Times of Tunbridge Wells 25th September 2019

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Trust hits cancer targets and gets back on track for first time in years

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By Robert Forrester

pancakes & waffles were just the beginning.

THE NHS Trust that runs Tunbridge Wells Hospital has said it has hit the national target for cancer waiting times for the first time in nearly five years.

As reported in the Times earlier this year, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust [MTW], which was in financial special measures until the end of 2018, has been languishing at the bottom of a nationwide list of all trusts when it came to cancer waiting times.

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Wednesday September 25 | 2019

ALL OUT: School pupils go on strike in protest against inaction towards climate change. For full story and pictures see page 3

Community groups make last minute appeal as crunch theatre vote looms The plan will see the existing theatre close for a number of years, which local musical and drama groups are warning could put an end to their organisations.

Current Chairman of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra [RTWSO], Giles Clarke, told the Times that closure of the Assembly Hall would be ‘very damaging’ for the orchestra, which has been putting on performances in the town since 1922.

“The Assembly Hall has been a good home for us with a big enough stage to fit as many as 90 players needed for some of the larger orchestral pieces, and an auditorium big enough for almost 1,000 people to hear the music and to pay for the expense of putting on the event.

“But it is the only hall big enough to

Continued on page 2

Continued on page 2

Arts and drama groups’ future in ‘jeopardy’ if Assembly Hall shuts

By Richard Williams CLOSING the Assembly Hall could sound the death knell for the town’s orchestra and mean the end of nearly 100 years of performing, its chairman has warned.

It would also cast doubts over the future of Tunbridge Wells Operatic and Dramatic Society [TWODS].

Tonight [Wednesday] councillors will vote on whether to press ahead with plans to build a new theatre and civic centre on the edge of Calverley Grounds.

If the proposal is rejected then moves will be made to renovate the Assembly Hall which could shut for several years.

The Calverley Square development has been on hold since an extraordinary meeting in June when councillors agreed to look at possible alternatives to replace the ailing theatre and Town Hall.

A cross-party group of councillors has looked at other potential schemes and come up with only one possibility which is to ‘repurpose, redevelop and refurbish’ the existing theatre and Town Hall buildings on Crescent Road.

Closure of the Assembly Hall would be ‘very damaging’ for the symphony orchestra The Council estimate this could cost up to £95million to bring them up to the same standards as Calverley Square.

And if this happens, the site on Calverley Grounds will still not be saved from future development as it will either be sold off or earmarked for other projects.

Treatment The Government targets require NHS trusts to start treatment for 85 per cent of cancer patients within 62 days of a GP referral.

MTW was even ranked 131 out of 131 of all NHS trusts in the country earlier this year.

Now, the Trust has said it has turned the figures around, hitting the national target and pulling itself up into the top 30 per cent of nationwide trusts.

This has been achieved despite MTW having seen suspected cancer referrals increase by nearly a third over the last two years.

Miles Scott, MTW Chief Executive, said the number of patients waiting for cancer treatment has been significantly reduced.

He explained: “It’s been our priority to get our cancer treatment waiting times back on track, so I’m delighted that we’ve achieved what we set out to do - and earlier than we anticipated too.

“This means we are now seeing

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this week… Orchestra at risk of closure HEADING FOR COUNTY HALL? Cllr Peter Oakford in bid for top job at Kent County Council p6

SAFETY FIRST Young Drivers is providing lessons for 10-17 year olds in a bid to make them more road savvy p11

Continued from page 1

for our repertoire.

“Our players would disperse and we would not be able to keep up the level of musical excellence that we currently achieve.”

He went on: “Our loyal audience would get out of the habit of coming to concerts and would have to be rebuilt from scratch after the re-opening.”

host live performances of this scale within a 30-mile radius,” he warned.

He admitted their current home, which is subsidised by taxpayers to the tune of £479,000 a year, a figure that is only set to increase next year, was ‘coming to the end of its natural life’.

Opposed “Although the seats have been refurbished recently, its back stage facilities are small, scruffy He added that the RTWSO’s current musical and inadequate,” he added. director, Roderick Dunk, will be appealing He continued: “Our favoured solution is to go directly to councillors at tonight’s meeting in a for a new modern hall large enough to house big bid to prevent this from happening. events and, importantly, with good acoustics that The orchestra will not be alone in seeking do not rely on amplification. assurances from councillors that they do not FOSTERING HOPE “Tunbridge Wells deserves a decent venue to leave the town without a large capacity theatre Barnardo’s appeal live up to its cultural aspirations and which is for several years. for more local foster flexible enough in its specification to host a wide Tunbridge Wells Operatic and Dramatic Society carers to step range of events over the course of the next 100 (TWODS), one of the oldest amateur societies in forward p12 years.” the country, are also worried about their fate.

While the Council chamber is divided over Kevin Denman, current Chairman of the organiplans to build a new venue on the edge of Calver- sation, which celebrates its 130th anniversary ley Grounds, nearly all councillors agree that the this year, told the Times that the society is ‘neutown needs a community theatre in addition to tral’ as to whether the town needs a new theatre. the 300-seat Trinity Theatre.

But he added: “We do not believe the Assembly But Mr Clarke warned if Hall is currently fit for purcouncillors opt to refurbish pose and have clear views the Assembly Hall, there on the approach to any redewould be no community velopment there. groups to use it when it re“I’ve seen suggestions of a opened as the symphony two to three year closure, orchestra could have disapwhich we believe will jeoppeared. ardise the existence of He said: “Sticking with the TWODS. status quo is not an option, so “We are therefore strongly what can be done? opposed to it.”

“We could either try to extend and re-equip the existFor more on tonight’s vote ing Hall, or we could build a see pages 4-5 and turn to custom-designed new one. page 52 for more on “From the RTWSO point of RTWSO TWINNING IS view, putting the Assembly Hall out of action for some For updates of tonight’s WINNING years while we try to drag it meeting, you can follow Why the 30 into the 21st century would be @timeslocalnews on year very damaging as we would WARNING: Chairman of the RTW Twitter relationship Symphony Orchestra, Giles Clarke have no venue large enough between

Tunbridge Wells and Wiesbaden is stronger than ever p53

CONTACTS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615 DEPUTY EDITOR EILEEN LEAHY eileen@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 576037 CHIEF REPORTER RICHARD WILLIAMS richardwilliams@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 240626 DESIGN/PRODUCTION LEE SMITH lsmith8@markerstudy.com SALES ENQUIRIES GHak@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 779650 FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/timeslocalnews timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk twitter.com/timeslocalnews

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Cancer targets: Continued from page 1 and treating more of our patients quicker, ensuring people who have been diagnosed with cancer get access to the treatment they need.

“We know from what our patients tell us that timeliness of treatment is really important to them and this is important to us too.

“Delivering the standard means we’re meeting what our patients want.

“Our staff have worked really hard to turn our performance around in a sustainable way and I want to thank each of them for their incredible efforts in helping us make these improvements.

“Our achievements are particularly noteworthy as we’ve seen a significant increase in suspected cancer referrals in the past two years.”

In March this year. the Trust reported a rise in 25-40 year olds being diagnosed with cancer, which health bosses say was caused by both better diagnosis as well as certain ‘lifestyle factors’ such as smoking and drinking. Despite the rise, the Trust say they now have a handle on referral rates.

“Our ambition now is to continue with this hard work, build on the great actions we’ve put in place that are delivering results and become an outstanding cancer centre, where patients can access world-leading, high quality cancer care and treatment,” added Mr Scott.

In September 2018 MTW was treating just 58 per cent of patients within 62 days.

Since then, the Trust say they have introduced a raft of changes to improve its cancer waiting times and respond to the rise in demand.

This includes investing in more staff, diagnostic equipment and facilities, introducing new treatment pathways, and implementing

‘innovative best practice to streamline systems and processes’.

One of the key quality improvements the Trust has made to speed up patients’ access to treatment is the introduction of the ‘straight to test’, where a referred patient is initially assessed by a specialist cancer nurse over the telephone, rather than waiting to have an faceto-face outpatient appointment. The Trust says this results in an earlier diagnosis.

MTW has also increased radiology capacity by providing the procedure over seven days, rather than just five or six.

Achievement Chief of Service for Cancer, Dr Henry Taylor, added: “This achievement is a result of a huge effort from all clinical staff working alongside a dedicated administrative team to provide the best possible care for our patients throughout their cancer journey.

“Our progress has been outstanding, but we remain committed to further improvement to ensure we deliver the best for our patients.”

“We should never forget that whilst time to treatment is an important measure of how well our services are performing, MTW has always maintained its excellent track record in patient experience and outcomes from treatment.

“We provide some of the most advanced cancer care in the country, from offering patients the opportunity to get involved with ground-breaking clinical trials to highly technical radiotherapy techniques.

“We have worked hard to improve our service further by establishing innovative and modern pathways to ensure our patients get access to the first-class treatment they need.”

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

Green light for homes at West Kent - with plan to tackle parking

By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk THE planning application to build 51 homes on car parks at West Kent College has been approved with a radical ‘Travel Plan’ to deal with the loss of parking spaces.

There will now be 170 fewer spaces for students and staff, and the college will also have to provide someone to monitor the impact of this on the surrounding streets.

The application was rejected in May after a direct intervention by the Leader of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, Nicolas Heslop.

It was turned down on the grounds that the impact of the homes on the neighbouring Spinney would be ‘intrusive and dominant’.

After the issues of scale, massing and height were addressed, the Area One Planning Committee rubber-stamped the development by Ashill on September 12 - with two fewer homes than the original 53.

Observed The Travel Plan was not discussed at the May meeting because once the proposal was rejected

by Cllr Heslop on grounds of ‘impact’, the rest of the application became redundant.

Currently there are 520 spaces available, but that will now be reduced to 350. Students will be encouraged to use public transport in order to tackle the shortfall.

Residents have already requested a Preferred Parking Scheme in adjoining streets, and the subject is due to be discussed at a Joint Transportation Board meeting this week.

According to the Travel Plan, a traffic coordinator will be appointed to patrol the adjoining streets, and there will be a new minibus service. Both schemes must be funded by West Kent itself, which is run by the Hadlow Group but is soon to be taken over by North Kent College.

Hadlow Group has been beset by financial difficulties and the college has been placed in educational administration.

The sale of the two car parks and ground occupied by the Oaks Building, scheduled for demolition, will bring in around £1million.

Assessments have been carried out to determine the parking need at the college, which found that usage peaked at 346 and 342 cars.

The latest report by the committee states: “It should be noted that these observed levels of parking occurred at a time when the college is not actively monitoring or controlling how its students travel to the college.

“Furthermore, this lack of monitoring/control of the college car parks has also enabled noncollege users to park within the college campus.”

The Hadlow Group told the Times that the 170 spaces had already been ‘decommissioned’ and were not in use during the last academic year.

A spokesperson said: “Consequently, we do not envisage that the approval of planning will impact on any of our current students.”

But he added that they were in discussions with the developer to extend the parking at the front of the college.

“At present, it is planned that a current member of staff will undertake traffic coordinator duties and we are looking at bus routes. Implementing these will be a decision for the proposed acquiring college,” he said.

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Wednesday September 25 | 2019

NEWS IN BRIEF

Doctors seek to merge commissioning groups DOCTORS have voted to abolish the NHS body that plans and commissions health care services in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and the rest of West Kent.

The West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group [CCG] is currently one of eight NHS bodies in the county that is responsible for overseeing the provision of health care services to local people.

At an Extraordinary General Meeting, GPs voted to abolish the commissioning group in favour of merging it with the other seven CCGs in the county.

The other CCGs are holding similar votes and if all are in favour just one group, the Kent and Medway CCG, will take over the county from April 1 next year, which GPs say will save costs and allow health provision to be better co-ordinated.

Library closure plans THERE will be no library services in Tunbridge Wells town for nearly four weeks as the library closes for building works.

Work on The Amelia Scott, the town’s new cultural centre, will force the current building to close on October 14.

A temporary library in Royal Victoria Place will open on November 11, but there will be no library services in the interim, Kent County Council [KCC] has confirmed.

However, a spokesman said that no books taken out will be due back within that period.

KCC’s Cllr Mike Hill, said: “We look forward to seeing the construction work on The Amelia Scott begin shortly after the move into Royal Victoria Place.”

Triple burglary charge A TUNBRIDGE WELLS man has been charged with three burglaries in the area.

David Baker of Charlton Way is accused of breaking into a café in Langton village recreation ground, a church in St Luke’s Road and a vets in Eridge Road, stealing items that included money, food, drink and electronic devices.

The 39-year-old was arrested on September 18 and charged with three counts of burglary and one charge of possessing the ecstacy drug, MDMA .

He appeared at Medway Magistrates Court on Friday and was released on bail to appear at West Kent Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday October 22.

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Climate strike brings town to standstill TRIBUTE Campaigners and families joined in with the school pupils

COUNTY HALL HALVES ITS EMISSIONS

By Holly Stafford HUNDREDS of student activists filled the streets of Tunbridge Wells last week to protest against climate change.

Around 300 people brought roads to a standstill on Friday morning as they marched from The Pantiles through the town centre.

Cars and buses found the road at the Mount Pleasant junction blocked as protestors congregated outside the Town Hall at 11.30am where they chanted: “Council, come down and join us.”

Some councillors and Council officers did meet with the crowd, which was comprised of students from a number of local schools including Beechwood, St James’, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys and Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School.

Pupils from The Skinners’ School were also

there with the school having granted permission for students to join the rally, while others, such as Bennett Memorial Diocesan School, had refused to give classes the morning off.

Most schools in Tonbridge supported the strike but Tonbridge Grammar School said any pupils joining the demonstration would be marked down as an ‘unauthorised absence’.

A number of campaigners from the environmental campaign groups Friends of the Earth and Extinction Rebellion were also at the climate march.

Local co-ordinator of Friends of the Earth, Marieke de Jonge, who was marching in solidarity with the students said: “The participating students were all so passionate and knowledgeable—but truly worried as well about the impact of climate change.

“It was amazing to see our otherwise rather sleepy town come to life like this.”

KENT County Council [KCC] have cut their Co2 emissions by half, two years earlier than planned.

The Council had hoped to half its emissions by 2021, but says a recent £40million investment in green technology has allowed them to hit the target two years earlier.

The Council’s Energy and Low Emissions Strategy aims for all of Kent to reach a net-zero emissions status by 2050 and also eliminate poor air quality, reduce fuel poverty and deliver an affordable, clean and secure energy supply for the county KCC say a £40million investment to change 120,000 streetlights to LED, upgrades to heating system across their buildings and switching Council members to electric-hybrid vehicles, have allowed them to cut emissions by 50 per cent.

The news was announced on Friday [September 20], the same day people took to the streets in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and across West Kent to march against climate change.

KCC Cabinet Member for the Environment Mike Whiting said: “Beating our emissions target two years early has far exceeded our earlier expectations.

“With investment in digital technologies, our staff now travel one million fewer miles a year to carry out council business, equivalent to taking 125 cars off the road annually.”

Thousands enjoy all the fun of the food and drink fair AROUND 10,000 foodies descended on Calverley Grounds at the weekend for the 2019 Royal Tunbridge Wells Food and Drink Festival.

The festival marks the end of Royal Tunbridge Wells Food Month, run by the BID delivery group, Royal Tunbridge Wells Together.

The hungry crowd who were treated to fine weather and more than 70 stalls selling everything from the very finest local produce, to national and international cuisine.

“There must have been around 10,000 people there over the two days, but Saturday was certainly the busiest,” said this year’s organiser, Steve Wood from Tonbridge Farmers’ Market.

“The good weather obviously helped but I think it was the food that really drew people. We had about 70 stalls and they all look like they did great over the weekend. I am very pleased.”

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Wednesday September 25 | 2019

Vote expected to be ‘very tight’ as councillors decide fate of theatre

By Richard Williams THE vote tonight [Wednesday] on whether to press ahead with the £108million Calverley Square project could be swung by a single vote.

Rebel Tories, or last minute absentees, could finalise the fate of the Council’s project that has proven divisive in the town.

Most of the controlling Conservative group of Tunbridge Wells councillors, headed by Council Leader Alan McDermott and his Cabinet colleague for Property and Major Projects, Cllr David Scott, wish to press ahead with the scheme, which is expected to bring around £35million of economic benefits to the wider area each year.

Rebellious The Conservatives have a majority at the Council of just eight, but not all Tory councillors are expected to vote for the project.

Six of the current 28 serving Conservatives have voted against the project in the past, but not all are expected to attend tonight’s hearing with at least one understood to be on holiday.

If the Cabinet can convince some of its rebellious colleagues to abstain, rather than vote against the project, it may just have enough votes to get its motion through.

But the Cabinet has lost one vote in favour of

SPLIT Councillors will vote tonight on to build Calverley Square

the development due to the death of Cllr Ronen Basu, the member for Sustainability, who passed away earlier this month.

Most of the 20 opposition councillors are expected to vote against the development, but Cllr Nick Pope from the Alliance party is prohibited to take part due to his wife owning a flat close to the proposed site on the edge of Calverley Grounds.

Some opposition councillors are also proposing their own motions aimed at stopping or delaying the project further, and amendments to the plans may also be forwarded.

Any delay would see the project scrapped.

“It would be kicking the can down the road,” said Cllr David Scott, Cabinet member for Property, Major Projects and Strategic Engagement.

He continued: “We have already delayed three months and I expect that the delay has cost the Council a lot of money.

“The political situation has been damaging and costly. Delaying for another three months would cost more money and will just be redoing analysis that was done in 2013 and 2014.”

He added: “Delaying it will kill any chance that the contractors and sub-contractor will sign up and we will be left with nothing.”

But he admitted the vote tonight was going to be ‘very tight’.

FORMER MAYOR QUITS LIB DEMS AND SAYS HE WON’T BLOCK THE THEATRE

GOING SOLO Cllr David Neve and his Wife, Jill, during his time as Mayor ONE of the longest-serving councillors at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and a former Mayor has quit his party.

Cllr David Neve [St James’] said he was ‘totally fed up’ with being ‘kept out of the loop’ by the borough’s Liberal Democrats and that local politics had got ‘really nasty and personal’.

“Local politics is getting messy,” he told the Times. “People are just having a go at one another. It is getting really nasty and personal.”

Cllr Neve, who joined the SDP back in the mid-80s before the party merged with the Liberal Party in 1988 to become the Liberal Democrats, said the last straw was an ‘out of date’ leaflet distributed in the borough earlier this month.

“It was out of date and was talking about the cinema site being sold, which was months ago, and the party blocking the theatre,” he said.

He continued: “I knew nothing about it. I was completely out of the loop.

“A lady came up to me having read it and

said that she could no longer support us despite having always done so.

“I want to help local people with local issues and not have to toe the party line. So now I don’t have to. I’m free of all that.

“Local politics is now just people having a go at each other, that’s what made me totally fed up of it.”

The now independent councillor, who first joined the Council in 1987, also confirmed he would not vote against the Calverley Square development in tonight’s vote.

He said: “I’ll abstain, but if they break the project down into different bits and I like those individual bits I’ll vote for them.”

But Cllr Neve, who was the borough’s Mayor in 2014/2015, added: “I won’t vote against it.

If you do that, we will be left with nothing.”

Leader of the Liberal Democrat group of councillors, Ben Chapelard, thanked Cllr Neve for his 30 years of service to the residents of St James’.

He said: “David was also an exceptional Mayor who made an old fashioned role more informal and accessible to residents.”

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

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Calverley site will be developed no matter which way vote goes councillors have conceded the site will have to REGARDLESS of how councillors vote in be built on eventually and say if the theatre tonight’s [Wednesday’s] debate into Calverley Square, the earmarked site on the edge of development does not go ahead, various uses could be made of the controversial land.

Calverley Grounds will eventually be Labour’s Cllr Hugo Pound, who sits on the developed, members of opposition group, said: “Developers would say the best parties have admitted. use would be to build a luxury block of The proposed theatre is set to flats overlooking Calverley Grounds and replace the Great Hall car park at we can then use the section 106 money the entrance to the grade-II listed [paid to local authorities from housing park, while the offices and new developers] to build social housing town hall will be opposite. elsewhere.

Councillors at a cross-party group “This is just one option to formed to discuss alternatives to consider as this is one of the Calverley Square are in key assets in the town.” agreement that the car park Liberal Democrat has ‘substantial councillor Mark Ellis, development value’.

CLLR HUGO POUND who also sits on the Both Lib Dem and Labour

cross-party panel, agreed that the site offers the Council a number of options if the theatre development does not go ahead.

He told the Times. “We could build the new town hall and commercial office space which would not encroach on Calverley Grounds anywhere as much as the underground car park and theatre would.”

He said the theatre aspect of the project has become ‘toxic’ but added that he believed some members of the Alliance party would accept a revised building scheme on the site.

But he admitted there was a contingent in the town who were opposed to any building on the edge of Calverley Grounds.

“But are we here to appease every NIMBY in town or to look at what actually works and what does not?” he said.

CLLR MARK ELLIS

Proposed investment will bring myriad benefits musicals that the current Assembly Hall cannot attract.

In the last twelve months, only one touring production – Caroline’s Kitchen – has agreed to perform at the ageing venue.

It is hoped the theatre will draw visitors to Tunbridge Wells, providing an additional £35million in economic benefits to the wider area as theatregoers spend their money in the town’s bars, restaurants and shops.

It will eventually also operate subsidy free, unlike the Assembly Hall which has to be propped up by taxpayers.

Opportunity COMPLEX The theatre [left] along with the new town hall and offices

AT A cost of £108million, Calverley Square is the boldest proposed development by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in more than a generation.

The project will see a new 1,200 seat theatre, an office building and an underground car park built

at the entrance to Calverley Grounds, current site of the Great Hall car park.

The theatre provides modern staging, lighting and production facilities, which will allow the town to host West End touring productions and

In addition to the theatre, the development provides much-needed office space for the town and will serve as a home to council officers and function as a new town hall.

One of the most controversial aspects of the development is the proposed underground car park, which provides 261 spaces, but opponents say will damage the grade-II listed Calverley Grounds.

The Council say that while some parkland will be affected by the car park, which extends around 55m under the park, this area will be re-landscaped and put back to parkland use.

More than 60 trees will also be felled in the building of Calverley Square but the Council has pledged to replace every one.

Calverley Square is set to be constructed by

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contractors Mace and Nicholas Hare Architects, with commercial property agency, GVA, acting as the Council’s project manager.

While the development has raised opposition, many businesses in the town are keen to see the theatre and civic centre come to fruition.

Julian Leefe-Griffiths who owns the Tunbridge Wells Hotel and puts on many of the events on The Pantiles, including the immensely popular Thursday Jazz nights says the town cannot ‘just stagnate’ or it will die.

He said: “Whether you like it or not, retail and manufacturing have seriously changed. The growth industries are arts and events-based. It is not building a white elephant, it is investing in the future.”

He continued: “It is a great opportunity for us.

We have to realise that other towns are investing in their futures right now, and if we do not do the same, we will stagnate and it will kill us.”

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Town’s blooming success a ‘fitting tribute’

TRIBUTE: Councillor Ronen Basu who died last month pictured second left, front row with the ‘In Bloom’ team

By Richard Williams A RAFT of gold awards was described as a ‘fitting tribute’ to Ronen Basu, the borough councillor who relaunched the town’s floral campaign in 2010 and who passed away earlier this month.

For the seventh consecutive year Royal Tunbridge Wells town received a Gold award in the large town category at the South and South East in Bloom awards ceremony at the Amex Stadium on Friday, September 13.

In addition to the town’s success, Dunorlan Park received a Gold award in the large park category and was the overall winner of its category.

The town’s other parks also won awards, with Calverley Grounds earning the Silver Gilt, Grosvenor and Hilbert earned Gold as well as the RHS Parks and Greenspaces award, while The Grove received Silver Gilt.

Awards Other green spaces in the town took their share of the awards too, with Tunbridge Wells Cemetery receiving Gold, and Woodbury Park a Silver Gilt.

Tunbridge Wells Common also took Gold and winner of the category.

A special discretionary award was made by the

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judges to Sherbourne Close, for maintenance and community involvement.

Council Leader Alan McDermott said: “Once again this is a wonderful achievement by the In Bloom group and the Council’s parks team.

“In the week we learnt of the death of Councillor Ronen Basu, who relaunched the In Bloom campaign back in 2010, these awards are a fitting tribute to him.”

The national verdict will be announced on October 25.

Last year, Tunbridge Wells won a Silver Gilt in the Britain In Bloom finals in the Large Town category.

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

Local councillor vies to be new Leader at County Hall election A LOCAL councillor is hoping to take over the reins at County Hall following the resignation of current leader, Paul Carter.

Earlier this month Cllr Carter CBE announced he was stepping down from his position as the Conservative Leader at County Hall after 14 years in the job.

Cllr Peter Oakford who represents Tunbridge Wells North, is among four Conservative councillors who have thrown their hat into the ring to take over the top job at Kent County Council.

Cllr Oakford was first elected to County Hall in 2013 and currently serves as Deputy Leader.

The Southborough resident was also a member of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council until May this year.

Also hoping to take over from Cllr Carter, is current cabinet member for children’s services, Cllr Roger Gough, who has represented Sevenoaks North and Darent Valley since 2005.

Cabinet member for Roads, the Environment and Waste, Cllr Mike Whiting, who has represented Swale West since 2009, is also vying for the position, as is Cllr Nick Chard, representative for Sevenoaks West who attempted an unsuccessful leadership bid against Cllr Carter in 2011.

The election takes place on October 4 when the 67 Conservative councillors at County Hall will vote for their new leader.

KENT COLLEGE INDEPENDENT DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 3-18

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Local News

Review casts fresh doubts on police village shooting A MURDER suspect shot dead by police in a village within Tunbridge Wells borough may not have been brandishing a weapon after all.

William Smith, who had been known locally as ‘Curly Bill’, was shot dead after armed officers cornered him in Goudhurst in 2016.

Smith, who was wanted in connection with the killing of a Biddenden pensioner, received four gunshot wounds to the head and chest.

The police watchdog at the time told a 2017 pre-inquest review into the shooting how Smith was aiming a shotgun at officers before they opened fire.

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

Pensioner unveils memorial and recalls day his friend was killed IN MEMORIAM Neil Nevison with Peter Blackwell, and [below right] the memorial

Evidence Now a second review, held at the Coroner’s Court in the Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone last week, ahead of a full jury inquest expected to take place next year, has cast fresh doubts over the official police version of events.

Smith, 36, was on the run after 73-year-old Roy Blackman was bludgeoned to death during a burglary in March 2016, in which £250,000 in cash was stolen from a safe.

Smith was thought to have been involved in the crime along with Mark Love, 38, who received a life sentence in 2018 for the pensioner’s murder.

Lesley Thomas, counsel for Mr Smith’s family, who have always denied their son was involved in the killing, said there was ‘very little forensic evidence to suggest that he was pointing a gun at the officers’.

He added that the officers involved in the shooting were not wearing body-worn cameras and requested extra forensic and ballistic evidence be presented at the inquest.

The inquest is expected to take place in November 2020 and could last up to six weeks.

A MEMORIAL dedicated to the civilians in Tunbridge Wells who lost their lives during the Second World War was unveiled on the anniversary of the day when a 13-year-old paperboy got caught in a Luftwaffe bombing raid.

The Civilian War Memorial, whch was created created by the Friends of Tunbridge Wells Cemetery, was unveiled by Neil Nevison, who was on his paper round when the town was bombed just after 5pm on September 12, 1940, leaving 18 people dead.

Bangs Mr Nevison, now 93, told how his 11-year-old friend, Lincoln Redmen, was one of those killed.

He said the pair were on a paper round together when he sent the younger boy to the ‘least complicated’ part of the route on the other side of the hospital.

“I could hear things in the

Childrensalon will be holding an open jobs fair at their head office in Tunbridge Wells on Saturday 12th October Please come visit us at Unit 21 Decimus Park, TN2 3GP from 11.00am – 2.00pm.

We would love to meet you and welcome speculative applications!

Childrensalon is an award-winning, forward thinking retailer, specialising in luxury childrenswear and dressing children beautifully. Our head office in Tunbridge Wells has over 430 talented people. With a fun, creative and family-friendly culture, we believe in putting people first and offer a highly competitive salary, company pension plan, health plan, fully subsidised gym membership, in-house yoga classes, company shuttle, generous holiday allowance and company discount. We are ranked #34 on the 2019 Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For list and proud to be a member of the Living Wage Foundation.

We currently have vacancies in the following departments Finance Merchandising Digital & Marketing IT Studio

By Holly Stafford

Logistics Facilities Communications Customer Service Buying

We are happy to accept speculative applications and for more detailed information about our current vacancies please go to the careers section on our website at www.childrensalon.com/careers/vacancies Childrensalon is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or team member received less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status or race.

distance but couldn’t tell what it was at that stage,” he recalled.

“Then the first bomb came down, making this rushing noise as they do – you don’t know where it is going to go or anything.

“There were quite a few bangs that afternoon, and when it was safe to eventually come out I wondered where Lincoln was.”

He was told by a school friend that the paperboy had been taken to hospital and Neil had to break the news to the boy’s mother “He died that night,” Mr Nevison recalled. “All those years ago and I still can’t bear thinking about it.

That is what war does.

“I thought to myself, if I had gone to do the other paper round it would’ve been me.”

The ceremony took place at Tunbridge Wells Cemetery and was attended by the Mayor, Cllr James Scholes, and his wife Jane, as well as Peter Blackwell, Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, in one of his last engagements before he stepped down earlier this month.

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18/09/2019 14:44

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Local News

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

Estate agent’s WWII dance raises £10,000 for charity SELF-CONFESSED ‘World War II crazy’ estate agents have raised more than £10,000 for charity following a wartime dance last week.

Steve Bovis and Jackie Morris, Director and Managing Director at Wood & Pilcher in Tunbridge Wells, organised the event to raise money for Taylor Made Dreams – the Crowborough charity that fulfils wishes for life-limited children.

Ice rink returns to Calverley Grounds

By Richard Williams ICE skating will come back to Tunbridge Wells from November, and this year organisers are providing a second rink for toddlers.

Skate Tunbridge Wells is back in the amphitheatre at Calverley Grounds from Friday, November 15 until January 4.

This year will see a second rink aimed at the under-fives, sponsored by Childrensalon, and people can also try their hand at curling for the first time.

Live music events will be put on by The Forum, and there will be the usual selection of food and beverage stalls serving pizza, crepes, doughnuts, sweets and mulled wine.

The charity evening also featured an auction with prizes ranging from a flight in a Spitfire, to a Magnum of Winston Churchill’s favourite champagne.

In total, the event raised £10,171 for Taylor Made Dreams.

Outstanding

Generosity “We have held black tie events for charity before, but this year we wanted to do something different,” Mr Bovis told the Times.

“I’ve always been a fan of militaria and have always been interested in World War II – I’ve 72 war films at home, and Jackie is a great fan of the music from that time.

“So we wanted to put on something that hadn’t been done before in Tunbridge Wells, and thought we would give this 40s themed dance a try and just hope there are enough people that share our passion.”

More than 170 people attended the wartime ‘hangar dance’ at Salomons Estate and nearly all of them wore period costume, ranging from soldiers and officers to Wrens.

ALLIES Steve Bovis, Suzi Mitchell and Jackie Morris “We had a Captain Mainwaring lookalike, a fantastic 40s band – The Swingettes – a wartime jeep, an ARP shelter and even a spiv selling watches,” explained Mr Bovis.

A number of businesses from the town attended the dinner and dance, with Loch Associates, Big Orange, and Thomson Snell & Passmore among local companies that booked tables and joined in the fun.

Suzy Mitchell, founder of the children’s charity, said: “Being such a small local charity, we rely hugely on the generosity of the local community and corporate sector to support our work. Wood & Pilcher have truly raised the bar with their phenomenal donation.”

She added: “The funds raised at the recent WWII Hanger Ball will make a significant difference to our children with life limiting illnesses and their families.

“It is support like this that every charity dreams of. We are deeply grateful of the outstanding efforts of Managing Director, Jackie Morris, Director Steve Bovis and their wonderful team. They really did transport the guests back to yesteryear with all of the blitz and glam of the 1940s.

“It was an exceptional event which will never be forgotten.”

Sessions Father Christmas will also return to his log cabin from Saturday, November 23 until Christmas Eve. Cllr Jane March, the Council’s Cabinet member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development said: “The rink always looks festive and adds to the atmosphere in the town. The rink is very popular so put a date in your diary, book your tickets early. Join in the fun.”

Main skating sessions will take place from 10am until 8pm, except on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day when the last skating session will be at 6pm.

Skate tickets are now on sale costing from £12.50 and £8 for children on Saver Sessions and £15 or and £10 for children on Standard Sessions, both include skate hire. Seal skating aids will cost £4.

More information and tickets is available from: assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk/ice-skating-incalverley-grounds

DON’T PANIC! A Captain Mainwaring lookalike at the 40s dance

AASSKK

Darren Austin Austin at at Synergee Synergee Darren Darren Austin at Synergee

Darren Austin Austin isis aa director director of of Synergee Synergee Darren Limited, a firm of Chartered Accountants & Darren Austin is a director of Synergee Limited, a firm of Chartered Accountants & business advisers based in Tunbridge Tunbridge Wells.

Limited, a firm of Chartered Accountants & business advisers based in Wells. business advisers based inlike Tunbridge Wells.

If you have any questions you'd to ask If you have any questions you'd like to ask Darren hecan can beany contacted on you'd like to ask If he you have questions Darren be contacted on 01892 772960 | www.synergee.org.uk Darren he can be contacted on 01892 772960 | www.synergee.org.uk 01892 772960 | www.synergee.org.uk

BACK IN TIME Revellers enjoying the wartime memorabilia

Question: Question:

have a limited limited company company and and we we are are about about to to move move III have am a asubcontractor working in the construction to some new premises.

We are taking a lease over to some new arebusiness, taking a Ilease industry.

As Ipremises. am only aWe small haveover to have 10 years years although there break clause at 55been years.

10 although isis aa break clause at years.

20% deducted fromthere my sales invoices.

I have The rent rentfor £24,500 per year year but but we do doand nothe have to The isis £24,500 per we not have working a new contractor recently hasto not pay for the first 6 months.

This is great news, but pay the first months. This great news, butwhat II beenfor giving me a6 statement eachismonth showing am concerned that it means my profits will appear am concerned my profits willhe appear he has taken offthat me itinmeans tax. I have asked and says he higher than normal normal and will pay payfar. more tax.

Is there there higher than and II will more Is will provide them, but nothing so If hetax. does not anything I can do or should I not look a gift horse anything give themIto can me, docan or should I still claim I notthe look amount a gift he horse has in the theagainst mouth?my tax bill? taken in mouth?

Answer: Answer:

Under the regulations, the contractor should When you youCIS prepare your statutory statutory accounts (the When prepare your accounts (the check yourwill status prior to paying other you and, dependones that be used, amongst things, for ones that be used, amongst things, for ing on thewill response from HMRC,other should deduct

20% from the labour element of your invoices. As you note, the contractor should give you a monthly statement showing the amount deducted. When

calculating your your corporation corporation tax), tax), you you are are required required calculating you complete your annual Personal Tax Return, you to comply with applicable accounting standards to comply applicablebyaccounting standards include thewith tax deducted the contractor and it will (likely FRS102 FRS102 or or FRS105).

FRS105). Both Both of these these have have (likely be offset against your Income Tax of and National Insurspecific guidelines relating to rent free periods.

The specific guidelines relatingtotoinclude rent free periods. ance liability.

The amount is based on The the benefit of the rent free period needs to be spread benefit of the rent free period needs to betospread payments received in the tax year (6/4/xx 5/4/xx) over the the whole whole life of of the the lease. lease. over rather than the life invoices raised in the year. You do not need to submit the deductions statements with This means means that, rather than having having no rent rent forthe This that, rather than no for 66 tax return.

If HMRC cannot trace the amounts you claim months and and then then the the full full annual annual rent rent for for 9.5 9.5 years, years, months as perhaps theevenly contractor has thedeductions, rent isis averaged averaged andbecause reflected in your your the rent and reflected evenly in not submitted the correct Returns and paid the tax, accounts. £24,500 £24,500 per per annum annum for for 9.5 9.5 years years totals totals accounts.

HMRC may query the deduction you have claimed. £232,750 which which isis equivalent equivalent to to £23,275 £23,275 per per year. year. £232,750 If thisishappens, and you do not have the deductions This what should should be reflected reflected in your your accounts This is what be in accounts statements, you should provide evidence that thethe tax which will will mean mean the rent rent shown evenly over which the isis shown evenly over the has been deducted, such as invoices raised, amounts period of of the the lease lease and and your your tax tax liability liability will will not not be be period received distorted.(as per your bank statements) and details of distorted. the contractor. There is advice on this here: https:// www.gov.uk/what-you-must-do-as-a-cis-subcontractor/pay-tax-and-claim-back-deductions

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Wednesday September 25 | 2019

Aldi looks to Cranbrook as part of its ‘store a week expansion’

By Richard Williams BUDGET supermarket Aldi has earmarked Cranbrook as a future location for a new store as it continues to expand rapidly across the UK. The German discounter has already announced a new store at the former Toys R Us site in Great Lodge Retail Park, Tunbridge Wells.

Now Aldi is eyeing up sites in the town of Cranbrook as part of its big push to reach more customers.

The supermarket chain reported a sales rise last year, driven by its new store openings, which added £1.1billion, up 11 per cent, but profits at the company fell sharply by almost a fifth to £182million.

Giles Hurley, the supermarket chain’s UK and Ireland CEO, has said they are investing £1billion in new stores over the next two years, which would mean around one new store a week.

“The reality is that almost 50 per cent of the pop-

ulation of the UK doesn’t currently shop with us, and they tell us the main reason for that is that they don’t have a store near us,” he said.

But borough and county councillor Seán Holden said he did not believe there was room for another supermarket in Cranbrook, which only has a population of around 7,000.

“We have one of the highest concentrations of listed buildings in the county, it has a lot of planning constraints, so I don’t know where they would put it,” he said.

“I’m surprised they are continuing to build supermarkets when many retailers are facing an uncertain future due to online shopping.

“Commercially, there is only room for one supermarket, and we already have a big Co-op.

“In principle, I don’t have an objection, but it does have to be the right location.”

No planning application from the supermarket has been submitted yet.

Ten year olds to get driving lessons to cut road deaths A COMPANY is to provide driving lessons for children as young as ten in Tunbridge Wells as part of a move to cut road deaths.

Young Driver, a driving school aimed at 10-17 year olds, is providing lessons at the Crescent Road multi-storey car park from September.

The scheme will see the top floor of the car park converted into a realistic road system on selected weekend dates.

Accidents Young Driver says the emphasis of the lessons is on safety and encouraging youngsters to consider how to drive responsibly, giving them time to perfect the necessary driving skills without the pressures of public roads.

Sue Waterfield, from Young Driver, says 400 people are killed in accidents that involve drivers in the 17-24 age group every year in the UK, and one in five newly qualified drivers crashes within six months of passing their test.

Only eight per cent of drivers are aged 17-24 and yet they account for 30 per cent of people who are killed in cars each year.

She added: “Clearly something needs to be done to tackle the seriously high accident rates of our young drivers, as almost 1,300 17-24 year olds are killed or seriously injured in road accidents each year.

“Research shows that training drivers over a longer period of time, and catching youngsters when their attitudes towards driving are still developing, is key to producing a safer driver.”

The youngsters will have lessons in dualcontrolled Vauxhall Corsas with highly qualified driving instructors, who will guide them around a special road system complete with traffic signs, roundabouts and junctions.

“The site in Tunbridge Wells will give us a fantastic space to teach on and will provide plenty of opportunities for youngsters to try out lots of different driving skills and techniques – whether they’re a beginner or have already had a few lessons with us,” continued Ms Waterfield.

Upcoming dates for Young Driver to run in Tunbridge Wells are Sunday, September 29 and Sunday, November 10.

For more information, visit youngdriver.com

NEWS IN BRIEF

Manchester agency wins Assembly Hall bid

Loan paves the way for mansion conversion

A CREATIVE agency from Manchester has won a competitive pitch to deliver media planning for the Assembly Hall Theatre.

KMS Media will work with the council to promote a variety of cultural activities at the theatre and other venues.

“The agency won the tender against strong national competition by demonstrating a real commitment and ability to deliver a range of relevant print, outdoor and digital options whilst making the budget work hard for maximum impact,” said Caroline Winter, Producer at the Assembly Hall Theatre.

KMS Director Karen Young said winning the account showed that there was ‘still necessity for specialist, independent agencies within a market dominated by heavyweight corporations’.

A PERIOD mansion in Broadwater Down is to be converted into 14 residential units thanks to a loan secured by the developers.

Clearview Developments will convert Broadwater House from its existing five apartments thanks to a £3.7million loan by OakNorth Bank.

Jason Tema, Director at Clearview Developments, said: “The latest Borough of Tunbridge Wells Housing Needs Study shows that the area’s population is estimated to increase by 9.4 per cent to 128,800 in the next decade, so it’s in need of new homes.”

Hemesh Patel, Director of Property Finance at OakNorth, said the developers had an ‘impressive track record’, and the new development would target daily commuters and families looking for a more suburban lifestyle.

Local News

BUSINESS

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Community News

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Wednesday September 25 | 2019

‘The house is buzzing’: Barnardo’s appeal for more local foster carers

By Andy Tong A MOTHER from Tunbridge Wells who was adopted as a Barnardo’s child has told of her joy at fostering children herself.

Caroline Jefferies shared her inspiring story to help the charity as it launches an appeal for more foster carers to come forward.

The call comes on the 10th anniversary of the first Barnardo’s fostering campaign, since when it has found homes for vulnerable children more than 8,000 times.

The need for new recruits is becoming increasingly important since the number of children in care in England has risen by 27 per cent over the last decade.

London Road in Southborough.

The charity said: “We are sharing inspiring stories showing that, while the carers might not be superhuman, in the eyes of the children they care for, they’re superheroes.”

Barnardo’s are concerned that they are struggling to find the right carers to look after children, with the necessary training and skills.

They say this could be particularly difficult for those who are disabled, have siblings, are older, or are from a religious or minority ethnic background.

The charity stresses that children

Enjoy Caroline and her husband Antony, who have five grown-up children of their own, have been fostering for just over a year.

She said: “We currently have three siblings living with us who are lovely.

It takes us back to when our own children were young. The house is buzzing!

“We really enjoy fostering and getting to know the children as well as meeting other foster parents and hearing about their experiences.

“Our family has been very supportive of us fostering and we all go out and do things together, too.”

The couple went through Barnardo’s Fostering South-East service at 128

SUPERHEROES: Caroline and Antony Jefferies care for three siblings

must be given the opportunity to continue their religious or cultural beliefs with foster carers who are able to support this.

Barnardo’s Head of Fostering and Adoption, Brenda Farrell, said: “Every child deserves a safe and happy childhood. We urgently need more foster carers to ensure that children in care have just this.

“We know that being a foster carer can be challenging, but we also know how incredibly rewarding it is, and have seen first-hand the positive difference it can make to a child’s life.

“Barnardo’s is with carers every step of the way providing training and support throughout the whole fostering journey, from the first enquiry, through the approval process, to when carers meet their first foster child and beyond.”

Caroline added: “The support we get from Barnardo’s is amazing. Our key worker is always at the end of the phone if we need them for anything and at any time of day.

“I would advise anyone thinking of fostering to give it a go.

“It’s not always easy, but Barnardo’s training prepares you really well and gives you all the necessary skills and information you need to embark on this exciting journey.”

For more information, visit www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/ fostering-and-adoption or call the Fostering South-East service on 01892 510 650.

BEFORE AND AFTER: Jill Chatfield before and after her head shave at Tapers

It’s hair today, gone tomorrow as Jill, 78, helps cancer charity A 78-YEAR-OLD woman from Tonbridge has had her head shaved for the first time to help fund research into cancer.

Jill Chatfield has raised more than £1,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support as part of its ‘Brave the Shave’

‘I just wanted to make a difference. I have lost four friends to breast cancer’ campaign – with another donation of £250 going straight to the charity.

She said: “I wanted to do something for a cancer research charity. But I can’t walk far, run or swim.

“I just wanted to make a difference. I have lost four friends to breast cancer.

I saw this advertised and I thought: ‘I

can go without my hair for a while’.”

Jill lost her locks at Tapers Hair Design in Martin Hardie Way, which she has been frequenting for 19 years.

“It was quite a morning,” she said.

“All the family were there – well almost, two of my seven grandchildren didn’t want to see it done.

“The hardest thing was going outside afterwards, I was feeling a bit selfconscious. But actually I quite like it now, I might keep it like that.”

Jill’s daughter, Lucy Garrett, said: “Well she went through with it. I am extremely proud of her. I would like to put a big thank you out to Jenny from Tapers for doing the shave.”

To make a donation, visit bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/ shavers/Jill-chatfield

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

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Community News

NEWS

Ask the Lawyer Andrea Houston

TEA AND TREE: (L-R) Stephen Tester, Sue Carswell, Mayor Greg Rose, Glenys Jones and Gary Mitchell, Operations Manager at Barnsgate Manor mark the tenth anniversary of the group by planting a tree

Crowborough’s Bereavement Group puts down roots at Barnsgate Manor THE Bereavement Group established by Crowborough funeral directors Tester & Jones has celebrated its tenth anniversary with an afternoon tea at Barnsgate Manor.

The event was attended by Crowborough’s Mayor, Greg Rose, along with more than 50 members of the group, which meets every month at the venue, and an Autumn Blaze red maple tree was planted in the grounds by Cllr Rose.

A commemorative plaque was added, and members were invited to add some soil in memory of their loved one.

“We wanted to mark the occasion in a special way, and it seemed appropriate to plant the tree at Barnsgate Manor,” said Glenys Jones, cofounder of Tester & Jones.

“The team there has been a huge support to our group over the years, providing the location for our monthly get-togethers.”

Glenys added that when she and Stephen Tester launched the independent company in 2004, they ‘wanted families to know that the door was always open for them and that they could pop in after a funeral for a cup of tea and chat’.

“Over time, we felt that we could be doing more to support our families,” she added.

“Ten years ago, along with the help of Sue Carswell, who is a trained counsellor, we launched our Bereavement Group.”

Sue said: “In many ways, this is the worst possible group to have to join, but our members have brought each other love and comfort, and some incredible friendships have been formed over the years.”

In addition to meeting at the manor, members also go on trips to the theatre and other days out.

“Some lovely friendships have developed,” Glenys said. “They comfort each other and offer support at times when it’s needed. Some have gone on holiday together, while others have accompanied members to hospital appointments, for instance.”

Brenda Smart, who has been attending the Bereavement Group for five years, also explained how it helps people.

“If it wasn’t for the Bereavement Group, there are some members who possibly might not go out socially,” she said. “So it’s fantastic that Tester & Jones launched this service.”

Denny’s Fest is music to the ears of local charities THIS year’s fundraising festival at Denny’s Place barbers has raised more than £3,600 for Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource.

Denny’s Fest was held over the Bank Holiday weekend at 55-57 Grosvenor Road, with the stylists cutting hair for half the normal price.

The neighbouring 14 Arrows tattoo studio was inking for £30, and more than 60 people took up the offer.

The event was originally set up four years ago as a way of getting the business community together at the top of the town, but has expanded over the years.

Organiser Storm Walker said: “This event is in memory of my dad Denny Rowe, who raised a lot of money in his lifetime for various charities.

“We are honoured to be able to continue his legacy and help these very important organsations in our community.

“Denny’s Fest wouldn’t happen without these amazing local charities and the wonderful people who give up their time to make it happen.

“We would like to say a massive thank you to Mental Health Resource and their own volunteers for being there throughout the day helping out.”

A variety of local bands and acoustic artists performed, and Storm added: “Denny’s Fest enables us to also help our local bands.

“Music is a huge part of the Tunbridge Wells culture, we love that we can give these amazingly talented people the opportunity to showcase their music.”

Andrea qualified as a Solicitor in 2002. She has always been based at law firms in Kent and joined Keene Marsland earlier this year.

Andrea deals with a large range of Private Client matters including Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection, estate administration, Trusts and estate planning.

She is also a member of The Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP). She has a wealth of experience in dealing with complex matters in a sensitive and timely manner.

What is a Lasting Powers of Attorney, and why might I want one?

The world is becoming increasingly aware of the problems that many of us and our loved ones will face due to mental incapacity. One way in which you can protect your assets and give your loved ones the authority they need to look after you in such circumstances is to prepare a Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA).

LPAs were introduced in October 2007 when they replaced Enduring Powers of Attorney, although Enduring Powers of Attorney executed before this date are still valid.

An LPA gives you control of who you wish to act on your behalf, enabling you to appoint the person / people you trust the most if you lose mental capacity. Without an LPA an individual, who may not have been your choice had you made the decision yourself, would have to apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order. This is expensive and time consuming.

Anyone who is over the age of 18 and has mental capacity can make an LPA. There are two types of Lasting Powers of Attorney: • Property and Financial Affairs: this deals with issues such as selling a home, • paying your bills, managing money in bank accounts.

• Health and Welfare: this deals with decisions about your medical care, daily routines and life sustaining treatment.

Who should I appoint, and what happens next?

You can appoint family members, friends or professionals. There is no limit to the number of Attorneys you have, although appointing too many is not recommended.

You can also appoint replacement Attorneys if your main Attorney or Attorneys become unable to act.

You can restrict the Powers given, for example “I authorise you to deal with my X account, but not my Y account.” However, any such restrictions should be carefully considered as this could cause issues later on.

There are two ways to appoint Attorneys: • Jointly: this means that they must act together.

• Jointly and severally: this means that they can act together or alone.

Can the LPA be used once it is signed?

Once signed by all parties an LPA will be sent off to register at the Office of the Public Guardian. Once registered a Property and Financial Affairs LPA can immediately be used. However, a Health and Welfare LPA cannot be used until an individual is no longer able to make decisions for themselves.

What safeguards are in place to protect me?

All decisions that your Attorneys make must be in your best interests under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Attorneys are accountable to the Office of the Public Guardian who will investigate if they suspect abuse. They are powerful legal documents so appointing Attorneys you trust is crucial We can help you with all aspects of preparing and drafting an LPA, which you may choose to do at the same time as preparing a new Will or updating your existing Will. Please contact us for further advice and assistance.

Telephone: 01892 526442 | Email: enquiries@keenemarsland.co.uk www.keenemarsland.co.uk Address: Keene Marsland, 6 Clanricarde Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1PH Parfitt Cresswell SRA No. 71480 is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority CUTTING EDGE: Denny’s Fest at Denny’s Place barbers showcased local musicians

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Wednesday September 25 | 2019

National News

Supreme Court rules PM’s decision to prorogue Parliament was unlawful

UNLAWFUL Boris Johnson in New York yesterday

POLITICIANS will return to Westminster today after the Supreme Court ruled that Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend Parliament for five weeks was unlawful.

A panel of 11 justices at the Supreme Court in London gave their decision yesterday [Tuesday] in a ruling on the legality of the Prime Minister’s advice to the Queen to prorogue Parliament until October 14.

The judges, led by the court’s president Lady Hale, heard appeals over three days arising out of legal challenges in England and Scotland which produced different outcomes.

The panel held unanimously that Mr Johnson’s advice to the Queen was unlawful because it had the effect of frustrating Parliament.

The court also found the prorogation was also ‘void and of no effect’ - meaning Parliament has not been suspended.

Announcing the result, Lady Hale said: “The court is bound to conclude, therefore, that the decision to advise Her Majesty to prorogue Parliament was unlawful because it had the effect of frustrating or preventing the ability of Parliament to carry out its constitutional functions without reasonable justification.”

At an earlier hearing at the High Court in London, the Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett and two other judges rejected a challenge against the Prime Minister’s prorogation move by campaigner and businesswoman Gina Miller.

But in Scotland, a cross-party group of MPs and peers won a ruling from the Inner House of the Court of Session that Mr Johnson’s prorogation decision was unlawful because it was ‘motivated by the improper purpose of stymieing Parliament’.

The Prime Minister advised the Queen on

August 28 to prorogue Parliament for five weeks and it was suspended on September 9.

Mr Johnson claimed the five-week suspension was to allow the Government to set out a new legislative agenda in a Queen’s Speech when MPs return to Parliament.

But those who brought the legal challenges argued the prorogation was designed to prevent parliamentary scrutiny of the UK’s impending exit from the EU on October 31.

After the verdict, Mr Johnson vowed to press on with his plans for Brexit. The Prime Minister said he would abide by the finding of the Supreme Court that the five-week prorogation was ‘void and of no effect’ - even though he disagreed with its conclusion.

Speaker John Bercow said the House of Commons would reconvene on Wednesday at 11.30am.

The PM is cutting short his trip to the United Nations in New York to be in Westminster.

Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, speaking from the party’s conference in Brighton, immediately LADY HALE called on the PM to resign.

He said: “I invite Boris Johnson, in the historic words, to consider his position and ... become the shortestserving prime minister there has been.”

NEWS

Corbyn addresses conference a day early due to ruling LABOUR leader Jeremy Corbyn pledged to take on ‘the financial speculators, tax dodgers and big polluters’ and lead a government on the side of working people as he set out his stall for the expected election.

The Labour leader, who was forced to bring forward his Labour conference speech after the Supreme Court declared the suspension of Parliament was unlawful, insisted he would be a ‘different kind of prime minister’ as he tore into Boris Johnson.

In a hastily rewritten keynote speech, Mr Corbyn condemned the ‘harsh and uncaring’ Tories and accused Mr Johnson of being part of an ‘elite that disdains democracy’.

Mr Corbyn had been due to close the Brighton conference on Wednesday but will instead be in the House of Commons following the Supreme Court decision.

In his speech Mr Corbyn: - Announced Labour would create a publiclyowned generic drugs manufacturer to supply cheaper medicines to the NHS - Accused Mr Johnson of playing on people’s fears by comparing veiled Muslim women to “letterboxes or bank robbers” - Promised a green industrial revolution with JEREMY three new battery CORBYN plants in South Wales, Stoke-onTrent and Swindon - Insisted Labour’s Brexit policy, was ‘not complicated’.

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16

NEWS

National News

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‘Happy girl’ Greta hits back at Trump ENVIRONMENTAL activist Greta Thunberg has hit back after US President Donald Trump labelled her a ‘very happy young girl’.

Hours after giving an emotional speech to the United Nations, Mr Trump appeared to troll the 16-year-old on Twitter.

He retweeted a video of her speech and wrote: “She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see!”

Now, the teenage activist - who made headlines for her icy stare at the president when he arrived at the summit - has adopted the mantra as her Twitter bio.

Her account previously said: “16 year old climate activist with Asperger”. It now reads: “A very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future.”

Greta made an impassioned speech at the climate action summit, and told delegates they would never be forgiven if they failed to tackle rising temperatures.

The teenager, who travelled to the US by yacht to avoid flying, said she should not be on stage, but should be in school on the other side of the ocean.

She said: “You come to us young people for hope - how dare you? You have stolen my dreams, my childhood with your empty words.

“People are suffering, people are dying, entire ecosystems are collapsing, we are in the beginning of a mass extinction and all you can talk about is money and the fairytale of endless economic growth. How dare you?

“How dare you continue to look away, and come here saying that you are doing enough, when the politics and solutions needed are still nowhere in sight.”

On Monday, Fox News was forced to apologise to the young activist after a guest called her mentally ill, and said he would never appear on the network again.

Michael Knowles of the Daily Wire made the comment during a segment on a Fox evening newscast, also saying Greta was being exploited.

Duke and Duchess arrive in Cape Town THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex were at Cape Town’s Monwabisi Beach yesterday [Tuesday] on the second day of the royal couple’s visit to South Africa.

Meghan and Harry were greeted by Tim Conibear, the founding director of Waves for Change who gave the couple a briefing on the work of the charity.

Surfing The organisation combines surfing with evidence-based mind and body therapy to provide a child-friendly mental health service to vulnerable young people.

The Duke and Duchess also heard about the efforts of the Lunchbox Fund, one of four charities to benefit from the public donations

NEWS IN BRIEF

Millionnaire’s Spanish death was unlawful A BRITISH millionaire who was shot dead by his ex-girlfriend in his home on the Costa del Sol was unlawfully killed, a coroner has ruled.

Businessman Andrew Bush, 48, was shot once in the arm and twice in the head by Slovakian model Mayka Kukucova, 29, at his home in Estepona area of Malaga in April 2014.

In 2016, Kukucova was jailed for more than 15 years after being found guilty of Mr Bush’s murder by a Spanish court.

Avon Coroner’s Court resumed the inquest into Mr Bush’s death because his family had repatriated his body to the UK from Spain earlier this year where he had been interred.

Franco to be exhumed THE Spanish Supreme Court has ruled that the caretaker Socialist government can exhume the remains of former dictator General Francisco Franco.

Six judges met Yesterday [Tuesday] to decide on an appeal by Franco’s relatives against the government plan to remove the body from the gigantic Valley of the Fallen mausoleum he built on the outskirts of Madrid, and take it to a cemetery elsewhere.

It is the latest development in a decadesold controversy.

Leftist parties and families of many Spanish Civil War victims have long wanted Franco to be removed from the mausoleum, which is a major tourist attraction.

Others argue this would reopen old wounds.

CAPE CRUSADE The Duke and Duchess with members of Waves of Change

Soldier fired at 1971 barricade A WITNESS has described seeing a soldier take aim and fire before a man standing behind a barricade was shot dead.

The man, who has been granted anonymity and is referred to as witness C5, described seeing the soldier, who had been in a digger trying to clear a large tree which formed part of a barricade on the Whiterock Road on August 10, 1971.

He gave the evidence to a fresh inquest at

made following the birth of their son Archie, who has joined his parents in South Africa for his first official royal tour.

The Fund provides nearly 30,000 meals every day to Waves for Change programmes and schools in South Africa’s Townships and rural areas.

The Duke of Sussex then travelled on a South African Maritime Police Unit to Seal Island, Kalk Bay, to hear about their work combating the poaching of abalone.

Abalone is a type of sea snail that is at critically low levels, as a plate of the marine delicacy is worth more than its weight in gold - £420 a plate - to Chinese diners.

They ended their day meeting young people and community and civil society leaders at the official residence of the British High Commissioner in Cape Town.

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

Belfast Coroner’s Court into a series of disputed shootings between August 9-11 in the west of the city when 10 civilians were killed.

The events came during widespread rioting across Northern Ireland following the introduction of the controversial policy of internment on August 9 of that year.

Witness C5 gave evidence around the circumstances in which Eddie Doherty, 31, was killed.

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Saudi airstrikes kill 11

The inquests have previously heard the fatherof-four was some distance behind the barricade and had been trying to make his way home at the time when he was shot.

C5 said he saw the soldier get out of a vehicle, kneel down, take aim and fire.

“By virtue of the fact the soldier got out of the digger, took time to aim and fire a shot, I don’t believe he was in much danger of being struck by either a stone or a petrol bomb,” he said.

He added: “I am quite certain the shot fired by the soldier was the one which killed the man.”

SAUDI-LED coalition airstrikes have killed at least 11 civilians, including children, when they hit a residential building in Yemen, tribal leaders said.

They said the air strikes yesterday [Tuesday], in the district of Qataba in southern Dhale province, also wounded at least five other people.

The Houthi rebels said another Saudi-led coalition air strike killed at least seven people including children on Monday in north-western Amran province.

The Saudi-led coalition has been battling the Houthi rebels in Yemen since 2015 in a war that has killed tens of thousands of people.

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18

BUSINESS

National News

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Passengers return home as 600 Thomas Cook branches close GROUNDED More than 130,000 customers are overseas

THE Mount Pleasant Road branch of Thomas Cook was among 600 shops across the country that closed this week following the collapse of the holiday firm.

Around 9,000 people in the UK and a further 21,000 across 16 countries have lost their jobs after the travel agent failed to secure a £200million bailout on Monday.

Meanwhile anger is growing over payments made to Thomas Cook bosses before the firm collapsed. Directors at the travel company received nearly £50million in pay and perks over the past decade.

According to the group’s annual report, Peter Fankhauser, who took on the role in late 2014, pocketed £8.3million in pay, benefits and bonuses between 2014 and 2018 – including a mammoth £2.9 million share award in 2015.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson questioned whether senior managers should pay themselves ‘large sums of money’ as their businesses go ‘down the tubes’.

Speaking in New York after the launch of a 1,000-flight holidaymaker repatriation operation

part-funded by the Government, he said: “I have questions for one about whether it’s right that the directors, or whoever, the board, should pay themselves large sums when businesses can go down the tubes like that.”

Nearly 15,000 Thomas Cook customers were repatriated on Monday following the travel company’s collapse, and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said they expected to bring back a further 16,800 people on 74 flights yesterday [Tuesday].

Approximately 135,300 passengers are expected to be brought back to the UK over the next 13 days, and rival holiday firms have been assessing the shockwaves caused by the collapse of the High Street travel agent.

Holiday giant Tui has said it remained ‘resilient’ and was ‘preparing measures’ to support its affected customers.

The group said it was offering replacement flights to Tui customers who had booked on Thomas Cook Airlines and would be assessing the impact of these costs on the final week of its full-year results to September 30.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Google wins its right to be forgotten case EUROPE’S highest court has told Google it does not have to make the ‘right to be forgotten’ available worldwide.

The measure already allows citizens in EU countries to demand any results about them considered ‘inadequate, irrelevant or... excessive’ to be removed, if the search is carried out in an EU country.

In its ruling, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) recognised that countries outside the EU had ‘a different approach’ and that the balance between the right to privacy and the protection of personal data against freedom of information of internet users ‘is likely to vary significantly around the world’.

Red Dwarf rescues AA A RED DWARF advertising campaign has stemmed a decline in AA membership, the roadside recovery firm have said.

The group said its membership base had stabilised at 3.19million in its first half of this year, although this is still down slightly on the 3.25million seen a year earlier.

It said membership numbers are set to be broadly flat this year and return to growth next year, helped by a ‘sustained’ marketing push, including its recently launched ad campaign, which features the reunited cast of popular sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf, which features actors Craig Charles and Chris Barrie.

Simon Breakwell, chief executive of the AA, said: “In our roadside business, we have stabilised our personal membership base and are confident that this will be broadly flat this year and return to growth next year.”

Uber granted extension UBER has been granted a two-month licence to continue operating in London.

Transport for London (TfL) said the ridehailing firm must meet new conditions to ‘ensure passenger safety’.

The transport body has said it has requested ‘additional material’ from Uber ahead of another licensing application.

Uber had been granted a 15-month licence last year after it won a court ruling overturning a ban from operating in the capital.

A TfL spokesman said: “Uber London Limited has been granted a two-month private hire operator licence to allow for scrutiny of additional information that we are requesting ahead of consideration of any potential further licensing application.”

VW bosses charged GERMAN prosecutors have charged Volkswagen chief executive Herbert Diess, chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch and former CEO Martin Winterkorn with market manipulation in connection with the diesel emissions scandal that erupted in 2015.

The three men are accused of deliberately informing markets too late about the costs to the company that would result from the scandal, prosecutors in the city of Braunschweig have said.

They allege the executives had improperly influenced the company’s share price.

Winterkorn resigned shortly after the scandal became public. Poetsch was chief financial officer at the time and became chairman of the supervisory board in late 2015.

Diess arrived at the company shortly before the scandal broke and was initially the head of its core Volkswagen brand.

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

Your Legal Questions Answered…

Paul Reader is Managing Partner at Berry & Lamberts Solicitors.

Paul qualified as a solicitor in 2000 and has spent the entirety of that time in the Commercial and Dispute Resolution department.

Paul advises businesses throughout their lives; preparing shareholder agreements, partnership agreements, terms and conditions of business, employment contracts and policies, resolving ownership disputes, disputes with suppliers and customers, employment disputes and assisting with business purchases and sales.

Why a Shareholders’ Agreement is as important to your inheritance planning as a Will What is a Shareholders’ Agreement?

Shareholders’ Agreements are made between owners of a limited company (the shareholders) and usually detail the relationship between the parties, how they intend to run the business, what should happen if they want to leave the Company and set out procedures for resolving disputes.

Why are Shareholders’ Agreements so significant?

Shareholders’ Agreements can also deal with what happens in the event of the death of a shareholder. This is crucial. Without a Shareholders’ Agreement in place, the deceased’s shares will pass either to the beneficiaries named in their will, or under the intestacy rules if no will is in place. This usually results in members of the deceased’s family becoming owners of the shares. This can lead to two potential problems: 1. The remaining shareholder(s) will have to work with members of the deceased’s family who could suddenly own a significant stake in the Company.

Those family members will have influence over the Company and may also be entitled to dividends, even though they will not be obliged to work in the Company.

2. The deceased shareholder’s family may not want anything to do with the Company and may want to sell their shares to release their capital value.

How can these problems be avoided?

In order to solve these problems, cross options can be put in the Shareholders’ Agreement giving the deceased’s family the right to compel the remaining shareholder(s) to purchase the shares and the remaining shareholder(s) the right to compel the deceased’s estate to sell the shares to them.

What if the remaining shareholder(s) cannot afford to purchase the shares?

It is advisable for each shareholder to take out life insurance which is held in trust for the remaining shareholder(s). Then, upon the death of a shareholder, the remaining shareholder(s) receive a lump sum which they can use to purchase the shares from the deceased’s family.

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The shares held in a Company may well be a major asset of an individual. If you are a shareholder, it is therefore extremely important, when considering providing for your loved ones, that you put measures in place to enable them to realise this asset. It will also help to avoid any protracted and unpleasant dealings at an already sensitive time.

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NEWS

Letters

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

And another thing…

This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going on in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk or write to the Editor, Times Local News, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG Tunbridge Wells Alliance dirty tricks I was very interested to read your articles on the Tunbridge Wells Alliance “Dirty Tricks” last week.

It’s all too easy for people to become abusive on Facebook and other social media and behave in a way that would not be tolerated if say they were writing to your newspaper or being interviewed on radio or television.

There are plenty of examples of this locally in Southborough & Tunbridge Wells from people who have been objecting to the Southborough Hub project and the Calverley Square project in TW. Thus is the nature of Social Media I’m afraid.

I have been on the receiving end myself and therefore tend not to bother to comment or contribute to these pages.

I was very fortunate to be able to afford to take early retirement in 2006 at the age of 56 and was looking for something else to do that would use my knowledge, skills and experience gained from 33 years of service in the Environment Agency and predecessor bodies dealing with protection of surface and groundwaters from pollution and Waste Regulation.

I put myself forward as a candidate to stand for election as a Borough & Town Councillor in Southborough North Ward in May 2007 and much to my surprise was elected. I had 12 interesting and rewarding years as a Borough Councillor where my knowledge was respected and utilised and I was greatly honoured to be appointed as Mayor of the Borough in May 2015.

My service as a Borough Councillor was only ever supposed to be something to occupy me until I reached normal retirement at 65 (I am 69). I am waiting for knee replacement surgery and was not able to do any canvassing or leaflet delivery in the Borough Elections in May this year and therefore lost my seat to the Liberal Democrat, Trevor Poile, who I took the seat off in May 2007.

Adult education proves traumatic THE delay to work on the proposed Amelia Scott Centre in Tunbridge Wells is no surprise.

Who is this contractor who didn’t realise the conversion of the existing building, which has listed status, would not be easy?

As a long-time adult education student, I have been led to believe the new centre is to include a new Adult Education Centre.

There was no mention of this in Richard Williams’ article on page 6 of the Times on September 4 – has this been forgotten?

All Adult Education Centre classes held in Monson Road have been moved to sites all over the town – and outside it.

This is causing great inconvenience to students, and probably teachers and staff.

Let us hope this vital service for adults survives the trauma it is now going through.

MJ Hatt, Tunbridge Wells

Straying away from balanced coverage of Calverley Square project I HAVE been an avid reader of your weekly paper for several years. I have harboured a growing feeling that you have strayed from a balanced editorial during recent months and, as demonstrated in your last edition, it appears that you have now decided to blow your cover and come out fully in favour of the Calverley Square project.

This is regrettable, as we have experienced

FORMER MAYOR David Elliot

by the social media bullying and intimidation of anyone who does not share their views. Like the man who received 200 hate messages. Like the former banker ‘reported’ to his bosses. There’s quite a list. And that’s what the article was about, freedom of speech.

Something those who lead the Alliance clearly do not support. The fact they are using the tactics to stop the new theatre is almost coincidental. We would still hold them to account if they used the same approach to stopping a new zebra crossing.

We believe those who take big decisions about the future of our town should be able to do so free from fear.

Time to move on and embrace future Congratulations to the Times for exposing the farce the Tunbridge Wells Alliance is.

Come on, borough council, end the reign of the NIMBYS and have the courage to invest in the future of this lovely town!

David Clarke Via email I am still in contact with my former Conservative Borough Councillor friends who keep me informed of developments.

I firmly believe that the Calverley Square project is the right thing for Tunbridge Wells and my former fellow Conservatives should stand up to this abuse and vote this project through at the TWBC Full Council meeting on Wednesday.

The Tunbridge Wells Alliance is a one issue party and will fade away once construction starts and perhaps we can then return to normality in the Town Hall.

Yours sincerely David Elliott Conservative Borough Councillor for Southborough North Ward 2007-2019 Mayor of Tunbridge Wells 2015-16 Town Mayor of Southborough 2016-18 Chairman of Tunbridge Wells Conservative Association 2016-19 years of one-sided, unrepresentative politics in this borough, which has led to the waste of resources by this administration.

It is clear to most residents that, despite your campaign to denigrate some of the personalities from the Tunbridge Wells Alliance, this project is not wanted or warranted!

This Tory-led administration has had no mandate from its tax-paying public, offered scant consultation, and has played fast and loose with its finances.

Can I suggest that all those in favour of this project put their hands in their pockets and find a less intrusive location for such a scheme?

Martin Dawes Via email In the interests of balance, I look forward to reading next week the case against the proposed Calverley Square destruction of a Grade II-listed park.

This project is opposed by a large majority of residents, as witnessed by the recent local election results, but you persist in this propaganda campaign against opponents of the project. Why? Cameron Davies Via email Editor’s Note: Last week we published four pages highlighting the ‘dirty tricks’ the Alliance party is using to stop the new theatre – a campaign driven

Bring history site into the 21st century Many people in Kent are increasingly frustrated that the much-loved and well-used Kent History Forum website has not been working properly for nearly a year now.

I am aware that the owner of the site has had major issues which have meant she has been unable to resolve problems which have arisen on the site.

Is there possibly anyone out there who has the site owner’s trust and would be able to help her get this site working properly again?

Alternatively, is there a suitable organisation or individual to whom the current site owner would be prepared to pass the site?

It would be lovely to have this site up and running again, and to get some answers to some of the questions raised on the site during last year.

John Humphrey Via email

The stage is set for a new theatre I was saddened to read that the subsidy for the Assembly Hall Theatre is expected to rise by at least another £100,000 per year.

As you point out, the subsidy in the last financial year was already £480,000.

The increase will push the annual taxpayer bill up towards £600,000, and the situation could yet deteriorate further.

In addition to the regular subsidy, the council also has to undertake periodic upgrades to keep this ageing building open and compliant with health and safety standards.

In this current financial year, a further £220,000 will be spent on health and safety work.

Adding these various figures together means taxpayers are facing a bill of £800,000 – or maybe more – to keep the theatre open this year.

This is a very significant sum, bearing in mind that, by the theatre director’s own admission, the Assembly Hall can only run a very limited programme.

There’s an old saying that you shouldn’t throw good money after bad.

It makes more sense to invest in a new theatre, even if this may cost more in the short term.

Peter Oakford Via email

A little kindness goes a long way Our country seems to be changing so fast – and for the worse. Brexit has divided us all in a way that no issue has done in living memory – and yet five years ago it was just a few hardliners

that even thought about it.

Now I see young people being vilified for campaigning about climate change – their future, remember, not ours.

And, like Brexit, this is a new flavour of the month, but it is also hugely important to us all.

Meanwhile, on social media people bang on about ‘oh the country’s going to the dogs’ when there’s a bit of aggro with some kids.

Actually, ’twas ever thus in this precious country of theirs, there have always been ruffians knocking about.

What’s far more important is we stop trying to create divisions and come together as a community.

One of the things I love about Tonbridge is the way the townspeople support small events – and there are so many of them.

In time they get bigger and better, and before you know it the town is united in celebration.

We need that. It’s too easy to slag each other off these days.

Make the harder choice, and try an act of kindness instead, even a kind word.

So people have always moaned and pointed the finger, but in these days of rising nationalism surely it’s important to recognise that we need to change – for the better?

We should be leaving behind racism, sexism, ageism, xenophobia – not dredging it all up again.

James Bell Tonbridge

Odes to Boris…

You are old Uncle Boris His young nephew said And your hair has become very white But you want to deceive everyone in the land Do you think at your age that is right?

I know that I’m boastful And always tell lies And detest everybody in sight So I’m trying to ruin the country I hate I shall continue with all of my might But what of the people?

The young person asked Are they not to be given a chance?

No! Never! The reprobate joyfully cried They can emigrate over to France.

(With apologies to Lewis Carroll) How doth our dear Prime Minister Improve each shining hour Now he’s realised his dream And England’s in his power?

He wants to ruin everyone And make them rue the day They said they badly wanted ‘Leave’ And now they’re going to pay.

“Take back control” he used to shout “I have a cunning plan” “Impoverish the English and Become American” I know that Trump adores me He whispered in my ear I’m going to buy your native land But you need have no fear I’ll send you off to Greenland So you can do no-deal I think you are the very man To whom that would appeal Alexander Magnus Via email

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 is away, still digesting the Food Festival

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

EDUCATION

Education

NEWS

21

Times

Tenors tune up with school choir Pupils at St John’s Church of England Primary School Choir recently received a very special visit from renowned classical singers Tenors Unlimited ahead of their concert at Trinity Theatre THE NUMBER one selling classical crossover vocal group Tenors Unlimited perform their new show That’s Amore at Trinity Theatre on Friday October 4. And as the concert will feature members of the St John’s primary choir the tenors trio paid the primary a visit last week.

Dubbed the ‘Rat Pack of Opera’, the group comprises of Jem Sharples, a former St John’s pupil, Scott Ciscon and Paul Martin. Since forming in 2002 they have enjoyed enormous worldwide success performing alongside the likes of Sting, Lionel Richie, Beyoncé, Hayley Westenra, Simply Red and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

T

here are many innovative approaches and resources which incorporate maths into play and help to make abstract ideas more concrete, but these may not be properly understood by practitioners in some early years settings.

In my experience the quality of mathematics learning in early years settings and beyond can often depend on the quality, and more importantly, the attitudes of adults coming into contact with this age group. Many talking with under five-year-olds have a negative attitude or outlook on mathematics as a result of their own mathematical experiences whilst at school.

Uplifting Each of the tenors comes from a background in opera and musical theatre – hence the blend of classical and contemporary numbers they perform. In their new show, Scott, Jem and Paul will take audiences on a journey through some of the best loved songs of the last century, made famous by the likes of Pavarotti, Michael Bublé and Freddie Mercury. The group will also showcase some original material written by themselves.

Jem Sharples said: “We want our audiences to have an uplifting experience in this new show, so we’ve chosen songs of love and laughter - some from our back catalogue, as well as new numbers, old favourites, modern pop songs and some we’ve written ourselves. There’s something for everyone.”

St John’s Church of England Primary School choir comprises 50 pupils, aged from 8 to 11.

This year they have been learning a wide selection of songs to showcase their skills and are very much looking forward to their special concert on October 4.

“The children can’t wait to join Tenors Unlimited on stage at the Trinity Theatre,” said Jenny Stiff, deputy headteacher.

ON SONG: Tenors Unlimited from left to right: Scott Ciscon, Jem Sharples, Paul Martin, and above meeting members of St John’s Church of England Primary School choir

Are you a freelance designer? Would you like to join the team behind this newspaper?

One Media has exciting opportunities for experienced designers to help our busy, creative team in the fast-moving world of lifestyle publications.

Based at Salomon’s Estate near Tunbridge Wells, we need additional design help to produce Times Newspapers and SO Magazine - amongst the most popular and successful publications in the region.

You will be a team player working closely with others on the design, production and editorial team, who create the titles on a weekly and monthly basis.

We are part of the Markerstudy Group and are looking for people who have: Strong design, typography and layout skills.

Experience with InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator on a Mac. An excellent eye for detail and high production values.

The ability to work in a fast paced environment.

The ability to choose graphics, photographs and images to enhance the text and add impact to articles.

A background in editorial design would be an advantage.

Please contact Editorial Director Richard Moore Email: richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk Tel: 01892 779615

Be positive, not negative about mathematics

To book tickets, visit trinitytheatre.net and to find out more about Tenors Unlimited visit tenorsunlimited.com

It is important to provide children with the time to allow them to discover that their own methods may be just as valid as the one proposed by their educator, discover how robust their methods are and compare others’ ideas in order to gain a full depth of understanding.

Like many of those in the early years workforce, parents may be reluctant to engage in the subject because of their own lack of confidence. This needs to be stemmed at source and so a positive engagement with the subject, praise for success and progress is required. We are all learners and continue to develop and enhance our skills each day.

Unless proper planning and foresight is applied, young children will not have a sound start to their mathematics education. Parents may well benefit from directly receiving information on how to develop their children’s mathematical skills prior to early years and they should feel supported and then confident in working in partnership with their children’s teachers as the children develop.

Higher numeracy skills directly correlate with good health and employability and it is our responsibility as a prep school to ensure that we do our very best to support and further this learning. At Rose Hill School we are at the forefront of mathematical discussions both in house and nationally.

If you would like to come and see what we are doing here at Rose Hill please attend our next Open Morning on 4 October admissions@ rosehillschool.co.uk Adrian Brindley, Head of PrePrep, Rose Hill School

22

NEWS

Weekly Comment

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Tom Tugendhat MP for Tonbridge & Malling

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

Tom Tugendhat, MBE, left the British Army in July 2013 after a career in which he served on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and as the military assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff. As a Territorial Army officer, he worked on everything from those ops to establishing the Armed Forces Muslim Association, and also worked for the Foreign Office. He was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2015, and was elected Chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee in July 2017.

We are focusing on healthcare outcomes not processes THE last generation has seen rapid changes in our town. From the internet and globalisation, many areas have changed suddenly in recent years, but perhaps the most noticeable is in our families.

People are living longer.

This is great news. Advances in healthcare mean that my kids will know their grandparents so much better than I did, and my parents can help look after the kids when we need a break!

But the blessing of old age – so unexpected until only a few years ago – brings challenges.

At current rates, by 2050, a third of our population will be over 60 and that puts a strain on other services, not least on healthcare. That’s why we’ve got to plan ahead and that’s just what we’re doing in Tonbridge – and not just the state, the private sector and charities are helping, too.

First up is the new Tonbridge Medical Centre, due to open soon. It’s been clear for a while that the Tonbridge Medical Group has needed new facilities. The old buildings have, frankly, been struggling to cope not just with an ageing population, but with new medical procedures which mean people can be treated closer to home and often in the clinic itself. That saves us time and the NHS money.

The fewer people who need to go to hospital,

and the more who can be treated in clinics, the better. GP practices need the chance to step in and profit from this, as almost all GPs in the UK are private, delivering NHS services. They have an incentive to offer care that saves us from travelling further than we need and investing more in the local community. But not everything can be done in the surgery.

TONBRIDGE COTTAGE HOSPITAL has been a valued healthcare ‘gateway’ for centuries

Vital That’s where Tonbridge Cottage Hospital comes in. The Cottage Hospital has been at the centre of our community for decades because we need to be able to step up care locally.

Its setting is unique and so many of us have benefitted from its services over the past century.

It serves as a gateway between home and Tunbridge Wells Hospital. That’s why I’ve been clear with the Clinical Commissioning Group that as they plan the future of our health services, this must include this kind of care.

But even the state can’t do everything, and hospitals aren’t always the answer.

Charities also play a key role. Often overlooked charities like Hospice in the Weald provide vital services that allow people to be cared for when they’re most in need of it.

As a patron for Hospice in the Weald and a Dementia Friend, too, I know first-hand what a difference charities make. They support our doctors and hospitals by providing excellent support and guidance.

Tonbridge brings together public, private and

charity to serve our community and provide the best possible care.

We should be proud of what we have on our doorstep and remember that we care about care, and in our town we’re focusing on outcome, not process.

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

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AVAILABLE EVER Y WEDNESDAY – A MUST-READ

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PROPERTY, IN TERIORS & TOP TRENDS

INSPIRATION FOR MOVING AND IMPROVING timeslocalnews.co.uk

Up-to-the-minute magnificence with ultra-mod cons Page 24

25 ROCKING THE LISTED HOME LOOK

35

AN IMMACULATE VICTORIAN VILLA

A study in luxury The latest show home Page 41

319 St John’s Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN4 9XE

SUMMER OFFER FREE Quooker Flex Boiling hot tap water with every new kitchen (Ts&Cs apply*)

Innovative Kitchen design with limitless potential Call us now to book your free design appointment 01892 289070 | www.kutchenhause.co.uk

*Quooker Summer Offer Ts&Cs: 1. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. 2. Must be with a complete kitchen including appliances, worktops and units. 3. Only valid until 31/09/19. 4. Can only be used in the Tunbridge Wells store.

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Wednesday September 25 | 2019

Best property buys for...

We all love to see homes with the ‘wow’ factor – which could apply to the kitchen, reception room, garden, or something else. Sarah Bond homes in on specific aspects that make these properties well worth a look…

The STAIRCASE …

Feldwicke House

Ardingly Road, West Hoathly GUIDE PRICE

£2,250,000 CONTACT • Savills, Haywards Heath • 01444 446000• savills.co.uk A thoroughly modern home completed in 2017 that definitely has the ‘wow’ factor, especially with a huge balcony overlooking its beautiful rural location (above). And for every convenience, it is packed with modern technology, too.

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST

n Control4 smart home media system n Ground floor living space with access to wrap-around terrace

n Sitting/dining room n Mowlem & Co bespoke kitchen/breakfast room, including central island and two Caple wine fridges

n Study and cloakroom n Stylish wood and glass staircase sweeping down to lower ground floor

n 5 bedrooms (three en suite) and a family bathroom

n Games room and gym n Garden and grounds with lawn and orchard n Accessed via a private road leading to The Old House Estate. Electronic gate leads to driveway and garaging

n Planning permission for swimming pool n In total, about 3 acres

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

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The PRICE…

The BEAMS…

Mount Sion Tunbridge Wells GUIDE PRICE

£195,000 (with share of freehold)

CONTACT • Bracketts, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 533733 • bracketts.co.uk A one-bedroom first floor flat in a converted period building in the popular ‘village’ area.

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST n Entrance hall with front door entryphone n Reception room with balcony, sealed fireplace and electric heater. Open to: n Kitchen n Bedroom and bathroom n Close to High Street, Pantiles and station

Little Picketts

Picketts Lane, Horney Common GUIDE PRICE

£1,850,000 CONTACT • Knight Frank, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 515035 • knightfrank.co.uk A wonderful Grade II-listed property occupying a vast 15.3 acres by Ashdown Forest. It boasts everything for all the family, including an indoor swimming pool, games room, gym, tennis court, stabling, paddock and large lake with grass carp.

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST

n Many period features, such as exposed timbers, open fireplaces, leaded light windows and some original brick-tiled flooring

n 5 reception rooms n Open-plan kitchen/breakfast/family room with Aga and wood-burning stove, plus utility room and cellar

n 6 bedrooms (two en suite) and a family bathroom

n Detached building housing heated swimming pool, changing/shower room and studio

n Beautiful gardens and grounds, including terrace, lawns, vegetable garden, greenhouse, large lake and paddock

Cedar Cottage

Clayhill, Goudhurst GUIDE PRICE

£750,000 CONTACT • Bracketts, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 533733 • bracketts.co.uk An unusual opportunity to buy a’Colt-built’ detached chalet on a half-acre plot with stunning, far-reaching rural views. As a further plus, there is outline Planning Permission for the erection of an additional detached dwelling.

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST n Through living room featuring an open fireplace and patio doors to garden n Dining room with serving hatch to: n Kitchen/breakfast room and rear lobby

n Tennis court (in need of relaying)

n Study/bedroom 4

n 2 gated entrances, one leading to house,

n 3 first floor bedrooms and a bathroom

and one leading to garaging, workshop and storeroom, plus log store/tractor shed

n In all about 15.3 acres

n Garden with gently sloping lawns n Drive leading to large garage/outbuilding

Connecting people & property, perfectly.

Manor Close TN4 A bright and spacious family home finished to an exceptional standard.

• • • •

Secluded location Light and spacious accommodation Good size plot of approximately 0.3 acres Approximately 1 mile to mainline station

1

5

2

2

Your local expert, Ross Davies, looks forward to helping you. ross.davies@knightfrank.com 01892 310997

Guide price £1,350,000 Freehold

Stephens Road TN4

Amherst Road TN4

1

1

A semi-detached Victorian house on a soughtafter road in the town.

• • •

Period features Secluded garden Convenient for local amenities and schools

A stylish wing of this desirable mansion block set in the sought-after St. Johns area of the town.

4

2

• • •

Vaulted living space Communal grounds and residents parking Mainline station approximately 0.8 of a mile

3

1

1

Guide price £699,950 Freehold ross.davies@knightfrank.com

2

Guide price £375,000 01892 310997

ross.davies@knightfrank.com

01892 310997

knightfrank.co.uk Connecting people & property, perfectly.

All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent and the deposit, an administration fee of £288 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property (if not an AST). (All fees shown are inclusive of VAT.) If the landlord agrees to you having a pet, you may be required to pay a higher deposit (if not an AST) or higher weekly rent (if an AST). Please ask us for more information about other fees that will apply or visit www. knightfrank.co.uk/tenantfees.

Connecting people & property, perfectly.

Frant TN3 A unique new home, built to a high specification, situated in this popular village.

• • •

1

Over 4,580 sq ft of living space One of three individual properties Mainline station approximately 2.2 miles

6

5

4

Your local expert, Simon Biddulph, looks forward to helping you. simon.biddulph@knightfrank.com 01892 310997

Guide price £1,875,000 Freehold

Brenchley TN12

Forest Row RH18

1

1

A most attractive black timber clad Grade II listed barn with spectacular views.

• • •

Open plan, vaulted living space Village approximately 0.6 miles away In approximately 1.57 acres

A wonderful executive family home which has been vastly extended and fully renovated to a high standard.

4

2

• • •

At the end of a private tree-lined drive Situated in approximately 1 acre Approximately 0.5 miles to Forest Row

2

4

5

Guide price £925,000 Freehold holly.sibley@knightfrank.com

5

Guide price £1,400,000 Freehold 01892 310997

holly.sibley@knightfrank.com

01892 310997

knightfrank.co.uk Connecting people & property, perfectly.

All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent and the deposit, an administration fee of £288 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property (if not an AST). (All fees shown are inclusive of VAT.) If the landlord agrees to you having a pet, you may be required to pay a higher deposit (if not an AST) or higher weekly rent (if an AST). Please ask us for more information about other fees that will apply or visit www. knightfrank.co.uk/tenantfees.

SOLD properties for September.

Langton Green TN3

Cowden TN8

1

1

An elegant Grade II listed Mill house in a private, rural setting with potential for updating.

Guide price £1,100,000 Freehold

Frant Road TN2

1

The major portion of a Grade II listed house which is fully modernised and immaculately presented.

Guide price £1,750,000 Freehold

Brenchley TN12

Substantial portion of an immaculately presented period town house. EPC: D. 5

3

5

Sandrock Road TN2

1

Guide price £1,600,000 Freehold

Grove Hill Road TN1

1

1

Beautifully refurbished family house in the heart of the village. EPC: F.

A well-presented attached former coach house which has been stylishly renovated. EPC: D.

An elegant attached Victorian house with off-road parking. EPC: D.

Guide price £1,695,000 Freehold

Guide price £1,250,000 Freehold

Guide price £995,000 Freehold

Queens Road TN4

Cumberland Mews TN1

Forest Road TN2

1

1

1

A Victorian ground floor apartment of approximately 1,300 sq ft with period features. EPC: E.

A modern news house in the heart of the 'village' area of the town. EPC: C.

A substantial detached 1920s house of over 3,000 sq ft, offering scope to further improve. EPC: D.

Guide price £550,000

Guide price £495,000 Freehold

Guide price £1,175,000 Freehold

Call the Tunbridge Wells team on 01892 310997, we'd love to help you. knightfrank.co.uk Connecting people & property, perfectly.

All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent and the deposit, an administration fee of £288 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property (if not an AST). (All fees shown are inclusive of VAT.) If the landlord agrees to you having a pet, you may be required to pay a higher deposit (if not an AST) or higher weekly rent (if an AST). Please ask us for more information about other fees that will apply or visit www. knightfrank.co.uk/tenantfees.

AGREED sales for September.

Tunbridge Wells TN4

Linden Park Road TN2

1

1

A substantial Victorian detached family house in this sought-after location. EPC: E.

A spacious family house of over approximately 5,000 sq ft, with a separate three bedroom annexe.

An detached period cottage, set behind gates, in the heart of the town. EPC: E.

Guide price £2,500,000 Freehold

Warwick Park TN2

Guide price £1,750,000 Freehold

London Road TN1

1 6-9

4-6

4

Speldhurst TN3

1

Guide price £975,000 Freehold

Groombridge TN3

1

1

A detached 1950s property requiring complete renovation. EPC: D.

An Edwardian house requiring renovation in the centre of the village. EPC: E.

An extremely spacious self-build property in the heart of this popular village. EPC: C.

Guide price £825,000 Freehold

Guide price £1,200,000 Freehold

Guide price £900,000 Freehold

Waldron TN21

Tenterden TN30

Horsmonden TN12

1

1

1

A wonderfully versatile Grade II listed former Mill house in approximately 5.64 acres.

An elegant Georgian style country house with the benefit of a self-contained annexe. EPC: E.

A twin roundel oast house in a rural position in approximately 3.5 acres. EPC: F.

Guide price £1,495,000 Freehold

Guide price £1,350,000 Freehold

Guide price £1,350,000 Freehold

Call the Tunbridge Wells team on 01892 310997, we'd love to help you. knightfrank.co.uk Connecting people & property, perfectly.

All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent and the deposit, an administration fee of £288 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property (if not an AST). (All fees shown are inclusive of VAT.) If the landlord agrees to you having a pet, you may be required to pay a higher deposit (if not an AST) or higher weekly rent (if an AST). Please ask us for more information about other fees that will apply or visit www. knightfrank.co.uk/tenantfees.

The best properties on your doorstep

New Instruction

Savills Tunbridge Wells 01892 507 000

New Instruction

Bells Yew Green, East Sussex, TN3

Nevill Park, Tunbridge Wells, TN4

Beautiful village home, Grade II with PP to extend, walking distance to shop, pub and Frant station, garden, garage, 1,894 sq ft, EPC exempt

Characterful 3 bed apartment, prestigious private 'park' location, town/ station about 1 mile, communal garden, 2 x parking, 1,285 sq ft, EPC = D

Guide £850,000 | Freehold

Guide £625,000 | Share of Freehold

New Instruction Camden Park, Tunbridge Wells, TN2

Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, TN4

Sizeable wing of period villa, 2 beds, 'rural' feel close to town centre, views over delightful communal grounds, garage, 1,432 sq ft, EPC = F

Delightful 2 bed garden flat, stylishly extended in 2017, adjacent to common, convenient for town, wonderful garden, 1,096 sq ft, EPC = C

Guide £550,000 | Share of Freehold

Guide £475,000 | Leasehold

Talk to us today Natasha Selbie Associate Director 01892 507000 nselbie@savills.com

Becky Card Negotiator 01892 507000 bcard@savills.com

savills.co.uk | savills.co.uk Follow us on what can we do for you?

bracketts est. 1828

When experience counts...

Tonbridge Offers Invited Region of £475,000 Stunning Penthouse Apartment, within a gated development on the edge of town.

Spacious and well-lit accommodation. 3 Bedrooms, (master suite), double aspect lounge, fitted kitchen, utility, allocated parking. EPC B

Tudeley Price Guide: £795,000 - £850,000 Attached 3 Kiln Oast, tucked away position adjoining farmland, about 3 miles from Tonbridge. 4 Bedrooms, (1 en-suite), living room, study/reception hall, cloakroom, 21ft kitchen-diner, double garage, parking, super garden. EPC: N/A

Leigh Price Guide £750,000 Tonbridge £800,000 - £850,000 Good size 3/4 Bedroom Detached Bungalow, offering scope for alterations/ extensions Substantial Detached 5 bedroom family house, retaining the charm and features of an etc., Walkinghome. distance village centre and about 4 miles from Tonbridge.

21ft lounge, Edwardian 3 reception rooms, kitchen-breakfast room, utility, cloakroom, store conservatory, kitchen-diner, garage & parking.

EPC D rooms, garage, corner plot. EPC E

Tunbridge Wells OIEO £550,000 A late Victorian bay fronted semi-detached house situated within 0.25 mile of High Brooms station. Hall, 2 reception rooms, kitchen, 4 bedrooms over 2 floors, bathroom. Off road parking, rear garden (requiring cultivation). EPC: E

Groombridge £499,950 A quintessential beamed period cottage located in popular village overlooking the village green. Set over 3 storeys are 2 reception rooms, kit/brkfst room with Aga, 1st floor master bed, bathroom, 2 further beds. Rear garden. EPC: N/A

Tunbridge Wells £1,050 pcm A 2 bedroom apartment located in an exceptional development on the highly desired Molyneux Park Road. Private balcony and allocated parking space within well maintained gated development in beautiful grounds. EPC: C

bracketts.co.uk Tunbridge Wells 01892 533733 | tunbridgewells@bracketts.co.uk

Tonbridge 01732 350503 | tonbridge@bracketts.co.uk

CENTRAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS

PEMBURY / MATFIELD

A charming two bedroom Grade 2 Listed Mews house in an exclusive gated development in the centre of town with delightful views over Calverley Park 2 Bedrooms, 2 Reception Rooms, 2 Bathrooms, 2 Private parking spaces, Beautiful communal garden, Private decked garden terrace

An attractive Grade II listed detached character family house with 17th/18th Century origins in a rural location betwixt the villages of Matfield and Pembury 5 Bedrooms, 3 Reception Rooms, 2 Bathrooms, Garden, Off Street Parking, 3059 Approx Sq Ft, Land Area 0.69 Acres

GUIDE PRICE £600,000 to £625,000

GUIDE PRICE £975,000

Further Properties Required

TOWN ROW GREEN, ROTHERFIELD

SPELDHURST

A deceptively spacious conversion of a former dairy set in delightful gardens in tranquil rural position well away from main roads 4 Bedrooms, 2 Reception Rooms, 3 Bathrooms, Garden, Off Street Parking, Attractive landscaped Garden, Garage EPC Rating TBC

A well maintained detached family house, tucked away in this popular development, set in pretty and well secluded gardens within just a short walk of the village centre 4 Bedrooms, 2 Reception Rooms, 2 Bathrooms, Very attractive Garden, Off Street Parking, Garage,1767 Approx Sq Ft EPC Rating D

GUIDE PRICE £850,000

GUIDE PRICE £795,000

TUNBRIDGE WELLS 01892 521700

tunwells@jackson-stops.co.uk www.jackson-stops.co.uk

Local and national reach through a network of London & Regional offices PROPERTY EXPERTS SINCE 1910

Cosy up this winter in a home from KMJ Property

www.kmjproperty.co.uk

01892 515188

sales@kmjproperty.co.uk

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Prospect Road

Beautiful Victorian villa with parking within walking distance of the station

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AT A GLANCE PROSPECT ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS n Elegant detached Victorian home believed to date from around 1869 n Immaculately presented with wonderful period features n Drawing Room with wide bay window, marble fireplace, polished wood floor and double doors to: n Dining Room with marble fireplace and French doors to garden n Exceptionally spacious kitchen/ breakfast room with full-size brushed steel range cooker n 5 bedrooms (four doubles and one single) n 2 ‘Jack and Jill’ luxury shower rooms n Landscaped, partly walled southfacing garden with two seating areas, a lawn and ornamental trees including a silver weeping pear and a stunning red acer n Double wrought iron gates at the front of the property lead to a large parking area for several vehicles n Excellent location close to Calverley Park and within walking distance of Tunbridge Wells Station, the High Street and The Pantiles

ASKING PRICE

£1,395,000 CONTACT • Jackson-Stops, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 521700 • jackson-stops.co.uk

EAST PECKHAM £1,200,000 ALWAYS WANTED THAT COUNTRY HOUSE & GROUNDS? THEN TAKE A LOOK…..Countryside views, character features and a wealth of beams all wrapped up in a beautiful detached house with garden & grounds plus paddock (approximately 4 acres in total). Spacious accommodation including six bedrooms, three reception rooms and three bath/shower rooms, galleried landing, farmhouse kitchen/b’fast room & utility. Gravel drive & parking. EPC: F (Apply Tonbridge)

HADLOW GUIDE PRICE: £750,000 TAKE A LOOK at this lovely detached property which combines history with well-planned accommodation, ideal for modern family life. Positioned in the heart of the charming village of Hadlow the property offers spacious reception rooms, large kitchen/breakfast room along with 5 bedrooms, en-suite shower room and family bathroom.

Walled garden, driveway parking and integral garage too. EPC: D (Apply Tonbridge)

SOUTH TONBRIDGE £375,000 EASY WALK TO THE MLS & HIGH STREET from this attractive, modern semi-detached house. Spacious sitting/dining room with doors to garden, stylish fitted kitchen including appliances, downstairs cloakroom, 3 bedrooms, en-suite shower and bathroom. Compact enclosed garden enjoying sunny aspect and driveway parking for 2 cars. Great location for renowned schools.

No Onward Chain. EPC: C (Apply Tonbridge)

Residential Pembury: 01892 822880 Tonbridge: 01732 771616 Sales & Lettings e: pembury@bkea.co.uk e: tonbridge@bkea.co.uk

Lettings: 01732 771616 e: lettings@bkea.co.uk

www.bkestateagents.com

PEMBURY GUIDE PRICE £500-515,000 FOUR DOUBLE BEDROOMS!! This gorgeous 1930’s semi detached home is situated in the heart of the village and has well-proportioned accommodation comprising: large vaulted entrance hall, sitting room with open fire, play room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility, cloakroom W.C, family bathroom and en-suite shower room. To the rear is a great sized garden with patios and lawn and a fabulous children’s playhouse with power connected. Driveway parking. EPC: (Apply Pembury)

PEMBURY OIEO £375,000 SUNNY, LOW MAINTENANCE GARDEN. 3 bedroom modern semi-detached house set in sought-after Romford Road, a short stroll to the village shop, primary school and country walks. Set behind a mature hedge for privacy, with a large timber garden store to the side and a garage next to the adjoining house. The accommodation comprises: Entrance porch, hallway with storage, sitting room, modern kitchen/breakfast room, garden room, cloakroom WC, 3 bedrooms and family bathroom. EPC: D (Apply Pembury)

MATFIELD £318,000 MAKE THIS HOUSE YOUR HOME! Set in a cul-de-sac in the heart of this sought-after village, with sunny gardens to front and rear. Well-proportioned accommodation which would now benefit from some cosmetic updating, allowing you to style to your own taste. Entrance hall, spacious sitting room, kitchen/dining room, ground floor shower room, 3 good bedrooms and first floor bathroom. NO ONWARD CHAIN. EPC: D (Apply Pembury)

Residential Pembury: 01892 822880 Tonbridge: 01732 771616 Sales & Lettings e: pembury@bkea.co.uk e: tonbridge@bkea.co.uk

Lettings: 01732 771616 e: lettings@bkea.co.uk

www.bkestateagents.com

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

Property Focus NEW H OMES

A chance to enjoy a touch of right royal ‘Kensington’ in Royal Tunbridge Wells A NEW, fully-dressed luxury show home has opened for viewing at the prestigious Regency Grange development near the Nevill Golf Club, where Countryside Properties say buyers can enjoy ‘the best of everything’.

As the busy autumn buying season gets under way, this particular home – The Kensington Plot 14 – is available to move into now for £975,000.

The Kensington house type is part of the developer’s Sovereign Collection – a premium selection of three-storey four and five-bedroom properties offering grand living with plenty of space for families.

Located off Benhall Mill Road in an idyllic setting between the countryside and the town, the homes at Regency Grange have been built to a high standard to show an affinity with the heritage of Tunbridge Wells and the town’s Georgian architecture, and they are said to have ‘everything to meet the aspirations of today’s discerning homeowners’.

Properties within the whole development range from two-bedroom apartments and maisonettes to two, three, four and five-bedroom homes. They all feature a high specification and finish, with open-plan kitchen/living areas and double doors to gardens.

Prices start from £500,000 for Regency Grange’s three, four and five-bedroom houses.

FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO BOOK A VIEWING Contact the Regency Grange sales team on 01892 884514, email: regencygrange@ cpplc.com or visit the website at countrysideproperties. com/regencygrange

Children’s timely nod to history at new school…

AN INTRIGUING time capsule event is taking place at Berkeley Homes’ nearby Hollyfields development at Hawkenbury tomorrow [Thursday].

Excited It is being held with pupils from the local junior school, St Peter’s Church of England Primary, which is due to move to a whole new building at the development. The new school will replace the existing building in Windmill Street and is expected to be completed next year.

The schoolchildren are said to be ‘very excited’ to be taking part in a piece of local history. They will bury a time capsule on site, which will be uncovered again in 50 years’ time.

OLD FOR NEW (L-R) The present St Peter’s and the proposed new school

New Homes

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Call 24/7 flyingfishproperties.co.uk | 01892 514 189 challenging pe rc e pt io n

3 Bedroom Barn Conversion, Postern Lane, Tonbridge

5 Bedroom End Terrace, Mill Court, Bidborough

4 Bedroom Detached, Hardinge Avenue, Southborough

Guide Price £1,100,000 206m /2,214ft

Guide Price £895,000 205m2/ 2,211ft2

Guide Price £795,000 179m2/ 1,923ft2

Beautiful 3-bedroom barn conversion with detached studio annex in open countryside setting. This wonderful detached barn conversion is sat proudly within its landscaped gardens occupying an idyllic rural position surrounded by rolling Kent farmland and open countryside.

Substantial stylish 5-bedroom family home in private cul-desac. Set on a quiet private cul-de-sac, this home`s elegant, light filled interior delivers a family friendly contemporary style of living in an idyllic semi-rural setting.

Unique contemporary 4-bedroom family home. Set on a quiet cul-de-sac, with woodland as its backdrop, the smart appearance of this home as you approach is quite modest.

Once inside, however, its size and quality are immediately apparent, and its rear leafy views are fabulous.

4 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Culverden Park Road, Tunbridge Wells

4 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Woodland Way, Bidborough

5 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Wilman Road, Tunbridge Wells

Guide Price £765,000 158m2/ 1,702ft2

Spacious bright 4-bedroom family home. This fantastic family home is set back from its quiet street by a grass verge and a low brick wall that borders its pretty front garden.

Guide Price £700,000 158m2/ 1,697ft2

4 Bedroom Semi-Detached, London Road, Southborough

4 Bedroom Semi-Detached, London Road, Southborough

Guide Price £625,000 139m2/ 1,498ft2

Guide Price £625,000 139m2/ 1,498ft2

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2

Guide Price £725,000 142m / 1,529ft 2

Flawlessly designed 3/4-bedroom house. Commanding a prime position on a peaceful cul-de-sac, this smart mews town house is also a stone`s throw from excellent schools, superb transport links and the town centre`s shops and restaurants.

Bedroom Detached, Chafford Lane, Fordcombe Guide Price £660,000 130m / 1,404ft 2

2

Stunning spacious 2/3-bedroom house in idyllic village setting.

With glorious panoramic views across the open countryside opposite, this handsome property stands proud in its soughtafter village setting.

Let’s be social: facebook.com/flyingfishproperties

2

Stylish contemporary 4-bedroom family home. Set in a popular village location with local shops, restaurants and pubs on your doorstep you also benefit from the tranquil village offerings of the cricket green, woodland walks and open countryside.

FLYING FISH Tunbridge Wells twitter.com/flyingfishuk

Stylish extended 5-bedroom family home. This substantial semidetached house is on a residential road hugely popular with families and professionals alike as it is in walking distance of excellent schools, local amenities and superb transport links.

Stylish contemporary 4-bedroom family home. Set in a popular village location with local shops, restaurants and pubs on your doorstep you also benefit from the tranquil village offerings of the cricket green, woodland walks and open countryside.

Happiness is,

Independent Family Estate Agent 01892 514 189 | flyingfishproperties.co.uk 55 London Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 0PB

Selling or Letting, let us put a smile on your face

Call 24/7 flyingfishproperties.co.uk | 01892 514 189 challe nging pe rc e pt io n

4 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Elmshurst Gardens, Tonbridge

4 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Queens Road, Tunbridge Wells

2 Bedroom Apartment, Penshurst Road, Bidborough

Guide Price £572,500 105m / 1,128ft

Guide Price £540,000 132m2/ 1,421ft2

Guide Price £600,000 145m / 1,562ft

Perfectly positioned 4-bedroom semi-detached Victorian home.

This 4-bedroom house sits on the popular Queens Road in the sought after St Johns quarter of Tunbridge Wells. It is a short walk from first class grammar schools and mainline stations making it perfect for families with professional needs.

Simply stunning period 2-bedroom apartment with spectacular views. This elegant two double bedroom luxury apartment forms part of a magnificent Grade II listed Victorian country home which dates back to the 1860s.

4 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Sheffield Road, Southborough

4 Bedroom Terrace, Lower Green Road, Tunbridge Wells

2 Bedroom Apartment, London Road, Tunbridge Wells

Guide Price £450,000 146m / 1,575ft

Guide Price £450,000 96m2/ 1,030ft2

OIEO £500,000 114m2/ 1,227ft2

Charming stylish 4-bedroom home. This charming period home has great views over the green spaces of Rusthall Common and is only a short walk from the local village shops.

Stylish contemporary 2-bedroom apartment in historic building.

This elegant apartment, sits on the first floor of an impressive period conversion, which forms part of a Victorian property that dates back to the 1840s.

2 Bedroom Terrace, Castle Street, Southborough

2 Bedroom Terrace, Norton Road, Southborough

1 Bedroom Apartment, Edward Street, Southborough

Castle Street, Southborough - Guide Price £339,950 65m2/ 697ft2

Guide Price £290,000 82m2/ 879ft2

Guide Price £195,000 48m2/ 518ft2

Smart period 2-bedroom house. With period charm and a contemporary feel, this immaculate home is a short walk from local shops, sought after schools and excellent transport links.

Bright newly renovated 1-bedroom apartment. This bright and spacious apartment is ideally located with the mainline station just a short walk away giving fast access into central London in less than an hour. Southborough`s local shops and popular schools are also on its doorstep.

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2

2

Spacious bright 4-bedroom family home. This fabulous semidetached house, has been extended and renovated to deliver a luxury family lifestyle, that you could move straight in and enjoy.

2

Unique Contemporary 4-bedroom house. A striking mixed exterior of painted render, red brick and zinc with grey aluminium windows makes this home stand out from the crowd, its design delivering space and light in abundance.

Pretty period 2-bedroom cottage. Just a short walk from Southborough`s local shops, sought after schools and excellent transport links, sits this pretty house with plenty of kerb appeal.

Let’s be social: facebook.com/flyingfishproperties

2

FLYING FISH Tunbridge Wells twitter.com/flyingfishuk

2

Happiness is,

Independent Family Estate Agent 01892 514 189 | flyingfishproperties.co.uk 55 London Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 0PB

Selling or Letting, let us put a smile on your face

KNIGHTS WOOD | TUNBRIDGE WELLS

STUNNING NEW HOMES 4 BED HOMES Prices from £600,000

3 BED HOMES Prices from £530,000

2 BED HOMES Prices from £360,000

2 BED APARTMENTS Prices from £275,000

Stylish new apartments and 2, 3 & 4 bedroom homes designed for modern living, which come complete with quality kitchens, a full range of integrated appliances, beautiful bathrooms and floor coverings all included in the price.

SHOW HOMES OPEN 7 DAYS 10am - 5pm Help to Buy available | Furniture packages available* Contact our sales team for full details.

Visit dandara.com or call 01892 800 580 for full details

discover

Find our Sales Suite at Knights Park - just off Knights Way, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UW

*Terms & Conditions apply. Specification may vary subject to house type and build stage. Full details available on request. Price and details correct at time of going to print. Interior image shown is The Admiral show home.

ADVERTORIAL

Show Homes at Knights Wood a must-see for Tunbridge Wells buyers For buyers searching for their dream home in Tunbridge Wells, a visit to the stunning Show Homes at Dandara’s Knights Wood development is highly recommended.

As one of the UK’s largest independent property development companies, Dandara has received over 100 industry awards for design and quality over the past three decades – and visiting Knights Wood, it is easy to see why.

Since its launch five years ago, this flagship Dandara development has emerged as one of the most sought-after destinations in Tunbridge Wells and continues to attract buyers drawn by its characteristic surroundings. Surrounded by ancient woodland, Knights Wood offers a unique alternative to the hustle and bustle of the town centre, yet is conveniently close enough for residents to still enjoy the best that Tunbridge Wells has to offer.

Currently available for viewing seven days a week at Knights Wood are two Show Homes, the threebedroom Admiral and the two-bedroom Regent House apartment.

Dandara’s inimitable style is perfectly encapsulated in the design of The Admiral, a spacious, detached property with a car-port and off-road parking, which has clearly been designed with family life very much in mind.

Featuring a large bay window to maximise natural light, the Admiral’s living room is a fantastic space to relax and unwind at the end of a busy day. This is complemented by an open-plan kitchen-dining area with French Doors allowing direct access

to the rear garden, plus a downstairs WC, handy utility space and car-port.

Upstairs, The Admiral boasts three double bedrooms, two of which have fitted wardrobes.

The master bedroom is equipped with an en-suite shower room and its own balcony, and superbly appointed family bathroom which is truly suited to contemporary living. Price available on application.

Also at Knights Wood, the two-bedroom show apartment at Regent House enjoys a free-flowing layout, beautiful rooms and a prime location close to Knights Wood’s recently opened village-style Green.

With a spacious living/kitchen/dining area, this contemporary apartment is a fusion of clean lines and quality materials. An individually designed kitchen is fitted with integrated appliances from Neff and Bosch, and a private balcony/terrace provides the perfect viewpoint to appreciate Knights Wood’s beautiful setting.

Park House Show Apartment

All the apartments in Regent House and nearby Park House have two bedrooms, with a fitted wardrobe and en-suite to the master, plus a second bathroom off the hallway. An allocated parking space ensures the future owners need not worry about where to leave the car. Apartments start from £275,000 and Penthouses from £555,000.

For more details, please call 01892 800580, visit www.dandara.com or drop into the Knights Wood Marketing Suite, which is open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm.

The Admiral Show Home

Do you need shade from the sun or shelter from the rain?

AWNINGS, VERANDAS & CARPORTS FROM SBI Ltd

25% OFF INSTALLS INC. FREE HOME SURVEY – QUOTE SBI Ltd SUPPLY AND INSTALL A RANGE OF CANOPIES THAT HAVE BEEN DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO ADD STYLE AND PRACTICALITY TO YOUR HOME. Durable and attractive aluminium structures are available with a range of glazing or fabric covers, allowing you to choose the perfect structure for your setting and budget. SBI’s bespoke awnings are remote, have LED lighting built into the arms, have a motion wind sensor and manual override, fully loaded as standard. Any size up to 7m wide by 3.5m projection. Garage door and carport packages available.

SBI Ltd Established 1998 – Over 1000 satisfied customers – Members of the BBSA

CALL NOW 0800 0742721 www.sbiproductsltd.co.uk

Commercially Minded If you think your land or property has development potential, why not give us a call without obligation and in confidence.

Office blocks

Shops with uppers

Garage sites

Commercial investments

Many of our clients retain our services and, in the majority of cases, pay our fees saving property owners significant costs.

Commercial buildings for residential conversion, former public houses, redundant buildings for redevelopment, buildings for conversion or replacement, houses for improvement, large sites on the edge of town, barn conversions, large gardens in residential areas and major regeneration projects.

Contact Stephen Donnelly on 07739 514350 or 01892 579937 website: sjd-projects.com email: steve@sjd-projects.com

WE ARE ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR LAND AND PROPERTY WITH DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL

OVER 90% SOLD

O N LY 7, O N E A N D T W O B E D RO O M A PA RT M E N T S R E A DY T O M OV E I N T O I N T H E H E A RT O F T U N B R I D G E W E L L S Don’t miss this opportunity to secure one of the final remaining apartments at the award-winning Royal Wells Park. Book an appointment to view the stunning range of show apartments and speak with our Sales Consultants to find out how we can help with your move.

– Spacious open plan apartments, many with balconies or terraces

Prices from £325,000* Help to Buy available†

– Low maintenance, energy efficient homes

– Just a short walk to the station – An array of shops, bars, cafés and entertainment nearby – Integrated kitchen appliances included – Parking included – 10 year NHBC guarantee

Also available: 4 bedroom houses from £850,000*

To book a viewing please call 01892 888640 or visit royalwellspark.co.uk Sales and Marketing Suite Open daily 10am – 6pm 3 King Charles Square, located off Mount Ephraim, Royal Wells Park, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN4 8FA

– 2 year Berkeley warranty

Photography features Royal Wells Park and is indicative only. *Prices correct at time of printing. †Help to Buy available on selected properties only. Subject to qualifying, terms and conditions apply.

www.royalwellspark.co.uk Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

11023_049_RWP_Times of Tunbridge Wells 340x264_AW.indd 1

17/09/2019 16:42

ADVERTORIAL

SJD Projects – proud supporters of Folly Wildlife Rescue.

Snakes Alive!

There are three species of snakes living here in the UK: the grass snake, the adder and the smooth snake (but ophiophobe’s out there will be pleased to hear that only the first two are found in this part of the world!)

All three are shy and retiring creatures and only the adder is venomous - but it’s a very timid animal and normally flees before anyone can get close enough to provoke it into biting; and to put this into context, only 14 people have died from adder bites in this country since 1876 – the most recent fatality having occurred in 1975.

All snakes are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature matches that of their surroundings – and not being able to generate their own heat is one of the reasons they’re most likely to be observed lying out in the sun in warm weather. In winter, all three species undergo a period of dormancy (but not hibernating in the true sense), seeking shelter from the cold in underground places beneath the frost line.

In the spring they re-emerge and as soon as it’s warm enough, will seek out a meal; in the case

of the grass snake it’s frogs, newts and fish, and for the adder mice, voles and lizards.

Habitat-wise, adders prefer heaths, down land and open woodland glades, while grass snakes favour grassland, the banks of streams, marshy areas and if there’s a pond, gardens too.

In terms of reproduction, the two species are completely different. After mating, the female grass snake seeks out a warm, damp place such as a compost heap or some other decomposing vegetation to lay her 10-40 eggs; after depositing them, she has no further role in their care or incubation, as the eggs are incubated by the warmth of the nest site; after 10-12 weeks, the young snakes emerge and from the very first are completely independent.

Adders though give birth to live young, with the number varying from 5-20. The venom glands are fully formed at birth but at this stage both fangs and venom glands are too small and to be able to deliver a serious bite to a human.

from grey to reddish-brown with dark irregular patches on the flanks; but their most prominent feature is a thick, dark, zig-zag line that extends along the whole back, together with a black V or X mark on the top of the head; and if you’re foolish enough to get really close, you’re notice that the adder has an elliptical pupil, just like a cat!

Here at the Broadwater Forest Wildlife Hospital, we usually see several grass snakes a year – the majority of them victims of entanglement in the plastic netting that people stretch over garden ponds to keep out herons. Adders though are hardly ever seen – perhaps one every ten years or so?

If you would like to help the Trust’s work with wildlife, why not join our Friends of Folly support group? It costs from just £3 a month and as well as helping our vital work, you’ll receive regular news updates, email bulletins and can even visit us to see ‘behind the scenes’ at the hospital!

In appearance, grass snakes are generally olive green in colour with dark vertical bars on the flanks. On either side of the neck there is a prominent yellow or white patch and they can grow to a metre in length.

SJD

PROJECTS

Adders are a much stouter snake, rarely exceeding 65cms in length. The colour varies

Become a friend Joining Friends of Folly is a simple but effective way of ensuring we can continue to build on our work with wildlife.

And it isn’t expensive – you can become a Friend of Folly for as little as £3 a month, but if you can give more, it would be very welcome indeed - many of our Friends donate £5, £10, £20 (and sometimes more), every month.

WWW.SJD-PROJECTS.COM

STANDING ORDER MANDATE

The Folly Wildlife Rescue Trust RCN 1091857 The Broadwater Forest Wildlife Hospital Fairview Lane, Broadwater Forest Tunbridge Wells TN3 9LU 01892 543213 www.follywildliferescue.org.uk Stephen Donnelly | SJD 78 St Johns Road, Tunbridge Wells Kent TN4 9PH 07739 514350 | 01892 579937 www.sjd-projects.com

GIFT OPTIONS

BANK

PLEASE SEND ME MY:

ADDRESS

FREE fridge magnet, or

POSTCODE ACCOUNT NAME

Wildlife badge

BRANCH ACCOUNT NO

I would like a ‘behind the scenes tour’

SORT CODE

Please make the following payment until further notice to: Folly Wildlife Rescue Bank: Natwest.

Account No: 51608227 Sort Code: 60-06-27

If you’d like to help us: 1. Just make your membership choice below.

Amount in words

YOUR CONTACT DETAILS

2. Complete the standing order form on the reverse

Commencing (date of first payment)

NAME

3. Select your gift choices

And thereafter every month on date

TEL

4. Return this leaflet to the address on the reverse – we’ll do the rest!

DATE OF LAST PAYMENT TO BE ADVISED

MOBILE

MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

NAME

PLEASE SELECT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

SIGNED

ADDRESS

PLEASE RETURN THIS LEAFLET TO:

OPTION 1 For one or two adults: £3 a month

OPTION 2 For families: £5 a month

OPTION 3 Other amount of your choice: £_________ a month

POSTCODE Please send me the Wildlife MATTERS monthly email bulletin

The Broadwater Forest Wildlife Hospital Fairview Lane, Broadwater Forest Tunbridge Wells TN3 9LU

EMAIL We can claim back the tax you have paid on your donation (25p for every £1 you donate) through Gift Aid. This additional income really does make a big difference, so please don’t forget to Gift Aid donations if you are a UK tax payer. I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the current tax year than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations it is my responsibility to pay any difference

SIGNED DATE

01892 543213 info@follywildliferescue.org.uk admin@follywildliferescue.org.uk www.follywildliferescue.org.uk The Folly Wildlife Rescue Trust RCN 1091857

THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN FUNDED BY

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

Life&Times

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

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

52

SEE THE RTWSO PERFORM

54

MONSTERS? JUST CHILD’S PLAY

62

ENJOY AN ALPINE ADVENTURE

70

Live life on the veg

Riverford’s Sally Beare on how you can eat cleaner and greener Page 58

TJS ARE RUNAWAY SUCCESS

Life&Times

arts

52

Arts & CultureFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

Celebrating an orchestra in fine tune IN FULL FLOW The impressive Tunbridge Wells classical orchestra

This Sunday, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra returns to the Assembly Hall with its first concert of the new season, featuring conductor and pianist extraordinaire Howard Shelley. RTWSO Chairman Giles Clarke tells Eileen Leahy all about the group’s history, and why it’s still so relevant today

T

HE Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra [RTWSO] was established in 1922 and has long been at the musical heart of the town, playing both as a group and also with a number of established high profile musicians. This season they include conductor and pianist Howard Shelley as well as bassoonist Amy Harman and opera star Susanna Gaspar.

Around half of the RTWSO players are local amateur musicians, ranging from music teachers to retired professional players, or people of professional ability who aren’t employed by an orchestra. The remaining half of the RTWSO are professional orchestra players.

“We like to boast that we are the finest pro-am orchestra in the South-East,” says the orchestra’s Chairman, Giles Clark.

“From small beginnings, the orchestra has grown to the extent that for major works we now number about 90 players on the stage.”

Over the years, the RTWSO has always managed to persuade an impressive array of international soloists to join them in their season, which runs until early summer.

“People such as Eileen Joyce, Denis Brain, Peter Pears and Leon Goossens have all played with the RTWSO in the past,” Giles continues.

“And we keep up that tradition today with people like Stephen Hough, Steven Isserlis and Nicola Benedetti, who have all been with us in recent seasons.”

There are around 50 playing members, and approximately 500 season ticket holders, so it’s fair to say that the RTWSO, who always play at the Assembly Hall, is certainly not showing any signs of waning as it approaches its centenary in 2022.

SEASONED CONDUCTOR Music Director Roderick Dunk

Superb “It is a very friendly organisation, and both players and audience form an extended family,” adds Giles. “Many of the professional players have also been coming to Tunbridge Wells for years and have become firm friends, as have the visiting conductors, such as Barry Wordsworth or Neil Thomson.

“And I mustn’t forget to mention our superb Music Director, Roderick Dunk, who conducts the majority of our concerts. Rod has been with us for many years now and, with his help and guidance, the quality of the music-making has continually developed from year to year.

“We are now able to tackle many of the most challenging pieces in the symphonic repertoire.

HOWARD SHELLEY Will perform on Sunday

There was a wonderful performance of Richard Strauss’s ‘Ein Heldenleben’ a couple of years ago and Mahler’s Fifth Symphony was a real highlight, as was Tchaikovsky’s Manfred Symphony. All of these were the first live performances of the works in Tunbridge Wells – you don’t have to go to London to hear superb music!”

Giles goes on to say that there are myriad benefits of playing in the RTWSO: “People with first-rate playing ability like to be able to practice those skills, and the opportunity to play alongside top professionals in performances of the great symphonic works is a wonderfully stimulating experience. There is nothing like

rising to the challenge of performing a major piece of music and feeling the exhilaration of the audience in the hall afterwards.

“I keep being surprised at how many concerts end with a cheering and stamping audience calling for encores – in Tunbridge Wells!”

And the organisation is always on the lookout for new members to join its ranks.

“If there is anybody who thinks they have the talent it takes, and the ability to come along to Friday night rehearsals as well as our monthly concerts, then please get in touch.

“And if you play the double bass, you would be greeted with open arms!” says Giles.

In terms of its opening concert of the season, which takes place on September 29, Giles says it will have a ‘distinctly Slav bias’.

“We start with country music, Dvorák’s wonderfully tuneful Slavonic dances, but then there will be something much more sophisticated courtesy of Rachmaninov’s ultraromantic second Piano Concerto, with Howard Shelley returning to play for us.

“This is the piece that was so memorable in the pre-war film Close Encounters, and it was written in Tsarist times in Russia before the drama of the revolution there. Compare that with Shostakovich’s first symphony, written only 25 years later but now in Stalinist Russia. Romance is now a thing of the past; it’s another amazing piece, but from an altogether different world.”

Giles says that every RTWSO concert is different, and that every member of the audience brings ‘their own enthusiasms’ during its season, which runs from now until May. “What brings it all together is wonderful music brilliantly played in friendly and welcoming circumstances by Tunbridge Wells’ own orchestra.

What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?”

The RTWSO 2019-20 season • November 3: Barry Wordsworth, the Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Ballet (and a long-time friend of the RTWSO) will be back to conduct the orchestra. He will also return to play on April 5 • February 2: Opera Gala – this is when four singers, including Susanna Gaspar and Richard Morrison, will join the RTWSO on stage to perform operatic scenes

• March 1: Martin James Bartlett, BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2014, will perform Ravel’s piano concert • May 3: RTWSO will play two symphonies: Mozart’s 40th and and Anton Bruckner’s monumental seventh If you’d like to find out more about joining the RTWSO, please email its manager, Anne Parker, at: manager@rtwso.org

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Arts & Culture

Life&Times

53

‘Tunbridge Wells and Wiesbaden share a passionate interest in music of all forms – and so much more’ This year marks the 30th anniversary of the twinning of Tunbridge Wells with Wiesbaden in Germany. Cllr Julian Stanyer, Chairman of the Tunbridge Wells Twinning & Friendship Association, and Michael Waggett, Chairman of the Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival, tell us how they will celebrate Can you tell us about the Twinning Association?

JULIAN: We are celebrating 30 years since the original charter was signed, but historically we go back much further to when World War II veterans from both towns decided as part of their personal contribution to world peace to organise exchanges between our respective residents. These informal links led to the formal signing of a Twinning Charter in 1989 – the same year as the Berlin Wall began to be dismantled!

Who helps to run the group, and how regularly are you in contact with Wiesbaden?

JULIAN: The group is very well organised and has been for many years thanks to the work of Professor Michael Holman, who lives locally and organises a ‘Kulturkreis’, where native speakers can meet once a month. But we have a wide and active committee which regularly meets to plan events and welcome our visitors from Wiesbaden.

I personally got involved after my Mayoral Year in 2014-15. I had visited Wiesbaden as Mayor during the ‘Year of Twinning’ celebrations in Wiesbaden, when they had brought together all 18 twin towns and cities to explore what they had and could achieve together. Then I was asked to be Chairman here in Tunbridge Wells.

Can you tell us about your members?

JULIAN: Our membership includes the relatives of the original veterans who founded the organisation, and many other people who have experienced links with Wiesbaden. For example, through

EUROPEAN FRIENDS A group from Wiesbaden visit our Town Hall

TS Brilliant and the Sea Cadets, who arrange exchange visits with their equivalent in Wiesbaden (The Red Heralds), and who are taking part in the Fasching (pre-Lenten festival) next year.

Every Christmas we welcome a group from Wiesbaden to run a Christmas Market stall next to the ice rink, bringing their Bratwurst and Glühwein and thus creating an authentic continental feel.

Why do you think it is important to still keep these ties between the two communities?

JULIAN: I think anybody who has experienced an international exchange will remember their experience and have learned from it, but in many cases the links are lifetime links. I was lucky enough to win an American Field Service Scholarship when I was just a teenager, which enabled me to spend a year with a family near Seattle. We are anxious to expand our links through our local schools and to develop opportunities for work experience in both directions, and have already started to plan how we can develop the programme.

Tell us about how you got involved in the Tunbridge Wells Music Festival?

JULIAN AND MICHAEL: We have been involved together for many years and have found that we have a shared passion for spreading internationalism through music. Our town and Wiesbaden share a passionate interest in music of all forms. Wiesbaden, which hosts one of the world’s great music events, The Rheingau Festival, had special links

THE MEAD SCHOOL R OYA L T U N B R I D G E W E L L S

“We have been impressed by the warm feel and the ethos of encouraging individuality. Staff are genuinely interested in each child.”

with Brahms and Wagner, who composed major works there, and music has been at the heart of our many exchanges with Wiesbaden.

Can you tell us about the anniversary concert – who is performing and how Wigmore Hall is involved?

MICHAEL: On Saturday (September 28), we shall have one of the world’s truly great clarinettists, Michael Collins, accompanied by star international pianist Michael McHale at Trinity Theatre at 7.30pm.

Both have played at Wigmore Hall many times, and Wigmore Hall has again invited Michael Collins to give a season series of concerts at the world famous venue. Now we have an opportunity in Tunbridge Wells to hear some of the great music that they perform – here in our own Trinity Theatre.

What do you think people will gain from seeing this performance?

MICHAEL: People will be inspired to be part of a live performance by world-class players delivering an exceptionally beautiful programme of music, which includes Finzi’s Five Bagatelles for clarinet

and piano, Brahms’s Sonata in E flat major for clarinet and piano and Debussy’s Estampes (Soirée dans Grenade & Jardins sous la pluie) for solo piano. Saint-Saens’ Sonata in E flat major for clarinet and piano and Poulenc’s Sonata for clarinet and piano will also be featured.

What other plans do you have for your 30th anniversary celebrations?

JULIAN: We want it to be fun so that the Wiesbaden party tell their friends about us! We have a very active weekend planned for our guests, including a Mayoral reception on the Friday of arrival, a guided tour of the town, the Saturday concert, and a visit to Chartwell on Sunday followed by a celebration dinner. We plan a short visit to Tonbridge on Monday morning to visit the castle and the nearby artisan bakery!

If you would like to become involved with the twinning association, email: julianstanyer@ btinternet.com or search for twin town at tunbridgewells.gov.uk For more information on the Tunbridge Wells Music Festival, visit tunbridgewellsfestival.co.uk

TONBRIDGE TALKS

A FESTIVAL OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Mead School parent

OPEN DAY

THURSDAY 10th OCTOBER

Join us for a festival weekend of events to inspire, challenge and entertain on the theme of climate change, living sustainably and the effects on the natural world. We have brought together speakers, campaigners and performers so join us to listen, debate, explore and more.

T: 01892 525837 E: office@themeadschool.co.uk W: www.themeadschool.co.uk Outstanding independent education for children aged 3-11

Friday 4th – Sunday 6th October www.tonbridgetalks.com 01732 304241

54

Life&Times

Going Out

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

goingout 7 days of activities

By Jerome Bowman

MORE THAN TENOR-BLE See Placido Domingo’s 50th Anniversary Gala at the Odeon

WEDNESDAY See Wallace Worsley’s classic of the silent film era The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Picture House in Uckfield at 7.45pm. The 1923 adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel catapulted its leading man, Lon Chaney, to Hollywood stardom, and is still praised for its grand sets and Chaney’s emotive performance. The screening will be accompanied by composer Terry Davies – known for his film and TV screen work on The King’s Speech and Brideshead Revisited – who will be playing piano live. Tickets cost £12.50 and can be purchased online at picturehouseuckfield.com

INDIAN SUMMER at Pashley Manor Gardens from 7.30pm for a lecture on artist Grayson Perry.

Provocative Beauty: The Art of Grayson Perry is presented by accredited lecturer and Tate Britain and Tate Modern guide Frank Woodgate, who will be discussing Perry’s finely-crafted pottery and imaginative tapestries. Tickets cost £7 and tea and coffee will be served. For more information, go to pantilesdfas.org.uk

THURSDAY Today is the last day you can see Justin Weeks’ exhibition Time Is The Name of The Breeze at The Fairfax Gallery. Featuring 14 new abstract oil paintings by Weeks, the exhibition explores themes of emergence, the sub-conscious and ambiguity. Entrance to the gallery is free and paintings are available for purchase. For more information on opening times and other artists at the gallery, you can go online to fairfaxgallery.com Join The Arts Society Pantiles in the Jubilee Theatre at Holmewood House School tonight

FRIDAY Take a trip on the Rail Ale Train tonight and combine steam with yeast for a fun-filled evening. The Bluebell Railway will be offering a wide choice of real ale at Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes stations, as well as on board the train throughout the evening. You can grab a sausage and mash supper at the Bessemer Arms in Sheffield Park, and a live jazz band will be playing at

Horsted Keynes. Ticket prices vary, so for more information go to bluebell-railway.com

SATURDAY Find the balance in Ying and Yang at Smallhythe Place, near Tenterden, with their Tai Chi in the Garden session today at 11.30am.

It’s an hour of gentle exercise promoting mental relaxation and fitness by focusing on breathing, posture and well-balanced movements. The class is free but admission fees to Smallhythe Place still apply. To find out more, telephone 01580 762334.

The Independent Farmers’ Market is on once again in Market Square from 9am till 4pm. The market will feature a range of locally-sourced fresh MIXING IT UP produce, plants and hot food, as well A design by Kate as artisanal goods and wines. For more Hasted at Trinity

Stroll and celebrate wonderful memories Saturday 19th October - 6pm 6 Mile Sponsored Walk Hospice in the Weald, Tunbridge Wells TN2 4TA Join us and sign up today by visiting hospiceintheweald.org.uk or call Ben on 01892 820533 Registered Charity No. 280276

Proudly sponsored by

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk ALE ON RAILS At the Bluebell Railway

Going Out

and conductor and was awarded an OBE in 2009 for his services to classical music. Ticket prices vary, so for more information and to book, visit assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk MONDAY Christa Corner and Kate Hasted’s Mixing It Up art exhibition is still on at Trinity Theatre’s Gallery.

Corner works primarily in textured hand-made paper and textiles, drawing inspiration from many sources. Kate is a textile print designer whose current focus is on water surface printing and repeated patterns. The gallery is open most days from 10am until the theatre closes, is free

PICK OF THE WEEK: Monstersaurus SUNDAY Don’t miss The Festival of Hope at The Forum from midday today (see more in Live Music overleaf).

And see something a little different at Trinity Theatre this afternoon at 2.30pm. Posting Letters to the Moon is an intimate, moving and humorous show in which Lucy Fleming and Simon Williams read wartime correspondence between Lucy’s father Peter Fleming (brother of Bond author Ian Fleming), and Brief Encounter star Celia Johnson. The letters provide an insight into everything from dealing with rationing to Peter’s wartime adventures in India. To book tickets, which cost £19, go online to trintytheatre.net The Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra are starting their new season of concerts today at The Assembly Hall Theatre. Opening at 3pm, the Slavic-themed programme includes Dvorak’s Slavonic Dances, Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No 2 and Shostakovich’s Symphony No 1.

Roderick Dunk will be conducting and the soloist will be pianist Howard Shelley. Shelley has had a prolific and distinguished career as a pianist

Tapan Karmakar, Floating life on river under pollution, CIWEM Environmental Photograper of the Year 2018

information you can look them up on Facebook or email tunbridgewellsfarmersmarket@gmail.com Hop aboard The Spa Valley Railway for a Murder Mystery evening from 6.15pm. A corpse has been found at the bottom of the well at the Rusty Plackett pub and, while the police fill in the paperwork, it’s up to you and your party to solve the case. Tickets for the evening cost £40 per person and include a main meal and dessert to enjoy as you ponder the murder most foul. For more information, including the menu for the evening and to book, go to spavalleyrailway.co.uk This is the final day you can visit Pashley Manor Gardens before they close for the winter season.

The large and resplendent grounds include water features, wooded areas, a walled garden and herbaceous border gardens filled with dahlias that are in full bloom at this time of year. You can also see sculptures by contemporary artists such as Philip Jackson. The gardens are open from 10am till 5pm. Tickets cost £11 and concessions are available. For more information, visit pashleymanorgardens.com

EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge 11.30am and 2pm Sunday September 29

Life&Times

to attend, and will run until October 6. For more information, visit trinitytheatre.net TUESDAY See world-renowned opera singer Placido Domingo’s 50th Anniversary Gala at the Arena Di Verona amphitheatre in a screening at the Odeon tonight at 7pm. Accompanied by a full orchestra and various special guests, Domingo is seen revisiting three of his most loved roles in Verdi’s Nabucco, I due Foscari and Macbeth. No doubt hard to choose, as Domingo has performed over 149 roles in his career. Tickets cost £20.75 and can be booked at odeon.co.uk

From the creators of Aliens Love Underpants, follow young inventor Monty as he comes up with wacky creations, incredible monsters and faces sticky situations in complete contravention of EU Health and Safety Laws!

The monstrously charming and energetic show features beastly puppets, original songs, and lots of audience participation for your own home-grown monsters.

Tickets cost £12 and can be booked at emftheatre.com

GruB & LIquOr Christmas 2 Courses £22.99 3 Courses £25.99 Includes a glass of fizz

Christmas Lunch from £17.99 Buffet party menu £12.99 Includes a glass of fizz

dj & disco party every weekend in December

Book christmas dinner by the end of october and receive a complimentary bottle of prosecco for every 6 guests

Environmental Photographer of the Year

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 28th September 3rd November 12-4pm ADMISSION FREE Tonbridge School TN9 1JP Tel: 01732 365555 www.oldbigschoolgallery.co.uk

55

function room Available for large parties

new years Eve Cocktail party 31st december

01892 457899 hello@grubandliquor.co.uk 9 nevill street, tunbridge wells, tn2 5ru

56

Life&Times

Going Out

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE The Pantiles. Doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7 Websites pdag.co.uk & thegreylady.co.uk Wednesday Suncharmer, Chris Parris, Rob Smyth Friday The Marvellous Beats Saturday Salsadellic Sunday Rob Picazo Band, Beyond The Vinyl, Harry Whitty Monday Singers Night

live music With Paul Dunton

T

ONIGHT [Wednesday], The Forum host a rocking night with Pulled Apart By Horses, supported by Baba Naga and Placid. While Suncharmer, Chris Parris and Rob Smyth are at The Grey Lady.

Thursday brings The Soul Train to The Pantiles, and Friday sees Uplift at The Bedford, Stuart Evans at The Spa Hotel, The Marvellous Beats at The Grey Lady, Dirty Dike & Tenbag Banditz at The Forum and Jason Lines at Imli Restaurant in Southborough.

Also, acclaimed tribute The Total Who Show is at Trinity Theatre, and renowned virtuoso bouzouki player and tenor ukulele player Jon Sanders will be live in concert at St Saviour Church in Tonbridge. For a top-notch night at The Sussex Arms, see Paper Friend with Overbear and Animal Race.

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

Saturday night’s gigs include Kharma & The Devil at The Beau Nash, tribute band Beast Decoys at The Forum, Platform 4 at The Royal Oak, The Expandables at The Bedford and The George Michael Story at The Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks. Fans of classical music can enjoy an evening with Gershwin and The Planets at Finchcocks, while Wigmore Hall Music Comes To Trinity Theatre. And the Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra will be at The Assembly Hall on Sunday.

My top pic for Sunday is the wonderful, free Festival of Hope at The Forum from midday till late.

Organised by the charity Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees, it’s a family-friendly event with live music and donations are welcomed.

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM Tunbridge Wells Common Information and tickets at twforum.co.uk Wedneday Pulled Apart by Horses, Baba Naga, Placid Thursday The Pale White, Fever Days, Hunting Holly Friday Dirty Dike, Ten Bag Banditz Saturday Beastie Boys tribute show by Beast Decoys Sunday From 12noon The Festival of Hope organised by Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees: Kung Fu Slipper, The River Flows, Ukelear Fallout, The Bue Orchid Bouquet, Bashir Al Gamar, Sussex Syrian trio. Plus poetry, a talk by Phill Minns, a raffle and children’s activities Monday The Stable: 147, Deadlines, The Polygons, Love Reptiles THE PANTILES BANDSTAND Thursday Soul Train MUSICSTATION Bank Street, Tonbridge Thursday & Friday Adult band workshop THE SPA HOTEL Mount Ephraim Free entry, music from 8pm Friday Stuart Evans live at Zagatos IMLI RESTAURANT Southborough. Music from 7pm Friday Jason Lines

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

THE BEDFORD 2 High Street Free entry. See thebedfordtw.co.uk Friday Uplift Saturday The Expendables

Jon Sanders

THE SUSSEX ARMS BASEMENT Sussex Mews Music from 8pm.

See twforum.co.uk Friday Paper Friend, Overbear, Animal Race TRINITY THEATRE Church Road Details and tickets at trinitytheatre.net Friday The Total Who Show Saturday Wigmore Hall Music

THE ROYAL OAK Prospect Road Free entry, music from 8.30pm Saturday Will Whisson

ST SAVIOUR CHURCH Tonbridge Tickets at jon-sanders.com/shows Friday Jon Sanders & guest Frank Burkitt

THE SHIP THEATRE Walthamstow Hall School, Sevenoaks Details at blueswithbottleclub.co.uk Saturday Saints & Sinners: The Spike Drivers, Fran McGillivray and Mike Burke

THE BEAU NASH TAVERN Mount Ephraim Free entry, music from 8.30pm Saturday Karma & The Devil

THE STAG THEATRE High Street, Sevenoaks Information at stagsevenoaks.co.uk Saturday The George Michael Story

THE WHITE BEAR 84 High Street. Free entry, music from 8pm Information at the-white-bear.co.uk Saturday Saxy Saturday with Ed Sax

THE ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE Crescent Road Details at assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Sunday 3pm RTWSO & Howard Shelley

THE ROYAL OAK Prospect Road Free entry, music from 8.30pm Saturday Platform 4

VERDIGRIS High Street, Tonbridge Free entry, music from 6pm Sunday Owen Donovan

FINCHCOCKS Goudhurst. Information at finchcocks.com Saturday An Evening With Gershwin And The Planets

THE PUNCH & JUDY St Stephens Road, Tonbridge Free entry, music from 8pm Tuesday Stuka Cats

Horrible Histories books are published by Scholastic Ltd. Horrible Histories is a trademark of Scholastic Inc. and is used under authorisation. All rights reserved. Illustration © Martin Brown.

Like singing?

Want to develop your voice?

Want to make new friends, receive superb coaching and sing for good causes?

The Royal Tunbridge Wells Orpheus Male Voice Choir is looking for new members whether you are a new or experienced singer. lts Adu

from £20.25

.25 Children from £16

HORRIBLE HISTORIES THURSDAY 3 – SUNDAY 6 OCTOBER Box Office: 01892 530613 assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk AssemblyHallTheatre

ahttw

AssemblyHallTheatre

Try us out at rehearsal on Thursday evenings St Peter’s Church, Bayhall Road Tunbridge Wells TN2 4UX at 7.15pm Contact Peter on 07454 721270 | chevinpjc@googlemail.com

CALL CLIVE ON

OCTOBER

07860 942 726

Wed 9th Oct (PM) WADHURST Commemoration Hall

High Street Wadhurst TN5 6AP 1.00pm - 4.00pm

Mon 7th Oct (AM) EDENBRIDGE Edenbridge WI Hall

Station Road Endenbridge TN8 5LX 9.00am - 12.00pm

Thu 10th Oct (AM) BRENCHLEY Grays Tea Rooms

Brenchley Road Brenchley TN12 7NX 9.00am - 12.00pm

Mon 7th Oct (PM) CROWBOROUGH White Hart on The Green Tue 8th Oct (AM) HILDENBOROUGH Village Hall Tue 8th Oct (PM) MATFIELD Village Hall

Church Road Crowborough TN6 2XZ 1.00pm - 4.00pm

Thu 10th Oct (PM) RUSTHALL The White Hart Fri 11th Oct (AM) FOREST ROW Village Hall Fri 11th Oct (PM) BIDBOROUGH Village Hall

16 Lower Green Rd Tunbridge Wells TN4 8TE 1.00pm - 4.00pm

Wed 9th Oct (AM) TUNBRIDGE WELLS Royal Wells Hotel

59 Mount Ephraim Tunbridge Wells TN4 8BE 9.00am - 12.00pm

10 Riding Lane Tonbridge TN11 9HY 9.00am - 12.00pm Matfield Tonbridge TN12 7LW 1.00pm - 4.00pm

Lewes Road Forest Row RH18 5ES 9.00am - 12.00pm Bidborough Ridge Tunbridge Wells TN3 0XD 1.00pm - 4.00pm

AVERAGE 5-15 MINS WAITING

Clive Attrell and his experienced team ensures waiting times are kept to a minimum

Clive will always offer a fair price for your items

TOP PRICES PAID FOR: • GOLD (in any condition) • SILVER (in any condition) • WATCHES (working or not) • COSTUME JEWELLERY • SOVEREIGNS / KRUGERRANDS • DIAMONDS • COINS • MEDALS • SWORDS • MILITARIA • CLOCKS • PAINTINGS • BRONZES • PRINTS / BOOKS • TOYS / GAMES • POSTCARDS • CHINESE CERAMICS • FIGURINES • OBJECTS OF INTEREST

WHAT THE PUBLIC SAY...

“ I’m so glad I went, I was a little nervous about going as I had never been before.

However it was very relaxed & interesting, Clive was very friendly and explained a lot more about my items than I expected him to” Mrs. Jenson from Ashford

ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN GOLD Clive Attrell has a well-established and successful £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ What Our Customers say.... antiques warehouse on the High Street in Hastings £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Old Town and you may recognise him from Dickinson’s £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Real Deal, on which he was an appraiser for over two £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ years, and numerous other television productions. £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ ££££££££££££££££££££ For general enquiries call Phil on: 07836 719895

I was given almost double the amount offered by a London Auction House, so was very pleased we contacted Clive.

Peter James - Eastbourne

KS & C S O E L L I was recommended friends, who said ES INES EDAto see Clive by C H M H C C he was known for being very fair dealer AT TEaD W MICS A D Mr R. Sayer - New Romney E R WAN T E C AN TED Keen to find out about some items left toW me by my WAN Uncle and was delighted to learn about the history For more info please visit: www.freeantiquesvaluations.com from Clive and his team

Pat Evans - Tenterden

DAGGERS, SWORDS AND KNIVES WANTED Clive Attrell is Kent County Council Trading Standards Approved: Reg No 15618

CAN’T GET TO CLIVE’S VALUATION ROADSHOW? THEN USE CLIVE’S CASH 4 COLLECTABLES BELOW If you’re looking for an easy way to make money, then pack up all your collectables and post them off to us NOW!

4 Collectables .COM

Drop in to us Pop into our Shop in Hastings Old Town We’ll give you an on the-spot valuation.

Email it to us Send us a photo / video of the item We’ll give you a rough idea of it’s value.

PACK IT & POST IT – ALL FREE

OR CALL IN TO The Hastings Antiques Warehouse

THE STRESS-FREE WAY TO CASH IN ON YOUR COLLECTABLES FREE OR VINTAGE BITS & PIECES. OR CALL IN TO The Antiques Warehouse, Valuation Hastings, We’ll give you a valuation Sussex on the spot or FREE VALUATIONS Box it & Send Pack itPACK up carefully andPOST post it for IT & ITFREE. – ALL We’ll pay the postage.

within 48 hours.

THE STRESS-FREE WAY Accept & we’ll arrange same day payment CASH IN ON DeclineTO & we will return theYOUR item for FREE.

SPEEDY PAYMENT DIRECT TO YOU!

COLLECTABLES OR HASTINGS ANTIQUES WAREHOUSE, 54 HIGH STREET, HASTINGS, SUSSEX, TN34 3EN, TEL: 01424 433142 VINTAGE BITSEAST & PIECES. FREE VALUATIONS SPEEDY PAYMENT

www.cash4collectables.com

Clive Attrell is Kent County Council Trading Standards Approved: Reg No 15618

Life&Times

Food & Drink FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

Why veg has the edge Ahead of National Vegetarian Day next Tuesday [October 1], Sally Beare, who runs the local Riverford fruit and veg box scheme, reveals the multiple benefits of ‘living life on the veg’ PHOTO: Craig Matthews

food

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R

IVERFORD started over 30 years ago, when a man called Guy SinghWatson went back to his family farm in Devon and began to grow organic veg. He started off by supplying the supermarkets, but soon got tangled up with their buyers and was therefore determined to find a way to supply his customers directly.

So he began delivering veg boxes out of the back of his car to his friends and neighbours.

His idea of supplying clients directly took off, and in the early 2000s Riverford needed to find a way of delivering to customers further afield – while still keeping the quality and customer service at the highest levels.

They developed a franchise network, so local franchisees could run the Riverford business model elsewhere in the country. Riverford grows the veg, provides the website for online ordering and provides back office support, while the local franchisee looks after the deliveries and customers. I have the franchise for Riverford Tunbridge Wells. The fresh fruit and veg comes up to me each evening, Sunday to Thursday, and we deliver it the next day.

We still have our main farm in Devon, which is where our packing barn is, too, but we also work with a co-op of other organic farms around our own farm, and now also own farms in Hampshire, Cambridgeshire and Yorkshire.

So, for example, our carrots are grown in Cambridgeshire, where it’s drier and just better carrot country! And we get apples and pears from

organic grower Mole End Farm, near Cranbrook.

Riverford also owns a farm in France – we bought that some years ago to help us keep the boxes more varied. It’s in the Vendée, and so gets more sunshine, and it means we can get some of the summer veg into our boxes a bit earlier than if we were depending on our English farms.

‘Food comes to our barn by truck and ship, which produces 40 or 50 times fewer carbon emissions than air freight’ Over the years our customers made it clear that although they liked the seasonal UK veg, they did still need to buy bananas, avocados, citrus fruit, etc, so we now source those from organic farmers whom we know well and with whom we have long-term relationships. We never bring in produce by plane. It comes to our packing barn by truck and ship, which produces 40 or 50 times fewer carbon emissions than air freight.

I’d been a Riverford customer for a long time and knew that I loved both the produce and the values behind the company. My husband and I have three children and I’d taken time off to be at home with them. But as the children grew older, I was looking for a role that would really interest and challenge me. I just didn’t know what!

Around that time, Riverford sent an email to all the customers in our area letting them know that

B A R . R E S TA U R A N T. R O O M S . C AV E . G A R D E N Book now for Christmas parties!

T: 01892 618854

Serving great food in a beautiful setting, we are the perfect place for your Christmas celebrations.

E: hello@themountedgcumbe.com W: www.themountedgcumbe.com The Common, Tunbridge Wells,

For more details please email, call or pop in and see us!

Opening Hours: Mon-Wed 11am-11pm Thurs-Sat 11am-11.30pm Sunday 12-10.30pm

Kent, TN4 8BX

#EatDrinkStayEnjoy @MountEdgcumbeTWells

@TMountEdgcumbe

@themountedgcumbe

Food Service Times: Mon-Thurs 12-3pm 6-9.30pm Fri-Sat 12-9.30pm (3-6pm Light Menu) Sunday 12-8pm (4-8pm Light Menu)

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

the Riverford Tunbridge Wells franchise was for sale. The previous franchisee had been running it for ten years, but he was ready to move on.

I was really drawn to the email, but I deleted it, thinking that I didn’t have the right experience.

However, it was bugging me, so after a day or two I fished the email out of my trash and rang Riverford. It was quite a difficult process to win the franchise – it’s a real commitment on both sides – so Riverford are really careful when they take on a new franchisee.

In the end I was successful and, nearly two years ago, I took over Riverford Tunbridge Wells.

The bonuses, apart from the obvious health ones, are that there are so many options you can choose from. We have around 20 different boxes, so there’s one to suit everyone. Many people love to see what seasonal veg will arrive on their doorstep each week, but others prefer to choose what is going into their box. Either way is fine.

There’s also no contract or commitment. You can order weekly or fortnightly, or you can just order as and when. You can change your order any time up until two days before delivery.

We cover Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Crowborough, Edenbridge and all the villages around. My area ranges from Crockham Hill and Yalding in the north to Robertsbridge, Heathfield and Uckfield in the south. It’s a big area, but we make it work because our vans deliver to different areas on different days of the week.

Tunbridge Wells is a Thursday.

Although it’s quite a rural area, our average mileage per delivery is around 1.7 miles (and that includes getting to our depot in the mornings) so it’s much more eco than everyone getting into their own individual cars to drive to the shops.

Our client base is really is growing, and at present we are delivering to around 500 customers a week in the Tunbridge Wells area.

Our deliveries are up by around 25% year on year, and I think the growth is happening for a variety of reasons. People are more aware of the importance of looking after the planet, and also of the fact that eating a healthy diet is a cornerstone of keeping yourself and your family well.

Food & Drink

Life&Times

Brussels sprouts & pancetta pasta with sage & roast garlic cream SERVES 4  1 whole garlic bulb  200ml double cream  1 tbsp olive or sunflower oil  2 x 50g pancetta or streaky

bacon, diced  1 onion, very finely sliced  6–8 sage leaves, finely shredded  small glass of white wine (optional)  400g dried spelt or other pasta  500g Brussels sprouts, outer leaves removed, halved or quartered, depending on size (keep a little of the core intact so the pieces hold together)  4 tbsp Parmesan, finely grated  Salt and black pepper First, roast your garlic. Heat the oven to 180°C/Gas 4. Cut off the top centimetre of the bulb, exposing the flesh. Sit it on a square of foil and drizzle with olive oil, salt and a dash of water. Bring the edges up and together to make a parcel. Roast the garlic for 50 mins or until soft. Once cooked, leave to cool slightly, then separate the cloves and squeeze the skin to release the flesh. Save half for another day and mix the remainder with

the cream. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a frying pan, add the pancetta and fry, stirring now and then, to brown it. Remove to a plate with a slotted spoon.

Add a splash more oil if the pan seems dry, lower the heat, add the onion and fry very gently for 10 minutes until softened. Stir now and then to stop it catching.

Add the pancetta and sage to the onion. Turn up the heat and stir for 2 minutes. If using the wine, add it now and let it reduce for a couple of minutes, then add the garlic cream and let it bubble away for a couple more minutes. Meanwhile, put two pans of salted water on to boil. While the onion and pancetta are cooking, add the pasta to one pan of boiling water and cook according to the packet instructions. Drain, reserving a little of the pasta cooking water. Meanwhile, blanch the Brussels sprouts in the other pan for 3–4 minutes, depending on size. Drain. Stir half the Parmesan into the sauce, then toss in the cooked pasta and sprouts, adding a little reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste then serve sprinkled with the rest of the cheese.

Recipe extracted from Riverford’s Autumn and Winter Cooking with a Veg Box £16.99, available from riverford.co.uk

DINE WITH US FOR

CHRISTMAS 2019 2nd December – 25th December

CHRISTMAS FAYRE & CHRISTMAS DAY MENUS AVAILABLE 2, 3 and 4 course packages, along with specially planned party nights, complete with live music from Jason Lines. Contact us today for availability and to request our menus.

01892 319299

info@blueanchorcrowborough.co.uk

Beacon Road, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 1BB

59

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FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Books

The bookcase…

This week’s bookcase includes reviews of A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier and Postscript by Cecelia Ahern

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Postscript

by Cecelia Ahern

10/10

Published in hardback by HarperCollins,priced £16.99 (ebook £8.99) In 2004, Ahern’s heart-shattering debut novel PS, I Love You followed young widow Holly as she grieved for her husband. She discovered that while dying from a brain tumour, he’d written notes (each ending with ‘PS, I love you’) for her to discover after he’d gone. It was a highly emotional journey, so, learning that 15 years later Ahern had released a sequel was both exciting and slightly frightening.

Would it have the same impact?

Holly now has a new partner and has moved on with her life. Then, after agreeing to do a podcast interview about her experience of grief, she’s approached with a proposition: To help other dying people write letters for the loved ones they’ll be leaving behind.

Although reluctant at first, Holly is unable to resist, and the PS, I Love You Club is born. It’s a hefty wedge of a book and I can report that I sobbed. A lot. Like the first book it spoke straight to my heart.

(Review by Abi Jackson)

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

A Single Thread

by Tracy Chevalier

Published in hardback by HarperCollins, priced £14.99 (ebook £9.99) A Single Thread is a cosy slice of English life in the 1930s, with an emotional complexity that keeps it safely outside the realms of cliché.

After moving to Winchester, unmarried typist Violet Speedwell joins a group of women embroidering cushions for the cathedral. Part of the ‘surplus generation’ of single women, Violet is still trying to carve out a life for herself in the shadow of the First World War. Tracy Chevalier offers an interesting insight into these women, though much like their lives it is sometimes hard to tell whether anything is going to happen. The novel can feel at points like a vehicle for facts about Hampshire history, embroidery, and bell-ringing. But two forbidden romances and occasional flashes of danger keep things ticking along nicely.

(Review by Alys Key)

7/10

7/10

The Wayward Girls

by Amanda Mason

Published in hardback by Zaffre, priced £12.99 (ebook £4.07) This time-shifting thriller slips in and out of the 1970s and the present day seamlessly. Set in a haunted farm in the middle of nowhere, and following sisters Loo and Bee, it begins during the long, hot summer of 1976. Author Mason spends her time building the character of Loo, who in the present is now known as Lucy, and creating the backstory to the paranormal society that pushes the tale forwards. It’s a slow build – a very slow build. Eventually the pieces start to shift and a fuller picture comes into view. I have just as many questions as paranormal investigators Nina and Hal do for Lucy’s mum, Cathy, a dementia patient who seems to have knowledge of the past that she can’t tap into. Just what happened in that farmhouse 40 years ago? What secrets have been festering? Mason has created a spooky, twisty tale ideal for dark autumnal evenings.

(Review by Rachel Howdle)

FREE EVENT

Vision Correction: What Are My Options?

Discover your treatment options for vision correction with a FREE information talk from Consultant Ophthalmic, Corneal and Refractive Surgeon Mr Samer Hamada.

The event will be held at The McIndoe Centre on October 30th at 6.30pm. Spaces are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.

Book online at themcindoecentre.co.uk or call 01342 488058.

Why Choose The McIndoe Centre?

The McIndoe Centre is home to some of the UK’s most esteemed consultants who are experts in their field. Loacted in East Grinstead, our centre provides patients with a comprehensive range of health care facilities and the highest quality of patient care in a friendly, comfortable and peaceful environment.

Find out more about our services at themcindoecentre.co.uk

Holtye Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 3EB

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk NON-FICTION

Period

by Emma Barnett

8/10

Published in hardback by HQ, priced £12.99 (ebook £7.99) With conversation surrounding the gender pay gap, sexual harassment and intersectional feminism taking off, journalist Emma Barnett aims to tackle what she claims is feminism’s ‘final taboo’– periods. Barnett’s first non-fiction book explores all things menstrual, covering complex and often emotionallycharged topics, including fertility, menopause, CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEW

The Liars

by Jennifer Mathieu Published in paperback by Hodder Children’s Books, priced £7.99 (ebook £4.99) After Jennifer Mathieu’s smashhit young adult novel Moxie, The Liars was always likely to fall a little heavier, and it is rather sluggish. The story lurches between the summer of 1986 on Mariposa Island, where Elena is struggling with her controlling mother’s rum and coke habit; her brother Joaquin growing ever distant; and their mother’s gilded childhood in Cuba, disrupted by the revolution. Embedded in small-town mentalities, and awash with the airless boredom of a summer stretching out ahead, it has moments of insight (the peculiarities of siblings and the miserableness

Books

endometriosis, and sexuality, with humour and sensitivity.

Filled with anecdotes, talking points, and a period ‘manifesto’ tackling menstrual leave and period poverty, the book is not simply a fun read, but a way to bring menstrual activism from the page into workplaces, homes, and even the House of Commons.

In creating a universal period manual, Barnett’s research explores almost every menstrual issue. In all, the careful balance of relatable anecdotes and stirring research make it a bl**dy good read.

(Review by Emily Chudy) of first-time love), but there is no humour or lightness to carry you through the stifling plot.

Historically interesting, but too angsty to fully hold your attention.

(Review by Ella Walker)

6/10

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61

BOOK CHARTS HARDBACKS 1. The Testaments by Margaret Atwood 2. The Institute by Stephen King 3. Veg: Easy and Delicious Meals for Everyone by Jamie Oliver 4. The Fear Bubble by Ant Middleton 5. The Second Sleep by Robert Harris 6. Chastise: The Dambusters Story 1943

by Max Hastings 7. Nothing Ventured by Jeffrey Archer 8. The Smeds And The Smoos

by Julia Donaldson 9. Talking To Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell 10. The Anarchy by William Dalrymple PAPERBACKS 1. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood 2. Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield 3. The Uninhabitable Earth: A Story Of The Future by David Wallace-Wells 4. The Wych Elm by Tana French 5. I, Cosmo by Carli Sorosiak 6. No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference

by Greta Thunberg 7. Normal People by Sally Rooney 8. Mythos by Stephen Fry 9. This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay 10. Heroes by Stephen Fry (Compiled by Waterstones) E-BOOKS 1. Imposter by LJ Ross 2. True Blue by David Baldacci 3. Date Night by Samantha Hayes 4. Maybe This Time by Jill Mansell 5. The Testaments by Margaret Atwood 6. The Man Who Didn’t Call by Rosie Walsh 7. Here To Stay by Mark Edwards 8. Quantum by Patricia Cornwell 9. Their Last Breath by Sibel Hodge 10. Borderlands by LJ Ross (Compiled by Amazon)

AFTERNOON TEA AT ONE WARWICK PARK HOTEL

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13/09/2019 11:09

Life&Times

travel

62

Travel

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

7 ways to enjoy the natural beauty of the Swiss Alps without the snow Verbier – one of Europe’s most popular winter ski resorts – transforms into a cycling and hiking pleasure ground during autumn. Here’s how to enjoy it, says Priya Joshi picturesque, with snow-topped mountain peaks surrounded by neat fields and forests in every shade of green.

The trails are signposted and you can also pick up handy maps from hotels and chalets.

From the Cabane Brunet, a gentle two-hour amble to the foot of the Petit Combin leads you along meandering crystal streams and grassy knolls. Follow the distant ringing of bells into an alpine meadow, where a herd of cattle graze laconically in the sunlight.

‘Treat yourself with a brunch in a traditional mountain farmer’s hut on the hiking route’ 4. INDULGE IN A HIGH-ALTITUDE BRUNCH Having worked up an appetite after a morning hike, treat yourself with a brunch in a traditional mountain farmer’s hut on the hiking route from Cabane Brunet to Mont Combin.

Book in advance for the culinary experience in the farmer’s own private hut (CHF25/£20pp; verbier.ch).

Farmer Marc Maret presents us with an array of cheeses, home-made jams and bread, and some freshly drawn milk to sample – followed by locally-produced Fendant du Valais, the best-known white wine from the region, and the perfect accompaniment to raclette.

After a leisurely lunch, there’s time to sit back and watch marmots scurry in the distance, while listening to the sounds of an alpine horn player.

TOP OF THE WORLD The cycle track that leads you to the Cabane Mont Fort

S

ITUATED in the canton of Valais in south-west Switzerland, mountain resort Verbier is best known as an exclusive winter destination for the super-rich, and a playground for extreme sports enthusiasts.

With its pristine white slopes and wooden chalets adorned with pretty window boxes, it’s a Christmas card-worthy winter wonderland when blanketed in snow.

But with picturesque landscapes and diverse terrain, Verbier is also well worth visiting in the ‘off season’.

The snow melts STRIKE A POSE to reveal grassy Yoga session on top mountains of the mountain at and glistening Cabane Brunet waterfalls, and ski slopes are transformed into stunning hiking trails. From e-biking to mountain-top yoga, there are multiple options for active pursuits – proving there’s much more to Verbier than ski and snow.

Here are seven great ways to spend an autumn break…

1. TAKE AN E-BIKE INTO THE HILLS An e-bike ride presents a speedy way to experience the landscape.

Hire a bike (adults CHF53.29/£45 per day) and board a cable car into the mountains.

There are paths for cyclists of different capabilities, ranging

from level terrain to jumps for the more experienced with a daring spirit.

Cycle from the La Chaux-Express gondola and follow the path towards the Cabane de Mont-Fort guest house in 40 minutes. The route is picturesque and peaceful, with just the occasional biker or hiker crossing your path.

Natural streams and trickling waterfalls line a modern art trail featuring bronze sculptures by local artists, leading you through meadows and past grazing cows into a more rocky, rugged terrain.

But, barring a few steep inclines, it is a leisurely and superbly scenic ride.

2. ENJOY PRACTISING SOME HEAVENLY MOUNTAIN-TOP YOGA At 2,103m, the Cabane Brunet mountain hut (CHF75/£61pp per night, half board; cabanebrunet.ch) is an ideal base for enjoying the sunrise – especially with an early morning yoga session.

WholeyCow (wholeycow.ch) – which has a yoga studio based in Bagnes – can arrange private sessions at the hut (CHF120/£98 for up to five people).

On a flat spot on the grass outside the Cabane that offers the best views of the mountains, instructor Svetlana Negashova guides us through a sequence of moves, as the fresh mountain air enlivens the skin and the senses.

Watching the sun emerge above the dewy slopes is simply heavenly.

3. HIKE YOUR WAY TO THE TOP Carpeted with purple fireweed in the summer, Verbier’s alpine slopes boast 400km of diverse hiking trails. All of them are beautifully

5. MAKE YOUR OWN SWISS CHEESE Discover the Swiss art of cheese-making at the family-run La Laiterie de Verbier in Verbier village (CHF25/£20pp with VIP pass or CHF50/£41pp without; verbier.ch).

Cheesemaker Marc Bubosson guides you FEEL THE FREEDOM The cycle tracks allow for riders of all competencies

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

PEAK VIEWING Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn seen from the highest viewing point at Mont Fort

‘Experience Verbier from a different vantage point with a cable car’

through the process of making Bagnes tomme, a raclette cheese made with milk from cows grazing on 610m-high pastures.

Matured for at least three months before it can be sold, it’s highly prized.

Learn how to make your own wheel, a simple process that involves stirring the fresh milk in a copper cauldron as it’s gently heated, and adding rennet, which thickens the cheese, ready to be drained and set.

A tour of the cheese factory reveals a vault filled with Bagnes tomme worth £500k.

The smell is pungent, but worth it for the tasting session that follows. Sampled with crackers and grapes, the milky, matured cheese is silky in texture, strong on the palate with an earthy flavour and endlessly moreish.

7. FLY OVER VERBIER IN A CABLE CAR Experience Verbier from a different vantage point with a cable car – the best way to take in the drama and majesty of the mountain range. There are 12 sectors operating in the summer from June 8 to October 26, with the standard cables running from between 8.30am and 5.30pm (CHF48/£49 for a oneday pass; verbier.ch).

Or wrap up warm and take the extra early morning cable from La Chaux to Mont Fort, which runs at 5.30am. It’s a ten-minute ride, where you can enjoy fondue at 1,000m (CHF18/£15) in the small igloo café at the viewing point as you watch the sun rise over Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.

Travel

Life&Times

63

HOW TO PLAN YOUR TRIP Rooms at Cabane de Mont-Fort cost from £62pp, per night, half board (cabanemontfort.ch).

Swiss International Air Lines flies from London Heathrow, London City, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh from £52 one-way (swiss.com).

The Swiss Transfer Ticket covers a round trip between the airport/Swiss border and destination. Prices from £112 (sbb.ch).

The Verbier Infinite Playground [VIP] is presented at hotel check-in to guests staying a minimum of one night in the region and paying the tourist tax. Visit verbier.ch/en/vip-pass For more about Verbier, visit verbier.ch

6. FORAGE FOR FOOD IN THE FOREST Certified Swiss mountain leader Cherries Ussher von Maur runs her own nature walks company Cherries Walks (CHF350/£286 for a half day walk including lunch; cherrieswalks.com).

Strolling through the forest, she introduces us to the edible plant life, demonstrating such helpful skills as the right way to pick stinging nettles, and how to squeeze the pulp from Swiss red berries to check which ones are safe to eat.

At La Maison de la Foret, a rustic cafe in the heart of the forest of La Tzoumaz on the Sentier des Sens hiking route, we chop, grate and grind our forest flowers and leaves to conjure up some delectable concoctions for lunch – for instance, nettle couscous, pine tea, and rhubarb and berry jam.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF WHEEL in a cheesemaking class

© MYJOHNNYMPPHOTOS

Take a look around our stunning venue, meet with our recommended suppliers and try samples from our wedding breakfast menu.

To register email leisuremarketing@markerstudy.com www.bewlwater.co.uk Bewl Water, Bewlbridge Lane, Lamberhurst, Kent, TN3 8JH

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at Bewl Water

N EE IO FR ISS

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SATURDAY 12TH OCTOBER 9AM -12PM

WEDDING OPEN DAY

64

Life&Times

Motors

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Motoring News

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

This week…  Paying for parking  Sporty new look  Breakdown help

Smart training for breakdown firms

Cash no longer king JUST one in nine drivers are choosing to pay for parking with cash, a new study has found.

In a survey in which 2,393 motorists were quizzed, it was revealed card payments are the preferred method for 39 per cent.

Dedicated parking apps followed as the second most popular choice, taking 31 per cent of the vote, while 19 per cent opt to make a payment over the phone. Just 11 per cent use loose change and notes.

For those who opt not to pay with cash, not carrying any was one of the main reasons for 43 per cent of respondents.

The speed of contactless payments was a factor for 41 per cent, while 36 per cent said parking machines they use no longer accept change or notes.

The average respondent pays £27.50 a month in parking charges – with that figure rising to £80 for those who pay for parking at work.

Some also admitted to purposely not paying for parking, with 13 per cent saying they had failed to do so on at least one occasion.

Of these, 41 per cent blamed broken machines, with 26 per cent saying they struggled to operate them when the machines were working.

George Charles of Money Saving Heroes, which commissioned the study, said: “With technology constantly updating, it’s hard for some people to keep up with all of the changes, especially the elderly who are still driving.”

PAYING FOR PARKING Machines differ, which can cause problems

Fiat reveals UK pricing and specification for 500X Sport THE new Fiat 500X Sport will start from £22,500 and introduce a touch of sportiness at the top of the SUV’s range.

It gets more power from a new engine and mechanical upgrades that enhance its performance credentials.

The new 148bhp 1.3-litre petrol engine is attached to a dual-clutch automatic transmission, but buyers can also opt for a 1.0-litre unit with 118bhp.

The suspension has been retuned with a focus on sportiness, with a ride height 13mm lower than before. Fiat says adjusted shock absorbers offer better road-holding without compromising comfort.

For more sporty styling on the outside, the Sport gets body-coloured side skirts and wheel arches, a diffuser-like rear bumper design, dual chrome exhausts and

full LED headlights, as well as a Sport-specific red paint. Eighteen-inch alloy wheels are fitted as standard, with 19-inch wheels available as an option.

The inside has an aluminium gear knob and pedals, leather flat-bottomed steering wheel with Alcantara inserts, and a grey dashboard.

There’s a seven-inch infotainment system with satellite navigation that’s compliant with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as climate control, rear parking sensors and cruise control as standard.

Fiat has also launched a Lounge specification, which focuses on interior refinement with a leather steering wheel and front armrest. It also features 16-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured mirror caps and rain sensors.

BREAKDOWN specialists across the UK have been offered special training for recovering cars on ‘smart’ motorways.

A new partnership between Highways England and the Network Training Partnership has seen the launch of a course titled Smart Motorways Awareness for The Roadside Rescue & Recovery Industry.

The training has been introduced amid an overhaul of the UK’s motorway network, which currently has over 100 miles of ‘smart’ systems in place.

The speed limit changes automatically on the computer-monitored motorways based on traffic conditions, though these roads have come under fire from critics for losing the hard shoulder lane.

Taking place in a single day, the new eight-hour course trains recovery vehicle operators in safe practices when attending a broken down vehicle on smart motorways. It also contributes to the 35 hours of training that drivers who are accredited with the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence must complete every five years.

Highways England’s Strategic Partnerships Manager, Colin Stevenson, said: “Those completing the course will have a better understanding of the different types of smart motorways and how to formulate a recovery plan incorporating safe working practices when dealing with incidents.”

Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 NOTICE UNDER ARTICLE 13 OF APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION (Notice 2: This notice is for publication in local newspaper if Certificate C or D is completed)

Proposed development at: 24

Name or flat number Property number or name

Church Road

Street Locality Town

Tunbridge Wells

County

Kent

Postal town

TN1 1JP

Postcode

Take notice that application is being made by: AKOM Developments Limited

Organisation name Applicant name

Title Surname

Mr

Andy

Forename

Gross

For planning permission to: Description of proposed development

Roof extension to approved three-dwelling residential development

Local Planning Authority to whom the application is being submitted:

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

Local Planning Authority address:

Planning Services, Town Hall, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1RS Any owner of the land or tenant who wishes to make representations about this application, should write to the council within 21 days of the date of this notice.

Signatory: Signatory

Title Surname

Mr

Forename

Andy

Gross

Signature

Date (dd-mm-yyyy) Statement of owners' rights: The grant of planning permission does not affect owners' rights to retain or dispose of their property, unless there is some provision to the contrary in an agreement or lease.

Statement of agricultural tenants' rights: The grant of planning permission for non-agricultural development may affect agricultural tenants' security of tenure.

'Owner' means a person having a freehold interest or a leasehold interest the unexpired term of which is not less than seven years.

'Tenant' means a tenant of an agricultural holding any part of which is comprised in the land.

This notice is for publication in a local newspaper.

Print Form

Advertorial

NATIONAL CAR AND VAN RENTAL COMPANY DELIVERS PRACTICAL SOLUTION FOR LOCAL KIDS

When Practical Car and Van Rental challenged customers to upload photos of their hired vehicles in ‘interesting or unusual locations’, Luke Williams knew he had something special. Luke rented a Practical vehicle for the Tunbridge Wells Youth Football Club, transporting equipment for their summer tournament.

The young team has faced a number of challenges leading up to the tournament, but the use of a Practical van, helped them enjoy their summer tournament. “We love to see how our vehicles make life easier for customers,” says Graham Lond, CEO of Practical Car and Van Rental “which is why we decided to run this competition. To see how one of our vans enabled Luke to support kids in his local community, gave us a sense of pride in what we do as a national brand.”

Practical is one of the UK’s largest vehicle rental companies, with over 150 locations throughout the UK and EIRE. They provide vehicle rental services for a variety of uses, using a three-step easy booking process online: Choose your vehicle, book it, then collect it – even at short notice, as Luke discovered.

“Practical Tunbridge Wells secured a van for me at short notice. I needed something to transport the goals to the pitch, ready for the Tunbridge Wells Youth Football Tournament 2019! I couldn’t have done it without Practical’s help, so a huge thank you to the team there.”

Graham concluded, “Luke, and the Tunbridge Wells Youth Football Team are worthy winners of our competition and will receive a £100 Amazon voucher. We are honoured to supported the local achievements for children in Tunbridge Wells. Well done to the team, and thank you Luke for choosing Practical!”

What will you achieve with your Practical rental?

Visit to www.practical.co.uk to discover our extensive range of vehicle or contact Practical Tunbridge Wells on 01892 337236

66

Life&Times

Recruitment

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

WITH THE

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

Architectural Assistant / Technician Vacancy Coleman Anderson Architects are recruiting for an Architectural Technician / Assistant to join their dynamic team in the Tunbridge Wells office.

Full-time or Part-time Employment options available.

Knowledge of AutoCAD and Revit is essential.

5 years minimum working experience.

The right applicant will be well organised, enthusiastic and fit in well with our existing team. In return you will receive a competitive salary, job satisfaction and other job perks.

If you meet the above criteria please contact us at info@colemananderson.co.uk / 01892 537124

School Business Manager required January 2020 Located in the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells, The Mead is co-educational, ages 3 to 11. The Mead School is part of the Wishford Schools Group.

We are seeking to appoint a Business Manager who will help lead the strategic, financial, estates and operational management of the School and play an integral role in developing the School’s vision within the Wishford Group as it builds on recent investment and continues to flourish. We are looking for someone with energy, authority and empathy. A person with a ‘can do’ flexible attitude, who can connect with and inspire colleagues, with excellent managerial, IT, interpersonal and communication skills, good attention to detail and the ability to lead by example with honesty and integrity when dealing with the school community. Furthermore, this candidate will have a clear sense of ethics and vision in line with the School’s values and the Head.

A candidate pack and application form are available from the school. Please contact the Business Manager, The Mead School, 16 Frant Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5SN (01892 525837) or manager@themeadschool.co.uk. The closing date for all applications is Monday 7th October 2019.

The successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

The Mead School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its pupils and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

Site Team Manager Starting salary KR11 £39,665 Reporting to School Business Manager

Site Team Member Starting salary KR6 £20,744 Reporting to Site Team Manager

We are looking to appoint a skilled and experienced individual to join our successful, expanding school.

The Site Team Manager will be responsible for all aspects of site management, including line management of our site team. They will work alongside the team overseeing their work, improving their efficiency, manage projects, including our current new build.

They will plan, implement and oversee a rolling programme of improvements to the school, within an agreed budget, in conjunction with the Headteacher and School Business Manager.

This role is full time, 37 hours per week, 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year, expected to be 7:30-4:00 daily (one day to 3:30) to include one hour for lunch unpaid. 27 days holiday per annum.

To be mutually agreed with Headteacher and School Business Manager.

Some flexibility needed to meet demands of the site.

For application form and further details, please visit our website: www.bennettmemorial.co.uk Should you wish to discuss any aspect of the post before applying, please do not hesitate to contact our HR Department on 01892 774615.

Applications should be submitted on the correct Application Form, CVs will not be accepted.

Completed Application Forms should be sent via email recruitment@bennett.kent.sch.uk or posted to HR Department, Bennett Memorial Diocesan School, Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells,

We are looking to appoint a Site Team Member to join Bennett Memorial Diocesan School, a large secondary school in Tunbridge Wells. The successful candidate is likely to have previous experience of building maintenance. The role includes, as part of a team, responsibility for site security and safety, cleanliness and general maintenance of the site as well as record keeping, and statutory testing and recording.

We are seeking applicants that can act on their own initiative, deal with any unexpected problems that may arise, and willing to learn on the job.

This role is full time, 37 hours a week, 5 days per week, expected to be 10am until 6pm (one day until 5.30pm) to include one hour for lunch unpaid. 25 days holiday Some flexibility needed to meet demands of the site.

For application form and further details, please visit our website: www.bennettmemorial.co.uk Should you wish to discuss any aspect of the post before applying, please do not hesitate to contact our HR Department on 01892 774615.

Applications should be submitted on the correct Application Form, CVs will not be accepted.

Completed Application Forms should be sent via email recruitment@bennett.kent.sch.uk or posted to HR Department, Bennett Memorial Diocesan School, Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells,

Kent TN4 9SH.

Kent TN4 9SH.

CLOSING DATE : 12PM ON FRIDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2019

CLOSING DATE : 12PM ON FRIDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2019

The Tenax Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to vetting checks and a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WORKING IN EDUCATION? Or considered a career in teaching?

The Skinners’ Kent Academy Trust prides itself in being a popular choice for parents and students from Reception to Year 11 and the Sixth Form in the heart of Tunbridge Wells. The Academy Trust aims to raise and reflect aspirations within the local community and our innovative and distinctly internationally focussed curriculum sets the Trust apart from many other schools, along with our outstanding state-of-the-art facilities.

Our successful and stimulating Academy Trust offers a variety of training opportunities and avenues to support getting into teaching. Due to continued growth, we have a variety of new and exciting career opportunities for both The Skinners’ Kent Academy and Skinners’ Kent Primary School.

We are committed to recruiting the highest calibre of staff to all areas; teaching, administration and support and we are currently looking to recruit to: The Skinners’ Kent Primary School

Receptionist, Administrator

The Skinners’ Kent Academy

Teacher of Science Senior Science Technician Science Technician Teaching Assistant Examinations Officer

To find out more about working with us and for further information on all our vacancies, job packs and application process, please visit our websites www.skinnerskentacademy.org.uk or www.skinnerskentprimaryschool.org.uk Email: info@skinnerskentacademy.org.uk | t: 01892 534377

Recruiting Now

Set in beautiful countryside, just a ten minute drive from the town of Royal Tunbridge Wells, Salomons Estate represents the true beauty of Kent itself. It combines a picturesque setting with comprehensive conferencing facilities, fabulous function rooms and one of the best and most affordable wedding venues in Tunbridge Wells. Salomons Estate offers quality accommodation and luxury bedrooms in addition to Salomons Pub & Dining Rooms; an eclectic pub/restaurant offering the best in locally-sourced produce where possible.

We are looking for passionate individuals to provide our guests and clients with an unforgettable experience.

Available positions in Salomons Estate: Restaurant and Conferencing Supervisor Housekeeper Reservations Coordinator

One Warwick Park Hotel Composed of thirty nine rooms and suites and a range of entertainment spaces, One Warwick Park Hotel brings a luxury guest experience to the historic spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells’ in Kent.

Right next to the famous Pantiles area and only a few minutes from Tunbridge Wells train station, the hotel is perfectly located for enjoying all the activities that this beautiful Kentish town and its surrounding countryside has to offer.

Guests can expect a personalised welcome, knowledgeable and well-presented staff, a perfect setting for dining and unwinding in our restaurant and bar, multi-purpose event spaces for weddings and conferences, a unique underground art gallery, and bedrooms where relaxation and style are the priorities.

We are looking for enthusiastic personalities to provide an exceptional customer experience for our guests.

Available positions in One Warwick Park Hotel: Receptionist Concierge Housekeeper Housekeeping Supervisor Reservations Coordinator

SEVENTEEN Restaurant at One Warwick Park We are looking for talented individuals to join the team at SEVENTEEN Restaurant at One Warwick Park.

We take British dishes and ingredients and revitalise them using flavours and influences from around the world, modern cooking techniques and seasonality and presentation.

With the restaurant sourcing local produce, our menu is driven by the freshest and most seasonal ingredients, which can be enjoyed in our elegant restaurant featuring a stunning double height glass atrium - eating at SEVENTEEN will always be a pleasure.

Available positions within SEVENTEEN Restaurant Sous Chef Junior Sous Chef Chef de Partie Commis Chef F&B Assistant Kitchen Porter

To find out more, please visit our careers page at http://www.markerstudygroup.com/careers or contact us on: Email address: TalentAcquisition@markerstudy.com Telephone: 01892 553384

CODEWORD 4

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

2

26

7

7 6 8 4 9

14 14

2

3

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20

7 14

26

21

14 17

24

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9

Codeword:

5 4 7 9 1 4 6 8

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

3

DIFFICULTY RATING:★★★✩

2

14

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.

8

3

6

4 5

7

9

1

3 5 6 1 2 7

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

1

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LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU

DIFFICULTY RATING: ★★★★

CLASSIFIEDS

Life&Times

Puzzles

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

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

Puzzle solutions will be published in a forthcoming issue

F O R G E S I L O N Q U I C GO U T I E I S A R E C A L L K A AWN I N G B E T O J O S E E U S N A T R D H E L Y S E E

N A K S D G A Q L X I C C H E N

EWE E A N D T E S P U A R S I A R V N I O N I N G U A S S

A L E E S T E E R

Sudoku:

9 6 3 8 5 4 2 7 1

5 8 7 1 2 9 6 3 4

2 4 1 7 6 3 5 9 8

7 3 6 2 9 8 1 4 5

8 9 5 4 3 1 7 6 2

1 2 4 5 7 6 9 8 3

3 7 8 9 1 5 4 2 6

4 1 2 6 8 7 3 5 9

6 5 9 3 4 2 8 1 7

3 8 7 5 9 6 1 2 4

8 9 4 2 3 1 6 5 7

4 1 9 7 6 2 5 8 3

6 2 5 3 8 4 9 7 1

7 3 1 8 4 5 2 6 9

Jigsaw Sudoku:

2 5 6 9 1 7 3 4 8

9 7 3 6 2 8 4 1 5

1 6 8 4 5 9 7 3 2

5 4 2 1 7 3 8 9 6

SANTA AT SALOMONS

2019

SANTA’S GROTTO 21st - 23rd December £10.00 per child

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA 24th December £10.50 per person Includes a gift for every child plus photo opportunities with Santa himself.

DINE WITH SANTA 8th & 15th December

3 course roast, adults - £26 kids - £13

EST ESTABLISHED

S T A M RM U T Z

Call 01892 515152 or email reservations@salomons-estate.com to book your table now.

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

70

Life&Times

Sport

FOR EVENstories MOREto: NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.ukor newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk Wednesday September 25 | 2019 Please send sports newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

Roche on a steep learning curve for Team GB in sprint

Juniors catch World Cup fever at Twickenham RUGBY: TO MARK the start of England’s World Cup campaign, ten Under-9 players from Tunbridge Wells joined fellow youngsters from clubs across the country to take part in the Persil Pitch Day at Twickenham.

Hosted by the legendary Will Greenwood, the children were given a team talk in the England dressing room.

They then ran up the tunnel onto the hallowed turf and ran through a series of training drills before playing a match.

As the clock counted down to the start of the England v Tonga match, former centre Greenwood called all the children together to sing the national anthem.

The grand day out culminated in the children and their guests sitting in the stands watching England win their opening game.

By Adam Dennis

PITCH PERFECT: Tunbridge Wells Under-9s and their coaches at Twickenham

Hat-trick for Watson as TJs punish drops Tonbridge Juddians 46 Old Redcliffians 17

secured consecutive penalties, fly-half Will Robinson slotting the second as ORs’ flanker Dan Fry was yellow-carded.

A dropped ball while the Bristol side were on the attack presented centre Duncan Tout with a pick-up and he was able to run through from halfway to touch down, Robinson converting.

But a straightforward passing move opened up TJs’ central defence for wing James Clements to slice through for the visitors’ first try, which Ashley Groves converted.

RUGBY: TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS kept up their 100 per cent record of wins and bonus points at the start of the season with seven tries against tricky opponents from Bristol.

TJs remain in second place in National Two South, while Henley are above them with a better points difference.

The opening exchanges were close-fought and despite some difficulty at the tight scrum TJs

A sustained attack by TJs with good handling enabled wing Hugo Watson to break through from short range and score a converted try, and the home side led 15-7 at the break.

Fifteen minutes into the second half TJs’ flanker Jack Nay and lock Mark Davey combined with some neat inter-passing for the latter to touch down for an unconverted try.

Advantage

PHOTO: David Couldridge

FAR TOO GOOD Tom Chapman runs in a try from his own half

ORs were making it difficult for TJs but they capitalised on a spilled ball with replacement wing Tom Chapman running it in from deep in his own half, Robinson converting.

After the home side gave away a couple of penalties the Bristolians shuffled the ball out to centre Matt Baker, who crossed for an unconverted try.

But TJs took advantage of another dropped ball with wing Watson picking up and running in for his second try from the 10-metre line, Robinson adding the extras.

Baker scored his second try for ORs, which was not converted, but Watson was soon scoring his third try of the match and Robinson kicked the conversion.

A break down the narrow side created a try in the corner for replacement hooker Ryan Jackson.

The conversion attempt from the touch-line was the final act of the game but it missed its mark.

Tonbridge now travel to league newcomers Bournemouth on Saturday (September 28, kick-off 3pm).

TRIATHLON: TUNBRIDGE WELLS’ Clare Roche was representing Great Britain in the F60-64 category at the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Roche was taking part in the sprint triathlon (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run), which started in the warm, clear waters of Lake Geneva.

She got into a group from the start and managed to conserve her energy for two thirds of the first leg, exiting the water in 23rd place - a great result for Roche in what she considers her weakest discipline.

After a long transition the bike course made its way along the lake before going up and down a hill with a 23 per cent and a 90-degree turn at the bottom.

There were some spectacular crashes which Roche managed to avoid and the course then wound its way back along the lake into a park.

Roche said: “This was a fast and exciting section of the route, the sun was shining, the views spectacular, the crowd was cheering and I was enjoying myself.”

The run saw another brutal hill with a one-inthree gradient and many competitors made use of the handrail for extra propulsion.

With a sprint finish Roche passed a New Zealander and Australian who had beaten her in 2017 to finish 29th overall and 15th among the British field.

Tunbridge Wells team-mates Jenny Rhodes (F30-34) and Tommo Readman (M30-34) were competing at Ironman Vichy 70.3 (1.9km swim, 90km bike, 21.1km run) in France.

Competitors swum in the beautiful Lac d’Allier, using the rowing race infrastructure to guide themselves through the course.

The bike course had been altered from previous years with the flat roads replaced by more than 1,000 metres of elevation.

This was followed by a run along the shores of the lake during which the temperature climbed to 33C. Readman had issues with a stitch but battled through to finish in 6hr 8min 4sec, 176th in category. Rhodes recorded a time of 7:18.21, 43rd in her section.

Wells wing Hobbs is off to a flier Brighton 26 Tunbridge Wells 38

By Graham Withers wins at the start of their London & South East Premier campaign against a Brighton side that were still looking for their first success.

The game was to be a fond farewell to Brendan Crosilla as he played his last game ahead of a return to Australia, following two outstanding seasons at prop.

Wells were slow out of the traps as Brighton slotted an early penalty and dominated the first quarter but they could not turn pressure into points.

The visitors’ first piece of good possession saw Mike Doherty run onto the ball strongly and gallop in from 50 metres for an unconverted try.

Brighton finally capitalised by scoring an unconverted try from an untidy line-out to make it 8-5 on the half-hour but Wells responded immediately with a fine team try.

The ball eventually came to in-form winger Max Hobbs, who accelerated into the left-hand corner and Frank Reynolds’ fine conversion made the

PHOTO: Bruce Elliott

RUGBY: TUNBRIDGE WELLS secured a hat-trick of

TIGHT SQUEEZE Stu Nicholls (left) puts Brighton under pressure

score 12-8 at half-time.

Hobbs scored again - his fifth try in two matches - just three minutes into the second half, going in on the far left and carrying round to under the posts for a simple conversion.

The bonus point try arrived on 51 minutes with captain Ryan Taylor-Dennehy beating three defenders to glide in under the posts for another converted try.

Brighton never gave up and they clawed their way back into the contest with a converted try and a penalty to make it 21-26 with 15 minutes to go.

An attacking scrum on the Brighton 22 saw the ball fed out to Academy debutant Henry Toomer, who took jinked his way past four defenders to score in the corner.

The visitors put the win beyond doubt three minutes later, the electric Hobbs bursting past the defensive line and offloading to George Montgomery, who ran in from 40 metres for a converted try. Deep in stoppage time Brighton got a deserved bonus point try.

Wells, who are one point off the lead, now host Hertford at St Marks on Saturday (September 28, kick-off 3pm).

ON A SWISS ROLL Clare Roche enjoyed her Grand Final

Harrier Hobbs wins 10km Hospice Run ATHLETICS: TUNBRIDGE WELLS Harriers’ Dillon Hobbs won the popular Hospice Run in the town centre, which saw more than 500 complete the 10km course.

Hobbs came first in a time of 38min 9sec, with his club-mate Kelvin Desmoyers-Davis finishing in third place in 39.33.

In the new 5k race, which attracted nearly 200 runners, James Sarre finished in second place with a time of 19.35 and Stella Richardson was 12th in 25.19.

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday September 25 | 2019

Sport

Rusthall 2 Lewisham Borough 2

By Rich Smith FOOTBALL: The Rustics maintained their unbeaten home record in Southern Counties East League Division One with a hard-earned draw against a strong Lewisham side, who stay second in the table.

The visitors started stronger and took the lead after 10 minutes when a deep cross from the right found Bruce Muchenje, who unleashed an unstoppable shot from 16 yards.

Midfielder Tommy Lawrence was heavily involved in all of Rusthall’s play for the second game running and on 18 minutes he equalised.

Rusthall were awarded a free kick just outside the area to the left of the goal and Lawrence curled the ball around the wall and into the top right-hand corner.

The game was becoming more open with both sides looking to get forward quickly and Lewisham regained the lead on 26 minutes when Tyrell Thomas lashed the ball in off the underside of the bar.

This new-look Rusthall side have plenty of battling spirit and they managed to withstand a lot of pressure to reach half-time 2-1 behind.

From the start of the second period Rusthall were on the front foot with full-backs Louis Anderson and Bradley Large bombing forward at every opportunity.

On the hour-mark the Rustics brought on leading scorer Luke Adams and the former Punjab United striker levelled the scores on 71 minutes.

The lively Reuel Powell-Downey raced into the area and was bundled over for a penalty, which Adams calmly dispatched for his seventh goal of the season.

Seafood Grilled Sea Bass

FRESH IDEAS Steve McKimm will make changes

McKimm furious as Wheeler comes back to haunt Angels Tonbridge Angels 1 Eastbourne Borough 2

By Jim Rowe FOOTBALL: TONBRIDGE ANGELS manager Steve McKimm was angry after watching his side crash out of the FA Cup in the second qualifying round with barely a whimper.

An early penalty gave the home side a good start but lapses of concentration and an inability to create chances saw them knocked out in their first outing in the competition.

McKimm accused a handful of players of ‘not putting in enough effort’ and pledged to make changes to the starting line-up.

AFC Wimbledon loanee Jack Rudoni crossed from the left and reached Khale da Costa on the right flank. The wide man beat his marker but was then brought down in the box.

D’Sean Theobalds stepped up to dispatch the spot-kick past visiting keeper Tom Hadler to put the home side in front after eight minutes.

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Amazing Reuben Edwards took gold in the 100m freestyle, recording a personal best in the heat and then improving on it in the final.

Francesca Whiting competed in all three backstroke events (50, 100 and 200m) and made the finals in each.

Andre Strydom reached the final in the 200 butterfly and 200IM, while Mimi Vorster came seventh in the final of the 200m butterfly in her second season at national level.

Joshua Prendergast performed well at his first appearance at the English nationals, with a fifth place in the final of the 200m backstroke.

Holly Chapman (400m Freestyle) and Teilo Williams (50m Breaststroke) were also making their debuts at this level, with multi-eventer Emma Bennett completing the Monson line-up.

Coach Karen Bradbury said: “This has been an amazing week with stand-out performances from Fern Sneddon and Ellis Stanhope and also a dominant swim from Reuben Edwards making them all English champions.

“There have been some amazing races and lots of lessons learnt. I am really looking forward to next season.”

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The hardworking and skilful Rudoni created three half-chances for himself in the first half but the home side could not capitalise on a poor Eastbourne Borough display.

Tonbridge were to pay a heavy price as the Sports raised their game in the second half, as former Angels favourite Nick Wheeler came on in the 53rd minute.

On the hour-mark Wheeler was fed the ball on the left and embarked on an untracked run that saw him place a shot past Jonny Henly.

Tonbridge’s misery was complete when in the 80th minute they failed to deal properly with an Eastbourne raid and Eliot Romain put his side ahead with ease.

A furious McKimm said his team had lacked concentration at critical times and played without putting their bodies on the line.

He said: “This is the FA Cup, for goodness’ sake, and there were four or five players out there who in my opinion were simply not putting in enough effort. There will need to be changes.”

SWIMMING: RTW Monson took a strong team of ten to compete in 26 events at the English National Championships in Sheffield.

The outstanding Fern Sneddon won three gold medals in the multi-classification 50m, 100m and 400m freestyle events and also reached the final of the 100m breaststroke.

Ellis Stanhope also came away with a handful of medals as he won gold in the 400m individual medley (IM), silver in the 1500m and 400m freestyle and bronze in the 200m freestyle and 200m butterfly.

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71

Stanhope and Sneddon excel

Lawrence preserves Rustics’ home record

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Cappadocia, a semi-arid region in central Turkey, is known for its distinctive “fairy chimneys,” tall, cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Monks Valley, Göreme and elsewhere. Other notables sites include Bronze Age homes carved into valley walls by troglodytes (cave dwellers) and later used as refuges by early Christians. The 100m-deep Ihlara Canyon houses numerous rock-face churches.

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