing for the fact that some players were in non-preferred positions, I thought that they all worked their socks off. There were some tired legs out there.”

The Angels, now in 10th place, host Merstham on Saturday [November 25, kick-off 3pm].

despite a great effort from Chatham keeper Ryan Nicholls.

Thereafter Rusthall struggled to string passes together on the slippery surface and on 30 minutes Harper was forced off with what looked like a hamstring problem. He was replaced by young Bailey Colbran, who was signed in midweek from Tunbridge Wells.

Lively Chatham Town equalised when the home defence failed to clear a corner and Kieran Lightfoot scored with a crisp right-foot shot.

The visitors scored again from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute when their lively striker Jesse Parks was brought down and then converted the spot kick.

Rusthall were then caught on the break on 87 minutes and gave away another penalty, this time Michael Hagan smashing the ball home.

Two minutes into added time Parks scored his second to give a slightly misleading look to the scoreline.

The Rustics will need to learn from this and pick themselves up quickly.

They welcome Bearsted to the Jockey Farm Stadium on Saturday [November 25, kick-off 3pm].

NEWS

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Proud Wells display their title credentials Wycombe 0 Tunbridge Wells Men 3

By Francis Bridgeman HOCKEY:

HIGH-flying Tunbridge Wells travelled to Wycombe to take on the side who were lying second behind them in the table.

Wells had the majority of the early possession, working hard to compress their options.

They opened the scoring with a fine reverse-stick shot from the tricky Sam George.

Having taken the lead, Wells weathered a period of Wycombe pressure, James Harris pulling off some excellence saves from short corners.

As the first half drew to a close, a penalty corner was expertly converted by the Ben Allberry after the defence gave him too much time in the circle.

Midway through the second half Chris Pelmore rocketed the ball from a broken down short corner into the back of the net via the underside of the bar to stretch the visitors’ lead.

With time running out Wycombe threw caution to the wind and removed their goalkeeper to gain an extra outfield player, but Wells dealt well with the pressure to secure a crucial win and a clean sheet.

The proud victory sees Wells extend their lead in South Premier League Division Two to six points.

They have three more fixtures before the ­Christmas break, beginning with Tulse Hill & Dulwich on Saturday [November 25, 11.30am start] at Tonbridge School.

TIME AND SPACE Ben Allberry was given too much freedom

Hunt scores twice but Ladies concede late Holcombe 3 Tunbridge Wells Ladies 2 HOCKEY: TWO goals from skipper Jen Hunt were not enough to bring Wells Ladies victory at Holcombe.

Holcombe scored within inside the first quarter of an hour. This galvanised the visitors, who had started slowly. They were on level terms soon after as Hunt fired home in style from a short corner.

In the second half Holcombe took the lead again.

But Wells’ determination was clear to see as they equalised again through Hunt.

But the home side stole the points in the last minute with a short corner goal put away from the tightest of angles.

The result which sees Wells drop to fifth in East Region Division One South.

Next they play Folkestone at Hawkenbury on Saturday [November 25, 1pm start].