Times of Tunbridge Wells 4th October 2017

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

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PARALYMPIAN WILL BAYLEY TO HOST NEW SO LIFESTYLE AWARDS Page 5

Police to hand out on-the-spot fines for illegal parking outside of schools

HOW DANCER ESTER TAL IS KEEPING HER LOVE OF FLAMENCO IN STEP Page 66

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BY DISCOVERING THE CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS Page 58

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INSIDE

LEAVING TOWN? AJ Bell founder Andy Bell said moving into Tunbridge Wells had been ‘transformational’ for his business

NEW LEASE OF LIFE The Leicester Arms is under new management Page 3

By Andy Tong DRIVERS on the school run who park illegally will face on-the-spot fines from Police Community Support Officers.

The new powers mean PCSOs can hand out Fixed Penalty Notices to tackle the growing issue of congestion outside schools and disruption to traffic.

Crowded roads are made worse by parents who park on double yellow lines or zig-zag zones, as well as blocking driveways.

RAISING THE BAR

How one girl found strength in powerlifting Page 9

Training Previously this power to issue fines has been the responsibility of council enforcement officers.

The county’s force is looking to recruit an extra 300 voluntary PCSOs in addition to their 200plus paid support officers.

The new school parking regime is being reviewed for legal requirements and should come into force by the end of the year.

Kent Police’s Chief Inspector, Andy Gadd, said: “PCSOs are highly regarded by Kent Police for their important role in delivering neighbourhood policing.

“These officers are responsible for using their powers to deal with anti-social behaviour, alcohol and licensing offences, and traffic management.”

He added: “As with all new powers, officers will follow a training plan to ensure they understand this new role and to prepare them for their duties.”

Office space crisis hits home as business prepares to leave town

By Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

TUNBRIDGE WELLS is facing an exodus of high-skilled workers after stockbroker AJ Bell admitted it has failed to find any suitable office space in the town.

More than 100 jobs could be moved to either Manchester or London, with a staff consultation already underway aimed at ‘offering support’ to those affected.

News of the planned move has come as a ‘complete shock’ to staff, some of whom have worked at the company for a decade.

AJ Bell has found itself in this position after the owner of Calverley House applied for planning permission to convert the large

town-centre office block, on the corner of Camden Road and Calverley Road, into residential apartments.

Dozens of smaller companies previously housed in the building have been forced to relocate as their leases expired. Some have already moved out of town.

‘We have been looking for a new location in town but as yet we have not found anything suitable’ Despite recognising the damage to the business community, the council said they are powerless to stop the plans for the conversion, submitted last year, because of central Government rules called ‘permitted development’.

The lease for AJ Bell does not run out until next October, but the consultation has been ongoing for around two weeks and one member of staff told the Times they thought people could be moved as soon as January – speculation the company denies.

Company spokesman Charlie Musson said on Monday (October 2) the Manchester-based firm appreciates the process is ‘unsettling’ for staff – some who have worked at the broker since it moved to the town in 2007 – and the company is doing all they can to retain them.

“We have been looking for more office space in town but as yet we have not found anything suitable,” he said.

Continued on page 2

A TASTE OF AUTUMN

Savour the season’s deliciously diverse crop of berries Page 52

MOVE AND IMPROVE Our expert property guide for all you need to know Page 23

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Wednesday October 4 | 2017

BBC survey finds town is among top ten places for young women

By William Mata TUNBRIDGE WELLS is one of the best places in the country to live for a woman under 30, according to a Woman’s Hour report.

Comparing opportunities and support structures on offer in every one of the 380 local authorities, the statistics firm NatCen compiled the report for the BBC Radio 4 programme.

The borough was named the ninth best place for a woman aged 18-30 to live and compared favourably in categories associated with young people,

such as: Culture, education and employment.

Celine Thomas (pictured), chairperson of Women’s Equality Party in Tunbridge Wells and former election candidate, said: “I thought Tunbridge Wells would have come in somewhere.

There are a lot of women in this town who are very ‘go get it’… there are lots of self-starters and lots of free-thinking women.”

To compile the report, aspects such as average income, house prices, personal wellbeing, safety, life expectancy, environment and culture were taken into consideration.

As to why she thinks Tunbridge Wells fared

Changing of the guard…

THIS is the final edition of the Times that Chief Reporter Adam Hignett will be writing for. Having started in May 2015 shortly after the paper was launched, he is now heading to Japan and on his return aims to complete a PhD in Political Theory.

“It has been a pleasure to report on all matters Tunbridge Wells since I started,” he said last night. “I have seen the paper grow from an unknown entity over-shadowed by more established publications to a must-have read for those interested in local issues. It has been fun.”

Taking over the role of Chief Reporter is William Mata, who has a strong background in local newspapers having just completed three years working with Trinity Mirror publications. He has moved back to Tunbridge Wells from a role in Hertfordshire.

“I am very much at home in Tunbridge Wells and look forward to helping the Times reach even greater heights,” he said.

You can contact William Mata with stories and comment by emailing will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or calling (01892) 240626.

Adam Hignett

William Mata CONTACTS

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Council’s hands are tied Continued from page 1 “As a growing business we also need to ensure any new space can hold more staff than we currently have down here and none is available. We have had a couple of places pointed out but nothing we look at fits the bill.”

He said it was ‘too early’ to rule anything out, but the consultation is coinciding with a business-wide review into how to improve ‘company processes’. Moving the roles to more central offices in Manchester or London could aid that objective, he admitted.

Detrimental The amount of office sector floor space across the borough has declined by around 1,250sqm per year since 2000, records show.

Data from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), the department responsible for collecting business rates, reveals the 163,000sqm of floor space available in the 2000/1 financial year fell to 143,000sqm by 2015/16.

The trend is particularly acute in the town centre with the conversion of prime sites such as Cleverly House, Westcombe House, Vale House and offices in Lonsdale Gardens either in the process or completed.

Calverley House alone covers a total area of 6,100sqm of office space. An application was submitted for change of use in August last year with recent plans showing the building is to be converted into 80 flats.

Cllr Jane March, Cabinet member with responsibility Economic Development described permitted development as a ‘detrimental’ to the local economy, adding the council is taking steps to try and keep AJ Bell in the town.

She said: “Planning regulations are such that it is relatively easy and financially attrac-

favourably, Ms Thomas said: “There is an extraordinary community spirit and I think women tap into that.

Active town

Celine Thomas

“I think some of it is economic, we have got access to London and there are a lot of people in that age group who found it is a great town.

“There is a lot going on. It is an active town and they can have a life of their own.

“There are also people coming here who are over 30 because it is great for family life.”

tive for office accommodation to be converted to residential accommodation but this can be to the detriment of the local economy.

“Council officers are talking to AJ Bell to see if we can help them in their search for premises that will allow them to remain in Tunbridge Wells.”

‘The prospect of losing 100 skilled jobs to Manchester comes as a blow to the town’ Business leaders have also criticised permitted development rights and the impact they are having on the Tunbridge Wells economy.

Jo James, Chief Executive of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said: “The prosIS WELLINGTON GATE NEXT? Office space across the town is becoming scarcer. There have been very few developments in recent years which help buck that trend – such as the Cripps building on Mount Ephraim. In general though any new additions are too small to stem the decline in floor space, with most new office buildings focusing on the micro-business and start up market. Very few cater for large established firms.

Wellington Gate, next to the Pitcher and Piano bar on Church Road, is another example of a building which accommodates the type of high-profile company the town can ill-afford to lose, such as Buss Murton solicitors and Coutts bank.

However, a question mark hangs over the future of the building which for the last three years has had an application to convert it into residential on file at the council, marked ‘prior approval not required’.

pect of losing 100 skilled jobs to Manchester comes as a blow to the town. It highlights the negative impact that Permitted Development Rights legislation is having on the ability of local businesses to find suitable accommodation.

“This news clearly shows the need for new commercial premises in the town, but it looks like if the proposed new office accommodation as part of the new Civic Centre Complex is given the go-ahead it will come too late to keep AJ Bell in Tunbridge Wells.”

WHO ARE AJ BELL? Founded in 1995 by Andy Bell, the company specialises in offering retail investors stock broking accounts and services. Its Tunbridge Wells office played a ‘transformational’ part in the expansion of the firm, which now has 650 staff and manages £36.3 billion in assets.

Its Tunbridge Wells office is one of three, the other two being in Manchester and London, and was established in 2007 when Mr Bell bought out a small broker firm in town called Lawshare.

He did so because up until then the company was relying on the infrastructure and services of other brokers to carry out share dealing for their clients and he wanted to bring these facilities in house.

Describing how important the acquisition was to the company, Mr Bell told the Times: “It was not the biggest deal we have made in terms of cost but it has made the biggest difference to our business model. It really was a transformational acquisition.”

IF ONLY TUNBRIDGE WELLS HAD A BUSINESS CHAMPION AT HAND WHERE have all the workers gone? In a few years’ time people may be walking around a noticeably quieter Tunbridge Wells asking that very question.

Office space is not exactly a riveting topic, but having decent places for people to work within the town is a fundamental issue if you don’t want it to become a dormitory, and a far flung suburb of London.

That’s why AJ Bell’s likely departure should set alarm bells ringing. The loss of more than 100 jobs is going to have a detrimental effect on the town as the roles are relocated to the capital or Manchester.

These people spend their money in the local economy, at shops and cafés in the day, and on dinner and drinks after work.

It would not be so bad if it was solely due to AJ Bell restructuring and part of the natural churn of a free market economy. If that were the case, other businesses would be likely to

come along and fill its place. But it is not.

It is simply due to there being no more space to accommodate its workforce. Tunbridge Wells cannot house them with office space is being lost left, right and centre.

Councillors are aware of the problem, but their hands are tied. Those on the planning committee lament the fact they have to wave through ‘permitted developments’, which allow developers to change offices to residential as they see fit.

They openly fret about the town losing its vitality and becoming a dormitory but central Government policy means they have to grin and bear it.

One of the most compelling aspects of the planned Civic Development is the inclusion of office space.

But even if it is built it may be too little too late. Businesses like locating near other businesses, creating an ecosystem which is

mutually beneficial.

Perhaps a few can leave without too much lasting harm, but if the trickle of companies upping sticks turns into a flood, even those with a secure premises may reconsider the benefits of sticking around.

The council’s ambition to pilot a scheme allowing them to retain the proceeds of business rate growth (Page 4) is not going to pay off if there are no businesses left.

While the council can do their upmost to lobby for changes to planning, what the town really needs to prevent this from happening is someone within the Government itself fighting their corner.

Preferably someone in a ministerial position, ideally with a portfolio which implies they understand the needs of business, and who has a vested interest in seeing the borough succeed… but who could that be?

Chief Reporter, Adam Hignett

Local News

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

NEWS IN BRIEF

Thomas line reopens after bridge repairs The popular Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells is fully operational again after £8,000 worth of line repairs.

Families boarded Thomas the Tank Engine from the West station on Saturday (September 30) for the first journey to the line’s terminus in Eridge since an accident forced partial closure.

After a lorry struck Adams Well Bridge on Friday, September 15, trains could only travel to High Rocks, seven minutes away.

Tasers drawn by police A TRAIN was held at Tonbridge Station so that British Transport Police could board and arrest two teenagers after reports that a 61-year-old man had been assaulted.

The boys, aged 17 and 16, from Lambeth were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. Police revealed that Taser devices were drawn but not fired.

The incident on September 27 occurred between Crowhurst and Battle.

Phone parking cheaper From this week it will be cheaper to pay by phone than with cash at council-owned car parks in Tunbridge Wells.

By registering with Ring Go, motorists can pay to park around town by calling or using the app which works out 10p cheaper than the given rate for the first hour of parking.

For two or more hours drivers will save 20p over the regular pay and display tariff. www.myringgo.co.uk

Knitted poppies appeal Knitters and crochet experts have until Wednesday, October 25, to submit handmade poppies for a remembrance campaign.

A large display of the emblems will be on show for Remembrance Sunday at Tunbridge Wells War Memorial on Mount Pleasant Road.

People can drop off the poppies at seven borough locations: Gateway, Weald Information Centre, Tunbridge Wells Library; Showfields Library, Town Hall, Rackliff Centre and Burgess Stores.

NEWS

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Calverley campaign posters not ‘abusive or threatening’

By Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk POSTERS tied to trees in Calverley Grounds suggesting local councillors are guilty of a ‘chainsaw massacre’ should not be seen as ‘abusive or threatening’.

That’s the view of the Chairman of Friends of Calverley Grounds, Nicholas Pope, who has been a regular critic of the proposed £72million Civic Complex to be built adjoining Calverley Grounds. The Councillors themselves, though, believe the posters ‘cross the line’.

Mr Pope told the Times that while he condemns any ‘abusive and threatening language’, he does not believe the posters themselves fall into this category.

“The posters that appeared on

some trees are not how I would choose to challenge the proposed Civic Centre Development. They were not abusive or threatening, although they were personal, which might be considered threatening to some.”

‘Personal attacks or attempts to intimidate and bully should not be tolerated’ He said of ‘greater concern’ were the abusive emails and letters councillors are subject to in general, adding ‘no one should endure these’.

His comments come after Cllr Tracy Moore, one of those leading the initiative for the complex, won crossparty support at last week’s council meeting for condemning the posters.

Titled ‘Tunbridge Wells Chainsaw Massacre’, the poster claimed councillors wanted to ‘chop this tree down’ to make way for the Civic Complex. No one has accepted responsibility for the posters.

Cllr Moore said: “I am aware it is the ambition of some of our residents to make councillors feel uncomforta-

ble, or play to the masses.

“I would say to you that yes, challenge us in our decision-making, make sure we are making good decisions. But personal attacks or attempts to intimidate and bully should not be tolerated.

“I have children, and posters and the like in a park is crossing the line.

We are here to represent our residents, to plan strategically and make good decisions. This is not Punch and Judy. This is not Prime Minister’s Questions, we are not professional politicians.

“We are residents and business people in the borough who care enough about our community to stand for election, attend meetings, read thousands of pages of documents and face the public.

“Courtesy and respect are deserved on both sides.”

Pub guru takes over Penshurst centrepiece

By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk THE publican who is credited with turning around the fortunes of a local village pub has bought another – the Leicester Arms in Penshurst.

Chris Cozens purchased the George and Dragon in Speldhurst this summer and says he has increased revenue by 40 per cent in four months.

New custom Mr Cozens, who grew up in Speldhurst but runs several establishments in Cambridge, plans to give the Leicester Arms a makeover by refurbishing its 13 bedrooms.

His company, Silverlake Leisure,

will also renovate the function room so that it can cater for dinner parties for 30 people and host conferences.

The Grade II listed inn was purchased by Brakspear brewery on Monday (October 2), and passed on to Mr Cozens on a 10-year leasehold.

Dating back to 1720, it was taken over three years ago by Julian Leefe-Griffiths, who also used to run the George and Dragon.

“It’s a stunning building, in a fantastic location opposite Penshurst Place,” said Mr Cozens.

“We are attracted by the idea of running rooms and we think it can work if you get the formula right.

“I hope we can pick up new custom, and if it’s anything like the George and Dragon, I hope the villagers will start coming back.”

FRESH START Chris Cozens

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Wednesday October 4 | 2017

Pilot scheme could help the council replace revenues

UNIMPRESSED PCC Matthew Scott

By Adam Hignett COUNCIL coffers could be boosted by tens of millions of pounds if the authority’s plans to pilot a new business rate scheme get given the green light.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is seeking to be one of the first local authorities in the country to test a scheme which will allow it, alongside Kent County Council (KCC), to retain 100 per cent of the rates collected from next year.

At the moment, the borough council acts as the ‘billing authority’ for business rates, meaning

Police face a second audit after ability to accurately record crime is questioned

By Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk MATTHEW Scott has sought assurance from Kent Police over their recording of crime after describing its performance in this area as ‘not good’.

Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) made the remark during a meeting of the force’s Performance and Delivery Board last week.

It comes after Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) found Kent Police was only correctly recording around 84 per cent of reported crimes, meaning 24,000 crimes a year were not making it onto the force’s books.

Wholly confident During the meeting on September 27, Mr Scott told Chief Constable Alan Pughsley he intended to invite HMIC back ‘sooner rather than later’ but added: “Hypothetically, if they were to return tomorrow are you absolutely confident that they would find greater accuracy?”

The Chief Constable was at pains to assure Mr

What the HMIC audit found  An assessment by HMIC, published in June,

found the quality of crime recording by Kent Police had ‘slipped significantly’ since the force was given a clean bill of health three years ago.  HM Inspector of Constabulary Zoë Billingham said she was ‘disappointed’ by the findings, which revealed around 1 in 6 crimes in Kent were not making it onto the books – that equates to approximately 24,300 crimes a year.  She went on to say the force had ‘taken its eye off the ball’ as a result of poor supervision of crime-recording decisions and inconsistencies in its own auditing system that was giving it ‘false positive’ results.  However, she acknowledged ‘immediate steps’ were being taken by the force to rectify the situation.  The findings were based on examination of crime reports for the period June 1 to November 30 last year.

Scott, who was elected as PCC last year in a county-wide vote, that Kent Police were not ‘supressing crime in any way, shape or form’.

He said improvements had been made to the force’s administrative processes around Crime Data Integrity accuracy, and that those improvements explained why recorded crime in Kent had increased.

Chief Constable Pughsley added: “If you rolled forward to the end of the year, if we said January 2018 for example and HMIC came in and inspected our data then, I would be wholly confident that our accuracy would be regularly at 90-plus per cent.”

Although Mr Scott said he was ‘satisfied’ with the Chief Constable’s answer, and believes ‘a lot of lesson have been learned’, he added: “We await to see what happens when I do invite HMIC back, probably next year.”

Force explains why it appears fewer people are charged A FREEDOM of Information request made by the Times has revealed a significant drop in the number of people charged with offences compared to the number of crimes recorded.

Police figures show in 2015 a total of 111,303 crimes were recorded, of which 14,090 resulted in a charge.

However, by 2016 there were 126,020 recorded incidents, although the number of charges fell to 13,009.

When asked to explain the figures, Kent Police’s Superintendent John Phillips said the discrepancy was due to ‘changes’ in recording practices.

He said: “Officers follow strict Home Office guidance when investigating and recording crime. Many single crimes recorded previously could now be recorded as multiple crimes.”

Previously if four people were fighting outside of a nightclub and it was not clear who was in the wrong, one report of affray would have been recorded – now four counter allegations of assault and one of affray could be recorded, he explained.

Investigations sometimes find no crime was committed, or if they are do not result in a charge but in a community resolution, which are recorded differently.

‘Tunbridge Wells is particularly well placed to benefit financially from all the investment in the pipeline’ whilst it is due to collect £56million this financial year on behalf of central government, it will only receive £2million back. The rest is pooled and redistributed to other parts of the country.

During a Cabinet meeting on September 14 members spoke of their frustration over the Government’s lack of progress in this area and accused it of failing to deliver on previous promises.

Legislation to deliver greater local control over rates was not forthcoming in the last Queen’s speech – an omission described as ‘hugely disappointing’ by the council’s Director of Finance, Lee Colyer.

However, it was revealed the Government is now inviting local authorities to become pilots for the 100 per cent retention of business rate growth in the 2018/19 financial year.

Mr Colyer said Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is at the vanguard of this devolution drive and has been

urging local authorities in Kent, as well KCC, to collectively lobby for further fiscal autonomy and sign up for the pilot scheme.

He added: “The council has been continuing to pressurise the Government to fulfil its obligation to localise business rates.

“If we can demonstrate it works in a two tier area, the more likely the scheme will put forward at a national level.

“We are volunteering our services and expertise to the government to help bring forward the localisation of business rates.”

If successful in their application to test the scheme, Tunbridge Wells and the other authorities in Kent will keep all new rate income generated from April next year.

This means the amount sent to central government will effectively be capped at the current £56million and will not increase as more businesses are established or move into the area.

Income from new enterprises will be kept locally, adding an incentive for the council to enact more business-friendly policies to encourage growth.

Mr Colyer added: “Tunbridge Wells is particularly well placed to benefit financially from all the investment in the pipeline such as the redevelopment of the former Cinema Site, expansion of Royal Victoria Place Shopping Centre and a new theatre and office complex.

“These major schemes will act as magnets to attract further business rate growth and prosperity to the borough which helps to fund local services.”

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is keen on finding additional sources of income as it will see its Revenue Support Grant, money it receives from the government, cut to zero next year.

INTO THE UNKNOWN: Lee Colyer

Local News

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

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International Music Popular vote to play a key part in new lifestyle awards Festival is not just The chance to nominate your favourite people, places and produce “But, it’s not up to us who takes home an award – this is a chance for the public to tell us who and what they love locally, by nominating their favourites.”

Featuring ten categories, covering everything from the top cup of coffee to the best blogger, nominations are now open for people to submit their choices. The shortlist will then be announced in December and after voting ends the winners will be revealed at the ceremony in February.

SPEAKER Paralympic champion Will Bayley will be speaking at the event

SO, WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT… THIS week sees the official launch of the SO Lifestyle Awards. Hosted by our sister publication SO Magazine, the awards will recognise local people, places and produce, and will be voted for by you the general public.

The luxury lifestyle publication celebrates its tenth anniversary next year and the awards, which will take place at Trinity Theatre on Thursday, February 8, will mark the decade since the magazine’s inception.

The event will be a night of inspiration

and entertainment. Beginning with a talk from local gold medal winning Paralympian Will Bayley, and followed by a knock-out performance from a stand-up comedian, there’ll then be a glittering awards ceremony where the winners will receive their accolades.

“We’re fortunate to be in an area filled with inspiring individuals and brilliant business, so we thought it was about time they were fully recognised,” explained Charlie Bond, editor of SO Magazine.

Is there a person you think has really made a difference in the community?

Which blogger shines a light on the town? Which pub is your favourite to get a pint in? The SO Lifestyle Awards gives you the opportunity to honour someone who has made a difference to your life, in a variety of big and small ways. From fabulous fashionistas to best brunches, have your say on who you think should be making an Oscar-style acceptance speech. It is time to get nominating.

Visit www.solifestyleawards.co.uk or pick up a free copy of the latest SO magazine to nominate, buy tickets and find out more.

about the music…

BESTSELLING author Victoria Hislop heads an impressive line-up for this year’s Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival.

The six-event series is held at various venues throughout this month and kicked off on Sunday (October 1) with a launch event featuring renowned mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly.

Victoria Hislop

An Evening with Victoria Hislop will see the author discuss her latest novel Cartes Postales from Greece at Trinity Theatre in Church Road on Thursday, October 12.

As the appearance of Victoria Hislop (the wife of satirist Ian Hislop) suggests, the festival is not exclusively music but does feature quality classical performances.

Doubling up Irish pianist Michael McHale doubles up this Saturday [October 7] at King Charles the Martyr church, Warwick Park, Tunbridge Wells, with a piano master class for students, followed by a recital.

On the following Friday (October 13) The Schubert Ensemble perform at the same church, offering audiences one of the final chances to see the quartet before they retire at the end of the year.

Finally the Merry Opera Company present Verdi’s Requiem at Penshurst Church, High Street, Penshurst, on Saturday, October 14.

For more information and bookings, visit www.tunbridgewellsfestival.co.uk

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Local News

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

ADAM HIGNETT’S VIEW FROM THE GALLERY

There are at least three more years of this…

Civic Complex has become the be-all and end all of council business

W

HAT links the need for a recycling centre in the countryside, the expansion of a Tunbridge Wells town centre car park, and a Stalinist sounding ‘Five Year Plan’?

It is, of course, the all-consuming issue of the Civic Complex.

For the past year the likelihood of any full council meeting not resulting in at least one innocuous item on the agenda being used as a proxy to debate the £72million project has been slim.

September 27 was no different, and with the Dear Leader, David Jukes, absent, fears of being publicly admonished for thought crimes against the project had greatly diminished.

The task of defending that particular elephant in the room (more like herd of elephants) is Cllr Tracy Moore (Park) who aptly holds the recently created title of Portfolio Holder for Civic Development Communications.

Her fellow ward member and serial rebel Cllr Peter Bulman set the tone in his pre-agenda question: “Obviously I am sorry Cllr Jukes will not be here to answer this question. I must assume he absented himself before he viewed my question… but maybe I am misjudging him.”

‘A manifesto for Tunbridge Wells town’ Cllr Sean Holden

Knowing chuckles emanated from some of those watching.

In summary his question was: A recent ward poll of Southborough North showed people hate the project, as did a petition signed by 2,000 people. So why is the council not asking everyone in the borough if they also hate it?

“Thank you Cllr Bulman. I am glad to see you could make it all the way here this evening,” Cllr Moore replied curtly, to further laughter. It is well known little love is lost between the pair after Cllr Moore accused an unnamed colleague of not taking council responsibilities seriously in this newspaper.

The reason there will be no borough-wide referendum, (‘I am tired of saying a hundred times,’ she thought) is because councillors voted against the idea by a margin of 25 to eight in July.

The agenda moved on. But the subject matter did not.

Next up, the Five Year Plan – a loose outline of goals for the council.

Cllr Sean Holden (Cranbrook), described it as ‘a manifesto for Tunbridge Wells town’, and rural areas are getting a raw deal, he lamented.

The rural secessionist then hit out at the £40million price tag for a new theatre, part of the Civic Complex, while those in his ward got a mere £400,000 for a new community centre.

Neighbour Cllr James Hannam (Frittenden & Sissinghurst), moved the subject on by attacking the lack of a new recycling centre in the east of the borough.

But it was just a ploy.

“If just one per cent of the money and effort being spent on the civic development were spent on finding a new recycling centre we would have one in each village within six months,” he remarked.

(An amendment to ‘ensure’ a new recycling site is found was defeated after a row broke out about the semantics of the word ‘ensure’.)

The Five Year Plan was passed and the agenda once again moved on. The subject matter did not.

The Civic Development Planning Framework (no nodding off) is supposed to be a tidying up exercise of planning ‘guidelines’ for council projects.

The document had been through a ‘thorough democratic process’, including consultation and a thousand committee stages. It offers a ‘holistic’ approach to planning for council projects, Cllr Moore said.

“We have seen a lot of showboating, but we are here to recognise the democratic process this document has already taken,” she added.

But the tenacious Liberal Democrat Cllr Ben Chapelard (St James’) smelled a rat.

“It’s not holistic, it’s piecemeal, and is about giving the Civic Complex the legitimacy it needs. That is the fundamental point here.”

People don’t know it’s a council ruse as no one bothers to check these things, he said. This is because they are ‘ignored’ when they raise objections during consultation.

Cllr Claire Stewart (Paddock Wood) then kicked off 20 minutes soul searching among councillors.

“At the risk of showboating… It seems when things are consulted, on the response is for responses to be noted and then ignored.”

Cllr Frank Williams (Sherwood) said the council’s approach to consultations raised questions, particularly in light of the ‘unprecedented’ decision by residents to launch a judicial review of the proposed Premier Inn.

“Maybe we are just not doing things quite right? And if that is so, it is time to look again or we will be damned.”

Not all were won over by these arguments.

Cllr Bob Backhouse (Sherwood) accused colleagues ‘scaremongering’ about the implications of the document, while Cllr Lawrence Heasman (Pantiles) said consultations are not ignored but the responses are very contradictory.

“Having 150 responses is nowhere near representative of the population of the borough… Some want a bigger and grander project, I can quote names if you like, others want nothing at all.”

Many people in his ward still ‘know very little about it’ but most come round to the idea when it is explained, he said.

Other councillors also rejected linking the Civic Complex to the document, and voted to pass it.

‘Some want a bigger and grander project’ Cllr Lawrence Heasman

The agenda moved on, the subject matter did not, when councillors were due to vote on whether to pay for the expansion of the Crescent Road car park.

A number of councillors and residents accused the council of putting the cart before the horse, and wanting the expansion to make up for the loss spaces at Great Hall Car Park which will be the result of a new theatre.

It was another example of a ‘stealth tactic’ to get the Civic Complex built, they said.

Things got rather chaotic when Cllr’s Bulman and former Liberal Democrat Mayor and punny-man Cllr David Neve (St James) moved to adjourn the debate until later in the year as it was becoming more and more evident it was once again a proxy for the Civic Complex.

A close run vote meant deferral was not to be, but it does mean at least one concrete thing came out of the council – Crescent Road car park will now get a £3million expansion and 96 extra spaces.

MAYOR ON MAYOR BUST-UP It all became too much for former Mayor and punny-man Cllr David Neve after he saw the current the current Mayor Cllr Julia Soyke (Speldhurst & Bidborough) voting during the debate.

Describing it as ‘poor form’ for a sitting Mayor to not abstain he upped and left the chamber, to a ripple of applause, in the middle of proceedings for only the second time in 30 years, remarking: “It is obscene of you to vote politically.”

Cllr Neve, who always abstained during votes, did so when his amendment to defer the car park debate was defeated, with Cllr Soyke voting against.

His vote lost 15 to 19 with 6 abstentions, he later remarked: “Most Tories didn’t have the bottle to vote with this option and many abstained.”

The council has since confirmed the Mayor is allowed to vote along party lines.

Local News

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

Runaway success as charities are the real winners in Tonbridge

By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk ALMOST 900 runners took part in the Tonbridge Half Marathon on Sunday (October 1), raising £50,000 for charity.

The Tonbridge Lions and Tonbridge Rotary Club, which both help to stage the race, received £10,000 for their respective charities, which include Porchlight and Compaid.

The participants also raised around £40,000 for their own choice of worthy causes.

The race was started by Tom Bosworth, the race-walking world champion who is a former member of Tonbridge Athletic Club.

And it was two of Tonbridge AC’s leading runners who took the plaudits. Julian Rendall was first home in a time of 1hr 14.16sec, while his club mate Daniel Bradley was runner-up in 1:16.02.

The pair have dominated the race in recent times. This year was a repeat of last year’s result, and Rendall also won in 2012 and 2014, while Bradley pushed his rival into second place in 2015.

Paddock Wood Athletic Club’s Colin Tricker came third this year in 1:17.30.

The first female runner to finish was Maria Heslop of Paddock Wood AC in a time 1:23.24, with Nicola Wilkinson in second place with 1:26.42 and Rebecca de Stacpoole third in 1:31.13.

Tonbridge AC won the male team prize ahead of Paddock Wood with Petts Wood Runners in third,

HIGH FIVES: Julian Rendall on his way to winning the race

PHOTO: sussexsportphotography.com

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PHOTO: Maurice Gilham

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and Beckenham took the female team honours with Tunbridge Wells Harriers as runners-up and Sevenoaks in third place.

Special

The race director, Andy Blundell, said: “The road-running scene is getting a bit crowded now and we have to work harder than ever to attract runners back again.

“But we have great facilities at the West Kent College HQ and this year the students cooked up some special food for the runners afterwards, serving up a big pan of paella which raised a lot of money for student causes.

He added: “There were also volunteer masseurs among students who are training for that, along with a variety of other physios who offered their services.

“As always there was fantastic support for the runners in Leigh, and the award-winning 17th Tonbridge Scout and Guide Band were playing in the village too. It was great.”

FINISH LINE-UP: (L-R) Tom Bosworth, Tonbridge Lions President For more pictures of the race, Gordon Hill, Rotary Club President Robert Greenhalgh, winner visit the gallery at www.sussex Julian Rendall and Tonbridge & Malling Mayor Roger Dalton sportphotography.com

Muddy Dog Challenge at Hever raises £99k for Battersea Home THE Kent Muddy Dog Challenge at Hever Castle raised more than £99,000 for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home last Saturday (September 30).

The canines and their splattered owners took on 2.5km or 5km obstacle courses, running through doggy ball pits, balancing on beams and crawling through filthy tunnels.

money for Battersea and we can’t wait to take part in next year’s challenge.”

The six-strong Farningham Frolickers team raised more than £1,000 by organising cinema events in their local village hall.

The team featured Hayley Williams of Sevenoaks, who dressed up in a spotted dog outfit to match her Labrador cross Harvey.

Fantastic The winners of the 5km race, in an impressive time of 35 minutes, were Chris Penn and his accomplice Tess, raising £300 in the process.

Chris said: “I’m so relieved to have been the first person to cross the finish line as my nieces and nephews would never have let me live it down!

“Tess and I have had a fantastic morning raising

MUCKY PUPS: The Farningham Frolickers, including Hayley Williams and Harvey (centre)

People

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

Uplifting experience helps teacher to defeat anorexia RAISING THE BAR Lizzie Mills only started lifting 18 months ago

By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk A TRAINEE teacher from Tonbridge is defying the odds and crushing her demons by rising up the ranks of powerlifting. She is not just hoisting the weights, but her own spirit at the same time.

Lizzie Mills, 21, is taking part in the National Junior Championships next month on the road to recovery from anorexia and depression.

She was headgirl at Mascalls School in Paddock Wood after moving there in the Sixth Form from Weald of Kent in Tonbridge.

Her downward slide began when she went to university in Portsmouth in 2014. But a sign of her strength of character is that she achieved a firstclass honours degree in mathematics this summer.

Now she is in her PGCE training year to become a teacher in the coastal town, and works in school from 8am to 4pm, followed by two hours of studies, before she can finally go training.

She only started lifting weight 18 months ago, but hopes to compete internationally next year.

“Sometimes I forget how far I’ve come or where I’m going,” said Lizzie. “But my story might help others in similar situations, and show people that recovery is possible.”

She added: “I’m not saying powerlifting is the answer, but I swear that it saved my life!”

As befits her chosen sport, she has overcome huge obstacles in her path to reach the level of achievement she manages on a daily basis.

“When I started university in 2014 I spiralled into a dark path of eating disorders, particularly fitness anorexia – I went to the gym copious hours a day,” Lizzie revealed.

“But I didn’t touch a barbell until around March 2016. I couldn’t train properly as I was still ­recovering from my eating disorders.”

Her love affair with the sport, appropriately, began through a romantic attachment. “I had met Adam, my partner, when he was competing in powerlifting, and he taught me what he did.

“It was only after I had watched Adam compete at a South-East Divisional meet in July 2016, that I decided that I wanted to give it a go.”

They signed up for a competition at Astor College in Dover last November. Lizzie said: “This gave me a huge focus in recovering from my eating disorders as I had to eat to be strong.

“I started training four times a week, and from meet day onwards I’d fallen in love with the sport.

“Even though I was barely lifting any weights compared to most of the other competitors there that day, everyone was cheering for me on every lift and the support was incredible.”

Lizzie’s story is all the more remarkable because she was born prematurely and told she would be restricted in her movement because of under-­ developed ligaments.

Her mother Pam said: “After being born prematurely with the prognosis of not being able to run or do sport to any higher level due to under developed ligaments, she has amazed herself and her family, proving beyond all predictions this girl can.

“Anyone who knows Liz knows she has had issues both physical and mental that she has overcome to reach this level, she is so driven.”

Lizzie has invested in a local coach, James Blanchard from JB Training and Nutrition in Sevenoaks, and ‘made some insane progress’.

‘I love the way it makes me feel – strong, empowered, and constantly challenged’ Lizzie only trains three times a week because of her demanding schedule, but said: “I always make time to lift weights because I love the way it makes me feel – strong, empowered, and constantly challenged. Lifting weights, heavy or light, gives me a purpose to eat and sleep properly and be healthy.”

So what is the secret of the extraordinary power which has transformed a vulnerable young girl into a pillar of strength?

“I have no idea where this inner strength and determination comes from but coming from a background of eating disorders and struggles with mental health, powerlifting keeps me sane and gives me something to direct my energy and focus on.

“I’ve made some really fast progress over the last year, so who’s to say I can’t defy science and continue to improve this much?”

Lizzie is now training ‘crazy hard’ for the Under23 72kg category at the British Junior National Championships in November.

She said: “I know that if I take care of my mind and body, fuel myself properly, and keep training hard, I have a strong chance of lifting internationally over the next few years.”

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Community News

Rescue wildlife charity puts best foot forward

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

TAKING THE LEAD Ellie, her father Matt Chandler and dog Annie

By Katie Harris

newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk AN ANIMAL charity based in Tunbridge Wells have raised over £1,000 at a Walk for Wildlife event.

Twenty people and three dogs took part in the sponsored walk for Folly Wildlife Rescue, raising a total of £1,113. They completed the six-mile route around the grounds of the charity’s animal hospital in Fairview Lane on September 16.

Historic tale provides fresh Hope HOSPICES OF HOPE are hosting a breakfast at Hotel du Vin in Tunbridge Wells on October 18, where professional storyteller Rob Caskie will deliver an account of Rorke’s Drift: An Epic Defence of Impossible Odds.

Rob’s tale concerns the fate of 139 British soldiers facing a 4,000-strong contingent of Zulu warriors in South Africa in 1879.

Rob says: “Storytelling may seem like an old-fashioned tool today – and it is. That’s exactly what makes it so powerful. Life happens in the narratives we tell one another.

“A story can go where quantitative analysis is denied admission – our hearts.”

Hospices of Hope, founded by Graham Perolls and based in Otford near Sevenoaks, provides patients in Eastern Europe who are suffering from terminal or life-limiting illness with specialist hospice care so that they can ‘live and die with dignity and without pain’.

The breakfast, supported by Keogh Caisley solicitors and Pettitts Travel, will be held from 8-10am.

Tickets cost £30 and include a full English breakfast. To book, please call 01959 525110.

Five choirs to sing out at New Beacon Centre in aid of hospice Ellie Chandler, granddaughter of the charity’s founder, Annette Risley, single-handedly collected over £250 in sponsorship.

Mrs Risley said: “I would just like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for their continued support of Folly Wildlife Rescue and the work that we do here.

“I am so grateful to all of the sponsors, the hard-working organisers, the volunteers and, above all, the walkers – especially to my brilliant granddaughter, Ellie, who along with her beloved dog, Annie, raised an amazing amount towards vital hospital funds.”

Folly Wildlife Rescue treats and rehabilitates injured, orphaned and distressed wild animals in West Kent, East Sussex and the surrounding areas, with the aim of releasing them back into the wild.

The charity relies mainly on public donations and has so far admitted 3,000 animals this year.

THE choirs of Leigh Primary School, Walthamstow Hall Senior School, King’s Rochester, The New Beacon School and Hospice in the Weald are combining to raise funds for the hospice.

The 250 singers will perform Alexander L’Estrange’s cantata, ‘Ahoy! Sing for the Mary Rose’ on Friday October 13 at 7pm at the recently opened New Beacon Centre in Sevenoaks, and the composer will conduct them himself.

The work was commissioned by Portsmouth Festivities and Portsmouth Grammar School to mark the renovation of the Tudor ship, The Mary Rose. The Headmaster of Portsmouth Grammar, James Priory, who will be taking over as the new head at Tonbridge School next year, is providing the narration.

The cantata is based on Tudor melodies, folk songs and sea shanties, and the choir will be accompanied by a small band featuring the accordion, double bass, drums and violinists.

For tickets visit www.newbeacon.org.uk

Community News

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

Childrensalon and Nourish are taking bets to help fight poverty

SWEET SUCCESS Freddie Banks with his raspberry ganache

ROUND NUMBERS Punters enjoying last year’s wheel of fortune

By Andy Tong CHILDRENSALON are teaming up with Nourish Community Foodbank once more to host a Lucky For Some Charity Casino Night on Friday October 13 at Salomons Estate in Southborough.

The gala fundraising event, organised by the online children’s fashion retailer, will feature casino tables, a wheel of fortune, an auction and raffle, a hot buffet, live music from the West Kent Big Band and tricks from the magician Bob Pound.

All proceeds will go to Nourish. Last year the evening raised £6,180. The charity foodbank can provide short-term emergency support for low-in-

come working households in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge who struggle to make ends meet once they have paid their bills, and those individuals and families who have been hit by welfare benefit cuts or unemployment.

Tickets Tickets to the event cost £20, and guests are requested to bring along a tin of food on the night.

For more information, please visit www.nourishcommunityfoodbank.org.uk/ lucky-for-some If you would like to donate, please email: paul.haines@nourishcommunityfoodbank.org.uk

John Lewis stages cake bake-off for Pepenbury INSPIRED by TV’s The Great British Bake Off, staff at John Lewis at Home in Tunbridge Wells organised a chocolate cake challenge to launch their charity partnership with Pepenbury.

The charity, which is based near Pembury, provides care and support for adults with learning disabilities, autism and physical disabilities.

Tina Arnold, Community Liaison Co-ordinator at John Lewis, said: “We were delighted with the 12 cakes submitted, all of which were of a really high standard. Partners really got behind this initiative and it was a great way to introduce our Charity of the Year, Pepenbury.

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“We are really looking forward to doing more fundraising, and working together with the team to raise awareness of people in our community who have learning disabilities or other complex needs.”

Pepenbury’s Fundraising Manager Camilla Slattery, who was one of the judges, said, “We are so grateful to the partners at John Lewis for their commitment to this fundraiser.

“We were blown away by everyone’s hard work and skills. It really was a difficult decision, but in the end the presentation, taste and texture of the winner scored full marks.”

The winner, Freddie Banks, baked a chocolate ganache slice with raspberry filling topped with mini raspberry meringues.

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BUSINESS

Local Business News

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

Sparkling future for English wines on the same period in 2016.

Chief Executive Charlie Holland claimed the increase shows ‘solid progress’ has been made at the firm.

However, shares in the company remained stuck at 48p since the news was announced on Thursday September 28, as the company continues to grapple with a pre-tax loss that expanded to £815,000 during the six-month period, up from a loss of £696,000 last year.

VAT’S NICE The Gusbourne winery

‘We are particularly pleased with the contribution of export sales, which have exceeded expectations’

By Adam Hignett

adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk KENT’S sparkling wine producers recorded surging revenues in the first half of the year as they continue to benefit from growing demand for

English wine, results have shown.

Exports climbed by 30 per cent at the Gusbourne winery at Appledore, near Tenterden, which has expanded its customer base to 15 countries.

The AIM-listed business recorded sales of £378,000 in the six months to June 30, which is up 42 per cent

The main drag on their profit was rising administration costs and finance expense.

However, Mr Holland said: “We are particularly pleased with the contribution of export sales, which have exceeded expectations in the first half of the year.”

Just down the road, neighbouring wine producer Chapel Down also recorded bumper sales growth when the results were revealed last week.

Chief Executive Frazer Thompson said interest in English wine has ‘never been higher’ after his slightly older company saw revenues climb 22 per cent to £5million during the first half of the year.

The company, which over the past few years has expanded into the beer and cider markets, planted 50 new acres of vineyards this year.

Pre-tax losses for the NEX-listed company came in at £91,965.

Mr Thompson said the vineyard had taken the decision to ‘continue reinvesting any surplus cash in our people, our systems and our brands’.

He added: “Interest in English wines – and Chapel Down in particular – has never been higher, and is exciting the wine world as we help to grow the sparkling wine market as well as innovate and surprise with our still wines.”

Young publishing star lands top job

By Will Mata

will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

SHOWCASE KITCHEN At Rexmartins

Catering supplier expands with energy-efficient range REXMARTINS, a catering equipment supplier which has traditionally designed new products on behalf of companies, has responded to commercial demands for energyefficient kitchen equipment by launching its own range.

The Tunbridge Wells-based familyrun firm has been operating from its Kingstanding Way premises since 2013. It currently has access to a range of over 10,000 products to supply its clients.

Its new brand, Rexmartins Black [RMB] is targeted primarily at schools, restaurants and hotels.

The brand came on the market this month after two years in development.

The innovative range includes indoor and outdoor modular cook stations and BBQs with an array of accessories, an induction range,

Martin Porter

dishwashers and wall-mounted and free-standing heat pumps.

Rexmartins Director Martin Porter said: “We developed RMB after listening to what businesses wanted.

“Top of the list was energy efficiency as businesses look to reduce their carbon footprint and make cost savings.

‘It’s been a busy few years developing equipment that just can’t be found elsewhere’ “The versatility of our new range is proving popular with all types of caterers who require effective, efficient, space-saving solutions.

“It’s been a busy few years developing equipment that just can’t be found elsewhere in the market. It means we’re already getting plenty of orders in from around the UK and overseas, so the future is looking rosy.”

AT THE age of 26, a Tunbridge Wells man has become Managing Director of an independent book publisher.

Following a rapid rise, Joshua Brown has taken the top job at How2Become.com four years after he started off at the Kent firm with a job of packing customer orders for dispatch.

Award After taking the role of Operations Director in 2016, he won the IPG Young Independent Publisher of the Year award thanks to a record year of turnover for the company.

Mr Brown will now steer the business for a long time to come.

He said: “It’s an honour to be given this opportunity. I am very much looking forward to working with our great team here at How2Become in order to continue the growth of the

business, and also serve our customers and readers with the best possible books and services we can offer.”

How2Become.com was founded by former Kent firefighter Richard McMunn in 2005, when he came up with the idea to write about, and provide advice on, how to join the UK Fire Service.

The Kings Hill company soon established itself as publisher of careers information in general, and has issued advice on getting into the computer games industry, becoming an airline pilot and joining the armed forces and security services.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr McMunn said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed running the business for the last 13 years, and feel now is the right time for Joshua to take the company forward into its next stage of growth and development.”

Mr Brown took up his appointment as Managing Director at the start of this week [Monday October 2].

HONOUR: Joshua Brown (centre) takes the award from Damian Barr (author) and Ruth Killick (IPG Publicity)

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County News

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

Bolton wins UKIP leadership race KENT’S candidate for UKIP has succeeded in taking over the party leadership, seeing off a challenge from expected favourite Anne Marie Waters.

Henry Bolton was voted in at the party’s annual conference in Torquay on Friday, taking over from Paul Nuttall, who quit the job after June’s General Election, in which UKIP fared badly.

Mr Bolton, a former army officer and policeman from Folkestone, began his campaign in August as an outsider in a crowded field of candidates.

In recent weeks, the odds on him winning shortened dramatically, however he was still ranked third most likely to win behind Ms Waters and Peter Whittle. But members rejected Ms Waters after many UKIP MEPs, including Nigel Farage, said her election would ‘destroy’ the party due to her vehement anti-Islam stance and association with the far right.

Mr Bolton, who spoke of UKIP having a ‘moral obligation’ to deliver Brexit, won 3,874 votes.

Ms Waters came second with 2,755 votes.

Addressing members after his victory, Mr Bolton said: “I do not see myself now as being simply your leader, I see myself as serving this party. You are the party, not me. And this party needs to serve its country.”

Henry Bolton

GROWING FAST The independent boys’ school

Sevenoaks School’s plan for new boarding house A PLANNING application has been submitted by Sevenoaks School to build a new boarding house to accommodate 60 pupils.

If given the go-ahead, the facility will expand the number of pupils who board from 30 to 40 per cent.

It would be built on the edge of Park Grange Lawn.

No figures are available for the estimated cost.

The application for the two-storey building, made at the start of September, also included three staff accommodation units, parking and landscaping.

Describing the internal layout of the new boarding house, documents state it will be ‘domestic rather than institutional in character’ but will be a

‘building without corridors with rooms grouped around landings as social spaces. The aim is that it feels like a house rather than a hotel’.

The rooms will vary from single bed en suites to four bed rooms with shared facilities.

The project is the latest in a list of ongoing developments at the independent school, which in recent years has seen a new science and technology centre and a performing arts centre built. A new sixthform centre is in the process of being delivered.

All of the proposed and realised projects conform to the school’s masterplan, with a further two boarding houses also tipped for the future.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Police arrest South East burglary suspects FOUR men have been arrested in connection with a series of burglaries across the South East, including homes in West Kent.

Detectives have been investigating around 30 burglaries, believed to be linked, with properties in Sevenoaks and Tonbridge targeted.

On Thursday, police located an Audi car in Seal which had previously been reported stolen from a property in Tonbridge. At around 1.45pm, three men seen approaching the car were arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft offences. A further suspect was arrested nearby a short time later.

The suspects, a 20-year-old man from Farningham, two men aged 18 and 24 from Seal, and an 18-year-old man of no fixed abode, all remain in custody.

Lifeline for historic lift A COMPANY has been set up to get Folkestone’s Leas Lift running again after many thought it would be closed for good.

The water lift and Grade II listed building, constructed in 1885, shut in January due to an unsafe brake which would cost £80,000 to replace. However, the Folkestone Leas Lift Company secured the money from donors, inclluding the Radnor Estate.

KCC calls for Stoptober THE country council is looking to help the 15 per cent of residents who still enjoy lighting up to kick the habit by offering a free Quit Kit as part of their Stoptober campaign.

To receive a free kit, call 0300 123 1220

National News

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

EU to hit Amazon with huge tax bill ONLINE retail giant Amazon will reportedly be slapped with a tax bill worth several hundred million euros today (October 4) following a lengthy EU investigation into a sweetheart tax deal with Luxembourg.

The EU’s Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager is expected to issue her decision following a near three-year investigation into whether Amazon’s tax affairs complied with state aid rules, according to the Financial Times.

The probe, which was launched in October 2014, looked at a 2003 tax agreement between ­Luxembourg and the retailer that saw most of Amazon’s European profits recorded in the country, but not fully taxed.

Royal Mail workers vote to take action THE Royal Mail faces the threat of the first national strike since it was privatised after workers voted massively in favour of industrial action in a bitter dispute over pensions, pay and jobs.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) backed walkouts by 89 per cent on a turnout of 73 per cent of the 110,000 balloted.

It passed the threshold in the Government’s controversial Trade Union Act, under which ballots need a 50 per cent turnout for industrial action to go ahead.

The CWU believes it is a ‘watershed’ moment for unions as well as the Royal Mail, which it accuses of following a ‘relentless’ programme of cost-­ cutting to maximise short-term profits and shareholder returns.

OPEN TO CHANGE Donald Trump with his wife Melania before flying to Puerto Rico

Trump: ‘We will talk about guns laws as time goes by’ DONALD TRUMP has said he is open to discuss gun laws after 59 people died in the Las Vegas shooting.

The US President called the attack a tragedy and said the perpetrator was a ‘very sick individual’.

A further 527 people were injured when a gunman opened fire on crowds attending an open-air country music festival on the Las Vegas strip.

Suspect Stephen Paddock, 64, was found dead when officers stormed his room at the Mandalay Bay hotel, which overlooked Las Vegas Village.

Mr Trump was speaking to reporters before he left on a trip to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico.

He called the gunman ‘demented’ and said ‘we’re looking into him very seriously’ before praising police in Las Vegas.

Asked about US legislation, the president said ‘we’ll be talking about gun laws as time goes by’.

Paddock’s brother described the gunman as a multi- millionaire property developer who liked to gamble large amounts of money in Las Vegas and that he had no known political or religious agenda – though 23 guns were found in his hotel room.

Eric Paddock told reporters his brother often received free rooms and meals from casinos, telling reporters: “He was a guy who had money. He went on cruises and gambled.”

Investigators are working to establish a motive for the attack, but a law enforcement official said there was no immediate indication that the massacre was connected to international terrorism.

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National News

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

Coogan awarded compensation for Mirror hacks STEVE COOGAN has received damages and an apology from Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) over phone-hacking.

The actor and comedian was at London’s High Court yesterday (October 3) for the settlement of his action for misuse of private information.

The amount of damages was not revealed by Mr Justice Mann, but Mr Coogan confirmed outside court that it was a six-figure sum, most of which would be distributed to good causes. Asked what today meant to him, he said: “Vindication”.

Mr Coogan’s counsel David Sherborne said the case concerned voicemail hacking, unlawfully obtaining personal information from third parties and surveillance by private investigators.

He said: “Mr Coogan has identified 62 articles that he alleges are likely to have been produced by use of these means. Much of what was published caused enormous distress and significant damage to Mr Coogan’s relationships with those he wrongly suspected had leaked private information or who believed he was the cause of their private information being made public.”

Other celebrities who settled their claims with MGN included actor Sienna Miller, TV presenter Jamie Theakston and EastEnders actor Michael Greco.

NEWS IN BRIEF SCOUT AND ABOUT TV presenter Bear Grylls warned the Conservative Party conference in Manchester that it ‘will perish’ if it ignores young people. The survival expert was calling on the government to come up with £50million in funding for the Scouts. The Chief Scout was calling for volunteers to help with a waiting list of 55,000 boys

PM says Johnson has not ‘undermined’ her THERESA MAY has denied she was ‘undermined’

by Boris Johnson, as the Foreign Secretary gave her a public show of support at the Conservative conference in Manchester.

Mr Johnson used his keynote speech to praise Mrs May’s ‘steadfastness’ over Brexit and her performance in this year’s snap election.

The Prime Minister was earlier forced to insist that she is ‘in charge’ of the Brexit process, after Mr Johnson used a newspaper article at the start of the four-day gathering to set out his personal red lines for negotiations.

Mrs May said she does not want a Cabinet of ‘yes men’ and that the government benefits from hearing ‘different voices’ in policy discussions.

But she stressed that the whole Cabinet had

signed up to the negotiating position she set out in a speech in Florence last month.

The conference has been dominated by speculation over whether Mr Johnson was plotting a bid to replace her after the poor election result.

Asked if Mr Johnson’s interventions were undermining her position, she told the BBC: “It doesn’t undermine what I am doing at all. Actually, what people are concerned about –they don’t want us to be thinking about our jobs, they want us to be thinking about their jobs and their futures.”

In his speech Mr Johnson said the Cabinet was united behind ‘every syllable’ of Mrs May’s speech in Florence. He added: “The whole country owes her a debt for her steadfastness in taking Britain forward, as she will, to a great Brexit deal.”

May will take part in future leaders’ debate THERESA MAY has dropped a hint that she could reverse her stance on avoiding clashes with other leaders on TV debates.

The Prime Minister told BBC Radio 5 Live that she would take a ‘different approach’, at the next General Election, having revealed in August she intends to lead the Conservatives next time out.

‘Robust’ on Catalonia SCOTTISH ministers have written to the Government urging them to condemn ‘unequivocally’ the violence in Catalonia’s independence referendum.

Fiona Hyslop, Holyrood’s External Affairs Secretary, has penned a letter to Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson calling for a ‘more robust statement’ from UK ministers.

Hundreds were injured when police tried to stop voting in the poll on Sunday, which was deemed illegal by the Spanish government in Madrid.

Cyber attacks increase THE UK has been affected by more than 500 significant cyber attacks in the last year, security chiefs have revealed.

Experts at the National Cyber Security Centre registered 1,131 incidents in the past 12 months, of which 590 have been classified as significant.

Organisations targeted over the year ranged from key national institutions to small and large businesses.

National News

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

Scotland bans fracking after huge opposition THE Scottish Government has announced a ban on fracking. Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse confirmed the government will outlaw the controversial gas extraction technique in Scotland.

A moratorium on the practice has been in place since January 2015 and the government’s decision follows extensive consultation and consideration of reports on its potential impact.

Mr Wheelhouse said: “Fracking cannot, and will not take place in Scotland.”

He said it was the responsibility of the government to make decisions in the best interests of Scotland as a whole.

Dirty industry The minister added: “I can confirm the conclusion of the Scottish Government is that we will not support the development of unconventional oil and gas in Scotland.”

A public consultation on the issue received more than 60,000 responses, 99 per cent of which were opposed to fracking.

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Mary Church said: “This is a victory for the environment and for local communities fighting fracking.

“This is a huge win for the anti-fracking movement, particularly for those on the frontline of this dirty industry here in Scotland, who have been working for a ban these last six years.”

Mr Wheelhouse said an immediate ban will be put in place and the Scottish Parliament’s endorsement will be sought during a debate and vote following recess later this month.

Mr Wheelhouse said the government would use planning regulations to extend the moratorium ‘indefinitely’, removing the need for legislation.

Conservative MSP Dean Lockhart said the decision meant Scotland’s economy was being ‘left behind’ and that reports had shown fracking could bring in £4.6billion and thousands of jobs.

He added: “This much-needed economic boost and these jobs will now be created outside of Scotland, thanks to the SNP.” GROUND BREAKING 99 per cent of the public were against fracking

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BUSINESS

National Business News

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

NEWS IN BRIEF

Grocery prices drop but still up on 2016 THE cost of a basket of groceries fell slightly last month - but is still almost £2 more expensive than this time last year, a survey shows.

A basket of 35 popular items cost £84.90 in September, 3p less than the previous month but £1.81 more than a year ago, according to mySupermarket’s monthly groceries tracker.

MySupermarket Chief Executive Gilad Simhony said: “The news that the same basket of goods costs £1.81 more on average in September 2017 compared to 2016 shows that it is more important than ever for shoppers to do their research to get the best value for money.”

Factory set for closure MORE than 350 jobs are at risk after consumer goods giant Unilever and Robinsons squash owner Britvic announced plans that could see their shared manufacturing site in Norwich shut down.

Britvic announced on Tuesday morning it has tabled proposals to transfer production of Robinsons and Fruit Shoot from the Norwich factory to sites in east London, Leeds and Rugby as it looks to make ‘significant productivity and efficiency savings’.

In a double blow for the city, Unilever has launched a review of its operations at the same site, putting a further 113 jobs at risk at its unit which produces Colman’s Mustard.

New CEO in the making HORNBY has recruited a new top boss and is mulling an investment in the owner of rival toymaker Oxford.

The business, which has a visitor centre in Kent, said Lyndon Davies would join as Group Chief Executive, with current CEO Steve Cooke stepping down immediately.

It is also exploring whether to invest in LCD Enterprises Limited, the parent owner of Oxford, where Mr Davies is the majority shareholder.

The 56-year-old will be tasked with driving through the remaining stages of an overhaul that has helped shore up Hornby’s balance sheet.

Renewable energy rise A THIRD of Europe’s electricity could come from offshore wind, an industry leader has suggested in the wake of tumbling prices for the technology.

The latest UK Government auction for subsidy contracts - which guarantee a set price for power from offshore wind farms - saw costs fall 50 per cent on 2015 levels, making it cheaper than nuclear power and competitive with gas.

Jens Tommerup, Chief Executive of turbine manufacturer MHI Vestas, said a more interconnected energy system that linked the UK with countries such as Germany and Denmark could allow for much more renewables, with offshore wind potentially providing 30% or more of the power mix in Europe.

Construction activity slows for first time in over a year

ACTIVITY in Britain’s construction industry unexpectedly contracted for the first time in 13 months in September as a drop in new orders and civil engineering work dragged on the sector.

The Markit/CIPS UK Construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI) showed a reading of 48.1 last month, down from 51.1 in August, and falling well below economists’ expectations for a steady reading of 51.1.

Difficult A reading above 50 indicates growth.

It was the first drop in overall business activity in the sector since August 2016 and was the fastest decline in overall construction output since July 2016.

The survey said September was a ‘difficult month’ for the sector, having suffered from a fall in input buying and new work, which saw its third straight month of declines.

Tim Moore, an Associate Director at IHS

Markit and author of the report, said: “A shortfall of new work to replace completed projects has started to weigh heavily on the UK construction sector.

“Aside from the soft patch linked to spending delays around the EU referendum, construction companies have now experienced their longest period of falling workloads since early 2013.”

Respondents said the drop in workloads was linked to ‘fragile confidence’ and ‘subdued risk appetite’ among their clients, particularly in the commercial building sector, which felt the second-sharpest decline since February 2013.

The industry also experienced the sharpest fall in civil engineering work since April 2013 as a lack of new infrastructure projects failed to make up for completed contracts.

House building was the only sub-sector that experienced growth last month, and even then saw growth levels hit a six-month low amid fears over ‘less favourable market conditions’ in the months ahead.

Households face the longest income slump for six years BRITISH households are enduring the longest fall in their disposable incomes for six years as they grapple with rampant inflation and lacklustre wage growth.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed real household disposable income per head dropped by 1.1 per cent in the second quarter of this year, underscoring the pressure on cash-strapped consumers.

It means disposable incomes have now declined for four quarters in a row, marking the longest period of negative growth since the end of 2011.

While an expansion in wages and salaries provided some support to disposable incomes, the slump was only made worse by higher prices over the period.

The update comes as a separate study revealed that consumers felt their financial situation had

deteriorated for the first time in two years.

It showed a balance of minus 2.3 for April to June, compared to a positive reading of 1.2 over the same period last year, according to the Eurobarometer Consumer Survey.

Jane Goodland, a director at Old Mutual Wealth, said: “The current UK population are increasingly having to tighten their purse strings and they are feeling the pressure of doing so.

“Numbers from the ONS today show that households have faced the longest period of consistent negative growth in real disposable income, with a steady decline since the end of 2011.

“This decline is beginning to impact people’s perceptions as, for the first time in two years, consumers reported a worsening of their perception of their own financial situation.

“The population’s view of their ability to afford their lives is crucial to their well-being and indeed their saving habits.”

Rising clothing and fuel prices caused inflation to rebound in August to 2.9%.

It brought an end to a momentary pause in June and July at 2.6%, and matched levels last seen in May this year and June 2013.

The Bank of England has indicated that interest rates could rise in the coming months to help temper soaring inflation fuelled by the Brexit-hit pound.

Employers choosing clerical staff over robots ADMIN jobs are still in demand as employers prefer to value clerical staff rather than robots, according to a new report.

Jobs site Adzuna said opinion was divided on the impact of artificial intelligence, with its research finding that administrative work is one of the biggest improving sectors for pay.

Average admin salaries are up by 6.8 per cent over the past year to almost £24,000, while vacancies are up by 2 per cent, the study showed.

Doug Monro, Co-Founder of Adzuna, said: “Despite the reported rise of the robots, admin jobs are still in demand and paying better than they were previously, as employers still value efficient clerical staff rather than entrusting such tasks to automated systems just yet.”

More rail workers strike over train guards issue WORKERS on South Western Railway (SWR) have voted heavily in favour of striking in the dispute over the role of guards on trains.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union backed walkouts by 4-1 on a turnout of 76 per cent, well above the 50 per cent threshold in the Trade Union Act. The company is now the fifth rail operator to be embroiled in a dispute over the role of guards and driver-only trains.

RMT members at Southern, Merseyrail, Arriva Rail North and Greater Anglia were said to be ‘solidly supporting’ a 24-hour strike yesterday [October 3], with another stoppage due on Thursday.

Picket lines were mounted outside stations, including in Manchester, where the Conservative Party conference is being held.

The new ballot result followed claims by the RMT that SWR franchise holder First/MTR had failed to give ‘cast-iron’ assurances over the future of guards on its trains.

Union General Secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT has given repeated opportunities for First/MTR to give us the assurances we have sought over the future role of the guards on their trains throughout the length of the new South Western franchise.

“They have refused to give us those guarantees and it is that failure which left RMT with no option but to declare a formal dispute with the company and to conduct a ballot for action.”

STRIKE SUPPORT RMT reps on Tuesday

World News

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

SPORTS IN BRIEF

Evans faces ban after positive cocaine test

Nerve agent caused death of North Korean leader’s brother

DAN EVANS said he is ‘determined to return to the sport I love’ after being handed a one-year ban following his positive test for cocaine.

The International Tennis Federation announced the length of Evans’ suspension on Tuesday [October 3], nearly six months after he failed the test at the Barcelona Open in April.

‘Play chess’ says Keane ROY KEANE has told footballers to play chess if they are worried about getting hurt.

Responding to a question about striker Kevin Doyle’s retirement last week because of repeated bouts of concussion, the Republic of Ireland Assistant Manager admitted his sadness at the player’s plight, but insisted that injury is an occupational hazard for professional athletes.

Keane said: “If you’re worried about the physical side of any sport, you’re wary of it, then play chess.”

England top rankings ENGLAND captain Heather Knight says her side are ready to go from being hunters to hunted after replacing Ashes rivals Australia on top of the International Cricket Council’s rankings.

The team are enjoying a memorable year, winning a triumphant home World Cup in July and now dislodging the Southern Stars from a position they have held since the table was introduced in 2015.

ACCUSED Doan Thi Huong

THE VX nerve agent used to kill the estranged brother of North Korea’s leader was found not just on his face and eyes but also in his blood, urine and on his clothing, a court heard.

Government pathologist Mohamad Shah Mahmood, who prepared the report, told the court in Malaysia on Tuesday “the cause of death is acute VX nerve agent poisoning” after excluding other possible diseases or injuries.

The 11-page report said an examination of Kim Jong Nam’s body showed damage to his organs and a chemical analysis detected VX. Mr Kim was attacked at a crowded Malaysian airport in February.

Two women, Siti Aisyah of Indonesia and Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam, deny murder.

Workers protest Spain’s stance on vote BARCELONA’S football stars were among workers in Catalonia to down tools on Tuesday [October 3] in protest against the Spanish government’s actions over the region’s independence vote.

The club said none of its professional or youth teams were training and the club base was closed.

Several hundred Barcelona port workers held a demonstration outside the regional headquarters of Spain’s ruling Popular Party chanting slogans against government policies and the alleged brutality of police during Sunday’s

polling day.

The protest came as several small unions and grassroots pro-independence groups urged workers throughout the region to go on partial or full-day strikes.

Enric Millo, Madrid’s top official in Catalonia, said he lamented the violence but blamed the regional separatist government for ‘exposing citizens to danger’.

“Nothing of this would have happened if the government wouldn’t have declared itself in rebellion,” he added.

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Vladimir Putin and Jon Huntsman

Putin urges closer ties with the US VLADIMIR PUTIN called for improved relations between the US and Russia as he welcomed Washington’s new ambassador to Moscow.

Jon Huntsman presented his diplomatic credentials to Mr Putin at a ceremony in the Kremlin.

Mr Huntsman arrived in Moscow on Sunday to take over from John Tefft, who left after serving in Russia for three years, a period marred by a deep and rapid deterioration of ties, unseen since the end of the Cold War. The US-Russia relationship has soured even further in recent months following a series of expulsions of diplomats and closures of diplomatic missions.

In his address to Mr Huntsman, Mr Putin offered Russia’s condolences over the deadly shooting attack in Las Vegas and expressed hope for better ties with the US. “The current level of the ties cannot satisfy us,” Mr Putin said.

“We stand for constructive, predictable and mutually beneficial cooperation.”

Mr Putin also said both the US and Russia should not meddle in each other’s ‘domestic affairs’.

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Letters

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

And another thing…

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

CHANGING LANES MP Greg Clark on the A21 site

Planners didn’t think about neighbours As I confidently predicted, Greg Clark, MP is not slow to laud his achievement in pushing through the A21 project and the benefits to those travelling between Tonbridge and Pembury [issue dated September 20]. I am sure he thoroughly deserves their appreciation.

Unfortunately, he fails to mention the years of inconvenience, financial cost and danger to residents in the surrounding area, for nothing was done by politicians, planners and the highways engineers, who I am assured are experts in their field, to predict and mitigate the greatly increased volume, weight and speed of vehicles allowed, even encouraged, to use

River Lawn – or funding for vital services?

Much political mischief has been made out of the proposed sale of the area known as River Lawn by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council [TMBC].

The uncharitable might ascribe only political motives to the fuss; apparently keen to protect one of the poorest examples of ‘green space’ only yards from one of the best, Tonbridge Racecourse Ground. The charitable might see more a misunderstanding of the priorities of this council.

As Vice-Chairman of TMBC’s Audit Committee, I know only too well the pressures that exist today.

We are expected to provide the same services for considerably less money year on year. TMBC has been much better at this than nearly all other authorities. Not slashing services, but entering into a proper and well thought through mediumterm financial strategy. As such, front-line service provision is largely untouched.

As a local councillor, I understand that it is only by careful long-term planning and stewardship that we truly protect and enhance the lives of the most vulnerable.

While one may enjoy the mind’s-eye idea of River Lawn as all ‘The Wind in the Willows’, in truth it is little used. It is also a world away from those who have no choice but to rely on the services that TMBC provides.

It is therefore only by making decisions in the best interests of the whole borough that we can really succeed. In the grown-up world of running a council, I am fully aware that sometimes my

adjacent lanes as drivers attempted to avoid delays caused by the protracted period of construction work.

It is regrettable that he did not expend just a fraction of his energy, so painstakingly detailed in his Comment piece, to addressing at the planning stage the inevitable consequences of the project for so many of his own constituents.

To claim ‘local people’ came into the equation is misleading. Mr Clark’s lack of interest in them, and their plight, is nothing to be proud of.

For those of us who have suffered financially from the damage done to our vehicles owing to the state of the pressured minor roads, and whose claims for redress are rejected by the nameless legal scribblers of Kent County Council hiding behind the requirements for statutory inspection, Mr Clark’s self-satisfaction is most unwelcome.

I conclude with a warning to residents living close to the next section of the A21 between the Blue Boys roundabout and Lamberhurst: Make sure that you secure traffic restrictions on your minor roads before construction begins so you don’t suffer as we have.

Don Foreman Capel local patch has to forgo a small part in order to create the borough that we all wish to see.

Will those who oppose this come with me to explain to one group or the next the reason that their particular service must end for good?

If we did not sell we would be both financially and morally poorer. We would have swapped vital, oft unseen, needed services for a small patch of underused grass and a few conkers.

Cllr Michael Base Conservative Borough Councillor for Aylesford North and Walderslade

Why do schools need business managers?

It is not often that I feel annoyed enough to write a letter of condemnation about an item found in our local weekly newspaper [September 20].

But in a week when the BBC ran several items about the parlous financial situation that our national education system is now in, including that parents were being approached by the teaching establishment to make regular financial contributions towards their children’s education, I noticed a recruitment advertisement for a Church of England Primary School Business Manager at an annual salary circa £32,000 to £38,000 with over five weeks’ annual leave. The applicants to contact the Head Teacher’s PA. Why on earth should a primary school need a School Business Manager?

It is not that long ago when a primary school was run by a Head Teacher together with a

Deputy Head Teacher, and almost certainly did not have a PA and certainly no School Business Manager. There were no Teaching Assistants and all the maintenance, cleaning and redecoration was carried out by the school’s caretaker/janitor.

It appears to me that at this one establishment alone, a sum possibly well in excess of £100,000 per annum is being squandered on completely unnecessary staffing arrangements – jobs for the boys and girls.

This is money that would be far better spent at the front line of education, i.e. on the pupils, and remove any requirement for schools to approach parents for additional funding.

The provision of too many overpaid administrators is not peculiar to the education system but is also prevalent in the NHS and local government. It is incumbent on any publiclyfunded organisation to spend our taxes wisely.

John Eaton Tunbridge Wells

A fine example of ‘localism’ at work The decision of Conservative Councillors Simmons and Williams to survey their electorate on the subject of the proposed borrowing of £70million to fund new offices and a slightly larger theatre, and to then commit themselves to vote in accord with the majority view in the survey, is to be highly commended, given that delegation of decision-making is a key plank of modern Conservative thinking in their allembracing Localism Agenda.

Compare that to the present Tunbridge Wells Borough Council leadership, who are denying their taxpayers the opportunity of expressing their view in a referendum that could be held next May, by saying they have a mandate to reduce services, hike up the cost of remaining services and introduce new charges in order to pay for the scheme.

The schoolchildren that Cllr Moore visited to extol the virtues of such a scheme will run up their own debt and have difficulty in repaying it when they go to university, without having the additional burden the leadership of the council is placing on them for the majority of their working lives, as well as the older residents.

It would be excellent if the remainder of the Conservative councillors could be far braver than they are currently. They should distribute the same survey to all households in their respective wards and then vote in accord with their residents’ majority view.

With the Conservative Party Conference going on, such an action would send a clear message to the conference – to the delight of their Cabinet Member and our local MP [Greg Clark] – that the Conservative councillors of Tunbridge Wells fully embrace the localism policy of the party.

Roy Bullock Lamberhurst

The Mayor is just a pawn in the big game The ongoing shenanigans in the Tunbridge Wells Conservative candidates selection shambles can easily be explained.

My sources say that the Tory kingmakers want to replace Don Sloan in Culverden with the loyalist David Scott, who was defeated by Lib Dem Peter Lidstone in the neighbouring marginal ward of St John’s.

Similarly, the elites must have someone else more malleable in mind to replace Julia Soyke in the traditionally ultra-safe seat of Speldhurst & Bidborough.

The Conservative Cabinet has always regarded Tunbridge Wells as a chessboard, with the council candidates to be moved around at will, while the electorate are used as pawns in their personal power games.

It’s high time that backbenchers and voters took back control from this Tory clique.

Dr Alan Bullion Via email

Boeing shows how Trump deals with UK The announcement that the US will impose a 220 per cent tariff on Bombardier to protect its own aerospace industry says all we need to know about trade relations between President Trump and Prime Minister May. The UK is not first in line to receive trade largesse from the US now, nor when we leave the EU. May should have been more cautious before cosying up to this blond bully and taking his hand. More than that, she should not have been so quick to offer a state visit to Trump with the royal carriage and all the glittering trappings that go with it.

If this is a sign of what to expect from a protectionist America, then we should not be surprised if we do not get a comprehensive trade deal once we exit from the EU. Marguerita Morton Tunbridge Wells

Are you writers really from around here?

When I email occasionally to a national newspaper (which equally occasionally does not print it), I have to include my name, address and telephone number.

It seems to be a widespread request, but you do not make it. Four out of eight letters in the September 20 issue show no address.

How do we know whether they are local or interfering outsiders?

Maxwell Macfarlane Southborough It is not customary to publish readers’ full addresses or other contact details unless they specifically request so. Ed Calverley is away on holiday – yet again

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

Education

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

EDUCATION Times WITH THE

Mead School pupils show us their true colours for charity THE Hospice in The Weald’s Herd of The Hospice campaign which has seen numerous colourful artistic horse sculptures dotted around Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge has been enormously successful garnering plenty of publicity and raising lots of vital funds as a result.

And now schools have been getting involved to help promote the popular

equine exhibition.

The charity has asked numerous educational establishments to decorate and customise a series of ‘ponies’ which form part of an additional show at Royal Victoria Place that goes on display this week and runs until October 13.

One of the schools which has got involved with the project is The Mead co-educational independent on Frant Road asking

Pantomime bootcamp is a huge success – oh yes it is!

LOCAL amateur dramatic group The Talentz held their annual Pantomime Bootcamp last weekend which attracted more than 150 school pupils and

students aged between 4 and 21 years.

The Talentz is run by artistic director Debbie King alongside musical director, Jack Bennett

and chief choreographer Jessica Maple.

The free ‘pantomime exploration’ workshops were led by the renowned educator and pantomime expert Simon Sladen.

He ‘encouraged the students to explore the conventions of pantomime, from its stock character formation and con-

HORSING AROUND Year 6 pupils with their equine creation

struction to the peculiarities of the modern genre’.

As well as the workshops, which gave the keen amateur dramatic students an exclusive preview of the Talentz’s 2017 pantomime script for Jack and the Beanstalk, there were also choreographery classes.

“We were overwhelmed at the

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their Year 6 pupils to come up with a unique design.

The result is Horatio which, according to a school spokesperson was ‘dreamt up by an artistic and talented group’.

“The students decided that Horatio should be decorated with brightly coloured small butterflies and the initials of every single child at the school written on each one.

“The children then embellished the pony beautifully with gorgeous feathers for his mane and tail and adorned him with a sprinkling of larger sequined butterflies.”

The Mead students’ project was carried out over several days, and included putting on a cake sale (above), which helped raise a total of £316.22 for the Herd of The Hospice campaign.

“The children have enjoyed taking part in this campaign very much and are looking forward to going to view Horatio in all his glory along with 30 other ponies at Royal Victoria Place.”

huge amount of enthusiastic talent, aged 10 years plus, we saw for the ensemble and principle auditions on Sunday,” said a Talentz spokesperson.

Enthusiastic “The weekend was a great success and we are very proud

to offer this opportunity and are looking forward to starting rehearsals this weekend.”

Jack and The Beanstalk runs from 5th-7th January at the E M Forster Theatre, early bird tickets available until the end of October.

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Weekly Comment

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

Martin Betts Labour Party local campaign co-ordinator

Labour Party member Martin Betts lives in Southborough and has long been active in local politics. He retired after a long career in the Civil Service, where his last job at the Department for Work and Pensions was in communications. He qualiďŹ ed at Leicester University in human resources and training and development. The Times also publishes regular opinions from Conservatives and Lib Dems and members of the Green Party

Conservative record of failure on housing BRITAIN has a housing crisis of epic proportions - there are not enough affordable houses to rent or buy.

Having a secure home is at the heart of all of our lives and is the foundation on which we raise our families. A decent home is a right for everyone, whatever their income or background.

Yet for too many people finding an affordable home is increasingly difficult, or impossible.

Many renters face being uprooted from their community, schools and GP at the whim of a landlord.

Since 2010 housebuilding has fallen to its lowest level since the 1920s. Rents have risen faster than incomes, there are almost 200,000 fewer home-owners, and new affordable house building is at a 24 year low. 120,000 children don’t have a home to call their own, and rough sleeping has risen every year.

Locally, the recently published West Kent Homelessness and Housing Strategy shows how the housing crisis affects people living in Tunbridge

Wells, Tonbridge and Malling and Sevenoaks. It is a stark catalogue of the failure of national and local government to tackle the housing problem.

Across West Kent Conservative run local authorities are failing to meet their affordable housing targets, young people are finding it almost impossible to buy houses in their price range, and rents are increasing faster than wages.

Older people There is not enough specialist accommodation for older people, there is more homelessness and the number of rough sleepers has doubled over five years.

Government has largely been the cause of these problems and this government doesn’t have any solutions to fix them. Only a change in government and the stance of our locally elected councils can give hope to the thousands of people who simply want a secure, affordable home to live in.

More council houses have been sold

under the Conservatives and only one in five has been replaced, despite long housing waiting lists. Labour opposes the right-to-buy unless councils can prove that they have a plan to replace homes sold like-for-like.

Labour would commit to a massive investment in house building including the biggest council building programme for at least 30 years.

We need to build thousands more low-cost homes reserved for first-time buyers and believe that local people buying their first home should be given priority on buying new homes in their area - often where they grew up and have friends and family.

With the housing costs of young adults three times more than their grandparents, now is the time to control rents.

Labour would improve the standard of rented accommodation, make three-year-tenancies the norm and put an inflation cap on rent rises. UK-wide, Labour would also identify 4,000 additional homes reserved for people with a

WORK IN PROGRESS Martin Betts wants more house building

history of rough sleeping.

Local councils have a major contribution to improving housing. Many Labour councils are offering real leadership, taking on government, and dealing with this vital issue head on.

Our own Tunbridge Wells Borough Council should show its determination to put the needs of its residents first by making housing, rather than building a new multi-million-pound civic complex, its number one priority.

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

The Times is proud to work with:

WITH THE

Available in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks

bracketts

est. 1828

Your own swan lake

Adding to the romance of this queen of parkland properties

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PROPERTY

To suit your budget

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

Your at-a-glance guide to

VALE ROAD SOUTHBOROUGH GUIDE PRICE £475,000

UNDER £250,000 HADLOW ROAD, TONBRIDGE

£179,950 A spacious one-bedroom assisted living retirement apartment on the ground floor of McCarthy & Stone’s Castle Court development, just a short walk from the high street and all its amenities. The desirable build offers residents the prospect of continued independence in a secure

environment. The accommodation comprises a bedroom, lounge and diner, fitted kitchen and a bathroom with shower area. One particularly appealing feature is a casement door from the lounge leading directly into the communal gardens, via a paved area.

CONTACT Bracketts 01732 350503 www.bracketts.co.uk

UNDER £350,000 WHITEFRIARS WHARF TONBRIDGE

£275,000 A very well presented two-bedroom apartment within a development by the River Medway in central Tonbridge, just a short walk from the town centre and mainline station.

The property has a large private terrace and use of communal areas.

There are two good-sized bedrooms, one with an en suite, as well as an open-plan modern kitchen, living and dining space and a family bathroom. The sitting/dining room has parquet flooring, room for dining furnishings and double doors leading to out to the terrace.

CONTACT Bracketts 01732 350503 www.bracketts.co.uk

To suit your budget

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

PROPERTY

25

great properties by price range…

UNDER £650,000 DRY HILL PARK ROAD, TONBRIDGE

GUIDE PRICE

£575,000-£600,000 A three-bedroom period semi-detached house featuring an entrance hall, toilet, open-plan lounge/dining room and a large extended kitchen with bifold doors to an enclosed, partially-walled garden.

To the first floor there is a large master bedroom with two fitted double wardrobes, a second bedroom with a large fitted wardrobe and a third single room currently in use as an office. The bathroom has a walk-in double shower and roll-top bath. No forward chain.

CONTACT Bracketts 01732 350503 www.bracketts.co.uk

UNDER £800,000 CULVERDEN AVENUE TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£785,000

An Edwardian detached home which includes ceiling cornices, stripped panelled doors and dual-aspect principal rooms. The sitting room has double doors to the garden as well as a working fireplace. The kitchen was refurbished three years ago with quartz worktops and a breakfast bar. The principal bedroom has a cast iron fireplace and there are two further double bedrooms with fireplaces as well as a study area to the second floor.

CONTACT Barnes Kingsnorth 01892 822880 www.bkestateagents.com

UNDER £500,000

UNDER £1MILLION

VALE ROAD, SOUTHBOROUGH

£475,000

SYMONDS LANE, YALDING

GUIDE PRICE

GUIDE PRICE

A converted Victorian chapel with modern features throughout and original features retained externally.

Internal highlights include high ceilings and double-aspect windows, as well a fireplace, a walk-in cupboard and a tailored alcove cabinet. This detached two-bedroom home has been recently renovated and also includes

a modern family bathroom and a large kitchen/dining room. The kitchen is fitted with ivory cabinets and bespoke worktops as well as a breakfast bar.

CONTACT Flying Fish Properties 01892 514 189 www.flyingfishproperties.co.uk

£900,000-£950,000 This home on the outskirts of Yalding has landscaped gardens, a vaulted dining room with original beams that date back to 1660 and a kitchen fitted with a pine based units and tiled work surfaces. The rest of the property was added in the 1980s and includes four-five bedrooms, further reception rooms and a family bathroom. There is also a double garage and parking for approximately six cars.

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

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PROPERTY

Frith Hall

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

AT A GLANCE FRITH HALL EAST FARLEIGH ■ Entrance hall ■ Drawing room ■ Dining room ■ Family room ■ Study ■ Conservatory ■ Kitchen/breakfast room ■ Utility room ■ Cloakroom ■ Cellar with two storerooms ■ Wine store and coal store ■ Master bedroom with en suite ■ 5 further bedrooms (one with en suite) ■ Family bathroom ■ Coach house with extensive garaging for 4 cars and garden storage ■ Heated swimming pool ■ Tennis court ■ Established gardens ■ Paddock ■ Field shelter ■ Orchard ■ In all, about 10.4 acres

GUIDE PRICE

£1,795,000 Available for sale through Savills Sevenoaks 01732 789 700 www.savills.co.uk

A fine example of a Victorian country residence – one which stayed in the same farming family for about 122 years

Rural elegance as well as a pool, tennis court and paddock

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PROPERTY

Ethnam

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

AT A GLANCE

A charming secluded property nestling in just over two and a half acres

ETHNAM SANDHURST n Cranbrook School catchment area n Vaulted reception hall n Drawing room n Dining room n Study n Kitchen n Utility room n Cloakroom and cellar n Galleried seating area n Master bedroom with en-suite shower room n Guest bedroom with en-suite WC n 3 further bedrooms n 2 bathrooms n Attic stores n Heated swimming pool n Pool house with shower room n Workshop n Storeroom n Machinery store and greenhouse

Enjoy stunning rural views from a Grade II listed timber-framed gem

n Secluded gardens and grounds of approximately 2.6 acres

GUIDE PRICE

ÂŁ1,350,000

Available for sale through Savills Cranbrook 01580 720161 www.savills.co.uk

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

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PROPERTY

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Park Farm Farmhouse

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

AT A GLANCE PARK FARM FARMHOUSE WATER LANE, HAWKHURST n Cranbrook School catchment area n Grade II listed n Reception hall

Idyllic farmhouse with the benefit of a holiday cottage

n Drawing room n Study n Kitchen/breakfast/family room n Utility room n Conservatory n Cellar n 5 double bedrooms n 2 bathrooms n Secluded gardens & kitchen garden n Greenhouse n Detached single garage n Log store n Workshop/storeroom n 2-bedroom holiday cottage n Approximately 3 acres

GUIDE PRICE

PROPERTY

ÂŁ1,350,000

Available for sale through Savills Cranbrook 01580 720161 www.savills.co.uk

Dating from the 17th century or earlier with later additions, the house is full of period features and offers an opportunity for some modest updating

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PROPERTY

Redwood

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

Stunning Queen Anne-style parkland property with separate lodge house

AT A GLANCE REDWOOD PENSHURST ROAD, PENSHURST MAIN HOUSE: ■ Reception hall ■ Drawing room ■ Dining room ■ Rear terrace ■ Family room ■ 2 kitchens ■ Study ■ Basement with wine store, plant room and boiler room ■ Galleried landing ■ Master suite with 2 dressing rooms and 2 en suites ■ 4 further bedrooms with fitted wardrobes LODGE: ■ Sitting room ■ Kitchen ■ Breakfast room ■ 3 bedrooms all with en suite ■ Garden with single garage ■ Established gardens ■ Pole barn ■ 2-acre lake ■ Ponds and duck house ■ Part-walled paved garden ■ Kitchen garden ■ Heated swimming pool

Built by foremost post-war classical revivalist Quinlan Terry, also known for refurbishing No 10 Downing Street

■ Approximately 18 acres in total

£7,950,000 Available for sale through Strutt & Parker London 0207 629 7282 www.struttandparker.com

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Food & Drink

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

Berried treasures

Autumn always offers a crop of delicious fruits to enjoy – especially blackberries. Eileen Leahy looks at ways this indigenous fruit can be savoured and how you can swap your sugary snacks for healthier ones using them and other seasonal jewels in sweet and savoury dishes

A

S THE leaves fall and the colder weather starts to creep in so does a natural desire to hunker down and eat more.

When we become a little more laid back during the winter months there’s a danger that we’ll put all that sensible eating and healthy snacking to one side while we reach for sugary treats because, afterall, surely all those extra winter layers will hide any sneaky pounds we might put on?

Well now research from British Summer Fruits (BSF) has found that UK companies are embracing the same attitude when it comes to rewarding or celebrating good work done by employees.

The BSF association found that a third of UK companies were doing ‘little to encourage a culture of healthy eating’ as nearly 80% of all office meeting room snacks were made up of fizzy drinks, sweets and sugary biscuits.

Corporate wellness expert Kate Cook, thinks far more fruits should be on offer or given out free to employees instead: “Using sugary food as a reward can create an addictive spiral that wrongly associates sugar

with spikes in productivity and hard-work.”

Coupled with inevitable weight gain and a decline in good dental health the idea of munching a chocolate bar or packet of crisps to satisfy cravings we all know deep down that this quick fix treat doesn’t have lasting appeal does it?

Guilt free So how about making more of nature’s rich bounty of sweet treats instead? There’s so much you can snack on that’s guilt free but will still keep your energy levels up. Most fruits are jam packed with natural sugars and will keep cravings at bay but as it’s the beginning of October let’s celebrate the humble blackberry – the purple jewel of many a hedgerow.

Wonderfully diverse, you can do everything from flavour cakes and muffins with them, add them as a tangy coulis to meats or freeze and drop in a chilled cocktail or stir into Greek or frozen yoghurt. Or of course just can simply enjoy them as nature intended; ripe, plump and utterly delicious.

While you decide here are a few recipes to get your taste buds tingling…

SWEET POTATO SOUP WITH BLACKBERRY AND BASIL SAUCE Serves 4-6

parsley

Ingredients

n salt

n 150g of blackberries n 3 large sweet potatoes n 2 tbsp of coconut oil n 1 white onion n 2 garlic cloves, crushed n 1 x 400ml can coconut milk n 500ml fresh vegetable or

chicken stock n 1 tbsp of finely chopped basil n 1 tsp of lemon juice n 2 tbsp of honey n 2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar n 2 tbsp of freshly chopped

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C 2. Cut the sweet potato into large chunks. Melt 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and rub the sweet potato in the oil, roast in the oven for 40 minutes until golden and cooked through.

3. Finely chop the onion. Heat the remaining coconut oil and add the chopped onion, a big pinch of salt and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes,

then add the coconut milk, roasted sweet potato and stock.

Simmer for 10 minutes while you make the blackberry sauce.

4. Place the blackberries, basil, lemon juice, honey, a pinch of salt and balsamic in a pot bring to the boil then turn down to a simmer. Crush the blackberries with the back of a spoon and cook until the sauce reduces by half and thickens.

5. Blend the soup and top with the blackberry sauce and freshly chopped parsley.

Food & Drink

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

BLUEBERRY AND OAT PANCAKES Serves 2

Ingredients n 50g of blueberries n 150ml unsweetened almond milk n 100g oats n 1 tsp baking powder n pinch of salt n ½ tsp ground cinnamon n 1 ripe banana n 1 tsp vanilla extract n 1 tsp coconut oil n honey or maple syrup, for serving

(optional)

Method 1. Grind the oats down to a flour in the food processor then tip into a bowl and mix with the baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

2. Slice the blueberries in half.

3. Place the banana, milk and vanilla extract in the food processor and blend until smooth. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir until fully combined, then gently stir in the blueberries.

4. Heat 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in a frying pan. Spoon a few tablespoons of the batter into pools in the pan and for a few minutes, then flip over and cook for a further minute until cooked through. Repeat with the rest of the mixture.

5. Serve the pancake with a few tablespoons of drizzled honey or maple syrup plus leftover extra blueberries.

ROASTED PUMPKIN, BLUEBERRIES AND SPICED LENTILS Serves 4

Ingredients n 100g of blueberries n 1 whole pumpkin or 1.3kg butternut squash

(peeled and deseeded) n 2 tbsp of avocado oil n 1 can of cooked green lentils n 1 pomegranate n 100g of pecans n 1 tsp of smoked paprika n ½ tsp of cumin n 2 tbsp of maple syrup n 2 tbsp of olive oil n salt n pepper

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. 2. Cut the pumpkin up into big chunks. Rub in the avocado oil, cumin, smoked paprika and a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 40 minutes until golden and cooked through.

3. While this is cooking place the maple syrup and pecans in a pan, toast the pecans in the maple syrup for 3 minutes stirring well until they are golden then leave to the side to cool.

4. Remove the seeds of the pomegranate. Drain the lentils from the can.

5. When the pumpkin is cooked through, throw in the blueberries, lentils, a pinch of salt and the olive oil to the roasting tray and stir well. Place the tray back in the oven for 5 minutes to roast a little longer then remove and serve with the pomegranates and pecans sprinkled over the top.

Recipes by Madeline Shaw supplied courtesy of Seasonal Berries. For more information and further inspiration see www.seasonalberries.co.uk

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Weddings

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

A marriage on the right track

HAPPIEST DAY Scott and Polly

When Network Rail exhibition manager Scott Harrison visited Polly Rivers’ stand, it led to a perfect match, and a wedding theme that just felt right – based on their rail industry connections. Even their chosen venue, Salomons Estate, sent out all the right signals… leaving me open-mouthed next to him.

He pocketed it, then made me go food shopping.

Once we got home, he started hanging the washing out. He finally popped the question on the patio, to a backdrop of bed linen on the line and the dog chasing his squeaky toy.

history. Our table names were places that had historical meaning to us, in the form of station signs – the top table was Watford Gap, where north meets south.

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

We got married at Salomons Estate, after a lot of searching for the perfect venue.

We needed a location where we could have the whole day in one place – ceremony, breakfast and reception – as well as easy access to rooms for our guests who were travelling long distances.

We both loved the drama of the building, and the fact that it could cope with whatever the weather threw at it – essential for our February wedding.

The fact that it had links to railway signalling made us laugh from the start, too. I don’t think the wedding team at the venue had ever had a bride and groom take an interest in that side of the venue before!

Tell us about the proposal…

Friends have since told me that he had great plans for a romantic proposal in the Italian hills.

As it was, it was slightly less picturesque.

We had been shopping in Tunbridge Wells and he saw a ring, which he bought there and then,

Tell us about your big day and some of its key highlights The absolute highlight of the day was a surprise cooked up by Scott and my dad.

HERE COMES THE BRIDE Down the main staircase at Salomons Estate Polly: How did you and your husband meet?

He moved my digger! We both worked in the rail industry – Scott at Network Rail and me at a plant supplier. He was managing a big exhibition and my digger had been parked on my stand the wrong way round. I swanned over, in my pink hard hat, and asked to speak to Harrison Scott about getting it moved – I called him Harrison for weeks until he corrected me!

We had a rail theme at the wedding, with our table plan and centrepieces accenting our shared

Between them they were determined to make me cry, and they managed it!

Little did I know that the sneaky pair had arranged for the great team at the Kingscote Kennels to give our (very spoilt) dog Ralph a wash and brush, wrestle him into a very smart bow tie and sneak him over to Salomons. They had him waiting at the end of the aisle when I walked down it. And I’m ashamed to say it was seeing him, not my husbandto-be, that set the tears flowing!

Another huge highlight was the amazing speech that Scott’s 12-year-old daughter Lilly gave. Scott chose to have her as his Best Girl instead of a Best Man, and she gave an absolutely fantastic toast. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

How did you start your married life together? If you had a honeymoon, where did you go?

We have spent a lot of time in Paris together, so we

Weddings

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

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LINKS TO KEY SUPPLIERS BLACK PEONE: www.blackpeone.co.uk BEDECKED: www.weddingandeventhire.co.uk MAKEUP BY DANNI: www.facebook.com/MakeupbyDannix

BRIDE’S TOP TIPS

1 2

Stay true to what you both want – everyone will have an opinion, but it’s your day

Don’t buy your dress from a shop 100 miles away, especially if you’re getting married in the winter and have to plan for snow-related travel disruptions. It will add significant stress and make you a horrible person – sorry everyone!

3 decided to hide away there for a few days straight after the wedding.

After a post-Christmas carb-free diet, we spent most of the five days eating French bread, croissants and chocolate mousse, and I spent the remainder of the wedding budget on a pair of Louboutin shoes – much to my new husband’s horror!

We’re off to Jamaica in February for our first anniversary as a ‘delayed’ sunny honeymoon.

Who were some of your key suppliers?

I had a very specific vision in mind, and was

‘I’m ashamed to say it was seeing my dog, not my husband-to-be, that set the tears flowing!’ really lucky to find suppliers who were able to unscramble my requests!

One of the things that really made the biggest

impact was our flowers, created by the lovely Caroline at Black Peone. We received a lot of compliments about our centrepiece displays and I credit Caroline, combined with the stunning candelabras from Bedecked Wedding Hire.

I left it quite late to arrange my make-up, but I really got lucky. My friend Jemma got married in October and her make-up was stunning, so I poached her make-up artist – Makeup by Danni– who was amazing! Not only did Danni make me look and feel great, she also understood my panic about not feeling too made-up.

So everything on the day was perfect!

Set a budget and stick to it. We were renovating a house at the same time as planning a wedding, so costs had to be kept in line. Juggling new kitchens and bridesmaid dresses throws a Yorkshire groom into a real panic!

4 5

Prepare a run sheet for the day – every family member requested one, and I had to frantically type it out on my phone and email it to the Salomons reception to print

Plan your ‘morning after’. Before we went on honeymoon, we spent a quiet hour on the sofa at home opening our cards and laughing at the fact that we were actually married

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Travel

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

Hannah Patterson travelled to Tennessee and fell in love with its sounds, soul and spirits…

Five lessons I learned in Nashville MUSIC IS EVERYTHING

Nashville isn’t referred to as Music City for nothing. You can’t swing a guitar without hitting a checked-shirt-clad musician, and the city is pulse-poundingly electric because of it. If there’s a bar, there’s a stage, and if there’s a stage, there are young hopeful talents or seasoned professionals gracing it. You come to Nashville for the music, and there’s no better place to find it than on the Honky Tonk Highway. This small stretch of road is packed with bars hosting live music acts from 11am to 3am. I settled down for many a night (and day) in the Second Fiddle, Robert’s, and Legend’s Corner in particular. I may have not seen too much daylight during my time in Nashville, but it was certainly worth it.

KNOW YOUR HISTORY

In 2005, I watched Walk the Line starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. Twelve years later, I was convinced I knew everything there was to know about country music because of it.

Unsurprisingly, it turned out I knew nothing.

Music is history here – it’s the pain, the joy, the struggle and the victory of the South, and it’s worth clueing yourself up.

The Johnny Cash Museum is definitely worth a visit. It’s filled with childhood handwritten notes, costumes worn by the man himself, his guitars, his music, personal photographs and trophies… by the time I’d reached the chair he sat on for his final music video for the cover of the Nine Inch Nails’ song Hurt, my eyes were filled with tears.

It’s also impossible to visit this city without the obligatory visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame, one of the crown jewels of Nashville’s tourism industry. Their mission is to identify and preserve the evolving history and traditions of country music, and they’ve invested in it heavily.

‘Nearly everyone I met was an artist, who had big dreams, big thoughts and big things they wanted to say’ The museum itself is huge, and packed to the rafters with genuine treasures from Country and Rock ‘n’ Roll’s greatest legends, including Elvis’ own car. If you were a teenage girl in the 90s like myself, you’re going to squeal in delight when you see Shania Twain’s original leopard-print catsuit from her That Don’t Impress Me video.

But one mustn’t forget the Ryman Theatre, a significant slice of country music history. The stage has been a home to all the legends, and you’re treated to a fantastically high-tech presentation on the history before getting to tread the boards yourself with an acoustic guitar.

Let your inner music star run riot! There’s even a recording studio onsite if you’re feeling particularly hopeful.

IT’S BEST NOT TO THINK ABOUT CALORIES

Nashville isn’t really a place for the clean-eaters

of the world. Forget the diet as it’s just not worth depriving yourself here. Everything is deep fried; the chicken, the onions, the cheese. I’d go out on a limb and say that even the salads are dipped in a pot of boiling oil before being served. But all is not lost, because it tastes incredible – no one fries quite like the South. Anyone who leaves this city with comfortably-fitting jeans has almost certainly done something terribly wrong. All the bars that I holed myself up in served classics like fries, onion rings and breaded cheese, but it’s worth venturing away from the Honky Tonk Highway (although not too far) towards Printer’s Alley. Cheekily tucked away there is 417 Union, a real southern diner with great beer, cocktails, décor and a menu that would make even Kate Moss break her diet.

DRINK UP THE CULTURE

I had caught a late afternoon flight from New York, and arrived in Nashville at around 8pm.

After a power nap, and a quick freshen up, I headed out into town. All the bars were blasting music, so when I got inside and asked for a vodka coke, I assumed the bar tender had misheard me when he leant over the bar and shouted ‘whiskey?’

The whiskey here is good, really good in fact, and it’s produced by the barrel load within the state. There are multiple options and the bartenders are always happy to recommend favourites, including Jack Daniels (the obvious classic) and Widow Jane’s bourbons. Even though I usually dislike the drink, I drank it for the remainder of my stay.

YOU CAN FALL IN LOVE MULTIPLE TIMES IN ONE DAY

“Now m’aam, I wouldn’t be much of a gentleman if I didn’t give up my seat for a lady.” Having grown up in south east London, I wasn’t used to hearing words of this nature being uttered in any kind of establishment, but the people of Nashville are of a different breed. They love to dance, they love to smile, they love to sing, and they love to give up a seat for you in the middle of a packed bar. As is the case with any travelling adventure, speak to the locals. Near everyone I met was an artist, who had big dreams, big thoughts and big things they wanted to say. If you want to experience Nashville, experience the people.

RECOMMENDATIONS

RYMAN THEATRE: www.ryman.com COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM: www.countrymusichalloffame.org JOHNNY CASH MUSEUM: www.johnnycashmuseum.com 417 UNION: www.417union.com LEGEND’S CORNER: www.legendscorner.com SECOND FIDDLE: www.thesecondfiddle.com ROBERT’S WESTERN WORLD: www.robertswesternworld.com NASHVILLE VISITOR AND TOURIST INFORMATION: www.visitmusiccity.com

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Motoring

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

TEST DRIVE:

Citroen C3 Aircross WHAT IS IT? The C3 Aircross – a hatchback sibling to the C3 – is sold as a crossover SUV, up against the likes of Kia’s Stonic and the Hyundai Kona.

And, according to enthusiastic Citroen Project Manager Etienne Menant, it is a ‘compact SUV with personality’.

WHAT’S NEW? This is an entirely new model for the French automaker, but is based on the same platform as the C3 hatchback, Vauxhall Crossland X and Peugeot 208.

However, those who are familiar with the current C3 hatchback will see some design traits carried over, including the infotainment system and funky fabric seats, which are available in five colour mixes.

One good update that is worth mentioning is the new six-speed gearbox, which feels like a massive improvement over the five-speed box currently in the C3 hatch.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? There are two engines to choose from with varying power outputs. The one in our test car was a 1.6-litre diesel with 120bhp.

A lesser-powered 100bhp model is also available.

Both come with a five and six-speed manual gearbox respectively. We had the six-speed manual, which felt very precise through the gears.

A 1.2-litre petrol unit is also available with either 82bhp, 110bhp or 130bhp. We tried the 110bhp version with the six-speed automatic gearbox, and although mostly very good, it did seem to get confused about what gear to be in at times, especially when climbing steep gradients, of which there were a lot during our test in Corsica.

Our recommendation would be to stick with the five-speed manual when opting for the petrol, as

FACTS AT A GLANCE: MODEL: Citroen C3 Aircross ENGINE: 1.6-litre BlueHDI POWER: 120bhp TORQUE: 300Nm MAX SPEED: 114mph 0-60MPH: 10.5 seconds MPG: 68.9mpg (combined) EMISSIONS: 107g/km PRICE AS TESTED: £19,720

The Citroen C3 Aircross is a beefed-up version of the standard C3. But what is it like out on the road? Aidan Rennie-Jones has been to airy Corsica to find out…

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?

the buzzy little three-cylinder likes to be revved a lot, so changing gears yourself will get the best out of those 110 horses.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? On the open roads of Corsica, the Aircross felt very impressive. Not only did it drive like a confident crossover, it had the capabilities to match. This was thanks mainly to a large amount of ground clearance and hill descent control, which were both especially helpful when tackling some exceptionally steep dirt tracks down the mountains.

This inspiring confidence was retained on the tarmac, too, where the Aircross really felt stable through the bends, unlike other crossovers.

Throw it into a sharp bend and the grip is fantastic, as is the acceleration, even in the 120 diesel. It might not be immensely fast, but the peppy oil burner certainly has enough power for city streets, motorway cruising or just pottering down country roads.

One negative trait that slightly lets the car down is the rather vague steering. It felt far too light to inspire any knowledge of what the front wheels were actually doing, nor did it feel connected to the road. On the upside, the light power steering made parking a doddle.

HOW DOES IT LOOK? The exterior carries over Citroen’s signature look and from the front is identical to its sister, the C3 hatchback, apart from its two-tier lighting.

Look beyond that, though, and you notice it has no airbumps on the side, but does have chunky ‘rough and tough’ plastic trim on the wheel arches.

There are also a lot of stylish colour combinations – eight colours and three exterior roof colour packs.

Towards the rear, there is a third window on each side, both containing a Venetian blind

BUILT FOR FAMILY FUN A ‘compact SUV with personality’

pattern. Although this adds design flair to the exterior, from the inside it restricts rear three-quarter visibility and would certainly prove an issue when trying to change lanes on a motorway at night.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE? The interior is very different to that of its rivals.

Throughout there are lots of soft touch materials, including a rather bizarre and yet wonderful rubber textile used on the dashboard that makes it feel unique.

The entire cabin has five colour combos to choose from. Our car had a space age-like tweed-effect material on the seats and really stood out.

In terms of practicality, there is ample leg room in both the front and the back, but headroom is restricted in the rear. At 5ft 9in, I struggled to sit up fully in the rear without slouching slightly – although our car was fitted with a panoramic roof, which does eat into head space slightly.

The boot has a reasonable amount of space with between 410 and 520 litres of cargo area, depending on whether or not you leave the removable floor in place – below is a secret cubby. Fold the rear seats down, and this increases to 1,289 litres.

‘On the open roads of Corsica, the Aircross felt very impressive. Not only did it drive like a confident crossover, it had the capabilities to match’

The Aircross comes with a choice of three trim levels – Touch, Feel and Flair.

Prices start at £13,995 for the base Touch model, rising to £19,720 for the rangetopping Flair.

Each has different levels of equipment options, with the Flair coming with pretty much everything.

This was certainly the case with our test car, which had Citroen’s connect touch screen satnav and infotainment system, Bluetooth, 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, keyless start, and Citroen’s emergency and assistance system.

Other features available include a panoramic glass roof at £950. The £650 Techno HiFi pack adds wireless phone charging, a head-up display and HiFi radio with a subwoofer. Another option worth having is the Park Assist Pack. For £600 you get front parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, self-park assist and a 360-degree parking camera.

VERDICT The C3 Aircross is a very competent car that will give its crossover rivals a real run for their money.

Not only does its styling make it stand out, it’s actually very good to drive, has a durable and comfortable interior, and is excellent value.

It’s also a massive improvement over the car it replaces, the rather dated C3 Picasso.

OK, so it’s no driver’s car, and you won’t win when pulling away from a set of traffic lights, but it is a stand-out family car for under £20,000, and for that reason alone it scores highly.

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

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Gardening

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

What’s the best evergreen for you in national conifer week?

When winter sets in, conifers come into their own. We look at the right conifers for the right places in the run-up to National Conifer Week

By Hannah Stephenson CONIFERS used to be seen as dull, boring and way too tall - think Leylandii and you get my drift - but so many new varieties are now on the market that you can add colour, architecture and form to your garden when everything else has

entered winter dormancy.

Garden centres are now awash with more compact conifers, as National Conifer Week aims to demonstrate the variety and colours available and what you can do with them.

Derek Spicer, chairman of the British Conifer Society and owner of Kilworth Conifers, explains: “We have between 3,500-4,000 varieties and we

are finding that the dwarf range we do is becoming much more popular.

Derek continued: “People are putting dwarf conifers with alpines and in rock gardens.”

New and colourful varieties are starting to appear, he observes.

“There are in particular a lot of Phillyrea occidentalis cultivars, which offer golden colour and varying degrees of rates of growth. But they don’t suffer much from plant diseases.”

You can add colour to the darkest scene with an array of conifers, he says.

“There are some superb colours around now, mostly golds, but a few things which turn bronze or a reddish colour.”

CREATE COLOURFUL HEDGING Create hedging out of conifers to provide natural barriers, privacy and a great backdrop to other planting.

“Thuja occidentalis ‘Degroot’s Spire’ will make a very narrow hedge, will grow to a couple of metres in ten years and is easy to trim. There’s a really bright gold form of the Western Red Cedar, Thuja plicata ‘Goldy’, which is quite vigorous but very amenable to trimming.

“Try Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ - it’s Dutch for emerald - which is an upright, very narrow

conifer with fine green foliage. It’s ideal for a suburban hedge, as it has a naturally tight growing habit. We have two or three golden forms of that, including ‘Golden Smaragd’, ‘Golden Anne’ and a dwarf called ‘Filips Magic Moment’, which should only need pruning at the top.”

For smaller gardens Favourites for small gardens include n Picea glauca ‘Jalako Gold’ n Taxus baccata ‘Standishii’ n Chamaecyparis obtusa

‘Nana Gracilis’ n Picea pungens ‘Glob-osa’ n Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

‘Minima Aurea’ GO POTTY “Traditionally people have used the old Lawson cypress ‘Ellwoodii’, but I don’t they’d stand in a container for a long time because people don’t tend to water them enough,” says Derek. “You get to late spring and a dry spell and no one realises things are getting dry. Conifers suffer if they dry out.

“Better choices might be pines and if you went for a slower growing pine you’ve got an architectural form rather than a bolt upright type.”

Regular upright conifers for pots would be underplanted with pansies or other spring-flowering plants, which can then be replaced with summer bedding to extend the season. The conifer can just remain in the pot.

SHAPELY PYRAMIDS AND GLOBES Beautifully shaped conifers can make stand-alone features on a patio or in the middle of a lawn or be

Gardening

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

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How to grow three of the best bushes for berries As the RHS predicts a bumper berry haul this autumn, expert Guy Barter looks at three of the best shrubs for berries.

UK gardeners, as well as birds, are in for a bumper berry haul this month, the Royal Horticultural Society is predicting, thanks to a warm, dry start to the year followed by summer rains.

Gardens are displaying a variety of autumn berries including callicarpa, clerodendrum, pyracantha and honeysuckle.

So, what colourful berried plants could we be growing in our gardens to bring us a bountiful show of reds, blacks, yellows and purples? put with other formal evergreens to create sharp architectural features.

Spherical or bun-shaped conifers create punctuation points at the edge of a border or at either side of entrances. They can also provide a great contrasting shape in a border of dainty perennials.

FILL SPACE IN BORDERS Derek said: “I would put a number in rather than just one, mainly to give a bit more continuity. Conifers lend themselves to a formal design at the back or dotted around. Alternatively, if you have a formal garden, put an informal array of conifers in, in different shapes and sizes.”

Cryptomerias (Japanese cedar) should be considered, he suggests.

C.‘Elegans’ changes colour strongly in

the winter (to purple and red), but it is a very vigorous grower. However, you can trim it and hack lumps off it and you won’t hurt it.

“There are slightly more compact versions you can buy including C.‘Elegans Compacta’ and ‘Elegans Nana’, available from specialists.

PLANTING TIPS Conifers are very amenable - they can be planted with virtually any compost, preferably in sun in an exposed position, although Taxus (yews) will be fine in shade and if you have a container in a shady spot they may fit the bill. But don’t let them dry out or over-water them or they will suffer.

National Conifer Week takes place from Sep 30-Oct 7.

Guy Barter, RHS chief horticulturist recommends: 1. Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus) Try this tall native quick-growing deciduous shrub with lobed leaves, reminiscent of an acer, with good autumn colour and masses of translucent red berries following white summer flowers.

A particularly lovely yellow form is also available (Viburnum opulus ‘Xanthocarpum’). Berries hang for weeks but are eventually consumed by birds.

It’s not fussy about soil or site and can even tolerate shade, and works as a stand-alone shrub, or in groups, or as part of a lightly pruned informal native hedge.

2. Clerodendrum trichotomum var. fargesii This moderately fast-growing medium-to-large deciduous shrub produces sweet-smelling white summer flowers followed by the startlingly

turquoise berries, encased in a red ear-like calyces. There is even a variegated cultivar: Clerodendrum trichotomum var. fargesii ‘Carnival’. Any soil suits clerodendrum except the driest ones, but it does need at least partial sun.

Suckers (shoots from the roots) often form, which can be dug up and given to gardening friends.

3. Skimmia japonica These slow-growing evergreen medium-size shrubs are widely sold in autumn as they are particularly valuable in winter bedding and container displays. Male and female plants are separate, so a female and a male plant is required although hermaphrodites are offered.

Skimmia japonica ‘Nymans’ carries abundant red berries that last deep into winter. Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ is a widely sold male with bright red flower buds. Moist soils or potting composts suit them well and they prefer shade to hot places and especially relish shady patio containers.

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FEATURES

Life & Style

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

PURITY BRIDGE The exclusive plastic surgery and aesthetic clinic, Purity Bridge, and Cripps, the top Tunbridge Wells law firm, are joining hands this October to co-host a women-only event on breast awareness.

The BIG PINK Know Your Breasts event, in aid of Breast Cancer Care UK, is planned to educate, inform and raise awareness about breast health.

The event is taking place on Wednesday October 18 at 7pm at Cripps, 22 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, and is open to all (female) members of the public.

This is the fifth year the Purity Bridge team have hosted their Breast Awareness event, and they are delighted to be joined this year by Cripps.

CONSULTUS CARE & NURSING Consultus loves to reward its exceptional carers and nurses, and to show just how much their fantastic dedication is appreciated, they launched the Long-standing Carer and Nurses Awards Luncheon in 2012 to coincide with its 50th anniversary celebrations.

Those attending will hear informative and important talks covering how to examine your breasts, what to do in the event you find a lump, the process from there and options for breast reconstruction.

As with every year, the highlights of the event are the volunteers who are present – both allow a live demonstration of how to examine your breasts, and also to hear directly from a breast cancer survivor who has undergone reconstruction.

For the 7th awards ceremony, Consultus was thrilled and honoured to extend an especially warm welcome to TV and radio presenter Gloria Hunniford OBE, whose vision and ethos to care for others equals that of Consultus. Neither the rain nor the wind could dampen the spirts of the awards and Gloria’s charm shone a warm light throughout the entire day.

The experts sharing their knowledge are Consultant Plastic Surgeons, Marc Pacifico and Nora Nugent, and Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, Haresh Devalia.

Carers and nurses were treated to drinks and canapés, followed by a delicious three-course meal. This genuinely special luncheon is Consultus’ way of saying thank you to the marvellous carers and nurses, in recognition of the most incredible work they accomplish, enabling our clients to live their lives better at home.

Mr Pacifico, lead consultant plastic surgeon, said: “I am proud that we are holding the annual Purity Bridge breast awareness event this year in collaboration with Cripps. It will allow us to further raise awareness of the importance of breast health this year. Breast awareness is so important, I would encourage as many to attend as possible.”

Consultus’ CEO Peter Seldon introduced and thanked each carer and nurse individually for their loyalty and hard work, while Gloria offered words of wisdom, to each and every one, on the presentation of their awards.

He added a “special mention and thank you” should go to our brave cancer survivor who will share her experience with us as well as our volunteer Ruth who will reveal all to allow for a full demonstration on how to examine your breast properly.

“I have met some of the most truly inspirational people” stated Gloria Hunniford “I enjoyed the awards enormously and hope to have the chance to meet everyone again”.

Following the awards, carers and nurses flocked to thank staff for their friendly hospitality and exclaimed just how much they had enjoyed the day.

All at Consultus are honoured to preserve the vision of its founder, the late Mrs Anne Stevens, who understood that ‘people feel better at home’. This would never be achieved without our incredible carers and nurses – we really couldn’t do it without them!

www.consultuscare.com

AWARD LUNCH HOSTED BY GLORIA HUNNIFORD OBE Consultus Care loves to reward its exceptional carers and nurses, and to show just how much their fantastic dedication is appreciated, Consultus launched the Long-standing Carer and Nurses Awards Luncheon in 2012 to coincide with its 50th anniversary celebrations.

They received a warm welcome to TV and radio presenter Gloria Hunniford OBE, whose vision and ethos to care for others equals that of Consultus. Carers and nurses were treated to drinks and canapés, followed by a delicious three-course meal.

Consultus’ CEO Peter Seldon introduced and thanked each carer and nurse individually for their loyalty and hard work, while Gloria offered words of wisdom, to each and every one, on the presentation of their awards. “I have met some of the most truly inspirational people” stated Gloria Hunniford “I enjoyed the awards enormously and hope to have the chance to meet everyone again”.

All at Consultus are honoured to preserve the vision of its founder, the late Mrs Anne Stevens, who understood that ‘people feel better at home’. This would never be achieved without our incredible carers and nurses – they really couldn’t do it without them!

PATIENCE AND FLEXIBILITY WINS THE REAL ESTATE RACE Last Friday, courtesy of the Times of Tunbridge Wells, Simon Spare, from Thompson Spare, was invited to a breakfast meeting with MP, Gregg Clark, and a select group of other luminaries from the local property world.

It was an opportunity to get an un-biased view on where the property market in the town is at the moment, from other people who work in the industry day to day. As a local agent of 36 years' standing, Mr Spare obviously had his own views on the matter. They largely match the general consensus, which was that things are a little difficult at the moment, with stamp duty, Brexit and problems in the London market all being held up as reasons for the slow-down.

What has also become clear, however, is that properties are still selling well if they come to the market at a realistic price. Tunbridge Wells is a perennially popular location, especially now, since buyers often leave London to take advantage of the excellent state schools and easy access to the city. Having worked in the industry through three recessions, Mr Spare is very aware of how to continue succeeding at times like this, and choosing an agent like Thompson Spare, with intrinsic knowledge of the environment, must surely be paramount.

The key words are flexibility and patience, and with a little of each, there is no reason that a move over the next few months should be impossible.

Simon Spare, Director of Thompson Spare 01892 531199

If you would like to attend the Cripps & Purity Bridge’s Big Pink, please call 01892 536 960 or email them on info@puritybridge.co.uk

CHAMBER FURNITURE Chamber Furniture’s philosophy is simple; having custom built furniture should be a joy from start to finish. Clients can begin their search for their perfect kitchen right on their doorstep at Chamber’s extensive showroom and workshop in Halstead, Kent.

Refurbished last year, the displays are both as inspirational as they are varied. Stunning natural woods combine with industrial style taps, sleek professional style appliances combine with contemporary over-sized cabinets and drawers; nothing comes as standard, bar the exceptional craftsmanship and attention to every detail.

Alongside displays of their own work, Chamber Furniture are proud to be fully approved, authorised dealers of some of the world’s finest kitchen appliance brands. Their stunning showroom displays feature full working kitchen appliances which have been carefully considered to showcase a varied choice in design, style and budget.

Chamber Furniture work with Gaggenau, Siemens, Miele, the iconic American brands of Wolf and Sub-Zero and the world class British range cooker manufacturer AGA, all of which can be supplied to clients as part of their furniture project or on their own. Each showroom display has been crafted to illustrate the company’s core values: scale, proportion and functionality combined with the latest technology in appliances and the very highest standards of craftsmanship.

www.chamberfurniture.co.uk

Puzzles

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU 5

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

8

7

2 5 4

9 2

T R A F F I A G O P L A G U E E P N S WE E T I M T Q U A D O U T E M A I L N S A D A S H N I E T L Y D I A

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

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5

3 8 1

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2 23

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5 18

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Codeword:

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5 9 1 7 8 4 9 2 1 6 8 4 2 5

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

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

Puzzle solutions will be published in next week’s paper

8 9 4 5 7 6 3 1 2

1 2 5 3 8 4 7 6 9

M A R I A A E N D J V A N O E E GO E R E L A X R C V E D B A B E O A B R I D G E D O D A E E Z E K I E L A N I M E L I S S A Jigsaw Sudoku:

Sudoku:

6 7 3 1 2 9 4 8 5

C

9 4 2 7 1 3 6 5 8

7 8 1 6 4 5 9 2 3

5 3 6 8 9 2 1 7 4

4 5 7 2 3 1 8 9 6

2 1 9 4 6 8 5 3 7

3 6 8 9 5 7 2 4 1

8 3 1 2 9 7 4 5 6

4 9 5 1 2 6 3 7 8

9 6 4 7 5 8 2 1 3

3 1 2 6 8 5 7 4 9

5 8 7 9 4 2 6 3 1

2 4 6 8 1 3 5 9 7

1 7 8 5 3 4 9 6 2

7 5 9 3 6 1 8 2 4

6 2 3 4 7 9 1 8 5

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

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© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

3

DIFFICULTY RATING: ★★★I

2

DIFFICULTY RATING: ★III

1

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

CODEWORD

63

FEATURES

Recruitment

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

NEWS

WITH THE

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

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

Fill your vacancy now in print or online For more information contact Jordanne Reville on 01892 576 049 jreville@markerstudy.com

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66

FEATURES

Art & Culture

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

Step into a true taste of Spain Mi Flamenco, a troupe dedicated to the fiery Spanish dance of the same name, are coming to Trinity Theatre on Friday with their new show, Incognito. Here, Eileen Leahy asks Artistic Director Ester Tal about her passion for flamenco…

FEELING THE INTENSITY Ester Tal

So Ester, tell us how you became so interested and involved in flamenco?

I have always loved dance – my mother was a beautiful Latin and Ballroom dancer, so I have been around it from a young age.

When I was very young, I went on a family holiday to Spain and I was fascinated by its warmth, its orange trees and grapes on the vines. I think my early love of the Mediterranean coupled with my urge to dance made flamenco a natural choice.

I tried a class in the UK and got hooked, so I went to Spain to train full time and the rest, as they say, is history.

Can you tell us a little bit about the history of the troupe?

For Mi Flamenco, one of the most important things is the connection with each other, both on a personal and professional level.

My husband, Uri Tal, and I founded Mi Flamenco in 2006 when we moved to the UK after living in Spain for 14 years.

He is Musical Director and guitarist in the company, and our aim was to produce high-quality, authentic flamenco performances, working with high-calibre artists who had similar visions.

How did you turn a personal passion into a successful touring troupe?

It kind of just happened, as is so often the way with these things.

My passion became a bit addictive,

with a desire to become more engaged with this wonderful art form. Eventually, after seven years at Amor De Dios dancing academy in Madrid, I went down to Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia to get closer to flamenco.

I feel very privileged to have had the chance to be around some amazing artists in Jerez. Being so immersed was great training, and having the opportunity to work alongside some of them was what I needed to give me the confidence to take things further.

Which artists do you like to work with?

We lean towards artists who we already have a connection with. For example, I FIERY Dancing the flamenco

have known our singer, Luis Vargas Monge, since 2000, when I first moved to Jerez, and I’ve been working alongside him since 2003. He is a rock – both on and off stage.

Cellist Nick Squires has now entered the flamenco family – and we hope he never escapes – because he adds something very different which audiences really warm to.

Some have told me the connection they feel between us on stage is palpable, and I’m really happy about this as Mi Flamenco is a family. We have our conflicts and loving moments like any family, but the bond between us all is strong, and we believe this makes our work both powerful and personal.

Art & Culture

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

our performance is that of authentic flamenco.

If you could perform anywhere in the world where would that be?

At the moment, what comes to mind are the Andalusian horses from the Spanish Riding School in Jerez.

To dance alongside these magnificent animals in the riding ring would be a dream come true.

The horses are the epitome of flamenco – strength, grace, passion, discipline and raw energy. It’s a very special discipline and the relationship between the Bailaora (a flamenco dancer) and horse and rider is something I’d love to experience.

Why would you encourage others to take up dancing, particularly flamenco?

What was the inspiration for your latest show, Incognito?

Essentially a love of the theatre and a desire to really use the theatrical space within the concept of flamenco.

I’d also say there was an urge to break a few boundaries and engage the audience on a different level.

We were lucky to work with a director called Lee Hart a few years ago, who introduced us to a different way of working. This has given us a push in a theatrical direction we already wanted to go in.

But of course flamenco is what we do, so even when we come up with surprises, theatre magic and original musical compositions, the base line that runs through

Dancing is an amazing release of energy and a great way to express yourself. Why wouldn’t anyone want to do that?

Flamenco is special in that it transcends age, shape, size and gender. It is a celebration of life in its real sense – the joy and the tragic elements of it. You don’t have to be anyone else but yourself.

It’s incredibly empowering, but also challenging. It takes time, but that’s what makes it incredibly rewarding – if you have the tenacity and patience to stick at it.

Mi Flamenco perform Incognito at Trinity Theatre on Friday October 6 at 8pm. Tickets cost £18 and can be ordered at the box office or via www.trinitytheatre.net

FEATURES

67

Meet the man with a taste for a mixed menu of laughs

AN APPETITE FOR COMEDY Konstantin Kisin

Comedy Tapas aims to liven up the local stand-up experience – and, of course, put smiles on people’s faces. The founder of this quirky comedy concept, Konstantin Kisin, tells the Times what it’s all about…

I

N APRIL this year, Russian-British comic Konstantin Kisin, who is based in Tunbridge Wells, founded Comedy Tapas – a new, exciting cultural event aimed at bringing laughs to the locals.

Since the launch, its monthly night at The Sussex Arms, behind The Pantiles, has attracted a variety of British and international comics.

“We called it Comedy Tapas because you get to sample different styles and

types of comedy,” reveals Konstantin.

“It’s a chance to enjoy a comedy show you will never get to see on TV, and with six comics in every line-up, there’ll always be someone to tickle your funny bone.

“Most comedy clubs offer three acts who often have similar backgrounds and stories to tell. I aim to have a varied line-up of some of my favourite comics in the country, and, so far, people have loved every show.”

Recent acts have included Lynn Ruth

Miller, who at 84 is the oldest professional comedian in the world, as well as regulars from London’s Comedy Store and Brighton’s Komedia. There have also been awardwinning acts from around the globe, from as far afield as the Ivory Coast, Malaysia, Russia, Spain, India and the US. And plenty of home-grown British talent, too.

For Konstantin, variety isn’t just about performers having different backgrounds.

“There are so many styles of comedy – musical, surreal, one-liners, political, character acts – and we try to include as many of them as possible,” he explains.

“Comedy has the power to entertain, to challenge, to bring people together. At its best, it can break down barriers.

“When you’re laughing together, it doesn’t matter where you come from, who you voted for or what you believe.”

Comedy Tapas runs every second Sunday and has already generated a buzz among local comedy aficionados, with the first three shows selling out a week in advance.

According to Konstantin, the venue – The Sussex Arms basement – adds to the atmosphere: “It’s an intimate room with fantastic lighting and sound equipment and a well-stocked bar upstairs!”

The next show is on October 8, featuring the winner and runner-up of this year’s South Coast Comedian, as well as President Obonjo of the Lafta Republic and awardwinning headline act Alasdair Beckett-King.

For tickets, visit www.facebook.com/ ComedyTapas or www.twforum.co.uk

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FEATURES

What’s On

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

SEVEN DAYS OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE

WHATS ON WITH THE

Eileen Leahy Local events

STRINGS ATTACHED! The Heath Quartet at Tonbridge Music Club >> WEDNESDAY This morning at The Spa Hotel there will be a C&T Auction of Vintage Toys. So if you’re a collector of old childhood memorabilia, then make sure you pop in. Viewing from 9am with the auction at 10.30.

The Tonbridge Philharmonic gather for the first time since the summer holiday break this evening at 7.45pm. If you fancy joining them, whether as a musician or singer, then the first taster rehearsal is free. Just email Carol at: chchair@tonphil.org.uk to arrange attendance. The Ton Phil, as they are known, are rehearsing Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius.

Angelfish Travel are hosting a free screening of the award-winning Chasing Coral climate change documentary this evening at Queen’s Hall Theatre in Cranbrook. For more, visit www.angelfish.travel >> THURSDAY Tonight at 7pm, the EM Forster Theatre in Tonbridge

will screen an ‘Encore’ of the National Theatre’s Hamlet, in which Benedict Cumberbatch famously starred brilliantly in the title role of one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies. It has now been seen by over 750,000 people all over the globe. If you aren’t one of them, this your chance. Tickets cost £14 or £12 concessions. Call 01732 304241 or book online at www.boxoffice.tonbridge-school. co.uk – Hamlet is also on at Trinity Theatre at 7pm.

Hever Castle & Gardens are offering visitors their first-ever guided tours of the lake to celebrate the arrival of autumn. The estate’s Head Gardener, Neil Miller, says: “We want visitors to enjoy the spectacle as the rich yellow, red and orange leaves of beech mingle with liquidambars, tulip trees and Japanese maples, all contributing to an explosion of colour.” Enjoy the waterfalls, new Monet-style bridge, vivid wildlife and impressive Japanese Tea House among many other things. Admission for the gardens only is adults £14.20; Seniors £12.70; Student £12.10, Children (5-15) £9; Family ticket £38.90. www.hevercastle.co.uk

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

Lawrence and Javier Bardem and weaves the tale of how a couple’s relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence… Tickets are £25 per vehicle.

Mi Flamenco comes to Trinity this evening with their fiery show and just a little dash of the unexpected… Go along to find out more and see our interview with its Director on page 66.

>> SATURDAY There’s a toys, toiletries, books and china sale at King Charles the Martyr Church from 10am to 1pm. Admission is free, refreshments will be available and monies raised go to the Barnabas Fund in aid of persecuted Christians of Syria, Iraq and the rest of the world.

Thinking about buying a new home or relocating to the country? Then go along to Ryewood’s open day event which takes place today in Dunton Green. It is designed with first-time buyers in mind and there will be a range of experts, including mortgage advisors and members of the Berkeley team, on hand through the day to offer insights and information. See >> FRIDAY www.berkeleygroup.co.uk The Hop Farm’s Moonlight Drive-in Calling all budding wannabe Cinema starts its screening of actors! Trinity Theatre is putting the thriller Mother! at on a Physical Theatre Workshop ENCORE! 7.30pm. On until October today where you can learn how The NT’s Hamlet starring 12, it stars Jennifer to devise sequences of Benedict Cumberbatch

movement for theatrical storytelling, create characters and express emotions. Learn the building blocks of creating performances, or develop your skills, with a professional movement tutor. The workshop runs from 10am to 4pm and is for 14-18 year olds. Tickets cost £50 (£40 for Trinity Youth Theatre Members). To book, call 01892 678678 or visit www.trinitytheatre.net Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends will once again be at The Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells today and tomorrow. Meet all the wellknown characters, including Diesel and Daisy and

PICK OF THE WEEK

Hole Park Gardens Sunday October 7

Picturesque Hole Park is stunning all year round, but never more so than at this time of year as the autumn glow starts to emerge. On Sunday, the 16-acre gardens will be taking part in the National Garden Scheme open day, so go along to enjoy expert talks, exclusive tours of its vibrant borders and mature Japanese maples and a delicious afternoon tea. Entry is £7 for adults and £1 for children (5-18). For more information, visit www.holepark.com

What’s On

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

The Fat Controller, and experience a pleasant trip on a steam train along this beautiful stretch of heritage railway line. Face painting and a tea party are also on offer when you book in advance. For children aged 18 months to ten years. Tickets on the day cost £14 per adult and £12. For more information, see www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk Tonbridge Music Club launches its 55th season with a concert by the dynamic Heath Quartet at 7.30pm at Tonbridge Parish Church, playing music

by Haydn, Tippett and Mendelssohn. The quartet were winners of the 2016 Chamber Disc of the Year for their recording of Tippett’s quartets. Tickets for non-members are £20 and £5 for under-18s. Call the box office 01732 838698 or visit www.tmc.org.uk >> SUNDAY Nonsense Room Productions bring their new Shark in the Park show to the EM Forster Theatre at 2.30pm. Suitable for ages two and over, it’s based on Nick Sharratt’s popular ‘Shark’ children’s books and promises to be a ‘truly unmissable fin-tastic, family musical’. Tickets cost £10.

Comedian Milton Jones brings his new show Milton Jones is Out There to the Assembly Hall this evening from 7.30pm. Expect wry and witty observational humour with a surreal twist. Tickets cost £26 from the Gateway in Tunbridge Wells or via www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk >> MONDAY If you thought the Wetherspoons in the centre of town was just a pub, think again. The former opera house is hosting Orpheus at the Opera House from 7.30pm – a mix of blues, rock, soul, and classical music sung by the Royal Tunbridge Wells Orpheus Male Voice Choir with special guests the Bennett Staff Choir. Tickets from £10 from Wetherspoons: 01892 511770 or email: p229@jdwetherspoon.co.uk >> TUESDAY Buy local produce at Hildenborough Farmers’ Market from 9am to 11am at St John’s Church Centre.

FEATURES

69

A ROUND-UP OF THIS WEEK’S MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Paul Dunton Live music Thursday night sees Apollo 440, Bombay Monkey and Bjika all performing at The Forum.

For a great night out this Friday, The Hollies are at The Assembly Hall, while up-and-coming songstress Maisie Peters is at The Sussex Arms and The Roaring Twenties Orchestra are at The Masonic Centre.

Saturday is jam-packed with superb gigs, including Local & Live Electric at The Forum with Jelly Fish, I am Aquitaine, Faded Shades and Heyzeus. Elsewhere, Cut Above are at The Royal Oak Pub and popular local Skiffle Band Lone Ed are at The Rusthall Club.

My top Sunday pick is the free Festival of Hope at The Forum (1pm start), which is raising funds for Syrian refugees. Popular local Americana/Country group The Orange Circus headline with additional performances from The Syrian All Stars, Dan Sumner, Bond of Union, The Create Choir and more.

Homemade Syrian food and beverages will be available…

THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE

The Pantiles, doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7, websites www.pdag.co.uk and www.thegreylady.co.uk

FRIDAY Jazz Club Night: Resident

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

quartet Bob Bernard, Iain Rae, James Sunney and Jezz Owen SATURDAY The Harry Funk Band SUNDAY The Ackerleys, Ant & Fie, Jennie Worthley and Jack Leon Mackey TUESDAY Vispers plus special guests THE ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE

Crescent Road, tickets and information at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

THURSDAY Dire Straights UK (tribute) FRIDAY The Hollies SATURDAY Get Ready – (tribute) The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes and Marvin Gaye THE ROYAL OAK

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

FRIDAY Will Whisson SATURDAY Cut Above

MONDAY Open Mic Night

THE SUSSEX ARMS

THE PUNCH & JUDY

(Basement), Sussex Mews Open all day, music charge may apply all gig, information at www.twforum.co.uk

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

FRIDAY Maisie Peters

TUESDAY Crisis

RUSTHALL CLUB

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM

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

Information at www.twforum.co.uk

SATURDAY Lone Ed (skiffle band) KING CHARLES THE MARTYR CHURCH

Nevill St, tickets and concert information at www.kcmtw.org/music/concerts

FRIDAY Trio Lavolta THE MASONIC CENTRE

St John’s Road, for show times & ticket prices visit www.twjazzclub.co.uk

FRIDAY The Roaring Twenties Orchestra

THE BEDFORD

2 High Street, open all day, free entry, website www.thebedfordtw.co.uk

SATURDAY The Management THE BEAU NASH TAVERN

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

SATURDAY Sophie Mullan

THE DUKE OF YORK

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

The Orange Circus

THURSDAY Apollo 440, Bombay Monkey and Bjika FRIDAY Boogie Nights SATURDAY Local & Live Electric: Jelly Fish, I am Aquitaine, Faded Shades and Heyzeus SUNDAY Festival of Hope in aid of Syrian refugees. Free entry, 1pm start. The Orange Circus, The Syrian All Stars, Bond of Union, Dan Sumner, The Paul Dunton Orchestra and The Create Choir

70

NEWS

Sporting Times

CONTACT US:

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

PHOTO: Adam Hookway

Wild Geese put sluggish TJs to flight

LEADER OF THE PACK Greg Langridge goes on the charge

Tonbridge Juddians 26 London Irish Wild Geese 37 League Two South campaign but they ripped up the form book at The Slade and took home a bonus point victory.

TJs came into the match in good form but they started slowly and London Irish were soon 10-0 up.

By Adam Hookway RUGBY: THE Wild Geese had yet to register a victory in their first four matches of the National

A rare spark got the hosts back in the hunt as Charlie Edwards tapped and went with the pack finally driving him over.

A Liam Prescott penalty took TJs level but an Irish penalty and a try with the last play of the half gave them a 10-20 lead at the break.

TJs invariably have a good third quarter and it seemed they might repeat this as Edwards went over again with the help of his pack.

A Nathan Holmes penalty brought TJs level and then an exchange of penalties took it to 23-23, setting up an exciting climax.

Unfortunately TJs’ collective energy was being sapped by a strong defence and injuries were taking their toll.

The Wild Geese were finding their speedsters well and added two more tries, while TJs could only muster another penalty and had to walk away with no points.

Tonbridge were, however, buoyed by the arrival of new signing Ryan Jackson, who was impressive when he came on as a replacement.

On Saturday TJs have a third home game on the bounce as they welcome Redingensians, who are one place below them in eighth spot in National League Two South (kick-off 3pm).

Doherty double allows Wells to bounce back from three defeats Tunbridge Wells 41 Towcestrians 7

Allberry provides cutting edge on return to Premier Staines 3 Tunbridge Wells Men 5

By Francis Bridgeman HOCKEY: PLAYER-coach Ben Allberry picked up where he left off last season, scoring a hat-trick as Tunbridge Wells Men’s first XI travelled to Staines.

It was the club’s first game back in the South Premier League Division Two for three seasons and they went into it in confident mood with three new recruits and a good pre-season behind them.

They started with the majority of possession and this paid off after 10 minutes when Allberry picked up the ball in the D after a well worked move and fired low past the keeper.

Two more goals came in quick succession, Allberry getting his second from a penalty corner and Sam George picking up his first league goal for the club after collecting a rebound off the Staines keeper and finishing from a tight angle.

Wells seemed to relax and were punished when a penalty stroke was conceded and converted.

This gave them a wake-up call and they finished the half with two further goals, both from penalty corners – Allberry completed his hat-trick and Chris Pelmore fired high in to the net.

Wells rather lost composure in front of goal in the second half and chance after chance was spurned.

Staines seemed to gain confidence from this and pulled a goal back from open play, then picked up a consolation right at the death.

The Men’s first XI campaign resumes on Saturday against Purley at Kent College (1.30pm start).

Wilson strikes twice to keep up winning start

By Graham Withers

Chelmsford 1 Tunbridge Wells Ladies 3

By Francis Bridgeman

PHOTO: Bruce Elliott

RUGBY: TUNBRIDGE WELLS hosted Towcestrians for their first visit to Kent and it was to prove a tough experience for the Northamptonshire side, who are propping up the London South East Premier Division table with three defeats in a row.

Wells were looking to bounce back from three setbacks too, and were glad to see the return of Mike Hathaway after a lengthy injury lay-off.

After an early break by Blaise Salle and Max Douch, Hathaway celebrated his return by crashing over to give Wells the unconverted lead.

Wells were showing ambition and they scored a superb team try on 17 minutes. Chaz Spence released full-back Ryan Taylor-Dennehy on an inside pass, who fed on to Douch. He in turn released Dave Allen who linked with Frank Reynolds to put Salle in for a converted try.

Nick Doherty, and Brendan Crosilla were carrying strongly and on 20 minutes Luke Hawkins crashed over for a third try which was converted

by Reynolds.

As heavy rain began to fall, the game became scrappy and when Wells conceded a scrum penalty, the visitors’ scrum-half Gus Hopewell took a quick tap and dotted down for a try.

James Falvey converted a minute before halftime and at 19-7 down the visitors at least had a foothold in the game.

Ten minutes into the second half an outstanding

Wednesday October 4 | 2017

HEROIC RETURN Mike Doherty crosses over for one of his two tries break by Richard Webster was taken on by centre Shaydn Osgood. Hathaway surged forward and Reynolds fed Webster, who put the older Doherty brother Mike in for the bonus point try.

It took another 14 minutes for the home side to extend their lead. Taylor-Dennehy was released and showed great pace to beat three defenders.

With Crosilla now injured and Luke Hawkins already off the pitch Wells had to go down to 14 players for the last 10 minutes but it did not pre-

vent them from scoring two more tries.

Excellent work by Mac Popham and Nick Doherty helped brother Mike to cross for his second score on 75 minutes.

Then Spence sent an exquisite crossfield kick over to Nick Doherty, who gathered the ball and dotted down to make the final score 41-7.

This weekend Wells travel to Sutton & Epsom, who sit seventh in the league on 16 points whilst Wells are 10th on 12 points (kick-off 3pm).

HOCKEY: TUNBRIDGE WELLS Ladies knew they faced a tough, physical game at Chelmsford but were keen to build on the three points they had taken from their first league game.

Wells went a goal down after 20 minutes from a short corner but they were quick to level the scores from open play, attacker Annie Wilson beating the keeper to make it 1-1 at half-time.

Player of the match Wilson scored again from a short corner, a deflection taking the ball into the top left corner to give Wells the lead.

Chelmsford kept Wells’ defence under pressure in a bid to get back in the game, but were kept at bay by tight marking.

Wells won a short corner just before the end and worked through a good set-piece, Bertie Organ slotting the ball past the defender on the left post.

Next the Ladies face Crostyx, one of the three sides alongside them on six points after two games in East Region Division One South. The game is at Hawkenbury on Saturday (1pm start).

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Wednesday October 4 | 2017

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Ladies go top with hat-tricks from Underhill and Janes Woledge aims to Tonbridge Angels Ladies 6 Teynham Gunners 0 get Tonbridge fit

By Dan Couldridge and fighting hard PICK YOUR SPOT Lauryn Underhill scores her second goal

PHOTO: David Couldridge

FOOTBALL: TONBRIDGE ANGELS Ladies moved to the top of the Kent Division One with another thumping

victory which saw them leading 5-0 at half-time at Tonbridge Farm.

Lauryn Underhill got the hosts off to a perfect start after two minutes, completing a well-worked move on the right with a close-range finish.

Underhill doubled the lead on 16 minutes, latching on to Maisie Gibb’s through ball and producing another calm finish.

The Angels were awarded a penalty for a pull on Megan Akehurst after 26 minutes, but Nancy Syrett saw her spot-kick just miss the top corner.

Three minutes later, however, Becky Janes found the target, and on 35 minutes she scored her second with a lob over the keeper from Flo Anastasiou’s long pass.

A second penalty was awarded in the 39th minute, this time for a foul on Gibb, and Janes fired into the roof of the net to seal her hat-trick, which gives her seven goals for the season already.

The visitors defended more deeply in the second half, but Underhill did manage to record her first career hattrick, exchanging passes with Akehurst before slotting home.

For the fourth time in five matches the Tonbridge defence, led by standin captain Sharon Lyons, put in a

flawless performance to pick up another clean sheet.

In what is quickly becoming a three-horse race, the erstwhile league leaders Long Lane lost at Thamesview, allowing the Angels to go three points clear at the top.

But both of Tonbridge’s rivals have a chance to make up ground next week while the Angels are without a league game.

The Ladies will host Burgess Hill Town at Tonbridge Farm for a friendly next Sunday (kick-off 2pm).

FROM SPURS TO ADDICKS Angels Ladies have again been handed another plum draw in the Isthmian Women’s Cup. After last year’s visit to Tottenham Hotspur, they have been drawn away to Charlton Athletic, who are top of the FA Women’s Premier League South Division with maximum points from seven games.

Constable bids farewell to Rustics Bearsted 2 Rusthall 0

By Richard Smith FOOTBALL: RUSTHALL’S three-game unbeaten run ended as they were outplayed by a Bearsted side who made it six league wins on the trot in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division.

The home side took the lead when a cross from the right was met by Constantine Scarlat and his powerful header gave keeper Joe Cullip no chance.

Bearsted were rampant but it wasn’t until the 89th minute that they secured victory when Ryan Croucher slotted home from close range.

After the game, veteran striker Andy Constable announced that he would be leaving the club as he feels he needs regular game time.

The club wish him well and are grateful for all his efforts since joining in October 2016.

The Rustics had forced a commendable 2-2 draw at home to AFC Croydon Athletic in midweek.

Trailing 1-0 at half-time, they raced into a 2-1 lead with goals from skipper John Sinclair and a superb strike from Steph Harper only for high-flying Croydon to equalise late in the game.

The game was attended by a film crew from the website www.premierleague.com, who are putting together a video that will go live on their website on on Non-League Day (October 7) to publicise the Premier League’s funding through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund.

Long-serving defender Calum Gallie, who has come through the youth ranks at Rusthall, was interviewed by the website.

Sevenoaks Town visit the Jockey Stadium on Saturday, October 7 (kick-off 3pm).

It is Non-League Day and Rusthall are admitting free of charge anyone with a season ticket to a Premier League or Football League club.

They are also offering any junior player from their own youth set-up, TW Foresters or Langton Green the chance to bring along two adults for free if they wear their team kit.

Scannell forced to retire with hip injury Kingstonian 2 Tonbridge Angels 0 FOOTBALL: TONBRIDGE ANGELS suffered a setback at Kingstonian as Kane Haysman scored twice in the Bostik League Premier.

The home side made the breakthrough two minutes before half-time, Haysman fiercely head home a free-kick off the underside of the bar.

Just before the hour-mark he doubled the lead with another header after Alec Fiddes chipped a cross over Angels keeper Jonathan Henly.

Callum Adonis-Taylor’s deflected goal came deep

into stoppage time, too late to rescue the Angels.

In midweek they secured a 2-0 victory at home to Dorking Wanderers. Dan Thompson scored on the hour, two minutes after coming on, curling a low shot into the bottom corner.

Andre McCollin went round the keeper after a long punt upfield to score late on and ensure victory.

Damian Scannell has announced his retirement from football after struggling with a hip injury.

The wide midfielder (pictured) said: “One tackle could mean I couldn’t walk for months, so I have to close this chapter of my life.”

FAME GAME Calum Gallie is interviewed

BOXING: THE youth boxing group that used to be housed in the Teen & Twenty Club in Tonbridge before its closure earlier this year is going from strength to strength.

Wayne Smith founded ­Olympia Boxing to deliver boxing fitness programmes in schools and c­ ommunity groups.

Now Team GB boxer Daniel Woledge is joining forces with Wayne. The 23-year-old from Dartford has represented England and won national titles.

Olympia Boxing has been working at Long Mead Primary School for five years as well as at St Stephens Primary, Hayesbrook and Hugh Christie.

Disability It has recently started a p ­ rogramme at the new Nexus Foundation Special School in Tonbridge, working with the disability students.

Wayne is looking to expand his operation and says: “With our community programmes we have taken this nationwide especially our Urban Box Mobile Arena, which is a fantastic tool for ­delivering a boxing workshop anywhere from a housing estate to a football stadium.”

Olympia Boxing provides a range of community sessions across Tonbridge and Malling: n Monday: Boxing Youth 9-16 years, Tonbridge Baptist Church, 5.30pm n Tuesday: Box Fitness for adults, The East Malling Centre, 9.30am n Tuesday: Boxing Rookies 5-9 years, Tonbridge Youth Hub, 5.30pm n Wednesday: Box Fitness for adults, Paddock Wood Masonic Hall, 9.30am n Thursday: Box Fitness for adults, Tonbridge Baptist Church, 9.30am n Thursday: Boxing Youth 9 years and over, Tonbridge Youth Hub, 5.30pm