Times of Tunbridge Wells 24th May 2017

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Wednesday May 24 | 2017

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Sell-out gala celebrates best in business

MANCHESTER BOMBING

WINNING WAYS These are the winners from more than 130 companies and individuals who entered the Times Business Awards 2017 THIS NEWSPAPER was launched two years ago with very specific objectives. To reflect fairly and accurately the lifestyle and values of the communities we serve and to encourage and support the growth of local businesses.

We believe we have achieved those aims, although we will always strive to do even better.

Today we are the biggest local newspaper with more than 20,000 copies being printed each week plus 7,000 online readers and on Thursday night (May 18) we once again underlined our commitment to the community when we recognised excellence in business with the Times Business Awards 2017.

And what a night of celebration the second of our award ceremonies turned out to be.

A sell-out audience of more than 200 went along to Salomons to see the eventual winners announced from ten categories.

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

COMMENT

Each took to the stage at the black tie event to be handed their trophy by one of the most popular broadcasters in the country - BBC Radio Two’s Ken Bruce, who attracts a weekly audience of more than eight million.

‘What a night of celebration the second of our awards ceremony turned out to be’ Speaking on behalf of the headline sponsor, Tunbridge Wells-based law firm Cripps, Managing Partner Gavin Tyler said: “We have again seen some fantastic companies in our business community being recognised and rewarded for their efforts and contribution, not only in a local capacity but in terms of the broader Kent economy.

“As sponsors of the awards for the second year running, Cripps is proud to support these dynamic and ambitious enterprises and we wish them continued success as they

develop and expand.”

The other major sponsor was West Kent Partnership. Its Chairman Nicolas Heslop who is also Leader of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council said: “Congratulations to those finalists here, who represent the energy and vitality that is driving the West Kent economy.”

Jo James, CEO of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the panel of judges said: “With all awards, somebody has to win, but to be selected as a finalist is in itself a great achievement.”

Hundreds took to social media to talk about the night.

Typical was a tweet from The Hop Shop: “Thank you for a lovely evening - so thrilled to win Family Business of the Year! What an honour!”

Our thanks to all of you who supported the night through sponsorship or by entering for an award. To us you are all winners.

Full details see pages 18-23

PHOTO: David Bartholomew

Residents urged to ‘stay alert’ but ‘not alarmed’ after the terror attack KENT Police have asked people to ‘continue to enjoy our county and stay alert’ but ‘not alarmed’ following Monday night’s bomb attack in Manchester. It had claimed 22 lives and left 59 injured as the Times went to press.

A police spokesman said: “There is no current information to suggest there is a direct threat to Kent and we remain in regular contact with the Home Office to assess the country’s threat levels.”

‘Sickened’ The explosion happened at Manchester Arena during a concert by US singer Ariana Grande. Among the dead was eight-year-old Saffie-Rose Roussos described as ‘a beautiful little girl in every aspect of the word’. Also killed were Georgina Callander (18) and John Atkinson aged 28.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the blast. The suicide bomber has been named as Salman Abedi (22) the son of a Libyan refugee. A 23-yearold man has also been arrested.

Local MP Greg Clark said he was “sickened that such a joyful event should be targeted by such wickedness.”

For full story see p12-15

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Local News

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Major employer commits to staying in the town

FLAT OUT Calverley House

But Camden Road businesses express fears over the impact of Calverley House redevelopment

By Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk ONE of the largest financial service employers in Tunbridge Wells has confirmed its commitment to remain in the town once Calverley House is redeveloped from offices to flats.

With over 120 people on its payroll, the relocation of stockbroker AJ Bell Securities away from the town would not help the local economy.

Unlike many of the occupants in Calverley

‘We have engaged a specialist firm of property consultants to help us identify alternative office space in Tunbridge Wells.’

House, who could be forced to leave at the start of the New Year, the company’s size allows it to benefit from a more secure leasing arrangement. This means it will not have to vacate the premises until October 2018.

A spokesman for AJ Bell Securities, which has around £36billion of assets under management, said the company is actively looking for new office space to rehouse its highly-qualified workforce.

He said: “The proposed sale and redevelopment of the site does not impact our current Calverley House lease, which does not expire until October 2018.

“We have engaged a specialist firm of property consultants to help us identify alternative office space in Tunbridge Wells.”

Approximately 60 businesses, employing 650 people, are based in the office block at the corner

of Calverley Road and Camden Road. The proposed conversion into 112 flats is expected to result in the number of people based there falling by two thirds.

This has led to growing concerns among several Camden Road dining establishments that rely on the lunchtime trade to remain financially viable.

Matt Biddle of the Black Dog has already experienced a foretaste of what may happen, although he said the exact impact of the proposed conversion will be ‘hard to quantify.’

“I would rather it remained as offices as we are not an evening establishment and we will probably lose some of our regulars.

“One former corporate customer of ours based in Calverley House relocated last year when the rumours of redevelopment surfaced and took around £7,000 of custom with them.

“I do not know exactly how it will impact, but Tunbridge Wells is better off as a working town and not full of flats and apartments pushing the business community out,” he said.

Like Mr Biddle, Steve Tuck, (right) owner of sandwich and salad bar, Tuck

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

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In said he expected there to be a ‘knock on affect’ from the loss of jobs but he too will have to wait to see how it plays out.

Geoff Stone, who opened his vegan café The Plant Base at the end of last year said it was ‘early days’ for him to work out the full extent of how his

‘I would rather it remained as offices as we are not an evening establishment and we will probably lose some of our regulars.’ establishment will be effected, adding: “It will be a shame though and I am sure it will have a negative effect on many businesses along Camden Road.”

Not every business owner along the road is pessimistic. Lucy Edwards of printing firm Minute Man Press said a couple of clients were based in Calverley House but most of her custom comes through networking.

She said: “I do feel sorry for those companies based there. But hopefully the new flats will bring more life to the Camden Road area and improve the general surroundings.

“Of course, in the long term the loss of office space in the town could be bad for us.”

LOSS OF CUSTOM Matt Biddle of the Black Dog

NEGATIVE IMPACT Plant Base owner Geoff Stone (right) and staff Lisa Milners

Landowner ordered to stop woodland work

By Murray Jones newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk VILLAGERS in Hawkenbury have accused a local landowner of undertaking ‘a wholesale fly tipping exercise to avoid responsible waste disposal’.

Members of Hawkenbury Village Association also claim that development work on the site in High Woods is putting wildlife at risk.

‘From the public footpath the desecration of the woods is very apparent’ Over the past few months the association has received multiple reports of the area being poorly managed by the owner, Ian Bowman.

Complaints include the steamrolling of rubbish into the ground as well as the burning down of protected trees, as he builds a new track in the green space near Hawkenbury Road.

The Association’s Dean Kenward said: “Our major concern is the large amount of hardcore rubble that is being dumped in the wood and bulldozed into the ground.

“There is currently no control over what is going into the ground and it is simply a wholesale fly tipping exercise to avoid responsible waste disposal.

“From the photographic evidence submitted by members, plastic toilet parts, reinforced steel concrete posts and other building rubble is visible.”

Borough Councillor Catherine Rankin, who represents Park ward and visited the woods, said: “From the public footpath the desecration of the woods is very apparent. I have asked council officers to pursue this blatant disregard of the planning regulations with the NO CONTROL There have been complaints of waste being disposed in the woodland

full force of the powers available to them.”

Cllr Tracy Moore from the same ward confirmed that the Borough Council are investigating the matter, adding: “The footpath cannot be blocked and if it is we would seek assistance from Kent County Council to remedy the matter.

We are all very much concerned with what has and is taking place and are doing our best to address the matter.”

After original complaints were made in August 2016, Mr Bowman applied for retrospective planning permission for the stretch of road running from the steel barn on High Woods Lane to the junction with the Tunbridge Wells Circular walk, which was granted earlier this month.

He has since applied for another extension to the track to join Hawkenbury Road and erected a barbwire fence around some of his land.

Following a visit from the Borough Council’s Tree Officer, Daniel Docker, and a Kent Police Wildlife Officer, Mr Bowman was instructed to stop work in the area until the planning application has been decided.

The Times was unable to contact Mr Bowman for comment. He has previously defended the cutting of woodland as part of a process of coppicing in which trees are reduced to ground level periodically to stimulate growth.

He has also stated ‘there is no development going on in the woods’.

Local News

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

NEWS IN BRIEF

Surprise price hike hits train passengers SOUTHEASTERN have been accused of ‘sneaking through’ a rise in their fares after they failed to inform passengers of the price change that began on Sunday.

The rail operator has implemented a 3.4 per cent or 10p increase on off-peak fares, whichever is the greatest. An off-peak day return from Tunbridge Wells to Tonbridge now costs £4.20, (previously £4.10). To London terminals, it is now £14.20, rising from £13.70.

Passengers were not told of the decision beforehand but Southeastern said it did not ‘routinely announce fare rises’. Rail campaigners have urged passengers to tell the Government ‘enough is enough’ by taking part in the current franchise consultation.

School abduction alert THE Head of Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School has issued a warning to parents after pupils were targeted in an alleged abduction attempt within a mile of a school last week.

A group of pupils on their way home were approached by a man and a woman in a blue car in Standen Street on May 16 and asked to get in the vehicle.

Head teacher Linda Wybar said police had been alerted and said she was informing parents of the incident but ‘not to alarm’ them adding: “This is the first report they have had of anyone of this description and it could be a one-off incident.”

GP surgery merger TWO GP practices in Tunbridge Wells are to merge on August 1 this year ensuring the continuity of care for 16,000 patients.

It will see St James medical centre and Grosvenor medical centre integrated in stages with the merger of the clinical IT systems in September resulting in the largest changes for patients who will then be offered appointments with GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals at either location – 11 Carlton Road and 23 Upper Grosvenor Road.

In the next 12 months a single telephone number will be introduced for both surgeries.

New mayor appointed TUNBRIDGE WELLS will say goodbye to Mayor David Neve today as his year in the ceremonial role comes to end.

The St James’ ward representative will be replaced by Conservative Cllr Julia Sokye at a special meeting of the full council at 10am.

By replacing the Liberal Democrat Cllr Neve in the role, Cllr Soyke, who represents Speldhurst & Bidborough, will become politically neural during her term and will choose a charity of choice to support.

NEWS

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Council warned about ‘hoodwinking’ residents over Civic Complex plan CIVIC DISOBEDIENCE Protesters gather in Calverley Grounds

By Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk THE Chairman of the Friends of Calverley Grounds has demanded more transparency over the proposed Civic Complex development and warned the council not to ‘hoodwink’ people into backing the project.

Nicholas Pope’s comments are a change of tone from his previous assertion that his organisation has ‘not yet taken a position’ on the scheme and comes after the Friends attended a consultation meeting on May 10 with the Borough Council.

Members of the organisation attended a protest in the park on Saturday (May 20) after a number of concerns arose from the meeting, which led to them dropping any qualified support for the project they may have previously held.

Among their concerns is the loss of approximately 1,000 sq m (10,760 sq ft) of park land to accommodate the planned office block, which they state will end up ‘looming over the park’ at five stories high.

‘We want more transparency.

We want more information’ There is also a fear that the current café in the centre of Calverley Grounds will be closed in favour of an eatery on the terrace of the new theatre – an option the group claim is being discussed by ‘a number of people’ within the council.

Mr Pope is particularly critical of what he sees is the council’s mismanagement and opaque handling of the project, claiming it is hard to assess the scale of the proposed development as ‘no good images currently exist’, rhetorically asking: “Are they going to be so big that the council do not

want us to see these images?”

He suggested to the Times that the council are trying to ‘cut corners’ by asking his organisation to produce ‘Verified Views’ (legally binding drawings/ documents) that are normally required for large developments. But despite these documents not being produced, the council is progressing into the final detailed planning stage anyway, he explained.

Mr Pope concluded: “Friends of Calverley Grounds have been trying to take a positive view on the development, but it seems we may be being hoodwinked into a situation where it becomes too late to change anything.

“We want more transparency. We want more information. When it feels that information is being withheld and decisions being made behind doors, we need to challenge the council to change how they are progressing with this project.”

By coming out in opposition to the £72million Civic Complex project as it currently stands, Mr Pope is making common cause with the Save Our Park group.

He had previously accused Save Our Park, which

set up a petition to oppose the scheme in April, of ‘extending the truth’ with the information they used to drum up support.

Petition organiser Chris Gedge, who also attended the rally on Saturday, welcomed Mr Pope’s support.

He said: “Nick Pope did a great job organising the rally on Saturday, with close to 60 people turning out at short notice.”

“To be clear, Save Our Park was never working against the Friends. We share some concerns – such as the loss of mature trees and building in and around a historic park – whereas others, such as the cost, parking during construction and what will happen to the existing civic buildings and theatre, are specific to Save Our Park.”

A Council spokesman said they were being ‘open and transparent’ about the proposed civic development, adding: “We are going through a development process and it is not always be possible to have instant answers to all the questions that people may have.”

Restaurant threatens legal action A TUNBRIDGE WELLS restaurant is threatening legal action for ‘aggravated damages after’ a customer placed a negative review on TripAdvisor.

High Rocks manager Giuseppe Cappellazzi has accused the reviewer of having a ‘vendetta’ against his establishment.

He made the comments to the MailOnline after it was revealed in the national press that he had hired the services of London law firm Cohen Davis to pursue the reviewer for ‘aggravated damages’.

The one star review in question was left on March 22 by part-time nurse Sarah Gardner, who states she ‘grew up in the area’. She described the food as ‘mediocre’ and complained of ‘arrogant’ and ‘rude’ staff.

Soon after publishing her review, which has since been taken down, Ms Gardner received a letter from Cohen Davis threatening to take the case to the High Court.

The 11-page letter stated: “The material you have posted about our client on TripAdvisor.com is defamatory and therefore unlawful.

“Our client will pursue you for aggravated

damages to compensate it for the full extent of its financial losses.”

It goes on to state that Ms Gardener, who described her feedback as based on her ‘general experience’ and not relating to a specific occasion,

must give details of the dates she attended the restaurant, the details of her guests and receipts.

Failure to comply could see her in contempt of court, they add.

Ms Gardener said she felt the letter was ‘very threatening’ and in the absence of sufficient financial resources would have to defend herself.

Cohen Davis then sent another letter claiming Ms Gardener had to ‘prove’ her review was based on ‘honest opinion’ or ‘truth’, to which she responded: “I posted an honest review. Your client could have chosen to engage with it and leave their own comment beneath, which would have given their version of events.”

But Mr Cappellazzi accused her of ‘fabricating’

the review to hurt his business.’

He said: “We are the bullied party here. We have never, ever disagreed with someone placing a review. What we object to is a fabrication and a lie.

“She left three low reviews, not one. She took them down because they were false. She’s running a vendetta against us which precedes this.

“One is not entitled to pretend they visited when they didn’t. It’s a fabrication and we are going to take it to court. It is so wrong and so hurtful.”

In a statement to the Times a spokesman for TripAdvisor said: “We are absolutely against any attempt by a business to stifle the honest feedback of its customers.”

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Local News

Beer Café named pub of the year FUGGLES has been crowned pub of the year by the West Kent branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) in what the organisation described as the ‘closest competition in years’.

The popular ‘beer café’ on Grosvenor Road will now move onto the regional finals for Kent and if successful, could find its-self competing at a national level.

Owner, Alex Greig, said, “It’s great to win Pub of the Year for West Kent - it’s so good to be recognised for all the hard work that goes into running the pub, especially for the team that help me do it.”

Runners up in the local area were the Windmill in Sevenoaks Weald and The Halfway House in Brenchley.

Congratulating Mr Greig while handing him the award in Fuggles, CAMRA branch chairman Craig Beeson said: “All the pubs included in this competition achieved a level of excellence to be commended, with the top three in this years competition chopping AND changing right up to the last scores being computed.

“Alex Greig has with Fuggles Beer Cafe, helped to transform the “Beer Scene” in our branch area, particularly in Tunbridge Wells.”

KING OF BEERS Alex Greig holding award from Craig Beeson

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Hospital’s appeal against 2010 rate rise cancelled five times

By Andrew Tong newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

RAPID RESPONSE DIY store fast tracked?

TUNBRIDGE WELLS HOSPITAL, which is facing a £1million rise in its business rates for the new financial year, is still appealing against its previous valuation made seven years ago.

And the Times can disclose that the valuation tribunal has postponed hearings into the appeal on five occasions.

The Borough Council is disappointed that the process is taking so long, compared to the rapid response to appeals lodged by big business.

Lee Colyer, the council’s Director of Finance and Corporate Services, said: “This appeal dates back to 2010. It cannot be right that this creates such huge uncertainty.

“It has been listed for a valuation tribunal five times and has been cancelled every time.”

Councillor Paul Barrington-King, the former Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance, said he was surprised by how quickly some appeals made by local businesses had been handled in comparison, such as B&Q last year.

Agency (VOA) has set the rateable value of the hospital at £7,220,000, compared to an equivalent of £4,940,000 calculated in July 2015.

When the business rates multiplier is applied to work out the final bill, it produces a figure of £3,458,380, for 2016-17, compared to £2,459,653.

In contrast, the rates assessment for Maidstone ‘Pembury should be treated Hospital has risen by £126,250, leading to a total bill of £1,269,350. the same as B&Q’’ A spokesperson for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Trust (MTW) said: “The Trust is using exterThe DIY store in Longfield Retail Park was nal professional advisers regarding the challenge handed back £430,000 in September after it con- to the 2010 rateable value. tested its rateable value. Forty per cent of that “The challenge went in as soon as Tunbridge refund had to be paid by the Borough Council.

Wells Hospital was assessed in 2012-13 and is The council would also be liable to pay part of still ongoing. And the Trust will be using the same any rate rebate to the hospital. advisers to appeal against the latest valuation.”

“The hospital’s appeal has been going on for a Around 80 NHS Trusts have asked councils to treat long time. When you them as charities so LONG-TERM APPEAL compare it to how swiftly they can qualify for Hospital being mistreated? the situation on the an 80 per cent disindustrial estate [with count, but this is not B&Q] was dealt with, we an option open to are asking for similar MTW. treatment with the hosThe Trust said: pital,” said Cllr Barrng“This approach is ton-King. being tested by “This closed-shop culother NHS bodies ture seems grossly at present, though unfair. The residents of as we understand it Tunbridge wells have this is not an option been mugged.” for NHS Trusts, only The Valuation Office Foundation Trusts.”

Local News

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

NEWS

Children’s choir helps spread the word of joy

Businessman buys village pub where he enjoyed his first ale

By Andrew Tong

By Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

A CHOIR of orphans and vulnerable children from Uganda came to sing at Christ Church in Tunbridge Wells on Saturday (May 20).

The Watoto Children’s Choir from the east African country are touring the UK with their Signs & Wonders show.

The choir is comprised of 18 children and 10 adults. Each child has suffered the loss of one or both parents and now lives in a Watoto ‘village’.

These are run by Kampala Pentecostal Church in the Ugandan capital of Kampala.

James Skinner, the choir’s Creative Director, said: “This production challenges preconceived ideas about miracles. It demonstrates that each of our daily lives are signs and wonders of God’s work in us.”

The choir has been touring every year since 1994.

HEAR MY PRAYER: The Watoto children’s choir

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LIFE went full circle for Chris Cozens last week when he bought the Speldhurst pub where he supped his first pint as a youth.

Now an experienced publican he has announced his intention of returning his favourite teenage watering hole ‘to its glory days’ after buying the George and Dragon.

Mr Cozens completed the nostalgic purchase after the pub was put on the market at the end of last year by hotel and restaurant owner Julian Leefe-Griffiths.

‘For most pubs to be successful they need to have a broad appeal’ With ten years in the trade the purchase was more than simply an attempt to relive his youth for Mr Cozens, who saw the purchase as an opportunity to add a public house with ‘huge potential’ to the several he already owns in Cambridge, where he currently lives.

“This was the first pub I visited as a youth. My parents still come here as does my sister.

“I grew up in Speldhurst before moving to London to work for Sky. One day I saw a small boarded up pub and wanted to buy it. I have been in the pub trade ever since and have bought more in the Cambridge area and I am looking to expand.

FULL CIRCLE Chris Cozens is the new owner at the George and Dragon “When the George and Dragon went on the market I couldn’t resist putting in an offer.”

The pub was listed by Christie & Co on behalf of Mr Leefe-Griffiths for £250,000.

One of his first acts since taking over last week was to bring back Larkin’s beer, which had been discontinued several years ago – to the chagrin of many regulars and the local cricket club.

“I had members of the Speldhurst Cricket Club in last week and they were delighted at the return of Larkins,” he said.

Although he plans to retain the pub’s high quality food offering, the focus will no longer be on

fine dining but will instead be on the family and Mr Cozens is toying with the idea of letting underfives’ eat for free.

He also plans to create a children’s’ play area, alongside re-landscaping and a ‘complete reworking’ of the pub’s exterior.

“For most pubs to be successful they need to have a broad appeal. Many locals felt a bit disenfranchised with the previous direction the pub was heading in.

“They are pleased to have someone who grew up here take the place over and we have had a great reception from the local population.”

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BUSINESS

Local Business News

NEWS IN BRIEF

Road builder picks Kings Hill for new base A MAJOR provider of asphalt and bitumen has moved into Kent by selecting Kings Hill to host its third national office.

Gibbs Surfacing lays more than 220,000 tonnes of macadam each year and has invested more than a £1million per annum on expansion in recent years.

The company, which has its headquarters in Swindon, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2017, and counts firms such as Galliford Try, Balfour Beatty and Costain among its clients.

Claimant count falls KENT’S claimant count fell by 50 last month, but overall unemployment is up considerably on last year.

In total 1,285 additional people are claiming than a year ago, bringing the county-wide total to 19,535 in April.

Tonbridge recorded a small fall of five, to a total of 740, while Tunbridge Wells continued to see its claimant count creep upwards, rising by 40 in April to 645 – remaining the second lowest in Kent after Sevenoaks.

Lorry park legal delays A COURT hearing over plans for a huge lorry park off the M20 to deal with Operation Stack has been put back until October.

The 250-acre scheme near Hythe, which would hold up to 3,600 lorries, has had its judicial review partly blown off course by the General Election’s impact on the Department for Transport.

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Town plays host to rapid rising PR firm

By Adam Hignett

adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk GINGERMAY, a firm founded in Tunbridge Wells, has been recognised as one of the fastest growing businesses in its field, according to the trade publication PR Weekly.

Specialising in tech-related PR, the Calverley Housebased company was founded in the kitchen of its Managing Director Victoria Usher seven years ago, but it now also has a permanent presence in London and overseas, with offices in New York and Berlin. However, the bulk of its operations remain at its Tunbridge Wells headquarters.

A 51 per cent jump in its revenue, derived from contracts with technology firms last year coming in at £1.6million, saw the firm rank number 23 in the this year’s PR weekly UK top 150 tech PR firms.

Mrs Usher, who describes herself as ‘born and bred’ in Tunbridge Wells, founded the firm after having a child and harbouring a desire to ‘take control’ of her destiny.

Her previous employment as a political researcher, and then as a data analyst, meant she gained the skills needed to set up a specialist PR firm.

“My early 20s were spent in politics and speech writing, which is where the PR part comes from,” she explained. “I then wanted to do something more tangible and became a data analyst at a technology firm, which introduced me to that sector.”

She added: “Setting up a business is really hard, though. It is long hours, seven days a week.”

Within three years she employed four freelancers in her business, but the real growth took off later and now the firm employs over 30 staff in its four offices, the majority of which are based in the town.

The expansion has been driven 100 per cent by referrals, and Mrs Usher’s list of current clients still includes the first two to sign up.

Approximately a fifth of GingerMay’s clients, which include London and Silicone Valley startups, go on to sell up each year. One client was recently sold for £150million.

Global And although Mrs Usher claims many of the firms she helps ‘will be unknown to the public for at least a couple more years’, that does not mean her work has gone unnoticed, as she now helps with PR as an advisor for the Mayor of London’s trade board.

Commenting on the PR Week ranking, Mrs Usher

said: “Being listed at such a high entry point in PR Week’s Top 150 is a huge accolade for our business. The data shows that GingerMay is currently the fastest growing tech PR agency in the UK, which is a significant achievement for a company as young as ours.

“We are proud to be growing our successful global tech business from our headquarters in Tunbridge Wells, and our listing is testament to how hard our team works. The news follows an amazing year for GingerMay PR – which also saw the opening of additional offices in London, New York, and Berlin – and we have further exciting growth plans for this year and beyond.”

EXPANSION: Managing Director Victoria Usher (rear centre) with members of her GingerMay team

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NEWS

Community News

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Bishops Down rises to challenge

SPRING IN YOUR STEP Hundreds of walkers and their dogs came to Ightham Mote

Barking up the right tree to support hearing dogs

By Andrew Tong THE Great British Dog Walk at Ightham Mote attracted more than 350 walkers and 250 canine friends to support Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

It was the first time that the medieval manor house and its environs have been incorporated into the national campaign.

This year marks the charity’s 35th anniversary and Davina Morgans, its Community Fundraising Manager for Kent, said: “We had a really good turnout for our first ever Great British Dog Walk here.”

Hearing loss can lead to a lack of independence, loss of confidence, low self-esteem and feelings of anxiety

which can lead to loneliness, isolation and often depression.

Hearing dogs can transform people’s lives by providing independence and companionship.

Catherine Broughton, from Hawkhurst, said: “Having Beni as my constant companion has restored my confidence, which I lost along with my hearing.”

She added: “I no longer worry about missing the doorbell, burning the dinner or not responding to texts on my mobile, as Beni alerts me to all the sounds I need for my safety.

“I’m also relaxed when we’re out and about together – his hearing dog uniform not only flags up my disability, but also sparks conversations about what part he plays in my life.”

CHILDREN in a Year Five class at Bishops Down Primary School in Tunbridge Wells have raised £1,798 for Pepenbury after becoming inspired by the local learning disability charity during an RE lesson.

Their teacher, Debbie Wilson, discussed the idea of fundraising and the impact they could make, and the children quickly began organising events to raise money.

No event was too big or too challenging to organise. They included climbing the O2, taking part in the Spartan Race, cake sales, sweet stalls, swimming, a park run and a garden fete.

Debbie said: “I have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and

determination the class have shown, and we are still in shock at the incredible amount of money they have raised.”

The class are excited about embarking on similar opportunities and have inspiring other pupils to follow suit.

Overwhelming Pepenbury’s Chief Executive, Sarah Stookes, said: “It is overwhelming to see the creativity, enthusiasm and dedication the children have shown to fundraising for Pepenbury.

“They have a fantastic understanding of what we do to support others, and it is lovely to hear them speak about their many different fundraising initiatives.”

TOP OF THE CLASS Olivia Moore climbs the O2

Scout Rhona heads for Icelandic ‘Moot’ RHONA MOODY from Tunbridge Wells over 500 participants to is set to represent Britain at the 15th embark on nine days of World Scout Moot in Iceland. adventure, fun and discovery.

The international event, They will stay at the which is held once every four National Scout Centre years, is a once-in-a-lifetime on the shores of opportunity for 5,000 Scouts stunning Lake aged 18 to 25 to gather Ulfljotsvatn, and will together from 80 countries visit Geysir and the around the globe. waterfalls of Gullfoss.

The Moot will be situated They will also try ICE WORK in the heart of the dramatic glacier walking, along Rhona Moody has been landscape of Iceland from with hiking, working in training for the Moot July 25 to August 2. international patrols and learning about The UK group will be taking

different cultures and customs.

Rhona said: “I am so looking forward to visiting Iceland.

“It is a country on my wishlist and this is my first international Scouting trip.”

She added: “I am looking forward to meeting up with old friends and also meeting Scouts from loads of different countries.”

The theme of the Moot will be ‘change’, and all those travelling from the UK are preparing to ‘embrace change on their journey to the Moot, whether this is in their own lives or their local community’.

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Countywide

County alerts minister to school place shortfall THE Leader of Kent County Council (KCC) has written to the government warning that the county faces a shortfall in school places due to the delays in opening several free schools.

In a joint letter to Education Secretary Justine Greening, KCC Leader Paul Carter and Education Cabinet member Cllr Roger Gough stressed ‘the very serious difficulties’ ahead, as Kent’s growing population means an additional 23,000 extra places must be found between now and 2023.

Information about the letter, which was written in February, was first obtained by the Kent Messenger via a Freedom of Information request.

Delayed The letter blames the Education Funding Agency (EFA) – which is responsible for signing off on free school proposals – for failing to ‘manage the processes’ of bringing new projects forward.

In the communication, Mr Carter goes on to warn that one delayed project had led to a shortfall of ‘hundreds of places’ in one particular town – the name of which was not disclosed.

He also goes on to say EFA officials have ‘little knowledge or understanding of the issues at hand’.

KCC now runs the risk of missing its statutory requirements on the provision of new spaces, even though government policy states all new school have to be free schools, meaning it is entirely dependent on the EFA. It is believed some of the projects may be delayed for up to a year, which the letter states will mean the council may no longer be able to ensure there will be enough school places for each child.

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Millionaire landlord faces human rights legal action ONE of the UK’s most controversial landlords is facing legal action over his letting policies.

Fergus Wilson is being targeted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission after a leaked email to his lettings agent revealed he wanted ‘battered wives’, single parents and zero-hours workers banned from renting his properties.

The former boxer and maths teacher, who is from Boughton Monchelsea, sparked further outrage when he said he has forbidden lets to ‘coloureds’ because of the cost of removing the smell of curry at the end of their tenancy.

Other sub-groups he said he has no desire to house include people with beards or tattoos beBAN ON CERTAIN TYPES OF TENANTS Fergus Wilson

cause they are ‘unlikely to have top jobs’.

Mr Wilson, who unsuccessfully attempted to run for the post of Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner last year, has a portfolio spanning hundreds of properties across the county. It is believed his net worth is around £100million.

His letting agency, Evolution, has condemned the policy and said they would never implement it.

Equality and Human Rights Commission Chief Executive Rebecca Hilsenrath said: “We have asked the court if it agrees with us that Mr Wilson’s lettings policy contains unlawful criteria and, if so, to issue an injunction. As this is now formal legal action we will release further information at a later date.”

FOUNDERS: Stephen and Matthew Russell and Head Distiller Abhi Banik

Distillery wins double gold A CHATHAM distillery that was opened just seven months ago has already won international recognition for its vodka.

Copper Rivet Distillery won a double gold for its Vela Vodka at the 7th San Francisco World Spirits Competition last week.

The family-run distillery was opened in October and makes its spirit using grains from the Isle of Sheppey, which it then distils in Victorian Pump House No 5 at Chatham’s former dockyard.

Playing on the town’s proud nautical heritage, the vodka is named after the sail-shaped constellation used for navigation since Roman times.

The company is also well known for its Dockyard Gin, and is moving into the whisky business.

Stephen Russell, who co-founded the business with his brother Matthew and father Bob, said he was ‘over the moon’ that the firm’s vodka has been so highly praised just months after it was launched.

He also praised the work of his Head Distiller Abhi Banik, who studied and taught at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, saying the fact his ‘incredible product’ has won the prestigious award ‘speaks volumes’ about his talent.

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Manchester Bombing

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Suicide bomber with Libyan roots ‘born and raised in Manchester’ THE suicide bomber who brought carnage to the Manchester Arena has been named as Salman Abedi.

Police confirmed his name after armed officers carried out a dramatic raid on the redbrick semi in south Manchester where he was registered as living.

The 22-year-old was believed to have been Manchester born and from a family of Libyan origin.

Greater Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said detectives were working to establish whether Abedi, whose attack left 22 people dead, including an eight-year-old girl, was working alone.

As well as the fatalities 59 people were injured in the attack involving a homemade device packed with nuts and bolts which exploded in the foyer of the Manchester Arena as thousands of young people were leaving the concert by US pop star Ariana Grande on Monday night [May 22].

The Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility for the atrocity.

Residents of Elsmore Road in Fallowfield where he lived described being ordered to remain indoors as more than 20 officers, all armed,

swooped on the house, carrying out a controlled explosion on the front door.

Elsewhere in south Manchester, the first arrest was made in connection with the inquiry when a 23-yearold man was detained near a Morrisons in Chorlton.

Counter-terrorism agencies mounted a massive inquiry into the outrage - the worst terrorist attack since 52 innocent people were killed in the July 7 bombings in London in 2005.

Prime Minister Theresa May said the perpetrator had chosen the time and place of his attack deliberately to cause ‘maximum carnage and to kill and injure indiscriminately’.

After flying to Manchester to speak to police chiefs and medics treating some of the child victims, she said: “It is an absolutely barbaric attack that has taken place, to cut off young lives in this way and it is absolutely devastating, and our thoughts and prayers must be with their families and friends at this horrendous tragedy that has taken place.

“I’m very clear that the police and the security services have the resources to ensure that they continue their investigation.”

UNITED: Crowds gathered together at a vigil in Albert Square, Manchester, last night

Ariana superfan and eight-year-old girl named among victims AN eight-old-girl was among the 22 people killed by a suicide bomber within Manchester Arena on Monday night, it was revealed yesterday.

Schoolgirl Saffie-Rose Roussos died from her injuries after a terrorist committed the atrocity at a concert by American singer Ariana Grande on Monday night.

Beautiful She was described by the headteacher at her school [Tarleton Community Primary], Chris Upton as ‘simply a beautiful little girl in every aspect of the word. She was loved by everyone’.

The news came after the first victim

was announced as 18-year-old Georgina Bethany Callander.

From Whittle-le-Woods in Lancashire, the young fan had previously met the singer in 2015 [pictured] and posted excitedly on Instagram about the occasion.

In a statement, her old school Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy said: “Georgina was a lovely young student who was very popular with her peers and the staff and always made the most of the opportunities she had at the school.”

A third victim was named yesterday [May 23] evening as John Atkinson, 26, from Radcliffe in Bury. Friends and family paid their respects online, describing him as ‘an amazing young man’.

Georgina Callander with Ariana Grande in 2015

Saffie-Rose Roussos

John Atkinson

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Manchester Bombing

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

City stays resolute in the face of horrific attack THE citizens of Manchester have been commended for their brave response to Monday night’s barbarism.

Immediately after the incident, nearby hotels took thousands of stranded children in, while taxi firms from all over the region descended on the arena to take people home safely, free of charge.

Thousands of people also turned to social media to help find missing relatives following the attack at Manchester Arena. Many parents have still not heard from their children since Monday.

“They gave the best possible immediate response to those who seek to divide us and it will be that spirit of Manchester that will prevail and hold us together.”

Defiant Manchester music venues are going ahead with Tuesday night gigs despite the terrifying events of Monday night.

Night and Day, a ‘It will be that spirit of 25-year-old institution Manchester that will prevail of the city’s music and hold us together’ scene, and popular venue Soup Kitchen TRIBUTES both revealed their Flowers are left in Manchester’s blood donor centres plans to carry on with St Ann’s Square, reported an ‘incredible’ response from tonight’s concerts.

Manchester the public in the wake of the Later in the day, Manterror attack in the city, chester’s Piccadilly Garwith queues outside the Today it will be business as usual as far dens was packed with workers on their doors. as possible in our great city. lunch break listening to a busker singing Speaking on Tuesday “I want to thank the hundreds of police, songs of defiance. morning, newly-elected fire and ambulance staff who worked Hundreds of Mancunians sat in the Mayor Andy Burnham throughout the night in the most difficult sun-drenched central square eating sent a message of circumstances imaginable. lunch and listening to the musician, who determined defi“We have had messages of support from sang songs such as All You Need Is Love ance. He said: “We cities around the country and across the by the Beatles. are grieving today, world, and we want to thank them for As music venues announced their plans but we are strong. that. to host Tuesday night gigs as planned, “But lastly I wanted to thank the people citizens left impromptu tributes on paper DEFIANT of Manchester. Even in the minute after placed on a table outside Cass Art, on Manchester Mayor the attack, they opened their doors to Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter.

Andy Burnham strangers and drove them away from Messages included ‘stay strong’ and speaking yesterday danger. ‘hope not fear’.

Donations pour in to support victims MORE than 14,000 people have donated nearly half a million pounds to support the families of those killed in the Manchester Arena attack.

The Manchester Evening News set up a fundraising page on Just Giving, exceeding its target of £50,000 in a few hours.

A spokesperson for the paper thanked those who have donated so far, adding: “We are overwhelmed by your generosity.”

A number left messages of support

and condolence for the victims.

Connor Martin Doherty wrote: “I was at the arena. The screams of fear was ear piercing and I can’t stop thinking about the kids that have died.

Absolute tragedy, I pray those that are still missing are reunited.”

Ahmad Hassan wrote: “My deepest condolences and love to all those affected.”

JustGiving has not yet announced whether they will take their usual five per cent fee.

Manchester Bombing

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

In their own words…

“As I was waiting, an explosion went off and it threw me through the first set of doors about 30ft to the next set of doors. When I got up and looked around there was about 30 people scattered everywhere, some of them looked dead, they might have been unconscious but there was a lot of fatalities.”

- Andy Holey, who went to pick up his family.

“If it is confirmed this was a terrorist attack, it is a monstrous act but also a deeply futile one.

Manchester is a proud and strong city and we will not allow those who seek to sow fear and division to achieve their aims.”

- Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council.

“Broken. from the bottom of my heart, I am so, so sorry. I don’t have words” - US singer Ariana Grande, who had been performing at Manchester Arena.

“We mourn the lives of children and loved ones taken by this cowardly act.

We are thankful for the selfless service tonight of Manchester’s first responders who rushed toward danger to help save lives.”

- Ariana Grande’s management team.

“I’m 10 mins away from the arena and if anyone needs food, drinks or to charge your phone or a sofa or anything get in touch.”

- Actor Eamon John Gannon offering help.

“Mancunians opening their homes to those stranded, and businesses offering free rides. This is the Manchester I love” - Local councillor Bev Craig.

“A barbaric act.”

- Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

“In so much shock and panic. You see this on the news all the time and never expect it to happen to you. I just had to run and make sure me and my sister were safe.”

- Concert-goer Oliver Jones, 17.

“This has been the most horrific incident we have had to face in Greater Manchester and one that we all hoped we would never see.”

- Chief Constable Ian Hopkins.

Prime Minister Theresa May signed a book of condolence at Manchester Town Hall, writing: “Here in this great city a callous and cowardly act was met by the inspirational bravery of our emergency services and the unbreakable spirit of the people of Manchester.

“As we remember those who died, their loved ones and those who were injured, we will celebrate those who helped, safe in the knowledge that terrorism never wins and our values, our country and our way of life will prevail.”

Civic leaders and politicians during a vigil in Albert Square outside Manchester Town Hall, on Wednesday evening.

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International News

NEWS IN BRIEF

Machine beats China’s best at ancient game A MAJOR milestone in the development of artificial intelligence [AI] occured yesterday as a computer beat China’s top player of the board game Go. Known as AlphaGo, the machine beat Ke Jie, a 19-year-old prodigy, by half a point, ‘the closest margin possible’, according to Demis Hassabis, founder of DeepMind, the Googleowned company that developed AlphaGo. Go is considered more challenging for AI because the near-infinite number of possible positions requires intuition and flexibility.

Four killed in city blast AN EXPLOSION in the central Syrian city of Homs has killed at least four people and wounded more than two dozen while government forces ‘destroyed’ a truck bomb near Damascus airport, state media reported.

Homs police commander Lieutenant General Khaled Hilal told state TV that two suicide attackers detonated their explosives-laden car as they were being surrounded by troops.

Chavez house burned PROTESTERS have set late president Hugo Chavez’s childhood home in western Venezuela on fire, an opposition legislator said, as protests against the nation’s socialist government grew increasingly hostile.

Demonstrators lit the house - in the city of Barinas – aflame along with other several government buildings.

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Acting legend Sir Roger Moore dies at age of 89 FORMER James Bond star Sir Roger Moore has died in Switzerland at the age of 89 after a short battle with cancer, his family has announced.

A message shared on the actor’s official Twitter account read: “With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today. We are all devastated.”

‘The love with which he was surrounded in his final days was so great it cannot be quantified in words alone’ The statement continued: “It is with a heavy heart that we must announce our loving father, Sir Roger Moore, has passed away today in Switzerland after a short but brave battle with cancer.

“The love with which he was surrounded in his final days was so great it cannot be quantified in words alone.”

Sir Roger was the longest-serving actor to play the womanising MI6 agent, having portrayed 007 in seven films.

While best known for this role, Sir Roger will also be remembered for his work in TV’s The Saint in the 1960s.

He once joked of his role as Simon Templar in the spy thriller series, which he also produced: “When I was doing The Saint on television I had two expressions; as Bond I’ve managed to work up to four.”

The debonair star, who added a distinct light-

hearted touch to the 007 role, also admitted that, while he thought Sir Sean Connery had been the greatest Bond, fans were ‘lucky’ to have the current star of the franchise, Daniel Craig.

He said: “I think that Sean was obviously the great Bond.

“He was obviously the right person, he brought the right personality to the performance, otherwise Bond would not have gone on past the first six that he did.

He was a tremendous Bond.

“Today, I think we’re very lucky to have Daniel Craig because he is quite extraordinary. I always say that Sean looked like a killer – but Daniel Craig would finish it off.

“When I saw Casino Royale, I thought that Daniel Craig did more action in the first seven minutes than I did in seven movies.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

Astronauts spacewalk to repair essential kit CREW on the International Space Station have made urgent repairs to their equipment after a critical relay box abruptly failed.

The 250-mile-high replacement job fell to Commander Peggy Whitson, the world’s most experienced female astronaut, as she equalled the record for most spacewalks by an American at ten.

She had to remove the faulty box and bolt down a spare, all whilst floating out in space. She completed the work yesterday [Tuesday May 23].

South Africa drought AUTHORITIES in Cape Town are instructing people to severely restrict water use because of the area’s worst drought in more than a century.

The city wants daily water usage to be reduced to 100 litres (26 gallons) per person and recommends taking two-minute showers and flushing the toilet only when necessary.

A whale of a time

PASSED AWAY Roger Moore pictured in 1966

THREE Britons have been rescued in the Atlantic after their yacht collided with a whale and started to sink, the Portuguese navy said.

A statement said the three, aged between 41 and 61, were picked up by a merchant vessel around 410 miles north east of the Azores on Sunday.

Portuguese rescue services sent a navy corvette after receiving a distress signal from UK-registered yacht Destiny of Scarborough.

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Advertising

FEATURES

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BUSINESS

Business Awards

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Second year of success for the Times Business Awards

Sponsored by

In association with

Gala celebrated the best of local business and enterprise

Representing the West Kent Partnership was its Chairman Nicolas Heslop, who is also Leader of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council.

He spoke of the work the agency was doing to help support enterprise in the region, adding:

By Adam Hignett

COMPANIES from across West Kent gathered at Salomons Estate last week to celebrate the second Times Business Awards, an event that has become a key fixture for the local business community.

More than 220 people from 42 companies gathered at the gala, where they enjoyed a champagne reception followed by an entertaining, joke-filled speech from top BBC Radio 2 DJ Ken Bruce.

Nominees and sponsors conversed over a threecourse dinner prior to the awards ceremony itself being kicked off with an introduction by the host for the evening, Richard Moore, Editorial Director of Times Local Newspapers.

This was followed by two short speeches from the headline sponsors, the West Kent Partnership and Tunbridge Wells law firm Cripps.

Ken Bruce

Photos: David Bartholomew

adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

‘Finalists here represent the energy and vitality that is driving the West Kent economy’ Nicolas Heslop “I am delighted this year these prestigious awards have been extended to the whole of West Kent.

“It gives these firms a way to showcase their success, and congratulations to those finalists here who represent the energy and vitality that is driving the West Kent economy.”

Nicolas Heslop

Speaking on behalf of Cripps, Managing Partner Gavin Tyler said his company had chosen to support the event for the past two years because the town ‘is a vibrant and eclectic community’ that is expressed in ‘the diversity of its businesses’.

“You only have to look around here tonight to see the vibrant, energetic and young, youthful companies in this town, and it really does bode well for the future,” he said, before giving his own congratulations to the companies shortlisted and wishing them luck.

“Whatever happens tonight, you are here because you are successful,” he said.

Ken Bruce regaled those present with amusing stories from his four decades on the airwaves. His morning show attracts more than eight million listeners a week.

He also spoke of his fondness for Tunbridge Wells, but indulged in some lighthearted elitism by comparing the town to where he lives, Henleyon-Thames, stating: “It’s lovely to be here in Tunbridge Wells and I know you get a lot of jokes about being terribly posh here, but frankly I come from Oxfordshire.

“Now Henley-on-Thames is really posh. Colonel Sanders opened a shop there called Kentucky Fried Pheasant.”

He also showed his appreciation for the efforts of small business owners, and spoke of his own foray into the world of enterprise through his heritage bus company, quipping that the way to end up with £1million from running buses ‘was to start with £2million’.

He was followed by Jo James, CEO of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the awards panel of judges.

She told the audience: “It was not an easy task, not when faced with so many excellent companies.

“With all awards, somebody has to win, but to be selected as a finalist is in itself a great achievement.”

The evening was rounded off in celebratory style with the help of band Violet Jive.

Business Awards

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

‘You only have to look around here tonight to see the vibrant, energetic and young, youthful companies in this town, and it really does bode well for the future’ Gavin Tyler

Gavin Tyler

BUSINESS

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Business Awards

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Outstanding Business of the Year ‘This award is the ultimate prize. Initiative, imagination, sound management practices, creativity, staff investment, sustainable growth and exceptional commercial success’

Name of winning business: Loch Associates Group Company description: Having set up in 2007, Loch Associates Group offer a range of employment and HRrelated services, ranging from expert legal advice from award-winning Loch Employment Law to outsourced HR support from HR Advise Me. They also help businesses with wellbeing and first aid training at work from Loch Health, and solving disputes and conflicts via Loch Mediation.

“Loch Associates Group is delighted to have been awarded the prestigious Outstanding Business of the Year

Award at the Times Business Awards 2017. We pride ourselves on being an innovative, evolving business, and what makes our business exceptional is our unique combination of employment law, HR, wellbeing and mediation expertise, ensuring our clients have all the human resource services they need under one roof. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped us achieve this incredible result.” Pam Loch www.lochlaw.co.uk Sponsored By: Handelsbanken (Pam Loch also won The Business Person of the Year Award: page 23)

Creative Business Name of winning business: Page & Page Company description: Established in 2013, and moving to Tunbridge Wells in May of 2016, Page & Page are an award-winning creative communications agency who specialise in health and wellness.

They work with clients to change beliefs and behaviours amongst patients and healthcare professionals to ultimately improve health outcomes. www.pageandpage.uk.com Sponsor: John Bullock Design

Business Awards

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

BUSINESS

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Best Independent Restaurant Name of winning business: Framptons Company description: Based in The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Framptons believe in offering quality food and drink throughout the day. Their dishes are made with fresh seasonal produce sourced locally, all within an

18 miles radius. They aim to provide a personal service to all their customers, which has seen them coming back time again. www.framptonsbar.co.uk Sponsor: Fuller’s Butchers and Farm Shop

New Business of the Year

of the Year ‘Creativity is a vital tool to business success. This award recognises businesses who successfully incorporate creativity into their business approach’

Name of winning business: The Right Tuition Company

‘Launching a new business is Company description: Set up in a brave step in April 2014, The Right Tuition Company this challenging provides 11-plus preparation and business landscape. academic tuition to children of all This award ages in Maths, English, Science and Modern Languages across three celebrates academic tuition centres in Tunbridge companies who Wells, Rochester and Sevenoaks. have taken this big www.right-tuition.co.uk step, proving it Sponsor: Distinct Business Insurance is possible’

‘This award recognises local independent restaurants who provide exceptional customer service, support local business and provide an all-round unique service’

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Business Awards

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Best Tech Business

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Name of winner: Joe de Kwant Stoner Company description: Big Orange Media Ltd. Founded by Joe de Kwant Stoner in May 2016, Big Orange Media are

an independent full service creative agency based in West Kent. Their services include media planning and design, SEO and full social media management. www.bigorangemedia.co.uk

Sponsored By: Russell Fewins Commercial Facilities Solutions

Name of winning business: Infinity Technology Solutions Company description: Established for over 15 years and employing 40 specialists, Infinity Technology Solutions provide a fully integrated IT support service, Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation and a wide range of business telecom solutions to both national and local clients. www.infinitygroup.co.uk Sponsored By: Gemini Print

OUR THANKS TO‌ All the sponsors, including Welcome Drinks Sponsor Digitom and Hush Heath, the Official Wine Partner

Business Awards

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

BUSINESS

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Family Business of the Year Name of winning business: The Hop Shop Company description: The family farm started in the valley over 100 years ago, with the Hop Shop being developed in 1985. The Hop Shop is a very individual farm shop, not only open to the public throughout the year but with a significant

online mail order presence supplying to both trade and wholesale customers. The shop has enabled the family to maximise value for their existing farm produce. www.hopshop.co.uk Sponsored by: Thomson Snell & Passmore

Service Excellence Award Name of winning business: Thomas Mansfield Solicitors Company description: Set up in 2004, Thomas Mansfield Solicitors are specialists in Employment Law and have recently

diversified into Family Law, being a natural extension to their current portfolio. www.thomasmansfield.com Sponsored By: Pantiles Chambers

Business Person of the Year Name of winner: Pam Loch, Managing Director of Loch Associates Group.

Description: Pam’s strong leadership skills have been instrumental to the success of the company.

She recognises and builds on the strengths of others to enable the company to reach its

Best Small Business (up to ÂŁ2m turnover) Name of winning business: Castle Cars Company description: Set up in January 1995, Castle Cars provide both taxi and chauffeurdriven vehicles, priding themselves on their excellent customer service. The company is extremely active in the local community, with

activities ranging from sponsorship and charity participation through to working with the council to improve safety. www.castle-cars.com Sponsored By: Childrensalon

objectives. Pam has built a strong organisational culture of providing elevated levels of customer service and support for both external customers and internal staff. www.lochlaw.co.uk Sponsored By: RSM

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Letters

Wednesday May 24 | 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 We’re all entitled to enjoy success – and show an interest in politics Calverley wrote about a house with a Labour poster outside (May 3) and said: “Even the local comrades enjoy the very best things in life, including top bracket luxury homes.”

Everyone in the town reads the Times and it ill befits your newspaper to take the mickey out of someone simply for expressing an interest in local politics.

To function properly, a democracy needs as wide as possible a connection to those it serves, and poking fun at somebody’s political allegiance simply because they have made a success of their lives is something we see too much of in politics. Enough.

Martin Brice Tunbridge Wells

PR means we can work together I read in Rachel Sadler’s Comment (May 10) that the Liberal Democrats are ‘campaigning to secure a referendum on the terms of Brexit’.

I’m sure your readers will have seen Caroline Lucas’s announcement that the Green Party seeks a second referendum after the outcome of negotiations, the first political party to do so.

Our 2015 manifesto proposed raising the minimum wage to £10 per hour by 2020, now part of Labour’s plans, and Ed Miliband’s cap on energy prices has been taken on board by the Tories.

The point I’m trying to make is that no party has the exclusive rights to good ideas, or bad ones.

Proportional representation allows parties to work together for the good of the country, not to fight against each other to its detriment – just to force a political philosophy.

PR’s detractors say that it would allow extremists in; well, if a significant portion of the electorate subscribe to those views, surely they have the right to be heard.

Our elected government, of whatever colour, serves the minority view, too.

Trevor Bisdee Tunbridge Wells Green Party candidate

Labour can represent town better Tunbridge Wells deserves a Parliamentary representative who actually represents the views of the majority of its residents.

Very nice guy though he seems to be in person, Greg Clark does not do this on a number of issues.

He has sat in a Cabinet which is pursuing a ‘hard Brexit’ when a majority of his constituents voted to remain in the EU. He has sat in a Cabinet that has failed to ensure adequate funding of the NHS while our local hospital was unable to complete any elective

surgery lists from December to April.

He has allowed the Prime Minister to advocate a new swathe of grammar schools when he knows that their selection process is inequitable and biased in favour of those from private schools or those who have been tutored.

Mr Clark thinks it is too much hassle to switch his energy provider. It isn’t too much hassle if you earn less than he does.

He also supports the government’s ludicrous position of reducing net immigration to less than 100,000, but cannot tell us which sectors are going to have to suffer to hit that target – hospitals, care homes, hospitality, construction?

What Tunbridge Wells needs is an MP who will represent its people rather better than the current incumbent. He may not be in the party that forms a government, but at least he will be a voice for us.

I say ‘he’ because Labour’s candidate in the Tunbridge Wells constituency is Charles Woodgate, a Man of Kent and someone who really could be our local MP. Hugo Pound Tunbridge Wells Labour Party

If we want equality, what about men?

I find it somewhat sad to see that while the ladies of Tunbridge Wells will have their own sex represented at the forthcoming General Election by a candidate from the Women’s Equality Party, there is no one championing the cause of the white indigenous male persons whose sole option is to vote for the LibDems.

Victor Bethell Tunbridge Wells

Local charities will feel like winners I welcome the launch of a local lottery to help combat the ever-growing funding shortfall facing many of the wonderful charities and volunteer organisations that populate Tunbridge Wells.

Of course people should be willing to make donations to these causes without needing an incentive, but it would be naïve to think this will always be the case, and ultimately it should be the outcome rather than the motives that matter.

It will also have the benefit of concentrating on one website a large number of these organisations, which otherwise may be unheard of to many people, and so they will gain some much needed publicity.

Some may worry about the council encouraging gambling, but with the proliferation of online casinos and the like – which are not helping anyone except the companies which own them – it is hardly like the option of easy access to gambling isn’t available to almost everyone.

I also doubt those playing in the local lotto are going to be the hardcore gambling type that will end up with an addiction.

So congratulations to the council on at least attempting to implement a novel approach to ensuring the numerous good causes in the town and borough can continue doing the good things they do.

Paul Holland Via email

People with dementia aren’t ‘sufferers’ Thank you for your bold coverage of Dementia Awareness Week in last week’s Times. It is a subject that is not always talked about and not widely understood.

As your article explains, building more dementia-friendly communities will help us to increase our understanding and to reduce the stigma that too often surrounds this long-term condition.

At the Alzheimer’s Society, we ensure that everything we do is informed and inspired by people affected by dementia, and we hope to inspire everyone to ultimately create a world without dementia.

People with dementia tell us that one of the ways we can all help is by carefully choosing our words, and that dementia ‘sufferer’ is at the top of the list of terms to avoid.

People they tell us that they ‘live with’ dementia, and often ‘live well with’ dementia, but they are not ‘sufferers’ or ‘victims’.

The Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project has issued guidelines about this, in recognition that the language we use to talk about dementia influences how people with dementia are viewed, and also how they feel about themselves.

If there is one thing that we could all do to support people with dementia, it would be to remember not to use the word ‘sufferer’.

Kate Sergeant, Alzheimer’s Society West Kent

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

Calverley

Observations on life and more important things

WHAT a nice chappie Ken Bruce is. The legendary BBC Radio 2 DJ was chief guest last week at the Times Business Awards – a hugely successful evening. (Sorry, but Himself has to earn his supper). Anyway, Mr Bruce is not just a pretty voice.

Apparently, he won an edition of Celebrity Mastermind with his specialist subject being the Jeeves novels of PG Wodehouse. He’s also a big fan of Rangers Football Club, but we’ll let that one pass without comment; which says it all.

HATS off to the Women’s Equality Party, who are putting a candidate forward in TW for the Big Election. They made their mark at the county elections and welcomed one of Calverley’s fellow hacks along to one of their public meetings – even though he was clearly a male. It made up for the fact that the same said chap was earlier turned away (banned) from a public meeting in the town called by the Labour Women’s Group.

Memo to Jeremy… bit more equality please.

SPARE a thought for the townsfolk of Tonbridge. Himself understands they are feeling a bit neglected these days, with much more focus by decision-makers on outlying parts of the borough such as West Malling and Kings Hill, where the council itself is based.

Now comes the news that Cllr Roger Dalton has been chosen as the new Mayor; he lives in Rochester, which isn’t even in the borough.

WHILE talking of local councils, Calverley has had his ear bent by several Tory members of the Tunbridge Wells authority. They were ‘over the moon’ and ‘delighted’ at the ‘amazing’ tale carried in this very paper of shenanigans within the controlling Conservative Group. All is not sweetness and light when it comes to spending £72million on a new civic complex.

FINALLY, spare a thought for this woman, who really is the most awful cook. Being a good neighbour, she popped round next door with a shepherd’s pie that one of the kids described as ‘looking like toxic waste’. It remained uneaten. And when she placed another dish in front of hubby he pleaded: “Go on then, give me a clue – is it fish or chicken?” How cruel.

Chin, chin readers

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

EDUCATION Times

Education

NEWS

25

WITH THE

Kent’s best young gymnast seals a second British title

Sterling effort by top student SKA journalist Skinners’ Kent Academy pupil wins prestigious writing prize ROSALIND CARVELL, a Year 11 pupil at The Skinners’ Kent Academy (SKA) has just been awarded first prize in a prestigious writing contest run by the London Institute of Banking and Finance.

In January last year, three students studying finance at SKA entered the national competition, one in the 17 - 19 category and two in the 14 – 16 category.

The task for students in all categories was to

write an article in less than 1,000 words entitled ‘How will financial education help me to meet the financial challenges I will face throughout my life’.

The shortlisted entries were judged by BBC Business Presenter Steph McGovern who had to choose three winners; one from each of the age groups and one chosen from both groups who she thought had the most original idea.

PRIZE PERFORMANCE Rosalind Carvell accepts her award Rosalind Carvell won the prize for the latter and at last week’s awards ceremony on May 15 the Managing Director of Financial Capability, Alison Pask (pictured) presented Rosalind with a certificate and a prize of £50.

Rosalind, who is

Head Girl at SKA, is currently aiming for an A* grade in her GCSE Personal Finance class with intention to complete the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme in the Sixth Form at the Academy.

According to a SKA

spokesperson Rosalind wants to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at university and with early achievements such as winning the National Financial Journalist Competition, she could well be on her way to a successful career in politics.

ROSIE BAYLISS, a Year 7 student at Weald of Kent Grammar School in Tonbridge, has added another national title to her growing collection of gymnastics medals.

Rosie took Gold at the All-Around Compulsory Level 1 Women’s Artistic British Championships in Stoke-on-Trent earlier this month, seeing off competition from the top gymnasts of her age from all over the country.

Her victory follows on from her success last year at Level 2 and gaining a silver medal at the English Championships last month together with her selection for the Great Britain National Development Squad. Rosie is now a double British Champion and follow-

ing her Level 1 win, she has been invited to train with the Great Britain Junior squad at Lilleshall National Sports Centre.

Rosie, 12, trains at Europa Gym Centre in Crayford, making the fifty mile round trip from Tonbridge five CHAMPION Rosie Bayliss wins gold again

days a week. Rosie said: “My mum drives me to training every day and I’m really grateful to her. Thank you to my coaches Rochelle Douglas and David-Roy Wood for all their help to get me to the level of National Champion again.”

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NEWS

Weekly Comment

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Tom Tugendhat

Conservative candidate for Tonbridge & Malling

Those who choose to stay silent, strengthen the voices of those who cast their ballot…

DEMOCRACY matters. The decisions we take in the ballot box change lives.

This week, we and millions of others will have the chance to join the national conversation about our future as we prepare to cast our votes for the General Election.

We will be voting for the person we want to represent our community and, because of the way our system works, the person to lead our nation.

The decisions taken by this Parliament and this government will be more important than ever. Unlike the policies which can be altered by future polls, the talks that will shape our future relationship with the European Union and our partners across the world will set our nation’s course for a generation.

More than ever, leadership matters. We know that in organisations from schools to business, and even the military, teams matter. How a group works together, how they operate as a single unit, will often determine success, but the key to unity is leadership. Good leaders bring people together. They may not be liked, but they must be respected and trusted to be strong and take the decisions needed.

That’s why the theme on the doorstep has been so clear. I’ve knocked on thousands of doors to talk to people across our community, and the consistent response is to talk about the two possible Prime Ministers who will chart our course and represent our nation at the negotiation table – Theresa May or Jeremy Corbyn.

Tom Tugendhat, MBE, left the British Army in July 2013 after a career in which he served on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and as the military assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff. As a Territorial Army officer he established the Armed Forces Muslim Association. He also worked for the Foreign Office. He is the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Tonbridge & Malling.

As postal votes start arriving and the focus on June 8 intensifies, many are wondering what the point of voting is.

Some have thought the election is a foregone result. That’s simply not true.

As we learnt from the US, and indeed from the Brexit referendum, elections are inherently unpredictable because they are decided by those who turn up.

Those who don’t vote, those who choose to stay silent, strengthen the voices of those who cast their ballot.

‘Others will have their own priorities, make sure yours count’ That’s why I hope you will take the chance to make your voice heard.

If you want a stable government to take us through the coming EU talks, you’ve got to vote for it. If you want a government prepared to address intergenerational challenges, you’ve got to choose it, and if you want a government that wants to promote business and drive the economy forward, you’ve got to say so.

Others will have their own priorities, make sure yours count.

As your MP for the past two years, I have done my best to make sure it does. I have spoken out against broadband providers and mobile phone companies who let us down, I have challenged the government and rail companies to improve our transport, and attacked my own party

when I thought it was wrong to raise National Insurance contributions on the self-employed because low taxes encourage employment and growth.

I have made my choice at this election to speak out for our community.

It has never been more important to have the right leadership and the choice couldn’t be starker. Please make your voice heard – vote.

SPECIAL T U O L L U P EDITION

WHERE TO GO

Upcoming events you won’t want to miss

WHERE TO EAT

Local eateries to suit all budgets and tastes

JUMP! JUMP!

We share our experience of a local trampoline park

PART ONE

SUMMER

T H E F I R S T O F A T WO - PA R T LO C A L GU I D E TO E V E RY T H I N G YO U N E E D TO K N OW FO R YO U R B E S T S U M M E R Y E T…

In association with Tunbridge Wells Together

SummerTimes

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

WELCOME With the sunny months just around the corner, Times Local Newspapers have joined forces with Royal Tunbridge Wells Together to bring you the first of a two-part guide to the ultimate family summer in Kent and Sussex.

We are lucky to live in one of the best areas for taking advantage of great weather, and there’s always something to do no matter your budget, tastes or abilities.

From eating in highly-rated restaurants to exploring jaw-dropping countryside, from a family day cycling to paddling across reservoirs, make sure you take advantage of living in counties that are practically buzzing with things to do.

So buckle-up and tuck-in to part one of Summer Times.

In association with Tunbridge Wells Together

SUMMER EVENTS

Make a splash Groombridge Place Ahoy there! Get on down to the Groombridge Place Pirates & Mermaids event this May half term and meet the naughty pirates and mystical mermaids of Groombridge lakes! They have everything from storytelling, to a Pirate sing-a-long, Mermaids crafts, bouncy castle and lots more to see and do. Weighing anchor on May 27 until June 4, from 10am – 5:30pm, this treasure trove of activities is sure to keep even the most demanding of little scallywags entertained. www.groombridgeplace.com

Hop to it

FEATURES

29

The Hop Farm

Start on a high note

This half term get ready to dust off your super suit as The Hop Farm in Paddock Wood open their amazing ‘superhero’ themed half term entertainment and children’s attractions. Heroes, crusaders and general do-gooders can expect a super fun-filled amazing Magic Show, a Krypton Disco with a super DJ and a superhero training camp where you can earn yourself a superhero certificate! All this and plenty of chances to meet some superheroes up close and personal.

With plenty of rides and inflatables to have fun on, along with their popular attractions that include indoor soft play, 4D Cinema, Driving School, Animal Farm, Magic Castle, Zorb Water Balls and Giant Jumping Pillows, you will be positively spoiled for choice! www.thehopfarm.co.uk

Following its massive success last year, Alfresco Festival is returning to heart of Kent in May for what has fast become the South East’s favourite boutique festival. Working solidly all year to provide an even bigger and better experience for festival goers, you can expect to see more stages, more entertainment and activities and a world class line up of the top underground electronic DJs and live acts. The Family Arena will be extended with a wider variety of activities to cater for festival-goers of all ages and there will be another new stage in the woods. Add to that the beautiful setting of The Lake, this magical festival site is truly unparalleled. The perfect start to a perfect summer. www.alfrescofestival.co.uk

Alfresco Festival 26 May - 28 May 2017

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FEATURES

SummerTimes

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Rent finale Assembly Hall Theatre

It’s Un-fest-believable Various Venues 26 May 2017 – 29 May 2017 TUNBRIDGE WELLS is known for having a vibrant and active music scene, but never is this more apparent than at Unfest. For one weekend at the end of May, the town comes alive with a whole host of gigs and concerts to quench the thirst of even the most avid art-lover.

Unfest acts as a music and arts fringe festival for the south east showcasing well-known and new comer artists and musicians. The Forum on Fonthill is at the heart of the action, with its sister pubs on The Pantiles – The Ragged Trousers and the Sussex Arms – acting as secondary venues. The festivities kick off on May 26 with bands like Orestea, Top Cat Collective, Joeyfat, The Bay Rays and Standard Lamps.

Stages and exhibitions can be found at The Forum, The Sussex Arms, The Royal Oak, King William IV in Pembury, and Javabean. www.unfest.org

DO NOT miss the legendary, multiaward-winning and ground-breaking rock musical RENT as it celebrates its incredible 20th anniversary.

This exhilarating landmark musical tells the thrilling story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive in New York City’s East Village in the thriving days of Bohemian excess.

Inspired by Puccini’s classic opera La Bohème, RENT features unforget-

table music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson including the much-loved songs Seasons Of Love, Take Me Or Leave Me and La Vie Bohème. Winner of four Tony® Awards, six Drama Desk Awards and the hugely prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Drama, it ran on Broadway for an astonishing 12 years.

With the final show commencing on the 27th May, rounding off a fantastic run, the last chance to catch the performance here in Tunbridge Wells will be the best way to kick off the bank holiday. www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

And all that jazz The Pantiles

JAZZ on The Pantiles is the true mark of summer and is an institution in Tunbridge Wells. Every Thursday through to Autumn, the historic Pantiles come to life with hundreds of visitors soaking up the sun and listening to the crème-de-la-crème of local talent.

The action starts from 7pm and goes till late. Grab a drink or bite to eat from the array of local pubs and restaurants, and soak up the last of the evening sun at one of the town’s most popular events.

Although the event is free, you are welcome to make a donation in support. www.thepantiles.com

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FEATURES

Advertorial Feature

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Keeping the family entertained is easy with these six top picks One of the many things to love about where we live is the access to a variety of places that are ideal for family-friendly fun. Whether you’re looking to learn, absorb culture or just enjoy the sunshine, here are just a few of the options on our doorstep…

Penshurst Place: Enjoy a summer of family fun this year at Penshurst Place, with a season overflowing with crafts, mini-beasts, falconry, music, garden storytelling, and of course the annual maize maze – to name but a few!

Visit Penshurst Place on May 28 and 29 for a close encounter of the scaly kind as The Hawking Centre visit with their Mini Beasts Roadshow! Hands on History will be visiting on Father’s Day with an epic shield formation workshop for you to get stuck into. The annual Maize Maze opens on July 15, closely followed by Summer Sundays - beginning on the 23rd and including days filled with falconry, crafts and storytelling in the gardens. Close the summer with the August Bank Holiday where the Woodland trail will be teeming with bush craft workshops, the Lime Walk fluttering with falconry and a printing press workshop with Hands on History thrown in for good measure! www.penshurstplace.com

Hever Castle: Visit Hever Castle & Gardens this summer to enjoy an entertaining programme of events and activities. The brave Knights of Royal England return to battle it out in the Jousting arena on July 15 & 16; 22 & 23; 29 & 30 and August 12 & 13; 19 & 20; 25 – 28. Throughout the summer spectators will be treated to exhilarating displays of action, stunts, falls and fights in an authentic arena complete with Royal Box. Experience Tudor life during ‘Tudor Tales’ on July 22 and 23 then head to the jousting arena to support your chosen knights as they compete for victory. Enjoy a weekend dedicated to our canine friends on August 5 and 6 at ‘Castle Canines’. With informative displays and entertainment on offer, you can also enter your four legged friend in a dog show, with rosettes for the winners.

Other attractions over the summer holidays include the ‘Knights & Princesses School’, the Water Maze, the 100-year old Yew Maze, ‘Have-a-Go’ Archery’ and boating. www.hevercastle.co.uk

Orchard Theatre:

Spa Valley Railway: Visit the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells this summer and enjoy a destination at every station!

Travel on one of their steam or heritage diesel trains through the beautiful Kent and Sussex countryside and choose to hop off at any of the stations to explore Eridge, Groombridge, High Rocks or Royal Tunbridge Wells. Joint tickets available with entry into Groombridge Place and High Rocks.

Special Railway Experiences include Driver and Signalman Experiences, Afternoon Tea, Fish & Chip Suppers, High Weald Belle Dining, Days out with Thomas, Character Visits and Santa Specials. Family events this summer also include Kids for a Quid, Postman Pat & Jess the Cat, Teddy Bear’s Day Out and the Annual Summer Steam Festival. www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk

Join the Orchard Theatre in Dartford this June [Mon 5- Sat 10] for the marvellous Out of Order.

When Richard Willey, a Government Junior Minister, plans to spend the evening with Jane Worthington (Susie Amy), one of the Opposition’s typists, in the Westminster Hotel, things go disastrously wrong beginning with the discovery of a body trapped in the hotel’s only unreliable sash window. Desperately trying to get out of an extremely sticky situation, things quickly go from bad to worse in this play designed to thrill from start to finish. This stellar company includes Shaun Williamson (EastEnders, Extras); Sue Holderness (Only Fools & Horses, Green Green Grass); Susie Amy (Footballers Wives); James Holmes (Miranda) and Arthur Bostrom (‘Allo ‘Allo!). Ray Cooney is today recognised theatrically and publicly as ‘the master of farce’ (The Telegraph) whose credits include Run for Your Wife, Funny Money and It Runs In The Family. ‘Meal Deal’ tickets are also available for the event, in which a two course meal is included. For more details and to purchase tickets visit www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

Advertorial Feature

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

KCCC: NatWest T20 Blast cricket takes place in July and August with Kent Spitfires aiming to fly to Finals Day in September. The largely home-grown squad start the campaign at The County Ground, Beckenham on Sunday July 9 (3pm) before six home games at The Spitfire Ground throughout July and August. Enjoy music, fun and freebies galore at the home of Kent Cricket with the chance to meet the squad for selfies and autographs after the action.

South Eastern Equestrian: Eridge Horse Trials and Country Market – taking place Saturday 15 & Sunday July 16 promises to be a fantastic line up of sport and attractions at the 2017 SsangYong Eridge Horse Trials & Country Market just outside Tunbridge Wells.

Competitions range from Novice to Open and local riders will be going head-to-head with top international competitors, including the likes of Olympian and former three times Badminton winner Pippa Funnell as well as many other names in the sport promising to set the scene for some great spectator action. As well as the superb range of over 50 Country Market exhibitors, public catering and mini fun fair the event includes the new Cars in the Park, on the Saturday for the classic car enthusiast. Sunday offers the very popular Dogs in the Park which will incorporate a fun dog show, dog agility, scurries and distraction alley. This year also sees falconry displays and terrier racing.

Come along with friends, family and dogs to see the thrills and spills of eventing – and more. www.eridge-horsetrials.co.uk

2017 Home Fixtures: Sun 9 Jul, 3pm v Essex Eagles Tues 18 Jul, 6.30pm v Gloucestershire Thu 27 Jul, 6.30pm v Somerset Sun 30 Jul, 3pm v Glamorgan Fri 4 Aug, 7pm v Sussex Sharks Fri 11 Aug, 7pm v Hampshire Fri 18 Aug, 7pm v Surrey Advance tickets: adults £22, under 16s £5, under 5s free: www.kentcricketshop.co.uk

FEATURES

33

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

The Times is proud to work with:

WITH THE

Available in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks

bracketts

est. 1828

All manor of things

Striking period property with additional cottage and outbuildings

36

PROPERTY

To suit your budget

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Your at-a-glance guide to WITH THE

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

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

SPRINGFIELD ROAD GROOMBRIDGE

£875,000

To feature a property or to place an advert please call: Patsy Kelly 01892 774 781

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

f facebook.com/timeslocalnews k twitter.com/timeslocalnews L timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

UNDER £250,000 QUEENS ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£215,000

A first floor, purpose-built, twobedroom maisonette. Located in the St John’s area, the property has its own external entrance and comprises a living room, fitted kitchen and bathroom as well as the two bedrooms. There is an enclosed balcony accessed via the living room

and the flat is double glazed throughout with central heating. Also included is plumbing for a washing machine. WIth regard to outdoor space, this property has its own designated garden and is also set away from the road in a more secluded setting.

CONTACT Andrews 01892 515 144 www.andrewsonline.co.uk

UNDER £350,000 CHICHESTER ROAD, TONBRIDGE GUIDE PRICE

£300,000-£325,000 A semi-detached house with two bedrooms and within walking distance of the station and high street. The property has been modernised inside but still includes feature fireplaces in the lounge, the

main bedroom and bathroom. There is a good sized kitchen with two windows and plenty of natural lighting. Upstairs, there are two double bedrooms – one of which has a storage cupboard. Outside there is a fenced, low-maintenance garden and an off-road parking space.

CONTACT Ellis & Co 01732 770077 www.ellisandco.co.uk

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

To suit your budget

PROPERTY

37

great properties by price range…

UNDER £1million SPRINGFIELD ROAD, GROOMBRIDGE

£875,000

An updated detached Victorian house set in landscaped and maintained gardens.

The paved terrace by the house includes an original deep well with lighting. To one side there is also a detached double garage with a separate door and stairs to an excellent studio room. The enclosed entrance hall has a storage cupboard and door to the pine floored sitting room with open fireplace and French doors to the garden. There is a shower/steam room with a family room and windows overlooking the gardens. The first floor has four good sized bedrooms, including a principal bedroom with en suite shower room and walk-in dressing closet.

CONTACT Hamptons International 01892 516611 www.hamptons.co.uk

UNDER £450,000 BALLARD WAY, PADDOCK WOOD GUIDE PRICE

£400,000 A well-presented property comprising an entrance hall, sitting/dining room, extended kitchen/family room and cloakroom. On the first floor there is a master bedroom suite, three further bedrooms and a family bathroom. The rear garden includes a large decking area, summerhouse, and a large shed to the side of the garden. The property also features double-glazed Georgianstyle windows. There is additionally an integral garage with electric door.

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

UNDER £600,000 WOODSIDE ROAD, TONBRIDGE

£450,000

Conveniently situated, this end-ofterrace property has accommodation over three floors and a garden. On the ground floor there is an entrance hall with wood laminate flooring which leads on to the family room/bedroom 4. There is a shower/cloakroom and utility room which opens directly on to the garden. The first floor has a sitting room with a large picture window and balcony. The kitchen is fitted throughout and leads to the separate dining room. Plus there are three bedrooms and a newly fitted bathroom.

CONTACT Barnes Kingsnorth 01732 771616 www.bkestateagents.com

UNDER £800,000 ST ANDREWS PARK ROAD, SOUTHBOROUGH OFFERS IN EXCESS OF

£625,000

A largely untouched 1930s doublefronted, four-bedroom detached home on a generous plot with ample parking.

There are both front and rear gardens, a driveway leading to a garage and further off-road parking for three vehicles. There is a lounge, dining room and kitchen/breakfast room as well as a sun room and rear lobby.

The property could be suitable for extending, subject to usual planning permission.

CONTACT Wood & Pilcher 01892 511311 www.woodandpilcher.co.uk

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Advertorial Feature

PROPERTY

Proof that a little extra goes a long way A new development is proving that good design and sustainable features are very popular with home buyers Number 80 St Johns Road was completed late last year transforming the location near Skinners School into 12 spacious flats and 2 shops. The new flats are light, generously proportioned and many have outside space. Algonquin Homes have used natural, sustainable materials throughout: oak floors, wool carpet in the bedrooms, silver marble in the bathrooms, high efficiency appliances, water saving taps and high levels of insulation. As well as parking at the rear, there is a free electric car charging space powered by solar panels, and outdoor and indoor bike racks.

Algonquin Homes Project Director Marcus Hardie says “We know that a little extra thought and time put into a good design will produce beautiful homes that people want to live in. We have invested in high quality finishes and sustainable features for the benefit of our buyers and to establish Algonquin Homes’ reputation in the long term.”

There are 4 units left which are now included in the Help To Buy scheme. Algonquin Homes are offering to pay Stamp Duty, legal fees and first year’s service charge for eligible first time buyers.

This gives a fantastic opportunity to move in for a 5% deposit of only £11,500 on a one bedroom flat.

Agents Bracketts are booking viewings this weekend for the last 1 and 2 bedroom homes.

01892 533733.

‘We know that a little extra thought and time put into a good design will produce beautiful homes’

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48

PROPERTY

The Manor House

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

AT A GLANCE THE MANOR HOUSE WEST HOATHLY, WEST SUSSEX The Manor House: n Reception hall n Drawing room n Parlour n Kitchen/breakfast room n Cloakroom n 8 bedrooms n Bathroom n Shower room n Cellar Godwin’s Cottage: n Hall n Sitting room n Kitchen n Boot room n 3 bedrooms n Bathroom n Outside WC Outbuildings, gardens and grounds: n Garaging n Outbuilding/pool house n Swimming pool n Garden n In all about 1.35 acres

Offers in excess of £1,250,000 Available for sale through Savills Haywards Heath 01444 446000 www.savills.com

Plenty of room to renovate with this Grade II listed 16th-century country manor house

The northern drawing room has a large open fireplace with cast iron backplate and oak bressemer

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Advertising

PROPERTY

55

60

PROPERTY

Bicknor Park

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

AT A GLANCE BICKNOR PARK HUCKING, KENT ■ Entrance hall ■ Billiard room ■ Drawing room ■ Dining room ■ Study ■ Kitchen/breakfast room ■ Conservatory ■ Pantry ■ Utility room ■ Larder ■ Workshop ■ Pool plant room ■ Indoor swimming pool ■ 2 cloakrooms ■ Shower room ■ Cellarage ■ Master bedroom suite with dressing room and bathroom ■ 6 further bedrooms ■ 2 bathrooms Bicknor Park Cottage: ■ Sitting room ■ Kitchen/breakfast room ■ 2 bedrooms ■ Bathroom & WC Gardens, grounds and outbuildings: ■ Beautiful gardens

An elegant Victorian country home sited in a sizeable plot

■ Fields ■ Extensive garaging ■ Barn & stabling ■ Hay store ■ Storage loft ■ In total about 17 acres

Offers in excess of £2,000,000 Available for sale from Savills Cranbrook 01580 720 161 www.savills.com

Bicknor Park is a fine example of Victorian architecture, featuring brick elevation under a slate tiled roof

SummerTimes

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

FEATURES

63

A jump above…

We bounce our way to Jump In trampoline park in Tonbridge to see just how much fun we can have…

I

magine being able to forget all about being an adult for a couple of hours. Bills, housework, that meeting you’ve got tomorrow… what if you could push them all to the back of your mind, and just focus on having fun instead?

“Sure,” I hear you say with scepticism. “As if I’m going to be able to forget all my troubles without escaping to a beach in the Caribbean.” Well, let me introduce you to somewhere a little closer to home…

Jump In is a 32,000 square foot site, filled with trampolines in Tonbridge. Kitted out with hundreds of interconnected trampolines, foam pits, dodge ball, a launch pad, a trapezium, and a designated kids’ zone, it opened last October and has been providing fun for all the family ever since.

I haven’t been on a trampoline for over 20 years, since I was humiliated on a family holiday when I fell down the gap at the side and sprained my ankle. It was painful for my pride and my ligament, and I swore not to get back on one… until now.

Now, I’m back to face my fears, and hopefully have some fun in the process.

Our session at Jump In begins with being handed some snazzy socks which are vital for our bouncing experience, and then we’re shown to a room where we watch a safety video. Once we’ve learned how not to sprain our ankles (I wish I’d known this before), or cause peril to ourselves and others, we’re released into the trampolining area to let the fun begin.

At first, I step gingerly from square to square, taking care not to knock any children over as I bounce, but within a minute or so I’m fully immersed in the Jump In experience, that I’m leaping across the room without a care in the world.

Having mastered the trampoline pads, I move on to the back of the room where there are a whole host of other exciting activities to try. First stop is the basketball nets, which I don’t master

‘All this bouncing is giving me a proper workout, unlike my usual gym classes’ quite so quickly. I’m determined to score a shot, but apparently my hand-eye co-ordination hasn’t improved in 20 years either.

Eventually, after 15 minutes of trying, I score and put down the ball to let others have a go.

By this point, I’m nicely warm, and my fitness tracker confirms that not only have I beaten my step goal for the day, but I’m also in the ‘cardio zone’ – in other words, all this bouncing is giving me a proper workout, and unlike my usual gym classes, I haven’t clock-watched once. In fact, I haven’t thought about what to cook, my workload, or the pile of ironing at home whereas I

usually spend spin classes dreaming about dinner.

Next, it’s time to try the trapeze. I watch a line of children each grabbing hold of a rope and swinging through the air before landing neatly on the giant air bag below. As my turn arrives, I grab the handle, fling myself off the ledge and land in an ungraceful heap. Tarzan, I am not, but this is fun, and I run straight back up the stairs to have another go.

All around there are people of all ages having the time of their lives. A frenzied dodgeball tournament is taking place between some enthusiastic boys, while a group of teenage girls

are relaxing in the foam pit. The parents who are accompanying their children don’t seem to mind too much either – some are sipping coffee in the café, while others are showing off their seat-dropping skills.

All too soon, it’s time to set my feet back on solid ground…but not before one last attempt on the basketball nets. I think I’ve definitely improved, but the nine year old next to me doesn’t seem so sure…

Jump In Unit 2, Morley Road Tonbridge, TN9 1RA 0845 8386 214 www.gojumpin.com

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FEATURES

SummerTimes

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

On your bike

GET ACTIVE

Bewl Water

Whether you bring your own bike or take advantage of the cycle hire facilities, seeing Bewl Water on two wheels is fitness-friendly fun for the whole family. Bikes for adults and children are available to hire along with trailers and child seats (and free helmets). Paths around the lake are fairly flat and if the kids can’t quite manage the ride, a handy Water Taxi has a bike carrier aboard. The more adventurous amongst us can get their tyres muddy on the off-road track and, although the mountain bikers won’t be scaling the sides of any actual mountains, the tracks do have gorgeous, far-reaching views. The entire track length is 12.5 miles and is open to cyclists weather permitting.

For the social cyclists, Bewl Water hosts fantastic kids’ camps to add a bit more fun and adventure to the holidays. www.bewlwater.co.uk

Set sail Bewl Water

Whether you’re a paddler or peddler, there’s a variety of options to jump aboard at the large reservoir at Bewl.

This active and family-friendly activity can be enjoyed all year round, but nothing compares to a glorious summer day.

For a light-hearted activity for the unseasoned seafarer, Pedalos and rowing boats are available from the Waterfront Jetty until the end of the summer season. Hire begins from

only £8, making it an affordable way to enjoy the great outdoors with the whole family.

For those who take their water sports more seriously, become a member of the Bewl Sailing Club. From toppers to Flying fifteens and multi hulls, Sailing Dinghies and windsurfers of all classes are welcome, but make sure you have the experience. In order to sail at Bewl Water, you are required to fill in a membership form, be competent to an RYA Level 2 standard, and have proof of insurance. www.bewlwater.co.uk

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Feeling knotty Go Ape, Bedgebury

If you feel like injecting a little adventure into your bank holiday then it might be time to harness up with Go Ape and take full advantage of the incredible woodlands that surround us. Enjoy two to three hours in the trees taking on Zip Wires, Tarzan Swings, Rope Ladders and a variety of obstacles and crossings - something for everyone on a family day out. Located on tall Scots Pines, Bedgebury runs through the lower coppiced Chestnut forest providing adventurers with an unusual perspective. This high ropes course features Stirrups and Tarzan Swing on Site 5 will test your nerves! www.goape.co.uk

Catch a break Nevill Golf Club

Described on TripAdvisor as ‘a golfer’s paradise’ Tunbridge Wells is something of a prime destination for the avid golfer. The 18-hole Nevill Golf Club is a friendly and welcoming club that was founded in 1914 and the course itself is regarded as one of the most outstanding in Sussex – often referred to as a hidden gem. Members and visitors

can enjoy extensive practice facilities, including a specialist short game area and the Pro Shop offers a well-stocked variety of golf equipment and apparel as well as expert advice and tuition. Providing a friendly atmosphere, excellent golfing facilities and a clubhouse with a very relaxing environment, the Nevill Golf Club welcome visitors and societies on a regular basis and is the perfect place to pick up a new hobby this summer. www.nevillgolfclub.co.uk

Walk this way

The Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk The Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk has 27.5 miles (44.3 km) of paths surrounding the town, with linking paths to Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre. Providing a real challenge for the keen rambler, the entire circuit can take several days if you really fancy getting to know the area, or alternatively, it can be tackled in smaller portions for a more leisurely stroll through the Kent countryside. The trail passes quite a few points of interest along the way, such as Groombridge Place Gardens and the outstanding Chagall windows at All Saints’ Church in Tudeley, acting as a good introduction to some of the sights of the Tunbridge Wells area. Rest assured, there are some refreshing and inviting inns along the way too!

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FOOD AND DRINK RAISING THE STEAKS Abergavenny Arms, Frant Only a short drive from Tunbridge Wells, in the picturesque village of Frant, lies the Abergavveny Arms. With a sweet courtyard that overlooks the spectacular surrounding countryside, this is a great spot for a family meal. The food won’t break the bank either, especially if you take advantage of the burger night every Tuesday and steak night on Thursdays. www.abergavennyarms.co.uk The Half Moon Pub

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Abergavenny Arms

BACK TO BASICS The Half Moon Pub, Hildenborough

HIDE AND SEEK The Hide Out, Tunbridge Wells

If you aren’t one for following the Gastro Pub trend, Compton Pubs are bringing back what they call a more ‘traditional’ brand. You can take aim on their brand new pool table and sit back for a good helping of Sky Sports at their Hildenborough base which is perfect for a day with the mates. Food is on offer too. The menu boasts big portions, and a packed steak and ale pie that won’t leave you wanting. www.halfmoonhildenborough.co.uk

This eatery has been around for a while, so should be no secret, but with an expertly Asian-infused menu and a fairy-lit outdoor area, The Hide Out is something to shout about. Their A La Carte Menu includes Teriyaki Beef Skewers for starters and Pan Roast Chicken stir served with stir fried teriyaki glass noodles. www.thehideout.kitchen

A BIT CRAFTY

The Pantiles Tap, Tunbridge Wells L’Amore

This joint has always been serious about beer, but now they’re equally serious about cider – just in time for summer! As proud winners of the West Kent CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year, the folks at the Pantiles Tap know what they’re talking about.

Their vast array of offerings include both local and imported brands, so they’ve yet to meet a thirst they couldn’t quench. Boasting an outside area on the historic Pantiles, this is set to be a hotspot this summer. www.thepantilestap.co.uk

WHEN THE MOON HITS YOUR EYE L’Amore at One Warwick Park, Tunbridge Wells Throw on the gladrags and grab your handbag. The restaurant, L’Amore, located in Tunbridge Wells’ boutique hotel One Warwick Park, has refreshed their menu to suit the rising temperatures. Their light bites and early evening menus in particular have been peppered with ideal summer offerings – crushed avocado, smoked salmon, crab, asparagus, mozzarella and tomato. Let the mouths water! www.onewarwickpark.co.uk

IT’S IN THE JEANS Jeans Bar, Tunbridge Wells Jeans Bar is the newest edition to the ever-growing bustle of St John’s road. The main appeal would be for some is it the cocktail bar is over 25s only, but if you have children in tow, then there’s a tasty burger joint downstairs that serves a menu reminisce of southern American cuisine. Having just opened their expansive outdoors area, this is the perfect place to catch some rays – and some drinks! info@jeansbarandkitchen.co.uk The Hide Out

Pantiles Tap

Jeans Bar

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Tonbridge Food & Drink Festival

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Fire up your taste buds to sample this year’s fabulous Tonbridge Food and Drink Festival FAYRE AT THE CASTLE Thousands visited last year’s festival

By Murray Jones

S

ITUATED in the town’s roasted coffee, specialist teas and beautiful Castle Grounds everything in between from local overlooking the picturesque producers.

River Medway, there Meanwhile you can take a trip couldn’t be a better setting around the world in the Street Food for tempting the Café and dive into taste buds and their hot food stalls, tantalising the including English, palate this bank European, Asian holiday weekend. and New World An essential speciality dishes. event for any And while you tuck epicurean, the in you can be Tonbridge Food assured that you are and Drink Festival getting value for returns on money as there will Saturday [May be a cap of £4 on all 27-28, from taster menus – 11am-6pm] after meaning you can last year’s roaring sample a range of ‘You can sample food without success which saw over 7,000 people breaking the bank. a range of food experience a The highest of without breaking quality delicious range of is guaranteed the bank’ delicacies proas the event is duced in Kent and organised by the all around the world. team behind Tonbridge Farmers’ This year more than 50 stallholdMarket, proud winners of the ers will be offering their specialiprestigious 2017 Taste of Kent ties for anyone to try, taste and buy. Market of the Year Award.

Discover exquisite cheeses, And the team have put together breads, cakes, fudges plus locally fun activities for all the family; so

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Tonbridge Food & Drink Festival

while Mum & Dad share a cheese platter, the youngsters can get stuck in at the Children’s Stage.

Your mini-Picasso can show off their artistic talents on the Drawing Wall, while the bravest can take part in the ‘Disgusting Food Challenge’ to see who can withstand the more extreme tastes of the natural world.

It won’t just be your waistline expanding over the weekend, as there will be extra helpings of specialist knowledge on offer with a varied programme of live demonstrations from local chefs and producers, including the best of Kent’s young cooks, who will be solely using products available at the festival.

As they share their gastronomic ORGANISER Howard Porter

secrets, you’ll be able to pick up a few tips to take home, giving you the confidence to try that new cuisine you’ve never had the courage to take on. Or perhaps you’ll discover a new marvellous meal that you’ve never even heard of before.

Either way you’ll be able to pick up everything you need to foray through newfound frontiers of food in the Castle Grounds this weekend.

Of course, ingesting all this food is thirsty work but fortunately you’ll be able to make a pit stop (or two) at the festival’s beer and cider tents.

With over 30 local brews available, you’ll be able to try the best beer and cider that the Weald of Kent and Tonbridge has to offer.

“We are all really excited about this, our second Tonbridge Food and Drink Festival. The town is now on the map as a food and drink destination and events like this really help to raise our profile. Our focus is on local food but we also have regional and national food too so there will be something for everybody. We got off to a good start last year but we are looking forward to seeing even more people this year.”

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Indian

heaven Offering the chance to experience ‘our little bit of India in Kent’, Sukoo Sukoo promise to deliver authentic home cooked dishes, using fresh ingredients and spices.

Their menu boasts a variety of delights but the Paneer Paratha [Indian flatbread with chilli cottage cheese] is certainly a standout.

GOOD MOOD FOOD: It’s all smiles at Sukoo Sukoo

Some fine local wine…

This year’s sponsor of the bar area is Redhill Farm and the Kent-based vineyard will have five of their still and sparkling wines on offer.

Based in Wateringbury, their 20 acre vineyard grows seven types of grapes from French, German and Swiss origins totalling more than 27,000 vines spread over 32 kilometres of rows.

Their sustainable crafting of the juice into wines expresses the unique characteristics of each grape, echoing the soil in which they were grown.

And if that isn’t enough to tempt you for a taste, Redhill are also offering a free bottle of wine with every purchase.

VINE LINE Redhill Farm will be offering tasters

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SIMPLY THE BEST: ALL THE FOOD PRODUCERS AT THE SHOW Want to preview some of the suppliers before you delve into the delightful delicacies on offer? Then check out the full list of local food producers below: Ritoweg Farm Ltd Capo Caccia Fine Food Stan & Mill’s Artisan Fudges Olives R Good 4 U Martello Cakes Up The Garden Le Berger Cheeses Andaluz Trading Ltd

Icing on the cake…

They may be a small family run business but there is nothing miniature about this baker’s ambition and imagination.

Based in Tonbridge, Cakes Unlimited UK specialise in making unique and exclusive handmade cakes for those special occasions.

They also offer courses, children’s parties and workshops so make sure you check out their stall to find out more about their craft.

ROYAL PUDDING Prince Charles cuts one of the Tonbridge’s baker’s cakes, at the Confederation of Service Charities 30th Anniversary event at St James Palace

Green Door Deli The Chocolate Hut Stour Valley Game Bean Smitten Great Preservations Kentish Pieman Refined Baklava

The Bakehouse at 124 McCarthy`s Country Stores Ragini’s Mauritian Curry Powder The Cherry Berry Co Hall Place Farms Romney Marsh Wools Ltd. Enzo’s Bakery Jo’s Cakes Kent Fine Foods Simply Ice Cream Cakes Unlimited UK Kent Wildlife Trust The Sociable Wine Co Dudda’s Tun Ltd Kent Collection Cafe Gabriella Real Thai Pranee Dore Sunisa’s Little Brittany Waffle Lollies Sukoo Sukoo

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Food & Drink

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

English wines are enjoying a grape success This Saturday sees the launch of English Wine Week. Eileen Leahy examines why our homegrown grapes – especially here in Kent – have gone from being ridiculed to revered, and raises a toast to the best producers in the area IN THE 1970ss and 80s, if you’d offered a glass of English wine to guests at a dinner party they would more than likely have politely declined. It’s fair to say that up until around 15 years ago our indigenous viticultural offerings were deemed rather insipid and inferior to their French, Italian and New World counterparts.

Fast forward a few decades, and now the UK wine industry couldn’t be in a more buoyant place. In the last ten years grape growing acreage has soared by a whopping 135 per cent, and some of our esteemed producers have even beaten Champagne makers in prestigious industry awards ceremonies.

Only last year, Nyetimber was favoured by a group of French judges in a blind tasting in Paris, with many of them convinced it was a classic Champagne and not a sparkling wine from West Sussex.

So what happened? Well, it would seem that English producers – after a number of years of trial and error – have learned how best to grow grapes

on our favourable chalky, clay soil that’s not too dissimilar to the nearby French terroir.

Richard Balfour-Lynne, from Hush Heath, admits that it has taken years to develop their award-winning wines, and much experimentation, too: “We started with no experience,” Richard revealed to me recently.

“We have all learnt along the way. It’s only in the last couple of years that English wine has become popular and talked about – or recognised as being something worth trying. We’re still very much in our infancy and it will take many years to develop further, but there now seems to be interest in English wines, not just here but from abroad, too.”

Hush Heath, which is based in Staplehurst, also offers its wine tasting fans a variety of gourmet foods to enjoy either pre or post-tasting at its pubs The Goudhurst Inn and The Tickled Trout in West Farleigh (pictured).

According to experts at English Wine Producers, the UK’s wine industry looks set to further continue its ‘impressive growth’ with the news that a

record-breaking one million new vines will be planted here over the rest of the year. This, they report, is in ‘recognition of the increasing importance and popularity of UK wine’.

So, to toast the upcoming English Wine Week, which begins this Saturday (May 27), why not visit one of our many local vineyards and sample for yourself their quality tipples all home-grown for your enjoyment? Here’s our pick of the best: CHAPEL DOWN This vineyard near Tenterden produces over 1 million bottles of red, white, rosé and sparkling wines a year from its 100 acres of vineyards.

Despite only starting in business 15 years ago,

Chapel Down is now considered one of the market leaders on the English wine scene. Main grape varieties include Bacchus, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Their Kit’s Coty Chardonnay is a perfect blend of creamy character with shots of fresh apple aromas. (£19.99 www.chapeldown.com) GUSBOURNE Gusbourne Estate is located in Appledore, near Ashford, and dates back to 1410. It started planting vines in 2004 and has now mushroomed to seven different sites in Kent and West Sussex.

In 2010, the debut vintages of Gusbourne Brut Reserve 2006 and Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2006 were released to critical acclaim. In 2015,

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they were awarded six gold medals for their prestigious sparkling wines, which also include a rosé which is a delicate pink fizz with subtle red fruit flavours and hints of herbs. (£37.99 www.gusbourne.com BIDDENDEN The first vines at Biddenden were planted in 1969 on what was originally an apple orchard. Known as Kent’s ‘original commercial vineyard’, this family-run enterprise is now in the hands of the second and third generations of the

Barnes family, who manage the estate. They now boast 11 different grape varieties and produce over 80,000 bottles of red, white, rosé and sparkling wines every year. They also produce a range of ciders and juices. Almost half of the vineyard is given over to the Ortega grape, which boasts fresh zingy notes of crisp apple, freshly cut grass and grapefruit.

Perfect for summer sipping. (£10.80 www. biddendenvineyards.com)

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A VINE TIME FOR ENGLISH WINES

HUSH HEATH Located in Staplehurst, the Hush Heath estate stretches to some 400 acres, with 37 of these dedicated to the classic Champagne grape varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Hush Heath has been producing wine since 2001 – most notably its award-winning Balfour Rosé sparkling wine, which is served in first class on British Airways and on the Orient Express to Venice. It now produces a range of other wines, ciders and juices, but its original pink sparkler with its subtle blend of berries and spice remains its flagship fizz. (£35.99 www.hushheath.com)

■ One million vines are set to be planted in the UK this year – the largest number ever planted in a single year in the UK ■ In the last ten years, the acreage planted with grapevines has grown by an astonishing 135 per cent ■ Since 2000, acreage has nearly tripled. This means wine production is one of the fastestgrowing agricultural sectors in the UK ■ This year’s vine planting will yield another 2 million bottles of mainly sparkling wine, adding an estimated £50m to the industry ■ These vines will fill an estimated 625 acres – the equivalent of planting up the whole of London’s Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens combined ■ There are 502 vineyards and 133 wineries in the UK, and the average size is 4 hectares ■ The last annual production figure (published in 2015) stated that 5.06 million bottles of wine were produced in the UK Information courtesy of English Wine Producers (www.englishwine producers.co.uk)

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Gardening

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Under the Chelsea spotlight The pinnacle of the horticultural world is back in London for it’s 155th year. It is the Mecca for the green-fingered, and having displays amongst some of the greatest in the world remains a great privilege. Steve Clark and the team at Chilstone are regular participants in the Chelsea Flower Show, but this year is set to be the most significant yet…

By Hannah Patterson It has been a long road for Steve Clark and his team in the run-up to the 2017 RHS Chelsea Flower show. The process of simply applying to participate is daunting – you are not automatically entered, you are invited, ensuring only the very best of the horticultural world is on display. But once you’re in, the pressure is on.

‘The statue is a depiction of the fabled seduction of Leda by Zeus disguised as a swan, which resulted in the conception of the legendary Helen of Troy’ The exposure companies have access to at the show is unparalleled. During the six days, 165,000 visitors will explore the gardens, along with over 500 accredited journalists from across the globe.

The BBC runs 13 hours of primetime coverage and the show has a global reach of 2.5 billion people.

It may seem like a daunting prospect, but when disguised as a swan, which resulted in the I spoke to Steve four days before his display was conception of legendary Helen of Troy. due to open, he was impressively calm. This is The statue is a sleek expression of perhaps to be expected of a seasoned exhibitor equal beauty between Zeus in at the show. swan-form and Leda’s femininity.

“Our customers like to see us at Chelsea, and It is a story that has often been the show confirms our status as a global brand depicted through art, but the that produces high quality, design by Admir Sljivi, inspired hand-made garden ornaments by a statue in the famous and architectural stone from grounds of Hever our premises in Langton Castle, is unique to Green,” he said. the genre.

This year is particularly “We started significant for Chilstone, planning this project as one of their back in June last year. sculptures was a “We have finalist for the collaborated all-important with Ali Product of Dempster, CEO of the Year.

Sandstone Garden It’s of Leda and the Swan – a depiction of the fabled PROUD COLLABORATORS seduction of (l-r) Ali Dempster and Steve Clark Leda by Zeus

STUNNING STATUE Leda and the Swan

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Design & Landscaping. We have worked with Ali on several projects in Tunbridge Wells. He came up with a design to showcase some of our signature garden ornaments, exclusive to Chilstone, such as the Kew fountain that forms the centrepiece of the stand.

“Many of my team have been involved. In particular, two of our experienced workshop staff Andrew Sands and Kevin Richardson have just

LOCAL LABOUR OF LOVE Chilstone’s stand at the Chelsea Flower Show

completed three 15-hour days at the show. They installed all of our stonework in less time than we expected and did an incredible job, so much so we gave them an extra day off.”

The project has been a collaboration with several local companies, including the awardwinning How Green Nursery at Hever Castle, who have grown and supplied all the plants. The rustic Terrabase pathway is the handiwork of

Addagrip, and Roundwood in Mayfield provided all of the oak for the studio that Ali designed for his new company, Only-One. This stand truly is a showcase of local talent.

The contemporary sculpture that is a finalist for Product of the Year is of particular note.

The sculpture has been handcrafted out of a Cornish marble resin mix, a material that is new to Chilstone’s range, and the work itself is

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distinctly different to their tradional stonework.

“We are excited to unveil it at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show,” Steve said. “Our talented in-house mould makers and craftsmen have produced this stunning piece of art to show the versatility of Chilstone in a completely new way, and we are extremely proud to be finalists for the RHS Product of the Year. It’s such a honoured recognition, especially as there 350 exhibitors at the show.”

The winner was judged on Sunday by selected industry experts, alongside Deborah Meaden from Dragons’ Den, Chris Harrop and Peter Seabrook, and Chilstone was named runner-up.

The statue was unveiled on Monday by ITV’s Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins, who is a patron for ellenor children’s hospice, a Kent-based charity Chilstone are proud to support.

The central fountain piece of their display is acting as a wishing pool for ellenor, with all money being donated to the charity once the show has finished.

The classic Kew fountain will operate with recycled rainwater collected from the living Sedum roof of Ali Dempster’s specially designed garden studio, demonstrating how water usage can be economised as an alternative to running the fountain from mains water.

Chilstone collaborated with RHS Hampton Court Medal winner Ali Dempster to create a compact, but elegant garden trade stand to display the beauty and versatility of the stonework.

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Travel

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Delving into reborn Derry Northern Ireland’s second largest city has been transformed into a fun-loving place that still offers plenty of historic interest. Michael McHugh recommends the things to see and do

GO IN PEACE Londonderry’s Peace Bridge at night

M

Y GREYING rocker guide, Garbhan, does an impromptu wiggle as he proudly talks about Londonderry’s (or Derry for short) musical past.

The Undertones, a band made famous by the late BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, hailed from the city in Northern Ireland.

Their memory lives on as Garbhan performs an uninhibited and slightly off-balance half-kick in homage to the band’s signature 1978 punk song, Teenage Kicks.

It’s a serious case of dad dancing, but his merry, unabashed performance seems to sum up a city now at ease with itself.

Garbhan is on first-name terms with every passer-by as we stroll along a walkway on top of Derry’s 17th-century walls.

This is the only completely walled Irish city, originally built as a defence for settlers from England and Scotland.

It’s true that Derry has suffered a turbulent past. The longest siege in British military history took place here in 1689, when 30,000 Protestants held the city against English Catholic King, James II. I count my blessings when, later that day, I visit the Siege Museum and discover only dogs heads, rats and mice were on the menu for those brave souls who refused to surrender.

The city also played a prominent role during the Troubles, and it’s widely believed the Northern

Ireland conflict (which lasted from the late 1960s until the 1990s) started here.

Just outside the ramparts, I stroll through the republican Bogside district and the People’s Gallery, where peacetime murals reflect on this period and depict civil rights protests.

But now Derry’s face is turned firmly to the future, and having fun is the order of the day.

Sampling an exhilarating sport imported from Hawaii, I whizz along the River Foyle through a network of parks and paths on a longboard (a longer version of a skateboard).

My route finishes at the Walled City Brewery, and the weather feels distinctly Hawaiian as I stop for full-bodied craft stout and comfort food served al fresco.

Sitting in the sunshine, I contemplate how far Derry has come. Peace has replaced conflict, and the historic walls have been transformed from a noose to a necklace, decorated with plenty of dazzling jewels worth visiting.

WHERE TO STAY

 Bishops Gate Hotel Frequented by WB Yeats and Winston Churchill, the Northern Countries Club has been transformed into a hotel that opened last year. Original features include a revolving entrance door, the Edwardian-style Hervey Library and a 17th-century well. Try the Irish whiskey and fruit porridge for breakfast – it comes with its own

mini-shot of the hard stuff.

Double rooms from £129 with breakfast. Visit www. bishopsgatehotelderry.com

WHAT TO DO

‘Sitting in the sunshine, I contemplate how far Derry has come. Peace has replaced conflict, and the historic walls have been transformed from a noose to a necklace decorated with plenty of dazzling jewels worth visiting’

 Walled City Tour Martin McCrossan Tours organises a guided walk along the mile-long city walls. Visit the Roaring Meg cannon in the Double Bastion in the western corner, and head to ‘the catwalk’ – where 19th-century gentry once paraded in their finery.

The Bogside murals painted after the 1994 paramilitary ceasefires are also clearly visible from here.

Tours run four times daily and cost £4, including tea or coffee.

Visit derrycitytours.com

 Boom Board Tours Longboarding first started in Hawaii. When the ocean was flat, frustrated surfers took to the streets on boards with wheels.

Now it’s a popular sport worldwide and is used as an alternative way of sightseeing in Derry.

The two-hour tour starts with a lesson in St Columb’s Park, then takes in the historic streets of Derry as well as the former army barracks in Ebrington Square.

It ends at the Walled City Brewery for refreshments.

Tours cost from £25.

Visit www.farandwild.org/ tours/boom-boards

WHAT TO SEE

 The Museum of Free Derry This new museum is located on the site of the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, where soldiers shot dead 13 innocent civil rights protesters. The blood-stained handkerchief waved by a priest who led the victims to safety is on display, along with the torn jacket of one of those injured.

Watch the audiovisual display on a public inquiry into the Bloody Sunday slaughter – it features emotive footage of the dead men’s relatives declaring their loved ones have finally been proved innocent.

Entry costs £3 for adults and £2 for children. Visit www.museumoffreederry.org

HISTORIC Walking on the City Walls

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AGE-OLD DEFENCE The Londonderry City Walls

 St Columb’s Cathedral The Gothic Anglican Cathedral was built in the 1600s and is a major landmark on the city skyline. It has displays of artefacts from the Siege and a fine collection of silver Communion plates. The church is dedicated to St Columba (Columb), the Ulster monk who established a Christian settlement here in the sixth century.

Free tours are available, but need to be arranged in advance by emailing: stcolumbs@ic24.net. Visit www.stcolumbscathedral.org

WHERE TO DRINK

The Walled City Brewery This gastro pub is located in the corner of the former Ebrington Barracks used by soldiers during the Troubles. The plush new premises includes a feature wall of crushed brown beer bottles (minus any sharp edges) and the company is 

fermenting a special brew using a recipe from 1689, the year of the Siege, which will be ready in August.

Beers from £3.90. Visit www.walledcitybrewery.com

WHERE TO EAT

 Brown’s Restaurant

Try the six-course tasting menu (£75, including five glasses of wine) at this fine-dining restaurant in Derry’s Waterside district on the east side of the River Foyle. The ambience is friendly and the decor understated, with a cosy snug for pre-dinner drinks. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.

The Three-course set menu is £22.95.

Visit www.brownsrestaurant.com

ON A ROLL Taking a tour on a skateboard REACHING OUT A pair of bronze statues can be found at the west end of Craigavon Bridge in Derry. The sculpture is entitled ‘Hands Across the Divide’ and was produced by Maurice Harron.

TRAVEL FACTS  Michael McHugh was a guest of bmi and Tourism Ireland. bmi regional has launched a service from London Stansted to Derry, offering double daily flights except for Saturdays (when there is one flight each way).

Fares from £44 one way.

All bmi regional fares are inclusive of 23kg hold luggage, complimentary drinks and snacks on board, allocated seating and speedy 30-minute check-ins. visit www.flybmi.com

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Wedding

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Dating app leads to a proposal When Rebekah Gibbs arranged to meet Nick Baldock for a first date of a ‘few drinks’, it led to five hours of non-stop laughter. Eventually, she realised she had found ‘the one’. When he proposed, it was a short leap to planning her dream wedding in a village she loved in childhood – Chiddingstone How did you and your husband meet?

We swiped right! Like a lot of couples now, we met on Tinder, and once we ‘connected’, we began messaging, and quickly realised we had a lot in common.

After a few days of constant messaging, I took the plunge and asked Nick to meet me for a date – at The Black Boy pub in Sevenoaks.

I didn’t have expectations before we met, but to my surprise our ‘few drinks’ turned into dinner and five hours of non-stop talking and laughing.

Within a month we were official, and I haven’t looked back since. I knew I’d found the one.

Tell us about the proposal My parents live in Dubai, so it’s a very special place to me. Nick knew this and so he had secretly planned to propose to me on our first trip out there as a couple.

He liaised with my parents as his own knowledge of Dubai was limited, and between them they did a wonderful job in arranging the most romantic proposal I could have imagined.

On the night, a taxi pulled up to take us to my favourite bar there, The Vault, located on the 71st and 72nd floors of the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel.

It is truly beautiful. When we stepped out of the lift I realised Nick had hired the whole top floor just for us! We were seated in an alcove with panoramic views of Dubai with rose petals on the floor in a large heart shape, and bottle of bubbly on ice.

Nick got down on one knee and delivered a speech which ended in the question – of course I said yes!

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

We went for a church wedding as my faith is important to me and I’d always wanted a traditional service.

We chose St Mary’s Church

in Chiddingstone because of my family connections there – my great uncle and nan used to run the Chiddingstone Post Office and Tea Shop, so I spent a lot of time visiting them there with my sister and ‘helping’ out in the shop.

Sadly, my nan passed away a few years ago now and her being buried in Chiddingstone makes it even more special to me.

We were originally interested in High Rocks for the reception as we didn’t want anywhere too far away from the church for our guests. Luckily, as soon as we were shown the room where our wedding breakfast would be, we just knew it felt right. It had the feelgood factor we knew we wanted for our family and friends.

The setting at High Rocks is stunning, with

beautiful photo opportunities for a memorable day. It just felt perfect.

How did you start your married life together?

If you went on honeymoon, where did you go?

It started very well! The day after the wedding we boarded the first flight of our honeymoon. We had booked a three-week break and travelled to Singapore, Bali and Dubai. It was incredible and over far too quickly!

Tell us about your big day and some of its key highlights It was incredible from the beginning to the end.

A real highlight for me was the ceremony itself and our exchanging of vows. It was so emotional

and it meant so much to each of us.

Another highlight was a surprise singing group my mum arranged for us! Called Baubles & Waubles, they sang a selection of songs to the congregation – from ‘Oh Happy Days’ to ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’.

The speeches were great as well – my dad had a speech complete with PowerPoint and my mum wrote a gorgeous poem about Nick and I that everyone loved! Nick delivered a really thoughtful speech and our best man had everyone laughing.

Last but not least, our first dance was a real memory. We had secretly learnt a routine to Dirty Dancing’s ‘I’ve Had the Time of my Life’.

I think that was more nerve-wracking for Nick than the speech!

PHOTOS: WWW.PARKERSHOTS.COM

Wedding

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

in the clouds…

FEATURES

79

REBEKAH’S TOP WEDDING TIPS

1

Think carefully about your budget! Set guidelines regarding how much you are willing to spend on everything – from the wedding dress to the organist. This will help you throughout the wedding planning process and provide you with a reference and guide on how much you are looking to spend on your wedding.

2

Create a mood board. Nick and I thought about the main themes of our wedding day, which really helps to plan and choose what you want. We kept the words traditional, elegant and classic and the forefront of our planning.

3 Tell us briefly about some of your key suppliers and brands, and how they helped to make the day special We booked Nick Parker, Parkershots, as our photographer, and from the day we met with him we were really impressed with his professionalism, organisation and ability to take incredible photos.

We knew we needed to book him straight away.

Similarly, Anneka Ireland was so subtle and natural when it came to filming our guests. We recently saw the footage properly and couldn’t have been more pleased at the way in which she had captured the day.

Our florist, Lisa from Flowers & Sparkles, based in Sevenoaks, did such a good job ensuring that our flowers were as we required, and her years of experience in floristry was evident .

‘For our first dance we had secretly learnt a routine to Dirty Dancing’s I’ve Had the Time of my Life.

I think that was more nervewracking for Nick than the speech!’

They were really beautiful on the day.

We booked our wedding cake with a lady called Sharon Lord, based in Westerham.

Sharon has years of experience as well, and the cake was spectacular – classic and elegant in just the way I imagined!

Finally, the Austin Princess limousines we hired from Premier Carriage were brilliant.

It was so lovely being driven around them, especially when so many people slowed down to wave at me and my dad on the way to the church!

Our suppliers were the key to the success of the day, and I honestly can’t recommend those mentioned above enough.

Look at a wide range of suppliers before making a decision about who you would like to use. We looked online for suppliers for the venue, wedding cake, photographer, videographer, etc, before arranging to meet with a few and then make our decision. It’s so important to choose suppliers you trust to make your day perfect!

4

Be organised! Plan ahead and make use of spreadsheets to keep track of everything. Often suppliers and venues get booked up in advance so the earlier you make bookings, the better.

5

Enjoy the whole process! Make the most of wedding fairs (I definitely recommend the wedding fair in Brands Hatch Hotel) and enjoy choosing your dress by taking your bridesmaids along, etc. Wedding planning can be stressful, so try to have as much fun with it as you can.

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FEATURES

Advertising

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Motoring Advertising Feature

WITH THE

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

FEATURES

81

THE TOWN’S TOP MOTORING GUIDE FROM E V E R Y D AY D R I V E S T O LU XU RY SU P E R C A R S

FIRST DRIVE

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

ALFA ROMEO’S newest model is also its first ever sports utility vehicle (SUV), so the racy Italian brand needed to come up with an all-new name.

It chose Stelvio, after an Italian mountain pass, an epic 20-kilometre driving route with more than 75 hairpins – and surely a hint of what Alfa and its fans expect of the newcomer: Slick handling and robustness in tougher conditions.

‘The Stelvio should offer a good balance of prestige and value’

SLICK, EASY ON THE EYE BUT STILL PRACTICAL Alfa’s first sports utility vehicle

Sales of SUVs and closely related crossovers are booming but, usually being on the tall side, they tend to lean on bends unless the suspension is constrained to the point where a bone-crunching ride is guaranteed.

But the Stelvio is built on the same rear-driven platform as Alfa’s beautiful Giulia sports saloon, which blends handling and passenger appeal well.

For an SUV, the newcomer is also easy on the eye yet still practical; the 525-litre boot has no fewer than

eight different configurations.

Available in three trim levels – Stelvio, Super and Tecnica – it will sell initially with four-cylinder 280hp 2.0-litre petrol turbo or 210hp 2.2-litre diesel power, both combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Alfa’s Q4 all-wheel drive.

With prices likely to start at around £33,000, the Stelvio should offer a good balance of prestige and value.

Even the entry level Stelvio trim comes with 17-inch alloys, 8.8-inch Alfa Connect touchscreen, Alfa’s renowned DNA driving mode selector, eight-speaker sound system, many safety systems including pedestrian detection, as well as parking sensors, cruise control and electric tailgate.

Clearly in search of company car market volume for both model and brand, Alfa Romeo has aimed the exclusively diesel Tecnica trim at that sector – one that’s fuelling the SUV boom.

Keen advance interest in the Stelvio may also justify the brand’s decision not to proceed with an estate version of the Guilia, which might have cannibalised sales of its SUV debutante.

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Life & Style

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

PHIL SPENCER ANNOUNCES TOP AGENTS IN THE UK

LOCAL ACTOR, MICHAEL FENTON STEVENS SUPPORTS KENT BASED BUSINESS

Local Independent Estate Agent, LeGrys, has won a prestigious national award for its outstanding customer service, voted for exclusively by clients. LeGrys achieved Silver for the Kent Region.

The award was announced by Phil Spencer, the TV property expert at a lavish luncheon and ceremony at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane London. The event was attended by 1,000 of the UK’s top property professionals.

The awards, celebrating their 14th year, determine the best estate and letting agents in the UK based purely on feedback from customers who are asked a series of questions about the service they have received from their agent. Over 34,000 surveys were completed by customers during the competition.

LeGrys Estate Agent has three branches in the South East with a fourth opening in St Johns in July. This new award was granted in recognition of the high level of customer service provided by the Southborough branch. A team of eleven property professionals assist vendors and buyers. A member of staff always accompanies viewers and the branch is open seven days a week (over the past year more properties were sold on a Sunday than on a Monday and Tuesday combined). Last year the Southborough agency doubled in size and moved premises to offices opposite the local Tesco Express store.

Owner and Founder of LeGrys Estate Agent, William LeGrys, said: “We are delighted to win recognition for the work we do to ensure all of our clients receive excellent service. The fact that our clients rated us so highly means a lot to the team. The moving process can be a stressful time and we pride ourselves on helping to make it smoother for all.”

Phil Spencer, who has hosted the ESTAS every year since their inception in 2003 said “This industry doesn’t get enough credit for the work it does in helping millions of customers around the UK and making their dreams come true and at The ESTAS we want to highlight that fact.”

Addressing the audience he added “if you make it up on stage today you can leave in the knowledge that you’ve achieved the highest accolade our industry can offer.”

Estate and letting agents were recognised in 23 regions around the UK. Simon Brown Founder of The ESTAS said “Like it not we live in a world where the consumer decision making process is influenced more and more by customer reviews so The ESTAS provides a kite mark of excellent service for any property professional involved in the home moving process.”

www.legrys.com

Local landscape and outdoor living supply business, Small Loads, have just completed a re-brand, which has seen the new name of Corker unveiled. Based near Paddock Wood the local family business was set up over 16 years ago by Mick and Alice Corkery.

PROVIDING CARE WHEN NEEDED MOST BDHL, (est. 1995) a niche healthcare insurance broker in the heart of Tunbridge Wells provides an impartial, bespoke, friendly and knowledgeable service to private and commercial clients.

The company works with all the leading health and risk insurance companies providing an extensive range of cover in the following areas: Private Medical Insurance, Group Income Protection, Group Life, Group Critical Illness, Corporate Health and Wellbeing, Cash Plans, Employee Assistance Programmes, Dental, Travel and International Medical Insurance.

In 2015 BDHL launched a dedicated International Health Insurance sector, BD Global Medical focusing on employee benefits within the global marketplace. The Company’s expertise is not limited to private and commercial clients, but extends to specific industries including aviation, marine, oil and gas.

The move to Royal Tunbridge Wells in March of this year has been part of BDHL’s business strategy, growth and development plan.

BDHL’s engagement within the local business community will spring board with a calendar of interesting and informative seminars covering hot topics from absenteeism, stress management, mental health in the workplace and managing employee work-life balance issues.

BDHL remains true to its core values as a business, co. director; Caroline Weiss-Jones stated: ‘As a business, BDHL will continue to strive at what we do best – deliver a first-class service. I believe that as a small business, we have a distinct advantage over the larger corporations when it comes to innovation, client relations, speed and efficiency. We always remain close to our customers, understand their needs and can respond speedily. Our ethos is to look past the obvious and do what our competitors haven’t done’.

Berwick Devoil Healthcare Ltd, 17 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8AE. FREE advice & appointments. Call +44(0)1892 891900. or email enquiries@bdhl.co.uk. www.bdhl.co.uk Berwick Devoil Healthcare Limited is authorised and regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Reg. No. 304127 and Jersey Financial Services Commission Reg. No. 0012.

2017 has been an exciting year for the Corkery family with the launch of their re-brand and dramatic development of their brand new 3-acre site, situated on the A228 near Paddock Wood. The site has been transformed upon completion of 10 inspiring show gardens, allowing the public to wander through and gain ideas and inspiration. All products are also available on site so you can shop all the ingredients for your dream garden.

Corker has appointed Cheeky Communications, a local creative advertising agency based in Tunbridge Wells to assist with all of their creative and marketing activity. For radio production, Cheeky utilized local production company, Pass the Peas Music with a voiceover from actor Michael Fenton Stevens.

Tunbridge Wells based, Michael boasts more than 30 years experience within the acting industry. Previous work has seen involvement in a wide range of film, stage and television products including Benidorm, My Family and Yes, Prime Minister to name a few. Michael was thrilled to assist local company, Corker, and if you haven’t yet heard the advert make sure you tune into KMFM before the end of the month to catch it.

Corker is situated on the A228 near Paddock Wood and the Corker site and show gardens are open Monday-Saturday with Sunday appointments available on request. You can also shop online at www.corker.co.uk or call the team on 01892 833 325.

Puzzles

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

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

6 2 4 2 4

6 7 4 3 7

8

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Codeword:

1

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

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GO N R E Y R E A F R

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

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

Puzzle solutions will be published in next week’s paper

L F C L U B J A A F O R M S R B R A E D I L N Y I N G S N C R M U P R A S K I N T R A B E L E T S M I S

WA M M A Z V E 6 2 3 8 9 7 5 1 4

4 8 5 1 6 2 3 7 9

T H R E I T R

E GO A I R E D D E R I N O E X I CO U U S

G T N T

Jigsaw Sudoku:

Sudoku:

1 9 7 3 5 4 8 6 2

L A Q U N A D R A Y

9 6 4 7 3 5 1 2 8

3 7 2 4 8 1 6 9 5

8 5 1 6 2 9 7 4 3

2 3 6 9 7 8 4 5 1

5 1 8 2 4 6 9 3 7

7 4 9 5 1 3 2 8 6

8 7 1 6 4 2 9 5 3

4 2 3 5 9 7 6 1 8

5 9 6 8 2 4 1 3 7

7 3 5 1 6 9 8 4 2

1 4 8 3 7 5 2 6 9

2 6 9 4 1 8 3 7 5

6 1 2 9 5 3 7 8 4

3 5 7 2 8 6 4 9 1

9 8 4 7 3 1 5 2 6

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

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DIFFICULTY RATING: ★★II

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© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

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© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

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SOLUTIONS (FROM LAST WEEK)

SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU

DIFFICULTY RATING: ★★★★

CODEWORD

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FEATURES

Recruitment

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

NEWS

WITH THE

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

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

After just one day of the newspaper being out, our recruitment advert had received a great response from potential candidates; three of which we had at interview stage.

We will certainly use the Times of Tunbridge Wells for future recruitment adverts.

John Haynes, Partner, Belvoir Tunbridge Wells

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Arts & Culture

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

FEATURES

87

Dancing back in time with the stars of Strictly Strictly Come Dancing favourites, and real life couple, Janette Manrara and Alijaz Skojanec are coming to the Assembly Hall on Tuesday May 30 with their new show Remembering Fred, an all singing, all dancing tribute to the late great Fred Astaire. Eileen Leahy spoke to Janette before they quickstep their way into Tunbridge Wells with their golden age of Hollywood show

‘We thought the best way to celebrate Fred Astaire’s life was to keep very close to his era’

So Janette, please can you tell us a little bit about your new show Remembering Fred?

It’s celebrating the life and works of Fred Astaire – but the way we do it is like a live radio show. When our guests come into the theatre the idea is they are listening to a live radio show hosted by Michael Ball.

He is the narrator and in between our dances he will ‘take calls’ from various stars including Twiggy, Don Black and Darcey Bussell who will talk about why they love Fred Astaire and what he means to them.

It sounds like so much more than a dance show then?

Yes, it’s very interactive and the audience will very much feel like they are part of a live radio broadcast. We also have a band with seven musicians and there are also singers and additional dancers who will perform alongside Alijaz and I. Where did this clever idea come from?

Well, in Fred Astaire’s time the radio was very important so we thought the best way to celebrate his life was to keep very close to his era and make it feel very genuine. It’s also a great way to tell a story and share and celebrate someone’s life without having someone play Fred Astaire.

How are you finding the touring aspect of the show?

Both Alijaz and I have always wanted to see more of the UK and do our own tour but we’d never found the right idea or approach for it. So when the producers of the show approached us with this concept we said ‘yes’ in a heartbeat as it was exactly the kind of thing we were looking for. It’s something that is truly special and different.

ALL THAT JAZZ Janette and Alijaz from Strictly Come Dancing

How long is the tour running?

We started it back in April and our last show is June 3 but we’ve already booked more dates for

2018 because we’ve had such a great reaction.

Everyone who has come to watch the show has really loved it and said they have learnt so much about Fred Astaire as well. Usually you just see him in his films but with our show you find out what he was actually like thanks to the conversations we broadcast through the radio show concept courtesy of people like the late Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse because they actually had worked with him. Then you get Darcey Bussell – a prima ballerina and of course a Strictly judge who is just an incredible artist – and her take on what Fred Astaire meant to her.

What do you love most about performing in the show?

The entire cast! The music that the band play is just incredible, they play classic tunes like Puttin’ On The Ritz and Night and Day every night so well and give all of Fred Astaire’s songs such a twist. But we love all the people we perform with – the singers and dancers are just phenomenal – and to share the stage with that calibre of performers makes Alijaz and I very happy. For him and I to share this together is really wonderful but to also share it with the wonderful cast is really special. And the other great thing is that every night feels different. There’s lots of quick changes and choreography going on back stage but we’re loving all of it.

What do you like most about touring?

The fact that Alijaz and I are getting to see so much of the UK. We’ve done the Strictly tours before but they are a lot shorter. With Remembering Fred we arrive in a new town or city every day and we’re getting to see so many beautiful parts of the country that we would not normally get to see.

Finally, what are your thoughts on the new Strictly judge Shirley Ballas who will be replacing Len Goodman?

I think she is amazing and will be an incredible addition to the judging panel. She has plenty of great credentials but it goes to say that no one can replace Len. He would always come in and give a huge energy to the show but we’re very excited to be working with Shirley.

Remembering Fred is on at the Assembly Hall on May 30 at 7.30pm. Tickets start from £19.50. To find out more visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

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Arts & Culture

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

A funky musical event with cool cultural currency for the Bank Holiday weekend Tunbridge Wells is lucky enough to be a town brimming with inspiring artistic events all year round, and this weekend sees two of the area’s most respected music festivals – Unfest and Alfresco – taking place. Carolyn Gray, a co-organiser of The Forum’s Unfest, explains how it still manages to stay current and relevant despite being around for over two decades…

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM

Event information at www.twforum.co.uk, www.facebook.com/localandlive and www.unfest.org THURSDAY Unfest Festival Pre-Launch Night: Music from 8pm till late Lullaby, Indigo Lo, Fliiis FRIDAY Unfest Festival Music from 7.30pm till late – The Bay Rays, Joeyfat, The Standard Lamps, Top Cat Collective, Orestea SATURDAY Unfest Festival Music from 1pm till late – Dave ‘Shep’ Shepherd, Vispers, Higgs & The Bosons, I am Aquitaine, Jordan Jones, Glassmaps, Kid Kapichi, Billionaire, Youth, WAX, Ladybird, Lectures, Lunar Rhythms DJ set.

SUNDAY Unfest Festival Music from 1.30pm till late – The Naming of Things, Bombay Monkey, Alex Metcalfe, Hunters Loaf, Night Without Sleep, Jelly Skin, Violence, Joeythin, Dead Ceremony, Lily & Jessie, Recent Vegan DJ set MONDAY Unfest Festival Music from 1pm till late – Frost, Amberton, Spyplane, Darcie Mountney, Kelly Bourne, Uplift, Tierz, Josh Doyle, TWUNTS, Local & Live Outdoor Stage at The Sussex Mews Courtyard (next to The Sussex Arms) UNFEST MUSIC FESTIVAL

Music from 2pm each day except Mon 29: 1.15pm start

THIS year, Unfest enters its 21st year as a free music and arts festival in Tunbridge Wells, following its small beginnings in 1996 at The Forum.

The weekend of free music promises another exciting and eclectic line up from this Friday, May 26, until Monday May 29, with several additional events happening before and after the weekend.

The launch evening at The Forum on Thursday May 25 sees London band Lullaby headline a pay-to-enter show, with donations going towards the rest of the festival, which is free. The same evening you can pop into Javabean café in the High Street for a spoken word open mic night.

Javabean is one of the many smaller venues running events alongside the main activities at The Forum and The Sussex Arms. You’ll also find music happening at The Royal Oak, The George and Pembury’s King William IV. The Forum is the official ‘Command Centre’ for the festival, and is where you can source all information and merchandise relating to Unfest.

Headlining on Friday’s opening evening are rising stars The Bay Rays, with support from Joeyfat, The Standard Lamps, Top Cat Collective and Orestea.

Over the weekend, the garden will be open with music being played inside and out, and food available from pop-up restaurant Food Comes First. The events at The Forum conclude on Monday with The Acoustic Reverb Collective and TWUNTS. The Sussex Arms and Mews are also a hive of activity. On Sunday, Big Orange Media take over the basement, while in the Mews Paul Dunton will

once again run a Local & Live Stage all weekend.

Also, for a second year running, Unfest will be setting up in the Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery on Saturday morning. So why not detour from your usual shopping trip to the Farmers’ Market and go inside for some music, spoken word and coffee. An exciting element of the morning will be a recording studio hosted by musician and keen cyclist Paul Cheese. Since the beginning of May, this particular artist has been collecting the sounds of Kent for his project The

Big Record. There is still time to join in via his website www.paulcheesemusic.com – or you can look out for him around Tunbridge Wells over the Unfest weekend.

Another exciting development for 2017 has been the launch of a special Unfest app. Tunbridge Wells-based digital products studio Really Quite Something have developed a new geo-based music feature within an app especially for the

festival. Geojuking is a sort of Geocaching for music, and allows app users to stream music based on their location during the festival. Users will be able to check-in at venues and stream the tracks that are dropped there, as well as pick up special offers provided by the venues and bands.

Although the main activities end on Bank Holiday Monday, you can still catch more music in The Sussex Arms basement on Tuesday May 30 courtesy of the Sea Pinks. Putting on new and original bands in the basement will be a continued feature during 2017, leaving The Forum available for bigger, touring bands and private bookings.

The legendary venue is also sporting a new ‘tickled pink’ look for this year’s festival. The Forum’s co-owner, Jason Dormon, explains why the front of the building has been daubed in pink: “We have a colour-choosing committee for Unfest every year, and after much deliberation and discussion Team Pink was first past the post this year. The outside of The Forum is now ready to coordinate with all our merchandise for the festival.”

From Sunday June 4, and continuing throughout the summer until the Local & Live Festival at the end of August, The Forum’s garden will be hosting live music and games.

These Sunday Sessions are open to all, and kick off at 1pm each week. The launch date sees a reggae takeover, while on Sunday July 23 we will be celebrating the Tunbridge Wells Belgian Festival.

See right for more Unfest events, and visit: www.unfest.org and www.facebook.com/ unfesttwfringe @unfesttw

SATURDAY – Hamish Donald, Emily Izen Row, Jack Clarke, John McLane, Abi Hudson, Hannigan, Nate Austin, Thomas Ashby, Eliza Lewis, The Floodgates, Josh Renton SUNDAY – Gronk, Hannah Richards, Alana Hazzard, Rob Picazo, Paul Monham, Bison, Jimmy Harrison, Harry Whitty, Kyla & Nat, Alex Beharrell, The Varlies MONDAY – Benjamin Lewes, Jack Leon Mackey, Milly McCarron, Mark Morriss, Migden & Gibson, Joe Ackerley, Poppy Raine, Steffan James, The Paul Dunton Orchestra, Harley & Woods THE KING WILLIAM IV

Pembury, open all day, free entry, live music day time and evenings. More information at www.unfest.org FRIDAY Disco (evening only) SATURDAY Unfest Festival (music from 12noon till late) My Shining Star, Daniel Gurney, The Sea Rockets, Jon McDevitt, Arthur O’Hara, Insane Society, Stawberry Blue, Frankie Swaine, Sivix, Lee Willz, Second Helpin’, Move Over Dali, Jason Lloyd Bevis, Si Genaro, Duvet Dogs.

SUNDAY Unfest Festival (music from 1pm till late) Ukelear Fallout, Flick Bennett, Natalie Moore, The Alley Devils, One Night Love Affair, Revellation, Tom Haacke, Dickie Ticker, Steve Hewitt, Black Adder THE SUSSEX ARMS

Sussex Mews, open all day, visit www.unfest.org for more information on listings and timings.

FRIDAY Unfest Festival – (basement stage) 8.30pm till late Riff Raff, The Sweeney SATURDAY Unfest Festival – (basement stage) 2pm till late The Gallerys, Suncharmer, Method Actress, Code Marla V Spire Cranes, Nunslayer, Escuda, Lower Slaughter, Dissociates, Atlas Shrunk, We Are Bandicoot, Fish Head – (upstairs stage) DJ sets from 1pm till late Matty Dread, Alex Macnutt, Alex Wallace, Richard Marshall, Electric Jam SUNDAY Unfest Festival – (basement stage) 3pm till late White Heat, Lee Martin, Mitch Emery, Tarot Rats, Shelbyville, Sarah Tonin, Boogaloo Dudes, The Pillows, Operation Kino – (upstairs stage) DJ sets from 12noon till late DJ Abstruse and The Inscrutable Few, Vinyl Tap TUESDAY Sea Pinks and Kreol Lovecall THE BEDFORD

2 High Street, open all day, free entry. More info www.thebedfordtw.co.uk and www.unfest.org FRIDAY Unfest Festival – 8.30pm till late The Varlies SATURDAY Unfest Festival – 8.30pm till late Riff Raff SUNDAY ‘Quiet Riot 2017’ 10pm-11pm Luke Pope, Hannah Richards, Alex Beharrell 9pm-9.50pm Sophie Harmsworth, Ash Evans, Ryan Weeks 8pm-8.50pm Jem & Paul, Aaric Snook 7pm-7.50pm Weybourne Chester Bingley, Dom Brouder, Paul Crisp 6pm-6.50pm Ben Wood, William Thomas, Lizzie Arkell 5pm-5.50pm Rob Barlitz, Charlie House, Hanna 4pm-4.50pm Mitch Emery, Chasing Shadows 3pm-3.50pm Charlie Dee, Amber Anderton, Frankie Swain 2pm-2.50pm Ross Uttridge, The Latter 1pm-1.50pm James Harris, Olivia Rose

Arts & Culture

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

So Paul, can you tell us how you got involved with the Alfresco festival?

I DJ’d for the organisers a few times, and we also rubbed shoulders at some of London’s more underground night spots – at the bar and on the dancefloor. I’d heard good reports about what Nicky Chanot and Mark Davis were doing with the Alfresco festival and was really chuffed when they asked me to be involved.

IT’S GREAT OUTDOORS Last year’s Alfresco festival

The mini music festival that’s gaining a very big following ALFRESCO is one of the UK’s premier boutique festivals and it’s returning to Tunbridge Wells this weekend.

Unlike most hedonist outdoor music affairs, this one is very family friendly and deems itself to be ‘musically non compromising with a line that includes legends of dance music and electronica alongside the best in current underground music’.

After its inaugural success last year, the Alfresco festival has been expanded to include two more outdoor stages in order to host its mix of Balearic, Disco, Acid House, Electronica, Funk, Hip Hop, House and Reggae acts.

But it’s not just all about the music, there’s also

a huge arena full of entertainers, shows, stalls and fun and games to ensure any little ones are kept happy. There will also be a full size roller disco, bubble magicians, arts & crafts workshops and the incredible Groove School hosting DJ classes.

With a wellbeing area, well equipped campsite and huge array of street food stalls and bars, it really does offer something for everyone.

Eileen Leahy caught up with one of the biggest names performing at Alfresco’s chilled out venue in Colebrook Lakes, former Leftfield star Paul Daley, about why he’s so excited to be part of a festival that truly celebrates the great outdoors – whatever your age.

Why do you think it’s important to support the smaller, grassroots festivals like this one?

That’s where the new talent is, and it’s great that Alfresco are supporting new DJs and artists as well as the more established acts. The UK festival scene seems to be constantly evolving, so you have to have more underground festivals to counter the commercialism of the bigger ones.

The vibe in a tent with 200 people can be sometimes mightier than the main stage in front of 60,000 people, judging from my past experiences.

What do you enjoy most about playing festivals?

I don’t really play festivals so much these days, my time was when I was playing a lot as a DJ and as half of Leftfield when we were on tour between 1990 and 2010. At one point in the middle of that it was so fast moving I didn’t know what country I was in sometimes! Of course, the main rush is the first half hour after you have played a good gig. Music brings people together and can be a leveller for everyone – and I do still enjoy that feeling.

What makes festivals special compared to a regular concert?

I think the main thing is that’s it’s outdoors; there’s something built into our DNA and our

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instincts that we just have to party outdoors sometimes.

Can you tell us a little bit about your history with the iconic dance group Leftfield?

In 1991 I remixed our first record Not Forgotten. We then went on to do a lot of remixing of other artists, formed a label, released a few records and put out a few other artists’ records on the Hard Hands label. We then recorded and released our first album: Leftism. I was writer, programmer, arranger and producer as half of the Leftfield duo on all remixes and both albums and releases.

How important were Leftfield to the dance music genre?

Leftfield is as important as the fans and public want to make it. I leave the decision on how important we were to other people…

What are you currently working on?

A few different projects in the studio at the moment. Some of it involves writing and making music for myself and some for other people.

What other festivals will you be playing this summer?

There are a couple of things I’m considering at the end of the summer, but after the Alfresco festival I go to Ibiza to do a couple of DJ gigs, and then I’m back in the studio.

Paul Daley will be performing at the Alfresco festival over the weekend. Other artists playing include Wolfgang Flur of Kraftwerk, Alexis Taylor from Hotchip and Crazy P Soundsystem. Day tickets cost from £20 and camping from £55. For more information visit www.alfrescofestival.co.uk

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What’s On

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

SEVEN DAYS OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE

WHATS ON WITH THE

Eileen Leahy Local events

>> WEDNESDAY For theatrical entertainment of a different kind there’s Going Green to see, which is currently showing at the Oast Theatre in Tonbridge until Saturday (May 27). Penned by David Tristram, it tells the story of John, who is suffering from a rare illness where the only possible cure appears to be ‘Go Green… or die!’ Sounds intriguing? Then go along to the Oast to find out more. Tickets cost £10 or £7 for members and can be ordered via www.oasttheatre.com Alternatively, you can always catch a live screening of Antony and Cleopatra at Trinity Theatre this evening from 7pm. The latest in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s ‘Rome’ season picks up where the Bard’s version of Julius Caesar ends. This tale of love and duty, directed by Iqbal Khan, follows Mark Antony’s heady rise to fame and his passionate love affair with Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. The production is screened live from Stratford Upon Avon and can also be seen at the Odeon cinema. Tickets cost £18 and can be booked from www.trinitytheatre.net >> THURSDAY The highly acclaimed musical RENT continues all this week at the Assembly Hall. Loosely based on the story of Puccini’s La Bohème, it relays the story of a group of young artists living in New York in the 1980s and how AIDS and excess impacts upon their lives.

For performance times and ticket prices visit www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk The Pantiles Decorative and Fine Arts Society host another of their regular lectures this evening at Holmewood House School from 7.45pm. This evening’s talk is entitled India: Imported British Contributions its History, Archaeology, Topography AHOY THERE! and Languages. Oliver Play pirates at Everett, Librarian Groombridge Place

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

Emeritus of the Royal Library Windsor, will be the expert guest speaker. Tickets to the event cost £7 or you can pay an annual membership of £45. For more information, visit www.pantilesdfas.org.uk Popular Camden Road eaterie Vittle and Swig are hosting another Comedy Night. Put on by Lone Star productions, tonight’s funny men and women are Jeff Innocent, Kate Lucas and Russell Hicks.

The comedy kicks off at 8.30pm and entrance costs £10 per person. www.vittleandswig.co.uk

variety of different owners over a number of lifetimes. Prepare to laugh, cry and feel warm inside in equal measures. Tickets cost £25 per vehicle and screenings take place at 9.30pm. For more information, visit www.moonlightcinema.com If you’re an opera fan, then head over to Trinity where you can catch a performance of Mozart and Salieri and One Night in Vienna from 8pm.

The opera follows the legend that Antonio Salieri poisoned his rival and fellow composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart out of jealousy over his talent. This opera was written by Russian composer Nikolai RimskyKorsakov and is based on the short story Mozart & Salieri by Alexander Pushkin, which also inspired Peter Shaffer’s famous stage play and film Amadeus. After the performance, you are invited to A Night In Vienna with famous arias and duets from Mozart’s best-known operas Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute and others. Tickets cost £18.

>> FRIDAY Cricket fans should make a beeline for the Nevill Ground in Tunbridge Wells, where Kent and Sussex clubs will be battling it out in the Specsavers County Championship Division 2 fixture. The action takes place from 11am today and lasts all weekend. It’s the only Kent match being played in Tunbridge Wells in 2017. For further information on tickets, see www.kentcricket.co.uk A Dog’s Purpose is showing all weekend at the Moonlight Drive-in Cinema at The Hop Farm. This comedy-drama, which stars Josh Gad and Dennis Quaid, is the heartwarming tale of a dog who goes on several journeys with a

>> SATURDAY Whether you want to get fitter, or are in training for a 5k or 10k or even a marathon, then taking part in the area’s weekly park runs is a great way to either start your running routine or keep it topped up.

Dunorlan Park, Bedgebury and the Castle Street Park in Tonbridge are just a few of the places that host them every Saturday morning at 9am. For further information, visit www.parkrun.org.uk The Tonbridge Food Festival takes place over the Bank Holiday weekend and showcases not only a plethora of local specialist suppliers and producers, but also lots of national and global food offerings. With plenty of delicious produce to sample, refreshments readily available and live music, it promises to be another great celebration of all things gourmet.

Calling all fashion fans! Royal Victoria Place will be hosting a weekend of catwalk shows featuring all the latest designer and high street looks for summer 2017. So if you’re struggling to strike the right sartorial note when the good weather finally

FIGHTCLUB Prepare to go into battle at Hole Park

hits us, make sure you pop along and catch one of the shows happening every half an hour from 11.30am to 4pm. The shows will take place on level 2 of the shopping centre, opposite Pandora. >> SUNDAY History buffs will enjoy the Napoleonic re-enactment weekend taking place today and tomorrow in the glorious grounds of Hole Park near Rolvenden. The Napoleonic Association strive to recreate as accurately as possible the lives of soldiers and their families, whether that’s through battles or their living quarters. If you want to see history come alive in all its technicolour glory, then this is the place to be. www.holepark.com >> MONDAY For children’s entertainment, Groombridge Place is the spot to be seen as it’s hosting a new fun

PICK OF THE WEEK A Picture A Day exhibition at Trinity Theatre Gallery, open every day from 10am-3pm until June 4 Stars and Crowns

Artist Agatha O’Neill is showcasing her latest creative achievement in Trinity’s art gallery.

Entitled ‘A Picture A Day’, it’s Agatha’s collection of a year’s work of pictures which she challenged herself to do for the social media picture sharing platform Instagram. Her illustrations and paintings are inspired by contemporary fashion and magazines, using collage techniques, inks and spray paint to create bold lines and fun, colourful prints.

What’s On

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

event entitled Pirates & Mermaids.

Running from 10am until 5.30pm all Bank Holiday weekend and throughout half term, it invites little ones to enjoy meeting the naughty pirates and mystical mermaids of Groombridge’s pretty lakes. For ticket information, visit www. thelittleboxoffice.com/groombridge There’s lots to do over half term at Hever Castle, too. As well as its fantastic adventure playground and water maze, it’s also putting on an interactive exhibition entitled Edwardian Life, which replicates what life was like in the early 20th century when the castle’s glamorous Astor family resided there.

Children will have the opportunity to attend an ‘Edwardian’ school where they’ll learn the three Rs – reading, writing and arithmetic. For admission details, see www.hevercastle.co.uk >> TUESDAY During half-term week there are plenty of local activities to enjoy. Penshurst Place, for example, will be putting on an event called Snappy Spring Holiday until June 4. Children and their parents are encouraged to explore the orienteering trail with a selection of photographs snapped by the people at Penshurst with the aim of finding out where they were taken. You can then upload your own pictures to Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #SnappedAtPenshurst for the chance to win a free family season ticket. The trails are open from 10.30am until 6pm with additional craft sessions available from 12noon until 4pm.

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A ROUND-UP OF THIS WEEK’S MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Paul Dunton Live music This week is a busy one with the Bank Holiday providing lots of extra musical entertainment courtesy of the Unfest and Alfresco festivals.

Enjoy! (See page 88 for the full Unfest line-up) THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE

The Pantiles, doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7, websites www.pdag.co.uk and www.thegreylady.co.uk WEDNESDAY Abi Hudson, Katy Virgoe, Kyla and Nat FRIDAY Son Guarachando SATURDAY Unit 7 SUNDAY Closed TUESDAY Pete Falloon, Isabella Coulstock, Orfila THE GEORGE

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

SATURDAY Unfest Festival – (spoken word, poetry, light music performances from 10am till early afternoon) Paul Cheese, Postcards From The Hedge, Charlie Bell, Jessica Mookherjee, Lisa Beaumont, Jill Monroe, Dave ‘Shep’ Shepherd, Eve Thompson, Wendy, Joanne Louise Parker, Katrina Ray, David Smith, Harry Barden

late) Repligators, Feed The Fish, Faded Shades, Ebsen, Kachi, Pete Taylor, Fox Force 5 SUNDAY Unfest Festival – (music from 3pm till late) The Harveys, Ukulear Fallout, Eleusia, Dan Sumner, Cardinal Fink, Nate Austin, The Harveys MONDAY Open Mic Night THE BANDSTAND

The Pantiles, open all day, music from 8pm, donations welcome THURSDAY Jazz On The Pantiles with the Swinging Little Big Band THE CROSS KEYS

THE ROYAL OAK

St John’s Road, open all day, free entry, music from 8pm, website www.crosskeystw.co.uk MONDAY TWUNT: Ukulele Jam Session

Prospect Road, open all day, free entry visit www.unfest.org for more information FRIDAY Unfest Festival – (music from 8.30pm till late) The Velvet Goldmine, Higgs & The Bosons SATURDAY Unfest Festival – (music from 3pm till

Mount Ephraim, open all day, free entry, music from 8pm, booking recommended: 01892 520 331 FRIDAY Live Jazz: Ray Rich Duo

THE SPA HOTEL

Mount Ephraim, open all day, free entry. More information at www.unfest.org SATURDAY Unfest Festival – Funk In The Garden (1pm) SUNDAY Unfest Festival – (1pm till late) Cosy In The Garden, Abegail Morley, Jessica Mookherjee, Jill Munro, Daniel Culmer, Susan Evans, Jazz Funk Giants

THE BULL

Frant Road, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late SUNDAY Gez and Alex Gold ALFRESCO FESTIVAL 2017

Colebrook Lakes, Tunbridge Wells Fri May 26 until Mon May 29.

Tickets and artist information at www.alfrescofestival.co.uk

THE BEAU NASH

Mount Ephraim, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late FRIDAY Soul Night SATURDAY Lee Harvey’s Oswolds TUNBRIDGE WELLS MUSEUM & ART GALLERY

Civic Centre, Mount Pleasant Road, open all day free entry, more information at www.unfest.org

THE PUNCH & JUDY

TALENTED TRIO The Standard Lamps

11 St Stephen’s Street, Tonbridge, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm TUESDAY Missouri Gutts

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

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

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Holmewood crowned U10s judo champions again after countback HARD FOUGHT Takita Dicker battles his way to bronze

By Vic Court JUDO: HOLMEWOOD HOUSE retained their national Under-10s IAPS Judo title at the prep school tournament in High Wycombe.

A small team of five boys did extremely well last year to win the coveted Team Trophy.

The returning champions had a lot to live up to, and this time the school elected to field its largest ever squad with 12 entries.

Year Five student Hamish Taylor took gold at Under 46kg, winning four contests to be crowned champion. It was a sweet return, as he narrowly missed out on a podium spot last year.

Last year’s silver medallist at Under 30kg, Felix Worth, was in determined form and he went one better than last time, winning gold at Under 34kg.

Three accomplished victories took Felix to the semi-final. He was under pressure from the outset but halfway through he spun in at speed and claimed victory with excellent technique.

Year Four’s Archie Denny was making his debut, and after winning a tough semi-final through sheer perseverance he went through to face Felix in an all Holmewood final. Felix was the victor on this occasion but silver for Archie was a great result.

Tatika Dicker of Year Four was also in the Under 34kg class. After an opening defeat he battled his way through the repecharge and eventually met a losing semi-finalist for a chance at the bronze medal.

Six victories later, he won the bronze to replicate his achievement at a lighter weight last year, but Tatika did it the hard way.

Mini dynamo Chester Curran of Year Three was unfazed competing in the lightest weight category, the Under 24kg. He made an impressive throw in the semi-final that saw his opponent fly through the air and land on his back. He reached the final but had to settle for silver.

Coach Ryan Court was delighted with his charge.

Two golds medals, two silvers and a bronze medal accumulated 17 points and Holmewood were Team Champions for second consecutive year.

But it was a close contest and local rivals Solefield of Sevenoaks had the same points total.

Holmewood clinched it on the silver medal countback.

THROWBACK Holmewood House Under10s win again

LEADING LIGHTS: Kieran Fitzpatrick (left) nears the finish line; Judith Hagger approaching transition

Top ten finish for debutant Dennis TRIATHLON: TUNBRIDGE WELLS Triathlon Club were out in force for the Sevenoaks Triathlon, a hotly contested early-season event.

Over 300 athletes completed the 400m pool swim, 25km bike and 8km run, with Tunbridge Wells members finishing first in the Female Team and second in the Male Team overall.

Adam Dennis was first home for the club, finishing an impressive ninth. His consistency across all three disciplines marked an excellent debut in Tunbridge Wells colours. Kieran Fitzpatrick was a minute behind in 14th place.

Pru Clements and Judith Hagger excelled in the female division, with top 10 finishes and placing first and third in the F40 Age Group.

Thomas Wade (Optima Race Team) retained his title, finishing six minutes clear of his closest rival in a time of 1hr 20m. Renate Blacker was the first woman to finish, in a time of 1hr 40min.

The short and intense swim was followed by a challenging bike course, navigating quiet country lanes and the energy sapping climb up Ightham Road to Ivy Hatch.

Cold conditions may be keeping the bluebells in their prime but many athletes chose to wrap up before heading out on the bike and the high speed descent down River Hill.

There was no respite on the run, which consisted of a tough undulating route through Knole Park.

The final climb back up to the Leisure Centre was described as ‘brutal’, reducing exhausted athletes to little more than a walk.

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Tunbridge Wells’ name is up in lights as new Wembley celebrates decade UNDER THE ARCH Tunbridge Wells’ crest is displayed

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

FOOTBALL: TUNBRIDGE WELLS FOOTBALL CLUB saw their name and crest emblazoned across the front of Wembley Stadium last week as it celebrated the 10th anniversary of its reconstruction.

On Friday May 19 the legendary venue lit up its iconic arch in the colours of every team who has played there since it reopened.

Tunbridge Wells was among those featured because it contested the FA Vase final there on May 4, 2013 – the team lost 2-1 to Spennymoor Town.

In total, 166 domestic, European and international men’s and women’s teams have graced the Wembley turf in the last decade in various competitions and friendlies.

Chairman Scott Bartlett said: “To mark Wembley’s 10th year its arch was lit in the colours of all the teams who’ve played there along with the Club badges on the front of the stadium. It’s four years since our FA Vase Final appearance in what was a special day for the town and all of the players. Our performances since Wembley have not been to the level we were hoping for. Jason Bourne the 1st team manager has attracted some good new players to add to last season’s squad and hopefully we can look forward to a strong season in the league and cups. The first team start their pre-season friendlies on July 1st.”

Six of the best as Tigers add to growing reputation GYMNASTICS: TIGERS Gymnastics Centre is celebrating after six of its members returned from the British Championships with national titles.

Fahim Fazil, Michael Talebi, William Clark, Harley Curtis-Lawrence, Chris Shepherd and Sammi Nassman train at the Tonbridge gym under the guidance of coach and Director Chris Rogers.

The boys join the collection of regional, national and international gold medal winners at Tigers, including European champions and World silver medallists Sam Large and Hector Kinghorn.

BURNING BRIGHT Chris Rogers with his six champions

The performance of the six Tigers played a big part in helping the South East to win the national trophy for the highest scoring Region.

Tigers Gymnastics Centre is a new club based at Jump In but already it coaches over 300 children per week from beginner level in pre-school to world-class acrobats.

Tigers are currently offering free gymnastics sessions. To book a taster session, email Chris@tigersgymnastics.co.uk

ROLL UP Wayne Bridge hands out the bacon rolls at his old club, Littleton in Hampshire.

Donation of £1,000 on offer for local youth sports clubs HEATING and hot water products manufacturer Worcester, Bosch Group is seeking a youth sports teams to receive a £1,000 donation.

The company wants local people to nominate their choice for the award, in recognition of all the family members who shiver on the sidelines while they watch the children in action.

The nationwide campaign is backed by former England footballer and ‘I’m a Celebrity’ contestant Wayne Bridge and ex-England rugby player and ‘Dancing on Ice’ winner Kyran Bracken.

The sports stars returned to their youth teams and laid on a treat for parents, providing them with hot drinks, bacon sandwiches and blankets during the game.

Sue Pennington, Consumer Brand Manager at Worcester, Bosch Group, said: “Youth sport is such an important part of local communities, so this year we wanted to give something back – not just to the players, but to the parents and coaches who give up their time and energy every week to celebrate their children’s love of sport.

“It would be great to visit a grass-roots team in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge, so we can show local parents and spectators that they can rely on Worcester to keep them warm.”

To nominate a club, locals should visit www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/rely before July 30, stating in 100 words why the team deserves Worcester’s support.

Sporting Times

Wednesday May 24 | 2017

Nadir brings Wells low after DLS system intervenes CRICKET: FOR the first time in the Kent League, the Duckworth Lewis Stern scoring system came into play when Tunbridge Wells First XI travelled to Beckenham’s Foxgrove Ground.

Ten overs into the Beckenham innings, a shower had sent the players from the field for long enough to see a reduction in the overs to 45 apiece, meaning Tunbridge Wells would have to chase a revised total using the recalculation system.

The visitors had put Beckenham in and the mainstay of the home innings was the young Kent star Oliver Robinson. His 89 from 108 deliveries included nine fours, and he put on a second-wicket stand of 107 with William MacVicar (47).

Then, however, the Wells spinners found purchase and four wickets fell for 43, Nick Sale returning 3 for 42.

The new target was set at 183 from 45 overs. But the visitors were rocked when MacVicar (2 for 36) took two quick wickets to leave them on 8 for 2.

The captain Alex Williams (26) and Christian Davis (20) steadied the ship and maintained the tempo, adding 47 runs and countering the raw pace of Tabish Khan.

The introduction of Junaid Nadir set nerves on edge and handed the initiative back to the home side. The score nosedived to 77 for 6 as Nadir returned figures of 5 for 23.

Eventually Tunbridge Wells were bowled out for 125, giving Beckenham victory by 58 runs according to DLS.

‘Sevenoaks Vine endured another ignominious day at home to Sandwich’ Now Wells face the daunting task of travelling to Kent Premier League champions Hartley, whom they have not beaten since 2008, while Kent are playing at the Nevill.

After their humbling by Wells last week, Sevenoaks Vine endured another ignominious day at home to Sandwich.

The Vine restricted the visitors to 133 all out in 29.4 overs with Miles Richardson picking up 3 for 17.

But the hosts were then skittled out for just 80 to lose by 53 runs with Craig Spanton taking 3 for 20 and Grant Stewart 2 for 4 in his six overs.

In Division One, opener Scott Newman narrowly missed out on a century for the second week running as Linden Park lost at home to HSBC Kent by six wickets.

They made a creditable 221 for 8 with Scott Newman again scoring 91 and putting on 122 for the second wicket with Driaan Brewer (72). Lee Hardinges took 4 for 55 and Wajid Shah 4 for 53.

But HSBC knocked off the runs with five overs to spare, reaching 222 for 4 with Richard Golbourn top-scoring on 54.

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Kent look to bounce back against old rivals at Nevill

THE 2017 KENT SQUAD: Front row (left to right): Mitch Claydon, Matt Coles, Darren Stevens, Sam Northeast (captain), James Tredwell, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Joe Denly. Middle row (left to right): Adam Rouse, Sean Dickson, Adam Riley, Calum Haggett, Will Gidman, Alex Blake, Adam Ball, Back row (left to right): Imran Qayyum, Zak Crawley, Matt Hunn, Ivan Thomas, Joe Weatherley, Charlie Hartley, Hugh Bernard

By Andrew Tong CRICKET: KENT are glad to get back to the routine of four-day cricket and as they come into the County Championship against rivals Sussex at Tunbridge Wells this weekend they can be confident of putting their travails behind them.

Having begun the season so prosperously in the longer form of the game, they came royally unstuck in their recent Royal London One-Day Cup campaign.

The 50-over competition saw them finish bottom of the South Group with just one win from eight starts - the worst record among all the 18 counties.

Their rain-affected Championship match at Leicestershire last weekend proved to be a damp squib, because Kent would have been looking to consolidate their second place in Division Two behind Nottinghamshire.

Sam North-East’s side would have held out high hopes for another win under their belt after going unbeaten at Grace Road in the last 13 contests there, but a washed out first day put paid to that.

Opening batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond, managed to maintain his red-ball form into the whiteball game, bolstering his hopes of an England call-up in either format this summer.

He and his captain have been impressing pundits and public for the past couple of seasons and both are knocking heavily on the selectorial door.

The 23-year-old from Lewisham sees no reason why the side should not revive their winning ways in the first-class format.

“To only get one win wasn’t good enough, but we need to take that from our minds now,” he said.

“The only way is forward now and I’m hopeful that we can hit the ground running again in the red-ball format.

THE BELL TOLLS Daniel BellDrummond

“We’ve gone very well in that so far and I see no reason why the guys can’t pick up where they left off.”

Bell-Drummond added: “We have no choice but to pick ourselves up and go again. Our confidence may be a bit lower than it was.

The contests with Sussex at the Nevill are always competitive affairs, given that the county boundary runs through the town.

For several years Kent were unable to host their neighbours at the Tunbridge Wells festival - on the only remaining outground not owned by the county club.

For several seasons after Sussex won their first ever Championship pennant in 2003 they were arguably the best team in the land.

They picked up a further two titles in 2006 and 2007 - and lifted 10 trophies in a decade.

The year after their last Championship title, Kent were relegated - and they did not play Sussex for seven seasons until the latter were themselves sent down to Division Two in 2015.

Last year’s reunion in Tunbridge Wells saw the Nevill lay on a flat track and Kent opened up with a mighty 525, North-East amassing 190. Sussex had to follow on but they saved the game with some ease.

‘We have no choice but to pick ourselves up and go again. Our confidence may be a bit lower than it was’ Kent won the return match at Hove by an innings and 127 runs in early September, though it was not enough to see them climb into the top flight.

They finished second behind Essex in one of their strongest showings in recent years but with Division One being trimmed to eight teams instead of nine, only one county could be promoted and Jimmy Adams’ outfit missed out.

This year Sussex have failed to register a win in either of their first two Championship matches, while Kent - now under the guidance of former batsman Matt Walker - kept up their perfect record of three from three.

In fact Kent are on something of an impregnable run in the four-day game, having avoided defeat in 20 of their last 22 matches, winning nine and drawing 11 of them.

And the former southern powerhouse, now captained by Twenty20 legend Luke Wright, no longer intimidate as a force to be reckoned with, though they remain a very talented outfit.

“We don’t underrate anyone in the County Championship as much can happen over the course of four days,” says Bell-Drummond.

“But on our day we know we have enough firepower to beat anyone and if we’re not consistent up there they will punish us.”