Times of Tunbridge Wells 6th December 2017

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

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Millions to be spent in a bid to avert a crisis over school places

MATCH FIT AGAIN

By William Mata

County cricket returns to the Nevill Ground Page 5

MORE than £25million has been set aside to provide extra desks at local schools in an effort to headoff a crisis over the ‘huge pressure on places’.

Around 250 openings will be created next year at five schools.

It is feared that if the money is not invested in boosting the infrastructure then some pupils may be forced to look outside of Tunbridge Wells for their education.

With hundreds more homes set to be built in Tunbridge Wells in the next 15 years, County Hall believes there is an imminent shortage of spaces for Year 7 students.

IT’S GAME OVER

Deficit Bennett Memorial, St Gregory’s, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (TWGSB), The Skinners’ School and The Judd School in Tonbridge will share the money under plans passed by KCC. Councillor Roger Gough, Cabinet member for education, said: “In Tunbridge Wells there is forecast to be a deficit of school places until 2021.

“We anticipate this will be the result of pressure from indigenous population growth and new housing developments, including those at Hawkenbury Farm and Paddock Wood.

“Each of these popular and successful schools are ideally placed to meet the increased demand for places arising

Continued on page 4

Town’s Toys R Us store to close down Page 14

TRACKSIDE More woes for commuters

Biggest fare rise in five years draws stinging criticism from commuters

LIVE AND DIRECT

Follow Civic Complex debate on YouTube tonight Page 6

“If I asked for a 3.4% pay rise and was late every day would I get it?”

By Katie Harris newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

RAIL PASSENGERS reacted with dismay yesterday to the news that fare increases have pushed the cost of an annual season ticket from Tunbridge Wells to London through the £4,500 barrier.

The 3.6 per cent rise announced on Tuesday by the Rail Delivery Group adds an extra £160 to the annual cost, taking a ticket to £4,644 from £4,484. The national average is 3.4 per cent.

This means the journey remains one of the most expensive commuter routes in the country. Even before the latest rise a com-

muter making a return journey five days a week, excluding 25 days annual leave and Bank Holidays, would spend 31 pence per mile travelled.

An annual season ticket from Tonbridge to London will cost £4,232 in 2018, up from £4,088.

‘This is one of the reasons I decided to work for a local company’ All regulated and unregulated fares will go up by 3.6 per cent on Southeastern services from January 2, except advance ticket fares which will be frozen.

This means the average Southeastern fare increase for 2018 is 3.3 per cent, 0.1 per cent lower than the national average of 3.4 per cent - the biggest rise since 2013.

Regulated fares – which cover season and peak time tickets – are set by the Government. The 2018 increase on these fares was capped at this July’s Retail Price Index inflation rate.

Unregulated fares, which include off-peak tickets, are controlled by train companies.

Commuter Naomi Nash described the increase as ‘ridiculous’ on the Times Facebook page.

She said: “If the cost reflected the service I

Continued on page 4

NICE AND SLOE

Local pub hosts another gin making competition Page 48

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‘People are being priced off the railway’ Continued from page 1 wouldn’t have a problem. But all too often they run late or are short formed so you have to stand for 50 minutes.

“And you can only claim compensation if you are delayed by more than 30 mins however if you are a parent then being delayed 5-25 minutes can have a massive effect for you! Salaries do not rise every year for a lot of people yet the season ticket does!”

Isabella Beeler commented: “This is one of the reasons I decided to work for a local company. Commuting to London is so expensive and not all the times the salaries are raised accordingly.”

Committed John Adams said: “Well, there’ll almost certainly be a general election in the new year, so if you really want a rail service that actually operates in the interests of its passengers, then you know who to vote for!”

Luke Jaspar Jones added: “If I asked for a 3.4% pay rise and was late every day, do you think I would get it?”

John Morton, Secretary at Tonbridge Line Commuters, said: “Given that commuters from West Kent already pay some of the highest prices per mile in the UK, people are effectively being priced off the railway.”

A spokesperson for Southeastern said: “We understand that no one likes to see prices go up, especially season ticket holders.

“Southeastern remains committed to making journeys better for passengers and has invested over £78m to improve train services and station facilities.”

STARTING POINT Tunbridge Wells railway station

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

‘There is huge pressure on places’ HOW MUCH IS EACH SCHOOL GETTING?

Continued from page 1

Funding from KCC

Additional spaces for 2018-19 only

Extra spaces every year from 2019-2020 (Increase in total number per year)

Bennett Memorial

£6.5million

60

60 (240-300)

St Gregory’s

£6.6million

60

30 (180-210)

The Skinners’ School

£3million

10

10 (150-160)

The Judd School

£1.5million

60

25 (155-180)

TWGSB

£7.7million

60

30 (180-210)

Amanda Simpson

primarily from Tunbridge Wells town.”

With a crisis imminent, schools are being asked to provide up to 60 extra places for the September 2018 intake as a one-off before all expand permanently the following year (see table right).

TWGSB is set to receive the highest level of funding at £7.7million.

By expanding from an eight to ten form entry Bennett will see an additional 60 students every year.

If no extra steps are taken there is predicted to be a capacity shortfall of 121 Year 7 spaces in Tunbridge Wells borough by September 2018, effectively forcing many pupils to look for places in other towns.

KCC data also shows that demand will rise to 245 by the start of 2022-23 with 12,960 homes scheduled to be built in the borough before 2033.

Funding was agreed after schools presented plans on how they would enlarge their schools to cope with extra pupils. Schools were chosen based on their Ofsted and exam results.

The schools held consultations for their communities before the council meetings.

Pressure Edward Wesson, Head of Skinners’ said: “There is huge pressure on places and we have taken five forms of entry for five years without having the permanent infrastructure.

“All schools are being asked to

accommodate extra pupils and this is a fact of life but we will need more help in providing that accommodation.

“We plan to knock down an obsolete Edward building (it was Wesson our gymnasium) and replace it with classrooms and a new school library and sixth form study centre.

“I am happy that we can provide excellent education to more children but have reservations about the school becoming too big for its site.”

Amanda Simpson, Head of TWGSB, said there is likely to be some reconfiguration of an existing building and a new teaching block with a new teaching block.

“We are happy that we can assist KCC in helping meet the demand for school places.”

A spokesman from St Gregory’s said plans are in place to demolish the School House near Reynolds Lane, create a larger dining hall space and covert a science lab into a classroom by 2020.

The second phase would be to create a new building on the existing playground together with a bridge across the public right of way and

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

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DETAILS are emerging of an extraordinary proposal to build 1,200 homes on a flood plain in a scheme put forward by a property investment and development company based in Bahrain.

Al-Qaseer are advertising ‘Tonbridge I and II’ at Tanyard TN9 1PP on its website despite

the fact that the area is routinely flooded. And people are being invited to purchase units. It is understood that a man called Nabil Saud Saud Nabili has bought the site off Cannon Lane and Hadlow Road for £15,000.

A spokesman for Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council

additional hard playground, social space and car parking.

Jon Wood (pictured), Head of The Judd School, said: “My honest view is that it is crazy that we can’t open more grammar schools.

“But it is a nice challenge we face and we want to serve the community by fitting these extra students in.

“We have got more space than some of our neighbours but KCC need space wherever they can find it.

“Judd used to be a three form entry school but we will now be expanding from our current five to six, so we have doubled in size.

“There have been four significant new builds at Judd in the past few years.

“There has been a rise in the local population.

“We are talking to KCC about the best way we can accommodate that but we are looking for more rooms to teach in.”

On how this could change admissions for The Judd, a grammar school, he added: “We have always been a selective school and we still will be, but we will be taking Jon Wood more students.”

said: “The Council hasn’t been approached by Al-Qaseer or anyone else suggesting that the Swanmead Sports Ground or any land to the south of Hadlow Road, should be promoted for residential development and no planning application has been received.

The spokesman said it was ‘very unlikely to be successful should an application for housing be made.’

The Al-Qaseer website states: “The land is located on the immediate eastern outskirts of the town of

Tonbridge in Kent. Tonbridge offers a range of recreational, shopping and educational facilities. It was a market town since the middle ages that still buzzes today.

It describes proximity to the ‘national motorway network’, Heathrow and Gatwick airports, and ‘0.4 miles to the river center’. It also cites the adjacent golf centre.

The promotional literature specifies: “The area of the land is 67.76 acres (27.42 hectares) which is divided into 1200 individual plots.”

WHY WE ARE THE VICTIMS OF OUR OWN SUCCESS WHEN IT COMES TO SCHOOLING MOST of us realise that, despite a few niggles, Tunbridge Wells is a pretty decent place to live; a good town in which to bring up a family.

The delights of the Garden of England are just a short drive away, there is a huge variety of acceptable eating establishments and plenty of fine schools.

Coupled with our closeness to London, it’s the quality of our schools, both in the state and independent sectors, that are a major attraction for parents. This in turn puts pressure on the educational infrastructure with demand for school places exceeding availability.

We are, in that respect, the victims of our

own success.

Happily, those who control the cash flow for our schools recognise this and have come up with a solution, at least in the short term.

They plan to spend around £24million on extra places at Bennett Memorial, Skinners’, St Gregory’s Catholic School and Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys.

As the Kent County Council report on schooling says: “Without the additional spending there will be significant challenges in providing adequate Year 7 places for the Borough.”

The irony is that this evening [Wednesday] there will be a vote by the Full Council of

Tunbridge Wells on whether or not to go ahead with spending £90million on a new Civic Complex and Theatre.

Having looked at the numbers it would appear the initiative, which has drawn some criticisms, will be given the go ahead. And what will that mean? Simple. In the longer term it will make Tunbridge Wells even more attractive which in itself should not be a problem - so long as those we elect both at borough and county level take note and plan accordingly. Which, of course, we are sure they will do…

Editorial Director, Richard Moore

NEWS IN BRIEF

Security safeguard for town’s festive shoppers TUNBRIDGE WELLS town centre security will be boosted by extra police officers over the Christmas period due to worries of pickpocketing and antisocial behaviour.

Kent Police and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council are part of a Community Safety Partnership body which has provided funding, which will also see extra security patrols.

Patrols will pay attention to key open spaces in and around town, such as parks and car parks, to deter antisocial behaviour associated with drug and alcohol use.

In addition from Monday [December 11] purse chains can be collected for free from Royal Victoria Place concierge desk, Tunbridge Wells Library and Town Hall reception.

Stamp collection given OXFAM in Tunbridge Wells has thanked a mystery shopper who bequeathed a valuable stamp collection.

The charity shop in Mount Pleasant Road has valued the donation at £1,500 with three spring-back albums containing stamps from 1960 until 2012.

Shop manager Sam Holden said he will look to sell the collection at T&T Auctions this weekend.

Record heart screening TONBRIDGE ANGELS will hold their latest free heart screening clinic on Saturday [December 9] as the football club sees the 1,000th young person tested since the initiative was launched.

The clubhouse at Longmead will host the 10th Football Fightback session which encourages young people between the ages of 14 and 35 to be tested for undetected heart defects.

Since 2015 more than £35,000 has been raised to support Cardiac Risk in the Young.

Beware of cold snap COUNTY HALL has urged reisdents to keep warm with freezing temperatures forecast.

A Level 2 cold weather alert has been issued for Kent, to last until Sunday.

Kent cricket festival is set to return…

THE cricket festival in Tunbridge Wells will go ahead next summer despite concerns that it had been axed after the match was left off Kent County Cricket Club’s fixture list, writes Andy Tong.

A four-day match against Warwickshire was scheduled for mid-June but there was no venue nominated. That match is now allocated to The Nevill Ground.

Kent almost pulled out of last season’s cricket week when Sussex were due at The Nevill, home of Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club [TWCC], in June.

The Kent groundsman expressed concerns about the state of the square, parts of which were flooded because they had not been protected from rain, and the outfield.

Kent considered moving the match to its Canterbury headquarters, depriving the town of an annual fixture it has hosted for over 100 years.

Positive The pitch preparations were hindered by the fact that TWCC’s head groundsman Jon Buddington had departed in February 2017. He has since rejoined the club.

Kent’s Chief Executive, Jamie Clifford, said: “We are working with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club to ensure facilities are appropriate for first-class cricket.”

The county club was due at The Nevill yesterday

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Local News

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

[December 5] to carry out an initial inspection, with the national governing body coming in the spring to take a further look and check progress.

Commenting on the news the festival will go ahead, Mark Williams, Chairman of Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club, said: “It’s good news. We were a bit fearful. To be fair to the council, they have done all they can to improve things [with the groundwork] and I take my hat off to them.

“All of us at the club have been very impressed since the appointment of the new Sodexo contract manager, Derek Hill, and the reappointment of Jon Buddington as groundsman was fantastic news. The council have reacted in a very positive and proactive fashion.”

Businesses to help the homeless

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk BUSINESS leaders will meet to discuss how to best help homeless people in the town on the back of a petition that gathered 6,000 signatures.

Childrensalon, one of the town’s largest employers, held talks with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) over concerns about proposals to introduce on-the-spot fines to people begging.

A company spokesman said they had been reassured plans for Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), currently under consultation, do not represent an attack on the homeless.

The company would like to see people on the streets mentored, supported and possibly helped into work.

The firm’s petition gathered 5,970 names, following a story in the Times, although Childrensalon is no longer promoting the campaign on its website.

Mentor Denise Hamilton, Director of Childrensalon’s People Team, said: “We had a successful and collaborative meeting with the council and we now realise they are not going to be handing out fines to anyone begging.

“From what they told us, the fines will be an absolute last resort for people who are profession-

ally begging or have refused help.

“Along with the council, we are going to meet with other businesses to discuss what we can do to alleviate homelessness.

“We could potentially look at how we can volunteer and mentor to help the homeless and look to provide employment options.”

The authority has previously stated: “The proposal is not to prohibit begging or rough sleeping but to deal with it very carefully and with discretion.

“We quite understand that there is no point in fining someone who has no money.”

Under plans for PSPOs, put forward to consultation by TWBC, on-the-spot fines will also be used to stamp out street drinking and dog fouling.

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Wednesday December 6 | 2017

Protestors accused of ‘shabby’ tactics on eve of vital vote on Civic Complex Leading campaigner decides to step down because of council duties

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk PRESSURE group TW Alliance has lost one of its highest profile members, Liberal Democrat Councillor Ben Chapelard, in the same week it was accused of adopting a ‘shabby’ approach.

The member for St James’ posed alongside other alliance leaders when the group founded in October to challenge Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC], initially on plans for the proposed Civic Complex.

Cllr Chapelard stated yesterday [Tuesday]: “I could no longer continue as it was interfering with my role as a local councillor.

Accused “I still support its aims and objectives. TW Alliance and Tunbridge Wells Liberal Democrats are asking the right questions about our town and borough.”

Meanwhile, the alliance has come under fire from Councillor Graham Munn, Labour member for Southborough and High Brooms.

He has accused them of distributing leaflets with a fake picture showing the councillor throwing away £50 notes and claiming he ‘wants to spend £90million on new council offices and a new theatre’.

“The leaflet urges people to email me about my ‘actions’ and not to vote for me,” said Cllr Munn. “But how does this group know what I want?”

He added: “Despite this group’s shabby and negative approach, I have decided to vote against the scheme.”

The news comes on the eve of a Full Council meeting which could see

advanced plans for the complex passed by TWBC tonight.

Alliance member Nicholas Pope, chairman of Friends of Calverley Grounds, said the group is committed to continuing to pressure the council regardless of the result.

He said: “It is a shame Ben Chapelard had to make the decision to leave TW Alliance, but it is important he continues to have full access to council documents and meetings

to serve his residents.

“It is not a set-back, but it does show the council see TW Alliance as a serious challenge.

“Cllr Munn’s photograph and his voting history at meetings (when recorded) is available on the council’s website.

“We are sharing information that is already available and are keen to engage residents in the politics of this important decision.”

MAN DOWN: Cllr Ben Chapelard (back) has left the TW Alliance.

He is pictured with founding members Robert Chris (left) and Nicholas Pope (front)

Meeting streamed online INTERNET users can listen to the Full Council meeting tonight in a special broadcast on YouTube.

The Council will stream a live audio recording onto the website from 6.30pm tonight [Wednesday]. The public are invited to attend the proceedings and doors will open from 6pm. But the high demand could leave some unable to fit into the Council Chamber.

TWBC will open adjourning committee rooms to provide additional seating. www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/youtube

Store future questioned ‘Despite this group’s shabby and negative approach, I have decided to vote against the scheme’ Councillor Graham Munn

Mr Pope said he was unsure which way the vote would go. In July a large majority voted in favour at an earlier stage of the proceedings.

But criticism has grown, with the alliance arguing that the proposal is not a good use of the gross £90million it is projected to cost.

Two councillors have held referendums within their wards and both vowed to vote against the proposals after the results showed a majority of respondents were not in favour.

On the future of the TW Alliance, Mr Pope added: “There are still a number of opportunities to challenge this project, and there are still issues that could stop this project, some of which we have no influence over.

“TW Alliance was created because of a range of issues in the borough.

The Civic Complex is only one of many issues, but just happens to be the current and high profile issue.”

To read Councillor Graham Munn’s full letter visit timesoftunbridgewells. co.uk

THE FUTURE of Hoopers was brought into question in a tweet posted by TW Alliance.

The pressure group wrote on their Twitter account: “Hoopers will close when a compulsory purchase order is forced through.”

When approached by the Times, Hoopers referred the inquiry to a July press release.

Nicholas Pope, of the TW Alliance, said: “This is a Twitter summary of Hoopers’ position as stated in their press release in July, which, as far as TW Alliance is aware, has not changed.”

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Wednesday December 6 | 2017

Countdown begins for lifestyle awards THIS week sees the shortlists unveiled for the SO Lifestyle Awards, which over the last several weeks have attracted thousands of nominations from members of the public.

People were asked to name their favourites, and then vote for them, in any one of the ten categories ranging from the Inspirational Person of the Year to the Most Fun Family Day Out. And what a response there has been.

SO Editor Charlie Bond said: “We really didn’t know what to expect when we launched these

new awards, but it’s fair to say we have been overwhelmed by the response.”

She said the nominations had been logged and then counted to produce the finalists in each of the categories.

Event Organiser Lara Milan said: “Now it’s time for people to vote for those on the shortlist, with the actual winners being revealed at our gala night that takes place at Trinity Theatre on February 8, 2018.”

SO magazine is a sister publication of the Times.

INSPIRATIONAL PERSON OF THE YEAR (THE CAROLINE ELLIOTT AWARD) SPONSORED BY

TAKE YOUR SEATS… For the awards ceremony at Trinity Theatre ALY HARROLD “Her training programmes move women’s businesses forward, and Aly is amazing at drawing out full commitment and excitement from her students. As a speaker herself, she promotes the values she holds to empower and motivate women to literally stand up and speak up.”

ASHLEY BIRCH “A very talented, creative chef. Ashley has opened up a café that caters for everyone, nothing is too much trouble. Ashley turned a dream into reality and is running a fabulous café.”

CHARLIE JACKS “Charlie is a mum of one, her daughter Lily has cerebral palsy. She has fantastic style on a string budget, and is a fabulous make-up shoestring artist.”

FRED LONG “Fred is part of Tonbridge Welcomes Refugees, and I’m nominating him for his tireless and unselfish work for the community.”

JASON DORMON “It’s the 25th anniversary of Tunbridge Wells Forum.

In 25 years, Jason has put on tens of thousands of artists. He’s made Tunbridge Wells a musical destination for everyone in the South East.”

KATE BOURNE & RHIANNON HARFOOT “As the joint driving force behind the Calverley Grounds playground project, they tirelessly fundraised around their young families and work commitments. They were successful and now the whole of the local community and our visitors are enjoying the fruits of their work, and will do for many years to come.”

KARIN MARTINEZ Karin, who runs The Star and Eagle Hotel in Goudhurst, is an extremely hard worker. Nothing is too much trouble for her, she is always there with a smile, and has a wonderful personality.”

LOCAL INDIES “Local Indies is a business that was set up to champion local products – it’s all about finding the best local products around, and making sure that as many people as possible get to know about them.”

PAUL DUNTON “Paul does so much for the local music scene.

Without him and his unwavering commitment, there wouldn’t be the buzz around live music that there is in Tunbridge Wells.”

POLLY TAYLOR “She is an amazing inspiration, tireless, passionate, gets things done. She has a huge heart. And despite not being in the best of health herself, she does SO much for other people going through one of the worst times of their lives.”

Will Bayley

Local News

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

SHELLEY SELLINGS “Shelley is an inspiration to us all.

Since her sister Sonia passed away to cancer, she has not only been constantly fundraising for charity but, more importantly, has made hundreds of women aware of ovarian cancer and what to look out for.”

WILL BAYLEY “Will has not only excelled in table tennis, securing medals in the Paralympics, but he has overcome his own personal challenges being born with arthrogryposis. His attitude and support for highlighting the talents of other disabled people continues to be a true inspiration.”

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2018

Kerry Godliman

TO REGISTER YOUR VOTE VISIT www.solifestyleawards.co.uk The SO Lifestyle Awards will take place at Trinity in Tunbridge Wells on February 8th, 2018, where you can enjoy drinks from Hotel du Vin and Grub & Liquor, an inspirational talk from Will Bayley and entertainment from Kerry Godliman, all for £29.50. To book tickets, visit www.solifestyleawards.co.uk

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Wednesday December 6 | 2017

One-stop shop for victims of domestic abuse opens to help silent sufferers come forward they are referring people onwards to DAVSS. “There is a place for these one-stop shops, and we are already supporting the one in Tonbridge.”

DAVSS statistics suggest that many men are not coming forward, considering Matthew Scott, the Police & Crime Commissioner [PCC] for Kent, recently cited that 40 per cent of victims could be men.

The PCC recently held a press conference alongside Mark Brooks, Chairman of domestic abuse charity ManKind, where he called on the force to be more approachable.

Mr Scott said: “Sometimes male victims of domestic abuse don’t have as much faith in the criminal justice system as women. They don’t feel that they will be believed.

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk DOMESTIC abuse victims suffering in silence could be helped by a new drop-in centre in Tunbridge Wells.

Last week Kent Police opened a safe space to help sufferers at the Salvation Army base in Bayhall Road, days after concerning statistics were released.

Data from the West Kent charity DAVSS [Domestic Abuse Victim Support Service] showed that last year 271 women and 14 men reported an incident.

In Tonbridge, the figure was 226 females and 18 men.

The drop-in centre held its first session on Monday November 27, and will open every other Monday between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

Sergeant Andy Miller said: “The new onestop shop in Tunbridge Wells will allow us to work even more closely with our partners to help keep victims safe.

“I would urge anyone who may be affected by domestic abuse to come and speak to us in confidence.”

There is already a one-stop shop in Tonbridge which opens every Wednesday from 9.30am to 11.30am at Circles Home Russett, 4 Wharf Road.

Mark Hutcheon, Chief Executive of DAVSS, said: “We are supportive of anything to support victims and we have put our logo to it as

Men

SUPPORT MP Greg Clark (left) with Mark Hutcheon Businesses are engaging with charity DAVSS as part of their 16 Days of Action against Domestic Abuse initiative.

Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark met with the organisation’s Chief Executive, Mark Hutcheon, last weekend as part of discussions to help firms become better equipped to support employees who may be victims.

“More work needs to be done by police forces and the wider criminal justice system to give men the same confidence as women, so that they report in greater numbers.”

Mr Hutcheon agreed that male domestic abuse is under-reported. He added: “If the man is hit he may not think he is a domestic abuse victim – maybe that has something to do with the male psyche.

“We are hoping to show that males can be victims of domestic abuse and we can support them, but a lot of males may not know they are victims, or be immersed in the macho culture.”

UNDER-REPORTED An estimated 40 per cent of domestic abuse victims are men

What is domestic abuse?

According to the charity the NSPCC, domestic abuse is ‘any type of controlling, bullying, threatening or violent behaviour between people in a relationship’.

In many cases the perpetrator is a partner or ex-partner, but can also be a family member or carer.

The most cited type of domestic abuse is coercive control – which is a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the threat of physical or sexual violence.

But it can also include psychological abuse, financial abuse, harassment, stalking and online/digital abuse.

Local News

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

TRAIN TO GAIN Longer and faster services could be started

Current operator Go-Ahead/Kelios (which manages the Southeastern brand), is battling rival bids from Stagecoach and Abellio/Mitsui for the contract. Bidders have until March 2018 to make submissions. The winner is expected to be announced in autumn 2018, with the new franchise scheduled to commence in April 2019, lasting for eight years.

John Reynolds, spokesman for the pressure group Tonbridge Line Commuters [TLC] said: “We do not have a favoured bidder, rather we are determined to see the best service.”

Overcrowding

Rail firms told to deliver longer and faster trains

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk DESPITE Tuesday’s rail fare hikes there was some good news for commuters who could see faster and more regular trains to London under improvement proposals.

Rail firms bidding for the South East franchise have been challenged to introduce new timetables by 2022 which would see eight services an hour from Tonbridge, two of which would be fast to London Bridge.

Scheduling changes would also see at least one of these fast services stopping at Tunbridge Wells beforehand.

The Department for Transport [DfT] has listed a number of other requirements, including measures to find room for an extra 40,000 passengers a day.

Others include scrapping First Class and introducing longer trains to boost capacity, as well as introducing fast Wi-Fi and allowing Delay Repay compensation after hold-ups of 15 minutes or more.

Smart ticketing systems could also be introduced along the network.

Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark, who has criticised Southeastern in the past, praised the department for ‘listening to concerns’.

“I very much welcome that the next operator will be held to a higher standard, and will be expected to deliver a service that’s more in line with what passengers deserve,” he said.

TLC, however, raised concerns that trains could stop more frequently at Orpington on the journey to and from the capital, which Mr Reynolds said would be a ‘disaster’ leading to overcrowding.

The pressure group has put forward their own requests to each bidder, which include seating plans inside trains from ‘uncomfortable’ groups of three seats to two-by-two arrangements.

ENGINEERING works on the West Kent mainline and Redhill line on Saturday, December 23 will impact Christmas shoppers travelling to London.

As part of ten days of works to transform London Bridge over the festive season, at least one part of the journey to the capital will be completed by bus link.

To find full details of the disruption, visit www.thameslinkprogramme.co.uk

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Concern for reduced Redhill line PLANS to downgrade the Tonbridge to Redhill train line to a shuttle service have concerned one pressure group.

Tonbridge Line Commuters [TLC] are protesting proposals by Govia/Thameslink (operators of Southern rail) which would see travellers along the line stripped of a direct link to London.

The timetable change, set to be introduced from May next year, would follow previous downgrades to the line – which serves Leigh, Penshurst and Edenbridge, among other stops.

Commuters have already seen the service reduced to one train per hour in each direction, while a direct connection to Gatwick Airport has also been lost.

John Reynolds, Chairman of TLC, said: “We don’t want this to be reduced to just a shuttle service. If it was, the least they could do is make it half-hourly.

“Quite a few Tonbridge residents travel to places like Croydon, and they will now have to change trains.”

A spokesman from Govia/Thameslink said the change is to free-up more trains to link Reigate to London, which is a route used by more commuters.

He added that along the Redhill line a half-hourly service could be reintroduced around school time.

“We do appreciate this will be less convenient than direct services, but the greater frequency of services from Redhill will be of benefit to passengers using the Tonbridge line.

“We are working to improve connections at Redhill and Tonbridge to make sure the timetable fits local journey needs, such as school times, as closely as possible.”

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Local News

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

Groups fear lifeline grants from council could be cut next year…

COMMUNITY groups are worried for their existence with thousands of pounds in council funding set to be lost.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC] has blamed central government cuts on their proposal to reduce grants to organisations by April 2020.

The authority provides a combined £255,000 to 13 groups, the largest of which being a £140,000 grant to Citizens Advice. Grants to Trinity Theatre and Shopmobility could also be affected.

A TWBC spokesman said: “Government funding continues to be cut and we are seeking to make financial efficiencies ahead of 2018/19, when we shall receive no further funding.

“We have been working with the organisations who receive grants from us to mitigate the impact of the inevitable reduction in their funding from us.

“We have put three-year agreements in place which reduce funding to voluntary and community sector organisations year on year until 2019/2020.”

Massive Members of organisations approached by the Times stated they had not heard from the council and were unsure about what, if any, cuts might be applied.

But while discussions are set to begin, groups are wary of the impact of any reductions.

Rod Dann, Curator of Cranbrook Museum, said: “This is worrying, we are run by volunteers and do not charge for entrance, so we rely on the £4,500 grant to keep going.”

He warned: “This could well mean the museum

List of organisations financially supported by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

UNDER THREAT Cranbrook Museum has to close. I hope the council realises this.”

Amanda Bell is Chief Executive of West Kent Mediation – an organisation supported by Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells councils, with the latter authority providing £2,500.

She said: “If the funding was to pull out it would have a massive effect, and it would be hard to maintain the service we provide.

“The council has been generous enough to fund us and it is difficult to comment until they confirm things with us.”

The council has introduced the TW Lotto scheme, where public money goes to support good causes, as a replacement in part – although Mr Dann said this was ‘not enough’.

Caroline Riddle, Chairperson of Tunbridge Wells Shopmobility – a group who receive £12,000 a year – said: “The council has not told us anything.

“If we did not get funding from the council we

Citizens Advice (who currently receive per year) £140,000 Trinity Theatre £45,000 IMAGO Community £25,000 Shopmobility £12,000 Number One Community Trust £10,000 Paddock Wood Community Advice Centre £8,000 Cranbrook Museum £4,500 West Kent Mediation £2,500 Civic Society £1,500 Relate West & Mid Kent £750 Forum Music & Arts CIC £2,000 TW International Music Festival £2,000 Local & Live £2,000

would have to close. The grant goes towards supplying scooters and keeping the service going.

“It has already been reduced from £19,500, and is a small amount to keep going on.

“We are mortified by the thought of it stopping and we all feel completely in the dark.”

Councillor says cuts will fund Civic Complex Money gained from cutting grants will be used to support the opinion-dividing Civic Complex, according to a councillor. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC] will tonight [December 6] vote on advanced plans for the project, which will cost a gross £90million.

The authority needs to find £2.3million in savings by 2023 to help finance the net revenue cost.

Financial documents suggest TWBC will ‘find alternative ways to support community groups and environmental grants’ to save £280,000.

A TWBC spokesman said: “The reductions to grant funding will have to happen regardless of the decision the council takes.”

However, Cllr James Hannam (pictured above), who represents Frittenden and Sissinghurst ward, said: “I know councillors who say they will vote against cuts but vote for the theatre. That is ridiculous, I’ve been trying to point out it is going to the theatre.

“In a committee meeting, I asked the council’s Financial Director if there was an alternative [financial plan to find the £2.3million], but he was not able to say.”

Mike Mackenzie (pictured below), Trustee of Paddock Wood Community Advice Centre, said: “We rely on the funding to help 500-600 people every year. In my personal view, TWBC has always been good at balancing the books. I am not saying the theatre is wrong or right, but they should think carefully where they draw resources from.”

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BUSINESS

Local Business News

NEWS IN BRIEF

Redundancies as major wholesaler stops trade JOBS have been lost at two Tonbridge & Malling borough factories after wholesaler Palmer and Harvey [P&H] entered into administration.

P&H is the UK’s largest tobacco supplier and has bases in Aylesford and Snodland.

An estimated 2,500 immediate redundancies have already been made across their 14 distribution centres nationally. The remaining 900 employees will leave once the closure is finalised.

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

Play time is over for old type toy shops in evolving industry Warehouse style-outlets opened in the 1980s and 1990s are now too big and expensive to run in the current retail market

By Jonathan Banks

HOME buyers are being offered the chance to buy one of 37 apartments available with shared ownership in Tonbridge.

Clarion Housing Group, the country’s largest housing association, is now offering one and two-bedroom flats in their Enterprise House development in Avebury Avenue, near the town station.

For more information, visit www.clarionhg.com/sharedownership

THE Tunbridge Wells branch of Toys ‘R’ Us will close in the spring, putting around 30 jobs at risk.

Owners of the American chain confirmed 26 of their 106 UK stores would close in 2018 with the warehouse style stores becoming too expensive to run.

Staff were told the news on Monday [December 4] hours after news broke that up to 800 jobs were uncertain.

The Tunbridge Wells branch is based in the Longfield Road estate alongside B&Q. A company spokesman said: “It’s likely that the Toys ‘R’ Us store in Tunbridge Wells will close in the spring next year.

“We will continue to honour gift cards and Take Time to Pay agreements (an alternative payment method offered) and there will be no change to our returns policy.”

Apple browse and buy

Business as usual

RETAILER Childrensalon has launched an app for Apple phone and tablet users to offer a ‘seamless shopping experience’.

The firm, which is one of the biggest employers in Tunbridge Wells, launched the programme on iOS, the server for iPhone and iPad users, last week.

A spokesman said: “We developed an app that provides a native experience which allows customers to stay one step ahead.”

All of the stores remain open for business as normal through Christmas and the New Year.

In a separate statement, the company expressed a need to “evolve to meet the needs of customers in today’s UK retail market”.

Managing director Steve Knights said: “Small stores are still performing well and the company’s online performance has been strong.

“But the bigger, warehouse style-outlets (such as Tunbridge Wells) opened in the 1980s and

Shared ownership offer

1990s which are now too big and expensive to run in the current retail market.

“Like many UK retailers in today’s market environment, we need to transform our business so that we have a platform that can better meet customers’ evolving needs.”

Nationwide, 3,200 people are employed by the

chain and a spokesman added that where possible staff would be redeployed elsewhere.

The nearest stores to Tunbridge Wells are now near Chatham and in Brighton.

Previous doubts were cast about the future of the firm when its US owners filed for bankruptcy in September.

But while Toys ‘R’ US in the UK is owned by its American counterpart, they operate as separate financial entities.

On December 21, Toys ‘R’ Us will ask creditors to approve a company voluntary agreement, an insolvency procedure used by retailers to close loss-making stores.

The process is being handled by specialist advisor Alvarez & Marsal and will reduce its rental bill partly by closing stores.

GAME’S UP Shoppers at the opening of the Reigate store

Local Business News

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

BUSINESS

15

Town’s promising business potential held back by absence of joined-up thinking…

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk A CREATIVE agency director believes Tunbridge Wells is within touching distance of becoming a ‘hotbed’ for small and medium-sized businesses.

However, Stephen Page, Brand and Strategy Director of Calverley Road-based firm Page & Page, feels a number of barriers are holding the town back from fulfilling its potential.

His comments follow Tom Poynter, Director of creative agency Southpaw, calling for a new theatre to attract staff and prevent the town from becoming a commuter hub.

Mr Page said Tunbridge Wells suffers from a lack of identity and joined-up thinking, and pointed to a host of issues he has noticed since setting up shop in the town 18 months ago, having previously worked in Twickenham, Surrey.

“There is huge potential in Tunbridge Wells for businesses to come out of London, but it needs to be in the market against the likes of Guildford and Kingston,” he said.

“I would like our clients in Amsterdam and New York to say: ‘You are in Tunbridge Wells – that is The Place’.”

Alongside Kate Page, the firm’s Managing and Creative Director, Stephen started the agency in Tunbridge Wells as a way to escape to the country and not be too far from London.

But, like Southpaw, Page & Page has found it harder to convince skilled millennials to live in Kent rather than move to the capital.

“Recruitment recently has not been a problem, but we do find we have to pay over the odds [to

attract them to Tunbridge Wells rather than somewhere else].

“We have to focus on selling the town as a brand.

Look at efforts cities like Brighton and Bristol and the town of Guildford make – everyone knows what those places represent.

“But Tunbridge Wells seems to have a confused identity. Maybe with the Civic Complex it could adopt a creative and artistic image.

“Then there is the issue of office space.

IDEAS Stephen Page, Brand and Strategy Director for Page & Page

“We had a choice of about three places in Tunbridge Wells, whereas in Kingston we had a dozen to choose from.”

He also said broadband speeds in the town are comparatively slow, and expressed a desire to see a traffic system to prevent gridlock.

“The number of times I have come down Frant Hill and there has been a bin collection or delivery lorry that has held everyone up,” he added.

“They should never allow roads to be blocked [in the morning], and there seems to be a lack of joined-up thinking.”

‘I’d like to see someone appointed to the council to explore how to best promote the town to 30-somethings’ On the current plans to create a Business Improvement District [BID] in Tunbridge Wells, he said that instead of firms paying an extra levy on their rates to provide improvements, the council should be investing more in the town to attract companies and employees.

While not specifically endorsing the Civic Complex – the major £90 million project bordering Calverley Grounds which is due to be voted on by councillors tonight [Wednesday, December 6] – Mr Page said such investments are necessary.

He stressed there was a greater need, however, for the council to take an active role with the business community to shape policies.

“I’d like to see someone appointed to the council to work with small businesses, to explore how to best promote the town to 30-somethings,” he said.

CHEERS Craig Beeson of West Kent CAMRA with pub owners Fran Gilliat-Smith and Richard Lee

Winning Greyhound makes fast progress JUST four months after being refurnished, a hamlet pub has won recognition from Campaign for Real Ale [CAMRA].

The Greyhound in Charcott, near Tonbridge, picked up the Autumn Award of Most Highly Commended Pub. Delighted new owners Fran Gilliat-Smith and Richard Lee were presented with a certificate from Craig Beeson, Chairman of West Kent CAMRA, on November 23.

The Greyhound is the only pub in Charcott and has recently undergone a substantial kitchen refit to provide food as well as premium local ale.

David Moore, of West Kent CAMRA publicity, said: “The pub has been newly refurbished to a very high standard, and reopened after a lengthy closure only four months ago.

“The West Kent branch of CAMRA recognised the superb standard and massive improvement since it was last open and voted to award the pub the Autumn Award of Most Highly Commended Pub.”

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NEWS

Community News

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

Santas versus penguins is a nice ice race for hospice

MORE than 300 runners dressed as Santas and penguins took part in the Ho Ho Hospice race at Tonbridge School on November 26 to raise funds for the Hospice in the Weald.

The 5km fundraising run is in its second year, and organiser Matt Hobson said: “The event was a wonderful success.

SLIPPERY SLOPE Fancy dress fun at Tonbridge School

PHOTO: Rose Bainbridge

‘The costumes were incredible, and we were not only surrounded by other families of all ages but dogs, too!’

Sky’s the limit for Millbrook in support of Air Ambulance IN THEIR first year supporting the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance, Millbrook Garden Centres in Staplehurst and Crowborough have helped to raise more than £11,000 for the local charity.

The company, which also has a branch in Gravesend, held charity festive evenings, donated money from their bag charges, held a raffle and completed a 60-mile walk to amass the funds.

The festive evenings included various games

which were set up for customers to win discounts on their shopping for a donation of 50p.

Contests included a human fruit machine game, reindeer hoopla, hook a bauble and a festive pitch and putt.

Millbrook’s Brand Manager, Liz Dowling, said: “We have held a charity festive evening for as long as we can remember, but this year it took on a new dimension as we sought to attract more

“It was great to see so many people from the community we serve joining with families and friends to support their local hospice whilst having so much fun. The atmosphere was amazing.

“Huge thanks goes to the event sponsor Fidelity International and Tonbridge School Centre for letting us host the event on their grounds.

“Thanks also to Adventure Dogs Productions and Rose Bainbridge Photography for their support, as well as all of our staff and volunteers who families with games and singing from local groups and choirs.

“We have really enjoyed supporting the charity, with it being just around the corner from our Staplehurst Centre and offering such a vital service. It has really focused our minds on raising as much as possible.”

The Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust runs two aircraft – one from their Marden base in daylight hours, and the other from their Redhill base 24 hours a day.

The service means residents of the three counties are no more than 20 minutes away from potentially life-saving care.

gave up their time to help at the event.”

At the finish line runners received a certificate along with mulled wine and mince pies.

Sarah Raine, who took part, said: “It was such a fun day out for my family. My children, aged 15, 12 and 6, all enjoyed the day so much. The costumes were incredible, and we were not only surrounded by other families of all ages but dogs, too!”

Rob Woolley, Chief Executive of Hospice in the Weald, said: “For many of the patients and families who are currently being cared for by Hospice in the Weald, this Christmas is likely to be the last they spend together.

“Nurses will be going out to visit patients in their own homes on Christmas Day. “The Counselling Support Service will provide psychological and emotional support to patients and their families.

“And our own catering team will be laying on a superb lunch for every patient and visitor in the hospice on Christmas Day. “Each and every one of us at Hospice in the Weald will aim to ensure that, at what can be a very difficult time for patients and their relatives, the memories will be rewarding ones.”

GAME CHANGER: Millbrook’s human fruit machine featuring (l-r) Dan Hume, Millbrook Chief Executive Tammy Woodhouse and Jackie Rayner with Doctor Dudley

Community News

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

PHOTO: Paul Barsby

FAMILY VALUE Penshurst Place has ‘exceptional understanding’ of the market

Top Kent tourism award goes to Penshurst Place

PENSHURST PLACE and Gardens have been named the best tourist attraction for families in Kent.

The stately home secured the Happy Family Award in the first Visit Kent tourism awards, and now goes forward to the national finals.

The medieval manor house, which dates back to the 14th century, was presented with the gong at a gala ceremony at the Theatre Royal in London on November 24.

The awards were introduced this year to recognise venues that give visitors outstanding experiences, including exceptional standards of customer service.

More than 100 attractions put their names forward for the awards, across seven categories, and 22 of them were short-

listed and then put to a public vote.

Penshurst was nominated by Visit Hertfordshire, and beat Diggerland in Strood and Nethergong Family Camping in Canterbury in the competition.

Honoured Lucy McLeod, Head of Marketing & Events at Penshurst Place, said: “We are delighted to have won the Happy Family Award. We aim to give families a space to spend quality time together and create long-lasting memories, so we are honoured that the public voted for us.

“I’d like to say thank you to everyone who took the time to cast their vote. We really appreciate your support.”

The Judges from Visit Kent and Visit Hertfordshire commented: “Penshurst Place demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the family market through their event programme, which takes on a different theme each year.

“All family events have an educational element and are included in the standard entry ticket to ensure it’s affordable for families.”

Historical Penshurst Place, the home of Viscount De L’Isle, offers a wide range of such family activities, including crafts, bug hunts, falconry displays and historical re-enactments.

The large adventure playground is also a huge draw for children, as is the woodland trail and the 11 acres of walled gardens.

St John’s Wonder Lights heated hearts on a chilly winter night

By Andy Tong WONDER LIGHTS, the new communitybased art event in St John’s, Tunbridge Wells, has lit up the long winter nights as residents decorated their windows with stunning illuminated displays on November 26.

Organiser Mat Waugh said: “This first Wonder Lights was a great success. I’m thrilled that so many people put such time, effort and love into their displays, and many more turned out to see what was going on.

“The creativity on display was amazing. I’d always hoped that together we could put on a show that would make people smile, think and meet neighbours they didn’t know, and I think that happened on that Sunday night.”

Wonder Lights was inspired by similar events held across the country. Mat, who lives in Stephens Road, came up with the idea after a weekend visit to Lincoln.

The children’s author added: “I’ve spoken to lots of people since who just

SHINING EXAMPLES Two of the residents’ artistic creations (above and top right) wanted to see how this year’s event went, but are now buzzing with ideas and enthusiasm for next year. So I’m really hopeful that this will become an annual event for St John’s, and – who

knows – maybe spread to other parts of Tunbridge Wells.”

Neighbour Cleo Lam said: “Wonder Lights is such a great community initiative which not only brought everyone together but looked fantastic.

“It doesn’t have to take a lot of effort but the rewards are great. We’re already looking forward to next year!”

Steve Bowen, whose family put on one of the most eye-catching displays in Hopwood Gardens, with three floors of Love Hearts and a mannequin offering free sweets, commented: “It was a joyous coming together of artistic windowlighting. It was enjoyed by young and old alike.”

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NEWS

Local News

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

Grant to bring back beauty in nature sites

Robust plan to see services moved to alternate hospital

SPRUCED UP Sherwood Lake Tunbridge Wells

PLANS to see appointments moved from Pembury to Maidstone Hospital have been clarified as NHS chiefs anticipate high demand.

Patients could see their non-emergency procedures moved 15 miles from the Tunbridge Wells-based hospital this winter, with an increase in A&E admissions predicted.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust [MTW] has stated gynaecology and otorhinolaryngology (ear, nose and throat procedures) appointments could be affected.

Assessments are currently being carried out to determine which options are best for patients should the need arise to transfer services.

PHOTO: Rowan Purkis

Attendance

BEAUTY spots around Tunbridge Wells are being restored to their former glory through a share of a £165,000 grant.

Workers are currently clearing overgrown areas and planting vegetation in High Wood at Hawkenbury, Sherwood Lake/Coneyburrow Woods and Tudeley Woods.

The High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty [AONB] Partnership, which oversees the

Tunbridge Wells sites, secured grants for 30 sites, ranging in value from £500 to £10,000.

Their bid was accepted by Sussex Lund, a project set-up by philanthropists Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin to support small-scale practical projects that improve the ecology and landscape of the local protected AONB area.

Workers now on site will continue into 2018 as they seek to remove invasive species, lay hedges

and preserve wildlife habitats with the Kent High Weald Partnership. Those involved are a combination of volunteers and contractors.

Sherwood Lake is a 16-hectare site of ancient woodland. The project will also improve access for people using the space, opening up an overgrown site for walkers, joggers and cyclists.

Applications for Lund Trust grants will reopen in March 2018. For details, see www.highweald.org

MTW Medical Director Dr Peter Maskell said: “Our robust winter plan provides a number of options for managing our clinical services safely and effectively for our patients over the winter period.”

The Trust has seen a ten per cent rise in attendance in the past two years, and a 20 per cent rise in Emergency Department patients across both hospitals.

A spokesman added: “Members of the public can help our A&E departments this winter, and every winter, by using them for genuine emergencies.

“We also encourage the public, particularly the elderly, to have their flu jabs this winter.”

The move will be temporary and only for elective planned procedures.

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County News

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

Multi-million pound junction is designed to ease county traffic GREEN LIGHT Transport Secretary Chris Grayling approved the plans

William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk MORE than £100million will be spent on creating a new motorway junction in Kent.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling approved plans for Junction 10a to be built on the M20 near Ashford to ease the existing Junction 10.

The £104.4million project was passed on Friday [December 1] and will be delivered by Highways England in partnership with Ashford Borough Council.

Work is set to begin in the New Year on the scheme, with the new motorway entrance and exit infrastructure being built just 700 metres from Junction 10, which has seen heavy congestion at peak time. Junction 10a is expected to open to traffic in 2019.

Chris Welby-Everard, Regional Delivery Director for Highways England in the South East, said: “This major new motorway junction is the biggest boost for Ashford since the arrival of international rail services nearly 20 years ago.

“Junction 10a will bring jobs, better infrastructure for local services and help maintain the quality of life in and around Ashford.

“Without Junction 10a in place, future economic growth would have been constrained.”

The project was not universally popular, and

critics were unhappy the road will cut into land towards Willesborough village.

It will also involve the demolition of Wyevale Garden Centre, and a second, smaller junction will need to be created for the plan to work.

Mr Welby-Everard continued: “I am grateful to all the local authorities and stakeholders in the area who have worked with us to gain this planning consent.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners going forward, especially people with homes and businesses nearest to the proposed new junction.”

MAPPED OUT Plans for Junction 10a

NEWS IN BRIEF

Direct line to council for poor parking complaints

Under-fire MP Green a no-show in constituency

AN INNOVATIVE scheme has been set up by a Kent council to provide a hotline for residents to report poor parking.

Medway Council’s enforcement team can be contacted directly by phone or email between 7am and 1am, with a voicemail service available outside of these hours.

They will act upon a range of complaints and be able identify problematic areas, in addition to carrying out their usual regular checks.

PRESSURISED Tory MP Damian Green failed to attend an event in his Ashford constituency on Saturday [December 2].

The de facto Deputy Prime Minister was due to take part in a tree-planting ceremony to celebrate 60 years of Premier Foods trading in the town.

Mr Green, who is currently under investigation for allegedly possessing pornography on his computer, offered no explanation on social media for his no-show.

Evidence of Caesar arrival Guns taken in by police ARCHAEOLOGISTS have unearthed fresh evidence to show legendary Roman Julius Caesar landed near Ramsgate in his invasion of Britain.

Researchers pinpointed Pegwell Bay, the most easterly tip of Kent, as the sandy beach where the Roman Army launched their conquest.

University of Leicester academics found evidence of bones and a defensive ditch last week by making excavations at Ebbsfleet Farm, a few miles from the coast.

MACHINE guns dating back to the Second World War were among 300 firearms handed in during a recent amnesty.

Kent Police held the operation on Sunday, November 26, to allow the public to dispose of any unwanted or illegally-held weapons.

Detective Chief Superintendent Rob Fordham said: “There has been an excellent response.

“This will prevent weapons from possibly falling into the wrong hands.”

National News

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

NEWS IN BRIEF

Stepfather pleads guilty to water park drowning THE stepfather of a five-year-old boy found drowned in a pool at a water park pleaded guilty to manslaughter by gross negligence.

Paul Smith, 36, denied any wrong-doing in relation to the death of Charlie Dunn but changed his plea part-way through the Birmingham Crown Court trial.

Charlie, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, was found in a 1.4m deep lagoon at Bosworth Water Park in Leicestershire in July last year.

Top 10 in reading ratings ENGLAND and Northern Ireland broke into the top 10 in international reading rankings.

The latest Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) puts Northern Ireland in joint sixth place, while England is joint eighth.

Russia came top out of the 50 countries that took part in the tests, which measure the reading levels of 10-year-olds.

Churchill specs for sale READING glasses worn by Sir Winston Churchill have been put up for sale at an auction near his Chartwell home.

The tortoiseshell spectacles were made for the Prime Minister by opticians CW Dixey & Sons and had been sent back for repair.

They will go under the hammer on today (December 6) in the Catherine Southon Auctioneers & Valuers sale at Farleigh Golf Club in Surrey, and are expected to fetch between £1,000 and £2,000.

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‘Chill wind’ blows as rail fare British pensioners hike is highest for five years on cliff edge with The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union called the announcement as ‘another kick in the teeth’ for passengers. General secretary Mick Cash said: “For public sector workers and many others in our communities who have had their pay and benefits capped or frozen by this Government, these fare increases are another twist of the ecoON THE WRONG TRACK nomic knife. The private train Passengers remain dissatisfied companies are laughing all the way to the bank.”

The Government uses the preRAIL passengers will be hit by the largest fares vious July’s Retail Prices Index measure of inflation hike in five years next month, according to the to determine increases, which was 3.6 per cent. industry body Rail Delivery Group (RDG).

The fares represent around half of all tickets and Average ticket prices across Britain will go up by include season tickets on most commuter routes 3.4 per cent on January 2 – the sharpest rise since and some off-peak, long-distance return tickets.

2013 when fares increased by 3.9 per cent.

Train operating companies set the prices of other tickets but are bound by competition rules.

The RDG said more than 97p in every pound from Promises fares goes to improving and running the railways.

Passenger watchdog Transport Focus compared the news to a ‘chill wind’ blowing down platforms as Average train fare increases many passengers’ incomes are stagnating or falling.

(Last five years, RDG figures) Chief executive Anthony Smith said: “While subJan 2013: 3.9 per cent stantial, welcome investment in new trains and Jan 2014: 2.8 per cent improved track and signals is continuing, passenJan 2015: 2.2 per cent gers are still seeing the basic promises made by Jan 2016: 1.1 per cent the rail industry broken on too many days.”

One in nine trains failed to meet the rail industry’s Jan 2017: 2.3 per cent punctuality target in the past 12 months, arriving Jan 2018: 3.4 per cent more than five minutes late for commuter services.

a third of income

PEOPLE in the UK who fail to make their own pension provision face a steep income drop when they retire compared with other OECD countries, a report has found.

Those entering the labour market in the UK and earning average amounts can expect to see their income from mandatory parts of the pension system such as a state pension to equate to around 29 per cent of what they had been earning.

This contrasts with with an OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) average of 63 per cent. In Turkey the figure is 102 per cent.

The report said this expected UK ‘net replacement rate…will be the lowest of any OECD country’.

Poverty line TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Working people in Britain face the biggest retirement cliff edge of any developed nation.

“We are letting down today’s workers if we can’t provide them with a decent retirement income.”

The OECD said: “Already today, poverty among older people is high in the United Kingdom: Among those aged 75 and over 18.5 per cent have incomes below the poverty line, most of them women. The main reason is the low level of the state pension.”

The new simplified state pension should improve matters but there will be a long transition period.

While those who are able to save, buy their own home and put money in private pensions may have relatively good incomes, retirees without these types of revenue ‘are left with few resources’.

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NEWS

National News

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

Manchester and London Bridge attacks could have been halted FLAGGING The DUP explain their objections in London

Irish PM says Brexit ball is in May’s court THE Prime Minister of Ireland, Leo Varadkar, has told Theresa May ‘the ball is in your court’ to resolve the Brexit border issue.

The Taoiseach warned the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) that agreement over a border deal will be between the UK government and the European Union – not one political party.

The Irish premier reiterated his ‘regret’ that the UK Government had backed down from a proposal that Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland should continue to be aligned after Brexit.

MI5 was ‘actively’ investigating the ringleader of the London Bridge atrocity at the time of the rampage, while the Manchester bombing could have been stopped ‘had the cards fallen differently’, an official assessment has found.

Three terrorists involved in four attacks that hit Britain this year, at Westminster, Manchester, London Bridge and Finsbury Park, had at some point been on the authorities’ radar.

MI5 and police launched independent reviews to examine what was known about the terrorists before they struck, decisions made on intelligence and possible areas for improvement.

An independent assessment of the findings by David Anderson QC concludes that there is ‘no cause for despair’, saying most attacks continue to be successfully disrupted.

Respect The proposed agreement was put on hold after the DUP contacted Theresa May in Brussels when details of the proposal came to light.

Without referring to the DUP, Mr Varadkar said: “We will listen to and respect all political parties in Northern Ireland and recognise that the majority did not vote to leave the European Union.”

“The negotiations are not involving one or any political party,” he added. “This agreement, if we come to it, will not be involving one political party to the exclusion of others.”

TRIBUTE A police officer leaves flowers at London Bridge

But he notes that, other than the case of Finsbury Park, it cannot be said that MI5 and police were ‘entirely blindsided’.

The report says: “Substantial and appropriate coverage was in place around key individuals and mechanisms designed to assess risk were working as intended.

Investigation “MI5 and counter-terrorism policing got a great deal right: Particularly in the case of Manchester, they could have succeeded had the cards fallen differently.”

Salman Abedi was not under active investigation when he detonated a suicide device at Manchester arena in May. But Mr Anderson’s review says that MI5 came by unspecified intelligence in the months before the attack which, ‘had its true significance been properly understood’, would have caused an investigation into him to be opened.

Westminster attacker Khalid Masood was known to police and MI5 for association with extremists.

But he was a closed subject of interest at the time of the atrocity in March, and intelligence officers and police had no reason to anticipate his murderous actions, according to the report.

Khuram Butt, who led the three-strong gang behind the London Bridge van and knife attack in June, was the principal subject of an MI5 investigation from mid2015 until the date of the deadly assault.

Google boosts staff to moderate content GOOGLE will ‘significantly’ increase the number of staff tracking down extremist, violent and predatory content on YouTube to more than 10,000 next year.

Susan Wojcicki, Chief Executive of Google-owned YouTube, said it would be expanding its team of moderators as she admitted that ‘bad actors’ were ‘exploiting our openness to mislead, manipulate, harass or even harm’.

YouTube has been widely criticised for failing to prevent predatory comments and accounts from targeting children. It has also been condemned for the availability of terrorist propaganda on the site and for not taking down extremist content.

Ms Wojcicki said YouTube had already toughened its policies, including taking ‘aggressive action’ on comment moderation, and was testing new systems to fight emerging threats.

Hunt slams Facebook for children’s chat app HEALTH secretary Jeremy Hunt criticised Facebook for ‘targeting younger children’ by releasing a child-focused version of its Messenger app.

Facebook announced on Monday (December 4) it was trialling Messenger Kids in the US, a standalone app aimed at children under 13 to chat with friends and family, controlled from a parent’s main Facebook account.

Mr Hunt said: “Not sure this is the right direction at all. Facebook told me they would come back with ideas to prevent underage use of their product, but instead they are actively targeting younger children. Stay away from my kids please Facebook and act responsibly!”

24

BUSINESS

National Business News

Services suffer as costs keep soaring GROWTH in Britain’s powerhouse services sector was pegged back last month as firms hiked prices at the fastest pace for nearly a decade in the face of soaring costs.

The latest IHS Markit/CIPS services purchasing managers’ index (PMI) showed a lower-than-expected reading of 53.8 in November, down from October’s six month high of 55.6. A reading above 50 indicates growth.

Firms in the sector struggled amid Brexit ­uncertainty, while new order growth was hit as consumer spending suffered a ‘double whammy’ effect of rising prices and weak wage growth, according to the report.

Services firms passed on surging costs to consumers at the fastest rate since February 2008.

Diesels hit hardest in new cars market THE new car market has declined for an eighth consecutive month, industry figures show.

Just over 163,500 new cars were registered in November, down 11.2 per cent on the same month last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The organisation blamed a 30.6 per cent fall in demand for diesel cars amid ‘ongoing anti-diesel messages from government’.

Petrol cars were up 5 per cent, while alternatively fuelled vehicles rose 33.1 per cent to achieve a market share of 5.4 per cent.

Some 2.39 million new cars have been registered so far this year, a decrease of 5 per cent on the same period in 2016.

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

Hollywood here we come: Cineworld buys US chain CINEWORLD has agreed a blockbuster £2.7billion deal to buy US chain Regal in a move that creates the second biggest cinema group in the world.

The two chains will have more than 9,500 screens across 10 countries after Cineworld agreed to pay $23 (£17.10) a share for Regal.

It will fund the deal largely through a mammoth £1.7billion investor cash-call.

Opportunity Mooky Greidinger, Chief Executive of Cineworld, described the deal as a ‘very big step forward’, saying “We have said through the years that part of our target is to increase our international footprint and moving into the US is a huge opportunity for us.”

He added there would be a small number of screens that would close after the deal as part of plans to make annual savings of $150million (£112million).

He stressed it would be a ‘very minor’ number of screens that would be shut, with plans also to invest in refurbishment.

Shares in Cineworld fell another 3 per cent, having plummeted by nearly 20 per cent on November 28 when it confirmed talks and

unveiled the rights issue plans. Mr Greidinger said details of the deal were leaked a week ahead of time and ‘caught a lot of people by surprise’.

He said Cineworld will keep talking to major investors as it looks to get backing for the rights issue and approval for the deal in February.

Regal directors and its biggest shareholder, the Anschutz Corporation, have given their recommendation for the reverse takeover.

The deal will see the combination of Europe’s second-largest cinema group with the ­second-largest chain in the US. It will give Cineworld access to the market in the United States, which has the largest box office presence in the world – worth more than $10billion (£7.5billion) a year.

SILVER SCREEN Cineworld takes on the US market

NEWS IN BRIEF

Japan Airlines looks to future with Boom deal JAPAN AIRLINES has made a $10 million investment in Boom, a US firm that is aiming to bring back Concorde-like supersonic air travel.

The Denver-based start-up, which also has backing from Sir Richard Branson, is in the process of developing the world’s first commercially viable supersonic aircraft.

Boom said on Tuesday that as part of the agreement with Japan Airlines, the carrier will help refine the aircraft design and have the option to purchase up to 20 Boom aircraft through a pre-order arrangement.

Chinese buy tower A CHINESE firm has forked out £270million to purchase a Canary Wharf tower as Asian demand for London property shows little sign of abating.

Cheung Kei Group has bought 5 Churchill Place, the former Bear Stearns headquarters, from Said Holdings in a deal said to have delivered the seller a ‘substantial return’ on investment.

Rigby’s Bournemouth RIGBY GROUP has snapped up Bournemouth Airport from Manchester Airports Group for an undisclosed sum, helping raise its profile in the south.

Bournemouth Airport, which currently offers flights to 22 European locations, serves as a base for Ryanair and TUI and handled 700,000 passengers in 2016.

World News

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

SPORT IN BRIEF

Dopers Russia banned from Winter Olympics RUSSIA has been banned from February’s Winter Olympics after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended the Russian Olympic Committee.

Only invited Russian athletes will be allowed to compete in Pyeongchang – and they will be considered neutral competitors.

The decision was reached yesterday (December 5) based on evidence from a disciplinary commission that Russia had a state-sponsored doping programme up to the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi.

It also fined the Russian committee $15million (£11.16million) in order to reimburse the investigators and set up the IOC’s new independent testing authority.

Itoje’s Six Nations doubt ENGLAND lock Maro Itoje broke his jaw playing for Saracens against Harlequins on Sunday, a scan has revealed.

The 23-year-old, who collided with Mike Brown, will visit a specialist this week to assess how long he will be on the sidelines.

England begin the defence of their Six Nations title in less than nine weeks, away to Italy on Sunday February 4.

Tour de Yorkshire grows THE Tour de Yorkshire will be expanded from three days to four for the men and from one stage to two for the women.

The race, which was launched in Halifax yesterday (December 5) will start on May 3.

NEWS

25

UN official makes rare journey to North Korea

FAR FROM HOME Carles Puigdemont will remain in Belgium

A SENIOR United Nations official has arrived in Pyongyang for a rare, four-day visit at the invitation of the North Korean government.

Undersecretary-general for political affairs Jeffrey Feltman is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, Vice Ninister Pak Myong Guk, diplomats and UN staff during his stay. They are expected to discuss a wide range of issues.

Mr Feltman, the highest-ranking American in the UN secretariat, is the first person in that post to visit North Korea since February 2010.

Arrest warrants for Catalan leaders withdrawn by judge A SPANISH judge has withdrawn international arrest warrants for ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and four members of his former cabinet who have been fighting extradition from Belgium.

But the Supreme Court has said the five could be arrested if they go back to Spain because they are still being sought for possible crimes related to the independence bid in north-eastern Catalonia.

Group action In a surprise move, Supreme Court magistrate Pablo Llarena said that individual warrants do not apply anymore because the alleged crimes were a group action, according to new evidence.

Mr Puigdemont’s Belgian lawyer said that the Catalan separatist leader was not planning to return to Spain immediately.

“For the moment he stays in Belgium,” lawyer Paul Bekaert told the VTM network, adding that he assumed the extradition process in Belgium against the five Catalans would be ended now.

The five Catalans are facing rebellion, sedition and embezzlement charges among others for their roles in staging an illegal independence referendum that led to an independence declaration in the region’s parliament. The crimes are punishable in Spain with decades in prison.

Spanish, European and international arrest warrants for the five who fled to Belgium were issued on November 3, after members of Mr Puigdemont’s government who remained in Spain were jailed on provisional charges.

The Spanish court spokesman said that the judge’s decision applies to both European and international warrants, not to the domestic ones.

Tensions Mr Feltman worked for the state department but he is not representing the US government.

His visit comes amid high tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The US and South Korean militaries are holding a major air force exercise.

Last week Pyongyang test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump have traded insults and engaged in escalating rhetoric in recent months.

GOOD KOREA MOVE: Jeffrey Feltman (centre) was invited to Pyongyang

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NEWS

Letters

Wednesday December 6 | 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

THE GREAT DIVIDE The homeless haunt our shop doorways

If businesses want the Civic Complex maybe they would like to pay for it Affording your front page [November 29] to a heavily biased item on businesses warning of the consequences of not building a new Civic Centre disappoints me greatly. It would have been fairer to have placed it at least opposite the article from Martin Betts.

If those businesses quoted are so confident that all local ills will be cured and Armageddon avoided by proceeding with this expensive vanity project, at the expense of other services to the townsfolk of Tunbridge Wells, perhaps they will be content to offer to pay for it by virtue of an increase to their business rates?

The idea that the town will become a commuter hub, if this proposal fails, is interesting. It is a commuter town, and the reality is that if there remains a gulf in salaries between London and Tunbridge Wells, whether or not we have a new theatre is inconsequential.

The main two elements which restrict our town’s growth are the lack of housing and adequate infrastructure. How about spending £90million on these?

And the suggestion that this town will decline due to not going forward with this unwanted scheme shows a complete lack of reality. This town is in decline – look around you!

I wonder how many of those in favour of this ludicrous project walk our streets as I do?

Perhaps they are blind to the litter, overspilling refuse bins, speeding vehicles, parking problems and queuing traffic attempting to get in and out of town. Not to mention the homeless adorning vacant shop doorways.

Martin Dawes, via email

A theatre is part of joined-up cultural hub

Wedding drives me to distraction

Robert Chris says ‘making Tunbridge Wells a regional cultural hub is positive’ [November 29], but seems to overlook an exciting interconnected arts and culture hub coming together, of which the new theatre would be a major piece.

It would sit alongside Trinity, as the new cinema which will be part of the redevelopment of the old ABC site and the new ‘cultural and learning hub’ (the refurbished museum, art gallery, library, adult education and visitor info centre).

In addition, because of its location, it will also serve to connect the attractions at the top of town with those in The Pantiles, and it will be close to the train station. Seems joined-up to me!

Jackie Heath Tunbridge Wells

Whilst wishing Prince Harry and Meghan every happiness in their life together, I am sure that I am not alone in believing that the announcement of their engagement was deliberately timed by the Conservative Party to distract attention away from the hundred million pounds of local taxpayers’ money that Tunbridge Wells Borough Council wants to waste on a totally unnecessary new Civic Complex and theatre.

Victor Bethell Tunbridge Wells

An unfeasible sum for starters Several Conservative councillors have informed me that it is very apparent that the Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has been ‘steamrollering’ to get this unnecessary Civic Complex project approved.

Our council tax payers wonder how on earth such an extravagant expenditure of £4million on a feasibility study was ever permitted, let alone the £90million plus which is mooted to be the overall cost of the project: All I ask of you is to act on your conscience and moral standards and vote against this hare-brained and superfluous idea.

Philip Heyes Tunbridge Wells

Is this town going down the pan?

How can Tunbridge Wells Borough Council say they work for this town when they have closed the public loos on The Pantiles?

They were in Union House, now in the process of being knocked down!

Susan Sheldrake Via email

At the expense of my reputation When I first became a local councillor over 40 years ago in Southborough, one of the senior members gave me some sound advice: “If you don’t know the facts, keep your mouth shut.”

With this homily in mind, I was appalled to read Dr Alan Bullion’s letter [November 22].

His innuendo about retaining my district council seat in North Norfolk and the potential cost to taxpayers for my twice-monthly train expenses was deeply insulting.

The facts are that since moving to Rusthall in August, I have not claimed a single penny in travel expenses, or expenses of any other kind, from North Norfolk District Council. These facts can easily be publicly verified.

Before Dr Bullion puts pen to paper, he should check the facts, thereby preventing any possible slur on an individual’s integrity and reputation.

Cllr Doug Smith Rusthall

Time to look again at building sites Nicolas Heslop, Leader of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council [TMBC], rightly acknowledges that the additional 23.5 per cent increase in housebuilding demanded by the government is undeliverable [November 15].

The intervention by central government makes a complete mockery of the recent Call for Sites process to evaluate which sites should be considered for development.

This process should now be reopened, and further sites which TMBC owns and wishes to see developed need to be subject to the same public scrutiny as privately owned land.

The massive brownfield site where Aylesford Newsprint once operated should be considered for residential use before a further land grab of the green belt is contemplated. It is well served by a railway station on an improving line, and has an impressive waterfront which could be sympathetically developed to everyone’s benefit.

Cllr Heslop would also do well to reflect on the latest figures which reveal that no social housing for rent has been delivered in Tonbridge & Malling in the last three years, despite 1,000 households waiting to be permanently homed.

Almost all new residential development is being bought up by people moving into the borough, yet nothing is being done to address the crisis for low-paid residents who are being forced out of their communities by unaffordable high rents.

The council is consistently failing to achieve the ratios for Affordable Housing in the developments that are being built, and at 80 per cent of the market value, most of these are beyond the reach of local people anyway.

Mark Hood Vice-Chair, Tonbridge & Malling Green Party

Thank you from the lifesavers The Tunbridge Wells Branch of the RNLI thanks everyone who supported the coffee morning and sale in St Alban’s Church Hall, Frant last month.

A grand total of £335.77 was raised. Thank you also to everyone who helped set up the stalls, man them and cleared up afterwards.

The RNLI receives no government help and relies entirely on voluntary donations and legacies to raise the £177million needed annually to keep the lifeboats afloat nationwide.

Joan Hamilton-Smith RNLI Royal Tunbridge Wells Branch

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

Calverley

Observations on life and more important things

TO the French House establishment in Soho for a reunion of writers, or in this case ‘a load of hacks’. If only all watering holes were the same as the one in this Grade II listed building on Dean Street. It’s known far and wide as being ‘a compact bar where the literary crowd prefer wine to beer and embrace the no-tech rule’. What does all that mean? If you really have to drink beer, they refuse to serve pints, just halves. [Strangely, though, you can order two halves at a time.] The ‘no-tech’ touch means that mobile phones are absolutely forbidden. And you know what? The place was rammed, so to speak.

LOW MARKS Ex-MP Archie Norman

CALVERLEY has to hide a smile as he tracks the progress of the new Chairman at the struggling retailer Marks & Spencer – one Archie Norman. He’s better known in Tunbridge Wells, certainly to the grown-ups, as the local Tory MP from 1997 till 2005. During that time, he was invited to the launch of the Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre, where he told the volunteers: “Lovely idea but it will never take off.” How wrong was he? Pickering is today one of the best known charities in town; certainly the best loved. Hopefully, he’s got a better grasp of matters at M&S. SOME things you could never make up. Like the account of the Langton Green dad who discovered that the family’s pet rabbit had dropped dead from natural causes in the back garden. Waste not, want not, he thought, as he skinned the animal and turned it into a tasty stew for the neighbours who were coming round for dinner that night. Apparently, it went down a treat with the unsuspecting guests. Calverley hopes there were no leftovers for the kids to eat the next day.

EVER been in a pub/restaurant where they hand you those little sachets of sauce and you struggle to tear them open? The solution? Host puts a small pair scissors on the table when he brings them. That’s what happened to Himself – and much impressed he was. Class, in a pub.

Chin Chin, readers

Education

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

EDUCATION Times WITH THE

Pupils hear about life challenges, intelligence and mental health Kent College welcomed a trio of renowned guest speakers to its Pembury stage last week in order to inspire students, teachers and parents alike…

THREE nationally-acclaimed speakers – Natasha Devon, MBE, Nicholas McCarthy and Dr Barry Hymer – were invited to talk to the students, teachers, governors and parents at Kent College, Pembury last week as part of the school’s annual birthday lecture.

Musician Nicholas McCarthy, who was born without a right hand and only began to play the piano at the age of 14, spoke about his life and played some pieces, including his own arrangement of Rachmaninov’s Prelude in G minor, Opus 23, No 5. Nicholas overcame his challenges and became the youngest left-handed pianist to graduate from the Royal College of Music.

Pioneering He was joined on stage at Kent College by Dr Barry Hymer, the UK’s leading expert on Growth Mindset – a concept developed by Stamford professor Carol Dweck.

Growth Mindset centres on the idea that intelligence is not ‘fixed’ but can be ‘grown’. Kent College has adopted this principle in its teaching, encouraging pupils to learn through perseverance and not to be afraid of failure.

The following day, the independent girls’ school heard from mental health champion Natasha Devon, MBE, as part of their annual Resilience Day. Through a range of videos, statistics and anecdotes, Natasha delivered a presentation on topics such as body image and exam stress.

The school’s Headmistress, Ms Julie Lodrick,

commented: “I was delighted to welcome three extraordinary speakers to inspire our pupils with their pioneering ideas. Kent College is a place for thought-provoking debate and discussion, and this week has epitomised that. We look forward to welcoming more inspirational speakers in future.”

Grammar girls feel the bounce THE U16 netball squad at Tonbridge Grammar School [TGS] are celebrating after a historic win in the County Netball Tournament last week at Rainham Netball Centre.

Twenty-four teams took part in the tournament which was spread across three age brackets and also included TGS’s U14 squad, but it was the older U16 girls who made history by winning the

trophy for the fourth year in succession.

A TGS spokesperson said: ‘This is a feat that no other school has achieved, at any age group, in recent history, and hence is an achievement that the girls, staff and parents should be exceptionally proud of. Within the squad are eight girls who, across their U14 and U16 competitions, have not lost a single match at the Kent County Schools Tournaments. What a fantastic success!”

Other local teams who participated in the tournament included Bennett Memorial, Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar [TWGGS], Sevenoaks and Benenden.

TGS go on to represent Kent, along with a squad from TWGGS, at the LSE Regional finals, which will be held in Rainham on Sunday, January 21, 2018.

TEAM SPIRIT: Tonbridge Grammar School’s U16 netball team celebrate their fourth successive victory

GROUP EFFORT Top Row: Head Girl Team – Isla Cain, Francesca Reali and Eloise Norman Front Row: Dr Barry Hymer, Ms Julie Lodrick, Nicholas McCarthy and Mr Nik Pears (Head of the Prep School at Kent College)

EDUCATION IN BRIEF

At cross-purposes LAST weekend 55 children from Claremont school participated in the annual Kent Cross Country Championships for Primary Schools.

The boys from the Years 3 and 5 teams were crowned County Champions in their age groups, while the Year 5 girls secured a silver medal and the Year 6 girls a bronze.

The Year 6 boys took home gold.

Five Claremont children also qualified to represent Kent at a national race in March.

A spokesperson said the day was a ‘true triumph’ for the school.

Sports pitch-perfect STUDENTS and staff at St Gregory’s Catholic School are celebrating the completion of their new 3G pitch, which will mean pupils can play outside whatever the weather.

Head of PE Mr Cumber told the Times: “This project has been over three years in the making, and was made possible by the contribution of a grant from the Football Foundation. It will make a huge difference to the students here and others in the community who will be able to use the pitch outside of school hours.”

NEWS

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NEWS

Weekly Comment

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

Tom Tugendhat

MP for Tonbridge & Malling

Tom Tugendhat, MBE, left the British Army in July 2013 after a career in which he served on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and as the military assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff.

As a Territorial Army officer, he worked on everything from those ops to establishing the Armed Forces Muslim Association. He also worked for the Foreign Office. He was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2015. He was elected as Chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee in July 2017

Don’t let this be the end of the road for our buses WE ALL rely on public transport to some extent.

Either directly – to get to school or work – or because people we know need it to get around and want less traffic on the roads. For many of us cars are expensive, and not always convenient.

That’s why buses are an essential part of our community.

For school children, there isn’t the option to drive, and many of you will know I’ve been campaigning for better bus services to and from school for nearly a year now. We have seen lots change in that time, but not always for the better.

Since the start of term I have been running my survey on school buses and am grateful for the hundreds of parents who responded. The results don’t make good reading. For more than eight in ten children their bus is overcrowded. This doesn’t create a good and comfortable journey to school.

The solution to this issue is for more buses to be available, rather than fewer, and that is why we should all be interested in the proposals which Kent County Council will be asking for our thoughts on in the New Year.

Their plan is to end the subsidy which they provide to local bus services. This is worrying news.

There are nearly 80 routes and locally around 20 of these affect us in Tonbridge, Edenbridge and

High Street and station, the bus allows all residents to access communities which they would otherwise be unable to do.

This is why this consultation matters and why all of us, irrespective of whether we have children using a school bus service or not, should be aware of the changes to come.

‘The solution to this issue is for more buses to be available, rather than fewer’

DON’T STOP Buses are an essential part of our communities Malling. These services are mainly rural and places like Penshurst, Leigh, Plaxtol and Borough Green will be affected the most.

These are routes for everyone, and not dedicated school buses, but many school children rely on a regular service to get home, particularly if they are

going to an after-school club or have been let out early as happens on some days at some of our local schools in Tonbridge.

But it’s not just rural communities who are affected, in Tonbridge the Barden Road estate will lose a bus service. As well as being close to the

But the decision has not been made yet – and that is where I need your help. The consultation will be launched in January and we need to make sure that we respond and make strong arguments as to why these services are needed. It may be obvious to some of us but we need to make this clear to those who make the decisions – our elected county councillors.

Though only 3 per cent of bus journeys in Kent may be affected, we should all have our say.

Please let me know if this affects you. Visit www.tomtugendhat.org.uk, call 01732 441563 or email tom.tugendhat.mp@parliament.uk

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

UNDER £1MILLION

UNDER £500,000 HOPGARDEN CLOSE LAMBERHURST

GUIDE PRICE

£499,950 Offered chain-free, this modern, five-bedroom townhouse was built

by Ward Homes to a generous and flexible design over three floors.

There is an L-shaped drawing room, and a kitchen/breakfast room with Neff appliances. Upstairs, one of the bedrooms has a Juliet balcony and

OLD BARN CLOSE, TONBRIDGE

GUIDE PRICE could be used as a living room, while two have en-suite showers.

There is also a family bathroom.

Externally, the garden has a paved area, shrubs and plants, and there is a garage in a block to the rear with adjacent parking.

CONTACT Bracketts Tunbridge Wells 01892 533733 www.bracketts.co.uk

£850,000-£900,000

A large, detached family home set in small, central close. The house comprises an entrance hall, living/ dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, formal lounge, study and utility room.

To the first floor, there is a master suite as well as three further bedrooms and a family bathroom. The property has a good-sized rear garden and a detached double garage. There is also an extensive gravel driveway to the front.

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

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PROPERTY

Mousehall Mill

Wednesday November 29 | 2017

Tucked away – a sympathetically restored mill house dating back to the 17th century AT A GLANCE

MOUSEHALL MILL TIDEBROOK, NR WADHURST n 2 reception rooms n Study n Kitchen/breakfast room n Cloakroom n 4 double bedrooms n Toilet n Attic rooms n Stable block n Double garage n Garden n Paddocks n Approx. 2.52 acres in total

GUIDE PRICE

£1,045,000 Available for sale through Savills Tunbridge Wells 01892 507000 www.savills.co.uk

38

PROPERTY

Littlefields

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

AT A GLANCE LITTLEFIELDS PLUCKLEY ROAD, SMARDEN n Entrance hall n Drawing room n Sitting room n Family room n Kitchen/breakfast room n Utility room n Boot room n Cloakroom n Principal bedroom with en-suite shower room n 4 further bedrooms n Family bathroom n Landscaped gardens n Garden sheds n Ponds n 5 stables n 4 fields n Woodlands n In excess of 12 acres

GUIDE PRICE

The house is thought to date from 1919, and is on the market for the first time in about 43 years

£995,000 Available for sale through Savills Cranbrook 01580 720161 www.savills.com

Rarely available equestrian home has its own stables, fields and woodland

L’AMORE Restaurant • 17 Chapel Place, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5TA Tel: 01892 520587 • Web: www.onewarwickpark.co.uk/lamore

FEATURES

On The Menu…

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On The Menu

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

Porcini Risotto with truffle oil

Grilled Octopus with fennel salad

King Prawn and Nduja Spaghetti

Crab Arancini with piquillo pepper coulis

Burrata Cheese and heritage tomatoes

Seabass Fillet and potato gnocchi

Duck Breast and winter vegetables

35 Day Dry Aged Beef Carpaccio

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FEATURES

Food & Drink

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

Take things nice and sloe…

Gin makers around the world are sending their entries in for this year’s Sloe Gin World Championships, held each December at The George Inn, Frant. This year, Times food writer Bruce McMichael is trying his luck with a bottle or two of his home-made sloe offering

C

LANDESTINE visits to secret countryside hedges and woodland clearings in search of the elusive sloe berry mean that winter is approaching. Secret recipes passed down through generations are once again checked, as family and friends forage for the wild berry, deep blue in colour with a dusty coating.

Sloes are protected by sharp prickles of the blackthorn tree, but are a real prize worthy of a scratch or two.

Mixed with gin and sugar, the berries are transformed into sloe gin with an alcohol content of between 15 and 30 per cent, a gorgeously reddish drink to enjoy neat, as a gin and tonic or muddled into a cocktail.

Country pub The George Inn, located in Frant just a few miles south of Tunbridge Wells, has over the years become the focal point for celebrating the craft of making sloe gin, hosting the annual ‘World Championships’ each December.

And, after making sloe gin myself for many years, I am entering this year’s competition for the first time.

This Sunday [December 10], dozens of amateur

and professional drink makers will enter a bottle of their pride and joy into the challenge.

The competition was established nine years ago, and now attract entrants from as far afield as Scotland, Germany and even Canada.

‘The rise and rise of artisan gin companies is pushing the standard of entries higher and higher every year’ “The rise and rise of artisan gin companies is pushing the standard of entries higher and higher every year,” says George Shaw, founder of the championships. “Over the past few years, the newer companies have been experimenting with ingredients and flavours and many feel they have the winning recipe. This year we are expecting a bumper number of entrants.”

MIXING IT UP Diana ArmstrongWilson helps Bruce prepare his next batch of sloe gin

Entry fees and sponsorship raised on the day is given to the MS Society, supporting people with multiple sclerosis and their families.

Diana Armstrong-Wilson, committee member of the Tunbridge Wells branch of the MS Society, says: “The MS Society very much appreciates the support and work done by The George Inn and the Sloe Gin Championships. It’s a fun event and is great at raising awareness about the society and our local group. I look forward to tasting this year’s winning concoction!”

Championship founder George advises competitors to use ‘a gin with a high alcohol content, rather than an expensive one with lots of botanicals whose delicate flavours tends to get lost in the mix’.

“Choose a gin you could happily drink neat with some ice as the base for your sloe gin,” George advises further.

As fruits of the blackthorn tree, sloes are beautifully coloured but bitter to taste raw, so a word of warning if you are new to foraging – it’s best to take a reference book and be sure of what you’re picking. If you are uncertain about the berry you’re looking at, leave it on the branch.

Sloes are ready to pick from late September.

However, country lore suggests it’s best to leave them on the branch until a frost or cold weather has passed.

We have traditionally gathered sloes in midOctober, bringing them home to the kitchen where they are gently rinsed in warm water to remove any little bugs, and then, to cheat the frost, either prick each one a few times with a tooth pick or freeze them for a few days.

This breaks up the skin, which can be quite tough, and allows the gin to seep in comfortably.

If you’re not a fan of gin, then substitute it for your favourite vodka, or perhaps brandy, whisky or even that unopened bottle of duty-free grappa.

Not sure about using sloes? Then use up that glut of summer fruits – blackberries, raspberries or gooseberries – waiting patiently in the freezer.

Louise Newland of locally-based Wild Spirits of Kent, who forage and sell liqueurs and flavoured spirits, advises those interested in giving it a go to use the best quality gin they can afford.

“It does make a difference, and we like to infuse the sloes in the gin for three months then decant and leave for a year, or more if you can wait.”

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Wednesday December 6 | 2017

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LET THERE BE GIN

The finished drink will have a nose, or scent, of warm seasonal fruits – think redcurrants with a hint of almonds.

I, personally, add a drop or two of almond essence at the start of the maceration process to enhance the finished drink’s perfume.

The minimal ingredients needed to make the drink are sloes, sugar (I prefer golden caster), gin – and time.

Many amateur sloe gin makers like to let the brew mature over a year, although it can be drunk after about three months. You’ll also need a sterilised glass container, perhaps a two-litre Kilner jar or a bottle. A basic recipe will, for example, call for a litre of gin, 500g of sloes and 250g of sugar. Pour the ingredients into your jar, seal and shake. Keep in a cool dark cupboard, and for the first seven days give the container a good shake to mix up the ingredients and fully dissolve the sugar.

Some recipes allow for the addition of a couple of juniper berries, the botanical most closely associated with making gin. After, that a good shake every week or so will benefit the process.

After at least three months, decant into

your sterilised bottle using a clean muslin cloth or a coffee filter paper. Don’t throw away the berries, pop a few into a cake, crumble, or cut up and add to a home-made chocolate bar, adding a little extra punch.

Ready to drink immediately, the flavour intensifies over the coming months and even years, just like a fine cognac.

Home-made entries, accompanied by a completed entry form and a £5 entry fee, may be submitted on the day by 1pm.

Judging begins at 3pm at The George Inn, High Street, Frant TN3 9DU. And online registration closes at 6pm on December 7.

For more information, see Bruce McMichael www.moondown.co.uk

If you are inspired by Bruce McMichael’s efforts, then why not have a go at making your own sloe gin? Here, expert mixologist Klaus St Rainer tells you how…

Sloe gin is made by flavouring the gin with ripe sloes. The process of flavouring a cold liquid by putting in fruits, herbs, or spices is called maceration. The sloes should either be picked after the first frost or should be frozen initially for 1-2 days in the freezer. This lowers the water content and increases the sweetness in a similar way to grapes used for wine.

Commercially-produced sloe gin often has added sugar and colourings. By using my method you don’t need any sugar – you can always sweeten it later in the drink. The only disadvantage of the natural maceration method is that the sloe gin oxidizes when exposed to light and oxygen, causing its colour to change week by week from a vivid blood red into a brownish red.

Preparation: Fill a clean bottle two-thirds full with sloes that you have either lightly pressed or pricked with a needle and pour in some good-quality gin. Leave in a cool place for 2-3 weeks, and from the second week check and test the gin. When the desired colour and intensity have been achieved, the gin can be filtered through a fine sieve and decanted into a new, impeccably clean, dark bottle. The aroma will be acidic and fruity.

Recipe by Klaus St Rainer from Ginspiration, published by DK and priced £9.99

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FEATURES

Travel

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

Postcard from the high seas: Royal correspondents spend their working lives globetrotting – so where on Earth would they holiday?

Well-known BBC journalist Jennie Bond has travelled on assignments all over the world, but off-duty, her holiday of choice is a Caribbean cruise. She reports back on why…

BEAUTIFUL BEACHES The island of St John

THE HIGH LIFE Jennie gets in the swing of things aboard the Azamara Quest

I

’VE travelled the world and seen some exotic sights during my years as the BBC’s Royal Correspondent, but there’s one corner of this planet that draws me back time and again: The Caribbean.

There are so many islands to visit, each with a unique character, but all seem to exude the same laid-back joie de vivre that always brings a smile to my face.

I think that’s why Prince Harry accepts with relish the opportunity to represent The Queen on Caribbean tours. He thrives on the informality and sense of fun that pervade these sunny isles.

I missed Harry by a whisker when I arrived on the island of Nevis the day after he’d left. He’d been helping release hatchling turtles on Lovers’ Beach in the north of the tiny island.

I hope he enjoyed his short stay there as much as my husband and I did. We found a great beach bar with traditional Caribbean food, serving mahi mahi fish with rice and peas, washed down with a cold beer. Follow that with a dip in the warm blue sea and you want for nothing more.

Nevis was one of five islands we visited during a fabulous cruise on board the rather exclusive Azamara Quest, one of two identical luxury liners operated by a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean.

We live in a beautiful part of the UK, on the tip of south Devon, and we’re loathe to leave our seaside valley in summer. But, come the winter fog and biting wind, and the thought of Caribbean sunshine gets just too tempting.

So when a jaunt on Azamara Quest was

suggested last winter, I cleared my diary and leapt at the chance.

The cruise line made all the arrangements for us and we embarked in Miami.

The voyage began with two sea days as we steamed south towards the American Virgin Island of St John.

Sea days are a great way to unwind and, with only 600 or so guests on board Azamara’s relatively small ships, there’s a chance to get to know your fellow travellers.

A lot of socialising goes on around the pool and Jacuzzis.

Waiters are constantly patrolling, offering refreshments and drinks (excellent wines are all included), as well as ice-cold flannels, sun cream, and really anything else you could possibly want.

Our suite was spacious and comfortable with a lovely balcony, on which

our butler served us breakfast every day.

Life on board really is a long way from the drudgery of home!

One of the main attractions about cruising, as far as I’m concerned, is the fun of opening the curtains in the morning and discovering that you’re somewhere new.

All you’ve had to do is enjoy yourself on board, be wined and dined in style, get a good night’s sleep and hey presto – here’s another island to explore. It’s so delightfully easy!

During our cruise we took some of the tours offered by the ship – there’s always a wide choice at a range of prices. But in St John we decided to do our own thing, and ended up in an open-sided taxi with a charismatic driver who took us all around the island and its fantastic beaches.

In St Maarten, we PRECIOUS MEETING had a most unusual Jennie and Ruby Bute encounter, which we

could never have organised without Azamara.

We were taken across the island to meet one of its most iconic figures, a poet, artist and storyteller called Ruby Bute.

Larger than life, and dressed in bright yellow, Ruby welcomed us to her beautiful home and studio, set amongst the hills of the French part of St Maarten. There she told us a little about her life, a lot about her art, and also invited us to sample her home-made guavaberry rum.

‘We were taken across the island to meet one of its most iconic figures, a poet, artist and storyteller called Ruby Bute’ It was a taste I shall probably never acquire, but it was nonetheless a fascinating outing.

That evening, Azamara staged one of their special events. On every cruise they offer all their guests one bespoke occasion.

When we were in Turkey, they took us on an exclusive evening tour of Ephesus and treated us to a private classical concert in the small

Travel

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

PRETTY PORT Basseterre – the gateway to St Kitts and Nevis

amphitheatre. It was magical.

This time, we were drummed ashore by a 20-strong Caribbean band in fantastically colourful costumes. And then we enjoyed an open-air concert by an electric string quartet, followed by fireworks over the ocean.

I’ve yet to find anything I don’t like about cruising around the Caribbean.

Our last two ports of call, the super posh St Bart’s and the British Virgin Island of

‘More delicious food, and too much fine wine’ Gorda, each had something different to offer. In Gorda, it was rain and clouds,

but we still had an interesting whizz around the island in an old bus.

Back on board Azamara Quest, we settled down for the two days at sea to Miami. More delicious food, too much fine wine and a reality check when our daughter phones to say it’s just hit minus six back home.

Time to plan the next cruise!

SUN, SEA AND… An impossible choice of sunbeds for Jennie!

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FEATURES

Advertising Feature

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

A horticultural Neverland

MOON GARDEN The perfect spot to unwind

The garden can be a place of true magic, something that Sarah and Dave Goodall from Mary Mary Creates Gardens have found in their own garden. Sarah invites Hannah Patterson to venture into their garden in Tonbridge – a space that would surprise even the most creative gardeners…

This garden is incredible. There is so much going on, where did you even begin?

The garden was a wreck when we first moved here.

When we visited the house before purchasing, the estate agent told us it was a 100ft long, yet you could barely see past the back doors as it was so overgrown - turns out it was 250ft long.

With regard to the layout, features such as the pond and the mature fruit trees were kept, but it was a massive job to clear and put our own personal stamp on it.

It is so rewarding having something we created ourselves that we can take great pride in, and share with our local community.

In what way does your garden contribute to the community?

Our garden is open every year in support of Hospice in the Weald. It’s a large garden party, and each year we have raised around £2,000 by having the public join our friends and family here. As you can see, we have a bar and café here where guests can relax, and all the plants in the summer really do sing.

Plenty of cake and refreshments is served, and guests can relax and enjoy the atmosphere - some even bring their knitting. The whole Mary Mary team volunteer their time for the event, and we make an effort to host something a little different each year.

We sadly lost my mother-in-law recently, and

the hospice were so wonderful and, it felt right that we give something back. The renovation of the garden has also worked as a great training ground for our staff. It’s the perfect space for it.

Is it important that the garden reflects you?

Dave and I held our wedding in the garden. It was really special for us as our garden is truly a reflection of our family. We always aim, with any

DREAM TEAM Sarah and Dave, the creative minds behind Mary Mary Creates

garden we design, to make things personal for our clients, and take inspiration from their personalities and experiences.

For example, our shed cafe that we’ve named The Flying Pig is full of images from various places we visited, which have inspired many of the areas in the garden, such as our chicken chapel.

Tell us about the chicken chapel...

Our chicken chapel started life as a shed that was going to be thrown out. Dave transformed it into a fort for our kids but, when they outgrew it, he turned it into a chapel for the chickens, inspired by the Norweigan Chapel in Cardiff Bay. We always aim to upcycle. That is where a lot of our quirkier ideas come from. We’ve many idiosyncratic features like that here. One of the sheds, Moonshine, is named in honour of my uncle who had a yacht of the same name.

The shark head coming from the ground outside, the dock bridge and the pirate flag are all a tongue-in-cheek homage to him.

It’s a real man cave, filled with comfy chairs to relax in, and it was designed by our eldest son as his own little space to escape...possibly, us.

Although, as part of the team, he still has to spend every day with us.

I suppose one of our stranger additions is our shoe tree, which is hung with shoes that all tell a different story. We’ve got shoes that have crossed

the Sahara and been up the Himalayas, along with some shoes that just hold sentimental value. I guess you could say Dave and I are a little eccentric.

Was that the main reason you got into such a creative career?

We are both from a long line of gardeners, although I actually had a plant phobia when I was a child. It wasn’t until I had children that I realised it was time to really work at overcoming it, and I started learning more about the plants I was afraid of.

My mother taught me a lot, and I slowly fell in love with it all.

My first client, over ten years ago now, was a local lady who had been ripped off by some unqualified gardeners and asked for my help. It was word of mouth from that point on; my second ever client asking me to help them design something from scratch, was probably the first step to the creative gardens that we design today.

As both mine and Dave’s seperate businesses

Advertising Feature

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

Do your designs have any trademarks?

Every garden is different, and there is no formula for a Mary Mary garden. We do like to use screening to add dimensions to a garden; to screen off a children’s trampoline, or hide a romantic seating area. We like every garden, no matter how big or small, to be a journey with different vistas and aspects that can be enjoyed from every corner.

FUNDRAISER Sarah and Dave’s own hosted event

grew, we began to work together more. Eventually, four years ago, we decided it was time to officially team up and, along with my mother Jane’s business expetise to support us, Mary Mary Creates Gardens was born. With Dave’s invenvtive expertise, my passion for plants, and a skilled and imaginative team around us, it really is a holistic service with a unique spirit.

And do you try and bring this special flare to designing other people’s gardens?

A garden should be reflective of the owner, and their needs. For example, we have one lady who told us she loved walking her dog on the beach.

We found a way to design a garden that gave a real nod to relaxing by the sea. It is important to keep it personal, as well as manageable. We do a lot of gardens for families to create an environment that allows children to learn and grow. A space that works for all generations is very important.

What would be your advice for anyone reading this who is tired of their garden?

Come and talk to us. We will always work with quality products and to a high standard, but, equally, we know how to advise about materials and stick to a budget. That’s how created the Dame Kelly Holmes roundabout in Tonbridge. We used our resourcefulness to keep the buget as low as possible, and managed to transform the whole thing for the benefit of our community. It’s the same with your garden, we will work with you to Have you noticed any trends in what your customers want?

I find that often people know what they want, and they come to us looking for guidance. We cater to all budgets.

There was one client who was in the financial position to either extend their house or improve their garden. We created a new garden that had an outside eating area, undercover seating area, and an insulated summerhouse where they installed a projector and cinema screen. It was the best of both worlds. They had a brand new garden, and an extra room that they could use as a play room, laundry or chill out area.

What are the most common mistakes clients make with their garden?

Seating. People often have a garden with no seating, and it astonishes me. If you don’t have somewhere to sit, how is it possible to relax in your garden and fully enjoy it?

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create a space that suits your needs and reflects your personality. It’s not always the big expensive installments that make the difference, sometimes it’s the addition of some simple scented planting that really brings a garden to life.

What does the future hold for Mary Mary Creates?

Much of the same. We will continue to work on improving and renovating people’s gardens in a way that feels personal to them. With our garden, we will be experimenting and trying out new ideas to better help the people we work with. It’s life affirming to have your own special place outside.

MARY MARY CREATES T: 01732 362982 M: 07595 096787 www.marymarycreatesgardens.co.uk

SECRET GARDEN A complete renovation by Mary Mary Creates

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FEATURES

Motoring

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

FIRST DRIVE:

VOLVO XC40 Volvo’s new XC40 is upon us, but can it stand out in a crowded SUV market? Tom Wiltshire heads to Barcelona to find out…

WHAT IS IT? The XC40 is Volvo’s new compact SUV – and note the company calls it an SUV, not a crossover. With high ground clearance, four-wheel drive available across the range, and ‘the proportions of an SUV’, this is less of a jacked-up hatchback and more of a scaled-down XC60.

The new baby of the Volvo range is also the brand’s first entrant into this massively popular market sector, and with its fashion-led design, aims straight at the heart of the territory the Range Rover Evoque has occupied so well.

It’s not just the Evoque that the XC40 has to compete against, though – the new Jaguar E-Pace is a strong contender, as are established models like the Audi Q2, BMW X1 and Lexus NX.

WHAT’S NEW? The XC40 sits upon a new platform that will go on to underpin several future models of the Swedish firm’s range. Called CMA [Compact Modular Architecture], it will allow Volvo to offer the XC40 with not just traditional petrol and diesel engines, but hybrid and even pure electric powertrains. At launch, though, there are only combustion engines on offer.

Occupying a market sector the firm hasn’t entered before, the XC40 is by definition all-new, though items have been borrowed from across Volvo’s range of 60 and 90 series cars.

The manufacturer is also using the XC40 to launch a new way of owning your car. Named Care by Volvo, it’s more akin to a phone contract than a standard PCP or contract hire – owners pay Volvo a monthly fee which covers ownership of the vehicle and almost every other

expense – tax, maintenance and insurance. It also allows users to ‘borrow’ a larger car for up to 14 days a year – handy if your holiday baggage overflows the boot of your XC40.

Currently only available within the M25, care by Volvo will roll out across the country if demand is strong enough.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? We had the opportunity to sample both T5 petrol and D4 diesel models, both mated to eight-speed automatic gearboxes.

The 2.0-litre petrol, though smooth and powerful, is noisy when pressed, and with high fuel consumption it’s unlikely to be a big seller.

Instead, Volvo expects the bulk of sales to come from diesel models. The diesel engine is grumbly at low speeds, but soon quiets down at a cruise, and with 187bhp on tap it has more than enough shove for cut-throat city driving or long motorway journeys.

Initially, these will be the only two engines available, though later in 2018 Volvo will launch lower-powered engines – in the form of a 148bhp D3 diesel, and 154bhp and 187bhp T3 and T3 petrols. All but T3 and D3 engines are offered with standard all-wheel drive and eight-speed autos. Lower-powered engines get front-wheel drive and six-speed manual gearboxes.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? Volvo isn’t known for being the last word in driver involvement, and the same is true of the XC40. Instead, the driving dynamics have been tuned to match the relaxed nature of the Volvo’s interior.

Ride comfort is excellent, even on the optional 19-inch wheels of our test car.

‘There’s even a curry hook to keep your Tikka Masala from slopping around on the floor!’

However, those large alloys do spoil the ride around town, crashing over potholes or speed bumps. Whether they’re worth the upgrade will depend on how you value looks.

Handling is a mixed bag, with the XC40 remaining composed in corners.

Despite the cushioned ride, body roll is well controlled, especially with the tighter sports chassis of R-Design trim cars. But even in this guise the XC40 is no sports car.

Curiously long pedal travel and a complete lack of feedback from the steering stymie any real involvement, and even adjustable driving modes add very little to the experience.

FACTS AT A GLANCE: MODEL: Volvo XC40 D4 ENGINE: 2.0-litre turbodiesel POWER: 188bhp TORQUE: 400Nm MAX SPEED: 130mph 0-60MPH: 7.7 seconds

HOW DOES IT LOOK?

MPG: 56.5 (combined)

No compact SUV could reasonably be called a design triumph, but the XC40 is arguably one of the best of the bunch.

Neat proportions give it a pleasingly rugged stance, and it’s chock-full of neat detailing inside and out – like the tiny Swedish flag adornment on the corner of the bonnet.

Volvo’s bold corporate grille dominates the front, flanked by eye-catching ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED daytime running lights. Standard LED headlights ensure that even base-spec Momentum cars look premium.

In keeping with the fashion-conscious buyers Volvo is hoping to attract, the XC40 is available in a wide array of paint colours, including dual-tone combinations.

Stylish alloy wheel designs stand out from the crowd, too – but if you’d prefer to blend in, it’s possible to spec a solid colour and standard wheels. The car looks good either way.

EMISSIONS: 131g/km PRICE AS TESTED: £35,705

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE? Step into an XC40 from a Range Rover Evoque and you’ll be floored. The Volvo’s interior is a genuinely lovely place to be, with great-quality materials and superbly comfortable seats, even on base-spec cars.

The centre console is arranged around a nineinch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system. It’s slick and works well, though the huge number of settings on offer can be baffling at first.

The company’s main goal for the XC40’s interior was to carve out storage spaces wherever possible – and it’s achieved it.

Moving the starter button and drive mode selector from the centre console has allowed space for a deeper central cubby, and even a removable waste bin, while relocating the door speakers to the dashboard has made way for truly massive door pockets.

There’s even a superbly engineered ‘curry hook’, which folds down from the glovebox to keep your Tikka Masala safely hung up rather than slopping around on the floor!

The clever touches continue in the boot, with a multifunctional false floor that can hide the parcel shelf, hang up bags and keep shopping from rolling around, all at the same time.

The boot itself is decently large at 460 litres, while six-footer passengers will be able to sit comfortably in the rear.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE? DRIVING INTO NEW TERRITORY The XC40 is Volvo’s first foray into the busy SUV market

Equipment levels are impressive. All cars come with LED headlights, navigation and a 12.3-inch digital dial display.

Three trim levels will be on offer in the UK – base-spec Momentum, sporty R-Design and the flagship Inscription.

Each also gains a ‘Pro’ variant, aimed at fleet buyers who may want choice equipment without delving into the options list.

R-Design adds leather and Nubuck upholstery, a sports chassis and racy alloy wheels, while Inscription switches aluminium dashboard inserts for wood, adds chrome around the window trim and adds a crystal to the gearknob.

However, we think it’s stingy to only offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as part of a £300 option pack.

Safety kit is also generous, with autonomous braking capable of detecting vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and even large animals.

And if you spec the optional Intellisafe Assist pack, you’ll benefit from adaptive cruise control with Volvo’s brilliant Pilot Assist semiautonomous driving system, which takes the sting out of motorway stints.

VERDICT The XC40 is a breath of fresh air in a market sector that’s quickly becoming bloated.

The neat exterior and wonderful interior are sure to earn it admiring glances, and it’s every bit as impressive on the road as its main rivals.

Generous standard equipment and a predicted class-leading residual value is great, too.

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

Motoring

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Books

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

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57

TIMES REVIEWS

Book some time off…

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

Here are a few varied suggestions for your reading…

The People vs. Alex Cross

by James Patterson

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Winter by Ali Smith

8/10

Hardback by Hamish Hamilton, priced £16.99 (ebook £9.99). Available now There’s a translucency to Winter, despite it being bound up in a structure and form that is fluid and changeable. It cajoles you almost effortlessly into the different brain spaces of Ali Smith’s complicated cast. Part two in her seasons series, following the recent Autumn, it sees the disparate limbs of a family (and a stranger) collide over Christmas. Sophia, who is seeing things; her sister Iris, who she long ago stopped talking to; Sophia’s Twitter-troubled son, Art, and his kind of/kind of not girlfriend Charlotte (also possibly called Lux). It’s a typical Christmas – tears, fights, secrets, food, reminiscing – but it is handled quite wondrously. The swirling of political events, past and very much present, ebb and flow in the background, sucking some paragraphs dry of joy and turning them into fragile, trembling dialogues searching for hope in the future. But that makes it sound stark. In fact, despite themes of grief, abandonment, confusion and disillusion, it’s funny.

Charlotte/Lux’s sweet, thoughtful interactions with her would-be mother-in-law are some of the most beautiful moments in the book, as are the quivering sections in which we flit between Sophia’s memories and her reality. It’s not a gripping read – you won’t race through it – but it is gentle without being placid, and really quite stirring.

(Review by Ella Walker)

6/10

Daemon Voices: Essays on Storytelling by Philip Pullman Hardback by David Fickling Books, priced £20 (ebook £12.92). Available now A hefty collection of more than 30 essays and speeches spanning two decades, Daemon Voices is a weighty tome in every sense of the word. It’s a curious choice of release, timed to coincide with the celebrated unveiling of The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage, the first three tomes flanking Pullman’s Dark Materials. Running to almost 500 pages, there are plenty of ‘behind the scenes’ anecdotes to amuse and inform fans of Lyra Belacqua and co, as well as some good advice for budding novelists. But the one lesson the book really gives is the need for a good editor. The speeches are presented as spoken and followed with footnotes updating/clarifying Pullman’s views, when they could have been revised properly for the updated written format. For a writer with such a fine grasp of pace, drama and capturing the essence of life, Daemon Voices feels like a bit of a rushed affair, put together in a hurry to capture the moment.

(Review by David Wilcox)

Hardback by Century, priced £20 (ebook £7.99).

Available now James Patterson returns to his incredibly popular Alex Cross series with this latest instalment.

Charismatic FBI Detective and psychotherapist Cross now faces the case of his life – only this time he is the one being accused. Suddenly finding himself on the wrong side of the law, Cross is being used as an ‘example’ in both the courtroom and the media as a trigger-happy cop who deserves to be punished. But of course, Cross doesn’t plan on going down without a mighty fight, and neither does his supportive multi-generational family, who are all determined to help preserve his freedom. Running parallel to the courtroom drama is a mysterious case involving kidnapped blonde teenage girls and the dark web. Despite Cross being suspended from his department, his former partner, John Sampson, persuades him to help solve the case – before it’s too late for these missing adolescents.

While this is certainly a page-turner, the predictability of the plot is a tad disappointing.

Once again, Cross is investigating violent and sexualised crimes made against beautiful women, which, while engrossing, is undeniably familiar.

And without giving too much away, Cross’s nine-year-old son provides a pivotal courtroom revelation that unfortunately does little to boost the believability. Fast-paced and action-packed, this should please the most devoted Alex Cross

fans, but as a casual crime novel reader, it was hard not to finish this one without feeling slightly cheated on both the predictability and farfetchedness of it all.

(Review by Laura Hannam)

6/10

CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE WEEK

The Magic Misfits

by Neil Patrick Harris Hardback by Egmont, priced £12.99 (ebook £3.20) Yep, this is by ‘Barney’! For non-fans of the American TV series How I Met Your Mother, this is actor and comedian Neil Patrick Harris’s debut fiction for kids, and you can certainly hear him in the prose. The Magic Misfits follows Carter, whose vanished parents have been replaced by his intimidating, self-serving Uncle Sly, around whom Carter tiptoes – a lot. Uncle Sly has involved Carter in his pickpocketing racket, swindling people out of money by distracting them with magic tricks. Sick of bamboozling people for profit, however excellent his illusions, Carter finally finds the courage to scarper, and luckily falls into the welcoming clutches of a cohort of fellow magicians. It’s got pace and wit as you’d expect from Neil (check out the amusing mathematical table of contents for a start), but at times it lacks pizazz, falling into routine ruminations on friendship and finding your people. But it has got spark, and budding magicians will certainly pick up a few tips.

(Review by Ella Walker)

6/10

4. Blue Planet II by James Honeyborne and Mark Brownlow

9. The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage

by Philip Pullman

3. The Polar Bear Explorers’ Club

by Alex Bell

7. Zog and the Flying Doctors by Julia Donaldson

HARDBACKS

5. 5 Ingredients by Jamie Oliver

4. Bletchley Park Brainteasers

by Sinclair McKay

8. The Best of Matt 2017 by Matt Pritchett

1. Bad Dad by David Walliams

6. Origin by Dan Brown

10. Guinness World Records 2018 by Guinness World Records

7. The Secret Life Of Cows by Rosamund Young

PAPERBACKS

5. Tower of Dawn

by Sarah J. Maas

9. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

2. Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: The Getaway

by Jeff Kinney 3. The Midnight Line by Lee Child

8. Ask An Astronaut: My Guide To Life In Space by Tim Peake

BESTSELLER LISTS

1. The Crow Girl by Erik Axl Sund 2. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

6. Magpie Murders

by Anthony Horowitz

10. Autumn by Ali Smith (Compiled by Waterstones)

Beauty

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

FEATURES

59

The top beauty crackers to wow your friends with this Christmas From the affordable to the extravagant, this year’s beauty crackers are better than ever

CRAZY COLOURFUL CRACKER, £34 EACH, JO MALONE This Jo Malone cracker comes with three luxury mini treats - Blackberry & Bay Cologne, Basil & Neroli Body & Hand Wash and English Pear & Freesia Body Creme.

DISTINGUISHED TREATS CRACKER, £20 EACH, MOLTON BROWN Molton Brown’s cracker is described as ‘for him’, but we think it’s suitable for ladies as the shower gels inside are in gorgeous unisex scents, like Tobacco Absolute and Black Peppercorn.

JOYFUL TREATS CRACKER, £20 EACH, ESPA Espa’s Joyful Treats Cracker is one for the minimalists - and includes Nourishing Hand Cream and Lip Treatment.

MAKE UP FOREVER SMOKY LASH CRACKER, £11.70 This lip-printed cracker contains a full-size Smoky Lash Mascara, plus a cute, red patent purse.

JOULES CRACKERS, £10 FOR FOUR, BOOTS Inside these pretty printed crackers from Joules, you’ll find a bath fizzer, hand cream, lip balm or pair of soaps.

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FEATURES

Winter Wedding

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

’Tis the season WHAT COULD BE MORE ENCHANTING THAN A WINTER WEDDING? Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year for a reason, and by tying the knot surrounded by twinkling lights and festive decorations, you’ll be

making it all the more wonderful. We explore some of the reasons why tying the knot in winter is a must, and for guests we’ve got a whole host of festive fashions ready to bring a touch of sparkle to your wedding outfit.

FIVE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD SAY ‘I DO’ TO A WINTER WEDDING

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THE WEATHER Imagine how disappointed you’d be if you booked your wedding for the height of summer, planned a garden ceremony and then the heavens opened. The bonus of having a winter wedding is you’re prepared for any eventuality. If you gear yourself up for a cold and rainy day, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by anything better, and many autumn and winter days can actually be mild and sunny. Remember that sunshine isn’t guaranteed at any time of year, and even summer weddings can fall foul of a shower or two!

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THE COST Peak wedding season runs from May through September, and at this time venues can be much more costly, often charging several thousands more to hire their facilities.

As a result, many couples choose to get married on a weekday to cut costs. However, outside of these months, you’ll probably find you can save a significant amount on your chosen location, and there’s a good chance you’ll be able to get married on a weekend too. You’ll also be able to get some great deals on honeymoons for this season.

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THE AVAILABILITY The other problem peak wedding season throws up is availability.

Because most people choose to get married in the summer, everything gets booked up quickly, often years in advance. The beauty of going for a winter wedding is you have more flexibility – it’s less likely your dream venue, wedding band or florist will already be booked up, so you’ll have a better chance of creating the exact day you want and handpicking the suppliers you want to work with.

4

THE DECORATIONS Adorning your home with Christmas decorations is arguably one

of the best things about the season, but the bonus of having a winter wedding is you get to do it all twice. From twinkly lights to festive fir cones, you can create a winter wonderland for your wedding, and either use your own decorations in your wedding, or use what you’ve bought and made for the wedding in your home afterwards. Plus, you’ll be able to have your first kiss under the mistletoe. How romantic!

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THE ACCESSORIES A summer wedding can often be hot and humid, meaning that even the weight of a wedding dress can be problematic, while suit jackets and ties are discarded as soon as the official pictures are done. With a winter wedding, you can really enjoy dressing up – fur stoles, wool suits and sparkly shoes will all work perfectly – more is definitely more.

Winter Wedding

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

FEATURES

ANNIE HAAK Luminous bracelet stack, £450 www.anniehaakdesigns.co.uk

DUNE LONDON BIRTHDAY COURTS, £250 WWW.DUNELONDON.COM

BEST DRESSED GUEST Show up to a winter wedding in style with these pretty picks TOPSHOP Faux fur coat, £95 www.topshop.com

PRETTY ECCENTRIC Nigella lace dress, £195 www.prettyeccentric.co.uk

LULU GUINNESS Herat bag, £175 www.houseoffraser.co.uk

NO.1 JENNY PACKHAM Pale purple sequinned midi dress, £299 www.debenhams.com

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Puzzles

Wednesday December 6 | 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.

5 1

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Codeword:

3 1

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

6 9 5 1 7 4 2 3 8

7 4 8 3 9 2 5 6 1

5 7 2 8 1 6 3 4 9

8 6 1 9 3 5 7 2 4

4 3 7 2 6 8 1 9 5

2 1 6 4 5 3 9 8 7

9 5 4 6 2 1 8 7 3

3 8 9 5 4 7 6 1 2

1 2 3 7 8 9 4 5 6

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

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

Puzzle solutions will be published in a forthcoming issue

R A B B I E M E D A A C R EW O U N I P P S H O V E R N M A R I E N S T I M E

I D I E L E D I S N S K L E T I T F E A S L E Q U X

J GO U T S T Y E N T A E D A I P T

A P U Z B L H I C T I T B Y

A N A E K E R D N C E S S S I U N T Y E O I T A N

Sudoku:

7 9 8 3 4 6 1 2 5

2 4 6 1 5 8 9 7 3

1 5 3 9 7 2 4 6 8

6 7 1 2 3 4 5 8 9

3 8 9 5 6 1 2 4 7

5 2 4 7 8 9 3 1 6

4 3 5 6 1 7 8 9 2

8 3 4 7 6 2 1 9 5

5 8 9 3 2 7 4 6 1

9 1 7 8 2 3 6 5 4

8 6 2 4 9 5 7 3 1

Jigsaw Sudoku:

9 4 1 2 7 3 8 5 6

3 5 8 6 4 9 7 1 2

1 6 2 9 8 5 3 4 7

6 7 3 5 1 8 9 2 4

2 9 7 1 5 4 6 8 3

7 2 6 4 9 1 5 3 8

4 1 5 8 3 6 2 7 9

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

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DIFFICULTY RATING: ★★★I

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© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

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CLASSIFIEDS

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

DIFFICULTY RATING: ★III

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© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

CODEWORD

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NEWS

Recruitment

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

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

64

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

Recruitment

NEWS

Fill your vacancy now in print or online For more information contact our commercial team on 01892 779 650

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FEATURES

Arts & Culture

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

‘A theatre gives a heart to a place and it will act as a catalyst’

Above are the words of Robert Davis, MBE, Deputy Leader of Westminster City Council with responsibility for Business, Culture & Heritage. With 36 years of service and regeneration successes, he knows a thing or two about planning. Eileen Leahy spoke to him at his London HQ to find out what thoughts he might have on Tunbridge Wells’ proposed £90m Civic Complex, which includes a new 1,200 seater theatre, and whose fate will be decided at tonight’s Full Council [December 6]

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INCE 1982, Robert Davis has served as a councillor on Westminster City Council and is now its longest serving member. He is also Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Heritage.

During the 36 years he has been a councillor, Cllr Davis has had success regenerating large parts of the capital, including Victoria and the West End – giving neglected, failing or redundant areas a new lease of life through developments boasting a vibrant mix of retail, restaurants and cultural offerings.

All very similar to the thinking behind the proposed Civic Complex and new, 1,200-seat theatre here in Tunbridge Wells.

In 2015, Cllr Davis received an MBE for his services to local government and planning, a role he held for 17 years until he took up his new Cabinet position, where his responsibilities include public art, Business Improvement Districts [BIDs] and public realm schemes.

He is also in charge of numerous special events, such as the popular West End Live, where free performances of HEAD OF ‘PLACE SHAPING’ some of London’s best Cllr Davis musicals are staged

in public over one weekend.

And he sits as chair on various London theatre boards.

So with these credentials, and his vast experience working in council planning and development, plus a personal passion for theatre and the arts, the Times thought this particular councillor would be the ideal external expert to talk to about the pros and cons of the highly controversial Tunbridge Wells project getting the go-ahead.

This is what he told us…

Can you tell us a bit about your role on Westminster City Council?

Well, I am quite experienced at making change happen, and as well as being Deputy Leader, I am also now Head of Place Shaping – a department that takes a holistic view of planning. In other words, looking at the whole picture and seeing how you can create both growth and development in an area.

For example, we look at what factors are involved that will help to grow businesses, and how we can make life better by building more housing or retail.

Why do you feel you can contribute to the debate on Tunbridge Wells’ proposed new Civic Complex?

We have a similar project happening in Victoria. When I started as a councillor, that area was like a desert. There was nothing there apart from an Army & Navy Store.

You had to travel to get to anything, even though the area has one of the busiest travel intersections thanks

Arts & Culture

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

to its underground, buses, coaches and rail routes. It also had a huge population with lots of housing, but no retail and no entertainment.

So what have you done to address this situation in Victoria?

What we’ve seen happening is a dedicated move to reshape the area, so you’ve had massive redevelopments taking place which have brought in high quality retail, an amazing number of bars, cafés, restaurants – from expensive to reasonable ones – and even a cinema and new theatre, The Other Palace [complementing the Victoria Palace].

As a result, the area is now buzzing and a real game-changer, but I remember six years ago when we started there were a number of residents who came out to try and stop it, and they’re now the first ones to admit that they absolutely love it and go to the shops, restaurants and theatre.

And that’s Place Shaping – it gives a real sense of community.

PRINCELY REWARD Cllr Davis receives his MBE from Prince Charles

What about those who have objections to this type of development possibly going ahead here in Tunbridge Wells?

With those opposing plans it is always about having communication, and some of their concerns will be valid. We spoke to opposition groups in Victoria and addressed our plans and sometimes we modified them. We also helped raise issues (on their behalf) that some of the developers hadn’t thought about. But we went ahead because we knew it was the right thing to do in order to improve the area and our thoughts have been justified. People live and work there, and it is now busy both night and day because people are using it and it’s easy to get to.

What would you say to those who are opposed to major changes affecting their town or city?

That it’s about investing and it’s necessary to support change as doing nothing is not a solution.

You have to take people with you, of course you do, and people don’t like change, they’re happy with what they know – although that might not be very good. Also, it’s fear of the unknown and that they don’t want to have to put up with the disruption of building works.

But you have to be patient, that’s one thing I have learnt in all my years in politics: If you are patient you will achieve what you want to. Yes, it is a pain when you have a building site next to you, but it is worth it in the long run.

Residents will often be opposed to plans, but you have to talk to them and explain that doing nothing is not an option. Towns and cities need to grow, to adapt and change.

What about the impact all this building work has on the environment?

If you’re going to try to reduce the carbon footprint, then helping people to not commute is a good start, as is providing activities and amenities locally which you can get to easily without having to go long distances.

And why would you bring more retailers to a town that has many empty units and is already struggling with online competition?

You have to give the public something extra and make shopping an experience. You need to provide restaurants and cafés and entertainment so people will actually want to get off their sofas.

That’s when we look at our traditional planning and think: ‘How we can make this more of an experience?’ You have to design things that will be attractive to people. You can’t do nothing, otherwise towns and cities just die: You have to adapt and change.

‘If Tunbridge Wells becomes a centre for arts and culture, then that’s a great USP’ What about the prospect of building a new theatre as part of the complex when we already have a recently refurbished one, the Assembly Hall, and one at Trinity, too?

A theatre gives a heart to a place, and if there’s more than one they should complement one another. Once you have a good one it will act as a catalyst and you will start getting quality establishments wanting to be part of the success story. You’ll see how quickly that will happen, and if you’ve got good programming, people will travel. You just need to walk down Shaftesbury Avenue to see how many theatres are there.

If Tunbridge Wells becomes a centre for arts and culture, then that’s a great USP. Maybe it needs more than two theatres, maybe there should be a new art gallery, too, because as soon as you turn somewhere into a cultural centre, then that attracts even more people.

To have all that choice on your doorstep is amazing, as there’s nothing worse than having a theatre but it only showing one play a month.

Once you’ve seen that, what do you do?

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What would you say to critics who don’t think the council have thought it all through?

With this type of development, it could mean there may be some more parking and traffic issues, but good councils will adapt their plans and make it work as you are all in it together.

There is only one way forward, so just walking away and allowing your town to die is not the answer.

You can see the successful parts of London where there have been councillors with vision, and then the failing parts where they haven’t had that vision or any support. It’s all about managing holistically, and by that I mean looking at the whole area, not just one street.

What Tunbridge Wells Borough Council needs to do, if they haven’t already, is create a Business Improvement District (a BID – where businesses agree to pay an extra levy on their rates to help pay for cultural attractions).

Then they can invest the fees paid by local businesses in the town in the management of the Civic Complex.

The budget for the Civic Complex has jumped from £72million to £90million. Will residents have more nasty surprises in store?

I can’t comment on that as I don’t know enough about it, but the reality is that the cost will probably jump again when you deliver the project – that’s life.

But it’s small fry compared to the long-term future and investment, and that’s what is key.

When I bought my flat I overstretched myself, it was more than I could afford, but I went for that extra bit and now, 20 years later, it’s an amazing investment. It was a wise decision, and the long-term returns are going to hugely outweigh the short-term extra costs.

If Tunbridge Wells Borough Council get this right in value terms, not only will it grow the area and its income, it will provide people with what they want – and create a really vibrant town.

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FEATURES

What’s On

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

SEVEN DAYS OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE

WHATS ON WITH THE

Eileen Leahy Local events

CHRISTMAS AT BEWL A magical winter event

>> WEDNESDAY The ice skating continues in Calverley Grounds every day until Christmas, with special 30-minute toddler sessions happening at 9.45am and 10.15am. Tickets cost £9.50 for an adult and toddler aged between two and three years old.

For further information, visit www.tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com If you haven’t already seen the delightful Paddington 2, which stars Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins and Hugh Grant, then you can catch it tonight and tomorrow at The Hop Farm’s Moonlight Drive-in Cinema. Screenings are at 6.30pm and tickets cost £25 per vehicle plus booking fee. See www.moonlightcinema.com >> THURSDAY Tonight sees another monthly late-night opening at the Artspring Gallery in Tonbridge, when the winner of their Christmas Prize Draw will be picked. The prize is a £50 voucher to spend in the gallery, so if you’ve entered make sure you pop along. It is open until 8pm, and there’ll be mulled wine to enjoy while you browse the artwork on offer.

Not feeling festive yet? Well the EM Forster Theatre’s Christmas Spectacular should get you into the seasonal swing of things. Tonight and tomorrow from 7.30pm, a host of performers, including Tonbridge School’s Big Bands and Percussion Ensemble, as well as a choir from Kent College, will take to the stage to perform Christmas classics. Tickets cost £5 per person and can be booked at www.boxoffice.tonbridge-school.co.uk Trinity Theatre’s Christmas Comedy Café kicks off this evening with stand-up sets from Marlon Davis and Paul Thorne. Tomorrow night they welcome Tom Ward and David Fulton, and then on Saturday

it’s the turn of Ian Smith, Charlie Baker and Laura Lexx to take to the stage. For more information on types of tickets available and timings, visit www.trinitytheatre.net >> FRIDAY Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery will host a fun Christmas event for children titled Jingle Bells this morning from 10.30am until 11.30am. The session is perfect for pre-schoolers aged between two and five years old.

Starting this weekend, it’s time for a magical Christmas Experience at Bewl Water. Every weekend from Thursday to Sunday up to December 24, visitors can meet Father Christmas in his glittering grotto, where every child will receive a special present. Tickets cost £8 per child and £3 per adult and it runs from 10am until 4pm.

See www.bewlwater.co.uk Panto fans rejoice as the Assembly Hall starts its 2017 offering this evening. This year’s production is Aladdin, and it stars former EastEnder Michael Greco and CBBC’s Mark Rhodes. Running until January 3, it will provide laughs and lots of fun for all the family – oh yes it will! Tickets start from £10. For more details, see www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Classical music fans will enjoy Kent Chorus’s annual Christmas Concert with Carols by Candlelight at St Alban’s Church, Frant, from 8pm. Featuring many much loved carols for both choir and audience, and up-and-coming young star mezzo-soprano Bryony Purdue, the evening will also include John Rutter’s lovely Brother Heinrich’s Christmas, a delightful fable set to music. Doors open at 7.30 pm and tickets cost £12 and £6 for children and the disabled. Buy them at Frant GET YOUR Stores, Brittens music SKATES ON shop in Tunbridge Wells or For the ice rink www.wegottickets.com

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

>> SATURDAY Music of a different kind is on offer at The Forum from 11am, courtesy of the Vinyl Revolution Christmas Pop Up Shop – for one day only.

Former BBC Breakfast host Sian Williams will be hosting Carols at Christmas, a new event to help mark the start of the festive season and benefit the Hospice in the Weald. The concert will be held in King Charles the Martyr Church in Tunbridge Wells, and guests of honour will include the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells and the Bishop of Rochester. Performers will include the Royal Tunbridge Wells Orpheus Male Voice Choir and a quartet comprised of members of the Tonbridge Philharmonic Orchestra. The music will be interspersed with readings and conversations between Sian Williams and people connected with the hospice. Starting at 6.30pm, tickets cost £15 per adult and £7.50 per child. To book, call 01892 820588 or visit www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk Over in Tonbridge, The Philomel Singers will host their annual Christmas Concert under their Director of Music, Tim Daniell. The concert takes place in the Tonbridge Methodist Church, Higham Lane, Tonbridge at 7.30pm. >> SUNDAY Penshurst Place is hosting a special Father Christmas in Narnia Christmas Grotto every weekend until Saturday December 23. Visitors will have the opportunity to pop in and visit Santa in his grotto, which is situated in the specially created enchanted forest of Narnia within this impressive stately home’s grounds. While you’re there, why not make a few creative festive treats or some Christmas cards in the craft tent?

Tickets are priced at £13 per child and include access for two accompanying adults. See www.penshurstplace.com The Sloe Gin World Championships 2017 take place today at The George Inn, Frant. Both artisan and commercial sloe gin makers will be competing for the Sloe Ginster World Champion title, so if this happens to be your tipple of choice make sure you go along. All proceeds will be donated to

JOIN THE VINYL REVOLUTION At The Forum the MS Society, which supports people with Multiple Sclerosis. (See also pages 48-49) From 2pm, you are invited to join in the carol singing at Grosvenor & Hilbert Park, which will take place outside if the weather is good, or in the Hub if not! Mulled wine and mince pies available.

Round off your weekend in a chilled out fashion by attending the Carols By Candlelight service at Lamberhurst’s St Mary’s Church from 7.30-9.45pm.

The choir of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge will head up a joyous celebration of Christmas songs as part of the Lamberhurst Music Festival.

PICK OF THE WEEK

The Nutcracker

7.15pm Monday December 18 Trinty Theatre and Odeon Cinema Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a performance of The Nutcracker – but you no longer have to travel to London to see it thanks to the fact it will be live-streamed into both Trinity Theatre and the Odeon. The Royal Ballet will bring the classic fairy-tale story of Clara and Drosselmeyer the magician beautifully to life thanks to their talented dancers, beautiful set and gorgeously emotive score by Tchaikovsky.

Tickets cost from £18 for adults. To book, visit www.trinitytheatre.net or www.odeon.co.uk

What’s On

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

FEATURES

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Music cover charge may apply

Paul Dunton Live music

WEDNESDAY Helena Deland, Wovoka Gentle SATURDAY Dead Letter, Run Leia Run, Twin Kimble The must-read guide to what’s on musically for the week ahead… www.paulduntonandguests.com

THE ROYAL OAK

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

SATURDAY Peter & Del of The Harveys THE GEORGE

Luke Jackson

THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE

The Pantiles, doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7 Websites www.pdag.co.uk + www.thegreylady.co.uk

>> MONDAY The current Hayward Touring exhibition of screen prints by Eduardo Paolozzi is still exhibiting at the Tunbridge Wells Museum and Library. Sir Eduardo Paolozzi (1924-2005) was one of the pioneers of the pop art movement in the UK. So next time you’re in town, do drop in and see his groundbreaking work. For more information, visit www.tunbridgewellsmuseum.org >> TUESDAY Over in Tonbridge, The Oast Theatre’s annual joint production, which sees its adult and young actor members perform together, is now up and running. This year they are putting on Wendy and Peter Pan by Ella Hickson based on the novel by JM Barrie, which sees principal characters Wendy and Peter Pan flying to Neverland… Once there, Wendy will give the Lost Boys a run for their money, and defeat Captain Hook and his pirate crew. This perfectly Christmassy show is on until December 17, and tickets cost £10 per person and £7.50 for Oast members. Visit www.oasttheatre.com

MONDAY TWUNTS: Ukulele Night

WEDNESDAY Ryan Weeks, Leon Benson, Kirsty Macleod, Matt Falloon THURSDAY Aiden Lewis, William Thomas, Sean Manuel, Luke Jackson FRIDAY Soul Avenue SATURDAY Closed for a private party TUESDAY Miar Murphy, The Varlies, Harley & Woods

THE PUNCH & JUDY

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

TUESDAY Sam Dunstall Kirsty Macleod

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM

Event information at www.twforum.co.uk

THURSDAY The Wholls, Wake Up Leo, Bang Bang Romeo FRIDAY The Burlesque Fever Show SATURDAY The Jam’d

ST ALBAN’S CHURCH

THE FORUM WINTER SESSIONS

High Street, Frant. Tickets £12 on the door (cchildren and disabled £6) in advance from Frant Stores and Brittens music shop, Tunbridge Wells or www.wegottickets.com

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

FRIDAY Kent Chorus annual Christmas Concert with Carols by Candlelight

THURSDAY Faded Shades, I Am Aquitaine, Isabella Coulstock SUNDAY Joanne Louise Parker, Steve Hewitt

Mount Ephraim Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm till late

THE BEAU NASH TAVERN

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

THE BEDFORD

SATURDAY Kharma & The Devil

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

THE SUSSEX ARMS BASEMENT

THURSDAY Tom Palmer and The Wood SATURDAY Dave La

Sussex Mews (by The Pantiles) Ppen all day, music from 8.30pm till late

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NEWS

Sporting Times

CONTACT US:

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

Ladies relish chance at Longmead

Tonbridge Angels Ladies 18 Barming 0

PHOTO: David Couldridge

FOOTBALL:

MEGA STRIKE Megan Akehurst fires in one of her four goals

TONBRIDGE ANGELS Ladies made their league debut at Longmead stadium on Sunday (December 3) as part of the Football Association’s Rainbow Laces campaign.

They celebrated the occasion in style by thrashing bottom-of-the-table Barming 18-0 in the South East Counties Kent Division One. The Inclusivity in Football scheme, run in conjunction with the equality charity Stonewall, creates awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues in football.

All the players sported rainbow laces in their boots to mark the occasion and some of the team wore them in their hair too.

Barming, without a point all season, were only able to field nine players and Angels, under league rules, had to do the same

Late slip condemns Angels to defeat Tonbridge Angels 0 Merstham 1 FOOTBALL:

TONBRIDGE ANGELS conceded in the 89th minute to slip to a home defeat and slide down to 11th place in the Bostik Premier League.

Former Angel Andre McCollin forced the Tonbridge keeper Jonny Henly to make a smart save with his legs in the sixth minute.

For Tonbridge there were half-chances for Dan

Thompson and Ryan Worrall but Christopher Haigh in the Merstham goal looked comfortable.

In the second half there were two big chances for Thompson, while at the other end Alex Addai and substitute Antone Douglas gave the Angels’ defence a few worrying moments.

The game appeared to be drifting to a goalless draw but in the penultimate minute a slip by Angels full-back Tom Jelley let in Addai who

Gallie’s wonder-strike boosts Rustics’ hopes Rochester United 1 Rusthall 2 FOOTBALL: THE Rustics ended a worrying run of four straight defeats with a victory that featured a brilliant individual goal from Calum Gallie.

Rusthall have been slipping down the Southern Counties East Premier Division and needed a win against a Rochester United side that look set to finish in the bottom two.

The visitors, who were boosted by a fullstrength squad, should have been awarded a penalty on 36 minutes as Steve Smith was bundled in the area but referee Rob Columb awarded a free kick just outside the area and Jon Sebbar launched it over the bar.

The contest was goalless at half-time but Rusthall took a deserved lead three minutes into the second half with a stunning goal.

Calum Gallie won the ball on the edge of his own penalty area and went on a run past halfway, beating three players before unleashing a left-foot shot from the corner of the area that went in off the far post with the

keeper not even having time to move.

Two minutes later the lively Smith nearly made it 2-0 but his header from a Steph Harper cross was well saved by the home keeper.

Rusthall looked as if they would go on to win the game comfortably but were rocked on 66 minutes when Rochester grabbed an equaliser through Moses Ashikodi.

Character But this side has character and regained the lead just three minutes later when a smart interchange set Ryan Waterman going down the right and his cross was met by Smith who made no mistake from eight yards out.

Rusthall continued to dominate but were unable to kill off the game with a third goal and were nearly made to pay on 85 minutes when the home side hit the bar with a header.

The Rustics now have a 12-point cushion between them and the bottom two.

They have a tough game at home to Sheppey United on Saturday (December 9, kick-off 3pm).

smartly placed the ball past Henly.

Angels manager Steve McKimm said: “We put a team out there with a game plan to nullify our visitors’ threat and to a degree it worked. Apart from the goal itself they had just two other shots on target. One decisive error has cost us and it’s frustrating but Tom Jelley had a very good game.”

On Saturday (December 9) the Angels travel to Worthing (kick-off 3pm).

GO SOLO Calum Gallie ran from one box to the other to score

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

while operating rolling substitutes - which they did to devastating effect on the wide open spaces of Longmead.

Megan Akehurst scored the first of her four goals after six minutes. Lauryn Underhill netted five goals, while Becky Janes recorded a hat-trick.

There were two goals for Beth Kemp, while Courtney Smith, Maisie Gibbs, Becky Jarvis and Nancy Syrett also scored.

The home side remain in second place in the league going into the winter break but the scoreline provided a huge lift to their goal difference which could prove crucial in the battle for the title.

Manager Dan Couldridge said: “Since the Charlton Cup game [when the Ladies were beaten 22-0] in which we learnt a lot, we’ve only dropped two points and certainly we believe we are good enough for BRAIDS MAIDS promotion and would be The players wear able to compete at a rainbow laces higher level.” in their hair

Tonbridge’s Chairman Churcher stands down STEVE CHURCHER has decided to step down as Chairman of Tonbridge Angels with effect from this month’s Annual General Meeting and will not seek re-election to the Board.

Steve, 59, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will be undergoing a programme of radiotherapy next year.

As Chairman of the supporters association he was invited to become club President in 2007, and after the resignation of Nick Sullivan in 2009 Steve was elected Chairman by the board.

Club spokesman James Rowe said: “For our fantastic club the news represents something of a challenge. That adjective ‘fantastic’ is appropriate because of the enormous hard work and vision that Steve has contributed over the last nine years.

“He recalls first being taken to the old Angel Ground when he was around 10 years old.

“Despite playing local football himself he continued to come to games when he could, racking up around a half century of cheering on the lads in blue from the terraces.”

He added: “First and foremost he was and still will be a true supporter with a terrific sense of humour. He may sit in the directors’ box but that enthusiasm continues to shine through as instanced when we scored that very very late winner against Needham Market two weeks ago.”

During his tenure Steve has taken the club into community ownership in 2014, allowing supporters a direct say in how their club is run.

ENTHUSIASM Steve Churcher is a ‘true supporter’

Sporting Times

Wednesday December 6 | 2017

In-form Wells cruise to convincing victory

By Roger Clarke

TOUCH AND GO Mike Doherty dived into the corner to score

PHOTO: Bruce Elliott

Tunbridge Wells 24 Westcliff 7

RUGBY: TUNBRIDGE WELLS chalked up another impressive win, over the team in fifth place in London & South-East Premier Division, following their victory over Sidcup the previous weekend.

The Essex side had also recorded a significant success against Barnes in the previous match, but the home team dominated the first quarter.

Shaydn Osgood and Mike Doherty interpassed on the left and Doherty did well to land the ball as he dived into the left corner on 14 minutes, Frank Reynolds converting.

With 21 minutes gone Matt Spicer and Reynolds exchanged passes at speed before setting wing Blaise Salle free to score a try which was again converted by Reynolds and the home side went in at the interval 14-0 ahead.

Influential fly-half Reynolds suffered a recurrence of a shoulder injury so Ryan Taylor-Dennehy moved to 10 and Academy product Richard Webster took on the full-back duties.

All three of the back row contributed to a move instigated by No 8 Nick Doherty that saw Hayden Pengelly score the third try on 46 minutes.

Wells secured their try bonus as a delightful blindside pass from captain Chas Spence put wing Spicer in at the left corner.

Westcliff fought their way back into the game in the last 20 minutes, preventing Wells from any further score and picking up a converted pushover try from No 8 Joe Vandermolen.

It was a highly impressive sixth win of the season despite the loss of their hooker Luke Hawkins and fly-half Reynolds through injury and Wells remain in seventh place.

They visit Guildford on Saturday (December 9, kick-off 2pm) as they look to see if they can force their way back into the top six.

Watson hat-trick puts TJs back in the hunt Tonbridge Juddians 46 Wimbledon 15

By Adam Hookway RUGBY: WIMBLEDON came to The Slade without a win to their name in the current campaign but a strong performance against National Two South leaders Cinderford belied that bare statistic.

TJs produced a disappointing performance away to Barnstaple in the previous match and from the start they seemed determined to put matters right.

They moved the ball quickly and accurately, retained possession and put the visitors under prolonged pressure. The lineout was strong and stole a few Wimbledon throws but the scrum seemed to upset the officials.

Hugo Watson opened the scoring, and Murray Galbraith-Lowe and Jon McMahon added two more tries to give TJs a 22-5 lead at the break after Liam Prescott slotted two conversions and a penalty.

TJs were quick out of the blocks in the second half as Watson crossed again and the home seemed to ease off with four tries in the bank and the bonus point secured.

When yellow cards for Jack Whitmarsh and Charlie Edwards reduced TJs to 13, Wimbledon smelt a comeback and responded with a try.

But the revival was short-lived as Watson

completed his hat-trick and Tom Nicoll entered the fray at scrum-half to snipe over.

Wimbledon managed to go over again but Finlay Coxon-Smith added another to the TJ try tally and

SPRINT FINISH Murray GalbraithLowe runs in a try

the hosts ran out comfortable winners. The timely victory keeps TJs in tenth position in the league.

Now they take the long road to Redruth in Cornwall next Saturday (December 9, kick-off 2pm).

NEWS

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Men suffer first loss of season Banbury 5 Tunbridge Wells Men 3

By Francis Bridgeman HOCKEY: TUNBRIDGE WELLS will go into the winter break at the top of South Premier League Division Two but they suffered a setback at Banbury in what was expected to be a hard-fought game.

Unlike in some recent matches they started brightly. Chris Pelmore launched an aerial to the top of the D, where it was controlled by Kyle Mathieson and he fired in to give Wells the lead.

They were unable to maintain their start, ­however, and Banbury soon equalised before taking the lead midway through the half.

Despite a couple of well-worked goals through Jack Garwood and Chris Smith, Banbury were well drilled and ran in three more goals of their own inflict Wells’ first defeat of the season.

A much-changed 1st XI fielding several youngsters succumbed 4-1 in the EH Championships on Sunday to Blackheath, the current cup holders.

Some well-worked penalty corners in the first period saw the visitors race to a 4-0 lead. Wells pull a goal back through Ben Allberry, but the damage had been done in the first period.

Wells are still four points ahead of their nearest rivals in the league but want to maintain a healthy lead going into the second half of the season.

They will look to bounce back to winning ways in their final league game before the break.

They entertain Guildford at Tonbridge School this Saturday (December 9, 11.30am start).

Ladies show true grit to topple Broxbourne Broxbourne 1 Tunbridge Wells Ladies 3 HOCKEY: THE Ladies pulled off an impressive win at second-placed Broxbourne and are now in fourth place in East Region Division One South.

Both teams started strongly, but it was the home side that managed to put away a goal within the first 10 minutes.

But a well executed routine from their first short corner saw Wells captain and player of the match Jen Hunt fire a shot past the keeper to level the scores going into half-time.

In the second half there were energetic perfomances from Wells’ inners Perdi Knight and Hunt and the visitors began to make thoughtful leads to collect the ball more quickly.

Broxbourne were well organised at the back, however, frustrating Wells’ attacks and showing why they have had such a successful campaign.

A rare error, however, saw them concede another penalty corner, from which Amy Hare found the bottom left corner to give Wells the lead.

Hunt still found time to engineer a final goal via a deflection to round off a gritty performance as their determination saw them take points off the top two sides in the league.

Next Wells travel to Burnt Ash for the final game before the winter break on Saturday (December 9).